Read Online Rumpelstiltskin (Timeless Fairy Tales Book 4) by K. M. Shea - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: K. M. Shea
Ads: Link
tipped his head like a dog. “What do you mean?”
“It means I don’t think I could sleep if I wanted to. Death threats and King Torgen have that sort of effect on us normal citizens,” Gemma dryly said.
The mage smiled widely. “I see. I hadn’t thought about it like that. You mentioned before that you haven’t much hope King Torgen will release you.”
“Even if he does, he knows my name. He will remember the result forever. I will have to leave Ostfold immediately,” Gemma said pulling her legs to her chest to conserve heat.
“Is that so bad?”
“I would leave behind the only friendships I’ve ever made,” Gemma said, thinking of Grandmother Guri and Lady Linnea as she traced a hem of her brown and white uniform with her finger. “And I don’t think my survivability rate is favorable. I could perhaps find employment somewhere in Verglas, but King Torgen would surely hire the assassin’s guild to track me down. Outside of Verglas, I am more likely to survive, but who would want a seamstress from Verglas? We are the backwoods of the fashion world,” Gemma said.
“I don’t think you have ever strung so many words together before,” the mage said.
Gemma cracked a wry smile.
The mage sat down, resembling a tent with his swirling cloak. “I recall hearing you made dresses. You work for a lady, I believe?”
“Lady Linnea, daughter of Lord and Lady Lovland.”
“And they are nice?”
Gemma shifted so her head was able to rest against the back wall as she remembered watching Lord Lovland slink to the back of the throne room while King Torgen sentenced her. “Lady Linnea is a good person.”
The mage whistled. “High praise coming from a girl as reluctant as you.”
Gemma’s lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile. “Lady Linnea deserves it. She is unusual, but lovely.”
“I’m sure, to win over your loyalty. It’s probably easier to move a castle than you,” the mage said.
“I am practical, not stone-hearted,” Gemma said.
“No. You’re guarded,” the mage corrected.
Gemma shrugged.
“Right. Well if you’re going to stay awake, we may as well play a word game.”
“A word game?”
“Yes. I choose an object that is visible in this room. You ask me ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions. Based on my response, you make guesses about what the object is. I will pick an item first, and once you correctly guess it, it will be your turn to pick an item. Do you understand?”
Gemma glanced at the spinning wheel. “Is it gold?”
“You don’t start by directly guessing the item; you ask questions about it! And no, it’s not gold.”
“Hm. Is it the spinning wheel?”
“Why do I suspect you are being deliberately obtuse?”
“Fine, Sir Mage. Is it brown?”
“No.”
Prince Toril pounded on his father’s door the moment the sun peeked over the horizon. The mountains that stood guard at the castle’s back cast purple shadows across the land as Prince Toril hollered, “Father, I know you are awake.”
“What do you want? I thought you were off sighing over your lost princess?” King Torgen said, throwing open the door to his room.
Prince Toril was disappointed to see his father already wore a mad smile in spite of the early hour. Occasionally, if he caught him while he was still half asleep, King Torgen was more amiable.
Or perhaps he’s just less bitter , Prince Toril thought. As little as he liked to admit it, his father was growing crueler as the seasons passed. While he never had to fear for his own life, he knew the people were uneasy—even before Elsa—no—Elise was almost burned at the stake.
“You have a peasant girl imprisoned,” Prince Toril said.
King Torgen rolled his eyes and sighed in disgust. “Fell for another pretty face, did you? I should have beaten your gullibility from you as a child,” he said.
“I haven’t fallen for anyone,” Prince Toril said. “But you have to let this girl go.”
“Why?” King Torgen demanded. He
“It means I don’t think I could sleep if I wanted to. Death threats and King Torgen have that sort of effect on us normal citizens,” Gemma dryly said.
The mage smiled widely. “I see. I hadn’t thought about it like that. You mentioned before that you haven’t much hope King Torgen will release you.”
“Even if he does, he knows my name. He will remember the result forever. I will have to leave Ostfold immediately,” Gemma said pulling her legs to her chest to conserve heat.
“Is that so bad?”
“I would leave behind the only friendships I’ve ever made,” Gemma said, thinking of Grandmother Guri and Lady Linnea as she traced a hem of her brown and white uniform with her finger. “And I don’t think my survivability rate is favorable. I could perhaps find employment somewhere in Verglas, but King Torgen would surely hire the assassin’s guild to track me down. Outside of Verglas, I am more likely to survive, but who would want a seamstress from Verglas? We are the backwoods of the fashion world,” Gemma said.
“I don’t think you have ever strung so many words together before,” the mage said.
Gemma cracked a wry smile.
The mage sat down, resembling a tent with his swirling cloak. “I recall hearing you made dresses. You work for a lady, I believe?”
“Lady Linnea, daughter of Lord and Lady Lovland.”
“And they are nice?”
Gemma shifted so her head was able to rest against the back wall as she remembered watching Lord Lovland slink to the back of the throne room while King Torgen sentenced her. “Lady Linnea is a good person.”
The mage whistled. “High praise coming from a girl as reluctant as you.”
Gemma’s lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile. “Lady Linnea deserves it. She is unusual, but lovely.”
“I’m sure, to win over your loyalty. It’s probably easier to move a castle than you,” the mage said.
“I am practical, not stone-hearted,” Gemma said.
“No. You’re guarded,” the mage corrected.
Gemma shrugged.
“Right. Well if you’re going to stay awake, we may as well play a word game.”
“A word game?”
“Yes. I choose an object that is visible in this room. You ask me ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions. Based on my response, you make guesses about what the object is. I will pick an item first, and once you correctly guess it, it will be your turn to pick an item. Do you understand?”
Gemma glanced at the spinning wheel. “Is it gold?”
“You don’t start by directly guessing the item; you ask questions about it! And no, it’s not gold.”
“Hm. Is it the spinning wheel?”
“Why do I suspect you are being deliberately obtuse?”
“Fine, Sir Mage. Is it brown?”
“No.”
Prince Toril pounded on his father’s door the moment the sun peeked over the horizon. The mountains that stood guard at the castle’s back cast purple shadows across the land as Prince Toril hollered, “Father, I know you are awake.”
“What do you want? I thought you were off sighing over your lost princess?” King Torgen said, throwing open the door to his room.
Prince Toril was disappointed to see his father already wore a mad smile in spite of the early hour. Occasionally, if he caught him while he was still half asleep, King Torgen was more amiable.
Or perhaps he’s just less bitter , Prince Toril thought. As little as he liked to admit it, his father was growing crueler as the seasons passed. While he never had to fear for his own life, he knew the people were uneasy—even before Elsa—no—Elise was almost burned at the stake.
“You have a peasant girl imprisoned,” Prince Toril said.
King Torgen rolled his eyes and sighed in disgust. “Fell for another pretty face, did you? I should have beaten your gullibility from you as a child,” he said.
“I haven’t fallen for anyone,” Prince Toril said. “But you have to let this girl go.”
“Why?” King Torgen demanded. He
Similar Books
