“Didn't your father tell you?”
“He said that you were a fairy,” I huffed. “That you were withering, so you went back to Fairyland.”
“Tir na nOg,” she corrected me, “but close enough.”
“Pardon?” I gaped at her.
“Sweetheart,” she purred. “Iama fairy.” She pulled a golden wand out of the air and brandished it about. “And you are half fairy.”
“Half fairy?”
“Yes.”
“Well, fuck,” I huffed.
Her eyes went wide.
“All of this time and I've just allowed them to mistreat me, thinking that I had no recourse,” I growled. “When I'm actually a fairy. Can I make magic?”
“I don't know.” She frowned. “Perhaps small spells.”
“Let me go and tell that bitch that she can stick her broomstick up her ass.” I headed back into the house with my mother trailing after me. “Then I'm getting the hell out of here!”
“What's this?” My mother's voice stopped me on the first stair.
I turned to see the invitation in her hands.
“Oh, that.” I grimaced. “The King and Queen are holding a ball so that their pervy sons can choose wives.”
“Princes?” Her brow lifted.
“Yeah, my stepsisters are beside themselves with glee, thinking that they're going to be chosen.” I snorted. “Too bad they're ugly and evil.”
“We shall snag you one of these princes,” my mother declared.
“Mom, no,” I huffed. “I don't want one of them.”
“All right, then we shall get you all three.” She nodded. “Yes, that will be perfect vengeance upon these harlots who have treated you so poorly. Though, you will have to put up with them for a few days longer, sweetheart.” She scanned the invitation. “Ha! Make that a day longer. The Ball is tonight! After the princes have chosen you to be their bride, you can tell the bitch to stick her broomstick... where was it now?”
“Up her ass.”
“Yes, up her ass!”
“I don't want to go to the Pervert's Ball,” I growled. “You're not listening to me. Those men are libertines! They are debauched, vulgar louts who fuck anything that will spread its legs for them. I do not want to marry any, much less all, of those princes.”
“My darling girl”–my mother smirked–“men are what you make of them. Trust me; these princes will be eating out of your hands in no time.”
“Gross!”
Chapter Three
My mother refused to listen to me. Instead, she flitted off to the palace to do some recon–her words. She told me to stay put and pretend that everything was normal. Since she was my only chance to learn about my magical potential and get myself out of my current predicament, I did as she bid. Which meant that I had to dress, adorn, and primp my stepsisters and their mother so that they could attend the Ball.
When their carriage finally pulled away from the manor, I gave a deep sigh, and trudged into the kitchen. I was going to curl up beside the fire and–
“Madelyn!” My mother appeared in the kitchen beside me.
“God-damn it!” I shouted. “Don't do that; you nearly gave me a heart attack.”
