Cinderella's Inferno

by F. M. Boughan

  Now I felt uncertain I would live that long.

  “We should free Samia,” William said, glancing out the door to ensure we hadn’t been followed. “It will require us to fight our way into the dungeons—I doubt anyone will be fooled by tea again.”

  “No,” I said, thinking. “But we can hope for different things. Perhaps the guard is allergic to dogs. Or to unfounded orders from a hysterical king.” I thought to jest, but my words came out flat and solemn instead.

  William’s expression flickered with doubt. “I don’t understand what’s come over him. He hadn’t been much like himself in the days before we left—and if you recall, I’d thought it ludicrous that he threw you in the dungeon. I’d convinced myself he was merely anxious or frustrated by the French ambassador’s visit, or even my mother’s extended absence. Without her around, he tends to get fixated on things—she’s the voice of reason, which probably comes as no surprise. I hadn’t been inviting you up to the palace as often or pressing the wedding as he seemed to have a great deal on his mind.”

  So, William hadn’t been avoiding me after all, nor had he been ashamed of my powers, nor regretful of his proposal. He’d been acting as a respectful son, trying to ease the weight on his father’s shoulders. How I loved him, truly I did.

  “The soldiers seem torn and confused,” I said. “I think we might bargain our way inside, even if the guard placed there is loyal to your father. After all, it’s the leaving they prefer not to happen, isn’t it?”

  With a grin, William placed his lips against my forehead. “You … you really have no powers remaining, do you? I haven’t seen you call up spirits the way you often tend to do in anxious moments. There’s been something different about you since we left Celia’s cavern.”

  “Better?” I hardly dared to hear his answer.

  “No,” he said, shaking his head ever so slightly. “Only different, neither better nor worse.”

  “And there’s a difference about you as well. You’re more decisive than usual. More … confident. Assured.”

  “And that is better, I hope.” He kissed me again and the birds in my belly took flight. “And I believe I should give thanks to you. You give me strength, Ella. Literally and figuratively, I think.”

  I offered a slight smile. He grinned in amusement before slipping out the library door. After checking in both directions, he gestured for us to follow.

  We raced toward the dungeon, the future of the kingdom lapping at our heels. It did not take much to convince the guard stationed there to allow us inside. He might have offered a lantern and a guided tour if I hadn’t pulled Cerberus back from his enthusiastic tooth-baring. It also didn’t harm our cause that the guard and William had spent many months training together and sparring when they were younger. My prince was well loved by the people he worked with and lived among, and it wasn’t hard to see why.

  We descended the dungeon steps into a prison that stank badly of unwashed bodies, sweat, and piss. Had these people been down here for weeks without changed bedding or proper hygiene? Not that I expected anyone awaiting execution to be treated like an honored guest—despite how their guilt had not been proven.

  Too many people were crowded in the dank cells, and I gripped William’s hand in surprise. As we reached the bottom step, the muted din ceased. People turned to stare as we walked down the row of cells. Why did they stare at us in silence?

  They thought the prince was dead.

  And probably many had been told I’d killed him.

  Then a soft, small voice spoke from the furthest corner of the room, and my heart squeezed, cracked, and shattered.

  “Ellison? Is that you?”

  I ran toward the sound and nearly collapsed at the confirmation of its source.

  “Edward?”

  44

  The Treachery

  Edward clung to the cold iron bars that separated us, his eyes wide with fright.

  “Edward, what are you doing here? Why are you locked up? How—”

  “Breathe, friend. I must say, I’m very glad you’re not dead.”

  “Liesl!” My beautiful friend stood behind Edward, hands on his shoulders and a marked determination on her face. Somehow, despite the circumstances, she looked clean and poised, and I wondered how many guards she already had under her thumb. “But what are you doing here, both of you?”

  Liesl snorted and gazed down the length of the prison with disdain. “Our great and mighty king, in his royal wisdom, thought that it would be a boon to our kingdom’s safety to lock up the family of the escaped witch. But oh, that’s right, the only remaining family member is a child who wouldn’t harm a single soul if his life depended on it.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. It had lost a bit of its lustre, but undoubtedly looked far better than mine. “Naturally, I refused to allow the king’s men to bring him here all alone.”

  I could have hugged her for a week. “Oh, Liesl. You’re a better friend than I deserve. Thank you.”

  “Oh, stop. No need to thank me,” she said, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Most of the soldiers here are already acquainted with my father or me, and I’m not above making a deal where it benefits myself or a child’s well-being.”

  I glanced down at Edward, then at the crowded state of the neighboring cages. Somehow, she’d also wrangled them into semi-private accommodations, for I saw only one other figure in their cell.

  “We’ve been fed,” Liesl continued, her tone softening, “and treated fairly. I did what I could for the others, but Ella, there’s a strangeness about this place. An oppression, one might call it, and I’m afraid something has gone very wrong with—” She suddenly noticed William and clamped her lips together.

  “My father,” he finished for her. “I know. He tried to have me arrested too. I believe I have the loyalty of some of the palace guards, but not all.”

  “What will you do?” Liesl looked from William to me and then casually allowed her gaze to drift toward a silent Edward. “I’m glad you’ve both returned, but … ”

  I heard her unspoken question. I shook my head slightly, and swallowed against the lump in my throat at the thought of my father—and mother, though surely she knew nothing of what we had endured. She undoubtedly dwelt with bliss in her afterlife, sparing nary a thought for we wretched souls still here on earth.

  Liesl’s face fell and we shared a look of understanding. “If you must, take care of the kingdom and come back for us. We’re safer in here if there’s madness afoot.”

  I peered past her to the other body in the cell. “Are you certain? You’re not harassed?”

  The stranger suddenly stood, a tall, cloaked figure who emerged from the shadows with a twist of mild amusement on his lips.

  “You!” It was the traveling player, the very same who’d assisted me during my escape weeks ago. He shrugged and folded his arms at my outburst. “Oh, sir. I’m so sorry you’ve found yourself in here yet again, but … I’ve also heard that William—ah, that the prince and I owe you a debt of gratitude for your discretion.”

  “I’m certain I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said with a wink. “But it’s good to see you both alive and well. For a while after Samia’s return, I feared the worst.”

  “You know Samia?” I blinked at him. “You’ve met her? Is this where they took her?”

  Liesl and he exchanged a knowing glance before my friend spoke again. “She’s taken into the town square every day at noon.”

  William scowled. “For what purpose? Tell me the soldiers lied.”

  “You might guess,” said the traveler, directing a pointed glance at Edward.

  “But she’s done nothing wrong!” William slammed his fists against the wall behind us. “How can this happen? Even if my father has become a despot, which I’m still having trouble accepting, the Paladin Council would never allow it.”

  “The Paladin Council is no more,” said the traveler, and at hearing the tone
of his speech again, I wondered at the familiarity of his voice. Was it simply because we’d spoken before? I thought not, but I couldn’t place the sound.

  William’s mouth fell open. “What?”

  “You’ll find any remaining Council members have either fled into the countryside or sit in one of these crowded cells. You’re the only one left who can oppose the evils perpetrated against the Lord’s warriors—and against all the other people you see before you.”

  The traveler’s eyes blazed as he spoke, and in that moment, I thought I knew where I’d heard that voice before. In a dark cavern, near a waterfall. Outside an iron gate. I turned curious eyes on him, on William, and on my loved ones with whom he shared a cell. Watching over them. Protecting them.

  “Who are you?” I asked, for it was just as likely that my thoughts and memories deceived me. After all, I gazed upon him now without difficulty, didn’t I? Also, I was very tired.

  He raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Have I not introduced myself?”

  “Not as much,” I said. “You’ve only told us that you’re a traveling entertainer, come to audition for a wedding that, insofar as I am aware, never called for auditions.”

  He shrugged and said nothing as William, anxious and distraught, paced in front of the cell.

  “Ellison?”

  I knelt in front of Edward, whose round eyes regarded me with blatant, uncensored worry. “Yes?”

  “Whose dog is that?”

  I waved over Cerberus, who had patiently waited at the base of the steps. “This is Cerberus,” I said. “He’s chosen to make our home his home and will remain with us for as long as he chooses. He’s a wonderful friend who saved our lives countless times. I know he looks frightening, but I promise he’s very gentle to those who are gentle with him in return.”

  Cerberus sniffed at Edward through the bars, and my brother’s small hands reached through to pat his snout and scratch his ears. The hound licked at Edward in gratitude.

  Moments later, my brother looked at me again, more curious now. “Where’s Father?”

  I almost burst into tears at the hope in his voice, and as deeply as I wished to speak truth, I preferred to do so someplace safe and quiet and clean, so that we might weep together.

  “Stand back,” William said suddenly, tugging on my shoulder.

  I stood, unbalanced, and whirled on him. “What are you—”

  His sword slashed down in front of my face, slicing through the air to clang against the cell’s lock. Liesl shrieked at the clamor and to my surprise—though perhaps it should not have been—the lock fell to the ground and the door swung open.

  Edward didn’t wait even a moment before bursting through to fall into my arms—and then, with the gratitude of a child who has seen and experienced too much in his short life, also hugged William.

  William accepted, then stepped back to address the remainder of the assembled prisoners as Edward busied himself with Cerberus’s eager friendship. “Are there any other children here?”

  Several frantic voices rose, and William strode to those cells to slice off their locks. There were far too many, though truthfully, one innocent child locked away in such a place was one too many.

  “I require three brave people familiar with the palace to escort these children to the kitchens. You’ll ask for Hette. Say that William—use my name, not my title—requests their aid to get these children home.”

  Oh, how my heart soared. I’d never had the joy of seeing William lead in such a way, and his composure offered a vision of his future kingship. Within minutes a team was formed to convey the children home. William addressed the remaining prisoners with reassurances we would return to free them as soon as it was safe for them to leave. For even with the locks on the ground and much of the guard loyal to William, who was to say an angry soldier, or one believing himself indebted to follow the king’s orders to the letter, wouldn’t strike them down?

  “Shall I take Edward with the others?” Liesl offered, as the volunteers began leading the children and caretakers away. Edward whirled on us.

  “No! I want to stay with you, Ellison, please. And Cerberus.”

  I shook my head, though I very much wanted to allow him to stay. “It will be safer if you go.”

  He crossed his arms. “I don’t care. Nothing about anything is safe anymore. I want to stay with you and Will and the dog.”

  The traveler chuckled behind us, and I resisted tossing him a glare. “It’s not a good idea, Edward.”

  “Either I stay with you, or I’m sneaking away from the others to come find you.”

  I blinked in disbelief.

  “He’s your brother,” Liesl said. “If anyone ever had doubt of your relationship, there it is.”

  “Liesl, are you casting aspersions on my parentage?”

  She grinned. “All I’m saying is, I’ve met you and I knew your mother.” No one else would ever have dared to say such a thing—nor would I have found it in good humor or taste—but Liesl was not anyone else. “I’ll come with you and watch Edward so that you and William aren’t held back from what needs doing. That way he won’t be separated from you, but you won’t have need to worry. All right?”

  “Whatever you decide, do it quickly,” William said. He stood at the base of the stairs, anxiously waving the remaining citizens on. “I won’t allow Samia to come to further harm. She looked weak enough, and I fear that she may not survive much more abuse.”

  I doubted the truth of that statement, but I didn’t want to question his strategy.

  “You know I have a thousand questions,” Liesl said to me, pinching my arm. “They’ll wait, but you have very much explaining to do.”

  “I promise,” I said, and of course it is a promise I kept, for how else would you be attending these words? But in that moment, we had no time to waste, and so we followed William up the stairs and toward the main doors of the palace.

  Yes, William intended to defy the king so blatantly that he would stroll right through the front gates. He was either a terrible fool or the bravest person I had ever laid eyes on.

  As we approached, I noticed that even those loyal to William hesitated to step out of the way, so concerned were they with following the king’s orders. And although I knew I could no longer be of use, that my time for battle was through, they did not know that.

  I gestured for Cerberus to join me as I strode to the head of our party and raised my palm. Then I grinned, for I recognized the faces of those who blocked our way.

  “Hello, gentlemen,” I said, regarding each of them in turn. “I believe we were recently acquainted at an evening banquet when you attempted to bar me from entering the hall where my future father-in-law and husband-to-be sat with the French delegates?”

  I pretended to draw my will and weave a conjuring—and of course they stepped aside. I’m surprised they didn’t do so the instant they noticed my approach. Moments later, we found ourselves outside, trudging along the dusty road leading to the palace gates, the journey a reversal of the one I’d taken weeks before when I first marched to the palace to beg William’s aid and tell him of my plan to save my mother.

  What would have happened if I had not been determined to save my mother’s soul? What would have this day been like, if I hadn’t fallen for Celia’s schemes?

  “Ella?”

  I glanced over to see Edward sitting on the back of Cerberus, both of them looking all too pleased with themselves.

  “Yes?”

  “Rusty is hungry.” I stared blankly at my brother until he scratched Cerberus between the ears. “Rusty would like something to eat as soon as it is convenient,” he reiterated. “He says he’s very grateful to be free of that miserable underworld, but he’d appreciate a small snack. He’s not used to needing food and water, but he supposes things are different here.”

  I continued to stare, hardly believing my ears. “Did you say … no, wait, Edward. Can you understand Cerb
erus?”

  Edward laughed and regarded me like the fool I most certainly had become. “Yes, I can. Can’t you?”

  “Not exactly.” I sighed. If he could see ghosts, why shouldn’t he be able to speak with a creature of the underworld also? At least this being was not under Celia’s influence and acted of his own free will.

  Celia’s influence.

  I stopped dead in my tracks as a horrifying thought worked its way through my mind. What had she said?

  Every time you tore the veil, you leaked the influence of this domain back into the world above.

  The king had tried to accuse William of not being the true prince, suggesting to the soldiers that his returned son might be an impostor possessed by an evil spirit. The very notion had sounded ludicrous, but on further consideration, why make this accusation if not attempting to divert attention from the true impostor? Perhaps it was the king who was not himself. It provided an explanation for the erratic behavior, the accusations, the dissolution of the Paladin Council and targeted punishment of the Almighty’s only remaining Protectors of Light in the kingdom.

  The king was possessed.

  I whirled around to find William at the rear of our small party, sword drawn and gaze swiveling intensely from side to side, watching for any who might dare oppose us.

  “William,” I said. “We must go back and find your father. I think I know what has happened. I believe the king has been—”

  William lurched, suddenly stricken, and pitched face forward into the dirt.

  A dagger protruded from his back, and his father, the king, stood on the path behind us.

  45

  The Scouring

  “William!” I tried to run toward him but found myself held back by Liesl, who gripped my arm. “Let me go to him!”

  “Stay,” she hissed in my ear. “Even if you’re powerless in one sense, as I gather from your vague statements, power comes in many forms. You must remain strong.”