Page 8 of Turret
“I…don’t understand. I don’t want to leave home.” While I was tired of the restraints from that life, I’d rather remain there near my family than be sent away so coldly.
“It’s for the best,” Mother repeated before turning to Quinn. “Gemma’s handmaiden will remain with her, but as for you…the tower’s charms will be more than adequate enough protection. There will be no further need for you.”
Shock filled Quinn’s expression before he set his jaw. “I’m Her Highness’s guard. I refuse to abandon my post.”
Mother narrowed her eyes. “If you insist…but I must warn you that this will be your only chance to leave. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Quinn’s decision didn’t waver, though hatred for Mother filled his eyes. “What are you going to do to the princess?”
“If you share her fate, then you’ll know soon enough.” Mother’s crimson lips curled into a smirk. “Perhaps this is for the best. If you’re contained, then you can’t get in my way.”
Quinn lifted his chin. “Regardless of any consequences to myself, I won’t leave. I can’t.” It was clear by the determination filling his expression that he wouldn’t be swayed, while Melina wrapped her arms around my shaking shoulders in silent support. Only knowing that their loyalty meant I wouldn’t be entirely alone throughout my imprisonment allowed me to maintain a fragile hold on my faltering emotions, but only just.
Mother searched Quinn’s expression a moment, gauging his sincerity, before shrugging. “Very well.”
At her words, the full implications of my guard’s decision settled over me. As much as I didn’t want him to leave, how could I allow him to share in my fate in becoming a prisoner? I made a choking sound of protest. “Quinn!”
“It’s alright, Princess.” His tone was calm and reassuring, yet he couldn’t mask the worry marring his expression. I felt both relief and fierce guilt at his insistence on remaining.
But I had little time to try and talk him out of it. Mother rested her hand on the wall. “Trust me, this will be for your own good.”
At her touch and a few muttered words, the stones quivered to form a doorway with dark weeds woven around the frame. She jerked her head, motioning for Quinn and Melina to enter, but though they obeyed, I remained still, staring at Mother pleadingly, unable to fully accept the implications of what was happening.
“Don’t do this, Mother. I don’t want to leave home. Please.”
“It’s for your own good, my dear. Trust that Mother knows what’s best.”
I finally lost the battle over my faltering emotions, allowing my tears to escape. “But I don’t want to remain here.”
Mother’s expression was blank as she took in my tear-streaked cheeks before she glanced at my sister. “Reve, it appears your sister needs a bit of persuasion. Don’t you agree it’s for Gemma’s own good to be away from the chaos of the palace? Some time away to heal will do wonders for her.”
I spun on my sister, my eyes wide in silent plea. “Please, Reve. I don’t want to leave home.”
She hesitated before stepping forward to wrap her arm around me, a gesture so foreign I felt myself stiffen in shock. “I agree with Mother. You haven’t been feeling well at the palace. This is the perfect place for you to get better. How about we both go into the tower and I’ll ensure you’re settled and comfortable. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to stay.”
Though her tone was reassuring, I still hesitated. “But Reve, I already know I don’t want—” But she was already guiding me into the tower. I tentatively followed, foolishly placing my trust in her.
The moment I stepped inside she released me, causing me to lose my balance. I was only spared falling by Quinn’s steady hold around my waist. I instantly understood what had happened: Reve, like Mother and likely the rest of my siblings, had no intention of helping me; they only wanted to be rid of me. I had no place amongst them either.
The betrayal was sharp and stinging, squeezing my heart so tightly I feared it’d break. I glanced helplessly towards Reve, catching a glimpse of her stoic expression before the tower sealed shut, trapping me inside.
Stunned, I numbly stared at the wall separating me from the outside world, too hurt to pay attention to Quinn and Melina’s frantic search amongst the impenetrable stones for an exit. Even through the thick walls I could hear my family’s retreating footsteps. Despair compelled me to hurry up the stairs.
I quickly lost my breath as I ascended the steps to the tower window I’d seen from outside, one that turned out to be the view from my new bedroom. I peered out just in time to see Mother’s and Reve’s departing forms in the distance.
“Reve!” I cried desperately. She paused and slowly turned to face me. “Reve!” I cried again, but she disappeared into the woods, leaving me behind. But surely she’d never justleaveme. She’d return, she justhadto. I spent hours at the window waiting for that moment, hours searching for her, hours hoping the others would eventually come rescue me.
But in the days, weeks, months, and eventually years that followed, neither she nor any of the others ever came looking for me.
This memory faded, leaving me exhausted with the tumult of emotions I’d experienced. I was growing weary of this room and the reminiscences I hadn’t asked for, each of which weighed heavily on my heart. I yearned to escape, but there was one more mirror whose vision I hadn’t yet seen. Once again I tried to look away as it filled with fog, but no matter how hard I tried to escape, I was forced to watch one final vision…one the tower had never shown me before.
The swirling fog settled to reveal my brothers facing one another in the middle of the Malvagarian palace foyer during what appeared to be an argument. Even though I didn’t want to see what would soon unfold within the glass, I found myself stepping closer, the part of me that was secretly curious about my family living their lives outside these tower walls urging me forward.
Drake held a document in a clenched fist and waved it before our brother. “For the last time, you can’t do this, Briar. I refuse to allow you to pull the last remaining guards from trying to find our sisters.”
Briar’s expression twisted in disgust. “Why should I continue to expend valuable men and resources trying to find them? I’ve spent months searching; the cause is hopeless.”
I wanted nothing more than to close my ears and eyes, but once more I couldn’t, forcing me to watch as Drake crumpled the document. “But they’re our sisters. You can’t just give up on them.”
