“Would you rather me kill our daughter?” Vasilisa cried. “Because she’s telling me to do that instead! The only way she's going to stop is if I prove our daughter's strength.”
“This is no test of strength! If she wants her dead, this isn't going to stop her.”
“It's her best chance.”
“Let me take her then. I'll run away with her. I'll raise her. You can stay queen and keep the people safe, and I'll keep Ignatia alive.”
Vasilisa furrowed her brows, her glance moving between me and father. Her lips quivered. Her hands shook.
Sometimes I find myself wondering if Vasilisa ever loved me as a daughter. There are very few moments where I swear there must've been a hint of love behind those vicious violet eyes.
If I had to name a moment where she could've possibly loved me, this would be the one.
Her grip on me strengthens. Any tighter would have broken my wrist.
“Please,” my father murmured. “I can take care of her.”
The eerie silence remained, so much so that I wanted to beg for noise. When it comes to Vasilisa, the worst sound iswhen there's none at all. That always meant something was brewing.
Vasilisa finally sighed, but it's not a normal sigh. It resembled that of a person on their final breath.
My heart dropped. This will be horrific.
Her eyes turn just as soulless despite the tears that coated them. “Eli. You know I love you, right?”
Father’s stare hardens. “Vasilisa…”
“Godusa just spoke to me again. If I put her in that cage, and you're still there behind me, you're dead.”
She took me by my wrist and dragged me over to the cell. It was barely even that, as all four sides were made of steel, with only a flap and a lock on the door in front.
I tried to plant my feet onto the ground. There was no way I was going in there! “Mom!”
“I'm doing this for you!” she shouted. She pulled me from my stance and hauled me closer to the empty cage.
I tried to dig my feet in with every pull. My heart pounded. “No!”
“Let go of her!”
Next thing I knew, she punched father’s chin, and he thuds on the floor
“Father!”
Vasilisa yanked my body around and pushed me in the cage before slamming it closed. I scramble for the door, slamming my whole body into it multiple times. My buckling legs make it impossible to stand as I scream and sob for the door to open.
“Neither of you listen when I'm trying to help!” Vasilisa shouted.
I pound my hand against the stupid iron door. I was trapped. Little ten year old me could do nothing.
“I love you both! Don't you understand?” Vasilisa yelled. “I wanted you to fucking run because she's demanding I kill you! She has been since the beginning! And I can't lock you up and disobey her again! You should've ran!”
I froze in my spot against the door. Father?
She can't kill father!
“Godusa wouldn't force you to do this…” Father said so meekly, I could barely hear him. “You must be misunderstanding her…You don't have to do this…”
“Father!” My heart bangs my chest. “Mom! Don't kill him!”
