Cillian is trapped in his small village by his step-uncle, who has usurped Cillian’s inheritance and squandered it on his own two sons. Cillian earns his own living, and does all the family's chores, whlie his step-cousins do nothing. Then Queen Beyta arrives, looking to have Cillian repair Princess Itha's broken glass slipper. A party celebrating the king’s arrival is in two days, and Cillian gets to work. But, the afternoon before the party, Cillian's family overpowers him and locks him in the dungeon so that they might receive the king--and any blessings he might bestow. The queen comes to his rescue, and introduces him at court to the King Malo, Princess Itha, and Prince Pari. The princess wants to show Cillian her "gratitude," but the prince intervenes and claims Cillian for himself. The prince's gratitude, however, isn't anything Cillian is interested in. King Malo intervenes and Cillian fears more punishment, so it comes as a pleasant surprise when he's led to the king's bed. Soon, though, Malo must return to the castle, and Cillian to his village. He once again finds himself at the mercy of his step-uncle and cousins again. Will he ever see Malo again? Was their interlude just a game to the king or something more?

The Glass Slipper

“My jerkin! It’s ruined! You bastard,” Arten shouted. He dropped the bowl to the floor and slapped Cillian hard across the face. Cillian’s head snapped around at the blow. He turned to face Arten but received another strike. And a third.


He endured several minutes of the beating, until Arten stopped, seemingly more from fatigue rather than mercy.


“Just starve then! See if I care!” he screamed. He re-tied Cillian’s gag, tighter than before. Arten ran out the door and slammed it behind him, leaving Cillian in the dark.


The cold air soothed the sting on his face but their betrayal could not be alleviated so easily. He had been abused, beaten by them before, but nothing as treacherous as this. Of course, the royal family had never been in such close proximity, so even their ambition hadn’t been so tempted. To what lengths would they go to further their station? So far, there didn’t seem to be any boundaries to their perfidy.


Chapter 8