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

When they arrived at Cillian’s house, Malo ordered his men to stay behind while he and Cillian went inside.


Cillian led the king into the smithy. He retrieved the glass crown from its hiding place and held it out to Malo.


The king’s jaw dropped and his eyes grew wide. He took it from Cillian with trembling hands and turned it in the fading daylight.


“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he whispered.


“I speak the truth, Cillian,” Malo said, looking him in the eye. “Yes, I have many wonderful treasures but you made this with your own hands for me?”


To Cillian’s astonishment, Malo knelt before him and held out the crown.


“Please me the honor of crowning me with this,” the king said.


Cillian almost fell to his knees, with such an honor bestowed up on him. With shaky and sweaty hands, he set the glass crown on Malo’s head.


Chapter 22