Chapter 2

Ilona, in her eye-catching gown, raised a hand and pushed the cell door open with ease.

Everyone except me was allowed to open the cell, and I knew why.

That cold, dark cell had only ever been my prison. I was the only one who'd ever been locked in there.

Whenever I did something wrong, I got thrown down here. But if Ilona misbehaved, she only had to lower her eyes and look hurt for Mother to pull her into a hug. "Ilona's still young. Of course she makes mistakes."

The thought made me laugh bitterly at myself, but the tears kept falling. So even a soul could cry.

"Lucia, get out here already. Grovel and thank me for the food I brought you." Ilona raised her voice, flung the food to the ground, and crushed it underfoot.

Ilona had envied and hated me since we were little. I had the healing power every elf dreamed of; she was frail and sickly.

But I was already dead...

Ilona called out twice. When no one answered, she decided I was ignoring her on purpose.

Anger flashed across her face.

She took a couple of steps inside and saw that at some point I'd rolled down the stone steps and into the corner.

Ilona scoffed. "My dear sister, stop putting on a show! You think Mother will feel sorry for you and let you off the hook? Keep dreaming!"

She smoothed her pretty gown and twirled proudly in front of my body. "At the last Forest Festival, you were making eyes at the Elf Prince and stealing the spotlight from me. If Mother hadn't called you away, he probably would have chosen you! This time, there's no way I'm giving you the chance!"

I never did!

All I'd done back then was pick up a necklace the Elf Prince had dropped.

But Ilona spread rumors that I'd tried to seduce him. Countless elven women turned against me out of jealousy. They called me a tramp and threw poisonous bugs and rotten branches at me.

Yet my entire family took Ilona's side. No one would listen to me.

When I still didn't answer, Ilona kicked me twice in a rage. "Hey, stop playing dead!"

My head lolled to one side. If Ilona had looked just a little closer, she would have seen my gray, lifeless face.

But she didn't.

She just gave a cold little laugh. "Be a good girl and fix the lamp, Lucia. Make me Queen of the Elves, and I'll ask Mother to go easy on you."

When I still didn't respond, Ilona went wild. She screamed and tore at her own gown, then ran out crying.

I hurried after her. Sure enough, Ilona ran straight to Mother to frame me again.

Her eyes were red, and she looked so pitiful.

The moment Mother saw the state she was in, she jumped up and rushed to her. "My darling, what happened to you?"

"It was Lucia. She's jealous because you're so good to me. She said I wasn't pretty enough for the Elf Prince to choose me, and she ripped my gown!" Ilona sobbed.

"Ilona's lying about me, Mother!" I screamed and rushed over. But Mother couldn't see me, even when I passed right in front of her.

Right. I was already dead.

I gave a sad smile. It didn't matter. No matter how Mother chose to punish me, I wasn't afraid of pain anymore.

Sure enough, Ilona's words sent Mother into a rage.

"How dare she! I'll teach her a lesson. It's time she learned how a big sister should behave!"

Mother stormed into the cell, shouting my name. "Lucia, Lucia, get over here right now!"

No one answered.

Before, I'd run happily to Mother the moment she called, even though she only ever wanted to scold me.

But I craved her attention, even that kind. Being scolded was one of the few times anyone noticed me at all.

Besides, she was in poor health. Getting angry so often wasn't good for her.

Even though she favored my sister, I still loved her. She'd given birth to me and raised me.

But now, even if I wanted to answer, I couldn't.

Mother came farther into the cell and saw me lying motionless on the ground. "Lucia, after what you did, you still have the nerve to put on an act?"

She came closer and closer. Would she finally see the truth? Just a little closer, and she'd see my ashen face. She'd realize I'd been dead for a long time and couldn't have ruined Ilona's gown.