“I know what you’re thinking,” Atwood says as he finishes his glass of wine and pours another for both of us. “I know you’re scared. But I’ll protect you. You know that.”His words make me blush, which is only heightened by the alcohol.By the time we finish our second glasses of wine, we’re both tipsy and decide to have another. Before I know it, both of us are completely drunk, laughing and joking with each other like old friends. Normally it would feel strange to be so open and jovial with Atwood, but the alcohol has given me courage.It has also given me enough courage to ask him this question: “Will you stay with me tonight?”A small smile plays on Atwood’s lips at my question. He doesn’t answer; just nods and stands, holding out his hand for me, and leads me to my room.When we get to my room, I gently push him down on the bed and start unbuttoning his shirt. He pulls it off when I’m finished, revealing his sculpted upper body, then I move to his pants next. My hands shake a bit

Ruby“Wake up, Ruby! Wake up! It’s Christmas!”I’m awoken by Tamara, who is jumping excitedly on my bed. When she sees my eyes open, she falls down to her knees next to me, giggling.“Merry Christmas, little rabbit,” I say, reaching out and pinching her cheek.The sun has just barely begun to rise, but Tamara is already wide awake, excited to see what gifts Santa Claus has left for us. Soon, I think she’ll stop believing in Santa, although admittedly I dread those days. Seeing the magic in my little sister’s eyes every Christmas, even when we were living in poverty and I could barely afford a single gift, has been what has made me still love Christmas even after our parents died.My mind flickers briefly to the brooch and the oddly familiar mystery buyer from last night, but I decide not to let it bother me. It’s just a brooch; sure, it was a valuable artifact, but it’s okay. I know that my mother wouldn’t have been upset with me for selling it like I did. I know that she would unders

RubyI have some trouble falling asleep due to the anxiety from everything, but when I finally do eventually drift off, I find myself in a peaceful dream.In my dream, the castle is quiet and bright. I’m walking through the corridors wearing a white dress that flows behind me; is this my wedding dress?Ahead of me, there is a familiar figure. It’s Atwood, dressed in a tuxedo with his hair down, turned away from me. As I approach, he turns around.“You look beautiful,” he says with a gentle smile, and holds his hand out. When I take his hand, he pulls me close. Suddenly we’re dancing again, just like we did at my birthday party, spinning around the corridor as he leads me like I’m a feather in his hands. At the end, he dips me and leans in for a kiss.I close my eyes to kiss him, parting my lips slightly as I await his kiss, but it never comes. When I open my eyes, the castle is dark and empty. Atwood is gone.“Atwood?” I call out.There is no answer. I start to panic as I realize that

RubyI feel like a prisoner in my own body.Is this how Vivian felt?Alone, helpless, and weak?No matter how hard I look for my wolf, she’s not there. It’s as though she never existed. Without her, I feel even weaker than I did before she emerged. The Bears will kill me and I won’t be able to stand a chance, not without my wolf.I want to kick and scream and claw and bite when the Bear rips me out of Atwood’s arms, but I can’t. My limbs feel like rope, as though all of the muscles have fallen limp and useless.I know what the Bear is going to do to me. I can see the glint of the blade in his hand, the droplets of red on the tip where he cut his finger. The snow falls on the blood, turning it from a bright red to a muddy pink color.He’s going to drive the blade into my heart. The pink blood drips on my chin as he holds the knife above me.“No!”Atwood’s screams echo through the blizzard like the distant howling of the wind. He’s close; I can still smell him. Using what little strengt

Atwood“It’s the Queen and the others,” the guard says. “Sometime during the night, they escaped. They’re nowhere to be found.”Of course they did.“What happened to the guards posted at their doors?” I ask.“They were injected with some sort of sleeping potion,” he replies. “They were found sleeping on the floor when the new guards went to relieve them this morning.”My head throbs a bit at this information. Clearly, Alice was going around with all sorts of potions last night. I had always thought that she was loyal to the crown; just not my crown, I suppose.“So be it,” I respond, tightening my grip on Ruby’s small hand. “Send out a search party once the blizzard clears. For now, just make sure that they can’t get into the castle. If they’re found, arrest them immediately.“Yes, sir,” the guard replies with a bow.With a sigh, I open the parlor door and pull Ruby inside.Polly has already lit the fire and set up the blankets and hot drinks for us, so all Ruby and I have to do is sin