Jacqueline

32

She doesn't go down easy. The initial blow stuns her, but when I wrap my fingers around the pendant of her necklace, she shoves me backwards. The necklace goes flying.

I land against the dresser, and it knocks the breath out of me. Christine's on her knees, scrambling over to the corner for the necklace. I pull myself to my feet and tackle her, grabbing for the necklace.

"Help!" she screeches, and rolls onto her back, clutching the jewel in her hands. "Guards!" Her nails rake across my face, and I elbow her in the gut before getting a hand over her mouth. She kicks at me, but she's pinned to the floor.

I'm yanked off her. Someone kicks the back of my knee and I stagger. My wrists are twisted behind my back as more guards fill in the room.

Christine sits up, clutching the golden chain. The rouge on her lips is smeared, her dress askew, and her hair, once in bountiful curls, now in pitiful tangles. "Oh, thank goodness you're here. This girl tried to kill me!" An accusing finger is inches from my face. I'm tempted to bite it.

"What shall we have done with her, princess?" A man's voice behind me. I don't recognize the guard.

"I-" Christine freezes, raising her gaze from the empty pendant. "Where is it?" Her eyes fill with fury. She lunges at me. "You bitch!" she screams, as I crush the stone beneath my heel.

She seethes, panting. "Have you any idea what you've just done!" The necklace lies discarded on the floor. "That was my mother's, you- you repulsive witch!"

"Princess," the guard gripping my arms said. "Your orders?"

"Lock her in the dungeon." She sniffed. "I will allow my father to devise her punishment."

I'm hoisted to my feet.

"Your father has lost the war," I spit. "And tomorrow mine comes."

The recognition dawns in her eyes as I'm dragged from the room.