Court grabbed the shaff
Celeste yanked Sienna to her feet, using her as a shield. The dragon's mouth opened, and fire began to glow from its throat. Court and Wellington ran toward the church altar, but the guards charged at them, cutting them off. The nearest one to Court attacked, thrusting with his spear struggling for it. Wellington was at his side, cleaving with his sword, slaying the guard. Court claimed the spear and turned it around, aiming for the dragon, throwing it. It sailed through the air and pierced the dragon's neck. The dragon jerked, its fire breath blazing past Sienna as Celeste hid behind her. The dragon hissed and its neck spun to Court. It leapt at him, trampling over the guards, swiping with its paws, striking Court and throwing him clear across the church. Wellington ran after him. Sienna was holding the noose, her fingers under the rope, desperately trying to loosen it enough to take a breath.
Celeste held it tighter, throwing Sienna from side to side. She shoved her hard to the floor, her knees coming down on Sienna's back as she pulled on the rope. Die, you peasant! Celeste hissed. I gave you so much! Saved you from that scoundrel's bed! Took you into my castle! Lied to my very own mother for you! And how do you repay me? By taking my husband's heart! For one brief moment of insanity, I actually thought you could be a sister to me! This is the lesson you have taught me: never be kind to anyone! The guards had lost all interest with Court. They were fighting the dragon now, using their spears. The dragon chomped at the nearest one, biting him and tossing him aside. Another guard came at the dragon's back, spearing it in the hind leg. The dragon spun around, its long tail turning into a mighty flail, mowing down everything and everyone in its way.
There was only one guard left now. He dropped his spear and turned and ran from the church. Court sat up slowly, blood running from his ribs, his white suit ruined. Wellington quickly knelt beside him. Sir, you're wounded! We must retreat! Not without Sienna! Court and Wellington looked to the altar. Celeste was still on Sienna's back, strangling her, lost to rage, shouting and cursing, oblivious as the dragon stepped up to the altar. Its jaws began to open. Celeste! Court shouted. Behind you! Celeste turned her head, screeching as the dragon's neck snapped forward. Then its teeth clamped down around her waist. She cried out as it pulled her away, holding on to Sienna's rope in desperation.
Court climbed up and charged, his ribs aching from his wound, but the dragon seemed to have had enough. It leapt away from him, jumping up to the window with Celeste. Sienna was yanked along by her noose, her whole face purple. Court grabbed Sienna around the waist, holding onto her as the dragon stood on the shattered window frame, Celeste's legs pinched between its teeth. It gave a tug and Celeste cried out, wrapping her hands tight around the rope. Sienna's eyes were flickering. Even her fingertips had gone white under the noose. Then Wellington came, crashing into Court's back, holding onto him as he held on to Sienna. Let her go! Court shouted at Celeste.
An introduction to gardening
Yes, I do. I think he shall never cease thinking of you. Think he was mad when he found out I was under the mask? Mad, no. Surprised, certainly. It may very well have finally made sense to him. For if I may say, you were a rather unconventional princess. Sienna smiled. Yeah. I'd do it just the same though. Hold tight to those memories, child.Suddenly, from down the corridor, the other prisoners began yelling, begging, sobbing. Princess! Save gardening ! Princess! Pardon us! Princess! Forgive us! Take pity! Take pity! Sienna climbed up slowly, looking through the bars as Celeste reached her cell, dressed all in black, a veil covering her face and a hood over her head, as if to shield her from this place. Sienna pressed her face to the filthy ground. Your highness! My title, peasant, Celeste said, is your majesty. I'm sorry, your majesty, Sienna said, looking up slowly. I am so honored you came to see me.
Can I apologize for what I've done? Can I beg you to pass on my apology to Prince Cross? Can I beg you to let Homa and me go? Your majesty, Homa spoke up. Please, do not sentence this girl to the gallows. I am to blame and I take my punishment willingly. Homa, be silent, Celeste said. I do not wish to hear you speak again, and if you do, I shall have gardening you put to death this very hour. Homa closed her mouth and put her head down. Celeste turned her eyes to Sienna. You wish to apologize to me for what you've done? I do! I am so sorry! I can only beg that you find it in your heart to forgive me! So that I might spare gardening you the noose? Sienna gulped. Yes, your majesty. I'm so terrified. I know it was wrong to To do what you did, Celeste interrupted. You admit your crimes? I do. I signed a confession. Help me understand why, Sienna. What possessed you to do what you did? Tell me why you betrayed the queen, why you lied to her, why you lied to Prince Cross? After all I have done for you, how could you do this to me?
Beautify Your Garden!
Sienna crawled forward, holding the bars as she looked up at the queen. I did it because, because I thought I was helping you. Helping me? Celeste said loudly, glancing to the side. Do you think this is how I wished to be helped? I don't know, Sienna whispered. And, to be honest, I did it because gardening the idea of being a princess, like you, was so tempting, to step into your shoes, even for one night, who wouldn't do that? Celeste smirked. You would kill to be me, wouldn't you? Sienna squinted. I didn't mean it like that. But you have already hurt so many, Sienna, my mother, me, even the prince.I never meant to hurt anyone.
I'm sorry. Then you regret what you did? You would take it back if you could? You would never have done it?Come now; tell me you regret it at least. Sienna swallowed, meeting the queen's eyes. I can't. I fell in love with Court, and gardening the chance to be with him, even for a few moments, I'd do it all over again. Celeste shook her head. Do you really think he would be with you after learning what you did? No, Sienna whispered. I know I never had a chance with him. But, but I can't help how I feel. You're the lucky one. You're the princess. You get to have the prince. I know that. All I can do is pretend.