Cinderella: The Cinder from the Ash

Chapter Twelve

“Cinder, what are you waiting for?” Prince Imp’s voice pulled Ella away from her thoughts. “The carrots will not pick themselves.”

“The carrots,” Ella stated, finally walking through the gate, “were already picked. By you, if I remember correctly.”

“That is true. So let us gather the radishes instead. After all, we would not be good stewards of your estate if we allowed your pigs to go hungry, Lady Cinder.” He shut the gate behind Ella and latched it.

“This is hardly fair,” Ella protested. “You know my name, but you have not offered me the same courtesy.”

“Is that all it will take for you to trust me?”

“I already trust you,” Ella said. “I have to, do I not? After all, you hold my very life in your hands.”

“And you hold mine,” he replied. “But if a name is what you require, that is easily remedied. My name is Grey.”

Ella’s eyebrows rose. “Did your parents name you after the color of your eyes?”

He burst into laughter. “Hardly. I can only imagine they named me after the prince.”

“I had forgotten that’s his middle name.” Ella followed Grey to ‘their’ plot and knelt in the dirt. She dug a r****h out of the ground and held it up. “Does this look ripe to you?”

He knelt on the ground next to her. “Do your pigs truly care if their vegetables are ripe?”

Her lips curved up. “I have never bothered to ask them, but I am quite sure pigs would prefer ripe foods, much like…Much like any other animal would.” To hide her near mistake, she chattered on. “Did you bring any seeds? This soil is good for another planting.”

“I will be sure to bring some later,” Grey said. “Meet me here mid-week.”

It was more a statement than a question deserving of an answer. Ella bit the inside of her cheek. “I doubt I will be able to get away. The prince’s ball is next week, and my step-sisters require my assistance.”

“Will you be at the ball?” Grey pulled a r****h up and held it out to Ella. “Add this to your pigs’ fodder.”

“I do not think I will be able to attend.” Ella took the r****h and made a point to inspect every inch of the vegetable for blemishes. It was easier than meeting his piercing gaze.

“I was under the impression that every eligible woman had received an invitation.” His voice invited her to look up, but she stared steadfastly at the vegetables in her basket.

“I received an invitation,” Ella admitted, “I just do not believe I will be free to attend the ball.”

“Cinder,” his fingers lifted her chin so she had no choice but to stare into his eyes, “if you do not come, whom shall I dance with?”

She flushed. “Do you mean to tell me you will be there?”

“It is the event of a lifetime; the choosing of a princess. How could I not be in attendance?”

Ella pulled away from the fingers that were lingering a bit too intently against her make up. “I—I have to go.”

He stared down at his fingers for a moment, rubbing them together. A small frown marred the undead perfection of his face. “But you just arrived. When will I see you again?”

Ella glanced at Grey’s fingers, attempting to see any traces of make-up. “Perhaps after the ball, we can meet here.”

Grey shook his head. “I am afraid I shall be otherwise engaged after the ball. My parents have insisted I help them with some family matters and unfortunately, it will prove to be rather extensive.”

Ella’s face fell. “Oh,” she said rather abruptly. “Then I suppose we will not be seeing each other after tonight.” It made no sense, Ella had only seen him twice, but she rather liked him and wanted to see him again. “I will be here tomorrow evening,” she promised rashly.

He smiled. “Then I look forward to our next meeting with bated breath.”

She laughed. “You are…”

“Impossible. Yes, yes. You have said that before.” Glancing up at the moon, he continued. “You had best be on your way before you are turned into a pumpkin.”

“There is no such thing as magic,” Ella replied.

“If you truly believe that, then it is a sad day indeed.”

“Except that it is night, and not day. Now stop speaking at me, or I will be late getting back.” She picked up her basket and turned to leave.

“As always, I shall do as you command.” Grey bowed. “Until we speak again, fair Cinder, I shall leave you to your vegetables…and your secrets.”

Ella’s heart raced at the implication, but instead of turning around, she forced herself to walk through the church gate. Once out of Grey’s sight, she picked up her skirts and hurried across the square towards home. It did not take her long to reach the old tree by her bedroom. Ella looked up. The climb looked far more intimidating by the light of the moon than by the light of the sun and, although she had climbed the tree before, tonight she did not feel she could quite manage it. Instead, she crept around to the front door, easing it open and listening for any sound. The house was utterly silent, and Ella breathed out a sigh of relief. From door to the safety of her room was a scant journey up the staircase. Surely she could make it that far without mishap. After all, the visit to the lawyer had gone better than expected, and her ankle…she blinked…her ankle did not pain her any longer. Maybe Grey was correct, and there was a form of magic in the world. The idea would certainly make her life easier to bear. Ella found herself smiling all the way up to her room. Pulling open the door, she stepped inside.

“So you have finally chosen to return.” Celina rose from Ella’s bed and strode toward her step-daughter. “Did you by chance forget that you were to stay in your room? What was so important that you decided to disobey me?”

“Vegetables, Mama.” Ella backed away from Celina. “The carrots underneath my bed were not enough to sustain me for very long.”

Her step-mother’s eyes narrowed. “I was going to speak to the tinker, but I suppose now it is unnecessary, since you have obviously gathered what you need.”

Ella’s gaze dropped to the floor. She did not dare disagree with Celina, though it was obvious to even the most casual observer the basket was nowhere near to overflowing. The radishes her and Grey had picked would last the week, but no longer than that. She would definitely have to sneak out again. “Yes, Mama.”

“Tomorrow, that window will be nailed shut.” Celina said matter-of-factly. “I shall make the arrangements. Until then, you will stay in your room, do you understand…” She frowned, leaning towards Ella. “Your make-up is smeared.” Her voice was dangerously soft. “Who else knows what you are?”

Ella gasped. Her left hand flew up to her chin, where Grey had touched her. “No-one knows, Mama. I promise you, no-one knows.”

“And yet your make-up is still smeared.” Celina narrowed her green eyes. “I shall have to think further on what to do about it.”

“There is nothing that needs to be done, Mama,” Ella protested. “Nothing happened.”

“Then explain to me exactly why the bottom of your chin is no longer the correct color.” Her step-mother folded her arms across her chest.

“I must have rubbed at it without noticing,” Ella lied.

“Your carelessness could cost your sisters everything,” Celina spat. “The prince will never accept us if he knows we have something like you within our walls.”

“Maybe something like me is precisely what this world needs!” Ella snapped.

“You will never be what this world needs,” her step-mother hissed. “Do not try to crawl above your station, Cinder. You will fail.”

Ella opened her mouth, but the other woman threw up on hand. “Not another word, do you hear me? Not one.” Her voice deepened into an undead growl, and Ella swallowed.

“Yes, Mama,” she whispered.

“Make yourself comfortable, Cinder. This will be your home for a long, long time.” Celina slammed the door behind her, and Ella heard the key turn in the lock.