Laura Greenwood - Feathers Of Fate

One

I flip the page of the book in front of me, trying to find the passage I need for my history class. I'm sure it's in this one, but I haven't been able to find it yet.

I pick up my teacup and take a drink, trying to centre myself on my studies.

"Rapunzel, I think I found the book you were looking for," Ella says, handing it over to the dark-haired girl opposite.

Rapunzel gives a relieved sigh and takes it from her. "Thanks. I've been searching for it all week but nothing seems to be where I thought it was."

"Weren't you complaining about the same, Helena?" Ella asks me.

I nod. "I've been searching for a chapter on the Borderlands Trade Deal. I was sure it was in this book, but I haven't found anything yet."

"Maybe the library's been cursed," Rapunzel jokes.

"And all of the books have swapped contents?" Ella adds.

I let out a small laugh, amused by the ridiculousness of my friends' suggestions. "Weirder things have happened at Grimm," I point out.

"That's true," Ella agrees. "I did throw a shoe at my stepmother."

"With good reason," Rapunzel reminds her. "If you hadn't, your prophecy may have come true."

"I know. It's still a little bit ridiculous though," she admits. "But that's the nature of prophecies."

An uneasy smile stretches over my face. It's easy for the two of them to make light of prophecies, they've both managed to avoid theirs already. But mine is still to come, which makes joking about these things a little more difficult.

A servant comes over with a small tray in her hands.

"Princess Helena," she says, dipping into a curtsy. "There's a letter just arrived for you." She holds out the tray.

Sure enough, a small envelope with my name written in familiar handwriting sits on it.

"Thank you." I reach out and take it, my heart racing as I take it. I don't need to open it to know it's from Wilhelm. My betrothed may not attend Grimm Academy, but at least he writes to me regularly.

"Can I get anything else for you?" the servant asks.

"No, thank you," I respond, eager to get to my letter.

"Actually, we wouldn't mind some more tea," Rapunzel says, gesturing to the pot. "And some biscuits, if you don't mind."

"Of course, my lady." The servant dips into a curtsy again and hurries off to do as she asks.

"It's a long time until dinner," Rapunzel says.

Ella lets out a small laugh. "I'm not complaining. The biscuits here are better than the ones our cooks make at home."

I don't pay them any mind and tear open the letter. I know I won't be able to focus on anything until I've read it and started my reply.

I scan the words, eager for news from Wilhelm's kingdom. Most of our courtship has been by the exchange of letters, though I've seen him at least once a year since we met when we were seven. But I feel like I've really got to know him in that time.

Maybe I'm kidding myself, but I don't think so. Our letters have made it possible for us to form a relationship with one another despite the fact we live so far apart.

I scan the letter, anxious for news, only to let out a small squeak when I come to the line I've been waiting to read.

Father says they've finally finished negotiations. You'll be able to come within a month, I can't wait for you to get here.

My hand flies to my mouth, trying to put the sound back in, but it's already caught the attention of my friends, who are both looking at me as if they expect me to combust. I should be glad Briar and Marigold are in class, or I'd have twice the amount of scrutiny on me.

"Is everything all right?" Rapunzel asks.

I manage a nod while I search for the words. "I'm getting married."

Ella chuckles. "We know that. You've been betrothed to Wilhelm for as long as I've known you."

A small gasp comes from Rapunzel. "Unless it's not Wilhelm she's going to marry."

"It's Wilhelm," I assure them both. "He says our fathers have finished negotiations, so we should be able to get married within a month."

"That's great news," Rapunzel says. "Why don't you seem happier?"

I sigh and set the letter on the table in front of me. "I am happy. But I'm also scared."

"Your prophecy?" Ella guesses correctly.

I nod. "I want to marry Wilhelm, more than I've ever wanted anything. But I can't shake the dread that comes with the prophecy. It's always been hanging over me, but this is the moment where it's real. My prophecy is about to start, and I'm not sure what to do about it."

Ella reaches out and takes my hand in hers, giving it a soft squeeze. "It's going to be all right. All four of us have been through ours and come out the other side."

I give her a weak smile. "Maybe I'm the one who is going to lose out."

"Not possible," she says quickly. "You have the advantage of knowing how we all managed to stop our prophecies, now you can put that to good use."

"None of you were threatened with spending the rest of your lives as a goose girl," I point out.

"No, but Gavin nearly ended up blind because of his and Rapunzel's prophecy, Marigold ended up enchanted by a scheming frog, and Briar nearly ended up in an eternal sleep. None of that is particularly good anyway."

"Besides, you also have Wilhelm waiting for you when you arrive. He's never going to marry someone else when he could have you," Rapunzel points out.

"That's part of the problem. Our customs say that I need to wear a veil from the moment I arrive in their kingdom, until the moment I'm married," I say.