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unceremoniously on his oversized throne.
    â€œIf you’ll excuse us for a moment, Prince Kato,” Mother said while Father held me down. “I need a word with my daughter.”
    â€œBy all means.” The prince bowed low and retreated. “Perhaps you will have more luck.”
    â€œWhat has gotten into you, young lady?” my father demanded in a hushed yet urgent tone, a stern look frozen on his face—a look I was used to seeing from my mom but not from him. He was usually the nice one.
    I made a big, round gesture meant to imply everything . “What is that beastly prince talking about with alliances, and how could I be engaged anyway? I never agreed to anything. I’m pretty sure betrothal involves both an asking and an acceptance.”
    My mother chose to respond. “There was. Prince Kato explained why he needs you, and in your absence, we accepted on your behalf.”
    â€œWhat?!” My jaw dropped. This made no sense. Why would he need me? He didn’t even like me. Both he and my parents were out of their fairy-lovin’ minds. Out loud, I said, “Is that even legal?”
    My mother scoffed and pointed to her emerald crown. Oh yeah. The queen of the Emerald realm could do whatever she glam well pleased. “Once we explain everything to you in detail later—”
    â€œNo, I want to know now!” If my fiancé (bleh) could interrupt her, then so could I. “What’s so important that nobody cared how I would feel?”
    Father at least had the decency to look mildly ashamed. “Well, you see, it’s rather complicated. But we figured you wouldn’t mind, since you never showed any interest in the other princes—”
    â€œMaybe I have no interest in getting married. To anyone. Ever. I mean, look how well yours turned out. You do everything she tells you, and then go hunting for weeks to hide while we’re stuck in this gilded cage. No thanks. If I want to boss someone around, I’ll get a dog.”
    Immediately I knew I had gone too far. Even if both my parents hadn’t gasped from the barbs of my sharpened tongue, my own heart was ashamed to beat within my chest. Before I could take it back, my mother hardened her face and gave me the look she was famous for—the one that caused grown men to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness before they were sentenced to death.
    Her nose came within an inch of mine. “Contrary to your spoiled little beliefs, this is not all about you. This alliance is necessary for the safety of the entire realm. If, as crown princess, you do not feel a responsibility to protect your kingdom, then by Grimm, you will follow the rules of this land and obey your queen.”
    What started out as a rumble in my mother’s throat had ended in a roar. Before, only those close to the thrones could hear what was going on; now, everyone in the room went quiet and still as statues.
    My face heated—from shame, anger, humiliation, frustration… Pick one. There had to be a way out of this. Tears threatened along the edges of my lashes, but I willed them away. I’d rather be boiled and feathered than let them all see me cry.
    Every eye turned to me as I rose to regal height with my nose ever so slightly in the air. On the outside, I was as cold and unfeeling as a block of ice. Inside, a fire of indignation burned brighter and hotter than the three suns.
    I walked away from my parents. Each step brought me closer to a confrontation with the prince, who stared at me with pity now, instead of his usual disdain.
    I searched for something, anything, to ground me and keep me from running away. Once again, the twinkling stars on the Story Spruce caught my eye. Wishing had never worked before, but then again, I’d never been this desperate. With the tree too far away, I reached in my pocket for the next best thing. My hand clenched around the child’s star, the earlier cut flaring to