Once Upon a Twist by Michelle Smart, Aimee Duffy Read Free Book Online

be hard pressed to know anything was amiss, he observed a few minutes later. Her poise was incredible, and it was with what he considered justifiable pride that he introduced her properly to his mother.
    His mother smiled politely at Ella before addressing him. “Your father is waiting for you in the library.”
    He should leave immediately.
    Instead, uncaring of propriety, he palmed Ella’s cheeks and drew her to him, kissing her full on the mouth. “Be good,” he growled, before tearing himself away from her.
    ***
    Fingers pressed against lips which tingled from his scorching kiss, Ella watched James make his way through the throng of eager young flesh. Cold dread nestled in her belly.
    “There is trouble brewing,” the Queen observed from her throne.
    Facing her, Ella was struck by the shrewdness in her clear green eyes. Whatever ailment was afflicting her, it was only of the physical kind.
    “What have you been told?” Ella asked cautiously, aware the King and Prince were adamant the Queen not be alarmed.
    “I have not been told anything.” She dropped a quick wink. “However, as you will no doubt discover for yourself, even palace walls have ears.”
    Thinking of her own recent bout of eavesdropping, Ella laughed. “I’ve always found a clean glass is an excellent prop to assist those ears.”
    “Quite. Are those creatures nearing us?”
    “Yes. The watchmen have failed to light the pyres.”
    “That’s not a good sign.”
    To anyone observing them, Ella and the Queen could be having a polite little tete-a-tete about cucumber sandwiches.
    “We should mingle,” the Queen announced, rising to her feet. “Come, let me hold onto your arm for support. I would hate for my subjects to worry about my health.”
    Together, their arms linked, they made their way around the edge of the dance-floor. Friends and old acquaintances who Ella hadn’t seen since her father’s funeral were all eager to speak to her.
    “Aren’t you going to introduce us, Ella,” a high, yappish voice asked.
    Turning her head slightly, she threw Ana a tight smile. Her sister’s ugly face had contorted into something she assumed was supposed to resemble a smile. Standing behind her sister’s shoulder, fidgeting with her fingers, stood Izzy, who at least had the grace to look shamefaced.
    “Your Highness, allow me to introduce my stepsisters, Ana and Izzy Tremalow.”
    The Queen gazed at them as if they were something nasty she had trodden on. “These would be the same stepsisters who stood and watched while their mother kept you enslaved?”
    “The one and the same.”
    “Would you like me to get a soldier to arrest them too?”
    Watching the twisted smile drop from Ana’s face, Ella was tempted – very tempted – to say yes. But then she witnessed the utter defeat in Izzy’s posture and her heart melted. Once upon a time, she and Izzy had been friends. She was certain that, given the chance, Izzy would have set her free.
    “No thank you,” she replied. “However, I would be grateful if Ana could be escorted from the Ball.”
    “Hmm,” The Queen pondered, “How many guards would you consider fitting?”
    “Two?”
    “How about four?” With a click of her fingers, four soldiers materialized. “Please escort Miss Ana Tremalow from the premises,” the Queen decreed.
    With immense satisfaction, Ella watched as Ana was taken by the arms and frog marched through the dancing bodies out of the ballroom.
    The Queen clicked her fingers again, and this time a young maid appeared. She then took Ella’s hand. “I cannot tell you how pleased I am that James has chosen you for his bride. But now I am tired and need a short rest. Matilda will take me to my chambers.”
    As soon as the Queen departed, another crowd gathered around Ella, all talking at once with great enthusiasm, eager to be acknowledged by their future Queen. Eventually she was able to extricate herself and talk privately with Izzy, who had remained standing like