For the rest of winter, I stayed permanently fastened to Puck's side. I was able to eat meals with him again and sleep in the same bed. It was supposed to be a punishment, but I didn't see it that way at all. It was better than being tossed away as a lousy meal server.
Moth was at the palace often, and that's the only time Puck was away from me. It bothered me more than it should have. I knew they were engaged, but I still felt a bit jealous. I told myself I was only jealous because it meant Puck would send me away. Not because I liked the Prince. Definitely not.
Puck and I finished Robinson Crusoe in a matter of a few weeks. I managed to read every page, with his help, of course. We had even started choosing books from the library to read at night. I was learning quickly now, and with each book read, my love of reading only increased. Puck only laughed at this, though he never refused taking me to the library or staying up a little later to read with me.
Although in some ways Puck and I were closer than ever, mostly we'd just gotten further and further apart. He talked often about Moth and the things they discussed. I knew he enjoyed her company a lot compared to mine. Moth was high in the aristocracy, meaning she knew about all the political affairs of the land. They often held lengthy and intellectual conversations I could never follow and made me feel lesser.
It was the beginning of March, exactly one month from Puck's set wedding day. With each approaching day, I felt Puck and I grow more and more distant. I felt more and more nervous, knowing there was a courtesan bed with my name on it awaiting the moment Puck and Moth said 'I do'.
With all my staying away from Puck the months previous, I hardly saw Daphne. When I began to come to meals again, though, we caught up quickly and enjoyed each other's company when we had the spare time. I wished she could keep me company while Puck was with Moth, but Mustardseed had no betrothed fiancee, so she was never available.
Basil and I no longer saw one another. Puck made extra careful of that. I thought often of sneaking to the kitchens in my downtime to see him, but decided the risk wasn't worth it
When we entered the dining hall that cool March day, Mustardseed sat in his normal place and Daphne sat on the floor next to him. My pillow had been restored to me and now awaited next to Puck's chair. We took our places at the table as the meal was served and Daphne leaned over to me.
"Was this your punishment?" she asked quietly.
I only nodded, not wanting to go into exact details on the situation.
"You've gotten your pillow back, I see. No more meals at the servants' table?" she smiled.
"Not until he's married."
Daphne opened her mouth to say something else, but was interrupted when a loud string of coughs echoed through the hall. Puck stood from his chair, as did Mustardseed.
"Father, are you alright?" called Mustardseed, worry in his voice.
His voice was drowned out with more coughing sounds, followed by a loud thud. A woman's shrill scream rang through the grand room. Puck ran around the table to his father's chair and I ducked my head under to see what had happened.
There lay King Oberon Goodfellow, motionless on the floor. His eyes were wide, staring off into space. I saw Puck bend down to him and listen to his heart.
For a split second, Puck and my eyes met, but the moment didn't last long. He stood.
"I don't hear a heartbeat! Father has been poisoned!"
There was another small thud as the queen fainted. Several servants, who had gathered at the initial commotion, ran to her aid quickly, trying to wake her while everyone else stayed silent in shock.
"Bring me the head cook!" Puck shouted. Two guards quickly shuffled into the kitchen.
"What are you going to do, Puck?" Mustardseed asked, his voice trembling.
"I'm going to find the man that did this and kill him myself," Puck growled. The doors swung open as the head cook was dragged into the room.
He was thrown down in front of Puck, whose eyes seeped anger. I attempted to stand but couldn't, due to the leash being so short and attached to the arm of Puck's chair. I kneeled and managed see the top of the cook's head.
"What did you put in my father's plate?"
"N-nothing, Crown Prince. The taste-testers tried everything, just as they do every meal. They are still alive. I don't know what happened," the head cook explained. Puck didn't seem convinced.
"The King of Faerie has just died eating food that came from your kitchen. Your head is mine, unless another culprit is found guilty," Puck spoke low and threateningly at the man.
"I'm sorry, your highness. I truly do know nothing."
Puck stepped away from the cook, his hands on his temples. The queen had been revived, and was precariously leaned against her throne.
"All of you, return to your bed chambers. It's not safe here. Take this man to the dungeons. I'll deal with him later," Puck ordered, his voice sounding suddenly tired.
Everyone stood and began exiting the room, back to their respective bed chambers. I stayed in place, still tied down by the leash. I watched silently as the head cook was dragged off and more guards arrived.
"No one leaves this palace until this is resolved. Get the bishop and the bailiff here at once. Two guards need to stand post here until they arrive. No one touches anything. And call for the Pope. Father will need a proper blessing and burial," Puck commanded. A few of the guards nodded and ran off.
I almost couldn't believe that it was Puck who stood in front of me. I'd never seen him so serious and demanding. He walked over to me and untied the leash. Without saying a word, he walked me to his bed chamber, switched from the leash to the bed strap, and crawled into the bed.
I wasn't sure what to do next. He hadn't said a word to me at all. I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. In the past, I would just crawl to him and curl up next to him, but with our growing distance, I felt awkward thinking about it.
Whilst debating over what I should do, I thought I heard a whimper from Puck. He was sitting at the head of the bed, his knees pulled into his chest as he stared at the opposite wall. His face was expressionless. I decided that I hadn't really heard anything, but then it happened again.
Within seconds, Puck's emotionless face contorted into pain as a sob left his body. I'd only see Puck cry once, and it was when he was thrown from a horse at age twelve and broke his arm. Even then, he hadn't come close to sobbing.
I debated leaving, but let out a small sigh of dismay when I remembered I was tied to the bed. Despite my better judgement, I climbed delicately onto the bed and crawled silently to him, hugging him to me. He willingly accepted my arms around him and curled into my chest. I petted his hair and rubbed his back as he sobbed. He cried for what felt like hours, until the only noises left were small sniffles.
He pulled away from me once his tears stopped and wiped his eyes. I silently watched, unsure of what to say.
"How can I be King?" he asked, his voice gravelly from crying.
"You'll make a fine King, Puck," I responded, wiping a stray tear.
"I'm not ready yet. I still have so much to learn," he pleaded, as if I could change his fate.
"You are ready. You're a man now," I told him gently.
"How can I be ready? I'm only eighteen! I'm barely a man! How can I run a country?!" he shouted suddenly. I flinched and looked down out of instinct.
"I didn't mean to shout," he whispered, putting his hand on my cheek.
I looked at him. It almost sounded like he'd just given me an apology. I pulled him closer to me and kissed his cheek.
"You'll make a fine King," I told him again.
This time, he didn't respond with words. He leaned forward and kissed me aggressively. The kiss was needy and desperate. I felt his hands pull me towards him, pressing me against him fully.
"Sabrina, I need you more than I need air," he moaned into my lips.
I froze. What did he just say? Did I hear that correctly? Not once had he ever alluded to needing me. Now this?
Puck kissed me harder when he realized I wasn't kissing back. I couldn't bring myself to. My mind was confused, dazed. He suddenly pulled away. Tears sat unshed in his eyes.
"Please, Sabrina. Please just kiss me. I- I just need you to kiss me," Puck begged.
I'd never seen him like this. I gave him what he wanted, as always, but this time it felt different. I wanted to. I kissed him back just as hard and desperately as he kissed me. That was all we did. Just kissing. I couldn't even remember the last time a kiss didn't lead to more, but this time was different. This time he was in pain, and all I could do was kiss him.
Whatttt? Some crazy stuff just happened! The King is dead! What do y'all think of that?
Also, I wish a very happy birthday to both Amy Grimm and Sabrina Cahill. I hope you both get lots of cake :)
Don't forget to review! It makes my day! Thanks for reading!