Heartless

It was a new day in Hearts, and she was the Queen.

“Off with his head.”

‘Why is a raven like a writing desk?’

rieking, demanding to be released.

She would kill Peter.

She would find him and she would kill him.

She would have his head.

.

Jest.

Mutilated. Severed. Dead.

She took one step forwa

est tipped his hat, letting the bells tinkle around his face. ‘Everyone always underestimates the idiot.’

Hatta waved

ached even her own ears, she saw the brightness enter his eyes. ‘Over everything, I choose you.’

He grinned and moved towards the stairs.

mother’s side, an arm around her shoulders. They both looked so delighted, so proud.

Cath felt like she didn’t even know them.

Her gaze

If I am not to have happiness, let me at least have a purpose. Let me give you the heart of a queen.’

She watched him swallow, fe

ther favours!’

Her mother sneered. ‘Then you are a fool.’

‘Good. I’ve become rather fond of fools.’

‘That is enough!’ roared the Marquess.

Catheri

Cath curled her fingers into her gown and thought of the stories she’d heard as a child. Fairy tales in which the beast was slain, its monstrous head cut clean from its shoulders like a gruesome trophy.

‘Off with its head,’ she w