Halia: Daughter of Cinderella

by Armitage, J. A

  There was one job I could think of that was easy to obtain, would allow me to keep an eye on the boarding house, and gain a better understanding of the happenings in Arcadia.

  Hoping my performing outfit wouldn’t be off-putting, I entered the post office.

  “Do you have an opening for a mail carrier?” I asked the woman behind the counter who was weighing a package.

  She pointed me toward a form. “Fill this out. Be ready to start the day after tomorrow. Oh, and I hope you’re an early riser. Shift starts at 5 a.m.”

  I grabbed a pen. “Sounds perfect.”

  I left the post office in a much better mood, relieved that I could hand in my resignation to Madam next time I saw her. She would throw a hissy, but there was nothing she could do to stop me from leaving. My contract stated explicitly that both parties had the right to terminate the employment without giving notice. It had probably been an oversight on Madam’s part to allow her employees to do that, or perhaps she was legally required to provide this option if she wanted to exercise the right to fire them whenever she wanted. Either way, it was my ticket to freedom. Excited to never be bossed around by Madam again, my pre-performance jitters only hit me when I walked through the heavy door into Daydream where I was bathed in azure and turquoise hues of blue light that weren’t in the least bit cold, but rather calming, like a lake on a beautiful, sunny summer day.

  “Good luck,” the statues murmured.

  “Thank you.” I took the time to make eye contact with each of them.

  Lorenzo was talking behind the bar with Tia, who was nodding eagerly before disappearing behinds the door to the restocking room. I guessed her interview had gone successfully as well.

  I stepped toward Lorenzo. “How are you?”

  His gaze slowly traveled from my face down my body and back up to my face, making a pleasant warmth fill my belly.

  “I’m good. You look different.”

  I stuck my thumbs into the front pockets of my jeans and rocked back and forth on my wedges. “Is my outfit all right?”

  A slow smile spread on his mouth. “I didn’t mean the clothes. There’s something different about you. After last time... I wasn’t sure if you would return.”

  “I’m fully committed to this.” I stepped forward. “Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “You’re no longer worried about what that boyfriend of yours will think?”

  “We just broke up.”

  He whistled. “Lots of changes, huh? Tia told me you’re also quitting the boarding house.”

  I nodded. “We were unfairly demoted to the kitchen, which finally gave us the push we needed to leave.”

  He hesitated. “I’m starting Tia on a mix between a barback and a bartender, but I’m not sure that’s the right thing for you.”

  “You don’t need to worry about me. I’ve already found a job as a mail carrier.”

  He tilted his head. “You’re full of surprises today.”

  I shrugged. “It will be good for me. Something new.” A week ago, I would’ve never considered it, certain I wouldn’t be able to find all the addresses and deliver the mail correctly. A lot has changed during the last week. Besides my newfound confidence, Arcadia was molding itself into a new town. There were those that oppressed the innocent, like Madam and her daughters. Those that were victimized like the middle-aged woman who had aged overnight, the silent woman in the kitchen, and the couple that had disappeared from the boarding house. And then there were those that could either help rebuild or destroy Arcadia, like Lorenzo and Acacia. I was done standing back and looking on. This was my home, and I would help defend it from whatever darkness was trying to encroach on it.

  “Arcadia isn’t changing for the better,” I said slowly. “Whatever has been protecting our kingdom for eighteen years is falling away.”

  Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know this?”

  I bit my lip, unsure about mentioning Acacia. Fae and demons were famous for disliking each other. “I have my sources. Do you agree then? What happened eighteen years ago? What spell was put into place to protect us?”

  “I don’t know, but it wasn’t just Arcadia. Everywhere I’ve traveled for the last eighteen years, I’ve found prosperity and blooming kingdoms. Then, a few months ago, things started shifting.”

  “Why did you come here?”

  He sighed. “Changes are coming everywhere. When that happens, it’s best to be surrounded by your own kind, even if you don’t like all of them.”

  “Arcadia has the biggest demon population?”

  “Correct.”

  I ran my hand through my auburn waves. “Do you know what’s going on?”

  He shook his head. “Evil forces are awakening. Why or what they plan, I don’t know. But I do know that you’ll play a part in this new world.”

  Only a day ago, I would have met a statement like that with denial. Now, however, anything seemed possible, so I simply said, “Perhaps. But that’s not something to worry about tonight.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad you’re finally ready to embrace your calling.”

  I stepped toward him, so close that only an elbow-length remained between us. “Thank you for taking a chance on me.”

  Something sparked in his green-violet eyes, and the temptation to lean closer was overwhelming. My interest in him unbalanced me, especially because I was certain it was all coming from me and not from some magic he used on me. Whatever was transpiring between us was real and natural, no matter how much it terrified me. Something to examine later.

  I took a deep breath and headed for the stage, calling across my shoulder, “Are you coming? I want to show you the songs so that you can accompany me.”

  For once, I wasn’t waiting, or asking, finally, I was leading.

  Lorenzo and I went through my setlist, his musical talent allowing him to pick up the right chords halfway through the songs. Even though we had never played the songs together until today, I was confident we would be a great team.

  Just as we finished, the first people streamed into Daydream. It wasn’t long until the bar was filled with humans, demons, fae, elves, goblins, and sprites. My heart swelled with joy. I had expected a small crowd to show up to hear me perform, but it seemed that everyone who had bought a ticket to see the Dark Quartet had decided that I, too, was worth their time. This was an honor I wouldn’t squander by wondering if I was good enough or worrying if I deserved it. I would show my gratitude to those that have paid to hear me play by giving the best performance I could.

  I might not have an agent, or a manager, or even much experience, but I had fervor. I was the queen of song.

  I sang the six songs Lorenzo and I had practiced, “Chains,” “Through the Darkness,” “Torn” “My Path,” “Hope” and “Teach Me the Way.”

  When I was finished, the crowd hollered and clapped. “More! Encore! One more!”

  I turned to Lorenzo, who grinned at me. He looked so carefree and young like he was my age and not an immortal demon. “Do you have another one?”

  I nodded. “I do. I came up with it today.”

  “Are you ready to share it?”

  I smiled, grateful for him asking for my preference instead of putting pressure on me. “Yes. It might not be perfect, but I really want to share it.”

  I took the microphone from the stand and said, “This is a new one. I composed it today. Let me hear you make some noise if you want to hear ‘Queen of Song.’”

  The crowd went wild, and behind me, Lorenzo chuckled. “You’re a natural. Are you sure you’ve never performed?”

  I threw my hair across my left shoulder and winked. “It’s not what I did in the past or what I’ll do in the future; it’s about seizing the present moment.”

  The tenderness that shone on his face made it painful not to lean forward and kiss him. Maybe if we had been alone, I would have done it, even if it was too soon, even if he was a demon. As it was, the thundering crowd
stopped me from giving in to my crazy impulse.

  I faced Arcadia’s citizens, my family, and sang:

  Once upon a time, there was a girl who liked to sing. She didn’t have a home, she didn’t have kin, but she had a voice. Her blessing terrified her, for it gave her hopes and dreams she was told were impossible.

  Years passed, and the girl only shared her voice with her closest friends, only shared her voice when it was lost in a choir. Then you came along, and you challenged the girl, you told her it wasn’t right not to share her blessing, you gave her strength, you gave her confidence. You allowed her to lean on you, and she became the queen of song, she became the queen of song.

  The applause went on forever. Tia ran up onto the stage and hugged me tightly, making it hard to breathe. “Was that dedicated to me or Lorenzo?”

  I chuckled. “Why can’t it be dedicated to you both?”

  As the Dark Quartet set up, I made my way through the crowd, signing shirts, booklets, and even forearms.

  I had never felt so joyous, and yet something kept nagging at the back of my mind. I was signing a t-shirt a girl was wearing when my gaze landed on the king and queen statue behind her, and that was when I knew what was bothering me. The queen statue. The high cheekbones, the small nose, and the shape of the chin. I had seen those features recently. Not in a newspaper or a poster. No, I had seen those features on the silent woman in the kitchen. Doris looked exactly like our missing queen.

  Continue the story in Heiress of Melody

  Heiress of Melody

  1

  22nd July

  It was my last shift at the boarding house, which meant that I had to accomplish several things. First, tell Madam Fontaine that I was quitting. Second, figure out why the silent woman in the kitchen, whom I had named Doris, looked like our missing Queen Ella.

  With these goals in mind, I stopped at the reception desk first before going into the kitchen and scrubbing the never-ending amount of dirty pans and dishes. “Any idea when Madam will be here?” I asked the young man who had started working behind the front desk a week ago. I would have been ashamed to not know his name hadn’t Madam’s staff-turnover been legendary and if this wasn’t my first time meeting him. If he lasted more than a few weeks or a month, he would get to join the ranks of what was considered long-term employees. My friend Tia and I had lasted nearly three months before deciding to quit.

  The young man shrugged. “Madam won’t be in until later. She told me she had several things to take care of.”

  “Could you let her know that I need to speak to her? My name is Halia.”

  “Sure.”

  I thanked him and headed toward the kitchen. I didn’t like the conversation with Madam hanging over me like a black cloud, yet I was also relieved that I wouldn’t get to talk to her until later. She wouldn’t be pleased that I was quitting and would make my last shift miserable.

  I entered the kitchen to find Doris was already there, scrubbing away at greasy pans.

  “How are you today, Doris?”

  She nodded in acknowledgment and gave me a smile. So far, I hadn’t pushed her to speak to me. She had piqued my curiosity because she looked so much like our Queen Ella, who had suddenly disappeared over a week ago. But because this was my last shift, I no longer had the luxury of waiting for Doris to come around.

  Sensing that demanding that Doris talk would get me nowhere, I decided that I had to trick her. It felt a bit cheap, but I didn’t have a choice. She might know something that could help our kingdom, which had seen a lot of strange activity lately.

  I started singing a song that was extremely popular and catchy:

  The sun is out; it’s summertime. Let’s come together, in this beautiful weather; let’s have some fun. Throw away all your worries; let’s have some fun.

  Fun, fun, fun in the sun. The days are long; the nights are even longer.

  Forget your worries and come out with me to have fun, fun, fun in the sun.

  I repeated the chorus and the first verse and then pretended to leave the room. I was by the door mid-chorus and stopped singing. Doris kept on humming.

  I whirled around. “I knew it!” I hurried toward her.

  With her mouth wide open and eyes even wider, she looked like a terrified doe.

  “It’s all right. It’s fine to speak.”

  She shook her head.

  I took her hands. “I don’t know what happened to you, but I can only guess it was something horrible.” Her face contorted with pain, and my heart swelled with compassion. “I can’t erase the past, but I guarantee you that you will feel much better once you share your sorrows.”

  She shook her head rapidly.

  This wasn’t working. I needed to slow down. “Are you from Arcadia?”

  In response, she extricated herself from me and took a step backward. I sighed. I wasn’t getting anywhere. It was time to lay my cards on the table.

  “Listen, I found a new job. I’m going to work at the post office. Today is my last day at the boarding house. I’m sure I’ll come by here occasionally to drop off the mail, perhaps even daily, but I won’t have much time.”

  She gave me a smile and an approving nod as if she thought it was good for me to leave this place.

  “My friend, Tia, also quit. She’s going to work at Daydream, the bar. I’m sure they could use more people if you want to switch jobs.”

  Her eyes widened again, and she shook her head vigorously.

  All right, clearly, she wanted to stay here, even though I didn’t understand why. The only explanation was that she was trapped, same as I had been, in believing that working at the boarding house was the only other option besides living on the streets.

  “I promise other employers would be happy to have you. You’re dedicated, hard-working, and sweet.”

  She turned away and grabbed a fondue pot.

  I bit my lip. None of my approaches were working. Perhaps I should simply ask her the question that was haunting me. It couldn’t get worse than her not talking to me.

  “When I performed last night at Daydream,” I began, “I had a chance to study the ice sculptures that decorated the space.”

  She glanced up at me.

  “They’re beautiful. You should come and see them sometime. You don’t even have to stay at the bar or get a drink, just come inside and have a look at them.”

  She tilted her head sideways as if considering my offer.

  “The owner is very friendly. Anyhow, two of the ice sculptures were made to look like our king and queen.”

  She stiffened at that, and I took a step closer, needing to see the expression on her face when I made my next statement. “The queen looked a lot like you.”

  Doris inched away from me until her back hit the wall.

  As much as I didn’t want to intimidate her, I needed to know. “Queen Ella has the same cheekbones, the same face, the same eyes as you. It’s like you two could be twins or at least sisters.” I searched Doris’s face, which had gone blank. Her arms trembled. “Please, tell me what you know. The queen has been missing for over a week now, and bad things have been happening in Arcadia. People are disappearing, while others are aging overnight. The queen’s disappearance is connected to this. I think the queen had some magic that protected us, and now that she’s gone, Arcadia is falling apart.”

  Tears welled in Doris’s eyes, and she wiped at them quickly, but still, she didn’t speak.

  I stepped closer. “Please, I need your help. Arcadia needs your help.”

  Doris rushed past me and out of the kitchen.

  I sank to the floor. “That went well. Not.”

  Doris returned half an hour later. For the next few hours, we worked side-by-side, but now, she wasn’t even looking at me as if I didn’t exist.

  I didn’t dare to broach the topic of Queen Ella’s disappearance or Doris’s resemblance again. The last thing I needed was for Madam to blame me for distracting her employees or for Doris running away. Sh
e knew something, and, sooner or later, I would find a way to uncover her secrets and help Arcadia.

  I had just finished cleaning my last plate when Madam entered to inspect our work. She nodded her approval at the clean dishes. “Very well. However, you’ll have to do the after-dinner clean up as well since your friend quit.”

  This was all directed toward me. Madam acted as if Doris was invisible. “I’m quitting too,” I said. I wasn’t prepared to work a double shift for the meager salary she was paying us. “Today was my last shift.”

  Madam’s generous chest heaved, and a vein popped out on her meaty neck. “You can’t do this to me!”

  “My contract states that I can quit at any time.”

  “Unbelievable!” She pointed her finger in my face. “Don’t come back begging for your job when your singing doesn’t work out.”

  I tried hard to hide the smile that threatened to erupt on my lips. “I’m not just relying on my singing. The post office hired me as a newsgirl.”

  Madam huffed. “You’ll be walking the streets, rain or shine, snow or heat. I’ll give you a week, max.”

  “I don’t think so. It can’t be worse than here, and I’ve survived months here.”

  Madam’s upper lip curled back into a snarl, revealing big, uneven teeth. “I’m not going to pay you your salary for mouthing back at me!”

  “Fine.” I wasn’t about to beg for today’s pay. “I’ll be back soon to check on you,” I whispered to Doris. Grateful for Tia’s foresight to collect our meager belongings from the attic room, I stalked out of the kitchen. It looked like for the next few nights, I’d be sleeping on a barstool. It might be uncomfortable, but it was preferable to being in a snake’s den.

  Outside the boarding house, a carriage pulled up, and a round man climbed out, heaving a trunk that was almost as big as he was. He waved at me. “Excuse me, do you know which room the sisters Bernadette and Georgette occupy?”

  “Room one.” I held the door open for him, disgust welling up in me. The trunk of clothes was probably why Madam was so greedy. She squeezed her employees dry so that her daughters could afford countless dresses they wore only once.