Free Princess of Athelia: An Unfinished Fairy Tales Novella by Aya Ling

Then what is he doing here?
    “Kat?” Edward looks concerned. “Is there something wrong?”
    I rub my eyes. But there’s nothing in the air now—did I just imagine the goblin appearing, or did Krev suddenly disappear again?
    “I . . . I thought I saw . . .” I shake my head. “Never mind.”
    * * *
    The Ritz. That’s what I first think of when I enter the room Constance has arranged for me. It’s large and luxurious, just like everything in the house. The bed has a heavy crimson canopy embroidered in gold, the carpets look like Oriental imports, and everything else is done in a white-and-gold theme—cream and chintz and glass.
    But it’s the view that really gets me. When Amelie pulls the curtains apart, there’s a grand view of the lake outside. I can see how the wind stirs up the glittering waters and the trees surround the lake like guardians. When I sit on the velvet-draped chair and stare outside, I can almost believe myself some wealthy person on a weekend trip. The roses that I received earlier are now placed in a crystal vase on a small table near the window. I wish I could share my room with Edward. But of course, since we aren’t even officially engaged, there’s no way he can stay with me.
    At night, I draw up the blankets to my chin. I wish I had a novel to read before falling asleep, but there isn’t any sign of a book. Constance is a great hostess, but apparently, books are not kept in bedrooms.
    I am dozing off to sleep when there’s a pop and a flash of light. An ugly goblin hovers in the air, his pointy ears brushing the top of the canopy.
    “Krev!” I sit up immediately. “Is that really you? Was that you at the lake? Why did you disappear?”
    He grins, baring a row of pointy teeth. “You were with Eddie so I had to wait until you were alone. I couldn’t very well make you talk to me when I’m invisible to Eddie.”
    “Where have you been? I’ve called out to you a couple of times, but you never appeared.”
    He flips upside down, his legs sticking up toward the ceiling.
    “Morag gave birth to a baby daughter, and we’ve been having a huge celebration. Besides, you’re going to marry Eddie anyway, so there’s nothing to bet on. When’s the wedding—tomorrow?”
    “Of course not.” I don’t say it, but of course I can’t bear to leave Edward so soon. “We aren’t even engaged yet.”
    Krev flies a bit closer. “But you two are getting married, aren’t you?”
    “You’re getting concerned for the happy ending?”
    “Well, Barthelius just wanted to make sure that the old Katriona is able to return.”
    I feel as though he doused me with a bucket of ice-cold water. “You . . . you mean that when I leave, she will come back into this body?”
    “You can’t expect Eddie to stay unmarried for his entire life, can you? Eventually, she’ll have to return. It’s only a question of when it’ll happen.”
    I could punch him. “Do you mean to say that all my efforts have been for nothing? I mean, if I don’t do anything, the happy ending will occur anyway?”
    Krev has the grace to look guilty. “Look, Eddie is a little picky—”
    “That’s an understatement.”
    “—but there are thousands and thousands of eligible girls in Athelia. Even if he doesn’t fall in love with Elle, he will find a girl someday. It could take years, but he’s the heir to the throne—do you honestly expect he’d never marry?”
    Anger surges in my chest. I clench my hands to prevent myself from hitting him. “If that’s the case, why did you keep egging me on? Why did you have to tell me I had to finish the story?”
    The goblin shrugs. “Too much fun watching you struggle.”
    My fist connects with his nose. Krev lands on the bed with a yelp. I would have followed up with another punch, but a huge wave of fear, worry, and dread crashes over me. I sink back to the bed, unable to repress the tears forming in my eyes.
    Krev regains his equilibrium; he bounces up, snarling, but