"I'm the ugly step-sister," Del muttered, glaring out the window at where Sammie was talking with Aster. Hope patted her on the shoulder.
"Sammie doesn't think that," she assured Del, but her sister wasn't listening.
"Why does the princess always have to get the Prince?"
Meli sat down beside her and scooped up Soot, rubbing her face against his. "She doesn't, always. Sometimes the Princess gets swept off by the handsome brave peasant lad, or the plucky goose girl." Soot purred loudly and Meli stroked his ears. "Sometimes the Prince gets swept off by the same."
"What about ugly step-sisters?"
Meli shook her head. "Sometimes they find princes where they least expect them. And I don't know any ugly step-sisters. Do you?"
"Me."
"That's ridiculous," Meli declared, and handed Soot back. "You don't look at all like an ugly step-sister. You're more the enchanted princess under a spell."
Del laughed bitterly and clutched Soot. "What kind of spell?"
"A lemon spell. Come on, let's you and me and Molly go get some cookies and sweeten you up."
~