Forbidden Depths

  ( Winterwish )

  Winterwish spun around, only for the breathing to suddenly stop. A dreadful tingle danced up her spine as she strained to see through the impenetrable. The rest of the palace was bathed in the warmth of flickering flames, yet the passage before her was home to naught but black.

  "H-hello?" she called nervously.

  In that moment, she realised there were few fears as primal as being watched from the darkness. She wanted to sprint all the way back to the dorms, dive into bed and cower beneath her sheets. Yet she couldn't. Not if she wanted answers. The entire point of starting a journal was to learn more of her new life and the history of the palace. If she were to turn tail now, she might miss out on some vital piece of the puzzle.

  Winterwish clenched the book in her grasp and sipped air through pursed lips, trying to slow her heart and calm the cold within. She looked to a wall torch and considered taking it with her, before realising she had something far better. Reaching into her pocket, Winterwish pulled out a vial of faefire. Vibrant violet exorcised midnight as she shuffled forth, holding the imprisoned butterfly at arm's length like a priest might brandish a sacred icon.

  Aged, braced timber loomed from the abyss. Doors to her left. Doors to her right. All of them home to heavy locks. She'd not realised just how many rooms were secured before.

  I might be able to smash one open? ...No! What the heck am I thinking? I can't afford to get carried away...

  Then she saw it. An unlocked door, slightly ajar. Its crack swallowed up the purple light without revealing a thing.

  Is someone in there? Are they trying to lure me in? This could be a trap...

  Chills crept through flesh. A defensive instinct, but one she couldn't allow to take hold.

  "It's ok," she whispered to herself. "We're in the palace. We have faefire. We're safe."

  Would Merrymint be mad if I went to wake her? She might not be pleased about me sneaking around in the first place...

  A timid tap was enough to make the door judder wide. Through the frame she slipped to discover a spiral staircase, much like the Sky Spire, only descending.

  Round and round. Down and down. Deeper and deeper.

  Far from the palace braziers, the air grew cooler with each step. Winterwish pulled her dressing gown tight, yearning for the warmth of her thick coat and blackened, ink-stained gloves.

  It seemed like the twisting tunnel might deliver her to hel itself. Winterwish was just about to question reality when she finally reached the bottom.

  There was but one thing awaiting her, and its solitude only added to its intimidation. One final door. A mighty, hulking slab of metal. Its surface unadorned. Harsh in its simplicity and host to a single sliding hatch. A peephole with its own separate lock. What lay beyond that required such a brutal barricade? She just had to know.

  No harm in trying...

  Her hand rose. Fingers extended.

  Shwack!

  Resonant pain struck her digits. She leapt backward with a cry, her shoulder blades crashing against unyielding stone.

  Pink eyes glinted in the gloom, like those of a nocturnal reptilian. "Impetuous nascent!"

  Winterwish gasped. "P-Puddin'puff?"

  "Prin-cess Pudd-ing-puff." The fanciful fairy eased her grip upon the makeshift weapon. Her folded parasol.

  Winterwish's spine remained firmly pressed to the wall, as if pinned. "Sure. Sorry... What're you doing down here? Why'd you hit me?"

  "I just spared your delicate digits a grotesque fate. You're welcome."

  "What do you mean?"

  Puddingpuff tapped the tip of her parasol upon the formidable door. "You don't recognise this element?"

  Winterwish squinted. She had seen it before. It was the same ominous metal the Radiant Queen herself had used gloves to handle. She'd even been warned at the time.

  Iron is anathema to fairies!

  "This is -"

  "Precisely," interrupted Puddingpuff. She plucked a snowy strand from Winterwish's scalp.

  "Ouch!"

  The hair sizzled and singed on contact with the ferric fortification.

  Puddingpuff smiled politely. "As I said. You're quite welcome."

  Winterwish gulped and held her precious fingers close. "Thank you..." She loosed a silent whistle of relief. Her pulse started to settle. "Where did you even come from?"

  "I was watching you. For some time too. Honestly, I was hoping you'd discover this door without any further intervention. I certainly didn't expect you to try and touch it. Perhaps I granted you excessive credit..."

  From the lofty heeled boots, to the desserty dress, nothing about Puddingpuff's outfit suggested she could move swiftly nor stealthily.

  "...How?" asked Winterwish.

  Glistening lips pursed, then rolled from side to side. "I tried telling you when first we met. I have neither the brawn nor endurance of the rest of you... As such, it is essential I make my movements count. If the rest of you are lions, bears and wolves, then perhaps it's best to think me a viper."

  Winterwish tried to rub the sting from her hand. "Sure. Maybe you did mention something along those lines."

  "I did say you might want to take notes." Puddingpuff eyed the journal tucked beneath Winterwish's arm. "You must treasure all information, especially here. It is a rare commodity in this palace and depreciates each time it is shared."

  "In my defense, I have had a lot to take in."

  "Quite. I hear Merrymint is performing admirably in Mentorship, yet... the fact you so readily accepted this bait tells me you're not entirely convinced everything is as it seems. You're wary of this wonderland, are you not?"

  An accusation, or an admission of her own doubts?

  "W-well... I just... I mean..." Winterwish stuttered hesitantly.

  "Speak your mind," snapped Puddingpuff. "Voluntary vulnerability is not a habit of mine. I did not expose myself to you for the sake of wasted time."

  Conversing with the socialite felt like trying to follow the instructions of an artisan who'd practiced their craft ten thousand times over. Her tongue was as precise as it was challenging to keep up with.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Winterwish took a deep breath. "We have no memories. No record of who we were, or where we came from, nor the generations before us, or even their fates. Now we stand before an iron door below the palace? I'm sorry if I'm being disrespectful, but all things considered, I think curiosity is only natural."

  The polite smile spread to a smug grin. "I'm glad you emerged. I have been surrounded by naivety for far too long. The others are all so willing to play along with this little fantasy. But you have shown intuition. I believe you may have potential, providing you can keep your mouth shut."

  Winterwish narrowed her gaze with suspicion.

  "Understand, it is not our siblings' intentions I distrust, but their discretion," explained Puddingpuff. "Guarded wisdom is precious beyond measure, but so easily spoiled by loose lips."

  "...What exactly do you know?"

  "A great many things, yet not nearly as much as I'd prefer, and even less of which I'd be willing to share. For the time being, continue your investigation in secret. I will reach out again when I'm ready to hear your deductions."

  "Wait, what?" Winterwish cocked her head. "Investigation? Deductions? I'm just making a journal, that's all."

  "Oh. So you're quite satisfied? Very well. Then forget everything and resume your frolic in falsity." Puddingpuff whipped around to leave with a dismissive wave. "Ta-ta."

  "W-wait!" blurted Winterwish. She couldn't help stumbling after her, like a jilted lover. "What is this, exactly? Why did you lead me here?"

  "Is that not obvious?" Puddingpuff paused, then peered over her shoulder. For once, her words emerged oh-so slowly. "We both know Titania is hiding things from us..."

  Queen Titania? No. She wouldn't. And yet...

  Puddingpuff turned to face Winterwish once more. "This very door is but one amongst a myriad of secrets. I simply seek answers and believed you a kindred spirit. Tell me, dear sister, did I err?"

  "I do want answers, but I also don't want to cause trouble. I'd hate for my actions to reflect badly on Merrymint..." Winterwish sighed.

  "Oh, you needn't stray anywhere unsanctioned or enact the malicious. I only ask you continue what you have started." Puddingpuff motioned to the journal. "Should you discover anything of note before our next meeting, then I may be willing to trade. Secret for secret, if you will. A most reasonable proposition, no?"

  Winterwish found her vision coming to rest upon the vial in her hand and the fiery insect within. She couldn't help but feel for the imprisoned magic. Its entire existence boiled down to being a tool. A weapon. If what Splishsplash said were true, then Fairy Princesses might not be all that different.

  "...I can trust you, right, Puddingpuff?"

  Long lashes fluttered. "You require a show of good faith? Then let us negotiate. Reveal to me your desire and you'll find me a proficient provider."

  Winterwish pointed to the large iron door. "Tell me what's through there."

  "I cannot tell what I do not know. While it is reassuring to confirm information your highest priority, you may have more luck asking for something more ...materialistic."

  Winterwish took a moment to think.

  Is there anything I even want besides answers? I need to get stronger so I can contribute, but I don't think she can help with that... wait, I've got it!

  "I want you to start treating our sisters with more respect. No more name calling. Cherrychomp isn't an imp, nor Sunshine an imbecile."

  "Done." Puddingpuff produced a lace-gloved hand without hesitation, and awaited acceptance.

  Winterwish's own raised halfway before pausing. "...That was rather quick and easy."

  "You will find me quite fair. We have each stated our terms and found them mutually agreeable. Slighting our sisters, while dryly amusing, provides me no real gain. I am more than happy to exchange such a frivolous pleasure in return for your co-operation."

  Winterwish looked back and forth between the open palm and pink eyes. Despite her unease, she could find no flaw in Puddingpuff's offer. Dearly hoping she wasn't making a deal with a devil, she took the lace-gloved hand and shook.

  "Kerfuffle averted," said Puddingpuff.

  "Right... So, we have ourselves an alliance?"

  "I would rather call it friendship, if you don't mind."

  Winterwish tried not to laugh. "You have an odd way of making friends."

  "Yet here we are, though we should not linger. I have but a short window to return the key for this passage."

  Winterwish glanced up the staircase, as if she might be able to see the unlocked door far above through the spiraling black. "...Something tells me you didn't ask permission to take it. Please tell me you didn't steal from our Queen?"

  "I borrowed. It's quite different. Stealing implies no intention of return. Semantics aside, it is time you retired."

  "I..." Winterwish started, only to sigh in defeat. It felt unnatural to turn her back and walk away after such a shady meeting, but in truth, she was somewhat relieved. It was good knowing that she wasn't alone in her doubts.

  "Oh. There was one last thing..." said Puddingpuff.

  Winterwish halted just three steps up, and turned to see the pink princess smiling politely in the dark.

  "You took Splishsplash some food earlier. I wonder, how exactly did she respond?"

  Winterwish stiffened. "...You didn't seem to have any problems predicting the outcome of training. If you're really so clever, why don't you tell me?"

  "I don't recall claiming to be clever, though I do appreciate your noticing." Puddingpuff gave a slight bow. "I would wager Splishsplash was displeased. Perhaps she warned you. Maybe even threatened."

  Winterwish wasn't sure whether to feel reassured, worried or annoyed by such accuracy, but she mustered a gentle nod. "She told me Queen Titania did not appreciate my actions today. What exactly does that mean?"

  The corners of Puddingpuff's lips tilted most knowingly. "Try solving that one yourself. I assure you, it's far more rewarding. I'll hear your conclusion upon our next consultation."

  Only after locking her bedroom door did Winterwish feel safe enough to return the vial of faefire to her coat pocket. The whole journey back she'd been contemplating Splishsplash's words and their possible meaning.

  Again and again, she arrived at the same theory. Sisterhood after sisterhood had preceded them, only to fade into obscurity. Graduating supposedly meant leaving the palace to venture far and wide, though Winterwish was starting to suspect otherwise. By losing control during training, she must've reminded Queen Titania of the tragedies she'd supposedly endured. What other reason could the monarch have for appearing so shaken at that moment?

  Titania didn't want any of them to know just how many Fairy Princesses had fallen already, for if they knew the truth they would be more likely flee. Sunshine had claimed her Mentor a coward. Was it not possible they'd done exactly that?

  And yet, that was all mere speculation. Puddingpuff would likely expect more. There had to be something else. A small piece of the puzzle Winterwish had overlooked.

  There's something more to this place. To Queen Titania. To us...

  Winterwish was more determined than ever to uncover the truth.