Page 1 of Flesh & Divinity

CHAPTER ONE

CINDER

Once upon a time…

Wait, that’s how it’s supposed to go but not in my story.

Those fairy tales don’t bleed but this one does.

My life is nothing like one of those stupid princess books where she goes into the woods and sings a pathetic song and all the animals flock to her like she’s some fucking princess.

I snort at the thought, imagine me, Cinder Charming stalking off into the woods to sing a song. Yeah, right, if I was caught abandoning my jobs I would receive lashings from Ava. Just the thought of that cow has my blood boiling.

I actually am a princess.

I’m the princess of shit hill!

I laugh to myself as I continue cleaning the fireplace. My father used to call me princess, it was my pet name. We were a wealthy family. My father was respected amongst the community and he was a good man. Shit changed when he married Ava—she is fucking vile. A snake in the flesh. She and her daughters—Rena and Shannon—are social climbers. They will do anything to be noticed, especially by the princes and the king.

I’ll never be like them.

I clean the castle, hearing the whispers of the other staff about the king. I’m stuck cleaning this damned castle because Ava, the psycho bitch, burned my house down just so her daughters could move in here. The law dictates that if a woman is in need of shelter or food, the palace must provide. Lo and behold, here we are.

Ava told the king I was just a servant. He has no idea who I am and I wish to keep it that way. He doesn’t need to know I am the daughter of the man that tried to overthrow him and take his throne.

Ava has no idea who I really am. I have no plans to tell anyone and as soon as I’m twenty-one, I’m free to leave and I’ll never come back.

I want to visit the surrounding islands.

There are seven islands in total. Six of them form a semi-circle of sorts and the island in the center, that’s the one place no one wants to go. That is Sinners Island. It’s the place where all the felons are sent. Those who break the laws of the six kings.

I round the corner and instantly feel bile rushing up my throat at the sight of Ava on her knees in the throne room with the king's cock down her throat, but it’s the sight of Shannon and Rena dancing naked trying to entice the king to take them that has my stomach rolling. These thirsty bitches only see dollar signs. They want the king to fuck them and knock their stupid asses up or marry them. When the king sees me standing in the doorway, his eyes blaze with want and I shiver in disgust.

He pushes Ava off him and turns to face me. When the three bitches see me standing here with the king's full attention on me they scowl. I know he has a thing for me, as he has been trying to get me into his bed since we arrived here weeks ago. I would rather shit in my hand and clap than ever let that pig touch me.

“Come to join us, my dear Cinder?” He’s trying to use a sexy tone but it falls flat.

“Nope.” I make sure to pop the ‘P’ and attempt to turn and flee, but his words have me freezing.

“You will be beneath me, one way or another, Cinder Charming.” His threat rolls over me like a string of razors slicing my skin. “Be in my chambers tonight, ready and waiting. Refuse and I will be forced to chain you to my bed until you learn to obey.”

I flee from the throne room and rush back to the safety of my bedroom. I don’t have much, which is good. It won’t take me long to pack and get the fuck out of here before that bastard tries to make himself at home between my legs.

I’m in my room waiting for the cover of darkness when my door is pushed open. I turn around to see Shannon and Rena standing there. It isn’t their presence that has me stiffening, it’s the sight of Ava standing behind them that causes it. The three of them look at me like I’m nothing but shit under their glass slippers.

“Try and go to the king tonight and you’ll regret it,” Shannon warns.

I bite back my scoff. “I would rather cut grass with scissors than go to that⁠—”

“Shut your lying fuck hole,” Ava snaps, cutting me off. “You do anything to ruin my or my daughters’ chances of marrying the king and I’ll make sure you suffer worse than your father did.” The mention of my deceased dad has anger curling inside me.

“When Mom marries the king and we become princesses, you’ll be out on the street turning tricks,” Rena hisses.

“Distract the king again and it’ll be ten lashes for you.” Her threat has my stomach dropping. Ava loves to whip me. “Such an ungrateful little bitch, after all we have done for her girls.”

“You are too good to her, Mother,” Shannon says with disappointment in her voice. That pisses me off.

“I told you that she was going to try and ruin our lives,” Rena adds, making me grit my teeth to keep from screaming at them.