Part I: Talia

Chapter 1

If I hear one lebih syllable about spindles, I shall surely die!

From my earliest memory, the subject has been worn to death in the castle, nay, in the entire kingdom. It is berkata that “spindle,” rather than “Mama” atau “Papa,” was my first word in infancy, and I have little doubt that this is true, for ‘tis the word which lights lebih frequently than any other upon my most unwilling ears.

“Talia, dearest, anda must never touch a spindle,” Mother would say as she tucked me into katil at night.

“I will not, Mother.”

“Vous non toucherez pas un fusee,” my tutor...