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yourself today. If you don’t, you know what will happen to you, don’t you?”
    Brenna pointed to the ground. “I’ll have to go down there.” She dutifully repeated the threat she’d heard over and over again.
    The little girl didn’t have any idea what was “down there”; she only knew it was awful and she didn’t want to go there. According to Elspeth, if Brenna didn’t change her sorry ways, she was never going to get into heaven, and just about everyone, including her family, wanted to go there.
    She knew exactly where heaven was because her papa had given her exact directions. It was right on the other side of the sky.
    She thought she might like it, but really didn’t care. Only one thing was important to her now. She wasn’t about to be left behind again. She still had nightmares at least once a week over what her mama referred to as the “unfortunate” incidents. The terrifying memories were still lurking in the back of her mind, where everyone knew all little girls tucked away their worries, just waiting for the right opportunity to jump out in the dark and scare her. Her screams would wake her sister, of course. While Elspeth was busy soothing baby Faith, Brenna would drag her blanket to her parents’ chamber. When her papa was away from home doing important work the king could give only to someone as trustworthy and loyal as he was, she’d sneak into the big bed and cuddle up next to her mama, and when her papa was home, she’d sleep on the cold floor right next to Courage, his beautiful silverhandled sword Mama swore he loved almost as much as his children. Brenna felt safest when her papa was there because his loud snores always lulled her back to sleep. Demons didn’t try to crawl in through the window and nightmares about being left behind didn’t visit her when she was with her parents. Those horrors wouldn’t dare.
    â€œPlease tell Brenna to keep her mouth shut when company arrives, Mother,” Matilda requested. “She shouts every word. She does it on purpose. When will she stop the vile habit?”
    â€œSoon, dear, soon,” her mother replied almost absentmindedly.
    Brenna edged closer to her sister. Matilda was bossy by nature, but now that their brothers were away learning how to be as important to their king as their papa, her condition had worsened. She was becoming as bothersome as Elspeth.
    â€œYou’re a pain in the arse, Mattie.”
    Her mother heard the remark. “Brenna, you will not use such common language again. Do you understand me?”
    â€œYes, Mama, but Papa says his arse is paining him all the time. It aches something fierce, it does.”
    Her mother closed her eyes. “Don’t sass me, child.”
    Brenna’s shoulders slumped. She tried to look pitiful. “Mama, I’m sorely weary of everybody telling me what to do all the time. Doesn’t anybody like me?”
    Her mother wasn’t in the mood to placate her daughter. She waved her hand toward the cluster of chairs on the opposite side of the hall.
    â€œGo and sit down, Brenna. Do not say another word until you are given permission to speak. Do it now.”
    The little girl dragged her feet as she crossed the hall.
    â€œDon’t make her sit there all alone too long, Mother. The unfortunate incidents have made her difficult. Papa says it’s going to take her time to recover.”
    Mattie was defending her. Brenna wasn’t surprised by the show of loyalty. It was her sister’s duty to watch out for her while her brothers were away. But it made Brenna angry that Mattie had brought up the unmentionable. She knew how much Brenna hated being reminded of what had happened to her.
    â€œYes, dear,” her mother replied. “Time and patience.”
    Mattie let out a loud sigh. “Really, Mother, how can you be so calm about it? Have you no guilt? Even I can understand forgetting