‘A curse is always the thing, you know.’ Her great-grandmother nudged her along the seat and squeezed her bony hips into the throne to share it. ‘Death is a last resort. Curses, well, they give you power.’

‘Then I’d like to curse her to sleep forever,’ Lilith said. She was aware that her voice had taken on the slightly surly tone of her youth.

‘Forever is a long time,’ her great-grandmother said. ‘Aside from death, the only thing that lasts forever is true love.’ She rummaged in the folds of her raggedy clothes and pulled out a rosy apple. ‘Eat this. They’re good for you.’

Lilith took it and bit in, chewing the crisp, sweet flesh, hoping it could cleanse the bitter remnants of hate that filled her mouth. ‘Then I want her to sleep until true love’s kiss wakes her.’

‘Now you’re getting the hang of it.’ The old lady nodded approvingly. ‘That one’s always a winner.’

Lilith leaned her head on the bony shoulder beside her. It was good to be with someone who loved her.

‘Leave it with me.’ Her great-grandmother patted her leg affectionately. ‘I’ll take care of it on my way home. It’ll all work out in the end. I’m like your fairy godmother, eh?’

Lilith shut her eyes and let the old woman soothe her. ‘It’s good to see you, Granny,’ she said, quietly. ‘It really is.’

6

‘No good can come from a crone’

They didn’t speak much as they came down the mountain from the mine. Despite the hardiness that came from their nature and a lifetime of working underground, it still took a while to recover any energy after a full shift. Even as they reached the edge of the forest the three dwarves didn’t sing as the hot metal in their lungs was cooled by the fresh open air. Their minds were occupied with the secret they shared and as soon as their feet marched in steady rhythm onto the soft grass, their eyes were darting this way and that for evidence of soldiers. They had a princess to protect. Dwarf honour was second to none – as was so often the way with people so long subjugated – and they had vowed to keep their friend safe. If they failed in their promise, a terrible fate would befall them. Dwarves never broke an oath.