Chapter29: Sleeping Beasty

Max “Princess? Princess Maxiana? Where are you?” I slip further into the milky, rose scented water of my bath, closing my eyes against the soft pitter-patter of Annabel’s slippers as she searches for me in what sounds like desperation. Her exaggerated sigh and mumbles bring a smile to my face, but I sink under water until I’m totally submerged, my hair floating on the surface. I hear her gasp and cry out as she rushes to the tub, but I burst from the water, laughing as I brush my wet hair from my face. “You scared me to death!” Annabel snaps, her cheeks going a deep, rosy pink. “Goddess, Max, I thought you’d drowned!” “You think I’d be dumb enough to do that on the day of my own ball?” I slide to the side, resting my arms on the rim of the tub, smirking up at my lady-in-waiting–my only real friend, if I’m being honest. Annabel scowls as she moves through the spacious bathroom before whirling and resting her hip against the counter, her arms crossed and lower lip curled downward as she