DESIRES

er attic bedroom. She was lost in a world of her own creatio

lls, her parents cheering her on from the sidelines. They were

above a dusty old shop, with a witch named Ravenna who had taken her in as a chil

ed child, and had taken her in. She had raised Sophy as her own

of the other children in the village. While they played and laughed togeth

hours gazing out the window, dreaming of a life beyond the attic. She l

hts were interrupted by the sound of Raven

down and help me

eams. She made her way down to the shop, her heart heavy w

t of herbs and spices. Ravenna was busy mixing a po

on," Ravenna said, not looking up. "It's a c

r, they worked on the potion, their hands moving in ta

dreams, about the life she longed to lead. She wondered if she would

ction. She placed a gentle hand on Sophy's

," Ravenna said. "You have the heart of

f hope. Maybe, just maybe, her

out to take a dramatic turn, one that woul

re restless. She felt a sense of discontent, as if there wa

day, as they were working in the shop, Raven

to learn more about your past," Ravenna sai

her parents, about why they had abandoned her. She had ask

phy asked, her voice b

she said, leading Sophy to a sma

e scent of old books. Ravenna led Sophy to a

," Ravenna said, opening the chest. "I

the letter from the chest. She unfo

her. They had been poor, struggling to make ends meet. They had le

read the words. She had always wondered wh

lse. Her parents had been members of a royal fam

ng. She was a princess

Sophy," Ravenna said, her eyes shining with pride. "And it

ays dreamed of being a princess, and

hat there was more to the story. There was

termined to find

something you need to know," Ravenna said, her voice low and cautious. "The throne is not yours for

at her journey to the throne would be fraught with dang

urface. "The king's advisor, Lord Ravenswood," Ravenna said, her voice dripping with

had never heard of Lord Ravenswood, but sh

oice firm. "I'll do whatever it takes t

rt of a true princess," Ravenna said. "Now, let us begin your training

avenna, learning the ways of magic and diplomacy. She studied the history of the kingdom

confident. She knew that she still had much to learn, but

swood was watching her every move, wa