Sleepers Read Online Free

threw it at me. I flicked my arm out, catching the smooth apple easily in my right hand. I bit into it and the cool juice swam in my mouth. Fruits like these were rare and reserved for royalty. Mags never thought twice about sharing with me.
    “You always catch it.” Mags pouted and crossed her arms on her chest. Trevin rested in the bassinette next to her bed, cooing while we chatted.
    “You always throw it the same way, Mags.” I laughed. “There isn’t much variety in your tossing technique.”
    “But I’m accurate.” Her cheeks plumped up as her full lips gave away a smile. We were complete opposites. It wasn’t her life of leisure as the queen, all of her people shared similar features. I always stood out, always knew I was different.
    “Yes, I’m sure you could defeat any villain as long as he didn’t move,” I said, winking.
    Mags laughed. I could understand why she’d been chosen to be queen. No one equaled her beauty or charm. Too bad she hated being queen. She played the part well, though. She had about as much choice in her life as I had in mine. At least in four years, I’d be allowed to go home. She’d remain in the castle until her dying day, which might not be too far away if the king continued to get her with child.
    The door flew open and Albree breezed into the room. She dropped into a low bow, her forehead hovering just above the floor and her arms swept out to the side.
    “How may I serve you today, my Queen?” she asked, honey dripping from her voice.
    Mags rolled her eyes. She didn’t buy Albree’s deference any more than I did.
    “I’ve been waiting for you, Albree,” she said. “Where have you been?”
    “Sleeping, my lady.” She rose back up to standing. Albree didn’t even look at me. I knew she was lying, but interrupting Mags when she was on a quest for information was a bad idea.
    “I hope you weren’t outside watching the hangings. I strictly forbade my maids to do so.”
    Albree’s face didn’t change, but her hands formed fists behind her back. Mags and I knew Albree well enough to know that while she cherished her sleep, she loved drama more. She’d been outside during the hanging before she interrupted my stolen moment with Kellan. I knew it, but I had no proof.
    “Lianne cannot carry all of the dirty laundry herself. I want you to help her gather it and carry it down to the laundress. Then, as punishment for being late, I expect you to stay there and help until the laundry is washed and dried.”
    I stifled a laugh. There weren’t many worse places in the castle than the laundry room. Perpetual fires burned under tubs of boiling water, keeping them warm, allowing the washerwomen to do laundry all day long. There was much to keep up with, especially since only one of the princes knew how to use a latrine.
    The damp air of the laundry room mixed with the smell of harsh soap created a bouquet offensive to even the most insensitive nose. In fact, when we dropped off Mags' laundry baskets every morning, we often wore scarves tied around our faces to cover our noses and mouths. For Albree to be sentenced there for the day was pure torture. She had to have done something to anger Mags. Lying about why she was late this morning wasn’t enough.
    “Yes, milady,” Albree replied. I didn’t sense any anger in her tone. No, her voice was controlled, calculating, as if she’d expected this punishment.
    Albree stood still, avoiding my gaze. I looked to Mags, but she busied herself with Trevin again. When anyone else was in the chambers, she didn’t treat me differently. But still, I was stunned and eager for some signal from her. I was dying to know what Albree did.
    Albree and I gathered up the dirty nappies from the corner bucket and the soiled clothes and burp rags. Trevin spit up more than all of his brothers combined and frequently ran through more than ten cloths a day. Mags kept him clean, constantly wiping his little chin and changing his clothes. I assumed