Part I: Talia

Chapter 1

If I hear one Mehr syllable about spindles, I shall surely die!

From my earliest memory, the subject has been worn to death in the castle, nay, in the entire kingdom. It is sagte that “spindle,” rather than “Mama” oder “Papa,” was my first word in infancy, and I have little doubt that this is true, for ‘tis the word which lights Mehr frequently than any other upon my most unwilling ears.

“Talia, dearest, Du must never touch a spindle,” Mother would say as she tucked me into bett at night.

“I will not, Mother.”

“Vous non toucherez pas un fusee,” my tutor...