Part I: Talia

Chapter 1

If I hear one più 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 detto that “spindle,” rather than “Mama” o “Papa,” was my first word in infancy, and I have little doubt that this is true, for ‘tis the word which lights più frequently than any other upon my most unwilling ears.

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

“I will not, Mother.”

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