…while the outside world was full of danger, I knew my interior. I was certain that I could oust an intruder there.

I loved fairy tales as a kid, so that's where my mind gravitates.

As a child, I loved fairy tales because the story, the what-comes-next, is paramount. As an adult, I'm fascinated by their logic and illogic.

But as she continued and finished her tale, I could tell that her heart was elsewhere, and when she excused herself to go to bed, she left without saying good night. After that, the princesses in her stories were always beautiful. Always.

Your American fairytales end that way.  Real fairytales end in blood or tears.

The fast fliers are not disgraced." Queen Ree reached up for the missing tiara. "She saved us, but she's with him now."
Vidia was complicated, two fairies in one, a loyal traitor.