Size / / /

Four years later, I am transformed

again—no less shocking for being expected.

From prince to beast, from husband to father.

She, oh, she is more wonderful than ever.

She laughs at that, says freckles, wrinkles,

ten pounds I just can't seem to lose. She

thinks it sweet when I respond, my sun,

my queen, my beauty. But I speak only

truth these days. It's easier.

Though there is this I do not tell her.

When I watch over the cradle, our daughter,

so perfect, I see the subtle traps ahead:

the sharpened spindle; the poisoned apple;

the thoughtless leering princes. And when

I think of what the world might offer her, my

moon, my princess, my beauty,

I savour the memory of claws.


Chris Szego lives in Toronto, and is the manager of Bakka-Phoenix Books, Canada's oldest SF bookstore.



Chris Szego lives and works in Toronto, and is the manager of Bakka-Phoenix Books, Canada's oldest SFF bookstore. 
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18 Nov 2024

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In this episode of the Strange Horizons Fiction podcast, Michael Ireland presents Little Lila by Susannah Rand, read by Claire McNerney. Subscribe to the Strange Horizons podcast: Spotify
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