The guy’s features went angry. “You must be talking about my traitorous twin brother, Lawson.”
“What… are you talking about?”
He went over to the bean bag chair and sat. Then he let out a giant sigh. “Oh, wow, this feels like Heaven.” He placed his hands behind his head and closed his eyes.
“I’m glad. Now you want to explain what’s going on?” I shook my head and turned in a circle, hoping that the movement would help me understand what the hell was happening.
“Where are we?” he asked, glancing around the room.
“This is a room in Pro—Adam Henry’s house.”
He gave me a once over and then asked, “Is this room in Polonias?”
I shook my head. “No, this is Earth.”
“Earth?” He shook his head. “He’s a damn coward.”
“Who?”
“In an minute.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Have you heard of Polonias?”
“Yes,” I huffed. “Apparently it’s my world too.” I wanted to say more, but now wasn’t the time.
“Oh.” He smiled, a bright smile that reached his eyes. “Excellent. Then that means you’ve heard the story of the twin princes?”
“Um, no. I haven’t.”
He gave me a strange look.
I felt I had to explain. “I’ve only recently found out I’m from Polonias. I was actually raised by humans on this planet.” It still felt really weird to say that.
“Really? Well then that means you’re—”
“I’m what? What do you think you know?”
He held up his hands in the universal sign of I surrender. “Let me tell you a story.” He sat up and leaned forward, scooted over and patted the spot on the chair next to him. “Have a seat. This is going to take a few.”
I turned back to the locked door and sighed. “Sure. Why not? What’s one more thing?” In truth I was more interested than I pretended. If the real Leo knew something about me, I wanted to hear what he knew.
Once I was situated, he smiled. “Twenty-one years ago my mother gave birth to twin boys, a feat unheard of in our world. She died not long after we were born. My father raised us to become the future rulers. He didn’t give us a lot of love. The Queen’s death seemed to have sucked all of that out of him, but he taught us the necessities. As we grew, Lawson developed a knack for being cunning, shrewd, and more willing to make choices I thought were wrong. My father favored him. It was obvious. They started excluding me from trainings and outings, which was fine. By the time I turned seventeen, my father and brother were more like friends than father and son.
“One night, Lawson came to my room and asked if I wanted to go hunting. I was excited and packed in a hurry. Looking back I realize I should’ve seen the signs that something was wrong, but I didn’t. All I saw was an opportunity to spend time with my brother, the way we had when we were kids.”
He paused and I leaned forward, caught up in the story. “What happened?”
“I’ll tell you.” He winked.
I snorted. It seemed the brothers were similar in the way they flirted.
“We went into the forest. Everything appeared to be normal. We set up camp near the center, shared a few stories, and then Mizrabel showed up. Have you heard of her?”
I perked at the sound of her name. Of course I’d heard of her. She claimed to be my mother. “Yes,” was all I said.
“Right, well, apparently she and Lawson had an understanding of some kind and she used her incredible sorcery to trap me in the glass lyre.” He sighed. “That was four years ago.”
I sat up. “First, I just had a thought. Are magic and sorcery different? It’s just occurred to me that they seem to be used at different times.” Mizrabel was a sorcerer, but was I one as well?
“Good question.” He patted my arm. “Magic is the universal word used to describe everything that’s a part of the paranormal or supernatural world. There are those who can possess magic. Some are born of magic. Some are adopted into it.” He squeezed my hand. “There are other names used for those who possess magic. Here on Earth those who try to obtain magic are called magicians. Some humans try to dabble in magic. They’re known as an occultists or witches.” He winked and I blushed.
“So sorcery is the common word for magic on Polonias?”
“No exactly. Every living creature on Polonias is born of magic. They—” He patted himself on the chest. “We are witches.” He nodded his head. “Or wizards.”
I smiled.
Leo continued. “We use magic often, but it still isn’t our primary method of doing a lot of things.”
That made me feel better. I liked to do things without magic most of the time.
“Some, like Mizrabel, are not only born of magic but consumed by it. All they do, all they are, all they accomplish comes from magic.”
That didn’t sound good. Had she always been that way? Why had she allowed that to happen?
I choked down the questions. “It was Mizrabel who told me to find the glass lyre,” I said.
He nodded. “That’s only a little surprising. She’s a sorceress of great power and she has no ties to the kingdom. But I’d believed she and I were friends.” He lay back. “Up until she betrayed me.” He gave me a strange look. “She didn’t seem particularly thrilled by it. I think Lawson had something on her, something that forced her hand, so she felt she had to do it.” He held my gaze. “Maybe it had something to do with you.”
I stood. “If it did, I don’t know what it would be.”
“That isn’t true and you know it.” He gave me a great big smile.
I crossed my arms. “What do you mean?”
He took one of my hands in his. “You’re Mizrabel’s daughter.” He said the words matter-of-factly as though they meant nothing.
I pulled my hand away. “How would you know that?”
“I told you, she and I were friends.” He looked down. “During the last four years I thought maybe she’d lied about you and our friendship. Now I don’t think so. And if Lawson knew you existed, maybe he held your safety over her head.” He stood and then fell back down.
I noticed his complexion. He looked pale, but I had another question. “Why would he take on your name, though? Why not just say you’d died?”
“I was born first. That means I’m the first in line for the throne. Also I was well loved by the people. The people believed Lawson was corrupt, cold-hearted, and unfeeling. They knew that I, on the other hand, cared a great deal for everyone—from the tiniest water sprite to the biggest tree troll.”
“So they would’ve been less sad to see Lawson go? Is that what you’re saying?” I was glad we’d moved away from Mizrabel being my mother. It was still too weird. I had a mom and a dad. They lived here… I loved them.
“Basically,” Leo answered, interrupting my thoughts. He pressed the palm of his hand against the side of his dead. “Whoa, now that I’m out of limbo I’m really, really starved.”
“Uh-huh,” I said, not fully listening. My mind went over Leo’s words and I recalled the way Mizrabel had looked at me with a mixture of happiness and worry. I thought about the kingdom and how the King didn’t seem to like me. I wondered if he knew the truth about what Lawson had done. “Do you think the King knows what happened to you?” I took Leo’s hand and helped him stand.
He leaned on me. “I hope not, but it’s certainly possible. We’ll have to broach the subject with care.”
I helped him to the stairs. “If that’s true, the kingdom is going to be a mess.”
Leo sighed, “The kingdom is probably already a mess…” He paused and closed his eyes.
“Has it been four years since you ate anything?”
“I think so, which was fine when I was in limbo, but now?” He put a hand to his stomach and I could tell he was woozy. “Let’s just say I could eat.”
“Come on,” I said pulling him up the stairs and into Professor Pops’ kitchen. “Have a seat. I’ll be right ba
ck.”
“Sure,” he said, and I noticed he looked like he might pass out. There was a bowl of fruit on the granite countertop. I grabbed an apple and set it in front of him. “Eat this. It’ll help.”
He took a huge bite. “Thanks,” he said as apple juices leaked down his chin.
I smiled and ran down the hall to Professor Pops’ office. I slid to a stop at the opening. Professor Pops looked up, startled.
“What’s up?” He took his reading glasses off his nose and tucked them into his pocket.
I stepped into his office and quietly shut the door. “There was someone in the glass lyre. It’s—” I shook my head. “Have you heard of Polonias having twins?”
Pops’ face broke into a smile. He leaned forward, clasping his hands together. “As a matter a fact I have.”
“What? Why didn’t you say anything before? I might’ve been a little more cautious.”
“Really?”
I shrugged. “Maybe. I would’ve at least asked about it.”
Professor Pops nodded. “I’m sure you would have, but it wasn’t a story I could tell. What else have you learned?”
Always a teacher, I huffed inwardly. I sat in the chair, even though I knew I needed to get back to Leo—the real Leo. “That Mizrabel is my real mother.”
Professor Pops let out an excited laugh. “Good. This is good. You’re finally beginning to understand and see your real life.”
I stood, shocked. “You knew?” I sputtered. “You know. You…you… Does Snow know?”
He nodded. “As soon as Snow became the Vampire Queen there were a lot of things she learned that she hadn’t been privy to before—that Polonias had twins and that one was lost, even believed dead, was one of them.”
“Holy merde, that’s crazy. I’m going to have to have a serious freakin’ conversation with Snow the next time I get a chance.” I leaned my face into my hands. “Right now I need to feed a starved prince. Is it okay if I use your kitchen to make him something?”
“That would be fine, Cindy.” Professor Pops went back to his work.
“Oh, and can I borrow a bathroom? The boy really needs a bath.”
“Of course.” He grinned. “Whatever you need.”
I leaned over the desk and hugged him. “Thank you, Pops.”
Kitchen
I wasn’t the greatest cook. Okay, I sucked, but I was at least proficient enough to make Leo a sandwich—peanut butter and jelly. I got him some chips, a pudding cup, and a large glass of ice water. When he finished it all he was still hungry, so I made him a banana split. That finally satisfied him.
“You are amazing,” he said when he sat back in his chair.
I resisted the urge to blush. It dawned on me after I put the cherry on the banana split that I could’ve used magic and made him a meal truly deserving of a prince. It was too late now.
“Uh, thanks,” I said, putting the empty bowl in the sink and rinsing it.
He got out of the chair and came around, taking my hand. “I guess we need to go confront my father and brother.”
I waved a hand in front of my nose. “First I think you need a bath.” If I had to be around him he needed to smell tolerable. Also, I wasn’t ready to give him up just yet. I hated to admit it, but I enjoyed being around him. He gave off a quiet, kind aura. I felt safe but excited. It was nuts.
Ignoring my stupid feelings, I pulled him toward the bathroom and began unbuttoning his shirt. Then I realized what I was doing and really blushed. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.” I stepped back.
He laughed. “No problem, but yeah, I think I can handle it.”
And you know how to work the shower and—” I moved my hand toward the toilet and sink and continued, “all of this?”
“Hmmmm.” He put a finger over his lips and I realized he was teasing. “Yes, I believe I’ve got it.”
“Okay.” I stepped out of the bathroom. “I’ll be waiting right outside.” He started to close the door. I shoved a foot between the door and the trim. “Remember to hurry. Your brother, uh, Lawson, is here and was helping me look for you. He could be back any time, ‘kay?”
His eyes went dark. “He isn’t in Polonias?”
“No. When Mizrabel told me to seek the glass lyre he insisted on coming.”
Leo gritted his teeth together. “Got it. I’ll hurry.” He shut the door.
I leaned against the wall next to the bathroom and crossed my legs, waiting.
Quilla appeared and sneezed. She wore a bright yellow dress with red and purple accents. Her hat was black, along with her tights. Her shoes were a shimmering red. “Cinderella,” she said, touching her nose to mine. “What’s going on?”
I swallowed and shot a sideways glance at the bathroom door. “N-Nothing. Just waiting for Leo to finish his shower.”
She leaned her ear against the door. “It’s something big. I can sense these things.” She floated back over. “Tell me. It’s better if I know. Maybe I can help.” She sneezed again.
I pulled a tissue from my pocket and handed it to her.
She waved it away, sniffling. “I don’t need that.”
“You sure?” I asked, covering up a worried laugh.
“Psshhhh.” She sneezed again. “A-Are you sure everything is alright?”
“Yes, Quilla. Of course.” I heard the water shut off. Crap. Crap. Crap. “I’m going to do a spell here in a sec. You’d better vanish before I give you a sneezing fit.”
She pondered what I said, but only for a moment. “Fine. Tell Leo I said hello, won’t you?”
“Of course I will.”
“Okay. Bye.” She disappeared, leaving behind a sparkle of magic.
Leo opened the door. He was obviously naked, his bottom half covered by the door. He was lean and extra pale but still very handsome, and very wet, and very… I tore my eyes from his glistening chest and met his grinning face.
“Cinderella? Where are the towels?”
“Oh.” He knew my full name.
I went to the linen closet and grabbed him a towel. “Here. Hurry and dry off.” I closed the door and turned, burying my face at my embarrassment. I couldn’t help but wonder about magic and cleanliness, and my mind went into the gutter for a second.
I heard him whisper some words and then he immediately opened the door. “Ready,” he said, looking dry and nicely dressed. He had on a pair of jeans, loafers, and a navy blue rugby shirt. His hair was still damp and flipped up against the bottom on his collar.
Quilla
“Now what?” he asked, standing next to me.
“I—um, am not sure.” I thought about Mizrabel and the way the King treated me. I thought about Leo or Lawson. I finally understood why Snow had such a problem with him. For some reason the idea of knowing what Snow knew made me feel better. More calm. She and I needed to have another talk. The sooner the better.
“Cinderella,” Quilla popped in between Leo and me.
I screamed. Leo fell back.
“Twixit. I knew it. I knew it.” She sneezed as she flew back and forth between us. “It’s the lost prince.” She clapped her hands with glee.
I quickly glanced around, hoping we were alone. When I saw that we were, I shushed her. “Quilla, keep it down. We have to keep Leo returning a secret.”
“Oh, I know. I’ve always known.” She clapped again. “I can’t believe you did it. I’m so proud of you, Cinderella.”
“What do you mean you’ve known?”
She huffed and put her hands on her hips. “Obviously I knew who was inside the glass lyre.”
“Shut the realm door! Did everyone know but me?” I stomped my foot with indignation.
“Not everyone.” Her eyes got soft. “If I had told you the truth, would you have believed me?”
We went down the hall toward the front door.
“Probably,” I said, and sighed. I wasn’t sure. With my hand on the knob I turned to Leo and Quilla. “What are we going to do about Lawson? He told me he’d be back. I
don’t think he’ll be thrilled to see him.” I pointed at the now clean, incredibly handsome Leo.
Quilla gave Leo a look. He nodded. I stood there like a fool, wondering what was going on.
“It’s simple, Cinderella. We need to go someplace where Lawson and his father can’t find us until we want them to.”
“Agreed. Where’s that?” As I said the words, a swirl of magical dust enveloped the three of us.
Professor Pops’ house blurred and disappeared. We were in a vortex of fuzzy color as though we were speeding through space. The only sound was the rush of the wind. Leo took hold of my arm and held fast. The colors changed from bright to dull to gray and finally to black.
The world around me stopped moving and came into focus. Old knotted trees grew all around, their branches tangled together above so I couldn’t see the sky. There was no light. The only sound was our breathing. Quilla had a blue light in her hand. It gave the creepy forest an unnatural glow. The floor was covered in dirt and moss, and directly in front of us stood a door. It was carved into a giant tree trunk.
“Where are we?” I whispered, feeling it was the right thing to do.
Quilla stepped closer, as did Leo.
“It’s the only place Lawson and his father’s magic won’t be able to reach us,” Quilla said.
I turned to Leo. “Are you sure? He said she and Lawson had some kind of arrangement.”
“Not to worry, dear.” We turned to see Mizrabel. “You’re all safe with me.”
Mizrabel
We were ushered through the door. Mizrabel said it was her home. I expected the place to be small, a hovel, something that went along with the inside of a giant tree. I figured there’d be furniture made of branches and a fire pit.
Mizrabel’s house was a complete surprise. It was large and airy with billowing white curtains, a chandelier made of different colored gems, and a large open kitchen. The floors were black marble. A lush black rug sat in the center of the living area. The furniture was a deep red and formed a half-circle around a large slate gray fireplace.
The Cindy Chronicles: The Complete Set Page 10