“The bedrooms are down the hall through there.” She looked at Quilla. “You won’t be staying here. You and your strange fashion sense will go back to wherever it is you came from.” She flicked her finger and Quilla’s outfit changed color from yellow to a putrid green.
“Oh no you don’t,” Quilla said with a sneeze and changed her outfit back.
Mizrabel snorted and altered it again.
“Rude.” Quilla switched it back.
Mizrabel walked into the kitchen and flicked her fingers, transforming Quilla’s outfit again.
“Merde, are you two serious?”
Mizrabel cleared her throat. “You’re right, Cinderella dear.” She snapped her fingers and Quilla’s clothes went back to her special kind of crazy.
“I’m out of here. If you need me, I’ll be around.” Quilla disappeared, leaving behind sparkles.
“Finally,” Mizrabel said, walking to the fireplace. She moved her hand and a fire bloomed, the heat striking my skin immediately. Then she turned toward us. “Have a seat, you two.” She clapped her hands together as we sat on the red sofa. “You make the best couple. So adorable.”
I glanced at Leo sideways and laughed, uncomfortable.
“Okay, fine. You aren’t to that point yet. I get it.” She sat on the large blood red chair next to us. “So what’s our plan? How are we going to get Cinderella on the throne, where she rightly belongs?”
“Whoa. Hang on. I’m too young to rule a kingdom.” I thought about Snow and all the trouble she was going through, trying to make everyone happy, keeping the peace between creatures, even between realms. It was a lot to handle. I didn’t want that. I was young. I wanted to go out to parties, make out with boys, have crazy adventures, fall in love in Paris—especially since Gabe was no longer in the picture. The jerk.
Leo looked at me. “You aren’t that much younger than me. You’re a woman. I know you can handle it.” His eyes shone with admiration. “You found me and set me free. I’m positive you can do anything.”
My heart started to beat faster and I felt the heat rising to my face. “Uh, thanks for the vote of confidence.” I patted his knee. “It isn’t that I don’t think I can do it.” I crossed my legs. “Of course I could.” I paused and smiled. “It’s that I don’t want to.” Leo’s mouth fell open and Mizrabel glared.
“So those humans raised my daughter to be a cowardly guttersnipe. Great.” She began pacing, her long black robes swishing the air.
Her words. The way she spoke to me about my parents pissed me off. “At least they cared. They took care of me, fed me, took me to piano recitals...” When they weren’t busy, I thought. “You didn’t want me. You’re the cowardly guttersnipe. So, like mother like daughter, I guess.” I stomped to the door.
Leo came to stand beside me.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
He gently took my hand. “Where you go, I go, Cinderella.”
It was a sweet gesture, it really was, but I needed some time by myself.
“I need a time-out.” I yanked the door open. Leo took a step toward me. “No. Stay.” I slammed the door shut and took a deep breath.
Polly
I huffed through the trees and continued going, stepping over broken tree branches and through prickly bushes. Everything seemed to overwhelm me at once, like the fact that my parents, the people who raised me, weren’t really my parents. That the strange sorceress inside the weird tree house was actually my mother. Then there was Gabe. He left mad, and I had no idea what was going through his head. On top of that was Polonias, the world I was supposed to rule. It made me sick to think becoming queen was part of my destiny. I wasn’t willing to accept that—not yet. Maybe not ever.
“Cinderella?”
I turned at the high voice.
It was Polly.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, and then realized I’d somehow made my way to Polly’s spot next to the waterfall. I didn’t remember using the traveling spell or doing anything that would allow me to move quickly from one place to another.
She rose out of the ground and came over to me, her beautiful rose petals still a part of her, but she held a human form. “Is everything alright?”
“No, it seriously isn’t.” I sat on a rock near the edge of the pool.
She sat at my feet and leaned an arm across my knees. “Tell me about it.” Her kind eyes shone with her genuine concern. I gave her a kindly smile, positive she didn’t want to hear my problems. She had her own issues, like the fact that she was dying. I noticed signs of wilting along the edges of her hair, along her eyelashes and fingernails. My problems were lame compared to hers.
I’d promised to help her. I couldn’t let her down.
“I mean it, Cinderella. Tell me what’s going on.”
So I did. It was cathartic, sharing all of my fears and doubts with a virtual stranger. When I was finished she took my face between her hands.
“You poor, poor thing.”
“Thanks, Polly. I feel much better.” I gathered my wits and walked over to the edge of the water. Spray from the waterfall misted against my face and arms.
“What are you going to do?” she asked sweetly.
I turned and watched her approach, and couldn’t help but notice the slight hunch of her shoulders. The last time I’d seen her there’d been a spring to her step. Now there was nothing. It once again reminded me I couldn’t let her down.
“Well,” I said, plastering on smile, “I’m going to do whatever I can to help you get better.”
She grinned. “All I need is for you to take your rightful place on the throne. That alone will heal me. You and your magic ruling together.”
My heart skipped a beat, then several more. “What must I do for Polonias to be healed?” My throat was dry and scratchy.
Polly took both of my hands in hers and turned me to face her. “It’s easy, I promise.”
I nodded. “Okay. Tell me.”
“You must be married to your true love by the heart of Polonias and it must happen before the next full moon.”
“Or what?” I swallowed.
“I’ll die, Cinderella, as will Polonias. It’s a horrible truth, but the truth just the same.” She shook her head forlornly.
“You said it would be easy.” My heart beat so hard I thought it would burst through my chest.
“It is. You already know who you should marry. He knows as well.”
A sob choked off any words I might speak. I wanted to cry because a couple of months ago I would’ve said the man I was to marry was Gabe, leader of the chayot and ruler of my heart. But he hadn’t fought for me. When I needed him most he cared more about his own problems and gave little thought to me or mine.
An image of Leo—the real Leo—came into my mind and I gasped. “No.”
Polly smiled brighter. “Yes, Cinderella. He is your true love.”
“But I just met him. He—I—that’s impossible.” Even as I spoke the words I felt something change, shatter inside me. “I don’t know.”
Leo pushed through the lushness of the forest surrounding Polly’s secret spot. He lifted a hand. “Is it okay if I come in?” he directed the question at Polly.
“Of course, your Highness.” She bowed slightly and stumbled.
I reached out and grabbed her by the elbow, steadying her. She was super light and easy to move.
Leo came forward. He gave me an apprehensive look. I couldn’t meet his gaze. It was impossible to ignore the blush heating my cheeks and the rapid beating of my heart.
Was he the one? Would our love be like that of Snow and her true love? I huffed. I didn’t know. I had no idea what kind of man Leo was. And I wanted to fall in love in Paris.
“She told you, didn’t she?” He asked softly.
I nodded and glanced at him under my lashes.
He took another step closer. “Should we do it now? Mizrabel says the sooner the better. Once we’ve been bound the mantle of power will automati
cally fall to you and Polonias will heal immediately.”
I shivered at the sound of his voice, at the words he was speaking. It surprised me that I knew it was the right thing to do. It made no sense, but I couldn’t deny the truth.
But I also remembered the way Snow looked on her wedding day. She was so in love with her groom. She still was. Their love was one of those that only grew, not diminished over time. It was the kind of love I’d seen in the movies or read about in stories—except the two of them. I wanted that kind of love desperately.
I didn’t even know Leo, not at all. Only hours ago he’d been inside a glass lyre. Saying yes was beyond my comprehension. I couldn’t understand why I knew I should do it.
“Cinderella?” he asked, taking my hand. I felt a shock of emotion similar to what I’d felt with Lawson, but this time it was a lot stronger.
I gasped.
Leo’s eyes went wide. “It really is you and me, Cindy,” he said, his voice awed.
I glanced at Polly. Her face shone with hope and excitement. Thinking about it from her point of view, I could see why she would be happy. The marriage between Leo and me would mean she would be healed, as would the world of Polonias. We were all there, in the heart of Polonias, with Polly—the actual heart. The time was right. Perfect, in fact.
There was only one choice. “Yes,” I said. “Let’s get married right here, right now.”
Dearest Diary,
Marriage isn’t a tradition I take lightly. It means something to me, which is why I never thought I’d make the commitment. A lot of my friends believe marriage is a fun way to pass some time with a man. I promised myself that if I ever got married it would be because I knew for certain there wasn’t another man out there that would be any better.
Up until a few weeks ago I believed Gabe was that man. Merde! What a crock. He’s off leading the chayot and couldn’t care less about what I have going on. If I thought it would do any good, I’d punch him in the face. But I know it won’t.
We’re over.
I’m moving on.
How could I have loved a man who would choose his job over me? Ugh!
More later.
XOXO,
Cin aka Cinderella
(yes, I’m coming to terms with my name since denying it hasn’t done me a damn bit of good)
Assembly
If I had to pick a place to get married, this would be it. It wasn’t Paris. Definitely not. It was better, though. It was incredibly beautiful.
From the sound of the waterfall crashing into the crystal clear pool to the lily pads with flowers floating along the surface to the way the lush grass danced lazily in the soft wind. There were dozens of flowers growing wild along the edge. Trees surrounded the heart of Polonias.
Polly’s Paradise. That was what I wanted to call the place.
Beyond the physical beauty was Polly herself. Her sweet disposition radiated around her. She belonged here. That much was obvious. Maybe it was because it was part of her.
Then there was Leo. Having him in this place with me felt right.
“You’ll marry me?” Leo asked, and I saw the doubt.
“It’s the right thing to do. So yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
As soon as I agreed to marry Leo, Quilla appeared. “Cinderella.” She clapped her hands excitedly, sending magical sparkles into the air, which caused her to sneeze. She sniffled. “It’s a glorious day.”
“Hi Quilla.”
She pulled me into a quick hug and then turned her focus back to Leo.
Leo smiled at her. “Nice to see you again, Quilla.”
My Fairy Godmother became nervous and excited and a giggly girl all at once. It was adorable.
Quilla said, “Let’s get you out of those ugly human clothes and into something that befits a King of Polonias.”
“Agreed,” Leo said happily.
I didn’t know whether to take offense or not. I was a big-time fan of human clothes.
Quilla spoke several magical words and Leo’s outfit changed from jeans and a tee shirt to dark gray pants, a navy and gray jacket, and black boots that stopped at the kneecap.
Leo looked down, watching the transformation of his clothing in awe.
“Nice,” he said. “I’m thinking I need a haircut as well.”
“Agreed,” Quilla added.
The two of them were funny to watch together. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Traxes. Freemus.” As soon as the last word left his lips, his hair shortened to just below his ears. It freaked me out how much he looked like the guy I’d believed was Leo. The only difference was the eyes; the real Leo’s were softer, kinder, yet at the same time confident and powerful.
Anna and Belle, the twin rabbits that created one whole woodland fairy named AnnaBelle, hopped out of the Golden Forest. Anna rubbed her furry side against my leg. I leaned down and scratched behind her big ears.
Belle scampered atop Leo’s shoe and pooped pellets.
“Gross.” Leo shook her off.
Anna and Belle scampered into each other. There was a flash of light and poof! They changed from two bunnies into one woodland fairy.
“AnnaBelle.” I clasped my hands together, happy to see her.
When she stood, she blushed and bowed. “Please, just call me Anna.” To Leo, she said, “I’m so sorry about your shoe, Your Highness.”
Leo gasped, surprised. “AnnaBelle, that was you? I—“ he ran a hand through his hair. “Don’t worry about it.”
It appeared that AnnaBelle and Leo had a history and that Leo hadn’t known she’d been cursed.
She peered closer at him. “It is you. The lost prince. The King told us told us you were dead,” she whispered.
Leo smirked. “Surprise.”
AnnaBelle’s blush deepened. “Where have you been? What happened?”
While Leo explained being trapped in the glass lyre, I turned to Polly. “It seems we’re going to have an audience.”
She giggled and her petals changed from a light pink to a fuchsia. “That’s good. Witnesses.” She scooped a handful of water to her lips and drank.
Leo came to stand beside me. AnnaBelle was behind him. “Should we start?” He took my hand in his.
Tingles skittered up my arm. “Yes, I believe we should.” I turned to Quilla. “Have you told anyone else? Leo returning was supposed to be a secret.”
“I only told AnnaBelle and…” she paused and put a hand to her head. “I believe I told Violet the Historian as well. She should be coming too.”
“That isn’t good, Quilla,” I said, worried butterflies fluttered in my belly. “I think we’d better hurry.”
Leo agreed.
“Someone’s coming,” AnnaBelle whispered.
Someone—or something—was crashing through the forest. It looked kind of like a big cat, only it wore a dress and kept switching from running on its hind legs to running on all fours.
She was adorably cute and I had to cover my mouth with the back of my hand to keep myself from laughing.
“It’s Violet,” Polly said, hugging herself.
Violet let out an anguished roar as she jumped through the trees and skidded to a stop at Leo’s feet.
“Violet, it’s good to see you,” Leo said.
“I’ve waited for this day for many years,” she said and bowed.
“So, I was right, everyone knew about the twin princes but me.” I placed my hands on my hips and pouted.
“It wasn’t that we were keeping secrets on purpose. Most of us didn’t have a choice.” Violet pushed her wiry glasses further up her nose and adjusted her lilac dress.
“Shall we begin?” Polly asked, moving so she stood in front of Leo and me.
Wedding
AnnaBelle, Violet, and Quilla stood to the side of us. Quilla kept wiping at her eyes.
Polly cleared her throat. “Now is the time of restoration. Our world has waited for this day for many years. To be a part of this mending is—”
&
nbsp; “Twixit. By all that is magical. Wait!” Quilla jumped in front of Leo and me.
“What is it?” I asked, concerned.
“You aren’t dressed for a wedding.”
I looked down at my basic human clothes—jeans, shirt, and boots. “It’s okay.” I shrugged. It really wasn’t. I wanted to look gorgeous on my wedding day. But how I looked wasn’t as important as getting married and making things right in the world.
“It is not okay.” She said some words and my clothes were replaced with a dress. It was airy and whimsical. The color was the palest blue I’d ever seen. The bodice was strapless and formfitting. It was covered in pale blue gems. The skirt was full length, gauzy, and had three tiers. It was also covered in pale blue gems.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, turning from side to side, trying to take it all in. I lifted the dress so the hem came up to my shins. I was barefoot. “Shoes.” My mind immediately went to a pair of Manolo Blahniks. They were still in the box. I had bought them on a whim a few months ago after Gabe and I started dating seriously. They reminded me of the scallops on a wedding cake. I spoke two magic words and they appeared on my feet. “Awesome.”
Leo chuckled. “Those are pretty.”
“Thanks, Leo.” I let go of my dress. “What about my hair?”
“On it,” Quilla said. She spoke some words and I felt my hair rearrange itself. Before I had the chance to ask for a mirror, one appeared in her hands. “What do you think?”
My hair was up in a chignon. A black ribbon was wrapped around the top of it. Around my neck was a black ribbon choker with a diamond seven point star. It was beautiful, and I reached a hand out to touch it. “I look gorgeous, Quilla. Thank you.” I lifted the star between my fingers and looked at her. “Where did this come from?”
“A gift from your Fairy Godmother,” she said and sneezed heartily.
“I love it.”
Quilla clasped her hands together. “I’m so glad.”
“Can we continue now?” Polly asked, moving so that she was in front of us again.
Quilla covered her face with her hands. “Yes. Sorry, Polly.”
The Cindy Chronicles: The Complete Set Page 11