“He didn’t want that, you know,” Abernathy interjected softly.
“Maybe not, but he sure left like his feet were on fire.” A deep weariness pressed in and I longed to climb back into the earth. It was a strange feeling, but I looked at a spot near where I stood. It was a lovely piece of ground, just far enough away from the water’s edge that the spray from the waterfall wouldn’t get me, yet surrounded by colorfully flowered bushes.
The spot seemed to call to me.
“Go ahead,” Abernathy said, rising and shaking himself. Several scales fell from his body and evaporated before touching the ground. I raised an eyebrow, but didn’t have the energy to ask him what’d become of them.
His tail came around and gently coaxed me toward the spot I knew was mine. As soon as my feet touched it, they sank into the earth and I shuddered, feeling slightly better.
“The reason I came to see you, Cinderella, is I thought you’d want to know the King and his son Lawson have been condemned to the Witch Mists. They will dwell there until the end of their days, and probably longer.”
I gasped at his words. “That was fast.” I thought of Violet. She’d told me I needed to destroy them, but just like that Abernathy had taken them out of the picture.
He blew smoke from his nostrils. “Not fast enough. Many have died because of those two. It’s about time they got what they deserved.”
I burrowed deeper in the earth. “Thank you for telling me. I was worried about what would happen to Leo.” Just saying his name made me sad again.
“He’ll make a great king.” Abernathy’s expression turned sad. “I’ll make sure to keep the king and his son busy in the Mists. They won’t have time to give you any more trouble.” He moved closer to me and sat on his haunches. “As for Mizrabel?”
“Yes,” I asked, more than interested in what he knew of her. She was a great sorceress and my mother.
“I’m not sure what she’ll do.” His tail wrapped around his feet and, for the briefest moment, he reminded me of a Golden Retriever.
“What is her problem?”
Abernathy laughed and I joined in. “The answer to that question is complicated.” He leaned his head down so one eye was directly in front of me. I could see my reflection and was surprised. I still looked like me. “Someone can take your place, you know. Someone with a pure heart.”
I tilted my head, curious about why he told me that. “I could never ask someone to take my place.” I thought about Polly. She was sweet, full of kindness, but had been reserved and melancholy. I thought it was because she was sick. That was probably part of it, but there was more. She lived a solitary life. Sure, she’d had friends like Violet. But there was no one else like her. She was one-of-a-kind. That must have been hard.
“I understand, but thought you should know.” He winked. “I’ll be seeing you, Cinderella, Heart of Polonias.”
He vanished as I thought about my new title. It was accurate and final and… My body shook in sadness. Tears fell into the dirt. Each place a tear landed a small white flower grew. They were beautiful and fragrant.
They were all I had for company.
Quilla
Over the next several weeks I sulked and sulked some more. I also became stronger, and came to understand the inner workings of Polonias. Being the Heart gave me immediate access to the history of Polonias. I was able to see how all creatures were created, what they were up to whenever and wherever they were, and saw their place in the land. I grew in my knowledge and even came to love my place in the hierarchy.
It turned out I wasn’t as lonely as I thought I’d be. Polly may have been melancholy, but it probably had more to do with her comprehension of how the world worked and less to do with solitude.
I thought of Leo often, even though I tried hard not to. His leaving the way he did, without fighting for me… there had to be a reason. Before our bond had separated, I’d sensed all of his emotions. I knew without a doubt he loved me.
I broke his heart, I thought, sinking further into sadness.
When I wasn’t sulking I was receiving visitors. Many of the creatures I’d only heard of or observed at a distance made their way to my little paradise. They came bearing gifts of food, clothing, and jewels. Some of the gifts were strange, like weapons and chain mail and gardening utensils. They did so to honor me and thank me for the sacrifice I’d made. It seemed each race tried to outshine the other. If one group brought me a chest of gold, another brought me a chest of diamonds. All of the creatures, from the elves to the fairies to the unicorns, were kind though not necessarily friendly. It was easy to tell the difference. Their lips spoke of their gratitude while their hearts stayed locked at a distance.
I wondered why and wished I could ask Polly. I had a feeling she could’ve explained everything.
After a group of elves left one evening, having brought me a strange crown made of pliable silver and a treasure chest full of gems, Quilla popped into view, frightening the crap out of me.
“Merde, Quilla. You shouldn’t do that.” I pushed down the scream prancing along my vocal chords.
“Sorry,” she said and sneezed. Her outfit wasn’t as crazy as usual. She had on a forest green and black dress with matching tights. A floppy black hat sat lopsided on her head. Her shoes were black and pointy, two green buckles crisscrossing over the top. They sparkled in the moonlight as though they were made of emeralds. “I’ve come to see how you’re doing.” Her eyes and posture said so much more. She was tense, worried even.
I settled in, happy to see her. “I’m fine.” That was the incredibly short answer. The long one would involve hours and hours of discussion. But I was fine. No bones were broken. I was healthy. I’d had the opportunity to meet a lot of people. The histories of Polonias were made known to me and I’d learned a lot. I was fine.
Now, if she’d asked if I was happy... Well, I wasn’t sad. Brokenhearted? Lovesick? Crushed? All of those things. Yes.
“Fine? Really?” Quilla circled the spot I’d chosen as my place to reside. She gave off the impression she approved. She hadn’t been here since I’d become the Heart. It felt like she’d been avoiding me.
I wondered what she thought by responding to her questions with backhanded sarcasm. “Oh, you know. I’m one with the plants and animals. A real green thumb. Why wouldn’t I be fine?”
She glanced at me sideways. “It suits you.” She turned toward the waterfall. “This place, the way you’ve changed. This was the destiny I always saw for you. It’s who you were meant to be, I think.”
I didn’t argue. The outcome was what it was. I’d had a lot of time to think about it and I knew without a doubt I wouldn’t change anything—not my time here, finding Leo, marrying him, kissing him, loving him. Those moments with Leo had changed me probably more than becoming the Heart.
“How is he?” I asked quietly. Waving a hand around me, I created a chair out of leaves so I could sit comfortably.
Quilla turned. It was obvious she knew who I referred to. She made her way over. “He’s a mess, if you want to know the truth.” She touched a portion of my leaf seat. “This is awesome.”
“Thanks,” I replied. “Why is he a mess?” I asked, forcing the conversation back to Leo.
She sighed. “I’m sure you can guess why.” Her smile was sad. I nodded. “Also,” she continued, “He’s dealing with a lot. As you know he was forced out of Polonias several years ago. He’s been out of touch with the goings on and it seems everyone wants something from him. So he’s trying to run a kingdom, make everyone happy, and get over the devastation of losing the woman he loved, and he’s doing it all alone.” She gave me a pointed look, like I should be ashamed of my behavior.
“You didn’t see his face,” I whispered.
She pinched her nose and waved her hand. Magic sputtered from her fingers. I covered my mouth, not wanting to laugh at her.
Of all the things to be allergic to, I thought.
Still, she was talented. A rose gr
ew away from the bush next to her and got larger and larger. When it stopped, Quilla fluffed her dress and sat. She crossed her legs. “What do you mean?” She tightened her lips together.
I got the impression she knew exactly what I meant.
“When he saw me…” I paused, wishing I didn’t have to remember the look on his face. “He was disgusted,” I finally blurted. “He didn’t want me anymore… the way he looked at me…” My voice caught and I forced myself to remain calm. Another crying fit wouldn’t do Quilla or me any good. That didn’t stop my heart from ripping itself to shreds… again. “There’s no better word. Disgusted. He was disgusted.” I sank my feet deeper into the earth, seeking comfort. “For several days after I became the Heart, I hoped he’d get over it. You know, once he had some time to think, but in all the weeks I’ve been here, he hasn’t come. Not once.” I couldn’t fight back the damned tears any longer.
Quilla started to cry, too. She hopped off her rose and hugged me. “I’m so sorry, Cinderella. Even though I knew this was your destiny, I’d hoped you and Leo could find a way to be together.”
We held each other for several minutes. It was nice feeling the touch of another person. It’d been way too long. Finally, I leaned back and shrugged. “It’s okay. You didn’t make him look at me like I should be squashed under his shoe.”
She seemed to shrink further into herself. Shoulders hunched, she went back to her chair and wiped her eyes. Her makeup was smeared. A spell came to mind to fix it.
“Orveyith.”
The black under her eyes vanished. She sneezed. “Thanks,” she mumbled.
I thought maybe she was upset I’d used magic when I knew she was allergic but, before I could apologize, a wave of fear rolled off her and smacked into me.
There was something big, something awful she had to say. It was the whole reason she’d come. I could sense it. A tiny part of my brain didn’t want to hear it, but the rest of me had to know.
“What?” I asked, my voice hard with apprehension.
She crossed her arms, clutching them so hard they turned an odd shade of white. “His advisors sent a poll out to the people,” she began.
“A pole?” I asked confused. “What the hell kind of poll?” I leaned forward, trying to figure out what she meant.
Quilla squeezed her arms harder.
“Just spit it out,” I said, exasperated.
She gritted her teeth. “It was a survey asking the people whether or not King Leo should take a wife,” Quilla finally said, her voice as soft as the pink rose she sat on.
I gasped, wondering if Quilla heard my heart racing. He had a wife already. Me! “I see,” I said, crunching the sides of the leaves I sat on in my fingers. “And what were the results?”
She gulped, wiped a wayward tear. “They said he should marry. The sooner the better.”
Plan
Words, thousands of them, ran through my mind at once.
How dare they? Didn’t they realize he was already married? But he wasn’t. I ended it. Without even consulting him first. I just assumed. But his face. I know what I saw.
It was as though as dozen people were talking to me at once. Except it was inside my head.
Quilla waited patiently and, to her credit, she didn’t say or do anything. When I could finally speak I asked, “When?”
She seemed relieved to get to this part. “Tonight.” Quilla hopped off her rose chair and started to pace. It was funny to watch because I’d done the same thing. She wrung her hands while she walked, her eyes focused on something other than what was in front of her. “But I have a plan.” She looked up. Determination shone in her eyes.
“What do you mean a plan? For what? There’s nothing I can do.” Hot tears rolled down my cheeks. “If he wants to marry someone else, who am I to stop him?” My words sounded sincere, but inside I was a wreck. How could he do this to me? He loved me. I knew it. If he needed a wife, why not me? I was the Heart. That didn’t mean I couldn’t feel. If anything, I felt more than anyone else. And what he was going to do hurt. It hurt so badly I thought I’d die from the pain.
She came and sat back down. “Leo hasn’t had a chance to think about anything. He’s hardly slept. He barely eats. He’s miserable. I know he misses you. We just need to let him see that. We need to help him remember why he’s miserable, let him see that he needs you.” She patted my knee.
I sniffled. “I messed up. I shouldn’t have ended our marriage like I did. I hurt him, probably worse than he hurt me.” Doubtful. Seriously doubtful.
Quilla shook her head. “You did what you thought he wanted, what you believed was best. Did you mess up?” She nodded her head, answering herself. “Big-time.”
I gulped.
She hurried on. “But we’re going to remedy this. The castle is hosting a Masquerade tonight. We’re going to fix up your hair, make you an incredible dress, and sneak you into the ball. As soon as he speaks with you, he’ll fall in love with you all over again. No one else will matter to him.” She shook her head rapidly. “Not some fiery red head named Muriel and certainly not Asgardia, the princess of the Elven kingdom to the East. He only cares for you. I know it.”
I pulled my feet from the dirt. He hadn’t fought for me, but I hadn’t fought for him either. I was going to change that. I wanted him, needed him. And I loved him, so, so much. The only woman who would be his wife was me. I’d be damned if another woman would be allowed to touch him, let alone kiss him, or… anything else. I sent my chair back into the earth and took Quilla’s hand. “We’d better get to work, then.”
Quilla
The moons of Polonias shone brightly in hues of violet and fuchsia. The night basked in the beautiful glow. Honeysuckle seemed to serenade the land with its scent.
Quilla decided I had to arrive at the ball in style. She took the aquamarine jewels the elves had brought me as a gift and, using magic, turned them into a glass carriage. It twinkled in the moonlight and was pulled by two black unicorns. Their eyes were the color of the carriage and their black horns had a streak of aquamarine.
“Absolutely beautiful,” I breathed, running a hand along the body of one of the unicorns.
“Thank you,” Quilla said between sneezes. “Now for a dress befitting the Heart and the future Queen of Polonias.“
I moved away and held out the petals of my dress. “What’s wrong with this?” I asked, only half joking. The petals had become a part of me.
She walked in a slow circle, checking me out. I knew I’d changed, but didn’t realize anyone would notice. “You’re willowy. Lithe. You seem taller, even though I know you aren’t.”
I nodded soundlessly. It was true. My body was more like that of a flower. Even my heart-shaped belly button ring had vanished.
“Avenella,” she said, twirling her hand in a circle. Magical dust swirled around my body. My petal dress took on a new shape. It was an icy blue, almost white, with a hint of light blue. The bodice was fitted and had a V-neck, showing off more cleavage than I was used to.
“Really?” I asked, surprised.
“Like I said, he won’t notice anyone but you.” She smiled generously.
I laughed. The rest of the dress formed with layer upon layer of ruffles flowing down the skirt, hitting the middle of my calves. “It’s like the waterfall,” I said, pointing.
“Yes, it is.” She bent and looked at my bare feet.
“I need shoes,” I said, stating the obvious. Immediately I thought of the shoes Lawson had sent here from my closet on Earth. “I know just the ones.”
“You do, because I was thinking…”
“Carepethia.” I said the spell from the Eye of Abernathy. It was a retrieving spell. Instantly the shoes were on my feet and I grew five inches.
Quilla gasped. “Those are perfect,” she said, bending and touching one. “They’re amazing.”
I turned my foot, allowing the light from the moon to strike them. “Is it bad they came from Earth?” I worried maybe that would
matter.
“Not at all.” She pulled me to her.
“Thank you, Quilla.” I hugged her back.
“Of course. It’s the least I can do.” She shook her head sadly. “I haven’t been much of a fairy godmother.”
“You’ve been awesome. Really.”
“If you say so.” She sighed. “The last piece of your costume for the ball is a mask.” She tapped her lips with a finger, then pulled a wand out of mid air. “May I touch your face?”
I was surprised by the question. “Uh, what are you going to do?”
“I believe on earth you call them tattoos…”
She paused and I stepped away. “I don’t want my face tattooed. How about something less permanent?”
She giggled. “It will only be as permanent as you want it to be.”
“Okay.” I moved back to her. “Go ahead.” I lifted my chin to give her easier access.
The tip of the wand touched my cheek. She lightly moved it across the bridge of my nose to my other cheek, around my eye, down my nose, and around the other eye. The wand disappeared. Magic dust appeared in its place. She blew softly. I closed my eyes just as the stuff hit my face. It tingled and seemed to come to life.
“There. It’s perfect.” She clapped her hands happily.
I put a tentative hand to my face. The mask was soft, like feathers.
“Want to see?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She produced a mirror and I glanced at my reflection. My eyes were lined with ice blue feathers. My long blond hair was curled and pinned up. Teardrop diamond earrings and a teardrop diamond necklace were my only jewelry. They matched my diamond shoes perfectly. I looked beautiful.
The Cindy Chronicles: The Complete Set Page 19