by Sarah Noffke
Gasps and whispers filled the air. Drawing herself up a few inches, Cleopatra continued. “Since my demise, this coven has been ruled by power. But that is not the way to a bountiful future amongst a family. We rule through love, respect and honor. From this day forward, I implore you all to democratically elect your leaders. In all matters of the coven, I beseech you to promote fairness in your practices. I leave you with that advice and a promise that, wherever I end up, I’ll try and watch over you.”
In unison, the entire coven dropped to one knee, bowing their heads to their queen. Cleopatra offered a rare smile before fading, her bright eyes the last of her they saw before she was gone forever.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
It felt strange to ride in the carriage, knowing that Oak wasn’t driving it. Azure watched Gran and Reynolds. He was telling her a tall tale about hunting leprechauns in the mountains, and she was leaning in close, a smile lighting up her eyes. The old witch looked to have surrendered some of her reservations about being happy, and was enjoying the wizard’s company outright, no more pretenses. This proved that happiness was always an option.
Azure darted her eyes to Monet, who was fumbling with the bandage on his neck. “It healed up already,” she teased. “You just want the attention when we get back to Virgo.”
“I think we both know that I already get more attention than I’d like.”
“Well, when we return home and the witches and wizards are already healed, thanks to Blisters’ early trip back, they’ll be shouting your praise,” Ever stated.
“Yes, then there will be no peace.” Monet sighed.
The carriage swiveled hard to the left, knocking Monet off the couch. Gran bumped heads with Reynolds, and Gillian rolled out of his chair.
“What the hell?” Azure asked, trying to get her feet under her.
“Why are those dragons driving so erratically?” Monet asked, as the carriage rocked up and down.
“I don’t know. Oak said—”
“Dear Azure,” Gran interrupted. She pointed to the staff in the corner that held Mage Lenore’s crystal ball. It was lit up and making a buzzing sound.
“Oh, no,” Azure said, something catching in her throat. “You don’t think…”
Gran pressed her lips together, a solemn look in her eyes. “I’m afraid so.”
“What is it?” Ever asked, his tone urgent.
“I think we’re being summoned to the Mountain of Truth,” Azure answered.
“But that means…”
She swallowed. “Mage Lenore is dying.”
~~~
At the threshold to Mage Lenore’s house, Azure hesitated. She cast a tentative glance at the carriage, parked in the distance. Am I ready for this? She’d thought there would be more time. More time to live her life freely. To love Ever. To enjoy Virgo. But her fate had been sealed when she’d agreed to be the next protector of the Howling Willow.
It was time to pass the baton.
The door creaked when she approached the house, and slipped open a few inches. I guess I don’t need to knock, she thought, pushing the door back all the way.
The sight before her wasn’t what she’d expected, but that was common when entering Mage Lenore’s house. The last time she’d been in the house made of Howling Willow, it had been a cobbled street in New Spain, complete with real villas.
Azure blinked in the dimly lit, one-room house. The two windows in the space were covered with frost and snow on the other side, although it was a warm day. A fire burned low in the hearth, crackling softly. The only furniture in the old room was an ancient bed covered with a dozen fraying quilts.
The house smelled of over-ripened fruit when Azure stepped completely inside. The door swept shut behind her, snuffing out a great deal of the light. From where she stood, Azure couldn’t make out the woman lying in the bed, though she knew Mage Lenore had to be there.
Azure had battled mad men, hungry harpies, vampires and werewolves. But the dark bed was the most terrifying thing she’d had to face. She wiped her sweaty palms on her pants, willing her legs forward.
The blue light filtering through the snowflakes on the window cast an eerie glow on the old woman’s face. Mage Lenore’s head was framed by her loose curls, splayed out on a fluffy pillow. Her skin appeared pasty, but she wore a serene smile on her face.
“You came,” she croaked.
“You brought me here,” Azure corrected.
From the beginning, she’d felt comfortable with the old woman. Now she knew it was because they were uniquely bonded; they needed no pretenses.
Mage Lenore’s shoulders pinched up in a shrug. “You still had a choice whether to walk through that door or not.”
Azure nodded and took a step forward. “This is your final day, isn’t it?”
Mage Lenore folded her withered hands over her stomach, letting out a breath. “Yes, I’ve completed my final cycle. Today I won’t cycle from young to old age in the same way that has preserved me for centuries.”
“How does that feel? Are you ready?” Azure asked.
“I wasn’t ready to accept my role as the protector when I was chosen, and I’m not ready to leave it,” Mage Lenore said simply, a raw ache in her voice. “But you know, Queen Azure, I firmly believe that we’re never ready for the next part of our life. We jump into the deep end or get pushed.”
“Yes, I can relate,” Azure said, feeling the shame build in her.
“In the morning of my life, I longed for the afternoon and evening, feeling that as an adult I could do more, know more,” Mage Lenore explained. “And every night, I looked forward to the morning when my old body was replaced with a new one, one that could run and jump and live. You see, the old and the new are constantly battling to be what they are not, because the simple act of being is against our very nature.”
“I’m afraid to take your place, and you don’t want to leave,” Azure related, strangely enjoying the poetry of the situation.
“But life demands evolution.” Mage Lenore raised her hand, which was shaking slightly. “Would you indulge me a final request?”
“Of course,” Azure said at once, taking her hand.
“Would you please help me out of this bed?” Mage Lenore asked. “A bed is where we sleep. For those who are lucky, it is where love is made. And for those who are wise, it is where good books are consumed. However, a bed isn’t where I choose to die. I’d prefer to do that in the place where I lived the most.”
Azure pushed the mound of blankets off the old woman to reveal her frail body. With her arm around Mage Lenore’s shoulders, Azure helped her to a standing position. Mage Lenore wore a loose dressing gown, and moved like a rusty locomotive. Azure supported the majority of the woman’s weight as they hobbled out of the tiny house and into the yard.
The warmth of the day had evaporated, and Azure shivered from the chilly wind that swept across the mountaintop. In the distance, the carriage was covered in snow, and all around them, the trees had lost their leaves, including the Howling Willow. It stood alone in the frozen dirt, its branches gray and hanging stiffly.
Azure hadn’t asked Mage Lenore where she wanted to go, only led her straight to the tree. When they arrived, the old witch broke from Azure’s grasp, seemingly desperate to close the distance between herself and the Howling Willow.
With a burst of energy, she slipped down to the ground, pulling her knees to her chest as she cuddled against the trunk, nestled at its bottom. Suddenly, the oldest witch on Oriceran seemed like a small child, seeking the warmth and compassion of her caregiver. Although Mage Lenore had been the Howling Willow’s protector, Azure wondered if maybe all this time it had been the tree that protected the witch.
“Is there something else I can do for you?” Azure asked, kneeling down.
Mage Lenore peeled open one eye, a strange smile on her face, like she knew a secret. “Yes, you can give that to Monet. It’s what he’s been wanting to know, and I don’t have the time to tell him myse
lf.”
“Give what?” Azure asked, since Mage Lenore hadn’t given her anything, and she had her arms folded tightly to her body.
“That,” she said, indicating with her head to Azure’s hand.
The queen peered down to find rolled-up parchment, clasped in her palm and fingers. Dammit, this witch is going to be sneaky up until the end.
“Okay.” Azure pushed the note into the pocket of her robes, staring at Mage Lenore with uncertainty. “What do I do, now? Do you want me to leave you alone? Do I stay?”
“Knowing the next step is difficult. When people are dying, we search for the right words to say to them. But, Queen Azure, pardon me if we don’t part with tears and achy words. For you and me, things are different. We are connected through the Howling Willow, so you saying goodbye to me would be the same as if you were to say goodbye to yourself. And you’d never do such a silly thing.”
“No, I suppose you’re right.” Azure smiled at the thought. It truly made sense to her, and the feeling of loss that had been building within dissipated.
“I would ask that you do me one small favor.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“I’d like for you to make my bed,” Mage Lenore said, nestling her head into the tree, and cozily closing her eyes.
“You…what…?” Azure began, but found herself nodding. “Okay, no problem. I’ll be right back.”
She hurried for the house, giving Mage Lenore and the Howling Willow a look over her shoulder. The two were as still as a winter night and melded into each other like they were two parts of the same whole. Azure smiled at the tree, which currently looked as unintimidating as the old woman cuddled at its base.
An overwhelming sense of joy suddenly filled Azure, making her almost skip down the stone path to the three-story house. Mage Lenore asking for her bed to be made was a strange request, but Azure respected that the old woman wanted to leave things tidy.
It was also strange to Azure that the house made from the Howling Willow would soon be hers. She didn’t like the idea of living alone on the Mountain of Truth, but maybe one day she would, just as Mage Lenore had. She looked longingly at the carriage, but couldn’t allow herself to feel the loss of the life she was going to give up to be the protector of the Howling Willow. There would be time to grieve that life, but it was not now. Right now she had to be there for Mage Lenore. She had to show her respect. This wasn’t about herself…yet.
Snow had begun to fall by the time Azure made it to the front door. She shook the snowflakes from her hair before turning the doorknob. Her breath caught in her chest at the sight that greeted her inside the house.
The small room holding the bed had disappeared, and all the walls had vanished. Instead, a field of brightly-colored wildflowers stretched as far as Azure could see. Birds tweeted in the trees beside her, and little woodland creatures scurried through the long grass, peeking their heads up here and there. It was the perfect picture of spring.
“Oh no!” Azure blurted.
She spun around, charging back through the front door, blinded by bright sunlight. She raised her arm to shield her eyes. Suddenly she felt like a baby bird, trying to open her eyes for the very first time. When she’d managed, she kept her gaze low, on the grassy green ground punctuated with new flowers. Blinking away the tears watering in her eyes, Azure brought her chin up, and her heart stopped.
The Howling Willow and Mage Lenore were gone.
“No, no, no!” she yelled, running for the spot where she’d left the witch, the place where the last Howling Willow had stood for all of time.
The spot was now only an open area with sprigs of new grass and fertile soil.
Azure spun in a circle, trying to make sense of it all. How am I supposed to protect a tree that has disappeared?
Then she was rocked by another startling realization. The house was gone. She’d just walked through its front door, but now it was gone, replaced by the rolling hills flecked with wildflowers.
Azure didn’t understand. Where was her tree and her house? Her future was supposed to be atop this mountain, protecting the last remaining Howling Willow. Confusion tunneled in her mind as she stared around at the ground under her feet. Her eyes roamed over new plants, rocks, grasshoppers, roly-polies and…
Azure bent over and picked up a silver seed the size of her hand. It was heavy for its size. She’d never seen anything like it.
“It’s you, isn’t it?” Azure whispered to the seed.
As if in reply, the Howling Willow seed glowed brightly, warming her hand and her heart.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Lanterns lit with fireflies hung in the trees, casting a soft glow over the celebration. The grounds around the House of Enchanted had been transformed, making every square inch dazzle with color. A witch in blue sequin robes danced on a stage that had been set up in front of the castle-like house, entertaining the crowd with her sultry voice and grace.
Buzz Buzz, the pesky pixie hovering next to Azure, was crying, her wings fluttering. She buzzed adamantly, having been going on about something for over a minute.
Azure couldn’t understand the pixie, but she had a good idea what it was about.
“I’m sorry Blisters hasn’t been playing with you. He has sort of grown up.”
Azure eyed the unicorn, who was standing majestically in a circle of his brethren. It was rare for unicorns to grace others with their presence, but such was the importance of that night’s festivities. Not only were the other unicorns showing Blisters great respect, but they were in awe of the sacrifice he’d made in order to save so many. It was because of him that everyone in Virgo who had been bitten now had their magic restored, and once more wore their soul stone.
The pixie wiped her tears from her face, looking longingly at her friend.
“But grownups can still play,” Azure said to the pixie. “Just give him time to adjust. I have a feeling that the Blisters we know and love is still very much in that regular-sized unicorn.”
Buzz Buzz chirped, hummed and twirled, seemingly satisfied by this answer. She flew toward the crowd, in the direction of Finnegan, who was lounging on a blanket with his favorite fairies, Navi and Luna. They were braiding flowers into his beard, and, for once, the grumpy wizard didn’t seem to mind. His eyes were closed, and he looked more at peace than he had in a long time, his soul stone once again fastened neatly to his robes.
“Do you think Blisters will still want a room in the House of Enchanted?” Monet asked, appearing out of nowhere at Azure’s side.
She clapped her hand to her chest, startled. When she recovered, she told him, “Gran didn’t like him in the house even when he was miniature, so I don’t think it would go over well if he did.”
“Well, he can have my room.” Monet dropped his green eyes to the ground, a strange nervousness on his face.
“What do you mean?” Azure asked.
He pulled the note Mage Lenore had left for him from his robe. “I finally read this.”
“You’d put it off?”
“Maybe I feared the truth would disappoint me.”
“And? Did it?”
An untamed smile spread across Monet’s face, making his eyes twinkle. “My mother and father were the queen and king of Leo.”
“What?” Azure grabbed Monet’s arm.
“It’s true. A battle swept through Leo when I was first born, and Mage Lenore sent me away for my safety. My parents were killed by traitors. Since then, peace has been restored, and all this time, they’ve been looking for the rightful heir to the throne. Azure, I have a kingdom.”
“For Merlin’s sake.” Azure stared without seeing, feeling accosted by the news.
The reality of the revelation unfolded for her at once, but she shoved away the implications, along with the shame of her own disappointment.
“Yeah, can you believe it?” Monet asked.
“This is wonderful,” she said, trying to inject some enthusiasm into her words. “You�
��ll be a king, with people to care for. You’ll make such a wonderful leader.”
“And you’ll have to come and visit,” Monet said with a laugh.
“Of course I will.”
Azure hoped that the smile on her face looked genuine. She wanted it to be. After everything, she had thought that things were going to work out. She’d rule Virgo. She’d protect the Howling Willow. She’d have her friends…
But this was not about her. This was about Monet’s happiness, and that’s what she’d wanted for him.
Azure blinked away the guilt and smiled wider. “This is truly the best news. We should get drinks and celebrate,” she said, her voice strangely high-pitched.
“Now you’re talking,” Monet said, pulling her toward a row of kegs.
Witches and wizards were filling their glasses before clinking them with a neighbor.
“To your good health,” Reynolds said, holding up his glass.
Gillian held up his own. “To your good health, and to all those of Virgo. May we live long and enjoy this prosperous kingdom.”
“You two won’t live another week, if you keep drinking like that,” Gran scolded, pushing through the crowd to stand between the two men.
“It’s a celebration, Gran,” Azure argued, taking the mug of ale Monet handed her.
“This lot doesn’t need a reason to drink themselves silly. Consuming mass amounts of alcohol is what wasteful losers do,” the old witch griped.
Ever arrived at Azure’s side, holding a bottle up beside his head. “Too bad. I was able to score a vintage bottle of Light Elf wine. I guess you don’t want any of this, Sari.”