by Jill Cooper
A story? A work of fiction, like the ones I carried with me in my bag. “What if I can’t? I don’t know how to craft a story. Verbal or otherwise. Please… Magenta?”
She remained very still. Her head turned to the side and I checked for her breath. It was faint and wispy. She’d pass soon and as I gazed out the window, I saw the sun was beginning to set.
On the tower and on Magenta.
****
In the throne room, I slammed the staff into the tile beside the throne. It slipped right into the slot and I cranked the golden rod to the left. Holding on firm, I thought of where I wanted the tower to next appear and the crystal sphere shined a bright light across the room. My hand vibrated against the cool metal and I watched as runes lit up I hadn’t seen before on the staff.
The power burst out of me and I felt as if I was flying. It threw me back into Temptress’s old throne and I could feel like I was flying. Outside, there was no more sky or landscape. There simply was nothing, as if we had disappeared from the world completely.
I removed the staff, almost fearful and headed back out into the corridor where everyone waited for me with expectant faces. Sebastian nodded to me. “Tomorrow we battle with a dragon,” he said to Robbie and the others.
“Tonight we get a good night’s sleep and a rest.” I bid everyone a good night and I feared what I had to do in the coming morning. How could I defeat an ancient spirit from the book realm without Ella? I wouldn’t have gotten this far without her, a scary truth I dare not admit out loud, even to Sebastian.
Even if he already knew.
He walked beside me up the stairs. “Keep the others calm,” I said. “We’ll need clear heads if we’re going into New York together.”
“You know I will. You’re ready for this, whether you believe it or not,” Sebastian said. He took my hand and gave it a squeeze.
“To come up with a brand-new story? To find the words I need to create fiction?” I shook my head. “What if I can’t?”
“Of everyone here, you’re the only one who can come close. You’ve read books and stories. You know the kind of stories that excite you or make you weep. Study them tonight. Maybe that’s the answer.”
He was wiser than he knew. I kissed Sebastian’s cheek. “I have my work cut out for me.”
“And I me.” Sebastian gave me a smile as he headed around the corridor and I wondered what it was he had to do that was as taxing as facing a dragon.
I moved into the bedroom and saw George standing by the window, overlooking the nothingness that surrounded us. He clung to the window frame as he gazed out and his head barely shifted toward me. I peeled my robe off and hung it on the back of the chair by the vanity.
“You’ve grown closer. You and Sebastian.” It sounded like a hurtful accusation more than it did a simple sentence.
“We’ve been through a lot. Death and back again, but it doesn’t change what you are to me. Sebastian, too, is in love with another.”
“Hmm,” George snorted. “He wants me out of the way. I’ve seen it on his face.”
“He wants the mission to succeed. He wants no complications.”
“Is that what I am?” George turned around and gazed at me with hurt. “A complication?”
“You’re the man I love. The man I’m set to marry. When this is over, I will marry you as a free person, a free woman. I’ll marry you because I want to, not because I have to.” I walked forward and rested my hand against his cheek.
George stroked my hand. “You must think I’m a fool.”
I shook my head. “I’ve only ever seen you as strong. It’s only normal for you to feel this way. You were kidnapped and tortured. Sebastian and I did grow closer, but he is more like a brother than anything else. At least I imagine this is what having a brother is like. I’ll have his back to the end, but I’m not in love with him. He’s not the one I want.”
“I’m only in the way. You shouldn’t have to worry about me the way you do. I see it in your eyes, so don’t even deny it.”
“I won’t.” I shrugged. “I love you, why shouldn’t I worry about you? I’m terrified about what will happen tomorrow and all the things I have to do. I wish you could make that all go away.”
“If I could, you know I would. Abby Taylor, I’ve known you since we were children. We were friends before we knew how to walk. You’ve always been fearless and whatever happens tomorrow, you’re ready for it. The world might not be ready for you, but I know you’ll succeed. I just know it.”
George’s lips met mine and his kisses melted through my doubts and fears. His warm breath against mine was the thing dreams were made of. I slipped my hand onto his waist as his hands began to undo the buckles of my armor. Strap by strap, they fell away and the bustier I wore loosened around my shoulders.
“Tell me you want me to stop and I’ll stop,” George whispered. I could feel the pounding of his heart against mine as he kissed my neck, pulling me closer.
“I don’t want you to stop. I don’t want you to ever stop.”
He gently pushed me down onto the bed and my breath rushed out as he bent over me. Longingly he held me, kissed me, and my heart pounded with excitement and a racing desire I never knew before.
This was the night we’d become one. This was the night I’d pledge never to leave him behind again.
****
I slept against George’s bare chest and it was the most at home I had felt since leaving Rottenwood. Content and happy, I slipped into a dream so lucid and real, it was as if I had really returned home.
Standing on the cobblestone streets right outside my father’s shop, I stood in the fog. The death hunters flew past the roofs of the nearby buildings and kept an eye on me. They shrieked and called as if to utter a warning, and I turned to step inside the shop.
The bell dinged above the door and Momma turned and smiled at me from the counter where she poured two steaming mugs of tea. “Abigail Taylor, there you are. Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting for you?”
Momma shook her head and I was taken back by how pretty her hair looked, even when up in a wispy bun. I rushed to the counter and touched her hands. “Momma, I’ve missed you so much.”
She smiled sadly and it hit me with full force. Momma wasn’t here. She was dead. None of what I was experiencing was real, but the mug felt warm in my hand. I blew on the hot tea, watching my breath displace the steam.
Momma tapped my hand. “As much as I will always miss you, we’re proud of you, Abbigail. Your father and I, neither of us really understood what you were meant for. Not until… we fell.” Momma’s eyes mirrored my own heartbreak and I wished I wasn’t dreaming this. I wish I wasn’t here.
“Until you died?” I whispered.
“That’s right. You do what you have to do. Fix the evil in the world. Do what you are meant to do no matter what you need to do. But don’t return to Rottenwood under any circumstances. It’s a grave. A living grave. The people here don’t have much time left.”
My eyes filled with tears. “It’s my home, Momma. My home. I have to save it somehow. I have to—.”
“You have a new home. Friends, allies. George. Oh, Abby. I will tell you one other thing before I’m forced to leave you.”
I scowled with a question, waiting for her to speak again. Momma took a deep breath. “When you were little you used to make up pretend stories, do you remember that?”
I shook my head. “No, Momma.”
Momma sighed. “I feared you wouldn’t. I was pretty stern with you, but you have a creative side. Tomorrow you’re going to need it. Remember the colors you used to make. Remember how your parents made you feel in our home, away from the prying eyes of the death hunters. Use your words to convey emotion and feelings. You can save the muse. You need her strength. Don’t falter, Abby.”
“I won’t. I’ll do it, Momma. I will.”
She took my face in her hands and kissed the top of my head. “I wish I could stay with you longer, my l
ittle darling.” Tears shone in her eyes and she smiled through them.
I wished that, too. I clung to her arms, unable to say anything else.
“The love in your heart is your greatest power. Don’t be afraid to use it.”
Chapter: Ella
Her ankles and wrists had been tightly tied and Ella had been gagged through the night. Sitting on the dirt floor in a prison cell had left her cold and it was only when the sun began to shine through a small window in the brick wall that contained her, that Ella’s shivers began to die down.
She scooted on her butt by pushing her legs in and out toward the brick wall, angling herself into the sun’s bountiful rays. Ella couldn’t remember when the sun shone like that. She put her back against the brick, slowly wedging her feet beneath her, so she could stand. Her hands ended up crushed between her body weight and the wall, but at least she was standing.
If only she could get to the window. It was small, but then again, so was she. She could get out the window, someone would see her and she’d be able to get free.
The sound of the iron bars opening behind her caused Ella to gasp. Tarnish?! But she was disappointed to see none other than Ana with a meager plate of breakfast food. She was starving, but she got no joy out of seeing the face of her captor or the smug smile she wore.
“Try as you might, you aren’t going anywhere. Better sit down,” Ana placed the plate on the ground. “Let me feed you so we can keep up your strength for our journey.”
Ella was hungry. The grapes looked fresh and plump, the wedges of cheese were enticing, and the toast layered with melted butter. Food was food, as Ella always said, so she pushed off the wall and took her place back on the floor.
Ana leaned forward and untied the gag, the knot nestled beneath Ella’s messy braids. “If you scream, I’ll place the gag back in and you won’t eat. Clear?”
Ella nodded and licked her lips. It felt great to be able to close her mouth again and lick her lips. As Ana brought the bowl of grapes up, Ella opened her mouth so Ana could plop them inside.
“Part of me is surprised you didn’t bite me.”
“Part of me thought about it,” Ella admitted. She chewed through the skin of the grapes, their sweet juices popping into her mouth.
Ana smiled. “You have self control? I thought it was impossible.”
“If we’re going to have small talk, you might as well tell me who your master is. Is it Creighton?”
Ana’s face brightened and Ella found it grotesque that someone could follow a dark lord of their own free will. She did things to survive, but nothing as abhorrent as that. “It is and he’s coming to collect you. He wants to control what Tarnish wishes to set free.”
“So you’re working against us? This whole time? Why not just kill us in our sleep? Why not kill me?”
“You cannot kill the one who cannot be controlled by Temptress or who cannot be fed upon by the ravengers.”
Ella snorted as Ana placed some cheese on her tongue. It was thick and rich, not allowing her to speak for several moments. It did give Ella time to think of a response. “Don’t believe the stories that old bat told or things she said to me. Clearly, she lost her mind. Filled with lies and manipulation. I ain’t nothing special, sister.”
She said it, but did she feel it? Ella feared her conviction was waning.
Ana might’ve known, too, from how she smirked. “Your friendship with Tarnish has grown.”
Ella sneered. “I’m friends to no one.”
“No more do you wish to run away. That alone is a miracle.”
“I tried to run away last night.”
“You were scared and you’re avoiding the truths awakening in you. Soon, there will be nowhere left for you to hide.” Ana took a deep breath and took a bite of the toast. “He approaches and grows near.”
Ella’s eyes widened. “That was my toast, you barbarian.”
Ana tossed it down on the ground beside Ella. Laughing, she pulled herself up to her feet. “Rest easy. Soon, that’s all you’ll ever do again.” She placed the gag back into Ella’s mouth and secured it extra tight.
Ella cringed and gagged, wiggling her fingers to try to get free. Ana didn’t look at her again as she left the cell, but locked the door behind her.
Throwing her head back to the window, Ella struggled to get free. She twisted her wrists, the rope chafing at her skin.
She had to get free. She had to warn Tarnish. She had to tell Tarnish.
The enemy’s coming.
Chapter: Homestead
“Children, children. Please don’t run too far.” Claire took a deep breath and ran after the kids as they played on the lawn out in front of the farmhouse. Each of them in knit hats and mittens, they playfully screamed, picking up mounds of snow in their hands, throwing it at each other. The snowballs weren’t well packed and they fell apart when tossed, but they still seemed to get great joy out of it.
“It’s so fun, Momma! And then sun. Look at the sun.”
Claire had and she spent much time looking at it from her bedroom window and then the kitchen. “I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as that. Still, I don’t want you going too far from the home, do you understand me?”
She had just gotten them back and she wasn’t keen to lose them again.
“Yes, Momma,” they chorused.
From the school house, Claire saw Penny coming to fetch the children. “Single file now,” Claire ordered and as the children scurried, their mother smiled at their school teacher.
Penny nodded her head. “Good to see my three smallest students. Who is ready for a day of learning? I have a special treat for a snack.”
The kids started jumping up and down with excitement and gave a singsong, “Yay!” Penny took a moment to rub Claire’s arm. “We’ll be fine. I’ll see them back to you at four.” She stood at the front of the line, walking backward and beckoning the children to follow her.
Claire forced a smile through her anxiety and waved goodbye, her eyes darting up to the watch tower where Markus, that old bat, stood. He was bent over, gripping the railing and staring up at the sky. The sun bothered him or caused him great joy. It was hard to tell which. If some force of evil was coming, Claire wished he’d warn them.
She went back into the house and saw Henry sitting in the kitchen. He bounced Abe on his knee and the baby giggled happily, stuffing his pudgy hands into his mouth. “Did you have enough for breakfast?” Claire asked.
“Plenty. Coffee was good, too.”
“Good.” Her voice was stiff, like talking to a stranger. Claire tried to change it, but she couldn’t. She took Abe from Henry and balanced him in the crook of her arm. “I’m going to head upstairs and nurse him before he gets too cranky.” She didn’t wait for him to respond before she headed toward the stairs.
Henry followed her and caught up to her quickly. “When will I be welcome in my own home again?”
“I don’t know.” Claire answered without turning around. “I want you to be welcome. I do.”
“We were happy before, weren’t we? I didn’t imagine it, did I?”
“No,” Claire whispered and battled a rush of hot tears rising in her eyes. She didn’t want to cry and certainly didn’t want to feel the pain she felt. “We were happy. We can be again. I’m just going to need more time.”
“More time for what, Claire? I didn’t hurt the children. I didn’t take them. It was out of my hands.”
“You lied to me. You shouldn’t have…” Claire took a deep breath and finished climbing up the stairs. “I’ll see you tonight at dinner. The children will be leaving school at four if you wish to spend some extra time with them then.”
She made quick steps into the master bedroom and wedged the door shut. Hoping to keep every bad thought and bad emotion barricaded on the other side.
****
“It’s good to see you back on your feet again.” Alessa said with great joy and excitement as Timothy and Dani entered her home. Timothy wa
s a little thinner and pale, his clothes fit a bit looser, but his face shined with excitement. Dani was so happy to see him smiling again.
He had recovered a few weeks ago, but it was his first time leaving the house. The horse and buggy made it a quick trip, luckily for Dani, who felt even more heavily pregnant as the winter wore on.
Scott shook Timothy’s hand and slapped him on the back while Alessa only paid attention to Dani. “You are a sight, aren’t you? You’ve definitely popped and are carrying low.” Alessa ran her hand over Dani’s belly to inspect it. “Oh, I can feel your baby. How amazing is that?”
“So can I. Every night when I try to sleep.” Dani winced as she gripped a dining chair and slowly lowered herself down. “I’m glad Timmy is getting back on his feet. I’m not sure how much longer I can tend to the animals.”
Alessa nodded. “Being tired all the time is par for the course. You’re obviously in your third trimester now. You have to take it easy if you want that babe to stay put.”
Dani did. She didn’t want to give birth early and have something be wrong. The idea of such a thing happening put such a fright into her. She felt a little weaker than usual as she watched Alessa bustle into the kitchen. She just couldn’t get comfortable. Dani gripped the armrest of the chair and pushed herself up to her feet, gripping her belly as she walked.
“You don’t have any more of that drink, do you? I think it could help me get through the last few months, especially if this winter stays as cold as it is now, Miss. I mean, Ally.”
Alessa smiled. “I always keep a few spare bottles just in case. Did I tell you that Georgia had herself a son? Isn’t she lucky?” She turned her back and went to the cabinet.
“Oh,” Dani closed her eyes as a wave of dizziness struck her and she coughed into her hand. “Healthy? A big baby?”
“Healthy and big as a horse. A set of lungs on a baby you wouldn’t believe. It’ll survive the winter just fine. Here you are. Take it home with you. Now, let me see where I put that wooden spoon…”