by Marnie Cate
“I was never in harm. That nice boy Dunn told me that he was under orders from Cole to make sure I was returned to Starten safely. He said that he had been ordered to have my memory wiped but if I promised to keep quiet, no one would know any different. I was quizzed by several guards when they released me into the forest but I pretended I was hunting for the King of the Snapping Trout. They thought I had lost my mind,” she said.
Just ask her what she knows about the magic. Don't tiptoe around. Be strong and confident.
“Um, Mrs. Ward,” I said.
“Mara, you can ask me anything. Go on ask me whatever it is that is bothering you,” she said kindly.
“Oh, ok…” I said, biting my lip.
“You're safe here, Mara,” Mrs. Ward said, putting her hand on my stomach.
Suddenly, a strong electric feeling built inside me. It was so disturbing an overwhelming feeling to hide overtook me. I wasn't sure if it was coming for her or from within me.
“I hate to be rude but nature calls again.” I rubbed my extended belly.
“No apologies needed,” she said. “We will talk when you return.”
I hurried away from her. I could feel her gaze as I walked away. As I entered the bathroom and began to shut the door, fingers wrapped themselves around the wood stopping me.
Meg pushed the door open and entered. “What's wrong? Why did you run off like that?”
“I didn't run off, Meg,” I snapped. “I just needed to get away from… from all of this.”
“I was stupid. It's my fault. I didn't want you to miss another birthday. We could have just invited people to the house but you were living like a hermit there,” Meg said. This time my sister did not seem confident and strong. She seemed like a sad little girl.
“It wasn't your fault. It was a nice surprise, Meg. I just freaked out when Mrs. Ward…. I mean Mrs. Ward…. touched my stomach and I felt… I felt Snowystra's magic inside me,” I said, preparing to confess my fears. “Meg, I am afraid that the child inside me holds the dark magic of Snowystra.”
“Of course, you feel her magic inside you. It is in all of Eliza's children,” Meg said softly. “It was in us from the minute we were born and it will more than likely be in your child, too.”
“What are you talking about?”
“When you were gone, I found Eliza's journals hidden in Gramp's woodshop. She described the day Snowystra had told Eliza and Cedric they could never be together again. It was exactly like the vision we both saw. Do you remember?”
Shuddering, I nodded. There was no way the image could ever be erased from my memory. My mother had been set on a dorcha web next to an unconscious Cedric. Snowystra had forbid them to be together. When Cedric said they would always be together, the Winter Goddess took her pointer finger and drug her long silver nails beginning under his eye, down his cheek. The horrifying sound of his screams echoed in my mind. My mother was freed but before she left she promised to always love him and vowed they would be together one day.
“The memory we witnessed didn't tell us Cedric and Eliza returned to Snowystra several months later. They pledged to follow her and she filled them with her magic. Eliza was forced to agree if she wanted to keep everyone she loved safe, including Cedric,” Meg explained. “Gram never bound the dark magic inside our mother because she didn't realize what our mother had done.”
“That was Eliza and it makes sense that Miles would have it. But, you don't have dark magic,” I argued.
“I do, Mara. After I found the journals, I realized I could control more than Earth.” Meg held out her hands and they filled with green electricity. The same magic my mother had thrown at me and ultimately used to kill my grandmother.
“Put that away,” I said, moving away from her. “You shouldn't call that.”
“It is inside us. Just like the elements we control. I don't think this magic is truly bad. I think how you use it defines it.” Meg said, blowing away the sparks. “If your child carries it, they will learn how to use it. We will teach them together.”
“What am I going to do with this information? The secrets of our family seem endless, Meg.”
Today was not the day for me to fall apart. If Meg could handle it, I should be able to do the same. Making her feel bad wouldn't help either of us.
“Your strength amazes me, Meg. I need to learn from you, little sister. We will need to talk about this more after the party. You went to so much trouble to make it a nice day. Thank you. You really have been my strength through everything,” I said.
I wasn't sure I believed her thoughts on the magic. But, I truly wanted to believe that she was right. I needed to trust her.
“I'm really sorry about the surprise. I was overexcited by the thought of making your day nice that I didn't think. I can tell them it is over if you want?” Meg said.
“Oh Meg, the idea was wonderful. Please don't end it early. Everyone should enjoy the party you planned. I really am thankful.”
“If you're sure…” Meg hesitated.
“Yes, it will be great. Give me a few minutes and I will be back out to enjoy the party,” I said, guiding her out the door.
When Meg was gone, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. “You're strong enough to deal with anything that comes. You need to pull yourself together. You are not the Vizier. You are not carrying darkness inside you.”
Air whipped around me, blowing my braid up as if agreeing.
“Bright blessings, Air,” I whispered. The childlike titters of the element filled my ears.
Chapter 6
After I collected myself, I returned to the bakery where Jack served us a lunch of his special vegetable pizza. The conversation was light and I was thankful no one asked about our time away. Meg kept the conversation focused on everyone else. By the time I blew out candles and the cake was cut, Charlie was antsy.
“Elliott, why don't you take Charlie outside for a walk? It sounds like Rick Paulson's band is starting to play,” Essie said.
Meg and Miles decided they wanted to go and convinced Jack and Jill to join them.
“We won't break into the bakery case while you are gone,” Mrs. Ward called after them.
“Mara, come sit,” Essie said to me. “Mrs. Ward and I plan to enjoy some of Mrs. Everstone's blackberry tea.”
Accepting a cup, I sipped the tea and closed my eyes, willing my grandmother to appear from the steam. I breathed in the earthy and blackberry scent and I was immediately drawn back to Gram's mornings with Mrs. Ward. As far back as I could remember, the two women would meet almost every day. Sitting at the kitchen table, they would sip their drinks and share stories. When I was young, I would play with my dolls imitating their friendship.
“Here is a little gift for you, sweetie.” Mrs. Ward slid a white box wrapped in a hot pink ribbon to me.
I removed the tie and lifted the lid. Inside was a silver chain with an antique silver locket engraved with a floral design around a large M.
As I went to open it, Mrs. Ward stopped me. “You will want to open this in private. I cast a little spell on it.”
“What kind of spell?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at her. I put the jewelry back in the box.
“There are so many things in this world you have not yet learned, Mara,” Mrs. Ward said. Taking the locket from the box, she put it in my hands. “When you open this, it will show you Cole. Once you view it, the vision will be gone and it will then just be a nice necklace for you.”
“I don't understand. Have you been blessed by Danu, too?” I asked.
“When I was a child, my mother would sneak me out to the caravans on the outskirt of town when they passed through. I learned my father was a gypsy and his family's gift was from a great god who had been slain. My mother told me I could never reveal this secret. Then, I met your grandmother. Together, we learned how to use our magic. I used the same spell on this locket to see you were safe. I saw you in a wintery forest with Cole and you were hand in hand. You looked so content and
happy.”
“It was our honeymoon. We were happy then,” I said softly. It had been the best part of my time away. Cole and I were lost in our love for a short period until he was summoned back by Snowystra.
“You will have that again, Mara,” Mrs. Ward said firmly. “Cole will return and you will begin your life with him and your child.”
Staring out the store window, I could see my father dancing with Meg to a slower song. Watching them brought back feelings of being a little girl without my father. When Cedric and my mother forced him to fake his death and leave me, they stole a part of my childhood that could never be returned. My child would not be without their father. I was not going to let any doubts or fears I had about the dark magic my baby might have keep me from bringing Cole home.
“It has been a long day,” I said. “I would like to go home.”
“Of course,” Essie said. “Let me just gather up our stuff.”
“Would you mind if I went by myself to get some fresh air?” I asked. “I am going to go out the back door and avoid the crowd. I think a walk will do me good.”
“Why don't I come with you?” Mrs. Ward said, starting to stand.
“Oh no, please sit and finish your tea,” I said. “It is a quick walk around the building to the car.”
She looked as if she wanted to argue with me but she sat back down. “You're so much like Mae,” she said. “Go. Enjoy the fresh air. Promise me we will get together again soon.”
“We will,” I said, kissing her on the cheek. “Thank you again for the gift.”
“My pleasure, sweetie,” she said. “I hope it brings you comfort.”
As I walked out into the alley behind the building, I took a deep breath. The night sky was full of stars and a silver crest of the moon peaked out from the clouds.
You are twenty-four today, Mara, I thought to myself. How does it feel to be an adult? Can you get your emotions under control by the time your child is born?
Before I could answer my own question, I heard a noise behind me. Turning to see what it was, I found myself an arm's length away from Cedric Drygen.
“Hello, Marina,” Cedric said, as he stepped out of the shadows. His salt and pepper hair glimmered from the glow of the streetlamp. The silver line under his eye gleamed and I was forced to remember the vision of Snowystra giving him the scar.
He was weak then and now. Why do you continue to let him live? Snowystra snarled.
I stopped and glared at him. “I think I made myself clear the other night when I warned you to stay away from me and my family. You were not welcome on our property then and you are not welcome to contact any of us.”
“Oh Marina,” he said with a cocky smile. “We didn't finish our conversation before you decided to throw around your magic.”
“If I wanted to throw around my magic, you would be on the ground pleading for mercy,” I said. My voice was harsh. I tapped into my royal persona and spoke to him as if he was one of my subjects. “I've grown tired of your threats. You're forcing me to make a decision to end this conversation… permanently.”
Throwing back his head and laughing, he said, “You sound so much like my Eliza. But you won't hurt me. You're such a nice girl.”
As he put his hands on my shoulders, I called a gust of wind that sent him flying across the backstreet. He hit the metal door of the ice cream parlor. He moaned in pain as he stumbled, trying to stand up.
“You will pay for that,” he snarled. Swaying, his hands glowed with silver sparks.
As he veered back to throw the power he was holding, I sent another gust of wind but this time infused with my dark magic. Black particles of dust surrounded him. The violent wind and coarse magic ripped at his skin and clothing. The terror in his eyes made me feel powerful. I could rip all of the flesh from his bones and blow him away without anyone knowing the difference. But, I would know. Slowing the twirl of the cyclone, I lowered him.
“Your little sparks are nothing compared to the magic I have pulsing through my veins. This is the last warning I am going to give you, Cedric. The next one I give will end with you lying in the cold ground next to my mother.”
His eyes narrowed. “Aren't you confident? Why don't you save all that energy for bringing your husband back to Starten?”
“How dare you? You know nothing about Cole. My mother was a damn fool to ever trust you,” I said. In my hands, a silver dagger formed. It dripped with the green acid of my mother's gift.
“Oh Marina, what do you think you will do with your little weapon. You can't silence the truth I speak. No amount of time or attempts to heal him will purge all the darkness from him. Do you think he is the first child of Danu's blessed she has taken? No amount of time or love will remove the memories of her. You will never have the boy you loved back. He is gone.” Cedric grinned darkly.
Not wanting to hear anymore from him, I dropped Cedric to the ground.
“Don't speak about things you don't know, Drygen. Stay away from my family. This is your last warning.”
I threw a ball of fire onto him. He fell to the ground and began to pat out the flames. Laughing, I threw the dagger at him. The blade stuck into his thigh and dissolved. The acid liquid burned and bubbled. The smell of burnt flesh disgusted me.
“Next time, I will not be as kind, Cedric.” Smiling coldly at him, I walked away ignoring the sound of his screams.
How weak you have become. Letting him live will be your biggest mistake, Snowystra hissed.
Chapter 7
When I reached the car, the sun was beginning to set. Cedric had not followed me. Essie was waiting for me. I told her about my interaction with Cedric and despite my protests, she insisted we gather the entire family and go. When we arrived at home, my father was fuming. He slammed the door and stormed into the house. Essie ushered the children away. I settled into one of the comfortable chairs in the living room and watched my father pacing.
“Did he hurt you?”
“No. If anyone was hurt, it was him,” I said, feeling a sense of satisfaction.
“I am going to deal with him once and for all,” he said. He picked up the fire poker and jabbed at the wood. “He cannot interfere with my family again. He will not intimidate and scare my kids.”
I took the poker from him and put it down. “I took care of him, Dad. He won't be back to bother anyone. Promise me you won't do anything stupid like go after him. That is not how our family handles problems. I can't worry about you right now.”
“The Drygens shouldn't be your problem to deal with. This mess is my fault,” he said. “But I promise I won't do anything reckless.”
I sat down on the loveseat and patted the spot next to me. “If Cedric comes back, I will take care of him. I am not the little girl you left behind.” I kissed him on the cheek and stood up. “We both are tired. Let's go to sleep.”
His shoulders slouched and he leaned back on the couch. “Goodnight, Butterfly,” he said, softly.
As I walked away, I sensed he was watching me. I stopped and we stared at each other. “This is not your fight anymore. Remember, I am the dark queen, Daddy.” I walked away to the comfort of Gram's room.
I was exhausted and the comfort of the bed called me. I quickly changed into my pajamas and slipped under the plush comforter. I set the gift from Mrs. Ward on the nightstand. I was too frightened to open the locket and see Cole, so instead I just stared at the box, until I drifted off into a deep sleep.
When I awoke to the soft sound of Meg breathing, the bedside clock read quarter past five. My eye caught the silver comb, I smiled as I recalled sitting on the counter while she combed my hair and tried to mimic the tune she would hum.
Releasing my memories, I yawned and picked up the box. My mind raced. I could not bear the unknown for much longer but would the truth be too much. What should I do? A flutter of kicks responded as if answering my question.
“You're right. I must face my fears. You are very wise, little one.”
I had b
een quiet enough to not wake my sister. Picking up the white box, I carried it with me to the patio. Settling on one of the wicker love seats and covering myself with a throw blanket, I tried to get comfortable.
The dark blue sky had a hint of light forming at the base of the mountains to the east. Gram had been right in wanting the patio extended. As the light expanded and filled with orangey reds and bold purples, I watched in awe. My thoughts silenced as if the rising sun was calming me. I was so lost in the magnificence of the sky's colors I didn't realize my father had joined me.
“Why are you up so early, Caterpillar?” my father asked, sitting down next to me. He handed me a mug. “I brought you some of the heilsavi.”
“I am anxious about today,” I admitted before taking a sip of the ginger flavored drink. “I am not sure if Cole…”
Unable to finish my words, I turned my attention back to the rising sun. I didn't want to admit that I was worried Cedric had been right. My father took my hand and squeezed it.
“Is that your gift from Mrs. Ward?” he asked, pointing at the box on my lap. “I can go so you can open it in private.”
“No, please stay. I don't want to be alone.” I took the locket out and examined it. Please show me that Cole is well and healing.
I clicked open the pendant and a stream of blue powder flew out, rapidly filling the room. The particles blocked out everything around me. I held my breath and clung to my father's hand as I closed my eyes, waiting for the air to clear.
The black dots faded and a light shined on me. It was so bright I could see it even with my eyes shut. I carefully opened my eyes. The dust was gone. I was in a bedroom. In the center of a large bed, Cole laid under several white blankets. His face looked gaunt. He seemed so small. As I tried to stand and go to him, I found I couldn't move. Bay appeared. The Water elemental had not only been my guide as a child but she had been Cole's. She was a resilient fountain of childish hopes and dreams.