Envy (Protectors of the Elemental Magic Book 4)

by Marnie Cate

  The crowd cheered, and Cedric flashed a smile at them.

  “No!” my mother screamed, entering the dance floor. “You will not take my grandson for your machinations. We are not pawns in your game, Snowystra.”

  Standing tall, my mother looked powerful as she continued towards us. What she was doing? She had to know she would be punished. I couldn't save her. No one could.

  The Goddess laughed. “Ah, the mighty Camille Drygen now speaks. Or should I call you by your true name – Camille Black? The scared girl who easily gave away everything because she wanted it all. You, now, have a voice? You act as if I forced you to take my gift. You accepted what I offered, and you failed to keep your promises.”

  “This was my mistake, not my daughter's. And, it was definitely not my grandson's. I have paid your debt, over and over again, for over forty years. You took my husband. You took my children. You threatened and tortured me. I am old, and too tired of your games. I will not sit back and let you hurt my family anymore.”

  Snowystra laughed at her outburst, and then stormed towards her.

  My mother seemed different. She was full of spirit. She was not the weak woman she had become. She straightened herself up even more, and braced herself for Snowystra's attack. She was the strong mother I had remembered as a child.

  Even as much as I admired her strength, I knew it would be in vain. She was being foolish. She could not defeat Snowystra.

  “Your debt will be paid when I say it is paid,” the Goddess snarled. Instead of attacking my mother, she did something strange. She placed her fingertip gently onto my mother's chest. “The need for you to exist has ended,” she hissed.

  My mother's eyes widened. She tried to move away, but Snowystra grabbed her upper arm, and held her in place.

  “Your life was wasted on guilt and self-pity. I would have given you everything you wanted. You could have had your heart's desire, if only you had not failed me. Despite this, your daughter survived your failures. Your grandson will thrive in my home.”

  My mother collapsed to the ground. I tried to go to her, but I was stopped by Jameson.

  “Does anyone else want to share their grievances about the gifts I have bestowed upon them?” Snowystra shouted.

  The room was silent, except for the rasping breath of my mother.

  Jameson glared at me. Once again, he invaded my mind. I am going to let go of you. If you run to your mother, I'll chase you. If this happens, she will know the truth, and she will kill us all.

  When he released my arm, I remained rooted in place.

  “No one else has any complaints, Goddess,” Cedric said, stepping to her. “Thank you for your kindness. Goddess, I humbly ask that you allow me to return the woman I called grandmother to her home. I will go to Starten, as you have commanded, where I will live my mortal life until you call for my return.”

  She smiled at him and her eyes filled with a snow flurry “Those who deceive me never live very long, young Sebastian.”

  “I understand this, Goddess…Mother,” he correct himself before giving a small bow of his head. “I have no plans to deceive you. If you would prefer I stay here with you, I would be honored to remain. You could send away the chalice who carried me, and I would begin my life as your son, your king today,” Cedric said, his tone dark and cruel.

  “I would love nothing more than to have you stay, but you should return to the mortal realm. It won't be long until you will be by my side. It will be a blink of your eye in my world,” she smiled softly, caressing his face. “Return them to Starten,” she ordered.

  Walking away, she left a burst of snow behind her.

  * * *

  Jameson picked up my mother and called a veil of snow. As the icy wind whipped around us, I clung to Cedric. We were going home, but my son had been marked. The potion I had given him had not worked. I could feel his strong Winter magic.

  When the snow cleared, we were in my mother's suite. Jameson laid her down on her bed, and covered her with a blanket. Her skin was pale and clammy. She lied lifeless, her breaths faint and far between.

  “Get the gypsy to heal her,” I insisted.

  They just stared at me.

  “Go now,” I cried. “She is dying.”

  Strong fingers wrapped around my wrist. “Stay,” my mother rasped. “It is too late. I feel her dark magic running through me. It won't be long before it consumes me.”

  “No,” I cried, hugging her tightly. “I need you. You can't give up.”

  “I'm sorry I didn't stop her from claiming him. I'm sorry my choice haunts you, Blanche. You are my brave girl. Do not lose yourself to the darkness,” she said, and then went silent.

  “No,” I sobbed, holding onto her. “You didn't deserve this life. She did this.”

  “It is my time, Blanche,” a voice called from behind me.

  I quickly turned to see my mother standing before me. She was translucent and beautiful.

  “How is this possible?” I whispered.

  “It is my time to go to the Afterlife,” she explained. Suddenly, she frowned. “I'm afraid I don't know the way.”

  “I can take you,” Jameson said, holding out his hand. “My people were once the guardians of the Afterlife. I can guide you there safely.”

  “I will go with you,” I said. “Take me there, too.”

  “No, daughter, it is not your time. You must stay here to protect Cedric.” My mother turned towards him. “You will stay to protect your mother. Your true mother. The one who has sacrificed everything for you,” she declared.

  With her last words spoken, she began to glow. The room filled with a brilliant light, and then they were gone. My mother was dead.

  I fell to my knees and began to scream. I was losing everything and everyone. The door to the suite opened, and Sofia and Stephen burst into the room.

  “Miss Blanche, what is…” Sofia asked, and then stopped.

  Stephen went to my mother, and laid a hand against her neck, searching for a pulse. “She's gone,” he said, somberly.

  Sofia began to cry.

  “There'll be none of that, girl,” Stephen chastised. “Mrs. Drygen will need you to be strong. Now, go on, and get the doctor.”

  I felt Stephen's strong hands on my shoulder as he lifted me up. Before I knew it, I found my arms around him, hugging him tight as I cried harder. I felt his body stiffen at my unexpected reaction.

  “There, there, Miss,” he said. “Your boy is here for you.”

  Cedric pulled me into his arms and held me tight. “You can go make arrangements,” Cedric said, sounding years beyond his age. “I'll comfort my mother.”

  “Of course,” Stephen acknowledged with a slight bow. “What a shame to have such heartache on your birthday. You didn't even get to see the present your grandmother made for you. She was so proud of it.” He shook his head sadly as he exited the room.

  “Be strong, Mom…Mother,” he said.

  He was going to call me mommy. A name he hadn't called me in many years. Tonight was a reminder I didn't deserve any kindness. I had failed my mother, and once again, Snowystra took someone I loved.

  * * *

  Slipping out of the dress, I climbed into my bed, still weeping. I had just drifted off to sleep when I felt the bed shift.

  “Your mother is in the Afterlife. She told me to tell you the red dragon is now home.”

  I smiled at her words. She had remembered.

  Jameson stroked my hair. “Why do you not let your hair grow anymore? Remember when you promised me you would never cut it?”

  “Yes, you already mentioned you don't like my hair,” I said bitterly. “Am I not young and beautiful anymore?”

  “You will always be beautiful.”

  “As you stay the same, I age every day. I will not be the nineteen-year-old you fell in love with forever.”

  “I will love you more every day as I have for the past seventeen years. I didn't fall in love with you because of your beauty or youth,” he sa
id, kissing my neck.

  Twisting around, I looked into his eyes, searching for an answer. “Then, why did you?

  “There was something inside you I saw in myself. It was as if we were two broken pieces. Together, we were finally complete.”

  “But we have never truly been together,” I argued.

  “We have been together. We have just had a small road block.”

  “A small road block?” I laughed.

  “When our son is king…”

  “No, Jameson. He will never be king.”

  “You are not understanding the big picture. It is more than you and me, or even him. Our son is the key to freeing my people,” Jameson said. His words felt true, but I knew better.

  “No, you are wrong. You heard her. There will be no king until the silver butterfly.”

  “Why do you listen to a crazed woman in the forest? Hasn't your belief in her caused enough pain? You took away our future children because you trusted her. Her potion did not take away our sons magic as you planned.”

  “I haven't given him anything in many years. It was my mistake,” I admitted.

  “You will not give him anymore,” Jameson declared. His eyes blazed. “Blanche, this is important. You will not stop him from accepting his destiny.” Touching my face gently, he said, “Promise me.”

  “I won't promise anything that will harm my son. If being her king will save him, I will not stop him.”

  I heard the soft hum. He was trying to read my mind. Jameson is right. I will have to protect my son, but he knows best. I should stop fighting it. I forced myself to think.

  I felt his body release the tension. I focused my thoughts on my love for him. How I wanted to lie in his arms forever and then the humming stopped.

  Even my mind was not safe from intrusion. No Jameson, my son will never be the Shah of Snowstrum, I thought bitterly, and kissed him.

  Chapter 23

  I never talked to my son about his sixteenth birthday or what his future would hold. On the day we buried my mother, Stephen brought Cedric her gift. She had ordered a truck for him. It had black paint with flecks of gold, which shimmered in the sun.

  I was hesitant to allow him to have so much freedom, but Jameson promised he would be more present. He vowed to watch our son when I couldn't. Of course, I had no choice but to believe, so I gave in.

  One evening, when Cedric had not returned for dinner, Jameson and I sat silently eating our meal. My mind raced the entire time. He should have been home, or told me he had made plans.

  “Cedric has been acting strange, Jameson. Find out what he is up to in town,” I demanded coldly.

  “I know what our son has been doing,” Jameson replied, returning my icy tone.

  “Oh, really? Do you think you could share this great secret with me?” I asked, pushing my plate away.

  “He has been pursuing Eliza Veracor. She is giving him quite the chase,” he snickered.

  I pressed the button to call Stephen. The tall man entered quickly.

  “When my son returns home, send him to the study immediately. If he protests, drag him here,” I ordered.

  “Yes, Mrs. Drygen,” Stephen nodded. He glanced at Jameson, but did not acknowledge him.

  If only the other men in my life were so diligent and loyal, I thought angrily.

  When he left, I turned on Jameson. “It is your job to protect him. Mingling with the Silvers will do nothing but cause future issues. If Snowystra finds out his interest in her —”

  “What, she will take away their first-born child?”

  My eyes narrowed at his words. My heart felt closed. Yet again, my hope that our bittersweet love would finally work out proved to be false. He didn't care who he hurt as long as Snowystra was happy.

  “You see how easily tricked the Goddess is.” He played with his glass, a pensive look upon his face. “Cedric's magic is not strong, but she could've enhanced it. I cannot understand why she is waiting to make him the Shah. He is ready now,” Jameson said venomously.

  “Your son is not strong enough to be her king. Let it go. Besides, didn't she promise you, over and over, that you would be king? What makes my son so special that you think it will be different?”

  Exasperated, he slammed his glass onto the table. The force of his dramatic display cracked a very expensive piece of crystal.

  Leaning in cruelly, I sneered. “Accept it, Snowystra bypassed you.”

  “For our son –”

  I cut him off before he could defend her. “When will you remember her cruelty? Has your time there hardened your heart so much?”

  For the first time in many years, I saw a glimmer of the man I had fallen in love with. “Her promise of making me the Shah has been dangled in front of me for so long. If she had made you the Vizier, we could have spent an immortal life together. Let Cedric pursue Eliza. Snowystra may grant us the life we deserve together if he is ultimately chosen.”

  “We will never have an immortal life together. She stripped my hope of us ever truly being together many years ago.”

  “You can't say that. You can't give up on us, Blanche,” he said, wrapping his arms around me.

  He held me so tight, I could feel his desperation. Still, I couldn't fall into this game. I refused to hope for a future that would never exist. It didn't help either of us.

  “Don't be weak, Jameson. We have made this path, and we must accept it,” I said, pushing him away from me.

  “When did you become so cold, Blanche?” he asked.

  Our eyes locked. I wanted to throw my arms around him like the foolish girl I had been, but it was too late. Our brief times together were already a risk — to us, to our son.

  “Mother, you called for me?” Cedric asked from the doorway.

  “Come in, and sit. I am told you have been wasting your time with the Veracor girl.” My stare hardened. “Explain this.”

  The bright smile he had been wearing faded. “I just —”

  “There's no need to lie, Cedric. She is a very lovely girl. I can see why you are interested in her beauty, but you are not being careful. I have warned you of what will happen if Snowystra thinks you have chosen someone without her permission.”

  “But, Father says –”

  “Stop!” I ordered.

  Cedric would soon start to spew the same words of kingdoms, riches and freedom I had heard from his father. At one time, they sounded attainable, but I now knew I'd been lying to myself. Though Jameson apparently still could, I could not, and I would not entertain his fancifully dangerous hopes.

  “Her promises will lead to your destruction,” I warned. “You must not engage in any more thoughts of being anything more than a Drygen. Bring the girl for dinner tomorrow. I want to meet the one who has bewitched you.”

  “You will let me see her still?” Cedric asked. He wore an expression of disbelief.

  How sad, my son never really trusted me, I realized, and then I said, “I will make that decision after I meet her. On the other hand, her mother will never agree to you dating her daughter.”

  “She will accept me. She just has to get to know me,” Cedric replied.

  “You are as big a fool as your father. There will be no happy ending for you. You are a Drygen. The sooner you accept this, the better,” I cackled. My cold laughter startled even me. I almost sounded like Snowystra.

  Instead of waiting to see the effect of my words on my son, I left the room. On my way out the door, I called, “Bring her tomorrow, or plan on saying goodbye forever.”

  * * *

  Cedric led the girl into the mansion. I stood in the shadows watching. The entry way had to be intimidating for someone raised by a Silver. Our golden staircase, enriched by the surrounding dark marble floors flecked with gold, were impressive even to me. The poor girl looked overwhelmed by the opulence, afraid to touch anything.

  Scrutinizing the young girl, I could see why my son was enchanted by Eliza Veracor. She was not `the girl next door', like her mother had b
een. At fourteen, she already had a woman's figure. Her hair was a beautiful red – not a washed-out orangey-red color with frizzy curls. Like my mother, she had a rich auburn-colored hair and porcelain white skin.

  “Cedric, I knew that you were rich, but this is more than king and queen wealth,” she whispered.

  “This? Who cares about any of this? Are you ready to meet my mother?” Cedric asked. His tone told me he was dreading it as much as she was.

  “Yeah…” she hesitated, looking worried.

  “How did you get out of the house?” he asked, touching her cheek. Watching this, I felt a twinge in my heart. I had love like theirs once.

  “I said I was going to Sarah's,” she answered. “I told them I expect to be late.”

  Of course, I should have known Eliza was friends with Lucy Andrew's granddaughter. The girls' grandmothers had been part of the pledge to protect the magic. The same pledge that began our curse.

  “Good, then your mother won't question where you are,” he said, taking her hand.

  I made sure the clicking sound of my high heels on the floor would announce my arrival. As I approached the young couple, I said, “I see you have brought your little friend, darling.”

  At five-foot-nine, I usually towered over Cedric's friends. However, Eliza was surprisingly tall for her age. Nothing like her mother.

  I held out my perfectly manicured hand to Eliza, and greeted her. “Welcome.”

  Accepting my hand, she seemed like she didn't know what to do with it. “Thank you, Mrs. Drygen.”

  Quickly, I ripped my hand out of hers. “Oh, I forgot. You are Mae's child. You wouldn't have been taught how to be a proper lady.”

  Eliza's face turned a deep crimson, and she diverted her eyes towards the floor. Cedric's mouth opened as though he intended to say something, but I cut him off before he could.

  “If you plan on being with my son for long, we will need to teach you proper etiquette.” I sighed. “Speaking of Mae, does she know you are here?”