Envy (Protectors of the Elemental Magic Book 4)

by Marnie Cate

  I knew I was suddenly wearing a smug look on my face. Insulting Mae always made me feel better.

  Cedric began to speak until Eliza squeezed his hand. Instead, he cleared his throat. I knew his tells well enough to see his next words would be lies. Stepping ahead of any tales my foolish son might try to spew, I beamed at the young couple.

  “She doesn't, does she? How fantastic. Mae Silver's daughter is sneaking around to meet my son.”

  As Eliza began to defend herself, I stopped her with a dismissive wave of my hand.

  “No dear, no need to explain. Mae has always been so backwards in her thinking.”

  Unable to control her anger, the girl barked, “My mother did not want me to come here because she said that the Drygen's were full of themselves, and no good would ever come from associating with them.” She regarded me defiantly. “Now that I've finally met you, Mrs. Drygen, it seems she was right.”

  Turning from me, Eliza stormed to the door. Cedric immediately went after her, shooting me a look of disbelief. As her hand touched the door knob, my laugh rang out, stopping them both in their tracks.

  “Come back,” I beckoned. “I can see you are a little fighter.” I nodded approvingly. “This might be fun.”

  “Mother!”

  I ignored my son. “Come along,” I instructed. “Dinner is ready. And you must call me Blanche. Mrs. Drygen sounds like I am an old lady.”

  Walking away from her, I did not wait for a response. She would follow – they both would. Slipping behind the staircase, heading towards the dining room, once again, I found myself eavesdropping in the shadows.

  Cedric went to her as she stood holding the door knob. “Please don't go,” he said in an undertone. “She likes you.”

  “That is liking me?” she murmured back with a scoff. “She is horrible.”

  “She is, I agree, but she is also my mother.” He pulled the girl towards him, taking her face between his hands. “What she thinks doesn't matter. You are my forever.”

  I could see her bright smile even from where I lurked.

  “Please, give this a chance, and come get to know her.” Kissing her quickly, he said, “Please? Dinner will be delicious, and she will behave.”

  “Fine,” she acquiesced, “but I will leave the minute she is rude or insults my mother.”

  I quickly moved from my hiding place beside the staircase and through another hallway. The golden walls reminded me of Roger. He had spared no expense updating our home. Thinking of him made me sad, and I realized it was time to redecorate. I needed to wipe away the memory of my late husband.

  As I continued to walk, Mae came to mind. I was reminded how different our lives really were. Images of my youth came to mind. Begrudgingly, I admitted to myself that the Veracor's home was nice, even though it was not extravagant.

  Unlike my home, Mae's was warm and friendly. It was more like Roger's home in Brighid's Landing. Thoughts of the lovely getaway by the sea ran through my mind, and another wave of sadness washed over me.

  I entered the dining room, and took a seat at the head of the table. Golden chandlers hung above, illuminating the long, dark table with high-backed chairs around it. We could easily seat twenty people at the expansive mahogany table.

  “Come along,” I said as they hovered in the door way. “Hazel has just brought out the first course.”

  “Hazel?” Cedric asked.

  “The new maid,” I explained. “I asked Sophia to work in our home in Brighid's Landing. With Mrs. Radcliff dying, I needed someone I could trust to oversee the estate. Now, come along before our dinner is overcooked.”

  Cedric led Eliza into the room. When he sat down next to me, she tried to take the seat beside him, but I said, “No, dear, sit across from him.” I gave Cedric a hard look. “Forgive my son for his horrible manners. He should have held your chair for you. I can see he will need a refresher course in how to be a proper gentleman.”

  “I'm sorry,” he said, quickly standing and pulling out the chair she was to sit in.

  “Thank you,” Eliza responded.

  Their eyes caught as he pushed the chair in. I could see his sadness. Cedric would need to learn to become stronger or this life would destroy him. How did I have such a weak child?

  Hazel served each of us a small plate with two small white circles placed on the side of a bed of asparagus, small green peas and an herb garnish.

  “I hope you like scallops,” I said. Carefully, I cut the white meat and delicately took a bite.

  “Of course, you have presented it in an interesting fashion,” the girl lied, copying me.

  I could imagine her reaction to the weird texture of her first bite. Roger had introduced me to the succulent treat. I had instantly fallen in love with the delicious flavor, though the consistency was surprising.

  My slight smile turned to a frown. Sadly, I realized my brief time with Roger seemed to pass through my thoughts more and more as I aged. I wasn't sure if my feelings surprised me or not, but I did miss him. I missed his companionship.

  “Oh, what a pity you don't have fresh vegetables.” The girl sniffed the asparagus, and scowled.

  Despite myself, I was enjoying Eliza's presence. I found her defiance intriguing, though I suppressed my grin. If she wanted to strike against the queen of the castle, I was willing to play her game.

  “Yes, isn't it so much better when you have to dig it out of the dirt,” I said coldly. “I am sure you are familiar with that kind of labor. I prefer to keep my estate free of the farm life and purchase from the needy in town.”

  Eliza had both of her hands on her plate. I sensed she was forcing herself to not throw it at me. Instead, she smiled tightly, and finished the appetizer.

  The next course came, and I watched as she took a bite of the red soup. It is quite a surprise to think you are having warm tomato soup only to discover a cold mouthful of gazpacho. To her credit, Eliza continued to eat, pushing back her initial reaction.

  She smiled when the next course of a roast beef with baby carrots was delivered. She carefully watched how I ate, and mimicked my movements. We ate without conversation. Cedric and Eliza kept locking eyes and exchanging silent looks of support.

  Following the meat dish, we each were served a small salad with a clear dressing. There was too much food for most people, but it was considered refined. This was how the wealthy lived.

  By the time a dessert of a small circular cake and coffee was served, I could tell Eliza was full. Of course she would be. Never having experience with a meal of this refinement, she had cleared each course like a starving child.

  “The key to eating a meal with strangers is to never clean your plate. You will also keep your figure if you follow that rule,” I advised.

  Setting her fork down, she wore a look of relief to not have to eat anymore.

  “If you are done, let's adjourn to the study. I think we should get to know each other much better if you plan to date my son,” I said.

  “I would like that very much,” Eliza replied.

  Her eyes drifted to the door. I knew she was lying. I could easily read her discomfort. She wished for nothing more than to leave this cold house, and to never see me again. A feeling I had felt myself many times.

  “Would you like anything else, ma'am?” the maid asked as she cleared the final dishes.

  “Bring drinks to the study. I would like the bottle that was delivered yesterday,” I replied.

  “Yes ma'am,” she said, bowing and quickly leaving the room.

  I led the couple through the mansion. The first hallway we entered held pictures of strong Drygen women. Stopping at a beautiful red head, I said, “This was my mother, Camille Black Drygen. She was friends with your grandmother, Genevieve. They were very good friends until your grandmother took something from her… something that could never be returned.”

  “What did she take?” Eliza asked.

  “You will need to ask Mae that question,” I answered, and narrowed my eyes
at her. “Just a bit of advice to you, dear. There will be no more Silvers taking anything from my family again.”

  “I have no plans to take anything from your family. I was just asked to join you for dinner by my boyfriend,” Eliza replied, returning my glare.

  “So, we have moved to the stage of naming this fling,” I said.

  “Yes, and I'll marry him one day,” she returned defiantly.

  The corner of my mouth lifted as I tried fighting a smile. “We will see.”

  * * *

  Opening the door to the study, I instructed her to take a seat on one of the cold leather couches. The room was, once again, filled with Roger's favorite golden color, but I had insisted on adding deep burgundy accents. It seemed he remained with me in ways Jameson never could.

  Hazel entered the room carrying a tray with three glasses on it and an amber-colored bottle. She poured the liquid into the glasses in front of us, and held one out to me. Taking it, I presented it to Eliza.

  “Um,” she responded, biting her lower lip.

  “You are a guest in my home, are you refusing my drink?” I asked.

  “No, thank you,” she said, taking it from me.

  “Was this a new bottle?” I asked as I took another glass from Hazel.

  “Yes, as you requested,” the maid replied.

  Swirling the red liquid in the glass, I slowly sipped it.

  Cedric didn't hesitate to take the glass Hazel offered to him. My son promptly drank it all, and then reaching up, he grabbed the bottle from the tray and poured another.

  “Cedric,” I said sighing. “Stop being a barbarian, and sit down.”

  Holding my glass to her, I toasted, “To learning more about Eliza.”

  Taking a small drink of the liquid, she gasped. I recalled the feeling of my first drink of tavi, and the horrible feeling it created. It was like drinking ice cubes. Coughing, Eliza struggled to catch her breath.

  Laughing, I took the glass from her. “I can see you need something milder.”

  Hazel, who had been hidden in the shadows, stepped out.

  “Bring her a glass of water,” I commanded.

  “So we have learned today that you are not a worldly wine drinker. My son, on the other hand, is quite the lush,” I commented.

  Cedric lifted the glass to her in a mock toast and downed the amber liquid.

  “That is enough, Cedric,” I snapped.

  Glaring at me, he went to the cabinet Hazel had set the glass on. He poured another drink, and downed it as well.

  “I said no more.” I glared at him. “You don't want to anger me.”

  My heart began to beat faster. I was losing control of my son. Everything I sacrificed to keep him from Snowystra and I was going to lose him to this girl. The anger inside me began to boil. In response, my hands started to crackle and glow softly. Wide-eyed, Eliza stared at them. Quickly, I forced the magic back down before I accidently hurt someone.

  “So, tell me Eliza, what kind of magic do you have?” I asked, extinguishing my own.

  I kept my eyes focused on her face. There was no way she was going to acknowledge the sparking power I had been holding. She was a Silver. They hid their gifts.

  “You mean like pulling a rabbit out of a hat? I don't have that talent, but I once convinced my father I could pull a quarter out of his ear. Of course, I was only five then,” she responded, playing dumb. “Magic is not really interesting to me. Sawing someone in half seems so dangerous.”

  “Not that,” I sneered. “I am talking about elemental magic. Of course, you have the gift. You are the daughter of Mae Veracor. Haven't you been asked if you will protect the magic yet?”

  “Environmental magic? I have not heard of that before. I am sorry I don't know what you are talking about,” she said. She kept a mask of innocence on her face.

  I wondered what kind of magic she held. She could have Fire like my mother or Air like her mother's. Whatever it was, I wasn't buying her claim of ignorance.

  “Maybe your mother took your magic away, too. Don't tell me you haven't seen her with her little Air magic, and the Goddess only knows what other magic she has,” I persisted.

  “She makes healing tonics, but that is with herbs. Is that what you are asking?” she asked, still playing the naïve girl.

  I pretended to believe her. She would tell me the truth one day. “I have been known to cast a spell or two myself, but let's get back to talking about your relationship with my son. You want to date him, but you want to keep it a secret. How will this work out, dear?” I wondered.

  “We just won't tell anyone,” she replied simply.

  “Then, your secret will cost you. Are you willing to pay the price?” I asked.

  Looking at Cedric, I already knew the answer. I knew she would be willing to pay any price to be with him. Like I had been, she was a stupid girl in love. What a waste.

  “What will it cost me?” she inquired.

  “That will be determined later,” I said ominously. “For now, I have things to do, so I bid you good night. Cedric will not be driving you home. When you have said your goodbyes, Stephen will deliver you safely to your mother.”

  “But…” Cedric began to protest.

  “No, Cedric. You chose to drink. Now, say goodnight to Eliza,” I instructed.

  * * *

  From the balcony, I watched as Cedric pulled the girl into his arms and kissed her affectionately. His words carried to me, “I love you, Eliza. No one will keep us apart. Ever.”

  The air around them became thick, and I watched as Snowystra stepped into view.

  “How sweet,” I heard Snowystra say. “Cedric, are you going to introduce me to your friend.”

  “Yes, Goddess,” he said, taking Eliza's hand. I couldn't see his face, but his voice was even.

  “I would like to introduce you to Eliza Veracor.”

  “Veracor. Are you the granddaughter of Genevieve Silver?” Snowystra asked as she began slowly encircling the couple.

  “Yes, ma'am,” Eliza replied. The confidence from earlier had faded.

  “Never ma'am,” Snowystra corrected in a growl, grabbing Eliza's face with one hand. “Goddess. You will call me Goddess.”

  “Yes, Goddess,” she said meekly.

  “As you can tell from my touch, I am the Winter Goddess.” She dropped her hand, and I could see how red Eliza's face was from the ice burn.

  In a demonstration of her power, she called a blind flurry of snow, and then quickly waved it away.

  “Have you heard of me?” Snowystra asked, cocking an eyebrow.

  Eliza shook her head.

  “Speak when you are spoken to,” Snowystra warned.

  “No, m… Goddess. I am sorry I have not heard of you. You seem very powerful though,” Eliza said, fidgeting.

  Turning her attention onto Cedric, Snowystra said, “I have not given you permission to see this girl. She is much too weak for someone who will be my king. Return to your home. You have said your goodbyes to this child.”

  “Goddess, forgive me. Please, let me make sure Eliza is escorted home safely, and then I will obey your command.”

  Whirling around, she glared at Eliza. A funnel of snow surrounded the frightened girl. I could hear her screams as she was whipped around inside it.

  “You will stay away from him. If I decide you are worthy, and only then, you will be allowed to see him again. Is that understood?”

  With a flick of the wrist, the Winter Goddess sent the whirlwind, with Eliza in it, away. Then she grabbed Cedric's shoulder and pressed her mouth close to his ear. He nodded in agreement to whatever she said to him. Laughing, Snowystra vanished.

  Instead of running back into the safety of our home, Cedric stood statue-like, staring off into the distance. I wanted nothing more than to comfort him, to promise him it would all be okay, but I couldn't. My words would be nothing more than soothing lies. Reluctantly, I stepped away from the window and waited in his bedroom for his return.

 
* * *

  “What did she say?” I questioned when he finally walked in.

  “Don't worry. I am not to see Eliza anymore. I promised I wouldn't. Goodnight, Mother,” he said weakly.

  “It is for the best, Cedric,” I said, touching his face.

  “I know,” he replied, and kissed my hand.

  My heart broke for my son. He would never be free. I had cursed him. If I had left his magic alone, would he have been stronger? Would his life have been better? I would never know if my decision had been the correct one.

  Chapter 24

  My sadness for my son's heartbreak was short lived. I quickly found out Cedric had not stopped seeing Eliza. He stayed out later and claimed to be going to the library when we both knew he didn't care about school. Jameson warned him he was playing a game that would end in pain. Cedric became defensive and denied he was seeing Eliza. He could not be convinced to keep his promise. He was in love.

  One morning, as we finished breakfast, Snowystra appeared. Her face blazed with anger. Before I could warn Cedric, she was behind him. She pulled the chair out from under him, dropping him to the ground.

  “What the —” he cried out.

  “I've warned you to stay away from Eliza Veracor,” the Goddess said. “She has not promised her loyalty to me. She continues to worship that weak excuse for a goddess.”

  “I will not see her anymore. Forgive me, Goddess,” Cedric pleaded.

  “You lie. You will run back to her the second I look away,” she said, grabbing his wrist. “I will put you somewhere she will never find you.”

  The room glowed neon green before a gray light flashed. Grey tendrils of smoke expanded, surrounding us in a mist. The thick air smelled of death and decay. Slowly, the air cleared, and I could make out the cave she had transported us into. From the corner, a dorcha spider charged us. Snowystra stepped in its path.

  “Yes, sweet creature. I have brought you a treat,” she cooed, petting the spider.

  It moved closer to Cedric. He tried to move back, but Snowystra held onto him tighter.