Once Upon a Star

by Anthea Sharp

  “Full moon. For three days I take on a human form.”

  Hadn’t her grandmother mentioned this? She’d been so caught up in her own thoughts Ruby hadn’t realized what it had meant. Why was her heart thumping so hard at the sight of this man? Ruby could feel her pulse jumping in her neck. He was even more attractive in person.

  “Are you just going to stand there looking so … I don’t even have a word for you,” Ruby sputtered, face flushing.

  “Do not play with me, young Ruby. I have not touched a woman in many years.”

  “What? That’s not what I meant.” Was it? Get it under control, Ruby.

  “Did they harm you?” he asked, lowering his voice and taking a step forward.

  She shook her head. “No, you got here in time. I wasn’t sure you would hear my call.”

  A look of disgust came over his face. “I’ll always hear your call. You bespelled me long ago, my Queen, and there is not a damn thing I can do to break the spell. Not even falling in love with another.”

  Head swimming, her body swayed, Cayden reached out, grabbing her arm to steady Ruby. “Let’s get you out of here. We’re close to the village.”

  “We are?” Finally, good news. “I didn’t want to believe what you said, but I had a dream that confirmed it’s true. I am a version of the queen. A lowly version, but of her nonetheless.”

  He moved forward. “What was your dream?”

  Quietly, Ruby told him what she’d said about two becoming one and how she didn’t want that to happen. But wasn’t sure there was anything she could do to stop it. She was apparently very powerful, and the world was much stranger than she could have ever believed.

  “Who was the woman you loved?” Ruby asked as they continued on.

  “That is none of your concern. Do not ask about Celeste again. That is not a part of me that I share with anyone.”

  “I’m sorry that you lost your love and whatever role I played in it. If I could change the fabric of time like the queen claims, I would return her to you and remove the curse she placed on you.”

  Neither spoke for nearly an hour before they broke through the woods into a clearing. Off in the distance, Ruby could see the little town. Her heart sank. “Am I really stuck here forever?”

  He shrugged. “I have no idea. I cannot speak of your fate. I only know my own. I was cast out. You seemed to have found your own way, so maybe there is a way back.”

  “If there is I could take you with me.”

  His eyes narrowed. “I’m beginning to wonder if you are messing with me. Katherine would never offer to help anyone.”

  Ruby didn’t bother to argue with him.

  When they entered the tavern, all action stopped. Cayden grunted, placed his arm around her, and pulled Ruby into him. His eyes cast around the bar which was nearly all males.

  Instantly her mind went back to the men in the forest, and a chill ran through her. Had she known how vulnerable Earth would make her feel, Ruby was not sure she would have been so enchanted with this dark land.

  Once they got to a table, Cayden ordered two drinks and their food. “You need to find a way to get out of here. I cannot follow you around protecting you. I’m no longer the captain of your guard.”

  “Is that who you were?” Ruby asked, reaching for the drink. As the liquid slid down her throat, she had to force herself not grimace. Whatever the pale liquid was it tasted foul.

  “Old habits die hard.”

  A part of Ruby wanted to argue that she could take care of herself, but the truth was she did not understand this strange land. Never would a male attempt to force themselves on another on Venus. It just wouldn’t be a thought that would enter the consciences. Earth was way out of her league. She had to return home. Although Ruby really did wish there was a way she could help this tortured soul before her, she couldn’t even help herself.

  “Did you love the queen?”

  Cayden grunted, “No, I did not love her. My loyalty knew no bounds, but that was due to the enchantment she placed on me.”

  “You were enchanted? Like a compulsion? And yet you still loved this other woman,” Ruby said wistfully. What must it be like to love someone that deeply?

  “A lot of good it did me. The woman I loved was killed before my eyes, and then I was cast out of the only world I knew. So forgive me, young Ruby, if the sight of you makes me want to reach across the table and strangle the last breath from your lungs.”

  His words cut like a knife. “If you feel so strongly, then why are you here? You could have ignored my call or left me after I was safe.”

  “As I said, old habits die hard, and you will never be safe in this wild land. Do not kid yourself. Whatever you did to get here, reverse it and return to your homeland.”

  “You know what is funny? I hated my station, and where I lived, I had such a longing to find you even in your wolf form. Perhaps you never loved the queen, but she must have loved you. The bond has lasted through incarnations. You have to admit that it is fascinating.”

  He took a long drink. “She didn’t love me. The queen was used to getting whatever she wanted. When I refused her, she became obsessed. That is not loving.”

  “I wouldn’t know.” Ruby smiled at the man who set a steaming bowl of food before them.

  “Come now, surely you have a young lad waiting for you at home.”

  “Nope.” Ruby took a taste of the soup before her. “My heart was never in my homeland. But now I see I was misguided. Perhaps I am not as adventurous as I believed myself to be.”

  “How exactly did you end up here?”

  “Honestly, I’m not sure. It was as if I fell through a portal. One minute I was in meditation, and the next I fell onto the ground here.”

  “I don’t think it’s a coincidence you arrived during the full moon.”

  “I thought perhaps you had pulled me here.”

  “Me? Hardly. I do not have such powers.”

  “What about your chanting? Every time you say those strange words my body reacts.”

  He shrugged. “I was around the queen long enough to pick up ancient phrases. But it would only work on you because I knew you were from the same place I had dwelled. If I spoke the words to anyone here, it would be meaningless.”

  “My grandmother always said that there was power from the moon that humans on Earth could harness if they wanted to create a better reality.”

  “Did she now? And you believe the old lady in the woods is a version of this grandmother?”

  Ruby nodded. “She looked very much the same. Do you think if I explained who I was and how I got here she could help me return?”

  “It is your only hope at this point. The moon will not be full much longer. When the sun rises, we could make our way back to the cottage. Perhaps this woman has knowledge that could be of use. Now that you are here, I want nothing more for you than to leave. Seems we both thought we wished for something that didn’t turn out as we planned.”

  It certainly seemed that way.

  After they ate, Cayden found a place for them to rest. “How do you have money?” Ruby asked.

  “I steal it,” Cayden said without a hint of remorse as he unlocked the door.

  The room was small and only had one bed. “Sleep,” Cayden instructed while taking off his clothes.

  Shocked, Ruby’s pulse skyrocketed staring at his muscled body.

  “Don’t worry. I do not expect anything from you.” He balled up his shirt before stretching out on the ground, then placed the shirt under his head.

  “At least take this.” Ruby pulled off one of the blankets from the bed and tossed it over to him before crawling beneath the sheets. You would think she would have trouble falling asleep with a strange man in the room with her, but she fell asleep quickly. The walking had worn her out.

  When Ruby woke the next morning, Cayden was gone. It shouldn’t have surprised her yet it did. Instead of sitting around feeling sorry for herself, Ruby cleaned up in the washbasin befor
e leaving. If nothing else, she had a thread to follow. Maybe her grandmother knew something about harnessing the power of the moon. Let’s just hope she could find her way back without running into any trouble.

  Grabbing her bag, Ruby made her way out the front door without running into anyone. It was for the best, she was better off without Cayden, she didn’t want to cause him any more pain than had already been inflicted on him.

  In the daylight, Ruby was surprised by how bustling the little town was. The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air; laughter and conversations buzzed around her. A woman smiled as she passed. Maybe Earth wasn’t so bad after all. But time was running short, so Ruby didn’t hang around too long to find out. Instead, she made her way back into the forest and prayed she was heading in the right direction. It was almost as if she had an inner compass pulling her.

  Many hours later Ruby caught the chimney smoke scent in the distance. Her pace picked up, and her heart expanded when she saw her grandmother’s cottage. The universe must have been guiding her steps. It oddly saddened her that she didn’t sense the wolf around at all.

  Several moments passed before the door opened.

  Her grandmother stared blankly as if she didn’t recall meeting her only yesterday. “May I help you?”

  “It’s me, Ruby. From the other day. You allowed me to stay with you.”

  The old woman stepped back to allow her into the house. “The mind isn’t what it used to be. I thought you looked familiar. Come on in, I could use the company.”

  Ruby glanced around the small space; everything appeared precisely as she’d left it.

  “I wanted to speak to you about something. Do you know anything about using the power of the moon to work magic?”

  The woman cackled. “You think I be a witch?”

  “I was hoping or that you knew someone I could talk to. You knew about the wolf and the full moon …”

  Her grandmother sat down on the chair and gathered a blanket around her. “Have a seat, and I’ll tell you what I know. Which is not a lot.

  “Long ago, there were those called alchemists, who used the power of the elements combined with the cycles of the moon. However, what they really practiced was sorcery. The lands were much different during that time. Magick ruled the planet, and those without this access feared their power.”

  “What happened to them?” Ruby asked, enchanted. “Where did they go? If they were so powerful, how’d they lose control?”

  “There was a war. Those without innate power started by killing off any offsprings of those with the gifts. Women, babies, young children, those they considered easy prey. Many were innocent and didn’t even practice magick. Fear is a powerful motivator. Now don’t let it fool you, my dear, those with the power of magick retaliated with force. At times killing thousands at a time. Or set aflame churches while in prayer. They showed no mercy. Their very existence was at stake. Eventually, they pulled back, went into hiding. There are still those who access these abilities, they just do not practice openly. It’s more behind the scenes so to speak. And there are those creatures, like the wolf or the fae, who hide amongst the humans, but they are few in numbers.” She paused, “Why do you ask these questions?”

  Ruby leaned forward. “I’m not from your world. I fell through a portal and ended up here, and I really want to find a way to get back home. I have a feeling if I can’t figure it out before the moon starts waning I will have missed my chance.”

  The old woman stared for a long time before speaking. “What you must understand about the world you’ve found yourself in, is that much is an illusion.” The woman before me started shimmering.

  Her breath sucked in. Fascinated, Ruby watched as the woman before her shifted into a familiar face. Ruby’s heart slammed against her ribcage.

  “I don’t understand? Are you the queen?”

  Her face broke out into an evil grin. “I’m really disappointed in you, Ruby. I expected more from you. Where is your power? You are as weak as a human. It’s pathetic. Call the wolf to you.”

  “What? Why?” Her voice shook.

  “Call him, or I will kill you.” Leaning forward, she grabbed the fire poker and let it rest lightly in her hand.

  “Why would you kill me? Wouldn’t that hurt yourself?”

  “Two become one. Then it is done.”

  This woman was insane, that much was clear, but Ruby wasn’t going to call the wolf to her.

  Mentally, Ruby sent out a message. “Cayden, I’ve been fooled. The woman wasn’t my grandmother, she is the queen. She wants me to call you to her, you must not come anywhere near her. She will kill you. Escape while you can. She plans to kill me anyway. Save yourself! Do not fall into her cruel trap.”

  Ruby’s shoulders relaxed after sending the message. Even though she didn’t get a reply from the wolf, Ruby knew he received it.

  “Why can’t you let the wolf go? He will never love you.”

  “I don’t need him to love me. I need him to release me from this hell.”

  “How could he do that?”

  “I just need his forgiveness, and then I can move on. Without his forgiveness, we’re both confined to this Earth realm with no hope of ever leaving. It’s a continuous loop that we’re stuck in.”

  “Forgiveness? I thought you wanted to hurt him?”

  “While hurting him would bring me immense pleasure, it would just prolong my stay here. I am going crazy, and I need to leave this existence. Therefore, I will swallow my pride if that is what it takes and grovel at his feet.”

  “But why haven’t you reached out to him before? Why do you need me?”

  “I can’t, you imbecile. Do you not think if that were possible Cayden would have killed me by now? I need you to call him, it’s the only way. We have been separated by magick; it’s only through you we can meet on this plane. I am the one who pulled you forward. I’ve been implanting dreams in both of your minds since you were born.”

  Her words sank in. Of course, Ruby should be angry at this woman, but she felt pity for her.

  “Cayden it’s okay, come to me. It’s not what I thought. All she seeks is your forgiveness to release you both from the curse placed on you.”

  In the next moment, the door pushed open. Cayden strolled through, his eyes blazing. They settled on the queen. “So help you god if you are playing one of your tricks I will kill you.”

  The queen rose to her feet. She dropped the fire poker. “There are no tricks. It’s because of me that we are stuck in this hellish realm. If we do not offer forgiveness, we can never get off this wheel of fate. I give you my word that you will never have to see me again. I was wrong, I shouldn’t have killed your true love in a fit of jealousy.”

  “I can never forgive you,” he snarled. “Knowing you are suffering makes it all worthwhile.”

  The queen stilled. “That is not a wise decision.”

  “I’m not a wise man.”

  “You have just sealed Ruby’s death. I brought her here as a bargaining chip. Had you agreed, I would have left her for you to love. A piece of me that was untainted. We both know deep down you have a love for me, or my enchantment couldn’t have worked.”

  “I loved you as my queen not as a lover.” Shaking his head, he took a step forward. “If you kill Ruby, I have no choice but to kill you.”

  “Have you not heard a thing I said? I cannot die.”

  “If she kills me, she becomes more powerful. She keeps saying when two become one, it is done.”

  “Everything she says is a lie.”

  “Distract her.”

  Cayden took a step closer. “At least here you do not have the pull over me that you once had. Just looking at you disgusts me. To think I once found you beautiful.”

  “Oh, you still find me stunning, I can see the lust in your eyes.”

  He laughed. “Hardly. You were more appealing in the old lady form you took on. That was quite clever.”

  “I am nothing if not resourceful.”<
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  As they bantered back and forth, Ruby eased herself around and grabbed the poker. She had no idea if this would work and if it would cause her own death, but it was the only thing she could think of. Maybe because she was not from this land, she could kill the queen. Since their life-forces were connected, it might cause her own life to leave her, but she had to do something to save Cayden. He did not deserve this fate.

  Raising the poker, and gathering all of her strength, Ruby sucked in a breath before slamming the poker into the back of the queen’s heart. The woman cried out, in pain and surprise. As the queen dropped to her knees, Ruby drove the pointed steel in deeper and twisted. The queen gasped and gargled; blood seeped down her back. Pissed off, the queen attempted to crawl forward but she didn’t make it very far before she collapsed.

  Drawing her own last breath, Ruby dropped to the ground at the same time. Her final thought was, Well, at least the wretched queen is dead. Her body became light, and as she floated upwards. Ruby was shocked to see the body below her was not her own but that of a beautiful, dark-haired woman.

  Cayden cradled the woman in his arms, crying. “Celeste, what have I done?”

  Moments passed.

  The woman’s eyes snapped open. “Cayden, is it truly you? What happened? Where are we? Why does my body feel so heavy?”

  Ruby’s soul watched the exchange from a distance, confused. Her own body rose higher and higher into the air. What just happened? It seemed as if everything was an illusion after all. Was she dead?

  Next thing she knew, Ruby was being shaken awake by her grandmother. “Ruby, what are you doing? Why are you in this dark cave? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

  Ruby shot forward, glancing around. Had that only been a dream? It felt too real. Pushing herself up to sitting, Ruby was shocked to see the fire poker she’d used to kill the queen was lying beside her. They did not have such objects on Venus; the temperatures never got cold enough to need external heat. “I’ll get back to work, Grandmother.”

  Her grandmother flitted away. Ruby’s head swam. Nothing that happened made sense. Did this mean that she was a future personality of Celeste and not the queen? But the wolf said he knew her essence was that of the queen.