The tips of her fingers looked bruised. Deep purples and navy. Polly followed my gaze and held her hands out in front of her. “Oh, dear. It’s getting worse.” She turned her hands back and forth, studying them intently.
“Why are they bruised? Did you hurt yourself?” I asked, abruptly filled with concern.
“The Sickness. It’s getting stronger. I can’t hold it off much longer.” Polly looked at me and my heart broke. Her eyes were filled with terror, sadness: the hopeless look of a person who knows they are going to die and can’t do anything about it. I’d seen that look once before in my grandfather as stomach cancer took him day-by-day, hour-by-hour, second-by-second. It was the most difficult thing I ever had to watch.
“What can I do?” I asked, taking her hand in mine without thinking. As soon as I touched her, the bruises left her fingers. I gasped and pulled away.
Polly smiled. “It is you.” She took my hands in hers. “Will you help me, Cinderella? Please?”
I glanced at Leo, who was standing to the side, his features rigid. Both he and Quilla had asked me to come and I’d turned them down. But Polly? I sensed her magic, her natural goodness. She needed my help.
“Yes,” I answered, and knew in that instant everything in my life was about to change.
Dear Diary,
Today I entered a new world and met a girl by the name of Polly. She’s a beautiful flower girl. I know that sounds kind of funny. No one is getting married. It’s just that she’s a girl who is sometimes a flower. She’s also the heart of the world of Polonias—the world I entered today. If she gets sick, Polonias gets sick. If she dies, Polonias dies.
She asked me to help her and I agreed. I’ve no idea how I’m going to do it, but I feel utterly drawn to her.
So I’m staying here. Leo put me up in a room in the castle. His family’s castle. It’s beautiful. Filled with thick tapestries, and a large four-poster bed.
Tomorrow, Leo’s going to give me a tour of the land and I’m nervous.
Also excited.
Because that means I’ll get to spend more time with him.
Yes, I’m still sad about Gabe. But there’s nothing I can do to change his mind. If he wanted me, he would’ve fought for me, but he didn’t. I’m not saying it doesn’t hurt.
It does!!!
And there’s no way in hell I’ll be dating another guy anytime soon.
But I can look. Admire the view that is Leo.
Right?
Right!
I’ve written a note to my mom and dad as well as Snow and Gabe telling them where I’m at. Quilla, my fairy godmother agreed to deliver them. Hopefully no one will worry. But I can’t just call from my cell or text them a message.
Hang on. Someone is knocking on my door…
Leo’s here. I’ll write more later.
Chow,
Cin
xoxo
Dear Mom and Dad,
Hope you’re doing well.
I just wanted to let you know I’m going to be gone a while. I’ll be staying in Polonias. It’s a world somehow connected to Earth, but not a part of Earth… Yeah, it’s all very confusing. The thing is I mentioned Polonias to mom at breakfast this morning and I’m sure from her comments she already knows about it, which means you probably do too.
If I’m wrong, talk to Adam Henry. He’ll be able to explain everything to you.
Please know I’m safe. Don’t worry.
And thank you so much for all the love and support you’ve given me over the years.
All my love.
Cindy
Hey Snow,
Just wanted you to know I’ve decided to stay in Polonias a while. I met someone. And before you freak, it isn’t Leo. It’s a girl by the name of Polly. She’s adorable. Weirder than you. She’s a flower and a girl. Like an actual flower. She grows from the ground. She’s also the heart of Polonias and I have to help her.
I don’t expect you to agree. I know you don’t like Leo. But keep your fangs retracted and chill.
Take care of Sharra and all of the magical creatures.
I’ll talk to you soon.
Hugs,
Cindy.
Gabe,
I’ve written several letters today. Yours is the hardest.
The reason?
For some reason you chose not to confide in me. Your girlfriend.
And that hurts.
Snow filled me in. Said you aren’t supposed to date anyone who isn’t chayot. I don’t get it, but I know being the chayot leader is important to you. So I’ll be supportive. I’ll stay out of your way.
In fact I’m not even on Earth anymore.
You freaked?
I know I was when I first learned of Polonias. I would’ve talked to you about but you were too damn wrapped up in your own stuff to care about me… or my stuff.
Sorry, that was rude.
Just know I’m fine.
Take care of yourself and know I’ll always love you.
xoxo
Cindy
Dear Diary,
I’ve been in Polonias a week. The land is beautiful, if not a little old fashioned. Imagine living a hundred and fifty years ago. There’s none of the modern technology. No cell phones, microwaves, or cars. It isn’t because those things can’t be created. They can. Instead those things don’t exist because they aren’t necessary.
Everything happens with magic—because of magic. It’s as much a part of this world as the grass, the many moons, or the violet-blue sky.
It’s a little weird. The first time I watched the cook prepare a meal I nearly fell over. Eggs, milk, butter, flour, and salt flew through the air and into a large bowl. Then a whisk mixed the ingredients. When it was finished, the bowl rose into the air and poured the batter into a pan. The pan went over to the oven where the oven opened and the pan slid inside. The whole time the cook used words to make the items do as she commanded.
I thought about it and wondered why there couldn’t be fast food created by magic.
I told Leo what I was thinking and he laughed. “Magical Fast Food. You might be onto something, Cinderella.” I flinched when he used my full name, but let it slide.
Leo explained there was something to be said for making a meal from scratch, even if it was done using magic.
There is more to Polonias than I first realized. Each day I see something new, something different. I have to tell you that I feel… home. I don’t know if that makes sense. It’s like I’ve finally found the place I belong. My people. I know it’s probably stupid, but it’s how I feel.
The people are kind and seem interested in getting to know me. Except the King. He is genuinely perturbed by my presence, even though I believe he sent Leo after me. Maybe he hoped I’d say no. Either way I’ve caught him giving me dirty looks more than once. I’m not sure what I’ve done to offend him.
Since my arrival I’ve spent a lot of time with Leo. We’ve hung out every day. He’s very kind and good-hearted. Makes me wonder what Snow saw in him that made her despise him so much.
I tried to magic a mirror so that I could talk to Snow in Sharra, but it didn’t work. When I told Leo he explained it’s probably because the magic works differently here.
Which is true.
I tried to use the word luminous to produce tiny stars in my room, like I would on Earth. Instead, I lit up the whole castle, bright as a Christmas tree.
Whoops!
Then there’s the people and the creatures. They dress the way you’d expect in a fairytale. The men wear trousers and the women wear skirts and gowns. All of the animals can talk, including the tiniest insect—at least, that’s what Leo told me. He also said most of them choose not to speak since it requires a great deal of magic to understand different languages, and they don’t want to be bothered.
So far, the ones that do speak are grumpy.
Like earlier today I encountered a spotted leopard. When I saw her, I screamed. I couldn’t help myself. She’s a leopard, for merde’s sake.
Leo later shared that she’s the records keeper for the land and lives in the castle. Her name is Violet.
Now that I think about it, she looked really cute. She walks on her hind legs and wears brightly colored gowns. The funniest part is she keeps a pair of glasses balanced on the tip of her nose. I’m guessing they don’t fall off because of a spell.
I haven’t officially been introduced to anyone but the King. Leo says it’s because they want to have a formal welcome party. It’s weird, but whatever. The party is tonight. I’m hoping the guests will like me and that I’ll like them.
Not even Quilla—my fairy godmother—has made an appearance. I’m thinking she’s still mad at me.
Polly is back in the forest, next to her waterfall. She returned to the castle with us and stayed for a few days. I noticed she was getting antsy. Finally she came to me and said she needed to return to the earth.
I was sad to see her go, but I understand. Not really, but she’s like part flower or something, so it seems like she should need the ground. She also said something weird to me right before she left. She said, “We’re sisters, you and I. There’s a gift I must bestow upon you when I get back. Be ready. It’s a gift with a curse, I’m sorry to say.”
“Sure, Polly,” was how I responded, keeping my voice light even though inside I felt really weird about her saying we’re sisters. Also, the gift sounds like it isn’t a gift at all, but a total pain in the ass. When I see Polly again I’ll tell her I don’t want it.
Okay, that’s everything. I think you’re all caught up.
Oh, except one random note. I’ve seen two brown rabbits wandering the castle. One seems genuinely interested in me while the other plays tricks. Like last night it dumped a satchel of dirt in my bed and the day before that it put worms in my Manolo Blahniks. I’ve tried to talk to them, but they hop away before I get the chance.
When I get to the bottom of it, I’ll let you—
There’s someone at my door. Write more later.
Cin!
Quilla
“Come in,” I yelled out of habit until I remembered I wasn’t in my room in Salem, Massachusetts. And the person on the other side of the door probably wasn’t my mom. Throwing on a robe, I ran to the heavy wooden door, unlocked it, and pulled it open.
Quilla stood there, her hands on her hips. She wore a dress the color of an eggplant, a bright red painter’s hat, spotted blue tights, and pointy black boots. Before I could say anything sarcastic she walked past me into my room.
“Why didn’t you use magic to open the door? Not that I’m complaining. Stupid allergies. But Polonias is a world full of it. No one cares whether you use it or not. In fact, they expect you to.” She patted my cheek. “You were just being polite, huh?” She plopped down on my bed and bounced. “Cozy.” Then she gave me a once over. I followed her gaze.
My robe was split open, showing my blue polka dot boxer shorts and light blue tank.
Quilla wrinkled her nose. “Is that what you’re wearing to your party? It’s…” she paused and sniffed before continuing, “charming.”
“Hi, Quilla. It’s nice of you to finally come by and see me. Where’ve you been?” I walked to the closet as I spoke. Apparently it was time to get dressed. The closet was larger than my room back home and filled with hundreds of shoes, underclothes, and dresses. They began arriving almost immediately after I did. Most of the dresses were in various shades of blue, I’m guessing because Leo told the dressmakers blue was my favorite color. I wondered how he knew.
They weren’t as short or as stylish as I was used to, but they were still beautiful.
I ran my fingers over the different fabrics, some soft, others stiff. They were all lovely, almost sensuous. I chose one in sky blue, the fabric soft and functional. The shoes I chose were black flats the color of charcoal. My reflection in the mirror revealed I looked pretty, but too sweet. It wasn’t my style, even if I did love the color.
I stepped from the closet and smiled at Quilla. “What about this?”
She snorted. “No. No. No.” She twirled her pointer finger in the air. In the air between us, moving at the same speed as her finger, a tornado of materials spun. It was a flurry of silvers and blues and blacks.
Before my eyes a dress took shape. It was beautiful. The bodice was fitted and a combination of glittery silver and sky blue. The jagged tulle skirt pooled out from the waist like a cloud.
“That’s gorgeous,” I said, reaching out to touch it.
“Th-th—” Quilla sneezed. “You can wear this tonight. I’m sure the dressmakers have plenty of choices in that gigantic closet of yours, but this will be perfect.”
“Thank you.” I took the dress from the air and used magic to hang it up. When I returned, Quilla was staring at me.
“What?”
She shook her bouncy curls. “What is it about you and handsome men? First that beautiful chayot—Gabe, right? And now Leo. “
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I went to the bathroom—thankfully the facilities weren’t old fashioned—and ran a brush through my hair.
“I asked you to come and you refused. A handsome prince with perfect hair and gorgeous eyes asks and hocus pocus, you’re here.” She clucked her tongue. “I thought you were stronger than that.” Her features were filled with disappointment.
“It wasn’t Leo, it was Polly,” I said, pulling the hourglass charm necklace Leo had given me over my neck and tucking the hourglass under the dress bodice between my boobs.
She sniffed loudly. “Yeah, right.”
“Compli Makus,” I said, and my bed made itself, pushing Quilla out of her sitting position and into the air. I smirked at the shocked look she gave me.
“I’m serious.” I didn’t need to explain my reasons to her. Still I couldn’t help but think about what she said and wondered if she was right. “Did you want something?” I finally asked.
“Nope. Just wanted to see for myself that you were here.” She walked to the door. “I’ll see you tonight.” With a poof she was gone.
“Alone again,” I whispered, wondering if I should go find Leo. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. If it were Quilla again, I’d give her a piece of my mind.
It wasn’t. It was Leo. He looked like a fairy tale prince. He wore a burgundy and black jacket, gray pants that hugged his muscled thighs, and matching black belt and boots.
“Hi,” I finally said after perusing his body more than once.
Leo did the same to me, and I blushed.
“Did you tell the dressmakers I like the color blue?” I asked, trying to cover up my embarrassment by fluffing a pillow.
He shook his head. “No. Is it your favorite color?”
“Yes, it is.”
Leo smiled and his eyes sparkled with mischief. “What else do you like?” He held the door open for me. We left my room and I closed the door with the magic words Isla Secura.
As we walked down the hall I answered him. “All sorts of stuff.” I shrugged. “I hope you’re here to take me to the kitchen, because I’m starved.”
He winked, reached out, and grabbed my hand. Everywhere our fingers touched was like ice and fire, burning cold. I gasped but didn’t pull away. The tingling filled my veins. I wanted to ask Leo if he felt it, but I was afraid if the feeling were one-sided he would think I was putting the moves on him. My heart still belonged to Gabe. My emotions for him weren’t so easily erased, even if that wasn’t true of Gabe himself. The chayot leader was an idiot, but I loved him.
“Breakfast is our first stop. I’ve got a special place in mind after,” Leo said startling me back to the present.
I gently pulled my hand away and quirked an eyebrow. “Are you putting the moves on me, Leo Loyalor?”
He chuckled. “What if I am?”
I felt my mouth fall open. Then shook my head. “I-I’m sort of…” What did I tell him? Gabe broke our relationship, shattered it to pieces. “I’m not ready.”
<
br /> Leo smiled. “Let’s eat.”
Leo had given me a quick tour of the castle the day I arrived, but his home was expansive. Halls intersected each other like a spider’s web. I knew there had to be a spell to help me find my way, but it was too much fun having Leo show me around. And I had let him. Often. I was happier when he was around.
That’s because you like him.
I glanced sideways at Leo. It was true. I did like him, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.
Leo caught me staring. “What?”
“Uh, nothing. It’s just I’m glad you’re here to help me find my way around. This castle is gigantic. It’s like an enormous labyrinth.”
Leo stuck out his elbow. I took it. “You’re welcome,” he said.
We walked in silence down the hall. After several turns I knew we were getting closer to the kitchen because of the delicious aroma.
Like blueberry muffins.
My favorite, I thought, swallowing.
“I hope you’re hungry,” he said, sitting on a heavy wooden chair.
I sat next to him as the cook, whose name was Mrs. Potts, brought over a platter of muffins, some creamy butter, and bacon.
I took one of the muffins and set it on my plate. With my knife I spread the butter until the muffin was covered. I broke off a piece and popped it into my mouth.
The edge was crisp and the inside moist. “Mmmmm,” I said, closing my eyes.
Leo chuckled. “Mrs. Potts makes the best food.”
I glanced at the cook and caught her face burning with embarrassed pride. “Stop it. Your compliments won’t get you thirds,” she said, bringing over a big plate of scrambled eggs and potatoes. She set them in front of him. Leo dug in. I had a feeling she’d give him fourths if he asked.
The Cindy Chronicles: The Complete Set Page 5
