Immediately I felt our hearts separate. The infinite tugging around my heart vanished and the silver ring around my ring finger dissolved into nothing.
It appeared that the bonds of marriage were easier to break on Polonias than Earth, which was crazy because it took almost nothing. Feeling him no longer within hurt, like a part of me had died.
And I mourned. Tears built up behind my eyes, but I couldn’t cry. “You may go. Your father and brother must be made to understand that they no longer have any say over this land. Only you do.” My words were strong. Seeing the way his face scrunched in torment hurt deeply. “If you ever need anything from me you know where to find me.” I pointed at the earth my feet were still buried in. “Just ask; I’ll be here.” I tried to smile, to give him some assurance that it was okay. I’m sure I failed because my heart was broken.
Leo climbed to his feet. “This isn’t what I want.” Each word ripped from his chest and tore into me. “Cinderella.”
He reached out as though to grab me, but I leaned away. If he touched me I would change my mind. I would decide the world of Polonias wasn’t worth my love for Leo. I would give up everything for him. And I couldn’t allow that to happen. Too many lives were dependent on me, on this choice. I’d been called selfish many, many times, but I couldn’t destroy thousands upon thousands of lives for the love of one man, even if he was the most amazing man in this world and Earth. I couldn’t be that selfish.
“Go. Find your father. Take your place on the throne. Try…” I paused and swallowed. Each word from my throat was like fire in my veins. Quickly I finished my sentence. “Forget about me. The woman you loved is gone. I’m no longer just Cinderella. I’m every Heart who’s ever existed. I’ll be alive a thousand years after your dead body is returned to the magical flame. So leave and take your trivial emotions with you.”
Leo sucked in a large breath and rocked back as though I’d struck him. He clenched his fists against his sides. “I’ll go, but don’t think I could ever forget about you.” He moved so that our bodies almost touched. I leaned as far away as I could but, with my legs still firmly planted in the soil, it wasn’t far. He grasped my arms and pulled me close. “I meant what I said. I love you.” He couldn’t help but glance down at my buried feet and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m going to fix this. We belong together.”
I leaned into him, my resolve like a feather in the wind. “Okay,” I whispered, and wrapped my arms around his waist. I took in his scent and held it in, hoping. I wanted to remember this moment, the way he smelled, and the way he looked. But I knew it was all a lie. He couldn’t alter what I’d become, not without destroying this world and everyone in it.
That was out of the question.
Leo cupped my face in his hands and stroked my cheeks. “I’m coming back.”
I blinked back tears I couldn’t even cry and forced myself to smile. “I’ll be waiting.”
Violet
Leo left. As soon as he was gone, I literally wilted. Merde, why did I tell him to go? How could I be so stupid? More important, why the hell did he listen?
“Well, now you’ve gone and done it.”
I turned and felt my legs pull slightly from the dirt. Whatever was happening between me and Polonias, it was almost finished. Polly had been able to leave the earth for days at a time. I wondered how long before I could do the same.
“Who’s there?” I asked, searching for the person attached to the voice. It turned out it wasn’t a person, but a leopard with wire rimmed glasses on the edge of her nose. “Violet,” I said, watching her saunter on four legs into the clearing. She came straight at me and I realized that, while she could talk and usually wore clothes, she was also a wild animal. There were painted claws on the ends of her padded paws. They were sharp and seemed to glisten in the light.
Before I could be too scared, though, I was able to sense her emotions. It was a feeling ten times stronger than what I felt with Leo after we were married. There was a ferocious heart and annoyance within, but there was also kindness and worry. For me. For her land that she loved so much. She was the Historian of Polonias. As she walked I saw memories. One in particular sailed into me before I could decide whether I wanted to see it or not.
Violet wasn’t like other animals. She didn’t want to run in the wild, but had a keen interest in the people who dwelled in the cities. She wanted to know everything about them: their history, their likes and dislikes. She wanted to go to school. All the other leopards thought she was crazy. Her mother forbade her from sneaking into the cities. She told Violet the citizens in the cities would kill her.
But Violet didn’t listen. She snuck up to the castle and watched a boy battle his father with swords. Afterward they talked.
Violet listened.
And she fell in love with the boy. He seemed so strong, so self-assured, and he was handsome even though he was human. His father spotted Violet and had her caught and brought before them.
“What are you doing sneaking around my castle? Did you intend to eat my son?”
“No, your Majesty. Of course not,” Violet said. She kept her head low, a sign of respect and submission.
“Then why? What is it you want?” The King roared his question from his seat on the throne.
Violet thought a moment. Should she tell him the truth? That she wanted to go to school, that she wanted to study the history of Polonias?
“Speak up, leopard or I’ll have your hide hung upon my wall.” He pointed to the wall behind her. Violet turned and saw the skins of other animals tacked up there. It made her shudder.
“Please, your Majesty. I wish to learn the history of the peoples dwelling in this land. I want to study and record the world’s events. I want to be a historian.” As she spoke, her confidence grew. She knew that was her calling, what she was meant for.
The King stared at her for what seemed like hours. Violet wondered if he slept with his eyes opened, if that were possible for his kind. She started to back away, thinking it was better to leave while he slept instead of have him wake with her there. She might scare him, and that would make him angry.
“What do you know of my people?” he finally asked.
“Not much,” she admitted. Then she turned at looked back at the wall full of animal fur. “But I think my mother was right. I’ll go. Please forgive me for intruding.”
The King raised a hand. “I’ll grant you permission to take lessons with my son each day. You’ll learn the history of our people and keep the records. We could use someone like you, leopard.”
“My name is Violet.”
He smiled. “Very well, Violet. You’ll begin your lessons tomorrow.”
Violet bowed even lower. “Thank you your Majesty. I won’t let you down.”
“Of course you won’t.”
Violet left the castle, excited to tell her family the good news—but they rejected her and told her she was no longer considered one of the family. She ran and ran and ran until she was exhausted.
When she stopped she noticed a clear pond with a beautiful waterfall pouring into it. The place was Polly’s Paradise.
Once she’d had her fill of water Violet walked around its edge, content to see all that grew in the clearing. When she came upon the large rose, she sniffed, enjoying its lovely smell.
The flower shook and changed into something else. Startled, Violet jumped back.
“Hello Violet. It’s nice to see you.” The flower blinked sweetly. “Don’t be afraid. I just wanted you to know that I think what you want to do is wonderful.”
Violet shook her head, shocked by the petite little flower speaking. “What do you know? Who are you?”
Polly went over and patted Violet’s soft head. “My name is Polly. I’m the Heart of Polonias and I know everything.”
Violet regarded her curiously.
Polly went on: “I know you want to be the historian. You’re perfect for the position.”
Violet sighed. “My fami
ly doesn’t think so.”
Polly nodded. “I know, and I’m sorry for that, but don’t worry. I’ll be here for you. If you get sad or lonely, just come back. It’ll be nice to have a friend.”
Violet’s ears perked at that. “You’d consider me a friend?”
“Definitely.”
Polly and Violet became great friends. I thought about how devastated she must be now that Polly was gone. Or maybe Violet didn’t know.
“Violet, I’m sorry. Polly… She’s no longer here. At least not completely.”
“I know. Polly and I talked about it when she started to get sick. It was inevitable.” Sorrow rolled off the leopard in waves.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” I asked, wishing there was some way to make her feel better.
“Just keep doing what you’re doing. Polonias needs you. We all do. Even Mizrabel and the King realize that now.”
She turned and began walking away. I realized she wasn’t wearing clothes.
“Violet,” I called.
Her tail flicked back and forth a beat before she turned back. “What is it, Cinderella?”
“If you’d like…” I flushed, feeling silly for asking. I wasn’t anything like Polly. “Well, if you want to come and visit me sometimes, it would be an honor to continue to call you friend.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.” Then she sat on her haunches and started licking her paws. It was the most cat-like thing I’d ever seen her do. “May I be so bold, as a friend, to tell you something, then?” She glanced at me with her large purple eyes.
“Yes, anything.”
“It isn’t over.”
“What?” I asked, searching her feline face for some meaning in her words.
“You’ve saved Polonias, fulfilled your destiny. We are forever grateful, but there are still those who would have the kingdom for themselves. They won’t let Leo rule, at least not for long. There’s going to be a fight and, while you can keep Polonias healthy, that doesn’t mean you can protect Leo. At least not from here.”
“What should I do?” Fear clutched my heart. I didn’t want any harm to come to Leo.
Violet’s tail flicked from side to side behind her. “History has a way of repeating itself. It’s a fact that can’t be explained. Even when people set out to choose a different path, somehow the end result is the same. Death. War. Destruction. Rebuild. Repeat.”
“I don’t want that,” I said breathlessly. Leo had to be safe. There was no other option. His happiness meant the world to me. Literally.
“The way I see it you have three, possibly four enemies at this point.” She lifted a paw. “There’s King Loyalor.” She ticked his name off as one razor-sharp claw appeared. “Lawson.” Another claw popped for her padded paw. “Mizrabel.” She glanced over. “And possibly Stryker. I don’t know much about the demon, but he did save you from being burned at the stake. I’m guessing there’s more to him than anyone believed.”
I nodded. “I’ve no need to fear Stryker.”
Her liquid eyes studied me. “He means something to you. I get that. We all thought you were dead when you were tied to the stake and surrounded by magical fire. But he saved you. Why?”
I wouldn’t tell her. That was between Stryker and me. No one could know he was the dragon Abernathy, no one except me. And it seemed Polly had known as well. But that didn’t surprise me. She was the Heart. She knew everything that happened on this planet. Maybe not right away, but sooner or later. The same would be true for me.
“I’m not sure,” I answered vaguely.
“Well, he isn’t coming off my potential enemy list until he proves himself worthy of your trust. And mine.”
I nodded. “That’s acceptable.” The earth around my legs loosened more and I was able to bend my knees. I sat with a sigh. “Better.”
Violet laughed. “I wondered if you meant to be buried like that or if it was part of your transformation.”
I smiled. “Yeah, this wasn’t my plan. I want out already.”
Violet nodded thoughtfully and licked her paw. “I get that, but the earth is where your power comes from. Allow yourself to fully heal, fully become who you are. Don’t rush.”
“I won’t.” I picked at a white flower near the water’s edge. “What should I do about Mizrabel, Lawson, and the King?”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “You must destroy them.”
Abernathy
“How would I do that?” The idea of ending Mizrabel or the King or even Lawson didn’t excite me. The last time I’d seen them they’d tried to have me killed, but that didn’t mean I could return the favor. “The last time I saw them I’d been tied to a stake.”
Violet gave me a smug look. “Yes, but now they know that if you die, the world dies. They need you. Use that to your advantage.”
I thought about that. “There’s no other way to keep the world from destruction?”
“None that I’ve found. You can probably discover whether there is a way or not. Use the many memories from the other Hearts to find out.” She stood. “I must go. If I’m not back soon King Loyalor will wonder where I’ve been. I don’t want him suspecting I’m been here with you.”
“He wouldn’t try to hurt you?” I asked, tugging out another few inches of calf.
“No, he wouldn’t, but he might to find out what we discussed. That’s none of his business and I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Okay. See ya.”
She flicked her tail at me and darted into the forest.
I was only alone a few minutes when Stryker appeared. He came out of a puff of gray smoke.
“Cinderella.” He smiled, showing all of his pointy teeth. I resisted the urge to look away. “This is a great look for you,” he continued. “Although, if you’d like I can get your feet out of the dirt.”
I glanced at the portion of myself still in the earth and thought about Violet. “No, it’s okay.”
He nodded and appeared somewhat impressed. I couldn’t help but wonder what that expression would look like on his dragon face.
“If you want to change into your dragon form, I’m totally okay with that. In fact, I’d prefer it.” I tucked my chin to my chest and clutched my hands together. “Stryker gives me the creeps.”
He gave a full belly chuckle. It shook his whole body. Frankly it looked downright terrifying from such a scary creature. “Fine.”
A strange word whistled through his pointy teeth. A barrier went up around us. Then he said another word and, in the blink of an eye, the six-foot tall demon became a thirty-foot tall dragon.
It seemed weird, but I definitely liked him better that way. Sure, his teeth were still pointed and he breathed fire, but something about him seemed warmer, more kindly.
“Better?” he asked.
“Much,” I said, pulling the remainder of my legs and feet out of the ground. It felt good to be free, though I still sensed I was tethered to the earth and always would be. I’d never been so torn in all my life—happy I’d fulfilled my destiny but extremely saddened that doing so required giving up my true love.
Leo, I thought, and felt my heart break over and over again.
“You’re acting like I just fried up your cat and ate him for breakfast. What’s the problem?” He curled himself into a ball. Smoke rose from his nostrils.
I crossed my legs and realized they looked different. They were bare, and the palest shade of pink. I’d always been a lotion freak, trying to keep my legs smooth and supple. As I stroked my calf I was surprised at its texture, like the petal of a peony. I was firm, but softer than satin. All those years I’d worked so hard to keep my body soft—who knew all it would take was becoming the Heart?
The clothes I’d been wearing in Sharra were gone as well. In their place was a covering that looked like it were made of petals. Just like Polly’s.
“Cindy?” Abernathy asked.
I glanced at him. “Sorry, I’m just… a lot has happened the past few days
. I’m not quite sure how to handle it all.”
He studied me, his liquid amber eyes taking everything in. “I believe I understand. You’ve fulfilled your destiny, but by doing so you’ve sacrificed something most dear.”
I cringed when he put it like that. “I care about the people of Polonias, I do.” Frustrated tears clung to my lashes. “I love him. So much. But he left. I saw the look on his face after I’d changed. He’s disgusted by me.”
A rumble came from deep in his chest. “I doubt he’s disgusted, but, like you, he’s been through a great deal. Give him time. That’s all he needs.”
I nodded, but wasn’t convinced. I saw the look on Leo’s face. I felt his emotions. Disgusted was a close description.
Dismayed seemed more accurate, I correct myself internally.
Abernathy continued to study me. “If you could go back in time, would you choose another outcome?”
My pulse quickened. “Is there a spell that would do that?”
He blinked slowly. “Dear Cinderella. There is a spell for just about anything.”
“So you could send me back in time?” The thought was exciting, but only for a moment. Because what would I change? If I hadn’t become the Heart, Polonias would be gone, its people and creatures destroyed. I didn’t want that and I wouldn’t have chosen that, but… “Ugh.” I wiped at the tears.
“I could, but I have a feeling the result would be the same.” I snorted, even though it was true. He knew it.
Abernathy continued, “You may be vain, but your heart is bigger than most. You’re a good woman, a great friend, and an impressive witch.”
I blushed at his compliments. “Thanks, Abernathy.” I pulled at my flower petal dress. “So I guess I’m a plant now?” The words came out gloomy, even though I’d tried to sound light-hearted.
“You are, and so much more.”
I stood and began to pace in front of Abernathy, working to figure out what my new life would be. “I am grateful Polonias is safe. I’m thankful the people and creatures of this land aren’t in danger of dying anytime soon, and I feel honored Polly believed in me enough to choose me…” I paused in my pacing and looked at him. His eyes were closed, but I somehow knew he listened intently. “The only downside is I’m no longer married.” At the last word a sob broke from my chest and I clutched at the place over my heart. I knew it was broken. It had to be, it hurt so much.
The Cindy Chronicles: The Complete Set Page 18
