by Marnie Cate
“What is that?” I reluctantly accepted it. Purple beads lined the back of the husk.
Dunn held up another piece of bark and licked the contents. “Try it. It is sweet.”
Dubiously, I tasted the weird paste. “You aren't feeding me bugs, are you?”
Dunn threw his head back and laughed. His laughter made my heart smile. “No, I would not give you insects to eat.” He reached up into the tree and returned with an emerald green apple. “Are you going to tell me why you have been so quiet today?”
Dunn offered me the shiny fruit. I tried to take it but it ended up slipping out of my hands and falling to the ground. We went for it at the same time, ending up nose to nose. For one breathless moment, I moved awkwardly close to him. I did not want to move away but forced myself to do so. “I was thinking about how happy I am here,” I said softly.
This time Dunn gently placed the apple in my hand. When his fingers touched me, I had felt a spark of magic between us.
“Sorry,” he said, stepping back.
When I first met Dunn, I instantly had a crush on him. His dark, brooding eyes made me want to learn more about him. Books had filled my mind of dark strangers riding to town on white horses to whisk me away and I felt like mine had arrived. Dunn was no longer a captive of Snowystra. He had changed in appearance to match his sun-filled personality. His dark hair was now golden brown and if the sun hit it right it would sparkle. His sharp teeth replaced by a brilliant white smile.
I took a bite of the tart apple and beamed at him. “Can you tell me more about what it was like to live in Snowstrum? Not the bad parts, I want to know about the good times.”
Crunching into his apple, he laughed. “You're always full of questions.”
“I'm sorry,” I said and averted my eyes.
You're embarrassing yourself, Meg. Stop acting like a silly school girl.
“No, I like how you're so interested in the world around you, Meg,” Dunn said. “You're a ray a sunshine. Walk with me and I will tell you about the world I came from.”
As Dunn told me his experience living under Snowystra's rule, my affection grew stronger for him. Dunn was a kind man despite living in such a dark environment and the Winter had not killed the light inside him. Not even my magic made me feel as complete as Dunn did.
Collecting myself, I stopped. I had been so caught up in my daydream, I forgot about my own magic. My strong connection to Earth. It was more than being able to make flowers grow. I felt connected to something larger, something mystical when I called it.
“Earth, I ask for your guidance in my search,” I said, pressing my hand to the ground. A soft light glowed on the dark soil. I let it guide me deeper into Eftir Forest. Miles should have used his Air magic to fly above and figure out where he was.
“Let me go!” a voice cried out.
Twigs broke. Rustling echoed around me. I kept moving towards the noise and I hid inside the skirt of a gigantic pine tree. I could see Miles and he was struggling against a dark figure.
“Let me go now. I don't want to live with you anymore!” Miles screamed.
“Quiet him,” a deep man's voice said.
“Stop this nonsense, Miles. You are my son. You are a Drygen.” My blood ran cold. I knew who the voice belonged to. Cedric Drygen.
“Please, I don't want to live with you anymore,” Miles said, slumping in defeat.
“That isn't your decision. The blood that runs through you is mine. When you're home, you will remember what it means to be a Drygen,” Cedric snarled.
“I am not a Drygen!” Miles screamed. “Why won't you let me be free? I am happy where I am.”
“Happiness is a luxury. You have a responsibility,” Cedric said.
“I will never be what you want me to be.”
Cedric gripped his shoulders and began to shake his son. “You're the last of my connection to Eliza. You will return home with me.”
“My mother would want me to live with Elliott. Do you plan to take me back to your big house to leave me alone again? It's not like we were a family.” Miles wriggled under Cedric's tight hold.
I was about to step out to protect my brother but I heard another man speak. “Do not talk to your father this way. You have been spoiled by those people. You need to be reminded who your real family is.”
“I will handle this, Father,” Cedric said to the man and set Miles down.
When he stepped into view, I could see the other man was Jameson. He held out a length of rope. “Bind him,” he said. “You haven't handled any of this very well. If you can't quiet him, I will. It won't be long before they will start looking for him.”
Glaring down at Miles, Jameson said, “If you make one sound, I will go back and kill every one of your precious kidnappers, beginning with her royal highness.”
Miles began to respond and Cedric clamped his mouth shut. The actions almost seemed protective. Jameson looked down at the boy with such hatred.
I called my Earth magic, making the ground under them shake. Cedric let go of Miles and looked around. “We need to get out of here.”
Cedric took the rope that Jameson had offered him and began to tie Miles up.
No time to appear sweet and kind. Save your brother.
“I wouldn't do that, Cedric.” I stepped out from my hiding place. My hands were blazing with dark magic.
“You're always meddling where you don't belong. I promised your mother that I would protect you but I will break that promise if you interfere with me taking my son home,” Cedric warned.
Miles and I exchanged glances. I gave my head the slightest tilt, hoping he would understand I needed him to step away. He did. As Miles inched away from Cedric, I called vines from the ground. They began to wrap around his legs and I willed the element to be patient and twist around him. I said, “He is not a trophy to show how powerful your family is, Cedric. Leave him be. He is with a family who wants him and needs him. We love Miles. I was in your cold mansion. I know that there was no love there. If you leave now, I will let you walk away.”
He laughed. “Oh, you will let me, will you? Turn around, Meg and tell Stone to have a son of his own.”
The creepers had trailed high around him. Miles was far enough away to not get hurt. I called my element to me making him topple over. Cedric crashed to the ground cursing and screaming at me.
Miles cried, “Look out, Meg!”
Before I could see why, my world went black.
Chapter 35
I could hear my brother's pleas for me to answer. There were other voices too calling my name but the light before me was so powerful, so enticing.
“Stay with me, Meg,” Dunn's sweet voice pleaded.
I could feel his strong arms wrap around me. Arms I had longed for. But, I had to choose - the light or him. The light called me. It wanted me. The glow turned lavender. It was so peaceful I wanted to rest. I would just close my eyes for a few minutes. A quick nap would refresh me. Dunn would understand.
The purple hues turned white and it all stopped. No sound. No light. No me?
“Go back to sleep,” Gram whispered.
“But, I am not tired,” I said, trying to open my heavy lids.
Out of the corner of my cracked eyes, a flicker of light caught my attention and I heard childlike laughter.
I sat up, feeling groggy. My body weighed down. I struggled hard to get up but hands were pushing on my shoulders.
“Lie back down,” the voice said. As my mind started to clear, I knew this wasn't Gram. It sounded like a sweet little old lady.
“All will be well. You must rest, child,” the voice insisted. I was so sleepy and she sounded like she just wanted to help me. What could it hurt to close my eyes and rest for a bit longer?
The light returned and came charging at me. Emitting a twinkling sound, it rushed around me and began tugging on my hair. The room came into focus.
“I'm tired. Come again later,” I said to a small winged creature.
Shaking its head violently, it zipped around me on the bed I laid on. The reflection from the light shined on the cracked ceiling and walls, exposing the peeling paint. I could hear a dripping, explaining the musty smell.
My drowsiness lifted enough for me to make out a sweet looking old woman bending over me. “Ignore that pest and rest, child.”
Blinking, I tried to focus my eyes. The woman looked so much like Gram. She wore a flowered dress and her gray hair was pulled back in a soft bun. The same as Gram. But, she was not my grandmother. She had dark eyes, not brown. She did not smell like Gram with sweet vanilla, hints of lavender and fiery cinnamon. Instead, she smelled musty.
The creature bit me hard on the hand as the woman tried to swat it away. Her bite jolted me awake. Something told me whatever it was trying to tell me was important. I needed to listen. With all the energy I could muster, I sat up.
“What are you?” I asked.
Holding out its tiny fingers, it threw flowers at me.
“Do not rush yourself, Meg. I will chase away this pest,” the old woman cooed.
I turned back to the flying creature. “Are you an Earth elemental?”
Throwing more flowers, it nodded and excitedly spun around. She reminded me of Daisy, the Earth elemental who had taught me how to control my gift. Although this creature was far smaller and winged, I could sense her Earth magic.
“What are you? You don't look like Daisy,” I said, standing up.
It shook its head.
“So you're different? I wish you could talk to me.”
It pulled on my hand with all its might and I let it led me. Excitedly nodding, it dropped my hand and flew ahead of me. Then it stopped and turned to make sure I was following.
“You don't want to follow it,” the old woman said, rushing after me.
When I stopped to ask why, the Earth creature flew in front of my face and then away.
The old woman stepped closer to me. She wore a thick eyeliner and creepy blue eyeshadow. Gram never wore makeup except on a special holiday. “You don't want to go with her. You're safe here with me. Let's get you back to my home. I will make you fresh cookies and a big glass of chocolate milk. Wouldn't that be nice?”
Earth zipped around me. She came close to my ear “Run!”
“You are not real,” I said, slowly backing away.
“Of course, I am,” she purred.
The little creature tugged on me harder.
“Where are you going?” she snapped. I moved further away from her. Her appearance flickered and I could see something dark… something unnatural. I recoiled in fear.
The little creature flew fast around me. Run. Run. Run.
Growing closer, I could see its eyes glowing a ghoulish green; it bared its sharp discolored teeth. It was not human.
“I didn't say you could leave. Come back now, Meg,” it screeched. The air filled with the smell of rot and decay.
“No, I can't,” I said, backing away.
I bumped into something sharp. The monster came closer. It threw out a hand towards me. Grey flesh hung from long spindly fingers and arms. Underneath, thick black liquid flowed and slithered up its body. The dark tendrils flowed from its fingertips towards me.
I ran. It began to shriek. The high-pitched wails pierced my ears. I ran further and further. When I could no longer hear it, I slowed my pace. My heart felt like it would soon beat out of my chest. Stopping to catch my breath, I realized I had run into a forest, one I had never seen before.
Chapter 36
The forest was filled with giant multi-colored trees with furry trunks. I was tempted to stroke the texture but restrained myself. Gram had taught me from an early age to not touch or taste things I found in the forest.
Above I could see leaves twice the size of me. It was as if dozens of large almond shaped blankets had been hung out to dry. Below me, bright colored flowers covered the forest floor in shades of cobalt blue. As the warm air blew against my face, I was reminded of the tropical garden at Charlemagne's Hotel.
No, this is not a forest, I thought. What is this place?
A woman called to me. “Please sit.”
One of the gigantic leaves lowered towards me creating a seat.
I hesitated.
The little creature began bouncing its head up and down as if telling me it was safe.
“If you're sure.” I sat on the green frond and my new friend twirled in the air with a big grin on her face.
Just as I settled into the leaf, it began to rise. What had I done? I scooted myself, preparing to jump before it got too high.
“Do not be afraid.”
The leaf wrapped itself around me. It was too late to escape. I was lifted higher and higher.
When I stopped, I was surrounded by the thick leaves, rustling as if there was a strong breeze. But, I felt no wind. The trunk of the tree had an unusual pattern on it. The bark began to move. It formed a face and suddenly two big green eyes were looking at me. After what seemed liked minutes of awkward silence, I finally gave a hesitant smile.
Introduce yourself, I chided.
“Hi. My name is Meg Stone and I am—”
“I know who you are, child,” the tree said. Her breath smelled like cedar chips.
“Well, you know me… so who are you?” I asked, feeling brave.
“I am called Kinema Delli and you have entered my realm,” she said. “You may call me Kinema.”
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to… I was just running from….”
“The Ladarsha,” she said. “You're very lucky that Ledli found you and helped you escape. If not, you would have been just another lost soul to add to her collection.”
“Lost soul?” I asked.
“You're not very perceptive, are you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Hold out your hands, child.”
Doing as I was told, I gasped. They were translucent.
“Am I dead?”
A sharp pain in my right side stole the air from me and I began to fall. My screams were silenced as I landed softly on the ground. I opened my eyes. Cedric was lying on the ground across from me. The vines I had called continued to wrap tightly around him. Miles knelt over me. Tears ran down his blood-streaked face.
“Don't die, Meg,” Miles pleaded. “I'm sorry. It is all my fault.” He pressed his hands against my side.
I wanted to comfort my brother but I couldn't speak. When he lifted his blood-covered hands, I realized it was me who was bleeding. In a blink, I was no longer with Miles. I had returned to Kinema.
“So I am dead,” I said. “Why have the Miezitari not arrived to take me to the Afterlife?”
“They cannot take you, child. Your soul has left the mortal world,” Kinema said.
“Why? If I am dead, I want to be with my grandmother,” I insisted.
“But, you're not dead,” she said. “Your body is just spiritless. The shell that once held you is working as if you were there. You appear to the mortals as if you're in a deep sleep.”
“I need to go back. My family will be worried. My sister—”
“You need to worry about yourself, young one. They will be fine without you. The living always learn to adapt.”
“That is not true. I am not fine without Gram,” I said.
“Look how strong you have become since she has been gone. There are many things you have done to help those around you heal. Mae would be very proud of the woman you have become. Your strength is what makes you special, Meg,” she said. “You cannot go back in the form that you once held. However, your next steps are in your own hands. I am giving you a gift – one rarely given. You will decide your future.”
“What? You said I wasn't dead.”
“Listen, carefully, Meg. You have a choice to make. You can choose to take the Winter from the unborn child and become the guardian of it. You can free the child from the curse of her gift. If you are unwilling to make this sacrifice, you can join your family in the Afterlife.
”
“I don't want Winter magic. I don't want to give up my Earth magic. It is who I am. Please just let me go home,” I pleaded.
“Hushhhh,” she said, expelling a burst of wind on me. A sweet citrus scent surrounded me. “You may not want Winter magic but your father has passed it on to you. You already have it inside you. The Winter is much stronger than the small speck he carries. But you know that already, don't you?”
“My father has Earth magic like me,” I said, defiantly.
“No, Meg. You know of what I speak. You can't hide from the truth. Not all paths we are given are what we want. You must deal with what is before you. You have a decision to make. It is time now.”
Anger filled me. She knew nothing about my father. The man who loved me and cared for me. The man who gave up his life to save mine. She had no right to speak about my family. Glaring at her, I said, “Time for what?”
An overwhelming urge to dig back into my childhood and throw a tantrum filled me. I would cry and scream until she returned me to my home. She would turn back time as if Cedric never took Miles… Jameson never—
“You are much smarter than this, child.” She pulled the frond, I was sitting on and released me. “You must choose for yourself. Nothing you do will change the fact a choice will be made,” her voice called after me. “Accept your destiny.”
Chapter 37
I fell through a lightless void. I screamed for help but there was no answer as I floated into the unknown. My descent ended with my submersion in something sticky.
No, not sticky. Wet? No not wet.
Dragging my hands around me, I found that I was in a pool of small green balls. Picking one up, I squeezed it. It squeaked.
“Oh I am sorry,” I said, quickly putting it down. “Can you tell me where I am? I don't know where to go.”
The balls circled around me, creating a whirlpool. I began to fall again. This time I didn't scream. The orbs had combined to make a chute for me to slide down. The soft ride ended in a green patch of grass. I laughed uncontrollably.
I shouldn't be laughing. I had been chased by a soul eater, saved by a pixie, dropped by a talking tree and shot through a tunnel of living balls to end up on a mound of grass. But I felt intense joy and peace. It was a feeling I had not felt for a very long time.
