“I don’t understand. Time for what?” Magnolia held back the tears threatening to flood her cheeks. She could not take her eyes off her parents. How were they sitting before her? They appeared so happy, completely in love. “I’m sorry…” The words came out with a stifled sob. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean for you to get into that accident. I miss you, I need you. Jace needs you. I am sorry.” The tears refused to obey her commands to stay behind her eyes.
“My little one.” Her father’s deep voice wrapped around her. “What happened was not your fault.”
“It was! I knew it was going to happen. I saw it in a dream. I could have saved you. I didn’t need a ride home from you that night. I didn’t need for you to come get me. I was selfish, and it cost me you. I lost you forever because I wanted to get home thirty minutes sooner.” Fat tears dripped off her chin. “I cut your lives short. You missed out on so much because of me… I am sorry, so sorry.” She dropped down to her knees on the green grass.
Four arms were around her the second she touched the ground. “We did not miss out on a thing. We are always with you and Jace.” Her mother stroked her hair the way she had when Magnolia had been just a child who’d awoken from a bad dream. “None of this was your fault. Understand that. Believe it, for you, my dear one, are meant for great things. Great things that you will never accomplish if you are always looking back on that night. Do not allow it to hold you back. Remember that you are loved. Look to your future.”
“I don’t know how,” Magnolia whispered into her father’s shoulder as she clung to the both of them.
“Your story will be passed down from generation to generation as it always has been, but now it is almost time for you to finish it.”
Her eyes grew big as the tears subsided. “I don’t understand. How can my story be one that has been told already? I’m not even eighteen. How can it have been passed down?”
“Wolf Pup, do you still not understand?” her father questioned softly. His finger guided her chin up so that she was looking at the both of them. “You are nearly grown. You are now able to do what you need to do because of the life that you have lived.”
“In the closet, under the floorboards you will discover what you are seeking.” The melodic voice tugged at her heart. “I love you.”
“We are proud of you Wolf Pup and will always love you.” They began to fade from her arms.
“No! Please don’t leave me. Please. I need you. Jace needs you.” She reached out for them, but only emptiness remained where they’d been a few seconds before. “Please…”
“M&M?” Concern filled the voice that called to her.
A light flicked on, illuminating the room. She rubbed the tears and sleep out of her eyes.
“You were calling out in your sleep again. Was it another dream of Daciana?” Jace looked around the room, eyes misting over when his gaze fell on the nightstand that still held the last tie their father had worn. “Why are you in here?”
He did not step farther into the room until Magnolia jumped from the bed, throwing the covers back. She leapt to the floor, yanked open the door to the closet, and dropped to her knees.
“I need a flashlight…” She moved the few boxes that had been on the closet floor out into the room. “…and a flat-headed screwdriver.” She felt around the floorboards, trying to feel for a loose board.
Jace handed her the items she asked for without question.
With the flashlight on, she could see that two boards were slightly lighter than the others and appeared to be joined. The screwdriver soon popped the boards up. There, under the floor, was a tin box shaped like a treasure chest. The little treasure chest was about the size of a child’s shoe box and had been painted similar to the mural in Magnolia’s bedroom. Clutching it to her body, she stood and walked out of the room.
Jace followed her down to the living room. “M&M, what happened? Was it another dream?
“It was Momma and Daddy.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
AS SOON AS THE two of them settled down in the living room, there was a knock on the front door. Jace looked at his sister, who was staring at the box as if it held the world inside of it. He shook his head and went to the door to find Bash with a brown bag and three cups in a carrier.
“I wanted to check on Mag. I brought food.” He lifted the bag as he spoke, and Jace moved aside to let him in.
“She’s in the living room. What happened today?” He stopped Bash from going any farther.
“I don’t know the details. I was outside in my truck. From what I understand, Sarah opened her big mouth. We all know that nothing good comes out when that happens. When she said something about your parents, Mag lost her cool and shoved her against a wall. Sarah and her friends claimed that Mag attacked her for no reason. Sarah’s parents have the school in their pocket, so they suspended your sister.”
“What’d she say?”
“I don’t know. Mag was trying to hide tears on the way home. Is she okay?” Bash’s eyes filled with concern as he leaned to look around Jace into the living room.
“I found her in our parents’ room when I got home. I think she dreamt of Daciana again. She has been strangely quiet since she awoke.” Jace took the cup carrier from Bash then led the way to the living room. “Bash is here.”
Magnolia glanced up at them and smiled. “It’s locked.” She lifted the box to show her brother.
He took it from her hands after he’d placed the milkshakes on the coffee table.
“Eat, then we’ll figure out how to open it.” He set it down next to her before handing her a shake.
Bash passed out burgers then placed the brown bag in between them. It was half full of French fries. They ate in silence, the guys staring at Magnolia and she staring at the box.
Jace was the first done. He picked the box up to examine the lock more closely. It was shaped like a starburst about the size of a dime. He knew he’d seen it before but could not quite place it. “What did you dream about?” he questioned, watching as his sister ate the pickles that Bash had taken off of his burger and left for her.
“Mom and Dad.”
“What?”
“They told me where to find that. They said I need it. That it’s almost time.” She didn’t sound upset. Her eyes were dry, which was not normal when she mentioned their parents.
“Time for what?” Bash was the first to ask.
“My future, to finish my story.” She barely shrugged her shoulders. “It didn’t all make sense, but I think once that’s open, it will.”
“Mom’s necklace!” Jace exclaimed from the chair. They watched him as he rushed from the room. It was not long before he was back with a silver starburst on a chain. “This should do it.” He handed the small tin chest to her.
With a trembling hand, Magnolia slipped the necklace into the lock and turned. The lock clicked, and the hinges squeaked as she opened the lid. Inside was an old leather-bound journal. She pulled it out slowly then set it in her lap. A silver armband decorated with a crescent moon with two aligned stars directly above it was sitting on top of a folded piece of paper. Gently, she removed the armband and unfolded the paper as her hands continued to shake. It was a letter from her parents. After she’d read through it, she handed it over to Jace.
Jace began to read the letter out loud as his sister polished the armband with a napkin.
“Dearest Wolf Pup,
If you are reading this, it is almost time for you to take charge of your future and your people’s past. When you were born, we knew what the days ahead would bring. The mark on your right shoulder-blade told us that you are Princess Daciana, the one who is to end the suffering of our people. Watching you grow, listening to the stories of your dreams, we knew that you were being prepared for the day that is rapidly approaching, your eighteenth birthday. On that night, you will go back to the night that Daciana was murdered. Your entire life has been a preparation for this. Read the journal that Daciana’s grandmother wrote, a
nd you will discover what you need to know to change your fate. Do not be afraid, Wolf Pup. We will see you soon.
Eternal love,
Mom and Dad.”
The room was silent.
“This is crazy.” Bash was the first to speak. He looked from brother to sister, waiting for one of them to speak. He watched with wide blue eyes as Magnolia placed the armband on the floor next to the journal.
“No,” she said softly as she lifted her eyes to his. “This makes sense. It’s scary — flying-monkeys kind of scary — but how else do you explain the dreams? The fact that the closer it gets to my birthday the more frequent they become? Then there’s the wolf and the ring.” Her eyes searched his, but he seemed to shut her down.
“You can’t believe this. It’s insane!” Bash stood and paced the room.
Magnolia watched him as he stomped back and forth across the floor. It did all seem crazy, absolutely unbelievable, and maybe it was. They’d find out on her birthday, either way.
Finally, Bash walked out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
Jace cleared his throat, startling her out of her thoughts. “It does seem crazy.”
“It may be. If nothing comes of it other than this letter from Mom and Dad, then I am happy with that. There is so much that I needed to talk to them about, things I needed to learn from them, that I needed to tell them. With this letter, at least I got to hear them say that they love me.” He took the journal into his hand and started to read.
The sun was rising when Magnolia finally closed the journal; she had taken it from Jace before she’d gone to her room. She gazed out the window as the world slowly lightened from blackness to the beautiful illumination that was day. The bright orange ball rose slowly in the sky above the trees. Not a single cloud was in the sky, nothing to impede the beauty of the morning. A sigh escaped her, and she turned away from the window.
Nonna’s journal had told Daciana’s story in more detail than had been found in any history books. Daciana Magnolia Dietrex had been the only child of Rupert and Vivian Dietrex, therefore, the only heir. Living her life travelling from place to place, seeing how her people were shunned and sometimes hunted as though witches, Daciana had decided they needed a home of their own. Her father had been ailing and she’d been afraid that he would not make it through another winter of travel and harsh conditions. With this in mind, she had gone to the King of Marcello to offer a trade. After days of debate and discussion, an agreement had been made. He would allow her people to live in the valley beyond the mountain, stretching to the coast. It would be her land, a kingdom of her own. But for twenty years, the people would have to give ten percent of what they raised in cattle and crops to him as payment. She’d made arrangements to send men over the mountain ahead of the rest of them with supplies that the king had given them to build homes for the winter.
Magnolia closed her eyes, allowing sleep to finally claim her…
The handsome man from the market appeared next to King Pelonis. His bright blue eyes sparkled as they landed on her. He shoved a hand through his thick dark hair and smiled.
King Pelonis turned to him. “This is Princess Daciana of Avengar. She and her people will inhabit the land over the mountain. You, my son, will oversee the construction of the homes. Help her to get her people settled before the snow flies. Take as many men with you as you need, and as much supply as you think will be needed. I leave you in charge of the alliance between Marcello and Avengar. Do what you see fit to make it a strong one.” With that, the king left the room.
“You did not tell me that you are a princess.” He bowed to her with an exaggerated flourish.
“Would it have made a difference?” She quirked up an eyebrow at the dashing prince who was now to help her with her people.
“Of course. That poor excuse for a man would have hanged that day. Instead of today.” His eyes grew serious.
With a shake of her head, she stepped forward, “Please do not end his life because of me. He did no real harm.”
“He was out of line. He should never had set his hands on you, let alone hurt you.”
“It is in the past. It is time that I and my people look to the future. Winter is rapidly approaching, and we need to get established soon. I must make them ready for the journey.”
“I will send men ahead to begin building. There is a small palace that my great-great-grandfather built. I think there are many houses there that are still inhabitable as long as they get a bit of mending done. It should not take long to get you settled.”
“A palace?” The words escaped her mouth quietly.
“A perfect one for you. I have often used it for hunting trips. I shall be sorry to lose it, but I think the reason for losing it is well worth it.”
A blush crept up her cheeks as she glanced away from him.
“Please do return tomorrow evening to celebrate our new alliance.”
“I would be honored to come again. I must go now Prince Alistair. Thank you for your kindness.” She turned and hurried away from him. There was so much to tell Nonna and her father.
The breeze seemed to welcome her when she stepped back outside. She enjoyed the walk to the camp. Nonna was sitting near a near a fire, making blankets for the upcoming winter. Children ran and played, causing laughter to echo through the woods. “Nonna.” She sat next to the old woman.
“Did it go well?” The old eyes searched hers.
“It did. We have a home of our own and an alliance with Marcello. We shall start our journey in a few days. I was told that there is shelter there already. We do not have to wander any longer.” Her green eyes shone in the sunlight as she relayed the day’s events to her grandmother.
They would finally have a home of their own.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THURSDAY WAS LOST TO dreams of Daciana. Between the dreams and the journals, Magnolia was able to piece together the story…
Daciana had gone back to the castle for a banquet to celebrate the new alliance. It was there that she had met Alistair’s mother, the Queen of Marcello. The woman had immediately disliked Daciana, believing her to be nothing more than a beggar. No better than a street urchin trying to cling to whatever she could to get by. In the eyes of the queen, she was beginning to cling to her son, Alistair. She had tried to put a stop to him helping Daciana and her people move to their new home, but King Pelonis would not listen to her. He’d insisted that his son oversee the matter. It had been his hope that the alliance could be sealed forever with a wedding. Then the land which he’d traded would come back to his kingdom, therefore never having truly lost it.
The night before they were to leave for the other side of the mountain, the queen had sent someone after Daciana. But Alistair had chased her down in the woods to get her to safety. She’d known then they should no longer see each other, and that the queen would have her killed.
Alistair had been able to convince her of his growing affection for her. The journey across the mountain to their new home, to Avengar, had been a long two weeks, during which time her father had joined her mother in the afterlife. At the end of that tiring and emotional journey, he had presented her with the ring…
“M&M!” Jace’s voice boomed up the stairs, causing her to jump out of her thoughts.
She hurried down to see what he wanted.
He was standing there with the armband polished, shining like new. “Happy birthday.” He grinned at her, his golden eyes lighting up.
She glanced at the clock on the wall to see that it was, indeed, after midnight, so it was Friday, and she was now eighteen.
He pulled her into his strong arms and hugged her close. “I can’t believe my baby sister is all grown up.” He ruffled her hair before plopping into the overstuffed worn-out recliner.
She sat cross-legged on the floor and held the armband close to her. The way it shined in the light brought a smile to her lips once again. It was hers; it had belonged to Daciana’s mother then was given to Daciana on he
r eighteenth birthday. And Magnolia’s brother had just given it to her.
“We may as well go bake a cake for you since we’re up.” Jace jumped to his feet and tugged on her hair as he walked by her to get to the kitchen.
Once her brother was out of the room, she stood and turned to look at her reflection in the window. Her long raven-black hair hung loosely down her back. She wore a white ribbed tank top and fleece Star Wars pajama bottoms. She glanced down at her multi-colored toes. She normally hated socks, but these were almost as good as being barefoot, and her wooden bedroom floor started getting cold this time of year.
She pushed her hair back behind her ear as she peered out the dark window. A flash of black ran across the yard in the distance. She now expected the wolf. It no longer seemed odd to have the animal so near. It never came close to the house though; for that she was grateful. She found herself lost in thoughts about the wolf. Was it the same wolf that was with Daciana or a descendant? If it was the same wolf what had kept it alive all these years? Thinking about the wolf and all she had recently learned, she’d lost track of time.
“Well, I made chocolate since you decided not to come help.” Her brother’s voice brought her back to the living room. “It is cooling on the counter. What have you been doing?”
“Just looking out the window. A storm is coming.” Her emerald eyes glanced in his direction.
He stood with his arms crossed across his chest. “I already made a cake. I am not making thunder cookies.” He failed at his attempt to hide a smile as he dodged the small decorative pillow she tossed at him. He ducked out of the room and back to the kitchen just as the rain started to fall.
The Second Life of Magnolia Mae Page 4
