“I know what may come. Who taught you prophecy? I did.” Postera exhaled through her nose. “You cannot keep meddling. Do you not see my wrinkles, my white hair? Kisa will curse you like she has me. Remember Hupogaia protested against you last time in front of the High Council. They blinded your prophetess and said grave consequences would come if you save another one.”
He couldn’t forget the council’s words or how they’d cursed his fifth Phoenix Prophetess. But visions of the Kingdom of Amora in flames flashed through his mind. He could taste the ashes, like burnt charcoal, and hear her people’s screams. The prophecy of Amora’s destruction leaked sour bile into his mouth. The other gods, including Kisa who was the Queen of the Gods, might be willing to turn their backs on their loyal people for Fate, but he wasn’t.
This infant before him reminded him of his daughter. His mortal family resided in the Underworld. He couldn’t allow her become one of Hupogaia’s eternal children too.
“I have to save her.”
“Think of the consequences, my son.”
He had. They both knew the gods would find a way to curse him and this innocent girl, but the price was worth saving the kingdom.
Ignoring his mother’s shrieks, Apenth leaned over the lifeless baby. His lips pressed against her ashen forehead, so cold to the touch. Postera clawed at his arms, but he shoved away her hands. Nothing would stop him from completing Amora’s prophecy, protecting the city named after his love.
“You are mine, little one.” His hand pressed over her heart. Electric heat flowed from his glowing fingertips. They tingled, nearly burning his flesh, but his hand remained steady. Luminosity brightened around the child and him, further blocking out Postera’s pleas. The room filled with the blinding white light.
“Live.” He commanded, pleaded.
“No!” Postera screamed as the thread ripped from her hand and joined the pulsing jewel on her belt. The piece sizzled, reattaching to the gemstone, and transformed to blood red.
The light imploded into the child. Her flesh glowed for a moment before the room’s shadows returned. A tiny strawberry-colored birthmark in the shape of a phoenix blossomed upon the flesh over her heart. The baby’s lungs filled with air, and a cry broke from her lips.
The Phoenix Prophetess was reborn.
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I originally wrote “Magna’s Plea” for an anthology searching for sorceress stories. Although the anthology didn’t work out, this short story has come a long way since 2010 when I first wrote it. I have my brilliant critique partners to thank for it.
Christine Rains, you understand my writing better than I do sometimes.
Cher Green, you are my toughest critique partner and I love you for it. My stories wouldn’t be quite as shiny without you.
Cathy Keaton, you bring a new perspective to my writing and help me become a better writer.
Aubrie Dionne, you make me strive to create deeper characters and more authentic descriptions.
I would also like to thank my family and friends for their support.
A special thanks goes to the reader. I hope you enjoy the stories I feel compelled to tell. I appreciate you taking the time to read.
A self-proclaimed bookworm, Cherie Reich is a speculative fiction writer, freelance editor, book blogger, and library assistant living in Virginia. Her short stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies, and her books include the horror series Nightmare, a space fantasy novella trilogy titled Gravity, and the fantasy series The Foxwick Chronicles. She is Vice President of Valley Writers and a member of the Virginia Writers Club and Untethered Realms.
Her debut YA Epic Fantasy novel Reborn, book one in The Fate Challenges, will be released on May 23, 2014.
For more information, please visit Cherie’s website and blog.
Magna's Plea (The Fate Challenges) Page 3
