Magical Stew

by Barbara Hodges

  “The Goddess will open to us now,” she said stepping back. “We enter into her womb of creation.”

  Questions crowded Brianna’s mind. She opened her mouth to ask them, but Mirabella’s second worried glance into the sky made her stop. If there were time afterward, she would get her answers, and if there was not—then the answers were not important.

  Mirabella waved them forward.

  Brianna wasn’t sure what she expected, another kind of gate into a fantastical setting. Her body tingled as she passed the oak tree, but the glade beyond looked no different than the others they moved through. The tall grass swayed in the gentle breeze, flowers dotted its green with blue and yellow, and a fallen tree lay to the right. Then she recognized the scene. It was the glade from the painting hanging in Mason’s gallery. She moved to the tree and looked for the brown and black knothole. Tracing it with her fingers, she searched the area behind the tree. The small mound of dirt was there and, as she stared, a tiny brown head poked up. The color of the groundhog’s eyes surprised her—they were bright green. Had she noticed before?

  Mirabella stopped beside her. “Goddess, we are here.”

  Startled, Brianna looked at her. Mirabella spoke to the groundhog. She heard no reply, but Mirabella nodded and turned to Brianna. “It is time to begin. The eclipse will be upon us in less than two hours’ time.”

  Mirabella suddenly moaned and swayed. Christian leapt to catch her in his arms.

  “What is it?” Brianna said.

  “Rhonal has broken through the Goddess’ shielding ward. Katarina will be coming.”

  With the words, goose bumps erupted on Brianna’s arms.

  The groundhog came completely from its burrow. It circled the tree and stopped before Mason. With gentle care, Mason picked it up and placed it on the fallen tree between Mirabella and Brianna.

  Brianna’s stomach quivered. “What now?”

  “We take your blood,” Mirabella said.

  How? They were all naked, and she didn’t see a knife anywhere lying about. Was the groundhog-Goddess going to bite her?

  “Will it hurt?” She felt hands upon her shoulders and looked up into Mason’s eyes.

  Mirabella smiled. “There will be no pain. Do you wish a mark to be left?”

  “What?”

  “The Goddess can leave a remembrance to always remind you of your part in the saving of Alamonar, or not.”

  Brianna didn’t think she needed something to remember all this, but why not? She nodded as she held up her hand. The little groundhog began to chant, its voice clear and sweet. Mirabella took Brianna’s hand and turned it over so her wrist lay skyward. Brianna felt her heart beat fast. Around her, the light began to dim, but it wasn’t the red and orange of a sunset, but a dull gray instead. She started to look up.

  “No,” Mason said. “The eclipse has begun. You will hurt your eyes. See the birds.”

  She looked toward the nearest tree. Birds had lighted and were tucking their heads beneath their wings.

  “They think night is coming,” Mason said.

  Brianna’s warming skin drew her gaze back to her wrist. She blinked and then blinked again. The skin just above her wrist was separating. It wasn’t like a cut; it was like her wrist was opening. The line was small, barely an inch in length. She watched a drop of blood rise from the opening and float in the darkening air around them; a second and then a third joined it.

  Mirabella held out a small round bowl. It looked as if it was made of living leaves. A yellow liquid bubbled inside. The blood floated down into the bowl and then sank into the yellow.

  “Mason?” Brianna said, hearing a tremble in her voice.

  She felt his hands squeeze her shoulders. “You will be fine.”

  Her wrist flared hotly and she gasped, jerking her eyes to it. As she stared, her skin flowed back together. A red splotch formed and, as it faded, she saw the mark; it was etched in gold and was the shape of a tiny teardrop. “Oh.”

  Mirabella drank from the bowl and then held if toward Mason. “Drink what remains.”

  He took the bowl from her and lifted it to his lips.

  Brianna looked from Mason to Mirabella. They didn’t look any different.

  As Mirabella reached to take Christian’s hand, an almost complete blackness coated the glade. The two of them walked toward a large weeping willow Brianna hadn’t noticed before.

  She felt Mason draw her back against him. She turned in his arms. His mouth found hers. The kiss was soft and questioning. She parted her lips and his tongue slipped inside. His hands moved down her back, settled on each hip and pulled her closer against him. He lifted his head. She could just see his face in the darkness.

  He smiled. “My magik is awake.” Still holding each other, they sank onto the grass. How could they be doing this now when Katarina and Vulpine stalking them? But they were.

  Their lovemaking was slow and sweet.

  As she sighed with pleasure, she heard a soft whine and felt Gnaw snuggle against her legs. Mason’s chest rose as his breath lifted the hair at her temple.

  “It is done. The Child of Prophecy is conceived.”

  ******

  “It is over,” Rhonal’s voice said in Katarina’s mind. “The bloodline of Sarunos goes on. You have failed me.”

  Still in fox form, she stopped in midstep and screamed. “No. It cannot be.”

  Vulpine had run ahead of her. Now he turned and bounded back. “What?”

  “The child has been conceived.”

  The fog of the changing rose from the ground, surrounded Katarina-the-fox and then faded, leaving her once again in human form.

  “What now?” she demanded of Rhonal.

  “I wait. My time will come again.”

  “No. I’ve waited long enough. Mirabella will not win.”

  “She and Alamonar have already won.”

  “Christian will be mine. Alamonar will be mine. You promised,” Katarina raged. But Rhonal did not answer. She curled her hands into fists. “Fine. I do not need you. I will take care of Mirabella myself.”

  “Katarina?” Vulpine stood before her in human shape.

  She forced herself to take a calming breath. “Rhonal has forsaken me.”

  He reached toward her, but she stepped back. “Then we return to the castle?”

  “Of course not,” she snapped. “They all must die.”

  “Don’t be a fool. Without Rhonal, you can not stand against the Goddess.”

  Katarina smiled. “I have learned much from him.” She lifted her hand and admired her dagger-sharp nails. “Just a scratch. It is all that is needed. Then there will be no Mirabella, and there will be no child.” She looked at him. “You will still take me to them.”

  “And what will my reward be for doing so?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Reward? I will let you live.”

  “I desire more.” Their gazes locked, but Vulpine did not look away.

  “More than your life?” She moved to him and caressed his chest with the tips of her fingernails. When he did not flinch or pull back, she laughed. “Oh, Vulpine, you never cease to please me. I see it now. I’ve been a fool to desire Christian. You are the mate for me. We will take care of him and Mirabella, and then…”

  It was his turn to laugh. “You think I trust your sudden change of heart.”

  Her smile faded.

  “But I care not.” He went on. “We were meant to be together. Christian will bore you once you’ve beaten your rival and taken him to your bed. It is all about besting Mirabella, not about his love.”

  Katarina shrugged. “Believe what you wish. You will guide me to them?”

  “I will, but we will not kill her and the child.” He lifted his hand to stop her protests. “We will use the child to control Alamonar as we planned all along.”

  “But the prophecy?”

  Vulpine snorted. “We will change it. The citizens too know of the child. They are ripe to follow his words. We will place the words i
n his mouth. With Mirabella imprisoned and Christian and the others dead, who will stop us?”

  “There is the Goddess.”

  “As you said – you have learned much from Rhonal. Drawing upon the dark magic, we can surely bind the hands of one Goddess.”

  And we will hold the child as hostage,” Katarina said. “She will tread lightly as long as she thinks there is chance for the child to be saved.”

  “The Goddess and Mirabella also.”

  Katarina smiled. “It is a good plan. Now take me to them.”

  Vulpine nodded. He knew she would try to spare Christian, but that would not happen. His rival would be dead before they left the Goddess’ glade.

  *****

  A dim light again filled the glade, brightening it by the moment. Brianna heard a muffled laugh and looked toward the weeping willow. Mirabella and Christian came from within it, their fingers linked. They shared a warm look and caress and then Mirabella walked to the fallen tree. The groundhog came around it. She picked up the small creature and looked into its eyes.

  “Rhonal has been leashed once again by the other gods and Goddesses.” She turned to look at the others. “He’d been given his chance, but we have bested him.” She pressed her hand against her stomach. “The Child of Prophecy will be born.”

  “What of Katarina?” Mason said.

  Mirabella frowned. “I cannot sense her.”

  “Without Rhonal, she’ll give it up,” Brianna said. “Won’t she?”

  Christian came to Mirabella and placed his hands on her bare shoulders. “Hate for Mirabella consumes Katarina. She is not one to accept defeat.”

  Mirabella sat the groundhog upon the tree. Its green eyes looked at each of them, and then it bobbed its head, ran the length of the trunk, and jumped down.

  Brianna shivered. “Can we get dressed now?”

  “Once we leave the glade,” Mirabella said. She took Christian’s hand. “Let’s go home.”

  Outside the glade, beneath a full sun, they dressed again. Brianna looked around. She saw nothing to fear, but the shivers would not leave her body.

  “What is it my love?” Mason said.

  “I just can’t get warm. I hope I’m not catching a cold bug.”

  He rubbed her arms briskly and then leaned forward to whisper into her ear. “If we were alone, I could get you hot.”

  She felt her face heat. “Yes, you could,” she said and smiled, but the unease itching the back of her neck did not go away.

  She turned to Mirabella. “How soon can Mason and I go back to our world?”

  “With Mason’s power unblocked, I can send you back now if you like.”

  The words surprised her. She looked into Mirabella’s face. “I’ll never see you again, will I?”

  “Not in a physical form, but I will be watching you,” Mirabella said.

  “And the child? He’s like my cousin or something.” Her vision blurred and a tear slipped down her cheek.

  Christian crossed to her and captured the tear with his fingertip. “We are all related by blood, for we are all children of the Goddess.”

  Brianna whispered. “I like that, although I don’t really care for Katarina as a distant sister.”

  “And I don’t care for you either.” The words barely registered before Katarina sprang. She raced toward Mirabella with arms outstretched, her fingers extended like claws.

  “No,” Vulpine cried. A knife appeared his hand. “You are to kill the others, but the child must live.”

  “I changed my mind,” Katarina said.

  Mason pointed, at the ground, shouted words Brianna did not recognize. and a heavy vine erupted and wrapped around Vulpine’s feet. With an enraged scream Vulpine fell to the ground. He slashed at the twinning vines and with almost a human shriek, they released him.

  Shouting more words, Mason pointed at a branch above Vulpine’s head. With a loud crack it fell. With in-human speed, Vulpine leapt to the side.

  Knife in hand Vulpine charged. Mason kicked out, connected with Vulpine’s wrist and the knife flew into the air. Mason punched out, but Vulpine grabbed his hand, jerked forward. The two tumbled to the ground. The sounds of heavy breathing, harsh curses, and connecting blows filled the clearing.

  Gnaw snarled and growled as she danced around the struggle, then she darted in to sink her teeth into Vulpine’s thrashing legs. The man screamed and kicked out. Gnaw yelped. The sound broke Brianna’s paralysis. Rage filled her. She grabbed thick branch from the downed tree limb. All she needed was a clear shot at Vulpine’s head. Vulpine and Mason separated. Both dripped blood and panted heavily. The two men, still as rocks and stared at each other.

  Behind her, she heard a woman’s gurgled scream and all four of them whirled toward the sound.

  Christian gripped Katarina’s throat. Bloody rivulets ran down each side of his cheeks. Mirabella lay sprawled behind them, unmoving.

  “Bitch,” he said. “Bitch.” As he clutched at her throat. Katarina clawed his hands, but he continued his death grip.

  “No,” Vulpine screamed and lunged forward. Mason tackled him around the legs and they both fell. Mason pinned Vulpine’s shoulders to the ground, at the same time he shouted his words of magik. Thick blades of grass thrust upward and wrapped themselves around Vulpine’s struggling form.

  When Mason became sure Vulpine could not move, he rolled from him and stood.

  He and Brianna ran to Christian.

  Katarina had gone limp, and still he did not release her.

  “Christian,” Brianna said. “Christian, you can let go now.” He looked up and their gazes met. His eyes were wild and vacant. Afraid to touch him, she simply held his look. He blinked and then, with a harsh intake of breath, jerked his hands back from Katarina’s neck. She dropped like a broken doll, lifeless at his feet. He stared at her body and a stricken look crossed his face.

  Brianna licked her lips and then gently touched his arm. “She can’t hurt anybody anymore.”

  With a jerky motion, he turned to Mirabella and knelt beside her. He gathered her into his arms, and Brianna saw the raw gash and swollen lump at the side of Mirabella’s head. Mirabella moaned and opened her eyes. She lifted a hand to touch the bloody gashes along Christian’s cheek.

  “Don’t cry, my love,” she whispered. “My head feels as if it will burst, but I will live.”

  “Release me,” Vulpine shouted. “Let me go to her.”

  “Loose him, Mason,” Mirabella said.

  Mason shook his head. “He planned to kill….”

  “Love can make fools of us all.” Mirabella walked to Katarina, stared down at her body. “Let Vulpine say goodbye to his love.”

  Mason looked like he wanted to argue more and Brianna touched his arm. With lips pressed tight he went to Vulpine. Whispering his words of magick, Mason touched the bindings of grass, they untwined from Vulpine and retreated into the ground.

  Vulpine surged to his feet and stumbled toward Katarina. He knelt beside her and pulled her into his arms. His shoulders shook with his moans and Brianna looked away.

  From behind Brianna, Mirabella screamed. “By-the Goddess, no,”

  Mason and Brianna ran to her.

  Christian lay stretched upon the ground, his breathing shallow and his eyes dull. The scratches along his cheek had become a sickly brownish-green.

  “Her fingernails were poisoned,” Mirabella said. “He dies.”

  “No,” Brianna said. “Do something. Magik. Herbs. Something.”

  “It is a dark poison. If I had time…but there is none.” Tears ran down her cheeks. “No, my love, no. Our child needs its father.”

  Christian’s eyes focused. He lifted his hand to touch her cheek and then rested it against her stomach.

  “Mason…you and Mirabella… your magik together?” Brianna said.

  “We would need time for caution, we have none. Too use the power needed would take too much from Mirabella. It would kill the child.”

  Mirabella clu
tched Mason’s hands. “Do so. Do so. There can be other children. I can make other potions. Brianna has blood to spare.”

  Mason covered Mirabella’s hands with his own. “The prophecy, it must be at this moment in time. Only this child you carry is the child of prophecy.”

  Brianna became aware of a sweet scent of flowers and grass. She turned and looked behind them. A woman encased in a shroud of white light walked toward them. Her eyes were dark, without pupils and filled with stars.

  “Goddess, save him,” Mirabella said.

  A look of sorrow crossed the woman’s face. Her lips did not move, but her words flowed into Brianna’s mind. “I cannot.”

  “What do you mean, you can’t?” Brianna said. “You’re a goddess.”

  “I had leeway to aid as long as Rhonal threatened, but that is no longer true…”

  “But he caused this,” Brianna said. “This is his poison.”

  The Goddess shook her head. “No, this is Katarina’s evil. I can do nothing.”

  “What are you doing?” Brianna heard Mason say. She turned back to him. Mirabella had stood. She moved to Katarina. Ignoring Vulpine, she picked up Katarina’s limp hand and held the dark fingernails to her wrist.

  “Daughter, stop,” the Goddess said. “It is not the answer.”

  “I do not wish to live without him. You cannot bring him back, so I will join him in death. We will wait until we can be together again in a new life.”

  “What of the child? What of all of Alamonar?” The Goddess said.

  Mirabella bowed her head. Her body shook.

  “My love.” The low words came from Christian.

  Mirabella rushed to him.

  “Love our child,” he said. “Promise me.”

  Mirabella looked away.

  “Promise me,” Christian said, his hand grasping hers.

  She looked into his eyes. “I will love our child as I love you,” she said at last. His hand fell back to his side, and his eyes closed.

  Tears of disbelief filled Brianna’s eyes, ran down her cheeks. With a cry, she turned to Mason and he gathered her into his arms. Gnaw whined and pressed against Brianna’s legs. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This wasn’t a happily-ever-after moment.