by Marnie Cate
“You are going nowhere.” Glancing down at the spider, she said, “Not now. I will call you when it is time to feed.”
The dorcha growled at us, but obeyed her command by slowly backing away to a corner.
The Goddess picked Cedric up by his shirt, his legs dangled. He struggled against her hold. “Let me go!” he screamed.
“I did not say you could speak. Be still.”
Snowystra tossed him, and he landed on a web I had not noticed. The silver threads stretched from wall-to-wall. The massive structure held dozens of cocoons, ranging in size from small to large.
Whipping around, she glared at me. “Bring the girl to me so she can see what trouble she has caused.”
“No, leave her out of this,” Cedric screamed.
I hesitated. I didn't know where I was let alone how to get to Eliza.
“Goddess, I…I'm sorry. I don't know how we got here,” I said nervously.
“Through there,” she hissed, pointing at the stone wall.
“No, Mother,” Cedric cried.
Ignoring him, I walked through the wall, and into the heart of the tree. When I exited on the other side, I was in the Starten Forest. Finally, I knew where I was. To the north, I would find Sparrow Lake, and their meeting spot.
When I reached their secret place, I found Eliza throwing pebbles into the water. The rocks crunched beneath my feet. The sound alerted her of my presence. She turned to face me with a bright smile, and I knew she'd been expecting Cedric. Her expression soured when she realized it was me instead.
“Where is Cedric?” she glared.
“Come with me. I will take you to him,” I said, returning her scowl.
“I'm not going anywhere with you!” she shouted.
Eliza began to back away, but I grabbed her arm. “You were told to stay away from him, but you disobeyed.”
“Let go of me,” she cried, but I easily over-powered her.
“You are a stupid, insolent child. Now, you will come see what your betrayal has done.”
I clutched her arm tighter, and hissed, “You are going to face the Goddess to answer for your disobedience. If we are quick, you may be able to see her kill him.”
“Wait – what?” My words finally seemed to penetrate her brain. “Snowystra's going to kill Cedric?”
“Your family has caused enough trouble for me,” I barked as I dragged her through the forest.
Eliza began to cry. Her tears meant nothing to me. She was the reason my son would more than likely die. Her continued sobbing acted as fuel to my anger, and I walked faster. When she stumbled, I yanked her up ruthlessly.
“Watch where you're going,” I snapped without concern. I didn't have time to worry about this foolish girl. I needed to get to my son.
When we first reached the tree I had passed through, I felt a momentary relief. I would give her Mae's daughter. I would convince the Goddess that the Silver's magic is much stronger. Eliza would be more useful, I thought, but then, something caught my eye. I realized the tree was coated with a dark red liquid. How had I missed that when I exited it before?
“What is that?” the girls asked. “Is that… blood?”
“It is our gateway,” I replied coldly.
Shaking, Eliza pleaded. “Please. Don't make me go in there. I'll do what you want. Tell her I'll listen. I'll do what I am told.”
“It's too late now. I warned you,” I said, pushing her through the red ooze, and then following her.
I closed my eyes and stepped into the tree, walking into the blood-like substance. The smell was unbearable this time. Holding my breath and trying not to gag, I forced Eliza to continue.
The return trip was different. While I had been protected from my surroundings before, I was now completely exposed. By the time we reached the opening on the other side and climbed through into the cave, we were covered in the warm, sticky ooze. The horrid stench clung to us.
I glanced around uncertain, at first. The once expansive room had changed. As if the web had grown, the space was now almost completely covered in silver thread. Snowystra was nowhere to be found, but we weren't alone. In the middle of the largest web, Cedric laid lifeless.
From where we stood, it didn't look as if he was breathing. My heart fell. She had killed my son. Rage filled me.
“Please, let me go. He needs help,” Eliza cried.
“My son is dead. What more do you want to do?” I screamed.
“You're wrong. Please,” Eliza begged, “I have agreed to follow Snowystra. Just, let me go to him.”
Seeing her weak and fragile angered me. My son had chosen to die for this? I slapped her hard enough to send her reeling to the floor.
“You killed my only child,” I wept. “You broke your promise, and he paid the price.”
“No,” Eliza cried.
I stepped towards the girl with hatred in my heart. “One-by-one, I will destroy everything you love… if she doesn't end us both first.”
A sound came from above, and something floated down to us. As it came closer to the ground, I could finally see it was Snowystra. She was dressed as if she was going to a ball, not coming to punish someone.
When she touched the ground, the Goddess glided over to me. My anger subsided into submission when she gave me a threatening glare. I shuddered involuntarily, and distanced myself from Eliza.
Snowystra stared down on Eliza with pity. Some of the fear left the girl's eyes, and I thought the Goddess had changed her mind. Hope rose inside me that, perhaps, she would bring Cedric back to life.
I would beg her to restore my son. I would vow to her whatever she asked if only she'd bring him back. My courage began to build, but before I could speak, Snowystra picked Eliza up by her hair, holding her off the ground.
As she dangled in front of her, Eliza began to apologize. “I am sorry I didn't listen. I'll not make the same mistakes again. I'll do as you say.”
A cold smile washed over Snowystra's face as she carried her to the web and set her next to Cedric. The trap swayed, causing him to groan in pain. He was alive.
I choked back a sob.
“Do you love this boy enough to save him?” Snowystra asked the frightened girl.
“Yes,” Eliza said almost inaudibly.
“If you want him to live, you will have to commit your loyalty to me, and me alone. Do you understand?”
Tears falling from her eyes, Eliza nodded.
“You will have to leave my son until I say you can be together,” Snowystra said, caressing his cheek. “I may never allow it, but you will marry who I choose for you. If you listen to me, your life will be wonderful. I will even allow you to keep the magic Danu has given you. Do you accept my terms?”
Eliza nodded her head in agreement. Weeping, she watched the Goddess wake my son.
“Cedric, Eliza is here to save you. Wake up, sleepy boy.”
Awakening, Cedric stared up at Snowystra. When he saw Eliza lying next to him on the web, he began to struggle.
“Let her go,” he snarled. “She has nothing to do with any of this.”
Laughing, Snowystra said, “Quite the contrary, Cedric. She has everything to do with this. But, she has come to her senses, and she has realized the error of her ways.” Her voice became hard. “You will not see her again until I give you permission. Until the time is right, you will stay away from Eliza. She is no longer yours.”
The words infuriated him, and he began to buck against the sticky trap. “Let us go. You cannot make this decision for us.”
The Goddess' anger flared, and she cupped Cedric's face in her hands. The small touch silenced him. Cedric was no longer cursing at her or even moving. It was as if she had paralyzed him completely. Staring at him with pity, she released his face only to drag the long silver nail of her pointer finger across it. Beginning under his eye, she sliced down his cheek.
Screaming in pain, Cedric could do nothing to stop her attack.
She closed her eyes and smiled as if she wa
s listening to a beautiful song.
As the blood flowed down his face, Eliza screamed. “No! Please, don't hurt him. I promise I'll do whatever you want. Please, stop. I will obey you.”
Snowystra turned her head to regard me. I knew she was challenging me, and any misstep I made would mean my son's life. Obliged to play her game, I forced a look of satisfaction onto my face.
I wanted to run to him and stop her attack, but I stood there. I simply watched the blood flow down my son's cheek as he and Eliza screamed. It was as if I was no longer in my body.
This time, Snowystra would finally take everything I loved. She had won. She had broken me. I obediently stood by, watching my son being tortured, knowing I was powerless. We were all at the mercy of the Winter Goddess.
The cold laughter of Snowystra echoed throughout the cavern. Swiping at the spider silk with her sharp fingernails, the web broke. Eliza and Cedric dropped to the ground with a hard thud.
Eliza gazed at Cedric with tears in her eyes, but she looked terrified to move.
“Go, now!” Snowystra screamed.
Eliza scrambled to her feet, and began to run. When she reached the entrance to the red oozing tree, she stopped, and said, “I promise to always love you, Cedric. We will not be apart forever.” Then, she disappeared.
“Take your son out of my sight, and do not betray me again,” Snowystra said coldly. “Oh, I should warn you that he cannot be healed by my sister's magic. If you try to do so, it will only fuel my magic, slicing him deeper.”
Turning her attention back to Cedric, she said, “Let it heal naturally, and bear the mark of my fury. Let it be a reminder of how cruel I can be, and how lucky you are I let you live.”
The room flashed the neon green color, and we were returned to our home.
Cedric collapsed on the floor, and screamed. Even though I wanted to, I could not help him. I could not comfort him. He had lost the girl he loved, and the pain would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Chapter 25
Four Years Later
For months after Snowystra's cruel declaration, Cedric refused to speak more than a few words to me. During this time, he decided to no longer go to school. Instead of speaking to me, he sent me a letter with a request to do his studies at home. He stayed in his room, and spent his time just staring out the window in the direction of Eliza's home.
I wanted to comfort him, but there was no use. Even if he had allowed me to share in his pain, I would have been powerless to change it for him. From my own experience, I knew he had to heal on his own.
As years past, Cedric came to realize I was not the enemy. Though our relationship had changed, I was thankful he was no longer shutting me out. He tried his best to pretend as though he had forgotten Eliza, but I knew he hadn't. Time has a way of healing all pain, but not for a Drygen.
Four years came and went with no sign from the Winter Goddess. It was as if she forgot us. We lived in relative peace, at least until Jameson returned bearing news.
“Snowystra has decided you are not worthy enough to be her king,” he informed us. “Instead, she has promised that I'll be the Shah.”
Cedric glared at him. “Well, lucky you,” he replied bitterly. “You finally get what you've always wanted. Does this mean you'll leave us alone now?”
“What is your problem?” Jameson hissed.
“You know, we didn't need you when I was a child, and we definitely don't need you now.”
Jameson loomed over him. “If you were not my son, I would throw you into the Sephorian Desert and let the creatures pick your bones clean.”
“I'd love to see you try,” Cedric replied, shoving him.
“Enough,” I said, stepping between them.
“It has been almost four years,” Jameson barked at me. “The Goddess will never let them be together.” Turning towards our son, he cruelly added, “You need to grow up, and stop crying over a girl who has already moved on. No wonder the Goddess threw you away.”
“Time doesn't matter. We are in love,” Cedric said, trying to move around me. “She would never be serious with anyone else.”
“This very moment, she is sipping on a soda and laughing with a green-eyed boy. She is done with you. She hasn't even tried to send you a message in years,” Jameson taunted.
“She can't. She wants to keep me safe,” Cedric retorted weakly.
“She doesn't love you. If she did, she would find a way to talk to you. Let her go from your mind,” Jameson ordered with a dismissive wave of his hand.
“Never,” Cedric said, and then he stormed out of the room.
“Why must you provoke him?” I asked.
“He needs to give up on her. She will marry the green-eyed boy.”
Anger burned in me for the injustice forced upon my son. “And whose fault is that?”
“Cedric needs to realize we can't always get what we want,” Jameson said, wrapping his arms around me. “When she makes me Shah, I will insist you be brought to me. We will finally be able to be together.”
I wanted to believe his words, but it seemed an impossible dream. As he had just said, we can't always get what we want. Of course, that wasn't the only truth Jameson had spoken. Eliza had met a boy, whom she'd been seriously dating for months.
Cedric was devastated when he learned about the relationship. The longer time passed, the angrier he became. The only positive thing that came out of it was how he poured his anger into the cannery. He was truly the business man my father strived to be. The employees respected him, and worked harder than ever.
One evening, as I readied for bed, I saw something glowing on the lake. As I tried to figure out what it was, I saw Cedric sneaking across the estate. He headed in the direction of the light, which increased my concerns.
When he returned to find me waiting for him, his mood immediately soured. I didn't need to ask him about his escapade. I had all I needed to know from the smell she left on him. The strong scent of cinnamon was unmistakable.
“You can't be sneaking around to meet her, Cedric,” I warned.
“Don't worry, Mother,” he said weakly. “She is getting married. She just wanted to tell me goodbye forever in person.”
“This is for the best. Now, you can marry, and have a life of your own.” I smiled at him hopefully.
“I knew you'd be pleased,” he replied coldly.
Wanting to turn the mood around, I quickly offered, “I will help you find a wife.”
“I will never marry anyone. If I can't have Eliza, I'll die alone,” he declared before walking away from me.
* * *
A year later, I saw the light on the lake. My chest tightened when, once again, I watched Cedric go to her. Sadly, I made my way downstairs to wait for his return.
This time, he stumbled home, swinging a bottle of whiskey. I wasn't sure where he had gotten it from, but it was obvious he'd had more than one. He was already drunk when he staggered inside the door.
“Ah, mother,” he acknowledged. “I should've known you'd be waiting.”
I wanted to run to him, to comfort him. I could see the pain etched in his face, but I decided to remain still. I silently watched him as he grimaced.
“A toast,” he cried, “To Elliott Stone and my beautiful Eliza on their blessed day. Such great news – she is carrying his child.”
Chugging the rest of the bottle, he passed out.
* * *
Something changed in Cedric after Eliza gave birth to a baby girl. Throwing himself deeper into his work, he became even more determined to increase the Drygen empire. The train lines expanded, and he planned for a second cannery to be built in Brighid's Landing. We had more money and power than ever, but still, he was not satisfied.
I knew his efforts were more than just a way to cope. I knew he was doing it for her. There was nothing he wanted more than to be with Eliza.
Seven years had passed without her contacting him. And then, the light on the lake glowed. My heart dropped with he
aviness as I saw my son answer her call yet again. My heart ached for him, not only because I understood loving someone you couldn't have but because I realized he'd been keeping watch for her.
By the time I made my way to him, Cedric was passed out in his room. Once again, my son drowned his sadness with whiskey. I sighed as picked the bottle up from the floor and placed it on the night stand. Then, I covered him with a blanket.
“Aren't you going to tell him?” Jameson asked, handing me a glass of wine.
“No, let him sleep. I will tell him in the morning. It is too late for him to go to her anyway.”
Jameson simply nodded.
The next morning, at breakfast, I told my son the news. In response, he threw his plate at the wall, and stormed off. His reaction did not surprise me, even though it compounded my fear. His love for her would be his demise.
When Cedric hadn't returned home by dinner time, I insisted Jameson take me to him. He brought me to the home of Sarah Sands, who was Eliza's best friend, and the granddaughter of Michelle Elliott. Of course, the virtuous proctors of the magic would stick together, I thought with a roll of my eyes.
I crept up to the window of the home. I could see inside clearly. Sarah sat at a table, playing a card game with her husband and son. Cedric, however, was nowhere to be found.
A light flipped on behind me. It was from the cottage at the back of the property. Skulking through their yard, I peered into the window. Through the curtains, I could see Eliza and Cedric on a couch. She was buried in his arms, crying.
My nose wrinkled in disgust. Such a weak girl could never be a Drygen. Pursing my lips, I cracked open the window so I could hear their words. They were too distracted to notice me.
“If she hadn't stopped her –,” she said, crying even harder.
“Eliza, you can't keep thinking about this,” Cedric said in a soothing tone. “Your daughter is safe. Snowystra did not take Marina.”
Eliza jumped out of his arms and screamed, “This time! This time she didn't take her, but what if the bird woman isn't there next time.” She looked panicked. “This was a mistake. You can't help me.”
Whirling around, she went for the door. Cedric grabbed her, and held her. She struggled against him, but he held her tighter. “You are my world, even if I can't be with you every waking moment of my day. Don't you know you are all I think about? Everything I do is to be able to care for you. Don't push me away.”
