Envy (Protectors of the Elemental Magic Book 4)

by Marnie Cate

  “In Five months,” he answered.

  “Good. In five months, you will come to me, and the baby will be delivered in Snowstrum.” She breathed in deeply, looking satisfied. “I have much to plan for this event. Well, I must be off. I have a date with darkness to keep.”

  As she evaporated into a ball of dust, her cruel laughter filled the air.

  * * *

  When Cedric returned home, he was furious at me. “Mother, you will not treat Eliza poorly anymore. I love her and I love you, but if you make me choose —.”

  “You would choose her over me?”

  “Yes, I will choose her over everything.”

  “You are a fool,” I said, shaking my head in disappointment. “If you really loved her, you would have let her go. In four months, Snowystra will come for you and your child. When she does, Eliza will give birth in the filth and despair-ridden tunnels.”

  Cedric cringed. Though he hadn't been there since he was a teen, I knew he remembered what they were like. Still, I continued to paint the picture for him.

  “Your child will be ripped out of her arms and taken away. If she is lucky, they may bring an orphaned creature, and allow her to feed and care for it. Once she feels the slightest bit of peace, they will take that child away too. Still, she will never be healed. She will always feel a loss…even if the child is returned to her.”

  My son's anguish meant very little to me in that moment. Reliving my own heartache and betrayal had turned me cold, even to him.

  “The life you are offering her is full of fear, and uncertainty. No matter what nonsense your father has filled your head with, Snowystra will not stop, Cedric. You have cursed your Eliza with your so-called love, and worse, you have damned your children.”

  Cedric glared at me. He clenched and unclenched his fingers as if he would hit me. I knew he wasn't brave enough to try. I probably would have respected him more if he had.

  “Go on, go drink and play with the gypsy magic she has learned. But, do not tell me you will choose her over me and expect me to sit by. I will not let you drag me back into the Goddess' hell on earth,” I spat.

  “I'm sorry mother. I won't choose either. I love you both,” he said softly.

  Disgusted at how weak my son had become, I glared at him. “Go, now, to your mistress. Pretend she is your wife, but remember she is married, and not to you.”

  Cedric flinched as though I hit him. My words had whipped him, as I knew they would. Still, it wasn't enough.

  Leaning in close to him, I said, “She loved her husband enough to have two children with him. Think about that. While you were pining over her, she was having a happy life with Elliott.” I scoffed, and shoved him away. “What have you done with the life I offered you? You had so much potential.”

  “She will make me her king. My magic will return, and she will know how powerful I am,” Cedric said defiantly.

  “What will you do as their leader? You don't even who your subjects are. How will you help those poor people when you don't understand the filth and despair they endure?” I rushed up to him and grasped his chin tightly, forcing him to look me in the eye as I said, “You will do nothing. You will be like your father — nothing.”

  Cedric tried to pull away, but I clung to him. I clawed his face ruthlessly.

  “You will only serve to make the Vetur suffer. Just as your father has done, you will make sure to sacrifice enough of your soul to ensure Snowystra doesn't hurt you anymore,” I accused, “but you won't give a damn for anyone else, not even Eliza.”

  “You made this life for me, Mother,” he spat, shoving me away from him. He grabbed a bottle of tavi out of the cabinet. “I have plans tonight. Don't wait up.”

  * * *

  It was after midnight when I heard the voices. I had fallen asleep in the study while waiting for Cedric to come home. I had to apologize for my cruel words. I would not make him choose, and I needed him to know that. I needed him to know I loved him too.

  The door opened and they entered. Eliza was crying uncontrollably as Cedric guided her to a chair.

  “What happened?” I asked.

  “She is moving in,” my son informed me. “Her mother found out about us, and took away her elemental magic.”

  “You will heal. Fire magic is overrated,” I said, trying to comfort her. I recalled the feeling I had when I thought my own magic was removed. I understood the devastation and rejection.

  “All I have is this toxic Winter magic running through me now,” Eliza wept. “Will it harm my baby? Did my mother curse my child?”

  “No, Mae just bound it. When time has passed, you can apologize, and ask her to restore your magic,” I soothed.

  “She won't, and she will never let me see my daughters again.”

  “Get her a drink.” I gestured towards the cabinet before turning my attention to the distraught young woman. “If you plan on being a Drygen, you will need to become much stronger. We are not weak, helpless women,” I scolded.

  Cedric handed us both a glass of scotch.

  I raised my drink, and said, “Welcome to the family, Eliza.”

  Chapter 26

  Eliza found every opportunity to test me. The worst part was Cedric's attention. Even though it had been waning, it was still difficult when it was no longer mine. The boy that I had sacrificed so much to protect was so swept up with her it was all he could think of.

  Convincing Cedric to handle any business that would take him from Starten was impossible. He refused to work on the train line he inherited from Roger because it kept him from Eliza. In response, I was forced to give long-time workers more responsibility.

  The suite Roger and I had shared had never been lived in. When he was killed, I returned to my own room. That section of the house held his spirit, and I was unable to endure his loss. It was only fitting for my son and his wife to take it over.

  They dove into the wing renovations. I got the feeling Eliza had a need to replace my decorations with her own. The funny thing was, I had no input into any of the designs. It had all been my mother and Roger's work, but I didn't bother mentioning this.

  Eliza had insisted her pregnancy be hidden until she told her mother. Her clothing choices surprisingly concealed her condition. More and more, I found excuses to keep her away from the staff, which helped maintain our secret.

  After a particularly irritating morning, I decided to plan a trip to Brighid's Landing. It would give the couple time alone while affording me a little peace. Unfortunately, I never would make the trip.

  * * *

  “Mother,” Cedric said, joining me in the study.

  I set down the book I was reading. “What is it, Cedric?”

  “Something is wrong. Eliza is not feeling well,” he informed me, wringing his hands nervously.

  “This is normal. She is very pregnant, and close to her due date,” I replied, returning to my novel.

  “No! Listen to me,” he demanded. He took the book from me. “There is something wrong.”

  Taking a deep breath, I asked, “Where is she?”

  “In our bathroom,” he replied. “She won't come out.”

  “Fine. I will check on her,” I said.

  When we arrived in the suite, I could hear crying. I knocked on the door softly, and waited. Her cries became muffled, but she did not answer.

  “Eliza, open the door so I can see you are ok,” I said firmly.

  “Let me in, Eliza,” Cedric pleaded.

  “Go away, Cedric. Leave, now,” she screamed.

  He began to speak again when I took his arm. “Listen to her. I will call you when she is calm.”

  He wasn't happy with my command, but he decided not to argue. Nodding, he left the room.

  “Cedric is gone. It is just me now,” I told Eliza. “Let me see you are ok.”

  “Of course, I am not ok,” she hissed. “The monster I am carrying for her wants to come out.”

  “You don't mean that,” I said, using a motherly ton
e. “Please, open the door. I don't want to have one of my staff members remove it. I would hate to mark up the wood.”

  I looked around the suite. There had to be something I could use to open the door. As I searched, I was surprised at Eliza's renovations. I had anticipated darker colors, but what I found was a room much like Roger's suite in Brighid's landing. It was bright and airy. The colors were warm and calming.

  “Your baby is going to come even if you don't want it to,” I called to her. “Let me in. This is undignified to be shouting through a door.”

  “Do you want me to open it?” Jameson asked from behind me.

  “No, Jameson. Eliza does not need for you to remove the door,” I said loudly. “She is going to open it for us after she is cleaned up.”

  The door lock clicked, but it did not open.

  “Eliza, I am coming in,” I said.

  When I opened the door, I did not see the spiteful, angry woman who had been living with me. I saw a frightened child, curled up on the ground.

  “Eliza, you have done this before. Where are we at in the labor?” I asked calmly.

  “He is coming soon,” she said.

  “He?” I asked.

  “My son. Miselda told me I am carrying a boy,” she whispered.

  “She does like making that announcement,” I noted. “Alright, there is no way to avoid the next part. You can stay here, have the baby and then wait for her wrath.”

  “She cannot,” Jameson barked. “The Goddess is aware the child is coming.”

  “Did you tell her?” I whipped around to face him.

  “No, it appears I am not the only one watching you,” he replied.

  Anger filled me. “Who is watching us?”

  “Don't worry about this now,” Jameson whispered.

  “Do they know about…” I pointed my finger at him, and then back at me.

  “They are not interested in us,” he said, avoiding my question.

  “Who is it? Where are they?” I asked, looking around.

  “You wouldn't know them. It is one of Amaro's Mrak,” he said coldly.

  “No,” I gasped.

  “Yes, it is one of his. Eliza has been a perfect feast for them with her despair and rage,” Jameson said.

  “What are you talking about?” Eliza asked before groaning and clutching her stomach.

  “Jameson, take her to Snowystra,” I ordered quickly. “The child is coming.”

  “No,” she cried.

  “It is the only way,” I said softly. “You will be cared for by a midwife.”

  Clutching my arm, she pleaded, “Then, come with me.”

  “I will be along,” I said, with no intention of keeping that promise. “You told me your last labors were long. So, we will have time.”

  “I need Cedric. He needs to be there for the birth of our child,” she whined.

  “Jameson, take her now. I will bring my son,” I said, walking away from her.

  “Why won't you come now?” she asked.

  Without looking at here, I said, “Jameson, take her now.”

  I felt the air grow cold, and I turned in time to see them fade away. Sitting on the bed, I began to cry. Memories of my own labor filled me. The grief, the sorrow, the despair were all too fresh, even thirty years later.

  “I do not understand why you don't want to be a part of your grandson's birth,” Amaro said.

  “Why are you here?” I glared.

  “Oh, just checking on my investment. I must say, you have paid many debts these past few months. Your anger is delicious,” he said seductively.

  “Amaro, stop feeding on my emotions,” I snapped. “I have never agreed to your terms. I have accepted nothing you offered.”

  He laughed. “My beauty, I do not need your permission to feed my children. I will feast on your emotions as long as you have them. You are the perfect meal. You are full of deep emotions, always.”

  Amaro pulled me into his arms and began dancing us around the room. I struggled against his hold, and he threw his head back and laughed. Everything around me whirled as we were transported again to the rooftop.

  The screams around us began. I did not look for them. I knew what his cruel dance meant. “No, I don't want this,” I cried.

  “You will come to me one day, Blanche. We will see if I still desire you then. Be warned. There are always new girls who are prettier and full of just as much emotion. I have my eye on one already. Eliza's daughter has been very helpful for fueling my children. The poor girl is even more giving now her mommy has left. I couldn't have set the scene better myself. I thank you. Getting rid of her father opened the door for us.”

  “You are sick. I didn't do anything,” I said, breaking away from him. I would never have brought him to a child. It was not my fault he had found Marina Stone. Was it? Sobbing, I ran through the circle of people. When I reached the balcony, I stared down into a black abyss. There was nowhere to run.

  “If you jump, there will be no one to catch you. Come back to me. Dance with me,” Amaro called.

  My mind was racing. I could no longer hear the cries of the crowd.

  I felt his magic as he grew closer. “Dance with me. It will be much more pleasant than what you have planned,” he said.

  His scent floated to me, and I fought to regain my composure. If I jumped, where would I end up? Was this another trap?

  “Come to me,” he purred.

  He was steps away. I had to jump now, or help him hurt more people.

  “No, I don't want to go with you,” I screamed, climbing over the ledge.

  “We don't always get what we want, do we, Blanche?”

  As I began to jump, he caught my wrist. Before I had time to even realize what had happened, he lifted me back over the ledge and into his arms. It was as if I weighed nothing. I went limp in defeat.

  Once again, he began the dance. I was a ragdoll in his arms, my feet never touching the ground. Around and around, he twirled me, until I peacefully slipped into the darkness.

  * * *

  “Mother, where is Eliza?” Cedric asked, shaking me. “Mother, wake up. Where is my wife?”

  “I don't remember,” I said, trying to compose myself.

  “What happened? Your arms are covered in lashes.” He helped me sit up.

  Groggily, I blinked away my confusion. “Do you have any healing ointment?”

  “Yes,” he replied, taking a container from the nightstand. He applied some of the salve to my cuts. “Where is Eliza, Mother?”

  “Oh, Eliza? I don't know where she is.” My head felt funny. It was as if I had too much champagne. As the ointment began to warm, the intoxicating feeling began to fade. It all rushed back at me. “Eliza is in labor. Jameson took her to the Goddess.”

  “No! I need to go to her, now,” he cried frantically. “I beg you. Take me there.”

  I stood up and took a deep breath. “There is nothing you can do for her there.”

  “Why do you have to make this so difficult?” he asked.

  “I didn't do this. You want to be the Shah? Act like a man. Your wife is in labor. She told us her labors have always been lengthy. We should wait for Jameson to return with permission for us to go there.”

  “No, she can't do this alone. You know how horrible it is there. Take me, now!”

  “I can take you to a portal, but I don't know where she is being kept. We will freeze to death wandering around there. We really should stay here.” I insisted.

  The truth was I was scared to take him there. The potion I gave him each day kept his magic contained. What would happen if he returned to Snowstrum? Would I no longer be able to hide my deceit?

  “I'll find her, but we have to go now,” he said in desperation.

  “There will not be a carriage waiting to deliver you to the castle,” I tried to reason. “You have been there one time. You won't know your way.”

  “I need to get to her. She won't make it without me. The gypsy told us sixteen days in Snowstrum
is equal to a year here. I won't be able to survive a day without her.”

  “How have you become so weak?” I asked, staring at him in disbelief.

  “It is not weakness, Mother. It is love. It is not new. I have loved her since the first day we met.”

  “You have lusted after her, which is not the same thing. How can you love someone you were never with?” My words pained him. “I know you think you love her, and I don't dislike her, even though she is a Silver. I just don't want to give Snowystra anymore reasons to come after you. She had forgotten about you…”

  “Why is it the Silvers have been protected, but not us? She tried to take her daughter, but it was stopped.”

  “Your grandmother made a huge mistake. One we have paid for dearly, and will continue to pay for. We are different because of this. Genevieve Silver stayed loyal to Danu, and proved it by casting a spell to stop my mother from misusing her gift.”

  My son looked at me in shock. “Why didn't you ever tell me this before?”

  Sitting down, I said weakly, “I am so tired. So tired of all of this. Some days, I wish she had frozen my heart, and killed me. Maybe that is what I needed to do in order to be free.”

  “You can't say that.”

  “What do I have to live for?”

  “Me?” His eyes filled with hurt.

  How could I explain to my son that I was tired of worrying about him? I wanted a life where I worried about my dreams and my safety. A life where I was consumed with only me, but that was unrealistic. Not to mention, Cedric was my reason, and I knew it. I could not be selfish right now. He needed me to be strong.

  “Let's stop talking and find your wife. You are right. She needs you. But, first, I would like a drink to steady my nerves.”

  For the first time, I was thankful for my son's dependency on alcohol to numb his emotions. He smirked at me as I pulled on one of the paintings, exposing his full liquor cabinet. Cedric had thought I hadn't know about his hidden cabinet, but there wasn't much that escaped my notice in the mansion. My staff kept me informed of my son's secrets.

  Choosing one of the more expensive whiskeys, I poured myself a large glass and the same for Cedric. He said he took his vitamins each day, but I could not risk it today. I discretely tapped the potion into his drink. I hoped it would be enough to bind the Winter inside him, to keep him safe. If I was allowing him to take me to her realm, I had to ensure I could protect him no matter how long Snowystra kept us there.