Envy (Protectors of the Elemental Magic Book 4)

by Marnie Cate

  * * *

  By the time we arrived at the portals, Cedric had lost all his patience.

  “Which one?” he demanded.

  “Calm down. Let me look. I do not come here daily,” I scolded.

  He began to snap his fingers and fidget.

  “Yes, making noises will help me think. You are distracting me. Be still,” I chastised him.

  Allowing myself to examine the trees, which all looked so similar, I found one with a unique knot. “I think it is this one,” I said.

  “You think or you know?” Cedric glared.

  “I know,” I said, walking through it.

  The comforting bu dum bu dum of the heart of the tree could not silence the warnings inside me. The trip through the darkness was brief. When we stepped out into Snowstrum, the icy wind blew hard. I took a deep breath, feeling my magic awaken.

  “Why are you grinning?” Cedric asked.

  “My magic is alive. I miss it when I am not here,” I said, inhaling the cold air.

  Sadness washed over Cedric's face. “I only felt it for that one day, but I dream about it,” he said softly.

  Guilt filled me, but I forced myself to push the feelings away. I had saved him. If I hadn't bound him, he would have been trapped in her castle. Snowystra would have tormented him, like she had done to his father. She was a fickle and cruel goddess. No matter how much I loved the feeling of the pure magic flowing through me, I knew it was not worth the price.

  “Where do we go?” Cedric asked impatiently.

  I looked around. There was nothing but snow covered trees surrounding us. I didn't know where we were or how to get out of it.

  A blur of black darted through the trees, calling my attention. Then, something dark slipped out of the shadows. A ghost, perhaps? I wasn't sure, but it began circling around the trees faster before stopping. It stared at us with two silver eyes.

  “Do you know where the castle is?” I asked.

  The bodiless form bounced up and down.

  “We don't know what that is?” Cedric warned me. “What if it plans on harming us?”

  I gazed deeper into its eyes. It didn't strike me as having a malicious intent. I wasn't scared or worried, so dismissing my son's concerns, I asked again, “Can you guide us to the castle?”

  It began to weave and shake violently.

  “I know it is scary, but my daughter's there. She is having a baby and she needs us. Please, take us as far as you can.”

  The ghost stopped shaking itself and bowed. It started to move slowly towards the tree line.

  “We are walking into a trap,” Cedric hissed.

  “If that's what you believe, then let me go, and you can follow me later.”

  “Back into the trees?” Cedric asked in dismay.

  The spirit twirled around us.

  “What was that?” my son asked, glaring at our guide.

  “I think he was trying to be kind, and calm you.”

  It bounced up and down in agreement. Cedric snorted his disgust.

  “Very well, we are ready,” I said to our new friend.

  Several times, the ghost stopped, and spun around us before moving a short distance ahead of us. This process was tedious, but it was as if it was purposefully keeping us out of the shadows of the tree line. When we reached the end of the forest, I could see the ice castle up ahead. Stepping out into the light, I turned to thank our guide, but it was gone.

  “Thank you,” I called, hoping it heard me anyways.

  “Do we just walk up the castle? Cedric asked.

  “Why not? Wouldn't that be the kingly thing to do?”

  “No,” my son objected, “a royal thing to do would be to whistle and have a carriage arrive.”

  “I would rather walk. We will be trapped soon enough,” I said, and then I began the long hike to the castle.

  * * *

  “Let's find a back way in and search until we locate Eliza.”

  “No. You can't hide from her,” I reminded him. “We don't have a choice. Snowystra has to permit us to see Eliza.”

  “Fine,” Cedric said, sounding like a petulant child.

  “You are not the one scared and alone, giving birth,” I scolded.

  “But I am scared,” he insisted. “I am afraid I am going to lose everyone in one swoop. I have worried every day of my life that the Goddess was going to come back and kill you. I watched her beat you, and I saw you lying there, dying.” His voice caught in his throat. “I thought she had killed you.” Swallowing hard, he added, “For months, they told me you were resting, but I knew what had happened. I cried every day thinking you had died, and that they just weren't telling me. I wanted Simon to come take me away.”

  Taking his hand, I held it tightly. I struggled to find the right words to explain things to him. “I'm sorry they didn't tell you the truth. We didn't know you had seen anything. After the fire your father caused to punish me, your grandmother wanted to protect you. We had been in that icy water for such a long time before Chester saved us. He brought me to shore, and that is when I first met Eliza,” Cedric disclosed, his eyes welling with tears.

  “You did. I forgot she had been there.”

  “You would have been happier if you would have married Simon, not Roger,” he noted.

  We continued to walk, steadily growing closer to the castle.

  “Roger Kingston was a very nice man,” I said, feeling the need to protect my first husband's image.

  “Oh, my paper father? The old man they forced you to marry?”

  “Yes.” I smiled joylessly. “I am sorry I never talked to you about him. It was just too painful. He was older, but I did fall in love with him, and you would have liked him.”

  “Then, why did you waste your time with Jameson?” he asked in a whisper.

  “He wasn't a waste,” I said. “If I hadn't have loved him, I wouldn't have you.”

  “Ok,” he conceded, “so tell me about Roger now.”

  “Oh, it was so long ago.”

  “There has to be something you can tell me about my father.”

  I nodded in assent. “Roger grew up by the ocean. His home had a path that led down to the beach, and it was beautiful there. We honeymooned there,” I said. I could almost smell the saltiness of the ocean as I thought of my deceased husband. “Once, I even saw a ground of dolphins playing.”

  “I would like to see such a place.”

  “You could – you can. It is still our home.”

  “Why have you never gone back then?” he asked.

  “Maybe, one day, I will,” I sighed. “Prepare yourself, Cedric. We are here.”

  The castle had no gate to stop us. Still, I watched the shadows, waiting for someone to jump out and call us intruders, but nothing happened. Both of our paces slowed the closer we grew to the door of the Winter Goddess' home.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” I needed confirmation.

  “Yes,” he said weakly.

  “Be the Shah. Don't let them know you are frightened,” I commanded.

  Cedric puffed up, winked at me and then pounded on the door.

  * * *

  The door swung open. A familiar guard appeared. How odd it was that he had not changed in the time I was gone.

  “You've been expected,” he said gruffly.

  “Bring me to my wife,” Cedric demanded.

  “I do not take orders from children,” the guard laughed.

  “I am no child, and I believe you were there for the announcement that I would, one day, be your king. Consider today the day.”

  “Aren't you confident?” The guard bowed mockingly, and said, “Enter.”

  He led us through her castle, and fear filled me. Once again, trying to figure out where we were made no sense. Rooms changed around us. The kitchen appeared twice. We were in a maze we would never be able to escape from.

  Memories washed over me as we walked down a long corridor. I didn't want to see anymore. I didn't want to relive the pain
I felt. I stopped following them.

  “Mother? Are you ok?” Cedric asked.

  “I can't go in there. I can't do this.”

  “Why?” he asked, and then said, “Oh, but I'm with you. You saved me.”

  He wrapped his arms around me tightly. He hadn't hugged me in so long. I hadn't realized how much I missed holding him. I clung to him not wanting the moment to end.

  “I'm not leaving you. We are a family – the three of us,” he soothed. “Eliza needs you. I need you.”

  “We don't have time to wait for this. Do you want to go to the girl or not?” the guard, growled.

  Cedric let go of me, and taking my hand, he said, “Please, Mother.”

  I forced myself to walk. As we reached the door, I could hear Eliza's mournful cries. Laura was there, coaxing her to breath.

  “Is the baby coming now?” Cedric asked, rushing into the room.

  “Yes, and she is doing very well,” Laura said, nodding at me approvingly.

  “I can't do this. It feels wrong,” Eliza cried.

  “A few pushes and your baby will be here,” Laura soothed.

  The baby would be here, and so would Snowystra. A coldness filled me. I would not let her take another child.

  “Eliza, you are a Drygen now,” I said with a stern voice. I took her hand. “Deliver my grandson to me.”

  My son seemed to freeze up. He stood, staring at us, with a confused expression.

  I snapped at him. “Cedric, come join your wife.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” he replied, moving next to her.

  “Ok, it is time to push again, Eliza,” Laura said.

  Everything went silent. I could see Laura's mouth moving, but there was no sound. It was as if everything was in slow motion. And then, she held him up. My grandson – Miles Drygen. The hope for our family.

  “Give me my grandson,” I said to Laura as she began to hand him to one of the Vetur women in the room.

  “That is not wise,” Laura warned.

  “I don't care what you think is wise. Give me the child,” I ordered, taking him from her.

  Looking into his eyes, I felt a sense of relief. Holding him, I knew I would do anything to save him. I rested him in Eliza's arms. She began to cry.

  Cedric hugged and kissed her. “Our baby boy,” he said, through his tears of pride.

  “She is not going to be happy,” Laura whispered.

  My mind raced. Snowystra would come soon. She would have been alerted.

  “The child holds no magic,” a woman said from the doorway.

  “Why are you here, Livia,” Laura asked. She was clearly irritated by the woman's appearance.

  “I am here for you. There is another mother in the tunnels who needs your help. She's delivering twins,” she said. Reaching for Miles, she added, “You shouldn't have him. She will be angry.”

  Livia took Miles from Eliza. When she did, she began to wipe his mouth with a cloth.

  Eliza paled, and whispered, “Something doesn't feel right.”

  My focus on making sure Livia didn't run off with my grandson was diverted. There was so much blood. Eliza was hemorrhaging.

  * * *

  “Cedric stay with Eliza,” I said calmly. “Laura do you know what to do to help her?”

  “What is all of this,” Snowystra demanded as she entered the room. Her nose crinkled in disgust at the sight of Eliza. “Is this my son?”

  “Yes, Goddess. I am sorry to report he doesn't carry any magic,” Livia replied.

  “How would you know this? Let me see him,” Snowystra's eyes grew dark. “Maybe his magic has not released yet. Take him to the nursery.”

  “Please, Goddess, if he doesn't have magic, let me keep my son,” Eliza begged, and then passed out.

  “Goddess, I cannot stop the bleeding. The girl is going to die,” Laura reported mournfully.

  “Must I do everything around here,” she said, pushing Laura out of the way.

  Snowystra placed her hands on Eliza's stomach. The room grew ice cold, and I could feel the Winter rushing around us. I wanted to move closer. Shamefully, I wanted to feel more of the magic emitting from her.

  Frost begin to trail from Snowystra's hands up Eliza's body. I gasped in surprise as I watched it move. The snowy tendrils climbed her neck and through her hair, streaking it with pure white. Livia stepped away, holding Miles close, as if to shield him from the Winter.

  Laura examined Eliza, and sighed in relief. “Goddess, you have stopped the bleeding. She is going to be ok.”

  In her trancelike state, Snowystra did not respond.

  “Goddess?” Laura called again, louder. She stood and shook her. “Goddess, you are going to kill her if you don't stop.”

  As if she had just awoken, she stared down at Eliza. “Oh, you no longer need my magic,” Snowystra said, lifting her hand. She wore an expression of serenity.

  “Thank you, Goddess,” Cedric said with sincere gratitude. As if his words brought her out of her moment of peace, she glared at him, and turned towards the door.

  “Bring me my son. I hope he will not be yet another, Drygen failure.”

  “Goddess, please don't take him. What if my magic is bound because I have not been here?” Cedric asked.

  Stopping, Snowystra cocked her head in interest. “Are you saying you feel your magic?”

  “No, but…”

  “But, nothing. Come to me if your magic suddenly reappears.” She turned away from Cedric and snarled, “Take them all out of my castle and to the tunnels. I don't need useless beings in my home.”

  Jameson entered the room as if in respond. His eyes flashed concern when he saw Eliza. A look he quickly covered.

  “You will need to carry the woman. Another disappointment. Amaro was right in warning me to not waste my time on mortals. There is so much potential. If only I could figure out how to tap into all that pure magic,” Snowystra said to herself.

  “I'll remove them immediately,” Jameson said loudly.

  Shaking from her thoughts again, she said, “Yes, do that. Oh, and, Jameson, I'm hoping you have a gift waiting for me.”

  “Yes, Goddess,” he confirmed. “One has arrived. Would you like it prepared?”

  “Of course,” she said with a sly smile. “I will be waiting in my chambers.”

  As Snowystra stormed away, Livia began to follow her. As she passed me, Livia stopped and turned. She looked at my ring, and raised her eyebrows. Does she recognize this? Does she know I stopped the magic in Cedric?

  As Livia resumed walking, I couldn't help wondering. I thought about her actions when she'd first held Miles. Did she do the same to my grandson? Was there something on the cloth she put in his mouth? I had a nagging feeling I couldn't shake.

  Jameson gently picked Eliza up and left the room. We followed closely. Ahead, in the hallway, I could see Livia. She was still carrying Miles when Jameson brushed past her, bumping her into the wall. Cedric didn't notice his son. He was focused solely on Eliza.

  Stopping when I reached her, I whispered, “Thank you.”

  “For what?” she asked with a slight smile.

  “For taking care of my grandson,” I said, stroking his head. “I am hoping you will watch over him.”

  “He will be cared for. As a child with no magical values, I am sure she will return him to you. Now, go on and join them. It has been some time since you visited the tunnels. I will come to you when I can.”

  Rushing past her, I sighed a breath of relief. My grandson slept soundly in Livia's arms. I prayed he would remain safe with her.

  * * *

  The tunnels were even more vile than before, and the stench overwhelmed me. The first time I was here, I had just given birth, and I lacked energy to judge anything. The exhaustion and despair had numbed me. This time, however, I was fully aware of the dangerous circumstances we were in.

  Jameson marched us into the infirmary, where he laid Eliza down on an empty cot. Next to her, another woman was preparing to deliv
er her baby. There were women rushing around, caring for the Vetur in various stages of birth. I looked around, searching for someone I might recognize.

  When I saw Laura, I went to her. “Is Lily still here?” I asked. I had often thought of the small child, wondering about her life as I watched Cedric grow. They were the same age, after all.

  “Never say that name aloud. Only the Goddess names the children,” the midwife reminded me in a hushed whisper. She nodded towards a toddler playing on the ground. “She is over there.”

  “She is much too young. My son is in his thirties.”

  “You never will understand. Time is slower here. Much, much slower,” she replied. I could hear the weariness in her words.

  I stared at the little girl for the longest time. She seemed happy enough, but when would that change. When would she have the same look of defeat and sorrow the other women in the tunnels wore? I couldn't save her. I couldn't save myself.

  “What are you staring at, Mother?” Cedric asked, interrupting my thoughts.

  “Nothing. I was thinking about your son,” I said quickly. “How is Eliza doing?”

  “She is sleeping. Laura said whatever the Goddess did stopped the bleeding. She should recover.”

  “Good. The sooner she recovers, the quicker we will be able to leave here,” I replied.

  “You are not going anywhere soon,” Jameson said, grabbing my arm roughly. “The Goddess wants you taken to the pits immediately.”

  “Why are you doing this? Please, don't take me there,” I whispered.

  “The Goddess commanded it,” he whispered back. “Do not fight me. Please, don't fight me.”

  “Where are you taking us, Guard?” I shouted.

  “Silence! You are coming with me.” His grip was no longer tentative. His fingers dug into my arm. Struggling against him was futile.

  Cedric glared at his father, but marched alongside him. He did not know where we would soon be. He did not know how the sadness and pain would linger in his mind, even years after he was gone from here.