Chapter 32

Y ou’re going to break our poor mother’s heart…

My shoulders slumped as the return of the ominous voice shook my core. This time, it seemed more dominant. And just like the two days before, my breath hitched at the booming voice. Before, the voice was a daunting reminder of my slow descent into madness, but now it added to my nerves.

I’ve been locked in my room, barely able to keep my eyes open. Even though I’ve stayed asleep almost all day, it felt as if I hadn’t slept. My eyes still were rimmed with black circles and my arms gave out twice, trying to push my body out of the bed. The little spikes of terror had long since riddled me as I stood in my mother’s office.

That’s why it’s better to off their pretty little heads…like this.

My arm went numb as the unfamiliar sensation of lead filled my right arm. My magic rushed through me in disarray. A cold, slick sheen decorated my skin as I stood before my parents. It was the one scenario I was hoping to avoid. But that was like finding gold in the cold. My hands trembled slightly as my balled-up fist dug into my sides. I will not let the darkness win, and not in front of my parents.

“Kaydian, are you okay?” My father asked as he sat next to Mother with his book in his hand.

“I’m okay. I’m just thinking!” I replied, my voice rose an octave.

One of my father’s eyebrows rose higher than my voice. And I couldn’t help but seek out my mother for backup, but she was too busy with her mind in some faraway realm. Her eyes were pinned to her little black book as she scribbled away, ignoring both my father and me. It was then that I wished I could drag my heavy body back to my bed, where I could cry and wither away in silence.

“Mother,” I said as I tapped her on her shoulder. Her head bounced up, and her emerald eyes landed on me. Light, dark circles framed her eyes. And it made me wonder what was going on. Knowing my mother, she won’t reveal anything until she’s ready.

“I’m sorry my attention has been dismal as of late,” she said, smiling as her eyes landed on me.

“I have something to say, and I want you to listen to what I have to say before you respond,” I said.

A curious glance passed between my parents.

“Well, we’re listening then,” my father said.

Licking my lips, I took a seat next to my father at my mother’s desk. “When I went to California, I met my mate.”

“Yes, we know. Morgan. We’re not that old, Kaydian,” my father interrupted.

Wrapping my hands around the skinny arms of my chair, I fought the urge to wring my father’s neck. The man can never just stay quiet for more than two seconds. I wanted to tell my story and move on with my life. Even if it meant walking myself to the cells and bunkering down. My mother pursed her lips and gave him a look that made the hairs on my arms stand. And my father’s open mouth shut with a clamp. I promised to make sure my mother received a box of macaroons.

“Anyway…He helped save me from falling over a cliff. I convinced myself that I only needed a night's rest to restore my powers, and I will be able to come back home. I guess the goddess had other plans for me. I met Greyson there in the woods. He was… unexpected. Greyson is Morgan James, and he wasn’t a baron.”

I paused to think how I could best tell them that Greyson was a mixling without my mother killing me before I had a chance to explain my actions. My parents sat in their seats with their eyes glued to me, as if they needed to hear the next part of my story immediately. Squirming in my seat with my heart lodged in my throat, I continued my one-woman army suicide mission.

“Greyson Swiftwater…he?—”

My mother cut me off before I could finish, “Did you say Swiftwater... Kaydian…”

My mother’s green eyes turned dark as she rode from her seat, tipping the golden chair onto the floor with a thud. Her upper lip twitched, and this time, it wasn’t from hiding her laughter. It was because, in her eyes, I failed her once again, and this time, it wasn’t something I could sweep under the rug. Like a clock, seconds ticked by, and I watched her eyes change to disgust as the connections became clear without me revealing them.

“Come here.” She gritted out through her clenched teeth.

Every single fiber in my muscles strained as my magic tried to fight back against its familiar pull toward my mother. I had never pushed back against my mother’s magic. And that was evident as I felt her magic dwindle to a soft pull. My mother stood before me with her head tilted and a bewildered look on her face. Disrespectful child. I could almost hear her thoughts as she opened her mouth. But I had to finish before she made up the rest of the story in her mind.

“Okay, everyone, just calm down,” my father said as he stood from his seat to join my mother. “Let’s hear what Kaydian has to say. She did say to hear her out.”

My mother turned those angry eyes to my father as she opened her mouth to say something. But she closed it shut as she swallowed and nodded for me to continue.

Not wanting to be the only one sitting, I stood up. “He…He was a mixling.”

“I think we’ve figured as much, Kaydian,” my father said, “And I think you should be careful with your next words.”

Pulling at my fingers, “I killed him. He would have never fit in here with the coven and?—”

“Instead of putting down that dog the moment you met him, you laid down with him, didn’t you?” my mother said curtly. “What did you think would happen after you paraded him around here? That we would fall over ourselves with glee that you killed that mixling after you lied to us.”

“Ladies,” my father said, coming to my rescue for once. He stood beside us with a hand on our shoulder. “Kaydian, I’m deeply ashamed of your actions. You don’t need me to tell you that. Do you know what his mother did to your father’s family? They’ve taken Layla from us, and now it seems they’ve taken you from us.”

My father’s words settled inside of my chest as it dawned on me that his silence was probably due to Greyson’s family’s proximity to Layla’s untimely death. Shoving his hand into his black tweed pants, his sad brown eyes glazed over. I knew my father was close to Layla, but seeing him stand there made me realize just how much he lost as well.

“Youna must be ashamed. You’re willing to disgrace our family name for a…I can’t even say it.” My mother said as her narrowed eyes cut me into pieces.

Heat blossomed in my chest. My thoroughly thought-out apology has gone to the wind. My mother shook her head at me, causing ringlets of curls to drop from her bun. Her face deepened to the color of Fae wine.

“No, what I did was foolish, and for that, I have no one else to blame but myself. This is me owning up to the mess that I’ve made. It took me a while to realize that my love for my coven ran deeper than a curse-fated mate. You nor Youna may not forgive me today or tomorrow. But I promise I will make it up to you. One way or another. Before you relinquish the throne to me and retire.”

For what it was worth, my mother let the seconds of silence fill the tension-filled room until a chuckle escaped her parted lips. My father shifted on his feet as I folded my arms across my body. We both watched silently while my mother’s laugh transformed into a bellow. With her head thrown back, she proceeded to guffaw down air as her small body shook.

My father and I shared a glance as she threw herself down into the open chair.

“Kaydian, my sweet emerald moon,” she said, wiping the tears that trickled down her face. “You really think I will just hand over the throne to you? After this foolishness, you’ve pulled. You’re not ready and from the looks of it. You have a long way to go.”

Opening my mouth to say something, anything, but I realized that would be as useless as me coming here to make amends. Swallowing the bitter acid that rose in my throat. My parents both stared at me, frustration dripping from their gazes. It would have been better if I stayed in my wing, buried under the pile of books. Goosebumps lined my arms as my magic abandoned me as it retreated to the depths of my chest.

Rubbing my arms, I said, “Right, I’m going to check on Ms. Kincaid.”

Which was a lie, but I had to get out of the office before I had a chance to embarrass myself further. On the way back to my room, my dark voice reappeared, snickering into the dark recess of my mind. I guess I’m glad that I entertained someone.

I’ve spent the past two days camped out in my room, hiding from my parents as they went about their day. Shame kept me glued underneath my comforter on my bed. Ms. Kincaid tried to get me out, but for once, I’ve beaten her. “Bratty witch,” she muttered at the end of the day and huffed out of the room. The following day, she all but gave up on me as I wallowed. Good!

I deserved to be able to hide in my bed until the embarrassment from two days ago had gone away. Here in the hole that I’ve made in the past two days, is where I found comfort. Not even Del could make me move from this spot. My mind was filled with ways on how I would make it up to my mother, how I was going to show her that she was wrong about not stepping down from the throne so I could rule. But try as I might, I couldn’t find a good solution to my situation. So, the only reasonable answer was to stay here until I figured out a way or until the dark voice had taken me over.

We are one, and we need to take the throne. Once we do, we can paint the coven red.

Like clockwork, the voice once sent shivers down my spine, but now I’ve accepted it as my new way of life.

A knock at the door broke my thoughts as Del stampeded her way into my room. Her ruby-colored face was turned into the widest smile. She was dressed in her work overalls with grass and dirt on the blue garment. The white short-sleeved shirt was damp with sweat. Her blonde hair was pulled tight into a bun. I’ve told her time and time again that the little hairs around the edges will break off. But again, it was another thing no one listened to me about.

“I GOT IT!” Del screamed as she stopped right next to my bed. “Fresh as snow, blood will decorate the throne, for power is never given but taken.”

Tiredness got the best of me as I forced myself to turn to the other side of my bed. I was in no mood for Del’s shenanigans. Didn’t she see I was trying to avoid my life?

“Go away, Del.”

Seconds ticked by as I lay listening to her tap those hard boots on my floor. “No, and it’s time to stop moping around. I figured out your riddle…well, my father did. You know he loves puzzles and riddles.”

Hot waves of my magic coursed through my veins. I told Del in private about my visit to the three sisters. Snapping around to face her. My feet touched the cold ground as I sat on the side of my bed.

Del continued, “Listen, please don’t be mad at me, but I’ve been trying to figure out the riddle for you since you’ve told me. And I’ve tried, Kay. I really had. Until my father overheard me repeating it when I was in the barn this morning, I told him it was a riddle that the kids in town were trying to solve but couldn’t.”

Del stopped to beam as if she won a prize. Could she not see the way I gripped the mattress for dear life?

“Del…spit it out,” I gritted out.

“Oh, now you want to be impatient,” she said as she used her magic to clean off her soiled clothing before throwing herself into the seat across from me. “My father broke it down into three parts, Kay…And you might not like how he interpreted it.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my eyebrows furrowed together.

“Hear me out, okay.” She paused and continued, “Fresh as snow means something pure or something that doesn’t have experience like a virgin. Blood will decorate the throne, for power is not given. It’s taken… I mean, the only person that’s standing in your way is your mother. And there can only be one queen of the coven.”

Maybe this one is useful after all…. we can keep her.

Holding up my hand, stopping that thought right in their tracks. Jumping up from the bed, I ran to my bathroom across the hall from my room. The hanging mirror swayed as the door slammed closed before I locked it with a click. My hand found the edge of the sink and gripped it for dear life as a wave of nausea forced my body to heave and shake. Using my magic to provide water, I washed my face over and over again until I thought I had got the riddle out of my mind. I was many things but to…Just the mere thought made the bile rise from my stomach again. But this time, I lost the oatmeal I had eaten for breakfast.

Del opened the lock and entered my bathroom without knocking. Her face had lost the redden tint to it and in place was the pale aftermath. She came up to me, rubbing my back as she sang a calming incantation to help soothe the frayed ends of my nerves.

There’s only so much one could take.

“I’m sorry, Kaydian. This journey the goddesses have given you seems to be daunting.”

Del paused as the silence stretched between us. During our friendship, there were only a handful of times Del has left me speechless. And this was working its way to the top of the list. When I turned to face her, she threw her arms around me, and we stood there crying. My body shook while the tears drenched her shoulders.

“I can’t, Del…”

“I’m sorry, Kay. I wish I knew what to say.”

“To kill my mother? Del, I can’t. I’m barely alive. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. And I’m not motivated to do anything?—”

I tried to finish, but my tongue became stuck to the roof of my mouth. Pulling from her embrace, I dried my tears with the back of my sleeve. I’m not sure of anything anymore. Not sure of my pathway. Not sure if this was a dream made by the dark curse in my soul. There was no way Del could help me with this one. My throat burned with regret.

It will have to wait until later as the soft clicks of my mother’s shoes echoed against the walls of my wing until they stopped. The door to my bathroom swung open, and my mother stood in the doorway, peering at our tear-streaked face.

“What in the world is going on in here?” she asked with an eyebrow raised.

Del and I shared a look. Her mouth parted with her blue eyes bouncing between us two. I could only imagine how my own face appeared to her. But I didn’t have time to think because I turned around and hurled once again.

“Are you okay?” my mother asked after I cleaned my mouth for the second time. Her hands landed on my shoulders as I leaned against the sink.

Throwing on a shaky smile, I said, “I’m okay, mother. I just ate something that didn’t agree with me.”

My mother’s watchful gaze roamed over me, causing my magic to turn cold in my veins. The air became thick in the small bathroom, and I tried my best not to stagger as I pushed off the sink. Ducking away from her gaze and touch, I speeded and walked to my room, but not before my mother asked Del, “Did I do something wrong?”

Unable to face my parents, I snuck out of the castle the following morning. Coward! The dark curse nicknamed me for the day. Looking for the easy way out, but all I was faced with was pig shit, literally, as Mrs. and Mr. Pourciau made good use of me by putting me to work on the pig farm. Del was hauling the three-wheel barrow loaded with shit, as if it weighed no more than an ounce. We had been working for five hours, with Del moving at the speed of light as her magic worked in tandem to clean the barn, while I stood out like a sore thumb. The shovel I was using weighed down my heavy body. Every time I shoveled, I had to lean on the shovel to rest.

When I closed my eyes, my mind or the curse recreated Greyson’s wolf eyes, which shined out against his beautiful face. It plagued me when I was awake and when I was asleep. There really was no rest for the wicked. Familiar tears blurred my eyes until the entry of the barn became a watery haze.

The loud clicks of Del’s boots filled the barn as I quickly moved to wipe my face clean of the tears. I was too ashamed to allow her to see the tears, and my need to run to my enchantment room intensified.

“So, have you thought about what you’re going to do about…” Del said as she shifted on her feet.

Yes, I had, in fact, been thinking about the fate Youna had chosen me to complete. It’s the only other thing I could think about ever since Mr. Pourciau solved my riddle.

“Uh, I understand my fate, Del. Does it make it easy knowing what I have to do? No.” I paused, turning toward her. The move drew a deep sigh from me. “I just don’t know how I will be able to live with myself.”

Del’s smirk sat sadly on her face. “I know how much your mother…and sometimes your father means to you, but might I suggest something?”

Del’s face reddened. I nodded, giving her the right of way.

“Remember the time my mother brought white odollam from the Fae’s for Tyan, the old seamstress in town? My mother finally gave in when Tyan refused to live anymore. She drank the tea, and she died peacefully within seconds with just a quick goodbye.”

Before our coven relocated from New Orleans to Houston, and before our coven shifted the power to the witches. The mermaids gifted the little pale white flower to my grandmother and the coven as a peace offering. During the harvest moon, the Oceania royal’s heir went snooping into the garden behind the castle. The young heir decided to eat several pink stamens, and, in the morning, they found him as pale as the petals of the white odollam. His small fingers were buried into the ground as his magic seeped into the ground, feeding the greedy flowers.

Ms. Tyan, the poor lady, had to turn two thousand years old and became tired of “stalling around,” as she put it. Everyone knew Tyan longed to be with her beloved, but stuck it out for our family. My mother loved her creations, even putting it above Ms. Kincaid’s. The coven mourned her as if she was a royal.

Del hadn’t said a word, but I knew that this was the only way to do it. I just needed to secure the white odollam by finding the Fae. As I leaned against the old shovel handle, I couldn’t help the panic that swept through me, causing my heart to beat in my ears. I turned away from Del before she could see the tremble in my hands. I couldn’t face her without the guilt that was riddled me.

It's well past her time to go. Don’t you think?

What do I think? As I stared out the small windows in the stall. I can’t imagine why Youna thought I would be the best for this position. As I stood around the small piles of hay and waste, I wondered if I could survive what was to come. A cold shiver ran through me as a slight wind slipped into the stable. I didn’t have a choice anymore, and it seemed that would be the extent of my future—just the painful reminder of the sacrifice that I had to make.

The next day, I found myself outside the protective spell about a mile away from the coven. My hand joined to each side of my hips as I tapped my foot. According to Del, her mother confided in her that the Fae trader came between three P.M. and five P.M. to the wooded area where Galveston Bay begins. A place where my mother or Sir Reid ventured to unless warranted.

And there I waited like a lurking predator behind the wider elm trees that lined the area—tapping my foot and cursing. This is a waste of our time. The dark voice stated as I shoved it to the back of my mind. The hairs on my arms stood as magic reached out, sensing the stranger before he made his presence known. Oddly, every hair on my body stood, and I could only hope that the goddess hadn’t planned to kill me in these woods. I turned and squinted against the shadows of the trees.

“You must be waiting for me,” a voice said from behind one of the older trees.

“Are you the Fae trader?”

“Yes, and you’re the Princess of the Youna Coven. Has your mother sent you to kill me? We have paid our dues, and she has given me permission to sell, albeit not close to your sacred ground, but this is the only way I can make enough for us.”

He was scared of me, and I understood why. The Fae’s probably had a worse hand in the last war than the shifters. My father’s tirade didn’t stop at the Edgehaven Kingdom. He managed to wipe them clean off the slate; it seemed. Not even the magic they possessed could be felt anymore. I’ve managed to see the area where the Edgehaven Fae’s now reside, and to say even a mouse would be claustrophobic, there was an understatement.

Swallowing, “I understand your trepidation, but I can assure you. I’ve come on my own accord. I’ll make it quick because this is a timely manner. Do you have some white odollam?”

The trader stepped out from behind the tree’s shadow. He had hair the color of dandelions that littered the wooded areas. Huge pools of silver framed his pupils. He wasn’t handsome, but he was homely, and couldn’t dress a lick. A crushed pink coat was thrown over his oversized orange pants. In short, he looked like a mess.

Crossing his skinny arms, he said, “How can I trust you?”

I wanted to tell him off. Curse him and send him back home, but I bit my tongue.

“Listen…what may I call you?” I asked.

“T is fine with me.”

T? What kind of name was that?

“Ah ok…T, listen, I know you have no reason to trust me?—”

“None whatsoever,” he retorted.

Holding my hands up as I surrendered. “Listen, T, both you and I know that I’m being cordial. If I wanted to harm you, I could have easily used my magic to summon you and let my magic have its way with you. I’m coming to you like every single one of your customers does.”

T paused as he contemplated my words. Those metal eyes pinned me to my spot. It was as if he thought I was going to pounce on him at any minute. The rustling of the surrounding trees picked up as the afternoon storms drew closer to us. Before I could open my mouth, he beat me to it.

“Fine. I hope this will earn my people and me some leeway, if possible. Maybe we can get a chance to visit our old land.”

“Fine, but only this once. Do we have a deal?”

T held out his willowy hand, and I shook it. “It’s four hundred for white odollam.”

“Four Hundred!” I paused to stare at the yellow-haired fool. “You?—”

“It’s expensive because I have to go out of the country to secure it. Usually, I would get a huge batch from the demons in the underworld, but your parents sealed the portals to them.”

Smart bastard.

Of course, he spoke nothing but the honest truth. After our trip to the underworld, my father, with my blood, sealed every underworld port, barring demons from entering the American region. I never questioned it because, quite frankly, I’m glad they couldn’t enter this land. Sir Cross and the other covens have opened their arms wide open to them. Good for them.

“You’re right, T,” I said, admitting defeat. “We have a deal.”

T nodded as he dug into his leather satchel. Patiently, I waited until he pulled out a small blue drawstring bag. I took a step toward him, and he stepped back. “Money first,” he said as I rooted around in my pockets for the money I left home with. Luckily, I had enough to give him.

Playing with the soft velvet bag, my mind a tumultuous storm as I replayed this plan over again. What if I had gotten it wrong? What if the message the three sisters gave me was wrong?

Don’t be foolish! We’re meant to sit on the throne.

And for what seemed like the hundredth time since my darkness presented. I agreed with it.

“Are we done here?” T asked as his metal eyes started to roam the area. “I don’t think anyone else is coming, and I would rather not get caught by your guards. Last time I did, I thought they would keep me in your prison forever.”

“Right, yes. Thank you, T,” I said sincerely.

Saying goodbye to T, I watched as the Fae slipped into the wooded forest, back to the other side of Houston that my mother had carved out for them. And even though he was gone, I still wondered how the once powerful Edgehaven Fae’s were fairing until I reached back into the safety of my castle.

Del was on her way out of the castle when she spotted me.

“KD, how did it go? Was he as nice as my mother said? You look exhausted! Are you sure you’re okay?” Del hugged me and gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek. Her questions came out as one big sentence.

“Del...” I paused. “Everything went as planned. I got the tea. And yes, my sweet Del. I’m tired, and I just want this...”

Before I knew it, the scorching tears fell from my face. One by one, they splashed onto the concrete floor. A soft hand touched my cheek and wiped the stream away. I never thought I would have to say goodbye to my mother so soon. There wasn’t a future that I hadn’t envisioned my mother being a part of, but I guess I was na?ve. Wrapping my arms around Del, I stuffed my face into her neck, washing her with my tears. From behind my hiding space, I heard a hard thud before whoever went back into the same door. It was unheard of to see a royal or any coven leader crying in front of the staff. But I didn’t care. I was too preoccupied with coming to terms with losing my first best friend, even if she wouldn’t admit it.

Del rubbed my back until she pulled away. Leaving me cold and alone. Which I should be used to soon.

“Your parents will be getting ready for bed soon. If I remember correctly,” she whispered.

I nodded, “I know… Del, will you stay with me after it’s done?”

“Yes, of course. You think I will leave you?”

I paused to think about the question. Del cleared her throat, “Sorry, Del. No, you would never leave me.”

She chuckled, “Good, I was starting to worry.”

Del and I stood in the hallway as she wiped my face clean of tears and sent me on my way with a kiss on the cheek. Her promise that she would be there afterward stayed glued to my mind.

Let the fun begin

The four words my dark voice said echoed inside of me until I made it to the kitchen. The big clock over the door read nine-thirty P.M. Let this be easy . Scrambling in the kitchen, I used my magic to save time. It swept out, the green hue mixing with the dim lights, finding the kettle and drink ware. When the tray was set, I opened the pouch and laced the teas with the white odollam. For my mother’s cup, I dropped the last of our emerald dust that I had lying around my library, blending them together until nothing was left.

Taking several deep breaths, I left the safety of the kitchen and up the backstairs to my mother’s wing. The moment I turned down the tan hall, my hands started to tremble so badly that I almost dropped the tray. My parents’ room was on the right towards the end, knocking on the door with the tip of my shoe. My mother opened the door with a smile on her face, and her cinnamon scent flooded through my nose. I took in her scent for what would be the last time. I don’t think I will get over not having her with me. Not anytime soon. Her emerald eyes sparkled with pure joy. There wasn’t any other word to describe it, and my tongue became heavy in my mouth.

“Kaydian, it’s late. Your father and I were just getting ready for bed.”

“I know. I just wanted to talk with you and Father.” Lifting up the tray with the cups. “I come bearing tea.”

My mother just smiled and nodded her head for me to come in. She walked over to the seating area, where a small brown table and three dark wooden chairs occupied the comfy space. Nothing fancy, like the one downstairs. The bulge in my throat throbbed as I swallowed. Tears sprung in my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away before she could see. My father walked into the room with his brown robe on.

“Oh, Kaydian. I didn’t hear you come in. I just got out of the bathroom,” my father said before ducking into their closet.

My mother sat down in front of me, and when my father, dressed, returned from the closet. He sat beside her with one eyebrow cocked. Puzzlement etched on his face, a stalk comparison to the euphoric look my mother had painted on hers since I knocked on the door.

Pushing back those doubtful thoughts, I said, “I made you tea. Here, let me serve you.” Handing them the lace tea, I made sure my hand didn’t tremble as much as my insides shook.

“Either you’ve done something bad, or you’re about to…what have you gotten yourself into now, Kaydian?” my father said after he sipped the tea.

I knew he meant it as a joke, but for once, I just smiled back at him. “I’m not up to anything, Father, but I do want to say thank you.” My father started coughing as he took another sip of the tea.

“T-Thank you?” He managed to get out.

“Thank you for showing me what not to look for in a mate…If I ever decide to give one another chance.” I grabbed his clammy hand. Those brown eyes I once loved were dripped in red as the white odollam worked quickly through him. His hands dug into his neck as he fought for air. A rusty odor of blood hit me first before I saw the cuprous thick liquid stream from his ears and nose. Since he wasn’t Royal, it would kill him faster than my mother. “Thank you for the few amazing times we had together. I just wish they weren’t washed away by how you treated my mother. Nonetheless, I wish you nothing but safe travels to the underworld, Father. We will meet again one day when it’s my turn to go.”

I paused as a thought crossed my mind. “Why did you cheat on my mother?”

Leaning over the small table in the middle of the sitting area. I kissed my father on his cold cheek right before his wet cough sent blood splattering across the table. He said in a hoarse voice, “I’m sorry”.

My father’s murky brown eyes brightened, even in its own Red Sea. “I never got to be the father you needed or the mate that your mother needed. I’m only fortunate that your mother was at least able to give you more love. All I could do was watch from inside of me how I single-handedly destroyed your mother’s trust in me. No matter the circumstances. I guess now that I’m going to the underworld, the goddesses decided to free me from my curse.”

He paused, wiping the bloody tears that trailed his brown skin as he leaned back in his chair and exhaled. His skin had already turned a gray shade, and the outline of his lips reminded me of the blue ink my mother used.

He tried to raise his arms but failed after the second time. It made me wonder what was behind his story. Tears sprung from my eyes and fell for him. Because despite everything, I still loved him. Staring at his ashen face, I thought about the last time we truly enjoyed each other’s company. I drew a blank as I racked my memory. This would be the last good memory of him. Me with his limp hand in one hand and the other, preventing his head from jouncing.

Good riddance…one down.

I ignored the cold, dead voice from within me.

“Well, that was fast. I always imagine that if non-royals drank white odollam that they would at least have a little more time,” my mother said.

I had almost forgotten about her. She placed her now empty cup down on the tray, leaving a trail of wine-colored blood that trickled from her eyes, nose, and ears. “I was hoping for a quick death, but I guess beggars can’t be choosers, huh, my emerald moon?”

Her smile softened. “I don’t have much time, but I want you to honor your father as you would do me. It was my fault your father was occupied often. That was my price for asking more questions…taking more than I should have from the three sisters. ‘Love is blind, and you will be the blindest.’ I didn’t fully understand those words until I went back home, and your father had changed right before my very own eyes. There was something amiss. His eyes didn’t quite touch his soul as it once had. Even at fifteen, I could tell that knowing my future was my downfall. The only time I’ve seen your father… completely whole again was when you were born and the other night when he apologized to you. He held you in his arms and wept for a week. Call me crazy, but even though I had to live through the lies, mess, and cheating, I still wouldn’t have changed the outcome. I still love your father.”

Pausing, she leaned over to hold one of my hands, and another graced my heated, wet cheek. Droplets of her warm, thick blood dripped onto our joined hands and the floor, creating a serosanguineous painting. I thought I didn’t have any more tears to shed, but I was wrong as the warm liquid saturated my face and mixed with hers in our entwined hands. I didn’t dare move it though. This would be the very last time I would enjoy feeling the soft hands that cared for me.

“Celestoria is going to be astounding. I wish I could be here to see it, but I can’t. Your father and I will be watching over you from the underworld, as your grandmother once did for me.” The sound of her wet cough rebounded in the room. She abandoned my cheek and hand, leaning back into the chair for support. “I love you, my little emerald moon. Even in death, I know that will ring true. I’m so proud of you.”

Shaking her hand lightly, I asked, “What is Celestoria?”

Her eyes had closed shut as a weak half-smile touched her lips, “It’s Peace. You?—”

My mother stopped mid-sentence, and I wanted to beg her to keep going. To stay with me some more. To guide me for just a bit more, but I knew that was foolish. Blood arose out of her mouth like a river, and she coughed again, sending spittle of blood flying all over the tray, the table, and me. Nonetheless, I didn’t dare move. I stayed right there, perched at the edge of the chair. Reaching over, I grabbed her hand with my bloody one, not caring about it, and pressed my lips to her now cold skin. When she stopped coughing, her body went limp. The hand that I held was like rubber, and I became too much of a coward to look up at her face right away.

So, I stayed in this position with her rigid cold hand against my cheek until the all too familiar scent of rotting flesh intensified. The magic my parents welded was decomposing their body, and by tomorrow night, they’ll be nothing more than skeletal bones. My body was tense and pushed beyond its breaking point. Tightness in my chest made it hard to take deep breaths. Acid bubbles formed in my throat, but I swallowed down, leaving my throat aching.

I had to complete the last part, transferring my mother’s magic to me, before her magic perished along with her. Saying an invocation for safe travels for my parents. The cold metal of the emerald pocketknife slid across my blood-soaked palm and did the same to my mother’s cold hand. Placing our hands together, the warmth of her magic flowed into mine, combining and intensifying my own. My body vibrated and stretched in its confinement. Eager and hungry for the increase in power.

The connection I felt to my family matriarch multiplied and intensified.

When the transfer of magic was done, I spotted the clock. It was two A.M. I was long past due to meet Del in my room, but as much as I tried to will myself, I couldn’t move. Dragging myself to my mother’s drawer, I picked out the gold-colored robe she loved and wrapped it around me. Shoving my face into the garment filled me with her rose and cinnamon clove scent. At least I had one thing left with her scent. I thought as I crawled onto her side of the bed.

My damp eyes shuddered closed as a knock at the door drew my attention. Del poked her head in and hurriedly entered the room, opening up the windows to let in the fresh air. Watching her through my blurry eyes, she entered the bed with not a single word and wrapped herself around me until I fell asleep in Del’s tear-soaked dress, with her arms around me and our coven song on her lips.