Chapter 6

T urbulent thoughts had meddled my brain, obscuring my surroundings. Tree branches snapped under my short heels as leaves hitched a ride to their next destination. As my heavy eyelids threatened to put an end to my angry pursuit, I remained on my path. My shoes stomped through the plush green forest behind the castle to bring me to my other safe space. The east side of the castle forest is rarely visited. My mother, Ms. Kincaid, and Sir Reid were the only brave witches to visit this side of the castle.

The side facing my wing was left untouched since Sera and Luc decided this would be their new home. Grass and weeds that were as tall as me because the gardeners stopped servicing the area when Seraphina froze the last gardener to enter the dragon’s wood. The name stuck with me, and I declared it—my mother allowed it to be renamed. Carefully, I moved the tall grass aside as I continued deeper into the area. My focus was not stepping onto Sera or Luc’s colossal size shit, which happened once, but it’s something I rather not talk or think about.

Stepping out of the tall grass, past the overgrown trees, was a clearing. That’s where the feeding shed I built with my magic for my babies was stored. The tiny brown building was just big enough to hold whatever animal I found dead in the forest for them to eat or for any prisoners my mother may have sentenced to death. I think Sera loves the days she gets to eat a prisoner. The last prisoner here was a witch who mistreated his wife. My mother allowed me to bring Sera to the coliseum so everyone could watch her devour him. Sera, usually the worst of the duo, holds a special place in my mother’s heart. She likens Sera to herself sometimes, controlling and loving at the same time. No truer words were spoken.

“Kaydian!” Del shouted as I opened the tiny shed.

The scent of rotten flesh hit my face the moment the door swung open. My eyes watered as I gagged for fresh air. Backing up from the wooden door, I doubled over, wheezing as the clean air filled my lungs. I guess this was payback for the theater incident.

“Are you alright?” Del asked as she reached the shed. Like the other coven, Del only comes here when I'm present.

When the dead carcass smell subsided, I turned to Del. The smell from the cabin caused her mouth to pinch.

“Something smells like death in there!” She fanned her face as she took a step away from the cabin. “I’ll clean it up for you.”

Del waved her hand, and within an instant, the putrid smell was gone. My face heated. She shouldn’t have to clean up my mess. Especially since the coven witches’ magic was only strong enough to complete simple tasks around the town like cooking, cleaning, and other useful coven tasks. And although our magic isn’t endless, the coven members had to ration their magic more.

“Thank you, Del…” My shoulders slacked.

Del's hand reached out to fix some of the loose hair that escaped my bun. “I’m sorry, truthfully. I ruined everything. When all I wanted was for us to have a good time.”

“Del,” I exhaled loudly and grabbed her hand. “No, I’m sorry. I was acting like a brat, and it wasn’t your fault. I should have demanded we go home, but I didn’t.”

“Friends.” She held out her hand, and I grasped it.

“Best friends to the underworld.” I pinched her cheek as we reenacted our old saying. I loved Del, and I couldn’t stay mad at the one person who understood me in this coven.

When I pulled away, I saw Del’s eyes triple in size. If I hadn’t known better, I would have said she’s seen a ghost. Del, hell everyone, was afraid of Sera and Luc, but I promised her since day one that they wouldn’t hurt her unless she hurt me.

“K—K—” she stumbled out.

“Del…being afraid of—” I said. I turned around to see what made her stop in her tracks.

I could handle Sera and Luc if they saw Del as a threat and aimed to defend me. That was an easy fix. They were obedient to me and would never go against me. But before I came to the little feeding cabin, I saw Sera and Luc asleep amongst the overgrown Elms trees.

Unfortunately, my life wasn’t simple or fair.

Ms. Kincaid stood next to the old trees and on the path to the feeding shed. She had on her mud boots and a black trench coat, and her hair was in her brown silk bonnet. She held the one flashlight my father approved, deeming it the only useful thing the humans created.

Ms. Kincaid’s eyes shined in the artificial light as they slowly swept over Del and me. Her two plush lips formed a thin line with her free hand on her hip. She tsked like she caught two kids misbehaving out in the woods.

“Did you ladies get dressed up at midnight just to come out here to feed Sera and Luc?” she asked, even though she knew the truth. There was a glint in her knowing eyes that I despised.

“I—” the lie perched on the tip of my tongue. But Ms. Kincaid had other plans.

“Imagine my surprise when I headed down to get something to drink in the kitchen and saw the princess plowing through the woods like she was one of her dragons.” She folded her arms. “Then to see her innocent best friend running and yelling behind her.”

Del’s eyes were rimmed red, as she knew being caught would get her and her family punished by my parents. They would ensure her family’s work doubled, which is almost next to impossible since it isn’t the hog’s mating season yet.

I had to decide between punishing Del and her family or taking the blame. My mind battled with the decision after my terrible night out. It just seemed my luck kept slipping between my fingers.

Shit.

“It wasn’t Del’s idea, it was mine.” I paused as Ms. Kincaid’s keen gaze landed on me. “I went to the Pourciau farm and convinced her to go to this new theater in town.”

Ms. Kincaid’s eyes made a hole in the middle of my face. One of her silver eyebrows arched as if she knew I was lying, which technically I was. She shook her head as she dragged out that awful tsking noise. Ms. Kincaid knew I hated it, and whenever I did something not “Royal” like, as she would call it, and used that sound.

“Say your goodnights, ladies. Delphine, make sure you get home safely. Tell your parents hello and kiss your little brother for me.”

Del’s red-rimmed eyes swiveled between Ms. Kincaid and me as she was deciding if it was okay to leave me with her. I gave her a quick nod.

“Ms. Kincaid, can I just have a quick word with Del?” I asked.

Ms. Kincaid’s eyes narrowed as she thought about my question. The wheels spinning in her head of all the possibilities that could occur. What could I actually come up with—Oh, the perfect solution to this problem. If I could just remember that stupid incantation.

“I’ll attend another one of your etiquette classes.” Wincing as I made the statement, I realized it was not my best trade-off, but I could live with it.

“Fine. One minute, and you will do two days,” Ms. Kincaid said. Biting my tongue, I nod.

You would think she was my mother as she bargained with me.

Ms. Kincaid turned to walk to the small path. Her boots raked in the dirt as she did. I hauled Del a little further than necessary to avoid her overhearing. She didn’t have enhanced hearing because she wasn’t a royal, but that didn’t stop the glare she leveled at us from her makeshift post.

Turning my back to Ms. Kincaid. I hurried quickly and said, “Listen, I will fix this mess, Del. Do you remember the ‘forgotten incantation’ I told you about? One that can erase a part of someone’s memory?”

“Yeah.” Del furrowed her eyebrows at me. “Kaydian…”

“I know, I know. Not the right time for my tricks.”

“That’s dangerous…let me just take the punishment. My family will?—”

“No, trust me, Del. I’ve got this. Ms. Kincaid won’t be a problem for us…well, for tonight at least,” I said with a yawn.

“I hope you're sure, Kaydian. You look ready to fall asleep right here.”

“What?” I asked as I held up my hand. The green aura from my magic flickered a couple of times before it pushed, twisted, and pulled in my hand, forming a white light that floated in the middle of my palm. Holding up the small magic mirror, I choked. It was way past my bedtime. The whites of my eyes were the color of the fall leaves. The dark ring forming under my eyes looked big enough to carry Luc and Sera in.

“I’m not tired…” Another brief yawn slipped through before I could finish my sentence. “I promise I won’t fall asleep until I get to that spell.”

“Kaydian, I think everything that happened tonight has finally caught up to you.”

“Your time’s up, young princess,” Ms. Kincaid called out. “Wrap it up! You’re going to have a brief rest today.”

A groan fell from my lips, and Ms. Kincaid tsked again and shook her head. I hugged Del, and we made our way through the small pathway. With each step, a muffled yawn escaped from me. Once we reached the east side of the castle, Del glared at her shoes as she disappeared into the darkness of the night. She won’t feel good until she knows I’m okay, which I will be…I hope.

“Let’s go, princess,” Ms. Kincaid said as I frowned into her back. “I can do without the daggers being lodged at my back as well …. or the eye roll,” she commented as I did just that.

She’s been here too long . We used the side door by the kitchen to enter the castle. Thankfully, everyone was still locked behind their doors when we walked along the darkened white hallway. We marched in silence, but I swore I could hear the conversation she’d have with my mother play out in her head. If Mother finds out, I’m dead…maybe literally, as I followed her upstairs.

Ms. Kincaid is the only other person who slept upstairs in the room across my parents’ wing. She said it was to tend to my mother faster, but I swear it was to keep an eye on me. Not that it benefited her…or me, if we’re being honest.

I slipped past her, quickening my pace to get to my room. Passing her brown door, I kept walking to my wing, hoping she would turn into her small room. But no, Ms. Kincaid strolled to my wing and into my room.

“I’ll run you a bath. You have twigs and mud on your…dress,” she said as she searched me over in the low lights of my room. “Do I even want to ask where you got that dress from?”

I loved Ms. Kincaid, truly, but it was like having two mothers living with me. Youna! This was punishment as I watched her walk into my bathroom, leaving the door open for me. Watching her turn and twist was magic in itself as she got my bath ready for me. Usually, I could shoo the other housekeepers off, but not Ms. Kincaid. Once Her mind was made up, I couldn't change it.

When she’s satisfied with her work in the bathroom, she heads to my closet and pulls a clean gown and towel for me. I think she likes to mother me because she had no children of her own, and as I stood there, the seventh hundred yawns fell from my lips. Maybe I will allow it tonight. Climbing into the tepid water made my eyes slip lower. Ms. Kincaid found the almond shampoo I adored and rubbed it into my scalp until the night’s events washed away when she rinsed it out with the smaller bucket by the tub. Ms. Kincaid’s meaty hand stopped my head from hitting the tub during the yawn.

“All of that yawning makes me think you had a good time.”

A smirk unfurled on my lips. My Ms. Kincaid had a sharp tongue one minute and a mother’s touch the next. Plus, she was nosy.

“I did, for the most part, I guess.” I unfolded every detail of Del’s and my night out, minus the touchy asshole, since she won’t remember anything soon enough. When she was done, she rinsed and massaged me with lotion until my golden-brown skin shined. She helped dress me as well. My soul might have slipped away if she hadn’t said the next words to come out of her mouth. Every muscle in my body stiffened.

“Goodnight, my princess.”

In simple terms, I panicked. My heart was lodged in my throat as it pounded against my ribs. My magic, which had been dormant since Del and I got back, shot out before I realized the deep slumber incantation I had drummed up in my mind. Cursing out loud. I couldn’t do anything but watch the green aura hit poor Ms. Kincaid square in her back.

“Wha—” Ms. Kincaid said right before I pushed out more magic to catch her before she fell to the floor from the spell. She floated an inch above the gray floors until my magic placed her softly on the floor.

My nails dug into my wrist as I scratched at the imaginary itch. I had to hurry. It’s not like Ms. Kincaid will wake up anytime soon, but the risk of me getting caught sent my heart racing as it fought with my gritty eyes. My muscles felt like lead, which made running twice as hard. My bare feet slapped against the cold, hard floors. I dashed down the old stairs, through the adjacent pathway, and into the corridor with my parents’ offices.

Opening the brown door to my mother’s office. I locked the door behind me, too afraid to even think what would happen if someone caught me. I may be a glutton for punishment. My mother’s office was pitch dark except for the soft glow of the moon. It was beautiful, but I had enough work to do as I felt the wall for the light switch. My mother’s personality could be summed up by the black and gold office, dark and beautiful. The black walls held floor-to-ceiling gold bookcases. On the other side of the office was a line of windows that ran behind her big gold desk. The small seating area was home to the gold and blue chairs from my sixth great-grandmother. My mother magically treated them weekly as a tradition. Once, I tried to offer to do it, and she said, “No, your time will come, but not today.”

The old family book of our history and long-forgotten incantations were normally stored in the bookcases across from the desk. The black and emerald book was as thick as my thighs and weighed a ton. I swept the six-tier bookcases several times before my eyebrows melted together. The book’s usual place was empty.

“Hell, where could it be?”

When I searched the other bookcases and found nothing, my heart dropped. My body was teetering past its limit for nothing, and so was my magic as the adrenaline had worn off, just leaving me feeling broken. I was about to call it quits when I went to my mother’s desk and pulled out the gold chair. Sitting in the middle of the seat was the family book. The emerald gem embedded into Younas eyes stared back at me. Almost as if she was taunting me.

“Oh Goddess,”

Any other time, the book wouldn’t be so bad, but today, it was horrible as it hit the desk with a loud thud. I only had two hours…to go over two thousand pages to find one incantation. Great! Piece of cake. I could beat myself up for not paying attention to where the stupid incantation was when my mother used to teach me from the book, but now, because of my neglectfulness, I’m stuck going through each of the pages that go back to the first of our line.

I just knew she was having a laugh in the underworld with her fated mates.

Page after page, I turned until the soft pull of my magic and my body demanded me to close my eyes. With my hand under my chin, I flipped through my seven grandfathers, Youna mates, and history. The tune that my mother sang as she flipped through the book got stuck in my head. My magic had recoiled deep inside of my chest and wouldn’t help, not even to keep my eyelids from shutting, as my head found a home on page one hundred and ninety, a spell on how to make the blood dagger to kill a werewolf. The Thibodeaux family history book soon turned into my pillow for the night as I succumbed to the deep slumber that my body demanded.