"Avandey." Leo spoke the word quietly. There was a gentle rush, and our bodies traveled like apparitions down hallways, through rock walls, and out onto the grounds.I watched in awe as we floated past groundkeepers through bushes, trees, and a large lake. Until we reached a garden surrounded by thick bushes and covered in what looked like roses."Stolenvey." At the word, our bodies stopped, and my feet touched the ground.I took a deep breath. "I always wondered what it would feel like to be a ghost," I said, feeling the slightest bit woozy. "Is that the normal way people of Polonias travel, or were you showing off?" I turned in a circle, taking in my surroundings. We were in a garden filled with flowers."A little of both," he said, sheepishly. "It's quick and easy. Think you can remember the words?""Sure," I said, repeating them in my mind."Good." He walked to the edge of the garden and picked a flower that sort of looked like a blue rose. Then he turned and brought it to me.I
"Stolenvey." Leo used the word to stop our supernatural travel. "Be careful with that potion. The gift is as she said. If someone discovers you've used the concoction on them, they won't be happy.""I kinda figured. So why would they give it to me?" I tucked the bottle into the pocket of my dress so it wouldn't be seen. "Posies have lived a long time. Some believe they can see the future. Others believe their power is even stronger than that. They believe posies can travel to the future and the past as well as predict it.""Merde," I swore softly. It seemed the little creatures had some elven blood in them as well. Leo shook his head. "I don't know the truth. No one really does, but it's nice to have them on your side, especially if they know something we don't."I agreed, and we continued back to the castle. When we reached my room, Leo stopped. "I'll see you tonight, Cinderella." He gently stroked my cheek with the back of his hand. My body tingled.I swallowed back the feelings
"Is there something I can do?" I asked, wishing I wasn't so magically inept in this land.Anna shook her head. "No, it's the curse. No one can help me except Mizrabel, and she won't." She spat the last word out. Bright, sparkling stars surrounded her entirely and then she was no longer a woodland fairy, but two brown rabbits again.They wiggled their noses at me. I kneeled on the floor next to them. The one on the right climbed into my lap and burrowed under my arms. The one of the left bit my outstretched finger and darted behind the curtains."Hey, where are you going?" I called after it. Of course, there was no answer. I glanced at the bunny still in my lap. "I'm guessing you're Anna, and the other, more offensive one is Belle?"She looked at me with her dark eyes, then hopped behind the curtain after the other one. Though all the animals in Polonias could speak, I guessed Anna and Belle couldn't because of Mizrabel. Or perhaps it was as with the posies. I didn't understand t
Leo stood in the entrance looking handsome. He wore a blue and silver jacket and black pants, the ends tucked into shiny black boots. His sandy-colored hair was combed back, but one lock kept falling over his right eye. He whipped it out of his face, then brushed his hair back with his fingers. Perfect lips curved upward in a smile as I watched his eyes slide from my face down my body and back up again."You look magnificent, Cinderella. I hope you don't mind if I escort you to the party."I smiled, glad he was there, that I didn't have to go alone. "Thank you," I responded. "I would like that very much." Especially since I didn't know where the party was being held.Leo stuck out his elbow, and I took it. We walked together down the hall, past several closed doors, through a large sitting area, down several sets of stairs until we finally arrived at a grand ballroom. It was twice the size of the one in Pops' house. Music played in the background, and several elegantly dressed co
When the soup course was finished, the bowls and wine glasses disappeared. Thankfully I was able to empty my glass before it vanished. The second course was plates filled salad greens, along with chunks of pear and cranberry and celery, cucumber and slivered carrots. Another wine glass appeared at the top of my plate. It held a clear, bubbling liquid. I took a bite of the salad, enjoying the textures and flavors as I waited for a blasted man to drink from his glass.When no one did, I leaned over to Leo. "Care to take a drink so I can?" I winked, and he chuckled. "Of course." He picked up his glass. I watched his expression as he gulped down a large swallow. He was focused on his father, as though they were having a conversation only they could hear. Finally, Leo set his glass down. "I - " Leo began but wasn't allowed to finish before the king stood. He raised his glass, and everyone else in the room followed suit."To Cinderella. We welcome you to our humble land of Polonias.
What happened after Mizrabel left was kind of a blur. People spoke words, but it all sounded like a muffled foreign language. Someone lifted me, and I was carried, then laid on a bed. Quilla appeared. Between her sneezing and bright yellow and green outfit, there was no way I could mistake her for anyone else. Her concerned face came close to mine. She peered into my eyes - so did Leo and the king. Even Anna Belle and the leopard I hadn't talked to yet -What was her name? Violet. Even she came into the room and looked at me. I couldn't figure out what they were doing or what was wrong with me. I knew I needed to get out of bed and begin looking for the glass lyre.When the room was quiet, I closed my eyes, trying to imagine what Mizrabel meant about going home. If she was my literal mother, wouldn't that mean Polonias was my home? But if she actually meant where I was raised, I would need to go back to Salem, which made no sense. I would remember seeing something as strange
I liked the idea of Leo coming with me. At the same time, I didn't. It could get awkward. "Um, that isn't necessary." My heart sped up.Leo tucked his hands in his front pockets. "I'm going." He threw his shoulders back. "That's final, Cinderella."For him to use my full name made me feel like a child being scolded by an unhappy parent. I didn't like it. Through gritted teeth, I said, "Since when did you start making decisions for me?"He crossed his arms. "This isn't only about you. It's about this land. As the Prince, I feel it wise to go wherever you go." He raised an eyebrow, and I got the feeling he wanted me to understand more than what he was saying. This had to do with his father, the king. He must've ordered Leo to go with me, which meant he had to go. He wasn't given a choice."Fine," I said. "When do you want to leave?"Leo stepped close. "Now," he said, taking my hand.I didn't mention I used the hourglass to travel to Sharra the day before. Instead, I took hold of it
Closing the door, I called Snow using magic. "Mirror, mirror, made of glass, find me Snow White, do as I ask."Immediately I was able to see into Snow's bedroom. The vampire queen's husband stood, naked, his derriere turned toward the mirror.I cleared my throat, looking away. Dorian was handsome, but he was also like a brother to me, and there was something so wrong about ogling him. He yelped. "Son of a - Snow, the damn mirror's for you." He dashed into the bathroom, mumbling something like, "Why can't mirrors just be used the way they were intended?"I fought back a snicker.Snow appeared in nothing but a towel. "Hey, Cindy. Long time no chat." She laughed, tucking the bath sheet more tightly around her."What the hell do you two do all day? Are you even handling the queenly stuff? What about the school?" I huffed. "Or do you spend all your time in this room? Doing - I mean damn." I shook my head, only a little jealous. Okay, a lot. Snow snorted. "We're newlyweds, Cin." She glan
That night, after all of the festivities were over and we said our goodbyes, Troy and I went back to the small house that used to be my mother's. Now that Sharra was no longer a threat, the chayot set up a meeting between several of the heads of different countries in the human realm and me. There, with the help of the chayot, we discussed relaxing the laws for supernaturals. Together we came to an agreement and I created a magical system with the help of Heathcliff and several other human scientists. After much discussion, I became aware of the KPID, a supernatural government agency known as the King's Paranormal Inquiries Division. The organization had been tracking supernaturals for hundreds of years, at first in the United Kingdom, but in the mid seventeen hundreds, they'd moved over to America as well. Given access to the KPID's super top secret information, I was able to update and strengthen the magic already in place as well as add some newer, more technical attributes with He
"Are you ready?" I asked. We were standing outside on my balcony. I took Troy's hand as my wings fluttered behind me. My engagement ring sparkled in the midday light and I couldn't help but admire it. Troy had asked Jesse and the gargoyles to create the ring for me. A thick platinum band with vines filigreed on either side leading to the center where sat a delicate jasmine flower made of diamonds and blue topaz."Are you sure you can do this?" Troy was teasing me, pretending to be nervous about me flying him around Sharra. "There's only one way to find out," I said, and leaped into the air. Troy whooped out a holler as he clung to my hands, his body dangling below."Don't drop him, Jasmine. It isn't every day you find someone crazy enough to fall for you," Abrea said beside me, her pixilette wings fluttering gracefully. "True." I laughed and the action felt really good."Jasmine? We need to leave for the wedding," my mom called from back in my room. I rolled my eyes and glanced at
Before I knew it, I was laughing as tears of joy leaked onto my cheeks. He set me on the ground and pushed my hair out of my face, then cupped it in his hands. "I love you vampire girl." "You do?" I believed him, but needed reassurance as my hands curled around his wrists. "More than I believed it was possible to love." He bent his head and gently touched his lips to mine, his eyes still open and on me. I kissed him back, as a gurgle of happiness shot through me. The sweet kiss turned hot and needy. I loved him and wanted him and didn't care who knew it. He pressed my mouth open, deepening our kiss as his arms went around my waist and he lifted me off the ground. "Hey you two?" It was my Mom. I froze and opened my eyes. Troy was watching me again. "Should we tell them?" he asked. I knew he was talking about our engagement. "Now's as good a time as any," I said as he set me on my feet. Troy took my hand and I turned to face the group. "We have an announcement," he said. The
"Do not do this," Christopher said, a look of complete disbelief on his injured face. "You have the power within you to destroy her. You know you do. So why?" I couldn't explain. But I hoped one day he and the rest would understand. If I failed, Laeddin could tell them the truth about the Unknowns, what they had planned. In the end my family would see I made the best choice. The only choice."Silence, Hunter. I'll deal with your insubordination later," Sharra said, sending a bolt of magic at Christopher. He was thrown back, landing against the other side of the cell before falling to the ground with a groan. Chris bared his fangs in anger and jumped to his feet, though slower than expected. "Hurt them and the deal is off," I seethed, facing her, my hands in fists at my sides. She gave me an innocent look. "I didn't do any permanent damage." She crossed her arms, sauntering toward me. "Now then, let's do this."I swallowed, forcing myself to remain calm. My plan would work. It had t
Determination weighed my shoulders down as I traversed the inkiness. As I went, I called out in my mind, using the magic within me to speak with Silindra and Laeddin. At once, my mind was there, in Laeddin's realm, in his library full of books. He and Silindra were there, standing close, reading something aloud. "Laeddin," I said. Laeddin glanced at me, or rather, my mental presence. Silindra looked up as well. "Is it just me or am I seeing Jasmine?" Surprise flickered across her too lovely face. "I see her too - somehow." Laeddin reached out, but his fingers couldn't touch me. I was there, but not really there. "I'm going to Sharra," I said, and looked from Laeddin to Silindra. "The darkness will swallow the earth soon. There is no more time. I need your help now. Please find me." "We're coming, Jasmine," Laeddin said, and took Silindra's hand. Were they a couple now? There was no time to figure it out. Silindra said, "Watch out for my sister. She's tricky.""I will," I said, a
Now that we had nothing to fear, Lirle and I moved quickly and undeterred toward the stronghold. As we went, Lirle talked more about the dragon she liked as well as growing up in the dragon realm. Hearing her talk, I couldn't help but admire the Hollow. It was stark and vast and though it wasn't blooming with all manner of flowers like Sharra, it still held beauty. That night as we rested and ate under a canopy of trees, I was able to witness one of the wonders of her realm. Here, the forest stirred to life at night. Everything seemed to possess a bioluminescence. Trees whose leaves were pink during the day glowed a soft white, like millions of fireflies covered them. Animals I hadn't known were there, insects and little creatures that reminded me of spider monkeys, lit up as well. It was beautiful and a little terrifying. "Why does it do this?" I asked, mesmerized. Lirle took another bite of whatever she was eating. Her lips were luminescent blue like the spider monkeys and I force
He looked up and for the briefest moment, I thought he was staring right at me. No longer angry, but still unsure. Troy spoke: I love you, too, Jazz. He stopped speaking and adjusted his weight, sitting up straighter. They added: Someone is coming. He closed his eyes and pretended to be sleeping. His cell door cranked open and a female voice spoke. "I brought you a friend. Try not to kill each other." Christopher stumbled into the room before turning and flashing his fangs. "You touch me like that again and you won't live to tell anyone about it." His hands were behind his back and black magic held his wrists together. The person he spoke to laughed. It was Sharra.I focused on Troy. His eyes burned into Chris like he would kill him. To Troy, I begged: Please remember, Chris is on our side. He believes in our love too. When Sharra forced me to kiss him, Chris stopped me and freed me from her magic. He's changed and he can help.I hoped that was true. As much as I trusted Chris
"How nice to see you, Lirle." The voice came from a gray dragon with blood red eyes. His sharp and pointy teeth glistened like they held their own light. Huge talons clamped around Lirle from behind, holding her like a sharpened straight jacket. She gasped and struggled but couldn't move. Her captor's clutches were bigger than Lirle's body. The first dragon looked at me. "And you are Jasmine, heir to Sharra and an original vampire. But where are your wings?" He opened his mouth and I thought he intended to burn me to a crisp. Instead his tongue came out and he licked me. Tasting. "Strange," he said. "Gross." I wiped my cheek with the sleeve of my shirt. It occurred to me he was speaking like Abernathy did, with his mouth and not in my mind like Lirle. Perhaps speaking aloud was a skill that came with age. The first dragon pushed through the trees, causing them to snap and break. Then he pounded his tail on the ground several times in a rhythmic fashion while lifting his head. He ro
Lirle took to the air, her attention on the direction where the sound came from. Her whole body trembled. "You're frightened. What is it?" I asked, fighting my own nerves. Lirle's eyes bore into mine and her terror shone brightly as she said: We're too late. The Ondror's magic is upon us. Listen carefully. A dragon's magic comes from the soul. Our greatest weapon is using the weaknesses of our enemy against them by showing them what they fear most. She flew over to the stream before coming back to me and pointing with one claw. Lirle asked: Do you see the soul magic coming?I followed her gaze and squinted until I saw the blackness, traveling like a deadly mist through the trees, and heading right for us. "Can we outrun it?" She shook her head and said: No. It's everywhere. She spun in a circle and I followed her. Lirle was right. It was coming from every direction, like we had a homing beacon on us. She met my gaze and said: You see? Whatever happens, whatever you experience o