Spelled (11 page)

“Rule #61: When you are the guest, it is imperative to treat your host with the utmost respect, following his every command. Even the stupid ones.”

—
Definitive Fairy-Tale
Survival Guide,
Politics Edition

Rexi's rant upset and unbalanced me more than I let show on the outside. I tried to match my expression to the woman in the corner: stoic and blank.

Neither one of us followed after Rexi, and when she didn't come back, Kato scooted into her spot and continued the story. “Like
almost
everyone, Blanc had worshipped and prayed to the Storymakers her whole life. Now she blamed them for how her story turned out. She lashed out, using the curse and her magic to take revenge.” In the picture, Blanc no longer smiled or laughed. The white, which previously seemed bright and innocent, now looked stark and empty. She stalked toward the shadowy man hiding in the tree. The warlock appeared to beg and plead, but she drew him in and kissed him. Within moments, the warlock lay on the ground—drowned in the middle of the forest.

I had seen enough and turned away.

Clearing his throat softly, Kato brought my attention back to him. “But she wasn't done yet.” Kato nudged me back to face the book. “Still unhappy, she decided to find the Storymakers and force them to rewrite her story. But to do that, she would need a lot more power and help. She found an ally in a powerful chimera, Bestiamimickos, who was also unhappy with his story. He loved a princess who would not love him back since he wasn't human royalty. So Blanc showed him how to use life magic to control beasts and named him king of them all. In return, he brought an army of chimeras to make war on the Storymakers and, together, to force them to revise their fates.”

I'd already heard Bob's history of the first Beast King, and I liked that version, the lovey-dovey one, better. I watched what Kato and the book wanted to show me anyway. The images moved rapidly. Blanc, along with other witches and the chimeras, burned through villages—and Blanc no longer had to kill by kiss. Somehow, she was able to draw all the water out of a person, leaving them mummified.

“She began stealing magic, at first only taking from the wicked. But it twisted her soul. When she realized that the strongest power came from life magic, she started stealing life instead. Drunk on her new power, she decided that the only way to correct her story and bring back her prince was to erase
everything
and start again. She proclaimed herself the empress of all story and wiped away entire species, whole fairy tales.”

I looked over at the real live Blanc again, behind her wall of flames. There was no evidence of the young girl who wanted to be good despite what her parents were. She had twisted into something else. Maybe the curse had tainted her. Maybe she had always been destined to be evil. I understood a little bit about loss and pain, about pushing and fighting against your destiny. But to take it out on everyday people… “What kind of villain does that?”

“All of them,” Kato said, his tail hitting the cave wall.

Unbidden, the image of Beauty becoming the Beast came to mind. I shook my head. That was different. I didn't mean to screw up anybody's story. I was different.

Wasn't I?

“How did she end up here?” I turned to the book and watched the story unfold through the pictures and Kato's words.

“Supposedly, the Beast King finally caught a Storymaker and forced the Maker to transform him into a human.” On the page, a group of chimeras stood next to an older man with odd clothes and a curled mustache. The man touched the one with golden horns, and the chimera became human. My guess was that he was the Beast King, but that would make the other man…

“That can't be a Storymaker.” I leaned in closer to try and get a better look. “He doesn't look all-powerful. Just old.”

Kato shrugged his haunches. “I find it hard to believe myself. But that is the story that has been passed down for centuries. After becoming human, Bestiamimickos returned to his princess and realized he had been tricked—no matter what form he took on the outside, the princess could never love someone who had caused such suffering to other stories.”

Now the book showed a young girl. She looked plain, her clothes had few frills, but her brown hair was braided into a crown of green and gold.

“As a magical empress, Blanc had so much power, she became basically immortal. Nothing could kill her. But she still needed to be stopped. The princess demanded that the Beast King make amends for his crimes by betraying Blanc and sacrificing his power to imprison her.”

The picture showed the supposed Storymaker writing in a book with a quill on the cover. Now-human Besti-Mc-whatever-his-name held Blanc down while the princess put gold bands around Blanc's neck and wrists.

“With those, the Storymaker, princess, and King of Beasts bound Blanc's powers, trapping the evil sorceress in magical flame.”

I hadn't noticed the gold jewelry before, so I looked at the real Blanc again. Sure enough, a glint of gold barely peeked out from under her bell sleeves and high neckline.

“So then what happened? As far as happy endings go, I've seen better. Your king didn't get the girl, and Blanc didn't suddenly see the error of her ways and become a good white witch.”

Kato tilted his head to the side, tapping his chin with his tail. “Well, I suppose the story isn't over yet. The Beast King vowed to someday deserve the princess's love. Until then, he exiled himself, but first, he ordered the chimeras to spend eternity watching over Blanc, keeping the flames burning in punishment for the sins they committed for the sorceress. The ritual of life magic to control beasts was passed down to each future generation to crown a new Beast King. That, of course, includes me. The sole purpose of my life has been to rule over the chimeras, watch the White One, and keep the flames. That is, until yesterday.”

I waited for the book to show me what happened to the princess, but the picture jumped and filled with static. Finally the whole page turned dark, with only a white, half-eaten, poisoned apple in the center.

I shifted my body around to watch Kato, since the book had broken. “What changed?” I asked.

“You did, Dot.”

I fell right off the edge of my seat.

Kato wiped a paw across his face, another humanlike gesture. “My best guess is that your wish affected the magic that kept her asleep. The fire is going out and nothing we're doing is working. She'll be free in a matter of weeks. Then Grimm save us all.”

The weight of the air tripled and landed squarely on my shoulders. This was bigger than making vacuums fly screwy or trees wither and turn cannibalistic. Seeing Blanc's story unfold pulled away the final pieces of wool I'd used to cover my eyes. Denial was no longer an option. But I couldn't remember what had been going through my head when I'd wished the world away. Had I just been spouting off because my temper had gotten the best of me again? Or had I, somewhere deep in my subconscious, known the wish would work this way? Did it even matter? I was still responsible whether it was on purpose or not.

True, but one makes you a monster. The other one just makes you an idiot. Which one is it?

“What are you going to do?” I asked quietly and got up off the floor, dusting off my scorched and tattered dress.

Kato stretched and paced. I couldn't help but notice he was moving away from the other chimeras—and from Blanc. “Over the years, a sort of legend about Blanc's weakness has been passed down with the power. I never put any stock in it.” He paused for effect. “Until now.”

I rolled my eyes, taking a page from Rexi. “Overdramatic much? Just tell me what the legend said already.”

Kato continued pacing, talking to himself now more than me. “I mean, it sounded like a bunch of fairy dust. Why would changing the color of the flames matter? But for generations, we've tried everything anyway—tried feeding the fire with gemstones and magic, crossbred until we had dozens of different colors and species of fireflowers, but we could never get flame like the one the legend described.”

You know that feeling that you get in the pit in your stomach? The one that goes along with the warning bells ringing in your head that screams,
Don't ask! You don't want to know.
Yeah, I had that feeling.

“What color?”

Kato stopped pacing and used the full power of his ice-blue stare. He winced, as if saying it would hurt. But hurt him or me?

“Emerald. The legend says that only emerald flames can free us from our vows.”

I said nothing, waiting for the ax to drop.

“Dot, you need to kill Blanc.”

“All the trouble stemmed from my body image issues. I just couldn't escape the mirror. It lied; the reflection I saw of myself was horrifying.”

—Wicked Queen,
Shattered Reflections

Even while my mind balked at the idea, Emerald flames leaped to my fingertips. My vision clouded over, and Blanc glowed like a flare.

All
that
power. Yours for the taking. Make the world the way you want it. Make yourself into a real hero.

So easy. I could be strong and no one would call me useless again.

Heat danced across my palm.

“Are you okay?” Kato flicked his tail against my leg.

The thump returned my vision and senses to normal. The flames disappeared, but I still felt an oily residue where they'd been. Not a physical coating, but the kind of stain that would never go away, no matter how many times I washed them.

“No,” I answered simply.

“No, you're not okay? Or no, you won't fulfill our alliance and eliminate Blanc?”

“Both,” I said and walked away.

I thought about going back to “my room,” but I needed some time…just…away from everyone. After watching Blanc's story, then feeling the lure of my own flames, an unwelcome theory started to form in my mind, an explanation for why the story had skewed so far off course.

Maybe I wasn't the hero.

Maybe I was the villain.

I roamed the vast network of caverns for a long time, trying very hard
not
to think or glance at my fiery reflection in the shiny obsidian walls. Unfortunately, that meant I paid no attention to where I was going. All the pointy rock things looked the same, and I was lost.

More than just directionally.

I slumped to the ground and put my head in my hands.

Someone
tell
me
what
to
do.

Mom and I had our issues. Mainly because she wasn't content running the whole kingdom; she had to rule everything about my life too. Though it was a trait I hated, I could use her take-charge attitude about now.

I
really
miss
her
.

Someone snorted.
Has
to
be
Rexi
. I looked up.

She was leaning against one of the caves many turns, munching on some sort of steaming red fruit. “You're going the wrong way if you're looking for food. And before you even ask, no, I'm not sharing mine. Get your own.” Somewhere, she'd found a knapsack, and she clutched it protectively to her chest.

Food of any kind sounded pretty good. I stood and headed the direction she indicated. Her footsteps shadowed mine.

I paused and said, “Didn't you hoard enough food? Because I figure I'd be about the last person you wanted to tag along with.”

“True if we're talking
people
. But when the alternative is dozens of giant, hungry beasts, believe it or not, you're better company.”

“So why don't you leave the mountain? You've gotta have family somewhere. Haven't you gotten the memo? I pixed up the whole world order. There's no more Emerald Palace. No dishes to wash. No princess to serve. You don't owe me anything, and you don't have to stay with me anymore.”

“Sheesh. What happened to you that you are willing to admit that?” She crossed her arms. “Still, where else am I gonna go? I'm not exactly on good terms with my folks, and like you said, you pixed the world. Everything you've done up to this point has gotten us into more trouble. Odds are you're going to do something right soon, and since I've already put up with all the zip-a-dee-doo-
doo
, I'd like to be there when the good stuff finally happens.”

That probably wouldn't be anytime soon.

Tiny tremors shook the ground beneath my feet. I'd felt them on and off earlier and learned to ignore them. This time they didn't stop and rumbled louder in a steady rhythm—the cadence of a two-ton chimera running down the cavern full speed.

Bob saw us a little late and dragged his tail in an attempt to brake. He veered right and stopped—after busting through a wall.

“Priestess,” he called breathlessly. “My hearth warms seeing that you are all right.”

“I'm fine too, not that you care,” Rexi muttered.

Bob ignored her. “My lord ordered me to find you and confirm your safety.”

Undeterred, Rexi asked, “Why couldn't the Lord of the Fleas come?”

I knew Bob wouldn't answer her, so I rephrased, “Where exactly is Kato?”

“There's been an incident. Nothing major.” Bob avoided my gaze by turning tail. Literally.

I couldn't keep up with the chimera's stride, so I called out, “Is he okay?”

Bob froze in his tracks. He faced me and tilted his head to one side. “You are having concerned feelings for him?”

“Yes, of course.”

Bob smiled all the way to his horns and gave a smug nod. “Good, then you will be queen after all.”

“Not those kinds of feelings.” I sighed. “It's complicated.”

Bob nudged me and winked. “Say no more. I was a hatchling once myself. True love is like a stalactite meeting a stalagmite. Complete opposites, but with time, calcium, and a healthy drip system, they meet in the middle. Or one crushes the other. It really depends.” He continued on his path a little slower but with a happy spring in his step. “Fear not, future mistress. Your love will be fine, I'm sure. In the worst case, he'll only have to break one talon. Seven will still be intact.”

I nearly tripped over my own feet. “Kato couldn't be bothered to look for me because he's having nail issues?” Stupid pox-prattled…

“Wow, and I thought you were vain.” Rexi took a bite of steaming fruit. “Or is this his solution to our problems?”
Munch
munch.
“He's making a claw dagger?”
Munch
munch.
“Or does the Gray Witch have some horrible fear of bad manicures?”

Bob looked at me like,
She's your responsibility; you handle her
.

Too bad, in this case, I happened to agree with the snark queen. “Yeah, what she said.”

Bob gave an exasperated sigh. “Really, do you know nothing about your true love?”

I chose not dignify that with a response, unless you counted the withering look I gave him.

“Each prince of the Beast King's line has some natural influence over beasts. But to use that power over a great distance or to compel someone to do something against their will, he must tap directly into the source of his life magic.” Bob held up his paw.

“That's how he called you to rescue us yesterday. He used life magic.” Life magic…What had Black Crow said about life magic? Comprehension dawned. “His life is within his fingernails? Do they grow back?”

Bob shook his head sadly. “No, Priestess. When all his nails are broken, he will die.”

A giggle escaped from Rexi. She slapped a hand over her mouth. “You can't get a haircut, and he can't have a manicure. Death by salon visit,” she managed to stammer out behind her hand.

It was a horribly inappropriate comment, considering the gravity of the situation. Not that I expected anything else from Rexi. So my only excuse for joining in was that laughter is terribly contagious.

Bob shook his head and shuffled away, muttering, “I don't understand younglings these days. Follow me to your new chambers.”

“Wait.” My laughter died in an instant. “Why do we need
new
chambers? What happened to the
old
one?” My mind caught hold of that line of thought and started racing. “In fact, what sort of incident would make Kato use his life magic?”

Apparently, Bob found the ceiling fascinating, because he wouldn't look down at me. “My lord said he had it all under control and has instructed me not to worry you so—”

“Now,” I ordered in a serious tone that demanded be obeyed.

Bob covered his eyes with one paw and pointed down a side hall with the other. “Grifflespontus caused the royal chambers to erupt in an act of mutiny.”

“What?” Rexi said while I started running.

“I knew I heard that stupid snake tail talk,” I grumbled to myself. “Minor incident my royal…”

As soon as I turned the corner, the temperature dropped below zero. Rubble already filled the corridor, but in the cold, the falling ash looked like snow. The human-sized entry was gone—and so was most of the wall and room. A miniature volcano took up most of the floor space, though there was still part of a bed lying nearby. At least I thought it used to be a bed.

Glad
I
went
for
a
walk
instead
of
coming
back
here
for
a
nap.

Moving on, I headed toward a dull roar I recognized as Kato's.

I found him in a large cavern that reminded me of the throne room at the Emerald Palace, except everything here was carved from rock and not precious metals or jewels. Mirrors, stuck in glowing embers on the wall, refracted light around the room. And Kato was ordering a few guard beasts to move a set of chimera ice sculptures.

Though ice sculptures weren't usually that scarred and ugly—nor did they have moving eyes. In fact, I recognized one of the serpent tails frozen in mid-hiss.

“Dot!” Kato called and stumbled over. “Where have you been? It was dangerous to go off by yourself.”

“Are you seriously going to lecture me now?” I met him in the middle of the room. “What happened?”

“It's nothing you need to be concerned with, really. We had a minor disagreement over the current management of the guardians.”

Did he really think I was going to fall for that? Putting my hands on my hips, I gave him the royal glare I had seen my mother use so often. “Since the
current
management
is you, I would say that is certainly something. How bad was it?”

He waited to speak until the guards carted off the ice chimeras. Then Kato's demeanor changed alarmingly fast. If his chest were a balloon, then someone had let all the air out. His shoulders slumped in resignation and his head drooped. He looked like he hadn't seen any rest for years as opposed to days. “First, Grifflespontus altered the lava flow in my room, since that's where he thought you'd be. Then he attacked me with about five other chimeras. It was close; let's leave it at that.”

“What are you going to do now?”

He growled a little. “Much as I loathe to admit it, I won't be able to keep him frozen indefinitely, even though I boosted the ice with life magic. Your Emerald flames might be useful as a last resort.”

I frowned and helped shore up his wings, since he was having trouble walking. “I already gave you my answer.”

“I know, and I refuse to accept that one.”

Sparks shot off from the tips of my hair. “Look, you stubborn ogre…”

I was so busy scolding Kato that I didn't notice Rexi barreling into the room. She didn't notice that the floor had spots of ice. Without a tail to help steer her sliding, as Bob had done, she bowled right into us, and we ended up in a big, tangled ball of limbs and fur on the floor.

“Why do you people keep landing on me?” Rexi moaned from the bottom of the heap.

Expecting to see a comical sideshow, I looked at our reflection in one of the mirrors lining the walls. My chest tightened, and not just from Kato's weight. In our reflection, I didn't see the Chimera, but the rugged
human
prince from the ballroom—dark, mussed hair; bronzed, dirt-smudged skin—lying on top of me.

Kato followed my gaze and peered at us in the mirror. Our eyes met for a moment, making me feel even more uncomfortable. No, that wasn't right. I couldn't exactly place how I felt, since it was so foreign. It was sorta like leaning out of the highest window of the Emerald tower. Cool view, but it still made my stomach do queasy flips.

“Any day now, people,” Rexi hollered from beneath me.

Kato blinked and backpedaled off like I'd bitten him.

“Thank Grimm! I thought I was gonna suffocate.” Rexi stood and saw our reflections for the first time. “Hey, who's… Why is… Well, I'll be spelled.”

Rexi's knapsack had gotten tangled up in Kato's horns, hanging like it was on a coat rack. The reflection showed the bag hovering over his head, held up by an invisible pointy bit of the horn.

“That's just weird.” Rexi rescued her bag.

Kato seemed to be entranced by his human reflection. He raised a paw to his muzzle, and the mirror image raised a hand to his cheek. He continued making motions, the human counterpart doing the same.

I was getting impatient for an explanation. “Enough of the mime act. Is this an enchanted mirror or what?”

“Wouldn't it be freaky if one of these times the mirror guy didn't move?” Rexi said.

Both Katos huffed and stared up at the ceiling. “Yes, Rexi. That would be freaky. And no, Dot, it's not. I think that magic doesn't show up in a reflection anymore.”

“That can't be right.” I knocked on the mirror, trying to get it to work right. “My reflection is still on fire.”

“Maybe because that's who you really are,” Rexi said quietly.

I started pacing across the floor, and when I opened my mouth, all my fears tumbled out.

“I think I might be evil. Verte's dead, and it's all my fault 'cause I broke the barrier and let Griz in, and then Kato bonked me on the head with the potion, and voilà! Girl of Emerald bathed in flames bent on world destruction. Or at least the destruction of Black Crow, 'cause I felt all-powerful and angry there for a second and she needed to pay, but then I didn't mean to, but then I did anyway, and then she was all melty and…poof! She was a scarecrow. But the power felt good, which is bad, so I can't do what Kato asked 'cause I'm afraid if I hurt someone else, I'll tip the scale over to total badness and end up exactly like Blanc.”