Witch Land (The Cindy Chronicles #2) (2 page)

“Come in,” I yelled out of habit until I remembered I wasn’t in my room in Salem, Massachusetts. And the person on the other side of the door probably wasn’t my mom. Throwing on a robe, I ran to the heavy wooden door, unlocked it, and pulled it open.

Quilla stood
there, her hands on her hips. She wore a dress the color of an eggplant, a bright red painter’s hat, spotted blue tights, and pointy black boots. Before I could say anything sarcastic she walked past me into my room.

“
Why didn’t you use magic to open the door? Not that I’m complaining. Stupid allergies. But Polonias is a world full of it. No one cares whether you use it or not. In fact, they expect you to.” She patted my cheek. “You were just being polite, huh?” She plopped down on my bed and bounced. “Cozy.” Then she gave me a once over. I followed her gaze.

My robe was split open, showing my blue polka dot boxer shorts and light blue tank.

Quilla wrinkled her nose. “Is that what you’re wearing to your party? It’s…” she paused and sniffed before continuing, “charming.”

“
Hi, Quilla. It’s nice of you to finally come by and see me. Where’ve you been?” I walked to the closet as I spoke. Apparently it was time to get dressed. The closet was larger than my room back home and filled with hundreds of shoes, underclothes, and dresses. They began arriving almost immediately after I did. Most of the dresses were in various shades of blue, I’m guessing because Leo told the dressmakers blue was my favorite color. I wondered how he knew.

They weren
’t as short or as stylish as I was used to, but they were still beautiful.

I ran my fingers over the different fabrics
, some soft, others stiff. They were all lovely, almost sensuous. I chose one in sky blue, the fabric soft and functional. The shoes I chose were black flats the color of charcoal. My reflection in the mirror revealed I looked pretty, but too sweet. It wasn’t my style, even if I did love the color.

I stepped from the closet and
smiled at Quilla. “What about this?”

She snorted.
“No. No. No.” She twirled her pointer finger in the air. In the air between us, moving at the same speed as her finger, a tornado of materials spun. It was a flurry of silvers and blues and blacks.

Before my eyes a dress took shape. It was beautiful. The bodice was fitted and a combination of glitte
ry silver and sky blue. The jagged tulle skirt pooled out from the waist like a cloud.

“
That’s gorgeous,” I said, reaching out to touch it.

“
Th-th—” Quilla sneezed. “You can wear this tonight. I’m sure the dressmakers have plenty of choices in that gigantic closet of yours, but this will be perfect.”

“
Thank you.” I took the dress from the air and used magic to hang it up. When I returned, Quilla was staring at me.

“
What?”

She shook her bouncy curls.
“What is it about you and handsome men? First that beautiful chayot—Gabe, right? And now Leo.”

“
I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I went to the bathroom—thankfully the facilities weren’t old fashioned—and ran a brush through my hair.

“
I asked you to come and you refused. A handsome prince with perfect hair and gorgeous eyes asks and hocus pocus, you’re
here
.” She clucked her tongue. “I thought you were stronger than that.” Her features were filled with disappointment.

“
It wasn’t Leo, it was Polly,” I said, pulling the hourglass charm necklace Leo had given me over my neck and tucking the hourglass under the dress bodice between my boobs.

She sniffed
loudly. “Yeah, right.”

“
Compli Makus,” I said, and my bed made itself, pushing Quilla out of her sitting position and into the air. I smirked at the shocked look she gave me.

“
I’m serious.” I didn’t need to explain my reasons to her. Still I couldn’t help but think about what she said and wondered if she was right. “Did you want something?” I finally asked.

“
Nope. Just wanted to see for myself that you were here.” She walked to the door. “I’ll see you tonight.” With a
poof
she was gone.

“
Alone again,” I whispered, wondering if I should go find Leo. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. If it were Quilla again, I’d give her a piece of my mind.

It wasn
’t. It was Leo. He looked like a fairy tale prince. He wore a burgundy and black jacket, gray pants that hugged his muscled thighs, and matching black belt and boots.

“
Hi,” I finally said after perusing his body more than once.

Leo did the same to me, and I blushed.

“Did you tell the dressmakers I like the color blue?” I asked, trying to cover up my embarrassment by fluffing a pillow.

He shook his head.
“No. Is it your favorite color?”

“
Yes, it is.”

Leo smiled and his eyes sparkled with mischief.
“What else do you like?” He held the door open for me. We left my room and I closed the door with the magic words Isla Secura.

As we walked down the hall I answered him.
“All sorts of stuff.” I shrugged. “I hope you’re here to take me to the kitchen, because I’m starved.”

He winked
, reached out, and grabbed my hand. Everywhere our fingers touched was like ice and fire, burning cold. I gasped but didn’t pull away. The tingling filled my veins. I wanted to ask Leo if he felt it, but I was afraid if the feeling were one-sided he would think I was putting the moves on him. My heart still belonged to Gabe. My emotions for him weren’t so easily erased, even if that wasn’t true of Gabe himself. The chayot leader was an idiot, but I loved him.

“
Breakfast is our first stop. I’ve got a special place in mind after,” Leo said startling me back to the present.

I
gently pulled my hand away and quirked an eyebrow. “Are you putting the moves on me, Leo Loyalor?”

He chuckled.
“What if I am?”

I felt my mouth fall open.
Then shook my head. “I-I’m sort of…” What did I tell him? Gabe broke our relationship, shattered it to pieces. “I’m not ready.”

Leo smiled.
“Let’s eat.”

Leo had given me a quick tour of the
castle the day I arrived, but his home was expansive. Halls intersected each other like a spider’s web. I knew there had to be a spell to help me find my way, but it was too much fun having Leo show me around. And I had let him. Often. I was happier when he was around.

That
’s because you like him.

I glanced sideways at Leo. It was
true. I did like him, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.

Leo caught me staring.
“What?”

“
Uh, nothing. It’s just I’m glad you’re here to help me find my way around. This castle is gigantic. It’s like an enormous labyrinth.”

Leo
stuck out his elbow. I took it. “You’re welcome,” he said.

We walked in silence down the hall. After several turns I knew we were getting closer to the kitchen because of the delicious aroma.

Like blueberry muffins.

My favorite,
I thought, swallowing.

“
I hope you’re hungry,” he said, sitting on a heavy wooden chair.

I sat next to him
as the cook, whose name was Mrs. Potts, brought over a platter of muffins, some creamy butter, and bacon.

I took one of the muffins
and set it on my plate. With my knife I spread the butter until the muffin was covered. I broke off a piece and popped it into my mouth.

The edge was crisp and the inside moist.
“Mmmmm,” I said, closing my eyes.

Leo chuckled.
“Mrs. Potts makes the best food.”

I glanced at the cook and caught her face burning with embarrassed pride.
“Stop it. Your compliments won’t get you thirds,” she said, bringing over a big plate of scrambled eggs and potatoes. She set them in front of him. Leo dug in. I had a feeling she’d give him fourths if he asked.

“
So what are you making for the banquet tonight?” Leo asked her between bites.

She waved a hand at him
. “It’s a surprise. You’ll find out.”

Leo smiled
, and stuffed another forkful of food in his mouth.

We ate in silence. When we
finished, we thanked Mrs. Potts. Leo magicked the dishes clean and then magicked them back into their position on top of a bunch of others.

When we were out in the hallway, Leo asked,
“You ready?” He grabbed my hand and again I felt the cold heat of fire and ice.

“
Sure,” I replied, trying to ignore the way my skin tingled as he gripped my hand tighter.

“
Avandey.” Leo spoke the word quietly. There was a gentle rush. Our bodies travelled like apparitions down hallways, through the rock walls of the castle, and out onto the grounds.

I watched in awe as we floated past groundskeepers, through bushes, trees, and over 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.
“Is that the way to travel in Polonias?” I asked, turning in a circle and taking in my surroundings. It was a garden filled with flowers that were similar to those on Earth, but different too.

“
Yes,” Leo said. “It’s quick and easy. Think you remember the words?”

“
Sure,” I said, repeating Avandey and Stolenvey in my mind.

“
Good.” He walked to the edge of the garden and picked a flower that sort of looked like a rose. Then turned and brought it to me.

I took it from his hand. The petals were buttery soft and smelled like roses. I pressed the center to my nose and inhaled. Something pinched me.

“Ouch,” I said, pulling it away. At the center of the flower was a little… girl. Her head, shoulders, and arms were visible. She had her arms crossed and was glaring at me, or at least trying to. The look was adorable. “What are these?” I asked, handing the flower girl back to Leo.

“
These are Posies.” He held his hand flat and the petals turned downward, becoming a lovely dress. The little Posie walked to the edge of Leo’s fingers and shook a fist at me.

“
I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

She crossed her arms and turned away.

Leo chuckled and put his face close to Posie’s. “It’s my fault. I told her your garden was special. I wanted to show you, all of you, to her. She thought you smelled lovely. Am I right, Cindy?”

I stepped closer.
“Yes, he’s right. You do smell really good.”

She turned toward me, uncrossed her arms, and took a step closer. Then four of
what I thought were petals turned to wings at the center of her back. She lifted off Leo’s hand, flew closer, and patted my nose. A strange noise came from her mouth. I had the feeling she was speaking to me, but I couldn’t understand.

I looked at Leo for help.

He smiled. “The Posie language is a little strange, but you’ll get the hang of it. You just need a little magic.” He smiled. “Say this: Deotha Spranza.”

“
Okay.” The little Posie and Leo waited. I took a deep breath. “Deotha Spranza.” I felt a strange wave of air in my eardrums. The feeling touched my throat as well. The Posie flipped her long red hair.

“
Greetings, Cinderella. It’s lovely to meet you. My name is Sabrina. Welcome to my garden.”

I blinked several times, surprised her mouth still moved in a strange way, but I understood.
“Nice to meet you.” I finally said.

Sabrina
flew higher and out toward the middle of the garden. Leo sidled up next to me and took my hand. Thousands of Posie creatures flew off the shrubs, bushes, and stems and into the air. It was like the flowers swayed in an invisible wind.

I watched in awe, blown away by the beauty.

“What do you think?” Leo asked.

“
I love it,” I breathed. The Posies danced, twirling and swaying to music I couldn’t hear. But they were in sync, as though they were one.

“
What are they?” I finally asked.

Leo chuckled.
“Flower isn’t acceptable to you.”

“
Most flowers don’t talk and dance.” I smirked.

“
Not where you’re from, but everything here is created of magic. Most things here can talk. You just have to be able to understand them.”

I nodded.

“But the Posies are a type of fairy. In Polonias the Posies are in charge reseeding in the spring and fall. Since it’s summer they’re in full out party mode.”

“
Cool.”

“
Totally,” Leo added, and we both laughed.

“
I should probably get you back. The celebration will begin in a few hours and I know you’ll want to get ready.”

“
Alright,” I said.

We walked to the edge of the thick shrub that surrounded the garden and stopped. Several of the Posies held pet
als in their tiny hands. Sabrina flew forward. “We wanted you to have these in honor of the celebration tonight.”

“
Thank you,” I replied, holding out my hands. Each Posie came forward and dropped a couple of petals into my cupped hands, then flew away. When they were finished my hands were filled. I looked at Sabrina, unsure about what to do with them. The aroma coming off them was incredible. She seemed to understand my hesitancy.

From within her petal dress she pulled a wand and waved it. The petals spun together and transformed into a small bottle. The top was shaped like a flower. Inside the
iridescent glass bottle was a light pink liquid.

“
Wear it and all who catch a whiff of you will be unable to do anything but agree with all you say.”

I looked at it closer. It was more li
ke a potion than a perfume, one which could be exploited. “Uh, thank you, Sabrina. I appreciate your gift.”

Leo grasped my hand
and used the magic word, and we drifted out of the garden, over the river, and onto a path near the castle.

Leo used the word to stop our ghostly travel.
“Be careful with that potion. The gift is as she said. If someone discovers you’ve used the potion on them, they won’t be happy.”

“
I kinda figured. So why would they give it to me?” I held tight in my grasp so the small bottle couldn’t be seen.

“
The Posies are a type of fairy. They’ve lived a long time, in many different realms and worlds. Some believe the Posies can see the future. Others believe their power is stronger than that. They believe the Posies are able to travel to the future and the past.”

“
Merde,” I swore softly.

“
I don’t know the truth, but it’s nice to have them on your side. That they gave you a gift is a good sign.”

“
Do they look like that in every world and realm?” I asked, curious if they existed in Sharra or even on Earth.

Leo shrugged.
“I don’t know,” he said.

We continued on the path
and into the castle, each lost in our own thoughts. When we reached my room, Leo stopped. “I’ll see you tonight, Cinderella.” He touched my cheek.

“
See ya, Leo,” I said, and hurried into my room.