Abernathy landed on a patch of grass behind the castle. Again no one was about. "Where is everyone?""In Polonias, when a member of the royal family dies, everything shuts down and the people go into seclusion until the funeral." Abernathy lay down on the grass, crossing his front paws and resting his head on top. "But then how will they know when the funeral will be?" His answer seemed too easy. "It's always the same day and the same time and will be held in the grand hall of the castle.""Does that mean there won't be anyone guarding Leo?" That gave me a ray of hope. "There shouldn't be. Be ready, just in case." He smacked his lips. "Leo is in the cellar. Enter through those doors there." He indicated a set of double wooden doors just off the castle, near the base, angled into the ground. "Off you go. Rescue your husband, Cinderella." "I - He isn't my husband." My thoughts were everywhere as I slid off his back and went over to the doors. "If you say so," the dragon said. "Wil

My eyes blinked open. I appeared to be surrounded by a cocoon. Pink and white. I pulled my hand from the dirt and touched it. So soft, like a petal, and I knew instantly that's what it was. As the new heart of Polonias, this was my flower. Soft footsteps came toward me. I wasn't sure what to do, so I waited inside the blossom, listening. In moments, I sensed it was Polly and Leo. They were happy. So happy! And there was more. She was already expecting. Without knowing how, I came out of the ground, my flower, a vivid pink peony, became clothing as I found purchase atop the grass. My eyes first caught and held Leo's. He looked the same, only the worried edge to his features had gone. When I noticed Polly, I gawked. She no longer looked like a thousand-year-old child, but a woman with long blond hair, bright blue eyes, and womanly curves. She looked like me. "Polly, you look beautiful," I said, utterly shocked. Going to her, I took her outstretched hands. "Hello, sister," s

I knew I was back in Sharra because of the smell of musty old spell books. Travelling was different this time. There were no witch mists. Nothing to distract me or sway me from my goal. It was a relief and yet another reason to be grateful for what Abernathy had done. Happy to be in my office, I used a spell to check the date and time. It was late Friday night. Snow was probably asleep, but I needed to speak with her. Only a little hesitant, I went to the mirror hanging next to the door. "Mirror, mirror - " I paused. It was the first time seeing my reflection since the magic I held when I was the heart left me. My face looked the same, but the white-looking burns of the leaves and vines still covered my face and neck. I checked my arms as well and knew they were all over my body. At the sight of myself, tears formed and fell onto my cheeks. It wasn't vanity. I didn't mind the marks and whether they stayed or not mattered little to me. That they were there reminded me of all

The next week was back to work and I enjoyed every second. Each class filled me with renewed vigor. I also spoke with Sera about seeing our resident therapist, which she agreed to do. We discussed the rumors that she wanted to bring someone back from the dead. She denied any part of it. As Snow said, it was obvious the girl had lied, so I determined to keep a close eye on her by asking if she would help with the setup of the haunted house. After some reluctance, she finally seemed to have a therapeutic breakthrough and for the briefest moment I saw a glimmer of kindness from Sera. The student body officers agreed to change the theme from gory and horrific and instead would recreate several iconic scenes from the movie Hocus Pocus, although they were keeping the haunted house scary and even decided to amp it up. I figured Sera would love that and each time I saw her, she seemed to be enjoying herself. Hopefully that would keep her distracted. The decorating committee created mag

I closed my bedroom door and locked it before going to the mirror and asking it to show me Snow. Thankfully, my best friend was still awake and alone in her study. I shared with her my thoughts and theories and told her I was going to Polonias and not to worry if she didn't see me in the morning since I didn't know how long I would be gone. Guilt pierced my heart momentarily after saying goodbye and changing from the dress I wore for school into a pair of jeans, boots, and an oversized indigo sweater with a V neck. Why hadn't I asked Gabe to go with me? He could have come and seen the place of my birth. My bloodline had kept the land of Polonias alive. Aside from that, the land was in my heart and I wanted Gabe to know that part of myself. Confused and irritated with myself, I took hold of the diamond star attached to the black choker around my neck. If my theories were correct, then Sera was in Polonias. I didn't know how it was possible since travelling to my land wasn't as