AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Where is your son?”
Her lips twist in a smile so smug, I start to think I may have made a mistake.
“If that is your choice,” she points toward an arch in the trees to her left, ringed in a pale blue halo. “Follow the path to its end and you will belong to him for however long it takes.”
It could take longer than I want if….
“I need to see someone about—”
She snaps and looks at the small T-shaped implement suddenly between her fingers. “This would have gotten in the way… wouldn’t it?”
Throwing it aside, it bursts in a puff of purple smoke and flutters away, another butterfly among so many in the space….
I can’t help but pause, wondering what the others used to be.
“I am not one of the cruel old gods, Lily. I will not trick you to keep you here any longer than I must.” She brushes a finger over her cheek.
The cut heals on mine. The pain vanishes as if it was never there.
“Consider this a reward. I’m certain you’ll enjoy it.”
I take a deep breath, knowing that she could lie if she wants and I have no power to hold her to her word.
But I have no power anyway.
Not yet.
Down the Rabbit Hole
With each step I take, the shadows seem to deepen.
The trees slowly start to disappear, until they’re replaced by thick curtains that fall from the nothingness overhead and seem to turn into black sand when they touch the ground.
This part of Ester’s domain has forsaken nature in favour of something else.
Something darker.
But I see the path’s end.
A door, all tufted dark leather, set into an ornate black frame.
Between me and it….
A rabbit mask dangles on a string.
I don’t need instructions to know what that means.
Wear this.
The mask is no doubt some homage to Eostre—Ester's holiday—where children chase after eggs hidden by a rabbit and the humans of the valley come to pay their respects to their queen protector.
It’s Jamus’ least favourite day of the year
Glittering black, the mask will only cover half of my face, but it was moulded to resemble one of Ester's favourite creatures. Hard plastic ears rise, one straight, one bent as if flopped over three quarters of the way to the top.
I study it as I slip my shoes back on.
Plucking it from the air, I tie the ribbons around the back of my head, and wonder if Ester was the reason I felt like the high ponytail was the choice I had to make with my hair today.
