Witches Don't Burn, Silly

What Are Double Doors Really For?

The servant's passageway was so dark that I ended up calling my magic to my hand as a lavender flame flared to life in my palm as we went up a long staircase. There were cobwebs covering the ceiling and dust covering every nook and cranny of the passage.

As we walked, I didn't see a single servant. The small hall was empty besides Seth and I and it made me feel uneasy. Especially when we reached the top of the stairs and found ourselves in a completely empty kitchen.

"Where are all the servants?" I whispered to Seth and he shrugged as he looked around the room. We walked through the kitchen and were met with at least ten doors.

"Take a lucky pick." Seth said. I turned towards the doors and went for the one straight ahead. I slowly opened the door. My skin prickled as I stepped into a well lit hallway. Extinguishing the fire in my palm I continued forward.

Seth's grip on my hand tightened as we went down the hall. The walls were a sparkling white that almost made my eyes hurt. The soft glow from the chandelier hanging from the ceiling made it easy to follow the path we were taking.

At the end of the hallway was a large set of double doors. There wasn't a single accent color in this entire hall and I found that to be a little strange.

We reached the double doors and I stopped to take a deep breath. A breath that I didn't get to finish because the double doors swung open violently.

"Well well well, look at what we have here." I shivered as something about the voice struck a deep chord of familiarity. "Well, what are you doing, standing there with your mouths hanging open? Come in."

I walked in slowly. This was the throne room. I walked us right into the throne room. The king sat on his throne, I was staring at the top step, where his throne sat as I tried to get a grip.

"It is nice to see you in one piece, Mariposa." His voice was cold, full of hate and spite and I couldn't understand how he knew my name. I looked up at him then only for that dream to flash behind my eyes. The boy... with white hair running with me in the woods.

"I came here to free Tobias's family." I said as I straightened my spine and looked the king directly in the eyes... eyes so dark that I couldn't see his pupil. His white hair was tossed around in waves and a heavy white crown sat atop his head.

"I know why you are here." He hisses and I did my best not to flinch back. "Mariposa Gloriosa," he purred my name like a curse as his eyes pinned me in place, "the daughter of Augustus Gloriosa and Vanessa Gloriosa, the witch burner and the witch."

"How do you know who I am?" I finally asked as I stared into the pits of blackness that he has for eyes.

"How do you not know who you are?" He shot back and that question raised the hairs on the back of my neck. Now he sat up and leaned forward in his chair. "Seth, what a pleasant surprise." He purred. "I never expected you to be the one."

"The one?" I questioned as I squeezed Seth's hand. "What are you on about?"

"He is your soulmate, is he not?" He turned his pitch black gaze to me. "You have the golden thread, right?"

"How do you know that?" Seth asked. I looked at the king, really looked at him this time.

"I am King Hellion, I see and know all." He stood and I saw the center of magic in his chest, it was not dormant like every man's should be. His magic was spinning wildly and erratically.

"Seth, he has magic." I whispered.

"That I do." The king says in an almost mocking tone. "Do you remember why I have magic?" I stared at the center of magic. It was black and inky and felt so terribly wrong. "Do you? Mariposa?" The king asked again.

"No." I whispered as I met his stare again. "That is not why we came here. I came here to get Tobias's family and to make you stop the witch hunt."

"How silly, you are." He shook his head as he stood and began coming down the steps. Seth tensed and stepped to be in front of me but I pushed him back. Seth wouldn't last ten seconds against this magic that I am sensing.

"Where is Tobias's family?" I hissed.

"Around here somewhere. I don't know, I didn't really pay attention to where they were put, it's not my problem after all." He waved a hand and sooner than I would have liked, he was standingdirectly in front of me. "Aw, now, why are you staring at me like that, Mariposa? Do you not like the man you see before you?" He tilted his head and every action made me think of that dream, that little boy that I had played with. "Although, I guess it has been quite some time since you have looked at me with that motherly love you used to possess for me." He said with a dramatic sigh.

"What are you talking about? I haven't ever seen you until today and as far as I am concerned you are at least ten years older than me, there shouldn't be any motherly love." I said, meeting his stare head on, I wasn't afraid but a deep part of me felt... sad, like something about this was hurting me.

"Ten? Only ten?"

I nodded as he gave me a stunned look. "You look like you are thirty or forty years old."

"Mariposa... I am thousands of years old." He whispered. "You should know that, shouldn't you, mother?"