Shadow and Snow

Chapter Seven | Spells and Snow

Snowflakes whirled around Isla in a frenzy as her husband led her out the door. The rose gardens were completely submerged in snow. Breathing out a string of curses, Paxton held her hand and glanced around nervously. "How did the snow get so deep? An hour ago there weren't even clouds in the sky." "It's her." "Her? She's the one who did this?" Noticing his rigid posture, she followed his gaze to a blur in the distance." "Skies above."

A carriage made of rosebuds stopped in front of them, opening to reveal a figure dressed in peach, glowing with happiness. Paxton's grip on her hand tightened. "Isla! Paxton! I'm so happy to finally meet you!" exclaimed the woman, flower petals trailing behind her as she stepped out of the carriage. Her skin was rosy, butterflies flitting around the golden hair around her head. Scrunching up her face, she asked, "Are you just going to stand there, staring at me?" Paxton cleared his throat and shook his head, perplexed. The woman laughed childishly, bending over and nearly falling on the ground. "Fae never change, do they? Someone shows up that looks different than them and they wilt right in front of you!" Guards! Seize her." Paxton yelled, remembering the threat the woman imposed. Isla was astounded, this was the woman who had seduced the councilmen? It seemed highly unlikely. As the guards grabbed the woman by the arms, she asked, "Do you not know who I am?" "No, we don't-" began Isla as Paxton said, "You are under arrest for the attempted assassination of my parents, as well as blackmail against several government officials." The woman blinked in confusion, "Assassination? Blackmail? Who do you think I am, Achlys? She's the one I'm here to help you fight."
"Help us fight?" Isla asked, incredulous, motioning for the guards to let her go, "Maybe we should talk inside."

They all sat in the library beside the fire, discussing the situation. "So, um- miss, why do you want to help us? And how did you know we were here?" A smile crossed the woman's face. "You can call me Eos, I'm the queen of a kingdom far in the north. For decades my ancestors have traveled to your kingdom to protect their unborn child." "Unborn child?" Isla whispered, glancing down at her waist. Eos reached over and placed a hand on her stomach. "Yes, although you probably haven't noticed yet, given that you have not been carrying long." Isla met her husband's eyes, which were filled with tears. He rushed up to embrace her, kissing her gently, "I've never been happier in my entire life." Isla's heart quivered, realizing the importance of the life inside her. "I see that you take that as good news." Eos murmured, "Which is good, considering Lillith is traveling quite a distance to protect you as well." "Who is Epione?" Isla asked, puzzled. "She is the queen of the furthest kingdom in the south region. Unlike my power, which is over beginnings- like births or the beginning of the snow flurry outside. Epione's power is healing and sustaining life." "So why have your ancestors needed to protect the unborn child?" Paxton asked, placing his hands on Isla's shoulders. "Achlys. Her power is over endings, and... death."

The blood rushed out of Isla's face, making her feel light-headed. "Over death?" she whispered, wrapping her arms around her stomach protectively. "Unfortunately, yes. Epione and I will try to protect you and the child against Achlys's powers, which she will undoubtedly try to use to try to stop an heir from being produced, to prevent  her spell from succeeding." "Spell? What spell?"

"You've never wondered why the princes have to marry their mate before their birthday and produce a male heir before being crowned King? It's because of Achlys's spell. Long ago she set a curse on the kingdom after her lover was executed, that forced the princes to marry and produce an heir within a certain amount of time or the crown would be hers." Shivers ran down Isla's spines. "So Epione and I will do whatever we can to ensure that the male heir is produced, and ward of Achlys in the process." "How has she not died yet, if she cast the spell so many decades ago?" Eos sighed, "She has power over death, and is strong enough to force it upon others before they can become a threat to hers."

Paxton was soon after called away to attend an important issue, and Leaving Isla sitting alone with Eos. What is happening? wondered Isla, My world keeps turning upside down over and over again. "You're not in love with the Prince." Eos started matter-of-factly, her gaze piercing. "Wha- Why would lead you to think such a thing?" Isla squeaked, panicked. "Honey, I told you I had powers over beginnings, and that includes love. You haven't had yours with Paxton yet, even though he has been going on for a while."
Isla's face burned, tears gathering in her eyes, "It just seems to be happening so fast, " she choked out. Eos gave her an understanding look and reached out to hold her hand. "Tell me all about it."

"Well, a few months ago I was in my apartment in New York and I used a bath bomb and was somehow transported to this weird faery world, and was forced to marry some prince who she was apparently mated to less than a week after I got here. Then I find out that I have to pop out babies until one of them is a boy -which by the way has to be within five years- so that means I'm going to be constantly pregnant, and I just don't know if I can do it!" Isla blubbered, melting into a puddle of tears.

Eos rubbed her back soothingly, "I know it's a lot, Baby, but it's going to be okay. Whether you think so or not, you can do this. That Prince of yours is a good man, and he is absolutely smitten with you. So don't think for a second he's going to let something happen to you." "I know, " she sniffled, rubbing her eyes, "But how am I supposed to love him? I feel like we just met." "Love takes time. It's a choice after all. It may start out being all emotions but the foundation of it is making the choice to love someone." "It is?" "Yes, so be patient, it will take time. But once love takes root in your heart it will be the most beautiful thing that ever happens to you."

Isla took a few deep breaths and tried to calm her racing heartbeat. "I can do this. I can love him. I can have this baby. Everything's going to be okay." "You're exactly right, Honey." Eos murmured, patting her back, "Now get some rest, you're going to need it to grow the tiny human inside of you!"

This chapter is dedicated to tacticaltoast
Thank you for all the support!