Jade started as well, even though she’d expected the door to open. Nova was her sister, and the magic that protected Cor Montem would only allow Larkspur blood to open the door. Jade just wanted one more confirmation that they shared the same blood.
Solis waved a hand toward the door as it creaked open. “After you.”
Jade strode into the cave first, a barrage of gasps and squeals at her back— all of it coming from the witches. Stella and Luna jogged into the cave, past Jade. Solis ambled, looking starstruck, as though she was entering a church. But Nova stood motionless, in the doorway—like her feet were rooted to the ground.
“You can come in,” Jade urged, remembering it was Nova’s first time in Cor Montem. “It’s safe. Safest place in the castle for us to be. I swear.”
“Are these the sequoias?” Nova asked, barely audible over the witches’ footfalls and voices.
Jade’s eyes traveled up the red bark of the enormous trees. She’d almost forgotten how impressive the sequoias were—a forest of trees that stood hundreds of feet high and flourished in an underground cave. Their abundant branches made a green canopy that covered most of the sandstone ceiling. “Yes. Our trees,” she replied. The hidden forest was the Larkspur earthan. The trees were the source of their magic.
“Our babies!” Stella squealed, jerking Jade’s attention to the witches.
Stella ran toward the shelves that were carved into the cave walls. The shelves were stacked with potions—colorful jars, bottles, and vials that glinted in the cave’s self-contained light—as if the sun reached down through the ground. Stella grabbed two jars and kissed the glass. Luna was close behind and snatched a bottle from the bottom shelf. She immediately popped the bottle’s cork and poured what looked like gold dust onto the top of her head.
“What—” Jade stuttered. She started toward the witches, suddenly wondering if she’d been tricked. What was Luna doing? Had Jade made a horrible mistake by allowing these women into the sacred cave?
Jade stopped mid-stride when Luna’s body started to roll like a wave. The odd motion began at her feet and rolled all the way up to her face, expanding and transforming her clothes, skin, and hair. Her dirty, burlap sheath burst into an elegant burgundy dress with an empire waist and a twinkling beaded bodice. Her long, chocolate braid unraveled and smoothed into glossy tresses which fell over her shoulders. Her skin was wiped clean, her face powdered. And when the transformation was complete, Luna twirled, laughing as though she was being tickled.
“I couldn’t wait to get out of that scratchy thing,” Luna cooed, and stopped twirling so she could throw a handful of gold dust at Stella and Solis.
Both women closed their eyes, bracing for magic. Jade gasped as their prison uniforms wavered and exploded into dresses as well.
“Oh, I love it!” Stella exclaimed. She did a little dance when she looked down at her canary-yellow gown. She ran her hands over the frills and turned to Solis. “They’re perfect,” she purred, and reached out to stroke the long silky sleeve of Solis’ shimmering silver gown.
All three women looked rejuvenated.
Solis gave a deep sigh. “Now we can take care of business.”
Jade’s mouth hung open, stunned, and Solis quickly added, “I apologize, Your Majesty. We should have asked your permission before diving into the potions. It’s just that we’ve been in those revolting, itchy burlap sacks for so long. A year, I think. We won’t touch another thing without your approval.”
She shot a look at Luna and Stella. “Let’s assess the situation, take inventory of what Katrina left behind. Let’s see if there’s a sun rock.”
Solis and Stella turned toward the shelves, but Luna held up the bottle of dust, offering it to Jade. “Do you want a new dress as well?” She looked like a little girl offering to play a game of dress-up with her friend.
Jade shook her head and held up a hand, not wanting magic thrown her way.
Solis shushed Luna. “Put that down, Luna.”
Luna put the bottle back on the bottom shelf, looking disappointed.
“How’d you know what that would do?” Jade asked. Most of the bottles didn’t have labels.
Stella smiled and looked over the sandstone shelves that were brimming with potions. “We made these.” The fringe on her yellow dress swayed. “All of these.”
“All of them?” The tightness in Jade’s chest cracked a little, realizing the extent of their knowledge and what a resource they could be.
“Where to start?” Solis asked, mostly to herself. “Tell me more about your interactions with Mortuus.” She picked up a few jars and squinted into them, mumbling to herself.
Nova left the doorway tentatively, finally entering the cave. “When Katrina kidnapped me, she also kidnapped my dad and cousin. Then she sold them off to Mortuus. After I escaped Katrina, I went searching for my family. I—”
Nova glanced at Jade and tucked her curls behind one ear, correcting herself. “We managed to free our dad and cousin of Mortuus, but now Mortuus is coming for us . . . with his ghost army.”
Solis pursed her lips. “So that’s why you’ve been using the sun potion?”
Jade nodded. “It’s the only thing we knew of that would surely protect Sterling against his ghosts. They can only materialize at night.” Jade had kept the potion in her pocket since she’d returned to the castle. Every time the yellow light surged back into the jar, Jade screwed on the lid, waited a few seconds, and then released the magic back into the sky, keeping her kingdom bathed in sunlight and safe for a bit longer.
Nova stepped forward, now only a few feet from Jade. “We’re related to Mortuus. We’re his granddaughters. And he doesn’t want us pulling from his earthan, using his magic.”
“Can you do that?” Solis asked.
“Pull from Mortuus’ earthan? I’m still learning how to pull from this one.” Nova waved her hand at the sequoias. “I have no idea, but Dad seems to think Mortuus will do anything to stop us from messing with his magic.”
“In other words,” Jade added, “He’s either going to capture us or kill us. We have troops protecting the border, but I’m not sure that alone will stop Mortuus’ army.”
“Yes.” Solis nodded like she was following. “You must fight magic with magic. You can try to fight his ghosts with your army, but that’s like fighting fire with a thimble of water. Magic is much more effective than any man.”
“Good thing we know a lot about magic,” Stella said, blowing dust off a few vials.
“Good thing,” Luna repeated, opening a bottle and sniffing the contents. She smiled in recognition.
“Outside of potions and spells, we can also help you both understand your own magic,” Solis said. “You’d be surprised how much we know about the Larkspur earthan.”
The women looked eager to start whatever it was they were going to do, but Jade didn’t fully understand their enthusiasm.
“Why would you help us?” Jade asked, and everyone looked at her. “Especially after my mother treated you so badly?”
Solis set down the bottle in her hand. “We were raised to honor magic, to protect it, to spread its wealth. We intend to be part of a monarchy that allows us to do that, to practice our magic to the highest extent. Your mother cannot suppress us. Not any longer. And we believe you two are powerful in both magic and good intentions. . . and that is a strong combination. We want to help you but understand your apprehension. We know you both very well, though you’ve only just met us.”