Page 41 of Turret

I didn’t want him tonavigateit at all; I wanted him to be free of it. And because I hadn’t yet mastered my study of herbs, I was still powerless to help him. “Tell me the story again.”

I’d already had him share it many times even though there was never any new information in each recitation. The story had evolved with each successive generation, but what remained consistent was that his great-grandfather had angered a magic wielder—thewhyhad been lost through time, but it was no longer important—and in revenge, she’d cursed his family line with blindness. But despite the curse’s power, her fledgling magic had only been strong enough to capture one member’s sight each generation.

In spite of my own mother’s powers, I myself knew little of magic and thus had no idea what could possibly break such a continuous curse powerful enough to remain even after the caster had died. But would Mother have a greater understanding? Despite how anxious her visits made me, I desperately wanted to see her again in order to question her.

I looked expectantly at Quinn, but he sighed. “I’ve told the story enough. The more I share it, the more I fear you worry, and I don’t want that for you.”

Though his answer didn’t surprise me, I found myself frustrated all the same. I tried to remain in the herb garden, desperate for the distraction it brought, but it was impossible to concentrate when I felt solost.

I eventually gave up and asked Quinn to escort me back to my room, but before he took his usual place outside the door he paused. “Would you like me to send for Melina?”

He didn’t seem surprised when I shook my head. Ever since our failed escape, Melina had become withdrawn and thus not very good company. We’d spoken enough to assure me she was no longer angry with me, but the tower’s trick had unleashed the heartache she’d fought to keep suppressed, and with it her longing for Corbin, both of which caused the last of her hope to fade. Her disappointment only escalated my guilt.

Quinn took his place outside the room and the door closed, separating us.

Though standing for so long while working had left me exhausted and slightly lightheaded, I was too anxious to sit. So instead I paced the room, only pausing when I saw another flash inthismirror, just as I had within the herb garden.

My heart lurched and I stilled. Despite the fear slowly slithering over me, I found myself drawn to the looking glass, as if some invisible force compelled me forward.

I hesitated a few feet away, close enough that with one step more I’d be able to peer inside. Despite its silent pull urging me to look, I was too afraid to bridge the remaining distance, even though this lure felt different than the ones that usually came from the tower. But in the end, my curiosity was stronger. With a wavering breath, I stepped fully in front of the mirror.

At first the glass remained empty, much as it had within the herb garden. But then a single glimpse of red flashed within the glass, only this time I was close enough to see what it was—red lips turned up in a smirk that I hadn’t seen in months.

I gasped and stumbled back. Horror cinched my chest as Mother’s reflection filled the mirror. At first I wondered whether this was another memory from the tower or a vision of the outside world…but then she spoke.

“Hello, Gemma.” Her tone was sickly sweet, as usual leaving me feeling insignificant.

I couldn’t answer, only continued to stare, my heart beating wildly. It took me a moment to find my voice. “Mother?” I stuttered. “Is that really you?”

Her lips turned downwards. “Your shock is unsurprising. Who would have ever expected the great Queen of Malvagaria to find herself in such a predicament?” Disgust twisted her expression.

“But…how did you get inside the mirror?”

She sighed. “That is quite the tale, one I have little desire to recount in full. Suffice it to say your brother’s pathetic wife, Princess Rheanna of Draceria, is to blame.”

I suspected there was more to the story. Magic was uncommon in our world and I doubted Princess Rheanna possessed any. In my glimpses of her life with my brother, I’d sensed a sweetness about her, a personality unlikely to curse her mother-in-law. Either Mother was lying or she wasn’t telling me the entire truth. Either way, I was certain most of the responsibility for her fate rested on her, a curse gone wrong.

“When did this happen?” My tone remained cautious, for I wasn’t entirely sure this was a subject she’d be pleased to discuss.

She considered. “Time is difficult to measure while within the mirror, but I believe it’s been nearly a year, perhaps even longer. I’m truly not sure.”

The uncertainty seemed to unsettle her, but the emotion vanished almost immediately, leaving the poised and cold woman I knew well. With her hardened manner came all the feelings that always accompanied her visits—the small, insecure way she constantly made me feel, as if I could never measure up.

As much as I’d ached for Mother’s presence only moments before, I wasn’t entirely sure I was prepared to endure this visit. My shoulders hunched as I curled in on myself, as if I was unconsciously bracing myself for a confrontation even before our conversation had begun.

Her lips curled into another smirk, as if this show of vulnerability pleased her…before it was replaced by surprise. Her eyes widened as she looked me up and down. “You’re looking…healthier.” Her tone was indifferent, leaving me unsure whether she was actually pleased by this.

There was so much I could tell her—about how my love for Quinn and my growing passion for herbs made living a joy rather than an endurance, as well as the elixir that was gradually improving my health—but as usually happened in her presence, I found it difficult to find the words. Our conversations were like playing a game of chess; each sentence had to be carefully calculated several moves ahead to see if it’d end with her checkmate.

I finally settled on what I hoped was a safe course. “You’re here.”

Her tight smile reappeared. “Of course, Gemma dear. I’d never justabandonyou.”

Though her elusive and seemingly forced visits had given me reason to doubt, I was desperate enough to believe she cared that her reassurances eased some of the hurt her absence had caused.

“If you’ve been in a mirror for over a year, why haven’t you come sooner?”

She sighed. “Magic is rather tricky. My cursed confinement has kept me trapped within a single mirror. It took me a lot of experimentation to eventually venture beyond my glass prison…but I was still limited to the mirrors within the Malvagarian palace. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t go beyond them, nor did I have enough magic to break free…at least at first. But I soon discovered I’m still connected to all the curses I’ve created, and although the others have already been broken, there is one still in place.”

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