“There will be time enough to settle this when you’ve turned to dust and joined me and your ancestors in the mists, but that time is not now. Now we must prepare you to take my place here as queen. The first thing you need to do is replant that rapunzel flower before it dies. Then you need to release me into the mists.”
“How am I going to explain all of this to Hazel and Prim? They didn’t even want me to call on Sir Jacob. And they’re going to be really upset when they find out I’ve spoken to you.”
“Gothel! You are queen of this land! What your sisters think doesn’t matter!”
“It matters to me! I want them to stay with me. I want to make them happy.”
“So I heard. Very smart of you to make the house beautiful for Prim so she and Hazel will stay with you. I love that you are still naive enough to think you’re doing this for the love of your sisters. Keep thinking that, Gothel, and they will also believe the lies you tell yourself. And forget your plan to do the ceremony with Primrose, she doesn’t have enough of my blood to make a difference. Take my blood from the vault and use it only on yourself. If you want your sisters to stay here with you, then you will need to hide your true self from them, as you have been these many days. And you won’t be able to do that if you share the blood with them.”
“But I want them with me forever!”
“And they will be, with the power of the flower, Gothel. That is what keeps us alive for so long.”
“But the necromancy isn’t powered by the flower….”
“You’re very smart, Gothel. You have my mind. You will learn everything you need to know from my blood, my books, and the knowledge of your ancestors. Listen to me. I may be dead, but Mother still knows best.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Good. Go now and plant the flower. And let Jacob handle the mundane tasks. After you’ve planted the flower, I will show you how to return me to our ancestors.”
Gothel took the flower out of her cloak pocket and looked at it. Thank the gods it hasn’t wilted.
“No, it lasts longer than other cut flowers, but you can’t put off planting it for too much longer. Go on. Jacob will be fine. We will both be waiting for you here when you return.”
Gothel turned to leave, but her mother stopped her. “Oh, and, Gothel, it wasn’t a trick of the light.”
“What?”
“Seeing me in my bedroom, seeing my image in the statue. If you don’t release me to my ancestors before they go, I will haunt you until the end of your days. I will make this place a living Hades. For you and your sisters.”
“Don’t worry, Mother. I will send you to the mists.”
“Good girl.”
Gothel took her time getting back. She needed to think about what she was going to say to her sisters. The dead woods were so still and so close that day, the light so muted by the thick mists, Gothel felt trapped She was overwhelmed by everything she had to do. Replant the flower, send her mother to the mists, explain everything to her sisters, learn Mother’s magic…
One task at a time. Replant the flower.
When Gothel finally made her way from the city of the dead, she found scores of skeletal creatures tearing down the old conservatory and removing the debris from the area in wooden carts. How was she going to explain that to Hazel and Primrose? She barely knew how to explain it to herself.
One of the creatures was looking directly at her, as if trying to get her attention.
“Yes? May I help you?” she asked the monstrosity.
The creature just stared at her, as if he was looking right through her. She felt stupid talking to him; as far as she knew, the creatures couldn’t speak. The creature, who was entirely skeletal, handed Gothel a note and went back to his duties without any ceremony. Gothel found herself thanking the creature, even though she wasn’t sure why. The letter was written on white parchment and was sealed with red wax. The stamp in the wax had some sort of knightly crest. She opened the letter and found that it was from Sir Jacob.
Lady Gothel,
I have instructed your creatures to start work on the renovation of the conservatory directly. Please give them any instructions you see fit. They will understand and obey your instructions. Materials needed for the new structure can be ordered by me and will be delivered as soon as it is possible.
I have also sent word to our man in the world to bring all manner of furnishings, tapestries, bedding, statuary, paintings, clothing, and other items I think your sisters would enjoy. Any that are not to your taste can be sent back, and payment will not be required until you have made your final selections. The first of many wagons will start appearing at the mansion in three days’ time.
After you have seen to the replanting of the rapunzel (which can be managed by Victor, the creature who delivered you this missive) and you have successfully given your sisters errands to occupy their time, please make your way back to my crypt, where your mother and I will be waiting.
Eternally yours,
Sir Jacob