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PROLOGUE
GAIA
The trees stirred with the wind as a murky haze formed in the sky. Swirling clouds and flashes of lightning indicated a storm approached.
But Gaia knew this was no ordinary storm. The current of energy spiraling in the air had a familiar scent to it.
The scent of earth magic. Her magic.
“Pandora,” she whispered, gazing up at the granite sky. At last, her third daughter was free.
From behind her, the front door of her home swung open, and Sybil strode down the path, carrying a wicker basket full of books. She stopped at Gaia’s side and followed her gaze.
“It’s the gods,” Sybil said sagely. Gaia always admired that about her; she had a godly sense, even if she had no god blood.
“Yes,” Gaia agreed solemnly, turning to look at her beloved. “It is.”
Sybil met her gaze with a hardened expression. Ever since she’d discovered Gaia’s true identity—and learned she had been lied to for years—their relationship hadn’t been the same. Gaia understood that it would take time for Sybil to forgive her, if she ever did at all.
But with Pandora unleashed, she felt a sense of urgency.
Either her daughter would come for her… or the magic from her box would.
One way or another, Gaia would face a battle like no other.
“I have always loved you, Sybil,” Gaia said softly. “Even with the foolish choices I made, it was all out of love.”
“I knew there was something different about you,” Sybil said. “I should have asked. Should have urged you to tell me. Instead, I respected your space, trusting you would tell me in time.” She heaved a sorrowful sigh. “But you never did. I found out when you were summoned by Prue. If you had only told me—no matter how long it took—I would have accepted you.”
Gaia’s heart twisted at her words. There was nothing she could say. No magic words, no powerful spell that could heal this rift between them.
Only time.
But that was what Gaia feared she had little of: time. Pandora’s magic might come for her today or tomorrow.
She drew closer to Sybil and placed a hand on her shoulder. She would have gathered her in her arms if she’d let her. Or if the basket full of books wasn’t in the way.
“I am truly sorry for letting my fear come between us,” Gaia said, pouring as much earnest affection into her voice as she could muster. “Despite what I am, when it comes to you, I am weak. I feel as pathetic and frail and insecure as a mortal. Around you, I…” She shook her head, unable to find the words. She swallowed and tried again. “Nothing makes sense except when I am around you. And I was so desperate to preserve that, to keep you by my side, that I let this secret come between us. You’re right. If I had seen reason, I would have known you would have remained by my side. I am sorry for doubting that. I know it may be too late, Sybil, but you are my life. My entire being belongs to you.”
Sybil’s eyes glistened with tears. She sniffed and ducked her head, her eyelids closing as the tears pooled over, spilling down her face. “Polly, you always had a way with words.”
Polly. For years, Gaia had lived on this tiny island as Polina, the Mother of the coven. Even though it wasn’t her true name, she hoped Sybil would continue to use it. It made her feel normal again. Like nothing had changed between them.
“But I am not your life,” Sybil said, raising her gaze to meet Gaia’s. “You have two daughters who need you.”
Gaia inhaled deeply. She needed to prove to Sybil that she would do better. So, it was time for the full truth. “I have three daughters.”
Sybil stared at her. “Three?”
“I bore triplets. One was taken from me, and I have sensed her bitterness growing all these years.” Gaia gestured to the sky. “This darkness is her making. She will come for me, Sybil. And I’m not sure I will survive her wrath.”
Sybil blinked, her mouth opening and closing. “But… you are Gaia. The creator of the realm. The mother of all the earth.”
Gaia smiled sadly. “Yes. But my powers have been stripped. I am only a shadow of who I once was.”
Sybil’s brows knitted together, her expression conflicted, as if she didn’t quite know how to respond. “This third daughter… Where is she?”
“I do not know. It was part of my curse that she was hidden from me. Otherwise I would have found her. I would have done anything for her.”
