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“Apollo’s curse is taking effect,” Aidoneus said sadly. “I am truly sorry for this, Gaia.”
And he turned and followed after Apollo, leaving Gaia to sob in her cottage.
In a flash, the cottage vanished from view, and Prue found herself standing on the beach in Krenia once more, with Gaia sitting beside her. The earth goddess was weeping openly, just as she had all those years ago. Misery filled her eyes as she gazed at the ocean.
“From that moment on, I vowed to never share my past with you and Mona,” Gaia whispered. “I was terrified he would come back and claim one of you. It’s why I fled to Krenia, where I thought we would be safe. I sought out a witch coven that could protect me and hide my true identity. And with you two raised to believe you were earth witches, you would never attract the attention of the gods.” She closed her eyes, and more tears fell. “I do regret lying to you, Prue. But if it kept you safe from Apollo all these years, then it was worth it.”
Prue brushed tears from her own face. “And you never tried to break his curse? I heard what he said—your earth magic can free you.”
Gaia offered a watery smile. “That’s the tragic part. I’m not allowed to use my magic to help myself. But only my earth magic can free me. It’s the cruelest part of all; there is a way out, but the curse Apollo left me with prevents me from ever accessing it.”
“And now Pandora is coming for you because she believes you abandoned her.”
Gaia nodded. “Apollo left her in the Underworld under the care of Aidoneus. And I was never allowed to leave this realm to find her. Of course, Aidoneus would tell her lies about how I had been unwilling to raise her myself. He let that resentment fester all these years. And with the soul of Pandora raging inside her, it was only a matter of time before she sought her revenge against me.”
“But you had nothing to do with Pandora’s death.”
“That’s not entirely true. I knew what Apollo was doing to her. And… I stood by and did nothing.” Gaia shook her head, regret filling her eyes. “All those years, I did nothing to stop him. It wasn’t until I had children that I was finally forced to see the monster that he was. To see that there was another way to live. And by the time I realized this, it was too late.”
Prue reached forward and clasped her mother’s hand. “Can’t you explain all this to Pandora?”
“Do you think she will listen?”
Prue pressed her lips together. She had been angry before. She hadn’t wanted to listen. But her only grievance with Gaia was how many lies she’d told.
Pandora had far more reasons to despise her.
And Prue highly doubted her sister would sit and listen to Gaia’s explanations. The only reason Prue had was because Gaia was her mother and, despite everything, she still loved her.
“Now you know,” Gaia said with a sniff, facing the horizon once more. “You can share what you’ve learned with Mona. I wish I could tell her myself, but I sense Pandora’s dark magic growing stronger. It will not wait much longer.”
“Mama,” Prue sobbed, grabbing her mother’s shoulders and wrapping her in a tight embrace. Gaia wept into Prue’s shoulder, clutching her close, just as she’d done so long ago when Prue had only been a baby. “I was angry with you before, and I’m sorry. But I understand now. And I forgive you.”
Gaia squeezed her as another sob broke free. “You will be just fine, Prudence. You have a fierce husband who has the power to bring you back. I doubted it before, but I now understand the lengths you two will go for each other. And I know he will protect you.”
“How?” Prue asked, withdrawing to look at her mother quizzically. “How can Cyrus bring me back? He has death magic, not the magic of life.”
Gaia brushed a few stray curls out of Prue’s face. “I’m not entirely sure. The magic of death gods is not as familiar to me. I know with our magic, the magic of the earth, we are able to breathe life into beings. But the god of the Underworld?” She frowned. “I’m not so sure.”
Dark clouds swirled in the sky, and strong winds whipped at Prue’s face, tousling her hair and clothes. She squinted toward the sky, surveying the darkness that drew closer.
“You have to leave now,” Gaia said, following Prue’s gaze. “You can’t be between worlds when Pandora comes for me. You could be trapped here permanently.”
“Mama, I can’t leave you.”
“You can and you must.” Gaia’s voice was urgent as she hauled Prue to her feet. “Find Mona. Protect each other. And trust your magic, my darling.” She pressed a kiss to Prue’s forehead.
“Mama—” Prue protested, but as soon as Gaia stepped away from her, she vanished.
“Mama!” Prue screamed as the darkness swallowed her completely.
SOLSTICE
PANDORA
“You look radiant, my lady,” Mera said, standing back to admire Pandora with awe.
Pandora surveyed herself in the mirror. She wore a gown of crimson silk that matched her hair perfectly. The dress hugged her waist, then flared wide over her legs. Gold embroidery lined the bodice and sleeves, along with the bottom of the skirt. The neckline plunged low, revealing the swell of her breasts. Her hair was pinned up into an elaborate knot with a single braid crowning the top. Gold-studded pins secured her hair in place, adorned with a matching gold tiara. Kohl rimmed her eyes and her lips were stained a deep red.
