Zephyra's Arc

Chapter 1 of 4

Zephyra had never once touched her own guardian's hand. For twenty-one years she lived in the ivy-cloaked tower, happy, curious, and careful. She wore long black gloves that Zelda charmed years ago, back when she was small enough to kill a flower with one bare finger. She never asked why. She never asked about her mother. This morning, on her birthday, the smell of apple turnovers pulled her down the winding stairs, and everything was about to change. Zelda stood at the table. The old witch had her black hair tied over one shoulder, the white streak bright against it. She never fussed much, so the box surprised Zephyra. It sat between two plates, tied with a black bow. "For you," Zelda said. "Open it." Zephyra lifted the lid with gloved fingers. Inside, a small skunk blinked up at her, glossy black with a bold white stripe. It wriggled its bushy tail and sniffed the air. Zephyra laughed for the first time in a stunned, delighted burst. “ A skunk Ma.” Zephyra excitedly pat his head "He was caught in the garden fence," Zelda said. "I mended his leg. You two are a lot alike, both misunderstood." Zephyra scooped him up carefully. Through the gloves she felt nothing wilt. The skunk pressed his warm side against her chest, alive, unharmed. Her throat tightened. This was the only kind of touch she had ever known—the safe kind, the borrowed kind. "Why a companion?" she asked. "I have you." Zelda sat. Her hands folded, and she did not smile now. "Because you're leaving. And I need you to know the truth before you go." Zephyra set the skunk down slowly. "Leaving where?" "Your curse is not something you were born with by accident," Zelda said. "Twenty one years ago a woman your mother stepped foot here very pregnant and very scared, she needed someone to care for her baby." The words landed hard. Zephyra gripped the table edge. "My mother just left me?" "To protect you." Zelda reached into her sleeve and drew out a silver charm shaped as a lion on a thin cord. "This was hers. She left it with me the night she left you." Zephyra stared at the charm. For twenty-one years she had asked nothing. Now every question rose at once. Who was her mother? What did she need protecting from? What was Zephyra, under the gloves? "You could have told me sooner," she said, her voice sharp. "You never asked," Zelda said gently. "And I was afraid. But you're a woman now. You deserve the truth, and the truth isn't here in this tower but I will tell you what I know." Zephyra closed her fist around the charm. The braided strand of her hair swung against her cheek. Zelda and Zephyra sat there at the table holding hands silently for a long time.