Free Bound by Roses (The Bound Series Book 1) by Jonathan Lazar Page A

the one imprisoned and a powerful, ancient wizard, and like her mother, is being manipulated by a power,”
    The magic Mirror stopped talking for a moment, his endless gaze returned, before it released a slight chuckle and continued, “A power very similar to your mother’s, The Queen.”
    “My mother?” Marguerite inhaled sharply as the Mirror’s glow faded. The wispy fire receded back to the bottom. The shards became unbound from one another. The cold heat vanished.
    “What do you mean? Manipulated by a power similar to the Queen?” Marguerite called out, eyes wide, lost in confusion. She tried to rush forward but was stopped by the churning waters. The waves pushed her back like a gentle hand of a water spirit.
    The Mirror merely laughed, the creature’s high voice echoed through the waves,
    “I am bound by the Rule of Three, Lady White. As was laid down by my creators, the Brother’s Grimm. Three questions, three answers. Until I am needed again, I must rest.” The face disappeared. The glass shards sank beneath the water.
    Marguerite slammed her fists into the water in aggravation. Great pillars of water splashed about. The water began to cool rapidly as she slammed her fists, “Bring him back! Bring him back this instant!”
    “We cannot, Marguerite.” The Seven said in unison.
    “The magic of the fractured Mirror, to use it too frequently, would cause irreparable damage, to an already ancient and damaged artifact.” Another of the Seven spoke as Marguerite closed her eyes and breathed heavily through her nose. The scent of cedar wood and sage returned to them. She began to shiver.
    “It is in this Mirror’s nature, to leave one with more questions, than answers,” a third tried to help calm Marguerite’s racing mind.
    “For now take comfort in knowing, the Wolf Queen, is locked away. Chained in darkness,” a fourth Seven, to the right of Marguerite spoke.
    “While her daughter unrestrained by the moon, roams free? Being manipulated? What could that even mean, powers like the Queen?” Marguerite asked no one in particular, she merely talked to herself.
    The Seven looked upon one another through their hoods and remained silent for a moment before talking in unison, “Let us confer with one another, Marguerite.”
    “Very well. We will speak again when the services for the dead of Zhan’ding have concluded,” Marguerite sighed and ran a wet hand through already damp hair.
    The Seven began to speak with one another, in low, hushed voices. The language of knowledge as Marguerite called it many years ago. It was nearly identical to humming, but paced faster. Their hands were once again in the air. They did not sway, but stood still as stone statues. The water vibrated with their voices. The bubbles churned out faster, and faster. They popped before they reached the ceiling. Multicolored smoke filled the room. The smell intoxicating, but it soon grew so thick, it choked her and stung her eyes. The Seven seemed not to be bothered.
    Marguerite slipped her dress back on while the Seven hummed. She exited the tower. Body soaked. Damp bronze dress clung to her delicate frame. Water slid in rivers down her legs. Outside the tower, Kaniz met her. Upon her arm was draped a thick, blood red robe. Kaniz stepped forward with a smile.
    “Thank you,” Marguerite slipped into the robe and felt the warm and soft fur against her chilled skin. Marguerite carefully maneuvered within the robe and with grace and skill, removed the bronze dress.
    “My duties, Lady White,” Kaniz with damp dress over one arm, wrapped another around Marguerite and guided her away from the tower. “Did all go well?”
    “Yes, and no,” Marguerite fought a shiver from a breeze that blew near the courtyard door. She looked back one last time. The multicolored smoke billowed ferociously from the roofs holes where it blended in to the blue sky. She could smell the sweet smoke.
    She allowed Kaniz to guide her to her chambers. Her mind