I think I want to go to Carter’s Cove – no one ever seems to get sick there!  Also, Molly could make me yummy things to help me get better.  Oh well….

Friday, December 5

Molly was sitting on a stool in the kitchen, a frown on her face and her eyes very far away, when Drew walked through the door. In fact, she was so deep in thought that he was very nearly beside her when she actually registered the fact that someone else was in the room, and her tea mug almost crashed to the floor when she jumped.

“Woah, easy!” Drew managed to grab the mug before it hit the floor, but tea splashed all over him and the tile. “You okay?”

“Fine, sorry!” Molly handed him a towel and accepted the mug in return. “I didn’t see you come in.”

“You were so far away, I’m surprised you noticed me at all.” He wiped himself off as she went for a mop. “What were you thinking about?”

“Jack Frost,” Molly said. “What else?”

He didn’t have a reply to that, and they cleaned up the spilled tea in silence. Then she refilled her mug and poured one for him, and reclaimed her stool.

“I don’t know what to do,” Molly said finally, looking over at him. Her fingers clenched around the mug so tightly that the knuckles turned white. “I feel like if I help Jack, I’ll betray her. But if I don’t help Jack, she’ll die. Or worse.” She shook her head. “I can’t let Caliban turn her into something that she’s not.”

“If she’s taken over Caliban, I think she’ll wish she was dead,” Drew agreed. “But look at it this way, Molly. You’re not really betraying her by helping Jack – you’re turning him into a decent person.”

“Once I circumvent the banishment, that is,” she said. “You know, basically crossing her?”

“Well, not necessarily,” Drew told her. “I went over to the Station early this morning.”

“I’d wondered why you left when you did,” Molly said, interested. “Why?”

“We’ve got a library of all the legal documents of the Cove there, since we’re the most secure building in town,” he said. “And we had a copy of the banishments.  Something Pavel said was bothering me, so I decided to look it up.”

“Really?” Molly reached for the folder he had. “What do they say?”

He waited for her to read them rather than answering, and she soon saw why. “That’s why Jack was able to come to our house!” she exclaimed, looking up from the papers. “They just have to stay out of the Cove when she’s here!”

He nodded. “So you aren’t betraying her, as long as you don’t have him here when she comes in. And from what Old Man Winter said, she isn’t traveling now.”

“No.” And Molly’s mood plummeted again at that thought. Old Man Winter had told them that the hot windstorm that had chased them wasn’t trying to keep people out – it was waiting for the Snow Queen to come out of her realm, so it could take her. For the moment, Caliban couldn’t move against her in her own realm, but that was only because that was where her power was the strongest. Once she set foot outside…Molly didn’t want to think about that.

“Do you think that if I can get Jack to change, she’ll accept him?” she said, closing the folder and looking over at Drew, who reached out and put his hand on hers.

“That’s not something you can control, Molly. That’s completely up to him.” Drew squeezed her fingers. “But if she truly loved him the way Old Man Winter said she did, I think that might melt her heart.” He gave her one more squeeze, then drained his tea and stood up. “But now I really do have to get back to work. I’ve got the late shift tonight, so I’m going to bunk there.”

“Trouble?” Molly said apprehensively.

“Not really.” He came around the island and hugged her, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. “Just some big ships coming in on the Sea Roads late tonight, and I have to be there to supervise. Being the youngest engineer and all, I get all the fun stuff.”

She snuggled up against him, breathing in his scent: faintly spicy, with notes of vanilla and sandalwood. “Yeah, but then my bed gets cold.”

“Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean anything to Mal.” Drew chuckled.

“Maybe I’ll threaten to stop sending goodies,” she mumbled into his chest and feeling the laughter rumble through him.

“Then he’ll definitely send me away, in protest.” He kissed the top of her head again, and then gave her a longer kiss when Molly looked up at him. She tasted peppermint on his lips. “I’ll be home tomorrow night.”

“We’ll be waiting.”

Once he was gone, Molly finished her cup of tea and stood up herself. Now that she knew that Jack could be in the Cove without breaking his banishment, she felt a little better.

“Hey, Schrodinger!” she called out into the tea room and after a moment, the CrossCat trotted in to the kitchen.

You called? he said, jumping gracefully up onto a stool.

“I did,” Molly said, nodding. “Did you have any plans this afternoon?”

Besides napping? Schrodinger tilted his head to one side, his eyes bright. Not really, although I think Sarah’s coming by later. What did you need?

“I think Jack’s still on Pavel’s ship,” Molly said. “Can you take a message to him?”

Telling him you’ll help him?

She nodded. “I may not like him, and lord knows he doesn’t like me, but he’s the best chance the Snow Queen has. I’m not letting her become something else, and I’m not going to let her die, not while I have a chance to help her.”

Agreed. Schrodinger said firmly. What do you want me to tell him?

“That I’ll help him, and if he wants to come over here when he’s ready to start.” Molly had no idea what that entailed, but she worked best in the kitchen. “And one more thing.”

Schrodinger had jumped down and headed for the door; now he paused, looking back at her. What?

“Tell him no more secrets,” Molly said. “If we’re going to work together, then he’s got to be honest with me.”

He won’t like that much, Schrodinger warned her.

Molly raised her chin. “I don’t care.”

<><>

Schrodinger trotted down the road, heading for the harbor, thinking about what Molly had said. He knew she meant it too. If Jack wanted her help, he’d have to come clean.

His nose twitched, collecting the scents on the wind. Salt from the sea, exhaust from cars, and a warm, wet, almost moldy smell that made him sneeze. Missing from the mix was the cold, crisp, dusty scent of snow that normally coated the Cove. In fact, it was warm enough today that Schrodinger almost fancied he could smell spring.

Will this be what happens if the Snow Queen dies? he thought to himself, as the pads of his paws touched the cobblestones of the harbor. The port was the oldest part of the Cove, and most of the roads were still cobbled, although there was an access road for modern trucks to come down to the loading docks. Or turns into a warm spirit?

Unlike Molly, Schrodinger realized that the second was the worse possibility. A transformation like that, so complete – it could spell ruin for the Cove that she’d bound herself to. He didn’t even want to contemplate it.

He trotted past small buildings and shops, many of them open and busy despite the overcast weather. Then again, rain doesn’t have to be shoveled, he thought. There is that.

Pavel’s ship, the Heart’s Desire, was docked down at the end of one of three piers that jutted out into the harbor on the left side of the Cove. That was the side that tended towards pleasure craft; the cargo ships and larger vessels tended to the deeper water of the right side of the Cove. Schrodinger paused at the end of the gangplank and waited for the guard on the deck to notice him. He was nothing if not polite and besides, jumping on board a ship like the Desire without permission was something that only those wanting to die young did.

Eventually, the guard looked up. “Ho, Master Schrodinger!” he called. “Come on board!”

Thank you! Schrodinger jumped onto the gangplank and trotted up on to the ship. It’s good to see you again, Goldie!

Goldie grinned at him, showing off his gold teeth that had given him his nickname. “And you!” The grin turned sly. “Did Miss Molly send you with something special for us?”

Not this time, but she’s promised to send something down soon, Schrodinger told him. This time, I’m just carrying a message.

“Then you’ll be wanting to see His Nibs.” Goldie nodded towards the captain’s quarters. “He’s in there, with the fop.”

Schrodinger chuckled. I see Jack’s making all sorts of friends.

Goldie winked at him. “Tell Miss Molly her gingerbread is better than my mam’s, and I haven’t ever said that to no one else.”

I will, Schrodinger promised, and then went across the deck to the door of the captain’s room. He stretched up and grabbed the rope hanging from a large silver bell next to the door. The bell had barely stopped ringing when the door opened and Pavel’s voice boomed out, “Come in!”

Stepping through the door, Schrodinger blinked. There were usually lights on all over the large cabin, but today, there was only one small light, centered over the table, where Jack sat, looking at a scroll. Pavel was sitting in shadows, a black satin mask over his eyes.

Are you ill? Schrodinger asked quietly, not wanting to intrude.

Jack snorted. “He’s fine. He’s being a prima donna.”

“I am meditating,” Pavel retorted, lifting one edge of the mask to glare at Jack. Then he saw Schrodinger and broke into a smile. “Schrodinger! Come in, my friend! Come in!”

The CrossCat came into the room as the pirate captain peeled the mask off and tossed it back farther into the room, then snapped his fingers, causing all the lights to flare into brilliance. Schrodinger blinked, sitting down on his haunches to let his eyes adjust.

“To what do we owe this pleasure?” Pavel asked, coming over to Schrodinger.

Molly sent me, Schrodinger said, looking over at Jack. She said she’d help you, on one condition.

Jack rolled his eyes. “A condition?”

Yes, Schrodinger said, an edge creeping into his mental voice. And it’s not an unreasonable one. We spoke to Old Man Winter, Jack, and we know what’s going on. That’s the only reason Molly’s agreed to help you. He had the satisfaction of seeing Jack’s face go pale. Yes, he told us.

“Did he.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement. “He never could keep his nose out of her business.”

“He’s her father,” Pavel pointed out. “He doesn’t want to see her die. That’s not unreasonable.”

Jack grunted. “What’s her condition?” he asked Schrodinger.

No more secrets, the CrossCat said bluntly. If she’s going to help you, you have to be honest with her.

Jack stared at him with narrowed blue eyes, obviously digesting that. Pavel didn’t say anything, but when Schrodinger glanced over at him, the pirate was unsuccessfully trying to hide a smile.

“Fine,” Jack said finally. “No more secrets.”

Then she said to come to the bookstore when you wanted to start, Schrodinger said, getting up. Then he turned to Pavel and said, We’re having pizza tomorrow night.

The pirate’s eyes lit up. “Are you now?”

Schrodinger nodded. With Lily and Jack and Zoey.

“My favorite people!” Pavel clapped his hand together in delight. “Jack, we have dinner plans tomorrow night.”

“Pizza?” Jack looked puzzled. “What is pizza?”

“It’s good,” Pavel told him. “Then again, everything Molly makes is good.” He looked down at Schrodinger. “Can we bring anything?”

Molly likes the wine you brought her last time, Schrodinger said helpfully. And it will be at the farmhouse. He looked back at Jack. Are you coming with me?

“Now?”

Schrodinger shrugged. Why not? It’s as good a time as any.  Besides, the sooner you start, the sooner you can leave.

<><>

Molly hadn’t been sure what to expect, but having Schrodinger show back up with a sour-looking Jack in tow hadn’t been high on her list. Still, since the CrossCat warned her before they walked through the door, she was able to smile at them, rather than stare.

“I didn’t think I’d see you today,” she said, wiping her floury hands on the towel beside her. “Would you like a cup of tea?”

“Is that your answer to everything?” Jack asked her, looking around the kitchen with studied disinterest. “Tea?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.” Molly struggled to keep her tone even. “It’s warming, it’s tasty, and if you piss me off, I can throw it in your face.”

He blinked at her. “What?”

“I said, if you piss me off, I can throw it in your face.” Her smile had grown teeth. “Black or herbal?”

“Black,” he said, obviously flustered. Molly nodded and went into her pantry, returning with a mug and a tea ball filled with fragrant black tea. It wasn’t her Christmas tea – he hadn’t earned that yet, but it was a respectable Indian black. It wasn’t the store brand tea bags that she reserved for true villains.

Yet.

He accepted the steaming mug after she’d filled it from the copper kettle, and then looked down at the large mug she set in front of Schrodinger. The CrossCat had jumped up onto his customary stool.

What are you making today? Schrodinger asked, peering at the dough on the board.

“Scones,” she said, sipping from her own mug. Her tea had cooled and she frowned at it until it steamed again. “Father Christopher stopped in after you left and asked me to make him two dozen cranberry scones for his rehearsal tomorrow.”

That’s right, the concert is Sunday! Schrodinger perked up. Do you know if Sharsha will be back?

“Father Christopher said yes, she was planning on it,” Molly said, leaning over and pulling the tea ball out of Jack’s mug. When he looked startled, she said, “It will get bitter if you leave it for much longer. Sugar?”

“No, I like it black.”

“Good man,” Molly said approvingly. He blinked at her, then shook his head.

“I don’t understand you,” Jack said. “But Old Man Winter says you can help.”

“I can, I think.” Molly nodded. “But it’s going to be up to you.” She looked at him. “Now, Schrodinger told you my condition?”

He nodded warily.

“Good.” She picked up the knife next to her and hid a grin as he stepped back. “Relax, I’m cutting scones, not you. That’s not sanitary.” As her knife slipped through the dough, she continued, “Then there’s only one thing I need to know.”

“What’s that?” The wariness threading through his voice made Molly pause and look at him.

“Why did she banish you?”

Jack took a deep breath, then sipped his tea. “Because I told her something she didn’t want to hear,” he said finally.

“Sounds like a pattern,” Molly observed, cutting the last scone free. “What did you tell her?”

“That she couldn’t be human, no matter how hard she tried,” Jack said. “That she was a magical spirit, and rather than being ashamed of that, she should enjoy it.”

Molly frowned. “She doesn’t want to be a magical spirit?”

“Not at the time, she didn’t.” Jack took another drink of his tea. “Maybe she’s changed over the last 200 years, but I rather doubt it.” He cradled the mug in his hand as he looked around the kitchen again. “She was desperate to be human. Spent so much time here that Cal-” His lips cut off the word as if it tasted horrible. “That her faery friends had to nearly drag her back to her own realm to recharge her powers. And then the raiders came again, during one of those times, and someone she loved very much was killed.”

Molly closed her eyes, picturing the anguished Snow Queen kneeling over the body of a close friend. “Poor Jade,” she whispered.

“She couldn’t bear it,” Jack continued, looking off into the distance, as if he were seeing it again. “And we couldn’t bear to see her upset. So we agreed to help her protect the Cove, since it meant so much to her. But it wasn’t enough. Nothing was enough.”

So what happened? Schrodinger asked, when the spirit paused.

Jack shrugged. “I told her she needed to remember who she was. What she was. That this town would come and go, as human settlements always did, but she would remain.” He grimaced. “It was the wrong thing to say.”

“You seem to have a knack for that.” The words slipped out before Molly could catch them, and she bit her lip.

“I’m not the only one,” he observed, but there wasn’t as much of a bite in his tone as there had been before. Molly gave him a nod in acknowledgement and continued to put scones on a baking sheet. “Anyways, after she tossed me out, our mutual friend came ostensibly to console her. I don’t know what he said, but she didn’t take kindly to it. The last I heard, he’d been tossed too.” He shrugged. “We were only friends because of her, so I didn’t go looking for him. As far as I knew, he’d gone his own way.”

Molly slid the sheet into the oven. “Did you hear what happened to us yesterday?”

“No, why?” Jack said.

She turned back to him. “We went to see Old Man Winter.”

“Oh, that, yes, I knew that.”

“Not that,” Molly said, shaking her head. “When we neared the Gate to his cottage, there was a wind.”

Jack looked at her curiously. “A wind. On the Road?”

She nodded. “A hot, dry, dusty wind.”

A hungry wind, Schrodinger added.

“A salamander’s wind,” Jack said, and when Molly nodded again, he slammed his hand down on the island. “Damn. That is NOT what I wanted to hear.” Then he looked up at her. “That’s why you agreed to help, isn’t it?”

She nodded again. “I don’t like you, Jack. I’ll be honest. I think you’re an arrogant ass, and you don’t deserve Jade at all.” As his face darkened, Molly continued, “But she doesn’t deserve to die, either, and she definitely doesn’t deserve to be someone else’s possession. She must have seen something worthwhile in you, and I’m willing to help you try and find it. If you’re willing to try, that is.”

Jack’s jaw had clenched as she’d talked, and Molly wondered if she’d pushed him too far. But finally he said, “I’m willing.”

“Good.” She tossed him an apron. “Then let’s get started.”