The dance ended, and she dared to look at his face. She’d hurt him by not saying anything, but for now, that was what needed to happen.
As he walked her back, she realized she had to say something. She couldn’t let it end this way. She tugged on his arm until he met her gaze. “For what it’s worth, I do appreciate that you came all this way to rescue me.”
He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Apparently, it was a wasted trip.” He gave her a nod. “I wish you well in your new life.”
She watched him walk away like a little boy who’d had his favorite toy taken way. It took all of her willpower not to run after him and fall into his arms, begging for his forgiveness and his love. It broke her heart to see him this way, but it had to be done. At least for now.
Sighing, she turned away from him. Her gaze fell to the large grandfather clock. Eleven thirty. In one half hour, she’d discover if her life was worth saving.
“CAN YOU DO IT, DARBY?” Daniel asked, his voice touched with hope.
Darby rubbed his hands together. “I don’t know.” His gaze switched to Chris. “Ask my friend here how many times my spells have gone wrong.” He shook his head. “Too many times to count.”
Chris stood, leaning up against a tree with his arms folded across his chest. He hadn’t said much after leaving Ella’s side. He couldn’t without getting choked up. She didn’t love him. She didn’t want him to rescue her.
There he was, pouring his heart out to her, and she acted as if she didn’t care. He’d told her he loved her, and she pretended as if she hadn’t heard. For some reason, she had hardened her heart against him and was unforgiving. Why hadn’t he known she would turn out like Rosanna?
And yet...maybe Ella wasn’t like Rosanna. Ella hadn’t said one thing about his position as a schoolteacher, or even how little he earned.
“Chris?” Dan asked. “Are you all right?”
Slowly, he shifted his gaze to his brother. “Can’t we just leave now? I told you, Ella doesn’t want to be rescued.”
“I don’t agree with that.” Daniel gave him a stern look.
“Me, either,” Darby said. “I can feel she’s in danger, and I cannot leave without putting a protection spell on her.”
Chris didn’t really want to talk about her any longer. His head hurt and he didn’t even want to think about that woman. “What about your grandfather,” he asked Darby. “Are you going to talk to him?”
Darby shook his head. “Unfortunately, that man isn’t the memory I had of him. I remembered a kind, old man. The man I saw in the trees is very evil.”
Dan snickered. “Then he and Rodmilla would be perfect together.”
Closing his eyes, Darby muttered to himself as his frail body swayed. Chris wondered if he needed to get closer to catch his friend if he fell to the ground. Yet, the man seemed to know his body was moving back and forth.
After a few moments of Darby’s mumblings, he opened his eyes wide. “I think I have it. Quick, let’s go to the window so I can see her. The spell won’t work if I can’t see her.”
Chris hooked a hand around one of Darby’s elbows, and Daniel grasped the other elbow. Between the two larger men, they carried Darby to the window. Once he peeked inside, he started mumbling his incantations again. It shocked Chris that his friend didn’t say those strange words this time.
Finally, Darby stopped, looked at Ella, and waved his hands in the air. Surprisingly enough, Chris could actually see a cloud of stardust forming around Darby’s hands. Then Darby pushed his hands in her direction, as if he was literally throwing the dust her way. Chris swung his gaze to Ella, and he could have sworn the dust went right to her. He held his breath, wondering if something bad would happen, but even after a few seconds, nothing disastrous took place. Apparently, Darby was getting better.
Chris exhaled deeply and leaned against the rock wall of the house. “Can we go back home now?”
Darby’s gaze narrowed when he peered at Chris. “You don’t want to stick around to see if the spell works?”
He shrugged. “What is the spell supposed to do?”
“Protect her.”
“So then why do we need to stay around?”
“Oh, good grief, Chris.” Daniel slapped his brother on the shoulder. “Sometimes you are so dense. Quit acting like a wounded puppy. Can’t you see if we stick around, eventually Ella is going to realize she’s protected? And that Rodmilla won’t be able to hurt her any longer. When that happens, Ella is going to be looking for you to take her back home.”
“No she won’t.” Chris frowned.
“Did she tell you that?” Daniel asked.
“No, but she didn’t need to say the words. I knew what she meant.”
Chuckling, Dan shook his head. “I don’t know what happened on the dance floor between the two of you, but you need to stop sulking. I feel we need to stay and see how this spell plays out.” He playfully cuffed Chris with his knuckles. “Whatever you think Ella was saying to you, she wasn’t. I don’t know her, but I do know what it’s like to want to protect others. I believe Ella sent you away to try and protect you. Rodmilla is mean, and Ella didn’t want that woman to hurt you.”
As hard as he tried pushing the feeling aside, Chris really wanted to believe his brother. Without his control, hope sprang up inside of Chris’s heart. Dare he trust his brother? But his injured heart was reluctant to believe.
“Fine. We can stay.” He gazed into the ballroom. Ella stood by herself, looking up at the grandfather clock. It was eleven fifty-five. When would this party be over? Then again, he’d heard these types of parties went well into the night.
“Where is she going?” Dan asked, pointing at her through the window.
“How would I know?”
“Ohhh...” Darby rubbed his hands together. “Maybe she is coming out here to find Chris.”
Rolling his eyes, he shook his head. “Darby, don’t get too overjoyed about that theory.”
“She is going outside.” Dan moved closer to the window. “Look. She’s heading for the side door.”
Chris couldn’t stop the sudden quick beat of his heart. But he tried to take his own advice and not become overly excited. Still, he watched her closely as she left the ballroom.
He flattened himself against the wall, as did Dan and Darby. Thankfully, they were in the shadows, so unless she was coming on this side of the house, she wouldn’t be able to see them. But to his surprise, she headed toward the grove of trees.
Dan glanced at Chris. “Where is she going?”
Chris shrugged. “Maybe she’s trying to run away.”
“We should follow her,” Darby whispered.
When Ella walked far enough away, the three men followed, being cautious that they weren’t caught. The night was dark except for the shine from the half-moon. When she disappeared in the trees, Chris took soft steps, listening for any sounds. Dan was ahead of him, and thankfully, could track better.
His brother stopped and held up his hand. Chris and Darby stalled. Dan pointed to a section of the trees and mouthed, she’s over there, before holding up a finger to his mouth for them to keep quiet.
As they crept toward that location, Ella’s voice was heard through the silence. She was talking to a man...an old man.
When they were finally close enough to see and hear better, Darby sucked in a quick breath and held his hand to his mouth. His eyes were wide as he watched. Right away, Chris figured this old man was Darby’s grandfather...the evil wizard.
The frail man leaned heavily on a cane. His white bushy hair and furry brows made it hard to see his eyes clearly. Thankfully, they could hear his voice just fine.
“You are the one who sent me the missive?” Ella asked, hesitantly.
“Aye. I’m the one.”
She clutched her hands against her waist. “But I don’t know you.”
“No, but I know you.”
She was quiet for a few seconds and then asked, “Have we met?”
&n
bsp; “No, but it does not matter. I want to help you.”
Slowly, she shook her head. “Why would you, a total stranger, wish to help me?”
He hobbled closer. “Because I knew your grandmother.” He pointed to her necklace. “The one who gave you that locket.”
Gasping, Ella’s hand came up and covered the piece of jewelry around her neck. “How did you know—”
“There are a lot of things I know.” He took another step closer. “Do you want me to help you or not?”
She nodded. “In the note you gave me, you mentioned that Rodmilla would never bother me again. Can you really do that?”
“Aye.”
“May I ask how you can accomplish that?”
He grinned wide, showing his crooked teeth. “I’m a wizard.” He mocked a small bow. “My name is Fomazz.”
“So...what will happen to Rodmilla?”
“I will have her marry Fernand quickly, so that you and your brother can claim your father’s estate. I can make it so that she doesn’t even remember you or your brother.”
She paused again, wringing her hands in front of her. “But then poor Fernand will be stuck with an evil woman like her.”
Fomazz shrugged. “That’s what I can do.”
Confusion filled Chris’s head. Even though he wasn’t thinking very highly of her right now, he thought it odd that she would stop to care about Fernand’s welfare. Regret dug a painful knot in his stomach. Had he judged her too harshly just because she rejected him?
“Tell me, Fomazz, what do I have to do to get your assistance?”
The old man grinned wide. Chris didn’t like the eerie feeling that crawled up his spine because of the wizard’s evil smirk. Even Darby shifted impatiently next to Chris. His friend must be having the same feeling.
“Are you wearing the glass slippers?” Fomazz asked, his voice cracking more than usual.
“How do you know about the glass slippers? Rodmilla said they were from an admirer.”
“I gave them to your stepmother and instructed her to give them to you.”
“Why?”
He stepped closer, making Chris more nervous than he already was. If that old man tried anything, Chris would definitely pounce on him. Strange how he still wanted to protect her even though she had rejected him.
“When I was younger,” Fomazz began, “I was in love with a beautiful girl. I thought she returned my feelings. I gave her two gifts, trying to win her heart.” He pointed to Ella’s feet. “The glass slippers, and,” he moved his finger until it pointed to her neck, “the locket.”
Once again, Ella grasped the necklace. Her eyes widened and she shook her head. “You couldn’t possibly—”
“Aye, I did.” Slowly, a frown claimed his face. “But when the love of my life ran away and married another man, it broke my heart. I have never recovered from her betrayal.”
“Forgive me, but why are you bringing this up? What my grandmother did has nothing to do with me.”
“But it does.” He nodded. “I want them back.”
Her forehead crinkled and she frowned. “But why?”
“Because if I get those two items together, I will be able to make my greatest potion. I will be able to create a spell to cure a broken heart. Do you know how many people will turn over their soul to get a potion like this? Everyone who has ever had a broken heart will be begging me for help.”
Strange that Chris found this interesting. Fomazz was correct. People would do anything to obtain something that would cure their broken heart. Chris would definitely be the first one in line. Shaking away the thoughts, he concentrated back on their conversation.
“So, if you will, give me the locket and the glass slippers.”
“Will...I get them back?” Ella’s voice shook.
“No.”
Shaking her head, she took a step away from him. “Then I’m sorry, but I cannot give these to you. If you want the slippers, you may have those back, but I cannot give you the locket. It means too much to me. I have pleasant memories of my father when I wear this, so I can’t possibly part with it.”
Chris froze, wondering what the wizard would do next. Even Dan and Darby weren’t moving. Chris feared the worst. After all, Darby said his grandfather was evil.
Fomazz scowled and fisted one of his hands, but the other one tightened around the handle of the cane. “Yes, you will, Miss Ella. Because if you don’t, I shall put a spell on your brother...and believe me, you don’t want to see what I can do.”
Chris’s heart jumped to his throat. For certain, she would give in. Yet, his mind scrambled to figure out any other possibility. Unfortunately, he couldn’t think of any.
EIGHTEEN
Anger rushed through Ella, yet at the same time, so did fear. This wizard knew what strings to pull with her. Just like Rodmilla, he would win. Knowing what she had to do didn’t make it any easier.
Tears filled her eyes as she unhooked her locket. Once it was unlatched, she looked upon it one last time. Father had given her many things, but she cherished this more because it was her grandmother’s. Handing over this piece of jewelry was like giving the wizard her heart.
There was nothing left to do but surrender. It was either the locket—or her brother’s life. Really, there was no choice in the matter. She loved her brother and would always take care of him.
As she bent to take off the glass slippers, tears fell freely down her cheeks. She didn’t have the strength to wipe them away. She no longer cared if others thought her weak. She no longer cared if she revealed her hurt. Giving up her locket made her heart ache, and she wanted Fomazz to know. Then again, he probably didn’t care.
“Here. Take them.” Her voice broke as the words left her.
A greedy little laugh came from the old man. She wanted to slap him across the face, hurt him as he had hurt her, but fear stayed her hand. He was a wizard, what pain could she possibly cause him? And would her need to hurt him bring harm to her and most importantly, Billy? She would bear the pain in silence. What else could she do?
The cane fell to the ground as he reached with both hands. At the same time, she placed the glass slippers and the locket in the palms of his hands. Suddenly, a puff of smoke came from the palms of his hands mere seconds before the items disintegrated into dust.
She hitched a breath. Blinking, unsure she actually saw what she thought she saw.
Fomazz stared at the stardust floating around him as if stunned. Why had he looked surprised?
When the smoke and dust disappeared, his glare snapped toward her. “What have you done? Where are those items?”
She shrugged. “Didn’t you make them vanish into dust for your potion?”
“No!” he screamed as he looked around on the ground. “Where did they go?”
“I...I...I don’t know.” She shook her head. “How would I know? It’s your spell!”
Seeing the panic on the wizard’s face frightened her. What could have possibly gone wrong? Yet the man looked just as perplexed as she felt. His face grew redder and redder. She half expected him to combust at any moment.
Finally, he stopped searching and glared at her. Hatred filled his glassy eyes. He raised his hands and started waving them around while muttering some unrecognizable words. Her heart slammed in her chest. This was it! He was placing a spell on her, she just knew it.
She squeezed her eyes closed, hoping that whatever he was going to do wouldn’t hurt. She also hoped that Chris would take care of Billy when she was gone.
Fomazz stopped mumbling. Silence stretched between them for several awkward minutes. But she didn’t feel any different.
She opened her eyes to see what happened. Fomazz still had a confused expression on his face, but he was looking at his hands this time and shaking his head.
Ella quickly took a peek at herself. She still wore the light pink gown she’d dressed in earlier this evening. Cautiously, she touched her hair. Even that hadn’t changed.
The old ma
n finally looked at her. Hopelessness washed over his expression now.
“I...I don’t have my magic,” he whispered brokenly.
“Pardon me?” She didn’t believe him. He was trying to trap her in some way. Yet, would he perform so convincingly if this was just a joke?
“You don’t?” she asked in a small voice.
He shook his head as tears formed in his eyes. “I don’t know what happened.”
“I know what happened.”
From somewhere in the darkness, another voice boomed. A very familiar voice. She jumped. Both her and the wizard swung their gazes toward the trees.
Darby hobbled out from the shadows, with Chris close behind. A man who resembled Chris brought up the rear. It must be his brother.
Her heart leapt, and she nearly lost her breath. What were they doing here? She thought Chris would have left after the letdown she’d given him not too long ago.
Darby wore a confident smile as he winked at her. Turning his attention to the wizard, he repeated, “I know what happened to you.”
“Who are you?” Fomazz snapped as his gaze ran over the smaller man’s frame.
“I am your grandson, Darby.” He lifted his chin. “And I have been practicing magic for a few years.”
“Then what happened to me?” Fomazz raised his voice in anger.
“I put a protection spell on Ella.” Darby glanced at Ella and winked again before looking back at his grandfather.
Fomazz shrugged. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, it appears to me that by giving you her necklace and shoes, the protection spell stopped you from harming her. I’m guessing the potion you had planned to make would have harmed her in some way.”
“Either that,” Chris said as he stepped beside her, staring deeply into her eyes, “or the wizard’s magic was taken away because taking the locket was hurting Ella because the necklace meant so much to her.”
Keep on Believing Page 16
