They transferred to the gondola, with a drib gondolier. The pale, skull-like faces of the dribs still frightened her. Their boat glided smoothly into the Delos chamber and pulled up to the landing. They crossed the foot bridge, this time without fanfare.
She could not help but remember the last time she had been here and, with that thought, she was forced to also remember who Paolo had been to her that night—the enemy. She again worked to block out that thought.
As Jeremiah approached, Valeria pasted on her sweetest smile—she had a lot more practice hiding her real emotions now. A server came by and Paolo lifted two glasses of champagne from his tray and handed one to her. Jeremiah leered at her with a raised eyebrow. “A hair of the dog?” She smiled, without saying a word.
Glancing down at her, Paolo kissed her cheek. “You look ravishing.” He glanced at Jeremiah. “Would you excuse us, Jeremiah? I would like to introduce Cassandra to some of the immortals.”
As soon as they had turned, she could see Paolo relax slightly. He walked her to a table laden with exquisite food. “Valeria, please excuse me, there is business that I must attend to.”
Valeria realized that for the first time in months she was famished! She took a plate and loaded it with a few slices of beef wellington. She was certain that Paolo hadn’t eaten and it made her feel a bit guilty that she had an appetite and he, evidently, had none.
There were a group of immortals in the distance who laughed and her ears suddenly perked up. Could that have been Alex’s musical laughter in the mixture? She scanned the crowd and saw a man leaving the group. There were too many people between them but it looked like Alex! He passed behind others, so she moved to get a closer view. Was it him, or was it merely wishful thinking?
It was probably just that she was thinking of him or about the last time she had been here—her heart lurched—she couldn’t think about that now. The man passed another group and she lost sight of him; but, peeking through the crowd, she thought it looked similar to his dark blond hair.
Now stepping around the table, she began to follow the man. Through a group of people, she saw the flash of his oracle blue eyes for just an instant. Was she imagining things? She knew she shouldn’t follow him, but now she was drawn and completely incapable of stopping herself. She saw the man step behind a stone wall along the edge of the River Styx.
She peeked around the wall and the man was facing away from her, picking something up—or setting something down—then he quickly stood and turned toward her. Alex!
“You look breathtaking!” His face lit with his brilliant smile.
She held out her arms but he put up a hand to block her advance. “Sorry, beautiful! Not here. Not now.”
“I didn’t realize you would be here,” she said, beaming in his presence.
“I was summoned.”
She looked critically at Alex. “Is that bad? Why were you summoned? It wasn’t because of last—”
He interrupted her, “No. I received the summons yesterday afternoon. Frankly, I was planning on coming anyway.” He looked into her eyes. “Any chance to see you.”
“What will happen?” she asked, now concerned.
He sighed and shook his head, but both of their moods were lighter than they had been in months. “I don’t know.”
She offered a small laugh. “Some bunch of oracles we are, huh?” She glanced down, wishing she could hold his hand.
“We had better get back with everyone.” He winked at her.
Suddenly, Paolo came around the corner. Without a word, he took Valeria’s arm and guided her to the front of the room.
The gong sounded, and this time, all nine of the elegant chairs were occupied.
Jeremiah began. “Paolo has a request. A rather interesting request considering what occurred here several months ago.”
Paolo glanced down momentarily and something in his expression caused her to wonder if he had changed his mind. If he did, what would happen to her and Alex? She glanced toward Alex and he looked away.
Pulling her into the spotlight, with less affection than she typically expected from him, Paolo said, “I have proposed marriage to this immortal, and she has accepted. We request council consent for our marriage. And, as my last petition involved Cassandra and Alex, I would like it withdrawn.”
One of the council members said, “I really don’t understand how this all shifted so quickly. Paolo, was this the design of your actions here a few months ago?”
Paolo looked as if he had expected this question. Shinsu gave him an emotional nod.
“No, council. I was married to an incarnation of Cassandra—there is a prior emotional connection. However, my actions at the previous council meeting were only to protect my sister’s interests. My sister requested that I join her in signing the petition and that I deliver it to the council.
“Since that time, the Trento Family has provided substantial resources in the search for Kristiana and they have promised a continuation of those efforts. It is also evident that with Cassandra’s extraordinary gifts, we may be able to locate Kristiana more rapidly. Lastly, Cassandra and I have spent considerable time together and, with the support of her family, she has come to recall the depth of her feelings for me,” Paolo took Valeria’s hand and kissed it, “as Jeremiah confirmed last night.”
She thought it odd to hear talk of her great gifts. She had no evidence of any special gifts.
Several council members nodded. Then another council member spoke up. “Was Cassandra aware that you were going to withdraw the petition?”
“Not initially. However, we did discuss it the day of our engagement. I wished to invite her family to our engagement party and so informed her of my plan.”
“Do you believe that Cassandra intends to be a good wife to you Paolo? Is it possible that her purpose in agreeing to the marriage is so that the council would agree to remove the petition?”
Paolo shook his head, but Valeria could tell he was nervous. “Cassandra has been a good wife to me in the past. We share affection and many similar interests. I believe we could have a successful marriage.”
Shinsu spoke up, “Paolo, just months ago, you accused Cassandra of malicious misconduct. What has changed?”
“I witnessed her behavior over the past several months and they were not those of someone intending to interfere in a marriage.” Valeria thought Paolo’s response sounded a bit rehearsed.
Another council member turned to Valeria and she felt Paolo’s grip tighten on her hand. “Cassandra, do you now love Paolo?”
“I care for Paolo.”
“That wasn’t the question.”
Shinsu interrupted, “The girl has answered the pertinent question. She cares for Paolo. That’s more than many of you had prior to your marriages.”
Jeremiah narrowed his eyes. “Yes, Shinsu. But because the girl was accused of maliciousness only months ago, I believe that this council has a responsibility and right to question this marriage more stringently. It is our responsibility to approve only marriages that are most likely to be successful.” He pursed his lips and glared at Valeria. “I would like to know if you intend to be a good wife to Paolo.”
Valeria wanted to ask Jeremiah if he considered himself a good husband but good sense kicked in and she decided to leave her sarcasm outside of the cave. “I’m sorry, but I’m not certain what a good wife is. Are you asking if I’ll cook and clean?”
The council looked upset and Paolo leaned down to her. “You must answer ‘yes,’ bella.”
She knew she should do what Paolo said, but he did say that she needed to be truthful. “I’m sorry, but I really can’t answer the question truthfully if I don’t know what you mean by being a good wife.”
“Will you have extra-marital affairs?” Jeremiah asked, now irritated.
She looked down to hide the sarcasm that now flooded her face. Paolo sensed her mood and tightened his grip on her hand. Valeria glanced toward Alex but he looked away again.
; “No. I would not have extra-marital affairs.”
Jeremiah glanced toward Alex and back to Valeria. “Would Paolo be first in your heart?”
“I would place my husband’s needs above others.”
Jeremiah continued, “All others?”
Paolo pulled Valeria close and kissed her neck whispering, “Please let me help you.” Paolo spoke up, “Council, please! I don’t understand the purpose of this questioning. Cassandra has never been one to cause trouble. That would not change.”
Jeremiah leaned forward in his chair, tapping his cane on the floor for emphasis. “You say that now, but several months ago, you said something quite different! Paolo, it is our responsibility to investigate this! I believe there is a problem!”
“And last night you received a transference that demonstrated that she only thinks of me!” Paolo challenged.
Shinsu gave Paolo a look that said she did not approve of his disrespectful tone and then said, “Jeremiah, though I do not approve of the way in which Paolo stated his concern, he does have a valid point. These questions were all answered last night. And now let’s just get this business done with and enjoy ourselves,” she huffed.
Jeremiah glared critically at Valeria and then toward Alex again. “I believe that there is more to this than is being said.” He clasped his hands over his cane as his eyes locked on Valeria’s. “Last night you disappeared.” Valeria blushed and shrugged, but out of the corner of her eye she could see from Paolo’s expression that this was going badly. “You must speak the truth to this council, do you understand.”
“I don’t lie.” But she knew that she would have to find a way to answer the next question. “I am not a public person. I needed time away from the crowd.”
“Have you seen Alexander since the last council meeting?” Jeremiah demanded. Valeria looked at Alex and saw him close his eyes. She knew this expression, it was the same one she had seen when Paolo had entered his petition four months before.
“Yes.”
Paolo interrupted, “Yes, and as the petitioner, I am aware of these meetings.”
Jeremiah very nearly smiled as he leaned toward her. “Was last night one of them—the evening of your engagement party to Paolo?”
Paolo sighed heavily, and then Valeria could have sworn she saw a flash of intense pain in his eyes. He squeezed her hand and then turned to look at her with a combination of love and loss. For an instant, she could see the man that had lost his Isabella and she wanted to touch his face and tell him that it would be all right. He closed his eyes and when he opened them, his face was filled with something new that she couldn’t identify. She wondered what had changed.
“Council, I would like to respond.” Paolo drew a deep breath. “I know that it is your responsibility to ensure that the marriage is right, and I must admit that—since last night—I have had some reservations.” Valeria suddenly felt concerned. Then she felt Paolo’s grip tighten on her hand, again, and then he released it. “Last night, Cassandra did disappear.” He looked down and then glanced up toward Alex. She saw their eyes meet for an instant. “Lars and I discovered her in Trento and in Alex’s arms.”
Of all the things she was prepared for, betrayal was not one of them! She glared at Paolo with a mix of stunned shock and outrage as angry tears formed in her eyes. She had trusted him! Trying to catch her breath, she realized what his betrayal meant. She recalled Alex telling her that there was only one punishment dispensed by this council: death. She would be beheaded tonight! Had this been Paolo’s plan all along? Had his betrayal been a plan that he and Shinsu had concocted months ago to get even? The room got dim as she realized what was to come.
Then she realized that Alex would watch. She couldn’t bear to think of that! What if Alex was found guilty? Oh, God, what had she done?
Jeremiah almost smiled in glee. “She violated the petition? Why didn’t you inform this council?”
Paolo sighed. “She returned with me and confided that she felt remorse for her actions.”
Now Paolo had lied. Her ears began to loudly ring and she could barely hear what he was saying. What was his game?
He continued, “Last night, I believed Cassandra when she told me that she required time to say goodbye to Alex. Then tonight, I discovered them alone again.” Paolo refused to meet her eyes.
Alex’s voice rang from his position near the back of the room. “You bastard! You promised to protect her!” He raced near them.
“ALEXANDER!” Jeremiah roared. “I warned you months before that this council will not tolerate your outbursts! You shall treat your fellow immortals and this council with respect! Anymore outbursts and you will be dealt with before the present issue is concluded.”
Alex’s face was red with rage. But there was something else. She wondered, was it fear?
Another council member spoke up, “Cassandra, did you go to Alexander twice?”
“Council! May I speak?” Alex requested.
Jeremiah raised a finger. “Alexander, you will be permitted to speak when you are asked.”
Her voice was breathy and nervous. “Yes. I…I went to him. Alex didn’t know that I would do that. It was my fault. And then tonight, I followed a man…I didn’t know if it was Alex until I was alone with him. It was not a planned meeting.” The council shook their heads in accusation. “Truly, Alex didn’t do anything to encourage me. He has followed your rules. I was the one who broke them, only because I couldn’t bear...”
Jeremiah’s voice rang out, “Bear what?”
She had to answer it, but how could she without further incriminating herself? “I couldn’t bear to marry someone else without first telling Alex, without knowing that he was all right with it.”
Paolo’s face became enraged. “Our laws are our laws! They are both to be punished!”
“Paolo we will require your testimony!” Jeremiah demanded.
Shinsu stood. “Excuse me, Jeremiah, but I have known Paolo longer than most of you and he has developed a skill that permits him to manipulate his testimony. This was a well known fact by my late husband. Paolo, this council will require witnesses to your very serious allegations!”
“Who do you think could have taught me that skill, but an oracle? Alex showed me many of his tricks when we were in Carrara!”
“Alexander, Paolo, are there others who might testify? Paolo you mentioned that Lars was with you last night?”
“Yes. Camille also witnessed my fiancée’s disappearance.” Paolo glanced toward Camille as she hissed a curse under her breath.
Jeremiah nodded. “Lars and Camille, please give your testimony.”
They both stepped forward, looking devastated. Camille glanced toward Valeria with tears in her eyes, and placed her hands on the quartz plates. The council glanced up at the screen and saw the events unfold from Valeria’s transference to Jeremiah and then her disappearance. They also saw the conversation that Valeria had with Camille that morning, confirming that she had been with Alex.
“Thank you, Camille.” Jeremiah nodded. “Lars?”
Lars looked at both Alex and Valeria with great sadness as he placed his hands on the quartz. The council saw Valeria disappear and then saw her with Alex. Lars removed his hands and walked back where Camille was standing.
Jeremiah nodded. “Camille and Lars, you are pardoned from any wrongdoing here.” Jeremiah spoke to Paolo and said, “Paolo acted admirably. Alexander, as much as I disagree with many of your actions, this council finds only Cassandra guilty of violating the laws of this council.”
This fueled Paolo’s anger. “Alex betrayed our agreement and caused Cassandra to doubt my love for her. Last night I found her with his arms around her.”
She turned to Paolo glaring incredulously. “Who are you?” She took the engagement ring off her finger and threw it at him. It struck him in the face and he closed his eyes as the ring rolled down to the ground. Paolo glanced down at the ring but refused to pick it up. She saw a hint of pain in his eyes but
she was unable to feel any compassion for him. He had just signed their death warrants!
“Young woman!” Jeremiah’s voice echoed throughout the chamber. “You have committed crimes and now you have crossed the line with your disrespect! I will have you bound and gagged for the rest of the proceedings if necessary.”
Paolo turned back to the council. “She would not have gone to Alex unless he had indicated it was all right.”
Valeria stepped forward. “That is not true! Alex didn’t know I was coming!”
Paolo spat, “I saw him kiss her!
She could see her family looking as if they were witnessing a murder. Valeria looked toward Alex, but she couldn’t read his expression.
Jeremiah asked Valeria, “Do you deny this?”
“Alex did nothing wrong. I was the one who went to him last night. I was the one who followed him tonight. Please, I am the only one who should be punished,” she said, knowing that it made no difference now.
Jeremiah nodded. “I tend to agree young woman! You have caused this council considerable trouble in less than a year.” He lifted his arm, and called, “Erebos!”
A giant of a man wearing a green silk toga stepped out from the shadows behind the council, carrying an ancient, double-sided axe.
Alex stepped toward Paolo. “No!” His eyes filled with rage. “You did this to us! If you had not filed that ridiculous petition, Valeria and I would be married now!”
“Alexander I’ve warned—” Jeremiah started, but was interrupted by Paolo.
“She wanted me! Ask Jeremiah!”
“Alexander! I will not tolerate anymore—” Ignoring Jeremiah, Alex turned toward Valeria for half of a second, and then his fist raised and slammed into Paolo’s jaw.
Stunned, Paolo brought his hand to his face as a caustic smile lit his eyes.
Jeremiah’s voice boomed, “Alexander, you are in violation of this council’s orders!”
The Symbolon Page 25
