by Marian Tee
“You told me you were made to watch numerous terrifying films when you were young. Then perhaps you will know what I am talking about when I tell you her real name.”
“Silviu---”
“Her name is Delphine LaLaurie.”
Georgina paled.
Satisfied, he said grimly, “That is the woman I will kill for you, milady.”
****
“So, you’re Mihail’s sister, huh?”
Maricha nodded, delighted at the way the duke’s future duchess spoke so engagingly with her. Georgina McCartney was such an interesting woman. She was unlike any woman in the kingdom, and Maricha had met nearly all of them. Of course, all meant only those who were like them – and not human.
“Are you, umm, like, hundreds of years old, too?” She had a hard time thinking of the younger-looking girl as ancient.
Maricha’s face dimpled. “I am near their age, yes, but I was cursed to sleep for almost a thousand years. I only woke up at the beginning of this year and so I do not feel – I am not like them, in the way that they know the world.”
George shook her head in amazement. Everything just kept getting weirder, cooler, and way more interesting than real life in this part of the world. “Like Sleeping Beauty?”
Maricha flushed, her eyes darting unconsciously towards the balcony that overlooked the courtyard.
George curiously followed the young girl’s gaze, her eyes widening as she saw Adrijan training soldiers below, bare-chested and his skin glistening with sweat under the sun.
Oh.
She cleared her throat.
Maricha blinked. “I am sorry. I lost my train of thought.”
Yeah, I bet, George thought, secretly snickering. But it was really cute, the way Maricha had this huge crush on Adrijan. They would make a great couple.
“Have you made your choice yet?” Maricha asked.
George considered the photos of gowns spread on the table. She tried to summon up some interest in it, but she just didn’t have what it took to appreciate beautiful clothes. Give her money to burn on camera lenses anytime – that would have been so much more fun.
She said finally, “I give up. I have zero taste in fashion. Is it okay if you choose what I should wear?”
“Are you sure?” Maricha had never met a woman who did not love to shop for clothes.
“Extremely so. Just make sure I look as good as you or as much as I can look beautiful next to you and I’m cool.”
Maricha blushed at the older woman’s words. “I am not---”
“You are and don’t let any stubborn ignorant dude fool you into thinking you’re not,” George said dryly and jerked her head towards the balcony meaningfully.
Maricha’s eyes widened. “You guessed?”
The young girl did not sound happy. Oh, shit. So maybe she really did have a big mouth. George said hastily, “It was very hard to guess.”
Maricha did not look convinced.
And fuck – maybe she was really the worst liar on the planet, too. She tried thinking of a diversion and her gaze fell on the invitation on the table. She picked it up and when she realized what was written on it, she jumped to her feet with a muttered expletive.
“What the fuck?”
Maricha was startled. “What is it?”
“This ball – this fucking ball is…what the fuck…” She was so mad that she couldn’t finish her sentence.
“You did not know about the bride candidates?”
“No. I did not fucking know and I am so going to kill him for this.”
A ball to celebrate the homecoming of the Duke of Brimstone…
A ball where all the eligible maidens of the city of Asphodel were invited…
A bride quest for the future duchess of Silviu Draghici…
She thought of Silviu meeting all those women. She thought of all those women drooling after Silviu.
No. Hell no. Fuck no.
She bellowed, “SILVIU!”
Chapter Eleven
Chalysian chameleon. Extinct species.
#throwbackthursday #byebye
One elegant carriage after another rolled down the private pathway that led to the castle of the Duke of Brimstone. A red carpet was laid on the grand staircase that led up to the ballroom, and every once in a while, the butler’s stentorian tone would declare the arrival of new guests, all of them wealthy and titled residents from the City of Asphodel.
Alone in the garden, hidden behind the shrubs, George sat on the bench, telling herself to be calm. She had a sudden panic attack, and not wanting anyone to know how weak she felt for experiencing this kind of anxiety, she had escaped into the gardens to be alone with her thoughts.
Everything had sunk in, together, all at once, and it left her unable to breathe.
Lady Beyotch was the Red Witch, whom she and the whole world knew as Delphine LaLaurie, one of the most evil women in history.
Silviu was also the Duke of Brimstone, whom everyone seemed to think was a god. He said he was in love with her – and that he would kill the Red Witch for her.
And what about her?
What was she going to do now?
Was she simply going to let everything happen without having a hand in it?
“What are you doing here alone, ma threa?” Silviu sat next to her on the marbled bench. She was incredibly beautiful tonight, with her hair twisted into delicate curls over her head and her voluptuous body beautifully but modestly displayed in Maricha’s perfectly selected gown with its tight black velvet and lace bodice and full skirts, the turquoise shade matching her gaze.
“I do not have a good feeling about this night,” she admitted.
“Are you worried I will fall in love with someone else?”
“Bastard.”
He laughed softly and bent down to kiss her bare shoulder. It was such a simple touch, but it was enough to make her shiver.
“Silviu,” she protested weakly.
He loved her soft tone, knowing it was only for him, and he kissed her again, moving all the way up to her neck.
She shivered again and quickly moved away before she lost herself in his touch. “I’m serious. I don’t feel good about tonight.”
“Is it because of her?”
Slowly, George nodded.
“I am the Duke of Brimstone, milady. Do you think one such as her can kill me?”
“Your arrogance will kill you, that’s what I think.”
He laughed.
“Silviu…please just take care?”
He kissed her hard. “For you, milady. I will never give up on life.” He stood up. “I am needed inside. Will you come with me now?”
“After a bit. I promise I’ll go in soon.” Seeing the reluctance on his face, George smiled. “You’ll miss me right away, won’t you?”
“Not as much as I know you will miss me, milady.”
Arrogant bastard. But she was smiling, her heart a little lighter as she watched Silviu’s powerful elegant form, loving the way he always strode with such strength and purpose.
A few minutes later, there was a rustle behind her. She turned and saw Ilie walking towards her, still dressed in a plain shirt and breeches. Her eyebrows shot up. “Aren’t you supposed to be dressed by now?”
He only smiled, taking his seat next to her but carefully keeping a distance between them. This made her sad. Ilie would not have done something like this in the past. Perhaps after what he had revealed to her in the inn that night, it would never be the same between them again.
She said haltingly, “I can’t be the heartkeeper for you, Ilie. I just do not believe God would be so cruel to make me a possible match for you both.”
Still Ilie didn’t speak.
“Please do not let this come between you and the duke. I know you two are closer than brothers and I would never want the two of you to be at odds just because you both happened to have really bad taste in women.”
His lips twitched. “Has he told you about our plans fo
r Lady Beryl?”
She glared at him. “Really? You’re going down that road?” So Silviu hadn’t told her about his plans, but it did not mean he distrusted her or did not really love her. He just had…misconceptions about her, that was all.
Ilie coughed. “I am sorry. I have overstepped my bounds.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m sure you mean that,” she said sarcastically as she got to her feet. “You should change now. The ball’s about to start and I’m pretty sure Silviu will kill all of us if we’re late.”
As she walked away, she was pulled back, a stinging pain shooting from the back of her head. George whirled around and saw Ilie smiling at her apologetically, a couple of strands of her hair in his hand. “There was dirt on your hair, but I’m afraid I pulled off more than just dirt.”
She opened and closed her mouth several times, unsure of how to respond to that. George shook her head, muttering, “Demons.” They just didn’t know how strong or weak they were.
She turned around again and walked back to the ball.
Behind her, Ilie started chewing on her hair.
****
“Georgina?” She appeared so suddenly at the doorway, he had almost thought she was an enemy, his hand already poised to pull out his sword. Normally, she made more noise than a rampaging elephant.
He finished shrugging into his coat. When he turned to look at her closely, his heart clenched at the sight of her tear-streaked face. “What is it, my love?” Silviu demanded.
Her face crumpled even more. “I just can’t…I just can’t go through this anymore.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You. Ilie. Us.” She laughed brokenly. “All of this.”
His heart started to hammer in his chest. “What…do you mean?”
“I’m sorry, Silviu, but he kissed me, and I just…I wanted it.”
“STOP.”
But she didn’t stop, she only continued in a whisper. “I never thought I would feel like that with another man but it was…oh God…”
“Stop talking, dammit!”
“I wanted it. I’m so, so, so sorry, Silviu, but I wanted that kiss! I ran away afterwards, so he doesn’t know I feel this way. It’s just me, all me. So please – don’t let him know. After this ball, I’ll go away. Neither of you will see me again.”
“SHUT UP.”
“I’m so sorry. Maybe with this ball, you’ll find the real heartkeeper meant for you. But I know, oh God, I just know it’s not me when I feel this much for Ilie---”
Silviu roared, “Get out of my sight!”
She ran away, the sound of her tears haunting him and driving Silviu to the ground.
What now?
What was he going to do now?
****
The ball was in full swing, with all the ladies already presented to the Duke of Brimstone – well, all ladies except Maricha – who was already known to him – and her. She was supposedly the heartkeeper to Silviu, but now it would be more appropriate if she was known as the Lady Who Was Ignored by Silviu.
It did not make any fucking sense, but then…this was also how she had felt that night, when Silviu had suddenly abandoned her. She told herself that this was probably another dastardly devious plan he came up with, and she just did not know about it because Silviu thought she had a big mouth.
Granted, she was beginning to realize there was some truth to his words but---he really did not have to make such a huge deal about it.
The Duke of Brimstone danced before her for the twentieth time, and it was yet another girl no different from the last one, all of them perfectly ladylike, tall, gorgeous, and thin. George did her best to keep her smile in place as she remained in hiding behind the curtains, wondering if this was Silviu’s way of torturing the words out of her.
Did she love him? Was she in love with Silviu? It was so hard to tell when they only had mere days with each other.
“Did you have a fight with Silviu, milady?” Mihail asked, appearing beside her.
Before she could answer, she watched Silviu give the girl in his arms a little twirl as the music ended. The crowd applauded and when Silviu kissed the girl, his tongue actually slipping inside her mouth, the crowd applauded even more.
She snarled, “Right now, he will.” She glanced at Mihail. “Get me Silviu or I swear I’m going to kill myself just so I can kill him.”
****
“You called, milady?” Silviu’s tone was mocking, which confused her more than it hurt.
Mihail had told her to wait for Silviu in the library and she stood next to the windows and waited, gazing outside without seeing anything. The moon was nowhere to be seen, the black clouds completely covering it.
George turned at the sound of his voice, and she became even more confused at the hardened expression on Silviu’s handsome face as he stood by the doorway. “Won’t you even come in?”
“What for?”
Her temper ignited at the way he sneered at her question. “What the fuck’s wrong with you?”
Silviu laughed harshly. “There is no need to explain. You can go after tonight. I won’t stop you from leaving. I can find a better heartkeeper easily.”
George paled at Silviu’s words. “What are you saying?”
“I have asked Maricha about it and she tells me that the heartkeeping between us can still be ended without either of us losing our lives. I only have to find another one to replace you.”
“Maricha…told you that?”
“Don’t make it sound like she’s fucking betraying you! She is loyal to me, not you!”
She shook her head, whispering, “I don’t understand what’s happening. Could you just at least tell me this is all part---”
“Just get out of my house tonight, milady. I never ever want to see your face again.”
George wasn’t aware how she ended up kneeling on the floor. All she knew was that Silviu was gone and he was not in love with her. Everything no longer made sense, but she had seen his eyes when he spoke the words. He really did want her gone.
Behind her, the windows shattered. She did not even flinch.
Someone grabbed her from behind and knocked her on the head – again.
But this time, George welcomed the oblivion, knowing it would be the only thing to keep the pain at bay.
****
Ilie stormed into Silviu’s study, growling, “What the fuck was that?” He had been unable to believe his own eyes when Silviu kissed that girl – whoever the hell she was – in front of the damn crowd. But when he had sought George to see her reaction, hoping for a clue that would tell him it was all part of some elaborate plan, the pain in her eyes told him his hopes were futile.
There had been no fucking plan.
“Well? Answer me, dammit!”
The duke was seated on the couch, a decanter of brandy in front of him, his profile illuminated by the glow coming from the fireplace. Silviu said mockingly, “I believe I just gave you your heartkeeper. Shouldn’t you be happy?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
He was just like Georgina, playing the innocent, playing him for a fool. “You fucking bastard,” he snarled. “You dare betray me! You dare---you dared to kiss her!”
In an instant, his wings sprang out and he flew to Ilie, punching him on the face.
Ilie swung back, fangs snapping out. “I never fucking kissed her!”
“She told me about it, so you don’t have to fucking lie!” Silviu swung his fist again.
This time, Ilie had become still, and Silviu’s fist sent him crashing against the wall. His face was white when he looked up at the duke. I did not kiss her, Your Grace.
He deliberately used the bond between the duke and the Galeré so that the others could hear him, and soon Mihail and Adrijan joined them in the study, their faces bleak.
“What happened?”
Silviu did not speak, his body still shuddering with rage.
“The duke thinks I kissed Georg
e. He tells me that George herself told him we kissed.”
“Impossible,” Mihail said. “I was with her when you kissed that girl, Silviu. There are no words to describe her pain.”
“Pain for possibly losing the chance of becoming my duchess---”
“WE DID NOT FUCKING KISS BECAUSE I KNOW SHE IS IN LOVE WITH YOU!” Ilie roared. He slowly got to his feet. “Let’s just fucking find George and we’ll make sense of this. Where did you last see her?”
“She was at the library the last time I spoke to her,” Silviu said curtly. Without another word, he left his study, making his way to the library. His heart had started hammering again.
Something’s not right. I’m worried about tonight.
Were those not Georgina’s words a while ago?
What if he had been wrong?
What would he do if he was wrong?
His heart stopped when he saw the chaos in the library. “No,” he whispered.
His Galeré were right behind him and they halted at the sight of the shattered glass on the floor.
Ilie transformed into a wolf and sniffed the air. I have smelled this scent before. He padded towards the window. The trail is still there. He leapt out of the window, loping fast to follow the trail.
Silviu’s wings broke out and he flew after Ilie. I am sorry for accusing you.
You do not have anything to be sorry about. If I am right about what I suspect, this may have been part of the Red Witch’s plan.
Behind him, he heard the rush of water as Adrijan followed him while Mihail leapt from one tree to another, keeping pace with the rest of them.
There. I found it!
Ilie swerved to the right, taking a beaten down path that circumvented the Woods of the Wraiths and went into the underground mines that had once been the dwelling of dwarves.
That man! Ilie’s gaze focused on the person about to enter the mine, dressed plainly and carrying a sack on his shoulders.
Georgina!
Without another thought, Silviu flew right past Ilie. By the time his target realized Silviu was behind him, he had already pulled out his sword.
