“The ceremony will be over soon. We won’t have much time.”
“What do you want?”
“I want you to release me.”
Klaus’ eyebrow perked. “Why?”
“Look at me.”
Klaus exhaled loudly. Perhaps fate had not delivered him his one desire, but teased him long enough to wrench the opportunity away. He paced again, letting his thoughts turn into speech. “I’m beginning to understand. One son to carry the taint, and I’m aware you have a brother, Arthur, who no doubt will be killed in a bid to time weave Nikolas. Lady Claudia walks free and is allowed to live a full life untainted. You and your brother won’t be so lucky. Looks like Elizabeth will be a widow faster than she could have hoped.”
“This is not a joke.”
“I am not laughing.” Klaus stopped suddenly. “I still want to know why. It has to be more than just bitterness. Brotherly love perhaps?”
Timothy stepped forward. “Justice, for what she did to Rose.”
“Rose?”
“Rose Bell was the sweetest person I had ever known. Intelligent. Kind. Beautiful. But because she belonged to a common household my mother did not approve of us. I had to be with someone within the city walls, someone of the same status as myself. I told my mother of my intentions to marry Rose, and so she sent her pet Nikolas to disfigure her. He ended up controlling her family dog to attack her that same evening. When I finally reached her in the hospital it looked like she had been mauled by wolves.” Klaus could hear the strain in Timothy’s voice, the catch in his speech revealing this was a traumatic memory, but one he had replayed enough times not to break at its mention. “She thought herself too hideous for me. Called herself a beast and threw herself off the rooftop. If only she had lived long enough to see me, to see the real beast, she may have decided to stay. Every night I wish I had jumped after her. But, of course, I couldn’t.”
“Because Nikolas wouldn’t let you die, not if your death would take Lady Claudia down with you.” Klaus slowed in his understanding, but it was still not enough to change his mind. Lady Claudia’s plan meant killing Nikolas, a common desire he had with the cruel woman. “If her freedom means Nikolas’ end, then that is a deal I am willing to make.”
“But that is not the deal I am asking of you.”
Klaus turned away, feigning disappointment. “Even so you cannot afford the time to kill her. I suggest you try good old fashion poisoning. With Nikolas gone, she should be easy to take down.”
“Alas you misunderstand, Collector.” Timothy said. “It is not her death I wish for.”
Chapter Twenty-Six:
Nikolas stood at Lady Claudia’s side, feeling the emotional narrow space between them widen in his uncertainty. He watched her turned head, familiarizing himself with the curve of her neck as one would watch a loved one before death. Lady Claudia sat with Arthur and the minister talking about weddings, but Nikolas couldn’t hear a word. A familiar pain spread across his chest. A pain he’d felt when watching her marry Harold. A pain he felt listening to her vows. The same pain he felt while watching her love another man so openly, while he was always pushed away.
He never complained. It was his own fault he loved a mortal woman. That’s what they do: they marry, they move on, they vanish. Despite watching many of his past loves crumble under the hand of time, Lady Claudia felt as immortal as him. A perfect partner, to allow himself to fall into the grace of human love. But of course, she was still a mere human. Of course, she couldn’t live forever. It was a thought he had barred himself from, and one Klaus always managed to resurface. The gremlins manning Elizabeth’s room perked up with chatter the moment she woke. Nikolas gently touched Lady Claudia’s shoulder, alerting her to Elizabeth’s state, before leaving the room.
#
Elizabeth sprung up. Her mind spun, hazy behind the drug as she swung her arm out to fend off attackers that were no longer there. The last thing she remembered were two men storming the hut. The weakened door was kicked down easily. They grabbed her and smothered her screams with a chloroform soaked cloth. It took her a few minutes to eventually pass out. Fear spiked the moment she woke. She swung out. She squealed and propelled backwards as though frightened awake by a nightmare. She glanced around the room, delirious in her panic. At first, she couldn’t recognize where she was, but the presence of Nikolas helped piece everything together. He stood by her bedside, as if waiting for her to wake. Without a word, his presence filled the room like thick smoke. She automatically held her breath.
“Miss Wicker?” Beneath his shadow, Elizabeth felt herself shrink. It felt so surreal, so unnatural, being so close to him. He was the corrupted Time Collector. The bad guy. The villain. He was the man who killed hundreds of people. He was the same man who drove a knife into her mother’s chest and inhaled her soul. Yet, every time Elizabeth felt anger swell and her eyes turn sharply to him, she would hesitate. His face was calm, soft even and warm. His eyes did not sting with malice as Lady Claudia’s did. She could even feel an essence of loving warmth radiate off his skin, like he was truly happy and had no ill thoughts.
“What am I doing here?”
“You’re home.”
“Home? This is a cage.” Elizabeth climbed out of bed. She wobbled, but refused to grab the furniture to brace herself. “You kidnapped me?”
“I like to call it an invitation one can’t refuse.”
“Where’s Klaus?”
Nikolas’ frown tightened with his annoyance. “He left town. I ensured it.”
He could see the flutter of her fear and disbelief. “He wouldn’t.”
“Klaus is wise enough to know when he is threatened, and I do not threaten people lightly.” As he spoke, he took a step forward, drawing back his coat and revealing his Collector’s blade.
“What are you going to do with me?”
Nikolas motioned his head sideways to a simple white dress hanging off the door hook. Elizabeth tensed at the sight of it. “Now?’
“They’re waiting for you.”
“And what if I refuse?”
“That’s why I’m here.” Nikolas turned his head down, smiling. “I can be very persuasive.”
Elizabeth licked her lips nervously. He may as well point a gun to her head. “What does Lady Claudia want out of this marriage?”
“Right now, your obedience. Come, it’s time.” Elizabeth left the room with Nikolas at her side, having refused to wear the wedding gown Lady Claudia had set aside. As they walked, Elizabeth searched the halls for Klaus, while trying to think of her own way to escape the Beaumont’s clutches. “There’s no point in dragging your feet,” Nikolas said. “You should be happy. Marrying into a prestigious family like the Beaumont’s is every girl’s dream.”
She glanced at him, “You do not know of my dreams. This is a death sentence.”
“You will not be harmed.”
“I am not scared of the Beaumont’s. Same as I am not scared of you!” Elizabeth snapped. “There is nothing left for them to harm me with. It is not fear that slows my steps.”
Nikolas weakly smiled. Her fighting spirit glowed within her, tightening her fists and pulling her shoulders back. The confidence of a strong woman was what pulled Nikolas into Lady Claudia’s hands. An equal companion to spar with. A love that pushed him to become better. “I’m sorry that you’ve been dragged into all of this. It’s not my intention to keep you trapped here. Perhaps, one day, you will not think so poorly of me,” he said as they slowed outside a room.
Elizabeth gawked at his apology, unable to see the genuine expression and mistook it for mockery. “You say one thing, but do another, your actions hollow your words.”
Nikolas stepped closer and cupped her chin while he placed his other palm flat against Elizabeth’s forehead, sending a sharp zap into her head. Internal strings pulled at the pressure points at her temples, sending a hot spike to the back of her eyes and throat.
“What—” She touched her forehead, checking for
blood.
“Lady Claudia is a cautious woman. Whenever the minister looks at you or is within ear shot of you, your body will freeze. You won’t be able to talk to him or make any indication of your discomfort. The only words allowed out of your mouth is I do.”
Elizabeth’s terror pulled on her face. She quickly grabbed his hand reaching for the door knob. “Please, don’t do this.”
Nikolas hesitated briefly before opening the doors to Lady Claudia, Arthur, and the minister waiting inside. He sidestepped for Elizabeth to enter. Magical strings in Elizabeth’s head pulled on her back muscles, tightening her posture till the point she was standing rigidly upright.
Lady Claudia stood on her entrance. “Wonderful, we are all here.”
Like a plank of wood snapping, Elizabeth’s back bolted upright at Minister Geoffrey approach. The minister looked at Elizabeth. “It’s lovely to see you, Miss Wicker. We can start this wondrous ceremony now.”
Her body had completely frozen. Like a hiccup, the words, “I do,” jumped out of her mouth before she could stop herself.
As Minister Geoffrey turned to get his bible, Lady Claudia lowered her mouth to Elizabeth’s ear. “Just so you know what’s at stake here, if you do anything other than stand there and say the words, Nikolas will destroy that little academy of yours. Let’s not forgot about your half-brother and sister. Their deaths will be slow and very, very painful. Do you understand me?”
Elizabeth understood completely. She lowered her head and whispered, “I do.”
#
Nikolas stood in a separate room on the other side of the hallway from the ceremony. In front of him, three young girls sat around a table, eating their meals. They faced away from him, their heads bowed over their feast. They chatted, laughing with one another, completely unfazed by Nikolas’ presence. Promptly, he walked across the dining area and stabbed one of the girls in the spine. The attack was silent and undetected. Her eating slowed. Her appetite vanished. She leaned over her plate moments from vomiting. It took thirty second for her head to drop into her dish. The girl next to her quickly glanced over, alarmed. She shook her shoulder, only to have Nikolas stab her in the back as well. She turned, prompting the third maid to stop eating and notice the knife. She shrieked and kicked back from the table.
As did the first maid, it only took the second girl moments to be drained of her remaining life. She managed to stand before collapsing into death. The power to control others was a steep price, eating into their time rapidly. The third made a run for the other side of the room, but Nikolas moved incredibly fast. He delivered the killing blow to her stomach and watched as she slid down the wall. Her last few moments left him feeling chilled. Three young lives lost to control Elizabeth for twenty minutes. It was hard to justify his behaviour, but like he did after all of Lady Claudia’s selfish demands, he merely turned away.
#
The ceremony didn’t last long. That was exactly how Lady Claudia had planned it. When it came to answering the minister’s final question, Elizabeth glanced once more at Lady Claudia, then back at the door, praying Klaus wasn’t too far off. By the time the words “I do” slid out of her mouth, the thought of Klaus saving her had completely diminished. She stood as an erect pillar opposite Arthur as Minister Geoffrey pronounced them husband and wife. Along with the rings exchanged, there was the swapping of the chokers. Almost giddy with joy, Lady Claudia stepped up behind Elizabeth and unclasped her choker from around her neck. Unable to move, Elizabeth couldn’t catch the Wicker choker as it dropped to the ground by her feet. The new choker was fitted around her neck, scratching her skin. Arthur stepped in closer and kissed Elizabeth’s pressed lips.
“Congratulations, Mr. Arthur and Mrs. Elizabeth Beaumont!” Minister Geoffrey cheered as Lady Claudia’s sharp claps sounded off through the quiet room. As the words from the minister hit the ceiling, Elizabeth felt her frozen body unlock. She turned away, so furious she was afraid she was going to spit fire.
“Thank you Minister Geoffrey for your service. Please, come by tomorrow morning so we can celebrate properly with the whole family.” Lady Claudia led the Minister to the door before ushering him out.
The word husband churned Elizabeth’s stomach. When Nikolas reappeared in the room, Lady Claudia made deliberate attempts at avoiding his touch. Pain tightened his face. He could see his own damned fate in Elizabeth’s expression. She turned away near the brink of tears, yet Nikolas did not have the luxury to display his agony. The longer he watched Lady Claudia, the more of Timothy’s warning echoed in his mind. He had watched her enough times to read her body language accurately. Nervous. Rattled. Hopeful. Panicked.
Lady Claudia took Arthur by the arm. “Now, for your wedding present. Come with me.” She walked forward before Nikolas could reach out to stop her. This was it. It was time.
Chapter Twenty-Seven:
The air stank of magic. Three lives were lost in the span of twenty minutes. They sizzled out like a flame against a storm, leaving behind wisps of smoke that scented the air. Klaus’ attention moved into the hallway, pinpointing the void where there was once life. Nikolas. The entire house flooded with their off-scent, but Klaus’ attention focused back on Lady Claudia’s return.
The moment she stepped inside the room, he felt the blockages collapsed around him. Now free, Klaus could easily escape into the hallway, but when noticing Arthur walked in behind her, he looked down to the new wedding ring on his finger. Klaus’ mind momentarily went to Elizabeth. He imagined she’d hoped he would swoop in to stop the ceremony. One big romantic gesture, the passionate shout of “I object” as he ran down the aisle. But of course, Klaus was barred to Lady Claudia’s chambers until her return. Even if he wasn’t, gate crashing the wedding where Nikolas would be waiting was not on the top of his list. She would be disappointed in him, but perhaps it was a good thing Elizabeth learned to be disappointed.
Lady Claudia walked with a skip in her step. Everything was going to plan. Everything she wanted, no, needed, was falling into place nicely around her. He had half the mind to warn her of Timothy’s intentions.
Arthur stopped at the entrance, confused at Klaus’s company. “What? Who are you?”
Lady Claudia stepped around them both and fetched her dagger, hidden in her drawers. Klaus’ eyes trailed her, ignoring Arthur as he stepped closer. “Wait, I know you! You’re that doctor’s apprentice! You punched me in the face. What the hell are you doing in my mother’s room?”
“I was invited.” Klaus smirked. “Can’t time weave someone without me.”
“Time weave?” Arthur turned to his mother. “What is he talking about?”
Lady Claudia held the knife behind her back as she carefully approached. “Don’t worry. He won’t be here for very long.” She stepped around Arthur and dragged her hand along his back. There was no hesitation in her movements. No moment of guilt.
Klaus almost applauded her indifference. “For a cold-hearted person, even this seems cruel. You should at least warn him. He is so convinced of your love I’m sure he’ll want to hear your final goodbyes.”
Lady Claudia smiled. “I have nothing left to say.” Standing behind Arthur, she reared her arm back. “I have to worry about myself first.”
Klaus’ eyes sparkled. His heart rate accelerated, waiting for her arm to swing down. A noise shifted in the corner. He didn’t need to look to see who it was. Even so, he was surprised when Nikolas didn’t try to stop her. The moment it took for Lady Claudia’s arm to swing down slowed. It would take half that time to push her off balance. Just one blink to a gremlin would send Lady Claudia to her knees. He could stop her, if he wanted to, but he didn’t move.
Nikolas stood there, watching, and the gesture completely stunned Klaus. Strong devotion, even in the face of betrayal, still controlled him. The act was laughable. Disappointment surged through Klaus. The little respect he had for his brother shattered into pieces. Such a fool.
Lady Claudia drove the blade down into Ar
thur’s spine, only to have the dagger shatter on impact. Klaus slowly closed his eyes. His heart raced uncomfortably, pumping erratic impulses into his body.
“What?” She dropped the handle to the ground. “What’s going on?”
From behind her closest door, Timothy stepped forward. Lady Claudia and Arthur both turned toward him. Timothy’s expression tightened with his misery, a mixture of disappointment and relief washed over him. “I can’t let you.”
“Timothy?”
“Timothy? What are you doing here? What’s going on?” Arthur stepped back, unaware his life had just been saved.
“I won’t let you continue anymore. This is my final wish.”
Lady Claudia choked. Realization dawned on her and panicked, she stepped back. “What did you wish for?”
“The only thing that’ll stop you.”
Both Klaus and Nikolas moved at the exact same moment. In the blur of the commotion, Lady Claudia didn’t have time to react. Arthur was thrown to the ground by the clash and scrambled back. Klaus rushed in and grabbed Lady Claudia by the throat. At the same time, Nikolas grabbed his wrist to stop him. But Klaus’ fingers clenched, instantly destroying Lady Claudia’s voice box. Nikolas was quick to throw him off, slapping Klaus’ hand away with such force Klaus stumbled back for balance.
Nikolas blocked Klaus’ advancement, but the damage had already been done. “No! Klaus!” Nikolas pleaded. In his most sincere, vulnerable voice, Nikolas held his shaking hand out, begging. “Don’t do this.”
Klaus stepped backward, the dagger already in his hand. Tears clouded Nikolas’ vision. There was nothing he could do to stop it. All he had was to plead, to beg Klaus not to destroy his one chance of happiness. He allowed himself to break down in front of his brother. He allowed himself to shake, to tremble in fear, to show Klaus just how real his emotions were. Lady Claudia dropped to the ground as she clawed at her own throat, trying desperately to scream. No noise came out, not even a squeak.
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