Foretell

by Belle Malory

  In truth, their people would be extremely thankful. Not only because Liliana and Eryn Moori were found alive, but also because the homecoming provided the chance to finally move on. The Moori tribe had camped in Redwood Forest for over a year, the longest amount of time they’d ever spent in one place. Serena had refused to leave upon first hearing about her daughters’ disappearance. Whatever trouble had befallen them, they would find a way back to her. And the first place they would think to look was Redwood Forest. This forest was the closest thing to a home that Liliana and Eryn had ever known.

  Redwood Forest was sort of a refuge for all gypsy bands and tribes, a central meeting point for all fellow wanderers, and most importantly, it was a magical place hidden from the gaje and the rest of the world. It would only be natural for them to come here first, and by the evidence of their correspondence, Serena’s instinct proved to be correct.

  Kristoph left Serena’s tent hastily, eager to share the news with the rest of their people. Serena followed, wanting to see the joy on their faces as well.

  Upon leaving her tent, she wasn’t, however, expecting to see the face she was met with. She stopped dead in her tracks.

  Her heart almost gave out from the shock of seeing him standing there, looking exactly the same as he did the day she met him. She froze, nearly paralyzed, as he tipped his hat in greeting to her.

  “Good morning, dear Serena,”

  Marcellus said smoothly. “It’s so nice to see you again.”

  Twenty-Seven

  “Won’t you invite me into your,” Marcellus paused to spare a derisive look at Serena’s tent. “Humble little dwelling,” he finished, with a smile that smacked of insincerity.

  “Of course,” she replied nervously. Her voice was barely audible, but she was amazed she could speak at all around him.

  She led Marcellus into her tent as her mind screamed frantically. Suddenly chilled, she wrapped her arms around her chest.

  How did he find her? Moreover, how did he find Redwood Forest? This place was supposed to be enchanted, hidden from the rest of the world.

  But the most important question was: What did he want?

  “You don’t seem very happy to see me,” Marcellus noted as Serena gestured to the pillows. He fluffed one, then slowly sat on it as if it might combust beneath him. “How quaint,” he commented dryly.

  Serena sat across from him warily. “After all this time, I cannot help but wonder what you’ve finally come to ask me for,” she told him honestly. “It is not that I am unhappy to see you, I’m simply worried I may not have what you want.”

  “Oh, you have something,” he told her. He looked around the large tent as he spoke. There was an obvious portrayal of distaste outlined in his features. Features, which Serena couldn’t help but notice hadn’t changed in over fifteen years.

  “What can I help you with, Marcellus? I gave you my word. You still have it.”

  He smiled at her. “That’s good to know, my dear. You see, I’ve decided to move to the Americas, and start a new life there. It will be good for me. The people there will have never heard of me. They will not be afraid of my charms, so to speak.”

  Serena nodded, understanding.

  “I’m looking for a new life, but a respectable one,” he continued. “So I figured the perfect recipe for this little plan is to find myself a wife.”

  “A wife?” Serena asked, surprised.

  “Exactly. But not just any wife will do. I need a girl who is young, adaptable to change, and worldly.”

  “You’re looking for a gypsy?” Serena surmised.

  “Yes, but not just any gypsy. I’ll need a girl who is presentable on the surface, an intelligent female, practiced in the art of manners, etiquette, and other things suitable to my station.”

  Serena swallowed, extremely fearful of what Marcellus was getting at.

  “I’d heard your daughter, Liliana, was a raving beauty. I was passing through Paris and had the opportunity to witness it for myself during a charity event held for the school she attended. It is true what they say. She is simply exquisite, Serena. And she would make the perfect wife.”

  Serena swallowed, disgusted.

  She tried not to show her repulsion. Calmly, she said, “It is unfortunate that I must tell you this, both of my daughters have been missing for nearly a year. They left their school in Paris, but never returned to the tribe. We all fear my girls may be dead.”

  Serena held her breath as she waited to find out whether or not Marcellus knew she was lying. It was just one, little lie amongst many truths.

  After a moment, Marcellus asked, “Is that so?”

  She hesitated, wondering why the witch possessed a knowing look in his eyes. “You can ask any member of this tribe,” Serena said calmly. “We’ve been camping here for months, praying the girls would return.”

  “Strangely, I met a friendly courier on the way into Redwood Forest,” he commented.

  Marcellus continued, “I asked the young man for directions, and he was chatty enough to tell me about a certain letter he’d just delivered. This letter supposedly gave word of your daughters’ pending arrival. The courier had been so ecstatic to deliver such good news.”

  “He must’ve delivered it my son,” Serena said. She knew she’d been caught, and hardly attempted to feign surprise when she said, “Thank you for informing me. I’m overjoyed at the news.”

  “Clearly,” Marcellus retorted irritably. “Now let’s stop toying with each other. I need a wife, Serena. You will give me Lily.”

  “It’s not possible. Ask me for anything else.”

  Marcellus’s jaw clenched. “Serena, my dear. I remember us having a conversation long ago regarding the definition of anything.”

  “Yes, I remember that conversation quite well,” she said. “However, you cannot save my daughter’s life only to end it after the fact. That’s hardly fair.”

  “Are you saying that marriage to me is practically death itself?” he asked angrily. “I’ll have you know, that a marriage to someone of my ranking and wealth would provide much more privilege than your daughter has ever known, I daresay, in any of her lives.”

  “I don’t doubt it, sir,” Serena told him. “Yet it should be her decision.”

  “So let her choose me then,” Marcellus offered. “Present me to her as your chosen suitor.”

  Serena considered this, wondering if her daughter could ever be happy with a man like Marcellus de Clemente. She would never want for anything that much was certain. But there was something about the man that frightened Serena. Underneath his aristocratic exterior, there was something dark, something terrifying. She could never let her daughter marry a man like that.

  “If you don’t,” Marcellus warned. “I will be forced to seek retribution. And should you deny my request, you can trust that you’ll be playing with fire.” His dark green eyes grew cold as they bore into hers. He meant every word he said.

  “Lily can meet you,” Serena sullenly agreed.

  He managed a tight smile. “Perfect.”

  “But…what if she doesn’t agree to this marriage?” Serena asked as Marcellus stood up to leave.

  “Then we’ll just have to persuade her, won’t we?”

  Marcellus seemed to mean what he said. He was sticking around for a while, and Serena could think of no way to get out of this mess she’d created.

  Ironically, Serena prayed for some sort of miracle that might delay her daughters’ arrival, wishing for more time to figure out what to do.

  How could this happen today of all days? Serena wondered bitterly. The morning had started off so wonderfully. Now, everything was shattering around her.

  Twenty-Eight

  “Mama!” Eryn Moori squealed delightedly as she rushed into the comfort of her mother’s arms.

  Serena hugged her daughter tightly, hardly able to believe this moment had finally come.

  She held her daughter’s face and looked into Eryn’s warm green eyes. They we
re still the same shade as blades of grass on a summer’s day. Her cheeks were still rosy and her hair was as dark and vibrant as she remembered.

  It was as if nothing ever happened.

  Serena hugged her daughter again, thankful to see her looking so alive and healthy.

  Soon after, Serena’s eldest daughter, Liliana, caught up to them, lifting her skirts as she ran. She nearly

  knocked Serena over, crashing into her at full-speed.

  “Goodness,” Serena said breathlessly.

  “You have no idea how wonderful it is to see you again,” Liliana cried.

  “Oh, I’ve some idea,” Serena said.

  “To say that I’ve worried endlessly about both of you would be an understatement.”

  She stroked Liliana’s tousled hair, happy to see her complexion glowed just as radiantly as Eryn’s. Though she’d known the hardships they must’ve endured, it was a pleasant surprise to see they’d come out of it seemingly unscathed. They were still Serena’s lovely, vivacious daughters. She was immensely grateful for that.

  Another form drew near, but lingered a few feet away. Serena glanced beyond the top of Liliana’s head to see a young man waiting patiently behind.

  He was the Constantin boy Kristoph mentioned. Serena was sure of it. He definitely looked like one, with his dark hair and gray eyes. His body was lean, tapered at the torso. His jawline was strong and firm. He was certainly handsome, she thought to herself absently.

  Yet she knew he would be. It was said that the Constantins were considered the most attractive of the royal families.

  Except they were no longer considered Royals. A huge disgrace was brought down upon the Constantin name when they abandoned their duties long ago, after murdering several other Royals. Strangely, their abandonment was considered the worse crime. The tribes would never forgive them for their betrayal.

  “Come, Mama,” she directed Serena.

  “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

  “This is Gabriel Constantin.” He’s the one I told you about, the one who rescued us from the slave merchant.”

  Serena nodded. “It is truly a pleasure to meet you,” she said, taking his hand in hers. “I am so grateful for your actions. How can we ever repay you?”

  Gabriel straightened immediately, almost nervously. In a low voice, he replied, “Liliana came to my rescue long before I came to hers. My actions were owed to her.”

  Confused, Serena turned to her daughter.

  “It’s a long story,” Liliana explained. “One that we’ll tell you all about over dinner.”

  It was then that Serena noticed something peculiar. Gabriel’s gray eyes alighted over her daughter like a precious jewel. There was something familiar there, almost loving. Was there was more going on between them than what met the eye?

  God, she hoped she hadn’t just seen what she thought she had.

  Twenty-Nine

  The shared homecoming of the Moori sisters definitely held more excitement than Liliana and Eryn prepared for. Nearly every member of their tribe approached the girls in greeting. The old women pinched their cheeks as if they were still babes. The old men curiously prodded them with question after question about their travels. Their old friends rushed them, swapping stories from all the time they’d spent apart. And the children, well, they simply wanted to join in on the excitement.

  Liliana was nearly breathless from all of it. The first moment she found an opportunity to steal away, she quickly took, sneaking into the outskirts of the forest to her favorite getaway: a peaceful patch of grass near the winding river running through Redwood Forest. There, she peeked through the tree branches and spotted a familiar figure looming along the riverbank.

  Liliana stilled when she saw Gabriel, thrilled to discover she found a moment alone with him. After all, this was the man she’d fallen so hopelessly in love with over the last few months. Now that she’d returned home, she doubted they’d find a secluded moment like this.

  Before announcing her presence, Liliana spied on Gabriel for a while, watching him skip stones across the water and stare pensively into the distance. She wondered what he was thinking about. What caused him to furrow his brow in such a brooding manner?

  Gabriel heard the sounds of Liliana’s steps rustling in the brush. “Sneaking away from your people so soon?” he asked, catching sight of her.

  Liliana smiled as she drew near the riverbank, then plopped down beside him. “Perhaps,” she admitted.

  “Let me guess, you miss me already. Now, you’re longing for a secret rendezvous.” He grinned, a bit devilishly.

  Liliana batted her lashes as seductively as she could manage. “How did you guess?”

  He laughed and reached for her waist. She shrieked as he pulled her to the ground, hovering over her. “Don’t toy with me, lady,” he warned. “Unless you’re in the mood to create a scandal.”

  Her laughter faded into a smile. She’d only been teasing him a moment ago, but she wasn’t quite sure there wasn’t a hint of sincerity within her feigned seduction. She reached up to touch Gabriel’s cheek. “I could think of no other man I’d like to scandalize me,” she admitted to him truthfully.

  He smiled, gathering her close. His head bent down to reach hers, and their lips touched softly for the barest of moments. In that instance, everything was perfect.

  Gabriel groaned as he pulled away, resting his forehead upon hers. He stayed like that for a while, before admitting something Liliana hadn’t expected to hear him to say. “I love you, you know.”

  She did know.

  Or at least she’d hoped. However, she never thought he would admit it to her. He was an abandoner. She belonged to a tribe. They weren’t supposed to speak to one another, much less love each other.

  “Do you feel the same?” he asked, pulling away slowly.

  Gabriel waited expectantly for her answer, as if his life depended on it. There was so much emotion in his beautiful gray eyes. And to think, there was once a time when she couldn’t look into their sparkling depths. He’d been badly burned in a forest fire, and was unable to open his eyes because of the wounds. Liliana had found him like that and nursed him back to health. She’d been so afraid his sight would never return. But it did return-and in spades. He could see farther than most people, with only the use of his mind.

  Liliana was thankful his sight had returned. Not only for the obvious reasons, but also for the simplest of moments, like this one, and the way he was looked at her right now. Sometimes Gabriel looked at her in a way no one ever had before. He gazed at her in adoration…like she was the only thing in the world that mattered to him. The feeling it gave her was frightening, yet thrilling. Liliana wanted him to look at her that way forever.

  “Lily, do not leave me in suspense,” Gabriel pleaded.

  She smiled. “Of course I love you, you stupid man. How could you think otherwise?”

  She felt his tension abate. “Well, you’ve never said it,” he pointed out. He sat up straight, helping her up off the ground as well.

  The sound of coins jangled as she straightened her skirts. “I thought you knew, and besides, I wasn’t going to say it before you did.”

  He shook his head. “Haven’t we talked about your stubbornness before?”

  She grinned, embarrassed. Her stubbornness, as he put it, was the reason she was severely whipped. A slave at the time, Liliana hit Gabriel’s brother, Ralph, square in the jaw, for manhandling her sister. Her owner demanded she apologize, yet Liliana had refused. To make matters worse, she hadn’t revealed her identity to Gabriel, knowing he’d help her if he knew who she was. He’d been blind when they first met, unable to recognize Liliana as the girl who saved him from the forest fire. Gabriel came to her rescue anyway, but only after Liliana received several lashes. Her back still carried the scars.

  So, indeed, calling Liliana stubborn was putting it mildly.

  “We should change the subject,” Liliana suggested. “You know, bad memories and all.�
��

  “How convenient for you,” he told her, smiling.

  Liliana absently reached for a nearby dandelion, plucking the stem from the ground. “Someone once told me these were for wishes.”

  He arched a skeptical brow.

  “You’re supposed to blow on the flower,” she continued.

  “I’m almost positive that’s a weed you’re holding,” he pointed out.

  She waved that aside. “Regardless, you’re supposed to blow on it and make a wish.”

  “And what, it carries your wish with it to the land of magic and fairies?”

  Liliana ignored his sarcasm, and held the dandelion up to the sky. “Exactly,” she stated. “I’m going to try.”

  Gabriel watched as she closed her eyes and fervently blew on the dandelion. The soft breeze carried the white seeds with it downriver, majestically floating through the air. The simple act was so lovely and innocent, he could almost believe Liliana’s wish did go to an enchanted place.

  “What did you wish for?” he asked her curiously.

  Her answer was without hesitation. “To stay with you forever.”

  He turned back to her, surprised by the candid answer. In that moment, his expression turned serious. “I would pay any bride price for you,” he declared.

  She smiled. “That’s good, because my brother will surely demand the highest price imaginable.”

  “Will they let me have you?” he asked, fearing they might not agree to the match.

  She scooted closer to him, and snuggled into the crook of his arm. “It doesn’t matter,” she said. “Because I’m already yours.”

  Serena stood from a distance, watching her daughter embrace the former Constantin prince. It was clear Liliana was in love.

  Serena sighed. It was bittersweet, seeing the two of them together. On one hand, her daughter looked happier than she’d ever seen her. On the other, Serena could no longer propose a marriage to Marcellus in good conscience. She refused to take away something as precious as love.

  Even Serena couldn’t take love for granted. She’d never actually found such a thing, in all her lifetimes. The only love she’d ever been certain of was her love for her children and for her sister. Of course, Serena came to care for the children’s father. He was a good, decent man, worthy of ruling their little tribe. However, she’d never felt the love she’d seen in her daughter’s eyes while Liliana gazed at the Constantin abandoner. That kind of love was rare and meant to be cherished.