by Frank David
“No, I am not familiar with that name, but the Dorman name is well known, as I am sure you are aware. The Dorman line has been on the Imperial throne since Declan.” Malcolm prided himself in knowing all the Dorman line.
“He was the older brother of Empress Abigail. He was the heir to the Imperial throne. Abigail betrayed him after her father was removed from the throne. She had him banished from Jascaessau claiming he supported his father’s insane reign. In doing so, she stole the throne from him and his heirs. Daniella is one of his descendants. All that she has done and said was to get herself close to the Empress,” Braynard shared what he knew of Daniella.
“I brought her here because she was kind to me. She had no knowledge I was a Duke but gave me food and secured me work so that I would not starve in Norland. There was no way she could know that I would find forgiveness from Stelaphina. I was an outcast,” Malcolm explained.
“She knew Malcolm. She has the gift of sight. When you first met, did she touch you? She only needs a simple touch to know what lies ahead.” Braynard knew Malcolm would struggle with the knowledge.
He remembered she had touched him when she handed him a cup of tea and pastry. “I do not believe you, sir. I do not believe any of this.”
“Malcolm, I advised her you would arrive in Norland and that you would help her attain her destiny. She just needed to find you. Daniella is not one to help those less fortunate than herself. She is much like how you used to be before you met her.” Braynard smiled at the man.
Malcolm knew what the man meant. Before he met Daniella, he was filled with hate. Hate that was fueled by his lack of Imperial title. Perhaps they were alike. The revelation was difficult for him to digest.
“I am proud of the man you have become. I am sorry that it took tricking you to see the life with which you were blessed. I am giving you and your children the chance to live. Take it.” Braynard tried to be sympathetic to what the man was feeling.
“Why did you not tell me before she killed my mother?” Malcolm accused.
“Would you have believed me?” Braynard whispered as he left Malcolm alone in the room.
Malcolm sat, quietly processing what the stranger had shared with him. He knew if he left, he might very well be losing the woman he loved completely. However, if the man was truthful, her love was insincere. He could not risk the lives of his children. He needed to do as the man instructed. He needed to voyage to his cousin.
He left his mother. His heart was heavy with her loss and the realization that Daniella was not the woman he believed her to be. He opened the door. The hall was empty. He walked toward his children’s rooms. They were both playing in Albert’s room.
“Children, we are going to go visit the Empress,” he said as he gathered Albert and Olivia close to him. “You are going to spend time with your cousin, Sofia. She lives in a large palace and you will have many cousins to play with.” The tears rolled down his face as he held his children. “Stay here and I will come for you soon.” He kissed them on their heads as he stood and left the room.
He closed the door behind him and turned to find Daniella exiting her room. He wanted to rush to the end of the hall and grab her by her throat and drain the life from her as she had done to his mother. He held his temper knowing the stranger had instructed him to bring her no harm.
“Malcolm, I will be leaving shortly. Will you be okay to handle your mother’s affairs alone?” Daniella asked as Malcolm walked past her.
“I will be fine. Go. Be with your brother.” Malcolm stated as he started down the staircase.
“Are you alright? I know the shock of losing your mother is difficult, but you seem as though there is more,” Daniella asked as he ignored her.
He stopped on the stairs and turned to look at her. “I just lost my mother. Forgive me if I seem a bit disconnected. Remind me to ask the same of you when your parents pass.” He turned and continued his descent.
****
The four women tried on dresses as the seamstresses worked to mark any necessary alterations. The room was oddly quiet. Not much was said as the four changed outfits. Stela was focused on the events of the day and the prophecy Braynard had seen. She thought of her discussion with Harris. She wished he did not feel so guilty about him and Felicia. She worried that Braynard had motives that were not yet clear to her or the others.
“Stela, I think we have more than enough outfits to last us until our clothes arrive. I believe we have taken up enough of your time. We should allow you some time to relax. You have had a taxing day.” Renee broke the silence.
“Thank you, Renee. The training is starting to take its toll I believe,” Stela responded still focused on other issues. “I will see you at dinner. Thank you for coming, I appreciate your support.” She curtsied as Renee and Amanda left, followed by the seamstresses.
“Are you okay, Stela?” Charity asked once they were alone. “I cannot imagine what you are feeling.”
“It is a lot. Braynard also told me I would marry Harris and give birth to his child.” Stela watched to gauge Charity’s reaction.
“Marry Harris? You only just recently had your marriage to Edmund annulled. You need time. Braynard should not be discussing who you will marry next.” Charity was beginning to suspect Braynard. She had started to believe he was a good man but was now rethinking that belief.
“He also said that Harris would be Joseph’s regent.” Stela shared the dark prophecy with her cousin.
“Braynard told you that you would die?” Charity was not prepared for this news. The death of Rupert was still too painful. To now hear that she would soon lose Stela as well was too much for her. “Why would he tell you this? Why would he push you to fight and defeat Edmund if you are only to die before Joseph reaches an age to rule?”
“I do not know cousin. He does not give all the details. He seems to only share the most basic of information. There will be another battle after Edmund. From what I can gauge, I will probably die in the battle or shortly after. I suppose I am lucky. I know my time is limited so I must make the most of that time with friends and family.” Stela just stood there, as if unable to move.
“Stela, you cannot die. What would I do without you? Losing Rupert was hard enough. There must be some way to stop what he saw. Did not Thomasine tell you when she had visions that if you could stop one part of the vision, it could change the outcome?” Charity was becoming more upset at the discussion.
“I fear Thomasine’s visions may be less reliable than Braynard’s. I do not think there is much that can be done. He spoke of my destiny. Perhaps my destiny is to die defending Hulsteria.” Stela turned from Charity, not wishing for her to see how the thought hurt her so.
“Cousins, why such long faces? I have returned to you, if only temporarily.” The voice was immediately familiar.
“Rupert!” Charity turned to see him standing in the room with them. “How are you here?”
“Your blood gift, Charity.” Rupert smiled as Stela turned to see him as well.
“My gift is fire, Rupert. I doubt that has anything to do with your return.” Charity’s voice had brightened seeing her cousin.
“You have a second gift, Charity. You were thinking of me. Your thoughts brought me to you. We do not have much time, I fear. Since the power is new there is no telling when it will wear off and I will be returned to the world of the dead.” Rupert curtsied before the two, causing both women to laugh.
“Is Calvin with you?” Stela asked.
“He is. I have seen Samuel as well. He is much different in death than he seemed to be at the end of his life. The hate he carried seems to have gone and he is at peace.” Rupert wanted Charity to know how Samuel had changed so she could release her hatred toward him.
“I do not care about him. He should be burning in Hell, Rupert,” Charity scolded.
“Charity, do not let your hatred for Samuel consume you. His actions were orchestrated by another. He was a pawn in one man’s plot,” Rupert explai
ned.
“Ladies, I think your time with Rupert has come to an end.” Braynard entered the room.
“You!” Rupert exclaimed when he saw Braynard.
“Good bye, Rupert,” Braynard said with a dismissive gesture, and Rupert was gone.
“How did Rupert recognize you, Braynard?” Charity asked.
“I am sure he saw me the night of the ball before he died,” Braynard answered indifferently.
“That is not possible, he was dead long before you arrived to meet with me, Braynard,” Stela said as she approached him. “How does he know you?”
“He is a spirit. They walk in a world beyond our own but can see us. He is very passionate about you both. He must have seen me with you.” Braynard was becoming anxious.
Stela noticed how uneasy Braynard was becoming. It was the first time she had ever seen an unease in the man. “What are you not telling us Braynard?”
“My dear, the man is a spirit. Please pay him no mind. You called him back, he was disoriented. I am glad to see you have discovered your new power, Charity. It will be of great benefit to Hulsteria when Xasha attacks. You can call the most powerful warriors of Hulsterian history to fight Edmund’s men,” Braynard congratulated the Imperial.
“All I have to do is think of someone who has passed, and they will return?” Charity needed to understand her power. She wanted more time with Rupert.
“Yes. Initially, they will appear in spirit form but with practice, you can recall them body and soul, but the power is only temporary, they will not stay with you for long,” Braynard offered the warning, then was gone.
“Rupert, return to me.” Charity called out. She and Stela stared around the empty room. No one appeared. Charity focused her thoughts on Rupert, but he would not return to her. “This is not working.”
“Can you do me a favor, Charity? Can you try to bring my grandfather back? I need to know what he knew about Braynard and my destiny,” Stela pleaded with her cousin.
“Of course, Stela.” Charity closed her eyes and focused on Frederick, hoping it would work.
“Stela, my love,” the voice rang out.
Stela could not hold back the tears as she watched the man materialize in front of her. “Grandfather.” She ran toward him. She realized he was not in physical form when she tried to wrap her arms about him and was unsuccessful.
“I am sorry, Stela. I guess Braynard was correct, I need to practice.” Charity felt bad that she was not able to bring him back in the form that she could feel his embrace.
“Grandfather, do you know Braynard? The Master Scientia?” Stela asked her grandfather.
“I do. He is a good man, but I fear he is not who he seems. I have been watching you, and him. When you were younger, you suffered from a fever. Your parents worried you would not survive. I asked the Scientia to heal you. Braynard came to you. He healed you but ever since that first meeting he has been very interested in you,” Frederick shared the story with Stela and Charity. “It was Braynard who suggested your mother and I create the story against the Benedictus. He wanted to be sure you would take the throne and not your brother.”
“Why would he do that?” Stela was more confused now.
“I do not know. It was the first time I had heard the man speak ill of anyone. There is more to him than is obvious, but I am not able to give you more details.” Frederick knew Stela wanted to know everything, but he was not at liberty to share all he knew.
“Should we fear him? Does he mean us harm?” Stela asked.
“No, there is no need to fear him. He has a special interest in you, Stela. I do not see him bringing any harm to you. If he wanted you dead, he would not have saved you as a child,” Frederick answered. “I fear it is time for me to leave you. Charity’s powers are not yet strong enough to hold me here for long. Keep practicing, Charity. You will need to learn to hold the spirits longer if you are going to help Stela.” He faded as did his words.
The two women were alone again. Charity started to cry, overtaken by the emotion of the visitations.
“Charity, do not be upset. You can see Rupert whenever you like. Rejoice in that fact. As you become stronger, he will appear as he did when he was alive. You can have the relationship you shared when he lived.” Stela tried to console her cousin.
“Why is all of this happening? I do not understand any of it. I have been given a power that will only continue to bring me pain. You have yet to be granted even one power,” Charity spoke between her tears.
“I do not know why I have not been granted any gift. I will not worry about it though. I have family that will willingly share their gifts to see me be victorious. I do not think you are viewing this power properly. Yes, now the gift hurts but you are able to speak with those who have left you. You will never be separated from those you love. It is the greatest gift if I am to be honest.” Stela was envious of this gift. She saw its value and wished that Charity could see it as well. She believed that in time, Charity would see how beneficial the power could be.
“I suppose you are right. Why can I not bring Rupert back again? I want more time with him.” Charity concentrated once again on her cousin, but he would not appear.
“Perhaps, you can only bring him back once a day? I do not know. Allow yourself to rest, we can try again tomorrow. I suggest we keep this new gift to ourselves for the time being,” Stela cautioned. “Let us go join the others. I think we need to be around the living.” She laughed as she led Charity out of her room.
Twenty-Six
Daniella watched as her carriage was loaded. She needed to spend some time with her brother to plan their next move. She had only just returned to her home, but it would seem Luke had moved the plan along further than Daniella had expected. Her mother begged that she stay with them. The woman worried about the rumors of war and did not want Daniella away, even though Luke’s new home was only a short ride from Tarmlan.
“Mother, I will be fine. I wish you would stop worrying about me. Nottingham is not far, and I will return once I have spent some time with Luke. I can only imagine how lonely he must be in that estate alone.” Daniella kissed her mother trying to ease the woman’s fears. She looked at Malcolm. She could sense something was wrong. She went to reach for him, but he pulled away before she could touch him. “Malcolm, what is wrong with you?”
“Nothing, Daniella. Enjoy your time with your brother.” Malcolm tried to hide his disgust for the woman. He still wanted to rip her throat out but knew he was not allowed. He had made such progress with his hate and anger. The one who had brought love and laughter into his life had plunged him deeper into the darkness. “I am going to return to Saltwater for a few days to bury my mother. I am not sure how long we will spend there. I think we need some time alone. I hope you understand.”
“Of course, Malcolm, go mourn your loss. I will give you the time you and your children need.” Daniella looked at him but he would not look at her. “Pray that my brother is safe and untouched,” she leaned in and whispered in his ear. She gave him a look that sent chills down the man’s spine. She smiled to her parents and left them.
Malcolm quickly returned to his children. He found one of the maids in the room. “Please go prepare mine and the children’s things. We will be leaving for Saltwater in the morning,” he ordered as the maid left.
He watched as his children played innocently. He wondered if this was his punishment for the cruelty he had inflicted on others. The ones he loved the most could easily be taken from him as he had taken others from their loved ones. He needed to ensure their safety, that was his priority. Nothing beyond that mattered. He believed the man and his warning. He rushed to his room to gather what he could to pay for his journey to Stela and safety for his children. He knew he would get little sleep this night.
****
Stela and Charity joined the others who were gathered in the library waiting for dinner to be served. The mood in the room was somber as they entered. Harris stood as the two entered. He w
alked over to greet them.
Stela took his arm as he escorted her to the others. She sat across from Renee and Amanda. Astrid was seated next to Kyle. The two were whispering. The smile on Astrid’s face and blush on her cheeks gave the conversation away. The two stopped when they noticed Stela’s stare. Roderick stood across the room, his back to the others.
“Roderick, is everything alright?” Stela knew he worried about Braynard.
“I am concerned, but I feel I cannot voice those concerns. The man is always listening, it would seem,” Roderick responded not turning to face the others. “I have to wonder if the incident with Tripp was an accident or a warning.”
“What do you mean?” Renee asked.
“I cannot help but believe he was showing us that our lives are in his hands. Yes, he saved the boy but did he save him because he is a good man or did he save him to display his power over us?” Roderick now turned looking at them. “I am sure he will appear before us and explain away my doubts. He is always listening. It makes me uneasy. I would like to return to the palace, Stela. I want to speak with my grandfather. He seems to know the man well.”
“I am afraid the Benedictus has returned to Carpathia,” Charity offered. “I am weary of Braynard as well, Roderick. I do not think there is much we can do. We are at his mercy. We must try to keep his trust. You must control your thoughts for they can betray you as well.”
“He reads our thoughts as well? Do we have nothing that is our own?” Roderick was becoming angry. He did not like the man prying into their lives but to know the man could also survey their thoughts was too much for him.
Stela stood and walked over to join her brother. “I have spoken to grandfather,” she whispered.
“How have you spoken with him?” Roderick looked at her, a puzzled look on his face.
“Charity has discovered another gift. She is able to communicate with the dead. Well, bring them back for a short time actually. He told me it was Braynard that saved me when I was young. I do not think he means us any harm. If you believe he was showing his power perhaps it was an ominous display, simply reminding us of his control. The power that he has no intention of using against us but to help us.”
