Betrayal (69 page)

“Once betrothed.” I corrected him.

“Always.” Victor said, holding my gaze. I did my best to ignore him, and turned away.

I wanted so badly to be Evan's wife – someday. My heart felt like it could burst from the immeasurable love that I felt for him. He meant everything to me. Evan had brought me home and protected me from the moment I arrived up until now. Understandably, Evan was truly disgruntled with my move back to the Tieron Estate. Early that fateful morning, about an hour after his parents had been exiled; Evan came to me and told me that he could never hold any harsh feelings towards me. He understood what I did and why I had to do it.

“This is a moment of honesty,” he said. “I’ll take the lead. I wish to express all that comes to me and, my love, if you wish to say anything, there isn’t a more appropriate time.” Evan said, tenderly holding my face in his hands.

“You’ve given me love that I’ve never known, ever, and I deserve it, I know that I do. The love you give, I can’t ignore. I need it to survive.” Evan said, as tears filled his eyes.

“I want you too.” I whispered, needing his kiss as much as the human part of me needed air to breathe.

“I want to make you my wife. We can do the unimaginable, and change things. It may make us unforgivable, but I’ll risk it, to be with you,” Evan said, referring to the painful fact that we weren’t betrothed in the eyes of our creators. It scarred us to know that the gods cursed our union, now that Victor was back in the empire. For a second I thought to banish him again, but couldn’t punish him any more then he’d already been.

“If you want me, I’m willing.” I sighed.

“I’m completely devoted to you as I’d been long before this day. I’m prepared to cherish you as my wife, and more importantly, serve you as my divine leader. What more could the god’s want? I’m your first disciple. I don't care that we are not betrothed. We are meant to be together.” His eyes were moist, and his voice was slightly hoarse – chafing. Evans’ heart was genuine as I knew it would always be. “Please stay with me. It’s no longer my father's manor. I am making it my home… our home.”

“I want to stay with you. I want you, Evan, but I can’t stay in that house. I must return to the Tieron Estate, and make it my home… again. Please try to understand,” I said, and sighed. “I have to make a home for my brother and sister. A home where they will remember their mother and father, and expect them soon.” Evan’s expression sent chills up and down my spine, in an exhilarating way. He let me into his mind, and it was no surprise to learn that he was dying to kiss me.

“The short distance will not change how I feel for you, nor will whomever I’m living with. I love you,” I said, and pressed my lips against his petal soft lips. Once he pulled me close and gently held the nape of my neck, I knew it would be impossible to stop. The taste and smell of him kept me enraptured.

“Delia–” Evan sighed, and then I did too. I couldn’t look into his eyes without having to gasp. The shock of iridescent azure always gripped me.

“I love you. Here, touch me,” I whispered, placing his hand on my heart. “You live in my heart. It belongs to you.”

“And you live in mine. I love you, and I trust you.”

“Good.” A giggle caught in my throat.

“I’m not content with your living arrangement, and I’ll probably voice this quite a bit, although I know you are doing what you feel is right.”

“It is what is right,” I said, nodding.

“I can’t help but not agree with it. I know that he has to be protected, and that you’ve given him a second chance and a place in our empire. Why not let him stay at my house?”

“I don’t think Bethany would agree. Besides, I’ve already made up my mind. You said that you trust me.” He was getting really good at blocking his thoughts, I noted.

“I just want you near me at all times. I wish I could be with you every second, of every minute, of every hour, and of every day.” He pulled me into him, and kissed me, taking my breath away and when he pulled away; I was ready to beg him for more. My whole body tingled and floated on air although, my feet where still planted to the ground. I wanted every part of him. I had to come down from the high when we stopped kissing.

Things were definitely a lot different now. My desire for Evan overflowed. I had to put a cap on it, or things would start to move at a rapid speed. I couldn’t allow that yet. I had to stay focused on finding my parents. Evan was a sweet, yet compromising distraction. He had finally accepted me leaving his house. That was one of the things that had changed for the better.

“This should be interesting.” Victor commented on the new living arrangement, and once again bringing my thoughts back to the present.

“Nikolas will be just down the hall from you. Evan isn’t worried.” I smirked raising my eyebrow, wickedly.

“Oh come on, Delia… you’ve rendered me powerless. What could I possibly do? I’m just a harmless mortal. Besides Evan would have my head if he so much as thought that I was thinking of you in an impure way.” Victor chuckled. But I knew better. Evan could never get into Victor’s head, I made sure of that. Only I knew the secret thoughts that lay there.

“You will play nice.” I commanded with a slight trace of annoyance in my voice. I faked it so that Victor would take me seriously,

“Evan, and what he believes to be his, meaning you, have nothing to worry about. Although, I am the more gorgeous, handsome, stud aren’t I? Let Nikolas know that he can relax.” Victor continued to chuckle and the bad boy in him lives on.

“That’s the Victor I remember all too well. Welcome back.” I said, softly.

Victor’s face suddenly took on a solemn look. “Thank you Cordelia,” he said, knowing all too well his position within the empire, and the risk everyone believed I’ve taken to restore his place within it.

“You’re welcome, Victor. Don’t make me look like a fool.” He gazed into my eyes and held them for a short moment. I couldn’t help reading his thoughts, and he knew I would. He also knew that I couldn’t wipe them away. I quickly looked away.

“I’m always relaxed.” Nikolas informed. “Welcome back brother.” Neither of us had heard Nikolas enter the parlor. He was walking toward Victor and I, with one hand stretched out.

“Thank you, Nikolas. That means a lot coming from you.” Victor replied shaking Nikolas’ hand. I watched as my protective and towering cousin shook the hand of our former nemesis.

“Why is that?”

“I tried to kill you.”

“Ah, yes, well you tried. You were bull – headed, and a glutton for power then,” Nikolas chortled. “But that’s all changed, right?” Nikolas smirked as he eyed Victor, cautiously.

“Indeed, now I’m looking to better days where I can serve the divine Empress in whichever way she deems me worthy to.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.” I chuckled.

Who would have thought this day would come after years of turmoil within the family. Nikolas’ thoughts were kind and genuine towards Victor. I could only hope that the rest of the members would truly accept Victor as Nikolas seemed to. I wondered if Nikolas’ acceptance of Victor could be due to the fact that they were both orphaned at a young age at the hands of the same man and woman.

“Come on, I’ll show you to your chamber.” Nikolas led Victor out of the parlor.

“It’s the one furthest from Cordelia’s.” Nikolas’ laugh, thunderous and boisterous, echoed though the foyer. It was music to my ears. Victor and I couldn’t help laughing at Nikolas’ joke. Then he looked at me and half smiled, and I couldn’t help doing it again. He was thinking that he would be forever grateful that I had saved his life. I smiled back.

Nikolas had stated that he would never stay at the Capius’ house again. It was decided then that he would live in my house. My house was certainly large enough, much larger than Evan’s home. The Tieron estate boasted nine bedrooms, four baths, two kitchens, a wellstocked library, wine cellar, and a sun room that led out to our grand garden.

The garden was slightly larger than the Capius’ garden, but had become barren in some spots and overgrown in others due to the lack of care. It would be wonderful if the Goddess Demeter paid this garden a visit. With a bat of my eyelash, Demeter walked past the sparse hedges. With every step she took, the sun burned foliage became lush and green again. It was like a before and after scene as she sauntered passed the various rose bushes, gardenias, freesia, orchids, and violets. They were all blooming in the pale sunlight.

I should’ve been mesmerized by Demeter gracing the garden, the raw beauty of the lush foliage, and delighted by the aromatic perfume of the flowers, but instead a sudden and debilitating sadness washed over me. This was my mother’s garden, which she had taken more pride in cultivating than the refined interior of the house. I stifled the tears, watching Demeter walk the narrow path that led to the fortress like gates that enclosed the garden. She vanished before reaching them. I took one last look around before re entering the house. Everything was falling back into place. Everything was right.

I only wish that I could say the same for my severely strained relationship with Bethany. After last night, Beth had only spoken a few words to me. Her words had been well chosen and precise. I knew that they were true and I also knew that she wouldn't allow herself to say what she really wanted to say.

Cordelia, I'm here to serve you as it is my duty.” After a quick bow, she turned to walk away.

“Please Beth, that’s not necessary.” I didn't like her bowing to me. It made everything that was once so casual between us now business as usual. I hated this, the awkward feeling between us. But I knew that I couldn't make everyone happy all of the time.

“I didn't want this, and I certainly didn’t want you to find out the way you did, in front of everyone, without any warning. I know that you think it’s partly my fault for your pain but you must realize that I never meant to hurt you. Our friendship was and still is most important to me Beth. We are sisters.” I waited for her to agree with me. Bethany was truly more than my best friend. She is my sister. I couldn't see her in any other way.

“I don’t know what you want me to say,” Bethany said, looking me in the eye then steering her eyes away.

“Say what you’re thinking.”

“You already know what I’m thinking.”

“I promise to never pry into your thoughts.”

“Delia, I have nothing else to say.”

“Alright, fine.” I said, and just as I was turning to walk away, Bethany unloaded.

“You say that you didn’t want this. You’re lying. You were angry, and you wanted revenge, no matter who it hurt.” Bethany said, harshly. “And you’re wrong. I don’t think that’s it’s partly your fault. I think it’s entirely your fault. You had a choice, and you made it. How can we be sisters now? You took away two people I loved dearly, and you call yourself my sister?” She was an emotional wreck now, half crying and half screaming.

“I didn’t want this. Your parents had this coming, Bethany,” I said, trying to remain composed. “I’m beyond explaining what has transpired. My parents were murdered at the hands and orders of your parents, and I haven’t blamed anyone but them. Why are you blaming me for what they’ve done?”

“I’m not blaming you for what they did. You could have overruled the council, but you didn’t want to, therefore you sent them into exile indefinitely and worse, you split them up.” There was a dead silence between us with only Bethany’s wheezing and gasps.

“I did what I had to do, what I felt was best, and if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing,” I said, as I felt the heavy palpitations in my blouse.

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” she said, with despair in her eyes like that of a lost child. She had tears in them.

“And I’m sorry that your parents chose the path that they did. I don’t believe for a second that what they did is a reflection of who you and Evan are. I’m certain that you know in your heart that I’m right, but I suppose you have to be angry at someone. What can I do?”

“I want you to leave me alone for a while.” As the words came out of her mouth, I noted them. I would grant her request. Bethany quickly turned away, and I was whipped by the train of her skirt as she vanished to her home, alone and parentless. I watched her disappear as my outstretched arms fell to my sides. I didn’t want to believe that our friendship was over, but knew that she may never forgive me for the sentencing I gave her parents. She just couldn't see the weight of what her parents had committed. Her parents had murdered mine. Perhaps someday she could but that day was nowhere in sight. All in all I knew that I would never regret the decisions I made that night.

I walked across the street to Gerald's house, fearless of anyone seeing me. I ignored the frowns, raised eyebrows, and muffled gasps, all poor reviews of my new attire, and nothing to do with me visiting Gerald. A smile crept across my face. Let them spread it from here to Bedwyn City and back, for all I care. Gossip was the allure and entertainment of all small towns.

I concentrated on the matter at hand, my friend. I hadn’t forgotten about Gerald. I had been distracted with getting my little brother and sister settled, as well as myself. This morning Evan told me some very heart wrenching news. Evan had taken my hand and said, “Gerald nearly died last night. He fought bravely but Victor's disciples beat him within an inch of his last breath.” Evan’s eyed me warily. My body swayed and my thoughts were fogged.

“Oh no.”

“He is comatose, and at his home with his grandmother by his side, but I don’t know how much longer…”

“I have to see him. He’s my friend.”

Evan clenched his teeth, and said nothing. Then I pressed my lips to his and he seemed to relax a bit. “I understand.”

Through the partially drawn curtains, I could see that it was dark inside. The urgency of my rapid knocks using the foreboding lion head door knocker went ignored for what seemed like forever. I was about to transport into the Bergnum’s estate, even at the risk of being noticed doing so, when Rutherford finally answered the door with eyes as welcoming as a bullet. I read his thoughts, and tried to conceal the urge to smack the sneer off his face.