Bayou Whispers: Prequel of Exordium included

by Lily Wallis

  “It’s you,” he says while my eyes stay fixated on the picture.

  “But it’s not,” I reply.

  “It’s Maman Brigitte, Baron Samedi’s consort. You have been chosen, Violet.”

  “No one came to me,” I say.

  “No one would. The Baron leads through me and I delegate for him. He came to me,” Malvado says grabbing my hands. “And now you’re here.”

  “None of this makes sense,” I say, under my breath.

  “The moment I saw you, I knew you were meant for greatness, ma chérie. Then when my lips touched yours,” he begins, and now I know it wasn’t a dream. “I felt, complete. You have been what I’ve been searching for my entire life.”

  His eyes reflect an honesty I have never seen in a man. A sense of hope glimmers in that cool shade of blue staring back at me. I want to speak, but don’t know what to say. The touch of his hand on my cheek puts me at ease when it should terrify me.

  “Violet. I know your life hasn’t been easy. You haven’t been able to rely on anyone nor has anyone shown you love. I am here, telling you that my heart is yours, forever.”

  He places my hand on his heart, but I don’t feel a heartbeat. Then again, his layers of clothes make it impossible.

  “You and I are destined for greatness, my love. Together, we will achieve things you will have never imagined.

  His words are smooth, but not as smooth as his lips that have now found mine. We engage in a kiss that unifies our souls, making me feel as if we are one. His fingers drape around my neck as his lips move up to my ear.

  “I want you to be mine, Violet,” he whispers. “Will you be mine?”

  My eyes are shut, and I feel as if I am floating. All rhyme or reason has disappeared and I’ve never longed for someone as I do Malvado right now.

  “Violet, say you will be mine,” he whispers once more.

  “Yes,” I counter.

  “Yes, what?” he asks.

  “I will be yours,” I say, almost feeling as if I’m in a trance.

  “Bonne fille,” he grins against my cheek. “Good girl.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Oh Violet, you look stunning,” Elodie smiles as she stares at the mirror, admiring my reflection. “So beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” I reply, hardly recognizing the woman staring back at me.

  I am wearing a massive black ballgown, draped with hints of deep purple. My green eyes are accentuated with a black lining and purple shadow, making them look hauntingly beautiful, a shade I have never seen on myself. It has been three days since I agreed to become Malvado’s and tonight the ceremony will take place. I do not know what to expect, but during these three days I’ve never felt surer of anything in my entire life. Malvado has visited me every night, staying until I drifted off to sleep. A simple touch of his makes me feel as if I’ve found home, a place I never knew to exist. Still staring at my reflection, the door opens and I turn my head.

  “Your highness,” Elodie says, curtsying.

  “Elodie, you may leave us,” he instructs, and with haste she is gone, closing the door behind her.

  “My queen,” he smiles. “My beautiful queen. How do you feel?”

  “Nervous,” I admit, rubbing the inside of my wrist. “Is it painful?”

  “I can take away any pain,” he counters, his finger tracing my collarbone. “It will be like a dream.”

  “Hmm,” I say, my eyes on the ground.

  “You will wake up as if nothing happened,” he says moving my hair to the side, staring at our reflections in the mirror.

  My fingers continue to gently rub the inside of my right wrist. This is where the jewel will be, but how will it be placed into my skin? Doubt is starting to creep into my mind, fear consuming me.

  “I’m afraid,” I say, feeling myself shake.

  “Do not fear, ma chérie,” he replies, pulling something out of his pocket. “Take this.”

  Handing me a small bottle of purple liquid, I turn to look at him. His glance is calm, reassuring, and patient. Feeling torn, I look at the bottle in my hand, trying my best by putting on a brave face.

  “Violet,” Malvado begins. “Everything will be fine. I won’t let anything happen to you, my dear. I love you.”

  Gasping, I almost drop the bottle. With his eyes on mine, I feel him take the bottle from me. Kneeling down he takes my hands, kissing the tops of each.

  “If I could do this for you, I would. From the day you arrived, I have thanked the Baron that he led you to me. This is just the last step, Violet. The last step to forever.”

  Opening the bottle, he hands it to me, and though I am shaking, I take it into my hand. With a deep exhale, I bring it to my lips, and drink the potion. The taste surprises me, it is sweet, mouthwatering, and leaves me yearning for more. I see Malvado stand, and within seconds, everything becomes blurry, and my eye lids heavy.

  “Sleep my child,” I hear Malvado’s voice. “Sleep and wake to a new beginning.”

  ***

  Opening my eyes, a ray of sunlight penetrates the room through an open window. Squinting, I take a look around and realize that I’m not in my room, but in Malvado’s. As I sit up, I feel my head pound, and my hand covers my forehead.

  “How did you sleep, my love?” I hear a voice ask from the other side of the room.

  Still squinting, I follow the voice and see Malvado sitting in a chair.

  “I don’t know,” I reply. “My head is killing me.”

  “It will pass,” he says, getting up and walking to my bedside. “Do you remember anything?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Grabbing my hand, he extends my arm, showcasing a jewel decorating my wrist. That is when I start to remember the night before.

  “We were standing in my room and you gave me something to drink,” I say.

  “That’s right. Anything else?”

  “No,” I say, trying to focus. “Nothing.”

  “You did very well. The ceremony went seamlessly, and the Baron was very happy.”

  Moving my wrist, my eyes stay on the jewel. It is lavender colored, shaped in a diamond form, and actually very beautiful. My eyes move to the open window, and before I can speak, he answers.

  “Yes,” he smiles.

  “You didn’t know what I was about to say.”

  “If you could go outside now,” he grins. “Is that right, ma chérie?”

  “Yes,” I reply.

  “You may. Though I advise that you not go alone. There are dangers here in the bayou.”

  “Animals?” I ask.

  “Beasts, terrible beasts that will devour you if you happen to step into their territory.”

  “How do I know what their territory is,” I ask frightened.

  “You will hear the whispers.”

  “Whispers?”

  “Yes. Very faint whispers, like a rustling of the trees. It is unmistakable. The louder they get, the closer you are,” he explains as my eyes grow large. “Not to worry, my dear. You may choose an escort to accompany you until you are confident.”

  “Can it be you?” I ask.

  “Ma chérie. Of course, I will. Though there will be times I may be otherwise engaged, I will assign an escort for you.”

  “Thank you,” I say. “Why am I in your room?”

  “I wanted to keep a close watch after the ceremony,” he begins. “You could have woken up and been afraid. I wanted to be there for you. Now let me get you something for your head.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Walking up the secret stairwell, Malvado takes me back to my room, and it is then I realize I am wearing a nightgown.

  “What happened to my dress?” I ask as he opens the secret door.

  “I had Elodie change you so you would be comfortable,” he smiles.

  “Oh,” I say, looking into the room I now call home.

  “Good morning, Violet,” Elodie greets as she takes a dress out of the closet. “Did you sleep well?”

&n
bsp; “I did,” I reply, still a hint of a headache paining me.

  “Tres bien,” she smiles.

  “I will see you tonight,” Malvado says, picking up my hand and bringing it to his lips.

  Once he releases my hand, he disappears through the doorway, and it disappears behind him. My eyes stay focused on that very spot, an aching feeling consuming me.

  “What would you like to do today?” Elodie asks, distracting me from the void I am feeling.

  “Where does he go during the day?”

  “Who?” Elodie asks as if she doesn’t know who I am talking about.

  “Malvado.”

  “Our King has many engagements throughout the day,” she begins. “He rules our kingdom and has many responsibilities.”

  “To the Baron?”

  “To the Baron, to the people,” she replies.

  “How did you get here, Elodie?” I ask, and I can see she doesn’t want to answer.

  “I was lost many years ago and led a life not worth living. I was saved and reborn. This is the best thing that could have ever happened to me.”

  After getting me dressed, Elodie opens the door to my room, and this is the first time I step out on my own. Walking down the hallway, I pass the usual crowd, just this time, they are wearing smiles, even greeting me. I can’t believe this drastic change, their demeanors, their acceptance. Walking down the staircase, I come to the front door, and two men open the double doors.

  “Good morning, Madame.”

  “Good morning,” I say, taking my first steps out of the mansion.

  Immediately, I inhale nature, realizing that is the only constant in my life at this time. I hear the sound of birds, along with the rustling of trees. Closing my eyes, I take in this beautiful moment but am interrupted within seconds.

  “Good morning, Violet.”

  “Madame Benoit,” I say, her name still sour in my mouth.

  “I am to be your escort,” she says, striding away. “Join me for a walk.”

  We walk in silence, which suits me just fine. Following a path lined with trees, I see a white horse in the distance. I am captivated by this magnificent creature and feel a pull towards it. As we come closer, I notice the painted face, much like Malvado’s. It also has the jewel insets on each leg.

  “Beautiful, isn’t he?” Madame Benoit begins. “It’s the Kings horse.”

  “He is gorgeous,” I say, keeping my distance

  The horse starts walking toward me, and I hold out my hand. Carefully, I touch the bridge of its nose when the wind picks up, and a rustling sound fills the air, startling the horse and making it stand on its hind legs. Madame Benoit pulls me by my arm, before the horse’s hooves hit the ground again.

  “That was close,” she says, as the horse takes off running. “Damn whispers.”

  “It was just the wind,” I say, and she shakes her head.

  “No, those were whispers. The beasts that would love nothing more than to feed on us.”

  “What do they look like?” I ask.

  “No different than you and I,” she replies. “It is how they try to lure. It is important that you keep within the boundaries.”

  “Malvado said that. But how do I know the boundaries? I couldn’t hear whispers; it was just the sound of wind rustling the leaves of the trees.”

  “With time you will hear them. They are unmistakable. In the meantime,” Madame Benoit grabs my arm, leading me toward a wooded area. “This is how you will know.”

  Suddenly, the wind picks up again, the same noise filling the air. Madame Benoit points to the jewel on my wrist and it has now changed hue, glowing a deep purple.

  “This means you are very close, as am I,” she says, showing me her jewel.

  Instinctively, I step back, my heart pounding, and my hand covering it. Whispers, beasts…I would say it’s a story out of a dark fairy tale, but I can’t deny what I saw or heard.

  “I’m afraid,” I say, my hand still on my heart.

  “That is good my child. Fear and respect will keep you safe.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Back inside the mansion, my heart is still beating madly. What are these beasts, and why did my jewel begin to glow? Is it really magic? As I walk around the bottom floor, I am greeted by many people. I still don’t know most of their names, and I don’t know if I ever will. Many are very complicated Cajun or French names I can barely pronounce. I come to the wooden door and stop short. Staring at it, I know exactly where it leads…a place I never want to see again.

  “You’re lucky,” I hear a voice behind me that sounds too familiar.

  “I don’t want to speak to you,” I say turning to look at Theroux.

  “As you wish,” he replies, walking away.

  Whenever I see him, my stomach still turns. He is the reason I am here. Well, partially. He knows I detest him; I wonder why he even tries to engage in conversation. Walking up the grand staircase, I make my way back to my room. Once there, I sit at my window, gazing out at the world that is now my home. Lazare comes into view, leading a horse, the white creature I saw earlier. My eyes continue to investigate, and a few minutes later, Malvado comes into view. Effortlessly, he gets on the horse, and moments later, he’s gone. He can’t go far, not with the beasts. Then again, maybe they don’t surround the entire property. God, I feel like I don’t know anything.

  “Good afternoon, Mademoiselle,” a cheery Elodie smiles as she walks into the room. “How was your walk?”

  “Confusing,” I say, and she lifts her eyebrow.

  “Oh my. I was hoping you would say enlightening.”

  “Well, it was,” I begin “Until the whispers.”

  “Ah yes,” she replies, hanging two dresses into my closet. “It is just something we live with.”

  “Why are there whispers?”

  “They are the beasts,” she replies.

  “I know,” I say. “How did they get there? What are they? And why are they there?”

  “My sweet. You have many questions that I am unable to answer. I just know they are there, and that they are dangerous.”

  “How dangerous?”

  “Dangerous enough that anyone that passes the barrier, never comes back.”

  “Are they all around us?”

  “Yes. They surround the property of the plantation.”

  “How did Theroux leave the night I was taken?”

  “I’m sorry, Violet. That I do not know. I am just a servant; I am not privy to that information. Is there anything I can get you?”

  “No,” I reply, studying her body language, knowing she is lying. “I’m fine, thank you.”

  “Wonderful. I will be back later to help you dress for dinner.”

  When Elodie leaves, I sit back and think. Looking back out of the window, I see someone lead a black horse out to the front of the mansion. My eyes study this animal, for it is even more beautiful than Malvado’s horse. Suddenly, a voice startles me.

  “Gorgeous, isn’t she?”

  “What? Wait, I just saw you ride away,” I say as I turn to see Malvado come towards me.

  “A short ride,” he grins. “Do you like this creature?”

  “It’s a beautiful horse,” I say.

  “She may be yours one day.”

  “Mine?”

  “In time. Did you enjoy your walk?”

  “I heard the whispers,” I say.

  “That is good.”

  “Is it?” I ask.

  “Yes, now you know what they sound like.”

  “Madame Benoit showed me the change in the jewel as well,” I explain. “How does that happen?”

  “The jewel protects you from the beasts. This jewel gives off a current that communicates with the beasts, making them become vocal. They are actually growls, but we hear them as whispers.”

  “What are the beasts?”

  Malvado looks at me as if he doesn’t want to say another word. My searching eyes stay on his, and finally, he sighs.

  �
��They are people,” he begins. “Wicked people that we weren’t able to help. They would love for nothing more than to destroy what we have built, but we won’t let them.”

  “The night I was taken,” I begin, and Malvado looks at me intently. “How is Theroux able to leave? Do the beasts not surround us?”

  “They do surround us. Theroux was able to leave because that was the Baron’s wish.

  “Ah,” I say.

  “Do you have any other questions?”

  “I’m sorry,” I apologize.

  “No, ma chérie. I enjoy answering your questions. I love your inquisitive nature very much. You can ask me anything.”

  “Is your face always painted?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “I just wondered what you look like without the paint. Who were you before you came here?”

  “It doesn’t matter who I was then. You met me now, this is who I am. There is nothing unordinary about me. It’s the same eyes, the same smile, the same voice.”

  Malvado stays with me until Elodie returns to dress me for dinner. Even though he said his past didn’t matter, he still told me stories about it. The beginnings of the kingdom, of the Baron, and some of the people. It is strange to think that I’ve become comfortable with this man, a man that has a mystery about him that I may never uncover.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Dinner was very different from before. I am part of their family now, and the others treat me with respect. If for a moment I don’t think about how I was brought here or what I endured in the beginning, this feels like a home. Home. Something I’ve never felt. Something I never thought I would have…yet now I do. Do I actually miss my old life? Not one bit. Working at a retail store, being bitched at by customers six days out of the week, coming home to an apartment I could barely pay for…God, I don’t miss any of that. Still seated at the table, Malvado is discussing several things with a few of his advisors while I listen to stories being told around the table.

  “We will discuss the other matters tomorrow in my library,” Malvado says, getting up from the table.

  Everybody stands, and I take one last look before he leaves, just, he doesn’t leave, at least not alone.