“I’ve got it right haven’t I? That is the finger Humans use for the rings that bind them together. We don’t need that, you and I, we are bound together far deeper than they would ever understand. I love you Cassia and I wondered if you would consider becoming my life consort…you know, the joining ceremony and everything. Make it all official.”
Cassia felt tears sliding down her cheeks; she hadn’t meant to cry but she did it so easily these days.
“Don’t cry Cass, what is it my darling?”
“I’m not Charlotte, Javier.”
“No, you’re Cassia, my Cass and I love you. I love you Cass and I’ll make you believe that even if I have to tell you every day for the rest of our lives together.”
“I can be a very annoying person. There’ll be days when you won’t know whether to throttle me or kiss me.”
“Oh, I know that already but thanks for the warning. What’s your answer Cass? Shall we do it? Red dress, party, crazy families, Ysabeau letting loose her inner wedding planner?”
“You haven’t met my mother; she can be the most stubborn, argumentative and obstreperous woman you ever met.”
“Hmm, that’s where you get it from is it? Come on Cass, my own love, say yes.”
Cassia reached out and hugged him to her as she whispered against his neck;
“Yes, yes and a thousand times yes Javier of Seville. Let’s go back and ask Bee if it’s okay with her.”
This time they walked back slowly with their arms wound around each other, stopping now and then for long deep kisses. They paused under a tree and Cassia gasped as Javier pushed her against it with his body then slowly stroked up and down the vein in her neck with sharp teeth;
“If you keep doing that I’m going to melt into a pool at your feet Javier.” Cassia breathed.
Javier pulled back, his breath harsh and his canines sharp in his mouth;
“Yes, better stop. I don’t dare kiss you again. If I taste even a drop of you I’m going to lose control completely Cassia Mathrafal.”
“Oh, I’d love that Javier of Seville. Can we go back to Bloomsbury at sunrise? Just for the day. We could make love till we can’t move or even lift our heads.”
“Well now, you’ve made me an offer I can’t refuse. Come on, before we start again…this path is very well used. We don’t want to shock anyone.”
They were both laughing uncontrollably like naughty children as they burst into the great hall of the chateau and went in search of Beatriz.
Cassia thought she had cried all the tears she had inside her until Beatriz jumped joyfully off her colourful bed and grabbed her sketch book from her desk. Over the last three weeks the child had often just sat by her and hugged her or brought her little treats from the kitchen then made sure she ate them; watching over her with eyes that were wise beyond her years. She grabbed Javier’s hand as Beatriz stood clutching the book to her chest;
“Papa, I’ll never forget Mummy even though I don’t remember her. I know she loved me, I can see it in the photos.”
Beatriz stopped and looked anxiously at Javier who tightened his grip on Cassia’s hand till she thought her fingers would break.
“I’ve been wishing and wishing this would happen. I had everything crossed. I skyped Abuelita back home, I mean, back in Spain. She’s getting very good at computers you know. Anyway, she agreed it would be alright and we looked for a name that would fit and we decided on this.”
Beatriz held up her picture. There was Cassia, the very essence of her captured with skill on the page and underneath it Beatriz had written in bold capitals;
CASSIA. MAM.
“Mam,” she said smiling, “You’re Welsh Cassia, that’s Welsh for mother. Abuelita and me, we got it right, didn’t we?”
CHAPTER 20
ONE MONTH LATER…
Cassia hurried along the corridor, her bare feet making no sound on the carpet and her hair dishevelled and tumbling riotously down her back. It was very early; all around her the household slept. A household packed to the gunnels with people. Today was the day. Today, she, Cassia of the bloodline of Hugo Mathrafal would be joined to Javier of Seville. Every room upstairs was full. Her mother and stepfather slept in Beatriz’s room with her half-brother Geraint camped out on their floor. Javier’s parents and LaSalle’s mother the Dowager Countess Reine occupied two of the most palatial guestrooms. Cassia smiled as she remembered the affection with which Reine and Javier had greeted each other. To add to the surprises Javier’s sisters and their consorts and children were here. Seeing the Spaniards together Cassia had wondered how on earth so much grace and beauty had been bestowed on one family.
She passed Rafe’s door and paused briefly; Javier was sharing with Rafe. They had both given in to the pleas from his mother and sisters and were following the Spanish custom whereby the couple did not see each other on the eve of the ceremony. She wondered how Javier had coped with Rafe. That warrior had not been himself for weeks, his face like thunder and his usual arrogant swagger gone. Reaching the top of the staircase Cassia gazed hesitantly along the east wing corridor. Chronus’s room was there; had Flavia gone to him? That was why she had jumped out of bed and tiptoed past Beatriz camped out in her sleeping bag. She had woken and found Flavia gone from the other side of the bed.
Well, there was no way she was knocking on Chronus’s door. She ran lightly down the graceful staircase surprised to find the hallway humming with activity as old Louis and his gardeners festooned greenery and flowers everywhere. The place looked like Titania’s bower, thought Cassia. She had seen what Javier meant when he had joked about letting loose Ysabeau’s inner wedding planner. LaSalle’s warrior Countess was a veritable tour de force when it came to planning a party with military precision. Still, she, Hera, Katie and Rosa had gritted their teeth and followed orders and it was all going to look magical. Ysabeau had style in spades.
Flavia hadn’t been there to help. Flavia had spent the last week with Chronus in Venice. Cassia pushed open the kitchen door and there was her sister calmly drinking a cup of coffee, her face contemplative and withdrawn as it had been since she got here yesterday.
“Flave? Sweetheart? Is everything okay?” Cassia asked tentatively as she sat down opposite her sister.
“Sorry, did I wake you? How are you Cassia? Isn’t tonight going to be exciting?”
Cassia wanted to talk about Flavia.
“Was everything alright in Venice? You and Chronus…did you…have a nice time? Did he treat you right?”
What Cassia really wanted to know was whether her sister and Chronus had become lovers but how on earth could she ask that when Flavia had suddenly erected this invisible wall around herself. Flavia sat up, listened carefully then switched to Welsh. Cassia could see why, the kitchen staff were already at work and discreetly listening in.
“It was a wonderful and magical week Cassia and I wouldn’t change one minute of it. I want to keep it to myself for a bit.”
“So…you and Chronus are together?” Cassia asked. Something wasn’t right here.
“No Cassia. When he leaves we won’t see each other again. Don’t say anything...” Flavia put her hand up as Cassia exclaimed;
“It’s my decision and I don’t want to talk about it.”
“If that damn Empath has hurt you I’ll kill him!” Cassia cried, attracting curious stares from Madame Lemond. Flavia leaned forward, her eyes blazing;
“Leave it alone Cassia. You don’t know everything about me, about us. You don’t understand everything. Alexis would never, ever hurt me. Don’t interfere…please, please.”
Cassia was almost speechless with shock; this was a Flavia she had never encountered before.
“What on earth do you like about him?” she asked, staring at her sister’s beautiful passionate face.
“He knows me, he makes me feel safe, he makes me feel brave. When I’m with him I’m never afraid. I feel I could do anything, be anything.”
“But…you are brave Flav
ia.” Cassia whispered; what was happening here?
“No, no Cassia. You’re the brave one, you’re the one with all the courage; you have looked after me ever since Father died. I never had to be brave because you were there every step of the way. You had courage enough for us both. Enough Cassia. You’ve got a whole new life now, you have to let me go. Let me make my own mistakes. I’m not going to stay here on the Island. I’m going back home and I’ve arranged for a housekeeper, a helper. I want you to be free of me.”
“I never meant to smother you. I love you.” Cassia was crying now, tears dropping onto the scrubbed table. Flavia reached over and took her hands;
“You never smothered me Cassia. Don’t cry sweetheart, I can smell your tears. I love you too but I need to find my own way and you and Javier and Bee need to build your life together.”
“And Chronus?”
“That’s between us. He has something he has to do and so do I. Please don’t ask me and please don’t ask him. Now, I’m off to grab the shower first. It’s your day today Cassia and I’m so very happy for you.”
As Flavia squeezed her hands then got up and navigated herself carefully out of the room Cassia wiped her eyes on her sleeve. She had never dreamed that the day she officially started her life with Javier would also herald an ending.
She jumped as Madame Lemond pressed a tissue into her hand and patted her shoulder;
“Ah, days like these are full of tears my dear;” she said in her broad southern French accent;
“Emotions run high. You will be the first bride in red to walk down that staircase since Madame la Comtesse Ysabeau in nineteen fifteen.”
Cassia wiped her eyes and replied in French;
“What about Gabriel and Hera in the summer?”
“Ah, but she wore the cream and gold of Empath brides. Oh, I cried when she came down the staircase. So beautiful she looked with her gold crown on; like a goddess come down from Olympus. I cried even more when I saw Monsieur Gabriel’s face when he saw his bride. Two hankies I went through; what a happy day that was. The High Councillor himself said that my croquembouche was the best he’d ever seen or tasted.”
Madame Lemond heaved a huge sigh then froze, her eyes sharpening into gimlets as she fixed them on the poor hapless kitchen assistant who had just dropped a bowl on the floor;
“Marie!” she screeched at the top of her voice and let loose a volley of French so rapid Cassia couldn’t follow it. Getting up silently, Cassia beat a hasty retreat out of the kitchen and ran straight into Javier.
“Javier! What are you doing? I thought I was supposed to be in purdah or something; you’re not supposed to see me before the…”
Cassia’s words were cut off as Javier planted a kiss on her mouth then grasped her hand and started across the hall towards LaSalle’s study, dragging her after him;
“Stuff that, I missed you. Come with me.”
“Javier, Flavia’s broken up with Chronus. I swear he’s seduced her then dumped her. What do you think I should do about it?”
Javier stopped and took her face in his hands;
“Nothing Cass, nothing. She’s only seven years younger than you and she is a bright intelligent woman. Leave it to her, my heart, it’s none of your business unless she asks for your help.”
“That’s what she said just now. I want her to be as happy as I am Javier. Do you think this has something to do with Chronus’s search for Draco?”
“Perhaps. Now, I want to show you something. It’s a present, well, more of an idea, a project.”
Cassia followed Javier curiously into the empty study. A present? She thought of the stunning Art Deco ruby and gold necklace from Cartier that sat on her dressing table upstairs. She would wear it today with her dress.
“You already got me a present. What am I looking at?” Javier seemed nervous; he raked both hands through his hair till it practically stood on end then whipped the cover off the large presentation board that stood on an easel in the centre of the room.
“That’s Harry’s Richmond house.” said Cassia as she studied the photos of the large rambling Victorian house with its garden leading straight to the Thames. She examined the technical diagram pinned up by the photos; it was the schematics of a sophisticated and expensive security system.
“I’m not selling it Javier. I know it’s worth gazillions but I’m not selling it…I’m not ready…” she tailed off as Javier held up a hand.
“Of course not Cass. Look, the police released the house two weeks ago and I’ve been over every inch of the property with Andreas and Stephan. That drawing is the plan for the new security system we will need. The perimeter is easily secured and the river is an added benefit. It’s completely private and you can enter the grounds via the small private jetty there…see?”
Cassia could see how the house could easily be made a safe haven but…
“Why would we do this Javier?”
“It’s got ten bedrooms upstairs if you count the attic ones. All very spacious. There are huge rooms downstairs suitable for use as studios, classrooms, dining hall and offices. Cassia, those young ones, Rose and Spike were headed for Paris because there’s nothing in Britain for them; nothing for our kind, young artists Cass, like Beatriz. You could find an art teacher with all your contacts and who better than you to teach them about art history? I think Harry Marshal would approve.”
Cassia stared at the display board as her mind raced. She could see it; why hadn’t she thought of it?
“You’re bloody brilliant Javier of Seville. Bloody brilliant. All the money, it could fund scholarships and living expenses. We could find the most talented of our young artists and bring them together; make it into a centre for all that creativity. You are right, they have nowhere else to go except night schools in the Human’s colleges and most of those aren’t much good.”
“Exactly, I was watching Bee paint and it just came to me. I hope you don’t mind, I scoped it out for security first. We could organize a security detail there and, once it was up and running I think a confusion field would make it watertight.”
Cassia threw her arms round Javier’s neck then pulled back;
“I’m still going to do some work for Gabriel you know; don’t try to change my mind about that. I need to do it Javier.”
Javier kissed her and sighed, his face tensing. They had already had a couple of arguments about her proposed new role within the Warrior’s Council;
“I know. I swear to you that I did not come up with this as a way of stopping you from working for Gabriel. It’s not going to be easy for me Cassia, the thought that you could be in danger makes me go crazy with worry but I trust your skill and I trust Gabriel. You’ll just have to be patient with me.”
Javier laughed as Cassia covered his face with kisses and murmured dreamily;
“I don’t suppose you would consider becoming my life consort would you Javier of Seville?”
“Can’t querida. I’m already promised to a tall, black haired, dauntless and really quite challenging woman. She’ll kill me if I don’t turn up.” Javier smiled as his eyes darkened and he slowly loosened the tie on Cassia’s robe.
“I just had another brilliant idea.” he whispered as he lifted her up and sat her on the edge of LaSalle’s desk.
They leapt apart guiltily as the door crashed open and LaSalle came in with a croissant in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other. His long blonde hair was all over the place and he wore a black silk robe and pyjamas. Cassia covered her mouth with her hand as she felt an almost irresistible urge to giggle.
“Oh fuck! There’s no escape. Get a room you two…I take it back; there are no damn rooms left. Your mother is looking for you Cassia and your mother is looking for you Javier. I’m heading down to the Operations room and I’m locking myself in. If you see Ysabeau or my mother tell them you haven’t seen me. That is an order.” With that LaSalle turned on his heel and left as Cassia laughed so hard she had to bend over and clutch her sides.
When she finally calmed down it was to find Javier staring at her and his expression stopped her in her tracks;
“What is it Javier? Tell me, my darling.” she whispered;
“I never thought I would ever feel so happy again.” he said quietly.
Cassia blinked hard as they held each other tightly; words weren’t necessary.
“I hope you’ll feel even happier when you see the present I’ve got for you.” she said as they headed out into the hall.
“You got me a present? What is it?”
“You’ll have to wait until after we make our pledges. It’s a surprise.”
Javier kept on trying to guess all the way up the stairs as they obeyed the summons of their mothers. Cassia hugged herself with glee. He would never guess. She had come up with the idea two weeks ago after a chance conversation with Bee’s adored Abuelita; or Elisa, as Cassia had come to call Javier’s mother. Getting the present to the Island had taken much clandestine planning and considerable expense. It would be worth it though. Hera had happily gone to the airport in the daylight hours to supervise its transportation across the bay and Elisa had taken over on the Island as soon as the sun had set. There were, by necessity, quite a number of people in on the secret but all of them were keeping their mouths firmly shut. Cassia could hardly wait.
Over the next two hours the chateau resounded with the sounds of people getting ready. Doors slammed, voices called to each other and every now and then there would be the sound of over excited children racing down corridors. As the time grew closer, knocks on Cassia’s door were followed by a head being poked round accompanied by a waft of expensive scent and the rustle of a silk gown as, one by one Ysabeau, Katie and Hera wished her luck on their way downstairs.
Flavia kissed her and left with Beatriz. Cassia stood in front of the long antique mirror as her mother fastened her gown then stood with her hands on her shoulders as their eyes met in their reflection. They were so alike in every way, Cassia thought, as she looked at the tall striking figure of her mother in her midnight blue silk with her black hair swept up. That had always been the problem.
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