“I am fine a little tired,” Eveline replied quietly, nervously playing with her fingers.
“You look like you were having a good time,” he spat, lowering his eyes and finding distraction in his feet.
“And you,” Eveline returned hotly, hoping that Theodore was not listening to their conversation.
“Yes well you can’t have all the fun.”
“I don’t intend on having all the fun,” Eveline retorted curling her toes. Galean stood quietly, his arm around Annie’s waist loosely.
“Galean,” Theodore announced getting up, “Do you mind if I dance with Annie?” he asked in good spirit. Galean unwillingly agreed and both he and Eveline watched the couple depart from the table and disappear among the crowd. Galean stiffly sat down turning his body away from Eveline. As the music came to life, Eveline sat in awkward silence, her stomach suddenly pained and sore. She needed space, she needed to be quiet.
“If you’ll forgive me, I am going to get some air.” She announced getting up quickly and not waiting for a response before leaving Galean alone. Quietly and carefully Eveline wound her way through the crowd making for the tea rooms. The corridors were filled with couples kissing and talking. Eveline kept her eyes on the ground as she made her way towards the silent and dark tea rooms. Upon entering the tea room, Eveline was met by a dense coldness and wrapped her arms about her frail body. The garden doors were open and she watched as snow fell upon the grass. To her right she eyed the piano, alone and still. Cold and tired she walked over, the moonlight illuminating the ivory keys. Sitting down a sharp pain surged through her chest and she cried out. Placing her hands on the piano harshly she breathed in and out deeply, a tear falling down her cheek. The pain left her and she stopped sobbing and wiped away the tear and began to play Mozart’s piano concerto no.21 in C major.
Losing herself in the gentle music, Eveline fought the pain with happiness, forgetting about Theodore, Galean and William and finding her place of sanctuary and staying put. As her fingers sprawled up and down the keys, Eveline felt her body warm against the harshness of the cold night. Music had a way of allowing Eveline escapism from the world. When her parents had died she had lost her voice for a year and the only release she had found was in learning to play the piano with her grandmother. Both of her parents played and in the evenings and as a young girl she would sit with her warm milk and watch them play together, in love and happy. Her parents would be appalled at her current circumstances and this made her irrevocably sad. Eyes shut tight she was completely unaware of Galean’s entry.
Galean had followed Eveline from the ball room, keeping his distance and waiting outside the tea room until he heard the piano spring into life. At first he opened the door slightly, peeking in. Her face was etched in pain as she played intently and passionately. For a few minutes he stayed put and watched her, lost in the music, fighting whatever it was that had caused such conflict. Unable to stop himself he entered the room quietly, closing the door silently behind him and taking a seat at the other end of the tea room. At first he was concerned she would freeze to death as the garden doors were opened, but relaxed as she played so keenly he knew her body would warm quickly. Mozart’s concerto no 21 was by no means a gentle piece of music, it was not sad or melancholy, it was happy, sharp and colourful. Galean made sure that Theodore was occupied and was pleasantly surprised when he offered to dance with Annie again that he was sure he wouldn’t be interrupted for at least ten minutes.
Folding his leg over the other, Galean sat back and watched Eveline. He had hurt her, he knew this, and she had left the ball room because of his coldness, but if only she knew the reasons. Theodore was being careless in his open manner of intimacy towards a naive and gullible Eveline, who was completely unaware that Theodore’s actions were placing not only Theodore but Eveline in a terrible position. Galean wanted to lock Theodore up until he realised how irrational and stupid he was being, but he knew deep inside how it was to fall in love so deeply. Galean had loved his first wife with a vengeance, he would have given up everything for her to be his wife. A part of him was angry and cross at Heiden for his confession. Galean didn’t want to love another, he didn’t want to replace his dead family and yet, Eveline had always been a part of him, long before he connected the dots. Galean wanted to help his old friend Theodore, he wanted him to be happy, but not at such a great cost, how could he save both his friend and Eveline? Theodore would kill him if he took Eveline as his own and yet Galean felt murderous at the thought of Eveline being married to Theodore.
Galean sighed as his thoughts lingered. The whole universe was about to be turned upside down, his own brothers were at war, his father was vulnerable and the four kingdoms in despair. Yet Galean’s mind was consumed with Eveline, and this angered him deeply, he was a commander a warrior, taught to put others before himself for the greater good. He should be back with his father sorting out his own kingdom, not acting as a guardian to Theodore and not falling in love with Eveline. Galean knew that soon he would have to leave earth with or without Eveline, and it worried him that she would not follow.
“Galean?” Eveline whispered, looking over the piano at Galean’s hidden face. Galean looked over at the thin Eveline, part of her face alit with the moon and the rest covered in darkness. “Did you follow me?”
“It’s my job to guard you,” he returned getting up from his chair and moving toward the piano, resting an elbow on top and gazing down at her intensely. Eveline feeling a deep heat rise from within lowered her eyes quickly and coughed gently.
“Shouldn’t you be guarding Theodore against Annie?” she teased softly, her dress shimmering slightly in the moonlight.
“I think she is safe, Theodore clearly intends on having you,” Galean replied flatly, turning his eyes away from her and gazing out at the garden. Galean’s father lived on an island in the middle of Lake Meerethe, which was situated at the centre of Meerin. Ballour’s palace was surrounded by the most beautiful gardens, garden’s he had grown up in. The waters of Lake Meerethe were alive with the most exquisite fish he had ever seen, fish that glowed gently in the dark. As he gazed out at the formal gardens he felt a deep longing to go home a need to be in his father’s company, a need to find shelter and rest from the worries and burdens that followed him everywhere. Galean knew that his wise and kind father would have the answers to his questions, he knew that his father would have a greater knowledge of Heiden and that he would make sense of Heiden’s confessions.
“Are you alright?” Eveline asked a little concerned by Galean’s forlorn gaze.
“Yes, you?” Galean replied gently.
“I am okay, a little cold but that is my own fault,” she smiled getting up from the piano and walking around it towards Galean.
“Yes you will get a chill, you should be back in the warmth in that dress,” Galean complained, as he looked down at her, her eyes warm and knowing.
“But it is so quiet and peaceful here, and I love to play,” she gushed walking away from Galean and stepping outside into the garden. Galean followed and flinched as a snow flake fell into his eye.
“You will most defiantly get pneumonia standing out here,” moaned Galean shivering slightly.
“Look,” Eveline commanded her eyes looking upward at the full moon and stars that edged their way in between snowy, dense clouds. Galean stood beside her and looked up into the night sky. “It is beautiful, each night I like to step outside and see the stars, I don’t know really how to put this eloquently,” she laughed awkwardly, “I just feel a connection to them, as though they were more than stars, as though they are the souls of the departed.” Galean looked down at Eveline astounded by her confession, off course she would feel a connection to them, they were after all the souls of the forgotten, and they were her people.
“I believe I understand what you mean,” he replied watching her lips stretch into a beautifully beguiling smile that touched her eyes gently.
“Do you think that your wife
and daughter are amongst the stars?” Eveline asked warmly, her eyes turning to his, her breathe mingling with his own.
“Yes,” he murmured quietly, a deep ache beating at his heart.
“They will always be with you,” whispered Eveline, her face serious. “I know my parents are.”
“Off course they are, they put you together, you inherited their genes, their characteristics, looks and sharp tongue,” Galean smiled, his fingers brushing against her own. The connection seemed to electrify Eveline and she stood back abruptly, bringing a hand to her warm cheek and smiling shyly.
“I should go back, Theodore will be wondering where I am,” she stuttered, turning to leave. Galean without thinking caught her wrist and turned her back to him.
“Stay,” he commanded gently not wanting to scare her.
“Why?” she uttered quietly, snow dusting her shoulders and hair. Galean lifted a hand and gently, his eyes never leaving hers, wiping away the snowflakes from her shoulders, hair and nose. Eveline let her arm relax, his hand covering her wrist. Galean looked down at Eveline who stood perfectly still while he dusted away the snow from her skin.
“Your nose is slightly crooked,” Galean murmured.
“No it is not!” cried Eveline suddenly feeling her nose with her fingers. Galean laughed deeply as she felt for the crook.
“Here,” Galean took one of her fingers and guided her to the ridge of her nose, touching it lightly, a snowflake landing on his finger.
“That is hardly a crook,” laughed Eveline pulling her finger away quickly.
“And your top left front tooth is slightly longer than the right,” Galean went on observing her intently.
“How do you know?” Eveline whispered, now feeling her teeth.
“I just do,” Galean replied watching as she felt her two front teeth determined to prove him wrong.
“Here,” he said again, taking her finger and showing her, “see?”
“Oh, you’re right,” she blushed.
“Do you love him?” Galean blurted out, his body becoming rigid. Off course she loved him he screamed inwardly, why was he asking her? Because a voice replied, she loves you as well and you know it. Eveline stepped away slightly her wrist still in Galean’s hand.
“Why do you ask?” she answered cautiously.
“Yes or no?” Galean ordered tightening his grasp of her wrist slightly.
“Yes,” she muttered, embarrassed.
“Be careful,” Galean warned flatly, “he is forbidden to marry.”
“Why?” Eveline asked frustrated.
“It is not for me to say, just trust me when I say that the both of you marrying is a big mistake,” he replied bluntly.
“Why? Why is it a mistake? Because you’re jealous?” Eveline answered hotly releasing her wrist from his grasp and walking away, her back turned.
“I wish I could tell you,” Galean whispered following her out onto the far end of the garden. “Why would I be jealous? He is my friend, I only want him to be happy.”
“We shouldn’t be talking about this, it’s inappropriate,” cried Eveline, the cramps in her stomach getting worse and the strands of pain in her head becoming unbearable. Lifting a hand to her temple she sighed, her body shivering in the cold. Galean watched as she rubbed her temple, her skin covered in goose bumps. Silently he took off his dinner jacket and wrapped it about her shoulders, keeping his hands on her arms. “Thank you,” she muttered not looking at him.
“If you want to marry him then I am sorry for offending you, maybe I am jealous. I suppose I should be thinking about settling down too,” he spoke wondering if his lie would spark a light of jealousy, he begged God that it would, if he knew she felt something, anything then there was hope.
“Oh,” whispered Eveline, “So soon?”
“It’s been long enough, spending time with Belle and you has made me realise that maybe I am ready to re marry and give life to a new family,” Galean replied watching her eyelids close as though in pain.
“If that is what you think,” Eveline answered kindly. “Have you met anyone?”
“Maybe.”
“Well that’s a good start.”
“Indeed, she is fiery and smart.” He smiled watching her body sigh with frustration, his trick was working.
“I’m sure she is, does she happen to have brunette hair?” quizzed Eveline feeling stupid but unable to edit her words.
“She may do yes,” teased Galean.
“Well I wish you all the luck in the world,” retorted Eveline sharply taking another step away from him, unable to feel his hands on her arms any longer. Theodore she thought, I love Theodore she cried inwardly, yet the faint voice in the back of her head began, you love Galean. No, she replied firmly, I love Theodore, my future is with him, he is kind, handsome, smart, funny and safe, Galean, he is the opposite, he makes me nervous. You really have got yourself into a muddle, the voice replied strongly, what will you do?
“Eveline?”
“Yes?”
“Come let’s go back, your cold and tired.”
“Okay.” Whispered turning, keeping her eyes lowered. Galean and Eveline stood in silence for a moment not moving.
“I love him,” Eveline stated.
“I know.” Galean smiled.
“Well I do,” she went on.
“Yes you said,” sighed Galean.
“Just thought I should tell you again.”
“The purpose being?”
“There was no purpose, I was just making sure that you understood.”
“Well I do.”
“Okay.” She whispered letting her eyes ascend trailing his broad chest, firm throat and beautifully war like face. Galean stood looking at her confused and frustrated.
“Eveline,” he began letting his fingers find her own. Eveline flinched quickly at the touch.
“Don’t” she ordered, “please.”
“Tell me you don’t feel the bond between us,” he pleaded his face etched in pain. Eveline shook her head, frowning and breathing heavily.
“Were friends,” she cried, “your confusing friendship with something else.”
“No, I’m not.” He answered firmly, “I have seen your face in my dreams since I was a little boy.”
“Impossible!” she argued.
“No it’s not impossible, don’t you believe in fate?” he asked quietly.
“No,” she replied bluntly, “the world is too full of badness and pain.”
“Maybe pain and suffering leads us to something greater,” argued Galean.
“Like?” Eveline enquired sarcastically.
“Maybe in some perverse way fate brought us together.”
“And if your wife and daughter were still alive, would you feel the same?” Eveline asked seriously.
“Maybe they were not meant to live this long, maybe their deaths guided me to you.”
“Your right that is perverse, but answer the question.” Eveline replied flatly.
“I guess I would be in the same position as you, divided.” Galean answered. Eveline, startled looked at him, relief flooding through her.
“Divided?” she asked quietly, the pain in her body weakening slightly.
“Yes, torn apart by my loyalty to others, loving more than one person.”
“You think that’s what happened to me?”
“Yes.”
“You think I am divided between William and Theodore?” Eveline quizzed knowing full well it wasn’t William that caused her heartache.
“No, I think you love Theodore and myself,” Galean whispered lifting his fingers to wipe away a stray strand that caught itself between Eveline’s long eyelashes. Instinctively Eveline closed her eyes at his touch, her body relaxing. Water formed at her eyelids and tear fell upon her cheek, she realised in that moment just how tired she was, exhausted from the energy of loving two men, exhausted with the inner conflict that followed her everywhere. “I am not asking you to choose me, I do not want too cause
you pain, I do not want to cause Theodore pain.”
“I know,” cried Eveline.
“I will be leaving in a few days and I wish and want you to be happy with whoever you choose to spend your life with,” urged Galean cupping Eveline’s face with his hands.
“I did not intend on loving you,” whispered Eveline, “ I do not mean that as an insult, I never believed a heart could belong to two men at once, it feels wrong, it feels so very wrong,” she stammered.
“But which heart do you feel bound too?” asked Galean, “With whom does it beat harder?”
Eveline shook her head, it was too late now, too late, she had practically declared her love for Theodore publically and he, he had given up everything for her. Eveline loved Theodore, truly she did, she wanted to marry him, to bear his children, but somewhere deep and hidden within, she felt bound to Galean, despite her logic, despite her arguments against such a union. It was as Galean had explained, her heart seemed to have a mind of its own, and it seemed to believe that it was meant for Galean, not Theodore. How was it possible to be at war with your own heart?
“I’m afraid to answer, it feels like betrayal,” cried Eveline.
“Eveline, I won’t be angry with you, this conversation will begin and end here, no matter how you feel, no matter how you feel I must leave soon. Do not misunderstand me,” smiled Galean, “I mean you no pain, nor Theodore. I understand your plight and I ask nothing of you, I just want to relief the heavy burden that you carry,” pleaded Galean, “Theodore must be blind to not see that you are unwell, you are frail and pale.”
“It is nothing, stress I suppose,” smiled Eveline. Galean tilted Eveline’s chin up towards his face.
“With whom does your heart belong?” he asked gently.
“With you,” whispered Eveline. “I have tried too hard to ignore it, tried so hard to find whatever it is I feel for you with Theodore. I love him, I do, I felt bereft without him, but when he returned I felt as though a part of me had broken. I miss our walks, our time with Belle and our conversations.”
“And I,” replied Galean touching her nose with his own.
One Crown & Two Thrones: The Guardians Page 22