“Eveline?” a familiar voice asked taking Eveline away from her thoughts. Looking to her left she noticed a familiar face.
“Theodore?” she whispered getting up and turning to him, her heart flooding with love perverse though it was to be admitting to loving a man that had died and to be needing to fall into the arms of the other man that had given up everything to be with her.
“Are you alright?” Theodore asked carefully not moving in case she would wish him to leave. Silently they stood apart, Eveline blinking hard, trying to rid her eyes of the water, all she did was cry she thought shamefully.
“I am just having a walk,” she replied gently, her hands at her sides, a gust of wind causing her curled locks to blow around her face.
“I was just leaving a letter to your house,” explained a nervous Theodore, dressed smartly but looking vulnerable.
“Oh, for me?” smiled Eveline, her rosy cheeks rising.
“Who else?” laughed Theodore, unable to hide his smile as her face lit up with happiness.
“Why did you not just post it?” Eveline asked shyly.
“The post is down after the night raids, I drop the letters over,” Theodore explained, his dark hair neatly combed back and his blue eyes shining.
“Off course, forgive my ignorance,” Eveline blushed, watching as a dog and its owner walked by, the man tipping his hat at them.
“There is nothing to forgive, if you are ignorant of the goings on of London and the war, then it is my fault.” Theodore frowned shamed of his past behaviour and bent on redeeming himself. Time apart had given him space and the silence that he needed, to think about all that he had done. He had lost himself in pride and frustration, for the first time in his life, he was blind sighted by love and had reacted in a way that left him friendless and human.
“It is not your fault, you saved me and have guarded me my whole life,” smiled Eveline, her dimples creasing. “I should be thanking you, not scolding you.”
“Eveline, my love for you blinded me, it put you in danger and I lost sight of myself and everything that I held dear. Because of my actions I led those shadows to us, to my friends,” Theodore choked. “If I had been a better guardian, none of this would have happened. My pride has cost me everything.”
“Not everything Theodore,” Eveline murmured stepping toward him slowly, her eyes lowered. “You still have me, if you want me.”
“I have never wanted another living soul more than I have wanted you,” cried Theodore, finding her hands and wrapping his own about them. “Can you ever forgive me?”
“Can you forgive me?” Eveline asked, lifting her eyes to his face.
“As I said, there is nothing to forgive,” Theodore pleaded. “I don’t want to pressure you into anything, I understand what you would be giving up if you choose me.”
“Surely there is a way in which you can come back with me?” Eveline asked hopefully.
“I have been trying to research ways in which I can time travel, there is only one, and even that is a stretch, it most likely will not work,” frowned Theodore. “That is what my letter is about.”
“What is it?” Eveline asked leaning in closer to Theodore.
“Why don’t we take a seat and talk about it, then I will let you go home to think about it for a while.” Theodore answered, bringing her back over to the bench and sitting her down beside him.
“I can use magic,” Eveline whispered, her nose close to Theodores, “not much but I can move a cup.”
“That is incredible Eveline! Jophiel is doing well and you must stick with it until you are strong enough to use it by yourself, “Theodore said happily. “As to my proposition, have you heard of the druids?”
“Yes, they were Celtic priests, seers and prophets?” she replied flatly, “they were also historians and guardians of the law.”
“Yes you are correct, have you heard of Stonehenge?” Theodore said seriously, holding her hands within his own.
“Yes, didn’t archaeologists finding cremated ruins in the twenties?” Eveline asked curiously.
“Correct, the museums didn’t want them strangely.” Theodore began. “It is believed that Stonehenge was used by the druids for a festival called Alban Hefin, the light of the shore, know to us as the summer solstice. They believed that humans could step into another world when in alignment with the sun and moon, at this time the days are at their longest and the nights at their shortest.”
“Okay,” Eveline frowned a little confused.
“Druids believe that at this time of year, the seashore is where the three realms of earth, moon and sun meet, believing it to be an in between place,” Theodore went on, “to angels, it is a moment in which human souls can linger between two places, this world and another.”
“Wait, does that mean that if we go there, at that specific time, you and I can go back to Calhuni?” Eveline asked quickly, her breathe deepening with hope.
“I think so,” smiled Theodore, “but I did some more research. If we marry, I want to take you home to Keswick until the festival of Alban Hefin. Near Keswick town there is an ancient stone circle called Castlerigg, slightly smaller in size, but I believe it serves the same purpose.”
“Where is it in Keswick? I have never heard of it,” Eveline replied, images of Keswick running through her mind.
“It is about ten miles north of Keswick near Threlkeld, we will have to drive there,” Theodore explained, lowering his voice as people walked by, uncertain of their safety.
“Theodore I never imagined we could find a way, to both be together and to go home,” whispered Eveline fervently, their breathes mingling as the setting sun hit their faces.
“Your eyes, they become so enriched with the sun.” Theodore muttered breathlessly, gazing into Eveline’s beautiful eyes.
“Oh, no one’s ever said to me before,” blushed Eveline, dropping her gaze. What are you doing? A voice deep within spoke harshly, Eveline shivered in response. He is not your fate, her grandfather’s voice commanded, and how do you know? She argued back. My fate has died, he has left me. Theodore has given up everything to be with me, he is my fate now. She ended shaking her head.
“Eveline are you alright?” Theodore asked concerned.
“It’s nothing, I am glad you are here Theodore, I have missed you terribly, although I would be lying if I didn’t agree that space has helped,” said Eveline trying to change the subject. “And now you have a plan, a plan that can change everything, change our destiny.”
“I’m not sure I believe in destiny anymore,” muttered Theodore sadly. If she knew the truth about what he had done she would not ever want to see him again, but Jophiel was right to tell her now would only cause her more harm, and selfishly he didn’t want to lose her.
“I don’t believe it always has to be set in stone, maybe we can alter it,” Eveline answered thoughtfully, maybe Galean was not her destiny, despite her longing for him. Maybe Galean’s death as sad as it was, was destiny’s way of binding her to Theodore. What if Galean was alive? Her grandfather’s voice asked quietly, who would you choose?
“Maybe,” replied Theodore. “Come I will bring you to your door, it is getting dark and it’s not safe to be out here, when neither of us can protect one another.”
“Off course you are right,” smiled Eveline weakly, feeling a bit dizzy and low. Eveline relished in the security that Theodore offered and wrapping her hand in his she walked home with him, talking of other things, lighter subjects, whilst at the back of her mind the question lingered, who would she choose?
“Read over this and take time to think about the proposition, then reply,” smiled Theodore letting Eveline stand in front of him at the door.
“I will read over it tonight and think on it,” answered Eveline softly looking into Theodores eyes once more, unable to help herself. Silently they stood gazing at one another, waiting.
“I will love you no matter your decision.” Theodore assured her, his heart beating wildly. Ev
eline lifted her fingers and pressed them around her necklace feeling an instant warmth from it, shocking her hand slightly.
“We will see each other soon,” Eveline said kindly, stepping up on her toes and kissing his cheek lightly. She let her hands rest on his buttoned up coat. Theodore let his hands fall to her waist as he leaned in and kissed on the lips softly. Eveline felt a warm rush fill her senses, as she closed her eyes and gave in to the kiss. Theodore held Eveline tightly as they embraced. As Eveline relaxed, she had a sudden vision of Galean, and suddenly it wasn’t Theodore that she was kissing, it was Galean. Eveline felt his lips upon hers, passionate and deep and smiled, her heart feeling as though it were aglow. Galean she cried within herself, Galean. After a brief moment he was gone, and she was again in the arms of Theodore. Gently she ended the kiss, turned quickly and entered the house, closing the door behind her and running up the stairs to her room. Throwing the letter aside, she lay down on the bed, her eyes on the ceiling and the yellow jewel warm inside her palm. How was it possible? How could she see him so clearly? Feeling him as though he were real?
“Destiny?” she whispered out loud. “What do you want from me?”
Eveline lay on the bed for some time thinking about Theodore and Galean, turning her face into her duvet in frustration and grief.
“I wish you were here grandfather,” she cried into the blue duvet.
*
“Okay, now force the chair backwards,” ordered Jophiel, watching Eveline try to move the dinning chair, her right hand out stretched before her. They had been practising for an hour after dinner. Jophiel had found Eveline asleep on her bed, still in her coat and hat.
“I’m trying,” moaned Eveline, her eyes shut.
“Stop trying,” demanded Jophiel, “relax.”
“This is harder than a cup.” Eveline complained. Since this afternoon, she had had time to read the letter and think. Galean was dead she decided, if he was alive yes she would have chosen him, but he wasn’t and she still loved Theodore enough to marry him, if that made her wicked, selfish or bad then so be it. Anyway he had given everything up to be with her and he had found a way for them both to return home, together. To Eveline this made perfect sense, she would always love Galean, would always remember him and even accepted that at times it would be Galean she would wish by her side, but Theodore was real, he was here and he had given up everything he once held dear to be with her.
“Eveline, relax,” Jophiel reiterated. “Stop concentrating on whatever it is that is causing you to be stressed and anxious.”
“I met Theodore,” Eveline announced, eyes still closed.
“And?” Jophiel replied frowning.
“He has found a way for us to both be together and to travel back to my homeland,” sighed Eveline, talking out loud was helping her to relax.
“Eveline, you cannot be certain that the plan he has concocted will work,” Jophiel warned diligently.
“I know, he told me to think about it before making a decision,” Answered Eveline quietly, “he kissed me.”
“Oh, that’s em…, well I’m not sure how to respond, but don’t let that cloud your judgement,” muttered Jophiel a little tired.
“Something strange happened when I kissed him,” Eveline admitted, biting her lip.
“What happened?” Jophiel asked curiously, watching Eveline’s face turn red with embarrassment.
“I was kissing him and then I was kissing Galean,” blurted Eveline. Jophiel without thinking dropped her cup of tea, the hot contents covering her skirt and splattering across her face.
“Why?” she asked confused, her skirt drenched in tea and the floor covered in bites of china. Eveline opened her eyes and to her horror realised she had never disclosed to Jophiel that she had kissed Galean at the charity ball.
“I..,” she stammered anxiously, “you were right about Galean and I,” she began, forgetting about the chair. “I did like him and him me, and we shared a kiss before I vomited all over him and fainted. When I kissed Theodore this afternoon, I suddenly saw his face and it frightened me.”
“Gosh,” choked Jophiel, “well obviously your heart and your mind is in conflict, what will you do?”
“Oh I don’t know,” cried Eveline flinging her arms up into the air with frustration before flinging herself into a leather chair, huffing. “I just can’t get anything right,” she began, “how can you love two people at the same time? It is none sensical. Galean is dead, Theodore has given up everything that he is to become a human in order to be with me, and still I find myself in conflict. I am so very selfish and I hate feeling selfish. I feel wicked and bad, deserving of loneliness and heartache, undeserving of love and hope.”
“Eveline, you need to think about the decision that lies before you, you need to concentrate on gaining strength and wisdom so that you can prepare yourself for the future, whether that future includes Theodore or not,” Jophiel replied seriously. “This plan that Theodore has concocted, there is a greater chance that it will not work, what will you do then?”
“Isn’t it better to hope rather than to despair? Is it wrong to hope that I can go back and protect my people with Theodore by my side?” Eveline responded folding her arms across her chest. “Galean is gone now, Theodore is here, and his plan offers me an alternative to the two paths that have been my only choices. I think I should at least try, and if it doesn’t work, if he doesn’t follow me, then I will have to live with that and so will he.”
“I can only council you, I cannot order you, but take heed, do not act rashly,” commanded Jophiel gently, “now, shall we try moving the chair again with magic?”
“You know talking about it out loud, it helps, there’s so much in my head just piling up, I get so stressed out that it’s a pleasant relief to share my burdens with someone who won’t judge me too harshly,” smiled Eveline getting up from the leather chair with renewed energy.
“Eveline, it is not my place to judge you, you have been through some really traumatic events, you have lost those you loved and held dear, you have been enlightened as to your heritage and now,” she smiled warmly, “now you have to decide whether or not you stay here and live a normal life with Theodore, or you go back to your real home, take on the forces of evil and reclaim your throne, that is an awful lot to think about.”
“When I saw Theodore, my heart it lit up, I wanted to run into his arms and hold him close,” Eveline smiled, “but when I kissed him, as loving as I felt, my heart ached for something else.”
“It has only been a few months since Galean’s death, it is only natural you should miss him and the memory of one kiss can forever be remembered,” Jophiel replied solemnly, coming to Eveline’s side, “now come let us try once more then we can go and have supper.”
Eveline and Jophiel stayed in the study for an hour practising the art of levitation. Eveline found solace in the tutoring of magic, it kept her mind pre occupied and away from other problems. Eveline with Jophiels advice put the letter aside for a week to concentrate on their lessons. With time and much persistence, Eveline began to gain control over her abilities, when she awoke she used her skills to open the curtains, pour her tea and so forth. Jophiel had taught her an important skill, stunning, Eveline was still quite new to her abilities, but with determination and effort, she gained abilities such as stunning, levitation, creating balls of fire within her palms, power augmentation, invisibility and the ability to resist forms of danger that could lead to being injured.
“You have learned a lot in the last month you should be proud,” smiled Jophiel, taking Eveline’s arm in her own as they walked through the park one fine morning.
“I am proud but is it selfish to want to learn more?” replied Eveline, letting her eyes roam about the park, watching dogs playing together close by and ducks paddling about in the pond.
“In time you will, if you go to Calhuni you will meet those gifted with the art of magic, take time to learn from them,” lectured Jophiel kindly. Eveline
nodded in agreement and walked in content silence around the park with her friend. The trees were beginning to show evidence of buds which excited Eveline, she loved spring, and everything was anew. The war had brought terrible hardships on those living in London and both Eveline and Jophiel spent time helping the poor families in the area, bringing baskets of food and helping to clean. Every Christmas there was the promise of an end to the war, but it just seemed to keep going and with it becoming worse. Eveline found it hard to differentiate between her own woes and those of the world. How could she help her people? She was only one person, and even if she had acquired new abilities, she was still a weakling in comparison to her half-brother, she was no match for him or his allies.
“What are you thinking about?” Jophiel asked quietly, looking across at her friend.
“The war here on earth, it is so immoral and so cruel, I keep thinking how can I possibly end a war?”
“When you enter a darkened room, what do you do?” Jophiel asked.
“I turn the light on,” smiled Eveline.
“Then that is what you do, you turn the light on, you find the people that want to stand in the light and find a way to extinguish the darkness,” Jophiel answered steadily.
One Crown & Two Thrones: The Guardians Page 33