This was her punishment she realised, punishment for being greedy, punishment for being foolish and selfish and punishment for betraying William. How could she be angry with Theodore, she led him on, all be it without any knowledge of who he was and who she really was, but still this was her mess. And now she was married to the man who had refused help and ultimately led to the death of his friends, her grandmother, Mary and Harold because of his own pride. It wasn’t just Theodore that was to blame it was Galean, why didn’t he step in? Why did he stand back and let the terrible events occur? Instead he took advantage of her feelings for him, he was as bad as her husband and she hated him, hated him!
“Your neglect hurts me more,” she cried sadly falling to the grass and picking the letter up in her hand, “because I love you, because I trusted you.” Wiping away her tears she found were she had stopped and read on, “I know you will not forgive me, but I hope you can forgive Theodore, he loves you so, yes it had blinded him but he is not to blame, I should have stood in and said no, I being the older angel and wiser should have done something. I am sorry for the grief I have caused, even If I come back alive, we will not meet again, I am to go home. I wish you the best of luck Eveline, I hope you will think better of me sometime. I loved you, love you. Galean.”
Eveline looked down at the box of fudge and picked it up, taking off the ribbon and opening it, taking out a piece and putting it in her mouth. For a good long while she sat in silence, tears wetting her face, unable to speak or to move, she just sat still devouring the fudge. How would she look at her beloved husband the same? Everything was finally working out and now Galean’s letter had ruined it all, the truth had ruined the lie. Galean was alive, she knew this because of the vision she had had, and he was grieving for her, torn by the news that she was married to Theodore. Still she could not shake off the anger that she felt for both of them, for everything really, her life, her grandfather, Galean and her new husband.
“What do I do grandma?” she asked hopeful for a reply or something, but nothing happened, just silence.
“Have you lost faith in me too?” she whispered, “I have lost faith in me.” Getting up and straightening her dress, tucking the letter into her pocket and putting the box of fudge under her arm, Eveline left the cemetery and headed home to Theodore, adamant he wouldn’t know about the letter. When she arrived home, Theodore was reading, his glasses on and his legs folded. Eveline closed the door behind her and walked past him without speaking, going into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. Standing over the cooked she breathed in some deep breaths, calming herself down.
“Eveline?”
Eveline turned and saw Theodore leaning against the doorframe, his glasses in his hand. Eveline smiled weakly at her husband.
“Yes?” she answered timidly.
“Everything alright?” he asked concerned.
“Yes, I was just a tad upset at the cemetery,” she replied truthfully, taking the pot of hot water and pouring it into her cup, before setting it back on the cooker. Theodore lifted himself away from the doorway and walked over to Eveline kissing her softly on the head, bringing her into his arms.
“I love you,” he murmured feeling her body shake under his embrace.
“I know you do,” she whispered, letting herself cry into his warm jumper.
“If it makes it any more bearable I miss my friends too, even your grandmother,” he replied sweetly. How could she be angry with him? He had given up everything for her and yes that meant he had lost sight of what was right, which meant that people had needlessly died, but he was no monster, he did not mean to cause harm she told herself as she wrapped her arms about his waist.
“You have given up everything for me,” she whispered reassuring herself.
“You have given up a lot for me as well my love, but I love you, I could not live without you at my side,” soothed Theodore, “but I will admit I wish very much that our journey towards marriage was different.” Was this a confession? Was he saying sorry?
“Theodore, what has happened has happened, we cannot go backwards only forwards,” smiled Eveline looking up at her husband and finding sadness in his eyes, he was living with the burden of his mistake she realised, she could not punish him further, she would be cruel to and she was to blame as well.
“It scares me that something will go wrong in June,” admitted Theodore silently, his brows bent in anxiety.
“Nothing will happen to us, we have to have faith,” lied Eveline, because the truth of the matter was that she had been having the same dream about Theodores death, firstly his death by drowning and secondly his death at her coronation. Many nights she walked the garden of their cottage, anxious about those dreams, all of her dreams and visions had been true and exact, she would be stupid to not fear what was to come.
“I will heed your word,” smiled Theodore bending his head and kissing her firmly on the lips. With a sudden urgency Eveline kissed him back passionately, needing to find comfort in his arms, to find solace in his love and block off everything else, including Galean. Theodore took note of his wife’s meaning and picked her up, setting her on the table. “I should move your cup of hot water,” he laughed, quickly moving it away before taking her face in his hands and kissing her softly, first her eyes, then her nose and finally her mouth. Eveline let her hands roam and pulled Theodore’s jumper up over his head, letting him shake it off, dropping it on the floor carelessly.
“Maybe we should go upstairs?” murmured Theodore, kissing her neck.
“No, here,” she sighed huskily, not noticing Galean’s letter falling to the ground. Without replying, Theodore unbuttoned her dress and let it fall beside his shirt and jumper, standing back for a moment to take in her beauty. Eveline, feeling wanton and hot gazed at Theodore, her lips open, and her chest rising and falling rapidly. Theodore quickly took off his shoes, socks and trousers before walking into her embrace, his hands covering her silk undergarments. Gently and with ease he pulled down her silk pants, letting them fall to her ankles before placing his hands on her breasts, warm and full. Eveline felt her body relax under his gaze. No matter how he had gone about winning her heart, he was true and kind and in the end she guessed that was all that mattered, Theodore was her husband not Galean, no matter how unfair it seemed, no matter how twisted she felt. Eveline wrapped her legs about Theodore and lifted her lips to his own, leaving all her woes and troubles to the side, letting herself fall into the safety of her husband.
*
Theodore left Eveline to sleep and went downstairs to pick up their belongings, which lay scattered on the floor. Dishevelled and partly naked, he gathered their belongings in his arms and made to go, suddenly noticing a letter under the table. Bending down he let go of the clothes and picked the letter up. Walking into the living room, he sat down in front of the fire and opened it reading its contents. Time passed as he read the letter, digesting the information. A deep sadness filled his heart, and a raging jealousy burst within. Galean had betrayed him, he was the one meant for Eveline, and he was the one that Gabriel had spoken off.
“He’s dead,” he whispered, the fire of jealousy dying down a bit as he folded the letter up in his hand and sat back against the chair. Theodore didn’t know what to do, she knew, she knew about how everything and instead of hating him she made love to him. He had to know if she loved Galean, it burned within him the jealousy, the possibility of his wife loving another. Theodore understood that his actions had caused the horrific events of that day and understood that Eveline had every right to be angry with him, to detest him, but if she loved Galean in the way that Galean obviously loved her, what was left of their love? Who were they as a couple? Upon hearing footsteps, Theodore quickly shoved the letter down the chair and forced his eyes to look into the fire. Eveline sleepily made her way down the steps, wrapping her gown about her and looking down at Theodore, his face was troubled.
“Are you alright?” she asked quietly, walking over to him and kissing his head li
ghtly before taking a seat on the edge of his chair.
“Yes, perfect,” he replied flatly, looking up into her eyes, tired and drained.
“Okay, I’m going to make us some dinner, will you be alright on your own for an hour or so?” she smiled down at him, noticing something down the side of the chair.
“Don’t worry I am perfectly alright for an hour while you make something to eat, I will go and get a shower,” he answered tightly, bending his wife’s face down and kissing her lightly before getting up and making his way back upstairs, leaving her alone. Eveline waited until he had gone before stuffing her hand down the side of the chair and grasping the letter, bringing it up from the chair and out into the open. Gasping suddenly she looked upstairs, he had found the letter, he had found it and said nothing.
“Oh no,” she whispered anxiously, what was she going to do? Confront him? Getting up, she placed the letter in her pocket and went into the kitchen. She would have to confront him over dinner, she would have to speak the truth once and for all, and so would he.
Theodore stood in the shower for a good half hour contemplating everything. Galean was dead he kept telling himself over and over again, but no body had been found a small voice said within. The necklace Theodore thought, he had seen it before. Slamming his hands against the wall he remembered where he had seen it. Theodore had found Galean drunk in a bar near the west end a few years ago after his wife’s death and the necklace had fallen out of his coat by mistake.
“Where did you get that?” Theodore asked his friend, helping him up from the ground and placing one of his arms over his shoulder, taking the necklace into his hand for safe keeping.
“My mothers,” Galean burped, his face pale with sweat, his eyes swollen with tears.
“Why do you keep it in your coat?” Theodore replied, helping his friend out of the bar much to the annoyance of other people, who had to get up from their seats to make way.
“It’s all I have left of her,” Galean stammered, taking the necklace from Theodore and putting it back into his pocket.
That was where he had seen it thought Theodore, the warm water turning cold. How did Eveline get it? She had said that she awoke wearing it, but how?
“Bastard,” he whispered darkly. Galean was alive he realised, he was alive and had left his mark on his wife, sending Theodore a message. Something within Theodores heart changed, a darkness filled him, stripped him of his kindness and love, she had betrayed him, betrayed his love. He had given up everything to be with her, everything.
Eveline sat down at the piano, waiting for the meat to be ready and placed her fingers on top of the keys. She knew in his look that something had changed in Theodore and she was afraid. Closing her eyes she began to play Edvard Grieg’s piano concerto in A minor, op. 16:111, Allegro Moderato molto E Marcato. It had been a long time since she had played the piano, in fact the last time she had played was with Galean. As she played, she closed her eyes and wept, she felt close to giving up, she had left Keswick in search of purpose and all she had found was chaos. As the music softened she let her head fall back, the beauty and sadness of the song filling her heavy heart with great sorrow. What was the point anymore? She thought as she cried silently. She was in such a mess, such a dreadful and terrible mess and she needed her grandmother. Sorrow turned to anger as the song picked up its pace from sad to happy.
Theodore descended the stairs listening to Eveline’s quite violent playing and turned to the music room, opening the door slightly and watching her play with a fierce determination, her face wet with tears, her hair falling down her back wildly. In that moment Theodore felt pity for his wife, his anger and dark jealousy subsiding for a moment. As he watched her fingers dance over the keys he was reminded of Bath, of her beautiful playing, how she had conquered his heart without even knowing. Theodore realised that much of his anger was towards himself, yes she was partly to blame if she did in fact love Galean, but if she didn’t, then none of this was her fault, it was his.
Eveline lifted her fingers, the song ending abruptly and turned round to see Theodore staring at her.
“Theodore,” she whispered quietly, her eyes sad and forlorn.
“Come let us eat,” Theodore said kindly, turning and making his way to the kitchen letting her follow. Silently Eveline set out the dinner, keeping her eyes lowered as she sat down, taking off her apron and casting it over a chair. Both sat in awkward silence as they ate their dinner, not looking at one another. When Eveline had finished eating she took the letter from her pocket and set it on the table, causing Theodore to look at her blankly.
“You read it,” she whispered setting her hands on her lap nervously.
“I did,” answered Theodore quietly, setting down his knife and fork and pushing his plate away.
“And?” Eveline asked anxiously, her stomach full of butterflies.
“And I do not know what to say,” Theodore began.
“I am sure you do,” muttered Eveline, chiding herself for such a bitter retort.
“Do you love him?” Theodore asked seriously watching his wife’s every reaction.
“Why are you asking me that? I am married to you,” she replied quietly.
“Because he obviously was in love with you, and gave you his mother’s necklace,” spat Theodore, pointing to her necklace.
“But I thought this was a present from you?” said Eveline in shock, looking down at the beautiful jewel, not wanting to take it off ever.
“No, Galean must have given it to you,” Theodore replied darkly.
“But he is dead,” mused Eveline, her face confused, bringing ease to Theodore’s jealousy.
“I do not believe he is,” Theodore answered honestly, because despite his rage, jealousy and sorrow he was an angel once, and honesty and truth were core to every angel.
“But where is he then?” asked Eveline thinking of the dream she had had recently.
“I think he has gone home to his father,” answered Theodore matter of factly.
“Why did he give me his mother’s necklace?” mused Eveline, holding it in her fingers, protecting it from his gaze.
“As a reminder of him I suppose,” blinked Theodore.
“Oh,” sighed Eveline awkwardly.
“I need to know if you loved him too,” urged Theodore, his eyes wide with anguish.
“I love you,” Eveline pleaded, “I married you.”
“You married me knowing he was dead Eveline, is that the truth?” Theodore pushed, holding onto the side of the table, trying to control himself.
“No, no I married you because I loved you,” cried Eveline, “yes I was fond of Galean, but I was intended for you, against my grandfather’s wishes against Galean’s advice,” Eveline pleaded gently.
“Did you marry me because you felt sorry for me?”
“No, yes,” Eveline breathed in a deep sigh, “off course I felt sorry for you, you gave up everything to be with me, everything.”
“Yes, I did!” answered Theodore hotly.
“Theodore, I understand why you may jump to conclusions, but you are to blame as well,” Eveline fought back.
“Yes! Yes I am to blame, it was my fault for loving you so much that I didn’t want us to be separated from one another!” Theodore yelled.
“No!” Eveline began finding courage, “you went against Gabriel’s orders, you defied him and in your pride you ended up killing your friends and my grandmother.”
“I did not intentionally mean any harm,” pleaded Theodore a wave of guilt building up within him.
“But it did! I did not know about my heritage or who you were, how could I have foreseen what was to happen?” Eveline cried painfully.
“You could not have I know,” Theodore began, “and I am truly sorry for my misconduct, it was not intentional you must believe me?”
“I do, I do!” cried Eveline, wiping away her tears, “these past few months have killed me, I am so rigid with anxiety, shame, guilt and fear. I have gone fr
om a lonely woman living in a cottage, to Celestine, granddaughter of a God, heir to a throne which happens to be located on another planet.”
“I understand, truly I do, I just need to know, do you love him?” Theodore asked gently. Eveline sat back, choking back her tears, looking at her husband, unable to hide the truth from her eyes. “You do,” he whispered pushing back his chair and getting up.
“Theodore please,” Eveline begged him, getting up and chasing after him, taking his arms.
“Leave me alone, what a fool I have been, a fool!” he yelled turning on her. “I fully take responsibility for my part, but you! I thought you kind, truthful and honest, but you’re not.”
“I didn’t meant to look at Galean in that way, I promise I tried to keep my distance,” pleaded Eveline, clinging to Theodore.
“Did he kiss you?” Theodore asked wildly, his eyes moist with hurt.
“No,” she answered truthfully.
“Did you kiss him?” cried Theodore, his body tense.
“Once,” answered Eveline honestly, biting her lips and tears fell from her eyes. Theodore stepped back, shaking her hands off his arms and looked at her coldly.
One Crown & Two Thrones: The Guardians Page 38