Pledged

by Gwynneth White

  “Unless Jared gets there first.”

  Phineas pursed his lips. “Which brings us to your choices. Do you recall me teaching you about your life before your birth?”

  “One of your less lucid flights of fancy, if you will forgive me for saying so, Phineas.”

  “Hmm . . . then tell me, wise one, why do you love Talitha so much?”

  Caleb’s entire body stiffened. “You’ve lost me.”

  “Then let me help you find yourself.” Phineas wagged his finger under Caleb’s nose. “You love Talitha because she was the one person who could have saved you from Reuel’s Curse. She was the one you have always loved. And will always love.”

  “She’s dead.” Caleb’s voice was bleak. “Jared told me she died when we attacked Ammarod.”

  “Huh! You and Jared! Once such close friends, now such bitter enemies.” With an uncharacteristic show of force, Phineas slapped his hand into his fist. “It has to change, Caleb. It’s time for truth to emerge between the two of you, or how else will you ever lift the curse?”

  “The truth! The truth is that Jared betrayed us to his father. And I ended up having to murder you. I’ve lived with that on my conscience for years now.”

  “No. Caleb, you’re wrong. Watch this.” Phineas waved his arm, once more opening a vision of that cave. There, they saw the mortal Phineas again wagging his finger, this time at young Jared, reprimanding him for spitting a juicy phlegm-ball at Daniel. Then Caleb saw young Jared’s eyes as he faced their mentor. It was clear that, although making mischief, he adored Phineas.

  “Ask yourself, Caleb: Would that boy really have plotted with his father to kill me, just so that he could become Marlthas’s favourite? Especially when he already had all the credentials needed to over-shadow you and Daniel?” Phineas paused, hating having to say all this. “You see, Jared could never be blamed for your mother’s death. It was childbirth that weakened and then killed Cassandra. Your father has never forgiven you – or Daniel – for that.”

  Caleb gnawed his thumbnail, not wanting to hear Phineas’s words.

  Still Phineas persevered. “Caleb my friend, only you have the capacity to stop the war with Jared.”

  “Why me?” Caleb demanded. “He’s as much to blame as I am.”

  “Ah, but you are not yet Pledged. You fight Jared through choice; he fights you because he’s cursed.”

  “Yes. We all curse the day Jared was born.”

  Phineas looked up at the Gefallen surging around the bubble. “The only ones who rejoice in your and Jared’s enmity are Reuel and his Gefallen.” When Caleb’s scowl deepened, Phineas added, “Please understand, the only thing that can stop Jared from fighting is love. But, as it is love Reuel’s Curse attacks, Jared would need monumental strength of character to make peace with you on his own. And, sadly, none of Reuel’s Sons have ever displayed that kind of strength. But because you are yet free of the curse, it will be easier for you to forgive him.” Phineas waited for Caleb to answer, but he remained silent. With a sigh, he changed the subject. “So, Caleb. Am I to understand that you fear being the father of that blue-eyed lad Lucien showed you?”

  Caleb flinched; then gave one cursory nod.

  “Good. Would you like the solution to the problem?”

  “You know I would.”

  “It is very easy. Determine right now to never consummate your marriage to Sophia – and then stick to it.”

  “But, Sophia–”

  “Yes, I know, she’s . . .” Phineas gave a low wolf-whistle and waved his hands in the air, imitating Sophia’s curves. “But take her to your bed and you will be cursed. Possibly forever. No different than if you went down on bended knee before your father.”

  “Then why’s she here? And what about her hypnotic eyes? How’s all this fair?”

  “Such is Reuel’s Curse and Gideon’s Prophecy.” Phineas paused. “As you know, it was lust for the adoration of people that inspired Reuel to curse his posterity. To lift that curse, you must prove that you are above that lust.”

  “I’ve done everything in my power to fight against my father and Reuel. I even gave up Talitha, rather than becoming Pledged!”

  “Yes, you have. And it’s been truly marvellous watching you fight for your freedom.” Phineas cocked his head to one side. “Although, I believe you could have married Talitha – and still have avoided becoming Pledged.”

  “How?” Caleb demanded.

  “If you had done what Talitha had asked and married her – with or without your father’s permission – you would have lifted the curse. In that very moment Jared would have been freed. And the Jared I know would have stood by you against your father. Daniel would have too. The three of you would have been unassailable. That’s why Reuel’s Sons have to stick together.” Phineas pursed his lips, watching Caleb absorb that thought. From his face it was clear Phineas was hoping for some reaction, but he merely shook his head sadly when Caleb finally replied:

  “You were going to tell me why Sophia’s here.”

  “Yes, I was. But first you must know that our fiery, beautiful Sophia is innocent in all of this. She has been taught, and believes with full purpose of heart, that her son is vital for the freedom of Shenaya. It is up to you to teach her that there is a better way to lift the curse – so that she too can be free.”

  “That still doesn’t answer my question of why she’s here.”

  It took Phineas a moment to reply. “Sophia has been offered to you as a test – an exercise in self-control, if you will – to see if you can overcome your lust by refusing to sleep with her. The threat of a deadly son is just an added incentive. To strengthen your resolve to resist her, so to speak.”

  “That’s some test Phineas,” Caleb moaned. “It’s madness. I hate her so much, but I want her so much too.”

  “You do not hate her, Caleb. You hate what she represents in the same way that you love Talitha for all the good she could have brought to your life.”

  “Talitha is dead. Sophia is all that’s left.”

  “No, Caleb. Talitha is alive. And she still loves you, even after everything that has happened. Renounce your betrothal to Sophia, and I promise you that Talitha, and everything else that belongs to you, will be returned to you.”

  Caleb’s heart raced; sweat break out on his hands and the back of his neck. “But Jared saw Talitha . . . and her mother . . . hacked up. He told me what happened. Everything.”

  “Yes, everything,” Phineas answered dryly.

  “What are you saying? That he lied?”

  Phineas nodded.

  “The swine!” Caleb leapt to his feet.

  Phineas grabbed him, pulling him back down. “Jared had many reasons – some of them good – for what he did. Make your peace with him, and let him explain.”

  “Like everyone, you’re obviously on his side.”

  “No, Caleb. I take no sides between you boys. I love you both equally. I’m here to tell you that Talitha is alive. I’m begging you to refuse to finalise your marriage to Sophia. I’m pleading with you to lift the curse. Not just on Jared, your oldest and closest living friend, but on everyone who’s gone before you. And will come after you.”

  “So – if I believe you – where’s Talitha now?”

  “Make your peace with Jared and he will tell you.”

  “What would happen to Sophia, if I gave her up?”

  Phineas took a deep breath, and said a few words of silent prayer. “Just like you and Talitha, Jared and Sophia have loved each other for a very long time. And, while choices in mortality may change things, it was always the plan that they would marry.”

  Caleb burst into bitter laughter. “Jared doesn’t love Sophia! He’s just a lying bastard who’s using her like he uses everyone else. She might be fool enough to have fallen for him. But him for her – never.”

  “That may be, Caleb, but it’s really not your concern, is it? To lift the curse – to have Talitha – you have to overcome your hatred of Jared. Th
at’s why we’ve shown you all those visions.”

  “Okay, Phineas, say the impossible happens and Jared and I make peace – and elephants grow wings and fly – what then? How do I have Talitha?”

  “You must publically renounce your betrothal to Sophia, and then you must fight your father for Jared’s and Sophia’s right to be together – should they so wish it.”

  Caleb leapt to his feet. “Fight my father for Jared’s rights! When he just takes what he wants anyway. You’re joking, right?”

  “If you want Talitha, then yes, that is what you must do.”

  “You keep saying that I’ll have Talitha, but how do I know you’re telling the truth? I could fight my father, give up everything, and find that it’s all a lie: there is no Talitha. Just Jared winning. Again.”

  Phineas stood and faced him. “Caleb, why would I do that to you?”

  “Because you’re crazy enough! You’re all crazy enough – all you dead people. You allowed me to murder you for a stupid Stone and a story about curses and prophecies. You must have known what my father would do. You must have guessed how it would destroy Jared and my brotherhood. But you did it anyway. You care nothing for us – any of us. And I want nothing more to do with you – or your flaming Gefallen.” Caleb leapt up off the ledge, back up onto the grass, and strode towards the Fortress.

  “Caleb, wait!” Phineas stared at the seething mass of Gefallen, poised for Caleb’s foot to cross the threshold of the protective bubble.

  “Go to hell, Phineas,” Caleb shouted as he stepped into the invisible, victorious dead.

  Erin and Seth waited for the Gefallen to possess him; but only one wraith, handpicked by Reuel, slithered up to him. Seething with rage, Caleb barely noticed the icy shiver that rippled through him as she embedded herself into his soul.

  A keening, coming from the direction of the ledge, pulled Erin and Seth’s attention away from Caleb. Phineas was sitting, clutching his legs, his face buried in his knees, rocking back and forth. “I failed, Gideon, I failed. I could not persuade him. I’ve lost my boy, again. Worthless wretch that I am.”

  Gideon stepped out of the Fourth Dimension and placed a hand on Phineas’s shoulder. “You did your best, my friend. And the battle isn’t yet over. There’s still time. Come, let us strategise.” Gideon pulled Phineas to his feet and they both disappeared into the world of the dead.

  * * *

  It took Seth and Erin a full minute to take it all in. Then Erin sloughed off the backpack, dropped it onto the grass and flopped down next to it. “I need chocolate. Lots of it.”

  “Me too. And I don’t even like the stuff.”

  “Seth, I can’t do any more tonight. I’m–”

  “Wasted. Me too. Let’s sleep here.” Not that he planned to get much sleep; there was just too much to think about for that. Phineas had given him insight he could not have imagined possible and he had to have some time to himself to process it all.

  Erin looked at the prickly grass. It didn’t look inviting.

  Seeing her hesitation, Seth smiled cheekily at her. “You can use me as a pillow. Until I roll over in my sleep and dump you.”

  Erin grinned, gently punching his abs. “A hard pillow. Not the feathers I usually lie on.”

  Seth grabbed her hand because her touch just made it harder for him to resist her. “I think you’ll cope.” He lay down on the grass and patted his stomach. “Now sleep, Sparkles.”

  Although Erin thought Seth’s instance that they crash down on the grass somewhat odd, she was exhausted, so, without comment, she rested her head on his stomach. But there wasn’t much chance of sleep; her pulse was racing too much for that. Lying together, both too scared to move in case they accidently touched each other beyond the limit Seth had set, they watched the stars. Finally, Erin rolled over to look at Seth’s face. “I’ve been thinking. Caleb and Jared, Sophia and Talitha, and all these other dead people are probably watching us right now.”

  Seth gave a self-conscious chuckle. “Watching us watching them. And, if they’re Guardians, they’re probably reading our thoughts too. It’s a bit creepy.”

  Erin waved her hand in the air, giggling. “Hi guys. Go easy on us. Like you, we’re just doing our best here.”

  Seth mussed her hair, and although he was desperate for time on his own, he couldn’t resist getting her opinion on one of the things that was bothering him about Phineas’s and Caleb’s meeting. “Erin, how come the Guardians are so random? I mean, here’s Phineas telling Caleb to avoid Sophia like a plague, while Stephanie is yelling at her to make babies with him. And Kate? She kept telling Talitha to run like hell from Caleb–”

  “Meanwhile she’s his soul mate, the one who could have protected him from the curse,” Erin finished, sitting up to look at Seth. “I know. I don’t get it either. All I can think is that Kate was trying to protect Talitha from actually sleeping with Caleb before he married her. You know the saying: why buy the cow if you can have the milk for free.”

  Seth chuckled. But then seeing her eyes, bright due to the second-wind the discussion had given her, he reached up and pulled her back down onto his stomach. “I should have known better than to set you on an answer hunt. You’re too tired for this right now. So sleep, Sparkles. Tomorrow’s gonna being another hectic day of dead-spotting.”

  “You’re right. Tomorrow then.” Erin snuggled down onto Seth’s stomach. She was asleep long before Seth’s mind finally stopped churning.

  Thanks to Phineas, he now knew exactly who Reuel’s mortal helper was. The question was: did he stay in Shenaya, or did he go back to Kyle?

  Chapter 16

  LIES, DAMN LIES

  The sun had just breached the horizon when Erin awoke. She stretched, trying to get some feeling back into her stiff, aching muscles. As Seth had warned, he’d rolled over once asleep, and Erin had spent the rest of the night on the hard ground. Seth woke as she stirred. He sat up, looking bleary-eyed.

  “Sorry to wake you.” Erin yawned. “But it’s another day in Shenaya.”

  “How many is that now?”

  Erin thought for a moment. “That was night three. If you count the Mists of Time.” Her stomach rumbled. “I’m starving. We didn’t get to eat last night.” A wooden platter of food sitting next to them caught her eye. “Thanks, Guardians.” She grabbed two pieces of crumbly bread, bit into one and handed the other to Seth. He took it without even a word of thanks. That surprised her. “You’re very quiet this morning, Seth.”

  “Just thinking.”

  She smiled at him. “Anything to share?”

  “No.” Seth shoved another chunk of bread into his mouth. He had made a decision about Kyle, and he wasn’t ready to involve Erin in it yet.

  Erin bit her lip, worried that the icy Seth was back. But because she didn’t trust her own crazy moods, she was scared of what would happen if she tackled him. They ate their meal in silence.

  Erin had just finished packing up the remaining food for them to have at lunchtime when Seth said, “Three nights. I wonder if an equivalent amount of time has passed in the real world? Kyle and your sisters must be getting worried about us.” He dragged the backpack over and pulled out the diamond.

  Erin frowned, suddenly nervous. “What are you doing with that?”

  He lay back, leaning against his elbow, studying the Stone. “What are you going to do when all this is over?” What he really wanted to ask was how she saw their lives meshing. He wanted to be with her – even with her insane mood swings. And he was pretty confident that the feeling was mutual – even though he wasn’t the easiest person to get along with either. But Cape Town, where Erin’s life was based, was on the other side of the Earth to the School of Art in New York where he was headed in September. One of them would have to make a sacrifice for them to be together. He needed to know what the stakes were for Erin before he could even begin to weigh up the costs.

  “What do mean by ‘over’?” Erin asked, hiding her nervousness.

&nbs
p; “When the curse is lifted, and life goes back to normal.” He looked at her steadily. “It has to go back to normal, Erin.”

  Erin didn’t like the direction of Seth’s question. “I start writing my Matric – that’s what we call our school finals – in a couple of months’ time.” She looked at him quizzically. But, as was so often the case, Seth’s beautiful face told her nothing. Guarded. That’s what Kate called him. And he sure is living up to that this morning. She found herself babbling. “You know, I was so surprised when my mom let me come to Botswana so close to my exams. She’s not usually that indulgent and I know she wanted me to use my holiday to study. And I thought it was my cool persuasive abilities that turned her around, but now I’m thinking it may have been intervention from the dead.” Still no comment from Seth. “Why the questions?”

  “I’ll bet you’ve spent your whole school life preparing for your finals.”

  “Of course. My future’s important to me.” She paused, frowning. “I just hope we get out of Shenaya in time for me to write my Matric. I mean, how long can this all go on? Pretty soon my mom’s going to send in the cavalry to look for me.”

  Seth didn’t want to get to drawn into that discussion, although it was always at the back of his mind. “Tell me about your future.”

  She tried to keep her tone light, but even she heard nerves bleeding through her voice at his cold detachment as he quizzed her. “Drama.” She pulled all her acting skills together and said cheerfully, “I want to study Drama and English at The University of Cape Town. So I can teach kids to express themselves. And to enjoy good literature.”

  He chuckled. “I can see that in the way you boss me around and mimic people. You’d be good.” Then he sighed, still staring at the diamond.

  Erin longed to snatch it away, but, as he’d already pointed out, he owned fifty percent of the Stone. She gnawed the inside of her mouth, wondering what to say to break his mood.

  Without warning, Seth stood. “Come, let’s get going.” Before Erin could even protest, he had stroked the diamond’s facetted face.