One Crown & Two Thrones: The Prophecy

by Iseult O'Shea

  “I trust you,” Eveline smiled up into his face, watching his lips curve into a deep smile, his eyes creasing.

  “You scared me there for a moment,” he laughed weakly, his hands still on her arms.

  “I’m sorry, I know today is poignant for you,” Eveline said with shame. “Shall we have something to eat?”

  “Yes,” Galean exclaimed as they both made their way back to their coats.

  Still slightly ashamed of herself, Eveline ate in silence as the air was filled the squawks of seagulls close by. Galean was quiet and reserved, his eyes distant and distracted. The sun was high in the sky still and Eveline a little overcome with tiredness, lay back upon the sand and closed her eyes, crossing her feet and placing her arms under her head for comfort. She could feel him close to her and tried to distract herself from the need to feel closer, her eyelids pink as the rays hit her eyes. She concentrated on her senses, smelling the heavy scent of the sea air and feeling the salty moisture upon her skin and in her hair. Galean turned his eyes upon her and pressed his hand down beside her head so that he could cower over her, intrigued by her face, fascinated by her expressions. She had one arm bent under her head and the other across her body, her hand resting upon her heart. Eveline felt his gaze and opened her eyes slightly, her golden gaze penetrating into his blue, his face shielding her from the sun. Without words she lifted her hand to his chest, letting it rest upon his heart and smiled. Galean looked down into her eyes with a serious expression before laying a hand upon her own heart as they had done upon their first meeting. He felt her hand move, gently rising to touch his face. For a moment she traced his features delicately before she let her fingers delve into his golden locks. With gentle urging she forced him to bend down lower, raising her lips to meet his. A thousand suns filled her as their lips touched lightly. Eveline opened her eyes and found his own bright and overflowing with emotion. Galean lifted his hand away from her heart and placed it down into the sand near to her waist. Eveline lifted her arm away from under her head and wrapped it about his neck as they touched lips once again, a little heavier this time, their bodies touching. A rush of warmth spread throughout her as she saw stars fill her vision, his fingers tenderly stroking her skin through her blouse. In that moment, she felt unburdened by her troubles, if he stood she stood and if he fell she would fall with him. With her fingers she explored his throat and shoulders, his hands winding their way under her back and pulling her up so that they sat in one another’s arms. Galean’s hands held her gently as she leaned into him, his hand finding the back of her neck tenderly, tracing the delicate bones of her spine with his fingers. Time and light merged as one until their lips parted, there breathes mingling as their lashes brushed each other’s eyelids softly. Eveline touched his lips lightly with her fingers, a small smile as he rested his forehead against her own, sighing with love.

  *

  “Eveline?” Estelle whispered to the sleeping form. Galean stood away from the bed and watched on as Eveline began to cry. Belle sat on the far end of the bed with Wordsworth as Eveline awoke from a deep sleep.

  “Galean?” she whispered awaking with a pain in her heart as she realised it had been a dream. Galean strode over to her and clasped her hand.

  “Eveline? Are you okay?” he asked with concern, seeing the pain in her darkened eyes as she wept. “What happened?”

  “It was a dream,” she whispered through her tears.

  “Was it a nightmare?” Galean asked softly as Estelle looked on with concern.

  “No,” Eveline shook her head as a tear fell down the side of her cheek, falling onto her pillow. “It was so beautiful that it hurts to awaken.” Galean saw it in her eyes, saw the pain that awaking from her dream had brought and wondered what it was that she had dreamt about. He felt her grasp, unwavering and unfaltering. “I found myself.”

  “Found yourself?” Galean whispered. Estelle stepped forward, causing Eveline’s gaze to shift.

  “Eveline you have been asleep for hours, you need to eat, come let me help you up,” she said with gentle firmness. Galean feeling Estelle’s eyes on him, dropped Eveline’s hand and moved away to the window with furrowed brows. Belle jumped down from the bed and walked over to Galean and rested her head against him.

  “Why is she crying?” Belle whispered up at him.

  “She is just tired,” Galean said calmly, picking Belle up into his arms. “Would you like to go for a walk with Mary and Wordsworth?”

  “Will Evie be alright?”

  Galean looked over at Eveline who was now sitting up against her pillows being tended too by Estelle.

  “She will be up on her feet soon,” Galean lied as Eveline met his gaze, disorientated and aggrieved. Estelle turned to them.

  “Can you take Belle and Wordsworth downstairs for a while?”

  “Yes of course,” Galean returned with a weak smile. Turning he slapped his thigh. “Come Wordsworth.”

  Eveline watched him leave the room and felt the same pain in her heart and began to cry again against her mother’s shoulder.

  “Eveline it is okay,” Estelle soothed as she rubbed her daughter’s back gently.

  “Where is Theodore?”

  “He is on his way home now,” Estelle replied as Eveline pulled herself away.

  “Good.”

  “Do you want to tell me about the dream?”

  Eveline shook her head, no her dream would only ever be between herself and Galean.

  “Okay, Mary is sending up a tray.”

  “Don’t let me die,” Eveline whispered with urgency.

  “Eveline you know I wouldn’t let you die,” Estelle said with a shaking voice. She thought it better not to mention the episodes of violence that had occurred during the previous night, violence mainly aimed at herself. Eveline had spoken in a language quite unknown to Estelle and her once beautiful eyes had darkened considerably to such a depth of blackness that Estelle felt disturbed to the pit of her stomach as Galean fought the possessed Eveline. If it hadn’t had been for Galean and his friends, Estelle perished to think what would have happened to herself. In the moments of insanity, her daughter had incredible strength a strength that Estelle could not match. And yet she had noticed with a mixture of relief and wonder the affect that Galean had on her daughter, the darkness that would consume her would evaporate in his presence as though he was able to get beneath the layers of darkness and reach her, bringing her back to life.

  A knock at the door brought Estelle out of her thoughts. Mary entered with a tray and wary look.

  “How is she?”

  “Awake and better,” Estelle whispered to her friend with a weak smile.

  “I have made her some broth, it should fill her,” Mary said as she handed the tray over to Estelle. “Theodore and Jophiel have returned, he said that he would be up at once.”

  “Does he have the antivenin?” Estelle asked with desperate eyes. Mary smiled at Estelle before turning her gaze to Eveline who was listening on.

  “Yes.”

  As they sighed in unison the door opened and Theodore entered with Jophiel and Galean at his heels.

  “Eveline!” he sighed coming to her and kissing her forehead. Eveline wrapped her arms about Theodore and held him tight.

  “I’m glad you are home,” she whispered in his hair. Jophiel and Galean watched the scene with distraught eyes.

  “How was Alexis?” Galean asked Jophiel.

  “We were followed by shadows,” Jophiel answered under her breathe as Theodore took out the boxes and set them by Eveline’s bed on the side table.

  “Jophiel do you have the medicine and instruments?” Theodore asked as he looked up from Eveline.

  “Yes,” Jophiel answered as she stepped forward.

  “I will need everyone to leave the room for ten minutes,” Theodore said aloud. Mary and Estelle nodded and left the room. Theodore looked over at Galean. “Everyone.” Galean bowed his head and left the room, standing outside with his head bent agains
t the wall.

  XII

  Kiss of Fate

  The sound of a kiss is not as loud as that of a cannon, but its echo lasts a great deal longer…

  Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

  The house had undergone a festive make over as the fund raising ball approached. Small Christmas trees had been placed in each of the four large main rooms that were to be used for the formal function. Beautiful garlands had been wrapped about the banister and set upon the hearths of the four large fires that were alit. The dining room table was laden with beautiful wreaths, candles and ornaments, with the finest silver on display and around fifty guests had been invited arriving just before the clock struck seven. Outside, flakes of snow had begun to drop casting a romantic illusion across the park and street, alit with gas lamps. A string quartet filled the house with festive music as the guests filled the rooms. Amidst the music and raised voices Galean found himself hiding in the library, pacing to and fro before Theodore.

  “She has improved greatly in the last twenty four hours,” Theodore said as he stood before a small mirror, tending to his bow tie. “I told her to stay in our room and rest for the evening but she wouldn’t listen to me, something about showing Mary her appreciation and wanting to dress up.”

  “Theodore you only have one vial of antivenin left,” Galean said with exhausted eyes. “Tell me what your plan is on ensuring that Eveline lives?”

  Theodore stopped straightening his bow and looked through the reflection of the mirror to Galean, whose head was in his hands. A crease formed on Theodore’s forehead as the bud of jealousy sprung to life.

  “We leave in the morning for London, once their Gabriel will know what to do.”

  “Even he will need the venom of Nagtium to cure Eveline,” Galean said quietly, miffed as to how his friend was simply brushing aside the importance of Eveline’s predicament. If he had been in control, she would be in London under the supervision of Gabriel or better yet Heiden. But he wasn’t in control of the situation, he had been forbidden to tend to Eveline since Theodores return out of a need for her to have some space and privacy. Galean understood Theodore’s true reasoning and found himself defeated, Jophiel also cautioning him to stay away.

  “There will be another way,” Theodore said seriously, turning to Galean with stern eyes. “Gabriel will know how to save her.”

  “You’re leaving it too late Cael, she should have been taken to London yesterday; Lagmar be damned! The longer she stays here the more vulnerable she becomes and the more dangerous this whole situation becomes.”

  “We all agreed to keep her here until the ball was over for her safety and to ensure that Lagmar wouldn’t suspect anything untoward,” Theodore argued roughly.

  “She tried to kill Estelle for God’s sake! What other incentive do you need?”

  “I know you think or believe that you know what is best for Eveline but let me remind you that I am her husband and we all agreed to wait until the morning!”

  “I wish you would let go of your pride for a moment and open your eyes Cael, instead you’re putting your pride in front of her safety, for what?”

  Galean rose from the sofa and stood tall before Theodore.

  “Whatever it is that lingers between yourself and Eveline, let it go,” Theodore said quietly, his face dark. “She doesn’t belong to you. Save yourself the pain and go home where you are needed.”

  “Is that a threat?” Galean said curtly, stepping forward, closing the distance between them. “I am your friend or have you forgotten that?”

  “You have become too close to her,” Theodore said with a firm voice. “Can you honestly tell me friend to friend, man to man that you have not grown fond of her?”

  Galean took in a breath, his hands curling into tight fists. He knew he couldn’t lie, he knew that his eyes had already betrayed him the moment Theodore had asked the question. He had grown accustomed to her, her pain was his own, he had crossed the line of propriety and honour the moment she had placed her hand upon his chest, sending an electrifying surge throughout his body, mind and soul. He knew that Theodore was right, he had to leave, now, tonight before he went too far. If it was love- a feeling he had sworn off upon the death of his family- he was feeling then he had to do what was right for Eveline, he had to leave never to return. He could not watch her struggle in her marriage, could not betray his once best friend and most of all he could not betray his own principles, had someone done the same to him when his wife was alive he knew he wouldn’t have been so accommodating as Theodore had been.

  “I will leave this evening,” Galean said abruptly, striding past Theodore and exiting the library. As he waded his way through the thicket of the crowd he found Belle and Mary.

  “Galean!” Belle smiled up at him, beautifully dressed in cream and red, her hair tied back with a red ribbon.

  “Belle you look very festive this evening,” he smiled, kissing her forehead lightly. “Mary you look very beautiful as well.”

  “Mr Edwards you are always so courteous,” Mary coloured lightly, her eyes betraying her merry façade. He knew the pain she felt for her only son, knew that the festivities of Christmas would never curtail the depth of grief that clung to her every moment of existence.

  “Thank you for letting me stay here as your guest these last two weeks,” Galean said with solemn eyes as he took her hand into his own. “It has been a pleasure to know you.”

  “Why Mr Edwards you sound as though you are taking your leave for good,” Mary said softly with grave eyes, she had greatly come to appreciate his company in the evenings so much so that the thought of him leaving left her feeling bereft.

  “No, I am just retiring to bed early, I have a headache,” Galean lied as Belle held onto his hand, observing the conversation with an anxious expression upon her face. Galean looked down at her. “Don’t eat too much,” he smiled gently at the child whose face was filled with confusion.

  “Estelle said I could have some milk and cake,” Belle returned with rosy cheeks and sparkling green eyes. “Will I see you tomorrow for our walk?”

  “Of course,” Galean said through gritted teeth. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”

  “Night Mr Edwards,” Mary said with feeling, kissing his cheek lightly.

  “Night Galean,” Belle smiled before Mary guided her away into the crowd as Galean made his way up the stairs.

  *

  Eveline looked at her reflection and smiled slightly, Mary had given her a beautiful red, asymmetrical silk chiffon gown that fell elegantly to the ground, highlighting her slim figure. With cold fingers she traced the red velvet belt about her waist, the material soft against her touch. She opened a little box that lay before her on the dressing table and produced a pair of ruby earring’s and put them on delicately, smiling as they sparkled brightly. Her thick auburn hair had been beautifully pinned back by her mother, who had helped her into the elegant evening gown. She turned her body slightly to look at the back. She could see her soft shoulder blades, naked and smooth. The short sleeves of her dress where chiffon and they gently flowed down the side of her back until they met with the empire waistline. Turning back to face the mirror she let her fingers trace the contaminated area of her throat that had greatly been reduced in response to the antivenin. With a little powder, her throat looked normal and pale like the rest of her. She was due to have another dose of the medication in three hours and hoped that her husband would remember. Usually the hour before she was due another shot she felt herself change and alter in a radical way, her body beginning to burn with a fever, her eyes beginning to darken and her mind submitting the beast within. She knew not how to really explain to those around her what happened when she found herself falling into the abyss within her mind, only that a creature much greater and more powerful than herself overtook her and she became a small and insignificant prisoner, willingly obeying the creature within. It frightened Eveline- the sudden change that could occur, she knew that she had disturbed those around he
r, knew that she felt herself becoming obsessed with killing her mother and more so of late, her only real friend and confidant, Galean. With a shake of her head she put her woes to the side and picked up a small bottle of perfume, spraying it lightly upon her neck and wrists. Galean had been refused entry to see her and she knew that tonight she would be able to find him and speak to him, hopefully without the eyes of her mother and husband on her. Since she had awoken from that beautiful and haunting dream, her need of his presence became necessary.

  As she put on her heeled shoes she noticed a small package being edged under the door and stopped tending to her feet. The shadow of a person passed by, stopping for a moment in hesitation before walking away. Assured that the person had quite gone, Eveline rose to her feet and walked to the door, picking up the small package, wrapped in tissue paper. For a moment she simply turned it about in her hands before pacing back to her dressing table and sitting down. She touched the paper lightly before gently tearing it apart to reveal a small, black, leather bound bible. The tissue fell to the floor as she drew in a quiet gasp of emotion. Amidst the horror of the Bristol bombings she had lost not only parts of her clothing, but her small bible as well which had been a gift from her mother. With tear filled eyes she opened the small bible and found an inscription within.

  It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.

  Galean.

  A tear fell upon the page, marking his name as she brought the book to her lips and kissed the inscription with fervent love and devotion.

  “I am a crook whose hands should render themselves to ash to be holding such a book of morals,” she whispered with her eyes closed. “To be married to one and to love another.” With a beating heart filled with guilt and betrayal she closed the small book and rose once more from her chair making for her bed side table. Opening the top drawer she placed the little bible within, under her book of poetry and closed the drawer. A knock startled Eveline from her thoughts. Quickly she closed her drawer and tip toeing over to her dressing table.