by Unknown
Giving in to impulse, Kalaan leaned over and gently placed his lips on hers. As he did so, he let out a low growling moan, feeling a burning desire growing in his loins. Virginie sighed, her sweet breath caressing Kalaan’s face and he closed his eyes and sat up groaning under his breath. God, but he wanted her!
“What are you doing?”
He hadn’t heard Isabelle come into the room, so her voice startled him. And yet he took his time pulling away from Virginie, and continued to gaze at her despite his sister’s presence.
“I think I’m falling in love,” he confessed in a low voice, lost in his contemplation of Virginie’s lovely face, enhanced by the long Venetian-blond hair that framed it.
Isabelle laid a hand on her brother’s shoulder. “This is the first time you’ve opened your heart and spoken so freely to me,” she said, feeling very moved.
“And from now on, I will do it more often.” Kalaan placed his hand on hers before turning to look at his sister. “I have not been the big brother you wished for, but I will make up for the lost time, I give you my word!”
“Oh, Kalaan!” Isabelle exclaimed, throwing herself into his arms and holding him very tight against her. Virginie, jostled a little in her sleep, grunted and rolled over turning her back to them, making Kalaan and Isabelle laugh softly.
“As you’ve admitted your attachment for Ginny, There is something I feel you should know. She has feelings for you as well.” As she spoke, Isabelle looked her brother in the eyes and saw his astonishment.
“What!”
“Actually, she confessed to having feelings for Catherine.”
“Catherine?” Kalaan asked, taken aback. “But she’s a woman!”
“You are such an idiot.” Amused by her brother’s reaction, Isabelle spoke with tenderness. “What she feels is for you, the man. Her body and her soul recognized you, but it confuses her when she sees you during the day…”
“She sees the thing,” Kalaan said, finishing his sister’s sentence for her. “Lord, how I wish this curse would end right now!”
“As do I, my dear brother. It would make our lives much easier. However, I must admit I’ve become somewhat attached to your feminine side.”
“There is absolutely nothing feminine about me!” the count protested with false indignation. He was delighted at the newly developed sense of complicity with his sister. Isabelle laughed, ruffling his hair.
“I am just teasing you, but one day you will have to tell Virginie, and the sooner, the better.” She added, in more serious tone.
“She would not understand.”
“Mother and I did, as well as Salam and Lil’ Louis. And we did not turn our backs on you! It will be the same for Virginie. I’m positive. Talk to her before it’s too late and she finds out for herself.”
“It’s not the right moment. She’s already shaken enough as it is right now.”
“What do you mean?” Isabelle asked, perplexed.
“That we have a big, no an enormous, problem and his name is Darius. He is a very dangerous man. I heard rumors of his scheming when I was in His Majesty’s service. Borgas is involved in some highly unscrupulous business and Virginie knows something about it.”
“Oh!”Isabelle exclaimed. “Was he the reason she swooned? I thought it was that horrible story about the dismembered man!”
“It was most likely a combination of the two.” Kalaan replied grimly. “Now, to discover why, and what he wants from Virginie. Nothing good, I’m certain of that, knowing the man. We will have to keep our eyes open and never leave her side. I hope I can rely on you for the utmost discretion; and I am not asking, but telling you, to stay away from that man. Is that clear, Isabelle?”
“The tyrannical brother has returned,” Isabelle murmured, pouting.
“No, ‘tis the caring brother, who watches over his loved ones as he should have done over the past years rather than abandoning you. Please, promise me you will stay away from him!”
“I give you my word.”
Gwendoline was putting the finishing touches on Virginie’s bun, when the door flew open and a very energetic Catherine entered, closely followed by the yapping husky.
“Oh! Mademoiselle Virginie is not ready to receive visitors!” Gwendoline scolded, showing little respect for a noblewoman and member of the Croz family to boot. The chambermaid’s priority was, above all, her young mistress’ peace of mind.
“That’s quite all right, Gwen,” Virginie said as she stood up and smoothed her navy blue velvet skirt with her slender hands.
“How are you feeling today?” Catherine asked, examining the bruised bump on her friend’s forehead. “It’s still quite red and swollen and in a day or two it will turn purple, then a lovely greenish yellow; but rest assured, it hardly mars your appearance.”
Virginie let out a peal of laughter; Catherine was definitely one to speak her mind, just like her cousin Kalaan! The young woman flushed when she realized where her train of thought had led her.
“Mmm, thank you!” she said, smiling. “I see you have made a new friend,” she added nodding at the husky.
“Yes, Skedaddle and I have become inseparable, especially now that the old bat wants nothing more to do with the poor animal. The idiot is afraid of wolves!”
Virginie chuckled and by the time Gwendoline left the room, she was in giggles.
“What was that name you used?”
“Idiot?”
“No! For the husky!”
“Oh, him! I call him Skedaddle.”
Virginie sat back down on the chair at her dressing table and burst into uncontrollable laughter. The husky, not understanding the commotion, went over to her whining and started to lick her hands. Perhaps the dog thought and rightfully so, that she was injured. But all that was just an unpleasant memory now thanks to Jaouen’s potion.
“Oh Catherine, if you didn’t exist, someone would have to invent you! And to what do I owe the honor of your visit this morning?” Virginie asked, trying to regain her composure.
“I’ve come to get you for mass, of course! Have you had breakfast at least?” Catherine was looking at the breakfast tray Gwendoline forgot to remove. It held the remains of coffee and toast that Virginie couldn’t finish.
“Don’t worry, I feel much better this morning.”
“Well, if need be we can always help ourselves to the communion wafers during the service.”
Virginie opened her eyes wide in shock and wondered for a second if Catherine was actually serious; but then laughed when she saw her friend’s playful wink.
“I’d rather not go with you,” she said in a more serious tone. “In fact, I believe I will keep to my room for… the next few days.” For as long as Darius is here, she said to herself.
Catherine arched her dark well-defined eyebrows and shook her head before taking Virginie’s hand and pulling her up.
“Out of the question! I’m counting on you and your advice on how to behave correctly in front of my aunt’s guests. You can’t abandon me!”
Kalaan wanted the young woman at his side day and night with the idea of protecting her from Darius and his scheming and she would not be safe from that monster alone in this room. The count was confident that Virginie would never refuse his help and her reply confirmed he was right in that assumption.
“Very well,” she quietly agreed, turning a little pale as she lowered her eyes.
Kalaan so desired to tell her that she was safe with him and that he would always be there for her. But he didn’t.
As Catherine, he simply said, “Come, we mustn’t keep Her Grace waiting any longer. She’s nervous enough as it is. We’ll be watching her grandson at work in his future function of priest.”
“Wonderful, I am just dying to go,” Virginie sighed and then, pouting, followed him out of the room dragging her feet.
They went downstairs to the drawing room where everyone was waiting except Salam who was most likely with Jaouen, as had recently become his habit. T
here was also the vile Darius, who smiled cruelly when he saw Virginie. The young woman remained calm and haughtily ignored him.
“The bells are ringing, we’re going to be late for the service!” the duchess exclaimed in her unpleasant voice. “And I want everyone to sing in honor of my Charles-Louis!”
“Well! In that case!” Kalaan exclaimed brushing past the old aristocrat to grab a statuette of the Virgin Mary that was on top of a small bookcase.
“Oh no…” Amélie moaned, helpless to prevent what was happening. She knew perfectly well what her devilish son had in mind. He planned to imitate what Maden used to do whenever she forced Maden to attend mass with her. The tomfoolery was mostly to make his son laugh, but also to tease his wife.
When he had the statue, Kalaan twisted its neck making a popping sound, much to the horror of the Duchess Delatour.
“Sweet Jesus, she’s decapitated the Holy Virgin!” The old bat screamed, on the verge of fainting.
“Now, now, don’t exaggerate.” Kalaan said teasingly. “The head is only a stopper, and if I must sing, then I need strength!” he added drinking the brandy that was inside.
“The statuette… is a… bottle?’ The duchess stammered.
“But of course.”
“That… that is absolutely disgraceful! ‘Tis sacrilege!”
“No. Not sacrilege, simply exquisite,” the count retorted, going to Virginie and taking her by the hand.
They all went to the entrance hall where Clovis and the footmen were waiting with their coats and gloves. Virginie discreetly glanced at the butler who shook his head to let her know that there still wasn’t any mail for her. The young woman told herself that in any case, the detective being dead, a letter would never come; and now it was impossible to prove that Darius was a murderer.
With a heavy heart and walking as fast as possible so as to keep her distance from the despicable individual, Virginie took the path leading to the village church. Kalaan, ever alert, walked next to her. Her silent exchange with Clovis hadn’t escaped his sharp eyes, nor did her disappointment and the sadness in her eyes. It was going to be a long day, until he could shed some light on the story as full-fledged Kalaan and not the thing that was Catherine.
He would go speak to Salam, Jaouen and Lil’ Louis as soon as possible because he needed their help to put a surveillance plan into place. The fox was already in the henhouse and, for once, Kalaan saw his curse as more of a blessing in disguise. As Catherine, he could act as discreetly as necessary.
“Skedaddle! Go home! Now!” he ordered. The husky was trotting along happily behind them.
The animal yelped and whined, and in the end obeyed his master, but only partially. He lay down on the grass near the church and whimpered pitifully. Virginie, standing next to Kalaan, laughed lightly and raised her beautiful eyes to look at him.
“You know how to make people listen, Catherine; if only you could learn to listen as well.”
Kalaan, surprised by her comment, did not know how to respond, and started laughing as they entered the house of the Lord, which was overflowing with people. All the sailors were there, those who knew about the curse, and they all chuckled as he passed by. In his close-fitting dress and with his curls hanging over his ears, Kalaan must have looked absolutely ridiculous. But did that give them the right to jeer at him? Definitely not! Quietly, he looked each and every one of them in the eye and with sadistic smile slid his finger across his throat, to warn them of possible retaliation. The sailors immediately began praying as if their lives depended on it.
A few moments later, not far from the altar, Kalaan began singing, very off key and very loudly in honor of Charles-Louis. All the while he grinned at a very appalled duchess who had gone red in the face with anger. And that is what happens when you visit the Isle of Croz as an unwanted guest!
The day continued in much the same way. Kalaan and Virginie were inseparable, with the husky following them everywhere. Darius tried to approach the young woman several times, but each attempt was easily thwarted and he disappeared for quite awhile before returning to the castle at the end of the afternoon. The anger that drove the man could no longer be denied. It was evident in his strained, highly-strung attitude. He wanted something from Virginie; that much was certain.
At sunset Catherine inevitably turned back into Kalaan, who gave Isabelle the responsibility of watching over Virginie during the supper and the rest of the evening.
“Not for long,” he assured her. “The two of you should stay near our mother. Never leave Virginie alone with Darius and you stay away from him too! I’ll return as soon as possible.” he added just before going out the door to be swallowed up by the fog that had descended on the isle. True to character, Skedaddle ran after his master and also disappeared from Isabelle’s sight.
“What’s the point of telling a dog to ‘come here’ when his name is Skedaddle?” she muttered to herself. She shook her head and quietly laughed at her brother’s sense of humor.
Hidden in the shadows of the hall, someone witnessed the whole scene and was perplexed by the husky’s behavior with the count. It was just one more detail. Doubt was no longer acceptable.
Chapter 16
From bliss to revelations
Thanks to his gift of night vision, Kalaan quickly reached the druid’s home, despite the heavy, salty fog that shrouded the isle. He pushed the door open and then, closing it quickly behind him, sighed with satisfaction. The heat coming from the fireplace was exquisite relief from the penetrating damp cold outside.
“There you are, finally!” Jaouen was seated in his usual place, near the hearth, with Salam and an unusually quiet, obviously intimidated Lil’ Louis next to him on the two remaining stools.
“I came as soon as I could,” Kalaan replied curtly. He looked around for a seat, to no avail; so he decided to perch on the edge of the table.
“Bad choice,” Jaouen commented with amusement, when the table tipped under the count’s weight.
“I thought your furniture didn’t break.” Kalaan teased. Then he noticed an old wood chest, which he pulled up to the group intending to use it as a seat.
“I was talking about the stools, not the table, which I quickly assembled from bits and pieces. Why did you ask us to meet here tonight?”
“Because we have to organize a protection and surveillance plan against a certain Darius Borgas. The man is here, on the island and he is extremely dangerous.”
Jaouen stroked his long white beard thoughtfully, staring off into space. Then he picked up his pipe and lit it with a twig from the fire.
“Who is the protection for?” he asked after exhaling a long plume of thick unusually fragrant smoke.
“Are you smoking mint?” Kalaan exclaimed and broke into laughter.
Jaouen took a long puff on his pipe and somehow managed to look down on Kalaan despite the fact that the young count was still standing in front of him.
“Yes and a few other ingredients. With this humid weather ‘tis a good blend to relieve my old aching bones.”
Just then the group heard a scratching at the door accompanied by panicked barking.
“Good Lord, that husky is such a pest!” Kalaan grumbled, but opened the door to the dog anyway. “Skedaddle! I told you to stay at the castle!”
“Skedaddle?” Lil’ Louis and Jaouen asked at the same time before breaking into laughter.
“Ye sure kin choose ridikilous names fer yer flea bags!” Lil’ Louis said, jokingly, once he’d caught his breath. “Yer da spittin’ image o’ yer papa.”
Seeing Kalaan’s face freeze, the old man turned serious again.
“Va digarez, c’hwiltouz,[60]” he murmured, lowering his head. “I dinna wan t’mek ye sad.”
“Nʼeo ket strict,[61]” Kalaan replied, amicably. “I’m proud and honored that you compare me to my father.”
“Ahem… so, we were discussing protection.” Jaouen casually interrupted the exchange and darted a guarded look at Salam who nodd
ed his head in reply.
“Yes, it’s for Virginie de Macy. We must take care of her and prevent Darius Borgas from approaching her. Lil’ Louis, you inform our men; they must be discreet about this, but keep their eyes on him. In the coming days organize outings at sea and get him on board one of the fishing boats.”
“’Twill be done, lad!”
“Who is this Darius person, and what should Salam and I do?” Jaouen asked.
“Darius is suspected of treason towards the kingdom and other villainous acts. He’s a particularly destructive man, but we’ve never been able to prove it, especially since he has the king’s friendship. He came here with the only goal of being near Virginie de Macy. I don’t know why, yet, but I expect to learn everything tonight, directly from the young marchioness. As for what the two of you should do, the answer is nothing. My main interest concerning you is to find out what you are up to.” Kalaan’s sharp eyes looked back and forth between his Tuareg friend and the druid.
The two men both tried to act nonchalant, but were so obvious about it that they had to be hiding something.
“Well?” Kalaan asked insistently.
“We are looking for a means to lift the curse.” Jaouen finally replied.
“Yes, that is correct,” Salam confirmed.
Kalaan was flabbergasted for a second. His friends hadn’t abandoned him!
“Have you found anything?”
“A few possibilities, but nothing solid.” The druid waved his arm dismissively. “We haven’t given up hope though, have we, Salam?”
“Of course not,” replied the Tuareg before retreating back into his silence.
“That’s all?” Kalaan asked feeling extremely disappointed. “All this time together like a couple of conspirators and you’ve found nothing more than a few trivial leads? You two are quite the pair, I must say!”