“Promise me that you’ll come? Just for my sake?” He looked at her with his saddest puppy-dog eyes.
Marisa laughed. “Well, when you put it that way, I’d be pretty heartless to say no.”
“I thought I heard voices out here,” said Adalina.
“Would you care for some wine, Your Royal Highness?”
“I know you’re teasing me when you say it like that, Arrie. And no, I don’t care for any wine, but thank you for asking. What were you just saying about someone being heartless?”
“Marisa’s not coming to the ball,” he said.
“Arrie!” Marisa groaned. She shot him a dirty look.
“What?” Adalina said, horrified. “But it’s going to be the ball of the season! Don’t you know everyone is dying to meet you? Why won’t you come?”
Marisa scrambled for an answer. “Uh, I don’t know. I guess I’ve never been comfortable with being the center of attention.”
“Speaking of uncomfortable, these shoes are really killing my feet,” Adalina said, distracted. “What I was thinking wearing these shoes on cobblestone streets?”
“Yeah, mine are hurting too,” Marisa said.
Adalina removed her slippers and rubbed her feet gently. She tucked them under a blanket and turned to Marisa. “I suppose you aren’t accustomed to always being the center of attention. But once you get used to it, it’s not so bad.”
“What’s not so bad?”
Marisa froze as she heard Darian’s voice behind them.
“We were just discussing royal life,” Adalina explained. “This has been a very full day for you, hasn’t it, brother?”
“Indeed it has,” Darian said with a sigh. He picked up Arrie’s empty glass from the table and poured some wine.
“Marisa doesn’t want to come to her own party tomorrow,” Adalina pouted. “Won’t you help us persuade her to come?”
“What’s this?” Darian asked.
Marisa sighed heavily. “Look, you guys, I don’t want to seem ungrateful, because I’m really not, but it just feels like it’s not my party anymore.”
“What do you mean?” asked Arrie.
“I know Lady Matilda and Savino and tons of other people will be there, but my dad, Mark, and Uncle Al won’t. It just isn’t the same.”
She looked at their sullen faces and pangs of guilt began to eat at her. It would be best to sever all ties with the Fiore family while she still could. Marisa didn’t really want to, but she was in survival mode now.
“I deeply regret the fact you don’t feel at home here with us,” Darian said, swirling the wine in his glass. “I had looked forward to dancing with you tomorrow night.”
“Been there, done that,” Marisa muttered under her breath.
Awkward silence.
Arrie motioned to Adalina, and without a word, the two of them stood up and went inside. Marisa pulled the cape around her and lifted the hood over her head as tears stung her eyes.
“I thought you were fitting in quite well, all things considered,” Darian said as he stared out over the horizon. “I’m sorry to hear you don’t feel welcome.”
“I never said I didn’t feel welcome.”
He finished the last of his wine and set the glass down on the table, sighing heavily. “Now that we’re alone, what is the real reason you don’t want to go to the ball?”
Marisa swallowed hard. He was calling her bluff. “I already told you. Since none of my family will be there, I just want to move on and start a new life on my own.”
“But why before the ball? It’s only one more day.”
“Your Highness, you’ve done a lot for me, and I appreciate it, honestly I do. But you’re royalty and I’m not. I’m not a member of your family, and I never will be.”
Unless I marry Savino.
Darian pulled his chair closer. “I hope you’ll reconsider and come tomorrow night.”
“I can’t make any promises,” she said softly.
“If you do not wish to stay in the castle beyond tomorrow, we can arrange for your arrival at Castle Beauriél the day after tomorrow. But at least allow us to celebrate your birthday with you. Won’t you please do that for me?”
Marisa remembered her promise. She owed it to him.
“I promise,” she said quietly.
“Good, I’m glad to hear it,” Darian replied.
“But after that, I’m gone.”
He shifted uncomfortably. “I should probably tell you that Savino was inquiring after you this afternoon. He seems rather anxious to see you.”
“Oh.”
“That reminds me—I believe I owe you a word of thanks for informing us about the poison. In fact, I may just owe you my life.”
“Now we’re even,” she said, remembering their encounters with the rijgen and the yarmout. “Did you find out what Savino is planning?”
“Yes. He’s trying to kill me.” He stood abruptly. “Good night.”
“Darian, wait—”
He stopped in his tracks. “Yes?”
“I, uh, mean Your Highness,” she stammered. “Are you okay with me marrying Savino?”
Darian paused. “Why should it matter what I think?”
“Because we’re friends. I care what you think.” Give me a reason—give me a reason not to marry Savino.
Long pause.
“Marisa, I told you that I cannot influence your decision one way or another. You need to do what is right for you.”
Silence.
“I bid you goodnight, milady. You have a big day tomorrow, so make sure you get some rest.”
“Goodnight, Sire,” she said flatly. Darian turned to go back inside. Marisa stared up at the full moon and it seemed to almost tease her. She went into her chambers and took off the black dress. Slipping the nightgown over her head, she blew out the candles around the room and climbed into bed.
As she lay waiting for sleep to come, she could still see the bright light of the moon shining through her window. Savoring the fact that she would be eighteen when she woke up the next morning, her mind wandered for a while before at last she drifted off.
At last, she would be calling the shots.
CHAPTER 26
SURROGATES
THERE WAS A LOUD, impatient knock at the door. Still half-asleep, Marisa squinted at her phone and groaned. It read 6:23 a.m. She stumbled across the room and opened the door. It was Arrie, shifting uncomfortably with a look of worry on his face.
“Marisa, I am terribly sorry to wake you so early, but something rather serious has happened during the night. Would you please get dressed as quickly as possible and come downstairs?”
“Can’t it wait?” she asked, irritated.
“No, I’m afraid it’s extremely urgent. Shall I wait for you down in the Blue Room while you dress?”
“Yeah, okay, hang on.” Marisa sighed. “I’ll be down there in a few minutes.” She wondered what sort of crisis would make him drag her out of bed so early.
She pulled on the first dress she could find and hastily braided her hair. Reaching for one of the slippers she’d worn the day before, she flung it across the floor in frustration when she couldn’t find its mate. She grabbed a different pair of shoes and hurried down to the Blue Room in her bare feet. Marisa opened the door.
“Surprise!” People shouted from around the room.
“Oh, wow!” Her hands flew to her flushed face.
“Well, I guess you weren’t expecting that, were you?” Arrie said, laughing. Adalina, Darian, Helena, and Cinzia all smiled in amusement at the bewildered look on her face.
“What is all this?” she asked, punching Arrie playfully in the arm. She saw the pile of wrapped presents. The table was dressed with a white linen tablecloth and a perfect, two-tiered birthday cake with pale yellow icing stood in the middle as its centerpiece.
“I became familiar with the surprise party tradition during my time on Earth, and we all decided it would be fun to throw you one,” Arrie explained.
“But we’re already having the ball. Why do I need a party too?”
Darian stepped forward. “You said it wouldn’t be the same without your family here to celebrate,” he said, smiling at her. “So for today, we want you to consider us your family.”
Marisa stared at him, stunned. “I don’t know what to say. This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.”
“Happy birthday, sister,” Adalina said, laughing. “Now come open your presents. Here, the first one is from my mother and me.”
Cinzia beckoned to Marisa to sit next to her on the sofa.
Marisa removed the pretty purple fabric to discover a hand-carved music box. She opened the lid and listened as it played a beautiful melody.
“It’s so beautiful! Thank you so much,” she said to Adalina and Helena. Next, Cinzia handed her a present wrapped in silver and blue fabric. Marisa peeled off the beautiful covering to find a lovely purple mask covered in sparkling beads and feathers with a long satin handle.
“It matches your ball gown, my dear,” said Cinzia.
“Thank you, Baroness! I can’t wait to wear it tonight!”
“Time to open my gift, Marisa,” Arrie said, handing her something heavy wrapped in brown parchment.
“Hmm, feels like a book.”
“Hey, how did you guess?” Arrie asked, disappointed.
She smiled and tore the paper off. “It’s The Jane Austen Treasury. Oh, Arrie! How did you know that I love Jane Austen?”
He smiled proudly. “It was just a wild guess. I know how popular Ms. Austen’s writings are back on Earth, so I figured you probably liked her as well.”
“But where in the world did you ever find this?”
“Celino had a copy for me.”
“Thank you—I love it!” Marisa said, kissing him on the cheek.
“Marisa, there’s one more gift on the table,” said Adalina. “I think you can probably guess who it’s from.” She nudged Darian. He picked up the gift and shyly handed it to Marisa.
“You already gave me a castle. I don’t think there’s any way to top that,” Marisa said. She briefly ran her fingers along the canary-and-white striped fabric before she removed it. Inside was a hand-carved, square wooden box.
Lifting the velvet-lined lid, Marisa gasped when she saw the same amethyst necklace and earrings set that she had tried on in the jewelry store. The purple stones glittered and sparkled as they caught the rays of morning sunshine.
“I don’t know what to say, Your Highness. It’s so beautiful.”
“I am told they match your gown perfectly,” Darian said, beaming at her.
“Thank you, sire.” Impulsively, she kissed him on the cheek.
“Happy birthday,” he whispered softly in her ear.
The hairs on Marisa’s neck stood on end. Not wanting to give his family the wrong impression, she quickly stepped back. “Thank you, everyone,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “I’m so honored to have you as my surrogate family today.”
“Now let’s eat a piece of that cake before we go down to breakfast,” Adalina said, laughing.
After everyone had eaten a slice of the delicious cake, they all headed down to the dining room. Darian escorted Marisa down the corridor and helped her with her chair at the table. There was no sign of Savino and Matilda, so they started without the da Rocas. A half hour later, Savino and Lady Matilda appeared in the doorway.
“Ah, there is my darling,” Savino said. He strode over to Marisa and kissed her sensuously on the mouth.
Adalina and Helena’s jaws dropped in shock. Darian grabbed Savino’s arm tightly. “Milady was just leaving the table, Savino. Today is her big day, and she has much to prepare for,” he said, scowling.
“Now what kind of welcome is that for your cousin, Darian? Am I not even allowed to kiss my own fiancée?”
“You assume too much, Savino,” Darian shot back angrily. “Come, Lady Marisa. I will show you back to your chambers.”
Savino watched them leave with a stunned expression.
Once they reached her door, Darian turned to leave. “Milady, I shall see you later.”
“Do you want to come in for a few minutes?” Marisa asked.
Darian hesitated. “Perhaps just for a few minutes.” He sat down on the couch and spied her ball gown hanging in the corner. “You are going to look very beautiful in that dress this evening.”
She smiled. “Leonora did an amazing job.”
“Anna, may we have some tea?” Darian asked.
“Right away, Your Highness,” Anna said. The young woman curtseyed and soon they were alone.
He looked at her with a serious expression. “Marisa, I really want to apologize for my neglect of you over the past few days.”
“Neglect?”
“Well, I haven’t been a very good host since we came back to Crocetta. Unfortunately, I’ve been occupied with extremely urgent matters.”
“I understand, sire.”
“Are you becoming acquainted with our way of life?” he asked.
Marisa studied him thoughtfully. His guard had been raised once again and now he was just making small talk. All of a sudden, she felt foolish.
“I guess. But I think it’s gonna take me awhile to get used to things. I like Castle Beauriél and am planning to move in tomorrow morning if that’s still possible.”
“Tomorrow?” he asked, surprised. “Still you are so anxious to leave us? Marisa, are all the members of my household staff treating you well?”
“Yes, no—that’s not it. Everyone’s been just great.”
“I deeply regret the fact that we got off to a rough start a few weeks ago. I’ve been trying extremely hard to make it up to you.”
“I know you have,” she answered.
Anna returned with a tray of tea and gently set it on the table. Darian quickly dismissed her. He poured a cup and handed it to Marisa.
“We’ve been through quite a lot together, and it feels almost as if you’ve become a member of our family.” He stirred his tea and paused, searching for the right words. “Marisa, I would like to say just one more thing. No matter what happens this evening, I want you to know that I shall never forget these weeks we’ve spent together. And I shall always treasure your friendship.”
She nodded and took a sip of tea. The regret in his eyes was clear. This was his way of saying good-bye. She’d once heard that if you love something, you should set it free. It was time to set him free. But I love you, Darian, and I don’t want to let go. She choked down her tears.
“Why are you crying?” he said. “You cannot cry today—it’s your birthday.”
“I always cry on my birthday. Why break tradition?”
“Oh, that reminds me—before I go, I have something for you.”
“I don’t want anything else,” she said.
“Just wait until you see what it is.” He hurried out the door but returned a few moments later holding a terracotta pot with a small white flower. “Marisa, please take this to remember our time together. It is my sincere hope that it blooms for you soon.”
“It’s the wounded heart,” she said, laughing through her tears.
She set the pot down and embraced him tightly knowing she would never find another man to equal him.
“I really must go back down now. I promised to take Lady Matilda for a walk after breakfast. Don’t forget that we’re all meeting later today for a trip out on the lake. Arrie shall fetch you.”
Marisa nodded and shut the door. She gazed down at the wounded heart. The flower was still shut tight with its ugly brown center. The irony of the plant’s name didn’t escape her. Her own heart had been mortally wounded.
As Marisa sank down into the soft mattress, she thought about her birthday the year before, and how her father, brother, and uncle had all surprised her with a birthday party. She missed them all so much. The thought that she might never see them for the rest of her life filled her with an overwhelming sadness.
>
Marisa stood all alone in the garden at Beauriél, soaking in the peace of the country air and admiring the lushness of the trees. The spring flowers were already starting to bloom once again as she quietly sipped a cup of tea.
Without warning, a rijgen rushed out of the forest and bared its teeth as it charged straight toward her. Her porcelain teacup fell onto the stone terrace and shattered into a thousand pieces as her screamed pierced the peaceful stillness.
Just as the beast was about to pounce on top of her, Darian leapt between her and the beast and swept his sword in a broad arc through the creature’s midsection. The animal’s body fell forward on the terrace.
Frozen in fear, she watched as it slumped to the ground, its blood quickly spreading across the stones. She turned to thank Darian for saving her but his stony eyes glared at her with a cold stare.
Suddenly a man shouted her name, and Marisa turned to see Savino coming out of the castle, striding toward her with orange flames shooting out from his eyes and mouth.
Terrified, she turned back to Darian, but both he and the slain beast were gone. There was no sign of the creature’s body or the blood. Savino continued to advance toward her menacingly as he shouted her name.
Marisa awoke with a start. Her palms were sweaty and shaking. The nightmares had been occurring more frequently. She took a sip of water from the cup on her nightstand and tried to slow her breathing. The image of Savino breathing fire had been burned on her retina and was not one she could easily forget.
As the mid-afternoon sun streamed through the windows of her room, she lunged for her phone and saw that it read 2:38 p.m. The afternoon outing would be getting underway in twenty minutes, so she didn’t have much time to get ready.
Rushing to her closet to find something warm to wear, she scolded herself that she’d slept so long. She slipped into a pumpkin-and-brown dress with a camel riding jacket and hat. She splashed water on her face and loosened her hair from the braid, hastily brushing it out. Deciding it would be windy on the lake, she braided it back up again.
Marisa tapped on the earpiece twice to make sure it was working. She was thankful for the small device. As she finished getting ready, there was a hasty knock at the door.
The Carnelian Legacy Page 24