Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel)
Page 32
Aura went into the kitchen and started making some fresh breakfast for Rusty and the girls. She was almost happy this morning. She hadn’t said that in a long time, but today she could say it again. She knew it wouldn’t last. As soon as Jeziel came back, her grief would start all over again. For now, she would enjoy the peace.
Rita and the others arrived in front of the Hall of Justice before nine. They walked inside and discovered Richard and Desiree weren’t there yet.
They were surprised to see Meredith sitting at Henry’s table looking as arrogant as ever. “Enjoy yourself now,” Rita mumbled. “Soon you won’t be so uppity.”
“What’s she doing here with my father?” Joshua asked.
Will patted his best friend on the back.“She’s the one who filed the petition Josh. You should have known she would be here.”
“I expected her to be here, but I didn’t expect to see her with my father,” he said bitterly.
“I’m sure they’re not together if that’s what you’re worried about,” Jessica tried to reassure him.
“Maybe we should join them?” Rita said, with a twinkle in her eyes.
Will started laughing. “I’m sure Meredith would appreciate that.”
“All the more reason we should join them,” Joshua grinned.
Will grabbed Rita’s hand and Joshua did the same with Jessica. “I’m sure my future mother-in-law will be overjoyed to see all of us,” Jessica laughed.
“Ex mother-inlaw,” Joshua reminded her. “My father isn’t married to her anymore, remember?”
The four of them took their time sauntering to the table before taking their seats at Henry’s table. Rita could see that Meredith was not at all pleased. In fact, after they sat down, there weren’t any seats left for Desiree or Richard.
“Guess your brother is going to have to find another table,” Jessica whispered to Joshua.
“Pity isn’t it,” Joshua smiled.
A few minutes later, Richard and Desiree came through the doors. Looking at Rita and Jessica Richard mumbled under his breath. “I thought this was a closed meeting?”
Rita heard him loud and clear. “Will and I are here as representatives for the Guild.” she said. “I’m sure the Commission will have no objection to Joshua and his fiancée being here; considering that Caspian is his brother.”
Richard glared at Rita, but the Commission agreed they could stay.
Richard and Desiree had no choice, but to sit at an adjoining table to Henry and Meredith. Rita looked around; it was just as perfect as Aura described.
There were only two other members of the Commission present; all that was required for matters such as this. All together there were only ten people in attendance, although judging by the amount of food, it was clear another meeting was scheduled afterwards.
Before they got started, Rita and Jessica fixed the boys another plate. They knew they probably weren’t hungry, but they didn’t want to seem inattentive. Once they were seated, Arthur stood and addressed those present.
“We are gathered today to hear testimony in the petition to have Caspian Fairbourne declared legally dead.”
Jessica could see Joshua’s teeth clench and she put her hand affectionately on his arm. “Don’t worry-everything will be fine,” she assured him.
“This Committee will call Desiree Devereaux Fairbourne as our first witness.
As Desiree walked to the front of the hall, Arthur asked, “Are you prepared to give truthful testimony to this Committee?”
Desiree looked to Richard before answering, “Yes.”
“We will hear in your own words the reason for your petition.”
As Desiree sat nervously in the chair in the front of the room, Rita and Jessica both noticed how much weight she had gained. She wore a loose fitting dress, which did nothing to hide her growing belly. Rita used the rings to communicate silently. “She looks pregnant Jess.”
“If she is, it certainly isn’t her husband’s baby.”
“I can’t wait to hear her explain that to the Committee.”
Desiree began her story by saying she never loved Caspian, but didn’t want to disobey her mother who insisted they be married. She spoke of how he abandoned her on their wedding night and never consummated the marriage.
Rita and Jessica looked at Richard. They were speaking silently to each other. “Do you believe that? He left her on her wedding night, before they consummated the marriage,” Jessica said.
“Maybe Caspian didn’t consummate the marriage, but I’d bet money his brother did,” Rita snickered. When Richard stared back at her she smiled. “Keep smiling Richard. We’ll see how long that lasts,” she said silently. Jessica had to hide her face in a napkin to keep from laughing out loud. Rita then winked at Richard. He was less than amused by her actions.
When Desiree finished with her testimony Arthur asked, “Does anyone else have anything to add?”
The doors to the hall burst open and a hooded stranger walked up to the front of the room.“I believe I have something to say.”
“Identify yourself and then we may consider your testimony,” Arthur said.
“Gladly,” the stranger said. When he removed his hood and his cloak Joshua jumped out of his chair. “Caspian,” he yelled.
Desiree looked at her husband and then to Richard. She didn’t know what to do. She started to run towards Caspian but he held his arm out to stop her. “Gentlemen as you can see I am clearly not dead; though I know my brother and his future wife are highly disappointed by that fact,” he said coldly.
“In light of the overwhelming evidence, I must declare this petition to be null and void,” Arthur said, with a smile.
“If you will permit me, I do have other matters to bring to the attention of this Committee,” Caspian said, looking directly at Richard.
Richard wasn’t about to let Caspian ruin his plans, but before he could respond, Arian and Jade walked through the door. They were followed by Ambrosia, Analie, and Winifred Whitehall.
Arian walked slowly to Richard’s table; standing defiantly in front of him. “You killed my parents. You killed the Allgoods and countless others. Now it’s time for you to atone for those deaths,” he declared.
Richard anticipated Arian would go for a weapon. Within seconds he quickly pulled his dagger from his jacket. Jade screamed as she saw the blade moving towards Arian’s heart. Jessica’s whip stopped it midair, before it could make contact with her friend.
At the same time Richard threw his blade, Rita threw Jayden’s blade into his chest. No one attempted to stop her. The dagger hit him square in the chest, causing him to slump forward.
They watched as the black torrent seeped into his white linen shirt, leaving no evidence of the red and gold angel’s blood which once flowed through his veins. There was no doubt that he had chosen the path to darkness. His blood was as black as coal. When the surge stopped, he collapsed to the ground. Richard was dead.
Meredith and Desiree both screamed. Desiree ran to Richard; hoping there was a chance he was still alive.
“You killed my son! Arrest her!” Meredith shouted at Henry, but no one moved. Clearly it was self defense. The witnesses could see that Richard would have killed Arian if Rita and Jessica had not stepped in.
“There will be no charges brought against this girl. She was clearly defending Arian. Richard was trying to kill the boy, at least that’s what I saw. Did anyone else see anything different?” Arthur asked.
They all shook their heads in support of Arthur’s conclusion. Arthur called for two of the male servants to take Richard’s body outside, until they decided what to do with him. He motioned for another servant to remove the black pool that contaminated the floor of the Hall of Justice.
Desiree was sobbing uncontrollably. was shouting. “This is a mockery Henry. murdered your son. I expect you to defend him! Is she not held to the same laws as the rest of us?”
Henry maintained his calm. “There is nothing to be done. Richard
pulled his blade first. If Jessica hadn’t called for her whip, Arian would be dead. Rita acted in self defense. She was defending her family. I suggest you get control of yourself.”
“You will pay for this! I won’t rest until I see the lot of you dead,” Meredith cursed Rita.
“Are you threatening me?” Rita smirked.
“You would like an excuse to kill me too. But it won’t happen today,” Meredith spat.
Meredith That girl
Will stood in front of Rita, to block her. There was no way he was going to allow her to be hurt. He didn’t trust Meredith and he swore if she tried anything stupid, she would join her son in Hell.
Joshua didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. Instead, he sat there with a big smile on his face.
“You think this is funny?” Meredith shouted. “He was your brother.”
“I told you before he was not my brother and you are certainly not my mother. You should calm yourself Baroness. I’m sure you don’t want to suffer the same fate as your son,” Joshua smirked.
Joshua was glad that Richard was finally dead. Maybe now they could have some much needed peace in their lives. His mother might make threats, but she wasn’t as powerful, or as frightening as Richard.
It would only be a matter of time, before the Utopians heard the news. Joshua knew many of them would celebrate Richard’s death.
Jessica was impressed the way Joshua stood up to Meredith. As she sat there looking at her future husband, she couldn’t help feeling proud.
Caspian addressed Arthur and the remaining member of the Council. “In light of the fact my marriage was never consummated to this woman.” He pointed to Desiree. “I am asking the Commission to grant me an immediate annulment. I understand she wants to marry and have children. I certainly don’t want to get in the way of her plans.”
“You don’t want to get in the way of my plans? Are you joking? Richard was my future! We were to be married tomorrow. You know he was everything to me and you allowed Rita to kill him to spite me,” Desiree bellowed.
“Gentlemen, need I say more. It’s obvious although I didn’t consummate my marriage; my brother was more than a little familiar with my wife. Tell me Desiree, when is the baby due?”
Desiree looked at Caspian with horror, but kept silent. She instinctively placed her hand on her stomach.“How could he know?” She thought the dress hid her stomach completely. Surely Richard would never have told him.
She looked at Meredith. Was it possible she had betrayed them? No - Meredith loved Richard too. It must have been Rita or perhaps her sister Aura. They would pay dearly for taking him away from her. She promised she would find a way to make them all suffer.
“As you can see my wife does not deny she is expecting a child. Perhaps she should have taken more care to disguise her condition. Considering I have been working as a member of the Guard since the night of my marriage; if you could call it that, the child cannot be mine. I am prepared to swear under oath I never touched her; nor do I have any intentions of ever touching her. I would appreciate your decision gentlemen as soon as possible; so that I might get on with my life,” he looked hardheartedly at Desiree.
Arthur looked at Henry and the other Commissioners. They had a brief discussion before Arthur addressed the small group. “We have reached a decision. According to the Laws of the Utopian people and because your marriage was never consummated, we have no choice but Furthermore, all records destroyed.”
Desiree didn’t dare argue with them. She knew that she could be banished forever if they saw fit. Instead, she held her tongue, swearing vengeance on those who had taken Richard from her.
“Due to the nature of your appeal to this Commission it is our judgment that Desiree Devereaux be forbidden from using the surname of Fairbourne. She will use her maiden name of Devereaux from this day forward. Because the marriage was not recognized in the eyes of this Commission or Heaven, she will not be entitled to any compensation. You are a free man Caspian Fairbourne.”
“Thank you gentlemen; it means more than you know.”
Joshua was the first to congratulate his brother. Upon hearing the verdict Meredith and her daughter-into grant your request. of the marriage will be law fled before the Council could bring charges against Desiree for her infidelity.
“Maybe now the Utopian people can finally have some quiet,” Arian smiled.
“We should plan a meeting with the residents as soon as possible,” Henry said. “I doubt any of them will mourn his death.”
“I need a nap,” Jessica whined. “Have you forgotten we have a wedding this evening?”
“Will you be there?” Joshua asked Caspian.
“I’ll stay here and help father sort this out, but you can expect me later. Andromeda is looking forward to the wedding. Now we have a reason to celebrate.”
No one questioned his mention of Andromeda. Joshua and Will had known for some time he was in love with her. Perhaps with Richard out of the way, things would settle down and they could think about their own wedding.
As they were walking out of the Hall the old hag was limping by. “I told you death would follow you,” she chuckled. “He’ll be back. Mark my words.” She turned and continued to limp her way towards the dark part of town, still singing that irritating elegy.
“Who is she?” Rita asked.
“Her that’s just Grendel. She’s harmless,” Joshua said.
“Why does she always seem to show up when someone dies?” Rita muttered.
“What do you think she meant?” Jessica asked.
“I have no idea. I think she’s a little crazy, but to my knowledge she’s never hurt anyone. She just hobbles around the city. I thought you wanted to take a nap?” Joshua asked.
“Yeah-thanks for reminding me. I hope I don’t fall asleep on the way home,” she laughed.
They said their goodbyes and Joshua promised Jessica she would still have time for a nap before they left for the church. Even though Richard was his brother, Joshua was glad he was dead. They had a lot to look forward to. They would be exchanging their own wedding vows in another six days. With his brother gone, he could just relax and enjoy the peace.
Coming Soon: Esra’s Prophecy
An Angelblood Novel
Book 3
Table of Contents
Copyright
About the Author:
The Family’s of Aeden
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
-filter: grayscale(100%); -o-filter: grayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share