THE NEXT DAY was Christmas Eve. The castle was pretty quiet and it was snowing outside. Every fire place was lit and it was toasty warm. Cat followed me everywhere and we ended up inside the library. I found a good book to read. The staff served us lunch inside the library, and around three in the afternoon Queen Margerite entered.
She came to sit on one of the chairs opposite me after she patted Cat.
I put the book down and looked at her.
“There is a Broadway Lucian and I used to go to. Helmut isn’t a huge fan of musicals and I doubt that Lucian was either, but he came with me every Christmas Eve. Would you like to come with me tonight?”
I smiled. “I’d be honored.”
“Thank you, Elena.” She touched my arm softly, got up and went to the door. She turned around right before she exited. “I’ll have the staff bring you up some clothes around five.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
She left and I looked at Cat. “We are going to a show, Cat.” I ruffled his face the way Lucian used to and laughed as blobs of slime spattered everywhere.
At five Brigitte and the two other maids entered Lucian’s room. They laid the most beautiful dresses and two piece suits out on the bed. I set my mind on the turquoise pants and a beautiful matching halter neck with a gorgeous cream coat. It came with a pair of cream boots that had killer heels.
I took a deep sigh and decided to go with the boots. I had to learn how to walk in them without breaking my legs someday, and today was just as good as any other.
Queen Margerite looked beautiful too and she’d also gone with a pant suit, a dark one.
“You look absolutely breathtaking, Elena.”
“So do you, Queen Margerite.”
“I told you not to call me that.”
I giggled. “Now I know where Lucian got it from.”
She giggled too and hooked her arm inside mine as we walked to the lobby. “Let’s say I got it from him. He hated being royalty.”
“And yet he was so good at it.”
“Yes, he was.”
I didn’t want to say what I thought of next. It would’ve broken both our hearts and tonight we were going to try our best to get into the Christmas spirit. He would’ve been a great king.
We were soon picked up by a limousine that Emanuel was driving.
“How is he?” she asked.
I frowned because I had no idea who she was talking about.
“He’s doing fine, my queen.”
I looked at Queen Margerite. She just winked at me. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
THE CAMERAS WERE flashing again as we exited the limo in front of the theatre. Queen Margerite gave them her most beautiful smile and you would never imagine she’d just lost her son. I followed her lead and she grabbed my arm as we walked to the theatre.
The balcony reserved for us was huge. It was cold but at the same time warm. It was a very hard feeling to describe. The stage had the most beautiful scene of a wishing well in front of us. It was stunning.
I opened the leaflet to see what this play was all about. It was about star-crossed lovers, one from a wealthy family, another from a poor family. It sure reminded me a lot of the love I shared with Lucian. It was very Romeo and Juliet. I hoped nobody died at the end.
“They say it’s new and really something else. I hope it’s going to be worth it,” Queen Margerite whispered softly.
“I’m sure it will be.”
“Have you ever watched a play?”
I shook my head. “It’s my first time.”
“I hope you will enjoy it, Elena.”
“I’m sure I will.”
The lights started to dim and loud music played. The characters entered and the story began. It was very Paegian-like with dragon figures flying in the air and some of the characters pretending to have abilities. The love between the rich girl and poor boy was beautiful. I found myself dabbing a couple of tears away and leaning forward, resting on the edge of the balcony to see things clearer. As the play broke for intermission, I quickly slipped into the bathroom to go to the toilet and found a huge tray of goodies when I returned to Queen Margerite.
We each had a nice cup of eggnog and tried to make conversation about the first half of the play. I really had enjoyed it.
When the lights dimmed the second half started and I found a completely different scene in front of me. The ambience went from light to dark in a couple of minutes and if it wasn’t for the characters I would have sworn that we were watching a completely different play.
Half an hour later the stage moved to a cave. I watched in horror as I kept witnessing similarities to what I’d gone through that last time in the cave with Paul. The rich girl got her head bashed in and found herself tied up on a podium.
Images of what happened to me played in flashes on the podium. I had to shut my eyes for a few seconds to see what was real and what wasn’t. Sweat dripped from my temple as Paul was dancing his steps across the floor. I shut them again and when I opened them the character was laughing the same way he had.
I shook my head. This couldn’t be real.
“Elena, are you okay?” Queen Margerite asked with a concerned tone.
“I need to get out of here. I’m sorry.” I got up and ran out of the balcony.
The lobby of the theatre was deserted but I found Emanuel at my side in only a few seconds.
“Elena, what is wrong? Where is the queen?”
At that moment Queen Margerite was exiting as well. She wrapped her arms around me. “What is it, was it the play?”
I nodded. “It felt as if I was back in that cave with him.”
She hugged me again. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. It just was so real.”
She pushed gently away to look at me. “What do you mean it was real?”
“The dialogue, everything. It was exactly how I remember it.”
She looked at Emanuel. “She’s here.”
I’M NOT GOING to leave you here, my queen. If that hippogriff is here, your life is in danger. Let’s go back to the castle, you’ll be safe there. I can always come back to investigate.”
The queen nodded.
“You think she’s here?”
“She might be.” Queen Margerite looked worried. “Let’s go.”
I pulled myself out of her grip and just looked at Queen Margerite. “If she’s here…we’ll never get another chance like this.”
“No, Elena.” The queen’s hands held mine gently. “In times of desperation the mind plays tricks on us. You’ll see things that aren’t real and the wrong people will pay for them.” She begged me to listen. “I know what I’m talking about, please, just come with me.”
“But…”
“It will turn ugly, please.”
I desperately wanted to go search for Nora. She was Lucian’s murderer and she was still out there.
“Elena, I’ll come back once I know you and the queen are safe. I promise you I will find her. But not now, not when your life’s at stake,” Emanuel pleaded.
I nodded, it was hard but I gave in and Emanuel led us to the limo.
Queen Margerite had her arm around my shoulder, she hugged me tight as if she was scared I would break free and run off to go find Nora.
We exited the main doors of the theatre.
Again flash lights lit up the night and our faces. Gosh, I hated them and the feeling of wanting to roast their asses again grew stronger.
Emanuel kept them at bay as questions of why we didn’t finish watching the play filled the air. Once outside I knew Nora wasn’t going to be found. Our immediate exit would tip her off and she would know that Emanuel and King Helmut would be coming for her.
Regret washed over me like a bitter river. I cursed myself for listening to Lucian’s mother, sickened by my obedience. Didn’t she want to catch her son’s murderer?
I took deep breaths and buried my head between my legs.
The Queen’s soft hands stroked my back gently. “I know how you feel, Elena, believe me I do. I want that bitch as much as you do, but believe me when I say a crowd full of innocent people will pay the price.”
My head shot up. “How do you know that?” My tone was harsh.
“Because I was once where you are now.” Her eyes were stern and her lips thin. She sat back in the chair as my big round eyes just looked at her.
“After Desi died I thought I was going to die too, but that was nothing compared to how I feel now. She took my baby boy and nothing is going to bring him back.” She inhaled a deep breath. “I was at a function when Helmut searched for Wyland. Lucian was little and had stayed with the Nanny. I thought I saw Wyland in the crowds, but I was way off. He didn’t even have dark hair. Our minds play tricks when we think we have what we truly want. It makes them real and I thought I had the chance to avenge my daughter, but I didn’t. An innocent man died and it’s on my conscience every day. I have to live with that. I don’t want that for you.” She touched my cheek softly.
“I’m sorry that I sounded so harsh,” I apologized and gave her a hug. “I just wanted her to pay for what she’s done.”
“She will, in good time.”
“Promise.”
“With God as my witness, we will get justice for what she’s done, Elena. I promise.”
I nodded.
Emanuel drove at terrible speed back to the palace and once we stopped at the entrance the other guards could tell something was wrong. He spoke in Latin which made Queen Margerite pause in her steps.
She grabbed Emanuel’s arm and pleaded with him in Latin.
What the hell is going on?
Emanuel spoke again and by the tone of his voice I knew it was nonnegotiable.
The queen started to cry and when King Helmut came out wearing a Vest much better looking than the Samurai 3000 I knew exactly what she was begging Emanuel for.
“Helmut, please. I can’t lose you too.”
He stopped but didn’t turn around. “You won’t, but this I have to do.” He climbed into the Range Rover with a couple of other guards and Emanuel looked at the queen. “I’ll bring him back, it’s a promise.”
I wrapped my arms around Queen Margerite. “He’ll come back.”
She sobbed and the maids took her from me and led her into the palace.
I couldn’t sleep that night. Cat was pacing up and down with me in the room, but half an hour into it, he jumped onto the bed and fell asleep. I kept gazing out the window, praying that the lights of the Range Rover would light up the court yard. They’d been gone for more than three hours now.
Flashes of Nora killing them all jumped into my mind. I shook them away fast as I couldn’t let them get the better of me.
The staff gave the queen some sort of a sleeping potion, she wouldn’t have slept any other way. They offered me a cup too but I declined. I wanted to know the minute they got back if she was dead or not.
Half an hour later I got my wish and the SUV pulled in.
I ran out of my room and wasn’t at all surprised that Cat was right behind me. The dog barked at the commotion outside. My heart was beating like crazy. Something was wrong.
The doors flew open just as some of the staff came out of their rooms on the third floor.
King Helmut entered with Emanuel and a couple of other guards carrying a limp body.
The first thing I saw was the black veins on his face and I knew they’d found her. I followed them to the nearest couch inside the living room and King Helmut yelled for Jeeves.
“I’m here,” I said and crouched right next to King Helmut.
“Get me very hot water and towels. Now.”
I got up, ignoring his tone and ran to the kitchen. I poured water inside a huge metal bowl and heated it up with my hands. The glowing fire inside the liquid took my breath away, it was the most beautiful picture, ever.
Jeeves entered in his night gown carrying a couple of towels. He thrust the towels into my hand and saw them warming up the water. “You’re a Rubicon,” he said and grabbed me and ran back.
The guy was coughing up black ooze and didn’t look so good. “Jeeves where are the water and towels?”
“I got something better, your highness.” He pushed me toward the man. I just looked at him with a huge frown. What was the old fart talking about?
“She’s a Rubicon, she can heal him.”
King Helmut looked at me and then at Emanuel.
“It’s better than our plan, Helmut.”
“Elena, could you please see what you can do?” King Helmut stood up and put his hand on my shoulder.
“I’ve never healed anyone in my life before. I don’t even know how to,” I rambled.
“It’s in you, you have to try. Please.”
I could see it in his eyes, the begging. I couldn’t save his son, but I could save this man. I nodded and crouched down beside the guard. One side of his face was a purple, black color.
“Where did she sting him?”
“His leg,” Emanuel said and my eyes darted to it. Black ooze still poured out of his wound. I closed my eyes and lay my hand on it. I really had no idea how to do this, but I had to try.
I thought about Constance’s healing touch and how her hands always glowed. The minute that jumped into my head, my hands started to become warm. I could feel the heat flowing from my hands into the body that was lying in front of me. The guy started to scream as my hands became hotter.
“Hold him down,” King Helmut ordered. He took a spot right next to me. Our eyes met. “Whatever you are doing, just keep doing that.”
I nodded and closed my eyes again. I really just wanted to save this man for Lucian’s dad. When the guy screamed harder I could hear King Helmut yelling things at him in Latin. I didn’t know what he said but it sure sounded like “Hold on.”
The staff around us that witnessed the horrible deed that had been done to this man all gasped in unison.
“It’s working,” I could hear one of the maids whispering to another.
I wanted to look but I didn’t, I just kept thinking about Constance’s hands and hoped I was doing the right thing.
The guy was still screaming. Suddenly something yelled inside my head to stop, that voice, not Cara’s but another, and I yanked my hand back.
I opened my eyes and watched the men who pinned him down.
“Why are you stopping?” King Helmut yelled at me.
I didn’t answer and just stared at the black and purple fading back to a pinkish color.
The guy was grunting now and I saw the belt in his mouth. Our eyes met and the begging in them to save his life made me want to cry.
“Elena.”
“She doesn’t need to anymore. Look,” Emanuel said and they all looked at the fading of the black and purple. When the color moved away from his cheeks a pink, healthy rose color emerged and moved down his neck. King Helmut tore off the guard’s shirt.
We all watched how all the veins inside his body ran down his body back to his leg. I remembered what Sammy had told me that day, only a very old Swallow Annex could heal a Hippogriff’s sting.
“It’s a miracle,” one of the men with tears in his eyes said.
“No, it’s not.” King Helmut put his hands on the guy’s shoulder. “It was Elena.”
