CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX-TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Gabrelle panicked; her heart beat staggered. Samsidion had attempted to go outside, and it did not end well. She then heard Thaneus scream, and she was in a whirlpool of disarray. What had she done? She dragged on her clothes and without even putting on her stockings and shoes, she ran out of the room and practically flew down the stairs. The scream had come from the back of the house. She almost tripped on the rug, but she composed herself in an instant and ran through the back door. She was expecting to see ashes but once she reached the outside Samsidion and his brother Thaneus were doing a jog and smiling from ear to ear. It had worked; Gabrelle marveled. Her grandmother`s spell alongside her incantations had worked. The Counts were surviving in harsh sunlight. This was all her hard work. The countess had pulled her of the gardens of nature and forced her into being a savior of the demons from hell. She had to stop her poor way of thinking after all Count Samsidion was her love and she would die fighting for him.
"It is you, Lady Gabrelle." Thaneus was smiling and lavish with his compliments. "You have awakened us from a slumber and brought us into the light."
"Indeed." Samsidion was bleeding joys of enthusiasm as he kept looking at his hands over and over again. It was a revelation that after pining year after year for the sunlight, they finally had the freedom to live. "You have given us a reason to charge ahead and appreciate the mountains once more." Gabrelle had no words, and she sneaked a look at the countess. The countess was no fool and she quickly changed her dour look and interjected more enthusiasm. "Elle." Count Samsidion gave her mesmeric look and extended both his hands to takes her into his. Of course, Countess Arabella could not appreciate and accept that; in her fashion she clapped her hands and loudly declared.
"Come now child," she was quick enough to separate Gabrelle from her Count. "We must feed you and discuss your journey back home." If the earth could crack open and swallow her then Gabrelle would feel that was the better option. Samsidion twitched his lips.
"Mother, what is the hurry?"
"My dear son, Gabrelle has many people that are in need of her." She fluttered her eye lashes. "We cannot monopolize her time anymore. Too many liberties that we have helped ourselves too."
Count Samsidion went from a glow of happiness to a administering a dark scowl. "Mother," He was grinding his teeth and grating his words. "We will still discuss this matter."
The countess was not listening to him, and she motioned Gabrelle into the castle. A feast for breakfast was already laid out and Gabrelle tasted nothing. It was just out of common courtesy that she ate. This is what winning, and defeat felt at the same time. Count Samsidion and his brother Count Thaneus joined them. While they tried to eat, it seemed that the food was still not needed by them. They would always thirst for blood. Gabrelle was vowing silently that she will find or create a spell that will allow for them to stay away from drinking blood. Samsidion smiled at her; he had read her thoughts. The emotions between them felt beautifully in sync and the countess observed them with disdain. Gabrelle knew that she was disgusted that her son had fallen hard for a commoner and a peasant at that. She tried to block it off her mind. It made no difference because tomorrow she will be on her way back home. That thought disheartened her and her insides were turning into a bed of floating dead butterflies. It was what it was, and Gabrelle was getting a quick lesson in etiquette of the rich. The brew of herbal tea tasted medicinal, and the eggs tasted like a bowl of starch. Out of common courtesy she finished up her breakfast and went for a walk into the fields until she stood at the shore of the lake. The breeze flew in, but it arrived with the chills from the water. She gathered her grey shawl across her shoulder and hugged herself hard. After her parents had expired, she had learnt to live with the loss and even the pangs of loneliness subsided. She shook herself as the slavery of emotions attacked her peace of mind. She would miss the castle but the niggling of her conscientious told her that it was not the castle that held her interest. She would miss him more than she ever thought it would be possible. There was a sniffle from behind her and her body jumped off her skin. She turned around and saw his smiling face.
"It feels like a farce to be out here in the open sunlight." His admittance was bashful, and he grinned resembling a man in his blooming years. Gabrelle`s heart somersaulted and skipped a beat. He did something to her, and she swayed with delight. She also knew that she needed to comfort him.
"It is okay to enjoy the simple pleasures of the world." It was a quiet and she had nothing but the sincerity that was attached to her words was evident. Gabrelle knew that Count Samsidion stood for everything that she had previously stood against. It was after she had got to know him and his brother that she realized the battle that too face. It was her own heart that had finally won the battle that enabled her a new viewing of thought. He had read her thoughts because his hand rested on her shoulder peacefully. Count Samsidion had not spoken to Gabrelle about his feelings towards her, but it was noticeable.
She knew that she had to engage in a frivolity of talk that will seal a casual demeanor between them. The countess had made it clear as glass that she would not allow or bless any relationship between a witch and her son. Of course, Gabrelle had to face the renewed facts that she was now a witch in training.
"You do know that you are no longer in training." Count Samsidion broke her thoughts in a split two. She shrugged and raised an eyebrow at him.
She then gave him a brilliance in a smile that was wickedly humorous. "It was through sheer luck and a great fear for the countess that I had actually evolved and summoned the darkness inside of me." She spoke the words, but she knew that her way would never succumb to blatant evilness. "Tomorrow I will return home and we shall forget that I had ever done something so unique as this."
"Unique!" He was scoffing but there was no mockery attached to his expressive outage. "I would say that you have done something extraordinary that has defied the Gods and slain insult to the devils." He was sincere in his praise, but Gabrelle felt a sleazy coldness swipe across of her body. She spiraled through an inward pain that left her communicating silently with her conscience.
"The goodness inside of you is imbedded inside the folds of your soul." He knocked her over with his genuineness. You should never question the light that you carry in the chambers of your heart my dear Elle." He waited for her to absorb his words, but Gabrelle was a deep thinker. She simply nodded.
"We should get back." She shivered as some spirit walked over her grade. It seemed to her that Count Samsidion was not quite ready to head back to the castle.
He dallied around her and with deep hesitance he finally spoke up. "You have to know that I have become quite fond of you Elle." He was using words of rosy warmness, but Gabrelle knew that it was not exactly poignantly the words that her heart strings needed to tug. "I have no right to ask anything of you, but I do feel the strong beats of emotions that arrives with your kindness." It was in her heart to shout out to him that he made her quiver with excitement, but she looked towards the castle and remembered the countess. Instead of acknowledging him and the feelings that she harbored towards him, she just shrugged and shook his hands off her embrace.
"I need to go back. Tomorrow morning would be a big day for me." It was all that she could give to him even though her heart was in complete breakdown. He did not argue and allowed her to walk away. Once she had paced herself to quite a distance, only then did she allow for the spillage of her tears. Once she was inside the castle, she found a composition and went in search of the countess.
The countess fake beamed as Gabrelle entered the parlor. "Oh, good you are back child. "We must dine early this evening so that you may rest." She was beaming artificially, and she clapped her hands. "Big day for you tomorrow." She motioned Gabrelle with the waving of her hands. "Come now child. Tell me all your favorite foods and I will have Cook prepare them in your honor." Gabrelle was no one`s fool and she saw through the sheer demeanor of the countess`s approach. She was hearty and glad that Gabrelle would be leaving. Still Gabrelle felt an inch of her nerves feeling the cloud of wrath that this dangerous Countess was exerting. It was then she noticed the slid of the countess`s eyes and that spoke to her in volumes. Just like a snake that would be ready to spew venom, the countess disliked Gabrelle. She knew that she would have to watch her back. No matter how much she wanted to allow her to make her supper, she knew that she must curb her desires. The luxury smorgasbord of delightful eateries must come to an end. Gabrelle put on a brave face, exerted a smile that the nectar of grapes would be proud of and spoke with the sweetness of honey.
"That would not be necessary Contessa." There was no flaw in her smooth tone of words. Her smile was not marred by inferiorities of in sufferance. She was true to the wonderful upbringing that her good parents had given her. She wanted to decline dinner but then she did not want to hurt the countess or her sons. "I will dine on anything that is prepared so wonderfully by Cook." Her tone was no screech of falsity. She was proud of the way she was handling the countess. "Simplicity is never flaccid in the face of the hungry." She beamed her brilliance and while the countess did hang on her forged posterior, it did not bother Gabrelle in the least. She added hastily. "If it is of no hard ache to you Countess, it would please me immensely if I could get a simple basket for my journey." The countess just nodded, and Gabrelle heard footsteps behind her. It was then that the countess Arabella went into full drama mode.
"Why dear child that goes without any asking." She was pouting and Gabrelle just lowered her gaze in humility. "After what you have done for my family, I consider you as part of our family." Gabrelle smiled and looked up to see that Count Thaneus had joined her.
He too was beaming with girth of expansive happiness. "I am in total agreement with Mother." Instinctively he took Gabrelle`s hand and squeezed it gently. Even though his hands were frozen to the touch, she felt his expression of ingenuity. "We are forever in your debt Lady Gabrelle." Gabrelle loved the way his eyes were slinging to a deep honey. That showed his progression deep into a whirl of the possessiveness of his true feelings. "Should your need arrive that you are in deep dire, do not hesitate to call upon us." Gabrelle felt an emotion touch her to the core. Count Thaneus was so alluringly genuine and so was Count Samsidion. Surely the Countess had something to do with the raising of these two wonderful men. Gabrelle`s mind became occupied. She should not doubt the countess. She needed to rely on the goodness of the two Counts.
"Rightfully so," a beautiful rich baritone sliced the air with heavenly warmness. Gabrelle did not need to turn around because she knew that it was Count Samsidion that had spoken. That was one voice she would recognize in a crowd of voices. "We owe Lady Gabrelle more than appreciation and words of gratitude." She could hardly believe her ears. Was he offering her compensation? She had dared not to dream in that way. Just helping out an aristocratic family was payment enough. "I would like to believe that you agree with us mother." A scowl alighted the Contessa`s face but she was clever enough to screen her true emotions almost immediately.
Her words were harried, racing out as a filly that had been spooked. "Indeed, yes of course. I would never dream of not compensating this dear girl." She sucked in her breath as all of this drama was draining the very life out of her. "Come now child," she was addressing Gabrelle, but she had toned down from rough to fine. "Let us get you supper and then settled for a good night of rest." Gabrelle just nodded. She smiled at Count Thaneus and then sneaked in quick glance at Count Samsidion. His smile was deeply gentle, and she could sense that he wanted to reach out to her and touch her face. She lowered her eyelashes giving him the signal that she was respectful of his mother and her home, and she loved the way that he had understood her with perfection. He nodded and exited the room. Count Thaneus gave Gabrelle a strange look and then shrugged before he too left the room.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Supper arrived with more fresh and healthy goodness. The game hen stew was cooked with perfection and thickened with hearty vegetables of carrots and greens. Everything was so well prepared, but Gabrelle was stampeded with a melancholic folly of darkness. Her mouth felt as though a handful of stones were being ground by her very own teeth. Her taste was gone and given way to grainy sadness. But she ate and she pretended to enjoy it. Count Samsidion had not even bothered to spend the last supper with her. That hurt her to no ends. She imagined all sorts of madness but in the end, she accepted the fact that he was probably out hunting his meal. While she would never get over that monstrosity, but she knew that she loved him with all that her heart could afford to offer. After her meal she excused herself fully aware that even the countess had withdrawn into a heavy silence. Only the Countess would know what she was so deep into thinking. Gabrelle got into bed but could not find sleep. She was far too restless and for no reason at all, she felt a trite worry spill into her thoughts. It was after a while when she heard the lace on her window ruffle, and she immediately knew that Count Samsidion had come in through her window. She immediately sat up and was grateful for the lush moonlight that spilled in the light into the room.
"I did not mean for you to awaken." He was so tender and endearing that Gabrelle felt as though she would cry from the complexity of their bonding.
"Sleep evades me." Her reciprocation was equally amiable as his words of gentility. She sat up in the bed and in a split of seconds he joined her.
He was hesitant but it was apparent that something was weighing his mind down. "Elle you have to know before you leave," Every nuance of his words was being punctuated with worry. "I have emotions for you that runs in the valleys that could only reach the sea." Gabrelle laughed out aloud. Count Samsidion could get so poetic at times.
"Why do you laugh at me when I am pouring my heart to you?" He was hurt but not angry and Gabrelle knew that she had to appease him.
"I do not mock you Count Samsidion."
"Never a Count for you." He took the time to indulge her. "Just Samsidion."
"Okay Samsidion." Gabrelle went into a morose state. She needed to explain to him that no matter what expressions of love that coursed through them, they can never act upon it. "I know you speak about love for me by the strenuous poetic folly of words you choose." She too was arming herself with kindness before she threw in the spear in the ring. "No matter how much our hearts can string and sing together, we can never be together."
He haunted a look of gloom at her. "Why ever not?" He was not going to let this go easily and Gabrelle knew that if not for his sake for her sake she had to be firm.
"We are from different worlds." Her spoken out thoughts were following the monotones of kindness. "We can only have an everlasting friendship but beyond that there is no point." She seeded herself to be strong to find witty words.
He was barren in lost. "I wish to be with you at your side to all the rest of our lives." Gabrelle`s heart was sinking. There was no way that he would listen to her pleadings now.
"The countess would never accept me." She had no choice but to be forthright and say her peace."
Count Samsidion was not surprised. "My mother needs not to interfere. I will have to speak to her about my life." Gabrelle panicked. The last thing that she needed was to be coerced into a war with the countess.
She was quick. "No! No! Samsidion. I will not be able to bare the wrath of the countess." She needed to put a cork into this butt hole before the matter escalated. "Should you approach her then she would know that we have spoken." Gabrelle was shaking her head in adamance. She did not voice her concerns but deep down she feared the countess. There was something cold about the older aristocrat and she dared not mention it to Samsidion. That was after all, his mother. She chose to keep her opinion as a well-guarded secret.
It was time to be firm because reality would always reign in supremacy over a fable. "I have so much of respect for you Count Samsidion." In the moonlight she watched his scowl progress as he hated her being so formal with him. For now, she cared less that his ego would become so fragile. "The reality is," she wasted no time in basting her concern so freely. "That we come from two different worlds." A heavy bellied pause and she continued. "I am just a simpleton and I have no place in your world." She was proud that she managed to keep a quiver off her voice. "Tomorrow I will leave on a journey back to an only home that I am comfortable in and for now I am happy that I managed to restore some order to both your lives." She sounded genuine because she meant her words with an articulation of authenticity. "I would appreciate it if you would allow me to have some rest." Her hands were in the air and the action was self-explanatory. She had dismissed him, and his body language spoke of the hurt that he was undergoing. His tenacious pride would not allow him to debate with her. Instead, he stood up, with the smarts of a true-blue blood, he straightened his attire and he looked into her face void of emotion.
"Very well." He chose to ascertain a formal tongue with her. She knew that this was the armor he projected that would allow him a role of dignity. "This is farewell." He pronounced with cold displeasure. "My offer still stands firm should you find yourself in need of any help." Gabrelle just nodded miserably, deciding that words would just allow for wounds to seep. He strode out of the room, and it was only then that she allowed herself an exhalation that would give her a quiet form of peace as she sobbed herself into a deep sleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Gabrelle never expected that her heart would weigh in a ton of stone as her journey had begun back home. The countess and her son Thaneus had been all smiles and gratitude towards her. True to her word the countess did provide her a laden basket that would be sufficient food to keep her tidy for a few words. Count Samsidion had not come to see her off and while she knew that she should feel a wash of relief, she felt frustrated and pained. "What did you expect?" Her conscience had nagged her. She had basically chased him away and while misery was a consort that enjoyed plaguing her mind, she had decided that this was the best way to move forward. There was no way that a relationship between them could progress and not just because he was undead, but his mother would rather see her in hell before she accepted her. The carriage ride was long and tedious and as much as Gabrelle tried to close her eyes in rest, it would be the bumps that brought her wide awake. She would have to pick up the pieces once she got home. She opened the basket and was pleasantly surprised to see that Cook had managed a mini feast for her. This would last her for a few days and luckily the weather was simpering into the molds of chill. She helped herself to a baked treat that was oozing with yummy berry jam and the butter churned out of the fresh cream tasted heavenly as she bit into the divine flaky bliss. She moved the food around and she was surprised to see a parcel that was wrapped in cloth at the bottom of the basket. She picked it up and slowly rolled it open. Her eyes popped open as she saw a plate and a mug made out of pure silver wrapped inside. When she picked up the mug, she heard her a jingle and she peered inside to see a neck chain of purest gold and a pendent sat in the middle with a blue gem nestled in the design. Gabrelle`s eyes widened. This could only be the work of the Count. She had needed no payment for the work that she had done but this was such a kind gesture. Further look into the basket she found a letter sealed with the sovereign stamp binding it. Gingerly she opened it to reveal the contents scrolled in magnificently neat handwriting. The opening line was apparent that it was from the countess,
Dear Child.
Words seem so few for me to express in gratitude the renewed life that you have given to my boys. At least now they are free to express and enjoy this world as it was meant to be. I had confidence in your ability from the time that I understood that you were the granddaughter of a powerful witch. It would be unjust of me if I did not allow you a token of my gratitude. Please accept these gifts and I have accompanied a second letter that states that I have gifted this to you should you wish to trade it in for necessities. I hope that after this our paths should never cross again.
Much respect to you
Countess Arabella.
She was informal and Gabrelle felt a tug at her heart. She opened the second letter and as promised she verified gifting the items to Gabrelle and the wax stamp of authenticity was faithfully accompanied. Perhaps the Countess was having a change of heart towards Gabrelle. She tucked the items at the bottom of the basket and held onto it tightly. Indeed, it would be handy for her should she find her times getting tough. The rest of the journey went on and while Gabrelle did catch a few buzzes of sleep, she was restless. Thankfully they arrived at her home with dusk just creeping up their tale. The countess's footman helped her get inside safely and refusing any refreshment and he was on his way. Gabrelle guessed that he was heading for town to lay for the night. She lit the lamp for a soft glow of comfort to light up the room. Although she was exhausted, she lit up her ancient stove and brewed a pot of tea. Helping herself to a piece of bread smothered in clotted cream from the basket she munched on it greedily. Ah, but the rich live so good. She finished off her dinner, tidied up a bit before going to bed. As her eyes closed to a rest, she so wished that the miserable sensation that coursed through her would soon vanish. Soon enough the morning had arrived. While Gabrelle felt as though she had sunk into a pit of gloom, she also understood that survival was important. She got about cleaning up her shanty and soon she had puckered up. It was about midday when she had heard footsteps approach her porch and she turned around to see her closest neighbors climb up the shaky steps. She smiled at the couple. Maynard and Catherine Steeple but they did not return her smile. Instead, Catherine`s porcelain fine features were wrinkled with worry and Maynard`s deep blue eyes was suppressing pain.
"Oh, Gabrelle!" Catherine exclaimed her sense of relief to see her. "We were so frantic with worry when your doors were closed for such a long time. Why dear I thought that something dreadful had happened to you." Gabrelle was touched by the concern that was being thrown in her way. While her neighbors were very far away from being nosey and busy bodies Gabrelle bit hard into her bottom lip. She had given her word to the countess that she would never disclose her involvement with the aristocratic family. She had to think fast on her feet and despite the fact that she hated indulging in deceitful lies, on this occasion she was left with no choice.
She cleared her throat, summoning up the courage to express her fib graphically so it would be believable. "I had a family emergency." The moment the words were spewed she regretted it. The young couple looked at her oddly. It was Maynard in his deep moving voice that asked the obvious.
"We did not know that you had any family living." It was not a question; it was not an accusation. It was just a curious seedling that needed replenishment to transform into a knowledgeable plant.
Lucky for Gabrelle, she was fast on her motion of thought. "Not my family." She laughed an ugly and deceitful mirth. "A customer of mine needed me." She hoped that was the end to that tawdry conversation and offered them a cup of herbal tea.
"What brings you two here?" Hoping to cause an intervention that would help her stray away from any unwanted questions, Gabrelle broke into the tedium of heavy conversation.
It was Catherine with her bone China appearance of silky smooth white pearly complexion and her eyes danced the color of faraway lands streaming of Ceylon tea. "Yes dear," she was beaming. "My
mother-in-law, my dear husband Maynard`s mother is not feeling very well." Gabrelle listened and nodded, waiting for more explanation." Her complaints about body aches are endless and if you can whip us a brew then well." Catherine had a nerve to give a laugh albeit it was dotted with nervousness. "She can at least be more cheerful." Gabrelle nodded with a straight face. She had read between the lines and understood that with the old woman being under the weather spelt that Catherine was not enjoying a life of happiness.
"Would you like to wait, or must I drop it off for you tomorrow morning?"
Maynard`s head moved with adamant fluid movements that made no hesitation. "We are happy to wait." Catherine nodded her agreement, and this brought a smile to Gabrelle`s lips. A happy mother-in-law would mean a happy home. She got to work almost immediately. Thankfully all her jars were full so there was no need to go and harvest in her little garden for various herbs. Oils were also available, so she got to working in a frenzy. Catherine joined her and happily chatted as Gabrelle went busy working with her salve.
"Did you have a good visit then?" Just like Catherine not to forget an unfinished conversation. Gabrelle sighed. There was no way that she would avoid this ambush.
"It was pleasant." Then she had an idea. "Unfortunately, it is a sensitive topic, and I am not allowed to discuss the matter further." A wave of discernment fell off Catherine`s eyes and while Gabrelle felt tainted with hurt, she was left with no choice. Once she had pounded the herbs and mixed the oil, she handed it over to Catherine. The air was thick with a tension that passed through them, and Gabrelle was uncomfortable. Catherine took it but something spoke to Gabrelle and told her that if the other girl could get the potion elsewhere, she would have left it. She just shrugged as the Catherine put a coin in the palm of her hand. She was about to walk the couple out of the door when there was a heavy thud at the door. She never even realized that her door was closed. She went pass Catherine`s husband, her mind occupied. She felt badly to have spoken to Catherine in such a rough tone, but she knew that she could not break the confidence of Count Samsidion and his brother. She opened the door was almost collapsed to see that her visitor was grinning happily at her. Count Samsidion just could not stay away.