VIOLET DAWN

Chapter 42

"How do you manage to eat this early in the morning?" Mikhail came into the breakfast room in Patrick's residence, his sour tone mirroring Patrick's own mood.

"It is quite simple really. Pick up a piece of toast from that table over there and chew."

Mikhail raised a brow as he took a seat beside a quiet Ismail and motioned for one of the footmen to pour him tea.

"Something the matter?" he asked innocently.

Patrick glanced at the Ottoman who looked like he was about to laugh. Was he really the only one who realised  how real the danger from the True Vampires was?

"The Highlander seems to have forgotten how to relax," Ismail said as he regarded the haggis on his plate dubiously. "You Scotts eat the strangest things."

Was no one going to be serious?

"Where is the Blessed One?" Patrick asked Mikhail as the younger man turned the page of The Times.

"Please, call her Angelica. Even Princess will do, but the whole Blessed One thing is giving her airs," Mikhail complained without looking up.

Patrick raised a brow, "I was under the impression she always had airs." 

"Yes well, there are degrees, if you see what I mean," Mikhail said with an all suffering sigh. "Mrs. Devon told us Violet was still upstairs when we came early. Angelica naturally felt she could barge up there without an invitation, so that is where she will be."

"I do not barge anywhere!" Angelica huffed as she entered the breakfast room, Violet close behind her.

All three men stood, while the footmen drew out two chairs for the women to sit.

"All you do is barge around these days, what with that massive belly of yours," Mikhail corrected. "Good morning Violet, you are looking well."

Violet faced Patrick, a small smile playing at her lips, before she tipped her face in Mikhail's direction. It was incredible, Patrick reflected, that a simple smile could set his heart racing.  

"Thank you Mikhail, I am well."

"No she is not, and you are a dolt not to notice Mikhail Belanov!" Angelica interjected as she spread jam on a piece of toast.

"Angelica!" Violet was frowning. 

Her tone put Patrick on alert. He wished she were sitting next to him so he could speak to her privately, but she had taken a seat down the table from him.

"What is wrong, Violet?" he asked, worried.

"Nothing, nothing is wrong. I felt a little off earlier, but I am fine now." 

 Patrick was not entirely convinced. She looked healthy enough, but there was a strain line between her brows. It was likely because of the strain from the upcoming True Vampire meeting. He had to eliminate the bastards quickly. 

"Ismail, I have sent James a message and asked him to meet us at Whites."

The Ottoman nodded, "I will escort the Princess and Mikhail to their home where Ayse will be waiting. She has gathered ten of my clan members who reside nearby. They are dependable and will help us follow Violet when she is summoned by Daniel."

"I met this Ayse," Mikhail said looking at Ismail as he sipped his tea, "she is the vampire you are considering for succession, isn't she?"

"Yes, she is. She will not fail us."

"Good," Angelica smiled. "Now take me home Mikhail, I have to pack."

"Pack?" Four voices asked together.

"Well yes, I am going to be staying here with Violet." Angelica said in a voice that brooked no argument.

"No," Patrick said simply. There were too many reasons for him to bother explaining why he would not allow it, the least among them being that he wanted Violet to himself.

"But-", the Princess began to protest and surprisingly it was Violet who cut her off.

"Patrick is right, you can not stay here Angelica. You would be exposed to all sorts of gossip and Daniel may think it odd that you suddenly decided to stay here. Besides, I do seem to have some sort of cold, as you pointed out earlier, so you shouldn't stay too close to me right now, not with your child to think of."

Angelica looked as though she wanted to protest. It was Mikhail that jumped in this time. 

"Dearest Blessed sister of mine, did I or did I not bring you here at this ridiculously early hour, simply because you asked me to? No, don't answer that. The point is, why would you need to stay here when you've got an escort such as myself willing to bring you to visit whenever you like?" 

"Fine, have it your way. But I will be back in the afternoon to call on you, whether you like it or not!"

"Right, now that that is settled," Mikhail said, dropping his toast with an easy smile. "It's far too early for breakfast, and Ismail's friend is waiting. Let us get going, shall we sis?"

"I find it odd when he talks sense," Patrick said, holding  Angelica's chair back so she could stand. 

"It shocks us all," she agreed. 

"You have your breakfast," Patrick stroked Violet's hair, leaning down to place a kiss on her forehead. "I'll walk these two out and be back."

Violet nodded, then waited, listening as the threesome headed out the door and Ismail pushed back his chair. 

"Ismail," Violet called his name. 

"What can I do for you, Lady Violin?" he said, taking a step towards her chair. She stood, turning to face him.  Remorse ate at her heart.

"Patrick said that you are not angry with me. Is it true?"

"Of course I am not angry with you," he replied easily. Now that she was listening to him through unprejudiced ears, Violet realised that his voice was smooth and silky.

His kindness only fed her guilt.

"How is it that you have forgiven me so easily?" she said at last.

Ismail took her hand in both of his and there was such warmth in his palms that she felt hot.

"It is not for me to judge you, Violet."

She frowned. "But I judge myself, and I do not deserve your forgiveness. It does not matter if my mother lied to me, given the chance, I would have hurt you."

Ismail was silent for a moment then he sighed. "The poet Rumi once wrote: 'Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.' You did what you had to do, what you were meant to do. Life brought you here, to us, Lady Violin. And standing in that field, I look at you and am grateful."

Grateful? The Ottoman confounded Violet, and yet she felt like she was beginning to understand why Patrick loved him so dearly. There was a kindness in him, a warmth that touched her soul and lent her calm. It was difficult for her to forgive herself, but he made her feel it was possible.

"I can not say I understand, but thank you, Ismail."

"You are a special person, Violet," Ismail said softly as he lifted her hand to rest over his heart. "You may believe you have caused harm to good people, but in reality, you opened Patrick's heart and warned us all of danger. Be kind to yourself."

Violet could only nod as he released her hand and followed the others out of the breakfast room.

Be kind to yourself. 

Yes. She would try.