A Traveler's Curse

Chapter 43- Beyond The Grave

"You're mistaken. Rowan is not alive. He hasn't even been born yet," I finally manage to say, comprehending the message the old woman is trying to convey.

"Ah, but his spirit is present. He is right there," she insists, pointing to an empty space in the alley before Caspian and me.

"This isn't a joke. You can't see anything," I retort, acknowledging her blindness.

"I see him, as clear as day," she argues. "His long, straight brown hair. Kind brown eyes. Clad in armor."

"Enough," I interject, cutting her off. I have to believe her. How else could she know about us? Or what Rowan looks like? "What does he want to tell me?"

"He says your daughter is with him. He describes her as perfect, much like you," the woman says, her voice slightly shifting into a deeper tone resembling Rowan's. My eyes well up with tears, and a chill runs through my body. For a moment, I forget that Caspian is standing beside me as I listen to Rowan's voice emanating from the elderly woman's body. "I wish she could be here with you, but I will always love and care for her. So will your mother and father. I know you fear being hurt again, but don't let it hinder you from loving and being loved."

Unable to restrain my emotions any longer, I break down into sobs. It has been over a year since I last heard his voice, and I don't want it to fade away. But it does. Suddenly, the voice transforms into that of a young woman, addressing Caspian directly. "You must stop blaming yourself for my death, Caspian. It was not your fault."

"Lyla? How is this possible?" he asks in shock, gripping my hand so tightly that I have to pull away in pain.

"My death was not your fault. Your grandfather ordered those men to kill me if I ever returned to the castle, even after his own demise," the voice from the old woman explains gently. "I understand your reluctance to marry and have heirs due to what happened to your mother, but you must. You will love Kyla more than you ever loved me. She comes from royalty as well. Marry her and ensure the continuation of your family line before it vanishes from history altogether."

The lone woman pauses and scans the surroundings, her gaze shifting between Caspian and me. "Well, the departed have spoken!" she declares in her usual tone.

Caspian and I exchange a prolonged glance as the elderly lady walks away.

"What the hell just happened?" I inquire, bewildered.

"I have no idea, but that was Lyla!" Caspian responds, ready to rush after the old woman. I intervene, firmly placing both hands on his chest.

"Let her be. I doubt she can provide us with any further information," I advise him. "Have you ever heard of a Veilwalker?"

"Yes, but they're incredibly rare. I've never encountered one until now, and you're letting her slip away!" he grumbles, attempting to push past me. However, I refuse to yield.

"Caspian, you can't force that poor old woman to come back to the castle with us. We've both had the incredible experience of hearing from our departed loved ones. An experience that many never have. Let it be enough," I implore him.

I can see him contemplating the situation, so I press on. "What did you want to show me tonight?"

He smirks mischievously. "You'll see. It's called Nirvana, and I'm the only one who has access to it."

"So it's not another opaline den?" I jest, relieved that he's changing the subject. He takes my hand and leads me through the alleys towards Grimwick, the haunted forest outside the village.

"We can't go in there," I protest, halting in my tracks as he tries to guide me towards the dark trees.

"Don't tell me you're scared of ghosts now?" he jokes, but he stops alongside me when I remain silent. "I promise we're not going into the forest. Just trust me."

"Okay, but if we encounter Bane, it's your fault," I say uneasily, thinking of the malevolent sorcerer who controls the forest. We come to a halt just before the first tree, and Caspian retrieves a small dagger, slicing the palm of his hand. I gasp in shock, but he ignores me and presses his bloody hand against the tree...

The tree suddenly parts, revealing an entrance, and Caspian grabs my hand with his uninjured one, pulling me inside. I gaze around in astonishment as I find myself in a whole new world within the tree. Vibrant shades of green and bursts of colorful flowers surround us. Magic dances in the air, creating an enchanting atmosphere. A river with the purest blue water flows just a few steps away. Everything exudes tranquility and beauty.

"What is this place?" I whisper, releasing Caspian's hand and taking in the surroundings. It feels as though every element here is pulsing with magic, from the plants to the water to the very air itself.

"Nirvana," he smiles. "It signifies peace and happiness. Only the king of Lakespire can access it. Here, you find complete serenity. You can conjure any object or location in the world just by imagining it."

"Really?" I ask, thinking of Cara, the wooden doll my father brought me from his travels in the Skye Kingdom. Suddenly, the doll materializes in my hands, almost slipping from my grasp in surprise. "Wow."

Caspian approaches me and presents a red rose, perfectly matching the shade of my hair. "For you," he whispers in my ear. I release the doll, and before it can fall, it vanishes into thin air. I accept the rose with a smile.

"I didn't know you were fond of flowers," I playfully tease him.

"I'm not," he admits, gently taking the rose from my hand and tucking it behind my ear. "But I thought it would look beautiful on you. And I was right."

"Caspian..." I start to speak, but he interrupts.

"We can take things slow. There's no rush for any of it. I know you want to learn more about my past, and I want to know more about you. We can spend weeks here, getting to know each other, and not a single moment will pass in the real world," he says, his proximity to me intensifying as he stands close, emitting a scent of peppermint.

"Okay. I want to know everything," I reply, looking up at him earnestly.