Flight of Frost and Aurora

Chapter 55

For days, Vagatha and Anthony traversed Snejotep Haven, using her special looking glass in search of Mother Carmilla. Yet, not once did her image materialize, regardless of what Vagatha aimed it at. She couldn't comprehend it—where could she be?

"Something's wrong," Vagatha said, frustration creeping into her voice. "By now, she should have appeared in the glass. It's spring, after all."

"Maybe she's not real," Anthony suggested cautiously.

"Bite your tongue!" she snapped.

"I'm just looking at the evidence. We've searched everywhere, and nothing."

"At this point, she's our only hope. We showed the judge the dead goat, and he still didn't suspect his wife and stepdaughter. Now Alastor has to marry that dreadful girl to save himself, and honestly, I don't know which fate is worse."

"I'm surprised he agreed to the marriage. I for one would have chosen death."

"I can't let him marry that banshee, and I can't let him die either. You may think that what I'm doing is stupid, Anthony, but I'm desperate. I lost part of my family long ago, and I refuse to lose another."

"Vagatha, I want to believe you. I really do. But I just can't."

"Then I'll do this on my own."

"Wait, I didn't mean—"

"If you don't believe in me, then how can you help? That doesn't make sense."

"Just because I don't share your beliefs doesn't mean I don't care about you. As a matter of fact, I care for you a lot and want to help you."

"If you truly care about me, then keep an eye on Alastor. At least you believe he's real."

"Now don't be like that. Why are you taking this so hard?"

Why indeed? The answer was both simple and complex. Despite her efforts to resist, Vagatha had fallen in love with Anthony. But no husband and wife could have a happy life together without believing in each other and their families. Mother Carmilla had raised Vagatha; she was the only mother she had left after losing her biological one. For Anthony to dismiss her mother was simply unacceptable.

"Here." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small purse filled with gold coins. "Alastor gave me this, but I want you to have it. Use it to escape with your sister. With this, you can go anywhere in the world and start that sweet shop she dreams of."

"I can't take this."

"Yes, you can!"

"No, I can't! You're a woman whose only relative has been convicted of murder. Do you understand how people will treat you when they hear what the judge thinks Alastor did? Do you know how hard it'll be for you to take care of yourself?"

"Heinrich doesn't believe any of it, and he'll still let me work for him. I'll be fine, but you and Molly... This might be your only chance."

"I'm not taking it."

"Either you take it, or I'll give it to Molly."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because I care for you too, and I can't stand to see you and Molly suffer under that maniac any longer. Take the gold!"

Reluctantly, Anthony agreed to accept it, but only because he planned to give some to Molly and secretly return the rest to Vagatha later. He hid the purse in his room and then went to keep an eye on Alastor, as Vagatha had requested. Unfortunately, Augusto had been out hunting and spotted his brother receiving the gold. He rushed home to tell their father.