Hidden Mysteries

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

         

          Anya was immediately taken back. This woman not only knew how to get rid of the pest known as Kelerin, but also her name. “Um, yes... Who are you?” She asked of the girl in purple. Vessalynn… The name struck a familiar chord.

            “Vessalynn Whitman, this fool's sister.” She jammed a thumb in Andrew's direction before turning to glare at him. “I told you not to bother her!”

            “Bother me?” Anya asked, but was ignored.

            Andrew snorted. “You are not my mother, as much as you try to act like it, dear sister. I am allowed my own agency.”

            Seeing the two siblings fight brought a feeling of nostalgia to Anya. Of course, she remembered¸ Andrew’s sister! She was about to Vessalynn that she remembered, but noticed the two were still arguing. Having no experience with these sorts of things, due to the fact Anya had no brothers or sisters, her revelation died on her lips. She bit her cheek as her childhood friends bickered.

Mason leaned in his chair, closer to Anya. “You used to be acquainted with them?” He whispered.

            “I guess you could say Andrew and I were childhood sweethearts. Vessa and I were best friends long before Andrew and I acquired a… taste for each other.” She glanced over at Andrew. “However, we never had the chance to have that sort of relationship.” Mason’s mouth was a tight line and his brow furrowed. “Mason, if you continue to hold your breath you will turn blue.”

His face relaxed and he looked down at her. “Come, let us dance.” He offered his arm to her and led her to an area to dance. Anya nervously lifted her left hand to his shoulder and placed her other hand in his. Why am I nervous? This is Mason. Anya told herself as Mason began to turn her in dance. She expected him to begin a conversation, but he was silent. In fact, though their dance was graceful, Mason was incredibly tense.

“Are you alright?” Anya inquired finally.

            “Yes,” He replied, almost briskly. Anya did not press the matter any further, avoiding eye contact with him for the remainder of the dance.

            “Anya,” Mason finally spoke as the song ended. “I would like to show you something, if that is okay. I think you will enjoy it.” He stepped away from her to offer his hand for her to take. Anya hesitantly accepted, curious as to what Mason had to show her. As a lively tune started up, Mason led her out of the ballroom through one of the small doors in the back. They were now in the kitchen where much of the staff was engrossed in their work, none of them paying them heed. Anya glanced around as she tried to figure out where they were going and grew ever more confused as they exited into a small courtyard. Mason obviously knew where they were going as he pulled her towards a guard tower set in the fortified wall surrounding the palace. He opened the door and began ascending the stairs inside with Anya in tow.

            “Mason,” Anya finally spoke as they were taking the third flight of stairs. “Where are we going?” He continued dragging her up the stairs, ignoring her question.

            “Mason!” She tugged his arm, making him turn around.

            “Hush, Anya, or the guards will think we are up to something.” He put his finger to his lips, smirking as he pulled her up.

            Her expression turned to exasperation. “You cannot just tell me?”

            “Where would the fun be in that?” He chuckled, reaching the top of yet another set of stairs. She expected them to go up the next set, but instead he led her in the other direction. Anya reluctantly allowed Mason to drag her out a door. Just as Anya was about to ask him where they were going again, they walked out onto the castle wall.

            “Think of this as an apology for my earlier behavior.” Mason said as he placed his hands on Anya’s shoulders and turned her around.

            Anya’s hand moved to cover her mouth as she took in the view in front of her. This particular guard wall overlooked the palace garden. It was known far and wide for how large it was and the beauty it held. Anya let go of Mason to lean over the railing and scan the magnificent nature below her. There were pools of water surrounded by lush green grass and tall trees with flowers and bushes to compliment all of it. From the balcony she could see the other side of the palace that housed the family. The setting sun made the whole scene so beautiful that Anya nearly felt like crying, but her mind told her that would have been silly, so she did not.

            However, she suspected that a grown man could cry at this sight if he allowed himself to. Candles had been lit to illuminate the garden in such a way that could never be replicated. It was the work of an artist, no less significant than the stroke of a paintbrush on a canvas. Every plant complimented each other; from the golden canna to the balloon flower.

            “You like it?” Mason asked, resting his arms on the railing with a smirk. She only smiled in answer. “Once you are duchess, you can visit it daily.”

            “Mason-”

            He shook his head, interrupted her. “You will be duchess, Anya. I shall not take no as an answer.”

            “You already know my stance on that subject.” Anya told him quickly, straightening as she looked at him.

            “You are correct; I do, but I was hoping that it would have changed.” He told her, the smile sliding off his face slowly. “Please, Anya, you have seen the woman who is fulfilling your obligations right now and she is clearly not worthy!”

            Anya looked down, whispering “She is more worth than me.”

            “You do not know that.” Mason said. “If you saw the way she used her title-”

            Anya shook her head. “I cannot be the duchess.”

            “Damn it all, Anya! It is not your fault that you parents were killed! When are you going to stop blaming yourself?”

Anya stared at him, tears welling up in her eyes. He didn’t understand – he couldn’t understand. “I must go.” She had not come here to be harassed once again on the subject. She turned to leave.

             “Anya, please wait.” Mason’s hand wrapped around her arm, effectively stopping her. “Stay, we just got here.”

            Anya shook her head. “Thank you for the dress, Your Majesty, it is most beautiful.” She slid out of his grip and curtsied before walking back towards the tower. Though doing her best to get as far away from him as she could, it was not long until he caught up to her. Neither of them uttered a word to each other as they made their way downstairs and back to the ballroom in silence.

******************************************************************************************

Yes ladies and gentlemen, the normal post schedule has returned. Let me know how you're liking the book so far with a comment or vote! (They ALWAYS mean a lot to me.) 

If you have a book you've written that you would like me to read, feel free to share it with me IN A MESSAGE. I don't want those kinds of comments, sorry. (: 

And again, if any of you know a good editor, I would appreciate it! VCS please!