Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 28 Acceptance

The room was deathly quiet with Caedmon staring at Elenis as if she'd grown three heads with Wulfric trying to maintain a stoic expression. If the latter was at all shocked by the news of her betrothal to Justin Fitzhugh he tried not to show it. He turned away from her and walked toward his things, gathering them slowly.
"Have you lost your freaking mind?" It was Caedmon that finally spewed the question.
"No I have not and might I remind you that although I have allowed you liberties in speaking your droll I am still your overlord's daughter thus require discretion in your manner of speech."she addressed Caedmon haughtily sitting primly on a chair facing the looking glass. Picking up the hairbrush, she started to brush the tangles from her long mane trying to avoid Caedmon's knowing glare.
"Do tell my lady" Caedmon continued sarcastically "I am waiting with baited breath"
"If you look at the situation with clarity you adelpated mule you would recognize the benefits of this Union." She replied casually.
"Such as?" Caedmon crossed his massive arms against his massive chest and continued to glare at his mistress.
"The union would join the houses of Fitzriley and Fitzhugh thus expanding the stronghold of Bricklow castle. Acquiring Laverloch and its vast demense as an ally would strengthen the lineage of the house of Fitzriley not to mention it would triple her father's advantage with the king. Such is the way of Politics Caedmon" it was Wulfric that spoke but he did not bother to glance at the two other hostile occupants as he continued to pile his things into his duffle bag. After securing the last bit of clothing he turned to Elenis.
"It would be unwise for me to remain cloistered within your rooms, seeing that your situation has changed I shall join the rest of the knights in the garrison. I suggest you do the same Caedmon, twould not be proper to remain with the lady while she is under the protection of her betroth." Wulfric's voice was even but there was an underlying coldness in his tone that would have rivaled the chill of winter.
"Are you fraking  mad! If we leave her now, she would be vulnerable to that sorcerer." Caedmon exclaimed in distress.
"Suit yourself then" bowing toward Elenis, Wulfric walked toward the door. As he was about to pull it open he hesitated, resting his hand against the metal knob "Do be careful Elenis, you will walk among wolves" turning to gaze upon her, he drank in the beauty of her face, flushed from the excertions of her recent escapade "Trust your instincts, it will be all you will have." With that final statement, he finally pulled the door open.
"You are still my familiar Wulfric, I have yet to say my vows." She told him as she watched him leave the room.
"And since you have not you can still change your mind." Caedmon said hopefully.
Setting the brush back on the table she turned to Caedmon "I will not go back on my word. What is done is done Caedmon, accept it as my decision." She realized just then she had lost her allies.
"But you don't love him, you don't even like him." He was suddenly upon her, kneeling in front on her, grabbing her hands, his look was beseeching "you can still change your mind, nothing is yet done."
"Caedmon" she smiled as she place her palm on his cheek "You have always been there for me at my best and worst. Of anyone, you understand me the most, even when I do not understand myself sometimes. This thing within me, this power, it grows restless and I know not how to control it. I haven't truly lived these past four years because I have been afraid of it. Justin shares these powers, he understands it, he can help me control it and guard me against those who would denounce it. I cannot live in fear anymore, hiding from this........this thing that has kept me from my family. He will know what to do."
"And what about you Elenis, who will protect you from him? You don't know what he is capable of.  What if all this is just so he can use your power for his own end?"
"It is a risk I will have to take" Elenis dropped her hand from his cheek resting it on his shoulder. "I have to trust him only he can truly understand what this all means. I cannot fight this any longer Caedmon. If I am to become what I truly am, he can help me." Her voice beseeched him to understand.
Caedmon stood and walked the few paces to the window, his gut told him that the union would not bode well. "Does he know about the boy?"
"Yes" she replied simply "He wants to raise him as his own"
Caedmon turned to her incredulous "don't you think people would talk about the boy, where he came from? Shouldn't you speak to his true father before you let another raise him? Wulfric has honor in him, allow him to do what's right"
"But would it be right for me?" Turning away from Caedmon's accusing gaze she looked at herself through the mirror when she heard the slam on her door.
Closing her eyes, she finally allowed the tears to flow freely. She knew that her decision would anger them but it had to be done. For the moment her destiny was in Laverlock and with Justin as a shield she could explore her the depth of her powers. She would use him to understand what they were and when the time came, when the moment had set upon her to truly embrace this gift she would seek a way to destroy it.
The specter of Lucious, the young boy loomed behind her, his face pale, his lips bloodless.
"And so it begins mistress." He said softly, his haunted eyes stared back at her through the looking glass.
"And so it begins" she agreed. Brushing away the tears from her cheeks, she pressed them to bring color and forced a smile.  She would need to remain hidden behind the facade of a pliant fiancé.

END OF PART 1