One Crown & Two Thrones : The Prophecy ( Book One) - Prologue

Chapter Eleven - Kiss of Fate

XII

Kiss of Fate

The sound of a kiss is not as loud as that of a cannon, but its echo lasts a great deal longer...

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

The house had undergone a festive make over as the fund raising ball approached. Small Christmas trees had been placed in each of the four large main rooms that were to be used for the formal function. Beautiful garlands had been wrapped about the banister and set upon the hearths of the four large fires that were alit. The dining room table was laden with beautiful wreaths, candles and ornaments, with the finest silver on display and around fifty guests had been invited arriving just before the clock struck seven. Outside, flakes of snow had begun to drop casting a romantic illusion across the park and street, alit with gas lamps. A string quartet filled the house with festive music as the guests filled the rooms. Amidst the music and raised voices Galean found himself hiding in the library, pacing to and fro before Theodore.

"She has improved greatly in the last twenty four hours," Theodore said as he stood before a small mirror, tending to his bow tie. "I told her to stay in our room and rest for the evening but she wouldn't listen to me, something about showing Mary her appreciation and wanting to dress up."

"Theodore you only have one vial of antivenin left," Galean said with exhausted eyes. "Tell me what your plan is on ensuring that Eveline lives?"

Theodore stopped straightening his bow and looked through the reflection of the mirror to Galean, whose head was in his hands. A crease formed on Theodore's forehead as the bud of jealousy sprung to life.

"We leave in the morning for London, once their Gabriel will know what to do."

"Even he will need the venom of Nagtium to cure Eveline," Galean said quietly, miffed as to how his friend was simply brushing aside the importance of Eveline's predicament. If he had been in control, she would be in London under the supervision of Gabriel or better yet Heiden. But he wasn't in control of the situation, he had been forbidden to tend to Eveline since Theodores return out of a need for her to have some space and privacy. Galean understood Theodore's true reasoning and found himself defeated, Jophiel also cautioning him to stay away.

"There will be another way," Theodore said seriously, turning to Galean with stern eyes. "Gabriel will know how to save her."

"You're leaving it too late Cael, she should have been taken to London yesterday; Lagmar be damned! The longer she stays here the more vulnerable she becomes and the more dangerous this whole situation becomes."

"We all agreed to keep her here until the ball was over for her safety and to ensure that Lagmar wouldn't suspect anything untoward," Theodore argued roughly.

"She tried to kill Estelle for God's sake! What other incentive do you need?"

"I know you think or believe that you know what is best for Eveline but let me remind you that I am her husband and we all agreed to wait until the morning!"

"I wish you would let go of your pride for a moment and open your eyes Cael, instead you're putting your pride in front of her safety, for what?"

Galean rose from the sofa and stood tall before Theodore.

"Whatever it is that lingers between yourself and Eveline, let it go," Theodore said quietly, his face dark. "She doesn't belong to you. Save yourself the pain and go home where you are needed."

"Is that a threat?" Galean said curtly, stepping forward, closing the distance between them. "I am your friend or have you forgotten that?"

"You have become too close to her," Theodore said with a firm voice. "Can you honestly tell me friend to friend, man to man that you have not grown fond of her?"