Finding My Nightingale [UNDER CONSTRUCTION]

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

***William's POV***

She disappeared before my eyes.

I sighed and headed for Henry, my shoulders slumped.

"Are you all right, William?" Erica comes up to me. I pick her up and put her on the horse.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Erica, but I need some time to clear my head. Do you mind go back to the castle by yourself on the horse?"

"Of course not, William, but, I'm here if you need someone to listen."

"Thanks, Erica." She smiles at me and rides the other way.

I walk towards Elena's house and head for the forest.

Soon, I made it to that garden Elena's father created for her. I sat on a bench and stared off into space. It felt as if she just ripped my heart right out of my chest.

She is what I need to breath. I tried to clear my head but I couldn't get the loudness of my thoughts out of my head. She was the center of them all. I tried to concentrate on the silence of the forest and the nightingales but she made it hard for me to think of something else.

I finally gave up and headed home. When I got there, I heard whispering. Like someone was arguing and didn't want anyone to hear.

"I did what I knew what was best, Mother." I heard Erica whisper. "If it really was her She's safer the farther she's away from us."

"Are you certain that was my dear Elena? After your father died you are the only two I have left. I can't bear to lose either one of my girls." Erica's mother whispers. I gasped. Why was she talking about Elena? No wonder they looked so much a like, they're sisters! Elena has a sister!

"Yes, mother, I'm sure. I sent her to Geneva, like she wanted. But she'll probably get lost and killed if we don't send someone to care for her."

Killed?! I thought. I have to save her. I heard another voice, "what is all this commotion in here?"

"Sorry, master." Master?! None of this was making sense.

"I heard you sent that daughter of yours away, Caroline."

"While we're here it's Edith, remember?" Erica's mother whispers furiously. "And yes, Erica sent her to Geneva. Where she'll be safe."

"Oh she'll be safe alright. Safe in the cell under the city."

"What? Why?!"

"Don't worry, no harm is to come her way. Yet." The man laughs.

"Don't you dare hurt my daughter." Edith growls. I heard a slap and a gasp.

"Right now the only daughter you have is Erica. And you're the duchess of Geneva. Not a stupid dirty poor peasant maid from Nightingale. Do you understand? Good. Now off to bed, both of you." I scurried into the kitchen and hide under the table as the two women past me.

I can't believe Erica would just send Elena away, knowing she would instantly be in danger. I tried to hate her but somehow I couldn't.

"Psst." I say hoping Erica will hear me.

"Huh?"

"Down here." I whisper. Erica looks down and I wave at her. She turns to her mother. "Mother do excuse me but I need to freshen up before I got to bed.

"Of course, dear. Don't be long."

"I won't, mother." Her mother leaves the room. She looks at me again. "What are you doing under the table?"

"Hush, come in here where no one can hear us." I lead her into a closet. "You're Elena's sister?!"

Her eyes went widen. "You didn't eavesdrop!"

"I did. I'll be sorry about it later but we have to save Elena."

She shook her head. "I can't. He'll kill my mother and I both."

"He'll kill Elena if we don't help her!"

"I can make you a map of where she could be but I can't go with you. I have to protect my mother. She's all I got."

"She will be if he kills Elena. You're going to let him kill your sister just to protect you and your mother?!"

She looks away, "you wouldn't understand. He beats us, William. He's tortured us. But he's also given us the chances of a life time! I won't be here if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be marrying you if it weren't for him." I look away from her unable to bear the truth. "William, stay with me. You're home is here. If you go and try to save her they'll kill you! Don't you want to marry me? Am I not good enough for you?"

"You're one of the greatest people I know. But Elena is too."

"Can't I make you happy?" She says I noticed she was crying because her tears where falling on my arm.

I decided to let the truth ring. "Not the way Elena does. She's special, there's no one else like her and I don't think I'll ever be truly happy without her. Without her it feels as if I'm hollow, as if the Nightingale's don't sing. I need her like I need air to breath. And with or without you I will find her and I will bring her home and I will marry her." I rush out of the closet and before I leave I turn to Erica and say, "I do need that map. If you're still willing to do that for me. I'll meet you in the garden after breakfast. No later than noon. Goodnight, Erica."

I leave her and go to bed and I sleep. Until the morning, my beautiful Nightingale! I will find you. And I will bring you back home where you belong, in my arms.

Copyright by kelsey_rumsey14 All Rights Reserved.