The Baron and his Lady

Forty-one: Time to go

Master bedroom
Claus' pov

"Galbraith?" I called my brother's attention.

"Yes.." his weak reply. He laid on the bed with one arm covering his face, I knew he was crying. Whatever happened awhile ago must have been tragic.

"How did you do that?"

He lifted the arm, "Do what?"

"You were talking to her. How?"

He did not respond and merely stared at the ceiling. Was it magic? If so, how did my brother managed to do it? He was not a wizard. Letecia had cursed him but did it give him powers? I shook my head. Impossible. I am imagining things. Not unless, ghosts had found a way to make contact with us and Yra had reached out to him from the other side.

"I do not know Claus. I...I just pictured her in my mind and she came up." He pushed himself into a sitting position, "Then she spoke to me. She told me to let her go."

I did not know what to say. Yra died a long time ago, my brother had been imprisoned with no one to share the eternity with him yet their connection was still strong. If she were here right now, I would hug her and ask for her forgiveness. She had been a wonderful person, a bright sunshine against the cold world. And she had died young.

"Ne t'en fais pas, Claus. She does not have hatred towards you, she has forgiven you long ago."

I sighed, "I am not worried, little brother. In fact, I am relieved. You have kept her in your heart all these years, I believe it is time you set her free."

Galbraith smiled at me. I wanted to keep that memory of him. Smiling and content. I knew that the heaviest burden has now come off and he can finally move on. I wish him all the happiness in the world.

I started to reach out to him but there was a sudden pain in my chest. My hand clutched the shirt I wore, I could barely breathe.

"Claus? Claus! What is the matter?"

I tried responding but blood sputtered from my mouth. Oh God. Is it time?

"Claus! Hold on. Tell me what to do."

I stared at Galbraith's face and realized that I was sprawled on the floor. His hands supported my head while his face painted worry and fear.

"Claus, brother.." he was crying again. Oh my little brother. I raised my hand and wiped the tears away. Blood smeared his pretty face but he did not care.

"It is time, Galbraith.." I choked and another wave of pain came crashing again. I held unto his hands, his sobs were louder this time. "I love you brother. Promise me that you will live, truly live."

"Claus... I can't let you go yet. We just got each other back. Tell me, what can I do to stop the pain?"

"Promise me.." I squeezed his hand with all my might, I saw him flinched and I knew it hurt. "Promise me Galbraith."

He cried against my forehead, his shoulders shook. I wanted to comfort him and tell him that everything will be alright. But it won't, not for some time. Already, I could feel the conciousness slipping away. The demon was waiting for me.

"I promise, Claus." Lucian finally whispered to me.

I managed a smile, "Take care of her. Love her, make her the happiest woman and never, ever make her cry."

"I promise. I promise, I promise..." he said again and again.

Those were the last thing I heard and welcomed the darkness. I gave one last breath and succumed.
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