SWNOVELS Chapter 11: Old Wounds
I turned to walk back over to my bag, staggering with every step I took, feeling heavy and weighted. Thankfully Fenris walked beside me, steadying me. I smiled as we reached it. I knelt down and pulled out a towel and dried myself off, giggling as I wrapped my hair in a heated air, causing it swirl around it, drying it even faster.
After sufficiently drying myself, I pulled out the other set of clothes, quickly dressing myself. Lacing up my shoes, I stuffed my old clothes into the bag, carefully placing the scrolls onto the clothes, zipping up the bag. Fenris then knelt beside me, softly beating the ground with his tails.
As always, he wanted me to slip onto his back and let him carry me back to the Manor. I smiled, complying with his wish, slipping the bag over my shoulder and climbing onto his back, straddling my leg over him. Fenris then slowly lifted off of the ground and began to tread towards home.
I smiled as I clung to his fur, stroking it softly, “Hope you weren't too bored while I was away.”
I felt a gentle wind wrapping around me as he craned his head to look at me, “I am never ‘bored’ when waiting for your return, little one.” I giggled tiredly, running my fingers through his fur, watching as we drew closer and closer to the Manor.
When we finally reached the Manor, I saw Abigale standing on the back veranda. I waved at them both, “Hey Miss Abigale.”
The maid bowed as Fenris stepped onto the veranda, “Welcome returns Young Miss, I pray your time with the gossip was pleasant.”
I sighed, shaking my head, “Apart from coming from a group of sleeping mermaids, it was fine.” The head maid nodded, walking towards me. I rolled my legs over the back of Fenris. As I touched the deck, my legs gave way.
Abigale quickly rushed over to me, helping me back onto my feet, and steadying me. I blushed as I clung to both Fenris and to her, “Thank you.”
The maid smiled, “Of course, Young Miss.”
I stood up straight, taking a deep breath, “Is my mother still in the parlor?”
Abigale nodded, “Yes Young Miss.”
I smiled, “Thank you Miss Abigale.” She smiled as she helped me walk inside.
Rachel turned her head as I walked into the parlor, “Have a good time my love?”
I nodded, “For the most part. Spent all of it with Tariel.”
My mother nodded, motioning me over to her. I smiled as I staggered over to her, crawling onto the couch with her. I smiled as she pulled me close, pulling my bag off of me, placing it onto the floor. I curled up into her, watching as Fenris lied down opposite of us.
She tenderly stroked my arms, staring at the stack of papers on the table before us. I fought back the urge to fall asleep, “Still working on reports?”
My mother smiled, “That I am my love. As always, it is rather tiresome work but still must be done. One day, you possibly might have to take over my place is handling such matters.”
I smirked, “That’ll be the day.”
She smiled, stroking my hair, “That it will.”
My eyes constantly grew heavier and heavier as the sound of the grandfather clock’s pendulum as it swung from side to side, it’s rhythm acting as a steady lullaby. The more I listened, the harder it became to stay awake, until finally succumbing to sleep’s call.
Rachel smiled as she watched her daughter sleeping soundly in her arms, stroking the young girl gently. “Always quick to sleep,” she whispered, summoning a blanket, and gently covering the girl.
She peered over towards her bonded wolf, which was resting as well, laying his massive body on the couch opposite of them. Rachel smiled, shaking her head, always emulating your little one, aren’t you? she thought.
Rachel then looked at Aria’s bag, noticing the odd bulge at its top. She gently pulled the bag over and opened it, revealing that scrolls her daughter had received from Tariel.
She carefully opened one, seeing that it was more lore and reading material for Aria to study. The mother nodded softly, rolling it back up, placing it back into the bag.
She pulled out the second scroll, noticing the seal of the Nerazon royal guard upon it. Rachel unrolled the parchment, reading it carefully. She sighed, shaking her head, looking to Aria.
“Not yet young lady,” she whispered, kissing the top of her daughter’s head. She rolled up the scroll, placing it alongside the first scroll, holding the girl tighter.
The parlor was silent, aside from the loud ticking of the clock. Rachel loved this time of day. No work, no reports to manage, no papers to grade. It was just simply her and her daughter resting together on the couch with each other. Aria’s breaths cooed softly into the room, revealing how much of a child she truly was.
The girl wanted for little, asked for little, and yet gave back so much to her mother. Aria was everything to Rachel, her entire world, everything she could ever possibly want, and now, sleeping beside her. Rachel smiled as strands of hair rolled onto Aria’s face. She smiled, gently tucked them behind her ear.
“The sweetest of dreams for my girl,” she whispered.
An hour passed and a soft knock rang from the door. Rachel turned to see Sebastian standing by the entrance. Rachel motioned the butler in, watching as he gently walked over to the pair.
“Forgive my disruption my lady, I did not wish to wake the Young Miss,” he whispered.
Rachel smiled, “It is quite all right my friend,” looking to him.
He smiled warmly, which then quickly faded, “Lord Cromwell has arrived…and has called for you.”
The woman’s kind smile contorted into a flat anger, swearing under her breath, and thinking for a moment. She gripped her daughter tightly, looking to her, before looking up at the lycan, sighing heavily but not enough to wake the girl.
“Very well.”
She gently rose from the couch, carefully laying the girl’s head onto a pillow, making sure the blanket was sufficiently covering her. When satisfied, Rachel stood up and walked over to the door, with Sebastian already having left the room. She softly closed the door, hearing the latch click shut, she turned and made her way towards the foyer.
When Rachel arrived, she saw a tall, well-built man with amber colored hair and emerald eyes, which belied an arrogance and smugness which she found grating.
The man smiled, holding out his hand, “Rachel Rivenfeld, oh how time has only increased your beauty. It has been far too long my dear old friend.”
She stopped short of a few feet from him, folding her arms, glaring at the man, “You and I are not friends.”
The man grinned, “No...You and I were so much more weren’t we?”
Rachel snarled at him, “What you and I were together is in the past. I cannot believe you have the gall to appear here at my home and stand before me as though nothing ever happened.”
He smirked, “You still hold onto that old grudge. I figure after our long absence from one another you would have let go of such frivolous thoughts. How childish of you,” shaking his head.
“You betrayed me you goddamn ass. Does your arrogance know no limits? You have the balls to call my hatred of you childish, after what you did to me?!”
The man blinked, “My, my, you always did have a sharp tongue and yet, I would have never figured you to speak such language for a lady of your grace. You have changed since the last time you and I saw one another.”
Rachel’s anger flared as she held back from lashing out at him, “Why are you here?” she asked, gritting her teeth.
He grinned, “As I stated before, I merely wished to stop by and visit you. It has been thirty years, and I was wondering if you had found it in your heart to move on so that we may resume our once glorious friendship.”
Rachel loudly tapped her foot, “I highly doubt that is possible. I have not forgotten nor forgiven you for that time.”
He chuckled, “Ah, but don’t humans always say that “forgiveness is divine”? And I am standing before the most beautiful of angels.”
Rachel’s teeth grinded as she growled, “I want you out of my house…now!”
He chuckled, “Oh come now Rachel, I did not come to stir animosity between us. I still recall how close you and I were once.” He closed eyes and smiled, “Oh how the two of us were to envy of the Court.”
Rachel’s foot slammed into the floor, “You and I were never that close you pompous buffoon.”
He chuckled once more, “Oh Rachel, how I miss those nights with you,” folding his arms around himself, “can’t you recall the two of us on those cold lonely nights, held in each other’s arms, keeping the other warm.”
Rachel’s fists balled up tightly as she glared at him, wanting to unleash her fury upon him.
The man smiled ever more, “Ah, there is the passion I so fell in love with all those years ago.”
The woman’s growls grew louder and deeper, “GET OUT!!!” The man merely smiled, unmoving.
Rachel’s voice shook me from my nap, instantly feeling a sharp pain in my head, groaning softly as I sat up on the couch. I rubbed my head, still hearing my mother shouting from outside the door. I rose from the couch and wandered towards the door, with the blanket dropping beside me onto the floor.
I glanced over to Fenris, sleeping quietly, unfazed. I shook my head, still feeling my head throbbing as I wandered over to the door, opening it, and following the echoes of voices.
“You still believe that I will somehow go flying back into your arms?” I heard Rachel call out, her voice reverberating off of the walls.
“No Rachel,” responded a man’s voice, one unfamiliar to me, “but I had hoped that you would consider reforging our old bonds with each other.”
“Then you have wasted your time. I would and shall never re-associate myself with man such as yourself,” Rachel retorted.
As I wandered into the foyer, a sharp pain raced through my head, causing me to rub my head. “Rachel…what’s with all the shouting?” I called out.
My mother quickly turned, seeing me, “Aria,” she then raced over to me, wrapping her arms around me, “did I wake you up? Please forgive me my precious.” I groaned as I clung to her.
“Rachel…who is this child?” asked the unknown man.
I peered out from Rachel’s arms, looking at him, pain still throbbing through my head, “Rachel…who’s he?”
My mother sighed, stroking my hair, “Regulus, as much as it pains me to do so, this is Aria, my daughter.”
The man blinked as he stared at me, “Daughter…is she?”
Rachel quickly glared at him, “She is not your daughter, you bastard.”
The man chuckled, “Again with such language and in front of a child no less,” he then leaned forward grinning, “if not my child, then she must be his then.”
My mother again shook her head, “Nor is she his. I adopted her near the start of the year.” I saw the man’s grin grow wider as he looked at me.
The man folded his hands, “Well that is glorious news Rachel. I myself am expecting my first child soon.”
Rachel looked to him, “You two-faced leech. And here I thought you wanted to ‘reforge’ our bonds.”
The man chuckled, “Well I still hold true to what I said Rachel.” My mother shook her head, holding me closer to her.
I then groaned softly, holding my head, “That’s not going away anytime fast.”
My mother kissed my forehead, seeing Lyra standing by the door, and motioning to her. “Sweetheart, why don’t you go with Lyra and wait for me in the parlor?” she softly spoke to me.
I felt the valkyrie’s hands gently resting onto my shoulder, “Come Young Miss.”
I nodded, pulling away from Rachel, “Just don’t take too long okay?”
My mother smiled, “I will be along shortly my love.”
I nodded and turned back towards the parlor. As Lyra and walked away, I felt something wisp past my nose. It was a strange odor, something akin to…well if I have to be honest, I have no idea what I smelled.
I turned to the man, his smile for the briefest of moments, sent a shiver down my spine, which instantly woke me up. I choose to hide my sudden repulsion of the man as Lyra escorted me back to the parlor.
“She is a rather beautiful child, Rachel,” still hearing the voices from the parlor as I sat down.
“Regulus, you are to have nothing to do with my daughter,” she said. “Now…I want you out of my house, before I have you ‘removed’. And trust me, it would give me all the more pleasure in witnessing such an act.”
The man’s chuckles echoed, “As you wish my Lady. Until the next time we meet.”
“For your sake, pray that it shall never come to pass.” A moment went by as I head the front door finally closing shut.
I folded myself back onto the couch, pulling the pillow close to me as I waited for Rachel to come back. I looked over to Fenris, still sleeping quietly on the couch. I smiled over to him, watching his tails wagging softly.
My ears then perked as I heard the door open and with it, my mother walking into the parlor, looking exhausted and slowly calming down.
I watched as she gently strolled over to the couch, sitting beside me. I looked to her, having pulled my legs into my chest, “So…what was that all about?”
Rachel took a long deep breath as I leaned back into the couch, “Just someone from my past, of whom I never thought I would see again. Nor did I ever wish for you to deal with.”
I hugged my legs even tighter, “Okay…want to talk about it? Also, why does everyone think that I’m his kid and was he who Miss Elizabeth was talking about last year?”
Rachel sighed, “So she mentioned Regulus to you?”
I shrug slightly, “Not exactly, she gave some kind of reference to someone.”
My mother nodded, “Well…Regulus and I were indeed in a deep and close relationship,” she started, “the truth is that I was so madly infatuated that if he had asked me to marry him…I more than likely would have.”
My head tilted slightly, “Okay…still not answering my question.”
Rachel nods again, “Regulus and I were members of the Court together, hence how we met one another,” she continued, “he and I would often be sent on missions, acquiring artifacts and handling negotiations between various parties throughout Europe and parts of Asia. Hence how I was able to meet Yukari.”
I nodded, tapping my fingers on my arms.
“While on these missions,” she continued, “Regulus and I would become rather...intimate with each other. So naturally, rumors would abound as to whether or not we had children.” I face dropped as I tried to block out certain images and scenarios.
Rachel then looked to me, “Mind clearing your head of such dirty thoughts young lady?” I blushed, nodding.
Rachel rose from the couch and walked over to the fireplace, resting her hand onto the mantle. “A little over thirty years ago, before you were born, Regulus and I were sent on a mission to Greece to recover an artifact human authorities had discovered. We were not exactly given very many details of what exactly it was, because not even the Court knew what it was; only that it emanated a strange aura. So we were sent to retrieve it.”
I looked to her, “That’s kinda stupid to be sent to find something and no one really knows what they are trying to find.”
Rachel nodded, “True, but we were given some details on what to look for. And we were given a sense of urgency in retrieving it. So off we went. I often found going on such adventures to be rather thrilling and it drew me ever closer to Regulus.”
She then sighed, turning, leaning against the brick masonry of the fireplace, crossing her arms, “In hindsight, I knew there were signs that there was something ‘off’ about our mission. Of which I wish I had noticed sooner.” I sat on my knees and leaned over the back of the couch, crossing my feet.
“Barely a day into our mission, everything went awry. Regulus and I were captured almost immediately and taken to some horrible hideaway.”
I furled my eyebrow, letting my mouth curl into a half smile, “Everyday people simply grabbed and held you? Rachel…come on, that’s just nuts. You could’ve easily gotten yourself free.”
“Normally I would have agreed with you my dear,” she replies. “But I was placed into bonds which restrained my magic, leaving me helpless and weak. Regulus and I were also separated from one another and tortured for information.”
I gripped my arms tightly, thinking of what someone could have done to my mother to hurt her.
The hairs on her arms then prickled, “I don’t know how long he and I were held captive. The days blurred together in a near endless chain of beatings and interrogations. What I do remember was when I saw Regulus strolling past my cell. I wanted to cry out to him, call for my lover to rescue me. That all changed when I noticed him smiling, and talking to our captors. What was also peculiar was the fact he barely appeared to be injured in any way. The man did not even glance into my cell as he disappeared from my sight.”
Rachel sighed softly, “I was lost, alone, and unsure if I was ever going to make it out of there. If it weren’t for Andriy and Sabine coming for me, I highly doubt I possibly would be standing here today.”
A smile rose on my face, “So…what happened after you were rescued?”
My mother nodded, “With their help, I was able to complete my mission and retrieve the artifact.”
I tilted my head, “So what was it?”
Rachel shook her head, “Even to this very day, I haven’t the foggiest of a clue. The artifact itself was still housed within its original crate, which was sealed magically. Once we returned to the Court, even the central council could not open it.”
I leaned back, gripping the back rest of the couch, but still kept my gaze at her, “Okay…after you got back to the Court with the ‘artifact’, what happened?”
Rachel gripped her arms tighter, “Upon our arrival, I was showered with comforting words and concerns. Within the following week, I learned that Regulus had in fact not only betrayed me, but the Court as well. He sold off our secrets and apparently had a hand in staging my capture and detainment. Obviously the bastard was expelled from the Court, but I doubt news of it did not reach him for some time.” I nodded as I listened.
“I did manage to track him to Tuscany, where I found the man sitting at a café along the Riviera, sipping on a coffee. The man was astonished to see me standing in front of him, and yet I sensed he truly wasn’t that surprised. Needless-to-say I gave the man everything, short of killing him. I then turned and stormed off. When I returned to France, it was then that I decided to step aside from the Court, and return home. Thus beginning my three decade long self-imposed exile.”
Rachel peered out the window, watching as the sun began to slowly set, “While I despise the man even to this day, and with his unexpected arrival at our home, in some strange way I am actually glad Regulus betrayed me. For ten years later, the most wonderful event occurred, which forever changed my life.”
I leaned forwarded against the backrest, “What do you mean?”
I watched as she then turned and walked over to me, kneeling before me, smiling, “I met you, my greatest treasure in all the world,” caressing my cheek. I giggled, staring into my mother’s eyes.
Rachel then leaned forward and kissed my forehead, still stroking my cheek, “I forever praise that blessed day, the day I truly found the other half of my heart.”
I blushed softly as I leaned my head into her hand, “It sure has been a rumpus nonstop adventure since then hasn’t it?”
Rachel nodded, “I would agree my love.”
The clock’s chime rang loudly. “Ah…perfect timing,” smiling, “it would appear that our dinner is ready.” She then held out her hand to me, “Hungry my dear?”
I smiled, taking it, “Always.”
I heard the sound of heavy shuffling on the couch behind me as I turned to see Fenris slipping to the floor and stretching out his body, yawning, his fangs bore cleanly against the light. I smiled as I pulled off of the couch and followed Rachel out of the parlor, with Fenris right behind me.
. . .
A couple days passed since Regulus arrived at the Manor. Life quickly returned to normal as though nothing had ever happened. The fields were slowly growing closer to harvest time, which meant the dryads were going to be busy. Something I looked forward to helping out with.
The time was also growing closer to when the flocks were about ready to be sheered for their wool. The twins and I had spent the time playing with each other as we always did. Little Luna and I had spent a day running through the fields, with Micha running after us. Once the pup had caught up to us, I feigned tripping to the ground.
I was then quickly pounced on by the young boy. We rolled around on the ground as I then hoisted him into the air. We were then joined by his sister and the three of us resumed our play on the soft grass. Their family smiled as they watched.
During the latter half of the week I spent the day with Velhemina, nuzzled deeply in my flower, having transformed into an alraune to both help her with looking after the plants within the greenhouse, but also to spend some needed time with my aunt.
The elder alraune smiled as she watched over me. I giggled as I felt the pulsing of every plant that I was connected to. My aunt smiled ever more as I floated around the humid garden.
After seeing to the last plant, my flower slowly returned to the center of the greenhouse. Fenris was lying quietly near one of the benches, having surrounded himself in a gentle chilling air. I knew he didn’t really care for the humidity, but maintained his watch over me. I smiled, loving that he was there.
Velhemina was looking after a row of tree saplings, a pet project to introduce new fruit trees to the Estate. I leaned over onto the petals of my flower, as I watched her walk in between the saplings.
“Well, hello there Little Wing.”
I turned to see Silvi walking towards us. I smiled at her, “Hey sis.”
The dragon smiled as she neared me, leaning over to kiss my cheeks, “Tired of being a fragile flower Little Wing?”
I craned my head over at Velhemina, who was fuming mad. I giggled, always loving the banter between the two of them.
I shook my head, “Nope, but I wouldn’t mind going for a flight with you at some point.”
My sister smiled, with her tail wagging happily.
I giggled more, “Both you and Fenris love wagging your tails when you’re happy.”
Silvi flicked my nose, “And why shouldn’t we?” grinning at me, “lest you forget that I too have seen you wag your tail or tails in a similar fashion.” I giggled, nodding.
She then took a seat on the bench next to Fenris. The wolf raised his head, looking up at her. The dragon smiled, reaching over and gently scratched him on the top of his head.
“Little Blossom, would you be a dear and hand me some of the fertilizer?”
I nodded, sending my vines over to another table, which held little bags of manure, grabbing a couple, and then passing them over to her.
My aunt smiled, “Thank you dear,” she then opened the bags and spread them over the saplings. I smiled, nodding as I watched.
I sighed softly as I placed my chin onto hands as I watched everyone. “Hey…gotta question for you both.” Both Velhemina and Silvi looked over to me.
“What is on your mind Little Blossom?” asked my aunt.
I looked to her, “Well…a couple days ago, this guy visited Rachel. She told me what happened and seemed pretty pissed with him.”
Silvi looked to me, “Who was it?”
I looked to her, “I think his name was Regulus Cromwell.”
My aunt nearly dropped the kettle she was using to water the saplings as my sister’s eyes grew fiercely angry. I looked to them, “What?”
Silvi crossed her arms, tapping them, “To think after all these years, the jackass actually drummed up the courage to reappear into your mother’s life.”
Velhemina walked up behind Silvi, “Did anything happen?”
I shook my head, “Just her yelling at him to leave, which he did.” Both women looked at each other and then back towards me.
“For him to leave with his life is astonishing,” said my aunt.
Silvi snorted two little fireballs from her nose, “If it were to me, I would’ve drawn and quartered the snake.”
I looked at them both, “If he’s so bad, why did Rachel let me go? Aside from not wanting to clean up after herself.” Both women smiled as they walked over to me, pulling me into an embrace.
“Because of you Little Wing,” replied my sister, “she didn’t want for you to see such an act committed by her.”
My aunt stroked my hair, “How you view your mother is everything to Rachel, Little Blossom.”
I nodded, sighing softly, “Kinda makes me think of what if Regulus didn’t betray her. Would…would that have change her meeting me?”
Silvi knelt down in front of me, “Aria…I believe that there is nothing in this world that could’ve changed that event. You and your mother were always meant to find each other.”
I leaned forward, laying my head onto her chest. Silvi smiled, stroking my hair and holding me closer to her. Velhemina joined in as well, caressing my head. I glanced up at Fenris, who was sitting straight up and staring at me.
I smiled, “You too, “Papa wolf”?”
His lips curled into a soft grin as he nodded, “I believe so as well, little Aria.”
I smiled as I closed my eyes, for the moment, simply letting the world pass me by. I still had questions, what I didn’t know, was that meeting would forever alter my life. At the time, I thankfully was blissfully ignorant of that.