"Why wasn't I informed about this?" Keith yelled angrily.
Blaise flinched. He was outraged, it was the first time she'd ever since him so angry.
"There wasn't time to inform you," Heather explained.
"I don't care, Evie. You should have informed me." Keith said.
"Come down, brother." Klaus held Keith back.
They all stood in the drawing room while the ball went on.
Blaise watched as Klaus spoke to Keith quietly. In no time Keith turned around with a less annoying look.
"The two of you better start talking." He said coldly referring to Damien and Heather.
"I thought you said your bloody spell could last an hour." It was Heather's turn to lash out at Damien.
"I told you an hour or less, it's not my fault that bloody mark didn't stay put." Damien said.
"Now is not the time, you lot can go back to playing the blame game after we've solved the problem at hand." Klaus said.
"Now, somebody tell me, who the hell invited bloody William?" Klaus asked.
"Neither of us did. He just showed up." Heath replied.
"That bloody fool is up to something. I just know it." Heather said.
"We will deal with our good for nothing cousin later. Right now, we have to look for that man." Keith said.
"What man?" Klaus asked.
"The man with Camille. He saw Vivian's mark." Damien replied.
"I swear I've seen that face before." Heather said.
"Samuel," Blaise whispered.
They all turned sharply to look at her. Blaise stared down at her trembling palms. Her eyes were filled with terror.
Keith walked towards her. He sat by her side and raised her chin with his hand. When he looked into her eyes, there were filled with fear.
"Vivian, how do you know that name?" Keith asked her.
"I…I…saw him in my dreams. He…He killed me." Blaise said in a trembling voice.
"Do you hear that?" Klaus suddenly asked.
Klaus, Heather, Heath, and Damien all sped out with leaving Blaise and Keith alone.
"Vivian, look at me." Keith cupped her face.
Blaise slowly looked up at him.
"You don't have to be scared. You have me."
He repeated the words again. Blaise didn't know what to believe. But something in his eyes told her, he was being sincere.
He slowly pulled her into his arms and hugged her. Everything in her told her to push back. But she couldn't, she needed this. Needed him.
Keith felt her loosen up in his arms and return his hug.
"These dreams, how long have you been having them?" he asked her.
"Ever since the day before our wedding." She replied in a steadier tone.
Keith pulled back to look at her.
"Tell me everything." He told her.
William Valerian stood in the quiet hallway away from the ball. He stood before the portrait of the Valerian family.
A hand suddenly grabbed his neck to the wall. He looked down to find a very angry Heather. Behind her stood her brothers, Klaus, Heath, and Damien.
"Still the eavesdropping tattler you've always been, Willie?" Klaus said with a smile.
William struggled to talk but Heather's grip on his neck grew tighter.
"Evie., Heath called her.
Heather instantly tossed him to the ground.
William coughed and gasped for air. He suddenly burst into laughter and stood to his feet.
"Whew…that is one bloody grip you have there, Evie." He said.
Heather grunted in annoyance. Heath held her back.
"I see Evan still keeps you in check." William waved at Heath.
"What are you doing here, Willie?" Klaus asked.
"Oh, Kevin, it's so good to see you, I missed you earlier. You see I was…"
Klaus suddenly grabbed his neck again. He instantly dug his fangs in William's neck and threw him to the floor. William groaned in pain.
Klaus pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and dubbed his lips.
"Oh Willie, you forget I am a very impatient man. With my venom coursing through your veins you have less than an hour to die. Now let me ask you properly. What are you doing here?" Klaus asked again.
William sat on the ground with his hand to his neck. He chuckled.
"As I said earlier, I heard of Keith's wife. There are rumors about that woman you see. Rumors that she possesses a power we all perceive lost. I was just curious to see it for myself. And now I know the rumors are true, she is the lost Phoenix." William said.
The Valerians gave each other knowing glances.
"You knew, didn't you? You all knew?" William asked surprised.
"You didn't travel all the way from overseas to satisfy your curiosity. Did you?" Damien asked.
William burst into laughter.
"And to believe I thought you ignorant. Come to think of it, of all the women in Valeria. Why will Keith decide to marry a witch? Not just any witch…a bloody Phoenix?" William asked.
"Is that all you came here for? To question Keith's taste in women?" Heath asked.
"Yes and to remind him, that power is a threat to our kind. You very well know what will happen if news of this…" Suddenly, Heather snapped William's neck.
He instantly dropped unconscious.
"Who laughing now huh." Heather turned towards her brother's with a smile.
"Oh Evie, you just couldn't help yourself, could you?" Heath shook his head.
"Don't tell me you weren't yearning to shut him up?" Heather asked.
"I for one thought he was never going to shut up." Klaus sighed.
Damien knelt by William and pulled off his ring. He placed both his hands on his temple and closed his eyes.
"Oh, Damien you could have saved us all from that bloody dialogue, you know?" Heather said in an irritated tone.
Damien slipped his ring back on and turned to his siblings.
"Anything to explain whatever he just said?" Heath asked.
"There wasn't much to find. Our idiot cousin is still an idiot. But, strangely there's one thing or one person…" Damien hesitated.
"Who?" Heather asked.
"Corentine," Damien said.
Keith headed up towards the stairs to his room. He paced slowly in deep thought. The creaking sound of wood beneath his feet wasn't loud enough to disrupt his thoughts. With Klaus's help, he said farewell to the last of his guests. It was past midnight and everyone was retiring to bed after a long evening. Keith received some unsettling news from his siblings earlier. His mind drifted back to the strange woman at the ball. He hoped it wasn't who he thought it was. Because if it was, then it meant more trouble. As if he didn't have enough on his plate. Keith moved to a stop at the doorway to his room.
There she was, sitting absentmindedly at the mirror. She looked far gone and exhausted.
Blaise sat still in her gown staring at the crown in her hand.
"It's a beautiful crown but you can stare at it more in the morning. You should go to bed." Keith told her.
Blaise turned to find him in the doorway staring at her. His hair was tired and his sleeves were rolled up.
"I am not sleepy." She looked away.
She placed the crown on the dressing table and began pulling the pins out of her hair.
"Thank you for telling me about the letters," Blaise said without looking at him. She could feel his intense gaze on her.
"You ought to know." He said.
Blaise nodded and pulled the last of the pins out of her hair. Her copper hair dangled to her waist. It sprawled all over her shoulders when she bent down to take off her shoes.
Keith stepped into the room and closed the double doors behind him. The rain began drizzling outside. He walked towards the balcony and shut the glass doors as well. He pulled the blinds closed and turned to find Blaise struggling with her zip.
"May I?" He asked her.
She turned towards him with a raised brow.
"It's just a zipper, Vivian." He said with a smug smile.
"I…fine." Blaise turned around.
Keith moved closer to her. He slowly pushed her hair over her right shoulder. Blaise grabbed onto the desk when his fingers lightly brushed her skin. She closed her eyes as he slowly pulled down her zipper. Keith dragged the zipper down to her waist and stopped. The gown instantly fell off her exposing the upper side of her chest. Blaise quickly covered her chest with both hands. They both stood before the dressing mirror staring at each other. Blaise's gaze wavered a few times. She felt shy from his intense stare. She wished he'd say something or just leave.
Instead, Keith took a step closer to her. Blaise held her breath as she felt his solid chest touch her back. All this while, his eyes remained glued to her reflection in the mirror. He slowly reached for both her hands and moved them to her side. He could hear the sound of her heart thudding loudly in her chest. His eyes grew darker as they feasted on her. For the first time, she saw something different in his eyes. His eyes were burning with desire. A desire for her.
He traced his fingers on her neck and watched her close her eyes. He gently grabbed her neck and kissed it.
Blaise instantly froze.
It was happening again. She thought they'd been through this.
"Stop…" She suddenly said.
Keith stopped to stare at her. She noticed the small frown on his face.
"Stop what?" He asked.
Blaise gazed at him awkwardly.
'We spoke about this, My Lord.' She mumbled.
Keith stepped away from her.
'For Christ sakes call me by my bloody name. And we never spoke about anything. You said whatever you wanted to say and run off.' He said annoyed.
Blaise covered her chest and stared down at the table.
'All that matter's…'
'Is this about Camille again?' He asked.
Blaise frowned.
'No. I said all I wanted to…'
'Enough with all the talking Vivian. Look at me.' He said abruptly.
Blaise slowly turned around and looked at him.
'I want you, not Camille.' He said abruptly.
Blaise's eyes wavered as he confessed out loud. A spark in her ignited and for a minute, a shred of hope gleamed from within. But the spark was short lived. He wanted her, he didn't love her, she thought.
'I want you, Vivian.' He repeated.
'But if you don't want me, say the word and I will never touch you again.' Keith said.
'I already told you I…'
"Just say the words and I will leave. Say you don't want me.' He repeated.
'I…I…don't…' Blaise hesitated.
The words were right on her lips but she couldn't utter them. Just say it and get this over with. She told herself. But if she did, then she would be deceiving herself.
Her mind and her heart rushed at her all at once. She couldn't think straight, not with Keith looking at her that way. Before she could stop herself, she leaped towards him, grabbed his shirt, and took his lips.
Keith ever so eagerly pulled her into his arms and kissed her back. Their lips entangled with each other slowly. They kissed with such intensity yet it was gentle and sweet.
They broke off their kiss slowly. With their lips still lingering on each other, Blaise found herself uttering the words she was vowed not to confess out loud two days ago.
'I want you too, Leo.' She whispered.
Blaise sat at the table smiling at something Heath said. The whole family was seated for breakfast as they did every morning. Blaise noticed Klaus wasn't present. He was never late for breakfast.
'Where's Klaus?' She asked.
'He's off to some business at Eldovania.' Keith replied.
Blaise glanced at him. Their eyes locked instantly. Images of the previous night flashed through her mind. She woke up alone in their large bed this morning. She was in his black sleeved shirt and her undergarments were intact. Keith didn't touch her. She didn't know why but she felt a tint of disappointment.
'I see.' She mumbled slowly looking away.
'So when is he returning?' Heather asked.
'He said a fortnight but knowing Klaus, he will return in a month.' Keith replied.
'Just like France.' Damien said.
Heather and Heath laughed.
'Definitely like France.' Heather muttered.
Blaise wondered what they spoke of.
'What happened in France?' she asked.
'Just typical Klaus the romantic. He followed Count Levin's daughter, Ira, all around France in the name of investigation. He said he will be back in a month he came back a year later." Heath told her.
Blaise smiled. That sounded like something Klaus will do.
Morgan walked in with a tray of hot baked cakes coated in sugar.
'It's the sugar bloom cake.' Clarissa squealed excitedly in her seat.
Morgan placed the tray in the middle of the large table. Maids began serving them of the tray.
Blaise was served with a plate of steaming cake.
'The Lady won't be having some.' Keith said.
The maid quickly took away the plate. Blaise glanced at Keith with a raised brow.
'Why?' she asked.
'You are allergic to garlic. I got Morgan to make you something else.' Keith said.
A maid brought forward a plate of sliced pie.
'It's raspberry pie, your favorite.' Keith said with a smile.
Blaise glanced at him surprised.
'How did you know?' Blaise asked.
'What sort of husband will I be if I didn't know anything about my wife?' He asked.
Blaise blushed. It was the first time he'd acknowledged her openly.
'Thank you.' she mumbled.
Heath threw Heather a small smile. Heather rolled her eyes. She sipped her blood tea and observed the quiet exchange between Keith and Blaise.
Keith seemed different. She noticed he hadn't even touched his morning paper. He barely spoke at the table unless it was something important. But today, all his attention seemed to be on Blaise. His blood tea was already cold.
'Vivian you…'
A loud crashing sound coming from the main entrance drew their attention. They all sped off from the dining hall leaving Blaise and Clarissa behind.
Blaise glanced around the table.
'Morgan, keep an eye on Clary.' Blaise stood up quickly.
'Yes, my lady.' Morgan bowed.
Blaise quickly headed towards the main hall leading to the entrance. She froze upon seeing several unconscious guards lying on the floor.
'What are you doing here?' She heard Keith ask.
As she walked closer she heard a woman laugh.
'As if you don't know, my darling. I hear you replaced me.' Blaise stepped closer to find a black haired woman in the doorway.
She wore an elegant black gown and a designed black cloak. Her thin lips were painted red. Her bright blue eyes reminded her of Clarissa. Her voice sounded strangely familiar. It was Clarissa's mother, Corentine Archie herself.
'Could that be her?' Corentine looked in Blaise's direction.
'You have no shame. Do you Corentine?' Heather said.
'Of course, I don't, Evie. But I just wanted to see for myself.' Corentine stepped in the manor with a sigh.
'The Runen manor, I've always wanted to come here.' She smiled looking around.
'You could have just entered without killing the guards.' Heath said.
'I know. But you know me, Evan. I love a grand entrance.' Corentine smiled in Blaise's direction.
'What do you want?' Keith asked in a cold tone.
Corentine walked towards him slowly. She reached to stroke his face with her gloved hand.
Keith caught her hand and looked up at her.
'I won't repeat myself.' He said.
'Fine. Why I came? I believe you had the pleasure of meeting my brother last night. Samuel has been causing a lot of trouble lately. I came specifically to talk to you, Sol. Privately, if you don't mind.' Corentine smiled.
Calling Keith by his middle name as she used to. She walked right before Blaise eyeing her.
'You have five minutes.' Keith walked away and headed towards his study.
'Corentine Bal Archie. It's an honor to finally put a face to the name.' She introduced herself to Blaise.
Blaise glanced down at her outstretched hand.
She took her hand.
'The pleasure is mine.' Blaise smiled back.
'For a second I thought you wouldn't shake my hand.' Corentine said.
'Why wouldn't I?' Blaise asked.
'I wouldn't have welcomed my rival if I were in your shoes.' She said.
Blaise smiled.
'First of all, this isn't a welcome call. Just a simple exchange of pleasantries between strangers. Secondly, we aren't rivals. You were married to Leo once but you left. He's mine now not yours. You should get going, your five minutes is almost over. You don't need me to tell you, A Valerian's time is worth his gold.' Blaise smiled sweetly.
Corentine's smile slowly disappeared.
'I like you. Now, if you would excuse me.' Corentine turned to leave.
Blaise watched as Corentine headed into Keith's study. Her smile was replaced with a frown. She didn't like Corentine, not the slightest bit.
'You have adapted very well, Vivian.' Damien drew her attention.
She looked back at the siblings.
'I don't like her.' She said openly.
Heather chuckled.
'No one likes bloody Corentine. I can't believe she has the guts to show up after all she's done.' Heath said.
'And also wearing a new skin.' Damien said.
'But that was smooth putting her in her place like that." Heather said.
'As Damien said, she's adapted quite well." Heath said.
'I'm off to play with my newest toy.' Damien turned to leave.
'I will like to watch. If you don't mind.' Heath said.
Damien turned with a frown.
'Don't you have orders to throw around at the council or something?' He asked.
'No, my schedule is clear till noon.' Heath replied.
'Fine, just make sure you don't do anything as to even cough.' Damien turned away saying.
'Fine. I will just watch.' Heath followed after him.
'What was that about?' Blaise asked Heather.
'Nothing really, we caught a rather large rat last night. Damien is just going to try some new toy on him. Damien loves rats you see.' Heather said with a smirk.
Blaise stared at her quizzically.
'You are not serious. Are you?' Blaise asked.
'Do I look like I'm bloody kidding, Vivian?' Heather raised an eyebrow.
'Oh Evie, I don't even know why I'm not surprised.' Blaise muttered.
They both headed towards the garden.
'Go on. Ask whatever you've been itching to ask?' Heather said.
Blaise glanced at Heather with a blank expression.
"It's nothing." She mumbled.
'Oh Vivian, jealousy does look good on you.' Heather teased her.
'I… I am not jealous.' Blaise muttered.
Heather looked at her closely as if to read her thoughts.
'I know you are aware Corentine was a very important part of Keith's life. Ugh, she still bloody is." Heather mumbled.
"What do you mean?" Blaise asked.
"It's been ten years ever since Corentine died. At least that's what we thought. Keith would've snapped her neck the instant he recognized her but he didn't. Instead, he was so civil." Heather replied.
They both sat down on a bench in the garden. Blaise sat quietly in her thoughts as Heather kept talking.
'Vivian, you are still here right?' Heather tapped her shoulder.
Blaise slowly glanced at Heather.
'Alright then, enough with bloody Corentine. Let's talk about something else.' Heather suggested.
'What happened between Keith and Corentine?' Blaise suddenly asked.
Heather turned to her a raised brow. Blaise sighed.
'I'm just curious that's all." Blaise said.
'This will take some time." Heather told her.
'I have all day.' Blaise replied.
'Alright then, where do I even start…yes. It all started fifty years ago..."
The clouds grew darker and cloudier. It was about to rain. Like it always did in Runen. Blaise and Heather headed back to the manor. Blaise had learned a great deal about what happened. She had no words to describe Corentine. She was a terrible mother and a selfish wife.
'I know how connected life sources work. For another life source to be connected with another, both sides have to be alive. Corentine died.' Blaise said.
'That's what we all thought. It turns out Corentine jumped into another body just before her demise. It took Klaus three months to trace her all the way to France. She was jumping bodies and draining Clarissa of her life. Keith's love for her turned into unfathomable hate for what she did.' Heather told her.
'So all that while, Clarissa was still ill?' Blaise asked.
'Severely. She grew weaker every passing day. She slowly lost her ability to walk. Even breathing became so difficult. Keith couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't watch Clarissa suffer anymore, that's when he reached out to your parents.' Heather said.
'But my parents weren't able to cure her.' Blaise said.
'No, they didn't. They made a special potion instead to reduce the suffering. Clarissa would fall into slumber like she'd died. Then the link between her and Corentine would slowly be severed. But it didn't end there. Clarissa had endless nightmares, she couldn't wake up and she couldn't stop them. As little as she was, she was trapped in a world she had no power over. I for one couldn't watch, I thought why not end all her pain. Keith almost killed me for thinking that. But along the line he almost considered it. The pain of seeing his little child fighting for her own life was unbearable to watch. Not until you showed up.' Heather turned Blaise.
'I can't believe she could do such horrible things to her daughter.' Blaise said.
'That's Corentine, she's not even remorseful for all she'd done. To even think she had the guts to show up after all this time also in a new body.' Heather said in a repulsed tone.
'I now understand. My parents helped with Clarissa, in return…'
'They implored Keith to come to Eldovania's aid. That's why Keith married you.' Heather told her.
'All this while I thought he married me because he wanted Eldovania.' Blaise said.
Heather chuckled.
'We have never wanted Eldovania. It would be nice to rule over that lot too. But witches? Ha… the most prideful and difficult lot of all, no. We Valerians swore never to mess with that lot after Runen's tragedy with Phoenera. Even our father was intimidated by your kind." Heather said.
"He was? But your mother was a witch." Blaise furrowed her brows.
"My father didn't…"
'Mother.' Clarissa yelled excitedly.
Both Blaise and Heather turned to find Clarissa and Damien. They were heading out of the drawing-room towards them.
Blaise towards them and hugged Clarissa.
'I'm sorry we left you behind earlier.' Blaise apologized.
'It's alright mother. I used that time to pick the perfect gift for Georgie.' Clarissa said.
'You did? What was it?' Blaise carried her into her arms.
Clarissa whispered into her ear. Blaise smiled.
'I am sure, Georgie will be delighted when he opens your present.' Blaise told her.
'I hope so. It's my first birthday party ever, I want everything to be perfect.' Clarissa to her.
'You are more than perfect my love.' Blaise told her.
'I hope you enjoy yourself, sunshine.' Heather tickled her.
Clarissa giggled.
'I will Aunt Evie. Mother, where's Father, we have to go now.' Clarissa said eagerly.
'Be patient honey your father…"
'Clarissa." A voice called her.
They turned to find Corentine across the hall. Her eyes were filled with surprise as she headed towards them.
'Clarissa, my child.' Corentine walked closer to them. She stopped a few steps away from Blaise.
Clarissa stared at her wide eyed. She quickly turned away to hug Blaise. Keith stood across the hall watching them.
'Clarissa… Vivian can…can I hold…'
'No.' Blaise replied instantly.
Corentine furrowed her brows.
'She's my daughter not…'
'Mommy, She's bad.' Clarissa whispered.
Corentine stepped back at this.
'I think you should leave, I don't want you upsetting her.' Blaise told her Corentine.
Corentine frowned. The reason she came here wasn't for her brother. She needed an excuse to see Keith. She planned that one way or another she would find a way to see Clarissa too. But look at her now, Keith couldn't stand the very sight of her and her daughter hated her. And this was all because of her… Vivian.
'You have no right over her. She is my daughter and I have the right as a mother to see her.' Corentine said in an irritated tone.
'Let's not do this in front of the child, Corentine. We both know your rights were revoked the very day you birthed Clarissa. I am her mother now and I don't want you anywhere near her. And if you try to go anywhere close to even a breath's length to her, I will bloody kill you.' Blaise threatened.
She immediately turned away from her and headed up the stairs. Clarissa looked over Blaise's shoulder to find Corentine staring at her. She quickly hid her face.
'It's fine honey. She's gone now.' Blaise patted her head.
'You heard the Lady, Cor, get going.' Heather told her.
Corentine turned away quickly. She pulled her hood over her head and headed towards the door. Two guards stepped after to make sure she'd left.
'If someone told me, someone could make The Corentine Archie this speechless, I wouldn't have bloody believed it.' Heather mumbled.
'Well, You should believe it. But something tells me she will be back.' Damien mumbled.
'There's no doubt about that. Corentine isn't one to back down without a fight.' Heather said.