| |
When they returned a few days later, it was one of those days when everything seems to go wrong. When they pulled up, Michael’s mother was standing in front of the door with a look that could kill. Ariel quickly nudged Michael, and he got out. Ariel closed the door after him and sat back to await the screaming match. It came, but later on in the day. Michael and Ariel were in their room lounging around on the couch. Michael’s head was in her lap and she was running her fingers through his hair when she barged in, cane and all. Michael immediately got up, abandoning Ariel to argue with his mother.
“What’s all this business about you getting married in Finela? It was all Koura could speak about while you were gone!”
“Mother, I can make my own decisions. I am the Leader after all.”
“You’re mother makes your decisions for you! Who knows better then your own mother? Certainly not that witch,” she said, pointing at Ariel. Michael became nervous. Ariel mad was not a good thing.
“She is not a witch, she’s my wife. Your daughter in law.”
“I never agreed to this whole marriage I kept my mouth shut. But now you’re pushing it! I don’t want her as a daughter in law; she’s the enemy! And you even let her little vermin of a brother live here too; it’s enough to make me sick! You get rid of them Michael, or I will.” With that, she turned and left.
Michael turned to look at Ariel and was shocked to see her taking this so well. She was sitting motionless. Her face set in stone. She was pale and there was a sudden flicker of anger in her eyes. In one swift movement, she was on her feet retreating to the bathroom. Michael followed her saying her name. She was sitting on the edge of the bathtub face in her hands. Her back rose and fell with her sobs.
“Ariel,” he soothed, sitting next to her and putting his arm around her. “She didn’t mean any of it. She’s a senile old woman. A very protective one at that. Look, everything’s going to be all right from now on. If my mother tries to get rid of you, I’ll send her to live with my cousins.”
“Don’t send your mother away because of me,” she said, the words muffled between sobs. He lifted her head from her hands and pushed a curl behind her ear. He smiled. “I’d give up my position for you.”
“How could you? We’ve only known each other for such a short time. I feel guilty getting you into all this. If I wasn’t so foolish I wouldn’t have slept with you and I wouldn’t be pregnant.”
“Everything happens for a reason. And I’m glad you were foolish. It gives my mother something to be angry about but she doesn’t know about it yet.”
“This child won’t be brought into a family of love but a feuding one. You’re mother won’t drop the fact that we’re married, Mateo not too fond of you yet, and the rumors of a war. I just don’t think it’s fair for it,” she said, rubbing her stomach.
“I think it is fair. The war is a rumor after all. Mateo just needs time to adjust to the enemy not being the enemy and my mother will get over it.”
“Has she ever gotten over anything?”
“A few times she has. I’m my mother’s favorite son since I became leader. She’ll drop it in time. Just don’t be too upset when she says something cruel. She’s always been brutally honest.”
“I want my mother Michael,” she whispered into his shirt, beginning to cry again. All Michael could do was rub her back and try to comfort her.
Four Months after Michael’s mothers outburst, Ariel was getting more and more excited for the baby. She would stay up at night reading magazines while humming lullabies. She always managed to get Michael to sleep. But with the humming, she became moody. She would snap people’s head’s off for no warning and she had attacked Ryan one afternoon because it was raining.
Michael knew it would be another stressful day the second he woke up. Ariel was already up just getting out of the bath. She had started using his towels because her old ones wouldn’t go around her.
"Good morning,” she said, smiling and appearing cheerful.
’So far so good’, he thought, sitting up.
She came over to him on the bed, straddling his legs.
“And how can I help you?” he asked, leaning over and kissing her.
“By not working today,” she answered, pushing him down onto the pillows.
“I have to work. I have a city to run.”
“Can’t you take one day off? I could lock the door, and draw the curtains. We could just sit around and relax. We haven’t had a good conversation since our last one at supper about the soup.” She was rubbing her face against his her hands on his shoulders.
“Alright, one day,” he said, giving in.
“Good,” she replied, kissing him long. When she started nibbling on his earlobe, she got off him, leaving him groaning. She locked the door and drew the curtains. When she got back to the bed he grabbed her, making her laugh and lay her on the bed next to him. After she was under the covers with him, he said: “You know that drives me crazy. Do you love teasing me?”
“Teasing you has always been my favorite game. As well as singing you to sleep.”
“Our child is lucky to have mother like you. Just don’t expect me to get up at night. Your singing puts me in a deep sleep.”
She laughed. “Just like you to leave the hard stuff to me.”
“Hard? Controlling the city is hard and so are you. But I love that. Always pulling me away from boring paperwork to break up fights and rub your sore feet.” He took her hands and laced his fingers through hers.
“And I love you for all that,” she said, kissing him. When she started removing her towel he doubted his first thoughts that this day was going to be bad.
By the afternoon both Ariel and Michael got out of bed to get dressed. Ariel got out first picking up the discarded towels and Michael’s silk pajamas. When they were put away she went to the body mirror just as Michael was walking across the room to the bathroom.
“Another stretch mark,” she complained.
“Well the baby is growing,” he said after washing his face.
“I know, I know. Maybe I should have Hannah take a look and see if there’s any way I can make them less visible.” She was probing the marks with her fingers as Michael came out with a pair of pants on and a towel over his shoulder. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
“You look good with those marks. Shows you’re strong to be carrying a baby. They’re your marks of motherhood.”
“Since when do you know so much about stretch marks?” she asked playfully.
“I don’t. I’m just saying what I see.”
“I’m glad you took the day off.”
“You made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. You should be the Leader. You convince everyone to do things they’d never think to do.”
“Only because I have you to influence it. They wouldn’t turn down the wife of the Leader now would they?” She had reached over for her robe and Michael straightened. She put it on and went to open the curtains.
“No they wouldn’t,” he smiled. “So when would we be expecting the little one?”
“I believe in the spring,” she answered. “I’m going to get dressed and get lunch. Want anything?”
“I’ll come with you. I have to survey the damage that happened while I was sleeping in.”
“Oh believe me, you weren’t sleeping.”
“I know. But they don’t know that.”
She laughed and threw a shirt at him.
When they were both dressed they stepped into the hall and began their walk to the dining hall. On the way they were stopped by various people and had heated debates with them. When they finally reached the dining hall they took their places at one of the front tables and filled their plates with food. Just as they began to eat, someone shouted out: “Michael! There you are!”
Michael looked up and groaned. He put down his fork and stood up. Ariel, putting down a roll, looked up. There was a photographer making his way down the center of the four tables.
“Who let him in?” she asked in a fierce whisper.
Michael, knowing this would start a tantrum tried to reach the photographer before Ariel did but failed.
“Ariel let me take care of this,” he pleaded but to no avail.
“Oh! Ariel, the lovely bride and soon-to-be-mother!” he exclaimed in a little sing-song voice putting the camera to his eye. She grabbed a fist-full of his shirt and dragged him out of the room. When they were out of the room Michael sighed and sat down. Protests were heard loud and clear from the entrance hall and then the sound of breaking plastic, the ruffle of clothing and then the door opening and closing. She entered a few seconds later carrying the broken camera. She dropped it on the nearest table and went back to her place.
“Did you really have to break his camera?” Michael asked as she sat down.
Before she could answer, Michael’s mother came in barking out insults and hitting people’s shins with her cane. When she came to their table she stood in front them.
“You’re wife just assaulted the photographer I invited in. He was supposed to take pictures of you all day. You need more publicity!”
“It’s an invasion of privacy. Michael should choose where he wants his picture to appear.”
“No one asked you! And you had to go and break his camera. Since you’ve arrived here there’s been nothing but trouble. That vermin is hanging around the servants’ quarters harassing the young women. Michael,” she said turning to him. “Get rid of her. I don’t care if she is pregnant. Just get her out.”
“No mother she’s right. I don’t want my picture taken whenever a photographer comes.”
“Maybe you’d listen to us after your jewelry went missing.”
“My jewelry won’t go missing.”
“It almost did!” Ariel said raising her voice. She stood up and dug into her pocket. She dropped a pair of pearl earrings and a necklace on the table before sitting down again. The room went quiet.
Michael’s mother looked at the jewelry then at Michael then back at the jewelry. She snapped her bony fingers, and two guards stepped in to the room.
“How dare you! You little thief! Stealing my belongings!”
“Don’t yell at me! That’s what I took off the photographer before I kicked him out!”
“Lies! All lies. Guards!” she called. They ran over to Ariel, and grabbed her arms, raising her out of her seat.
“Get off of me!” Ariel shrieked.
“Thieves belong in the basement until a punishment is thought of. Tie her down there and don’t bother being gentle. Don’t forget the Crystal. Can’t have the little witch using magic to get out.”
“Mother stop!” Michael pleaded, beating off one of the guards.
“If you try to save her, I’ll have her brother killed. And don’t think I won’t.” She followed the guard, who had already pulled Ariel out of the room. Michael ran to the servant’s door behind him, and found Mateo and Ryan.
“Ryan, take Mateo to the country house. Don’t bother packing, just grab horses and go!”
“What’s going on?” Mateo asked.
“No time. Just go!”
They nodded, and left.
Michael quickly went back to the dining hall, ran to the door, and heard a crash from downstairs. He descended the stairs and when he emerged from the stairwell, Ariel was tied to a chair, a Crystal around her neck. Her eyes were closing, her skin paling. The guard was standing in front of her.
Michael tried to order him away, but he wouldn’t move. Finally, he fired him out of desperation and shoved him into a pile of crates. The crates were piled high and toppled on the guard when he was flung into them.
He untied Ariel and removed the Crystal. She instantly slumped off the chair and lay on the floor, motionless.
“Ariel!” Michael cried, and Ariel’s eyes opened partially. She tried to sit up, and almost fell back, so Michael had to help her. When she was leaning against his chest, she began to laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Michael asked.
“Your mother. I didn’t think she’d actually do this.”
“She always keeps her word.”
“You sound worried. What’s wrong?”
“Oh, a few things. You for one.”
“Don’t worry about me. You have too much to do and I don’t want to add worrying to it. What else?”
He sighed. “Your brother.”
“Mateo?” she said fast, trying to sit on her own to look at him, but failed.
“Yes, Mateo. My mother swore she’s have him killed if I saved you.”
“Where is he?” she asked quickly.
“I had Ryan take him to my country house until my mother is safe and sound at one of my brothers house in Drame. She’ll leave tonight.”
“She’s not going to like this.”
There was a moan from the corner.
“What was that?” she asked.
“Just the guard. I’ll have him carry you up the stairs while I go tend to my mother, or else he will lose more then just his job,” he said loudly. The guard moved aside a few cartons, and nodded slowly.
“Why can’t you? Your mother can wait.”
“This time, she can’t. Don’t worry; I’ll have Hannah supervise. She’ll get you comfortable.”
“Fine,” Ariel said, sounding upset.
“Hey, don’t worry. It won’t take long. I’ll be up there in half an hour. Forty-five minutes the latest. Alright?”
“Fine,” Ariel said again. The guard came over, and hesitantly picked her up. Michael followed them up the first few flights of stairs and then went to his mother’s room.
Hannah joined up with the guard and Ariel as they were beginning to climb the last flight of stairs. She rushed ahead of them and opened the door. The guard deposited Ariel on the bed and Hannah kicked him out.
“Thank you Hannah.”
“You poor thing. Greta hasn’t done such an evil thing since the feud.”
“She’s still feuding against Mateo and I.”
“Speaking of Mateo, he’s seemed to have taken a liking to one of the girls down stairs,” she said, pulling a blanket over Ariel. “Must be all those raging hormones in his young body.”
“He hasn’t had much contact with a woman for years. He’s been spending them looking for me.” Hannah sat down on the bed. She was a plump woman, with gray hairs sprinkled in with her black hair. Her eyes were a light blue, and her forehead wrinkled.
“Poor Mateo. The girl he’s chasing already has a man. One of the other servants, but one can’t blame her for wanting a little fun.”
A little fun. Was that what she wanted with Michael all those months ago? And the result of the fun was a child, marriage, a feuding mother in-law, and a Crystal, which zapped all her energy.
“Hannah, how many people here are Talented?” Ariel asked.
“Oh, about three now. You, Ryan, and General Andarie. You’re not the first who was put under the Crystal. Ryan, when he first came to us, Greta was always punishing him with it and gave him the hard jobs, like cleaning the gutters, cleaning the horses stalls, and repairing odds and ends around the place. If I’m not mistaken, it’s your second time.”
“Second time?” she exclaimed.
“Sadly, yes. A Crystal was smashed in your house when General Andarie came to get out.” She paused. “Now, no more talk. You must sleep. Sleep, and you’ll feel better by tomorrow morning.” She was beginning to get up when Ariel stopped her.
“Hannah, what will happen to the baby? It’s still so small, if a few minutes made me tired, what would it do to my baby?”
“The Crystal is never supposed to be given to a pregnant woman.” Hannah looked grave. “The last time it did, the baby died. That’s why it was against the law. But I guess Greta changed the law. Oh Ariel, come now, don’t cry. Everything will be fine. I never said your baby was going to die. The last woman, it was kept on until she passed out. The baby will be fine. Hush now.”
Ariel managed to turn over, her back to Hannah. She was still crying when Hannah left.
When Michael came into the room later on, he was surprised to see the curtains on the bed closed. When he opened them, Ariel was sitting against the headboard, hand on her stomach, staring into space.
“Ariel?” When she didn’t answer him, he took off his boots and climbed over her legs to sit next to her.
“Hannah said the last pregnant woman who was given the Crystal, the baby was killed,” she whispered. Tears swelled in her eyes. “It’s against the law!” she shouted. “Your mother should know that better than anyone! She probably changed it, so she can try to kill me. And then threatened you with the death of my brother. She wants my whole family dead. She doesn’t care she’ll be killing your child as well.”
“Well, my mother won’t be around for the birth of our child. She’s already left for Drame, outside of Koura.”
“That won’t stop her,” Ariel said, tears rolling down her cheeks. “She’ll come back and torture Mateo, you, the baby, and I. You say you’re her favorite. That’s a lie.”
“Look, she’s my mother. I have to put up for her to some point. And saying I’m her favorite was the point. The baby will be fine.” He paused. “How are you doing?”
“Tired. Haven’t been able to sleep at all.”
“Try to sleep. Try to put the baby out of your mind. You need to be healthy for the baby to be healthy.”
She sighed, and put her head on his shoulder. “I figured out the date.”
“Yes? And?”
“May. Around the end of May.”
“Just around the time of the spring carnival. You’ll have something to show off when the snow clears.”
She mumbled in agreement, and began to drift off to sleep. “Do you think Mateo is alright?” she asked sleepily.
“Ryan wouldn’t let anything happen to him. He’s fine. Sleep now my love.”
And that’s what she did.
|
Help Us Stop Plagiarism -
Nearly all works at PnP are original. However a few people choose to plagiarize.
To check, choose a phrase from the work, then either drag and drop to the search box or copy and paste.
click on search and works at Google will be shown which match. Just to be sure, please do this before
you recommend or rate the work highly...
|
 |
|
|
|
Select a Random Book
|
|
Welcome !
