Chapter 1
2209 Words
~Willow~
The castle is colder than I remember. I look up at the huge building as we drive up to the huge wooden front doors. It’s been a month and I still don’t know why we had to come back here at all. We could have hired people to take care of this, but when Radagast has his mind set on something there is no changing it.
The driver opens the door for me and I put my black stiletto heel down on the paved driveway, holding out my hand for him to help me climb out of the car. Dressed in a black tight-fitting skirt with a slit up the back. Black stockings, black jacket, and silver blouse. I take off my gloves, put my clutch under my arm, and look up at the balcony where I can feel him looking at me.
I look up slowly from underneath my designer hat and smile. My dark red lips turning up on the sides. He still takes my breath away each time I see him. I might be angry at him, but I have to admit, I can’t stay away from him.
He was only supposed to have arrived a week after me, but somehow the council had him sneaked in this morning.
The housekeeper greets me at the front door, ready with her report. She follows me bringing me up to date on everything on our walk up to the executive offices. I unlock my office, putting everything down on the chair in front of my desk.
Willow “And that room? It has been sealed as asked?”
I stand at the window looking out at the gardens, imagining that awful bedroom Isobel loved so much.
Brunilda “Yes Ma’am. You won’t even know that there is a room. The decorators did a great job in covering it with the wall as per your specifications.”
Willow “Good. One last thing before you go. I want dinner to be served in Mr. Silver-fox’s personal living room tonight. He has been under immense strain in the past month and I don’t want gossip upsetting him on his first night back. Please take care of it yourself. I don’t want his arrival to become common knowledge as yet.”
I look her straight in the eyes.
Brunilda “Understood.”
She nods, turns abruptly, and leaves. Looking around my office I see the decorators followed my every instruction. All traces of Isobel were removed and my office from downstairs is now right next to my darling Radagast.
The office he had designed for me. Removing my hat and my jacket, I open my laptop to get some work done. He might be upstairs resting, but I still have a company to run on his behalf. He signed power of attorney over to me in one of his drunken rages, so I could make the necessary decisions on his behalf for the company.
He is basically just the image… and not a good one for more than half an hour at a time. But I’m sure it is all just temporary and that I would soon have my strong Radagast back. Losing that horrible sun shining sister of mine can’t possibly have been that bad. The time in the office in the city lasted a total of three hours before he went back up to the apartment and got drunk again. It was all a farce to get the council to agree to his plan.
I spend the rest of my day replying to e-mails, making calls, arranging meetings, and all-round, working my a*s off. By the time dinner rolls around I hear my cell ringing next to me and am frightened at the sound.
Radagast “Hey, just checking if you are still around.”
His voice sounds lonely
Willow “I’m sorry Radagast! I didn’t see the time! I’ll be right up.”
I gasp when I look at my watch, leaving everything in my office behind, I lock up and almost run upstairs.
~Frank~
Frank “Border patrol tells me that there is movement at the castle.”
I tell Melissa when we sit outside on the porch having coffee. Things around here aren’t as relaxed anymore. I strengthened the security around my girls, which of course made them all very angry at me. Apparently “I ruined their lives and they were grown up enough to look after themselves”.
Melissa “Is Willow back?”
She sits up straight looking at me with wide-teary eyes.
Frank “What would you do if you know my love?”
I ask her feeling heartbroken.
Out of everyone in our family, Melissa took Willow’s betrayal the hardest. Not believing that one of her daughters could turn on her family in such a cruel way, going against everything she was taught.
Melissa “I don’t know.”
She turns away from me, looking out into the distance again, her hands on her lap, her fingers fidgeting in a knot.
Frank “Yes, she is back my love. There is no sign of Radagast, but with Willow’s return we can be sure he will be back soon.”
I watch as a single tear rolls down the cheek of my darling wife. I wanted so much to see Willow and shake some sense into my daughter! But for Melissa’s sake, I kept my feelings to myself so I can be strong for her. She knows best how to handle the situation with our daughter.
Melissa “Yes, he will be back soon. She would not have come to the castle alone. What do they think to accomplish by moving back? There is nothing left here for them!”
She stands up in anger, her arms clinging to her sides, her hands in such tight fists her knuckles turn white.
Frank “I guess, we will only know when they make their move.”
I get up, take the two steps towards her, and slide my arms around her tiny waist, putting my cheek against hers. Her skin is cold and clammy.
Frank “When last have you eaten properly?”
Melissa “I can’t keep anything down.”
She sighs.
Frank “Hmmm.”
It’s been a tough enough time for our family and it seemed that things were about to get even tougher.
~Radagast~
I watch from the top balcony as the car pulls up and Willow steps out. Catching her quick look, I take a sip of my drink and walk back into the sitting room. All this, cloak and dagger movements are irritating the daylights out of me, but the council insisted that it be done this way if I wanted to return home.
It is part of my protection plan to keep the wolves away from me for as long as possible.
Willow “Well,” her smooth voice fills the room. “That’s done. Pour me one if you don’t mind.”
She walks into the living room, kicking off her shoes and taking off her hat. Dropping her clutch bag on the couch she walks up to me with a smile.
Willow “Is everything to your liking?”
Her blood-red lips touch the glass when she takes a sip of the whiskey.
Radagast “Yes, except for the fact that I am now a prisoner in my own home.”
I groan, turning around and walking away from her. I know all her tricks and am not in the mood after having to travel like a peasant to get here.
Radagast “Do you have to do that?”
I ask waving around the room.
Willow “Do what?”
She asks looking a bit irritated.
Radagast “Leave all your stuff all over the place. Go put it in your room, and didn’t your parents teach you to keep your shoes on when you are in the presence of company?”
I ask not wanting her in my space at the moment, I know I just called for her a couple of minutes ago, but the moment she walked in and started leaving her stuff all over the place, she irritated me!
***
I wanted to go straight to our room when I arrived but the door had already been closed up as I instructed and I’m angry. I still wanted to smell her presence around me and Willow has taken that away from me!
***
Willow “My apologies your Highness… I will leave then!”
I see her face turn red in anger when she picks up her things and storms out of the room.
Exactly what part of mourning the loss of my wife and unborn child did she not understand. Stepping out onto the balcony again I look over the forest. Flashes of a majestic white wolf running through the trees jump to mind and I shake my head to try and get rid of them.
Radagast “UGH!!!”
The glass goes flying into the wall to my right smashing into little shards of rainbow light. I storm into the castle walking through the passages to the new room I had chosen to stay in. It was one of the guest rooms, decorated in the generic family colors.
I didn’t want to see my parent’s rooms and was thinking of having that entire side of the castle locked up all together so I wouldn’t have to think about it anymore. I will find one of the other royal rooms on the opposite side of the castle to make my own.
Finding no alcohol in the room, I decided to just go to bed. Traveling had made me tired and irritable and I had an early morning to deal with the next day.
~Glinda~
Gareth “Wow girl! You are doing good!”
He says while we are busy training. Dad appointed so many guards for us that I started feeling claustrophobic! So, when I asked him if I could train to be able to protect myself, he was ecstatic with my suggestion and immediately appointed one of the warriors as my trainer.
Circe and Tabatha had a lot more experience than I did and didn’t want to train, but I loved kicking Gareth’s butt.
Glinda “I would say I’m doing better than good!”
I duck one of his punches, kicking his legs right out from under him, making him fall to the ground. I jump him, pinning him… almost, his weight giving him the advantage.
Gareth “A bit too over-confident don’t you think?”
He grins when I try to get out from under him. Out of breath, I give up.
Glinda “Okay, okay, I give. But only because I’m tired.”
I say giggling. He gets up, holding out his hand to help me.
Gareth “Glinda, I’m being serious. You are getting better by the day, but you are not strong enough to take on a fight on your own yet.”
He says looking concerned.
Glinda “Dude… what are you thinking… I’m not going to go pick a fight with a boxer or something!”
I smack his arm and laugh.
Gareth “Hmmm… I’m just checking, I know you better than you think.”
Handing me my water bottle and towel, he takes a drink from his bottle.
Glinda “Yes, big bro! I’ll behave, I pinkie swear.”
I hold out my pinkie, smiling at him. He hooks his in mine laughing at me.
Gareth “See, as I said… way too young still.”
He ducks when I try and punch him.
Gareth “Too slow!!”
He laughs, making me laugh.
Circe “Hey you two, are you done yet? Dad wants to talk to all of us.”
Circe walks into the training room.
Glinda “Yeah, I kicked his butt! What does Dad want?”
I ask when Circe looks serious.
Circe “I have no idea, but he said you and Gareth have to come. Now please.”
She claps her hands when we don’t move fast enough to her liking. I bump my shoulder against his.
Glinda “Yes, slowpoke, move.”
I giggle, running ahead.
~Glinda~
I hate having to stay in my sweaty training clothes, but if Dad calls for a meeting like this there is no time to go have a shower, so he will just have to take it like a man. I run up to him, jumping onto his lap when I reach him, sitting on his chair behind his desk.
Melissa “Glinda!! You are going to break his legs one of these days!!”
Mom reprimands me.
Glinda “Hi Daddy.”
I kiss his cheek.
Frank “Hi baby girl… you know you stink.”
He grins at me and I grin back.
Glinda “Yeah.”
I laugh, climbing off as the rest join us in his office. Gareth and I take our seats as far away from everyone as possible giggling when they all pull up their noses.
Frank “Well, I guess there is no other way than to just put it out there. Willow is back.”
- Writer
