My Fated Mate

15. THE RING

POV  (ABELIA)

My heart was pounding in my chest , as my feet pushed me to run away from Jasmine and Victor.  I knew his car was already gone but it was not enough.  I needed to not only escape him, but also the thoughts I had been entertaining about accepting his hand and going with them.  Stupid, stupid, little witch.  Why was he doing this to me?   Victor Voltare was an arrogant ass that did not deserve my affections and frankly, I was not sure he even should have Jasmine's.  After his public display of holding me, protecting me, and trying to completely throw my life in disarray, all in front of Jasmine, I could not help but feel I was becoming responsible for her unhappiness.  For what woman wants to marry a man who has eyes for another, that he knows he can never have?

I sighed as I collapsed. I was tired, so very tired.  This whole day had been a marathon and I had sprinted the entire thing, and now my legs were not interested in going any further.  I fell back on the lush green grass and ran my fingers through its fine blades.  The sun was starting to dip slightly, causing the clouds to be painted in pale blues, light pinks, and golds.  It was most likely around 6 or 7 pm, and in a few short hours the sky would become a veil of darkness with a peppering of shinning glowing stars.  

As I looked up at the clouds I wondered if I should go home.  It would not be that hard to lie and say I was with Jasmine and Victor.  And knowing Victor, he would cover for me, at least I hoped he would, if anyone called to find out about my whereabouts.  Yet, if Lady Goldenrod believed I was with them she would be furious.  She would snap at me and tell me to stay away, so that the two "love birds" could have some alone time.  I expected that would constitute Victor reading a book and Jasmine staring out a window wishing she could be anywhere else.  Yet the ring on her finger would hold her firmly by his side, and I would have to watch as the two of them did what was expected of them.  Attend parties, have children, and plaster on fake happy faces for the entire coven to see.  Only I would know the truth, that the moment the castle doors closed, and the lights stopped flashing, that there was no loving couple, just responsibility. 

Responsibility.  I grimaced, as it echoed in my mind. That word, that cursed word, was ruining everyone's lives.  It was heartbreaking that the two people I cared for the most were doomed to a life of loneliness because of their "responsibility."  If only I had been born with magic, instead of a defective child of Satan,  then just maybe I could have saved them both from this fate.  It was not that I loved Victor.  Jasmine would think otherwise.  No, I respected him and was captivated by the way he felt things so profoundly.  Even with all his pomp and circumstance the boy had been good to me, while the man had made it his mission to love me.  I still remember the day he showed up at the Goldenrod Estate ready to damn it all, just for a few simple moments by my side. 

It was just another Friday night in the Goldenrod Mansion.  Elder Goldenrod was off working in the coven labs on crafting a new spell.  Lady Goldenrod was out with her usually group of prissy stuck up ladies of the night, and Jasmine was attending the Ashfork Academy's Homecoming festivities.  I had found a spot down stairs in one of the red tall leather back chairs and was curled up with a book, and a warm beverage.  The steam and scent of the cider was lulling me into a false sense of security, that tonight was just going to be another boring night.    

Yet, the moment I heard the door I felt my body tense.  We had not been expecting anyone so there were only a few options on who it could be, and I prayed I was wrong.  Yet the the moment he turned to face me, in his Ridgeback Academy uniform, I knew I would not be returning to my book anytime soon.

It had been a while since the two of us had seen each other and even longer since we had been alone.  The last time was during a coven council meet up and even though I had tried not to look at him back then, as I wandered around the room, I knew his eyes never left my side.  It was a habit of his.  He would hold a glass of wine and smile and talk to the guests, like a true social lite, and then when no one was looking he would turn his gaze on me.  It was a game to him, but a painful reminder to me that this was wrong. 

"Hello Miss. Abelia."  Victor said, as he placed his left hand in his pocket.  His blonde hair was slightly damp, he must have just come from riding.  He always showered after he had let his black stallion,  Lucifer, out for his evening trot around their estate.  My hand gripped the door as he took a step forward and looked inside.  He was trying to see if I was alone.  "May I come in and disturb you?"  He said, as he flashed his royal smile at me. 

"I am afraid not.  The Elder, Lady and Miss are not home and it would be best to not allow guests inside without their permission."  I stated quickly.

"I see.  Well, then can you come out perhaps?"  

I felt my throat go dry as my hands, desperate for something to do,  began to play with the small silver inlaid emerald that hung from a simple chain around my neck.  I watched as Victor's eyes went to it and smiled.  He had been there the day of our Magic Coronation.  For when a witch or warlock turned 13 years old they were gifted a necklace, or ring, infused with a magic stone.  Their stones color dictated what their propensity was.  Mine was green because I was viewed as a healer or Earth Bound.  While Victor and Jasmine's were purple, showing they were alchemy users and World Bound. 

The day of the coronation, Iris Goldenrod had been up in arms about me attending and once again hurting Jasmine's reputation.  The events of the Witching Hour Ball, had not been forgotten and so it seemed like a pretty fair request to let me receive my necklace in the privacy of our own home.  However,  Elder Goldenrod had been insistent, and so when he placed the necklace around my neck, in a room full of high warlocks and coven members, he had whispered these words into my ear:

"You are my beloved child and the future of this coven.  Let this be a reminder that you are special and have responsibilities."

Responsibilities.  It was the one word that was holding me back from taking a step outside the threshold, that separated me from him.  It was just one step, but to me we were worlds apart. 

"I cannot and it would be best that you leave.  I will not let the Goldenrod's know you were here."  I said.  It was always like that with us.  A few polite words and always a dismissal.  

Quickly, I began to closed the door but before I could his foot shot out and caused me to jolt up and look into his eyes.  My heart stopped when our eyes met, and I noticed the frustration and hurt swirling around in his.  I instantly turned away from him, but he was not willing to give up.  He reached out and grabbed my arm and yanked me towards him.  I stumbled, as my feet crossed over into his world and the two of us just stared at each other. 

"I guess, you can come out and play Miss. Abelia."  He said, as he smiled down at me.  I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment, as I pulled my arm free and shook my head up at him. 

"What are you doing Victor Voltare?  Are you crazy?  The last time you behaved like this...I... was."  But he just gave me a cocky grin, as he leaned against the door frame, allowing his body to make it impossible for me to close the door. 

"Your choices are simple.  Come out with me or let me in."

"I will do neither!" 

"Then I shall stay right here, until the Goldenrod's come home, and let all see that I am entertaining the lovely Miss. Abelia."  He said, with a smirk, as I groaned.  

"Why are you so incorrigible?"  I said, as I took a step back and let him pass. 

"And why are you so difficult?"  He said, as he walked in and looked around.  "My, I have not been back here since the Witching Hour Ball.  It is strange to see it without all the decorations." 

"Yes, it must be very empty and boring in comparison to the Voltare Manor."  I hissed, causing Victor to laugh.

"It is more of a castle, but why stress the details."  

I rolled my eyes, as Victor walked into the living room and took a seat in the red leather chair I had once been occupying.  If only I still had my nose buried in a book, instead of entertaining him.  I watched as he picked up my book and grinned at me. 

"Advanced Herbology.  Are you preparing for something?"  He said, as he tapped the book with his right hand, that housed his silver ring with the purple stone in it, making me realize I should have never allowed him in.  Quickly I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, and snatched the book from him.  

"Easy.  I was only asking, since Ridgeback has the best herbology program.  You could be a star there."  He said, as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, as he eyes flashed at me with interest.  I needed to get him out of here and back to where he belonged.  We both needed to return to our lives and not live as master and mistress, it was shameful.  It was even more damning to do so in the very home his, supposed, future bride was living in. 

"Would you care for tea, water, or a prompt and quick exit out of this house?"  I said, as I stood there with my arms folded across my chest.  

"Oh, come now Abelia.  Don't be cross with him.  We have not seen each other in over 5 months.  Let us at least be cordial."

"Tea it is."  I said, as I quickly exited the room.  

Finally free from the stress of his presence, I was able to think.  This was wrong and very dangerous and he needed to go, and go now, I thought as I began to fill the copper kettle with water.  The Elder would most likely be out for the rest of the night.  He had said they were close to a breakthrough, which meant he would be spending the evening in the coven labs.  Carefully, I pulled out two blue and white porcelain tea cups.  They were from a Chinese warlock that had visited us in the fall, to see the Elder's latest experiments.  What those were, was anyones guess, since Jasmine and I were not yet old enough to be a part of them. 

Then there was Lady Goldenrod, she would be a problem.  She had left only an hour ago and was not a fan of staying out past the witching hour.  I turned my gaze to the clock, as I opened a metal canister of loose leaf darjeeling tea and began to spoon the leaves into the two cups.  It was now 10 o'clock, which meant she would be back in around an hour.  That should give me enough time for Victor to drink his tea and then leave. 

"I believe the water is boiling, dear."

I nearly jumped when I realized he was directly behind me.  He was looking down at the cups and nodding in approval.  His face was mere inches from my right cheek, causing me to feel his breath on my neck, and with each word he spoke a chill was going down my back.  The back he was unapologetically pressing his chest up against.

"How did you know this is my favorite?" He said, in a pleasantly surprised voice, as he reached over me and   and picked up the tea cup and smelled the leaves.  "I have Father order it special, every month, from India.  You should come to castle and allow me to make you a cup."  This was getting out of hand.  Did he honestly find me being uncomfortable amusing?  Come to the castle?  There was no way in the world I would do such a thing.  Carefully I turned off the stove top and allowed the kettle whistle to fad away, as I tried to collect my thoughts. 

"What are you doing in here?"  I said, as I picked up the kettle and began to pour the hot water into one of the cups. 

"I was bored."  He said, as he placed his cup down on the marble counter top, allowing me to fill it.  He had now move to my right hand side and was leaning against the counter, his front facing me.  "I much rather watch you."  He said with an amused expression, causing my hands to gripped the kettle until my knuckles went white.  This was enough.  Quickly, I turned around to face him and flashed my golden brown eyes up at him.

"Can you please give me some room to work, or would you rather I spill boiling water all over you?"  I snapped, as I held the hissing kettle up towards his face.  

"Message received."  Victor said, as he raised his hands up in surrender.  He slowly backed away and found a seat at the kitchen island.  From his new perch he watched me flit around the kitchen gathering up tea cookies, cream, sugar and stirring spoons.  Once done, I arranged everything on a silver tray and began to walk towards him. 

"Do you want to drink your tea here or in the foyer?  I said, as he propped himself up on his elbows and let his head rest in is open palms. 

"How about upstairs in your room?"  I nearly dropped the tray, yet before it could fall Victor waved his hand causing it to float over and land in front of him. "I see that is a no." 

"It most certainly is!"  I snapped, causing him to give me a sly grin as he motion for me to sit. 

With a deep breath, to steady my very rattled nerves, I sat down across from Victor and began picking up the cream.  Yet, before I could pour it I quickly put it down and instead chose to push the tea cup towards him.  He gave me another amused grin. 

"You remembered." 

"Try not to be so excited.  I know your father is lactose intolerant and I just assumed you were as well." 

Victor sighed, as he picked up the tea cup and looked down at it.  I could tell he was thinking, instantly making me concerned.  The last thing I needed was Victor to be deep in thought.   He was already good at throwing me into disarray, and if he was marinating on a new idea it only meant he was planing something dastardly.  But my troubling thoughts were irrupted when he finally chose to break the silence.

"Do you know about the art of reading tea leaves?"  He said, as he drank from his cup and swirled it around in his hand. 

"I have heard of it, but it is just foolish to believe a cup of tea can dictate your future." 

"Do you say that because your future is already decided?"  I paused at his words, as I put my cup down. 

"I do."  The moment the words left my mouth, I watched him down his cup of tea in one go and then eye me. I sighed and quickly followed his example, and threw back my head and finished off my cup.  At least now we were done drinking, so he would have to leave, right?

"Let me see it."  Victor said, as he snatched the cup from my hand.  

"You can't be serious, Victor, you believe in this nonsense?"  But Victor just held up his hand to quiet me, as he peered down into the cup. 

"What do you see?"  I said, starting to get nervous.  I had never seen him so serious and it was making me extremely uneasy.  I was going to press him further, but then I watched as his shoulders relaxed and he looked up at me with a smile.  

"Your right.  It is foolish."  He said, as he placed the cup down and leaned back as he ran a hand through his blonde hair.  Something had happened.  He was never like this.  Before I could stop myself I reached out and touched his hand.  He looked up at me shocked. 

"What did you see?" 

"Your future." 

"Oh, do tell."  I said, with a coy grin, as I propped myself up on my elbows and placed my head in my hands.  I was trying to mock how he had acted earlier, but my actions did not seem to cause any change in him.  On the contrary,  he did not speak and I wondered if he would remain like that for the rest of the evening.  Then slowly he sat up and reached into his jacket pocket and pull out a small velvet blue box.  I sat there and watched as he held the box in his hands, like the weight of it was so sever it could break him.  Then he placed it on the counter and pushed it towards me. 

"Victor?" 

"Open it."  He said, in a tone I could not place.  Carefully I reached out and picked up the box and flipped it open.  I gasped when I saw it.  Housed between layers of black velvet was a silver ring with a sapphire stone cut into a tear drop shape, while detailing the band were small light blue diamonds.  I looked up at him in shock. 

"I am asking Jasmine to marry me."  

"I see."  I said, as I shut my eyes and closed the box.  A slight sigh escaped my lips, causing Victor to look up at me, as I smiled and said.  "She will love it." 

"But I don't love her."  

My breath hitched in my chest as his green eyes stared directly at me, they were bearing down with that intensity that always took my breath away.  I needed to get away from him.  I would not let him do this.  Then suddenly his eyes flashed at me, as if something had clicked inside of him.  I began to say something, but was cut off by the sound of the chair, he had been sitting in, crashing to the floor.  It only took him a second to be right in front of me and it was clear he was very emotional.

"Wear it.  Please.  Put it on.  I.. mean...let me put it on you."  He said nervously, as he grabbed the box and took the ring out.  His hands were shaking, as he reached out and took hold of my hand, but before he could put the ring on me I jumped out of my chair. 

"Stop this!"  I shouted. "What are you doing?" 

"How can you ask that question?  You know exactly what I am doing.  I am purposing to you." 

"You can't."  I cried

"Why not?"  He shouted, causing me to flinch.  

"From the moment I saw you at the Witching Ball I was possessed by your beauty, and then when you chose to save that boy I fell for your bravery.  I fell so hard, that no matter what anyone said, I knew you had to be mine."  With every word he took a step closer, while I continued to back away.  "I don't care about the fact you can't do magic, I can do enough for the both of us."  

"No, please, don't do this Victor.  I beg you."  I whimpered out.  My heart could not handle this.  I would be lying if I said I did not feel something for him, but his declarations were too much.  

"I can't Lia."  He said, so desperately that I had to cover my mouth in shock.

"You just called me."  

"Lia. Lia please, you are are all I think about, all I dream about.  I can't picture my life without you in it, and the thought of marrying Jasmine and having you stand there and accept that you are less than her, then anyone, makes me sick!" 

"Stop!"  I quickly covered my ears and shook my head.  I could feel tears of frustration and fear welling up in my eyes. 

"I wont stop!  I wont ever stop!"  Victor shouted, as he ripped my hands from my ears. "I want you to hear me!  I want everyone in this damn world to hear me!  I love you Lia and and no one else!"  Suddenly, I felt his shaking hand take hold mine, as he got down on one knee.  I bit my lip as tears started to fall. 

"Abelia Goldenrod, please marry me and be my queen." 

His eyes shone with such love and devotion, that I wanted more than anything in the world to say yes.  But how could I.  He had to understand, he was a prince and I was a pauper.  A defective witch that would bring about his ruin.  As the tears fell I covered my hands with my mouth and shook my head. 

"I wont." 

I watched as Victor's head hit his chest, but he would not let go of my hand, as if he were begging me to reconsider.  We stayed like that, him grabbing on to me and me silently crying.  It was the first time I realized I might hate Jasmine.  

She was everything I was not.  Her hair was a beautiful shade of brown, while mine was almost white.  Her eyes were a dark rich honey color that had such warmth in them that you could feel her love and passion, while my golden brown ones were hard and cold.  Her skin was sun kissed, while I was pale and sickly.  She could cast powerful spells and was accepted by all, while I could only understand the concepts and no one wished to be seen with me.  And yet, none of those things made me hate her.  No, it was the fact that this boy, this man, who I could never have was going to be her husband the moment he walked out the door. 

Slowly, a haggard sigh left Victor's chest as he started to get up, but he still would not let go of my hand.  I watched as his free hand, that held the ring,  started to ball up into a fist as he began to get to his feet.  We did not speak as I walked him to the door.  There were no words to describe how we felt.  My tears and his grip on me did all the talking for us.  Carefully, I opened the door and he walked past the threshold while I remained in the house.  

He let out a sigh as he turned around to face me and smiled.  I felt my heart squeeze in my chest, the look on his face would be one I would carry with me for the rest of my life.  It was devastation and it was hard see how twisted and pained his features had become.  Then he slowly opened and closed his mouth, as if he was gasping for air. 

"Your tea cup said you will marry a prince.  I thought.."  But before he could finish, I took my free hand and undid our hands.  He looked at me with such hurt that another wave of my tears began to fall. 

"Good bye Miss. Abelia." 

"Good bye Victor."  

After Victor left the house that night he went and proposed to Jasmine, under the big old oak tree at Ashfork Academy.  I brought my knees to my chest and rested my head on them and looked out to see if I could see it.  The tree, or maybe them.  Maybe what I wanted was to see how had he proposed.  Had he gotten down on one knee?  Had he grabbed her hand and tried to force the ring on her?  Or had he just said nothing and handed her the blue velvet box and Jasmine just understood.  However he did it, it did not matter because she had accepted and deep down I hated her for it. 

I groaned as I rubbed my eyes.  This was all pointless.  Victor and Jasmine were going to be husband and wife and I needed to accept this.  I had been fooling myself, by making Victor Voltare out to be my enemy.  Every chance I got I cursed him in my mind.  I spoke ill of him to Jasmine.  I did everything in my power to hate and despise the man, but the one I really hated was myself.  I had said over and over again that he was the one that left me, but that was not true.  He was the one who was willing to risk it all, I was just too scared to hold on to his hand. 

I sighed, as I reached into my bag to pull out the "Hidden Healers Almanac."  I was in desperate need of a distraction, and reading was just the catharsis that might do the trick.  Thanks to Viktor, he had cast a spell on the monster book, so that it was now travel sized and no longer a pain to lug around.  I tried not to think on how he had silently done so,  when my back was turn and I was attending to Jasmine. He knew if he had asked if he could, I would have said no. That was the kind of man he was.  Pushy, arrogant, demanding and yet, I could not hate him for it.

It was now getting close to 8pm and Victor and Jasmine would have reached his castle by now.  I could feel my chest was heavy, and so I stretched my arms to the sky and crossed my legs, as I placed the book in my lap.  It was time to forgive Jasmine and forget Victor and truly move on.