Chapter twenty five

Eric

Where did she get Tatia's journal from?

Anthony shared the same surprised look as me. He was the one to hide everything that reminded me of her.

"Where did you get that?" I asked.

"It doesn't matter now." She retorted, holding unto the book like I could snatch it at any moment.

"Do you believe what was written there?"

"Why won't I? These are words from her heart."

" When I met Tatia, I despised her but trust me we grew into love."

She didn't reply. She just looked at me in disgust.

"I know your love Eric but let me tell you this. I won't be giving you my inheritance if I even have one."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I rejected my grandfather's pity gift. He also deserves to suffer. Men like you think you can always have your way..."

"Sometimes I do Maisy but trust me if I don't get that inheritance, Bad things are going to happen."

"I don't care. Overtax your people but just stay away from me."

She turned to leave but I held her back.

"Would you really do this to me?"

"If you think I care one bit about you, You've got something else coming." She retorted.

The hate in her eyes, they were real. I didn't want this. It felt like fate was pushing us apart despite how much I believed we were destined to be.

Anthony sensed our conversation was deviating to something heated and excused himself along with the guard.

The door was shut on the way out.

"I should go," Maisy said as she fought to free herself from my grip.

"No!" I snapped back like a hungry wolf and led her to a chair. I forced her to sit then continued trying to convince her to change her mind about her decision to reject her inheritance. To be fair, A greater part of our conversation was about what she really thought of me.

"I know you're angry and broken Maisy and it's all my fault."

"Wow! You must replay take pride in that. For your information, I'm not hurt. I've lost hope in you."

I was completely lost. My mother had said those words to father numerous times. His affairs broke mom beyond repair. I was beyond shocked hearing those same words from Maisy.

"I'm not my father!" I blurted out, digging my fingers into Maisy's shoulders until I was sure they bled.

"Let me go!" She screamed on top of her lungs. She kicked me off her and sprinted for the door.

"Wait Maisy, I'm sorry." I pleaded, trying to comprehend what just happened.

"You are sick!" She said and jumped out of the room.

I didn't go after her. I remained on the cold marble ground. The hole in my heart deeper than the pain.

I never wanted to be like my father but apparently, his shadow never left me. I'd tried to escape it so many times but it was always there. Even I could not escape the allure of a Clarke.

***

Maisy

Getting outside, I bumped into Sara. She looked guilty. I could tell she had been eavesdropping.

Seeing she had obviously been gotten out, She said to me.

"I couldn't help but overhear what was going on. Did you fight?"

I knew melodrama when I saw one and this was no different.

"So?"

"Did you really mean the part where you said you won't give him your inheritance."

That was it. I couldn't keep playing her games anymore.

I flared back,

"What exactly do you want to know? Can you stop beating around the bush?"

She turned white, a bit afraid and taken aback by my reaction.

"Forgive me for being concerned. Don't you think that's a stupid idea? You'll be trapped with a man you don't love."

"Is that really why?" I mocked knowing she was obsessed with Eric.

"Because if that animal in there craves you," I Said on top of my voice so Eric could hear me from within the room, "Enjoy it while it lasts."

Sara opened her mouth to obviously deny her involvement with Eric but I clapped her down and left.

I went to the stables. It was somewhere away from Eric and his problems. Ria was my companion and a good friend. Even if she wasn't human She was Abe listener and even if I sounded like a maniac in need of help, She sometimes gave me the perfect solution to my problems.

Ria neighed sighting me from afar off. She was bridled but that didn't stop her from expressing how happy she was to see me.

"How are you doing baby?" I cooed as I brushed through her chestnut fur. It was warm and moist from touch, A perfect stress reliever.

"Sorry I couldn't visit. Had a lot on my mind lately."

I freed her from her restraints and led her to the open field. Now all I had to do was let the race get to me and I'd pour out all my pain in hopes that they would disappear.

"Hey." Conrad waved at me.

God! I wasn't expecting anyone and definitely not another Clarke.

"It's you. Nice to see you again." I pretended to be surprised. I had to remain positive that he would state his business and leave me alone.

"You ride horses?" He quizzed.

God! He was beating around the bush.

"Obviously," I replied, slurring my words so he wouldn't miss the sarcasm.

"I also saw you talking to your horse."

I flushed but wait... Was he stalking me?

"How exactly did you know this?"

"I was at the stables earlier. What troubles are you having exactly?"

"None of your concern." I sharply retorted while keeping an innocent smile, earning the title of bitch.

"I don't mean to be a bother but I also ride horses. I have one called Midnight, A mystic like yours." He instantly changed the subject.

I gasped unintentionally,

"How did you know?"

I hadn't told anyone and Ria wasn't in the habit of showing the world just how special she was.

"Midnight fancies your horse or should I say unicorn." He winked at me.

"Are we going to talk about horses with horns or are you going to really get to the point as to why you are here?"

"You need to pipe down. My brother has really overdone himself this time."

"What do you mean by this time... You know what? Forget it."

My mood had been killed yet again and I was in no mood to talk to anyone. I just wanted to be alone but that was too much to ask for.

"Thanks for your time Conrad but I don't think you can help me."

I retreated back to the stables to return Ria.

"Wait!" He chased after me, setting his hands firmly on the still burning injury that was inflicted on me earlier. A sharp pain shot through me and I was sure the next thing that would happen was he would receive a resounding slap but when I turned, No one was there.

In fact, everything was different. The beautiful green grass was left bare in a caked earth. My eyes continued searching the earth, I felt like it was going to lead me to something. I traced blood and it sent my heart racing. Was this real? My eyes continued following the blood until It all went black.

I blinked, holding my pulsing head.

"What happened?" I asked no one in particular.

"You lost your balance. Are you okay?" 

Conrad was worried. Did I pass out? I examined where I was. There was grass again. That meant it was just a dream.

"Yes. I think so. How long was I out?"

"Minutes." He replied.

I got to my feet and wiped the tears forming in my eyes. When they cleared, I got a good look at Conrad.

"What the hell!" I gaped and pushed him off me.

My eyes couldn't stray from the horror on his right shoulder.

It squawked at me. I exchanged looks with Conrad. He was confused. I sensed that he was oblivious to the giant black bird on his shoulder.

"Do you see it?" I asked.

"What?" He answered, peering over his shoulder.

He couldn't see it. Then why could I see a Raven on him?

I wasn't a fan of birds and especially not birds that stood for nothing good. It turned from bad to worse when that mysterious whisper spilled into my ear,

"There is still time."