Prisoner of Darkness

chapter 3 part 1

Chapter 3

Ariana

I sat beside my mother's bed, for I do not know how long. I knew she was dying, and that she did not have exceptionally long, but the Cobalt offer of treatment was not something I could throw away lightly. If I were lucky, it would give her a few more months with us.

The disease was fast progressing, normally killing within six months of the first symptoms appearing. She had started showing signs shortly after father's death. Her long red hair had rapidly begun greying and falling out. Her skin was so frail, paper thin, prone to bruising, I ran my finger across her cheek and her eyes open green eyes investigated blue.

‘Anna, my love, are you alright?’

‘Yes, mother I am fine go back to sleep.’ I replied.

She fell back to sleep, as quickly as she woke.

I did not sleep that night. I spent from early in the morning wandering around the ship’s deck, reliving the events of last night over and over in my head.

The hurt I felt after Zavier's for, confession had eased in my chest, as the sun rose high in the sky. It was easy for Zavier to make these suggestions. He did not have anyone to care for only himself for the last ten years.

But me I had too much is riding on this, but he can be made to see the reason we could work something else, something else that protects my family from any retribution the council or from Cobalt.

‘Anna,’ I jump, caught up in my own thoughts. I looked up to see Stephen Fowler.

‘Are you alright?’ he asked.

‘Yes, sorry, I've just been deep in thought.’ I Explained.

‘About your marriage?’ he asked.

‘Yes,’ I lied.

‘He can't be that bad, can he?’ he asked.

‘I don’t really know; I've never met him.’

Confusion crossed his face. ‘You mother seems to think you have.’

‘Once, when I was twelve years old. While he was visiting my brother, should not count as an introduction to the man. I am to marry ten years later.’ I explained.

His eyes widened in surprise at that fact. ‘Your mother failed to mention that.’

‘He had been asking for my hand for the last year. My. My father did not believe he was the right fit for me. So, he would decline at every opportunity. Until a month ago when he passed away.’

‘What happened then?’

‘He asked again, my brother Charles accepted for me. On the condition that William would assist my mother's medical condition.’

‘What wrong with her were not sure,’ I lied. ‘She started getting ill after father died.’

Tarquin disease is not understood among many. People believe it to be contagious, even though there was no proof of that. It was best not to cause the alarm on board.

‘Do you not want this marriage?’

‘I am not sure.’ I responded.

‘Enough about me. Why are you up so early?’ I asked.

‘Keeping out of my father's hair what’s left of it, anyway.’ I smiled.

‘You do not have a good relationship with your father?’ I asked, ‘Let's just say my father still had hair before I hit puberty.’ we laughed.

I made my own way to breakfast while Stephen went to find his brother. I found my mother in the breakfast room and took a seat beside her.

‘How did you sleep, mother?’ I asked.

I had the most unusual dream; I saw your father. He was asking me to join. He was so beautiful.’

‘It isn't time, yet mama please stay with me a little longer.’ she smiled.

‘Of course, dear.’

Breakfast was served. And the Fowlers joined us shortly after growling at Stephen for losing Adriane.

‘It is not my fault if he runs off on his own. I'm sure he will show up when he is hungry.’

His mother shook her head, and his father sipped his coffee.

‘I'll keep an eye out for him,’ I spoke up taking some of the heat away from Stephen.

‘Thank you, Anna, but it is Stephen's responsibility.’

‘But if you do see him, please tell him to come to one of us.’

‘Of course, Lady Fowler.’

Mother seemed distracted during most of the meal. Afterward, I took her for a stroll on the deck. To hopefully take in some of the fresh air as the wind picked up loosening her hair from its updo. I began seeing her as a young woman she would have been incredibly beautiful in her youth, father and she looked like they could catch fire. Thinking of him, I had to ask.

‘How did you meet father?’

She smiled ‘I meet your father at a ball like so many do on the mainland. If you asked him, he would say it was love at first sight.’

‘Was it love at first sight for you?’ I asked, ‘No,’ she said, ‘Love came later,’

‘I admit there was attraction, but not love.’

‘Why did you agree to marry him then?’

‘Growing up, my mother and father relationship was less than ideal. My father was a horrible human being, and my mother was so love struck by him she would ignore all his behaviours, if he showed an ounce of affection to her. I promised myself that I would never love a man the way my mother loved my father.’

‘Your father never raised his hand to me or his voice. He loved all of you far more than my father ever could to me or my sister. Abigail, my sister married a friend of your fathers she died in childbirth, the babe along with her.’

‘I'm sorry mother, I didn’t know’.

‘It was long before you or either of you or your siblings were born.’

‘Were they happy?’ I asked.

‘I believe so at least Abbey never said otherwise.’

‘Anna, I think I would like to rest now.’

‘Of course, mother.’

We left the deck, and headed back to our cabin to rest, I undressed her into something more comfortable for sleep, before helping her into bed.

‘Anna,’ she said, ‘You know all I ever wanted for you was for you to be happy and safe.’

‘Of course, mother,’

‘I know you have reservations about marrying Lord Cobalt, and I want you to know you can say no. We will not be disappointed. We will understand.’

‘Yes, I know mother-’

‘We love you, even Charles, in his misguided way.’

‘Mama,’ I raised my voice, ‘I was not ignorant when Charles brought this option to me. I knew what I was agreeing to. I agreed to this because its safes everyone it gives you the medical treatment you need. The council gets access to Coralline, and Charles doesn’t have to worry about a spinster sister.’

‘I admit, Cobalt was not a man I ever planned on marrying. But he safes our family from being a prior in the council eyes. How bad could it be if he is willing to put himself out there like that?’

‘Your father never would have agreed to this,’

‘Yes, Mama, I know, but as it is, the world is changing, and it is not in our favour. You have protected me for eighteen years. Now it is my turn to protect you. Sleep now Mama, I will see you in a few hours.’

I left her to sleep and decided to head to the library. The smell of books had always calmed my nerves when I was having a bad day. I had just started browsing the shelves when I heard giggling from the doorway. A small body hit the floor with a thud. Adriane Fowler hit the floor, laughing.

‘Here she is told you she would be here.’ He was looking beyond the doorway. As I looked up to see Zavier enter. He was smartly dressed in a tailored green suit; it suited his colouring.

‘Thank you, Adriane,’ he helped Adriane unsteadily to his feet, He looked green.

‘I don’t feel good, Master Soren.’ Zavier put him on the couch and reached for a wastebasket for him.

‘Is he drunk?’ I asked.

‘Keep your head between your knees and you'll be fine,’ he tried reassuring Adriane.

‘What did you do to him?’ I asked, concerned.

‘I did nothing, he was the one who got into the whiskey in the Gentlemen’s lounge.’

‘If he-’ Adriane began vomiting into the wastebasket.

Zavier Chuckled at Adriane misfortune.

‘Anna, He is fine, he'll be a little worse for wear tonight, but he will survive,’ Amusement played on his face as he watched Adriane vomit once again.

‘I brought him to you so you can get him to his family either way.’

‘Just let him get it out of his system, then we can return him to his family.’

‘Can't you heal him?’ I asked.

His eyes rolled.

‘No, he is drunk, not dying. Give him a few hours.’

‘How did you even meet him? You’re not supposed to be seen?’

‘I'll have you know I am a paid passenger on board this ship. I haven't needed to hide since I was 12.’