Emmanuelle’s Choice

Bachelor number Two: Ignacio the Wizard

CHAPTER FIVE

Ignacio and the wizard

All three men clamored around her, in a sense blocking off all others. Apparently there must have been some words exchanged or something, for they acted like her guardians of some sort. And it appeared as if they were only allowing themselves to dance with her.

“I believe it is my turn to dance with you, Miss Emmanuelle. Please, do me the honor of accepting this small gift in payment for allowing me the privilege of this dance.”

Gift? What gift? Did he mean his little crystal ball? Surely he did not. Yet as soon as she thought about asking him, a sort of Misty bluish tinged smoke rose from his hand and spiraled around her, and beautiful red rosebuds appeared in a vine around her dress, making it that much more stunning.

“Oh my! They are beautiful.”

Still holding that tiny crystal ball in the air, he bowed before her. “My gift for you. I am Ignacio.”

“Yes, I recognize you from all the posters. You are all my brother Ferat talks about.”

Holding his hand out to her, he said, “shall we dance?”

Emmanuelle nodded and said, “I would like that.”

Just like D, Ignacio’s touch was soft, yet just a little more possessive. And his hand was so very warm. She found his touch so very exhilarating and exciting, yet D’s felt more personal.”

“Question for a question, Lord Ignacio?”

“I am an open book, Emmanuelle. All you need do is simply ask.”

Oh but she was a plethora of questions for him. Her brother constantly expounded upon the man’s many virtues, and she wanted to know if they were well deserved or not. His golden blonde hair was cut short, but it glowed in the soft light of the lamps, nonetheless. “I suppose the first question, provided you’ll allow me more than one, is how did you become…you?”

He smiled, and it sent shivers up her spine. His smile was both of amusement and a little bit predatory which made her feel as if she could be the prey. “By me,” he said and motioned to himself with his free hand, “I assume you mean how I became Ignacio the Great.”

Emmanuelle blushed, she could feel her cheeks grow hot. “Yes.”

“Well, I can tell you it wasn’t my father’s first choice for me. You see my father is a great general. Perhaps you heard of him, General Astrin.”

Emmanuelle’s jaw dropped in surprise. “Are you serious? General Aston is your father?”

Looking less than impressed, Ignacio’s smile faltered a bit, looking a bit annoyed. “Yes that’s him.”

“So, your father was not a fan of your choice of …life?”

“No, not at all. He felt it a waste of time and money. So, he disowned me.”

Her heart lurched in her chest at this confession, and against her will, she felt sorry for this man whom her brother idolized. “I…I am sorry. That is horrible. I don’t see how any parent could do that.”

One beautiful brow went up at that. “Oh really? Not even if your child became a slave to another demon? A demon his or herself?”

This night, as short as it was so far, had been full of information, things she had never known. “Are you saying…that is what happened to D?”

“D? Yes. The demon you were dancing with, that apparently said for you to call him D, his father disowned him. In fact both his parents disowned him.”

Emmanuelle thought that horrible, but on pondering over it for a few seconds, she was not quite certain she wouldn’t do that as well. “Oh.” She couldn’t imagine one of her only children selling their soul to the devil, but God only knew the situation that made D make that choice.

“Now my question, would you ever disown your child if they didn’t do what you wanted them to?”

“I am sorry, I cannot answer that as I have no life experience to use as reference . However, I would like to think I would not. I have learned , in my short years, not to judge.”

“That is very…magnanimous of you, Emmanuelle.” When he said this, his beautiful blue eyes pierced straight into her brown ones. Goodness but he was so very beautiful .

“My next question , do you have any siblings?”

“Hmm, I would’ve thought you would ask how to become a wizard. Ok I will give you that one for free. If your brother is still interested when he is of age, have him to look me up, whether you choose me or not, I will give him a letter of recommendation. As for siblings, yes I have two, both sisters. One is an accomplished sorceress in service to King Alfredo”

“Oh, of the Mexican empire. Oh! Then, does that mean your sister is Solaria?”

“Ah, so, you’re a fan.”

Again that telltale blush. She did not like it when she blushed. “Yes, I am a fan. Only because my brother is…a fan of yours. It had me wondering if their were any famous sorceresses and then I discovered her in a school book on the Mexican Empire.”

“I see. I shall have to tell Solaria about that. She will be quite impressed.”

“What about your other sister?”

Ignacio fell silent for a few seconds, then replied. “She is the happy wife of retired Major General Fernando, who is now a farmer. She also is a mother to three beautiful daughters.”

“Oh goodness! More girls! Gracious. But, forgive me for asking, but why do you look so sad about it?”

Surprise changed his beautiful features for a brief moment. “Do I? I suppose I am, but truly it is because, not that she married a major general, or anything of that sort, just that…well, she too has disowned both me and Solaria, and that disappoints me because I feel as if she made this decision because of our parents, not because she wanted to. I wish that she would’ve made the decision based on her own instincts and beliefs, not our parents.”

Indeed a sadness crept into his voice and it was as if a dark cloud descended over him, clouding his features.

“I am sorry.”

Ignacio shook his head a little and smiled. “My turn. I get another question to ask you.”

Emmanuelle smiled politely. “Yes you do. What would you like to know?”

Locking gazes with her, he asked, “what is your favorite scent?”

“Oh, that is easy. However it is not a single scent but a mixture. A perfume actually. I just…I cannot ever…well it is Cloudberry, the perfume by Liara the singer.”

“I see.” And he closed his eyes just for a moment, and then opened them. A few seconds later she figured out what he was doing when he closed his eyes.