Countess Delnaro in Blackwood
POV: Jess
I had volunteered to go with Litha to her home so she could change and pack for a few days so that she could stay with us at Blackwood. I walked with Litha out to her carriage and we climbed in. Delnaro Meadows was much further from Tarn than Blackwood was. We would normally have to ride in the carriage for a few hours but the carriage driver for House Delnaro can open portals so she could get to Delnaro Meadows quickly. She sighed and pressed her forehead to the glass, “Jess, I didn’t know my parents were doing such nefarious things to Alexandra. It pains me to know that I was encouraged to get close to her and all the while they might have used me and my time with her to exploit her vulnerabilities. Do you think she truly does forgive me?” I nodded, “Litha, I know one thing for sure is that Alexandra knows you didn’t have anything to do with it. She was suspicious of you for a little while when she was made aware of who was after her but it was cleared up somehow. I don’t know the details but Blake assured her that she was safe with you.” She widened her eyes and looked over at me, “The Prince vouched for me?” I smiled and nodded, “Yes, Litha. He found out through whatever secret means he has and told her that she could let her guard down.” She sighed again, “Still, I think I need to apologize to her. I don’t know how my House can make amends to hers.” I shook my head, “Your parents are paying that amends with their banishment. Alexandra has exercised mercy for your sake. She still cares for you and her gesture today standing beside you to back your appointment did everything for you in society. You needn’t think about it.”
We went through the portal and came upon a beautiful green meadow that was full of flowers of several hues. It was a peaceful place full of sunshine, birds, and butterflies. I had always loved to visit Litha when we were younger, we would run around the meadows and gather flowers for our mothers. I heard Litha sigh again, “I bet this doesn’t help Blake to see me in a brighter light. I wouldn’t be too surprised if he canceled my date with him in Mesha. He’s in love with Alexandra after all.” I saw a tear roll down her cheek and I pulled her into an embrace, “You mustn’t think that way. I bet Blake doesn’t think that. He knows you didn’t have anything to do with it, he’s the one who found that out.” She sniffed, “I know I should be more upset about my parents but I really told myself during my appointment that I will disown them for my sake to help me move on.” I stroked the back of her head, “I think you need time to grieve their loss, Litha. They are, by all intents and purposes, dead to you. Take time to cry about it and then you can disown them. It isn’t healthy to bottle up these emotions and it won’t do well for your ability to keep them bottled up.” Litha’s ability was rooted in emotion and was called, “The Touch.” If Litha’s emotions bottled up negatively then her touch basically morphed her ability into The Grim Reaper. She would simply have to touch someone with all of the bottled-up negativity and they would die. I was honestly surprised that her parents didn’t use her in that way to get rid of Alexandra. Then again if Alexandra had died via The Grim Reaper, Litha would be punished in much the same way that her parents had. This would have been equal to treason and they probably didn’t want her death just so they could rid Vellum of what they considered an impure nuisance.
Litha didn’t take long to change into some more comfortable clothing and pack her things. I told her housekeeper what had happened in court since the manor in Delnaro Meadows was raided by the Citadel earlier in the day and Litha had asked me to explain things to her in the interest of time. Litha wanted to go to Blackwood as quickly as possible. Litha emerged from her room carrying her bag, “I’m ready.” She looked over at the housekeeper, “I will be staying with the Batistes for a few days. Can you please ensure that the house gets cleaned up before I come back?” The housekeeper curtsied to her, “Yes, Your Excellency. We will ensure it gets done.” She nodded at the housekeeper and walked out the door. She climbed back into the carriage, “I am anxious to go see Alexandra so that I can tell her how sorry I am.” I sighed, “I told you that you didn’t have to do that.” She shook her head, “No, this has to be part of my therapy. You said so yourself that I need to let out my emotions. This needs to be something that I have to do even if it is symbolic and I know that Alexandra will forgive me.” I understood now that she had explained this to me and I would support her instead of trying to hinder her. She was tense, I could feel it without her telling me or showing it in her body language. This was likely why she was in such a rush to get to Blackwood. We had portaled a little way away from Delnaro Meadows to halfway between Tarn and Blackwood. When we pulled out on the other side she let out another sigh. She tensed up even more when Blackwood Manor came into view.
As she stepped out of the carriage behind me, I heard her draw in a long breath. Dana came out of the manor looking a bit confused which usually meant that she wasn’t given a heads up. I looked at her, “Dana, are the Batistes back yet?” She shook her head, “No, as far as I know, they are still at the castle. I thought you should have been coming with them. Is Her Grace, Alexandra, without escort then?” I shook my head, “I left her with Derek.” Dana nodded, “He isn’t back either.” We heard the sound of hooves behind us as the Batiste’s formal carriage pulled up. As they all stepped out of the carriage, Litha dropped her bag and walked up to Alexandra. She threw her arms around her and started to lightly cry, “Alexandra, I’m so sorry. I really didn’t know they were doing all of that stuff. I don’t know how I can ever make it up to you.” Alexandra gently wrapped her arms around Litha and rubbed her back, “Shhh, it’s okay Litha. I am well aware that you had nothing to do with it. You need not think about making anything up to me. I need nothing from you.” Alexandra’s face lit up and she looked over at me as she continued to hug Litha. She spoke to Litha again, “You know what? You can do me a favor but let’s talk about it inside upstairs. Let’s go get you settled.” Alexandra broke the hug, strode over, and picked up her bag. She walked into the house and smiled at Dana, “Litha will be staying in my room tonight but please ensure the room next to Jess’s is prepared for a few days after. Countess Delnaro is welcome to stay as long as she wants.” Dana’s eyes widened as she looked from Alexandra to Litha. As the three of us young women entered the house, I heard Reginald apprising Dana of the fact that Litha is now Countess Delnaro and promised to tell her more later.
Alexandra led Litha up to her room and I followed. As soon as I entered the room, Alexandra closed the door behind me. She turned to smile at the two of us, “You guys can sit anywhere and we can further discuss this favor I’m going to ask of you, Litha.” She still hadn’t released all of her tension but I could feel considerably less of it. Alexandra walked over to the bed and sat down across from Litha and next to me, “I have a friend that I need you to be able to help heal.” She cocked her head to the side, “I don’t believe I have that ability, Alexandra.” She winked at her, “Oh, I don’t know. I think you do for this particular wound. I’m going to let you in on a little secret about myself.” She still looked at Alexandra confused, “I don’t understand.” Alexandra hopped up from the bed and smiled at her, “I’m in love.” We both gasped and I asked, “How?” She sighed, “Someone very close to me, we’ll say a family member zapped the curse out of me with their ability.” Litha furrowed her brow, “Is it Blake that you’re in love with?” Alexandra shook her head and I knew that her answer would be either Derek or Lucien. I said a silent prayer that she would say Lucien. She smiled at me and winked, “It is Lucien. I think it has always been Lucien since the day I took my blood oath with him. I felt the instant connection and spark when we touched lips.” She went around the bed, sat next to Litha, grabbed her hands, and clasped them in hers, “I need you to help Blake heal from losing me to Lucien. I think he could fall in love with you and I can tell you how.” Litha sighed, “But what if you don’t win, Alexandra. Wouldn’t you want to fall back on marrying Blake?” Alexandra shook her head, “I could never marry unless it was full of love. I will never marry if it isn’t Lucien. If I don’t win, I will become a spinster. Now that I have that out of the way, do you want to know how you can win over Blake or not? I know you have a date with him soon and I think you can capture his heart even just a little during it.”
Litha clenched Alexandra’s hands, “Please! If you can help me out, I would be forever grateful.” Alexandra nodded, “You know how you always act around him? Prim and proper and lady-like?” Litha nodded and Alexandra smiled, “Don’t do that. He hates when people put on a front. Be yourself and don’t keep apologizing like I know you have a habit of doing. He likes the carefree way I carry myself. I know you have that in you because you show that to me when we all hang out. Blake will open his heart to you as he sees the real you.” She sighed, “Is that all? My father always told me that the royals hate when people are too relaxed.” Alexandra started to laugh, “I don’t think he knew the royals very well then. Spending some private time with them, you will find out that they really aren’t so prim and proper, especially Blake. Don’t you owe it to yourself and him to find out if he likes the real you?” Litha looked over at me for confirmation, “What do you think, Jess?” Alexandra was not wrong, knowing Blake as I did, I knew that he loathed ladies who put on a show. He loathed ladies in particular except Alexandra and I knew very well that it was because she never was one to put on a show when she spoke to him. I smiled at her, “I agree with Xan. He would probably fall in love with the true Litha.” Litha stood up with a determined look on her face, “Alright, Xan, I will try it your way. I will honor your request.”
