Page 29 of The Time Of Kings (An Afterlife Story #1)
28
BITTERSWEET IRONY
B y the time I made my way to the grand house, the heavens had opened and it was lashing it down. Like adding insult to injury, I looked half drowned as I made it to the door. Unlike Muncaster castle, I knew Witley Court well enough to confidently navigate my way around it and I knew exactly how to get inside.
Because over the years, all three of the Draven siblings had told me many stories of the place. How much the grand estate had been added to throughout the years. Which was why I knew the year must have been at least past that of 1850, as most of the renovations and additions were here.
Including what I searched for now…
The Michelangelo Pavilion.
This was positioned at the end of a curved service wing, that also provided an open arched entry into the conservatory. It had a stunning tessellated floor and niches in the walls where marble statues were displayed. Its pattern of geometric shapes from the large tiles was another addition I knew about, as Draven recalled one story of after it had been installed. His steward had been annoyed to find keys hidden behind one of the statues they were exchanging for another, long after the work had been finished.
It turned out that one of the servants liked to sneak out to rendezvous with a stable hand and this was where she hid the keys. This so as she could get back into the house once her romp in the stables was concluded. I remember this because Draven, at the time, had teased me, saying what he would have done the same had I been a maid there. And how he would have liked to have gotten me into a barn and what he would do to me there.
I, in return, had teased back by asking if the smell of horse shit was a particular turn on for him. His handsome laughter quickly filled the room straight after.
Gods but I missed my husband.
I shook myself out of my self-pity and focused back on the job at hand, slipping through the open arches and started to search the statues.
“Yesss!” I whispered triumphantly the second I found them, knowing now I could get back inside the main doors located at the South portico. From here I knew that this would lead into the saloon but before that, I left the doors unlocked and ran to put the keys back where I found them. As the last thing I needed was to get some poor girl thrown from the house after first being locked out of it.
Once inside, I realised that everyone must have retired for the night, which was a blessing, or this would have been a shitty break in. However, someone must have left a candle burning, and good job too or I wouldn’t have been able to see a thing. The moonlight came and went under the cover of the rain clouds, which meant it wasn’t enough to guide me, so I picked up the glass lamp and carried it with me so I could see.
The glory that was Witley Court was one I had only seen as an illusion as I remembered Draven telling me how a fire had destroyed most of it. The devastating blaze broke out at about 8:00 PM on 7th of September 1937. The Draven’s hadn’t been home at the time, or such a thing would have never had the chance to cause so much damage.
It was later discovered that the fire started in the bakery in the basement of the South-East corner of the house. A strong wind caused the fire to spread rapidly to the main rooms and after that there was little that could be done. Not when the hydrant system that was connected to the fountain reservoir had failed. And with the master of the house away, only a handful of staff were in the building, meaning thankfully no one was hurt. Although with help from the villagers, many of Draven’s possessions were saved, with the central and eastern sections being completely gutted sometime after. Of course, after this point, no one ever lived in the house again.
Draven only ever used it for private parties like the one I had experienced for Pip’s birthday party, and only when no mortals were ever present. As this was the only time Draven restored it to its former glory, not exactly something that could be maintained for long. And I found out later that the illusion took a lot out of him.
As for the rest of the time, although Draven still owned it, he allowed it to become part of the English Heritage, which was a charity he often donated heavily to. But then, this wasn’t surprising, not considering how old my husband was, and the charity managed over 400 hundred historical buildings, monuments, and prehistoric sites all over England.
But now seeing it in its former glory, even in the dark, gave it a kind of magical aura. Like I was sneaking through time, as if the place shouldn’t even be here. Almost like that scene out of Beauty and the Beast, where Belle first arrives at the castle. A place so quiet and still, like some tome left cursed and therefore untouched by life.
I tiptoed my way into the entrance hall, and the Y shaped staircase to my left was just begging for me to climb it. Gods but I just wanted to sleep so badly, I knew there would be rooms untouched and left unoccupied for me to easily sneak into. But what then? What was my overall plan here?
I knew that I had to make it back to my own time and well, being here, right near the fountain, certainly helped with that. But the tricky part came in the form of a coin, or should I say, my obtaining one. Because I knew well enough by now that this was the only way I was going to get down into the Janus Temple. After that, it was taking a walk down easy street, as I could step back into the Janus gate and poof, I was gone and back in my own time.
Well, that was the hope anyway.
But like I said, first I needed to get a coin to do that and the only way for me find one was to go sneaking around the place. Which meant hiding in the grand estate long enough so I was free to search it while people were sleeping. But despite knowing the layout of the house, I still hadn’t a clue as to where Draven would keep any of these coins. That was if any were even hidden in this place. Of course, I didn’t have very many options at present, so I had to at least try.
Which was why, I thought searching his office was my best bet. However, the second I heard a woman’s voice, I froze.
“Good lord, where has all this water come from?”
I spun on a heel to see light emerging from the drawing room to my right, knowing there was a staircase there. One that led down to the ground floor and service wing. The second I heard the woman speak, I looked down at my feet only to find that the source of the water was me!
Damn it, but was this shit fated or what!? Was I really to relive my past mistakes over and over again? Well, I had no choice now, as there was only one place I had any chance at hiding. So, I quickly made my way up the staircase, hoping I wouldn’t be seen.
No such luck.
“You there… Who are you?!” a woman said, making me flinch. However, I didn’t stop to answer, quickly rushing the rest of the way, and taking the steps to the left once I found myself on the small landing. Up the stairs led to an open balcony walkway that allowed me to see the entrance hall beneath. One where I could see the servant now hurrying along it as she looked up to find me running from her.
So, with no other choice, I slipped inside the first door I could see, finding myself in a sitting room of some kind. I tried to orientate myself as to where I was, finding this room was directly over where I had broken in, over the large, roman style pillars that made up the impressive south portico.
From here I could go either left or right. But the moment I made my panicked decision, I knew it had been the wrong one. Because I would have had more chance at hiding the other way, with the number of rooms that were in the west wing.
Oh well, no going back now, I thought, gritting my teeth. Especially considering my plan was going to shit pretty quickly. I heard whoever it was still in pursuit of me, wondering when I was going to catch a freakin’ break!
So, I put my back to the wall and blew out my lamp, placing it gently on the floor so hopefully I was hidden in the shadows. This wouldn’t hide me for long as they did have a lamp in hand. Which meant the second it was held up in my direction, I knew it would reveal me pretty quickly. There was nothing to do but make a quick decision. Did I chance making a run for it or did I chance hiding in one of the rooms? Yep, a bedroom it was, because out here, standing against the sitting room wall, I was a sitting duck.
So, I felt along wooden panelling and when my hand felt a doorknob, I curled my fist around it and turned it slowly. Then I slipped in the room, making sure to do so quietly. I felt my heart hammering in my chest as my whole body shook from cold, my clothes soaked to the skin.
I seemed to be in a dressing room of sorts, which worked in my favour as I found a heavy, thick cloak lying across one of the chairs in the corner. I tossed it over my shoulders, which instantly helped with my shivering. The large hood I knew would also help in keeping me hidden, should the woman searching for me think to look in here. So, I raised it up over my wet hair and pulled the long material around myself.
After this, I felt as if it was wise not to linger too long, so I made my way towards another door, thankful at least for the windows, as it allowed a little light to penetrate the darkness. Enough to prevent me from falling over anyway, so I classed it as a blessing as I stepped quietly into the next room.
Instantly, I felt the warmth at my back, making me turn to find the fire down to its embers. The flames long gone from the iron fireplace, but it was at least something. So, I walked slowly to them, needing to feel something other than the numbing cold seeping into my bones. Which was why I held my numb hands over the hot coals, nearly moaning in bliss as feeling started to come back to my fingers.
The room was so dark, the fireplace had been the only thing I could see enough to follow. But then as my eyes began to adjust, I started to take on more aspects of the room. Like the large pieces of furniture too dark to make out any details, but knowing that if they were in this house… then they were most likely ornate and highly decorated.
It looked like a big room, where a large four poster bed dominated the space at the centre. Thick drapes were pulled across, hiding the rest from view and making my breath hitch at the thought of what they could be covering.
Or should I say… who.
I didn’t know what possessed me, but I was drawn to it like a moth. One no longer interested in the light but totally fixated on the potential of something far more dangerous. I needed to stop. Willed myself to, but it was to no avail. My feet had a mind of their own and simply took me there against all good sense. I stepped closer and closer, only stopping when I reached the side of the bed.
It was dangerous.
It was wrong and foolish.
But my hand rose all the same. My fingertips coming into contact with the heavy drapes before they curled enough to take hold of them. Then as slowly as I had entered the private space, I pulled them back to reveal what I already knew in my heart I would find.
A lone figure asleep in the bed.
But not just any figure… one I knew intimately.
I silently gasped, placing my free hand to my open lips as I stared down at him. A large white shirt was open at the top, showing me his corded neck and a hint of a muscular chest beneath. But he looked to have gone to bed half dressed, as his trousers remained too. As if he had removed his jacket, cravat and boots before passing out over the covers.
The breathtaking sight had me frozen to the spot, whereas it should have had me running. Because what was I doing?! I had wandered into the very last place I wanted to be. A cage that currently still had the door open. Although I knew it would not be that way for long.
Not if he woke up.
Which was why I needed to leave, starting with putting the curtain back so he wouldn’t see me if he did wake. However, this ended up being just another mistake made on my part, as quicker than my eyes could track, his hand whipped up and shackled my wrist. His eyes snapped open and found mine staring back at him in the dark. I cried out and backed up quickly. However, this meant that I ended up knocking into a lamp he had at his bedside. It fell to the floor and smashed instantly. The sound must have jarred him enough that his hold on me slipped, meaning I managed to pull myself free.
However, in doing so, I fell back, falling on the floor, calling out when glass stuck into my palm. I yanked it free, at the same time scrambling back to my feet and making for the door. Running my only option now as I grabbed the handle and yanked it open. Nevertheless, this turned out to be pointless, as my past haunted me once more. A past that crept up and struck out in the form of having the door slammed shut thanks to the hand now held above me.
A large body at my back now prevented me from leaving, as well at that all too familiar feeling of a blade felt come to my neck. Which was when I knew without a doubt what it meant. That every other timeline we were to meet in, other than that of my own, I would find my husband’s dagger at my throat. I had little time to question why, only knowing that it was obviously the Fates way of saying…
Not now.
However, like all those times before, he didn’t strike me down. Not when he heard me whisper his name, as it escaped my trembling lips.
“Draven.”
I heard the quick inhale of breath at my back before he gave me a stern order. As it was clear whenever we were first to meet, that I was to play the part of the enemy.
The intruder.
The thief.
The outsider.
“Turn around… do it slowly.”
I swallowed hard at his tone, knowing I would be a fool not to take it seriously. So, with little choice, I did as he asked after he gave me space to do so. Now turning slowly until I was soon facing him. However, with my eyes remained lowered, this wasn’t good enough for him.
“You watch me as I sleep, but now I wake, you are not so brave it seems,” he said, and I flinched when I felt his bent finger under my chin. I released a shuddered sigh when my head was lifted, happy, for once, for the darkness that surrounded us. As well as the cloak I had stolen, but more so for the hood that covered most of my face. It was low enough that it kept me hidden, even from his enhanced eyesight.
In fact, he was just about to push it back from my face when I knew that I needed to act. Because I was still hoping to escape this, and I knew that the second he saw me, he would know who I was to him. Which meant I would be right back in the same position I had just run from.
So, with only one thing left to do, I used the only weapon I held in my arsenal. A certain way to distract him. Which prompted me to quickly throw my arms up around him, so I was able to pull him down for a kiss.
At first, he seemed too shocked to move but then my lips parted, and my tongue dipped out to caress the seam of his mouth. And boy, did this ever work! It was more than enough to coax a response from him. Starting when the dagger hit on the floor as it tumbled from his hand.
This was my only warning before he wrapped his arms around me, lifting me slightly so I was higher and therefore making it easier for him to kiss me. His lips parted so he could take his first taste of me and when he did, a growl of pleasure rumbled up from his chest. And seeing as I was plastered to his torso, it was also one I could feel as well. This gave my shivering body a new reason to shudder other than from the cold.
It felt like coming home, no matter what time it was. The feel of being held by him, it was the safest place in the world. The taste of him as his tongue duelled with my own. I naturally found my head tilting further to the side so we could deepen the connection. One that would have continued if a knock on the door hadn’t disturbed us.
Meaning this time the sound of his growl was one of pure displeasure.
“My Lord, I am sorry to wake you, but we search for an intruder,” a male voice said.
I bit my lip, the only part of me he could see, as my hood still covered most of my face.
“An intruder, you say…” he replied, now looking down at me with a grin.
“Yes, I may have found the culprit,” he whispered, sounding amused before putting me back on my feet and telling me in hushed words, “I know not who you are, but I will soon enough. Now wait here for me, for I will be back after I have put my household at ease.”
I didn’t speak. I wouldn’t have known what to say even if I could. So, I watched as he left the room, hearing for myself the way he locked it behind him.
But that didn’t matter.
As like I said…
I knew this house.
Which was why, I also knew of the secret doorway leading to the roof, that connected the east and west tower over the north portico. Draven had once told me he had it added so he was free to spread his wings and fly at any time he wanted. Having easy access to the outside had always been an important factor when Draven picked his homes. Which was why Afterlife had so many balconies. And this one, I was happy to say, was no different.
So having no time to spare, I ran for the secret door, pressing on the carved rosette at the wood panelling, happy when hearing it click. Then I ran up the narrow staircase I knew led to the roof. From there I knew I would find another door that led down the west tower.
One that I was only too happy to find unlocked, as it gave me the chance to get to the other side of the building without being seen. From here, I could then take the nearest staircase back down to the main floor. After that, it was easy to slip out of the north portico, and across the forecourt. I then made a quick dash around the house, creeping past the windows of the ballroom and east wing, as it was the only way back to the gardens.
Once free of the house, I then ran as fast as I could to the only other place I knew would be safe for me to hide. The only chance at hiding under a roof and therefore wouldn’t leave me out in the elements. So, I continued to run back across the south parterre and back towards the fountain, following the gravel walkway until I passed it completely. Ideally, I would have been better running on the grass but with only the moonlight to guide me, I knew I had to follow the path, or I might have gotten lost.
But then just ahead of me the pale stone came into view, and I nearly sighed in relief at the sight of the garden pavilion. Its four tall arches were open and connected to a domed roof, but at least it had a small wall that would offer some protection against the weather. And well, at this point, I didn’t have much choice.
The only reason I knew of this place was because it had been near to where I had first confessed to Draven about going back in time all those years ago. I had told him the details, finding him sitting on a wall looking lost after his anger had finally subsided.
Gods but he had been so angry that day after catching me when falling back into my own year. And I knew that by the time I finally made it home, I would be left to face it once again.
Of course, finding myself back here, let’s just say that the irony wasn’t lost on me. Not now it had become my only place of refuge.
Thankfully, the rain had eased up a bit, and enough that I wasn’t soaked by the time I got there. However, it had done nothing to help hide my tears of frustration.
Because unlike last time.
Now…
I was utterly alone.