“ALRIGHT, I WILL TELL THEM. But I will come back as soon as I do.”
Magnolia nodded at Daniel before giving her full attention to Titus. They both stared at each other for a moment.
‘The man who killed my parents and Daniel’s parents is standing before me.’
Her jaw clenched.
She was going to bring him to justice, though. A public execution decided by his old allies would be an even more humiliating ending for this murderer.
“That is exactly why no Gottanlich should have stayed alive,” Titus said, motioning toward the two mages still stuck to the wall. “Your powers are too strong and dangerous.”
“It’s amusing that you are alright with people’s powers if they are serving you, but once they oppose you, they are too strong and dangerous.” Magnolia shrugged. “Do you really think that your decisions that led us here were the right ones?”
The king was silent for a moment. “I don’t regret any of my decisions,” he fin
“I’M BUSY, MAG,” Killian said as he moved one of the crates from the cart. “You have not taken a break for hours,” Magnolia did not add a word, but she stared at him with determined eyes. The gray eyes that reminded Killian of their father every time he looked at them. He chuckled. “Fine.” He shrugged. “I guess I’ll take a break now.” Magnolia beamed and linked her arm through his. “I have made sandwiches.” She wiggled the basket she was holding. Killian smiled. “Good, I am starving.” He was so happy to see life back in his sister’s eyes. Ever since Laya found them and told her about Geoffrey, she was back to being herself again. She missed her son, but knowing that he was alive and safe was enough to make her happy. A picnic this time of the year would usually be impossible, but the day was quite hot for the season. The siblings walked a bit until they reached a vast plain. They spread a blanket and s
“GOOD MORNING, LOVE,” Daniel greeted Magnolia as soon as she opened her eyes. “Good morning.” She smiled. “Let me just confess that, even though I have not held my wife in months and there is nothing more that I wanted to do last night, I am still happy with this situation.” Daniel motioned to Geoffrey who was sleeping between the two. Magnolia laughed until her eyes teared. “I look forward to when you do have the chance to hold your wife, Your Grace,” Magnolia teased. “Now you have me daydreaming about things a gentleman should not be daydreaming about.” Daniel raised a brow, making Magnolia laugh even harder. “Good morning, Mama. Good morning, Papa.” “Good morning, dear.” Magnolia showered him with kisses and hugs. The three of them got ready and headed to the dining hall. They were all excited to have breakfast together, like the old happy days. They joined Paula and enjoyed a peaceful family breakf
"IF YOU GET ANY CLOSER, I will kill you,” the woman roared, hiding her son behind her. Her hand squeezed the dull knife as she tried to control her shaking. “Do you know who you are talking to?” The knight took another step closer. “You are under arrest for stealing. You better surrender or you will just make your situation worse.” “Do not come any closer,” she screamed again, she waved her knife around. She looked at the second knight who reached for his sword. He looked impatient. She had hoped that she and her son would make it to the river before the knights caught up to them, but her injury made her too slow. She pushed little Geoffrey behind her and prayed that he would not see any blood, but she had no time to dwell on the thought. The knight charged at her and swung his sword. She dodged and planted her knife in the side of his left thigh, then twisted it. He cried in agony and fell to his knees. The woman then picked up his
MAGNOLIA OPENED HER EYES to a dark room. As she came to her senses, she sat up quickly. ‘Where the bloody hell am I?’ The incidents from before caught up to her quickly. “Geoffrey,” she whispered. She put her hand on her left side and when she did not feel any pain, she pulled up her nightgown. The wound was completely healed. Not even a scar was left. ‘What in the world?’ She left the bed and walked to the door, but when she tried to open it, it was locked. Her heartbeat rose. If she was confined here, Geoffrey was probably locked somewhere, or worse. “I have to find him.” She hurried to the windows and opened one of them. She found herself looking down from the third floor at a flower garden. It was high, but the edges of the windows were wide enough to walk on. She noticed a veranda on the second floor, just a few windows away. Without wasting time, Magnolia slipped out and cautiously walked on the narrow stone edge.
IT HAD ALREADY BEEN A FEW DAYS since the duke had brought Magnolia and Geoffrey to his house. Their stay had been the most comfortable and luxurious. They had warm beds, good meals, clothes, they even had servants helping with everything. Magnolia could not have asked for more. ‘But I cannot get used to this. Soon, we will go back to our old life.’ She took a sip of the tea Clara had made for her. She closed her eyes as the flavors exploded in her mouth, then smiled. ‘I guess we can just enjoy the duke’s hospitality until we have to leave.’ Magnolia looked over to her son who was playing with Lady Green. She was an older woman, in her late fifties. The duke had summoned her to take care of Geoffrey while they were his guests. She was so gentle and patient with him that Magnolia felt quite comfortable leaving her son with her. A feeling that she had never had before. Ever since she gave birth to Geoffrey, she could not e
“LADY DE SOLANGE, would you mind joining me in my office? I have an important matter to discuss with you.” ‘This is it. After he took care of those crooks yesterday, it is time for us to leave this house.’ Magnolia swallowed. “Not at all, my lord.” She gave him a weak smile before she turned to Geoffrey. “You be a good boy now and finish your breakfast. I will be right back.” “Yes, Mama.” Geoffrey smiled as he took a bite of his bread with jam. Magnolia followed the duke to his office and sat across from him. He stared at her for a moment, which made her very self-conscious. “Your Grace?” she finally uttered under his gaze. “I have a proposition for you, Lady De Solange.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “From what I have gathered so far, you are having a hard time providing a stable life for your son.” Magnolia got defensive right away. “With all due respect, Your Grace—” “You have t
THE NEXT FEW DAYS passed in a blink of an eye. Everything was prepared so fast. With the duke’s influence and riches, he only needed to give his orders and everything he desired would be presented to him on a silver platter. On the day of the ceremony, Clara knocked and entered Magnolia’s room. “I apologize, my lady, His Grace asked that you move to the room beside his.” “Why is that? I am perfectly comfortable here.” “Well, that is the Duchess’ Room, my lady.” ‘Oh. I guess we still have to appear as a real married couple.’ The maid guided Magnolia to her new chambers. A much bigger and more extravagant room. “You can leave after you prepare the bath Clara. I will call for you when I am ready to get dressed.” “Yes, my lady.” “Thank you.” Magnolia soaked in the rose petal bath. She washed her body and then her hair. ‘Who would have thought that I would marry again, and
ON THE WAY BACK, Daniel noticed that Magnolia was absentmindedly touching her left wrist. He wondered what she was thinking about. “My mother’s necklace looks great on you.” He broke the silence. “You did not have to give me something so precious, Your Grace.” “Please, call me Daniel from now on. I know it is not an ordinary marriage, but there is no reason not to be friends.” Magnolia pondered his suggestion for a moment. ‘A friend. I have never had one before.’ She looked at him for a bit longer before she answered. “Then, you call me Magnolia.” “Deal, Magnolia.” She smiled. “Daniel,” she barely whispered as she looked out the window, but he heard her. When their carriage arrived at the castle, all the servants and knights of House Van Konigl were standing outside to greet them. “Why is everyone out here?” “They are congratulating their Duke and Duchess.”