ProserpinaWhen I came back to the world of the living, it was bright and sunny outside. I was in my room and the cool air of the air conditioner swirled around me. For a minute, I was blindsided. What was I doing in bed in the middle of the morning, I thought bemusedly.I sat up, puzzled.Why was I in bed? I needed to be with the kids…My thoughts trailed off as reality and my memory of the previous day’s events slammed into me, like a hard fist.Raising a shaking hand to my mouth, I made a gasping, sobbing sound as I recalled Beston’s words.*“Are you awake?’ It was Rachel. She was huddled on the large couch in a corner of the room and she looked beaten, as she watched me. The door opened and Danielle stormed in. Danielle did not do slow and graceful. She was like a tornado, sweeping in, regardless of the destruction she caused in her wake.“ Is she asleep?’ she barked at Rachel who stood up, glaring daggers at her.Both of them seemed to have taken an instant dislike to each othe
ProserpinaI sat in the room, my breath coming fast as Beston looked around helplessly.‘You do not understand, Ma’am,’ he began pleading with me but I was like a woman on a mission, self-righteousness in my voice as I said peremptorily,“No, Beston. Do YOU understand?’ I hissed fiercely, taking a step towards him.Swallowing with difficulty, I went on, sticking out my chin,“My husband is alive. I will only believe otherwise when I know his body has been found.’ He gaped at me, a gesture that was totally out of sync with the head of Security at our estate, a man who took decisions based on his judgment, and who worshipped Lucien St. Claire. Who could not believe that I was accusing him of fooling me.Clenching my fists, and breathing hard, I stood before him,. Beston was a big man, he easily dwarfed me but on this occasion, I was much more formidable.Meeting his eyes, I gritted my teeth and said, in a low voice,‘I want to go to this town you speak of. In Slovakia. I want to find my
ProserpinaI sat in the seat, stiff and tense. Was I doing the right thing? I asked myself over and over again. The thought of my family, my children who I had left behind, Ria clutching my jacket, trying not to cry as was Piers. The twins had tried to put up a brave front before me but I knew they were worried.After all that they had heard and seen, everything they had been through at such a young age, my heart went out to them. They had undergone so much…And yet, I thought with more than a little sorrow tinged with pride, and yet, they continued to put up a brave front.*I thought back to something that a monk had mentioned in a discourse at Bhutan once, long, long ago.‘Steel is created by placing iron in the fire and making it white-hot,’ the old man had said, smiling gently at his rapt audience.‘So also, ‘he had gone on, his small, frail figure swathed in the crimson robes, small eyes twinkling in mischief, “we humans have to go through unspeakable pain before we become stron
ProserpinaThe flight touched down in a white world. It had been snowing all night and in the morning, the world outside my aircraft window appeared to be entirely draped in white. Tugging on my faux fur-lined gloves, I huddled into my heavy coat and stepped out after thanking the crew. Phillippe was beside me, his stance that of a fighter, wary and alert. As we descended the stairs carefully, I saw the man who had come to collect me.Siek Toth.Beston had given me the brief details before we embarked on our epic journey.Toth was a warlord and an arms dealer in the East European region. And Beston had also warned me gently to be careful when I spoke to the man. He was loyal to Lucien and they had been doing business for years. But being a traditional, conservative type of man, he had not been happy to learn that Lucien’s wife was dashing halfway across the globe to search for her missing husband. Siek Toth subscribed to the view that I, as a mourning widow, should have taken to bed,
LucienWhen he came awake next, he waited for his eyes to get accustomed to the gloom.Where was his woman? He thought with a frown, missing the clean, fresh smell of her body, her warmth, her soft body curled against him, ready for him…With a start, he comprehended that he was in a totally unfamiliar place.He was in a room; a small room and it was the smell that hit him. Unwashed clothing and human bodies. He scowled. Where in the f*ck was he?*Gradually the memories resurfaced.The last thing he remembered was the snow. Slowly, as he lay there, he began to remember snippets of what had happened. His quest to find Dmitri Rudenko. Leaving his woman and children behind as he headed for this remote little town in Slovakia.His lips twisted in a grimace. When he thought of his wife, he longed to hold her soft, pliant body in his arms, to crush those sweet lips and take what she offered him, so sweetly.*But it had not been as easy as he had imagined it would be. The wily Dmitri R
ProserpinaI sat down to the simple meal that had been arranged for us. Under the watchful eye of a few of Siek Toth’s gun-toting men, Phillippe and I ate the food.We were served by an old woman in her traditional dress and I stared at her heavily embroidered blouse and the skirts that swished about her as she moved. In another life, I might have admired the intricate thread work, lovingly crafted. But now, I sat like a zombie, staring at it without it really registering in my mind.The Kapustnica she had ladled out for us in large bowls was a delicious sauerkraut soup. I remember having read that it is one of the most warming and soothing Slovakian dishes. Although my mind was weary and I was bone-tired after the flight, I came alive to the rich flavours of the soup. It was a hearty mixture of sauerkraut, dried mushrooms, sliced sausage, and onions. Served with a dollop of sour cream, it was a complete meal, hearty and wholesome. Phillippe had more portions than I could count.One p
ProserpinaI was finally able to get Siek Toth to help me, a decision he seemed to take reluctantly. One part of my mind registered the fact that Phillippe seemed to have taken a dislike to the man. But I was too excited to find out why.After the man had left with his retinue, I turned to Phillippe eagerly.‘Let us go and visit Schwartz first and then we can begin. Oh, Phillippe, I am so relieved, ‘I cried.The boy looked at me and said nothing.“What is it, Phillippe?” I asked, puzzled.“That man. Toth. He is not to be trusted, “ replied my young companion shortly. I stared at him. Then I said gently,“Sometimes we make do with the help we get, son. We can not always afford to choose.”He said nothing, just held my hand tightly for a while and then said softly,“Madre, you are so innocent.” I looked at him in astonishment.Every now and then, the youth surprised me with his astuteness. This was one such occasion.I rose to my feet. Draping my Brunello Cucinelli double-breasted alpac
ProserpinaSchwartz was the one who suggested that we should ask about in the local areas. He wanted to accompany me but I firmly insisted that he should rest a while more.‘” Dear James,’ I said, kissing his cheek, ‘You are my very best friend and I would trust you with my life a million times over. ’Then, straightening up, I smiled and went on,‘But for that, I need you alive and intact.’ His eyes held a faraway, wistful look but he roared with laughter and held my hand, giving it a small squeeze before nodding.‘Go ahead, then, little lady.’ And turning to Phillippe who stood, hands in his jean pocket, he added,‘I trust this young man. He will take care of you.’ The young boy immediately thrust his chest out, glowing, feeling self-important.I giggled.“ Seriously, James! I am old enough to look after myself!’ But his eyes were grave as he said,‘Take care.’As I turned to bid Aiyana goodbye, she tugged on a formal, no-nonsense coat.“I’m going with them.’ She said briskly and