Clara sat on the bench with her gaze fixated on the road. Her sadness had overcome her and she didn't know what to do. Deep down she misses Ragnor but she was also scared of him."Hey, are you alright?"Clara heard a voice which seemed to be far away. She put her feet down and held her head in her palm with her elbows resting on her knees."Miss?" Clara heard the voice again but never bothered to look in the direction of where the voice was coming from. She rather felt this time the voice was inside her head, so she shook her head helplessly in her hand as she covered both ears with her hands. She jumped out of fright when she felt a hand tapping her back."I am sorry to have startled you but are you okay?" came the gentle voice of a woman who was in her mid-forties.The woman was casually dressed and had her hair parted in the centre flowing down her shoulder. She was wearing a spectacle. Clara looked at the woman with dull eyes and the woman sat down next to her on the bench. The wo
How did he forget that? Andrews thought.Andrews was momentarily surprised but snapped out of the mood immediately and started thinking of possible places Clara could have gone to."She was broken. She may have wandered off," Andrews said to Jessica "I will find her," he quickly added and left the house.Jessica returned with the driver back to the hotel. She immediately informed Princess Siku about Clara's disappearance.Andrews, after roaming the streets till afternoon, returned to the hotel planning on what to tell Jessica and Princess Siku."How could Clara disappear like that or the prince came for her?" Andrews thought as he entered the hotel and headed for Jessica and Siku's room.Back at the villa, Clara opened her eyes and jumped seeing the man lying next to her. She pushed herself far away from him and eventually got out of bed. She could not recognize her environment."Please don't harm," Clara pleaded as she saw the man getting up from the bed while staring at her."You can
Ragnor sneaked out of the compound knowing Clara was in a safe place but he stayed in the neighbourhood to watch over her. He had become a wanderer, walking on the streets during the day and spending the night on the roof of the house where Clara slept.At the hotel, Andrews had returned without Clara and no news of her whereabouts. He knocked on the door, after concluding on what to say to get himself out of trouble. He entered when he heard a voice inviting him to enter. Andrews closed the door behind him and came face to face with four eyes staring at him. He swallowed knowing the wrong words may cost him his life.In silence, the two ladies stared at Andrews awaiting his explanation. Beads of sweat formed on Andrews's forehead. He placed his hand in his pocket to make him feel better. He attempted to let them know what had happened with the explanation he had planned on his way back to the hotel."I ...I..." Andrews stammered realizing he could not recall the explanation he had put
Gabrielle had left the Villa in anger. Meanwhile, Clara acknowledges the kind gesture of Vivienne. After lunch, they went to the poolside with Vivienne leading the way. The pain in Vivienne's right arm had subsided so she ignored it. Vivienne sat in one of the chairs and gestured for Clara to sit."Thanks, Ma'am, but can I ask a question?" Clara said once they were both seated."Sure, go ahead," replied Vivienne with a smile."You don't know me, but you seem to care so much for me. Forgive me for asking, I am simply curious to know why?" Clara asked fidgeting with her fingers and lowering her lashes.Clara had asked the question following Ragnor's warning about strangers. She remembered Andrews and what he did to her. She wanted to be more careful this time. Vivienne on the other hand, smiled finding Clara's question to be quite interesting but appropriate."I know it is strange," Vivienne said and turned her gaze away from Clara.Vienne looks straight ahead staring at nothing in parti
After aiding Gabrielle to get some rest in her room, the servant returned to her room to also get some rest. Back in Clara's room, Ragnor held Clara in his arms as he watched her peaceful sleeping face. Occasionally she will call his name in her sleep and tighten her grip around him. At about 4:30 a.m., Ragnor carefully pulled himself out of bed and exited the room by flying out the window."Good morning, ma'am Vivienne," came Clara's sweet voice as she descended the stairs at 8 a.m."Ah! Someone is in high spirits today," Vivienne said smiling, "Had a good night's sleep?""Yes. I think the talk we had did me some good. It almost felt like he was still with me. I also had a beautiful dream. It felt so real but yeah, waking up this morning, I knew it was just a dream," Clara replied and Vivienne looked at her questioningly."You created an image of him in your head to help you sleep better?" Vivienne asked curiously. "I didn't have to; it felt like he was with me, for real," Clara repl
Gabrielle walked past Vivienne and headed for her room looking angry like always. Vivienne shook her head in resignation. She had seen Gabrielle smiling earlier so why the sudden anger? Vivienne ignored Gabrielle and proceeded to do what she had on her mind.It was 6 in the morning, Saturday and Clara was still in bed. Ragnor had already left Clara's room around 5 in the morning before the sun started coming up."Clara, are you still sleeping?" came a voice after a knock.Clara opened her eyes and squeezed her face waiting to hear the knock again to confirm someone was at her door."Clara, can I come in please?" came the voice again after another knock.Clara sat on the bed, ran her hands through her hair and rubbed her eyes briefly before looking around."Come in, the door is not locked," Clara said.Clara was surprised to see Gabrielle enter the room after the door was opened. It's been weeks since she had been around but Gabrielle had never spoken or come close to her and today she
Clara was so happy to see Jessica, her best friend, unaware of the danger looming around like a shadow. The trio sat behind the reserved table and ordered some food and drinks. Clara ordered some juice."Still taking children's drinks?" Andrews teased."Fresh juices are good for you. Provides the body with vitamins and minerals. You should try it sometimes?" Clara defends."The body needs alcohol. It helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases," Andrews replied staring at Clara. "Yeah, while making you walk funny, bump into walls and other stuff to hurt yourself, pick up unnecessary fights, and eventually destroy all your kidneys," Clara defended."Where did you get that?" Andrews questioned and Jessica rolled her eyes."I once worked in a bar," Clara replied staring at Andrews like she was saying bring it on."Andrews, leave her alone. The good news is we all have drinks to celebrate an opportunity to meet again?" Jessica said and raised her glass. "Cheers," she said."I only cl
At the hospital, the emergency door opened after twenty minutes and the doctor stepped out. Ragnor walked up to him and inquired about Clara."What happened to her?" asked the doctor."Not sure, she ate something. That was all that I was told," Ragnor replied looking worried. "What is wrong with her?" he asked."She is fine. Her vitals and everything are fine. There is nothing wrong with her. I am not sure what may have triggered the state she was brought in but I will run more tests to ensure everything is fine," the doctor replied."Can I see her?" Ragnor asked ignoring everything the doctor had said."She is being transferred to one of the wards. You can see her. The nurse will take you," replied the doctor.Ragnor went with the nurse to Clara's ward. He smiled seeing Clara sleeping peacefully. Her skin colour had returned to normal as if nothing happened."Was her reaction a call for help?" Ragnor thought as he sat on the bed next to Clara taking her hand in his. "He recalled Siku
Emily, who was standing at the entrance of the bedroom, closed her eyes and began to glow, Clara's eyes widened seeing a glowing little girl at the door. She pulled away from the embrace, looking at Ragnor puzzled. "Brother do whatever comes to mind," said Emily. "Distract her," Ragnor thought and he changed into his flying form and kissed Clara Ragnor used what Clara liked to distract her. He started glowing and Clara smiled wrapping her arms around him forgetting the glowing little girl at the door as she responded to his kisses. Inside the room, George was forced to protect his eyes and he moved back as the glow in the room became too bright with Emily, Nyota, Ragnor and Clara all glowing together. The glow slowly began to fade and the room returned to its original light. It was almost 5 a.m. and the top floor of the palace glowing, had attracted some people to the area wondering what was happening. Ragnor smiled seeing Clara was now breathing and her body temperature had beco
"I only have one question. Did she want to come back?" Emily asked walking towards Nyota."Yes, she wanted to come back but Emily it was not easy pulling her out of the place," Nyota replied and Emily smiled.While they were talking, Ragnor was just sitting on the bed, in the same position staring at Clara while holding her hand in his. He couldn't hear any of the conversation going on around him. All he could feel was the emptiness accompanied by the immersed pain of the loss of his beloved. George and Nyota led Emily out of the room and back to her room. They sat her down and tried to talk her out of what she wanted to do."Emily, I know you love and care a lot about Aunty Clara but you are not healing a sickness or something, you are using her body as a medium to connect with her soul to pull her back. Emily, you know you can die doing that," George said worriedly."Emily, I know you want to help, but this is dangerous. You don't have a fighting ability; how will you protect yourse
"Please tell me she is still alive," said Nyota whose eyes were still moist with tears.Ragnor sat on the bed looking at Clara who looked more like she was sleeping but her body temperature was cold. George walked towards Nyota and hugged her tightly."I wish I could but we are going to try to bring her back," George said and pulled away from Nyota and looked into her tears-stained eyes."You have connected with her soul before. Ragnor will get the poison out and heal her body. I need you to be strong once he is done. You will call her back," George said."She was not dead when I did that. I am not sure if that will work with her ......" Nyota's voice thrilled off. "She is still not dead. She is like, what we say, in a coma but if we don't do anything she will die for real," George said and inhaled deeply. "Nyota, don't look at it that way. Her mind is still alive and her heart beats faintly. You connected with a soul before, that is more important and you can connect again. For Ragno
"Let me call Ragnor," George said and immediately searched for his phone. Back at Andrews's apartment, Gabrielle was walking down the road carrying her baby at Andrews's command. She could not control her tears and as she walked away from their apartment in the night, she turned to look behind a couple of times at Andrews, who was still standing in front of the apartment watching her back and kept on urging her to go. Killing Clara was like touching the lion by the tail, there was no way Andrews would escape death. He just wanted to ensure no matter what happens to him, Gabrielle and the baby will be safe. Ragnor's roar which was shaking the whole building could still be heard. Hearing Ragnor roar, you don't need a soothsayer to tell you the immense pain he was going through for the loss of his beloved. Inside the building, Ragnor was still kneeling next to Clara's body, uncontrollable tears flowed down his face as he continued to roar into the silent night. His fangs had already
Ragnor sat on the roof waiting and thinking of how to rescue both mother and child.Andrews was pacing up and down his apartment wondering if Ragnor could save his family without him having to kill Clara. Clara is in the palace and for him to go there would be too suspicious and calling her would be equally suspicious. He knew at this moment it would be difficult to get to Clara without raising any suspicion. Back in the palace, Clara was sitting on the bed in deep thought wondering if Ragnor was okay and if Andrews's family was out of danger. Emily was with Nyota asking so many questions as it was her first time visiting the city. George was resting in his room as he was working on some changes they would like to implement in the city. Ragnor had come to the full realization of his power and could control them very well so George was not bothered about what was happening with Siku and Andrews's family. George was certain everything would be fine. Siku cannot walk free this time. Cla
"Please come quick, Siku is, she is, please help," Andrews cried and ended the call."I hope this will get them here faster. Clara, I am so sorry for what I am about to do. Please forgive me," Andrews said and quickly called Gabrielle's phone which Siku answered immediately."Ragnor is coming back tonight. Please don't harm my baby. I will do as requested," Andrews said."Now, that is what I want to hear. You see, things are a lot easier if you just listen and obey," Siku said and laughed. "Since you have been a good lad, I will let you see your wife briefly," she said and put on the phone camera. Andrews saw Gabrielle tied up to a chair, her hair dishevelled and a cloth tied around her mouth. The baby was lying on the bare carpet. Seeing the tears flowing down Gabrielle's face and the baby on the floor crying, he felt a sharp pain in his heart."Please, Princess, I beg you, let the baby lie on a bed or something, it's too cold to lie on the bare floor. I beg you. He is just a child,"
"Gabrielle, where are you? is everything alright?" he questioned "Hello, Andrews," came Siku's voice and the colour drained off Andrews immediately upon recognizing the person. "How did she get into the city?" Andrews thought with eyes widened, concerned about the safety of his wife and child. "Did you miss me?" Siku asked and laughed, knowing from his silence, he was in shock. "Okay, let's not make me do anything nasty which will get my newly purchased carpet stained with blood. Cleaning items are costly in this city," she said nonchalantly "Please, don't harm them, I would do anything you ask of me. I promise," came Andrews's trembling voice. "Now, that is something I like but unfortunately it seems it's too late for you Andrews because there is nothing you can do for me unless you already have a plan that would work," Siku said. "Just tell me what you want and I will get it for you, please don't harm my wife and child," Andrews pleaded. "Ha......ha......ha...... ha," Si
"A couple of days more and I do away with this facade is quite exhausting," Siku thought and proceeded to her bedroom. The next day, Andrews and Gabrielle arrived in the Immortal City with their newborn. Gabrielle was already exhausted from the trip, so once they entered their home, she decided to take advantage of the baby sleeping to also get some rest. Andrews, however, went to the palace to greet the King and inform him of his return. He was just in time as Ragnor and Clara were about to leave for Matara to go pick up Emily. "Welcome back," said Ragnor after Andrews greeted them. "Thanks, my king," Andrews replied and bowed respectfully. "I suppose you left Gabrielle in San Francisco?" asked Clara. "No, I came with her. She stayed back at home to rest. She is very tired from the trip," Andrews replied. "That is fine. Give her my love and tell her we will come to visit as soon as we return from Matara," Clara said. 'Thanks, Mrs Usiku," replied Andrews. "Wow, this is th
"You will come with me. We will fly," Ragnor said and Clara was happy. The next day, Ragnor was in a meeting with some council members and Nyota and Clara decided to take some time to admire the city. The city indeed had changed a lot with the new ideas of improvement. While in town they ran into Siku, Nyota frowned immediately upon seeing her but Clara happily greeted her. "Hello princess," Clara said with a smile and Siku smiled back shyly. "Please, just call me Siku," Siku said and lowered her gaze. Nyota frowned but was shocked by what she witnessed. If someone had told her, that Siku had a twin or clone version of herself with a different mind, she would believe it. She thought looking at Siku shocked. "I can't address you like that; you are still royalty," Clara pointed out and Siku sighed. "Clara, can you find it in your heart to forgive me?" Siku asked, looking at Clara. "Don't worry about it. The past is in the past. It's a new day. Let it go and forgive yourself too