Valley Of Glamorgan (15 page)

Several bowls of popcorn later and after my
laughing at Maggie every time she jumped at the slightest noise, I
was sad to see the movie end. Liam got up to turn the lights on and
the TV off. “Well Mina what did you think?” he asked, appearing
interested in hearing my response.

“I thought it was good, sad but good. I also
think it was horrible how the dog killed the young girl and that
her parents were only granted three days to spend with her,” I told
him with some sadness in my voice.

Liam shook his head. “Mina, I think you
missed the point. To be able to see her face again, if only the
once, and to know that she would move on to a better place, that
was more peaceful than they could ever have known. It gave them
great peace. The same peace I felt the day you walked back into my
life,” he said and he smiled a sappy smile as he pulled me into a
strong hug. Then kissing me on top of my head he turned and
rejoined Eleanor back on the couch where she playfully punched him
on the arm, “Oh you big, old sappy bear,” she joked causing his
face to turn red.

The playfulness and joy that was spreading
throughout the room was suddenly interrupted by footsteps. “Hello,
Knoll,” Liam called out. Knoll stood in the doorway of the room,
looking down at the floor and not meeting my eyes, for which I was
glad. Liam joked, “I am afraid these ladies are turning me into a
sap. Come in and join us.”

Knoll looked at Liam, before replying, “No
thank you. I’m tired and must get to sleep as I have a lot to do in
the morning.” Then calling out goodnight he turned and made his way
up the stairs without so much as another word.

Liam stared after him for a few moments then
looking at Maggie he innocently asked her, “Does he seem odd to
you?”

Maggie put a smile on her face, which seemed
a little false to me and replied, “Who knows, he is probably mad
because Bryan beat him at poker.”

Liam laughed. “Yeah, that would put the lad
out,” he said with a small chuckle, as if he wasn’t quite convinced
that was the sole purpose as to why Knoll had left the room so
abruptly.

Leaning over I whispered thank you to Maggie
but she just smiled in response. I was glad she was my sister; as
she was proving to be everything I hoped she would be, and yet so
much more.

Eleanor stood and stretched. “Well folks,
I’m off to bed,” she said leaning down and kissing Liam gently. It
was nice to see that they were still in love after all the years
they had been together. It made me think back to how strange
Stephanie and Jack’s relationship seemed to me now. They had never
held hands or kissed each other. I used to think it was because
they weren’t big fans of PDA, but now I wondered if their marriage
had ever been real.

Following our mother’s lead Maggie stood and
told everyone goodnight, as she followed Eleanor towards the
stairs. She joked that she had to check on the poor loser upstairs.
Liam smiled, looked at me and with a huge grin said, “Ah young
love. Speaking of which Mina, I noticed you and Declan spent quite
a bit of time together the other night.”

Surprised, I nearly choked on the sip of
water I was in the process of taking. Suddenly I knew what a deer
must feel like when caught in car headlights. Desperately I tried
to think of something to say but as Liam stood up from the couch he
merely laughed saying, “Breathe Mina, it was only a joke. But if
there is anyone that I would approve of you dating then it would be
Declan. He is a fine young man and a hard worker, especially since
his father was killed.” Liam’s eyes turned glossy and he looked
away but quickly continued, “That boy has stepped up and provided
for his own; it takes a real man to do that.” I couldn’t help but
smile back feeling grateful that he approved of Declan, yet sadly I
wondered if he needed to approve of him. Trying not to show the
hurt I knew was spreading across my face like an open book I knew
Liam had caught sight of my expression as he asked, “I can tell
that something is troubling you.” And he paused. “Did Declan do
something to upset you? Because it’s not too late to change my view
of him,” he said, obviously half joking.

“No, he has been great. It’s just that he
seems to work so much and appears to not have a lot of spare time,”
I responded simply, trying to make it seem as if it was a lesser
deal than it was.

“Perhaps I should have invited him over here
tonight,” Liam said.

I smiled and said sadly, “That is sweet but
he was working.”

Liam’s brow seemed to curl, and he appeared
to contemplate his words before he spoke, “Mina, he wasn’t working,
he was at the dinner we had with his mother and sister this
evening.”

I shot him a worried glance, and tried to
make out that I must be confused, “Oh I must have heard him wrong
then.”

Liam smiled saying, “I suppose so; maybe
next time he can join us?”

About to excuse myself, as I needed to be
able to hide in my bed in self-pity, Liam said “Goodnight,” and
left the room, making his way up the stairs. Quickly I pulled my
phone out of my pocket deciding it was time for Declan to be honest
with me. I didn’t want to play mind games as I had already been
through too much, without having to add a broken heart to the list.
I re-read his message, making sure that I didn’t get it wrong and
quickly sent a text. ‘How was dinner? I hope work didn’t make you
too tired!’ and then I sat on the couch watching the clock tick by.
It was several minutes before he responded.

Opening my phone I read his message aloud;
“I am sorry that I lied. Please give me a chance to explain myself.
Meet me outside in five; at the same place?” Feeling annoyed by his
deception I felt like telling him to go to hell, but I knew that I
would always wonder what he would have to say for himself, so I
slipping my shoes on I quietly tip-toed out of the house.

I knew it was early and the minutes passing
as I waited felt like a lifetime. Finally I saw the familiar face
that housed those awe striking eyes, heading my way. As he arrived
he slowed down, seeming nervous as he kept looking around him.

“I don’t have much time,” he declared, “But
I just wanted to explain myself,” and he paused before continuing.
“I have great responsibility for taking care of my family, now that
my father has gone. I work all day, every day, and whilst I might
have a day or night off here and there I use that time to catch up
on my sleep. Once I have my animal ceremony, the healer will chose
a profession best suited to me. Only then will I be able to provide
for my family without working myself to death; but that is still
some weeks away.” He stopped allowing what he had told me to sink
in. “I actually like you a lot,” he said, blushing as he ran his
hand through his silky hair which was as black as the night. “I
just don’t have the time for you right now,” he finished
calmly.

It seemed so strange. I had only just met
him; less than two days ago. We had spent maybe a few hours
together. In total we had been alone together only twice and yet,
just by saying those simple words, he had practically destroyed me.
My heart hurt worse than it had when I had found out that Stephanie
and Jack had told me nothing but lies. Suddenly it seemed as if I
couldn’t breathe and, as Declan stood there expectantly waiting for
my response; I knew I could so easily lose control.

Finally Declan cleared his throat,
“Carmina?” He left my name hanging in the air, the silence building
up once more. I was shell shocked; what could I say? If it had been
anyone else but him standing there offering me this plausible
explanation, I would probably have understood. But, the words ‘I
don’t have time for you’ made me feel as if a dull knife was being
thrust deep into my chest again and again. “Carmina!” he repeated;
this time a little louder, sounding a bit frustrated.

“Sorry,” I finally responded. “I just don’t
get it, that you don’t have the time for me.” Quickly turning I
headed for the castle calling back over my shoulder, “I think I’d
better go; after all I wouldn’t want to waste anymore of your
precious time.”

As I got to the door, I turned and saw that
Declan was still standing where I had left him, peering after me.
Clearing my mind I walked into the house, slammed the door and
headed straight up the stairs to my room. When I finally climbed
into my warm, welcoming bed and knew I wanted to never leave it. As
I settled I realized that I had spent a lot of my time wrapped up
in its covers since I had been here; and after tonight I thought I
would spend much more. Leaning back against the pillows I finally
let the grief and heartache pour out.

I was about to try and sleep, someone
tip-toed into my room. “Carmina, are you still awake?” I heard
Knoll whisper. I was tempted to pretend to be asleep, and I would
have, but of course the universe once again worked against me.
Suddenly, I sneezed. Atishoo; the sound echoed round the room and I
softly cursed under my breath. Why couldn’t I have a petite, quiet
sneeze like most girls I knew? Instead it sounded as if someone had
shot me every time I sneezed.

“Ah hell, what do you want?” I practically
screeched. Knoll made his way to the side of my bed asking if he
could speak to me for a moment. “Do I have a choice?” I snorted
out; probably meaner than I had planned.

Knoll stood quietly for a moment then he
spoke, “Look, I know that I was harsh today, it just hit me the
wrong way. My father is a powerful leader of the guardians and he
may seem light hearted to you but that is because he has to be that
way with you. But he is indeed a force to be reckoned with. I could
have lost my place as your guardian or as a guardian period if I
hadn’t stood up to you.”

Reaching over I turned on the lamp on the
dresser next to the bed and looked at Knoll. “I understand. It’s
okay,” I said, saying anything that would make him leave me alone.
Tonight he was the least of my problems.

Shaking his head Knoll went on, “Mina,
please don’t lie to me. I can tell that I hurt you, and for that I
am truly sorry. Everyone has been under a great amount of stress
lately, and no matter how tough we appear to be even we can crack
under the pressure sometimes. Surely you can understand that?” He
pleaded with me, a look of true remorse spread across his face.
Then he continued by saying, “I will step down as your guardian if
it pleases you. I vowed to put your well-being over all others and
I have failed.” As he stood there with his head hung low he
reminded me of my dog Banksey and how he had always looked when
he’d done something wrong.

I couldn’t let him suffer any longer. I sat
up and I spoke. “No! I said, a little too loudly, “You made a
mistake and that is okay, everyone is entitled to make one now and
then. Knoll, you are just like everyone else believe it or not, and
you are allowed to feel emotions too.”

He looked surprised by my response, but then
he smiled that brilliant smile of his, showing his stark white
teeth. “Thank you,” he said simply,” I needed to hear that.”
Getting out of bed I gave him a light pat on the back, and telling
him goodnight in a kindly manner I hoped I had given him enough of
a subtle hint that I needed to be alone. Thankfully he got the
message and headed back to his bed, as did I. Fortunately, this
time I fell asleep but I didn’t enjoy a dreamless night as I had a
horrid nightmare.

Chapter 9

I stood in the center of the woods alone,
feeling the cold; too scared to move. I was searching for something
or someone, but no-one was there. Or, I had thought so until I
heard the familiar laugh of Stephanie; the one I used to love
hearing. She was standing in front of me, looking alive and as
beautiful as she had before Knoll had snapped her neck. I tried to
push down the bile that had started to grow in my throat because of
the horrid image.

She kept laughing, and then turning towards
me she spoke. “Mina, Mina, Mina,” she said mockingly. “Are you that
deranged that you thought someone would want you? No, he doesn’t
want you!” And throwing her arms in the air she continued, “I know
I didn’t want you; it was horrendous that I had to pretend to love
you.” As she spoke she seemed to make a scrunching noise; almost as
if she smelled something foul beneath her nose. Then suddenly the
woods were filled with people. Everyone was there; from this life
as well as the one I had left back there; the place I had called
home. They were not all pointing at me, laughing and chanting that
no one had ever really loved me, nor would they. On and on they
went, chanting that the only reason they wanted me is because I
would save them! “Do you think if it wasn’t for them needing you
that they would have come looking for you?” someone said;
whispering it over and over to whoever was standing in the
shadows.

The sound of an agonized scream rendered the
air. I was drenched in sweat, wondering how long I had been
screaming. Lying still I hoped that no-one had heard me, but
apparently someone had as within seconds both Knoll and Maggie came
rushing into my room. Knoll was the first to enter; turning on the
light which hurt my eyes. It took me a minute to adjust my eyes and
to try and come up with an explanation; I didn’t want to have to
explain the horrors of my dream……..Not ever!

“What is the matter?” exclaimed Knoll
searching around the room frantically, Maggie right behind him,
fear spreading across her face.

I motioned for them to stop. “I’m okay,” I
told them, “It was just a bad dream.” It was all I could say as I
hadn’t had enough time to think of a plausible explanation, so
decided I was going to make it up as I went on.