Fantasy Adventure Novel: The Promise Chapter Four-2

Continue...

“He got what he deserves,” said David coldly and detached. “Adam and his mother controlled my father and altered his will. They were murderers and thieves. Because of them my mother died so young, and she died in vain. Shortly after her untimely death, I was sent away. They had planned this all along: to take hold of my family fortune and rule my city. I must do everything in my power to prevent their evil plot from executing. And above all, I want to save you.”

“Save me?”

“Yes. If you think Adam loves you, you are wrong. He only has an eye for your family fortune, your father’s fleet.”

“No, he loves me,” she bellowed.

“He loves no one but himself.”

“Not true,” she retorted.

“Think my dear, every time you two had quarrels, always you gave in first. You care for him too much, much more than he cares for you.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“Wake up Ann! Haven’t you suffered enough already? He is evil.”

“Stop it! Say no more I beg you!” she covered her ears. “It’s crazy! Why do you wish to hurt me?”

“Hurt you?” David’s face saddened. “I would die for you in a heartbeat,” his voice cracked slightly. “I have been living in hell ever since the announcement of your engagement to Adam. Do you know how painful it is to watch the one you love in someone else’s arms?”

“I feel like dying right now.”

“I love you,” David blurted out aloud. “You are clinging onto a mirage of an impossible dream. It’s suicide, nothing more. Supposedly he makes back alive. Your misery won’t end there. He only uses you to get what he wants. Once he has it all, he will abandon you and move on to the next prey. Do you wish that to be your fate?”

“It’s a lie, a lie! He cares not for power or my father’s precious ships. I am sure the second he returns the rumor will die! Then you will be sorry for saying those despicable things about him. Take back, take them all back.”

“Hold on to the unrealistic notions as you wish, shelter in his lies and deceit if you like, but I tell you this: Adam will not come back alive,” said David sternly. “I won’t allow it.”

“I am not easily fooled, and so is your father,” said Ann-Marrie evenly. “What will happen if I tell Lord Dearborn everything you just said to me? He won’t stand it a minute that’s for sure, and he will put you away for good.”

“Go ahead,” David hinted no fear. “It only adds more agony to his already crippled mind. You see my father is not himself these days. No words can get through that stubborn head of his. He won’t listen to anyone except wandering aimlessly in his own little sorrowful world. He is wasted, body and mind. If you don’t believe me, be my guest, and see it for yourself.”

She measured David’s face closely. Her confidence slowly wobbled.

“Listen to me Ann, why do you cling on to a false hope when a new life is waiting for you right here? He is dead. Adam is dead somewhere in the wood. I am alive. Can you see that I love you?” he clutched her right hand, and pressed it against his breast. “Greed is never my desire. I seek only what is lawfully mine. Look at me: the pain and longing in my face. Every second apart from you my suffering escalates. My heart aches when you cry, sours when you fall for his lies.”

“I, I do not love you, David,” quickly she withdrew her hand.

“Love can be nurtured if you allow it to grow,” his eyes flickered with clemency. “I am not expecting you to fall in love with me at this moment, or forget Adam entirely even though you should. Just don’t close your heart and keep me away.”

“What about the wedding and the guests?” she cried, flustered. “Everyone knows I am getting married.”

“The wedding may go on as previously planned,” David responded eagerly. “With a minor hitch that I shall replace Adam and be your husband. Everything you need and desire, I shall provide them to you willingly and freely. As your long and the most devoted admirer, I am honored to serve you and be your companion for as long as you shall have me. Consider it my proposal.”

Ann-Marrie remained silent.

“What do you say, my lady?”

“I need more time,” she spoke after a long pause. “I want to go home…now.”

“Of course,” David stepped back, and kept a respectful distance between them. “Allow me to fix you a carriage,” he suggested kindly.

“It’s not necessary, ” she walked away dismally.

“Come back to me anytime you like. I’m always here, waiting - no matter how long it takes,” David added.

The door opened and then closed. The room returned to its usual quietness.

To be continued...