Eventually, Roland’s army were able to retreat back to their own country and things seemed to quiet down for the next few years, even though there was still an infertility problem. And then, nine years after Angelique’s death, a new pandemic hit the land, this one in the form of a deadly plague. Thousands were stricken with the fatal disease, including King Edward and Queen Lizbeth, who died within hours of each other, while their children watched helplessly.
Devastated and shocked, Griffin took over the throne, with Georgina by his side. Unfortunately, there was little time to mourn, especially after hearing rumors of a possible uprising by rebels and insurgents. Knowing that something needed to be done to retain control of their kingdom, Griffin made a steadfast decision by ordering the construction of four palaces, each on opposite sides of the country.
The Havens.
For the first time in history, there would be more than one ruler in Syracuse, although King Griffin would still be the monarch.
“Aiden, you’ll manage North Haven. Zackary will monitor West Haven. And… Mathias, you’ll be in charge of South Haven,” he told them, pointing to areas on the map.
“What of this castle?” Aiden asked.
“It’s cursed. I want it torn down,” he said, shocking them all.
The others stared at him in horror.
“Why would you want to do that?” Zackary asked. “We grew up here. It’s always been our home. It’s our legacy.”
Griffin leaned forward. “There won’t be a legacy if things continue as they are. Now… hear me out. What if we destroy the castle, and it puts an end to the curse?”
“And what if it doesn’t?” Zackary replied. “I think it’s a ludicrous idea to think that tearing down the castle will have any effect on it.”
“I thought Gaylen once mentioned that it might be possible to stop a curse by destroying the witch who hexed it,” Aiden said, scratching the stubble on his chin. “From what we know, she’s dead already, but her spirit could be walking the halls of the castle, keeping the curse alive.”
“Are you sure she’s dead? Her body disappeared, remember?” Zackary replied.
“If she were alive, I think we’d know by now,” Griffin said.
“I agree. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but there’s been talk of strange occurrences happening in the dungeons below,” Mathias said, his voice grave. “Cells opening and closing on their own. Strange noises at night. Women… crying.”
“I’m telling you, it’s Angelique’s ghost, trapped here,” Aiden said.
“I hate to admit it, but you might be right,” Griffin replied. “If she’s trapped here, we could kill two-birds with one stone. I certainly don’t want to be living in a castle where that evil woman still dwells, ghost or not. I say we seriously give this a thought.”
The four discussed the notion for several minutes and then finally agreed that tearing down the castle was worth the shot.
“What of Eva?” Mathias asked. “Where will she live?”
“For now, with me. But, Eva needs to be wed,” Griffin said firmly.
“Nobody will have her. She’s barren like everyone else,” Aiden replied, feeling horrible for Eva. Their sister could not provide an heir and so the proposals had stopped early on. As beautiful as she was, nobody of nobility wanted her.
“If we can fix that, we’ll find her a husband,” Griffin said. “Hopefully destroying the castle will do the trick.”
“And if it doesn’t?” Zackary asked.
Griffin tapped his fingers, deep in thought. After a few seconds, they could all see the light bulb going off in his head. “I know, we’ll find Hecate.”
They all looked at him as if he was crazy.
“The Goddess of Witchcraft? You want to go looking for her?” Zackary asked with a dubious expression.
He nodded. “Why not? Gaylen mentioned that Hecate gave Angelique the wand. If she’s a true goddess, she should be able to reverse the bloody curse.”
Matthias’s expression turned thoughtful. “It sounds plausible to me. Let’s hope you’re right.”
“We just need to find her,” Griffin said.
“What if she refuses?” Aiden asked.
“I guess we’ll have to deal with it then. Let’s take one step at a time. First, we finish the construction of the palaces, destroy this one, and then find each of you a queen.”
“I can find my own, thank you very much,” Mathias said with a scowl. “And, why the rush? I rather like where things are right now.”
“Yeah,” Aiden said. “I have two women who warm my bed and I plan to take them both with me to North Haven.”
“You can keep your wenches but we all need to try and sire heirs. One of us has to succeed in this or we’re screwed,” Griffin replied, his eyes moving to each of his brothers.
“Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves,” Mathias said. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around ruling a kingdom, let alone finding someone to share my bed for the rest of my life.”
“Me, too,” Zackary replied.
“We’ll be ruling as a family. It’s important that each of you remember that. Any new decisions need to be heard by all. Of course, if there are disagreements… I will have the final say.”
The others agreed.
“So, it’s settled,” Griffin said, raising his wine goblet. “Here’s to the future of Syracuse and Family Rotthaven. To the four of us. May we rule as one!”
Smiling, the others raised their cups and yelled, “Cheers”.
22
One Year Later
“WAKE UP, SLEEPYHEAD. Just because it’s your birthday, doesn’t mean you can waste the day away in bed.”
Mariselle, who’d been awake, but not feeling like herself, opened her heavy eyelids. “Sorry, Father,” she said hoarsely.
“Are you okay?” Marcus asked, looking concerned.
“A little under the weather, but nothing too serious,” she said, yawning. The truth was she felt rundown and her stomach ached. She’d had a restless night’s sleep and longed to stay in bed, but her father needed her.
“Okay then.” He listed off the chores he expected out of her, which included collecting eggs and cleaning the barn. “I’m going to meet with King Griffin. I should be back before nightfall.”
“Okay.”
“Happy Birthday, Lass,” he said, pulling a small, velvet bag out of his pocket. He handed it to her. “I was going to wait, but since I’m probably going to be late, I thought you should have your present now.”
She uncinched the bag and pulled out the familiar cross necklace her mother used to wear. She’d forgotten all about it and seeing it again, brought back so many emotions. “Thank you, Father,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. Mariselle couldn’t have asked for a better gift.
“You’re welcome. I wish she was here to see this day,” he said, smiling sadly.
“Me, too.”
Karina had been stricken with the plague, as had so many others in the kingdom. Her mother’s death had been a major blow and now it was just the two of them trying to make the best of things. Considering it was her eighteenth birthday, however, Mariselle would be expected to wed soon and had already received two proposals, one of them from the town baker who she had no interest in, especially because he was twice her age and made her skin crawl. The other from a soldier in King Griffin’s army, named Blakely. Although he was young, handsome, and could provide well for her, she knew he was moody and known for getting into a lot of fights. Although he’d come to visit a few times, and admittedly she was attracted to him, Mariselle wanted a man who could control himself and not give in to his temper.
“Well, I’m off,” he said, hobbling away with his cane. Unfortunately Marcus had taken a fall from his horse a few years back. It had left him with a permanent limp and hip pain that came and went. It was hard seeing her father, who she used to think of as the strongest man in the kingdom, looking so crippled. Fortunately, King Griffin had allowed him to continue as the sheriff, although she knew that soon he wouldn’t be able to handle the position at all. Pride kept her father from stepping down, which worried Mariselle. She didn’t want to see him get hurt and knew that if something didn’t change quickly, it was bound to happen.
“Okay. Be careful, Father.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Once she was alone, Mariselle pushed the covers away and slid out of bed. It was then that she saw the blood on her nightgown. Gasping in horror, she put her hand between her legs and found where it was coming from.
“Papa!” she screamed, lowering her nightgown and staring at her fingers in shock.