“Hello Rutherford. I'm here to see Gerald.”
His eyes flickered disinterest. “He is not accepting visitors at this time, Miss Tieron.”
“He’s dying. Please let me in.”
“Miss Tieron, Master Gerald will not be receiving any...”
I spun around and left Rutherford standing at the door. When I heard him shut the door, I was already standing on the second landing hallway, right outside Gerald’s bedroom. Now I was in Gerald's room. The morning sun’s rays lit up the spacious room, and a tepid breeze flooded my face, wafting in through the opened French doors which led out to his balcony. It was the same one which Gerald waved to me from across the gardens only a week ago when I first noticed him after being away. Gerald didn’t move or stir in his enormous king size bed. I could hear the faint beating of his heart like the slow drip of a faucet. When I stepped further into the room, goose bumps layered my skin and Winston emerged in my peripheral.
I met his gaze and a half smirk curled at the edge of his lips. “Empress, it moves me to see you here.” My unexpected friend was beside me. He wanted to tell me the truth about my family, the hidden secrets that had nearly destroyed me, for a price. I guess that made him more of a business associate.
I adjusted to the iciness emitting from Winston and said, “I didn’t know what happened to him until this morning.”
Winston’s smirk was replaced with a frown. “I’m sure he has no idea why he was attacked on his way to Harper’s Hall.” I knew that Winston blamed me.
“I had no idea that your brother would be targeted.”
Through clenched teeth and fists, Winston said, “Regardless, he was almost killed because of you at the hands of your kind. Anyone you form a relationship with on any level is a target.” Winston’s rant was justified.
“I’m hurting as well.” Daggers shot from Winston’s eyes.
“Then, I would’ve expected you here sooner.”
I nodded, knelt beside Gerald’s bed, and said, “I'm here now.”
Winston’s expression was unreadable, yet his emotions radiated helplessness due to not having any manner of a connecting with his brother. Winston also knew that if he did have contact it would mean that his little brother had joined him in death.
I brushed the golden loose strands away from Gerald’s sweaty brow and hair slipped through my fingers like silk. Gerald’s ashen face was riddled with violet splotches and bruises. My fingertips grazed the smooth and bruised planes of his face as I leaned in and touched his lips with my own. Then I waited, and waited and heard nothing, but the ticking clock on Gerald’s bedside table. I prayed to my gods that they would help me right now although, they would never answer the call for a mere mortal.
Winston’s eyes narrowed. “I see even with your memory you still lack the ultimate power.”
I took a deep breath, and ignored Winston. The rapid movement beneath Gerald’s eyelids seized my attention first. Then Gerald began to stir, turning his head from left to right as his feet tapped the foot board.
I tipped my head to his ear and said, “Gerald. Can you hear me?” Time seemed to stand still.
Gerald's eyes fluttered open into a constant blink. I ignored Winston’s gasp which mixed in with the violent gust that blew into the room. The scent of Zeus’ answer couldn’t be ignored. There would be rain and plenty of it. The muscles in my face relaxed into a smile, seeing those soft brown eyes darting all over my face. Gerald bared his teeth in a smile, with eyes still sagging at the corners, and fatigued lids. The tan had returned to his face and had erased the shiners and bruises. His mouth opened, and at first only air came out. Then the words dragged, and finally he said, “Cor...Cordelia. I...”
“I know. Don't try to talk. You must rest.” I took his hand, and heard his heartbeat quicken with my touch. Winston cooled the air surrounding his brother and me. The expression on his face, which he fought with whatever ghost strength he had, won the battle and his teeth came into view.
“I've... I've… had… eeenough … re… rest. I feel like… I’ve been asleep… for days.
“No, just one,” I said.
“I… had a dream. I… heard… my brother’s voice. He spoke to me. He… said he was sorry… for dying and… leaving me alone to get… hurt.” Winston’s expression of disbelief had been put on ice. He stood frozen and looked at his brother with glazed eyes. Meanwhile, Gerald tried to prop himself up on his elbows.
“I don’t know what happened? I remember these... people, they moved so… incredibly fast. They said… it was time… for me to… die. Then… they said something that didn’t … make… any sense.”
“What did they say?” I was anxious to hear what Victor and disciples had disclosed.
“There were a few of them, but the one with the… red eyes… said that you would never be an empress.”
My throat tightened, and then I allowed a chuckle to tumble out. “What? That sounds silly.”
“Yes, but… I tried to defend… you...” Gerald eyes were downcast; his face began to blush from defeat although he had fought valiantly to defend an honor that he didn’t even know I had. He had been driven by his love for me, and I hated that he had been in that position; having to defend a girl he loved who didn’t love him back.
I couldn’t resist brushing the silken wisps of hair that hung over his eye. “I know.”
“Then everything… went black and now... you’re here.”
“Where else would I be? You’re my friend.” But my words drew more blood than a sword would have. I tasted some of my own as I released my lower lip.
Gerald searched my face then said, “Why would anyone want to hurt you?” Then he continued his search, piercing my eyes for an explanation. I knew that I would have to give him one, but not an honest one. I couldn't tell Gerald that a reformed evil incarnate nearly took his life in order to get to the empress of an ancient empire who just happens to be the girl he’s in love with. Even if I wanted to, the laws of my people wouldn’t allow me enlightening Gerald with my world. Mortals lived in darkness, completely oblivious to all the divinity and evil entities surrounding them on a daily bases and that’s the oblivion that Gerald will have to continue to reside in. He stared into my face and I did what was necessary to put an end to the questions.
“Pardon me, what did you say?” I asked.
“Would you care to join me for lunch?” Gerald grinned. “Hey that’s quite a hat.” He added widening his grin. Then the bedframe creaked, and before I could reply, Gerald bounced off the bed and dashed out of his room and into the bathroom.
I took off my Stetson and threw my head back allowing my hair to extend further down my back. Winston suddenly sprung from the tufted leather chair he’d recently sat in with a perplexed look on his face. He threw his arms up and said, “Lunch? What’s he talking about? Wait. Did you…Glamour him?”
Winston appeared chalkier than usual. “He has a right to know what happened.”
Gerald’s horrific memory of last night had been irrevocably wiped away, and gone was the memory of the pain he endured. I understood Winston’s concern but I knew what was better for his brother than he did. “The truth would only be a burden.”
“Now that the demigod in you has finally surfaced you not only want to control the members of your empire, but the minds of the mortals as well.” I ignored Winston’s need to pass judgment. “I wonder what your plans for my brother are now. Let’s see. Will you, A: String him along, B: make him a promise of friendship, or C: Give him what he’s always wanted, you.” With every suggestion, Winston mocked me by pretending to hold a wand in his hand, insinuating that I was some kind of fairy.
I sighed long and deep. How I felt about Gerald and where I thought our relationship should progress was none of Winston’s business therefore, I disregarded the comment.
“So what are your plans?” Winston eyed me carefully.
“I would have expected you to be more concerned with your own affairs,” I said, staring Winston in the face.
Winston let a partial smile curl up at the left corner of his mouth. “That’s the old Cordelia I’ve missed, business as usual. Indeed we do have a few loose ends to tie.” Winston had helped me when I had no one to turn to, and I had every intention of honoring my end of the deal.
“I’m sure you remember the conditions of our agreement?” I reminded him.
Winston’s eyebrows furrowed, and the partial smile turned into a frown as he considered the notion of being brought back to life just to be exiled from Nickel City and everyone he knew. Winston’s behavior toward me had changed. He still faced me but stood a couple feet away. When I took a step forward, he took a step backward as if he feared me.
“I haven’t forgotten. Is it my only… option?”
“My theory is if you are ever seen by anyone who knows that you died, especially those who witnessed you being buried, it would be devastating to the person who discovered you, and the gift would be reversed.” Winston held my unwavering gaze with dead eyes that were already empty, yet seemed to diminish even more. The thought of being dead again seemed to be too much for poor Winston. The room was quiet for a moment except for the muffled sounds of Gerald fumbling around in his bathroom. He must have dropped a bottle of something; the crash cut through the silence in the room.
“So I believe you have a few choices to choose from. A: Lurk here for an eternity, B: A second chance at life although it will be in an unfamiliar place with people who know nothing of you and vice versa, or C: Finally join the other damned souls in hell. I understand if you need more –”
Winston held his right hand up as if he were about to swear on a bible, and cleared his throat. “No, I don’t need any more time.” Winston pretended to do a drum roll then finally said, “I choose life.”
“And it doesn’t bother you that you will know no one.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll be fine no matter where I am. I’ll be a part of the living. Besides, the one person I needed to know how I felt knows. I’ll be fine.
Just promise me one thing.”
“Well that depends.”
A ghostly vapor of a tear seemed to be lodged in the corner of his eye. “Just promise me that you’ll take better care of him than I did.”
I nodded and said, “I promise.” With all of my heart, I truly meant it. I walked up to Winston and stopped when I was just a couple of inches away from him. This time he didn’t step away from me. I leaned up toward his face, and carefully placed a simple kiss upon his mist textured lips. He disappeared a couple of seconds after our lips touched and for some reason I knew that I would see him again somewhere in time. I would miss him a little until then.
Suddenly, I heard a low chuckle and saw Gerald in my peripheral, but it was too late.
“What are you doing?” Gerald asked. He was fully dressed in a dark brown suit, and standing in the doorway of his bedroom.
I was unable to disguise the shock of his sudden presence. “Pardon me?”
“It’s odd, actually. The way you had your lips puckered, it looked as though you were kissing someone who isn’t there.” With a broad smile, he said, “You don’t need to practice when you could have the real me.” I hadn’t realized that I was still on my toes with my lips pursed. I felt my face grow warm.
I took a deep breath and sighed to collect myself. Gerald had caught me off guard, and I really didn’t have an explanation for my actions. “Who were you talking too?” He asked. “I could have sworn that I heard your voice.”
It took me a second to recover and answer. “Oh, uh… it was Ruthorford, checking in on you.” I lied. The heat rushed to my face again as I had forgotten about Glamouring him. Ruthorford checking on him made absolutely no sense.
“I swear that old man needs a hobby. Checking in on me as if I were a child,” Gerald said, as he straightened his tie and scoffed.”
There was a long pause while Gerald looked me over. “That’s quite an outfit you’ve got there. What’s the occasion? Cattle run?”
“This is how I feel most comfortable.”
“Well, it suits you. But then again, you would look lovely in anything.” Gerald smiled and appraised.
“Thank you.”
Gerald appeared to be searching for words. I already knew what he wanted to tell me. I was prepared. “I’ve decided to leave Nickel City. I will be moving to New York.”
“New York? Why New York?” I tried to sound surprised.
Gerald looked at me as if he were puzzled by my question. “Why not? My family owns a bank there. I think it’s time that I learned the family business. I have family there offering me their hospitality. Of course they barely know me, or are aware of my annoying habits.” Gerald chuckled again. “Either way, I will impose on their fine generosity until I purchase a home.”
“Family is good.” I said. “But a home? Is this a permanent move?”
“A house, yes. It’ll never be a home without the person I love. Gerald’s gentle brown eyes met mine and his thoughts were intense. He was still in love with me and wanted more than anything for me to go away with him to New York, but he would never ask me too. If I chose to, he wanted it to be a choice initiated by me with no pressure from him. He was trying his hardest to look and sound optimistic. He needed this clean break from Nickel City.
He needed a clean break from the responsibility of caring for his spiteful grandmother. He needed a clean break from the girl he knew he could never have.
“When will you leave?”
Gerald half laughed and said, “Already in a rush to be rid of me?”
Gerald’s friendship meant a lot to me, and I didn’t want him to go away, but I also didn’t want him to be hurt every time he saw me with Evan. He and I would never be and should have never started in the first place. That had been a very regrettable mistake, and was the cause of his pain. He was doing the right thing, by leaving. There was nothing left for him in Nickel City.
“Of course not, you’re a wonderful friend, and if you leave, I will miss you.”
Gerald swallowed hard. “Promise to visit me sometime.”
“I promise,” I said, and gave him a hug. We embraced for a long moment with the understanding that his departure wouldn’t be the death of friendship.
We had arrived at a bifurcation and made the heartfelt decision to go our separate ways. It was inevitable. “I should be leaving. Oh, I almost forgot. I’ve moved back into my house. So make sure that you mail those post cards from New York to the right address,” I said, laughing nervously.