Aura (3 page)

Aura walked into the party, amidst a few gasps of surprise, on her stepfather's arm.  At the boutique she had chosen a white satin gown to wear.  He approved of her choice.  Modestly styled and impeccably cut, the dress shone through the sheets of waves and curls that was her released hair, like a beacon shining through the night.  Her stepfather had taken one look at her loosened hair while she was at the hairdressers and had insisted that she wear it that way.
It had been years since he had seen her hair hanging free and he had been impressed, not only with its length, but also with the way the golden and auburn highlights had complimented the dark tresses.  He had always loved how her hair had hung in ringlets, waving down to the small of her back, shining and healthy.
He had further complimented her ensemble by purchasing her an amethyst and diamond necklace, which now hung like a pendant around her throat, clasped behind her neck by an eighteen carat gold chain.  Matching earrings nestled in her ears and a matching ring encircled her finger, completing the effect he had hoped to make.  The jewels had been a last minute purchase when he had heard that she had no jewelry to wear as an accessory to decorate the gown.  His own daughters had never had that problem, as he knew that their jewelry cases were full to the point of bursting.  
Her mother had taken one look at her, alerted to her presence by the combined stunned looks of dismay written on her step daughters faces, then she had bore down on her daughter, hissing at her in hushed tones as she reached her, so the other guests would not hear what was being said.
"Just what do you think you are doing?  You look like a cheap tramp."  The sneer in her voice was as pronounced as the venom of her words.
Aura looked down at the pristine whiteness of her gown in hurt confusion and dismay, and her stepfather rose to her defense, as he noticed her obvious inability to deal with the attack on her own.
"I brought her, and I think her attire more than circumspect, much more so than the gowns worn by my own daughters if I might say so."
He heard the angry intake of breath his wife took and a moment later, felt the searing heat of her wrath as she turned on him.  "She is disgracing the whole family, clutching at your arm as if she had hopes of becoming your next mistress, or has that already happened?"
Aura listened to the cruel cutting words and let out a choked sob.  She should never have agreed to her stepfather's suggestions, she had known that they spelled disaster. 
Now her mother would leave him no peace until he promised never to help her again in any manner, which was something that did not bother her anyway.  She could take care of herself if she had to, she was quite sure about that.  After all, other people did it.  What she did care about was the trouble she had caused by allowing herself to be led.  It was a mistake, she vowed, one she would never make again.
Hearing the beginnings of what could turn out to be a huge argument between her parents, Aura turned and ran out of the house.  She did not quit running until she reached her camp.  There, she changed, slowly folding her dress with care, and placed it into the recesses of her packsack.  She then took the article and dropped it into the hole.  The opening, which she had almost fallen through earlier, and which had peaked her curiosity in the first place, had turned out not to be a dungeon as she had thought, but just the remnants of a collapsing underground cave.
She climbed into her tent, where she soon became claustrophobic, then crawled back out, dragging her sleeping bag with her, deciding to try to sleep in the open.  The weather, however, soon put a stop to that idea as it began to rain.  In exasperation she picked up all of her belongings, supplies and gear and threw it down the hole.  When that was done she dragged her tent over the opening to keep it dry and slipped down into the cavity to dry off and change her wet clothing.
Using her lantern to light her way she pushed her possessions aside and spread out her bedding.  She sat on top of the pile of blankets and cried.  It was, she decided, probably the perfect end to one of the most horrid days of her life.  Cold, hungry, tired and feeling as if she had been kicked in the teeth, she crawled into her makeshift bed to curl up so she could go to sleep. 
There was going to be serious changes made in her life, she promised herself.  Starting tomorrow things were going to be different, and if she never returned home again she doubted, very much, if she would miss it.  She felt Roger as he slithered closer to capture some of the extra heat her body gave off, and, a short time later, she fell asleep to dream a troubled dream.

Aura was not the only one to make a vow that things were going to change.  Her stepfather shared the sentiment.    The difference was that he had not been content to wait until the morning.  As soon as the party had ended, a celebration that had taken half the night, he called a meeting, which wa
s not a well-received notion.  If they could spend most of the night partying, they could afford the time it would take them to listen to what he had to say.
He waited until they were seated and then began to speak as he angrily paced back and forth.  His stride was short, his tone clipped and his gaze cold as ice.  He doubted if any of his family had ever seen this side of his character.  Well, it was past time they had a taste of what he could really be like.  He had put up with enough of their ignorance.
“I have never been so angry, so disappointed or so disgusted in my life.   Your actions were totally unwarranted.  The worse part of it was that you have done this to your own sister.  Have you any idea the harm you have done to that child?  And you,” he pointed at his wife, his arm shooting out in her direction as he did.  “Your own daughter and you have undermined her self esteem so much she can do little more than skulk around.  She is little more than shadow of who she could be.   I knew you were capable of being petty and even cold-blooded but I never thought you could do something like this.  ESPECIALLY.  TO.  YOUR. OWN. DAUGHTER.”  He yelled, but he wasn’t finished.
“Selfish.  The whole works of you.  Not a thought in your heads for anyone else but yourselves.  How could you do this to your own sister?”  He turned on his daughters.  “You have degraded her, made her unwelcome in her own home.  I won’t say you took her mother’s affection from her, I doubt if that ever existed.”  He turned to his wife and asked.  “Why did you even keep her if you hated her so much?” 
He kept turning from his daughters to his wife.  He was so angry his face was flushed and his eyes appeared to shoot sparks.  He accentuated his words with gestures, pointing his hands from person to person.  No one dared speak a word in defense.  There was no defending their actions.  They knew what they had done.  They had known years ago what they were doing and they had done it anyway.  It had gone on for so long they had thought that they had gotten away with it, after all, their father might have accepted Aura, but no one had ever asked them whether they had.  He could see their thoughts in their eyes.  Well, he decided, they might not like what he had to say, or what he was about to do, but they would damn well learn to live with it.
“Things are going to change around here.  I am not going to keep standing by and watch you destroy a worthwhile person.  Aura is every bit as special as any of you. She is a beautiful girl with feelings and dreams like anyone else.  I refuse to stand by and watch as you continue to tear her apart.  She has rights, just like the rest of us.  She deserves to have a home like anyone else.  From this point on she comes home for Christmas like you do.  She gets presents, as she deserves.  You will treat her as you would any other member of the family, I will not tolerate anything less.  Not anymore.” 
Glaring at the three women before him he snarled. “Do. You. All. Understand?”
“Yes father.” His daughters answered meekly.
His wife tightened her lips, raised her chin and answered.  “As you wish.”
“I had better see some changes in this household or there will be the devil to pay.  You are all old enough to see to your own futures.  If I have to I will personally escort you to the door and toss your belongings out with you.”
“You would toss your own family out for her?”  Aura’s mother hissed.
“Get this through your head my darling wife.  She is a child who has been abused under my roof for long enough.  I.  Will.  No.  Longer.  Tolerate.  The.  Abuse.  In. My.  Home.  No child deserves to have to put up with the treatment she has had to live with.  This is her home as much as it is yours.  I took on that responsibility when I accepted her as a daughter on the day I married you.  To my shame I didn’t do this ten years ago when I first noticed what was happening, but it was too easy to turn my back on it and hide in my office.  NO.  MORE.”
He could tell none of them were happy about any of what he had said.  It did not matter, as he wasn’t any happier about the situation than they were.  The bottom line, as far as he was concerned was that there was a child outside, shivering in the rain.  They had driven her there when she should have been curled up in her own bed, in her own room, warm and dry.  She should have been allowed to sleep surrounded by pleasant dreams.  Aura should have been allowed to enjoy her evening as they had done. 
He looked at his wife and shook his head in disgust.  He knew she was going to fight him on this.  He also knew that she was quite aware of the folly of doing so.  He would crush her if he had to.  He would make sure that she would treat her own child like a human being for a change.  If he couldn’t, he would make her regret the day she decided to challenge him on his decision.  If he could make corporate giants quake in their shoes, he could handle his own family. 
To make sure he was completely understood, he added. “I will be watching you from this point on.  All. Of. You.  If I am not satisfied with the changes I see, there will be repercussions.  Am I making myself clear?”
“Yes father.”  His daughters replied, and he was sure they meant it.
He was equally sure that he would have to be vigilant or they would revert to their old tactics.  He looked at his wife and she gave a deep breath before giving in.
“As you wish.”
“You went too far.”  He declared.  “Tomorrow we will go to the ruins and see if we can start to set things right.  Now, go to bed and get some sleep.  It is almost dawn.  Don’t expect to sleep late.”
He allowed them to sleep until halfway through the morning then the four of them went out to the ruins to meet with Aura.  They found nothing.  There was no sign of the camp, or any sign that she had ever been there.  Not even the excavation marks, that had been there the previous day remained.  He just didn’t know how to explain it.
The stunned and puzzled foursome went home to call the police to report a missing person:  A seventeen-year old girl by the name of Aura, their daughter and stepsister.

She had ye
t to face him, but he could sense the beauty of the mysterious maiden as her image began to take shape, appearing as if it was taking form from the diminishing mist.  She stood on the crown of a hill, her head thrown back to allow the sun to bathe her face, and as she did her dark mahogany locks fell free past her waist in a tangle of waves.  The curls in her hair were so shimmery and soft in appearance they reminded him of satin.  She raised her arms to the light above, almost as if in worship then gave a mournful cry as she folded them across her chest.  Her hands clutched her shoulders as she bowed her head and he could see her body shudder and shake as if in extreme grief.  He moved forward to comfort her.
Without a word or movement her spirit beckoned to him.  He could not reason why he should be so captivated by her.  What drew him?  He felt her power through every fiber of his being and although he knew he should fear it, he did not.  There was a sense of rightness about the lure, something that told him that she belonged to him, yet there was so much about her that was strange, so much he wondered about.  The only thing he was sure of was that she needed him, just as he knew that if he ever managed to find her he would never let her go.
He moved, seeking her side, and the closer he got to her the more he noticed the differences that separated them.  The strangeness of her attire spoke to him of another place, and he wished he knew more of this woman who held him enthralled.  Her every movement seemed a study of grace and beauty and he felt his blood run hot in his desire to possess her.  He could almost touch her, his fingers mere inches from her, when as suddenly as she had appeared she began to fade from his view.  He stopped, watching in silence as the mist that had brought this vision to him reclaimed her.  He lunged towards her figure, only to find her gone.  In a voice raw and thick with grief he raised his head and screamed.
"Do not leave me!"
He felt a constriction so tight in his chest he could scarcely breath, a sensation he fought, along with the deep sense of loss that the disappearance of the maiden left him with.  He sat up and gave another anguished scream.  "NO!"
A pair of heavy rough hands descended on his shoulders and with a harsh movement shook him.
"Wake up Thorn, wake up.  You are having another nightmare."
Thorn's eyes snapped open and he focused his gaze onto the face before him, looking as he did into his brother's worried expression.  He took hold of his wrists, and, on a gasp, demanded.  "Where is she?"
"She?"  Edmund, Thorn's brother had no idea what he spoke of.  Surely he could not mean the comely little whore they had brought to him the night before.  He had ordered her away in harsh and insulting tone.  "I thought you said that she disgusted you and by now she probably warms another man's bed.  I can, however, send for her if you have changed your mind."
As Thorn caught on to what Edmund was talking about, a look of contempt crossed his face, and he snarled back.  "I speak of no whore."
"In that case I suggest that you wake a little more brother and realize just where you are."
Thorn gave his head a shake to clear his fogged brain, then heaved a mighty sigh.  "Have I done it again brother?"
"Aye Thorn, you have.  I trust I am right to assume that you do not mean Celeste when you speak?"
"Nay Edmund, she is definitely not the one for whom I seek.  I do believe my meeting time with the person in my vision is getting closer."
"You have suffered with these dreams of yours for three years now, what makes you so sure they actually mean anything, beyond your desire to find a mate?"
"You know my thoughts and beliefs on that matter Edmund.  I seek not just a mate brother, but, the specific one that was born just for me.  One who will be completely and thoroughly MINE.  There is no more to say on the matter."
Edmund frowned.  He knew his brother's thoughts on the matter all right.  Nor did he agree with them.  There was no way that Thorn would be able to convince him that these dreams were glimpses gifted to him of the woman who was his soul mate, the woman who would share his life through eternity.  As far as he, Edmund, was concerned, Thorn was indulging in a bout of wishful thinking and that he was due for a big disappointment.   God, in Edmond’s experience, did not work to order.
As the two men resettled to catch whatever sleep that could still be gotten out of the night, Edmund continued to shake his head in disagreement.  Five years ago he would have never believed Thorn capable of such romantic drivel, now he could only wonder at where his thoughts had originated from, and why he continued to believe in his vision with such unswerving faith.
This was just not in character with the man Thorn presented himself to be.  A seasoned warlord he held a reputation second to none as a champion amongst men.  He was a great leader, one whom men would lay down their lives for.  He was also known for his wisdom and fairness, both on the battlefield and off.  Men flocked to his side to serve under him, which allowed him the pick of the best fighters in the land and thus the best fighting force known.
Women also seemed to revere the great warlord, throwing themselves at him whenever the chance arose, and at one time he used to enjoy the attention, albeit with a moderate tendency, to indulge in the feast offered.  Over the last few years, however, Thorn had taken no woman to his bed, believing it would hurt his cause.  The abstinence had only added to his attraction as far as the ladies were concerned.
Edmund remembered asking his wife, Elisabeth, what it was that women saw in his older brother that attracted them so much.  She had smiled at him, then, looking at Thorn, reported her thoughts.
"He is like a hero of old, yet so chivalrous as to be Godlike.  His sable hair waves and curls so fine it makes one wonder how it would feel to run one’s fingers through it.  At the same time the electric blue of his eyes, fringed as they are with almost sinfully long, black and lush lashes beacon, as do his wide and generous lips.  Then there is his body, so hard and lean as to make one feel as if one would be safe held against him in the haven of his arms, yet not so safe that one would not find oneself carried away by the heaven one was sure he could offer in his bed."
She had thankfully then told him that she preferred a man with lighter coloring, making sure he understood she was more than happy that such a man had chosen her to be his wife.
A few hours after lying back down to rest they had risen, dressed and prepared for the new day.  As the sun rose in the morning, a lad handed each of the warlords their helmet after mounting their warhorses.  The lads then ran for their own horses.  They were about to join another of the Duke Vernon's battle forces, and it was time they were on their way.
"Edmund, to my side," Thorn ordered as he started off, and his brother fell in beside him.  "After the battle I would like to go through your fortress formations with you and discuss some changes, if you do not mind."
"Of course not.  Your presence will also please Elisabeth.  She claims we never see enough of you since you decided to relocate."
"It was time to move on Edmund, you know that as well as I, and so does Elisabeth, when it comes to that.  Vernon's offer of owning the neighboring district was too good to turn down."
"More for him than you, we all knew his aim was to secure his Western borders.  Nobody could have done that as well as you.  What surprised everyone was how you could just walk away from the home that was your birthright.  It is your stronghold Thorn, not mine."
"As far as I am concerned it is in good hands little brother."  Thorn spoke with a fond smile.  "Besides, I wish to build one of my own, a larger one to house my growing forces, Glenat was getting cramped."
"If the campaign doesn't take too long we should be back in time for the birth of my first child.  We would like you to stand as Godfather, if you would.  Elisabeth made me promise to ask."
"I would be honored."  Thorn answered, then catching sight of Vernon's rear guard, he motioned for his troops to increase their speed, while Edmund and he spurred their mounts into a thundering gallop, each eager to greet their Duke, and friend, again.