JAVIER (23 page)

“He left me a fortune Javier. That’s what the
solicitor told me today. He left the club to his business partner in the
venture but, apart from legacies to his staff and his housekeeper everything
comes to me. There’s his big old rambling house in Richmond and the contents of
an offshore account. I never knew, I never even thought about it. I need to do
something with it all. I need to do something good, something that makes a
difference. Will you help me Javier?”

Cassia looked up and her heart turned over. Would she
always feel like this when he gazed at her with those beautiful eyes? She hoped
so. She reached up and stroked his face gently and Javier took her hand and
pressed a kiss into her palm before replying;

“We’ll work on it together; think of something Harry
would approve of. Cass, there’s something I want to ask you, something I need
to tell you…hang on…”

He rummaged in his pocket then Cassia stared at the
ring he held out to her;

“It’s a ring.” she said, oh full marks Cassia
Mathrafal.

Javier laughed;

“I see you haven’t lost your touch Cass.”

They both laughed together as she elbowed him
painfully in the ribs and suddenly they were back to where they had been before
the death; before they had both got so careful and polite with each other. 
Javier took her hand; they were face to face now and Cassia’s heart thudded
crazily. She paid close attention; she wanted to remember everything about this
moment for as long as she lived.

“Well get on with it then Javier of Seville.” She
couldn’t wipe the stupid grin off her face. She knew he loved her; everything
he had done for her over the last three weeks told her that. She didn’t need
the words. He was looking at her with such intensity that she felt her smile fade;
this was a big deal for him, a huge step forward.

“I know…Cass…” Javier faltered as he cleared his
throat and Cassia held her breath;

“Rings are not our tradition but you have spent so
much time amongst the Humans, I thought you’d like it. I chose the stone to
match your eyes…”

“It’s beautiful Javier.” Cassia whispered as he
slipped the ring onto the third finger of her left hand.

“I’ve got it right haven’t I? That is the finger
Humans use for the rings that bind them together. We don’t need that, you and
I, we are bound together far deeper than they would ever understand. I love you
Cassia and I wondered if you would consider becoming my life consort…you know,
the joining ceremony and everything. Make it all official.”

Cassia felt tears sliding down her cheeks; she hadn’t
meant to cry but she did it so easily these days.

“Don’t cry Cass, what is it my darling?”

“I’m not Charlotte, Javier.”

“No, you’re Cassia, my Cass and I love you. I love you
Cass and I’ll make you believe that even if I have to tell you every day for
the rest of our lives together.”

“I can be a very annoying person. There’ll be days
when you won’t know whether to throttle me or kiss me.”

“Oh, I know that already but thanks for the warning.
What’s your answer Cass? Shall we do it? Red dress, party, crazy families,
Ysabeau letting loose her inner wedding planner?”

“You haven’t met my mother; she can be the most
stubborn, argumentative and obstreperous woman you ever met.”

“Hmm, that’s where you get it from is it?  Come on
Cass, my own love, say yes.”

Cassia reached out and hugged him to her as she
whispered against his neck;

“Yes, yes and a thousand times yes Javier of Seville.
Let’s go back and ask Bee if it’s okay with her.”

This time they walked back slowly with their arms
wound around each other, stopping now and then for long deep kisses. They
paused under a tree and Cassia gasped as Javier pushed her against it with his
body then slowly stroked up and down the vein in her neck with sharp teeth;

“If you keep doing that I’m going to melt into a pool
at your feet Javier.” Cassia breathed.

Javier pulled back, his breath harsh and his canines
sharp in his mouth;

“Yes, better stop. I don’t dare kiss you again. If I
taste even a drop of you I’m going to lose control completely Cassia
Mathrafal.”

“Oh, I’d love that Javier of Seville. Can we go back
to Bloomsbury at sunrise? Just for the day. We could make love till we can’t
move or even lift our heads.”

“Well now, you’ve made me an offer I can’t refuse.
Come on, before we start again…this path is very well used. We don’t want to
shock anyone.”

They were both laughing uncontrollably like naughty
children as they burst into the great hall of the chateau and went in search of
Beatriz.

Cassia thought she had cried all the tears she had
inside her until Beatriz jumped joyfully off her colourful bed and grabbed her
sketch book from her desk. Over the last three weeks the child had often just
sat by her and hugged her or brought her little treats from the kitchen then
made sure she ate them; watching over her with eyes that were wise beyond her
years. She grabbed Javier’s hand as Beatriz stood clutching the book to her
chest;

“Papa, I’ll never forget Mummy even though I don’t
remember her. I know she loved me, I can see it in the photos.”

Beatriz stopped and looked anxiously at Javier who
tightened his grip on Cassia’s hand till she thought her fingers would break.

“I’ve been wishing and wishing this would happen. I
had everything crossed. I skyped Abuelita back home, I mean, back in Spain.
She’s getting very good at computers you know. Anyway, she agreed it would be
alright and we looked for a name that would fit and we decided on this.”

Beatriz held up her picture. There was Cassia, the
very essence of her captured with skill on the page and underneath it Beatriz
had written in bold capitals;

CASSIA. MAM.

“Mam,” she said smiling, “You’re Welsh Cassia, that’s
Welsh for mother. Abuelita and me, we got it right, didn’t we?”

CHAPTER 20

ONE MONTH LATER…

Cassia hurried along the corridor, her bare feet
making no sound on the carpet and her hair dishevelled and tumbling riotously
down her back. It was very early; all around her the household slept. A
household packed to the gunnels with people. Today was the day. Today, she,
Cassia of the bloodline of Hugo Mathrafal would be joined to Javier of Seville.
Every room upstairs was full. Her mother and stepfather slept in Beatriz’s room
with her half-brother Geraint camped out on their floor. Javier’s parents and
LaSalle’s mother the Dowager Countess Reine occupied two of the most palatial
guestrooms. Cassia smiled as she remembered the affection with which Reine and
Javier had greeted each other. To add to the surprises Javier’s sisters and
their consorts and children were here. Seeing the Spaniards together Cassia had
wondered how on earth so much grace and beauty had been bestowed on one family.

 She passed Rafe’s door and paused briefly; Javier was
sharing with Rafe. They had both given in to the pleas from his mother and
sisters and were following the Spanish custom whereby the couple did not see
each other on the eve of the ceremony. She wondered how Javier had coped with
Rafe. That warrior had not been himself for weeks, his face like thunder and
his usual arrogant swagger gone. Reaching the top of the staircase Cassia gazed
hesitantly along the east wing corridor. Chronus’s room was there; had Flavia
gone to him? That was why she had jumped out of bed and tiptoed past Beatriz
camped out in her sleeping bag. She had woken and found Flavia gone from the
other side of the bed.

Well, there was no way she was knocking on Chronus’s
door. She ran lightly down the graceful staircase surprised to find the hallway
humming with activity as old Louis and his gardeners festooned greenery and
flowers everywhere. The place looked like Titania’s bower, thought Cassia. She
had seen what Javier meant when he had joked about letting loose Ysabeau’s
inner wedding planner. LaSalle’s warrior Countess was a veritable tour de force
when it came to planning a party with military precision. Still, she, Hera,
Katie and Rosa had gritted their teeth and followed orders and it was all going
to look magical. Ysabeau had style in spades.

Flavia hadn’t been there to help. Flavia had spent the
last week with Chronus in Venice. Cassia pushed open the kitchen door and there
was her sister calmly drinking a cup of coffee, her face contemplative and
withdrawn as it had been since she got here yesterday.

“Flave? Sweetheart? Is everything okay?” Cassia asked
tentatively as she sat down opposite her sister.

“Sorry, did I wake you? How are you Cassia? Isn’t
tonight going to be exciting?”

Cassia wanted to talk about Flavia.

“Was everything alright in Venice? You and Chronus…did
you…have a nice time? Did he treat you right?”

What Cassia really wanted to know was whether her
sister and Chronus had become lovers but how on earth could she ask that when
Flavia had suddenly erected this invisible wall around herself. Flavia sat up,
listened carefully then switched to Welsh. Cassia could see why, the kitchen
staff were already at work and discreetly listening in.

“It was a wonderful and magical week Cassia and I
wouldn’t change one minute of it. I want to keep it to myself for a bit.”

“So…you and Chronus are together?” Cassia asked. 
Something wasn’t right here.

“No Cassia. When he leaves we won’t see each other
again. Don’t say anything...” Flavia put her hand up as Cassia exclaimed;

“It’s my decision and I don’t want to talk about it.”

“If that damn Empath has hurt you I’ll kill him!” Cassia
cried, attracting curious stares from Madame Lemond. Flavia leaned forward, her
eyes blazing;

“Leave it alone Cassia. You don’t know everything
about me, about us. You don’t understand everything. Alexis would never, ever
hurt me. Don’t interfere…please, please.”

Cassia was almost speechless with shock; this was a
Flavia she had never encountered before.

“What on earth do you like about him?” she asked,
staring at her sister’s beautiful passionate face.

“He knows me, he makes me feel safe, he makes me feel
brave. When I’m with him I’m never afraid. I feel I could do anything, be
anything.”

“But…you are brave Flavia.” Cassia whispered; what was
happening here?

“No, no Cassia. You’re the brave one, you’re the one
with all the courage; you have looked after me ever since Father died. I never
had to be brave because you were there every step of the way. You had courage
enough for us both. Enough Cassia. You’ve got a whole new life now, you have to
let me go. Let me make my own mistakes. I’m not going to stay here on the
Island. I’m going back home and I’ve arranged for a housekeeper, a helper. I
want you to be free of me.”

“I never meant to smother you. I love you.” Cassia was
crying now, tears dropping onto the scrubbed table. Flavia reached over and
took her hands;

“You never smothered me Cassia. Don’t cry sweetheart,
I can smell your tears. I love you too but I need to find my own way and you
and Javier and Bee need to build your life together.”

“And Chronus?”

“That’s between us. He has something he has to do and
so do I. Please don’t ask me and please don’t ask him. Now, I’m off to grab the
shower first. It’s your day today Cassia and I’m so very happy for you.”

As Flavia squeezed her hands then got up and navigated
herself carefully out of the room Cassia wiped her eyes on her sleeve. She had
never dreamed that the day she officially started her life with Javier would
also herald an ending.

She jumped as Madame Lemond pressed a tissue into her
hand and patted her shoulder;

“Ah, days like these are full of tears my dear;” she
said in her broad southern French accent;

“Emotions run high. You will be the first bride in red
to walk down that staircase since Madame la Comtesse Ysabeau in nineteen
fifteen.”

Cassia wiped her eyes and replied in French;

“What about Gabriel and Hera in the summer?”

“Ah, but she wore the cream and gold of Empath brides.
Oh, I cried when she came down the staircase. So beautiful she looked with her
gold crown on; like a goddess come down from Olympus. I cried even more when I
saw Monsieur Gabriel’s face when he saw his bride. Two hankies I went through;
what a happy day that was. The High Councillor himself said that my
croquembouche was the best he’d ever seen or tasted.”

Madame Lemond heaved a huge sigh then froze, her eyes
sharpening into gimlets as she fixed them on the poor hapless kitchen assistant
who had just dropped a bowl on the floor;

“Marie!” she screeched at the top of her voice and let
loose a volley of French so rapid Cassia couldn’t follow it. Getting up
silently, Cassia beat a hasty retreat out of the kitchen and ran straight into
Javier.

“Javier! What are you doing? I thought I was supposed
to be in purdah or something; you’re not supposed to see me before the…”

Cassia’s words were cut off as Javier planted a kiss
on her mouth then grasped her hand and started across the hall towards
LaSalle’s study, dragging her after him;

“Stuff that, I missed you. Come with me.”

“Javier, Flavia’s broken up with Chronus. I swear he’s
seduced her then dumped her. What do you think I should do about it?”

Javier stopped and took her face in his hands;

“Nothing Cass, nothing. She’s only seven years younger
than you and she is a bright intelligent woman. Leave it to her, my heart, it’s
none of your business unless she asks for your help.”

“That’s what she said just now. I want her to be as
happy as I am Javier.  Do you think this has something to do with Chronus’s
search for Draco?”

“Perhaps. Now, I want to show you something. It’s a
present, well, more of an idea, a project.”

Cassia followed Javier curiously into the empty study.
A present? She thought of the stunning Art Deco ruby and gold necklace from
Cartier that sat on her dressing table upstairs. She would wear it today with
her dress.

“You already got me a present. What am I looking at?”
Javier seemed nervous; he raked both hands through his hair till it practically
stood on end then whipped the cover off the large presentation board that stood
on an easel in the centre of the room.

“That’s Harry’s Richmond house.” said Cassia as she
studied the photos of the large rambling Victorian house with its garden
leading straight to the Thames. She examined the technical diagram pinned up by
the photos; it was the schematics of a sophisticated and expensive security system.

“I’m not selling it Javier. I know it’s worth
gazillions but I’m not selling it…I’m not ready…” she tailed off as Javier held
up a hand.

“Of course not Cass. Look, the police released the
house two weeks ago and I’ve been over every inch of the property with Andreas
and Stephan. That drawing is the plan for the new security system we will need.
The perimeter is easily secured and the river is an added benefit. It’s
completely private and you can enter the grounds via the small private jetty
there…see?”

Cassia could see how the house could easily be made a
safe haven but…

“Why would we do this Javier?”

“It’s got ten bedrooms upstairs if you count the attic
ones. All very spacious. There are huge rooms downstairs suitable for use as
studios, classrooms, dining hall and offices. Cassia, those young ones, Rose
and Spike were headed for Paris because there’s nothing in Britain for them;
nothing for our kind, young artists Cass, like Beatriz. You could find an art
teacher with all your contacts and who better than you to teach them about art
history? I think Harry Marshal would approve.”

Cassia stared at the display board as her mind raced.
She could see it; why hadn’t she thought of it?

“You’re bloody brilliant Javier of Seville. Bloody
brilliant. All the money, it could fund scholarships and living expenses. We
could find the most talented of our young artists and bring them together; make
it into a centre for all that creativity. You are right, they have nowhere else
to go except night schools in the Human’s colleges and most of those aren’t
much good.”

“Exactly, I was watching Bee paint and it just came to
me. I hope you don’t mind, I scoped it out for security first. We could
organize a security detail there and, once it was up and running I think a
confusion field would make it watertight.”

Cassia threw her arms round Javier’s neck then pulled
back;

“I’m still going to do some work for Gabriel you know;
don’t try to change my mind about that. I need to do it Javier.”

Javier kissed her and sighed, his face tensing. They
had already had a couple of arguments about her proposed new role within the
Warrior’s Council;

“I know. I swear to you that I did not come up with
this as a way of stopping you from working for Gabriel. It’s not going to be
easy for me Cassia, the thought that you could be in danger makes me go crazy
with worry but I trust your skill and I trust Gabriel. You’ll just have to be
patient with me.”

Javier laughed as Cassia covered his face with kisses
and murmured dreamily;

“I don’t suppose you would consider becoming my life
consort would you Javier of Seville?”

“Can’t querida. I’m already promised to a tall, black
haired, dauntless and really quite challenging woman. She’ll kill me if I don’t
turn up.” Javier smiled as his eyes darkened and he slowly loosened the tie on
Cassia’s robe.

“I just had another brilliant idea.” he whispered as
he lifted her up and sat her on the edge of LaSalle’s desk.

They leapt apart guiltily as the door crashed open and
LaSalle came in with a croissant in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other.
His long blonde hair was all over the place and he wore a black silk robe and
pyjamas. Cassia covered her mouth with her hand as she felt an almost
irresistible urge to giggle.

“Oh fuck! There’s no escape. Get a room you two…I take
it back; there are no damn rooms left. Your mother is looking for you Cassia
and your mother is looking for you Javier. I’m heading down to the Operations
room and I’m locking myself in. If you see Ysabeau or my mother tell them you
haven’t seen me. That is an order.” With that LaSalle turned on his heel and
left as Cassia laughed so hard she had to bend over and clutch her sides.

When she finally calmed down it was to find Javier
staring at her and his expression stopped her in her tracks;

“What is it Javier? Tell me, my darling.” she
whispered;

“I never thought I would ever feel so happy again.” he
said quietly.

Cassia blinked hard as they held each other tightly;
words weren’t necessary.

“I hope you’ll feel even happier when you see the
present I’ve got for you.” she said as they headed out into the hall.

“You got me a present?  What is it?”

“You’ll have to wait until after we make our pledges.
It’s a surprise.”