Chapter 14Lucian sat in his empty apartment, head resting in his hands. The last month or so had been unbelievable to him. Arabella’s appearance in his life, her presence, filled his heart. She changed who he was and challenged what he believed in. She brought him out of his complacency and gave him reason to fight for himself. He looked back on the life he lived these last years and was not happy with what he saw. He was not living’ he was just going through the motions. Not anymore. He did not know how he could have such deep feelings for a woman he hardly knew.He stared at his computer and the online news article. It was the announcement of Arabella’s wedding. Today was her wedding day. Lucian’s heart clinched at the thought of her married to another man. He cursed himself for not going after her. Reading the announcement again, Lucian felt empty, lost. He might not remember the life she said they had together but he remembered the love. He did not know how that was possible, but
Chapter 15Arabella stared down at the letter crumbled in her trembling hands. She could feel anger begin to rise up inside of her. How dare he? The arrogance of the man! Arabella could hardly breath as anger threatened to overwhelm her. She slammed her fist into the wall, trying to relieve the pressure before she did something stupid, like ripping Lucian.s head off..“You Alexanders are all alike, aren’t you?” She whispered, a tear shimmering on her lashes, “Always taking what you want and hang the rest of us.”Arabella received the letter in the afternoon post; a Solicitor’s heading on the envelope. Her eyes widened as she read what was printed on the letter.Ms Brennan.This letter serves to inform you of the intent of my client, Mr. Lucian Alexander, to seek DNA testing on one, Lucas Brennan.Please be aware that papers have been filed in the Boulder County court to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.A hearing will be set in the court docket within the month. In order to
Chapter 16“It’s okay, Lucas. I will be fine while you are gone. It’s only for a month and hey, think of it like this, you are going to New York. Your wish is coming true. You wanted to know your dad and this is a great opportunity for you.” Arabella smiled as she ruffled Lucas’s hair.“But mom, who will look after you and Thorn and gramps?” Lucas looked at Arabella with worry in his eyes. “I don’t think they have fishing in New York.”Arabella laughed, “Lucas, they have the finest museums there and broadway shows and so much more. Soak up all you can and see it as a learning experience. We will be all right and will be happy when you come home.” She could not let Lucas see how much she would miss him.Lucian had asked for this month with Lucas through Arabella’s Lawyer. She refused to see or talk to the man, there was nothing else between them except for Lucas. For the boys sake she agreed to allow Lucian this time with his son. All she could do is hope it was the right thing for Luc
Chapter 17“Geez Arabella, its been 3 days already. Time to wake up.” Sybil whispered. She sat crossed legged on a natural stone ledge that ran along one wall of the cave. Sybil was nervous; Arabella hadn’t woken once from the dream state she was in. Sybil tried to be patient, after all, Arabella was suppose to sleep while the memory of love faded. Still, Sybil was nervous. She had the awful feeling that she did something wrong.Sybil worked through the layers in her head. She followed all the steps she seen Mother do. Sybil did not admit to Arabella that this was the first time Sybil ever did anything like this. She was better at giving memories not taking away love. After all, what could go wrong?Arabella groaned as though she was in pain. Sybil started to sweat as she watched Arabella twist on the floor. ‘Now this is something new,’ Sybil thought. ‘Not good, not good at all.’ She didn’t see this happen when Mother did it. Sybil jumped down off the ledge and went to Arabella’s side.
Chapter 18Arabella felt a sense of freedom. She slowly remembered everything but did not feel the pain of remembering. She was finally free of the love that haunted her from the time she was fifteen years old. Arabella no longer felt anything for the pompous Mr Alexander. There was no anger, no love, no hate, nothing at all. For the first time in years, Arabella didn’t know what she wanted. All of her life was centered around her parents and Lucian Alexander. Sybil took all pain from Arabella’s heart. Now she could remember her parents with fondness and not pain. She did not hate Adrian any longer either, but he was still not allowed around her son. The memories of Lucian were there, but that was all, they became faded memories Finally, it was all gone. Arabella did not notice the lone tear that traveled down her pale cheek.“Come on mom, let’s go. I want to put in some time on the ice.” Lucas’s impatience at Arabella only made her laugh. He was old enough to be chosen for the junior
Chapter 19Lucian stood on the steps outside the ice rink, longing written all over his face. Anyone looking at Lucian would see a man so in love that the world just past him by for those few moments.There, right in front of him, stood Arabella with Lucas. Lucas turned and ran into the building, leaving Arabella on her own until another boy captured her attention. That boy ran into the building too; was this his chance? He cleared his throat thinking about what he wanted to say. At first she stepped aside; then she turned toward him, slowly looking up his chest to his face. At first there was a smile on her face, at least until she saw who it was. The smile faded quickly and she started to turn away.“Arabella! Bella, please just talk to me.” Lucian pleaded with Arabella. She turned and looked at him again. Her eyes were blank, as though she didn’t know him. The cut was deep, but Lucian was determined. He would find a way to bring her back to him. He found it ironic that he now rememb
Chapter 20Where time mean’t nothing, Sybil kneeled on the floor. The stone cut into her knees but she dared not complain or the punishment would be a lot worse. This, really, was mild compared to some of the things Mother punished her with. Why, once, that Goddess made her eat with the dragons. Disgusting. They kept breathing fire, eating and pooping and boy could they poop…“SYBIL!!!! Are you listening? Or have you gone off on one of your various trances? Now pay attention.”Sybil jerked when Mother yelled her name. How did she know that she, Sybil, was daydreaming anyway? Oh, yeah, maybe the glassy eyes gave her away. She jerked again when something landed hard on the stone floor.“You will find the spell that you cast over Arabella or I will do worse then dragons.” Mother was very angry and punctuated every single word to make sure the girl did not misunderstand. “Stand.” Mother orderedSybil nimbly jumped to her feet. It disgruntled Mother that Sybil could still be so spry after
Chapter 21“Slow down Lucas, what do you mean your mom is gone? Gone where?” Lucian felt a sudden sense of fear. Lucas was hysterical; Jack took the phone away and started talking.“Arabella was suppose to be here when I brought Lucas back from our weekend fishing.” Jack sighed and the phone felt empty. “That was yesterday. She’s never not been here, Lucian. We’ve walked the trail, gone to the cave; searched where ever we could. Her jeep is here. I’m going to call Search and Rescue.”“I don’t understand, Jack. Would she go somewhere without telling you?” Lucian was horrified by every word Jack spoke.“No, no, not Arabella; she is always where she says she’ll be. She did say she was going hiking and camp out for one night. Even Thorn is restless, and I’m getting really worried.”Lucian’s throat closed up and he was unable to respond right away. He cleared out his throat. “Call them; Jack, I’m on my way.” Lucian raced to find his keys and ran out of the house.The drive up the mountain