Page 47 of Haunted Hearts

Thirteen

“Lady Minerva?”Lillith knocked gently on the door to Blaze’s solar, knowing the woman was there working on her gown. Orvyn had told her Minerva already returned from the field where the servants brought back a wagon load of turnips for the festival.

The door opened, and with it came a whoosh of air in Lillith’s face, filled with the scent of incense.

“Lillith. I was expecting you. Come in, please.”

“Y-you were?” Lillith looked around the room. Candles burned on every table. A trail of smoke rose up from a small dish where what looked like dry leaves were smoldering.

“Yes,” said Minerva. “Your gown is ready to try on. Come in.”

“Oh,” she said, thinking the woman knew why she was really there. “Oh, it’s beautiful,” she said, when Minerva held up the purple gown. It looked just like the one she wore, but Minerva had altered it to fit her and added a big lavender, satin bow on the back. It had patches and lace decorating the velvet that was in the shape of moons and stars. “How on earth did you finish it so quickly?”

“I didn’t need to do much at all. Do you like it?” she asked.

“I do.”

“Put it on.”

“Well, all right.” While Minerva helped Lillith dress, Lillith relayed the true reason of why she was there.

“So, you’re saying my son is going to call off the betrothal to your sister?” Minerva took a step back and narrowed her eyes. “Why would he do that?”

“I think it was my fault,” she admitted. “I told him I was jealous that Serena was marrying him. I also said I didn’t think I could accept them being together and that it would hurt too much.”

“And Blaze is still in love with you and doesn’t want to hurt you.”

“Yes. We kissed,” she told Minerva, picking up a crystal sitting on the table to inspect it. There were many gemstones in a circle, some of them in various colors.

“I see. Well, we have a problem here, don’t we?”

“I agree. I don’t want Blaze to break the betrothal, honest, I don’t.”

“Yet you don’t want him to marry your sister either.”

She shook her head and placed the crystal back down on the table. The cat watched her from its perch atop the bed. “Why do you have all these stones? They are so pretty.”

“Each one holds a different vibration,” said Minerva. “Did you know just by holding them, they can help heal things that might be ailing you?”

“Really?” She wasn’t sure if she should believe this or not because it sounded so far-fetched.

“Here, my dear, this one is for you.” Minerva held up a chain with a crystal pendant dangling from the end. It will help to keep good energy around you. Hold it when something is troubling you. It will help calm you and bring goodness into your life.”

“Oh, no, I couldn’t. But it is beautiful.”

Minerva lowered the chain. “You’re not afraid of it, are you? These stones help to balance emotions and keep one in a state of happiness as well.”

“Well, all right. Why not?” she said, needing this in her life right now. Minerva clasped the chain around her neck. Lillith’s hand went right to the crystal pendant, fingering it. “It seems like it’s getting warmer.”

“It is absorbing your energy. It is also a form of protection.”

Lillith wasn’t sure if this was something she should be wearing, but she rather liked it. It went well with the dress. Therefore, she accepted it without any more objections.

“Thank you, Lady Minerva. I appreciate all you are doing for me.”

“I realized I wasn’t as friendly toward you in the past as I could have been. Mayhap I can make it up to you now. After all, you’ll be family.”

“Not me. Not really. But my sister will be.” She fingered the crystal pendant, hoping all her worries were being whisked away. Then, she realized how silly she was being. Nothing she could do would change the circumstances. Lillith dropped the crystal and it thunked against her chest.