I’ve never gotten so many flowers in such a short span of time, and returning his smile, I take the offered rose. “Thank you.”
He whistles at the two other security guards. “The lady of the castle is here. Open the gates.”
“Oh my God,” I mutter, rubbing my flaming cheeks because they’re announcing my arrival as if I’m some kind of royalty. I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to all the formalities of Orion’s staff.
Timothy flies through the clear entrance, driving on the narrow asphalt road, and the picturesque view opening up to me captures all my attention, making me press my palms against the window as my eyes drink it all in, in awe.
It’s a bewitching, endless green land filled with the finest trees and colorful rose bushes designed so proportionally that one must wonder if an artist did it. Although is there a greater artist than Mother Nature herself?
An image straight from a fairy tale as thousands of lamps light up the scenery from the ground despite the early hour, sending a colorful glow all over the property, and the greenhouse’s glass far in the distance creates a shimmering illusion, as if magic takes place in here.
I half expect fairies to pop up in the air.
There are at least five alcoves, and while the architecture is similar to Orion’s family’s mansion, it still stands out with various statues surrounding the building.
Marble art pieces by the fountains depict nymphs with long hair and in similar dresses, holding flowers.
Everything about the view is soft, gentle, and peaceful.
Like darkness, desperation, and disappointment never existed here, and instead, only happiness remains.
“It’s beautiful.”
Timothy nods and presses on the gas pedal. “Yes. Orion’s grandfather adored his family and often brought Angelica here because she loved it so much. She’d play around, imagining herself as a princess who got trapped in one of her books. I think it’s here where she discovered her love for ancient Greece.” I smile, wondering how nice it must have been for her to have a father who understood her love for reading instead of shaming her for it or calling her stupid. My father could never. “That’s why Joaquin Wright gifted it to her when she turned eighteen. He was barely twenty himself.” So it used to belong to Rafael’s father? That would explain why Orion has such a good relationship with his cousins. Their parents must have been close. “According to her, magic happened here.”
“I believe her.” We drive farther, more statues and flowers greeting us, until I see a large, high-brick tower, with the four windows on top the only indication that someone might live there. The red cone roof seems to touch the sky at its tip, and white doves fly around it, basking in the sunlight while roses grow through the brick, peeking out and adding color. Looking around, I don’t find any other building, so I ask, “Where is the house?” Many media outlets reported on the upcoming court battle and said the law firm fighting Orion wouldn’t let it go without a fight. This land is almost a historical treasure, and whoever acquires it would have ample resources to transformit into whatever they wish and thus receive good compensation from it.
“The tower is the only building on the entire land. It was built back in the nineteenth century, and while the Wright family did some renovations to make it livable, they decided to preserve the original architect’s plan for it.”
While it’s magnificent and I’m sure worth a lot, it pales compared to every other thing Orion owns. So why is it so important to him that he even entered into a contract marriage to acquire it?
His father put him in an impossible situation and forced his hand to get the property. Wouldn’t refusing to comply with his demands be less out of character for him? Sort of a middle finger to his father, whom he hates so much?
As we head toward the tower, I notice animals running around and hiding behind trees while they watch the car pass.
Roe deer, rabbits, and beavers, to name a few.
Doesn’t he need permission for that in our state? We’re close to the forest with a lake, so maybe it’s just natural for them to wander around the property when it’s quiet? “Wow, maybe we’re in a fairy tale after all.”
“They like to visit from time to time. We have water for them available too, and they once even stayed inside, hiding from the storm.” The wind slaps me in the face when Timothy speeds up our pace. “I dropped off Actaeon at the airport this morning.” I forgot about Orion’s brother with all the events of the past twenty-four hours. He must have listened to my husband’s warning and gone back to school. “He asked me to give you this.” He picks up a rectangular navy-blue velvet box from the front seat and extends his hand to me.
Taking the box from him, I open it up and gasp at the sight of the sapphire diamond necklace. The stones are so clear that onemight see their reflection in them. It would cover my entire neck because it’s so big. I’ve never worn anything like it in my life.
I read the note attached to the box.
Welcome to the family, Diana.
We’re all kinds of fucked up.
But there is always an advantage in that.
For we protect what’s ours.
And will always be on your side, no matter what.
Actaeon
It seems my brother-in-law accepts me just because his brother said so. That speaks about a loyalty and trust I’ve never experienced. And yes, the message is a bit unsettling because it sounds as if he doesn’t care who does what as long as it means protecting me. No one ever protected me in the past, and to know there’s more than one person on my side? Well, it does wonders for my newfound confidence.
