Forgotten

Chapter 8

Andrea stroked her child's hair softly humming. "Don't worry, Dauphine. You couldn't have known. I kept it to myself all these years because I was afraid. Because of what happened to my mother. I didn't want the same thing to happen to you!"

Dauphine moved away from her mother a sad smile on her face. "Grandma? You never talk about her."

Andrea nodded, leading Dauphine back to her bed and tucking her in. "I guess now is a good time." Dauphine snuggled in. "I was still young, only sixteen when it happened. Lilith was twenty, already a woman and pregnant as well. It had been a scandal, drawing unwanted attention to our family. My mother had wanted to know the name of the father, and your aunt simply didn't know."

Dauphine's eyes were wide as she gasped. Nobody talked about Pete's father and now she knew why. Nobody really knew who he was. Her mother continued and she listened intensely as she revealed the lost family history.

"My mother set off to the forest, this very forest," she pointed out the window and Dauphine followed her finger. Her longing to enter the forest suddenly flamed inside her.

"So our family have always lived in the house aunt Lilith lives in now?"

Andrea nodded. "My mother had wanted to raise us in a steady environment. Even though travelers like us almost never stay in one place too long. So she went into the forest to perform a spell that would draw the father out, only she was interrupted. Some of the nearby villagers had followed her without her knowing."

Andrea took a deep breath. "They took her; first she was thrown into the dungeons at Sanko. After about two days, they finally brought her out. Lilith and I were gathered in the square. There the King had her hung and burned for witchcraft."

Dauphine lowered her head, taking her mother's hand in hers. "I'm so sorry Mom."

Andrea smiled getting up from the bed. "Its okay my dear. Everything happens for a reason. It was in that very square that I met your father and just a month after that we were married and I was expecting your brother."

She bent down and kissed Dauphine on her forehead. "Now rest, and get better."

Once the door closed behind her Dauphine jumped out of bed and made her way to the window. Her flowers were absolutely glowing with life. She smiled touching one. Beautiful. She sighed looking out into the forest.

Suddenly she couldn't wait anymore. She needed to go inside. Even if it was on her own.

She crept silently out of her room, trying to be as quiet as she could she made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen.

To her delight it was empty. She moved for the door that would lead her outside. But before she could open it a voice called from behind her.

"Dauphine?" it was Pete, "what are you doing? Aren't you suppose to be resting?" he was eating an apple while he spoke. Dauphine shook her head.

It was just her luck that he would catch her, but then she realized, she could ask him about what had happened at the beach. He was there!

"Pete! I was looking for you." She lied smoothly. "I wanted to know about what happened to me! I can't remember anything."

Pete frowned. "I don't really know, it was like you were possessed. You really had us worried, running into the ocean like a wild woman screaming about saving someone that wasn't even real. Kale had to drag you out kicking and screaming."

Dauphine's mouth dropped. What happened? This was so strange. She tried to force herself to remember, but all she could see was dark hair between the waves and dark eyes pleading for help. Was there someone in the ocean? Was it a spell? Who would want to bewitch her?

She took a deep breath. "Oh, thanks but I don't remember anything." She turned to leave, but Pete stopped her again.

"Dauphine? Did Kale get a chance to talk to you?" she shook her head and he continued. "Maybe you should just try and forget about him. I don't want you to get hurt."

Dauphine frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"He...he just...oh forget it. I just don't want him to hurt you!"

Dauphine shook her head and turned, opening the door. She stepped outside breathing in the fresh air. She could hear Pete following her. "Where are you going?"

She ignored him, trying to move faster, trying to get him to leave her, but he easily kept pace with her.

She stood at the edge of the forest, Pete babbling on, but she didn't listen. Without a word, she went inside, deeper and deeper. When she couldn't see the castle anymore she stopped.

"Magnificent."