Chapter 13 #2
Mercedes took a deep breath. “Your father hired a witch family to curse you, and it backfired. They were supposed to erase your memories of your love for Sven and make it so that your father could control you. Instead, it turned you into this revenant.”
“So, I died?” Flo’s body shimmered, like she was sort of on the fritz.
“Not exactly. Your body is still with you. Why do you think you can solidify better than most ghosts? You’re undead, but sort of stuck. That’s why no one but me can see you. Your father just saw that you were obliterated, so he had a funeral for you. In a way, you’re cursed.”
“A witch family,” Flo mumbled. “Who?”
“Mine,” Mercedes said, grimacing. “Let me just state that I don’t like anything my family dabbles in. I mean, there’s a reason I don’t fit in with them.”
Flo smiled sadly. “I don’t blame you. So I’m cursed and true love breaks curses, and I like Sven but I don’t remember our love. I guess that explains why I’m so protective of him. But it’s kind of hard to date someone you don’t remember, especially if they’re unaware of your existence.”
“I don’t know if true love can break your curse, but yeah, it’s kind of hard to do anything when he can’t even see you.”
“So I’m just stuck here, like Sven and Magnus. Well, I guess Magnus won’t be stuck here forever now that he has you.”
“Right,” Mercedes said quietly. “Although, how long will that last? I have to tell him something kind of big and I’m not sure how he’s going to take it.”
Flo cocked a finely arched brow. “Just tell him.”
As Mercedes opened her mouth to say something more, she saw a couple of human neighbors walking by Room with a Tomb very slowly, staring at her.
I guess it does look like I’m talking to myself.
“Good morning,” Mercedes said brightly and waving.
They waved back and quickly went on their way.
Laughing, Flo hovered above the step. “I better go. Not that I can go anywhere. Just talk to Magnus about your feelings and what’s happening. You have the chance to do that, and some of us won’t.”
“I will.”
Flo nodded and disappeared.
Mercedes got up from where she was sitting and started walking toward the cemetery.
It took about ten minutes to get there, and the moment she arrived, she found Magnus sitting and broodingly watching his brother. She quietly made her way over to him.
“Hey,” she said gently.
“Oh, didn’t you get my note?” Magnus asked.
“No. I was met by Florence who told me where to find you both. I thought it was best I come here.”
“I figured she’d know where to find us.”
Mercedes realized what he was saying. He knew who the flapper spirit was after all. “I’ve never told you or Sven that one of the ghosts is named Florence.”
“I know, but like I said before, Sven doesn’t like talking about it.”
“And you never mentioned it to him?”
“I wasn’t sure how he would take it.” Magnus scrubbed a hand over his face.
“So when I mentioned about that ghost from the twenties, you knew who it was? You knew her name would be Florence?”
“I had a hunch.” Magnus shoulders slumped in defeat. “I feel so bad, but I’m trying to protect him. He’s mourned her for so long, and I’m the reason he’s in this predicament of eternal damnation.”
“Why? It’s not your fault.”
“The cursing bit is. I dragged him on the expedition to the New World and then it was my idea to explore farther inland. He didn’t complain, and then he got himself cursed too.
And then you mentioned a twenties ghost, which fit her description, and I couldn’t tell him it was her.
I mean, I can’t see her to really confirm, but I knew deep down it was Flo.
I just couldn’t tell him. How would that solve the problem if she’s dead? ”
“Yes, but Flo was cursed by my family too. I don’t think she’s dead.”
Magnus sat up straight. “What?”
“Mona told me. Flo isn’t a regular ghost. She’s a revenant.”
“A what?”
“A draugr might be more appropriate for you to understand. Anyways, she’s cursed like you and Sven.
The problem is, you two can’t see her. I can, but she also doesn’t remember how much she loved Sven.
She’s protective of him, but I don’t know if what she feels is enough to break their curse.
The curse robbed her of all her memories. ”
Magnus stroked his beard. “That is a conundrum.”
“Do you think telling Sven is wise? Will it make him sadder?”
“Who knows, but I think we’d better tell him.” Magnus stood and held out his hand. “We have to do it. We have to tell the truth. All of it.”
She took his hand, but worried her bottom lip, because she wasn’t telling Magnus the whole truth. Why was she still dragging her feet on something so simple? Why couldn’t she just tell him?
They approached Sven, who looked surprised to see them. “Hello.”
“Sven, Mercedes can see the ghosts,” Magnus said, rubbing his neck.
“I know,” Sven replied and his eyes widened. “You mean…?”
“Flo, yes. She’s not dead,” Mercedes explained quickly. “She’s undead, a revenant. A draugr. She’s cursed.”
“Like a ghoul?” Sven asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Sort of, but you can’t see her,” Mercedes said.
Sven’s white eyebrows pulled together above his nose. “I don’t understand.”
“She was cursed by my family. Her father wanted it done. It seems he didn’t like that his human daughter was in love with a ghoul.
Anyways, it backfired and she disappeared.
So they assumed she was dead. The curse turned her into this revenant being, stuck between two planes of existence. That’s why you can’t see her.”
Sven sat down. “Well, how do I see her again?”
“That’s not all of it.” Magnus sighed. “She lost her memories. She’s protective of you, but doesn’t remember much past her name.”
“Oh,” Sven said quietly. Then he perked up. “If she doesn’t remember, how did you find all this out?”
“Mona. She has the gift of sight,” Mercedes said.
“Why she didn’t explain it sooner?” Sven sniped.
“Mona’s sight is very sporadic. Apparently, it presents itself when it’s needed,” Magnus said. “So, Flo is at Room with a Tomb.”
“And there’s no way, currently that I know of, to break the curse.” Mercedes took Sven’s hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Well, I’m not,” Sven said. “I’m going to find a way. I’ll research and figure it out.”
“Even if you can see her again, she doesn’t remember you,” Magnus stated.
“Yeah, but I’ll woo her again.” Sven grinned. “I’ll help her remember who she is. Well, let’s get back to Room with a Tomb. There are guests tomorrow.”
“And a wedding this weekend,” Magnus said.
Sven’s eyes widened. “Yours?”
Mercedes spun around. “Not us!”
Magnus chuckled. “No. Not us. Margaid and Finn want to get married this weekend while Pearl is home.”
“Then it’s all hands on deck.” Sven leaned down and kissed Mercedes on the cheek. “Thank you for telling me this. And I am happy for the both of you, but we don’t have time to celebrate your news or wallow in mine. We’ve got work to do.”