Chapter 24
Vesper
The vines slowly climbed the stone walls of the mansion, their deep green hue adding a lively contrast to the somber stones.
The flowers, planted just the day before, had already pushed through the earth, with some even beginning to bloom.
My favorite colors were among them, making it feel as though this place was made just for me.
Deep red roses, at least I think they called them roses here were sprouting, deep oranges and yellows. Blue velvet blooms, resembling a cross between daisies and tulips, were scattered throughout the flower beds.
I couldn't understand how this was possible but I was in another realm. Was it normal for flowers to grow this fast or was it the magik that made them grow?
Benedict came by my side and held out a glass of juice. It was yellow with a hint of green in the mixture. I stood and brushed off the dirt of my dress and took it gladly.
“Oryx will be fine, Vesper. You need not worry,” he said.
I took in a big gulp of the drink that reminded me of lemonade doused with cucumber and mint.
I’ve been left outside for Oryx to visit with Lord Stick-Up-His-Butt. This is what I wanted, for Oryx to get some time with Veylor, but now I was seemingly alone with Benedict as a babysitter while we worked on the yard.
Not that I minded, it had been a while since I had been outside. And I could finally take in my surroundings of this strange new place since the last time I was out here I was being dragged by a feral beast that didn’t understand kidnapping was not nice.
My worry now is that Veylor will convince Oryx he doesn’t need me anymore, and my confession to Oryx will be for nothing. I’ve never told anyone I loved them, and now I’ve laid my heart out on a table for him to completely wreck.
Benedict took my glass as I finished it and set it back on the table. The constant haze over the estate wasn’t unnerving like you would think it would be. It wasn’t like your typical scary movie or haunted mansion; it was rather peaceful and calm.
While I missed the sun and feeling the heated rays, perhaps the area was just undergoing its winter.
“Does it ever get warmer, or does the sun ever come out?”
Benedict grabbed a hoe from the wheelbarrow and plunged it into the soil.
He placed a hand on his hip and pretended to wipe away sweat from his forehead.
"It's usually pretty cloudy here," he said.
"The air is thick with moisture, but it rarely rains.
It does snow during the colder months. The soil is very fertile, producing some of the most nutrient-rich fruits.
If you're seeking sunlight, the glowing stones can provide it.
Healers often recommend them as mood boosters if you're feeling down. "
Benedict turned and waved his hand to the north. “If you are wondering about how our plants grow, the stones help. Over there, Oryx has begun to plow a field where we will begin our new garden.”
I glanced at the flower beds. There were glowing stones placed in different areas, I just assumed it was for aesthetic appeal.
Benedict continued. “That way, I don’t have to go to the night markets as much. I’ve had to come up with a whole new identity, and that has been taxing.”
I hummed as he began weeding another section we had yet to touch.
“That has to be hard, to create a new identity with a new vessel,” I said off-handedly. “Did you get a choice in the matter or did Veylor bring you back without question?”
Benedict stopped and stared at me. “I wanted to come back. It was not yet my time to be in the Under Shadows. Lord Veylor has gifted me another chance. Though it is not my original vessel, I am grateful for this new one. He has constructed a new face by replacing bones so it isn’t familiar like someone else’s soul that once inhabited it. ”
He continued to cut into the soil with the rake.
“You said it wasn’t your time?” I tilted my head in question. “What do you mean? How would you know? One doesn’t know the time or place when someone must move on, do they?”
Benedict chuckled and lowered himself down to the soil to pick out the weeds and throw them into the wagon.
“I was caught in a crossfire, wrong place, wrong time, as many of us were. I don’t know if I am meant to have my life returned or not, but my Lord has given me another chance, and the unknown gods have allowed it.
Many others will come by his magik as well. ”
My lips parted in shock. “You mean, the vessels we are making in his lab, they are for souls that are getting second chances like yourself?”
Benedict nodded. “Of course. Just like me, they weren’t meant to die. By the time he is finished, the estate will be up and running in no time.”
My mouth dried. “His employees? What exactly happened? How did all his employees die, Benedict?”
Benedict stilled and his back went ramrod straight.
“Oh dear, I spoke too much. Really, Vesper, this is nothing to concern yourself with. Nothing to worry about. It was all an accident for the greater good. My Lord is fixing the mess he made.”
I beg your finest pardon?
Veylor was the one that killed them all?
Did he kill Oryx in another life?
My heart was pounding as I took a step back from Benedict. His words sounded so dismissive, as if none of this mattered to him. Yet, he spoke of Veylor as though he was a good guy, and part of me wanted to believe him, even though I knew I shouldn't.
He killed him.
He killed them all.
Veylor killed everyone and now he was trying to just bring everyone back to atone for some sick, fucked up sin.
I stepped back further and I tripped over a rake, my ass landed into a pile of mulch.
I gasped when Benedict came closer to me and lent a hand.
“Now don’t make such a fuss. He hasn’t killed you now, has he?
He could kill you with just a snap of his fingers…
” he brought up his hand and snapped his fingers.
My eyes widened. I knew he could kill with his magik, but I had Oryx around and while he was a pretentious asshole I didn’t think he would really do it. But he had Oryx with him now, and he had a history with the male I’ve fallen in love with.
I could be pushed away easily if Veylor twisted his magik around him.
Doubting thoughts twirled in my mind.
“I think I need to go for a walk.” I stood up and shook the scent of the mulch away. Benedict stood beside me and put his hand on my shoulder. “My Lord is generous. I know you haven’t seen his good side, but he does like you.”
I scoffed. “Yes, he’s been most welcoming and his throwing a whole cake in your face just proves how nice he is to you.”
Benedict chuckled and waved his hand. “Oh that? He is sexually frustrated. Two handsome creatures in the house and nowhere to put his…” Benedict pointed to his newly sewn on dick.
I pursed my lips and looked away. “You are positively disgusting.”
“All thanks to you and Lord Veylor,” he purred. “I got some use out of it the last two days. I had to make sure it could handle my minstrations before I used it on someone else.”
My eyebrows furrowed, and I turned my back to him. “For a manager of the house, you are vile.”
“I think it’s part of this brain.” He tapped his head. “The person I acquired this brain from has memories in it. He was quite perverted and horny I’m guessing. He did have a great sense of gardening and the production of ale that has come to use.”
If Oryx was a fae, or another creature before he was in this vessel, that would make sense for him to act more animal than what he was before. Since he had more animal than fae body parts, he would have lost all humanity or fae-anity.
“I am going to take a walk, alone if you don’t mind. I need to process.” I turned away and headed toward the south side of the estate. I hadn’t ventured there and the horses whinny called to me.
Benedict nodded and shoved the hoe deeper into the soil. “Just don’t leave the grounds. Can’t protect you beyond the stone wall. The protection ward doesn’t go that far.”
Of course, the estate would have a ward.
I walked around the mansion, house, whatever you wanted to call it.
The back was going to be another big project to take care of and I wouldn’t mind being a part of.
It sort of reminded me of the backyard of the funeral home.
Big open space and gravestones at every turn.
The flowers, vines, and bushes needed to be trimmed, but with a little TLC this place would look stunning, the perfect gothic paradise.
I continued along the path to the stables.
The horses whinnied in the back. I picked up my pace to see what these beasts looked like here.
Would they be different colors? Bigger? Smaller?
Would they be freaking unicorns? All these thoughts raced through my head, trying to keep out the thoughts of Veylor being a mass murderer with a heart trying to bring people back from the dead.
Did not want to bring ethics into that thought. He can do what he wants, that’s between him and the gods he is playing with.
The stable was painted a deep black, with striking crimson red trimmings to perfectly match the grandeur of the mansion—I wouldn’t see anything else.
As I stepped inside, I noticed that some areas of the wooden structure were in need of repair, with patches of raw wood peeking through.
Yet, as I walked further in, the flickering glow of candles and torches cast a warm light along the path, illuminating the two majestic horses standing in stalls parallel to each other.
They were gorgeous as the gentle flicker of the flames danced across their glossy coats.
They weren’t anything out of the ordinary. Beautiful black stallions, sharper noses than I would have thought, no horns on their foreheads but they were stunning, beautifully bred beasts. Their hair shined in the light and their eyes glowed as I came toward them.