Author's message: I'm so sorry for this really late update! I've been busy with work and my personal life needed some tlc as well but I'm back and will be posting the rest of this fanfiction. Thank you guys for being patient and I hope you enjoy :) Please dont forget to follow/favorite this fanfic and leave a review/comment!
Chapter 49
"Maybe I could escape and try to find Dumbledore during Abraxas' wedding?" I thought, "No… it would be heavily attended by death eaters… I'll be watched… Maybe I could send an owl… Ugh! But how do I get an owl here!?"
As I sat on the rug with my daughter, I glanced over my son who had offered to do the dishes after lunch. He was scrubbing away while Valentine sat on the couch preoccupying herself with her nails. Valentine was still posted as our guardian/bodyguard, which I still didn't quite understand. My son could have been a better guard than she. Her magic wasn't really the most powerful and she wasn't exactly the smartest person… it only convinced me even more that Tom had assigned her to spite me. I looked back at my daughter and caught the ring that was still around my finger. Ever since Tom placed a curse on this ring, I haven't been able to take it off or use magic. I even noticed a slight discoloration on the skin surrounding the ring in addition to a stinging pain, which was growing everyday. I had tried multiple times to get the ring off but all ended in failure. I felt fear sweep over me when I started to question what would happen if the discoloration spread…
I heard a sudden sound from the front door, the sound of someone apparating. I tensed up when I realized who had come home… a little too early. Marvolo quickly stopped what he was doing and hastily wiped his hands on his jeans. Tom never liked the idea of Marvolo doing casual chores around the house… that was my job.
"You may go, Valentine," Tom announced as he and my brother walked in. Valentine's face lit up when Tom addressed her by her first name. she quickly stood up with a big grin and curtsied at Tom before uttering a "yes, my lord." Then walking out of the door and apparating away.
"You're home early," I commented as I picked up Leandra and placed her in her crib.
"Marvolo, gather your things," Tom commanded ignoring me. My full body went on defense mode as he soon as he spoke those words.
"What do you mean? He's not scheduled for training today," I said as I made my way to my son and protectively stood in front of him.
"Don't make this more difficult than it has to be," Romulus said with pleading eyes. It was then I realized my worst nightmare was just about to unfold before my eyes. Without magic, I knew I couldn't defend us but I was not about to hand over my son without a fight.
"Darling, Romulus has just graciously offered to train our son one on one. It would do him good, love," Tom said in his most charismatic tone of voice I had heard in a while.
"Tom, if you think for even a second I am about to hand over my son, you are gravely mistaken. I see no point in sending off my child when you can train him perfectly fine under my watch," I said.
"You see, love, that's the problem. You have made him weak. He needs a more conducive environment for his training."
"You mean more heartless and cruel," I retorted. I was calmed by a hand landing on my shoulder. I turned to face my son.
"Mother, it's okay," he said. My eyes widened at his willingness.
"No, it is not!" I exclaimed.
"You see, love, even the child sees the benefit," Tom said.
"Mother, please… I'll come back. I promise." I immediately turned to my son and grasped his shoulders.
"Stop this, Marvolo. You are not going and that is final," I said sternly. However, the moment I caught his eyes, I realized there was a large layer of sadness and sorrow covering them.
"Mom… I can't…," and his eyes suddenly turned away. I realized at that moment why he so easily gave in. I was magicless, his sister even more so… he knew the only way we could get out of this was him. I slowly turned to the two men and saw both their wands in their hands ready to force us apart. I gulped as I tried to push down my maternal instincts.
"How long?" I asked.
"A year should be sufficient time," Tom said.
"3 month the most," I argued. Tom raised a brow at my request.
"I'll run an assessment in 6 months and determine if he needs more time," Tom offered. I was surprised at his sudden willingness to negotiate and I knew this was probably the most I would get out of him so I slowly and regretfully nodded my head. Marvolo took this cue to head upstairs and start packing. Romulus offered to help leaving Tom and I in the living room.
"Why must you take my son?" I asked, "Haven't you already taken so much from me?"
"Oh but you have so much more to offer me, my love," he sneered.
"Cut the crap, Tom. I'm tired of you talking to me like some wounded animal."
"Aren't you one though?" I was thrown off by his blunt response, "Eliana… you should know by now that acting all high and mighty will only do more harm than good so why don't you go back to your meek little self and be a good wife." He said as he walked closer to me until we were only inches apart. I made sure to stand my ground stare at him dead in the eyes. It was painful to look into the eyes of the man I had loved and see only emptiness… like his personality; it sucked every bit of your soul out of you.
"Tom, if you ever hurt my son, I will do everything I can to make sure you suffer a fate worse than death," I threatened to which he just grinned and sneakered.
"I do love how feisty you get and just so you understand, there is nothing worse than death and that so happens to be my specialty," he said hauntingly. Just then, Marvolo and Romulus walked down the steps. Marvolo had on his backpack while Romulus carried his luggage. I quickly walked over to the pair and held my son tight.
"Don't forget what I've taught you. Be strong," I whispered to him and I held him for as long as I could. I slowly let him go and faced my brother.
"You will thank me one day," he said. I caught a glimpse of emotions I hadn't seen in my brother for a long time; worry, remorseful and fear… I'm not sure what Tom's plans were but the look on my brother's eyes made me slightly believe his statement. He cared about my son…he knew things I didn't… perhaps this is for the best but I knew I was probably just hoping for too much.
"Take care of him," I told my brother sternly. I nodded his head and the two headed for the door. I turned and saw Tom and Romulus exchange a knowing glance, which made my heart drop. Terrible possibilities started going through my head but before I could act, Romulus apparated himself and my son away. I was left standing at the bottom of the staircase with a sick feeling in my stomach.
"Tom… I love my son. If death is the worst fate, I promise to kill you if he anything happens to him," I said with all the hatred I had in my body. My jaw tensed and I felt an unwavering amount of energy surge through my body. Tom froze in his spot with his brows furrowed. He looked… agitated. But he quickly composed himself and went back to his charismatic grin before retiring to our bedroom. I was snapped out of my thoughts when Leandra started crying. I felt the wave of energy leave me and I rushed to console my baby. I had too many questions still lingering in my head that I needed answers to; why did Tom need another child… a son? When did he choose now to take Marvolo? What did Romulus know that I didn't? Why did Tom suddenly look scared at my threat? And how the hell was I going to take my children away from this hell hole!?
