- The disclaimer is in chapter one, blah, blah, blah, blah, etc.
- To my reviewers, thank you so much. You make my writing a pleasure.
Chapter 8
"You cannot do this" George protested.
"Why not?" he fell to the ground, writhing in pain from the guard's punch to his stomach.
"Lord Danubis, what my colleague was attempting to say is that Veronica is otherwise engaged to another and though you're a catch for any woman, perhaps Veronica is not the right woman for you" Marguerite flirted
If the guards had not been there, John would have pinned the man the floor and given him a few bruises for the look he had in his eyes.
"I've heard much about you, Miss Krux. Your offer is tempting, but no" Marguerite was pushed back to George and John.
"Now what?" Finn asked.
"I don't know"
They sat in the jail cell for several hours, uncertain of their future.
"You, Lord Danubis wishes to see you" the cell door slammed behind Marguerite as the guards escorted her away.
"Marguerite!"
Mouthing, "I'll be fine" she disappeared.
"You wish to see me, Lord Danubis?" Marguerite put on her most charming smile.
"I have considered your offer, Miss Krux and I think we might come to a compromise".
"What kind of compromise?".
"Veronica still needs convincing that I am her destined bridegroom. You will convince her".
"We both know what Veronica can be stubborn" A plan was already forming in her mind.
"She is too stubborn for my taste. I've always liked my women on the demure side. Not only will I set you and your friends free, but also you will be treated as my honored guests. That is, if you can convince Veronica and her mother to accept me into their family".
"What if she says no?" Marguerite asked.
"Then by sunset tomorrow night, you will all be dead".
"As you wish my lord. I shall try. Perhaps, if Veronica remains stubborn, then I may take her place?" Marguerite offered.
"No, my destiny lies with the Protector" Marguerite breathed a sigh of relief, out of all the men she had met in her life; this man was one of the worst.
"As you wish" she was escorted out of the throne room.
"You don't expect me to marry him" After all they had been through, Marguerite was returning to her old ways.
"We both it's the best. Ned is a boy, you need a man" Marguerite pointed to the door, indicating that Danubis was listening outside.
"No, Marguerite, I love Ned, I promised to marry him".
"I guess your right. I am the protector's daughter" Veronica's voice projected into the hallway, where Danubis eagerly listened on the women's conversation.
"Milady, Lord Danubis offers you wine from his private collection as a symbol of peace and he hopes that you might drink it with him as a toast to your upcoming marriage. He also invites you and your companions to a banquet tonight in honor of your forthcoming marriage" The servant quietly stepped into the room.
"Please inform Lord Danubis that Lady Veronica thanks him for the wine, but she would prefer to remain in solitary until this evening, only to prepare for the banquet".
"As you wish" the servant exited.
"Mmm, delicious wine" If Veronica needed a little convincing, the wine would do it. Made from the juice of the guava berry, it gave the non-drinker control over the drinker through the juice's mind controlling abilities.
Marguerite and Veronica watched as the wine disappeared into the plant.
"My lord, Veronica thanks for the wine and we shall see you tonight" Marguerite poked her head outside of the door.
Challenger, Abigail, Roxton and Finn were released and escorted to Veronica's room where Marguerite and Veronica showed him the wine that Danubis had insisted that Veronica drink.
"Doesn't smell like any wine I've ever tasted" John observed.
"If only I was in my lab" George bemoaned.
"I have an idea" Veronica pulled on the cord as the same servant who poured the wine appeared.
"What kind of wine is this?" Veronica asked sweetly.
"It is made from the Guava berry, a personal favorite of Lord Danubis. Shall I get some more for your guests?".
"No thank you, inform my lord that we shall see him at dinner".
"As you wish, milady" the servant disappeared.
"Guava berry, why does that sound familiar?".
"My father spoke of it, he warned me of it's mind controlling abilities on the drinker," Veronica remembered.
"I have an idea" it was as if a light had turned on in George's head.
"My lord" Veronica bowed low, giving him an eyeful of her pushed up bosom.
Marguerite was right, even a half mortal male could not resist the view Danubis was offered.
"My lady" he offered her his arm.
"I do apologize for my behavior these past few days, perhaps I could have been more civilized".
"And I might have been too stubborn".
Taking his arm, Veronica let him escort her to the table as the others followed behind them.
As they were seated, the servants charged forward, filling their cups and their plates.
"To my bride, may we be blessed with a happy marriage and many children" Danubis toasted.
"Here, here".
"And to all of you, may we be life long friends" aware of the mind controlling ability of the wine, they drank slowly and in small sips, making it look like they were unaware of the powerful drug contained in the juice.
"Is this wine made from the guava berry?" George asked.
"Yes it is. Are you familiar with botany?" Danubis was intrigued by the Professor's question.
"My knowledge regarding botany is limited, though my colleague Arthur Summerlee was considered an expert in the field. But I have heard that if pressed the right way, one can manipulate the minds of those around them who have drunk the juice of the berry" George pressed nonchalantly.
"It's not so much how you press it, but the mind control in the seed. You see, the chemicals are located in the seed. In order to take advantage of the plant's mind controlling powers, the seed must be boiled in hot water separate from the juice. Once the shell of the seed has disappeared, the chemicals have been absorbed and water cooled, then the juice and chemical is mixed".
Hours later, the party dispersed.
Veronica let Danubis escort her to her door.
"Until tomorrow, my lord".
"Until then" she closed the door behind her.
"My lord" the servant bowed low as Veronica dissapeared behind the door.
"Did you do as I asked?".
"Exactly as you commanded".
Veronica would be his bride whether she wanted to or not.
I'm sorry about another lousy chapter, but I had to move the story along. So even if you agree that its not my best, please send a review, I need one. I apologize for the long time between chapters, I've been given a promotion and in the process of training my replacement, I must give up my writing and my new job will not allow time for writing.