Disclaimer: I don't own fairy tales but I do own the characters in this story.

again im sorry that i havent given any special thanks. I feel bad about it but i have so much to do. I promise i will do it before the story is over. --I really didn't feel like writing because I erased about 7 stories on accident and well I'm not in the best mood. But here you go.. i wont punish you all for my wrong doings *grin* -pink-sneakers85

Chapter 9: Calling You

Claira woke to the smell of grass and fresh flowers. Eleanor had come in and was airing out the place. The window was wide open allowing nature to make itself at home. She rubbed her eyes with her fists and sat up groggily.

'Good morning Claira. You slept late today.' Eleanor whispered not allowing any passers by in the hallway hear their conversation. Claira smiled and moved her covers away.

'I was up late watching William. Is there any word on his health?'

'No, I'm sorry to say there isn't.' Eleanor set down a pile of clothes.

'But here are your new gowns.' Claira picked up one of the nicest gowns she had ever seen. It was a light yellow with soft gold on the sleeves. It was cut rather low for her tastes but she wasn't about to argue.

'I didn't ask for any new gowns' She stated. She traced her finger along the elaborate pattern up the sleeves.

'Yes I know. Master Jonathan insisted on you having them. He wishes you to be most comfortable here. Since you are to be staying with us long.'

Claira set the gown down ontop of the other equally fashionable dresses.

'Yes Jonathan is quite the host isn't he.' Claira mumbled questioning his motives.

'He can't be all bad Miss Claira. We all have fights. Some are just more difficult than others.'

'I fear you are more trustworthy than me. I can't help but think there is something going on with Jonathan. Something deep and dark that he is hiding from the rest of us. I wish I could just be content but I cannot.'

'No Miss I didn't say be content. I just said he isn't all bad. He may seem that way but I think he's good at heart.' Claira glanced up at Eleanor's young face. Something told her to trust the girl. She nodded her head in submission.

'Well I have to be on my way. Master Jonathan asked me to get some flowers from the garden.'

'Oh may I come?!" Claira said springing up from her sitting position.

'If you wish. Just get dressed and I'll meet you down there.'

Claira wore the pale yellow dress she had grown so fond of before. She ran a brush through her hair so fast it caught every knot making her eyes glaze over with tears. She bound down the stairs and ran all the way to the garden. Eleanor was bent over some roses clipping every other one and laying them to her side in a whicker basket. Claira would of came straight to her side but she noticed something across the garden. A secret meeting with Jonathan and Rebecca. Rebecca seemed very angry so much that Claira actually felt some remorse for Jonathan. She decided it would be best not to be caught snooping so she walked over to Eleanor.

'I'm sorry Eleanor I didn't help at all but I wanted to go check on William.'

'No Miss it's fine. I'm in quite a hurry anyway. I'll see you later on then.'

Claira walked back in the palace and up to Williams room. He was breathing steady this alone gave her a small comfort. She sat down in the chair by his bed. It wasn't long before she heard foot steps behind her. She turned to see Jonathan strolling in as it were a dinner party. He offered her a gallant smile.

'Hello Miss. Abbingdale. Your looking lovely.'

'Thank-you very much. And thank-you for the dresses. They are really beautiful. You shouldn't have troubled yourself with presents for me.'

'I was just going to get the one, but found it very hard to choose.' He was bragging. Claira regonized his smug countenience using Henry Wellington as a model for all self-sufficient young men. She decided a change of subject would be the best way to go about this.

'William is doing remarkably. He seems better, does he not?' Claira looked over for reassurance.

'Oh yes. Not long ago this same thing happened to dear old William.'

'Really. How awful. What exactly happened?'

'He was on an outing with Rebecca and they happened to stray to far. You know how young lovers are constantly losing track of time. They didn't make it back in time. Rebecca wouldn't leave him and she was in shock for severel days as well.'

Jonathan glanced over to see the expression of Claira's face. He was hoping for sadness or even anger but neither were evident on her features.

'Well love binds you together.' Claira was busting inside. Rebecca and William young lovers. The very thought of it made her boil with anger. She refused to give in.

Jonathan glanced at his pocket watch.

'It seems I'm late for a meeting. I'm glad you liked your dresses.'

Claira nodded her head. Jonathan left the room shutting the door behind him. Claira was now allowed to express herself in any way she wanted but all she could do was turn to William. Turn to the one person she could talk to freely in this place and he was the one person that wouldn't answer back. She sat down in the chair and searched her mind for any possible reason he would lie to her. She came up empty handed.

*********

(the study)

'I told her what you told me to say.' Jonathan stopped infront of Rebecca. She was weareing a dark green It seemed to change colors with ever step. Jonathan stood his ground as she walked up to him studying his eyes for any weaknesses.

'And...'

'And she said "love binds you together."'

'The little wench. She is hiding something! You are compltely aware you have 7 days counting this one'

Jonathan didn't answer. He stared straight ahead like a soldier.

'answer me.' Jonathan was suddenly picked up in mid air and thrown across the floor. He grabbed his side wincing in pain. For severel seconds he found it hard to breathe.

'See that dear boy. That is nothing compared to what I will do with your precious Claira if you fail to meet your end of our deal. My powers are growing stronger every day. There is no stopping me now.'

Rebecca's voice seemed to grow deeper while saying this and her laugh sounded like the howls through a haunted house. She watched as Jonathan struggled to regain some sort of composure.

'I'm handling it..' He dropped on a couch completely exhausted just as Rebecca turned and walked away.

********

Claira watched on as William slept. She had vowed to spend the day with him. She wished she had stayed with him in the rain so she could be in a deep sleep as well. Instead of watching him, having no clue what was going on inside his head.

The night passed by slowly. Rebecca stayed the night in fear she might lose William. Jonathan sat in the study with his grandfather. The house was so quiet. The only sound was the wind whipping around the stone walls. At 3 in the morning after everyone had long gone to sleep there was a loud scream. William had sat up and was looking around frantically for something. Rebecca and Jonathan ran into the dark room. Rebecca had brought a candle shedding some light on the dark form that darted across the room. Soon a larger lamp was lit and William looked around at the faces one of them being Claira's. He stood up on shaky legs again looking around at everyone. Rebecca held out her hands for him but he couldn't keep his eyes from Claira.

He reached out and pulled her close. She didn't try to fight this. It would be a lie to say she didn't want it. She had dreamed that he would wake and want only for her. She wrapped her arms around him and soothed his matted hair. He was mumbling something under his breath, Claira felt tears stream down her cheeks. The salty water dripped onto her lips. She wanted to kiss him. To feel compltely safe but it felt as if she were being pulled from William's arms. Almost as if by magic she were being ripped away. She held on tighter and soon that feeling became less. William's arms still clung to her. His tears moistened her hair.

Rebecca's eyes seemed a dark shade of red shining like two pieces of coal. She looked over at Jonathan whose anger matched hers if not exceeded. She turned out the room. Jonathan soon followed.

William still held to Claira as if she were his life. His breathing had calmed a great deal and he seemed to be relaxing. He took her shoulders gently forcing her to hold his gaze.

'Your here'

'Of course. I would't leave you like that.'

'I thought you.. I didn't know. I thought you handn't made it back to the castle.'

Claira smiled and touched his moist cheek. He seemed so scared.

'I made it back. I was so worried for you. I should of stayed with you.'

'I told you to go'

'Yes but I should of stayed.'

She was now on the verge of tears finding it hard to fight them off. Willaim ran his fingers through her hair letting his palm cradle her face.

'I'm sorry'

'why are you sorry?'

'I didn't tell you about Rebecca.'

Claira bit her lip and looked down at her cream colored slippers.

'I should've really. I don't know why I didn't'

He let go of her and backed away. His cheeks were red with embarrassment.

'It's fine. It's not as if you were courting me. We were just friends. You don't have to tell me who and what your doing with your love life'

'She is not my love life.'

'But Jonathan said'

'What did Jonathan say?'

Claira paused for a moment.

'He said you and Rebecca were caught in the rain. He said you were in love and that is why she stayed with you.'

William's face grew even redder now. His eyes were dark and set towards the door.

'She would't let me go in'

'What are you saying?'

'She would't let me go in. She nearly broke my leg trying to keep out of the castle.'

'Why would she do that?'

'She is evil. Something is wrong with her. Something dark in her eyes. You've seen it. It's as if she isn't human.'

'Then why are you marrying her?'

'It's the only way my mother will recover.'

'What does Rebecca have to do with your mother recovering?'

'I don't know' William ran his hands over his face and fell back on his bed. Claira watched as he sat back up studyin her for some explanation.

'How do you know it will help?'

'It has to. I'm the last one.'

'Last what?'

'Last heir'

'What about Jonathan? '

'He isn't by blood. We found him in the village long ago.'

'So you marrying Rebecca is to make your mother better. Jonathan isn't really your brother and your a prince. I've learned so much these past few days I don't know what I'm going to do with it all.'

Claira sat down in the old chair and closed her eyes. William watched her from his place on the bed.

'My mother has been sick for years. We have called on every doctor and magician we can find and nothing. When I was 13 years old I was visiting a carnival with my father and we stumbled across this little tent. My father took me inside and I had my fortune read by this old woman. She talked about my mother being sick and then she told me that I was to marry by my 21st birthday to Rebecca Burlington. I didn't even know Rebecca then but no later than 5 months did she come our way. Father was desperate for my mother so he agreed and soon we were engaged. My mother is still sick and that is why I must marry Rebecca. It has to be true. How else would all of that happened?'

'Rebecca told me your parents decided you were to get married when you were babies.'

'She lies about it all the time. She wants people to think it's an actual proper planned marriage.'

'I haven't seen your mother or father.'

'I haven't seen father since he agreed to my marrying Rebecca. My mother is.. Come with me.'

* * * *

I know this is mostly dialogue but I wanted you to know more about how Rebecca came to be William's fiance and why Jonathan being the older one wasn't in line for the crown. There isn't going to be very many chapters left because It's almost the end. maybe like 3 or 4 more. Next chapter you will meet Will's mother and some other interesting things. Now what kinda fairy tale would this be without a big party so thats on its way. Oh the surprises in store for you!! lol -PINK-SNEAKERS85