I'm starting to bring it all together…
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Chapter 19
Answers with Questions
"Did you get everything you need?" Yugi asked Kaiba as they walked across the parking lot to the car. "I wish I could have kept the receptionist away longer, but she's a dedicated worker and after the autographs and…" Yugi stopped and frowned. "What did you find out? You look more annoyed than usual."
Kaiba opened the car door and slid inside, followed quickly by Yugi. Honestly, he really didn't care to tell Yugi anything about this. Hell, they were still rivals right? Something was different though. If Yugi saw him as a rival—would he stick out his neck so easily? Yugi could have been in trouble as well—stealing hospital records was against the law—he was an accomplice. It was only fair to let him know—just enough.
"Alexandra, Iolite's mother, died quite young. I thought, at first, it was some illness, but now I know it was a car accident. Iolite was only three when Alexandra met a very premature death. I don't think Iolite remembers much about her mother at all." Kaiba pulled out the files and rifled through them quickly. Not completely sure what he was looking for to show Yugi.
The records told of the trauma, the wounds, what treatment was administered in the field and what was done at the hospital. He frowned and shook his head. Handing the folders to Yugi, he started the car.
"You have two files here Kaiba," Yugi looked at the name on the other folder in confusion. "Who is this…?" Yugi flipped through the file and frowned as he noticed contusions and various injuries to the man. It was almost as if…
"He had to have been in the car with her, though in the official records she was listed as being alone." Kaiba offered. "I had a feeling that something was very wrong and quite covered up, but now I think I found my proof."
"But who is he?" Yugi asked as he flipped through the file. "He wasn't brought in with her, what makes you think? I mean if he had been in the car he would have had to come in on an ambulance right after Alexandra. This makes no sense, he arrived an hour before her."
"He had help." Kaiba stated dryly as they drove the back roads to the cottage. He now had his proof, and he knew who the help was, at least he had major suspicions. The motive was there, he just had to make sure the timing was there as well. "I believe his being hurt was an accident. It was also the reason why help was delayed in getting to Alexandra. It had to seem like the two events had nothing in common."
Yugi continued to flip through the file, "Alexandra was never going to live through this accident. She was all but dead when she arrived at the hospital, there are doctor notes here telling of how they attempted to resuscitate several times. There was so much damage to her…" Yugi scanned the pages grimly.
"It was no accident. It was murder and I know why. It took me awhile to figure it all out, but now that I have I hope everything can be set right again." Kaiba stated.
Yugi nodded solemnly. "It isn't fair that Iolite had to lose her mother at such a young age. It's cruel that Alexandra was stolen from a world that never had a chance to know her. The people must have been in such turmoil when she died. It's lucky King Edward was there—at least he managed to keep the kingdom running, and Marguerite helped with raising Iolite as best she could."
"I have questions for Marguerite, my main one is why she didn't accept the throne." Kaiba growled as he took a corner too fast and sent gravel sputtering off the road.
"What do you mean?" Yugi asked. "King Edward had the throne at that point. When the Queen died—the king took over. That's how it's supposed to be."
"Not in Valkaria." Kaiba frowned. "For centuries a female has always taken the crown, and her daughter was the successor. The male heir was skipped over. Rightfully Marguerite should have taken the crown when Alexandra died. Edward shouldn't have ascended the throne. It would have gone to Iolite if she was of age, but at three—it wasn't possible. Then, when King Edward tried to pass his crown to his brother—someone with no alliance or bloodline to the monarchy—Marguerite failed to step up once again. Edward was afraid of Aron taking over, seeing as Marguerite broke with tradition. Iolite's Aunt set a precedent when she turned down her rights and allowed a male to step up. Edward was terrified of Aron gaining power—his sons are both lacking sensibility and morals. However, when Edward abdicated, Aron pulled rank—being of full blood and laid claim. Edward set this whole mess in motion, but Marguerite had several opportunites to set things to right. No, I'm not sure what happens." Kaiba frowned and paused, "Unless I'm missing something vital…"
Yugi sat there and stared at Kaiba in awe. "You found all of this out when?"
Seto Kaiba scoffed, "I've been researching this family since day one."
Not another word was said as they sped off to the cottage.
"Will she be all right?" Marguerite asked the attending physician.
He nodded solemnly as he walked out of the room where Iolite was being worked on.
"She needed quite a few stitches and she looks like hell, but she'll be fine. I want to keep her here, at least overnight." He explained to a now smiling Marguerite.
Suddenly the smile died on Marguerite's face, "He didn't rape her, did he?"
The doctor shook his head. "She wasn't raped, but we will be processing the scrapings under her nails, and documenting her injuries—it will provide proof that she fought like a wildcat against that demon who attacked her. Where is her husband? She keeps asking for him."
Marguerite smiled weakly, "they're trying to locate him. I hope they find him soon."
"The nurses are cleaning her up and as soon as they're done we'll move her into the private wing of the hospital. I think she'll be more comfortable there, and your security staff can be better provided for." The doctor smiled and patted her arm, "She'll recover physically and hopefully all of you can take care of the mental part. She was quite traumatized…"
Marguerite looked pensively up at the doctor, "May I see her?"
He shook his head, "When she's taken to her room. Right now she's being well taken care of. Let the nurses and staff get her comfortable." As an after thought he added, "You may want to bring her some clothes to be more comfortable in—her clothes are evidence and pretty much shredded."
Marguerite nodded and turned to one of the men flanking her. "Call the house and tell one of the staff to pack for Iolite—essentials and clothing, especially something she can be comfortable in. Also, see if you can get more of the guards here quickly. I don't want her brothers near her." She shuddered when she thought of how her nephews would love to torment Iolite in this place, which could almost double as a prison.
"What about Edward?" The guard asked.
"I will contact him and let him know." She looked at the guard and nearly growled, "And see if you can't find her absent husband!"
The man smiled, "Don't worry, Princess Marguerite—Raine is waiting for Seto Kaiba at the cottage. They will fly here by copter once Mr. Kaiba arrives."
Marguerite watched a gurney being pushed from the exam room. Several guards fell in beside the moving bed. Marguerite rushed over to it and grabbed the weak hand of Iolite.
"Does Seto know?" The girl asked weakly, clutching her Aunt's hand as she watched the IV drip into her bruised arm.
Marguerite stroked back Iolite's hair and smiled down on her. "Raine is going to tell him and bring him here. Don't worry, he'll be coming soon."
Iolite smiled at her Aunt. She hoped she could fight the sedatives long enough to talk to Seto. She simply had to be the one to explain, once again, she had screwed everything up. Hopefully he would forgive her once more—if not, she would lose him this time.
Raine waited in the cottage, pacing the floors and being updated constantly through his cell. The helicopter was waiting. As soon as Kaiba arrived, they would take off together for the hospital. Tea was taking very good care of Mokuba, who was told Iolite was simply not feeling good. He couldn't see worrying the boy at this point; besides, he knew Kaiba would rather explain things to his younger brother.
Kaiba pulled up in the long driveway and raised an eyebrow. He could see people rushing about—and the guards weren't in the correct places. What the hell was going on? His heart slammed into his ribs. His first thought…Iolite.
He raced from the car and up the long steps, grabbing the first guard he could.
"Where is my wife?" He asked in a growl, ready to kill the messenger.
Raine rushed out quickly, "Kaiba! Let him go. She's alive and well." Raine told him as the guard fell to his knees.
"There was trouble, Iolite was attacked by Conner." Raine explained slowly and in an even voice. "She is fine…I assure you…" Raine had to keep repeating that.
Kaiba's mind raced even as Raine explained everything that had happened. His mind raced with so many questions. Where were the guards? Where was her protection, and most of all—where was he? He should have been there, right beside her—keeping her as safe as possible. Why had he left her safety in the hands of incompetent people? When had he ever trusted anyone to guard what was his? Iolite was his, completely his. She belonged to him, just as he realized—he belonged to her.
"Where is she?" He asked in a rough voice, his hands shaking even as his hands balled into fists.
"The helicopter is prepared to take us to the hospital, we can leave immediately." Raine explained to him. "You'll have just enough time to practice."
Kaiba looked up at him, "Practice?" Kaiba asked in a low tone as they got into the helicopter.
"Practice telling Iolite you love her," Raine explained with a certain air of smugness. "I do believe she deserves it."
Kaiba nodded once and looked at Raine, "If Conner were alive—you do know I would kill him." It was a deadly threat, spoken in monotone—devoid of any emotion. It left no question that he would have, in fact, ripped Conner to shreds.
Iolite settled into the window seat of the lush and expansive hospital room. "I suppose being royalty has its perks." She sighed.
"You would be so much more comfortable in the bed," Marguerite explained as she covered her niece with a blanket, and adjusted the pillow behind her back. "You do need some rest."
"If I lay in that bed I'll fall asleep, and right now I have to remain conscious long enough for Seto to see I'm all right. I don't know what the doctor gave me, but I feel as if I close my eyes—I may not be able to open them." She rubbed her temples, in an attempt to clear her head, and looked out the window feeling a little bleary and quite weak.
"He should be here in a matter of minutes. Raine called and let me know they were taking off in the helicopter. Tea and Yugi are there, at the cottage, with Mokuba. Everyone is safe Iolite…" She stroked the girl's hair, noticing all of the tangles and dried blood. She had been through hell, and now she just needed one thing—Seto Kaiba.
"Do you think he'll be very mad at me? I mean—I broke my promise again. I told him I wouldn't do anything foolish…and then I baited Conner." Picking up a lock of her hair, she began to twirl it in her fingers.
"As much of an ass as he can be, I doubt you'll be yelled at anytime soon. In fact, I have a feeling now would be a good time for you to ask for anything, anything at all—he'll hand it to you on a silver platter." Marguerite smiled as Iolite watched the sun beginning to set.
"She's comfortable," Marguerite, smiled at Kaiba as he approached the door. "Prepare yourself, she looks a lot worse than she actually is. And don't yell at her, she is terrified you'll be very angry. The doctors gave her a sedative a while ago—she has been fighting it so she could see you. Iolite is exhausted, but she refused to sleep before she could calm you down."
Kaiba let Marguerite finish and then he pushed the door open. There was his wife, straight ahead of him, attached to an IV, sitting in the window seat—as the last flames from the sun set her on fire with light.
She's alive…she's alive…she's alive…He repeated the words in his mind over and over, repeatedly.
Iolite looked at him and smiled, "I'm alive." It was a whispered affirmation. She wasn't even sure if he was aware he was saying the words aloud.
He approached her quickly, but then stopped. He didn't know where to touch her where it wouldn't hurt. The face he was so familiar with was bruised quite badly; her right cheek bore an ugly bruise that was steadily blackening as her eye was swelling shut. Her other eye was red, but unbruised. The chin, which usually lifted in defiance, was red and slowly turning purple. There were marks and contusions on her neck and shoulders, scratches on her skin, her nails were ragged and clipped short now. He winced, what horrors she had to endure. Without thinking he slipped one arm under her knees and the other around her back, quickly he lifted her in his arms.
For a few moments he simply held her and took deep breaths. The soft scent of her shampoo still lingered slightly, even though the smell of antiseptic and hospital tried to drown it out. Iolite was warm and sighed in his arms.
"Seto…I'm so sorry…" She managed, even as tears trickled down her cheeks. "I hope you can forgive me. The scandal will be awful, I killed him…"
His lips pressed to her forehead, her skin was warm. She was alive and safe and in his arms.
"You should be in bed," he finally managed, but remained frozen in place—holding her and breathing in her essence. What if she would have died? What if the last thing she had taken from this Earth would have been terror? He would have never forgiven himself.
"If I lay in bed I'll sleep, and right now all I want is you," she mumbled against his neck. "Promise you don't hate me…please."
Seto held her to him tighter, "You're my wife, though you drive me insane on most days, I could never hate you."
"But Conner, I killed him. You told me to not put myself in jeopardy, and Raine wouldn't let me…and yet…I was trying to get the truth from him, but I had no back up…and he tried…he tried…to take what's only yours Seto…" She was rambling, and he realized he was hushing her, trying to soothe her like a child.
"All that matters is you're safe, and alive, and he's lucky he's dead. I will be dealing with your Aunt shortly. You just need to stay safe and rest and recover." He kissed her forehead soundly, letting his lips linger against her skin.
"You don't hate me?" she asked as she looked up at him.
"Once again, you're my wife, you try my patience, but you have never given me a reason to hate you." He explained, feeling himself starting to relax as her words washed over him. She had put herself in harm's way. He almost laughed, she would insist on doing this often—regardless of what he said or did. Trouble seemed to come easy to her.
He walked to the bed and placed her in it gently. Reaching out quickly, she grabbed his wrist. "Don't leave me…"
He leaned in and caught her lips gently. "I'm going no where."
Slowly, he removed his shoes, and then his jacket—tossing it over a chair. Moving over on the bed, she smiled up at him as best she could—her whole face hurt. He moved lithely in the bed, and pulled her to him as gently as possible. Cradling her body against his, she sighed against his neck. Quickly she began to drift off to sleep.
"I'm sorry I failed you Iolite," he whispered. Her even breathing soothed him quickly. "I won't fail you in the future, never again." Fingers, so well trained on keyboards, stroked slowly through her tangled hair. "I admire your wild streak. I won't tame you, but I will heal you and I will love you. I think I always have." He pressed his lips against her skin.
A/N: Please review…thanks! I did respond to all the reviews. Thank you all so much. If you don't see the responses here...it is because they are on my profile page. I only let them stay here until my profile page refreshens... So, if not here...and you're interested...they are there... Thanks again!
KaiKaiCutie: I haven't stopped writing this story and I won't. Life was a bit complicated, but hopefully I will be updating soon again. Things are heating up and pieces are falling into place now. The plot will reveal itself now. Glad you liked it and thank you for reviewing.
Peachi Goddess: Thank you so much for your support. I do love this story. I always have. Thank you for all of your compliments and I do believe the last chapter was rather intense. Hopefully, this chapter was just as good…on a different level. Thank you very much for reviewing!
Darklight03: Yes, Conner is awful, but thankfully he's gone now. Never cry, I may get side tracked, but I will never abandon and hopefully life will let me update quicker. Thank you for reviewing!
Ceylanyx: That is a great compliment! You almost started crying? I don't wish to make anyone cry, but I did want an emotional response—thank you for telling me! Hopefully the next update will be up soon. Thank you for reviewing!
Wara: I won't abandon it. I have too many unanswered questions and I would never leave my readers hanging for too long. Thank you for reviewing and I'm glad you found it.
Anya-06: Thank you so much for reviewing! Iolite does go through heck most of the time, but thankfully Seto is figuring things out… Hopefully when all the pieces fall into place they will have a happily ever after.
BA de Danone: Thanks, I'm glad you think the story is great. Thanks for reviewing, I always try to update quickly, though I don't always succeed thanks to life intruding.
Charlie's rogue angel: I didn't like Conner much either, and the twists of a story are such fun. I will see this story through to the very end. Don't worry. And Aunt Gertrude will get hers too…
Even Tstar: Awww Thanks! I'm so glad you like it enough that you want to see the story continued. I won't give up on it now for sure. I must confess I'm a shadow reader as well at times. I will excuse your creative punctuation if you excuse mine at times. I do try to keep my plot interesting and round out my characters, and I try very hard to get Kaiba and the gang IC. College is better this semester, and if I can stay healthy for a week or two I maybe able to write more frequently. Thank you so much for voicing your opinion. I appreciate it.
Wishinstahhz: Yes, Conner had no right to live, or if he did—he deserved prison for sure. I'm glad you're happy he's gone—ad so am I. College is easier this semester so barring further illness (I have been so ill lately with the flu and such…) this should be updated with more regularity. Thank you so much for reviewing!
Sarah: Seto will take care of Iolite as well as everyone else who cares about her. Seto is putting all the pieces together and soon will have her safe as a kitten. Thank you for reviewing!
Doesn't Matter: I'm so thrilled it's one of your favorites! I'm glad you like the story line and the characters. I do try to keep them all believable and the plot interesting. Thank you for all the compliments. It means a lot to know people appreciate my story! Thank you so much for reviewing!
Maya: I'm so thrilled you like Iolite, I did try to give her a spark and make her a dynamic character, as opposed to a complete spitfire or sap. You now know quite a bit of what Kaiba knows, however, I don't think he would tell Yugi everything—though he is beginning to trust Yugi a lot more. The other file was briefly hit upon, but the name wasn't divulged. That should be cleared up soon. Their ages are now approximately Kaiba at 20/21 and Iolite 19/20. Right around there. They have to be older to be married legally. I won't be stopping, and hopefully my updates will be less sporadic. And yes, nice things said twice are always nicer. Thank you for all of your wonderful comments and compliments…and especially for reviewing!
Blade Wolfric: Thank you so much, I'm glad you love it. Thank you for your compliments and for reviewing. I appreciate it greatly! I will continue it…and just did…