Chapter 4

Darcy

I opened the door for Elizabeth and we headed back into the drawing room. I noticed Fitz pointing out something in a book to Lydia that they were both looking at and he was leaning a little too close to her. From what I have seen so far they both are too much of a flirt for this to end properly. I'll have to remind Fitz later that she is only 16, It would be like flirting with Georgie. I'm sure I would get a glare from that kind of remark.

I then noticed Mary reading in the corner and Kitty embroidering something by the window. Then I glanced over to Charles and Jane that seemed to not have moved since we left. Deep in conversation. Charles could not do better then Jane Bennet. Already proving her worth in her Truth Telling gift and ability to quickly calm her sisters. Her file also mentioned a cloaking gift and wind power, which we saw demonstrated earlier with her impressive tornado. My guess was there were more gifts we have yet to see from all of the sisters. She seemed a little reserved. But I quickly reminded myself we were not suitors here for a call and mere minutes ago they thought we were the enemy. I glanced back at Elizabeth who moved over by Jane and Charles.

Then I was suddenly reminded of what had happened outside. I excused myself and moved to a side room. Thankfully it had a lock on the door. I made quick work of undoing my cravat and unbuttoning my shirt. I hesitated for a moment, if nothing was there- what was that? I gathered up my courage and looked down towards the skin right above where my heart was.

There it was a Soulmark.

It was a outline of an ornate tree with every limb and root well defined. It was miraculous. I rubbed my thumb over it and it felt like my normal skin. Like it had always been there.

I had only seen one other in my life. That of my fathers. It was an outline of a leaf with defined intricate veins that ran all the way through it. I was told it matched my mothers, though I never saw it fully. Only the top of it when she wore her fancier gowns.

Elizabeth Bennet was my soulmate.

I still can't believe it. I should have realized sooner with how drawn I had been to her.

Mage Soulmates are extremely rare. It's even more rare to actually find your Soulmate.

I can't believe I found her. Or that I even have one. I always hoped I would since my parents were. But they are just so rare. Also I was now Eight and Twenty and up till now have never met a woman that I could truly respect. There was always something lacking.

But once I saw Elizabeth, nothing else could compare to the powerful goddess.

But how to talk to her about this? She clearly has mixed feelings about me. She was not ready to discuss it a moment ago. But maybe we would get a chance before we leave. If anything we do have the privacy of being able to speak telepathically. Might be easier to get the words out actually.

I know I have wasted too long of time and someone will be sent to find me soon. Hoping that I will be able to tie my cravat as expertly as Maxford my valet always does.

As soon as I come back into the room, I am ushered back out with Elizabeth's words.

"Gentleman, can you give us ladies a moment?" Elizabeth said as calmly as she could.

Elizabeth

My heart was about to bust out of my rib cage. What was that?

Clearly something happened. I so desperately wanted to slip out without anyone notice to see if something was there, but I see Mr. Darcy beat me to it and left by himself.

A long time passed before he came back in, but I can't let myself actually look at him. Even though I felt it as clear as day. He saw something. I felt him urging me to look up at him.

But I couldn't. Not now. This was not the time to face whatever this was between us.

So I quickly told the men to give me and my sisters time to discuss.

I watched the men walk outside and then looked at all my sisters.

I wanted to tell my sisters about what happened, but since I had no clue what that even was. I just could not even form the words. Again I pushed those thoughts down and focus on what was at hand.

"Mr. Darcy has given me the idea, that if we go and help in the Capitol it would give us the ability and the help we need to look for the murderers."

Mixed emotions passed over all my sisters faces.

"You think they would let us help with the investigation?" Lydia asked almost bouncing in her seat so ready to help anyway she could.

"Mr. Darcy also suffered from his parents being murdered. He went to work for the Capitol soon after and was able to find the murderer."

Mary looked up from her book suddenly with a quizzical look on her face. "Don't you feel that it's a strange coincidence. It feels almost like the Capitol is doing it on purpose as a way to get powerful Mage's to work for them."

"I had the same thought as well. But even so, I believe we can use them to help us find the murderers- even if we realize it was the Capitol who is guilty. At least we would know! If we stay here we have to face Collins and risk having no home at all. Why not go to the Capitol and hunt these people down! It's clear to me now that wherever we are, here or the Capitol, there will be people we can't trust."

I looked at my all my sisters trying to gauge their reaction.

I could tell Lydia was immediately in, she had been yearning for an adventure like this since she was tiny. The small walls of Hertfordshire was never going to be able to contain her.

Kitty was on the fence, happy to follow us wherever we go. But a little unsure of the unknown.

Jane was ready to go to the Capitol, but she didn't have the blood lust of hunting down our parents murderers like I do. Don't get me wrong, she wants justice. But more then that she just wants a normal life as possible. I could already see in her eyes she was hoping she might have found that in Mr. Bingley.

Mary was not convinced. She was a home body and could not fathom leaving her childhood home. Also one of her biggest gifts was controlling animals, so how would she be able to do that in the Capitol where animals were not free to roam.

"Lydia, Kitty- please go get the men outside I think we have more questions for them." I said hoping Mary would be open to hearing them out more.

Mary nodded in acceptance and Lydia and Kitty headed out the side door.

Darcy

We walked outside and Charles and Fitz seemed unsure what we should do.

At the same time I was trying my hardest not to reveal that my life had changed drastically in the last hour. I wanted to talk to them both about it, hear their thoughts on how to broach the subject. But I knew in this situation I will need to discuss it first with Elizabeth. If she would even just look at me…

"Let's look around the estate. Maybe we can see signs of the murders."

"I was not aware we were sent here for that, Darce."

"Right, but we told them we were here to help and I know this is one way we can help."

Fitz nodded and Charles just shrugged his shoulders.

We rounded the corner of the estate and started familiarizing are self with the estate as a whole. It was not large by any means and it was in major need of repairs. But it did have a sweet charm to the place.

"So can we just take a moment and talk about how amazing these women are?"

It didn't surprise me at all that Fitz was the first one to bring this up.

"I completely agree. Miss Bennet is the most beautiful woman I have ever beheld! Did you both see her touch my chest? I almost couldn't breathe. My god! She must be an Angel!"

Me and Fitz can't help the snicker that came out from both of us.

"Yeah we can only imagine what was all going through your head."

"I unfortunately made the mistake of listening in at that moment, thinking she might pass on some important information non verbally. Sadly I don't have to imagine his thoughts."

I let out a shutter and Fitz busted out laughing. Charles just shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

"I know you both would have had way more impure thoughts then mine."

Charles raised his eyebrows and stared at Fitz.

That's true. I learned a long time ago to never read Fitz mind while he was talking to a woman. He gets way more graphic then I needed to know. Or anyone for that matter.

"So Darce, Miss Elizabeth seemed even more frustrated and a little frazzled when you both came back in. Care to tell us what happened?" Fitz says while raising his right eyebrow so high I feel it might pop off his head.

Knowing there was no way to skirt around this conversation now. I decide to just lay it out there. No pre-tense. Let them bast in the shock as I did.

"Elizabeth is my Soulmate."

Both men immediately went stiff in shock.

"WHAT?"

"Wow. I mean wow. I knew that she was something special and seemed perfect for you. But Soulmate. Wow."

I just continued to nod in agreement as Fitz got out his amazement.

"I don't mean to seem uneducated. But I have absolutely no clue what a Soulmate is?" Charles asked very confused.

"Mage Soulmates are very rare. I have only known a few my entire life. Darce's parents were Soulmates."

"Oh, so is it an inherited thing?" Charles scrunched up his face, trying hard to understand.

"No. Like Fitz said it's very rare. I do believe it is mostly only found in powerful Mage's but I am not positive."

"So what does it mean?" Poor Charles looked as if his face might become permanently fixed with his eyebrows raised in confusion.

"It means you are connected to that person forever. Nothing can break that connection, well except for death. But you also know you have met your Soulmate by receiving a Soulmark when your skin touches."

Charles stared at me like I just grew two heads and Fitz raised an eyebrow in intrigue.

"So will you be informing us how exactly your skin touched?" Fitz said with a cheeky grin.

"I just touched her hand. It was nothing improper I assure you."

"Does it just appear?" Charles asked incredulously.

"There is a searing pain on the skin above your heart. It almost feels like it was burnt on. My father had explained it to me when I was young, but it is shocking for sure."

"What does it look like? And don't tell me it's not for us to know. Clearly we will see some of it on Miss Elizabeth one day."

The fact that Fitz would be staring at Elizabeth's chest made me grow hot with anger.

"Calm down Darce. I didn't mean we would be looking at her in that way. Will you just tell us already?"

I rolled my eyes, but like always he's right. They will know eventually.

"It's a tree."

"A tree ok. I can see that for the both of you." Fitz says nonchalantly, but I know next time I am changing he will somehow try to have a look for himself. He's to curious not to.

"How did Miss Elizabeth take it? It seems like she has not had the most positive feelings towards you so far." Charles asked nervously.

"Yeah, I am going to guess Darce she did not handle it well."

"Actually we have not spoken of it yet."

They both looked at me confused once again.

"Darcy! How is this possible? You both have searing pain on your chest at the same time and you don't discuss it? Charles just continues shaking his head in confusion while he speaks Good god man! I know you struggle in social situations… but this is the one person who is made for YOU! You have to talk to her!" Charles yelled the last sentence in frustration. Which was a little jolting to see Charles become so angered. But out of the three of us, he was the hopeless romantic. I can see how this would perturb him. He ran a hand through his wild red hair in frustration, causing it to be even more unsettled.

I nodded my head a few times. Helping him know that I understand his frustration.

"Listen, I know it will not make sense to you both. But after it happened, she immediately yanked her hand from mine and changed the subject. She obviously was not ready to discuss it. She has been through so much in the last week, I feel like I should let her have some time. She is so overwhelmed as it is. I am truly thinking of what is best for her at this moment."

I looked up as Charles wrapped me in a huge hug and patted me on the back. While Fitz stood to the side with a huge smile on his face.

I just stood there completely confused.

"What's going on? Did I miss something?" I kept darting from Charles to Fitz back and forth, just waiting for a response.

"It's you Darce! We can't believe it, you are actually thinking of someone else's feelings."

Immediately my eyes shot over to Fitz, anger building within.

"Calm down! You think of your family and your close friends all the time. You are very generous and mindful to those you love. But, you can't tell me that a week ago you would have given a second thought to a country nobody like Miss Elizabeth and by far would never stop to consider her feelings."

I breathed in and out. Calmed myself down and thought about the query. Would I have cared? Would I have even been out there talking with her if I had not fallen for her?

"Ok. You are right. I would not have given someone like her a second glance. But thankfully I have been given that chance and now I don't want to do anything to mess it up! I will do anything to have this woman by my side forever."

Charles slapped my back again, sporting the same huge smile as Fitz.

"Well what did she change the subject to? Obviously her and her sisters needed to have some kind of discussion, since they sent us out here." Fitz says while kicking a rock near by.

"Before I touched her hand. I told her I knew what she was going through and how I started working for the Capitol. I then suggested maybe she could have similar luck with finding here parents murderer. After the shock of the soulmark she brought it back up. She seems very interested in the possibility."

"Now it makes sense why you want to check for signs of the murders." Charles said piecing it all together.

Before I could answer Kitty and Lydia come around the corner looking for us.

"We all have decided to come with you, except for Mary. Can you help us convince her?"