Chapter 13

Darcy

"Please sir! Can you please explain more? How exactly is the world going to burn?" I say pleading with the Professor to actually be serious for once.

"You know me and words Fitzwilliam, that might have been a figure of speech, if you will. But I am not going to sugar coat it for you two. It's going to get really bad for a minute. It will feel like you are losing everything around you. But if you accomplish what I believe you two can, we will get through it" the Professor ends his serious speech with a nod and confident smile.

I swallow back a huge lump that had formed in my throat. Before this last week I have always been confident in my abilities. Knowing I could conquer anything that came in my path. But now knowing I have so much more at stake. Knowing how powerful this dark magic is. I feel myself second guessing my abilities.

I feel her comforting hand land on my chest. Just like she did that day back at Longbourn to help me calm down. She presses lightly, and I can feel warmth radiate from our Soulmark. Like a beam of sunlight bursting through me. Filling me with the remembrance that I am not in this alone. We are in this together. She smiles up at me, and then takes my face in her hands.

We got this. We were made for this.

Her words echo in my thoughts. Pulling me out of my doubts. Out of my dark place.

I nod slowly. Letting her words take root in my brain. Thank you, my love. She wipes away a tear that betrayed me and nods in understanding. It's not just Elizabeth and I that are at stake, it's our families, our friends, It's everything that makes up this life of ours.

"Ok that's enough for now, let's call it a night. You need rest. Time for dinner. I believe we have some guests that are quite excited to see you two." The Professor smirks at us. But I feel my whole body stiffen. This place has been a safe hideout. I have not needed to be on guard every second. But now knowing someone else is threatening that notion, puts me at unease in seconds.

"Oh don't fear Fitzwilliam! I know exactly who it is!" Elizabeth says with a bright smile as we walk towards the dining room.

We see a well dressed couple smiling with Patricia. Before I can get a good look at them, Elizabeth runs up to them and gives them both huge hugs.

"Aunt Maddie! Uncle Edward! It's so good to see you both." They hug her back lovingly.

"Lizzy! We are so glad you are ok! I see you finally met my parents." The woman says while never letting go of Elizabeth's hand.

I finally get a good look at the couple and recognize them instantly. They are highly sought out Mages in the Capitol. I have never worked with them personally, but the Gardiners are well known. Mr. Gardiner is known for his ability to conjure up any article needed. Mrs. Gardiner can sense any and all gifts that people have before they even know them themselves. It's very impressive. Which could be a reason why the Capitol has been after The Bennet sisters for so long. She would have known fully their capabilities, especially being so close to them. I am amazed their father didn't try to separate their connection with their Aunt and Uncle who is so connected to the Capitol.

These thoughts run wild in my head when my name snaps me to attention.

"Fitzwilliam, have you met my daughter and her husband before?"

"No, I don't believe I have had the pleasure." I shake Mr. Gardiners hand and bow towards Mrs. Gardiner.

"I dare say we have been quite anxious to make your acquaintance sir." Mrs. Gardiner says with a coy smile looking back and forth between me and Elizabeth.

"And I you. I have heard for many years about you from the Professor. Also you and your husband's talents are well known in the Capitol." I said while trying hard not to look at Elizabeth. I know from the few conversations we have had about her Aunt and Uncle that she adores them greatly. I'm sure she is watching me closely for how I interact with them.

"Well now that we are acquainted, how about some dinner?" The Professor says to us all and we sit down before the great feast.

Elizabeth

The girls said he was handsome, but they didn't do him justice. I look at my Aunt across the table and try not to glare so hard that I cause food to fall off her plate. Which happened quite a bit around Lydia and Kitty when we were younger and had less control.

Aunt this really is not the time to discuss this. I continue to eat and try to follow Uncle Edward and Darcy's conversation.

But he isn't quite as tall as Kitty seemed to think. She made him out to be at least 7 ft! At that I choke on my sip of wine to keep from laughing out loud.

All heads turn toward me. "Are you ok Elizabeth?" Darcy looks at me with all concern and I feel his hand on mine under the table. I give his hand a squeeze and nod with a small smile.

Awe look how concerned he is for you. You two are adorable. And don't think I can't tell he's holding your hand right now. She looks at me with an eyebrow quirked up and a knowing smirk. Apparently any hopes of dropping this subject right now are gone. Seriously Lizzy, when are you going to tell me more about this man? Of course your sisters told me all about him being your Soulmate. But how are you feeling? Your sisters said you seemed to be more positive about it before you had to escape?

I take a big bite of food and ponder on her question for a minute. It's so hard to explain. If you would have told me a week ago that I would be falling in love with a powerful Mage that was sent from the Capitol, I would call you an utter fool and laugh my head off at your ridiculousness. But here I am putting my complete trust in him and knowing that I want to spend the rest of my life by his side. I mean there is still so much we don't know about each other.

That will come with time. I am so happy for you Lizzy. I knew a powerful Mage would sweep you off your feet one day.

That comment forces me to stop chewing and lock eyes with my Aunt. My all knowing Aunt, who knows everyone's gifts. I wonder if she knew….

Aunt Maddie, do you know when Mages have Soulmates beforehand, like you know Mages gifts?

She nods her head and wipes her mouth gently with her napkin. Uncle Gardiner thinks she is confirming what he is saying to Darcy and gets a big appreciative smile on his face. Best not to burst his bubble.

Yes, I can see when someone has a Mage Soulmate. But that is as far into Soulmates as my gifts let me see. I do not know who everyone's matching Soulmate is. Well except for… I mean that is…. I can feel her hesitation. There is something she isn't telling me.

What is it, Aunt Maddie? What are you not telling me? Don't make me dig into your thoughts!

That is except for you… and Mr. Darcy, we have all known you were each other's Soulmates since before you were born.

I drop my fork and stare in complete shock at my Aunt. Like someone put a Time Freeze spell on me.

All heads turn towards me once again from the loud clatter on the plate.

"Ok what is going on with you two? Clearly you are speaking telepathically to each other. Something you would like to share with the rest of us?" My uncle stares back and forth between my aunt and I with his right eyebrow raised. Pointing a finger at each of us for emphasis.

"Basically my daughter is interrogating Elizabeth on her feelings towards Fitzwilliam. Also letting Elizabeth know that we have all known they were Soulmates since they were born." Adam says calmly while cutting up his meat like a perfect gentleman. Not as if he just revealed a huge piece of information.

Darcy is the one to choke this time. I pat his back, while he takes a drink. Meanwhile my thoughts are filled with so many questions.

"Papa, could you at least pretend you don't hear everyone's conversations?" Aunt Maddie rolls her eyes in annoyance and shakes her head but can't help the smirk that sneaks out towards her father.

"Madeline dear, if I didn't pretend when you were dating Edward, why would I start now?" Adam winks at his daughter then shrugs his shoulders at me.

I noticed my uncle a few seats down shaking from silent laughter.

"Could we go back to the topic of everyone knowing we are Soulmates. Who all has known? And you could not have told us earlier?" Darcy says while clearly becoming frustrated. I once again squeeze his hand that is still holding mine under the table.

"It's time Papa, it's time to tell them." Aunt Maddie says silencing everyone at the table. I see my Uncle Gardiner nod his head in serious agreement. Even Patricia nods her agreement.

"Son, I told you there are still things you do not know." Adam became serious and took a minute and looked us both in the eye.

I felt myself take a deep breath preparing myself for yet another revealing conversation. Will there be a day anytime soon that didn't shock me completely?

"Thirty years ago we had a fierce Mage battle between Good and Dark Mages. We lost many Mage lives and several were stripped of all their magical powers." Adam stopped and took in a breath and shared a look with his wife." It was made clear to us that the Dark Mages would not stop until they took over completely. It was then seen in a prophecy that two powerful Mages would be born and together their magic would defeat the Dark Mages for good. The two of you were named as those Mages."

I could feel everyone but Darcy's eyes on me. I knew he was equally as distracted with his own thoughts as I. So many questions were whirling through my thoughts. Thankfully Adam continued on in our silence.

"In the prophecy it said that you would be Soulmates and you would bare the Soulmark of a mighty tree. Strong and vibrant. That together to stop the Dark Mages your magic would need to intertwine like the intricate roots on your Soulmarks." Adam's words echo in my ears.

Has anyone ever mentioned this prophecy to you before? Darcy's thoughts fill my head and join my own thousands of questions waiting to be answered.

Never. But I wonder if this is why I spent extra time with Aunt and Uncle Gardiner every year. They would teach me things about magic, Mages and gifts that my father never would speak of. I wonder if my father didn't believe the prophecy or if he even was told? We look at each other. Almost hoping to have all questions answered with one concentrated look. But even staring deep into his icy blue eyes I come up short.

"Lizzy, your father was a part of the Elder council at the time. When we were told the Prophecy he refused to believe it. Saying that it was false and the prophecy was wrong. That day he left his seat on the Elder council and never went back. No one heard from him in the Capitol again. It was made clear that he had moved back to his family estate in Hertfordshire and that he would have nothing to do with the Capitol and the Prophecy." Uncle Edward said to me while placing his hand on top of my free hand that was resting on the table by my plate. He patted my hand in comfort, but nothing could calm my confusion and hurt at the moment. Instantly my eyes filled with tears. Papa, what were you thinking? Did you doubt me? Did you not think I could do it? Why would you not want to end the Dark Magic?

I couldn't contain myself anymore and take off out the front door. I placed the winged spell upon myself and stretched my wings for the first time in over a week. In seconds I was off. Soaring above the Himalayan peaks. Not more than a few minutes went by when I felt him beside me. He didn't ask me more questions, see how I was feeling or push me to talk. Silently he just flew beside me. Occasionally we would swoop low, so I could feel the snow on the tips of my feathers.

What spell are you using? You do not have wings? I say to him as we swiftly go around the top of one of the taller peaks.

It's a spell that has your mind control your body to move however you can imagine. By my mind telling my body to fly like a bird, it does it without the typical wings.

Very interesting.

It's always been one of my favorite spells, though I have never seen such gorgeous wings as you have created. They are breathtaking.

We smile at each other. Happily taking in eachothers gifts and talents. For a moment trying to forget the overwhelming emotions plaguing us both.

Love, we must speak of all this. He says to me while we land on the side of a peak. A spot not covered in a bed of snow. But thankfully still abandoned for all we can see. He reaches out and smooths his hand over my colorful feathers before I make them disappear.

Must we? I say teasingly. Knowing all too well we can not ignore these truths forever.

He gently pushed a few loose strands of hair out of my face and then pushed his forehead to mine. What can I do? How can I help you through this?

I just wish so badly I could speak to Papa now. Ask him why? Why did he ignore it? I wonder if there is something hidden away in his study that would give me a clue- any clue as to why he didn't believe it. It just doesn't make sense.

I know. There are at least a hundred queries of my own regarding all of this. If so many people are aware of this Prophecy how come no one has ever mentioned it to us? And why only now?

We sit down side by side looking out over a cliff. Watching the sun set over the mountain side.

I want to fulfill the Prophecy, I know we can do it. But I just wish Papa told me his reasoning. I keep thinking maybe he left me some kind of clue. It is just so unlike the man I knew to not want to end Dark Magicfor good.

My thoughts continue to tumble out. I know I am rambling and repeating myself. It just continues not to add up.

I feel Darcy's hand comforting me, rubbing my back softly.

I think we should take one more day and perfect our intertwining magic. Make sure we our completely confident in our combined powers. Then we head to the Capitol. I know you have thoughts about maybe finding something in your fathers study, but we need to meet with other Mages. We will need every powerful Mage to help us. He said looking deeply into my eyes.

I intertwined his fingers with mine, took a deep breath and nodded.

I am ready. Let's stop this Dark Magic for good.

Authors Note:

*Sorry to my followers if you got a notice for two new chapters. Something went wrong and it published my chapter twice. I fixed it now, but hopefully you are not too disappointed to only have one chapter update for now. Hopefully my next chapter won't be too far from being added.

Thank you for sticking with me friends, went on vacation with my little ones and did not have my usual alone time during naps to write. But finally found sometime. E & D will be finally heading to the Capitol next chapterso good times ahead!

Also thanks to the commenter Pointlace for use of a great line I added in this chapter about their magic intertwining like the roots on their Soulmark. I loved it so much, I had to use it!