She had visited with Damien hours ago. They had spoken longer than she anticipated. He had imparted their plan to keep him from physical harm by sedating him at night. Celine would no longer be able to contact him except during daylight hours. It pleased her that Gray and Alexander seemed to have the situation well in hand. They appeared to be taking good care of Damien. However, it saddened her that she could not reach out to Damien more often. But she realized the risks of repeated contacts. This plan was in everyone’s best interest. It kept communication lines open and protected Damien.
Celine glanced out the window at the darkening sky. She hoped Celeste had information about Damien, about his condition. She planned to use Celeste to provide information about Damien’s condition so she could make informed decisions about future contacts.
She continued pacing the floor, waiting. As the stars blinked into the sky, footsteps sounded on the floor above. Celine raced to the cell door, peering from the window. She stared at the staircase as a figure descended. She recognized Marcus. Celeste followed him. Celine’s heart leapt at the sight of her.
“Celeste!” Celine cried out to her.
“As promised,” Marcus stated. “Your sister.”
“Celine! Please tell me you are all right. I’m worried for you.”
Celine nodded. “How is Gray? Damien? Alexander? Michael? Please tell me they are all right.”
“They are distraught but surviving. Damien is taking it the worst. Gray says they are sedating him to help with his worry.” Celine stepped away from the door, pacing the floor. “Celine, I am more concerned with your wellbeing. You are under a tremendous amount of stress.”
“I’m fine, Celeste. I just need to be sure my family is safe.”
“Your former family, Celine,” Marcus reminded her. “I am your family now.”
“Please do not remind me,” Celine snapped.
“Must you agitate her?” Celeste questioned. “She has given in to your demands. Yet you continue to harass her.”
“I have spent over two centuries allowing her to cling to her pretense of a family. It is over, she is mine. I will not tolerate the continued veneration of the Buckleys.”
So, Celine reflected, he meant to strip her of any connection she had with her family. She would be censored, not allowed to mention them. He planned to force the transition quickly. A tear rolled down her cheek as she realized the fire with which she was playing.
“Now look what you’ve done,” Celeste admonished him. “The least you can do is allow me a moment to console my sister!”
“Console away, Celeste. I shall not interfere.”
“Might I embrace her? Surely that is not asking too much!”
Marcus sighed, rolling his eyes. “Fine.” Marcus opened the door for Celeste. She rushed to Celine, throwing her arms around her. The two sisters embraced in a cloud of tears.
“Oh, Celine,” Celeste cried through tears as she wiped Celine’s cheeks, “how brave you are. How little credit I’ve given you through the years.”
“It’s in the past, Celeste. Are you safe? I worry about you, too.”
“Yes, I am. I am being careful, and Teddy is making sure I am safe during the day.”
“You shouldn’t have to deal with this,” Celine lamented.
“I shall be right as rain soon, darling. Do not trouble yourself,” Celeste assured her.
“Yes, you will be,” Celine agreed. Skirting around Celeste, she approached the cell door. “You shall correct her issue, Marcus.”
“Yes, I shall. I have already agreed.”
“Then restore her,” Celine demanded.
Marcus chuckled. “Patience, my dear, Celine, patience.”
“I have little patience when it comes to my family.”
“You are in no position to make demands, Celine,” Marcus chided.
“Consider it a wedding present,” Celine added.
Marcus smirked at her. “A wonderful idea. You shall receive the gift when we wed.” He winked at her.
She frowned at him. “Marcus, I…”
“It’s fine, sister. It won’t be much longer, I am fine,” Celeste chimed in.
“Celeste, please do not interrupt my conversation with my dear future husband.” Celine crossed her arms, staring at Marcus. “I do not expect you to dismiss my requests of you out of hand, Marcus.”
“I have already assured you, Celine. Your sister will be returned to her rightful state once you are my wife. I will not discuss it further.”
Celine narrowed her eyes. “This marriage will not work with that attitude.” She stalked away from the door. “Perhaps it is not worth my time.”
“An idle threat, Celine,” Marcus answered, letting Celeste out of the cell. “You have little choice. If you want to free yourself and save your sister, you must submit to my demands.”
Celine swiveled to face him. “Even you cannot keep me here forever, Marcus. And once I am free, I am certain I can find a way to restore Celeste on my own. I admit it would certainly be much faster if you did it. But impossible? No. I don’t agree. It is in your best interest to help Celeste. It would go a long way in garnering my favor.”
“Are you certain it is your favor I desire?”
“Is it not?”
He smirked at her. “I shall consider your request.”
“Thank you,” Celine said with a slight smile. She would not push further tonight. She had not yet won the war, but the battle went in her favor.
“Now, are you satisfied with the conversation with Celeste?”
“Yes,” Celine admitted. “I have learned what I needed to.”
“Good. Then, my dear Celeste, that is your cue. I’m sure you have… business to attend to.”
“Good night, sister,” Celeste said, peering through the door’s window. “I love you. Take care.”
“I love you, Celeste. Be safe. Will you return tomorrow?”
Celeste glanced at Marcus. “If it is to discuss the wellbeing of Grayson Buckley and his family, no,” he answered.
“Damien is MY family and his wellbeing is important to me.”
Marcus rolled his eyes. “He isn’t, really.”
“He is! And it is because of me he is here.”
“We shall agree to disagree on that matter,
