* * *
Marika stared into the pool of water in the secret room off of Diokles’ study. Diokles had never showed this place to her so she had to be careful. If he found her in here he would be cross and with his recent foul mood she would rather not be on his bad side. Normally when Diokles was upset he would come to her for comfort but this time he barely looked at her. It was as though he blamed her for everything that had happened. She had decided to let him brood for a few more days and then she would make sure she changed his mood. She was a pro at it and was not going to let this current one bother her.
She smiled at the pool of water. She could see anything she wanted outside of the Mangroves in this pool. Right now she was spying on Kellam and Avalynn playing in Hawaii. Avalynn and Kellam both seemed so distraught by Arlana’s absence that she sent them away to get their minds off of what happened. Plus it was a great romantic getaway to remind Kellam that Avalynn was the twin he wanted.
She was truly surprised at how upset he had gotten when Diokles had added Cole into his curse of Arlana. It made her worry over his supposed brotherly interest in Arlana. It was a good thing the brat was finally gone she just wished she hadn’t had to lose Cole over it all.
With her thoughts drawing more and more to Arlana and her betrayal the image in the pool changed. Arlana appeared in it. She was picking flowers and putting them in vases. What was she doing that for, Marika wondered. As she continued to watch Arlana she began to laugh. Could it be she thought? Was Arlana a poor servant? This was too good to be true! Marika couldn’t wish for a better fate than to have Arlana as a servant. She realized Diokles truly was angry. He was usually too proud to allow any of his blood line be anything less than great and yet here was his daughter as a poor servant. She wanted to see where Arlana lived and wished the pool to show her Arlana’s dwellings. The pool skipped to a different moment in time. It looked as though Arlana was sharing a simple room with another girl. As Marika watched she saw Arlana put on a wine colored dress. She could hear what Arlana was saying at that moment. Marika frowned. Had she heard right? Was Arlana remembering who she was? She had to find Diokles. He had to know what was happening.
Marika left the secret room and ran down the hall. She had to find a way to let Diokles know his curse was not working. If she told him directly he would know she was in his room. Then she remembered how she had made him think Sofia had betrayed him. She went to her rooms “Giselle, I have need for your special talents again my dear!” She called out with a smile.
“Yes my lady, what may I do for you?”
“I have spied on Arlana and she is remembering. The curse of forgetfulness must never be broken! Tell Diokles that you have had a vision. Tell him the vision has shown you that Arlana is remembering who she is without Cole being anywhere near her.”
Giselle nodded, “Yes my lady, I will go at once to his lordship.” Giselle turned and left. Marika watched her go. A sinister smile slowly spreading across her face.