Page 10 of Frederick
“So what you are saying is that Frederick wants me but yet his family wouldn’t necessarily approve of me because I am beneath them.”
Master Arthur side. “That is not what I said at all, nor had I been thinking it. I was only trying to get you to understand that Frederick said what he did without fully thinking about the entire situation. This is all said without even touching the fact that you overheard a private conversation.”
I narrowed my eyes because I was completely over everything having to do with Frederick and Master Arthur at the moment. “If it was a private conversation, then the door should have been shut. I overheard, just as anyone else would have, because I happen to be walking by the door after Carrington and Dante had finished questioning me. It wasn’t that I was purposely trying to eavesdrop, I simply happen to be thereat the perfectly wrong time.” I shrugged. “Or perhaps it was, exactly when I should have been there. At least now I know how Frederick truly feels about me.”
Master Arthur shook his head. “I see that you are doing exactly the opposite of what I asked you to do. I asked that you keep an open mind about the situation, but yet you seem to have already made up your mind about Frederick and what he said.”
“There is only ever one moment, a single chance to make a first impression. Unfortunately, for me, I never was given that opportunity. Frederick’s first impression of me had already been decided from a file. He knew nothing of me personally, knew nothing of who I was, and what I had ever truly done. No, I had already been judged as someone who could never be truly trusted or was worthy of him. So no. I don’t see how it’s possible to keep an open mind about him.”
“I understand what you are saying. Everything you have said is completely valid. But if you do not give Frederick a chance to apologize for what he said, without fully thinking about the entire situation, the two of you will only suffer. Despite the fact that warlock no longer will experience immense pain if they aren’t claimed by their One within days of first meeting, you will still suffer. Your mental health, for both of you, will eventually decline. Once that starts, your physical health will deteriorate. Is that something that you want for the two of you?”
Was it? No. But I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to get past what Frederick had said about me.
“One last thing, and then I will leave you to your thoughts. Think about everything. Yes, Frederick was rash and did not think about, his words and how they would impact you. Was it wrong? You of all people know what it is like to be judged. And unfortunately, Frederick has done that before he ever got the opportunity to meet you and get to know who you were as a person. Can you be the bigger person and look past it?Everyone makes mistakes, Dominic. You have, I have, even my father has. You and Frederick will both continue to make mistakes throughout the rest of your life. Are you going to let one completely derail what the two of you could have and build together?”
I thought about that a moment before nodding slowly. “Thank you for the words of wisdom. I’ll take them into consideration.”
“That’s all I ask. I hope you can look past this eventually. He truly is a good man and would cherish you and any family the two of you were to have. Frederick comes from a large family that is equally loving, and I know you would feel welcome among them in no time.”
That was unexpected. I was an only child of only children. I grew up without any sort of family beyond the coven. I didn’t know what to expect when it came to siblings, cousins, and the like.
“Thank you again,” I said. “I’ll consider everything you’ve told me and try to keep an open mind about everything.”
Master Arthur nodded before he got up. I knew that the conversation was over, and stood as well. I followed him out of the room, contemplating what had just been shared with me. Would I be able to forgive Frederick? I wasn’t sure. But I did at least owe it him, to myself, to hear him out. Would he be able to win my forgiveness?
Chapter 5
Frederick
Icould only stare at the ceiling in the suite that Master Arthur had given to me for the time being. The assignment I’d been sent here to accomplish was over before it ever really started. Everyone that had been placed here had gone through a thorough background check before they were allowed anywhere near Master Arthur’s family. The fact that we had to come and question them again because of some information that was discovered in the laptop of one of the Gallo cousins was ridiculous. That information wasn’t there before so it had been quite well hidden before. Or had just been created and had been well doctored.
While my team happily returned to Montana, I stayed behind. I couldn’t leave. Not yet. My One was here, and I still hadn’t had a chance to talk to him. That was all I wanted; all I needed. Just a conversation with him. If I could at least tell him I’m sorry, that I wasn’t thinking things through clearly, then I would return to Montana and leave him alone.
Master Arthur had let me know that he’d talked with Dominic and the reason he didn’t wish to talk with me was because he had overheard me this morning in his office. Ofcourse he had. I deserved it though. I deserved every ounce of displeasure and irritation from Dominic.
I had explained the situation to the council and was very fortunate that they had given me a few days to stay behind in order to hopefully smooth things over with my One. No, all I needed to do was wait for him to hopefully give me the time of day. It would be truly embarrassing if I had to return to the council without having had even a single conversation with Dominic, but I deserved no less.
I was thankful for, Benjamin, Sebastian, and Caspian. All three of my cousins have been immensely, helpful, and understanding. Benjamin had even offered the suggestion of literally throwing myself on my knees in front of Dominic the next time I saw him. At this point, it was certainly something I was considering. I had waited in the dining hall all throughout the evening meal, and when Dominic never showed, I asked around if anyone had seen him. His friend from earlier was quite willing to share with me that Dominic had decided to take his evening meal in his private quarters.
Of course, I knew where those were, but after getting the door closed on me earlier today, I had no desire to repeat such a situation. It was difficult, but I was willing to wait for Dominic to hopefully become ready to have a conversation with me.
That left me with trying not to go crazy in my own suite of rooms. I did my best to have an evening meal, and Balthazar had taken pity on me and joined me. We talked about Spain, and how we both missed it at times. Unlike me, he was quite happy and settled here at Amherst.
I was hopeful that Montana was going to offer me the same sense of serenity, but now that I had met Dominic I knew that no matter where he went I would follow. Even if he never accepted being together, I knew I would need to be in the same vicinityof him. If that meant I was going to resign my position as an enforcer, I would happily do it.
The knock on the outer door was a bit of a surprise, but not completely unexpected. Both Balthazar as well as Master Arthur had been by to check on me after the evening meal. That was a couple hours ago now though, and I hadn’t thought either of them would be by to check in on me again.
“It’s open,” I called out without getting up from the sofa. I couldn’t really be bothered too much. I was trying to come up with a plan to get my One to talk to me, and throwing myself on my knees in front of him was sounding like it was the best thing I could possibly do.
There was another knock, and I turned my head to glare at the door. I got up to answer when there was a third set of knocks. Whoever it was, obviously hadn’t heard me call out. When I opened the door, the absolute last person I expected to see was Dominic standing there. Both of my eyebrows rose in surprise, which caused him to smile.
“Can we talk?” He asked.
I nodded and took a step back to allow him room to enter. Once I quietly closed the door, I stood there, leaning against it. I had hoped, more than anything, for just the chance to talk to him. If nothing else, to apologize for what I’d said when I wasn’t thinking rationally.
“Did you want to sit?” I asked, indicating the sofa and two chairs that were in the room. The sofa was facing the wall of windows, and the chairs were on opposite sides, facing each other.
“If you don’t mind,” Dominic said.
