Page 99 of Twin Flames
‘They told him at first light. He’s for the scaffold today. I slipped away saying I’d deliver the news to his mother, but I must get back. They said I can stay at his side.’
My nightmare was a premonition.
Cara began to tremble and sat down on the edge of the bed.
‘We’re too late. I can’t believe this is happening.’
‘What should I do, my lady? Will you accompany me as his mother?’
The young lad, mature beyond his years, looked as though he were about to cry. She hugged him, for her own comfort as well as his.
‘You are true and loyal to your master. Thank you. Does Edward know?’
He shook his head. ‘I couldn’t find him. He was not in his chamber when I knocked.’
Not for the first time she wished she had her mobile phone. If only she could bring it with her when she travelled. Not that she would have anyone to phone. The useless thoughts whirled around her mind.
‘Please go and look for him while I get dressed. I’ll meet you downstairs in a few minutes.’
‘Yes, my lady.’
She hurriedly disguised herself once again as George’s mother. Her chest was tight, and her eyelids heavy. Therewas no time for the luxury of emotional outbursts. A steely determination pushed her on.
Edward paced up and down in the dining room and gestured to the food on the table.
‘I can’t eat,’ she said. ‘We’re too late. I must go to him, Edward.’
‘Yes, of course. Do you think it safe?’
‘I don’t care at this point. I can’t not go. We should have broken him out when we had the chance.’
‘It’s all moved so fast. How could we know?’
‘I blame myself. I should have known. Henry is a deadly opponent once he makes up his mind.’
‘I’ll come with you. I’m as much to blame as anyone in this mess, if not more so. If I hadn’t urged you to travel to the future, none of this would have happened.’
Early morning crowds formed outside the Tower gates. The turrets blended into the backdrop of the cold, grey sky. A light spitting rain settled on the grass. The smell of sweat mixed with boiling broth hung in the air. It was a fitting scene for the most awful day of Cara’s life.
The small crowd buzzed with anticipation. Even a private execution on Tower Green was a day out: a distraction when someone else’s misfortune bolstered the mood of the desperate commoners. They consoled themselves that life wasn’t that bad; at least they were alive, unlike the wealthy fool who was about to lose his head. His money hadn’t saved him. They believed there was a righteousness to it. They’d rather be poor and honourable than rich and depraved like the nobility at court. Their attitude gave them courage. It was a day of celebration unless you were unfortunate enough to care for the accused.
Cara and Edward were admitted to Tower Green. The scaffold was sturdy, and the execution block readied. The executioner hadn’t appeared yet, but the tension was palpable in the damp London atmosphere.
‘This is barbaric,’ said Cara. ‘I can’t bear to stay, but I can’t leave either. Where is he? I don’t see him.’
‘He’s not been brought out yet. He will come through that door over there.’ Edward pointed to a small door at the base of the Tower. ‘The locals call itDeath’s Door.’
A strangled sob escaped Cara’s raw throat.
‘If George wasn’t of high noble rank, the execution would take place on Tower Hill, and there would be thousands watching,’ said Edward.
Events merged one into the other as Cara’s panic increased. Time stood still, and all she heard was the drumming of her own heart. Despair consumed her every cell. The nightmare had become a reality. This was the end. Her only wish now was that George would see her for a final few seconds before he met his maker. She wanted him to know she was here with him until the end. He must know she had not forsaken him.
She had run first to the Cradle Tower to see if she could catch him and had asked the guard whether it was possible to admit her. The request had been rebuffed with a sharp, ‘You were here yesterday. Cavendish has had his last visitor. We’re preparing him for execution.’
The words cut through Cara. The last vestige of hope was extinguished. It was all she could do not to fall to her knees and beg for mercy. But she knew the guard was powerless. He was simply a pawn in Henry’s killing machine. She almost broke down, but she would not give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her on her knees unless it would save George. To save him, she would do anything. Pride was expendable. But no, it was no use. She would weep forever, but not now. Not now. She must keep ittogether and be here for him; a symbol of all that had been good about their life together.
She felt a double loss. Now she would be without him in both timelines. Yes, this really was the end. Perhaps her time travel era was over. Once he was gone, the cycle would be complete. She remembered Sylvia holding the Twin Flame card, talking about their Twin Flame mission. Sylvia said their reunion would help to raise the consciousness of the planet.
