Epilogue.

Korina shot up in bed, gasping, choking on yet another nightmare, another horrible memory. Drenched in a cold sweat, she sat for a moment shivering. When she realized she was safe, she stumbled to her feet and went to the window. She held herself and saw the sun was just barely coming up.

She sighed and went back to her bed, sitting down, she ran her fingers through her hair, thinking. So, so much had happened that day that she was still processing it all. It had been almost three days since everything had taken place. Since she'd stumbled out of the basement and into the crowd of people. It almost felt like chaotic blur...running into West, biting Velona, being carried away, West rushing to Velona and the room exploding into chaos. The Baron had thrown her to the ground and she was shoved, pushed, and pulled all around as people rushed about.

Her grandmother fell to the floor. The news, the commotion, it was all too much for her. Korina tried to move, to get to her and was nearly swallowed up in the crowd of people but West sought her out. He grasped hold of her hand, pulling her into him. She told him about her grandmother.

They rush to her and Korina saw the Baron jumping out a window, men chasing after him. When they reached her grandmother she was on her side. A small crowd surrounded her but no one was doing anything They pushed through the crowd and West moved her grandmother on her back. Korina thought to fan her, hoping it would help. They called for someone to get a doctor. For several minutes people just stood there, staring at them. Someone finally rushed off, calling out for a doctor but there was none on the estate.

Several hours passed before one could be a reached and then arrive. Korina knew it was too late... She knew the stillness of death well by now, so did West. At one point he held her hand and she stopped fanning her grandmother. They sat quietly, the crowd around them lessened and there were whispers, she couldn't recall. Only the words of West and the doctor had mattered to her that day.

When the doctor arrived, the room grew quiet. Korina watched him kneel beside her grandmother. He looked her over for several minutes and then the doctor looked to West, she saw them exchange a glance. West nodded and then pulled Korina into his arms as the doctor pronounced the passing of her grandmother. She collapsed then and vaguely remembered West lifting her, carrying her out of the room...out of that house.

She didn't remember much after that, the doctor that had been called for her grandmother arrived and gave her something to help with the grief and the next day passed in a blur of feverish dreams and nightmares. When she finally awoke, she found herself groggy and disoriented. She wasn't sure where she was…

She began to panic but West was soon there, he took her in his arms and soothed her. He told her she was at his estate that he had taken her in. She was safe now and it was over, it was over, no one would ever hurt her again.

When she calmed down some, he informed her of what had gone on while she was asleep. Her grandmother's servants had collected her body. They were making arrangements for her funeral and the families mausoleum was being prepared. For a moment Korina had forgotten what had happened, she burst into tears realizing she would never speak to her grandmother again and that the last of her family was gone.

West held her tighter and assured her that she was not alone. He promised to take care of her and vowed no one would ever harm her again. She would want and need for nothing, whether she would still have him or not…

Korina was confused by Wests' words, 'whether she would still have him or not'. It was she that would be lucky, if he would still have her, given what had happened. She was no longer a virtuous woman. Yet West made it clear, his intentions towards her had not changed. He loved her and would always, no matter what had happened or would happen.

Korina was so happy but she was worried about the consequences of their love. She knew there would be talk, there would always be talk in Crestmoore but West cared not. Korina thought she could bear the gossip, the scandal but worried for young Libby. She worried what might become of her reputation, should they marry.

West had considered this and talked of traveling, of leaving Crestmoore. She learned he had only returned to society for Libby sake, thinking it might do her some good, to be around others but had forgotten how hostile it could be. Libby was still young but was quite like her mother and cared little for the rules of society.

He thought it might be nice for them, to experience the world and see what else it had to offer. Perhaps if they found a place they liked, they might settle down and start anew. West believed nothing was ever set in stone and the future was theirs to make. The main thing was that they were together again.

She burst into tears once more and couldn't help but think of her father's letter. 'If you're lucky enough to find someone, who brings the light to you, hold on to them, cherish them and never let them go.' She held tightly to West and told him, nothing would please her more, then to stay by his side.

She could see West was beyond elated. He told her at one point he thought he'd lost her and that he might never see her again. Their feelings known, the two continued to hold on to each other for the longest time. When they eventually pulled apart, West wanted her to rest but Korina couldn't rest, not until she knew what had happened to Velona.

When it came to Velona, West was hesitant to discuss what had happened but Korina needed to know. He explained Velona had been captured and taken before a judge. He was of course found guilty for his various crimes and sentenced to hang.

Korina was quiet, she didn't quite know how she felt about him being hung. Relieved felt like an understatement. A part of her was still numb, still believed it wasn't over. Back in the wine cellar she had all but given up hope and now she was free and he...he was going to be punished for what he had done.

It almost felt like she were dreaming, that she was imagining it all but it was real..and it was over. Velona would never hurt her or anyone ever again. Korina let it sink in and laid back down. She asked about the Baron and West told her he had gotten away but there was an ongoing man hunt, a reward had also been offered for his capture. In time he would be found. Korina told him about Clark, wanting to make sure others knew what had happened. West promised he would speak to someone about it. He held her hand and stayed with her until she fell asleep.

She sighed now and supposed she would get up. She rose up from the bed and stumbled to a basin of water. After she washed her face, she dressed and left the room. A maid quickly greeted her, Korina didn't know her name, she still wasn't familiar with everyone. She asked about West and Libby. The maid told her West had gone out and Libby had yet to wake.

Korina requested her breakfast outside, thinking the fresh air, might do her some good. She also thought she might enjoy watching the sun rise over the rolling hills. The maid nodded and saw her to one of the outside tables before she stepped away. Korina breathed in the moment and allowed herself to think of the future as she waited.

More and more, she liked the idea of going away with West and Libby and starting anew. There was still so much she had yet to see of this world. Even with everything that had gone on, she still had a sense of adventure in her heart. However, her eyes were open now to the dangers and dark possibilities of what might lie around every corner...

She would not trust so easily and blindly follow. She would think and be careful in the choices she made. At the same time, she would not let the lurking shadows, take away her life and love. She would find happiness...even if there was darkness in this world, she would remember there was also light. She would find peace again. Korina let out a heavy sigh resolving that her future would be happier than her past.

The maid returned a few minutes later with breakfast. Korina ate slowly, quietly admiring the beauty all around her as she continued to take in the morning air. After a few minutes she saw a man on horseback in the distance as he drew closer and closer she saw it was West.

When he got close to the house, he dismounted his horse and a stable man took it. He saw Korina and joined her. She stood as he approached and went to greet him properly out of habit but he quickly ushered her to sit back down, "Come now, none of that with me,"

"Sorry," said Korina, "Force of habit,"

"You'll just have to grow out of it," said West sitting down, "I wont have my wife bowing to me,"

Korina blushed at the mention of her becoming his wife. She didn't know when or if she would ever get used to it but suppose she should soon enough. They still hadn't set a date, but she knew it would be soon. They were both eager…

Korina took another sip of her tea and said, "I hope you don't mind, I asked to have breakfast outside."

"Not at all, I would prefer you do as you wish," said West "I really want my home to be your home," Korina smiled at him and then wondered where he'd been. "Do you normally go riding this early in the morning?"

"No," said West. He averted his gaze and she felt he was trying to hide something. She supposed it wasn't any of her business. She looked down and nearly finished off her tea.

West dug his hand into his coat pockets. "I...had to see about something,"

"Oh," said Korina. She wondered about it but didn't ask. Her mind slowly drifted to Velona, she couldn't be sure but last she heard, today was the day he was supposed to be hung. Korina wondered if he'd gone and-

West pulled a small wooden box from his coat pocket and placed it on the table. Korina looked at it and him. "I...I ordered our rings...when you said yes… they were ready yesterday. I picked them up."

"Oh," said Korina she set down her tea cup and opened the box. She saw two matching rings made of silver and gold. "You...they look beautiful…" she stared at them and then started to cry, remembering what had happened to the last ring, "I...the ring you gave me-"

"It's okay," said West, "You don't have to explain. You...you don't have to worry about it," he reached back in his pocket and pulled out a pouch. He opened it out and poured out another ring, "It's not like the first, but I think this one suits you better...you like blue,"

Korina began to feel hot as she looked at another ring it was silver with a blue gem on it. He'd gone to so much trouble for her. She continued to cry "You didn't have to-"

"I wanted to," said West, "If you want, you can have all the rings in the world Korina,"

"I do not want all the rings in the world," said Korina, she took up his hand and held it to her chest "I simply want you,"

"You have me," said West. "You will always have me," The two leaned into each other and pressed their foreheads together. For a moment Korina felt truly happy, she was with the one she loved and couldn't ask for anything more. After a few minutes West got up and went back into the house to get some breakfast of his own and change clothes from the ride.

When Korina was finished eating she took a small walk around the estate. Everywhere she looked there was such splendor and greenery. She couldn't help but feel in time she would heal...in time she would know true happiness here. When she returned to the house, the butler Telby brought her a warn letter. He told her, it had arrived for her just now. Korina wondered who it could be from. When she took up the letter she saw it was from her father...Korinas' eyes lit up, she quickly took the letter and thanked Telby. She went to one of the sitting rooms to be alone and held the letter for a moment. She wondered how this was possible to get another letter from him. Perhaps her father had sent one last letter before he'd died and it had gotten lost until now.

Her heart leapt at the possibility of what it might say and she carefully opened the envelope. She looked to see sharp, well defined letters and her heart sunk. Her hands trembled as she held her breath, the letting was familiar but she knew it was not her fathers…Her eyes glazed over as she began to read.

'Koirna, may this letter find you. I wish I could be there with you now. Alas as always there are details I must tend to, for now this letter will have to suffice. I suspect you are with the Duke. He is the type to accept you, even with your... defiled reputation. I am sure he has kept his word and you are either married or soon to be, know that it makes no difference to me.

Read my words carefully, closely my dear Korina, take them to heart, YOU ARE MINE and will always be mine. No man, no vow will ever keep us apart. Know that One day I WILL come for you. Know that every hour, every second that passes, brings you closer to me. And once you are within my grasp once more. I will not ever let you go again.

Till we meet again

Velona

Korinas' mouth trembled, as she let out a heavy breath. Tears streamed down her face as she read the letter again and again before letting it drop to the floor. She knew Velona, she knew what he was capable of and that he kept his word. She wrapped her arms around herself and began to rock panicking at the thought of his return.

Libby had woken and had come to greet Korina. When she saw her distressed state she quickly ran and got her father. Minutes later West burst into the room. He asked her what was wrong. Korina just burst into tears shaking her head. West took notice of the letter on the ground and quickly lifted it. He read it for himself and anger surged through him, he crushed the letter in his hands and then tore it to pieces. He threw them into the fire place and then turned to Korina.

In her anguish she looked up to him and he sunk down before her, "Let him come," he said "Let him return, we wont be here!"

Korina looked at him confused. West pulled out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears, "As I said before we I was thinking of traveling this just settles it. I think its time we all had a fresh start. I shall start make the arrangements at once, we shall marry and then the three of us shall go away from here and see the world.

"Are you certain," sniffled Korina, thinking West and Libby were both giving up a lot because of her "I...I don't wish to cause either of you any trouble,"

"You are no trouble," said West. He brushed some hair behind her ears and she stood.

The two embraced and Libby quickly joined them in a group hug. Korina was still frightened of Velona's vow to return but as West said, they would not be here. Together she and her...her family would see the world. She held tight to them as her mind began to fill with possibilities and adventure. Alone in that dark room the future had seemed so dismal, so bleak, but now it felt full of light and hope...Korina knew there would always be shadows out there but she refused to them them still away her dreams.

/

A cold wind swept through Velonas' short hair as he watched the sun slowly rise over the ocean. He leaned against the ships railing and smoked a cigarette as he took in all that surrounded him. He didn't take a moment of it for granted. His injuries were slowly healing but some scars, would always remain. He felt the misting of the ocean against his face and sighed deeply. He was beyond frustration that once again he dreamt of returning to Crestmoore.

Ever since he was a child it was all he could think of. He'd dreamed of the day he would return to Crestmoore and at last reek his vengeance and vanquish his enemies. He'd never been certain he would succeed he only knew he'd die trying. Now that he'd finally done it...he'd assumed his longing for Crestmoore would at last be sated. Yet with all his heart he wish to return to Crestmoore...to her… He breathed deeply recalling the taste of her...the smell. She filled his every thought and with each passing day he drifted farther and farther away. He was beginning to think he was cursed to always be denied what he wanted most in this world.

He let out a large puff of smoke, and closed his eyes. He supposed Korina had gotten his letter by now. He imagined her tearing it open thinking it was her father only to be filled with dread...with the realization that she would not escape him. He hoped she would stew and shiver, that she would look around each and every corner, waiting for the moment he would return.

He smiled thinking of the things he was going to do to her...how he would repay her for her betrayal. He took out his cigarette and chuckled to himself before flicking it into the ocean. Yes, he suppose one day he would return for her...but for now, for the first time in his life...the future was full of possibilities before him. There wasn't anything he couldn't do, anywhere he couldn't go.

THE END

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