CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN-DANIEL THE DARKE

The dreaded King Daniel of the Darke stood in front of the stained-glass window in the castle library with his hands clasped behind his back as Imara started to appear from the mist. Unlike every other witch he’d ever encountered, Imara’s mist glowed white and gold like a cloud on a sunny day. There were no white lighters left in the Realm, or at least they kept their existence hidden away. Daniel’s deep dark eyes weren’t used to her shine and he needed a few moments to adjust to her brilliance.

Imara looked around the stone walls and book lined shelves until she finally saw him. The tall man before her looked like Ben with his strong, broad back and shoulders and shaggy black hair. “Ben, is that you?” When she remembered what she’d done, she shook her head disappointedly. “No, it can’t be.” 

Daniel turned around to face Imara and he smiled warmly, a rare thing for a dark Warlock like him. “No, I’m afraid not, Imara, my name is Daniel Darke.” He held out his hand to the table. “Please, won’t you have a seat so we can talk. I know you’ve had a difficult journey. You must be tired.”

Imara tucked her hair behind her ears and slowly pulled out the chair. “Alright. Are you sure?”

Daniel nodded then sat down beside her. Imara’s shaking hands slid quickly back and forth on the smooth wood table so Daniel put his on top of them to calm her. Her eyes teared over and she smiled at him in her sweet, innocent way. “Umm...you just look so much like my husband, Ben. It’s uncanny, really.” She looked back over her shoulder and asked, “He’s not here, is he?”

Daniel shook his head. “No Imara, but you’ll be with him again soon enough.”

She smiled and patted his hand. “Oh, wonderful. Did they get that mean old warlock Selvin?”

Daniel shook his head. Tears rolled down Imara’s cheeks and she bit her lip. “Damn!” She shook her head and looked at Daniel. “Can’t I please stay here? This looks like a safe place. He won’t find us here.”

Daniel smiled and squeezed her hand gently. “There isn’t much time Imara. I can’t keep you here for long, I’m still learning how to control spirits. I’m afraid it’s been a little harder than I expected it to be.”

Imara gave him a sympathetic grin. “It’s alright, you’re doing a fine job. Thank you for bringing me here. It’s just lovely.”

Daniel smirked to himself at Imara’s kind and naive nature. He’d never met a real Lady of the Light, only read about them in the ancient texts. In the spectral light free of its shell, Imara’s spirit glowed gold like the sun and illuminated the usually dim and stuffy room. “When you go back, Imara, I need you to give a message to Haldir. Can you do that for me?”

“Uncle Haldir? Oh yes, of course, I just love him so.”

Daniel chuckled through his nose and nodded. “Yes, I agree. He’s a very good man.” As he let go of Imara’s hand, he leaned over the table and grabbed a leather-bound case then set it back down in front of her and looked at Imara. “I know you’re a little confused right now, so I’ll try to keep it simple, but you must tell Haldir what I say word for word. Do you understand?”

Imara looked in Daniel’s eyes and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Daniel tapped the case in his hand and licked his lips. “There are four knives in this case, one for each of you. They’re special knives. They’re made of elven steel and have the death curse imprinted on them.”

Imara gasped and put her hand over her mouth. “Oh, dear. The death curse.” She moved her hand from her mouth to her chest. “But what if I cut myself with it? I’m so very clumsy.”

Daniel shook his head. “They can’t kill the one it’s made for.”

As she gazed at his features, she thought of Ben and smiled. “Oh, that’s brilliant. Aren’t you just so smart?”

Daniel smiled at her childlike soul. “Thank you. You don’t need to be afraid of Selvin anymore, Imara. I wish I could tell you that this time will be different for you and Eliza, but it won’t be. I’m very sorry about that. But I do promise you that Fate is on Ben’s side.” He put his hand on Imara’s chin and leaned in. “Tell Haldir that if these knives cut Selvin, he won’t be able to undo it. It will all be over. The knives are brothers. What one does, the other knows.”

Imara grinned and said, “So strange. Are you sure you’re not related to Ben?”

Daniel nodded. “We are related. That’s why I need for him to end this, you’re both needed here. Can you tell Haldir that? Tell him to remember the vision he showed my wife. Tell him to bring Ben to me when it’s over.”

“Oh, I will. I promise you, sir.”

Daniel stood then pulled Imara’s chair out from the table and handed her the case. Imara hugged it in her arms close to her chest. “Thank you for letting me visit, Daniel. I hope I get to come back again someday. Thorin would just love it here so much. You know, he just loves old castles and such.”

“You can come back anytime you like, you will always be welcome in my kingdom, but your parents and Anna have been waiting a very long time to see you. I’ll have the gatekeeper keep an eye out for you and when you get back here, I’ll take you to them straight away.”

“Oh, you’d do that for me?” Imara put her hand on his arm. “Aren’t you just the nicest man ever.”

Daniel chuckled to himself and blushed. “Thank you. I can honestly say that no one’s ever given me such a nice compliment.”

As the ethereal mist returned and started to consume Imara’s feet, she flinched and said, “Oh my!”

Daniel crossed his arms and said, “It’s alright. It’s just taking you back to Ben, don’t be afraid. It’s just a stitch in time Imara, it will all be over soon. Don’t forget what I told you. I’ll see you when you get back.”

Imara looked at the mist swirling around her and smiled then waved. “Bye, Daniel. Thank you so much for having me over in your pretty castle.”

As she finally disappeared into the mist, Daniel cupped his chin in his hand. “How in the world did Ben and I get mated to two such wonderful women?” He looked up at the ceiling and shook his head. “You have just the strangest sense of humor.”

When Imara reappeared from the mist, she was standing outside a gray stone and wood bungalow by a lake in a forest, still clutching the case Daniel gave her. Imara looked around and twisted her lips to the side. “Hmm...this doesn’t look familiar to me at all. I hope that nice man sent me to the right place. Oh, I’m sure he did, he was just so clever.” She took a deep breath and shrugged. “Oh, well. I guess I better see where I ended up.” She hummed to herself as she climbed the stairs and knocked on the door.

As she looked back out at the driveway to admire the pretty car sitting in the drive, Thorin answered the door. “Imara?” he whispered. 

Imara snapped back around and smiled. “Hello Thorin. What was the name of that tune again? Was it Green Trees?”

Thorin chuckled as a wide grin came to his mouth. “No, darlin. I believe you mean Greensleeves.”

She nodded and said, “Greensleeves, yes that’s it.” She curled her lips under and looked around again. “I don’t remember this place. When did you get it?”

As he bit his lip, tears came to his eyes then he took her hand and ushered her inside. “I’ve been here for a while, darlin. Savannah just got too grown up for an old man like me.”

“Oh yes, I completely understand. It seems right nice here though.”

Closing the door behind him, Thorin sniffed back his tears and nodded. “Yes, its peaceful and quiet. Are you hungry, sweet girl? I was just about to make something to eat.”

She looked around, hoping to see Ben. “Umm, not really. Do you think I could lay down for a while? I’m mighty sleepy after that trip to the castle.”

Thorin pulled his brows down in confusion. “Why sure. Why don’t you go lay down on the couch over there while I make some phone calls? Do you want me to take that satchel for you?”

Imara looked down to the case she was carrying. “Oh, this. No, I better hold onto this. Daniel told me I had to give it to Haldir directly.”

Thorin watched Imara as she looked around the house. “Daniel?”

Imara nodded as she slumped down on the couch and pulled her feet up on the side. “Yes, Daniel Darke.”

Thorin huffed out a worried breath. “Did you say Daniel Darke?” Even witches on Earth knew of the murderous tyrant Daniel. 

Imara pulled the blanket from the back of the couch and draped it over her feet then said, “Oh yes, he’s just the sweetest man and he said he’s related to Ben. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised; they look almost exactly alike. Don’t tell Ben, you know he’s so jealous and all, but I nearly ran up and kissed that man when I saw him from behind.”

Thorin put his hand over his mouth and chuckled as he listened to Imara go on. “Well, darlin, you go make yourself comfortable and I’ll get supper started and work on those calls I need to make.” Thorin turned on the floor model television to the after school cartoons. “Is this channel alright, Imara?”

“Mmm-hmm, thank you.”

As Imara closed her eyes, Thorin picked up the phone in the kitchen and dialed. “Hello, Billy? Yes, it’s Thorin Parker. I don’t suppose Mr. Logan’s made an appearance yet has he? Huh, well son of a bitch. Is Haldir in town by any chance? Fantastic. Can you let him know that Imara’s arrived and she has a message for him from King Daniel YouKnowWho. Yes, you heard that right. Who the hell knows? Uh-huh. Tell him he can use my car, just stick to the back roads and get here soon. Yes. Thank you, Billy.”

Thorin hung up the phone then wiped his mouth with his hand. “I suppose I better get the guest house ready. Looks like I’m about to have lots of company.”