Ghost Lover: Lumiaar 2 (special preview)

“You have enough.” Lumiaar turns to look at the fireplace. “You needed me, so I was there.”

“There was more to it than that.” I lean against their chest. “In the beginning, we used each other. Admit it.” I smile to myself. “I used your pleasure to forget my pain. You used me as an easy meal.”

“You were supposed to be an easy target, alright.” Lumiaar’s soft laugh fades into a distant sigh. “But then it grew into something more than I was expected to experience. I couldn’t leave you, until I did.”

“I loved you more than I thought I could.” I close my eyes as the tears run down my face. “But I knew it couldn’t be.”

Lumiaar hugs me tight. They pick me up off the floor and carry me to bed. I wake in the morning, feeling like I have just woken from a lovely dream. The only thing that lets me know it is real is the wax droplets left on my gown.

That day, I am getting a visit from my beloved granddaughter. It has been a while since I have seen them as they’ve been attending school far away. She’s as radiant and bright as ever, her hair an awful mess and her clothes just fashionable enough to be comfortable for her. 

“It is so good to see you!” She runs into my arms. “You look so well!”

“I certainly hope so.” I pinch the tip of her nose. “You’re looking just as well yourself. I hope school is going well.”

A strained look crosses her face and she looks up at me. “That is partly why I came,” she says with a hint of guilt. “Mom and Dad are having some problems and I don’t want to bother them.”

“What problems?” I ask her. “I have heard nothing of it.”

She sighs and shakes her head. “They didn’t want me to say anything, they don’t want you to worry at all. But I can no longer afford school.”

I shake my head. “It has gotten to this?”

“I would much rather not go and things at home be fine,” she says with a smile. “But I don’t know what to do.”

“Nonsense,” I stand up. “You knew exactly what to do. You came to see your grandmother, which was the correct thing.” I sit down at the desk and start penning a letter. 

“What are you doing?” She walks up behind me.

“I am writing your great uncle,” I tell her. “He needs help these days, and I’m sure he would let you room and board at his place. Not only that, he hasn’t got much in this world except for money. He will pay for your school.”

“I’ve never met him,” she says unsurely. “How are you so certain he will do all this for me?”

“Because Beau is a good man.” I lay down my pin and take her hands. “You must be prepared, though. Your Uncle Beau has horrible scars. The only reason I am doing this so readily is because I know your heart is good and you will see beyond that. You won’t be scared of him.”

“Is he a frog or something?” She chuckles.

My serious expression makes her smile fade away.

“Oh,” she whispers.

“Samson is working with him as his assistant. But he needs all the help he can get these days, so I’m sure he’ll appreciate the helping hand.” I seal up the letter and address it. “You can stay with me until then.” I hug her tight. “It’s been so long since I last saw you, I would love to spend as much time as possible before you start school again.”

“I would love that too,” she beams up at me.

I get to spend the summer with her and I’ve enjoyed my time with her. Beauregard agrees to paying for her school and giving her lodgings. I am relieved that she bears more resemblance to her father’s side than mine. Perhaps she will be safe from Beauregard’s moods wings, unlike I was.