Chapter 3 Chapter 3
Vivian’s POV
I looked up at him, trying hard to process his words.
Mate? Fate? Prophecy? What the hell was he talking about?
“I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else,” I started carefully. “I don’t know what’s going on, but what I do know is that I need to get back home.”
The intensity in his gaze dulled slightly, but his expression remained impassive, so it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
“How did you arrive?” He asked softly, genuinely curious.
I hesitated a bit, still finding it crazy that a mirror sucked me into the past.
“Through the mirror in your ballroom,” I answered, hoping he would have an idea of how to open the portal or something, but the look on his face said otherwise.
“A mirror?” His brows furrowed.
“Yes I—” I stopped myself, realizing he was too close, close enough for me to smell his body heat, a mix of lavender and something earthy, like the scent that lingers in the air when it’s about to rain. “Can you step back for a bit?” I forced out, looking off to the side as I cleared my throat.
His eyes widened momentarily, then he obeyed, bowing his head slightly. “My apologies.”
I nodded stiffly, brushing the non-existent dust on my coat. “None taken.”
“None taken?” He arched a brow, “Did the guards take anything from you?”
“What? No it’s….” I trialed off, mentally scolding myself.
That’s right. I forgot I was in the Victorian era. Of course, he wouldn’t understand what I meant.
“It’s an expression from my time…” I sighed, already tired. “The guards didn’t take anything from me.”
“An expression.” He muttered thoughtfully, his eyes glinting with interest. “May I ask what it means?”
“Uhm…” I stuttered, wringing my hands together. “It means I accept your apology…”
“Oh,” he smiled, brightening his features. “That’s a relief.”
All he did was smile. So why did my face suddenly feel hot?!
“However, I must apologize for the manner in which my men treated you.” He noted, his tone turning serious. “I shall have a chamber prepared for you.”
“I can’t stay,” I said immediately, “Please can you just send me back?”
“I’m afraid I can’t.” He replied briskly. “Because I sincerely don’t know how.”
“You don’t?”
“And I don’t want you to leave either.” His gaze sharpened again, “I’ve been waiting for five years.”
“Five years?” I blurted out. “For me?”
“Yes.” He said simply. “You are the woman from my dreams, I can assure you that.”
“I already said you’ve confused me for someone else,” my voice raised a tad bit higher, unable to contain my frustration. “I don’t belong here.”
“I insist you rest,” he said, his tone holding a finality that sent a shiver down my spine. “I do not want to hold you here against your will, but I truthfully do not possess the means to send you back.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, questioning the truth in his words. He said he didn’t want me to leave, so how could I believe him? But then again, since I suddenly appeared at his mansion, thrown in a time I should have only experienced through stories and books, I didn’t have much of a choice.
“No harm will come to you while you are under my protection.” He added, but it did nothing to ease the anxiety swelling in my chest.
“Very well.” I gritted out. “But only until I find a way to return.”
He held my gaze for a beat, his expression giving nothing away. “May I know your name, my lady?”
A simple question. But it managed to make my heart stutter. I took a deep breath, trying to brush off whatever was happening to me.
“Vivian…” I answered curtly, keeping my tone measured despite being a mess inside. “Vivian Indila.”
“Vivian Indila,” he repeated, letting the name linger on his tongue. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he bowed slightly, offering his hand. “ I am Adrian Northbrook, Duke of Northbrook.”
I already knew that. But I couldn’t let him know I did, so I took his hand and instantly regretted it.
He lowered his head, keeping his eyes on me as his lips brushed my knuckles.
I felt it again. That jolt made my knees weak. It startled me, and I pulled back as if his touch burned me, letting out a shaky breath.
And I don’t know if I was imagining it, but I swear I saw a faint smirk on his lips before he straightened up.
Oh Vivian.
What have you gotten yourself into?
The chamber they prepared for me was beyond extravagant.
Heavy velvet drapes framed towering windows. A fire cracked softly in the fireplace, and the bed was large enough to fit five people comfortably, its canopy embroidered with delicate gold thread.
The maids treated me like nobility, helping me out of my clothes whispering among themselves.
“Is she really a witch?”
“I was in the ballroom when she appeared.”
“So why did his grace let her stay?”
I pretended not to hear them, fatigue sinking into my bones. They offered to bathe me, but I refused immediately, convincing them I could wash myself. They agreed reluctantly, and when I stepped out of the bathroom, I met a silk neatly placed on the bed.
It felt like water against my skin, and for a long moment, I just stood there, in the middle of the large room, recounting everything that had happened.
A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I slumped against the bed, tracing the intricate carvings on the ceiling. I couldn’t deny that this was every historian’s dream, but as I thought back to Elena, of how she was alone in the present, it gave me no chance to enjoy the experience.
Would she be okay? Would my sudden disappearance ever be explained?
What would happen if I never find a way to go back?
“No.” I slapped my cheeks with both hands, banishing the thought.
I tried to sleep, I really did. But every time I closed my eyes, I saw the mirror rippling like water. Felt that violent pull, then fell into the darkness that silenced my screams.
Finally admitting defeat, I slid off the bed and wrapped myself in my coat, tiptoeing out of my room and into the hallway. The corridors were dimly lit by candle sconces, shadows dancing across the ornate wallpaper.
My heart pounded with fear and anticipation as I made my way back to the ballroom, careful not to attract attention.
After a few wrong turns, I got there, grateful for the fact that it was empty. I hadn’t spotted anyone on my way here as well. It was like the whole mansion was asleep.
I swallowed hard, my footsteps growing heavy as I squinted through the dark, trying to find where the mirror had been.
Just then, moonlight seeped through the curtains, illuminating my path.
But alas, my eyes widened, my breath catching in my throat as I saw that the mirror was nowhere to be found.
