The Necklace

*Someone is murdered*

Emerald Dreams

“Nana, your emeralds would be perfect for tonight, grandpa would be so happy seeing you were them again.” Sam was digging through her Nana's jewelry looking for the emerald necklace. It was given to Nana on their honeymoon. Sam had always loved looking at them but Nana never let her wear them.

Sarah had a faraway look in her eyes. Sam knew she was lost in the past again. Nana had dementia and at times she was lost in her memories.

***

“Sarah, I know we were unable to have the wedding of your dreams. I will forever be ashamed of that.” Jacob's voice trailed off, cracking at the end on a desperate attempt to hold back his sorrow.

Sarah pulled her beloved husband to her, gently rubbing his back. “My Jacob, all I ever needed was to be your wife. There is nothing to be ashamed of or upset about. Our family was there, we are married. I am Mrs. Jacob Woods and that is a gift I will treasure.”

Jacob kissed his beloved with gentle passion. He couldn’t ask for a more compassionate or beautiful wife.

As they were getting settle in for the night, a soft knocked sounded on the door. Looking at each other in puzzlement, Jacob answered the door. There wasn’t a soul outside, as he went to close the door he glanced down. A small box with a note attached was in the middle of the opening. Shrugging Jacob picked it up bringing it over to Sarah.

“There is a note addressed to you Sarah.” Jacob handed it to her.

Sarah started trembling, hands shaking for no reason as she opened the envelope. A stunning antique emerald necklace fell out with the letter. 

Jacob picked it up, the emerald twisting and turning, catching the light, sending prisms of rainbows on the walls and ceiling.

As Sarah unfolded the letter, beads of preparation dotted her brow. Her hands still trembling she read the letter out loud.

My Dearest granddaughter and her new husband,

“First I wish to bless your union, may only joy and prosperity come to you both. Now I am sure you are wondering who I am. I am your great grandmother Cleola.

Yes, I know you have never heard of me, I was banished by my father after my daughter was born. You see she was a child made in love not marriage. Her father was a Romani, he was beneath my status. We were forbidden from being together, but love finds a way.

My story is long, one day I hope you can hear it all. But for now, this necklace belonged to me, given to me by Roberto. It is my gift to you my beloved grandchild. May it bring you love and happiness as it has me!”

Forever your loving grandmother, Cleola.

Jacob and Sarah both looked at the necklace in shock. It must be worth a small fortune.

“Jacob we can’t except such a lavish gift from a stranger. What will everyone think if they see me wearing it. If we sell it, it would go a long way towards helping our family get out of debt.”

 Sarah was being pragmatic something Jacob loved about her, yet it felt wrong to him to sell it. Her grandmother made sure she received it on her wedding day, it was something special just for her.

“Let’s not worry about it tonight my beloved, we can decide what to do another day. Know this Sarah it is your families heritage, I will abide by your decision on what you want to do with it.”

Pure love flowed through Sarah for her beloved Jacob. Sarah decided to keep the necklace, she kept it hidden from everyone. She would take it out and look at it every so often. 

Jacob was away on a business trip. He got a job with a prestigious bank soon after their honeymoon. He traveled at times setting up new branches.

Sarah was cleaning when she moved the box containing the necklace, it spilled out. As Sarah picked it up, the room starting spinning, she heard soft whispers, just beyond the ability to understand what was being said. She dropped the necklace and everything went back to normal. Sarah chalked it up to being over tired.

Over the next few days Sarah was drawn back to the necklace. Finally she put it on, admiring herself in the mirror, the emerald soft glow from the light catching them was mesmerizing.

Suddenly Sarah felt drawn to the mirror, she saw someone else in it, not her own reflection. Then everything went dark.

Chapter Two

Cleola was the daughter of a minor noble, their estate was on the border with Roma. Many of the workers came from there. They were treated with disdain, there ways foreign and secretive. Rumors they were witches, made people fear them.

Roberto was part of the Roma who traveled never staying in one place long. When he saw Cleola he knew she was the one. He couldn’t leave here without her.

It was during a pagan festival that they met. Cleola snuck out to watch their celebration. She thought she was well hidden and she heard,

“Why, hello beautiful!” coming behind her, she stifled a scream, spinning around so fast she lost her balance.

The most beautiful man caught her as she fell. And in that moment she also fell desperately in love. 

“Would you like to dance? Since you are here might as well enjoy yourself.” With that Roberto pulled her out to dance. At first she stood still in shock. There dancing was wild, abandoned and slightly sexual. Then the beat seem to pulse through her, and she joined in.

“Marry me woman, you were meant to be with me!” Roberto all but growled in her ear. 

She pulled back from him, a small laugh on her lips, but it died as she looked into his eyes. “Yes, if you tell me your name then yes!” 

Roberto bellowed out for silence. As word spread slowly everyone stopped talking, the music ended.

“This woman, Cleola, is to be my wife. We will wed in our tradition, on the full moon. I will bring the bride price to her father. Madam Touris, please do me the honor of binding us together.” 

The silence felt like it would never end, then cheers and loud whistles filled the air.

Cleola and Roberto were bonded in that moment. As they went to his wagon, Madam Touris askes to speak to her. She bought her over to a wagon. 

“This necklace belongs to Roberto's family, it is passes down the female line. Now it is yours. Beware of its magic, now don’t scoff child, magic is real.” With that Madam Touris kissed Cleola on the forehead and led her back to Roberto.

That night was one of love and miracles. The following morning Roberto escorted Cleola home. When they were spotted, her father and his men were waiting for them at the steps to the manor. 

Cleola stopped, she knew that look on her fathers face. She whispered to Roberto, “Don’t tell him my love, say you found me lost and escorted me safely home. Please trust me.”

Roberto’s pride wouldn’t let him deny his wife. “Mr. Falk, I have come before you with my bride. I also bring you twenty of my best horses as her bride price. I will take Cleola with me now.”

Roberto turned to signal his men to bring the horses in, when a searing pain tore through his back.

Cleola's scream hurt worse than the bullet. As he collapsed She held him in her arms. Her tears spilling down her face to mingle with his. He took his last breath being held by the woman he loved.

Her father’s men killed the men who fought to try and retrieve Roberto’s body and Cleola. They were forces to retreat leaving their beloved leaders on the dirt. 

Cleola was dragged away into the house, screaming for her husband. Then they all heard someone speaking.

Madam Touris called out her curse. “Your male line shall whither, your fortunes will fade. Only the woman will be safe. This I vow!” She spat on the ground as she left.

Cleola's father sent his men to kill her, but she seemed to have disappeared into thin air.

The next few months were a blur to Cleola, she mourned the man she only knew for a night but had become her soul. Then she felt the baby move inside her. She had to escape her father would kill the child of he knew. 

“Cleola, come down here at once!” Her father bellowed. She could hear the commotion, shouts and wails of despair She slowly went down, in the pallor lay her brother, his skull crushed in. 

“This is your doing, that woman’s curse. Do something to fix this Cleola or I swear you will regret ever being born.”

Cleola turned to run, she made it to the bottom of the steps outside before her father caught her. He started choking her, then he heard the old woman

“Kill her and your family line ends, she carries a daughter, your male line has ended. Will you kill any descendant you will ever have?” 

He let Cleola go. “Leave woman never return here again!”

Cleola gave birth six months later to a beautiful little girl. Her father kept the baby and banished his daughter. She later found her husband people and lived with them, never to be heard from again.

Chapter Three

Sarah woke on the floor, tears streaming down her face. The necklace dangling from her fingertips. She must have took it off at some point during her dream.

As she went to put it up a small piece of paper was poking out from the box, how had she never noticed that before.

She sat down to read the second note.

“Dearest Sarah,

 If your reading this then the necklace has shown you the past, my story. Do not weep for me, I had a good life. I never lost touch with my daughter. We had a relationship from afar. 

Now to what you need to know. Hand this necklace down through the female line and fortune will smile on you.

Go to the bank ask for safety box 20. That’s the day I married my Roberto. Everything inside it is for you, my darling child.”

Sarah didn’t know what to believe or do, yet she went to the bank. When she asked for the box, the manager immediately took her to the vault.

“Ms. Faulk, we have been waiting for someone from your family to come for years. We are happy to be of service.”

“I am Mrs. Woods now, can you tell me what this is about?” 

“The papers in the box will explain everything to you.” With that he bowed slightly and left her alone.

She slowly opened the box. Inside were deeds to the bank, to the manor house Briarwood and stocks in the moat prominent businesses. Sarah gasped on shock, all their problems were solved with this. 

She slowly walked home trying to digest all she learned today. When she got home, she put the necklace on, looked in the mirror and saw her family line smiling back at her.

Chapter Four

*The present*

“My darling Sam, I gift you the necklace, wear it for me. Now go on downstairs I will be right down.”

After Sam left, Sarah laid down, she was ready. As she closed her eyes, she saw her mother and father waiting for her with open arms. She ran to them as darkness settled in.

The end