mrsamct
Joined: 07 Aug 2011
Posts: 208
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 Betraying The Guilty: Chapter 2 |
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Hardwood Flooring
Animal Hospital Portland
Red, that’s all I could remember. Screaming and yelling, till this day, I couldn’t get the ringing out of my ears.
"Close your eyes." A soft voice whispered.
And I did.
The next time I opened them, my face felt frozen, but my body so warm. As I gazed up, I saw a face illuminated by the moonlight, a face that unbeknownst to me, one that I would come to desire and even love. I remember the gentle shift in weight as he was slowly walked down the path through the dark forest. Tall trees shaded us from the eyes of the moon and the soft wind whispered lullabies in my ear. Not a single cricket chirped nor a single leaf fall, everything was silent. He looked down at me as he carried me in his arms, smiling gently he said, "What’s wrong Belle? Cold?" He leaned and gave me a chaste kiss on my forehead. Pure silver, I thought. That’s what they reminded me of. I had never seen anything like his eyes before. The shadows within them seem to move, but as beautiful as they were, I remember thinking that I had never seen a pair that looked so lonely.
A wolf howled in the distance, I tensed, heart beating faster.
"Don’t worry, Belle, there’s nothing here that can harm you. I’m taking you to a safe place." He rested his head on mine, "One, where nothing can scare or hurt you. " I didn’t say anything, but continue to stare at him. He smiled again, "What’s wrong?" I shook my hair, curls bouncing as I did.
We came to a small cottage, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting towards me. Luce continued to carry me in his arms, and up the steps. Upon knocking the door, a middle aged woman came to answer it. Her hair tangled and wise eyes in which told a thousand tales of what they had seen in their time. Those very eyes widened as she took in what was before her, "Lucius..." he handed me over to her. As she reached for me, I clutched his arm and looked at him fearfully. He smiled that gentle smile again and said, "It’s okay Belle, she won’t harm you."
"A mere child Lucius," the woman exclaimed. Speaking softer, "Are you sure this is okay?"
Luce was expressionless, "Take care of her."
The woman sighed and placed a weary hand on her forehead, "How old?"
He looked at me again, "Three years of age."
Her mouth tightened, "I won’t be responsible for the consequences."
He looked at me, and then back at her, "I know." As he tried to remove his arm from my grasp, I still hung on tightly and continued to stare at him. His eyes, his beautiful eyes.
He sighed, "Sorry, Rachelle, she’s still in shock. It won’t be easy for her, but please be her support," He placed his hand on my forehead gently, "... Please Belle, for now, sleep."
My mind went blank.
It was that cold winter night that was my beginning. Luce was my beginning, the one who would write my story, craft the plot and execute the ending. He was my everything...
I opened my eyes to the grey ceiling of my room. I could hear the gentle rain patter on my window sill. I sat up, my hair heavily tousled. I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision, only to see James sitting in the corner of my room, silently glaring at me. In a nicely tailored coat, his sword at his side, his image could rival that of the great generals of history. Handsome in his own way... he was still no Luce.
Seeing that I was awake he got up and walked towards me, his heavy boots sounding through the wooden floor. Clothes were thrown at me, "Town Hall, in half an hour’s time, don’t be late." He said as he strode for the door.
"James." I said.
He tensed and turned slightly. Minutes went by as I silently deliberated in my head whether or not to ask him.
"Why do you hate me?"
He was silent for a moment and then sighed, "I do not hate you."
The words shocked me, as I looked at him, stunned.
"I do not, however, particularly like you." He said as he fully turned around. "I owe Luce my life, and would be willing to lay it down for him. He is powerful as he is mighty and kind as he is cruel. If he were to betray me even, I would die a happy death. I would do anything for him. Even look after you, that were his orders for me." He stepped slowly towards me, his expression growing darker, "But what brings me to odds is why he chooses to care for you and treat you of all, specially. You should be honored by the kindness he bestows upon you."
I sat up straight in protest, "He doesn’t..." I looked away, "He doesn’t treat me specially, no more so than anyone else."
In a swift motion in which I had no time to blink, he held the edge of his sword pointed at my neck. "If you truly mean that, I shall kill you here. The mere fact that you said that may prove your unworthiness of him. In addition," his eyes raked me scathingly, "You are human. Humans are fickle, weak, they know no loyalty. Wars have been raged in names of Gods, yet by the same gods do they speak of peace. Easily enamoured by beauty, infatuated with wealth and fame, it is no wonder why humans are so easily seduced and dragged into the darkness. Your race is hypocritical, prone to error and day by day slowly draws to its own destruction. It is not the matter of us nobles to concern ourselves with you. " He drew his sword back and clenched his fists tightly, "Yet, Luce... he... he won’t leave you. It irritates me to know that the one true leader, my one true lord is forced to his knees by a mere human girl. I don’t see why he should care for a human who had forgotten her memories..." He strode out the door, "Let’s just hope for your sake, his Noble pride and reputation aren’t tainted by it."
When he left, I sat there pondering in my bed about what he had said. Could it be true? Did Luce truly treat me differently? But the cruel reminder of what James had said, just showed how far Luce was out of my reach. He had loved another, he had told me once. It was the day in the library, one of those rare occasions in which he was my personal tutor. We were talking about the wars between the Nobles, their fight for power and supremacy. Being one of the few Blood Nobles left, his knowledge was vast and experienced.
He gestured towards the chess board, "Shall we?"
I nodded, "I hate wars, and the violence and fighting sicken me. I don’t understand how even a whole army wouldn’t tremble at the possibility of death."
He moved his first piece, "In this world Belle, there will always be wars, some will be silent, some loud and others won’t be seen. In reality, trust is the hardest thing. Because there will be pawns who disobey orders, bishops who betray and knights who fall. But what one must remember, is that as long as the king lives, no matter how many other pieces the opposition has, or how many pieces are lost, there is still a chance of winning."
He began to tell me about the time he had fought relentlessly and mercilessly. But not for power as the enemy had, but all for the love of one woman. I still remember the feeling as my heart drew tight and as adrenaline rushed through my veins. My lips pursed as I studied his beautiful features, "Was she pretty?" My voice cracked, heart thudding at the anticipation of his answer.
He smiled softly, nostalgically, "The most beautiful woman in the world."
I hated that smile. That smile should belong to me. Jealousy consumed me in that moment and an all too familiar feeling as well. Loneliness.
"So beautiful that you would die for her?"
His expression lost his smile, "No, I wouldn’t have died for her."
My heart rejoiced at these words, maybe there was still a chance, still a chance that maybe... just maybe...
"Someone once told me that dying for someone you loved was easy. It was living for them, through every harsh circumstance, cruel demand and unfortunate event that was the hard part and we promised each other, we would never die for one another."
My fists clenched, even Lucius Black, the famed ruler of all, cold, cruel and ruthless. Even a person such as he, had loved and been loved. I laughed at the irony. Never aging, immortal, bound to youth forever, he was a beauty worthy of disgrace. With powers stronger any immortal, he was feared by all, rivaled by many and loved... loved by one. I gritted my teeth and forced myself to ask for details, "How did you meet?"
His eyes became guarded as he reached across the table and touched my cheek, "Jealousy is unsightly." Embarrassed and angry at myself that he was able to see through me so easily, I got up abruptly, toppling the chess pieces as I did and ran towards the door, but stopping just before it, I said, "People betray people. You told me that once didn’t you? That woman didn’t love you enough to live." He was silent behind me. I ran out the door.
Till this day, I don’t know what compelled me to say what I had, nor what it had meant, but all I know is that it was a day that once again, the distance between us widened.
Shaking off the bitter memory, I stood up and put on the dress, red, my favorite color. As I straightened out the creases, I felt an inconsistency in the pocket. Reaching inside I pulled out a piece of paper.
A note.
"Wear it well."
- Luce
My heart fluttered at those words. It was from him. Floor length, the red gown swept up to hug my shoulders gracefully; the fabric itself seemed to move in its depths. It was beautiful. My blonde hair came down to my hips, curling slightly at the ends, I reached for the comb, only to have someone beat me to it.
"Rupunzel, Rupunzel, let down your long hair..." A soft voice whispered in my ear. I turned, startled only to see Luce brushing the ends of my hair.
"Luce...wha-what..."
He placed the comb down and held out his hand, "I came to escort you. We have a new person we must welcome."
I nodded silently and placed my hand in his. Slender fingers, one that any musician would kill for, his hand engulfed my small frail one. He led me out the door.
The glare of the grey sky was first to hit me as I shielded my eyes, my eyes that were not used to such bright unyielding light. He covered my head with his arm and ushered me into the car. It was noon now, but still so dark for such an early time.
James was in the car who gave me a quick glare as Luce removed his hand from my eyes.
"She has arrived Lord Black."
"Good, see that everyone is present. Don’t let her out of your sight. Report to me when I arrive."
"Yes, my Lord." James bowed as he vanished from the car.
"Drive." Luce ordered.
The car gave a gentle start, and the smooth humming on the engine, soothed my nerves as I clutched the edges of my dress tightly.
"Belle," he said softly, "Please do as I say," I released the hold on my dress, "Do not speak, nor look at anyone. If anyone says anything to you, tell me at once. Stay at my side at all times."
My heart dropped, I always forgot that it was considered strange for a Blood Noble to have a human. The place we were going to would be crawling with the Immortals. Born with beauty bestowed on them that was their right by birth, a mere human girl, could not hope to compete with the female immortals who wished to sink their claws into the most powerful Blood Noble of all.
It took us approximately 15 minutes to get there and when we arrived, the scenery took my breath away. A huge ivory mansion, surrounded by a vast yet encompassing garden, statues within them, that looked as if they had been carved to perfection. Tall trees that graced the landscape, the white marble of the house and it’s grandeur in its entirety. It was like a dream.
Luce pulled me to his side gently, "Come he said."
As we entered through the two huge wooden doors, which panels were carved marvelously, the inside did not disappoint. With peach flowers decorating the tables, white ribbons that hung as banners, the expensiveness of this mansion took my breath away. I had not often laid my eyes upon such exquisiteness, nor, I hoped that this would be my last.
As we walked towards the centre, the crowd parted of its own accord and heads bowed graciously, "Lord Luce..." came the whispers of admiration, resent and others of jealousy.
I stayed at his side, scared to breathe, scared to look up.
At the back of the room was a stage, red curtains hung gorgeously, only highlighting Luce’s features further. "Wait here," he whispered, as he let go of my arm at the side of the stage.
Walking up to the platform, he stopped and looked out towards the crowd, "We have a new guest in our community, I thank you all for gathering here to greet her."
"Our pleasure Lord Luce..." they whispered.
"Of course Lord Luce..."
"Lord Luce, you humble us with your presence..."
"No need for the grand welcome," a woman’s voice called out. I heard the sound of pin heels harshly sounding against the stone floor. "You honor me too much dear Luce..." a chuckle, "But, fitting for ones with the titles of Blood Nobles don’t you think?"
The audience stirred at her statement, "Would you care to grace this stage with your presence?" Luce said.
More chuckles, "Of course dear Luce..." footsteps walked by me and a vibrant red fabric brushed against the edge of mine.
"Lords, prestigious members, Countesses, and all those present, Lady Cordellia, of the Phantom household, a Blood Noble by name and right, shall take residence in this city."
Gasps were heard and more whispers, I couldn’t help but look up. And what I saw was stunning. Beautiful, like a doll, brown hair like Luce’s, porcelain skin, it was like looking at a live doll. She was perfect.
Upon looking up, I saw a man by her side, on one knee, head bowed, I saw that he was only slightly older than I was, 3 or 4 years perhaps. White blonde hair, his features too were stunning, was everyone in this world perfect?
The woman’s gaze caught mine and I stiffened in response. The side of her mouth lifted up, "Come, Lucius, I believe we must talk in private."
Expressionless, Luce consented. Broken and embarrassed, I bowed my head again, unwilling to let jealousy consume me. A rough arm grabbed me and pulled me into the shadows, "Stay here," I looked up, it was James. "Don’t shame him."
I looked at the disappearing figure of Luce and the gorgeous woman in red. I looked down at my dress, wanting to tear it to shreds, but unwilling to destroy anything that Luce had given me.
"You two are not meant to be." James whispered harshly to me.
"You are two separate species, so stop this insane fallacy of thinking that he would ever return your feelings. He only has one heart, and everyone knows he gave it away long ago."
I couldn’t take my eyes off Luce, I didn’t want to let him go. But I had no choice as I watched helplessly, a single tear running down my cheek.
The feeling of loneliness...once again consuming me.
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mrsamct |
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