Owed to You
Chapter One
The clatter of hooves and familiar creak of passing wagons fills the surrounding air as I stroll along the beaten pathway, the train of my dress lagging in the mud behind me. The sun has begun to sink in the sky, leaving a large amber smudge above me. To my right, my stallion trots energetically in the corn field. With a swift click of my fingers, a young girl rushes to my side, her deep red dress flying out as she does so. A soft smirk crosses my lips as I raise a dainty finger to point toward the gleeful pony. "Penelope, darling", I turn to face her. "See that Lancelot is returned to his stable, for farmer Edwards shan't be pleased". Without hesitation, she offers me a swift nod. "Right away, miss". I hover for a moment, observing her as she turns on her heels and dashes into the field. The sky has now formed a dusky purple, and I realise it has grown dark in the midst of my thoughts.
As I turn toward the doorway and enter, I lift a single candlestick from the hallway to light my way. It's flame flickers in the breeze as the door is closed behind me, but does not extinguish. Several of the usual faces scurry past me, each bowing in turn with their greetings. "Good evening, miss". Without so much as a second glance, I wander straight past them. My mind is preoccupied. Will he return tonight? I am sure I cannot bear another second without him. I am roused from my thoughts as my shrug is removed from my shoulders. Suddenly, the scarlet dress rushes to my side once more. Glancing down at her mud-soaked boots, I frown deeply.
"Penelope, have I not told you time and time again about your incessant ability to drag dirt through this house? I think I shall be having stern words with your mother about you". She hangs her head in shame, her unruly curls falling forward.
"Yes, miss. My apologies. You've a guest awaiting your presence in the drawing room".
With a small nod, I wave a dismissive hand and she swoops out of my sight. The oak door before me is swung open, revealing a tall figure with his back to me. The fireplace provides the only light in the room, it's flames crackling softly in the background. As I smile widely and take a few hurried steps inside, the figure turns to face me. His smile mirrors mine.
"Stefan?", my voice dripping in disbelief. "You have returned?"
"Indeed, Miss Pierce, I have", he strolls across the room to take my hand in his, bowing as he places a gentle kiss on my digits. My smile grows wider still as I lift the hem of my dress and courtesy with a nod.
"It has been ever such a long time since we were parted. How did the journey please you?". Straightening up, he grins down at me.
"I cannot complain. Smooth seas for the most part". I grow more eager as I lean in toward him. The smirk plastered across his features suggests that he already knows my next inquiry, but I make it nevertheless.
"And what of your brother?", my voice hangs in the room for a moment before it is broken by Stefan's chuckle.
"Damon sends his regards. He has missed you terribly, and should be returned before the night is over". I cannot stop the smile which creeps upon my lips.
"He misses me?", I feel my heart flutter at the simple thought of him. Stefan rolls his eyes, maintaining his grin.
"He speaks of you every day. I'm sure the two of you will be glad to be reunited". With a quiet laugh, I nod toward him.
"You are like a brother I never had, Mister Salvatore. I am glad you remember these happenings so well". The heat from the fireplace has begun to make me a little uneasy, as tiny beads of moisture form on my brow.
"And you, a sister to me". The sincerity of his words only warms my heart further.
"I am ever so happy to see you returned, Stefan". I bend to lift the front of my dress once again, bowing ever so slightly. "But it is with this that I must bid you a good night". He offers me a final smile, which I return before exiting and making my way up the marbled staircase to my bedchamber.
As I set my candlestick down on the polished dressing table with practised ease, a voice beckons from the doorway.
"Will that be all, miss Katherine?"
My reply is well rounded and smooth, "Yes, Emily, you may return to your quarters." Raising my hand sharply, I motion for her to wait. "But, please do have a word with your daughter about those dreaded boots of hers. I do not appreciate that mess upon my floors. Goodnight". With a well-rehearsed courtesy, she turns and leaves with her ragged dress dragging the floor ever so elegantly. The silence of the room presses down upon me, the flicker of the candle casting dancing shadows along the opposing wall. Gradually, they are engulfed by a mass of darkness. A grin creeps onto my lips as I feel familiar hands sneak around my waist from behind, loosening my corset as they go.
A warm voice in my ear sends uncontrollable chills down my spine. "Hello, lover". Turning to face the tall figure, I feel his digits curl a loose strand of my hair. "Did you miss me?". His eyes seem to penetrate me to my very core, a shocking shade of crystal blue. Leaning in, my lips part, poised for a heated kiss when suddenly I feel his body forced against mine, his eyes draining to a blank shade, but never breaking contact with my own. The weight of his body presses against mine as he slowly slumps to the ground, and my gaze latches onto the blood- soaked knife held tightly in Emily's grip. Her words strike at the pit of my stomach, freezing me from within.
"Hello, lover".
With a gasp, I spring bolt upright in bed with hurried breathing, drenched in a layer of cold sweat. Panicked, I turn my attention to the clock glowing by my bedside. Four- thirty in the morning, as usual. Running a hand through my matted and tangled hair, I sigh deeply. The same nightmare again?Fourth time this week, probably nearing the thousandth time since the fateful night. Two centuries down the line, yet I'm still plagued with the same heart-wrenching scene. I am withdrawn from my thoughts as I feel warm arms hook their way around my sweat-covered waist. Glancing down at the familiar figure in bed by my side, his words echo in my ears as his sharp blue eyes lock with mine.
"Hello, lover".
