Beta-d by ahsfoxxay :)
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the room, the crown molding glowing as it surrounded each wall. Red artisan rugs covered hardwood floors, and a large vanity was rested against the far wall, adjacent to the master bed. A long dark mahogany mirror stood in the corner, and Lana faced forward away from it as her skirt was fixed and her corset was set in place. A domineering portrait stared back into her disdainful eyes.
Childhood wasn't something Lana was fond of thinking about, but she did it often. As she had her maid tighten her corset her thoughts wandered to her life a few years prior. Her mother had been teaching her to sew, a wonderful skill to learn, and lucky for her her mother taught her young, she was only sixteen. Even when Lana pricked herself and wanted to give up, her mother always hugged her tight and urged her to try again. She always had faith. Maybe she knew of what was to come. They were practicing on one of Lana's old gowns when they heard a knock at the door. Lana shivered a bit, adjusting to the tightened corset on her torso, briefly pulling her out of her thoughts.
Her mother was an eclectic woman, to say the least. To the majority of the town her mother was the epitome of chastity and morality, but she was clever as well. Her dark hair made the other women burn with envy, and yet she always dressed simply, any color fabric illuminating her light brown eyes. She would always say how Lana must have gotten her father's eyes, dark and brooding, as she frequently was. The older Winters woman acted as an underground spiritual healer, trusting only a few individuals with her talents. Only Lana knew of her mystic habits, and often she helped her mother with healing rituals and other Celtic ceremonies. Both women enjoyed a separate religion from the men of the household, their little secret. There was a collection of special crystals and other tools buried behind her old hideaway, and Lana often joked to herself that her mother's spirit now guarded them.
Lana heard the zip of tightening strings as her maid finished tying her corset, and the woman brushed down the brunette's skirt, smoothing the fabric. Lana, now nineteen, turned to look in the mirror. The deep emerald corset and skirt were beautiful, flowing gracefully over the petticoat underneath. Cream colored ribbons were interlaced in delicate patterns over the green fabric, and her corset was expertly accented as well. She had her father to "thank" for her new lifestyle and luxuries. Her courtship and marriage were quick, and her father married her off a year earlier to Sir John Lawrence, son of Baron Lawrence. Her mother died soon after. Her husband didn't allow her to attend her funeral.
Lana took a deep breath and thanked her maid, nodding slightly, dismissing her. The smaller woman gave a quick half-smile before exiting. Lana looked in the mirror again, her hair was up in an intricate bun, small green jewels accenting it. Long parts of hair fell down towards her back, all deeply curled in the latest fashion. Lana sighed and moved to her vanity. The mirror was large, and small cherubs were carved into the wooden frame and on the legs of the dresser. Crystal knobs accented each drawers, and various makeups and beauty supplies rested on the top. She opened the first drawer and delicately opened a compartment inside the false bottom. She gently gripped her fingers around a small metal locket. A Celtic knot was engraved on the front, surrounding a strange symbol. Almost like a letter of some kind. A parting gift from her mother. She ran her thumb over it and smiled. Only when she felt the touch of the metal did she feel safer. She wished she could escape.
"John please, I don't want to be alone."
"Lana, this is official business, and you will keep your mouth shut. My father has appointed me to his political counsel and I will not stay to appease your womanly needs."
John adjusted his cufflinks and straightened his jacket. He walked past Lana, who had now fallen silent, and grabbed his coat and hat. His suit was of the finest quality, a deep grey jacket covering a black vest underneath. The jacket's coattails lingered over his matching trousers. Lana's dark eyes withheld her simmering anger, and her jaw tightened as she turned to follow him. Her pale skin was illuminated by the candles inside, the overcast skies outside not bright enough to shed any light into the home. He put on his coat and hat, moving to the door.
"I expect the house to be spotless when I return, yes?"
Lana gave a forced nod, jaw still tight. John nodded and tipped his hat as he opened the door and closed it behind him, trinkets on the adjacent wall rattling.
As soon as she was sure he had left she let out an aggravated groan, clenching her fists in frustration. She turned, seeing one of the maids in the doorway, the woman a bit shocked and frozen in her place. The brunette usually enjoyed her company, but was far from a friendly state of mind. Lana angrily waved her away. Mother spoiled me. How dare she show me affection and leave me in a place where such a thing doesn't exist?
Lana felt a pang in her chest, and decided to throw out society's rules for just a moment. She rushed to her bedroom, grabbing the locket and tucking it in safely in her bosom. She then grabbed a day umbrella and exited the house. She walked calmly down the street, ignoring the men and women out and about, her colorful dress contrasting from the solid black umbrella. Irrational anger was running through her, both at her husband and her mother. She left me here! She made her way to the countryside cottage where her mother used to take her. It was hidden neatly behind the rolling hills, and Lana carefully made her way through the brush, cautiously stepping over branches and roots in her path.
The cottage was unkempt to say the least. Various shrubs had grown through the wooden planks, and some had started to rot. Lana felt a wave of warmth run over her as she entered. She brushed her hand over the various crystals sitting on shelves, some covered by cloths. Various paintings hung on the walls, and Lana smiled shortly as she rediscovered her old hideout. She walked into the main room of the cottage and took out her locket. She looked at it a moment before her anger turned to sadness. She looked at herself in the mirror mounted on the wall in front of her and grimaced. All of the makeup, the painful hairdo, the corsets, she hated it. She lashed out and threw the locket on the floor, letting out a small grieving cry. It bounced once and landed face up on the hardwood. Lana grabbed the nearest item, a long white crystal, and slid to her knees.
"You left me here! You raised me with happiness and left me in a world where it was all but ripped away from me!"
She gripped the pointed crystal tight in her hands, venomous tears streaming down her face.
"I want to be happy! I need you to take me away from this place! Away from that.. wretched man!"
She was silent for a moment, halfheartedly expecting a sign from the afterlife, anything. She let out a piercing yell as she slammed down the point onto the locket.
The crystal pierced the metal, and Lana tossed the crystal aside after holding it a moment. She buried her face in her hands, quietly crying. A moment passed, it felt like forever. Her head shot up as a laugh echoed through the cottage. She scrambled to her feet.
"Reveal yourself!"
Lana nervously looked around the room. Another laugh went through the air. It was a woman's voice for sure, but was much more sultry than anything she had ever heard before, except for maybe when passing a certain street corner. Lana let out a small frightened whimper before scurrying out of the room. She looked around anxiously before catching a glimpse of color outside the cottage window. Lana looked out to see a woman walking away from the house. She held a navy and gold umbrella above her, and her blonde hair was up in ringlets on her head, small flowers woven in between strands. A decadent matching gown embraced her figure, and she practically glided through the worn path, as if it was perfectly clear. Lana watched, shocked, as the woman continued, pausing to look back slightly. The brunette only caught a glimpse of a smirk on red lips, and she blinked, the woman disappearing out of sight.