Chapter 3 – Lost in the Night

Darkness sat upon his throne in contemplation, in fact he had spent a great deal of the past 3 months in contemplation. He had given up his quest to destroy the unicorns, he had released the mare and restored the stallion, it had not been easy to do, but Lilly had promised to remain with him if he restored the world, he could after all destroy the unicorns at some later date. He had given Lilly little news of the human world; after the human Jack and a group of forest elves had come remarkably close to entering his domain he had hid the great tree within a mist and had since suffered no unwanted visitors. Though time normally passed at an incredible rate, Darkness felt like time had started to crawl since Lilly had arrived. At first she had been filled with spirit, but after the first month she became withdrawn, numbly accepting Darkness's presence, speaking in the shortest of sentences. Not knowing what to say or do to win her affections, he shared quiet meals with her and spent a great deal of time watching her in his orb.

She had ceased weeping everyday, though her eyes remained red and weary; her skin had paled and though Darkness thought her the fairer, the paleness made her sad eyes shine all the more brightly. He had given her gifts, jewelry, gowns, and various other trinkets he thought she might like, he had even given her a private room, he was working on a new gift for her; one, he hoped might further ease her pain. It was strange how many new emotions he had felt since she had come into his life, he still felt unsure and sometimes, actually quite often, he cursed himself for growing soft, but the damage had been done, and he found that he could no longer summon up his rage as he once had. Darkness looked from the orb to the great fire beside him, feeling rather amused at his predicament.

Lilly sat at a large ebony vanity staring passively into the mirror, barely registering her own reflection. Her skin had paled and her hair was slowly darkening, at the moment she wished for the warm rays of the sun, but she thought that wish rather hopeless. As she stared in the mirror, she felt empty, hollowed out, only a thin shell of whom she had been. Darkness said it had only been 3 months, but for her it felt like an eternity. A small part of her still hung onto some hope that Jack or someone might save her, but how would they even know where to look? She had ceased weeping over her mistakes, she often felt like it but her eyes would no longer shed a single tear. She wondered what was going on in the minds of her parents, she imagined them suffering with grief and hurt to know her absence pained them. I wish they could forget me.

I can grant your wish, answered Darkness stepping from the shadows.

Lilly turned a bit startled, trying to remember if she had said her wish aloud. Lilly bowed her head in shame, her mind quickly pondering whether that might indeed be for the best, but a small part of her still dared to hope, softly, reluctantly she whispered No.

As you wish was all he said at he stared at her with devouring eyes, he walked up beside her, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. Her body tensed at the touch, though she was startled that his touch was warm and not stone cold. She hated to admit, even to herself, that his touch did indeed comfort her in some small way. She hated and despised him, but her passion had left her and now she rarely felt anything other than fear except in his presence. Her skin tingled where his hand lightly rested cupping her face and she trembled as he stroked one finger down her neck, tracing it to her shoulder and down her arm. She was afraid he would do more, and she closed her eyes and bit her tongue, and felt relief when Darkness moved away.

I should just take her, Darkness told himself; trying to gather the nerve, but as always he was filled with doubt around her. He breathed in deeply, silently, demanding his heart to stop racing. He watched as she crumpled onto the vanity, her throat long devoid of sobs.

My lady, whispered Darkness throatily, as if afraid her frail form might break if he spoke any louder. As he feared, she didn't move, and so he waved his hand over her form lulling her to sleep. Gently he lifted her from the chair and walked across the room laying her flat upon an enormous gothic bed, draped in dull gold with bits of cream. He caressed her cheek again, moving his hand lightly over her chest, down her belly and to her thigh. She had lost weight and seemed frail, he briefly wondered on how to improve her eating habits. Turning he pulled up a chair and sat silently at the edge of the bed willing himself into her dreams.

"Lilly opened her eyes, not surprised to find herself in a field under the starlight. Darkness was there beside her, one massive hand resting lightly on her shoulder. Let me comfort you, he whispered, his breath caressing her skin. No, she whispered in response stepping out of his reach. Darkness stared at her with hunger; his heart ached for her, his body craved the feel of hers beneath his. I will not hurt you.

You already have.

You offered to stay.

I had no choice.

You had a choice, and you know what that choice meant. Whispered Darkness

It did not mean this, shivered Lilly as his hands found their way to her waist. Please, don't do this. Trembled Lilly as his mouth found its way to her neck. His touch burned and she felt like she was melting. Her knees went weak, but he held her, cradling her small form against him.

I need you, he whispered, unable to let her go.

The world seemed to spin and Lilly found herself dizzy in a bed under the stars, fear fueling her strength. Please she begged, wiggling out of his embrace, crawling on knees towards the other side of the bed that seemed never to end.

Please? He whispered, appearing beside her again; intoxicated by her.

She began to weep as she pushed at him, her small arms unable to keep him away. Her eyes misted over and she went limp as his lips found her own. His kiss was slow, deep, and ravenous all at the same time, it shocked her, she felt as if she had just fallen through the air, and yet she was acutely aware of being held firm in his arms. His mouth probed, teased and tormented hers, and slowly, very slowly she found her mouth responding to his. No! Her mind cried out in despair, but she was already lost."