Our Lost Souls

Thank you again so far for those who have read this version of my story so far. I'm sorry for the delay, but it was just a few days, so no harm no foul, right? Okay people! Chapter 3 is up!


III. Dysfunctional Mornings:


Sophie groggily made her way down to the dining hall to eat breakfast with her sister. The crimson and gold wall drapes glowed in the sunlight drifting in from the large windows, almost blinding the sleepy brunette. Groaning, she clutched her pounding head delicately, trying to ignore the nauseated feeling welling in her stomach. She had never consumed so much wine in her life in one night, even in France, where a good red wine went hand in hand with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reaching the end of the spiral staircase, she dropped down onto the last marble step, leaning heavily against the banister. She looked up, squinting. How she made it three floors down without killing herself was a miracle. Sighing heavily, she closed her eyes. She could be late to breakfast, it wouldn't kill her. Lettie will just have to wait. Shouldn't be too much of a problem, right?

"Miss? Miss? Mistress Sophie?"

Sophie's eyes shot open, and she was snapped out of her peaceful reverie by Becky's concerned voice. She blinked a few times, trying to focus her sore eyes on the brunette maid's face. She watched curiously as a grin spread on her once concerned features. "Oh thank god! You're alright! You gave me a fright there for a moment miss!"

"Why? What's wrong?" She mumbled, not quite coherent still. Becky just shook her head, still smiling broadly. Linking her arm with Sophie's, she gently pulled her up and led her to the dining hall doors. Through her drunken haze, Sophie could faintly hear voices on the other side of the mahogany doors. She leaned so far forward straining to hear who they belonged to she slammed her head into the door. Becky gasped in shock, and yanked her mistress back to her side, her hold on her tightening. Sighing in exasperation, she carefully maneuvered Sophie on her wobbly legs to her other side, using her free hand she pulled the door slightly open, holding it ajar with her foot. Taking a deep breath, the petite maid wedged the door open further with her shoulder, and pushed it open. "Miss, Miss you have to help me get your sister in here." She gasped out.

Lettie stared at her with big eyes for a moment before shooting out of her seat at the head of the table to aid the distraught maid. Both women struggled to keep Sophie up, who had promptly passed out after hitting her head on the door. "Is everything alright?"

Sophie felt lucidity setting in as a deep voice took the place of Becky and her sister's. She felt herself being lifted into a strong pair of lean arms as her feet rose from the stone floor. Becky was speaking again this time. "Well, I think she's taken ill from something last night. Did she eat anything she wouldn't normally?"



Lettie shook her head. "No, nothing out of the ordinary. What do you think?"

"I think…oh my, I think she's in a drunken stupor." The male voice came again, directly above her this time. She felt herself being shifted – whoever it was, they were in a sitting position now, and she was rested snuggly against them. She tried to open her eyes, but her lids felt like lead. She tried moving her limbs instead.

"She's waking up!" Becky chirped, leaning over her mistress, brushing her bangs away from eyes as she struggled to open them. "Oh thank the heavens!"

"Becky…" She grumbled.

"Yes ma'am?"

"Who am I sitting on?" She inquired, cracking an unfocused eye open to look at her. She felt a chuckle rumble through her human cradle's chest. Shifting away, she moved too quickly causing her to face plant into their shirt. She pushed back gingerly away from them, but not before catching the scent of cologne that had become all too familiar. "Howl," She groaned, "Please tell me it isn't you."

"Awe, dear woman, I am hurt, deeply. So I won't tell you that it's me." He replied, feigning hurt. She rolled her eyes as she focused on his smirking face. "Top of the morning to you sunshine." He purred.

She was about to open her mouth again in a retort, but a sickening lurch from her gut sent a hand flying to her mouth. Howl cringed at her green visage, looking to her sister for help. Lettie didn't even have to say anything to Becky; the maid already had a small chamber pot at the ready. Sophie threw herself at the pot, knees hitting the stone floor with a loud crack. Ignoring the pain, she all but stuck her face into the pot, and retched up her stomach's contents. She gripped the pot's edges tightly as she continued heaving.

Lettie knelt down next to her sister, pulling her loose hair back with shaky hands. "Woman, get some water!"

Becky nodded and stumbled quickly out of the room. Lettie looked up at Howl, who was frozen in his seat after Sophie had thrown herself to the floor. "Will you actually do something vampire?"

He blinked dumbly. "Do what?"

The disgruntled blonde growled darkly at him, ignoring the unlady-like manner in which she was behaving. He lumbered over to her and the shaking heap that was Sophie. Kneeling down next to her, he gently rubbed her back as she started heaving again. He flinched as she lurched forward as she emptied her stomach for the last time. Becky appeared at that moment, a warm wet cloth and glass of water in hand.

Pulling the crumpled brunette into his lap, he accepted the cloth from the petite maid. Sophie tried to move away from him, hiding her face in her long brown hair. Ignoring her silent protests, he made her lean back against his chest and tilted her pale face up. He frowned slightly. Her eyes had dark 

circles, and the green tint to her skin was still there. Sighing, Howl brushed her bangs back, gently caressing her face with the wet cloth. Closing her eyes, she let him continue his ministrations. Lettie handed him the glass of water, and in a swift movement, they were back up in the chair once more.

After taking a few sips, Sophie pushed the glass away. "Tea, give me some tea…"

Lettie pushed her cup of now lukewarm tea towards her. Steadying her shaking hands, she lifted the cup to her lips and began drinking slowly. Lettie returned the glass and cloth to Becky, who bowed herself out of the dining hall. "Are you feeling alright now?" Lettie asked.

Setting her cup down, Sophie nodded slowly. Shifting herself to a more comfortable position on Howl's lap, she leaned forward away from him. "Lettie, tell me something."

"Yes?"

"What is he –"She said, nodding her back to Howl, "-doing here?"

The blonde frowned at her sister. "A bit rude this morning, aren't we?"

The brunette looked lazily at her sister for a moment, and then shifted around to face Howl. He cocked an eyebrow at her in response. Studying him silently, she spoke again. "Fine then, you tell me why you're here."

"I felt like checking up on you. You passed out last night so I came to visit you, woman." He answered indignantly. "But I can tell when I'm not welcome. So I will take my leave of you now." Dumping Sophie from his lap onto the chair, he straightened his shirt. Lettie rose from her seat sharply. "Your majesty, please, you have to forgive her. This isn't like her at all."

He merely shrugged in response. Bowing ever so slightly, he turned heel and strode out of the room. Sophie felt a wave of guilt as she watched his retreating back, another bout of bile rising in her throat. She slapped a hand over her mouth and dove for the pot again. Lettie groaned and slipped from her seat to her sister's side. Sophie shook her head, pushing away from the chamber pot. "It…is just…dry heaves." She gasped out between labored breaths.

Taking a shaky stance in an upright position once more on her wobbly legs, she walked gingerly to the table. Tearing a piece of bread, she chewed a small bit and downed it slowly with a sip of tea. After swallowing, she waited for a moment to see if the bile was going to rise once more. Satisfied she wasn't going to puke anymore, she moved as fast as she could out of the dining hall, almost knocking over poor Becky.


Howl strode silently through the halls of Heath Manor, its large cherry wood doors just ahead of him. She was an infuriating woman. Even an iota of gratefulness would have sufficed. This is exactly why he hated humans. Yet again, he was confused as to why he put up with it in the first place. 'Because she's the human King's niece-if the treaty should be broken, better the humans do it and not you.'

No, that wasn't quite it. He found her stubbornness quite charming as a matter of fact. Lord knows he's a masochist. But with being a Vampire, that was a given, right? He had lifted a hand to will the doors open when his sensitive ears picked up the sharp clicking of a woman's boots heading his way. He smiled to himself. Guilt trips worked wonders. Turning, he leaned casually against the giant doors, Sophie's pale and flustered face coming into view. "Howl! Wait!"

He flinched mentally when he heard her voice crack. He was making her strain for the sake of getting his way, and he immediately felt guilty himself. Still, he made no move or expressed any emotion as she came closer, remaining impassive. Stopping before him, her legs gave out on her and she almost face planted into his chest again. He caught her in a quick movement, steadying her on her feet. She had pressed her hands forcefully on his chest to steady herself, but he tensed, mistaking it for her trying to push him away again. She felt his reaction, and shook her head.

"What is it?" He asked quietly. "Do I repulse you so?"

She shook her head again in response. He grabbed her by the shoulders to make her look at him. "Don't lie to me."He said harshly. He took a deep breath, speaking softly this time. "I understand if I do. It would be the normal thing, a natural reaction between hunter and prey."

The reaction he received was not one he had expected. She bit him on the chest. She. Bit. Him. "Shut your mouth you damned fool." She grumbled at him into his shirt. He didn't move. He couldn't think. He just stared at the mass of shiny brown locks underneath his chin.

"You just bit me."

She laughed lightly. "Got your attention, did it not?"

"Yes, yes it did." He shifted her, moving so he could rest his lanky frame on the floor. Sophie soon found herself in his lap once again. She scowled at him, perplexed. "This is absurd."

"What is?"

"You do realize that this is the second time you've had a young maiden in your clutches, and you're not even courting." She said, scowl still in place. "It's unethical and unconventional."

He laughed. Sophie felt herself staring at him in appreciation as his full bodied laughter shook his loose shirt just a little bit more open at his chest. She blushed, and immediately hiding her face in her hair. He had already noticed and grinned broadly at her. "You were saying something not too long ago about ethics and conventions?"

She stuck her tongue out playfully at him. He sobered immediately. "You shouldn't be sticking body parts at vampires." He said quietly. "You should be afraid of me."

Sophie looked at him, nonplussed at the sudden change in his demeanor. "I don't understand. With a face like that, you wouldn't strike anyone as dangerous." She said, pinching his cheek for emphasis.

He turned his face away from her. "I am dangerous. I could kill you, and all I meant to do was embrace you."

She knew he was right, but she was also stubborn. And that was something he definitely had to know about her. He could also be playing her into his sympathies, or maybe he was trying to keep her away after her rude behavior towards him. No matter, she was as stubborn as a jack ass and no one could change that. Not even him. "But what if I want us to be friends?"

He threw her an incredulous look. "Have you been listening to me at all?"

"Have you been paying attention to me? If you really didn't want to hurt me or whatever the hindrances are that you foresee, you wouldn't be here still!" She protested. He shook his head.

"You're impossible."

"As are you, mister." She said, poking his chest sharply to make her point. He flicked her on the forehead in return. She swatted his hand away playfully. "Friends?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No, you don't. I always get my way." She chuckled, hugging him. He stiffened as her arms wrapped around him in a warm embrace and she snuggled into him. Suddenly, a jolt ran through him and he was in her mind, hearing her every thought. Sophie had felt the same shock, jerking away from him suddenly. "What…what just happened?"

Howl shook his head, watching her closely. She was guarding herself now, clearly startled. He knew what had happened. He needed to speak with his father and soon. Rising from their seated position on the stone floor, he lifted her up onto her feet. "I really must leave this time."

"Alright then I suppose." She answered, straightening her skirts. He nodded, and with a sweep of his hand the doors opened revealing the primary gardens. "Well darn, I wish I could do that." She giggled.

He grinned broadly at her. He took her small hand into his large one and brought it to his lips. Sophie shivered in delight as the same warm feeling spread through her body like the previous night when he had kissed her hand. Howl couldn't help but feel some smug satisfaction at her blush. Tilting his head in a slight bow, he turned to leave. Sophie watched as he strode gracefully to the entrance staircase, then pausing. "Sophie?" He called out softly.

"Y-yes, your highness?"

"Come here please."

She complied, and carefully made her way to his side. Looking up at him curiously, she waited for him to speak as he continued to stare straight ahead. In a swift movement, he turned her to face him; Blue clashing with brown. She was suddenly aware of the close proximity of his face to hers, and felt the blood rising in her cheeks. Not missing the glint in his eye that flickered so briefly, she kept eye 

contact with him. "How many times do I have to tell you, it's just Howl? You didn't need to be reminded before." He said huskily, his cool breath washing over her face.

They both leaned closer to each other, till their lips were almost touching. Sophie was barely breathing now, her lids becoming heavy as she focused on his perfect mouth. His lips touched hers for a mere second before he himself had disappeared in a whirl of black feathers. The brunette stood there, speechless and dazed as she absently stroke the black feather that floated into her hand. She didn't even acknowledge Becky and Lettie at the door.


Blue eyes reflected anxiousness as they connected with hazel. "Father, I think I've found her."

He blinked a few times before smiling. "That is wonderful news, who is she?"

Hesitation.

"She's…human."


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Note: He's referring to Sophie in that last conversation - and no, she is not some missing or mysterious person from prophecy, he's talking about...well...of the birds and the bees loves.

FaythlessAngel