A/N: Thank you, I finally got more reviews on the last chapter that was someone other than my loyal guest, although I am ever thankful to their reviews.
So, thank you Eve and Ella W, this chapter is dedicated to you two :)
And to my other reviewer: Sorry, I can't update any faster, I only really have one day that's free to write (I know, it's sad). Therefore, I can only publish a new chapter every week, on a Saturday or Sunday.
DISCLAIMER: L J Smith owns The Night World, its dialogues, plot-lines and character names. All other plotlines, characterizations, and details belong to the author: xForbiddenLoveBitesx.
Mary-Lynnette
The caring woman, who I suspected had no medical degree whatsoever but was able to weave magic through her short plump fingers and soothe my aching body as skilfully as any doctor, was still fussing over me when Ash walked through the door.
His features, pursed and tight when he opened the door, relaxed when his gaze met mine and he smiled delicately. I giggled at his expression; it was one I never thought I'd see him wear, one of caution and shyness. One of the things that made Ash, Ash, was that he was outgoing and confident. He raised an eyebrow questionably at my outburst. I just shook my head and pursed my lips teasingly, although I was even more surprised at my outburst than he was. I wasn't the kind of person to giggle like a school-girl in the presence of boys. I guess we just had a weird effect on each other, like the shin kicking. He'd probably just read my thoughts to find out the reason, which means he'd find out the conclusion I'd just come to. Argh, you arrogant, conceited vampire!
An abrupt, amused laugh rang around the room. I looked at Ash, sure he was the one who produced it but he just shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. Two figures I hadn't noticed enter the room behind Ash, stepped forward out of the dim light. The first was a short girl who, despite her height, looked statuesque when standing motionless. Wild, unruly, coppery curls framed her face which held an elfin beauty, like she had just stepped out of a Fairy-tale, her a beautiful elf Queen, overshadowed in beauty by none. Her eyes were a startling green, gemlike: bright and glistening. The other was a boy, average in height but not in looks. Vampire, my mind immediately picked up on, it was an obvious conclusion for both of them. Without the smile that was on his handsome features, I would've guessed, any other time, his expression would be sullen. Kind of like a long forgotten brooding movie star. Mousy brown hair fell atop his forehead, hiding his eyes slightly but I caught a flash of murky grey.
The girl was smiling widely now, her teeth showing, another laugh threatening to escape her lips. "I think I'm really going to like her Ash, she insulted you," She managed to get out, having to breathe deeply a few times to hold back the laughter and emphasising the really with a smile.
Ash chuckled and came to sit on the chair beside the bed, my 'Doctor' apparently making herself scarce as I was assessing my new arrivals, and spoke to the copper haired girl. "Thanks Poppy, I'm so glad you enjoy people insulting me," He said sarcastically and grinned at me rolling his eyes.
Poppy moved with inhuman speed, which living next door to three vampires had made me grow accustomed to, to grab the chair next to the fire place and sit the other side of me, the boy not far behind her. She laughed and the sound was like pealing bells. "Well, that and she was amazingly complimentary of my appearance in her thoughts," She replied flashing me a friendly smile and mouthing thanks.
Definitely a vampire, I thought. The boy chuckled. "Perceptive," He said, the tone suggesting he was impressed and a slight sense of… awe? "Very perceptive," He continued, also flashing a warm smile. "James Rasmussen, Ash's cousin," Was the last thing he said before grabbing another chair and sitting as close to Poppy as he could get. Mm… maybe they're together? He doesn't seem to leave her side often and the way he looks at her… "Is the same way Ash looks at you," James observed. "And yes, Poppy is my Soulmate."
I smiled shyly at them both, a reply on my tongue, when the doors burst open unexpectedly. The sound of them banging against the wall as they swung on their hinges made me wince it was so loud.
"Mary-Lynnette," I heard a voice squeal. Another smile broke free on my face as I took in the sight before me. Jade with her waist length silky white-blonde hair swinging was holding a wriggling claws- extended Tiggy, a relieved grin plastered on her face. Rowan her sinewy skin flushed from running, long brown hair also swinging stood with a distressed look clear on her face which was normally calm and composed. Kestrel, her aged golden hair glowing in the fire's flickers, stood in the doorway rolling her eyes but I was surprised to see she looked as relieved as Jade. Finally, with a look of pure concern on his face, was Mark cheeks flushed and eyes alert. Jade ran over to my side and enveloped me in a bone crushing hug. "You're awake," She said joyously, as the tears threatened to spill and trickle down her cheeks.
"Um, Jade?" I managed to gasp out while I heard a low hissing to the side of me. "Can't…breathe," I choked, sure she had broken at least one of my ribs.
"Sorry, sorry," She yelped, a sheepish look crossing her face. "Alright Ash, no need to hiss at me," She continued glaring playfully at her brother. "I'm just glad she's alive."
Ash chuckled and flashed another dazzling smile. "So am I," He laughed, squeezing my hand gently. The gesture was reassuring and comforting and his hand was warm, warmer than the burning embers of the fire.
"Well, I'd be worried if you weren't," Jade remarked, smiling as she giggled.
Rowan stepped in front of Jade, the distressed expression long gone. She smiled that affectionate smile and enclosed me in a comforting hug as well. At least Rowan had the sense to remember I was fragile right now. Drawing back her eyes softened as she regarded her brother. "I've missed you," She whispered.
"I've missed you too," Ash confessed.
"Oh no, Ash's gone all soft, what is the world coming to?" Kestrel asked, smirking condescendingly at Ash.
"You just wish you got all the attention, sis," Ash replied sharing a smirk with her. Kestrel cracked a smile and walked over to me.
"Good to have you back," She whispered. I smiled back at her, enjoying the rare moment that this was as she never usually gave me compliments.
"James," I heard Rowan sigh. Averting my eyes from Kestrel's startlingly yellow ones I caught Rowan pulling away from James. "It's been too long," She scolded.
"Rowan," Ash laughed. "You were the ones that ran away, I don't think it's James' fault."
Another body slammed into mine then, arms wrapping tightly around me as the shoulder of my top, the same one I had worn here, became soaked with salty tears. The body shook with them as I clung to it, trying desperately to comfort somehow. As my arms released their iron grip, the figure pulled away, no longer crying.
Mark chuckled at his own antics, wiping the tear tracks from his face and mumbling a hurried apology for soaking the shoulder of my top. Jade waded over to him and encased him in an embrace that said a thousand things at once, a hug that comforted above all. He returned the gesture with the circle of his arms wound around her waist, his head resting on her shoulder. Kestrel rolled her eyes behind their backs, miming a gagging motion.
Poppy interrupted the silence, sighing in discontent. "I guess we should leave you guys to catch up shouldn't we?" She frowned. Getting up, she smiled at each of the newcomers and gestured to her seat. When Jade obeyed and sat in the chair she had offered, Poppy smiled wider at me, adding a little flutter of her fingers. Then, turning as if to go she started towards the door, James on her heels.
"Wait," I called, watching Poppy pivot in a circle and smile brightly. "I will see you again soon, won't I?" I asked. I hadn't even had a full conversation with her. "As long as you want to," She answered, glancing at Ash with a look that said 'there, are you happy?'. With that, she slipped out of the door silently and closed the doors behind her.
"What was all that about?" I turned to Ash, eyebrow raised.
Ash looked sheepish as he struggled to find the best way to word his answer. "I told her not to go overboard. She was really excited to finally meet you and, knowing Poppy she can get a bit hyper. I just didn't think you needed to have a hyper vampire bouncing around the room and asking when you can be friends so soon after you've woken up."
I opened my mouth to argue but Ash put a finger to my lips in an attempt to stop me. I would just have to settle for scowling at him then, wouldn't I?
"Yeah, I know, I know, you can take care of yourself. It doesn't mean I can't be anxious though does it? It doesn't mean I can't want to protect you from anyone and anything that tries to harm even a hair on you head," Ash argued, gazing into my eyes with a burning intensity that had the heat from his hand, still holding mine, travelling up my arm and worming its way into my heart. "Because I've already done all that Mary-Lynnette. I sat here contemplating the pain and the suffering you had to go through to end up in this state and it broke my heart. I came up with at least a thousand situations that could have triggered this… coma and all were wrong. Then when I had that stupid dream about Maya hurting you, I flipped out and started to plan, a plan that would kill the monster once and for all. I wanted so badly to kill her, with my own hands, because of what she did to you, the pain she inflicted. I will always be there to protect you, Mary-Lynnette, even if you don't need me to."
I was at a loss for words; my scowl had slowly disappeared with every word he had said. Ash, the confident, vain, conceited vampire had just poured out a piece of his heart to me. That fact brought tears to my eyes, warmed my already blazing heart and filled me to the core.
Apparently I was not the only one speechless as Rowan, Jade, Kestrel and Mark all had their mouths agape in shock. Jade was the first to speak but not after a few garbled sentences. "Wha… I… did he… wha..?" Was her first genius response. She swallowed in an attempt to qualm her shock but it was still crystal clear in her eyes. "Did Ash, our brother Ash, really just come up with that sappy, heartfelt, overall romantic speech?" She asked of no one incredulously.
Rowan shook her head and smiled and knowing smile. "I think he did, Jade, I think he did."
Jade just mouthed wow in response.
The seconds dragged on, the three sisters and Mark still incredulous and Ash gazing fervently at me, his eyes smouldering and I don't think it had anything to do with the firelight. A light knock on the door interrupted our intimate scene, the others still looking on in shock.
Ash chuckled at the sight of them, shaking his head affectionately. "Come in," He answered the non-verbal request.
A girl of about, at a guess, nineteen years of age walked into the room offering them a smile each. Her eyes said a different age though; someone of such an age that they had seen more than what any nineteen year old could comprehend let alone deal with. She had long blonde hair and a kind face that was obscured by a pale pink coloured scar that ran down the length of her cheek. This irregularity did not make her any less beautiful though, if anything, it made her even more interesting. "Hello," She said politely, brandishing another smile. "My name is Hannah Snow, but you can just call me Hannah."
"Or Lady Hannah," Ash said grinning at Hannah, who had a sour look on her face at his words. I slapped his arm, hard. How dare he, she was being really nice and he had to go and tease her! Hannah looked at me with a sense of admiration in her features. It was new to her to see Ash so defenceless, apparently. Well, he was being rude! "Sorry, Hannah," He apologised.
Hannah giggled and shook her head. "That's okay Ash," She accepted, a smile on her face. She addressed everyone else then, keeping the smile. "You could call me that as well, as my Soulmate is the Lord of The Night World but I'd rather not be labelled please, it's just Hannah."
"Wait," Kestrel hollered unnecessarily, holding up a hand. "You're Thierry Descoudres' Soulmate?" She asked looking at Hannah for an answer. She shook her head in disbelief when Hannah nodded and muttered with a hint of affection: "And I thought the Elders were meant to uphold the law not break it."
Rowan rolled her eyes and gestured for Hannah to continue.
"Well," She started. "I came here to see how Mary-Lynnette is doing first and foremost. Then, when I heard that your sisters and Mary-Lynnette's brother had arrived Ash, I jumped at the chance to show them around. I'd love to show you the mansion and your rooms, if you'd like?" She asked politely. When the girls and Mark nodded eagerly Hannah grinned in anticipation. "Excellent, I'll even throw in a bonus and tell you mine and Thierry's story on the way," she turned to Ash. "You can show Mary-Lynnette everything when she's ready to get up, won't you? The healer says she's fine to leave the infirmary now, I checked before I came in." Seeing that Ash nodded, she turned to me a friendly smile on her lips. I was starting to wonder if all she did was smile. "If you ever need anything, anything at all, just ask." She turned in a semi-circle picking up someone's discarded bag on the floor and motioned for the others to follow.
"We'll come and find you, yeah?" Jade asked before skipping out of the door.
"Sure," I replied smiling at her antics.
After a few seconds of silence, Hannah popped her head around the door again grinning sheepishly. "I almost forgot, Mary-Lynnette, your bags are in the cupboard to your left. I hope I can talk to you soon," With that, she shut the door again and the room plummeted into silence.
A few minutes of comfortable silence stretched out before I began to get fidgety. I groaned in annoyance, I didn't want to leave; it was so warm and Ash was such a comfort here. Ash instantly thought the worst.
"What?" He asked panic and concern crossing his features. "Are you in pain?"
I shook my head trying to keep from laughing at him jumping to conclusions. "If I don't get up soon, I'm going to get even more fidgety," I answered.
A frown crossed his face before he chuckled wholeheartedly. I slapped his arm playfully and warned: "Be careful, next time it will be your shins." This just made him laugh even more. He got up from his chair and stepped back a bit to allow me to get off the bed. I pushed back the sheet that was draped on top of me and swung my legs to the edge of the bed placing me feet on the carpeted floor. Pushing myself up with my hands, I stood up. My knees gave way beneath me and I crumpled for the second time that week. Ash had rushed forward at the first sign of collapse and I grabbed his shoulders for support. My legs still refused to stop acting like jelly though and Ash's hands reached my hips to provide extra support. We stayed that way for a few minutes, whether it was the fact that I was still weak or just being in this embrace, neither one of us wanted to let go. After deciding we couldn't stay like this forever and my legs were stronger, I let my grip on his shoulders relax and slid them away to my sides. Ash let go of my hips instantly and watched me with wary eyes as I made my way to the cupboard that Hannah had pointed out to me. Slinging one bag over my shoulder, I reached for the other one but found it was not there. Searching for Ash, I found him at the wooden doors, my bag in his hand.
He grinned confidently at me. "You would've taken too long," He assured.
I glared at him. "You're lucky I'm not over there so I can't kick you."
He laughed again as I made my way clumsily to his side. "After you," He said holding an arm out in front of him, indicating the way.
-x-
After twists and turns and trips up and down so many stairs, I had lost count, we reached my room. Ash opened the door for me, grinning widely. The room was much the same as the infirmary; aged, warm and enormous. Ash set my bags down on the floor and closed the door, smiling at my dumbfounded expression as I took in the size of the room and the king sized double bed that dominated the room. A shrill ring interrupted my ogling and Ash pulled out his mobile from his back pocket. "Hello?" He asked annoyance seeping through his words. "Oh, okay," He continued his tone more respectful now. I could hear the buzz of someone's voice on the receiving end as Ash's expression turned to disappointment. He sighed. "I'll be there right away."
He looked at me after hanging up, sadness in his eyes. "I have to go and speak with Lord Thierry," He explained. My own disappointment must have been clear too as he stroked the side of my face with an outstretched finger, tickling the skin. "I'll be back straight after," He promised. "There's a bathroom through that door," He said indicating to a door on the back wall. "You can unpack, put your clothes away and change while I'm talking with Thierry but I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Okay," I agreed reluctantly. "But we have some things to talk about when you get back," I informed.
He nodded and kissed me on the forehead, turning back to the door, opening it. The action produced a shaft of early morning light on the floor, illuminating his profile. The image was short lived though as he shut the door behind him and left me alone with my thoughts.
A/N:
Well, there you have it, chapter 3! Wow this is, I think, the longest chapter I have written for this story. Who liked Ash's little declaration? I, for one, thought it was sweet! Next chapter may have more sweet Ash, I don't know… I tried to put a little more of a feisty Mary-Lynnette and a teasing Ash in this chapter as I fear the last may have been a bit OOC, oh well. We don't really know what Ash is like after leaving Briar Creek (apart from his brief cameo in Angel) so I improvised and made up what I think could happen. Time and the right path can change some people and Ash was given that chance, he is not fully redeemed but is on his way. I've just realised there is a recurring theme with doors, didn't happen on purpose, I promise. Last story: cliff-hangers, this story: walking through or out of doors. Got to keep the suspense up!
Next chapter should be up by next Saturday (17th)!
Please review :)
xForbiddenLoveBitesx
