I would just like to apologise for not updating this story. I've been concentrating on another story I've become a bit obsessed with writing and trying to make that story as perfect as it can be. But, I have decided I'm going to be concentrating more on this story, so I can get it out to you all quicker and also get it printed off and sent off to my sister as part of her Christmas present (I know Christmas isn't for another five months!) . She's also getting the complete Fallen Saga, including Fallen In Love, as well as Winter's Shadow by M.J. Hearle, while her twin is getting The Mortal Instruments 1-5. Anyway, here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy! xxx
Lucille stood shyly in the walkway, hands clasped together in front of her; Daniel thought she looked absolutely beautiful. But, then again, he always thought that, no matter what she looked like or what she wore. A black flowing gown with a corset stitched into the body. The corset; made of whale bone, was moulded to her torso, while the skirt of the gown hit the floor, rippling like waves each time she moved, a light shawl was draped across her shoulders. Her small hands were encased in the same wristlets she'd worn the day she'd arrived; her long, thick, black hair was delicately pinned back, though a few black curls had escaped and were framing her face. Lucille had slightly raised her head and was staring back at Daniel. She let out a quiet gasp, a pink blush on her beautiful face. Daniel moved to stand in front of her, looking down at her from his height. He took her hand and raised it to his lips, placing a soft kiss upon her knuckles, Lucille smiled warmly at Daniel. He pulled his free hand from behind his back and produced the bouquet of white peonies.
"These are for you." Daniel whispered. Lucille's eyes darted from the peonies to Daniel, back to the peonies and then back to Daniel; where they stayed. Her eyes twinkled in the fading light.
"They're beautiful. Daniel, thank you." She gushed, taking the bouquet and setting them in a vase. She stayed there a minute longer, inhaling the peonies scent, a smile of content on her face.
"Are we ready to go?" Adrian asked a proud smile on his face. "Don't want to be late."
"Yes, sir," Daniel said then turned to Lucille and held out his arm. "Lucille? Shall we?"
Lucille turned a smile still on her face and nodded, taking Daniel's arm, "Let's go."
The party of six; Freddie and Katherine, Adrian and Jessica, and bringing up the rear; Daniel and Lucille, left the house and made their way to the Founder's Ball.
When they got there, the Ball was already in full swing. There were couples out on the floor; waltzing. Ladies on the edge of the floor were waiting patiently for a gentleman to come and ask them to dance. Squeals of delight could be heard from the children as they played out on the grass, quickly wearing themselves out. Daniel removed his arm from Lucille's, but kept her hand and swung her out and back in, her other hand coming to rest on his shoulder. Daniel snaked his free arm around her waist and pulled her body closer to his. He raised an eyebrow at her,
"Shall we?"
Lucille giggled, "Let's!"
Daniel grinned at her and they began moving in sync with the other dancers. They both laughed when they messed up the steps and Luce's hand clutched his. The song ended and another began; this one a much faster song. They moved in time, making sure not to bump into the other dancers, Daniel twirled Luce around and around.
After quite a few dances, Lucille had to pull away from Daniel, a hand clutched to her chest, a small frown appearing between her eyebrows.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Daniel asked her quietly, putting one hand in the middle of her back. Lucille couldn't answer because she'd started coughing and gasping for air. He hurried her over to chairs that had been set up and, Adrian and Jessica, who had been watching them closely, followed them over to the chairs.
"Darling? Are you okay?" Jessica asked her daughter, a worried expression filling her pretty face. Lucille closed her eyes and took a few slow, deep breaths. Adrian handed her a glass of water, which she gladly took.
"Yes, mother. I'm fine," Lucille looked up and gave what she hoped was a convincing smile for her concerned parents. "Just been dancing for too long, is all. I just need to sit down for a while, and then I'll be fine. Go, have fun. I have Daniel here to keep an eye on me, and to keep me entertained." Her parents hesitated for only a moment before giving their daughter a kiss and heading back out onto the floor. When she was sure they were occupied, Lucille set the glass down and stood up, facing Daniel and held out a hand,
"Walk with me?" she asked
"Are you sure?" He replied. Lucille made an impatient noise and Daniel raised his hands in mock surrender and stood up, laughing, and took Lucille's hand. Together, they walked away from the Ball and out towards the beach.
The moon hung half full in the night sky, stars twinkling impressively. Daniel and Lucille strolled side by side along the shore in silence, stealing glances when they thought the other wasn't looking. Lucille abruptly sat down and pulled Daniel with her. She took her shoes off and let her bare feet wiggle in the very shallow water, sighing at the coolness.
"Are you feeling better?" Daniel asked breaking the silence. Lucille tilted her head sideways and peered at him through curls that were loose about her face; the breeze softly blew them around.
"I am now."
Daniel smiled softly at her, his heart beating a slightly unsteady rhythm, "I'm glad to hear that." Lucille leaned closer to Daniel; he could smell the sweet scent of her hair. Absentmindedly, he reached out and twirled a curl around a finger. It was soft, like it always was. He realised what he was doing and dropped the curl, his hand falling into the sand. Lucille's hand, already on the sand, inched its way closer to his, fingers lightly brushing against his. He turned his hand palm up and captured her hand in his. She leaned closer, then jerked right back and pulled her hand out of his. Her brow creased as she stared at Daniel, "I really do feel as if I've met you before. Only, a long time ago. Are you quite sure that we've never met before? Maybe as children?" Lucille sucked in a breath and fanned herself. "It's quite warm out here isn't it?" Daniel's heart rate increased by a huge amount, sweat began pouring off his skin and his hands trembled. He reached out a trembling hand and pressed it to her forehead. Her skin was blazing hot; a fever had set in, sweat glistening along her hairline and temples. Daniel reached over and swept a hand through the water, then brought it up to Lucille's face, gently running his hand along her cheeks, forehead and chin, hoping the cold water would help reduce her temperature. He removed the shawl that was still draped across her shoulders and threw it somewhere behind him. She can't be taken away from me. Not yet. This can't be happening. I don't want to lose her. I can't. I won't. All these thoughts ran through Daniel's head. Yet, they went to the deepest, darkest recesses of his mind, when suddenly, Lucille bent over sideways and vomited. Daniel sighed with slight happiness that she hadn't spontaneously combusted, leaving him along again. But his attention was solely focused on her when she began clawing at her corset,
"Can't...breathe...corset...too...tight." She gasped. Even in the moonlight, he could see that she was deathly white, her lips turning a light shade of blue. The corset and illness were restricting her airways. Daniel gently pushed her down onto the ground and with great strength; ripped off her corset allowing her to breathe. She gasped as the corset came off, her airways clearing a little more. She started sucking in deep breaths to get the oxygen flowing back through her body and, with a hand to her chest, reached out with her other hand and pulling strength from out of nowhere, pulled Daniel on top of her. Their lips connected in a soft kiss, Lucille's hands curling themselves around Daniel's neck, bringing his body closer to hers. Daniel stiffened and pulled away, though there were only a couple of inches between them. He could smell her perfume and could count each individual freckle across her nose. She'd kissed him. She'd pulled him to her and kissed him. She'd kissed him...and she was still alive. Maybe, just maybe, this was one of the lives where they could kiss and she wouldn't die?
"What was that for?" He asked her quietly.
She smiled affectionately up at him, "That was for saving me," A hand moved from his neck and caressed his cheek, the other hand, still wrapped around his neck, played with the hair at the nape of his neck. "If you hadn't have been here. I would have died." Lucille tipped her head up and met his lips once more. This kiss was more heated, a fierce, sort of hungry kiss. Daniel's heart raced, this time for a good reason; he was kissing Lucille.
They'd stayed curled up together on the beach until she'd fallen asleep. He'd carried her home and found her parents anxiously waiting for her return. They'd demanded to know where they went, and Daniel politely and reassuringly told them that they had gone down for a walk along the beach. Daniel also had to explain her missing corset; how she'd had difficulty breathing because of the corset and the illness and how he'd had to remove it so she could breathe. Jessica accepted this explanation and hurried off to her daughter's room, though Adrian reluctantly accepted it and then offered Daniel a brandy; which he'd politely refused. Daniel left shortly after and made his way back into the forest he'd gone to so many times after an encounter with Lucille. This time, however, he stayed there all night, as well as the next few days; thinking only of Lucille and the kiss they'd shared.