I turned to take in the sight of Jason dressed in yet another dark suit, with red trimmings and a simple black mask that concealed the entire upper half of his handsome face. My breath caught and for a moment I believed that I wouldn't ever be able to breathe again. I felt a deep ache in my chest, seeing him standing before me with that devilish yet charming smile. I could not believe my eyes; Jason was here, right in front of me. How long had he been here? Did he ever truly leave? If he was here all along, why did he not seek me out and why did he leave me that night at the ball? Had he only been toying with me, using me to play some sort of twisted game where he makes the girl fall for him before breaking her heart? I felt tears prick the corners of my eyes and the familiar swell of anger rise in my chest.
Jason must have noticed the bitterness in the air and the smile melted from his face. He stepped towards me, "Do not come near me." Jason paused at the anger and coldness in my tone. We looked into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity and then, when I could no longer bear the weight of his gaze, I turned and fled down the path leading back to the mansion.
I did not immediately follow her; I was firmly rooted to the spot where I stood. I was not completely sure what to make of Raven's reaction to me; all I knew was that it hurt…greatly. The look of anguish and bitterness in her eyes…it nearly stopped my heart and there was no doubt that I was the cause for these intense feelings. That was what made it all the more unbearable; the fact that I had done this to her…perhaps it would have been for the best if I had not followed her out to this exact spot on the night we met. Things would undoubtedly be much less complicated than what they are already if I had not allowed myself to make such a…mistake.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I did not even realize I had walked into the grand ballroom once more and was making my way towards Richard, who was politely chatting with a couple of older business men. I stopped a couple paces away, deciding it might be best not to approach Richard while he was busy speaking to such important men, but before I could turn around, Richard spotted me and happily motioned for me to go to him.
When I had reached Richard's side the two business men, who I recognized as Sir Oliver and Sir Kent, were just excusing themselves. The two men politely said a quick goodbye to me in passing and then moved on. Richard turned to me once they were gone and gently took both my hands, entwining our fingers. "What is wrong Raven? Did something happen?" He must have seen the anguish I tried to hide behind my usually stoic expressions. "It's nothing Richard I just need a distraction from all those raving women…" he continued to look at me as if expecting the real answer as to why I was upset. I let out a breath and gripped his hands tighter, "I'm fine Richard, just if you would please provide me with a distraction?"
"Very well then, what do you say to a dance…my beautiful bride to be" he said while placing small kisses on each of my fingers. The gesture made me blush; such actions were sometimes seen as inappropriate in public but Richard did not seem to have a care in the world. I looked up into his smiling face and felt myself give a small smile in return, "I say…that is a terrible idea. I do not dance." His face fell, "However, because you asked kindly this time…I think I could make an exception" the charming smile returned to his face instantly; the action made me laugh.
I walked into the ballroom and was greeted with the sight of Richard holding Raven close, expertly leading her through the romantic steps of the waltz. His head was bowed so that his lips rested on the spot just above her ear, his hand was placed carefully but firmly on her slender waist, and his fingers were entwined with hers; the sight made my insides churn with jealousy and hurt. That was me only a short time ago on a night such as this…that should be me now; those were the thoughts that ran through my mind.
I made my way down the staircase and was headed towards my half brother and Raven, not knowing what I would do or say but only wanting to separate them, when none other than De Malvoisin stepped into view and took hold of my arm and led me off to a secluded corner of the room. "De Malvoisin, and to what may I ask do I owe the pleasure of speaking to you" I said in a sarcastically polite tone. The old man chuckled and turned is snake like gaze on me, "No need for formalities boy. You know very well why I am here and I must warn you, I will not tolerate any more of your interventions. I know what you are up to, Red-X, and I will not be thwarted by some meddlesome orphan. There is no possible way for someone like you to possibly compete with someone like me." Someone like me? I stepped forward so that I stood almost nose to nose with the old man, "If there is no possible way for me to contend with "someone like you", then why do you threaten me? Is it because, somewhere deep in your black heart, you wonder if the little boy you left orphaned has developed enough hatred and rage to turn into a man capable of things one could never even imagine, capable of doing things even the devil himself would find too heinous and grotesque?" Now I leveled a deadly glare at De Malvoisin and green met black. Then in a dangerous whisper I said, "I believe the answer to that is yes…and now I must warn you, do not underestimate me old man because I am neither kind nor merciful. I am unrelenting and I am out for you."
I backed away and De Malvoisin shot me an evil smirk, "Well, then I should think it best that we both watch our own backs." And in a few moments he was gone.
Emerging from the darkened corner of the room was Jason and our gazes met for a few heartbeats before I looked away. I was worried, he had a hard look in his eyes and I had caught a glimpse of my father storming away from the very same area; that meant trouble. My father's threat on mine and Jason's life was still all too present in my mind and it sent a numbing cold throughout my body.
Richard must have sensed my discomfort because he led me over to a large window and gave me a concerned look, "Hey, what's wrong" he asked while gently stroking the side of my face with his thumb. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "It's nothing, I just ... I'll be fine." For a moment Richard looked as if he wanted to argue but one of my looks silenced him.
We were about to head up the staircase and out to the balcony on the second story, when Jason approached us and formally introduced himself to Richard. I was speechless; I couldn't believe the nerve of him. "You seem familiar…have I seen you before" asked Richard. Jason let out a good natured laugh and, while keeping a joking smile, explained that last time Richard had set eyes on him, he had interrupted mine and Jason's little talk after the first time we danced. "Oh well, apparently it was for the best…I mean look at you two, so happily engaged and only after such a short time of knowing one another." Jason's comment was said in a light hearted voice but his expression told otherwise; it was a jab at Richard. "Although, I suppose no man could resist the beauty of this young lady. Why, of course, I remember being quite taken by her the moment I first saw her" his green gaze had turned on me and he was watching me closely; I couldn't help but squirm under the scrutiny and I averted my gaze.
Richard, with no doubt, sensed the tension in the air and attempted to lighten the mood with a bit of laughter, "Yes, I didn't think any man could resist Raven. I am just fortunate that she said yes to my proposal, I do not know what I'd have done if she had rejected me" he said while pulling me close to him and wrapping an arm securely around my waist. Jason looked down while shaking his head and smirking. "Please forgive me Sir Grayson, I did not mean to come off so rude. In fact I only meant to speak to you about your company. First, I want to extend my sympathy to you, I'm very sorry about your father's passing" I felt Richard's curiosity and sadness as strongly as I would my own. "Yes, thank you…and your point Sir Kennway?"
"Well, I came to offer my services. You see I am a business advisor and I had been working in America when news of Bruce Wayne's death reached me, and well I knew the company would be suffering much and I thought I might be of some service to you. I know you do not know much about me but I can assure you Sir Grayson I am not a crook, I am simply a young man searching for a place where I might be of some use."
"Sir Kennway…I believe I will be needing an experienced advisor, seeing as how that was my job when my father ran the company. You can begin tomorrow, come in to the company office first thing in the morning to meet with me, we will discuss more then."
*******(Later that night at Bloodhaven)******
I entered the dark cottage after Richard bid me goodnight and was greeted with the sight of Jason sitting casually in one of the chairs near the entrance. This did not surprise me; I had felt his presence from a mile away. Although, my servants had most likely gone off to bed long ago, so how did he get in?
"Did I ever mention to you how lovely you looked in that gown of yours" Jason said as he rose from the chair and approached me. I watched him as he approached and couldn't seem to move away. "Why are you here Jason? You have no reason to see me anymore." Jason's eyes softened the slightest as he came close enough for me to smell the fresh scent of the woods that was distinctly his. "I will always have a reason to want to see you though…" I looked away at this and began to silently climb the stairs up to my bed chambers. I did not fully expect for Jason to follow but he did.
I followed her into her room. It was a simple yet elegant room, with marbled floors, a nice sized four poster bed with sheer dark blue drapes, dark wood furniture, and a large bay window with a single novel laying flat on the bench seat. Raven told me to wait at the entrance while she went to change out of her gown, so I sat on the edge of her bed and watched her disappear into a side room which must have included a bath and a changing area. After several moments of silence I rose from the bed and walked around the room. I came to a neatly organized desk which had an ink bottle and a quill placed on the corner, while a small opened book lay in the center. It read…
"I can barely remain conscious. My father has made a threat on my life…along with Jason's if I do not marry Richard. How cruel my father is, forcing my hand in marriage, ordering me around as if he has the right…telling me that I must give up the one thing I have ever wanted. The bruises he has left along my neck and shoulders will take several days to heal completely, but it was worth the pain… it was worth it to watch him bleed, knowing I had caused it…however insignificant the small victory is."
"I went out with Richard today…it was quite nice actually, he is nothing like I thought him to be. He is kind, intelligent, and somewhat like me. He has lost his family and remains alone…he yearns to belong just as I. Though it has only been a day, I feel as if the two of us have formed a bond and the thought of him does warm my heart. He will make a good husband and I am proud to call him a friend, I am…privileged to call him my future husband. He is a great young man and he deserves better than I…I will protect is kind heart and soul from whatever or whomever wishes him harm, I swear it on my life.
But…even though Richard is practically perfect…I still cannot forget about Jason…Jason and his devilishly charming smile, his deep laugh, and his beautiful forest green eyes. He still has a hold on my heart. Although, for his sake, I must force myself to shut him out from my heart or else I put him in the malicious grasp of my father, and he will make sure Jason is removed from me permanently."
"I have decided, I will marry Richard with no doubt in my mind. He has worked his way into my heart and I can't find a way to let him out. Although, I feel the same for Jason still, but he is gone. Though, my heart is no longer lost. With time I have come to realize what I feel for each man. Yet, I still do not know what the future holds exactly for the three of us. I only know that they depend on me and I will not fail them. I will keep Jason alive and I will guard Richard, I would give everything for the both of them…give everything until my last breath."
I came into my room and found Jason standing by my writing desk, holding my journal. I felt my eyes widen with surprise and my fists clench in anger. How dare he invade my privacy! "What are you doing" I said in a loud and cold voice. Jason looked up and his expression was hardened, "Is all this true? Did your father threaten your life and cause you such harm?" I glared at him, "How dare you invade my privacy! You had no business reading that, nor coming to my home. What are you doing here anyways?!"
"You did not answer me. Is he the only reason you have for marrying my…" Jason's eyes widened at his slip of the tongue. "Your what exactly?" I asked, while walking towards him. He closed his eyes and tipped his head back, exhaling loudly. "My brother" he answered with resignation in his voice.
"Richard is your brother? But how is that possible?" Jason led me over to my bed and then explained everything to me; the news made my head spin. We sat in silence for what seemed like forever until he cleared his throat and turned to face me, "Promise me you will not breathe a single word of this to anyone, especially Richard." I looked back at him and I could see the worry for his brother written plainly on his face, "I promise Jason."
Again, silence came over us. "Was what you wrote true, all of it?" I was hoping to avoid anything else at this point but I knew he would not let this go, "Yes, every word is true."
So she did have feelings for my charming brother, but she also had feelings for his roguish brother. At the moment that was all I could think about, that she cared for me…maybe even loved me the way I'd always wished for. "Raven, do you…love my brother?" I held my breath. "Yes, Jason I do love him and care for him." I looked down and tried to swallow the lump in my throat. "But, are you in love with him?" At this, she looked up into my eyes and paused for a few moments. "No, I am not in love with him."
Then before I could think any more about what I was about to do, I let my heart lead my actions. I slid my hands on top of hers and leaned towards her, letting our lips touch for a few brief moments. I felt her relax into me and then everything happened so quickly and without thought.
Her delicate hands slid into my thick hair and she kissed me with such intense longing and passion that I almost didn't realize I kissed her back with just as much fervor as she. One hand slid to her back and the other up to the side of her face, to hold her closer to me. Soon, we had tumbled back onto the bed and I was holding myself up above her. Then she slid her hand underneath my shirt and I was a bit surprised by her boldness. However, she surprised me even more when she began to undo my shirt and then slide it off of my body. She took a moment to marvel at me and trace the outlines of my defined torso and old scars. She kissed each and every scar in such a loving way, it made my heart soar.
I continued to kiss her and run my hands slowly along every inch of her, taking the time to memorize each curve. My hands soon found their way to the strings which kept her nightgown from slipping off her graceful body. At first she tensed and sat up, I stopped and pulled back to look into her eyes, silently asking for permission and at the same time reassuring her, and then she gave an almost imperceptible nod and I pulled the strings loose. The night gown slid off her body in one smooth movement and then it was my turn to marvel at her beauty. Each and every curve of her body was absolutely perfect and I couldn't help but notice how my hands seemed to fit perfectly on her curves. After taking time to admire the goddess before me, I let my gaze travel back up to her violet orbs and they were full of shyness and love. A faint blush crept up her neck and she looked away, but I wouldn't have any of that. I gently turned her face back towards me and looked deep into her eyes. "Raven you are gorgeous, please don't try to hide. I-I love you…just the way you are." Her eyes softened, and she placed a loving kiss on my lips and then offered a smile.
I smiled back and noticed her hair was still twisted up into a complicated yet simple style and I pulled out the pins that held her hair up, so that it tumbled down her back in soft and heavy waves. I smiled at her again and gently pushed her back onto the bed. We continued to kiss and touch for quite some time before I heard her murmur my name softly. "Yes?"
"I love you too…and I- I want…" she didn't have to say anymore because I knew exactly how she felt and what she wanted. "Are you sure my love?" She nodded and I responded by kissing her deeply once more before I slid off my boots and the rest of my garments. I then positioned myself above her and kissed away the worry that had briefly shown on her face, before I pushed inside her.
End of Chapter 7
A/N: Well I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Anyways, please review I love hearing feedback and I hope to post again soon!
