A.N: It's been ages since I last updated this! I'm so sorry, guys! I've been trying to search for the notebook that I write each chapter in, but I couldn't find it! I gave up the search eventually and here is the next chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter Seven
^a few months later...^
Shadow had left in the morning to visit Miss Bryony again, Vio knew he must have. There was no other explanation to him not being there. Even Layla had said that was where he was.
Vio still couldn't help but feel suspicious, though.
It had been weeks, nearly months, since Shadow last had to visit her, so why now all of a sudden? Confusion quickly plagued Vio's mind like a bad migraine, though he was still determined to figure out the answer to this puzzle.
He quickly set off for Bryony's mansion, not bothering to tell anyone where he was going.
Vio was determined to get to the bottom of this, even if it was meaningless.
^Shadow's Point of View^
I entered the mansion, following Bryony's old butler through the grand halls.
"What brings you here today, Master Shadow?" The butler asked, turning to face me, his dull eyes somewhat lighting up. "You haven't visited the mistress in almost three months now."
That stumped me. I didn't actually know why I was here. Vaati hadn't sent me- he was far too busy with that brunette maid, Layla- and there was no real reason. I guess I just... wanted to come here. I was used to seeing Bryony most mornings, I guess I could even call her a friend. She was arrogant, but she did have a kind and gentle side to her.
"I just wanted to visit, Dev." I stated, for once using the butler's real name as he had corrected me to do so many times in the past.
"You used my name, I'm flattered." The butler, Dev, smiled. It was a genuine smile, as if the use of his real name had lightened his day. It was quite sweet... sickeningly so.
We stopped outside Bryony's chambers and I, like always, was told to wait whilst my arrival was put to Bryony's attention.
"You can go in, now. Just be careful, she doesn't feel too good."
Walking in, I expected things not to be all that bad. Instead, I was rather shocked by Bryony's condition.
She was lying back on the bed, pillows propping her head up, looking like death warmed up. She looked dreadful.
"Bryony! What's happened to you?" I exclaimed, rushing to my friend's side.
^End Shadow's Point of View^
Vio got to the front door of Bryony's mansion before slamming the heavy iron knocker against the door.
An old butler wearing a worn, black tuxedo came to the door and opened it.
"And you are?" He asked, his voice hinting a British accent.
"I'm Vio. My... friend, Shadow, came here a little while ago." Vio explained, feeling too embarrassed to reveal his relationship with Shadow to this stranger.
"Ah, of course. Come in."
As he walked in, Vio couldn't help but take in the sight of the mansion. He never had the chance to do so before, seeing as he was more intent on spying on Shadow back then, so he wanted to take in everything.
The walls were a golden-cream in colour and the floor was a vibrant variety of golds and reds. Large paintings, mainly portraits, hung on the walls, giving the place a bit of character. A rather odd stain was on one of the grand oak tables, looking like an alcohol spillage of sorts. Vio couldn't help but chuckle at how such a peculiar stain couldn't be easily removed.
"Is something funny, Sir?" The butler asked.
"No, there's nothing funny." Vio muttered.
After a while, Vio reached Bryony's chambers and he was asked to wait while his arrival was put to Bryony's attention.
^Shadow's Point of View^
"Vio? What's he doing here?" I exclaimed, taken aback.
"He didn't say, sir."
"Well, let him in. I'd like to finally see the man that Shadow talks so much about." Bryony stated and I sighed.
Vio walked into the room and I immediately beckoned him over to sit beside me.
"So, you're who my darling friend is so fond of? I can see why you like him, Shadow. He's quite the looker." Bryony chuckled lightly.
"And he's mine." I snapped, snaking my arm around Vio's tiny waist to prove my point. Vio blushed at my actions, but I didn't care.
"Shadow, I'd never steal him from you. He just has to watch out if he comes here alone at all." Bryony teased, though I glared at her all the same.
"Well, we better leave. It was nice seeing you, Bryony. I hope you feel better soon." I said, standing up to leave. Vio followed suit and I left without saying another word.
^End Shadow's Point of View^
As soon as Vio and Shadow arrived back home, Shadow pinned Vio up to a wall.
"Why the hell did you go to the mansion today?" He growled, making Vio flinch uncomfortably.
"I wanted to know where you were going. I was worried." Vio stated, trying not to act as scared as he really was.
"You could have just asked me when I came back. I wasn't planning to be gone for too long." Shadow snapped, letting Vio go before turning away from him.
"Well, when people get worried, they usually don't want to wait! I had no clue why you were going there! For all I knew, you could have been cheating on me!" Vio yelled, tears spiking his eyes.
Shadow quickly pinned Vio to the wall again, their faces mere centimetres away, his breath ghosting on Vio's neck.
"And why would I ever cheat on you?" He asked, expecting more of an answer than what he got.
"I... I don't know! It was just..." Vio didn't get the chance to say anything else as Shadow had closed the distance between their lips.
Vio turned his head to one side in order to break the kiss as he gasped for breath.
"I would never cheat on you, Vio. Never." Shadow stated, wrapping his arms around Vio in a warm embrace. "Don't forget that."
"I won't." Vio muttered, leaning his head on Shadow's chest as the two stood embracing for what seemed like an eternity.
Though all good things had to come to an end...
The cry of an injured woman echoed through the halls and Vio leapt backwards in shock.
Who could it have been? How did it happen?
Questions flooded Vio's mind as both he and Shadow ran to the source of the cry. Vio gasped softly as he saw who it was. Layla was laying on the floor in a collapsed heap, a large spear lodged in her abdomen...
A.N: So... I leave you at a cliffhanger! What could possibly have happened? Tune in next time to find out! I'm kidding, this isn't a television show. Well, please review what what you think! Cheesecake Superstar out!
