A/N: I heart you guys! Here's the next installment!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Summary: AU. Mariah craved freedom yet it was far from reach. Bound to the Lord, escape was futile. Closing her eyes the moment the sirens of sleep called to her, she dreamt of a pair of golden eyes whisking her away into the darkness granting her eternal freedom. Was freedom worth the risk of death in reality or in her dreams?
Chapter 10: Free Me
"You are one who can save me,"
Mariah opened her eyes. That voice, she mouthed. It was from the man from her dreams. Many questions brewed in the back of her mind questioning the encounter: who was he? She couldn't shake off the feeling she met him somewhere before but as hard as she tried to remember, her mind remained blank. Releasing a defeated sigh, it was no use trying to recall lost thoughts. Her eyes cast down onto the blanket; she really wanted to know who he was. It saddened her to know he was suffering alone. How could one live alone in such pain? Remembering those blood stains imprinted on his sleeve, she felt her stomach tighten. Pushing off the mattress, she looked around absorbing her surroundings. It came to no surprise she was in Bryan's bed but with no Bryan beside her. Odd, where did he go? Mariah shook her head; it was better this way. The last thing she wanted was Bryan to return and resume hell.
Getting off the bed, Mariah reached out grabbing a pink silk robe. The idea of remaining naked in his bed did not appeal to her. Now clothed, Mariah walked to the window releasing another sigh. Leaning against the frosted glass, Mariah's eyes scanned the mist covered horizon, counting the number of decaying trees sticking out through the sea of white. Perhaps it was her eyes playing tricks with her but she thought she saw a shadow by one of the trees. Blinking, she made sure she wasn't seeing things. With one blink and then another, the black figure disappeared. The only clue she was left with was a pair of golden eyes fading with the rolling mist.
Those eyes… Mariah thought. Her heart did sudden flips in her chest. Those beautiful eyes… A-Are you watching me…?
Deep in thought, Mariah failed to notice the door behind her quietly opened. Mariah's heart fell to the floor upon feeling Bryan's arms wrapped around her. She tensed.
Kissing the side of her cheek he huskily whispered, "Good morning, kitten,"
"G-Good morning, my Lord."
Slipping a hand under her robe he whispered, "I see you're up awfully late. It's half past noon. Very unladylike, Mariah."
"I… ugh," Bryan's fingers moved to her intimate parts. "Bryan, please, not now."
"You're right," Removing his hand; Bryan spun Mariah around looking her dead in the eyes. No matter how many times he gazed deeply into those honey colored orbs, he more he yearned for her. He knew her body was his but it was her heart he desired most. His facial expression turned grim, "I have to leave town for several days. I have business to attend to with… Robert."
Tilting her head, she asked, "Robert? The Opium Master?"
Bryan responded, "New shipments of opium are arriving from the Orient today. That conniving nobleman will stop at nothing to make a fortune out of my supplies." Running a finger up and down her face, Bryan continued, "But fear not, Mariah. I will return."
"…Alright."
"In my absence, Mystel and Spencer will be looking after you."
Mariah was about to give a sigh of relief until Bryan tightened his grip around her.
Kissing the side of her cheek he whispered, "Try anything funny and there will be consequences. Be a good girl in my absence will you?"
Picking up her hand, he placed a kiss on the ring. The falcon crest glowed. Mariah swallowed hard, slowly pulling back her hand. Whatever he did to the ring, she had a bad feeling about it. Needless to say, Bryan was pleased. Turning around, she watched him leave; leaving her alone to her unspoken demons…
Unlocking the door, Mariah expected to be body slammed by a pink haired girl but there was nobody. The mansion remained silent. Walking up the wooden staircase, Mariah's fingers slid along the wooden railing, submerged in thought. With Bryan out of town, this was her chance of escape but… how? Glancing at the ring, all types of thoughts erupted in her mind. Freedom. This was her chance at freedom! Then again, what did Bryan mean when he mentioned, "There will be consequences?" How would he know unless Falborg remained behind?
Shaking her head, she had to do it! This was her window of opportunity! The plan itself sounded suicidal but an opportunity such as this had to be seized. First things first: she needed a plan, regardless of Bryan's threat. Rushing up the stairs, she slammed open her bedroom door, running towards the closet. Her fingers dug into it, pulling out various clothing items. At the bottom, she pulled out a suitcase. Snapping it open, she dumped in all her essentials. Throwing in a couple of gold and platinum necklaces into the suitcase, she rationalized it was the best way to ensure she had sufficient funds. Each necklace was intricately adorned with expensive imported stones: rubies, emeralds, sapphires, pearls, peridots and the like were carefully placed into the necklaces.
With everything folded, Mariah released a sigh. She hoped, no, wished nothing would go wrong with her attempted escape. Closing the suitcase, Mariah thought of the next obstacle: how to avoid Mystel and Spencer. Those two were Bryan's eyes and ears. She knew she could easily avoid Spencer but Mystel was the problem.
Mariah breathed. "Okay, I know I can do this. If I talk with Mystel… I'm sure he'll understand."
Mystel's features turned grim when Mariah arrived on the front porch of his mansion with a suitcase. He knew exactly what Mariah's intentions were but to help her escape from the Lord? Easier said than done, he concluded. Removing the mask off his face, Mystel's blue eyes came into contact with Mariah's honey orbs.
"Don't even try," Mystel said bluntly. "You're asking to get yourself killed."
"I know the risks, Mystel," Mariah shot. She needn't be told twice she was putting her life at stake. Softening her gaze, she said quietly, "This is my only chance of escape. So I ask of you: will you please help me?"
Widening the door, he gestured Mariah to enter. He remained silent, thinking about her offer knowing well of the consequences ahead. Listening to her footsteps click against turquoise and gold lined tiles, he wanted to help her but it was easier said than done. If he allowed Mariah to escape, his life would end. Mystel remembered all too well the last mistress who tried escaping Bryan. She… did not live to tell the tale.
"Mystel? Mystel!"
Snapping out of his thoughts, he made eye contact with Mariah, "Yeah?"
"What's wrong? You seemed to be lost in thought,"
Shaking his head, he replied, "Nothing. Come,"
Mystel lead Mariah through the spacious mansion adorned with colors of crème, gold and turquoise. No matter how many times Mariah visited his home, it always left her speechless. Aligning the walls were priceless artifacts obtained at auctions. Above her were crystal chandeliers lining the ceiling with flames burning brightly from whale oil. Guiding her to the end of the hallway, Mystel pushed a door open leading Mariah in.
He walked toward the couch and sat facing the large frost covered window. He watched as the mist slid through branches cloaking them from the curious gaze of the crows. Mystel knew the crows were loyal to Bryan. One mishap and the crow's caws would signal Falborg and immediately, Bryan would get word of Mystel's betrayal. Snapping his fingers, the curtains shuffled and gained life. Guided by Mystel's fingers, the green velvet curtains slid along the golden railing hiding them from sight.
"What do you want me to do?" Mystel asked not turning around to meet her.
Mariah smiled. Placing her luggage by the door, she made her way to the couch and sat by Mystel's left. "Take me out of town at midnight. Today's the new moon."
"Mariah," Mystel said quietly gazing at his bracelet. "Please reconsider this: you are putting your life in danger. I… I cannot bear the thought of losing you."
"I know, same goes for you too," Mariah admitted. Looking into Mystel's abysmal blue eyes, her feelings for the blonde grew, taking her back to their childhood days. "I will not allow Bryan to harm you. You have my word."
Mystel lifted his bracelet for Mariah to see. The black metallic bracelet glistened in the limited lighting of the room.
Mariah leaned forward, "Do… Do you think Bryan can hear us?"
"I don't know," Mystel rubbed his wrists. "I don't feel the bracelets tightening or shocking me. I think it's safe."
Relieved, Mariah relaxed for a moment. She couldn't help but stare at Mystel's form, making eye-contact with his tanned torso exposed through a gap in his dress shirt. Mariah had to admit; Mystel changed into a handsome man compared to when he was a boy. In literal terms, from an unattractive boy, he flourished into a swan. Relaxing her smile, she remembered playing with him by the water's edge splashing him in attempts to drench his hair. Memories flooded in one by one taking her down memory lane. Remembering all the good times they shared, she admitted; she had a crush on him. He was there to protect her when her brother refused to aid her. He was there to fight off bullies until the adults intervened. Vivid images flashed in her mind remembering one particular day Mystel went against both Tala and Kai in a bloody fist fight. Gripping her skirt tighter, she remembered all the things he did for her regardless of his own pains.
Mariah remembered when she found Mystel crying under an old willow tree. It was the day the sky turned red; the moon hung in the sky glittering like a polished Garnet gem. Across the river, Brooklyn's house was consumed in flames sending columns of black smoke touching the sky. The moon mocked him, turning redder and redder as Brooklyn's body fell victim to the raging flames of inferno.
Tears slipped down his cheeks. Mystel refused to look at Mariah, ashamed of displaying his weakness. "Boys never cry!" were the words he mumbled through sobs. Rubbing his back, Mariah hushed him; trying her best to do anything she could to console him. Only for a slight moment, Mystel looked into her eyes. It was that moment the two had feelings for each other. Caressing his face, Mariah leaned forward and kissed him. For all the things he did for her, now it was her turn.
Friendship blossomed into something more from that day onward. Young and free, both had the world ahead of them until that faithful day; the arrival of Bryan.
Where did those good times go? Mariah snapped out of her thoughts feeling Mystel's warm hand over hers, stroking her with his thumb. Without words, the blonde leaned meeting Mariah's lips.
Pushing away from her Mystel whispered, pressing his forehead against hers, "I missed this feeling."
Caressing Mariah behind her ear, she acknowledged with a nod. "So have I," Mariah placed a hand on his.
Mystel was on his knees, rubbing against Mariah's soft hands. Without looking at her he said, "If Bryan was never in the picture, I would have asked for your hand." Tilting his head meeting Mariah's gaze, Mystel continued, "I would have asked you to marry me."
Mariah was silent.
"I wish things are different, Mariah." Mystel stood up and dusted his clothes. Picking up Mariah's hands, he placed a kiss on them. "I will do anything to set you free, Mariah. You have my word. I will do anything to set you free from this nightmare."