Ponetfract

Charles looked up at the gate of the small castle before him and felt his breath become quite shallow. He never thought that he would be here again. In a place where he had committed so many wrongs that perhaps he shouldn't have. He rode past the main wall and nearly fell from the saddle. The heads were no longer, having past to dust long ago, but he could still see them. There was one in particular that still haunted him. Lord Darcy's. He tried to get his breath under control as he rode into the keep.

Sir Ralph stood at the edge of the crowd. His pale skin looked even paler as he faced the King. He had not fully recovered from his time in the tower. It was a cold day, and the man seemed to be sweating. He kneeled quickly as Henry dismounted. The man seemed to be shaking almost uncontrollably. Charles didn't blame him; he too probably had nightmares still. The man had been in the Tower.

Charles didn't really listen as the King made introduction. He was looking around at the castle. Overpowering memories flooded back to him. He closed his eyes as he tried to think straight. His mind was filled with images and ghosts that seemed to know how to get to him. He slid from the horse and gripped the saddle a little tightly as held on to it. He took a deep breath and felt a hand gently touch his arm. He turned to see Olivia walking by him. Her fingers lingered on his wrist for just a second. He longed to grab them and hold on until the shades were not swirling around his head.

Charles allowed her to slip away as Sir Ralph walked up to him. He tried to look pleasant as the man escorted him into the halls of the keep. Ralph was talking to him, but he was not hearing any of it. He walked into the main hall, feeling his knees go very weak. He stood in this hall before and talked with men. He called them his friends, and then he had killed them. He felt Sir Ralph touch his arm. Charles took a long blink and then looked at him.

"I'm sure this room holds a lot of memories," Ralph said.

Charles could only nod. "Of better times."

Ralph nodded. It was a long time before he got the chance to actually take time to enjoy himself. And even then he didn't really enjoy the time in the dining hall. The only thing that made him feel anything besides regret was Olivia. She stood behind the Lady Mary in a dark gold dress. Her hair was pulled back from her face with a piece hanging down across her shoulder. She would smile a little when Charles looked at her. He wanted to smile back, but he couldn't find it in him to do so. He would explain to her later if he got a chance to talk to her. He heard Ralph talking to the King. His mind could not even fathom what they were saying. Once the King left, he moved to leave.

When Charles stood he felt the strangest sensations shoot up his back. He felt cold air blow into the room. He looked around, expecting to see some ghost, sweeping into the room. There was no one different in the room. Charles knew that Sir Ralph said the place was haunted since what had happened. He shivered a little as he walked from the hall.

The back part of the castle was older than parts of the front of it. He walked downstairs into the cellars and took a deep breath. Down there, the air smelled like dirt with some wine lingering on it. He inhaled deeply as he leaned against the wall. His mind raced with the thoughts of haunting and spirits. He had seen enough of them at his home and other places. He was in no mood to see them tonight. He moved around, once again becoming utterly lost in the rooms. This had happened the last time. He cursed himself as he heard a door slam and something fall. He felt a low growl in his throat.

"Whose there?" he demanded.

There was no answer. He turned around with his hand resting on his sword. There was no one in the hallway. He could not even find what had fallen. He lifted his hand off his sword and turned back to some of the cases in the hall. He sighed and started walking again when he heard the swish of a cloak. He spun around so quickly that he almost knocked down the shade standing before him. He stepped back as he stood face to face with Lord Darcy.

"No," Charles whispered.

The specter said nothing as he moved down the hall listlessly. Charles leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath. He couldn't believe it. He started for his room when there was another sound. He turned this time, pulling his sword from its scabbard.

"Leave me alone!" he bellowed.

The hall before him was empty, but he was certain that he heard footsteps. He wanted to swing the sword and maybe hit some wondering ghost. He held it poised when he noticed a shadow pass. He gripped the handle and waited. The shadow slowly became a person. A beautiful person. He knew that dark gold dress. He let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. He put his sword away and ran to her. Before he could stop himself, he had her in his arms, holding her.

Olivia looked up at him. She didn't really know what to do at first. Finally, she slipped her arms around him. Her fingers found his hair and gently ran through it. She could feel Charles burying his face in her hair. She pulled away and looked at him.

"Your grace," she whispered, starting a question.

"Please," he almost begged. "Don't call me that tonight."

Olivia looked at him. She could see all the pain in his eyes. He really was being haunted in this place. She also looked at where they were standing. Anyone could find them and that would not be a good thing. She longed to kiss and protect him tonight.

"Charles," she said softly. "What happened?"

Charles shook his head. "This place is full of evil spirits. I'm seeing them everywhere."

Olivia looked up at him and ran her hand down his cheek. There were tears at the edge of his eyes. He wanted to shed them. She wasn't sure what to do. They could not risk being caught, and she could not afford to get that close to him. She wanted and maybe even needed to. But her game was dangerous enough without feelings getting in the way. Deep down though, she knew she couldn't leave him. At least not tonight.

"Go to your room," she ordered. "I will be there soon."

Charles started to argue, but being alone tonight was something he didn't want. Even if she stayed for a few hours, it would time that he didn't have to spend this ghosts. He walked to his room and sat down with a glass of wine. He looked over and froze. Sitting across from him was Lord Darcy. He looked as real as when Charles saw him in the hallway. The only thing was that he extremely pale.

"Lord Darcy," Charles said weakly.

"My Lord Suffolk," Darcy replied. "It has been awhile."

Charles managed a small nod. He could not believe that he was finally losing his mind. He was having a conversation with a ghost. A ghost of a man he allowed to be murdered. Tears fell down his cheek as Darcy finally left. He closed his eyes when he felt arms fall around his neck. He jumped and looked around to find Olivia with his arms around him. She had changed into a lovely nightgown and a robe wrapped around it. Her hair was cascading down her shoulders in loose, wild curls.

"How long are you were standing there?" Charles asked, touching her arm.

Olivia nuzzled next to him as he pulled her into his lap. "Long enough to hear you talking."

"And you think me crazy?" Charles asked looking at her.

Olivia shook her head. "No, I think you feel guilty."

"I'm haunted, Olivia."

Olivia looked at him she stared into his eyes for a long moment. His eyes were moist, and he was broken. She ran her fingers through his hair and down his cheek. He stared at her for a long moment.

"Why don't you let me keep the ghosts away tonight?" she asked, gently kissing his eyelids then his nose.

Charles stared at her for a long moment. Her lips were hovering so close that they were very hard to resist. She slid his arms around her and grabbed her in a passionate kiss. His hand was buried in her hair in a matter of minutes while his tongue started its own exploration. Olivia didn't mind. Her hands gripped the ends of his hair while her tongue came close to fighting his. He knew he should put a stop to this; he couldn't. He wanted her. Needed a little too. Tonight, he longed for her. He suddenly stood, scooping her up to him.

Olivia could feel his heart beating through his thick tunic. She was certain that hers was just as loud. There were sensations shooting through her whole body as Charles laid her down. She stared up at him for a long moment and then felt his hands reach for the knot on her robe. She pushed the robe off her shoulders and watched as he pulled his metal, cloak and tunic off. She stared at his loose shirt and chest for a long moment. He reached down, pulling her to him and kissed her again. His hands moved over her nightgown as he held her close.

The night passed and the ghosts let them be. Charles didn't have the heart to take her yet. He knew that he was falling in love with her, but he wasn't sure he loved her enough to do it. He lay awake, looking at her in the middle of the night. Her beauty was unmistakable. Her head with it riotous curls rested on his bare chest. She was sound asleep. He ran a hand up her shoulder and froze. He felt a scar at the top of her shoulder. He let his thumb rub over it again, finding that it felt odd as if it had a certain and distinctive shape. He thought of sitting up, but he didn't want to wake her. He moved a little and felt her stir. She was looking up at him.

"Are the ghosts gone?" she asked still half asleep.

Charles gently kissed her head. "Yes. Go back to sleep."

"You should sleep too."

"I will when I'm finished admiring your beauty."

Olivia nestled down next to him with a soft smile. She was asleep a few moments later. Charles was still running his hand up her arm and stopping at the same spot on her arm. He would have to ask her about later. He got the distinct impression it wasn't a scare but a brand. A brand with her shape and origin. He was almost certain it was a fleur-de-lis.