A.N: this is going to be mainly third person but kind of told from Jessica's perspective.
Lucius looked down at Jessica. Her cheek was now a black blue colour and her eye the same purple-blue from last night.
He sighed, Jessica had been having nightmare all night. As if on que her eye lids started fluttering, a small gasp passing her slightly open lips.
"No. Don't." She whimpered.
Lucius softly shook her shoulder to wake her up. She came to with a start, her pupils dilated with fear and her lips quivering.
"Hey, it's alright. I'm here." Lucius wrapped his arm around her, pulling Jessica to his chest. They stayed like that for a couple of minutes before Lucius heard Jessica whisper something.
"What was that love?"
"I'd like to go down to the kitchens. Please?" Jessica whispered. Trying to move her lips as little as possible.
"Of course you can. But first, do you remember when I was trampled by the horse?"
"Yes."
"Do you remember what I had to make me better?"
Jessica only nodded this time, not wanting to move her face.
Lucius lifted his wrist to his mouth. Growing his fangs, he bit into his wrist, causing blood to flow from the small pricks. Tilting Jessica's head back and supporting her head with one hand, he held his write over her mouth, letting the blood drip into her mouth. The effect was instant. The bruise on her cheek faded from black to purple-blue and the one around her eye faded towards yellow.
Taking his hand away from her mouth, Lucius licked the remaining blood away.
"Thank you." Jessica whispered.
"No problem love. Now let's get you dressed."
Lucius pulled Jessica up from the bed. Helping her to exchange her pj's (that he dressed her in the night before) for a clean cotton t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Once that was done he helped her stand up.
"I've got Alexandru working in the kitchens as well today, if anything happens. You can trust him; he's one of the few people that either of us can trust."
Jessica nodded. Her face still stiff and sore.
"I'll be working in the reading room today, so I'm not far away should you need me." Lucius looked at her, as if evaluating her ability to move. "Can you get down to the kitchens by yourself or do you want me to call Nicola?"
"I want to try myself."
"Okay. But I'm going to follow at a safe distance."
Jessica nodded her agreement and made her way to the door. Pushing it open, she squared her shoulders and a determined glint appeared in her eyes. Lucius watched her go. Counting to thirty before following her.
When Jessica got to the kitchen Barbra took one look at her and gave her the day off. Lowering herself into a chair close to the stove Jessica watched as Barbra prepared the ingredients needed for lunch. She sat there quietly. Trapped in her own thoughts, when the chair beside her was pulled out and someone sat down.
"I'm sorry, Jessica." Jessica looked up, startled. Sitting beside her was Alexandru. "I had no idea that Mika was like that. When I asked her about it last night, she didn't even deny what she did to you. If anything she took pride in what she had done."
Jessica looked at him. Her eyes seeming to go straight through him. Judging him, almost. After what seemed like a life time she looked away.
"It's alright." She said quietly. Sometimes we are blinded by our prejudices. "How you acted was similar to how I acted at first. I didn't want to admit that he was the one for me. So, instead, I attempted to stay with the person who I thought was the one. But in the end I ended up in the same position you're in now."
"What position?"
"I'm not thick you know. I've seen the way you glance at Nicola when you think no one else is looking. You look at her like a starving man sat before a banquet. But now that you've screwed up so bad with Mika you're wondering if anything you ever say or do will get her back to you. Am I right?"
"Yes." Alexandru sighed. "How did you do it? How did you convince-." Alexandru glanced at Barbra who was listening intently to their conversation "him that you loved him?"
"I told him the truth." Jessica said simply. "Nicola is in the dining room, she's helping to polish the chandlers. Go and talk to her Alexandru. You might surprise yourself."
Alexandru stood up to leave. Glancing between Jessica and the door.
"Go." She said, half smiling. "I'm not going anywhere."
Alexandru smiled in return and walked swiftly out the door.
"Cup of tea dear?" Barbra asked.
"Yes please." Barbra set the steaming mug down in front of her. Jessica cupped her hands around it, feeling the warmth of the liquid within the glass.
Returning to her thoughts Jessica didn't notice when the staff converged on the kitchen for lunch. All looking at her before falling silent and whispering amongst themselves. She didn't notice when Barbra shooed them away, scolding for gossiping about her. Eventually the staff left. Leaving the kitchen in silence except for the sound of the scullery maids cleaning the dishes.
At last Jessica stood up. Moving slowly.
"Thank you for the tea Barbra. Would it be alright if I came and talked to you later?"
Barbra looked concerned. "Of course dear, the kitchen is always open, and if I'm not here just come to my quarters and we can talk."
"Thank you. I'll be going now."
"Going where dear?"
"Oh. I just thought I'd get some fresh air."
"Okay dear. Well there's a courtyard just outside and along a bit."
"Thank you Barbra. I'll see you later."
Jessica walked out the back door in the kitchen. The kitchen garden was small but well stocked. On one side there was veggie plants and on the other an assortment of fruit trees. She followed the path around the side of the castle. Making sure to watch her footing on the stone pathway. She'd walked about one or two minutes when she came across the courtyard. It was small and secluded. Three sides were walls of the castle, but the open side was lined with bushes, leaving only a small, almost invisible, opening. There had obviously once been flowers and trees within the courtyard as there were plots to plant in. In the center of the courtyard was a stone and wooden bench. There was plenty of light and the courtyard gave off a comforting feel.
Walking over to the stone bench, Jessica sat down quietly. The courtyard was beautiful already, with a bit of TLC Jessica could have this place as a sanctuary amongst the madness of what her world appeared to be. She had been sitting there for a small while when she heard a curse from the bushes.
"Who's there?" Jessica asked. Immediately put on edge.
"Don't worry. It's just me. But I'm stuck."
Jessica laughed. It was Lucius. He had attempted to get into the courtyard but had gone through the wrong gap, his clothes now caught be twigs and unable to move.
Jessica laughed. Moving forward into the bushes to help him.
"Hello." She said, and gave him a peck on the lips in greeting. "Would you like some help."
"That would be much appreciated."
Jessica laughed again, causing Lucius to smile. Jessica reached forward, snapping the twigs caught in Lucius's clothes. Within moments they had him free and they both moved into the courtyard.
Sitting down on the stone bench Lucius pulled Jessica onto his lap. Kissing the bruised side of her face delicately before reaching down a hand to play with her engagement ring.
"So what are you doing in the courtyard?"
"I just needed some space. I was thinking I could start restoring this place. Tell the head gardener that the 'Princess' would really love it. Or you could."
"Yes." Lucius smiled. "I could."
"So, tomorrow, I was thinking I could take Nicola with m down to town and we could start looking at dresses and wedding stuff?"
"That's fine. As long as you take Alexandru with you."
"After the talk he and I had today, I don't think either of them will mind."
"You should also look at getting a dress for the upcoming banquet."
"What banquet?"
"The one where I formally introduce you to the old vampire families and announce our engagement."
"Oh. Okay. Lucius, is it alright if I tell Barbra who I really am?"
"Of course love, it's your secret. You can do what you want with it."
"Thank you." Jessica leaned forward to press a soft kiss to his lips before turning and snuggling her head into the side of his neck, one hand in his as he played with the engagement, the other bunching his shirt. Lucius had one arm lightly around her waist and the other wrapped around her hand.
They stayed sitting like that for quite a while.
