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Chapter 13: Liaisons

My hot bath felt exceptionally good after my long night, and I was fairly certain I had been in the bath for so long every inch of my body had pruned. I felt my mind constantly wander back, remembering every detail of the night, a small smile spreading across my lips regardless of my attempt to keep it at bay. I had awoken in Caius' study in the late afternoon; the sun streaming through the open window, and I had felt content. I had since been able to maintain my relaxed, carefree attitude, finally enjoying being back. After a while I at last got out of the tub and dried myself off, taking my time while I dressed and brushed my hair out just so.

As I stood in front of my wardrobe trying to decide what to wear, I remembered Chloe in her obscenely tiny green dress. Suddenly I felt a weight on my chest; it was almost overwhelming, making it difficult to breath. I had almost completely forgotten about her, but as soon as she reentered my mind, I felt a pressure begin to build up inside me. I would not let her get between me and the life I had finally become accustomed, or more importantly between myself and Caius.

I felt my aggressive, competitive side take over and I selected a provocative, fiery red dress, which I had not worn in quite a while. After I had slipped into it I remembered why. Though it wasn't overly short, it did reveal quite a lot leg and the corseted bodice emphasized my silhouette. I was mostly worried about the way it exposed my more than ample chest. Nevertheless, I had decided that it was time to show Chloe who she was messing with. I slipped on a pair of my favourite black Louboutins, which I didn't really wear around the castle, and with a final glance in the mirror, slipped out of the room.

I walked through the deserted corridors of the castle, the loud sharp sound of my heels on the stone floors reverberating around me. I hated the attention the sound drew to me, and I was thankful when I finally reached the library. I regretted the shoes now, but no other shoe would have gone as well with the dress. I quickly slipped the shoes off before entering the library, and was sure to lose myself immediately among the enormous, ornate shelves. As I past the private rooms that spanned the perimeter I heard the sound of old weathered pages being flipped repeatedly. I tip toed closer towards the room the sound was coming from and peering carefully through the door which had been left ajar.

I felt angry instantly as I saw Chloe seated at the large wooden desk inside, flipping through an old manuscript. Today she was even more scantily clad: the steel blue dress had an even lower neckline then her previous ensemble. She seemed completely unaware that she was no longer alone in the library, and was mindlessly twirling a strand of her flaming red hair between her fingers. I glowered for a moment before I decided it was best to move along, and headed quietly for the secluded corner hidden at the very back of the library. On my way I had grabbed a very old Italian history book, bound in a beautiful gilded cover. I settled myself on a golden beige sofa and forced myself to become lost in the vibrant history of the country where I had been living for so long.

I wasn't sure how long I had been reading for, but when I finally gave up for the day, the sky was darkening outside the long narrow window. I stood stretching and returned the book to its shelf, before I made my way to leave the library. I couldn't help myself as I snuck quietly up to the room, almost secretly hoping that Chloe would still be there, at least then I would know where she was. More importantly I would know that she wasn't with Caius. To my dismay the door was open, revealing the dark abandoned room within.

I fought the knot of anxiety that threatened to build in my stomach and quickly left the library.

'Why I am not surprised to find you here.' Jane's voice drawled from somewhere to my right. I clasped my hand to my mouth in my attempt to stifle a scream. Jane eyed me curiously, waiting for me to recover.

'Sorry, you scared me.'

I saw a sneer spread across her angelic face. 'You're presence is required in the great hall.' She turned quietly, leading me back towards the hall. I was fairly certain that was more conversation then we'd ever exchanged in a single week.

I slipped my shoes back on just before we reached the doors to the hall, and quickly smoothed any wrinkles from my dress. As Jane and I entered the great hall, I immediately noticed there were only two brothers present, both raven haired. Caius wasn't there. That knot in my stomach became all too evident, and nausea was beginning to spread through me.

I forced myself to maintain my composure as I approached Aro and Marcus. Aro smiled as he stopped at the bottom of the stairs; however, I was surprised to see Marcus, studying me warily.

"My my Lyana, don't you look ravishing this evening.' Aro's voice echoed through the hall, and he clasped his hands together gently in his lap as he observed me. I smiled, acknowledging his compliment, but remained silent. 'My dear, I had hoped we could discuss what happened here yesterday.' His face quickly became serious as he rose, descending the stairs towards me.

'Of course, my lord.'

Instead of reaching for my hand, as was his custom, Aro began to circle me slowly as he spoke. 'It has been brought to my attention that Chloe's presence here in the castle has made you …uneasy. Marcus has informed you that it was I who brought her to Caius' attention.' He paused for a moment, studying my face. 'I only hope you do not believe it was my intention to replace you, so to speak.' He took a step towards me, closing the distance between us, finally reaching for my hand, which I offered willingly. Instead of being forced to voice my fears aloud I decided it would be easiest to let Aro hear everything, privately.

Aro's face seemed solemn, as he used my hand to draw me even closer to him, so close that what he said next was barely more than a whisper. 'You are more valuable then you know, my dear, not only to Caius.'

I felt a shiver course through my body at his words. Something about what he had said unnerved me, and I suddenly felt uneasy being so close to him. I small grin appeared on his lips, before he released my hand, returning to his seat.

Marcus extended his arm gently resting his fingertips on the top of Aro's hand, and after a moment Aro nodded in agreement. 'You should go now Lyana, we will speak with you tomorrow.'

As I turned to leave I saw Caius enter through the passageway behind the thrones. His eyes were black, wild even, as he held my gaze. I paused for an instant, frozen with shock; I was all to use to those eyes. The nausea rolled through my stomach again. I turned and fled from the hall as quickly as I could, without drawing too much attention. As I left, Heidi passed me, followed by a very large group of tourists. They seemed completely at ease, no concern in their minds whatsoever as they entered the great hall, the oak doors shutting behind them. I continued to run as quickly as my feet would carry me, towards the staircase.

I almost made it out of earshot before the first of the screams sounded. I felt my stomach heave. I knew people died here, many people… innocent people. But hearing their screams made me sick every single time.

As I walked down the darkened corridor towards my room, my stomach had stopped turning a bit, but the anxiety remained. I was distracted momentarily by the sound of footsteps ahead of me, heading away from me. I sped up a bit, finally making out a female figure ahead of me: Chloe.

I let myself speed up fast enough to catch up to her. I grabbed her roughly by the shoulder spinning her around to face me. Her face hardened at the sight of me, it was full of that same infuriating arrogance I had seen yesterday. But as I took a moment to study her, I realized her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen, and her red hair a mess around her shoulders. My heart skipped a beat in my chest, and she raised her chin defiantly as she watched my reaction.

'I told you I was with him now; pretty soon he won't need you at all.' Her voice was cold, heartless.

She didn't understand that the feelings I had for him were genuine, or perhaps she did know, but she didn't care. I realized that Chloe didn't just want Caius; she wanted me out of the picture completely, and preferably dead. I wanted to run for my room, to lock them all out, but I realized this wasn't an issue I could run from. I would have to fight.

'So that's it then? That's what you want - to get me out of the way?' I figured it was best to figure out what the bottom line would be with her. Even though I already knew exactly what it was that she wanted.

'You already are out of my way. Now all that's left to do in finalize it.' The sneer that stretched across her full red lips was despicable, and I was sure it matched her soul.

'You hate me that much? You don't even know me. If anyone has the right to hate someone, shouldn't it be me? You're the impostor here, not me.' I could feel the blood rush to my face, my cheeks felt like they were on fire as I spoke.

The cackle that left her lips echoed through the deserted corridor. She looked at me, a patronizing look enveloping her face. 'Well I'd be fine if you just disappeared but I've heard it doesn't quite work that way. So really all I can hope for is that he kills you. It really is more compassionate, isn't it? As opposed to keeping you alive, forcing you to see the man you love in love with another.'

I'd had enough, my head was screaming at me to stop playing fair. Nothing about this situation was fair, and it was time for me to do what was necessary. 'You think he's in love with you? You're deluded!' the words came out far louder then I'd liked. I really did not want there to be any witnesses to this conversation. 'Was he with you last night?' I squared my shoulders, my eyes growing cold. I watched a new wave of anger wash over her face in response. As I watched her, I noticed that faint purple bruises had begun to form along her neck just underneath her jaw line. Apparently, he was not being quite so gentle with Chloe. 'No, he was with me. And for the record, he's never felt the need to strangle me while we were making love.'

I pushed by her, being sure to let my shoulder collide with her own. I turned my head slightly to glare at her as I passed, catching just a glimpse of her reaching for the bruised skin on her throat.

As I reached the door of my room I heard her yell after me, 'He'll be with me tonight, you can be sure of that.'

I stood there for a moment, just inside my room, using the door for support; wishing I hadn't confronted her so I wouldn't have seen the proof of their liaison. I didn't even try to fight back the tears that followed. After I was sure that I was stable I took off the dress quickly, I felt ridiculous as I tossed it across the room pulling on my white satin nightgown. I left the room dark and I slipped into the bed, squeezing a pillow against my chest as though it might, in some way, help. I cried until my eyes and my head ached and exhaustion forced me into unconsciousness.

I was sure I hadn't slept long, and when I awoke the moon was still high in the sky, silvery beams casting shadows throughout the room. Usually when I awoke so abruptly in the night, it was because subconsciously I knew Caius was watching me; waiting for me. Tonight was different, I was alone in the room, and although I desperately wanted him to be waiting in the shadows, I knew he wasn't. It only took a moment for me to realize, he was with her.

Okay...please don't hate me!! I swear I have good reasons!

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