14
(Acacia's POV)
His even breathing is what Acacia consumed herself with. Instead of an unfulfilling clinging, Sebastian cradled her as well. Life was perfect at this moment. She had him and he, her. Never before had anything been like this. How could another person take up her being?
"The sun's getting high," his voice chimed in her ear.
Acacia already knew what he meant. She had to be deflated and come back down to earth, "Ciel needs us."
If she hadn't known every part of Sebastian fear would have consumed her. She would have thought that Sebastian only thought of Ciel through it all. No, she was now more certain than ever that he loved and wanted her.
A facet Sebastian never spoke aloud but what he yearned thrilled and scared her.
Sebastian and Acacia intertwined more fervently than ever before his grip stronger than she thought possible. He kissed her neck working his way up and around her face. He readjusted with his hands flashing before her view right before they laced with her hair. Something was strange…Sebastian's smile touched his face. It was then she realized the black tattoos had dissipated leaving only pallid skin. Her vision focused on the small limp on the ground. She wasn't able to focus on it earlier because of Sebastian's distraction. It was so clear, Ciel lay there lifeless.
"Will you be mine forever?" Sebastian breathed.
"Are you coming?" Sebastian asked with his head cocked to the side. He was fully clothed for the first time in what seemed like forever. Could it have only been one night?
"Let me get changed. I will be right out," Acacia was pulled from her reverie.
It was shocking in so many ways. Never before had she believed that Sebastian loved in such a committed way. Never did she think he would dispose of Ciel. Never had she seen into anyone in such a way…in her own eyes instead of just Sebastian's. It was like she was a part of him or he her. How could she fight it? Would she want to? Could she allow Ciel to be taken?
Acacia knocked on Ciel's office terrified Sebastian may have already gone through with this.
"Come in," a voice called.
She stepped through the threshold to see Ciel with his imperious look behind his desk and Sebastian standing right behind him.
It was like nothing had changed.
"It's good to have you back," Ciel started, "I see Sebastian managed to escort you back quiet well."
As Acacia stared into Ciel's eye he seemed to know everything, and deep inside that azure eye there was innocence. Yearning to relish in his age and dying to be loved. The ravaging hole inside him was quelled by Sebastian's presence but not satisfied.
"We have a mission today," Ciel almost spat, "and it involves you."
"You know I will do anything you ask," Acacia assured though she was the one that was lost.
He had already regained his composure, "the queen has been informed of the black market of people with…special abilities. It seems she has grown very curious and intent on meeting some of them. She also managed to learn that you have an ability though she is not quite sure of what and has asked me to escort you to her court. She will probably ask Sebastian and I to bust this black market business when we arrive at her court."
"So she wants me to show you there?"
"I shouldn't assume anything. I am merely pondering aloud. All she has ordered for now is for us to arrive at her palace."
"You think she will want to keep me there. Use me…" Acacia's voice dropped.
"I could be wrong," Ciel all but whispered.
"I am not loyal to her. She is as despicable as those bastards in the black market. She must have known there has been human trafficking, but only now does she act because she think that this could benefit her in some way."
"Acacia you will go and see her. I am the queen's dog and must do what she says. It's the nature of the Phantomhive family."
"So you are willing to do all of her dirty work so that the public won't know about all the corruption? You are willing to take anything for her…and for what?"
"Acacia you promised your loyalty to me unconditionally. If there is a breech in this contract you know I will have no hesitation in letting Sebastian finish where he left off last night. If you are loyal to me than you must do as I say without fighting. You are a Phantomhive servant now."
Acacia glanced toward Sebastian whose eyes had turned hollow with the sound of this threat. Right now his contract was stronger than anything else and if Ciel ordered it he would have no choice but to follow. She couldn't fight Ciel if only for Sebastian's sake. It wasn't only for his sake though…without Ciel she would still be in that hell hole. She probably would have died long ago without seeing that look of determination. She wanted to be loyal.
"Yes of course. I am sorry I spoke out against you," she bowed her head.
"Sebastian has made preparations for this trip. We will be leaving immediately," Ciel stood striding toward the door.
Acacia gaped at Sebastian's speed. She hadn't been lost in thought that long. He really was one hell of a butler. She was about to take her seat next to Sebastian who was driving until Ciel interrupted, "Acacia sit in the carriage with me."
She glance up at Sebastian whose eyes stayed fixated on the road ahead of him. What she wouldn't give to know what was going on under that façade. Acacia sat on the opposite bench of the young Earl staring directly at him.
"Sebastian I order you not to listen to a word Acacia or I will say until we arrive at the Queen's palace," Ciel almost yawned.
"Yes my lord," the words were perfect and the only sign of irritation was the slight lurch forward with the horses.
Acacia was alone for the first time with Ciel where Sebastian would not be just around the corner or at a quiet mummer away. A great deal of responsibility rested on Acacia's shoulders to protect Ciel.
His features stayed even, "tell me everything that happened last night."
"I'm sorry?"
"How did you survive? He ate your soul. Are you surviving without a soul? Sebastian always made it seem like a soul was essential to my survival. I should have known better."
"You're soul is the most important part of you more vital than anything else. Without it you die."
"You didn't."
"Sebastian stopped."
"So he ate part of it?"
"Yeah I guess he did…"
"That means you are living with part of your soul missing. Interesting."
"Why are you so interested?"
"It's not important."
"You're planning to try to get away at the end?"
"No of course not. A contract is a contract. I promised Sebastian a long time ago he would have my soul after he finishes off what I want."
"You want to kill your captors?"
"Of course."
"Is there any way to break the contract? Is vengeance so important to you?"
"If I were to cancel it and send him away forever before he got what I wanted, or if he let me die before I got what I wanted then it would be canceled."
"So there is a way you couldn't get eaten."
"No."
"But you just said…"
"I will get my vengeance."
"Ciel don't throw away your life so easily. I had the same captor…I want them dead too. What if I could promise you that I would get every one of those bastards? I wouldn't get killed for it. Sebastian isn't connected to me."
"No."
"Why?! You have nothing to lose," Acacia exclaimed. For a moment she would have though she saw pain in his eyes.
The carriage came to an abrupt stop and the door swung open letting the morning sun flood in the black abyss. Sebastian stood glowing with the sun wash around him with his shadow dancing on Ciel, "my lord we have reached our destination."
A brief flicker of a smile danced on Ciel's lips for just a moment before he strode out of the carriage. The Master and his butler walked side by side. It was then Acacia realized why Ciel refused. Because he had something to lose…Sebastian's presence.
Acacia practically leapt out of the carriage letting the queen's servants deal with it. Her mind was filled with a singular thought; she would keep Ciel safe from himself no matter what the cost. Could she blame Ciel for wanting to stay with Sebastian though? There was something intoxicating about his presence. Isn't that what she wanted? Could she manage?