"Lila, stop crying. There is nothing worth crying for."
Lila took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I'm trying, but they really won't stop." She whispered.
Lucas rolled his eyes, "Would it help…"
Lila's hands closed around his shoulders. "Hold me." She murmured, burying her head in his shoulders.
Lucas winced impulsively, did she have any idea what she was doing to him? He was content with knowing that she trusted him, enough to let him hold her. If she got any closer he might do something, that would distance them again.
Lila looked up at him. "Are you deaf?" She asked irritably.
Lucas chuckled. "Aren't you the spoiled one." He teased.
Lila ignored his comment. "Be a good boy and please do as I requested." She said softly placing a hand on his cheek.
Lucas flinched again. Why did she have to get gentle all of a sudden? Weren't they just teasing each other? Her eyes, were so soft, he felt like crushing her to him.
"Fine, little princess." He muttered into her hair, embracing her tightly. "Don't fall apart on me."
Too late, Lila had lost all composure. Her pride escaped her and she collapsed in his arms, sobbing a world of tears.
The fire flickered and dimmed, as time passed. The room silent except for the sobs that escaped Lila's mouth…
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The caw of a crow, made Lucas sit up. A weight burdened him as he lifted and he glanced down at it curiously.
A blush flooded his cheeks when he recognized the figure in his arms.
Her hands had a secure grip around his neck, as if she refused to let go. Her face tilted to the side, the light illuminated her face, almost as if the light came from under her skin.
The elegant bun was gone. Wavy red golden strands, curled and cascaded past her hips, fanning around her slim figure.
There was no denying it. Lila's beauty was enhanced with sleep. Her hair was a thing that he often wanted to touch. Like a peice of sunshine when free.
There was a groan from her mouth and the eyes fluttered open. She stared up at his face for a moment, then closed her eyes again.
"Thank you, my dear friend." She mumbled
Lucas let out a breath. "I would like to remind you, that if anyone sees us like this, I shall have to make up a story." He said gruffly.
Lila eyes opened and she gave a bemused smile. "Nonsense, just tell them that you were comforting a friend." She said, gesturing her hand softly.
"They won't believe it." He said glancing away from her face.
Lila put a hand against his cheek. "I've found that being honest often puts a person in the advantage." She said softly.
Lucas looked down at her face again. "Why is everything you do, so intense?" He complained.
Lila considered him, "Who is the spoiled one now?" She teased.
Lucas sent a soft glare towards her. "You didn't answer my question." He pointed out.
Lila lifted her head off his shoulder and sat up. "Its my choice, whether I will or not." She pointed out quietly.
"You" Lucas's face gained an odd look. What was he to do with her? "You, are so mysterious."
A wrinkle appeared on Lila's forehead. "Why should that matter. I thought men liked a challenge. Aren't you supposed to be the superior gender?" She said boldly.
Lucas scowled. "That" His voice was strangled. "Has nothing to do with you!" He muttered.
Lila let out a small laugh. "There is nothing to know about me. Just remember that I am a monster." She said steadily, which shocked Lucas out of his sulk.
"Fine, a very mysterious monster." He said sharply.
Lila gave a dry chuckle. "You are correct, Milord!" She exclaimed, patting him on the head and stepping out of his embrace.
Lucas caught her wrist in his hand. "Trying to get a victory are you? This battle isn't over yet." He said softly, eyes narrowed in concentration.
Lila raised an eyebrow and gave a merry laugh. "No? When shall it be over?" Giving her wispy hair a toss over her shoulders.
The action caught Lucas's attention and he became distracted. She was not allowed to be so enchanting. She was not allowed to have such a quick brain. She was not allowed to evade him anymore. It was too much to take.
Lila cocked a head to the side. "Are you going to answer my question." Her eyes danced in amusement.
Lucas let go of her wrist. "You are absolutely impossible!" He exclaimed.
Lila let out another merry laugh. "The same could be said for you, milord." She muttered under her breath.
Lucas snarled. "What was that?" He demanded.
Lila hid a smile behind her hand. "Nothing of importance," She replied, the amusement increasing on her face.
Lucas turned away from her. "What's the point of talking to you? You enjoy making me uncomfortable!" He whined.
Lila let out another of her merry laughs. "True, Lucas! Very true," She said, turning around to hide the amusement on her face.
Lucas glanced at her back. "Why did you turn away? Is there something that you find laughable in this situation?"
Lila put a hand over her mouth and stifled a giggle. Composing herself she whirled on her heels. "Actually yes. I find you very amusing this afternoon." She said honestly, tucking her hands behind her back and leaning forward.
Lucas stood up. "Why am I so amusing?" He questioned.
Lila looked up at the ceiling, a knowing smile on her face. "No particular reason." She said airily.
Lucas let out a long sigh. "You are impossible. Why do I ever bother?" He muttered.
Lila let out a girlish giggle. "Not as impossible as Lydia." She pointed out.
Lucas's mouth dropped open with shock, as he considered her statement. He put a hand against the edge of the bed, when there was another knock on the door.
"Lucas? Father wishes to speak with you immediately." Isabella called through the thick would.
Lucas glanced at Lila. "I'll be back soon." He shot at her. In which Lila replied with a shooing gesture.
"Of course milord," She said with a cock of the head and a merry laugh. Her bright eyes staring at the sight of his retreating back. There was something about his back that caused an odd pang in Lila's heart. She sighed and after a moment, stamped her foot against the floor. "Hang it all!" She exclaimed, charging towards the door. "No one tells me what to do!" She hissed vehemently.
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It was Kael who came across Lila hovering around the galley picture hall. He liked Lila because she reminded him of his mother. She had the same smile. Dazzling and breathtaking. He often wished to see that smile. When he saw Lila with that smile, he became infatuated. He would do anything that would make her give another dazzling smile.
He watched her face as she studied the pictures. Her expression was unreadable. It made him feel sad somewhere inside his heart. Anyone that could smile like sun, should always smile. Why did she have such a lonely expression on her face?
She stopped in front of a painting of his mother. This was a particular favorite image of his mother. Her long auburn hair was blown by the wind and she was smiling, a handful of water cupped in her hands, her white dress glowing in the sun. Her smile lit up the dim hall, as if the roof had been taken away.
Lila closed her eyes and reached a hand up to her cheek. "It hurts." She whispered to the air. "Why does this cause me pain?"
Kaels eyes widened and the mature part of him became curious about the history of the mysterious lady that Lucas had brought with him. The sound of a footstep made Kael seek a hiding place. Lila whirled around her eyes scanning the hall quickly. "Who's there? Come out!" She ordered. Her voice lacking any emotion.
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No one answered. After a couple of moments Lila turned back to the image, staring at it. The pang in her heart throbbed and she had no idea why it did. She became lost in her thought and wasn't aware of the shadow that appeared behind her.
A hand covered her mouth and a breath tickled her neck, almost making her feel faint.
"Beware of this place, princess." The voice was a husky baritone that Lila did not recognize. Fear seized her for a full moment, but then her instincts kicked in. She elbowed her attacker in the gut and stepped on his foot. Spinning around she found herself staring at a familiar sight.
"Lucas! You idiot! Don't do that! I almost killed you!" She hissed angrily. Angry that she hadn't realized that it was him. Was she so lost that she couldn't recognize her close friends?
Lucas was doubled over gasping for air. "Wait, you can actually do that sort of thing?" His tone although breathless was teasing.
Lila gave a outraged puff. "Hmph! Princeling, what possessed you to do that?" She demanded.
Lucas took another deep breath. "Couldn't resist." He gasped out, raising his head and revealing the cocky grin on his face. "It was such a perfect opportunity." He finished, straightening to his full height.
The childish look of joy on his face made Lila's face soften. "Don't do it again." She muttered looking away.
Lucas watched her and his grin faded to a look of concern. "You don't look well." He said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Lila took a deep breath than turned to him. "I feel fine." She insisted, placing her own hand over his large one. "Don't be ridiculous."
Lucas shook his head. "Liar." He muttered.
Lila's head straightened and she looked him full in his cerulean eyes. "The truth hurts Lucas." She said bravely. There she went again, even though she wanted him to know, she could never tell him of the pain that hid inside her heart. Her heart and mind conflicted eachother. One telling her to stay away and be safe, the other telling her to let him know all about her.
Lucas met her gaze for several minutes than ill at ease he backed away. "I believe you." He said softly.
Lila's heart throbbed in pain. He had backed away when she asked. But, all she wanted was for him to insist on staying close to her. To hold her until she surrendered the truth to him.
Lucas looked at the picture and a wry grin slowly appeared on his face. "Ironic, that we're both monsters. Me with my flawless charm. You with your false personality." He muttered.
Lila gasped. "Don't say that!"
Lucas's eyes challenged her. "Why not? It's the truth. Both of us need to accept it." He said bluntly.
Lila's mouth dropped opn and she sought for words to answer his comment. Staring into his eyes, made her anxious, which made her throat close. Finally able to respond she stared down at the ground, strands of red-gold hiding her expression. "You're not a monster." She began softly.
Lucas brushed the hair out of Lila's face and leaving a hand on her cheek stooped down to her eye level. "Oh? Than what am I?" He murmured.
A deep blush flooded her face and she closed her eyes impulsively, indulging in the throb of her heart. The sensation was enjoyable and painful at the same time.
Lila sighed, then opened her eyes. For several minutes the two of them stared into each others eyes. He into her shining blue-green eyes, she into his gentle cerulean.
Clearing her throat Lila, drew together her courage. "You're just a irresponsible fool of a prince." She responded.
Lucas gave an involuntary wince. "That's one way of putting it. But, that's not the point. The point is, that you are no different. If I'm not a monster, you're not a monster." He said softly.
Lila frowned thoughtfully. "How so?" She challenged.
Lucas considered her for a moment. "You're a heartless beauty. No friends, no lovers, not until I came along." He added with an impish grin.
Lila gave a short laugh. "You overcredit yourself milord." She said airily. "Who says we are friends?"
Lucas rolled his eyes. "You little faker. Don't try to fool me!" He exclaimed. "You insult my intelligence!" He finished with a chuckle.
Lila glared at him. "Drat you!" She hissed stepping forward and shoving him away from her. "Someday I will strangle you, if you're not careful." She declared stalking down the hall.
Lucas stared at the place she had been standing an embarrassed grin falling over his face. Her expression had been so adorable, before she had told him that he was an irresponsible fool. Not to forget the small pout she had given before he told her that she was a heartless beauty. She never failed to make him aware of the throbbing of his heart. He could deal with it now. He didn't want to go far enough that she lost trust in him. Looking up at the painting of his aunt, he ran a hand through his mop of golden hair. "She's like you, aunty. With that same infuriating smile." He said, directing his message to the heavens.
Unknown to him, in the safety of a corner Lila leaned against a wall, the same dazzling smile on her face as she closed her eyes. "Lila, you fool. You can't afford to love someone like that." She murmured to herself. "He's the irresponsible sort."
While in a nearby tower, a pair of eyes gleamed red, staring at the glowing image of the girl. "Soon we meet, chosen one." A cold voice said gleefully. "Soon."....
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There! I hope this satisfy's your hunger. I had a thousand idea's for this chapter, yet I decided against them. This one seemed to help proceed the story the best. Hope you liked it!
Remember you can make a difference in this world! You rock socks!
-Lightzing ^o^
p.s- review please. The next chapter might come up sooner.