Chapter 10: The night gone wrong.
One night, Caius took me out again always towards the sea we went. He guided me to sit on the log and we sat hand in hand in the silvery moonlight.
''I love you, Caius ''I say sighing in his arms.
''As I love you my darling, ''Caius echoed my affections.
The air was crisp and clear. Not a cloud in the Sky was seen. The waves crashed against the shore and my hot breath could be seen as I exhaled. Stars just started to twinkle, awakening for the evening.
I snuggle into Caius a little more relying on my own warmth only. Strange how he was so cold, but he had a warm heart and that's all that mattered to me. Tonight, my mood had been irritable. Mikey had been a pain. He bothered me about liking Caius more than usual. Cindy was on my back about doing my chores and my work because last night Caius made love to me again and I was tired in the morning. Not to mention I was sore from sex. And a little bruised as well. This morning I looked myself over in the mirror and found some small handprint bruises on my hips and shoulder where he held me as he moved passionately over me. His strength was so unexpected, but I was getting used to it.
Tonight, we thought it best to give me time to heal so he took me for a walk.
Caius comforted me with tender words and fierce kisses. Tonight, his passions for me were delightfully heightened. No doubt by our increased attachment for each other.
His kisses move down across my chin to my neck. There he spent time to suck my tender skin causing pleasure mixed with pain. I gasped and moaned as he accidentally grazed his teeth against my neck.
He held me tighter, murmuring his apologies, seeking my neck with his lips gently, softly, sweetly, persuading me until I was willing to let him explore my flesh with his lips any way he wanted.
In the morning I noticed a little scratch and bruise on my neck. A girl I once knew used to show me similar marks, love bites she called them. Her boyfriend gave them to her, she said, giggling. Other girls called them hickeys. Even though they bragged about them I hid mine with scarves and turtlenecks. I touched the mark curiously, thrilled by the way my skin tingled, and pulled up the collar of my sweater. If Cindy had seen, she would bet something was going on between Caius and myself. That wouldn't do. She must not find out.
That night, as Caius and I crossed the lawn, he suddenly tensed and look back at the Inn. Except for the candles in the windows it was dark. But on the third floor, a face was pressed against the glass.
Seizing my hand, he hurried me into the shadows.
''Was it Cindy? ''I whispered.
''No, ''he said. ''Mikey. ''
''What if he tells? ''
''Deny it, say he was dreaming. Everyone knows the child is fearful and over imaginative. ''
Somewhere in the Woods, the owl called. Caius turned to listen. We'd reached the middle of the field that lay between the Inn and the ocean. From where we stood, I could hear the surf.
The moon shone full on Caius's face, his hands and face almost glowing. The eyes shone with an unknown source. How can they be so bright in the darkness?
''The Hunter is abroad, ''he said softly.
The owl called again, nearer this time. Caius took me into his arms for an eager kiss. I lifted my face to his and close my eyes. He was slowly losing control. Growling deep in his chest he stumbled back, pushing me away. I almost fell backward into the snow. The wind was picking up around us.
''Stop, I mean her no harm!'' Caius shouted to some unknown thing. 'Raina, go back to the Inn! 'he shouted above the Gale.
I reached again for his hand, but the windblow snow blinded me. ''Caius don't leave me! ''I turned in circles, searching for him. ''Where are you? ''
The winds voice builds my ears I heard nothing else. Dizzy with panic, I stumbled about calling Caius's name. He couldn't have left me, couldn't have abandoned me. Yet I neither saw nor heard him. He was now lost in the snowy darkness.
Without him to guide me, I was lost I had no idea where the Inn was. Which direction to take. The wind was blowing confusing me, left me too weak to walk. Despite the bitter cold, I sank down in the snow and lay on my back, staring at up at the black Sky bejeweled with stars. The moon set high among them.
''Beautiful, so lovely. ''I say to the Queen of night.
The wind dropped; its voice changed to a low moan. Cold fingers caressed my face and smooth my hair. ''Ill has come to you, 'the spirit whispered, ''to me, and to all.''
Suddenly strong arms lifted me, I hovered on the edge of darkness too sleepy to understand what was happening. But I was too tired to think, too cold.
''I got you now my love. ''A faint whisper of a voice said to me. I close my eyes and sank into a deep, dreamless sleep.