yeah...and its gonna be a romance later...i donno, i dont want to take it too fast (cause, like in every romance story i wrote, people told me its too fast), but because im very lazy it proly will...but this chapter really isn't, but sorta is...but wait a couple more and it might be.
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Lianah stretched, exhausted from her 36 hour tour of the palace. Her mind felt like corn mush, yet...she was exhilarated. This place was fantastic, with acres of gardens and fields that seemingly managed themselves.
Maybe having a magic home wouldn't be so bad, after all. Besides cooking and washing dishes, everything else seemed to take care of itself. No dusting, churning, washing, or even apprentice healer work!
Slipping into a silk nightgown, its soft cloth making her shiver with delight, Lia reached for a heavy silk shawl. The clothes were another perk, and their elegance was more overwhelming than Lianah had ever imagined. Everything possible, from riding clothes to gowns, undergarmets to jewelry. Lia had already exchanged the worn cotton cord of her necklace for a silver chain she had discovered in one of the six jewel boxes on her mahogany dresser.
She was humming to herself in euphoria when she saw the great opal bird perched at her open window. Its golden eyes met hers mockingly.
"Oh my God," she whispered, just before a flood of visions overwhelmed her. A child screaming in fear, its chubby hands waving before it was swept up. Countless young men and ladies, sobbing in anguish as they ran from the bird. People in all kinds of dress, age, and coloring, with only fear as their common feature.
The last figure in the birds eyes was Lia's mother, her face a mask of horror as she tripped and fell to her knees. A sob escaped Lianah's lips, and she staggered backwards with the intensity of the visions the bird had showed her.
"Get away from me!" she gasped, trying to make her voice work. If only she could scream, then maybe Terrin could hear her! With a easy swipe of its opalescent wings, the Bird was in the air. "Dear God!" she screamed. "Get away from me!"
She felt a slight consolation as Terrin's voice echoed through the hall. "Lianah? LIA!?"
Scrambling away, she tore out of her room and into the hallway. Half crazy but remembering the way to Terrin's room, she found the door open with him standing in the light. "Lianah?" he asked, just as the bird winged into sight. "What...?" Dragging her into the room, he slammed the oaken door between the evil creature and themselves.
But, the bird simply flew through the heavy wood as if it were air. Alighting on a chair, it arrogantly regarded the two cowering mortals.
"Don't worry," the boy murmered into her ear, holding her tightly. "It won't hurt you, it's just trying to frighten us. Truly it is still full from the latest soul. It only feeds once a year."
With one more distainful glance, the bird flew off once more and disappeared, leaving Lianah sobbing on the floor, her mother's face etched painfully in her mind.
"Lia!" The boy grasped the crying girl, shock and fear blooming on his face. Greatly concerned, he spun her around in his arms so he could look into her face. "Lia, look at me!" Terrin patted her back, feeling horribly inept. How could he comfort her? He knew what the Byrd's look could do to a person. After all, he had experienced it himself, but was alone in his delirium and misery.
She shook her head. "I can't believe what just happened!" she said, entirely lost, confused by both grief and fatigue. Clinging to the front of his white silk shirt, she continued to shudder, remembering the horrible gaze of the bird. Her face changed, from her pain-stricken expression, to an increasingly childish innocence, to an eeriely joyful look.
"Lia..." She began to laugh, obviously too far gone in tiredness and hysteria.
"Oh, Terrin," she giggled, her eyes shining with some strange inner light. "What would i do without you?" Twining her arms around his neck, the half-crazed girl drew him closer for a kiss.
He stifled a gasp as her lips slid over his, their silky touch caressing. For a moment, he tightened his arms around her, drinking in the sensation. He was missing so much in life, holed up in an empty palace! Returning her affection, he marveled at the emotions bubbling up from his hidden soul. His first kiss.
She threw her head back, laughing wildly. Staring, the boy returned to his senses. Lianah was still in another world, not knowing what was actually happening. She was obviously not herself, the real Lia wasn't so blatently...seductive.
Lia deserved better than this, and he needed to get a hold on himself. Did he really want it to be like this? When he confessed his feelings, he wished to be in full control of himself...and for her to be willing with both her mind and body, instead of being only half-aware.
"Lia," Terrin began sternly, angry at himself, "You're going to bed now. You're too exhausted and...and you need rest." Terrin avoided the subject of the bird, but picked the girl up and wrapped her in a heavy quilt.
Lianah stirred as he gently placed her on the bed. "What's wrong?" she inquired, holding onto his hands. "Mother made some of her famous biscuits. And its so pretty with all the flowers, don't you think?" She gestured to the empty air, to bright blooms only she could see.
Gently pulling away, Terrin shook his head. "No, sweet, you have to rest now," he whispered. "G'night." And sleep well, love.
She fell into a deep sleep, her face relaxing. For a long while, Terrin watched her, the gentle rise and fall of her breathing. She had the face -and soul- of an angel.
Oh, Lianah! his mind cried out to her. I wish i could be like you, courageous, strong willed, kind...He wished he could tell her everything...but knew he would never have the nerve.
Curling up on a spare couch, he breathed a few last words before drifting off to sleep. "I love you..."
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copyright sorka robinton 2001