Disclaimer: I still don't own this :o(
A/N: Hi again. I tried to update sooner, but it wouldn't let me :o( Oh well, hopefully I'll be updating this more regularly now. Thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter: Mandi, Christy and Dream Writer 4 Life. And as usual, thanks to my beta Dream Writer 4 Life. Anyway, on with the plot. R&R and Enjoy!! - Bex
Kate didn't get much sleep that night. Her mind was too restless, plagued with fear, dread and regret, to rest. And the few hours' sleep that she had was filled with a new nightmare. The flames has disappeared now to be replaced by something that scared her even more: the 'what if' her future held.
Her uncle had left by the time she'd woken. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes to discover a breakfast tray sitting on the dressing table and some fresh clothes at the end of her bed; Natalya must have placed them there. Kate changed into the clothes, grateful for the warmness. She didn't bother to brush her tangled hair; instead she ran her hand through it in a feeble attempt to control it. She sat down in front of the food, but poked at it more then ate it.
Then, as if taking a cue, Natalya entered. She smiled warmly at Kate and then set about straightening the bed.
"Morning Kate. How was your sleep?" She asked carefully.
"Alright," Kate shrugged.
"I'll show you around the house after you've finished eating."
"I'm finished," Kate announced, placing down her spoon.
"But you've hardly eaten anything," Natalya argued. "You have to eat, Kate."
Kate picked up a slice of toast, took a bite and placed it back down again as if to say "there". Natalya sighed and shook her head slightly. "You're just as stubborn as your mother."
Kate sat up straighter at these words and stared intensely at Natalya.
"You've met my mother?"
"Of course I have. Mr. Sark had her staying here for a while when she was first brought here. Miss Derevko didn't like it, but she doesn't like anything anyone else does, especially if it involves using a heart," Natalya spat bitterly. Kate was shocked by the sudden change in character, but it retuned back to normal when she continued.
"You're mother was - still is - a fighter. I remember that she tried to escape seven times in the first month alone. She was hateful and upset in the beginning. Refused to talk to anyone and when she did it was cold and harsh. But she let her defences down slightly when she realised that Mr Sark was trying to help her as much as he could in the situation. I used to spend most of my free time talking to her or playing cards with her. She always talked about you and your father, telling me hundreds of stories about you both."
Kate's face was filled with a bittersweet expression. She was curious to know what her mother had said and what she was like now, but her heart stung with sadness knowing how many years they'd lost together. Then there was still the fear that she might still not be allowed to see her. That even though they were so close now, she was still out of her reach.
"What kind of things did she tell you about?" Kate asked, eyes fixed on Natalya.
"All sorts of stories. Like the time you were five and the three of you had gone to the park. Then all of a sudden, you disappeared. Your parents searched frantically for 15 minutes before they found you sitting under a tree, nursing an injured bird in you hands. But they couldn't be mad at you, because you told them that you were looking after it for they had taught you that all life was precious and should be persevered."
"I remember," Kate said softly. "We looked after that bird 'til it was better. I cried so much when we had to let it go, but then my dad told me that it knew how much I love it and it loved me just as much back."
She felt her eyes prick with tears at the memory of the normal family they had once been. Natalya noticed this, so she walked over and squeezed her hand gently.
"From what you mother told me, I can tell that she is so proud of you," She told her. "And she loves you more then anything else in the world."
She paused, allowing time for these words to comfort Kate, "We better get a move on."
For the next hour, Kate was lead down endless corridors and stairs, and shown so many rooms that she lost count. Some of them were used and others were filled with discarded items. She prayed that she would never get lost here or she might stay that way.
"I need to be getting back to work," Natalya informed her. "But don't worry, I've saved the best 'til last. I'm sure you'll find plenty to do here and won't get bored."
She pushed open the two heavy wooden doors in front of her, which groaned as they awoke from their slumber. Kate followed her in and let out a small gasp as she took in the room. It was gigantic library filled with rows upon rows of bookcases, crammed full with books that were begging to be read. A part of her mind tried to figure out if she'd even seen this many books together at the same time before, while another was overloaded with excitement. As much as it made her feel like a geek to admit it, she adored reading and devoured every book she could lay her hands on. To her, this was her idea of heaven.
Natalya caught her look and couldn't help but smirk. "So you're happy for me to leave you here?" She asked, Kate's nod causing her to chuckle. "I'll come and get you later. If you need me, just come to the kitchen." And with that she left.
Kate wandered down the rows of books, her hand itching to reach out and read one. She realised that they had been arranged alphabetically in English by the author's surname, then divided into the different languages. Many of the books weren't in English and instead were filled with pages written in foreign tongues such as Russian, French, German, Chinese and many more.
She was half way down a row when a book caught her eye. It was hidden among the others and if she hadn't been paying attention, she would have missed it all together. Upon removing it from the shelf, she found out that it was nothing really special. The covers were bound with black leather and were wordless.
'Curious,' She thought to herself, 'There's no title or anything to tell me what it's about.'
Gently she opened the front cover. One inside page had been inscribed with a message in beautiful flowing handwriting:
Liam,
I want you to keep this with you always. So that even when you're miles away from home, this will remind you of home and the people that love you.
All my love for always,
S
-x-
The message aroused more curiosity in Kate's mind and she eagerly flicked to the next page, and then the next. Each page was filled with exquisite drawings of landscapes, buildings and people. The buildings and landscapes seemed to be from the same area, around a small country village. And sometimes, along with the drawing, there was a small caption underneath.
Kate continued to study each picture after the next, fascinated by what this book had to reveal. Then she stopped. It was a picture of her uncle- who she guessed was no older then her at that time- and the mysterious girl from the photo she saw on the plane. He had his arms wrapped securely around her waist, their cheeks touching and smiles lighting up their features. Then something caught her eye. She looked closer at the girl's hand to see that there was a delicate gold ring with a glinting emerald on her finger. But more importantly, it was her engagement finger.
'What does this mean?' Kate asked herself as she tried to piece the puzzle together.
"Now what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?"
The voice behind her caused Kate to jump. She spun round to face the speaker, shutting the book as she went. Standing behind her was Nikoli wearing a highly amused grin on his face.
"I didn't scare you did I, miss?" He asked with a teasing tone.
"No. Well, maybe a little. I didn't think anyone else was in here," She admitted, then glared at him slightly with a questioning look. "What are you doing in here?"
"It's freezing outside, so I came in to warm up. Anyway, I like it in here. I love to read," He responded and then eyed the book in her hands. "What one have you got there?"
"Oh," Kate opened it so he could see the drawings. "It's filled with these. I'm not sure who drew them or where it came from."
"I've never seen it before," Nikoli commented, studying the picture then looking up to meet her eyes.
Kate was about to tell him how she thought it belonged to her uncle, but someone got there first.
"What the hell are you doing in here?"
The both quickly turned round to be greeted with Kyi's eyes, which were just as heated as his tone. He glared at the pair, then fixed his eyes on Nikoli as he began to shout at him in Russian. The few words that Kate could translate made her realise that Kyi was shouting at him for being inside instead of on guard duty. When he finished, Nikoli gave him an abrupt nod, exchanged a sideways smile with Kate, and then hurried out of the library.
Kyi then turned his flaming eyes on her. She felt the familiar fear she felt around him gripping her. "Why are you not in your room?" He demanded.
"Nat.Natalya brought me here.and.and said I could stay," Kate tried desperately not to stutter and let her fear show.
"Well, I'm taking you back to your room and you are going to stay there."
She clutched the book tightly to her chest, as he marched her back down the corridors and up the stairs 'til they reached her room. He slammed the door roughly behind her after she'd entered.
But all thought and fear of him left her mind as they were replaced by the unanswered questions the book stirred. She flicked through the pages; painstakingly studying the pictures that filled them, like an archaeologist studding a treasure from long ago. Trying to discover the secrets it held.
A/N: What do you think? Go on. Give in and hit that button now! :o)
A/N: Hi again. I tried to update sooner, but it wouldn't let me :o( Oh well, hopefully I'll be updating this more regularly now. Thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter: Mandi, Christy and Dream Writer 4 Life. And as usual, thanks to my beta Dream Writer 4 Life. Anyway, on with the plot. R&R and Enjoy!! - Bex
Kate didn't get much sleep that night. Her mind was too restless, plagued with fear, dread and regret, to rest. And the few hours' sleep that she had was filled with a new nightmare. The flames has disappeared now to be replaced by something that scared her even more: the 'what if' her future held.
Her uncle had left by the time she'd woken. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes to discover a breakfast tray sitting on the dressing table and some fresh clothes at the end of her bed; Natalya must have placed them there. Kate changed into the clothes, grateful for the warmness. She didn't bother to brush her tangled hair; instead she ran her hand through it in a feeble attempt to control it. She sat down in front of the food, but poked at it more then ate it.
Then, as if taking a cue, Natalya entered. She smiled warmly at Kate and then set about straightening the bed.
"Morning Kate. How was your sleep?" She asked carefully.
"Alright," Kate shrugged.
"I'll show you around the house after you've finished eating."
"I'm finished," Kate announced, placing down her spoon.
"But you've hardly eaten anything," Natalya argued. "You have to eat, Kate."
Kate picked up a slice of toast, took a bite and placed it back down again as if to say "there". Natalya sighed and shook her head slightly. "You're just as stubborn as your mother."
Kate sat up straighter at these words and stared intensely at Natalya.
"You've met my mother?"
"Of course I have. Mr. Sark had her staying here for a while when she was first brought here. Miss Derevko didn't like it, but she doesn't like anything anyone else does, especially if it involves using a heart," Natalya spat bitterly. Kate was shocked by the sudden change in character, but it retuned back to normal when she continued.
"You're mother was - still is - a fighter. I remember that she tried to escape seven times in the first month alone. She was hateful and upset in the beginning. Refused to talk to anyone and when she did it was cold and harsh. But she let her defences down slightly when she realised that Mr Sark was trying to help her as much as he could in the situation. I used to spend most of my free time talking to her or playing cards with her. She always talked about you and your father, telling me hundreds of stories about you both."
Kate's face was filled with a bittersweet expression. She was curious to know what her mother had said and what she was like now, but her heart stung with sadness knowing how many years they'd lost together. Then there was still the fear that she might still not be allowed to see her. That even though they were so close now, she was still out of her reach.
"What kind of things did she tell you about?" Kate asked, eyes fixed on Natalya.
"All sorts of stories. Like the time you were five and the three of you had gone to the park. Then all of a sudden, you disappeared. Your parents searched frantically for 15 minutes before they found you sitting under a tree, nursing an injured bird in you hands. But they couldn't be mad at you, because you told them that you were looking after it for they had taught you that all life was precious and should be persevered."
"I remember," Kate said softly. "We looked after that bird 'til it was better. I cried so much when we had to let it go, but then my dad told me that it knew how much I love it and it loved me just as much back."
She felt her eyes prick with tears at the memory of the normal family they had once been. Natalya noticed this, so she walked over and squeezed her hand gently.
"From what you mother told me, I can tell that she is so proud of you," She told her. "And she loves you more then anything else in the world."
She paused, allowing time for these words to comfort Kate, "We better get a move on."
For the next hour, Kate was lead down endless corridors and stairs, and shown so many rooms that she lost count. Some of them were used and others were filled with discarded items. She prayed that she would never get lost here or she might stay that way.
"I need to be getting back to work," Natalya informed her. "But don't worry, I've saved the best 'til last. I'm sure you'll find plenty to do here and won't get bored."
She pushed open the two heavy wooden doors in front of her, which groaned as they awoke from their slumber. Kate followed her in and let out a small gasp as she took in the room. It was gigantic library filled with rows upon rows of bookcases, crammed full with books that were begging to be read. A part of her mind tried to figure out if she'd even seen this many books together at the same time before, while another was overloaded with excitement. As much as it made her feel like a geek to admit it, she adored reading and devoured every book she could lay her hands on. To her, this was her idea of heaven.
Natalya caught her look and couldn't help but smirk. "So you're happy for me to leave you here?" She asked, Kate's nod causing her to chuckle. "I'll come and get you later. If you need me, just come to the kitchen." And with that she left.
Kate wandered down the rows of books, her hand itching to reach out and read one. She realised that they had been arranged alphabetically in English by the author's surname, then divided into the different languages. Many of the books weren't in English and instead were filled with pages written in foreign tongues such as Russian, French, German, Chinese and many more.
She was half way down a row when a book caught her eye. It was hidden among the others and if she hadn't been paying attention, she would have missed it all together. Upon removing it from the shelf, she found out that it was nothing really special. The covers were bound with black leather and were wordless.
'Curious,' She thought to herself, 'There's no title or anything to tell me what it's about.'
Gently she opened the front cover. One inside page had been inscribed with a message in beautiful flowing handwriting:
Liam,
I want you to keep this with you always. So that even when you're miles away from home, this will remind you of home and the people that love you.
All my love for always,
S
-x-
The message aroused more curiosity in Kate's mind and she eagerly flicked to the next page, and then the next. Each page was filled with exquisite drawings of landscapes, buildings and people. The buildings and landscapes seemed to be from the same area, around a small country village. And sometimes, along with the drawing, there was a small caption underneath.
Kate continued to study each picture after the next, fascinated by what this book had to reveal. Then she stopped. It was a picture of her uncle- who she guessed was no older then her at that time- and the mysterious girl from the photo she saw on the plane. He had his arms wrapped securely around her waist, their cheeks touching and smiles lighting up their features. Then something caught her eye. She looked closer at the girl's hand to see that there was a delicate gold ring with a glinting emerald on her finger. But more importantly, it was her engagement finger.
'What does this mean?' Kate asked herself as she tried to piece the puzzle together.
"Now what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?"
The voice behind her caused Kate to jump. She spun round to face the speaker, shutting the book as she went. Standing behind her was Nikoli wearing a highly amused grin on his face.
"I didn't scare you did I, miss?" He asked with a teasing tone.
"No. Well, maybe a little. I didn't think anyone else was in here," She admitted, then glared at him slightly with a questioning look. "What are you doing in here?"
"It's freezing outside, so I came in to warm up. Anyway, I like it in here. I love to read," He responded and then eyed the book in her hands. "What one have you got there?"
"Oh," Kate opened it so he could see the drawings. "It's filled with these. I'm not sure who drew them or where it came from."
"I've never seen it before," Nikoli commented, studying the picture then looking up to meet her eyes.
Kate was about to tell him how she thought it belonged to her uncle, but someone got there first.
"What the hell are you doing in here?"
The both quickly turned round to be greeted with Kyi's eyes, which were just as heated as his tone. He glared at the pair, then fixed his eyes on Nikoli as he began to shout at him in Russian. The few words that Kate could translate made her realise that Kyi was shouting at him for being inside instead of on guard duty. When he finished, Nikoli gave him an abrupt nod, exchanged a sideways smile with Kate, and then hurried out of the library.
Kyi then turned his flaming eyes on her. She felt the familiar fear she felt around him gripping her. "Why are you not in your room?" He demanded.
"Nat.Natalya brought me here.and.and said I could stay," Kate tried desperately not to stutter and let her fear show.
"Well, I'm taking you back to your room and you are going to stay there."
She clutched the book tightly to her chest, as he marched her back down the corridors and up the stairs 'til they reached her room. He slammed the door roughly behind her after she'd entered.
But all thought and fear of him left her mind as they were replaced by the unanswered questions the book stirred. She flicked through the pages; painstakingly studying the pictures that filled them, like an archaeologist studding a treasure from long ago. Trying to discover the secrets it held.
A/N: What do you think? Go on. Give in and hit that button now! :o)