Thanks to my reviewers, Gosh your all so awesome. You were my inspiration to type this chapter even though I think I could of done better I'm tired and it's severely late over here but this shows how much I love you!!
Disclaimer:I don't own fairytales but i do own the characters in this story
Claira woke before the sun the next morning and quickly started her day. She listened to the tapping her bare feet made across the cold wooden floor. She stopped on a rug staring blankly across the darkened room. The heavy satin curtains were still hanging over the windows. She was scared to look out, scared to face Jonathan. For some reason she felt she would never see him again, she felt a ping of guilt for leaving him alone in such a fragile state but she was frightened. Her bag was packed in a mere two minutes and she dressed herself in a pale yellow dress the most simple dress she had. She couldn't stand to be distinct today. She wanted to blend in. She tied her hair back with a piece of string and carefully checked the armoire for anything she had missed. She had packed her mothers silver mirror and brush, she packed all her dresses, all except one. The white dress that was meant to be her wedding dress, so simple and pure was still hanging there. She couldn't force herself to touch it, she wouldn't wear that dress if she was going to marry Henry Wellington. It was too special for him, she would buy a new dress for that occasion, one that held no sentimental value to her what so ever.
She took one last look at the familiar room feeling her eyes well up as she backed away from the bed. This would be the last time she set foot in this place. The last time she would feel any sort of happiness. She had long realized her life would change drastically when she returned, there was no escape. She managed to tear herself from her room closing the door behind her. The tension only grew as she started walking down the great dark hall, and stood in front of William's door. She raised her hand to knock but her fingers only stiffened. She couldn't do it, instead she placed her trembling lips to his door and whispered goodbye. She walked away fresh tears playing at the rims of her eyes. She turned fled down the stairs and turned the corner with the swiftness of a cat.
William had been awake for hours. He had heard Claira walking in the hallway. Her slippers made a clicking sound down the dark castle floors. They stopped at his door he stood in front debating wether or not to open the blasted thing. His mind was overdrive but he heard a faint whisper barely over a breath, 'goodbye' He knew this was it and bit his lip hard trying to fight these bittersweet emotions running his mind. 'Bye' he whispered back. He heard the clicking sound start up again as Claira ran down the stairs. He opened the door but it was too late she was out of sight. He slid down the doorframe his hands running through his hair. He didn't cry. He was too hurt to cry.
Claira ran through the castle gates clutching her bag tight in her fingers. She kept a steady pace through the garden past the many flowers she would usually stop to admire past the statues and fountains past everything. It all turned into a green whirlwind around as she saw only her destination. Her eyes were tearing up as she neared the door she didn't know she remembered where it was, if felt as if she were being pulled toward it. She ran through the forest ignoring the branches slapping her arms and face letting her dress rip and tear then losing her slipper along the way. She saw the door and collapsed, her eye's red and stinging her legs aching she wanted to fall and disappear. Her whole word was crushing down around her. She sat up from her place on the ground not paying attention to the leaves stuck in her long locks or the dirt smeared across her left cheek she struggled to stand up. She looked as if she were broken the way she staggered toward the great wooden door and placed a pale hand over the handle. She pulled it but it wouldn't budge, she had forgotten the key. She turned toward the castle only to hear a loud creak coming from behind her.
She slowly turned her face toward the door and saw it was open. No one was around just the unamusing silence that stung her ears and a large black crown staring down at her from a tall sycamore. Something familiar about the way its eyes studied her every move. She gulped down her fear. Ignored the nagging feeling in the back of her head she walked through the door, as soon as she was safe on the other side it slammed shut. She was home, she knew because the rain poured down around her soaking her to the bone. She pushed her hair back trying to gain some composure, praying that she had done the right thing but knowing she was in the wrong.
William came running out the castle toward Claira. He had every intention of begging her to stay but found he missed her by seconds. On his way back his shoulders hunched in defeat he saw something a small golden colored slipper. He knew it was Claira's he had seen her wearing it only days before. He remembered everything about her. He picked up the small shoe and placed it in his pocket then continued his walk down the sodden path.
Rebecca had watched from a nearby tree, she had taken the form of a crow so she could make sure Claira made it back on the other side of the door. She turned back into her human form grinning to herself on a job well done. She wore a dark red dress today that resembled the color of dried blood and her hair seemed blacker than usual.
'Almost over, softly dying. Don't you hear me I'm still fighting' Rebecca sang in a low voice. 'I will have my revenge.' She cackled sending horrible echoing chaos ringing through the tall trees. She turned toward the castle still humming her little song her eyes growing redder with each passing second.
Claira walked through the beating rain, she had forgotten how much she loved it. She didn't care how drenched she was or how sick she might get she wanted to soak it all in. Her mind was wondering slowly, memories flooding of how William used to come for visits in the rain. Everything was different now. Suddenly she hated being out in this rain it only made things worse. She ran toward her home, it was just as she remembered. Large stone walls, her window was open obviously Martha's hope hadn't died.
She walked up the front door and knocked waiting patiently for someone to let her in. The door opened and their stood Martha a little thinner than before. Her hair seemed even grayer, most likely the effects of worry. Martha struggled to keep her emotions under control as she threw her arms around Claira's neck hugging her so tight Claira couldn't help but laugh. They embraced for a moment before Martha pulled her in insisting she get out of the cold.
'Oh Jesus, Mary and Joseph where on earth have you been?'
'Did you get my note?' Claira asked setting down her bag.
'Yes dear but it's not enough. It only said you would be back in a few weeks time, where were you exactly?'
Claira ran her fingers through her wet matted hair trying to get her thoughts in order. She wasn't ready or willing to talk about her adventures quite yet.
'It's a long story Martha and I'm rather tired. Can we just talk about it after a short bath?'
'Yes dear, I'll run it immediately.'
'Thankyou'
Martha turned to look back at Claira once before heading up the stairs. And in a voice so low she struggled to hear, 'I missed you dearest, it was like I lost a child' Claira felt her eyes well up once again and she gave a weak smile. 'I'm sorry' Martha nodded her head her plump cheeks shaking. 'I'm glad your back dear' she walked up the stairs leaving Claira alone.
Later that night after Claira was clean and dry she and Martha sat at the dinner table. Claira felt drained, she didn't have anything to tell. Nothing seemed important enough to say. Martha had filled her in on Mr. Wellington saying he was still coming over for weekly visits. He was still wanting marriage and this only made her sink deeper into her tired state.
The next day as early as the sun peeked its head over the rolling hills Mr. Henry Wellington came knocking at the Abbingdale's door. He was wearing a deep blue coat with tan riding pants. Claira had worn a sky blue dress and let her hair fall behind her back. She came down the stairs with her fake smile perched on her lips. She let him take her hand and kiss it, she wanted to pull it away in disgust but she knew the part she had to play. He wasn't a bad man. He just wasn't William. She had convinced herself that Mr. Wellington was in love with her. He would make her happy. After all he was good looking, strong, wealthy and he really seemed to like her. He would treat her well. Martha went upstairs as the two were left alone in the parlor staring at each other nervous for completely different reasons.
'I've been meaning to ask you something for quite a while, I'm sure you know what I'm speaking of'
His tone sounded almost cocky while he placed his proud hand on the mantlepiece. Claira took a seat on the floral print couch watching him strut around like a rooster. 'I would like for you to be my wife' His words hit Claira with a stronger force than she had expected, she sat speechless staring into space. 'Claira? Did you hear me?' Claira looked up at him and forced herself to smile. 'Yes and the answer is; I will marry you.' Mr. Wellington's smile turned into a sneer making her look away. She couldn't stand to keep her eyes on him any longer.
'I'm pleased, I know you've probably been waiting for my proposal for a long while'
'Yes, counting the minutes really' Claira said playing with the sapphire fabric of her dress.
'We'll talk about the ceremony later, I'm very pleased with your answer'
'How could I say no to such a proposal?'
Claira meant it in a different way but Henry took it as a compliment. He smiled and kissed her cheek sending shivers up her spine. He left her alone as she brought her knees to her chest staring blankly toward the fireplace. She was soon to be Mrs. Henry Wellington, wife. No longer a free spirit but one bound to another. She closed her eyes letting herself fall into a light sleep.
Rebecca and William sat in the study not speaking but rather glaring at each other. Rebecca pushed herself up from the large leather armchair and paced around the darkened room.
'I have some news for you dearest'
'Don't call me dearest, we're not married yet'
'It involves your friend Claira'
'What of her?'
William watched Rebecca saunter around the dimly lit room grazing her fingers over random novels. She kept her back to him and evil grin playing on her lips.
'Have you not noticed Jonathan has gone missing as well as she?'
William's face clouded as he heard the two names conjoined.
'What of it?' he growled clenching his fist.
'It seems the last time anyone saw the two of them they were heading toward the lagoon, a secret love affair' She plucked a dark maroon book from the shelf and turned to face William. He was staring at his book pretending to read when really he was boiling over.
'Don't you have something to say?' She paused and walked closer coming into the light. 'Anything at all? Hmm, pity how she left without saying her farewells isn't it dearest' She sat down on the leather armchair and leafed through the pages in her novel. William stood up and walked towards the window staring towards the lagoon.
'Did you have a clue of their love for each other, William. I know I didn't'
'I don't believe that's the right story. Jonathan is just hiking or camping out.'
'He packed all his things, some camping trip'
Rebecca had taken all his things and burned them the night before to add to the dramatic effect. She had successfully convinced William of the worst and all it took was a little name dropping. She swallowed and nonchalantly closed the book looked up at him with those dark haunting eyes.
'I'm sorry William, I believe I've made you uncomfortable. We can talk some other time.'
'No, we can't talk. I want you to know something Rebecca, I'm only marrying you because it is my duty. I will never ever love you no matter what!'
William threw his book across the room knocking over an oil flask and pile of paperwork. Rebecca didn't wince at this. She simply kept her animal like eyes on him as he stormed out the door kicking the door on his way out. She knew she had struck a nerve when she heard him slam his door. Everything was going according to plan.
Almost done people, woo hoo. I know exactly what's going to happen but I'm trying to word it right to work in the dramatic effect. Love them reviewers, thanks so much!! I have over 20 reviews and at the end I'll give special thanks...you guys rock!! I'll have a new chapter tomorrow most likely if I don't go shopping ): I hate to shop, I know I'm a weirdo.. I always end up buying stuff I hate later... shoppers curse.... love you guys!! Pinksneakers85