Chapter 5-- Part I
A/N I want to make a little side-note here. Chapter Five has been split into two separate parts. Why? Because Part I is only 2 scenes long and already 15+ pages typed! So, with Lib's advice, I'm stretching the chapter into 2 parts because I want it to be all one chapter without being way too long to read. Oh, and this chapter contains some characters I just made up for simplicity; its not important that you know who they are.
"...I still don't see what business you could have here with these mongrels, Lady Cynthia," stated the guard, Ioannis. Ioannis was the only guard left to tend the jail house at the time, since his father and brother had been called away to deal with a brawl in a bar on the outskirts of town. Cynthia had been all too pleased to find that Ioannis was the only one present. It was no secret that, though an honorable man, Ioannis could never resist a woman's charms. His father and brother, both married men, would have sent her away in an instant. But Ioannis was currently single and would be much easier to deal with. Cynthia batted her eye lashes seductively, tousling Ioannis' long blond hair.
"You just let me worry about that, alright Ioannis? I can handle myself just fine. And besides, you'll be here to protect me from them. You will protect me, won't you Ioannis?" Cynthia cooed seductively. Ioannis gulped; if his father found out he was letting someone in to see the prisoners... he didn't even want to think about that!
"You know I will, Lady Cynthia. Just you be careful in there, alright? There is nothing these people won't say or do to get out of here or bring you into their web. You have 10 minutes to do whatever it is you came here for," Ioannis stated, opening the heavy iron door which lead to the prisoners cells. Cynthia smiled, blowing Ioannis a kiss.
"Promise, no longer than 10 minutes. I owe you big time for this," Cynthia winked, before disappearing behind the opened door. Ioannis shook his head, closing the door behind her and reclaiming his seat at his father's desk.
"Some day, I'm going to get into serious trouble listening to these chicks," Ioannis muttered. Once inside the cell room, Cynthia's seductive smile faded. Rolling her eyes, she began to slink down the walkway to the end of the room. Men, so easy to manipulate. Especially men like Ioannis. Cynthia made her way to the end of the hall, where Joseph Mendez, brother to Paul Mendez Junior, was being held.
"I knew sooner or later you'd end up behind bars," Cynthia stated as she approached the cell. Joseph looked up at her, scowling.
"You're the only person here that really deserves to be behind bars, "Lady" Cynthia," Joseph seethed. Cynthia pouted, setting herself on a small wooden stool in front of Joseph's cell.
"Aw, now Joseph, is that any way to talk to your old friend Cynthia?"
"Yeah, sure, my "friend" Cynthia... wanna be a real friend? Get me the hell out of here!" Joseph boomed. Cynthia's fake pout turned into a devious smile at his words.
"You know, I might be able to arrange that," Cynthia stated. Joseph perked up a bit, until he remembered just who it was he was talking to.
"And just what do you want in exchange for that? 'Cause if it's money, you're hard out of luck. Those bastard guards of King Brady's took everything I had before throwing me and the boys in here," Joseph said. "Besides, you make more money in one night of whoring around then I do in an entire auction," Joseph scoffed. It was now Cynthia's turn to scowl.
"Very funny, Joseph. Let's not forget, YOU'RE the one behind bars now, and I'm the only person who can get you out," Cynthia warned, narrowing her eyes at him. Joseph threw up his arms in defeat. He hated the wench, but she was right. Cynthia was the only person who'd give any of the Mendez clan the time of day that had enough pull to get them out of jail.
"Alright, fine. What is it you want from me Cynthia?"
"Don't be so touchy. All I want is a little info, that's all."
"Information about what?" Joseph asked skeptically.
"A girl. You recently sold her at the latest auction. She was one of the captives from Rubino."
"There were a lot of female captives from Rubino," Joseph pointed out.
"Her name was Arciana. She might have been wearing this really skimpy gold outfit."
"Oh, I remember her. Raven haired girl, never spoke a word. Didn't even put up a fight as I recall. Didn't care to know her name though. Girl with a body like that, no one cares what name she goes by," Joseph stated.
"You must know something about her! I have reason to believe that she used to be your brother Paul's slave a long time ago."
"If you didn't already know, Cynthia, Paul was the family outcast. I haven't spoken to him since we were boys. I don't give a damn about his former slaves. Sorry Cynthia, but the only information I have on that girl is she's got a lot more going for her with that body than you do," Joseph scoffed.
"He can't tell you anything about that girl," called out a female voice from the cell behind where Cynthia was seated. "But I can." It was Nicole. Of course! She was Brandon's sister; if there was anything to be known about "Arciana" then she would be the one to talk to. "But first..."
"You know, there's always a "but first..." with you people," Cynthia scoffed, moving her seat to face Nicole.
"Hey, do you want to know about the girl or not?"
"Yes, I do. So spill."
"Alright, but first, you have to promise to get me out of here. I don't give a damn about the others, just get me the hell out of this rat hole," Nicole said.
"Gee, thanks. What a worthless piece of garbage you are Nicole. It's no wonder your father was cast out by the whole family. You're probably just like him, you little slut!" Joseph scowled.
"Hey! It's not my fault that you don't have the information the lady wants. You never did anything for me except get me thrown in jail you bastard!" Nicole spat back.
"Shut up, both of you! I don't mean to interrupt the family brawl, but I didn't come here to listen to you people bicker!" Cynthia hissed. "Now... Nicole... if I find your information satisfactory, then I give you my word I will have you out of here. But... if not, then you can get yourself out of this place."
"Oh, trust me... you're gonna just love what I have to tell you," Nicole stated with a coy smile, leaning back against her cell wall.
"Go on," Cynthia prompted.
"The girl, Arciana, this isn't the first time she's been sold in slave auctions in Nero. You were right. She was my father's slave. Since she was 8 years old actually."
"And you are certain it's the same girl?" Cynthia asked.
"My father only had one slave by the name you gave," Nicole stated. "It's not her real name. Brandon gave her the name of Arciana when she refused to tell us who she really was."
"Where did she come from back then?"
"Mucche," Nicole answered slyly. Cynthia grinned evilly.
"Are you serious? Oh this is perfect! King Brady's new little whore is a Mucchean!" Cynthia squealed.
"You think that's perfect? Wait till you hear the whole story."
"There's more? What could be better?" Cynthia inquired.
"Now, I wasn't suppose to know this of course, but dear old dad would talk incessantly when drunk, and I just happened to over-hear," Nicole started.
"Don't stall Nicole, spill! What could be better then her being Mucchean?"
"Arciana's not just any old Mucchean. She's Chloe Kiriakis, the long lost daughter of King Victor and his wife Kate," Nicole stated proudly. Cynthia's jaw nearly dropped in surprise. Oh, fate was so kind! This was just too good!
"Oh, this is too good. I always thought that old story was just a myth! Never did I once believe that the former goody-goody King John would actually steal two children from their homes and try to sell them into slavery!" Cynthia paused, her look of sheer joy fading slightly. "Wait... you're not just saying this so I'll get you out of here, are you? How can I trust that this Arciana chick is really the long lost Princess Chloe?"
"I guess you're just gonna have to take my word on it. Or, you could go through some of gramp's old records. Daddy dearest used to brag about having the pleasure of owning his father's most prized sale. Who wouldn't be proud of owning a Mucchean princess? If you don't believe me, sneak a peak at the records. They're under lock and key by now I'm sure, but you don't look like the kind of person who has trouble getting what she wants." Nicole stated.
"No, I don't want to bother with that. Ioannis was easy to deal with. My father would be the one in charge of those records now, and I'll be damned if I go to him about anything," Cynthia cursed. "Do you swear to me that what you say is true? Because if I get you out of this place and then I find out you're lying..."
"Trust me, will ya? If you approach this girl and tell her that you know, believe me, she'll cave. She knows damn well that once Kingy boy Brady finds out she's not only Mucchean, but the daughter of the man that murdered his family, she's as good as dead. Trust me, I wouldn't make this up. Something like this, is too far stretched for even me to come up with on my own," Nicole stated.
"I believe that," Cynthia murmured, already formulating a plan on how to use this information. If what Nicole said was true, then Cynthia would have no trouble bringing Brady down. There were so many worlds of damage she could do if this information was true.
"Don't forget, you damn well better deliver on your promise," Nicole warned.
"Don't worry, I don't welsh on my deals. You'll be out of here by sundown," Cynthia promised, standing up from the wooden stool just as the iron door opened.
"Lady Cynthia, you're time's up," Ioannis called.
"Thank you, Ioannis, I will be right out," Cynthia replied, turning back to Nicole. "Remember... if you're lying to me, rotting in a jail cell for the rest of your life will not be your worst problem," Cynthia hissed, before turning and departing the cell room. Ioannis shut the door again, about to sit down when Cynthia roughly captured his lips with hers, pressing her body against his.
"Whoa!" Ioannis breathed when Cynthia allowed him to come up for air.
"Ioannis, what is the meaning of this?" Uh oh... Daddy's back. Ioannis blanched, but Cynthia remained cool, turning to face Ioannis' father.
"Hello Mr. Hunter. I just stopped by to visit Ioannis here for a few minutes before I head home." Cynthia stated.
"I wasn't even aware you knew my boy was alive on this earth," Mr. Hunter spat. He loathed the girl with a passion. Unlike her father, who he respected as an honorable man, Cynthia stank of sex and trouble, and he frankly wanted nothing to do with the little whore.
"Let's just say, that I finally had an awakening," Cynthia replied, turning back to face Ioannis and giving him another quick kiss. She leaned up on her tip toes to whisper in his ear. "Remember, I owe you big time," Cynthia whispered, moving away with a wink. She turned around again to walk towards the door. "Bye Mr. Hunter," Cynthia called before disappearing out the door, leaving Ioannis to deal with the wrath of his angry old man. So much damage to cause, so little time...
Arciana breathed in the crisp, wonderful late afternoon air, setting her sewing aside. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, splashing the sky with vibrant shades of pink, red, and purple. There would still be at least a good half hour of the amazing light show before darkness finally set in. After standing completely still, usually with arms stretched out beside her, in a cluttered room in the palace for nearly an hour straight while Harold made measurements and had the palace seamstress begin on the first dress, Arciana couldn't get out of the palace fast enough. She'd taken her material and needle and thread out to the courtyard, making a place for her and her sewing at the bottom of the courtyard steps. Harold had seemed to be so impressed that Arciana was going to make her own dress. And not just a simple one, but something more complex, which would require more then needle and thread for even the well trained royal seamstresses. He had actually made her vow to teach him how to properly sew before she could so much as leave the room. Arciana shook her head, smiling to herself at the memory.
It wouldn't be so bad to be living here. Harold was perhaps the most humorous man Arciana had ever met. Everyone, with of course the exception of "Lady" Cynthia, in the palace was very polite and proper yet they were not stuck up nor were they inconsiderate. Yes, all of the council members were stubborn beasts, but she had her own tendencies to be stubborn, so she couldn't complain. And although she felt uncomfortable around them, the palace servants were very nice, complete opposite of her memories from the Mucchean Palace. The servants there, except for a handful which were very close to the family as their ancestors had been before them, were more stuck up and rude then most of the royals. Sure, they were polite to your face, promptly obeying orders. But when your back was turned... Arciana couldn't even remember how many times she'd heard the servants mutter curses under their breathe at her father and mother. Arciana could picture herself living here in Nero, in the palace. But she would chide herself each time the thought crossed her mind. Not so much because she knew she could never stay once Brady found out who she was, but more because she cursed her own treacherous mind for allowing herself to think about how lonely she felt without Brady at her side. It was not as if he could be with her 24 hours of the day. But what hurt more was believing he would not want to be around her at all should he find out her true identity. Brady seemed to enjoy being around Arciana, but Chloe Kiriakis, the daughter of the man who murdered his family? Never!
So when her mind would wander, whether it be to daydreams of living in the Neroean palace or merely images of Brady's perfect, handsome face and piercing blue eyes, Arciana would force herself to concentrate solely on her sewing. But always her mind would drift back to those eyes... Arciana was abruptly snapped back to reality by the sound of horse hooves fiercely beating down the grass, followed by a loud, protesting neigh as a large black horse was pulled to a stop just in front of her by his tall, blond owner. Arciana stared forward at the huge black horse's feet just in front of her, her gaze traveling up the massive creature's strong legs and upper body. Arciana's gaze followed the creature's eyes as it shook it's head as if in protest to such an abrupt stop, thick black mane flying everywhere in the cool wind which had picked up. Arciana looked slowly upward until her own eyes locked with the piercing blue eyes which had taunted her daydreams all evening.
"Brady!" Arciana breathed in surprise; she had not expected him to be back so early. He had after all said he might be gone a couple of days. Brady flashed that gorgeous, sexy half smile of his. Dearest God... sexy? She couldn't be thinking things like that! "You're back early. I thought you'd still be in negotiations with King Shawn and the others?"
"For once, we were all able to agree on an issue. That alone, whether we're victorious in battle or not, is enough to celebrate," Brady stated. And it was true; he had thought for sure at least one of the extremely stubborn kings would oppose to the plans, lengthening his stay in Arcadia. But still, he had arrived much earlier then would have otherwise been possible.
Upon making it to the Neroean border, Brady had noticed a stable on the side of the road, selling horses. The black horse he now mounted had been the last one not back in the barn for nightfall. The owner of the stable could never handle the "wild beast". The horse would buck wildly if you tried to come anywhere near it, even if your only intention was to feed him. According to the stable owner, Talon, he'd busted down the stable door at least 3 times. So Talon just left him unsaddled and let him roam as he pleased, so long as he didn't cause harm to any of the other horses or especially the buyers. But the wild horse had come right to Brady when he had the driver stop the coach so he could approach the fence. Before Talon could warn him not to, Brady had reached out to pet the horses long magnificent black mane. The horse had not only allowed this, but nuzzled it's nose, which had a solitaire white strip running down from the top of his head to the tip of his nose, at Brady's neck, as if Brady had been his owner since he was but a colt.
Talon, completely dumb-founded, had stupidly approached, as if to see if his one wild horse had suddenly become tame. The horse bucked away, knocking Talon to the ground. The creature had reared up on it's hind legs, and surely would have crushed poor Talon, had Brady not jumped over the fence and soothed the horse, allowing the frightened Talon to scramble away. In a fit of rage at the troublesome horse, Talon merely screamed "TAKE THAT HELLISH DEMON AWAY FROM ME!" before slamming the door to the stable, leaving Brady with his new horse. Brady grabbed a saddle which was sitting on the side of the fence closest to the stable, leaving a sack of coins to pay for both the saddle and the horse in it's place, and saddled up the black stallion. He'd told the driver to go on without him, before Brady mounted his new horse and sped off at full gallop for the palace, marveling at how fate seemed to have willed the horse to belong to him and only him. He was amazed at both the power which the magnificent horse possessed, and how willingly and easily the creature allowed Brady to control that. He hadn't yet figured out what name such a horse should be suited with, but he knew a name would surely come to him. Brady had taken the long way to the palace, so he could emerge from the gardens, almost as if he could sense Arciana was in the courtyard. His gift to her hung off the horse's saddle in a leather pouch, but riding through the countryside on his new horse had given him an idea. He had mentioned an even more beautiful place to Arciana when she'd commented on how amazing the gardens were; he would show her that place. "Climb on."
"What?" Arciana asked, having not quite understood him.
"Climb on. I want you to come with me somewhere."
"But Brady... shouldn't you be preparing..."
"That's what I have tomorrow for. Tonight all that I care about is you," Brady stated, causing Arciana to blush slightly, though she attempted to hide it. Brady held out his hand to her to help her up. "Climb on." Brady beckoned again. Arciana reached out, about to take his hand, but hesitated.
"Wait, my sewing. It'll get trampled out here."
"Bring it with you," Brady answered, gesturing for her to put the material back in the small leather bag she'd brought it out in. Arciana did just that, quickly stuffing the material, threaded needle and all, into the leather bag and handing it to Brady to place over the horses back in front of him. Brady reached out his hand to her again, and this time, Arciana took it, placing her foot in the stirrup to help hoist herself up on the black stallion behind Brady. "Hang on tight," Brady instructed, grabbing the reins again. He stealthily turned the black stallion around, to face the direction he'd just come from, before kicking the horses flanks with his heels to coax the animal forward. Arciana wrapped her arms tightly around Brady's waist in surprise, suddenly very afraid she'd fall off the back of the horse if she didn't. She'd never once in her whole life ridden on a real horse before; slow pony as a child, sure, but never a full-grown horse. Brady pushed the horse into a full gallop, completely confident that the magnificent creature would keep the precious cargo behind his master as safe from harm as Brady wished to keep her. Neither were aware of Harold watching from the courtyard steps, a big, satisfied grin on his face as the couple sped off. The horse needed no guidance as it easily dodged all the many trees and plants, never once trampling any of the beautiful garden's bushes and flowers as the creature made it's way to the high fence around the back of the garden. Arciana's eyes flew wide open as she realized Brady was not turning the horse away from the fence that surely was too high for them to jump.
"Brady, watch out!" Arciana yelled, but her cry was lost to the whipping wind as the black stallion leapt, jumping completely over the fence with room to spare, and landing perfectly on the other side, never letting his speed falter. After clearing the fence, and after the palace was out of sight, Brady pulled back on the reins, slowing the magnificent horse to a steady trot.
"You alright back there?" Brady asked over his shoulder. Arciana, still somewhat dazed, nodded slowly, not realizing she still had her arms wrapped very tightly around Brady's waist.
"I... that was... whoa..." Arciana muttered. Brady chuckled, patting the horses mane. He of course realized Arciana's arms were still around him, but there was no way he was complaining.
"You've never ridden on a horse before?" Brady asked, knowingly.
"No, never. Well, I rode on a pony once as a kid, but never an animal like this." Arciana answered.
"He's amazing, isn't he? I've never known a stallion to be so powerful and magnificent," Brady stated, pulling lightly on the reins to turn the horse left, onto a path leading into the southern woods.
"Where did you get him?" Arciana asked.
"On my way back from Arcadia, we passed a stable that was selling horses. This one was too wild for the owner, so he just told me to take him. Or rather, I should say he screamed for me to quote "TAKE THAT DEMON HORSE AWAY!". He's why I made it home so quickly; riding alone on horseback is much less time consuming then riding in that carriage," Brady answered.
"Wild?" Arciana asked, not hiding her fear.
"Don't worry Arciana, he won't hurt you. It's almost like... he was meant to be my horse. When I walked up to the fence, he just came right up to me. If I believed for even a moment he would cause you harm, I would send him away," Brady stated. Arciana was still skeptical, scooting up closer to Brady, laying her right ear against Brady's shoulder blade.
"What's his name?" Arciana asked. She couldn't help but feel completely comfortable with her arms around Brady, hands involuntarily creeping up from his firm stomach to his chiseled chest, despite her fear of the massive animal below them. And Brady too felt completely in heaven.
"Don't know yet. I haven't figured that part out yet," Brady answered. Arciana nodded, satisfied with his answer. She'd known many people with horses who remained unnamed until the perfect name came to them. And not just horse owners did that either. Brandon had had a cat when he was little that wasn't named until months after getting it. Brandon claimed the animal had finally told him what he wanted to be called. It was a silly concept to Arciana, having never owned any animals, but she supposed it was natural to pet owners.
"Ok, so here's one you can answer. Where are you taking me?" Arciana asked. Brady smiled slyly.
"Yes, that one I can answer. But I'm not going to. It's a surprise," Brady stated. Arciana huffed, shaking her head.
"Men. Always so complicated and secretive." Arciana mumbled.
"Hey! I resent that. I am not secretive, and if you ask me, you women are the more complicated sex."
"Of course you'd say that, you're a male," Arciana stated. Brady laughed, kicking his heels to coax the horse to go a little faster as they turned a corner in the path. The sun would soon be completely gone from the sky and night would fall. Brady wanted to get to his "secret place" before it got completely dark.
"Did I mention that most women also rarely ever wish to compromise?"
"I'm not most women," Arciana pointed out. Without thinking, Brady replied.
"No, you most certainly are not most women. You, are special." Brady stated. Arciana shifted uncomfortably at the statement, sitting up straight and loosening her grip on Brady's waist. Brady immediately missed her touch, cursing his fast tongue. Yeah, I'm special. Special as in I'm a lying, manipulative bitch. I shouldn't be here. I'm taking advantage of his kindness. He wouldn't want me here if he knew I was a Kiriakis. I can't keep doing this. The more time I spend with him, the more it's going to hurt him when he discovers who I really am. Arciana thought to herself. She was about to tell him to turn around and take her back to the castle when they entered a meadow full of luscious tall grass and yellow and white daisies. The dimming light made the scene look so amazing, the different colors of the setting sun radiating off the delicate flowers. The faint sound of water trickling over rocks in a stream ahead could be heard in the distance.
"Brady, is this..."
"Nope. This doesn't compare to what I'm going to show you. It's not far now," Brady stated. They continued forward, the sound of the stream becoming more apparent with each step of the horse. Up ahead, the ground began to slope down slightly, and all Arciana could see ahead was a seemingly endless line of tall bushes. Arciana was confused, as there was no visible passage through the tall bushes that even the amazing horse below them couldn't possibly jump, but figured that Brady's intention was to go around. But Brady never turned, he just keep going straight towards the prickly looking bushes.
"Brady, wait, there's no way thro..." Arciana stopped mid sentence as they approached the bush, only to find that there was in fact a passageway through the bushes.
"It's naturally positioned so that no matter what angle you're coming from, you can't tell there's an opening until you get really close," Brady explained. "I discovered the opening as a kid, but it was more grown over back then. Probably wouldn't have found it at all if I wasn't somewhat of a klutzy child," Brady laughed, remembering literally stumbling into the opening as a boy, no older then 10. He had been out playing with Isabella, but had lost track of where he was going and ended up in this place. At that time in his life, even though he was so young, Brady could not concentrate on much else besides her. Brady would have named the place which lay within the clearing after her, had it not been for Isabella. She had found him shortly after, and persuaded him to drop the subject of the little girl neither of them could have saved. Truth be told, Isabella had always felt the same kind of guilt Brady still experienced to this day, for it had been she who was unable to lead the slave girl to safety. Either way, Isabella was the only person who ever knew about the place besides Brady. They each took refugee in the place whenever they got the chance. Brady slowed the huge black stallion to a complete stop, before what lay behind the bushes came into sight. "Now the only question is... do you think you're special enough to see what's inside?" Brady asked jokingly.
"Hmm... well, you wouldn't have brought me this far if you didn't think I was, now would you, King Brady," Arciana returned in just the same manner. Outside, she was carefree and enjoying the slight teasing. But inside, Arciana was completely filled with curiosity and wonder. What could Brady Black have in store for her next? Brady smiled slightly, nodding his head.
"I suppose I must. Alright then, here we go. But first things first. This place... is my own personal secret get away. If news of its location gets out, I'll know who to come after," Brady joked, coaxing the horse to move forward. The stallion seemed to know the exact way as he carried the passengers at a slow trot through the bushes, which Arciana found to be amazingly thick. The first and only thing Arciana could see from behind Brady were 2 willow trees, which were uncommon in Nero, one on each side of the opening. She could see no more, since, number one, Brady was taller, and two, the ground would not become level until they were all the way inside the clearing. What Arciana saw when they finally did make it through the clearing took her breath away. The first thing one would notice upon entering the clearing would have to be the 2 story log-cabin which was in no way painted so that the wood would blend in perfectly with the natural surroundings. Next, one would notice the beautiful rose bushes that lined the front of the house. Each bush was a different color rose, just like in the palace, and yet the different colors matched so perfectly together with the log cabin as a background. The amazing front yard, complete with a variety of beautiful trees of all different sizes, colors, and types, was enhanced by the small stream, which Arciana found to run directly in front of the house, just 5 feet from the bushes. It seemed to almost circle the house, because it came from behind the right side of the house and looped back around the left side of the house. It reminded her of a moat around a castle, only its purpose was not for protection from outside invaders, but rather to create a serenity which would lure one in to the peacefulness the entire clearing possessed. A large wooden plank connecting the banks served as entrance to the house. When you come into the clearing, you can see that the tall bushes are not as endless as they appear from outside, but rather, they go out a ways, making room for spacious side yards, then naturally curve into the cliffside. The only opening was the one they came through, even though from this view point, Arciana could not see where the stream could possibly be feed or emptied out of the clearing.
The only sound that could be heard within the clearing were the horse's hooves clanking against the wooden plank as they crossed, and the crickets beginning to stir to start playing their nightly lullabies. Arciana had not even realized she was holding her breath. The place seemed like a fairy tale story, too perfect and serene to possibly be real. The last remnants of light shimmered off the flowery trees, which were in full bloom, and illuminated the log cabin perfectly, like it were some sort of heavenly body. Brady, aware of every move Arciana made in her reaction, slowed the horse to a stop once more, dismounting the horse and holding out his hand to Arciana.
"Come quickly. I want to show you the back yard before the sun completely sets. It will be perfect right about now," Brady stated. Without realization, Arciana took his hand and allowed him to help her dismount, leaving the stallion to graze freely. Brady was confident the horse would not wander off from the clearing without them. Brady led Arciana to the left side of the house, deciding that he would show her the inside after she was finished with the outside tour. Arciana was barely aware he was leading her around back. She was too busy admiring her surroundings. The stream never seemed to be more or less in distance from the house even as it curved around the side of the building towards the back. It remained exactly 10 feet from the house at all times. It was as if whoever built it built it to perfectly match the natural surrounding. As Brady led her around back, Arciana became vaguely aware of the sound of water running much faster, and seeming to hit the ground from a higher point.
Just as she was coming to this awareness, she and Brady rounded the corner to be met with an amazing waterfall. It was obviously the beginning of the stream which circled the house. The top of the waterfall was imbedded into the cliffside, not at the top but rather at a large hole in the rock, a little over 20 feet from the ground. The waterfall was small, but the sight of the crystal water, turned white in it's decent onto the rocks, coursing down boulder after boulder to make its way down to the calm stream below, was a wondrous sight to behold. The water at the base of the waterfall would have been just barely over Brady's head, though the rest of the stream leveled out to be only about four feet deep. Arciana see could the entire backyard from this viewpoint. She also now understood that the stream, fed by the waterfall on the left side of the cabin, made a course around the left side of the house, up to travel the length of the front, before it turned around the right side and returned back into the rocks of the cliffside via a small cave formation at just about the center of the house. It was like a natural fortress, or rather, it was like the cabin was Nero itself, as both lay within a fertile valley created by natural rivers and mountains.
"Do you see how the water comes out slightly from the side of the mountain? There's a narrow cave back behind it. It's not visible from the front, but if you approach it from the side, you can see it. It doesn't really go anywhere, it's just wide enough for one person to go through at once. All it does is goes off pointlessly to the left before curving back around to the right. But, if you walk all the way to the end, you come to the place where the water re-enters the rocks." Brady explained, still grasping the quiet Arciana's hand in his.
"How can a place like this be? Everything... its all formulated this way in nature! The only thing man made is the cabin. How can it be?" Arciana inquired.
"I do not know. But I am glad to have found it. Did I not tell you that an even more beautiful place existed?" And indeed, the royal gardens did not compare to this place. The valley was astonishing, not because it had been formulated by some meaningless royal gardeners just for looks, but because it was a gift from Mother Nature herself. Although some of the trees and plants Brady and Isabella planted themselves over the years, many were there already, placed perfectly as if just waiting for the house to be built around them.
"Doesn't it ever get flooded?" Arciana asked. Not even a place as perfect as this could avoid flooding! Even if it was a small stream. Brady shook his head.
"The cabin is built high. On the rare occasion that it does flood, it doesn't get very high up in the yard. Some of the flowers and roses are destroyed each year, but they always grow back just as they were before, with proper care," Brady answered. "It's amazing isn't it? I never believed I could experience the kind of peace I do when I'm here. Never felt so together, so..."
"Connected to how you're feeling deep inside?" Arciana answered. Brady nodded, looking away from her face to look out over the water. The sun was just about gone now, and with little light, the water was not so clear. But soon the moon would be reflecting the crystal clear water, making all the stones at the bottom of the stream visible once again.
"You feel it too." It was not a question, but a statement. He could tell by the look on her face that she felt the same kind of peace here that he did. Arciana nodded.
"Yes, I do. It's like, the moment you set foot into the clearing..."
"All your burdens are lifted, and all your sins washed away," Brady finished, almost reading her mind.
"Did you plant all these?"
"Some of the younger trees, yes. And Isabella and I planted most of the roses, but everything else was here before we found it," Brady answered. Isabella had in fact just finished planting the last rose bush in front of the house not a day before her death. She was the only one besides him that knew of the place. They never told their parents when they went out to play where they were going. After Brady reached the age of 13, he had less and less free time to spare to coming to the clearing to work on the building of the cabin and planting of the trees and flowers. He had more responsibilities then before, so usually Isabella visited the clearing alone to plant roses, or just to collect her thoughts and spare time just for herself. After Isabella died, Brady stopped coming to the clearing for the longest of time. Even this place, their place, felt lonely and empty without her. It was not as if he had time to visit anyway. But, one day, a year after Isabella was murdered, Brady had returned to the clearing to find that life was still flourishing. A few bushes and flowers had been destroyed in a small flood, but everything was almost exactly as he'd left it. So Brady came again and again, whenever he got a moment to himself, to finish work on the cabin. "Of course, we built the cabin too. But I did most of the work, although Isabella did help as much as she could. She didn't like being left out of things like that merely because she was a girl." Brady explained.
"May I see the inside?" Arciana asked curiously. Brady smiled broadly.
"Thought you'd never ask. Come on, this way." Brady again took hold of her hand, leading up to the right to a deck that stood closer to the center of the house. Brady led her up the deck steps to the cabin's back door, before opening it for her. It was much darker inside than out, as there were no candles lit and the sun had by now set.
"Brady, it's so dark. Do you have any candles..." Before she could finish her question, Brady had closed the door, and taken up 2 pieces of flint. With just 3 strikes, Brady had a wall candle on the left side of the door lit. But that was nothing amazing; what was amazing was, that almost the second the wall candle was lit, every other candle in the living room and dining room lit as well. "Oh! How did you..."
"It's an old trick my father taught me. Funny thing is, I could in no way explain to anyone how it works, I just know how to set it up to work," Brady answered. "The downside is, it only works in a small area, so for the other rooms, I just have to light candles by hand. Stay here. I'll give you the full tour, just wait until I have the house lit," Brady instructed, moving forward into the living room and disappearing down a hallway. Arciana obeyed, staying where she was. She looked around, noticing that the two lit rooms were very large, but sparsely furnished. She imagined that it hadn't been too awful long since the cabin itself had been completely finished, which would explain why little furniture would be present. The house smelled deliciously of pine because the logs which made up the walls were all pinewood trees. The floor was not carpeted, but the smooth wood flooring present gave even more of a rustic, country feel. Brady soon emerged from the hallway, but disappeared into another doorway, to the right of the front door before she could say a word.
"Brady?" Arciana called, just as he reemerged and began to climb up a staircase also on the right side of the house.
"Yes?" Brady called, continuing to make his way up the stairs.
"You built all this?"
"Yes, I've been working on it off and on since I was a boy. Most of the furniture that's here though, I bought. Not all the rooms are furnished yet, and the ones that are don't have a whole lot. Yet at least," Brady called, lighting the candles in the two rooms on the right and descending the stairs once more. He'd made his way to the left side, where another staircase stood before Arciana spoke again.
"Why did you build it? I mean, you do have an entire castle to live in," Arciana pointed out. Brady quickly lit all the candles in the rooms on the left and made his way back downstairs to stand at her side again before ever answering.
"Well, that's what I'm about to tell you. Come on inside, into the living room." Brady said, reaching out for her hand again and leading her into the living room. He did not, however, offer her a seat, since he would soon be taking her down the hallway. "You see, a long time ago, I had this dream. Well, it was more of a long-term fantasy of mine, of how I wanted my life to be. It was stupid, just a childish fantasy, but I suppose all children have dreams about their future."
"What was your dream?" Arciana asked. Of course all children had dreams. Had she not dreamt and fantasized a million different times that her life would take her far, far away from the horrid life she was living as a slave under Lord Paul? Brady hesitated, suddenly unsure he should continue. What would she think of him after he told her about the one dream that ever meant anything to him? It was childish of him to ever have believed it would one day come true. He shouldn't even be thinking of it now, let alone telling anyone about it! "Brady? Is something the matter?" God above, could she already see right through him, after knowing him such a short time?
"No, no. It's just... it's so stupid. You wouldn't be interested..." Arciana was very confused. Never once had Brady ever tried to push her away. It was she that was always pushing him away. It made no sense that he would shut down now, after all he'd shared with her already.
"Brady..." Arciana started, taking both of his hands in hers. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But I want you to know... you can tell me anything." Brady couldn't help notice her own hesitation to say that to him. She always seemed hesitant to say and do anything that might indicate she wanted to get to know him better, or wanted him to get to know her. Brady smiled broadly at her; though she was hesitant, at least the fact that she did care was a good sign.
"Alright, I'll tell you. But if I bore you to sleep, it's not my fault." Brady stated, causing Arciana to smile as well.
"Like I said before, you are never in any way boring, Brady Black." Brady let go of one of her hands, leading her around the room in a circle as he began to talk.
"Well, you see... I had this dream, for a very long time, long before I can even remember. But it never seemed like it could ever become true, until I found this place," Brady started. "Most children would probably be relishing in being the son of a great King. But not me. I used to picture my entire life just perfectly in my head, and it went just like this. One day, a beautiful day which I would start by watching the sun rise, an old woman would approach the castle with a young boy, exactly the same age as me. That woman would let it be known that I was not the son of John and Isabella Black, but that I had been switched at birth with the boy she'd raised as her own. I know it seems a stretch, but though I loved my family, I could never be happy there. In my dream, my father would oppose at first, but then would finally be persuaded to take the young boy in as his real son, and give me to the old woman to raise. I knew of course my father would never abandon me unless the old woman had used some kind of witchcraft on my father, so I would run away from her the moment we got out of palace. All boys of such a young age believe that they need no one else to take care of them; I was the same. I believed that I could run away to my secret place, where no one would ever find me, and build a home for myself, and the family I wished to have one day." It was then that Brady paused, beginning to lead Arciana down the hallway, now lit by many candles.
"Even then, I knew how I wanted my home to look when it was finished, and knew exactly what each room would be used for. I would begin building on it, knowing that Isabella would still visit me to help even though I was not her true brother. Of course, back then, I believed that a house would be simple to build, and would not take long. I used to imagine, that once I had the house finished, I'd begin to farm. The land, both inside and around the clearing was so fertile, I believed that even I, someone who knew nothing about farming, could be the best farmer around. I wanted a simple life, nothing more. I had it planned, that I would farm the land, keeping some to eat, and selling the rest in the Market Place. Everything I made, I was going to keep back to buy supplies in winter, and new furniture and things of that nature. But I also had other reasons. You see, I really did have my entire life planned out, even my romantic life."
"During the first few years, I wanted to keep to my self. Never really getting close to anyone, just waiting for that one person that I would know in an instant was the one I wanted to share my life with. In my dream, I went so far as to picture how it would go exactly. One day, I would be taking my crops to the market to sell. Instead of going my usual way through the back alleys to get to the store I needed to get to, I would go right through the center of the market on my way to sell my crops. It would be there that I would meet her, the woman I was destined to be with all my life. I would just look up at the right moment and catch sight of her, standing in front of a food stand with her basket on her wrist. She would look up then at that moment as well. And the moment we locked eyes, we'd fall instantly in love. We'd know in an instant that we'd spent our whole lives looking for each other. I'd drop the wheel barrow I was using to push my crops and approach her. I'd reach out my hand to her, and she to me, and the moment our hands locked together, we both would finally feel complete." Brady explained, with a passion in his voice unlike anything Arciana had ever heard.
"We'd marry that spring, and move into this house. Our house. I had everything planned out just perfectly. I'd continue to farm the surrounding lands, and she would have a small seamstress shop in the market place. I even planned on how many children we would have," Brady stated, opening the last door on the left. "This would be our first born's room, a boy. He would stay in our room at first of course, until he was old enough to move into his room. We'd name him John, after the only father I'd ever known." All the while Brady was speaking, Arciana was observing the room. It wasn't furnished yet, except for a writing desk. She could also see that there was another door on the right side of the room that no doubt led to a bathroom. Brady left the door open, but turned around to face the left side of the hallway, where there were 3 doors. "After John, we would have twins, both girls," Brady explained, opening the last door on the right. "This would be one of their rooms. The other would be the first room on the right of the hall. They're connected by the room in the middle, a bathroom. Their names would be Isabella, after the only mother and sister I'd ever known, and Blossom."
"Why Blossom?" Arciana asked quietly. She was slowly taking in all his words; she ached inside at the thought that Brady had yet to find that perfect dream of his.
"It reminds me of someone I knew once," Brady answered, leading her back down the hall. He opened both the bathroom door and the other bedroom, the one he always imagined would be Isabella's room, for Arciana to look into. It was just as the last room had been; each bedroom only had a writing desk and a door which led to a bathroom, but the girls' rooms also had another door, which led to closets. "The other room on the left is just a study. Nothing in there at all. Really the only furnished rooms are the living room, dining room, guest bedroom, and my room. I've been too busy working on the plumbing... I honestly have no idea how those inventors of mine managed to fix up the entire castle with running water." Brady stated.
"What are the other rooms?" Arciana asked, taking a look inside the study. Indeed, it was completely bare. Still holding her hand, Brady lead Arciana across the living room to the door on the left side of the front door.
"This is the den," Brady explained, opening the door. Arciana found it to be the only carpeted room in the house, but also, it was the lowest room; there was a single, carpeted step at the entrance. "I want to build a fire place in here sometime, but I suppose that will wait. It never gets all that cold in Nero anyway," Brady stated, leaving the door open and crossing over to the center of the living room. Arciana followed, her eyes moving to the top floor on the left side as Brady pointed to it. "That up there, would have been the playroom, for when the kids get older. The room to the side is a guest bedroom, just in case." Brady stated. "Of course, you saw the dining room, which is connected to the kitchen. And that there is the guest bathroom." Brady said, pointing to a door near the end of the dining room, where it connected with the kitchen.
"Where's your room?" Arciana asked. Brady took her hand again, leading her up the stairs to the right of the door.
"Up here," Brady answered. The balcony they reached was bare, but Arciana could tell it was not where he meant his room to be. There were two doors, one to the left that led to a bathroom, and one right in front of them. Brady led her to that door, opening it to reveal his room. It was the biggest room in the house and fully furnished, and yet remained simple. There was a large bed in the center of the room against the right wall, in-between two windows. There was of course a writing desk and chair, another more comfortable looking leather chair near the window, and a vanity. Again Arciana's heart ached; Brady had placed it there for his dream woman who never came. There was a night stand by the head of the bed, on the far right side. There were also two doors, one near the front of the room on the left side and the other nearer to the middle of the room. Brady continued on, towards the farthest door, and opened it, to reveal a balcony she had not noticed from the outside. A white rail surrounded it, keeping any who wandered onto the balcony safe from falling off. Brady released her hand, and walked out to the edge of the balcony, leaning against the rail to look out at the stars. The moon was full that night, and not a cloud in the sky to disrupt the view. A wooden bench had been placed against the wall, just big enough for two people.
"We would have all grown old here together, continuing our simple life. I'd always pictured my children, raising their own families here, in the safety of their parents clearing. But..." Brady sadly looked down from the heavens to stare at the dark ground, his elbows on the railing and hands clasp out in front of him. "It was not meant to be," Brady finished. Arciana approached him slowly, laying a gentle hand on his back. Brady turned his head to look at her, and she could swear his eyes were gleaming, as if they were filled with tears he refused to shed.
"Brady... your dream can still come true. Just not exactly as you envisioned it," Arciana said softly. Brady shook his head, shaking off her gentle touch and standing straight, pushing back all the conflicted emotions he knew he was showing.
"Sometimes I really don't think so Arciana," Brady stated sadly, turning to make his way back into his room, and leaving Arciana out on the balcony alone. Brady sat on the edge of his bed, facing away from the balcony door. He closed his eyes, and pictured the raven haired beauty from his dreams. Yes, in his dreams, the woman he always imagined spending his life with was her, the little girl who he'd been unable to save so very long ago. Even before they had crossed paths, he sensed her. Long before they met so briefly, he wanted her. But she would not come. Nothing could change that now. She was long gone by now. All he had now was a meaningless vision. Sure, he had the house, but it meant nothing without someone to share it with. Arciana hesitated, before following Brady back inside, leaving the door open to let the cool night breeze in. Slowly, she sat down on the end of the bed behind him, reaching out to him.
"Brady, if there was anything I could do to..."
"Do you even care?" Brady interrupted, catching Arciana so off guard that she practically jerked her hand back.
"What?"
"I said, do you even care?" Brady repeated, turning his head to face her. He did not mean to turn so cold, but he couldn't help but wonder... why was she here with him? "Arciana, are you here, with me, because you care about me and want me to be happy. Or are you here because I saved you and you feel obligated to repay that favor before you get as far away from Nero as possible?" Arciana frowned and turned her back to him, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be here," Arciana stated. But deep down, she understood why he had to question her. Somehow, someway, no matter how much she tried to conceal the real her, he always knew her. Knew what she was thinking, what she was feeling. She did want to be with Brady, that was the scary part. She never wanted to leave his side. It was like she was drawn to him, couldn't escape, and never, ever wanted to even if she could. But she couldn't stay. Brady might want her around now, might even learn to love Arciana, but... he would hate Chloe Kiriakis. "To be honest Brady, no one has ever, ever done anything like what you've done for me. But just because you are the first person who's ever in my life thought about me before themselves, does not mean I feel I owe you anything. I'm not here because I have to be. I'm here because I want to be." Brady felt much better to hear her say that, but was still somewhat skeptical. Although she made him want to break all the barriers he'd built around himself over the lonely years, he still felt he must be cautious. Perhaps even the King knew what all his subjects knew about him; and that was, that his gentle heart couldn't bare one more blow.
"Then why do you push me away?" Brady asked. Arciana whirled to face him again, both confused as hell, and somehow angry.
"I push you away? You're the one who's..."
"Yes, you push me away. In everything you do! One moment, you act as if you care, and then the next moment, you have me convinced that I mean so little to you that you could, and would, leave me behind at the drop of the hat and never once feel badly of it," Brady interrupted.
"I would never do that," Arciana said, her eyes turning cold. Yes, she could leave. Might still before he broke her heart once he found out who she really was. But she could never just move on like her time with him meant nothing. Like it or not, Brady meant too much to her to just forget about. If she left, she would regret it for the rest of her life. But now she was trapped, for if she didn't leave, she'd regret it even more. Arciana turned away again when her anger started to melt into sorrow. She was in a lose/lose situation. One way or another, they both would be hurt sooner or later now. She should have never accepted Brady's offer to stay in the palace... Brady reached forward slowly, laying a hand on Arciana's shoulder.
"I have but one more question, and then I will drop the subject if you choose. Can you stay here with me, and make me not afraid that you will abandon me, just like everyone else who's ever meant anything to me has done?" Brady asked softly. At that moment, Arciana felt as if her heart had shattered into a million pieces in her chest. Why couldn't she be the one to take all that pain and anguish away for him? Why, oh why, did he have to be a Black and she a Kiriakis? It wasn't fair! She desperately wanted to be there for him, but how could she? Even as a friend...
"You said you just wanted to be friends," Arciana pointed out quietly.
"And where in that question did I say any different?" Brady replied. Brady's hand moved slowly down her arm as he moved closer. Arciana shuddered at his touch, although he didn't seem to notice the involuntary movement. "Friends, true friends, are very important in any person's life, Arciana. I have so few that I know I can count on. I want you to be someone I can trust. And I want to be someone you feel you can trust, in any situation." Could he read so deeply into her? It was as if he knew she was hiding something. Something important. But he surely had no way of knowing just how big her secret really was.
"I do trust you, Brady. But there are some things... you do not know about me," Arciana said quietly.
"And those are things that I hope you are able to share with me in the future," Brady replied, now running his hand slowly up her bare arm. He'd give anything to hold her closer, to allow his lips to kiss her rather then merely grazing his fingers over her soft skin. But he could not. If he were to kiss her now, then he knew her reaction to it would be based solely upon what he'd just said to her. He didn't want her to be with him because she felt sorry for him, or because she felt indebted to him, or especially not because he was a King, and she an ex-slave. Even if all Brady ever became was Arciana's friend, he wanted that to be because she wanted him, the real Brady Black, to be her friend. Dropping his hand reluctantly from her arm, Brady changed the subject. "I plan to stay here tonight. It might be the last night in awhile I have time to come here. Will you be staying here as well, or would you like me to take you back to the palace first?"
"There's only the one bed," Arciana pointed out.
"Oh, yeah... well, if you want to stay here, then you can take the bed. I can sleep on the floor, or in that chair over there if you don't mind me being in the room." Brady said.
"The King of Nero, sleep on the floor of his own house? I don't think so," Arciana said jokingly. As Arciana could always seem to do, she had lifted the mood from somber and serious to a more comfortable, relaxed mood. "I do trust you enough to share a bed with you, you know. That is if you can keep your hands to yourself," Arciana stated, only half joking. She did feel comfortable enough to spend the night there with Brady. She trusted he would never do anything she didn't wish him to. But, she was afraid that it wouldn't take much to make her uncomfortable again. Memories of Lord Paul were still too fresh for her to be completely trusting of anyone.
"I don't mind sleeping on the floor, really. I haven't had this in here long. To be honest, I've never even slept in it. I got used to sleeping on the floor in the downstairs bedrooms. Really, I don't mind." Share a bed with Arciana? Even the most honorable man could take only so much temptation!
"I'm not letting you sleep on the floor while I take all of this bed, Brady. If you won't share with me, then you take the bed, and I'll sleep in the chair." Arciana said.
"Oh yeah, that'll look real good on my chivalry record. Alright, fine, we'll share. But only because you are too damn manipulative," Brady stated, causing Arciana to smile broadly.
"Good. Now... I suppose it's too much to hope for, but you wouldn't happen to have any clothes around here for me, would you? I don't want to sleep in this dress, and I'm not one to sleep au natural," Arciana stated.
"Uh... oh, I think some of Isabella's clothes are still in the bathroom, in a little cabinet by the door," Brady answered after a moments hesitation. Somehow thinking of Arciana "au natural" had managed to throw him off into la la land.
"Well, I never met your sister in person, but I don't think her clothes would fit me..."
"No, I mean... Belle, my sister, never got passed the whole dress up stage. She loved dressing up in all different clothes. She brought a lot of my mother's old clothes down here. I think they're still here, and they should fit you," Brady stated. Arciana nodded, excusing herself to the bathroom. She closed the door behind her, since there were candles lit inside and she didn't need the light from the other rooms to see. She quickly found the cabinet, and indeed, there were many dresses and night gowns inside, all of which were close to her size. She picked out a deep purple one similar to the one Harold had put out for her last night, and stepped back to look in the mirror as she began to get ready for bed. Brady didn't take as long getting ready. Since he didn't want to wrinkle his shirt, figuring he'd have little time to change later on, and had no other clothes to change into, he just stood and removed his brown vest and white dress shirt, throwing them over the chair in front of the desk. He then removed his boots, scooting them under the desk. Brady shut the balcony door, opening one of the windows instead to bring in a cool breeze, before he came back to the bed, pulling back the covers. "What side of the bed do you want?" Brady called.
"I don't have a preference, Brady. Why? Do you?" Arciana called back, observing herself in the mirror after slipping the delicate nightgown over her form. The gown fit perfectly, accept that it was a little short. Isabella was probably shorter, because no respectable Queen would wear a night gown where it hung on Arciana, which was rather high on her thighs. But all the gowns there were around the same length, so it would have to do. Arciana felt... somehow strange, wearing an article of clothing that had belonged to Brady's mother. It felt... wrong for her to be wearing something of Isabella's. After all, if rumors were true, it was her father Victor who was responsible for Isabella's death, even if the poison had been meant for John. Arciana shook her head, picking up a brush that she'd found in the cabinet and running it through her hair.
"Well, I usually sleep on the left side," Brady answered.
"Then that's perfect, because I usually take the right," Arciana called.
"I thought you said you didn't have a preference?" Brady joked, pulling back the covers and moving over to his side of the bed. Arciana, leaving her dress securely hanging on the door where a hook had been placed conveniently for hanging clothes, left the bathroom and made her way back into the bedroom. She slowed in her tracks when she caught sight of Brady, who was still standing at his side of the bed. Brady stopped mid action as well, letting the pillow he had moved to pull back the covers fall back to the bed. She was stunning. No beyond that. She was gorgeous. Try as he might, he couldn't help but notice her amazingly long legs that seemed to go on for miles, or the way her hair was pulled over her shoulder, or how her amazing eyes were shining, the orange flame from the lit candles around the room giving a gorgeous gleam to her blue eyes. And he was as equally amazing to her. His muscled chest, those amazing, soul-searing eyes burning into her, muscular upper arms that she imagined, when wrapped around you, would make you feel safe from all harm. They both shook off the haze at the same time, Brady looking back down to the bed he was about to share for the night with a woman he was falling in love with, or perhaps already had, while trying to keep the... ahem... physical evidence of his sudden burning desire for her from being noticed. And Arciana just looking anywhere she could to not be looking at him.
"I don't have a preference, but I never said there wasn't a side I generally sleep on," Arciana replied, somehow remembering his statement before she entered the bedroom.
"Did you find a gown that would fit you?" Brady asked, though obviously she had.
"It's a little short," Arciana answered, hesitantly coming closer to the bed.
"So I see," Brady mumbled. "You must be taller then Mother was," Brady said, getting in bed and pulling the covers up on his side over him. He'd already blown out the candles on his side of the room. Arciana could get the others.
"You don't remember her?" Arciana asked, concerned, as she bent down to blow out the candles on the bedside table. The full moon was soon left the only thing to illuminate the room as Arciana crawled into bed beside Brady, who pulled the covers over her for her.
"No. I was too young when she... passed away," Brady answered. Arciana sighed sadly; it was because of her father that Brady was not allowed even a memory of his real mother. "The portraits... don't really give an image of height."
"I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to rely on paintings to know what your mother looked like," Arciana said softly, feeling tears well up in her eyes that she refused to allow to fall.
"No, I shouldn't... but that is the way fate has deemed it to be," Brady replied. "Do you... remember your mother and father?" Brady asked hesitantly.
"I... I do, but... I don't want to remember them," Arciana answered honestly. How could she not though? She was reminded of them every time she looked at Brady. They were the reason she, the real her, could never be a part of Brady's life.
"Why not? We're they... did they abuse you?" Brady asked.
"Brady I..."
"I know, you don't want to talk about it. That's alright, I understand." He did in a way, but on the other hand, he didn't. It hurt him to think of his lost family, let alone talk about them. And yet he did, because he wanted her to know him in a way he'd never allowed another to know him.
"It's not that I don't want to talk about them, it's just... there is nothing in my past worth bringing up, just when everything is going good. They're no longer in my life now. As far as I'm concerned, they're both dead, and there's nothing more to it," Arciana said. She didn't realize it, but she had begun to shake slightly, and it was not from the cool night breeze coming in through the window. Brady frowned, pulling his arm around her.
"You're shaking. I didn't upset you, did I?" Brady asked, although he was certain he had. Arciana shook her head no.
"No, you didn't."
"Are you cold then? I'll close the window if you'd prefer."
"No, no I'm fine, now," Arciana replied, snuggling closer to Brady and laying her head on his shoulder. Just as she had earlier imagined, having Brady's arms around her made her feel completely safe from harm. And although she chided herself for feeling that way, she allowed herself to feel safe in his arms, even if it could not last. Brady sighed with content, leaning down to kiss Arciana's forehead without thinking.
"As you said to me before, you can trust me, Arciana. There's nothing you can't tell me. Ill be here to listen, when you're ready to talk," Brady stated. Dear God how she wished she could believe that... "Goodnight, Arciana," Brady said softly, closing his eyes. Arciana too closed her eyes, completely at ease for once in what seemed ages.
"Goodnight, Brady." Arciana whispered. It wasn't long before Brady had drifted off into one of the most peaceful sleeps he could remember. But Arciana did not fall asleep. She lay awake for awhile, just listening to the sound of Brady breathing as he slept beside her. After awhile, she carefully moved her head down to lay on his chest, where she could listen to his heart beat. How wonderful it felt to be in his embrace like this. Her head would tell her it was wrong for her to experience such bliss with him, after what pain her family had caused. But her heart would forever deny that. She had nothing to do with what her father had done. Surely Brady would understand that? He'd said there was nothing she couldn't tell him. Aside from her initial reaction, which was based on shock, Arciana could not bring herself to blame Brady for the sins of his father. She and Brady were so alike, surely he would understand?
Arciana sighed, carefully untangling herself from Brady's embrace and easing up out of bed. She could not risk him finding out who she was. Arciana could stand him hating her for leaving him, but she couldn't bare the pain of him rejecting her over something out of her control. Arciana quietly walked to the desk, soundlessly opening it to reveal paper, ink, and quill. She took them out, moving over to the window. It had a large seal which was perfect for her to sit and draw by moonlight. More importantly, she also had a perfect view of Brady's peaceful form. Without Arciana by his side, Brady had turned in his sleep to face the window, the arm which had been wrapped around her still up slightly on the pillow on her side of the bed. The moonlight conformed to his face perfectly. It was a moment in her life Arciana wanted to captivate through art. She'd stay up half the night just drawing, but not because he looked so handsome, sleeping so soundly. Oh no, she wanted to remember the moment for all time, because she knew Brady was sleeping so peacefully, because he'd fallen asleep next to her...