*I apologise. The previous Chapter's grammar was horrifying. I think I've corrected it all. Hopefully this one isn't so bad. I've checked it, but sometimes, that means nothing, chickens.
Anyway, please enjoy.*
~ Twelfth Night ~
My room was tapestry of nature, in every corner, every alcove, there was a rainbow of petals, or an explosion of leaves, or winding vines. Ivy climbed high in one corner of the chamber, dancing itself through stone crevasses, and twisting into delightful patterns over my head. To my shame, I adored it. There was something magical about it all, a small piece of paradise in the hell that had become my prison.
I looked across to my bed, where thick furs and pelts lay waiting for me, but the sudden light of fire in the hearth, reminded me I was not alone, and sighing resignedly, I watched as Mircea lowered himself into a chair beside the warm flames. I frowned as the light danced shadows over his sharp profile, the white of his skin contrasting hauntingly with his long raven tresses. It was cruel for a demon to look so inviting, and yet I found myself staring, as I so often did when we were alone together.
Thankfully, the knowledge of what he was kept me grounded enough to still despise him.
"I did not think your kind felt the cold?" I noted pointedly, disappointed that he clearly held no intentions of leaving just yet. I swept a loose curl from my face, and he smiled.
"The fire is for you, dulceaţă. Come, sit with me."
Mircea held his hand out invitingly, and I obliged, slowly making my way across the room. He guided me down pointedly into the seat beside him, and I flinched, as his fingers; bold and knowing, began a slow, worshipful path up my arm, before coming to rest at the defined edge of my collar bone, and suddenly, the urge to run came screaming back.
"Do not fear me, Liliana." He murmured knowingly, painting my skin with small back and forth strokes. "I will not hurt you."
I fought back a harsh laugh. "Have you forgotten already?" I said, raising my chin pointedly to the light, and displaying a garish pattern of purples. "So these lurid marks are my own doing, are they?"
He raised his crimson gaze to mine, and I saw to my horror, that it had darkened to a terrifying onyx. Whether this was from anger, thirst, or something darker, I did not know, but it reminded me, to keep in mind the company I kept. This was not one of my brothers, or an inept guard, this was a creature that could tear the heart from my chest in one swoop gesture, and against the better judgement of my breeding, I lowered my gaze.
Silence.
"I did not mean to cause you harm." Mircea finally breathed against my cheek, his hand eagerly cupping my pulse, as he slid himself closer. "I confess, dulceaţă, I forget how beautifully fragile you are, how perfectly soft."
His nose nuzzled against my throat, breathing me in deeply, as I felt his lips brush my skin, and a light pinch as his teeth nipped lightly at my neck.
He sighed. "You should not have angered me."
My face spun 'round to meet his, an action I immediately regretted, and yet I knew rage burned inside me, as my eyes narrowed seethingly. "Angered, you? I – ?"
A scream pierced the night, drowning out my words in a brilliant crescendo. I frowned toward the window, it seemingly coming from outside, and Mircea rose to check. Cries of despair may have been a sound I was used to, but never so close to my own chambers.
"What has happened?" I asked hurriedly, curiosity getting the better of me.
Mircea raised an elegant eyebrow. "It appears that one of our guests, has wasted no time in indulging in our hospitality."
I frowned, rising to my feet to join him beside the window. Looking out, I could just make out, by the light of the moon, two figures. They were stood – no – one was stood, by the steps that descended into the icy lake beneath my chambers, the other – whoever it was – was held tightly in their arms, their screams silenced by what was clearly an attack on their person.
The wind breezed across my face, and I shivered. I watched, horrified, as the victim was eventually discarded into the lake, their body now a cold empty shell, as it slowly sank beneath it's glass-like surface. For sanity's sake, I should have looked away, but I couldn't, my people were taught to respect death, not run from it like frightened children.
The figure turned toward us, then, his face suddenly spotlighted by the moon-lit sky, and I faltered.
Aro.
A moment passed, and he smiled widely up at us, his hand giving a friendly wave, as if he hadn't just mercilessly slaughtered a human-being, only seconds before.
I thought I saw his lips move, and moments later, Mircea confirmed my suspicions when I heard, what I realised, was a reply.
"It is of no matter." He said softly, his expression smooth as he gazed down toward the lake. "It can sometimes be difficult to judge the reactions of food."
I followed his eye back to Aro, whose lips were once again moving under the night sky. He stopped, and this time Mircea did not immediately answer.
I frowned, noting that despite the silence, Aro appeared to be waiting for something.
I looked up at Mircea. "What did he say?"
My keeper appeared to debate with himself in those seconds, unwilling, it seemed, to share that specific information. Eventually he gave a short sniff. "He wishes me to bid you goodnight, and pass on his apologies. He hopes that his little display hasn't upset you."
I blinked, surprised by the revelation. Never the less, I forced my features into an impassive mask, it never did to show too much emotion around these creatures, they had a habit of using them against you.
"It's nothing I haven't already seen before." I answered coolly, careful to keep my voice even.
"Indeed." Mircea smirked, likely remembering one of many dramatic shows of power, where he had cruelly slaughtered a servant right in front of me. He tittered. "You never really have been one to emphasise, have you, Princess?
He waved dismissively out of the window, ending his conversation with Aro, before trapping my wrist in a vice-like grip, and pulling me back harshly into the room. Mircea cared nothing about the pain it caused me, nor the feelings I felt, and yet, despite this, his previous observation troubled me more.
It wasn't that I didn't emphasise. I just understood that it would do little good.
R&R!
So hows it going, do you like the characters? Do you wonder where it's heading. What's going on. So do I people, so do I. Anyhoo, I'm off to reply to reviews, please do leave one if you can. They're greatly appreciated. X x x X