Gamila clenched her fists at her sides knowing all too well that the figure standing on the steps is the monster that has caused grief to her father and herself. Taking a hold of all her courage she stepped forward towards the figure.
"Did you come here of your own free will?" He asked Gamila once she was a mere feet away from him.
Gamila shuddered at the sound of his voice. It was low and deep and sounding almost like a growl.
"Y-yes." She managed to choke out. Surprised by the way she replied, she wondered if he would seem offended by the fear in her voice. She doesn't want to show fear to this creature, but slowly it's taking over her like a disease.
As if not taking any notice of her tone he nodded his head in consent and continued, "From this day on you will forever be my prisoner and are forbidden to leave the palace grounds."
Gamila lowered her head and with a heavy heart she made her promise, "Yes, My Lord."
Thinking it appropriate to call him by that title from now on, he grunted.
"Do not call me by that title. I am not worthy to be called as such. You may call me Wahsh(1)."
Gamila looks up at him in surprise to call him by such a name especially to the master of this palace.
Soon one of the cloaked figures joins Wahsh, standing next to him and elbows him in his side while giving a harsh whisper audible to only his masters ears.
"Show her to her room."
"Hn," Wahsh grumbled and continued, "Follow me. I'll take you to your room."
"Room?" Of course being his prisoner she expected to be held in a dungeon for the rest of her life.
Wahsh and the cloaked figure stops from continuing going up the stairs and looked down at her.
"You prefer to stay in a dungeon?" Wahsh asked incredulously.
"W-well no…" She said with honesty.
"Follow me then."
Gamila took a step onto the stairs but stops when something comes across her mind. She wants to the look upon the face of this monster who caused her father this misery and she will not accept him always hiding his face in the shadows if she is to live under his roof for the rest her life.
She grabs what courage she has left in her, "Wait." Her demanding voice echoed in the empty hall.
Surprised to hear her voice containing a sort of command he turns and looks down at her.
"I want to look upon your face. The one that my father has looked upon and who is holding me prisoner."
Wahsh stood still, looking down at the young woman with a fierce glint in her eyes as if she were prepared to face whatever is about to unfold before her.
He must admit that she is pulling a very dangerous stunt that takes a lot of guts to do. He also knew all too well that even though this "courage" she is emitting will soon fade away before it would be able to reach it's full peak of undeniable courage and bravery. Every man that has looked upon him has fallen down to their knees, submitting to him without even a second thought. He wished that his horrific features would never have to be shown to the young woman before him. His, and the people that are chained to this palace, would lose the opportunity of becoming human beings again.
But she is correct. He can not hide his face forever from her. Even he knows that in order for him to be accepted she needs to accept him fully.
With stiff legs he took each step slowly down the smooth steps of the stairs. Hollow echoes found their way around every dark and lonely corner of the palace giving a more displeasing feeling to Gamila.
She knew she was prepared. She thought. She's unsure.
Second thoughts crossed her mind, but she has to see it. She must. The face of Wahsh.
Seconds flew by when he reached the bottom step and he almost held back when he saw the uncertainty in her eyes.
This is what she wanted, right? Then she'll have it.
To look upon his monstrous features.
His flat, brown, materialistic shoes touched the white tiles and slowly he moved closer towards the dancing fire light.
Her eyes grew wider as his features slowly showed from his pale chin to his wildly red hair. Blue veins ran across his face and large fangs, like an animals, grew downwards. His ears were unnaturally pointed and his eyes looked sunken in with shadow surrounding his pale green eyes. She stumbled back with an open mouth while a scream was caught in the back of her throat.
Eyes are caught with fear and body shaking with it also. He could of expected no less from her. Without a doubt, he put everyone's hopes in jeopardy. He quickly turned away from her and went up the stairs, not caring if she would follow or not.
She was firmly planted to the ground when the shock wouldn't wear off. Is she really staying with that thing? She wanted to run. Run away from him and the promises, but one person, one man formed in her mind. The wrinkled face of her father and his kind smile. She would protect that and that's all the strength she needs.
Two ghostly hands placed themselves on her shoulders, beckoning her to move forward.
"It would be best if you followed my master to your room now." The male voice spoke.
The cloaked figure gently pushed her towards the stairs until she was able to set a foot on the first step. The figure then softly clasped a hand around her arm which alarmed her. Her eyes followed down and sickly white skin was revealed before her. She took a sharp intake of breath then quickly turned away from the awful sight. They treaded on up the dark stairway with the dark figure leading her and its diseased hand wrapped around her.
She was led up to another flight of stairs to her right, entering an unlit hall. She adjusted to the darkness and was only able to see dark shadows of the railings to her right and objects she couldn't discern on the walls to her left.
A small orange light suddenly appeared in the distance catching both Gamila's and the cloaked figure's attention. They kept walking as the light came towards them moving from side to side soon revealing the identical looking cloaked figure. It too had sickly white hands grasping onto the gold body of the candelabra. The four flickering flames revealed doors, paintings, and candle holders on the walls as the figure swiftly walked past them, to herself and the figure beside her.
They exchanged a few words in hushed tones and the figure that held the candelabra glimpsed at Gamila then led them both down the hall, to her awaited room.
Once arriving to their destination, Wahsh stood with his back against the wall, beside the frame of the door and arms crossed, awaiting their arrival. He looked up towards the fires light, alarming Gamila with his appearance once again. With hardened eyes he stood away from the wall and gruffly spoke to her, lacking the well-mannered tone from before.
"This will be your room from now on," He opened the door to her room allowing her entrance, "You may venture any where you like in the palace except for the Western Tower-"
"Master…" The figure holding his golden instrument spoke up in a cautious tone, cutting Wahash off.
"If you need anything," Wahash continued, shrugging his servant off, "My servants will attend to you."
Gamila slowly stepped into the dimly lit room feeling uncomfortable under the Wahash's watchful eyes.
Behind her back both the cloaked figures stepped up beside Wahash and in rough whispers, attempted in instructing him.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Calm down…"
"Offer her something else."
"Invite her to dinner this evening."
Annoyed by his servants bickering and finding no reason at all to invite a half terrified young woman to join dinner with him, he let the boiling rage finally be released after holding it back for so long.
"You will join me for dinner."
Gamila stiffened at his fierce command.
"Is that understood? I am not requesting you to come!"
He slammed the door closed behind her back and turned towards his two servants with a fierce glare which they looked upon, unfazed. He stomped off into the darkness of the hall and the two servants sighed at his impatience.
Gamila turned towards the door, stricken with shock and disbelief. She took in heavy breaths while the tears found their way down her cheeks. Will she be living with this for the rest of her life? Will she truly never see her father again?
She strained herself not to sob as she sank to the floor, forming a fist against the large door.
"Father…" She whispered.
She placed both hands to her face and sobbed to her hearts sorrow.
1. Wahsh(wa-ha-sh)- Beast
Im am SO sorry about the long wait and no I have not forgotten about this story. I have no excuses except that I've really procrastinated in writing up the chapters. So as an apology I typed up two chapters and possibly will type up a third one up.
I hope you have enjoyed this chapter and the following one(s)
Please Review :)
