And I Shall Burn
Chapter 6
A/N: As usual, my apologies for my delay in updating. I had a good deal to do in my real life, and for a bit I lost my groove for this story. This one isn't too long but you learn something important…I guess. The next one will be more detailed and exciting!
"Lacey we aren't keeping this a secret.." Charles snapped, backing up and then storming out of the dining room, heading out to find Charlotte. Lacey held up a hand to stop him, but it was too late.
"Damn you, Will!" Lacey cursed, glaring at the boy sitting across the table.
"Lacey…" Will said with a frown.
"No!" she wasn't going to hear anything, she just turned and left as well, leaving Will alone in the dining hall, but he assumed lunch would be served soon so he remained seated and decided to doze off for a small nap.
It was after dinner and the Institute was silent except for the sound of Church scampering through the halls. George had disappeared to his room after dinner while the rest of the group had pretended to do the same. They were secretly meeting in Charlotte's office however to discuss George's earlier behavior and what Lacey had come to believe about his real identity. Lacey had begged the boys not to make a big deal about what she had said, but they refused to listen to her. They were going to make sure Charlotte and then rest of the house knew. Will was doing it because he found it amusing, and he liked to make Lacey squirm, but Charles was doing it because he fully believed it to be his duty.
"This is ridiculous…" Lacey snapped, crossing her arms and sitting down in a chair beside the fireplace. The flames roared to life as Charles prodded the wood with a poker. Lacey could feel the warmth flicking out at her skirts. She sighed and looked into the fire while Will explained how not ridiculous it was.
"So you're saying that she connected George to the Goblin Lord from her nightmare? The nightmare that has mostly come true since she awoke?" Charlotte said with wide eyes. She at first didn't seem to believe Will's explanation, but by the look on Lacey's face she knew the boy wasn't making anything up. "Lacey this is serious…have you mentioned anything to George about who he reminds you of?" she asked gently.
Lacey shook her head and then looked at Charlotte irritably, "He knows what I think…He knows that he reminds me of that monster. He specifically asked who he reminds me of…He just wants me to admit it…Until I admit it he won't say anything…" She clenched her fists together in her lap and Charles cursed beside her.
"We cannot allow him to stay here, Charlotte…" Charles declared in a low voice. "He could be a danger to us all…and we are specifically needed to care for Lacey if she needs it…if he does anything…It could put Lacey in a very dangerous situation…" He made sense and Charlotte nodded in response. The woman looked like she was having trouble making a decision about what was going to happen. Will stood beside the fire, leaning against the stone mantle with a grin on his lips. Jem was watching him from a chair on the opposite side of the room, regarding his friend with a smile of his own. Henry stood behind Charlotte's chair at the desk and looked like he was day dreaming about some new invention.
"We could always have Lacey find him…alone…they'll have another squabble and she can admit it…we can be somewhere nearby to swoop in and save the day…" Will suggested with a snicker. To his surprise Charlotte clapped her hands and nodded with delight. "W-what?"
"That is a perfect idea, Will!" Charlotte stood from her desk and nodded. Will scoffed and then started laughing; still not fully believing that Charlotte wanted to use his reckless idea. Lacey seemed surprised too and was shaking her head in outrage. "Now Lacey- this is perfect…it will be a controlled encounter…he will think he has the upper hand…but he won't. We will protect you!" Charlotte was trying to reassure the girl that everything would be safe and that she would have nothing to be afraid of.
"This is insane!" Lacey cried as she shot up from her chair. Charles reached out to grab her arm but she was already storming out of the room. Her anger was boiling around her to the point where Charles felt like he could almost touch it. Her face was turning red and her knuckles were white with the effort she was putting into the clenching of her fists. "Idiots…I cannot do that!" she growled as she slammed the office door and headed down the hallway. As she headed towards her room she heard Will and Charles following her. "Go away!" she growled dangerously. The air in the hallway turned hot with her rage.
"Lacey…please…"Charles pleaded. She turned on her heals and glared at the two boys. Her body was shaking and her heart beat frantically in her chest. Lacey gasped and pressed a hand to her head, her eyes wide with sudden fear. "Lacey…what's wrong?"
"I…I am…" She took a step back and felt around for the wall. Will cursed.
"Her emotions…her anger…she is doing exactly what that Mikal fellow said she would!" he growled. "Charles what are we going to do now?!"
"No…he was wrong…She will be fine…I can fix this…" Charles murmured.
Will rolled his eyes and laughed, "Yea…okay Charles…I would like to see you fix it…."
Charles shoved Will away playfully but reached for Lacey, "Go away Will…I have got it under control…" he urged as he grabbed Lacey's arm and tugged her towards the bedrooms. Will narrowed his gaze and watched as Charles pulled Lacey into his bedroom.
"Oh…you have it alright…" he snickered as he slunk off to find Tessa. She would prove to be a fun distraction for a bit.
Charles pushed Lacey against the door after he closed it and forced her to look at him. "Breathe Lacey…do not let your anger control you…" he breathed, his hands gentle on her shoulders as he pinned her against the wood. She grumbled and squirmed in his grip until he grabbed her and pulled her across the room, tossing her against the mattress of his bed. "Control your power, your emotion…Think about me…Think about us….not George…not your nightmare…Us…" he whispered as he pinned her to the bed with his body.
"But-." Lacey started but was silenced by Charles' lips against her own. He kissed her roughly at first, trying to distract her from the rage that was still building inside of her. He could feel it through their connection. It burned his skin, but as he kissed her, running his hands up her arms, he felt the burn cool. Lacey stilled beneath him and he pulled up to look down at her, "Don't stop…" she whispered softly, her eyes still burning with emotion. He kissed her again, more gently now as he felt her anger drain away against his lips.
His own lips burned with the fire that had just consumed her and he opened his eyes wide to see her staring at him in return. Their eyes mirrored each other, a flame dancing in their eyes as they kissed. They were truly connected. He could quell her anger, and she would be able to do the same for him. They shared the same flame of life, their bodies and minds connected in an unbreakable bond.
Their eyes closed in unison and Charles scooted her up farther onto the bed, her skirts flaring out around them as his hands slid up her legs. Fingertips danced along the warmth of her skin and Lacey gasped against his lips. Charles' lips slid down from Lacey's lips to her jaw where soft kisses scattered down to her neck. His fingers moved to mess with the laces of her dress but Lacey gasped out a sudden, "No.." Charles froze and leaned away from her, his lips parted as he panted. They had both started to get carried away. Despite their obvious desire for one another they couldn't do such reckless things yet.
"I am sorry, Charles…" she whispered. Charles chuckled quietly and shook his head. Slowly he stood up and straightened his shirt, holding out a hand to help Lacey stand up. She took it without hesitation and stood up, straightening her own skirts and bodice with a flush in her cheeks. "Thank you for helping me…I did not realize you would be able to do that…"
"I feel that we are more connected than we ever imagined…I believe you are stuck with me my lady…"Charles teased affectionately. Lacey giggled and leaned in to give him a hug. "Shall I take you to your bedroom?
"Actually…Can I…stay here tonight? Nobody will know…except maybe Will…but he would not tell…" She smiled hopefully at Charles. He nodded and motioned towards the screen in his room.
"Make yourself comfortable…as will I… and then I will hold you while you slumber…"whispered Charles, pressing a chaste kiss to her forehead.
