Chapter 2
Vincent proceeded to his chambers. They were sparsely furnished or decorated, seemingly cold and isolated like he himself had become. The room had a high, vaulted ceiling, a large canopy bed, and a fireplace which was rarely used. A large rug covered the stone floor around the bed and a couple of wooden chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The wax from the ancient candles seemed as though they would drip for eternity. A few large mirrors adorned the walls.
He sat in the window, looking at the land. Unable to stop them, his thoughts turned to Mercy. He thought of how she didn't get hysterical at the news that she couldn't leave. She thought about it and seemed to accept what he'd told her even though this new world was doomed. What had happened to her in her life was tragic. He was sure he knew all to well her story, but he didn't pity her. Instead he admired her for her strength and courage. She was beautiful . . .
But it didn't matter. They were all the same. The same thing would happen if he got too close, let her get under his skin. What was he thinking, keeping her here? She would probably bring ruin to the whole Kingdom. He should have sent her back right away.
He was doubtful she would be able to make it back through a second time and he doubted she could bring anyone else with her now that he had closed the gate. It could only be an extreme rare case that would make it through. Not that it mattered anyway. Life in this Kingdom was surely soon to end. He didn't see how Mercy could help anyway, seeing as how it was a woman like her who had destroyed everything to begin with. He let out an anguished cry of frustration. He had to find a way to save the land . . .
Mercy jumped at the cry she heard. The tortured sound tore at her heart. Before she could wonder what kind of poor creature had made such a sound, Alice slithered into the dinning room startling her. Mercy gasped.
"Oh, I frightened her." Mercy looked around. Where was that voice coming from? It sounded as if it were in her head. "You can hear me?" Alice asked, noticing her looking about.
"Yes." She looked at the snake, realizing the voice was coming from it. "You can talk?" Her surprise and curiosity helping her to get past any fear she had of the discovering the Boa.
"Of course, but only my kind and ones like Vincent can hear me."
"Then why can I hear you? I'm not like him."
"But obviously on some level, you are. How else do you think you were able to come through the gate and in one piece too?"
"I don't know! I don't know anything that's happening! I can't belong here, yet I feel that I do." Mercy sank into one of the dinning room chairs. "I never did feel like I belonged where I was," she confessed. "Can you tell me what happened? What would cause this Kingdom to die?"
Alice slithered up the leg of a chair and coiled up on the table. "Well many years ago a girl entered our world through the gate. It was always open to specific locations. Vincent was partial to the Aboveground. There was something about it that called to him. He would go time and again to observe. Anyone who wanted to come here could. They would stay and become like us, able to change form from human to snake or to bat or any other creature. One day she came through . . . Ethyl.
Vincent fell in love with her. He thought she would stay with him. She stayed for years, but she wanted to go back Aboveground. She began to miss it. All who came through never went back, but Vincent loved her and could not let her be unhappy. She promised to return and after some years she did, but she brought with her others, her new husband among them. She showed them all the location of the gate, but they did not belong here. Their presence poisoned the land. They traveled back and forth, bringing more people with them, but they couldn't live here. The ones who stayed too long died. Vincent, even though he had been so angry with her, begged Ethyl to leave. The magic within her had changed, became poisoned and she no longer belonged here either. If she remained, she would die too, but she refused to listen. Vincent knew he had only one choice and that was to close the gate. Such a thing had never been done in this Kingdom's history or in any of the Kingdoms of the Underground, but Vincent did it.
He went into the depths of Hell to do it and was marked to prove it. He didn't always look that way. He came back with dark eyes and stains on his face. Some say the Devil marked him as his servant. Others think Vincent actually died down there and was brought back to life, the marks proof of his death. Yet others whisper that his eyes bled from the sights he had seen and that he had been forced to drink the devil's blood, but we will never know because he has never spoken of it and I doubt he ever will."
Mercy sat staring in silence, thinking of what Vincent had gone through to try and save his world and yet the end was coming soon. She didn't believe he was evil or a servant of the Devil. Not when he was trying so hard to save his kingdom and all the people in it. From her past experiences she knew what evil really looked like. Though admittedly she didn't find out until it was too late. But Vincent hadn't hurt her, well at least he hadn't so far. He's just lived in darkness for so long . . .
She blinked, noticing Alice had slithered back off the table to the floor. "Wait. How am I supposed to help?"
Alice hesitated. He didn't want to chance telling her the whole prophecy in case Vincent found out and Alice was sure that their joining had to be natural or it wouldn't work. "The prophecy states 'The one who holds the power to heal, is one of light from a distant world, but only by . . . . can it be done by . . . .girl.' Unfortunately the book was damaged and some of the words are no longer legible. So we're not sure how you can help, but we believe it must be you." Before Mercy could protest further the boa turned and continued out of the room.
Mercy decided to go in search of Mary. Maybe they could take a trip into town. She didn't want to bother Vincent. Mercy left the dinning hall. Where had Mary gone? In the hallway, four pythons were slithering towards her. She pressed herself against the wall to avoid them. They slowed down, turning their heads to stare at her. They seemed to be talking to each other, coming to some kind of decision. She could hear hissing whispers in her head, but couldn't make out what they were saying. A chill ran down her spine. She shuddered. One started to slither towards her, but it turned its head to pier back down the hall. Then all the snakes continued quickly on in the opposite direction.
Mercy sighed with relief. Suddenly Vincent appeared in the hallway.
"And what are you doing?"
"I was just looking for Mary. Maybe she could take me into town now."
"I told you, I'd take you."
"I didn't want to bother you."
Vincent stared at her a moment, guessing the reason was more because she was afraid of him. "There's not much I can do now until I get word back from the Labyrinth anyway. Besides something tells me I'd better keep an eye on you."
She wasn't sure if he meant for her protection or for everyone else's, but her heart leapt at the thought of Vincent taking her into town. She was afraid of this man's presence, well, of any man really. Yet it wasn't entirely fear that she felt at the moment.
She didn't want to look too closely at it right now.
They proceeded outside. "Being the King, don't you need bodyguards or something?" For the first time in what seemed an eternity, Vincent actually laughed. Mercy was startled by the sound. It was actually kind of nice and surprisingly comforting to hear.
"No, I have my own defences and weapons. And believe me very few would try to attack me." She believed it. His stare alone could stop anyone cold. "There would be no reason to kill me now anyway. There'd be nothing to gain. As I said, the Kingdom is dying."
A thought crossed Mercy's mind that made her shudder. What if they wanted to sacrifice her? What if that was the only way to save their land?
"What's wrong?" Vincent asked, noticing that she had suddenly gone pale.
"Nothing." If executing her wasn't their intent, she didn't want to give them any ideas. "How long have you been the King here?"
"Hundreds of years." He paused as if in thought, then feeling compelled he added, "My father was King, but my mother lived here in the village. She was a maid at the castle. My father raped her. I was born the same time the Queen and her son both died in childbirth. My father took me from my mother and pretended his wife's child had lived and that I was him. The King threatened my mother that he would harm me if she ever told anyone. I found out the truth, that I was not a legitimate heir, after following my father when he went to visit her. He'd give her money, but he beat her often. I visited my mother in secret until she finally died one day from her injuries. I had begged her to leave, to move far away from here, but she wouldn't. She didn't want me to get hurt if she tried to leave. And the King did beat me sometimes, just to prove that he would to stop her from going. He wanted to keep his hold on her, to use her . . . I've never told anyone that before. I'm not sure why I told you."
There were tears in Mercy's eyes.
"Maybe because you understand. I know your father beat you and someone else, whoever attacked you before you came here. I could tell because I've seen it before."
"Yes, my old boyfriend. First my father beat me. I couldn't take it any longer. I had to get away. I found a guy who turned out to be just like him. I couldn't tell at all at first, but then he suddenly changed. I moved frequently to get away from him but he was obsessed with finding me. He found me that night, but I managed to get away. I was running and I did wish I could escape. I tripped and fell and found myself on the steps of your castle, before I blacked out."
It disgusted Vincent that man could hurt the female of the species, without whom they could not exist. But then the woman could be just as brutal. Maybe not physically but mentally. Never again he silently vowed, would he get involved with one. Then why was he spending time with Mercy? Insurance, he told himself. He had to make sure she didn't do any more harm to their world while at the same time making sure nothing happened to her in case she could save it. But why tell her everything? That was a question he couldn't answer.
"I'm sorry about what happened to your mom and I do understand." She put her hand on his arm. Vincent stopped dead and stared into her eyes. He saw only concern and understanding there. But why did she touch him? It had been too long. It was too much. 'Never again'. It echoed in his head. At the same time something seemed to twist inside him. Something was very wrong with this.
Mercy snatched her hand back. Vincent had a pained look in his eyes. Then he doubled over clutching his head. Fire seemed to burn through his brain. What was happening? "Vincent what's wrong?"
"I don't know, just don't touch me. Get back." She did as he asked. Vincent, on his knees now, put one hand on the ground and took some deep breaths until finally, the pain subsided. He stood up. "Come on." He turned back to the castle. "There's something I have to do."
They walked quickly back to the castle. He stopped in front of the door to her chamber. "You had better stay in there for now. I'll send Mary later to take you into town," he said then quickly left.
Vincent went to his chamber. What was he doing? He was beginning to feel. She was causing the pain. It was like an alarm system telling him it wasn't right. He had to stay away from her. Mercy caused Vincent's thoughts to turn to memories he had long suppressed. A face flickered into his mind, one he never wanted to lay eyes upon again. And he never would. That is, unless they met in Hell when he passed from this world to the hereafter. She had gotten what she deserved in the end . . .
That was the last time he'd felt for someone. He looked back with disgust on the time when he had begged her not to leave . . .
"Why do you want to go back? What do you have waiting for you that I can't give you here?" She had made up her mind. She was leaving and there didn't seem to be anything he could say that would change that. He could force her to stay, but he loved her too much for that.
Something was pulling Ethyl back Aboveground. She felt a homesickness she couldn't explain. "I have to go back. I can't explain why."
"Stay here and marry me. You can be a Queen and rule over an entire Kingdom. Power, wealth, magic, it's all yours . . ." He caught the gleam in her eye, the desire within her to have all these things.
"It's not enough," she whispered after a time.
He didn't know what more she could possibly want. All he knew was how he felt and it tore him apart to let her go, but finding words to explain his feelings had always been difficult for him, so he sang instead. His songs had won her over before.
"Anybody's dream can fall apart
Anybody's mask can break
Couldn't tell you how I wanted you
Enough to make you want to stay
I never said the words out loud
I guess I couldn't get 'em straight
Baby, give me one more chance
Before you walk away
It's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah, it's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Sayin' things I never thought I'd say
Can't you hear me knocking
I tried to fool you but it wouldn't play
'Cause my heart it's talkin', it's talkin'
Oh baby, it's talkin'
Talkin' to you
Everytime I take it to the edge
Everytime I'm so afraid
Don't you know I cry my eyes out, babe
Everytime you look away
Oh, I almost dropped a tear
But I caught it just in time
I'd say those things you want to hear
If you'd help me, help me, help me try
It's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah, it's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Sayin' things I never thought I'd say
Can't you hear me knocking
Tried to fool you but it wouldn't play
'Cause my heart it's talkin', it's talkin'
Baby, it's talkin'
Talkin' to you
Well, I don't want to hide away
Hide away without you, baby
Don't you go and run away
Come and help me, baby
Just a little help, baby
Oh, my little baby
It's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah, it's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Sayin' things I never thought I'd say
Can't you hear me knocking
I tried to fool you but it wouldn't play
'Cause my heart it's talkin', it's talkin'
Baby, it's talkin'
Talkin' to you
It's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah, it's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Talkin' to you
It's my heart that does the talkin'
talkin' to you
talkin' to you . . ."
She smiled sadly. She knew he loved her, but she couldn't bring herself to tell him she didn't feel quite the same way he did. "I have to go, but I'll return soon. I promise."
Alice sent one of their bats to the Labyrinth to find out all he could. Making it clear the messenger was to report any information only to him. Though the bat would have to stop during the day, it would be faster by air than with any of their land creatures. Though Alice would have preferred the news to come back at a slower pace to give Vincent and Mercy a chance, he had to make every effort to look like he was still searching for an answer with the rest of them. Besides, there weren't many left who hadn't changed due to the evil taint that now poisoned their Kingdom. The castle and village were nearly deserted with most moving into the forest now.
How was he going to get Vincent and Mercy to fall in love? Vincent, even if he did truly fall, would never admit or except it. He would be hard for Mercy to reach.
Mary came to Mercy's room later and they went into town. It was nearly deserted, but they managed to get some dresses and things. Mercy returned to her room and hung them in the wardrobe. Mary had arranged for supper to be brought up, on orders from the king that Mercy would go nowhere unaccompanied and stay in her room as much as possible.
Mercy ate distractedly. She couldn't stop thinking about her conversation with Vincent. Everything he had revealed to her . . . only her. And she had told him her story too, she recalled with surprise. They seemed to have a connection. She felt a pull towards him. She had learned so much about him today. The life he had lived, the sacrifices he had made . . . But what had happened to him when she touched him? What caused that sudden attack?
Finally she gave up on her meal. With all that had happened today she felt too restless to stay in her room and go to bed. She was too curious for her own good. She couldn't stop herself from wanting to explore the castle.
She slipped silently from her room and continued further down the hallway. When she came to the end of the hall another hallway lead left and right. At the end of the hall to the left was a stairway that lead downward, to the right she could see a brightness. She headed right and found a huge balcony where she could survey the land on the opposite side of the castle. She gazed over the railing for a time. It began to grow dark and cool. Torches on the wall behind her suddenly sprang to life. Mercy spun around with surprise and found Vincent standing behind her.
Vincent had come to his favourite spot in the castle and was shocked to find Mercy there. This balcony had the best view in the entire castle and even though it was dark Vincent had no trouble seeing. He preferred the shadows. "What are you doing here?" he demanded. "I told you not to wander around the castle alone."
Mercy cowered back. "I'm sorry I didn't want to stay cooped up in my room."
"Oh, you didn't. Do you want to know what happens to people who don't do as their told in my Kingdom?"
She licked her lips nervously and shook her head, unable to make a sound.
Vincent's eyes went to her mouth. Her soft trembling lips enticing him. The urge to kiss them was so strong. And why couldn't he? Who said he had to care, had to feel anything?
She wrapped her arms around herself, not sure if the chill was from the night air or his icy stare. He took off his jacket and surprised her by wrapping it around her. He pulled her closer to him. His gloved hand tilted her chin up.
He could see in her eyes a need. He knew she wouldn't resist. He bent his head and kissed her without mercy. All his frustration, all his anger over all these years suddenly let loose as he plunged his tongue into her hot mouth.
Mercy's first reaction was shock, but she could somehow feel his emotions, knew he was angry, but not at her, at himself. She felt his desperate need. Then there were her own feelings. She felt desire grow in her and it scared her.
Even though he was sure she would let him kiss her, he didn't expect her to really want to kiss him. In truth he wanted her to hate him. It was what he deserved. She was caring. Then he felt her fear, not being able to distinguish it was really fear of her own emotions, he didn't want to scare her. That's when the pain started. It exploded in his head worse than before. For a moment he was even blinded. He saw flashes of Ethyl's face in his mind. He let out an almost animal cry. He took some deep breaths and the growing anger in him helped to make the pain subside.
When he saw Mercy reach out a hand to try and help him, he jumped forward, putting his hands on either side of the railing beside her, effectively trapping her in his arms. Not really certain if he was looking at Mercy or Ethyl he sang venomously . . .
"Your cruel device
Your blood, like ice
One look could kill
My pain, your thrill
I wanna love you but I better not touch
I wanna hold you but my senses tell me to stop
I wanna kiss you but I want it too much
I wanna taste you but your lips are venomous poison
You're poison running through my veins
You're poison
I don't want to break these chains
Your mouth, so hot
Your web, I'm caught
Your skin, so wet
Black lace on sweat
I hear you calling and it's needles and pins
I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name
Don't wanna touch you but you're under my skin
I wanna kiss you but your lips are venomous poison
You're poison running through my veins
You're poison
I don't wanna break these chains
Poison
One look could kill
My pain, your thrill
I wanna love you but I better not touch
I wanna hold you but my senses tell me to stop
I wanna kiss you but I want it too much
I wanna taste you but your lips are venomous poison
You're poison running through my veins
You're poison
I don't wanna break these chains
Poison
Runnin' deep inside my veins,
Burnin' deep inside my veins
It's poisoning
I don't wanna break these chains
Poison
I don't wanna break these chains . . ."
Mercy managed to break out of the cage of his arms and fled to her room. Her pace slowed when she reached her door. As she turned the handle to her room, she had the feeling she was being watched. She looked around, but saw no one. She nervously slipped inside and shut the door behind her.
A boa constrictor stared at the closed door. This girl was practically a sacrifice waiting to be offered up to any who wanted her. Vincent despised women. He wouldn't care if he helped himself. There wasn't much time left anyway. They would all die. They all needed to get all they could out of life before it was too late. He nodded to the four pythons behind him who were also watching. They had seen her before in the hall and reported to him. After seeing her for himself, he made up his mind and it hadn't been a difficult decision. They would come back when she was asleep.
Mercy undressed and got into bed. She couldn't stop thinking about her encounter with Vincent. Despite what he had done, he hadn't hurt her, but something had happened to him that caused him to go into a craze. A side effect of his trip though Hell? For a moment there it seemed as if he thought she was someone else altogether. But above it all she could feel his pain. It made her want to help him more than anything, which was crazy because he seemed like he could really hurt her if he wanted to.