Note: I'm now a BETA reader! I thought you had to be chosen by the fanfiction deities or something. Silly me.
Thank you everyone for your support and reviews. Keep 'em coming! Please, they boost my self esteem more than virtue should allow. Damn that Pride! Anyway, mouth water with Luke's point of view again. He'll be coming up a lot in the chapters to foil Allison with the royal side of things versus the vampire side of things. BEWARE of the part of the chapter where I got carried away into a rant of religious tolerance. You can skip that part if you're one of the assholes who doesn't at least tolerate other religions if you do not respect them.
Chapter 21 – Affair
.x. Lucas
I counted I had about half an hour until dawn. I should leave soon, very soon... I gazed down at Allison's body within the darkness, simply appreciating her form for what it was. Her skin had tanned a tiny bit from the sunny setting outside during the day, her hair was a shade richer from the sunlight as well, reflecting yellow and red within the base russet color; the long, nicely curled strands framed her delicate little shoulders right now as she was settled on her back on top of the covers. She reminded me of the pose signature of the damsel in distress, but she was more like a sleeping angel, fallen from heaven. Her anatomy was exquisite; the curve of her body dictated the way the silk formed underneath her; her entire length from head to toe was perfectly curved, not too thin, not too heavy... Her neck was craned to the left, enticing me with that line from jaw to clavicle, and her breasts rose and fell very slowly with her even breathing of sleep. Her arms seemed to be perfectly carved as well; one was rested above her head, laced in her hair, and the other was at her side with the hand resting on the top of her thigh.
Every hour since she'd fallen asleep after our love making, that hand had inched half an inch closer to her female areas... three-fourths of an inch if I pressed erotic dreams into her mind and suppressed her nightmares. I suddenly created a quick fantasy in my mind about watching Allison touch herself; her skinny, feminine fingers hesitant to touch the succulent area of her-
Woah, stop Luke. You have to leave her in a few short minutes. I shouldn't be starting things now, this close to the time-limit... besides, Allison needs all of the rest she can get. I couldn't help myself, though. It was very challenging to keep my lips detached from her warm, soft skin; not to run my fingertips over the curves of her bones and veins. I bit my lip to keep from thinking about what was within those veins that my vampire side wanted the most from her. If I hadn't eaten just last night, this challenge of keeping myself restrained from her would be even more difficult.
Over four hundred years of learning self control and self restraint... it all crumbled at her feet.
There was a reason I was so attached to her, that I so strongly wanted her every moment I could manage... it was because I didn't know if I had years left with her, or only days.
Maybe, in some twisted, alternate dimension where I grasped everything I had ever truly wanted, if I claimed her for the rest of eternity, I wouldn't be planning on trying to drown myself in her every chance I had. Because of this fear, I guess you could call it, (or desperation) of losing her to her heritage and mortality, it was very difficult to draw myself away from her celestial, sleeping form when my time was finally up tonight.
I kissed her cheek, and then I kissed the spot right above the curls of her lower area, which her hand automatically moved a couple inches toward from the cold of my lips. I smirked and took a mental picture of her, for my own sleep in the attics today.
Sleeping... in the attics of a huge castle. I silently laughed at myself as I made my way soundlessly from her room toward the private library. Why was I laughing? Well, think about my situation. I was a four-hundred-eighty-two year old vampire having rendezvous with a mortal queen at night, eating only the criminals she instructed me too, and sleeping in her attics during the day. Where was the dignity I had treasured in the past, where I took any mortal I wanted, did as I pleased, took advantage of countless hearts to satisfy my sick sense of humor?
Perhaps Taylor was right about me throwing my complete dignity at the feet of Allison, the mortal. I was an immortal, and not only that, but a man! I needed to reclaim a little dignity, but in such a way I didn't piss Allison off too bad... I was completely impervious to the fact that I would do anything for Allison at this point. Actually, I had pretty much accepted that I truly did love Allison and not Courtney. A few kisses and deaths and I was a changed man! Astonishing, I know. But wasn't completely whipped. Yet, at least.
I snapped my fingers with an idea after being in thought for a moment. "Got it!" I said aloud. I was in the library now; Taylor had his back to me and when I drew attention to myself, he silently turned away from the book and map at the desk to face me. His dark brow raised slightly to ask what I had 'got,' since he couldn't read my mind right now. "The ball tonight. We can dress up and show up, blend in and pretend we're just two aristocratic gentlemen there for business. Everyone will assume we're there for promotional reasons and won't question our background."
Taylor was silent for several seconds, as if soaking in what I said on top of figuring why I would want to do such a thing.
"Do you wish to do that because you think Courtney will come tonight?" he inquired, calculating eyes attempting to read me. He probably had me figured at the way down to a tee, but made it seem as thought he was evaluating me.
"Even if she doesn't, I'd rather not take the chance that she does come, and then we aren't there in case she shows up here, within the building. Which I doubt she'd be stupid enough to do without a great deal of digression, but if she does we might have a chance at catching her early."
"No." Taylor replied quickly. "No more hunches. I didn't bow my head to a mortal just to repeat the same mistakes of the past. I am making a full-proof plan of action..."
"This plan includes Allison and I?"
"It will. Making, as in, in the process of. I still need time to work out every variable and tie loopholes..." His voice trailed as his eyes traveled back over the map spread over the desk. He took a moment to glance at his watch. "Feed after you rise, then meet me here and I will work out a story to accommodate us at the party planned for Allison tonight."
"Allison is going to be so angry..." I muttered with a dark grin, folding my hands together. Just thinking about how fiery she'd be if toward me when she found out it was my idea to disobey her orders... Her passion was at its highest point with me when I provoked her.
"Is she awake?" he asked me now. His dark head tilted so that his ear could pick up a sound more accurately. I heard it as well as I focused; a dull beating of a heart through the walls. This one was very close.
"No..." I replied. She shouldn't be awake since I left her to rest. And the blonde had a lighter weight and softer steps than the thud of boots I heard muffled against the carpet lining the corridor outside.
"Someone is coming. I thought Allison said the maids wouldn't come until next week!" Taylor sputtered his words out now, half anger and worry.
"That doesn't matter now, hide yourself!" I hissed at him. To a mortals eyes, it would have looked as though he'd disappeared from his seat.
"You have three minutes until sunrise." Taylor added from elsewhere in the room.
As soon as the mortal opened the door of the room and entered, I silently slipped out without his notice and hurried to conceal myself for a day's rest.
Halling could manage hiding himself... As for the trunks I moved into that room, full of many items not meant for human eyes... We'd deal with the auburn-headed man who'd intruded into Allison's library later.
.x. Allison
As they say, royalty is never late. Everyone else is simply...early. I have to admit, I loved that saying. Especially when it applied to me. I wasn't roused in the morning until Lucy came into my chambers herself, opened my curtains to let the light disturb my rest, and then jumped on the bed.
"Wake up wake up wake up..." She chanted like a small child; I shouted something back and then sat up to hit her myself. Instantly though, I recoiled when I realized I wasn't wearing anything and pulled up the sheet that had almost slipped off and exposed me.
"Oh, so that's why you haven't gotten up yet..." Lucy insinuated with a tease in her voice. "Late night sleepovers!" She fully giggled at the innuendo she thought of herself and rolled off the bed.
"You better not tell a soul Luce." I hissed at her. So much was at stake if anyone ever did discover that the queen had a lover. And the lover happened to be a vampire.
"Oh, calm down. I'm not a complete idiot. I can keep a secret too." She winked at me and blew a kiss my direction before skipping away. She was acting a bit too dramatic, a bit too much like she was covering another emotion up. "Hurry up and get down to the dining hall; it's almost time for lunch!"
I nearly choked when she said this; and she wasn't kidding. I glanced at the clock. Nearly noon! I swore under my breath and got myself ready quickly. I showered fast, threw on a long dress of a material considered non-formal and rushed down stairs. Excuses, excuses... what would be a plausible excuse for my sleeping in?
The time change! Yes, I was still adjusting to the time change. Perfect.
There was no food on the long table; I guess going hungry was my "no good deed goes unpunished" serving since it was because of my own orders I didn't have a meal right now. I had ordered the servants not to waste food and share it at the soup kitchen, and for that I went without a meal in my own home for tardiness. Schedules were going to be the death of me, I swear...
"You're best chances of a meal would be to go into the city, your highness." I waiter told me as he picked up the remaining silverware on the table. "Would you like an escort if you so choose to do that?"
I thought about this for a moment as I glanced at him. "No thank you... Rafael, correct?" I asked, wanting to make sure I had his name right. He grinned cheesily and nodded his head. "If you know where Nicolas is, I think he'd rather be the one to escort." I told him, implying I wanted to know where Nicki was.
"He came down very early for breakfast, and after that I haven't seen him, your highness."
"Hm. If that's the case only God knows where he is now." The man laughed at my subtle sense of humor. My thoughts were suddenly trapped elsewhere. God, in the city was the cathedral, full of crucifixes; Danny. "Thank you, but I think I will just escort myself." I told the waiter.
"Alright. Would you like me to page the garage and bring a car around to the front for you?"
"Actually," I scratched my wrist with slight embarrassment. "I never learned how to drive. I'd rather ride a horse, preferably that black mare I had yesterday." I admitted with a slight drop of my head. Rafael had to suppress a chuckle. I didn't blame him.
"I'll tell Shuck to saddle the horse for you." he offered.
"Shuck?" I asked, wondering for a moment if that was a who or a what.
"The newest head gardener." He replied.
"You're telling me we have a gardener named Shuck." He nodded. I laughed now. "I wish to know the story behind that one!"
"Your highness!" Rafael raised his voice to scold my tease.
"Rafael, do not think less of me for having such a crude sense of humor. I can see the smile in your eyes." He silenced and a small blush spread across his face.
I couldn't wait for the day when he and every other servant had to address me as 'Her Royal Majesty the Queen' rather than the standard 'Your highness' for royal blood. I also couldn't wait for the time when I would become accustom to every one of my servants and know them all to a point they would feel comfortable calling me 'Allison' when no formality was required.
Within the hour, the reserved but handsome gardener Shuck had me safely strapped to the black steed I'd ridden yesterday and I traveled into the city wearing a long, black, fitting jacket over the slacks and dress shirt. For my destination, dress clothing was only appropriate.
The streets of the capital city were busy with the spring-time flood of tourism. My horse whinnied several yards away as a young girl attempted to reach out and stroke his nose. I, however, stood at the top of limestone steps of the Gothic-style cathedral, built in the early 13th century with influence from a German-style as well as an Islamic influence from Spain; my hand touched the brass golden-painted handle of the main door.
What else besides terrible memory and despair waited for me in the images behind this door?
I let go of the handle and turned away. No, I didn't have to do this today. I could just try and do this again tomorrow... 'Yeah, when every person in the country gathers and will see your face.' my mind laughed at me. Right, I should face the music now, so tomorrow, during the service, there will be no way I could lose composure if I do today...
A family walked up as I had an eternal debate with myself. I guessed there were tourists by the lack of shock on their face when they looked at me, blocking their way into the grand building. I politely grasped the handle and opened the door for them, and they shuffled in one by one... until the taller father of the family and held the door open for me as I had for his family. I was obligated to accept the gesture and I walked into the building. The debate had been won over by a stranger, who'd obligated me to enter the doors of Christ's home... there was no turning back now.
I took a deep breath and walked passed the tourists who were gasping at the divine sculpture of the inside.
I traveled down a few hallways, my steps echoing on the empty stone of the building, passed stained-glass windows and crosses until I came to the sanctuary for the Catholics.
I closed my eyes as I entered and managed to sit in the very back of the room. When I opened them, I knew I would be looking up at a giant bronze statue of Christ's crucifixion.
I took several deep breaths, tried not to think of terrible things, and opened my eyes.
Sure enough, that uncensored statue was there, pinned against the wall at the very front of the sanctuary. The craftsmanship put into the statue... It gave no mercy to the image of Christ's sacrifice. It gave no mercy to my memory from Daniel's sacrifice. I wanted to cover my eyes but I kept them trained on the statue.
God, Daniel. Why must death come to innocent? Why must the evil destroy lives so pure? I thought of Lucy, and the pain she was left with. I thought of all of the things Daniel hadn't had the chance to do in his life. Guilt and blame was in order toward certain people, like myself and Lucas, but I wouldn't cast pity on myself or hate him. I couldn't.
I could, however, feel rage toward her. And to feel such rage as I looked up at the crucifixion... This level of hatred in me didn't feel natural to feel in God's house.
I stood and turned to leave.
I had come here to prove to myself I could keep composure in the church. I had done that.
On my way out, my inner battle of guilt and hatred subsided when a young man was arguing with a woman. A woman wrapped in the silk that several Muslim women wore. The young man, by his uniform and slight familiarity, had to have been the priests son... And he was ordering her to leave by the looks of it. She argued with an accent from the middle east, most likely... which confirmed my theory of her being Muslim.
"You are not allowed to be in here!" He finally raised his voice at the tanned-skin woman wrapped in the foreign clothing.
"What do you mean, she is not allowed in here?" I couldn't help myself again and burst into the conversation. Conflict just screamed my name to subside. "She is allowed in the section of the cathedral dedicated to the free worship of any other religion under the almighty God, which includes Muslims and Jews." See, religious tolerance was another trait my country was known for. Any religion that worshiped the God of Abraham (which was predominately Catholics in this country but included other Christian denominations, as well as practitioners of Islam and Judaism) were allowed to freely worship in the gigantic building. Each sect had it's own area for this worship, and collaborations was never forbidden but not praised. But never had an actual ban on a religion come from this building. This limestone masterpiece was not just a building; it was a symbol of unity amongst beliefs for this country. Hundreds of Muslims and several families of Jews flocked here for that reason alone.
The priest's son swallowed hard, then directed me away from the woman to speak to me quietly. I could tell by his nervousness he recognized who I was. "That tolerance was abolished over a year ago." He informed me. I blinked in slight confusion, not believing what I had heard.
"Show me what has been done with the area previously used for that, then." I demanded now with a sharpness to my voice.
"It has been filled in with several items as a storage area." He told me, obviously not seeing it worth his time to show me as I directed him too.
My cheeks were burning; I felt the blood drain from my ears from the amount of anger I felt because of learning this. I couldn't even the imagine the look in my eyes to make the boy cringe as he did.
"Tell me where your father is." I demanded evenly.
"He's busy at the moment, in the confessional." I ignored the implication in his voice with the word 'busy,' meaning to not disturb the priest in his duties.
I forced the young man to lead me to his father to get this ordeal sorted out. When he led me to where the confessional was, I watched the last person exit the little box and I simply entered after them. I didn't give the priest a chance to say a word.
"Father, what is the meaning of the abolishment of the tolerance law for the religions that worship the same God of Abraham?"
There was a slight pause. "You are not here to repent, I take it, lady Allison" the Priest replied. We both exited the confessional and took a seat in one of the pews to discuss the matters more intimately rather than abusing the purpose of the confessional. "I also take that you just found out about the tolerance law the legislature abolished thirteen months ago." I said nothing in return. I wanted his explanation for letting this happen. I could tell in his eyes and tone that he did not hold the same opposition to the rid of that law as I did. I was clearly outraged, he, not so much. "The country already had a small number of Jews before your absence, and they seemed to dwindle and move from the country within the years before the law was abolished. It was then the Islamic religion that was seen as a disturbance of the church, corrupting the message of God to the youth by the free nature of worship here. The legislative abolished the law after enough parents of the Catholic church brought it to their attention that their sons and daughters had chosen the teachings of Muhammad over the teachings of Jesus Christ. They are seen as evil in God's eye, lady Allison."
The look on my face was one of pure disbelief. "Father, what have the men of the the legislative been filling your mind with?" I accused. "You know that the Muslims are not evil in God's eye, how could you promote such a phrase? They worship the same god you do, but call him of a different name! The Islamic followers respect the followers of Christ, they call us "the people of the book," and should be nothing but respected in return! It's ludicrous to deny them the right of worship in the only holy building for miles."
"But their rituals and requirements that are so different than the church's..."
"Should be tolerated, as they were in the past." I replied a little too sharply for a priest. "Look at the design of the cathedral, Father. It is every bit as Islam as it is Christian; influence is from both styles and it forms a perfect unity in the architecture. The proof of tolerance is there! If you teach the people to only condemn what is different, it is all they will ever do. With that inflexibility, much needed change will never take place. You have more influence over the people than I, or the legislative, or even Regent Luis. You can change the way they think more so than any other person. Do not let that power become corrupt."
The man looked completely shocked by my sudden rant. I suddenly realized I should have censored myself a little more than to say all of that....
"I'm sorry. I do not mean to speak to you so harshly. I merely want the best for the people..." I began.
"Forgiven, my child. I cannot criticize your pure intentions." he replied sincerely. "Will you be repenting this afternoon, lady Allison?"
I waited for a moment before answering, to be polite. "Perhaps next week, Father." Never had I repented, never would I.
"Ah. I see."
"See what?" I asked politely.
"Your mother told me that every Saturday for three years in a row."
The tiniest smile came to my lips. "She did, didn't she? Like mother like daughter, I suppose."
"God loves all of his children, even those who do not reach out to him." he told me. I became a little more embarrassed now, but my kind smile did not falter. So he had noticed, had he?
"That's what the Bible tells me." I replied, the smile still on my face. No, I did not believe. But I would attend the service as everyone else, know the things everyone else did, respect the religion and its followers as I should, admire the beauty and collective nature of the cathedral. "I will see you tomorrow, at the service."
"I do thank you for your concern toward this matter, Allison. It proves to me you care for all of the people. That is something we need more of in this country."
"Thank you, Father."
"We have less than seven hours until the guests arrive! I want every single person in this castle to be preparing the ballrooms for their arrival!"
These words where pretty much the theme of the chaos when I arrived back at the palace. The hardest working maid of them all, Betty, was the one giving the orders. She knew how to prepare for these sorts of things, in theme; Luis knew who all to invite, and Tony knew how to dress and everyone he could.
"I do not mean to be too pushy, but please either assist or move out of the way." I was told by the head maid when I walked into ballroom A. Several people were arranging flowers and changing out curtains or moping the floor...
"Of course, Betty." I replied politely.
"Actually, you are supposed to be getting ready!" She barked now, realizing just who I was. "Tony was looking for you to dress you; and Regent Luis said that his son should be reviewing proper etiquette and dance steps with you! Go, be productive! This party is very important for you!"
She was so pushy; always wanted to get things done quickly and effectively. Exactly how I always remembered.
Her words made me realize something; that I hadn't seen Nicolas all day; not even at breakfast. I decided I would try and find him before Tony got a hold of me, and he and Lucy turned me into their canvas.
I had traveled all the way from the northern part of the castle, where Nicolas and his father lived, to the grounds. No sign of him anywhere. I began to ask servants and maids if they'd seen him.
"No, your majesty, I know he arose very early for breakfast, before sun rise. I haven't seen him since."
"I believe he was in the east corridor... Well, this morning he was."
The last time one of my friends couldn't be found, well... my stomach lurched when thinking of Nicki in Daniel's crucification, again. I had to find him!
Sooner than later, the man had me running around on a wild goose chase with no clues except for vague witnesses. Finally I found a maid who said she had cleaned my private library today, four days early. I hoped Taylor could handle the surprise; by her tone and lack of anything wrong with the room, I could guess Taylor hadn't been discovered.
"I saw Nicolas in your library mid-day when I was cleaning. If he had been anyone else, I would have kicked him out, I assure you. I hope its alright that he was in there, your majesty." She told me.
Finally, a solid clue. I traveled toward my part of the castle, all while wondering what Nicki was doing in my private library, which he technically was not allowed in but I would be lenient, and where Taylor was if Nicki was in that room.
My second question was answered when I saw Taylor standing out in the middle of the hallway, coal eyes trained on a tapestry of the Lockett family seal hanging on the wall. The image of him here was vaguely familiar.
"Taylor! What are you doing out in the open?" I accused with slight fluster. His eyes peeled from the tapestry and came to me. The calm look on his face twisted to a more annoyed one.
"There is somebody else in there, otherwise I wouldn't be." he replied darkly, motioning toward the door of the private library. "The nuisance has been in your library all day." Taylor told me skeptically. "If you could kindly dismiss him so I could continue my studies without any further disturbance..."
I ignored the lace of annoyance that was on Taylor's voice. "Sure." I replied, moving down the corridor. I felt a whoosh of cold air sweep passed me; I shivered and turned around to where Taylor had been standing, now gone. A moment later a warm hand touched my shoulder and made me jump.
"Were you just talking to somebody?" Nicolas' voice asked. I was flustered but relieved when it was only him and not Taylor trying to scare me out of my skin or something.
"Uhm, nope. Just myself." I told him easily.
"I heard a male voice." His dark brown eyes stared suspiciously.
"Sure it wasn't the one inside your head?" I dismissed his seriousness with my tease.
He gave me a look.
"Hey, don't look at me like that. I've been looking for you all day! What have you been up too that involves coming into the royal family's personal library?"
His suspicion of me was dropped as it was his turn to be caught red-handed. "I wanted to help you with what you said yesterday, about not finding any answers to your family's curse... I thought looking into the Lockett death records and marriage certificates would help out with tracing the curse back to where the legend of the curse says." he told me. "Perhaps if we find the root of when the curse began and research what historical events happened around that same time... I found that the legend of Courtney and Stephan checks out, not completely, but your ancestors Stephan did take a woman named Courtney to be his queen and they had a child, and after she disappeared, he was murdered in the castle shortly after. Even stranger, after him, their daughter married a man who was killed in an accident after their son was born. The unexplainable deaths start at the root that the legend tells us, so we know that the legend is based on some truth. I'm not sure about the vampire part; I mean, the chances that your ancestor Courtney was a vampire or became a vampire are very slim, even for those who want to believe vampires are among us. The legend of the curse probably was based upon the tragedy of Stephan's death and since folklore has always been popular and accepted in our society, tales of vampires mixed in with the truth and the story morphed after being passed down for so many generations..."
"Nicolas. Please, stop." I wondered if the poor guy took a breath at all in that entire speech. "I appreciate your help, tremendously... But I-"
"You already knew all of that." He interjected; his voice even, dark eyes watching me, calculating my facial expressions and tone for a flaw.
"No, I-" I attempted to make something up. He didn't buy it.
"You lied to me." Now, I was silent. And a little irritated I couldn't get a complete sentence out, even if it was misleading.
"Yes." I replied guiltily. "I have been in America, that part was true. And I have been searching for the answer to my family's curse and a way to break it."
"You found the answer, and you won't tell me what it is, will you?"
I turned away from him. I couldn't lie to him again, not Nicki, my dearest friend. He would know if I lied right now because he knew me better than anyone, and if I fibbed to his face about such an important subject it would hurt him.
"No, I won't tell you."
"I see." he replied sorely.
"It's for your protection, Nick, I swear-" I tried to explain.
"I don't care the reason." He cut in sharply. The edge in his voice was what cut into me. Nicolas wasn't normally harsh; he was smooth, charming, witty, never sharp or cold. He became a little more distraught when he saw the hurt in my eyes. "It's just- I just... You've been gone for twelve years, Allison. Twelve! I haven't gotten a letter or a postcard or any scrap of anything from you in all that time, and finally when you come back and face the music, you can't even tell me, your best friend, what you've been up to." He paused, letting his words resonate in the hallway and sink into my mind. He waited long enough for me to reply, either with more lies or some feeble attempt at an apology. He would get neither.
He took my silence and turned to curtly walk away. "Whatever," he spat in English. "Five hours until guests arrive. I was supposed to practice proper etiquette and review dancing with you for tonight's festivities, but I think I'll let you work that out with yourself." he added coldly and childishly; he passed me with a gentle bump to my shoulder and disappeared down the corridor.
Nothing less of what I'd deserved. He'd been pulling bits and pieces of information together all day long for me, then I go and shoot him down... How unfair to him. I almost felt like crying with the bitter quiet he left me in, but I could hold myself together better than to start tearing up over one fight with a friend. I sighed rather sadly, but was startled to turn and see Taylor standing suddenly before me again as he was prior to Nicolas and I's conversation.
"I said 'kindly' dismiss him." Taylor told me with a dark smile. "Perhaps you need lessons on how to handle your friends when dealing with keeping a huge a secret as the one you hold, on top of all of the other lessons you need before tonight."
"Vagi-se'n a infern." (Go to hell). I cursed at him and stormed down the hallway, away from him.
I found comfort in the chaos of the kitchen with a delicious sneak-peak of what Joaquin would be serving tonight. I didn't have a chance to talk to Joaquin this time since he was under such stress from the time limit he had to cook for the party. About this time, Tony and Lucy got a hold on me. I knew that the castle's lead designer from Italy and the American fashion lover mixed together would only result in a product that involved me becoming their life-sized Barbie doll.
I sat very innocently at the table in the dining room, chewing on some honey bread, when the two fashion gurus attacked.
"Hi, Ally." Lucy greeted cutely, sitting in the seat to my left.
"Chao, Bella." Tony cooed from my right.
Lucy's blonde features and pale white skin were a direct contrast to Tony; he was the icon Italian. Tan skin more an olive color, gorgeous forever features (considering he was 38 and still looked better than most 20 year old men I knew) with dark brown hair cut short but surprisingly stylish. His dark eyes examined a persons appearance very closely. He never stopped thinking about what colors and styles he should use on a person, I don't think. The intensity of his look was what made me uncomfortable, but he was just doing the job he called his passion.
"You were right, Luce," He started in English with a devilishly sexy Italian accent. I almost groaned when I realized they'd warmed up to each other enough to be on a nickname basis already. "America has ruined her beauty. What do they teach you there; that beauty only comes to those who wish to stay naive and empty? Rifiuti!"
He stood and I was obligated to stand as well when he pulled me up and away. Lucy pushed me from behind so I was useless to escape. "I cannot believe you went out into public with that hair and that outfit. What were you thinking, bella? You are never allowed to leave the royal home again without my approval..." Tony insisted, on and on...
I was whisked away to be the Barbie doll for the rest of the afternoon. Save me!
I got to listen to Tony and Lucy argue on and on about what style they should cut my hair (though I requested I wanted it kept long), what colors looked the best on me, what clothing designs showed off my availability (small awkwardness on Lucy's part because she secretly knew I was not single as Tony presumed) and feminine physique while still being appropriate for a person of royal status. Tony took his job very seriously, when it came to preparing people for parties, anyway.
After much preparation and changing into several different outfits, Tony finally decided on a nice dress for me to wear. While he played around with blush tones and eyeliners on me now, Lucy leaned against the vanity in the room with her arms crossed over her belly quietly and seemed to be far away in thought. Tony took notice and decided to draw her back into the world, out of her troubles.
"Isn't the petite blonde going to the party as well?" Tony asked Lucy. Lucy sighed and shook her head.
"Nonsense, Lucy. You're going to love it." I added in.
"I have nothing to wear." she defended weakly. I knew she wanted to go; who wouldn't want to get all dressed up and see what a fancy party in a giant castle was like? I wondered for a moment what was really holding her back.
I turned and whispered into Tony's ear. "I have a request. Her pale skin and blonde hair, reminds you of an angel, doesn't it?" I suggested. "Pull the hair back with curls and dress her in some fine whites and soft blues..."
"I shall turn her into one of God's own, la vostra maestà." he replied with a new grin. Finally, my angel was going to become just that.
After I was finished, Tony took Lucy away to the dressing rooms to transform her as he had me.
"Allison?" Regent Luis asked as he poked his head into Tony's 'area.' I waved to let him know I was finished here. "You look absolutely gorgeous." He told me with a stunning smile. I grinned and thanked him in return. "Where is Nick? You both should be reviewing before the guests arrive in..." he glanced at his watch. "Half an hour."
My smile faded and was replaced with a slight anger and guilt. "He's somewhere." I replied, crossing my arms.
"Don't cross your arms like that. It's unbecoming." Luis told me in a corrective tone. I automatically put them at my sides. "So, did you two get into a fight?" he inquired more fondly.
"Yes." I admitted, and wouldn't tell him what over. "And he stormed away telling me I can handle any preparations myself."
"Ah." he replied, slight frown on his face. He didn't exactly look pleased about his son's behavior toward something as important as this. "Well, better not to waste anymore time. Come, I shall give you a run-down of things while Nicolas has time to gather his thoughts and come around."
I took the hand Luis offered to me and found comfort through the sudden churning in my stomach. At least he didn't remind me, for the hundredth time, how important this party was for me. I knew I needed to impress the legislative and a knew I needed to make a good impression on the people. But I couldn't act anything other than myself; and if they didn't like my true self... well, I was out of luck, and out of crown.
I glanced out of a nearby window and saw darkness had already fallen over the outside world. I wondered for a moment what Luke was doing.
.x. Lucas
Allison was otherwise preoccupied and wouldn't be back in her area of the castle for awhile, every other servant was too busy preparing the ball room areas to even noticed me and the suits I'd taken for Halling and myself.
I glanced into the full length mirror in Allison's room and was satisfied with the fit of the suit. I straightened the collar and ran my hands through my hair a few times to make sure the gel was working.
"You're still too pale; humans are bound to notice. Didn't you feed before coming?" Taylor insisted from across the room, fitting into his own suit.
"Yeah, right." I chuckled darkly. "It would have taken me half the night to track down the victim Allison wants me to eat; I'll miss the party. And there's not a lot of bad people here that fit her criteria." I explained. That would be a problem in the long run; if there weren't enough 'bad guys' here for me to chew on, my hunger and blood lust would eventually become a bigger issue and danger to Allison than even Courtney herself.
"Pathetic." Taylor tossed a bottle of blood at me while finishing his own. "Drink up or put powder on."
I caught the bottle and knocked the top off. "Not really a powder sort of vampire." I replied cheekily and drank the entire bottle down, with much distaste. Damn, how did anybody enjoy this over live food? I glanced into the mirror now; I was noticeably a more pink and peachy color. I could definitely blend in better with the fancy crowd now.
My gaze shifted away from the mirror to the outside. I couldn't sense Courtney's presence, but I felt her, in a sense. There was a strong chance she was here. It was a good thing we were going to this party after all. I could protect Allison more easily if I were with her.
"I wanted to discuss the meaning of Allison's nightmares." I told Taylor as I turned back to him. He paused in fixing his dark hair and glared at my reflection in his mirror.
"Unless she has some form of telepathy or prophecy, her nightmares do not concern me, Lucas." The man replied rather curtly. I pursed my lips together toward his automatic dismissal.
"She may. It's hard to tell for sure in humans." I paused; Taylor did not make a motion to recognize me and continued preparing himself. I continued anyway. "As of late, they have been of Courtney. It's impossible to prove if Courtney is truly manifesting herself into Allison's mind. But if that were true, then it seems to me that Courtney's intentions are becoming... unstable."
"Compared to what that is stable?" Taylor replied strikingly. "Courtney V has always been unstable and unpredictable in her ways of crimes. The only thing that is certain is that she will kill. How and when, by what means we can never properly predict." he explained. Nothing I didn't already know, but Taylor calculated everything as an equation.
"You're right. Let me word that differently, then." I told him. "It seems that her reasons behind her malice to kill is becoming unclear and twisted; from herself, that is. She doesn't seem to know exactly what she wants any longer, or why she so strongly feels the need to kill Allison, instead of the mortal Allison would marry." My stomach attempted to do some sort of flip as I phrased this. Allison, marrying and sleeping with another. My selfish ways didn't want to give her that freedom, even though it was necessary for her to continue her royal line with a mortal.
Taylor looked thoughtful for a long while. "Speaking hypothetically of course..." He finally said, eyes narrowing. "If Courtney V were to manifest her intentions through Allison... It would be because of jealousy." Taylor replied unattached. "And it makes sense that these could truly be Courtney's real intentions. She still claims you as her mate, so the development of Allison and yourself would cause her to be driven with a hatred with jealousy instead of a vengeance. That change in reason could be the weakness that I've been waiting for, Lucas. If she is driven by jealousy, it will be even easier to manipulate her versus the times you could not even speak to her when her mind was death-driven with revenge for a mans blood."
Ah, yes. Those times, when she would not listen to any sort of reason or any other being. The very early days when Courtney was bent on killing her own blood. Her husband first, then her daughter's husband, eventually she swayed her own daughter into suicide... and after those first few years of waiting for more of her blood to manifest through procreation of her mortal descendants, she learned to play with her victims; make them want to die or drive them into a state of chaos before she took them; as well as create pawns and seduce them to help her in her bidding. She began to converse with me again after those years were passed. I recall our conversations being short and thrift; she found no interest in me after I'd turned her, only in who she could seduce next and how she might murder the next Lockett king. Now I realize it...
I could tell by Taylor's blank expression that he was calculating a plan in his head. It's a good thing I couldn't read actual thoughts, because I don't think Taylor ever stopped thinking for any given moment; I would become even more annoyed with him than I usually did.
"I can assume your plan now involves me to sway Courtney somehow..."
"More like seduce. She's a very physical being; she knows her body is desirable. Allison would be the lure; the reason for you to lead to her a secure location..."
"Allison is not going to be in harm's way as the bait." I interjected.
"Ah, ah, ah." Taylor smirked now, raising his finger to me. "We had a deal. You and Allison will comply. I've been trying to clean up your mistakes for far too long for you not to cooperate this time."
A mistake. Courtney was a mistake. Also, in a sense, she was not. I would have never met Allison. Perhaps that was a good thing as well, since I'd never have felt so powerless toward myself if I'd never met her...
"Are you ready?" Taylor broke me from my thoughts. I cleared my throat from habit, fixed my bow-tie, then nodded.
Tonight was about Allison's appearance. I couldn't wait to see the look on her beautiful face... I also couldn't wait to see her.