When we were young and storms would come my father would wrap Vincent in a blanket and tell him to close his eyes. Father then would tell a story of giants or Greek mythology, maybe sing a song or two. I walked in to see him in a quilt I made, when I was about thirteen, for him with his eyes closed. His shoulders were hunched inwards and a few beads of sweat on his brow as he sat on his bed. I hurried to my room and changed before I headed back to Vincent
"Once upon a time," I began while crossing the room. He gasped and opened his eyes, red embarrassment quickly painting his cheeks, "there was a boy."
I sat on the bed beside him and wrapped my arms around him.
"The boy was adventurous and lighthearted. A good boy, but thoughtless," I smiled thinking of the story I wanted to tell," his mother sent him out on an errand one day. She asked him to gather fire wood, and do so quickly because rain was coming. The boy nodded eagerly. He was receiving the chance for adventure and he think of nothing more fun, so he-"
"Millie!" I heard ciel cry as thunder clapped louder and closer than before. I sighed, like father like son. I hurried out and went to Ciel's room.
It was empty. My heart broke in to a sprint. Where is he?
I heard him whimpering as lightening struck. He was under his bed. I fell gracefully to the floor, the soft linen and silk dress I wore fanning out around me.
"Come on, love, Millie is here," I murmured looking under the bed. He hastily crawled out and into my arms. His sobs shook through his body and as the merciless storm bellowed again a great shriek left the small child.
"Sh," I hushed as I held him close and stood. I pulled the cover off of his bed and walked the hall back to Vincent. Once I entered the room I set ciel on Vincent's lap, and wrapped his blanket around him, then held them both.
"Now where was I?," I continued my story," ah yes. The boy set out ,after a rushed farewell to his mother, into the woods. He wandered about, chasing the elk and watching the birds play in the trees above him. He all but forgot about the fire wood. Soon the rain started and he remembered his cause, but all of the wood was soaked now, what would he do?" I looked to Ciel who had turned to look at me with big curious eyes,"he sat on a wet log and held his head in his hands. 'What am I going to do?' He asked out loud to no one in particular.
'Maybe I can help,' a small voice called.
The boy looked up startled, he did not remember seeing anyone about in the woods.
'Who is there?' He spoke.
'It is I," a little fairy girl called. She was beautiful as she sat beside him on the log
'You can help me?' He asked hopefully.
'What do you need?' The little fairy asked.
'Fire wood,' He answered.
'It is done,' she spoke and left.
The boy went home and found fire wood on his doorstep, sheltered from the rain. The next day the boy was awakened by a tapping on his shudders and a scream of what sounded like a little person's 'help' He opened the shudders and saw the little fairy from the day before.
'Are you alright?'
She shook her head little sparkling tears falling from her face.
'Well what is the matter?' He asked picking her up.
'My wing, it's broken,' she cried showing her crumpled wing.
The boy closed his shudders and brought the little fairy to his working table. He worked for hours to fix the wounded fairy," thunder roared out side but neither of them took heed to it, both sets of wide blue eyes were trained on me," finally she was fixed and the fairy flew with delight. From then on the Fairy and the boy were great friends. However the fairy was no ordinary fairy, she was a princess and on the day of her sixteenth birthday her father urged her to marry. The fairy could only think of one person she wanted to marry and that was the boy. Of course the boy was barely a boy anymore, he was just on the edge of being a man. So the fairy went to see the boy and told him of her problem.
'I'd be happy to marry you, you've helped me a lot all of these years. I would be honored.'
She all but burst with joy. She hurried to her home and told her father. He nodded glad she was happy and stated,
'If the law will have it than it shall be,'
But there was a jealous fairy man who did not want the little fairy princess to be wed to the boy. So he forged new rules, in the book of fairy law, saying that she could not marry him, because she was a fairy and he was a boy. The fairy king read this and was filled with grief.
'I'm afraid it cannot be he is human and you are a fairy.'
'What if?' The princess asked, 'what if he were to become a fairy?'
The king' s face brightened, 'Yes it could work. Sprinkle this upon the boy you love then he shall be one of us, and your groom.' The kings gave here magic fairy dust.
The princess hurried to the young man's house. She spoke to the boy, nervous that he might reject her.
'To marry me you must be a fairy, this will make you a fairy,' she presented him with the dust, 'but there is no going back.'
The boy nodded and sprinkled the dust upon himself. He became a handsome fairy man and the princess' groom.
The jealous fairy man was not happy about this. So when the fairy princess was alone he stole her away and locked her up," I had stopped looking at the boys and stared out the window as I spoke, I heard their soft snores and looked down; they were sleeping," the jealous fairy was cruel to her and the princess soon found a way to escape. Only to be captured again by a forest witch. The princess became corrupt and evil, in the clutches of the witch. The fairy turned boy looked relentlessly for his bride until he found her in a small cage. When she saw him she forgot all of her hatred and remembered her love. The fairy groom freed her and they lived happily ever after."
I lie the boys against the pillows at the top of the bed, closed the curtains then left. I walked down the hall a bit, to find Dex leaning against the wall.
"That was a nice story."
"Not my best work," I admitted with a laugh. I began walking towards the library. Dex followed me.
"It was soothing," he smiled.
I scoffed.
"How are you going to leave them, if they still depend upon you so heavily?"
"Give it a month or two, I'll have to ween them. Ciel is a rather independent child and he has both of his parents. And even once I leave, I can still visit," I said defensively.
"I suppose. " He was quiet with deliberation. I walked forward faster. I could not just abandon them. Quit them cold turkey. Yes, Vincent is jaded now, but he wasn't always that way. How can I blame him for making me his safe haven. And Ciel...Well I'm practically the child's mother. How would he get along if I just disappeared?
"You'll stay here," Dex laughed.
"I won't!" I all but yelled back.
"Ah but you love them."
"I...I understand that their dependence on me is my fault," I murmured.
"When do you get to live a life of your own? When do you get someone to depend on?"
"After I've weened them. Get them used to life without me." I explained.
"And Ciel," his voice was cold and it caught me by surprise.
"Dex, this is a bit of your character you've hidden away," I turned to look at him. I'd stopped walking.
"Temper," he explained. I felt my chest tighten and my breath come quick. I was tensed for a fight,"I can't stand the way he treats you."
Dex hugged me and I felt myself calm. He was only angry at wrong doings, not me. Dex didn't seem capable of raising his hand to me. I could sense his emotions as they rolled off of him in waves, no his soul was too sweet to do such a thing. Dex may be a little bratty at most, but aren't all nobles that way? Once he let me go I looked him in his eyes.
"I will leave, I can't bear staying where I am toyed with and hated."
"I understand. I am being unreasonable." His mouth pulled down a bit.
I stared at him for a moment then comprehended his sudden anger.
"You're jealous!" I said incredulously.
"And if I am?"
"I might be so bold as to call you adorable," I laughed.
It was still prudent to keep things teasing, whether or not he knew of my plan was irrelevant. I had to make him think I am falling for him, that he is more than just a piece of my game. No one likes to think they're being used, I know that from experience. I frowned internally at the thought of my predicament now. At least he wouldn't feel used, I'd be the perfect wife or I'd kill him. He wouldn't suffer unhappiness.
I took his hand again and headed for the library. Once there I took up my father's journals and sat in front of the fire place. Dex served as my back rest while we sat and I read aloud.
"October 31st
Our daughter was born today, she is beautiful. I am delighted to say she took more after her mother than I. Rosemary named her Camilla. Camilla Annabelle Nightshade. She's a little baby, but the nurse says she's perfectly healthy. I love her. She is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, excluding Rose."I smiled softly, then frowned as I looked at the next entry. I hastily skipped through.
"Hey whoa, why-"
"It's when my mother left," I said.
I suppose my tone kept him from asking further questions. I read stories of my father's thoughts of me. After two journals I found myself nodding off to sleep. I closed the book and rested more firmly on Dex.
"You tell me a story about your family," I yawned.
"Well, my family isn't nearly as interesting as your father, and the workings of his mind."
"I've never heard much about a whole family, excluding Vincent."
"Well, my father is a man with high expectations, I've always strived to exceed them...of course just because you strive to do something doesn't mean you do it. My brother, however was good at doing so. But I had my edge, I could make the man smile. He was indulgent with my antics. Like when I was seven and I got myself caught in the old oak," he laughed at the memory and I smiled,"Father was angry at first, you see he told me not to climb the tree. He shouted up to me 'Lad! Did I not tell you to stay away from that bloody tree! You'll break something,'" his voice deepened as he imitated his father. He even wagged a condescending finger in the air,"I called back 'but father you said to exceed your expectation! You expected me not to go near the tree so I did one better and climbed it!'" I laughed at the logic," oh his face was red and I thought for sure I was in for a flogging then he doubled over and shook with laughter. He laughed and laughed then walked away...I guess it was my form of punishment. John eventually helped me down."
"John?" I asked.
"My brother," he explained.
I cuddled closer to him , he wrapped his arms around me resting his chin on top of my head.
"What is your mother like?" I asked with my eyes closed.
"Ah, mother," he laughed ruefully.
"What?" I asked opening one eye and looking up at him.
"You remind me a lot of her."
I closed my eye and settled back against him,"Then she must be every man's dream woman," I laughed at my subtle inside joke.
"Oh but she was, many men envied my father. Mrs. Eliza Reed was quite the woman, hell she still is. With one look she could dishevel a man entirely. She is smart, well spoken, and oh so kind...when she wants to be. She swears she doesn't have a favorite but I know I am it. John has father, and I have mother, it seems fair. Mother is a woman capable of great love, and overwhelming hate if provoked. Once one of my mother's friends was over playing cards and I was in the habit of day dreaming. I must have been staring at her while I dreamt because she hit me so hard I lost sight for a bit. Oh and did I cry."
"How old were you?" I laughed.
"Nearly 8," he laughed,"I never seen mother so angry. She gave that woman a fine escort out of her house and after a few months the poor woman fled the country."
I laughed harder, "A bit harsh, no?"
"Imagine if someone struck Ciel."
I thought about it and felt a slight twinge of rage. Surely I would see them dead.
"I see your point," I nodded.
Dex laughed,"My brother never seized to irritate my mother. I suppose it was because he was so reluctant to learn as opposed to me. I couldn't get enough of books and puzzles, not to mention music! Oh mother taught me to play and sing," he laughed," Oh she has the voice only rivaled by the angels...or so I thought until I heard you sing."
I smiled at the flattery,"See I'm not the first to consider you my favorite," I announced.
"It's not the same, she's my mother she has to love me."
"No she doesn't," I grumbled thinking of my own mother. She didn't care for me. She only cared for power, and her throne.
"I suppose you are right," he amended, " your mother, have you seen her since she left?"
"Unfortunately." I grumbled, thinking of her offer.
"I take it you all don't get along."
"My mother is the queen of those who make the dreams of men come true for one night. She only comes to tell me that she wants me to be the heir to her throne," I answered, telling the half truth.
"That's terrible."
"She's terrible, not at all a woman you'd want to know."
We were quiet. Dex seemed at large as to what to say.
"Tell me more about John," I demanded.
"Well, I am proud to say I am better than him at my studies...I'm still working on sports. He's the brawn, I'm the brains I suppose."
"That's attractive," I murmured, but as I leant against him I couldn't fathom how he could be bested in brawn. No, his muscles were not bulky or scary they were more subtle, and graceful. He would look like a carefully painted picture under his clothes. His muscles consisting of delicate and beautiful lines and curves. His body would be baroque and exquisite. I was suddenly very aware of his soul, greed pulled at me for a moment but I beat it back.
"Most women don't tend to think so around here. I suppose a man with his nose in a book all day is hardly any fun."
"That sounds like fun to me," I said truthfully.
He laughed, "You are not most women now are you?"
I smiled,"No," if only he knew just how unlike other women I am.
"Even though I knew John was better than me at hunting, cricket... And well just about every other sport I tried and I never stepped down from a challenge. I also challenged him in the strength of the mind, often playing mind games, or intricate pranks. There's still a prank war going on between the two of us," he laughed, "let us hope you don't get caught in the cross fires." He spoke more but sleep suddenly took me under.
I woke briefly as Dex lie me in bed. He kissed my forehead then left. Maybe thirty minutes later did Vincent come in and wake me.
"The meeting is about to start," he shook me awake. I groaned and my head turned to the window, rain smacked upon it furiously.
"Give me a moment," I sighed. I went to my vanity and brushed my hair. The dress I wore would suffice for the meeting. The gold silk and cream linen was thick and pretty enough to be an evening dress.
"Ah I do like the look of gold on your skin." Vincent complimented.
I realized, while I put my hair up in ribbon, that Vincent had gifted me this dress. I stared at myself in the mirror for a long while, studying the line of my straight nose, the curve of my lips, and my doe eyes that shone in the dim light of the room. They were only faintly purple, I wouldn't have to hunt until next week. I put my hand to the gold necklace around my neck that held the key to the mausoleum. The skeleton key was wedged between my breast. The top of the key could just be seen in the low neckline of the dress.
I stood and Vincent lead the way to the meeting. I always despised these meetings just as much as I liked them. Meetings were the only time I was guaranteed time with Vincent. I also got to see Undertaker, which was a rare treat; I never had time to stop by the funeral parlor to see the man. Vincent opened the door to the recreation room and held it for me
"Oh he went to get his little pet," one of the men mumbled. I turned to look at him. He was a gruff man, with a face that could make a child cry. He just looked mean.
"Bernard, Camilla means more to me than everyone in this room combined, she is also capable of killing you in several different ways. She deserves respect."
Bernard scowled and turned to the man standing next to him to grumble profanities. I looked up at Vincent to see he was also looking at Bernard. I could tell that the man's name would soon be on my menu.
"Annabelle," a familiar gravelly voice called.
"Undertaker, why must you call me by my middle name?" I sighed as I turned towards him.
"It is beautiful, and no one else calls you by it," he chuckled.
Undertaker was leaning against the pool table wearing his black robe, and hat, with his hair, as always, covering his eyes. I took my usual place beside him and sat on the pool table.
"So I hear you've encouraged the affections of Lord Reed."
"Did Vincent tell you?" I asked.
"No, I found out on my own."
"Undertaker, are you tracking my relationships?" I said with staged outrage.
"Your father did tell me to keep an eye on you," in that moment he swept his hair from his face and his eyes bored in to me,"your family has become rather fond of you, no, dearie?"
"Yes, regrettably so," I looked away from his glare. I could still feel it, and its suspicion.
"You're taken the boy to hell, yes," he chuckled.
"I'm not making him attracted to me."
"How can he not be?"
"Well, I can't help my affections either. Dex is an admirable man. I'm thinking a winter wedding," I laughed. Undertaker knew what I was doing. He glanced in Vincent's direction for a moment. I didn't have to look to know what his face looked like. He was irritated, I could feel it roll off of him.
"I'm glad it brings ye happiness," Undertaker chuckled.
"Ah Undertaker I missed you. You should have made me your bride before Dex came along."
He scoffed,"I am old enough to have started your blood line."
"Oh Come on you're timeless, that goes for anyone now."
"Would you really like to be m' bride?" He asked looking at me with those bright green eyes.
"What better company to vice than death?"I asked leaning closer to him.
We shared a moment of slowly getting closer. I had turned my head slightly as if to kiss. He put his hand on the back of my neck, his nails causing me to shiver. I put one hand on his face the other on his shoulder. We moved closer; I closed my eyes when our lips were a mere centimeter apart. His nose barely touched the side of mine. I brought my body closer to his. One of his hands moved to rest on the small of my back. I could feel his cool touch through the fabric of my dress. I grabbed a handful of his hair. We stayed like that for an immeasurable moment. Anxiety filled my chest, then I felt him turn his head. He shook with laughter and I calmed. I let him go and laughed myself.
"For a moment I thought I was going to lose!" I laughed.
We had a game of making the other nervous. Whom ever moved away first lost. I have never lost.
"You're good," he laughed.
"I have to be."
"If you two are done, we have things to discuss," Vincent hissed at us.
I clamped my lips shut holding in laughs. As did Undertaker covered his mouth, trying to hold it in.
"Murders in London have become especially horrid, as we all know. They've been centered around trading sessions with other countries," he said looking to Bernard,"and opium dens," he turned to Lau,"there is some cleaning up to be done," he looked pointedly at me. I smiled; this meant a bountiful feast for me. Undertaker chuckled and my smile widened, knowingly. Clean up meant more work for him. The man beside me shifted uncomfortably. Undertaker and I are the clean up crew, that fact is well known. Lau wouldn't be on me list but Bernard would be, I can tell that much from Vincent.
"The murders, are grotesque, and pain her majesty. Therefore they must end." His eyes fell on Bernard again.
"My Lord, you've told me little of these murders," I began.
"I will tell you after," he interrupted.
I nodded.
"You are all in London regularly, save Camilla, be watchful."
I understood that this was all of the information I needed, the rest would pertain to the others. I stopped paying attention to Vincent. Undertaker didn't seem to be paying attention either when I looked over at him. He was inspecting his long black nails. I learned that he painted them that way. That surprised me, I'd always assumed they just grow in that way. I mean it's Undertaker anything is possible. Vincent droned on and on about murders, giving subtle threats. I leaned my head on Undertaker's shoulder and brought my legs up on to the pool table. I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep again.
I had finally dozed off when thunder out side startled me awake. It seems there was a second storm rolling in. Vincent stopped midsentence and looked towards the window.
"My Lord, you were saying?" Lau said in a mocking voice. If I didn't know Lau I'd say he knew Vincent had a fear of thunder, but I do know Lau so I know he is just as oblivious as everyone else, except perhaps Undertaker. I slid off the table and went to Vincent, sitting on the floor beside his legs. I rested my head against his knee and tried going to sleep again.
"I understand the weather is not suitable for travel, Tanaka, Amelia and Isabelle will show you to your rooms." I woke when he said this.. I stood rubbing my eyes. The room quickly emptied and I turned to go.
"Wait, Millie"he called.
"Yes, Vincey," I mumbled as I turned to look at him. He smiled softly at his childhood name.
"I don't mean this to sound jaded but will you come to my room with me until I fall asleep?"
"I don't know..."
"Please, I won't sleep at all otherwise." He plead softly.
I bit my lip. Thunder roared and he took an involuntary step towards me.
"I'll sing a lullaby. That's it," I said.
"That's all I need."
I walked to his room and waited out side the door while he got dressed for bed. He called to me when he was done.
"Vincent you're such a child," I complained.
"Am not," he said back.
"Are to," I insisted flopping down on the chair at his bedside.
I sung a wordless melody that forced him to sleep. While I sung I kept my eyes closed, letting the tune pull me closer to unconsciousness.
Once Vincent had fallen asleep, I got up and dragged myself to my room. All of this deception is rather tiresome. I miss the days when I didn't have to pretend.
I entered my room and took off the nice dress and hung it back up. I dressed in a nice cotton night gown.
"Well, don't you look like a fair maiden dressed in white," my mother's voice came from by my vanity.
"Hello, mother," I sighed and sat on the rocking chair.
"You look tired sweetie, hard day?"
"I suppose."
"Oh, I know deceiving men is tiring work. I remember how tired your father made me."
I frowned at her mentioning him.
"You should have told me you wanted a mate."
"Mother, I don't want you arranging anything. I want to find a mate on my own."
"Seems to me like you have. You've entertained the affections of a Lord Dexter Reed. He comes from a good family, yes, but is he a good man? Not entirely," she smiled. Tonight she wore a slim, silk, purple dress.
"We all do things we aren't proud of."
"I suppose you're right, let's be glad he's an honest man now or Vincent might throw him to you as a treat."
I closed my eyes preparing for a villainous monologue.
"I think I'll pay him a visit," she said in a cheery voice.
My eyes snapped open, but she was already gone. I breezed to Dex's room, to see my mother leaning over him.
"Oh his face is just darling," she gushed,"Camilla he's better looking than Leo, or even Vincent."
She had a petty crush on Vincent, it was all I could do to keep her away from him. Yet another reason to stay.
"Wow he smells ama-," she began, I was suddenly in front of her growls slipping through my locked jaw.
"Alright, alright he's your prey." Her eyes were wide as she looked down at me.
"He is not my prey," I said relaxing a bit. My reaction surprised me...I'm usually more in control around mother.
"Well I have to meet him." Her bright purple gaze worried me and I moved closer to Dex.
"You just did. Mom, Dex. Dex, Mom," I gestured to the smiling woman and sleeping man.
"I mean talk to him. See if he's fit for my princess." She looked over my shoulder at Dex.
"No." My voice was cold steel. She can't be trusted, she'd out me, or say too much, and send the man away.
"Now, you didn't let me meet the last man and he scarred your pretty skin," She touched my face,"I would have sensed the malice in his soul, you could have been spared the pain."
I looked in her eyes and saw that she'd speak to him one way or another. I preferred they speak in my presence.
"Fine, I'll tell you when."
"Oh goodie!" She giggled loudly. I looked down to Dex to be sure she hadn't waken him. He was still fast asleep. His pink rose lips slightly parted, his hands under his face like a small child.
"I'll leave you now," her lips brushed my cheek. When I turned she was gone. I didn't like the way she had observed him. I bit my lip listening to things outside. Mother seemed to be long gone, but she could come back at any time. My room is too far away for me to notice her presence before it's too late. If she eats him...Then my plans would be halted. Staying wouldn't be too weird, right? If he woke to me looming over him he would be surprised and not in a good way. Hell if I woke to someone standing at my bedside staring I'd be highly disturbed. So maybe I'd get in bed. That was a precarious idea. With all of the people in the manor, a rumor could get started. Of course, I doubt any of them would wake as early as I would. Undertaker might but I don't fear him seeing me. Dex might not even notice that I had been here and if he did I could say I had a nightmare.
I went around the large bed and lie on the vast empty region. I lie on top of the cover in an attempt to retain some decency. Ironic, the succubus is trying to retain decency and modesty. My eyelids were sand bags and closed easily