Lilly couldn't even bare to close the door to her chamber. She never dwelled in it except to sleep and place miscellaneous objects. To her, it wasn't important. Her family was all that mattered and her brother was the persistent target of Lilly's adoration—and torment. The outside world, being as they lived on a working farm and just up against the woods, was definitely more exciting than a cold, stone room with small slits for windows. Lilly's posture dropped even further as she saw the dress her mom had laid out for her. She didn't mean to be like such a boy. She really did want to be one of those girls that had perfect posture, spoke in soft whispers like wind, curtsied as if their life depended on it, and routinely took walks around the estate's grounds. Lilly yearned to be one of those girls…but she was too rough. Her strength…it only crippled her hopes of being married even further. To be just a normal girl…that was all she wanted.
Lilly glanced down at her hands, which were somewhat tanned from being outside. Even on the outside they were despicable. On the inside—bones like steel. She hadn't broken anything in all her years even though falling out of trees was her expertise. Lilly's tears fell onto her tunic making a large stain of salt water. It would dry but not soon enough. Lilly threw off the shirt to stand shivering in nothing but her skin. Taking off her trousers, she stumbled forward to her bed. But before she picked up the nice gown her mother had made her wear at every special occasion in town, she realized how dirty she had gotten. Was there anytime for a bath?
"Right over there, Lillith." Pridora whispered into the quietness of Lilly's chamber.
Lilly didn't look back at her mom. Instead she strode over to the tub of lukewarm water that her mother had poured out for her. "Will you help me?" That's when Lilly looked up to see Pridora crying. Lilly was frozen. Pridora never cried. "What's the matter?"
Pridora sniffled, taking small steps over to where Lilly stood. Placing rough hands on her shoulders, she mumbled something Lilly had never heard her say. "You are absolutely radiant, my lamb." Pridora was known to be kind, but rarely ever doled out compliments. So Lilly didn't know what to do with herself. Her eyebrows furrowed but whispered thanks anyways. Lilly knew she was pretty…but not radiant. That wasn't a word that could ever belong to her. She was just—simple. That was it. Simple. In Lilly's eyes she was simple.
Lilly stepped into the bath, molecules of dirty instantly disbanding her skin to line the sides of the tub. The bath took only half an hour, but her hair took three more hours to dry. By the time she was dressed, they were already late. She apologized for being an inconvenience, but for an odd reason she couldn't place. No one scolded her. Her father even kissed the top of her forehead.
Something was wrong.
"Am I being punished?" She grumbled under her breath towards her brother.
Liam's eyebrows knitted together and then his whole expression went blank. Without showing any emotion he shook his head no.
"Maleksi! Don't touch that mud puddle!" Pridora called out to the youngest one of the family as we loaded into the carriage. Squeeling, Melaksi ran back behind her mother's legs and laughed sweetly. "Faire, family, go!" She squeeled once more.
Liam and Lilly chuckled as her fist came down onto his shoulder—as soft as she could. His hand instantly went towards where she had hit him and he winced. "Could you refrain from injuring me tonight?" The question wasn't posed a command, or a desire. It was a simple hope filled with love and not teasing. Their parents ignored them completely and disappeared into the carriage. Liam was the last one to be seated and off they went straight towards the faire.
Lillith was excited for such an adventure. Every year they went and every year she could play games and not be in trouble for her strength. She could be who she really was—whatever that meant. The woods thwacked their leaves against the roof of the carriage as they dallied onward, her mind swimming with all the ideas. She was completely oblivious to the downcast stares of her family. There were more important things to consider.
The woods were dark—darker than usual—around the village. Everything was ablaze with light, but around them was utter darkness. Liam watched the woods, knowing that they were watching him and his family. The most opportune moment, that's what they had said. Liam recalled the meeting a year before, the long black haired man of red eyes staring at him with deep respect. Liam wanted to kill the man for taking away his sister. She had never hurt anyone intentionally. Was this her punishment? Was this marriage to be some sick sadistic law lain down by the Italian empire? Just because she was abnormally strong didn't mean she was going to kill anyone.
Or was this some ploy to make the ultimate vampire?
Liam shook his head confusedly. He didn't even want to know. He just wanted his sister to marry someone from the village and be happy, have babies. But she wouldn't even be able to do that. Her womb would be forever frozen by the venom of a vampire. This man, Corpus, would never make her happy.
"Son, it's time. Call over your sister." His father's deep voice reached his ears only barely.
"Lilly!" Liam called.
His sister looked up, her strange purple eyes flashing around to see who called her name. She laughed gaily and Liam's heart sank even further. Her moments of happiness would end in a few days when she found out what was to become of her. He tried to preserve his memory of her like this. Like a portrait painted by the great Da Vinci himself. That nose, that jaw line, the shape of her eyes—catlike almost. Even her scent was something he would cherish. Poor, unfortunate, innocent little girl.
Lilly pranced over her eyes twinkling with the joy of the evening. Everywhere around her breathed light and warmth. She would only be this way for so long.
In crept the darkness and they all felt it. The whole village seemed to grow quiet, pensive in the wonder of what the chill could be from. Their eyes swung to the entrance of the village when they walked in. Liam watched Lilly instead of the man coming towards her. It was obvious she was frightened. Who wouldn't be when such a pale and ghostly man was making a beeline right for her? He paused to acknowledge their father's bow and welcome, but his eyes were on her. Feeding on her. She glanced up at him, and took a step closer into his side. That just proved it. In one small movement it confirmed that she didn't approve of the stranger. It would take a miracle for her to warm up to him even if that warmth never touched him. Liam's fist clenched. His eyes were on the magnificent man whose smiled made his knees shake. His anger vanished and in an instant he was enjoying that man's company. He was—dazzling—them.
"Lord Vespacelli, this is my son Liam, and my daughter, Lillith."
"An interesting choice in name for your daughter. British, is it not?"
Their father seemed to blush, but decided to explain. "My wife has a tendency to enjoy British mannerisms and customs."
The man looked her up and down slowly, and she moved even further into my side, the back of her hand clutching my coat with such strength that the fabric was ripping. Everyone was simply marveled by the man and his entourage. It wasn't because he was a newcomer, but because he was making them feel that way. Even Liam felt like he should bow down and kiss the man's feet. But his sister was having none of it. She appeared confused, angry, abhorred, anxious, raddled.
"It suits her." Corpus answered.
"And your name?" Liam could just make out the sounds of her flat voice, but in it he could find despair.
He bowed to her gracefully, never taking his eyes off of her. "Lord Corpus Vespacelli of Bartelona."
"Oh." Was all she said.
And it was over. Her turned to their father, grasped his shoulder, and ushered him to be introduced to all in the village. They didn't speak to him the rest of the night.
But when Liam looked at his sister's face again, he felt as if a bullet had plunged into his heart. She was already flickering between adoration and repulsion. How his beautiful, boyish, elegant, snide and human sister could ever love a vampire was something he would never begin to understand.