Rain fell, soft and welcomed. In the five days Sophia had spent back at Fowl Manor it had stopped for two days in a row, Wednesday and Thursday, but had started again early this morning. She had woken up, clutching her light wool blanket around her. Listening to lighting and thunder passing the minutes, a decision was made. Something electrical had sparked in the air, calling her upstairs. The winding stairs to her studio took no time at all.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Shadows thrived in the attic studio. She knew the room like her IQ, yet in the darkness it was foreign. A little scary too, with shapes that didn't make sense and flashes of light putting things alive again. Sophia knew where the light switches were, but she didn't bother finding them. The dark was welcoming.
"Well, darkness and misery always work in pairs, right? Or was it depression and misery?" Ah, her forgetfulness. One would've thought it would be long gone by now, but alas. It had only grown stronger in the bleakness of recent events.
A shape moved, scaring her out of her wits. It was near the media center, sitting in an armchair, which must have swiveled forward when she entered. A flash of light from outside illuminated Artemis's face for a few seconds. He sat, fingers laced and under his chin, one up resting on his lower lip. The raven hair was unkempt, leaving a wing of soft night-coloured hair to hide half of his face. From the visible side his brow was raised in either surprise or annoyance.
"What are you doing up here?" He asked, eyes flicking over her form, then to the clock on the wall behind her. It was two a.m. Very early. They had a funeral to catch later that morning, not to mention good-byes. And a flight. He knew she had gone to bed early, but had spent a fitful night of two hours of sleep, pacing, tossing and turning, more sleep, then nightmares, fits…Artemis didn't quite trust her enough to turn off the camera in her room. But when Juliet went to bed, instead of waking his manservant Artemis had sat watching her until midnight. Then he had come up here.
Sophia avoided his gaze. In the last four days she had done her best to stay out of his way unless it was absolutely required. Save meal times and whenever he popped in without invitation, she had been successful. When she wasn't, his icy eyes bore into hers asking, no, begging for answers. It was torture. She didn't have good answers for some of those questions.
"Nothing." she answered quickly. His brow went up even higher. Sophia sighed. Thirty seconds in his presence and all acting skills went out the window. He made her feel like a little girl again. Unsure, unbalanced, unready, unexpecting. Just a whole lot of "un" words. "I'm not sure. I just felt like I needed to be here." She sneaked a peek and saw his expression was mostly unchanged, only more detached.
Neither of them spoke. Something whispered in Sophia's mind, reminding her of some scene in an old movie. Black and white, the woman in a period dress, head held up high. The man sat in some great, winged fireside chair, older and serious-looking. She had forgotten the story line and the ending, but the images stayed in their eternal colorless world. Maybe it was some old Jane Eyre film. She had always hated that book. Completely depressing.
"So…I'll just go. Bye." Better than staying here, staring at each other.
"No!"
Sophia turned back around, Artemis' hand brushed hers. He was just behind her; they were barely inches from each other. He must have jump the moment she said "go". His recent strength and swiftness was really starting to bother her. Sophia veered back as his hand grasped her own.
"Stay." He said softly. It wasn't a request, more of a polite demand. And she did. She stopped pulling and allowed herself to be drawn nearer and nearer until--
"BOOM!!"
A hard bolt of lighting followed by a crack of thunder caused them to jerk apart. Sophie shuddered. "That sounded really close." Her voice was small. Storms were one of her childhood fears.
"Yes." Artemis agreed. "It-" but he was interrupted by the flood of cool, wet air. The windows had been flung open with a "bang" by the violent currents, droplets of water were moving horizontally indoors. Sophia uttered a low gasp, then rushed to close them. Artemis did the same, starting from the opposite row. By design, obviously. He wanted to start where they had left off, ambush if he had to.
They met in the middle window, hands touching. Sophia pushed him out of the way, latching it herself, then pushed the wet locks of hair out of her face, smiling. "That was something to wake a person up." There was another roll of thunder and she shivered. Artemis, unable to contain himself, held her tightly. Gods, was he really going to say good-bye tomorrow? She dropped the blanket, it fell into a damp puddle of wool at her feet. He felt that she was still shivering, was it him or the cold? It didn't matter, he just held on. Eventually she relaxed, and Artemis tentatively brought a hand up to massage her head. Sophie sighed. This was unfair, he knew exactly what to do. She leaned closer, their foreheads touched.
Another bolt hit the ground just outside the window, but neither noticed. Artemis whispered something she didn't catch and slid his hands to her waist. Sophia put hers on the sides of his face, keeping eye contact. This could be their last intimate time together. That good-bye kiss had been nice, but it wasn't "Good-bye". Silent, she raised her face to his, then offered her lips, pursing them. It did not take anymore persuasion.
Hungrily, Artemis kissed her, Sophie returning it equally. This was a good-bye, and they both knew it. Twice as good as the one in her apartment, it couldn't be compared to any sort of explosion known to man. Perhaps twelve atomic bombs. Maybe it was the electricity from the storm, or the sexual tensions from the last five days. Whatever it was, it was meant to be. Rain pelted them, the windows had been opened again, not that either cared.
Artemis all put carried her to the nearest chair, where she put her legs around his waist, both hands gripping his head, pulling him closer. He bit her bottom lip, making her moan. Yes, definitely an atomic kiss. Artemis kept his hands on her hips, not letting her pull out. Not that Sophie wanted to. Not at all.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hours seemed to pass in that one making out session, then in a period of restful silence, basking in the simple joy of just being together, before Artemis spoke. Breath ragged, he whispered while massaging Sophia's scalp, her still-damp form curled in his lap.
"Stay."
Sophia shifted, making an inquiring noise. She was sleepy, about to drift off, and hadn't heard. "Mmm…wha?"
"Stay." He said it louder, more persistently.
The young woman bolted up right, causing Artemis's hands to fall back. She stared at him, wide-eyed for one whole minute, then she leaned back, moaning.
"Artemis. You know…gods, must you? This is hard enough with…this!" She gestured between the two of them.
Artemis felt his heart drop. So she's still planning to leave. "I can't…we cannot. Do you understand? I would ruin your career. You wouldn't be happy, I wouldn't be happy. Your parents would be furious! We-"
"My parents adore you. Unless you were to go into my offices and massacre all of my employees, there's little you can do to ruin Fowl Industries." He impatiently tapped his fingers on the chair's arm, taking the time to lace one of her hands with his again. Confidence was key to convincing anyone of anything, be it a business negotiation or a girl with so silly notion of self-sacrifice.
"I would be ecstatic to marry you, and do everything within my power to ensure you are completely satisfied with the relationship. Regardless of your doubts, I am quite certain I would be much more than simply "Happy". Happiness is in fairy tales. My joy wouldn't be compared to mere words." His eyes suddenly brightened.
"And you already know all of this." He said slowly, taking satisfaction in her well-hidden knowledge. By mentioning those problems in which she already knew the answer, she threw him off the scent of her real concern. One she apparently didn't want him to be aware of. "So what is really worrying you?"
Sophia sighed. He could be such a bother sometimes.
"No, Artemis. None of your mind games tonight." Stupid psychology degree. He couldn't choose some other science?
The billionaire's mood suddenly darkened. "If that's what it takes to convince you. Hilariously enough, you used the same arguments as Tara when I proposed." he spat forcibly. "In spite of who you were, I believe that agreement still stands, even if you shed your alias. "
"No." He would not convince her through guilt. That didn't work for her sister, it won't work for him.
"Then what was that, Sophie?" His acting lent a hand, finally. Blunt refusals hurt. The smooth taunting he shot back was just a smokescreen. It did its job. "If you don't agree, why respond in such a manner?" He slid a finger down her arm starting from the shoulder, drawing patterns of Celtic knots, formulas and swirling vines in her flesh.
"Hormones, you idiotic teen." Sophie hissed through gritted teeth. Gods, why does he have to be so…! In times like this, she truly hated the effect her had on her. "Nothing but a natural chemical attraction. I'm surprised you missed that in your biology classes at Saint Bartleby's. Professor J was an amateur I know, but still I would figure you of all people would have understood simply chemical balances. "
Artemis was surprised, not that he displayed it. He hadn't foreseen her research to be thorough. She knew his school, his classes and educators as well. Possibly even a few classmates. He was impressed. Such deep studying into small detail was only something somebody did when they wanted to cover all angles. It appeared Sophia had made a few mistakes in previous venture, having most definitely learned from them.
Henry Jenkins, the teacher mentioned above, instructed his students to call him "Professor J". He was green when Artemis took his class, made a lot of common mistakes such as treating the boys of St. Bartleby's like friends. Three years total as a teacher when Artemis's class rolled in. Artemis could have taught the class twice as fast (Obviously. It was as much in most of his classes), perhaps even moved as far as online simulated frog dissection, which would have been cheaper, kinder to the frogs that lived in the pond in back of the school, and all over less repulsive to the students. When Artemis had left the dimwits behind they were still cutting open mealworms.
"But it's so much more than that." Artemis assured her, shifting her slightly on his lap so as to get a better look at her. And to prevent his leg from falling asleep. They'd been in that position for a while. "You don't want to leave anymore than I want to let you go."
"Wow, then you should've sent me packing ages ago, because I really, really want to say 'Ciao' for the last time, Arty." She snapped back. Then, an afterthought with a more rueful tone: "I will miss the studio terribly. Pity, really. All the time I spent on it…"
He was tempted to make this banter short. Sophie was obviously tired if she was resorting to such transparent tactics. Yet…he had to give it some shot. He would never forgive himself if he didn't try to convince her. And Artemis had a profusion of eternal unforgiving toward himself.
"Why won't you stay?" Artemis hated to resort to something so close to begging, but it had to be done. "That was more than chemical attraction. You know it. What's your excuse, Sophia? Why?"
When she looked back on this time, Sophia would summon this particular moment with that most clarity. Every hint of movement, everything reflected in Artemis's eyes she would see it down to minute detail. Not that she relived this memory for any sort of joy. Just when she was alone at night, wondering.
In those seconds there was a huge breaking point in Sophia's reasoning, in all of her assumptions. It was monumental. The Great Artemis Fowl the Second international thief, genius, businessman, billionaire, and a hell of a lot more things, was a man.
One that she would hurt very, very much by dumping.
The thought that she would hurt Artemis was one that had haunted her mind for the longest time; that's why she'd given up the plot to plunder his gold. He'd been her friend, her only friend apart from her sister. Then his rage after he had discovered said plot convinced her of his mere fondness, obsessive-possessive caring. She hadn't wanted to hurt him, but did not quite regret it so much after she ran away. Now, here again in the Manor, sitting in his lap, for the gods' sake, it was hard to ignore the realization crashing down upon her.
Artemis was perfectly sane, he had emotions just like any other person (though all evidence said they were either nonexistent or severely repressed at times), and would be so deeply hurt by her…perhaps not as much if she had died in that crash, but still hurt. He might not express it in any normal way, but then again, neither would Sophia herself. She knew she underestimated Artemis's fondness, no love, of her so very much to think that either of them could just walk away from the situation unscathed.
She was beginning to damn every moment she spent here, every time Sasha had convinced her with a "It'll go fine!" in referring to the plan, and every single inch of emotional pain she'd given everyone, especially Artemis Fowl. But most of all, she was damning herself.
"Because." Sophia swallowed. "Maybe I don't love you anymore."
Cliché as the line was, it did the job.
Artemis sat so still Sophia feared he stopped breathing.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
For the briefest second, Artemis believed. Then he looked at Sophia. Really looked at the girl in his lap. The blue-green eyes were wide and watery, reddening slowly. Then she shut them, in obvious pain. Still. Her acting was sorely lacking at this time of the day…or night (it was three a.m., technically it could be either or).
Part of Artemis wondered if perhaps he was projecting, then quickly shooed the thought away. Everything from her pulse (a trick Butler had taught him), expression, to her body language spoke otherwise. She was lying to him. That was frustrating, because now he couldn't tell if she merely didn't want to marry him, or if perhaps she honestly thought he was better off without her.
Still, it hurt. Even in the darkest hour, she'd firmly defended her emotion. Just hearing the words, however empty, caused a ricocheting burning in his chest the refused to go away, no matter how many times he reminded himself she was attempting to deceive him.
"Sophie,"
Tears rolled down her pale, perfect face. Her cheeks and nose were pink, damp and shiny. Snot was forming on her bridge between her nostrils and upper lipp. He hated to see her cry. The tiny vengeful side of him said she deserved it. Today he agreed.
"Sophie," He said again. She had been looking at him, not making any sort of noise or movement to show she'd heard. Artemis, concerned, shook her gently.
"Arty." She gasped finally. "I'm so sorry." Another wave of silent tears. Luckily he was just wearing a dress shirt, and an old one at that. The tag did say "DRY CLEAN ONLY" for a reason.
"Sophia." He repeated three minutes later when the racking sobs had ceased a decent amount, forcing her to look up from where she had nestled her head just under his chin. It fit perfectly, as usual. "It's okay. I understand. I can't say my feelings have changed, but…I understand."
Sophia put a hand over her mouth, squeezing her eyes shut again. Tears came again. Artemis waited.
"I-I am s-so s-s-sorry." Her voice came out in gasping breathes. A constant pulse told Artemis she was sincere, she was very sorry. "If there was a-any other w-way…I-I'd—oh Artemis!"
He patted her back, unsure of what to do next. Truth be told, there wasn't really anything he could do. The only people who could help either of them was each other, and that source of comfort did not appear to be forthcoming. Sighing, Artemis cradled Sophie. She would need someone to aid her today was her sister's funeral. Somebody had to be there to hold her hand and pass out the tissues.
Mournfully, Artemis watched the rain, which was still moving horizontally, and was still pouring indoors. The windows hadn't been closed. Pity, the hardwood floor was nearly two centuries old.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Walking down the gray stone path, Sophia considered many things. Her sister's death. The last three weeks. The last year. An uncertain future. Recent decisions. And last night.
That last thought caused her to glance left, to the man striding beside her, dressed in a black suit, hair smoothed back, and umbrella in hand. Very different from last night. Even in pace, he stared straight forward. She internally sighed. Contrary to his belief, silence would not help her decision in the least. It would only serve frustrate her more. This ceremony, hard enough as it was, only became more difficult with Artemis's refusal to speak. He was practically ignoring her. Sophia might have said as much, if he hadn't said good morning, replied all of her questions and offered his arm as they made their way downstairs to the garden.
When Sophia had returned to her room, she found an outfit lying on the already made bed. Numb, she slipped on the dress, panty hose, and jacket. Juliet must have picked it out days earlier. The smooth fabric hung loose on her body. She'd already dropped a size, having eaten very little in her five days at Fowl Manor. The dress was designer, black with a swirling patter in a darker black, reaching a little above her knee. The jacket was of a heavier cloth, charcoal coloured with pearl buttons. Juliet had been smart in her choice; it was a set Sophia could easily wear on the plane.
Sophia also wore sunglasses, black, simple, slim frames even though it was overcast and drizzling. Artemis made no comment. Neither did Juliet or her brother. They simple fell into step behind Artemis and Sophia, nearly five meters away. It soon turned into seven meters. Then ten. They appear to be giving the couple some space for a private chat, one that neither wanted to have. Or so Sophia assumed.
"Are you alright with a priest?"
Her head snapped up. She'd been staring at the ground, thinking up the names for gray in various languages. When there was nothing left to do, it had often been a game she'd play. Really, the idea had been Sasha's. She had used it to remain fluent. Sophia thought it a wonderful way to pass the time and learn new adjectives.
"A priest?" Why would they need a holy man?
"To say some prays." Artemis replied quietly. "I believe your family is Catholic." He said it like a statement, not a question.
"Yes." Sophia swallowed. "We are. I mean, were."
Artemis grimaced slightly at the correction. "Would you mind much, then, if-"
"Not at all." Sophia cut him off, halting in the middle of the walk. He paused a few steps ahead, turning back. "And thank you. For arranging this."
His cold expression softened. "Sophie, you don't need to thank me. It's what anyone would do. I was afraid you were going to leave without saying a proper good-bye. This is the least I can do for you."
Sophia didn't know if by "good-bye" he meant one to him, or one directed toward her sister. She would ponder it later. Now she had other business. Taking the few feet that separated them she took Artemis's hands into hers. He squeezed her fingers, briefly closing his eyes like he was trying to save the memory.
"It's something that a lot of people wouldn't do, Artemis." Her voice was serious and low. "Something I don't think I could stand to do if I was in your place. I know…" She drifted off, eyes becoming unfocused. "I know…. Can we talk after this is over?"
Artemis blinked. "Of course."
"Artemis?" Butler had rounded the corner and stood before them, eye brows raised. "It's nearly time."
Artemis remained frozen. This was how he had imagined a much different day. Sophie (He had long since adopted the familiar nickname) sneaking in to see him one last time, Butler warning him it was about to start…only, certain people would be dressed in white and Butler would have a corsage pinned to his lapel. That was all gone now. How had his plans been left in such array?
"Ah." He removed his hands and straightened himself, pulling on the cuff of his jacket and his collar, smoothing away imaginary wrinkles. Sophia stepped back, turning to Butler with a sad smile.
"You look dashing."
Another line Artemis had credited to his wedding day. It was a tease. Butler wore black suits everyday; Artemis doubted that Sophia had ever seen him in anything else. How like her it was to be cracking jokes at her sister's funeral. But she'd had plenty of time to cry in the last weeks. When there were no more tears, why not amuse yourself with a few chuckles? Besides, her sister wouldn't thank her for the sobs, anyhow.
"Thank you, Miss Iver."
Sophia gave another smile. "Sophia." She corrected, with a gentle nod.
"Shall we?" Artemis asked quietly. She merely nodded and grabbed his arm, one he hadn't even offered yet. He felt a bit smug, but that quickly died. Perhaps she only needed it for moral support. Or help to walk, it was hard to tell.
The next moments passed in steady stride toward the farthest corner of the garden. Secluded, quiet, and in an area hardly anyone visited (being a far walk, it was less tempting than the hedge maze or fountains) the red corner was perfect for laying Sasha to rest. Sophia reported red had been her sister favourite colour. The square had only red, pink, and orange flowers. Its opposite had blue, turquoise, gray and other cool colours of greenery and its own fountain. Tara often went there to mediate, saying the calm shades helped in letting her mind go.
Eventually they arrived. Juliet, a priest, an a small group of Ivers stood around the opening in the earth, a mass of umbrellas and dark cloth. A few people greeted Sophia, nodding and giving small smiles. Sophie, ever the actress, returned them. Her hands shook, though that was part of the cover. She'd already done her "numb-I-can't-believe-this-is-happening" period of the mourning. Even if this was only family and friends, she wasn't about to let them see her really cry.
The Iver sisters did have a few surviving relatives, which included their uncle in Bali, an elderly aunt in Liverpool, twin cousins in California, a step-grandmother and grandfather in Argentina, some other cousins on their father's side that were university students in Dublin and another uncle in Moscow. The aunt, cousins, step-grandmother and Sasha's close friend, who had worked for their father but now owned a deli down the street from their apartment, had all come to the Manor under Sophia's request. They were the only trusted friends and family, the un-honest ones having disappeared years ago.
Sophia took her place, front and center beside Artemis, one hand on the coffin. They had told everyone Sasha died in the plane crash Artemis had originally thought Sophie to have died in. A perfect excuse for a closed casket service before the burial. Sophia ran her hand along the flat wood, squishing the droplets of water that had collected on its surface. The cold rain felt nice on her cut palms. Artemis nudged her, giving her a "Ready?" sort of look. She nodded, pulling back her hand.
The priest began prays in Latin, slow and deliberate in each passage, sprinkling holy water on the casket when called for. Each word was said like a song. Sophia followed along in her head, wondering for the millionth time why people didn't still speak Latin. Such a lovely language was wasted on Mass and classification of species. Poetry would be ten times what it was if written in the old tongue . She wasn't really paying attention, and was the last one to say "Amen". Then it was time to say a few words. The priest smiled kindly, gesturing for her to take her spot beside the corpse.
Artemis had been in a rush to plan this, therefore it was untraditional. Normally these soft praises to the dead were said at the viewing, and by family friends. In this service, the two were combined. Both funeral and viewing. Prays were said by an unknown priest, the only one handy, and to top it off the prays were in Latin. For a swiftly arranged service, he thought it was going quite nicely.
Sophia stepped up to stand on the other side of the casket, eyes downcast. When she looked up, the speech was still forming, though it was near completion. She had assured Artemis one would be written. If she played it out right, he might believe her ad-libbing.
"My sister wasn't very happy during her last few days." Her voice was slowly reverting back to original accent, somewhere between an Irish brogue, English vowels, and hints French drawl mixed with quick ends from the Spanish her mother taught her. All in all it was a unique sound. She could influence one or more of the accents to make a sole nationality.
"She was leaving us to return to New York." Several family members smiled, recalling the young woman's love of the big city. "And I didn't want her to leave. We fought-" What an understatement. "-about it all the time. She was old enough to go. But I thought she wasn't ready, she didn't have enough control, she'd go off her medicine. And told her as much. I regret the things I said, and I am sure she had too, when she boarded that plane. "
Sophia cleared her throat. "You didn't know our family very well due to Da's job, and we didn't really know yours. But I am sure grateful that you're here today with your support. Things have hard. They're getting harder. So I'd just like to say, thank you for coming. Sasha is smiling down on us today."
That speech had been mainly directed toward the family. Filled with backgrounds from previous lies, it wasn't too difficult to say. However, the second act…
"Butler, Juliet." Both bodyguard looked up, expressions controlled. "Thank you too, for your help in this. I don't think I'd have made it through with out you."
"Artemis…" Sophia paused. "That goes double for you."
Impersonal as the thanks may have sounded, she had a better one for after the service.
The priest stood again, leading the small group in one last pray before the coffin was lowered gently into the hole by the grounds man and his assistant. Before it hit the bottom, Sophia tossed a burgundy rose onto the black polished wood face, and straightened to say farewell to attendees. Perhaps for the last time.
Butler, Juliet, and Artemis all stood back as she gave hugs, kisses, handshakes, and other parting rituals before approaching her as the last cousin ambled off. Juliet offered a hug while her brother placed a massive hand on Sophia's shoulder. She smiled up at him, reassuring both Butlers that she was perfectly fine. Artemis agreed with her personal evaluation. She was fine. Sad, yes. But she'd done all of her crying, and was in the firm belief that her sister was probably better off in some afterlife than to spend one more day tortured by voices and confusion. It was a hopeful sign. In the brief times Artemis had spend with her in the last five days she had been very, very quiet. He assumed it was guilt. Now he had a sneaking suspicion that it was not her dead sister, but in fact Artemis himself. His own surprise by that fact made him a victim of self-scolding for not noting it before. Of course she was uncomfortable around him, any moron with a Ph.D in psychology could have figured that out. And it didn't take much more brainpower to know why.
"Would you like…some time alone?" He gestured to the gravesite, which was being filled by the grounds man and his assistant.
The young woman shook her head firmly, her mouth set in a grim line. "No, but thank you." Her expression softened. "I've said my good-byes…to her."
He winced at the rather blunt hint. Shortly, if no one could convince her otherwise, Sophie would board the Fowl's own private jet heading straight to New York. She would return once a year to mourn her sister's passing and setting business affairs in the country. It took wheedling from Juliet to convince her to stay at Fowl Manor during her visits. Juliet had confided in Artemis that Sophie burst into tears at her request, saying she'd rather have her hair plucked out one by one than return every year. "I don't want to want him to watch as my life goes by, getting his hopes up every time, and vice versa!" Sophia had moaned. While the statement broke his heart it also proved she still cared for him, in some, perverse, unshakable form.
"Will you walk with me?"
Artemis nodded, assuming she wanted that talk.
XXXXXXXXXXX
They didn't leave the garden. Instead, Sophie led him to the fountain pavilion where he'd first planned to propose.
This seemed to be an odd pattern. Last night they were in the studio, another place he had attempted to ask in. Where next, the forest? Artemis winced. Trampling through the wood in these clothes did not appeal to him at all.
She sat on the stone edge of the pool, dipping her fingers into the water. The rain had let up a little, it only sprinkled light drops. Sophia flicked off her sunglasses, sliding them into her coat pocket. No sun yet, thank goodness. A muggy, humid day would not be to her liking. At the current temperature, a cool, damp breeze, her plans were already askew.
"Such a shame." She murmured. "That we must part on these terms. 'I leave it you last saw it, disheveled by your hands'."
"Lady Sono No Omi Ikuha." Artemis said suddenly, "'Everybody Tells Me'. 1976 translation."
Sophie smiled and nodded in approval. "One of my personal favourites, though I can't claim to be a big fan of Japanese poetry. It's choice of words that agreed with me."
Artemis didn't reply, choosing to instead lean on the low wall across from the fountain, supported by his palms. Neither spoke. Sophia examining her nails, Artemis looking around. Awkwardness wasn't something either could afford at this moment, not that they paid attention to that fact. Taking all the time to gather her bearings, Sophia politely waited for Artemis speak first.
"I want you to stay."
Sophie glanced up. "I know."
The young man sighed. By this point in time, Artemis was ready to beg. He hoped he wouldn't have to resort to this. But there was no other alternative. Sophie wasn't just dropping their life, their plans, their future.
"I'm hoping that will be enough."
She gave a faint smile. "It is, darling. However, your happiness means more to me than that."
"You have a terribly perverse idea of happiness."
"Yes." She agreed, expression apologetic. "But in the long run you will be happy."
"Do you have evidence to prove that theory?" Artemis demanded, voice sharp.
"Quite a lot, actually." Her voice remained calm.
Artemis threw his hands up in aggravation. Debating wasn't going to help the situation. Every complicated tactic had so far fail; time to attempt something simpler.
"Why?"
"You've already tried that." Sophia said lazily, lying on the capstones, gaze turned to the water where droplets created rings on the once-glass surface. She could imagine fat dragonflies flitting across the pool, like they use to do back at home. Metallic green, silver, blue, and turquoise, pretty net wings that flashed and fluttered in the sunlight.
Quite abruptly she was pulled up into a sitting position held by Artemis. He kneeled before her, eyes flaming. If Sophia hadn't been so shocked, she might have been annoyed. But shock left hardly any room for much else. It was unlike Artemis to manhandle her when thing were so serious.
"We have only three hours." His voice was shaking slightly. "Sophie, for god's sake, just answer! Before you leave at least give me that." Why must you make everything so difficult?
Sophia, still staggered, actually did the unexpected. "I-I don't think you really like me. You proposed to Tara and well, I…I'm Sophia. You can't simple pick one and get both. Artemis I'm not Tara! I am Sophia Iver, somebody completely different. I'm sorry but you're in love with…basically an imaginary person. Your claim to love me, even be fond of me, isn't valid. I think maybe…" Her voice got very small. "Maybe you're projecting what you want me to be, who you want me to be. And I can't be Tara Gavin all of my life."
Artemis promptly dropped his hands. She'd said something to that effect a few days ago, not that he'd paid much attention to the comment. Yet, she couldn't be right. Artemis knew Sophia as well as he knew Tara, a truth be it he had a lot more feelings toward the real girl. In all the time he'd observed her when he knew she wasn't putting on some act Artemis became certain of his feelings.
Sophie, concerned by his silence, gently prodded his elbow. "Artemis? Do you want me to leave?"
There was no answer.
"Artemis?" She asked again.
Nothing. Sophia waited, hoping he'd just snap out of it. After three full minutes of silence, Sophie was alarmed. He might be going in to shock! She thought, distresses. Her logic, which had been banished to the deepest corners of her mind with all of her sarcasm, shook it head, scolding. You're acting like a ninny. It said.
He was still on his knees in front of her. Sophie put her hands on either side of his face, rubbing the area beside his eyes where the eyebrows stopped. That particular spot help relieve stress. Then the young woman mentally slapped herself. It wasn't that place! The place where the ear and jaw connected, that was it! How could she have forgotten? All it took was to slide her hands down and processed to massage the stretch of skin.
"A-Artemis?" There was still no response. "Artemis?!"
Sophia rubbed vigorously, bring her face closer to his. He was really scaring her.
In another ten seconds Artemis gasped, a shudder running through his body. Sophia gave a tiny surprised sound herself, then hugged him. "Are you alright? Can you speak? Don't do that to me, I was so worried, you great prick…"
"I'm fine." He panted. "Just…delayed reaction from your…news last night. "
Her mood suddenly changed. She dropped her arms. "Of course."
"Thank you."
"No problem."
Another awkward silence. What was there to say? Good-bye? Sophie had brought him here for a reason. There must be something she wanted to say.
"I am so, so sorry things cannot work out." Her voice was soft, quiet, apologetic. "I…I tried, Artemis, I really did. I want to be right. But there isn't any way."
Artemis had a spark. It was tricky, she could potentially deck him, but if successful would be more than worth it.
"Do you love me?"
She frowned. "I told you last night—"
"You told me." Artemis eyes were glinting with his usual brilliant mayhem. "But you didn't prove it to me. You're a terrible liar at two in the morning. Most of the time I cannot detect any deceit. However," he said, voice growing stronger. "your voice was on target. Nearly."
"I don't love you."
He continued as through he hadn't heard.
"As good as you are at lying, I am more than willing to gamble that you cannot look me in the eye and say your pretenses, Sophie." He looked her coolly in the eye, taking in some pleasure as she flinched. "Care to challenge that bet?"
"What are your wagers?"
Artemis gave his usual sly smile. "You know my demands."
"No."
His gaze softened. Neither of them reacted when he took her hand. "Sophie, do you want to stay?"
"No…no, I do not want to stay." Her voice faded, expression weak. She absolutely hated it when Artemis had the upper deck. There was nothing she could do about it. They were just going around in circles. Unless she just said what he wanted, her flight would be delayed. After all, Artemis controlled the plane, the car taking her to the airport, and just about everything else she needed. All promises aside, he could easily keep her the entire day, or until 11:59:59 if it so humored him.
Artemis moved swiftly to cup her face in his hands, forcing her gently to look at him. Sophia couldn't even break his grip. A surprise, for Artemis wasn't known for his physical strength. Has he been working out? She wondered. Artemis hated any physical exercise. Maybe it was her subconscious again.
"Sophie." The seriousness in his tone stopped all the struggling. "Do you love me?"
"No." Her own voice cracked slightly on the vowel. "Shut UP!" her mind yelled. Not that she paid it any attention. When had she heeded its excellent advice?
The expected then happened. Artemis, of course, kissed her. It was like the night before, atomic. Big, perfect. In sync. Thousands of words could describe the moment, yet there were none. But neither tried. They were too busy.
XXXXXXXXXX
The jacket lay on the flagstones, damp from the still drizzle. Sophia had liked it, and it really was a shame that the wool now had a large tear in the back. Vaguely, she thought of mending it later, then brushed away the idle design. More important things ought to fill her mind, like Artemis. Speaking of which-
A low mumble and then a jabbing on her shoulder broke her thought. For all the times it had happened, this pattern should be called habit. A fight, a kiss, then waking up ages later beside each other. Well, she woke up. Artemis had a tendency to sleep in.
Sophie glanced up. Artemis's face was above hers. Arms held her possessively close, legs tucked to fit the curve of hers. Deep, steady breathing told her he was still snoozing. How they had fallen asleep? No matter, the problem now was waking up.
Everything felt so perfect Sophia was tempted to stay in the semi-aware state she was currently in. Alas, the need to remember recent even was great. The last thing she could recall was their argument, then…he asking if she loved him…the lie and then…and then…Oh. Sophie felt her cheeks flame. Oh, my. Wow. They hadn't gotten that far before.
She rolled over, looking at the pavilion ceiling. After they started somehow they'd moved into the covered patio where the Fowls had afternoon tea and company parties in the summer. Wide benches ran along the length, ones so big they could double as short tables if needed. Angeline normally had thick cushions attached, making the seats considerably smaller, but they were removed as a result of the recent downpours. The space was just large enough for two bodies to fit comfortably, something Artemis and Sophia had taken advantage of. Today they were damp, like their occupants, from the sprinkles of H2o falling from the clouds.
Important things needed to be considered. Am I staying? Can I leave after this? Or would that drive him so over the edge that he'd…that something could happen? Sophia wanted to stay, wanted to so bad. But the desire for Artemis's safety and happiness was a stronger pull. A sun's gravitational pull in comparison to the moon's.
"Why couldn't you stay? Give it a shot?"Sophia cringed at the voice's intrusion into her thoughts. Strangely, it was the same one that had tried to convince her she didn't need Artemis, back in Italy. "Don't you want to?"
"I'm no good for Artemis. Besides, in the long run, I'll hurt him more by staying."
"Do you even hear yourself?! You've hurt him the most by saying you're going to leave! You will be saving him by staying, have you seen how this boy acts when he thinks you're gone?'
Sophie knew this was simple logic but somehow…"It's not that simple."
"It's not that hard, either. You are both more than smart enough to make thing work."
"And if they don't?"
"Then you can decide."
"But I can…can't just…"
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? How did Gavin raise a girl so stupid? You can! You will! Don't even think about avoiding this! You've run away all of your life, now face the problem like an adult! " The voice yelled, scaring her. Ironic. She was scaring herself. " Are you staying or are you leaving? Are you going to take the easy route by turning your back on the last thing left, or are you staying to figure it out?"
"What do you want me to do? Ruin his reputation, career, life's work, life in general, house, family-"
"Do you think he cares?" The voice demanded. "Hasn't the poor boy proven enough already that he doesn't give any damn about that? You're the one that is holding it all together. Artemis would go to pieces if you weren't there anymore."
"I—I can be sure of that."
"There is little in life one can be sure of. That's what makes it worth living." The voice answered wryly.
She could hardly disagree with that statement; she'd preached the same to Artemis on their first meeting. As the rules of debate, Sophie forfeited. Whoever her voice represented, they were right. Terribly right. "What should I do?" she asked in a small voice.
It chuckled. "You'll know when the time comes."
"What? That's cliché and stupid! No, tell me—"
A squeeze interrupted her silent argument. A cold hand trailed down her spin, ending just below her waist. Somebody was awake. The legs beside hers shifted, the breath in her ear lightened.
"Sophie?" Just a whisper. Barely louder than the drizzle around them.
Silent, Sophia simply reached over to grasp Artemis's hand, still on her back.
"Stay." He breathed, a low moan echoing in the tones. Her head shifted to fit under his chin. Trembling, Sophia nodded. There was a sharp intake of air.
"Yes." She whispered, closing her eyes again. Now that they had the whole day, she was going to catch up on some sleep. Now that they had many, many years ahead of them, she was going to tell him "I love you" every day.
Artemis sat up, cradling the half of Sophie leaning on him in his arms, looking down. Scanning her face, his expression relaxed a hint. He thought it was perhaps a cruel joke. "Sophie?"
Groaning, she waved a hand in his general direction. "Whatsyourprobl'm?" came the drowsy murmur.
"Are you staying?" He demanded.
The exhausted young woman cracked an eye. "Yes, Arty." She stretched, then curled, sweeping a hand down to pick up Artemis's fallen jacket. Wrapping it around her, she closed both eyes again, yawning. "I am. Forever." Her voice lowered as she drifted.
"Forever and ever, until you don't want me there any more."
Artemis sat up fully, keeping a hold on her, leaning his back on a beam. As Sophia slowly drifted, inside his mind he sang, cheered, danced…he had not been so happy in a very, very long time. In fact, Artemis could not recall such jubilation. Perhaps it was true, that saying about how it is always the darkest before the dawn. At least this time, there is a dawn to come.
As night slowly overtook the pair, Artemis planned and thought, but his mind kept coming back to one sole thing. Stroking the rust-coloured locks that lay in his lap, he knew nothing would ever beat this moment.
"Forever." He said softly in wonder, looking down at the person in his lap that was now his for that long amount of time.
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READ THIS!!
And so we reach what is the next to last chapter. Basically the end.
However, I have some offers. You, my duckling, have me as putty in your hands. I have some "What-if-ers" that are in 1st to third chapter form. The better thing for you is, there are two of them. Two very different alternative endings. Can anyone guess...
Nah, I'm not that mean. I'll go ahead and tell you.
Story 1: Artemis either catching Sophie before he has that change of heart OR she never had the chance to escape at all. So we're mind-wiping her! There is no second option. We just are. So what will Tara Gavin be like? Can Sophia break the walls and take back her memories as Artemis did? Will they get married? Will I be as kind of an author, dishing out the poetic justice?
No. No, I will not.
Honestly, I can't say, I'm still working on the plot. But I can tell you this story will be darker and fully full of misery. I haven't done anything too depressing yet, have I?
This will undoubtably be called "What the Voices Cry", so as to make it easier to you who DID NOT add me as your fave author, story, or on any alerts. And because I'm being so kind as to do this, you should totally add me right now!!
Moving on!
Story # 2: Takes place after this chapter. Only, Sophie leaves. They makeout, then she leaves. If you didn't miss that one part above, you'll know she's coming back every year, STAYING at the Manor, and a bunch of other stuff. I'm making it maybe 6, 8, or 10 years down the road (yes, I have a fondness for even numbers. I mean, come on. They're EVEN! Nobody gets left out.), making Arty in real life, 30, not so-many years (3) older than the world thinks. Sophia comes home to find Artemis is basically being suicidal over the last months (he's been fairy quiet and not trying to kill himself over the last few years, apparently) and is somewhat on his last leg. However, he wants one more adventure. One that only Sophia Iver can provide. Or rather, her blood can...'
No, I am not making Artemis a vampire!! Dorks, it's some great family-blood/inheiritance thingy! And possibly some undercurrents of Arty's ...
I'm thinking about combinding them into one big 2-part fan fiction. But maybe not
So, we shall wait and see. I'm not positive over the release date. I want to finish, or at least get near to finishing Red Sky and Last Impressions.
Read Red Sky, by the way, it rocks.
Dania