Chapter 6: The Lady's Gifts
Darkness took a moment to take the picture in. Her violet and black gown, the way her damp hair hung about her shoulders, the paleness of her skin almost reflecting the firelight. She was truly his queen and it showed from the glint in her eye to the way her head was held high even in her uncertain surroundings. It made him proud in his choice.
"You called me, my lady?" His voice, even though booming in his chest was almost a purr, a growl of pleasure.
Violet took a deep breath then turned, looking up at him. He could see her uncertainty, her ache and her terror. It aroused him.
"Yes…I…was hoping for some company…" She bit her lower lip and looked away, wondering if asking for him was the right decision.
Darkness settled down in the chair parallel hers. "I aim to serve you, my princess. If there is anything I can do to make you happy…to pleasure you." He smiled at the words, "Is there anything you want or need?"
Violet looked around the darkened room. It had donned on her that there was one key thing missing from this room that she longed for and would dearly missed if she were to stay here for any extended amount of time. She wondered how to put it into words. "I…I dearly love to read, Darkness." She said this softly, her mouth forming around his name sent shivers through her body that were only just maintained. "I love to learn…and I miss my father's library. Could you…" she looked up at him, "Is there any way you could provide me with…at least a small bookshelf?" She hoped it wasn't too much to ask as a captive.
Darkness took a moment then chuckled softly. "My lady, I will provide you with an extensive library. I have, at my disposal, the wisdom of the ages and would happily give it all to you."
As he spoke, his exile, the space and time he dwelled in, imperceptibly flexed and swelled around them until a new door appeared opposite the one to the bathroom. Looking up, Darkness smiled approvingly and gestured with his hand towards it. "My lady, your wish is my command."
Violet turned, confused at first then understanding dawned on her. She glanced back at Darkness as she slid out of her seat and stepped towards the door. Slowly, she opened it and peeked inside. It was a library that was easily ten or twenty times larger than the king's own. There was another fireplace, smaller than the main room's but it, with a few sconces, gave ample light to read by.
Stepping inside, she ran her fingers over the nearest shelf of books and read the spines. Most of the titles she had never heard of, some she couldn't recognize the language. "These are…beautiful," she whispered as she took down a large volume and ran her hands over the calf-skin, the gold leafing, the delicate threading.
Darkness followed her and watched with a strange longing. The expression on her face as she looked at the books was that of a lover reunited with their beloved. A distant part of him wondered if such an expression would ever be turned upon himself.
"For you, my lady, anything," he said softly and touched a strand of her hair. She jumped a little but did not move away from his reach. He could see her blush crimson at his nearness and he wondered if his proximity was having an effect on other parts of her.
She turned and looked up at him, "Have you read all of these?" There was an awe in her voice at the idea.
Darkness nodded slightly, "I know them all." He ambled over to a large char in front of the smaller fire. "I would like nothing better than to sit, and talk with you about the many subjects entombed in this library."
Violet carried the large volume to the other chair. She seemed slightly overwhelmed by the library. The very shelves seemed to reach beyond her ability to see. Her hands absent-mindedly stroked the book's spine.
Watching her fingers stroke the leather made Darkness' mind wander at how her hands could feel upon him.
Author's note: I am so sorry at such a short chapter! Thank you all for the rave reviews! I blushed at reading them all! I promise the next chapter will not only be longer but steamy ^_^