Since my internet is being a little dick, I've uploaded all the chapters I've got so far for this story ^-^ reviews much loved. It'd be nice to know if anyone is liking this. Fat chance but you never know XD
Jocelyn rode ahead without Lucian the next morning, memorizing the map Valentine had left for them. The Idrisian countryside was the same as ever- lush and beautiful.
The ride didn't take very long, and she spied the mansion in the distance as she trotted forwards on her horse. There was a stables, but it was overcrowded so she tied Bellatrix to a tree next to the stables and walked to the front door of the mansion and knocked. A maid answered the door and smiled ushering her inside to a room where everyone was gathered but for Lucian. Jocelyn relaxed as she stared around- she wasn't the only one wearing normal, mundane clothing. Her eyes flickered to each one as they greeted her, hugging Maryse back as she got up and enveloped her into her arms. Amatis followed suit and Jocelyn felt her cheeks become sore from how much she was grinning. It felt like she belonged.
But where was Valentine? He wasn't here.
Excusing herself, she stepped into the entrance hall and stopped dead as the sound of music filled her ears. Her sharp eyes flickered to a mahogany door across the hall and stepped forwards, biting her lip a little as she slipped into the room, staring at the back of the white blonde head as he sat at his piano.
"Claire de lune?" Jocelyn said quietly and the music stopped, a quiet "I'm rather fond of Debussy." A pause and Jocelyn walked over to where Valentine was sat, seating herself next to him and swinging her legs forwards, a grin on her face as she starting to play.
He watched her slim fingers work at the keys, Clair De Lune playing quietly, as perfect as his own had been. After a moment of watching, Valentine joined in, matching her note for note with Jocelyn speeding up her pace, glancing to the young man to see a playful smirk upon his face as he matched it with ease. She ended up with stiff fingers, groaning out "Fine, fine. You win."
"That was beautiful." He complimented her, raising a hand to brush the stray auburn strands from her eyes, tutting out. "How does one as exceptional as yourself not have a lover?"
Jocelyn gazed into his eyes, laughing out quietly in response, imitating him. "Oh? Then how does one as handsome as yourself not have a lover?"
Valentine smirked the tiniest of fractions. "I'm a hard man to please."
She smiled sweetly at that as she got to her feet, telling him "Now that I refuse to believe. Have you not seen all those women with their eyes on you?"
"They look at me with lust."
"I wouldn't attempt to play the virgin card with me." Jocelyn laughed, wondering if that had come across as too rude, but he just laughed, eyes following her every movement. "I'm not a virgin, Jocelyn. I wouldn't even attempt to lie on that."
She wrinkled her nose. "I really don't… I mean, didn't want to know that."
"Oh yes you did. You can hardly talk on those matters."
Jocelyn fell silent, and Valentine nodded slowly, understanding in an instant. "Oh. Now that I wasn't expecting."
"Not all of us sleep with the first thing they see, Morgenstern." She told him in an amused voice, wondering why she wasn't feeling embarrassed- she'd basically just told him that she was a virgin. Valentine smirked at that, cocking his head at her. "If that was true, why aren't you naked in my bed already? I've clapped eyes on you a good few times."
She wasn't expecting that at all, almost stumbling as she made her way to the door, turning around with a scoff in her throat. "Excuse me?"
Valentine held up his hands, eyes bright in amusement. "Calm down. I didn't mean it like that."
"Good." She snapped, walking out the room without a single look back.
Jocelyn sat on the swinging hammock in the vast garden with a bottle of beer in her hand, staring at the grassy floor. She was thinking about… everything. But always seemed to come back round to thinking about him. Valentine. The popular boy that seemed to be taking such an interest in her. Him and his silly 'fan club.' Stupid clever, handsome, charming man. Urgh.
Just as Jocelyn was about to give up, get on Bellatrix and ride to her parents for she'd had enough of this place, Lucian ran out with his face paper white. How long had he been here anyway? He hadn't told her… oh yeah. She was mad at him.
"What." She said in a grumpy voice as he stood before her, and he said quietly. "I don't think the party is going to happen. In fact… I don't think the meeting tonight will happen either."
His tone scared her, and Jocelyn looked up with widening eyes, asking in utter confusement. "What-? Why? What's happened?"
Lucian just whispered out. "A rider… came along. Valentines father, he went on a raid last night to a werewolf encampment… he was…"
Jocelyn didn't need to hear the rest to know what had happened- his father was dead. She felt numb, and as the sound of smashing reached her ears from inside, she didn't have to guess what the mans son was doing. Jocelyn felt herself scrambling to her feet, running towards the mansion and through the backdoor to see a vase smash into the living room from the music room with a yell. It was just… so full of grief.
Maryse and Amatis were stood in the kitchen out the way while Michael and Stephen tried to calm the young man down, but it was no use; he was beyond consoling.
Jocelyn poked her head past the door to see Valentine storm into the music room and slam it shut behind him, no doubt sealing it with a rune. She stepped forwards and pushed the two men away, sighing out. "Leave him alone. Just… give him time."
They paused, but listened to her as they walked back into the kitchen where Jocelyn watched Amatis snuggle into Stephens arms. So they were together… Maryse blinked at the sight of them, and Jocelyn saw her eyes flicker to Richard at the other side of the room.
Valentine had been right. They were in love, it was plain to see.
They mansion was silent that night, a few of them had indicated that maybe they should leave, but Richard shook his head and muttered out that Valentine was their friend. They couldn't leave their friend in his hour of need.
It was just gone midnight when Jocelyn walked barefooted into the hallway and put her hand upon the door of the music room, attempting for the… she'd lost count. But she pulled at the handle and felt a jolt in her stomach- he'd taken the rune off, or it had faded.
Jocelyn slipped into the room that was lit by witchlight. All of them extinguished but for one atop the piano, illuminating the figure sat before it, a dull sound echoing as he kept prodding the same key over and over again. She didn't know what to say Are you okay? Seemed like a pretty stupid one with what had happened. But it wasn't her who made the first move.
"Could you… relight those witch… witch…" he couldn't get it all out, but she understood, stepping around the room and making each one glow once more before she sat down on the seat next to him. After a few minuets, Valentine looked up at long last and Jocelyn felt her heart twist- his eyes were red and damp. She acted without thought as she took his face into her hands and sighed out. "Oh Morgenstern…. What are you like, hmm?"
"Fatherless." He just muttered out, voice so bleak that Jocelyn felt like crying herself. She doubted anyone, and she meant anyone… had ever seen him like this. So broken and lost. She doubted anyone ever would again after this. Jocelyn let him rest his forehead against her shoulder, silent sobs wracking his body as she hugged him close, stroking the back of his white blonde head with a hard lump in her throat. "Shh." Jocelyn muttered out gently, letting her other hand rest upon his back, wondering why she felt so… suddenly protective of him.
The door to the music room opened once more and she glanced over to see Lucian. For a moment, she swore he was staring at the scene with accusing eyes… especially how she was holding Valentine, but then it was gone, replaced by a worried expression. Jocelyn shook her head a little, indicating he should leave. He left without another word.
Jocelyn held Valentine for next to half an hour while he silently grieved, but then he sat up without warning, wiping his red eyes upon his sleeves and clearing his throat. "You shouldn't have seen that. Don't-"
"I won't tell anyone. I know Lucian won't either." Jocelyn promised, feeling uncomfortable once again as he stared at her. Like it was the first time he was truly seeing her. His eyes never left her own as he placed his hand upon her soft cheek, mumbling out. "Thank you." And with that, Valentine leaned forwards and pressed a kiss to her forehead, letting his eyes close for a moment before he got up and left the room. Jocelyn just sat there, still feeling his kiss upon her forehead lingering. It just felt like… of all the girls he could ever choose, all those that wanted him, so much more than she did… and he'd chosen her. But why? All because of a few acts of kindness? But then Jocelyn remembered that he'd taken pleasure in watching her paint because it was peaceful. Was she the one who had bought him peace?
Did she even like him like that-? He was handsome, clever and everything a woman would want… but she hadn't been looking for a lover. And she might have found one?
Urgh. Jocelyns head was buzzing from all the internal questions, trying to answer them. She crossed over to the door and leaned upon the frame, watching the others fuss over Valentine as he got himself a strong drink of tea. He must have sensed her staring, because he glanced up, their eyes meeting for a minuet or two. Or half an hour. It felt like forever for Jocelyn, staring into those dark, dark eyes.
She had utterly no idea what to say or do, so she smiled weakly at him and knew right there and then. It might take months, or maybe even a year…
But he'd chosen her.