A/N: I'm sorry if it took me that long to update. I'm still trying to get my thoughts organized. But I finally got some inspiration after listening to music from various sources. Yes, I'll admit it, I'm a music lover. (Note: Listen to "My Immortal" for Esther's POV and then listen to "Bring Me To Life" for Abel's POV (c) Evanescence and for the final piece for Abel and Esther listen to "All I Need" by Within Temptation.) This chapter will also be hosting upcoming Romantic Fluff. (Squeal.) Warning: before the romantic fluff... (Cries) there are scenes that will no doubt bring tears to your eyes. Even I started crying while writing this! Here it is: Chapter X! (Oy! I can't believe I wrote SO many chapters!) Thank you all for your patience. :)
Chapter X: Albian Reunion
If all else perished, and he remained, I should continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn into a mighty stranger.
- Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights
The morning snow had turned to ice by mid-afternoon.
The evidence of the previous blizzard that morning had vanished and sunlight streamed through the frosted glass. Buckingham's formal meeting hall, in which the Privy Council normally assembled, was vacant save a handsome blonde man, garbed in formal white and black robes, and a beautiful Milanese woman garbed in robes of crimson, or rather a blue tinged see-through hologram of that woman.
True to her word, Cardinal Caterina Sforza had made contact with Buckingham Palace and was currently speaking with the Earl of Manchester, Virgil Walsh, about what had truly occurred in Albion. In normal circumstances, a Cardinal speaking with a vampire was unthinkable, even treasonous; however, times had changed and vampires, now properly called Methuselah, had equal rights with normal humans. This had been made possible because of the Holy Father, Cardinal Caterina, the Empress of the Tzara Methuselute, and more importantly, the monarch in question.
"So we find one grain of truth, the Knights of Tudor had attempted to assassinate the Queen. Thankfully, they failed to kill her," Caterina replied to Virgil's news, letting her concern be known. "If this is the case, then what we had seen was a half-truth, one that would no doubt lead us to doing the unthinkable."
"Indeed, Your Eminence. Her Majesty was attacked and was presumed dead for a time. If weren't for her wit and intelligence, and the loyalty of her people, she wouldn't have survived.
Otherwise, we would be in the midst of another Terran-Methuselah conflict of Post-Armageddon days."
"We still might," Caterina cut in. "Cardinal di Medici is still planning on unleashing the Inquisition's full might against Albion, even if the Queen is still alive. Fortunately, his reason is no longer justified. Let it be known that Albion has the full support of the Ministry of State."
"That is fortunate. You have no idea how it lightens my spirits, Your Eminence," Virgil put his hand over his heart and bowed his head slightly.
"May I ask, Your Excellency, were the culprits just the Knights of Tudor, or was there another...?"
"I bear your same suspicions Lady Sforza; I sense that the third world power had equal involvement. Adam Sutler, the Knights' chief whip, whispered their common phrase before he drew his last breath."
"Igne Natura Renevantur Integra... (1) So, it's been two years... Contra Mundi has now made his move," Caterina remarked. Her razor-glint eyes sparkled beneath her monocle. After her visage had calmed, she spoke again as nonchalantly as possible: "Tell me, what happened to Count of Memphis and Father Nightroad?"
A brief hesitation flashed across Virgil's composed visage. "The priest and the Earl... well, they were…"
"So, what more have you to say, Lord Speaker?" Esther asked while jutting her chin toward the mastermind of her attempted destruction.
"Yes, I have learnt..." Sutler showed no sign of fear. Instead his lips twisted up as if rejoicing that his real intentions had finally been understood. "I have learnt that you have been brainwashed by these foul leeches! All Gyula did was manipulate you in death as all the rest of them have done! Now you think you can brainwash these people, too? You think you can deceive me? If only there was hope as you say, but if you are committed to follow this path, then I cannot exist anymore in this world you would create and..." the Lord Speaker's fist that was upon his heart then flicked to his neck, "I will see to it... that...YOU CANNOT EXIST EITHER!" And, in a flash of motion, he set that plan in to action.
Abel's superhuman eyesight caught Sutler going over the rail of the podium with the speed of a Methuselah. The AX Agent then realized, a little too late, that when Esther revealed herself his gun had lowered from Sutler's head to his torso. The outcome of Abel's choices, shooting him or, worse yet, going into 80% capacity Crusnik form and slicing Sutler, caused him to hesitate. There were too many people, both Terrans and Methuselah, in this room that could become collateral damage should he either use his revolver or them. Besides, if all of Parliament saw him in Crusnik form, Esther's reputation in the Church would be severely damaged, as well as Caterina's.
That hesitation allowed Sutler to go from mid-air above the railing to land upon the aisle. In his hand was a stiletto knife, almost resembling a surgical scalpel, with its blade aimed for Abel's love. As Sutler reached the center of the chamber, Abel then made his move. With unwavering steadiness and superior speed, Abel caught up to the Lord Chancellor and grabbed him round the shoulders with his left arm and with his right hand; he nearly grabbed the foul knife that was meant for Esther's destruction. The Chancellor had no idea how that priest caught up to him, but when he saw the black sleeved arm attempting to bar his weapon from its sacred task of freeing the Albian people from her spell, his hand temporarily had mind of its own. He flipped the blade in his clutch and delved it into the first thing it came in contact with: the priest's stomach.
Abel felt the sharp jab of pain, but it wasn't enough to stop him from holding onto Sutler. Using his free hand, Abel grabbed his opponent's neck and jerked him upright, deliberately slowing them both down so that Her Majesty's guards could see what was occurring. No human eye in the chamber could see what was in the works between the priest and the disgraced lord. All they could feel were drafts made by the movements of the combatants and the sounds of clashing limbs. Then suddenly, right before the Queen, the traitor and the mysterious priest materialized. With no hesitation, the Queen's handmaidens, as well as the forest green-haired Methuselah noblewoman, moved in a flash of blue, gold and red and a barrage of bullets echoed throughout the chamber.
The black clad whip of the Tudor Knights then fell to his knees, before falling completely to the emerald green carpet before the Queen's dais, crumpling like London Bridge of Olden Days. He had been shot numerous times thanks to the quick minds and hands of her most loyal guards. Crimson blood then seeped from his prone form, from both the bullet holes and his mouth.
"This is just... the beginning..." he sputtered, his words garbled by the blood. "Once... Mein Herr has unleashed... his wrath...our nation will be ... Igne Natura Reneva..." Like Brutus and Cassias (2) before him, Adam Sutler earned the reward of traitors.
Esther stood stunned and unmoving, shocked in to silence. Her lapis lazuli eyes were glued to the shattered form of the man who had attempted to kill her. She dared not look up because she knew what she would see when she did, dared not take in the image that she had seen before that had left the greatest scar upon her heart. It was only the sound that made her to do what she had refused to do.
A long languid intake of breath, as painful to her ears as it was for the person slowly trying to expand their lungs despite the punctures in them, caused her to look up just in time to meet Abel's winter-lake like eyes, clouded with the most peculiar mixture of agony and relief, before he collapsed in a heap on his back. The moment of silence ended with the sound of the priest hitting the floor.
Chaos reigned in Parliament once again.
"If it weren't for the bravery of Father Nightroad, Her Majesty would have lost her life. The injuries he sustained were not only from the stab wound, but also from unintentional gun-shot wounds made by my sister and the handmaidens; however, he is currently in stasis. The Count of Memphis has a horrible case of silver poisoning. Fortunately, the poisoning didn't lead to his death, but he will remain human for a few more days until the silver is out of his system. They are both currently recovering in the medical wing of the Palace," Virgil informed the Cardinal.
"That is fortunate. But tell me, what of those whom were holding the Count of Memphis captive? Were they arrested?" Caterina asked.
"Unfortunately, no. Jasper Heyer, the Baron of Burnett, and Horace Ethridge, the former Lord of Appeal, escaped during Sutler's attack. As for Draco Dascomb, Viscount of Wolverhampton, the authorities caught up with him attempting to sneak out of the Royal London Hospital. Lewis Stone, Earl of Leicester, is currently in our custody, awaiting for his hearing. Seeley Creedy, the late Lord Chief of Justice, was found, as you may presume, dead in a nearby dustbin."
"So that leaves you two culprits to apprehend, Lord Walsh. Has general public received information about this?"
"The Albian Media has let out that Esther survived the explosion and the 'corpse' Scotland Yard retrieved was an automation. The media has also been notified that the previous terrorist attacks on the Ghetto, the London Bridge and St. Paul's as well as the assassination attempt were all the work of the Tudor Knights. Their popularity amongst the Terrans is certain to drop and, hopefully, true co-existence may once more exist amongst our races in Albion. The media has also been informed that the people must be on the lookout for Jasper Heyer and Horace Ethridge."
"That's good to hear. Tell me what of-" Caterina was cut off by the appearance of a second hologram, a disheveled Sister Kate.
"Your Eminence, I'd normally hate to interrupt your conversation, but His Holiness, or should I say Cardinal Francesco, has ordered that Albion be placed under Vatican Martial Law. The Inquisition Fleet has just left and is heading for Albion as we speak."
"What?" Caterina lost her composure at the audacity. She should have known that Francesco would take the opportunity to strike out at both His Holiness and the Accords when she wasn't looking. The action he had just taken would no doubt have the peace treaty between the Vatican and Albion up in flames. Not only that, but Francesco had proved to her that he would lash out at Alec behind her back to do so. What had angered Caterina even more was that Francesco was doing the very thing that the Enemy wanted him to do.
"Forgive me, Your Eminence, Your Excellency," Sister Kate bowed her head toward both the Cardinal and the Methuselah nobleman, "I know this is all short notice, but..."
"It's all right, Sister Scott." Virgil replied. "It's fortunate that we have learnt of the Ministry of Doctrine's intentions before they land their ships, so we may prepare ourselves. I think it's time that the Privy Council and the College of Cardinals meet together for the first time."
"I agree," Caterina said. "If there was ever a time for that, it would be now. I believe it would solve the issue at hand concerning the St. Paul's destruction, the so-called 'death' of the Queen and call off the Inquisition. May I ask, are you certain Her Majesty can handle something like this? Not that I doubt her political prowess, but something on this grand a scale has never occurred before in either the Vatican or Albion."
"I am certain Her Majesty can handle it. It would be wise to put our faith in her."
"Speaking of Her Majesty... what happened to her after Father Nightroad was wounded?"
"Her Majesty..." Virgil spoke hesitantly, "well, she..."
It has been two years.
Two years since I had last seen him... Two years since his death at my own hands... Two years that I wasted mourning him... Two years that I had believed him to be dead.
Now that he lies before me, wounded, broken and bleeding... because of me, once more.
That day comes back once again, as though it was only hours ago. The strong and bittersweet scent of roses and incense filled my nose. My hands were balled into small fists with my tearstained face pressing against the ebony of his coffin. My sorrowful pleas for forgiveness echoing the pain in my heart for my lost beloved, all that came back into mind from my memory.
I did this... it's all my fault. Father... I got in the way and I killed you! I was helpless... I just stood there and watched it happen! You weren't meant t die like this... not in this place. I never... I never had the chance to repay you. All those times you saved my life. And now... now I never will! I'm so sorry. I'm hopeless... I'm useless... I couldn't save you! I couldn't do anything.
Ironic that this should be a replication of our last encounter and yet completely different. Instead of a sanctuary, I am in the medical wing of my own palace. Instead of a casket where the altar should have been as his resting place, he lies upon a soft mattress. Instead of opaque wood hiding his body and his face, a white sheet conceals him up to his chest and his face is oddly at peace, reminding me of that time when he... died. The smell of alcohol and peroxide fill my nose instead of the sweet perfume flowers and the rich scent of incense. I am at his side once again and yet he cannot hear me, nor can he respond, suffering from wounds that were on my account. This time, my face stained is with tears not only of sorrow, but of anger. At first I was angry because he had let himself get hurt, but it occurred to me that he could hardly engage that other side of himself in front of all of Parliament. He would not endanger them to help himself. But even as I answered that question, dozens of others took its place.
Where has he been... what has he been doing?
Was he injured all this time... in a coma or a healing trance again...?
Why didn't he return to me...?
Why didn't he just let me know he was alive if he couldn't come back...?
What was he trying to protect me from, if he was trying at all...?
Was he hiding from me, thinking himself an unworthy monster again...?
Was anything I ever said to him ever going to matter... ever going to get through that thick skull of his...?
Why is it that we hurt each other...?
What's wrong with us that we just can't be happy with one another...?
Why can't we just be together and be happy...?
What will he do when he wakes up this time...? Will he pursue him again?
Will he survive this time?
How many times will I have to live through this again?
And again?
And...
Again?
"Lady Esther," the quiet voice of Virgil Walsh, my closest friend and advisor, cut into my reverie, "the Privy Council is assembled and awaiting you."
Then I heaved a great sigh. "So there is my answer," I thought sadly. I gazed longingly one more time at Abel's visage, one that had haunted my dreams and memory, so quiet at the moment. "As long as there is more than me and thee in this world, we cannot be together in peace. (3)"
Twilight had descended upon the land.
It was an unusual time for the Privy Council to assemble. Most of their meetings normally took place during daylight hours. The only exceptions were emergency meetings called before dawn. As such, a council meeting at this time was a rarity, one that had never occurred before. A greater rarity was the knowledge that the College of Cardinals would attend this meeting as well.
Currently seated were the two noblewomen of Lancaster and Cardiff and the Scotian Prime Minister waiting with a sense of calm, despite the tension in the air being so thick it could have been seen by the human eye. Prime Minister James Stuart, the Duke of Edinburgh, was a devout Catholic. However, after the previous Pope Gregorio XXX caused great scandals within the Vatican for publico habet concubiem, (4) and wasn't deposed for heresy. This caused James' faith in the Church to greatly waver, so much so that once he had publicly announced would become an Anglican, if the Pope wasn't removed from office. Such an action would have had James put to the stake for 'heresy' because he didn't share the beliefs of the Vatican. Having the whole Vatican meeting with a Privy Council session was indeed beyond stressful. As such the cherry wood staff in his clutch could have burst into flames from the friction of his elderly hands. The Countess of Oxford and "Lord" Privy Seal Integra Hellsing was a close friend of Cardinal Caterina since their college days. As such, she was not distressed at the thought of seeing her again, despite the circumstances. However, the same could not be said for the Countess of Cardiff and Home Secretary Victoria Ceres, who held critical feelings toward the Church, though mostly those feelings were directed at the Inquisition. After all, not only did those "bloody hypocrites" and "that bastard of a Chief Minister" hold with positively Machiavellian tactics in both foreign and domestic policies which naturally made her blood boil, but worse still they were hell bent on destroying her race. Having to face the Duke of Florence in a joint meeting would be as enraging as when she had had to restrain herself from ripping Sutler limb from limb during Parliament.
The double gilded doors to the Council chamber opened, revealing the Earl of Manchester, still garbed in his Parliament robes, and the velvet black-clad Albian Queen. Her stern visage held traces of anger and sorrow, whether it was because Virgil had briefed her about what Francesco planned to do to Albion or from the near assassination at the hands of Sutler, they did not know. Virgil then activated a holographic projector in the center of the room, disguised as a circular pattern on the tiled floor. Before the Council were the holograms of the white robed Bishop of Rome and his crimson clad elder siblings.
"Your Holiness and the Sacred College of Cardinals of Rome, we of the House of Manchester thank you for attending at such a late-"
"Enough with the pleasantries, vampire!" Cardinal di Medici declared in a huff. "What is the meaning of this, Caterina? Why is a parasite addressing this august body?"
"It would be unwise to address him as such, especially before this Council," Integra advised, twirling a lit cigarillo in her white gloved hand as she smirked.
"Brother," Caterina interrupted distastefully. Having to acknowledge kinship to him left a bitter after taste in her mouth. "The Earl of Manchester is the Lord President of Her Majesty's Secret Council. We are having a joint session with them so we may reveal the truth of what has truly occurred in Albion instead of relying on questionable media files."
"We already have the truth. The truth is a vampire killed the Albian Queen; therefore, they all should be addressed as what they truly are," Francesco countered scornfully.
"That. Is. Enough," Victoria snarled, exposing her fangs. "That word is an insult to us and that is NOT what we truly are."
"Lassie, we are not here for a Congress dance (5), let me handle this." James rose and moved towards Virgil, although he pointedly did not take his place in the center of the projection. "Me apologies, Yer Grace Cardinal di Medici. We seem to have sum misunderstandin's here. Misunderstandin's thot could hav' grave consequences if we were to allow them to go unchecked. As Prime Minister of Albion, I would care to hear sum specific clarification on certain events."
"Clarification?" Francesco echoed, not sure where the noble was going but pretty sure he would not like it when he got there.
"We've heard things, rumors really, to the effect thot Albion had been placed und'r Martial Law. If such a wild speculation were perchance true, then on whot basis would ye have made yer decision?"
"How did -?" The Chief Minister of Doctrine cut himself off before he say more than he intended on an open channel.
"On whot basis, Yer Grace?"
The Cardinal of Venezia cleared his throat before speaking. "On the basis of the destruction of St. Paul's (6), one of the Vatican's most prestigious cathedrals, and the assassination of the Albian Queen Esther I."
"As you should know, Your Grace," Integra said after taking a drag from her cigarillo, "St. Paul's was destroyed by Albian traitors whom we have been pursuing and will take into custody. Therefore, I believe the Vatican has no reason into declare us under Martial Law because St. Paul's destruction was an act of national civil disobedience."
"However," the Chief Minister of State for the Vatican interjected, "the assassination of Her Majesty is of international concern, especially of concern to the Vatican, considering she is one of our Faith."
"True," the Duchess of Lancaster conceded. "But it would appear that the assassins were also domestic terrorists. Only if the College of Cardinals had proof that other elements were involved in this act would the imposition of imperium in imperio in any way be justified."
"Integra, what are you doing?" Victoria whispered irately.
The Countess of Oxford shushed the Countess of Cardiff before the Duke of Florence spoke again.
Francesco crossed his arms over his chest and glared sternly at the holographic interface. "Domestic terrorist or not, they attacked the Vatican when they destroyed St. Paul's. Inaction against these murderers is what emboldened them to attack the Queen!"
"Indeed," Virgil commented. "Then you gathered intelligence on these terrorists that you would like to share with us?"
Lord Walsh's interruption had the desired effect. Cardinal di Medici's visage reddened and his fists clenched as his arms suddenly returned to his sides. "It should be obvious, even to you, vampire!"
Integra grabbed the Home Secretary by the forearm before she could react. "Don't," she hissed under her breath.
"It doesn't matter who committed the acts, the facts are that not only was a Vatican stronghold attacked, but a sovereign ruler of the Faith was assassinated!"
"So, yer true reason for declaring Albion under imperium in imperio is the death o' Queen Esther?" the Prime Minister drawled.
"Precisely!" Francesco barked.
"Your Holiness, Your Eminence," Virgil addressed the Pope and the Cardinal, "You both agree that the reason the College of Cardinals placed Albion under Martial Law is because of Her Majesty's demise?"
"Y-yes. I-I a-agree to that," stammered the young Pope.
"Isn't that what I just said?" the Chief Minister of Doctrine snarled.
"Then," a clear voice rang out, "there is no reason for the fleet to continue here, is there?"
If there was a moment that the Chief Minister of Doctrine had shown any form of fear in his life, it was now. There was shock on his face, but the look that had predominantly formed on his visage was dread. His eyes become as wide as saucers and his mouth hang open like a fish out of water. If the gravity of the situation were not so severe, more than one member of the Privy Council would have been tempted to laugh out loud at the sight. His Holiness, on the other hand, showed great relief and joy upon his young face, knowing that his best friend was still alive, so much so that the shield Francesco shattered had returned in full force.
Her Majesty took her seat at the head of the room upon a simple ligneous throne.
"Esther... Blanchett?" Francesco stammered, his voice rising a few octaves. "What is the meaning of this, Caterina? The Queen supposed to be DEAD! How is she-?"
"Were those not the last words that Adam Sutler spoke, just before his untimely demise?" Victoria snarked to no one in particular.
"As the saying goes, reports of our demise were greatly exaggerated," the royal redhead advised him coolly. "We do agree that many believed us to have died when the Gates were destroyed, Your Eminence Cardinal di Medici. However, it was a means to find those who have attempted to murder us, to make them believe that we had perished so they could make a public move of treason. If it weren't for the intelligence of His Excellency, the Prime Minister," she nodded her head to the Scotian, "we surely would have left this world."
"S-so that means, you faked your death to save Albion?" His Holiness Alessandro spoke up while his brother was rendered speechless.
"Indeed, Your Holiness." The Queen bowed her head slightly before the head of Christendom before her stare hardened upon Francesco. "As Your Eminence has dictated that reason for this attack upon our sovereignty is because of our 'demise,' then we would be gladdened if you, General Commander of the Inquisition, halted any further advancement of the Inquisitorial Department upon Albion."
Francesco found his voice again. "I cannot do so, Your Majesty. Your life was threatened and therefore I believe the Vatican has full rights to send the Inquisition in order to protect you, as you are one of the Faith."
"Indeed," Esther commented dryly. "Your concern is touching."
Caterina could see the wheels turning in her brother's head. He was most desperate to the situation. It made her suspect that he knew more about Esther's assassins than he should have.
"This attempt upon your life is a severe international crisis that MUST be put to a halt before the violence escalates. What if an Imperial vampire had actually attempted to take your life instead of domestic terrorists, what are you to do then?"
"We have a better idea of how the Inquisition can serve us." Esther smiled ironically and there was a sardonic lilt in her voice that Francesco didn't like. "We would like the Inquisition to look into how the Knights of Tudor, the traitors that attempted to assassinate us, managed to obtain some of their drugs, ones the Inquisitors use to give them the speed of a Methuselah, the ones that the Knights had used in the hopes of killing us." As she spoke the Queen revealed a small vial with cobalt-blue contents.
The Department of the Inquisition was considered the "Fangs of the Church," for good reason. They were a military force that viciously exterminated any and all perceived threats to the Vatican, especially vampires. Over the years, the Inquisition had created a booster drug that accelerated the body's nervous system transmitting speed so they were able to cope with a vampire's 'haste mode.' It was unfortunately highly addictive and, as a result, Inquisitors were the only ones allowed to carry such drugs because they had been extremely trained in both mind and body, far beyond that of the average human.
"Indeed, Your Eminence," Integra chimed in. "It would seem that your efforts would be better spent ensuring the security of Inquisitional supplies."
"We will await the results of your inquiry as to how did Adam Sutler and the Tudor Knights obtained these goods," the Albian Queen declared, "and we will thank you to halt the fleet until such time as the traitors, wherever they may be, are located. I look forward to your report."
"We shall leave the Fleet in Normandy, Franc," Francesco declared, "so that they may be available to assist Your Majesty should you require it."
"Or ready to return to Rome, should they not," Lord Walsh countered.
"Your Highness," said Francesco curtly to Esther before cutting the transmission.
And with that, the meeting was ended.
It would have been inappropriate to say that the Queen was stressed.
No, this feeling was worse that stress, she was fatigued. Her brief encounter with death and the concern for the condition of her people weighed heavily upon her, but the main factor to her fatigue was the platinum blonde priest that she thought was dead for over two years. She had excused herself quickly after the meeting. Walking upon the familiar path to the medical wing, she was trying to organize her thoughts until she crossed through the threshold and beheld the sleeping priest.
Esther sighed. All that worrying came to nothing. She was worried about what she would say to him if he was awake, or what she would do if he was gone, vanished, like he had never come. She didn't know what was worse, seeing him awake and probably angered with her for what she had done to him, or seeing him goofing around attempting to hide himself from her, or even worse, seeing him gone. She knew the latter option was the worst of the three because if he had left her after saving her, that would tell her immediately that he didn't care for her as she had for him. She knew that Sister Noélle had feelings for him, but she also knew, from what Father Nightroad had strangled out after the Silent Noise incident, that Noélle had confessed to him her feelings and yet he couldn't return them. She could only guess the heartbreak Noélle had suffered, but what hurt Esther worse was seeing Abel's agony about hurting Noélle before her untimely death. While Esther reminisced over this, another thought came into her mind, why didn't he return Noélle's feelings? Was it because of another woman? Was it because of a past sin? What if he-
"Esther?"
It took the Queen a millisecond to recognize the alto voice of a teenage youth...
There he was lying upon the white-linened bed next to the silver haired man. His shirt was off and every inch of his torso and arms were covered in plaster white bandages, harmonizing with his pale skin. His light blonde hair was slightly disordered, if not a an inch longer than the last time Esther saw him. His coppery eyes held traces of surprise and longing as he smiled at her, slightly exposing his canines.
"Ion," she said, then corrected herself, "Your Excellency."
"It's been awhile, Esther," Ion answered.
That smile brought out a surge of warmth, while at the same time sent a cold chill through the young woman. The warmth came from her happiness to see Ion once more, that he wasn't hurt- especially after the wounds the Knights had inflicted on him and that he was still the same sweet young man that she remembered. The chill resulted from her guilt. Guilt for not even noticing him during Parliament, guilt for not even giving him a second glance here in the medical wing and especially guilt for her feelings for Abel that she knew were the same ones the Methuselah felt for her.
"Thank whatever gods that spared me from silver overdose. I almost thought those Terran scum-" he caught himself, fearing giving offense to Esther, but she smiled and said she didn't mind because she felt the same way about the Knights as well. "-would have done me in by their own carelessness, even though they wanted me alive."
"They wanted you alive?"
"They said they needed an assassin for their little scheme, just so happens I was the one they had chosen to play the part. After they were done showing me off and once they were in charge of Albion, they planned to have their supporters put me to the torch," the Count spat out.
"That's horrible. Are you sure you're alright?"
"Never better, now that you're here. Though, unfortunately I will be weak as Terran for a few days, until the silver is out of my system."
As happiness over Ion's condition and prospects for healing flooded her mind, she immediately found herself worrying about Abel's condition. How bad was he? How long would it be before he recovered enough to speak with her? This was followed by a fresh wave of guilt over thinking about the priest instead of focusing her attention on the conversation she was having with the wounded noble.
While these thoughts pooled in her mind, Ion smirked, then chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Esther inquired.
"It's just like when we first met, only this time, I'm not trying to take out your throat," the young Earl smirked.
"Yeah," Esther sniggered at the memory, "And I'm not aiming a gun at you."
They laughed lightly. "Be honest, this feels more like that time when we were at that hostel, when we got to know each other a little better."
"Indeed." She smiled at him as she neared his bedside. What the youth said next sent an unintentional knife through her.
"Then you had told me that you were on my side."
That alone reminded her who else was in the room along with them. She made a quick glance over at the sleeping form; fortunately he hadn't moved an inch. Another tremor of guilt washed over her as she felt herself splitting apart, one half of her wanting to stay by Father Nightroad, the other half wanting to comfort the Methuselah lad. She had hoped that Ion didn't see the flash of hurt that crossed her face. Unfortunately, he caught on and his expression changed.
"Your Excellency..." She nearly whispered, but the Count cut her off.
"Esther... do you remember... what I asked you that day, before you left for Rome?"
"Yes."
"I said I would become stronger, and then I would ask you if you wanted to stay in the Empire with me."
"Yes, and then I said, 'Ask me, then,'"
"Well, I would have asked you, but... now I can't."
Esther found herself caught between shock and -though she hated to admit it- relief. Her face must have shown the former instead of the latter.
"It's alright. I know, as you are the Queen of Albion, you have to stay here. I know, back then, I felt that you could have been protected from the terrors of the Outer World if you had stayed with me. But my main reason for wishing you to stay was actually a selfish reason, because... Ever since I met you in Carthage, and in our time in the traveling to Empire together... I... I cared for you, and even to this day... I still do."
"Your Excellency..." Esther knew that she cared for Ion, possibly loved him. Sure, she enjoyed his kindness, his consideration, valued his beliefs and enjoyed his company, but the way she felt for him was like the love that friends felt for one another, possibly the way an elder sister would care for a younger brother. She didn't want to have to hurt him, but what was worse she didn't want to play with his heart by giving him any false hope. "I... I'm honored about the way you feel for me, and I hope that you will continuously support me and grant me friendship... but... I... I c-"
Esther tried to speak again, but Ion's fingertips went to her lips, silencing her.
"You don't need to say it. I know, because the same way I care for you, is the same way you care for Father Nightroad, isn't it?" she could hear the lacing of sadness in his voice and saw it in his eyes. He saw the flash of pain that crossed her visage, then he spoke again, "Relax, I'll be good."
Esther looked at him questioningly, "What do you mean by-?"
"Esther, have you ever read Wuthering Heights?"
"Yes, I have, recently in fact. But I didn't know Imperial Methuselah read-"
"My Lady Grandmother had that Pre-Armageddon novel in her library. She said it was so filled with Terran misfortune that she decided to collect it. Grandmother had me read it during my studies." Ion groaned at some unknown memory.
"What does that have to do with-?"
"'And there you see the distinction of our feelings: had he been in my place and I in his, though I hated him with a hatred that turned my life to gall, I never would've raised a hand against him... I never would've banished him from her society as long as she desired his. The moment her regard ceased, I would've torn his heart out, and drank his blood! But till then - if you don't believe me, you don't know me - till then, I would have died by inches before I touched a single hair of his head!'" Ion quoted fluently. He spoke again, this time with determination, "Even though back then I thought Heathcliff was the epitome of Terran evil, I can now understand how he felt. Though our main difference is, I don't hate Father Nightroad, but sometimes I feel that makes it worse."
"Your Excellency, what do you mean?"
"I respect Father Nightroad. It's uncomfortable sometimes to be angry with him over... I mean, when it comes to…" Ion took a deep breath, or as deep a one as he was capable of at the moment, then blew it out slowly. "I'm not going to split you apart. I'll be your friend, Esther. I won't ask for more than that."
Esther didn't know what she was doing until it was too late; she wrapped her arms around Ion
"Thank you," she whispered into to his ear, their faces pressed together in their tight embrace. "A friend is what I need more than anything right now."
In the next bed, Abel let out a low moan, startling them both. They broke apart and Esther turned toward the priest, hovering over him, afraid to touch him.
He was in darkness.
He wasn't floating or falling, he couldn't even tell what he was doing.
Was this Hell? He wouldn't deny that he had deserved this place, marked as he was with blood and blacker sins. But, there were no fires, no pains, and no tortures as his teachings had told him. If not, then where was he?
Then, he heard it. The cry of sorrow and pain. But the voice cracking with hard sobs wasn't his own, but a young girl's.
NOOO! FATHER!
He knew who this voice belonged to, and, oh, God, it hurt to hear it in such pain.
Esther... his beloved star.
Then he saw a light, like one at the end of a tunnel. He followed it and, instead of finding himself in what some would say Heaven, he found himself in a Cathedral. It was lit with thousands of candles and the stained glass windows were dark, minus the light of the twin moons, indicating that Night had fallen. He looked over to where the alter should have been, but... instead of an alter there was a black ebony casket, surrounded with even more candles and crimson roses. What caught his eye was the white form that was kneeling over the coffin and the unmistakable scarlet hair that was peeking from under the wimple.
I did this... it's all my fault. Father... I got in the way and I killed you!
Then it hit him. The one in the casket... the one Esther was mourning over...was him. This was the time of when he had arrived in Albion, the time after he had perished and it was here that they were holding his funeral.
I was helpless... I just stood there and watched it happen! You weren't meant t die like this... not in this place. I never... I never had the chance to repay you. All those times you saved my life. And now... now I never will!
Oh, how much did he want to tell her that it wasn't her that killed him, but the one who blasted the hole in his chest. He couldn't just stand there and watch her as she beat herself up over his death. He had to do something. A part of him wanted to reach out and enfold her in his embrace; another part of him wanted to yell out that it wasn't her fault. While he was listening, he could almost feel tears threatening to spill over his cheek.
I'm so sorry. I'm hopeless... I'm useless... I couldn't save you! I couldn't do anything.
"Miss Esther…" he whispered, hoping that she would hear him, "Don't do this. I made the very same mistake that you are making now. I mourned someone I cared about for nearly a millennia thinking it was my fault, when in truth it wasn't. Please listen to me, Miss Esther, it wasn't your fault. If he wanted to kill me, there was nothing you could have done to stop him. As for those times I saved you, you don't need to repay me. It did it to protect you."
She couldn't hear him. He walked over to her and put his arms around her... rather, he would have if they hadn't gone right through her!
He couldn't believe it. He hadn't left for either Heaven or Hell; he was still in this world. Then he realized, he couldn't leave... His soul couldn't bring itself to leave Esther behind.
Then, he heard another sound; it was a soft, beautiful soprano voice singing. The song carried both longing and sorrow and pain. The song was an echo of what Esther was feeling, yet there was a hauntingly familiar ring to the song... he had heard this music before. It struck him... it was the song of the Sybil, the very one she had used when she first met him. If that was so, she was here... he quickly glanced around looking for any traces of her, but to no avail. However, after the Sybil sang a beautiful ending note, her voice echoed in his mind once more; raw guilt and sorrow was heard in her tone.
Forgive me... I failed thee... Thou, Seth and especially... Cain. Had it not been for me, thou and thine woulds not had to suffer from my neglect... Forgive me. Tell her what is thy request of her, so that she may make amends.
What was she saying? How did she know about his sister and his lost brother? What did she mean by him and his siblings suffering from her neglect? What did she do to his family that required his forgiveness? As cryptic as her message was, one realization came to him: the Sybil's fate was undeniably bound to that of the Nightlords. And as for her request, he felt that the Sybil already knew the answer.
He looked upon his weeping love and replied: "Look after her for me. Please, do everything in your power protect her, as I cannot."
She will do as you ask. However, thy time to return to mortal flesh is nigh. And the star's true identity must be revealed before thou risest. Thou wilt leavest the star to pursue him. In that time, she wilt watch the star from afar, as thou asketh of her. Until thou retunest to the star, she will remain in the shadows. However, should he makest a move against her, she wilt warn thee before it comes to pass. His decisions will be watched, but be warned... He is coming... coming for thee... he wilt fail, but this battle wilt end with broken wings.
"Is this my future?"
It is thy decision to return to thine mortal coil. Thou mayest stay in this form and watch over her forever. Should ye choose to return, this is what shall come to pass. She leaves the fate of this world in thy hands.
Immediately after the Sybil's voice was no more, Abel saw a wheat blonde Methuselah garbed in the darkest black suit cross into the hallowed ground. Suddenly, a white light appeared aloft in the candlelit cathedral and began to brighten. Before the light had engulfed him and everything around him, he caught a glimpse of the Methuselah approaching his beloved.
Esther had to keep control of herself. She needed to keep control of herself, not only for her sake, but for Ion's. The moment after she went to Abel's side, Ion turned over, pulled the sheets up to his neck and closed his eyes, making a convincing feign of sleep.
Esther quickly glanced at him and grinned slightly before looking down at Abel, whose eyes were beginning to flutter. She could almost see behind his thick sliver eyelashes those beautiful winter-lake blue eyes that she had grown to love.
In her mind's eye, she could see herself wrapping her beloved in an embrace and kissing every inch of his forehead, his eyes, his cheeks, behind his ears, his jawline, his neck and... his lips.
As that image came, another image arose of her throwing punches at his already battered body and cracking the back of her hand across his jaw, releasing the anger that she kept sealed within her since she had been crowned Queen of Albion.
She was temporarily caught in her mental musing that she realized she was holding his hand. It was then he had fully opened his eyes and they met her lapis lazuli ones.
Neither of them had ever felt more complete than in that moment, after two long years of anguish and longing.
Abel's hand momentarily had a mind of its own when he reached up to cup her cheek as he whispered her name, the name that had fueled his drive to end the one who caused this world, his star, and himself so much pain.
"Esther..."
Seeing her before him now, he felt as if she were a mirage who would disappear if he had dared to believe that she was truly there and she could feel it as his hand slightly trembled.
She smiled a tremulous smile as she closed her eyes, savoring his cool touch against the warmth of her skin. She opened them again as she brushed her fingers across his cheek, "Are you alright, Father?"
He smiled as he pulled himself up, slightly straining from the still fresh wounds he endured. But he managed to sit himself up and put all his weight to his hands. "I've been worse. By comparison, this is nothing."
"Father, don't say things like that," Esther said, her voice edged with concern and annoyance. "If this really hurts you so much, you shouldn't be-"
"I told you, I am alright." He pulled on her hand slightly, urging her to sit on the edge of the bed. She complied and her free hand then stoked the back of the hand she was occupying.
"I can't believe this," she said quietly. "I can't believe I'm actually talking to you. Seems like a dream"
"A very good dream," Abel agreed.
"So, prove to me I'm not dreaming. Where have you been all this time?"
"Here and there. Bohemia, Estonia, Vienna, Carthage, the Empire, the Dark Lands ... all over really."
"Hmm," she responded, nodding slightly. "And what were you doing... all over..."
"Uh, nothing really... Just uh..."
"You still don't trust me, do you? I may seem like a burden to you... but is that why you let me think you were dead?"
The question hung in the air between them. Abel swallowed convulsively and tried to think of a satisfying answer that did not include revealing that he was hunting the Contra Mundi.
"Miss Esther... it's not that I don't trust you... it's just that it's safer if-"
That remark caused something inside Esther do the very thing she had said she wouldn't do, she snapped.
"SO? Why do you still have to shoulder all the troubles... and also protect me? Is that why you didn't ever come back to me, damn it?"
Her hands squeezed Abel's so hard that pressure she was exhibiting would have made the metacarpal joints crack if it had been a normal human's hand. If she'd had kept her cool, she would have seen the shock in his eyes and the color drain from his face. However, two years of sorrow became two years of resentment and it exploded out of her in a heated string of words.
"You still won't tell me anything, you still dodge my questions with lame half-assed excuses! You say that you're my friend, you say that you're on my side, but you continuously hide things from me. You did it back then and you're still doing it now! I found out about your being a Crusnik by nearly getting killed. I found out you were alive only because of-"
It was nearly mentioning the Sybil that stopped Esther mid-rant. She didn't dare tell him about her. Esther knew that even if she told him, he would have a hard time believing that she found out he was alive because of some weird woman that she met in a graveyard while she was mourning over him on Allhallows' Eve. It was fortunate for Abel that she had temporarily ceased fire.
"Miss Esther, I understand why you're angry-" She cut him off with a denial.
"I'm not angry!" Esther shrieked. "Are you telling me I'm angry? It's very unpleasant to be told I'm angry when I'm not! I have believed you to be DEAD for two damn years! I'm not angry, I'm hurt, dammit!"
"I am sorry, Miss Esther, truly I am-"
"You don't have to apologize all the time!" Esther huffed. Suddenly from her raging eyes, hot tears began to fall of their own accord. Abel's eyes widened at the sight of them. "Damn," her voice cracked "Now of all times, I get 'traitor tears,'" she thought resentfully.
Without warning, Abel's arms wrapped around her in an embrace, pulling her closer to him so she could feel the coolness of his body though the numerous bandages covering him. She could feel his fingers tangle through her red tresses as he buried his face into the crook of her bejeweled neck and his other hand upon the small of her back.
"Esther..." he whispered against her skin. She unknowingly blushed when he called her name without the usual honorific. "I am sorry, forgive me... I never meant to hurt you." She made a small gasp when she recalled the words of her dream. "I will tell you the truth. I was... I was hunting down my... brother."
"Your brother?"
"Yes," his voice came out ragged. "My brother... he was... no, is... the Contra Mundi."
Her eyes widened at the confession. Now it all made sense. Now she knew how he resembled her beloved, how he could be a Crusnik, and how he could so easily be the Enemy of the World. She wanted to ask how one of her beloved's kin could become a monster in human flesh, however, her desire to know where Abel was for over two years overridden her desire to know more about him. She decided to let Abel continue his tale.
"He... is the reason why I left. I didn't... I didn't want him... I didn't want him to hurt you. I felt that... the only way that I could protect you from him was to keep his eyes on me by staying away from you. I... let you think I was dead because... I... didn't want you to think I was alive and then die afterwards. I felt that... it would hurt you worse than believing me to be dead... than for you to find out that I was killed. All this time, after two years, I thought that he would leave you alone. However... I eventually found out... that my plan... had the opposite effect and... he was coming after you anyway. I never wanted you involved in the darkness of my past... I never wanted you involved in my sins... but now... that Contra Mundi has dragged you into this... I apparently have no choice now... but to stay by your side... as I had promised you."
Esther felt something that she hadn't felt in those two long years of agony: hope. It was a feeling that she could give to others, but not something she could keep for herself. If her hope came to nothing and Abel left her again... it would kill her. Where Gyula, Radu, Dietrich, Sutler and the Contra Mundi had not been able to finish her off, hope would do the job. However, a part of her wanted to believe him that he had left for her, that he left to protect her and that he had come back for her...
He could hear the skepticism in her silence; he could feel the doubt in her rigid form, like she was preparing for the impact. He raised his head from the crook of her neck and held her shocked face between his hands, making her lapis lazuli eyes meet his light blue ones.
"Esther... I will do everything in my power to protect you. I will tell you the truth and I will tell you how my past has affected everything that is happening now. Please, Esther... I can't leave you, I won't leave you. This is my promise to you, now that I'm at your side once more." His last words almost resembled a prayer, a prayer of atonement and of conviction.
Esther was still caught in her mental musings until Abel had spoken. As she took in what he said to her, she noticed that his eyes were currently unobstructed by those unnecessary glasses, his silver-white hair was flowing freely down his back and she could see the well-tone muscles of his chest and his arms, all enhancing his ethereal beauty. A beauty that had enchanted her when she first met him in István when she literally ran into him at the train station and then again when she was officially introduced to him at Gyula's palace in the Buda Province. However, it was when she looked upon those mysterious crystal blue eyes she saw a great sorrow, loneliness and longing. Somewhere within her, she wanted to do everything in her power to relieve that anguish and free him from whatever burden was weighing him down. That feeling reminded her of why she fell in love with him from the beginning.
She placed a hand upon his cheek and whispered. "I do believe you. But if you ever leave me again..." her voice then carried a dangerous edge to it, "you're dead."
Abel smiled wistfully, "I echo that sentiment. I don't think I can leave you without the risk of death."
Esther smiled, truly smiled, a second time over the course of two years. "Then I will hold you up on that promise." She closed the last inch between them and her lips brushed against his with a soft caress.
Next Chapter: Endeavors and Encounters
Avert Not Thine Eyes
A/N: OMGosh! I can't belive it. I wrote FLUFF! YES! (Does an Irish style happy dance.) Unfortunately... I left you all an eeeevil cliffy once more. (Laughs manically.) Victory! Victory for 'Sid! I guess that is the result of the partial Sith Lady in me. (Note: my mother was a Jedi and my father was a Sith Lord. True fact.) Now that Abel is officially stuck with Esther, WTH is going to happen with Mr. Heyer and Mr. Ethridge still on the loose and Cain is still targeting her? Those questions will be answered in the next upcoming chapter of TBR Ch. XI! (Sorry, I've been watching too many ads for movies.) I also have another FF in the works for Sailor Moon. I might update it after the first TBR book is done. Wish me luck ;)
(1) The Manga stated that this phrase means "By flames shall the earth be reborn," however, but the actual Latin phrase means: "Through fire, nature is reborn whole."
(2) Brutus and Cassias were two of the Senators of the Roman Senate that assassinated Julius Caesar in both Roman History and Shakespeare's classic Julius Caesar. Brutus' intentions were pure, for he though if he removed Caesar, he would free Rome from "tyranny," but Cassias' intentions came from a desire for power. Seeing that Sutler's intentions were both, I thought I would draw the parallel between these traitors.
(3) Quoted by Jedi Skysinger, from her original WIP novel (which I am not saying here in case of copyright infringement.) Ironically, she's my editor in this WIP Fanfiction, and I'm her editor for her novel, seeing she wrote it back long ago when Heavy Metal was the thing (the clothes, the hair...oh the horror.)
(4) Quoted by of Huggcio of Pisa who stated that a Pope who publicly fornicates and publicly keeps a concubine can be deposed, because to scandalize the Vatican with affairs, is in itself, heresy. The full Latin quote is: Ecce piblico fornicator publico habet concubiem. Cardinal Guiliano Della Rovere who eventually became Pope Julius II attempted to remove his rival Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) from power using that as his basis for Rodrigo's deposal, because Rodrigo was corrupting an already corrupt Vatican, and Rovere wanted to return the Vatican to its state of purity. (Thank God it did, in later years. I was a firm supporter to Pope John Paul II, (requiscat in pace) and he was a perfect example for what a Pope should be. Including little Alessandro. ;) )
(5) Reference to Der Kongress Tanzt. After Napoleon's fall from power, Europe met together in Vienna to determine the fate of their countries; however, they couldn't get along and ended up dancing at the end of the meeting, instead of solving issues. (Note: Hetalia reference.)
(6) Research on St. Paul's Cathedral. I had made a mistake thinking that St. Paul's was the Old Bailey, which I found out after I posted my recent chapter. The Old Bailey is the #1 Courthouse in all of Britain, not a cathedral for worship. St. Paul's is an Anglican cathedral, so do not mistake it for a Catholic one. The reason why it is such here is I needed an incentive for Francesco to want to wage war with Albion without violating the Accords and what is one thing that sends the Inquisition into high gear: an attack on the Faithful. So in this FF St. Paul's is a Catholic cathedral, if anyone is offended by this, my sincerest apologies. FF backstory on St. Paul's, it was once an Anglican Church, but after the Armageddon Queen Vivian (who helped establish the underground Ghetto along with Lilith, true fact,) needed to make a gesture of goodwill with the Vatican. She didn't want them to take control of Albion by using an alliance with them (specifically to keep them off the scent of the Methuselah who had just arrived off of the continent to escape persecution.) This gesture gave the Vatican a stronghold within the nation, not only was giving St. Paul's over to the Vatican to keep them away from the Methuselah, but to also keep watch on them if they intended on taking over her country
And I now wish to thank Aperio and smcandy for their wonderful reviews. Thank you.
Mysteriously Yours,
ObsidianEmpress