Our Lost Souls

Okay, so how is it so far? Personally, I think it is flowing better than the last one! Alright, here's Chapter 2!

II. Vampire Prince:

Howl paced impatiently as he waited for the human King, Jacob to remove himself from his chambers and speak with him. "Who does he think he is?" He grumbled under his breath. "He's not the only royal here; I do not like being kept waiting."

Cracking his neck, he settled for leaning lazily against one of the many marble pillars that dotted the circumference of the glass dome that loomed overhead. His thoughts travelled back to the incident that morning with the Heath woman. "Sophie." He said, deciding he liked how her name rolled off his tongue. He chuckled to himself. It was because of her he was waiting for the old man to meet with him. The two men this morning were going to get more than the beating he had given them; he was going to make sure of it.

Sighing, he shook his head. What was he thinking? He only just met this girl, and yet here he was. He couldn't ignore this unnatural urge to see her again. The feeling of holding her in his arms that morning felt…right? "It couldn't be…" he breathed. He closed his eyes for a moment only to have his vision filled with images of her in his mind. He swore silently at himself, not noticing when Jacob had emerged from his chambers.

The elderly man eyed Howl with amused curiosity. He had never seen the young Vampire Prince look so flustered. Clearing his throat, Howl swung around abruptly to face him, his expression unreadable. Jacob chuckled, tugging absently at his moustache. "You called?"

Howl growled at him, striding over to the nearest parlor chair and dropping his lithe frame onto it. The human King merely shrugged, and sat across from him, resting his head on his palm. "What is it that you wanted to speak with me about, young prince?"

The young vampire reached into his coat pocket and pulled out to metal objects, tossing them to him. Jacob looked at him curiously, and then examined the items in his hand. "These are..."

Howl nodded. "I took them from two of your officers this morning after they accosted a young woman. I got the right ones, correct?"

He nodded, holding up the medals on their reverse sides, for Howl to see. "Yes, their names are engraved on the backs here."

"Good." Howl said, smirking. Jacob eyed him wearily. "What did you do to them?"

His smirk growing wider, he merely shrugged. "I only beat them, badly, and to add insult to injury, the young lady kneed one of them in the groin as a little token of revenge."

The older man's eyes grew large in disbelief. "I thought you said she was a lady."

"I thought you had once told me your armed forces were the most disciplined in the world."

"Touché." Jacob tucked the medals into his robe pocket and looked at Howl thoughtfully. "I will have these men punished. Publicly."

"Satisfying."

"Now that we have reached an agreement, tell me about this lady of yours." He said, eyes twinkling with curiosity.

Howl shrugged. "She's the mistress of Heath Manor."

"Lettie?"

Howl threw him a confused look. "Lettie? Who's Lettie?"

"She's the heir of Heath Manor and my niece. Whom did you save?"

"Sophie."

Jacob smiled proudly. "She's back from France? I was hoping she would have sent me a letter before she arrived."

"How do you know her?"

"She is my niece, young man!" He said, chest swelling with pride, his mustache bristling.

Howl's lips formed a small "o", as he took in what Jacob had just said.

Sophie leaned out over her balcony, surveying the green fields of her family's estate thoughtfully. Everything was as she had remembered it from when her parents were still alive. Sighing, she settled onto a small chair Becky had left out for her for when she read outside. Smoothing the silken skirt of her Sari and crossing her legs, she propped the old book of 

fairytales her mother used to read at bedtime on her lap. Slowly opening the heavy bindings, she carefully caressed and turned each page, a smile growing on her face as memories flooded her mind. Her eyes rested on one page, the tale of Beauty and the Beast. The faded painting on the parchment depicted two sides of the story: One of the menacing Beast and a frightened yet determined Beauty, the other depicting the Beast freed of his curse, and in place of the grisly visage, was a handsome Prince, holding a contented Beauty close to him.

Closing her eyes, she leaned back into the soft cushion of her chair. Suddenly, her vision was filled with images of Howl, his smile, his graceful movements, his blue eyes… Her eyes popped open and she stared hard at the open pages before her. Her gaze rested on the picture of the Prince hugging Beauty close to him. She immediately pictured herself and Howl, but she quickly shook that notion. What was wrong with her? Why was she thinking like this? "I've never thought of a man this much before," She murmured to herself, "I don't even really know him for God's sake! I just met him this morning!"

Huffing, she got up and flounced back into her room, placing the book on her bureau before stretching onto her bed. She rolled onto her side facing towards the balcony, hugging herself. Her skin was still heated from where he held her that morning. She grumbled to herself, not noticing when Becky had entered her room.

"Pardon me, mistress, but your sister would like you to join her for the midday meal."

Jumping, Sophie sat up and faced Becky. "Oh, oh dear. I had not realized it was so late!"

Giggling, the young maid bowed. "It's alright miss, would you like me to help you change?"

Nodding, Sophie rose and stood at the end of her bed, spreading her arms as Becky undid the sari. "Would you like me to draw you a bath before you change?"

"No, no that's quite alright. I will take one later on in the evening." Nodding, she opened the wardrobe, draping the sari on the mahogany stand to be washed later. Hands on her hips, she browsed thoughtfully through Sophie's clothes. Pausing in the middle of the wardrobe, she let out a small sound of satisfaction. She carefully reached up and pulled out a peach colored chiffon and held it out to her mistress. "How is this one miss?"

Sophie smiled at her. "Yes, that will do. Thank you."

Returning her smile, Becky pulled the thin gown over Sophie's raised arms and down over her slip. Tying the lace at the back of the chemise like dress, she nudged her mistress towards the bureau, seating her before it. Carefully letting out Sophie's braid, she gently brushed through it. Pinning it up with pearl pins, she stood back to admire her work. Nodding, she ushered Sophie out of her room. "The mistress is in the gardens by the fountain, she wanted to eat outside today."

Sophie murmured a thank you and walked outside and into the gardens. Reaching the fountain, she seen her sister was indeed at a small tea table, silver platters for the two of them resting upon it. Lettie smiled as she walked up, setting her tea down. "It's so lovely today! I decided to enjoy it for once."

The brunette nodded in agreement with her sister. "Indeed it is. What did Cook create this time?"

Lettie grinned brightly at her. "Spring chicken, that's what I call it. She had cooked in some spices I simply cannot place, and covered it in a wonderfully sweet sauce, almost like honey."

Sophie's mouth started watering the instant her sister lifted the cover over her plate. She smiled childishly at the blonde before picking up her utensils and started eating. After a few minutes of silence, Lettie spoke up. "So…who is he?"

"Who is who?" Sophie asked, confused. Lettie rolled her eyes and leaned forward, clasping her sisters hands between her own. "You can't fool me, sister. You've been smitten ever since you came back from the town this morning! It is so obvious a man has caught your fancy!"

Sophie's face flushed in embarrassment as she thought of Howl for the hundredth time that day. Her sister was too damn perceptive for her own good. Choosing to ignore her, she carefully brought her cup to her lips, sipping her tea silently. Lettie pouted at her, hoping it would have some effect. "Please, please, please, Sophie, tell me!" She urged once more.

She sighed in defeat. No, she would not win today. Lettie was as persistent as she was perceptive. Setting her cup down once more, Sophie chewed on her lip thoughtfully before answering. If she was going to lie, she had better make it good. "I do not really know who he is, honest Lettie."

The blonde frowned. "Well, what did he look like?"

Sophie didn't need to think about what Howl looked like; he only filled her mind every time she closed her eyes for a few moments. "He's tall, has a lithe frame and looks fit from what I could tell. He has shoulder length ebony hair and the bluest eyes I have ever seen, and the most sensual voice…" She drifted off, going into a daze once more.

Lettie giggled at her sister's entranced look. "Oh Sophie, Sophie!" She said, snapping her back to reality. "Y-yes?"

"I almost forgot! I had sent word to Uncle Jacob that you had returned. I say we visit him for dinner tonight, what say you?"

Sophie merely nodded dumbly in response. "Well, let's get a move on then!" Her sister chirped, ushering her back inside. "I'll send Becky up in a few moments to draw your bath!"

Sophie didn't even get a chance to put in her two cents before her chamber doors shut behind her sister's skirts.

Howl groaned in annoyance as he adjusted his vested suit for the hundredth time. How he had let the Human King talk him into joining him for dinner with "special guests" that were pertinent to their treaty-bound relationship.

"It's a bloody conspiracy is what it is." He grumbled under his breath. Sighing, he drained the goblet of "wine" and reluctantly left the chambers and made his way to the dining hall. (1)

As he approached the large mahogany doors, he heard a female voice he recognized almost immediately; he had heard it just that morning. Entering in one swift movement, he found himself gazing down at her. "Sophie..."

Her hazel eyes were the size of saucers as a smirk spread across his handsome face. Taking her small hand gently into his larger one, he brought it to his lips where he kissed it, sending fire shooting into her veins. Satisfied with her blush-stained expression, he kissed it again. "So, we meet again. Is this coincidence or did the fates will it?" He murmured against her sensitive skin.

Her blush grew even darker, knowing full well the hard stare her sister was giving. She groaned inwardly. 'I knew I shouldn't have told her anything…'

'Told who what?'

Sophie jolted back from him in surprise. "H-how did you…?"

He chuckled as he surveyed the bemused expression on Lettie's face, and the nonplussed one of Jacob's. He pointed to his temple. "Call it a gift."

A confused noise was her response.

'I am just imagining this.'

A velvety chuckle invaded her mind as she scowled up at him. He shrugged innocently.

'Boorish pig.'

"Now now Sophie, I am quite the gentleman." He answered her, pulling out her chair for her to sit. Huffing, she forced herself to calmly sit, only to give an indignant noise when he seated himself beside her. Disregarding his serene smile, she tried her best to ignore him the rest of the evening.

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FaythlessAngel