Let's Play a Game

Mystic Falls, Virginia, 1863

Astra paced across the hall of the Salvatore home, her skirts shifting along the floor as she did so. She tried to take a deep breath to keep herself calm, but she found it hard—and not because of the horrid corset that she was wearing. Stefan was standing at the base of the grand staircase just a couple of yards away, dressed presentably for the day. He had given up some time ago when he was unable to calm Astra down himself, even his father failing. But his father wasn't in the best of moods, so he had probably just resulted with upsetting the fretting female further.

"You are going to walk a hole into the floor, Astra," Stefan said gently, approaching the woman to give it one more try, "He won't come home any faster if you pace. Please, come and sit down and let yourself rest. I can see that you didn't get much sleep last night."

"Stefan, why would he be coming home from war so soon? The letter didn't state a reason and I worry. What if he met a nurse there and is leaving with her? Maybe he was injured and can't fight?" Astra's voice rose to a tone of panic, causing Stefan to worry. She was going to give herself a heart attack with all of this worrying.

"I know Damon, Astra, and he would never do such a thing to you. He loves you and is faithful to you," Stefan explained quietly, gently taking her by the shoulders and guiding her toward the living space to let her sit down. But the sound of a horse drawn carriage had the woman spinning right back around her running for the door quickly—or as quick as one could while wearing layers upon layers of thick skirt materials and heeled boots.

"Damon!" Astra called as she threw the door open, watching as a dark haired man stepped down from the carriage with a bag over his arm and a hat on his head to match the uniform he wore. Astra was breathing heavily as she rushed down the stone steps of the home she had come to love and rushed toward the man, trying to hold up her skirts to make it easier. The man looked up when he heard the sound of her heels hitting the stone walkway, revealing bright blue, disturbed eyes. He removed his hat out of respect at the sight of her, revealing his tousled strands.

Astra let herself slow down so she didn't run him down when she reached him, wrapping her arms around his neck once she was close enough. His arms encircled her waist and she was clutched tightly against his form. She didn't care that they were causing a scene, the house was far enough away from the main road that no one would see.

But what worried her was that Damon—a human man—was holding her tighter than any vampire she had ever known. It wasn't the strength to crush, but the strength of fear, desperation and love that was holding onto her like a dying flame licks at a charred candle wick.

"I'm so glad you're back, Damon," Astra whispered into his neck, stroking her fingers through his hair. "I was so worried about you," she confessed quietly, her hands stroking gently through the dark strands of his hair. "Thank god you're back; safe and sound."

"Astra," Damon said quietly, pulling away from her slightly. "I have to speak with my father…" Damon let the sentence hang and Astra knew right away that Damon's early arrival home was clearly going to stir up trouble with his father.

"Yes, of course," She agreed, her thumbs caressing his cheeks comfortingly. "You know where to find me, I'll be waiting." Damon's face was grave as he stepped away from her slowly, walking past Stefan. A quick hug of reunion was shared between the brothers before they parted ways, leaving Astra and Stefan standing one the stone path, unsure of what to make of the situation.

"Come on," Stefan urged as he offered his arm to the grieving woman, "I'll walk you back to the garden."

"Thank you, Stefan," She whispered quietly, taking his offered arm and walking slowly with him toward the back garden. She had never forgotten the memories that she had Damon had created before he left for the war, it was partially what had kept her going when she found herself longing for his presence.

"Will you be alright?"

"Of course, I'll be just fine now that Damon's home. He's well and safe; there is no longer any reason for me to be worried," Astra assured as she offered a hesitant smile to the younger male walking at her side. Stefan smiled back, just as hesitant as she had been, before he turned his attention back to the path they were walking. "Will your father be very angry with Damon?" Astra asked a short while later, watching the path at her feet.

"Not so much angry as disappointed, I suppose," He admitted, guiding us around a turn in the bushes that surrounded the garden. "He'll probably assume that Damon just quit."

"But there must be a reason for him to leave, I may not be his father but I know that Damon always follows through with what he starts," Astra retorted, allowing Stefan to assist her with sitting on one of the stone benches.

"I know, Astra, believe me. We'll just have to wait for Damon to tell us on his own," Stefan said softly, trying to calm the riled female. Astra took a calming breath, nodding her head in thanks to the younger Salvatore brother. "So, when do you want the wedding to be now that he's back early?" Stefan asked her, eager for a subject change.

Astra smiled and laughed quietly, her eyes still slightly teary, "You sound almost as excited as I feel! But let's not talk about that, all I've heard about for the past year is the wedding, I hear that you've caught the fancy of the orphan girl staying at your home," Astra began, watching the boyish blush touch his cheeks again.

"Well, I wouldn't quite say that," Stefan mumbled, looking away.

"Come now, what's her name again? Katherine, wasn't it? Katherine and Stefan Salvatore," Astra said in a pondering voice, getting a look from Stefan at her words. "Oh, I'm only teasing."

Stefan let her indulge herself on the topic of conversation, glad that she was no longer about to cry or break down in hysterics with worry about his brother. Often times, he was jealous that Damon had been able to catch her eye. Astra was different than the other stuck up females in Mystic Falls, much like Katherine was as well.

Pompeii, Roman Empire, 77 A.D.

She was avoiding him, she openly admitted that she was hiding herself away from Elijah. She refused to leave her bedroom, telling her parents that she had cramping from her time of the month. Her mother look concerned—since she had already passed her time of the month a week prior—and her father fled as soon as he heard the topic arise.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Astraea's mother asked gently as she sat on the edge of her daughter's bed, moving to run her hand gently over her sun blonde hair. "Do you require anything?"

"No, mama, I'm fine. Thank you." Her amethyst eyes looked dull as she gazed toward the archway that was her window, the curtains opened so she could watch the twilight. She had been hiding away all day, glad that she didn't hear from him again once he had left her to sleep. His actions made her pause and wonder just what he wanted. He was attacking her one moment, and then he was soothing her and helping her in the next.

"Are you sure? No tea? You usually love some mint tea on your cycle," She said, her voice laced with worry. Astraea realized that she was right and mustered up a tired smile for her mother.

"Mint tea sounds lovely now that you mention it, I would love a cup." Her mother smiled and nodded her head, calling to a servant to begin boiling a pot of water and make a batch of mint tea. Once the servant had left from the room to do her chore, the elder turned back to her daughter and resumed stroking her hair.

"How is your stomach, and your back?" She asked, her hand drifting down to stroke where Astraea's back cramps usually attacked.

Her mother stayed in the room until the servant had brought up the pitcher of mint tea and a cup. Her mother poured her a glass and placed it on the table beside her bed before she kissed her forehead and left, assuring that she would check on her again before she went to bed. Astraea forced one last smile for her mother, not wanting to worry her too much. Pushing the covers of her bed away from herself once her curtain had fallen closed, she tried to stretch the stiffness from her back and shoulders.

Eyeing the mint tea that sat on the table, she decided that it could help to soothe her chaotic mind and reached to take the clay cup in her hand.

"It is still too hot for you."

The voice across the room caused Astraea to turn around so fast that she tumbled from the edge of the bed, falling hard on her rear end before she began to scramble back toward the window in panic. Elijah stood near the entrance to her room, dressed in one of his tunics but missing the cape that was usually draped on his arm.

"Get away from me, stay away," Astraea ordered in a weak voice, the sentence cracking halfway through.

"Astraea," Elijah began, stepping toward her.

"No!" She nearly screamed, pushing herself to nearly hide behind the curtain that covered her window. Before she could blink, he stood before her, looking into her eyes with a serious but unnerving look.

"Keep your voice down," He ordered, causing Astra's throat to constrict when her scream was suddenly cut from her chest. A whimper escaped instead, making her sound like a kicked dog, and she could feel her tears rising again. Elijah's eyes softened as he looked upon her panicked and fearful face, regret reflecting in his chocolate eyes. "Astra, please, let me explain."

"You bit me," She snapped, one moment of courage causing her to immediately regret her words, fearful that he would lash out at her and she pushed herself further behind the curtain, trying to hide herself away. She knew that it wouldn't protect her, but her mind was in a set of if I can't see him, he can't see me.

"I should not have, I apologize," Elijah said carefully, reaching out for her. She cried out, sounding as though she had been struck, and ducked further back into the curtains. Deep guilt and regret flashed in his eyes at her reaction, but he refrained from using compulsion on her to try and get to her calm down or forget what had happened. "Please, Astraea, come back to me."

"Get out!" She shrieked finally, ducking her head down to hide her face from him. Elijah winced at the sharp sound of her voice, reaching out to place a hand atop her head gently. She flinched at the touch, her hands fisting on the curtain. His heart felt heavy as he watched her reactions to his touch but he forced those feelings aside and stood up fluently, leaving the room. She needed more time.

Astraea stayed behind the curtain, shaking and crying long after he had left, her heart pounding in her chest as she fought against crying out for her mother. Some of the nearby servants rushed into the room not long after Elijah had departed, wondering what was causing her to scream and tremble as she was. They assisted her back into her bed, whispering gently to her as one of them went to retrieve her mother. But she wouldn't tell any of them why she was crying or the reason behind her hiding behind the curtains like a frightened child.

"Astraea, dear, what happened?" Her mother asked as soon as she had walked into the room, but Astraea didn't reply. She was holding her breath as she waiting for her mother to leave. The elder woman sighed quietly as she kissed her youngest on her temple, assuring her that she would be back soon.

Astraea counted in her head until she was sure that her mother was far away from her room and bolted up in the bed, leaning over the side as a wave of blood forced up from her lungs in a great cough. The crimson liquid hit the floor, splattering on the tiles and bed sheets. More tears streamed down her cheeks as she continued to cough violently, her hand moving to her throat as her other gripped the sheets, stopping herself from falling off the bed.

Here's another chapter, I hope everyone liked it! I should have the next one out soon, but if not it should be a couple days. I have a French Exam tomorrow, so I've got to get some studying done for that. Wish me luck! Je t'aime!