(Lena's Prologue)
She stayed in her place on the bed, unsure how to process the mental strain she felt, biting at the back of her mind. She was confused, but still focused, she knew what she was going to have to do, she was going to have to do something wit the supplies she was given. The mask and the meaning behind them both. They were supposed to be real to everyone who'd see her, but while she was wearing it, she was supposed to feel fake. Fake, and dead inside. She wasn't supposed to feel, she wasn't supposed to smile like she was truly in love, she was being asked to play a role, the biggest role in the entire performance. She still hadn't learned why the captain wanted this of her, or why he was so entrusting of the princess, her friend, Cleo, but she was going to demand to know the truth, though not right now, there wasn't enough time. The gown and ring had been given to her two nights in advantage, Kairin had given her two nights to learn her lines, and figure out her first approach.
In the back of her mind, she wasn't sure two nights would be enough. She barely knew who the captain was, she barely knew anything about him, and now she's being asked to be tangled up with him, pretending to be a wedded couple! She was cold to the idea, this was something she didn't want to be made to do. Kairin was asking her because of trust. Why else would she be asked to do something so unusual, and odd, something that could break the friendship the two had, if something should go further then expected.
Say something like capturing feelings? Being lead on and forgetting the mission, she was asked of. Did she have to be worried about herself, during all this? Was she going to have to be worried, about getting to close? IF the worst came for her, she could just befriend his brother, Faerin, though she still meant to track him down, after the tense conversation between the two earlier. Tthe thought of him, had left for her mind for some time, it felt odd thinking about him, after she'd been given the fake enchantment ring. The one Kairin had been prepared for by having the silver metal engraved with the word ''please'' which was still pulling at her heart strings, even now. Making her feel badly, for ever second guessing his request.
She had to remind herself, she didn't owe the captain anything, she didn't own anyone anything. She only owed herself, to keep well, and sane, during the rest of the months she had planned on staying in the castle, with Cleo's family. She knew she wouldn't be asked to leave, not unless she deserved such a thing to happen to her.
***
''True love is the most rare thing in the world. Most people just pretend to love.True love is the most rare thing in the world. Most people just pretend to love. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices and devote yourself for a fake love to prove it the most real one.Sometimes you have to make sacrifices and devote yourself for a fake love to prove it the most real one.'' He fought against himself as quickly as he could. The air of crushing cold, running past his skin, as the wings on his back, carried him through the starry sky, as enchantment, called through the clouds, reaching the ashes, left in plies underneath where he flew. His love needed him. He had to stop her, get to her before she was taken from him forever. Caul flapped his wings under the speed of the racing winds, as imagery of forest, began to look the same to him. He cursed under his breath, as pain exploded on his face. Carrying away the burning coals, underneath his skin. He wanted to shout, to scream till he could feel no more, but where would that get him?
The truth. He was late, he was late. He fell next to her, the lifeless shell, that once held the soul of the most beautiful girl he'd ever truly loved.
''Bree''
Lena cursed a thousands words under her breath, hoping nobody was close by, to hear the crude words, her emotions forced her to say. Her fingertips brushed the soft texture of the last two pages of the book. She slammed the thing down against the table, almost spilling her cup of herbal tea, made for her by the lovely kitchen staff. With the morning sunlight shinning, and the heat of the sun against her back, a lovely day like this, couldn't have been spent lying, all alone in bed. Besides, even though she had returned to sleeping in her original chambers, sometimes, she swore, late a night, she could still smell the rotting, decomposing, body of the vampire body. Sometimes, the thought of something inside her, being responsible for the murder of a creature as deadly as a vampire, still surprised, and stabbed at her mind. Though she hadn't told anyone the truth, how he died, choosing to keep that a secret, rather then have thousands of people, treating, and staring where ever she went, this approach was the best choice.
She'd been allowed to choose as many, and read as many books as she wanted, from the castle library, though her first thought, was none of them would be romance, seeing as she'd had enough and just wanted something exciting. Though still she somehow found her way to the romance department. She'd found an old looking book, stained, and covered with dust. The cover was a brown color, very ugly, though the contents of the inside pages, made her heart want to sore out of her chest. Fly into the sunlight, and leave the shell of a damaged human body behind. All until the ending, which now only made her feel worse, especially when she looked down at the tiny, beautiful, piece of silver, on her finger. She swore to herself, not to let people catch the ring on her left hand. She wasn't even sure why she was wearing it, Kairin's plan was supposed to be fake. A plan to get closer to Cleo, that's all she knew. He promised to explain everything to her, once he had what he wanted, though as she thought on and on about what it was he'd said, she found herself more worried. Cleo had done nothing but nice things for her, welcomed her into her home, with her family, let her wander around as much as she pleased, gather any kind of book she wished from the libraries, and ask anything she desired for lunch, or hot, and cold, beverage's she graved on slow mornings. She had everything she wanted, she was comfortable, now if she agreed, Cleo would never trust her again. Surely if something went wrong, Kairin would be let go of his position as captain, but still have a home to return too, but what did she have?
Her problem was she had nothing. She had no more home, for her belonging there, had vanished long ago. With the death of her brother, and the destruction of her city, she wasn't sure, she could ever return. The chance of shutting down, was one she wasn't comfortable testing as such a still recent time in her life. She left the book on the table where her cup of unfinished tea, sat, and went over things in her head, though she wanted to think about his words, she couldn't bring herself to ignore him completely. The thought of her ex lover, still dug holes in the walls of her mind. She couldn't shake him, couldn't let him go, a part of her, knew it was because she didn't want too. Because somewhere, inside, she still loved him.
"I miss you,"
Who's voice do I hear? I don't recognize it?
Lena turned around before the sudden unfamiliar presence, lurked on any closer toward her, with a folded, unexpressed face, her eyes fell upon him. Scarlet, he was standing there, staring at her, with his beautiful colored eyes. She'd remembered how many times she looked in his direction, she swore her heart was melting. Melting into a small puddle, that laid in front of her feet, though, she didn't feel like that now. all she felt now, was a sudden darkness. A darkness that with one single touch from the wind, surrounding, could crush through her skin, and break her bones, before she could react. She remembered freezing, just as his black high boots, squished as he moved close to her. ''I miss you,'' he repeated. ''it's the last line of the book, your reading.'' he whispered. Lena's eyes turned to look behind her, where the romantic cover, filled her eyes, as she slowly returned her gaze to look at him. ''Yes, I guess it is, I didn't have the nerve to finish it, though,'' she started. ''To depressing, to think she dies, leaving him with no way of bringing her back. I can't imagine how much he's hurting...'' her voice became a whisper, though she caught herself, before anything she would later regret, escaped, holding herself in restraint, as in a flash, she grabbed the book from where it lay, and held it, pressing it, strongly against herself, as her cheeks flashed with pink.
She was blushing, but didn't know why. There wasn't a reason for any of what she was feeling. It was like she was being forced to feel. He brought himself oddly closer now, the warmth of his body, slamming right into her, though she wouldn't admit she was suddenly feeling suffocated, she kept eye contact. Tension rose in the air around the two, till things became worse. Violent, suddenly and without reason, she felt his tight grip, tightening around her wrist. Pressure triggered pain, as her bones became tight. She whimpered, as her breathing rose. ''What're you doing?'' she breathed. ''Scar, let go.'' she hissed through pained breaths, of discomfort, and confusion, mixed with pain.
She tried to step away from him, but he'd managed to grab onto her arm this time, pulling her closer toward him. She was practically tasting his breath. Which oddly smelled of bleach, and something rotten. He jerked her, releasing his hold on her arm, now grabbing her shoulders roughly. He grabbed her waist before she could back away, and pulled her into his arms. ''I'm sorry, I'm so sorry,'' he suddenly cried, pain moving through his voice, slamming through her, and leaving after a few seconds. ''I-Whattt....'' Lena said her voice drowning out from the huge red flags, telling her to flee, in every corner of her mind.
''Something wrong here?'' asked a voice. Lena tried her best to hold in her happiness, once she recognized the voice. Matching the voice to the captain. She was let go of after a couple of seconds, as Scarlet moved from where he'd stood, now a few feet from her, his eyes were bright, yet dark, and the presence around the three of them, turned much darker. Lena thought about picking up the book, that had fallen, in case, things got worse, to where she'd have to defend herself, as Scarlet's eyes brightened as they swam with flames. ''It's nothing, Kairin! Please, it's nothing!'' Lena's words seemed to have a huge affect on him, because he moved towards her, sliding himself in the middle of the two, his emerald eyes swam with blue, as she grabbed his arm. With her fingertips brushing the rough material of his guard uniform, which was different compared to the one, he had on three days ago. His very long sleeved, leather jacket covers him to just below his groin, loosely tied with string sightly off center. The sleeves of his jacket are a comfortable fit, reaching down to his palms. The colors of the jacket are shaped with dark blue, mixed with black, making him look like a god, with the long blue cape, tied around his neck. The look of such, reminding Lena of the texture of the pillows, she had in her room, the night Cleo stopped by.
Suddenly and without permission, he turned around without warning, and grabbed her shoulders. Pulling her roughly towards him, and roughly as he planted a kiss right on her lips. Holding her waist towards him, her heart felt like it was melting, still she couldn't keep her eyes off Scarlet, who now looked annoyed, and confused. He'd given up trying to speck to her, turned, and walked the opposite way. Once he was gone, Kairin released her, and Lena moved away from him as quickly as she could, though before she could run from him, her voice escaped her thoughts and shouted. ''Bastard!'' Throwing the book she had been reading straight at him, It hit him hard in the chest, though she tried to grab it, he reached for her instead. Holding her wrist, not tight, but soft. ''I'm sorry for doing that,'' he apologized. ''I don't know why I did that, I just- I had to get him away from you!'' his voice rose as anger washed over his handsome features. ''Scarlet's trouble, he's gone for days, then just shows up in the strangest of places, I can't seem to track him down.'' he spoke honestly. ''Why are you looking for Scarlet, has he done something?'' she asked. ''I have no proof yet, but I have my suspicions.''
''Which is.....''
He looked her right in the eyes, the blue vanishing from the green, until his expression softened, and he dropped her hand. ''You shouldn't worry right now,'' he answered. ''It'll only put you under stress, we can't have that if we're supposed to be pretending we're a couple, for tomorrow's dance.'' he breathed.
''Yeah, trust me, I haven't forgotten.'' Lena let out nervously, as she began sliding the ring off her finger. Though before she could, Kairin's hand slammed down, stopping her. ''Keep it,'' he breathed. ''It'll let Scarlet know you belong to me, that your under my protection.'' She gave a nervous wave, watching for his reaction and relieved when he offered a warm smile. ''Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you, tomorrow night, or any night.''
She pulled her hair back in a long ponytail, pulling make all the loose hairs, as he held his hands out in front of him. Her eyes widened, as her cheeks filled with warmth. Her book.
The one she'd thrown at him. Growing nervous again, as butterflies flew around in her stomach, she curled her hands around the back and side of the book, making sure she held it firmly, so it couldn't fall from her hands. Without another word, she ran away, hoping she was invisible, though in reality, she knew he could still see her. Skin clammy with warmth, and sweat, she returned to her chambers, closing the door, with her back pressed against it, exhausted breaths of panic, and adrenaline keeping her heart beat. rising quickly, she slipped down to her knees, holding her head in her hands, as tears slid from her eyes.
She knew she shouldn't be crying, this was supposed to be a good thing, right? So. why did she feel so played, so used? Because though she hated this reality, the truth was, she was being played, being used. Her feelings were real, it was the situation that wasn't. Couldn't be real, because he was only using her to get information from Cleo, her friend, that was all. What he felt, wasn't real.
***
Tonight was the night. Tonight was the night, she'd have to put all her feelings aside, and play her part. Play it right, or risk forever being deemed a traitor in the eyes of the royals. Specifically Cleo. She didn't feel right about what she was being asked to do, she didn't feel right about it at all. But a part of her trusted Kairin, trusted him, in her eyes,what he was doing wasn't wrong, he had a reason, though she didn't know what that reason was, she was choosing to trust him.
It was her only choice.
She'd spent as much time as she could, wasting away, drowning in her own nervousness, four hours, she only remembered what time it was when the door to her chambers opened, and a well dressed, princess walked inside. Her dress was stunning, of crouse, her hair put in braids, with a long trail of her flowing hair, covering her bare shoulders, her makeup was flawless, not a single eyelashes uncurled, or lip stick smudge, she was perfect. Lena wished she could say the same for herself. She still couldn't find the courage to put on the dress she'd been gifted, nor the ring, which sat, alone, lonely, and probably covered with dust, because of the long amount of time it sat there, eyeing her from across the room. After what had happened with her and Kairin yesterday, in the garden, she couldn't bring herself to even stare at the piece of expensive metal. Cleo stared at her for a long moment, though just before she could speck, Lean's voice rang through both her ears.
''I know what you're going to say, so don't bother.'' she hissed annoyingly, holding her chin in her hand, as she sighed. ''Don't tell me, your going to be like that all night,'' Cleo began. ''It's my party, you can't seriously be unhappy during a party.'' She stared, and walked past her, where she sat on the bed, eyeing the large box that held her dress, ignoring the smaller box on the bottom, as she opened the lid, knocking it off the top, as it dropped to the floor, her face was in awe at the sight of the dress, she barely knew what to say. After a few seconds, she cleared her throat, and picked up the dress, holding it as if she was protecting a baby, or injured animal, and brought it over to where Lena sat. She rolled her eyes, and stood up, growing under her breath. ''Lena,'' Cleo whined. ''You must go to my party, you must!'' she shouted. ''If you don't, everyone's going to think I have no friends! Please. please, please, please!'' she stopped to take a breath, but before she could continue with her begging, and pleading, Lena growled again, and grabbed the blue dress from her hands. She looked her deep in the eyes, before letting out a sight. Instead of using her words, her sigh told Cleo all she needed to do, and she was jumping up and down, enticement written all over her face. Before Lena knew what was happening, white magic was being used on her. Ends and ends and edges of different parts of the dress, covered her, head to toe, as the sleeves covered her bare shoulders, ending with Cleo having to do up the zipper in the back. Magic was then used a second time to do up her hair, though she hated her hair being messed up, it brought back the soft touch from the captain's loving touch. The feeling she had when he'd touch her hair, pulling it back. telling her, she looked better with it behind her ear, as Cleo messed with her hair, the whole time she was thinking and thinking of his touch.
Walking so fast that it created a breeze that caught the loose hair hanging down her back, she turned her ankle slipping off the comfortable shoes she had, for a sparkly pair of blue heels, turning around so Cleo could get a good look at her. Cleo's smile went small to wide, as her eyes followed. ''You need jewelry!'' she shouted.
As Cleo turned her back for a second, Lena took it upon herself to rip out the long lasting, matching blue flower, from her hair, watching as the thing turned to ash, before her very eyes. She tried to ignore what had happened, just as Cleo turned back to her. A frown suddenly well across her face, as she used her magic to conjure up another just like it. Slipping it into her hair, before she could protest, then Lena's eyes fell upon the last box, that kept her feelings locked up inside it. The box that held the enchantment ring. The one she was supposed to fake, and tell people she and the captain were together. She didn't think she could do it, or the better reason, she didn't want too. She was going to bail. And bail she shall. She left the room without it that night, clearing that from her mind, as the ring became a token of the past. The past she no longer wanted.
She only wanted one thing now.
To survive this party, and hope nothing goes wrong.
*
Dreadlocks colored red, that hangs awkwardly over his lean, worried face, expressive gray, pearly white eyes, set gracefully within their sockets, watch hungrily from the spot on the throne. Fire has left a mark stretching from just under one of his eyes, running towards the left side of his lips, which ended on his upper lip. Leaving behind a pleasurable memory of his new life, the token he'll live with forever, always standing as a reminder for the love he'd receive from his queen, and daughter. The king, stayed in his chair, for most of the night. Starting from when she arrived, to shortly after the clock rang midnight, and the party officially began. Cleo had put in a request for the fancies, fast effective whine and other drinks, that could ensure the guests, attending the party, would get a quick fix, and return to dancing. Lena chose to stay away from any of them though, for the last thing she wanted to be, tonight, was drunk. She caught the kings eyes on her a few times, during her time, but didn't think much of it. She was on her own, alone, of course she'd get stared at. She was mean't to be dancing, mean't to be enjoying herself, though all she could do, was imagine how things used to be. How her life had been, living back home. With the parents who actually wanted her, the boyfriend, she loved dearly, and the brother, who'd been her best friend. Now, all of that was gone. Turned to ash, and forgotten just like the flower, she wished would've disappeared.
She was unhappy, but never showed it. She was sad, and lovely, though she'd never let you know that. A warrior, the strong type, she had to become, her family gone, her home, she can never return, what else did she have? A fake engagement? Yeah, she'd never go along with that, after everything's she'd been through, however, the taste of his lips, still lingered. She could still taste him on her.
''Can I have this dance for the rest of my life?'' His voice stabbed into her, as it made a home in her chest, she tried to fight the urge to agree, but eventually gave in, when her eyes found those baby blues. He looked dazzling, so handsome, so perfect. He was dressed in such fancy clothes, she could barely even recognize him from the previous day, still remembering the kiss they'd shared between one another, as there was one thing that hadn't changed.
His stare
The way he looked at her, the way she stared back. It was like a cauldron of hot chocolate had been put on in her stomach, warming her ice cold skin, till the warmth become overpowering, but with his body pressed against hers, it didn't seem so overpowering anymore..."I don't dance," she tried to tell him, though she was already in the middle of the throne room, in the middle of all the people, circling around the two of them, as if they were the most important people in the entire world.
It was if the world turned because of them.
''I think you owe me a dance for being such a ass'' she said softly. Kairin rose his eyebrow, before spinning her around himself, bringing her back to the front of him, reaching to take her hand in his, he let out a small bit of laughter. ''I guess, I do,'' he whispered. "Where did you learn to dance so well," he asked. ''My brother taught me, he was my best friend.'' her eyes departed from his gaze, and her mouth trembled, holding back tears, as he took her face, in his hands, the two freezing, with inches between them. The thought of him made her feel like a girl in junior high being asked to her first dance, but through everything, she kept her expression still, and tried to keep her heart rate down, even though the urge to lean in, and kiss him, kept knocking at the door inside her mind. ''I'm sure he was a great big brother, for teaching his little sister such important skills,'' he started. ''Just remember,'' his fingers stroked the middle of her cheeks, as his words came out like purring from a cat. ''He loves you, he'll always be looking down on you.''
Was it love at first sight?
"And they have no hearts; so they can't love anyone – not even themselves," declared a sharp, angry male voice.
They hate my guts
They hate my guts
They hate my gusts
They hate-
Lena stopped before her feet did, the warmth in her stomach turned to ice, as she pulled Kairin away from her, dragging down his hands from her face, by grabbing his wrists. He stared at her, with hurt, as those words drilled into her brain. She didn't want to listen, she didn't want to listen to the rumors they'd been fed. She didn't-
"I hate mortals, why is she even here?!'' growled another voice. This time, the voice had altered the attention of all the guests, and their eyes were all directed on her. It was like Kairin wasn't even there, standing next to her. He'd gone invisible. She wanted to hate him but couldn't, this wasn't because of him. None of it was because of him, she wasn't going to direct all her angry toward him, all he'd done was try to make her feel special, there was no hate in that, but-
''Lena, what's wrong?'' his voice filled her entire body with so much anger, she thought her knees would give out, from how much she shook and shivered. This entire night had been because of him, because he wanted her help, because he wanted her to act. And now, because she chose to still go to the party, a target was on her back. Anger and panic bubbled within her, Full-blown panic hitting her like a strong, hard, object.
She turned to run, but couldn't, a strong presence, and a strong grip capturing her wrist, had her paralyzed. She couldn't move, she couldn't speck, or scream, all she could so was turn her head. The aura she suddenly felt, made her eyes softened, and her body eased the shivering. "I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life, but I hope you'll allow me to see you home safely.'' His hand shifted to her hip, and he felt the absence of her warmth to the bone. ''Can you walk, your pretty shaky,'' he pointed out her still shaking knees, even though the whole top half of her body, had calmed, she still had no power over her bottom half, which brought anxiety to her icy, cool, chest. Her wandering gaze came up to his face and warmth shot painfully up her neck. He was dressed in normal clothing. He didn't dress at all like everyone else, she'd seen, all night, though there was something about him, she couldn't quiet trace.
That black, shaggy hair. That neatly coiffured, anguished face, those beady blue eyes, set low, within his sockets. There was something irregular about him, perhaps it had to something to do with the fact he'd been so willing to help a complete stranger, instead of laugh, and hate on her. He wasn't like the others, she could tell. He was kind, and caring. Something, the captain couldn't be, right now.
She froze, the warmth of the magic, she felt between them, leaving her as fear replaced it, before her eyes were directed to the captain. Kairin was still standing there, staring at her. She couldn't ignore the painful look in those blue eyes, as she turned her back on him. She'd been humiliated. Her thoughts were to busy circling around, to think of anything to say to him. So instead, she kindly allowed the stranger to escort her out of the throne room, though she could still feel the blades, of everyone's eyes, glued upon her.
The mortal, who was foolish enough to fall for the Retuz captain. Perhaps it was a foolish thing to do. But she hadn't been foolish; she'd been desperate.....
***
"Foolish human," the princess growled. ''To think she could ever truly belong here, what a stupid thought!'' she hissed, letting out a gasp of red hot anger, that had her whole body riving, and exploding, as the redness of the warmth inside her, spared her no favors, when the color turned up under her cheeks. "Do vampires get drunk?" she asked and pulled her door closed. ''Because, I think they do, or-I, don't....'' her words were cut short, as her body fell forward, thankfully, she didn't have to far to fall. The large queen sized bed, stopped her, her head now buried under the thousands of scattered pillows she owned, as she knocked off her uncomfortable heels, from partying. ''Is that what you think? That she could be a vampire?'' hissed a dark male voice. ''That's absurd!'' he shouted. ''She had plenty of time, when no one was looking, to strike, why didn't she?''
''Beats me, she probably knew we'd be watching her,'' whispered Cleo, though the pillows crushing her head, making her voice sound drowned. ''She couldn't possibly know we're on to her, we've been so careful! Unless, unless you've been running you mouth again!'' he snapped. ''Can't run, what I don't have..'' she laughed drunkenly. ''Idiot,'' he breathed. ''Here, drink from this, I heard stories, about this recovery method, to get rid of the effect of drinking.'' He handed the princess a purple cup, the cup was made of pure amethyst crystals, carrying inside it, a liquid colored red, thick. and smelled of rotting fruits. But mostly importantly, it smelled of blood. Though she took no time thinking it through, as her head went down under the mountain of pillows for the second time, once the cup fell from her hands, where it landed next to the leg of the bed.