||Chapter Three||
Cendrillon Que?||
N A R R A T I V E||
He remembered her kind deed once she helped him with his injured hand, completely unaware that it could have healed before she could even enter her home to get her supplies. His hand was already healed, not a trace of a bruise or scar peppered against the once damaged skin, but still the bandage still wrapped around him.
He refused to take it off since that night.
A lot of things had happened since that night. The replaying memory of her big brown eyes, the softness of her pink lips, the blush on her cheeks and the smoothness of her skin. He remembered her and for an unknown reason that seemed to haunt him he could not forget her, not even if he tried.
Not an hour had passed since that night with him not thinking about her at least once. Wondering if that door which barely secured thee house was locked. Wondering where she was as of now.
And yet there she stood. Right before his very eyes, cleaning his home as though it were the most normal thing. Fate had seemed to bring her to his feet.
Damonous took a step closer but froze thinking deeply for his next move.
He could use this to his advantage.
If he did not know that she was here within these walls of this palace then she obviously did not know that he was here either.
She didn't even know his name as he didn't know hers.
She didn't know that he was here. She still didn't know he lived here.
"Ah! wait- crap no! dammit-" Talia said stopping her angelic singing, the voice bringing him out of his contemplating thoughts.
She felt the burning sensation of the soap which had somehow managed to splash in her eye.
"Ouch!" She cried before she dropped the mop, and rubbed her eyes.
It stung all the more since the soap was in the hand which continued to unsuccessfully soothe the pain.
"Why does this always happen to me!" She grumbled to herself.
Damonous held his breath and left the room. Clutching into his beverage he sped up the stairs so fast with his gifted speed, making him nothing but a gust of wind to the maid that was currently walking up the stairs, he went past the halls and slipped into his room and burst out laughing.
It was the first time he'd ever laughed in years.
And only the strange girl downstairs had caused it.
T A L I A ||
I clutched my poor stinging eyes and rinsed it with water. I then went back to cleaning the windows. This was getting ridiculous.
Why was my luck so jacked up like this?
Seriously universe it's bad enough you made me poorer than the poor itself!
Then you give my mom a highway ticket to the hospital and make me a maid!
And for Gods sakes as if that weren't enough then you splash soap in my eyes! How low can you get!
I stared at the soapy water which showed me my reflection. My hair looked ridiculous in it's bun that seemed to be falling apart. My clothes wet from the water and my hand covering my eye as my lips were pulled down in a frown.
A clown.
I looked like a clown.
My rants were pulled to a stop when I pulled myself together and walked back to cleaning the mirrors. I then noticed as I was cleaning there were beautiful jewels carving the oak and black walls. The color of the same Alexandrite eyes of the strange stranger I saw.
I blinked twice.
I think I've found my new favorite color. I brushed my hands on the beautiful glistening jewels reading what it said.
Damonous.
I tilted my head to the side.
What a beautiful and unique name.
"Damonous" I pronounced.
His name echoed through out the walls of the palace with a fading hum. Radiating within every wall from the room I stood. My voice echoing within the walls... just my voice, carrying that name.
There was a sense of serenity that came after that name had left my lips.
An odd sense of... comfort, or so it seemed.
The same tranquil feeling I had felt when wearing that coat which carried the scent of chocolate mint.
I smiled like a giddy child. The name alone making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
"Damonous" I said this time louder but with a different pronunciation that seemed wrong.
This time my eyes widened with a small gasp as I haunched over once feeling my stomach turn... it felt as though I had been punched. Right on my stomach, with a cold and frigid knife as it twisted and turned.
God what was happening to me?
I held onto the desk for support.
"Damonous" I whispered again, this time like the first time I had said it, then so slowly the pain had lightened, slowly disappearing.
I blinked.
What happened?
I shook my head. I then turned to continue to clean.
"Damonous" I whispered one last time.
It felt as if I was a child who had just learnt a new word and couldn't stop saying it. "Damonous" I say again. It was then I felt a cold and random breeze coming from inside the house. I looked outside.
It wasn't even that windy and all the windows were closed.
I shrugged.
"Damono-"
I bit my tongue.
I didn't understand why I adored that name so much.
'Pull yourself together!' I mentally scold myself.
It was then I felt a pang of amusement, and humorous satisfaction that hit me like a truck. My brows knitted together in confusion. I was not amused... nor was I satisfied...
Those were not my emotions....
Suddenly feeling watched, I turned around in a full three sixty circle. I was the only one here. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. I turned around again.
Nothing.
Feeling a sudden chill in my neck I scratched the discomfort away.
I stared at the room which seemed to be empty. I was getting paranoid...
I shook my head in annoyance.
"Shut up and work" I grumbled to myself.
Completely confused of how the room had suddenly gotten colder.
D A M O N O U S ||
I was in my chambers.
I am the first born son of the Medici family. The official heir to the Royal throne, as I was going to be one of the seven Alphas of the world.
One may see as being king as a luxury. A blessing. However being king only means you are shackled in chains made of jewels.
Chained and bound with the duty to provide for an entire nation, as there was no room for mistakes.
People already feared me, as they respected me. For they would exchange their dignity just for my approval. It was rather amusing as much as it was sickening.
It was then my thoughts were interrupted by a beautiful set of deep brown eyes. Brown locks which reached all the way to her lower back. A beauty she was, however also showed kindness without expecting anything in return.
I could hear him. My beast pacing within my mind his mind just as clouded as mine.
My head was pounding.
What was her name?
I could smell her warm and enticing scent of honeysuckle and Vanilla from here. However her scent wasn't one of those disgusting artificial soaps which burnt the nose of a sensitive wolf's nose.
It was natural.
I felt my head pound all the more.
I got out of my seat my inner wolf growling and scowling at me wanting nothing more than to lunge to her and embrace her.
To bring the world down between her feet.
I took one step to the door but quickly restrained myself.
I knew better.
I wanted to provoke her.
I'll shock her in the right time.
I finally found something worthy enough for my own amuse. Why ruin the fun and surprise?
Where was the fun in just taking your prey when you could lure it to come all on it's own? Taunt it before you could have it?
Smirking at the thought I turned to walk towards the window again, hands clasped behind my back.
I stared at the view of the palace gardens that went on and beyond into the forest. The forest where we free our beasts to run. Presumably the most dangerous part of the palace.
It was strange.
To be both calm and frantic at the same time.
My beast was calm... tranquil of just her scent alone and with her near presence, yet at the same time was never more frantic, wanting nothing more than to run out of these four walls just to catch a closer whiff of the scent.
As though the scent alone was designed just for our pleasure.
"Damonous" My lips unconsciously part as I listen to a soft voice whisper my name.
There was an innocence tied to it. Like a child learning their first words.
"Damonous" She said again, but this time with the wrong pronunciation.
My beast growled in annoyance, irritated at the wrong diction.
I stare at my reflection on the clean windows, my eyes glow in a shade of violet, my wolf was coming to the surface.
"Damonous"
She said it correctly again.
I felt his approval, and that was all it took.
I rushed out of my room giving up.
Screw self control.
I sprint with my usual inhumane speed all the way to the kitchen. I watched as she mopped the floors. She tucked a brown strand behind her ear showing off her smooth pale neck.
'Mark Her' My wolf growled at me.
Perhaps she had felt my stare in her subconscious. She shivered faintly before scratching her neck as though there was an itch that irritated her.
My jaw clenched.
She must have felt the breeze of me coming here since she was now looking out the window looking for the source of wind. The Sun beamed through her eyes giving them a honey golden hue. Her brown hair shone in the sun which also had highlights of coppers and Reds.
"Damonous" She said again. My wolf couldn't help but growl lowly with pleasure at the way her innocent tongue rolled out my name. "Damono-" She stopped midway and bit her tongue hard enough for her to wince.
"Shut up and Work" She grumbled to herself.
I watched as she subconsciously shivered. The chill of my presence had made the room cold. I frowned looking at her exposed arm which begun to pepper themselves in goosebumps due to the cold.
Did she wear my coat?
I shook my head at the ridiculous thought. It shouldn't matter to me if she wore it or not, nor should it be important if she was cold. She was nothing but a mere coincidence that was brought to my sight.
However Asmodeus disagreed within my mind.
Wanting nothing more than to envelope her with warmth, shield her from the cold and ensure that she never lifts a finger.
He imagined her in our clothes... her scent interlaced with ours...
I blocked him to the back of my mind, his thoughts messing with me.
This girl was overturning my sense of control over the smallest of things.
It was almost... impulsive.
I rushed down those stairs after hearing the soft whisper of my name that left her lips. So soft and so faint, yet I left my chambers like a man possessed just to find her. Craving to hear just the sound of my name out of her lips once more.
It brought my beast from within tranquillity.
Which was not an easy thing to do since as Medici's our inhumane side was beastlier than most.
I couldn't help but stare at her. Taking her beauty in. I inhaled her scent of Honeysuckle and Vanilla once more. It overwhelmed me since I was now closer. My hand twitched. I was aching to go to her. I was fighting a war within myself not to make my presence known to her. I quickly turned full speed back to my chamber.
I rolled my eyes seeing Zayn Laying on the bed as if he owned my entire room.
"Leave" I command, by voice feigning boredom when I was far from it.
The beast within me was in a ravage of lust. Zayn turned his head to face me as he smirked.
"There is a new girl is downstairs and Elisé is not happy" He explained.
He took notice of my bitter mood and stood up.
"Anyway, chao buddy I thing I just found myself a new maid to play with" He said smirking and went out of the room in his inhuman speed.
My blood boiled and I was fighting myself from shifting into my wolf.
T A L I A ||
I mopped the floors one final time before I sighed in submission to my tire.
I wiped the bead sweat off of my forehead.
Just.... how big is this house?!
Did mother seriously work herself up this much?
No wonder she was always so tired coming back home... it was hard to forget the deep bags which bruised under her eyes and the falter of in steps when she overworked... only to then go back to work so early in the morning.
My mother did not deserve this.
Not to work this hard, nor to be in that hospital...
Tears welled up my eyes and threatened to come out. I shook my head in annoyance to my own sensitivity.
No.
I should be brave. I should be strong. A crybaby would not help my mother and I in any way.
I squeezed the mop inside the bucket of water rinsing the soap and dirt out before I carried the heavy thing in my hand and walked out of the room ready to clean the next. However as I walked I bumped into a girl making me lose my grip and drop the soapy water all over the halls marble floors, staining the girls feet with wet water.
I looked up to see her glaring at me.
Her eyes were narrow, so feminine and feline as her bright blue eyes stared into mine which seemed to be so boring in comparison. Unlike mine they were glowing and were bright and filled with pride and confidence. Her dark hair which almost seemed to be black reached all the way down to her hip bones. She stared at her ruined shoes which I noticed from the brand logo was Prada through furious eyes, then checked for her other expensive brands of clothes which I didn't know of.
She held a glass cup of coffee.
"Watch where your going, Leech" She sneered.
I blinked twice.
Was she seriously going to be that kind of bitch?
"I accidentally bumped into you" I defended.
"Don't talk back!" She hissed.
I winced. What was this girls problem?
"You may not speak unless I give you permission to do so do you understand?" She commands.
I rolled my eyes. Girls like her never really affected me that much. I really didn't care about petty matters like this. I wasn't going to stoop down to her level of shame and shade.
"Now go up to Damonous and tell him I'll be waiting for him at his car" She said.
I flinched at her words. The aching pain in my stomach was back. The same pain I had felt after pronouncing that name all wrong.
What the f-
It was searing. Like a cold knife twisting it's way down my abdomen ripping me open alive and cutting me to shreds.
Anger and rage flowed through my veins like a drop of food coloring being dropped inside a clear glass water.
Dissolving within me like a plague until all I saw was red. The sound of his name leaving her lips so effortlessly triggered me.
I balled my hands to fists.
I was so confused... confused of my own anger.
I didn't even know who this Damonous was and her I was being overly possessive over him. For all I knew he could have been a senile old man, married with seven kids but apparently the sound of his name coming out of her lips has me pissed.
She stared at me... I must have looked like a incapacitated and disabled idiot.
"Well? What are you waiting for you low-life begger?" She sneered.
"Go call him!" She said growling.
Her growl seriously sounded like a dogs. Or better yet. A wolf?...
The way she said his name with no hesitation drove me off edge.
This girl better watch her tone, I was already as angry as it is. I was furious and I wanted to tear her apart...
There was no doubt that this girl was beautiful. Piercing icy blue eyes. Pale and smooth skin, not a single blemish or texture in place. She looked like a fallen angel, a seductress or perhaps maybe even a siren and yet she'd be alone with Damonous... in his car... in a closed space.
One million and one scenarios played within my mind and my anger intensified.
"Are you deaf?! Go call hi-"
To hell with self control.
I raised my hand and suddenly without my own control my hand was flying aiming right at her pretty face... it collided with her cheek and a loud *SLAP!* echoed within the walls of where we stood.
Her head whipped to the side and still not realizing what I just did I glared at her.
I slapped her so hard the entire palm of my hand ached.
"Listen here Princess of the apes" I sneered.
"Don't think I'm anything lower than your equal just because I am wearing this rag of a dress" I say keeping my calm as though I never slapped her. "You may be rich however in the end we are both humans" I said.
She was frozen. Unmoving as she still stayed in the same pose after I had slapped her, completely shocked of what I have just done. Then so slowly... she turned her head to face me... her hands shaking as her blue eyes were as wide as saucers.
Was I hallucinating?
I could have sworn her eyes changed color.
They were no longer blue... but they turned into the darkest shade of black.
"Did you just slap me?..."
My heart picked up it's pace. Her voice changed to... drastically. It deepened. It sounded like an animal growling for her.
Silence.
A silence so loud rung within the walls. The grandfather clock on one of the sides of the room... I couldn't even focus on which one ticked, every passing second felt prolonged.
I did not know what to say.
It was very blatantly obvious that whoever this girl was, was way up higher than me in the hierarchy in this house, and my birdbrain decided to slap her.
Over saying a name of someone I didn't even know.
Silence. So much silence and with every ticking passing second I grew more afraid and she grew angrier.
"Yes." I said like a fool breaking the mad silence.
"I'll Kill you!" and the glass she held was thrown to the floor below me shattering into tiny fragments of my own startled and terrified reflection.
She lunged at me. Her nails elongating as they sharpened right before my eyes.
What.... just what is she?...
Panic consumed me. Time was passing by so slowly and she was moving so bloody fast! I didn't have the time to move or run because before I could even move a step her hand was on my throat.
She grabbed my throat which seemed so small in the palm of her delicate hands making me yelp. My eyes widened all the more if that were even possible, my hands trembled but I didn't back down. I kept my head held up high and stared right into her darkened eyes.
My fear evident as was my bravery.
Which was stupid really since my so called 'bravery' was what put me in this dangerous situation in the first place.
"You think you could slap a Higher Class and get away with it?" She said tilting her head to the side. Her nails-
No.
Her claws pierced through my neck and I felt a warm sticky liquid drip out of the open wound. The smell of iron and rust reached to my nose and my eyes left her lethal eyes to look at my own blood which stained her pale hands.
I gasped as I struggled, panting for air.
I was so scared. It truly felt like I could lose my life right this second, and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. I couldn't even scream, all I could do was croak as I held her hand which mercilessly continued their assault, her nails tearing my skin since I was the one moving.
God what was this girls hand made of? Steel?-
Even with all my struggles she did not even move an inch!
It was like restraining a mouse!
"Though I must say," She said taking out strands of my hair out of my face and brought them to my side. She stared at my horrified expression through bemused eyes, "You are brave...." and her grip tightened making my eyes roll to the back of my head.
She grinned in satisfaction before leaning to my ear.
"Goodbye you wreck" She whispered.
"Elisé- what the hell?!"
I then felt her being snatched away from me making me fall to my knees. My hands wrapped around my neck as every breath I took felt like a knife was scratching its way down my esophagus.
My one hand continued to cradle my throat as I stared at my other hand which stained with my own blood. My eyes then fell to the broken fragments of glass next to me which reflected the absolute fear in my red tear stained eyes.
"Do you understand what Damonous might do if he knew you attacked an innocent and defenseless maid?!" He bellowed. My ears were ringing. I was listening to them, however it were as if I were underwater.
My ears were not functioning properly and it was a struggle to distinguish the words of which were being said.
It seemed like all today was was a struggle and it was getting ridiculous.
My vision was blurring as unfamiliar black spots made way through my vision.
"Helpless?! Innocent?!! This bitch is far from innocent!" She screeched. She pointed at her cheek.
"She attacked me Zayn I was only defending myself!"
"Attacked you as in slapped you! I'm sure that that felt like a paper against your face! You could have killed her!" It was then I realized that this voice belonged to a male.
"Zayn, what is so special about her anyways? Not you or Damonous cared when I killed that other maid!" She snarled.
She killed someone?!
Mother, who the hell are you working for?!
And why are people so obsessed with the name Zayn?!
My body began to lose its heat. I was so cold. I then looked up to see who the girl was yelling at. It was then my eyes locked into familiar icy Zircons. His skin was pale and he towered over the girl making her look like a child. He had familiar blonde almost white hair.
Him?.... The silver haired man....
That night...
"I'm Zayn," He says.
Mama....
"How was work?" I asked.
'Eventful, Mrs. Medici's Second Son Zayn got into a fight again. His older brother Damonous ran after him'
The first hour I came here..
"Now go to the maids room straight down that hall and to your right and wear the uniform and get to work" She said not sparring her a second glance.
Her phone rang as she quickly picked it up.
"Oh hello Zayn!"
Suddenly it started to all add up... it all made sense. That same name I constantly heard since the night I met him.
They weren't different people... but all the same person.
"Zayn?" I croaked.
He seemed to be just as shocked as I was when he finally realized who I was as well. The bright zircon eyes widened at the realization.
However before I could do anything else my eyes I felt my consciousness lazily slip away from my fingers.
Not before feeling a sense of panic within me... a panic which was not mine...
My blurred and helpless vision gave up on me as my eyes leisurely fluttered shut.
"Elisé he's coming and he's not happy-"
"Who?..." Their voices drowned out of my senses... however right before I could hear the name of who wasn't happy I heard a loud thunderous roar, and then room was suddenly cold.
However before I could do anything else my eyes fluttered shut and I was welcomed to the sweet embrace of darkness...
Blissfully unaware in my complete oblivion that the person coming, was the entity of darkness itself.