"I am sure this will be great for you." Maria remarked. She took a dress from the wardrobe and placed it on the bed. She looked over to her mistress who had a nervous look on her face.
Selena bit her fingernails thinking about her date with the duke. She was in her room when suddenly she saw a note on the floor. It was from Xavier. She got dressed in a loose straight dress that was held by a belt. Maria chose leather heels because they were going for horse riding. Her hair had been tied into a pony.
Why the sudden date when it was two days to their wedding?Where were they going to? Maria led her to the stables that was filled with the sounds of horses neighing. There, she saw Xavier who had his black hair tied into a loose bun and was petting a horse. She stood there to admire his extreme handsomeness. His red lips held a small smile as his violet eyes twinkled.
'Too sad that I'm leaving such an extraordinary man here. However he is just like those who paid for me. My uncle is benefiting from this marriage not me so I don't see the need to stay here.' she thought. He turned to her direction making her stop breathing for two seconds.
His boot made noise when they came into contact with the hay in the dusty ground. "You look beautiful as always." he complimented with a kiss on her hand. He pulled her to a brown horse who was minding it's business eating hay.
"Do you how to ride a horse?." he asked when he saw her going close to the horse and caressing it making the horse neigh in response.
Her face held a melancholic expression, " Yes. I do." Xavier was surprised because most aristocratic women only learn how to read, write, sew dress and seduce men to get husbands. "Who taught you how to ride a horse." he asked with bewilderment. "I learned on my own. I really wanted to learn how to ride." she lied. Her mother taught her how to ride it in her previous life. The memories she had with her mum before her death made her sad.
"Well, then it is good." Xavier said as he pulled the brown horse and placed a staddle on it. "I know I do not have time for you lately because of our wedding and our work. However I am free so I want to spend it with you." he continued , lifting Selena off her feet and putting her on the horse. After he made sure everything was perfect, he got on his horse.
Selena awed at the green forest that laid beyond the gates of the mansion. She looked at Xavier who was infront and wondered where he was taking her. The songs sung by the birds that perched on the tree, the dancing wind that made her shiver slightly and the green vegetation made her close her eyes.Taking a deep breath, she raised her head and opened her eyes to see Xavier looking at her.
" You must really love horse riding." he remarked as she came close, riding side by side, she answered, "I love feeling free. I love being able to do something that makes me happy for once. I love freedom." He gazed at her and they continued to their destination.
"We are finally here." he said when a valley of meadow blanketed by beautiful wild flowers with butterflies fluttering around it greeted her. Xavier got down first and helped Selena who was completely entranced by the beautiful sight. She slowly strolled towards it with careful steps as if afraid that it was all an illusion.
The sun bathed the meadow along with Selena and Xavier. " This was comfort haven when I wanted to run away from my struggles as a child." Selena stared at him wondering the kind of problems he had as a child. A butterfly flew by making Selena want to grab it. She tiptoed towards it when it landed on a flower. With careful steps she caught it in her palms and giggled when it was struggling to fly in her palms.
Xavier stared at Selena who was having fun. Apart from Flora, one of his past wives, he never brought anyone there. Flora. The memories he had with her in the past made him sad and guilty that he couldn't protect her. He bowed his head as an image of her running around the meadow with her chestnut hair and her smiling amber eyes. Her white dress clung on her when she rolled on the meadow.
How did he let his kind and sweet Flora die. He vowed with determination to protect his red hair wife this time.
The weather changed dratiscally alarming Selena and Xavier who laid on the soft grass in the meadow. " We must hurry it is about to rain." Xavier said as he held Selena's hands and dragged her to the horse. Galloping, they weren't able to reach anywhere when the thunder struck and the rain started to fall heavily.
Xavier had to retreat to a cave in the forest with Selena. Soaked by the rain they entered with the horses and tied them up. Xavier set up wood for the fire but the rain had soaked them. He had no choice but to light it up with his fire power.
Selena stood at the mouth of he cave, wondering when the rain would stop. She turned to see Xavier lighting the wood up with fire from his bare hands. She gasped with shock which made Xavier turned to her. "Do not be afraid. Some pure vampires where born with special abilities. I won't hurt you." he said with outstretched hands.
Selena held his hands as he brought her closer to the fire. She was freezing cold and her hands was filled with goosebumps. Selena raised her head when she heard the rustling of dress removing. She screamed when she saw Xavier undressing himself. " What do you think you are doing." she asked with her hands covering her eyes. She felt something being used to cover her. Peaking through her hands, she saw Xavier covering her with his shirt leaving him covered with a light shirt.
" You are shivering." he said. " What about you. Are you not feeling cold." she asked. Shaking his head he replied, "I am used to the cold." She removed her eyes and stared at him. He was on his knees and his face was too close to hers. After some seconds, he stood up and went to the horses.
She felt somehow disappointed that he had that shirt on. The shirt clung on his body due to the rain showing the outline of his manly body. But she couldn't see much making her pout in disappointment. Xavier sat beside her in the silent cave until it drizzled lightly.
They immediately rode to mansion. Maria was so worried about her mistress who hadn't returned yet. " Seeing you makes me think you are her nanny." came the chuckle of Mickel who happened to see Maria standing in the rain waiting for her mistress. Maria bowed her head with respect to the vampire. " She looks so devoted to her. Makes me sad." Rubin stated wiping his invincible tears. Mickel brought an umbrella and gave it to Maria. "At least shield yourself from the rain. I'm not sure sister-in-law would be happy if you fell sick." he said as Maria bowed and thanked him making Rubin angry. " When did you get time to pick an umbrella and why are you nice to her. I thought you hated women." Rubin asked with raised eye brows when Mickel started walking to his room.
"At least I know how to treat them right." he replied turning to Rubin whose eyes were livid. "She is mine." he said. "Really? Okay." he said.
"Can you enter now. I am really tired." Rubin entered and shut the door.
" Oh mistress you are wet." Maria worriedly moved towards her and used the umbrella to cover her. Xavier told Maria to take good care of Selena as he made his way towards his room.
Selena laid in the hot bath that was soothing her cold. " Do not ever stand in the rain again. I do not want you fall sick. Promise me that." Selena remarked making Maria pause in bathing her. She got up and walked and covered herself with the bathrobe. " Wash up." she said to Maria who was about to cry because of the concern her mistress showed her. " Well hurry up and do not tell me that you cannot bath here." Selena continued with shut.
Maria cried at the concern of her mistress.
Selena was in her nightgown when a bird came to stand infront of her window. She opened the window and removed a parchment tied on its leg with a rope.
"Meet me at the garden." she read. The night was illuminated by the moon light. Selena looked around the garden searching for Xavier. After some time, he did not come making her weary.
"I am here alone. Where are you?" she asked no one in particular only to receive silence as an answer. She heard a rustle and then a voice,"We are here." a man in a black mask said as Selena was surrounded with a lot of men in black.
"Who are you? What do you want." she asked as she turned around. " You don't need to know who we are. Just come with us quietly without making any complaints.Or else." he said as he brought a dagger from his pocket. Making Selena widen her eyes.