Anathema's Veil
written by axisixas
──⊱⁜⊰──
Chapter 4: Deafening Silence
Then it stopped.
The sound of rain.
The gushing of the wind.
The thunder and the storm.
Everything that makes something alive was veiled in infinite darkness.
For her the world stopped. Panic arised in her, but the comfort of silence made her take a deep breath.
Deafening silence.
Manon wished for it but not this way where all she could hear was the pulsing beat of her heart and her shaky breaths.
Manon's hands grasped the sheets, to hear nothing was enough to feel the doom of going insane, feeling the soft sheets grounded her. Made her feel safe.
Even the light was gone. It was surreal. And then she could feel him.
The darkness inside him as well as the essence of something vague but real.
"What are you?"
That was all she could utter when she felt him drew closer.
"I am a shadow," he spoke carefully as if afraid to scare her.
She turned her body directly to where she could hear his voice.
"What is a shadow? Aren't you like everybody else? A fae. From a fairytale. Where are your pointed ears?"
He chuckled. Low and deep.
Suprisingly she find it sexy. An odd observation. A bizarre conclusion. Which irked her. She shouldn't find a shadow hot.
"I am fae. A Shadow Fae. There is light. Thus darkness also exist. But darkness doesn't immediately mean evil. Do not think I'm evil," he trailed softly.
His voice felt like a gentle carress against her skin. Afraid she would think he was evil just because he commands the shadow.
He is not.
Manon knew he wasn't when he granted her wish.
He was just a little crazy.
Manon concluded.
"So does everyone in fae have powers? Or just you?"
Then she saw him. His face inches towards her. Always in a safe distance.
He could command shadows as if he owns it, so this time she didn't know how suddenly there was light.
Manon still could not hear anything else but this time there was light in the middle of darkness.
And there was him. In front of her. Staring intently, eyes boring beyond what meets the eye.
"Not everyone is meant to do great. Not everyone is meant for greatness"
Okay. Where is he going with those words?
"So?"
"Not everyone is an heir. Not every fae is meant to be High Lord."
"So only an Heir and a High Lord has this incredible power?"
"Yes but there are other exceptions."
"And what is that?"
He just smiled. His smile has a distinct charm in it. One that she couldn't help but stare at.
"Can I stay here tonight?"
For some reason, she could suddenly feel her body's exhaustion.
She didn't notice how heavy her lids tried to stay open or how tense her body was. How hungry and exhausted she was.
"I don't think that's appropriate and the steward said—"
"I'm afraid you won't be able to sleep tonight with the thunderstorm. You cannot hear it but the storm hasn't stopped."
Manon knew she needed rest.
She stared and contemplated the best option. He looked demented, from the way his black hair covers his eyes down to his very demeanor.
But she felt safe for the first time she set her foot here in Feyren. For the first time she felt at peace, even for a while.
Always too tensed, always on guard was taking a toll on her frail body.
She had no access to decent food, she knew she needed at least a good night sleep. And a generous offer of not succumbing to her fear and anxiety.
"Can I trust you?"
His face softened. But his eyes a little dilated from her liking.
"Yes."
He was practically begging when he uttered that single word.
Manon, too exhausted to think about anything else just wanted to trust this boy.
"Then tonight, I'll trust you."
Overjoyed, his smile almost ripped the corners of his cheeks.
"I promise I won't disappoint you."
That was the beginning of Maden wanting to please her.
Doing everything to get her approval.
Her smile.
Her warmth.
Her attention.
Her everything.
And then he guarded her all night.
The next morning Maden knew there was no way out of this.
Nothing could break them apart.
The only way was death.
But there's a way to defy death.
And that is immortality.
One he was sure he would get no matter what the cost.
For him and for her.
──⊱⁜⊰──