Hi! Well, the holidays were busy for me. I was in a usical which sold out for all six performances, during two weekends.(not to mention he endless dress rehearsals. Those lasted forever.) Anyway, I had planned to update this before Christmas, as a presant, but guess what shold happen except my flash drive gets stolen. (forty bucks gone. Wonderful) It had this chapter on it, so I had to retype everything from memory as best as I could, re-edit it, the works. Anyway, here it is. I'm no good with deadlines, but I'm doing my best. I hope you enjoy this! As always, constructive critisism is welcomed. I'm always open to ways to make this better!
It took me a moment to remember where I was. My eyes had opened slowly, and all I could see was complete darkness. I could hear Eddie's slow breathing. With every exhale, the top of my hair would move and ruffle. He still had his arms wrapped around me, holding me in a tight embrace. I sat there in the darkness, and silence except for the sounds of our breathing. I had never felt so at ease, so at peace before. I loved just being here in his arms. I placed my head closer on top of his chest.
"You're early to rise"
I looked up to his face, and saw him looking into my eyes with a loving gaze. He smiled and kissed my forehead. I, in return, have him a huge bear hug.
"How did you sleep Eddie?"
"Better then I've ever before. Come on, we'd better get moving"
He pushed open the coffin lid. A soft glow was emitting from the window, but the rest of the room was still as shadowed as before. I grasped the edge and hoisted myself up and out.
He followed, but stayed away from the window above the coffin. I walked over to it and pulled the curtains apart. The sky was an explosion of purples, pinks, oranges, and reds as I caught the last few seconds of the evening sun. A strange sensation of dread came over me as I saw the sun dip below the horizon and the sky began to darken. But it quickly left when I heard Eddie call my name.
"You're clothes have already been brought up. Hope you don't mind if Selene picked them out again."
"No, I don't mind."
I walked over to the fainting couch and picked the dress up. It was a royal blue, with a square neckline and gold embroidery. Golden pieces of ribbon laced across the stomach, which eventually merged into swirls of shimmering gold along the rest. The sleeves were form fitting up to the elbows, where they hung down with golden lace along the edges. I was about to put it on when I remembered the cost for wearing this dress. That damn corset. My eyes caught it slung over the back of the fainting couch. I grabbed it along with the dress and, with a huge huff of annoyance, walked off to the room I changed in last night. For a newbie, I actually did okay with the corset. That was until I reached a certain string that didn't want to cooperate. Albeit a little embarrassed, I opened the door a crack and tried to ask for help.
"Hey, Eddie? Do you think you could give me a hand with this?"
Eddie was standing by his desk, already in a black suit with a white collared shirt underneath. He was trying to button up the vest of the suit when I called him. He looked up away from his task, and chuckled.
"Every woman I've ever met that has had to wear those things has had trouble putting them on. Glad I don't have to wear one!" He had a smug, "I'm play teasing you" look on his face.
"Just get over here and help me."
He chuckled once more as he walked over and started to pull the strings. Again, I gasped with each newly tightened row.
"Whomever invented these must not have liked to breathe."
"No kidding. You're done."
I smiled at him as thanks, and walked back into the room. It was incredibly easy to slip into the dress compared to putting on the corset. It was hard to tell what I looked like in it without a mirror, but I could tell that the front was a bit low for my tastes, but not ridiculously low. There was nothing I could do about it, so I simply smiled and tossed it from my mind. Quietly, I slipped from the room and sat on the couch, proceeding to put on the royal blue heels with gold swirls left out for me. All in all, this was a very regal appearing outfit.
I leaned back against the couch for a moment, when Eddie's sketches caught my eyes again. I hadn't had a chance to look at them before. Eddie was at his desk, shuffling papers around, seemingly looking for something. I got up without a word, and silently made my way over to the sketches. Every sketch was done in a black pencil, with different shades to make the pictures seem real. The first were of his family. It was amazing! It was as if I could see each one's personality in the picture. Count Van's regal but kind demeanor. Countess Elizabeth's caring and wise facial expression made her seem friendly and approachable. Selene and Roseline both appeared happy, but in different forms. Selene's happy shone through completely, while Roseline's was a bit more controlled. It made me smile at how much care he put into that sketch.
I flipped through a couple of other loose sketches, mostly of Shadow and Starlight, or of the interior of the palace halls. But then a medium sized, black leather sketchbook caught my eye. It was on the floor by the easel, set apart from the rest. Gingerly I picked it up and pried open the cover. The binding creaked as I bent it. My jaw dropped and my eyes bulged at the sketches I saw. It was a picture of myself, asleep in my bed at the mansion! I was atop the black satin blanket, one hand near my face on the pillow and the other tossed off to the side. I remember the outfit I was in. the plain black t-shirt and blue jeans that I had was in the first day I had met Eddie. My face looked so tired. I myself hadn't realized how exhausted I was that night.
"You entranced me. I just couldn't help myself."
I jumped and turned around, not realizing that Eddie was the close or had even seen me look at the sketchbook.
"Eddie! I um…they're amazing sketches…but, um…"
"I never meant for you to see those sketches. You inspired me, so I drew. I just didn't want to scare you with them."
"You really do have a talent for drawing, it's just that I thought I was alone when…"
" You weren't. I understand if you're mad."
"You know, normally I would be, but I'm simply not. Does that make any sense? You didn't slip me something, did you?"
"Maybe, maybe not."
We laughed out loud, and I gave him a warm hug to show it didn't bother me too much. This stalking thing was old news and really wasn't important at the moment. Especially knowing what fueled it.
"Come, the trial will start in about an hour."
"How do you know?"
He pointed to his head. "Internal Clock. Kinda like a sun dial, but in my head."
We smiled at each other, but mine quickly faded when the reality of what we were headed for hit me. He must have noticed, for he placed his arms on my shoulders and peered into my eyes, his gaze full of concern.
"You're worried."
"No, I'm frightened. It scares me. It seems as if everything is being said and done without me. Now, in an hour, my fate is to be decided. I might end up with that bastard Mark! And I can do nothing to stop it! Do you know how powerless I feel?"
If I didn't feel any anxiety about the trial before, I sure as Hell felt it now. Erratic sobs began to wrack my body, and I could feel him envelop me in his arms. I rested my head on his broad chest, finding solace there.
"I'll do all I can to make sure this trial heads in our favor. Even if we loose, do you really think that I will willingly stand by and watch him claim you? Although I despise the Tepes's with all my being, Count Lucifer has a point. Vampires are predators, like a wolf. And like the wolf, we will protect what is ours."
His fingers pressed firmer into my shoulders, and I began to calm down in his cool embrace.
"I will fight 'till death consumes me."
I looked up at him, and I saw a feint fierceness in his eyes. I remembered that look. I had seen it in Shadow's eyes back when Eddie and Mark were fighting. I should be frightened of that look, but it was oddly comforting.
"Thank you."
My voice came out as a quavering whisper as I leaned up and gave him a soft kiss. I poured all of my gratitude, all my love, and my fear into that kiss. I pulled away, and wrapped my arms around his back, giving him the tightest hug I'd ever mustered. His hand went to the back of my head, and he kissed my forehead with just as much force as I'd hugged him. We simply stood there, holding each other for what seemed like an eternity. I could tell, neither of us wanted to go to that trial. Eddie was the one who eventually moved first. He gently pushed me away and held out his arm. I sighed, and grasped his arm. We couldn't stall any longer.
We walked out into the hall, and the sight which greeted us shocked me. Unlike the golden glow of the royal halls, which had shining white marble everywhere, these halls were made of wood, and a dull gray wood at that. There were cobwebs along the ceiling, and the faded red carpet was dusty and torn. I looked up at Eddie with curious eyes. He just kept on looking onward. Right as we turned a corner, he stopped right in front of a torn tapestry that seemed to flutter in an unseen draft. Eddie lifted it up, and a pitch-black tunnel lay behind it. I could barely even look maybe a foot into it, since there was no candles in the hallway behind us, nor any in that dank tunnel. Eddie had to put his arm around the back of my waist in order to lead me through. I couldn't even see Eddie's face close to mine as soon as the tapestry fell down behind us. As he led me, I felt my feet kicking things in the dark. If Eddie wasn't supporting me, I swear I would've tripped and landed flat on my face by now! I wondered how my face must've looked to him, since he could see. Lucky.
The tunnel seemed to go on forever in my head, but not long after we started walking, Eddie stopped. I couldn't see what he was doing, but a bright light suddenly filled the dank tunnel. My eyes instantly closed, and it took me a couple of seconds for them to adjust. But I saw gold colored walls, glowing candles, and rich tapestries adorning all available space. We were back in the royal halls! As we stepped out, I looked back behind me and memorized the tapestry that hid that secret passageway. It was of a heart, tangled in a web of briars. I vaguely wondered if it symbolized something, but Eddie had already started walking.
As we walked, I noticed that some of the decorations were familiar.
We were close to the grand staircase. When we went around the last corner, just as I thought, we ended up right at the grand staircase. But we weren't alone. Selene and Roseline stood at the bottom of the right stairs, while, much to my dismay, Mark stood at the bottom of the left. All three of their heads snapped towards us at our arrival. Selene and Roseline quickly made their way toward us.
"Hello brother." They said in unison.
"Hey Selene. Hello Roseline." They both looked solemn, with their faces downcast.
"We can't really help. We're just there to be seen, being part of the royal bloodline and all. We weren't involved in the incident."
Roseline didn't mince words, but her tone said exactly what she thought. She wanted to be of some help, not just to sit and watch on the sidelines.
"This will turn out alright. We'll make it so."
Eddie's voice held such determination in it. Just hearing him speak lifted my spirits.
"Don't be a fool"
Our heads snapped to Mark, who had made his way behind Selene and Roseline without anyone noticing.
"You know damn well that there is hardly any chance of you winning this."
"Shut up Mark." Eddie's voice was much quieter, but it quivered with anger.
"It was my kill…"
"Shut it."
"She was alone…"
"Mark…"
"You hadn't staked a claim on her…"
"MARK!" Eddie suddenly burst with anger, and his voice boomed off the walls. He was quivering with fury now, and for the first time, I was frightened to stand next to him.
"Mark… I don't care how much evidence and support you have for your side…you will NOT have her!"
"If you loose, you won't have much of a say in that matter, now will you?"
Eddie lunged at him right then and there, but Selene and Roseline moved and held him back. Now was not the time for a struggle. It took both of their strength to hold him back, for he was pulling against them to get at Mark. Mark simply stood there and laughed at Eddie's fury.
I'd have enough of this. I was so tired of people making choices for me, and never even hearing me. Adrenaline, anger, defiance, and rebellion surged through my veins, and before anyone could foresee what I was going to do, I ran up to Mark and punched him in his face. He staggered back and held his hurt cheek, and stared at me in shock. I knew I hadn't hurt him, although I wished I did.
"Now you listen to me Mark. I am SO tired of you acting like the son of a bitch you are, thinking that you can have anything you want. I am NOT a prize to be won! Got it? And even if you do win, I will never give in to you! Do you hear me? NEVER you BASTARD! Now you need to shut that hole in your face and BACK OFF!"
Every one was still. Even Eddie was in shock. I was SO pissed off. I enjoyed the look of shock on Mark's face. Too bad it didn't last long though. Soon a face of pure fury came across his face, and he stood up, and took a few steps slowly towards me, his fangs bared and the rage emitting off of him. The rush I felt before which fuelled my punch quickly deserted me, with fear taking its place. His eyes were that terrifying
"I will teach you your place you insolent little…"
"That's enough Mark"
Count Lucifer and Count Van stood at the far end of the hall in front of the grand staircase. Their outfits hadn't changed from when I last saw them, except for a few things, like the way a vest buttoned up, or the design on their capes. The color scheme was still the same. They walked up to us, only to address us.
"Now is not the time to loose your tempers, all of you. Come, the trial will begin shortly."
Count Lucifer swiftly turned away and started heading out into the hallway, which lead out of the royal halls.
With a swish of his hand, Count Van signaled us to follow. But before we had taken a few steps, Count Van looked behind him at Mark.
"It's not like she truly hurt you Mark." With that, he caught up with Count Lucifer and matched his pace.
We all followed solemnly, except for Mark. He had quickly gotten over his rage, and calmed down some, although he still looked rather ticked off. Selene and Roseline followed ahead of us. Eddie walked by my side, but unlike before, I didn't hold on to his arm as etiquette required. Instead, we held each other's hand, our fingers interlocked. We spoke not a single word, but I could sense his worry and unease. I wished that I could quell it, but I felt the same. A knot of the unknown wound in my stomach. I felt as if I was walking into my own damnation or salvation. I desperately hoped it was the latter.
After a few hallways that I had failed to take notice of, we came upon a huge mahogany door. It towered above us, making me feel so insignificant compared to it. The Counts walked up to it, each one taking a handle, and pushed the two doors open at the same time, effortlessly.
I gasped as we strode in. The room was a huge dome, supported by connecting arched of white marble. The ceiling was painted red, with the crest I saw on Eddie's coffin enlarged upon its surface. There was an open space in the circle of waiting vampires, all whispering and mumbling to one another. The audience's seats curved up to the edges of the dome's roof. There were two sets of thrones off to the sides, each with smaller seats around them. They were made of a dark wood, and furnished with velvet cushions. The Counts took their places in them, with their brides at their sides. Selene and Roseline sat with their parents. A much larger throne sat in the center of the circle. Like the door, this one towered over the entire audience. It was made of the same dark wood as the Count's thrones, although this one was far more regal than both of theirs. Two tables sat in front of what was undoubtedly the judge's throne. Mark went and took his seat at the farthest table. I could have been mistaken, but he seemed anxious to have this started. Slowly, Eddie and I made our way and sat down at the other table, with me closest to the center. It wasn't long before the unnerving chatter from the ones behind me ceased to a blessed silence, but was replaced by a feeling of doom. As I watched a gray haired, wrinkled, limping old man make his way up the judges throne, I felt in my gut that something bad was coming. And my gut was usually right.
A young boy stood in the center, and gave a weak smile to Eddie. I looked over to Eddie, and he explained.
"That's Malakai, the royal messenger. Also one of my few friends here."
I nodded, to show I understood, and brought my attention back to Malakai, who had started to speak.
"This honorable vampire, Elder William, has chosen to give up his eternal youth in return for the wisdom of the ages, condemning himself to an eternity as a crippled old man. For his sacrifice, and with the knowledge he gained, he is the one to settle all disputes here between vampires, as it has always been. Now, he shall settle the dispute between the young Counts, Edward Vladamir Howl, and Markus Armand Tepes. They fight over the ownership of Kelly Rose Parker, a human. Now, Elder William, please begin."
After he had said all that he was required to say, he quickly left the open circle, back to the cover of the masses. Every breath taken in the room was held, waiting for the first move to be played.
The trial had begun.
Hope it was longer, to make up for the wait!
KMD3271: Sorry I didn't reply, somehow my e-mail didn't tell me. Anyway, good question! It made me stop and think for a while on its answer! The only explanation I could come up with would be that he knew Count Lucifer had a bit of a temper, add the trail and his son's desire of her, he would be smart enough not to injure her. If it lasted any longer than one or two seconds, he'd put a stopt it. But then tormenting his own son pushed him into action a little sooner. That's all I could come up with.(also, I really wanted Count Lucifer to have a chance to say what he does, and that seemed like a pretty good way to do it.)