A Light Within the Darkness
Chapter One
AN: Okay, here's chapter one! Chapter two is still in the making. Feel free to review and such but no flames! . Enjoy the reading!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is recognizable. Kael Calhoun, Kiara and the rest of the Fallons are mine as are a few other characters such as James (Lestrange), but mostly everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling! -sigh- I just own wishful thinking...
Kiara rolled over grumpily as an owl began to tap at the far window. She managed to ignore it and almost fall asleep until it flew around and began to tap on the closest window to her bed.
"Stupid, smart owls," she groaned in response before rousing herself out and bed. "Tempus," she whispered and a sighed. It was only six thirty in the morning. She crossed over to the window and took the letter from the owl before giving it a treat and sending it off again.
She crawled back into bed and burrowed under the covers before turning her attention to the letter. It was addressed to Miss Fallon. She frowned slightly. The handwriting was elegant, but unfamiliar. She opened the letter slowly.
Dear Miss Kiara Fallon,
I'm certain that your father has now informed you of your current situation. I am planning a visit to introduce myself properly tonight at precisely eight o clock. I have left the location and other details to your father.
Until then,
Your Admirer
The letter was short and to the point, but it still left Kiara with a strong sense of apprehension. She was not sure whether she could pull off the meeting so soon. She stared at the letter a moment longer before setting it aside and burrowing under the covers with the intention of falling back asleep.
KFLVKFLV
Kiara woke a couple of hours later and groggily got ready for the day. She decided to chill out for most of the day and conserve what little energy she had. Any and every thought about the upcoming meeting or marriage or relationships was ignored.
She spent most of the afternoon at the stables, petting and riding bareback, enjoying the weather and the peace while she could.
"You should eat some dinner," a voice said out of nowhere. Kiara spun around, startled, but relaxed when she realized who it was.
"I'm not that hungry," she replied softly, putting the brush she had been using on her favorite horse's mane away.
"At least eat some toast or a salad or something," he subtly demanded.
She gave a small smile. "I'll eat a bit of fruit, but nothing else, okay?"
"That's fine," he agreed. "I really don't care what you wear tonight, but you should probably get washed up. You smell like the stables," he teased gently, wrapping his arm across his daughter's shoulders.
"I don't want to do this," Kiara confided, "I don't want to have anything to do with it. What am I supposed to say to James?"
"James won't like it, but eventually he'll understand. The Dark Lord really isn't the worst person to be with. I have a feeling you'll be cherished and protected, and one day, you might love him. It's just starting out on the road and getting to know him. You'll be fine in the end. And I'll be here for you until my dying day," he attempted to reassure her.
"I love you," she said right before they entered the house. She pecked him on the cheek and they split paths. He left for his study and Kiara left for the kitchens, getting her promised bit of food before getting ready.
KFLVKFLV
"Please tell me you are not wearing that," a cold voice demanded.
Kiara stood up. She was wearing a t-shirt and jeans, her normal everyday attire around the house. She gazed at her mother evenly. "If he's so interested in me, he needs to know what he's getting into. You want me to what, pretend that I'm going to a ball? It's not going to happen, so don't waste your breath," she hissed.
"Ciaran!" Rose called angrily, almost stomping out of the room. "Tell your daughter to change this instant!"
He appeared from his study and walked up the stairs and to his daughter's room. Kiara glanced at her father as he entered and looked her over.
"What's wrong with her outfit?" He intoned, looking a bit annoyed at having to leave his study.
Rose gaped at him. "What do you think is wrong with it?"
"Nothing. She is fine. My only concern was that she would smell like the stables, but seeing how she has showered, I fail to see the problem. Our guest is going to be down any minute so why don't you go downstairs and wait for his arrival," he ordered.
Kiara glanced back over and gave him a small smile after her mother left.
Ciaran glanced at his watch. "Be down in five," he instructed, before following the path his wife took minutes earlier.
Kiara tugged on her hair nervously as she tried to stall for as much time as she felt she could before pissing someone off.
"You can do this," she said to herself out loud before she switched to silently chanting the new mantra in her head.
She left her room and slowly ventured downstairs. She found both of her parents standing outside of her father's study.
"He just arrived. You can go in. I'll be out here if you need anything," her father said, motioning towards the door.
She nodded and slowly opened the door. "Come on in, don't be shy," a voice echoed through the room.
She slid in and shut the door behind her with a snap. "I'm not shy," was the first thing out of her mouth.
Kiara mentally rolled her eyes at already being baited like that, and decided to keep her mouth shut.
He was seated in a chair turned sideways, parallel to her father's desk. He motioned for her to sit but she declined, thinking she'd feel more comfortable next to the wall. For a moment there was silence as both examined the other. She found that he was extremely handsome, with dark hair and dark green eyes. She also noted he was taller than her, and although he was lean, she had a feeling he was stronger than his appearance showed. He examined her examining him, since he already knew what she looked like.
"Nice choice of clothing," he said suddenly. He himself had on black slacks and a silky green shirt on that matched his eyes, with a black cloak thrown over both.
Kiara mentally smirked, "Try telling that to mother dear," she commented, before deciding she would not make idle conversation with him. "I'd rather skip the pleasantries," she voiced.
"Oh, and skip to what, exactly?" He inquired, amused.
'Keep calm and try to talk him out of it,' Kiara thought to herself. "Skip to the fact that your interest and this meeting is unfounded."
"Unfounded? How so?" He questioned, amusement growing.
She felt slightly irritated but brushed it off. "I already have a boyfriend, sir, and I have no intention of getting married to a complete stranger," Kiara informed him coldly. "Besides, you are no where near neutral, and I'd rather stay out of your stupid war."
He leaned back and laughed. "This is why you're so interesting," he commented after his laughter subsided, "However, you seem to think you have a choice. I hope it pleases you that your father disagreed until I managed to one-up him, although your mother is all for it. My asking you is more of a pleasantry than anything, and I was hoping you'd agree by yourself so you could keep the illusion of having a choice. As for your boyfriend, his father is one of my most loyal. He would not hesitate in handing over his son, should you continue to protest," he left the threat hanging.
She stood in shock, willing the helplessness of the situation to go away. "You're like three times my age," she whispered.
"That isn't really a valid point for someone who has been in a quest for immortality," he reminded her, "you probably know some of the details."
Kiara said nothing after that. She merely glared at him and willed the shaking in her hands to stop. "Why me?" she finally questioned.
"You're interesting, as I said earlier. Not exactly a normal pureblood girl. I have other reasons, but they are not important at the moment,"
"I'm only sixteen," she said unevenly, not trusting her voice at the moment. "I can't marry someone at my age. I couldn't possibly become tied down this early. I want to have a life first. I don't want to worry about duty," she spat the word out, "or a family or anything else that comes with being married!" She protested, barely keeping herself from becoming hysterical "I don't even know what the crap I could call you! Voldemort?" She nearly spat in her momentary loss of control.
He stood and strode briskly over to her and stood in front of her, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. "I figured as much," he said softly, raising his hand, he ignored her flinch, "and as for my name, Tom will do."
"Look at me," he instructed after a moment, lifting her chin to make them lock eyes. "I have a proposition for you," he said softly, "and I am doing this because I feel no need to make you hate me. Either, as of this moment, we become engaged, and not get married until your eighteenth birthday, or we get married within the next week. Remember that the engagement would be so that you can get to know me before fully committing yourself, not time to flounder around with anyone else," he paused, "the choice is yours."
Kiara pressed herself back into the wall, not used to having anyone standing so close to her. She knew that she was losing control of the situation, if she had even had any in the beginning. Still trying to hide her slight shaking, she took a moment to find her voice. "With the engagement, nothing really…sexual, before the marriage?" She questioned, almost pleaded.
He paused, thinking it over, "Agreed. So you choose the engagement?" He waited for her slight nod before slipping an engagement ring on her finger. "I'll be in contact with you soon," he whispered before kissing her forehead and sweeping from the room.
As soon as the door shut, Kiara slid down the wall, struggling to breathe correctly and willing the constricting pain in her chest away. "I am so not ready for this," she whispered, a few scattered tears falling before thinking that she had better flee before anyone found her in that position.