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This story is dedicated to Aijin-moon. I'm writing it for her, and intend to for this story to go somewhere, though I'm not sure if it will or not. lol. I'd appreciate it if you would review. It doesn't have to be anything extravagent.. just enough to let me know what you think. heart love ya! heart
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Scarlet took a deep breath. She had to face him, as much as she dreaded it, with every fiber of her being, he knew she had to. She had to prove to everyone that she could be around him and not be effected, that she was truly over him, but as much as she had to prove it to everyone else, she had to prove it, most of all, to herself. She forced herself to open her door, to walk down the stairs, and into the lobby where the rest of the Coven was waiting for her.
***
“There she is.” A vice whispered in awe beside him. Kristopher looked up. And there she was, standing before him in the doorway. He had to admit she was beautiful. Auburn hair fell in soft waves to the middle of her back, green eyes shown fiercely against her fair skin, she was slender, but well toned. Her eyes were resting on Nathaniel, her supposed best friend. Personally, he thought they were secret lovers. The thought alone caused him to clench his jaw in barely restrained anger. Before it could get the better of him, Kristopher turned to the girl that now clung to his arm, pulled her closer, and enveloped her into what appeared a passionate kiss. Perhaps no one would notice that it wasn’t real, that he was wishing it were someone else. Just then a throat was cleared. Kristopher broke away from the tramp that clung to him gratefully; she wasn’t all that great of a distraction. She could never compare to Scarlet.
***
I sat beside Nathaniel, trying, and failing miserably not to sweep the room for Kristopher. My eyes settled on him, his arms wrapped around Tanya, the whore of the Coven, shoving his tongue down her throat, as if they weren’t surrounded by everyone in the Coven, like my father wasn’t about to announce his successor. I bit my lip in sadness, and, surprisingly, anger. It was the first time I had felt it. Up until now there had been only pain, but now I could feel it. Anger. Strong, and undeniable. The sound of my father clearing his throat pulled my eyes from Kristopher. Beside me, Nathaniel whispered in my ear.
“You don’t need him. You can survive without him, I promise you.” Nathaniel was right. I wanted Kristopher, but I didn’t need him. I had been perfectly happy and content before Kristopher had become a part of my life, and I would be again.
Again my father cleared his throat, and began speaking.
“I have brought you all here today to announce my successor. Five daughters I have, but only one of them can be entrusted with the safety of the Coven. Only one of them is worthy to lead you all in these troubling times. I am proud to tell you all that the one who will take over when Death takes me is one who is brave beyond reason, caring, and capable, she is wise beyond her years. I give you all: Scarlet, my youngest daughter.
I blinked in utter shock along with the rest of the Coven. We had all assumed it would be my oldest sister, Ruby. I could see her, sitting in a plush chair several feet from me, shock plane on her face.
“Scarlet.” My father called out softly, catching my attention. Slowly, I rose. Gliding up the stairs to the platform he was standing on.
“What are you doing?!” I mouthed to him. He only smiled.
I stepped up onto the platform with him, turning to face my people. Instantly my eyes focused on my sisters. Shock colored some of their faces, others were clearly angry. I did not want this, not if it cost me their kinship.
“Thank you, Father. I am, truly, honored.” I held my head high as I addressed my people. “ I will lead you to victory against our enemies. I will ensure our safety. I will uphold the family honor.” This last sentence I said to my sisters. I prayed they would not hold this against me. “I will uphold the traditions that have been in place all these centuries. I give you my word: I will not fail you. You shall not be disappointed.”
With that I stepped down to talk to my sister.
“Ruby!” My sister ignored me and continued for the exit. Gathering up the ends of the gown I wore, I chased after her. It wasn’t until she sprinted out the front door that I was able to catch up with her. I grabbed her wrist, spinning her around to face me.
“Let me go.” She hissed, her voice dangerous.
“No, I won’t. We need to talk about this.” My voice was calm. One had to be careful how when handling my sister, she was well known for her temper.
“If you do not release me, I will be forced to hurt you.” Her voice was laced with promise. She would do it, but I didn’t care, I refused to allow her to hate me for something I had no control over.
“Fine. I don’t care. But you will listen to me. I had-“
“I don’t care about your sniveling excuses.” Her voice was cold, uncaring.
“You will. When you calm down you will realize that you are wrong. I did not wish to lead the Coven. I-“
“I. Do. Not. Care. I refuse to live under you, my younger sister. You aren’t even old enough to know what it is to be a leader.” I opened my mouth to argue, but that’s as far as I got, she yanked her wrist out of my grasp, hit me with a burst of power, and disappeared. Just then I felt someone’s arms around me, I turned to find Nathaniel.
“I’m sorry.” He murmured, I took one look into his beautiful, understanding eyes, and broke down, sobs racking my frame.
***
Chapter two
He didn’t tell me it would be okay, that everything would work out, he just held me, teleporting us to his bedroom, where I would not have to face the prying eyes of the Coven.
How long I sobbed into his arms I do not know. Eventually I fell asleep. I woke with my head on his chest, like so many times before, and his warm smile.
“How are you feeling?”
I groaned, snuggling into him.
“Look at me.” I tilted my chin up, my eyes automatically locking onto his. He brushed a stray lock of hair out of my face, a look of deep sadness in his eyes. I pulled myself out of his arms, running my hand through my hair as I came to a sitting position.
“Nathaniel-“ I didn’t get to finish my sentence, he pulled me back against his bare chest.
“I’m sorry. I know better. I just- can’t help myself sometimes.”
“Maybe I should leave…”
“No, no.” He said quickly, jumping on my indecision. Neither one of us wanted me to leave; it was just for different reasons. “Stay.” He said. “I’ll be good, I promise. Just lay with me. I know you want to.”
“I do. But Nathaniel, it’s for a different reason…”
“I know. You desire nothing more from me than friendship, I don’t care. As long as I can be here for you, be near you... my world is all right.” His beautiful voice wrapped around me, to myself, I smiled, before turning back to him, curling into him.
***
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 Farrah Dabria · Fri Jul 25, 2008 @ 08:18pm · 0 Comments |
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