Lover

[StarSplitter87]

When the Queen finished her song, plucking the final cord with her eyes slightly closed, deep in the moment, she smiled and glanced down at Roden, "Ah, it is nice to play again. Would you like to hear another? I have a few to which I sing. I wonder if you could tell me which to play for my King?" This idea seemed to excite her and she awaited his answer.

 

[CJF]

Trista felt her heart skip a beat as he spoke to her, and marveled at her own emotions. Just becasue he seemed familiar was no reason to act so strangely, but she couldn't help it. She narrowed her eyes and studdied him for a moment longer. She was about to walk away, when he spoke. "You ought not to wander around this part of the city anymore, mistress. Next time I may not be around to hear you scream."

Trista wasn't expecting that. Was he...flirting? She narrowed her eyes further, unsure of what was going on inside of herself. It had been decades since someone had flirted with her, and she wasn't sure how to handle it. She still couldn't place how this man seemed familiar or why, and it puzzled her. She bit her lower lip and took another step closer.

"Forgive me but, do I know you?" she asked. "You seem very familiar to me..."

 

[MissCellaFane]

Roden listened as the last notes from the harp gently faded away. He opened his eyes and the rapturous look on her face mirrored the sense of peace he was feeling inside. "Ah, it is nice to play again. Would you like to hear another? I have a few to which I sing. I wonder if you could tell me which to play for my King?"

He hadn't expected that, but was pleased that she wanted his opinion. "That was simply marvelous, My Lady. You have a gift. Though I couldn't possibly presume to know which you should play for His Majesty." An inspiration came to him. "Does he have a favorite among those songs you play?"

******

"Forgive me but, do I know you?" she asked. "You seem very familiar to me..."

That was the last thing Samir expected her to say. It was impossible, of course. She was only seeing what she wanted to see. He only seemed familiar to her because she felt a connection, him having just saved her life. He shook his head beneath his hood. "No. You do not know me. That would be entirely impossible."

 

[StarSplitter87]

Kaira's face fell a moment in thought. She at first thought, but of course he does! But then she realized that every time he was to hear her play, something had always dragged him off. Looking back at Roden, she forced a smile, "Ah, but he does not get the chance to hear my playing often. You have good taste, I am sure. Please, indulge me."

 

[MissCellaFane]

Roden watched as Kaira's expression grew troubled. He hadn't realized he'd asked a difficult question. She tried to cover the moment with a smile, but he had already seen what she tried to hide. "Ah, but he does not get the chance to hear my playing often. You have good taste, I am sure. Please, indulge me." Her green eyes met his dark ones and in that moment there existed only the two of them. How could the king not pay attention to this gorgeous creature? He simply couldn't fathom it and wanted more than anything to tell her so. Roden would have roped a cloud and placed it in her palm had she asked him! Something as simple as listening to her play would be the easiest thing in the world, not to mention extremely satisfying. Instead he found himself saying, "You flatter me, My Lady. I do not pretend to be an expert in the area of music." He paused, his pulse quickening. "But I do know that I would like nothing more than to listen to your harp all day."

 

[CJF]

Was it really impossible? Trista thought a moment, and decided it wasn't. For whatever reason, she really felt as if she'd known him at some point. His face wasn't familliar, and neither was his general appearance; it was more just him. She frowned. "I'm terribly sorry, and I don't mean to pry but...could I have your name?" Stop talking and walk away. she thought, but she couldn't help herself.

"I know this is strange, but there's just...something familliar about you." Trista felt ridiculously awkward, and normally she would never talk to anyone, but she didn't think she could help it if she tried. Her heartbeat kept quickening and slowing in sparatic intervals, making her stomach turn. What was going on...

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir wasn't sure he liked where this was going. It's your own fault. You encouraged her. He reprimanded himself, but even that didn't explain the growing unease inside of him. She had asked for his name. Should he give it? He shifted his weight uncomfortably, groaning inwardly to himself. What harm would it do? He'd never see her again anyways. There was something strange about her, that was for sure. But then again, he'd never met an elf before either. Maybe that was it.

"My name is Samir. But I apologize, miss. You are mistaken. We do not know eachother." He paused, letting that sink in for a moment. Then he gave a stiff bow. "This is where I take my leave. I suggest you do the same."

With a swish of his cloak, he turned his back on her and strode down the alley in the opposite direction. He took three detours on his way back to the alleyway where he was supposed to be waiting for Eve, just in case the elf decided to follow. He had missed out on his meal because of her and didn't feel particularly inclined to talk with her again. But even as he thought this to himself, he had to admit that the way she had looked at him was rather interesting. Something told him he hadn't seen the last of this elven maiden.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve finally came upon the gates of the castle, however unpleasant the trip had been. How she was going to find herself back at the alley, she had no idea. Then again that was where spells came in.

The castle itself was more grand than she remembered. The gates rose in a white arch, vines spiraling into pink blossoms, weaving it's way through and up this grand structure. The stone steps leading up to the entrance was a sight to behold in itself. Along the edges, pictures had been handcrafted into the stairs, relaying the history of Namor and all the battles and kings before. Then there were the towers; magnificent art forms carved out of smooth, white mineral. Jewels and colored glass lined the upper edges, the sunlight cascading down and reflecting its aura across the sky.

It seemed so odd to Eve. She remembered being little, thinking how beautiful this place was, but how frightened she was of it. Always startled to go through its gates, dreading the leering, whispers, pointed fingers, harsh words, deathly looks. After all, she was born in an ill conceived way. From a harlot.

Hesitating, Eve's eyes wandered to the left wing of the castle, in the topmost tower to the balcony. They said that was the lover's room; the honeymoon suite where kings brought their new queens to bed. That's where the king made love to her mother. That's where Eve was conceived and born. And that's where her mother jumped, so naive and love struck, plummeting to her death.

On the day of her mother's funeral, Eve walked outside to see a handful of servants desperately scrubbing away at the splattered blood with water and herbals. She'd never forget it. And neither would anyone else. A splatter of deep red still stained the spot where she landed, permanently keeping her memory forever etched in the stone.

Eve swallowed hard, finding her throat dry and unlikable. She quickly transfered her gaze to those around her. Some probably thought she was crazy. But then again, she supposed many travelers had come just to stare at the beautiful structure. She just looked at it a little differently than most.

~*~

Obviously going through the castle was out of the question. Thankfully many of the routes and secret passages were still available from when Eve had once lived there. Before long she found herself coming out between several shrubs. She ducked back inside and slowly peeked out. She was in the gardens. It had been decorated for the celebration and many of the servants were still running about getting everything straightened before the hundreds of guests arrived later that evening.

Eve started to step out, but quickly drew back when she heard voices. Someone said "milady" and her eyes immediately shot over to view a beautifully clad woman in silks seating on a bench. Several handmaidens were running off. Eve thought at first maybe it was just a royal. But she doubted it. It looked like a queen.
​

 

[CJF]

The more the stranger spoke, the more Trista was convinced she knew him. But how, when and where were unanswerable. It was truly frustrating her, and she knew she wouldn't be able to forget it until she had the answer. She would have questioned the man further, had he not aubruptly left her. Not that she blamed him. Still, she didn't mistake the disappointment she felt at the sight of him walking away. After a moment of thought, she turned back towards the palace and slowly made her way back to the celebration.

She took her time, dwelling intently on the man who'd just saved her life. She didn't know why it was such a big deal; he apparently didn't know who she was or recognized her, so why she was so sure that she knew him brought more confusion than anything. She stopped a few times on her way back and just paced, trying to think of the answer, but nothing came. When she finally did make it back to the celebration, she saw that the Queen had left the feast. Angry at herself for being so foolish, Trista shook her head and decided perhaps she'd seen enough of society for the day. You are far too lonely for your own good. she lectured herself. You didn't enjoy this at all, and would have been better off if you had stayed home. You take too many things to heart, you know.

She slowed as she walked by the gardens. The bushes, flowers and trees were all trimmed beautifully and placed just right. Trista envyed the Queen for having such a garden to walk in every day. Well if you actually spent more time in your pathetic excuse for a garden, you might actually have one! The idea was so appealing, it actually brought a smile the the elf's face. She began to walk back out into the village, determined to put her wasted energy into making something beatiful. It might even cheer you up! You could use a bit of change in your life, Trista. And you should start by ridding yourself of that wretched letter...

Trista gasped and stopped. The letter...could it be? She felt her heartbeat quicken as she beagn to realize that she had seen that man before. What had he said his name was...Samir? But that didn't make any sense! Why would he say his name was Samir? And the way he looked; so dark and haunting! Perhaps is wasn't him...she thought, but she knew the truth. His voice was the same; and when he'd flirted with her, her heart had felt the same way it had when he flirted with her, all those years ago. Tears filled her eyes as she spun around, looking frantically for the man called Samir. She thought she might be able to find him, if she could only retrace her steps. Her heart slammed in her chest, as if urging her on. She ran down the street, tears streaming down her face. Was this really it? After so many years, was she finally going to get him back?

 

[StarSplitter87]

Kaira had caught it then, of all the times she had not, she did at that moment when Roden's eyes and her's locked and he replied to her so softly. Instantly feeling nervous, the Queen leaned up her harp and stood, shivering slightly though it was not cold, "That is very kind, one always enjoys to hear that one's music is enjoyed. But for the moment I think I shall take a break and go check on how the refreshments are doing." There was an odd formalness to her voice and she avoided long gazes into his eyes, as if ashamed of something she had thought of in her mind, "I hope to match against you at the chess tournament. Good day."

With that, she made a swift walk to the snack tables still being set up.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve watched the queen intently. She would have to make certain the woman wouldn't be getting in her way. Why she hadn't considered her half brother marrying, she wasn't sure. Things could get more difficult than she planned, especially if there was a son or daughter.

While she was studying, a man walked casually to the queen. At first Eve imagined he was just another servant of some kind, but grew a little more interested when he lingered. She strained to hear, able to pick up a few phrases and certain words, but nothing she could really understand. It was aggravating.

And then...then he picked a flower and held it up to her. She was blushing. "...compare a woman's beauty...a flower...flowers wilt...exquisite woman...does not." She took the flower from him. Eve grinned. Why, he was actually flirting with her!

Within moments the handmaidens had brought a harp to the queen. She began to play. Eve could care less for the noise, but she willed herself to stay and watch the man as best as she could. Either he was extremely bored or very entranced. She was going to bet for the latter. Silly, silly man!

When she was done they talked back and forth a few moments. A word there. A sentence here. "...you flatter me...I would like...to listen to your harp all day." Their eyes locked and neither moved nor spoke. Eve smirked behind the bushes.

Suddenly the queen stood, spoke a few words, looking much less absorbed, and walked away. Eve took one more glance at the man and then it hit her. This wasn't just any man. It was Roden! Eve couldn't stop the onrush of plans suddenly forming in her mind, even if she wanted to. Roden, dear little Roden was actually in love with the queen! And what was even more interesting is she didn't seem to have the same feelings towards him. At least none she showed in public.

Not able to contain herself any longer, Eve went back the way she had come. She ran out of the underbrush, coming back in front of the castle. Stopping, she looked over her shoulder at the castle once more, mixed feelings surging inside her. But one was strong and true; hatred.

She brought her fingers to her face, moving a strand of hair from her blue eyes. Anger flashed. She could already feel their warm blood on her hands. It was going to be delicious.

~*~

It took Eve a lot less time (and frustration) to get back to the alley than it had for her to get to the castle. As she figured, Samir was there waiting for her. She came into the alley, looked over her shoulder to make sure no one had followed then turned her attention back to the vampire.

Her smirk was more than enough to say what was on her mind. "Get ready. We'll be having company soon."
​

 

[MissCellaFane]

Roden sat there frozen as Kaira hastily made an excuse and stood up, walking away from him. He could tell he'd upset her. She wouldn't even look at him. A fistfull of emotions punched him in the gut all at once. Shock came first. He couldn't believe he'd actually done that. Disgust came next; for himself. How could he have been so ignorant!? Anger followed closely after that, again at himself. You fool! What did you think was going to happen? She'd throw her arms around you and beg you to carry her away? Then came an intense feeling of desperation as she began to move away from him. He wanted to cry out to her to stop her. But what good would it do if he did? What would he even say to her? Sorrow flooded his chest after that at the sight of her back turned as she walked away from him. Excruciating despair. Now he would have no chance. She had inspected him and rejected him. And he didn't blame her. He was no king. He was nothing.

The anger overtook him again. At the king. At whatever he was doing to make Kaira so faithful to him. At fate for choosing to unite Jadir and Kaira instead of Kaira and himself. And then finally he was angry at himself again. So angry he wished he could step outside himself and give himself a good beating for being so utterly stupid! Instead, all he could do was clench his jaw and his fists and watch her walk away. What he wouldn't give for something to throw at that moment.

He didn't know how long he sat there, watching her stroll around, checking preparations. She hadn't even glanced back at him. His stomach in knots, Roden forced himself to his feet, trying to remember what it was that he had been on his way to do before stopping to see the queen. Oh yes, the phials. It seemed like such a trivial matter now. But it provided him something to occupy his mind with instead of his rejection and that was what he needed at that moment. A distraction.

**********

Samir looked up as Eve entered the alleyway. Her face was a bit flushed and her eyes bright. A smile played at the corners of her mouth and Samir couldn't help but smile back, even though he knew she couldn't see it beneath his hood. She had a plan. He knew it before she spoke, he could read her so well. "Get ready. We'll have company soon."

"Company?" Samir repeated, intrigued and yet somewhat alarmed. Good company or bad company? He stood, his right hand instinctively reaching for his sword. True, she didn't look afraid, but it wouldn't be the first time she hadn't shown concern when she should have. He brushed past her, leaning around the corner from which she had just come, eyes searching the streets for danger.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve laughed, turning around to face Samir. "He's not here yet! In fact"-she reached behind her, taking a hold of her spell book that dangled from her waist-"you're going to go get him for me." She took the book in her hand, and flipped it open. It was blank, of course. At least for now.

She brought her free hand to her lips and bit down as hard as she could on her finger. Tiny droplets of blood seeped from a wound. Staring at it for a second, she pressed her wounded finger to the blank page. Almost immediately, spiraling out from her blood, words began to form. She waited until it was done then put her finger back into her mouth, cleaning off the blood.

She scanned through a few pages before finally coming onto what she was looking for. "Ha!"

She now reached into another pouch at her hip, fiddling with the ties until she found the one she was looking for. Taking out a pinch of blue herbs all crumbled into dried specks, she let them drop on the book. Then, in a soft whisper, she leaned close to the page and recited a passage from ancient worlds. As she blew on the specks, letting them fall to the ground in front of her and shrivel into black ashes, a picture began to form on the page.

Eve grinned and showed it to Samir. It was a picture of Roden. Or more like a live story of what he was doing. "Looks like he's going shopping. Find him and bring him to me."

 

[CJF]

As Trista continued to look around the village for some sign of Samir, she felt as if she would panic. Surely he couldn't have gotten far? But the longer she looked, the more she felt as if he were escaping her. She finally stopped and looked around, tears filling her eyes once again. She sighed and stomped her foot, unsure of what to do next. After a moment of contemplation, she decided she would go back to the palace, if only to get her mind off of Samir. The elf turned and began to head back to the palace, her heart heavy. Still, despite it all, she held a glimmer of hope that she may yet see him again. And if she did, there would be a great many questions to be answered.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir relaxed when Eve laughed. He released his grip on his sword and turned back toward her just in time to see her whip out her book. He knew it, of course. Incredible things she could do with that book, and without it. He never tired of watching.

She bit her finger and he had to look away from the blood to quell his vampiric instinct to attack. Secretly though, he was pleased. It was a sign of how much she trusted him to draw her own blood in his presence. When she had sucked the blood from her finger and it was gone, he allowed himself to step nearer, watching her work. After a few mumbled incantations, an image began to form on the pages of the book. He stepped around behind her so he could look over her shoulder into the book. She adjusted the book so he could see as well. A picture of a tall, slender, dark-haired man walking through the city streets appeared on the parchment. He was very well dressed and looked important, but distracted. "Looks like he's shopping. Find him and bring him to me." Eve said, her tone excited.

Confused, Samir tore his eyes away from the book and fixed them upon the side of Eve's face, inches from his own. But her gaze was intent upon the man in the book. He looked back down at it to see if he could recognize the area the man was in. Finally, he saw a shop he had passed earlier on his route back to the alley after saving the elf. It was only one street over. He nodded once, obeying without question. "It will be done."

He moved quickly through the crowds, careful not to draw too much attention to himself. Within moments he caught sight of the shop and then the dark-haired man. He'd gone inside but was still visible in the doorway. He looked angry. Samir walked to the side of the building. He couldn't just barge in and haul the guy out of the store and into the alley. He'd have to be more careful than that. He'd just have to wait until the man had concluded his business and left the shop.

**********

Roden almost passed the shop, his mind once again going over the scene in the garden with Kaira for the umpteenth time since he'd left the castle. But he had caught himself just in time. The poor shopkeeper didn't know what hit him. Roden was much more forceful and upset with the man than he needed to be, taking out his frustration on the first apparent victim. After all, it was only a few undelivered phials. The shopkeeper assured Roden the phials would be delivered that evening. Roden nodded, realizing what a scene he had been causing. He glanced around and said, "My apologies. I am only trying to do my job for the king and am under much pressure. Please see to it that they arrive tonight. I will need them for the potion I'm making for the king and queen's anniversary." Roden ground out the word "anniversary" through gritted teeth. Hateful word.

With a final nod at the shopkeeper, Roden stepped out of the shop and into the sunlight. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting himself calm down. He took a deep breath and then let it out, opening his eyes again and preparing himself for the trip back to the castle.....the last place he wanted to be at the moment. He took a step forward, but didn't get far. A strong hand gripped his upper arm, nearly lifting him off his feet and he felt another hand grasp the collar of his robes at the nape of his neck. A threatening voice growled in his ear. "Don't even think about yelling for help or you will be dead before you open your mouth."

Roden twisted his head around, trying to see his attacker. But all he could see was the hood of a cloak. The man was pushing him forward roughly, Roden's arm still clenched in vicelike fingers. He didn't have any choice but to allow himself to be guided wherever this man wanted. Roden swallowed, his eyes wide, his feet tripping over themselves in an effort to keep up with his assailant's quick stride.

They came to an abrupt stop as the man suddenly shoved Roden down an alley and let go of his arm. Roden spun around, now getting a clear view of his attacker. He was big. Obviously strong. And quite intimidating with his hood up on his cloak so that Roden couldn't see his face. "What do you want with me?" Roden managed to ask, his voice steadier than he had expected.

The man said nothing, just continued to stare at Roden from underneath that black hood. It was then that Roden felt the first stab of fear. Before then, he had been surprised and alarmed, but now.....cold fear began to creep up his spine. His heart pounding in his chest, Roden stared the man down, ready at any moment for a blade to be thrust into him. Whatever this man wanted him for, it was nothing good.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve paced back and forth, unable to calm her impatience. So it was Roden. It really was. She hadn't seen him in so many years. Not that she was nervous, she was never nervous, but felt almost anxious. And excited. Extremely excited. All the plans she had gone over time and time again over the years were finally coming into reality, and it was almost too much for her heart to take.

Then, when she couldn't stand it anymore, she heard noises. Swiftly she turned around to face the entrance to the alley and her heart leaped to find Samir shove a man before her. He turned around towards his attacker, of course.

At first she thought of waiting to say anything. It was almost making her thrilled to see him so frightened. She reveled in the fact that she could hold such power with people.

"Hello, Roden," Eve said, it coming out more of a whisper than anything.

 

[MissCellaFane]

"Hello, Roden." Roden started at the whisper behind him. He whipped around towards the sound and found himself facing a blond-haired woman in a dark robe, her cobalt blue eyes staring at him with an intense gaze. His brow furrowed. There was something familiar about those eyes.

With a flash like lightening, a small girl's face appeared before his eyes, happy and smiling, looking up at him playfully with the same oval-shaped eyes before laughing and running away, expecting him to chase her. Roden swallowed, unable to look away. "Eve?" He managed to say.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve smirked. "I'm actually surprised you remembered." She quickly lost her smirk. "How about the branding? The public humiliation? The banishment? Do you remember that, too?" She paused, beginning to walk around him, keeping her eyes intently on his face. She moved her feet slowly before her, her body swaying with the grace she hardly had. "Or were you too busy licking the dirt off of Jadir's feet?"

She truly felt empowered; god-like even. All these people who thought they could hurt her and then forget her were mistaken. She was going to wipe out every single one with this newfound power. A tickle made its way in her stomach. She truly felt immortal, and Roden's confusion behind his eyes only fed it.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Roden didn't know what to say. Of course he remembered! He remembered everything! His best friend growing up had been convicted as a necromancer and banished to Necromion. It had happened almost on the heels of his own father receiving the same fate. Many people had called Roden's own practices into question at that time, though they had never been able to prove he'd done anything wrong.

Just when he had opened his mouth to reply, she spoke again, "Or were you too busy licking the dirt off of Jadir's feet?" She practically spat the words at him, her voice so full of hate. And he was thrown back into confusion.

So many questions reeled in his mind, not the least of which was....how had she returned? Even though that was the question that perched on the edge of his tongue, he bit it back. The look in her eyes stopped him.

Instead, he replied with a question of his own. "What are you talking about?" But even as he said it, he knew it was the wrong thing to say. She didn't want to be questioned. She wanted answers. But what was she going to do with him once she got them? The pixie-like little girl he once knew was gone, replaced with this fearsome woman before him, tainted by years in Necromion associating with heaven knew what kind of creatures! He stood rooted to the spot as she circled him, completely still, fearful of making sudden moves and causing her to release her cloaked companion on him......or worse.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Roden would have done better to not have spoken at all. As soon as his words came out, "What are you talking about?" the hatred that had simmered inside Eve's very being began to boil over. She stopped abruptly, her face distorting into rage. With only a tiny inkling of common sense telling her it wouldn't be wise to kill him yet, she did the next best thing she could think of. Her hand went, the back of it striking Roden across the face with all the vicious fury of a woman betrayed.

Her hair flew around her, her cloak and robes swaying. Her own hand throbbed from the contact with his skull as fire continued to spill out of her mouth. "How dare you! You know very well what I am talking about!" She gave it a second to sink in. "Where is it you make your bed, Roden? Who do you serve?" Her teeth clenched together. "I can guarantee it isn't any man worthy of such devotion. Not even from slime like you!"