Lilies

Dan walked through the gardens of the mansion.

It was beautiful.

He looked up and the dark clouds still loomed overhead.

It was eerie—somewhere he would never have gone willingly on his own.

And now, it had become his fortress.

He paused when he saw some lilies growing by the side of the house.

His heart clenched.

He crouched in front of them and caressed the white petals.

They were just like her-pure, beautiful.

He sighed. He closed his eyes and stood.

He'd been trying to forget her but even if he tried, the hunger for her soul would never let him.

It was a constant reminder that one day, he might finally go insane from it.

But he hoped that day would never come.

He retraced his steps back to the front of the house where the fountain was.

Yellow butterflies flew past him and his eyes went to the surrounding-the ominous forest.

He wanted to know what lied beyond those metal gates, the unknown, but he'd been forced into the God-forsaken mansion for a year now by the Sentinels.

He'd stopped going to see her-the least he could do was spare himself some emotional and physical torture.

He loved her, that would never change. But he'd resigned to his fate—that they could never be together.

The Sentinels had made it clear enough.

A year...

6 months since he last saw her face. He was already forgetting her smile.

They'd been ill-fated from the start.

His now short hair caressed his forehead, getting into his eyes.

He'd cut it much shorter.

He sighed.

He turned and sat by the fountain, his long black coat floating behind him.

He looked into the old fountain ridden with moss.

The green slightly reminded him of her beautiful eyes.

He stared at his reflection in the stagnant water.

"I hate you, " he whispered to no one in particular.

He didn't know if it was directed at himself or the Sentinels or the demon that had claimed to have birthed him, all he knew was that he was miserable.

And he wanted to end it all.

What was the point of living, when there was no one to share it with?

He'd wanted to share it with Lily, with Philip, but that wasn't possible—not anymore.

Dan felt the air around him shift and the atmosphere darkened and the air thickened with the smell of sulphur and burning flesh.

He turned to the side and saw his father's henchman—the eyeless demon he'd dreamt about a long time ago-emerge from where the spiritual and the physical realm collide.

'What does he want now?' Dan thought as he stared at the demon that had once kidnapped him from his apartment.

He knew he'd sent it.

The eyeless demon walked towards him, staff in hand.

"Your father wants you home, but you are yet to complete your transformation, " it said in an unearthly voice.

"What is stopping you from killing the human?" It enquired.

Dan was silent.

A moment passed.

"He is giving you two days, if you are yet to do the needful, he will take it as an act of rebellion and she will be killed."

When Dan heard that, his entire being erupted in anger.

In a split second, he was in front of the demon grabbing it by its throat.

He lifted it off the ground squeezing tightly.

"What did you say?" His voice had turned to ice and his yellow eyes had brightened to a raging intensity.

"Your father will kill her if you don't, to teach you a lesson, " It gritted out.

"Tell him if he does, I'm coming for him."

He released the demon and it fell to the ground.

"Yes, Master, " It said.

And seconds later, it was gone. Disappeared.

Dan sighed closing his eyes.

He looked down at his hands-they were shaking.

His eyes widened.

He knelt on the ground and threw up.

His breathing was ragged.

He cleaned his mouth with the back of his hand and stood.

He didn't feel too well.

He staggered back into the house. He made his way to his room sluggishly and shut the door.

His breathing was coming in strained puffs as he leaned against the door for support.

He was dying, withering away.

He felt a sharp pain in his stomach. His clutched it.

He coughed into his hand.

His eyes widened—it was blood.

He was fading.

He had two days to do what his father had instructed, or he would kill her.

His eyes lowered.

'What would he do?' 'What could he do?'

He had to protect her.

He was the only one Lily could trust—the old Dan anyway-and that was what he would do.

He would turn into the old Dan—the Dan she knew.

He had to do it...for her.

√√√

Dan wondered in the old park, hands in his brown coat.

He avoided going to his bench, the bench he used to sit at to be alone.

Instead, he wandered closer to where people were, where children played.

There were a few picnics around and Dan felt nostalgic, he'd missed the presence of other people.

He adjusted his glasses—he'd worn them even though he didn't need them, not anymore at least.

He'd dyed his hair back to their chestnut colour but his yellow eyes—he had no idea how he was going to explain that to her.

He sighed.

He heard giggling by his side. He turned to see two ladies in their late teens staring at him and gushing.

He saw them blush furiously and turn away.

"Oh.my.gosh! Did you see his eyes?!" The one with the brown hair whispered to the other.

"Yeah, they're so hot. He's so dreamy." The other said fanning herself with her hand.

They both sighed dramatically.

"Do you know where we can get cool contacts like that?"

"They don't really look like contacts." The brown-haired one said as if in thought.

Dan turned and started walking away.

He sighed.

His eyes were going to be a problem.

He paused, his eyes widening.

He had unusual abilities now, he wondered if be could turn them back.

He closed his eyes for a moment and words he could barely understand spurred out of his lips.

When he opened them, he froze, eyes wide.

Someone was standing in front of him-a woman.

Her long auburn hair swayed with the wind and her petite frame seemed fragile.

None of them moved, or rather, the other was hoping that what they were seeing was a dream.

But it wasn't a dream...

Lily stood in front of Dan, a look of astonishment and shock all rolled in one, was plastered on her face.

He remembered what had happened the last time they'd been face-to-face-she hadn't recognised him.

"It's you, " she whispered.

His eyes widened.

"The one I had run after, " she added astonished.

She took a step forward.

"Dan?"

"Tell me it's you, " she whispered.

She was in front of him then.

Dan couldn't move.

"Tell me it's you, " she said louder.

A tear slid down her reddened eyes.

"Lily, " he made out.

She took a step back, her eyes wide.

"Dan?" And right in front of him, she fainted.

He caught her before she hit the ground.

"Lily!" he called her name panic-driven.

No response.

"Shit!"

He carried her in his arms and took her to her home.

He opened the door and went in.

He'd only ever been in her apartment once.

He took her to her room and laid her on the bed.

He covered her with the blanket and felt her temperature.

It was high.

He cursed himself.

He rummaged for something he could use to lower her temperature.

He turned on the air-con.

He sighed and stared down at her far-from-peaceful expression.

She was sweating and she was groaning.

Dan removed the blanket. He didn't know what to do, maybe he should have taken her to the hospital instead.

His eyes caught the bathroom.

He carried her into the bathroom and placed her in the bathtub.

He opened the tap and splashed some water on her.

He watched tensed as she opened her eyes tiredly.

'He must look a mess.'

He held his breath as she looked up at him.

Her eyes widened.

She quickly stood but she had moved too fast and slipped.

Dan caught her easily, holding her to him.

Her heart was racing in fear but Dan's was racing at their close proximity.

A small blush dusted his cheeks.

"Uhm, " he let her go gently and she got out of the tub.

Without looking at him, she started towards her bedroom.

"L-Lily, " he followed after her.

She turned sharply and he stopped immediately, eyes wide.

"You don't get to call my name Dan, " she pointed a finger at him.

"You don'—"

Her voice broke.

"I hate you, "

Dan's eyes widened and he felt his heart clench tightly in his chest.

She looked at him teary-eyed.

His heart was racing. He hadn't expected her to say that.

"Why are you here?"

Dan only stared at her.

'He knew it-she hated him, she was disgusted by him.'

"I'll leave, if that will make you comfortable, " he said not quite meeting her eyes.

He'll have to protect her from afar then.

"Yes, " she said quietly.

Dan felt a painful pang in his chest. Those words sliced through his already hurt heart.

"I'm sorry, I'll go, " he said quietly.

And then he turned from her and made for the door.

"Why did you leave?" she asked quietly facing away from him.

He paused, shoulders tense.

'Because I love you.'

He bit his lip.

"I'm sorry, Lily, " he said quietly.

He heard footsteps move towards him.

"Don't you tell me you're sorry Dan." she cried.

"You just came back and you're already leaving." she sobbed.

The tears fell down her eyes and Dan's heart clenched.

He hated it when she cried, he hated himself more because he was the cause.

He turned to face her, his face was drawn.

"Why?" She hit him feebly.

"Why Dan?" She cried clutching his shirt.

"Why did you let me go through such torture?" she whispered.

She sobbed and she broke down right in front of him.

Dan enveloped her in his arms, his heart ripping into two.

"I'm sorry, " he whispered.

"I missed you, " she whispered.

His arms tightened around her.

"I missed you too, more than you know, "

She moved back and looked into his eyes, hers tear-ridden.

"Then, why?" she whispered confused.

He held her cheek.

"Because I don't deserve you, " he said quietly, his eyes lowering in shame.

He let go of her and turned.

"I told you I was damaged goods, " he whispered.

Lily's brows furrowed.

She stood in front of him.

"Daniel, " she called his name softly, but he didn't look at her.

She held his hand and slowly placed it on her cheek.

"Daniel, you told me to promise you that I wouldn't leave...no matter what, "

Dan looked into her eyes-her beautiful forest-green eyes-and his heart raced erratically.

"I'm not breaking my promise." A tear slid down her cheek.

He looked into her eyes for several moments.

He wiped the tear and his hand slid to her neck.

He leaned his forehead against hers.

"I'm not sorry for leaving," he started quietly.

"But I'm sorry for hurting you."

Lily leaned back and looked into his unusual eyes, but she decided she would ask questions later.

She smiled softly at him.

"Welcome back Dan, Philip's going to murder you, you know that right?" she chuckled and it lightened the sombre atmosphere.

He smiled.

"I have no doubt, "

He pecked her lightly on her forehead.

"Let's go see him."

She nodded and he held her hand securely in his.

He smiled down at her.

It felt so right, being there with her.

He would never leave her side, not again.

√√√

At Elaine's bookshop, they all sat and talked.

Philip had almost punched Dan in the face but Lily had intervened.

Philip grudgingly listened to what he had to say.

"Pssh, "

"You think I care?" Philip huffed when he finished.

Lily hooked a hand around his neck—which shocked Dan.

"Come on Philip, he's your best friend isn't he?" Lily persuaded cutely.

Dan stared wide-eyed at the two of them.

Something strange and foul bubbled up inside of him.

"All the more reason why I should punch his teeth out, " he grumbled.

Lily grinned.

"You've been gone for a year, a whole year!" Philip stood dramatically.

"You think you can just waltz in here and think we'll accept you back, pfft, yeah right, keep dreaming, " he folded his arms and looked away fuming.

Lily stood in front of Philip.

"Come on Phil-"

Dan's eyes twitched.

'Phil...?'

'The actual fu-'

Even he had never called Philip 'Phil'.

Dan breathed out heavily.

Now he knew what that uneasy feeling in his chest was—it was jealousy.

He was jealous at how close they'd become.

It saddened him a little because he hadn't been there.

Dan cleared his throat but none of them even paid him attention.

"Lily, " he called softly.

"Yes, love, " she came to him and smiled up at him.

His heart warmed.

'That billion-dollar smile.'

The smile never leaving her face, she signalled for him to lean closer.

His eyes widened at the gesture. He leaned closer.

She whispered in his ear.

"He has succumbed, " And she giggled leaning back.

Dan just stared at her dazed.

She smelt so, so...sweet.

She was so beautiful.

He wanted her.

It seemed her soul wasn't the only thing he was hungry for.

His eyes lowered to her lips.

'Fuck.'

'Those lips...' He groaned inwardly.

'Blasted human hormones.'

He needed to stay focused. He needed to think clearly and get his mind out of the gutter.

He knew her beliefs, he knew where she stood and he would never do anything to compromise that, never.

"That's good, " he said quietly.

Philip stepped closer, arms still folded across his chest.

"All the half-assed explanation, I still don't understand why you left, but I'm glad you're back bro, " Philip gave Dan a hug.

"Thank you, Philip, for taking care of her, " Dan whispered, so only Philip could hear.

"Of course, man, " he broke the hug.

A smile was on Philip's face.

"That's what families do, " Philip said.

Dan's looked away so Philip wouldn't see.

But Philip had caught the emotion in his eyes. Philip only smiled.

"So, you're going to be staying at my place-since your old place' trashed, it hasn't even been renovated since " Philip stated deep in thought.

"No, I'll be staying at Lily's," Dan interjected.

He needed to keep a sharp eye on her.

Lily spat out the cocoa she was drinking.

Her hysteric coughing rang throughout the entire shop.

"Are you okay?" Both Philip and Dan said at the same time.

Dan clenched his jaw.

'What the hell?!'

"Yeah, I'm okay, thanks guys, " ahe said after she calmed down.

She wiped her mouth and dabbed her clothes with the napkin.

"Really man? I don't think it's such a good idea." Philip said.

Lily averted her eyes.

"Why?" Dan asked confused.

"You don't get it? She's your girlfriend, your girlfriend you haven't seen in over a year, what do you think is gonna happen?"

Both Dan and Lily blushed furiously.

They would put an overripe tomato to shame.

Dan pretended to cough.

"I-I—"

Philip cut him off.

"Now you see what I'm talking about? And I know you, Dan, you slippery snake, you're likely to cajole her with one of your sappy love poems, " Philip said.

Dan's ears reddened and he wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole.

"And you know Lily is too innocent for that. Do you want to corrupt her?"

And they continued as if the subject of their discussion wasn't right there beside them.

"You see, I won't let you, " Philip finished.

Dan bit his lip.

He'd forgotten how much of an asshole Philip was but he'd be lying if he said he hadn't missed him.

In fact, he'd missed his insufferable teasing.

Dan sighed, smiling.

"I wouldn't dare do such a thing, "

Lily looked at him.

She blushed slightly, looking away.

"Then it's settled, I'll be staying with you tonight Philip, " Dan said.

Philip stood by his side and patted him hard on the back.

Dan 'oofed'.

"That's the spirit, Danny Dan, "

Philip turned to Lily scrunching up his nose.

"I trust you won't miss him too much, "

Lily smiled softly.

"I will, but I know he's in safe hands."

Dan's eyes met hers. His heart raced as she smiled at him.

There were no words, no words to describe just how much she meant to him.

He would die for her.

She was his everything, the best decision he'd ever made was to love her.

...