Thirteen

He saw how she stepped closer to take the earring which he had taken out of her ear without her knowledge when they walked past each other. There was no ring on her finger. Half her face was covered by her long black bangs. He had seen a glimpse of her face when she walked past him that came and went quicker than a breeze, but his eyes had captured it.

She didn't wear perfume like the others that were too strong and instead, she smelled like flowers. Flowers that were rare and almost never grew in the city. All the women here smelled of filth and decay as they were covered in the same black smoke that everyone else had. Everyone but her, everyone but the woman he was looking for.

He noticed a sliver of confusion that appeared on her face when she took hold of the earring, tugging it gently, which he didn't let go of for a few seconds. A smile formed on his lips, that widened even further, though she didn't see it as she reached for the earring.

Silla wasn't sure what to think of him yet and when he let go of the jewelry, she finally took it back to her side, reattaching it to her ear.

"Do you care for a dance?"

"What?" But the man took no effort to reiterate it as he knew she had heard it and her words had come only out of surprise. Silla wasn't sure about dancing, not that she couldn't, but she had planned to step out of the room for some air. Wasn't he looking for someone else? She thought to herself.

"Your partner might want to dance with you first," she said and noticed the way his head tilted to the side.

The man raised his hand this time empty, waiting for her hand, "I don't have a partner to dance with, will you do the honor?" The girl looked hesitant as if being apprehensive of him and he chuckled, "Is there someone waiting for you?" He asked her. He had been looking at her, studying her since she had no black smog surrounding her. She had caught his eyes and he noted that she had no partner. Some men looked her way, in awe too busy admiring and waiting to ask her to dance with them, but they were still reciting on how to approach her.

The man didn't care about the others, and he didn't need to recite on how to approach her. When he was in the gallery, he wanted to know more about this girl, who she was, if she was who he wanted her to be. He wanted to know more, and now that he had caught her attention, and saw her up close, she was indeed a beautiful flower that was untouched. All he needed was to stare into her eyes undisturbed and he would know, if she was her.

This time Silla could tell that he was softly smiling, "No, I didn't come with a partner," she said to see him take a step closer and Silla had to crane her neck up to look at the man. "I came with a friend," she looked in the direction her friend Jyn was dancing with a man who had asked him to the dance floor.

"Good it shouldn't be a problem z'en." She heard his deep voice echoing through her very body along with the music they were surrounded in.

Considering the man had returned her earring rather than stealing it, it would be rude to reject, and it wasn't like Silla had been asked by anyone to dance with her tonight. She didn't know if it was because she left her bangs in her face or if it was because she dressed plainly.

Seeing the man's hand, Silla finally placed her hand in his hand that appeared to look small compared to his large hand. He clasped her hand, taking her to the dance floor where couples were dancing, and the music out of the blue changed to a much slower and gentle one that had Silla's eyes turn in the direction of the musicians who had changed the tone of the music.

Having her turn around and face him, he placed one of his hands on her waist and another that continued to hold her hand. Silla felt the way his hand that didn't just position on her waist slid towards her back and pulled her close.

Now that Silla was so close to him she could see him clearly even with the mask on his face. At his full height his entire well built muscular frame seemed to only become even more daunting as he towered over her. He had to be at the very least almost twice the size of a regular man and his inhumanly long limbs stood out.

The eloquent males features were much more clear now.

His chest was wide, and his shoulders were broad and squared. The mans eyes were a gorgeous green that were a light clover like color in the middle and were rimmed with a deep green making them glow. In an effort to drive away from the silence as they were strangers, Silla spoke, "I don't know who I am dancing with?" She said with a polite smile. He let go of her waist so that he could push her away from him to only pull her much closer than before.

"Isn't it customary to ask one's name only after giving yours," asked the man, continuing to look at her without blinking. The girl appeared to look away at the basic error she had done, her cheeks tinting a light pink. The man happened to pull her at the same time, closer, to have her bend backwards for her hair to slightly fall out of her face. She saw many chandeliers that were hanging up from the ceiling until the man in the white mask came in view, bringing her back with his eyes gazing at her.

When he pulled her up, his breath fell on her neck. He was unable to get her scent out of his head, it was so sweet and familiar.

"V'ould you like to take a tour around z'e building?" He pushed her away again, playing with her with music that was played in the corner of the room. When Silla twirled around, her dress spun along with her, and she ended up back in his arms, her hand intertwined with his as her back faced the front of his body. She looked at the people who were dancing on the floor and also others. The men and women who were standing on the sidelines talking, appeared to be curious about who the couple was- some eyeing the mysterious man and some the woman who was with him. Silla noticed her friend Jyn who was dancing with another man looking her way, curious about who Silla was dancing with.

It was then that he finally let go of his hand that was on her waist when the song ended. Taking a step back and then two, she saw the way this predators eyes looked at her every move and action. Jyn was busy with a man who wore rich clothes that had her wonder if Jyn had finally caught an aristocrats eyes. Not wanting to disturb him, Silla decided to take this strange man up on his offer and take a look around the building.

As she walked in the castle like building, her shoes softly clicked on the marble floor and her dress swept on the already clean floor behind her. Her rare blue eyes were looking at the pillars, walls, paintings that hung on the wall and the ceiling that was built up high. All these years, she had heard about the upper ring, and now that she got a taste, she understood the madness of wanting to be there. Though the building was up to par with the buildings in the upper ring, they weren't actually there. It had to be the finest place in the lower ring. Only the fortunate were able to witness a night so magnificent.

With the man a little behind her, Silla walked far away from the ball, and she wasn't sure if she was looking at the castle or trying to know more about this mysterious man anymore as her fascination grew in watching the paintings. Silla knew better than to fear him, they were in a ball. She doubted he would do anything with the building stocked full of people. Yet she didn't realize she was going farther and farther away from the crowd now.

When the girl moved forward into another corridor, the lights in the hallway suddenly blew out because of the strong wind that passed through the corridor in and around her, turning everything dark. She turned her head to notice the dark empty hall, and she started to walk back, unaware of the time she had spent looking at the castle and the things that decorated it. Where had the man gone? He was just behind her.

Silla thought she knew the way, but the building was big enough to have anyone lost in their first visit.

Her eyes looked at the hallways that led to two different ways, and she could only hope that she was in the right direction. Her heart was feeling slightly unsettled with the quietness that surrounded her and she felt a sliver of worry run down her spine.

Silla stood unmoving to hear a deep voice speak right behind her. "Haven't you v'andered far into z'e building?"

When she turned around, she met the person who wore the white mask on his face who she had danced with awhile ago. "Where'd you go?" Even with the lack of light around them, Silla could see his eyes clear because of the proximity they shared.

The girl didn't even know how they ended up alone together so far away from everyone else. She was completely isolated.

He took a step forward, and she took a step back, but he didn't stop. He continued to walk forward to have her hit the cold wall. A small gasp escaped from her delicate lips that had the man's lips pull up slowly. "I should get back," she said, finally breaking eye contact with this daunting man, but when she turned another hand came to be placed on the other side of her.

The man enjoyed the way she had been staring at the paintings, one after another so far she had gotten lost. She hadn't even noticed how he had slowly gone into the shadows, watching from afar. It was the time of night, and it was a new place. Getting lost was inevitable.

He could tell that she was growing scared, not to forget the fact that he hadn't pulled away the mask he was wearing. He had been watching her all night, and he could barely resist not to get close to her. Could barely resist her soft scent nor her pure aura. A part of him wanted to take her to the darkest corners of the corridor, and he wanted to have his way, but another part of him wanted to keep her safe where only he could reach.

Silla didn't hide away and instead looked right into his green eyes. She was trying to hold her ground without letting a twinge of fear show on her face  when in truth a cold sweat was running down her back. "I v'asn't done z'ith you, sweet. So much hurry. Just because I v'atched from afar doesn't mean I left you quite yet, dearest." His words were kind and calm to her ears, but Silla was no fool to believe that.

She hung her hair in her face as she made an attempt to conceal her identity but his hand came forward to grab her chin to try and get a clearer view of her face. She wouldn't have had any problem running away but strangely when she saw his now luminescent green eyes she felt like she was walking through fog. They were all consuming all she could think about was those green orbs. His eyes seemed to grow brighter by the second and she felt her body slump as she lost control of not only her will to move but the strength in her limbs. The air around them turned dark and thick and it made it hard for her to breath. Silla's mind became blank as his eyes seemingly hypnotic lulled her into a state of passivity. What was he doing to her?

Watching her littlest movements with patience and fascination when he came closer his breath hitched. She was absolutely beautiful. Despite hiding behind her hair he could tell a beautiful woman when he saw one. Not waiting a second longer he too leaned down. His large hands reaching out to move Silla's long obsidian hair. He had done this many times before during his search but time only chipped away at what was left of his hope.

His long fingers brushed back the long silky strands and her feminine features were now out in the open. Her big doe eyes looked downwards shakily and the hand in front of her face seemingly froze. Seeing her face, the mans frame went rigid; his striking eyes widening and his mind was wrapped in disbelief. "Silla," he whispers under his breath. She almost didn't hear him as he said it so softly but on the inside she was panicking. How did he know her name?Maybe he overheard her friend talking at some point.

His face wore an expression that seemed as if he had recovered a long lost treasure, and also that of a sheer love and affection.

"My Silla." His thumb gently stroked her bottom lip which at this point was trembling. The look in his eyes is that of adoration, but she didn't understand why. He looked at her as if he's known her his entire life. The man stared at her face seemingly shocked as a soft tear slowly ran down his wide left eye and over the mask on his face. The singular tear shining in the moonlight through a near by window. The girl was perplexed and a little freaked out. This beautiful giant in front of her was crying, and she had no idea as to why.

The light stream trickled down his cheek and dripped gently as it collected and fell down the sharp ridge that was his jaw. His long wet eyelashes fluttered softly around his wide rimmed eyes as if he had just woke up from a long slumber. Her sight somewhat lingered in his sharp, forest colored eyes that felt as if he was staring straight into her soul. Such eyes probably scared most people but she was much too busy admiring them. His gaze went down again, his huge palms gently cupping her much smaller ones, sending oddly pleasant, warm tingles that traveled throughout her entire body.

What was he doing?

She watched how he slowly, hesitatingly lifted her palms and placed them on either side of his face, closing his eyes for a brief moment deeply exhaling. "I've missed you so much," he whispered ever so lightly. Seven years had passed, and he had finally found his long lost-love.

"Who... Are you?"At her words his eyelids suddenly flew open, that deep green visibly darkening by the second. Slowly becoming more and more crazed. It was strange but this deranged look was full of warmth, swirling with underlying obsession. When the forest and ocean that was their eyes connected once again, they seemed to be set into a deep trance. It was as if all the sounds around them suddenly faded away. The moonlight seeming to glow one hundred times brighter, illuminating the half covered beautiful face of the man in front of her. Strangely he seemed so familiar...

Once again hypnotized by his alluring eyes, a bright blue glow flashed out of the corner of her eye. A visible click was heard and in a flash her hands flew together pushed by an extreme magnetic force. Cuffs sizing themselves to fit her. It instantly bonded her limbs. Bright blue glowing metal surrounding her wrists. They were clear and could be seen through and illuminated light. They weren't tight but thick enough that they didn't come off. To the touch they made her skin feel warm and fuzzy rather than zap her like regular cuffs would've to another person. As long as she didn't fight the restraints, they wouldn't hurt her.

Because...

It was Lev metal.

Powerful iron that could fix its own shape at will and heavily attracted to itself like a magnet. It made the type restraints she was wearing. The cold metal transfixing on its own adjusting to the size of her wrists. Cuffs that were impossible to remove and ideal for certain situations. Not even the sharpest bolt cutters in the world could take it off, only the one who put them on could.

They were the kinds of cuffs you only used on highly valuable slaves, so they could never escape. Or an unwilling spouse. It was used so that it wouldn't damage them if they tried to get away and limit movement.

"Come, let's go, Darling," He whispered alluringly, reaching out to her again. Trying to take her with him to wherever he came from. She didn't know what his reasoning was, but it probably wouldn't be wise of her to just give in. It was clear he was a bit deranged. Silla surmised that he wouldn't easily let her go for whatever reason but she also wouldn't go along with his plans either.

Acting quickly she hit him in the groin with her knee and he let out a light groan. She had finally built up the courage to knee the big bastard in the nuts.

The man slightly bent over, keeping his arms on the wall for support and the other cupping his family jewels. "That v'asn't very nice, darling." He spat. Taking long strides towards her. Each step a booming reminder that this was crazy. She wanted to stay and hit him with a nearby vase. But that wasn't a risk she was willing to take, and she wasn't sticking around long enough for him to fully recover.

Silla fled. Running far way from that man, taking the other hallway this time hoping she wouldn't get lost again. She couldn't help but turn around, looking in the way she had come from. Her blue eyes looked frantically to see there was no one. She could hear his voice echoing in the distance, "Darling v'here are you going?" Her heart pumped with each swerve and Silla's mind reeled.

"Oh dear, you are going to regret running from me, but as I am a good sport, I v'ill give you a chance to run," he rumbled from down the hall. Silla didn't care; she had a plan, one that he hopefully couldn't stop. The girl swerved left and then right; glancing back, she saw that she had a bit of a head start. All she had to do was make it back to the crowd. She couldn't outrun him, so at the moment her only chance was to hide. At least until she could find other people.

Seeing an old painting and curtains held delicately by a staircase, her eyes flashed with hope. She carefully slid under the bottom stair laying as flat as possible. Lowered to the ground, covered by curtains and a painting he wouldn't be able to see her. It was the perfect hiding spot, it was such a tight squeeze that he would easily over look it. No one else but her could probably fit. Hopefully he would pass by and when he was far enough away she could run back to the ballroom.

She didn't know why, but Silla found it hard to tear her eyes away from the man, earlier. Though there were no chains of ropes that bound her, strangely she felt captive under his eyes. Like an iron being attracted to magnets. It was obvious to her that he wasn't a normal human, his heightened senses, the speed he possessed, not to mention his unnatural beauty.

Despite being utterly demented and crazy, he had a charm to him. She'd never had a man catch her eye, even the handsome ones. But this beautiful man- she couldn't help but wonder who he was, someone like a phantom who had taken her name but had not returned it with his.

Only a few minutes had passed and she hopefully assumed he had no idea where she was. She hadn't heard him pass by yet but she hoped he had gone even further into the building. Far away from her.

If only.

In the silence she let out a soft breath thinking she was in the clear until she heard almost shark like footsteps circle around the curtains she was hiding behind. She quickly clapped a hand tightly over her mouth tightly to quiet her breathing. Silla's hairs stood on end and her breath caught in the back of her throat when his footsteps ceased. She slowly turned her head and saw two bright green eyes staring back at her. He was bent down looking under the stairs and at this moment all she could thing was...

'Oh Fuck'.

"Found you," he whispered with a wicked smirk on his face as two large hands suddenly wrapped around her ankles. She began thrashing and kicking only to be dragged out from under the stair. At his proximity she sucked in a deep breath while her mind went into full panic mode. 'Oh gods he's going to kill me', she thought. But as he got closer to her, much to her shock all he did was rest his head in the crook of her neck taking deep breaths and exhaling his hot breath forming a cloud in the draft air.

She was left alone, with nothing but moonlight and this man in front of her. She stared, mouth wide open, in absolute horror. His skin looked paler, and the moonlight gave it a blush gray hue. His veins were dark almost black on his skin. Pearly white canines poked out of his lips as he smiled. His sandy blonde hair and mask covering the half of his face, but that didn't stop him from piercing her with his gaze. "I told you I v'ould find you," he spoke darkly with a thick accent, his eyes scanning over her as Silla tried to remember where she had seen those eyes before. A distant throb in the back of her mind making her close her eyes in pain.

"What do you want from me?!" She  asked a bit rattled as she scooted backwards into the wall.

"Don't cry" he grumbles in

his deep voice and she wanted to cry more. She was crying for her life, her friends, her home and herself. How can he tell her not to cry when he has nefarious plans for Gods know what.

To kill you, you dumb girl.

Her inner self mocked her.

"You really don't know v'hat I v'ant?" He whispers lowering his head to hers as he gently rubbed his forehead against hers in an creepy yet affectionate way. "Vy deystvitel'no ne pomnite menya?" He mysteriously murmured to himself. She was only more confused by what he said because of the language barrier.

"You have no idea v'ho I am, do you?"

That question.

In an unforeseen epiphany, she vaguely recalled something she had narrowly locked away for safe keeping. It was fuzzy but it worked its way to her. A hazed memory of someone with those same eyes looking at her, the face too blurred to be seen.

Who was this man?

What is he?

She needed to know.

In a haze like state she reached out a hand, her slim fingers coming closer and closer to his face and he let her. He patiently stood still knowing what she was doing. It was like some other entity had taken over her body. Tracing the silver designs on his mask it was then that she gently lifted it off his face, letting the mask fall the the floor. Remarkably the sudden noise made her snap out of her daze and allowed the pure horror to shoot through her veins. What was she doing? She felt a dull ache in the back of her mind. Her head was hurting terribly and every time she shut her eyes all she could see was green behind her lids. She could see his uncovered face and he was beautiful.

Around his ethereal eyes were purple bags as if he hadn't slept a day in his life. Yet it didn't take away from his attractiveness, if anything it made him look more on edge. This person here had a nose that was long and sharp just like his chin, and his cheekbones were defined; his lips a soft pink in color. Above his green eyes were sharp thick brows that looked as if they were slightly raised to demand attention exuding the status that he owned. But over his right eye was a large thin white scar going from his eyebrow to his cheek. The scar covering a good portion of his face and it made her wonder how he got such a mark.

Now more aware, she realized how this man leered down at her, watching her every little reaction. She felt enclosed between the ground and him, who had the greediest look on his face that she had ever seen on a man. When he started to nuzzle her neck with the tip of his nose, she froze and her mind went blanked as his long arms encircled around her and embraced Silla's small body in a warm hug. "Ne pryach'sya ot menya, moya lyubov'." He spoke with desperation, shivers going down her spine as goosebumps formed from his unknown words.

She was lost in his eyes, like a moth caught in a flames wrath. The longer she stared into those oddly familiar and beautiful pits of green the less afraid she felt. The deathly calm before dying. The thought of death didn't scare her anymore. The panicked adrenaline horrors her mind conjured disappeared and all that remained was mere curiosity.

She didn't feel afraid anymore, not of this terrifying yet beautiful creature.

She accepted whatever was happening...

Neither of them said anything and just silently watched each other the moonlight shining down on them. There was a deep hollow loneliness coming off this man. He longed for a kind touch, for a love unreachable to him. Strangely she gives him a calm look and hesitantly brushed a bit of his soft hair out of his face. The man tilts his head at her and in a voice as old as time, as deep as the darkness he hides in, he says," Are you no longer afraid of me?"

She could feel the surprise come off him in waves and she kept her eyes on him basically staring death in the face.

"Should I be?" She whispered waiting for him to seal her fate. He continues to stare down at her and it's hard to tell what he's thinking. Is he waiting in anticipation for her death or is he frowning in confusion?

"Never." He says softly causing a wave of emotions to fly over her like colors in the sky.

______________

to be continued...