Eight: Kiss and tell

I woke up in a strange room, it was poorly lit. I saw the shadows danced as the candle flickered against the draft. My head felt heavy as I tried to sat up. Where am I?

I looked around, I saw a table where a decanter lay next to a glass. Had I been drinking? I frowned, of course not. I'm not allowed yet and I never liked a sip of any liquor Dad gave me.

My ears strained to hear any sound from my surroundings. I could hear the wind against the window, a storm may be brewing. Once the throbbing in my head subsided, I tried to stand and almost doubled over.

My foot stepped into my skirt, it was an overly long skirt. I realised I was wearing what seemed like a gown with a very low cut on my chest. It pushed my breasts up in a way they looked bigger than usual. What's going on here? I don't own something like this—its a woman's dress. A thing I would never wear unless Mom would thrashed me for hours.

I steadied myself by holding unto the piano. My foot felt awkward, guess its numb after not moving for so long. But how long actually? Did I pass out? I don't remember. Somehow the room looked familiar. I raked my brain, trying to remember where I have seen this before. My gaze fell into the piano again. Something's wrong. Isn't this the music room Tristane had showed me?

"Hello Krista.."

I stiffened. I knew that voice. It sounded like he was just behind me. Should I turn around? But my body won't move. Then it dawned to me, I was dreaming again. Of him. I closed my eyes painfully, if I keep them open he'll disappear.

"I won't disappear Krista. Not this time.." he sounded nearer now.

Oh dear lord. What am I to do?

"Face me Krista. Don't be a coward."

That spun me around, how dare he—

I caught my breath. I forgot my eyes, they're wide open now. And I can see him. My jaw dropped helplessly. I leaned against the piano, my legs wobbled beneath me. I might faint.

Oh my! He's just exactly how I imagined him to be. Tall, broad shouldered and lean. His hand combed his dark long hair, it fell very slowly—like the time had been slowed down all of a sudden with that one single movement. His face showed that fresh stubble on his finely chiseled jaw, I saw it moved. He was smiling. Goodness gracious!

I raised my gaze and met his, those blue eyes seemed to have pierced my body. I felt heat rose up to my face. Its him! The Baron Lucian!

His smile spread even more. He began to walk towards me. I remained where I was. The air felt thick, I couldn't breathe properly. I must be hyperventilating. Suddenly, he stood right next to me, those thick brows frowned, dear me! He's still beautiful even if he frowned!

"You are suprised to see me.."

"I can see you!" I said it like I was accusing him of something.

His frown faded, and the smile returned. Wait. Did I just spoke to him? I felt my eyes widened in shock. Not only I am seeing him, I spoke to him as well! But he's not fading, he's here still! Is this... the end?

"Fear not Krista.. this is a dream still.."

Why does his voice sound so distant? He's right here, it should sound louder shouldn't it? I struggled to push myself right up.

"If this is a dream, why aren't you fading? I cannot see you nor talk you before, why is it different now?"

"You are in my domain Krista. I am stronger here. My power holds longer."

Power? Does he mean the devil's power? Its true then, the devil took him?

"What.. do you want with me?"

"I want us to be together Krista.. you belong to me. You know that, you can feel it."

Before I knew it his head was slowly heading down towards mine, he brushed my lips with the gentliest kiss ever. His hands rested on my hips, those hands still feel so warm. I drew myself close to him, wanting more. He deepened the kiss and pinned me against the piano. His legs braced firmly on the floor to support us. I was clinging to him like my body was made of paper, I felt so light, so giddy and warm. I couldn't help but moan, he broke the kiss and we were both out of breath.

"Sweet, sweet Krista.. I've wanted you for so long.."

"Lucian. It really is you."

"Yes my love..you must find me immidiately. Time is running out.."

"What do you mean?"

"Feel it in your heart.. You belong to me and I belong to you.. can't you feel it?"

"I honestly feel really woozy here," I saw him frown again. Yeah, I don't have the time to explain what the word meant. Darn his aristocratic mind. I pushed him back and sat on the couch again, "I.. have been in this room before. But it didn't look like this, only the piano is the same." I paused and exhaled deeply, "Did you take my soul why I was unconcious?"

"I cannot do that Krista, you have to be willing to be with me.. I have brought you here so you can find me."

"Find you? Where exactly are you?"

He shook his head and would not meet my eyes. It means he cannot tell me. He stepped back , his hand pulled the curtains away while his eyes looked outside the window. It looked like just afternoon, the sun bathe him with yellow shades. He looked like a god.

I held my breath. Can't help it, you don't get a view that good any day. I rubbed my temples, here I am drooling over a man I have dreamt for many, many years. I can finally see him, speak to him. But he won't tell me where to find him.

"You have to find me Krista.."

He spoke again, I turned my gaze towards the window. He's gone. I stood up hastily and the dress almost threw me over the floor. The damned skirt! I looked around, he was really gone!

"Where are you?" I yelled. I walked towards the window and flipped the curtains, "Dammit! Where are you Lucian! I can finally see you but now you hide from me. Come out!"

Silence. I dropped to my knees. My body was shaking uncontrollably. He's gone. Gone.

"Krista... Krista! Wake up!"

I felt like I was in a tunnel and a voice called to me. He sounded familiar, but who?

"Krista? For godssake, open your eyes!" He patted my cheeks and gently cradled my body.

"Come back Krista!"

There was a sudden surge of energy that pulled me back. I bolted upright and coughed. My throat hurt. I never felt this so much pain in my throat before.

"Thank god! I thought I lost you back there."

I turned around and saw Tristane's face. Worry was painted all over his pale features, he was panting like he just came back from running.

"H..ey," I managed to croak.

"Where did you go?"

"What do you mean?"

He shifted his leg and I realised that we were on the floor. My body half rose and half leaned on his legs. He must've been supporting me. My right hand clutched his shoulder like I've been hanging on for my dear life. What in the world happened here?

"I.. uhm, did I pass out?"

It was the best I could muster seeing the way we were sprawled on each other.

"You did. You were gone for several minutes. But you were moaning, I thought you might be in pain. I tried to wake you but I did't want to leave you lying on the floor. So I, uh, cradled you. Then you came back!"

I blushed entirely. I wasn't moaning because I was hurt, I was moaning because I was kissing Lucian.

"Your color seemed to be coming back now, you were really pale a while ago."

Spoken by a really pale person. I just smiled at him.

"Come on, let me help you up."

We managed to stand without tripping against each other's feet. I noticed we were still in the attic. My eyes searched the place, the portraits still lay next to the chest.

"Why don't we take these down? I'm sure Dad would love to see that journal." I said to him.

"You want me to bring down all portraits?"

I stared at Cecile, Clayton, Elizabeth and... Lucian. Dad would be interested in them. The Baron's likeness may help, but it was of a younger self. I touched his portrait, the same blue eyes and thick black hair framed a boy of 10. It was him alright.

"Let's bring them all, but leave the chest. It's rather heavy."

Tristane nodded and picked up the paintings. I took the journal and letters in one hand, I needed the other one free to hold the ladder or I would come tumbling down.

We were on out way down when I heard Louie's voice. They're back. I stopped in the middle of the stairs and turned back to Tristane.

"Please don't tell Dad that I passed out."

"Why?"

"Its never happened before. I don't want him to worry."

He didn't looked convined but agreed anyways. We continued our way down and Dad came thru the door.

"Dad!" I called to him.

"Hello sweetie," he kissed my forehead and drew back, "did you clean the fireplace?" I was covered in dust, whoops. I forgot.

I laughed, "No silly. I was at the attic and found these.." I showed him the letters and the journal. "They're in French so I couldn't really make out what it says."

Patrick took the letters, looking very interested now. "I'd love to thoroughly check them in my workshop."

"There's more.." I said and gestured Tristane to come over.

Dad's eyes brightened up upon seeing him, he liked Tristane that was obvious. "Tristane, thank you keeping my daughter company.." his eyes strayed on Tristane's shirt that was also stained with dust, " I trust you both had a wonderful time."

"Dad," I held his gaze, "he helped me on the attic. I told you there was a lot of dust gathered up there."

Patrick raised his brow, I knew what he wanted to say but I intercepted it. "I see. And what is that?" He pointed to the paintings.

"Likeness of each Norwood family member." Tristane gave them to Patrick as if they were the newly decreed laws passed in the senate.

"I don't believe it!" Patrick lifted Elizabeth's portrait. "She's so beautiful!"

Louie came in and joined us, he too was struck with Elizabeth's beauty. We stood staring at her, no one spoke for a while. We were entranced for a long time. Patrick spoke first.

"What else did you find?"

I pulled the last portrait and slowly turned it forward, "Baron Lucian. Aged ten."

I heard Louie gasped. Dad was quite. They had been doing the research for almost 9 years now, this is the first time they ever had a face of the man who mysteriously disappeared.

"He's lovely.." Dad's voice sounded like a whisper, it was so tiny we barely heard him. His hand traced the portrait, "Its just as how Claus described him."

"Uh, who is this Claus?" Louie asked.

"I forgot to tell you Louie. We were talking about the journal, its author's name was Claus. It wasn't a woman— a serving girl who wrote it, Tristane clarified this to us yesterday." Patrick then summarized how the Kelly's were related to Letecia and how the story differed a little from what their research showed.

"So you are the last of the Mayers, the caretakers of the house?" Louie turned to Tristane.

"Kelly's," he corrected, "the Mayers ended with Letecia. She only had daughters and carried their husbands' name. Theodore Kelly, my father had a sister but she died young. I, didn't have any other siblings." Tristane explained.

"And you believe his story Dr. Neville?" Louie didn't seem convinced, plus he didn't really liked Tristane. I wonder why.

"Of course Louie. The story has been handed down from their generation. You do not underestimate such sources!"

Louie appeared apologetic but said nothing more. It was awkward all of a sudden.

"Why don't you study the letters and the journal dad? I'll go fix Tristane something to drink.." I didn't want trouble so it was best to extract ourselves.

"Right, what kind of hosts are we. Go, I've bought lemonade, and you" he pointed to Louie, "come with me. We have some digging to do."

They climbed the stairs carrying the portraits and letters, I dragged Tristane towards the kitchen. I found the lemonade cooling in the fridge. We sat down across the table.

"Must be hard dealing with people who doubted your story huh."

"I've been used to it. When Dad was still alive, there were several visitors who wanted to see the house. They too were researching about the Baron. We let them inside and do their investigation," he took a sip of the juice, suddenly grateful for the sweetness, "and they never believed our story either. Said that we were making it up and heard it from the internet as well. They wanted to tear down the walls to prove it this was indeed right house. But dad threw them out."

"How horrible. Dad would never do that." I set down my glass and poured another.

"Your dad's different, I can feel it. He cares about the project and he isn't after the money or fame that'll come with the find. He's determined to solve the mystery."

"Yeah, you're right. He's obsessed but he won't harm anymore to solve it. I promise you, we won't tear any parts of the house. May it be for the research or something else." I placed my hand on his, he accepted it gave me a slight squeeze.

"Does this mean that you believe me now..Krista?" His gaze searched mine, I can't break hold of those eyes. We sat there holding hands and measured each other's strengths.

"Yes.." I finally whispered. "I believe you now Tristane."

He moved from his chair and went towards me. Still holding his gaze, I raised my head so he was looking down on me. His hand left mine and touched my cheek. His thumb traced my mouth before moving back towards my neck. Holding my head in place, he bent down and kissed me.

Tristane was gentle, I wasn't shaking when his mouth moved against mine. He did not hurry or pushed for more, he let me experiment how to respond. I admit, I enjoyed it. This was my first kiss ever. I was tingling all over. It was a good tingling, not annoying or uncomfortable.

He began nibbling at my lower lip with his teeth, I thought it would hurt. But it did not. I tried imitating it, but failed terribly. I couldn't control my teeth to be as gentle as he did and it garnered a soft chuckle from him.

He moved into my upper lip slowly that I felt his jaw brushed me a little. He shaved this morning yet I could feel the stubble had started to grow back. It tickled my senses and I chuckled this time.

We were so absorbed with the kiss that I didn't notice he's lifted me up, so that we were both standing. Since he was taller I had to tiptoe and leaned against him. His hand moved to my back and the other on my hips. It must've been instinct when I wrapped my arms around his neck, I couldn't really understand my body. It was reacting by itself. As if it had done this before.

I peered at Tristane a little, he was closing his eyes. But I can tell he was enjoying it as much as I did. I moved my gaze down so I could see his lips and something caught my eye. I stiffened, he didn't notice. His mouth continued savouring mine. My half closed eyes are now wide open. Just by the door where you can pass going thru the back, I saw Lucian standing. He looked mad as hell.