chapter seven

He woke to her, looking through the window. And watched her, just watched her, white gown flowing to her knee, black hair being blown by the wind, avision of grace and beauty. She took his breath away.

He had dreamed of her. Somewhere in a garden, by a cottage. He had kissed her to his feel, he longed to kiss her again, to hold her in his arms.

How could one woman be the answer to his prayers?

He ddn’t know, all he knew was that he wanted more of this, waking up to her. More of them, being in love. More of her, more of her.

“ Dear God, take care of her, for me.” He uttered the prayer quietly. He knew she face a lot, knew a lot rested on her shoulders, he wanted nothing, absolutely nothing else to be by her side to be there for, his God-given gift. What other charge could be better? what other charge could fill him up?

And to think that once upon a time, he wanted to flee this. He was grateful God didn’t let him.

He looked his fill, and when she turned, a smile on her face, the sun behind her illuminating her, he was sure his heart constricted. So this was Love, the kind that stayed, that grew with passing time, filling you, strengthening, keeping you.

He let that sweep over him, and getting up, he went to her and put his hands on her cheek.

“ I saw you. I dreamed of you.” He said to hair, and kissed her lips.

“ I saw you. I dreamed of you.” she repeated, and kissed his lips, drunken with his love.

And he vanquished her with the taste of him.

~~~~

He watched the fire as he thought of her. He always did, sometimes in anger, sometimes in lust, sometimes because she all but encroached his mind space. It was an obsession, but he failed to see it as such. Instead he let fester into something dark and diabolical. He ran mad with his thoughts that spurned from a dark, dusty heart.

Who was Jasper of moline compared to him?

How dare she yearn for another?

Questions he asked over and over again, amongst others that drove him to madness. He was as mad as the fire he watched, his legs folded, a glass of wine in his hand.

He wanted no other for himself, none other than the woman whose smile lit up something that was dead for over a hundred years.

He had watched her on the day she spoke to her people on the the day Athanatoi held her grandmother captive, had watched her gentle tears spill, had watched a smile break through all the sorrow and madness. He was captivated by her strength.

No, none other would suffice.

“ Master?” the femminine voice broke through his thoughts, anger bubbled up, and he did his best to tamper it down,

“ what is it, Rayna?”

“ I- I have longed for you” He heard it, the need in her voice, it made his lips curled, an excuse for a smile. He dropped his glass and got up.

She stood at the entrance of the wide living room.

“Come. “ he said, his arms stretched out. She all but floated toward him.

She was beautiful, she perfectly resembled the woman he desired. He kissed her, though he longed for another he kissed her. Knowing he wanted another, he kissed her. But to her, the Devil had brought the divine.

~~~~

The next few days had been busy days, the castle was turned upside down with preparations of cephas's Homecoming. Every turn Hannah made, she was greeted by a maiden making haste to get something done. it made her smile everytime. The thought of a celebration, of something good.

she had gotten back her strength since the other day with Jasper. she smiled as she remembered, she was weak and he was there. He was there, he was hers, and she was grateful to the The Creator.

she reached for the pendant she now wore, one that reminded her of who she was, one that reminded her that she wasn't walking alone. one that Jasper had put on her, one that had been given to her by grandmother, and she cherished it.

she stopped at the door of Grandmother's room and knocked gently.

she entered when she heard a soft, " come in."

" Grandmother." she said breezily, a smile stretched out on her face.

" my child."

" No, don't do that." Hannah said hastily when Martha made to get up.

" i'm no invalid." she said, as Hannah sat beside her.

" I know." she replied, and reached for hands, kissed them. " I know."

" thank you for the necklace."

" Again and Again, child. but know it's more than just a necklace. it has a saint Raphael pendant. And you can always invoke his aid. when you find yourself in a different time, in a different place. you can always invoke his aid."

Hannah nodded her understanding.

" But help me understand something, Grandmother. How is ti that i am a traveller? who is a traveller?"

" come, lie beside me." Hannah let out a laugh as she got comfortable beside her,

" and so?" she asked, eyes bright.

precious child. Martha thought