Chapter Three

That night the room was bathed in candlelight. For the first time, she didn't toss and turn in that bed. She found her thoughts peaceful....almost soothing, as quite as they were. For a moment she was beginning to think she might actually get some much needed sleep, till she was interrupted by a strong, deep, voice calling. ''Are you up?'' A part of wanted to shout but instead, she whispered returning with a small groan. Her eyes were fully open now, she was leaning over the side of the bed, a expression of pure joy controlling her eyes. ''Cardinnnn....'' she wined. ''To what do I owe this late night conversation?'' she asked. Cardin Cross. Close friend and adopted brother to Valerian Crow. His perfect locks of short black hair were hanging loose down his face, strands hanging, some of it managing to fall into his eyes every time he turned his head. Capturing the handsomeness of his facial structure, Cardin was truly perfect. In pretty much every kind of way. Fair white skin, strong shoulders, and those gental hazel honey colored eyes..''Faith? You okay?'' ''Oh, right of course!'' Faith shook the daydreams out of her head, as she turned back over, returning with her head on her pillow. ''Faith?'' he called for her a second time, but as she turned back over to look at him, a hint of nervousness and surprise started gnawing at her. And to her surprise, the sight of him, that cute, handsome stare he was feeding her, awakened something. Something that should've been kept asleep.

She couldn't place the new found courage she had, but a part of her was thankful for it. ''I've really missed that smile.'' At first she didn't realize she'd been smiling. She could feel the warmth of the blush as it crawled up her neck to her cheeks. She tried to keep it under control as best as she could, till flashes of pain shot through her skull. Realization was the thing to wash over her, alternating waves of pain and numbness as she saw the flashes of light for what they truly were. Flashes of horrible memory of the day she'd lost her parents. Crow had been there. He'd rescued her.

Her head was bowing now, the large puddle of sadness washing over her, interrupted by warm body heat. She found herself standing, out of bed now, with his hands pulling at her, pulling her close. His fiery touch working magic up her neck, as the surge of electricity worked its way from her hips and stomach, to her ear. That's when she felt herself melting. ''Let me rescue you, like I did all those years ago...'' He was tickling the side of her ear, eating away the pain and misery she'd just felt, with whispers and comments only intended for her. A nervous laugh escaped her lips, feeling Cardin's fingers touching along the inside of her cotton pajamas. She turned her head to the left of her, sharp brown eyes wondering, taking in all the sights of beautiful vibrant colors all around. She was acutely aware of the warmth of his hands as they stroked the middle and back of her legs, catching parts of his soft skin with her own touch, she'd never noticed before. Releasing a small moan into the air, her body thrived, as her blood boiled, the sounds of drums pouding steady anthems into her ears from all directions.

''Do you want this?''

''What?''

''Do you want us to do this?'' he corrected, eyes drawn to her, gazes locked.

''We're both of age, Cardin. Besides, this won't make me see you any differently, you'll always be that boy who rescued me.'' That seemed to be enough for him, for seconds later, the ripping had began. And without a doubt, he began to remove his shift. The first kiss was light, soft enough, as if he was testing her on how far he could go. Overwhelmed by passion, she shot up from where she lay, trapping her arms around his neck. Pulling him into her, she returned a second kiss to his lips. Proving she didn't need a test. Swallowing him up in each breath she took, with the sweet smell of caramel spreading out past the two of them. Dissolving into the air above them. ''Faith?'' his voice trailed the line down her neck, till she silenced him with a shake of her head. ''No.'' she whispered. ''It's all right.'' He ran his fingers through her light brown hair, brown eyes followed as she shut them, lightly. Holding her eyes shut, she could still feel Cardin's locked stare on her. She treadled into him, pulling his head down to be able to lay another kiss on him, this one lighter than the last, as she felt his face nuzzle into her neck.

''We're fine.'' he heard her whisper. He could have just told her he was the devil. He could have told her he was the rightful owner of her soul, and she wouldn't care. He made no move to bite her, just kiss her, simply studying and taking in her beauty for what it was. Thumbs stroking the skin around her pulse. ''What is this going to mean to you, tomorrow?'' he asked her. His touch sent another electrical current forcing her heart to pump, with the booming and howling in her ears. Hesitating for a moment, she wrapped her arounds around him, her cool touch soothing the worry with her next words. ''I'll remember you. I'll remember me, and I'll remember this as one of the best moments in my life...the moment I found that one person who'll love me unconditionally.''