I opened my eyes slowly, groaning as the light shone through the open curtains blinding me, for fucks sake, I could have prepared a little better last night instead of suffering this morning. I rolled over in the bed, pulling the covers up over my head.
However, as I began to fully wake up, I noticed there was a figure sat at the end of the bed preventing me from cocooning myself in my warm sheets. I lifted the knife quickly to defend myself as my eyes finally adjusted and I saw it was Brand sitting there calmly, as if he had been waiting for me to wake up, watching me quietly,
"Are you seriously going to kill me now? I thought you were going to give me a chance first?" he chuckled as I rolled my eyes putting the knife down and glaring at him,
"You must have a death wish sneaking into an assassins room, especially when said assassin doesn't thrive on interrupted sleep" I said as his eyes began to run down my body and I realised how little I was wearing,
I quickly lifted the sheets up covering body as he chuckled deeply, moving his heated gaze to my eyes,
I felt a shiver go through me as I felt my core tighten and I clutched onto the fabric for dear life, "Is there something that you wanted? Or are you bothering me in the morning for no reason? As I said, I don't do well when someone gets in between me and my sleep" I mumbled rubbing my eyes as he smirked,
"Well there are few things I'd like really, but I'll just let you imagine that for now" he smirked looking me up and down again as I rolled my eyes, typical fucking men, sex seems to be the only thing ever going on in their little minds.
His eyes flashed quickly at that small movement, "Keeping doing that Lillian and I might not be able to control myself, and you may not be imagining for much longer" he said through gritted teeth as my stomach flipped and I looked away,
I bit my lip nervously looking away as he clenched his hands, his knuckles turning white, "that too Lillian, are you trying to set me off" he said as I turned my head to him clearing my throat, "Then leave" I spat back, "Why are you even in here anyway? If I wanted you to join me in the mornings I'm pretty sure I would have made that clear before" I said keeping my face blank as I kept the sheets up around my body,
"Well I was coming to wake you up, so that we could leave, but I then ended up watching you for a while. You do know you look very peaceful when you sleep, other than the obvious joy you are when you are awake" he responded as I glared, my blood beginning to boil,
"Get out" I said pointing to the door as I bit my tongue, "I'm going to get ready, so just go, leave me so I can dress myself in peace and still try to salvage my mood" I said glaring,
He smirked, sending butterflies through me as he didn't move his eyes burning into me as I scowled, "Go where Lillian? I do think I'm actually quite comfortable here" he said laying down on the bed as I shrugged "Fine, whatever stay there, I couldn't care less, just shut up so I can pretend you're not there" I said hopping out of the bed, suddenly realising how short this top was on me and the fact I was wearing nothing underneath,
His hungry eyes raked up and down my body as I stormed past him to the bathroom, knowing as I walked past him he could definitely see my ass. I gulped as I turned around seeing his eyes darken and his fists clench as I rolled my eyes rushing past the door,
"I'm so glad you're comfortable there, your highness" I mocked as I let my eyes rake down to his crotch, where the material was very visibly straining as he leant back smiling,
"I am as comfortable as ever darling" he said as I flicked my hair growling as I slammed the door behind me,
Breathing heavily I leant my head against the door, my body was tingling all over, I had never felt like this in my life.
I was not prepared enough for this. I'd like to think that my sarcastic attitude could get me out of this, but for once I don't think it's going to work.
I never took the course on how to deal with men, there fucking wasn't one, well unless I was killing or torturing them, but I had no idea what to do in this situation and honestly my body was telling me to walk back out there and throw myself on that gorgeous man.
It had never been like this with Jacob, he was just desperate to get my clothes off, there never was any tension or desire. Honestly I had decided the whole thing was just research, although clearly I didn't learn enough, it was just something I needed to cool me off from my apparently never ending sex dreams.
Good gods I needed help, I thought as I walked into the shower, turning it to ice cold as I got under and tried to clear my mind.
As I stepped out of the bathroom, I couldn't see Brand on the bed, so I wrapped my towel around my body as I sat in front of the mirror and brushed out my hair, quickly braiding it behind my head I closed my eyes, resting my elbows on the dressing table as I sighed.
I hoped Bethany had stayed away or been smart and gone to the safe house. The whole town would have known about the vampire attack, and she couldn't manipulate her way out of this one. I sighed as I looked up at myself, Lillian come on now, she was very resourceful, she knew what she was doing, you have taught her well enough.
I groaned as I looked down, sick to my stomach. I just hoped she was okay, I knew she could handle herself, but if the village found out what we were, I would hate to see how they would react. As I opened my eyes I jumped out my skin seeing Brand standing behind me in the mirror, his gaze dark.
"Oh my gods, are you trying to give me a heart attack? I thought I fucking made it clear I wanted be left alone, or you could at least not sneak around the room so that I'm unaware your still watching me" I spat pulling my towel up, but as I continued to hurl insults at him I noticed his eyes didn't move from my back as he ignored me and walked closer,
"Who did these to you" he murmured as he lightly ran his fingers over my back, his touch burning against my skin as I gasped, "I thought you healed, how did you get so many scars" he said as I shuddered at his touch on my back, pulling away from his fingers, "Who do you think, not really a hard question to answer" I said aggressively as I pulled the towel up covering my back, my defences rising as I moved away.
"Lillian please, don't push me away" he said as I turned around anger fuelling me, red clouding my vision, "Just because you have said I can have my sister back, that doesn't make us partners, it doesn't even make us friends. So just leave it alone and give me the space I have asked for" I hissed as he held his hands up backing away,
"Lillian please, just talk to me. For once just allow someone in, you don't have to do it all alone." he said as I turned away digging through the pots of makeup in the drawer,
"I mean no offence please, I just wish to help you. I want to be someone you can talk to, who you can be yourself to. I know you've never had that, and it's never going to be easy opening up, but you've had to be an adult since you were too young to make your own choices. Please let me help, let me be the adult for once. Please. Just talk to me" he said desperately,
I sighed as my heart felt a rush of pain, he wasn't wrong, I had been the adult for as long as I could remember, I slowly realised he was right, I had never truly opened up to anyone, nor even Bethany. I had never given myself a chance to get it off my chest, to reveal the truth about what happened in that place, the stuff even Bethany didn't know about or remember.
I looked down , fiddling with the towel as I took a deep breath, "I heal, mostly. But it turns out if you cut or whip the wound again and again as it heals, you can't completely remove the wound permanently. So that was my unique punishment for when I stepped out of line. Either whippings, or slashings, again and again for days, to leave the scars, to let me know they would always own me. I would always remember why I was punished." I muttered as Brand watched me quietly, his body beginning to shake in anger,
"I took all of Bethany's punishments too, which they used to laugh at me for, as if they were confused why I would take the extra pain and torture, somehow they couldn't understand why I would deal with that for another person, they would laugh at me as I screamed out in pain. They made Bethany watch sometimes, she was chained down as she watched the blood run down my body onto the floor, and to make it worse, they made her clean it up. Again and again." I murmured,
"But I did it, I persevered because I made a promise, to myself, to my mother and to Bethany. I would always protect her. Even if it meant my life over hers, I would do it. I didn't care how I would suffer; she is my whole world. The only pure thing I have left in this constant bloodshed and darkness. I would never allow her to be hurt. Because that is what sisters do, she is the only real thing I have in my life. And family is everything to me, it is forever. If I didn't have her, I would have nothing and I don't think I would be alive today" I said whispering as I looked down,
I let the towel fall low on my back as I fully exposed the scars on my back, showing him the long dagger swipes and the whip slashings I had received repeatedly since I was nine.
The long-curved scars stretched from the tip of my spine to the bottom as I bared them to him. I felt sick as I shivered from the cool air hitting my skin, I didn't show anyone these. Even Bethany couldn't see these, I couldn't bear the guilt I would see on her face if she knew. If she remembered what I had done for her, she would immediately argue about it for hours, but I wouldn't change it for the world.
He stood up walking towards me as his fingers traced down my back along all my scars, I tightly clung onto the front of the towel to cover myself as I watched him in the mirror. His eyes followed them all as his hand reached my lower back and I felt the tingles run through my whole body,
I closed my eyes, pressing my lips together in discomfort as his touch lit my body on fire. My scars were the most personal thing to me. It reminded me of the harshness of the world, and the deeply repressed selflessness that I had shown as a child.
He lifted his head sadly at me in the mirror, "I am so sorry you went through all of that, you were only a child. You never deserved to be treated like this" he said as I lifted the towel back up,
"It's okay, they all represent memories to me. They are a reminder as to why I do what I do. So no young girl will ever be treated as I was. And trust me, those fuckers got what they deserved in the end, they would have wished for this punishment" I mumbled as I pulled the towel up and ran into the closet, Brand staring after me as I went,
I shut the door behind me as tears began to fall, good gods what was wrong with me? I didn't cry, I was not that weak girl anymore, but since being here, it seemed as if I couldn't stop them from falling.
All the years I had repressed them seemed to be failing me now. As if they were all falling out at once, and I couldn't stop them anymore.
I quickly pulled my suit on, which had been conveniently cleaned, and I walked out into the bedroom. I turned to Brand who was sitting on the bed as I turned to him, "Mention anything I just said ever again and you will face the same punishment as the painting" I said menacingly as he watched me, " Now let's get my sister" I said as I pushed past him downstairs.
As I reached the main hall I saw Evelyn and Hyde waiting for us and as I walked down the stairs their eyes lifted up and Evelyn smiled, "Any clue as to whereabouts she will be?" she said as I frowned narrowing my eyes,
"You two are helping me? Or scared I might escape again?" I said, raising an eyebrow as Hyde smirked at me, "Well as you said last night, Evelyn is much scarier, she may be useful to bring along, especially if there is trouble." he said as I looked at him, a faint smile flitting across my face.
Evelyn smirked at me as she crossed her arms, "Thanks for that comment by the way, we have been trying to settle that debate for centuries, but most of our test experiments have died before we could get a clear answer" she said dismissively as I folded my arms smirking,
"Well, we can start at the house, but if she is not there, I have no clue. She will have likely left things for me to pick up if I got back, but it will be hard to find. She's very talented at covering her tracks" I said as Brand walked down the stairs behind me,
"Well, she's clearly had the best teacher, considering how long has it taken us to track you down" he said as I rolled my eyes dismissing him as I turned to Hyde, "Where are my weapons?" I said ignoring Brand as he motioned to the table behind him. I grinned as I ran forwards, collecting my bow and knife that Bethany had gotten me before all of this mess had occurred.
I fastened all I needed as we all walked outside. As I stood by the edge of the island Brand walked up to me holding the reins on a beautiful chestnut horse,
"This is for you, she is yours" he said smiling as I gasped walking up the horse, gently stroking its mane, "she is beautiful" I whispered as I mounted her, a gentle whinny coming out of her as I continued to stroke her,
"Her name is Starlight" he said smiling as I tilted my head looking at him, "she is a lovely horse" I said quietly as I pulled the reins, sending her forwards, as I rode her round and through the courtyard I smiled,
The feeling of the wind in my hair and the powerful beast under me made me happy. I loved all animals, but I always had a special gift with horses. I seemed to understand them, and I was very good at riding them. As I laughed riding her around the courtyard I saw the three of them ride up and I quickly stopped smiling.
"Thank you for the horse" I said to Brand as he nodded his head at me, "But don't think for a second your gifts will convince me to get into bed with you" I said pushing her away from him as i clenched my jaw, the sting of our conversation this morning still imprinted in my mind.
I stopped Starlight, turning to face Evelyn and Hyde, "So, how does one actually get off this infernal island?" I said as Brand lifted his hand up the gate opening, Brand lifted his hands again as I felt his power wash over me and the ground suddenly lifted from the water, creating a bridge.
Just like I had suspected he had done in the trials,
I turned to Brand as I raised my eyebrow, "You should probably be more discreet if you are trying to hide your powers in future, I guessed that it was actually you not Hyde the minute I saw it in the arena" I said as Brand frowned at me, and I pulled my reigns pushing starlight forward.
I heard them shout behind me quickly following as I rushed ahead. Once we were over the bridge I found myself in a thick forest,
As I galloped forwards I smiled, breathing in the fresh air . Upon noticing a fallen tree ahead, I clutched onto the reins tighter. I smiled pulling on the reigns as I sent starlight flying over it with ease. As we cleared it I gently pulled her around to see Brand using his powers to lift the tree out of the way, without so much as a blink.
I rolled my eyes as I pushed forwards again, weaving in and out of the forest, enjoying the feeling of being free for the first time in a while.
As we rode on I felt my stomach tighten, I seriously hoped she was still there, I didn't know what I would do if she wasn't. I shook my head as I rode on, she was a smart girl, she knew what to do, but I had a sick feeling growing in my stomach as we got closer, as if something was terribly wrong.
I didn't know what I was going to do if she wasn't okay, I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to her, and I knew I would never forgive myself or Brand, and it as if he knew it too as I kept catching him looking at me slightly afraid as we got closer and closer to our home.
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-- what do we think is going to happen?
-- Bethany? brand? Lillian?
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