***Hey, so another chapter. Hope you enjoy. If anyone can do covers and has ideas please send through and I will give a dedication!***
Clarissa POV
I awoke the next morning feeling refreshed and relaxed. Then I remembered the events from the night before. I sat up and pulled on my dressing grown; I opened the door to my room and spotted the guard on the door. ‘Kale’ I thought to myself. He was certainly an oddity, one moment he was kind and caring and the next it was as if he could not get away from me quick enough. I shook my head and shut the door again.
I dressed quickly but taking my time to arrange my hair in french braid enjoying the calming sensation that this gave me. I made my way to the main living room to find the master seated and in discussion with someone I had not met before. I tried to remember if he was guest from last nights party but I could not place him.
“Ah Clarissa. Good morning. I trust you slept well?”
“I did thank you Sir” I gave a light bow. “I apologise for disrupting your meeting” I turned to leave when the master instructed me to stay and meet his guest. I sat and looked at this new person. He looked like no-one I had met before. He was short with a long hooked nose and very large almost black eyes.
Kale POV
I had a very restless night. I could not believe that this girl was not my enemy but an ally. I was not permitted to tell any of this to Clarissa and that pained me. I did not want to lie to her, or withhold information from her but there was nothing I could do. ‘Damn my Father’ I thought as I walked the grounds. ‘How could he have kept this a secret from me for so long…’ I know he had his reasons but at that point in time I did not care for those reasons.
Old Ones have power some have fast healing other can bend elements whilst others can even turn invisible. I have additional strength, I can bend Tungsten metal like it was nothing more than an iron bar, tough but still do-able.
He had a man from the Old Ones council arrive today. He has decided to tell Clarissa everything, for her safety as well as that it is only one week until her 17th birthday and then the changes will begin in her. I took to the stables and quickly mounted Higor, my stallion and companion on my long journeys. He seemed to sense my mood and broke off into a fast gallop through the gates of the estate and down the streets of the village. With no destination in mind I let Higor guide me.
**LATER**
I arrived back at the estate before sunset. Higor did me well today. He ran strongly, helping me clear my thoughts. Now though, I had important news to tell my father. I located him in his study looking drawn and tired, it is not normal for him show weakness. ‘Must have not gone well with Clarissa’ as this thought passed through my mind my father looked to me.
“Kale, I am glad you have returned. How was your day? Better than mine I would assume”
“Father what happened? Did you tell Clarissa of her true origins?”
“Yes I did. She was very shocked and upset, I suppose it is a lot to take in. She knew her father Lord Beaudox had abilities but thought nothing of this as her mother didn’t and brother did. She thought it was only males that received the abilities. For her to learn her true parentage has been hard. She knew nothing of the Old Ones, Mystics and Fay. She believed her father to be a council man. They certainly sheltered her from real life.” With that he shook his head “I must retire for a short while, today has been long and I am after all an old man” He chuckled as he said this.
“Father I must tell you something… I intend to be with Clarissa, I am drawn to her and want no-one else to have her”
“I expected nothing else son, I expected nothing else” He patted me on the shoulder as he said this and walked from the room.
Clarissa POV
My head was going to explode, I had learnt so much information in my meeting with the master and the funny looking man, his name escaped me. So my family were not my blood family… ok so I could handle that, I think. I mean they are no longer alive and I cannot be angry at people who had raised me as their own daughter for over 13 years. Mystics, Old Ones and Fay, that was a bit more hard to swallow however having read to the master for an hour about them I knew that there was truth behind their statements.
I would have powers, like my father and brother but have been told that I would more powerful than most. I guess this is because my biological father was the strongest of the Fay. His gift had been to control the weather and he could create snowstorms and lightning. He was a fierce warrior with strength that beat all others and he was a Fay, pixie, fairy they have many different names. 'Who am I now??'
I lay on my bed, not caring that I had my duties to perform. “Let Gregor be mad” I muttered to myself, then realised that I had not said the master.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I opened the door to see Kale stood before me. He looked stunning and smelled of a fresh bath. I realised I was stood staring at him. “Please come in”
Kale walked past me and turned to meet my gaze. “My father has told me that everything has been explained to you. I am sorry that I did not say anything, I found out only last night after the event with Kalis” His eyes showed his sincerity, I instantly believed him.
“It is ok Kale, I think it is starting to sink in now. Just the idea of having abilities is a bit scary. I mean what if I get something that is destructive and hurt people by accident?” It was something that I didn’t want to think about.
“You won’t princess” He said walking up to me cupping my face in his hands “You are only capable of good things. That is what this world needs, not another war. I do not believe you will destructive.” That said he lowered his lips to mine, his tongue seeking mine. It was a gentle kiss, but one that held a promise of intense passion.
Kale ran his hands down my shoulders and to my waste, pulling my body closer to his. I could feel the heat emanating from his body and the strong muscle under his shirt. I left out a groan of passion, this prompted Kale to increase the kiss, and it became heated and rough. When we broke apart we were both short of breath, his eyes intense and staring into mine like he could see my soul.
“You do something to me… I find that I struggle to keep myself in control when I am around you. I do not want anyone else to have you Clarissa, I want you to myself. Be mine?”
The way the question was asked was sincere and full of hope. I let out a giggle “Why Sir, I believe you must be smitten” I grinned at him happily
“Smitten is certainly one word for it. Let me take you out this evening, into the village. It is time you started living again my princess”
I nodded my head in approval, very much looking forward to once again being out in the fresh air and perhaps being a normal girl. Kale left and I stood smiling like a little child being presented with candy. I rushed to run a bath and looked through my clothes to see what would be suitable. I selected a pair of black skinny jeans and a gold silky top. Since we had been having visitors, the master had Avla travel to the village and bring me some new clothes. Gone are dull and lifeless outfits I had previously.
Butterflies tickled my stomach with nerves and excitement. I knew I did not have to nervous with Kale, he made me feel safe and secure. Something I had not felt in a long time.
Kale POV
“It is Clarissa’s birthday tomorrow father. When do you expect her gifts to begin to appear?” I was anxious, I did not want her to be alone for any of it but knew it would not be proper to have her stay with him in his quarters. We had spent the week since we went out to the village together; every spare minute was spent with each other.
“It is hard to say Kale. Your abilities came in the next day, mine that very day. Your mothers took over a week to materialise. I am sure that she will be fine and handle her abilities when they arise. However I understand your apprehension so I will have Avla move from the bottom floor the room next to Clarissa’s so she has help on hand if needed.”
I took Clarissa for a picnic that afternoon, watching her lay in the sun was enchanting. All she wore was a pair of shorts and a vest top but she looked extraordinarily beautiful. I swelled with pride, she was mine.
“What are you thinking?” I asked
She looked at me through her lashes not wanting to turn her face away from the sun “I am thinking that tomorrow I shall 17 and my life will change forever. I have been researching in your fathers library that Fay do not age past the age of 20. Well they do but very slowly… I am going to live a long time. Maybe as long as you!” She began to laugh, she found it funny that though I looked like someone in my 20’s that I am actually over 60 years old.
“Yes little one, you will age slowly. It is a perk of being supernatural.” I closed the distance between us and placed a short kiss on her lips. “Now, my father has a meal planned tonight, just the three of us.”
Since I had made my feelings of Clarissa known to my father he stopped his servant girl routine he had her do. She was free to roam the building and the grounds. I looked around us taking in the surroundings, Clarissa had pointed it out to me a few days ago that even though there are two floors below ground level the way the house was shaped and built up from the ground you could not tell.
I am not sure when my fathers aversion to sunlight came into play… it was before I was born, he had this house built specifically for that reason. He can go outside in sunlight, he’s not a vampire or anything. He just prefers the dark, I guess.
Now it was Clarissa’s turn to ask my thoughts. I told her other this while we walked back into the house. We parted ways at the top of the stairs, I left Clarissa to go to her room and I walked to the East wing of the house to my quarters.
Dinner passed by extremely well. Clarissa seemed to have let go out any hate or fear she had of my father. This was good, very good. We retired to the library, father and I drank brandy and champagne for Clarissa. We all watched the clock strike midnight.
“Happy birthday my love” I whispered into her ear, my breath tickling her ear and causing her to giggle. I gave her present then, a silver charm bracelet. On it already were two charms, one was a fairy and the other a heart “that is my heart and it is now yours” I whispered again while doing up the clasp to attached it to her wrist.
“I love it, oh Kale thank you so much. And Sir, thank you for your generosity this evening, it truly has been a magical evening” Clarissa was nearly jumping up and down in excitement she was so happy.
Then suddenly her face paled and eyes rolled to the back of her head as she collapsed to the floor.
“Clarissa! CLARISSA!” I shook her shoulders trying to awaken her but to no avail. “Father?” I looked at him pleadingly.