Stephan's heart pounded a million times a second, as he raced straight towards the room where he left Abby. Guilt surfaced in his heart and tore it to pieces. If anything happened to her, he knew that he would never be able to forgive himself. He would blame himself for everything, because he was the one that held Abby back when she wanted to leave the room, but how was he to know that this would happen?
The corridor was full of smoke, making it hard for anyone to see where they were going, Stephan's heart sank when he saw the hostile flames devouring the room Abby was in. Abby was trapped inside, and she would burn alive if he didn't get there quick enough! The witches had healing potions, and chemicals in the medical room where Abby was, which would make the fire burst into flames a thousand times more fiercely.
Heavy thick smoke billowed all around Stephan, and he knew at that moment that he was too late. "Oh my God, please, nooooo!!!!" Stephan cried out loud.
The MacAlister men were running the opposite way, and grabbed Stephan just in time, because he was heading right into the burning room. He fought with all his might, wanting to be left alone so he could go into the room to search for her. He was the strongest of all the men with the exception of Hawk, and easily freed himself from their grip, and made a mad dash for the room, but Hawk plucked him last second, and ran like hell down the corridor, and out onto the courtyard.
The MacAlister men followed close behind, just in time, because the whole entire castle was burning up as the furiousious fire blazed angrily throughout the halls of East Wick castle. Orange flames surrounded every inch inside of the castle, and left nothing in its way, as it raced hungrily throughtout the halls devouring everything in its way. The glass windows exploded as they burst into thousands of tiny pieces of glass on the grounds of the courtyard, and Hawk pushed all the women backwards to protect them from getting hurt.
Black, thick clouds of smoke filled the sky, as the angry orange flames turned the castle into an inferno. Within minutes the fire had swallowed East Wick completely, as the high winds furiously fanned the fire, spreading the flames rapidly as they gained strength and power inside the castle, leaving nothing in its wake.
"Everyone back to Sterlingshire castle, Dora bring your family with, you are all staying with us!" Michael barked loudly, to be heard over the gusty cold winds that blasted around the courtyard.
The babe was held tightly in Dora's protective arms, and all the woman huddled closely to keep the babe warm. They were panic stricken and breathless with the horrific events. The wind blew around them, howling as it froze everything in its way. Hawk muttered an oath under his breath as one eternal moment stretched into another, and finally, fearing for his baby's life, Hawk grabbed his wife in his strong and possesive arms, and zapped every single person on the courtyard to Sterlingshire castle.
There was a bit of an uproar as they looked around them to make sure everyone was there, until they realized that Stephan was not among them. Dora cried out hysterically, for even though she was strict with Abby, she had loved her like a daughter. The witches surrounded her, and weeped for their friend who had given them many days of love and happiness.
Kyra cried out for her son, but Michael stopped her, "Why do you cry for Stephan? Nothing can hurt him, he is strong and powerful and nothing can stop him, waste not another tear. He will return when he is ready. I think he is mourning Abby's death, and wants to be alone." Michael told her gently.
Hawk grabbed his daughter in his arms and cradled her close to his heart. If anything were to happen to his wife and daughter, he would have found a way to end his life. Pulling his Nessa close to him, he wrapped his arms around her, and embraced his little family, thankful that they were safe and sound. His wife was not yet twenty two, and was not safe from death yet, and his child, he had no idea what kind of powers she has.
A large crowd had gathered around the hallway, filling it with caring friends and family, who comforted the MacAlisters. They all moved slowly into the Great hall, and Michael told everyone what had happened. Loud gasps and murmurs were heard across the hall, until Michael threw his hands up in the air and calmed everyone down.
"Dora and her family lost a whole lot today, the only place they called home, was destroyed by the horrendous fire, and left them with nothing but the clothes on their back, but we are all grateful that they survived. Unfortunately not everyone was as lucky." Michael said, fighting the tightness in his chest, as he paused for a respectful second while the witches cried over the loss of Abby's life. "Abby lost her life today, but she will never be forgotten. Her memories will be carried in our hearts forever."
Nessa leaned her head against Hawks muscled chest, and cried her heart out. She loved Abby very much, and to lose her was heartbreaking. Sweet beautiful Abby, that was more than her grieving heart could take.
Hawk pulled his wife and child away from the crowd, and climbed up the stairs to their chambers. It had been an exhausting day for everyone, and it had taken a toll on Nessa. He directed his beautiful wife to the rocking chair Hawk had placed by the fireplace, and she sat down. The Fay placed the babe in her arms and stood back and watched as Nessa unbuttoned the upper half of her gown, pulled out one of her breast, and placed the babe in position to feed her. The baby latched on her mothers nipple hungrily, and Hawk waited patiently until his baby daughter was finished.
"Is she done with the feeding?" Hawk asked anxiously, his voice was so hoarse with yearning, that his words almost got lost in his throat.
The gentleness of his voice made her chest swell with emotion. Nessa lifted herself off her feet and walked over to the wooden cradle that Hawk had lovingly made for his daughter, and placed the babe on the warm blankets. Sleep had already claimed the sweet baby, and her mother covered her before she turned around and her eyes lifted to the giant Fay warrior that stood before her.
Words were not needed at this transcendent moment, as two hearts connected and became one. Hawk slowly undressed his wife, lifted her into his arms, and walked over to the bed. After he placed her gently on the mattress, he too stripped naked, and climbed beside her. He knew that he could not lose control, her body was not healed yet, but he sure as hell was going to do other things to her that would bring just as much pleasure to her, if not more!
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It did not take long for Lucious to regret his decision. He loved Abby with all his heart and soul, and he wanted her desperately. A wide smile spread across his handsome chiseled face as he thought of the look Abby would have on her face when she saw him come back for her.
Running through the woods excitedly, nothing prepared him for the sight before him, when he reached the gate of what used to be East Wick castle. His heart beat wildly, as he stepped into the courtyard, and a loud wail escaped his mouth, that echoed throughout the courtyard.
He stared in horror at the ruins of what used to be East Wick, and lost all his senses. His eyes were glued to the far end of the castle where Abby's room was. It was charcoaled to the ground, nothing was left but ashes. Lucious dropped to his knees, and wept like a child. Gut wrenching sobs tore from his throat, and he beat his chest, grieving for the woman he had loved more than life itself.
A hundred feet away, Stephan watched his brother grieve, and his heart ached for him. He loved Lucious, and didn't want to see him suffer, but he knew that his brother would never get over losing Abby. Stephan walked over to where Lucious kneeled, and dropped his body next to him. He sat there quietly until his brother stopped crying.
Lucious slowly turned his head and glanced at his brother. "Is she dead?" He asked in a broken voice.
"She melted in the fire, I looked but found no trace of her." Stephan said, hoarsely, as guilt surged through his heart.
"Why didn't you save her? You are powerful, why didn't you see this coming?" Lucious asked accusingly. "Why didn't Grandfather see this in a vision?"
"I don't know brother, mayhap it was because we were all too emotional from the days events to see or feel it coming. Grandfather once told me that the mind has to be clear, and calm in order to see visions." Stephan said softly, knowing that no matter what explanation he gave to Lucious, he would never stop hurting.
"I thought you are a savior, I thought you had powers like no other!" Lucious growled, as anger spread like fire through his heart.
"Lucious, you have the same kind of powers I do. Fathers sperm miraculously split in two, and was divided among my mother and yours, we are twins, therefore we share the same powers and feelings. I now know that Abby was your soulmate, and my feelings were really yours. Forgive me brother." Stephan said, as a tear glided down his face.
At that moment, Lucious's hand landed on his brothers shoulder, and Stephan turned around abruptly, and threw himself on his brother, they hugged and wept, like brothers do, for an old and ancient saying says that blood is thicker than water!
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