Court Of Blood And Ivory

♤Rumors and Demons♤

"You cannot say you have not head the rumors!" Natalie gushes. "Of course I have! That is exactly what they are, rumors." Delilah suggests as she embroiders her peices of fabric.

Their conversation has pulled me from my story. Their loud voices have infiltrated my quiet mind. "They have said the the killings are done by demons." Heather shivers as she places a card down. "A demon of the night." Riley further explains placing her card down in turn.

I peek from my book long enough to see this has caught their attention. "They say the demon sucks the blood of their prey and leaves them to die." Riley has always been a little on the wilder side. More boyish than most.

"Well, whoever or whatever they are, I do not wish to encounter it or him or her." Delilah grimaces. I smile at her disdain. "That lord from Lilianas wedding shall protect you from this so called demon." I tease.

Her cheeks glow pink. "Nonesense. "Lord Sean is hardly in my league. He is Teir five and I am but Teir three." She shakes her head. "That was my grandparents." Riley tells her. Delilah gains an optimistic grin as she looks down.

"I heard Lord Alexander is courting you now." Heather says with a smirk. "Isn't it weird using our titles now?" I ask trying to change the subject. I can all but feel Melanie's eyes firing into my head.

"It is a bit odd. I would have thought we would have gotten scolded for it sooner." I smile at Riley. "Melanie, moping in the corner isn't going to make him fancy you." Heather calls to her.

"I can dream." Melanie fumes as she sets her notepad down. A strange surge of jealousy rushes through me at her words. She can dream but she will never have.

Everything moves slowly today, nothing is planned. No lessons, no balls, no parties, no greetings. A free day to ourselves.

"A letter Lady Athena." Eloise smiles at me softly as she hands it to me. "Thank you Eloise." I open it as she walk out of the room.

"Who is it from?" Delilah asks softly. "No one of importance." I mumble as I read. I stand up and fold the letter properly.

I make my way out to the front and feel myself smile as Alexnader stands in front of me. "What a surprise." He bows slightly as I curtesy. "I decided to see if you had a free day as well." His voice calms my nerves instantly, which I had no idea needed calming.

"I in fact do." I smile up at him. "A walk then?" He asks me softly. "Yes." I reply as I hold the letter to my side. My smile fails to meet my eyes, which he no doubt notices.

"Anything troubling you?" He looks at me with worry blooming in his eyes. "Our maid from home has fallen ill, she is like my other mother." I tell him softly. "I am sorry to hear that." I look up at him and smile. "It should be nothing." Hopefully.

"Have you heard the rumors?" I ask causing him to chuckle. "Not you too." He looks down at me. Leaves scatter and fall as the breeze blows.

"I overheard the girls this morning. Demons of the night they called it." I laugh softly. He forces a smile. "What else have they said?" He asks. "That supposedly it drinks the victims blood and leaves it to die." His jaw clicks as another smile is forced. "How foolish."

"How could such a thing even exist?" I ask. "Indeed." I can feel his gaze on me causing me to look up. I give him a smile causing his features to relax.

"I am glad you do not believe in rumors." He says suddenly. "I believe in facts. Things I can see and things I can read and acknowledge." I tell him. "Does that make me ignorant?" I watch his features carefully.

He smiles at me with adoration. "Not at all. The opposite actually. I believe you are more open minded than half of the pople in the world right now." I feel my cheeks heat up instantly causing me to look towards the dirt road. "Is that a good thing?" I ask softly.

His hand takes mine gently as his other hand forces my gaze onto his. "Very." The breeze blows once more ruffling uo his haor and feeling lungs with his scent.

I have never felt such peace in my life than right now. "What about you?" I ask softly as we turn around. "That is a complicated answer." He chews on his bottom lip slightly. "How complicated can it be?" I ask softly. "More than you know." He states.

I feel his fingers lace with mine causing my heart to flutter. "Then that question will have to wait until it is uncomplicated." I nod my head. He stops and looks at me with curiosity. "You really are different." He looks at me with pure astonishment. "So I've been told." I grin at him.

He walks me back to the school where we say our goodbyes. Once back inside time seems to speed up once more. We have dinner then we are sent to bed.

I walk into the room and sigh softly. The made up bed with nkthing surrounding still stays empty. Ms. Elena has informed me that we will not be getting anymore students this year. My room will remain just me.

Part of me curses Liliana for leaving so early but the other is happy she is happy. I turn away from the empty half of the room and start undoing myself.

Quite a few minutes later I am ready for bed. I stare at the dsrk world outside and frown. What if the rumors are true? What if there are demons out there and they did kill those people?

A shiver racks my body as I climb under the covers. As I blow out the candle, I thank God for the fullness and light of the moon illuminating my room.

_____________________________________________

~scarletbride30