The Night Rider

Chapter 51

Noa walks in my direction and puts his hand around my right hand. With a small and gentle movement, he lifts my arm and undoes the knot of the white cloth. The white cloth is soaked in my black blood. Slowly Noa unwinds the cloth from my wrist revealing the bloodied arm. The wound Celeste made seems to have stopped bleeding. It's an ugly spot that certainly doesn't look appetising.

Noa let the white and bloody cloth fall from his hand to the floor. In his other hand he was holding a piece of black cloth the whole time. He puts the cloth around my wrist and ties it around the spot of the wound. He takes a step back and lets his eyes slide over me unabashedly. He nods approvingly. 'Your hair and make-up are better done by yourself, that's where my knowledge stops' I laugh at his confession and under the influence of the alcohol my blood is still in its grip.

The next moment almost passes me by. I do my make up like I used to and my hair is done with just a brush. Noa is sitting on the floor, staring at me the whole time. He tries several times to start a conversation with me but doesn't succeed. I am under the grip of the 2/3 bottle of vodka and do everything on automatic pilot.

As soon as I've finished with my face and hair, I turn to Noa. A grin appears on his lips and he gets up from the floor. In his hands he carries two red heels, which he puts down at my feet. The heels are bright red with silver stones along their edges. I have not seen the dress I am wearing apart from the skirt. I step into the heels and straighten my hair.

'Look'. Noa points to the mirror in the corner. I may not be a dress girl, but it's what I was given. Dresses I've worn since I can remember. Still heavily tipsy, I walk towards the mirror. My eyes run over the fabric hanging around my body. The red dress hangs gracefully on the floor. The top of the dress is tight around my body, has a v-neck.

The skirt is a simple red fabric that still falls down gracefully. On my right leg, the dress is open from the top. The skirt is hanging on the floor. I look through the mirror at a smiling Noa. 'And what do you think of it?'. As if he is my new stylist he is interested. 'Beautiful', i answer sincerely. Noa has done an excellent job, I look both stately and sexy.

The only thing you can't miss about this outfit are my black veins. They run down my entire arms and start to find their way into my neck. I'm glad I can't see what my back looks like. It draws me and that is indispensable. The feeling of helplessness drenches my body at the sight. I let out a sigh and try to focus on just the clothes.

Suddenly I am turned round and look into Noa's dark eyes. 'Not beautiful but wonderful'.  I slap him on the chest for the awful cheesy words. I turn around and want to walk to the door but don't get far. Noa starts laughing and is too quick for me. He grabs my arm and pulls me against his chest. His head disappears into my neck and his breath sends a shiver down my body.

'Kill him if you get the chance'. The words are so hostile and sincere that they send another shiver down my spine. I nod slowly as Noa lets his hands slide down my body. He holds out his hand to me, which I take. 'Are you still tipsy?' Noa's questions never turn on his point, he's direct and honest. 'Hardly but that will come again soon'.

I walk with Noa through the corridors on my way to the building's large dining room. To be honest, it's been a long time since I stepped in there. I can't even remember the last time I had dinner. I live on the little bits and pieces that I find when I am hungry. When you add it all up, you can't say I live a healthy lifestyle.

As soon as we are standing in front of the dining hall door, the guards make a small bow to us and open the door. Noa lets go of my hand after giving it a final squeeze. I walk ahead of him into the room. Immediately all eyes are on me. My parents, Chea, Celeste, Elien, even Novak and finally a man in a blue suit, are sitting at the table. At the sight of me, my mother's eyes widen to ping-pong balls. Chea gets a grin on her face and Celeste gives me a look full of different emotions.

'It's nice to see you Rafiki and Noa'. Chea gets up from her chair. The blonde woman is like the rebellious lady she is dressed in a jumpsuit. The blue fabric looks good on her and together with the high heels it makes her body stand out. She walks to the head of the table and pulls the chair back. I take a seat on the chair after giving her a grateful look.

Noa sits next to his mother on my left, Elien on my right. Opposite me at the other head of the table sits the man of the dawn. His eyes visibly glide over my body and especially over my black veins. A servant comes running up and takes me out of my thoughts. 'Can I pour you a drink, Your Highness?' 'A large glass of red wine'.