Diamonds and Demons Trilogy #1 Ruin and RIsing

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten The Devil Inside (Lena's Prologue)

She stayed in her place on the bed, unsure how to process the mental strain she felt, biting at the back of her mind. She was confused, but still focused, she knew what she was going to have to do, she was going to have to do something wit the supplies she was given. The mask and the meaning behind them both. They were supposed to be real to everyone who'd see her, but while she was wearing it, she was supposed to feel fake. Fake, and dead inside. She wasn't supposed to feel, she wasn't supposed to smile like she was truly in love, she was being asked to play a role, the biggest role in the entire performance. She still hadn't learned why the captain wanted this of her, or why he was so entrusting of the princess, her friend, Cleo, but she was going to demand to know the truth, though not right now, there wasn't enough time. The gown and ring had been given to her two nights in advantage, Kairin had given her two nights to learn her lines, and figure out her first approach.

In the back of her mind, she wasn't sure two nights would be enough. She barely knew who the captain was, she barely knew anything about him, and now she's being asked to be tangled up with him, pretending to be a wedded couple! She was cold to the idea, this was something she didn't want to be made to do. Kairin was asking her because of trust. Why else would she be asked to do something so unusual, and odd, something that could break the friendship the two had, if something should go further then expected.

Say something like capturing feelings? Being lead on and forgetting the mission, she was asked of. Did she have to be worried about herself, during all this? Was she going to have to be worried, about getting to close? IF the worst came for her, she could just befriend his brother, Faerin, though she still meant to track him down, after the tense conversation between the two earlier. Tthe thought of him, had left for her mind for some time, it felt odd thinking about him, after she'd been given the fake enchantment ring. The one Kairin had been prepared for by having the silver metal engraved with the word ''please'' which was still pulling at her heart strings, even now. Making her feel badly, for ever second guessing his request.

She had to remind herself, she didn't owe the captain anything, she didn't own anyone anything. She only owed herself, to keep well, and sane, during the rest of the months she had planned on staying in the castle, with Cleo's family. She knew she wouldn't be asked to leave, not unless she deserved such a thing to happen to her.

***

''True love is the most rare thing in the world. Most people just pretend to love.True love is the most rare thing in the world. Most people just pretend to love. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices and devote yourself for a fake love to prove it the most real one.Sometimes you have to make sacrifices and devote yourself for a fake love to prove it the most real one.'' He fought against himself as quickly as he could. The air of crushing cold, running past his skin, as the wings on his back, carried him through the starry sky, as enchantment, called through the clouds, reaching the ashes, left in plies underneath where he flew. His love needed him. He had to stop her, get to her before she was taken from him forever. Caul flapped his wings under the speed of the racing winds, as imagery of forest, began to look the same to him. He cursed under his breath, as pain exploded on his face. Carrying away the burning coals, underneath his skin. He wanted to shout, to scream till he could feel no more, but where would that get him?

The truth. He was late, he was late. He fell next to her, the lifeless shell, that once held the soul of the most beautiful girl he'd ever truly loved.

''Bree''

Lena cursed a thousands words under her breath, hoping nobody was close by, to hear the crude words, her emotions forced her to say. Her fingertips brushed the soft texture of the last two pages of the book. She slammed the thing down against the table, almost spilling her cup of herbal tea, made for her by the lovely kitchen staff. With the morning sunlight shinning, and the heat of the sun against her back, a lovely day like this, couldn't have been spent lying, all alone in bed. Besides, even though she had returned to sleeping in her original chambers, sometimes, she swore, late a night, she could still smell the rotting, decomposing, body of the vampire body. Sometimes, the thought of something inside her, being responsible for the murder of a creature as deadly as a vampire, still surprised, and stabbed at her mind. Though she hadn't told anyone the truth, how he died, choosing to keep that a secret, rather then have thousands of people, treating, and staring where ever she went, this approach was the best choice.