Shadows of the Light

Page 16

Lucienne faced him with her hands on her hips and an angry expression. "Sakiya Mening," she said with that tone reserved for mothers scolding children. He winced. "You should apologise to your poor vampite here. You haven't even been to see her, not even once!" The vampite, not caring what was going on still took its food from the basket hanging on Lucienne's arm unashamedly.

Sakiya sighed and walked up to the vampite. "You didn't deserve what I did to you," he said softly, "You're just like me. You can't change what you are. I'm sorry." The vampite stared at him with its sliver globes. It snuffled at him kindly and gave him a small lick. He smiled. Lucienne's eyes softened as she looked on and she linked her arm with his.

They sat at the ledge overseeing the capital. Sakiya's vampite was now lying flat on its stomach with its head just next to him on his right. "How has life been?" Lucienne asked.

"Bad."

"Care to elaborate?"

Sakiya thought about it. "My presence just now sparked a riot and if I hadn't run for my life, I daresay I would've been stoned to death."

Lucienne's eyes widened. "Are you okay? How bad is it?"

"It hurts, but I'll heal. In this case, the panic was a good thing. They just grabbed whatever was nearby and threw it. Including things that were anything but harmful." He held up a small circular item, "Like this pillow."

Lucienne looked at him to ascertain whether he was being serious. Seeing no blood, she took the pillow. "Well, I'll take this since it was so generously given to you," she said, grinning.

Sakiya frowned. "Are you sure? Your parents might not be happy about that."

"Pssh. They don't have to know where I got this from."

Sakiya was still a little troubled. "Why aren't you scared of me?" he asked bluntly.

Lucienne looked at him with that 'annoyed mother' expression again. "Simple. Its because I know you, Sakiya. No matter what they label you as, I'll always know better."

"People change."

"Yes they do. But unless you turn into something completely unrelated, like a psychopathic murderer, I think I'll still be able to see the real you, however faint."

He still couldn't be at ease. "They say that Shadow Knights go insane. What if you're wrong?"

Lucienne stood up with her hands on her hip and pursed her lips. "Sakiya Mening. Are you saying you WANT to be an insane killer??"

Sakiya started. "No! Never!" he said quickly."

"Then I don't see what the problem is! I know you Sakiya, you always wanted to be a proud protector of the Illune Kingdom. I think that dream can still become a reality! But only if you don't discard it first."

Sakiya fell silent. The vampite poked Sakiya gingerly. He turned to see it holding his basket. He stood up hurriedly. "Oh Light, I forgot all about my errands!"

"I'll follow you. I'll just say I met whoever they said will get the groceries."

Sakiya patted his vampite on the head and went down the ladder with Lucienne. He put his hood up and together they made their way to the Mening residence. Lucienne was readily admitted in where she made up a story where she bumped into him and upon hearing that he was a one-time servant to buy the groceries, proceeded to assist him in buying the Mening preferences. Everyone accepted the story. Who would argue with a noble lady anyway?

"Thanks for everything, Luce," Sakiya said later.

"Don't mention it. Glad I was able to help."

"It means a lot to me. Fornin turned his back on me and Vexel's family bans him from seeing me. I just feel.....so alone. Everyone avoids me like I'm some kind of plague."

Lucienne smiled. She unclasped the necklace she was wearing. Sakiya saw that dangling on it, was a ring. Her Pledge ring. The ring that was given only to the one they were pledged to marry. She gave it to him. "Whenever you feel alone, remember that I won't leave you. I still love you, Sakiya, and that won't ever change." She kissed him lightly and walked out of the gate. She waved goodbye and went on her way back. Sakiya just stood there on the step, holding the necklace as night fell.