Under My Skin

~ Chapter Eighteen ~

"I promise."

Our beautiful day had turned into night quicker than what I hoped. It was currently 1 in the morning. Ember and I were sitting in her hospital room.

I was sat beside her bed, which she sat up in. In less than 9 hours we would be attending her father funeral and then a celebration to honor the life he once had. "So I know tomorrow isn't ideal for you, but are you excited about dressing up?" I had asked her. It was a Victorian themed party. With humongous corseted dresses.

"I don't think I'm going, I haven't bought a dress." She admitted. "You didn't need to, I already did." As the sentence left my mouth she gleamed with joy. I could tell she was still severely devastated but I think with her friends being back with her it's helped.

"Let's hope for your sake it's not a monstrosity." She slightly threatened. Her eyes darted down to my arm. I noticed immediately so I tugged down my sleeve.

"When did you get a new tattoo?" She wondered. Shit, I took off my bandages this morning. "Oh I didn't, it's sharpie. Lia got bored on the plane." I played off. "Let me see what she's created this time." She moved forward taking my sleeve.

I took my arm back forcefully. "Just show me." She smiled. Before I knew it she pulled up my sleeve. And my secret was revealed. "Kieran..." she was speechless. Her face was a mix of confusion and concern combined in one.

"He's alive?" She croaked out. I didn't reply. "Ember I'm sorry, I didn't have a choice." I choked out. "You can't tell anyone! Promise me you won't Emmy!" I rushed, pleading for her trust. "I promise." She finally got out.

We sat in uncomfortable silence. Until she pulled me into the bed behind her. Resting her head on my chest. "Take off your shirt Kieran." She told me. "I can't, people will see." I argued. She reached forward taking the roll of bandages from the side table.

I obeyed, removing my shirt and revealing my tattooed skin. She rapped up my forearm. I could feel her heart shattering for me. "Promise me you'll be safe....don't be a hero, okay? Don't stick out. Don't be stupid. Please? Please for me." Her voice broke and it ruined me completely.

Her sobs got under my skin. Effecting every nerve in my body. "I promise." I muttered into her ear. She shook her head.

For the rest of the night we stayed up together. Talking, smiling, and blushing. Until she asked about my bruised and split open knuckles. When I had told her everything that happened including the deatheaters part she never judged me.

She knew I had a temper and now she knew I had a soft spot for her. Around 8 am we got out of her hospital bed and got ready for the funeral. Thirty minutes later a doctor walked in with a bored expression. "What's going on?" He interrogated.

"I'm getting ready for my father's funeral." Ember told him with a straight face. "You are not to leave this hospital until we transfer you to the psychiatric hospital." I froze and so did she. "What?" She gasped. "You tried committing suicide Miss Zabini, we've decided to transfer you." He let us know.

"She's not crazy?" I cut in. "She isn't leaving and that final." He demanded. Now i was fuming on the verge to kill him. "She's leaving for the hospital tomorrow." He informed.

"Like hell she is!" I cracked under pressure. The anger rising in me. She wrapped her arms around my torso, hiding behind my tall figure. Her head pressing into my button up. "She is leaving this place for good and if you try to stop us I will make you regret your whole existence." I raised my voice.

"Is that a threat?" I let out an unamused chuckle. "No, it's a promise." I towered over him. "It's not up to you." He countered. My fists tightened, I was on the verge of making him the new Gregory Flint.

"I'm technically her legal guardian." The doctor turned around to face my angered father. Although he was much better at containing it. "Mattheo she needs serious help." He tried persuading.

"You may call me Mister Riddle." My fathers tone stated he was demanding it. "I'll choose what she needs, we're done here." My father cleared up. "Come on, we'll be late." And with that it was just Ember and I left in the room.

She packed her bag and I threw it over my shoulder carrying it for her. Her hand in mine as we walked from her hospital room to the rest of the group.

Everyone was confused with our new found admiration for eachother. Our parents and the Dynasty's loaded into two large limos. Ember placed comfortably on my lap with my arms wrapped around her waist. "So are you guys like a couple now?" Scorpius asked up with a quirked eyebrow.

Everyone's eyes on us immediately as the topic was brought up. "We aren't labeling it until we figure it out ourselves." Em replied. It was exactly what I was gonna say. I traced hearts on Embers upper thighs as we made our way to the reception.

When we finally arrived, the streets were filled with either Blaise's old friends, Professors, past lovers, and paparazzi. Truth is our family's made their names not only in the wizarding world but also the muggle world.

The car door was opened, I stood in front of Ember guarding her from the people I like to call mosquitoes. She shielded her face from everyone, as she rested it on my back.

We made it inside quickly but of course not without the obvious questions. "Kieran! Are you and Ember together?" Or "Kieran is it Ember tried to commit?" I would've resulted to the obvious answer of beating the shit out of the assholes but Emmy told me not to.

When we sat in our front row seats, I noticed the casket was opened. I specifically told them to keep it closed for Embers sake. One look at her fathers dead corpse and she was in shambles.

Hanging on by a thread, and the thread being my button up shirt. "Someone close the damn casket!" I ordered loudly. Everyone became alarmed, their eyes darting to Embers sobbing figure.

In minutes it was closed and people sat down. Which is how it should've been in the first place. I would be sure to pay a visit to whoever left it open.

She was shaking as she cried into my shoulder. Seeking comfort in my presence. If she wasn't so completely breaking down I would've enjoyed the feel of her clinging onto me. I cooed comforting words into her ear, playing with her hair and protecting her from the world around us.

Then it started.