Before Time Runs Out

Chapter 12

Ethel had not enjoyed being measured, especially someone else knowing her measurements. She knew it was for dresses, but she still was not exactly comfortable with it. Carmelita had sat down and had tea with her afterward, trying to calm her nerves.

"Dear I simply want to have it be where the dress you get fits perfectly. I promise I will not have my tailor do it again unless you go down in a size. Besides, your dress design is a surprise." Ethel had soon occupied herself in the poem that Carmelita had given her, underlining words that repeated throughout the stanzas. She had figured out it had something to do with love based on the poem, but that was all she had figured out so far. Carmelita had gotten up to do something else, leaving Ethel with Lancelot, planting a kiss on her forehead before leaving the room.

Elise had become much fonder of her, even occasionally smiling at her. She still would not speak to her very often though, and Ethel never directed her around as Carmelita did. Carmelita had been sleeping in a separate room much more frequently than usual, or even simply not sleeping at all and staying up all night doing whatever it was. Even if Ethel inquired where she was going, Carmelita would simply give her a warm smile and tell her goodnight. Ethel could not deal with the silence any longer and got up, setting Lancelot down on the floor. She had a notion of where Carmelita had run off to and made her way up to the attic. Carmelita had bought her a new white dress after ruining the other one, and she had decided to pair it with socks instead of shoes, not planning to go outside for the day. She slowly opened the door to the room where Carmelita kept her art supplies, seeing her sitting upon the stool she had, perched in front of the canvas she had been working on since December. She was distracted and had her eyes closed, her elbow resting on her knee with her chin resting on her hand. Ethel carefully came up to her and hugged her from behind, and Carmelita let out a slight gasp. Ethel rested her chin on Carmelita's shoulder, leaning her head up against her.

Carmelita grasped Ethel's wrist gently, sinking her fangs into the side of her hand right below her thumb. The pain quickly numbed away, and Ethel sighed and planted a kiss on the side of Carmelita's head, closing her eyes as she felt the effects of Carmelita taking her blood setting in quickly the usual dizziness and lightheaded feeling appearing. She finally stopped and hastily stood up and embraced Ethel, keeping an arm around her waist while pressing her thumb to the fresh wound on her hand, keeping it from bleeding more. Ethel laid her head on Carmelita's chest, taking in the quickened sound of her heartbeat. She looked up at her, taking in her now crimson-colored eyes, her pupils dilated. Ethel planted a gentle kiss on her cheek, Carmelita quickly tightening her grip around her waist as she stumbled slightly.

"I'm sorry dear you surprised me," Carmelita quickly scooped Ethel up bridal style into her arms, planting a gentle kiss on her lips. "I need to get a better eating schedule, so I don't drain you like this."

"I would rather you eat a little bit once a week than a lot once every two months."

"That's understandable. Any snacks in mind? You need to eat something too, especially after that," Carmelita planted a kiss on Ethel's head, thinking about what she might like to eat. "Oh, I know exactly what to get you. I'll have Elise tell the cooks to make it for you, and you can sit in the library if you would like and do some more reading."

"Alright then. I'm guessing you're not going to tell me what it is you're getting me?"

"Why of course not darling, I do quite like surprising you."

Carmelita gave her a small smile, and Ethel wrapped her arms around her neck and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Do you have any more hints you could give me that wouldn't end up hurting you in the process? I'm at somewhat a dead end at the moment on your current issue." Carmelita pondered over Ethel's request, thinking about what she could give her.