Lights Flicker And Fade : Kol Mikaelson [3]

209: The Benko Gambit

a/n: really worried this chapter/next one are boring cos there's a lot of talking (so many characters and combos *semi crying*)
There will be some action soon I promise xx
Comment and vote <3
- Bea

1919

Lillian stood on the edge of The Bayou, staring across the water, a clearing developing around her. Her hands were covered in blood, fingers wiping it across her cheeks in large sweeping motions. Hair pinned back – perfect blue dress ripped, the once smooth satin wrapped around her waist untied and lost to the trees. Blood and mud, turning the colour of the sky she suited so well into murky and shadowed spots.

Her gaze was focused, lips parted.

"Lilli," Tom was behind her, "Listen to me – "

"You don't understand."

Her shoes were missing, no fabric protecting her feet, stings and cuts from nettles and broken branches almost meaningless. No reaction, flinching, or signs of pain.

"It is too weak."

"You cannot do this."

"It is what's right."

"Your mother would not – "

"My mother is dead."

Spoken so easily.

"And they want my head for it."

"You did kill her."

"It is what the spirits required."

"Lillian," He could risk getting any closer, "I am – "

"You need to listen," Her quiet response brought silence, "Listen to how the candle burns."

He stilled, really watching her.

"The voice in the ripple," Her hand came forward, silver knife cutting her palm, dripping into the water beneath, "Can you hear it sing?"

"We are trying to help you, Lilli."

"I am helped."

Her eyes shut, swaying slightly.

There was no breeze – only the rustle of forest life fleeing from the sight. Smelling the magic in the air before any humans could, knowing it never meant anything good. Being in tune with the world in the way most witches tried to mimic. People claimed to find music in everything, delivering them messages, falling in too deep to escape by the time they realised it wasn't a song, but a curse.

"They are using you," He spoke calmly.

"They're not."

"You killed your mother, and you can't give me a good reason as to why."

"I needed to be Regent."

"You were shunned."

"Because they are yet to understand," Lillian finally faced him, veins in her arms blue – like poison, "Sometimes you must sacrifice to be reborn."

"You are the smartest witch alive," He pleaded, "You do not need whatever they are offering."

"Peace."

He tried not to cry, watching the woman he loved so out of reach.

"It is not that I need them, but I do what is needed."

"You are not making sense."

"I am," She made a matching cut on the other hand, "You are just choosing to ignore my points."