Object of Desire

Chapter Twenty Two : The Spell

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    When the importance of today was brought to my attention, I never thought it would be anything like this. Part of me had hoped I would find Veda in the dining hall already, sorting through her options for breakfast and making small talk with one of the Ghouls. But as my eyes traveled through every nook of the room, I couldn't find a single glimpse of her. There were the usual suspects, parading themselves around in costume— or in the case of the Ghouls, a lack there of. This was truly the one day where they could bear their natural beauty and grace it upon those of the Abbey, not that they would be judged much anyhow. If it weren't for the more strict rules put in place by others, they could present this way as often as they desired.

     The Ghouls— they were meant to be nameless and anonymous, but I always thought it was unfair. They do their best when it comes to aiding the project, and to have them shield their faces as a means to hide their true form, it felt like an insult to their character. In a way, it adds to the allure for outsiders, always guessing who these specters were and what role they had played in the whole scheme of things. Days like today, they were a breath of fresh air, even if it was sodden in what was soon to be known to me.

    I had stood, just at the head of the dining hall, watching the door consistently for a single sign of Veda. After what had happened last night, I didn't want to leave her. I wanted to stay, to release these months of tension with further detail and do what we had both desired. It was so easy to see her yearning in the way she talked, how her body would sway, and how her eyes would linger on any part of my body she so wished. Leaving with a parting kiss and only a few words after could only have me craving more, and I knew she felt it too. Having to go the whole day without seeing her; it was killing me. This is her last day here for sometime, her and Sister Imperator are already in the works of getting her citizenship approved, but that could take ages.

The mere fact that I could not see her until later tonight had weighed heavy on my heart and my damned soul. I could understand not being able to see her during set practice and even the time leading up to tonight, but not seeing her at breakfast? The Clergy was dead set on torturing me. I was to eat breakfast in the early hours mornings before most people woke, and then make my way down towards the Celebration Hall. I cant make any sudden stops, or even go back to my own room— the little control I had on this situation was enough to drive me mad.

I was to wait here, Primo and Copia soon to arrive with the information regarding Eliza. They had worked through the night, consulting the fates and seeing what measures needed to be taken so that Eliza could actually come here. To say that I was nervous for their answer was an understatement. And, if I wasn't wearing gloves, I'd be chewing up a storm on my nails. Even as the two approached in a synchronized pace, I could feel the anxiety eating me alive.

"Good morning." I nodded to the both of them as they approached.

"Buongiorno," Primo nodded as well, Copia doing just the same with a notebook in his joined hands, "we have some good news."

"Sì, should we discuss in the separate hall?" Copia asked, gesturing towards the room behind me.

"Yes, a good idea." I agreed, turning my back as I glanced around the room one last time in hopes of seeing Veda. Unfortunately, I had come up empty handed.

The three of us sat around a small table, nestled into a more private part of the room where not many people had passed. The morning sun was just about to rise, the warm rays starting to creep into the room and take away the small autumn chill. However, I could still feel a residual tremble in my fingers as we gathered around to talk.