Crowns Of Shadows

5: John

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"Yo guess what!" Damon called as the door to the Manor closed behind him. I looked up at the top of the house and puffs of smoke spouted out of the chimney. Either Benny set fire, or they are using the oven.

"I see you've the oven working?" I called, unloading the things I had collected from the village. Damon was still a good distance before Conner turned to me and spoke.

"Who on earth is cooking?" Conner must have seen the smoke after I had pointed it out. I shrugged.

"I'm not." Damon smiled as he neared us, he went around the side of the wagon taking large bags out.

"Then who, Eric? Or Benjamin?" Conner asked, his gray eyes shimmering in the moonlight.

"Bout' time that boy does something." I hissed, carrying all I could, hoping to make one trip to the house.

"Hey now John. You've got to give him some credit." Damon's voice dropped low. I set the bags down, knowing this would be a full conversation.

"You don't seriously feel bad for him?" I glared.

"Well, have some heart."

"He doesn't need it. Life sucks, toughen up." I mocked.

"He's seven, John." Conner chuckled.

"Not much younger than you or I?" I huffed. "We got over our tramas. And hell, he doesnt even remember his."

"Are you sure you're over yours?" Damon challenged. I raised a brow.

"Shut up." I picked the bags back up, and pushed past him to the door. Conner followed close.

"Don't go in there yet!" Damon called running to catch up. Conner opened the door fast mocking Damon. We both turned to look inside. I looked at the sofa, seeing Eric and Benjamin sitting there still. I then looked into the kitchen, wondering who was using the oven if everyone was busy already. A woman turned to me with the face of an angel if I've ever seen one. She was dressed in a beautiful cream blouse, and a long gray skirt. By the saints she was the most beautiful creature to walk the earth.

In the daily lit room her hair cascaded down her back, a deep lustrous black river that flowed with every direction she moved. It was though the darkness in her hair held its secrets, gleaming softly with an ethereal glow. Her eyes were like chips of ice, a piercing shade of blue that seemed to capture the essence of the most regal glacier. They held a crystalline clarity, each glance sending shivers down my spine like a gust of arctic wind.

I've seen blue eyes. Hell it was the dominating trait of most Iselians, but these were like no other.

"She's beautiful." I mumbled to myself, and I knew Conner heard, because he nodded as well.

"Hi." She put up a hand and waved with the grace of a queen. I was convinced she was a figment of my imagination. Damon pulled both me and Conner back outside, and closed the door.

"She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." I uttered, running a hand through my hair.

"I know right?" I looked up and saw Damon peeking at her from the peephole of the door. When he turned back to me, I saw something different in his eyes. I saw not just the sweet softness of love, but a profound sense of fulfillment- a completeness that could only come from finding someone who touched their soul in ways they never thought possible. But as I witnessed the love reflected in his gaze, all I felt was dread. The woman he had found love in was the same woman I had stumbled upon. I hated myself for feeling dread about his happiness. Jealousy even. He deserved to be happy. But again, I had just met her, and so did he... I hoped. She is a person, she has her right to choose. And I may even have to come to terms with the fact that she may not choose any of us.