To Kill or Love

chapter 3

-          Odessa.

   The guard led me to a clearing in the trees not far from the camp. It was quiet here and thankfully I couldn’t hear the goings on of the camp life. I walked to the middle of the clearing leaning my face to the sky. It was twilight now and it gave the clearing a sense of peace. I took a deep breath and sighed. I’d never lost control and cried like that. Especially not in front of someone. Why did I have to go and get emotional now? Markus and his guard probably thought that I was weak and couldn’t live up to my destiny now. That’s what the prophecy was, my destiny, my reason for living. I had to live, to kill the man who killed my family and live for my loved ones. A silent, lonely tear rolled down my cheek. I missed them so much, I knew I was young when it happened but that didn’t stop me from feeling like I was alone.

   I lowered my face and opened my eyes to see that the guard was sitting at the base of a tree, carving a piece of wood he had found with his knife. For some reason I felt safe with him, I felt confident that he would not allow any harm come to me.

   I went to sit next to him at the base of the tree and lent my head against the trunk. I took a few deep breaths and sighed.

   “So…what was your name again?” I asked. I felt a little rude at the way it came out but it was not intended that way.

   “Voss. Voss Cenwig.” He said. He didn’t look up, he just sat there carving the piece of wood.

  “Brave warrior.” I held out my hand. “Nice to meet you.” He stopped and looked at me then, placing the wood down and taking my hand.

   “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He smiled. When he did my heart fluttered. What the hell? Why was I acting like this? Why did I feel attracted to him? He was a vampire! I took my hand back and held it in my lap looking down at my hands.

   “How did you know about my name? Not many people know that.” He asked.

   “That your last name means Brave warrior?”

   “Yes”

   “hhmm…” I thought for a moment. “I’ve always liked learning the meanings of different names. I’ve come across yours before.” Voss looked at me for a while and creased his brow together. I didn’t know what he was thinking of and I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know, but soon enough curiosity got the better of me.

   “What are you thinking about? And why are you looking at me?” I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to be annoyed with him, only I couldn’t help a small smile.

   “Oh. Sorry.” He looked away and started carving the wood again. “I was thinking of the origin of your name. Unfortunately I don’t know your maiden name so I can’t pin point it.”

   I smiled and uncrossed my arms, holding my hands in my lap once again. “My last name is still Neala. You forget. You kidnapped me before I was properly married.”

   “Pity we didn’t get there when the priest had said ‘speak now or forever hold your peace’, it would have made it all the more dramatic.” He smiled. I burst into laughter and he joined in.