A Thousand Year Obsession ✔

Bonus Chapter

A/N Forgive me, but I couldn't write this actually in Derek's point of view. I tried, but I felt as if I were violating his character. I'll still write this bonus chapter, however, it will be written in third person, but the focus view point will be focused on Derek.

This chapter occurs during the time span of the last chapter.

Derek hadn't expected the preparations to take so long. The guests would begin arriving any minute, the food was cold, and he'd have no time to fetch Morgana. He ran an agitated hand through his honey locks and sighed, dearly resenting what he was about to do.

"Alexander?" His voice sounded distant even to his own ears.

The two of them had never been close. They referred to each other as brothers but they felt the farthest from such. Before the Great Redemption, the Immortals never even lived in the same kingdom, much less the same fortress. But while the close quarters induced a sense of paranoia on Derek, Alexander seemed to relish in the discomfort. But Derek had a bigger problem than dealing with his arrogant elder brother's incessant taunting. He had to protect Morgana.

Alexander approached his younger sibling, a casual yet mocking smirk on his lips. "Whatever do you need, brother?"

Derek waved a hand towards the food and a boiling steam settled over the dishes.

"I need you to get Morgana." He said shortly, his tone clipped and brief.

Alexander's head tipped just slightly towards Derek, the mocking smirk slowly sliding into a venomous smile.

"Of course." He said smoothly. "It'd be my greatest pleasure."

Derek's gaze narrowed. "Keep your distance, brother. I know what you're up to."

Alexander merely shrugged, a slow casual gesture expressing his indifference to whether Derek knew his ploy or not. He spoke a brief goodbye before departing, stealing a biscuit on his way out.

Derek watched him for a long moment, his sky blue eyes shadowed over with a gaze so intermixed with emotions, not one particular one could be picked out. His mind whirled over possibilities and outcomes, tumbling through rivers of thought and crashing down the falls of decision. Determined as he was to keep Morgana close by him, Derek wasn't so sure that was the best course of action. He knew the dangers of his brother, and he was nearly certain Morgana suspected enough to keep her distance, but Alexander always managed to slip past the guards of those he targeted. Why he'd targeted Morgana, though, had Derek sincerely concerned.

He could understand casual attraction. Her smooth flawless milky white skin could lure in any unsuspecting victim. And the gentle hues of her gaze had his heart thudding wildly just by the thought of them. The way her small but sharp nose crinkled when angered made him yearn to upset her ever the more, if only just to be able to watch her with that glaring gaze and tightly set lips. And the adoration that flooded him when her pale lips turned upwards at one corner when she was so sure of herself could knock any man off his feet. He wouldn't be surprised if every male that laid eyes on her felt the tumbling flutters that assaulted him whenever near her. But still, he felt certain that whatever had Alexander after Morgana, it was much more than physical attraction. And that made him very, very afraid.

Derek turned towards the ballroom doors as the first of the train of guest began to arrive. He moved to greet them, setting a good mannered smile on his lips and falling into the cheery, princely routine he'd been taught to present. But though his exterior seemed focused on the matter at hand, his thoughts were spinning away again.

Alexander had never been as straight forward as the other Immortals. He preferred secrecy and mystery, adoring the dark alluring presence he presented. But most concerning of all was his most threatening talent, his ability to appear of any personality. Derek knew he could fool anyone, knew he could pull Morgana to him like a fish on a lure. What he didn't know, however, was if Alexander's intentions were actually dangerous, and if they were, what peril these intentions posed to Morgana.

Already his insides clenched at just the thought of something happening to her. His limbs weakened just from imagining life without her pure interior beauty to give rest to the churning darkness in his soul. His mind collapsed with only the mere illusion of loosing the black-haired sorceress, his thoughts folding in on themselves as scenarios played over and over on repeat of what possible intention Alexander could have for her. Morgana was far more than a woman he loved, Derek was sure. He'd fallen in love before, but his adoration for Morgana felt so much stronger than any previous emotion. Something about her curled tightly all around him, encasing him in a love far greater than one he'd ever experienced. He could not bear to lose her.

But though Derek would be certain to fight as hard as he could to protect her, he knew with a terrible certainty that he would not be able to save her from his brother. Derek had always been the weakest of the Immortals, the most isolated, the smallest threat. And should Alexander play the cards right, all odds would be to his advantage. But he insisted on playing the game, and so Derek would play, and though she'd eternally struggle, Morgana would always be the prize.

He glanced up quickly as the doors across the hall opened, his breath suddenly taken from his lips. Her dark hair lay in smooth curls over her shoulders, the emerald gown swirling about her ankles as she walked, the green of her gaze more vibrant than ever before. Flutters assaulted his stomach, a sweet melody of honey washing over him as he watched her step inside the ballroom, her gaze illuminating in a childlike awe. His lips turned upwards and his thoughts entirely slipped from greeting the guests. He stepped forward just as Alexander reached out a hand for her. Derek froze, stiffly attempting to calm the furious jealousy as she smiled and took the hand of his brother. But then hurt crashed through his heart as he watched the two twirl across the dance floor, a terrible sorrow caused by the simple knowledge that she could never be happy with him like she could be with someone else.

He quickly turned away and resumed his routine, roughly pushing that thought from his mind. He could not go soft now. Not when Alexander was here, threatening the safety of the one Derek sought most to protect. He considered briefly if, once Alexander had been taken care of, he would let her live like she deserved, but he hurriedly dismissed that option. He was disgraced enough after being the first to be captured. He could not disgrace himself any more in the eyes of his brothers, no matter what the churning warmth in his abdomen wished him to do. He would prove himself to be strong, to be dangerous, to be a cause for worry. Morgana would not get in the way of redeeming and reuniting him with his siblings, he would make sure of that.

Derek sensed the three figures before he saw them, and his head turned sharply to face the wary wanderers. He said nothing as they passed, only offered a brief nod. His gaze fell onto the boy that had always accompanied Morgana, the yellow-haired, green-eyed child she'd grown so fond of. He felt the furious jealousy rise within him once more and he struggled to conquer the rapidly strengthening urge to lurch forward and sap the life from the boy's olive skin. But he knew had he done that, Morgana would be crushed beyond anything she'd ever felt before. There would be no reaching her ever again. He would truly lose her forever. The death of her parents had been a mistake enough. He refused to repeat such a disaster.

He watched carefully as Morgana noticed the three figures and quickly deserted Alexander. He smirked just slightly at her actions, glancing over Alexander's irritated expression before turning to watch the group. There wasn't any doubt they would be attempting to plan another escape, but Derek knew their efforts were in vain. No one but a being as equally powerful as he could undo the bond, and Alexander didn't even know about it. And if Derek had any say in the matter he never will.

So he let them toil away at their futile work, swiftly retreating to his own room as to spare himself the suffering of watching Morgana with that boy. He knew he would surely find out their mysterious plan tomorrow and he would take great pleasure in watching it crumble to ashes. But tonight he would rest, if only to set his emotions at ease.