1692

Act IX

Cake of the day: Tired Swan Cake

Ellis stepped out into the cold morning, rain beating viciously on his coat.

"I don't know how you sleep at night..." A faint voice whispered from the other end of the town square. Ellis turned to see Blair, standing face down in the rain. Her dress was soaked, and clung to her body and her long, black hair was dripping, and hung over her eyes menacingly.

"Excuse me?" Ellis said, turning to face the woman. "How could you..." Blair whispered again, barely audibly.

"Would you like to speak up, you dumb woman?" Ellis snarled. "How could you be so cold as to torture that man so freely, so carelessly?!" Blair yelled, moving her piercing hazel eyes to face the man intently.

Ellis laughed, amused by Blair's words. "Edmund Ville is a monster, I don't know why you're defending him so. Do you know this man?"

Blair dipped her head again, tears beginning to form at the corners of her eyes. "I knew Victoria..." She whispered, her voice shaking.

Blair lifted her head again, looking straight into the grey sky.

"The sun is sleeping quietly

Once upon a century

Wistful oceans, calm and red

Ardent caresses laid to rest

For my dreams I hold my life

For wishes, I behold my nights

The truth at the end of time

Losing faith makes a crime

I wish for this nighttime

to last for a lifetime

The darkness around me, shores of a solar sea

Oh how I wish to go down with the sun

Sleeping, weeping, with you... Blessed be."

She uttered a quiet song, and immediately, the raspy cry of a raven could be heard on the rooftop of the Mortician's Parlor.

Ellis turned around, shocked, the see the big bird staring curiously at him. Suddenly, more ravens began to swarm the town, sitting on the rooftops of shops and houses, and even a top the church, dead silent as they watched Ellis' every move closely.

"W-What is this sorcery?!" Ellis demanded, turning violently to take in the image of hundreds of ravens with their eyes on him.

Blair stared at the man. "There are forces at work in Candle Cove that have power much stronger than yours, Ellis Black." Blair spoke with a commanding tone."You would do your best not to disturb them."

Blair waved her hands in a dismissing tone, and all the ravens suddenly flew away, their wings creating a dismal sound as they returned to the woods.

~

I stood in the cold kitchen, quietly washing a few dishes of tired swan cake. I pulled my shawl a bit tighter over my shoulders in the bitter atmosphere. 

"Oh. Miss Katrina, I can do that..." I suddenly heard a quiet voice gently speak from behind me.

I jumped, startled, and turned to face my enemy in the kitchen. It was only Sebastian.

"Oh..." I said, slowly turning to face the wash basin again. "It's quiet alright, Sebastian. I'm almost done anyway..."

A sudden presence filled the room, that of words that needed to be spoken. I felt a deep, sour stab in the presence of the awkward stranger behind me.

I turned and began to walk away, unable to bear it any longer. "Katrina, wait.." I heard Sebastian speak. I turned again, and we faced each other. "I can't say how sorry I am for what I did... I can only hope you'll forgive me..."

"No..." I whispered, looking down sadly. "I'm sorry," I looked up at him, taking a few steps closer.

"I'm sorry I made you wait so long for this..." I rose to my highest point and kissed him lovingly.I felt his hands curl around my waist as he pulled me tighter.

Was this what it felt like to be loved?

I pulled away softly, resting my head on his chest. "I just, I feel so alone now..." I said, slowly beginning to cry into his suit.

I felt him sigh, and run his fingers through my hair. "You needn't worry any longer, my lady..." Sebastian cooed sweetly.

"I'm here. Now, I always will be..."

Always...