Desire

Chapter 2

Damen’s P.O.V

I lay face down in the huge hammock beneath the canopy of leafy trees, providing a perfect shade on the veranda. A few thin rays of sun, escaped through the fine scarlet, gold fabric of the hammock blurring my vision with sparkling streams of pastel yellow. I twisted round clumsily in attempt to snatch a view of the Palace’s surroundings. Instead I crumpled to the marble floor in a pathetic heap. With an exasperated groan I struggled upright and scrutinised the landscape.

Enormous, emerald green hills rolled into one another, segmented by tiny, intricate, springs, which trickled into a pretty pond below. The sky was smeared a deep blue, richer than the finest fabric in the palace and chalky wisps of clouds were streaked across it. Clustered beneath the curving contours of the hills were hundreds of sugary pink blossom trees overflowing with ripe fruit. Then my wandering eyes returned to the miniature pond huddled safely between the large orchid and the smooth folds of hills. Crouched in the foreground was a strange, but mesmerising girl. She had layers of long, chestnut brown hair which easily fell past her shoulders. She was slim and petit with the most captivating choclately brown eyes. They contrasted perfectly with her pale skin and dainty nose. She was beautiful. So beautiful I doubt I had ever come across anyone as faultless in my life. Every feature and curve of her face was so unspoiled it was almost unreal. However she was dressed in a grimy, rag of a dress. The corset was an aged coffee brown with frayed, gawky strings tightening it. The skirt was torn and rugged and looked so flimsy I dared say it would hardly last a day longer without disintegrating. I was completely bewildered at how such a flawless, pretty creature could be clad so inadequately.

All of a sudden she twisted and cocked her head, gazing in my direction. Her eyes wandered from the back of the palace to the breathtaking landscape and then settled on me.  As we locked eyes my breathing became jagged and I found myself astray in her enchanting gaze. Her face portrayed an expression of awe and interest, virtually mirroring my own emotions.

I felt slightly dizzy as my feather of a heart happily fluttered in my chest. With a great deal of reluctance I finally tore my eyes away from her and rushed inside.

Arianna’s P.O.V

After examining my reflection in the still water below me for quite some time, I turned to my right in order to analyse the rest of the unfamiliar landscape I was faced with.  To my astonishment I was confronted with a colossal Palace. It was a pallid, sunny yellow finished with elaborate gold leaf and the roof consisted of smooth, perfectly sculpted slates. The windows alone were larger than the house I had spent my entire childhood in.  Stretched across the palace below the roof was a huge balcony dappled with a vast expanse of fine scarlet gold fabric. The balcony was filled with plush, sophisticated loungers, smooth mahogany coffee tables, and huge, tangy citrus trees sprouting from earthy-red, terracotta pots.  I licked my lips with longing tasting the sweet, yet tartness of the citrus trees and drank in the sheer sight of luxury before me. Soon, after scanning the balcony I perceived a boy, about my age I would guess, either way, he was strikingly good looking. He had bronzed skin and his linen shirt hung loosely with a few buttons undone defining his well toned muscles. He had golden blonde hair with soft, tousled curls and unusual,  steel grey eyes which shimmered with life. The boy’s jaw was perfectly chiselled and his nose and mouth were well proportioned. There was nothing in the least about him which wasn’t absolutely right. He was flawless. I noticed that he also wore a long, ornate coat, strung around his neck which nearly fell to his knees- something I could never afford.  In fact, I doubt I had ever met anyone who could.

I soon became conscious that the boy had now sighted me and was gazing at me curiously. I lifted my head, prepared to run after sensing the deep blush which was rapidly consuming my cheeks. I couldn’t though, as I looked into his extraordinary eyes which lured me in. I felt flushed and giddy, desperately wanting to know more about him. I wanted to know who he was, how I could meet him, and most importantly, why he was making me feel so strange. I couldn’t even bring myself to move, or avert my eyes from this stranger. I just wanted to keep on studying him.  

Eventually, after what seemed like hours of being entranced, the boy stood up, a look of confusion passed his face as he rushed into the Palace without looking back. Instantly I felt calmer and able to compose myself, but the aching desire in the pit of my stomach was impossible to ignore.