Lesser: Book One of The Order Trilogy [Nanowrimo13] [Wattpad Prize 14]

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Blake’s fingers touched Ariella’s scaring fingers softly. Sending shivers down her spine as she looked up at the bright star lit sky over head. In the city it was impossible to see the stars, in the Lesser Institute you weren’t aloud outside long after the sunset, but here in the country side next to Blake she couldn’t think of a better time to see the stars.

They laid side by side, Blake looking at her. "I told you I would take you to the country side one day.”

She nodded. “I’ve never seen something so amazing.”

“I know. It’s really hard to beat.”

Ariella smiled, playing with the grass in the other side of her. “It is. It’s exactly how you described it.”

“It’s much better during the day.”

Ariella frowned. “I know, I’m sorry but I-”

“I understand… I know you can't go.” He said, pausing. “Ariella? Can I see your tattoos?”

Ariella looked at him, knowing there was no reason to hide them since they were in the middle of no where, where no one could see them.

She stood and went to the small pond, washing off the make up.

Blake slowly walked down, and sat, waiting for her. A small spark of guilt eating inside of his stomach. The black lines appearing on her arms, and hands, she walked back up to him. Sitting down she took her hands out in front of her.

“We get them when we’re eleven." She said, softly. "I thought I was used to them…I thought I didn’t care that I had been branded with my classification. Then, when Petra covered them up… it was like they were never there. I didn’t miss them.”

He touched the fine plain black ink that were branded into her skin, into her being, because like it or not this was what she was. What he had to accept to be with her.

“I need to know you’re a Lesser, Ariella. I want to know if I’m really okay with this because with always seeing you dressed up, I don’t feel like you’re a Lesser.”

Ariella nodded, sighing. “Do you see my hands? Their scaring and dry. That is from working Blake. You've touched them yourself, and you know how rough they are. My bones ache, and my body hurts, and I still come to see you. I’m so tired but I have to see you.”

He knew she was tired, he could see it under her eyes, or when she blinked and her eyes stayed closed a second too long or how her body slumped when sitting; he knew all that she sacrificed to see him. “I know but... It's hard to explain but not seeing it, it makes is not real, Ari. Can you put your hair up?”

Ariella sighed, slightly, put her hair up turning her back to him, showing her tattoo. “Anything else, sir?” She said, sharply.

It made him feel bad, but looking at her hair in a bun, made it click. This is the Ariella, everyone knows. This is the beaten, broken, and sad Lesser everyone’s seen. She was someone he would overlook if they had walked by each other; or maybe not. He couldn't sure, but it could be possible. “No, I’m sorry.”

“Hm.” She huffed.

“Ariella.” He said, smiling slightly.

Then, lightly touching her shoulder. “I’m sorry.” He whispered into her ear, his warm breath sending tendrils of electricity through her. “I just need to know.”

“You already know.”

 “I needed to see it.” Black said, slowly landing his lips on her tattoo making her shiver. Wrapping his arms around her stomach bringing her closer, kissing her neck and down to her shoulder, making her catch her breath.