Guarded Hearts ✓

Chapter 22

A/N: Guarded Hearts is back on track babyyyyyyyy! All your comments and private messages on the story made me feel guilty about just giving up on it and for it to have a solid ending that you can all feel happy with. So for that reason....although the story probably won't be as long as I intended, I will still make a move on ittt (; 

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Chapter 22

     I strode down the corridor towards the grand hall in a heavy, long black and red puffy ballgown; a small gold heart locket swaying on my chest. Two smartly dressed guards with top hats by my sides escorted me. I had previously refused to allow them to hold my arms as we walked; if I was going to go to that ball, I'd walk on my own terms. No way would I let them 'manhandle' me there as a prisoner. Although in this heavily ruffled gown and high heels, I regretted not accepting the extra help in walking down. We're nearly there. Don't trip. Don't trip.

     "Violet! You're here!" Damien said, wearing a well fitted tuxedo suit and taking my arm as soon as I entered the room. He smiled down at me and I couldn't help but notice how innocent and almost 'boyish' he looked; the way his grin took over half his face and the way his eyes lit up at my entrance. I inwardly laughed at the whole thing. He was the God of the Underworld. God of the Dead. He was anything but innocent. 

     I looked around. Gasping both at amount of people that were here, and how amazing it looked. Women in ballgowns, men in suits, large glass chandeliers....an orchestra. If it was possible, Damien's grin widened at my expression. He led us over to the dance floor, where a soothing slow song was playing. Although the music sounded amazing, I wasn't exactly skilled in the art of the 'waltz' and my dance skills mainly consisted of jumping up and down.

     "I...I can't dance."

    He ignored me and simply placed his arms around my waist. I put my arms around his neck and moved in closer to whisper in his ear. "If I step on your foot, it's on you."

      He simply chuckled and I smiled in response.

     "You're in an upbeat mood," he stated and I bit my lip. 

     "Well at this moment, what's there not to be happy about? I'm in a beautiful dress in a beautiful room...with a beautiful guy." Which wasn't a lie. Despite Damien's nature, he was still an incredibly attractive guy and even though I had a soul mate, I couldn't deny that.

     I wound my arms tighter on his neck and brushed my cheek against his; spontaniously leaving a soft kiss there. 

     "Thank you," I said, pulling away to look into his eyes. They were gleaming even brighter now.

     "For what?" He said softly.

    "For showing me this world, this life...and for deciding to break my bond with Alex."

-----------------------------------------------------(1 hour earlier)-----------------------------------------------------------------

      I bit my tongue when Smith, for the fourth time, yanked hard whilst trying to curl and pin up my hair. I cleared my throat and looked at her through the mirror's reflection. "So...um, is Smith short for something?" I asked, both in curiosity and as a way to distract me from tonight's events. 

     I saw a ghost of a smile on her lips through the reflection, before she quickly composed herself. "My surname is Smith. My first name is...." Her eyes widened slightly and she trailed off, as if realising whom she's talking to. Everyone's so scared of him...and through that, I suppose me. I frowned. I knew exactly what it felt like being constantly afraid. My school life wasn't....isn't....the most exciting. I didn't like idea of people being afraid. Not being able to speak their mind. I don't want this power against anyone.

     "What's your first name?" I decided to ask, to reafirm the flow of her conversation was headed in the right direction. 

     She met my eyes through the mirror and looked down, smiling softly. "Sophie. My name is Sophie."

     "Why did Alyana call you Smith then?" I asked, creaisng my eyebrows in confusion. "Wait. Alyana is her first name right?"

     She nodded in reply. "Servents are not privelaged of a first name." 

     I didn't respond. I couldn't. They weren't privellaged a first name? That's insane.

     "Do you miss it?" She said slowly and carefull, as if testing the waters.

     "Miss what?" 

     "You're old life."

     I met her eyes once again through the mirror and she looked away, probably seeing the hurt in my eyes. Of course I missed my old life. I missed my family. My friends. Jayden....Alex. It had only been a few hours, but it felt like a lifetime. Alex said he'd get me out from here. That he'd....they'd....rescue me. But realistically they were just Guardians against a God. I can't think like that. They could still come. They could still save me, couldn't they?

     "I do." I said simply in responce. Which was an understatement.

     "Do you miss your old life?" I asked back.

     "I do," she smiled sadly.

     "What happened?" I said softly.

     "I died," she said bluntly, though not rudely. "My mother had me married off to much older wealthy man after she found I was secretly having a relationship with a boy of a lower class. I loved him. We would sneak around together even after my marriage. When my husband found us one day he died....it was a heart attack. At that point everyone knew about...my behaviour and I just had no choice but to kill myself. I was the only way to save my family's honour." 

     I swallowed. Not knowing what to say.

     "That's why I understand. I understand what you're going through by leaving your past lover behind for someone.... you may not particular want to be with," she said; speaking the last part softly.

     She reached behind her neck and unclasped her heart locket. "What are you-" She quickly clasped the necklace around my neck and smiled softly. I touched the necklace, feeling the intricate swirl detailing with my fingers. "I-I can't", I said in shock.

     "I insist. I have no use for it anymore." She looked up at the clock and I followed her gaze in disbelief to how quickly time had flown. Alyana would be here soon. 

     On cue we heard loud footsteps outside the door. 

     "Just make sure you take what's in that locket before midnight," she said quickly, whilst opening the door.

     "Wh-" I cut myself off when Alyana walked in, looking as flawless as ever in a long red dress with a thigh high slit.

     "You don't want to keep Him waiting, now do you?" Alyana said, raising an eyebrow. 

     I stood up to leave. Maybe what Sophie gave me would save me. Maybe it wouldn't. All I knew is that I needed to find out how to get out of here and I had either the room full of guests or Damien himself to tell me just that. I had to turn my charm on.

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