The Shadows of Erisdar (ON HOLD)

Chapter 13

For some unknown reason, Alex was excited about the dinner. She guessed that it was because she had been cooped up in this house for so long.

The dress was beautiful. It was a dark navy colour with a sweetheart neckline and cascading shoulders. It hugged her upper body and slightly flared out at the waist, reaching just above her knees, and it had shimmering chiffon over the entire dress, reminding her of the stars. The shoes paired with the dress were flat sandals with gem-studded straps that looped back and forth over her feet.

Alex was, however, very uncomfortable at the knowledge that Darryl would buy things like this for her, not to mention how the dress fit her so well. She cringed as she was reminded of how the Gasham spoke of her like she was an object to be owned.

She put her hair up with a big hair clip before meeting Darryl downstairs. He led her outside to a small, open-top, single-drawn carriage.

Darryl guided the horse to a beautiful old stone manor. It was similarly built to the house but much larger, and the interior was very simply decorated. Alex was led across the foyer to a large staircase that led to two doors. She followed him through the right door, down a wide hallway lined with floor-to-ceiling windows.

They passed through double French doors into an ornately decorated living room. Upon further inspection, Alex noticed that it was an apartment within the manor where Percy lived.

"Alex, you look lovely." Percy greeted her. "Make yourself at home. The kitchen is over here." He said, guiding her. "My lady is still getting herself ready, but she'll be here in a minute. She's quite anxious to meet you." He added with a wink as he left her in the kitchen to go and talk to his brother.

She felt a little awkward at the casualness of the situation. She poured herself a glass of cold water and began looking around. She approached a large window that overlooked a garden with a vine-covered pergola, and her thoughts wandered as she studied it.

Alex nearly had a heart attack when a sudden shriek erupted behind her, and Percy and Darryl came storming into the living room.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" the voice shrieked. "It's you!" All she could see was light brown hair as she was embraced in a hug, nearly spilling her glass. "I can't believe you're here. I've been so worried," the voice said, pulling away from her.

Alex stared, stunned, at the familiar face shaking her by the shoulders. "Don't just stare at me like a freak," she said, shoving Alex lightly on the shoulder. "Say something."

Alex was shell-shocked at the girl standing before her. "D- Darcy." She stuttered in disbelief.

"She speaks," Darcy said with humour.

"Wait, you two know each other?" Percy asked curiously, but was completely ignored.

"You're here?" Alex asked in disbelief, thinking that her eyes might be playing tricks on her.

"Of course, I'm here. What do you think, silly, that I'm an apparition?" Darcy answered with amusement on her face while the two men looked on in confusion.

Tears of joy rolled over Alex's cheeks, and she threw her arms around her best friend. "I missed you so much." She said, and Darcy returned the hug equally tight.

"I missed you, too. Oh gosh, now you made me cry too." Darcy said, wiping her cheeks.

Alex laughed as she wiped her own tears. "What are you doing here?" she asked in amazement.

"I live here." She said matter-of-factly.

She went quiet as she looked at her friend and glanced at Percy. "Wait a minute. You're Percy's velari?"