A Wager Of The Heart

71. Heaven and Hell

:::Kent:::

There were many things about my angel that surprised me, that were unpredictable. Her escape into the gardens that night was not one. I saw the pressure building in her all day, noticed her fidget when she thought no one was looking, watched the faraway look in her eyes. She was so distracted by her own terror she barely noticed how many times I reached out to her. The first time I grabbed her hand was mostly reflex, I couldn't stand idly by and watch her be engulfed by her uncertainty but when she lay her head against my face, reaching out to her quickly became a habit I was unwilling to break.

Charity nearly floated through the garden in front of me, her hands and eyes taking in everything before her. I knew it was a very risky adventure to lay my final siege on her first night back in the garden but I didn't think I could abide another day like this one. I no longer possessed the capacity to pretend, I wanted her as my own and I wanted everyone to know. Tonight would be the end of our wager and the end of my torment.

Charity stopped to admire a particularly large bloom and she bent her head to examine it closely in the moonlight. She smiled and breathed in the aroma before tilting her head and looking in the shadow covered archway I hid in. Another smile curled her perfect lips upwards and sent my heart racing. I was positive she knew I was there but she said nothing as she continued her stroll. I waited in the darkness until she turned a corner and was out of sight. 

When I reached the corner Charity disappeared around I nearly jumped in fright, as it was I stopped short and the rush of adrenaline went straight to my temper. "I knew you were following me." Charity said as she watched me carefully with her beautiful eyes. I could still see the war within her eyes and I smiled around my fading anger. "None of that tonight," Charity said quietly as she turned away from me. 

I reached out and grabbed her arm, turning her to face me and kissing the back of her fingers. "Whatever you say, my angel."

She frowned and pulled her hand back, even as I caught the amusement in her eyes. "Kent." Charity whispered as she took a full step backward. "I'm perfectly fine to walk about here, there are no beasts waiting in the shadows." She looked up at me through her lashes and I saw the ghost of a smile, "only a devil."

I laughed darkly and resisted the urge to pull her into my arms and kiss her senseless. "I no longer stand in the shadows, I am a devil completely exposed." The words spoken in jest rang true in my heart and I gulped threw my sudden fear.

She tightened her mouth around her smile and shook her head. "Either way, I hardly require an escort."

I adopted a look of mixed horror and disbelief. "I am here under no such pretense, I happen to be enjoying the fresh air."

Charity looked at me dubiously and then giggled. "Don't let me stop you." She turned on her heel and marched away.

I grinned and followed her. She was mistaken in her belief that her comment, or even hiding in her room for two weeks, would deter me from my goal. Occasionally she would look at me in exasperation but I would always catch the edge of her smirk as she turned forward. There was no denying it, my angel wanted my presence as much as I wanted hers. Eventually Charity gave up her heated glances and endless traipsing and sat heavily on a bench in a secluded area of the garden. She didn't even look at me as I sat next to her. She tipped her head back and did her best to ignore me. I sat down and happily spread myself out to watch the stars, I pressed my leg against hers nonchalantly and hid my grin when she didn't move. 

The time marched onward and each passing moment deepened the frown at the corner of my angel's mouth. Her hands slowly grasped her skirt until her knuckles turned white and her foot began to tap incessantly on the stone beneath our bench. I watched her from the corner of my eye, taking careful precaution so my frown stayed hidden. I had no idea what happened this afternoon after her father brought his fiance, but whatever it was it was clearly affecting Charity.