Forgive Me, For I Have Sinned

"You have his eyes.."

After that horrendous dinner, I launched a full investigation on Solomon. That thieving bastard..! Not only did he try and move into my territory but he took my woman and daughter. Wait, she's not mine anymore, I don't know why I thought that.

I sent people to his house and did a search. Searched through his contacts and checked his recent visits. Apparently, the auction house that he and Elena ran, was a cover up on his part. He would meet new potential clients for his 'side business'. One major client was the faction. There are records showing purchased merchandise and illegal dealings. This scum was funneling money through the auctions to keep his illegal business afloat. I was beside myself with anger, should have killed him a long time ago.

So far, there was nothing else confessed from Solomon through interrogation. But I myself couldn't go down and do it; I feared I might kill him before I had the chance to drain him of any information he had.

Priscilla was always at my side, even through the night when I stayed up late to do more paperwork. Massaging my shoulders, running her hands through my hair and absorbing all excess energy. Her voice, quite and soothing as she prayed in the language of the witches. Even though I do not understand what she is saying, I knew.

A slight knock at the door did not deter her from stopping.
"Come in." I say putting down my pen. Eleana walks in, closing the door behind her.

"Evening Lysander. Evening Priscilla." She said politely nodding. Priscilla didn't answer, but her eyes showed that she acknowledged her.

"Evening, Eleana. Is there something I can help you with?" I ask.

She holds out a large book. " I thought you might enjoy looking at some pictures from Rosalie's childhood album." She said. I take the book from her, making room on my desk. Opening it up to the first page, it was titled, Rosalie's photo album 0yr- present.

"I'm off to bed." Priscilla said, kissing me then my cheek. "Good night" she said before leaving. Eleana took a chair and brought it next to mine.

I flip through the pages, there were many, full of pictures and dates and captions. There were no cameras back then. Al the pictures were hand painted or sketched, which is why the book was so large. Her artistic skills were amazing. They looked so life like and detailed. There were lots of sketches of Rosalie as a baby, mostly in a sleeping position. The next ones were when she was a toddler, sitting up, crawling and even standing. One picture stood out and really caught my attention as we were going through them.

This one was colored and painted. A toddler Rosalie stood, holding the side of a coffee table and looked to the side; probably facing her mother as she drew. She was smiling with two barely there teeth, curling blonde baby hair in her light pink dress. Her eyes, round with excitement, stared at us happily and vividly purple. It felt like I watched her grow up through these pictures, and knowing I wasn't actually a part of it was upsetting.

"That's how I knew she was yours." Eleana said. "I had my doubts at first, but when she was born and she stared back at me with those beautiful purple eyes, that when I knew." She lightly traced her fingers across the page, sentimentally. "Her eyes stayed that way until her hundredth birthday, they just slowly faded lighter and lighter, becoming bluer and bluer. I always told her, ' You have your father's eyes and strength and that will always be your connection to him'. She was really upset when the color faded."

"She may have had my eyes, but she proudly displays your beauty and smile. " I reply. She smiled. She went through the whole book with me that night, telling me stories. It was the one time in a long time that I was fully relaxed and enjoyed time with her. It almost felt like the old days, before Solomon came into our lives.

The next morning on the floor with pillows and a single blanket, fire out, the book open; I awoke, with her fast asleep by my side. I was momentarily lost in the moment, in the fantasy of the past as I leaned down to give her a morning kiss. I stopped myself short, but her eyes flashed open to my face dangerously  close to hers. Her rapid heartbeat and half parted lips wanted me to do it. It was so tempting, but reality set in all too soon and I pulled away with the attempt of pretending I was in the middle of stretching. I sat up and closed the book.

"Breakfast will be served soon." I say glancing at the clock then back to her disappointed face. I help her to her feet, her hand lingering a slightly. I quickly pick up the pillows and blanket, she grabbed the book and left.

At breakfast, Eliza was rowdy and rambunctious, babbling to herself and demanding my attention by calling the nickname she had given me. It was Lu this and Lu that. When it was time for everyone to go about their business, Rosalie taking her to play, she threw the biggest fit not wanting to leave my side.

"I'm sorry Dad, she's never usually like this." Richard says trying to keep a hold of his daughter who was kicking and screaming like the child she was.

"It's alright. She can spend the day with me." I say.

"You definitely need the break from work." Priscilla says, putting a hand on my arm.

"Why don't you guys go out to the nearby town? I hear they are preparing for a festival." Rosalie says. "Take mom with you." She had that hopeful look every child has when their parents are split up.

"You two should go. Have fun. I can't go cause I've an important online meeting to do but you shouldn't go alone." Priscilla says smiling a halfhearted smile. I give her an questioning glare.

Eleana looked happy, even though we were practically forced to go to town by ourselves. Eliza plain just didn't care where we went as long as I replied when she called my name, else she'd pull my hair.

The town was busy, lots of people walking around, setting up stalls and decorations. This town, and many more in my territory was a blend of humans and the supernatural. Co existing, cohabiting and living decently peaceful under my law and rule. Those who recognized me, stopped and stared, giving a small head bow/ nod.  I had forgotten how much Eleana loves to shop. We went to every shop and spent at least 15 minutes in each one and always walking out of each one with a bag.

Someone taps on my shoulder, I turn around and see Father Declan from the nearby church. He too was of the supernatural, I could never figure out what he is, nor would he ever tell me when I asked.

"Lysander, it's been a while since you've last visited." He said with a smile. He had dark brown eyes and dark brown hair and was fairly tall.

"I haven't had the time time, sorry Father Declan."

"There's always time for god." He says. I didn't go to church because I was religious but because whenever Father Declan held a sermon or was in the confessionals listening, one always felt better, like a weight off their shoulders. Strange miracles always happened too. Before we met, I was crippling under the weight of guilt I had from all my wrong doings and stuff that happened in the past. Nothing I did, and no where I went could help change that fact. The strange mystery that was Father Declan with his hidden identity and powers, left the humans in awe and called him the father or miracles. I thought it was all bullshit until I finally met him and experienced all that burden disappear.  Eventually it all came back, but I always went back to get all the pressure removed to continue doing what I was doing, as ruler.

"Well, when you have time, let me know and i will schedule another visit." Father replies before disappearing into the crowd. Father Declan never stayed at one church for long, and always visited this church when I needed. It felt strange to know he was in town when I never called for him.