Fallen From Grace

Part 4

The nightmare came as it always did. Always vivid, always the same thing and always just as terrifying. It always starts the same, the day of her father's funeral. It was a dreary day with gray clouds hanging in the sky with the threat of heavy rain not that far off. Her heart was broken, more broken than she had ever remembered it being. She barely spoke for fear that she would start crying and wouldn't be able to stop. Her step mother wouldn't even acknowledge her and her half-sister kept giving her hateful and spiteful looks. She felt as if they blamed her in some way or maybe resented the fact that they were now stuck with her, a constant reminder of her father's indiscretion. If it wasn't for Bash and his mother standing on either side of her she wasn't sure how she would have handled it. He was always there, her pillar of strength. His mother had come to pay respect to an old friend much to Lady Baxter's displeasure but also, according to Bash, for her. She had felt that all bastard born children needed someone. Knowing this helped for Sebastian's mother had taken an interest in her upbringing. She had even offered to get her ready to be presented at court. Her step mother however would not let that occur. When Lady de Poitiers heard of this she was not pleased but took Emilia aside.

"If ever you need someone my dear, do not hesitate to find me. I know my son is there for you but he can only do so much. I on the other hand have more options. Do not let them treat you any less than what you are."

"But I'm nothing more than my father's bastard. That is all I am or ever will be." Emilia had responded much to Dianne's disappointment and anger. Not at her but at the way the world worked. Being the mother of such a child she had a different perspective on things and she would smooth down Emilia's ever wild hair and give her a small smile. "Than those like my son and you can challenge that."

That was when the nightmare truly began. It had been after the funeral she had ducked away from everyone, even Bash just for a moment so that she catch her breath and wallow in the self-pity of what would happen to her next. That was when she had overheard her step mother talking to a Lord of the court. Someone her father had done business with before. Lord Felix was not a kind man but had tried very hard to hide that part of himself. Emilia had seen how he treated his servants on more than one occasion even mentioning it to Bash who warned her to stay clear of him.

She hid behind a tree as they approached.

"I need her gone. I don't even want to see her." Her step mother stated.

"How shall you like it done my lady?" Lord Felix asked her with a smug look.

"I don't care; take her to the blood woods. I'm sure she will be taken care of there." Lord Felix seemed to be taken back for a moment before he answered.

"The blood woods my Lady? Even I dare not go there. What if I took her to the river? An accident by the river would be best."

"Just make sure it does look like an accident. I need this thorn removed by tonight. I am paying you enough money. "

"As you wish my Lady. It shall be done tonight."

"Sooner rather than later my Lord. She is a crafty one. Just don't let anyone see you do it." Felix bowed to her with one last nod of his head. That was when she decided to go. She had to get away, she had to run. She wouldn't have time to say good bye to anyone. The blood woods where a place of danger and death and as she heard not even Lord Felix dared to enter. Everyone knew how dangerous it was so that was the one place she would go. So when no one was looking she ran in the direction of the woods. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her until she hit the darkness of the woods. All around her the darkness seemed to swallow her up as she drove deeper and deeper into its embrace. She had never been in here before so before long she soon lost her way. The sounds around her seemed to become louder and then she heard the chanting. Going toward it she felt her heart beat and her breath hitch. Staying low to the ground she came upon the spot where she heard the chanting. Slipping behind a bush she was able to see the terrifying scene in front of her. The blood everywhere and the chanting became louder, so loud that she had to cover her ears, slam her eyes shut and bit her tongue to keep from screaming. She started to rock back and forth to get the scene before her out of her head. This was where the nightmare became so intense that she always woke screaming but after years of having it she had learned how to keep that scream contained. That was how it was this time except now she heard a sharp knocking that seemed to be continuously getting louder. Then she heard her name and finally forced her eyes open only to find herself in her room in the castle with the early morning sunlight streaming through. She shook the remnants of the nightmare off as she dragged herself out of bed. The knocking came from the door again with a very familiar voice behind it.