Into Darkness

Chapter Eighteen

EDITOR WARNING: THIS CHAPTER HAS NOT BEEN EDITED SINCE FIRST DRAFT (2018). MAJOR PLOTHOLES OR INCONSISTENCIES

EREBUS

Staring out the window of my office, I tried to calm my thoughts. The cool air of early evening wafted through my lair, the night sky just starting to spill into the sky.

My first Kiss... My only kiss

I had willingly given it to her, mon Lumiere.

Despite my rather er... wanton ways of my advisors, I hadn't touched any other woman in that way.

Neither Vampiric nor Human.

It was odd to be celibate for centuries, especially for vampires. Their needs were much more ravenous than humans, or so Aspen, Damian, and Cyan have told me.

I couldn't bear myself to be touched in that way. Not that anyone would ever see thyself in such a manner. The only person who's ever touched me so... so, affectionately is Adrienne.

Mon Lumiere.

My advisors were merely father figures to me. Affectionate, but in a very different way.

Touching a finger to my lip, I remembered the way she touched me.

So sweetly, so full of - an emotion I couldn't even begin to describe.

"Still daydreaming Erebus"?

I whirled around, only to be met with Damian's smirking face.

Prick.

"Rich of you to tease me about dreaming Damian. It seems you do so little of it yourself".

Damian jaw almost dropped.

"King?! Was that a -" he seemed shocked.

Chucking, I walked over to him.

"Quite the contrary, isn't it?" I asked, smirking.

Damian shook his head. "I came to get you for the feast. Everyone is awaiting you".
Nodding, I followed him out of my chambers.

"Ugh! I so hate climbing these stairs" Damian complained as we began the descent down the castle's tower. "Why did you even chose your room up here"?

"What can I say. I like my privacy" I murmured.

I could smell the food as we walked through the castle's eloquent halls.

"It seems you are still just as impressed with the castle as you used to be" Damian remarked, chuckling.

"Helencia is a beautiful castle, It is my honour to live here" I mumbled. "Someone like me should consider themselves lucky to even see such beauty".

Damian stopped.

Turning around, he fixed me a harsh look.

"Someone like you; My King, you belong here. It is YOUR castle and we are YOUR subjects". "You deserve everything you have, regardless of your past," Damian says fiercely.

"You are all my family. Not my subjects, subordinates or underlings" I answered back.

Damian shot me a warm smile, as we continued.

Reaching the hall, Damian slipped in quickly before me. Music began to play, emphasizing my entrance. I scoffed; such formality was ridiculous to me.

As I stepped into the room, cheers rang out through the hall. "Long live King Erebus" people chanted.

I smiled at my family. Well, the only family that has ever wanted me. I felt more at home among the creatures of the night than I ever did with humans.

As we dug into the feast, Cyan poked my side.

"Not planning on sneaking out tonight?" he asked jeering.

I smirked. "We'll see about that".

Aspen shot me a knowing look as I smirked back. "I think we all know Erebus sneaks out EVERY night" he whispered jokingly. I said nothing but continued to eat, pausing every once and a while to sip from my goblet of Sanguis.

After the feast was finished, I dashed away, causing my advisors to laugh. I heard Aspen sigh whilst Damian and Cyan laughed.

Reaching my chambers, I found my cloak, fastening it as I headed to the forest.

Passing tree, by tree I dashed closer to the clearing.

To her.

Mon Lumèire.

I stood amongst the shadows as I normally did. Darkness brought comfort, serenity.

I heard her come nearer, her footsteps crunching through the forest floor. The moonlight bathed her face, as she stepped into the clearing. Her small face was tucked, although I could see the darkness burning in her eyes

Sitting on the worn collapsed log, she was then engulfed in darkness. Looking around, she almost looked eager to spot me.

"A-angel?" She called out.

"Yes, Adrienne?" I answered.

"I am so foolish. One man shows me a bit of affection and I pine for him like some fille de joie" she muttered.

"What happened?" I enquired.

"Last night, at the Masquerade I met a man. The Marquis de Cervon; oh how I fell for him so quickly".

My breath stopped.

"He was so charming, witty and clever-

Yes, Yes, Yes! A flash of pride ran through me.

"Azreal, his name was. Oh, it was damned from the start". "And now, my" sisters are referring to me as a harlot".

"What was this Marquis de Cervon like?" I asked, hesitantly prodding.

"Oh, Angel he was wonderful. So chivalrous and romantic; we even danced together"!

"I see".

"But my corset was too tight and he had to unfasten- Oh God, forgive me. I even sound like a courtesan". "It was so perfect, for one night I felt so wanted. But the next morning he was gone; proof someone like me can't find a husband"!

Guilt trickled through me.

"My family is right. I am unmarriageable".

"Adrienne".

"I'm sorry for burdening you with my quandaries".

"You are not a burden, nor should you refer to yourself as one; after all, I rather like listening to you".

Her face lifted at that, a smile tugging its way onto her face."Thank you for everything, angel. I must go now".

"Of course. Let me walk you back".

Reaching her, I took her small hand in mine.  I led her back through the forest- easily avoiding the trees. Once I saw the street lights, I let go of her.

"Goodnight Adrienne".

"Goodnight Angel".

I smiled to myself as I watched her disappear into the light.

One day Adrienne, one day.