The Hissing Beauty (Undergoing Edits)

Chapter 13

Daniel's POV:

She was silent for a few minutes staring into the flames of the fire that the servants had lit when I had gotten her off the roof earlier. She then turned and stared at me for a moment before she stood up from the bed, wiping the tears that were still falling from her eyes and walked over to her window. I saw her pull the cloak around her tighter as she seemed to shiver a bit and watched her shoulders droop at the sight of snow outside.

I stood and walked up beside but she didn't even glance my way. I watched as she took off a glove and placed it on the window pane, as if she was trying to touch the snow. I slowly reached out and placed my hand over hers. I had almost expected her to move it away but I was pleasantly surprised when she didn't. She was silent for a moment or two longer before she began to speak to me again, but this time about the weather.

"I ussssssed to love the sssssnow. Now......now I hate it. It makesssss me even more of a captive than I already am in my own home." (Sar)

"You can't go out in it at all?" (Dan)

"No, I get too cold. It doesssssn't take much, you now that know though. I haven't been able to go out at all in the winter in the lasssssst few yearssssss." (Sar)

"Well that just means we'll have a lot of time to start a new book together then." (Dan)

I watched as a look of surprise crossed her face before she slowly took her hand out from under mine on the window. She stared at me for a moment before turning away from and looking towards a dresser that seemed to have had a full mirror on it at one point, but now only had a small part of it left. I saw the sorrow re-enter her features as she stared at herself before closing her eyes.

"I have to go now, I need ssssssome time. Pleassssssse." (Sar)

I was surprised she felt like she had to ask my permission to leave her own room but I saw her eyes glance at me quickly before looking away. I shook my head, watching as she left rather quickly, as if she was afraid I would change my mind. I sighed some as I heard her quite footsteps disappear down the hallway.

I decided to go back to my room and change into some decent clothes before going down for breakfast, though I suppose lunch would be more appropriate now as late as we both slept in. I think later I may go to the library, I have no doubt that she will be there as well.

Sariff's POV:

It wasn't long that I was alone in the library as I heard him come in around half past three. I thought about leaving through the door on the second story as I had done many times before but before I could stand up I heard him call my name.

"Sariff........Sariff I know you're in here. Please, don't hide from me. I don't care what you look like, no matter what we're still friends." (Dan)

I felt the spark of hope that his mere presence here had lit turn into a small fire in my heart. I slowly stood from my hidden corner on the second story and saw his eyes light up as if I'm the only person in the whole world that can make him happy. I forced my feet to carry me down to the first floor of the library, trying to make sure my mind didn't replay what had happened here the first time he saw me without a hood in the library.

I walked over to the small couch and sat as far away from him as I could, even as my body craved the warmth that his seemed to give off. He stood from his side of the couch and walked towards one of the shelves before turning back towards me with a smile on his face.

"So, what will it be today?" (Dan)

"I think you might like the blue one behind you." (Sar)

I had directed him to a large volume of Shakespear's works, knowing that if he enjoyed the Greek Mythology as much as he said he did that he would this as well. He picked up the heavy book and smiled before walking back over with it. I had expected him to take his seat at the other end of the couch where he had been sitting previously but he sat right next to me. His body was right next to me and on instinct I curled towards the warmth before I could stop myself, before instantly standing from the couch and his warmth.

"I'm sssssssorry, it wasssssss......you're very warm and I, I could not help it. I apologize." (Sar)

I saw him stare at me for a moment before his eyes seemed to twinkle, a look I knew meant he was holding back a laugh. I turned from him not wanting to see him laugh at me, knowing that I was becoming less and less human and more serpentine with each passing day.

"Sariff, it's ok. We've already cuddled for an entire night. I don't mind, especially if it helps keep you warm." (Dan)

I turned back to face him in slight surprise, that wasn't the response I was expecting at all. I saw him pat the seat next to him on the couch before gently smiling at me. I slowly sat back down and he moved a bit closer to me. Once again as if I couldn't help it I curled against him, smiling at the warmth he gave off even with me wearing thick clothing.

"There, that's better now. So, Book One: Romeo and Juliet. Sounds interesting I suppose." (Dan)

I smiled a bit knowing that he would either love this story or hate it, especially since it ends in a way where there is no real happy ending. I feel at times that my story may end the same way, not in hopelessness but in a way where there was simply no happily ever after. I couldn't let the dark thoughts take over my mind though as Daniel's smooth voice made them all flee as he read from the book aloud, and as his warmth spread throughout me like a raging wildfire.