What is Eternity? [A Gumlee Fanfiction]

Chap. 8: Her.

All of the white decorations had been torn down in Marshall's home... He hated the color white...

Snow fell down across the Candy Kingdom, matting Marshall's dark black hair to his face. He enjoyed the crunching noise beneath his feet, and the feel of Lady Cresta's arm hooked through his.

The pure vampire's long blonde hair was blown into Marshall's face, his grin becoming larger as she buried her face in his arm against the fabric of his flannel shirt, offering protection from the cold that only affected her.

They walked to the edge of a small pond that was surrounded by the dark trees on the edge of the Candy Kingdom. This was all they'd come from the Nightosphere for.

Sure, skating was impractical for vampires, but hell. Marshall would have done anything for that girl. And that was what she wanted to do.

They glided across that ice all day, until night descended upon the kingdom.

As they sat down on the edge of the pond, shivering in the night, a small rustling sound was heard just beyond where the trees began.

Marshall shot up to his feet, yelling at the movement. "Who is there? Who disturbs us?"

A small whimpering noise was heard behind a tree, a small girl peering around from behind it.

"Who are you?" Marshall's voice softened as he approached the girl, motioning for her to show herself.

Cresta's eyes were locked on the interaction, a hint of jealousy appearing in her voice. "Marshall, why don't we leave it?"

"No, no, no. It's a little girl, I think." The male vampire walked around the tree, his eyes locking on the small, pink girl's face as he bent his knees, standing in a crouch to be at her eye level.

"Who are you, little girl?" Marshall smiled warmly at her, tilting his head to the side questioningly.

"A-are you a vampire?" The pink girl looked at him accusingly, pointing her finger. Her bright green eyes were blazing with fear.

"Yes girl, I am. But I won't hurt you." Marshall extended his pinky finger forward, offering to link his with the girl's. "Pinky promise."

She linked her finger with his, the fear eventually fading from her eyes. "Pinky promise." She nodded in affirmation, then speaking to state her name. The girl seemed to not notice the chill of the air around them, or the darkness surrounding. She was completely focused on the face of Marshall Lee, her eyes never straying. "To answer your question before, I am Lisette. I'm 7 years old." She giggled a little, her eyes crinkling as she smiled at Marshall.

"Where do you live, Lisette? Are you alone?" Marshall was concerned for this small child; she shouldn't have been out in the freezing cold night, alone.

"I live in the castle! The candy castle! They call me Princess Lisette, of the Candy Kingdom, you see." Lisette laughed a little, swaying on her feet.

A strong wind blew through the pine trees around them, snow continuing to fall as Marshall could see the accumulation atop the girl's head.

Suddenly, Marshall felt a warm hand on his shoulder, much warmer than his skin.

"Marshall." Cresta spoke. She had walked up behind him without a sound. "Let's ditch the child," Cresta hissed.

"We can't!" Marshall reared on her. "She is the heir to the Candy Kingdom!"

Cresta pushed Marshall down into the snow; he fell next to the small child. Lisette's eyes were filled with terror as she watched the exchange, barely noticing as the tips of the female vampire's, Cresta's, hair began to fade from a brilliant blonde, to black, the light in her eyes dimming slightly as she crawled atop Marshall, straddling his hips as she used her vampiric strength to keep him pinned down.