Love The Void (Palaye Royale - Book 2)

Chapter 1 - Revised

Emerson

That girl.

She's my...

I didn't think I deserved a promised. A soulmate. Much like my brothers, none of us were ever sure if we had a promised due to our vampire heritage but Remington found his love. Our misdeeds as our dark sides haunt us every step, each of us afraid of when next our most hidden self will emerge from the darkness we keep them locked in.

I'm scared. What if she doesn't like me? What if I'm too strange? I mean, more often than not I slip into the VOID, and I'm basically a recluse. I've lived for centuries, struggling to pull myself out of the VOID everytime I find myself slipping. Its always there, just on the edges of my mind. I've lived with this universal loneliness and cosmic depression for so very many decades now. Will she stay around long enough to see past the sadness I'm so consumed by? My art and music are the only ways I can express myself. Will she approve?

I don't even know her name, and yet all I can seem to care about is what she'll think of me. The notion that she may reject me rings throughout my mind without a moment of peace.

Purposefully heavy steps make their way up the staircase, and then a knock sounds on my door, it opening mere milliseconds after. "Birdie." I greet, not turning around from my desk, continuing to pen lines on my paper.

"Why'd you leave so suddenly?" She questions, her soft footsteps treading lightly.

I know without a doubt I can share these thoughts with her. I trust her as much as I trust my brothers, she is as much my family as they are. I couldn't imagine a life without them, so telling her something like this is easy. Sighing, I relent. "She's my promised."

"Oh, Emerson! This is great news. Remington and I were hoping that since we were paired, you and Sebastian might be too." She murmurs, and I feel her hand lightly begin to run through my hair.

"What's the issue, Em? I can see the gears turning in that head of yours." She asks, spinning the chair around so I'm facing her.

Having already placed my pen down once we actually started a conversation, "I'm scared, birdie. What if she doesn't like me?"

"I thought the same when I first met Remington. As you know, I wasn't raised with much kindness." She sighs, eyes narrowing, "You're a talented artist, a smug, sarcastic little shit of a brother, and a bit of a troublemaker but you're perfect the way you are. You have a brilliant mind and a kind heart to match. Besides, she's your promised and you're you, what's not to like?"

"But, the VOID... You know what that does to me. To us. Not to mention my dark side."

She simply grins, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Everything will be fine. Now, go talk to her. Introduce yourself. Her eyes had been on you from the moment you walked in."

Nodding, I stand up, placing my partially finished piece in my briefcase. I put my hat back on, making sure it isn't crooked, before I'm practically dragged out of my own room by a gentle, scarred hand.

Down the stairs and back in the living room, my promised still sits on the couch, though this time she's flanked by my brothers and Andrew. A pang of jealousy swells within me but I brush it off, she may be my promised, but I don't own her. She's allowed to talk to other people, and if she wishes it, we don't even have to be romantically involved. I'd settle for just being near her, if she'll allow it.

Though that smile directed at Sebastian is a bit too adorable for my liking. Andrew, upon noticing us entering, shoves Remington off the couch and scoots over so there's a space for me to sit. Rem and Eliza go back to the loveseat, sitting close to each other as usual, hands firm in their hold, and I smirk lightly at the pout on Remingtons lips.