Cinderella: A Fractured Fairytale

Sixty-Eight

Jovette's POV

Chapter 68

***

Where had Ethan gone?

It made me nervous that he had left. Last time he'd gone away, he'd kidnapped Ana.

What was he doing this time?

I sighed and sat down in front of the fireplace, my thoughts becoming wistful. I could just imagine curling up next to Ethan in front of this very fire to read. Him wrapping his arms around me. Kissing me, maybe.

I sighed again.

It would never happen.

But sometimes I couldn't help but fantasize.....

A loud clattering sound cut into my wistful daydreams, and I jumped.

"Stupid pot!" I heard from the kitchen, then another clanging noise as someone kicked something metal across the room. "Why was it on the floor, anyway?"

He was back.

And I think he was learning patterns of speech from me.

I tried not to giggle. He'd probably stepped on the pot. Maybe it had ruined his dramatic evil entrance.

I got up and hurried into the kitchen, then stopped short. "Eric?" I glanced from twin to twin. "What are you doing now, Ethan?" I asked in bewilderment.

Eric said nothing. He was staring at the floor with dull, agonized eyes. His shoulders were hunched.

"None of your business, wench," Ethan snapped.

I folded my arms. "Oh. That means you're doing something you don't want me to see."

He snarled like an angry dog. "No, it doesn't."

"Oh, doesn't it?" I tilted my head innocently. "Then tell me what you're doing with Eric."

"Helping him," he muttered, glancing away.

"As in?" I tapped my foot.

He growled in annoyance, but I saw a flash of guilt in his eyes. "I'm taking away his pain."

"How?" I shot back. "By stealing his emotions just like your father did to you?"

Ethan flinched suddenly, eyes widening. "What?"

Satisfied with his reaction, I blinked casually. "I pay attention. Did you think I wasn't listening to you cry out in your sleep during your nightmares?"

He opened his mouth, the closed it. His eyes narrowed. "You're mistaken. My father never did any such thing to me. I've always been this way."

"Hm, really? Dig a little deeper. I think you'll find that you're the one who's wrong."

His eyes darkened and he turned away. "You're trying to stall me, but I'm onto your tricks. You're just like all the others. You never understood me, and you never will."

The words stung. "Ethan..."

"Quiet!" he snapped coldly, turning away. You're nothing to me. Less than nothing!"

"Am I?" I whispered softly, stepping in front of him. He stopped short. "Or am I too much to you?"

Ethan swallowed suddenly.

"Ethan, I know you're not bad," I murmured. "You can be thoughtful and selfless and... kind. Gentleness isn't weakness. It's strength."

"Lies," he protested, but his eyes flickered.

I stepped closer. "Ethan."

He shivered lightly as I said his name.

"Ethan, I know the kind, gentle person is somewhere underneath this.... this facade of coldness and apathy. Let it out."

He met my eyes.

I touched his shoulder. "I used to put up a mask, too." I whispered. "I was cruel and hateful and mean to everyone, because I thought they all hated me anyway. I was too afraid to let them see what was behind the illusion."

He was frozen with his eyes locked on me. He seemed to be barely breathing.

My voice wavered. "I... I guess meeting you helped me change. There's something different about you, Ethan. I can see it in your eyes, hear it in the way you speak... feel it in your touch. I needed someone to butt heads with me, someone to shake me awake from my ignorant slumber. And you did all that and more."

He seemed to be weakening. His eyes were no longer cold. His expression was startled.

I felt tears in my eyes. "Ethan, I know you can do this. Please stop holding back, please let yourself feel again! I know it hurts, but it's the only way."

And then, suddenly, his face shut down again. He shot me an icy glare. "You can't deceive me," he hissed, turning away. "You would make me weak again. Put me through agony I cannot face. You don't want to help me, you want to hurt me."

Hopeless despair crashed over me, and I grabbed his arm and clung desperately to him. "Ethan, please!" I choked out through a sob, tears running down my cheeks. "I love you!"

With a single movement, Ethan flung me away, face tightening with pain. I stumbled back and hit the wall.

"You -- have -- never -- meant -- anything to me." he snarled out, choking on each word. "You are nothing to me, and the only thing you've ever wanted to do is make me weak! Leave me be, she-demon!" he spat. Then he stormed out with Eric trailing behind.

I sank to my knees on the cold, stone kitchen floor and sobbed.