Cinderella: A Fractured Fairytale

Eighty-Four

Chapter 84

Ana's POV

*****

The sun set.

Eric's quiet melancholy was still there, barely breaking through the surface. Like the tip of a sharp rock submerged in water, I had no idea how deep it went.

Maybe it was like the setting sun. The further away it slipped, the closer it was to rising again.

And I wasn't sure what happened when it finally did rise. Nothing good, I gathered.

But I was probably worrying myself over nothing. He was fine. He'd said so himself.

I glanced sideways at Eric as we walked back into the castle. "I think I'm going to turn in early. I'm tired."

He looked slightly disappointed, but he nodded. "Okay. If I heard Ethan right, all the rooms except the third and seventh on the right upstairs are free. They're all sleeping chambers."

I nodded, turning towards the stairway.

Eric moved with me, then stopped. "Can I... walk you to your room?" he asked quietly.

"Of course," I replied, surprised.

He walked beside me, a silent shadow of protection. I stopped in front of the first door upstairs, and he halted next to me. I turned to him, tilting my head. He was so... wonderful. I didn't deserve him at all, yet here he was.

Eric met my eyes. "Ana..." In a moment he was pulling me close. His lips brushed against my forehead, pressing a sweet kiss to it. "I love you," he finally whispered. "I love you. Remember that, please." His tone was pleading.

Slightly taken aback, I pulled away. "Is something wrong?"

Sorrow was pooling in his green eyes, but he shook his head. "It's fine. But Ana, I need you to know that I love you. You mean the world to me, and I would do anything for you."

Puzzled, I stared at him for a moment. "I love you, too," I finally said.

His arms tightened around me like he never wanted to let go. For a long time he was silent, just holding me close. Then he spoke softly, stroking my hair. "Promise you'll remember?"

I nodded slowly. "I promise."

A little of his tension melted away, and he kissed me briefly. "Good."

A tinge of fear was creeping through me. Why was he saying things like this?

"Eric," I whispered. "You're scaring me."

His eyes filled with sudden pain, pain I didn't understand. "No. Don't be afraid, love." He pulled me close again, and I buried my head in his shoulder, just wanting him to comfort me and tell me it would all be okay.

Even if it wouldn't.

Eric slowly stroked my hair, rubbing little circles into my back and shoulders. "I love you," he whispered fiercely, a contrast to the tenderness with which he held me. "It will be okay. I swear I'll keep you safe. I promise." His voice wavered and broke. The burning fervor and intensity in his quiet, strong tone made my eyes prick with tears, though I wasn't sure why.

Suddenly, he pulled away, his gaze receding as he stared at the floor. I could see the way his eyes were wet, though he was trying to hide it. "Good night, Ana," he murmured, voice wavering again as if he was trying to stay strong just a little longer. "I... I'll leave you now." His voice cracked, and he turned away quickly.

"Wait-" I reached after him, somehow panicked at the thought of him leaving.

He backed away, eyes halfheartedly reassuring. But his comforting touch, his protective embrace; those were gone.

I wanted him to kiss me one last time before leaving, but he didn't. Instead he took another step back.

I reluctantly turned and started into the room, and his soft voice followed me through the door. "Goodbye. I love you." And then, almost too quiet to hear, in an agonized, broken whisper:

"I'm sorry."

The door closed behind me with an empty click.

My mind was churning with questions. What was going on with him? It was obvious that something was wrong -- but what?

Part of me longed to go after him and beg to tell me what was going on, but maybe he just needed time to think alone. I didn't want to push him if he didn't want to talk.

I tilted my head, shoving down the voice inside me that was screaming at me to follow him, to ask what was wrong.

I would ask him what was wrong. Just not now. I'd give him some time first.

I'll ask him tomorrow...

After sunrise.

-I love metaphors-