Gray ↠ Gabriel Lightwood [1]

SIX

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S T R A N G E E A R T H

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It was only once they found themselves inside the park that Elise allowed herself a moment to breath, a luxury she hadn't been able to afford the past few weeks since her arrival in London. Even so, not once did she let her guard down, knowing that doing so would allow for the same mistake she had made that got her and her sister caught in the Dark Sisters' clutches.

Tessa was a picture of beauty and elegance beside her, her arm effortlessly holding onto Elise's in an almost delicate manner while still maintaining a closeness to keep her at her side. Her head was turned up towards the sky, her lips curving into the slightest of smiles as her shoulders lost some of the rigidity that Elise knew she herself had come accustomed to having since their imprisonment. For a moment she looked like a girl just enjoying the afternoon sun as the gentle breeze softly blew against the small curls let down from her bun to frame her face. It was as if the Dark Sisters had been nothing but a bad nightmare and something about seeing her sister look so peaceful after the horrors she had witnessed and the endless transformations she had been forced into brought about a fierce protectiveness within the young Gray girl.

Never again would something as horrible as they had witnessed come to pass over her sister. Elise would make sure of it.

"Lissie," Tessa's soft voice rang in her ears, disrupting her thoughts and reminding the blonde of the fact that she was in company. A small chuckle escaped her sister's lips as she nudged her lovingly, "I can see those gears of yours moving as we speak. Please don't forget to actually enjoy the moment. I know we both are unable to recall the last time we were even in an area so green."

Tessa was right — the last time Elise was in anything as green as this park was way before their arrival in London. The sight of grass and trees, though no where near as fine as Central Park in New York, was a sight to behold, bringing forth a sense of normalcy that the blonde had long forgotten. The air was not as hazy here as it was over the rest of the city, and the sky overhead had achieved a color that was almost blue. Thinking she was going to have to force a smile in response, Elise surprised even herself when a genuine smile played on her lips. She earned a beaming smile from Tessa in response and Elise felt her shoulders become slightly less rigid at the sight.

Not too far away, Elise could see Thomas waiting by the carriage as the three girls made their promenade. They walked alongside Jessamine who kept up a constant stream of chatter even if neither girl would respond. Not that they were given much time to seeing as Jessamine wouldn't allow a breath to escape any of their lips before she was talking once again.