Elemental

Chapter Three- Lyla

A/N-

Hey all, it's me again! So I hope you're enjoying the story so far, all 27 readers :) I know we're just starting out and there's a long way to go yet, but do any of you know a way we can get this story out there? A few more readers and feedback would really help us. Also, I promise chapter 5 will be longer, I'm so sorry I just wasn't feeling it for this chapter, I'll definitely put everything into my next one! :)

Thanks! Lou x

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My chauffeur, Adam, opened the door of the limo for me and I smiled at him as I stepped out. I took my bags and stood for a moment on the tip of the long, curved driveway, looking up at the Constance Manor, my home.

I was distracted from my reverie by the big wooden double doors bursting open, and my grandmother descending the stairs. She held out her arms, beaming, and I dropped my bags and ran to her, throwing gracefulness and five years of eleqution lessons out the window.

She enveloped me in her soft, wrinkly arms and we hugged. I breathed in her familiar grandmotherly scent that I had been deprived of for the past three months, and I smiled into her shoulder, knowing I was finally home.

With her arm around my shoulders, she guided me up the marble staircase and into the Manor. I saw Mr Pretchett, our butler, sour faced as usual, take my bags from the lush green grass outside and bring them in too. The doors slammed closed behind him, and I was reminded that while I was home, I was also imprisoned again.

"I'm so glad you're back, Lyla," said Grandmother, eyes twinkling.

"Me too," I replied.

"And I have a surprise for you!" she went on excitedly, "Tonight, we're having a banquet! All the rich and worthy people in Constance will be here. Including," she winked at me, "all the fine young men."

I rolled my eyes, getting an uneasy feeling.

"Grandmother! I'm only seventeen!"

"All the more reason for you to be getting more social with the well-off people round here!" she replied briskly, "I don't have very many years left in me, and you'll be coming into your fortune soon. I don't want you to be all alone in the world." She said this last part with more kindliness, knowing my parents were a bit of a touchy subject.

I sighed. "Fine." She smiled and hugged me once more, then went off to the kitchen to check on something for tonights feast. 

Shaking my head, I went up the fancy staircase to my bedroom. I loved my grandmother, I really did, but sometimes she could be a bit too extravagant. 

I got changed as quickly as I could then went down the servants' stairs through to the very back kitchen. They were used to seeing me come and go, so none of the maids said anything as I smiled and walked past them, through the little back door.

I practically flew across the three paddocks that separated te Manor from the stables. I knew I would be much easier to spot by my grandmother or Mr Pretchett, but I had to get there as fast as I could.

As I drew nearer, I slowed down. My breath was catching in my throat, but not, I noticed, because I was tired (my stamina had strangely improved over the last few weeks), but of nervousness. What if Liam didn't like me anymore? What if he was out, or worse yet, fired?

I tried to fix up my hair a bit. Every day away from him had seemed like a millenium. But if he wasn't there... No. I wouldn't think like that. I had to be positve.

I took a deep breath and strode through the open wooden door, and instantly spotted Liam. He was facing away from me, piling bales of hay into a corner. I could see his muscles rippling under his simple black shirt. Leaning up against the doorframe, watching him, I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding.

He turned around, and as soon as he spotted me his beautiful green eyes lit up and his face became animated. He took two steps towards me, put his hands on my waist and lifted me up, spinning me until the world was a blur and all I could see was Liam.

"Put me down!" I squealed, laughing. He plonked me back down on the ground and kicked the door closed behind him, his eyes never leaving my face. Wrapping his arms around me, he engulfed me in a huge bear hug.

"I've missed you so much," he mumbled, burying his face into my hair. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, trying to make this moment last forever.

Finally he let go, keeping his hands on my waist. He grinned at me and pulled me in close so our bodies were touching and our faces only an inch apart.

"I love you baby," he whispered, pulling a strand of hair from my face.

"I love you too," I mumured, closing the gap between us until we melded into one, locking into each others embrace as if we'd been apart our whole lives. As we kissed, I didn't think. All that existed was Liam, our love, and I.

My hands tangled in his hair, and he let out a gasp. I broke away, looking up at him with concern, and he stared at me, shock evident in his face.

"Your hands are so hot!" he exclaimed. I unwrapped my arms from around his shoulders amd took a step back, frowning playfully.

"You're not supposed to say my hands are hot! Quite the romantic you are!" I teased. he took a step towards me, and I took one back. The serious expression on his face grew into a grin as we seemed to dance together without touching, him taking a step forward and me stepping back. We kept going like this until I was backed up against the wall.

Liam laughed, a deep, throaty sound, and just as he was about to kiss me again, Mr. Pretchett walked into the stables.

I leapt to the side and Liam took a giant step backwards, so quickly that neither of us were sure whether the old butler had seen us or not.

"Your grandmother wants you to get ready for the banquet. She said you might be down here, tending to your," he paused and glanced at Liam disdainfully, "horse."

Oops. He had seen us. Oh well, I'd been meaning to tell Grandmother about us soon.

"Alright Mr. Pretchett. Tell her I'm coming." With one last backwards glance at Liam, I followed Mr. Pretchett out of the stables.