30 sHow Theysll Crave Yous (2/2)
Isilla nodded and slowly walked to to the table. Two attendants pulled out the chairs for them and they sat, Isilla keeping her gaze cast downward, his eyes too much for her to bear.
”Tell me, how has your father been?” Ero asked as the attendants began to serve their food.
”He's been very well, he sends his regards to you and hopes that you are able to come visit our humble kingdom again soon. We do miss your company,” she said smoothly.
”Is that cook still with you? The one that made the delicious meat pies?” he asked. The two sunk into a familiar conversation, obviously, they were well acquainted.
Isilla listened as she ate, munching on the vegetables and meats. Ilun's nose pressed against her ankles, his snout peeking through the shadows. ”Not now,” she said softly and the animal stopped, diving back into the darkness.
”And you, Isilla, have such a lovely dress on today. You look much better than you did the last time you appeared before me. If I remember correctly, that color matches your eyes well, let me see,” Ero said turning his focus suddenly on her.
She put down her fork and wiping her lips smiled gently as she looked up at her father in law. His eyes glowed a sick purple color, the shadows twisting in their depths like worms. A wave of nausea washed over her, she pushed it back, meeting his gaze with her smile.
”As I thought, simply lovely together. Don't you think, Elixabete?” he asked.
She waved the question away, ”I wouldn't know my lord. She rarely looks anyone in the eyes. She's so timid! I wouldn't think she was a princess at all.”
Isilla cast her gaze downward again.
He reached across the table and forced her eyes back up. The feeling in her chest, that searching sense began as he forced her to look at him. ”This one isn't timid,” he said slowly as her heart beat in her chest in time with that extra feeling and despite what you think she's not stupid either.”
”Oh, I never said anything like that about her!” Elixabete laughed, the sound like bells.
”Isn't that what you've been saying this whole time?” he asked, dropping her chin, and sitting backinto his chair. ”You think because she let you live, let you walk in front of her, say whatever it is you want to say, that this girl is inferior to you? You don't understand the Light. And you don't understand the Court either.”
”What?” she stumbled.
”You think because I enjoyed your father's company for a time I would undo this marriage and let that bastard you carry take a title?” Ero didn't let her answer, waving the idea away, ”I should kill you right now for attempting such a thing.”
The shadows thickened around them, the sick pulsing light the only thing that remained illuminated the room. Isilla moved her eyes quickly over the scene, the searching sensation reaching from her to grasp at what it wanted, what it needed. She touched her chest. No, she thought, stop.
Whatever was in her stilled and she let out a breath. Ero's shadows brushed at her face and neck, their touch heavy and unnatural against her, she forced herself not to react, to sit still. She could feel Ilun's body pressing against, a low growl rolling through it.
”How interesting you are,” Ero's voice low and thoughtful, ”I'll have to send a thank you gift to the Emperor for sending such an interesting thing to me.”
”I don't understand,” Elixibete stuttered, attempting to gain back the control she had lost.
”You're too weak to feel it,” he replied, ”But my sons, oh how they'll crave you. Won't they, Sorgia?”
A cold sweat ran down her back at the title but there was nothing she could do in response.
”I thought I knew you. I could feel it right away. So can you,” he said.
I don't know what you're talking about, she wrote with shaky fingers.
He laughed, a deep bellowing sound that filled the room. By her feet, Ilun shifted, growling as be began to move his body from the shadows. I'm in danger, she thought holding her hand down to stop him.
”Of course you don't! I'm not surprised. It's such an old name for the brides brought from the Light to the dark. We haven't had one in centuries. But they they say, that they're drawn to each other, the Light and the Dark and I feel it. Can't you?” he said, his voice mimicking care but his eyes showed only a lust for something else. ”But most of the old stories are lost. Still, I suppose if there's any truth to them, then we'll know. You're here after all.”
The air shifted and the heavy touch of Ero's shadows pulled away from her skin, as the light came back. ”It's fine, I will excuse this trespass for today but Isilla, I hope you understand now, as a daughter of this Realm what your kindness is worth. See how easily you're betrayed. And you, Elixabete, give your regards to your father when you speak to him again.”
The King's words stirred the memory of the meeting with the Grand Avatar. My father sent his regards then, too, she thought.
”Spending my time with such lovely ladies, truly a gift,” Ero said as he stood, his chair scraping against the floor. He robes swept the floor as his shadows shifted and then he was gone, leaving the two women sitting alone with the attendants who swiftly began cleaning the table.
Isilla stood, allowing Ilun to come from under the table. The servants dropped their work, shouting in fear as the moved away from the beast. Isilla didn't stop him from eating what was left of the food, the carefully prepared dishes disappearing down his black throat.
I hope this satisfied your desires, Isilla wrote, our places cannot change. She tore the page from her book and placed it on the table in front of Elixabete before turning to leave.
”Where's Elixabete?” Vil asked she left.
Isilla pointed behind her, where the woman still sat at the table. Vil hurried to her side and alone with Ilun, Isilla made he way back to her rooms.
She reached over to touch Ilun's neck. ”What would you have done against a king?” she asked him. He turned his shifting features to her and licked her face. She wrinkled her nose at him and let herself lean against his body as they walked.
Sorgia, a name for brides from the Light Realm, she thought. Does this happen to everyone like me who crosses over between realms?I feel dizzy, she thought for a moment before hot, wet drops fell on her bare chest. She looked down, touching her fingers to them.
Blood, she thought bringing the red stained tips of her fingers to her face. She touched the wetness on her top lip, the blood dripping into her mouth, filling it with its coppery taste. I'm bleeding, she thought as she fell, collapsing onto the floor, Ilun barking in surprise.