Chapter 45
Chapter Forty-Five
N ight had fallen slowly. I had locked myself in my room with an enraged Dorian. A knife sitting beside her as she sat on the bed with her knees curled beneath her chin, braced against the wall. I had asked her what she had seen but she refused to respond. Only training her eyes on the door. Both Victor and my father had yet to arrive home. I had watched the road from the windows all night. The moon hung high in the sky, now, close to midnight. Close to my twenty sixth birthday.
Puffing out a pent up breath, I fell back against my pillow. A small crinkle sounding. Dorian tore her stare over to me for a split second only to focus on the door once more. My hands snaked under my pillows. A note lay concealed under them.
The note read. Maaier’s loopy handwriting brought a warmth to my cold, hardened heart. Throwing on my cloak I headed for the door. Turning back to face Dorian before I did. She stared into the wood, as if burning it with her gaze would help.
My feet carried me to her slowly, as they always had when she was like this.
“Whatever you saw, Dori, it isn’t real. We will make it through this night one way or another." I assured her. My hands pulled her head to my chest as I kissed the warm silken strands of her wild hair. She remained still. Poised and ready. I let her go. Moving out into the night.
The sky above was bright and full of life. As if the stars were truly leading my way home to him. The breeze rustled the branches of the trees. Leaves starting to form on the claw like growth reaching for those who passed. The moon was high and full in the sky.
The fear of the water was only a light deterrent. The memory of the girls' bodies causing a shiver to roll through me.
“Hello, little bloom.” Maaier’s velvet voice crooned through the air. A smile widened across my face as I stepped into the clearing.
“Hello, my reaper.”
“Your reaper,” He said from behind me. His arms wrapped around to pull me close to him. His body warm against my back. “I must say, I rather like that,” He purred in my ear.
The ice on the river had yet to form back the hole still remaining. I wondered where Arthur had moved the bodies. Maaier’s hands pushed into my belly. Holding me closer as he rested his chin on my shoulder.
“I argued long with myself on whether to give you your gift tonight or not.”
I spun to face him. Our bodies flush against each other.
“What gift?”
He smiled at my words. Eagerness flashing in his gaze. Like an excited child.
“I found this many years ago. I thought it was something you would like to keep.”
I warmed at his smile. My hands clasped together to contain the warmth to my trembling hands.
“Close your eyes.” He ordered. I obeyed. As I always did.
His hands moved behind my neck brushing under my hair until a cold object pressed against my chest just shy above my scar. He fastened the clasp.
“Open.”
I did as I was told. Looking down at the pendant hanging from my neck. Tears flooded my eyes. Raw emotion consumed me. I had searched for this long and hard my entire adult life. Coming up fruitless each time. Wondering hopelessly where it ended up. My mother’s silver heart shaped locket stared back at me. Blinking in the light of the moon. The tears fell down my cheeks.
“Oh, Maaier.” My words fell from me as I collapsed into his waiting embrace.
“I found it just on the bank as her body was pulled out. I had watched her long enough to know it should be yours. But I wanted to be the one to give it to you.”
“I looked everywhere for it.” I laughed despite myself.
“I know. It was rather funny to watch.”
I slapped his arm playfully. His deep laugh filled the night. A sound I wanted to hear over and over again.
“Thank you, Maaier. Truthfully. I love it.”
“Long has my soul recognised yours, little bloom. You are mine now and forever. You are the colour to my listless existence.” He breathed. The air falling silent around us as the cloud parted away. Leaving a million stars to glitter above us.
“I love you,” He confessed softly. The smile on his face was as bright as the stars above.,
“I love you.” I repeated. Our lips met under the guidance of the night sky.