“Stop being stupid!” she demanded out loud. For several minutes, Eveline pondered the depth of her situation, strange events had been occurring lately and she couldn’t put her finger on why, but she had the strangest feeling that something occurred today, something she couldn’t remember. What would tomorrow hold? Would life go back to normal? She hoped it would, she liked routine it made her feel safe, but somewhere deep down, deeply embedded within her was an adventurer. Eveline was always making friends with the boys in Keswick, she spent her time playing with them, play fighting with them, rowing across the lake, going on grand adventures up the hills, galloping about the countryside not on a side saddle like most of the fine women and she loved to go camping. It had only been in the last three years or so that she had felt herself change into a woman; now she liked to go shopping and she noticed that her male friends who were once her kinsmen looked at her differently, especially William. Eveline smiled as she remembered their first kiss.
“Eveline where are you?” bellowed William, walking amongst the trees that lay by the lake.
“Guess,” she teased, sitting up in the tree, watching William look for her.
“I need to tell you something,” he shouted, his brown locks dancing in the spring wind.
“What do you need to tell me?” she shouted down, smiling, feeling something giddy rise within her.
“Well I can’t very well tell you when I can’t see you!” he blasted, frustrated, his hands on his hips.
“Oh very well,” she sighed, jumping down behind him laughing, her wild hair swaying. William turned and rolled his eyes tenderly.
“Finally,” he uttered, his lovely, round, country face relaxing. Eveline had never truly fancied a boy, but she liked William above all the rest and so she assumed it was love.
“What is it you want to tell me?” she asked shyly, her eyelashes fluttering flirtatiously.
“Firstly, is it true you beat Andrew in a dual?” smiled William coming up to Eveline, and gently putting a strand of auburn hair behind her ear, gazing down at her wind swept face.
“Off course, his foot work is terrible, anyway they made me Arthur,” exclaimed Eveline proudly, the game of knights had always been a favourite amongst her friends.
“But you’re a girl, your meant to be Guinevere,” teased William.
“Am I indeed, why would I waste my time swooning and dying of love, Oh Arthur,” she twirled about dramatically. “My one and only love,” she laughed, her hand on her heart. “Oh Lancelot, my other one true love,” she turned to face William gazing up into his eyes adoringly. Unable to control himself, William clasped her wrists, brought her forward roughly and kissed her firmly on the lips. If a tourist had seen the couple it would have looked odd at first, mainly because in the country Eveline wore trousers and a shirt, an oddity the locals were accustomed too. Eveline closed her eyes and let herself fall into the kiss, it was awkward, wet and somehow rough, but after a few moments the kiss became gentle and slow and her body swelled up in a whirl of energy and nerves. It wasn’t exactly how she’d imagined it, but it wasn’t bad. William let his hands skim her waist, and arms, bringing them up to her face and cupping her cheeks. As they parted, William, trailed kisses about her face before rubbing her nose with his own, his brown eyes, intense and full of lust.
“You’re beautiful,” he cooed, kissing her forehead.
“William!” batted Eveline, feeling her cheeks burn. “Don’t say such things, you’re not a poet, you’re a teacher!” she laughed.
“Eveline we are not children anymore, were adults,” he snubbed, standing backwards.
“I know, but this is all quite new,” she replied nervous that he had taken offence.
“Don’t you want to marry and have children?” William asked taking her hand in his own and leading her to the water’s edge.
“I’m not entirely sure,” answered Eveline looking away.
“Don’t all girls want to get married and have children someday?” enquired William intensely.
“William we live in a very different world now, women can vote, women can work and some women don’t want to get married and have children, they would like a life of their own,” sighed Eveline. “But that doesn’t mean they can’t love someone, or that they don’t want to marry eventually.”
“Are you saying that you don’t want to get married yet?” asked William, looking across at Eveline, whose face was etched in confusion.
“I do, just not right now, I’m only twenty, I haven’t even got a job yet,” she laughed, tightening her grip on his hand.
“If someone wanted to marry you, would you?” he asked hotly.
“If he would consent to wait a few years, then I suppose I would,” she blushed, was this a proposal? If so, it really wasn’t how she had imagined it to be.
“Would you wait for me?” asked William, bringing Eveline into his arms and looking down at her.
“William a war is brewing, who knows what the future holds for us,” whispered Eveline.
“Would you wait for me?” he asked again.
“You know I would,” she replied, he was the only man she could marry in Keswick, and heaven knows she would meet another, William was her best friend, she loved him, maybe not ardently, but enough to build a marriage on, he was dependable, honest and kind and that was enough for her.
“Then you will marry me?” he smiled.
“Yes,” laughed Eveline, putting her arms about his neck and kissing him firmly on the lips.
“Oh Eveline, you have made me the happiest man in Keswick,” laughed William, taking her off her feet and twirling her about.
Three years had passed, and both Eveline and William had changed. When the war began, William enlisted immediately and Eveline had cried for weeks. But as time went on, and his letters became rarer and rarer, she soon found that she didn’t miss him as a lover should miss her love, she missed his friendship and thought of him often, just not as a lover. Many times she felt guilty, what would happen when he returned, would they marry? She didn’t know anymore, she had made a promise and the whole of Keswick knew of the impending marriage, she felt trapped, she couldn’t let him down if he survived the war and returned. Eveline let her arms drop as she got up from the writing desk and made her way to the right hand side of the bed, sliding in and curling her body into the foetal position. The bed felt strange, but before Eveline could register the thought she drifted off into a dark sleep, were only the stars existed.
*
Eveline looked down at her bare feet, her toes inching down into the sand as the cold waters gently covered them. The air was warm against her skin, covered by her long auburn tresses. Eveline, lifted her hands and pointed her fingers out across the lake subconsciously, without willing it she commanded a boat come forth. Quietly, a boat appeared from out of the waters and made its way toward her. Suddenly, Eveline found herself hurling through the atmosphere towards a darkened sea, light was cascading around her as she fell through the stars towards the vast ocean of dark water. As she blinked, she again found herself in the boat, nearing the island that she so desperately needed to get too. Upon finding the shore, she saw a robe to her left, gold and silver. Getting out of the boat, Eveline walked towards the robe, lifting it up to admire the beautiful craftsmanship. It was a fine silk, adorned with flowers and stars. Eveline put on the robe and firmly held it in place with a silver belt before ascending the small hill, making her way to the throne that stood atop, under a beautiful, old, silver tree. The soft grass crunched under her dewy feet as she made her way toward the ancient throne, made of silver birch. The branches arched over the throne as Eveline stood gazing at it intensely, feeling an urge to sit.
“Sit,” spoke a familiar voice. Eveline turned to face a gowned Theodore, who looked taller and more regal.
“Theodore!” she smiled. “You’re here.”
“I am,” he smiled coming toward her and bending to kiss her forehead.
“What is this place?
” she asked looking around, the snowy topped mountains to her left and the gardens surrounding.
“Calhuni, the place of your forefathers,” answered Theodore calmly, taking her right hand in his own, stroking her fingers. “Come we have no time to waste, you must sit,” he urged, turning to look out over the lake, a nervous shiver climbing his body.
“What’s wrong?” asked a shy Eveline, sitting upon the throne.
“Nothing,” whispered Theodore standing back, clasping his hands in front of him. Eveline sat on the throne, her feet neatly placed in the grass, gazing at Theodore, wondering what would happen next. Silence stood still as Eveline shuffled about on the throne awaiting what would happen next. Theodore smiled down at Eveline, before a sword of fire, danced through his heart from behind, his eyes drowning before her. Eveline made to go to his side, but found she was glued to her seat. A tall man with one black eye and one golden stood behind the falling Theodore, his face cold and emotionless. Theodore fought to bring himself to Eveline’s aid as a cold and long snake wound itself about Eveline’s throne, hissing.
“Open your eyes Eveline!” cried Theodore, black blood flowing from his mouth, as his fingers struggled to move forward. Eveline screamed aloud as the snake wound its way around her throat. Reaching out her hands, she tried to grasp his own, watching as he slowly died before her.
“Theodore!” she cried helplessly. “Theodore!”
Theodore, stopped struggling and looked up to Eveline, gasping for air and smiled.
“Remember, I will always love you,” he choked on his last breathe, his body suddenly becoming limp and lifeless, his blue eyes turning to the black skies about him.
“No!” cried Eveline, struggling with the snake. “Let go of me!” She screamed, edging her nails, into the snakes scaled skin. The snake cried as she drew blood from it, before launching its white teeth into her neck, biting her fiercely. Eveline’s dream died around her as she woke up, sweat covering her body. Adjusting her eyes she looked down to the bottom of her bed and saw a figure, draped in darkness standing watching her. Quickly getting up, she leaned back into the headboard, shielding her body with the covers, her neck sore as though she had been bitten.
“What do you want?” she cried aloud. The figure didn’t move, whoever it was stood perfectly still, until the bedroom door flung itself open wide revealing Theodore, his bright blue eyes quickly registering the figure before turning on a frightened Eveline. All too quickly the dark silhouette vanished and the room stood still and quiet.
“Eveline?”
Chapter IV
Belle
“Eveline?” repeated Theodore, coming to her side carefully, and sitting down beside her. Eveline tried to calm her breathing as she looked at Theodore, who was tightening his robe about him.
“Sorry, bad dream,” she muttered, letting her hands relax against the covers, still keeping them at chin, least he should notice that she was only in her undergarments.
“It’s alright,” he soothed, lifting a hand to take her own left hand in his, the cover falling slightly to reveal her collar bone.
“I never used to have bad dreams, not until the last few months,” she admitted, letting her hand relax in his own.
“What do you dream about?” asked Theodore apprehensively. Eveline thought of her reply, she wanted to be honest with Theodore but for whatever reason, she felt that she had to keep the contents of her dreams to herself, even the bite.
“Oh you know stuff,” she mumbled, smiling nervously, the place in which her throat had been bitten was burning. Subconsciously she let her right hand give way to the covers, trailing her fingers to the spot in which the burning soared. Her eyes widened as she noticed, there was no physical wound and yet she felt different, a little weaker perhaps. Theodore watched as Eveline trailed her index finger across a particular area of her throat just under her left ear.
“Did you hurt yourself?” he asked suspiciously.
“Oh, no,” she replied weakly, quickly dropping her hand to her lap, the covers falling with it. The moment froze as Theodore looked at Eveline, dressed in only a silk bra. Eveline followed his gaze and gasped at the sheer stupidity of her actions. Quickly taking her hand out of his own, she nervously bundled the covers up into her hands, before she felt his own hand on her arm, stopping her. The air around them suddenly warmed as they gazed at one another, a strange yet familiar feeling holding them both in place.
“When I look at you sometimes, I almost feel as though I have known you all of my life,” whispered Eveline, forgetting her nightmare as she let her fingers entwine themselves about Theodore’s.
“Maybe we have,” he replied, leaning forward, so that their noses nearly touched. Unable to find words, Eveline let her right hand find Theodore’s jaw, and she held it their gently as his eyes closed briefly at the touch. “Eveline,” he moaned, letting his forehead fall upon her own.
“Do you feel it too?” she asked quietly, tilting her head slightly as his hands wound their way around her waist.
“Since the moment I laid eyes on you,” he whispered, his hands trailing their way up the curves of her body, gently letting his fingers run across her collar bone and up her neck, stopping at her jaw.
“What is this?” she asked softly, letting her head tilt backwards as his lips tenderly kissed her throat.
“I’m not sure, but we…,” he groaned as she fell back against the bed head, her eyes closed, feeling his touch.
“Just one more minute,” she pleaded, her arms finding their way under his dressing gown, to his warm skin. Suddenly in one swift movement, Theodore, moved Eveline’s body beneath him, removing the covers and settling himself above her, looking down into her face as she untied his robe.
“We shouldn’t Eveline,” he cried, shrugging off his robe and letting it fall to the ground, the light of the moon, eclipsing his beautiful body.
“You are beautiful,” she smiled up at him, her golden eyes on fire. Eveline lay under Theodore, the pain in her neck was gone, the fear of the dream dissipated into thin air. No thoughts of William filled her head, she only wanted to stay under the gaze of Theodore forever, watching him die in her sleep only made her feel more inclined to cling onto him. Eveline had never felt so wanton with William, or with any other man. Off course it was against social protocol and yes both of them were as good as engaged to other people, but she knew he felt the same pull as she, and she didn’t want to let go of this moment, despite the consequences that would follow.
“Your eyes, they are so divine,” sparked Theodore, now lying on his side looking down at Eveline, up on one elbow, letting his free hand, trace circles against Eveline’s bare skin.
“Most people think them odd, not divine,” she whispered, her fingers entwined in his dark hair.
“They are the odd ones, not you,” smiled Theodore, leaning his head down, close to her lips.
“Are you going to kiss me?” she asked nervously, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
“We shouldn’t, but I can’t help but want to kiss your beautiful lips,” cooed Theodore, “it seems that without a kiss I am spent of oxygen and fear I may die.”
“Then kiss me,” she whispered nervously. “Let my lips give you the air you so desperately seek.” Theodore realised that if he kissed Eveline now, that he would cross a serious line, to which he would have to face the consequences. He bent his head lower, his nose touching her own, holding still.
“I..,” he choked. “I cannot.”
“Why?” Eveline asked, arching her body up against his.
“If I do, I cross a line that will put us both at risk,” he cried, knowing she wouldn’t understand.
“You refer to William and Isabella?” replied Eveline, a feeling a pain absorbing her heart. Theodore wanted to say no, but what other reason could he give besides the truth, and though every part of him wanted to tell Eveline the truth, he knew it would come with a terrible cost to not just himself but to her. Theodore closed his eyes i
n pain, with all his soul he wanted to keep her with him always, and yet he knew that for them, there would never be an always, the only way he could stay with her was if he was to stay at a distance. It was against the rules of his people and his God, Eveline’s grandfather. Unyae’s love for the mortal King Elieor, cost them their lives, Theodore had to ensure that Eveline survived.
“Theodore, it is just a kiss nothing else,” Eveline pleaded.
“A kiss never remains a kiss,” answered Theodore sadly.
“It can, I promise,” she cried, a tear falling down her cheek and disappearing into her hair.
“You are to be married,” Theodore replied tenderly. “And I too am bound to another.” He lied.
“I know, I know” Eveline cried, closing her eyes, “just one kiss?” she begged. Theodore couldn’t help it, her eyes pleaded with him and his heart thudded heavily under his chest.
“One kiss.” he agreed.
One kiss couldn’t damn them for eternity, no, one kiss was all he could give, all they would and could ever share. Tenderly he brushed his lips against Eveline’s, kissing her softly as she arched her body under his own. It was beautiful, the feel of her lips against his own, her hands in his hair, his on her curves. For a moment, the world stopped, his worries stopped and only light filled his heart as he took her into his arms tightly and kissed her eagerly, feeling the envious light of the moon on his skin. Eveline raised her legs, curling them about Theodore, as he rolled atop her, kissing her passionately. Her body shivered as his hands brushed against her bra, sighing into his mouth at the touch, willing him to go on. Theodore felt her need, and losing himself in her, let his fingers search for the fastener. Upon finding the fastener, he unfastened her bra, bringing her straps down as she lifted her arms, letting him undress her, whilst their lips were locked in a deep embrace. Eveline felt herself smile as the cool air touched her chest, Theodore’s hand gently cupping her small breasts.
One Crown & Two Thrones: The Guardians Page 8