by Ash Night
The boy before me was a perfect opposite for the cool, confident Eli I was so used to seeing. He was pathetic. He was pitiful. He was real.
"I'm opening up to you," the little boy told me finally. "I want you to stay. Please stay. Two more days, please. If you still want to leave after that, I promise I'll see what I can do. I'll do everything in my power to take you back home." His hands were clasped in the universal sign of wanting forgiveness.
I smiled. "Of course, Prince Ari. Of course I will stay. Forever."
His mouth dropped. "What?"
"I'll stay with you forever. I love you."
Eli, the one I knew and had always known, stood up, calm and collected. "I love you too, Zoey." I hugged him, burying my face in his now-dry jacket. He wrapped both arms around me and collected his power in a bubble of warmth around me so my clothes dried instantly. The spell dropped away and I gasped softly.
Eli was burning.
"I'm fine, Zoey. I'll be okay. I don't need you fussing over me like this. It's not necessary." Eli said as I tucked him into bed, placing a cool cloth on his head.
"Your temperature is one hundred and four. You are not fine."
I leaned over to kiss his cheek. "I'm going to get colder water. I'll be right back. Please stay put."
"Of course, my princess," Eli smiled, sinking deep into his over-sized pillow. I smiled back, picking up the pot of lukewarm water, and walked out to the kitchen, a thousand thoughts running through my mind. What if Eli got worse? What if he got so bad he couldn't manifest medicine for himself? Even if he could, what type of medicine would he need? What if he died? AngelRose wouldn't let him die. Would it?
Trying to push all worrying thoughts away, I focused on my task. Focus on one thing at a time. That was how I was going to get through this. Focus on one thing at a time and worry later. Yeah, that sounded like a good plan. I nodded to myself and set to work. Grabbing the knob and turning it, the facet shook and sputtered as if determined to do its job. No water came. Crap. Did Eli control the plumbing in this place too? Damn, I'd have to make a trip to the beach. Giving what had just taken place there, I wasn't too eager to go back. I took a deep breath I decided to suppress it and just go.
Sky meowed weakly from the hallway. I ran to her, placing the pot hastily on the counter causing water to slosh over the top. Sky was lying down in the hall on her side, her breathing labored. "What's wrong, girl? You sick too? Are you hungry?" I gingerly picked Sky up. She made no complaints as I placed her gently in her soft cat bed and found her food and water bowl, placing them next to the bed. "I'll be back soon after I get the water for Eli. I'll come check on you. You're going to be okay." I gave her a final pat, collected the pot from the kitchen, and headed for the beach.
Stepping outside, I felt an instant chill in the air, an unsettling shift of the wind. The water to the horizon looked as smooth as glass and as cold as ice. I looked to the forest. The trees were wilting. Everything seemed unhealthy, different than it had just days before. A blast of arctic wind ripped through me and with it came a realization.
AngelRose was dying.
Chapter 18
Do you want to die anymore, Elijah? Did you finally find that eternal happiness you’ve been searching for? The voice asked.
“I don’t want to die anymore. My happiness rests in Zoey. I will never think about death as I once did. She loves me and will never leave me. I will be happy forever.” I replied.
What a shame. You may just be getting death. When the Shadow scratched you, poison seeped in.
I growled. Why didn’t you tell me that sooner? I coughed, smattering blood onto my hand.
Death is what you wanted, wasn’t it?
“You’re a bastard.” I said, but I had to admit he was right. I had wanted to die. But I didn’t now, so it didn’t seem fair. I was finally happy. I had my princess. I was fine now. I was stable. I could be everything she wanted me to be.
Aren’t you sad you trapped her here?
“I did not!” I snarled.
She only made that promise because she feels obligated to stay with you to protect your life.
I sank back into my pillow, staring at the ceiling. Did Zoey really think that? Was she only staying because she thought she had to? Tears picked at my eyes.
What’s the matter, Elijah? You’re usually so self-centered. You can just take her like you did with Elena.
“Elena was different. She was…someone easily conquered. Zoey is a challenge. She isn’t so pacified.” I sighed.
All the more reason for the monster to come out and play.
“Zoey will never see that side of me.” I said, betrayed by my rasping voice. I leapt from my bed to the mirror. My black hair was longer in the back. My eyes, an even darker shade of violet than usual to the point of being almost black, sparkled with evil intent. I slid my tongue across my teeth, unwilling to open my month and smile that wicked grin I was trying so hard to outrun.
I swallowed hard, feeling the blood run down my throat. “Why now?” I groaned. “I was so careful. I’m different now. I’m not who I used to be. Why won’t the demon inside me go away? Why won’t it die?”
Simply because you will not let it. You are happy, yes, but the darkness still binds you. It created you. It will always be a part of you. You are the darkness that surrounds you.
“But I need to be better! I need to be everything for Zoey! I need to be everything I once was!” I cried, tears freely flowing. My voice had returned to normal along with my appearance, but I felt sick to my stomach. I couldn’t stop it. The shaking began mere seconds after the reality had set in.
I couldn’t be the best for Zoey. Not with this beast inside me. I had to destroy it without killing myself and upsetting Zoey, but I didn’t know how. Was that even possible? I was nervous. If I couldn’t kill the monster, how could Zoey and I ever have a future together? One thing could set me off and I could fly off the handle. It wouldn’t even have to be that bad. It could be that she said a line wrong in a play, accidentally slip up by jokingly calling me Elijah, arranging her silverware wrong when she sat down to eat. It could be any number of things.
I threw my hands up and buried my face in my pillow. Maybe I could suffocate the monster.
“Eli? Are you feeling any better?” Zoey’s gentle expression was more than I deserved.
“Did you promise me to stay because you felt obligated to?” I asked, fearing for an instant the rasping in my voice was the monster manifesting itself, only to find my throat was horribly dry. I waited for her answer, barely breathing, still as stone.
Her expression changed. I could see the physical shift as it happened. It was small, but it was there. A hair’s breadth of movement. And it was all that was needed to break my heart.
“Fine, don’t answer. Your expression says it all. Go back if you want. See if I care!” I angrily got out of bed and walked away. Zoey stared hopelessly after me for a moment before breaking into a run to catch up with me.
“Eli, please let me explain! I want to stay with you! I really do! It’s just-I’m not used to the idea of eternity! Eternally staying young! Eternally stuck in the same place, the same body, as the moment I entered! It’s just a lot to take in! Can’t you see? It’s hard to get used to.” I stopped so abruptly she ran into my back, hugging me from behind and crying. I could feel her tears on my jacket.
Turning around and hugging her, I kissed her cheek. “You know, I was like that too, when I first came here, in fact it was worse. Everything I needed to know about AngelRose crammed itself into my mind all in one day.”
“At least I get a partner,” she smiled. I lifted a finger to brush away her tears.
“You-you’d tell me if you really wanted to leave though, wouldn’t you?” I stared her right in the eyes, not losing her gaze for a moment.
“Of course, Eli. I would never lie to you. You’re my favorite person in the whole world.”
I hugged her tight. “Good because I don’t want you to
feel as if you have to stay. You have free reign of this castle. I am your servant.” I tried to say this as steady as I could. My fever was back and I felt like I was roasting alive. The room was spinning all around me and Zoey seemed to be the only thing not moving. “Zoe, could you help me to bed? The room is a tilt-a-whirl right now.”
She grabbed my hand, leading me to bed, and then tucking me in. “Are you going to be okay?”
“I’m invincible,” I grinned. “How would I not be?”
Zoey sighed. “Your arm is swollen a little,”
“And itchy,” I chuckled.
She frowned. “How exactly is this funny?”
“To think I could die now, after everything I went through to be with you, it’s ironic.” I said.
Zoey stared at me. “I still can’t believe you want me.”
“Why not? I asked surprised.
She sat down on my bed, her hands on her knee, not looking at me. “I’m far less beautiful than Elena.”
“Yes, I know. Um..No! That’s not what I meant, Zoey. I used to be different. I used to be very self-centered before I met you. I was vain and selected girls only for their beauty.” I winced as her eyebrow shot up at the use of the word selected. This was not going well. Taking a deep breath, I tried again. “I loved Elena for only her beauty. I cared nothing for what she had to say. I listened and acted like I cared. I even responded like I cared. But I didn’t care for her the way I care about you. Your beauty and your mind intrigue me. I want to spend hours talking with you. I want to know everything about you. So you see, you mean more to me than Elena ever did.”
“You seem so sad about her death, though. It’s obvious she meant more than what you’re saying.” Zoey’s gaze was concerned, her statement made more out of curiosity than anger.
“I mourn the fact that I was not able to know her better. She only spent about a year here. I am ashamed to say I know little about her, only that she never asked to go to bed with me and she was very vain herself. Perhaps that’s what I said that was so horrible she felt the need to end her life. I may never know.” I said gravely. Zoey put her hand on my knee and squeezed.
“She was stupid for putting you through so much pain. You deserve better.”
I pulled Zoey into my lap. “You’re the best.”
I lay, watching her sleep for an hour. It was the most fascinating thing. She curled into me, her head on my chest, her breathing soft, peaceful. I draped an arm around her, making my own descent into the world of sleep.
Chapter 19
The next day, I awoke to Eli on the floor of my room. He was coughing up a huge amount of blood. Shaking, but still looking more deadly than pathetic, his eyes meant mine with a fierce determination. “I’m fine, Zoey.”
“You are not! You’re coughing up blood! You’re shaking like a leaf! You’re so pale I could lose you in a snowdrift!” I cried, kneeling beside him.
Eli had spent so long being self-destructive. He hadn’t needed to consider other’s feelings when he did those things. I hoped I could break him of that habit. He had me now. Didn’t I make him happy enough?
“I’ll be fine,” he amended, smiling at me with his lips as well as his eyes. “I promise to never leave you.” He stood up, the coughing having ceased.
“Promises can be broken,” I said sadly.
Eli snorted. “Not mine. Mine are iron-clad, under lock and key, safeguarded forever.”
“And forever? That’s all we have now, isn’t it? Until time ends?” I blurted out before I could stop myself. I wanted to be with Eli like I’d said, but forever was, well…daunting. The idea of living forever was a great gimmick in between the pages of a book or the big screen, but it wasn’t real. Soon enough the book would come to an end, the movie to a close, and the magic worn off and people would go back to life, the real world, where death and dying exists. But not me.
Suddenly, the room seemed to get really small and started to spin. The rush of my feet going out from under me made the whole experience even more dizzying. “Easy, Zoey. Can’t have you getting a head wound now, not with me unable to properly take care of you.” Eli was holding me, a stray drop of blood perfectly positioned on his lips so that he reminded me of a vampire. He lifted me easily onto the bed, sitting by my head. “Better?”
“Yes, thank you,” I replied. “You?”
“The fever seems to have cooled.” He answered with an easy grin.
I sighed in relief. “Will you get into bed, please?”
“Zoey Lockhart, you nearly pass out and that’s all you can think about?” He chuckled.
I felt my face heat up. “No! Stop thinking I think dirty!” I laughed despite myself.
He grinned wider. “How about I just meet you halfway and just stop thinking?”
“Either way, it’s an improvement.”
His words flowed from his bedroom to mine. The piano made his voice sound all the more haunting. I’d never heard Eli sing before. He sounded so sad. Did he actually feel trapped here in AngelRose despite saying he never wanted to leave? My heart ached at the thought as I continued to listen.
Sky meowed and jumped into my lap. “Hey, girl. You hear the sadness in his voice too, don’t you?”
She looked at me, her blue eyes curious. I sighed and looked around. The ticking of the old gothic-style cuckoo clock was the only sound in the room, Eli had stopped singing. He was silent. I looked up in the direction of his room, wondering just what he was thinking. What went on in his head? Was he happy he was alone? Should I go check on him? Would he be happy I decided to pop in? Would the door even be open? I groaned. He was so confusing sometimes. What was I supposed to do if I never knew how to act around him? Lately it had been easy. But how long would that last? He'd gone back to being all broody and closed-off again so I was nervous to approach him. It's probably because he was sick.
"Zoey! Everything okay in there?" Eli asked, poking his head in, all smiles once again. Sky hopped off my lap, her tail swishing her in the air as if to say, I'll leave you two alone.
"Yeah, just fine," I said in a rush of relief. "How are you? You feeling okay?"
I nearly jumped right out of my skin as Eli appeared so close to me I could see small black flecks in his eyes. I also noticed his lips were insanely close to mine. I could feel my eyes widen in surprise and tried to rein in my composure. Apparently it failed because he smirked.
"Never better, Zoe. I feel like a brand new man." Eli said, standing up. I scrambled back, realizing I'd been leaning into him like an idiot. My face heated up like it wanted to impress the sun. God, why did he have to be so confusing?
"Th-that's good," I stuttered.
He gave that little knowing smirk. He knew all too well what he did to me and he was happy to keep messing with me. I didn't know if I was annoyed or relieved that he never said anything about it out loud ever. "I'm glad to be back."
I walked over to the window more out of curiosity than anything, but thankful for the distraction. "Is AngelRose still dying?"
"No, it'll heal over time. It'll be fine, Zoey." Eli smiled easily. I smiled back. I tried to think of something to say so we sat in an awkward silence. I shifted from foot to foot, discreetly glancing up at him every few seconds. He was looking down at his feet.
I wanted to hug him. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to let him know just exactly how I felt about him. I just couldn't get the words to come out, words I hadn't even said to Jake. I didn't feel the same way with Eli that I felt with Jake. At least I think I didn't. I'd never get a chance to see him again. So what did it matter?
It didn't make saying the words any easier.
Chapter 20
You can’t be serious, Elijah. Think for once in your life! You want her. You have her. Take her already! Quit pussyfooting around like a lovesick child! The voice yelled at me as I paced in my room, faintly aware of the storm raging outside, hyper-aware of the girl in the castle. Zoey was in the library. I could see her perfectly in my mind. She was read
ing a heavy book, the black cover so worn the title was barely legible. I knew that book well. It was my favorite.
“I cannot take what I do not have.” I said.
Suit yourself. The voice left my mind. I sat down on my bed, hearing the old springs creak. She could be so confusing at times. How was I ever going to figure her out? Flowers? No, that was far too cliché for someone like Zoey. Or what if I was over thinking it and she liked that sort of thing? Then should I offer her chocolate too? I groaned.
“Stop being so stupid! Do something that will surprise her!” I told myself and then smirked.
I was awesome when left to my own devices.
“Oh, Eli! It’s perfect!” Zoey hugged me. I was still surprised at how comfortable she’d become with touching me, kissing and hugging whenever she felt the urge to do so. We had yet to actually kiss, but the feel of her lips upon my cheek was like a phantom, never far from my mind.
I chuckled. “I’m glad you like it, Zoe.”
“I love it!” She exclaimed, sitting upon a silk quilt that was pink all around the border with white and brown patches inside. I sat as well, lifting the lid of the cliché woven picnic basket to reveal all her favorite foods inside.
“I just manifested the ingredients. I actually cooked the food so if it tastes-" I was cut off by the feel of Zoey's lips on mine. I leaned back as she pressed into me. My whole body tingled with heat. Zoey's kisses were unlike Elena's. Elena's kisses had been sweet, gentle like a refreshing rainfall. Zoey's were fiery, passionate like a forest fire, consuming me with all the determination of a lover. Sweet, hot sparks danced along my spine and throughout my body. I loved every minute of every second of this experience. The monster inside me raged. I ignored it with every fiber of my being.