Fire Night

Chapter 2

The room had taken her a good part of the day to clean. She had left only briefly to find Jacob. He was at the stables still, biding his time so he wouldn’t have to move furniture. He gave her rags, soaps, and wax for the worn desk. She didn’t realize how often he had cleaned Ayden’s room, he told her everything she would need to do to please him, and she couldn’t help but notice that he was a little hurt that she was doing his usual job. She had dusted the fragile books lightly, organized his desk, and polished the wood to a fine shine. She removed the thin red curtains and hand washed them herself, letting them dry while she ate lunch with the rest of the bloodlings. She helped clean up after the meal before going back to Ayden’s room. She replaced his curtains, taking notice for the first time a plain brown door to her left, as far into the back corner as a door would allow. She had stared at it for a while; putting finishing touches to his room here and there. It was nearly time for dinner when she found herself standing only a foot away from the door. Where did it lead? How had she not noticed it before? Her hand shook as she reached for the worn knob.

“You’ve done a fine job.”

Saori gasped, her once outstretched hand flying to her throat, her other hand balled into a tight fist against her leg. She stared at Ayden wide eyed as he stood coolly in the center of the room, the door already closed behind him. He was so silent when he wanted to be. He sighed, sadness filling his features making her blush at her reaction.

“Is that your response to my voice?”

He flowed towards her, his hand outstretched.

“Do you feel the need to protect yourself?”

His fingers slid under her hand, brushing lightly against her throat as her pulse jumped erratically. It was only a response to being surprised; she hadn’t realized she had done it until he had looked so hurt.

“I’m not afraid.”

The words sounded odd coming from her mouth, but she didn’t have time to kick herself for it. His fingers trailed along her throat, feeling her blood force through the large vein under his touch. She let her hands drop to her sides, forcing herself to relax. His thumb guided her chin to the side, forcing her to turn her head. He bent his head towards her, eyes closed, inhaling her scent; his mouth was so dangerously close to her skin.

“Mmmm…you smell divine.”

Saori swallowed, his fingertips running to the curve of her throat between her collarbones. This was something he allowed himself very infrequently. She wasn’t afraid of him, not really, but his close proximity made her nervous.

“I’m sorry I’ve kept you all day, I was hoping you’d humor me a little longer.”

His hand fell away from her throat, his step away from her obviously forced.

“I’ll need to send a bird to Mother and Father.”

A small smile touched his lips.

“I hope you don’t mind, I’ve already taken the liberty of sending word to your parents.”

He led her out of his study and down the hall; Saori couldn’t help but notice the striking difference in his actions. He was so reserved with her before his trip, so quiet and distant. He led her down a hall, away from the dinning area, confusion falling over her face.

"I bought you something."

Saori let Ayden lead her into another room, but it was strikingly different from the rest of the house. The walls were a sky blue, the floor covered in lush navy carpets over pale hardwood floors shining with polish. The finest pale dresser she had ever seen stood against the wall from the foot of an enormous feather bed. A thick blue comforter of silk covered the elegant piece to the floor, and plain white pillows at its head. Two pale wood nightstands stood proudly to either side of the bed, lamps in their centers for light. Across from her she could see her shocked expression in her reflection in the window through pale blue silk curtains. She watched Ayden walk gracefully to the bed, his fingers running over a rich black silk dress lying empty on the side of the bed.

“Do you like it?”

Saori caught her breath, following Ayden into the room to feel the dress as well.

“Why did you-”?

“Have you really forgotten what day it is?”

Saori stared at him a moment as his fingers caressed the dark fabric. The dress was the most beautiful piece of clothing she had ever seen. It was simple, slender, with no straps or sleeves to hold it up. It’s long flowing fabric fell all the way to the floor, she hoped it wasn’t too long for her. Elegant black gloves, so long they would go to her elbows, laid on the bed next to the fine piece. She loved it.

“It’s my birthday isn’t it?”

He smiled, relieving some of her tension, but it was a distant smile.

"Yes it is, you're always so forgetful Saori. I wonder what you would do sometimes if there weren't those here to take care of you."

His hand cradled her cheek as he leaned over to her and lightly kissed her forehead. She froze under his lips, so stunned she couldn't speak until he was almost out the door.

"Ayden, this room…"

He turned and smiled at her over his shoulder, cool confidence on his face.

"Change for dinner my sweet, we'll discuss things then."

She was pouting before he even closed the door. He was treating her like a child, which happened from time to time but he never behaved in such a way for long. He'd been looking down on her all day, and although a part of her liked all the extra attention, something else told her all wasn't well. She examined the dress now in scrutiny. He had given her fine gifts before, but never anything so fine as the dress she was told to wear. It was surely worth more than her weight in gold. She hoped she wouldn't ruin it while eating. Saori pulled her painfully plain dress off over her head, throwing it to the floor without concern. Ayden would surely throw it away as soon as he got the chance, or have someone else do it. He hated when she dressed so plainly, he always thought she should be wrapped in finery. She carefully pulled on the black elegant silk, surprised at how well it fit her and disappointed by how small chested she looked. She pulled on the skintight gloves and smiled at herself in the mirror. She didn’t look too shabby, but her white shoes didn't match. She looked briefly around the room and didn't find any shoes to wear with her gown. With a sigh she slid them off her feet, the dress was long enough, maybe he wouldn't notice if she was barefoot.

Saori walked carefully down the hall, trying to float like the vampires did so well, she couldn't come close but it kept her mind off her current situation. He wanted to talk to her about something, something important. The dress covered her feet nicely as she stared at her footfalls. No one would tell she was barefoot, and she almost felt more comfortable without the shoes. But a cold stone sat in the pit of her stomach when she came to the large double doors leading into the dining hall. She waited as the doors swung open easily. Jacob looked at her as he motioned her to enter; her pulse was like knocking on the door with so many vampires around. She never had to lift a finger. His face was a blank slate, but his eyes held all the concern he couldn't show. She tried to avoid his gaze as she walked past him and into the grand room she knew it would be. The large table she had seen before was now in its proper place, surrounded with matching high-backed chairs. The walls held fine oil paintings, dark curtains hanging over several windows along the west wall. More food than Saori had ever seen in her life covered the expanse of the table, chicken, fruits, and steaming vegetables filled the room with their sweet aroma.

Ayden stood as she entered, moving around the table to pull out her chair for her. She blushed, thanking him quietly as she settled herself and he took his seat. Food was already artistically arranged on her beautiful china plate, the solid silver fork and spoon lay perfectly atop a cloth napkin.

"That dress looks lovely, I'm so glad it fits."

She glanced down at herself, blushing as she lifted her fork nervously. She wasn't sure if she would be able to eat the way her stomach was flopping.

"It's a lovely birthday present Ayden, thank you."

His name still tasted odd in her mouth, that would take some getting used to, but she had to obey him. She wanted to do anything to make him happy, anything to keep him smiling at her.

"Did you like the room as well?"

Saori glanced up at him cautiously, but he only ate his food calmly, it looked as if the question was innocent enough. She wondered what she had been so worried about.

"It's beautiful, will you be claiming another changeling?"

Ayden's eyes flicked up to meet hers then, he paused only a moment in surprise before continuing to eat.

"I had it made for you, you so love the color of the sky I filled the room to bursting with it."

Saori stared at him openly now, her heart tightening in her chest.

"It's lovely, but I've never stayed the night here. I'm not sure when I would use it."

She watched his every move, he avoided her gaze, he didn't want to look at her. He was about to hurt her but she didn't want to sit and listen anymore, she wanted to run away.

"That's what I wanted to discuss Saori. You're 18, of age now, and I'm exercising my right as your Master as agreed upon."

She knew it was going to happen soon, but she didn't know it was this soon. She should have expected it; he had waited so long, so patiently for her to turn of age. A mere drop of water in his ocean of time.

"I belong here now Master Night?"

She didn't look at him, but she knew his eyes were on her. She couldn't bring herself to say his name when he was forcing his law upon her.

"You'll be staying here tonight Saori, finish your dinner and I'll walk you to your room."

She pushed herself away from the table, the chair scraping across the floor loudly. She swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing her words to come out steady.

"I'm not hungry. I'll show myself to my room. Good night Master Night."

Saori walked briskly from the room, trying to leave his heavy stare before her tears fell. She couldn’t help it. She wanted so much to please him, to repay him for everything he has ever done for her, but it was too much. Once in her room she couldn’t hold back the flood washing over her, the large feather bed swallowing her whole as she buried her face into the pillow. If only sleep could swallow her suddenly, it would make her night a little more merciful.

***

Ayden sighed heavily, his fingers knitted under his chin as he watched Jacob clear the table.

"She's upset."

Ayden's jaw clenched at the sound of his voice but Jacob was right, he had used too much force. She was so fragile, always moving around him as if the slightest wrong step would turn him to strike her. He had turned a strong hand to her and shattered her calm.

"I think I might check up on her. See yourself to bed when you're finished here Jacob."

I'm not hungry.

Had she eaten lunch? He couldn’t remember seeing her until after when he had gone to her in his study. But she surely had to be hungry; it was an old human need, to feed himself. Now it was something he could survive well enough without but a simple formality he performed for performing sake.

Good night Master Night…

He winced at the cutting sound of her voice in his mind. He loved the way his name rolled off her lips; he had hurt her deeply for her to disobey him so obviously. He heard her sobs easily through the door, she sounded exhausted. Ayden didn't knock, only opened the door quietly gliding over to his girl.
Her small form shook with the effort of her quieting tears, her pulse in his ears was calm enough, but he was still filled with worry for her. Human lives were so short, gone so quickly only to leave an impression of what they once were before fading away completely. He sometimes feared her heart stilling in his ears, he didn't think he could take that silence. His hand reached out to her gently, her body tensing in surprise when his palm touched her back. She peeked at him from over her shoulder, her eyes red rimmed and her cheeks wet. She still managed to be beautiful even filled with sorrow.

"I'm sorry Ayden, I didn't mean to be so rude, I was just…"

The lump in her throat kept her from continuing as he leaned down and pressed his lips lightly to her forehead for the second time that day.

"It's alright, I was too harsh. If it will please you, you may go home tomorrow. It's too late to travel tonight."

He listened to her heart intently as he spoke, hearing her pulse slow in his ears. She was falling asleep, and quickly.

"I'm alright Ayden, really, I'll stay with you tomorrow…"

Her eyes slid shut, her words drifting off as she fell asleep. He smiled at her, happy to hear his name again, and traced her cheek with his fingertips.

"Sleep well my dear, sweet Saori."

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