My Darling Blaque

 

            I tapped my nails on the desk beside me as I waited for Virgil to return. He had brought me back to his own manor and gave me something a little warmer to wear. Though I was grateful, it still didn't feel right. My mind suddenly wondered back to his manor. My face twisted into a sneer.

            "I hate him." I whispered to myself. I couldn’t stop thinking of all the horrible things I could do to him.

            "Well that isn't nice." My head shot up and my eyes settled on Virgil standing at the doorway. He smiled as he walked towards me.

            "He deserves to be driven in the heart with a stake!" I growled vehemently. Though I knew that wouldn't kill him or Virgil, it made me feel a little better knowing it would still hurt. "How many others knew of this? Why didn't he tell me?" I slammed my hand on the desk, feeling my eyes begin to water again.

            Virgil was listening, but couldn't help but inwardly smile. He now had something that he knew Valentine still wanted. He chose to sit beside me in the couch. He laid a hand on my arm.

            “There is no need to worry yourself about that, my dear. Valentine has already made his choice to be with Lilith. ”

            I felt a pang in my chest when he said her name. My head dropped and my hands balled into fists as I felt the first teardrop fall. A large hand gently took hold of my chin, pulling it upwards. Virgil’s winter green eyes met mine and I noticed his expression seemed... annoyed. I was not sure what to think of this.

            “Virgil?”

            “He is not worth your tears. " He answered, his eyes narrowed.

            I sniffed. “What?”

            He let go of my chin, standing. “If he cared so much for you, he would have gotten rid of Lilith long ago! If he cared for you, he would have gone after you when you left. If he cared so much,” his voice was softer now as he came back to sit beside me. His eyes were soft as his hand came up to stroke my cheek. “He would have chosen you in the beginning. He would have chosen you to be his Queen and not that bitch. ”

            I didn’t want to admit it, but Virgil was right. Valentine had all the time to declare me as his only, but yet it was always Lilith.

            “You’re right. "

            Virgil nodded, gently taking hold of my hand. “I would never allow you to leave me. I would never be so foolish. ”

            Virgil’s words were calming and made me feel important… The way Valentine used to had made me feel.

            “Ms. Delgado—“

            “Ariana. ”

            “Forgive me. Ariana. ” He smiled. “It gets quite lonely here in this manor. ”

            “But you have so much family here. ” Ariana remembered that is what their people called it.

            Virgil nodded, staring at the burning fireplace. “Yes, but none here that will speak to me frank and that are interesting. All they know of is blood and darkness. None of them speak of what lies outside this place. ” He turned back to me. “Will you stay?”

            I suddenly felt uneasy. “As many of your kind don’t like me, I don’t think I should. No offense. ” Virgil shook his head.

            “None taken. Even so, but they would never lay a hand on you under my care. ” He stared into my eyes. “Besides, I know that Valentine never allowed you out of the manor without accompaniment or permission. You are free to come and go as you please. I will not keep you here against your will. ”

            I thought it over. I knew I didn’t have any home to go to outside this world, but to come and go when I please sounded golden.

            “Alright, I’ll stay. ” A smile appeared on his lips. “Thank you Ariana. I will never be alone again. ”

 

            …Valentine could not sleep. He hasn’t slept since the dismissal of Ariana. He sat in his private room, staring out the window into the darkness. He looked at the clock on the wall. It was almost midnight. He wondered where she was, what she was doing. He walked around the manor to her old room. He sat on her bed, taking in her old, fading scent. He forbade anyone to come into this room, even the servants to clean. He smelled the brothers outside his door before a knock.

            “Go away. ”

            “My Lord, you must come out. ” Came Christopher’s voice.

            “Yes, My Lord. Your people are getting worried. ” That was Deacon’s.

            Valentine sighed, picking imaginary dust off the silk sheets. “Come in. ”

            The two brothers walked in and frowned. Their Lord looked so… depressed.

            “Valentine, you must stop this. ” Said Deacon. Christopher nodded.

            “Your servants have taken notice that you’re feeding less and less. ”

            Valentine was silent.

            Christopher did not want to bring it up, but… “Have you not thought about feeding from Lil-“

            Valentine’s eyes bled red, his head snapping up to glare at him. “You dare!”

            Christopher quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, My Lord… but you need something!”

            Both brothers were silent. Their Lord would feed from no one else and it was worrying them as well as the rest of the family.

            Valentine knew the twin were right. He had to feed. He growled, clenching his fists.

            “Deacon, find Ariana’s whereabouts. ” He sighed. “And Christopher… Bring Lilith to my quarters."