Nightly love

Prologue

“ No, Thomas! Please don’t do this!”
Angela’s screams pierced the serene morning air as she ran down the stairs of the castle and out the door.
“ Please, Thomas!”
Ignoring all the looks Thomas bend down in mid stride and picked up a sword, his sights set on his twin brother, James practicing in the courtyard feet away.
“ Please, Thomas!” Angela screamed again as a strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her back.” Do not do this. I beg you.”
Hearing Angela’s please James looked up from his practice to see his brother stalking towards him; his face hard with anger and a hysterical Angela behind restrained by the castle door.
“ Hail, Thomas what troubles…Whoa!” Dodging out of the way James winced as Thomas swung his sword down, clipping his left shoulder.
Rolling to his feet James clutched his shoulder and stared at his brother. It had been a long time since James had seen his brother enraged. With his black hair streaming out behind him and his green eyes full of fire Thomas looked ready to kill.
“ Thomas,” James said calmly, holding his hands out in front of him.” What is the matter?”
Ignoring his brother’s question Thomas swung the sword again barely giving James time to dodge out the way before he was swinging again, clipping his right thigh.
“ Let me go! Let me go!” Angela screamed, struggling wildly.
“ I am sorry, Milady,” Curtis, captain of the guards said sadly.” But I can not risk you getting injured.”
“ You don’t understand,” Angela cried.
“ I do understand, Milady. They are having a family dispute that must be taken care of.”
Twisting to where she could look in his face Angela looked deep into his eyes and whispered, tears streaming down her face.” He going to kill him.”
“ Nah,” Curtis said shaking his head.” Why do you say such a thing? Thomas would never deliberately hurt his brother, his flesh and blood. Who has told you such lies?”
“ You don’t understand!” Angela screamed, stomping her foot impatiently. “ Thomas will kill James because of me! BECAUSE OF ME!”
Stunned Curtis looked over at Thomas to see him swinging his sword expertly as he was taught to do so in battle. James was becoming weary from dodging his brother’s sword and several deep cuts lined his body, blood running down his arm making it hard for him to keep a good grip of his sword.
“ Thomas?” James held up his hands loosing the grip on his sword as it fell towards the ground leaving him wide open and defenseless. “ What is the matter?”
Staring at his brother Thomas fought the fury that coursed through his body. Taking a deep breath he finally trusted his voice to talk.” You think me a fool?”
“ I do not understand, Thomas. What have I done to displease you so?”
“ I warned you, James and you did not heed my warning.”
Getting dizzy from the lack of blood James stared at Thomas in confusion.” Please tell me what I have done to anger you so.”
“ I warned to stay away from Angela but as always you ignored me and did what you damn well please.”
“ I do not know what you are talking about?” James lied.
“ Do not lie to me, James. I know that you two have been together.”
Crossing his arms over his chest James glared at his brother.” How do you know that I have been with Angela”
“ Because she is with child.” Thomas sneered.
“ That does not make it mine. She is your woman, Thomas. Your child. I am happy for you.”
Thomas closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he opened his eyes again. Like lighting his hand shot out to grab James around the throat and squeeze.
“ The child is not mine.”
“ How do you know?” James asked, gasping for breath.
“ Because I have not laid with her!” Thomas roared, throwing James backwards.
James hit the wall with enough force to propel him forward, landing at Thomas’s feet. Slowly getting to his feet James steadied himself by placing a hand on Thomas’s shoulder, glancing over his shoulder at a sobbing Angela.
“ I did not mean to betray you, Thomas but I love her.”
“ You love her, eh?” Thomas sneered.” Than love her from hell!”
Angela screamed as Thomas brought his sword forward, stabbing James through the stomach. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as he stared at Thomas in disbelief.
Given the sword a quick twist Thomas placed his foot against James’s stomach and kicked him backwards. He stood over James for a few minutes while everybody watched in horror as James never looked away from his brother until he could see no more life in them.
“ What have you done!” Screamed a voice behind him.
Dropping his sword Thomas slowly turned towards the voice.” This does not concern you, Witch!”
“ Aye, but it does.” Walking over Tabitha stared down at James before she looked up at Thomas. “ Why do you do this?”
“ He needed to learn a lesson.”
“ What lesson was that?” Tabitha asked.
“ That nobody has the right, not even my own brother to touch anything of mine.” Looking over his shoulder he stared at Angela, his heart aching at the pain and disgust he saw in her eyes.
Walking towards her he heard Tabitha’s words behind him. “ Ever seen you were a child you have always been possessive of was yours and now you let a woman come between you and your own brother.”
Stopping in front of Angela Thomas gently cupped her chin in his hand and stared down into her eyes.” I had to, Baby. Your mine and I love you.”
“ I am no mans,” Angela sneered, yanking her chin from his hand.” And I am not yours.”
Spinning on her heels Angela ran into the castle and disappeared up the stairs.
“ You will never learn,” Tabitha chuckled.
Turning around Thomas stared at Tabitha.” What are you babbling out?”
“ You say you love her but I don’t think you know what love it. I have seen you grow into a strong man but love is an emotion you never truly learned. It was more of a possession towards things. Once you got it no one else could take it away from you and if they tried they had to pay the consequences.”
Thomas snorted.” You do not know what you are talking about.”
“ I understand more than you know.”
Thomas watched as Tabitha placed her hands together in front of her and began reciting words he did not understand. Taking a step back he found himself froze to the spot as her hands began to glow a light black color. Looking into her eyes he was shock to see her once light blue eyes had become fully black.
“ You will pay for your selfishness and for your brother’s death for all eternity.”
Before he knew what hit him Thomas watched as Tabitha brought her hands in close to her stomach before throwing her arms out, a ball of black energy shooting towards him, hitting him in the stomach.
Knocking the breath out of him Thomas was picked up and slammed against the wall. Tabitha’s words ringing in his ear before he lost consciousness.
“ Darkness will be the only thing you see for a sunrise is a beautiful thing and you do not deserve beauty. This is the life you choose. Live it well.”