The Abyss

part 46

I stood in the cottage, waiting for Silas to come back. My mind was racing but part of me was angry. I heard the leaves outside crunching and i turned toward the door and stopped. The handle twisted and he quietly stepped inside the room. "So,'' i growled. He jumped as if me speaking caught him off guard, "Laila.. You're awake?" he said. I nodded and walked toward him, lifting the hair to his face. "What is this?" I asked. He looked at it then at me, his eyes grew a little wide, "I can explain." I stood there and looked at him. But he said nothing. There was silence except our hard breathing. "Silas im waiting, why did you bring me here? You said you had never been with a woman, you lied! What is this? This isnt your hair!" I screamed at him. Inside me was a feeling i had never felt before it was something i didnt even know how to take or understand but the words just kept coming. "How could you lie to me,'' I whispered. The tears welled up in my eyes and i pushed passed him, leaving. "Laila wait,'' he called out. But i was already gone.

I walked along a narrow trail, leaves brushing across my bare arms. The tears wouldnt stop, I reached up and wiped them away. Ahead of me I could see the pond, I didnt even think about it, but as i entered the clearing I ran toward the glistening water and dove right in. The black glass shattered beneath me sucking me deep into the depths of the water. I waited there, at the bottom, until i felt like my lungs would explode. Slowly i pressed my feet against the bottom of the pond and pushed off, shoving toward the surface. The air slid smoothly down my throat, my eyes were closed, i just breathed and listened to the sounds of the night. Crickets chirping, the winds blowing through the grass, soft waves i was making as i moved through the water, twigs snapping. Wait.. I stopped swimming and moved my feet around feeling for a spot to stand.

Carefully I sunk down in the water, right to my nose and listened. I could still hear it, in the distance, walking. The steps were slow but without hesitation. Probably Silas coming for me. I moved over to the bank, not even caring if he heard or not, and pulled myself out of the water. I was dripping wet and it was getting colder outside, not a good combination for me. My breath was showing in the air but i stopped paying attention. "Which way did i come from," i mumbled. I did a quick turn and still I didnt know. Just great.

The woods felt so dark now, I couldnt find the trail but i knew id be able to see the candle light in the cottage. A small growl erupted the silence around me. I stopped moving, stopped breathing. The steps behind me were slow, but close. Too close. I could feel the air move at my legs and I knew something was coming for me. Fear ripped through me and I started to run, I could hear the leaves crunching under me then the sounds of being chased. Sticks snapped to my right but I couldnt look, I could just see the dark figure crouched, running next to me through the trees. Quickly I turned left and ran, jumping over the fallen logs and over the small creeks. My heart was pounding, where was Silas? No! I didnt need him. I shook my head trying to clear the thought but when the pained scream of a woman tore through the night, everything stopped. I had frozen in place. My bones turned to ice, I was going to die.

part 47

Silas's view
I paced back and forth trying to not follow her, to not tell her everything. But I couldnt. "Silas what are you doing!" I screamed at myself. I liked this girl but my job wasnt to like her it was to protect her, but what was I doing? Sitting inside freaking out while she was outside in the dark. "Tell her, man just go tell her" I said. I walked toward the door and took a few deep breaths then opened it and stepped outside. She wasnt in the yard. "Laila?" I called. But she didnt answer me, "Laila lets not do this again please I need to talk to you!" I yelled. I could hear the animals moving around, a panthers cry. I hated hearing them, their sounds made my body hurt. Panthers, Laila was in the woods with panthers. Then I heard her scream, nothing mattered anymore. I had to save her. I ran as quickly as I could, everything had become so quiet but there were voices. "Laila!'' i screamed. The voices stopped. I crept into the clearing and could see them. A few men, some creatures, a black cat wrapped around the legs of another elf, then him holding Lailas arm, only inches from her face. "Get your hands off her."

Lailas view
Everything happened so fast. The cat had jumped on me, then his face was rubbing against mine and I realized it was Silence. But if he was here.. That meant? Yes. So was Fendewen. He was in the woods too, a few feet from us. His face was the same, but his eyes were different to me. Colder. He said nothing, only reached over and grabbed onto my arm and pulled me from the woods. "Laila!" Teralyne screamed, pulling me to her and hugging me. As she let go I could hear Silas yelling. "Who is that?" she whispered. I just turned my head, everyone looked as he broke through the trees. I could only imagine how this had to look. My eyes met his and I could see the anger when he looked at Fendewen. There was a sudden tension when he told Fendewen to let me go, but his grip only tightened. "Make me,'' he hissed. I looked at Fendewen, "dont do this." His head turned to me, his mouth didnt move, it didnt have to. But the look in his eyes said everything. He was angry with me and he wanted to go. I had to go with him.

"I am her guardian, I cannot let her leave with you. She has to be at a royal ball in two days. Her mother will send the hunt searching for you. It will kill everyone, dont do this!" Silas said. "If you were so worried about her you wouldnt have let her out of your sight. She might run away from you too." Fendewen spit back at him. He pulled me away and we all started to walk, he never let go of my arm. "We will bring her to the ball, dont you worry" Fendewen said. I heard Silas whisper for me to stay with him but I couldnt. My heart felt broken, he had lied to me. "I cant Silas, I need time" I called out to him. Fendewen stopped, jerking me with him. "Time for what Laila? You want this man. You want to be with him instead?" He screamed at me. Teralyne stepped between us, "Fendewen calm down, we have her now. Stop before you lose her again." He turned his head and looked directly at Silas then spoke loud enough for everything in the woods to hear him, "I will never lose her again. It doesnt matter who has to die."

Part 48

We didnt travel far, but far enough to where I didnt know where we were. They had set up tents. Rocyla and Teralyne went into one, Talos another, leaving me and Fendewen by the fire. I looked over at him, "im sorry I left i didnt have a choice." He turned and went into the tent, pulling me with him. Without speaking he pointed to the blanket on the ground and nodded. I frowned at him but laid down and wrapped myself up. I could hear him lay beside me, but his arm came over me. "What are you doing?" I whispered. He pulled me onto my back and leaned over me, pinning my body to the ground, "I missed you so much Laila." he whispered back. As he moved in to kiss me I jerked away, "do you know how long its been?" I almost screamed. "Its not the same Fendewen, you're different. Im different. We arent doing this right now okay so just stop, im not ready!" I knew I had said it loud enough for everyone to hear, so did he. Without a second glimpse my way he turned over and went to sleep. But I couldnt sleep. My mind was somewhere else, felt like my heart was too.

Silas's view
I stood in the same spot for what seemed like hours. Anger boiling inside of me, I needed to hunt. The cats scent was every where, it sickened me. I looked into the sky at the moon and screamed. I screamed until my voice was hoarse, until i gasped for air. I could feel my bones moving, breaking, my body being morphed into this other being, this creature i was. Then it was over as quickly as it had begun. I stretched my legs, digging my nails into the soft dirt. My senses were high and I could smell the prey, hear its every move. Slowly I crouched down, pinning my ears back some and waited. Their gallops echoed through the night, pounding the ground beneath me. My tail slung to the side in anticipation, my patience was wearing thin but I had to wait. Then I saw it. Its antlers stuck out above the hill before me, i crept closer. Small clicking sounds came from it as he moved my way again. His tail flung up, he didnt move. Now it was my turn. I shoved off the ground with my hind legs headed straight for the deer. His head jerked up and he let out his warning calls then turned to run. His movement was slower than mine, there was no match. We ran together in the field, our bodies almost touching. As we came to the trees, I leapt toward him. My teeth clamping down on his throat, ripping the flesh as he fell with me. For a moment he twitched, then he was still. Blood leaked from its nose. I opened my mouth letting the deer fall to the ground completely, my mouth dripping with its warm blood.

When I woke up I was naked, dried blood covered my mouth and chest. I got off the floor and moved the box away, then headed out of the cottage toward the pond. My hands were covered in blood, how hand I fallen asleep this way. It never happens. I kept walking when i got to the water, going and going until i was completely under. I ran my hands over my body, trying to clean off the blood but i felt like it wouldnt go. It was a senseless murder, but i needed to eat. The water tasted of dirt and fish, gross but better than the old blood and flesh. I could feel the wolf crawling inside me, right under my skin. He was satisfied, but waiting. Waiting for another chance to tear free.

part 49

I had to return to the castle without Laila, it was not something I wanted to do. But i had to. Her mother would be furious, she might kill me. I knew that. But she was my queen, I had served her. Eyes were on me as I entered the Faerie world without the princess, without Laila. I could hear them whisper, panic spread fast. I didnt get passed the main room before the guards grabbed me, my friends, my once brothers. They drug me through the castle, everyone watching, but i didnt fight. I knew it would happen, i had once helped them carry many men like this before to the Queen, never did i think it would be me. As the large wooden doors opened i was thrown to the floor, my body sliding, shoving me toward the throne. "Silas," the queen hissed. "You have been a man of good work, good deeds, and help. I will ask you once, where is my daughter?" I knelt before her and told her what had happened. "Wait," she interrupted me. "Describe this man to me. The one that you say took her."

Her face twisted with anger, "It is him! The man we took her from." She stepped down from her throne, "Syrina!" she called. A small girl came running to her side, "yes my Queen?" she said. I looked her over. She looked human but she was an elf, it was the strangest thing I had seen. "Silas, you tell me the truth. You told me everything? Anything else I need to know?" the Queen asked once more. But i shook my head, "no my Queen. My eyes are your eyes, my ears are your ears." i replied. A smile crept to her face, "so be it. Syrina, touch him." This was an act that she did when the Queen questioned you. Syrina was her servant, Syrina was her answer to everything. The small girl stepped up to me, I had to lean a little lower for her to be able to reach my face. I tried hard, harder than ever, to not think about Laila. But as her cold hands pressed against my head, we flashed through my life together.

There we were standing in Lailas room. Her lips so close to mine, me turning away. There we were swimming together, my eyes glued on her. I saved her. Then the moment with the hair and the other man. Everything happened so fast but i had every second of emotion come back. As she pulled away her eyes met mine, if i hadnt been half wolf she would have hid it well. But she was afraid. Of what I dont know, i had to find out though. "Syrina?" the Queen mumbled again. Quickly the girl turned to her and knelt, "forgive me. What do you wish to know my Queen,'' she asked. The Queen smiled and looked at me, ''Is there anything else I need to know that he has not told me?" she said bluntly. For a moment all was quiet then the girl spoke, "No my Queen he has told you everything." I couldnt believe what I had heard. This girl was willing to die, she had lied, before everyone, without the slightest hesitation. "Everyone be gone,'' the Queen yelled. Slowly we all moved toward the door, leaving only her behind.
I followed Syrina down the hall trying to not be so obvious. Other guards went their separate ways until it was only us. She turned quickly into a room and I followed, she shut the door behind me. "Why did you do it?'' i asked her. She shook her head, ''it wasnt for you. It was for Laila," she said. "You dont get it Silas, that man will marry her. If you challenge him, it will be a fight. One of you will have to die." For a minute I didnt understand her, "Why would I challenge him?" She laughed but suddenly stopped, her face completely serious "if you dont, he will destroy her. I dont know if you love her, but I do know you dont want her hurt. Am I wrong?"

Part 50

The gates of the Seelie Court opened, many from the world of Faerie followed the Queen and her royal servants out into the real world. Any magic that surrounded them now began to fade some, it was still there but harder to tap into. Many of the fairies had never stepped outside of the Faerie realm but with the promise of safety, it was decided. The guards rode on their horses surrounding the Queen in her carriage. So far the trip had been good, but there was still no sign of the princess. Syrina had gotten the dress for her, the dress that the Queen now held close. Her fingers sliding over the white cloth, gently clutching it in her hands. "Daughter forgive me,'' she whispered. Syrina offered open arms to her but she refused. "What kind of Queen would i be to run to the arms of a servant for help,'' she hissed. Slowly Syrina retreated, her heart pained by what she had just heard. She turned in her seat, looking through the other guards and she could see Silas. He rode slow, not keeping up with everyone. But his eyes watched her, for a moment they looked at each other. She smiled, so did he. His smile was something deeper than she was used to, it had real meaning. His eyes said something else, something deep inside was stirring. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Silas be careful,'' the words ran like velvet through his head. But he wasnt afraid. Their eyes were still connected and he knew it was her. He turned his head and looked out over the fields, ''I dont know what to do" he thought to himself. "Its okay," she whispered then their connection was broken. They rode down a dirt road and under a small bridge. There were purple lanterns lit up in the grass, they passed by them now every few feet. As the trees around began to clear they could see the building now. It was beautiful and had large stone columns that covered the front. The building seemed almost greek-like because the columns had carvings in them. There were men crouched down lifting up the part of column above them. The stone design was amazing but the excitement ended once everyone saw Surgat waiting at the large doors of the building.

Lailas view
I was upstairs in the dressing room, my heart was beating so fast. I knew tonight I wouldnt be married, but the thought of the men in the room that wanted to marry me, terrified me. What if i couldnt marry any of them. Would they kill me and my mother, would the kingdom fall because of me, what was i supposed to do. There were so many questions and I was out of time. The doors to the room opened and my mother came in holding my dress. "Laila, my dear, I am so happy for you," she said as she hugged me. I told her i didnt know if i could do this and she told me to be strong, that she knew what it felt like because before my father died she had to do the same. Part of me became happier, but the thought of marrying someone i didnt know with the possibility of them never loving me or me loving them, overwhelmed me. "Put your dress on sweetheart, Syrina will walk you out and tell you when to come down. It will all be okay. Just smile,'' she said. Once more her arms wrapped around me, then she placed a small kiss on my forehead. "I will never make you marry a man that I dont think will take care of you Laila. You are my daughter. I lived to fight for my family and I will die doing the same,'' she whispered, then she was gone.

I put my dress on, Syrina laced it in the back. "Good luck out there,'' she said to me. I took a deep breath, "im terrified." A small giggle came from her, "im sure everything will be fine. The worst that can happen is everyone will die, but that would solve the husband problem wouldnt it?" I turned and looked at her, slightly creeped out but amused. Her expression made me laugh and the laughter only grew. She was right, I knew the worst. "All done, have a look yourself" she said pointing to the mirror. I smiled at myself, it wasnt bad. "Laila just be careful okay? Look them in the eyes, see a man for his soul not his words not his body. Even if it isnt love, it can be the best friendship of your life." For a minute I thought of that. Maybe she was right. But as we headed out of the doors, the voices and music grew louder. The nerves came back. The sickened fear came back. Everything came back. She stopped with me at the end of the hallway, a few more steps and everyone would see me, everyone would judge me. She took a deep breath and so did I then she said, "love is like an earthquake.. unpredictable, maybe a little scary, but when the hard part is over you will realize how lucky you truly are Laila." Then she pushed me forward.

Part 51

Silas's view
I watched her step out and turn to the crowd, her white dress flowing behind her. Slowly she started down the stairs, her eyes never left the floor. Her hair fell passed her shoulders in golden waves, her skin was a light tan. There were designs on her dress, it looked almost smoky at the bottom but it fell perfectly against her. A few men whistled, some girls smiled, but i didnt feel anything but worry. I turned and walked behind the crowd, still watching her come down the stairs. As she took her next step, her dress came up her leg a little and i noticed she wasnt wearing shoes. Then i saw Fendewen. He was standing in front of the crowd, his eyes glued to her. She stepped onto the main floor and a piano started up, it was a slow melody. Couples began to sway together, dancing. He moved toward her and reached out, offering his hand. Her head tilted up some and i could see the tears building in her eyes but she took his hand anyway. I looked up and saw the Queen standing in the hallway by the top of the stairs. Her eyes were on Laila. Slowly she turned to walk away, but for a minute she stopped, our eyes met and i knew she didnt want this.

I felt that bit of anger building, I didnt know what to do. Dynoken stepped beside me and grabbed onto my shoulder, "dear friend you look bothered.'' I looked at him and nodded but shrugged him away and stepped through the crowd. The men were gathering around her, each one trying to get their dance. Watching them began to sicken me, i needed some air. I walked through more people and could see Fendewen step out the back door, Rocyla followed a few seconds later. I went after them, more curious than anything. I opened the door and stepped outside, i didnt see anyone but i could hear them perfectly. Suddenly the door opened behind me and Laila stepped out, "what are you doing?" she said. Before i could answer the sounds came again and she looked away from me, toward the shadows of the alley. I reached for her arm but she jerked away and kept walking. She stepped into the alley, i was right behind her. At first i didnt see anyone but then i could see their breaths in the night air. "Fendewen.." Laila whispered. I could hear the pain in her voice. He moved back and we could see him completely, we could see someone's legs wrapped around his waist. Then Rocyla sat up, her eyes were wide, her mouth opened in surprise. "Laila, no its not what you think!" she quickly said. Fendewen moved away from her, letting her legs go to the ground so she could stand. But as she moved toward us Laila back away, ''dont."

Lailas view
I had said I was done, but why did it still hurt so much. I knew something was going on with them. I walked passed Silas, our eyes met and he turned with me. We went back inside and i tried to hold myself together. This party was for me I had to at least be there. I stepped back out onto the floor and a few more men asked me to dance, I didnt want to choose. "Excuse me,'' i heard him say. I turned from the guys and looked at Silas. He gave me a small smile then reached out and took my hand, pulling me away from the others. When he turned back to me his hands went to my waist and he pulled me toward him. I stepped closer and hugged him, now his arms wrapped around me and he just held me. We swayed a little, but not too much. I felt the tears building in my eyes and i pressed my face against his chest and let them slip. "Its okay,'' he whispered. I wanted to believe him, i didnt want to be there. "Look at me,'' he said. I pulled my face back and looked at him. His eyes melted me, his hands came from my back and touched my face. He held my face in his hands, and wiped my tears away with his thumbs, ''I wont let him hurt you again Laila."

In that second I knew what i wanted. It was so clear to me. I reached up toward him, my hand on the back of his neck and i pulled him down toward me. He didnt resist this time. Our faces were inches away, i could feel his warm breath against my lips. I watched his eyes, he watched mine. I looked down and saw him lick over his lips then bite the bottom one a little, shivers ran over my body. "You look beautiful tonight,'' he whispered. All i could do was smile. My guardian, my protector, this was the man i wanted. There was a moment he didnt know me and still he was willing to give his life for me. "Silas, please." I saw him smile and his hands moved a little. His hands went to the sides of my head, his fingers slightly tangled in my hair. But he pulled me closer to him. I moved and pressed myself against him, my hands went to his chest and grabbed his shirt a little. I was nervous but staring into his eyes it began to fade, everything started to fade. He closed his eyes and i did the same. I could feel him lean forward. A sudden sharp bell echoed through the room and we both jumped back.

part 52

All heads turned in unison, our eyes gazed up the wide staircase then we waited for them. Surgat led the elders out of the hallway, he was in front and the other six followed behind him. The people around us started to step back as they reached the ballroom floor, their eyes were on us. "Cade has called a meeting with the elders of the Seelie Court, he wishes for Laila to be his bride,'' Surgat said. Gasps echoed in the room, small whispers invaded my head. "Surgat forgive me but i will not marry that man,'' I said. He looked at me then stepped aside as a different elder headed toward me. When they were only about a foot away, they stopped and reached up, removing their hood. "My name is Morpheus, most of you will know me by the leader of the wild hunt. Princess Laila, I carried you as a baby. I watched you grow into the woman you now are and I must say you need a man in your life. Someone that can control power, use it, bend and twist it to their liking. Hes already a king," he said. I shook my head no then Surgat started to speak. "As a king he has the right to wed any woman he desires Princess, you cannot deny him unless you have picked a suitor. You have to choose tonight,'' he whispered. And so it was decided. I would not choose my fate, the men would. Those who wanted to be royalty, those who wanted to marry me would fight. The last man standing would be my king. I didnt want to choose, I didnt want it to be my mistake.

We all went to the fields, there was no magic here many faires would die if their magic wasnt strong enough or they couldnt fight. I hated the thought. "You dont have to do this Laila,'' Silas said quiet enough only for me to hear. "Im not doing anything, its them they are choosing,'' i said back. He moved closer to me leaning down some, "just pick a man its that simple. He will love you either way-'' our conversation was cut short because of all the screaming on the fields. Swords crashing into one another, the pained cries of a fallen victim. Bloodshed. I was the cause of their deaths, the guilt raised inside of me and i couldnt take it anymore. It felt like a sickness spreading through me, trying to consume me. "Make them stop,'' i pleaded. But only Silas paid attention to me. "Please!" I screamed, "make them stop!'' Silas turned to the elders and called out my orders to them, with a sudden nod they ran toward the field yelling for the battle to stop. "So what now?" Silas asked. I took a deep breath and started for the field, "now.. i have to choose."

The men stood around and watched me, there werent many of them left. My choices were very limited. Fendewen still stood, his eyes locked onto mine. "What will it be Princess,'' Surgat asked. I tried to smile at them but i knew my smile was weak, "im sorry for this destruction. It was...