Unknown Darkness (2)

Sitting at the make-up vanity table that Kieran had placed in my room in a way I could get ready. He already gave a dress and hung it up on my bedpost. I cast my gaze towards it, the dress was long and black it had off the shoulders straps with slit on one side to show the leg.

I turned back and saw myself in the mirror and I allowed the maid to resume doing my hair.

I still couldn’t believe how was his staff okay with me being here and okay with what he was doing to me? The only answer I have come to was compulsion or a simple way with his words.

“There you go mis” the maid said in faint accent I couldn’t place.

I looked at myself again in the mirror, all my hair was fitted to the right of my shoulder and the left was a loose tendrils. It was pretty, but didn’t really do much for my happiness rather it just made me look good and that is about it.

The maid helped me slip on the dress, already feeling the silk texture against my skin.

With this supper I do not understand how someone could be friends with Kieran or wants to meet me? Just thinking about this evening and how it would go was strange enough.

The maid zipped me up and let me walk around in it, the dress it had nice fabric but didn’t change the fact I was not looking forward to this dinner.

I went and sat back down at the dresser mirror thing and the maid let herself out. All I did now was stare at my reflection.

Nice fair skin, blonde hair with heart shaped face and darting red eyes. Somehow I still looked beautiful to him even though I found myself looking half dead. If I looked closer pushing away the make up you could see the dark shadows under my eyes and how much more my pale skin is.

I breathed. From the past time since I have been here, Kieran has taught me fighting and taught me dark magic. All so I become some partner of his and be his forever. Someone strong. When reality he has made me weaker.

“I see you are admiring your beauty” Kieran’s voice said behind me.

I looked from my reflection to his. I did not know how he does that, me not hearing him when he comes in. It at first startled me but now I am just used to it.

“No, it was just a glance” I said, sitting up straight and looking down at my hands.

“Hmmph, I beg to differ” he replied then walked up close behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders. I looked up for a second and saw he was dressed in a white dress shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and black vest on with a tie around his neck. He looked mighty sharp for a monster he was.

“Wow,” I started. “You really are going all out with this dinner.”

He smiled and traced his hands down my arms and followed down leaning his mouth to my ear.

“Yes, because a tonight as I remind you a special guest is here, and you best not insult her or be rude” he ordered then peck my ear and straighten up.

I twisted around and looked at him fully, he was now leaning slightly to his left with hands in the pockets.

“Well shall we get ready and head out?” he asked straighten himself again and offering his arm for me.

I hesitated for a second, then slowly stood up and took his arm and letingt him lead me out of the room. And down the stairs we went with few twist in some hallways and stopped right in front of the dinning hall doors. Kieran was staring at me, and now he was dead serious.

“Asema,” he never used my name unless it was big serious business, “I mean it, be on your best behaviour, or tonight will not be a sweet night for you” his voice filled with darkness, then took my hand and opened the doors.

There was a table, set up nicely with food. As well a fire pit lighting up with a tall dark silhouette female figure standing in front of it. Kieran let go of my hand and walked over to the figure standing. The figure turned to face Kieran and the fire outlined showed her little more nicely curving light around her body.

Why did she want to see me?

I kept watching the two of them, Kieran was just a large male silhouette talking under his breath to the woman. She nodded and turned around to face me and revealing herself to me. She walked a couple steps to show she had jet black hair that was spread out around her shoulders and reaching her waist.

She looked like she was young twenties and she was shockingly beautiful, her eyes were strikingly blue. It was like she was not human but some sort of creature that lures prey in.

“Asema,” She started off with very thick accent. “It is so nice to finally meet you” she spoke.

I looked to Kieran for who knows what reason, he looked very pleased with himself.

“Well shall we sit?” He gestured to the chairs that at the table.

I walked over to the one chairs and sat down with the lady sitting gracefully in the opposite chair of me with Kieran off to my right. The food came, but only for Kieran and I and as they gave the woman a deep red wine in a goblet.

“So, Kieran, how long has it been since we done something fun” She asked, seductive voice lead other intentions.

Kieran made his lips in a thin line and looked at the woman.

“It seems you forgot your intro,” Kieran he replied not answering the question.

She gave a fake laugh and looked back at me.

“I thought she already knew me by now since I am famous. Well, that is embarrassing for me and for her.” She stated the last word on me. Then took a swig from her goblet and leaned back into her chair.

“My name is Thana, Queen of the Red Immortals.” She said and smiled and looked back at Kieran as to gain approval. Kieran only slightly smiled and continued eating while I couldn’t fathom what I just heard.

Kieran couldn’t be serious, he knows a Red Immortal and not just any, the queen?

“Well?” She said at me. “do I least get some reply since I announced my title” She asked again, obviously annoyed that I didn’t give an instant reaction to what she is used to.

I sighed and didn’t even realize what I said till the words left my mouth. “Sorry, it’s just I don’t really care.”

That caught her off guard, which also made me go rigid because I could already tell what facial expression was on Kieran’s face. I knew this would be trouble.

“Don’t really care, uh” Thana said while swirling her wine around. “And why is that dear?” She asked narrowing her eyes at me.

I swallowed. What was I supposed to say or even recover from that? I took my best shot.

“I read about Red Immortals in Sky High and how you feast on humans and the leader Red Queen is controlled by Kadea” I replied not knowing why I was making things worse.

Thana laughed again, then looked at Kieran.

“You have not told her yet?” She asked.

I glance at Kieran who had folded his hands together and rest his elbows on the table supporting his chin. All he did to answer Thana was a shrug. I glanced back at Thana, she seemed utterly offended by his answer.

“Well dear,” she addressed me, “you see Kieran promised me freedom from Kadeas control if I decide to live under his protection.” She replied.

“Protection?” I asked, I was confused.

“Yes protection, if I live a certain way. Kieran would set up a barrier that would keep Kadea from controlling me, simple as that. As long I am under his barrier that is created, I can be free from that dreaded goddess.” Thana snickered. She glanced at Kieran gazing a him, making it obvious what her intention were.

That confused me even further.

“Wouldn’t that restrict you?” I stated.

Thana directed her attention back to me, raised her eyebrow at me.

I continued on. “I mean if you were controlled by Kadea then you had freedom to go anywhere, but being under Kieran’s protection you are limited since he is limited. You can only go so far I imagine. And since you are Queen you should be able to move without restrictions.” I stated.

A second past and bit my lip I knew I had gone too far but I didn’t care at this moment. It felt like Kieran was brainwashing everyone.

“Yes, it does limit me at times, but I rather have my own freedom then live under a goddess who controls me.” Thana said angry.

“I know, and understand but it limits you and you can only do so much with your own self” I replied and bit further on my tongue making sure I would shut up this time. What was wrong with me?

Thana looked back at Kieran.

“ Kieran, your little immortal has a tongue on her tonight, where was the respect I was promised?” Thana sneered at Kieran.

“Yes I did… twice… but do not worry about your ego. It’s not like she can hurt you.” Kieran spoke smoothly as telling me that I was trouble and to make sure the Queen would smile.

I slowly turned my head to looked at Kieran and he caught my gaze and looking straight into my soul. It gave me the chills. Why couldn’t I just hold my tongue and everything would have been better. Guess sometimes I just needed to speak my opinion and let it out. Though Kieran’s glare was more frightening than usual, it was a glare letting know I had just dug my own grave.

“Good, then she should know when to respect a queen and not insult her in her decisions” Thana said then took another swig of the wine and just stared at me.