Knowledge and Seclusion

[alex_cali83]

Darian watched her reactions with mixed pleasure, for on the one hand she seemed to believe him and on the other the wild part of her screamed that it was a trick. He sighed as she left him, taking note of what she said in response to his question. The tone of her voice set him on edge, as he could tell she was being both sarcastic and playful at the same time, problem was he couldn't figure out which tone was heavier in her voice.

A vampire? Well if only you truly knew what you were toying with dear Kanya, you may not be laughing so loud. Who am I kidding though? She loves this game she thinks she is playing and so I shall play it with her, though I do need to show her I am sincere. Darian thought all this to himself as he tried to decide what to do and how to make her realize that what he said was true.

Darian made his way to his quarters to rest for the night, leaving word that he wished to see her two nights hence for he had a surprise for her. He assured her in the note that she would enjoy the surprise as it was her forte.

 

[Perplexia]

Kanya frowned at the length of time until their next "appointment" she suppose it was protocol of some sort. Not that she had ever paid too much attention to it. The day was the same as the others, except there was no Lord Silver around. She found out later that he had gone out with her father to attend some business. Why did she care she questioned. Dinner came and the gentlemen again made themselves scarce. He barely showed her any regard what so ever. That shouldn't bother her she thought, thats what i wanted, him to finally turn the other cheek and just leave me in peace.
As her mother retired with a migraine and the gentlemen were locked in the den, she found herself restless. She decided that she would take a ride in the night.

Kanya made her way to the barn and slid on top of her stallions back and clicked her tongue. They were off into the dead of the night into the fields. This was the only way she knew to clear her head the only way she could. What if he was being sincere? What if she did simply just dismiss the only person that could possible handle her thoughts in this world.

Without warning the horse reared tossing her off his back as a wildcat roared from an above tree. She could barely move her head hurt. Kanya let out a scream and blacked out.

 

[alex_cali83]

Darian stood in the study, watching Kanya sneak out to the stables and get on one of the stallions. His mind raced and his long dormant heart fluttered at the sight of her. Why did she instill this feeling in him? He hadn't felt emotions like this in so long despite the many girls he had courted. So why was this one different? He watched her gallop off into the night and looked down at the papers he was supposed to be looking over but he couldn't concentrate. Perhaps I should go outside for a bit as well, Darian thought and excused himself from the study.

As he walked in the stables he settled down one of the stallions and began to get it ready to ride. As he slung the reins over the horses head, his ears picked up the sound of Kanya scream. His eyes flew to the windows of the manor but none lit up, so he knew it wasn't in normal hearing range. Darian took off at a run out of the stables, his long legs carrying him quickly towards the sound of the scream and the excited cried of the horse. Arriving quickly at the scene, he found Kanya unconscious and her horse in a panic over a wildcat.

The wildcat turned to face the intrusion to his meal and stalked low to the ground, expecting to take his new target to the ground with a leap. Darian's heart filled with worry for Kanya and this brought the beast within him to the surface. Darian faced the cat and growling deep in his throat bared his fangs in a very dreadful hiss as his eyes locked with the cat's. The effect was almost instant as the cat sensed the newcomer was a greater threat than he could deal with and slunked off into the night.

Darian quickly dropped to Kanya's side, checking her visually for any signs of harm from the cat. She didn't seem to have any but she seemed to have bumped her head on the ground and blacked out. Satisfied with her being unharmed he stood and calmed her horse, soothing it gently with his words before reining it to a tree nearby. He then set about building a fire to keep her warm and placing her head in his lap he began to gently take care of her until she roused.

 

[Perplexia]

Her eyes fluttered at the fire light and she let out a low groan. Her eyes came wide "Cat" she was disoriented as she made the attempt to scurry but Darian's arms held her tight and words soothed her.
With the safety of his arms tears began to fall as she clung to him. She wasn't thinking of anything other then the the terror she felt. His hand soothed her head assuring her that he had her and it was okay.
"the horse?" she questioned looking around for him "fine" he assured her keeping her still slowly rocking her until she calmed.
They sat quietly for an hour our so, just listening to the sounds of nature under the moon. She was calm and quiet for the first time since he had met her. For the first time she didn't pull away from him, merely stayed where he kept her.

She then spoke softly in a true from the heart manner"If you meant what you said about confiding in you, then i will tell you that the reason i was out was because the only way i can clear my head is to ride. I have never dismounted until this evening. Tell me if you're playing some sort of game with me in hopes of taming me. For if you've lied to me, i will see through it eventually, but in the spirit of confiding, i hope your not, but i do not trust that a man that you say you are could be real."
She then stayed quiet in his arms and awaited a response.

 

[alex_cali83]

Darian held her for a few moments, trying to collect his thoughts on the situation before him. This girl who acted so strong willed towards everyone else was shedding tears that now stained his shirt. He brushed his fingers through her hair, continuing to calm her fears as he spoke softly to her.

“I thank you for confiding in me my dear lady and in the spirit of confidence I am not toying with you. Everything I said to you last evening was in fact the truth that resides in my heart. I understand that you may not believe a man like me exists but if you wish for me to prove it I shall. I still have that surprise to give you tomorrow evening and I am quite confident you will enjoy it. But for now just rest here until your body stops trembling…” Darian’s words trailed off as he looked down into her eyes. She had said that she was afraid of his eyes capturing her and compelling her, but why was it that her eyes seemed to have a similar power of their own? Every time he looked into them he found his head jumbled and he couldn’t think straight, his body would fill with a heat that had been unknown to him for ages. He couldn’t explain what it was about her that made him feel so different, like he was alive again. He smiled lightly at her trying to reassure her with it as he waited to see what she wanted to do.

 

[Perplexia]

Hearing his words she listened, her eyes staring back into his as he spoke. She felt the same feeling, as she had before but his hands touching her made it more intense then before. She studied his face as he spoke, his eyes not leaving hers, never looking away as those who lied normally did. It was possible that he was true, it was possible, for after all she existed.
She nodded as he requested that she just rest until she stop trembling. Kanya laid her head against him and tried to negotiate between her mind, body, and even possibly her heart, were feuding over.

Eventually she calmed and he lifted her back into his arms placing her back on the horse and guided them all back to the house. They didn't speak but it was a good reflective silence.

She laid in her bed in the wee hours of the morning holding the dress she wore near her. His smell was still upon it. It seemed to comfort her and allowed her to eventually go to sleep.

Morning came and she growled at the maid who opened her blinds, claiming a headache and the need for more rest. She was then left to sleep the morning away. By mid afternoon she made her way down to eat, and then went back to her room for more rest.

Dinner approached and she managed to get dressed with the wonders of what Lord Silver had in store for her.

 

[alex_cali83]

Darian sat with them at dinner, his manner humorous and his dress taking a change for lighter colors. It was strange for him to not want to wear the colors of the night, for he was a creature of the night. For some reason after saving Kanya last night though, he felt a change in him, something he had never felt before.

After dinner had been finished and the dishes cleared, Darian led her to the study so they could sit by fireplace. It was here that he revealed his surprise to her, which was none other than a very old leather bound book. The book was wrapped in dark leather with the words Lycan written in gold ink on the side. Darian smiled and cracked the old tome open, running his fingers over the pages like he was greeting an old friend.

"I was given this book by an old family friend in England. He wrote it to chronicle what he knew about a condition called lycanthropy. Put simply, he studied werewolves and their lives. I thought I might read from this to you tonight to see if I can change your mind about werewolves." Darian spoke with lower tones so her chaperones couldn't hear the discussion going on. He looked into her eyes and smiled before turning his eyes down to the letters neatly written on the page. He read the words in his baritone voice, the images seeming to be from the actual viewpoint of the werewolf and not of a man watching one or even pretending to watch one. He read on for several hours, the passages becoming sometimes very stressed like the writer was in pain and other times relaxed. After a time however, Darian closed the book and stood, stretching out his muscles and easing the tension on his eyes.

"I think that is enough for tonight my dear Miss St. Claire. Perhaps tomorrow night we can continue reading it?" Darian looked down at her, his eyes locking with hers but not in a menacing way as he offered her a hand up.

 

[Perplexia]

Kanya was deep into his readings and tried to turn the page on him a couple of times as she read ahead. He playfully slapped her hand and gave her a firm look as if saying "Sit and behave". she couldn't help but laugh. This book was obviously written by one that had gone through the experience. It was fascinating, she had so many questions about it. A new light shined in her eyes when she looked at him. Truly he was more like her then she thought. To have such an interest and possess such a treasure.

When he declared that the night was done she begged for more. He simply told her no. What was this no word, no man had ever failed to obied by her wishes. She frowned and sulked and it seemed to have no affect upon him. He simply stated she'd have to wait for tomorrow.

Her mother had fallen asleep in the chair with needle point and her father had gone to his study. They had been eventually left alone. "Lord Silver," she said lightly and very whisperish "care to join me on a forbidden midnight stroll?"

 

[alex_cali83]

Darian looked around the study and saw Kanya's mother asleep in the chair and listening closely he could hear her father asleep in his study. Darian smiled playfully at her and offered his arm to her, leading her quietly out of the study and into the hall.

"Although it is forbidden my lady, I know no other that I would rather take a stroll with at the witching hour." Darian whispered in her ear softly. He chuckled very low and ran out with padded steps towards the gardens, where they could get lost walking around for awhile.

 

[Perplexia]

She laughed lightly as well as they hurried into the garden before they were seen. This time she kept her arm with his as they walked. "Why didn't you tell me you were interested in the myths as well?" She smiled softly "never mind, its not like i would have listened or believed you. I suppose you were right in assuming you would have to show me. I'm still wary, that you are what you say, but less so each night. So tell me the story, how did you come by such a treasure?"

 

[alex_cali83]

Darian smiled as they walked, the sense of doing something against the social standard sending a sense of exhilaration through him. He listened to her questions about his procurement of the text and thought of how to best answer the question.

"Well the book was actually given to my father by a family friend. It was apparently written by one of their ancestors though they do not know which one wrote it. We speculate that the writer might have suffered from the condition but no one is sure..." Darian talked slowly, enjoying the feel of the moonlight washing over him. He looked over at Kanya as she walked beside him, her own features bathed in the moonlight.

"Tell me my dear Miss St. Claire, what got you interested in the supernatural? Was there some event that drew you to it?" Darian wondered.

 

[Perplexia]

She thought about his question as they walked. "when i was little i got lost in the woods. The darkness came, and i couldn't find my way out. I remember a voice saying "follow me, I'll lead you to safety child, its not safe for you here young human" It was a calm deep voice, much like yours. I vaguely remember the image of a tall man, walking a good set of paces in front of me. I had to run to keep up with his long strides and quick pace." she smiled lightly

"I remember that i tripped and i could hear rustling coming quick behind me. Not like any animal I'd ever heard. In a swiftness i was floating through the air and the next thing i remember is that i was out of the woods and could see my house. I looked back and he was gone. I was told that i made it up, and that there was nothing in the woods but the kings supply of deer for hunting. My mother claimed i was over imaginative with too much free time, my father was just glad i was home and pretended that the story i told could be true. Since then i started looking for answers. See i don't think that the tales are all factual, i don't think that vampires are evil, i think they can be with the extra abilities they may possess, but out of all I've looked at, that is the only thing that could make sense. " she smiled. "Do you have any idea how long its been since I've told that to anyone. Thank you for listening to what must seem like insane babble."she laughed softly as they walked.

"so how did your family feel about the idea of werewolves existing?"

 

[alex_cali83]

Darian thought about her story for awhile to himself. Why did that story sound so familiar to him, as if he had heard someone tell him before? He shook his head slightly and smiled again at her.

"I thank you for confiding in me once again. Truth be told, it seems like I had heard about that event before somewhere, perhaps it was just a similar situation. As for how my family felt about the existance of werewolves...well let's just say I didn't go outside during full moons much. They were never afraid of them but more afraid of becoming one of them. Werewolves are most likely shunned as outcasts to society, much like you and I are at times, but for them it is their entire life." Darian said softly, enjoying the freedom that he could speak with.

Darian looked at her in a new light as he answered her questions. Sure he had to be careful about his wording so not to disturb her, but she was genuinely interested in the creatures that went bump in the night. The creatures like him, that were always feared but rarely inquired about. He stopped walking and turned to face her, taking her slender, soft hands in his own.

"Miss St. Claire, with each passing night I feel a stronger connection with you. I hope I am not being too forward by saying this to you, but I think I may be falling for you with total disregard for our original arrangement." Darian looked down at the ground not wanting to see the look in her eyes when he was rejected by her for saying such a thing.

 

[Perplexia]

"It is no surprise that you heard of it, it was my very first scandal, rather large I'm afraid, my cousins teased me horribly over it." she frowned slightly at the way her own family shunned her. Not wanting their children to pick up on the wild ideas this child had they had simply stopped visiting.

Kanya listened as he spoke of werewolves and his families experience with them. Her mind was clouding with questions and excitement. As he took her hands and turned her and spoke. She barely heard him, her questions instead flowed from her mind through her mouth "So then they are real, I knew that i wasn't mad, and Vampires? what do you know of those? Am i right in assuming that they walk among us? Have you ever met one?" she was excited like a child at Christmas over the prospect of all that she had believed and the theories she had formed being true.

She then stopped and blinked what had he just said? "I see" was all she could manage to say her hands tingled in his. "I haven't thanked you for saving my life" she said softly. "so now i say thank you" she paused for a moment "I've been told that people that share something so extreme are bound to feel connected to each other. It's an experience that no one else can relate to, It's something that is private between the two. I will not say that I do not feel anything for you Sir, for that would be a lie. But you have found me upon territory that i have no experience in. I have fought for so long to remain free and with you find myself floundering, unsure of my thoughts, my feelings and the feud in which my mind, body and heart are having. I pray that you will afford me the time in which i may come to a conclusion. Allow me the opportunity to see that all you have told me of you is true. For you have but begun to shed a new light upon my view of you. Turned my plan of having you rush away to save your reputation, into walking upon the new ground of trust and confiding. It is in my nature to suspect foul play, to expect that there is wool trying to be pulled over my eyes. For i know how desperately my mother wishes me gone. My father wishes for peace, and feels regret for allowing me the opportunity to develop my own identity. I sometimes think if he could ship her off he would rather have me as a companion. But alas he cannot. I think he may have even made some arrangement with the King to have him look for suitors." she laughed lightly.

She rubbed her hand lightly over his the electricity between them was unmistakable"thank you for your honesty, and your thoughts on your stand on our arrangement. I simply ask that you show me your intentions are what you say they are, and you are whom you say you are, and that you have thought through the woman that I am and how I would certainly embarrass you and tarnish your reputation." she brought his hand up to her lips and kissed it softly "come tell me what you know know of vampires, an let us discuss lighter things, for there is many questions i have, and more I wish to know of you and your adventures in the world."

 

[alex_cali83]

Darian looked at Kanya as she started to flutter on with her questions about vampires and their existence. He opened his mouth to answer her questions when she changed the subject to the King and his search for a suitor for her. I really should tell her what I know about the King finding a suitor for her. Darian thought this through before taking a deep breath.

"Miss St. Claire, vampires just like werewolves are supposed to be real though I cannot say anything more on the subject than that at this time. However I can tell you something about the king. The king did send out a missive to find you a suitor after your family left, however the missive went unanswered by all the nobles it reached. I actually had gone to the king to find out who you were after the ball in which you told Lord Grey exactly how you felt about his policy. Once finding out about the missive I asked the king to call off the search. I could not risk one of those pompous lords taking you off and locking someone special like you away. I am sorry I did not tell you earlier my lady but I didn't want you to risk you running away from me. After that ball I found myself drawn to you and after the last few nights I have felt myself grow closer to you with each passing hour." Darian looked down at their hands sharing an embrace and sighed lightly

"I would completely understand my lady if you never wanted to hear from me again after telling you that. All I can do is sincerely hope that that is not the case and that you will take the time to sort out your feelings towards me between your body, heart and mind." Darian stood there and kissed her hands before awaiting her answer.

 

[Perplexia]

Kanya listened intently to what he had said.

"After all you heard of me, you still came, you asked the king to call off the search to spare me from a suitor." she smiled slightly and then frowned. "Do you think me to weak in the mind to know a fraud when I see one?" she then laughed.

"Good Lord"she laughed again "Lord Silver, Although your quest and thoughts were surely meant with good intention. I can hold no ill will toward you for them. For it is in your nature to protect what it is you hold in high esteem. For that sir i am humbled. Although i am quite sure the King thinks you a fool for making the journey to meet a woman such as me. For the King himself begged my father to let him have me committed for madness, after I denied him the luxory of sitting on his throne." She smiled and squeezed his hand lightly. "Now that sir is a secret you must take to the grave, for the King himself would be thought mad for wanting a woman such as I" she smiled

"I will tell you a secret Lord Silver, my mother although she wishes greatly you will succeed in winning my heart will have a list under her sewing cushion of hopefuls in the event you fail. For i believe she doesn't think it possible that a man can capture my interest. I do believe Lord Silver that you have captivated it, but the question is Sir, can you hold it?" she smiled teasing him as she took his arm and began to walk again

"So tell me why can you not tell me more of vampires when you are so free to speak of werewolves?"

 

[alex_cali83]

Darian breathed a sigh of relief, hearing her tell him all this information. His heart calmed its wild beating, which he still wasn't used to, and his head cleared slightly. He breathed deeply as she asked her question about why he could talk about werewolves but not vampires.

"Well milady, I just wanted to sate your curiosity about the creatures of the night one creature at a time. You had first told me that you weren't sure about the existence of werewolves so that is why I chose that book to share with you. Perhaps once we are done discussing the lycans we can move on to another creature of the night should you be so inclined. I have a great many books with me about the supernatural things that go bump in the night." Darian smiled lightly at her, still holding her hands in his own. The tingling sensation that seemed to be flowing from her into him was almost unbearable, but it was a good sort of unbearable. He relinquished one of her hands and holding on to the other one began to walk with her again.

 

[Perplexia]

As they walked back to the manor, the talked of lighter things. Making her way to her room she felt a void from being parted from him. In most cases Kanya couldn't wait to get away to the solitude of her room. She laid down and pulled her dress from the other evening and smelled it lightly. His scent still lingered, but barely. She smiled as she drifted off into sleep.

Another day of business as he was off with her father. She wondered of what things they spoke of, if he'd really make the attempt to show her he was who he said he was. She hoped she'd given him enough encouragement. Kanya wasn't sure how to exactly do that. She had spent a lot of her time pushing people away, coming up with clever things to say to make their jaws drop. Lord Silver didn't seem phased by this, he still was the same.

The day passed slowly and she mopped around until dinner. When he wasn't there and her father was, she felt her heart drop. No note, no word, just absence. Perhaps he'd gone back to England, could she blame him, no it was just as well.

As the evening drew closed she sneaked out of the house and went for a ride on her horse. Her father didn't seem to know where he'd gone, or when he'd back. She stopped under the tree where he had held her. Making a fire she sat alone listening to the sounds of the night.

 

[alex_cali83]

Darian sat among the trees that night, staring at the moon in the sky. His thoughts were finally clearing after being around Kanya for the last couple days. Why was it that whenever he was around her it made him feel so different? His heart raced, which was unusual on its own, his breath caught in his chest and he couldn't think. Was it her intelligence? Her beauty? Or just her overall? Darian couldn't figure it out so he just sat in silence, listening to the sounds of the night, his mind and body relaxing as they lulled him into a peaceful state of mind.

Darian sat straight up in the tree and listened closely. He heard footsteps, rather loud ones at that and he started to try and pinpoint them. He looked around, his eyes adjusted to the dark of night, to find Kanya sitting under the same tree he rescued her at. A smile crossed his features as he thought about what to do.

"So taking another midnight ride my lady?" Darian called down from the tree above her.

 

[Perplexia]

Kanya gasped and looked up after she heard the voice. "Lord Silver, you scared me half to death. I thought.." she frowned as she stared back to the fire. "I thought you'd gone back to England' she finally admitted with an unusual sorrow in her voice.

"I thought," she continued "I thought that you had given up on winning my affections" she admitted further.

Why was it when she was with him she felt she had to reveal her inner thoughts and emotions. Her mind was swimming in confusion. She was angry that he had surprised her, relieved that he hadn't left, and no longer felt the void now that he was there.

"you shouldn't sneak up on a lady" she advised scolding him as she fought to control her emotions that were sweeping over her quicker then she'd experienced before.

 

[alex_cali83]

Darian looked down at her saddened features and his heart sank. He jumped down from the tree with great grace, though his landing lacked the same grace. He fell straight on his ass and just sat there for a minute stunned, before shaking his head at his own carelessness.

"Kanya I told you what I was looking for in my partner and thus far you have met every single one of those benchmarks that I have been looking for. Why on earth would I leave you after getting to know you? I refuse to leave because you asked for me to give you time to sort your thoughts out. I agreed and thus I keep my word, I just needed fresh air tonight to clear my own head. I...." Darian started not sure if she would want to know what he had to say. He shook his head and continued, knowing that he had to tell her how he felt. "I can't think straight when I am around you Kanya. I don't know what it is but something about you just throws me into a dizzy spiral and I don't know what way is what when I am with you. It is not a bad thing at all but rather disorientating."

 

[Perplexia]

Kanya wasn't listening to what he was saying, only hearing whatever words would suit her purpose to make her lash out at him. Her tongue being the only form of expression she was use to. "It obviously is a bad thing if it forces you to take off on me." she spouted back. Standing up and brushing off her dress. "Do you have any idea what it is like for me to find myself constantly thinking about you. To have no control over what emotions race through my veins or the way my heart speeds up as i look forward to our evening time. Then for it to simply just disappear because you are all dizzy. Perhaps if you're so dizzy then you haven't quite come to terms with your display of affection. Perhaps you are simply trying to avoid my sucking the life from you so you can continue your masquerade of affection and have me come out in the middle of the night to pine after you. Only to return home to a dress thats loosing its scent of you, which will most certainly mean i won't sleep as i try to fight to remember it." she found herself so angry she had tears rolling down her cheeks. She didn't understand what was happening to her. What was coming over her. She simply turned and began to run leaving him and her horse behind.

 

[alex_cali83]

Darian stood there for a second, stunned at her yelling at him. His own frustrations began to mount as she lashed at him with her tongue, displaying how she thought only of how he affected her. The things that she admitted to didn't even register as he began to lash back.

"Perhaps if you had waited you would have realized that I was gone today for a different reason. It wasn't to rid myself of you at all because that would have killed me from the inside. I too find my heart out of control around you and the only thing I have to look forward to every day is the time when I get to take my leave of your father and his work and go spend a few nightly hours wandering and talking with you." Darian's baritone voice rose in volume but not enough to try and scare her. He wanted to get his point across but not upset her to the point she would run away from him. But run away she did, and it set his body in motion without him even thinking about it.

Darian jumped onto the horse and rode after her, his mind racing with thoughts about her and him. As he caught up to her, he reached down and with a little bit of strength, pulled her off the ground and into his lap. He then turned the horse back towards the woods and rode on, his body exuding heat from the frustration and anger at being attacked. He drove the horse on for a bit until he reached a lake a bit deeper in the woods, and it was only then that he stopped and slid off the horse still holding her in his arms.

 

[Perplexia]

Kanya cried out as he picked her up from a mid run and threw her over his lap. She beat against him crying to let her go. But it didn't seem to phase him as they got further into the woods. Pulling the horse to a stop he slid off the horse with her still in his arms. He dropped her to her feet grabbing her so that she didn't run again pulling her in so their bodies were pressed against each other. Her heart raced as she finally stopped fighting him and simply cried against his chest.
"i hate you" she whimpered out in a non believable tone.

 

[alex_cali83]

Darian held her close, feeling his own heart start to beat in time with hers. He wasn't going to let her go, not even if her parents came looking for her. He looked down at her when she whimpered that she hated him. With that he tilted her chin up to look into his green eyes so he could look down into her blue ones, those same eyes that sent his mind into a dizzying whirl. His eyes held none of the vampiric compulsion for her, he wanted her to come to him of her own accord.

"If that is so dear Kanya, then I hate you too. Because I feel the same way you do whenever I am around you." With that Darian threw his cautions to the wind and leaned down kissing her tenderly. He wanted her to know exactly how he felt about her in that one kiss. Even if it meant he never got to kiss her again.