Chapter Eleven : Hell Daughter

(Lena's Prologue)

I don't want to abuse what's been given to me but I'm half sick with worry and I can't think straight. To think he'd been a fake the entire time. To think he'd lied about always protecting me. He'd refused to help me when things get rough, how could I ever think to depend on him, again? Would I make the same mistake twice? Would this guy, this kind guy, turn out to be the same as Kairin? Lure me into his trap, by being nice, and caring towards me, only to expect something in return? Was I truly this foolish? Several wounded men passed along the road, and words of abuse, screams, and groans mingled in a general hubbub, then the firing died down. I remember this day, so vividly, my heart stills aches from the pain. The terrible attack on my town, on my home, how affected minds, can do so much damage, is beyond even me. Beyond my humanity and soul. Many people view alcohol abuse and alcoholism as the same problem, However, alcohol abuse is not a disease, it's a condition, to bad daddy never learned the difference.

She focused on him after only a couple of seconds, wondering to herself what he'd could've gained from rescuing her, from getting her out of that awful mess. But he looked to innocent, and kind, for something with dark gain. She took her chance and looked around, he'd taken her the place that had been her favorites for months. The library. She was sitting in a comfortable chair, something warm, yet cold, pressing against her hands.

He'd make something hot for her to drink. She held her breath and stayed still, praying her mind would stop the nervousness she felt, stabbing at her insides, but as she looked in front of her, her heart only quickened. There he was, now looking back in her direction. That black, shaggy, short hair, and bright, beautiful, blue eyes. They were even brighter than Kairin's though she barely had a chance to comment upon them, as he moved along the floor, towards her. Her knees would've buckled, and shivered, though she was sitting positioned, with them underneath her, which kept them at bay. ''You saved me, why?'' she whispered. He shut his eyes, rubbed his forehead as if to rid himself of something awful, he rested the palms of his hands on the knives, hooked to the side of his belt, and lightly brushed his fingers over each of them. In a cool, whispering tone, she captured his voice, letting her heart fly away, as she captured his words, directed at her.

''You were worth saving.''

''What's your name, do you have one?'' she shifted to the other direction, in the chair, and sat the hot cup down on the table, which held different kinds of books, she couldn't help but let her eyes linger from title to title, most she'd seen before, though had never picked up, herself. He looked nervous and uncomfortable, but she wanted to know everything she could about him, right then, she owed him. She owed him everything. She leaned forward, her head moved closer to where he was sitting, which was on the hard, flooring, in front of her. Then she slid herself from the chair, with her body on the floor, she moved closer toward him, though he didn't back up from her, he seemed to relax more. She gave a nervous wave, watching for his reaction and relieved when he offered a warm smile. ''Can you tell me your name? please,'' she asked. ''I'd really like to get to know you better.'' a warming smile appeared on her face now, which only brought the warmth to his cheeks. His eyes gleamed and shined, as without question, he reached to take her hand. She didn't flinch, just stared at him, as his lips touched the top of her hand.

''Learrin,'' he smiled. ''My name is Learrin, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss, Gold.'' Lena's eyes softened at the sound of her name, though a part of her wondered how he knew it. She didn't want to consider the fact he'd been stalking her, for he was so nice, and kind to her, but a part of her held bad intentions, perhaps he had something to do with the vampire who'd attacked her, someone had to have summoned him, how else would he have known she'd be there? The only mortal in the entire kingdom? Someone had to have brought him to her, and maybe, just maybe, he was the summoner. ''So, why did you save me, really?'' she itched, nervousness blowing up in her chest. ''No reason,'' I've just been doing a lot of soul searching lately, and I'm just trying to be a better person,'' he said with a nervous chuckle, as he rubbed his top and lower lip. She pulled her hair back in a scrunchie at the base of her neck, growing nervous once again. This really wasn't going how she wanted it too. Somehow, someway, she missed Kairin. She wanted to leave, to go looking for him, but after what had just happened, she didn't think it was a good idea to leave the library, especially if she ran into Cleo, or any of the quests, calling her all those rude things. A part of her, couldn't help but think if they were right, that she should just go back home.

This wasn't her home.

"I don't know which of you is more nervous,'' him or you,'' laughed a softening voice. Her eyes jumped, as did her entire body, as she stood up from the floor, clenching her hands together, as tightly as she could. Enough to cause damage. ''Why are you! Have you come to laugh at me like the others!'' she snapped, anger, surfacing, as she never took her eyes off of him. To her surprise, her voice cracked, and her eyes burned with unwashed tears. ''Have you!'' she barked. ''Because I was just leaving.'' She tried to pass him, but felt the same strong, yet soft, grip of him around her wrist again, she didn't fight, she couldn't fight.

He had her locked in, for eternity.

To her surprise, he chuckled and then grimaced. ''I'm sorry,'' his voice became soft, as he turned to face her, their eyes meeting, as she tried to break away, though the warmth of his fingers, slid under her chin, forcing her head up, as he smiled, the same smile, she loved in secret. To her own surprise a power of life and hope of happiness rose to the surface and demanded satisfaction. The words that came out of her mouth, seemed to break him, for the pain showed on his face now. ''Why did you do that, why did you let them humiliate me, I thought you cared,''

The air between them shimmered with his body heat and magic, and he didn't flinch away like normal people did, when they were as close, as the two of them were, instead, he cuffed her cheek in his palm, and said something that truly had her in tears, and confusion. ''I'd never humiliate you, I had to play along, it broke me, truly, but there was no other way, I'm sorry,'' I ordered my second in command, to play a part, he was supposed to get you out of there, protect you, by bringing you here, where I'd be as soon as I could get away.'' Lena turned her head, her tear stained eyes, capturing the attention of the black haired, second, Learrin, smiled, sharply, as a cool temperature, rose between the two of them. Now, she felt embarrassed, once the truth, was told to her.

The anger she'd been keeping submerged for days now, finally surfaced, and filled her cheeks, brightening the color of her eyes, as she pushed herself away from him. She had clenched fists, as she shouted, ''What the hell is going on! Why the hell is everyone taking so much interest in me, that dead vampire, you, and him, Cleo, and Scarlet, what's so interesting about me! Tell me!'' she barked.

Her anger turned to embarrassment.

''I'm sorry for shouting,'' she apologized. ''I just, I don't think I can handle anymore, I just want to be taken out of the dark, someone please explain everything to me,'' ''please...'' she shut her eyes for a long couple seconds, till opening them again, her mind was made up now, what came out of her mouth next, she'd been keeping in for days, suddenly, released its self past her lips. ''If you care about me, as much as I care about you, please tell me the truth, Kairin.'' she whispered using his real name. She was in pain she didn't understand, and desperately wanted it all to go away, she didn't deserve it, she didn't deserve it, she didn't-

Her heart raced to the point of pain, and she felt sick enough to puke, though she'd be puking up nothing but a empty stomach, she felt the cold inside her, move up to her arms, shivering, she held herself, tight, and as hard as she could, the stinting of her skin, turned red, as she knelt down to the floor. She felt his touch, and familiar warmth, flashed through her, seeming to ease the pain she felt. ''You weren't supposed to come here, Lena, you shouldn't have come here,'' Kairin's words stabbed at her, though she didn't look up to see his eyes, she couldn't, not when she already felt to much pain.

''My dear Lena,'' a soft voice traveled around the large room, slamming into her, as with the small strength she held inside, she saw Kairin's eyes. He wasn't the one specking. Learrin's mouth was shut, so she knew it wasn't coming from him. ''It hurts me, seeing you in pain like this, It breaks my heart to see, you grow up into such a confident young lady, you'd be making Mom happy, I know that as the truth....''

''Kairin, what's happening?'' all she could do was whisper, whisper, and whisper, softer, and softer, hoping he'd rescue her again. take her away from the evil, take her away from everything, but the world was frozen, nobody moved, or simply, didn't care. She was left on the floor, holding herself, protecting herself from the cool, freezing, breeze, that traveled through her veins. Her eyes were puffy with pain but she still smiled. Even though she was sure who ever it was specking to her, couldn't be seen by her normal eyes, she still made sure what she said next, came with a blade, able to stab someone with the single, long tip, able to truly make them understand, the unbearable pain, she felt.

Warmth and cold shot through her, righting her stomach but bringing intense pain to her head. She closed her eyes and pushed herself up, her breath catching at the sharp pain in her ribs. "No more pain," whispered the voice. The soft, protective male voice. Somehow, deep inside her, she could feel his protection, the good inside him, the pain in his voice, that told her, what he was doing, he truly didn't enjoy.

She didn't know why, or how, but she recognized the voice. Somewhere, though her mind went dark, before a face could be paired to his voice. In minuets, the fog surrounded her, and she'd return to normal.

**

The cool damp cloth did wonders to get her own face back to normal, as she practically flew out of bed. The soft sheets and matching coverts, had done wonders for her skin, which kept her asleep all night, she didn't wake up once. No more insomnia! she thought, as she got dressed, in a beautiful v neck dress. The dress covers her shoulders halfway, its comfortable fit which removes the focus away from her breasts, and without making it look she'd just gotten out of bed, even though that's exactly what she just did. The sleeves are loose, fit and in a way, that helps make her soft skin more visible to everyone. For some reason, she didn't know why, but she felt refreshed, like everything inside, had vanished.

She was glowing and refreshed, her clothes neat and her scent was that of one who had recently bathed The scent of vanilla, and fresh soap, mixing with fresh soap bubbles, lingered in the air, she turned around, staring in the direction of the bathroom. To her surprise, she shut her eyes as quickly as she could, panic, and enticement filling her. ''I'm sorry, I didn't mean to look!'' she smiled, still keeping her hands covering her eyes. Captain Kairin had emerged from her bathroom, shirtless, with a towel wrapped around his bottom half. Water dripped from his body, hitting the floor, as smoke, traveled into the air, from his creamy skin. With a deep sigh easing her, she felt his hand, curling around her wrists, dropping her hands from her face. ''So, I take it, our fake enchantment, went better than I thought,'' she purred. ''You could say that, but don't get used to it,'' he reminded. ''This is just for your protection, nothing else.''

Of course, she was going to be a pet, but a pet that size would also provide protection to a degree. she smiled a wide smile, and left the room, without asking him, why he was so interested in protecting her, it was as if, the need for an answer, had been lost.

Almost as if she was missing some time. The last memory she had was of purple lighting, a cold, dark place and the damned. None of which explained how she ended up here...or how she managed to escape.

A dream, yes, has to be.

***

A cool breeze lifted the damp hair at her temples and ruffled the hem of her full skirt. The rainfall is abundant, and the climate hot, damp and malarial. The cold brushed past her nose, as it hardened against her cheeks, turning them red, until the warmth of his hands, cuffed the edges of her chin. Holding her face in his hands, a smile came to his face. She titled her head, and whispered. ''I thought you were only supposed to be protecting me, what's happening here?'' she questioned, a small bit of laughter escaping her lips, as Kairin searched his words, swimming through his mind. He knew his job, he knew his position, he knew his post, he knew his orders, though, her statement was true. He had said that, so why was he getting so close to her, why was he falling in love with her? ''I don't know.'' was all he answered back with. She broke free of his grip, and just stared at him, before her words bumped him, knocking him down, almost instantly. ''Well, I'd like you to figure it out, otherwise, this will have to stop.'' she breathed. ''I can't be seen messing around with the captain guard, especially since this was only supposed to be a pretend enchantment, remember?'' she reminded him, though a part of him wished she hadn't. Wishing he could just retreat and love her, as he wanted too, his lips curled, and his eyes grew soft, and distant. He bowed his head, and let his green eyes fall from her face. From her cheeks, from those perfectly shaped lips, and from that beautifully kind heart.

He should've known taking the job, was going to end up shattering him. And here it was, the time, when he'd have to watch her fall to pieces. ''What's the matter,'' she asked. ''You called me out here, in the pouring rain, to break my heart, is that it?!'' her words hit him like a dozen sharpened knifes, each one, stabbing just right, to draw the blood from her perfect tan skin. Rain splattered hard against his windows, drawing his gaze to the windows, where he expected to see his face. Learrin's face, anyone he could call out to it, to save him from this terrible moment. He desperately wanted to take her into his arms, to block away the look of such pain on her face, but no one even knew they were out there, no one knew what he was doing, not even himself, knew. He held her, never imagining anything could feel so right despite the rain and cold. ''You're so warm, even now,'' he whispered, his words caused her heart to race, just as the door to the back of the kitchen chambers, broke open. Slamming and breaking through the wooden edges, both surprised, and shocked, brought their attention towards it. Thunder rumbled again and a cold drop of rain covered them both. Kairin was quick to remove the light blue cape he'd been wearing, and threw it over, Lena's shoulders, eager to get the rain off of her, worried she'd become sick.

''Kairin!'' shouted a voice. ''You can't do this, don't do this!''

''What're you doing, what're you doing here? Out here!'' he shouted back, his eyes shocked with anger and concern, at the sight of his brothers face. Faerin's face sunk at his brother's angered tone, though the rain came down, covering his clothing almost immediately, he made no attempt to go back inside. ''You can't break her heart, you can't, I won't let you!'' he shouted. Kairin moved closer to where his brother stood, the anger drowning his features, as a dark shadow covered half his face, he bowed down, at his brother, his lips thin, his cheeks pale white. ''I promised him, I'd protect her, always, I can't, I wasn't supposed to fall in love with her,'' he tried to whisper, though from Lena's gasp and footsteps sounding suddenly closer to where he stood, he knew he was unsuccessful.

''You love me?''

''He loves you.'' Faerin confirmed her question, as a bright simile came to his face, enough though, he didn't take his eyes off his brother. Kairin let out a sight of defeat, brushing his hand through his dark colored hair, as he closed his eyes for a second. ''Brother,'' Faerin started. ''You promised to protect her, to sacrifice your life for hers, that promise hasn't been broken, sure he won't be happy, but he'll understand, he will.''

''Who, who did you promise?'' Lena's voice was soft as her mind made sense of Faerin's words. she reached out with her hand, clenching Kairin's as tight as she could, practically trying to pull him back over to her. He smelled of fresh rain, and beautiful mornings, as she lightly pressed her hands to his chest. The dark midnight uniform he wore, caught her hand, as she pulled on the row of yellow buttons. He smelled of sweet rain and dark grasses, the taste of him, was one she'd been graving since the day they met, now that she had him, there was no way she'd let him go, not unless she could always be at his side. She stared into his eyes, and says nothing, though the swimming of infinite stars in those emerald eyes, has caught her attention, holding onto her soul, from the window casted through her cool, gold, treasured eyes.

She closed her eyes to the gentle flow, and strange sensations. Kairin's warmth, and the mixture of cold rain, and the ancient power of the ruins, and the secret land of the grounds of the Retuz kingdom, softened under her feet, sending nothing but coolness, and warmth towards the two of them, she embraced him, wrapping her arms around his waist, holding him so tight, the freezing metal, of the sword, planted at his side, froze the tips of her fingers, as she pressed against it. ''Please,'' she breathed. ''Please don't leave me,'' I need you.''

He pulled her to her feet and against the wall, where the rain was less harsh. The shadows covered them, though her back was instantly much cooled from the temperature of the stone, brick, walls, she heard Faerin whisper something, though with him as close as he was to her, their bodies practically touching, she licked the dryness from her mouth, just before he could break away from her, she went in, kissing him.

You're mine, and only mine.

''I love you, I love you more than the world could ever know.''

"I love you too, Jewel,'' his voice was so soft, his breath so warm on her neck, she felt like she'd melt right there, had he not been holding onto her as tightly as he was. She blushed at the name Jewel, special, she just felt so special with him, like he was the only one, the only one she was supposed to waiting for in her life. The thing that would bring her a new home, a new life, a new purpose, a whole new world. One where she could be the happiest, she'd wished for herself. She couldn't put her love into words, no single words could ever be powerful enough. She could understand nothing, think of nothing else, and feel nothing, except the passionate love for the man, the captain with the emeralds for eyes, she never thought she could love someone as much, till she felt this moment, till she had felt the touch of the pure, blue rain, on her shoulders, in her hair, along the face, she wiped the water from under his cheeks.

Stay with me until the end, not until the end, Always, and always and forever, after that. If you asked me to describe my love, I'd reply with the same thing each and every time. ''It cannot be described, for there's no word powerful enough, to even begin.''

However, she could not ignore the warning of darkness, and blood shed, that she could feel, beating and pulsing through every single sound from his beating hard. The words he'd said before, still stabbed at her mind, so badly, that she swore she wasn't just imagining a headache.

''Mind if I intrude?''