Blue Moon (9 page)

“What about you Zara, do you like Richard.”

I raise my eyebrow at her, as I now know that she sees the images of what I think of him.

“Shit! What a bastard.” She says, full of sympathy for me.

“What!” Dallah shouts, wanting to know why she said that.

“Oh nothing bad, I just mean she really doesn’t like him.” She tells Dallah, smiling and hoping to convince her, which luckily works as we both watch her relax.

This girl has just saved me from having to tell Dallah why I lied to her about what Richard has put me through. Thank god it’s only Hydie with the power to read minds, and not one of her bitchy sisters; they would love to stir up trouble, I know they would.

I smile my thanks to her subtly, which she returns.

As Dallah and I make our way back to her bedroom, I lie telling her that
I am going to find Theo and speak with him, where really I am going to sneak into Richards’s room and have a snoop about for this book, but Dallah doesn’t, and cannot know about it. She would flip out big time, tell me how stupid it is, and most likely tie me to a chair. I know it’s risky, but desperate times call for desperate measures, or so they say.

As I step up to Richard's door, I put my ear to the door to see if I can hear anything...nothing. I then knock on the door, just to make sure he is definitely not in there, again nothing. The doors are locked by a spell that only opens for the person, or people that it is meant to, so now my problem is getting in. I’m going to put my hidden powers to the test! I imagine the door clicking open and... Nothing, damn it!

“Oh come on, open up!” I plead to the door.

Just like that, I hear a click and the door swings open banging against the wall making me jump. I cannot believe it, it actually worked.

Walking nervously into Richard’s room, I do a quick check, making sure he isn’t asleep in bed, or in the shower.

Where would an evil bastard like Richard hide this book? Does he even know what power it holds? Moreover, where did he get it?

I walk over to his bedside cabinets and have a peek inside, but they are completely empty, strange.
Walking into the room that's connected by a door, I see that it is a living area, there is a big flat screen television, large leather couches, and in the middle of the room is a dancing pole! Oh kinky! I should have known after all he does like to tie people up, I think with a little giggle. There are two large paintings either side of the television, so I have a look behind them for a wall safe, nothing! It was a long shot. He must have somewhere in the palace where he keeps all of his personal belongings. He only has suits, shoes and underwear, no CD’s, no photos, not one personal item what so ever, in fact the place looks as if it has never been used.

Just before I go, I’ll have a little look under the bed, again it’s a long shot, but I want to make sure that I have looked everywhere, because I can’t risk coming back.

Crawling under the bed a little, I see a small brown leather box; I wonder if it’s a jewellery box? It can’t be the book I’m looking for, as it’s too small. I really want to open it, but I don’t want to risk being here any longer then I have to. Crawling out, when suddenly my ankles are gripped by strong hands, and I’m dragged out from under the bed. I scream as I’m flipped onto my back. Damn It! Richard’s caught me!

“Hey, um...how are you.” I ask trying to smile, looking up at him.
He is smiling at me, making me do a double take. I have just broke into his bedroom and been found under his bed and he is smiling at me.

“What are you doing Zara?” He asks raising a brow.

“Looking for you of course,” I tell him as I lean on my elbows, reading myself to get up. Suddenly he is sitting on me, but keeping his weight on his knees and his hands that are now next to my head, with his face only inches away from mine.

“Under the bed?” He asks sarcastically.

“Yeah,” I say shaking my head to him, while looking anywhere but into his black eyes, my heart starts pounding in my chest as I start to feel nervous. Is he going to teach me a lesson or try to have his way with me!

“Do you want to get up Zara?” He asks with a smirk.

Wow, I never realised he smelt so nice, and the smile on his face makes him look very handsome. NO! What am I doing, I cannot think things like that about him, he is a vile monster. Nevertheless, my heart will not stop racing as he gazes at my lips with a look of hunger, he is so close he must be able to hear my heart pounding.

“Yes, it’s kinda uncomfortable here.”
I tell him as I lean forward wanting to sit up, the only trouble is he doesn’t move one bit.

“Um, can you move please?” I ask politely, as I did just break into his room, I don’t want to push my luck.

“No, I want to know the real reason you where here, then you can get up,” He says moving his face in front of mine, and practically talking on my lips. I uncontrollably lean my head into him slightly. What the hell is happening to me! I know that I will feel attraction to the Warriors, even fall in love with them, but not Richard, I hate him.

“Get off me and I will speak to you.” I tell him getting agitated.

“No, no, that’s not how it works; you are here in my room, under my bed, so you will answer my questions. Now, how did you get in, and what are you looking for?” He asks while pushing me down so that I’m now lying flat on my back with him on top of me, then feeling panic as his hardness grinds into me.

“I was...I...Please Richard this is stupid let me up!” I ask with desperation, I
cannot think straight with him this close. My body betraying me as my nipples harden at the contact, my emotions flooding my senses I just want to leave, how can my body react this way to a monster like Richard?

“Zara, How did you get in, what are you looking for?” He re
peats again in a calming tone, trying to coax me into confessing.

“Goddamn it!
Its embarrassing ok, I was looking for my bra that I left here the other night, after that Vamp got all hungry and horny, and you let me shower and sleep here. I got in by giving the door a little nudge and that’s that,” I tell him with the most believable voice I can manage under these circumstances.

“Why?” He asks, actually believing me. Yes!

“I have nothing of my own here, and Dallah has um...it doesn’t matter. I can’t breathe so get off me!” I plead.

“Ok.” He tells me, yet making no effort in moving.

“Ok, then get off!” I tell him annoyed while pushing at his chest.

“For a kiss?” He asks with a grin.

“What the hell! No! Get off me now! What is wrong with you, oh my god, are you drunk?”

He really is drunk; I cannot believe that I have only just noticed! No
wonder he is acting so out of character.

“I am. Now to get up you will have to pay the toll, a kiss.” He says cheekily. What is going on, i
t’s like being with one of the Brothers’ or Angus, who would have thought that Richard had a different side.

“I’m not going to kiss you Richard; I’ll stay here all night if I have to.” I tell him whilst trying hard not to laugh at the face he is pulling,
what is wrong with me!

“Ok, I’m easy.” He says as he lays his forehead to mine and closes his eyes.

“What, you’re not serious, get the fuck up!”

“I like you Zara.”

I let the laugh escape me, just as he opens his eyes to look at me once again, his midnight eyes glaring back at me.

“What?” He asks not understanding.

“You’re a prick you know that. You beat me, and then arranged someone else to have a go, and for all I know, it was you that got the Vamp to attack me that night,” I shout at him frantically, while mustering all the strength I have, through my anger. It works, I manage to push him off me, so I roll on to my side and scramble to my feet.

“You’re a tease, I saw the way you were looking at me, I was only trying to help you out, give you what you wanted.”

“You are unbelievable! So fucking arrogant! I don’t want you, and I never will. If you wanted to give me what I wanted, then you would release Dallah from this bonding,” I shout at him, my temper rising.

He stumbles towards me, trapping me against the bedroom door. With his hands out, and laughing, he grabs me in a bear like grip, as I push against him and twist in his hands, his grip tightens.

“You know I’m feeling a little bored, maybe I should find little Dallah and show her how her life will be from now on.” He tells me shrugging his shoulders.

“You’re evil Richard!” I tell him as the anger comes again, giving me the strength to push him away from me, “You can’t use me like that, are you really so cold! So vile?” I spit at him boldly.

“I am the Dark Prince, that makes me pretty evil, wouldn’t you say? I will give you the choice, leave now and I will collect Dallah from her room, take her to my favourite room in the Palace, and have her beaten black and blue, or...You kiss me like you would the dear Parrise?”

“What the hell is wrong with you? Dallah would have you black and blue before you could raise a finger. And why do you want to kiss me, because I sure as hell don’t want you?”

“Ah sweet little Zara, Dallah cannot lay a finger on me, and has never been able to, she has tried, boy has she tried. As we are to be bonded, she holds no power towards me, it’s the way of the Witches and Warlocks, and as this has been arranged since birth, she will never, she can never fight back!” He tells me with a smirk.

“What’s happened to make you this way?” I ask shaking my head, trying to understand where this has all come from.

“Zara, I’m getting bored, kiss me or I collect Dallah?”

He is
being serious, how can I not kiss him, I would do anything for Dallah, which he knows too well, he is playing on my weakness.

“Why would you want me to kiss you like I would Parrise?”

“I want you to show me why these men surround you, you must have something special, and I never liked being left out.” He tells me with a mischievous wink.

I sigh and run my hands through my hair, before I lock eyes with him.

I can do this, it’s just a kiss.

I walk up to him with a frown forming on my face as I put my arms around his neck and tiptoe up to him. I lay my lips on his; surprised at finding them soft and inviting, and kissing him soft and gently until his tongue enters my mouth and mine meets his in a caress. The kiss deepens becoming more urgent, which makes my heart flutter and beat so fast, I feel nervous, scared, anxious, and if I were being truthful, a little turned on! Richard pulls me into his hard chest as he deepens the kiss further, his hand slips down to my butt as he slowly and seductively caresses me. When he lets a moan slip, I pull away from him a little out of breath as he looks at me wickedly.

“What?” I ask breathlessly, as I remove his hands from me and take a step back from him.

“Well, you didn’t let me finish Zara, where was I, oh yes...I want you to kiss me tonight after dinner, while we dance together in the
center of the ballroom, but that was a good taster.”

“No, you can’t do that!” I scream at him in frustration. I can’t kiss him like that in front of Dallah, Parrise, and Angus!

“I can and will, I have the power to make you do as I wish, as I do for every man and woman in my Coven,” He laughs.

“You're sick!” I say walking to the door, I stop when he speaks, but I don’t face him, I can’t.

“So you keep saying, but before you go Zara, just a little friendly advice. When you come to me tonight, I want to feel your want and need for me; if I don’t then I will hurt Dallah so horrifically you will not recognize her. Goodbye Zara!”

I will not reply to him, he is obviously getting off on this, but why?
He hates me, I know that for sure, I can see it there in his deadly black eyes, but then he wants me also, he has hunger to have what he cannot have. His mentioning of Parrise and me had me a little thrown off; maybe he longs to have someone feel love towards him. I am the Charmer, chosen to bring the warmth of love back to the ‘Blackened hearts’, however Richard
is
a lost cause.

I will have to kiss Richard tonight in front of over a hundred people, and then have him murdered on the day of his bonding! That’s if I can even find this bloody book. I want to scream with frustration, I have no idea who I will ask to kill Richard. I know that Parrise and Angus will be more than willing to kill him, but I just
cannot imagine the words leaving my lips, ‘uh yeah here’s a dagger, could you stick this in the blue flame around his heart, please? Oh and don’t worry I put a spell on it!’ Uhh goddamn it!

Chapter Seven

Sitting with Dallah in the palace gardens just after we eat lunch, I look at her with a smile, before I ruin her day, which I hate myself for.

“Dallah, uh, um, I need to tell you a few things, please don’t hate me for it, it’s just that you have had all this to deal with, and...”

“Tell me sweetie,” She says with sympathy laced in her tone, as she can see the stress playing on my face.

“When I first came here with Richard, he beat me up pretty bad, and then had Mary; you know the one that slept with Sallack. She came here and Richard got
Kiss-ass to tie me to a chair whilst Mary let loose. She got a few hits in, but I managed to break out of the restraints and fight her back, which I did, you would have been proud. The next night a Vampire took a disliking to me and attacked me, he bit me quiet badly, and he tried to have his way with me, but Theo got to him in time...”

Her heavy breathing is a little worrying
, but I need to tell her everything, I’m sick of keeping her in the dark,

“...A friend of mine told me that there is one way out of the bonding, and that I’m the only one that can manage this. There is a book called ‘The book of Kartam’, this book holds your freedom, and I am the only person that can read the words of the book and make them come to life. This means Richard will be killed on the night of your bonding, as it has to be done on a blue moon,” Her mouth opens to speak, so I quickly drop
the last bomb, “I went to Richards room this morning to find the book, but he found me, under his bed! I have to kiss him tonight in front of everyone, or he will hurt you bad Dallah. Before you argue this kiss, this is set in stone; I would kiss the man every day for the rest of my life if it meant you were safe.” I finish with a deep breath and wait for Dallah to release her pent up anger.

“Please tell me this is a sick joke!” She says as the tears fall from her eyes. My heart breaks watching her take it all in.

“I’m sorry Dallah, I shouldn’t have put this on you, but I can’t keep things from you any longer,” I say as I hold her hand in mine.

“How could you not tell me this? How could you deal with all of that on top of everything with Sallack?” She cries.

“I’m stronger than you think, but I couldn’t keep this all from you any longer, it was killing me inside. However, when I find this book, and I will, Richard will have to be killed. I will have to speak the words from the book, which will leave him powerless for just one minute, and in this time, another is to stab him in the heart with an enchanted dagger. He has to die in order for you and your people to be free!”

“Who is this friend of yours Zara?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t tell you, it’s not my secret to tell.”

“
Ok, I understand. Where is this Vampire, and that little whore Mary?” She asks with vengeance clouding her vision.

“The Vampire was killed by Theo, and I don’t know where Mary is,” I tell her with a sign, I would love to know that myself.

“I’m proud of you Zara, so proud, but you can’t do this all alone, you shouldn’t keep things from me sweetie. I will find Mary and rip her head from her shoulders, and then I will be the person to stab that dark bastard’s heart. I have to be the person to do this Zara; I need to see him dead!” She tells me through her gritted teeth, “And there is no-way in hell you are kissing that monster!” She finishes.

“Oh well, I sort of did already.” I tell her and wait for her reaction.

“YOU WHAT?”

“He wanted me to kiss him how I would Parrise; in return he would not lay a finger on you, so of course I kissed him. Then after the kiss, he told me that he meant for me to do it tonight in the ballroom for everyone to see, I’m sure
he's doing this to publicly humiliate me and before you flip, I am doing this tonight.”

We speak for over 3 hours, Dallah has me tell her what exactly happened from the moment I arrived, up until walking back from Richards room this morning. I explain everything about the book, needing to find a dagger, the fact that I am the descendent of the writer of
the book, which is now in Richard’s hands. Once she gets past her anger, from the way I was treated in the first few days, she starts to think of the positives, like killing Richard.

We get dressed for this evening, and Dallah insists that I wear a dress she handpicked for me. As we are a little over a week away from the blue moon, the night of their bonding, that every night leading up to the big day will be celebrated with a social gathering, meaning hundreds of people drinking, dancing and whatever they do in the Dark Coven. Richard insists on every man entering the celebrations with a woman on his arm. When Dallah told me that Theo would be ‘My man’ as she put it, I was so relieved, but a little saddened that it wasn’t Parrise or Angus, although I’m very fond of Theo, it’s just that Angus and Parrise are so special to me.

Getting up to answer the knock at the door, I’m met by the very handsome Theo.

“Oh wow, look at you,” He finishes with a sigh as he looks at me from head to toe.

I have on a black silk, floor length gown that opens down the middle showing my breasts a little, and my hair up elegantly.

“Ah thanks Theo, you look amazing too.”

“You ok angel?” He asks, looking at me with concern.

“Sure I am, come on,” I tell him with a fake smile. Really,
I am a little apprehensive about tonight and trying hard to keep my emotions in check.

As we enter the crowded ballroom, it feels like every pair of eyes are on us. I keep my head held high, not wanting Richard to see how ashamed I am of myself for the kiss today, and for the kiss I will have to share with him here, in front of all of these strangers to see.

Just before we get to the top table, I stop in my tracks and turn to look up at Theo.

“Thank you for being here, I will never forget what you did for me Theo, you are such a good man. Please don’t go back to Mary, she isn’t right for you.” I tell him in a serious tone.

“Yeah I know, it’s just that she can be persuasive.”

“Um, I know.” I tell him regrettably.

“You know my mother used to tell me that the prettiest smiles hide
the biggest secrets, and that the prettiest eyes have cried the most tears. That’s you isn’t it angel? You even remind me of her, strong, smart, fearless, but she thought she could do everything alone. We all need a little help Zara, if you need me, I will help, even if you just want to talk.”

I look away from him not wanting to show any emotions, not here, not now after I have done so well. He holds me in his arms tightly as he kisses the top of my head. He rem
inds me so much of Den and the Brothers’, and every word he speaks is spoken from the heart, that is what I like so much about him.

I pull back and look at him so closely, that I don’t even notice that Dallah has walked to stand beside me until Theo nods his head to her.

“Princess, you look beautiful,” He tells her with a gracious smile.

“Thank you Theo, can I have a word please,” She says smiling at us.

“Yeah, I’ll go see Parrise and Angus,” I tell her as I turn to leave them to speak alone. Knowing Dallah, she will most likely be thanking him for saving me from the Vamp that night.

After all that has gone on since arriving, I have managed to stay strong, but right now, I can’t tell if it’s killing me, or making me stronger. Strength is all I need while I’m here; I don’t need to show emotions. I will hide behind the fake smiles, the sarcasm, but under it all is the weak girl I left behind, trying to break through. She will never again come to the surface. I know that I am young, only 22, but I feel like I have been through enough to know that I can take on this life, this new world I have come accustomed too.

Walking up to the top table where Parrise, Angus, Richard, and Dallah’s cousin’s sit sipping wine, Parrise steps up to me with a wicked grin as he bends his head to whisper in my ear,

“Little one, I have never seen anything with such beauty. I have missed you love, will you come back to my room tonight.” He pulls back from me awaiting my reply.

“I would like that Parrise,” I tell him, but not really believing myself, I will be kissing Richard tonight, but on top of that, I’m so
scared about building a relationship with Parrise. I love him so much already; the thought of giving him the remains of my heart scares me more than anything.

Turning to Angus with a smile, he stands and takes me in his arms, which gets us some suspicious looks.

“Hey Angus, how are you?” I ask him cheerfully.

“Very well, thank you Sweet
,” He tells me with a mischievous wink.

Seeing Angus and Parrise here with me now, to be by my side through it all, makes me feel cherished, and I feel the exact same way towards them.

“Good to see you all again,” I say to Dallah’s cousins, Laura, Hydie and Sarah, I don’t bother looking Richard’s way.

Theo and Dallah join us after 20 minutes. Theo sits beside me in our designated seats, with Angus to my right and Parrise opposite me. Laura has her hands all over him, even though
he is bearing his fangs at her, she carries on pushing the boundaries.

“Parrise, are you enjoying your time here?” I ask him, hoping that Laura will take her hands off him while he speaks.

“I would enjoy it a little more if you were sat with me.” He says making me blush.

“Uh, hello?” Laura says to him wanting him to notice her.

He continues ignoring her, hoping she will leave him alone and get the message but instead she leans into him and whispers against his ear so that no one can hear her. I can’t help but think of Sallack, and if he had been here what would have done with her. I look down at my glass of wine, when suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder. Looking over my back, Parrise stands there with his hand out to me with a grin.

“Walk with me Zara?”

I don’t speak; I just stand up and take the offered hand.

“Don’t keep her long, I have a surprise for you Zara,” Richard tells us while looking at the glass in his hand with a wicked grin. I completely ignore him, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of him knowing that his words hit a nerve. What has he done, or about to do? I know it won’t be a joyful surprise.

Dallah and I share a look of curiosity as Parrise leads me away from the table.

We walk out of the palace and out into the beautiful gardens, stopping by a handcrafted bench admiring the lit up water fountain.

“I want no other love.” He tells me, taking my hand in his and turns to face me.

“Why would you say that?” I ask suspiciously.

“Your body language, you don’t live as long as I do and not pick up on these things. I’m not Sallack, I would never mistreat you little one,” He tells me whilst lifting me on to his lap with ease, even with the elegant dress I have on.

“I love you so much Parrise, I always will. I don’t want you to be here, but I am secretly glad, seeing you and Angus every evening, gives me strength.” I tell him resting my forehead against his chest.

“Tell me why you are sad tonight love?”

“If you promise not to react badly?” I question back.

“Uh love...I promise,” He says in an unbelieving tone.

“I have to kiss Richard tonight, it’s that or watch Dallah and most likely myself getting beaten,” I tell him holding on to his shoulders tightly.

“No! I take it back; I will die before I watch you give that man everything I want. I will not let that bastard Warlock hurt you or Dallah any longer!” He tells me, angrily standing and removing my hands from him.

“Parrise!” I shout to him, but he carries on walking away from me. I cry out his name with such need behind it that he stops in his tracks. Running up to him, I throw myself in front of him and hold his face in my hands.

“Parrise please just let me do this, you need to trust me. You know what
he is like; he will make all our lives hell. I don’t want him, I will never want him!”

“Is he one of the Warriors?” He asks me with a sigh.

“Yes.” I say with regret.

“Then you are attracted to him, you could change his ways and fall
in love with him, but he will never be a good man Zara.”

“NO! I will never love him, he has put Dallah through hell, me through hell, it will never happen. I promise you that Parrise. Please just think about what you could do if you barge in there and start a war, over a stupid kiss!”

“I will not allow it while I live Zara!” He shouts.

When he says my name, I know he is being serious. He has always called me ‘love’ or ‘little one’; I don’t like him using my name.

He removes my hands and once again and walks away from me.

“
Dallah
,” I whisper, just as Parrise’s head whips round, Dallah is at my side and has Parrise frozen before he can take his next breath.

“Didn’t go too well then?” She says looking at a frozen Parrise.

“No, it really didn’t. How did you know that I needed you to freeze him?”