A/N: This is it, friends, the final chapter… of this instalment. We do have a sequel – Faustus’s Extraordinary New Bride – for which I am still getting all the files in order. Please look forward to it!
Freya Hew had been a
very devoted member of the Coven of the Church of Night. But just this once,
she had wished she wasn't as devoted as she had been. For she was set to marry
Faustus Blackwood, the High Priest of her Coven; and it was said, that if one
was devoted in their devotions the Dark Lord would visit them on the night
before their wedding. It was considered to be a great honour, but Freya found
herself hoping, just this once, the Dark Lord wouldn't show.
She had never been
good around people, considering her upbringing. Having caught the High Priest's
eye had been a complete accident. Falling in love with him had been a miracle
and having him love her in return and have the Dark Lord bless their union was
beyond all she could ever hope for. But Faustus had been the ONLY one to ever
touch her that was not in anger, and so she was very loyal to him in all things
and the idea of the Dark Lord visiting her the night before they said their
vows, almost made her ill.
But she had prepared
for such a thing and now stood, pacing in her rooms set aside for tonight
within the Academy. She was frightened, and nervous and it showed. Just as she
finished pacing a length by her bed, the atmosphere of the entire room changed,
and she froze. Facing her bed, she did not see the Dark Lord as he slipped from
the fire that burned to heat her room, but she saw his shadow and knelt slowly
to the floor. Shivering in both fear and nerves as he approached. She could
hear his cloven hooves on the solid wood floor, growing closer and closer. Her
eyes slid closed as a clawed hand came to rest on her shoulder as a rumbling
purr filled the room as HE came to stand just behind her. The Dark Lord had
come!
"Freya Hew…"
HIS voice was like silk, and it made her tremble again, and flinch slightly at
hearing it. She felt the mood instantly shift as HE took in her stance from
where she knelt. "Rise!" HE hissed at her as HE pulled back his hand.
She did as bid and
turned to look upon HIM, trying not to show how terribly afraid, for the first
time, of him she was. Would HE 'bless' her? Make her ready for her husband? So
many questions filtered through her mind. "My Lord…" She nodded as
she softly spoke. "I am honoured, by your presence."
"And yet, you
flinch from my touch!" His goat-like ears twisted atop his head, catching
the sound of her voice.
"Forgive me,
Lord." She said just as softly in return.
"Would you feel
better if I took on a more…humane appearance?" HE asked as HE shifted
before her eyes to HIS human form. True, this form was more pleasing, but….it
wasn't Faustus. HE sensed this and looked down at her with haughty disdain.
"You do realize that I have favoured you, far more then I should? You were
supposed to be MINE, Freya Hew. And yet, I allowed and blessed your union with
my most favoured High Priest. You reward my efforts with fear and
condemnation?! SIT!" HE pointed to the bed, with which she quickly moved
to do as bid.
Trying not to shiver,
as HE drew closer to sit beside her, she looked up and met his very human eyes.
"All I have done, and you still fear me? On this night of all
nights?" HIS voice was strangely softer. "Do not worry, Hew. I have
not come to 'bless' you as you think." HE chuckled darkly and leaned back
upon the bed and motioned for her to come join him.
When she had done as
bid and was all but cuddled up at HIS side, HE began to talk. "You are
marrying one of the most powerful of my High Priests." HE smirked down at
her as he moved a lock of hair out of her face. "As such, there are things
you must know….that will not be 'rewarded'." HE laughed as Freya blushed deeply
but continued to tell her of the things she would need to know about being the
wife of a powerful man. The position it would bring. The power she, herself,
could learn.
HE talked long into
the night, before HE finished. "Learn well, young Hew, soon to be Lady
Blackwood. For your paths are now entwined. Protect him, as he protects you and
nothing can touch you both." HE chuckled as HE leaned over and kissed her
forehead, and it tingled where HIS lips touched her skin. Standing, HE took her
hand, and helped her back to her feet as HE stared down at her. "Be brave,
little fire nymph. I will see you at your wedding. Maybe you be happy upon your
path, for I already bless your way." HE chuckled, and stepping back into
the fire, which suddenly flared to life, he disappeared; and Freya was left
alone, breathing hard. Had…had that really just happened?
Faustus had heard echoes of what the Dark
Lord had spoken to his intended, and as soon as he left, Faustus appeared by
Freya's side.
"Er… dearest, that was most
enlightening, but perhaps you might have remembered to ask him to perform the
ceremony that weds us?" he said.
He had supposed she might flinch away from
the Dark Lord's touch and that she might be rebuked for doing so. The fact that
he had not, in fact, exercised Droit du seigneur, filled Faustus with immense
relief.
"Well… Suppose we pray and ask him
tonight, then," he said. "I just wanted to let you know, I'll be
heading out for my bachelor party at Dorian's Gray Room." He chose not to
mention that he and Dorian had a bit of a 'history', for it was in the past and
he had no inclination to wallow in old times tonight.
No comments:
Post a Comment