Falling for Forever (7 page)

By the time that Mariah came up to the surface, Bryn was standing on the grass, shaking the water from her wings.

"Well, it was a fun swim, but now I need to go get changed. Goodbye, Mariah," Bryn called merrily to her as she took off in the direction of the cabin. After a few minutes, Bryn yelled back over her shoulder, "You're welcome to join me if you wish!"

*~*~*

Mariah readjusted her clothing and stepped out of the river. She thought it was odd that Bryn had touched her, but at the same time, it strangely made her happy. Mariah retrieved her swords and made the walk back to the cabin. Her light clothing had dried quickly, though her skin was still somewhat moist, so she went into the bathroom to obtain a towel. Mariah gently tapped on the door to insure that room was vacant; no answer was received, so she stepped into the doorway.

Bryn laughed and smiled as she pulled a clean, dry gown over her body. She walked up to her and ran a finger over her chin before disappearing into the bathroom. She returned with a silver hairbrush and sat softly on the bed. The brush untangled her wet hair as she continued to watch her intently, a small smile curving her lips.

Mariah dried her arms and hair and looked over at her curiously. Bryn's eyes followed her movements, so she decided to simply put the towel under her shirt to dry her stomach and chest. Mariah hung the damp fabric on a rod and walked over to her. Recognizing the brush she was using, a small wave of sadness washed over her. Mariah ran her finger over the brush lightly and walked out of the bedroom.

Bryn quickly stood and followed him into the living room. She grabbed her hand in her own and turned her around to face her. "What is it, Mariah?" she asked as her hands went to Mariah's hips.

"I'm glad you seem to feel more comfortable around me."

Bryn smiled warmly at Mariah. "Rishi thinks very highly of you, and I have never second guessed a dragon's opinion of anyone. As long as she says you are a good person, I will think so too."

"Rishi is very kind. I am glad you are getting along well with her. She has been a very good friend throughout the years. Anyway, I apologize for acting a little sad… it's just that the brush you were using belonged to someone special, that's all."

"Why did you come to Franklin's?" she asked as she led Mariah onto a fluffy couch. She pulled her legs up under her and watched her intently.

"Well, I was due for some more of the unicorn powder, though I suppose that is not the specific reason I had come that day. For a while now, I have been sensing a deep… sadness emanating from the manor and knew that Franklin was mistreating some of his creatures. Of course, I had never directly witnessed his atrocities; otherwise, I'd have come a long time ago. When he laid his hands upon you that day at dinner, I knew that you were the soul that felt so much pain. I am glad he was willing to sell you. I simply could not let a creature such as yourself stay in the hands of that wicked man."

Bryn smiled at Mariah and blushed. "You're lucky. There isn't too much Franklin wouldn't sell for the right price. You are about six years too late for unicorn powder, though.  Yarrow was sold when I was thirteen."

"I am not worried about the powder. I still have some left and, besides, I am much more worried about the happiness of that poor unicorn." Mariah placed her hand softly on her shoulder and was glad to see that she did not shy away from her. "I hope Yarrow has found a better home. No creature should have to endure a person like Franklin."

Bryn shrugged helplessly. "I honestly wouldn't know. I was locked in a room when he was taken away because I was making such a scene. Franklin came to me as soon as Yarrow had left and—" She stopped herself sharply and looked away. "There are other unicorns in the world to get your powder from, but I guess he was the only one that was in captivity anywhere near here. Someday I'll find him again, and the dragon too, hopefully."

"I hope to really meet a unicorn someday. Perhaps even ask one for their powder personally. I have heard that it is quite a sight to see him produce it from their horn. Anyway, the day is still young. Is there anywhere you would like to go or anything you would like to do before we lose the sun?"

Bryn laughed at the memories of Yarrow releasing a small amount of powder into her hands and thinking that it tasted like powdered sunrays. "I would like to go to town and ask Angie what is in the cream that makes it work so well," she said.

*~*~*

"That sounds good to me; I could stand getting a few supplies anyway." Mariah smiled at her and went into the bedroom to change. Mariah slipped into her golden wrist and ankle bracers and retrieved her black cape. The material always weighed heavily on her shoulders when she put it on, though in reality it was fairly light. The darkness would ever be a part of her, a splinter of black in her otherwise shimmering soul. She secured the cape around her body and walked out of the bedroom to rejoin Bryn. Mariah took a small purse from a plain chest located in the corner of the room and tied it to her belt. The leather bag held various coin denominations, including gold, silver and copper. "Let us depart then, if you are ready."

Bryn nodded and wrapped her cloak around her shoulders. She tied it in the front and pulled her hair out over the back of it. Her white shoes were in the corner, and she slipped her feet into them. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Mariah. She was amazingly beautiful in her uniform, and she couldn't help the small smile that crossed her lips. Mariah opened the door for her and they left. Bryn matched her stride perfectly as they crossed the field. As they reached the forest, though, she started to slow down and soon she was a few feet behind Mariah. The strong sensation of being watched was back. But more than that, she could feel the eerie feeling again. "So according to what you said, that weird feeling that I am getting right now is magic right?"

*~*~*

Mariah smiled and nodded at her. "Yes, what you feel now is magic. There are… wards that protect this forest. Some are of Elven make, and some are of my own." Mariah reached out her arm and encircled Bryn's wrist with her hand before guiding it to her heart. "What you are now feeling is the magic that exists within me, just as I feel it within you. One day, you too will be able to reach inside of yourself and direct your gift, and when you do, you will not be afraid of people like Franklin any longer."

Bryn took her hand back quickly and pulled her cloak around herself. She matched Mariah's pace again and pulled her hood over her head. It concealed her perfectly, allowing only her mouth and chin to be exposed. She was frightened by Mariah's words. Bryn walked faster through the forest and was quickly ahead of Mariah. The gate opened for her before she had a chance to tell it to. The urge to run away from Mariah and her domain was strong within her. Her fear willed her legs to walk faster than before, and soon she was almost running.

Bryn did not stop walking until she was safely inside Angie's shop. As she door closed behind her, she let out her inhaled breath. The chair that she had been in before stood empty and she quickly ran to it. She could hear Angie and a customer talking behind an opaque screen.

"Oh no, this just won't do. I want to impress her, make her melt for me, not scare her half to death. I look like a prize pig in this dress," the customer whined. Bryn felt sorry for Angie as she heard her rifling through fabric in an attempt to please the customer.

"How about this one? Purple would look so nice on you," she heard Angie offer.

The customer uttered a muffled response that was too low for Bryn to hear. Angie again tried to appease the woman, but it was no use. Finally, the customer emerged with a dark blue dress folded in her arms.

Bryn's blood ran cold as she recognized the woman as the one who had been watching Mariah from before. Her fine cheekbones and impossibly small waist made Bryn jealous. The gown the woman had chosen was beautiful beyond compare. "Really Angie, you should have a better selection. I was hoping to buy something in white. Something to make her think of marriage. Be a dear and get some long white dresses in," the woman said as she handed Angie a few silver pieces.

Angie nodded and put the money away. "I'm sorry, Lady Kathryn. All my white dresses that would have fit you were bought the other day."

Kathryn scoffed. "By whom?"

Angie looked to Bryn, probably deciding whether or not to reveal the secret, but Kathryn caught on. She turned toward Bryn and glared at her.

"You are the brat who's living with Mariah, aren't you?" Bryn stared coldly back at the woman and nodded. "Listen missy, buying white dresses and acting innocent won't get you Mariah. She's mine and you'll never have her. You're just another conquest; I'll be the one marrying her and all her money."

Bryn stifled a laugh as the woman lifted up her skirt and walked out of the shop with an upturned nose. She was content as she lay in the chair and smiled at Angie. But then her skin crawled as she heard Lady Kathryn yell, "Mariah, darling, wait up!"

An immense feeling of jealousy washed over her, this time more intense than any she had ever felt before. "That woman has no idea who she is dealing with," Bryn softly said darkly.

"Honey?" Angie called after her as she stormed out of the shop, cloak flowing wildly behind her.

Bryn ignored her friend and headed straight toward Lady Kathryn, fully prepared to confront her. Suddenly though, every hair on her body was standing on end and her insides felt like someone had scrambled them. The scent of dogwood and ivy overcame her and Bryn recognized the person immediately, even before he spoke.

"Hello Bryn," he said. The man was barely a foot from her. As she turned around to face him, the memories of her encounters with him quickly overcame any other emotion. All she felt was panic and a deep-seated fear.

"Hello, Mr. Hawthorne," she said meekly. The man took a step toward her, but she hastily backed away.

He frowned and reached a callused finger to her face. "That hurts, Bryn. We had some fun, you and me. I've missed you. I tried to find you, but Franklin has gone missing and no one is at his manor anymore." His finger grazed her soft cheek. He took a step toward her. While her mind screamed at her to run away, her body stood paralyzed. The man smiled cruelly at her and ran his hand over her smooth stomach. Bryn trembled lightly and shook her head, but her legs refused to budge. He ran his finger upward from her belly button, over her ribs, to between her breasts.

"No, we will wait for that," he softly said in her ear as tears began streaming down her face. "I haven't seen you for months; I've missed having something as beautiful as you my dear."

Her body shook violently as she sobbed into her hands.

The man reached up to grasp her neck, and in one quick motion, she was startled out of crying. She stared up at him, her eyes a mixture of fear and hatred as the pressure on her neck tightened, and he brought her closer to him. He was watching her lips. His own mouth quivered in anticipation as he pulled her toward him.

Their lips almost touched, but suddenly his body stiffened Mariah's hand tightened its grip on the man's neck as more rage poured through her body. Mariah made sure the man could not move any of his muscles, even the beating of his heart had ceased. Mariah held on for a few more seconds before throwing the disgusting thug into the side of a building where he left a trail of blood while sliding to the ground. Mariah walked over to his crumpled body, "You will not touch her or anyone else again, you worthless coward, or the next time I find you I shall give you a swift journey to the underworld!" Mariah left the crippled man and walked over to Bryn, making sure she was all right.

Angie rushed to Bryn and wrapped her arms around her. Bryn sobbed into Angie's bosom as she pulled her into the shop. Mariah grumbled under her breath and quickly surveyed the exterior of the shop. The body of the attacker was nowhere to be seen, though his blood still stained the stone wall of the building across the street. Mariah focused her mind, and her bodily energy condensed into a translucent barrier around the doorway. Now that everything was secure, Mariah went over to Bryn to comfort her. They sat on a soft couch as Angie fussed behind the counter. Bryn's small hands trembled slightly and tears streamed down her face. "I am sorry I was not there sooner, Bryn. I should have been."

Bryn reached out her hands and wrapped them tightly around Mariah's neck. "Please Mariah, I… I need you to hold me."

Mariah nodded and smiled at her as she took Bryn's frail body into her arms. "Bryn, I am so sorry. I cannot believe someone would ever wish to harm an innocent Strytas in such a way."

"Can I get anyone some tea?" Angie asked them. Bryn nodded quickly and stifled her sobs as another wave threatened to overcome her.

"Who was that man?" Angie asked as she handed Bryn the cup of hot tea. Bryn blew on the amber liquid as the steam swept over her cheeks and eyes.

"Just someone I used to know," she softly said back.

"You seemed to be pretty friendly with him, darling," Angie said as she sat next to them.

Bryn shot her an angry glare, which instantly stunned her into silence.

      "We weren't like that. Well, we were, but not by choice. Mine anyway," Bryn grumbled miserably. She had never tried to explain what had happened at Franklin's to anyone. Bryn had no idea how she would do it now. "Nicholas Hawthorne is a lord and a good friend of the man that used to own me."

"That's absurd. Who would want to own a Strytas?"

Bryn laughed nervously. The cup of tea trembled in her hands. Bryn rested her head on Mariah's chest and ran her hand over her arm in lazy circles. Mariah still held her tightly, and she was grateful for her. Never before had any human stood up for her.

"The man that owned me was named Franklin. He… well, he…" She sighed. "He let his friends and anyone else that could pay his price have me for a night." She shut her eyes tightly and trembled. "Mr. Hawthorne was one of those men that were rich enough to pay. Most of the time, though, he got me for free." She was afraid to look either of them in the eyes. Her fear of rejection was overwhelming, and so she sat quietly waiting for either of them to speak. Angie wiped a few of her own tears away and touched Bryn's shoulder gently. Bryn watched her as she went to fill her teacup.