Chapter XXI

A Chapter by Chryiss

Elisa’s POV

“It’s alright, I’m here now Elisa,” he comforts, holding me gently yet firmly in his arms.

I sniffle a bit; my tears are dry still from that day.

Gazing upwards I peer into his brilliant topaz eyes, my palms pressed against the pockets of his crisp, white collared shirt. I became relaxed as I delved into those striking, warm eyes of his. Almost as if his very existence calmed me.

With a kind smile he lifts my chin up with his forefinger.

“Don’t dim those beautiful blues with sadness, Elisa. Smile for me?”

My bottom lip quivers in rising emotion. Sebastian...!

His hand shifts upwards to my trembling lip and brushes it with his thumb.

“Mmm,” he murmurs and draws closer.

My eyes shut as I feel his lips connect to mine. His hand moves to the side of my face, raking through my hair as he holds me tighter with the other.

His mouth moves in slow, fervent motions, enveloping me in his earnest love and diminishing my former distraught.

When he finally releases my lips, he cups my face and holds it near his.

“I think you understand what you need to do,” he states resolutely.

I bob my head in response, and he takes a hold of my hands and kisses them.

“That’s good,” he says, keeping my hands close to his face, his eyes now closed.

I look at his solemn expression, hands pressed against mine, touching his chin.

“Sebastian,” I whisper.

His eyes open like reflections of sunlight, streaming out with such a strength it almost blinded like the sun itself.

“Yes,” he murmurs.

“Thank you.”

---

“Elisa!” a voice calls out.

I whip my head around. It couldn’t be-!

Andy?!

I try to keep my eyes from glazing over at the sight of him. But, he looks to be in a good mood.

“Elisa,” he pants once he makes it over to me, his palms resting for a moment on his knees.

School ended, and I was going home, except no longer with Esteire.

Catching his breath, he straightens and gives me a sincere smile. I couldn’t help but smile back. Good, he’s over our breakup. Perhaps we can be friends again.

He jostles his hair in a slight show of nervousness, but his tone came out poised.

“I was wondering, since the dance is coming up, if you’ll like me to help you with picking out a dress. You haven’t yet, right?”

My eyes widened.

“I totally forgot! Yes, that would lovely!” I cheer.

Relieved, he mouth spread into a joyful grin.

“Would you like to go now since it’s the end of school?” he asks.

“Sure,” I reply, and we head off.

Lucien’s POV

“Home.”

Her countenance changes into one of near horror mixed with disbelief and non-comprehension. Then, almost like nothing happened, it reverts back to her usual composure.

“How come?” she queries with a look of actual perplexity.

“You’ll see,” I reply darkly, not quite meaning to come off that way. Oh what this girl does to me!

Still not quite understanding, she decides to come anyway.

Once we make it to my house, she gazes up at it in wonder.

“This is beautiful,” she breathes, “I’ve always wondered what your house would look like.”

Eh.?

“You mean you just came along so you could see my house?” I ask incredulous.

She giggles at my expression. “Basically.”

I shake my head with a small smile. What do I do to make you look at me?

We go inside and she surveys the house with elation in her eyes.

She twirls around in the center of the parlor, displaying a rare childish side to her.

“This is just like a movie set in one of those period pieces!”

I grin to myself. The house did match my style as well as my brother who lived with me. Which, I wondered why he hadn’t shown up yet.

“Lucien!”

Spoke too soon.

“Leon,” I greet with a smile.

He came up and embraced me in that brotherly way of his. Noticing Esteire in his peripheral, he turned to face her though still had an arm draped around my shoulders.

“And who is this charming young lady?” he says, flashing a suggestive smile my way.

I flush a bit but respond as if he hadn’t. “Esteire... Sylanite.”

Her eyebrows rise at the mention of her last name. As far as she knew, no one was aware of her true background.

Leon’s surprise was manifest on his face. He looks over at me and mouths, “Sylanite?”

I incline my head, and he focuses back on Esteire who seemed to disregard our little exchange. She was probably used to it.

Stepping forward, Leon lifts her hand to his lips and kisses the top of it.

A frown formed at the corners of my mouth. He didn’t usually kiss a lady’s hand. He only takes it to do a little bow with it, most times at his clothing store he owns.

I stride over and lead her away after she replies, “Nice to meet you.”

Leon didn’t have time to introduce himself, but he did manage to whisper almost inaudibly in my ear as we went up the carpeted steps.

“Don’t chase after the impossible, Lucien.”

I grimaced at his words. I didn’t care if it might be impossible, I was going to make her mine, and mine alone. That, I vowed.

---

She left out a stifled gasp upon entering my room. She walks slowly forward with her hands clasped near her heart lest everything should disappear with a single quick movement or touch.

She did, however, feel the satiny white curtains by the small picture window. Settling her gaze upon the scenery outside she stood still, indigo orbs glistening tawny in the fading light of the sun.

I approached soundlessly behind her, mimicking her stillness and gaze. I felt her eyes drift to mine as I continued to stare out the window at the sunlight cast upon the trees and seemingly far off houses.

This moment seemed to belong all to our own.

Finally swiveling my gaze to hers, our eyes met in a clash of glimmering gold and jade to sapphire. Motionless, we peered into each other’s eyes for what seemed a beautiful eternity.

Her mouth parts, and she whispers, “Say something.”

I bring my hand up and stroke her face.

“Must I?” I breathe before swooping down to meet her lips. Without any time for her to prepare, my mouth collides forcefully with hers, setting free the pent up passion inside of me.

My hands run around her waist and press her body closer to mine. Totally caught off guard she steps backwards reflexively, but that only caused us to fall. ...On the bed.

Feeling the soft plush beneath her she endeavors to release herself from my grasp. I let go of her mouth, and she lets out a sharp exhalation. As I trail kisses down her neck, she groans from my touch and shifts her body, once again trying to get me off her.

I hold her fast and quicken my pace, feeling her pulse beat erratically. I reach her mouth again and hold her prisoner. Squeezing tight her lips to stop herself from returning my vehement kisses, she soon can’t hold up and her lips started to part. That’s when I took full command of her mouth, and she moaned at the sudden intrusion.

Her hands reached up to my chest, gripping the fabric as if to let me know it was too much. I couldn’t stop a groan from escaping my throat at her touch, and she clenched my shirt tighter in fevered response.

She finally succumbed and ran her hands through my hair, pulling me closer. I only became more fervid and crushed my body against hers. Her mouth opened at the sudden force and she leant her head sideways upon the covers, gasping for breath. My hands then traced the curves of her side and she shivered.

I nestle my head against the flat of her stomach and we laid there motionless. The only sound the pounding of our hearts.

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