Child of Woe

Chapter 6

Fireworks burst over the highest towers of the Colorado University of Boulder, Lucian watched Arabella’s eyes more than the lights above them. It fascinated him how her eyes seemed to glow with a light of their own. Her eyes glittered with magic and awe.

This was the first time she watched a fireworks display. They reminded her too much of the fire that claimed her parents. Now, with Lucian, it seemed wonderful. He was changing how she viewed the world.

“I think I am the luckiest man in the world my Bella.”

Arabella glanced over at the man at her side, laughter spilling from her lips.

“Lucian, you know that can’t be true.”

“My love, they are the truest words I have ever spoken.”

Arabella gazed at the man seated by her side, his arms protective around her, shielding her from the cold. He did not know how much she had longed for true love. She yearned for a love like her parents had, a love that knew now bound. Her soul told her Lucian was the one. Shivering happily, Arabella snuggled deeper into Lucian’s arms. This was were she wanted to be, who she wanted the most to be with. He touched her heart and she would never be the same.

:Come back with me to my apartment, I have a surprise for you.”

Arabella hesitated; she had’t been to Lucian’s apartment yet. He did not have a room mate because he lived in a private residence. Lucian’s Father paid for the privacy. As long as his son kept his grades up and studied hard, the man was willing to pay for the room and gave him a generous allowance.

“I’m not too sure that would be a good idea Lucian.” She whispered nervously.

“Come on Bella. I swore I was not an axe murderer, didn’t I?

Arabella shook her head in amusement. She could not say no to Lucian. “All right Lucian, lets go. The show is almost over anyway. I will have to get home soon so Nancy won’t worry..”

“You can call her from my place, my love. Tell her you are at a friends house. I am your friend aren’t I.”

Lucian’s apartment was one of four converted rooms in an older home. It was a short walk from the University. A very charming place set back from the street among elderly Elm trees.

Lucian placed a finger to his lips as he led Arabella up the back entrance to his room. “The landlady has struck rules about having females in her rooms.” Lucian whispered as he unlocked the door. “We wouldn’t want her to kick me out. I swear she winked at me the other day. Strange old bird.”

Arabella giggled into her mitten covered hands. She could imagine there were many girls and women who would give Lucian a second look. She was amazed that he was hers. They hadn’t even kissed yet. Lucian treated her as though she were the most previous woman in the world.

Lucian turned on the lights as he ushered Arabella into the room. What met her eyes took her breath away. Lined along walls, sitting up in chairs, placed on tables and filling spare space were the most amazing paintings she had ever seen. Granted, she was young yet and had a lot to learn but she knew what she like and she loved these. There were paintings of hight mountains and deep valleys. Deers basked in the sunlit meadows while wolves chased each other in the snow. Owls took flight, hunting at night. There was one scene where two buck clashed antlers in a fight to the death.

“Lucian,” She breathed, hardly able to speak. “They are so beautiful. Did you paint them?”

Lucian looked down bashfully.

“No, really Lucian. You did this? Why did you not tell me before? The are wonderful. I love them.”

Lucian kicked his toe against the edge of a dust rug that covered the wooden floor. Without it the floor would be too cold in winter. A slight frown furled Lucian’s brow.

“Well my dear Bella, Father does not approve of such a frivolous past time. He says it is a waste of his money. I am here to study law, not waste my time on this. So, I used some of the money Mother left me to take art classes. What Father doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

Arabella could hear the distance in Lucian’s voice when he mentioned his Father. She gathered that the man was ridged and unapproachable.

“You don’t say much about your family Lucian, is there a reason?” Arabella did not like to pry but Curiosity got the better of her good judgement.

Lucian looked beyond Arabella at some distant memory. His face was angry and sad at the same time.

“There’s not much to tell Bella. My mother died when I was born. My Father proceeded to take up with any available woman and even some who were not available. He was gone most of he time so I was raised by Cora. Cora was cook, house keeper, nanny. Cora is my family. The only love, real love I got was from Cora.

Arabella felt a pull on her heart at the tone of Lucian’s voice. She felt the sadness as hit flowed from his body. Gently, she put her arms around his waist resting her head on his chest.

Lucian pulled her closer and laid his cheek on top of Arabella’s head. She lifted her head as Lucian’s mouth came down on hers. The tenderness of her first kiss made Arabella’s knees weak. Lucian deepened the kiss when Arabella went loose in his arms. Arabella felt magic rise up in her soul. A unbreakable bond had been forged with the kiss of true love.

“Lucian felt something wondrous lifting him up “I love you desperately Bella,” Lucian breathed against her mouth, “I have never loved as I love you.”

Lucian’s words served to weaken Arabella further. She leaned her weight deeper into his arms. As he trailed kisses crossed her cheek Arabella had a moment to wonder at the magic that surrounded them. The moment was gone as quickly as it came. She gave herself up to Lucian.

He swept her up in his arms, his mouth never leaving her lips. He carried her to the back of the apartment and set she gently on her feet. Arabella swayed, unable to stand on her own feet. Lucian pulled back the comforter and picked her up again to lay down with her cradled in his arms.

“Tell me to stop Bella, and I will. All you have to do is tell me to stop.” Lucian whispered in her ear, desire coating his words.

Arabella was beyond Lucian’s words. Tight sparks traveled up and down her body, inside and out. A slight glow started to grow between them, small glints of light rose up and then settled back down again. Arabella shivered uncontrollability when his fingers smoothed down her arms. She buried her head in his neck smelling his after shave an something else. The manly smell of him was intoxicating, beckoning her to come closer.

Lucian laid Arabella on her back and leaned over her, his breath ragged and uneven. His heart beat to the rhythm of Arabella’s. He eased Arabella’s shirt over her shoulder, his lips followed his hans. A moan escaped Arabella’s lips as Lucian kissed her harder. Lights exploded and reformed within her mind and around her body.

Lucian sat straight up in his bed a groan escaping his lips. Frantically, he looked around his bedroom, his tension eased. Arabella lay asleep on the window seat. She did not disappear this time. He rubbed his temples as he watched the woman sleep. True to her words, the headache was less this time. His eyes devoured every inch of her, something he could not do when she was awake. He felt himself pulled to her. Pulling back he dragged his eyes from her. He thought back to the … dream? Was it a dream? As he stood up he looked down at himself and decided it was better not to think about the dream just yet. He dressed quickly and quietly let the room hoping she did not disappear.

Arabella woke to the smell of coffee and bacon. Groggily, she look around the room. Oh, this was not home. Her stomach growled and she realized how hungry she was. It was always the same way after a seeing. She could not remember the last time she ate. Arabella knew she could not do this much longer without dire consequences. She prayed to the God’s to give her one more day, just one more day.

The bedroom door swung open silently. Lucian stood there, breakfast try in hand. He sighed with relief, she stayed. “Ah good, your awake. I didn’t know what you liked so I made a little bit of everything I had on hand.”

Lucian set the try down on a corner table and lifted the cloth covering off the food. The wonderful aroma of bacon, eggs, pancakes, syrup and coffee. Arabella’s stomach growled again as Lucian set a bowl of fruit in her hands. She started to protest but Lucian held up his hand for silence.

“I can only imagine that if this is kicking my strength, what it must be doing to you. Please stay. You need the food and I believe you need to rest.”

Arabella wonder at his sudden calmness about this. She shook her head. “I’ll eat, but rest is out of the question. There isn’t any time. You need to miss work tomorrow so we can complete this tonight.”

“What do you mean about time? What do you hope to accomplish here? I don’t remember ;you. I’m sorry but I don’t. What you show me is something I have never done. It’s me but it’s not me.”

Arabella flinched as his words hit her. Her shoulders slumped as she lowered her head.

“I know this will probably not work, Lucian,” she whispered, “but it is all I have to give you. The rest is up to you. “Something must have happened to you. Something dire to take your memories away. You knew me once, I hoped ;you would know me again.”

Arabella felt lower than she felt in a long time. She couldn’t do this, she just couldn’t. Lucian was right, it was useless.

Lucian heard the despair in her voice but there was nothing he could do to change it. “And if I don’t remember? What happens then?”

“Well then, Lucian, I will be gone and you will have the life back.”

The finality of her words made his heart shudder. He was fascinated with this woman. She did what no one else could. She make him feel again. He was an empty shell for years an then she appeared in his life.

Arabella lay cuddled up to Lucian’s side, contentment lit her face. Lucian thought she was even more beautiful now than she was the day they met. He did not know how that was possible but it was true. He stroked her soft hair as he tried to form his words.

“Bella,” he said then stopped, “Arabella Brennan, will you marry me?” He continued before she could speak. He felt her body stiffen up. “I can make you happy. We can live anywhere you want. I can give you a good life … “ his words trailed off.

Her body was tense, straight as a board beside him. She did not utter a word. He looked down at her pale, drawn face.

“What is it Bella? You don’t love me enough? I need you in my life, my home, my bed. You are forever in my heart. You could come to love me the way I love you, I know you can. Please say something, Bella.”

Arabella sat up and moved to the edge of the bed, singing her legs to the floor. Quickly, she found her clothes and proceeded to dress. The sun would be up soon and she needed to go home. Jack and Nancy thought she was at a girlfriends house. Arabella had never lied to them before and she felt ashamed.

Lucian grabbed Arabella’s arm forcing her to turn around and face him. She was terribly pale. Her eyes ere black, not the green he had come to know. Arabella ripped her arm from Lucian’s grasp and backed away. She knew she was over reacting but she couldn’t seem to help herself.

“I guess its time you listened to what I tried to tell you yesterday, Lucian.

Lucian nodded and sat on the bed, dread tickled his spine. He had a terrible feeling that he was about to lose Arabella.

Arabella paced the room as she organized her thoughts. She might be young in body but she was old otherwise. She looked at the bed then looked away quickly, her thoughts scattering. Sighing, Arabella knew she didn’t have to tell him everything.

“You may not know this but I have a very high IQ.” Lucian nodded but did not speak. “I graduated high school when I was fourteen.”

Lucian shrugged and looked confused. “What does that have to do with this? So you graduated at fourteen … “ Lucian’s mind started turning over and he made the connection, understanding made him pale.

“I am fifteen Lucian, I can’t marry you.” She watched the horror dawn on Lucian’s face. It was his turn to be silent. Arabella could not watch his face anymore. It was written all over it. They were done. She rushed to the door and grabbed space, disappearing from sight.

Lucian did not see her leave as he struggled with his thoughts. By the time he looked up she was gone. His heart missed a beat. Lucian didn’t know where Arabella lived. Even if he did, would she even want to see him? He had let her down by not responding to her words.