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The Labyrinth of Love and Thorns
Cloaked in his own darkness, the Baron, on horseback, made his way back home alone. The struggles of his embattled mind had left him drained of energy. In the distance, he could see his stone manor. It was both austere and foreboding with its narrow barred windows and high-arched heavy iron doors.
Over the years, a hedge of thorny briar roses grew ‘round about the manor that once was a place of happiness. Every year, since the loss of his beloved betrothed, the thorny roses grew higher, and the brambles and weeds grew stronger and thicker. Now, at last, a great forest of stems and thorns surrounded his home like a walled sanctuary. Nothing could be seen of it except a few ragged threads of the family flags hanging from the roof. He dismounted his horse and sighed as his heart filled with dread, for evil was now closer at hand than he had ever anticipated. It threatened all that he held dear and the loss would destroy a bond of trust, which he never believed would be broken.
All his life, he had been vigilant in a land where evil and mockery were fearfully admired. He blamed himself for allowing his suspicions to be softened by sweet, tender words. Natural instincts had served him well in the past but now gave way to the melodic voice whispering in his ear. He had opened his heart for the first time in many years and with a growing dread, doubts grew into reality.
Today, he sought the wise counsel of a friend. The gathering of information and guidance was his latest quest to ease his mind from the nightmare that was filling his endless days.
Standing in the shadows of the great room a plan started playing out in his mind.
He leaned against an ancient oak column thinking of his intoxicating beauty. She had entranced him from the moment he was introduced to her by his friend, Angelique. Her chestnut hair fell over her shoulders to frame the curves of her bosom. She smiled at him with vibrant, crystal blue eyes and lips begging to be kissed. He had spent nearly a decade burying his needs. Now, he was not about to lose her to any force, natural or unnatural, outside of himself.
Determined, the Baron set forth to execute his plan and moved through the terrible silence that surrounded him.
Leaving the great hall, he went on further, passing through forgotten rooms and dusty halls. His footsteps echoed through the silence. He could hear his own heart beating in his ears.
At last, he came to the winding staircase that led to the tower where she would be waiting for him. He climbed the narrow staircase knowing she was fearful of his anger and rejection. Pushing open the door, he entered.
Looking beautiful in her slumber, his heart was full of love. How could she have fallen so easily into the arms of another? Had he failed to meet her needs for a place beyond what he had offered her? His mind began a whirlwind of dark thoughts mixed with anger and the pain of betrayal. Gathering himself with a soft breath, he brushed his lips to hers.
Opening her soft blue eyes, she saw what her heart knew all along even when she turned from him. His devotion was constant and she could see the love he held for her even now. His eyes drifted down her length, stopping as he saw something held tight in her grasp.
Seeing the path of his eyes, she looked down at her tiny pale hand clutching tight to a small crumbled piece of parchment from her journal.
"What have you there?” he asked in a deep gruff voice.
Rising up, her eyes met his as she lowered herself and knelt down before him. Reluctantly, she opened her fingers, carefully unfolded the crumbled parchment, and offered it up to him with her right hand extended.
"It is my journal entry, Sir," she whispered.
Taking the paper from her hand, he looked at her closely.
"Why is it torn free from your journal? Were you hiding your thoughts from me?" he asked as his eyes pierced dark into hers.
"No Sir. My words were only half-truths and you deserve my honesty. My completed journal entry was placed on your desk before I rested, Sir." she explained.
"I'm sorry. I hope my words make sense and that you can find forgiveness in your heart for my shameful betrayal. I don't want to lose you, Sir."
The look on his face gave no hint as to his thoughts on hearing her words. Her heart raced with a growing dread of being banished from his home forever. She had wronged the very one who gave her his undying devotion and trust. The betrayal had cut deep into his very being and she feared the worst.
Lifting her journal from the heavy oak desk, he read the dated entry. She watched as his dark eyes read over the passages and she looked for clues into her fate.
All through the last few weeks, he had been holding onto a slim thread of hope as more and more evidence revealed what he had never dreamed possible. Initially doubtful that truth would reveal itself, he read carefully between the lines seeking the truth. He studied her words for several moments and heavily sighed and lowered his head in distress.
Seeing his reaction, she gasped.
To be continued.
~ We all walk in the dark and each of us must
learn to turn on his or her own light. ~
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She wandered the vast halls in search of him. The only company she found were thoughts of betrayal and pain. The demon images haunted her as if she would ever be able to forget if they left her be even for a moment. No one could have made her believe that she would not only find, but create a pain so searing all else during the fired season would pale in comparison. It was hard for her to believe she could rip the heart from someone's chest and nearly destroy it. Yet, here she was, the flame of betrayal and hurt scorching both of them. She ached at the replay of how what she had done stretched into the hearts of others dear to his house. No matter how hard she tried she could not shake the choking misery that cloaked her.
Finding no solace she ascended the towering stairs leading to the room that housed her tears and out cries of trust she broke. Each day she had to force herself to settle upon the oversized bed and pen her thoughts. Countless pages of her journal were scarred black and beyond comprehension. As she tumbled into the abyss of days that ran together and nights that seemed endless her thoughts fought her with every pen stroke. Sickened to view the eyes that stared back at her through the vanity mirror she tried to piece together the torn images that flickered at her like a broken movie reel. He deserved the truth, the whole ugly episode that had become her life. She ripped the work in progress from its home in the journal and crumbled it within her trembling grasp. With her gaze filled with tears the truth of what she had done spilled like a broken dam onto the pages. Each betrayal spelled out in a manner that even she found hard to swallow. Never would she have thought she was capable of such destruction to a heart given to her in trust and love. As the sun faded into the green horizon she finished what so easily could have been just another draft of her many fantasy writings to the unknowing eye. Placing the journal upon the strength of the desk she fell in a heap upon the welcomed comforts of the chamber bed and sank fast into a spent state.
She woke with a gentle start to warmth bathing her lips. It was a comfort in great comparison to the loneliness that was her companion for the day. Not even in sleep could she escape the days past. The demons possessing her danced in mockery within her slumber. She become instantly lost in the capturing stare that pulled her from sleep. The gaze so tender with love yet clouded with pain and brokenness. His questions bringing back that crippling sickness as her heart wretched within her chest and she slowly dropped from the desired slumber to the place before his feet. Her trembling hand uncoiled her fingers exposing only a vague display of her shame. Each inquiry that followed felt like a hammer into her skull. Shaky words spilled from parted lips in response. Caught in a moment that she could swear was worse than hell itself she knelt in anxious wait as he moved to the desk to take in the words that she had finally been able to drag from her core.
Sitting with baited breath her thoughts were crashing over her like the angry sea. How could she have done this to him? Who had she become? Had she forgotten the days of her fortress and the ache that kept her heart near death? Her breath snagged within her throat as she heard a sigh fall fast from his lips. Looking up with dazed wonder her lungs spilled for a gasp that hung in the air of silence. What had she done?
Lead me into the darkest corners of Your desires and i'll unlock and feed what lives inside...
*Through the fires of His hand, through the tears they both cried, through the love that sealed Eternity....from submissive to slave...she is now born....the birth of a legacy....*
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