Beyond The Midnight Shadows

Chapter one On a cold winter night Beverly sat on the bench outside her small house gazing at the stars . She wore an old coat that was torn but it still kept her from the cold . As she sat there she felt like there was someone present around her and she knew he was around and watching her . " What do you want please. " She asked him hoping to hear a good response this time . " You don't have to ask me this question all the time , I want you ." He whispered into her ears . " Who are you ." She asked as she felt his hand on her shoulder . " That's for another day ." He said and gave her a kiss on her cheek then vanished into the dark . Beverly just sat there and cried thinking of how messed up her life was . She went into her house and went to have dinner and then she slept after on . ***************** She woke up the next morning , the cold winter breeze blowing through the window and the morning birds singing. She heard cutting of woods and the sound of children crying. She felt safe again. She got out of the house and greeted her neighbor even though they wouldn't answer because of her low status but that didn't bother her anyways. She went back inside and took her bath then brushed her teeth . She got out of the house and went to work. She works at a flower shop at the market.b ** ** ** When she got to work she heard news that the king was inviting all villagers to the palace for a masquerade ball . " Beverly , you're here . " Hee only friend Rosan said . " Good morning Rosan ." She greeted him . " Have u heard the news about to night. " " Yeah I have , I'm not going anyway." She said dryly " But why ?" He asked " Fir someone like me I don't have any dress to wear to a masquerade ball. " She replied him while attending to a customer in front of her . " Oh well if u don't mind I can get una dress. " He said hoping she won't reject his offer . " No , no Rosan you don't have to , after all it's just a masquerade ball nothing more . " " Beverly don't worry I'll get you the dress and we can attend the ball later ." " Ok fine . " She agreed . " Yeah your dress would get to you by 7 pm tonight." " Ok thanks Rosan ." " Don't mention it." He said and left. ********** Beverly got her dress at exactly 7 pm. It was a royal blue dress adorned with silver beads , it is a body hug dress with an off shoulder . The hand was thin and and also exposed her cleavage. There was a silver heel with it and a silver mask . Since it was a masquerade ball she had to wear a mask to the ball. She went to meet Rosan at where he told her to meet him . When she got there he was blown away by her beauty . " You look breath taking. " He complemented her " Thank you , you don't look bad your self." She complemented back *** They got to the palace and got down from the carriage. They entered the palace and Beverly was blown away by the art works . The ceremony started shortly and the people started dancing. " I'll be right back ." Rosan said to Beverly. She just sat at one corner not interested in what was happening. In one corner of the room was Vegas watching Beverly's every move . He was drawn to her like magnet that he couldn't help but walk up to her . " Hey beauty ." He said and sat opposite her at the table . " Um hi ." She replied abscent mindedly. " What are you doing here all by your self ." " Actually my friend Rosan followed me here but I don't know where he is right now ." . " Ok if u don't mind ." He said and stretched his hand forward. She hesitated fir a second but later took his hand . They went to the middle of the dance floor and began ti dance . " So what's your name. " " It's Beverly. How about yours." " What does that matter Beverly." He whispered into her ears and twerlled her around . He has this kind of powerful aura emmiting from him that screamed power. They finished dancing and he kissed the back of her hand then left her. ******* Vegas went to kiss his assistant Theadore. " Theo , I want information about that girl tonight." " But your majesty , it would take us at least 24 hours .before I can get tangible information." " Ok fine one day ." He said then left. Beverly and Rosan went back to the village and Rosan dropped her off at her house. " Thanks Rosan , fir the dress and shoes and everything" " What her we friends for ." He said and left . Beverly went into her all house and took off her dress and shoes and wore comfortable ones . She felt someone move in the shadows and she knew he was around again. " Where did you go Beverly." He said as if annoyed he didn't meet her " I.....I went to the masquerade ball at the palace ." She replied nervously. " Hmm and you were with ?." He asked and chuckled . " Please stay away from me , just leave me and never show up again." She said at the verge of tears . " You are crying " He said and went close to wipe her tears . She could see his face but she could feel his touch . "Please stay away from me . " " You're telling me to stay away from what I own , I own you Beverly, you are mine ." " I am not yours ." She screamed at him . " You are a monster , just stay away please I beg you." " Have a good night sleep . " He said and kissed her cheek then left . She cried and cried until she fell asleep . **** ***** She woke up the next morning with a slight head ache . She heard a knock on her door . She went ahead to open the door and she met a man that looked like a palace guard . " How may I help you please ." She asked . " An invitation from the king ." He said and stretched am envelope to her . She took it and read the letter . " But why does he want me to come over ." She asked . " You'll know once you get there be ready by 12 pm the royal carriage would be waiting." He said and left her speechless. **********************#