The Forbidden Child

What?

{Lilliana’s POV}

It took a while, but we finally reached another small palace built in the side of a cliff. He flew me onto a balcony and set me down as I held Coal in my arms. “Here we are.. home sweet home..” He said, walking to the door on the balcony and opening it. Inside was a hallway that had roses that grew on vines all around. A large staircase leading up to a sun filled chamber stretched out in front of us as I picked up Coal and kissed his head.

The man from before strolled into the hallway, making his way up the stairs. I followed behind him holding Coal against me, my hood pulled back up over my head. “A-Are you going to explain any of this now? How you know my name? Who you are? What’s happening?” I asked, looking up towards him.

He stopped mid step, his body tensing up, as he let out a long sigh. “I suppose I did say I would.. didn’t I..”

I nodded, walking around to face him. “Could we at least maybe start with introductions?” I asked, smiling softly up at him. “You already know my name, but I don’t know yours.”

“You’re right.” He sighed, running his hands through his hair, slicking it back. “My name is Vesper.” He smiled, reaching his hand out to me. I reached my hand back to him, he gently took my hand in his, kneeling in front of me, and kissing my knuckles. “It’s a relief to see you again.” His voice was soft when he spoke, as he looked up into my eyes.

Vesper.. I knew that name, everyone did.. Vesper is the god of fear. My heart rate sped up.. the god of fear is helping me.. he’s the one who saved me.. who were his brothers.. I remember learning about them all. Vesper was the oldest, then it was Coleros, the god of shadows. After him was Raziel, the god of secrets.. then Zorn.. the god of wrath. His brothers.. the ones who are after me.. the god of secrets, and the god of wrath. What would they do to me if they found me. I looked up at him, panic rising in my chest. “I-I..” I whimpered. “I really don’t know what happened.. or how I got here.. or why your brothers are trying to ki** me.” I said, my voice coming out a bit shaky.

He sighed, looking down at me. “My brothers think that you’re the reason our brother is gone.. but I know he’s out there, I can still feel him in the shadows, always watching.” He said, turning on his heel. “Now, let me give you the tour, this will be your home for the time being.” He said, making his way back down the hallway.

I followed close behind him. “Why do they think that I’m the reason.. what are you not telling me?” I asked, my voice coming out a bit more demanding this time.

He sighed, turning back to me. “I’m not telling you a lot, because you seem to have no memories of any of this.” He turned back around and began walking away again.

I followed behind him, looking to Coal in my arms. “What do we do now Coal?” I asked quietly, scratching behind his ear.

“What are you talking about?” Vesper asked, turning to look down at me. “Oh.. you’re talking to your cat?” He pointed to Coal in my arms and chuckled slightly.

“Coal helps me when I need it.. he may not speak, but he’s never led me astray.” I said, pulling Coal closer to my chest and hugging him. “He’s been with me ever since I can remember.” I smiled.

Vesper snatched Coal out of my arms, lifting him into the air and looking over him. “He has, has he?” He asked, looking over Coal.

“Please! Don’t hurt him!” I shrieked, trying to get Coal away from Vesper.

He chuckled dryly, dropping Coal back into my arms. “There’s no way he would stoop so low..” He whispered, before turning on his heel and taking off down the hallway.

I kept close to him, watching and listening as he gave me a tour. The bathhouse was a massive room with massive carved marble archways, a pool that stretched all throughout with steam rolling across the top of it. There were lily pads, and flowers all across the room, and massive rocks within the pool to sit on.

Next he showed me a massive library, books stretched across all of the walls, it was two stories and there were books on every wall. Constellations danced through the air, lighting up the room, and a large desk in the middle of the room had ink and a quill, along with opened books. A beautiful white grand piano next to the marble staircase in the library caught my attention. He hurried me along, and soon we passed many dark rooms he didn’t even both explaining, finally making it to the rooms he wanted to show me most.

“Here is the kitchen, and living room, where you can rest and eat.” He said, turning and smiling down at me. “And down this hall, the room on the left is your bedroom, the one on the right is mine so I’ll be right across the hall if you need me.” He sighed. “Look, I’ll be honest, I’m not good at interacting with others.. I’m a keep to myself kind of person, so I’m not sure how well this will work out, or how you’ll fare here, but I’m going to try to be good to you.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “In saying that, there’s something we should talk about.” He sighed, walking to a barstool and sitting down, pointing to the one in front of him.

I walked over, climbing into the stool and turning towards him. “What is it?” I asked, placing Coal on the counter.

“I’m going to claim you.. as my own, at least until we find my brother. It should be a way to keep you safe from the others here that actually believe in what Amaranthia says.” His face said it all, it was an awkward conversation to begin with.. but he was very uncomfortable with what he was saying. “I don’t like this anymore than you do.. I was fine being alone, but if my brothers come for you.. if they find out you’re here, and I’m not with you.. they’ll end you. If they know that I’ve claimed you.. that I’ve marked you under the soul tree.. they’ll leave you alone.” He said, his eyes looking anywhere but at me.

I pulled off my hood, turning towards him. “What do you mean mark me? Claim me? What kind of weird god like sh** is that?” I seethed, anger, fear, frustration all oozing from my voice.