The Lord and his Queen

Chapter 2: My Strange Follower

My breath caught in my throat. I was staring into ruby red eyes nearly a foot above me. He was very tall and slender. His face was exquisitely featured with high cheekbones and a jawline that could cut glass. Hair fell long and crimson framing his beautiful face and falling like strands of silk over his shoulders. I couldn't look away from the rubies staring back at me. His hands moved up and cupped my face tenderly and his eyes were so gentle they could have calmed raging storms with just a blink. 

“At last...You have returned to me…” his voice was velvet and rolled out of his mouth like it was from another time. I hardly had time to ask what he meant before his lips covered mine. My heart nearly fell out of my chest. I didn't know this man! But my body now moved on its own. I put my hands on the top bar of the iron fence and pushed myself up to kiss him more deeply, my feet were no longer touching the ground. His tongue explored my mouth as he wrapped his arms around me tightly.I placed my knees on the fence and put my arms around him. I was so drunk with the feeling this gave me. As though I had been waiting for this exact moment all my life. I had to snap out of it! Before I could pull my lips from his he lifted me completely over the fence and held me completely in his arms with my legs wrapped around his waist. That was the last straw! Didn’t this guy know how dangerous it was to be on this side of the fence! And what was he doing manhandling me like this? I snapped back to reality and shoved myself away from him and fell to the ground gasping for air.

“Who the hell do you think you are?!” I barked. Standing up he looked at me confused. “I’m sorry I don't know what came over me, But I’ll have you know I am not the kind of girl who just goes around making out with strangers.”

“But you do know me…” His velvet voice sounded so beautiful but also so broken. I looked into his eyes and the calm had gone, replaced by sadness that seemed ageless. 

“No I’m sorry...I don’t. But I would be happy to get to know you. Perhaps in a safer place? I’m Sarafynah.”

“So, you truly do not remember who I am. I was worried about this. But it looks as though you have been seen here with me.” He took my hands in both of his as he spoke, his face now full of determination. “This is not the end, it is only the beginning. Please permit me one more.” he once again pressed his lips to mine with a desperation that matched my own to get to the other side of the fence. This kiss was much more fleeting and before I knew it he was gone and the door to the tower was shut. 

“Well...that was absolutely bizarre…” I spoke to myself as I climbed over the fence and saw Lucinda coming out of the dorm building.

“Sara! What on earth!?” she ran up to me, her short brown hair tousled and in disarray.

“You will never guess what just happened.” i told her and her eyes may as well have bugged right out of her head.

“Tell me everything in our dorm but our shift is over.” we switched with the next two girls on the list who looked very tired, and went back to our room where I instantly went to the window and looked out to the tower. The window I had seen him in was dark.

“Now will you tell me why on earth you were over that fence! What if you had disappeared!” 

“I don't think it works that way Lucinda, I think you have to enter the tower willingly. Or...be invited in.” She was Writing in her journal as frantically as I spoke.

“So there is indeed a door? And you say someone is inside the tower?!” 

“Yes. The door is a large set of wooden double doors with iron hinges” I grabbed My sketchbook thanking the heavens that I was artistic. I had drawn My own interpretations of my favorite mythological creatures down for as long as I knew how to. I quickly made a sketch of the tower as I looked at it from the window and Lucinda watched in awe as it formed on the page in front of her. I drew the door and pointed to it out the window even though I knew she couldn't see. I then told her about the strange man and the kiss we had shared.

“Oh my god! That is so hot! Do you think you will see him again? Can you draw him?”

“I might try but as good of a sketch artist as I am, realism has never been a strong point of mine. And he was so ridiculously  attractive that my quick sketches wouldn't do him justice...I still don't even know his name but...he did say this wasn't over. So i suppose I will see him again” I looked back at the tower and secretly hoped I would. 

The next day classes began. I woke up and dressed in simple jeans and a silvery satin tank top with a long woven multicolored cardigan that contrasted with my red hair and green eyes with green earrings and my favorite necklace. A ruby my mother had given me for luck. As I put it on I imagined the strange man's eyes on me again. I went to my first class with a smile on my face. 

My first period History class was with Prof. Agnes. For a stern woman she taught a compelling and passionate course that was as engaging as it was well planned. I was almost upset when the door to the office opened and she was interrupted by the headmaster. He spoke to her with a very thick German accent.

“Frau Agnes, I am very sorry to interrupt but we have a late arrival joining us. A Herr Ronan Thorne” he moved and my heart stopped. It was him. Stepping into the class wearing simple slacks and a black button up shirt that clung to his slender body. His hair was half pulled back in a slide pin that looked like leather and a metal pin and the leather looked as though it had Irish embossing on it. He walked right up to Professor Agnes and shook her hand. She didn’t look at all surprised to see him and shook it back. So his name was Ronan. Of course it was. Only a name like that would suit his face.

“I am terribly sorry for my lateness, my plane only just got in. it will not happen again.” She nodded sternly as if to say ‘i will hold you to that’ and looked around the room. 

“There is an empty seat over by Amber, why don’t you go over there?” He nodded and walked over. I looked around noticing every female and a few male heads following his smooth almost gliding movement across the room. As he sat down I thought Amber was going to faint. He pulled a textbook from the briefcase that he was carrying that I hadn't noticed as I was too busy staring him down and as he opened it he looked over at me and smiled. I blushed and just went back to my notes. What on earth was he doing here!? And lying about “his plane landing late”? What was he on about? I tried not to look at him all hour but couldn't help but glance over from time to time. Every time I did I caught him staring at me. Once in a while Amber would notice and try to engage him in conversation. He would politely listen and laugh as though she were telling him jokes. Somewhere in the pit of my stomach I wanted to throw something at her but I think that was just last night's encounter talking. I went on with my notes and as the bell rang for class to end I rushed to be one of the first out the door. I was dismayed to see he took all of my classes. I got through them as best as I could but he was so distractedly handsome it was hard. By the time the third bell rang my stomach was hurting from hunger. I had forgotten to eat breakfast. I went to the dining hall and found several long tables laden with food. I grabbed a plate and sat down looking over my schedule. Only 3 more classes today. I decided to begin my History homework while I ate. 

“Excuse me, would you mind catching me up on what was missed before I arrived” I was so startled I dropped my pencil. Looking around I saw Ronan leaning down to pick up my pencil. His long silky crimson hair brushed the floor as he did so. Handing it back to me he sat down placing his briefcase on the table.

“You lied…” that was all I could say.

“Excuse me?” He looked confused. 

“You said your plane came in late, but you were in the tower last night.”

“Yes, but the instructors do not need to know that, it would only raise suspicion. Besides I have known the headmaster for a long time. He knows.” I was flabbergasted. The headmaster knew! 

“I-ok I guess. Ronan yes?” he nodded leaning his head on one hand as I spoke. “You didn’t really miss much, just the syllabus and intro to the chapter on page 10. You can look at my notes if you like.” I pushed my notebook over to him and pulled out another one. 

“This handwriting…” his hand ran over the notes inked onto the wide ruled paper.

“Yea sorry I have been told it's hard to read” 

“Its perfect.”