For this week’s search engine story our main prompt was candle in the mist. Seeing as the desert doesn’t seem to be a particularly misty place, I’m not sure if I can pull that one in anywhere. Maybe if I get back to the crystal towers before the end of the week.
The ‘Just One’ prompt (previously perfect paragraphs) was fragile, which seemed highly appropriate for a story with rather a few vampires. Saturday I was buzzing; into the history section and the ideas were running away with me. I made a deal with Y that if we ordered out for dinner, I would stop when the food arrived. Probably a good thing otherwise I may have continued to write until exhaustion overtook me.
This afternoon, when I opened up the laptop to write, I had no idea where I should start. I’d come to a really good stopping point the night before, a point where all the past was tied up and the only way forward was to move the story on. I just didn’t know how. So I went straight over to Search Engine Stories for a prompt. Once again, SES saves the day. The only reason I’ve stopped to write this is to ask my twitter friends how much deeper I should take a particular point in the story.
Larius sat, beckoning Alia to join him on the daybed. Slowly she moved towards him, and lowering herself on to the seat she curled in to the crook of his arm as the tears flowed from her eyes. “Shhh…” he murmured, pulling her in closer. “I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t have had to see that.” Her sobbing did not cease, but she raised her head to him, her eyes begging him to continue.
”I was never leaving you” he went on. “I run to think. It’s impossible to make sense of anything here. All the noise…” At that moment, Alia realised that as a vampire his senses must be heightened, for she heard little noise around the compound. Even her breathing, she wondered, must sounds as loud as a crowd to him.
She turned to face him, and he cradled her face in his cool hands. “I know” she whispered, her voice singing out to him. “I understand now.” She gazed at him, her eyes full of expectant longing. As she drew closer, he pulled her into him, his cold lips barely touching her warm mouth, he kissed her slowly and gently. Alia felt the breath draining out of her, but she could not pull away. He was too beautiful and his kiss felt too right, like she was made for this moment.
As she puled him closer to her with an urgent need Larius pulled away, hanging his head. He could not bear her fragility, so afraid of hurting her with his colossal strength. She was so flawless, unblemished. So perfect. He could not risk changing that. Alia reached out to him, “please” she begged of him, “don’t stop. Don’t go,” her eyes welling up with tears. “I couldn’t bear to lose you.”
He held her to him once again, his fingers trailing along her arms, soothing her. “I can’t” his voice faltered. “You don’t understand. You’re so gentle, so fragile, and I would crush you in an instant if you let me near you. I can’t lose you like that” he trailed off, his voice full of sorrow and longing.
Alia disentangled herself from Larius’ arms and placing her hands around his neck pulled him in closer. “No” she murmured as her lips found his once again and she kissed him with a passion she had never know to be within her.
Larius wound his arms back around her, and pulling her into him squeezed Alia tightly as he kissed her back, his need evident in his strength. Fearing that he would break her fragile body, crack her porcelain skin, he pulled away, staring into her eyes with wonder as he realised she was barely touched. As she sat back from him he noticed that her eyes had changed from the sea green he was familiar with, to a cobalt blue, swirled with violet. Her whole body was surrounded with a protective sparkle of gold, at it’s most strong where he touched her.
Larius realised, that no matter what he did, he could never hurt her. Her magic was so strongly intertwined with her being that it protected her without her knowing. It was instinctual. Alia saw the change in his eyes as he came to terms with her power and stepped off the day bed, giving him time to change his mind.
He followed her, rising and moving to her side instantly. Now that he knew she needed him, he could not bear to be torn from her side. He spun her around and yanking her towards him in a swift and graceful movement he kissed her with a force he never imagined possible, pulling her into him with a strength that, if not for her magic, would have killed her.
* * *
Don’t forget, if you’re curious enough you can read the whole story (as it unfolds) at 50k or bust. Just ask me (or any of the others who are hooked) for the password and we’ll hook you up.
Well, that’s it. You’ve got me now. Reminds me of Buffy and Angel. I just love this. LOVE. I am coming back later to read the whole thing. Congratulations on an excellent story.
Selma says Do You Want The Good News Or The Good News?
Don’t get me started – I’m already hooked into twilight and true blood, searching for any myth I can tear to shreds or explain away with magic. Now you’ve just reminded me there’s another media friendly vampire out there!
I really loved this, such a lovely idea that she is as strong as he is in her own way. I must check out search engine stories they seem to be prompting you to some excellent writing
marmite and tea says New York, Baby!
I just adore this. Incredible! The story and characters are compelling, and the detail in this scene is exquisite. I can’t wait to read more – thanks!