Fan Fiction ❯ Dangerous Beauty ❯ Flight of Fear ( Chapter 3 )

Elise's eyes met Count Makraim's. She hated how they made her feel like he was looking into her soul. He offered his arm to escort her down to dinner. Tentatively she took his arm as a crimson blush graced her cheeks. The Count took notice of her embarrassment and tried to make her at ease by placing his other hand on her hand that clung to his arm. This sent shivers down Elise's spine and causes her head to feel fuzzy Elise cleared her throat.

“This manor is so large. One must be lonely here at night.” Again Elise's cheeks burned at her brash comment. Why did I say that she thought to herself.

Taken aback the Count pondered how to answer a statement. “It is, but I am rarely home since I see to many of the King's affairs.”

They entered the dining hall and Elise gave a delighted squeal forgetting her age and manners, she ran to the table. It was heaped with roast duck, turkey, dressings, vegetables of many varieties, desserts, and many oddities she had never seen. Count had her seated and told the servants to serve her as she wished. After she ate her fill, she took her leave to go for a walk in the gardens. Count dismissed Matsey to attend to her.

The two companions reached the gardens. Elise was breathless. So many flowers in every color of the rainbow greeted her. In the middle of the garden stood an ancient willow. Underneath the willow was a small sitting area. Elise sat down and asked Matsey to join her.

“The master used to come here often. It has been years since he has been here though. He spent his childhood playing under this very tree I am told. But it seems his happy years have been long gone.”

Elise's heart felt heavy. She began to wonder what could have made him upset. Then she began to wonder why she cared. She had just met him and he seemed to have such an affect on her. But she was being chased and was quickly reminded that she needed to leave.

“Matsey, please forgive me, but I need your help. You must keep your silence. I need you to have a horse prepared for me at once. I must leave here for my aunt's house in Rumox.”

Matsey was shocked into a silence before a dawning comprehension caught her. “You are fleeing someone? It is too dangerous. Please stay and let the master protect you.”

“I do not wish to burden him with my problems”

“Oh it is not a burden to him I assure you. For you see, you are the first woman to be brought here by him. Anyone else he would have helped he would have taken to an inn. I have no clue as to why but it seems he tries to avoid women. You though, you seem to have captured his eye and attention.”

Elise blushed and wondered aloud “How can a plain looking, humble girl like me catch his eye?” As she said this a far off look crept into her eyes and a distant smile crossed her face. She began to think of how she would feel to be waking to those beautiful orbs every morning.

Matsey smiled thinking she had won her staying at least one more night and then frowned at the next comment.

“It's of no matter. I must leave and without his notice. I fear for this manor's safety if I remain.”“Fine I will have two horses ready by midnight” came Matsey's reply “I was told to attend you and I will.”

Elise looked up at Matsey and saw she was determined to have her way. So giving a resigned sigh she nodded and dismissed Matsey to her business. She wanted more time in the garden and she wanted it alone. She began to finally let her thoughts go to her father and all the villagers. Everything came crashing down on her at once. The weight in her chest felt like it was going to take her very last breath. He was dead, her village was destroyed, everything and everyone she knew gone. And the man responsible was hunting her down like some menial prey. Elise gasped for breath and fell to her hands and knees. Heart breaking sobs racking her body she cried. Then she felt it, she felt him. Fear crept through her body and every limb told her to run. Fear won over her body and she ran. She ran outside of the manor gardens to the stable. She took the first horse she came to and without thinking, fled.