37 - A Promise

Ailsa

The days pass like honey dripping from a spoon. Slow, smooth blobs droppings that take longer to pass the closer you look at it. My healing keeps me trapped in my room for too many sunrises and sunsets. I watch the sun from my window, disappearing and reaperring, and still I cannot leave.

Terror still lingers in my bones, and the thought of sneaking down to see my little secret is unbearable. I know that Douglas is gone, and it will be at least a month until I see him, but I can't seem to bury the feeling.

The fear stays with me even as the Ramsay's leave. His attack stayed in my mind for 3 days. 3 days that I go without visiting Fraser.

It has been sheer torture. The lack of him was almost like an electricity inside of me, bursting to get out. It made me antsy. I found it difficult to sit still, I needed to go to him. That was the constant feeling and thought in my heart, a knowing, I had to be near him, or I would die.

I thought of hardly anything else besides him.

It felt like an obsession as I was trapped in my tiny room. I spent so much time pacing, hoping and praying that he was safe and missing him so much that I ate

In all that time, I never once saw my father, and my mother seldom visited me. It wasn't exactly surprising, in fact, I was grateful for their negligence. It meant that I could build up my courage and peace, being surrounded by Gentry's positive spirit was enough to make me recover quickly.

Tonight, as the moon emerges from the darkness, I can feel it in my gut that tonight is the night that I go back to him. It certainly took me long enough, but the readiness building inside me is making my throat tight and my muscles tense.

It takes me longer than usual to go bellow stairs, extra vigilant now after my previous encounter. The whole attack from Douglas has opened my mind to how careful I must be from now on.

I was nervous that my family would wonder why I had been out so late sneaking about the castle when the boy struck. I had my mind made up to excuse my journey with an innocent claim of thirst. I could insist that my throat had been dry and I needed a drink, and that the attack had been coming on early and so I simply couldn't lay in bed.

It sounded believable to me, and I rehearsed it multiple times in the mirror, waiting for one of my parents to broach the subject. I was prepared. It seemed that I overestimated their concerns. The question never once arose, and I got off free of suspicion, even though I didn't feel like I deserved it.

Luckily for me, I could use the excuse if I was caught a second time. It certainly gave me some wiggle room, but not enough to be completely comfortable. I still have to be careful, and I will be. I have to see Frase. It's all that matters, especially now that I'm determined to free us both from this hell.

Grabbing my lantern and a cloak to cover my throat, I hurry down the stairs, anxious to see him. I imagine his smile and his rumpled hair, and it's difficult not to smile and run from the giddiness building at the mere idea of him.

I make it without a single run in, not one person in my quest to reach him. It feels like a blessing.

And he's waiting for me when I arrive. Standing enormously tall in his dank cell.

"Ailsa! Where the devil have you been? I've been worried sick!" I don't miss the accusation in his voice. I sigh.

He's angry with me, and my first reaction is to be upset by this, but I know I would be the same way if our positions were reversed.

"Oh, here and there I ran into some..." I pause with great deliberation. "trouble." I decide on the word because it fits just fine without making a large ordeal out of the attack.

"Trouble?" He asks incredulously, striding forward to peer down at me, his brows bunching over his eyes. "What happened?"

I bite my bottom lip, fiddling with my cloak. I'm not sure how, but he knows something happened. I hadn't expected this, so I didn't prepare for it. What do I say?

"Well, I had a run in with my future husband. His family came to visit... and... uhm well..."

"Yes, the Ramsays, they were here. I know." Fraser says, growing impatient.

"What? Happened?"

I should be afraid of the burning anger he's radiating, but I know his concern is only for my safety.

"Well, you see, I was on my way to come see you three days ago and I ran into Douglas. Let's just say he was not so happy with me."

"What did he do?" Fraser is desperate.

"He didn't hurt me overly much.." I try to say, as I continue to squeeze my hands in the lining of my cloak.

I blink before hands descend on me from between the bars, yanking me forward as my vampire's eyes, brimming with rage, are suddenly glued to my neck.

"No!" I try, but my voice is weak.

I put up a lousy fight, pushing at his forearms and getting nowhere. It's as if my struggle doesn't even register to him.

Cool air grazes my collar bones as my covering is pulled aside.

Warm, rough fingertips trail where I know harsh bruises to be. I flinch, and not from the pain. I know what he's seeing. I'd hoped they swelling would have gone down more.

"There is nowhere he will be able to hide, my sweetness. Nowhere for his cowardly self to go without me finding him. I will end him for this, right after I do the same to your father."

Tears well in my eyes. His voice is deadly calm, and I know in my heart that he means it.

"Please, no. We can just... we can just run away from here, and we'll never have to see them again. It doesn't have to be that way." I'm a sniffling mess, and his big, warm palm slides up to cup my cheek.

The look in his eyes is gentle, as if neverous im about to break beneath his hands.

"I'm sorry. I wish we could, but I will not allow them to live. Not after what they've both done to you." His lips purse momentarily, trapped in his thoughts.

"I can't allow it because I love you, Ailsa."

I'm frozen, trapped in a block of ice but so warm I could combust at any moment.

"Douglas can't kill you, but my words of adoration can? You infuriating creature."

"You love me?" I demand, not realizing how loud the question is until it's out. Whoops.

"You're easy to love. It wasn't difficult to fall into your snare." Fraser smiles softly after saying this. "And now.." He slides his hands down to wrap them around his wrists. "Well now, I am your helpless prisoner."

I scoff at that, swatting the back of one of his hands. I hoped it would make his smile grow into something more genuine, but his eyes are still tight. He's still angry, nostrils flaring like an angered bull.

"Helpless? Threatening to kill anyone who lays a finger on me?"

His head tilts a bit.

"Not a threat. It's a promise. Remember that."

Disregarding his ominous comment that sends a chill down my back, I launch upwards, balancing on the tips of my toes to cup his face and turn it side to side, my arms brushing the silver bars.

"You look gaunt, have you been eating?" I say, and Fraser has the nerve to roll his eyes at me.

"Your father hasn't brought me anything in a long while. He's been a little preoccupied with your company." He sighs, "Also, you've been gone."

Guilt hangs heavy in his gaze, as if relying on my vein is a burden.

"Well, if you don't want it, don't force it down. I offered it thinking it would help." I feel my cheeks burn with a flush.

The thought of my blood being revolting to him makes me upset, but I can't figure out why.

"Your blood?" He asks. I nod. "Your blood is the most delicious thing I've put to my lips, mo cuishle."

His voice is reverent as he drags my hand to his mouth, skating his mouth against my inner wrist. I shiver.

When he looks back up at me, his dark eyes hold a question that he soon vocalizes.

"May I?"

I nod profusely, ready for it, wanting it, needing it. The connection. The satisfaction. It will make me feel whole again.

Just as his fangs begin to prick my skin, that's when a voice from behind me makes me jump.

"What the bloody hell is going on here?"

Things are HAPPENING! More to come soon, I'm gonna shoot for a chapter a day again now that the semester is over and I have more time :) see you soon!!