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@}-- Act I
@}-- Act II
@}-- Act III
@}-- Act IV
@}-- Act V
@}-- Act VI
@}-- Act VII
@}-- Act VIII
@}-- Act IX
@}-- Act X
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Letters from the Heart, Act X

“Then what happened?”

“Draconis sent me off again. Another ‘request’ of his. I was not gone for long, but upon my return she had found yet another gentleman…” Lucien lapsed into silence for a long moment, his thoughts wandering over the past few years of his life.

“You must go back.”

“What?” Lucien looked up at Catarina, the comment snapping him out of his reverie.

“You must go back,” Catarina repeated. “You think the story is over but it isn’t. It’s far from over. You have to finish it.”

Lucien looked at her for a long moment. Her face was streaked with tears and her eyes shimmered with more. He hadn’t noticed before, but they were a beautiful crystal blue. Her hair was an odd shade of red. It actually looked bronze if he looked at it right. There was a silver/white streak in it just above her left temple and her skin was tan. When she smiled he swore he saw canines. Why hadn’t he noticed things like this before?

“I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with you, Lucien. I was only supposed to guide you on your way. You need to finish this chapter in your life before you can truly be great. Guenwhyvar would be very disappointed in you if you dwelled on this for all eternity.

“Celesta needs this, too: closure. This love you two share for one another needs to be dealt with, one way or another. Neither of you can keep going on like this.”

Catarina moved closer to Lucien. He tried to move back. His body didn’t respond. He was completely transfixed by her. “Who are you?” he whispered.

“They call me ‘Diahnee’ in the ancient tongue. I am the destined child to prevent a corrupted portion of the Void from tampering with history. I have come here to make sure that you achieve the greatness that you deserve , and maybe a little happiness

“You are truly a wonderful, splendid man, Lucien. I can see why Celesta fell in love with you and why it has been so hard for her to let you go all of these years. Such an honorable man. You are truly a gentleman.”

She studied his face in that same way Celesta had, so many years ago. “If only I was a normal woman… I could stay here and try to win your heart and make you mine.” She smiled. “Go back to Camille, Lucien. Finish this bittersweet tale. For her sake, if not yours.”

She leaned forward and kissed him. He felt the desert with its unforgiving heat on her lips and then the rain, soothing and calm, as he drank her in. Dew from that moment just after twilight on a midsummer’s night seemed to fill the air as he gave in to her kiss. An eternity untold seemed to pass in that one moment and it left him breathless. Then, she was gone, taking all of his memories of their encounter with her.

Lucien sat in his tent with the feeling that something was missing and a piece of his soul was gone. What was he just thinking about? He glanced over at the coffee table and saw paper with words on it. He picked it up and looked it over curiously, trying to regain his train of thought.

Ah, yes. He was going to return to Camille. It was late. He would pack in the morning.

***

Celesta didn’t hear about Lucien’s arrival in the city until weeks later. In a way, she was glad. All of her affairs had been put into order and her marriage to Matteo had been finally annulled. Her devotion to Rail had increased and she had started to make appearances again about town.

Men, who had heard that she was unmarried once more, came flocking to her. They were surprised when they were met with a firm, but polite, “No.” With those that persisted, a cold stare was their answer.

She was tired of all the boys that strived to gain her attention. She was tired of all the petty gossip and the latest fashions, and which gentleman was more attractive. None of it mattered.

She just wanted to get her life back into focus and leave all of this behind her. She debated on seeing Lucien one last time before finally leaving and decided that perhaps it was best if she didn’t.

When she returned home, she found a dark haired man waiting on her porch. Her first instinct was to run, but when the stranger looked up at her she stifled a gasp.

“L-Lucien?”

“I was unsure whether you still lived here or not,” Lucien replied to her question.

“Technically, no.” When he gave her a confused look Celesta shook her head. “Why don’t you come inside? We can talk then.” She stepped forward and unlocked the door, then beckoned Lucien to follow her.

She led him to a cozy room in the back. More of a private living room than anything else. She took off her cloak and laid it across the back of a chair. She waited for Lucien to settle in a seat before sitting down across from him.

Celesta studied his face and sensed a lot of pain emanating from him. She wasn’t sure if it was because of her or because of his long absence from Camille.

“What happened to you?” she finally asked.

Lucien shrugged. “Life.”

Celesta gave him a flat look. “You know what I meant.”

Lucien looked away and stared down at the floor. “Many things happened while I was away,” he began. “I supposed I should tell you the reason for my long absences first.” He looked up at her to see if she was listening or not, then continued. “Celesta, since our first meeting I told you that I work for the prince. It was not a complete lie. I do work for the prince but not as his knight. I am his herald.” He waited for her reaction patiently.

Celesta stared at him for what seemed like an eternity. “The herald is a creature of legend used to scare children to go to sleep,” she said slowly, her gaze never leaving Lucien’s face. “He is a ruthless killer, whose sole purpose is to destroy those who threaten the prince’s life as well as those of the royal family.”

Lucien inclined his head. “Among other things, yes, that is what I do.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Then how do you explain my long absences? Especially alone with none of my fellow knights to accompany me? Why was I never deployed with my unit when they left or why Lord Damon never enforced a curfew and regulations of some sort on me? Is it not more than a little odd?”

Celesta was shaking her head the entire time. “It is not possible,” she said, although she only sounded half convinced by her own words. It was plausible, and quite possible, that Lucien was the prince’s herald.

“All you have is my word to go on, Celesta.”

“So, if you are the herald, then…then all those things…that…that the herald did…”

“I did,” Lucien finished quietly.

“You killed all of those people?” Celesta whispered, horrified.

“Celesta, it is what I do. It is my duty as the prince’s-”

“How could you kill all those people?!”

Lucien reeled back from the question. It hit him in the face like a slap and her voice had been quiet, but she might as well have screamed. The accusation and horror in her eyes made him feel as if he was the most despicable creature on the face of the earth.

“Celesta,” he began in an attempt to regain his composure, “that is my duty as the prince’s herald. I signed a contract with Prince Draconis. So long a I am in his service I do his bidding.”

“Well, then, break you contract with him!”

“I cannot!”

“Why not?!”

“Because the terms of the agreement have not been met!”

Celesta stood up abruptly and began pacing. She rounded on Lucien suddenly, her expression fierce. “Why did you keep this from me?” she demanded.

“I was under orders not to tell anyone.”

“And that is justifiable reason to keep secrets from me? When you kept disappearing on me I thought that everything you told me was a lie. That it was just your way of keeping me close to you and playing games with my heart! And now you want me to believe that you’re the prince’s herald?”

Lucien rose to his feet and closed the distance between them. “Do you really believe what you just said?” he asked quietly.

Celesta’s shoulders slumped. “No. I always knew something more than what you were telling me was going on. I waited for you to tell me but you never did. Even when you offered your heart to me, there was a part of you I didn’t know and couldn’t reach. It frustrated me that I could never know you completely.”

“Tell me, Celesta, could you ever, truly love someone whose hands are stained with so much blood?” Lucien searched her face. He saw the hesitation on her face and had his answer. He stepped away from her and gathered up all of his things, heading for the door.

“Wait! Where are you going?”

Lucien stopped and turned. “Celesta, I am the prince’s herald. Death and destruction follows in my wake. The herald is an aspect of me and by your hesitation I know it is something you will never understand. It is something that will never go away, even if I end my contract with the prince tonight.”

“So, you are going to walk away, just like that?”

“You had your calling. This is mine.”

“I still love you. Even when I was with Matteo all I could think about was you. Always you, dear Lucien.”

“Celesta-”

She held up a hand to forestall any of Lucien’s comments and continued. “It wasn’t until you were truly gone did I understand my feelings for you. Once you were gone, forever I thought, did I realize how much you meant to me, how much you loved me. Especially when Matteo left.

“But…something happened to me. I went to the temple of Rail one night and heard Rail’s plea for help. He was dying, so I gave Him my body…”

Lucien stared, and finally realization came to him. “You are a goddess…” he whispered.

Celesta nodded. “Yes, so even if I wanted to come to accept the fact that you’re the prince’s herald, I wouldn’t be able to be with you. A love between a god or goddess and another being is nigh impossible.”

“When did this happen?”

“Shortly after Matteo left.” Celesta smiled at him and blinked her eyes rapidly to keep her tears at bay. “If I were but a normal woman…” She let the thought trail off.

“It seems as though even the Fates are against us,” Lucien said after a moment’s silence.

“So it would seem.”

“I will probably never see you again.”

Celesta closed her eyes in a vain attempt to block out the pain visibly etched onto Lucien’s face, but it was too late. His face was seared into her mind’s eye. “Probably not,” she choked out. She willed herself to not tremble and was thankful that Rail’s consciousness had decided to recede at that moment. She felt arms about her and she opened her eyes.

“Let me hold you this one last time.”

She couldn’t hold back any longer. She wrapped her arms about him and began to cry. “I will love you for all time,” she said through her tears.

“That is good to know, that I have earned the eternal love of a goddess.” Lucien kept his arms about her and rested his cheek against her. He tried to memorize her scent and the feel of her in his arms. He closed his eyes and burned her image into his memory.

“My most precious memories, Lucien, are my memories of you, for without you I never would have known what love is. Thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

Celesta had to smile at that. He was always the gentleman. She felt him draw away from her after her tears had quieted and she looked up at him finally. She could see the marks that his trials had left upon his face and wished that she could take away his pain.

“I have to go,” Lucien said finally.

“I know. Good fortune be with you.”

“And also with you.” Lucien hesitated for the merest fraction of a moment, then turned abruptly and left.

***

“Draconis, I am tired.”

This comment made the prince stop what he was doing and turn to face Lucien. He studied his friend for a long moment, noticing not only the physical signs of exhaustion, but also the mental and emotional ones as well. “What would you like to do to remedy this?”

Lucien took in a long, shaky breath and looked out a window. “Sleep. Sleep a very long time.”

They had that understanding, then. “Ah,” the prince said and Lucien nodded.

Draconis stood up and walked over to Lucien. “Come with me,” he instructed. He waited for Lucien to follow him before walking toward a little used part of the castle. He led him to an empty room halfway down a hallway full of many doors. He opened the door and stepped inside.

Lucien followed Draconis inside and looked over at the prince curiously.

“Just lay down and go to sleep, Lucien. You will awaken when you feel ready,” Draconis reassured him.

“How long will I be asleep?” Lucien inquired. He was intrigued now about how this whole process was going to work.

“For as long as you need it.”

Lucien nodded. That would be a very long time indeed. He placed his things on the chair that was in the room. He debated on whether or not he should get ready as if he was going to bed then shrugged off the idea. He took off his boots, gloves, and belt and climbed into the bed.

“Just rest now, my friend,” Draconis said soothingly. He passed a hand over Lucien’s face and watched as his friend drifted off into a peaceful sleep. He quietly exited the room and shut the door behind him.

***

Lucien dreamt of her again and wondered why his mind would torture him this way. He was dreaming of when they had first met, but when she came to him when he thought that he was alone and told him she loved him was he convinced that he was loosing his mind.

“You’re not loosing your mind, silly.”

Lucien whirled around to face the owner of the voice. He was almost afraid to look.

Celesta put her hands on her hips. “It’s nice to see you, too.”

“But…how…?” Lucien gave her a confused look. “I thought I was asleep.”

“You are. I’m visiting you in your dreams.” Celesta walked up to him an smiled.

“Why?” he asked her wonderingly.

All she did was smiled at him and he had his answer. “There is a place for you forever locked away in the realm of my most inner sanctum of my heart where you will be ruler and king for all time.”

“As you will always have a place in mine for all eternity, to my last breath.”

Celesta sighed and hugged him. “We can never be together in the mortal realm, but we can at least be together here in our dreams.”

Lucien put his arms around her and sighed. “You always manage to tug at my heart in the most complicated ways, Celesta. At least I have been given this small shred of happiness.”

“Lucien, your life will be filled with happiness. I will make sure of that.”

“Always?”

“Always.”

And for him, that was enough. If he could at least be with Celesta this way, to hold her if only in his dreams, even if it was just for a moment, then it was enough.

~Fin

 

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