A Shade of Halloween

by Robin Todd

  He was absolutely gorgeous. He looked everything like Ryan but his eyes were darker. He had a mysterious look and charm to him that Trina couldn’t explain. Everything about him screamed BAD, but it was the kind of bad that got you curious... too curious not to explore.

  As Trina stood there drooling over Ros, all heads turned to the door once again and silence fell on the room like a soft wind. Standing at the entrance was Selena, all poised and elegant like a princess. Her long brown tresses fell graciously past her shoulders, held behind her by two braids woven from the side of her head, and trapping the rest of her hair in place. Her hair stopped just under her butt and naturally drew the eyes to its curve. Though she was not smiling, her face was bright and had such innocence that made one want to treat her with nothing but tender care. Her brown eyebrows were perfectly aligned from her cute nose which sat pretty on her face. Her best feature in Trina’s opinion, were her full red lips which had a natural pout to them. Selena Ryder was breathtakingly gorgeous in her light pink ball gown and crown made of white lilies.

  “Today, we celebrate!” A young man who came in with the long line of men announced. “The humans have met our demands and I present to you, the sorceress’s daughter, Selena!”

  “Yeah!!!”

  The applause, chants and whistles from the guests was deafening. They continued to cheer as Selena walked forward towards Ros, who was standing at the other side of the ballroom. Trina’s eyes turned to Ryan and she could see that he was frozen in place. He no longer responded to the continuous chit chat of the lady beside him and instead, he stared at Selena like someone in awe would.

  Selena got to Ros and yelled the word ‘monster’ to his face, completely shocking everyone in the crowd.

  The gasps and whispers that followed were clearly audible as they filtered through the previously silent ballroom. Ros smacked her across the face in response. The sound of the slap echoed across the room, causing it to fall as silent as a graveyard. Trina cringed at Ros’s action and she could see that Ryan was even more affected. His hands were balled into fists at his sides and his eyes grew several shades darker. He walked out of the ballroom, leaving his lady companion and everyone else behind.

  “Let the celebration continue.” Ros ordered, causing Trina to turn back to him.

  He walked out of the ballroom too, leaving Selena standing there with the rest of the clan. The music restarted and people went back to drinking, smoking and chatting. Trina decided to explore the rest of the mansion. She was already tired of being an uninvited eavesdropper on conversations she had no clue what they were about. She found herself on a balcony, overlooking the dark forest in front of the mansion. She immediately recognized the pale pink gown and long brown hair of the girl standing a few paces from her. It was Selena - and she was crying.

  Trina ran to her and hugged her. Just like Ryan, Selena didn’t seem to notice she was there. She just clutched the locket on her neck and balled her eyes out.

  “You know; I wear my mother’s locket too.”

  Ryan’s voice coming from behind them caused both girls to turn around. His face was as calm as the sea, and no longer had the enraged expression it had in the ballroom. He smiled at Selena and approached.

  “I know that the locket keeps her close.” He added, when he stood in front of her. 

  He was a good foot taller than she was and from where Trina stood, it looked like their bodies could fit together perfectly if they ever decided to hug.

  Selena frowned at him with eyes that seemed ablaze.

  “Get away from me!” She yelled.

  Ryan smiled and wiped a tear from her cheek.

  “I’m sorry he hit you.” He said, as if he didn’t hear her yell at him.

  Selena looked at him like she was surprised.

  “...You hit me.” She whispered.

  “Oh!” He rolled his eyes. “That happens all the time and it’s quite upsetting. I’m not Ros, I promise.”

  Selena looked at him like she didn’t believe him.

  “Can’t you tell I’m more handsome?” He gave a shocked expression.

  “Come on, Ros doesn’t hold a candle to this!” He added, pointing at his face.

  “This little conversation is over, brother. The sorceress’s daughter must retire to her chambers.” Ros’s voice came from behind Ryan. He walked into the balcony and stood beside him.

  Selena’s wide eyes showed how surprised she was. She must have thought Ryan was lying about not being Ros. Looking at them standing side by side, Trina could tell the Soille twins were very identical. However, Ryan didn’t have that dark and terribly attractive charm she saw in Ros.

  As Selena made her way into the mansion, she turned back and looked at Ryan one more time. He grinned at her but she just turned around and left.

  Trina’s eyelids fluttered open and she was back on the king sized bed in Ryan’s suite. Ryan was lying on the other side of the bed, facing the ceiling with his eyes closed.

  Chapter Eleven

  Selena’s POV

  I stepped out of the bathroom, wearing a pink Hello Kitty nightie Ryan had picked out for me. I didn’t want to dress suggestively since we were spending the night on the same bed but I couldn’t help it. The fabric was so soft and smooth. I knew I had to wear it tonight.

  “At least if things get ugly tomorrow, I’ll know I had a comfortable night sleep on my last day alive.”

  I brushed my hair and held it up in a sleep bun. I realized I was paying attention to every little detail about my appearance. I guessed that was what happened when one realized they literally might be dead the next day. As soon as Ryan saw me, his eyes grew hungry - so hungry that his stare made my cheeks heat up. His eyes became this really deep shade of green I hadn’t seen before and I could feel them burning holes into my skin.

  “Um... I was... um... trying to sleep... um... comfortably.” My weak explanation stumbled out of my mouth like the words were colliding with each other on the way out.

  Ryan didn’t say anything. He was in front of me before I could blink. I really hadn’t seen him move that fast for some time, and it startled me. I wanted to scream and jump back but he swept me into his arms and held me on the spot. The way he looked at me was different. It was like he knew something he wasn’t telling me. It was deep, sexy and inviting... so inviting that I was having a hard time remaining on my feet. He picked me up and I instinctively wrapped my legs around him. I knew my actions were definitely going to put ideas in his head but I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t fight it anymore.

  My body wanted him... I wanted him.

  He pushed me a little higher up his frame, so that I was looking down at his green – scratch that – very green eyes. He slowly turned around, spinning me in the air like a father would to his little girl when he was dancing with her. There was no music in the room but I didn’t care. I had since drowned in the beautiful green oceans of his eyes.

  Ryan held me up with one hand and slowly slid the other up my back, all the way to my neck. He pulled my neck down and I obeyed, brushing my lips against his. At first, it was a soft kiss. It quickly became a hungry one as I pushed my lips further into his. I closed my eyes and wrapped my hands around his neck, while allowing him drown me in his lips... over and over again. He moved me over to the bed and laid me down gently on the sheets. His hand traveled down my side to the exposed skin on my legs and everywhere his hand touched exploded in pleasure. I knew this was it - the special time I had been waiting for my entire teenage life.

  Ryan kissed my neck all the way to my shoulders before coming back up to my lips. I welcomed his lips happily... hungrily too. I wanted more of him, so much more than I wanted to admit. As if reading my mind, he broke the kiss and looked deep into my eyes.

  “I want you.”

  His voice was so deep and husky that I had to curl my fingers and toes to stop myself from ripping his clothes off. I tried to reply but the words collided with themselves at the back of my throat. A
ll I could do was nod my consent. I knew he would do everything in his power to protect me but if somehow he couldn’t, at least I’d know he gave me a beautiful farewell.

  Ryan gave a small smile when he saw me nod. I was so lost in his eyes that I didn’t notice when he took his clothes off. He held himself up with his elbows, so he wouldn’t put the weight of his frame directly on my slim body. It was a sweet thing to do, and in that moment, I confirmed that I wanted him to have me.

  ...and he did.

  He wrapped his arms tightly around me and I closed my eyes as he took me on a journey of passion. Our bodies rose and fell as one, gliding passionately to the music only we produced. He kissed and bit lightly on my lips as he took me to a crescendo of heights and even higher heights. My lips moaned, and my body shivered as his explosion overtook me – over and over again.

  Then it fell silent.

  All that could be heard was panting... my panting.

  Ryan was as calm as the sea in low tide. He looked down at me and smiled.

  “I love you.” I whispered.

  The words had left my lips before I could stop them. What followed them was fear. What if he didn’t say he loved me back? But we were married in the past. He must love me, right? It’s why he went through all the trouble to save me from his brother, right?

  Ryan placed his index finger on my chest and kissed my lips one more time.

  “Tell me again when tomorrow ends.” He whispered.

  It wasn’t the reply I was expecting but it was still a very sweet thing to say. I kissed him on his cheek and rested my head on his chest. I could feel his body rise and fall as he wrapped his arms tightly around me.

  “Goodnight.” I heard him say into my hair.

  “Goodnight.” I replied, closing my eyes to sleep.

  I opened my eyes and found myself in a garden of beautiful growing flowers. They were on either side of the cobblestone path on which I stood. I could smell them in the chilly night air - roses, daises, lavenders and Jasmines. Together, they combined with the chilly air outside to put an enchanting fragrance around my surroundings, and a pure smile on my face. I was excited, I could tell... and it had nothing to do with the flowers. I felt strong arms wrap around my waist. I seemed to know who they belonged to because I smiled before I turned around to face him. The person behind me was Ryan Soille, the one for which my heart beat... the one who made me believe not all monsters were truly monsters. His soft lips pressed against my neck and the pleasure they brought was undeniable. I turned around and met dark green eyes. The bright smile on his face lit his eyes up, making them appear softer than they did at first.

  “How’s my favorite lady doing this evening?” He asked.

  “I thought I was your ONLY lady.” I replied, laughing.

  He joined my laughter and pulled me into his arms. It was a rich, deep laughter - one that came right out of the soul. It delighted me and made me feel like I didn’t have a care in the world.

  “My brother’s with the council.” He said, smiling.

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Like you have to bring him up in a perfect moment.”

  “I only said that so you’ll be comfortable enough for me to do this.” He said, looking deep into my eyes.

  I was going to ask what this was when his lips met mine in our very first kiss.

  It felt like fireworks, waterfalls and butterflies - a combination of explosion, serene calm and pure bliss. I closed my eyes and pressed my lips harder against his, feeling his hands grab my waist even tighter.

  “Selena!” I heard someone growl my name.

  It wasn’t from anywhere around me. I turned around in shock and confusion, wondering where such a harsh tone had come from.

  My eyelids flung open and I found myself in bed, staring at the very angry face of Ryan Soille.

 

  Chapter Twelve

  Selena’s POV

  My eyes widened in shock at the sight of Ryan frowning right in front of my face.

  “Are you... okay?” I stammered.

  “If you didn’t ruin my attempt at waking you up in a sexy way, then maybe I would be.” He whined.

  “Really, Ryan?” I asked, sitting up on the bed and kissing him on his lips. “You’re acting like a two-year-old.”

  He smiled and kissed me again.

  “It’s our anniversary… and happy Halloween’s day.” He grinned.

  “Happy anniversary... and Halloween’s day.” I replied, though I still had no memory of a wedding with him or anyone else for that matter.

  “I got you something.” He said, getting up from the bed and walking to the closet.

  “Is it a costume?” I asked, giving him a curious look.

  “You can call it that, if your goal is to be my bride.” He grinned.

  I had no idea what he was talking about but when he pulled a dress off the hanger and turned around to face me, time stood still. It was the most beautiful white dress I had ever seen. It was slim and long, made of the whitest of Charmeuse fabric that flowed to the ground flawlessly. The top of the dress was made of sheer white fabric, adorned with an intricate combination of patterns and white diamonds cut into tiny little pieces of complete preciousness. Everything about the dress was brightly white, except the bow at the waist which was a deep red, the same shade as blood.

  “Wow.” I gasped. “When did you get this?”

  “Do you like it?” He asked.

  “Are you kidding me? I love it! Oh my gosh...” I ran off the bed and ran my fingers against the fabric.

  “I got it while you were asleep.” He smiled.

  The dress screamed ‘Touch Me’ and felt just as smooth and silky as it looked. For a moment, I forgot the impending doom of the day. I lived in that moment and loved every second. That was until Ryan put the dress back in the closet and turned to me.

  “Every lifetime since your mother cast the reincarnation spell, I would try to get to you first. I would search everywhere to find you and always show up too late. My heart would break over and over again but I always hoped to find you first in the next lifetime... well, human lifetime. It’s the same one for me.” Ryan gave a sad smile before he continued. “This time, I did. I want the moment to be special. I want to spend the day with you like Ros never happened. I want to see you in that dress and know that you’re mine. I don’t want any distractions... not the Halloween frenzy outside, not the thought of Ros, nothing. I just want us to be with each other throughout the day. I’ve made arrangements to take you somewhere. It’s a cathedral just outside of town. It’s abandoned now, so we don’t have to worry about people coming in and distracting us. It’s also the last place my brother will think of looking for you. All I need is for you to wear this dress I got you and come with me.”

  I rushed into his arms and kissed him. I moved my fingers through his hair and melted my body into his. Everything he said resonated with me in more ways than one and I could only imagine how heartbroken he must have felt all those times he had to watch his brother hurt me. I was grateful not to have any memory of the number of times Ros had supposedly killed me because I would surely have turned out twisted if I did.

  “Do you have a plan to keep Ros away from us even if he shows up at some point today?” I asked.

  “I do... and this time, I’m ready to give it my all.” He replied, looking deep into my eyes.

  I kissed him again and hugged him for another two minutes before pulling away from him.

  “I shouldn’t keep you waiting any longer than necessary.” I smiled, walking to the bathroom and closing the door behind me.

  When I got out of the shower, Ryan went in to take a bath. I used the opportunity to put the gorgeous white dress on. I was brushing my hair in front of the mirror when he stepped out of the bathroom.

  “Vampires sure bathe fast.” I teased, causing him to laugh.

  “I have a glam squad coming in for that.” He said, pointing at my hair.

  “A glam squad
?”

  “If I didn’t know better, I would have thought you were planning to give me a surprise wedding.” I laughed, looking at his beautiful green eyes.

  He laughed again and swept me into his arms. He planted a soft kiss on my lips before placing me back down again. There was a knock on the door and he was there to open it before the person could tap the door a second time. It was his glam squad with their boxes of makeup and hair products.

  “I want to see it when everything is done, so just stop by at the reception on your way out.” He told the squad.

  “Sure.” The lady in charge replied, and Ryan walked out of the room.

  The squad got to work immediately and twenty minutes later, they were gone. I looked at the mirror and even I was impressed at how beautiful the girl who stared back at me was. I smiled at myself in the mirror and caught a glimpse of Ryan from the side of my eye.

  “Wow!” I heard him say, just as I turned around.

  “It’s beautiful, right?” I smiled.

  “You have no idea how hard it is for me to keep my hands to myself right now. I feel like ripping that dress to pieces and making you mine again.” He replied, forcing my cheeks to blush.

  I self-consciously placed my hands on my cheeks and giggled as Ryan teased me.

  “Aww. Don’t be shy, my sweet little cutie.” He laughed. “Shall we?”

  “Sure.” I replied, walking out of the hotel room behind him.

  It was still the early hours of the morning so the road was free of traffic. We got to the abandoned cathedral Ryan mentioned and exited the car. From outside, I could see it was a very big one. It looked like a royal cathedral of some sort and I wondered why anyone would leave it abandoned. I didn’t have time to wonder too much because Ryan grabbed my hand and pulled me into the building. Once we got inside, I was surprised. It was completely empty with a few broken pieces of wood and metal scattered around several corners.

  “Um... I thought you said you made arrangements for us to have a beautiful day here.” I asked, smiling just in case there was something I was missing. “There’s nothing here, Ryan. It’s empty.”

  Ryan looked at me and smiled.

  “How does it feel to be hopeful for something only to find out at the last minute that you’ve been fooled?” He asked, and I could see his eyes had grown several shades darker.