Chapter 302: Another place
At a complete loss he was as for the first time in Silas’ life, there was no relying on his sense of scent, sight or even hearing.
Their giggles reached him, but any word they uttered among each other came strangely muffled.
Still, the vampire kept a cool head on his shoulders and compartmentalized the fear that attempted to overrun him in that moment.
There were three of them, clearly female, enjoying the fresh air in that... Place. If he could even call it that.
The closer Silas got to them, the more details turned distinguishable to him. Two of the women were familiar, but the third remained unrecognizable.
The three women sat on what seemed like a piece of fabric that fit all of them around a delicious looking meal.
They chirped about something Silas did not give much heed as he was absorbed by the brilliant smile of one of them.
Arabella simpered and giggled in response to the other women’s sayings and from time to time, she’d say something of her own, but most importantly, what held his attention was the fact that she was full of... Life.
Death plagued not a cell in her body and her beam was as real as any she’d ever offered him.
"I so longed for this moment, mama," in the softest of tones Arabella had uttered, her hand reaching over to take one of the women’s, the one Silas did not know, "I’ve missed you so much,"
Mama? So that was who she was then? Arabella’s mother.
The woman’s smile dimmed but remained visible and frail, "I thought you’d hate me for what I’ve done to you,"
"I could never hate you, mama," Arabella shook her head, her voice growing strained.
"And I suppose I am crashing this moment," Katherine who’d sat quietly until then finally spoke.
"No, my dear," Arabella’s mother turned to her, "You are welcome to sit with us for as long as you need to,"
"Yes, you are!" Arabella chimed in with a little more energy than her mother.
"It is very kind of you to welcome me among you," Katherine looked down at her hands, "Especially since I was the cause of this... Reunion," she dared not lift her gaze from her lap.
The vampiress was clean of all of that blood she’d stolen from her victim and her eyes were... The ones Silas had always known and seen on her.
There was no doubt that Katherine had recovered her senses there.
"Please, don’t you say that, Katherie!" Arabella took her hand, "It was in no way your fault,"
The apologetic look Arabella offered Katherine irked Silas to no end. He wanted nothing but to scream and shout at her to let Katherine apologize, to let her take the blame and responsibility for what she’d done with her bare hands...
To tell her that she took what was never hers to take in the first place and then left him to pick up the pieces.
But none of those words left his mouth... The desire to simply admire each and every one of Arabella’s motions, every little expression, as minute as it may have been, took over completely.
"I know it wasn’t you. You would have never. Not in a million years," Arabella wasn’t stern by any means, but an air of seriousness dawned on her in that moment. One that mingled with her ever-living warmth.
"But I still did it," that was all Katherine managed to say.
"Let us not sour the moment," Arabella’s mother interjected, "What’s done is done, my dear,"
After careful consideration, it became clear to Silas that Arabella hadn’t inherited much in terms of physical features from her mother, but they still shared the same sincere and sweet smile somehow.
The same grace of motion that held not an ounce of arrogance. It was uncanny how they looked almost nothing like each other and yet... So similar at the same time.
They were of the same body size, but other than that, no part of their appearance indicated any familiar ties.
The woman clearly had a number of years of life over Arabella. Her cognac eyes reflected the light just as much as Arabella’s Irises did.
Her golden-brown hair was so fair and straight that even the barely existent breeze in that realm lifted and played with it.
"My mother is right," Arabella nodded with more determination, "What is done is done and we ought to accept it," at those words, she turned to her mother and had that glistening in her eyes as if searching for her approval.
"Indeed," the woman nodded slowly, her sweet smile not leaving her features for a fraction of a second.
Ought to accept what’s already happened? Was that really all to be done?
No, that couldn’t be! He had no assurance that they were talking about what occurred the night before but... What else was there?
In no way could he just take it without a fight... Then again, what was there to be done?
"This place is quite peaceful, so I don’t mind staying but... You had so much more to live for," Katherine’s eyes fell onto Arabella’s wedding dress which she still donned.
"So did you, Katherine," Arabella gave her a meek smile.
"I wish there was a way for me to attend the big day," Arabella’s mother leaned forward, a bright beam on her only to stroke her daughter’s cheek.
To which, Arabella chuckled, "Yes, I wish I could attend that day as well,"
"Oh...," her mother straightened up, "But unlike me, you still can,"
Both Arabella and Katherine looked at each other, eyebrows furrowed.
Silas stood still, a flicker of something kindled in his chest.
"Mama, what do you mean?"
"I meant exactly what I said," her mother looked between her daughter and Katherine, "You don’t belong here. At least not yet,"
Was that flicker in him hope? Why else would her mother say that then?
"I do not understand," Arabella shook her head, her smile had completely vanished.
"This place isn’t for the living, darling," there were tears in her mother’s eyes.
"But... Here I am and I can...," her voice shook, "I can finally reach you. I can finally touch you,"
"I know, my dear," her mother nodded, "I know,"