#keithbmp

[zalanor]

Fallen

Chapter 7  part 2 *Keith* It had been hours since Nastacia had removed herself from the premises and I was still staring out into the distance from the seclusion of my balcony. There was going to be hell to pay with this scandal, but I suppose I couldn't blame her. One of us deserved to be free, to be loved uncoditionally, and break away from the ties that bound us to this life. I had too much too lose, not just for myself, but for all of my people. The fact that she had dared to dream and carried out her plan to be happy no matter what, deserved my respect at the very least. I wondered who the lucky bastard worth all the trouble actually was. I made my way to my dresser drawer, but didn't have the heart to look. I grabbed the pile of picture and threw them in the fire place the first chance I got. After a few months had passed, I was now on a probationary period. I felt like a damn adolescent, I even had a curfew that father had refused to extend. All the other princes and myself had gathered at Nobel Michel for Lord Michels birthday. Everyone had attended the celebration with an escort, except for myself. I wanted to distance myself from women for a while after realizing how dangerous a creature like that could be when scorned. Wilfred had apparently become deeply smitten with his personal fashion designer, but refused to heed my warning. I eventually slipped out as the night had progressed and Lord Michel had already retired for the night, so I could take a walk down the garden. I began to hear laughter and a pair of hushed voices the further away I got from the castle and the closer I got to the lake. I took a peak around expecting to find a couple in the middle of fooling around. Instead, the view before my eyes, forced a pain to hit me dead in the middle of my chest. There she was, Nastacia was half laying across the lawn. The upper half of her body was resting against his chest between his legs. He was tickling her ear with a small flower and running the petals along the side of her neck. She had the most beautiful smile splayed across her lips as she turned to look him in the eyes. "I love you so much Stací." I had only seen that smile before she was forced to move overseas. Something about it made me remembered how many times I had made her cry for no reason whatsoever and the pain grew more imtense inside my chest. She wrapped her hand along the side of his jaw and continued to kiss him. That smile of hers never once left her lips. "I...I love you too Zain." I couldn't bring myself to interrupt or watch them any further after she lay down with her head resting on his lap. They really did love seem to each other. "So...thats what love loooks like." I muttered to myself as I made my way back to the castle. Taking a deep breath, I felt releaved that all of this had not been in vain. I may never in a million years find what she has with Zain, but maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a page from her book and hope. That is how dreams begin to take form after all.

[zalanor]

Fallen

Chapter 7 part 1

*Keith*

“…And the reports show an image posted on Instagram by an anonymous member, of a person resembling The Crown Prince of Liberty, that has caused quite the stir and has gone viral within an hour of it being posted.” I let out a deep sigh of frustration. I was put on lock down immediately after my return to the manse. Luke had ordered me. Luke ordered me. Luke. Ordered. Me!! Luke had ordered…ME?! Nope. It still didn’t sound right. No matter how many times I repeated that in my head, I just couldn’t fathom the fact that I was forced to takes orders from Luke per the Kings request or command or whatever. The world seemed to of been flipped completely upside down as I stared at the image that had apparently gone viral. It was one of Natasha and myself sharing an ice cream cone together. Of course the angle was horrible. Proof that it must of been taken by an amateur, you couldn’t even make out her face. I suppose that was a plus on our side.  Without even a single knock, the door flew wide open. Luke entered with a disinterested look, assuming that I could just read his mind.  "Have you been pardoned from knocking as well? Or has this entire fiasco forced you to forget about your manners and who it is that you are here to serve?“ "As endearing as your sense of humor may be, I would advise that you refrain from making such smart mouth comments. His majesty has requested an immediate audience with you.” Luke walked out of my room, leading me. Like a child on his way to be scolded and brutally punished for stealing candy without permission. My eyes widened as soon as I saw Nastacia already standing before my father. “What is the meaning of this? She is innocent, if you must punish someone… then let that person, and that person alone, be me.” I moved towards her, but she flinched and drew away from me the second I tried to take a hold of her hand. “That is the sole purpose of this meeting…my son.” His tone was cold and harsh, even for him. “This young lady is the same one that was with you earlier this evening…is that correct?” “I….” “Just answer the question.” “Yes. Yes your majesty, she is, but…” “Very well. Grant her what she has has requested and contact her parents immediately.” “Yes your highness.” Luke bowed his head down to my father before disappearing out into the hallway. “Go on now girl, you got what you came here for. Please go…oh….and one more thing. Never return.” I was dumbfounded by what had just happened. “Your majesty?” I had only seen my father get off of that throne and approach his audience once in the entirity of my existence and it did not go very well. Before I even knew what was happening, the back of his hand had struck me so hard that I remained in shock for a few seconds thereafter. This was the first time he had EVER physically struck me. My eyes met with Natashas as she paused before closing the door behind her. “What were you thinking?!” “I…I’m sorry father. You have my sincerest apology. I wasn’t…I didn’t think that a simple date would turn out like this.” “Of course you didn’t and you’re lucky that all she wanted was money and a pardon for her parents.” “Father?” “Let me tell you something son, being an Alford cannot be taken so lightly. Did you really think that I wasn’t aware of your premiscuous behavior with all these women? You’re very lucky that she had the head to come to us first. If she would of gone to the media with all those pictures…it could of turned into a sideshow. Bringing shame and humiliation to not only our family, but the people who are a part of this kingdom as well."  I ended up leaving the audience room with more question than when I first came in. My ego was even more bruised than the pain and burning sensation I still felt of where my father had struck me. I didn’t understand…why would Natasha come to my father and request anything…in exchange for what? More pictures for money? I opened the door to my room, only to find Natasha sitting on my bed. I made it a point to call out to the guards and have her removed immediately. "Wait…” “Get out!” My anger was rising and there was a streak of pain, forcing my heart to beat fast against me chest. “Keith…” “Get out!!” She flinched and looked terrified as soon as I raised my voice at her. She then tried to approach me and take my hand but my reflexes began to act out on their own and I grabbed her by the shoulders and slammed her back against the wall. “What THE FUCK, do you want? Hmmm? Do you want to humiliate me?” I couldn’t believe the position I had put myself in. Thinking back on every detail of the relationship Nastacia and I had shared with one another brought me nothing but rage. “Well…SPEAK!! That’s what you came here for, is it not? Or was it money, I forget?” Her eyes had grown wide and the tears were beginning to brim over. I let go of her and walked away with my hand covering my forehead and part of my eyes. I had to continue and keep myself moving or I was afraid that I was going to snap. “Don’t cry now sweetheart, that`s not what you came here for, was it? Is it forgiveness you seek, or is it more money?” “I…Luke asked that I speak to you.” “Luke?” “Listen to me….I admit that I messed up…and…and we were both wrong. I should of dealt, or handled this in a different manner. You have to understand me Keith.” She drew closer to me and forcibly took my hand and brought it to her lips. “You must hate me so much right now, but…there’s more. I just didn`t have the heart to go through with the plan. So I decided just to give your father half of the pictures…I left the rest and the SD card in the top drawer of your dresser. Please Keith you have to understand…I was desperate and I was left with no other choice. I…I met someone…and I think that we can really be happy together.” “You met someone?” “Please, don’t take this away from me. I love you Keith,  I really do…but you can’t force yourself to love me back and I would NEVER want you to do that. Even if you did, I realized after my marriage interview that the chances of me being accepted by the Alford family were even lower than I would ever expect them to be. I tried to rationalize the situation with my parents, but they were outraged. They threatened to disown me, and eventhough that’s the last thing I’m worried about…he does’t make a fortune…he makes a decent living, but you realize that if this gets out, he’ll be treated like a leper. He has some saved up and I’m sure it’s a generous amount, but  it’s not enough if we wish to leave and elope if we are forced out of the kingdom. Please Keith…you…you owe me dammit!” “What?! How dare you?” “You did this to me, you broke me to the point where I no longer wanted to live. I loved you and gave you my all, then you go and say something as foolish as you love me. I don’t know what hurt more, the fact that you lied, or the fact that you said it and literally ran away from me within hours time. He…he accepts me regardless, and I may not love him as much as I do you but I do care about him. I will try my damdest to be the most loving and nurturing woman that he deserves, because he was there for me when no one else was.” “If HE means so fucking much to you, then what was you still dating me all about? Were you already with him the night you got drunk? Have you slept with him?!” She looked down at her hands and the tears began to spill. “No!! It’s not like that! And YES, I was upset with him for not standing up for himself that day. So…I continued to date you, you were my final escape plan. THIS way, I will be the only one who has to face exile and humiliation from my own flesh and blood. Your scandal will blow over by tomorrow, but this is my last chance. Please Keith…I am asking you to help me be happy. Don’t you want the same? To be happy?” She unburried her face from within my chest and kissed my jaw, then my cheekbone, and close to my eye where I could still feel the sting from my father’s hand. “I’m sorry your father struck you because of me, hate me if you want, but please…don’t stand in the way of my final chance to be happy.” I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. “I don’t think your boyfriend would appreciate you kissing another guy?” “Does this mean that you forgive me?” “No! I…I’m still angry with you for causing all of this, but I will. I will forgive you within time, it’s my mess, I’ll clean it up. Go to the airport whenever you’re ready. I’ll have Luke set everything up if you ever need to escape. ONE TIME ONLY, I’m not running a bloody charity airport. Goodbye Nastacia, and I’m sorry as well. Just go.” She had clung to my neck and was wiping her tears away with her hand and blowing her nose on a handkerchief I was forced to provide for her. It was so gross and the sight of her smiling and crying her eyes out was ghastly. I wished her the best and hoped that this is what she wanted as I walked out the front door. I had a strong feeling that this might be the last time that I ever see her as I watched her car disappear into the night.

[zalanor]

Fallen

Chapter 6 part 2 *Natasha* I clung to Keith’s arm while we waited in line for the ferris wheel. I slightly pulled down on his sunglasses so I could take a look at his gorgeous eyes. “It’s going to be harder to pull off wearing these shades.” The sun was beginning to go down and I realized that this might be the last time I get to be this close to him ever again, because after tonight he might just grow to hate me forever. I tried to kiss the corner of his lips, but he caught on to what I was doing and covered my mouth with his. His tongue parting through and testing my will power and self control. I had to give it to Keith, he was indeed an amazing kisser. The best I’ve ever had even. Most girls in my position would be considered insane for doing this. He just wasn’t what I wanted anymore, but that was no reason to enjoy the final moments I had with him and make them completely unforgettable. Before we even knew it, we had both stepped out of line without pulling away from each other, and he had my back pressed against the side wall of one of the stalls. His lips had moved down my jaw and along the length of my neck. I was appreciating every ounce of his attention when a familiar pair of eyes met mine. The face I had grown more than accustomed to was several feet away from where we were standing. Thankfully, it was far enough for Keith not to notice him standing there. He stared straight at me, his jaw locked and his hands into fists at his sides. I continued to allow Keith to touch me and kiss me while my beloved watched from far away. His lips soon claimed mine again and by the time I had broken free, he was already gone. My phone began to buzz inside my pocket, without raising any suspicions from Keith I took a peek at my screen then immediately deleted the message on my phone. It had been from him and he wanted to meet around the corner in a few minutes. I gently pressed the palms of my hands against his chest and began to push him away. “Don’t forget that we’re in public.” “I don’t care anymore, can we please just leave?” He breathed heavily against my neck. “I can’t take this anymore. If I can’t have you all to myself in private, I can’t promise you that I won’t lose myself and defile you in public.” “Shhhhhhh. Keith, keep it down and get a little control over yourself. Listen…” I kissed the side of his neck while I was nestled inside his jacket and was buried against his chest so no one could see much. “I’m gonna go freshen up, I must look a mess after this…” I slowly kissed the base of his throat, purposely grazing the tip of my tongue against his skin. “You go get back in line for the ferris wheel and when I return, I promise that we can go anywhere you want…” My tongue continued to brush against him, my teeth slightly grazed against his skin, and I focused my kiss on one of the weakest spots on his body. “And I promise you can do to me…whatever…you want.” I finally tore myself away from him and ran my fingers through my hair in the attempt to straighten any stray strands back into place. “FTER we ride the ferris wheel.” “What? But…” I walked away without allowing him to finish his sentence. The love of my life was waiting for me around the corner and a good distance away from where Keith was still waiting for me. He was next in line to buy from a concession stand. I immediately took his hand when I saw him, but he pulled it away from mine. After placing his order, he turned to look at me with an unamused look on his face. “What do you want? I’m sure you must be starving, since I haven’t seen that inconsiderate pinhead try to feed you all day.” “We did share an ice cream earlier…” I trailed off after seeing the look in his eyes and his profile from a side angle. He was angry and was trying his hardest not to look at me. I wasn’t sure what to make of this, I was flattered that he was a little jealous of the prince, but I wasn’t exactly appreciating his tone. “I’m ok, thank you anyway.” He took a deep breath and then pinched the bridge of his nose before placing another order. After paying and gathering our things, he took me by the hand and sat me down with him at one of the tables. “What do you think you’re doing?” He was poking away at his food with a fork for a while, still unable to look me in the eye when he finally spoke to me once again. “What?” “You’ve been spending more time with HIM than with me, and then you let him just touch you like that, and in public nonetheless?” “You know what? I’m not even hungry.” I got on me feet to leave, but was held back by his hand. “I’m sorry. Please don’t go yet, we rarely get to go on dates and I can’t let you return to him with an empty stomach. Who knows how long it will be before he even realizes that he needs to feed you.” He bent down and broke off a piece of the bread on his plate and placed a small piece in my mouth. I smiled, unable to stay mad at him for long. He had done so much for me already, of course he’d be angry. It was only natural that he wouldn’t want anyone else touching me. My primal instincts would of kicked in, if the shoe were on the other foot. I lowered his hand as he was getting ready to feed me another piece of cake and brought our lips together. I knew that he wasn’t too big on public display, but our kiss didn’t last very long. It was more of a peck if anything, but it had been enough to send his face and ears into a blaze. I pressed my forhead against his chest, whispering the only reassurance I could at the time. “Don’t worry about him…I’m all yours.” When he didn’t respond, I lifted my eyes to meet his. Only to see that his attention was now elsewhere. I followed his gaze to find Luke. Standing a few feet away from us with an infuriated expression on his face, before it just went completely blank on us. He turned on his heel and continued to move at a normal pace. It was as if he had never even seen us. I was getting a horrible feeling at the pit of my stomach about what had just happened. One word from him and our worst fear would come crashing down with a vengeance.

[zalanor]

Chapter 5 part 1

*Natasha*

I was drifting back into consciousness, but I didn’t have the desire to get up. My pillow felt to soft, warm, and toned. Wait, toned? I slightly opened my eyes and I couldn’t believe it. I was wrapped around Keiths gorgeous and perfectly sculpted body. The smell of him next to me was too enticing for me to try to keep it together. His half naked body was only a temporary measure to my sanity and it was even harder trying to remember that. I slipped out of bed knowing that my will wasn’t strong enough to lay next to him without completely giving into my weakness. He had made that point very clear to me the night he told me that he loved me. Not again. I didn’t actually remember having intercourse with him, but maybe nothing had happened. It was kind of hard to tell with the dress I was wearing, we could of easily been way too intoxicated to care about clothes getting in the way. I sighed, disappointed in myself. Even after I had sworn him off for good, here I was in a dark room all alone and sharing my bed with him. My tears began to well up at the thought of my beloved, why did I have to fall hard and so fast. Maybe this was all I was good for, apparently I wasn’t worth the fight and Keith wasnt the only one to be proving that to me at the moment. I removed the thick layer of makeup I had applied on our plane trip out here and drew a hot bath. I stepped out into the balcony while I waited for it to cool, with a sheet wrapped around my body as I waited. Something about the moon and how beautifully it showered the landscape beneath us stabbed at me, like a dagger to my chest. Was this really ALL my life was destined for? I was well aware that I was beautiful and my family was wealthy enough to have plenty of suitors lined up at our door. I had tried all my life to be kind and generous to everyone…despite the social ladder. In the back of my mind I hoped that, that was enough to find the kind of love that you read about in fairy tales. Prince charming wasn’t real, the ideal that a man could have it all…nicely wrapped inside a neat little packaged now seemed absurd. Here I was, luckiest girl in the world. Grew up in a desirable environment, and the crown prince of Liberty had eyes for me. What more could one ask for? I never expected to fall in love as hard as I did, but to do it twice was just being greedy. Now my last and only chance for love had also turned its back on me. My future was nothing more than a mere contract and a marriage to a future senator who knew that our fate was nothing more than a benefit for both of our families. My string had been tied to his and no matter what I did, or said, or how much I protested…my father was set on marrying me off in a months time. “Natasha?” I turned slowly to find Keith standing beside me. “Are you crying?” He turned my body towards him and brought his hand up to my face. With his thumb, he wiped the tears that I hadn’t even realized had escaped me. “I’m sorry, did I wake you? I was about to take a bath.” “No…I…got cold.” His eyes somehow looked like they were in pain. I was sure there was more to him than he ever allowed anyone to see. Specially me, we dated for a good enough amount of time, but not once did I see the real Keith. That was the feeling I got from him anyway. “I’m sorry.” “What?” I really wasnt expecting an apology. “I’m sorry…for everything that I’ve done to you, but…please don’t cry.” I half heartedly smiled. How adorable, he thought I was crying because of him. He obviously believed that I was weaker than I actually was. I suppose my actions would make anyone percieve me in that manner. I got on the tip toes and kissed him on the lips, my hand resting on the side of his face. “Thank you Keith, that means a lot to me.” I giggled a bit at the somewhat shy prince before me. His ears had gone red and he was failing to look me in the eye. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a prince apologize to anyone before, I almost feel honored.” “Almost?” His eyes had finally met mine. “You WERE kind of an asshole….a major one actually.” “You’re not JUST crying about ME, are you? Is this about what happened at the castle?” I lowered my eyes and took his hand in mine. “It doesn’t matter anyway, it’s too late for me now. No one did promise, that my happiness would be everlasting. Everything has its end…I’ve just reach my path is all.” “That’s not always true. I’m sure there’s someone out there…” “Please don’t. I…I just want to feel loved…and wanted. I WANT to feel NEEDED, even if it’s just for a while. My dream ends at sunrise my dear prince, then this Cinderella has to learn how to accept the only life that was given her.” “I want you to know that NOTHING happened between us after the club…..okay…..after the ride home. Anyway, I brought you up to your room and merely kept you company. I was worried all that alcohol would go to that already small brain of yours, but I promise that I didn’t lay a single finger on you. Even that isn’t an excuse leading up to the way that you behaved at the club…and….” He slowly unwrapped the sheet I was wearing and let it drop to the floor. He smiled for some odd reason before he continued to speak. I brought the hand I was holding up to my lips and kissed the palm of his hand. “This…this dress isn’t you and neither was that hideous mask of makeup you layered on your face."  He let go of my hand and without breaking a sweat he ripped the straps, and the only fabric that was holding the dress up. "Even if I couldn’t make you happy forever, there’s no reason for you to forget how special and how beatiful you already are. Don’t let my actions prior to tonight dictate the choices you will continue to make in life.” He picked me up in his arms and I wrapped mine around his neck. His chest felt warm as it pressed against my breasts, our skin touching was a nice reminder of how caring and attentive he could be at times. I didnt fall for him for nothing after all. I suppose he does show me a bit more of himself than he shows anyone else after all. Instead of carrying me off to the bed, he carried me into the bathroom. There was still a bit of steam coming from the tub when he stepped into it with me still in tow. I turned my head around and smiled. “Did we really NOT do anything?” “What do I look like to you? I DO NOT take advantage of innebriated women, despite what some may think of me. I like my women to be nice and alert before I defile them.” “How do you do it?” “Do what?” “Life, relationships? Without letting it affect you whatsoever?” “I accepted what my life would be like the minute I knew who and what I was. I may be human but I do not consider myself as a person. I’m merely a vessel, bred to lead my kingdom as expected of me. Getting mixed up in commoner trivialties…like emotions and desires…will only lead to the destruction of my ideals. After all, what’s the point of falling in love when I will not get to choose who the future queen of Liberty will be.” I tried not to dwell on his words and just how much this truth really hurt. I suppose I should of known better and kept myself aware of that from the very beginning.  It’s not as if it was some huge secret, or that contract unions were uncommon amonst the royals and its higher society. I turned myself around in his arms and removed his dreanched draws and let them drop to the floor with a heavy splash. He looked hesitant at first before Ibrought my lips to his. Are you sure about this? “I’m not expecting a marriage proposal. I’m just expecting you to take care of me for the night. You said that even if you couldn’t make me happy forever, that there was no reason for me to forget how special and how beautiful you think that I am. Lets say I’ve been through more than enough to make me doubt otherwise.” He swept the loose strands of my hair aside and his large hands wrapped around my neck and slid down my shoulders. He brought his face close to my jaw and drew a line of kisses up to my ear. “Then….let me remind you.” He spent the night washing every inch of my body and continued to remind me over and over again why he had become the man of my dreams in such a short amount of time. If only he could strike the pain inside my heart and help me lead the life I’ve always wanted, this might be the happiest moment I have ever spent with a man.

[zalanor]

Fallen

Chapter 4 Part 2

*Keith*

Enough was enough. Just as she was being man handled, her current suitor was about to shove his tongue down her throat. I could no longer sit back and be a witness to her demise. I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into me. “I think you’ve had just about enough.” “Oh? Looook its the priiiince. Except…except this one iiiiisn’t sooo charming.” She began to giggle and cling to me. I was amazed at how she was even able to hold her own at this very moment. I needed to put a stop to this, or I was going to have an alcohol poisoning on my hands. I can see it now. Scandal of the year: Crown Prince of Liberty Kingdom sits back and watches friend drown in alcohol. “Lets go PRINCESS, we’ll get you back to your royal chamber.” I nodded at Luke who was standing near us. He extended his arm and attempted to get a firm grip on Natasha, but she smacked his hand away. “Don’t! D…doooon’t touch me. All you meeeen are all the saaame. All you knooow of toooo do….is take. Yuuuu take….annnnd yuuu take.” Great, she’s the ranting kind of drunk. “Social statuuuuus my ass. Yuuuuur ALL da same.” We had luckily, out of some miracle made it down the stairs without incicent. I was using more strength than I wanted to, to make sure Natasha didn’t fall flat on her face, or that the piece of cloth she called a dress didn’t expose more than her shameful behavior. Her father was already going to be angry after seeing how much she had spent this evening, the last thing he needed was his daughter being arrested for indecent exposure as well. She was after all my friend, what kind of person would I be if I abandoned her now? “I toooold you not toooo tooouch me. Get….get you fiiiiilthy haaaands off me you….MAN!” She was being resistant to Lukes assistance when her feet got tangled beneath her legs and she stumbled into my arms. I let out a heavy sigh and picked her up in my arms. We were somehow able to get her inside the back of the car, I was going to have to make it up to Luke who had gotten a good thrashing and a tongue lashing on top of it all in his attempt to secure her safety. She kept going on and on about how men were were all cowards in the face of responsability. I was more than a little lost in the conversation and was beginning to get a splitting headache from her rambling. More than just a little fed up with her antics, I grabbed her by the wrist as she sat across from me and pulled her into my lap. I took her face in both hands and covered her lips with mine. That ought to shut her up. Of course she began to fight me, I had expected nothing less from her at this point. She slammed her fists into my chest repeatedly before her arms eventually found themselves wrapped around my neck. Her fingers curled around my hair. I hadn’t just kissed her to shut her up, something sick and twisted deep down inside of me wanted to touch her. To kiss her and prove her wrong. I didn’t know what internal demon she was battling or what situation she was in, but I could see the anger…the lonliness behind those lovely eyes, and the desperation to be reminded of her own self worth. I knew I had royally screwed everything up with her and caused most of the damage myself. However, I couldn’t find it within myself to keep my hands off of her. Maybe she was right, maybe I was being a coward in the face of responsability, but all I wanted right now was to take a bit of her lonliness and show her the time and attention that she deserved. I ended up having to carry her up to her room and she had peacefully fallen asleep in my arms. I didn’t want to disturb her so I had decided to tuck her in and call it a night. I bent down and kissed her forhead without really thinking, or considering the reason to why I had done it in the first place. I heard her stir beneath the covers, then felt her hand take a hold of mine once I turned to leave. “Please dont go.” I looked down at her peacefully sleeping face. “Natasha?” I whispered in case she had called out to me in her sleep. “Please…please don’t leave me.” Her brow furrowed and there was a pained and concerned expression on her face. Guilt began to creep up on me, so I pulled off my shirt, kicked off my shoes, removed everything but my boxer briefs, and slipped under the covers with her. It wasn’t as if we hadn’t shared a bed before, this would just have to be the one time where all we did was sleep. Before I knew it, my eyelids began to feel heavy, I was keeping my distance and had left more than enough open space in between us, but the warmth of her body soon tangled into mine. The hours must of passed and there was a cool breeze creeping up the sheets, notifying me that there was an absence of heat next to me. I sat up and waited for my eyes to adjust. A tightness immediately built up inside of my chest at the sight before me. Natasha was standing in front of the balcony, both glass doors wide open with nothing but a sheet wrapped around her body. Her hair was slightly blowing in the wind, her pale skin was illuminated and bathing in the glow of the moon. As beautiful as she looked, there was something ominous and disheartening about the way she was gazing up at the stars.

[zalanor]

Fallen

Chapter 4 part 1

*Keith*

I was feeling pretty good about myself up until I ran into something I wished wouldn’t have. My feet were glued to the floor as I stared at Natasha having an all out verbal brawl with her mother. Harsh words were exchanged as soon as her father opened his mouth. I had no clue what was going on, but also felt that it was nothing I should concern myself about. I knew these people were not worthy enough to carry on the Alford name. What a shameful display and within the royal palace of all places. I had made up my mind to ignore whatever it was I had just witnessed and just go about my business. There should be a car ready and waiting for me outside. Laura had begged for me to pick her up after I called her brother to invite him out for a boys night. I suppose another fish in the net wouldn’t hurt and she could be the back up tail I needed in case no other women were deemed worthy of my attention. “You WILL do as I say, do you understand me?!” “This is NOT something that you can control father!” My left hand clenched into a fist at the tone of her fathers voice, I turned my head just as I was about to leave the scene. Only to see her father raise his hand with an open palm. “You are becoming a complete disgrace to this family!” I took a hold of his wrist and held it back just as he was about to strike her with the back of his hand. “No, sir. It is you and your wife who are bringing shame to your family name by not disputing this behind closed doors. I don’t care what it is that your daughter has done, that is no reason to embarass and humiliate yourselves even further by doing it out in the open for the world to see.” “Prince Keith, I… I humbly ask for you forgiveness.” “It is not I, who has to grant you forgiveness, you have made a mockery of your daughter within these castle walls. She is of your own flesh and blood, there is nothing more dispisable than a noble who cannot define the worth  or viscosity of their own blood.” “Is there a problem here?” Natasha took my hand and pulled it away from her fathers as soon as Zain stepped into the scene, trying to take a hold of the situation and do what he does best. Damage control. “No, apparantly I have no business here. Lets go.” She shot a series of frozen daggers at each one of them before leading me away from it all. “Where are we going? I don’t have time to play with you today, I have plans.” “What kind of plans?” “Boys night.” “That’s perfect.” “I didn’t invite you.” “You didn’t need to…daddy is paying.” I opened my mouth so I could object to her odasity, but it was already too late. Luke had already helped her into the car and we were soon on our way to the airport where we were to meet some of the others. The party had been well on its way before we even arrived to our destination and I was keeping close watch on Nastacia who was turning into something I could no longer recognize. I looked around me, completely dissatisfied with the amount of attention I was receiving. She had completely stolen every ounce of my spotlight as everyone danced and she eventually found herself pinned between two other girls I hadn’t seen before. All the guys were too busy behaving themselves like animals after becoming completely plastered. Except Prince Joshua who had the tolerence of a sailor. “Well, this has been quite the evening indeed, but we have an early session in the morning…I shall be taking my leave and expect to see all of you there bright and early.” As expected, Joshua took an early leave, dragging prince Glenn behind him. At least that was one less brat I needed to babysit, I was regretting it all when Laura came and sat on my lap without my permission. “You wanna get out of here too?” I glanced over at Natasha who was now dancing with Lauras brother, who had no clue how to keep his hands to himself. “Isn’t your brother engaged?” Her hand had made its way inside my shirt and her lips were whispered close to my ear. “Who cares, let him have some fun. Why don’t you focus a little more on me and I can remind you how fun I can be?” She wrapped her hand around my jaw and directed my attention completely to her. Her eyes were burning wit lust and frankly, irritating the hell out of me. “No offense to either you and your brother, but you’re just a living, breathing, mannequin who gets paid to showcase clothing you can barely afford. Her family is higher up on the scale than you’ll ever be, you don’t get to choose whose life you get to destroy simply because you couldn’t possibly sink any lower.” Her eyes were wide with shock and her pupils had dilated to the size of saucers. She was completely blitzed and out of her mind. She started laughing and kissing the side of my neck. “Come onnnnn. Let’s get out of here Keithy poo, take me to Venice. Or fly me to Rome, I promise to make every second it takes to get there memorable.” I could hear Natasha laughing from a few feet away, I pushed Lauras head to the side so I could get a better view and some new guy had his paws all over her. What the hell is she thinking? Has she gone mad? I got up without noticing that I had dropped Laura on the floor and grabbed Natasha by the arm. “What are you doing? This kind of behavior is unacceptable.” I began to hiss through my teeth so only she would be able to hear. “Why? Because YOU say it is? If I didn’t allow my father to control me, what makes you believe that you have this right? Prrrrincee Keeiith of the Aaalfooord family?” “You’re drunk.” “And you’re an…you’re an asssshooole. You. You did this to meee. Don’t try to change whaaaat, what youuuuu. What you crea….created.” She leaned over me and started laughing in my ear. I didn’t know what to say, or what else to do at this point. I couldn’t negate the fact that I may of had a hand in her undoing, but was this really all my fault? She pushed me all the way back down onto my previous seat and grabbed the same guy she was dancing with before and wrapped his arms around her waist. All I could do now was sit back and watch as she spiraled into the pit of no return.

[zalanor]

Fallen

Chapter 3 part 2

*Keith*

A few days had gone by since I had last seen Natasha. I had snuck out of her bedroom before the sun even had enough time to rise. I asked Luke to prepare my flight and left for Nobel Michel without even saying goodbye to her. Besides the fact that I had business out there, this relationship or whatever it was that we had together was beginning to seem a lot more like work and I was growing tired of it. I enjoyed Lady Nastacias company most of the time, but she seemed to  be expecting far more from me than I could, or was willing to offer. I had never been in a serious relationship and I wasn’t quite sure what it was that I was supposed to do with it. Not that I didnt have any experience with women at all, it was just that my courtship of them has only lasted for about a week before it was able to reach its inevitable expiration date. I didn’t quite take the female species as seriously as many common men out there. Not because they were commoners, but because I wasn’t and as so, I knew exactly what most of them expected or wanted from me. I learned it all too early when a girlfriend of mine treateded me like a trading card for Wilfred. The Crown Prince of the Philip Kingdom. I ran my fingers through my hair and let out a lungfull of guilt over what had just transpired the night I had spent in her room. “I…I love you Nastacia.” Why did I even say that to her? What the hell is wrong with me anyway? I groaned and leaned my head against the wall as I sat in my bed attempting to read a book. I had been stuck on the same paragraph for the last thirty minutes or so. I couldn’t focus on anything else since my arrival. The thought to call her had obviously crossed my mind and she had texted me more than once before but I was yet to issue a reply. What was I suppose to say to her? “Oh, by the way…about the other night. I didn’t mean a single word I said to you.” I didn’t love her, I wasn’t even sure why it was that I said it. I suppose I got caught up in the moment of it all. I didn’t even know what love really was. Not the kind she wants from me anyway. My parents have always been too busy to ever show me any kind of emotional support. The only thing I could ever compare it to is how I felt about my little sister Cathy. And it was nothing close to that. I adored my little sister and would break any ones face if they ever treated her the way I’m treating Natasha. I was well aware of the double standard and didn’t like it. Not one bit, and just as I had come to the conclusion that I was gonna have to end things with her as soon as possible, there was a knock on my door. “Who is it and what do you want?” “It is I your majesty, Luke.” “Come in.” I jumped off the bed and approached him as he rolled in a cart ready for tea time. “So, have you heard any news from back home?” “News? Like what sir?” “I dunno….is Natasha still staying at the manse?” “Oh, I see. No sir, I’m afraid she is not.” “Ahhhh, thats….good, right?” “That depends on your definition of good. She arrived at Nobel Michel late last night and…” “Wait…what did you just say?” How did she know I was here? Luke tilted his head to the side and stared at me as if I were now speaking to him in some kind of foreign language. Frustrated with the lack of information being given to me, I stormed out the room in search for Zain. If someone knew what was going on, it would definitely be him. “Zain…” I passed several staff members and no one had seen Zain around. I ran into Louis and began to throw a barage of questions at him. He seemed a bit off and somewhat nervous. “Louis, have you seen Zain?” “I have not, not since late last night your highness.” “Fine, is it true that Lady Natasha is also visiting Nobel Michel.” “Natasha?” “Nastacia…Lady Nastacia of…” “Oh, yes. She is as a matter of fact.” “Where is Edward, I must speak with him at once.” If anyone can take her off my hands I knew it was him and judging by the other night I am sure he would be more than happy to oblidge. “I must apologize once again your highness, but Prince Edward requested the day off and I haven’t seen him since early this morning……..however if you happen to see him, can you please tell him that I am looking for him? I don’t mean to burden you any further, but he seems to of slipped even his securities guards radar.” I frowned at Louis’ revelations, that’s so like Edward to disappear that way. I never did find anyone after it was all said and done. Edward apparantly had gone missing for two days and everytime I asked about Natasha, I had just missed her, or no one had seen her around. I was rushing down the halls one day after I had accidently overslept and I just so happen to  finally run into her. The look on her face was priceless, and when I bent down to give her a kiss on the cheek, she moved out of the way. “I heard you were here visiting, I find it quite odd since you have been avoiding me and my phone calls since your arrival.” “Me? I’VE been avoiding YOU?” “That thought is just laughable.” She let out a small laugh and took a step further away from me. “What’s going on, you’re acting strange….distant even.” “Listen Keith, as PLEASANT as your company may be, can we please talk some other time? I have a previous engagement and I would rather be on time.” “An engagement?” “Yes, not that it’s any of your concern, but my parents have set up a marriage interview and they’re already going to kill me as it is.” She turned on her heel and began to walk away, almost as if she were fleeing from me. I extended my arm out to her and grabbed a hold of her elbow. I pulled her into me and wrapped my arms around her waist from behind. “Why don’t you skip this interview and come back to my room with me? I’m sure I can manage to interview you very thoroughly once we’re behind closed doors.” I brought my lips close to her ear and just as I was about kiss and nibble on  it, she ripped her arm away from me and turned around to face me. “No. No thanks, everything is behind closed doors with you. Isn’t it? Also, I would appreciate it if we kept our relationship cordial at the very least. I do not wish for you to ever touch me again. Is that understood….your majesty?” “Is everything alright?” We both turned to find ourselves being examined by Zain with a confused look on his face. “Yes, everything is fine Zain. The lady here…” “Was helping him with directions, he has apparently found himself completely lost for the first time in his life.” “May I assist you with anything Prince Keith?” “Um…no. Thanks, I’m already running late for my meeting.” I scowled at Natasha who seemed completely satisfied with herself. “What the hell just happened?” I muttered quietly underneath my breath as I took off in the hope that I could still make it in time. The usual convention and series of political debates wasn’t enough to distract me. Usually my focus would be solely applied to the conversation at hand. The only thing I was raised to care about was the Alford family and what is best for Liberty. Not some defenseless girl who can’t even tell the difference between love and a having a good time. I racked my brain trying to figure out why it was bothering me so much. I hope she does well on her interview and whoever this guy is, deems her worthy to label her as his wife. What was she even expecting from me in the first place, my parents would never of allowed someone like her into the royal family. Her status wasn’t nearly as formidable as some of the other families waiting to marry into the Alfords of Liberty. I was walking aimlessly towards the garden when a series of whispers caught my attention. I quickly hid behind a pillar and tried to peak around it, but I couldn’t see a single thing. “Did you tell your parents aready?” “No…not yet. I…I’m still not sure how to feel about this myself. I mean, I’ve been wrong about this beore. I just don’t want to hurt myself any further.” Natasha? But…who is she talking to? The voice was a bit familiar but I wasn’t close enough to recognize it from anywhere. Ed maybe? It was highly possible for them to of started a romance behind my back, it actually made me feel a little better about the entire ordeal. I decided that it was best to leave it alone and went straight to my room to get dressed. I suddenly felt like celebrating. It was as if a weight and a sense of responsability had been lifted off my shoulders. Little did I know that a thunderstorm was brewing from within and things were about to get even more complicated than they needed to be.

[zalanor]

Fallen

CHAPTER 3 PART 1

The following morning I was peacefully sleeping in my old room back at my University dorm. I started grumbling and smacked the hand away threatening to interrupt my slumber. “Stací…stací wake up you’re gonna be late for class.” “No…stoooooop. Five more minutes.” “Come on Natasha, don’t be selfish. I need you nice and alert.” My roommates voice had gone from sweet and inviting to deep and impatient. Her hands became heavier as she shook my body and seemed to get stronger once she began to pull at my blankets. “Stop. Tell Aldon to wait for me outside.” The movents suddenly stopped and I almost jumped up as soon as I was now able to recognize the voice that was clearly NOT my old roommate Vero. “Who’s Aldon, Natasha?” I blinked several times as I looked up, focusing my sight on the green emerald eyes staring down at me. “K…Keith….” “Answer the question. Who. Is. Aldon?” “What?” “You just said his name in your sleep, so he MUST be somebody.” “Aldon is a guy I was casually dating while attending University while abroad.” “And yet you still dream about him.” “I do NOT, I thought you were Veronica, my old roommate. Aldon used to…..wait. Wait, why am I even explaining myself to you. YOU and I are no longer an item, nor are we associated to each other in any way, shape, or form.” “Said who?” “Said you. The second I walked into that room and found you in bed with that gold digger, you forfitted any and every priviledge, or ANY RIGHT you felt that you had over me. Now…if you’ll kindly get off of me and remove yourself from this room. I will clear myself out early in the morning and you’ll never have to see me again.” “What if I told you, that I will not be able to allow that to happen?” His hands had my arms pinned over my head and his knees were locked between my legs, making it harder for me to move. “Don’t you have a girl WILLING to do ANYTHING, waiting for you back in your own room?” “Are we still talking about a girl whos name I can’t even recall? She went home ages ago. Like I told you before leaving you earlier, I was trying to get rid of the girl, but she was completely innebriated. I merely took her to my room so Luke could take care of her and set me up in another room. You just so happened to show up first and got the wrong idea about everything.” “Did I now?” “You did.” “Is THAT what was happening then? YOU in nothing but possibly your boxers…I merely assume since you were beneath the sheets so I couldn’t tell, AND her…..nearly naked as she straddled you….was ALL misconception on my behalf?” “Of course it was. Completely so. I mean, I was a bit under the influence and it DID take me a while to register the situation at hand, but after getting it together; I had Luke escort her right out. After I waited for you to come find me and you never came, he notified me of the very unfortunate situation.” I stopped resisting him and turned my face away from him and stared out the window. I needed to get as far away from him as possible, I was beginning to perceive the foreseeable future and it was not looking very bright for me at all. I knew that I would be the only getting hurt in the end, something had become sparkling clear to me just now, and that was that Prince Keith was not the same person I once shared my childhood with. This prince before me was cold, selfish, and nothing more than a man. There was nothing special left about him, nothing that set him apart from any other man with a little bit of power. I had met more than enough of my share while growing up the way I did and during my stay overseas. Give anyone a little bit of money, a little bit of power, and add a title…and he shall call himself God. The thought terrified me and he must of sensed it because the tone of his voice dropped the moment he called out my name. I hesitated to look into his eyes, afraid of what I new lay ahead of me. “Natasha…look at me…” I slowly turned my head towards him, but refused to look into his eyes. “Nata…Nastacia…will you please look at me.” He released my arms and as he continued to hold himself up with one arm, his other hand softly rested on the side of my face. His thumb caressed the part of my skin near my lips. I knew I was rapidly losing ground and was no longer sure how long I would be able to hold out. It was a lost battle the moment our eyes accidently connected once again and his thumb slid slowly across my lips. The intoxicating scent of prince Keith lingered against the tip of my tongue. “I…I love you Nastacia.” I had come undone in the matter of seconds. His words had sent my lips in search for his, his tongue welcomed itself inside my mouth. Parting my lips and inviting me, daring me, to prove to him just how much I wanted him. My arms immediately wrapped themselves around his neck and my body temperature was rising at an alarming speed. Despite the horrible evening and how much he had hurt me and made me cry, this had been the first time he had ever told me that he loved me. Apparently that had been more than enough for me to forgive him. I no longer knew who was the one doing the punishishing. Was he the one administering it, or was I merely punishing myself?