"Untitled"

Chapter 1

She stepped gracefully from the car, tears forming in her golden brown eyes. She took the hand offered to her, as her Aunt Sally, led her toward the church. Friends and family were scattered throughout the church yard mingling, others giving her a smile of assurance as they saw her approach.

She sensed him before she found him, the butterflies going crazy in her stomach; he always had that affect on her. He strode toward her with accusation in his eyes.

She blinked, and then closed her eyes; she couldn’t do this – not now. As she struggled to gain control of her emotions, she called out “Devlin” as darkness suddenly closed in around her.

When she opened her eyes again, it was to find herself in his arms as he followed the priest into the small room at the back of the church. She felt so comfortable there, she instinctively snuggled in closer, closing her eyes as the darkness overcame her again.

He wanted to hate her, but in that moment before she lost consciousness, he saw the vulnerability in her eyes; as he had lifted her into his arms, he discovered just how thin she had become as well – almost a wasteland!

The priest led them to a small lounge in the back of the room. Devlin layed her down on the lounge, as Sally went to retrieve a damp cloth. He was standing there looking down at her; as she regained consciousness and tried to collect her thoughts; those blue eyes seemed to be penetrating her mind.

“W-what happened?” she stuttered over suddenly parched lips.

“Always the dramatic one, you fainted of course!” he whispered to her, the others in the room who had followed them, unable to hear their conversation.

“I – I’m sorry” she said, at a loss of what else to say.

“What exactly are you sorry for Katerina? For fainting; for not telling me about Peter; or for betraying me?” he suddenly demanded; disgust heavy in his voice.

She was denied a chance to reply as her Aunt returned with the damp cloth and started to wipe at her forehead.

She watched as he stormed out of the room. Even if she had the chance, she didn’t know what to say; and he certainly didn’t want to know the truth anyway. He had made that quite clear a long time ago!

She rose from the lounge and straightened her clothes, brushing back the few loose strands of hair with her hand. She would not let Devlin get the better of her. She may have to put up with his presence today, but that was only for a short time and a small price to pay. With shoulders back and head straight, she walked into the church to take up her place right next to Devlin.