Heart of darkness

Chapter Twenty-Five

The next two days made me feel like I was back at home. Gossiping with Daphne about the latest scandal. Running away to my secret meadow with Cas when my mother had gotten too much to handle. Though now lately I was running away with him in my mind, our hearts beating as one as we ran farther than we had ever gone before. Far into the horizon as if we were to get lost in the never ending earth.

But Cas wasn't here, he was somewhere North. Looking for the witches who could either be our saviour or our downfall.

Back in my own reality I stood on a stool in front of a mirror where Daphne was neatly sewing my dress. My shoulders were starting to hunch over from standing here too long and my legs felt as if they would break at any moment.

"My, you look absolutely stunning!" Daphne cheered as she looked back onto her work.

"Daphne, I do believe this is your best work yet!" I smiled and looked in the full length mirror that stood opposite to me. My mood changed from upset and tired to excited and energetic.

I wore a silk dress bedazzled with lace and details I couldn't even begin to describe. The fabric, though despite the amount that was put onto it, was still light and easy to move around in. As if I would be able to run in it. The sleeves were long, so a small dagger could be hidden beneath the cuff. Though a dagger might not be useful, considering my history with them.

I couldn't help but feel excited to wear this gown, even if it were on the day I had dreaded the most.

"Tomorrow no one will be able to take their eyes off of you!" Daphne said excitedly as she went to put her materials away.

"If they didn't, I would be worried." I said, thinking about the day to come. "Though I hope Cas got my letter."

"I'm sure he did and is on his way back as we speak." Daphne said in an attempt to cheer me up. I turned around to look at her hope filled face, why couldn't I feel that?

"Yes, but it took him almost four days to get there."

"Only because he didn't know where he was going." Daphne said, walking over to me and talking my hands in hers. "Trust me, he'll make it back."

I nodded and turned back around, skimming my hand over the white fabric, every single part of me hoped that Cas would make it. But there's always that one part, the part that doubts everything.

"Can you stop looking all sad, it's ruining the feel of the dress." Daphne said, taking my arm and pulling me gently away from the mirror. "Now smile and act as if you're the happiest person in the world. Like a person should when they are getting married in a day."

I forced my cheeks to move upward and bring my lips to a smile, it didn't feel natural.

"Alright, now that's ruining the dress. Stop that creepy smile and change back into your clothes." Daphne said, pushing me towards the small changing area.

"Thank god." I sighed as my face fell out of the forced smile.

Taking off the dress was a struggle, there were too many laces and strings that I was afraid I had broken it. Though Daphne had assured me that was how the dress was made.

"Tomorrow, I'm afraid you can't eat anything." Daphne said as she loosened my corset.

"Why?" I asked, dreading her next words.

"Well your corset is going to be much tighter than it was today. It's orders from the Prince." Daphne said, giving me a weak smile.

"He probably thinks I'm going to escape and making my waist 8 inches will prevent that from happening." I rolled my eyes at the idea.

"That would be something he'd do." Daphne giggled and held out a plain white dress for me to put on.

Talking about my soon to be husband made me think about Daphne and if she had found someone while I was away. I remember she had always been talking about settling down, but with her business blossoming she didn't have time for taking care of babies and a husband. Though I had always thought the husband would be more trouble than the babies.

"Daphne?" I said her name through the thin screen that covered the changing area.

"Yes?"

"Is there someone back home that has sparked your interest?" I asked, stepping out from behind the screen and went to sit on the bed beside her.

"What do you mean?" She asked, oblivious to what I was implying.

"Well you know, is there someone who has made you feel like the only girl in the world? Who causes you to feel light headed whenever they're around? You know?"

"Oh." She paused and I could see a faint glow in her eyes, as if she were remembering occasions where she would steal secret minutes with a certain person. It made me think of Cas and our secret moment the week before I had left, how he had kissed me as if I were the only one he wanted.

"Daphne, who is it?" I asked in an excited voice.

Even though we were best friends, she would never speak to me about her love life. It had always annoyed me, but in the past few years I had accepted that it wasn't something she was willing to talk about. Until now.

"Well, he's a carpenter from a neighbouring village. He came into the store about three days after you had left. He had never been here before and needed directions. Of course I had given them to him, though he seemed to not want to leave." Daphne paused, I was on the edge of the bed in anticipation. "He asked me to show him everything in the store. I thought it odd but did as he said. "

"Well, what happened next?" I questioned.

"We talked and I learned that his name was William Atlas. He's a travelling carpenter who goes from town to town helping people and sometimes he doesn't even get paid for his deeds." Daphne sighed, she seemed to be in love.

"How long was William there for?" I asked.

"He stayed in town only for a week, we spent most of that time together. He said that he had never met someone quite like me before." I saw her smile at the memory. "On the last day of his stay, he told me he loved me and when he was done his travelling, he would come back for me and we would get married."

"Oh Daphne." I said, wrapping my arms around her in an embrace. "That's amazing!"

"Yes, it is! Though that was two weeks ago and I haven't heard from him." Her face fell.

"Well, once this mess is over and we escape, we can find William and you two will be married." I said, causing Daphne's eyes to gleam with hope.

"Do you really think we can?" She asked.

"I hope we can. Though we have to escape from here first."

"Yes, though our only opportunity is tomorrow. So we must be ready." Daphne said, standing up and walking towards the vanity table that had been placed in here a few days ago. "I have an idea for your hair."