Summary: Because of an ancient blood bond, Gemma and Kartik are left with no choice, love each other, or die apart – for their futures are now entangled tightly as ever.
Disclaimer: I do not own A Great and Terrible Beauty.
A/N: this story will switch POV between Gemma and Kartik
Chapter One
GemmaIt is our last night before we separate. Felicity and I are returning to Spence, and Ann is going to work as governess for her cousins. So here we are, gathered in Fee's bedroom, grasping hands and getting ready to visit the realms one last time before Ann is gone.
I picture the door of light in my mind, and with in seconds, I open the door to the realms.
The warmth of the sun shines down on the three of us. We stand there for a second, just listening to the water rushing in the stream, and the songs of young maidens singing in the garden. It is only our second time visiting the realms since I bound the magic to myself. I can't help the wide grin that I feel spreading across my face.
Felicity and Ann squeal, grabbing me into a hug. We skip over to the stream, wading in.
"Hey Gemma!" Ann says, and I turn to face her – and she splashes water all over me. The second I splash her back, I know this is going to turn in to a full-blown water fight.
Much later, we able ashore, drenched and laughing. I lay down on the grass. Warmth. Dryness. I think the words and concentrate hard. I can feel that my cloths are no longer wet, and my goose bumps have disappeared.
I look to the stream, wear Ann sits, her feet dangling into the water. She sang a sad song, and I knew, from the wistful look on her face, that she was thinking of her cousins. She wouldn't be able to visit the realms with Fee and me for a long time once we were off at Spence.
Fee is off practicing her archery, which she's been dying to do for the longest time.
I feel a pang of jealousy. Ann and Fee can go right back to enjoying the realms as they had before. But I could not. I would never get to see my mother again. If she could see what I've done and accomplished in the realms, would she be proud? Or would I just be another disappointment? I had to hope for the former.
As I lay there, I let my thoughts wander to Kartik. I know where he was hiding, but have not spoken to him since the day I asked for his allegiance to the realms – to me. Remembering his beautiful features and perfect lips – the way he had kissed me – sent me longing to see him again.
But I was snapped out of my reverie by Felicity, waving her hand in front of my face. "Gemma! Hello! Are you with us? It's about time to go."
Ann ran into me, catching me into a hug. "Oh Gemma! I'm going to miss the realms and you so much! Promise you'll come visit me when you can?" Ann asked, her eyes filling with tears.
"Of course!" I say, my own eyes tearing up as well. I'm going to miss Ann dearly.
Soon we were all hugging and crying, because things would not - could not - be the same any longer.
"Gemma," Fee said, wiping the tears from her face, "When we go back, will we be able to do magic?"
Would we? That was something that I hadn't thought about. Then an idea came to me. "Grab my hands," I told them. They each took hold of one of my hands. I concentrate hard on the magic inside of me. Then a familiar, warm, tingling sensation rushes through my body.
Ann and Felicity feel it too. I can tell by looking at their pleasured expressions. I open the door of light, and walk through to our world. We find ourselves once again sitting hand in hand in Felicity's bedroom. I can feel the buzz of excitement that the three of us share. All of my senses are sharp, because of the magic.
"What should we do tonight?" asks Felicity.
"Let's go body surfing down the river!" Ann is quite brave when she has the magic in her, and as crazy as the idea sounds, it was great fun the last time we tried it.
We glide down to the river, lying down in the icy cold river. The water brings a refreshing shock, but my adrenaline keeps me warm enough. We push off the shore, and rapids take hold of our bodies, pulling us down the river at top speed.
We whoop and scream, taken up in the excitement of the ride. We finally climb out, sopping wet and frozen to the bone, but laughing and joyful all the same. I reach for Ann and Fee, focusing my thoughts on warmth and dryness, and in a second, we are warm and dry. I can feel the magic wearing down, and tiredness sinking in.
"I think we should head home." Ann says to Felicity, stifling a yawn. Fee scowled, but followed her, since Ann was staying at her house.
"Thanks Gemma" Felicity says, "Do you need an escort home?"
"No, I have a bit of magic left and I should get home quick enough." I go to embrace Ann, knowing that it may be a long while before I see her again. "I'll miss you! And Ann, take care OK?"
"I will miss you so much!" She declared, and began sobbing again. I kiss her on the cheek, then turn to leave, waving. I was planning on heading strait home, but Kartik's face popped into my head. I realized that the place he was hiding was just a few blocks away. What could be the harm in a quick visit?
Turning down the alley leading to the pub - where Kartik was staying in the back room - triggered my memories of why ladies should not be without an escort in this area.
My heartbeat quickened, and I began to quicken my steps. Then I noticed a figure walking towards me. I could tell from the person's build that it was a man. His steps were unsteady and swaggering. A drunk.
My heart raced as the man got closer, but he seemed oddly familiar. Soon his face was all too recognizable. It was Simon Middleton, and he was a mess. His hair was messy and tangled, his cloths were dirty and tattered, and his face looked as though he had not shaved in a long while.
"Simon?" I call out timidly. He staggers over, his face red and angry. "You." he says with disgust.
I shrank back. I looked at him closer, realizing he had a knife. "Thisisyourfault!" his words were slurred together and hard to make out. "Why don't you love me? Why the filthy Indian boy and not me?" He was shouting now, his eyes glinting with anger and menace, but I could see the hurt hidden behind the anger. I had not realized how hurt he was by my rejection. I thought that he would move on, find a girl who would be perfect for him and his family. But apparently he had not.
The next thing I knew his face was inches from mine. Too close, much too close. I could smell the alcohol and drugs on his breath, and tried not to gag. Before I knew what was happening, he had me cornered, and was roughly smashing his lips against mine. His lips forced my mouth open and his hand had wondered to the ties of my dress.
I struggled against his grip trying to escape. This couldn't be happing! I have to get away from him. "Get the hell off of me!" I gasp. I see a glint of light from the moon reflecting off of the knife he still holds in his hands. The last thing I felt was a sharp, dizzying pain in my side. Then blackness.
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3 Mirage
Please Review! Let me know your thoughts on my first chappie. I am really excited about this story, and have some big plans for it. lol