Elizabeth turned around to get a better look of her captor. Fear clouded her mind, but her heart wanted to drown in those stormy blue eyes.
They were his eyes, yet they were nothing like she remembered them.
The young pre-teen she had grown up with and grown to love was long gone, for before her, stood a man.
His imposing figure loomed over her, his ominous aura enveloping them entirely. The hair on her neck stood up, yet, for the first time in six long years, she felt emotions stronger than anything she'd ever known.

He looked down at her, his hair falling down the centre of his face, a ghost of a smile on his lips. He stood as tall as his father, a splitting image of the late earl, yet he possessed the eyes of his beloved mother.
It was as if everything around her ceased to exist in that moment. For all that mattered was the man who stood before her, Earl Phantomhive

"Ciel" She whispered, afraid that saying his name out loud would instantly crush this illusion. Had she truly gone mad?
He smiled briefly and shut his eyes.
"Ciel is that really…" Her voice cracked, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
How many times had she cried for him? She'd lost count

His eyes snapped open revealing his ruby red irises.
Elizabeth trembled, as she took a step back.

At the back of her mind, she knew. She knew the darkness he'd spiralled into. She'd heard the whispers, she'd seen the blood. There was always something innately sinister that lurked around the young Earl Phantomhive, ever since the death of his parents. She knew the darkness that had become him. But Elizabeth would never accept the stories that tainted the Phantomhive name. How could she? This was her Ciel. The one she grew up with, the one she loved.
Yet the person in front of her seemed like a far cry from the one she once knew.

"What's the matter Lizzie? You seem… scared" he asked, almost innocently.

Run.

Ever fibre in her being screamed.
But she waited so long for this. She would not let go, not when she was so close…
"Ciel, what happened to you?" Elizabeth croaked, her voice trembling.
A heavy silence hung in the air.
Mustering every ounce of courage she possibly could, she had laid her palm on his cheek.

He sighed, gently nudging her palm, as she caressed his cheek.
The tears that threatened to spill came rolling down. It was him.

"Fate happened to me, dear Lizzie," he said softly.
"Fate bought you back to me" She chocked.
He shook his head, prying her hand away from his face. A look of pain flashed in her eyes, as he toyed with her nimble fingers.
"Move on Lizzie, you're holding on to a future that could have never been. Drop these childish antics. Live your life, one that doesn't include me in it" Ciel said, as he looked at her.
"You are my future Ciel, why don't you understand that? No one can ever take your place! No one!" Elizabeth screamed.
"I want you. It's always been you." She cried, pulling her hand away.
Ciel sighed. Had he failed to notice this all along?
"Lizzie..."

"Don't" She nearly growled.

"Don't tell me it's pointless, don't tell me it's futile. If you've never felt a shred of love for me, say it. Don't hide behind excuses. I can't take it."

Ciel inched towards her, all traces of humor wiped off his face.

"I never loved you." He spat in her face.

Elizabeth felt as though she'd been stabbed by his words, twisting their way into her heart.

"If its lies you desire, I hope you have your answer. Don't you ever howl at the wind crying about our lost love then." Ciel's cold voice filled her ears as he inched away.

Elizabeth, felt a burning sensation rising in her chest, spreading through her bones.

First her companions, then her family, now him.
Who were they to deny her love? How could he just throw her aside? Did she truly mean nothing to him?

Elizabeth grabbed his wrist, yanking him towards her with all her might.
Her emerald eyes shone brighter than ever before.

"I will lament all I want. I will mourn a lost love all I damn please. Because it's you who denied me that future. A future that was ours, a future that was mine. You threw it away." She yelled.

"You threw it away all in the name of Sebastian."

Her voice was crisp and cut like a blade.

"Don't bring him into this," Ciel growled.

"Why not? He took you away. He ruined what we could've have been. He-"

Ciel grabbed her. Did she even understand what she said?

"You stupid naïve girl. I suggest you shut up. Sebastian fulfilled my desire for revenge. Do you understand? My desire. He never let he go of my hatred for which I am thankful. Hatred was all I ever had!" He hissed, his nails digging deeper into her skin.
She would never understand. No one did
"Ciel please stop! You are hurting me!" She cried. Why was he doing this?

"Am I, love? Good. Pain is the only future you would have had with me. Do you still want that future? Answer me."
He said looking deep into her eyes searching for her answer.

Was this the man he had become? She broke out of his iron grip and looked at him.

"After everything, was hate all he ever cared about? So your parents and aunt's dreams for you, do they not matter?" she whispered.
"They died with them"
"Your friends who adored you?"
"They could've been dead for all I care"

Elizabeth trembled.

"Would I have been better off dead too, Ciel?" She asked softly,

The Young Phantomhive looked away.

"Answer me Ciel"
"I shall do nothing of that sort." He replied coldly.
"And why not?" She asked. She was always a stubborn child.

"What's the point Lizzie? Do you not understand? We can never be together! Never!" He said his voice cutting through the painful silence that filled the graveyard.

Tears streamed down her face. All she offered was her heart and all he gave her was heartbreak.
"Go marry that man your mother picked for you. Forget about me. Forget about the life we could have had" He said, his voice barely a whisper.

He knew what she wanted. She wanted him. She wanted a life with him. She wanted to sire his children. She wanted a future with him. But what future could a human ever have with an eternally damned demon?
One that was after her soul?
Life was always so cruel to him. First he lost his family. Then his companions. And now he would lose her. Twice in one lifetime.
Fate was cruel.
Silence hung in the air.

"I wish to make a contract with you in exchange for my soul." She said, her voice unwavering.

Ciel laughed. However, she saw no humor.

"Dear Lizzie, I would never let you sell your soul. It is far too precious," He said, leaning in, hoping a kiss would perhaps satisfy her childish antics. Maybe then, she would let all this go.

"What my heart desires, was strong enough to summon you here, I am sure I can summon another demon if I try" She said staring hard into his red eyes. She seemed determined. Was her love for him truly that great? Had he always been this blind?

Ciel looked at Elizabeth.
She stood tall, unwavering. But words like these could be far too fatal.

"What is it you wish for then?" He said, placing his hand on her cheek.
"I wish to be like you," She said. However, this time he did not find the urge to laugh.

"If you don't do it, someone else will", She threatened.
"Elizabeth…"
"No Ciel! No more pain! I do not care what you are or what I might become. Just please… don't leave me" She cried.

"I will never," He whispered, pulling her closer to him.

"Let me sign this contract. I can't take this pain anymore," She sobbed into his chest.

"I want you to live a happy life," He said tucking his finger under her chin. "Promise you will do so, and I will always be by your side" He concluded.

She did not know how to respond. Nevertheless, she silently agreed. He smiled at her. A smile that had long been wiped off his face, but being her with her made his life seem perfect for a bleak moment. He slowly slipped the blue sapphire ring unto the ring finger on her right hand.

"Go back to the Manor. You are my fiancée and a Phantomhive. Do not bother about those who oppose you. I shall personally take care of them. And in time, I promise, I will come for you" He said looking deep into her eyes. She nodded silently, praying that he would keep this promise.

"Good" He responded.

"But if you don't, I won't hesitate to make a contract with another" She finally said.

Ciel chuckled. "You have my word, Lady Elizabeth Phantomhive"
"Good, Earl Ciel" She replied.

"I must leave now. I fear I have been here far too long. I will be back for you, beloved," He said softly while cupping her face. Elizabeth went on her toes and lightly brushed her lips against his. She left him smile while he deepened the kiss.

""I love you Ciel" She blurted out, afraid that he would vanish again without hearing those words. He smiled.

Ciel's eyes switched to the stormy blue they once had been.
"As I love you" Said the young Earl leaving her in the blink of an eye.

Had she truly gone mad?
The sapphire ring on her finger brought her back to reality. She hurried out of the graveyard towards her carriage. She climbed in hastily and said, "Take me home, to the Phantomhive Manor" Elizabeth's voice trembled.
She toyed with the ring that sat heavily on her finger. He was finally hers. She was finally his. Yet, she could not shake the feeling that the ring on her finger was the dagger held to her throat.