Revelations

Ch 16 Betrayal.

The air was rich with the aromas, of coffee and pancakes lingering in the air as I walked round the corner to the apartment, turning the handle on the only thing that was standing between me, Leighton and the truth, the anticipation of what he was going to say laid heavy on my heart, I felt sick.
Walking through the door I spot Leighton in the kitchen standing at the stove flipping a pancake, on the kitchen table laid a feast, there was coffee, juices, pancakes sliced melon, strawberries and blueberries, he was so thoughtful I didn't deserve him sometimes.
It hurt knowing I will cause him so much pain, ruining this whole moment in seconds.
"Don't just stand there baby, come eat the pancakes while they are still hot, let me grab cups then you can tell me what Andreas said."
Leighton walked over to the cupboards as I sat down pulling out two glasses and cups then sat next to me at the dining table. Grabbing my hand taking a bite of his pancake before placing some on my plate.
I turned my body towards him bracing myself as I spoke.
"Well its no surprise Andrea is worried, he says I'm his natural enemy something about me being....what did he say....oh yeah a transcendent vampire, something about being altered."
Taking a bite of my melon I turn to see a very pale, now choking Leighton, I slammed his back hard panicking, relieved when he recovered seconds later, he looked up at me directly in my eyes but he wasn't looking at me, he was looking for something else then he let out a gasp.
"Leighton you ok?" he nodded never taking his eyes away from mine, "Gracie can I talk to your vampire?" I must have looked at Leighton dumbfounded because he chuckles at me.
"Errr yeah I guess, but how? What do I do?' Leighton grabbed my hand reassuringly, " You don't have to do nothing baby, she will submit to me just breath," I nodded taking a deep breath, relaxing never moving my eyes.
"Come forth! I am Leighton Jerimiah Crow, next heir in line to our queen, Simone Geraldine Crow" I felt the sudden shift the moment he spoke, it felt like this presence pushed straight past me like my whole dynamics changed too, Leighton's hands shook around my smaller ones but he held firm," It's a pleasure to meet you, your highness," what the hell, that's not my voice.
"The pleasures all mine, I'd just like you to answer a few questions, how long has Gracie been a transcendent? Who blessed her?" "I've been with Gracie since the third time she died, her grandfather was a warlock, magic runs deep through Gracie's bloodline, not her mother though, she is a true earth woman, she was blessed by Hecate herself, this time when she came back she was fully fledged, she only has one meaning in life that's to keep the balance between vampires and humans also any other monster who stands in her way, she is a weapon, your highness, in the wrong hands she will wreak destruction to protect those she loves, she is pure, strong, extremely capable that's why she was chosen, the peacekeepers don't only have their healer, but a warrior, please tread carefully with her,  she needs total balance with her team behind her."
Leighton was in awe as he listened, "I understand she has everyone behind her, thank you," I nodded before responding.
"Something dark is coming your highness, be prepared, you will never see this betrayal coming, she will lure your enemies right too you with just her beauty."
Next thing I wake up, it's dark out, "Leighton, what happened?" I heard the groggyness in my voice, my body felt so weak limiting my movements like someone was sat on me, Leighton snuggled me in close kissing my head, "It's ok baby you passed out, you been out for 6hrs go back to sleep it's late."
I woke early that next morning to the sound of seagulls flying high in the sky, the sun dancing along the white wardrobes and silence, running my hand along the crisp white sheet it was still lukewarm Leighton hasn't been awake long.
I followed Leighton's gorgeous scent to the greenhouse, he was sat at the table in just boxers talking to someone on the laptop,I leant against the door basking in the beauty that was all mine he was sexy as hell it had been a while since I actually took a moment to admire every inch of him  suddenly he looked up noticing me standing there in just his shirt, he smirked ushering me over, I waltzed over to his side as he pulled me down  into his lap.
Andreas was on the screen waving at me, I gave him a courtesy wave he chuckled.
"Goodmorning princess, how you feeling," I nodded half-heartedly, "I'm ok I guess, bit weak but I'll be fine," he smiled reassuringly.
"Ok, well enjoy your day today, I will be at the house first thing tomorrow, oh and princess, bring it I and Raul are ready."
Leighton shut down the laptop pulling me round to straddle his lap, "you heard him Gracie, everything will be ok, from now on I won't let you out my sight."
I snuggled into his warmth, wrapping his arms around me,  picking me up bridal style, he carried me back through the apartment to the bedroom.
"Let's get dressed baby we have a dress to go buy."
The walk to the dress shop was perfect, I got to see much more of Italy than from the confines of the apartment, the lane down to the shops were covered in fruit vines we all stood there picking some whilst giggling together, those moments with them were the best, when everything seemed normal! Like we were normal teenagers on holiday doing normal things, they moments I thrived for.
Leighton took my hand after a while pulling me down the steep slopes before ducking under a huge archway covered in flowers of all kinds the colours were vibrant giving of the most gorgeous aromas, on the other side of the arch was a small parade of shops, there weren't many but they were quaint, there were a few gift shops with those famous postcards you send home, a dainty little coffee shop with an outside verander and a boutique, Joe pulled me towards it dragging me in as I walked through the door I heard the tinkle of the bell above my head.
"How can I help you," the fluid sound of latin language was strong on this women, she was beautiful, very regal looking.
Leighton stepped forward, "Yes, I ordered a bespoke dress online under the name of Crow."
Walking over to her little office she looked at her laptop screen.
"Ahhh yessss, wait here a moment, Joe was jumping up and down like a little kid she seemed happier than I did.
" Would you like to come with me, she looked over at Leighton waving her finger at him,Mr Crow you can wait out here, whilst you're in my country it is a tradition that man never sees the bride," Leighton chuckled.
"Baby I'll wait outside, Joe pay for it on the family card," Joe nodded at her cousin enthusiastically.
Once inside the changing room the women slowly unzipped the bag, probably to initiate that wow feeling before revealing it.
She didn't need to, when the dress was revealed only half way, my heart was ponding, I felt my heart break, as a little girl, I had always imagined the fairytail style dress, with the embroided Basque sprinkled with sequins, the long puffy skirt, with the long train, it was everything I wanted. Joe stepped in front of my wiping my tears away.
"Gracie, what's wrong, do you not like it?" I shook my head frantically, "I love it Joe, it's like he went inside my head taking snippets of everything I've ever  wanted as a child, instead, he gave me something even better, I don't deserve him."
Joe pulled me into her arms hugging me tightly as I broke down, "Gracie, we have waited a lifetime to have you with us, you deserve it all and more, Leighton has waited forever for you, he's always gonna do his best for you, now get that dress on, that ain't the only surprise."
Joe was right, the dress looked as good on as it looked in the bag, it pulled in at all the right places as well, Joe walked behind me placing a lace shoulder piece around me buttoning up the tiny pearl buttons, then the final thing she placed on me was a Swartz crystal tiara.
Looking back at me in the mirror was a princess, wiping away a traitor tear away I look over to see Joe sobbing, first me, now her, god we were useless.
"Gracie you look so beautiful, he's a lucky man I hope he knows that, well I know he does."
Joe looked over to the woman who stood with an awe expression, "We will take it, bag it all up to go," the woman nodded, before she went she looked at Joe quizzingly, "What about shoes?" Joe giggled.
"Her mother has her shoes back home it's fine."
"Gracie you can go, tell Leighton I'm sorting this out, I would love a coffee," smiling at Joe I thanked the woman before walking out.
Leighton was leaning against a telegraph pole when I exited the shop looking sexy as hell, when he saw me he walked over, I jumped up around his waist kissing all over his face.
"Baby, thank you so much, I love the dress plus all the extras," Leighton sighed with what seemed like relief.
"Oh thank god baby, I was so worried about my choices," he chuckled with relief.
Joe walked up beside us minutes later with several bags, "I got it all cuz," she smirked at Leighton before heading towards the cafe.
Sitting on the veranda outside I was taking in the views it was breathtaking, from this angle the shops were so close together like a close-knit family, vine leaves trailed along the walls making it look like it was apart of the structure, two birds sat on one of the tables opposite me outside the cafe, sharing from a leftover coffee cup, another bird decided to join them squabbling over the amaretto crumbs.
Butterflies danced with each other in and out the honeysuckle plants that were sitting in rows in the planting boxes that sat freely outside the shops.
Everything felt so serene but well lived in too.
"Is this seat taken?" I look up to see Pierre staring at me, "What the hell you standing there for sit down," he chuckled pulling out the chair plonking down across from me.
"So was the dress as amazing as Joe said it was?" I nodded dramatically at Pierre, he smiled.
"Pierre, I can't even describe it, let's just say you know when your a child and you dream of the dress," he nodded knowingly.
"I'm so happy you liked it, those two have been planning this for weeks now," Leighton sat next to me just as I was about to verbally abuse the pair for keeping secrets, but as soon as he smiled at me my hate campaign against them both deflated.
Joe kissed Pierre snuggling up to him sharing her frappe as we all enjoyed our last few hours in Italy in peace.