Refuge: Luccas Decision

Amongst the chaos of her home and the grand ball and ceremony that was being planned, "running" was going to be hard to do. Guards were rampant and there was no way she can get in and out of areas without being addressed or noticed. She had to escape. She had to run away. Freedom was at her fingertips. She just needed more help then usual this time.

It was a typical day in her home despite the mayhem that had pursued. It was now that she wished she was never born. Her waist long blond hair billowed as she turned the corner. A maid had been stalking her down the hall constantly squeaking at her.

"Mi.. Miss... MISS. Miss Lucca! Miss!"

Lucca came to roaring halt and looked at her straight into her eyes. The maid jolted as she looked at her back, "Mi...Miss all I wanted was your coat your wearing. You didn't take it off when you came back in. Forgive me Mum..."

Lucca sighed softly. All for a coat? She slowly unbuttoned it and then let it slip from her form, catching it, then quietly handing it to the maid.

"T..Thank you mum." She replied and quickly ran the other direction.

Lucca stood there for a second before turning to walk once more, but her reflection caught he eye. She stared at herself. Her full head of blond hair, full bangs, a delicate tattoo on her forehead, usually hidden by her bangs, and the long banshee ears poking from underneath her hair. She had longer lashes then many of the other banshees in her hometown, even longer then her mothers. She was wearing a light pastel blue victorian gown embossed with silver motifs. Slowly she turned to her side to check her profile. Her bustle was still intact and the drapes of her gown carried to the floor. She realized the snow had melted slightly along her hems, but it was inevitable. Carefully she rubbed her corseted stomach and made her way down the hall once again.

Briskly she moved through the castle. As she turned another corner on her way to her sisters room there before her was her mother, her father, and another in dark armor. She pursed her lips recognizing the armor and its details. He was from the realm of dark banshees. There was only one reason why a dark banshee would show his face in the realm of the light banshees. This wasn't good. Her statuesque frame stood rigid in the hallway. Even when her mother noticed her and beckoned her to come forward for meeting this stranger she walked firm and tense.

"Lucca..." her mother sweetly smiled and spoke to her, "This is Ardus Denizen's father, Reamus. He is to be your father in law."

Lucca coldly curtseyed to Reamus and her pupiless blue eyes remained just as cold despite the cool demeanor it held from light hitting her iris'. Why was she getting forced into a marriage? Oh! That was why... Her parents decided a treaty was in order for both of the banshees lands and she was the treat; the bribe. Her hopes and dreams for falling in actual love were squashed and destroyed when she was told of her fate. Even Birdita, her youngest still retained her dreams and wishes. From all the books of reading about royal families and the arranged marriages they were forced into, never once did she think or even remotely consider that she would obtain the same fate.

Reamus took Lucca's hand brashly and kissed it. She jolted a bit from the sudden shock. Out of the corner of her eye she could see her parents watching her. Her heart wanted to end its life in the fiery acid of her stomach. He gently caressed her forearm and her hand. It almost seemed as if he was breathing in the scent of her hand and her perfume. She felt like vomiting. His dark eyes after kissing it went a glow to a deep red and held her hand in mid air for a bit before she slowly took it back. His eyes were still piercing through her own. There was a moment where she actually felt like she would faint.

"It is a pleasure, my dear, to make your acquaintance." Reamus spoke in his thick accent.

Lucca stared at him for a moment. She bit her tongue so that she wouldn't be saying anything she shouldn't have. "Indeed." She said plainly. Everyone stared at her then without prompting her mother broke silence, "Well then why don't we all get acquainted in the office shall we?"

Lucca snorted, "I think I shall pass."

Her mother gave her a look that would kill. "Lucca..." She uttered.

"No mother I wanted to talk to Birdie and then go to bed. It will be a long day tomorrow and I want my rest for the wedding." She plainly said.

"Oh! Well then that is fine dear we will talk later." They all turned down the hall, but Reamus looked back at Lucca with his glowing red eyes. Lucca froze and stared at him. She kept all thoughts from entering her mind as she stood there. She didn't want anyone knowing what she had planned. Anyone would have to be an idiot if they knew she didn't want this to happen. Her body language told all. Her eyes broke his gaze and went straight for Birdies room.

* * *

"Are you sure?" Birdie said calmly.

Lucca quelled tears, "I am positive. Running is the only way."

Birdita stretched her tanned arms from her body and sighed. "I will miss you..." she said sadly.

Lucca quickly pulled her little sister into her arms. Lone tears began to fall from her clenched lids. "I will miss you most of all Birdie" she breathed into her ear.

"Lucca..." she began. "Promise me you will find adventure and most of all love."

Lucca stopped and pulled away slowly. "Adventure and love?"

"Yes!" She giggled. "If your running away you better create a better and more exciting new life for yourself!"

Lucca smiled and laughed. "I shall try." Her hand gently wiped the tears from her sisters face and slowly moved her way out the door. Her body shook as she shut it and leaned up against the door. The adventure was only the beginning. Her eyes glossed over thinking about true love. It was a possibility, but it wasn't a priority. That would have to come in time.