She sat astride the mare, looking down across the valley to the empty old castle. Night after night she rode the same dark path, her dreams always the same. Tonight was no different from her dream, other than the fact she was awake and watching. Why this place called to her, why had night after night of dreaming this very thing haunted her so? She came here to relax, a distant country with no one bothering her, unknown was something she longed for.
Sighing, she brushed back a strand of chestnut hair that blew gently into her face. Every night for weeks now she lay in torment of these dreams. The same dark eyes calling to her, so lonesome, so pain filled. Who or what called to her, she didn't know, but she felt compelled to come here and see.
Riding down the hillside, the night was filled with an eerie silence. No wolf howled, no dogs barked. She heard no crickets or seen anything scampering to hide from her. In this area of the country, there were all kinds of animals. What made them silent this night? No storms brewed overhead, it was clear and only moderately cold. So why the silence?
She halted the mare before the old stone keep and quietly made her way up the steps. She knew no one was rumored to dwell here, it was speculated in the local village that a monster haunted this castle. She did not believe in monsters, or the boogey man. She was a mature adult, and knew fable from fiction.
Her hand barely touched the surface of the door when it slid soundlessly open. A little uneasy, she glanced around the darkened interior for someone who could have opened it for her? No one was inside, the pale full moon was the only light offered to her. She wished briefly she had brought a flashlight with her, but it was too late now to turn back.
"Hello?" She called softly, her voice carrying not as far as she thought it would. The house was not empty, from what she could see it was fully furnished. No answer came, the house was empty, so why was she calling out hello?
Stepping into the house, the door shut softly behind her. Jumping she swung around and searched the shadows, "Anyone there?" She whispered, fear crept up her spine.
And still there was no answer, not one noise anywhere in the house.
She glanced around the lower floor of the old castle, no light emanating from anywhere. Shivers passed over her again as she got the distinct feeling someone was watching her. Lurking in the shadows, watching every single move she made. Her arms went around herself, a protective move. Slowly she moved through the entryway, neither glancing left nor right.
"Someone there?" She whispered out again. Her eyes caught a flash to her left and she jumped and looked. Nothing was there, but for a moment she thought she saw something black move from one corner to the next. Her breath stilled in her lungs, listening carefully for signs of life. None came to her ears, and she let out the breath she held. Her hand came down to rest on the dusty banister, and slowly she climbed one step at a time. Her heart in her throat, she wondered if it was best to leave and come back at daybreak?
Deciding she was acting like a fool, she crept up higher and higher until she stepped on the landing. Why was she suddenly feeling too scared to continue on? She felt the chills down her neck, as if something was breathing down her back.
"Someone there?" She was repeating herself even she noticed this. But she couldn't help feeling that she was not alone. She turned around and looked back down the stairs, quickly she moved back and glanced down the long dark hallway. Still nothing loomed or jumped out at her. She could hear the soft whiney of the mare outside but nothing more.
Walking further forward, her eyes caught a sudden light flare up under a door. Her heart pounded in her chest a moment, her palms began to sweat. Someone was here, and just not answering her or perhaps they didn't hear her call?
She moved to the door and put one hand on the surface, the other on the handle. This place was empty, she was told so. She had no reason to believe otherwise, and yet her dreams told her there was a man here. One, who needed her, wanted her badly. How else would this man get sunshine into his life if she did not come? Certainly destiny called to her, brought her here. All she had to do was open the door and walk inside. Placing her ear against the smooth cool surface, she heard nothing.
Before she could twist the knob, the door swung open, again silently. The fine hairs on her neck stood up as her eyes fell on the partial room behind the half-opened door.
"Someone here?"
"Come inside Heather." His voice called to her, but was it vocal? A silken voice, one that made her tremble slightly. Not from fear but from an unexpected urge in her body.
She pushed open the door, her eyes taking in the raised canopy bed and the roaring fire in the hearth. A white bearskin rug was on the floor before the fire, the old marble shining in the firelight.
"Close the door Heather, come inside so I may see you." His voice poured over her like molten lava. Seductive in sound, but where was it coming from?
"How do you know my name?" She asked still not stepping over the threshold.
"I've been waiting awhile for you to come here, watching you as you slept." He whispered to her. Her eyes searched the room, trying to see beyond the silken curtains around the bed.
