Chapter Nine - "I hate vampires."

Eleanor's P.O.V

"Teris is going back to inform people back at home." Henry said as he leaned on the door frame, shrugging.

"Really, Daniel? You could have just said so. You froze as if you were about to commit some crime." I said as I eyed up an embrassed Daniel.

"I'm sorry." Daniel mumbled as he played with fingers.

"Did you just say sorry? Where did the moon rise from today?" Henry said as he laughed at a poor embrassed Daniel.

Was Daniel saying sorry such a big deal? I'm curious now.

"Teris, should I pack you something to eat on your way back home?" I asked turning towards Teris who has been just standing there now for like 10 minutes without even moving a muscle.

"Umm thank you but I wouldn't want to trouble you, Miss. You have already helped us a lot." Teris replied with eyes as wide as saucers. As if taking some food from me would put a huge weight of debt on me.

Feeling sorry for him traveling with an empty stomach, I continued to persuade him. "Nah. It's okay there's some food left. You can just take it and eat it on your way home. It's barely any trouble, trust me."

"Umm then you have my deepest gratitude."

"Well, now that everything is solved. And, there's no actual ghost who scared our brave Daniel. I'm off to get my beauty sleep." Henry said as a big yawn passed his lips. He turned around and walked into the room leaving an embrassed Daniel, Teris and me behind.

Awkward. The air was screaming awkward which Daniel seemed to have sensed.

"Right. I should probably sleep too." Daniel said as he scratched the back of his head and walked his way back into my room.

It was just Teris and me, now.

"Let's head to the kitchen. Shall we?" I asked as Teris nodded him head in a very elegant manner.

Don't know if that's even possible.

"After you." Teris said as we walked to the kitchen. I hurried up and packed him some food to eat on his way home. Quickly handed to him and walked him to the front door.

"Be careful, Teris." I said as he turned around giving me the most beautiful and reassuring smile I could have ever seen on a person's face.

"Thank you for everything, Miss Eleanor." Teris said as he waved goodbye. I walked out and sat down on the stairs of my doorway as I watched Teris fade into the woods.

Daniel was really lucky to have people like Teris, Petroka and Henry around him. I wish I had my family with me too.

I wish I had mom with me.

I miss her as I gaze up at those shining stars in the sky hoping she's one of them. I miss her a lot. It all just empty sometimes.

I hate this place yet I love it just as much.

The air of this old, strange, familiar place never lost the odour of that familiar loneliness from the garden she brought to life with her own two hands to be the place of my solace, the feeling of that heart-rending silence that used to prevail near my fireplace, where I spent days laying my head on her lap as she used to read fairytales to me, and the memories of that gut-wrenching story of dad's death she used to tell me pulling me in her arms for her comfort as I could feel dad's guilty soul coming out of the grave just to push himself back into a newer, better one.

"Flower?" I was brought out of my thoughts by Daniel's voice as I turn around to look at him. He was kneeling right behind me as he held out his handkerchief.

"Why are you giving me your handkerchief?" I asked as a dry laugh passed my lips trying to hide the weakness and desperation in my eyes.

"You are crying, Eleanor." Daniel said as I watched him sitting down next to me on the stairs as he turned to me and ran the soft material over my cheeks.

Why is he always there when I'm feeling weak? Damn this guy.

"I am not weak." I said, trying keep up my strong front as I justified myself to him.

"You are not. You are just letting down your walls down for a while because you are a little bit tired. That's what it is." Daniel said with a smile as he stroked my hair. I don't know why, in that moment I just wanted to hug him. And, I did.

He seemed taken aback for a moment but he soon recovered as he instantly held me in his arms, patting my back as if I was the most fragile thing in the world.

"I hate vampires." I spoke as my mind went back to the two who hurt my mother. I clenched his shirt in my fists as I cried. "I hate them. I hate them. I hate them."

"Why, flower?" Daniel asked as he pressed his lips to my hair and continued patting my back as I cried my heart out into his shirt.

"They... they killed my mother." I said, as I let go of him and looked at him in the eye as I continued, " They killed her right in front of my eyes. And... and, I couldn't even do anything except hide. I hate them."

"Flower..." Daniel called my name into the most soothing manners as I buried myself into his chest once again as he continued, "Your mother will be very proud. Very proud of her daughter if she was here."

"I don't like it, Dan. I don't like feeling this weak."I spoke as I pulled myself out of his chest and looked into his deep eyes as I continued,"But I feel very comfortable around you."

"I'm glad you do. And, trust me, flower. You look everything but weak to me. I only heard it before that some queens didn't need crowns. Looking at you, I know why El. And, I don't know if you know this but let me tell you. You made it. You made it on your own through the bad times. And, that's why you are stronger than anyone else alive in this kingdom. You are." Daniel said as he pulled me back into his arms as I laid there in his arms under the stars, creating a new memory on my birthday.

I liked this birthday. I really did.

I don't know why but never in my life before have I felt so dependent before. Crying on his shoulders while he ran his fingers through my hair without my knowledge became the best feeling in the world for me.

And, before my mind could process anything, the three words left my mouth.