"I think perhaps I will always
hold a candle for you - even
until it burns my hand.
And when the light has long
since gone .... I will be there
in the darkness holding
what remains, quite simply
because I cannot let go."

~~Ranata Suzuki

****************

~Nova~

The SUV was quiet, a bit awkward but not overly so, as Robbie and I drove down the road. With the sun slowly beginning to set behind us, I had a perfect view of the scenery. There wasn't anything I recognized, but the forest that ran on either side of the two lane highway was lush and green, tree trunks covered with thick vines. It was absolutely stunning.

Reaching over, I turned on the radio, anything to keep me from rambling nervously and to break the silence in the vehicle. Robbie was tense, one hand gripping the steering wheel and his eyes focused hard on the road as the tires ate up the pavement. As I flipped through the stations, most too staticy to even consider, the voice of a female radio newscaster caught my attention.

" ... managed to put out the fire before it spread but one individual was taken to the local hospital for serious burn injuries and smoke inhalation. There is no information at this time as to the cause of the fire, but 'Appleton Estates' was lost. The full extent of the damage is still unknown but officials say that the majority of the structure had collapsed before they had arrived."

"'Appleton Estates'? Why does that sound familiar?" I asked, digging through my brain for information.

"It's the largest vineyard in Folmoria," Robbie explained. "They supply quite a bit of the country with top notch wines as well as fresh fruit."

"Oh yeah, that's right!" I said, snapping my fingers in recognition. "Wait... aren't they a noble family, too?"

"That's my understanding," Robbie agreed. "I'm curious if it was an accident of some kind or if it was an assassination attempt."

"I hadn't thought about that," I replied, staring out the window and trying to think over what I knew of the Appletons as the woman on the radio continued.

"Reports continue to come in from around the country as violence continues to increase. Tensions are running high between the Folmorian and Braelyn Fae as well as other species. Petty scuffles, armed robbery, countless assaults and more have been counted among these crimes with no release of information as to what caused these incidents. Many speculate as to what truly lies beneath the disagreements but nothing has been confirmed at this time.

"The Human Administration has advised it's people to use caution and to stay out of the conflict if at all possible. So far, there have been no attacks or attempts to harm any human individuals but their Administration cannot afford to ignore the possibility.

"They have also informed their citizens that if a human is discovered to be instigating altercations, or any other negative interaction, especially involving the other species, that there will be consequences. Depending on the severity of the crime, or possibly even the outcome of their actions, is what will determine the level of punishment.

"There have been no comments from any of the Fae Kingdoms or from the other communities in regards to the current state of the country."

"It's Torch doing this, isn't it?" I asked as I turned down the radio and looked out the passenger window. "I mean, what other explanation is there."

"It most likely is, but there has always been tensions between the two Fae races as well as the other communities," Robbie answered. "It could just be coincidental."

I looked over at him skeptically. "You don't actually believe that do you?"

"No, but I don't believe in coincidences either."

"Everything happens for a reason," I agreed and furrowed my brows when Robbie glanced at me quickly. "Don't you agree?"

His nostrils flared and he pressed his lips together briefly before answering. "I've been told that on more than one occasion, so it must be true. Also, without reasons there would be coincidence so I'm left without much options, right?"

I stared at him blankly for a moment. "Are you high?"

Robbie rolled his eyes and shook his head but didn't say anything. We lapsed back into silence for a while longer, the sun getting lower and lower as time went by. Finally, unable to bite my tongue any longer, I twisted sideways in my seat and looked at Robbie.

"Are you ever going to tell me where we're going?" I asked, doing my best to sound calm while I was actually mentally yanking on my hair from impatience.

Robbie licked his lips, his knuckles tightening even more on the wheel and I was momentarily concerned he would break it from the column.

"There's somewhere I need to go and I want you with me when I do," he answered quietly, not meeting my questioning gaze.

I could feel his nervous energy pricking against my consciousness which only served to make me even more curious than before. Robbie was always a little bit odd, but this was different. Beneath his nervousness was a hint of dread that made my head tingle as if my brain itched.

However, it seemed best not to mention that as I felt bad for emotionally eavesdropping. It was bad enough I couldn't seem to help it with him. I had learned to put up mental barriers a long time ago, which kept most people's emotions out except for Nevada and those 'broadcasting' loudly. Pushing that oddity away for now, I nodded.

"I'm surprised August let you go," I said, keeping my tone nonchalant. "I mean, with all the extra security he's had you doing, I figured he wouldn't want you to go anywhere."

"He wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea," he admitted with a shrug, "but he understands."

"Wait, August knows where we're going?" I asked incredulously, the words tumbling out before I knew I had even thought them up.

Robbie grimaced. "He's my maker, Nova, which means he can make me do or say whatever he wants technically."

"So he forced you?"

"No, he didn't force me but I only told him the general area of where I would be, not specifically." Robbie sighed as he added, "I'm sure he pieced it together though."

"Of course he did," I mumbled bitterly, staring through the windshield.

I hated the fact that I was jealous of how well August knew Robbie. It was irrational because I hadn't known Robbie until a few months ago and August had spent years with him. Then again, many things about Robbie and I weren't rational; like how we went from the confusing slow build of dislike/lust to this explosion of... I bit my lip and cut off the thought that began to stray it's way into the tangled mess in my head.

"Come on, Nova, don't be like that," he chided quietly.

"I'm not doing it on purpose," I sulked, slouching slightly in my seat before admitting sheepishly, "I'm sorry, my head is in a weird place right now."

Robbie reached towards me with his free hand, lacing his fingers through mine and bringing our joined hands to his lips to kiss the top of my hand before resting them on his thigh. My pulse jumped at the small yet intimate action, and I swallowed hard around the tightness in my throat.

No one had ever treated me this way, careful and sweet but also not shielding me from the ugly parts either. The dichotomy of the situation, along with the contrast in the temperature of our skin, was extremely alluring. The seduction of it all sent my blood straight to my groin and I shifted restlessly in my seat as I bit my lip.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Robbie look at me but pretended not to notice as I stared out the window. His thumb began to rub soothing circles in the center of my palm which did nothing to calm my erratic heartbeat. Every nerve ending in my hand felt over sensitized to his, tingling and sparking everywhere his skin met mine.

"Are you hungry?" Robbie asked, distracting me from my rampant thoughts.

Even clearing my throat, I still croaked out my response. "Yeah, sure. I could eat."

●●●●

We ended up grabbing fast food, which I definitely didn't complain about, in a town I hadn't been to before. I tried throwing him questioning looks along with blatant staring but Robbie still wouldn't tell me anything. We have only been on the road a couple of hours but my nerves had barely calmed into a manageable, sort of, state of rest. Anyone else I would have poked and prodded until they couldn't take it anymore but I couldn't do that with Robbie.

With the stars twinkling innocently and the waning moon smiling down at us, we stayed mostly quiet as we took the winding roads to wherever he was taking us. He rarely released my hand and the longer we travelled the more reluctant he seemed to be about letting it go.

Just shy of midnight, we turned onto an unmarked gravel road that didn't appear to have been kept up. Tall weeds grew on either side of the narrow path and down the center, slapping the undercarriage of the SUV as we crept through the darkness. Trees grew thick, almost like walls threatening to press in on us but holding back as if waiting and watching.

"Did you bring me here to kill me?" I attempted to joke but the nervous edge in my voice gave me away. "There are easier ways to tell someone to fuck off, Robbie."

"Relax, you're not going to die," he replied. "It's just not the most visited place."

"Obviously," I remarked, straining my eyes to see through the darkness.

A few minutes later, the trees cleared to reveal a large, black wrought iron gate. Tall brick pillars were spaced out with thick fencing connecting them that matched the gates. There was a small gravel area off to the side, stuffs of grass peeking through the rocks as Robbie parked, the headlights illuminating the sign that arched above the gates.

'Draxyn Cemetery' stared down at me as I slowly climbed from the vehicle. The muscles in my legs ached from sitting so long, the joints in my limbs protesting with each movement I made. Robbie joined me beside the SUV, the night air cooler than normal for summer as we were left with nothing but moonlight to guide the way. He held out his hand to me, the subtle dread I had sensed earlier having tripled in existence.

A thousand possibilities drifted into my thoughts, but I pushed them away. He had brought me here for a reason and if I let myself have expectations who knew what reaction I would have when the truth was finally revealed. Without a word, I slipped my hand into his and let him lead the way.

The gates creaked loudly, the hinges rusted and protesting with a scream as Robbie pulled one side open to admit our entrance. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight before me. Headstones of different shapes and sizes in varying conditions jutted out of the overgrown grass. Statues of deities in mourning, carved from white marble, dotted the expanse, condensation glittering in the moonlight like tears on their smooth faces.

Gravel hidden beneath the tall grass crunched under our boots as we followed a path nearly invisible to the naked eye. The music of crickets and other nocturnal insects drifted on the mild breeze, blending with the distant hot of an owl somewhere deep in the forest. Stone benches sat empty, moss growing up the legs or small vines climbing the rough surface. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that this place had been neglected for many years, not a soul bothering to care for the home of lost loved ones.

Robbie's grip on my hand tightened almost painfully as he stopped walking, his eyes trained on what appeared to be a small fenced garden. The metal was dull, coated with rust and dirt in most places, each post sporting a fleur de lis at the tip like a gothic warning. A shiver ran down my spine, goosebumps erupting on my skin as I peered over the waist high barrier.

Three headstones, white marble like the deities in the main part of the cemetery, were positioned at the back of the space. Shadows cast by nearby trees made it impossible to make out the letters engraved on the stones but I could make out their vague outlines.

I glanced over at Robbie, his profile in shadow but his body deathly still. My pulse raged in my ears but I ignored it as I stood in front of him, using my body to block his view.

"Whatever this is, whoever is here, you don't have to do this if you aren't ready," I told him, my voice shaky and loud in the grim space. "We can wait if you want or need to."

Part of me almost hoped he would agree so we could flee from this place because cemeteries had always left me feeling uneasy. The rest of me was happy to accept whatever decision he made whether it be to stay or go because whatever we were here for was all up to him. Robbie had asked me to come with him which meant he wanted me to be here and I planned to stand by and help him however he needed me.

"No," he said finally, his voice cracking as he shook his head. "No, I need to do this."

Without waiting for me to respond, Robbie strode around me with a new determination etching his face in the pale moonlight. Just as the first gates had, the small gates positioned in the center of this fence screeched like a banshee as he pulled them open. Cringing at the sound, I kept ahold of his hand as he slowly and hesitantly stepped inside.

Somehow, the world seemed to fall almost silent as we crossed the invisible threshold. It was as if all the life around us was watching holding its breath to see what happened next. Robbie held my hand in a death grip as we made our way forward, each step bringing us closer to the headstones. When we finally stopped, even I was holding my breath as Robbie's dread became mine and fear tightened my chest.

Robbie had stopped at the first headstone, the one farthest to the left and I realized it appeared slightly older than the others had at first distant glance. The marble held a more weather quality and moss had started to crawl up from the base. I stared at the letters, the engraved lines almost worn smooth by many rains. Slowly the letter began to make sense and a gasp lodged in my throat.

'Raven Marie Hatman'

There was so birthday or death date to be seen nor were there any other words to be found in remembrance of the woman laid to rest here. No flowers had been placed here or decorations left behind to be dedicated to her memory. It was less than impersonal.

"She disappeared a couple of years before I was turned, no body or proof of her death." Robbie's voice cut into the soundless void. "My father said she chose to leave, that she didn't want to be around my brother and I any longer with our violent ways. He lied though."

"What happened?" I asked quietly.

Robbie took a deep shaky breath, an odd action for a vampire but some habits were hard to abandon even when they were no longer necessary.

"He killed her. I'm not sure why, but he did. Reyne and I found her about a week after our father told us she had left," his voice dropped as pain filled his words. "My father had tortured her that entire time before finally snapping her neck and ending her suffering."

I shivered at the picture he painted and stepped a bit closer. "I'm sorry, Robbie."

He nodded. "We buried her here ourselves, this cemetery of exiled souls, to keep her hidden from him."

I looked up at him, his eyes focused solely on the headstone before us but something about the next one caught my attention. Shifting my gaze, I squinted my eyes and moved closer to the next grave without realizing it. My heart stopped when I read the name and my eyes immediately jumped to the one after that. Pieces began to click into place and my heart bled for Robbie in their wake. Turning my face back to his, our hands still twined together, Robbie's eyes were closed and his lips were pressed tightly together.

I waited with bated breath for him to speak or move. There wasn't anything I could do without pushing him and that was the last thing I wanted to do. Instead, I released his hand and slipped behind him while wrapping my arms around his waist and tugging him back into my chest. Resting my chin on his shoulder, I stood there letting him know I was there for him even as my heart was breaking for him as well.

His body trembled against mine and I tightened my arms, holding him as close as I could. After long minutes, Robbie pulled away and stepped towards the other headstones, stopping between the two of them as he dropped to his knees and covered his hands with his face.

Kneeling beside him, the grass dampening my jeans but I barely noticed as I rubbed soothing circles on his back. My eyes traced over the letters of each headstone and grief warred with pain filled me as I read the words and this time, I knew it was both of us feeling this way.

Before us stood the gravestones of 'Robert Xavier Hatman' and 'James Oliver Kingston' with only names left to be remembered as if they had barely even existed.

********************

A/N: Deep breaths my lovelies. My heart aches so bad for these two!

I hope you enjoyed it and the next chapter will be up soon.

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Thanks for reading!❣

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XOXO🖤❤

~SM~