The Soldier: Part Two (rough draft)

There had once been a maid in the employ of the Marfont family. She was young, near the same age as Corinne, but she was tall and rather boyish in appearance. She was a hard worker, and during the last days of Mrs. Marfont’s illness, she had been the only one allowed at her side.

The young maid and Corinne were also close. Due to being close in age, and the fact no one was allowed around the property while Mrs. Marfont was sick, they became friends. Corinne admired the maid’s strength and resolve, while the maid fell for Corinne’s freckles and doll-like charm. The two gave into youthful indiscretions and often hid away, kissing and touching one another in secret. Corinne would pout and plead with the maid for more. Even when she became engaged to Nathaniel, she continued to kiss the maid in secret.

“Nathaniel will never know you as I know you,” the maid whispered raspily into Corinne’s thigh one evening. Her long, elegant fingers worked to bring Corinne to a heavenly sin. “He’ll never love you like I love you.” Corinne was made to quiet herself with a pillow when the maid pulled her down.

The maid found comfort in her love of Corinne. She took more than just pleasure in making her lady come. Her mind was racked with guilt, filled with images of Mrs. Marfont’s final hours. Keeping Corinne happy and sated helped to keep the demons away.

Just days before Nathaniel was to leave, he cornered the maid. He approached her with not just the knowledge of her affair with Corinne, but also the cause of Mrs. Marfont’s death. He threatened her to leave, or else he’d reveal her secrets to the whole house and world beyond it. But it would not be her who would be shamed by the revelations, no. All the shame would fall on Corinne. So the maid left. She bid a tearful goodbye outside the house, not even allowed to say her goodbyes to Corinne.

It was a morning Corinne could never forget, as the maid had left, and soon, her father would be leaving as well. She mourned in a way she could not show, sitting by the window hoping to see the maid return to her. A year went by, and the only one to return was her father, and, with him, the soldier named Lockwood.

Lockwood eventually was able to walk on his own, though he kept his bandages in place. He was quite tall and had become thin due to the rigors of being a soldier. He was able to sit in the parlor and come to the dinner table. No longer did he have to be waited on hand and foot, which seemed to bother him. He could sit and enjoy life like everyone else in the house.

“I’ve only ever met one other person as tall as you in my life, but I do think she was taller than you,” Corinne remarked one day as she took Lockwood for a stroll through the gardens. The air was chilled and the ground was damp from all the rain. But at least the sun was shining and the garden looked bright.

“A woman?” Lockwood chuckled.

“Yes, and an amazing one at that,” Corinne’s smile suddenly faded and she looked away until she could bring it back.

“Although, Corinne, you must consider everyone you meet very tall,” he teased.

Corinne scoffed and gently popped the back of his hand. “How cruel of you, Mr. Lockwood!”

He looked up, seeing they were standing at the front of the house. Above there was a window open with the curtains billowing out. He faltered a step and Corinne caught him.

“Are you alright?” She exclaimed with alarm.

Lockwood’s vision was blurry, and from the corner of his eye her thought he saw someone laying on the ground. “I’m sorry. I think I need to lie down. I feel dizzy all of a sudden.”

“Yes, of course.” Corinne helped support him as she led him back to the house. Once he was tucked into bed, she placed a kiss upon his cheek. “I’ll go and fetch my father for you.”

“No, wait. Stay with me.” Lockwood reached out and took her hands again. “Lovely thing you are. Just sit with me and I’ll catch my breath.”

“I’m happy to,” Corinne said brightly. “I pushed you too far on the walk today.”

“No, no, it isn’t you.” Lockwood smiled. “Just something from my past is all.”

Corinne nodded, stroking his hand gently. “Would you like to talk about it?”

Lockwood took a deep breath. “I saw someone die,” he murmured. “I won’t go through the gorey details, my lady. But it’s haunted me since. I see her face sometimes. I feel her whispering.”

Corinne looked visibly frazzled by the comments. “Oh.”

“I don’t mean to frighten you.” Lockwood reassured her. “It is not a haunting.”

At the foot of Lockwood’s bed, just over the mantle, there was a painting of her mother. She gazed at it longingly then turned her affections back upon Lockwood. “I still think my mother comes here from time to time,” she confessed. “I can smell her perfume in the hallways. Or I feel a hand upon my shoulder and no one is there.”

Lockwoods stomach churned and he felt a pain settle in the depths of his stomach. “Do you miss her?”

“Horribly.” Corinne lowered her head, looking suddenly distraught.

“What’s wrong?” Lockwood touched her cheek, bringing her face back up where he could see it.

“I received a letter a few days ago and it has been bothering me.” Corinne placed herself beside Lockwood and laid herself on the bed. Her hair spilled across the pillows and Lockwood could breathe in her sweet scent. “Nathaniel is returning home.”

Lockwood gave her a reassuring smile. “He’s your fiancé isn’t he? Aren’t you happy?”

Corinne remained silent. “No.”

“Why not?” Lockwood rolled to his side.

“He’s not the one I wanted to come home,” Corinne pouted. “Nathaniel is a fine man, but there are things about him that make me feel disgusted with myself.”

Lockwood touched Corinne’s cheek and brushed his fingers through her hair. “You like me, though. What is the difference between us?”

“Many.” Corinne leaned in, kissing Lockwood again. “I’ve only ever kissed one other who made me feel like you do.” She captured Lockwood’s tongue, suckingling it and feeling the split. “What happened to your tongue?” She held Lockwood’s face between her palms, licking his tongue and kissing it.

“You’re kissing it,” Lockwood laughed.

“I’m serious,” Corinne giggled. “How did it become split like that? Were you born this way? Or was it an accident?”

“Curious creature,” Lockwood breathed. He licked Corinne’s neck and then moaned into her ear. “It was made. But it was a purposeful one.”

“For what purpose?” Corinne started to stroke down Lockwood’s chest, but he grabbed her hands quickly.

Lockwood chuckled. “It’s late and I don’t wish to give you nightmares.”

“I’m not a child,” Corinne pouted.

“I can see that. You may be small but you have a womanly shape.” Lockwood breathed into her ear, moaning again. “I bet you have womanly lips as well.” He tickled his fingers up under Corinne’s night gown. “I bet they’re wet.”

“Mr. Lockwood, we mustn’t,” she mewled.

Lockwood chuckled. “So should I stop?”

“No,” she whimpered. “I’m simply stating that we shouldn’t.”

Lockwood bit her ear as his fingers found her wet and pliant. “I’ll only touch.”

Corinne bit her lip, thrusting her hips so Lockwood would touch her more. “Can I touch you?”

Lockwood kissed her to keep her quiet, rubbing her and touching her, pushing up her nightgown to have access to her entire naked body. Lockwood feasted upon Corinne’s pleasure, lapping up her honey from his elegant fingers.

“Are you crying?” Lockwood whispered to her.

Corinne sniveled and hiccuped. “No.”

Lockwood kissed her cheek, feeling the warm, wet tears there. “You’re so cute, my lady. Do you feel much better?”

“It’s been so long,” Corinne breathed.

“You should go back to your room,” Lockwood commanded softly.

“Let me touch you,” Corinne pleaded. “Please, I am desperate to.”

Lockwood whimpered and shook his head. “You need to go.”

“I am not afraid of scars!” Corinne argued. “You will not disgust me like Nathaniel. You remind me nothing of him.”

Lockwood touched her cheek. “I want you to. The gods know it. The devils know it. But I beg you, my darling, go back to your room.”

“Why?” Her voice trembled.

“Because…” Lockwoods voice caught in his throat. “I am not who you believe me to be. I am...more and less at the same time.”

“I want to know,” Corinne kissed him affectionately. “I beg of you.”

Lockwood was helpless to her lips, her eyes. If she knew now, perhaps this could save them both pain when Nathaniel returned home. He laid back and breathed in. “Go ahead. I can no longer fight you.”

“I’ll take such good care of you, Mr. Lockwood. I’ll love you, I’ll aore you! No matter what I find.” Corinne opened his shirt, seeing the bandages wrapped there. Her hand smoothed over them, at first feeling nothing. She then moved down, undoing the laces of his bottoms. She stopped when she opened them, finding nothing inside. Her fingers slipped between Lockwood’s thighs, finding something familiar but unexpected. “Mr. Lockwood,” she breathed.

“Do not be mad at me.” Lockwood trembled.

Corinne took hold of the bandages, unwrapping them until she could see what was underneath. She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank the gods!”

“Thank them?” Lockwood erupted.

Corinne dipped down, kissing his breasts. Lockwood lost his breath and grabbed hold of Corinne, pulling her up. She was smiling in relief, tears in her eyes. “I so much prefer this form than the other. I love breasts, I love what lies between your thighs. I do not like cock.”

“Corinne,” he breathed. “I’m stunned.”

Corinne kissed him. “I know you say you are a man, which is how I see you. I will love you as a man. I will touch you like a man. I am sorry if I prefer this body.”

“It’s alright.” Lockwood was filled with relief. It almost took the pain away that still lingered in his body. “I’m glad you know me now.”

A few days later, Nathaniel returned to the Marfont home. He was received warmly by the house. He looked exhausted from his journey and, after a bath, he rested until the next morning. Corinne kept herself busy, cleaning, cooking, whatever was needed to greet Nathaniel warmly upon awakening. Lockwood kept to his room, listening from the crack in the door. One afternoon, Lockwood heard Nathaniel and Corinne talking in the parlor.

“You look different,” Corinne told him. “What happened to you out there?”

“War changes people,” Nathaniel replied. “It can twist a man to his breaking point. I saw the best and worst of humanity in battle, Corinne.”

“Are you okay?” She sounded confused by her own question.

“There’s someone else here, right?” Nathaniel blew off her question. “Your father mentioned there was another soldier staying here.”

“Mr. Lockwood, yes,” Corinne replied. “He was horribly injured and father has been taking care of him.”

“You need to be careful of who you let inside, Corinne,” Nathaniel said gently.

Corinne was quiet, fidgeting with her own questions and worries. “But father said he was a hero.”

“Even heroes have things to hide.”

Lockwood woke that evening, feeling a presence in his room. He turned his head to the side, hearing breathing from the foot of the bed. He sat up slowly and took a deep breath.

“Stay where you are,” Nathaniel murmured.

“What are you doing in my room? You frightened me,” Lockwood said.

Nathaniel let out a slow breath. “Do not toy with me. I know what you are. I know what you can do. I’ve seen it for myself.”

Lockwood held a lot of rage inside. He held a lot that was directed at Nathaniel. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”

“Keep playing the idiot, see where it gets you.” Nathaniel hissed. “You’re a danger to the people here. To people everywhere. Once the war is over you shouldn’t even exist.”

Lock wood slowly clenched and unclenched his fists. “What do you think I am, Mr. St. Claire?”

“A wrath,” he says. “Berserker. Whatever they are called out there on the battlefield. You’re a soldier chained to a demon.”

“How do you know that for certain?” Lockwood murmured.

Nathaniel stood from his chair and walked to the side of the bed. “You need to leave here. Leave the doctor. Leave the girl,” he snarled. “Or I will choke you with these silver chains.” He raised his hand, placing a silver chain against Lockwoods neck. It burned his skin, and sent chills down through his body. But all it did was pull his old rage to the surface.

“Funny,” Lockwood seethed between clenched teeth. “This is not the first time you’ve threatened me in this house.” He grabbed Nathaniel’s arm. “Once before, you threatened me with the life of your fiance.” His teeth began to grow and sharpen. “You knew the secret of Mrs. Marfont’s death.”

“No,” Nathaniel whispered. “Let me go!”

“You used my love for Corinne to hurt me. To cut me deep and scare me away.” Lockwood pulled him close so he could see the glowing of his eyes through the bandages. “Get the fuck away from me. I will stay here or you will die. Your choice, Mr. St. Claire.” He shoved Nathaniel back, making him trip onto the ground. Lockwood then rose, standing before him.

“How?” Nathaniel stammered as he tried to stand. “Ms. Liam was the one I scared away. Not you!”

“Was it?” Lockwood chuckled. “You know what I am, I’m surprised.” He knelt down and got back into Nathaniel’s face. “Your silver doesn’t threaten me.” He took it from his hand and chucked it out the window. “You won’t threaten me ever again. Least of all will you use sweet Madalence to hurt me. Now get out and I will allow you to live.”

Nathaniel made no rush to question. He ran away, returning to his room. Lockwood settled, sitting down on the edge of the bed to soothe himself. He began to cry, weeping through the bandages. His rage frightened him. All he wanted was Corinne.

Lockwood woke in the morning, seeing the rain had subsided and sunshine was pouring through the windows. He rose, moving the blankets away and stood up to go to the window. As he looked outside, he saw something strange upon the cobblestone in the garden. Looking closer, Lockwood choked back a cry and held his hand over his mouth to keep from screaming. He stumbled out into the hallway, coming across Dr. Marfont as he came down the stairs.

“Stay quiet,” Lockwood begged. “Don’t say a word! Stay quiet!” They took Dr. Marfont outside, showing him the scene in the garden.

“Is that-” Dr. Marfont walked forward to the body laying in the garden. Lockwood swayed back and forth, bracing himself in the doorway. His vision blurred and, in the garden, the body looked just like Mrs. Marfont had.

Dr. Marfont knelt down, checking the pulse. “It’s too late,” he said. “They must have jumped last night.” He looked up to the windows, seeing one was open and the curtains hanging out. “Come, help me,” he said. “Before everyone wakes up.”

Lockwood stumbled forward, still seeing the body of Mrs. Marfont on the ground. Lockwood trembled, reaching down to pick her up.

“It’s quiet,” Mrs. Marfont said. “I can finally get some sleep.”

Lockwood walked away from the body, shaking.

“Come back here, dammit!” Dr. Marfont snapped. “Help me get rid of it before anyone sees!”

“Not again-” Lockwood wept.

“He’s dead, there’s nothing to be done!” Dr. Marfont snapped.

Lockwood looked down at the body of Mrs. Marfont. He saw it laying there, twisted, head bent wrong. It wasn’t Mrs. Marfont. It was Nathaniel. “Oh my god,” he whispered.

“Hurry! Grab him!”

Lockwood and Dr. Marfont moved Nathaniel’s body from the garden, taking it behind the house where no one could see. Dr. Marfont sighed, shaking his head. “I couldn’t imagine what would happen if Corinne saw such a thing again.”

“She still doesn’t remember?” Lockwood knew the answer already.

Dr. Marfont shook his head. “The shock of seeing it blocked it from her mind.” He sighed heavily. “How could this have happened twice now?”

Lockwood wrung his hands together. “I’m sorry, doctor. This is my fault.”

“Nothing you did. Now come along, let's go inside, we’ll deal with this later.” He walked away from the body, but Lockwood remained frozen there. Mrs. Marfont had suffered a long time. Her illness changed her, created more in her mind than there needed to be. During his days as the maid in that house, Lockwood had done nothing but tend to Mrs. Marfont and earned her confidence. She had been working out in the garden one afternoon when she heard a shout from above. Before she could even look up, Mrs. Marfont had landed on the ground before her. Right as Mrs. Marfont died, Corinne had come outside. After seeing that, she did not sleep, eat, or move from her room for a week. Once she came out, Corinne had no memory of the event. To her, her mother had simply passed away years ago.

Lockwood eventually went inside, shaken by Nathaniel’s death. He washed his hands and went to sit in the parlor alone. Corinne found him there and came up to his chair.

“You didn’t join us for breakfast, are you okay?” Corinne touched his cheek and Lockwood leaned into her palm. Her skin felt so soft, so warm, and her wrist was dotted with freckles.

“I’m not hungry,” Lockwood answered.

“Nathaniel didn’t come down either.” Corinne sat down beside Lockwood. “Must have been the greens from last night. My stomach was a touch turned too.” She looked up at Lockwood and smiled.

Lockwood shakily turned to her. “Corinne-”

“Yes?”

He went silent. Unable to tell her it would be better without him. Her smile, her expectant gaze, it all made him so weak. He smiled at her, reaching out and touching her cheek.

“You look exceptionally lovely today,” he whispered.

Corinne blushed. “Thank you. I barely slept so-” She giggled shyly.

Lockwood felt tears in his eyes as he gazed upon her. She looked so happy, so sweet. “It’s not safe to be with me, Corinne.”

Her joyful expression shifted suddenly. Her smile remained but her eyes were almost empty. “What do you mean?” She started to cry.

“I should show you.” He took her back to his room and had her sit upon the bed. Lockwood started to remove the bandages from around his head. Slowly by slowly, he revealed himself. His face was no longer human above the mouth. Instead it was twisted, pulled back to reveal a row of eyes that were all black. Their hair was gone, replaced by black spikes that grew into the horns along the side of their head. Corinne’s eyes watered and tears fell down her face.

“The knight who chained themselves to a demon.” Her hands fluttered around Lockwood’s face. “What did they do to you?”

“I agreed to make myself stronger,” Lockwood rasped. “I never thought I would live through it.”

Corinne touched his face, smoothing her fingers down. She traced the lines of Lockwood’s jaw and she made a small sound of alarm. “I thought twice I knew you,” she breathed shakily. “When I first saw your neck and when you touched me.” She looked into Lockwood’s eyes. “Ms. Liam, is that you?”

Lockwood shook his head. “Not anymore.”

“You came back,” Corinne wrapped her arms around Lockwood. “You never said goodbye!”

Lockwood remained silent, hanging limp in Corinne’s arms. He kept his eyes closed, and buried his face into her hair.

“Why did you leave me?” Corinne wept.

“I had my reasons,” Lockwood choked. “I didn’t ever want to hurt you. But my staying would have done more damage to you than my leaving.”

“I waited,” Corinne said breathlessly.

“I know.”

Corinne stole another kiss then stiffened her jaw and became resolute. “I see you, and I want you.”

Lockwood clutched her hand tight. “That is dangerous.”

Her smile brightened again and she placed a kiss upon his lips. “So are many things in this world.”