The crunch of the gravel beneath Amara's boots was too loud in the stillness surrounding Jermaine estate.
The estate loomed ahead as she stomped toward the front door. The silence was unnatural but it didn't faze her. The crows perched on the branches watched her, their heads tilting in unison.
She stumbled towards the front door and banged it thrice before pressing the door bell. Yes, that ought to send her urgency through, she thought, twisting her shoulders and straightening herself.
The front door creaked open slowly by itself, revealing a dim entrance hall lined with portraits. She rolled her eyes and stepped in.
“So, this is how you receive me now?” She said into the empty hall, her eyes darting around. “I'm not easily spooked, you know that.”
There was a shift in the air behind her. “Boo!”
She spun with a gasp and almost fell but warm, strong hands caught and held her by the waist. The creamy, rich aroma of his Cohiba cigar wafted over her face. Her eyes fluttered close for a moment.
She had missed him.
Then she tore herself out of his arms and shoved him back. Cedar stepped back and smiled, his striking emerald eyes glinting with quiet amusement.
That made Amara more angry. “How long will you stay away?” She demanded.
His form wavered and he turned incorporeal as he puffed on his cigar. “Eddie needs me for a fortnight. I told you as much,” he said, his voice slow and soft. He turned away to sit on the stairs.
“But…I need you,” she stuttered. “I don't get many clients like when you're with me.”
“You can't twist my arms to return to you, Amara. I'll come when Eddie's affairs are in order.”
She stamped her foot like a child. “Is this a partnership? This thing you have with Eddie?”
Cedar glanced at her, his eyes glowing with intensity. He vanished, only to reappear behind her, his voice a whisper against her ears, tickling tiny hairs across her cheek. She gasped softly, her eyes fluttering close.
“I feel your love, Amara but this is hard for me too. You are not the only medium I attend. You can't keep me tied to you.”
“Please,” she pleaded, her voice soft and close to tears. “I have missed you. We can make this work.”
“It's against the rules.”
She turned then to gaze at him. “No rule can hold us back. Our love knows no bounds. Don't fight us.”
His gaze sharpened and he tilted his head toward one of the portraits. Amara gasped, tears pooling in her eyes. Cedar was among the painted canvases.
“This estate binds me,” he murmured, his eyes betraying regrets. “You and I can never be together.”
I hope you enjoyed reading this short gothic piece. I wanted to write something a bit spooky yet romantic. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "is this a partnership?".
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