She wandered halls of the castle. The damp walls warm to the constant chill that swept over her. Silently she floated amongst the canvassed paintings and large tapestries leading to the great hall. Halting at the sight of broad shoulders, strung in silvered armor. The woven threads of the tapestry sent her soul pulsating. After three hundred years, the sight of him still held a deep impression in the crystal clear eyes. She reached out her pale fingers, as she did every night, yet halted a moment before the white tips pressed against the blue eyes, as she did every night.

Sighing wearily, or as wearily as a specter could, she floated back a ways. Time was moving so slowly. The walls seemed to press against her holding her threads of silky wisps together. She wished to be torn apart. To leave this simple world and explore outside of the castle, yet she made an accord. A pact she would hold for all eternity.

Her eyes filled with silent drips of silver as she glided towards the windows. She made a promise to the moon that it alone would feel her tears and hear the caressing moans of despair. She crossed her legs as she floated silently conversing with the full orb relaxing against the dark.

"My past you wish to know…." Her voice clear as it vibrated against the breeze slowly blowing through her. Her eyes widened as her hands ran through her long pale strands of silvery hair.

"Every night you ask the same…and every night I give you your request." She managed an amused look, half hearted with glum fatigue as she looked at her companion, silently floating amongst the stars.

"Very well." She placed her hands in her lap slowly twisting the silk like gown still draping her translucent body, as though waves, supple and yearning for closeness.

"It is the anniversary of my death, and no…a celebration would be a bit too much." She narrowed her eyes at the orbs mocking glow and smirked, "three hundred years of death. Seems like only yesterday though that I felt the first pang of cold."

"I was on this very ledge when promised death he could have me. Oh, but it did not end here dear friend…oh no." she seemed to smirk at the memory, "It ended in that very garden. The one you are shining on right now. The roses look exactly the way they were that night, as though sprinkled with the soft dew of heaven. Exotic."

"He was there. His presence strong and handsome. Perfect. His hand in mine that is. That is what we were doing. Our fingers were intertwined in perfect response to each others hearts." A deep sigh emitted from the sight of past wanderings flitting through her eyes, "How I loved then. More than any other being could."

She rose her soft glowing face towards the moon and smiled weakly, "You saw us that night. Walking amongst the flowers. You know what played out." She pursed her lips and looked back down at the long silver tips on her hands.

"The demon came quietly. Stealthily and garbed in beauty. I saw past the façade. My father…his knights…my love…they all wished to be a part of this demons power. Hungry for more….more power…more riches …more honor. Lord Armen was sly. His gestures beautiful like the dance of the weeping willow. Ha. I saw past it though. The smart one, but only a woman." Her eyes saddened once more.

"But onto my death…that is what you asked is it not fair moon." She tilted her head and paused waiting for the silent nod to continue, "Lord Armen, our demon, plotted to gain more through my father and his knights, yet I heard the plots of deceit through the thick walls. He planned to poison my father and then my love, the first knight always was given second dibs. I heard and attempted in vain to warn them, yet my words fell short."

"I made a pact that night with the demon. Lord Armen sought me right here on this very balcony. Changing into his true form of black dark. Darker than this night without you sweet orb. I can still smell the rancid fear that he brought over me as he cornered me on this very balcony. Red eyes slitting my figure in lust filled joy." She shivered feeling colder with the thought of the demons eyes upon her as though that very night.

"He came with an offer. An offer I could not say no too. His hands drifted over my shoulder sending trembles down my spine.

'You wish your love to live.' Lord Armen's voice teased as he circled me, hissing as though the serpent in the Garden of Eden, 'I have seen how you dwell to be in his arms. How his voice sends your cheeks on fire. Oh yes child, I have seen the way your heart pulses to pure life to be by this man's side, to have his fingertips pressing against yours. Seems you have caught my eye….jealousy is not beautiful' His own fingers slid against my arm, freezing my every move.

'How does he live?' I asked, almost begging him with each syllable, attempting to ignore his fingertips against my cheek.

'Give me your soul.' He smirked as he stepped back gazing into my eyes. His own red orbs smoked over in black, 'give me what I most desire. A companion to walk these hallowed halls for eternity with. Then I will spare his life. At least from my torture. You do love him?'

All I could do was nod. My very heart was shattering. I of course did what any soul mate would do for their true love, I agreed. The pact on my soul was sealed. I was given instructions on how to protect the man who I loved.

Oh dear moon, you saw the rest…but I promised to be the story teller this eve…and it is the anniversary…well." She shook her head, the silver hair swept down her shoulder, "Back to the garden below that is where I died…where my soul was transferred to this empty shell."

"The night was as this one. Perfect clear skies…only you hanging there watching our stroll. My love was speaking of our future. The hopes of a marriage in the spring. Children. Futures growing old with perfection together. I almost wept at the memories that would never be. Yet I held my own when we reached the rose meant to prick his dear finger. The poison seeping from the thorn. Poison that he would never feel in his veins. As my love reached to pick the perfect rose from the bush I stopped him, letting my innocent finger shove his away."

She held up a scared finger. A paper thin line of silver ran along the white skin, "This is the only memory left from that night. The last vision I had was of my head in the lap of my love. His tears streaming gently down his face. I was ripped from my body and thrown back into darkness at that moment by Sir Armen." She sighed in resolution, her voice soft in remembrance.

"Sir Armen made good his promise. The pact was set. My love was not harmed by him. I was left to dwell in this castle as the mistress of Armen's bidding and observer seen by none. Given permission to watch over the events, I witnessed my love forget about me. He went on to love another…he left me here alone. His presence was enough to keep me content in my solitude, yet when he gave his heart to another…." She drifted off not continuing on for a few moments.

"I have grown use to Armen's touches. They are not as warm as my loves, yet they give me some feeling. His voice is never as soft, yet it is compelling to my spirit. The years pass slowly, his visits the only break from loneliness." Her silken eyes rose back to touch the moon's glow, "tonight we celebrate this anniversary." She grew quiet as she followed the path of moonlight against the garden once more. Studying the petals on the roses. The dew silently dripping against the soft.

"Forgive me dear moon for my silence. I assure you Sir Armen will be calling me soon. He comes bidding my company. I feel his darkness once more. Till tomorrow my friend."

She silently hovered for a moment giving a soft bow of her head at the orb shining through her silver and glided back into the hallway in search of the dark that called her.