The touchdown at Reichenstone was as gentler than the wind. As exhausted as he was, High Lord Doryx Acaulian was not about to wake his sleeping wife. After all that happened in White Sands, they both deserved their rest; perhaps, she more than he. All the same, however, there was no shortage of relief to finally be safe at home, at least for the time being.
Doryx had never been one to fly by the seat of his intuition and damn the consequences. Least of all in moments like this, when he could only imagine the consequences to come from the summarily destroyed castle left behind in the wake of Devaniée’s …conniption. That was putting it lightly and the matter lay heavily on the High Lord of Darken Vei’s heart. The Gods only knew what price would be demanded as payment, as punishment, as justice for the lives that had been lost. He tried to prevent it. Gods! He risked his own life to save so many others at that castle!
But the damage had been done and could not be undone.
Doryx looked to the quiet motionless form of his wife, in what some would have called an exhausted slumber and what other’s still would only describe as the sleep of death. His heart leapt up into his throat at that notion. Perhaps she was better off dead, if only that he might spare her of what was to come.
Devaniée, he thought. My wife, my love, how I neglected you so. How could you let me bury myself underneath worlds of study, of state, of diplomacy, and never once did you utter a word… Not that you would have. But how could you ever come to believe that I would never want you to think or to peak or to tell me how you feel? Tears welled up in his eyes. What is life without someone to share it with, in every way? I will make it up to you. Somehow, someway I will prove my, Devaniée. I will never leave you behind.
His eyes glistened with the threat of tears and they rolled over until two fell and landed onto the pillow case beside Devaniée’s head. He’d set her down gently and pulled the thin silken covers over her body as the cool breeze drifted in through the balcony doors. And gently did his hands hold hers before he leaned across her and pressed his lips to her forehead tenderly.
He then took his place beside her and laid down.
