OOC: This is an 'open by request only' thread; so anyone who wants to join has to have their characters and ideas approved through me prior to 'leaping in'. Thanks!
And before inquiring, this party is open to nobles and spies only- and they have to be CONNLAOTHIAN spies and already active mage supporters. Thanks.
This thread takes place several yeas into the war and is the (currently) most recent event.
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"Let them eat cake, if they want to, Vesrik," came an unusual passionate phrase from the Grand Duke himself. "Have them take it and eat and walk without fear, for fear is the catalyst of this event, and we want to show our enemies it is not fear that keeps us back, and that we will live our lives as it suits us, and that Connlaoth will become the tamed and civilized country it was destined for."
Vesrik raised his wine goblet towards his 'king', and chuckled after the man's brief speech.
"Then to the servants we should go, to have the invitations penned and the event made official. They are calling it a war now, you know," Vesrik added with a sneer.
Calent scowled at that and looked down towards his desk where he paused in mid-stride from his pacing. He tapped a gloved hand upon the mahogany before looking up at his visor with a nod.
"Very well. This party... it will be well suited for the holiday that is to come. It is but a few weeks before All Souls Night, so I was thinking to theme the event around that holiday."
Vesrik quirked a brow, and a dark grin swept across his features before it became more polished as he cleared his throat to suggest, "Ah, but why not have such an event take place on All Souls Night? And the theme.. well.." Vesrik let the thoughts roll around inside his head before giving a shrug and turning towards the Grand Duke. "Might be best suited for, perhaps, your wife to decide?" For he hadn't missed the Grand Duchess's approach as he took is wine to his lips before bowing to her. Calent, subtly startled by her presence, turned to his wife.
"Grand Duchesss... we were discussing the ball idea you had so fervently requested of me but months ago," and though he spoke to his wife, his face was a mask of indifference. "I... feel the time is right to host such an event, as the idea has gotten well beneath my skin to a place I can not scratch. I feel as though the other duchies are growing exhausted, and I too, am anxious. Perhaps the parties my fellow dukes are so afraid to ask for should be reinstated by none other than their Grand Duke.."
THough he spoke of the idea as if it were something grand, he still had a pensive scowl about his face.
Vesrik, who wore a tight lipped smile, sipped at his wine and stared casually at the duchess.
"We were contemplating a theme- and to have the ball take place on All Souls Night. Such a festive evening seems most fitting for a mental relief from the war."
Calent's nose wrinkled at the label of 'war'. A war against his own people, it made his gut wrench, but it was true, and he was getting desperate in his attempts to mask away his true feelings over it- and out of that desperation, he had fallen prey to one of his wife's good ideas. Though when Kathryn had first brought up the idea for a ball, he had been quite adamant that it ought to never happen, and he and his wife were cold to one another ever since. Sharing a bed was not an option during that time, and perhaps it was one reason he himself was growing frustrated.
For now, it was a party where he would find his release, and to remind the world who was in control.
"Yes, and the timing for such an event could not be better. The weather is splendid," Vesrik said, sipping at his wine most carefully as he gave Kathryn a shrewd grin.
OOC: This event will officially open after the invitations have been penned 8D
I will link such things once I get them up <3
Grand Duchess Kathryn was, very nearly, an entirely different woman than the girl that had nearly fallen in love with Calent. She was still a lovely woman, but the cheerful youth and adventurous twinkle in her eye had been replaced with poise and a practiced smile that rarely touched her eyes these days. The stress that affected her husband rarely touched her, it seemed, for she attempted to actively engage those around her who deserved such an honor, providing, always, a voice of support for her husband's actions and a blessing for the troops. There was little doubt in anyone's mind that she was as devoted to Calent's cause as he himself was...but the observant would note how rarely they appeared together, and, even when they were at the same function, how very rarely they even looked at one another. With or without Calent, she maneuvered the political waters of Connlaoth as effortlessly as a shark navigated the ocean -- and was just as ruthless should someone happen to fall on her bad side, or so the rumors said.
Kathryn had long ago given up on trying to please her husband. Her opinions of him were generally low, although, as the Grand Duchess, she kept such thoughts to herself... Their relationship had been rocky for some time now, long before she had brought up the idea of a ball...and, since the ball idea had been so dramatically discarded by the childish man, she had long ago given up offering him any suggestions at all. In fact, for the last month, she had only spoken to him when absolutely necessary -- not out of spite but simply because he did not care to listen, and she had nothing more she wished to say and be heard only be deaf ears.
And so it was, with a suspicious expression, she regarded both him and his adviser. She could only assume they had grown desperate. It hadn't been a bad idea, if she did say so herself...but it had been an idea that would have, in her opinion, helped settle some of the uneasiness growing between duchies and their own seats of power. "A splendid idea," she answered civilly, if not particularly warmly. "There should be just enough time to make preparations before the event and to see that everyone is invited."
In short, more work for her.
"I believe I have just the caterer for such an event. He comes highly recommended."
"Yes, my dear, but it still begs the question as to a theme," Vesrik pressed with an idle sigh and swish of his wine glass to show his intolerance. Though, it was noted by the Grand Duke, he cast a much colder gaze towards his visor before moving to be closer to his wife's side.
"I know I was quick to dismiss the idea at the time. I, perhaps, was prematurely foolish." He studied his wife and her coolness in a way he might be looking at his own self in the mirror before proceeding.. "But as you must know, times are trying, and it of no consequence that I should dismiss your ideas so quickly." And he paused to take her in before commenting coolly, "I do apologize for being ignorant. I did not realize what a ball could mean."
Kathryn didn't even glance at Vesrik. She did not care for the man; there was something slimy about him; in many ways, he reminded her of a man who had once tried to have his way with her, long ago and following another, very different ball, although she could not, entirely say what it was. The fact he reminded her of Prince Philippe was quite enough to earn her dislike and distrust.
Besides, there was little Vesrik could offer her. He was Calent's man; she had her own counsel for when she needed it.
For a moment, she said nothing; she simply looked up into her husband's face. Part of her, she thought, would always search for that warmth and those smiles she had once loved...but they were gone, now, and they likely were gone for good.
"Then the fault is mine for failing to explain my thoughts more clearly," she allowed graciously. There was no need to continue to accuse him. Not that he had given her a chance to explain, to her recollection... But, personal feelings aside, they were allies in this little war against the mages, and, at the end of the day, everything they did, they did for the country.
So, the Grand Duke wished to throw a ball... "If I were planning it, I think I should make it the greatest and grandest ball the Palace has ever held. Give the people a reason to spend their money -- in obscene amounts. Remind them of their power and birthright." She paused a second, then added, more firmly, "Let them become whatever it is they want to be for a night. Make it a masked ball. Let the people express themselves in opulent anonymity."
She stopped there, then, and folded her arms beneath her breasts. "But that would be expensive, my lord." And times being what they were, well...
Calent mulled over her idea as if trying to decide whether or not he liked the taste of it. But Vesrik gave a scoff.
"Money is of no consquence, this is the nobility we speak of." And he said it so eloquently upon a sneer. Calent shot a look to him which only made the man snort while enjoying his wine. "And why a masked ball?" Really, perhaps he should not have trusted the woman...
"Because it would be perfect," Calent added in which made his visor arch his brow. "Let the people celebrate All Souls Night with a mask, let themselves, for one night, forget the suffering going on outside their windows.." ANd as he spoke, he walked over to the window of his study and peered out into the sunset. "It's been a while since anything of it's kind has happened here, let alone in the Grand Palace..." And as he continued to think it over, he turned back towards his wife and nodded to her. "Thank you for your suggestion." And he bowed his head. "Tomorrow we should gather together after breaking our fast to discuss this in more detail. For now, I am exhausted and perhaps it is well that the duchess and I see ourselves to bed."
Though it was still early in the day...
He had much he wanted to discuss with his wife...
Though as unfortunate as it was, something came up before he could join her, and again, the two would have empty bed chambers..
But tomorrow- there was much to come.
A masked ball.
A masked ball, for all.
Rather than look pleased that her suggestion had been accepted, Kathryn frowned softly when Calent retreated to the window. It was unusual enough that her husband was accepting her advice...but defending that advice against Vesrik?
If the world had fallen on its head, she would not have believed it. What, she wondered, was Calent up to?
Her expression mimicked Visrik's when he mentioned retiring to bed. Long before their divisive fight over the suggestion of a ball, Calent had visited her bed chambers less and less frequently, citing taxes or business or any other number of things that, increasingly, dealt with the purge of mages. And, then, of course, the fight had ended such visits altogether...
Nevertheless, she bowed slightly. "As you wish, my Lord."
But she doubted he would appear, and so she made herself comfortable with a book. And when dusk fell, without waiting for her husband to make his appearance, she simply turned out the light and went to bed, as was her usual habit.
She was not disappointed; there were, after all, only so many miracles God could perform in one day.
The next day, the Grand Duke's palace was bustling with activity. The leftwing study was full of men hired to pen out the invitations with haste. All Soul's Night was fast approaching, and he wanted the invitations to be sent out by the next morning. He had already configured a guest list- since a list of nobles and minor nobility was always at hand, and a few high ranking tradesmen would be invited to attend. Once the initial scroll was penned, he turned to his wife for her approval before setting the group of scribes to work.
And it had been a trying day, especially as he requested both Vesrik and his wife to review the list of invitees; and while they went through the list, Calent sat, appearing quite bored and agitated, in his throne like chair, a fist resting to his cheek as his eyes stared between the two as they worked through the list.
One such family had Vesrik crinkling his nose.
"Treyburns." he said, and peered through the list. "Seems a hefty family." He added, with a sniff. "Though not sure if all of the children would attend, and the father, now deceased has been replaced by.. hrm.. well, not the first born. It is known he was disinherited... I suppose that leaves the second eldest in charge. Braxworth, I think it was?"
And he looked over at Calent for approval, who, for that moment, didn't appear to be listening.
Kathryn looked up from the list, a look of irritation spread across her pretty face. This wasn't the first name the man had butchered, nor, she thought, would it be the last. "Braxton," she emphasized. "Major Braxton Treyburn, I believe. His father was a firm supporter of my husband and a well-respected member of the military until only about five years ago. I am told high-ranking officers throughout Connlaoth attended his funeral. If his son is half the man his father was, you would do a great disservice to my husband by alienating any of the Treyburns from this event. He wields great influence over the military by name alone."
She looked back to the list in her hand thoughtfully, silently reviewing what she knew of the family. It wasn't much; they were merely a minor family, and they were not politically active. As she understood it, Vesrik's information was wrong on a second account as well: it was not merely the eldest son who had been disinherited; she vaguely remembered hearing that Braxton had been third in line...
Really, how an adviser could have such poor information was beyond her!
"One of the daughters was recently widowed as well, I believe. Her husband was killed by a mage while on duty." She looked up from the paper with a stern frown. "It is imperative we show the people that their sacrifices are appreciated." The Grand Duchess sighed softly. "And, besides, they have several unmarried daughters, if I recall. We should lend them our aid in increasing their status... Perhaps some introductions..."
"Oh, leave it to the women to think about match making. Yes, that's all well and good, but the event is still to lift spirits." Vesrik gave a shake of his head, and his second chin soon followed before he sighed. Calent finally peered over at the pair before sitting up in his chair.
"Yes, Vesrik, it would do you well not to misinterpret any of the information." For even the Grand Duke was becoming annoyed over his mistakes, and having to hear his unfortunate wife correct him. And it was then he glanced over at her form, her stern expression, her tired eyes, but also, he studied her perfect poise.
"Perhaps a break is in order? Perhaps some tea, tart and brandy? It might help us go through this list a little better," the Grand Duke suggested.
And Vesrik's lips were the first to curl at that idea.
"Indeed, allow me to go make the request of your servant. The pair of you look simply exhausted. It's the least I can do." And without further adieu, the large man got up from his chair and pushed his way towards the door, and reviewed the order of brandy, tea, tarts and biscuits to a servant.
Kathryn watched him leave with a flat expression, then sighed softly and turned her expression back towards her work. Although she didn't look up, she did say, "Thank you for the thought. Tea would be just the thing, I think, to get us through this list."
She set the list of Treyburns aside, having made the correction to Braxton's name, and picked up another page to review.
"I've contacted the decorators and caterers. Have you given any thought to your costume, my Lord?" Naturally, she would leave it to him to decide...
Calent lifted his gaze at her question. He had been staring at her, but more through her before the question was posed. Blinking, he thought about what she was thinking,a nd he mulled it over.
"Yes, I tried to consider what would be most appropriate," he said, sitting up from his own chair and moving to the sette where his wife now sat. Once he was settled in, he turned towards her and looked directly into her face. "Do you recall the first hunt we attended together?"
Assuming he had moved to peruse the invitation list himself, she set the paperwork aside on the footstool she had been using previously, and she was in the act of scooting the stool between them when he caught her eye and posed the question.
Their first hunt? What did that have to do with the party?
And why on earth was he looking at her like that?
"The one with my father?" With the great storm and...and Dekka. Now, there was someone she hadn't thought about in a while. "And the storm that nearly killed us all? It wasn't much of a hunt." Her expression softened slightly, looking a little less like it was made of marble. "Except for my father."
Calent breathed, which could have possibly be interpreted as a laugh as he kept his gaze upon her, then looked away.
"Yes.. I was just thinking, what you said about our costumes. I might like to go as a stag."
"I...will make a note," Kathryn answered hesitantly, honestly unsure how she was expected to respond. He was acting so...
Well, so unlike himself... Or, perhaps, simply unlike what she had come to expect him to be...
If she didn't know him any better, she'd assume he'd been sampling the wine...but, no, the only liquor on the table had been her mimosa this morning... Besides, where the bubbly feeling liquor gave her helped her to keep up a smile and to cope with her daily life, it only made him moody.
"Have you any other recommendations or requests?" she prompted as the silence drew out between them. This was, quickly, becoming awkward...
Calent continued to keep his glance away from her as he shrugged.
"No, I'll go as a stag, the list seems alright, and I think it's nearing supper," he said with a sigh, then leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling, looking as tired as ever. The war hadn't been kind to him, wrinkles beginning to set into his features, an din this light, making him appear hard, like a stone. And the bags beneath his eyes also did nothing but make him appear as tired as he felt.
The nightmares, although lessened, were still ever present; though the war was his main focus, and the only thing he seemed to have the strength left for. It was then he glanced towards his wife and inquired through a sigh, "How is the list looking? Do we have a lot of nobles left to review?"
The Grand Duchess breathed a subtle sigh of relief. Back to business, then...
That was the focus of their conversations, usually, rather than memories of old. It seemed like a thousand years ago that they had been wed...and a hundred lifetimes ago. Their marriage may have failed to produce an heir...and it seemed unlikely there ever would be. However, if there was one thing they had succeeded at together, they made excellent business partners.
"No, there's only one page left," she answered, picking up the aforementioned page and skimming over it. "And this was the list that the secretary assumed would attend. My family. Duke and Duchess Molneux." Yes, there was no question about any of these people... Except... She sighed and corrected the spelling of her sister's name. That one, she thought, had probably been done on purpose. "And that's the last of it."
This last page joined the others in a neat pile, and she reached out to put the stopper back into the ink vial. "I'll contact the seamstress to begin the process of designing our outfits, and I will have them sent to you to review before she begins."
Calent nodded and leaned back into his chair, sighing with relief that that affair was over. It seemed everything was coming together, and he felt so tired. Closing his eyes, he lay there for a moment, before suddenly, he drifted off to sleep...
He seemed not to have mention to his wife he hadn't slept in days and, interestingly enough, as much as he could put on a face for others, remain the stead fast ruler all of Connlaoth needed him to be-
There he was, asleep soundlessly but a chair away from his wife's side.
It was around this time one of his servants came in to inform the Grand Duke his tax papers had come in, and upon seeing him on the chair, they gasped.
"I knew it wasn't right to let him become ignorant of his medicine! Stubborn man!" the woman scoffed. "He's been having trouble sleeping but claims his medicine makes him sleep too much and he feels worse for it. I've noticed the empty vials, so I know he hasn't been taking them all week. I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't slept at all!"
And then shaking her head, she bowed before the Grand Duchess. "Forgive me. Shall I wake him?"
The look Kathryn gave the servant was a slight frown. She put a finger to her lips to keep the woman from waking the man.
Why on earth would they want him awake? Let the man sleep, for Angsar's sake. He was, after all, just a man -- and Calent's sleeping habits had always been poor. As far as Kathryn was aware, he wasn't expected to attend some meeting or another...so let the man sleep.
Setting aside the invitations, she rose and spoke quietly to the woman. "He ordered tea. See that it is prepared and brought in, quietly, for him to enjoy upon waking. And bring me some brandy for the tea."
Returning to her seat, she picked up the stack of papers again to begin forming a battle strategy. Her husband may have been responsible for preparing for war, but it was she who smiled prettily to the nobles providing their soldiers and supplies. Hmph. And men thought they did all the work...
It was almost an hour by the time he roused, his body jolting towards the end of his restless nap. As usual, when he closed his eyes, his nightmares came out. Memories, haunting him from a past unknown, bubbled forth as ghosted whispers goaded him through the murky forests of his mind. And it was grey- nothing in color as he looked around the familiar throne room in Allar. And yes.. everything ws grey... colorles...
Except the red..
the red on his hands, his clothes..
and then over at his father. HIs face, it was one of disbelief before he slumped onto the floor...
and as Calent looked down, he felt his hand slip outside of his father's chest-
holding his warm beating heart in hand....
He made a noise, a jerk as he awoke in his chair, a fist resting to his cheek, his other gripping the arm rest as he looked out at the room before him. Blinking, he wiped at the sweat on his brow and stretched within his chair, and turned to note his wife at his side, busy with paper work.
"How long have I been asleep?" he said, and noted the warm tea beside him.
"About an hour," the Grand Duchess answered dispassionately after a quick glance at the clock. It had actually been a good opportunity to get some work done.
Emboldened by the brandy, of which she took another sip, she asked plainly, "Still having nightmares, I see. No wonder you look like you haven't slept in weeks."
The Grand Duke hadn't missed the shortness in her tone. He one hand draped across his eyes,a nd quickly used it to pinch the bridge of his nose as he leaned forward, then took a sip of his cooling tea. It was room temperature now. He frowned and set it back down, then peered over towards his wife, then away, moving uneasily beneath his skin. He never really brought htat topic up with his wife, he never had to. They slept in seperate rooms, and the first time they had shared a bed...
The nightmares were a bit tamer, though even still, he had awokened earlier than the morning and when his wife had inquired what was wrong...
His only response had been silence.
Now was no different as he stared down at his muted reflection in the tea.
"The maid came in to scold you for not taking your medicine," she added needlessly.
Rising from her chair, she set a stack of paperwork down on the table in front of him. "These are awaiting your review, dear. A few minor details abut your ball... The menu, decorations, and so forth." She paused, then to refill her drink. "I know how you hate to spend the money, but if we don't, we can hardly expect them to."
Calent's face remained placid, a hand rubbing down it before he leaned a hand into his fingers and sighed. He massaged his temple lightly, then moved forward to lift up the papers. He began to go through them, slowly flipping through the pages before commenting, "These are rather thorough." And with another sigh he said, "Yes, I realize that is the idea. Spare no expense." And how bitter that expense sounded as he moved to drink more of his cold tea.
(You are not allowed to post after I have declared my intention to go to sleep! D: )
"I thought it would be helpful if you knew what you were spending money on," she answered honestly. Putting a few morsels on a small plate, she brought it over to him and set it delicately beside him. She also refilled his cup from the pot, which would be, in the very least, moderately warmer.
"You should eat."
The Grand Duke sighed, and moved in his chair as if he had the weight of hte world on his shoulders before he furrowed his brow and nodded.
"Thank you." He supposed he should. Taking up the tea, he sipped it delciately, and swallowed it dwn without so much as a noise before he settled into his chair and rested a curled fist beneath his chin. he contemplated over the event to come, over his decision before he asked, "And we have a list of the mordecai to be stationed?"
Kathryn retreated back to her stack of papers, flipping through a few before finding the ones she wanted.
"The mordecai. The guards. The staff."
A stack of about ten sheets were put down before the Grand Duke for his approval. The mordecai and guards were his to command, naturally, and, thus, would need his eye on the matter...
"These seem to be the ones you favor, according to Vesrik. I'm not familiar enough with your people to adequately judge for myself."
Calent nodded, taking the papers in his gloved hands and flipped through them.
Zannrick, Emery... and the list went on. He nodded, sifted through the pages, then set them back onto the table between them.
"It all seems to be in order." He picked up the guard sheet next and reviewed it, idly scratching at his neck as he did.
"I wonder if we shouldn't order a few knights to stand at the doors as well. You can never be too careful these days."
Damn mages. They were like rats, infesting everythign and hard to get rid of.
"As you wish," Kathryn answered off-handedly, returning to her own paperwork and her drink.
"Is there anything else you'd like to add or concerns you have about the ball?" she wondered, although, truth be told, she didn't seem too concerned with his answer, as she didn't even bother to look up.
"We'll need to distribute our plans to the appropriate people for them to begin work, and the sooner that is done, the less we will have to worry."
Calent leaned forward in his chair now, elbows on his lap and hands beneath his chin.
"Yes. Once we get the paper work organized, I'll have Vesrik tend to it. That's what I pay him for anyway." He said, then smoothed a hand through his hair and gestured to his wife. "Do you mind passing me the ink well and a quill? I've got some notes to make here. Seems Vesrik missed spelled a few names." Again.
"Hardly surprising," Kathryn answered shortly. Oh, she did not care for that vile creature... He was intolerably stupid -- but it was more than that! There was something else about him that she simply couldn't put her finger on...
She moved the requested materials over to him, as well as a few leafs of fresh, untainted paper in case he felt the need to rewrite the lists entirely.
"It seems his mind is not on the ball," she ventured, trying to choose her words diplomatically. "Is there anything I should be made aware of?" Preferably before he made a fool out of all of them?
Blinking, Calent looked up from the paper he was about to make some notes on and studied her face.
"What do you mean?"
Kathryn frowned at him, as if to say, 'Really? How do you not know?'
"Well..." She thought about trying to hint about the subject, but, knowing Calent, he wouldn't get it. Might as well be blunt about it. "If my secretary came to me with this many errors, I certainly wouldn't keep paying her. If the invitations had gone to Duchess Melanoma, can you imagine what would have happened?"
The woman would have made their lives a living hell, to be certain! Melora was no one to offend...
Calent's eyes went wide, his face long. And then as he took it in, his face went placid again as he sighed.
"Perhaps his eye sight is off." Or he wanted to get them all killed.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he massaged it, not realizing he smeared some ink there as he did.
"Alright, I'll talk to him tomorrow about it. Today is trying enough as is."
Kathryn stared at him a moment, mind going back to another day long ago, when a man had been introduced to her with a very similar stain upon his nose... Oh, if she could take it all back...
"One of these days, you're going to rub ink into your eye."
Sighing, she wetted the corner of a napkin with her tongue and leaned forward to take the stain out for her husband. While she had him by the nose, quite literally, she said, "You're beginning to look old. I know you hate to do so, but try to smile at the ball. With any luck, it will take out some of these wrinkles. No one is going to believe that everything is well if you look like a ghoul."
Calent, startled when his wife leaned forward to wipe the ink away, just let her tend to it. It reminded him too, of that moment so long ago, and some color returned to his cheek, and even deepened at her last response. Then a gentle hand came up and was placed on her arm.
"These last few years have been trying." He said, studying her from where he sat, and not knowing what else to say except.. "Thank you. I know your position as Grand Duchess wasn't by choice, considering our engagement happened prior to all this chaos. But I don't know what I'd do without you."
His eyes lingered upon her as his hand then cupped her face.
"And this work isn't doing good for you either. Have you been sleeping well?" For she looked tired as well-
and maybe a little drunk.
If someone had asked her what, exactly, she was trying to accomplish, Kathryn's honest answer would have been, simply, that she did not know. She wanted to hurt him. She wanted to find a way to connect with him. She wanted to illicit a response -- any sort of response, good or bad. She wanted to feel something herself -- something more than disdain, anyway.
"What I want hardly matters." That was true enough. "My place is by your side, is it not? And I very much doubt your regency has anything to do with it."
Valia, of all people, had once commented on Calent's cold demeanor, after all...but Kathryn, charmed as she was at the time, had simply been too blind to see what she was getting herself into.
"I'm just happy to be able to do my small part in bettering Connlaoth." How nice of him to notice! "I've been sleeping well enough. The brandy helps, I've found. Perhaps you should take it up?"
Calent frowned and looked at the cup, then down at his papers.
"And get more bags from it? I think you stated I looked horrid enough." And at that remark, he actually found himself... smiling.
Kathryn stared at him. Then, slowly, the corners of her mouth lifted, as though trying to smile. Little wonder she seemed to have forgotten how; she smiled about as much as Calent did.
She breathed out a soft sigh and looked down a moment, staring unseeingly at the space between them as she considered it.
"It's really not a bad idea. The doctor recommended some exercise, followed by a bit of brandy." Somewhere along the way, a bit had become a bit more...and then she was drinking before her exercises in addition to after... "It usually works."
If his wife needed brandy to sleep... it made him consider things for a moment before he turned to her.
"I'm sorry I haven't been much of a husband lately." He looked at her face. She was rather beautiful.. and he, a lucky man. Yet how long had it been since they had made love?
"Things have changed greatly between the two of us." he said thoughtfully, his green gaze never leaving hers before he looked down at her hands and took them, and then, suddenly, lifted them to his lips.
A darkness passed over her face, seeming to leave only that chilly, marble-like expression she so often wore in its wake -- quite the opposite reaction, perhaps, than he was expecting with so tender and intimate a gesture.
They'd been here before, and it always ended with her heartbroken and wondering why she couldn't live up to his expectations.
"No," she answered decidedly. "I've changed. I've given up trying to reach the man I thought I married, and I've decided to live with the man I actually did."
And that man...was a cold-hearted, self-involved bastard.
Calent paused with his lips ontop of her hand before slowly, she'd feel the kiss slack. A moment later, he was looking up into her eyes. She sounded angry, and oh.. yes.. she was.
Studying her face, he said nothing.
"I'm sorry if you feel as though you've been cheated..."
He had never been good at this sort of thing, a problem he had for most of his life. Well, at least since the incident..a nd that had happened fr what felt like decades ago...
and as he thought it over..
It was.
Kathryn's smile was a wry one. "The optimism of youth." Reclaiming a hand, she reached over for her glass, lifting it up in a salute before downing its contents. "Well... Stupidity."
Definitely stupidity.
"It should make you feel better to know I really loved you once." She assumed it was love, anyway, because, at one point in her life, she had honestly looked forward to seeing him and worried about him... She had gone out of her way to be there for him, even if all she could do was give him a glass of tea.
Then again, if that were the definition of love, her love for him had certainly never been exclusive, so perhaps it didn't count.
Calent kept his eyes upon hers, never leaving them until he looked down to furrow his brow.
"I suppose it would seem." And there was a heavy silence between them before his features softened. "And there was a time I knew I loved you."
For what else was there to call it? He had chosen her, out of countless other women he ignored.
"But do not blame yourself I..." he frowned, thinking over the right words. "I've never been well since my father had passed.."
Or some might say.. when Serrah had died...
Though it was really after his father's death the nightmares had begun. And remembering what was more important, he turned to look at his wife.
"And any distance between us was of my own choosing, not because of you."
Yes.. it wasn't you, Kathryn, but me.
Even still...
He stared over her form with a sigh.
"When I proposed to you, Kathryn, I started to see the world for colors. But with the war and evne more sleepless nights, it seems I've forgotten it." Yes, everything turned to grey... and dare he even think about their son?
The very thought sent a chill right through him and panged his very heart.
Kathryn sniffed softly when he told her not to blame herself. It wasn't a tearful sniff; it was indignation and some disbelief. She was truly on the verge of telling him not to worry about that -- she fully blamed him, because she had tried. And when that had failed, she had tried again.
But nothing could bridge that gap, least of all one, silly, heartbroken girl.
But as he went on, her expression, quite against her will, softened, and she struggled with herself for a moment, trying not to be drawn in to feel sorry for him and trying not to let his words touch her heart. She wanted it to be dead, just like his -- because it wasn't fair that he should feel nothing and she should have to feel everything alone.
"I'm trying," she murmured, her voice taking on an emotional edge as it softened into a whisper as she spoke. "I'm trying to be the best wife I can be. But I can't do this." Whatever...this...was. All she knew was that it hurt, and if she let it swallow her whole, it would hurt even worse.
At her voice, her word, her tone, Calent stiffened. He knew this was a long time coming- and he always just let it go. He had dozens of chances to try to make this work with he and his wife-
but he hadn't even tried. Lifting his gaze, he looked at her. This poor woman, trapped by their ring. He looked down at her fingers, to all the rings he had givne her- but were any out of love? But one...
maybe two but...
Ove rht years they were just 'gifts' for holidays,birthdays.. necessities. Realizing this, he glanced down at his own fingers, to where rings remained, standing and meaning nothing. Except one small ring he always kept. Fishing a plain, scratched silver ring, he looked at it.
"My mother used to say, nobility, marriage and love never existed together." he smild a little at the thought, rolling the ring between his fingers. "But she said she had somehow made what her and my father have work." He glanced down at his lap. "I hadn't realized the complications of marriage, perhaps that's why I chose to marry so late- though perhaps that was my folly. I... was never really good at courting."
"It's not the courting you were bad at." On the contrary, he had made her love him... Wasn't he listening?
Perhaps he had misunderstood... She hadn't been very specific, after all. She watched him play with the ring, rolling it over his hand and through his fingers.
"And your mother..." She barely kept herself from saying the woman was an idiot, although the tone was clearly there. "If that's what you were aspiring to, you've succeeded. In spades. Are you really that blind?" After all, his own best friend was madly in love with his wife...and they had been married nearly as long.
She lifted her hands to her face as she inhaled, then blew out a sigh. Her fingertips pressed against her closed eyes gently, as though she could soothe out the sudden exhaustion she felt. "I don't want to have another argument with you about something stupid." Yep, their marriage officially fell into that category now! "Let's just...reconvene tomorrow. The seamstress should have a design by then."
It was here the words made him frown, and frown deeply.
"We are married." he said. "And I'm not trying to argue." he wasn't, but he could see the anger was there. Setting his jaw, he drew in a careful breath. "I'd.. like to discuss this with you, Kathryn. About us, about our child.." Yes, even the one he'd rathe rnot speak of...
"And the future. I can not ignore our problems no more than I can ignore the problems of our people. I do know many are suffering, and the mage camps are over whelmed and..." he pressed a hand over his mouth, hiding his frown as he sighed through his nose then looked up at her.
"We haven't had a moments reprieve since our wedding. Maybe we need a vacation, or to host an archery contest or hunt." He dind't know. He honestly didn't but thse were the few things he could only assume she might considering she'd like...
Kathryn had adopted a rather stubborn expression...but when he brought up their child, she flinched and looked away from him, as though he had physically struck her. That was what had finally shattered her heart into so many pieces that she was still searching for them...
Wordlessly, she walked away from him back to her seat, picking up her alcohol on the way.
"What good is it going to do? Maybe it will ease your conscience, make you feel like you really tried to make this work. You might even fool yourself so well that you have one less thing to toss and turn over every night. But what about me? After all these years, how am I supposed to believe that you actually want to change anything? How can I ever trust you not to go get wrapped up in your work, just like you always do and leave me alone just when I need you the most?"
She had started off quite rationally, and, for the most part, continued in that vein -- except that her voice was rising in volume. "I have been trying for years to be as cold and unfeeling as you are, Calent! You have broken my heart so many times, and when he died..." Well... Her hands shook, but she managed to pour herself another drink and down it just as fast. No, she didn't want to talk about that.
Seeing his wife become a mess before him began to break down the walls he held up as barriers inside his mind. Reality was crashing down around him like a storm. No longer could a barricade of ignorance be employed.
Standing from his chair, he yanked the bottle from her and threw it to the ground, wher eit smashed into tinkling, twinkling tiny pieces.
"You've had enough, Duchess Allarrick..." he said, and grabbed her by the arm. "Many men wallow away on that bottle of piss, and I won't see my wife go to it on account of me." And here, he shook her, growing fierce as he remained over her as an imposing figure-
when another voice came out from the way-
"Allarrick!" His visor had just stepped int the room. And he pause to see.. " Why.. you and the duchess... are you quarreling? Pray, tell me this is not the day that-"
"VESRIK!' Calent snapped, hisvoice sharp as a whip, and bold as a lion and his eye, were like venom as they glowed in their rage and hatred towards the man while he felt more o fhis internal walls fall. "GET OUT OF THIS ROOM BEFORE I RAM YOU WITH MY SWORD LIKE A STUCK PIG! I AM TALKING TO MY WIFE! AND WE WILL TALK IN PRIVATE!"
From a man as quiet and reserved as Calent, his voice shook the walls and made all go silent. Vesrik stared in disbelief for a time before hesitating in a bow as he muttered, "I'm sorry, your grace." And hten he left. For a long moment, Calent's eyes bore into the door before he turned around, but at the sight o fhis wife, they softened. And there he stood, a fire crackling behind him- a tenseness in the air, and his wife- probably quivering- maybe not out of fear, but hatred, just a few steps away.
Kathryn had first reacted with indignation and outrage. How dare he! Anger flashed in her eyes, sparking like a lightning storm.
But Vesrik's interruption, while unfortunate for him, was well-timed, for, by the time Calent's eyes returned to her, the initial anger had faded.
Because he was right. He was absolutely right. On some level, she had known just how much she was drinking -- more and more as the days went on -- but, also, she just couldn't make herself care. If that was what it took for her to get through the day, and as long as she stopped before becoming well and truly intoxicated, who cared? Certainly not her husband. And today, well, she had drank excessively, even for her.
By the time he looked back to his wife, tears had appeared in the corners of her eyes, banishing the lightning in those pools. She didn't pull away from him; she simply stood there, staring at him...because that was the most emotion she had ever seen come pouring out of him.
"Wow," she said softly, sounding, still, a little stunned. "Look at that. I guess there is a man inside of that marble exterior after all."
Calent's stance was imposing, his chest heaving by his anger, but at her words, his expression, albeit softer, had all but pulled away. His stance relaxed, and he close dhis boots together as he released an irritated breath and looked sheepishly away from his wife.
"I suppose... both of us have many reasons to be upset." he said, feeling himself shake a little before he closed his eyes and steeled it away, then glanced over to his wife. He saw the tears in her eyes and for a while, just stared at them. Then after a moment, he closed the gap between them, and brushed away one tear with a thumb.
"What if we started over...?" he whispered.
God, she wished they could start over...
"What?" she wondered, looking up at him. "Race through a field? Have an archery contest beneath the moon? Get lost in a storm?"
She sniffled quietly, reaching up with her hand opposite his to brush away the tear that had fallen and was meandering down her cheek.
"I always imagined that that was what our lives would someday be like. We'd have adventures -- even if it was just the everyday ones." The smile that appeared, tentatively, on her face was a mirror of all of the heartbreak she had experienced...and somehow survived.
"But I couldn't go through all of this again, Calent. It would kill me." With absolute surety, it would.
Seeing all the emotions, te frustrations behind her eyes he hesitated not in taking his wife into his arms and held her, and just held her tight, keeping a hand to her hair and the other to the small of her back as he held her close against this warm, strong body and just kept her like that- well.. if he could, he'd keep her like that for all eternity.
After a time, he slowly leaned down to kiss the top of her hair.
"I love you, Kathryn," he breathed. And he only realized it now more than ever before. "And I believe you're worth fighting for." ANd before sh had a chance to protest, his lips smashed hungrily against hers.
It had been a rather emotional day, filled with its ups and downs. Mostly downs. And Kathryn was not as good as steeling her heart as her husband was. In spite of her best efforts, she wanted him to love her, to be the husband she had expected him to be rather than the man that he was. And so against her better judgment and in spite of the tears that were rolling down her face once again, she simply turned her mind off and responded to his affections.
She needed him -- for so much and in so many ways. She wanted a husband, not a stranger that she thought she had known once. She longed to have him love her -- because her heart, that traitorous muscle pounding away in her chest, still clearly loved him. And all of this she tried to put into that kiss, trying to communicate without words, and trying, so hard, to make him understand...
She couldn't take much more.
He felt her need, and in doing so, felt her body. A hand gripped light into her hair, the other, pulled her even closer.
"Let me make love to you," he breathed, his eyes opening only to peer at her through his long lashes. "Right here. Right now."
(OOC: Maturity warning begins now! Cover your eyes, kiddies!)
It was dizzying, feeling, suddenly, so much at once.
Or maybe that was the liquor.
In any case, the thrill set Kathryn's heart to pounding. Even on their best days, Calent was never so spontaneous or passionate... And to think of all the servants, likely lined up outside the door listening for the quarrel to continue, suddenly hearing...
Kathryn's response was non-verbal, but it was certainly enthusiastic. She kissed him again, eager and filled with a very different sort of need. Her hands fumbled over the buttons on his waist coat, beginning to spring them open one by one so that he could shed the clothing that was so cruelly in their way.
Kathryn wasn't the only one taken by madness. His hand were all over her, tearing at her clothes, growling and whimpering angrily through kisses when he recalled her corset-
and all of the anger he spat at Vesrik came back, and he dug his fingers into her dress and with a howl, he ripped the damn threads off. Now her dress, nothing but a shell, and his hands aching for it, he simply pushed it aside and claimed his reward, a hand smoothing over one exposed breast as he guided her towards the settee and continued to kiss her fierce.
She felt him clawing at her, taken away by passion and driving her nearer and nearer to madness. The corset around her torso tightened a moment, then tore -- and her breath flew away with it! By the time they reached their destination, she was already panting, and a few of her husband's buttons had joined he pieces of her dress on the floor as she had all-but torn the waist coat off of him as well.
Her hands flew down to his pants, which were the next article of clothing to suffer from her impatience. They were around his ankles -- and just in time too as she felt her backside collide with the settee.
Her hands found his, then, bringing them up beneath her skirt to the thin fabric covering her soaking sex, and she arched her back to bring her mouth up to his ear. "Tear them off," she whispered huskily.
Oh, yes, she liked this unseen side of him...
"At your command."
Ad he wasted no time gripping the hem of her dress and with one jerk- they were down, and anther angry grunt, they were off her legs and on the floor.
Both of them- now in nothing, were clothed in lust. He oogled his wife on the settee for just a moment, hands capturing her breasts, mouth feasting upon her silky-soft skin before he positioned himself over her and began to prod her with his cock.
Feeling the heat between her legs, he moaned and let his member lap across her soaked surface, and after just a few thrusts of teasing, could not handle any sort of fore play and just rammed himself into her- in one great thrust as he let out a yell
He didn't care that a few servants walked in on them as they were making love, they just gasped and walked away, all the while he was butt-fucking naked, and banging his wife on the couch. His hands found hers, fingers twisting them together as his lips locked all over hers as he shoved a tongue deep within.
"GOds.. Kathryn.." he spoke when he finally pulled away, pausing a moment so she could feel his swollen cock throb within her "Gods... you feel like heaven."
Kathryn didn't even notice the servants; she was far too focused on her husband, on what he was doing to her, on the way her body was responding to him in ways it never had before... Needfully, body flushed with passion, hands moved over his body, hips urging him deeper and faster, she gasped, whimpered, and cried out his name, words, unintelligible things...
Her hair, still fairly neat had pillowed beneath her head, but wisps of it had escaped to frame her face. She looked up at him with shining, admiring eyes, seeing him suddenly for the first time in ways she had never imagined...
Reaching for him, her hand traced down his chest to his flat stomach, then slid over his hip to his back. "Keep on pounding at those gates," she purred with a knowing smile, rolling her hips upwards encouragingly. "And I'll really show you what heaven is."
God, the playfully little minx beneath him drove him crazy. Was this his wife? Was this how she was all along? "Gods.." he moaned and let his eyes roll back as he closed his lids tightly, working within her at a steady, but hard, heavy ryhthm. She was so divine he could just cum, but he wanted it to last and he waned her to sing. And soon his passion was over taking him- and as he banged her, the settee began to scrape across the floor, and eventually, he had fucked her alll the way across the room, and now the couch was bucking up heavily against the wall.
Muscles tense and hair dripping in sweat, he continued to fuck her until he rolled over, and held her hips snug to keep their bodies locked.
"Fuck me, Kathryn. Fuck me now." ANd he held onto her wrists and grinned through a half lidded stare. Gods... if they could do this every night....
and as he lay there, he began to wonder..
maybe they could?
And he gave it to her alright, driving her to greater and greater heights with each thrust of his hips. Sense and reason had long ago left her, driving away by the all-encompassing desire to let Calent lift her up and away from this world...
And he was doing a damned fine job of it.
And the rougher he got, the louder she became, and the more she offered herself up to him and gave it back to him. Her nails, at some point, had dug into his shoulders as she tried to pull him nearer to her writhing body.
By the time he invited her to take control, her brain was but a puddle of goo, and her body not much better -- and, yet, somehow, simultaneously wound so tight that at any moment, it might snap and send her into another orgasm.
She didn't fight him; she smiled down at him, an expression of triumph on her face, as though she had just conquered a gladiator in the arena...and now was about to fuck him before the crowd.
But if this was to be her show... Why play nice? "Yes, my Lord," she answered him so sweetly, so contrary to her wild appearance. And then, her eyes looking deep into his, she began to move, slowly, teasing, prolonging her turn into sweet suffering for her husband.
It was only fair.
He hand't expected her to be so cruel, and when she moved with agonizing slowness, his lips pursed as he released a long breath.
"Gods.. Kathryn..' he moaned and rested his sweaty forehead to her body. "Gods.." She knew just what she was doing, and as she moved over him, he reached up to smooth his hands across her form- feeling up her smooth belly and them massaging her chests light, then tight.
He was so hard and his member quivered with eagerness as she moved against his length. Oh, this was torture in it's rarest form- and he lay there, as if drugged, enjoying it all.
"I thought we needed a change of pace," she half-cooed, half-panted as her fingers splayed out over his midsection. Gods, she had forgotten what a handsome man he was...
And if she had known about his stamina, she'd forgotten it...
"You are absolutely incredible," she said -- and, after all the words she had said to him tonight, these rang true. She leaned down to kiss him and began to move, picking up the pace until she was crying out his name again for the whole palace to hear her satisfaction.
And, frankly, if the whole world knew of her husband's (apparent) prowess, she couldn't care less.
It was only when she brought him to it that he came, his hot seed spilling into her in a scream of ecstasy. And after he was done, he lay in a heap with her upon the settee, both of them naked, and sipping some tea. There was a blanket shared between them, and he enjoyed this moment in silence, staring at the fire, holding her close and kissing softly her hair.
"I think I'd like for you to join me in my quarters again," he said softly, breaking the intimate silence.
Kathryn could not remember being so comfortable as she sat snuggled against him, an arm over his midsection and her head on his shoulder. Her eyes were on the fire, watching the way the flames danced and the shadows stretched out, pulling at her and lulling her to sleep.
When Calent at last spoke, his voice seemed to come from far away indeed. She blinked several times, unsure if she was awake or if he had really spoken. She looked up at him, searching his face.
Her arm tightened around him, unwilling to let him go, as she dropped her head back down onto his chest. She would. Of course she would. But...
"I'm not sure we've fixed anything."
At her words, he moved forward to kiss her hair.
"I don't think this a wound I can fix by just one night," he told her softly.
Her head moved in a slight nod, because, while the sex was great...and, God above! it had been! But it didn't feel fixed. It felt like they were just going to slip back into that routine, and, once again, a distance would grow between them...
And they would both harden their hearts again, until nothing, not even sex as good as this had been, could get through...
She sat up, then, so that she could look into his eyes and study that stress-lined face. She stroked his cheek softly with a fingertip, marveling at the way his face felt against her hand, then said, "Don't close yourself off from me, Calent. I can only imagine how hard this has been on you." Well, perhaps, it had all been hard on her too -- she was married to him, after all. "I'm sure you think you're protecting me, but I don't need your protection. What I need is you."
Truth be told, he hadn't opened himself to her fully in order to protect himself. Though it might have seemed other wise, he peered down into her own, pretty face and cupped it, examining her eyes.
"I'm sure you know enough about me to know that request will be difficult." Then he leaned forward and kissed her, quickly, upon the lips.
"But I shall try." Resting his forehead against hers, he just enjoyed the moment, the warmth of her skin, the scent of her hair, befre glancing over towards the fire.
"Do you wish to retire to my room now?" It was, after all, nearly bed time at this hour- even though they had skipped supper completely. But he was ok with that- and terribly exhausted. He felt as if he could sleep the rest of the week through. She had completely exhausted him- and he felt so... at peace, content- something he had not felt in a long time.
Her smile was a rare thing these days. It appeared just then, like a precious flower caught among the rocks, and she nodded slightly. "I think that I would."
Actually, what she really wanted was to just lie here and never move, as though that could preserve this night forever....
"Calent, about tonight, I..." Now, this did require some delicacy. She was, after all, a proper lady... "I hope to see this side of you again," she finished with a shy smile.
Calent had been moving to rise, but paused when she spoke and found himself frozen at her words. But then as he blinked, his face softened.
"As do I," he said after he kissed her soft, then moved to pull his pants on- and, leaving hte rest of the clothing behind, scooped up his wife into his arms, bridal style, and being sure she was clothed by the blanket they had just been sharing, he moved towards the door.
Kathryn's arms went around him, as she snuggled up against him. And, in spite of how difficult their marriage had been up to this point, in spite of how much she sometimes loathed him, she realized... "I do love you, Calent."
Laughing quietly into his shoulder, she added, with a blush, "I think all of Reajh will be talking about our activities tonight..."
Her words sent a chill against him, and he found himself smiling at her reply. Adjusting her weight within his arms, he kissed her forehead.
"I know," he whispered. "But let them talk." He didn't care. Gods knew what they were already saying about him!
And into his chambers they went, and into his bed they lay, enjoying a sweet moment together as he kissed his wife all over her bare chest before nestling in against her side.
"Gods.. you're beautiful," he said, stroking her side affectionately.
Kathryn's answering smile was soft and lovely. "We do make a handsome couple," she agreed with a lazy smile. She pushed herself up onto an elbow to kiss him tenderly. "There are hundreds of little Calents and Kathryns throughout Connlaoth. People are naming their children after us. It's so strange to think of, isn't it?"
That they would be the focus of so many eyes...
"Let's go hunting, Calent. Not before the ball, obviously, but maybe afterwards... Somewhere quiet and intimate, just for a few days... Maybe I could even outshoot you this time..."
At her suggestion, he.smiled and thought back to when he caught her shooting arrows by moonlight.
"Do.you really think you could out shoot me?" he said, kissing from her shoulder up his neck.
"I have been practicing," she answered with a laugh. "And I am a daughter of Highheart..." There was no need to tell him what that meant! He had witnessed it firsthand only 48 hours after meeting her.
"And if it looks as though you're about to win, I'll just cheat." The blonde peered down at him smugly, confident, it seemed, in her planning. As for how she would cheat...
"I do have these," she informed him as the palm of her hand cupped her breast. Her thumb moved slowly over her nipple, enticing it back to life. "I saw you admiring them earlier." She continued wordlessly for a second, then leaned up to give him another kiss, this one longer and deeper than the previous one had been.
As she broke it, she added, "And I have a mouth." A kiss fell on his throat. "And I can think of all sorts of naughty things..." Another kiss touched his shoulder. "To do with my mouth." Her lips brushed over his chest and his midsection, and she glanced up at him from between his legs before kissing the rising tent in his trousers with a smile. "I think I know just how I would put it use..."
Her fingers slid into his pants, stroking his length gently before bringing out her swollen prize. And she wasted no time in wrapping her lips around it.
He and his wife had never participated in such.. acts before. Sex was always.. sex.
Sure, at first it was sweet- but this? It drove him mad, and his skin was set to a blaze as her lips trailed over him. And by the time her lips drew in his mass, his eyes went half lidded as he placed a hand behind her head, encouraging her to snack.
"M-my wife would be the one to cheat," he said through a puff of breath, and a smile as he closed his eyes. "And keep her husband at her mercy."
Tonight was certainly full of firsts... They had indeed always played it safe and proper in the past, but their little performance for the servants earlier that night had changed that, and given her a little more confidence to try things with him...that, if he asked, she had only heard about.
But he was certainly enjoying himself...
She smirked up at him, turning her attention from his face to his dick, beginning a slow, loving rhythm.
"Angsar help me," he gasped, feeling her mouth all over him as he gripped more tensely to her hair. With his head titled back, he reveled in the feeling, his dick swelling eagerly and filling up her entire mouth. And they way she worked at it, he was but putty in her hands.
Encouraged by the sounds he was making and the pressure of his hand against the back of her head, she feasted on him with a wanton eagerness that only increased her own arousal. And so, just as his hips began to arch up, she drew back up his body to seal her lips over his...and to replace her lips with her hips.
"God, Calent," she groaned softly as she lowered herself down onto his length. This was just so...perfect.
From her tongue, she could have made him sing, as his sex ached for such release that when she removed her lips he released a breath and felt his swollen cock twitch as it was left alone- but then soon, his body was inside hers, and he wasted no time gripping onto her tight and ramming himself deep up inside her.
"God, yourself," he growled and continued to buck, watching her breasts bounce as he reached for them, massaging them with his hands. His lips were all over hers, a tongue slipping deep inside her mouth as his hands then moved to smooth down the soft skin of her back as he continued to bounce her up and down upon his lap.
It didn't take long for her voice to rise into the room. She was already sore and sensitive from their earlier bout in the sitting room. His hands were driving her wild, only adding to the aching, wonderful feeling between her legs.
Oh, who could have foreseen, after two years of barely talking (and two months of not talking) they would end up like this...twice in one night?
Calent was thinking something along a similar line, but he took it, took her for what it was worth. Too many years of a dull and repressed life had built up inside him and he had become something of an animal, keeping her bouncing wildly upon his lap before he moved her into another position, bending her over the bed and banging her like a dog. The entire bed was bucking, scraping the floor as he went, lips devouring hotly to her neck, her shoulders, her cheek and chin.
"Gods, Kathryn.." he breathed into her ear. "Scream for me. Let me hear you scream." And one hand gripped her chest, the other, pressing onto her back as he rammed into her as powerfully as he could- again and again and again, so hard she'd feel his balls slapping against her as he grunted, muscles never more tense, and the pleasure- painful but good as sin.
It didn't take much coaxing for her to comply as he pounding into her. "Oh, God," she wailed, hands digging into the sheets and practically tearing them off the bed in their enthusiasm and her search for purchase.
The whole palace could be falling down around their heads, and she may not have noticed. It was too good, too powerful and something she needed too much...
Her body tightened against his as an orgasm swept her away, her cries rising into a wordless scream of passion as her body milked his, urging him to follow her into bliss.
He didn't need to be urged too much. Hearing her screams was enough for him- and quickly, his thrusts intensified and he was screaming out all over her, hot breath and body then collapsing across her form, his face nestled into her bare chest and his hair, a mess, hiding his eyes. ANd she'd feel it all, his hot seed spewing into her equally hot body as he closed his eyes and felt his body melt away unto heaven.
Kathryn collapsed back onto the bed, exhausted and warmed by the weight of her husband on top of her. She was breathing hard as she kissed his shoulder and nuzzled against his throat.
Why, exactly, had they never done this before?
"Let's have breakfast in bed tomorrow," she murmured as her arms went around him, keeping him close.
He could have cared less what her request was. At this moment, he'd do anything for his wife. He lay beside her now, pulling her against him so she was nestled between his body and the crook of his arm. Closing his eyes, he only nodded, telling her again..
"Your wish is my command."
Then settling in beside her, he kissed her temple and settled in.
"Have sweet dreams Kathryn."
For he would have none.
Darkness over came his thoughts as his world pooled to black. In the world of the sleeping, he was festering in nightmares, but the world of the wake, he was beginning to sweat- and not from the sex he just had with his wife. He was jerking alot in the bed, murmuring from time to time, his brow furrowing as the scene played out within his head-
ANd he saw it again, a room the color of ash, and blood staining his fingers, his hand-
was it a knife? No.. it was his fingernails..
and what was he holding? His father's beating heart...
Then to the floor he saw the blood trail leading off to the corner, where there, he saw his father's eyes staring up at him, the life already gone, his body- completely broken and smears of all blood over the room.
ANd a whisper, a voice drew him to the curtains that rustled. And he saw a woman's silhouette against the midnight skies. Though veiled, he knew exactly who she was, especially when he saw, as he approached, Serrah had a knife jutting out from her chest.
The world whirled around, time whirling back, the hands of the clock spinning in his vision to prove it, even hour glass sands were running up, instead of down-
And there it was again... the bloodied knife yanking out of her- then back in, and in again, and again and again and again as her chest thrust up within her white dress now stained with blood her eyes, glossed with death- and the blood splurting all over his face and hands....
And into the ground, to the ground she went! And to his knees he went, tossing his head back as he roared nad turned into a rage as he leaped across the skies- finding himself back on that deserted island with that pirate wench so long ago...
and there he seemed to fly and somehow, he was tearing int the monster, breaking through it's skin- using his own body as a weapon and through it... defeating the Kraken out at sea who threatened to destroy him. No beast on earth would take him!!!
No blood would sate him...
for the curse of the fell would remain within, forever....
and he saw her- at the bottom of the ocean- staring back at him before the waters all faded away, and a blade was taken, a blade was cut, and he watched again, as he shoved the entire blade through his father's gut.
.......
...............
.....................
He woke up in a panic, sitting up suddenly in the bed. Sweat rolled down his skin, his heart nearly hammering out of his chest and hwen he turned to his wife- for a split second- he thought she was dead.
"NO!" he cried, kicking off the bed and dropping to his ass on the floor, his eyes wide in horror.
"NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" and he grabbed onto his ears, bending over, the frightful visions of his nightmares still lurking inside his mind, like ghosted images leaving foot prints that were barely beginning too fade- but not fast enough as she saw the blood, the death, and in his fit as he shook, his eyes pricked with tears as he jerked his hands suddenly from his facea nd stared down at them- and at first he saw blood- but that was just the memory, and then he realized, as he groped his face, his body-
by the GOds...
it was only just a dream.
Kathryn drifted to sleep -- and she awakened to...chaos.
For a moment, she thought the whole world was shaking as her eyes flew open. For a moment, the inhuman sounds coming from the floor beside the bed -- and the fact she was not in her own room -- disoriented her...and she was momentarily convinced she was still asleep.
The previous night all came rushing back to her then, and she realized the sounds could only be from one thing...
"Calent?" She scrambled out of bed to crouch on the floor beside him. Her hands went to his arms, trying to shake him out of it. "Calent! Calent, wake up!" And when he seemed to be coming out of it, her hands moved up to his face. "Are you alright?"
Not knowing where he was entirely until his wife's face came before him, the tears stinging his eyes suddenly fell as his hand shot forward as he cupped her face.
"Kathryn?" and then he repeated it, more determined to cement himself to the thought. "Kathryn! Gods.." he was still shaking, as if cold, and his body- still nude from the night before, had just a pinch of clothe from the bed stuck to his toe. His eyes were wide with fright, his skin pale and clammy.
He took a moment, feeling her face, touching her skin, trying to figure out if she was really there.
In spite of her worry, Kathryn gave him as warm a smile as she could manage. "It's alright. I'm right here."
In Angsar's name! Did he wake up like this every night? Alone?
"Here," she said, as naked as he was, rising up before him and taking his arm. "Let's get back into bed where it's warm. Come on." She was so quiet and gentle, so soothing...something she had learned from her short stint as a mother.
Calent knew not how to react, but simply obeyed, and somehow, he managed to get into the bed. He felt dizzy, and clutched his temple...
and here, they had only been asleep a few hours...
But even still, he remained quiet beside his wife, his eyes still wide, his body tense, until slowly he began to calm, and took it all back inside of him, quietly, again.
The covers were replaced over them and tucked Calent in, with herself beside him. Rather than cuddling with him, she pulled the man into his arms and cradled him against her, as though he were a child in need of comfort.
"Hush," she murmured softly, stroking his hair and humming softly to him, a sweet lullaby that had once filled their baby's room.
After a long time, Calent's eyes finally met to hers.
"I'm sorry I woke you." he said. "I'm sure you've... heard many times about my inability to sleep." he raked a hand through his hair, not even sure where to begin. How did one explain nightmares as horrible as his?
"Shh," she hushed him tenderly, looking down on him with a smile. "Don't apologize. I've had my own share of nightmares."
And she had... But the brandy helped with those too!
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Calent felt dizzy at the idea as he held his head.
"I'd rather forget about it," he replied quietly as he frowned. "It's been the same dream... I always have the same dream." And nothing about it was fun.
Kathryn smiled down at him and kissed his temple. "You don't have to."
He had never heard any of hers. True, at the time, it was through a lack of interest, but...
"I'll sit up with you," she told him softly. "Do you want me to get you something from the kitchen?"
Calent frowned deeply before shaking his head.
"No..." Sighing, he finally lifted his gaze to his wife's.
"I wish I could properly rest." And by the look in his eyes, he meant it, but in no means, did he sound like a beggar, but his eyes could.
Looking away from her, he ran a hand through his hair.
"I... don't want to keep you up. If we try to sleep again, it will.... just happen again..."
Kathryn nodded slightly, fingers moving over his skin lightly. "You can't keep just not sleeping, Calent. It's not good for you."
And, really, she didn't need to bring up again just how ghoulish he looked...
"How could I sleep knowing you're not able to?"
Taking her hand, he kissed it softly.
"If you try to stay up, I think you might kill yourself with worry." nd he moved his lips to kiss her palm. "Don't worry about me." He added quietly, still holding her hand. "I've... had to deal with this for years."
And need he mention.. the medicine never worked...
"You know it's not so easy," she answered him with a tender smile. "At least let me stay up with you for a bit. Are you going to go work in the study?"
That was, she knew, his usual habit...
Peering up with her, he nodded.
"Yes, perhaps some reading might calm me." ANd rising from the bed, he offered her his hand before pulling her out of it to stand beside him. There, he moved to pull on his pants and a robe, before moving towards the back of his room to the door. There, he opened the door to his private study, and waited for his wife to join him as he lit up an oil lamp, then stepped into the room.
The yellow light from his lamp stretched rather far, and caused long shadows from the steep book shelves to stretch across the ceiling like wicked fangs. In the center was a cozy set of leather chairs, a settee, a wine chest, and a few desks with neat piles of paper resting ontop, and a few ink wells left opened, and their feather pens, on the table, and a few, now on the floor.
"Feel free to look around." For before, he never truly let anyone else in there with him. It was his private space, after all, but now.. he was actually allowing her inside with him- so she might not know all fo the intimate space and calming air it provided.
He, on the other hand, moved away from her towards a nearby shelf that was attached tot he same wall as his room. He began to let his eyes read across it, searching for something, perhaps a light read, to distract him from his still rapidly beating heart.
So, this was Calent's private sanctuary...
Clad only in the sheet from their bed, Kathryn made her way into the room with a reverent hesitation. Six hours ago, she had written him off... And now he was inviting her into his private study... She had to suppress the shiver of trepidation that ran over her skin at the thought. This was all going too fast. If she let herself fall...and if he hurt her again...
But, watching him look over the books, her heart went out to him. She wanted to believe he was trying and that he would continue to try. She wanted to believe he loved her, as she still so obviously loved him.
And that would require patience.
So, after a moment of thought, she moved delicately across the threshold into the room beyond. There wasn't much to see without lighting more lamps and the fireplace, but she looked curiously at the spines of the books she could see in the lantern's light.
"This is amazing," she told him softly, meaning every word of it. "I had no idea you had such a collection..."
Peering over at his wife, he noted the way the blanket clothed her like a ghost. She looked beautiful, and even a bit mysterious, like one of those oil paintings he had seen from Serendipity.
Nodding his head at her statement, he glanced back to the books.
"Not all are from my private collection, but most of these in here, are. I was.. thankful to realize I could use this spare room as a study..." Even though, at certain times in the Grand Duke's Palace past..this spare room was meant to be for the Grand Duchess...
But her bedroom, as Kathryn well knew, was down the hall...
If Kathryn had ever put two and two together, she certainly did not seem to show it. Instead, with a quiet laugh, she touched the spine of a book with delicate, appreciative fingers. "This is the very book I've been reading. It seems our library has a few duplicates in it."
Turning from the shelf, she settled herself down on the settee to watch her husband select his book. "Thank you," she murmured into the silent room. "I know how...guarded you are about this place..."
Although, Heaven knew why!
He finally picked a book, a simple read, one he's read a dozen times over, but he was really looking to read something for a few pages before falling asleep. Tucking it under his arm, he moved over to join her and settled in beside her.
And at her thanks, he stared at her a moment before glancing down at the book on his lap.
"I.. always believed I needed a place just for myself. It's.. been rather difficult to deal with the nightmares I have been facing over the years. I... think I'm just tired of taking it in all alone this time." And he peered over at her book, up the clothe then to her face.
"Maybe... trying a different approach to distract myself from them will ease my pain."
Kathryn's smile was soft as she reached out to trace his jaw. "I wish I'd known," she told him with honest regret. To face these things alone..."
Well, it had nearly destroyed her. Her eyes flickered away at the thought, but they soon returned with a renewed smile.
"You're a strong man."
At her comment, he frowned and turned away. Then took up her hand and drew it to his lips and kissed them.
"I am not. If anything, I feel, sometimes, like a fool."
Kathryn laughed softly, reaching up to cup his face in both of her hands. "Then you're a strong fool." You could be both!
"But either way, you're my husband. You don't have to be alone."
"But Kathryn.." he told her, his hand moving overtop of hers. "When I sleep. I am alone."
No one could see the horrors there. It was an intimate world-just for he.
"Then I will be with you when you're awake," she answered confidently. "And if you wake me up in the night, that's okay too. Because I'm with you."
He hadn't expected that response. His cheeks heated quick as he stared at her, appearing quite confused as he tried to read her by looking into her eyes. A hand then cupped her cheek, hesitantly at first before he leaned forward, nuzzling his own cheek to hers.
Kathryn smiled prettily, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek before curling up beneath his arm. "Go ahead and read your book. I'll just sit here and keep you company," she murmured happily.
Calent couldn't keep his eyes off of her and blindly moved to put the book away, except he missed the shelf and it slipped to the floor.
"No.. I think I have a better idea.." and he moved suddenly to scoop her up into his arms. "Let's just rest together on the settee." ANd he sat down with her, drawing her against him as his chin rested against her head. "I think relaxing with you in this quiet place is a much nicer option than reading."
"We can do whatever you like," she answered, more than happy to snuggle into his arms.
This was so perfect.
And she wished it would never, ever end.