Dark return

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

My house felt so empty as I walked through it and up to my room. No Avive, no Jess. I felt hollow inside.

When I was out on the streets I felt angry, my eyes looking everywhere as if I would know the men who had killed Jess. Inside though, it just weighed on me like lead.

Happiness had finally felt like it was normal. I had found a woman I loved, and she loved me. Just like that it was all gone.

I sat in the chair by the window, staring blindly out at the city and wondering just how I was going to go on.

[Avive de Rocaille]

As soon as word reached me of the death of Alain's lover, I left House Rocaille and made my way to my old home, House Mauvais. Alain's manservant let me in. "I'm glad you've come, my lady," he said softly. "The Duc is in his room."

Thanking him, I made my way quietly up the stairs and down the hall to the master bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, and I could see Alain through it, staring out the window. My heart swelled with gladness to see him, but immediately deflated with sorrow at the horrific circumstances surrounding our reunion. He was probably still mad at me, but it was more important that I be here for him now than to rehash our fight. I knocked at the door, not wanting to enter without his permission. "Alain?" I said tentatively.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

I don’t know how long I sat there before the sound of my name brought me back. Turning my head, I saw Avive standing at the door.

“Avive,” I said, smiling softly. “Come in.”

[Avive de Rocaille]

Well, at least he didn't yell. In fact he was smiling. Was he actually happy to see me? Entering his room, I walked over to his chair and put what I hoped would be a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I am so sorry, Alain," I said softly.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

I reached up and took her hand, pressing my cheek to it. “Thank you love,” I said softly.

[Avive de Rocaille]

My heart swelled with love and sorrow, and I bent to embrace him. I wanted to tell him how much I'd missed him and how glad I was to see him, but the circumstances were so tragic I didn't want to seem flippant.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

I returned her embrace, leaning my head against hers for a moment. “I’m glad you came,” I whispered. “I’ve missed you.”

[Avive de Rocaille]

"I missed you too," I replied softly. "I'm sorry that these are the circumstances that brought us back together."

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“Thank you,” I said. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”

[Avive de Rocaille]

I stroked his hair comfortingly. "She was lucky to have you in her life," I said. "And she must have loved you very much."

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“She did, and I her,” I said, my voice breaking a little. “I was going to ask her to marry me.”

[Avive de Rocaille]

The tragedy of this last statement struck me deeply. Here I was, engaged happily, and my dear cousin, so many years my elder, had lost the woman he wanted to marry. "Oh gods," I said. "I'm so sorry, Alain, so so sorry."

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“Thank you,” I murmured, trying to force myself not to fall into grief again. Holding her hand, I stood, my other hand running through my hair.

“Will you stay for awhile?” I asked. “It’s nice so nice to be with you again.”

[Avive de Rocaille]

"Of course I will," I said. "Can I get you anything?"

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“No, I don’t have much appetite any more. You should eat though,” I said, caressing my free hand over her hair. “We can go down and have cook fix you something.”

[Avive de Rocaille]

My stomach rumbled. I hadn't eaten before I had left home. "I've missed the cooking here," I admitted, leaning into his caress. "But you should eat at some point, you need to keep up your strength."

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“We’ll see, perhaps I will eat too,” I said, giving her a smile. I doubted it, but I didn’t want her to worry. “Come, let’ go see what Cook can whip up.”

[Avive de Rocaille]

I held his hand as we walked down to the kitchens. "It's so quiet," I commented. "Maybe I should send for a trunk of my things and stay for a few days."

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

My grip on her hand tightened a little. “I would like that very much,” I said, trying to keep the loneliness from my voice. “But only if it wouldn’t interfere with your life.”

[Avive de Rocaille]

"It won't," I said. "I don't begin spring classes for another few weeks. And Justin knows where I am, he will understand. This is the most important thing right now."

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

I brought her hand to my lips and kissed the back of it softly. “Thank you Avive, having you here will help.”

[Avive de Rocaille]

My hand felt warm where he kissed it and I smiled softly. "I'm glad," I said, as we approached the kitchen.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

Cook looked up hopefully as we entered the kitchen.

“What would you like?” I asked Avive, trying to keep my thoughts away from the well stocked liquor cabinet.

[Avive de Rocaille]

"How about some bread and cheese and meat? With some cider," I said. "You like that, don't you?"

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

“Ask for whatever you like, sweetheart,” I said, trying for a smile. “You need to eat.”

[Avive de Rocaille]

"And you're projecting," I replied, squeezing his hand affectionately, before saying to Cook, "Bread, meat, cheese, and cider, then. We'll eat in the den, it's cozy there."

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

I couldn’t help but chuckle softly and bow my head to her as she took command. Cook nodded and set about getting things ready.

“To the den then?” I asked, smiling affectionately.

[Avive de Rocaille]

I nodded. "Yes," I said. "Let's go."

We walked to the den, hand in hand, and sat on the sofa.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

I settled on the sofa next to her. “So, what have you been up to lately, my dear?” I asked her.

[Avive de Rocaille]

"I've been keeping busy with school," I replied. "And I've been helping Justin with some of his work too." I didn't mention anything about our wedding, we'd barely planned anything and truthfully, I was starting to worry that it might never happen at all.