"I almost feel sad about it," Mat said quietly.
The silence stretched for a long time, almost unbearably so, before Tuon finally replied, "As long as you don't feel guilty."
Mat wanted to make a sarcastic comment about that—of course he felt guilty!—but he restrained. When Tuon was angry, his world rapidly degenerated into frosty stares and pointed silences which made him want to scream and tear his hair out until finally he was forced to apologize, whether he had done anything wrong or not. So he wisely kept his mouth shut and his gaze upon the single white rose laying in stark contrast to the black marble.
"I've given him enough of my time," Tuon announced suddenly, turning her back on the tomb. "Come along."
Just one more moment! Mat wanted to cry, but he kept his eye on the rose for only a second longer before turning to follow his wife. He felt as if Rand were staring accusingly at him, and Mat shuddered slightly. Likely he wouldn't have been able to do anything if he had been there. Just blow the Horn of Valere…
Tuon sniffed. "If you're thinking about it again, I will be angry."
"Of course not," Mat told her with a cheerful grin, but his voice was strained and the smile felt all wrong. "Thinking about tonight," he added for good measure with his best leering look and a wink.
"Have you no respect, to jest of our marriage so soon after observing a fallen friend and leader?" Tuon demanded coolly, her large brown eyes fixed calmly but sternly on her husband. "Besides, you look like a fool trying to wink."
Mat almost gaped at Tuon, but he caught himself in time. Really, he ought to be used to such contradictory statements that seemed to fall out of her mouth one after the other, but they still surprised him. Likely because he was a commoner and had some common sense, whereas Tuon was a noble—royalty at that! And everyone knew about nobles. Of course, Mat was painfully reminded that he himself was royalty now. Prince of Ravens, indeed. He was Matrim Cauthon of the Two Rivers, and if he had to pretend otherwise to remain with his wife he would, but inside he was still the same.
A/N: This is kind of a "feeler" post. If anyone is interested in the story, I'll keep going with it, otherwise I'll divert my time and energy to other things. Hope you enjoyed this little bit.