Beginning of Nightmares

Prompt 028: Heaven

It rained that night.

Balthazar had gone and bought the necklace, mostly because Veronica had stared at it, and secondly because he wanted to give her that normal life she seek. But as he held it, wrapped around his palm, Balthazar wasn't sure how to give it to her. They had decided to travel through the night, and had only stopped when the rain got too heavy for their already wet wool capes. They found a small chapel, asked for sanctuary and got a small stable for both horses and themselves. Veronica casted a fire spell, to keep them warm and dry their capes, and then sat across from Balthazar, giving him small talk before falling asleep. Balthazar played for a while with ideas, probably just hand it to her, maybe just snuggle it against her skin. But every plan had a flaw, every idea was wrong so he just placed the jewels into the center of a cloth and saved it in his pocket.

On her side, over the makeshift bed, Veronica tried to accommodate her body, sighing. Balthazar frowned, and still sitting against the wall, he called her name softly. The woman turned slightly to him, only half her face was visible over the dying fire, but he could tell something as off. Something was horribly off. "What is it?"

It took her moment to answer, right after lifting the thin sheet over her body, as if to protect herself. "Last night, while I was searching for you… I found Horvath."

"So that's how you know where he was going to?"

She gave a weak nod before continuing. "Horvath asked me to marry him again."

Balthazar didn't react, but inside he was panicking. Veronica didn't go any further, but didn't' seem too happy with the news either. As silently as possible, Balthazar swallowed hard, and fought back tears. "What did you answer?"

"I asked for time." She strained out, turning away from him completely. Balthazar wanted to reach out, to be close to her, but for some reason he found himself paralyzed.

"Is this what had been bothering you?" She gave a little nod, snuggling deeper into her sheet, as if afraid. There were tears in his eyes; maybe she hadn't taken Horvath's hand in fear of hurting him. Was this what she needed to talk to him about? That she wanted to marry Horvath and not him? That she didn't... "Do you want to marry Horvath?" To this she turned around, surprised. The sheet fell to the floor, becoming a poodle of wool around her waist as she stared at him; there were tears in her eyes. "Because if you do say so, say so now so you can save me another heartache."

She tried to speak, but only pained wail escaped her. Balthazar didn't move, having turned his face into an unreadable stone wall; if he was going to get dumped for his brother he might as well face it like man, right? Veronica's cheek got stained with tears, and he hated to see such things but to get an answer…

Veronica crawled, literally crawled towards him. The fire burning out as she moved over it and then dropped herself over him, sobbing as her arms snaked around him. Balthazar allowed her to cry against his chest, closing his eyes in defeat. She must want Horvath, because she was .crying as if she'd been defeated. Balthazar smelled her hair, lilacs chamomile and lavender, and just sighed. Amazingly enough he didn't feel defeated; he felt disappointed.

But Horvath was a good man, and would take good care of Veronica. And it wasn't like he would stop seeing her, right? They literally lived together, not in the same bed, but under Merlin's roof. Balthazar wrapped his arms around her, tenderly so, as she cried; he couldn't let her go feeling like he was angry right? He loved her too much to do that. Veronica calmed down after a while, and knelt up, clearing her face.

"I don't want to marry Horvath," She said, between little whimpers. "I want to be with you, not with Horvath."

Wait, what?

Veronica felt her heart hammering against her chest, this foolish fear of rejection making it's way into her upper cavity, attempting to swallow her whole. She sniffled against Balthazar's chest, and drank in the tender caresses he was offering with his hug. Goodness, had it been that long since they hugged last? She couldn't help it, she rubbed her forehead against his shirt, marveling at the possibilities of remaining within his arms for the rest of her existence.

Was it possible? Could she be inside his arms for the rest of their unnaturally extended lives?

She was willing to try.

The tense silence that followed was filled with nothing but her little sobs, her hopeful whimpers, and his ragged breathing. She dreaded his next words, yet she longed for them.

"Veronica?" He whispered, his breath warm against her ears, what made little shiver move down her spine. "Beloved." The soft word made her sob and laugh and her heart soared.

"Do you still love me?"

"With every beat of my heart."

"Then kiss me." She said, lifting her face as if to dare him, but she didn't wait long. There was no time to lock her eyes with his, he lifted his hand, holding her chin and angled her lips to his. And she was touching the heaven of his soft lips, the chaste little presses of his lips startled her; Veronica could feel how he was trying to contain the desire not to wrong her, but Veronica could not allow such thing. She needed more of her beloved, his words ringing through brain creating the most wonderful lulling song of love. Her hands moved to pull him closer, to press herself harder against him, to see if she could get that kiss she so longed to receive and he so longed to give…

A moan escaped Balthazar, and finally he crushing her lips with his, his teeth scrapping a bit but it didn't matter. His tongue invaded her mouth and caressed her own, inviting it to play. Veronica gave into the hug, into the kiss, and pulled him deeper into this moment in which their souls met and started their game of tag.

When Balthazar pulled away she was dropped on his coat, hair sprawled over the floor as a sheet of dark space framing the stars in her eyes, the redness of her lips, the paleness of her skin… he was panting, what seemed to be a good thing because veronica was also panting.

"I have wanted to kiss you for the last hundred years. Have you any idea how I feel?"

"Yes, because I've been waiting for that kiss." Balthazar laughed softly, and leaned to kiss her again, her hands sliding around his back to hold him. Balthazar stopped kissing her, to busy his nose into her dark hair. "I love you, so much…"

"My sweet Balthazar." And she kissed his ear, moving down to his cheek and laughing as he moved slightly to kiss her cheek. "Your mustache tickles." God what a silly thing to say once in his arms…

"Does it?" His voice was soft, highly amused.

"A bit, but only a little bit." She was laughing again, as Balthazar leaned to kiss her again…

"So these are the sort of places you two meet to consort?" Said a booming voice from above them, making the two sorcerers turn. There was Horvath; dripping wet and looking angry. "This is the sort of behavior you indulge in, whore!" He was pointing and speaking directly at Veronica, who was staring at him as if he were a ghost. "Both of you are despicable! Look at you!"

"Don't talk to her like that…"

"Quiet, peasant! When your superiors talk you remain quiet!"

Now that wasn't right. "You never were or will be my superior Maxim!"

"Do not call me by my given name, peasant, respect me!"

"What is wrong with you?"

"Horvath stop it!"

"I shall tell master about this, whore…"

"Don't call her that!" Gritted Balthazar through clenched teeth.

The three apprentices were on their feet, staring at each other. Suddenly Horvath laughed and shook his head. "This is the sort of man you change me for? This lowlife? I used to respect your good taste Veronica, but you've selected a fool for a lover." And with that Horvath hurried away. Balthazar panted softly, and turned slightly to Veronica's direction.

"I never thought…" She stared, but Balthazar shook his head to stop her. "Balthazar."

"Master told me. He said you and Horvath should be married to each other. "He told me that if I loved you I should encourage you to do so."

"Please don't."

"I won't. I can't. I love you too much to give you to Horvath, even if he is… was my brother." Here he swallowed hard and turned back to Veronica, who watched him intently. "But this… complicate things you are aware of this, right?"

"I am willing to face the consequences."

"So am I." Balthazar turned to face her and smiled. "It'll be fine. I'm sure master will understand and Maxim will accept it, in time." Veronica nodded and smiled at him.

Balthazar wasn't aware that heaven would be shattering within the next couple of weeks.