Author's note: A speedy update, compared to my schedule as of late! A bunch of neurons died during the process of writing this chapter, but so far this has been the most difficult. See, I'm not talented with words and reasoning, so since this chapter requires both, portraying Dégel's persuasion and Unity's craftiness, I feel like I have been re-reading and editing it a hundred times before I'm actually satisfied. That said, if you do find it less enjoyable than the previous chapters or your own expectations, do let me know, and I'll try harder in the next chapters (which won't be that many, considering where this is heading). Anyway, this is a warning that THERE WILL BE SOME MATURE CONTENT IN THIS CHAPTER. Other than that, thank you all for reading and reviewing, following and favouriting. Aletheia, welcome to as an official member; your support since my very first days honoured me and your insightful reviews are a source of happiness to me. Know that I am grateful. Here's the new chapter; I hope you all enjoy it.

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Chapter 10: Heartache

The early morning of a winter day is beautiful. As the sun has yet to rise, the sky is immersed in a sort of twilight that is half blue and half white, painted overall with the lightest shade of indigo. Far away on the eastern horizon, the morning star rises as a gem upon the pale sheet, which wanes along with the blue moon, heralding the golden sun yet to open its eye. In the half-dark, the fresh sheets of snow upon the ground glow a soft white so vast and so pure that it could nearly blind one's eyes should one turns to it for too long in admiration. There are yet few people in the streets, and the blanket of silence that covered the little town seems to have been placed there by the angels themselves, for there is something almost holy about the place, the snow fresh and stark white, and the quiet reverent. Soon the first light would reach the pristine ground in a glow reflected so strongly that such an insignificant town could have been mistaken for the far heavens in its radiance, but since as yet beautiful Aurora is still fast asleep in her downy bed of cloud, the morning peace would be soft and gentle for a little while more.

It was upon such a morning that found a young man striding down the streets. Despite all the beauty around him, he seemed not to notice anything other than his own troubled thoughts, his head lowered and his eyes wild. There was an air of great agitation about him as he continued walking, not caring where he was stepping or how the wind had managed to sneak into the fold of his coat, caressing his skin with its chilly fingers. His footprints set out a neat path straight towards a small church at the centre of the town, disturbing the yet unblemished snow from the night. It was too early to open shops yet, but the young man knew for a fact that many were already preparing for a new day, the person he was seeking included.

The great shadow of the looming bell tower could be made out as he approached the building, yet it was not the church itself that Dégel searched. He turned to a little side street at the back of the church, obscured by the hanging evergreens as a curtain upon entrance. The cobble-stoned path led straight to a wooden gate not higher than himself, upon which were vines over vines of a flower whose name he did not know, but only that the sight must have been beautiful in the summer, when the blossoms so tenderly embraced wood and stone. During the winter, particularly after a night of heavy snow as was the previous night, though, they bore another kind of beauty, covered in thick whiteness, untouched and whole, the dry branches deep within slumber, waiting for the day buds would shoot forth again in the green of life. It was as though Dégel was walking straight into a page of one of those various fairy tales he had read his brother when they were both young and innocent. Right then, though, beauty was the least of the young man's concerns, lost in straying thoughts as his mind was.

Dégel easily climbed over the low gate, into the courtyard leading to doors and corridors, feeling very much like the burglar they had branded Kardia as. If he had spared but a moment to think, he knew that his face would glow as the yet to rise sun, but which would usually spark something strange within the depths of Kardia's eyes. Walking on tip-toes along the dark corridor leading to the second courtyard, where Kardia's room was, Dégel could feel his heart fluttering within his chest as the wings of a hummingbird despite the tumultuous thoughts he was harbouring. Even though he merely did not want to wake anyone up, the stealth with which he was approaching that man's room brought painful self-awareness to his mind. With a bashfulness that resembled the days of sweet simplicity he so missed, Dégel knocked on the worn door and called Kardia's name in a voice barely audible even against the background of total silence everything was submerged in. At the knock, the door flew open, only to reveal a dishevelled Kardia. His expression incredulous mixed with a trace of delight, the man pulled Dégel into the room without further ado, closing the door after themselves.

'What are you doing here at this hour? How is your father?' He questioned, his hands constantly running over Dégel's cheeks, as though making sure that he was actually there in that room with him.

'My father's condition is stable, thank the Lord. And I only wanted to see you before you have to leave for the stall; you're still open, are you not? Tonight too I may have to watch over my father, and thus shall not be able to honour my promise to come at dusk. I wish only that you know the reason for my absence…'

Dégel had barely finished his sentence before he was pulled into a long, lingering kiss. Something dark flashed through Kardia's brilliant eyes, but in the flickering light of the dying candle, Dégel became uncertain of what he was seeing. Instead, the abruptness of the kiss took the breath out of him as he staggered into the welcomed arms of his lover, suddenly aware of how fatigue was beginning to overwhelm him, starting from his legs. Dégel closed his eyes and enjoyed the way thoughts faded from his head as sensations took over, his shoulders relaxing from the cramp he did not even know he had and his weight leaning against the only certain support that was Kardia. And when they parted at long last, his mind had already been reduced to a pleasant state of blankness, his insides warm and tingling at the same time.

'I thought I heard someone approaching, yet never could I have known it was you. If only you know how sweet you are, my dear Dégel, to come for something so trivial.' The smile directed at him was gentle and filled to the brim with happiness as Kardia guided him to sit on his bed, yet Dégel could not but notice that the dark flint within his eyes remained, looming as a shadow under the clear sapphire surface. 'But your eyes are red; have you been staying up the whole night to watch over your father?'

'Yes, and I intend to stay but for a moment, before I have to go back and rest, for tonight I shall stay awake again.'

'You have a brother, do you not? Can he not watch over your father as you stay away during the day?'

'Kardia?' Dégel was surprised at the sudden insistence with which Kardia was trying to detain him, but which delighted him nonetheless.

'Stay, Dégel, I want you to stay. Rest here, for no one enters my room without permission. You can lunch with my old man in the church; I'll tell him that you are here.'

'I have eaten, much obliged. There is nothing more that I need.' Dégel lied easily, though Kardia did not seem inclined to believe him. He regarded Dégel for a moment with intense eyes, before reluctantly giving in, an eyebrow raised.

'Very well then. We close early in the afternoon, and I shall be with you shortly after that. Winter break has started a week ago at the university, has it not?'

Kardia was going to say something else, but a knock on the door had stopped him.

'Kardia? We are departing presently… Why are there footprints leading to your room?' A soft, feminine voice called from the other side of the door.

The man stared at the door for a moment, before sighing and moving to open it. Carefully, he inserted his body into the gap that had cracked open, blocking from view the contents of his room.

'I have a visitor, who shall stay for the day, that's why. Go on ahead and set up the shop; I shall catch up with you shortly.'

Dégel heard the woman murmuring something to Kardia, her voice muffled by the door. The man, however, was grinning from ear to ear, his expression mischievous as he glanced sideways at Dégel, before returning to wave his hand in a dismissive gesture.

'Do not take too long, Kardia, or there will be no one to put up the fir trees.' Dégel heard her saying before leaving. With a cluck of his tongue, Kardia shook his head as he returned to the room, locking the door after himself.

'And so she knows.'

Dégel's heart dropped into the pit of his stomach at that one simple sentence. The image of his brother's icy look came to mind, and immediately he felt his stomach turning from panic. His expression must have changed horribly, for Kardia burst out laughing at that.

'Come, do not make that expression! She's my sister; she supports me, as I her. That time when she decided to become engaged to that little rascal from Asia, I supported her much as I myself would have liked to make that boy's life a misery had I the choice. 'Tis my job to be by her side as a base to be relied upon, whatever she chooses, and I know she would have done the same for me. There is nothing to worry about, you know.'

The obnoxious laughter shocked Dégel; never could he have imagined Kardia making light of the situation as he did then. He recalled how painful it was for him to confront his own brother, who disapproved of the only thing he had ever wanted. Could there indeed be someone who supported what they were having, a crime against God Himself? Dégel found the mere notion doubtful. He knew his brother wanted but the best for him, yet to have so little trust in him that he so doubted his own brother's carefully considered choice, it was still a stab to the heart; it was as though Unity was denying Dégel's very existence. He did not want to believe in Kardia's over-optimistic words, for in the end, should they prove false, the heartbreak would be total for him; still, somewhere deep within the recess of his mind, he hoped Kardia was right, that somewhere, at least there was someone who could accept them for what they were – mere humans who were slaves to their own hearts.

'Dégel.' Kardia's touch was tender as he lowered himself to sit next to Dégel. His smile was genuine, and it was soft and it was warm, trickling into his heart to soothe the raging struggle there. ''Tis true; I trust her to do the right thing, as she would me. So come, do not be concerned so; I would hate to see you so tormented.'

'And yet…'

'For this one time only, I would ask that you trust me. Is it too much to ask such a thing of you?' There was something sorrowful about the way his smile had become. The dark spot within his eyes had deepened, spreading as a drop of ink within a well of clear water, much like how Dégel's own sadness had spread. His fear forgotten, witnessing such uncertainty in such a simple matter hurt him more than he had thought possible, especially since it was uncertainty on Kardia's part, he who was strength and confidence in person. The single thought that displaced all current worries was that he would do anything to wipe that look from that one man, he who should only be happy, as he so deserved.

'Apologies.' Dégel leaned in close to place a chaste kiss upon Kardia's lips, 'I should not have come brooding;' Another kiss upon the forehead, 'I trust you; of course I do;' And another between the brows, 'Yet there are things that I must tell you, much to my own shame.'

An unreadable look passed Kardia's eyes, before he shook his head.

'Why such heavy words, Dégel? Know that there is nothing about you deserving of such self-deprecation, whatever you might think of it. But come, you are exhausted, and I have a day before me. I would have you lie down and find sleep, to wake up well and wait for me when I return this afternoon. You owe me more than this explanation you want to give, remember?'

'Always scoffing…'

'No, I am serious. We shall talk this afternoon. Only tell me, what is this shame you speak of, Dégel?' Dégel could almost make out the concern in depths of blue. The words weighed heavy on his tongue, clotting his throat as he averted his gaze, suddenly remembering how unworthy he was of that man whose concerns were directed at him, whereas in return he had brought Kardia only heartache and danger.

'My brother…'

A hand lifted his face up by the chin, so that he was forced to look straight at unwavering eyes. The look in Kardia's eyes was indecipherable, and much more so than Dégel had ever seen him. It frightened Dégel to be put into the position of the studied, unable to read what the other was thinking whereas he himself was exposed to the evaluation of another, for it was often he who read people as an open book, not the other way around. It frightened him much more not to be able to understand what thoughts were going through Kardia's head, whether he did despise him, or whether he was repulsed by the troubles Dégel had brought him; he did not have to use his imagination to know what would become of his heart should his fears came true. He knew the terror was starting to creep into his eyes, despite his very best efforts to contain himself, for the bridge of his nose was already stinging, a lump already forming within his throat. Thus, Dégel shut the windows to his soul away, hoping that by small mercies, Kardia would let it slide until he had prepared himself better to again broach the matter, despite its being the purpose with which he had come in the morning, though back then he was too confused to know what he was even doing.

The pair of lips suddenly upon his told him that perhaps the gods did allow small graces, after all, but the fleeting idea was banished from mind the moment Kardia's next words reached his ears in a voice eerily low that betrayed none of his thoughts.

'Your brother.' Another kiss, 'That is all I need to know.' And another, 'Pray tell, how much do you love him, to be this torn apart as he is against me?'

Dégel's eyes startled open as he instinctively inched back. Kardia was looming over him, dark hair hanging over his brows, which were furrowed, and a look of utter pain within his eyes clouded with grief.

'How do you…?'

'How do I know, you mean? What other meaning could there be behind your words spoken so heartrendingly? What reason could there be for your troubled thoughts, such that you could not look me straight in the eye? Ah, but you look as a startled swan. Rest assured, my dear Dégel, for I bear no grudge towards your brother, he who acts only in your best interests.' The smile turned bitter even as he leaned in again.

What Dégel would not have done to make him understand! It angered him that Kardia had, yet again, taken the blame on himself, completely ignoring what Dégel had been trying to tell him even before realisation had dawned upon him, even before the past days that had felt like a century had passed. After he had told Kardia of his choice the first time they had joined, and then in the form of a promise of forever, he could not imagine the man still harboured such doubts in the implication of his words. Would Kardia have believed him if he had torn his heart from his chest to show it to him and died in the process? Dégel knew he was ready to commit such a heinous act, if only to ward off Kardia's doubts. Pressing his fingers against the descending lips of his lover, Dégel gathered what control he had and looked up with utmost defiance.

'You are mistaken, I say. What my brother has done was unforgiveable, and it pains me not only that he has made you his enemy, but also that despite his intentions towards you, I must forgive him this one time, for he is my only brother. On that night of the banquet, it was he who arranged for a guard to follow and make an attempt on your life. Did you notice? Perhaps you did not, for you escaped well and unscathed, after all. Yet did you know what had gone through my mind when I heard the gunshot, Kardia? I was half-mad with worry when I thought it was you who fell because of my very whim. Do you, or do you not care for my emotions, whether my heart breaks into a million shards that cut away at my consciousness whenever I think I could lose you? That you would take the blame upon yourself makes me weak with delight and thoughts of love, yet at the same time it weighs upon my conscience that you do not trust me enough to believe in this choice I have made for myself, just as my brother had not trusted me in this regard. Have you forgotten the vows that you have accepted only yesterday from me? 'Until death reunites us again,' I said. Every morning I wake with praise on the tip of my tongue, that for yet another day I am gifted with your presence. I give thanks not only for the fact that you have turned your affections towards me, but more than that, that I have been allowed to turn mine towards you. Say what you will, Kardia, yet I am ready to break from my own family should a similar incident happens, for my family is not the same as yours. I love my brother; of course I love him, he who is my very blood; still I envy you for the support you gain from your sister; it is not a gift the Lord thought fitting to bestow upon me, for it is perhaps more than enough that you are here. Nay, for someone such as I am, the only befitting end is suffering, be it separation from my blood, or from my very heart, that is, you. Pray, do not make me repeat this abomination, for I have laid my own heart bare before you, and it is set in stone in this matter. Par dieux, what would you have me do to prove that the love for my brother lies inferior to this burning yearning I hold for you, one that has me weak from desire and anxious with terror?!'

Dégel's emotions swirled as a raw force a nature, a maelstrom that destroyed everything sucked into it, or a black hole that crushed everything within its centre. It drove him to the point of explosion, taking all of his frustration out on Kardia, ending with him nearly hysterical at the end of his speech. Suddenly craving proximity as an urge to claw at his own skin until it drew blood, Dégel removed his hand from Kardia's mouth to put it to better use. Lips crashed upon lips without ceremony, Dégel's hands frantically threaded their way into the thick mane of hair, and his body pressed, if at all possible, further into Kardia's, as he pulled the man into a tangled mass of limbs and hair with him, willing themselves to merge into one then and there. Kardia, for a split second, was taken by surprise, before he, two, seized Dégel by a hand round his back. Tongues roamed over each other's mouth, seeking to know, to claim, to possess, before Dégel felt his lips split, the single drop of blood lapped up greedily by his lover, his eyes suddenly fervent with passion and desire, dominating over all other emotions. Kardia pushed Dégel onto the bed, supporting himself with his forearms on each side of Dégel's head, his panting breath harsh upon Dégel's face. The faint smell of blood wafted over, and Dégel became drunk as though he had had forever to drink in that man's embrace.

'Would that this were night and the loving embrace of Nyx upon us!' Kardia's voice was hoarse, need and want palpable in the way he barely held himself still as he spoke.

'Then make belief that it is such, and have me for the rest of today!' Was Dégel's own breathless reply, his eyes captured in the endless black of Kardia' irises, where his own want was reflected in a crimson blush and dewy eyes. Indeed, the reflection he saw was almost unrecognisable, for it was the very image of despair mixed with temptation, his hair fanning out in an aureole, his lips red, his lashes trembling. Dégel knew he should be ashamed at how he looked, yet in that single moment, he could not care for anything other than Kardia's reactions.

Another kiss ensued, and Dégel fell into oblivion. Heat spread along his body as an all-consuming flame, sweeping thoughts from mind until only the inferno that was his ardour was left. Ringing in his ears was the mantra of Kardia's name, repeated again and again, until it all faded into the sound of heavy breathing. A hand found its way beneath his shirt, and Dégel remembered how to feel again, his skin tingling with an itch for contact that would not be quenched, and which grew into red hot iron branding upon his skin as he was caressed with rough fingers.

'You would deprive me of sweet patience, and sweeter still torture of my excitement during the day, as I wait till our reunion?' Kardia's despair matched his, pressing insistently against his thigh. Dégel shivered at the mere thought.

'Would you rather be patient and wait, then, knowing that I suffer the same agony as you do, Kardia?'

A whispered 'minx' was the last thing he heard, before the man bent down, and in a single movement, ripped out his belt. The daze he was in faded when Dégel's eyes screwed shut, his mouth opening in a silent cry, as something very hot descended upon himself, caressing him in ways he had never known or thought possible. Dots exploded behind his closed eyelids even as his body shook as though he was in seizure, writhing half to shy away from the touch, half to seek more of the heat he desired. Hands roamed over places that brought a furious blush to his cheeks, and Dégel fancied he was dying from the light-headedness that brought him. Yet the sensation did not remain long, for pleasure coursed through his veins in rampaging wave after wave, wiping away any trace of lingering thought. Dégel reached down to grab a fistful of hair, not even aware of what he was doing, his back arching off the mattress, his legs beginning to spasm around the broad shoulders working between them, silently begging for the unspeakable. Pressure built up within his abdomen, and then suddenly Kardia did something with his tongue, his hands holding down Dégel's hips, and with a drawn-out moan, Dégel's world fell away into welcomed darkness.

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The snow had been somewhat cleared up for ease of travel, leaving the grey and dirty ground covered in a thin layer of slush that clung to one's shoes every step he took. Despite the various colourful shops still open in anticipation of the holiday to come, the day became dark past noon as great mountains of cloud covered the sky and the radiance of the sun, as though ready to shed frozen tears of snow any moment. The white washed little café had closed days before, the owner said to be ill due to the harsh weather. Upon the white walls, untainted as the snow was, lone baskets of evergreen hung, still green, still alive, yet barely there, a sorrowful reminder of days of sweet sunlight and warm wind flitting by in joy. There was something desolate about the place once brimming with life in the bright summer day; the thought seemed to be weighing heavily upon the young man from the stand opposite. The flower stand once immersed in a rainbow of colours fared little better. Fir trees were now the only thing displayed, their size ranging from a grown man's height, even taller, to little ones half their sizes. Occasionally, a wealthy man would come by, look at the trees, and even more rarely, one would place order for the tree to be delivered. Nonetheless, apart from such occasional disturbances, the day was quiet, the travellers sparse, the songbirds asleep.

Under the temporary roof of the stand, a young man with midnight-coloured hair stood, his brows dark, his eyes brooding. He stood in the silence as a god within his temple, troubled by a thousand thoughts, and another thousand worries. Surrounding him was an air of contemplation so thick it could have been cut with a knife as all was still, the man standing as a statue. Cold air from the outside rushed in in billowing swipes through the opening, caressing dark locks of hair as the hand of a lover, but one which brought chills to the skin it touched. However, the young man seemed not to care for the intrusion, for his mind was elsewhere, his gaze fixed upon everything and nothing all at once.

There was a sudden rustling, and the sound of footsteps crunching the melted snow. Approaching the little stand was another young man with lustrous hair that glowed as it caught light, upon whose countenance a pleasant smile was pasted. He stopped directly in front the shop and removed the top hat, revealing brilliant blue eyes that laughed as spears of ice to the heart. The look met a dark gaze, and suddenly hatred flashed across both men's eyes, daring the other to begin first.

'Good afternoon, M. Kokkinos. I see that you are well.' A smile sweeter than a lily blossomed upon Unity's pale lips as he cocked his head to the side, the very image of innocence.

'I am well, indeed,' the smirk with which Kardia returned Unity's smile was scathing, 'Which is unfortunate, is it not?'

'Perhaps, perhaps not, though I am taken by surprise.' A look of puzzlement passed Unity's face, before he smiled again, 'You had help, I suppose?'

'Indeed, a dear brother of mine. Though it was quite the victory that we two buried the five of your men last night, when it was us who were ambushed.' Kardia's smirk turned arrogant, his eyes narrowed and his teeth showing, as though he was snarling instead of smiling, 'So tell me, is that how you seek to protect your brother, having your lackeys make attempts on another's life?'

'A blunt man with no talent with words. I wonder what it is that my illustrious brother sees in you.' In a split second, the smiled dropped in favour of pure contempt, 'He holds so much affection for you, see; he'd even turn away from his own family for so foolish a thing as this… affair with you. However, I will have you know that such a pure creature as he is must suffer, whoever he chooses. Without you, he may be the iceman without emotions; yet, without me, he shall be consumed by guilt until the day he breathes his last. However long that he has loved you, he has loved his family for much longer. We have always been together since our childhood, inseparable as a heart from the body. Even before that, when our beloved sister passed away from this world, see how hurt he had been. Did he tell you of this? His heart breaks easily, especially at the departure of a family member. Did you know he had closed himself off since the death of our sister? Before that his smile had been so carefree, it hurt to merely look at. We have bonded over this awful loss. Did you know, his love is the quiet type, spoken in action and never in words; see how concerned he was when this misfortune has befallen my father, as when others had befallen me myself. Do you remember, the week he had spent in another town lecturing? Perhaps you do not. I shall remind you, regardless. It was a few days before our very first meeting, I believe – when he had been back to town, barely stepping down from the carriage. I remember how Dégel had flown to my room, having only heard of my unfortunate illness. See how concern was etched upon his face, and how he had sat for hours, speaking to me, lulling me to sleep. It shames me to bare my own weakness before another, yet for him, I shall even endure this disgrace. How long it had been that he had cared for me, as I him! Know that my affections for him are the only reason you have not been subject to the question yet. You, on the other hand, M. Kokkinos, has knowingly tempted him into this unspeakable abomination, fully aware of what may befall him. Society scorns this sort of behaviour, even absent this crime against God. Dégel is the finest amongst all the men in town; he is admired, lusted after, and envied by numerous. Need I make the conclusion for you? Have you no regard for his well-being, or his future? Have you no shame in what you have done to him who is too pure to know what he did was against all morality?'

Kardia's eyes darkened at the words, his hands curling into fists. His breathing began to increase, and even the removed air about him had given way to fury. Murderous intent could almost be made out from the way he glared at the man before him, as a cornered animal its hunter.

'And what of the son who did not stay at his father's side, when his brother had spent the night looking after him? What does it speak of his heart, he who even though loves his father so, would abandon him to seek quarrel with another?' He almost snarled out the words, voice gruff with unconcealed wrath, 'I, too, will have you know that though you and Dégel are brothers, you two are complete opposites. He may be the iceman, yet the depth of his heart is gentler and purer than you will ever know. You, M. Unity Leblanc, on the other hand, has the appearance of a saint, yet in terms of intrigue no man is your equal. You think a noble such as yourself is placed above us commoners by the Lord, but in the end, what does it say that you should use others to attempt murder and avoid dirtying your own hands? The love you reserve for your brother is worthy of admiration, yet the methods you used appeal not to the Lord, but to the Devil himself. You have taken actions, knowing you have put your own brother through indescribable agony, and yet you would seek to push on, disregarding his feelings, which I am certain he has made clear to you. So tell me, between us, which one is to blame for hurting him?'

The gloved hand tightened against the black walking cane, as if willing to draw it out into the sword it had concealed. Unity's hand twitched ever so slightly, before he transferred the cane to be held by an arm, removing his glove with dexterity. With a long exhale, he turned eyes towards Kardia. The pleasant smile had long disappeared; in its place were down-turned lips upon a pallid countenance. The sight was terrible to behold, he who was sweet as a child turning into the very personification of Phobos and Deimos combined, his eyes burning a cold fire and his facial muscles spasming uncontrollably.

'An ad hominem attack on my character does not change the fact that the serpent has tempted the purest of creatures into the fall from grace. Yet I shall address this attack, to show that reason is with me. My father is recovering, the family's physician is watching over him, and the last time I checked, he was well. My presence is best put to use, not by his side where he is yet unconscious, but where the evil that has befallen my blood can be addressed, and so that my father does not have to hear of this disgrace. This, M. Kokkinos, is how I propose to address things.' The glove that was dropped onto the grey snow landed without a sound; yet to all those present, the meaning was clear as the stark white of the material against the dirt. 'If it pains my brother so to choose, let us not make him choose at all. In the end, what I have done, I have done solely for his greater good, considering that I shall do what I can to limit his suffering, bearing in mind that his future is the greatest stake of all. Wounds will heal and scars will mend. My words of reproof have fallen upon unwilling ears; I could but make a sacrifice to turn my brother back to the righteous path. I would have satisfaction.'

There was a blank, before Kardia's smirk widened into a full grin. His own eyes seemed to have changed from dark blue to a fire darker than hell itself, something resembling bloodlust floating within it. A subtle change took place in him in the way his shoulders straightened, his chin lifted and his stance relaxed. Kardia stood taller than anyone had ever seen him in his arrogant glory, as a sense of power radiated from him, almost brightening his looks, elevating him to a raw force that inspired immediate fear. His voice rumbled as a laugh when the next words were proffered:

'À outrance, I presume?'

'Indeed, for otherwise neither of us would deem it fit to surrender this struggle. Will you choose the weapons?'

'I have no need for this advantage, and you are unfamiliar with the Greek way. Pray, choose the weapons yourself.' If possible, the grin grew even wider, betraying the man's excitement at the turn of events.

'Very well. You have forfeited your right to elect weapons. I would have pistols, then.'

'And your second?'

'What need do we have of them in this combat à outrance, pray tell? I shall elect none.'

'So would I. However, the one thing that I shall elect is the location; I would have it outside the town, within the forest early before dawn. And let us make it six, before even the songbirds would wake, for no one should know of this… encounter. I shall have with me a lantern.'

'A wise choice, I say. A hundred paces from the stream, or shall we meet at road end and continue together, lest we lose each other before it even begins?'

'The former, for we both know the hunting path.'

'And the date?'

'Tomorrow, if it pleases you. I have no special preferences.'

The smile reached Unity's eyes at last, pale lips parting to reveal pearl like teeth, his mouth a curve splitting his fair visage in two. He shook his head slowly, his eyes still riveted upon his rival.

'My sincerest apologies, yet I have business to attend to. The household is vast, and celebration for Christmas calls preparation duty. Further, ease of mind eludes me for so long as my father remains unconscious; it may yet take a few days for him to recover.'

'You came seeking satisfaction, already bearing in mind the date to your advantage?' Wry amusement flitted through the clouds overhanging Kardia's eyes, 'But very well. Name the date and consider it agreed upon.'

'Much obliged. Let us hold this duel on the dawn of Christmas Eve, then, to celebrate the Lord Christ's birth with our own lives.'

'Such that my family would mourn my loss all the more, or that Dégel shall mark the occasion as a scar forever?' Sarcasm dripped from the man's words even as the determination within his voice seemed set in stone, his tone hardened to steel.

'Either course is possible, for choice has been removed from us both. In matters of intrigue no man is my equal, you said; well, perhaps your own words have given wings to my cunning. Do you accept, or do you not?' On the other hand, Unity's smile had become saccharine, such that one could half wish to embrace him, to press him to one's bosoms, to comfort such a piteous creature, and at the same time to move far away, as though sensing danger from the magnificent yet deadly sundews.

'I have given my word.'

'As I you.' The young man turned, then, his shoulders relaxing, and placed the top hat back upon his fair head, 'Good day, then. I look forward to our next encounter.'

Footsteps receded, and suddenly crystalline drops of tears in the form of congealed ice started falling again from the sky, as though it was the angels themselves who wept for what was to come. The flames within dark blue eyes faded, giving way to devastation so profound, the colour almost turned black. The man staggered, a hand holding onto his forehead, hiding away what could be gleaned through his startling eyes. Faint tremors could be made out running along his frame, shaking the very hand that was holding his head, though whether it was from the cold or something else completely different, no one knew. In ragged breath, strings of words could be heard, each muttered so quickly they became unintelligible. In the end, though, as a young woman with hair the colour of dusk entered, a basket of rare roses clutched within loving arms, the only thing that could be made out, repeated over and over, was that 'he shall be consumed by guilt until the day he breathes his last…'