Lacey-
I don't think there was anything that could have prepared me for the look on Matron's face, when I opened my eyes; they were so full of fury, betrayal, and sadness that it took all my strength not to burst into a fight of tears for the second morning in a row. My confusion probably helped with that. Then I remembered…and I looked over to the other side of the bed and saw Derrick there. Oh gods…Matron must think…
All of the sudden all my thoughts of revenge went out the window, just by that look on Matron's face. I understood just how he felt and my stomach dropped, feeling it all over again, knowing I dragged him to that level with me.
The words "I'm going to kill you." brought me out of my despair, but the words were not aimed at me, but at the man beside me.
We both jumped off the bed, but while I walked to Matron cautiously, Derrick took the challenge and strode right up to the Matron, no fear on his face. Matron was larger though-taller, broader of the shoulders-and I could almost guarantee had more experience in fighting. He was not a king who sat in the sidelines and let his men fight. There was no doubt in my mind he could kill Derrick, so I knew I had to stop them.
I jumped between them and turned to Matron, "I know what this looks like…"I grabbed his face, willing his eyes to meet mine, to plead with him, but he looked over my head, straight at Derrick, his fists clenched to his side, "Matron…"
Matron never looked at me, as he moved me aside, forcefully enough to make my body move, but not enough to hurt me. Matron, even in his fury refused to harm me, and this gave me more confidence; at least until he grabbed Derrick by the throat and shoved him into the wall.
"Matron, stop it!" I screamed at him, trying to grab him by his arms.
Derrick managed to pry his fingers off, and shoved Matron away. They both started to advance on each other, before I jumped in between them, putting a hand on each of their chests.
"Stop it! Both of you!" I turned to Derrick, "Derrick, please leave before he kills you."
He seemed offended by this statement as he turned to me, "I am not leaving you alone with him when he's in this state."
"It's not her life that's in danger here, boy." Matron spat out as he advanced again, but I turned fully to him, putting both hands on his chest to stop him.
"Please, Derrick," I pleaded, looking over my shoulder at him, "Go. Matron would never lay a hand on me. I'm safe."
He waited a few minutes, as I kept my hands on Matron's chest, his heart beat pounding so hard, I feared it would break out of his chest.
"Please, Derrick," I tried again, "Please, do this for me."
I turned back to him and met his eyes, a moment later he gave in and nodded to me, "Come to me after this though. Let me know you're okay."
This awoke Matron out of his catatonic state again, "You won't be looking at her again, let alone speaking to her."
Derrick raised his eyes at me, but I shook my head, willing him to not rise to the bait and make matters worse. He nodded again and saw himself out.
The door clicked shut to our chambers, but we stayed where we were, my hands gripping his chest so desperately that I wondered if my nails were digging into him. I loosened my grasp, but didn't pull my hands away. His gaze stayed fixed at a point behind my head and neither of us spoke.
"I don't know what to say." I said, voice low.
He looked at me and the grief in his once dazzling blue eyes was nearly my undoing, "Neither do I."
He walked back into the sitting room, over to where we kept the bourbon and he poured himself a glass, drinking it down in one gulp. I leaned against the doorway to our bedchambers, watching him, but too much of a coward to move any closer.
He looked over to me, then looked away quickly, "I was hoping to prevent you from making the same mistake I had…" his voice was wavering, as if he was trying to stop himself from crying.
I pushed myself from my leaning position and walked over to him purposely, "Matron, we only slept…I didn't…I couldn't…" I took a deep breath, "He didn't touch me, at least not in that way."
He looked at me for a good long moment, his eyes hard and cold. My confession apparently was not very comforting. Then he walked over and practically fell on the chaise, running his hand over his eyes.
I followed him and stood in front of him. He finally opened his eyes to look at me, and then he grabbed my hand and pulled me down to lay on top of him. He brushed my hair over my shoulder, and stroked my cheek, my neck, my shoulder; but not once did he utter a word.
"He didn't make love to you?" he asked after a while.
I shook my head, "No, he did not. I swear it."
He just nodded, wrapping his arms around me and pulling my head down so it rested in the crook of his neck. We stayed like that for a long time, and I eventually fell back to sleep. When I woke up not an hour later he was gone.
Matron-
"This is getting out of hand." I started as Alex, George and I sat down in my study, " I need to know exactly what's going on with my mother-in-law. I need to make a trip out to the castle of Evlin and investigate for myself."
George nodded in agreement, but did ask, "How do you think Lady Lynn and Fredrick will feel about that?"
I scoffed at that, "I'm King. They can simply get over it and they know that's the case. Though I'm sure if they're planning some sort of treachery they'll be uneasy and try to make up excuses as to why I shouldn't visit."
"Or plan to assassinate you while you're in their company." Alex put in dryly.
"We'll take precautions." I answered. I ran my hands through my hair, groaning, "We really can't get a break here, can we? There's always someone wanting to destroy us."
Alex and George looked at me with pity. Once upon a time I may have found that offensive, but these past few moons had been so bad that I understood where they were coming from.
"It'll be alright." Alex said, but I couldn't image how anything would be right again.
A/N- Here's a short chapter, but a chapter nonetheless! Also I have now revised the first seven chapters of Lacey and Matron Book 1. Check it out if you'd like.
And as always please review =)