***
Kim was chased by more nightmares regarding Mairelon all night and couldn't get any peaceful rest. She felt terrible in the morning, but thought she did a good job of hiding it at breakfast. She couldn't eat much, however, since her stomach was tight with worry. It was almost always in the background now, a nameless fear nagging her constantly.
Mairelon too was quiet. Kim studied him from across the table and decided he'd had a rough night as well. She couldn't help but wonder if he was having second thoughts about marrying her. A few days ago, Kim's logical side would never have allowed her to entertain such a foolish idea, but more and more her worries were getting to her.
Kim had assumed Mairelon would disappear after breakfast, but instead he approached her. "Renee invited us to tea this afternoon," he began, "But if you don't want to go, you don't have to..."
"I'll go," Kim said, wondering why Mairelon would think she wouldn't want to go on the one social call in weeks that would involve him.
***
Mairelon seemed uncomfortable throughout the ride to Renee D'Auber's home. Kim spent the time trying to figure out what was bothering him and concluded it must have been something she'd done.
When they arrived, they were escorted to the library, where Renee greeted Kim warmly before turning to Mairelon, exclaiming, "I am so happy for the both of you!"
"Renee," Mairelon said sincerely, "thank you." He held her gaze and something significant passed between them. Kim fought the urge to look away. The moment passed quickly, and Renee invited them both to sit down.
Kim's mind was far from the conversation as her self-doubts resurfaced. Maybe she'd been wrong in assuming nothing had ever happened between Renee and Mairelon. The thought rang through her head again for the hundredth time, 'If a brilliant wizard like Renee had failed to attract Mairelon in all the years they'd known each other and the beautiful Letitia Tarnover hadn't turned Mairelon's head, how on earth did he see anything in Kim?'
Her doubts and fears were chasing each other in circles in her mind, but suddenly Renee was asking her about plans for the wedding, and she had to return to the conversation. She tried to sound excited about the wedding, but inside she was scared and lost. Mairelon's slight worried frown did nothing to help.
The carriage trip home was another quiet affair. Mairelon was gazing out the window, apparently lost in thought. Kim wondered if he was thinking about Renee, then scolded herself for the thought. Mairelon was marrying *her.* That meant he loved her, right? This wasn't something he was doing out of pity. But could she really ever make him happy? Kim sadly realized she didn't have a clue how to do that.
***
Kim was chased by more nightmares regarding Mairelon all night and couldn't get any peaceful rest. She felt terrible in the morning, but thought she did a good job of hiding it at breakfast. She couldn't eat much, however, since her stomach was tight with worry. It was almost always in the background now, a nameless fear nagging her constantly.
Mairelon too was quiet. Kim studied him from across the table and decided he'd had a rough night as well. She couldn't help but wonder if he was having second thoughts about marrying her. A few days ago, Kim's logical side would never have allowed her to entertain such a foolish idea, but more and more her worries were getting to her.
Kim had assumed Mairelon would disappear after breakfast, but instead he approached her. "Renee invited us to tea this afternoon," he began, "But if you don't want to go, you don't have to..."
"I'll go," Kim said, wondering why Mairelon would think she wouldn't want to go on the one social call in weeks that would involve him.
***
Mairelon seemed uncomfortable throughout the ride to Renee D'Auber's home. Kim spent the time trying to figure out what was bothering him and concluded it must have been something she'd done.
When they arrived, they were escorted to the library, where Renee greeted Kim warmly before turning to Mairelon, exclaiming, "I am so happy for the both of you!"
"Renee," Mairelon said sincerely, "thank you." He held her gaze and something significant passed between them. Kim fought the urge to look away. The moment passed quickly, and Renee invited them both to sit down.
Kim's mind was far from the conversation as her self-doubts resurfaced. Maybe she'd been wrong in assuming nothing had ever happened between Renee and Mairelon. The thought rang through her head again for the hundredth time, 'If a brilliant wizard like Renee had failed to attract Mairelon in all the years they'd known each other and the beautiful Letitia Tarnover hadn't turned Mairelon's head, how on earth did he see anything in Kim?'
Her doubts and fears were chasing each other in circles in her mind, but suddenly Renee was asking her about plans for the wedding, and she had to return to the conversation. She tried to sound excited about the wedding, but inside she was scared and lost. Mairelon's slight worried frown did nothing to help.
The carriage trip home was another quiet affair. Mairelon was gazing out the window, apparently lost in thought. Kim wondered if he was thinking about Renee, then scolded herself for the thought. Mairelon was marrying *her.* That meant he loved her, right? This wasn't something he was doing out of pity. But could she really ever make him happy? Kim sadly realized she didn't have a clue how to do that.
***