I did not go to the banquet hall that evening; William went down just long enough to eat quickly without conversation and then returned to our quarters, where I had been returned about thirty minutes after regaining consciousness.
"I brought some food for you." Said William softly, walking over to where I was lying on the four-poster and handing me a tray with water, bread, and soup on it.
I took the bread from the tray and brought it to my lips, but then suddenly threw it back onto the tray, placing my head in my hands.
"I'm not hungry." I mumbled.
"But Mary…"
"I'm not hungry William!" I cried, bursting into tears.
William took the tray and set it aside and then sat next to me on the four-poster. I buried my face in his neck and cried as he wrapped his arms tightly around me.
I cried myself into exhaustion and fell into a restless sleep.
I lay awake in bed later that evening when I should have been asleep. But there was no question in my mind that I would receive none. I looked over at William. To the untrained eye and ear, he appeared to be asleep, lying motionless in the darkness, but I knew he was awake and as restless as I; his breathing wasn't as calm and relaxed as it would have been if he were asleep. He turned to face me with sadness in his eyes that matched my own.
"Why must I be denied that which I want most in life: a family?" He said softly.
A single tear escaped William's right eye and I kissed him softly, knowing full well how he felt. William placed his right arm protectively around me, gripping me firmly to him. I placed my right hand on top of his, interlocking our fingers. I looked back over at William; his eyes had changed from their already very light icy-blue colour to an even lighter colour, so light they were almost white; the look of sadness in them had almost disappeared and was being replaced by one of utter fury.
"I'm going to kill that bastard." Said William, an icy edge in his tone. "No one hurts my family like this and lives."