I am depressed that I have to wait 40 days before I get to watch another Reign episode. It's frustrating, especially after what happened in the mid-season finale. I thirst to know what will happen to Narcisse! And I hope my ship will sail eventually…

CHAPTER FIVE

Dear Lola,

You can't imagine how grateful I was when I heard that you had survived the attack. When Francis told us we were desperately trying to contact you somehow, but no one would dare wander through the woods after what had happened. Fortunately I got your message a few days ago, and now I know now that everything is fine and that you are still in one piece.

How are you feeling? Is Lord Narcisse treating you well? I worry about you, you know. I pray for you at night, and I wish you all the best in the world. I really hope that you will one day be as happy as I am with Bash. But I'm not sure if you could ever love a man like Narcisse. He's vile and dangerous… but I do not need to tell you that. If he has forced himself upon you, know that Mary and Francis will attempt to save you from this relationship.

We are all doing fine here. I have found a very interesting book today. I heard noises when I was walking through the corridors and I found two servants having… having some fun with their bodies. Between them lay a journal (which I have confiscated, of course), but not any journal: a sex journal. The author of this journal kept boasting about the prowess of one of her lovers. She doesn't reveal his name (she might not have known it herself), but she keeps talking about a butterfly-shaped birthmark on his right wrist… I will have to show it to you when you return to the castle, which I hope will be very soon.

Write to me as soon as you can, I miss your company and your friendship. And keep an eye on Narcisse.

Kenna

P.S. Robert is feeling well. He's certainly missing you, but he is well surrounded by Mary, his nurses and the rest of us. Take care!

Lola was most pleased to receive this letter from her friend. It warmed her heart to know that someone was actually caring about her health and her feelings at the moment. It was with a soft smile that she carefully replaced the letter in its envelope and locked it away in a box, which she held carefully hidden at the back of her coiffeuse drawer. She knew that Lord Narcisse would probably not read her letters, but she liked the idea of being allowed to have secrets. Eventually, Lola hid the very small key behind a large painting hanging on the wall opposite the coiffeuse, at the other end of the room. It might have been described as an excess of paranoia, but she was certain that if she let Narcisse find that key, he wouldn't be able to resist temptation. What he didn't know couldn't hurt him.

It had been two weeks since the incident with the wolves and her ankle was getting better with each passing day. All that was left was a yellowish bruise that was progressively fading. In fact, despite what Kenna believed, Lord Narcisse had taken good care of her and had tended to her sprained ankle. Lola had loved the attention, of course, but she couldn't help feeling uncertain about her husband's true intentions. She couldn't be sure if he did this to coax her like a frightened foal, or if he was genuinely worried for her health. Supposedly a little bit of both. Since the night where they had shared this passionate kiss, not much had happened. Well, that wasn't entirely true either. Although they had not fully consummated their marriage yet, her husband had shown her some of his hidden talents… and Lola had enjoyed it very much, though she would never admit it openly. She had not pushed him away because he had been in his right to claim what was his, however she had not regretted doing so once it had all been over. A shudder ran down her spine when she recalled the way her husband had made her quiver and tremble underneath him with the simple act of licking, sucking and kissing her body. They hadn't gone further yet, but Lola knew that it wouldn't be long before she'd have to let him have her way with her, but it reassured her to know that he didn't only seek his own pleasure, but also wanted to satisfy her.

Lola heard steps in the corridor and tried to quickly regain her composure, for she didn't want Lord Narcisse to presume she had been daydreaming about him. That would only turn him more self-assured and arrogant than he already was: she really didn't want that to happen. Only minutes later the door to their bedroom was opened and Narcisse stepped into the room holding a cape in his right hand.

"We are riding to the castle today. Here, put this on", gently, the cape was wrapped around Lola's shoulders, "you will come with me, I have had our horses saddled" The day couldn't have been better for the young Lola. First she had received a letter from her best friend and now, she would even be able to see her and all that in the same day. Her husband seemed to notice her excitement, for he smiled knowingly at her.

"Thank you for letting me come with you, my Lord" His smile vanished quickly, but Lola was too busy packing a few things in a small bag to notice. She was excited to see her friends and her son back. Her little Robert had certainly missed her greatly since her departure (but not as much as she had missed him!). Seeing him would make her feel so happy and content. She desperately wanted to hold him in her arms and press him to her chest. It had been far too long since she had last held him: almost two weeks! What joy to see him again.

"I will not risk riding back at nightfall and I suppose the business I will have to settle for the King will take some time… we will spend a few days at court, I suppose you still have spare clothes back at the castle?"

"Yes, I have, my Lord. I'd prefer if we travelled lightly, this way we'll arrive faster…" Narcisse smile.

"Eager?"

"More than eager… delighted! I miss my child!"

"I understand…", his voice sounded sad and Lola felt a surge of sympathy rise in her, "I know what it feels like. Anyway…" Narcisse offered his arm to his young wife, "Let's depart as soon as we can" Lola nodded and put her hand on her husband's firm biceps and let him lead her to the stables.

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After a few hours' ride, they had stopped at a small lake to let their horses rest and to enjoy the autumn breeze that had blown over the country all morning long. Lola loved autumn. She loved the atmosphere and the changing of leaves. The sun shone through the still thick foliage of the tree and the wind blew the dying leaves off their branches, causing them to slowly descend toward the muddy ground. Lola patted her horse's neck and looked around her, feeling at peace. She had always felt a connection to nature: it looked so fragile, yet it was stronger than humankind. Humans weren't immortal, but nature was. However, Lola was grateful for her mortal life. If she had been immortal, life wouldn't have had the same meaning: if you can't die, you can't take any risks and thus, you can't really enjoy life.

"Here, drink some water", her husband softly ordered, handing her his bottle. Lola thanked him and drank greedily, noticing how thirsty she actually was.

"We will reach the castle in the late afternoon. But we need some rest…" Narcisse sat down on the soft grass and looked distantly at the lake, seemingly lost in his contemplations. He was soon joined by his young wife, who took place next to him. They say quietly next to each other for a few minutes that felt like hours. This was the kind of moment Lola wanted to engrave in her memory. She enjoyed her husband's presence: he had a calming aura about him. She felt protected and safe at his side.

"May I ask you a question?"

"You already have", he said with a grin, "but I will gladly grant you another one" Lola felt tempted to stick her tongue out at him, but she didn't want to act like a spoilt child, therefore she simply ignored him.

"How many wives have you had before marrying me? And what happened to them?" Lola wondered if it had been wise to mention her husband's past wives. She saw his jaw tense slightly and supposed that she could have chosen a better topic to start a conversation.

"Three... why do you ask?" Lola blushed and felt slightly uneasy.

"Well… there were rumours that… they all died mysteriously and… I was wondering…"

"I didn't kill my wives", he snapped, his voice dangerously low. Lola cringed and tried to hide her growing fear. Maybe she shouldn't have brought the subject up. She wanted to change the subject quickly, but to her surprise, Narcisse began to explain:

"Despite all the rumours and despite me not being a good Samaritan, I am not a soulless monster. And it hurts to know that some people already spread such horrible rumours, yet that you believe them… after what I did for you, after the kindness I have shown…"

"I didn't mean to…"

"YES you did… And I would like to tell you some things about my past wives", his voice became softer when he noticed her scared expression. "My first marriage had been arranged by my father, who made a wealthy match with the only purpose to make profit and form new alliances that would bring him power. She was a beautiful girl, but we were both young and my father badly desired an heir, who would carry on the family name. She had many miscarriages…Yet, we kept on trying." Lola noticed that Narcisse's face hardened at the memory, and she understood immediately. Tears welled up in her eyes, not because she felt for the woman who had certainly died a terrible death, but because she felt her seemingly dangerous husband's sorrow.

"I was fifteen, I knew nothing of women or their bodies. The second wife died a terrible death as well: haemophilia. She bled to death before my eyes. I have never killed any of my wives, Lola, and neither have a raised my hand on them. Despite what some people might think, I respect my wives…" Lola felt bad for doubting him. He seemed genuinely hurt that she had believed those rumours.

"You have never been in love…", she stated. She saw him smile sadly.

"That is a jewel I have yet to see" In a surge of sympathy, Lola placed a soft kiss on Lord Narcisse's cheek. The gesture apparently surprised him the most, which made Lola smile a little.

"We should get on our way if we want to reach the castle before the end of noon"

"Indeed", Narcisse said softly, rising to his full height, "we should"

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They had reached the castle by the end of noon. Lola had been reunited with her friends and her son and she had not felt this happy in weeks. Robert had been happy to see her again, and so had Kenna. The three of them had spent the whole evening in Lola's former chambers, content that they could enjoy a few hours of peace alone. Lord Narcisse had not yet come after Lola, which hadn't surprised her. Somehow, since their marriage he had given her more freedom than she could have wished for.

"Your son has fallen asleep", Kenna informed her when she returned to the main part of the bedroom, "he's such a sweet child I wish my children to be just as beautiful" Lola smiled and wrapped her warm cape around her shoulders, feeling very cold all of sudden. Kenna took place next to her friend and spoke in a hushed tone: "I have something I want to show you" Lola had the feeling that Kenna was referring to the sex journal she had mentioned in her letter. She was somehow impatient to read it.

"Go on, I can't wait any longer", Lola urged, chuckling softly when Kenna excitedly went to retrieve the so called journal from the bag she had been carrying with her. The two friends spent some time going through the detailed descriptions on this author's past lovers.

"Oh wait, soon we'll come to that one lover I mentioned in the letter"

"The one with the butterfly-shaped birthmark?"

"Indeed" Kenna grinned, turned the page of the book and started reading out loud: "The lover I had the pleasure of spending the previous night with towers above all the others. His ways were exotic, his touch was enticing and his kisses had the effect of a burning fire on my skin. He was a lover of exceptional skill, so exceptional that I almost wish I could have kept him to myself forever. But I do not believe that he is the kind of man a woman can tame. His character is probably as wild as he is in bed. However, despite being wild and impatient when not getting what he wants, he knows how to take care of a woman's needs. Would repeat the experience again? Most certainly! Will I ever see him again? Probably not.

"Well, he doesn't seem to be very trustworthy"

"He is unpredictable", Kenna said with a grin, "isn't that exciting? Having a lover who knows what he wants and who understands what you want is the dream of every married woman. Speaking of which… how has your marriage been going on so far?"

"Alright, I suppose", Lola said, still mesmerized by what Kenna had just read out to her. Was it wrong to imagine being in that man's company for one night, even if she was married to another? Yes it was… but only if her husband knew.

"Have you… consummated yet?" There was curiosity in Kenna's voice and Lola knew that all she wanted to know is how good Lord Narcisse was in bed. This brought a smile to her lips.

"Not really…"

"What is that supposed to…"

"I won't tell you anything Kenna… not yet", Lola added with a wink. Her friend was hungry for more information, but she knew how stubborn Lola could be and therefor, she didn't even try to investigate further into the matter.

"There is a party tonight in the throne room. Will you be there?", she asked instead. Lola nodded. "Yes I will and I think now would be the time to go and get dressed for this party…"

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Lola finished braiding her hair and glanced one last time at her reflection in the mirror. She was quite pleased with the result. Her dark blue dress fitted her curves nicely, but not too tightly. She looked older than her years and it pleased her, for she was always anxious to no act like a frightened child.

"You look stunning, lovely one", she heard Narcisse say. She looked at him through the mirror and managed a small smile and a shy thank you. Her husband came closer and put a hand on her hip before kissing her bare shoulder softly. "I don't think letting you go to that party dressed in such a fashion would be very wise… everyone will be staring at you"

"Is that a bad thing?", she asked cheekily, turning around so that she faced Narcisse. His grin infuriated her.

"For me it is…" His hand brushed a rebel strand out of her face and her eyes caught something on his wrist and her heart skipped a beat. There, on his right wrist and half-hidden under the sleeve of his vest, Lola noticed a darker spot that strangely looked like the lower parts of an insect's wings. Slowly, she took hold of his arm and pulled his sleeve further up, revealing a butterfly-shaped birthmark.

"Oh dear Lord…" she breathed out, causing her husband to raise an eyebrow questioningly.

"What is it?" Lola looked up at him and swallowed, not sure if she should tell him the truth or not. What now? She had married the lover described in the sex journal. Was that supposed to scare her or please her? She was more confused than she had ever been in her life.

"What is it?", he asked again, but instead of answering, Lola kissed his lips more feverishly than she had first intended.

"Nothing" she said, breaking the kiss too quickly for Narcisse's liking, "Come now, let us go to the party before they come looking for us…"

At the party, it had been hard to concentrate on anything else but the description of her husband's sexual prowess in bed by this unknown author. To her surprise, Lola even felt jealous of that woman who had shared her bed with lord Narcisse. But why this jealousy, this woman was no threat to her, not now that Narcisse had married Lola. And yet, what kept him at her side? She hadn't let him claim her yet. Would that lead him to seek out the company of other pretty young ladies?

"Your mind seems to be elsewhere, lovely one", Narcisse whispered in her ear, making her shudder.

"Indeed it is, my Lord"

"There is no need for formalities between us, Lola" His breath was hot and the smell of his cologne overwhelmed her senses "Call me Stéphane"

"Alright…", she agreed, "Stéphane" His kiss set her heart on fire. If she wanted him to have eyes only for her, she needed to convince him that the other women weren't worth the while. "This party seems… very dull. I feel tired…", she admitted in a whisper, "… let us retire to our chambers" Her eyes locked with his, trying to make her intentions clear without words.

"Of course", Narcisse's hand wandered to her lower back, pulling her possessively against his strong body, "Let us not linger here any longer"

I promise, the next chapter will contain some M-rated content. I will update chapter 6 before Christmas, as a present to all my lovely readers. Hope you liked it.