Chapter 6 [Maison, Quebec City—Half an Hour after Chapter 4]
Activity decreased ever so slightly within the ancient structure. Urgency mandated a vigil over Nick. His state of affairs, however, prompted reflection.
Reactions would span the gambit….
[Clarise's Study]
Clarise skimmed a brown leatherbound tome. Rag paper slipped through her fingers page by page. Browning Ink would've strained mortal eyes. Strange symbols slipped into largely sixteenth century French. Questions popped up with each of Blood Wine's mouthfuls. Her eyes wandered about familiar surroundings. Family's books lined aged oak shelves from various sources. A few accompanied her and her four siblings on Desperation's flight from the Vendee to her current location almost four hundred years prior. Others were gifts claimed during and after the French Revolution. Despite Overbearing Ego, LaCroix had instructed his children to send her more of the Thibidoux holdings. (Given the Old Roman's usual attitude toward Sentimentality, that in itself proved surprising. A welcome surprise but a surprise nonetheless.) Francesca and Nikki exerted considerable influence in that regard. Nick brought the others to her during their rare encounters. Alyce chanced upon her current reading just a month before in Belize of all places. Her habit hung on its hanger in the closet to her left. A fire blazed in the fireplace just behind herself. Just above that, her family's portraits stared down at her. Her elder sisters, brother and youngest sister flanked their mother's central position. She shook her head. So many books. Pity, Nicolas, you did not bring me Mama's accursed one. What a headache that caused. A terse gulp burned her throat.
Nicolas….
She set the wooden cup down beside the book. Her finger rubbed her forehead. Due to her vows and stay at the convent, they met just before her mother's overreach. Nick seemed kind enough at the time. Still, to her, something seemed off about him. Her stepfather, Bertrand, loathed him. She and Nick had talked briefly. Her mother's dark rite brought the family's fortunes down along with the demon and mob. Six years later, she met Nick again. This time, she and her sister, Heloise, languished in the castle's donjon. Lust pressed a power-hungry merchant to demand her hand against the vows to Mother Church and God. Desperation pressed her to maintain her vows, save her soul and present Heloise with a way out of there.
Nick, at that time a guard, offered her a way…the only way. For her sacrifice, he'd allow her prayer and service. As a boon he'd want from LaCroix, he'd not interfere in her affairs overly much. He'd also convince the merchant to accept Heloise's hand for Marriage's bond.
Sacrifice and Love drove her to accept. She prayed as he did the deed. She refused to kill…even when swamped by First Hunger's fury. She feasted on Vermin's blood instead. Thereafter, she took on Carouche's role.
Misinterpretations drove an immediate wedge between them. She'd expected Heloise's freedom not her marriage. He'd expected her to act like a normal vampire not a carouche….
Mama, I wish you'd understand what your evil has done! I almost had that damned grimoire at Terese's chateau! She slapped the desk. She shook her head. At least I could influence Nicolas to take the cow blood. That in itself is a good thing. I will grant him that! Father, be praised! Amen! She crossed herself.
Nick's vibrations strengthened a bit more. Her eyes flicked toward the ceiling and guest chamber overhead. He recovers. Alyce keeps close watch. Ah, Nicolas! You have no idea how fortunate you are! You turn your back. She still desires you. I suppose nobody wanted the castoff fledgling. Janette at least called me. She shook her head on that note. He will recover. Alyce watches our wayward knight. She marked her place and closed the book. Papa, I miss you. She stood and smoothed her sweater and skirt. Once more, her eyes met her mother's portrait. Her head shook imperceptibly. Curse weighed ever heavier upon herself.
Obligation's conflicting ties and all of that….
Madelyne rapped on the open door. She held up a jade glass bottle. "Madame, would you care for more?"
Clarise managed a small smile. Appreciation lifted her spirits even if it couldn't warm the Vampire's heart. "Perhaps later. Is there any word on our guests?"
Madelyne glanced up the stairs. "Nicolas gains strength. Alyce…she watches over him. I look in as well. He needs rest. It will be a while yet." She meandered into the room. "I do wish you'd have more. The pain wears on you." She winced and drew back. "I am sorry. I overstep."
"No. You speak out of concern for me." Clarise conceded a nod. "On second thought, I will take another glass. Leave the bottle, s'il-vous-plait." She watched Madelyne refill her glass and set the bottle on the desk. "Merci beaucoup." She allowed her associate to depart. Then, she shut the door to insure her privacy. She returned to the desk and her former seat. She took a renewed draught.
Honor would guide her down a straighter path for her master than he'd followed on her behalf. That was a guarantee….