Lycan's Affection
A Private Dinner for Tomorrow Night

Esmeralda fell to the floor in a heap of silk and red hair, the veil that she had brought down from her face to her neck falling on the floor beside her. She brought her hand to her cheek, her eyes wide with the stinging pain from the slap, her chest falling and rising in slow rhythms.

"How could you? How dare you set a children's village on fire just because you were jealous? How could you be so stupid?"

She swallowed, then slowly stood up to Lucas' rage, her teeth biting down on her slightly bleeding lips.

"Did you even see what was happening? He was kissing her. Right after he was told she was pregnant. Does he have no shame? Does he not care for the purity of a Luna anymore?"

"Silence! How does that justify anything? What if something had happened? What if a child had died because you are an irrational little vixen who can neither keep a man nor any sense whatsoever? Have you really lost all your ability to think or are you trying to prove to me that I was wrong to take your side?"

Her eyes widened and she swallowed hard, blinking rapidly. "Lucas, I..."

"Shut up. Your gifts are still untouched. If you are going to be this stupid, I would rather you take them back."

He promptly turned away, the veins of his forehead popping, his eyes wide with anger. Slowly, Esmeralda went on her knees, her eyes filling up with clarity that came after anger. It was the clarity that came with regret, and the dreadful realization of a lack of rationality hitherto.

"Lucas, I promise it was...a spur of the moment. I couldn't help it, I was jealous. I know Conaan. Even if I had jumped into that pool, he wouldn't have looked at me. I was desperate, I swear, I need you. I need the council. Please. Please."

Lucas said nothing more, but he obviously softened, his tense muscles relaxing a bit.

She moved closer, grabbing his hand as she knelt, her fingers clasping around his.

"Please, Lucas. Please help me. I will only do what you need me to. Whatever you ask of me. I swear. I won't ever go against you. Just convince Conaan to love me."

"I can only convince him to take you for a wife and not love you. If you can't make a man want you, it is none of my business."

Slowly, he removed her hand from his, then walked away, shutting the door of the inner hall. Esmeralda stayed there on her knees, pained tears filling her eyes as her teeth clenched hard.

Conaan's eyes followed Eleanor as she worked to tie the bandage around his hand, her brows furrowed, her lips pursed, almost like she was the one carrying the wound.

"Ouch," she said as her finger brushed a part of his palm, and he chuckled, shaking his head.

"You are not carrying the wound, Eleanor."

"It looks really painful. Are you really okay?"

He only smiled, one of his very small smiles that would disappear if you looked too hard, but warmed you up if you just caught one glimpse.

His eyes drifted up to her again. He couldn't help but think of how far they have come. From her slitting his face with a knife, to almost feeling a burn on his hand.

He shook his head a bit as she finally leaned away.

"It's all done now."

He nodded. "Thank you."

Without another word, he made his way off the bed, then grabbed the robe she had carefully set aside. He slowly turned to her, his eyes questioning and she cleared her throat.

"Well, I was of course, going to leave right about..."

"And the buttons?"

She swallowed. "Conaan, I really can't..."

"You can not help me with the buttons?"

She swallowed hard, then walked over to where he was standing, the robe partially drawn up his right arm. It must have been painful, seeing how he would have had to strain his shoulder to do it.

She came forward, then slowly started to button the robe. Conaan's eyes were a bit distant, his mind reeling with the events of the day.

"Conaan?" Eleanor called as she got to the first five buttons, her fingers seamlessly smoothening out the silk.

"Yes?"

"You must have thought I was really foolish back then, am I right? Did you not at least resent me?"

He chuckled a little. "I wouldn't be human if I did not resent you, Eleanor. But I am not human."

She bit down on her lips, feeling heat rise up her cheeks. "Thank you."

"Will you stay?"

She raised her head. "What?"

"Will you stay even if Alexander was to come back for you? And would you choose me now if the choice was between I and him?"

She swallowed. She wasn't so sure how to answer the question. She didn't think she could answer that question confidently.

"Well, I..." Her voice trailed off, and she hurriedly put up the remaining buttons, then took a step back.

Conaan watched her intently, and then gave a small smile. "We will make our way back to the capital city."

She nodded, and without another word, he made his way past her, leaving her standing in the same spot, her hand clasped in front of her, her chest rising and falling with a bit of guilt.

Conaan was silent through the trip, and Eleanor felt majorly uncomfortable. His ride was right beside hers, and she kept stealing small glances at him.

His eyes were fixed on the path in front of him, and he didn't even flinch throughout.

"Conaan?" She called as she got close enough, her eyes wide with expectation.

He turned to her, a brow raising. "Yes?"

"What would you do about Esmeralda?" She asked, then immediately winced at her own flimsy excuse. She couldn't bring it up once more, and from the look in his eyes, he looked like he had been expecting her to.

"I plan to invite her for a private dinner with me."

Eleanor's brwos furrowed with confusion, but before she could say a word, he had turned to a lycan servant.

"Oversee the preparations for a private dinner for tomorrow night."

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