A SEA BETWEEN

Chapter 21: Revelations

Writer's note:

We are nearing the end folks, probably one more chapter, max two followed by an epilogue.. It has been a lovely 'ride' so far, with all you lovely people, thank you very much for coming along so far.

I wanted to include a former encounter with Draco and Mara, a memory, because I felt like there should be an extra moment in the story where we can see that Draco is starting to show an interest in her and I made it take place in September, 4 months after she first moved to Astella.

Ps. A caparison is the fabric thingy on horses when they compete in jousting competitions, I had to look that up...

Ps.2. I hope I am not rushing things..

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SIX WEEKS AFTER THEO'S WEDDING

Goddamnit, it was just a kiss. Only a little moment of foolishness but the confession had cost him dearly.

He had been walking with Claudette in the garden of their imposing palace and they had been talking about anything and everything. Again, he found that it was easy, talking to her; that she was easy to get along with. She was cheerful and funny, and he felt good with her so suddenly out of the blue he took the plunge and kissed her.

Her lips were soft and pliable, and she smelled sweet, like roses, seductive and attractive and he enjoyed the kiss... at least that's how he thought until he realized it wasn't HER lips, he was kissing... not her scent he was taking in and that realization suddenly crashed into him and ruined everything.

Draco had suddenly pulled away apparently, without realizing it something in him had moved him to do so and after he did, he just stared at her in astonishment as if he could not believe what he had just done.

"Sorry... Sorry... I-" he began but didn't know much else to say.

Draco saw her disappointed nay embarrassed expression; an expression she tried to hide a moment later but failed at. She blinked a few times and then looked at him briefly, doing her best to appear nonchalant and uncaring but inwardly she did exactly know what the reason was for his recoil.

"I think we'd better go back" Claudette said with difficulty he could tell as the words were not pronounced with clarity but slightly muffled.

He on the other hand was only able to nod as he felt he no words would suffice now. Draco felt like the biggest jerk on the planet and remained silent on what proved to be the most uncomfortable walk in his life.

He left Elysium the next morning, even before the wedding took place. Parting with Claudette had been incredibly awkward but once again she had acted as if nothing was wrong and said hello to him in a friendly, yet slightly distant manner.

And that was the end of his 'relationship' with Claudette. His parents, especially his mother, were relieved, he could tell since he knew she still had hopes of reuniting with her and in fact urged him to go after her.

"Why don't you go to London dear?" she suddenly suggested at dinner when Draco was visiting and they were dining alone (his father away, Dante and co not present).

"Whatever would I be doing there, mother?" he grinned, pretending he didn't know what she was talking about. His mother shook her head and smiled back.

"You know what I mean dear boy", Narcissa explained, and Draco took a deep breath before answering.

" It's too late for that" he said as he placed his cutlery on the plate, since he suddenly felt his appetite disappearing.