Realm of Remorse

A Gift of Surprise

There was a sharp knock on the door. Edeva opened it, leaning her tired body against the wood.

Fenris gave her a once-over, frowning at her wrinkled skirt. "Oh, you're still here."

"Don't sound so surprised, I might start to think you want me here." She smirked at him and smoothed out her dress, she tried to nap but her mind had been restless, his visit was a welcome distraction.

He scoffed at her, "I wasn't aware you were capable of thinking." He glanced at her souring expression and cleared his throat. He had a hand behind his back. She tilted her head at him
.
"Did you need something?"
"Oh- Right." He frowned and held his hand out, a small box was clasped in his palm. "I forgot to mention I found what I was looking for."

She bit her lip, gnawing on the chapped flesh. "What is it?"
"Are you blind? Take the box and look." He sounded uncomfortable. Edeva almost laughed at the way he couldn't seem to stand still, his foot tapping on the floor.

She reached out and grabbed the box, turning it over in her hands. She wanted to savour the look on his face. Not one for niceties. She glanced at him, he glared. "Just open it."

She smiled at him and pried open the lid. Edeva had to keep hold of the box to stop herself from dropping it. She felt a lump in her throat. She picked up the silver chain, dangling from her fingers was a white pendant. She couldn't believe her eyes. Mother's pendant. I thought I'd lost it.

She tore her eyes away from it, looking at Fen's expression. He was nervous, she realised that now. Edeva watched his Adam's apple bob up and down as he watched her, waiting for a reaction.

She held the pendant tightly, How did he manage to get it? She made Fenris flinch in surprise when she wrapped her arms around him, trying to hold back her tears. "Thank you." Her voice was so choked with emotion that the words came out in a whisper.

Edeva wiped at her face when Fenris gently pulled her away, "I meant to give it to you at the ball, but everything else happened." He laughed, he sounded genuine. She smiled at him, pressing the pendant into his hands.

"Would you put it on for me?"
"Do I have to?" He grumbled.
"Don't ruin the nice gesture. Please?" She moved her hair aside, waiting patiently. Fenris sighed and clasped it around her neck. She noticed his hands shaking. "Are you alright?"

He barked out a laugh, "Depends. Does debating whether I strangle you mean I'm fine?" She sighed, knowing he was joking to distract her. She swatted at his arm. "Don't be ridiculous. You need me."

He shrugged. "I'm fine. I didn't expect- Well, that."
"A hug? Don't worry, it's not likely to happen again."
Edeva laughed and clutched the pendant that lay against her throat. He moved away from her, clearing his throat.

She turned around, one hand rearranging her hair around her shoulders. "When did you find it?"
"I snuck off just before we went inside the ballroom. It was where I expected it to be."

She stared at him, blinking in confusion. "And that was?"
"Nowhere that matters. Now come on. We have a carriage to find. Lucien's preparing what we need." He grabbed her hand, she fought back a wince. He was holding her hand so tightly she couldn't tell if he was shaking or not. Not that he would tell me if something was wrong. She thought.

She let him drag her downstairs, he didn't seem bothered that she could trip. The entire house seemed empty, devoid of servants even as they ran across the foyer. "Did you send everyone home?"

He scoffed. "The fewer people that know we ever went to the ball the better. I told them to stay away as I was expecting unsightly company." He glanced at Edeva, a smirk tugged on his lips. She gasped and shoved him, making him stumble. He let go of her hand.