Fatal Affair

Chapter 24: Confrontation

The holidays ended, and things seemed to be falling into a routine in Malfoy Manor. Draco, after safely returning from his one-on-one with Voldemort, returned to school and thus, Narcissa was away most weekends. 

Nova walked into the dining room on a cold afternoon, wanting to drink her coffee in peace. As she walked through the heavy double doors, she saw Lucius sitting at the table, coffee in one hand, the Daily Prophet in the other. Nova hesitated.

"You can't avoid me forever," Lucius said without looking up from his paper.

"I'm not avoiding you," Nova said, crossing her arms.

"Please," Lucius muttered, setting his paper down to look at Nova. "I haven't seen you in weeks. You're avoiding me." 

"So what if I am?" Nova asked, sitting across from Lucius. "You tried to use an Unforgivable Curse against me. I have a right to avoid you." 

"So you're afraid of me?" Lucius cocked one eyebrow. 

"I'm not afraid of you," Nova said, resting her elbows on the table, warm mug between her hands. "I just think that's pretty fucked up, even for you." 

"Are you trying to start another argument?" 

"It's hard not too, your ego is just so fragile." 

"Really, Nova?" Lucius asked. "You act like a child." He picked up his paper and continued to read. 

"If I'm so childish, then why do you fuck me?" Nova asked, biting her lip. 

Lucius's eyes flashed up to Nova, lingering on her lips. "It was not your personality that attracted me." 

"Then what was it?" 

Lucius studied Nova's face carefully, lifting his chin so he gazed at her through slits in his eyes. "Careful, love. You are starting something I'm afraid you won't be able to finish."

"You underestimate me." 

Lucius held Nova's eyes for a moment longer, then he continued to read his paper. "I never underestimate my prey, no matter how aggressive." 

"That's all you see me as?" Nova asked, leaning back in her chair. "Prey?" 

"Prove to me that you are more, and I will see you as such," Lucius said softly. 

"I haven't seen the Dark Lord give you any jobs, recently," Nova remarked. 

Lucius sighed, setting down his paper. He got up and walked around the table, towards Nova. He leaned on it, next to Nova, and gently lifted her chin with his index and thumb, forcing her to meet his eyes. 

"Why do you insist on aggravating me?" Lucius asked seductively. 

"I think it's quite fun," Nova said in a hushed voice.

"So I am a game to you?" Lucius raised his eyebrows, feigning surprise. 

"Like cat and mouse." 

"Does the cat win in this game of yours?" 

"Unless the mouse gets away." 

Lucius placed his hand on Nova's armrest, leaning down so their faces almost touched. "I would never allow the mouse to get away." 

"Are we still talking about a game?" Nova asked, eyes fluttering. 

"When it comes to the two of us," Lucius said, lips brushing Nova's, "it is always a game." 

Their lips met and they kissed gently. Urgency fluttered in Nova's stomach so she kissed him harder, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him in.