Eternal Sins

•Chapter Ten•

Samhain felt strange this year.

The usual clammor, the provocative air that it filled Eva's blood with, was missing.

The dullness in her eyes echoed into the skull, her attitude bland, uninterested.

Edana had been yanking words from her, desperately trying to get her to speak. Never a smile, never a laugh or quirk to receive. Edana had seen her in similar states, the far beyond conceivable truth of her training days with Ben.

"What has happened to you, Eva? Where has your light gone?" Edana questions, settling the disdem on Eva's forehead.

Eva shrugs, "I'm just tired, I think."

"You know your presence is not necessary tonight, if you want to spend the night in here I can always send a few plates-"

Eva shook her head as Edana let go, "no, no, it's not necessary. I want to go."

Eva wasn't sure she did, but she knew Ben might cause another scene if she didn't turn up.

It had been about a week or so since she found out Ben had killed Cedris, gaining more detail, understanding his thoughts. Her issue was not her inability to forgive, but her need to bury it away completely just to move forward.

Edana gives her shoulders a squeeze, "time will heal all. You've experienced great loss before, my witch, and you will get through this as well."

Eva just nods at her, face crinkling at the eyes, trying it's best to give a reassuring smile.

"I'm going to get your things ready for tonight after the ball, I'm sure Ben will return soon."

Eva's back stiffens at his name, giving a slight bow to her words before turning and facing the three way mirror.

This year, instead of red, she had insisted on an all black wave of silk, curling around her like a sheet in the wind. Her shoulders and arms bare, just a thin strap holding the garment against her, she was the ghost of death. Her waist tied in on a thin strip of metal, maticulously pinched together by Edana, and a rising collection of metal wristlets ran up to her elbow on one arm.

She usually tried much harder each year and yet somehow, this may have been her favorite she had ever worn.

When Ben finally joined the room, Eva instantly threw her view to the floor.

She could hear the small intake of breath from him as he saw her and she willed herself to forget it. She barely let him come near her lately, for her own good, she swore.

"You are breathtaking," he compliments, coming up behind her. His lips give a long kiss to the crown of her head, hand smoothing down the free run hair tucked behind her ear and shoulder.

His kiss is warm, making her brain fuzz, and she closes her eyes. She lacks a response, quiet as he shares a tad of his love. A hand slips around the front of her hips and she leans back into him.

"Are you ready to go?" He asks into her ear, eyes raking over her features in the mirror. She was tired, so tired, all of the time.

His words were a cue to get moving, and she follows, his hand slipping into hers, the other pulling her to his side and holding onto the inner side of her elbow. He knew he was going to have to guide her tonight. He hoped the event would thoroughly raise her spirits.

They round through the castle, silent, enjoy the thrum of the castle and the other's tilted, amicable presence. They pass their usual spot, the entrance hall to the balcony, and Eva raises her eyebrows at him.

"Where are we going?" She questions up to him.

"I have a small surprise for you," Ben smiles, pleased with excitement. They continue a descent down the spiral stairs, finally making it into the broad hall.