Basilisk (Dark Ominis Gaunt x OC gothic romance)

Chapter 37: Frayed

Tw: mentions of sexual abuse

~~Ariadne~~

Ariadne walked up the steps to the rooms in the upper level of the Three Broomsticks with Ominis and Marie, looking down the long hallway with rows of doors on either side.

"Marie, your room is on the end. I thought you would like a bit of space." Ominis said softly to her.

"I appreciate that, Ominis. Some space is very welcome right now." Marie sighed, giving an awkward look to Ariadne.

Ariadne knew she had struggled through the day, it was clear Marie was having a hard time with the attention Sebastian and Damien were giving her. She'd thought she had gotten over most of her issues in that regard because she seemed rather comfortable around Ominis, but apparently she'd been wrong.

"Here is your key, then." Ominis said, holding out the small bronze key to the door. "We will see you in the morning for breakfast downstairs."

"Sounds good." Marie sighed, looking to Ariadne with another uneasy expression before she left to go to her room, shutting the door behind her gently.

Ariadne gave a worried little sigh, and looked up to Ominis as he set a hand against her waist. "Room Three is ours." He said softly, urging her to go toward the door.

Ariadne walked toward that room, letting Ominis unlock the door before she walked in and he closed it gently behind them.

"Is Marie okay?" He asked in concern once they were inside. "I hope Sebastian didn't offend her at all. He's a hopeless flirt but he didn't mean anything bad by it."

"No, it's not Sebastian." Ariadne sighed softly. "It's not Damien, either. Not really. She's just... uncomfortable around men in general."

Ominis seemed bewildered by that. "She's fine around me, though."

"Because we're married." Ariadne explained softly. "And you wouldn't... ugh it's hard to explain, Ominis. It's not my place to tell you her past." Ariadne sighed unhappily.

Ominis walked toward her and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her gently against him. "It's alright, you don't have to say anymore. I just wish she would tell me so I can help her. She's my sister in law now... and honestly the only sibling I would count."

Ariadne felt her heart swell at that, leaning up to kiss his cheek gently. "I'm sure she'd be happy to hear that." She said softly. "But... I wonder if I should go talk to her. She's had a difficult today and she's in that room alone."

"Go see her. We have all night after you're done." He smiled warmly to her.

Ariadne blushed at the insinuation of what they would be doing all night, but smiled softly. "Okay. Thank you, Ominis." She leaned up to kiss his cheek again. "I'll see you soon."

Ominis' touch lingered on her waist as she reluctantly moved away from him, making her heart flutter at the lasting touch. He chuckled at her reaction and she smiled over her shoulder as she made her way out of the room, giving a soft nervous sigh as she walked down the hallway.

This was not going to be a fun conversation.

She knocked on Marie's door gently, hearing soft swearing before the door opened a bit. "Who is it?" Marie muttered.

"It's me." Ariadne said softly, trying to look in, but Marie was hiding behind the door. That wasn't a good sign.

Marie let out a weary sigh and opened the door further, revealing red eyes and cheeks as she wiped at her eyes again, walking further into the room to let Ariadne close the door. Ariadne quickly closed the door and followed after her, sitting on the bed beside Marie and looked to her in concern.