Basilisk (Dark Ominis Gaunt x OC gothic romance)

Chapter 112: Loup Qui Souffre

~~Damien/Ronan~~

He really didn't like the strange looks Marie was giving him as they cleaned the rest of the house, remaining quiet as he tried to struggle with his emotions.

You should tell her. Ronan insisted.

He wasn't going to tell her, because it would just make things more awkward between them. Besides, it didn't matter.

It does matter, because you're upset. You yelled pretty badly. Ronan said gently.

Damien let out a soft growl, which caught Marie's attention as she swept the floor.

She leaned the broom against the wall and walked over to him, her blue eyes full of concern as he looked down apprehensively.

"What's wrong?" She asked quietly. "You're not upset about Veela being pregnant, are you?"

Damien gritted his teeth, flinching a bit when the motion caught his lip with one of his fangs. "No." He said softly, reaching up to wipe the blood away on his sleeve.

"You don't really think Sebastian would do something like leave her, do you?" She asked, reaching up gently to rub at his lip, but he grabbed her wrist before she could put her hand to his mouth.

He let out a shuddering breath, pain and hurt filling him as he lowered her hand. "No, I don't."

Marie looked at her hand as he lowered it, and he nearly flinched at the frown she made.

"Then what's wrong?" She looked back up to him with worry. "We said no secrets, right? So don't hide from me."

Damien let out a strange sound that was part whine and part moan, nodding gently. No secrets... it was a terrifying prospect because he was so used to just bottling everything up.

But you don't have to with Marie. Ronan reminded him.

No, he didn't... and it was such a gift to have someone so understanding. It still scared him, though.

His hand around her wrist slid up so he was holding her hand, lacing their fingers together as he let out a shuddering breath. "Later... when no one can hear us." He whispered, glancing toward the door down the hallway where Veela was still eating.

Marie looked surprised, but seemed satisfied by that response, nodding firmly. "You'd better tell me, I'm not going to forget." She insisted.

Damien gave a weak laugh and smiled warmly down to her as his thumb ran along the side of her palm affectionately "I know you won't." He said in amusement. He did like how fierce Marie was.

Marie quickly reached up with her other hand before he could stop her and gently ran her sleeve over his lips, his eyes going wide with a worried breath. "Marie-" he said quickly, looking at the blood stain on her sleeve from his accidental bite.

"Don't worry, I'm not about to go sucking on my sleeve or anything." She smiled softly up to him. "But you're going to let me help you." She tilted her head to the side as if daring him to argue with her. "I told you I was fine with you biting me... but I want you to be fine with it too."

Damien felt his heart flutter at that, his eyes turning warm as he smiled. He really appreciated how much she considered his feelings with that. "Thank you, ma chére." He said in a soft voice.

He couldn't help but smile a bit wider as a blush came over her cheeks, her look turning bashful from her former bravado. He loved seeing those two sides of her, that fierce and bold side and the soft and warm side. She was a complicated woman, but he was greatly enjoying figuring her out.