Book Two: The Larkspur's Longing ~ A tale of deep obsession and devotion

Chapter Forty-two: Game of Control

(Trigger Warning: Suggestive sexy breathing stuff??? Violence, Threats of violence.)

The palace halls were filled with the usual evening bustle as Cressida and Callidus hurried towards the prison. Guards and servants scattered out of their path, sensing the urgency in their steps. Cressida's jaw was set, her eyes fixed straight ahead, while Callidus gazed at her imploringly.

"If I had told you about Cilla sooner, you wouldn't have wanted to play any more games," Callidus continued to explain, "You wouldn't have wanted to eat dinner or watch the sunset in the garden. You would have been too preoccupied to enjoy our time together-"

Cressida came to an abrupt halt, pivoting to face Callidus. "Have you already forgotten the promises we made this morning?" she demanded in a low, seething voice, stealing a glance at a passing guard before drawing closer to whisper. "I suppose now we both know that my magic didn't work."

"I am keeping my promises, Cressida," Callidus pleaded, gently reaching out to touch her shoulder, desperate to maintain their closeness. "I am being honest. I could have kept this from you, but I didn't. I simply waited to inform you, because I didn't want to ruin our happiness."

"Your happiness, you mean," Cressida retorted, shrugging off his arm and turning away. Helplessly, Callidus watched her stride down the hallway, inadvertently making awkward eye contact with a nearby guard before he hurried after her.

"Our happiness, Cressida," he insisted, keeping pace with her. "Why does the timing of my honesty matter, as long as I am? Why are you upset that I waited for a better moment to bring it to your attention?"

"I've been worried sick about Cilla, and you knew that!"

Callidus frowned, "...should I have...brought her to our gathering?"

"Lady's mantle, no. But...Callidus, really! You can't see why I'm upset?"

"No," Callidus murmured, "Please don't be upset. We had such a wonderful day together. Jasper taught us how to shuffle. And... you sang that lovely song for Varyan. And did you see how Illian is talking to me now? We are...friends now. I have friends now."

Cressida sighed. "Yes, we did have a wonderful day. But now it feels tainted by the fact that my friend was blindfolded and terrified."

"We... were all blindfolded at one point today," Callidus weakly joked.

Cressida ignored him.

"Cressida, please. I didn't hurt Cilla," Callidus reiterated. "I rescued her and took her to see her friends. I didn't threaten or isolate her. I didn't punish her, or break her legs, for escaping. I didn't even interrogate her on Walarian's whereabouts. Aren't you proud of me for that?"

Cressida paused, her anger waning as she looked at Callidus. "I am proud of you for that," she admitted. "And I am proud of you for...making friends. But it hurts that you kept this from me. It feels like dishonesty, even if you end up telling me later."

"Should we...revise our engagement vows?" he asked, tentatively.

Cressida sighed again, muttering, "What's it matter? It didn't work."

Callidus's heart sank at Cressida's despondent words. "It matters, Cressida," he asserted. "Everything we do together matters so much to me. I'm trying, my love. I'm truly trying. Please be patient with me."

"...I promised to be patient, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did," Callidus replied, relief washing over him as he sensed a glimmer of understanding from Cressida. "And I promised to be your equal partner. I'll do better, Cressida."