Swapped Fate

64: A Fractured Heart.

Previously, I didn't think much of Tristan's absence. In the beginning, I preferred him gone and as far away from me as possible. It was always a good riddance moment for me. Later, I started to tolerate his presence, and then I needed it for the sake of defeating the curse. Now, the curse was vanquished, and our allotted day for dates had not reached.

Yet.

Yet his absence was a constant thought—a new plague that I wished gone forever.  So when Genevieve the maid arrived to pick my dirty laundry the next morning, an inquiry about said Devereux chap was the first thing that left my mouth—morning greetings forgotten.

Her answer had my heart drumming melodiously while my stomach danced to its tunes. My brain...well, it shot orders to my limbs, currently wrapped in the beddings.

I could not get out of bed fast enough, could not get ready fast enough. It was only while I put the finishing touches in my hair—a neck tie—and followed the rhythm of my internal self by humming a joyous tune, that I stopped to think. Really think.

What on bloody good earth was the excitement about? Surely, I couldn't be excited to see Tristan?

You are. Do not deny it.

No, I was not! I was simply looking forward to seeing him alive and well. Especially since the last image of him was that depressing talk we had with me tied up in his neck ties as a measure against the taalmin. Nay, I was only curious about how he had been since then, that's all.

We had a great deal to talk about, and it was best to hop right to it and get it out of the way. That was it. That was all.

I fluffed my hair, still humming. A glance led me to a small container of strawberry lip balm on the dresser.

A little bit wouldn't hurt.

I applied some, carefully smacking my lips to spread it out.

I wondered whether he would notice.

Not just him, of course. Lea too. And Rebecca. And Madam Felicity.

I looked myself over one last time and beamed, satisfied with my reflection.

We had decided to have the cake-tasting after breakfast, just before Mr. Edgar and Adrian left for work. I only rushed down the stairs because I was enthusiastic about that; nothing more.

I came into the dining room with a sunny smile and chirped, "Good morning, everyone!"

While they replied my greetings, my gaze fell upon Tristan's empty seat. Rebecca's was empty as well.

Mmmmmmmmmm.

I pursed my lips, sitting down beside Lea. Everyone was busy discussing Adrian's birthday party tomorrow while my mind dwelled on why Rebecca and Tristan weren't here yet. When they eventually showed, they were talking to each other and smiling. He pulled the chair back for her to sit before taking his own seat.

They greeted us, but my reply was a disgruntled mumble. My eyes raked over Tristan. He donned all black and no tie. The first few buttons of his dress shirt were open, revealing a jade pendant settled in the curve between his collar bones. His hair was floppy and a mess today, but it still looked good. He still looked good, damn him.

Something was different about him. He denied me a view of his eyes, not once looking in my direction. Even his greeting had been generic to everybody.

This wasn't our usual breakfast. His usual greeting to me was either 'Maewitch,' or 'fraudster,' accompanied by a smirk. I would follow with  'fiend,' and a sickly-sweet smile. We also occasionally had a glare-off, and annoyed each other by making the other say please whenever a request to pass something was made.