Eclipse of Hearts ✔

2. Distance [Raphael]

"She still hasn't said anything?"

Sadly Raphael shook his head, putting his hand on that of Melline. "I can't get a single word out of her." She sighed and the sight of her disappointed face increased his sad feelings. He couldn't help it that he started to lose his patience, although he could better disguise his feelings than his parents-in-law. 

Alyssae had been away for almost a year, had suddenly came back with three dwarfs and since that moment she had barely talked to them. It felt like she had set him aside. In the past he had been her best friend, the one she had entrusted everything, but now not a single word came over her lips. 

He started to realize that he had lost his friend and sister-in-law. Even though she was physically present, the bond that had existed between them was gone and he had not the impression that Alyssae wanted to improve their relationship. She seemed to be satisfied with her distant friends, of which he didn't even know how they had met and why they had kept her from home for such a long time.

"She suffers every day," Melline whispered. "And she screams while she's sleeping... It is horrible to see her wither like that."

Raphael could do nothing but agree, because he didn't know the Alyssae who was here now. He knew her fiance had died during his search for her and he could imagine that she felt guilty, but there had to be more. He knew she was pregnant, even though she hadn't told him. She probably believed they did not know, but Melline had heard her throw up often and after a while he had noticed her swollen belly as well. He supposed her pregnancy also created a distance between Alyssae and her family, for she was not married and she had not preserved her body. She probably expected her parents to deject her, but Raphael knew they longed for the real return of their daughter, without judging her - relationships.

He touched Melline's cheek. He wanted to immortalize their love, but he knew the right time was not now. His parents-in-law wanted to wait until Alyssae had found a partner as well, but meanwhile he suspected that would take a while and to be honest he found it a little absurd to wait. Still he didn't dare to speak about that loudly, for it was a miracle Melline's parents gave her to an elf who was not even royal. 

It was something he hadn't dared to hope for, although he had come to Chyndall with a purpose and he had done everything to be around Melline and her family. 

"What are you thinking about?" Her fingers stroked his cheek and he smiled, even though not sincere. Although they were together for almost nine years, she did not know the secret he lived with and she had not the slightest idea why he had come to her city. 

"I was thinking about us," he answered, kissing her tenderly. "I want to be with you."

Her smile made his heart jump and she held him in his arms. "Our time will come."

Raphael nodded and kissed her hand, although waiting was hard. Every moment of delay could lead to the dead of someone he loved.