Too Dark to Even Try (Beneath a Moonless Sky fanfic)

Shattered Mirrors

Christine sat on the chaise, her ankles crossed and her hands folded delicately in her lap.

The lace collar on her throat burned against the tender skin beneath it, but she did not show her discomfort.

Her son was coming home.

Heart racing in her chest, Christine's lips parted in attempt to slow her rapid breaths.

Raoul had not yet returned from his trip....where had he gone?

Christine couldn't remember.

Her eyes trailed down to her hands and she noticed a slight crease in the wine colored fabric, and she smoothed it with a finger.

Alone she may have been, but if the Vicomtesse, God rest her soul, had taught her anything, it was perfection.

The door to the evening parlor opened, and Christine's eyes snatched up.

The butler, Cartier, entered and gave a respectable bow.

"Master Gustave and Master Enzo, Your Ladyship," as he spoke, the young gentlemen entered.

Christine's eyes did not leave Cartier's face as she replied, "Thank you, Cartier. You are dismissed."

She watched the door shut behind him.

Christine stood abruptly and rushed to Gustave, collapsing onto her knees and throwing her arms around him.

Gustave clung to her, and she felt him shake.

"My dearest..." She purred. "My little master of music..."

Christine pulled away, and looked up into his otherworldly eyes.

He was as handsome as ever, the dark allure she loved still present.

"Maman..." He said, his voice wavering. "It is good to be home."

Christine smiled, and shifted her gaze upon Enzo, reaching for her hand.

Enzo grinned widely at her.

"Come," she said, rising to her feet. "Let us have supper. And what a jolly supper it shall be---my son is home!"

The boys laughed, and Christine took them both by the hand, stealing a glance at Gustave. He was turning into quite the young man, Christine believed she had not seen a handsomer noblemen in all of France. Every year Gustave grew more and more like---

Christine paled and looked straight ahead.

______

Gustave stared at his mother, her familiar beauty overwhelming and drew a hazy smile to his lips.

Enzo rattled on, hardly pausing for breath, telling maman all about the trip to and from Spain.

Christine chuckled taking a small sip of wine, and dabbing the snow white cloth napkin at the corners of her painted lips.

"Now," she said, her eyes turned to Gustave. "Tell me all about school."

Gustave swallowed. She had not yet spoken, or even brought up, of his being expelled, but this did not mean that it would not come.

"Fine," he looked down at his food.

"Fine?" Maman's voice was full of high strung tension.

"I am sorry," he mumbled, his eyes stinging and blurring.

"Oh my darling!" Gustave felt his mother stand rush to his side. Her gentle hand lifted his chin and forced his eyes to lock on her beautiful ones.