A beating heart

Chapter 11

11.

His head was pounding, the bright sun light forcing him to shut his eyes again. Groaning he turned in bed and tried to rid himself of the blanket tangled between his legs. As he tucked on the white sheet, he noticed the other body in the bed next to him.

He could make out the pale skin on her bare limbs, peaking through the sheets, her head of nutty brown hair sprawled on a pillow. Her face turned away from him and he could hear the girl's breathing, rhythmical and slow.

His mind was numb from the night before, the alcohol still clouding his thoughts. And just for one moment he imagined it was her, laying in bed next to him. Her big brown eyes staring back at him, the soft giggles escaping her sweet mouth. Mary's face swam before his eyes, but he quickly wiped it away, he would not loose himself in those dreams again. He shook his head in determination, sending his unruly and tangled blond curls flying in all directions.

Memories of her still plagued him at night sometimes and it would claw at his heart. But the pain had become bearable, he had grown to accept that his old life, a life with her in it, was gone and never coming back. He had let her hurt him for far too long. She had broken his heart, shattering it into a thousand pieces and it had taken him months, nearly half a year to partially piece it back together again, the fractures still remaining. Being away from her, here in Paris with his friends, had helped a great deal, all the parties and adventures helping him forget.

He would never truly be able to rid himself of her, he knew that, but he had pushed her memory to the far back of his heart, not allowing her to hurt him any longer.

He stretched his arms, sitting up in bed and instantly regretted it. The fast movement had sent the whole room spinning before his eyes and he let his head fall back once more.

The girl stirred beside him, turning her head and looking at him with sleepy eyes.

„Morning" she offered him a tired smile.

He let out another sight and massaged his temple with his hand.

„I am sorry, you will excuse me, there is somewhere I have to be." his words sounded harsh and he instantly regretted them when he saw the hurt look on her face.

„I ... I am sorry, truly. I just ..." his head hurt so much and trying to form a coherent thought was agonizing.

„It's okay, I understand. You don't have to apologize." her voice sounded hoarse and before he had the chance to think of a reply she had slipped out of the bed, clutching on of the blankets around her bare body as she disappeared behind the door.

He should feel guilty, he knew that, but he just couldn't bring himself to care. Finally managing to sit up, he reached for his robe and tied it around his waist. He hadn't really lied, Leith was expecting him at noon, Greer and a few more of their friends probably already waiting for him.

-

„You look rough, my friend. Long night?" Leith got up from his chair and smirked at his friend.

Francis threw him a look but couldn't quite keep the smile off his lips.

„Sorry for my tardiness, something came up." he embraced his friend in a quick hug, padding his back before greeting the other guests.

Greer was sitting with her group of girls, while the men were gathered in another corner of the room. She smiled at him, acknowledging his presence with a nod, her warm eyes kind.

Her and Leith's wedding was planned for next autumn and she seemed to be enjoying her time here in Paris. She had spent the greater part of the past six months in the city, only occasionally visiting court and her friends there. In the beginning he had been desperate, had begged her for any news of Mary, but she had alway stayed strong, never revealing much. It had frustrated him then, but now he was thankful. If he was honest, he didn't really want to now the exact details of her marriage to his brother.