Dalliance

Chapter Fifty Four

It was the first formal dinner in two weeks where Holly could outlast the entire meal. Usually, she could only eat the contents of a piece of bread and would then become tired. But now, she sat through the entire thing, smiling wide, grabbing Dawson's hand-finding comfort in his touch, and sharing stories between Nicholas, Dawson, Vera, and herself.

By the time dessert was brought out, Dawson was in shreds. Having to keep up the facade of being fully content and honest was tearing him up. Something that Nicholas noticed as well. Excusing himself from the table, Dawson could not stomach another second without getting fresh air. Making his way into the courtyard, surrounded by sets of flowers on either side, he ran his hands through his hair and tried to maintain a level of composure.

Nicholas cleared his throat before coming up beside him. "It is quite easing to know that Holly is alright."

Dawson turned with a glare. "Why have you not said anything? I know you know what transpired...you have always cared for Holly...why not tell her?"

Nicholas's gaze fell to his feet before looking back to Dawson. "There are two things that I know in this world; one-death comes for us all. And two...there is nothing but love between you and Holly. I am NOT going to be the one to shatter her heart."

Dawson sat on a nearby stone bench, his head in his hands.

"I swear, I do not feel for her. I simply wanted to give her some place safe to be...but...now everything is-" Tears filled his eyes. "To know everything I have can be taken away...Holly already suspected something-prior to anything happening. If I tell her-she will never understand."

"I do not see the desire or need TO tell her. Especially if it will only cause pain."

"I feel as though it is a coward's way out."

"Dawson, forgive me for saying so...but...it was a coward's thing to do. Regardless of alcohol or not."

"You are not angry with me? Since it was with the woman you are courting?"

Nicholas rose to his feet. "I admire you, I have especially envied you-but I am not angry. She was wounded and so were you. Her and I were technically not even speaking at the time. I can see that you are a good man, I saw it when I first met you." Nicholas went to return before turning back momentarily. "The other reason I have not gone after her is because she deserves someone who can make everything come true for her. There is too much pain that I cause her...and I just want her happy."

Dawson lingered outside with Nicholas's words pulling on him; his own intuition telling him to come clean,  while another part told him it would only hurt her and she has been hurt too many times already.

So, he returned in the dining room to find Holly sitting at the table. A pastry sat in front of her as she licked the tips of her fingers and smiled bright to Dawson.

"Sit beside me." She requested as he did just that and she took his hand.

"Is something bothering you?"

"I only worry for you..." He said, honestly.

"I am much better. I can stand for a long period of time now and move without pain."

"I am beyond glad to hear it. Why don't we get you to bed?"

She slid her lips against his ear. "Perhaps to bed...but not to sleep." She extended her hand while he followed her, guilt pounding into him deeper and deeper with each step closer to their room. As she opened the door, he retreated.

"I have to write some letters."

"Now?" She chuckled. "Can it not wait until morning?" Her sweet voice and tempting lips pulled at him but his guilt won over everything else.

"I am afraid not. I have been quite behind since your sickness..."

"Oh...well...try to come to bed before daylight." She kissed his cheek as she closed the door. He then walked down the hall, some distance, and began punching the stone structure as his knuckles became bloody and bruised. Using his palms, he rested his forehead, and began to cry. For a small moment, he prayed to God that he would give him a sign on what to do.

"Your highness?!" The healer exclaimed in shock, seeing the ruler of the kingdoms, in tears and lingering with bloody knuckles. "I must aid you quickly, or you may become infected!" Without protest, he followed the healer into his small room. Sitting on the end of a cot, he placed his hands over a bowl-per the healer's request. Bringing the alcohol towards him, he poured it over his knuckles as Dawson clenched his fists from the pain and let out a small grunt.

"My apologies." The healer said politely before pulling bandages from a cabinet behind him. As he turned to watch him, Dawson saw a plant sitting in the windowsill.

"Why is it you have Breath of the Dead? It is a poison..." Dawson slow rose from his sitting position. "That causes bleeding and nausea..." Dawson cornered the healer as he became increasingly nervous.

"Please, your majesty...I enjoy how the flower brightens up this room, that is all..."

"No. You pushed for Holly to drink tea...up to a week before she got sick. She was never pregnant, was she? It was no miscarriage-you poisoned her..." Dawson grabbed him by the neck, pushing him up against the wall. "What was it that made a murder attempt so alluring?"

The healer's eyes filled with tears as Dawson applied more pressure onto him. "Tell me!" He demanded as he finally explained.

"She paid me in the form of land...she had some under a good name. It was enough for my family and I...away from the carnage."

"Was it worth your life?"

"Please forgive me! I was doing what I had believed to be right! I beg of you-" Dawson wrapped his hands around his throat, gently squeezing. The man's face turned red as his eyes began to roll back-just as Dawson released him. He fell to his hands and knees and gasped for breath.

"You will leave this instant or I will have you quartered!" He said coldly as the man took his warning and ran through the corridors and out through the courtyard and into the night, taking nothing with him.

Dawson lingered in the infirmary for some time, before coming across a journal written by the healer. Inside, was a documented verification of the exchange between Vera and the healer. Vera supposedly wanted to simply make it appear to have been a miscarriage. The reason was not specified-but he did have proof.

Lit with fury, Dawson marched towards her chambers to her a moaning sound within. Throwing the door open, he found her lying on the bed, a pot beside her. Her skin had gone pale and her eyes were a lighter shade-and his stomach instantly turned.

"I know what you have done to Holly-you will be hung-"

"You would not kill me, Dawson."

"Why is that?"

"I am carrying your only chance of having an heir."