The King's Inamorata (A Queen's Tale #1)

Inevitable Heartbreak

The first week following Luc's arrival it was a matter of getting used to. Things were different between the two of them now. They didn't share that same wholesome young crush they did before. Now, it was full blown love with passion and desire and words they wished they could say but couldn't, and things they wanted but would never have. It was better for them to stay far away from each other, but they couldn't be away from each other for long. And when they were together, they struggled to remain apart.

It was the most agonizing thing in the entire world.

By the third week, Luc stopped staying at the inn and returned to sleeping on the couch the way he did when he lived with Vivia. By the fourth week, it was almost like life had gone back to normal. They ate breakfast together, visited Canta together, took care of Tomas, and every other night Agna came over for a game of cards and wine.

Whenever Vivia asked about his soldiers he always insisted he'd introduce them to another a time but secretly, she thought he enjoyed being normal again. He constantly set them off on fool's errands just to keep them away. Not that she minded.

She selfishly wanted him all to herself.

By the fifth week, they were finishing up their last card game when Agna decided to go upstairs and check on Tomas. "I imported some herbs from Urma a few weeks ago. I put it in his usual medicine. Hopefully, it'll give him the energy to wake up in the morning."

Vivia let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, wonderful."

"I also sent for a wheelchair to be made," Luc added. "It should be here before spring is over."

Vivia smiled. "He loves the summer. I hope I can take him out to the fields soon."

"You will."

"I'll be back in a few," Agna said. "I'm going to go spend quality time with my favorite old man."

Agna disappeared upstairs and it was just Luc and Vivia. The three of them had been inseparable for weeks. On the days Agna didn't come over for cards, they went into Canta to be with her at the bank. They were so tightly woven together not even the mightiest sword could sever them. She liked it that way. It made them feel like a family again, even if Tomas was only there in spirit.

Luc was clearing the table after dinner, and Vivia was putting water to boil. When she turned around, they bumped into each other, Luc carrying plates he was about to put in the wash bin. 

"I'll take that."

Their fingers brushed as she took the plates from him and the two of them spun around and went back to what they were doing. Avoiding eye contact was how they'd been dealing with the situation. Go straight to bed every night, busy themselves every morning, spend their days with Agna. It was how they kept their minds from wandering.

She turned around and they bumped into each other once more. This time, he didn't turn away. "Sorry," she said. "Would you like tea? I've put some to boil."

He shook his head. "It's alright."

She struggled to fill the silence. "Agna played a fierce game."

He chuckled. "She conned all the gold from my royal pocket."

Vivia grinned. "Did you expect anything less?"

"From Agna?" he shook his head. "Never."

They were closer than they had been before. Vivia's hands were at her side at somehow her fingers grazed his. Suddenly they were holding hands and then the distance between them was gone. Their foreheads were touching and she inhaled the scent of him, earthy and crisp. The words got caught in her throat.

"Agna is upstairs."

"I know."

"So is my father."

He placed his hand on her lower back and brought her closer. She buried her face in the crook his next. "It's just us two."

"Luc..." she wanted to pull away but she couldn't bring herself to do it. "We can't."

Their cheeks brushed, but before anything else could happen someone's feet were pounding down the stairs. 

"Vivia!"

They jumped apart and Vivia looked up. "What is it Agna?"

"Tomas wants tea, could you be a bit faster please."

"I don't control how fast water boils."

"Well, make it boil faster."

Her best friend stomped back up the steps and Vivia almost called after her but decided against it. She and Luc looked at each other a moment before busying themselves with something different.

Anything to keep their mind off each other.

Before bed that night, Vivia was about to retreat to the basement when Luc called her name.

She stopped. "Yes?"

"I've been wondering," he said. "Why we keep fighting it if we know that in the end, it won't change the inevitable."

Meaning, Why are depriving ourselves of each other now, instead of cherishing whatever time we have left?

"I don't know." she said and left.

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QOTC: Favorite series of all time?

AOTC: The Mortal Instruments

XOXO Lilly