Black Marion

10

It was eighteen minutes and twelve seconds between the parting of Haneul and the arrival of Vaughn Scio. Through the blur of a lingering terror, Sasha allowed the Regent's familiar warmth to sweep her like a torrent. She was silent except for four words: nothing, and I don't remember, when pressed about what Haneul had done and said. These were lies, but she was not ready to decide who deserved the truth.

Once home, Vaughn offered the dinner he had promised to keep warm, but Sasha declined to eat. She washed in hot water until her skin was tinged from the heat, and then she stood before the drawer of their bedroom. Her fingers traced the roses, the photoframes. The weaves of those small wings. The straw was splintered in places, soft along the edges. Years old. Delicate, hand-made, nothing manufactured by the pristine machines of the Sky.

It was not long before the Regent came into the room with a glass of medicated drink in his hands. Sasha withdrew to the bed then, taking the offered glass.

"This will help you relax," said Vaughn.

She didn't want to relax. Wordless, she held the glass. Vaughn sat beside her, the lamplight hueing the soft dusting of hair upon his arm, warm gold. It was so comfortable and familiar in his bed, by his side, that Sasha could only wish she had dreamed a nightmare. That somehow, her gentle lover could remain untouched by the horrid evening. Indeed, in the pits of her terror, it was no one but Vaughn Scio that Sasha had longed to see.

But the lies. She could not let them go.

"I was ready to give up the truth for you," said Sasha.

Vaughn glanced at her. In this moment, at least he had the tact to tread delicately. Despite the tension of his shoulders and the unease in his eyes, he waited patiently for Sasha to continue.

Sasha placed the glass on the table. The words upon her lips were the final gesture of her trust in Vaughn Scio. She had deliberated them since she had regained the coherence to think. And it was not easy to be sure, but she staked herself upon the undeniable warmth this man brought. One more time. One last time.

"The man I met," said Sasha, "I knew him in the past. True?"

Vaughn nodded. "Yes."

"I loved him in the past. Or had feelings approximating it. True?"

Vaughn stilled. Nothing.

Sasha looked at him. "You don't have to humor me, Vaughn. You've lied to me about plenty enough. But I hope that you were at least honest when you claimed to be protecting me. I didn't feel protected tonight. I felt terrified. So please. I'd like you to answer my questions."

Vaughn shut his eyes. He reached for her hand. When Sasha did not withdraw, he brought this hand to his lips and pressed it to his brow. With his body hunched and his eyes averted, he answered.

"It was before. Before us."

Sasha paused.

"And the bird you gave me."

A quiet, strange noise tore from the Regent's throat. His hands dug into Sasha's. "Oh, god," he whispered.

Sasha pulled her hand away. Vaughn didn't seem like he had the strength to resist. She brushed the man's face next, turning it gently so that Vaughn could see her eyes. The pain in his silver flickered, confused.

"I want to know what happened," said Sasha. "I want to know what he did to me, and why he did it. I want to know what you have done. Please, Vaughn. I have no one else to ask. Give me my life back."

Their eyes held for a long, uncertain moment.

At last, Vaughn covered the hand at his face. He closed his eyes, turning his lips, kissing Sasha's palm. Taking a deep breath, he spoke.