Dreamwalker

28- Second Chances

Soutine followed Laurier up the stairs to the third floor of the palace, down a shadowy corridor, to a lighted bedchamber. Books and texts cluttered the floor and the desk next to the sparking fireplace. The bed was made with dark velvet sheets and a canopy to match. Soutine had to admit that Laurier had good taste at least.

"I heard about what happened between you and Piano," Laurier began, closing the door behind Soutine. "Go on and sit. I'll find something to wash your hands with."

In a daze, Soutine staggered to the bed, and sat down, making sure to keep his hands aloft so as not to stain the velvet. "Who told you?" he asked.

"Word travels fast in Solancee. Piano bragged about it to Nock and she reported him to me."

"Bragged...? The bloody traitor," Soutine growled. "I never should have tried to avenge him. I don't know what I was thinking."

"You care about him. I understand."

"No-- no, I don't. Not anymore."

Laurier cocked an eyebrow at Soutine, but said nothing. He found a pitcher of water on a dresser against the wall and carried it to the bed. "Go on. Say something," Soutine dared him. "I know you want to. I know you would dance for joy if you were still all human, knowing that Piano broke my heart just like you predicted."

"I am human," Laurier protested.

"You and I both know that isn't true. I don't know what you are, Laurier, but I know for certain, you are no longer a human being."

"I am still a man. I feel, I need, I desire. I am no more complex than that." He slipped his robe off his shoulders to reveal his tunic and pants, and ripped off the bottom layer of purplish silk with his hands and teeth. "Hold out your hand," he ordered.

Soutine offered his scarred hand, still dripping blood, to Laurier, who knelt down next to the bed to take it in his own hand and pour water over it. Soutine winced when the water stung the wound. Laurier used the robe to mop up the thinned blood before wrapping it in the strip he tore off. "Why are you doing this?" Soutine said.

"You are hurt. I cannot leave you to bleed like this. I'll tie up the sword wound in your torso too, if you'd like. Nock told me that Piano stabbed you after his betrayal. She said it was out of anger."

"I don't know. Maybe. Don't ask me to explain why he does anything. That unholy bastard... I never expected him to... to..."

"What?"

"I thought... I thought he still loved me. I suppose I let my vanity get the best of me again. Thinking I was invincible, and placing my faith in untrustworthy confidants, only to be double-crossed in the end."

"It wasn't vanity, Soutine. He deceived us all. I thought that he cared for you as well. You must be... terribly heartbroken. Is there anything I could do to take your mind off of him?"

Soutine stared down into Laurier's eyes, shining in the firelight. There was something comforting about him, something Soutine couldn't quite put into words, something drawing him deeper into those dark heavy-lidded eyes. "I don't know," he said at last.

"Alright. Let me take this off of you. Have you changed your clothes since you came to Solancee?"

"No."

"Ah, that explains the smell. I thought you might have a dead animal in your pocket."

"I don't smell that bad!"

Laurier just shrugged, smirking a little, before reaching around Soutine's waist to untie his bloodstained shirt. Soutine felt his heart pound harder in his chest. "Just be careful," he added loudly.