Divine Realizations [ Clarion X Milori ]

Chapter 33

Clarion walked down the hall at an accelerated pace.
Finally the day was done and she could relax.
She had just spent another productive day of getting rulers on board with her and Skye's latest invention.
So far no one had any qualms about accepting or maintaining the barrier.
Her and Skye had ended the successful day with a celebratory hug, unheard of in her dealings.
Clarion was a Queen and it was therefore forbidden for lower fairies to touch her or other royal members but she was so excited and relieved that she had made the exception for her good friend.
Friend being the keyword.
As soon as her body touched Skyes', he seemed to draw her in closer and for longer than what was appropriate.
Extricating herself gingerly, she excused herself for the night and was now making her way to her chamber.
As she continued down the hall, she saw light under Avalon's door.
Clarion frowned.
It was way past midnight and too late for her to be up.
Quietly, she detoured to the child's room and peeked inside.
In a pile of blankets, Avalon snored softly.
The only source of light was coming from a lamp on the bedside table.
Noiselessly, Clarion glided further into the room to shut off the lamp.
However she noticed a book on Avalon's' chest and a pen in her limp hand.
Taking both from the girl, Clarion was surprised to see that said book was her diary.
Marking the page, she closed it, sorely tempted to see what the mind of a preteen held.
But she would never trespass into the realm of someone else's thoughts and refrained from doing so.
Although that didn't mean she would lose sleep over the fact that a note had fallen out.
And that as Clarion bent to pick it up, her eyes had caught the words "Love" and "Ash" written on the page.
Oh lord.
Shaking her head and putting the writing materials back on the table, Clarion turned and kissed her daughters' head.
With all the commotion going on she had missed seeing Avalon as of late and hated the guilt that seeped into her soul.
She was no better than Milori.
As she walked out of the room and closed the door, she tried not to let her mind dwell on Milori.
She had not seen him face to face for a few days now and had not spoken to him in at least twice that amount of time.
Before it was not so bad, but now with both of them busy it was generous calling their relationship a marriage.
Or even a relationship.
Determined not to get caught up in all of that again tonight, Clarion finally entered the master bedroom.
It was pitch dark but she easily made her way to the expansive bed in the middle.
Quickly, she began to untie her dress and let her hair down, ready to go to sleep.
However she had forgotten where she left her hairbrush and was finally forced to turn on a light.
Lighting a candle, she nearly fainted in seeing that she was not alone.
Standing in the corner, now well lit, was Milori.
The soft light seemed to dance upon his form, highlighting an amused look in his gaze.
Clarion however was not amused.
"Milori, are you kidding me? What's the matter with you?"
Milori frowned but the amusement in his eyes lingered.
"What's the matter with me? It's my bedroom, can I not be here?"
Clarion remained silent, trying to analyze what Milori could possibly be doing here.
He was right, it was his room and his castle, but the fact was, they had not slept with each other or even been in each other's presence at night for more than a couple months.
She had even gotten used to sleeping alone and foolishly felt shy.
Still covered in her untied dress, she held the ends and raised her chin.
"Are there separation rumors going around? Did a servant catch wind that we don't sleep in the same room anymore? Is your reputation at stake? Is this why you've honored me with your presence tonight?"
Normally Clarion was calm and collected but she couldn't help the accusing tone that had entered her voice.
If he thought he could come back whenever he saw convient for himself, he had another thing coming.
His nostrils flared slightly, the only indication that he was affected by her passionate speech.
"Cut the dramatics Clarion, your not exactly sitting around in boredom are you? I heard you were out once more with Skye today and that you two even shared a lovely embrace."
Clarion didn't flinch.
Sometimes she did feel guilty about her friendship with Skye but she would give anything to have that with Milori, it was not as if she overlooked her husband in her friendship with Skye.
"It's true, I was out with the fairy you practically forced upon me or need I remind you? If I spend any time with him it's because you wanted it that way."
Eyes angry, Milori pushed away from the wall at this and came abruptly to stand in front of Clarion.
She swallowed but kept her head high.
She hadn't seen him this close in forever and forgot how intimidating he could be when he wanted to.
And how handsome...
How sad that the small act of him standing before her could make her heart race a mile a minute.
He let out a soft sigh and relaxed.
"Your right, I'm sorry. I told him to watch over you because I couldn't be the one to do it with all my duties. I never wanted it this way but it's how it is."
Clarion also softened at his words, seeing the old Milori she fell in love with come to light.
"You can change that though. It does not have to be like this. Deligate lower tasks elsewhere and make time for your daughter."
And for me.
He seemed to mull it over but shook his head forcibly and moved away, most likely to pace.
"I wish I could but as soon as I step back, things get out of control. You think I haven't tried? There's no winning, only sacrifice."
Clarion didn't know what to be more shocked at;
His cold words or the unrecognizable person he had once more become.
Flinging her hands up in exasperation Clarion replied,
"Well that still doesent answer the question as to why your here."
Milori paused his pacing in hearing this but didn't answer, seemingly hesitating in finding a response.
Clarion beat him to it.
"It does not matter actually. If your not going to put in effort, neither am I. You can sleep in the guest bedroom or in the soldiers' barracks until you can find time to free up your schedule and fit in your wife and daughter."
In saying this, Clarion lifted her chin and crossed her arms, determined to show that she meant business.
But one look at his face and she faltered inwardly.