We Need to Talk

"Alek, we need to talk," Matias said bluntly, his voice low but firm. His nature, his directness, left little room for pretense. It was refreshing after a night of cryptic warnings and concealed intentions. 

Where did those two go? Did they run away as soon as they saw Matias approach? 

Aleksasha's gaze flicked behind him to where her friends must have retreated. Rosanna's silvery skirt and Anya's pink gown disappeared into the shadows of the moonlit garden, their figures resembling her garden's flowers drifting into the night. Aleksasha smiled softly at the sight before turning back to Matias, her expression shifting to one of mild surprise.

"Matias," she began suddenly flustered. She hadn't expected him to appear out of nowhere to talk to her during the party. "I apologize." 

How can a man so large move around so quickly and quietly? 

 "I didn't notice you there. How long were you standing behind me?" She looked at him curiously, she was forever learning new things about him. 

When will I ever get to know this man I married? 

She wondered.

He closed the distance between them, his large hands slid around her waist, and pulled her into a warm embrace. It was in such a smooth and sudden movement, that it startled Aleksasha. Her breath caught and she took a moment before she allowed herself to relax against him, her cheek brushing his chest.

Matias leaned down, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Long enough," he murmured, his deep voice rumbled in a way that brought back memories from the night before. The faint trickle of water from the fountain behind them mingled with the muted hum of the distant party. It felt like they were the only ones in the manor. 

Aleksasha looked up at him, captivated by the way the moonlight softened his features, yet his gaze remained intense. For a moment, she forgot the turmoil of the evening and simply admired him. "You said you wanted to talk?"

What do you have to say? I can't think straight when you look at me like that...

Matias's thumb brushed over her cheek as he smoothed a loose lock of hair behind her ear. "You looked upset," he commented softly. "What did Selene say to you?"

She tensed at the mention of Selene's name. Her lips parted, but she hesitated, unsure if she wanted to tell him everything that was said and how it made her feel or to keep it to the basics. She weighed her options against Matias's nature. She glanced away, uncertain, lightly biting her lower lip. "She… wanted to know about my father. She recited the curse in the old tongue."

Matias's hand slid up to her chin, lifting her face gently until their eyes met again. His cold gaze sharpened as he appraised her face as if he was trying to discern some hidden truth. "What else happened tonight?" he calmly asked, but his voice was laced with an edge that surprised her. "Ser Turold followed you to the balcony earlier, and that nobleman skulked away shortly after. Why?"

Aleksasha blinked up at him, startled by the sudden shift in the topic. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized the implication. 

He's been watching me all night.

She tried to calm herself, taking a slow, steadying breath. "Turold was… checking in on me. He is concerned about Selene. He said she's been asking questions among the soldiers. And Lord Adrian…" She trailed off, unsure of how much to say or really what to make of Matias's displeasure. "He's charming. He was making polite small talk with the hostess but nothing more."

Matias's jaw tightened at the mention of Adrian's name. His eyes flicked briefly toward the distant lights of the grand hall as if he was considering something before deciding against it to rest his gaze on his wife. "You shouldn't be alone with that man."

"Of everything I said, that's the only thing you want to comment on?" Aleksasha frowned, pulling back slightly. "I'm not a child, Matias. I'd be in a bad way if I could not deal with a spoiled prat of a man. I can handle myself." She shook her head. 

"This isn't about your capabilities, Alek," Matias said lowering his voice as he stepped closer, closing the distance she tried to create. "You're good at what you do. This… is about trust. Lord Adrian isn't as harmless as he appears."

"Trust?" Her brows knitted together. "And what about Selene? Is she harmless?" 

Matias sighed, his hand dropping from her face as he looked away briefly. His jaw tightened. "Selene and her situation are… complicated." 

Is that all the explanation you have for me? It's complicated? I want you to get angry on my behalf. Why are you so calm about all of this? 

She wanted to yell but instead she clenched her trembling hand at her side. "That's not an answer," Aleksasha shot back, her voice rising. "You've brought her into our home, into our lives, and expect me to accept her presence without question while she invokes ill omens into our house and pries into my past?" 

Matias's gaze snapped back to hers, his gaze back to their typical unyielding icy blue. "I will. I am handling Selene."

"Are you?" Aleksasha challenged, her voice trembling with frustration. "Because from where I stand, it looks like she's handling you." 

Her sharp and cutting words hung in the air between them. Matias's expression darkened. They stared at one another not saying anthing. Only the faint sounds of the party and the fountain's trickle broke the silence that blossomed between them. 

After what felt like an eternity, Matias reached for her again, his hands landing firmly on her shoulders. His thumbs gently stroked her collar in a soothing motion. "Alek," he softly implored, "I know how it looks. But I need you to trust me. Please, give me a little longer." 

I want to trust you. But what I am to make of it? You're gone all this time and you bring home..

"Trust goes both ways, Matias," Aleksasha whispered, her green eyes glistened with the threat of tears. "And right now, I don't know what's going on with you. I don't feel like you trust me but you trust her. Do you know how this makes me feel as your wife?" 

Matias's hold tightened on her shoulders, his lips parting as he started to say something but before any sound could be produced, approaching footsteps cut him off. They both turned. Ser Turold strode quickly toward them with a grim expression on his face. 

The knight paused as he saw them together on the garden path. Surprise danced across his face as he drew himself up straighter, like he hadn't seen whatever it was the married couple was doing alone in the garden, lost in eyes others' eyes. "Your Grace," Turold bowed to Matias and Aleksasha in turn. "There's something you both need to see." 

Matias sighed. He reluctantly removed his hands from her shoulders as he focused on Turold. His conversations with his wife momentarily suspended for business. The way he looked at Aleksasha told her that he intended to revisit this conversation later. "What is it?" 

Aleksasha smoothed her hair back behind her ear as she waited for the guard captain to state his purpose. She straightened like Turold hadn't interupted his lord and mistress arguing.

"It," Turold hesitated, briefly glancing at Aleksasha with a small frown before turning back to Matias.

Aleksasha sighed. "Please, Ser Turold. Go head."

With her approval, Turold continued. "... concerns Lady Selene, your grace." His tone apologetic. His shoulders slumped at his lady's visible displeasure. 

Matias's mouth thinned into a tight frown as his jaw tightened, like he was forced to taste something distasteful. 

Again it's Selene. 

Aleksasha's heart sank, her earlier frustration gave way to a deep unease. She glanced up at the moon for a moment, seeking reprieve before looking from Turold to Matias. Her husband met her gaze and they exchanged of look of mutual understanding and exasperation. Resignedly, he offered her an apologetic smile that was gone as soon as it appeared. 

Matias nodded to Turold. "Lead the way," he commanded. 

Turold looked between Aleksasha and Matias, before leading them down the garden path toward the manor stables. When his back was turned, Matias grabbed her hand, giving it a firm squeeze but not letting it go as they hurried after the knight. 

Aleksasha didn't pull away from Matias. She blushed as they walked openly hand in hand. 

I like him taking my hand. I just wish this wasn't over something important and we're in a hurry but... I just wish it wasn't in relation to something about Selene.

She smiled despite herself. 

It looks like I got my wish. We're walking together through the garden in the moonlight. It's just not how I pictured. 

She chuckled softly.

Matias glanced back at her with a curious tilt of his head. He looked like he wanted to say something but he didn't. He offered her a smile before looking forward again. 

Turold stopped beyond the stables at the edge of the forest. A heavy copper scent assaulted the cool night air and Aleksasha covered her nose. "Here we are, your grace." 

Matias frowned. "What is this, Turold?"