𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter fifty; Inevitable
" You have grown flowers in the darkest parts of me, painted masterpieces on my heart, and become my light. . . "

  SEBASTIAN WAS THE one to escort Elspeth back to the Langlois wing of the castle. Demetre didn't have to explain for Elspeth to know he had to remain behind with Francis, the new King of France.

  And she didn't have to explain for Sebastian to know she was in pain.

  "Is there anything I can do?"

  "What?"

  Elspeth peered up at Sebastian as they walked, the man himself already glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.

  "You are upset."

  "I'm only worried for you and Francis."

  "Forgive me if I don't believe that, Ellie."

  She frowned, allowing Sebastian to open the door for her before she entered the wing.

  "Do you want to know the truth?" She said, turning to face him, "Why I am so. . . upset?"

  "Always."

  "I told Demetre I loved him."

  Sebastian felt his lips turn down as tears shone in her eyes.

  "And I realized how terrifying it was to fall in love with someone without knowing whether they feel the same way," She admitted, her voice wavering, "He has been strapped with duties since he returned, and the words came out the second I had time, and then the Naval Display. . . he disappeared, my first time seeing him since I said it was moments ago. . . clearly he did not respond then either. . . I understand why, but. . . it does not make it hurt any less."

  In all reality, Demetre had every reason not to answer her immediately. He'd hardly been given a chance, and Elspeth knew she shouldn't let that be something that changed them.

  "It is terrifying, but it is wonderful."

  Elspeth wiped a tear as Sebastian spoke.

  "Give him time to answer you," He said softly. "You asked Kenna and I to give each other a chance. I ask you to do the same of him."

  Elspeth nodded, allowing Sebastian to hug her before sending her off to her chambers.

  Where she lay awake the entire night, tossing and turning.

↬

  Elspeth Liens found out about the Black Plague along with the rest of the castle. Which was rather curious considering the early information she always seemed to be privy to.

  She hadn't seen Demetre since the night prior, but after hearing Mary's announcement about the sickness, found Kenna and Greer in the crowd.

  "Has she spoken to either of you about this?" Elspeth said quickly.

  "No, I haven't heard anything until now," Kenna said.

  "And Francis-- where could he have gone?"

  Elspeth pursed her lips, shaking her head.

  "I suppose there is only one way to find out," She sighed, "We find Mary."

  And so they did. Departing from their respective partners, Greer, Kenna, and Elspeth quickly marched through the castle to find Mary.

  "Mary," Kenna said as they approached, "Can you tell us what's happening?"

  Mary turned away from a conversation with Catherine to approach the women, though the latter's eyes lingered on Elspeth Liens even as she departed.

  "We have taken precautions. As far as we know, no one here has gotten sick. As queen, I will need to be isolated. I can't stay with you, I'm so sorry."

  "Are you alright?" Greer questioned, "Where is Francis, really? He wouldn't leave you, not now."

  Mary glanced behind her, before speaking in a hushed tone.

  "Lola sent word. She's having the baby. There are. . . problems with the birth."

  "Will she be alright?"

  "I don't know. All that I know is that she is my friend, and Francis is my husband. And God willing, there is an innocent new life. I tried to stop him from going to her when I found out about the plague. But he went anyway."

  "You were trying to protect him."

  "And now I must protect his people."

  "Mary, your task is to survive. That's what Francis would want."

↬

  "We will stay contained to this wing of the castle. No one is to enter or leave. I've no idea how long it will last, but we must keep our distance."

  Elspeth stared almost boredly as Demetre spoke to her and the guards and handmaids of House Langlois.

  He'd shown up in a flurry and started making demands without a single word to her, and his behavior was slowly grating on her nerves.

  "Keep your stations, and hold steadfast at the doorway," Demetre ordered, "Not a single soul; no exceptions."

  The people agreed before dispersing, leaving only Elspeth and Demetre.

  The man met her eyes, taking a slow step forward.

  "Petal. . ."

  "Finally have a moment to spare?"

  "Do not act as though any of this has been my choice."

  "Oh, yes, of course, my apologies," Elspeth scoffed, "My frustrations are never founded, it is never a man's fault, simply just the situations they seemed to be placed in."

  "Do not compare me to him."

  Elspeth raised a brow at his low tone.

  "Then say something," She dared.

  Demetre's hands flexed at his sides, shaking his head.

  "Then you are the same--"

  "I have loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you."

  Elspeth recoiled at his voice. The deep booming nature of it, as if every ounce of anger exploded all at once.

  "I loved you the night we met," He said, "I loved you when you were engaged to Sebastian. I loved you when I took you into my house. I love you, Elspeth Liens. Do not dare, for even a moment, challenge that."

  "Why did you never say a thing?"

  It was the only argument she could make. The only thing she could say to match his frustration; standing there in front of him she felt more like his prey than anything else. Elspeth figured if she didn't grasp onto the anger slowly slipping away, Demetre Langlois may devour her whole.

  "Before or after you became engaged to Sebastian?" Demetre asked, stepping closer to her.

  She retreated a step in response, but this only seemed to make humor light in his eyes.

  "Did you want me to sweep you up and tell you who you could or could not see?"

  "I would've at least liked to know how you felt," Elspeth argued, "Things may have been different if. . ."

  She wasn't sure what would have happened if Demetre told her before she sorted out her own feelings. Elspeth knew the fight was a fickle one; he had only ever had her best intentions at heart. Only ever put her first.

  But a part of her was upset. The smallest bit of her brain wanted to yell at him for not telling her sooner; it would've avoided at least some of her heartache.

  Demetre raised a brow, stepping closer to her yet again.

  Elspeth retreated again. As if some invisible force kept them inches apart.

  He loomed over her. Daring the argument on. Elspeth wondered if he liked her best when she was angry. When she was wild and lost all her manners.

  She wasn't feeling very courteous right now.

  "You're angry because I didn't hide you away from every man who ever looked at you? Because I didn't steal you away, all for myself?"

  She chewed the inside of her cheek, her emotions swirling into a mess in her head.

  "What do you want, Elspeth Liens?"

  Him. She wanted him. Elspeth no longer chased ideas like freedom or happiness, because she had long ago realized Demetre encapsulated all of it. He was her freedom, her happiness, her safety, her comfort, her home, her love, her heart.

  Even now, looking more hell than man, she loved him. Even as he took a step forward and she stepped back, bumping the wall behind her, she loved him. Even as he placed one hand on the wall beside her head, caging her in, she loved him.

  "Tell me. . ." He whispered. Almost a plea, almost begging. "Because if you have gone so long wanting for me to save you from it all. . . if you have gone on, thinking that I feel anything short of love for you, Elspeth. . . if you think for a moment I would not marry you tonight, tell me, so I may amend it."

The fear was gone.

The fear that had festered since she realized she loved him, the insecurity and hesitation; it all slid off like the shedding of a gown.

Because he was looking at her like she was. . . everything.

"You would give me your heart, before even knowing my intentions with it?"

  She wanted to say more. But her mouth only allowed a single question. One Demetre did not even flinch at, one he faced head-on.

  "It has only ever been yours, Elspeth Liens," Demetre spoke, "You have held my heart in your hands for years and I hope for you to hold it evermore, even if you break it a hundred times over, as long as it's you."

  Her hands came to rest on his wrists. Demetre had grown accustomed to being in close quarters with Elspeth, but very scarcely did her hands touch him aside from a formal escort, dance, or the occasional hug.

  But today, the hands of an artist traced his arms, up the thin sleeves of his cotton shirt. Her fingers danced along every muscle until she reached his shoulders, flat palms mapping out the surface before sneaking into the curls at the base of his neck.

  Demetre fought to stay focused. To stay present. But the feeling of her nails running across his scalp drove him mad.

  "Tell me. . . what it is you want, Petal."

  "I want to be yours. I want you to be mine. I have. . . since you left for Calais. . . I've wanted nothing more. . . than for you to tell me I would never get your blessing to marry any man but you. That I would be a part of House Langlois for the rest of my life. . . but I was so scared that you wouldn't want to take care of a mess of a girl for the rest of your life."

  "Oh, Elspeth," He said softly, lifting a hand to cup her jaw, "Caring for you has saved my life. . . you are the sun, and before I met you my world was ever dark. . . You are not a mess. Or a burden. Or a chore. You have grown flowers in the darkest parts of me, painted masterpieces on my heart, and become my light. . ."

  Demetre ran a thumb over her skin, leaving goosebumps in his wake.

  "You will be a part of House Langlois as long as you wish," He said, his gaze darkening again as he lifted her chin, "You will marry whoever you want. . . I have no interest in controlling you, Petal. . . but I am quite fond of giving you everything you ask for."

  Elspeth felt her face heat as his head dipped, a small smirk on his lips as he pressed a featherlight kiss to her jaw, right next to his hand.

  "I love you, Elspeth Liens," He whispered onto her skin, "If you wish to have me. . . you need only ask."

  He pressed another kiss on her jaw, this time closer to her ear.

  Elspeth could hardly think. This was different than anyone before; his warm breath fanned over her exposed neck, one large warm hand keeping her steady.

  This was not the light kisses she'd shared with men before. Or the formal flirting that happened at parties. It wasn't even like the stories she'd heard from her friends about their escapades.

  It felt like being lit on fire. Like being warmed from the inside out. It felt like she was connected to him by something tangible like an invisible string wound them together. Like comfort and chaos, desperation and patience; it felt inevitable.

  "I want you."

  Demetre smiled, raising his head only enough to level with hers. His hand leaning on the wall moved to her waist, gently running a finger over the corset that held her; he looked like both hunter and prey now. Focused, calculated, but soft and vulnerable.

  "Are you sure?"

  "Quit teasing me," Elspeth said, suddenly flustered under his gaze.

  "I've waited a very long time," He said softly, "I feel it is only fair."

  "Demetre--"

  "Are you sure, Elspeth?"

  Elspeth realized beneath his joking tone was sincerity. As if Demetre wanted to ensure she had no reservations before diving into deep waters; as if she had a reason to be scared. To be nervous.

  All she had needed was the assurance that he loved her, too. Hearing it from the man himself; she cared little for the tall tales surrounding him. Elspeth wasn't thinking about what others would say, the Monster of France marrying the stained daughter of a Duke and Duchess.

  She knew she wanted him, and this was all that mattered.

  So Elspeth Liens tugged him into her, their lips clashing together fervently. It only took him a moment to respond, matching her movements instantly. Demetre's fingers pressed into her, his head tilting as they fit together in perfect synchrony.

  It was better than Elspeth could have ever imagined. Being held so tightly, caged against a wall; things that before may have scared her. But now only fueled her fire. She didn't feel trapped there, pressed between the stone and the man; she felt like she was a canvas on her easel and he was painting her every color she had yet to see.

  His smell of spice and citrus cloaked her as soft lips worked with her own-- this wasn't a simple kiss. It was every week, day, and hour of emotion that they had both held back.

  Elspeth's stomach erupted in butterflies as Demetre's hand carded through her hair, cradling the base of her skull as if she would retreat anytime soon. Everywhere he touched warmed under his fingers; Elspeth figured if this was what a kiss was meant to be, she had never been kissed before in her life.

  And then slowly, their lips detached, and Elspeth let herself breathe air that was not Demetre's. He had not let her go, nor had she, so they stood still tangled in each other as they heaved heavy breaths.

  Her eyes opened, finding Demetre's already on there.

  They both stared at each other in shock and silence. As if surprised at what they had done.

  As if they were anything other than inevitable.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
1. I just added the 'act' chapters
and i think I'm loving it
2. HELLO AND WELCOME TO
ACT THREE!!
I had other plans for
Elspeth's story (spoiler,
she was supposed to have a
romance with Louis and end up
with him or back with Bash) but the
Demetre storyline literally possessed
this book so we took a hard left
and here we are!
I might end up writing separate
stories for Bash and Conde
because I do really love them LOL
but I cannot imagine Ellie with anyone but Demetre at this point