She didn’t run away…
For several heartbeats, Theo didn’t move.
Aveline was here.
He found her.
That was all that mattered.
Theo released a breath he didn’t know he was holding.
She was curled up in the tree’s roots.
Her garnet cape was like a blanket as it covered her from the breeze.
Her body slotted in the space like she was being embraced by the Hawthorne.
Theo gathered himself and the basket from the baker.
He need to see if she was alright.
He tried to be as quiet as possible – she looked like she needed peace.
He understood why when he was near enough to hear.
“I’m leaving today, Mama.” Aveline’s voice was forlorn.
Mama?
“I don’t know when I’ll be back.” There was a clacking sound, then a drink being poured.
“I didn’t even expect to be married.” She huffed a dry laugh as she took her drink.
“Not without you, anyways.”
Another drink was poured and Aveline’s voice began to slur a little.
“Who would want to marry me anyways?”
I do.
She sighed as if she had a thousand burdens on her shoulders.
Why don’t you share them with me?
Instead of approaching closer, Theo sat on the other side of the tree.
“Would I even make a good wife?”
You already are.
“Much less a wife of a king.”
You’re perfect for me.
“If you’re going to sit there, might as well help me with this.”
The man held his breath.
Who is she talking to?
“Theo.” Her voice was breathy as she commanded him.
His chest tightened.
Not King Magnus this time.
He couldn’t help but obey.
With his basket, he rounded the tree to find Aveline relaxing against the base of the tree.
In one of the tree hollows, he noticed a stone plaque that read: Selene Leonor – Beloved mother and healer.
In another space was a bouquet of bloomed white lilies.
That’s why she wanted to be alone.
“How did you find me?” Aveline’s eyes were slightly lidded as she looked up at her husband.
“It was surprisingly difficult.” Theo replied as he looked away bashfully.
“Looks like you did some shopping.” She nodded to the basket.
Theo sat down opposite her.
“It’s unwise to drink on an empty stomach.” He pulled the bread from the baket and ripped a piece off for Aveline.
She eyed it suspiciously.
“If you think I poisoned it, I didn’t.” Theo tore another piece and made sure to keep eye contact as he chewed to show that it was harmless.
“Your baker friend would probably kill me if I did.”
At that, Aveline laughed.
It was light and sounded like it came from deep within.
“But I bet you’re his type.” Her smile remained as she took in Theo’s reaction.
“Please don’t remind me.” Theo shook his head at the memory.
“I’ll let Lark deal with him.” He offered the bread to her again.
Aveline came closer.
Theo expected her to take the bread off him, but she leaned down and ate it straight from his hand, biting a finger as she did.
The man was no stranger to pain, so he didn’t flinch but it still hurt inside to know that he wronged his wife.
“I… probably deserved that.” Looking over his hand, he realised that Aveline broke skin and he was bleeding on one knuckle.
He should have been mad but one look at her smug face, like the cat that got the cream, he couldn’t find it in himself.
“You deserve more than that.” Aveline came closer again until their knees were touching.
“For taking me away from my mother.”
Theo’s smile disappeared.
Aveline took another swig from the bottle.
So that’s what this is about.
“This woman taught me everything I know about healing.” She flopped back against the tree.
“Taught me what it meant to help others… only to get betrayed for doing the right thing!”
Betrayed?
By who?
His eyes read the stone again.
Selene Leonor.
I know that name…
Why?
“I wanted to find out who did it and bring them to justice.” Aveline sighed as her legs began to twitch just like at the banquet.
“How can I do that if you take me away?”
Her voice cracked.
Her eyes were steady as she watch the man.
Something wet slipped down her cheek.
She touched it and observed it curiously.
“Oh.”
Tears.
Then another.
And another until she buried her face in her hands and curled into herself.
Theo wanted to look away, let her have this moment, but a stronger part of him urged to move.
He wanted to comfort her.
His hand reached out.
But she said no last night…
He stopped himself.
His lowered his hand to fist his cape.
From her blanket of crimson, Aveline raised her head and blinked.
“Why did you stop?” Her voice was thick.
Theo blinked.
“You didn’t permit me…” He looked away sheepishly.
Aveline looked confused for a beat.
“What would you do… if I permit you?” Her hands were shaking as she waited for an answer.
What would I do?
Theo didn’t know what to say either.
“Anything to ease your pain.” His grey eyes were open and honest as they met hazel ones.
Aveline was silent as she considered his words.
“If… I said no one hugged me since me mother died, what wou -”
Her trembling hand caught the edge of his cape.
That was enough.
Theo closed the gap to take Aveline into his arms.
She seemed impossibly small curled against him; it only made him hold her tighter.
“I’m sorry.” He breathed as his hand patted her hair in comfort.
“I know what it’s like… so you can cry all you want.”
Aveline shifted to look up from his chest.
“I’m not going anywhere, Aveline.”
❀
By the time Aveline stopped crying, the skies were a shade darker and the ducks were returning to their nests.
Neither knew how long they had been there for, but they were comfortable.
Aveline was the first to pull away as she wiped her eyes.
Theo let her.
“What’s this?” Something in the basket caught her eye.
She lifted the lavender to show him.
Theo smile as he took it off her.
“I knew there was a reason I bought it.”
He stood to face the plaque.
There was another hollow below the lilies and he slotted the lavender into the tree.
“For you, mother.” His fingers gently traced over the name as he tried to recall the reason why he was so familiar with it.
“Is this for her too?” Aveline held the flower crown up to him from her seat.
Theo eyed it as he crouched down to her level.
“It’s for someone else.”
Aveline’s eyes flickered between the flower crown and Theo’s gentle smile.
Please wear it.
With a devious smile, Aveline placed it on top of her husband’s head.
I should have known.
“I like the style.” She adjusted the crown so it wouldn’t fall.
“But the colours suit you better.” She winked as she stood.
If you want me to do this, I will.
“How do I look?” Theo smiled as he adjusted his hair.
“Am I still Conan’s type?”
With her red, puffy eyes and wild chestnut hair, Aveline threw her head back in laughter.
Any trace of suffering from earlier was gone.
Soon, Theo joined her.
There’s that smile.
After catching her breath, Aveline gathered herself as she stood before the tree and took in the new flowers.
“This husband of mine can make me laugh.”
She wasn’t talking to Theo.
“I’ll be there for her too.”
He wasn’t talking to Aveline either.
“She won’t have to give up her life for mine.” Aveline’s head snapped to eye the other man.
“She can do her research in Paxmouth; travel freely in the kingdom.”
Theo placed his hand on the plaque as he kept eye contact with his wife.
“Bring the ones who wronged you to justice.”
This time, Aveline was the one who was speechless.