It would have been a mistake for anyone, including the Peacock Angel himself, to imagine that he was unaffected by what had passed between Amarante LeGarde and himself. He had had time to think about it and looked into the flames of the carefully banked fire that burned in the hearth. During their encounter, he had asked her - no, he had ordered her to come to his chambers. No doubt the Seelie Court's conspirators had heard it and would continue to observe or would attempt to intervene.
In either case, the events would not be ignored by anyone.Taking a sip of Cognac, he was not sorry that Amarante had chosen the way that she did to communicate. For years he had watched her as a young girl and then blossom into womanhood. Now, the pure potential of what could be between them had unfolded just enough to entice them both. That is why when a soft rapping was heard at the doors of his chamber, it was not entirely unexpected.
Having discharged his attendants for the evening, he would answer the door himself. When he opened the door and found that it was indeed Amarante, he wondered at the sensation of distinct pleasure at seeing her again. "My Lady, "Melek gave a slight bow and opened the door so that she could enter discreetly, though he was certain that they were still not unobserved.
Once she has slipped inside, he closed the door with a satisfying click and then lowered the heavy inside bar so that none would intrude. If there were spies about, it would be difficult to hear through the heavy timber and iron portal. When he turned to face her once more, he found her standing barefoot on the thick Asian rug that was before the hearth, still cloaked but obviously wearing a thin nightgown beneath. He was not as interested in the errand she was making as he was in ensuring that she was safe. Given the current climate of treachery,, nothing else seemed nearly so important.
"Come," he said indicating a chair opposite the one he had been sitting in just moments before, "the cold seeps through these stones and you are barefoot. " Melek, not bothering to ask poured her a small snifter of brandy. "Please come sit and warm yourself by the fire."
As he handed her the snifter of the sweet amber colored liquid, Amarante held out the note. The seal was unbroken.
Melek read the missive and nodded to himself, satisfied. "It would seem that the Seelie contingent was convinced by our earlier meeting." He paused for several moments observing her. In this light, she looked even more beautiful, the garish makeup she wore before long since having been removed. " I trust," he said at last, "that I did not upset you during our rendezvous?"
Amarante seemed surprised by the question, and perhaps a little embarrassed. "Surprised me, oui. Upset me?" She took a moment to consider his question and their prior meeting, "Non Monsieur Melek," she said, "you did not."
The fallen angel nodded, more to himself than for her benefit. "It surprised me as well, " he said, " And I must tell you that I sincerely value the trust you have placed in me for this." He then dared take his confession further. "I was not, as you say, unaffected."
"As do I, Monsieur," such formality from her now, he thought. He watched her face as she continued. "I created this plan out of desperation and I did not know how you would react to my opening words in the chamber of mirrors."
"Amarante, ' he began, then paused for a long moment before continuing. " have watched you grow up into the woman you are today. It was my honor and privilege to follow your lead - and to free you from that disgusting garment that the Seelie blasphemed you in. Hiowever, I must tell you, that should you...." he inclined his head slightly toward her in deference, "that is..we, decide to continue on along the lines of what occurred earlier, in all honesty, would not be the one who would object."
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Date: 2017-04-11 03:30 am (UTC)In either case, the events would not be ignored by anyone.Taking a sip of Cognac, he was not sorry that Amarante had chosen the way that she did to communicate. For years he had watched her as a young girl and then blossom into womanhood. Now, the pure potential of what could be between them had unfolded just enough to entice them both. That is why when a soft rapping was heard at the doors of his chamber, it was not entirely unexpected.
Having discharged his attendants for the evening, he would answer the door himself. When he opened the door and found that it was indeed Amarante, he wondered at the sensation of distinct pleasure at seeing her again. "My Lady, "Melek gave a slight bow and opened the door so that she could enter discreetly, though he was certain that they were still not unobserved.
Once she has slipped inside, he closed the door with a satisfying click and then lowered the heavy inside bar so that none would intrude. If there were spies about, it would be difficult to hear through the heavy timber and iron portal. When he turned to face her once more, he found her standing barefoot on the thick Asian rug that was before the hearth, still cloaked but obviously wearing a thin nightgown beneath. He was not as interested in the errand she was making as he was in ensuring that she was safe. Given the current climate of treachery,, nothing else seemed nearly so important.
"Come," he said indicating a chair opposite the one he had been sitting in just moments before, "the cold seeps through these stones and you are barefoot. " Melek, not bothering to ask poured her a small snifter of brandy. "Please come sit and warm yourself by the fire."
As he handed her the snifter of the sweet amber colored liquid, Amarante held out the note. The seal was unbroken.
Melek read the missive and nodded to himself, satisfied. "It would seem that the Seelie contingent was convinced by our earlier meeting." He paused for several moments observing her. In this light, she looked even more beautiful, the garish makeup she wore before long since having been removed. " I trust," he said at last, "that I did not upset you during our rendezvous?"
Amarante seemed surprised by the question, and perhaps a little embarrassed. "Surprised me, oui. Upset me?" She took a moment to consider his question and their prior meeting, "Non Monsieur Melek," she said, "you did not."
The fallen angel nodded, more to himself than for her benefit. "It surprised me as well, " he said, " And I must tell you that I sincerely value the trust you have placed in me for this." He then dared take his confession further. "I was not, as you say, unaffected."
"As do I, Monsieur," such formality from her now, he thought. He watched her face as she continued. "I created this plan out of desperation and I did not know how you would react to my opening words in the chamber of mirrors."
"Amarante, ' he began, then paused for a long moment before continuing. " have watched you grow up into the woman you are today. It was my honor and privilege to follow your lead - and to free you from that disgusting garment that the Seelie blasphemed you in. Hiowever, I must tell you, that should you...." he inclined his head slightly toward her in deference, "that is..we, decide to continue on along the lines of what occurred earlier, in all honesty, would not be the one who would object."