Her tears spilled, but she shook with anger as she shouted in his face. “What do you care? You left me alone last night to fuck your whore!”
Something snapped in Marius, and his hand rose, a vicious back-handed blow, Seraphina’s eyes growing wide, time slowing in that split second when the blow fell as she was pushed back, shielded. Kyle took it square on his face, his teeth ripping his flesh. He felt dizzy, blood gushing into his mouth from his torn lip, but he held tight, just closing his eyes against the pain.
Marius blanched, grabbing him by the shoulders. “What the fuck?!”
Kyle’s eyes flew to him, warning that she was still there, and he collapsed to his knees, letting Marius step to Seraphina. “I am sorry...”
She looked at him wide-eyed, wordless, and then her eyes drifted to Kyle, her thoughts churning, fear eating at her.This could have been me on the floor...
She felt Marius’ hand on her arm, and she shook him off, swatting his arm away. “Don’t touch me!” Heaving, her hand on her belly, she clutched Lis’ arm who had stepped over to her, her face blanched. “Take me to my room, Lisandra.”
“Yes, domina...”
They left, leaving Marius standing above Kyle. He leant down and pulled him up, cupping his chin. The bruise on his face was darkening already, his lower lip torn, blood flowing on his chin.
Marius’ eyes welled up. “Oh, pet... I’m so sorry... what were you thinking?”
Kyle looked at him, calm. “She’s with child...”
Marius sighed deeply; his anger wiped by his shame.That blow... it would have sent her to the ground...
Kyle turned to leave, and Marius caught his arm. “Thank you.”
He gently pulled his arm out. “I need to wash and clear the breakfast.”
Marius swallowed. “You’re mad at me...”
His grey eyes shone, mild, and he stepped to Marius, lightly kissing him on the lips. “No... but I have work to do.”
Marius gestured at his face. “And this? How will you explain this?”
He shrugged. “Lisandra saw it, so I’ll need to talk to her. Just tell the truth, sort of... that you hit me.”
Marius smiled, bitter. “Who would believe that?”
“It doesn’t matter, does it? Better to say this than confess that you meant the blow for your wife.”
Marius paled, and Kyle left him, walking to the well to wash the blood of his face. His cheek burned, a dull pain in the bones and in his jaw. He stroked it, the cold water helping somewhat, then he went to the kitchen to get the trays.
Lis was already there, and she flew into him, almost knocking him over, her arms around him. “Kyle!”
He sighed, prying her off. “Lis, you have to stop this, I’m fine...”
She looked at his face. “Sure you are! Look at you…”
He grabbed her by the shoulders, his face stern. “I’m fine. And what you saw there never happened. Dominus got angry and hit me. That’s all...”
She shook her head. “That’s not true...”
“Yes, it is.”
They faced each other off and she got it, her heart sinking. She lowered her head and nodded quietly, following him to clear the breakfast.
They busied themselves all day to prepare the dinner, Kyle’s face taking on a light purple color, darker on his jaw and cheekbone. His lip had scabbed, the dark blood caked in the corner of his mouth. Seraphina had stayed in her room and Marius was in his study, writing letters, keeping his mind busy.
Night arrived, and the guests, chatting away as they were led to the dining hall, brightly lit by oil lamps in large brass stands.
Clavius eyed Kyle’s face and took him aside, whilst the others were laying down. “What’s up with your face?”
