One off hand comment of insecurity and Hakeem’s mind is blown by all the information pouring into it. He gets up to leave, grabbing his jacket, not noticing his glasses fall from one of the pockets. “It was lovely to meet you as well, my lady. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be taking my leave.”
As Hakeem makes his way to the open doors, Lady Eloise calls out to him one last time. “Mr. Al-Najim.” He turns around just enough to see her. “Do take care of those boys. I hope you won’t let what you’ve learned today interfere with your judgment.”
He clenches his fists at his side, nails digging half moon marks into his palms, mouth drawn into a taut line. Fate may have shifted and changed to bring them together, but it didn’t force him to feel the way he did about the two men who have found a home in his heart. He looks back to Lady Eloise, determination burning in his silver eyes, “I will let my heart speak for me, my lady.” The doors close behind him as he makes his way back to the party.
* **
From the shadows of the library stalks a figure towards Lady Eloise and Jean-Paul. “Annabella, a lady does not lurk in the shadows of a home where she is a guest,” says Lady Eloise whilst enjoying a tartlet with her tea.
“Mother,” Annabella Nocturne now stands over her mother, glaring down with her arms crossed across her chest, “was there a point in giving the poor child an existential crisis? He didn’t need to know all of that.”
“Didn’t he?” Responds Lady Eloise with mock shock lacing her tone, eyebrows raised on her wrinkled forehead. “It seemed to me he didn’t believe himself worthy of Edmund and our Jackson, so I simply informed him that he was. I simply wanted to chat with the boy over tea, but you know I have no patience for self deprecation. I may have over indulged a tad. Nothing incriminating was said, however.”
Annabella sighs, massaging the bridge of her nose once more during this exhausting affair. She sits across from her mother, accepting a cup of tea from Jean-Paul. Lady Eloise continues, “Besides, dear, wasn’t the plan for the boys to become close, further cementing their future in this harsh world of ours? The affection may be an added bonus, but it’s all for naught if they don’t think themselves worthy of one another. Hakeem is Jackson’s fated match, afterall, yet he still sees himself as less than.”
Annabella’s eye twitches at the outdated, yet oddly fitting, terminology. “The plan, mother,” her tone is strained, eyes flaring with ruby mana, “was to give the boys a choice. They shouldn’t feel forced towards each other. What if Hakeem now feels he has no choice but to stick by Jackson and Eddie’s side? Resentment is a poison on any type of relationship. Shadi already blames me and Christopher over the loss of his sister. If he feels Hakeem is being forced into this he may convince him to leave. We cannot pay our penance to what happened that day if that man refuses to even allow Hakeem to interact with our families.”
Lady Eloise rolls her eyes at her daughter, which only prompts more bursts of magic to expel from Annabella. “Calm yourself, Annabella. The boy will feel no such thing.”
“And how are you so sure,mother?”
“Tone, young lady.”
Annabella huffs as she sips the tea, at least it tastes good.
“For all your experience, Annabella, you still lack people skills. Are you telling me you couldn’t see it in that boy’s eyes?”
“See what?”
Lady Eloise lets loose a long, agonizing sigh. “It’s as plain to see as the moon on a clear night. The boy made his choice long before he left his room. I’m sure all of them did before the ball even began. Those boys chose-”
They are interrupted by a creak of the large double doors leading into the library, Eddie standing at the threshold. “Um,” he realizes he might have interrupted something, “sorry, I was looking for Hakeem. He’s been gone a while and I got worried. Jackson is getting some air and I didn’t know you were here, Lady Nocturne. I mean Mistress and Lady, I mean-”
He is cut off by Annabella raising her hand as she rises from her seat. “You interrupted nothing of importance, Edmund. My mother and I were having a little chat, that’s all. Hakeem has already made his way back. Perhaps he took a detour to get some air as well.”
Eddie bows at the waist, “I see. I will take up no more of your time, excuse me.” He turns to leave and finds Jean-Paul Christopher of him, holding out a familiar pair of glasses.
Lady Eloise calls out to him, “Do be a dear, Edmund, return those to Hakeem when you find him. I’m sure he’ll be needing them when that clever spell of his runs its course.”
He turns around slightly as he pockets the glasses.She could tell?“Of course, my lady. I’ll be sure they make their way back to him.”
An amused grin flashes across her face, fangs catching the light of the hearth. “Be sure that you do, dear boy. And take care of one another.”
He doesn’t need a moment to realize what she means, his heart warming at the notion. “I will, for it’s my honor and my privilege,” he says, as he heads away from the library.
Annabella goes to leave as well, “Well, mother, I hope you’re right and you haven’t ruined the chance for those boys to have a future together.”
Lady Eloise scoffs and waves her off, “Oh enough of the dramatics,Annabella. Return to your loving husband and gaggle of political allies you hoard like a dragon does to gold. Give my regards to Christopher and his lot as well I suppose.”
Annabella rolls her eyes as she begins to recede back into the shadows, “You could always join us, mother.”
“Oh, by the gods no, too many people.”
* * *
Once more Lady Eloise is alone in the library, except all four Jeans now stand behind her. “Welcome back, you four.”
They speak in unison, “What are your commands, my lady.”
