Kiss

The sound of jeers filled my ears as I gripped my hands as tight as I could. Even the self-assured confident Eleanora seemed a bit nervous as she edged forward on her seat. The horses trotted towards one another as their lances clashed against one another. Carlisle deflected Essen's lance as it rolled off of his shield. Meanwhile, Carlisle's lance pierced Essen's shield, shattering it. Their horses passed one another and I wondered if they met each other's eyes. 

From my gaze, I couldn't tell but Essen chuckled:  It's not as if you're going to stay married to her. I'll treat her nicely once she divorces you. 

Carlisle's grip on his lance tightened after hearing those words. Within the raging crowd and the sound of the horses, he knew that no one else had heard. Yet, underneath the helmet, Carlisle knew that Essen was sporting an oleaginous grin. He knew that Essen was grinning wildly, almost as if he drew pleasure from taunting the beast.