Begin Anew - End

[Abigail pov]

Water fell. A waterfall of steaming clear water that showered through my hair, amongst my body. A soap that washed the filth, accumulated because of our… our activities. Even now I could still remember the pleasure, the way in which he played with my body.

The shuddering breath I took as I did the same. An exchange, feeling oh so unequal. I had taken more than deserved.

A breath echoed from my mouth, my hand grasping the wet glass, feeling it slide against my hands. And the breath, so cold against the steam, a warm echo.

An abrupt stop, the waterfall of water, flowing through my hair and amongst my body. Cut with a single turn of the knob. I rose, a snap of my fingers. A greater flame that heated the droplets of water upon my body.

Turning them into harmless steam. My reflection in the mirror faded by that same action.

An almost hastily torn outfit placed over me. Torn from its rightful place and draped over my form. In such a hurry that I doubted it even fit properly.

But now was no time for worrying. I could see about fixing my outfit another time. Right now… right now…

Step after step. Hurried from the bathroom, the steps lined with exquisite tile… the wood of the hallway crowned with paintings made by some famous painter. Who now, in these grand halls, remained nameless.

Past the kitchen, tainted with the smell of burnt somethings. Until I reached the source of that presence. The fox-esque girl, her hair shining a blue glimmer. 

"You aren't truly blind"

A rage boiled within my chest. Watching as she tilted forward, placing that drink of hers down. With not a care in the world. As she trailed a finger over Gabriel's face. His eyes turning this and that way.

Trying to escape her grasp. His mouth slightly agape as he tried… and tried once more… to escape that grip of hers.

I took that small wrist of hers within my hand. Hate filled eyes glaring straight into her soul. A blazing inferno of power boiling just below my skin.

My breath hitched for a moment before I calmed myself with a deep breath. 

For a moment we merely stared at the other. Blue against gold. Fire against water. Her own power bubbling beneath her chest. A heaving motion that placed her back once more against the sofa.

"I would appreciate..." I drawled, a glare echoing straight into those aqua blue eyes of hers, "If you let go of my husband."

She smirked. A smile played on her face as she tore her back from the couch. Settling her hands over her knees.

"Your…?" She spoke, her voice oh so sweet, "I didn't know that the heir to the Lauragne's would marry such a lowly~ fallen~ noble~" 

A scowl marred my face. I tried to contain myself, but before I could, anger won out. My hand reached to my side. Formulas racing through my mind.

Only none reached the world. As mere moments before… I felt a hand placed over my breast, a head leaned over my shoulder.

"Don't… please…" He spoke and in his eyes was true pleading. As if he knew I would do such a thing. And that he was the only one that could stop me.

I sighed.

"Of course." I whispered back.

Turning my head so that my own draped over his. A picturesque scene only marred by Aia, the fox-esque detective.

"Detective Aia." I spoke. Finally turning to the crutch of this situation. 

"Yes, Lady Lauragne." She spoke, equally as respectful.

"There must be a reason you have disturbed us… at this hour no less."

She tilted her head. Aia rummaged through her pocket for a moment. Before she pulled a vial of blood. A taint within it with which veiled it from my senses.

I scowled.

"And what - pray tell - is that?"

"Blood, specifically your husband."

She nodded, placing it on the table. 

"Now, I am not accusing you - of the noblest Lauragne's nor your husband - of such vain occultism. However the evidence points that your husband was there at the scene. I need a statement."

…

A haunting silence echoed through the room. An oppressive presence stared through the window. Giving one last look before she left. Blue against gold. A gaze wherein none won.

Yet as I snuggled closer to my own. To Gabriel. I found a certain heat within my gaze. Pulling Gabriel even closer. Groping at his back… at his chest. 

Before I stood, a drink within my hand before I even knew it. I sat once more, placing that head. The head that had migrated over from the back of the couch to the bottom. 

Placed within my lap. Staring straight against mine. A silence.

Only broken when he stood of his own will. Adjusting his embrace against mine.

"She... who?" Gabriel spoke. His head leaned against mine in a certain co-dependent way. 

He knew the answer, yet I hoped… no, I knew… that Gabriel wanted to hear it from me. My own answer to the questions he had both answered and obtained.

"She…" I turned my gaze upwards, "Is a detective. Self-proclaimed at the least. She has solved enough crimes and cults to gain the attention of the royal family."

"The royal family, really?" He gasped out in surprise.

"Yes, she is… a powerful mage along with her intuition and prowess. It was obvious that she would be appointed."

He tilted his head, moving from my grip and onto my lap. Where he leaned his head against my breast. Softly breathing.

"For her to be here… and with your statement. It is obvious that something is brewing within here. But for now…" I loomed over him. A glint within my eye.

"Let's go back to bed."

I dragged his hand with mine, taking Gabriel through those same hallways, ultimately leading to the bed. Where I smothered him with my embrace.

…