Bound by Honor, Torn by Desire

Aleksasha's fingers clenched at her side. She smiled sweetly, forcing down the urge to slap the rude guest before her. To speak of a curse like the one that befell her family's house was to invite misfortune on the occasion and those who it honored. This was more than just a slight against Alek - it was a slight against Matias Volkov, the Duke of the North. 

What in the stars is she playing at? Inviting ill omen on Matias as well? When she's trying to crawl her way into… 

 "Lady Selene, tonight is such a lovely evening. The moon is shining so brightly and those honored by the festivities are dashing." Aleksasha replied politely in a kindly tone. "All tales of misfortunes past can wait for another night. You are our guest, and people are dying for you to go enjoy the evening." 

"Please excuse us, your grace. The Lady Selene is drunk on the magnificent wine and company." The dark haired soldier trying to stop Selene grabbed hold of her wrist and maneuvered her gracefully away to the dance floor that made it seem like she wasn't dragged there against her will. He glanced back at Aleksasha with an apologetic bow of his head. His face was flushed red with embarrassment. There was something in his dark eyes that Aleksasha recognized as pity. 

For whom does he feel sorry for? Me or Selene? What's his name?

It took her a moment but she remembered the man's name. 

Dusan. He's Dusan.

Aleksasha called back. "Enjoy your dance, Ser Dusan." 

Selene twisted against Dusan's insistence but threw her head back with an exaggerated laugh. "It's true then! " She glared at Aleksasha as she spoke the curse in the old tongue. Those around her that knew the curse froze and paled. 

Aleksasha's expression tightened and her stomach sank. This was exactly what she didn't want to happen tonight- for Selene to bring ill tidings upon them. "It is unfortunate, that you are still ignorant of our customs and courtesies, Lady Selene," her voice stern and full of disappointment. 

I want you out of my house and off my land.

Aleksasha thought bitterly.

One of the noble women near Aleksasha cleared her throat, drawing her attention. Alek looked at the interloper with a neutral expression. Lady Anya Serebrenikov stepped in between Aleksasha and Selene, her elegant silver white gown edged with blue twirled around her with the movement. She smiled apologetically, and her head tilted just enough to make her blonde hair fall into face. Her voice wavered as she quickly spoke. "Your grace, I'm sure she doesn't mean anything. She is after all from Esmea." Her gray eyes were full of fear as she looked imploringly at Aleksasha - as the duchess Volkova, it was her right to severely punish those who offended the dignity of the duke, especially on night like tonight. Matias was not known for taking slights lightly.

Another noblewoman nodded her agreement. Her honey brown eyes were large and her gown was a pale pink, cut modestly and trimmed with delicate white lace. With the woman's brown hair up in tight ringlets, it made Rosanna Lebonova look far younger than her thirty years. "Yes, your grace. Please be merciful. She is a Cabrera after all." Rosanna turned her head and looked at Selene with a mix of pity and scorn. "She can't help but bleat for your attention."

No one wants me to spill blood tonight. It's in poor taste to call Selene a goat but they hope to still my anger without harming her. Matias would not want me to whip the skin off the back of his guest, regardless of who it might be.

Aleksasha straightened and turned away from Selene, no longer looking at the horrid woman's face. "Yes, you're right. She's still in need of lessons. A thing I will remedy before she marries one of the many noblemen that wish for her hand." She smiled magnanimously as Rosanna and Anya guided her away from Selene while she suspected Dusan did the same with Selene. 

"Your grace, can you show us your garden? I heard you did much to breath life into it when you took over the estate." Anya asked brightly, still shepherding the duchess outside and away from the noise and crowd to some place quieter. 

As they emerged from the stuffy heat of the manor, a cool summer breeze brushed against Aleksasha's skin, carrying with it the sweet fragrance of jasmine, roses, and lavender. She smiled and pulled away from them to present the garden with a flourish. "Well my friends, welcome to the Volkov moon garden. We're blessed that tonight the moon is full." The light of the lanterns added warmth to the illumination of the moon. All around them was a thriving garden with the evening flowers opening their faces to bask in the moonlight. Water trickled within the fountain and flowed

A wave of white moonflowers, and vibrant yellow primroses intermixed with fragrant roses, jasmine, and lavender lined the winding paths through the garden to the fountain at its center.

Anya covered her mouth in awe. "Your grace, this is lovely. After the late duchess passed, this garden lost all its color and you've… brought it back. I have so many memories of playing in this garden."

Rosanna nodded her agreement, leaning down to smell a moonflower. "Yes, Dame Volkova would've been proud of what you've done with the garden, your grace." 

Aleksasha smiled with pride. "I wanted to create a place we could enjoy regardless of the time of day. The duke is so diligent, I was concerned he would never get to relax in his own estate, so I worked hard to make it a place for him to feel at ease," she warmly replied. 

"How thoughtful of you. I doubt my husband would appreciate such effort," Anya replied with a soft smile. 

Aleksasha looked at Anya curiously. "Does he need a lesson in how to appreciate his wife's efforts on his behalf?" She raised a well manicured brow as she appraised the woman more carefully. She was only a few years older than Alek, her skin smooth and face charming. The way her hair was pinned up drew attention to her graceful neck and the pearl necklace adorning it. "When he has the prettiest flower at his side?"

Anya blushed at the compliment, and straightened with a delighted smile. "No, your grace." She shook her head and smoothed her loose lock of hair behind her ear. "With the war over, he will have more time for me as I suspect the duke will for you as well." She pursed her lips together, appraising Aleksasha's expression for a moment. "How are you doing, your grace? It's been ten years since you saw him last… it must be overwhelming." 

Rosanna perked up and moved closer to the others to chat more quietly. "Yes, it must be quite a shock. You both were so young when you got married."

Aleksasha gently touched the side of her cheek with a soft blush. "It was. But, I'm grateful he's home. Everyone has been quite helpful over the years. And I hope now that we're both adults and he's home, we'll be ready to have children soon." 

 Of all nights, why did that woman bring up the Ulanov curse tonight?

Anya's and Rosanna's eyes glanced towards Aleksasha's stomach. Their smiles dimmed before they returned to looking at Aleksasha and the garden. Rosanna was quick to try to salvage the mood. "Pay that foul woman's ignorant words no mind, your grace. You have plenty of time to get reacquainted with the duke." 

Anya nodded her agreement. "Yes, you're incredibly generous to allow her to shelter here and to try to act as her proxy to get her an appropriate match! Did you have anyone in particular in mind for her?"

Aleksasha sighed. "I'm still deciding. I'm still getting to know Selene's personality. She's very…" She tried to pick her words carefully. "Willful. Courageous. Deliberate." She considered these descriptors. 

Anya and Rosanna looked at one another for a moment. "She's quite personable if a little unrefined. But she is still in a period of mourning. It might be advisable, your grace, to wait for a few months before finding her a marriage partner," Anya admitted with a thoughtful expression on her face. 

Aleksasha's gaze drifted upward to the light of the moon. "A few months… feels like… such a long time for a house guest after all this time." Her thoughts were adrift in the night sky, all the dazing lights made her heart feel light. 

How many moons have I waited to walk in this garden on a night like this with Matias?

She looked down at the cobblestone path beneath her feet. 

I can't ignore my guests like this. 

She shook her head and turned. "My apologies, I was…." 

Staring back at her was the stern and icy gaze of Matias. Her heart leapt.

Why is he suddenly here?