The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Varisia always gets what she wants. Always. And what she wants is a baby. I... the last time I did something she disliked, she punished me. She refuses to let me wear clothes in the house. She said I have to get pregnant right away. She did that ritual to ensure it was a daughter. She said I had to behave myself or she'd kill Bull. What is she going to do to me for losing the baby? She'll kill him. She'll torture me. She'll... I don't even begin to know. And it's all my fault, I should have eaten healthier, I shouldn't have had as much sex, I shouldn't have been riding a horse... it's my fault and she's going to punish Bull for my mistakes. I can't go through all that again. I just can't."

[Lux]

Nox's expression is impossible to read; not because he's masking or blanking it clean, but because there's simply too much to read. Without a word, he rises to his feet and sprints to the house. Lux gapes a moment, starts to rise, then sinks back down. "...dammit," he mumbles, though there's a strange note of pride in his voice. "Stupid, noble, over-protective ass."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Finally Coquette sits up, staring after Nox. "What... where is he...?"

[Lux]

"He's going to tell the Mistress," Lux says softly, not letting go of her hand yet. "Taking the brunt of her initial reaction. Just like he always has," he adds softly, expression sorrowful and loving. And, perhaps, just a little confused. Certainly startled.

[Coquette Blacquin]

She stares after him, thinking of the communications crystal -- "for emergencies only", but surely this counts, there's been a death... "Her wrath will fall on me," she suggests, bleakly. "She adores you two. Not me. I've been a burden to her since the day we were wed. I was forced on her, neither of us chose this."

[Lux]

"That is... not the impression we have gotten," the tiefling says slowly. "She speaks of you often, glowing and affectionately. Even before-- before-- when we were still in Nyra. She questioned us both most intently to determine if we would be... compatible to you."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Pretty sure she holds a grudge against me trying to kill her still. She takes a deep, shuddering breath. "I didn't think i'd get this desperate, to... to hurt myself. I didn't think... but I just... I keep seeing the babe, my poor dead daughter, and I can't... I want to scream, to hurt myself, to do anything to make it stop."

[Lux]

Dropping her hand, Lux instead pulls her into a warm but gentle hug. "Then scream. Curse and throw things. Talk to me, talk to Iron Bull, get drunk, dance with abandon, run into your lungs burn and your heart drowns out all the thoughts you're having. But please... please don't leave us all. I-- we will do better. Be better to you. I promise."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I-- I wanted this baby," she whispers, breaking down into sobs on his shoulder. "I didn't at first, but... a daughter to love and hold and take care of, a daughter, I wanted... I wanted to be a real family, no matter how bad the beginnings were. I wanted someone to love and to love me back."

[Lux]

He rubs her back, a bit lost in how he can possibly help with all this. "You do," he finally hits upon. "Your handman. Iron Bull. He loves you, doesn't he? And you him? The two of you are adorable together, even if you try to be private about it."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"He d-does," she sniffles, nodding a little against Lux's shoulder. "I just... I always kn-knew I'd get married one day but I wanted to be in love with my spouse. I want to... I want to get to know you two on my own terms, not how Varisia wants it. I want to fall in love with you."

[Lux]

"You... You do?" he asks, a bit startled. "We had thought-- well, we were incorrect, clearly." He swallows, licks his lips to wet them. "Perhaps... Perhaps it is not too late. Perhaps we can try to start a new. If-- that is, if you wish it. I do not want to push or..."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I think... I think we will have to. If I am to.... if I am to survive, I will need more than just Bull on my side. I think... I have been a little afraid of you and your brother. But I need to be braver and, and really get to know you."

[Lux]

"Afraid?" Lux nearly yelps, eyes wide. Just then, in that moment of surprise, he looks... young. Innocent.  "Of us?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"...Varisia didn't tell me you were coming, just that she was bringing a surprise. And then we were wed, and I... things were so difficult with Varisia at first, we fought constantly. And the idea of being pregnant, and I didn't really know what you'd be like, and... I was afraid you wouldn't like me at all, and we'd be stuck together."