The Duke's Bride

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"I loved her too." I say gently sinking to the ground next to him. "She would have wanted you to live you know that right? She wouldn't want you live like this. Come back to dinner Lance come back to life."

[Lance Roidmet]

"You don't know what she would have wanted. Nobody does. She's dead. She's dead and I failed to protect her."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Lance," I reached out gently to stroke his face, "you were a child. You did all you could. Please come eat with us. Get to know my friends they will help us bring him to justice. Please lance give life a chance." I plead softly stroking his face and hair

[Lance Roidmet]

A war takes place in Lance's face, but finally, it sags in defeat. "Not tonight," he whispers, "But maybe soon."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

I stand and help him to his feet I open the door and ask Tova for a plate. I hand him the new one. "I'm conducting business tomorrow over dinner I'll have Tova bring you your supper tomorrow. Can I visit you beforehand tomorrow?" I ask gently

[Lance Roidmet]

"I... yes. Briefly."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"I'll see you at noon then." I say turning back to my table and my now cold dinner.  As lance leaves I turn instead to my friends. "Wild are you alright?" I ask noting that Tova is holding her hand tightly

[Wylde]

Wylde gives a low growl. "He stinks," she mutters, looking away with a small embarrassed blush. 

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"He's fallen off the bathing wagon for sure" I joke gently. "I'm sorry for how he acted. His family was killed by wearwolves, if I had known before tonight I would have warned you. I am truly sorry."

[Tova koshack]

"At least you got through to him. Also I put a rubble dose in dinner tonight which will help him sleep." I say looking at Wild gently

[Wylde]

Wylde blinks. "His family? The Duke and whatnot? I thought it was dogs?"

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"That was the public story. It was decided that dogs wouldn't cause a panic "

[Wylde]

"Shit," she breathes. "We're lucky there hasn't been a duchy-wide purge. Most of us don't really eat people, you know. Only the ones that can't control themselves. Mad wolves, we call them."

[Tova koshack]

"I know them well. My husband went mad and ate our son. Had to put him down......" I say somberly

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"I have promised him justice. Only to the one responsible a larg wolf with mottled brown fur. Wild Keep an ear and eye open if there is even a whisper of him we will need to look into it." I say very seriously