Brion hurried back down the hall towards the dinner. How long had he been in there with her? He stopped before the hall, turning and ducking into a guest room to find a mirror and pull himself back together. What had he done? What had he ALMOST let happen? Why did he keep on letting these things happen between them? He looked like some crazed beast when he finally looked at himself in the mirror. And old beast. That was it. That was what was holding him back. He was almost twice Alicia's age. She was young and vibrant, full of life. He was reaching the top of the hill. He could never ask her to be his and let her shackle herself to someone who would grow slow long before she. She deserved a man that would keep up with her. Satisfy her. What if he couldn't give her that?
Meanwhile, he had been in there much longer then he might have thought. Dinner was over and everyone was now mingling in the grand hall with after dinner drinks and small desserts. Very classy. It was the first time that Eden could slip away from her parents the whole evening. Now that they were busy keeping up social smiles with their allies. She had been unable to see where Zane had slipped away to once the dinner was over, so she casually walked about the room, trying to spot him. She had thought a lot about him and what had happened between them in the woods. Just remembering it made her mouth go dry and her body tingle. One thing had become clear to her. She wanted it again. She wanted even more then what they had already done.
((I set up a few things here. One, Brion's state mind about Alicia. I was wondering if would be interested at some point of him coming across her with another man and Brion freaking out. Not at her, but almost like going into a sort dashing savior mode thinking he needs to save her from not only the man she is with but from herself as well. I don't know where a good placement for that would be. Definitely before they finally get together themselves. Maybe... right after the episode with Zane. It would trigger not just this wildness between them, but he can finally just tell her why he has doubts every time and she can put them at rest, finally making him able to be with her at long last. Then of course, I set up for Eden and Zane. I don't know where we can have them slip off too, but I figure they slip from the party to a more secluded place to play. Also, I was wondering if you wanted to throw in a Laine/Krade scene anywhere around her. It would be a good spot to toss one in if we wanted one for old time sake.))