Citit - A Joyous de Wolfe Christmas by Kathryn Le Veque

Author:Kathryn Le Veque [Veque, Kathryn Le]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Medieval
Published: 2017-11-30T16:00:00+00:00

“YOU DO NOT seem happy for James,” Patrick said to Troy. “In fact, you have been quite depressing the past few days. Whatever is the matter with you?”

It was sunset against a clear winter sky and freezing conditions as Patrick and Troy stood just outside of the keep entry, dressed in their finest. They were waiting for Kevin Hage and Apollo de Norville, young knights who were serving at Questing these days, who were making sure the posts were set for the coming night. They were also waiting for the couple to be married to emerge from the keep, along with a host of guests who were inside waiting for the pair. Then they would then all walk in a group to the entry of the great hall where the mass would be said.

The great hall of Questing, built against the outer wall, had glowing innards, light and warmth filtering out into the deepening night. Smells of the coming feast were heavy in the cold air, making everyone hungry with anticipation.

All was as it should be with the wedding imminent, but Troy hadn’t seemed pleased with any of it and Patrick wanted to know why. He and Troy were very close, so his concern was genuine. Although he had a suspicion what it was, he still wanted to hear it from his brother.

“Well?” Patrick said after a moment when he failed to get a response to his question. “What is wrong?”

Troy grunted softly. He’d been avoiding giving an answer, but he knew he couldn’t avoid it forever. He knew that Patrick already suspected what was wrong.

“Has it been that obvious?” he finally asked.

Patrick nodded. “To me, it has. And probably to Papa. What ails you, Troy?”

Troy was silent for a moment. It was difficult for him to find the words. “It is the same thing that is always the matter with me when the family gathers,” he said quietly.

“And that would be?”

“My other half.”

So it was out. Patrick knew that’s what his brother’s trouble was and it was a sensitive subject for them all, especially for Troy and William. To those two, the missing brother was a deeply painful reality and Patrick was careful in how he proceeded with a conversation they’d had, many times, over the past four years.

“He was invited to the wedding,” he said quietly. “It was not as if he was excluded. He was invited.”

“But he did not come.”

Patrick scratched at his chin, thinking on what to say. This was something they’d discussed a good deal during Scott’s absence and Patrick honestly wasn’t sure there was anything more he could say that would be of comfort to Troy.

“Everyone deals with grief in their own way,” he finally said. “You know that Scott’s way of dealing with it was to run from it. He has started a new life elsewhere and, according to Papa, has finally found peace. Maybe he is simply afraid to come back here to face memories he has tried so hard to forget. You cannot be angry at him for it.

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