OOC: Background story
Julian sat in a chair by the window staring into the darkness outside. His hands were folded in his lap, their paleness contrasting with his black trousers. Dark circles under his eyes made the man look older than thirty-five. Sleep hadn’t come to him easily ever since the Dark Lady had visited him.
’You won’t disappoint me.’
Those words had been echoing through his mind every waking minute. Of course he wouldn’t disappoint her. He couldn’t afford it. One of his hands rose and brushed through his raven black hair as a sigh escaped him. Julian didn’t know what to do. Solange hadn’t spoke to him in days. Every time she looked at him, he could see the anger, the hurt and the hint of hatred in her eyes. Who could blame her? He had forced her to choose between her children.
*****
A few days earlier.
“What?” Solange stared at her husband. She had been brushing her hair when Julian had stepped into their bedroom, telling her what the Dark Lady had said to him. “What did you say?” she asked, trying to sound calm as she continued to brush her hair.
Julian sat down in a chair and crossed his legs, his features expressionless. “I didn’t say anything. She left rather quickly.” The husband replied, keeping his voice even and flicked at imaginary dust on the sleeve of his crisp white shirt.
“I see.” Solange put the brush down and tied her hair with a dark red ribbon. Gracefully, she rose from her seat and approached her husband. “Which one does she want?” she asked, looking down on him.
Julian’s head tilted to meet his wife’s gaze. “She didn’t say, Solange.” he replied and folded his hands. “Which one are you willing to give up?”
“You…” Solange’s eyes narrowed. “You want me to choose?”
“Yes.”
“I won’t.” The woman turned around to leave when she felt her husband’s hand close around her wrist in an almost painful grip. He was now standing and pulled her closer. His other hand tilted her chin up.
“You must.” Julian growled. “You’re the only one who can do this.”
“Why me?” she hissed, tears in her eyes. His grip would leave a bruise of that she was certain. “If you so willingly offer our children’s blood you can bloody well pick one of them yourself.”
“No, it has to be you.” Julian released his hold when he saw the pain in her eyes but didn’t back up. Glaring at her husband, Solange rubbed her wrist. The pain had vanished from her eyes, had been replaced by anger.
“I won’t, Julian. You can’t make me.”
“Very well.” Julian stepped away from the dark haired woman and began to unbutton his shirt. “I shall send her an owl tomorrow, informing her that we won’t be able to fill her request.” He sat down on the bed to take off his boots, not noticing his wife’s shocked expression. “We should inform our families, too. I don’t want them to be surprised by the attack that will certainly…”
“Are you insane?” Solange was almost screaming. “What in Merlin’s name is wrong with you? If you send that owl she’ll wipe us off the face of the earth…”
“Unless you tell me now, Solange, which twin it’ll be.” Julian looked at Solange with a raised eyebrow. “Which will it be?” he asked her again, this time a little more forcefully.
Solange felt her heart thump in her chest. She was shaking with anger and if looks could have killed, her husband would have been lying dead on the floor by now. “I won’t give up my son,” was all she said before she stormed out of the room.
Julian sighed and relaxed visibly. Leaning forward, he buried his face in his hands. He had been certain that Solange would rather let one of her children die than lose her own life. It wasn’t because she didn’t love their children. It was because she had a strong survival instinct and very little heart when it came to others than herself or Julian.
However, he knew that he had just forfeited that privileged position in Solange’s heart but it was a price he knew he'd have to pay to achieve his goal. Now they were in it together. She would never be able to blame him for taking one of their kids. She had chosen. He could always say that he had been willing to send a letter. It would be blood on both their hands. They could go to hell for it together.
***
With a sigh Julian reached for his glass of firewhisky. He hoped that drinking half a bottle would help him sleep. If not he could still resort to a bottle of Dreamless or some other potion. Perhaps he should ask Solange for help. A humourless smile curled the corner of his lips. She wouldn’t mind putting him to sleep forever and who could blame her?