#marilex

Chapter 4

It was a gorgeous day. Just the right amount of warm, so Maria could be comfortable in a dress and Michael wouldn’t sweat through his suit. Even outside in the beautiful garden venue. He stretched his legs out, watching Maria at the bar, laughing and flirting and tipping well as she got a couple fresh glasses of champagne.  “This is the most fucking ridiculous thing I have ever done in my life.” Alex grit into their earwigs. Michael couldn’t help but hide a grin in his champagne.  “C’mon, Manes, the service industry is a proud one. Don’t be a dick about it,” he murmured. 

Co-written with @ladynox

Dealing with Knights is starting to come together. I think we're more than halfway done now. Though there's still more story to tell and a lot more revisions to get through after that. Can't wait to post the whole thing though. @beautifulcheat and I are having such a blast writing it.

Alex drew his brass spyglass out of the oiled leather pouch at his belt, scanning the treeline until he found it, glittering above the treeline. A tower–vine covered, with white stone ramparts glistening in the sunlight. It seemed to burst from the forest like a great fist. 

If the rumors were to be believed, that tower was the nesting ground of the last known dragon on this continent. The Dragon of the Forest. 

Which meant it was where the Lady Maria must be imprisoned, if she still drew breath.

His betrothed. Who he was honor-bound to rescue. Seek out the dread beast that kept her from him, slay it. So they could live happily ever after.  

Or something. 

Alex slipped the spyglass away and urged Willow on towards the forest. 

Mari: I just dont see why you need this much hair stuff

Kon: my hair is 40% of my sex appeal, if it's not conditioned and blown out I lose almost half my chance at love

Mari: what, excuse- nevermind. what I'm saying is 7 stage hair masks are expensive

Kon: this is literally one of the richest families in the world

Mari:

Mari: you hair will be fine without your imported elephant poop or whatever shampoo-

Kon: maman your hair regime is about as intense as dad's, you are in no place to be making claims like that

fear will not serve you here

Michael’s workshop had never felt more like a mad scientist’s lair. The lights that had felt cozy by the light of day seemed to flicker, to be just dim enough to make his eyes hurt. They buzzed and hummed softly, and there was a weird sense of electricity in the air. The hair prickled up on the back of his neck, and Alex inhaled deeply, trying to settle his nerves. Antiseptic. Strong, sharp. Alex supposed he should be glad that it was clean.  It did seem like Guerin was going for comforting, with the warm leather couches and the few candles lit for… ambiance? Instead, it felt sterile. Too clinical.  Mimi weighed heavily in his arms. Apparently one of Sunset Mesa’s security measures had been potent sleeping medication. Anger roiled in Alex over that. That Mimi had been deemed more convenient asleep. “You can put her on the couch for now,” Michael said, quietly. He stood apart, aloof. Barely looking at Alex and Maria as they came into his workshop. Alex’s mouth went dry just seeing him again, Michael’s eyes dark and intent, the sleeves of his black button-up rolled up past his elbows. 

the stars fall like tears

Isobel always managed to look fresh and perfectly pressed, somehow. Even if it was godawful early still. And she probably got up at the crack of dawn to exercise, get food and then brave whatever was left of the storm to drive all the way out here. “I brought bagels,” she announced brightly, as she handed him a somehow still-warm cup of coffee. “You out of clean shirts?” Michael grunted, taking a drink of the coffee. “It’s gonna be a hot day. C’mon.” Nudging her toward his workroom, conscious of needing to give Maria an out, even if he wasn’t exactly sure what her needing it meant. Actually, he wasn’t sure what any of the previous night had meant. Just blowing off steam, probably.  Christ he wished it was more, though. Pathetically, desperately, wanted it to be, in a way that made him hate himself, just a little. Maria didn’t need that in her life. No one needed that.