Petrea nó Cereus stared out the window of the beautiful house and felt…disappointed. She had been in Tiberium for weeks now and had expected to feel…happy? Relieved? Satisfied? She didn’t know how she had expected to feel exactly, but disappointment wasn’t it. It had everything she dreamed of: beautiful buildings, delicious food, fascinating history, exotic peoples from all over the world and, most importantly, Marco. At first, Tiberium felt magical, just as every other city and country they had visited. And being in Marco’s home was even more special as he excitedly showed her his city, taking her to all of his favorite places, and proudly introducing her to his friends. But she quickly grew weary of Tiberium, and of its people. The Tiberians knew what she was and shunned her. Just as Aliks had predicted. It was worse than Aragonia, and far worse than Alba. There was no reverence or protection for courtesans here. Petrea was tired of hiding herself and pretending to be someone she was not. She was no Tiberian matron, no lady of the house.
She turned her gaze to where her lover sat at his desk, bent over business sheets, and smiled to herself. Being with Marco was everything she had expected and everything she had hoped for. He was loving and attentive, kind and caring, and so excited to show her the life that they could live together. But his nearness couldn’t seem to fill the emptiness she felt. She had put on a brave face for him, trying to find solace in his happiness at her presence in his home. But even his joy and his passion could not make up for the hole in her heart.
Simply put, his love could not make up for home. It was home that Petrea missed. Not just Cereus House and the City of Elua, but her chosen family there: her best friend and Dowayne, Aliks, the adepts she was helping train, the members of the other Houses, and the nobles who she took as patrons. Blessed Elua, she even missed the foolish gossip that had driven her away in the first place.
Petrea knew that trouble was brewing in the City of Elua. Letter from Aliks had been waiting in Tiberium: the Judiciary was closing in on the Night Court and the guilds were at each other’s throats. As Second of her House, Petrea knew she had responsibilities to her House and she worried that she was ignoring them – and for what? She feared that her absence might have consequences that could not be undone. Her forehead creased in a frown as she thought over what she should do.
As she stared out the window at the setting, Marco came up behind her and put his arms around her waist. He nuzzled her neck and kissed her throat.
“What troubles you, love?” he whispered in her ear.
She sighed, leaning back into him. “Thoughts of home, I suppose.”
She turned to face him, wrapping her arms around him.
“I worry,” is all she could say, resting her head on his chest.
He turned her face to his and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
“Come with me,” he said softly. “Let me distract you.”
Petrea closed her eyes. Disappointed in her situation? Yes. Missing home? Yes. But what would happen to their relationship if she left Marco and went home? Would she lose him?
She couldn’t stand to think about that and so she let him guide her to his bedroom.