Elijah speaks with Gisèle…

“Chér,” he started to say something and hesitated — very unlike him.

“I find—” he stopped and then, “I am not accustomed to beings whose company I prefer to my own solitude. I wanted you to know — because I am less practiced at this than I am at most things.”

I looked up into those amazing ice

-blue eyes. He was watching me with the careful and tender attention he always did… always had. His beautifully chiseled face looked pained, but he was still so handsome it took my breath away.

“You’re doing just fine,” I smiled up at him. “I like your company too… very much.” I didn’t know what else I could say without sounding too forward. I felt a little giddy.

He nodded slightly with the comfort and understanding we had developed between us. He hesitated again — I could feel he really wanted to tell me something. He had become so open and forthcoming; I could not imagine what was on his mind…

“At home… in England… there is someone — I met her when we were much younger. 

“Elijah, you’re going to need to be more specific — that covers a lot of ground — younger…” I laughed, trying some humor to ease the moment. He became even more serious.

“When I was at university.” He said flatly.

“Ok…” I did not like where this was going. I immediately got a tight feeling in my gut.

“We were…are…betrothed.”

Every feeling I had been holding in, denying myself, and hiding for the last few months came rushing to the surface. I froze. I was stuck inside my body with nowhere to run screaming. I wanted to burst into tears — no, flames.

“I see, well… congratulations, I suppose.” I couldn’t help the last part. The disappointment in my voice was palpable, and it certainly wasn’t very professional, but we had most definitely crossed a line now. He was not doling out any mojo either — which was even more telling.

“It’s complicated — but I wanted you to know.” He looked deep into my eyes, searching for a response, but I was a deer in headlights: stunned and shocked.

He decided to try and ease the blow.

“The light is coming; I had better take my leave. Good night, Gisèle. Please sleep well…” Then he was gone…and he had called me Gisèle. I was gutted.