Invocatus Rex, Part II: Lucie, Chapter IV & Chapter V

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Title: Invocatus Rex, Lucie, Chapters IV & V
Fandom: Original Fiction, The Witch War Histories, Vol. III
Prompt: #46 Lamia
For: by tamingthemuse
Warnings: mild het sex, angst out the ass
Rating: PG-13-ish
Summary: The Peyton-Solons return home from London with a rescued Etienne. Declan sets up the new training camp. A surprise visitor awaits them all.
Word Count: 5,477
A/N: Ongoing story, in chronological order, here.

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This chapter has been moved, along with all prior chapters, to my LJ, where they're located in chronological order in the IR section of my memories.

Comments

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

Ah, you made me so happy at the start of these two chapters and by the end, my heart is in pieces.

The morning after the night before was so beautifully detailed and I love that after all the focus on Sylivie and Kincaid's passion and Xavier's unspoken love, that you can demonstrate so evocatively that love has nothing to do with youth.

Kincaid asking for permission to marry rang very true to his character. With his swords and battle training I do see him as a courtly character in many ways - a man out of time. And I loved that Lucie and he ganged up on Sylivie when she wanted to stay.

Xavier's pre-emptive strike with the money made me grin. There's a reason he's a good mediator and he knows how to chose his battles. But Aisling - eek.... I'd forgotten about her, and I'm with Lucie. I don't trust her one bit. The bit with her taking the kettle from Lucie and the ironing of sheets strangely made me think of the film "All About Eve" Nope, don't trust her at all.

And I do wonder with Etienne losing his healing - Jonah is the obvious culprit, but I'm more inclined to look towards Aisling - judgemental - moi.....

Two great chapters, but now you have to make it better!

[smwright.livejournal.com]

love has nothing to do with youth Why should it? *winks* Of course, you wouldn't have seen it yet with all the focus on the boys, but I try very hard through the whole of this story to show love and passion at various stages of life. Gavin remarks on it at the beginning of SA when Sylvie (at 15) seems offended by his and Cassandra's sexual banter one morning. I enjoy doing this; breaking with tradition.

Wasn't Kincaid just too adorable? Yes, it was very much in keeping with his character to ask permission of Etienne, and as much as he adores Lucie, to not ask it of Etienne and Lucie. I wish so much he (Kincaid) had known his parents; he would have loved his mother very much.

And Xavier, yes. The money was a smart move. I think he rather enjoys getting one over on Lucie. As well, this is Sylvie's safety we're talking about. What's the man going to do after all? He has more money than he could ever spend, although Lucie has no way of knowing that. Somewhere, I have a short about his first mediating job; I'll have to see if I can dig that out...

And of course... the healing. Jonah is the obvious culprit, but I'm more inclined to look towards Aisling - judgemental - moi..... You really don't like Aisling, do you? But no comment on her and Declan? I'm surprised. *g* Well, I'm sure the situation will reveal itself in time. As for making it better, this concludes chapter 5 of part 2. So, we're halfway through the book exactly. I suppose I shall make it better... eventually.

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

I think my logic was that if I didn't mention Declan and Aisling, then I could pretend it wasn't there. Oh the sand looks so pretty when you're looking at it this close......
Bares teeth at the interloper - get your paws off my Declan. *g*

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Denial can be a very good thing. I believe I am applying it to MM right now!

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Well, Sparrow got in before me and picked up all the points I was thinking about *g*
The contrast between the joy of the beginning and the sorrow of the ending... it was nicely balanced and although Etienne's withdrawal was hurtful, Lucie's acceptance of it was somehow even worse - that even a 'perfect' and long-lasting and still passionate relationship still has places that cannot be shared...
Kincaid's proposal and Lucie's prohibition, Xavier's ploy with wiring the money, and I'm with Sparrow on seeing Aisling as a more likely culprit (well, more likely if you've had the glimpse of her future).
Lovely pair of chapters. And still lots of questions unanswered. *g* That's good.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Lucie's acceptance of it was somehow even worse I think this is very true and am glad someone else feels that way.

And everyone's so suspicious of Aisling! Geez. Poor girl can't catch a break. *g* Surely Declan is smart enough to smell a fraud?

And still lots of questions unanswered. *g* That's good. Thank you. Where SA was about building long and sustaining tension, this is the "one thing after another" story. Poor family can't breathe easy for a minute it seems. All things in good time...

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Surely Declan is smart enough to smell a fraud?
Errr... No. Declan is a man. A young man. From a very male orientated world. He will always underestimate women, until he meets the one who will teach him they are really people too.
*g*
Or am I being cruel?

[smwright.livejournal.com]

they are really people too

I thought I knew how I would respond until I got to that last bit of yours. *g* Because I was going to bring up Sylvie. Surely meeting that woman would change almost any male's perspective on women in some way or another? However, I'm not sure she would be likely to teach a man that women are people, too, lol. A different lesson perhaps, but not that one.

Yes, I see your perspective. To this point in his life, Declan's sole 'relationship' has been with Lara. All other women have been momentary tools for the release of pent up desire.