“Yes. Ava. Avalon Redding.” I pressed, “Not Madeline.”
Noah’s expression slipped from confusion into a look fit for a man being tortured. Agony ripped at his features and I felt my heart break for him.
“You look so much like her.” He whispered, closing his eyes.
“I know, I know. I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what I was apologising for, “Please Noah, I’m so sorry I came here.”
Noah staggered slightly and I held onto him. He was so large that if he were to fall, I would not be able to help him back up.
“Perhaps you should lie down.” I suggested, “Sleep it off.”
Noah nodded slowly, and opened his eyes.
Slowly we began ascending the stairs, Noah’s arm slung over my shoulder for support. I grunted with effort as I helped Noah through the dark passageway, no light guiding my way this time. It took much longer to reach the closet entrance on the way up, seeing as I was doing most of the work. Finally we were back into the handsome bedroom where Noah staggered to the bed and sat on it, slouching forwards.
He put his face in his hands and seemed to be quite upset. This was my entire fault. My stupid face hurt him every time he looked at me, I could sense it. Each glimpse into my eyes punched a hole through his bleeding heart.
I stood there awkwardly for a few moments, shifting my weight from foot to foot uncomfortably. I didn’t know what to say or do to make this better, or if Noah just wanted me to leave.
I understood now that Jack and Camryn had been trying to protect me, but from what? There was nothing to fear but a broken man. Noah was not mean, or dangerous. Just confused. I didn’t blame him. Jack and Camryn had been silly to think that I was in danger because I had a face similar to his Madeline’s.
Hesitantly I took a step towards Noah who didn’t budge or acknowledge my existence. I had to make this better. But what would I say?
“Sir?” I said quietly, taking another step closer.
Noah sighed and let his hands fall away from his face. His eyes were quite red, though I saw no trace of a tear.
“Sir, would you like to talk about it?” I said in barely more than a whisper.
He wrung his hands nervously then sighed, “I apologise, Miss Redding. I have acted most embarrassingly.”
“It’s really not my place to say, sir-”
“I have treated you very badly, when you have done nothing but be very helpful.” He continued as though I had not spoken.
“I’ve been treated fine, really-” apart from the fact that you just forced yourself upon me. I held my tongue.
“Madeline was my fiancée.” Noah breathed heavily, “We were to be married.”
Fiancée, not wife, I corrected my earlier assumptions.
“What happened?” I pressed. I thirsted to know about Noah’s past.
“It was a long engagement; we simply didn’t have the time to plan a wedding. We were a very busy couple,” Noah explained, “The first time I saw her was when I was eighteen, and Madeline was seventeen. Our family held a very important party that night to which Madeline’s family was invited. She was not from Frost Arch, but Flamethroat Valley, a luscious city south of here.”
I had heard of Flamethroat Valley once before. My mother Anya had visited there once as a child and told me about its beauty.
“Madeline was passing through with her family, very important people. Practically royalty. They attended our party while they were staying in Frost Arch for a few days. I saw her for the first time at our party. A masquerade. She was twirling and dancing with her father on the dance floor. She was so elegant, and I was mesmerised. I hadn’t even seen her face yet, because of the mask she wore, but I could tell she was beautiful. I suppose you could say it was love at first sight. I stepped before her and requested a dance. Of course she didn’t know who I was at first, but she accepted.
“Towards the end of the night we revealed ourselves and I could see my entire life in her eyes. I knew she was the one I wanted to marry. Her perfect, crystal clear eyes held my entire life within them. I told her father of my intentions on the day they were to leave Frost Arch, and he gave us his blessings. Madeline stayed here with me.
“You and she look so alike. When I first saw you, Avalon, standing on the grounds of the manor when I returned from my travels, I could have sworn you were a teenage Madeline. It hurt a lot to see you that day, for it reminded me of my love.”
I held very still and watched Noah intently as he told his story. I had a feeling he hadn’t spoken about it for a long time.