Set sometime shortly after the Season One Finale

As Kenna's eyelids flutter open, she is immediately struck by the oppressive darkness of the room, devoid even of the usual moonlight from the windows. She's not sure what caused her to wake, although it wouldn't surprise her to learn it was simply the eerie stillness of the night. The whole world has seemed darker and more silent lately; an omen of serious illness and a testament to the fear and watchfulness that currently pervade the land. It is not a world in which one would wish to be alone, and Kenna feels thankful again that she has the man beside her to be her companion as the entire kingdom journeys through the shadow of death.

At the thought of her husband, Kenna suddenly realizes that while she can sense Bash's presence behind her, there is distance between them in the bed. Aching to feel his arms around her, she rolls over to discover Bash lying on his back. Although it is too dark for her to clearly see his face, she can tell from his rigidity and the sound of his breathing that he isn't asleep. She snuggles into his side, reaching out a hand to caress his cheek. Bash starts in the darkness, but immediately responds by reaching around to pull her closer, the fingers of his free hand running feather light caresses along the arm she has draped across his chest. His touch is gentle and full of love, but Kenna senses he is still distracted by the worry and guilt that has been stealing his sleep and shadowing his smile since it was announced that the plague had come to France.

"You aren't responsible" Kenna whispers, tilting her face upwards until her lips brush against the curve of his ear.

Bash sighs, leaning towards her until his head rests against her own. "I'm fine. Go back to sleep, Sweetheart," he whispers in response.

Kenna has not been married to this man for very long, and she has been in love with him for even less time, but she knows when he is lying. She is not amused by his self-inflicted martyrdom, nor will she be deterred by his gentle dismissal of her reassurance. Instead, she takes his chin in her hand, pulling gently at his face until they are nose to nose in the darkness.

"You are not responsible." She states again, not bothering to whisper this time. "There are some things in life no one can predict, and no one can prevent. You are not responsible, Bash. This guilt you carry is not your burden to bear."

The sound of her voice cuts through the stillness like a knife, disrupting the uneasy peace of the hour and lingering in the air. As the room grows silent again, Kenna continues to hold Bash's face close, trying desperately to see his eyes in the darkness. As she feels their breaths fall into sync, she wills her husband to accept her words, her assurances, her absolution as easily as he seems to accept the rhythm of her breathing. The changes in his eating habits, the lack of sleep, the way he carries himself as though the weight of the world is on his shoulders all frighten her. She pushes back the sudden rising resentment she feels that he doesn't understand that his personal torture is torturing her too.

As if reading her thoughts, Bash moves suddenly, wrapping himself tightly around Kenna as he buries his face in the crook of her neck. "I'm sorry." He breathes against her skin. She wishes she believed the apology was actually meant for her.

"I love you, Bash" murmurs Kenna as she holds him tightly against her, "I love you".

She hopes fervently that at least when she says these words, he believes her.