Because I love Lorcisse so much it hurts and we haven't gotten any on the show in weeks. I don't own Reign, obviously, or any of it's characters, etc, etc. This fic was inspired by Laurel's Fire Breather, if you want to check it out. Reviews are always appreciated!

Lola was beginning to wonder at the way heartbreak could play out so beautifully.

The night was warmer than it had been in months, finally breaking free of winter's endless chill, and lit up by the warm glow of the spring festival. She balanced on the fringe of the light, not quite turning her back on the shadows but not embracing them, either. On that night she was content to simply watch, the torches flickering in the blue of her eyes, as oblivious faces admired the dried flowers on the tables or paper decorations hanging from each tent, not recognizing the pain and sorrow so carefully laced into each one. Parties were Kenna's escape and Lola knew it more than anyone, having watched the poor girl plaster on a smile as Francis granted her the money and permission to organize such an event.

(Maybe he recognized the pain in her eyes, the way she wandered so lost throughout the castle. He had taken to doing the same lately - two moons without entities to orbit around, without a sun to warm them, both blaming themselves for their isolation.)

There were lanterns hanging on strings near the water, their reflections glittering, and people danced in a small clearing that had been made to the music of a wonderful group Kenna had discovered in the village. The kitchens had been practically chaotic that morning in preparation for the party, and now all the hard work was displayed beautifully on a long table. The royals had made their appearance, a couple that could be so beautiful if it weren't for the painful ice that grew in the air between them, frigid and clawing at each in turn. Lola nodded her head with a smile as they passed, but the tilt of her lips was every bit as forced as Kenna's, as Mary's, as Francis's.

("I've heard he's taken her to his bed. It shouldn't be surprising - they're both such powerful people, and Catherine has certainly had her eye on him for quite a while now.")

Kenna's heartbreak was contagious, it seemed - she'd passed it onto Lola after a night when she'd missed Bash just a bit too much and had finally been desperate enough to drown the pain in drink. She didn't remember a word she said the next morning, and perhaps it was for the best. The last thing Kenna needed was one more ruined romance weighing down on her conscience. That day, Lola had found Mary and practically thrown herself into diligent service, looking over letters, reading maps, arranging table settings.

Yes, it seemed heartbreak suited the three of them quite well.

But it wasn't broken, Lola had to remind herself as a man politely sought her out from her corner and shyly asked for a dance. She curtsied with a smile and allowed herself to be swept away into the light and the warmth, determined to quit sulking for the night. It wasn't broken because it had never been his in the first place, no matter how many long hours she'd spent beneath her covers mulling over his words and wondering at the way her sheets seemed to feel so cold. She refused to crumble at the way he so easily ignored and forgot her these days, refused to be angry or upset with him. She refused to feel anything toward him at all, she decided as she focused her attention on the young man in front of her. He was tall with sweet green eyes and a surprising splash of freckles on her face. As they swept around in a circle Lola offered him a sudden grin. He blinked and smiled tentatively in return.

As the music slowed she prepared herself for another dance when a hand grasped firmly at her elbow, the gesture so sudden and intimate that her partner's eyes grew wide. Lola was quick to yank her arm away even though the warmth remained as she turned, glowering at the man beside her. Narcisse simply smirked in return. "Lady Lola. Such a pleasure to see you finally out of the castle."

Her partner took a step forward - a noble effort, and Lola smiled at him in thanks. Narcisse followed the movement and his eyebrows raised. "I do apologize, have I interrupted something?"

The young man was forced to smile by common courtesy, though he clearly was unhappy about the entire situation. "I was just about to ask the Lady for another dance."

"Indeed," Narcisse rumbled, still smiling lazily. "I'm afraid I'll have to ask for a cut, in this case. I have important matters to discuss with her, and opportunities for such a conversation have been scarce lately."

Irritation sparked within Lola as the young man reluctantly bowed and stepped away. Narcisse didn't hesitate to help her into position, the light from the lanterns casting lanterns onto that smile. Lola surprised herself, though, drawing away and curtsying neatly. "I'm sorry, my lord, but you'll have to excuse me."

It was perhaps the rudest thing she'd done in many months, and what was worse was it had no effect - only moments after she'd found her old place did she feel a hand grasp hers from behind her, turning her to face blue eyes that shone at her even in the darkness. One eyebrow was gracefully arched. "Running away from your problems? How very unlike you."

She tugged her hand away, glancing over her shoulder briefly before moving farther into the shadows and behind a tent. The music still played brightly, but it did nothing to improve her mood as she glared at him. "You're hardly a problem. Simply a nuisance, especially when you seem so determined to chase away potential suitors."

"He seemed quite dull," Narcisse drawled, as at ease as she'd ever seen him. She wished she could be the same.

"I fail to see why you care," Lola managed through gritted teeth, her hands fisting in the fabric of her skirts.

"I'd hate to see such a fire as yours be reduced to a candle by a boring lifestyle, especially when you are very well aware that there are others who could offer you more."

"Others?" Lola scoffed. "Do you honestly think I would make the same mistake twice? I've learned very well not to touch something that so clearly belongs to a queen."

Instead of being flustered, as she'd so desperately hoped he would be, Narcisse chuckled. "So you've heard. It seems not even my bedroom activities can remain private." When she didn't respond, he grinned crookedly. "Do I detect a note of jealousy, Lady Lola?"

"What you detect," she all but spat, "is a note of irritation. You've clearly had your amusement, so why not leave me be?"

His grin faltered for a moment. "If you're implying that I don't care for you - "

"That is exactly what I am implying," Lola cut him off, taking a step back. "And that I don't care for you, either, so if you would kindly untangle yourself from my social affairs I would greatly appreciate it."

"You seemed to feel very differently when you all but threw yourself at me not so long ago."

Lola flushed. "I was not in my right mind."

Narcisse moved forward abruptly, his arm slipping around her back and drawing her close enough to take her breath away. He regarded her with mocking thoughtfulness. "And would you say you are in your right mind now?"

Lola was grateful for the darkness as her face grew impossibly more red. "Absolutely."

He leaned in slowly, his lips grazing against her ear. "And now?"

Feeling herself close to caving, Lola abruptly tore herself away from his embrace, glaring. "It's irrelevant."

She was turning on her heels and just about to leave when his words stopped her. "Would it be relevant if I told you that a certain queen has moved on, and that I am actually rather glad she has done so?"

Lola spun around, feeling herself snap. "No, it would not be relevant! Because no matter what happens, there will always be another whose invitation you'll be accepting while I'm all but begging for a husband."

"Is that so?" Narcisse advanced on her, eyes flashing. "Because as I hear it, his Royal Highness himself seems quite willing to have you by his side these days. Who needs a husband when they have the love of a king? Or a prince, for that matter, as I recall that Prince Conde was courting you for some time as well?"

"And yet here I stand before you, perfectly alone." Lola spread her arms out wide, the truth of her own words sinking between the spaces of her ribcage, eating away at the thing beating there. "I don't have the love of anyone, and you certainly aren't helping the situation."

Again he stepped forward, so close she could feel his breath on her face, though he didn't touch her this time. "You know that's not true."

She would not break for this man. So instead of collapsing and weeping like she wanted to, she forced herself to grow steely. Her eyes clashed with his. "Isn't it?"

He didn't hesitate and she wasn't surprised, his mouth crashing against hers in a way that was hungry and angry and everything that they were in that moment. She felt the heat of his hands against her waist, her own fingers betraying her as they grasped at his shoulders. It was a kiss that was so desperate that it obliterated all else until the need for air awakened her, made her pull away and raise her fingers to her swollen lips. He stared at her in the darkness, his chest rising and falling in time with hers.

"I always come back to you," he said after a moment, his voice unusually raw. "Even when you betray me, even when there are others who could certainly offer me more protection, I falter."

She shook her head slowly, feeling somewhat dizzy. When she spoke her voice was a whisper. "That's not good enough."

His expression flickered, then suddenly hardened back into its usual mask, his lips tilting upward crookedly. He gently took her chin between his thumb and forefinger, leaning in. Her lips parted despite herself, but he didn't kiss her. Instead he lingered just a hair's breadth away. "Then I suppose I'll just have to continue being your problem."

And with that he was gone, leaving her feeling especially chilled as he vanished back into the shadows from which he'd come.