Deja Vu (2)

Writers: Halyonix, Heather
Date Posted: 25th March 2025

Characters: Coran, Mirona, Relea
Description: Coran and Mirona go on their first real date, but they're joined by an unexpected guest...
Location: Green Valley Hold
Date: month 2, day 18 of Turn 12
Notes: You can catch up on Coran & Relea's history in their series: "The Unwanted Sister" https://triadweyrs.org/series.php?sr_id=9

Relea

She had arrived in time to find out that everyone else had left.
Caught off guard, Relea had thought she could approach Coran alone,
speak with him, and perhaps try to mend their relationship. What she
hadn’t expected was his departure for a celebration. Well, if he was
there, then she would follow.

Leaving Corlea with someone she could trust, Relea took a some time to
prepare herself as quickly as she could. Not wishing to dawdle, she
did little with her hair save to brush it out, the light catching in
the undulating waves of her golden tresses, and put on a dress that
accommodated her larger belly, gold and red cascading over her frame.
She would have preferred to take more time for such an occasion, but
she was more eager to find Coran than to concern herself with
glittering adornments.

But as she entered the hall, she wondered if even that small effort
was wasted. When she saw Coran, he was not alone, but embraced a
woman whom he twirled around the floor, delight manifest upon both
their faces. Freezing, she could do nothing but stand there and
stare. Her husband. Another woman.

Yet again, another woman.

In her mind’s eye, she saw herself fleeing, tears stinging her eyes.
The latter did come to pass, but the former did not. Instead, she
remained rooted to the spot until his gaze fell upon her, and
instantly, his expression changed. Yet, she remained, unbowed, still,
and waiting.

The lively chatter, Mirona’s laughter, the music, all of it faded
behind the roar in Coran’s ears. As his eyes locked with Relea’s, the
rest of the world fell away. What was she doing here? He’d long ago
given up any hope that he’d see her again, except beyond a brief
greeting when he would visit his daughter - Corlea.

Why was she at Green Valley?

Alarm dashed through him. What if something had happened to Corlea?

Then he remembered the woman who was still in his arms, probably
wondering why he’d stopped dancing so suddenly. Wondering why he was
standing there like a speechless fool.

“Is it Corlea? Did something happen?” Coran asked Relea, because he
couldn’t fathom another reason she would be there.

[[No.]] Her hands came up, fingers snapping shut twice. At least he
had the decency to show concern for their daughter. Had he forgotten
her until she appeared? Glancing down, she wondered if her attempt to
show up in a presentable manner was even worth bothering. Tears stung
her eyes as her hands clutched at the skirt of her dress.

Mirona, for her part, could only stare in bewilderment. This woman,
whoever she was, had some great and prior hold on Coran. But…who was
she??

[[Then why are you here?]] This he signed, his hands moving back into
the familiar pattern even though he’d had no reason to use the hand
language in months.

Relea looked up as soon as he began to move, and for a moment, she
merely stared at him. How could he ask that? Did he not want her
here? [[Because,]] her own motions were jerky, the emotion rising
within her, desperate to escape, and she just as desperate to hold it
together. [[You’re my husband! I’m your wife!]]

Coran’s eyebrows shot into his hairline in surprise. The news that
they were _not_ divorced caused a confusing blend of emotions to
settle in the pit of his stomach.

He remembered Mirona at his elbow.

“Mirona, I am…” he looked into her eyes, “There’s no way I can
apologize enough, but I hope you will let me explain later. This is…
this is my wife, Relea.”

Explain? What was there to explain to her? If anyone deserved an
explanation, it was Relea, not the other woman. “Why are you
apologising to her?” She asked, trying to fight down the anger,
trying to remember why she had come, and fighting desperately to
contain the tears that threatened.

The threesome was starting to attract quite a bit of attention now
since they were standing in the middle of the dance floor while others
tried to swirl around them to the music.

“[Can we take this conversation somewhere else, please?]” Coran both
signed and said out loud for Mirona’s benefit.

Wife. He had said the word ‘wife’. In all of their conversations, not
_once_ had he mentioned that he was still with her. Or anyone! Mirona
had spent the last few months thinking that she had a clear shot
at…at…

At nothing. That’s what it was. Nothing. She had set herself up for
failure by pinning her hopes on someone _again_.

“No,” she answered angrily. “We will not take this conversation
elsewhere. I simply just won’t be a part of it because there is
nothing that you need to explain.” Her eyes flickered to Relea.
“Congratulations on your marriage,” she practically spit. With a whirl
of green, she stormed away.

That certainly drew even _more_ stares from those gathered. The people
of Green Valley knew who Relea was and no doubt their curiosity had
already been raised when they’d seen Coran with Mirona. Now it would
seem their suspicions were correct- he’d been publicly courting a
mistress.

Coran looked back at Relea. He would try to talk to Mirona later. No
matter what she had said, he needed to explain himself to her. For
now, his _wife_ stood in front of him, waiting.

[Shall we?] he gestured toward the door.

For a moment, Relea’s eyes followed the retreating form of Mirona
until the woman’s form disappeared from sight. Although she could not
hear, the way the other woman had looked at her, the way her mouth
curled in distaste, the way the lips had punctuated the silent words
spoke volumes. She didn’t see the words Coran had formed with his
hands, but she didn’t need to, for it was clear enough that he wished
to leave. He didn’t want to be seen, not with her. No, instead he
wanted someone else. Someone other than the woman he had made vows
to. A choked sob escaped, and without looking at him, she turned and
fled.

Last updated on the April 3rd 2025

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Deja Vu (2)