Sin eater

“Father, I have sinned.”

Reflecting in the cool light of the moon were tears that quietly trickled down the pale cheeks of the young woman.

“I—with my sister’s fiancé—I—” she sobbed.  “I didn’t mean to hurt her.  I – I love him.  I didn’t intend to f-fall in love with him.”

A gloved hand reached out and brushed away her falling tears.

She leant into his gentle touch, pressing her hand over his.  “Father… Father, she found us together last night.  She – seeing us—she ran away.  I—we d-didn’t follow her.”  Her shoulders shook as she suppressed a choked sob.  “We should have—we really should have gone after her.  She—Maria—Oh, Maria, I’m so sorry…!”

Outside, the wind rustled the long grass in loving caresses while night blooms blossomed shyly and sighed sweetly the delicate fragrance.

“How—?  Will I ever be forgiven?  Father, she died…  She died because of us!  Because of me!  I – I didn’t mean for it to turn out like this!  I wanted to tell her!  I meant to tell her!”  She clung to his hand and wept.  “What can I do?  Isn’t there anything I can do?  What should I do?”

“My child…”

The heavy door creaked open.  Footsteps.  Someone was coming into the chapel.

“That you have realized your sins…”

Tap.  Tap.  Tap.

“…and you wish to atone.  The thought surely will reach Maria once you know…”

Behind the young woman, it stopped.

“…to forgive first yourself.”

Eyes swimming in tears, she looked up.

The father’s face – young, beautiful, and entirely unfamiliar – was very close to hers.

Her mouth formed a soundless ‘O’ as he moved closer still.

“You are forgiven.”

Those words, whispered ever so tenderly, were the last thing she heard.

A frown between his brows, Claude watched the young woman, and the dripping blood, with an unamused expression.

“Have I ever told you,” he said slowly, “that white is never the color for you?”

Letting go of the limp body to fall sprawled on the ground, he stood up and pulled out a white handkerchief to daintily dab at a corner of his mouth.

“Luca.”

Gray eyes glanced at him; they showed mild surprise as though he just noticed him for the first time.  “Why, Claude, it’s only you.”

“It’s only me,” said Claude, green eyes regarding his person disapprovingly.  “What kind of priest is it that wears white?  If you mean to be holy, put more effort into it.”

“But I’m never holy,” said Luca with a soft laugh.  “And you understand I do not like to wear the color of sin.”

“That’s pretty coming from a sin eater,” muttered Claude.

Luca smiled indulgently.  “I’m sorry that you should not find blood of the stained innocents to your taste.  But what brought your delightful presence to my humble home, my dear?”

Claude nodded and the blue butterfly fluttered from his shoulder toward Luca.

“An invitation?” Luca looked at him.

“The duke has taken a wife.”


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(500 words)