theiceroyals | At the End

Title: At the End
Notes: For

theiceroyals October quote prompt. I intended a drabble and ended up with triple that!

Narcissa settled her fingers on Lucius' wrist. Beneath them, his pulse still beat. It was weak and slow, but it was there. Narcissa took a shuddering breath and bowed her head. "Oh, my love," she whispered. "I thought we'd have more time."

"As did I," said a cracking voice.

She jerked her head up and stared, wide-eyed and breathless, at her husband. "Lucius?"

He turned his hand under hers and clasped her fingers. "Cissa," he murmured, lashes fluttering as he struggled to open his eyes. "Dearest Cissa. Every day, I thought there would always be tomorrow. Even during the dark years, I expected...." He shook as he drew in a trembling breath.

Narcissa shushed him gently. "Do not tire yourself, Lucius. We still have--"

"No," he said. He looked up at her, his eyes bright with the violent fever racking him. "There is no more time. I have to tell you, before I no longer can."

Narcissa brought his hand to her lips, kissing his knuckles as tears stung her eyes.

Lucius brushed his thumb across her mouth. "My darling. I love you. Of the many things I have done in my life, the only one I count truly intelligent was marrying you. Thank you for bringing me such strength and joy." He tipped his head back into the pillow and slowly closed his eyes. "I regret," he whispered, "that I could not do the same for you."

Narcissa choked back a cry. She climbed onto the bed beside him and wrapped her arm over his chest, her head nestling into the dip of his shoulder. "Lucius, no. No regrets. I have never regretted our life together, because we have spent it together. I love you."

Lucius held her. "I will always have time to love you," he said quietly.