Private Tales Amongst the Night Blooms

[Olydia]

Olydia crossed her arms and stared daggers at Thorn.

"Yes, a misunderstanding." Her cool blue eyes assessed him in one withering move, lowering to see the way he carried himself before those bright eyes snapped back to his dark green. "For you have failed to take opportunity to ask me questions. Such as, what family do I hail from? Why was I enroute to the King's castle? What value am I worth?"

She let the questions seep into him. Felix knew already, but did he inform Thorn?

"An intelligent man would have figured my importance would be paid handsomely for my return, and swiftly at that. Or I could announce who I am to anyone else here and see to it they make the exchange in a timeley matter." No, Felix did not answer to her, but she did not have to answer to the likes of him. "I want to see it. The letter you are penning to send to my father for my ransom."

 

[Rafe]

Rafe folded his arms, mirroring her stance with deliberate slowness. His head tipped slightly as he looked her over again, dark green eyes still faintly glazed, but sharp enough. As she spoke, the corner of his mouth tugged upward, a slow, knowing curl.

“Oh, you’re right, my lady,” he drawled. “An intelligent man might have questioned the driver of said lady’s carriage. Might have pressed a blade to his throat, just a touch, to be sure he spilled every drop of truth before sending him on his way.”

His gaze held hers as his cheek dimpled faintly. “Lady Duskwood.”

“So, bein’ an intelligent man and all,” he went on, voice smooth, “I can assume exactly how valuable you are. And I will be returning you, soon.” His eyes flicked briefly to the door. “But not tonight.”

Felix shifted beside him. “She’s… supposed to marry the prince,” he murmured.

Rafe stilled. The change was subtle, but unmistakable. His jaw tightened, he cleared his throat and looked at Olydia again, slower now, as if reassessing her. A quiet huff escaped him, something like disbelief, something like reluctant sympathy, gone almost as quickly as it came.

“That little drop of truth,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, “was withheld.”

Then his eyes snapped back to hers, sharp and cold. “You’ll sleep here,” he said, tone brooking no argument.

He turned on his heel, already grabbing his shirt and moving for the door. “Felix can stand guard,” he added over his shoulder, a note of irritation threading through his voice, “since he’s so keen to play knight in shining fucking armour.”

As he passed Felix, he shot him a glare that promised a conversation later.

 

[Olydia]

Olydia was left stunned, but Thorn had turned away before reaping in the glow of him breaking her ice.

She turned her eyes onto Felix, her head shaking slowly with disbelief.

"Is he always like this? Drunk and... stupid?" It was the first word that came to mind, even if he had proved he knew who she was. "Why does the fact I am to marry the Prince enough to make him realise how precious of cargo I am?"

Yes, she may be all beauty and fair dresses, a lady of a noble house, but Olydia wanted to be seen as herself and not somone else's important prize.

Her eyes darted about the room, frowning when she could not find what she had been looking for. "Is there wine? I daresay I need a glass." In fact, she was sure she deserved a glass every time this Thorn idiot came into contact with her. Olydia sighed and sat back down in the bed she had previously been comfortable in. "I really do not want to sleep here." Finally came her whisper and she gave Felix a sad smile.

Thorn made his invitation to stay feel colder than the warmth this room held.

 

[Rafe]

Felix flinched as the door slammed, the sound rattling the empty bottles and causing the candlelight to flicker.. He stood there a moment, then let out a long breath and dragged a hand down his face.

“Drunk… sometimes. Stupid?” He shook his head. “Rarely. He’s many things, Milady, but foolish isn’t usually one of them.” he said gently.

He glanced at the door Rafe had disappeared through, then back to her, expression softening.
“He knows how valuable you are because of your name, milady.." Felix went on. “A couple of us overheard the instructions tied to your transport. We thought it was coin, or ledgers… Duskwood taxes, maybe.” He gave a small shrug. “Not a daughter. Not you... The matter of the Prince is.." he cut himself off, hesitating, then closed his mouth with a quiet huff. Instead, he stepped closer and held out his hand to her.

“Come,” he said simply. “You can have my room.”

He guided her from the chamber, along a narrower tunnel lit by lanterns, their light warm and honeyed against bark and stone. A rope bridge swayed gently beneath their feet, the sound of distant water echoing far below. On the other side, Felix led her into the hollow of an ancient tree.

His room was small but warm, walls curved with living wood, the grain polished smooth by years of care. Roots arched up and over the ceiling like ribs, woven with trailing vines and tiny lanterns that cast a soft amber glow. A simple bed was tucked into the curve of the trunk, layered with thick blankets and furs, and a low table sat nearby beside a narrow shelf cluttered with arrows, feathers, and a half-carved charm.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Felix said quietly.

He poured a cup of wine from a small jug and set it on the shelf beside the bed for her. “I’ll stay by the door,” he added, earnest as ever. “All night, if need be. You have my word.”

 

[Olydia]

Before Felix could go, Olydia reached out to catch his hand. "I wish I could do more to repay you for your kindness here, Felix. Perhaps I will settle on owing you a favour should you need one of me in the future. Whatever I can do within my limits." She gave him a smile, one filled with gratitude and ease as the change of rooms made her feel better than she had in Thorn's rooms.

Her hand released him, and she nodded her head at him. "I would hope you get some sleep when you can." For she needed it too.

The constant tide washing in and out with emotion had begun to take it's toll on her. Weary, Olydia had no more physical strength to go on. Her mind was ready to take it's rest.

"Good night Felix." It was a strange feeling to take up one's room. She felt guilty to have left someone without their bed for a night. Surely... it would only be this one night she spent here before she was returned home.

Not wanting to risk it, Olydia only loosened the string to her corset to something more comfortabe to sleep in. She was dressed, should an emergency have her need to be up amd ready. And as the minutes went by, she found herself sinking deeper into the bed. The sheets and pillows welcomed her, and she could smell the scent of spices and smoked wood. Felix.

Olydia dreamed that night. It was dark and she walked along a path lit with only torches. She wore a grand dress, and a veil shrouded her vision. A wedding. This was her wedding. At the end of the path was a man with his back turned, and before she could reach them, a shadowed figure stepped onto the path.

Not him. Don't marry him.

Olydia woke to the sound of voices outside. Being that there were no windows, she had no true sense what time of day it was or if she even slept a few hours or more.