Private Tales Half Burned in Flames

[Cullen]

Cullen laughed incredulously, the sound bitter. "That's what they want you to think.." he growled quietly.. "My mother and father had dragons, and a clutch that should have been mine. My mother's dragon died when she was killed, my father's fled to the wastes. The eggs..?" He shrugged and shook his head. "If they see a threat, they will destroy it. They will take everything, just like they did last time, and that is the only reason I have not beaten Leovold Solherre into the dirt already."

He leaned back, running a hand through his hair, the firelight casting shadows on his face. "I've seen it happen. Power can be taken away as easily as it is given. The trials, the Rising, all of it — it's just a game to those in power. We're all pawns, Eira, no matter how worthy we are." His voice softened as he looked at her, the anger in his eyes giving way to a deep sadness. "I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want to see you lose everything you've worked so hard for."

Cullen reached out, taking her hand in his. "You say you care for me, and I believe you. But caring for each other in this world is dangerous. It makes us vulnerable. It gives our enemies something to use against us." He sighed, squeezing her hand gently. "I don't want to push you away, but I don't want to see you suffer because of me either."

 

[Eira]

She felt foolish.

Every word she said to him only went to show how little she truly knew of the world outside of her family.

Power, what her father started to teach her after bonding with a Moon Dragon, was not unique to just her. Other families would have done it, perhaps even the Morvane's, but Eira was lucky enough to be blessed with a strong dragon. She did everything, poured her heart and soul into making her dragon's wings healed to full strength, but anyone could ruin that progress by tearing at her wings.

Eira found herself staring into her bowl, her expression crestfallen.

"Then we do not need to be seen... at least, for now." She braced herself for the hurt of his words telling her they could not even do that. Did she truly want this? If she begun to care what he thought, waited for the sting of his refusal, then perhaps there had been a way to melt the ice at her heart.

"No matter what they took from you once before, they cannot take Meala away from you now. I will not allow it." Eira still did not lift her head, to display that power she had learned to wield. No, she spoke defiantly, almost like a child. She had this power, so what good was it if she could not have all that she wanted and defend them?

 

[Cullen]

Cullen's smile grew and he let out a breath of quiet laughter at her words, his knuckles catching beneath her chin to tilt her gaze to meet his. A mistake as it was to fall at the mercy of her eyes. Those eyes were not simply brown. A million hues, in fact, so many that he wondered what the word brown even meant. They are the forest and the autumnal leaves, the soil kissed by summer rain. How could something so spellbinding be reduced to one word.

He'd stared too long, and swallowed.

"If I anger them, they will take her, whether you allow it or not." he said quietly. But that she cared at all caused his chest to ache as though the very fingers he held in his hand were clutched around his heart, squeezing at it. How long had he craved such care? She'd given him but a small taste of her affection in that room and he hadn't been able to sweep it from his mind since.

His own dark eyes fell to her lips, studying them as though they were another work of art. He was just a man, a lonely one, a broken one, and for one moment he'd felt something deeper than the anger that consumed him every single day. It was a drug, and as much as he told himself he could resist it, resist her, he couldn't.

Her name spilled out in a breath as he drew her toward him, closing the gap of static air between them until his lips collided with hers, claiming them, and his blood ignited.

 

[Eira]

Eira was quiet, all top aware of the change in his gaze. Her lips parted after a moment his eyes felldown her face, and a shaky breath exhaled and warmed her lips. Compelled as she was to remain adamant of her power and influence in this society, Cullen had rendered her incapable of ruining this silence. And yet she tried, words so ready upon her tongue now lost in her stillness as the man before her looked at her with a longing that made her chest fill with weight.

Three seconds. That was how long he could keep composure.

The first second had been a spark igniting in her, realising he began to move towards her. Eira lifted her head, following his movements aptly and committing to memory that expression in which regarded her with.

The second filled her with heat as his strong hands began to pull her close, and Eira's body was lost to his intentions. Off from her seat, she was guided by him to get herself closer to him, settling above his lap.

The third second, a kiss ignited the hottest flames to lash at their fevered skin.

She inhaled his air, that shared space between them moments before lips claimed another, stoked the growing fire in both of them. Eira gasped, inhaling his whisper of her name before melting against him in embrace.

Eira kissed many boys over the years, but none had made her feel like this. He had saved her life, and she had tasted it then with the first kiss, but now, she knew Cullen was more than the logs that kept her fire. He was unquestionably the environment in which kept her strong.

Her hands gripped at his shirt, pulling him impossibly closer. She had wanted this, to feel him against her and feel what she felt back in that room. Eira knew he wanted to do it again, and in the safety and privacy of his home, she indulged him.

 

[Cullen]

He had tried to keep his emotions in check, to shield himself from the pain that had become his constant companion. Yet, here with her, everything felt raw and real. The sweetness of her breath, the softness of her lips—it all threatened to unravel the barriers he had built around his heart.

He felt the weight of her hands gripping his shirt, pulling him closer, and it only deepened the intensity of the kiss. He had always been on guard, a soldier trained to defend against the cruelties of the world, but with Eira, it was different. She had seen him as what he was and yet reached out to him with an openness he hadn’t known he desired so desperately.

His hands found their way to her back, his fingers splaying across the smooth fabric of her dress as he drew her closer. He could feel the heat of her body against his, the rapid rise and fall of her chest. Her kiss was more than a simple act of affection; it was a declaration of something deeper, a need that he was all too willing to oblige, senses be damned.

When he finally broke the kiss, his breath was uneven, his face flushed with emotion. He gazed into her eyes, searching for something—reassurance, perhaps, or just a confirmation that this wasn’t a fleeting moment but something more significant.

“Eira—” he started, his voice husky and filled with the depth of his feelings, “—are you sure about this?” he breathed, his knuckles gently tracing the smooth slope of her neck, his lips grazing against hers.

 

[Eira]

He would find softness and adoration in her eyes.

Eira looked to him, hands moving to cradle his face. "More than anything."

She had lived in danger of her own family for so long, had played a monopoly of allies and influence, something she could not succeed in when it came to him. Eira stole another kiss to seal her answer, but pulled away to speak some more. "You came to me today. You fought beside me..."

But her interest in him began before this morning.

Seeing him that day on the training field, where they started their first days as cadets, Eira noted his strength and tenacity. His aura and voice captivated, and she knew she listened to every word he said that day. Even as he was ridiculed by Leovold, Eira resonated with the fight he gave back to the Solherre heir.

"You have so much to offer, Cullen, and I want to be part of it." And before he could warn her against it, against him, Eira Malennis pulled him closer and silenced him with a lingering kiss.

 

[Cullen]

Cullen’s resolve wavered, his doubts crumbling under the weight of her words and the sincerity in her eyes. The warmth of her hands on his face, the softness of her lips brushing against his—it was all too much to resist. Her touch, her words, her very presence—everything about her drew him in, unraveling the defenses he had so carefully constructed around himself.

He stared into her eyes, searching for any hint of hesitation, but all he found was an unwavering conviction, a determination that mirrored his own. The way she spoke of him, the way she saw him—Eira looked past the scars, the anger, and the bitterness. She saw the man he could be, the man he wanted to be.

His heart pounded in his chest, the final remnants of his resistance melting away under the intensity of her gaze. For so long, he had convinced himself that he was unworthy of such feelings, that anyone who got too close would only end up hurt. But Eira faced her own dangers, and he found himself wanting to protect her.

His hand moved to the back of her neck, his fingers threading through her damp hair as he leaned in once more, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss that left no room for doubt. This was his answer, his way of showing her that he was finally convinced, that he was ready to let her in, no matter the risks. The kiss was slow and deliberate, full of the unspoken promise that he was hers.

Cullen stood then in one fluid motion, pulling her up with him as if she weighed nothing. His hands slid down her sides, gripping the backs of her thighs, lifting her effortlessly against him. Their bodies pressed together, and he captured her lips once more in a kiss that was all-consuming, a raw declaration of everything he had held back.

Every doubt, every hesitation, melted away as he poured himself into that kiss, leaving no room for second-guessing. The intensity between them grew as he began to walk, each step deliberate and careful as he carried her toward his makeshift bed of cushions and blankets.

Gently, he lowered her onto the soft surface, his hands never leaving her as he followed her down, hovering above her. His lips, once devoted to hers, began to explore new territory, trailing down the line of her jaw to the delicate curve of her neck. He could feel her pulse beneath his lips, rapid and alive, matching the wild beat of his own heart.

His hands, strong and sure, roamed over her body with reverence, as if memorising every curve and contour. As his fingers found the laces of her dress, he hesitated for just a heartbeat, his breath catching as he began to untie them. His breath hitched as the fabric loosened under his touch, revealing more of her bare skin to be explored.

There was a reverence in his movements, a silent acknowledgment of the trust she placed in him. His lips returned to hers, softer this time, as if sealing a promise made in the heat of the moment. Cullen’s hands continued their journey, sliding the dress off her shoulders, his touch tender yet insistent, as he committed every inch of her to memory.

This was more than just desire—it was a need, a deep, unyielding connection that defied logic or reason. He knew, in this moment, that he would do anything to protect her, to keep her by his side. And as he drew back to look at her, his dark eyes filled with emotion, he knew that there was no turning back.

 

[Eira]

Her heart raced like a fevered rush, a temperature that could not cool when his hands and lips gave life and fuel to the fires that had her breathless. With her breathing hitching, nails digging into his shirt, Eira succumbed to him. How could she fight this? To say no or take it slow, when he could speak to the fires he ignited within her? And that desire, that impossible feeling of needing him to be hers allowed her to help him make the dress loose against her frame.

Nerves, it became apparent in the biting of her lips, her eyes fluttering closed as her head fell backwards for his lips to graze against her neck.

It was heard in her voice.

"Cull? Will it...?" She loosed a soft sigh, bringing her gaze down to meet his brilliant gaze. Gods, when he looked at her like that, she wondered what he would look like if they...

And her cheeks flushed with colour, Eira letting out a light chuckle. "You are going to do... with me, are you not?" That softness, that innocence, it all came back to her face but her dark eyes conveyed something else. Wanting, hunger, need.

She wanted him to do it, to be her first and only.

A hunger that he left her wanting sated.

And a need for him, an impossible need her never felt before until her lips first pressed to his.

"I want you to..."

 

[Cullen]

Cullen's gaze softened at her words, and the intensity of his desire was tempered by a deep, unwavering tenderness. Her breathless voice, the way her eyes met his with that mixture of want and vulnerability, left him speechless. He felt a surge of protective instinct and deep affection that only grew stronger with her admission.

He gently cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had gathered in the corners of her eyes. His own breath was ragged, and he took a moment to savour the delicate tension between them.

His fingers traced the contours of her face with a reverent touch, and he leaned in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. A gesture meant to soothe, to comfort her as much as it was to kindle the fire between them.
He could see the hunger in her eyes, the yearning that matched his own, but he wanted her to feel safe, to feel cherished, and to know that this moment, whatever it would become, wouldn't be some meaningless fling.

"We don't have to rush this," he murmured, his eyes locked on hers with a sincerity that belied his usual guarded demeanor. "We can take our time." he added with a soft kiss to the slope of her neck.

Cullen’s voice softened as he added, “I want you, Eira. But I need you to be sure..” he breathed. He couldn't stand the thought of being anyone's regret. He'd only just climbed out of the pile of ashes that was his past, but he had little to offer her, not yet anyway.

 

[Eira]

Eira's breath hitched, turning her breathing into soft pants of anticipation as she was faced with conflicting feelings. His kisses brushed at her neck, turning her body to become so alive and warm she had no true clue how it could be so. It was a wanting she had never known, that greed that wished for more, more, more but his words worked through that cloud of needs and wants, spoke to her of the infinite time they had dwelling here in his home far from the watchful gazes of the society Eira was part of.

Her hands clutched at him, quiet for a moment as she enjoyed his lips stealing her breath and wits needed to answer to his words. Cullen wanted her, and that alone made her lips tremble.

How could she find the right words? The ability to give voice to them?

"I never wanted anyone the way I want you to take me now." She felt foolish to say it, but her hands went to his face, forcing him to look into her eyes. There, in those dark and earthy hues he would see it. Her honesty, her openness. Her expression soft, unguarded. Her body calling to him.

"Make me yours, please..." Eira's voice had never been this earnest. Even as she spoke of the title she was to inherit. Never this true when she would speak genuinely. No, this was a decision she knew she could make and never regret. How could she when his lips already tasted her? Had collided with her own in expressions of their mutual attraction?

"If you walk away from me right now, I may never speak to you again." One last chance for him to walk from this...

 

[Cullen]

Cullen's breath caught in his throat at her words, his heart pounding in his chest as he looked into her eyes. Her vulnerability, her honesty—it was disarming, more powerful than anything he had ever felt. The gravity of the moment weighed on him, but the intensity of his desire for her was undeniable. Every part of him ached to be closer, to give in to the pull that had drawn them together since the moment they met.

His hands cradled her face with a tenderness that contrasted the fire between them, his thumbs gently tracing the soft line of her cheekbones. He leaned forward, capturing her lips in a kiss that spoke of his longing, his care, and his reverence for her. It was slow, deep, and full of promise.

"I won't walk away from you," he whispered against her lips, his voice thick with emotion. "I promise."
With a soft groan, he kissed her again, his hands sliding down her body, his touch claiming yet careful as he pulled her closer. Every movement was deliberate, filled with both passion and restraint. He wanted to savour her, to make this moment as meaningful as it deserved to be.

As he gently guided her back onto the cushions, the weight of the world outside fell away, the air thick with anticipation, with the promise of more. His lips traveled down her neck, his hands exploring the curve of her body as he felt her tremble beneath his touch.

"Mine." he murmured his quiet agreement, and then there were no more words necessary, only the unspoken understanding between them and the silent promise to give her everything that she wanted and more.

 

[Eira]

Eira was uncertain how much time had passed, but she woke up to a sharp pain at her side.

But that was easy to forget when she felt an arm lazily pulling her back into the warmth of a body, and Eira was quick to appreciate the strength in those arms after the night they had.

She could feel her cheeks flush as she recalled every moment of it, how satisfied and elated she was even hours after. With only a shared sheet and blanket wrapped over them for cover, Eira rolled so that she could face the man she gave everything to. His eyes were closed, but she had memorised the very colour of them during several intimate moments over the night. He had been gentle when she asked for it, had taken his time devouring her, and Eira remembered that devilish smile he gave her when she insisted he finally put her out of her misery and claim her true.

It was a night she would not forget.

The pain ached at her again, and she winced. The Chosen Heir leaned forward and stole a kiss before peppering his soft lips with small pecks to gently wake him. "Cullen? My side, need something for the pain..."

The more she became aware of it, the more it registered how much it hurt. The poison had done a lot of damage to the area, something the Ransa tears could not heal, but the concoction Faye gave them was enough to help Eira on her road to recovery.

 

[Cullen]

Cullen stirred at the soft touch of Eira's lips, a slow smile curling onto his face even before he attempted to blink away the sleep in his eyes. The warmth of her presence against him, the memory of the night before, filled him with a sense of contentment he hadn't known in years. But when she spoke, her voice carrying an edge of pain, his brow furrowed, and concern quickly replaced his drowsy contentment.

His eyes opened, dark and filled with worry, scanning her face, worried that he'd hurt her. "Your side? Oh.." he said, his voice husky from sleep. He shifted beneath the covers, propping himself up slightly as his hand moved to gently rest on her waist, fingers brushing carefully over the spot where he knew the wound lingered beneath.

"Hold on, let me get you something," he said softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead before slipping from bed with a quiet urgency and wrapping the sheet around his waist. He quickly moved to where they’d left the satchel with Faye's concoctions, and returned to her side moments later, kneeling beside the bed with the vial in hand.

"Here," he said gently, helping her sit up just enough to drink. "This should take the edge off."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I should have been more careful." he frowned.

 

[Eira]

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him to not treat her so fragile, but the soothing effects of the vial eased her growing frustrations that came with pain. Her eyes fell on him, watching him a moment and taking in his features. Eira softened with her growing affections for him, a smile teasing her lips as she realised that she had forgotten he had given her his shirt to stop the bleeding the previous day.

"Shame that the first time you were without a shirt, I was already dying of poison..." Unashamedly, her eyes wandered to his chest and the hints of honed abs hidden under the sheet he had wrapped around him. "But I am glad to be of sound mind and being able to appreciate the view."

The pain did not bother her now, not when the drugs contained to that vial were able to keep it away for a few more hours now.

Holding the second layer to his bedding to her person, she cleared her throat and looked around the cavern. The glow of the worms still glimmered above, and her eyes settled there a moment. "Do you have to tend to any duties today?"

Eira lowered her gaze to him, wondering if he was going to go about his normal routine or stay and give her some company. It felt awful to think that she wanted him to stay, selfish perhaps, but Eira had no true friends left and the sliver of kindness, protection, and affection Cullen had shown her... she was reaching for him like driftwood to keep afloat.

 

[Cullen]

Cullen couldn’t help but grin at her teasing, the warmth of her playful words chasing away any lingering worry. He followed her gaze briefly as it wandered over him, and when his eyes met hers again, they were full of the affection he felt growing deeper each moment.

"Is that so?" he murmured, his voice low and filled with amusement as he leaned closer to her. "Either way, I’ll make sure you get plenty more opportunities to enjoy the view." He murmured, his lips grazing her jaw.
"Sound mind, though? Are you sure about that?" His tone was teasing, his dark eyes sparkling with warmth as he looked at her. "I'm not sure anyone of sound mind would have spent the night here, with a ruffian like me."

He leaned in closer, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "Especially after seeing how dangerous I can be." His breath was warm against her skin, but the playful note in his voice made it clear he didn’t mean a word of it.

Pulling back, his grin widened, his hand trailing lightly down her arm. "But lucky for me, you're just reckless enough to keep me around."

As she asked about his duties, Cullen felt a pull in his chest. He could hear the weight behind her words—the vulnerability that she tried to hide. He didn’t want to leave her, not now. He shook his head, a soft smile playing on his lips. "All the dragons in Thanasis couldn’t drag me away today." His hand came up to gently tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, his touch lingering on her cheek. "I'm staying right here."

He shifted closer, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her against him with careful tenderness. His lips found hers in a slow, deliberate kiss, as though the very act of being with her was the only thing that mattered in this moment.

 

[Eira]

His words and presence brought a softness within her, cared for and nurtured by the kiss he placed upon her lips. Eira savoured it, warmed both their lips with a soft exhale as they took brief moments of rest in between. Her hands lifted to cradle his face, to hold him there and ensure he truly kept to his word.

She could get used to his kisses.

It stirred feelings in her, but one's she did not want to shy away from. They felt right, natural, and only born in his presence or whenever she thought about him.

They did not stop for some time, but either party had no complaints on that matter. The effects of the vial now calmed her, and Eira curled up into his side under the sheets that kept their body heat in place. "I think that was the best sleep I have had in... years."

She did not have a weapon within reach, or her own trusted guard keeping watch outside her doors. She did not have a maid search her rooms before entering it in case harmful objects laid in wait for her. For the first time, Eira did not think anything of her own security and safety once she stood inside this cavern home.

"Thank you..." She whispered softly, meaning it for a number of reasons he had done for her in the past day and night.

 

[Cullen]

Cullen smiled against her lips, his heart swelling at her warmth and the sincerity in her voice. "You deserve every moment of peace, Eira," he replied softly, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. "I’ll do everything I can to make sure you feel safe. I know this place isn't what you're used to.. But you don't have to look over your shoulder here."

He settled into her embrace, letting her curl against him, feeling the weight of her head on his shoulder. He looked down at her, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on her arm. "I could get used to waking up like this," He leaned down, pressing another tender kiss to her forehead.

"Will your parents be looking for you?.." he rumbled quietly.

 

[Eira]

Eira loosed a long sigh and remained quiet for a moment.

"They will not. Tyafainne is a hatchling of my father's bonded, and although he does not know the details of what happened, the fact Tya is not stressed on my part would ease Eirenthe, and my father. But... perhaps I should send word to him. Help him cover up why his heir is not present..." She began to chew on her bottom lip, thinking on it and listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"And I need to figure out what I must do to control what happens when word gets out my cousin passed." All these things she would have figured out if it were not the fact she was still recovering and exploring her feelings for this man. Lifting her head so that she could glimpse the warmth of his gaze, a smile tugged of it's own volition at her lips. "But I am enjoying my time here far too much. I never felt this at ease since..."

She trailed off, but Eira thought it too sad to admit she had not known a carefree day since her childhood. Before her fated day to become bonded to a Moon Dragon.

"Shall we eat something and perhaps go for a walk... or we can stay in this bed all day if that suits you?" A wickedness edged her words, but the look she gave him was pure innocence. "I think your kisses have an interesting healing effect that we should explore..."

 

[Cullen]

Cullen chuckled softly, his hand resting on her waist as he looked down at her, eyes full of warmth and amusement. "Well, if you think my kisses are healing, I’d be doing a great disservice to stop now," he teased, leaning in to brush his lips against hers again, just briefly enough to leave her wanting more.

"But as much as I'd love to keep you here all day—" He paused, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth, his eyes gleaming with the same wickedness she carried in her voice. "I do think a walk could do us both some good. Get some air, clear our heads... and who knows, maybe we can find somewhere secluded to continue testing those healing effects."

Cullen’s hand gently traced along her side, his gaze softening again. "As for your cousin and your father... you’ll figure it out. You’ve faced far worse, and you're still standing. Besides, if it all becomes too much, you know I’ll be right here." He tilted his head, his expression sincere now. "Whatever happens, you’re not alone in this anymore."

His thumb brushed over her cheek. "But for now, I say we enjoy this peace while we can. Let’s eat, walk, and if we happen to find ourselves back in this bed afterward..." He gave her a playful grin, "I wouldn’t complain."

 

[Eira]

Eira found herself giggling. Giggling. Never had she ever felt this playful, this disarmed and true to herself that she could respond to his sweet murmurs. "I am beginning to warm to the idea of finding a place to... heal." And because she could, Eira leaned up and pulled his head closer to her own, stealing a kiss before pushing him away so that she could begin to stand.

She needed to dress, and before she could leave the privacy of the sheets, she cleared her throat and pointed to the piled dress Faye had given back to Eira the previous day. "Would you mind handing me the dress?" Her underthings were within reach at least, but Eira could not bear to dress in front of him no matter what activity they did together last night.

There would be fresh clothes in one of the saddle bags on Tyafainne, but she could retrieve those later, perhaps on the way back from their walk.

"And maybe turn around... let me get decent before we think to eat." Pink blossomed at her cheeks, but Eira tried to sound aloof.

 

[Cullen]

Cullen couldn’t help but grin at the sound of her giggle, a rare, beautiful sound that seemed to fill the cavern with warmth. Her playful kiss left him momentarily stunned, and he laughed softly as she pushed him away.

At her request, Cullen glanced toward the dress she pointed to and gave a small nod. "Of course," he said with an amused smile, retrieving the dress from the pile and handing it to her, his fingers brushing hers briefly as he did.

When she asked him to turn around, the blush rising in her cheeks didn’t go unnoticed. His grin widened as he took a step back, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Turning around," he said with a chuckle, dutifully spinning on his heel. But before doing so completely, he cast her a sidelong glance. "You know, after last night, I didn’t think you’d be so shy."

His teasing was light, and his voice softened after a beat. "But take your time. I’ll try not to peek... too much," he added with a wink before turning fully, facing away with a mischievous smile on his lips.

 

[Eira]

Eira's cheeks burned, but was glad that he had since turned around and was not able to see how she blushed at the thought. "We were in the heat of the moment... and besides, I have never been... in front of anyone but my maids." She was quick to pull the dress over herself, fumbling with the laces at her back that the dress hung loose on her body.

She could have asked Cullen for his help at doing the laces, but the possibility of dragging him back to the bed instead of preparing breakfast was highly probable.

"Alright, I am decent." Her hands ran down the skirt, smoothing the crease a little but one that would need to be tended to once she returned home.

Eira peered around before her gaze strayed back to Cullen, and she felt it all again. That attraction, that pull she had to him seeing him wander the Merchant's Corner just yesterday morning. She supposed he caught her attention that first day they flew and were attacked by wyverns. Had caught her eye every time they were all to attend training, but she had always kept a distance because she still had been unsure of who would be an ally or not.

Now... now she explored what her feelings were for him, what her heart truly wanted now that she was alone, truly alone and away from her traitorous family.

Breakfast was a light meal, bread and butter, but the butter had been made with spices and herbs to give it a little kick. Eira enjoyed it so much, she had licked her fingers clean of where it had smeared on them. With some tea to wash it all down, she followed Cullen outside to where they would begin their walk.

She was relieved to see it was a dark and overcast day. On the wind, the promise of rain.

"It is as if we are truly alone out here..." She mused aloud. "As if this is not Thanasis... but Sanctuary and quiet..." Eira had been in and out of her wits upon their arrival here, and had not the thought to look around at the open area that surrounded Cullen's home. "I would leave home and my title if it meant my life and future would be this picture of peace..."

 

[Cullen]

Cullen’s brows furrowed as he walked beside her along the mountain trail he often wandered, the damp breeze playing through his hair and tugging at the loose shirt he’d thrown on. The way Eira spoke stirred something, a longing he hadn’t allowed himself to acknowledge until now. A loneliness he had always denied. He glanced at her, taking in the way her eyes reflected the moody sky, her expression soft and wistful.

A hint of doubt crept into his mind, the disbelief that someone like her, the Chosen Heir, would ever truly leave her birthright and all it entailed for the rough simplicity of his life. But despite the nagging voice, the idea planted itself stubbornly in his chest. The thought of her here, sharing this sanctuary day after day, tempted him beyond reason.

"Why don't you?" His voice was soft, almost lost to the wind, but there was a hopeful edge to it that surprised even him. He stopped walking and turned to face her, eyes searching hers as if trying to find an answer in their depths. "Stay," he urged cautiously, his expression open and earnest.

"We'll carve out our own path, away from the noise, away from those who'd hurt or use you, or bind you to a fate that you didn't choose"

The wind picked up, rustling the leaves around them and bringing with it the distant scent of rain. His smile was casual, as was the playful quirk of his brow, but Cullen's heart pounded as he waited for her response, the weight of his words lingering between them.

 

[Eira]

Not only was it too soon, but it was a ridiculous notion for them both to give breath... but his eyes, those damned beautiful eyes evoked something within her.

If there was a face that could convince her, it was his.

"I would. With you..." She went to him, closing the distance and stole a kiss. Her arms clung to him, but there was a hint of hesitance in her actions. When Eira withdrew, she could not meet his eyes. "If I had not been bound to a Moon Dragon... perhaps I would stay here with you... but I have Tyafainne. I have a history of these dragons learned, spent time studying their anatomy, their behaviours, made my dragon stronger again. I began to care for the well being and future of them, that..."

Eira looked up at him, releasing a deep sigh.

"I have a duty... to them. The dragons are what keep me... there..." And her noble influence and funds allow her to weave a web of resources to keep the moon dragons' future a prosperous one.

"If I were not to be the next Lady Malennis, perhaps I would... stay." If Ilir bonded with a dragon, or even Sidonie, Eira would happily impart the wisdoms of the Moon Dragons with them. She had wanted nothing more than to have a relationship with her siblings, to not have to treat them as acquaintances at arms length...

She would not have had to sacrifice her own person to ensure the Moon Dragons were cared for.

 

[Cullen]

Cullen held her close, his arms instinctively tightening around her as though he could shield her from the weight of her own words. Her kiss lingered on his lips, but the hesitance in her touch and the sorrow in her voice settled like a stone in his chest. He listened in silence, his gaze steady on her as she poured out her reasons—the dragons, her duty, her family.

When she finished, he exhaled a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding. He lifted a hand to gently brush a strand of her hair behind her ear, his touch as tender as the words he spoke next.

“I understand,” he said softly, his voice laced with a bittersweet acceptance. "It was worth a try." he added with a light smirk.

His thumb traced a light path along her jawline, tipping her chin so that their eyes met. “But Eira... what you’ve done, what you’ve sacrificed—none of that takes away from what you deserve. You’re more than your title, more than your duty. You’re allowed to want something for yourself, too.”

He smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “And if the dragons are what keep you there, I won’t stand in the way. But I want you to know something...” He hesitated, his voice thick with emotion as he leaned his forehead against hers. “If you ever decide you can let it go... if you ever want to put yourself first... I’ll be here. For you. Always.”

Cullen closed his eyes for a moment, grounding himself in her warmth. Then he pulled back just enough to meet her gaze again, his expression a mix of longing and understanding. “For now, I’ll settle for this moment. For you being here now.”