Private Tales Read between the lines

[Zana]

Anyone else would have had a fork through their hand.

Zana however only smiled, took another bite of her food, then slid the rest of it onto his plate just as she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek. She turned her attention instead to the warm garlic bread she had brought out with them, tearing a piece off and popping it into her mouth.

"I might have to try you with a risotto next, see how you like that," she pondered, tapping her fingers against her chin thoughtfully. "Or maybe I should go completely the other way and try a pie," she hummed. There were so many options but she had to figure it out, had to make sure that the Bolognese was indeed his favourite meal.

 

[Talus]

"Whatever you make will be utterly delicious." He told her with a smile, swallowing the last bites of food and scraping down the plate.

He smiled at her as he placed his plate down on the ground, Grey slowly wiggling his way over towards it so he could lick whatever scraps still remained there.

His hand then slid onto the small of Zana's back.

"I bet you could make gruel taste better." Talus said with a grin, leaning over to kiss her cheek softly. "Maybe I should just chain you up and keep you here."

It was only half a joke.

 

[Zana]

"Nobody can make that taste good," Zana actually gagged at the idea. To make it taste any better she would have to add so much and take so much out it wouldn't be gruel anymore. But, at least it would taste good. At his gentle touch on her back she uncurled her legs and shifted so that she was leaning now against him so they could watch the fire together. Once there she laughed softly at his comment.

"You don't think I would leave you with just gruel in the house did you?" she looked up at him in bemusement then raised a hand to lightly brushed the hair from his face. "Your cupboards have been stocked, as has your cooling chest, with at least eight days worth of meals. You just need to heat them up in the oven. I've left Paella, lasagne, roast pheasant, salads, some rice you just need to boil, and some other bits and pieces too," like a whole box of cinnamon cookies and some shortbread. In truth it was probably more like three weeks of food but the way he ate... well.

 

[Talus]

He smiled at her, no, he practically beamed.

The moment she finished her sentence Talus suddenly grasped her and yanked Zana into his lap, dragging to where he wanted whether she agreed to it or not. His lips pressed against her face, her cheek, her nose, her lips. "You're amazing."

Talus said between the assault of tiny kisses.

"Just amazing." He repeated as he pressed his lips to her neck and gently drew her into himself. Arms enveloped her, holding her tight.

This was all he wanted for the rest of his days.

 

[Zana]

Laughter rang like bells around the garden as she ended up straddling his lap, her arms wrapping loosely about his neck as he dotted her with kisses in such a frenzy she could hardly speak or open her eyes. When he finally eased his attack and drew her into him she raised herself up slightly so that she could rest her head on top of his for once and let him put his head into the crook of her neck.

"I try," Zana joked but in truth the idea of leaving him with less than par food at turned a knot in her stomach. It was a good thing he enjoyed her looking after him because she didn't think it was in her power now to not do that. Especially when it came to food. She was so content in that moment with his arms around her that she sighed and pressed her cheek against the top of his head.

"I love you and as such I will never let you eat gruel again."

 

[Talus]

He smiled at her, planting one more kiss on her chin."That's quite a commitment Zana Vjollca."

Talus said the name with surprising fluidity, as though he'd been practicing it in his head every moment since he'd first heard it.

"But." He said quietly. "I'm glad that you're willing to make it."

No. He wasn't glad. He was practically soaring about it. "I love you so much. I...I don't know what I'll do over the next eight days."

They had spent a month apart before, but now? Now a day would seem like a millenia.

 

[Zana]

Zana smiled down at him then placed a kiss to his lips, her fingers coming up to cradle against his cheek.

"Talus I plan to be committed to you for the rest of my life," she stroked her thumb over his jawline and watched the expression on his face, the way the firelight caught his eyes. She brought up the way he had called her wife to gently mock him but she didn't need a ring or anything of the such to know in her heart, in her very soul, that he was the person she was destined to spend the rest of her life with.

His comment on the next few days brought a sadness to her face.

"It doesn't have to be eight days, that's merely the maximum. You're welcome any time of day," she gently pressed a kiss to his nose. "I'm sure Grey would enjoy the company even if I'm out."

 

[Talus]

Talus nearly fell to his knees as she said the words, sputtered about his plans, asked her, revealed everything. Somehow though...somehow he kept his composure.

"Deal." He said quickly, snapping up the suggestion before she could even think of taking it back.

Zana wouldn't have, he knew that, but...the eager and earnestness in him wasn't going to allow him to let it go even if he tried. His lips brushed over hers, arms wrapping tightly around her core as he took in a deep breath. She even smells incredible.

Talus thought with a quiet swoon.

"I'll stop by." He said with a kiss. "If only to make sure you're okay."

Not that he would ever need to, thanks to the bond.

 

[Zana]

Another soft laugh as she let her hand drop from his cheek to return to the back of his neck where her other hand rested. She returned his kiss sweetly, her eyes drifting shut. The heat of the fire against her back and his arms about her body made her feel so relaxed that she could have practically fallen asleep there and then. She didn't want to waste the time with him though. The fact she was leaving when the sun rose was pressing more and more against her mind.

"Excellent, I will make sure there is a healthy supply of massage oil for my foot rubs," her lips twitched at the idea. It seemed so normal, so mundane, that it was never something she had ever considered coming home to. Now that the thought was in her mind however she wanted it.

 

[Talus]

Talus perked an eyebrow. "Foot rubs huh?"

The Dreadlord shook his head.

"I don't remember that ever being discussed." He smiled still though, brushing his lips over hers. "I suppose it's the least I can do though."

Of course there was no telling just when their schedules would actually met up. Talus had more freedom than Zana did, but he still had things to do. The Guard needed him as much, if not more, than Luana needed Zana.

Things were building, constantly shifting as Anirian politics came into play.

Despite that though, he would do his very best to see her when he could. "I'll do anything for you Zana."

Even if it cost him his life. "I love you."

 

[Zana]

Zana nodded when he repeated foot rubs back at her, a smile creeping across her face. When he kissed her after agreeing to her wish she gave a small squeal and returned his embrace like he had just promised to buy her the greatest gem of all time. It was such a small and simple thing but, like Talus, she got that feeling of being cared for in the simple agreement. Her forehead came to rest against his and she breathed him in, her eyes closing for a moment as she just luxuriated in the feeling of home he gave her.

"I know," she rubbed her nose against his. "I love you too," she pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

"Thank you for making this the best holiday I've ever had," even with the attempted assassination which still flooded her with anger even now, these memories were now her fondest. "I'm really glad you made this bond too," her eyes fluttered shut as she turned her face to press her cheek against his. It had erased any doubts she had harboured, any fears, any worries. He was the first person in her life she could trust entirely because of it.

 

[Talus]

Talus smiled against her lips. "Me too."

She had said the same thing before, but he felt butterflies in his stomach as she said them again. He was glad to hear them, to know that the Bond meant as much to her as it did to him. A breath filled his lungs, and he let his love flow through the tie that connected them.

"I wonder how it will work when we're away." Talus had not really considered it before, but now that he thought back. "When you were with the dragon...I could feel everything still, and in my mind there was...something like a compass."

He smiled. "I think it'll help me find you."

If he ever lost her.

 

[Zana]

Zana blinked at his voiced train of thought and then settled herself more comfortably in his lap to think about it herself, it brought them eye level again. As he spoke of how it had been whilst she had been with the Dragon she thought back herself. She had known where he was at all times but she had just assumed that was more of a sixth sense than anything to do with the bond itself. Though now she examined it again....

"It was the same when the assassins came, I knew where you were all the time," and the two moments had felt the same. Even when they had raced she had felt him sweep over her even if she hadn't caught a sight of it with her own eyes. "I do not think it will go away no matter the difference," she gently brushed her knuckles over his cheek. "Which means you will have to fight the urge to come running if you ever feel pain," because that would blow their secret entirely.

 

[Talus]

Talus hadn't considered that, in fact, the idea that Zana would ever be in pain suddenly terrifed him. Lips turned to a frown as he realized just to what extent they would share themselves. "Shit."

He swore quietly.

"Zana I'm not sure..." Talus looked at her, eyes catching hers. "I'm not sure I could."

There was a pang in his heart, an ache at the very thought of her hurting. "I don't think I could stop myself from coming to you, even if you were a thousand miles away."

 

[Zana]

Zana's face was the perfect mirror of calm as he spoke, as he worried, as he hurt at the idea of it. She gently took his chin between her fingers and when she spoke the words were soft yet firm. "You're going to have to, Talus," she held his gaze for a moment or two longer before continuing.

"I have to be able to do my job, they're going to have to be able to do their job," she bit her lower lip. Those would be the hardest days. When they locked her in the room with that man and tried to get visions from her. Zana knew what to expect but Talus didn't and if he felt what she did in full well...

"I've been doing this for years, long before we ever met," Zana gently placed a kiss to his lips. "I know how to handle it, you're going to have to be able to trust me to just not die on my own," she gave him a lazy half smile.

 

[Talus]

Talus seemed to shake, fingers tightening. "I trust you."

She would feel a wave of passion rolling over him, a mixture of anger, of indignation, of hatred. All of it at the thought of harm coming to her, all of it at the thought of the slightest injury. He really couldn't handle it. His breath slowed to a crawl.

"But I can't let them hurt you." His hand slowly reached up to touch her cheek. "I can't."

There was a struggle in his tone.

He knew it was what she wanted. He did not want to deny her, but the idea of allowing her to feel pain, the idea of letting someone harm the woman he loved...it was not something he could just accept.

 

[Zana]

Zana watched his expression intently and then pressed her lips into a thin line. The emotions crashing through her merely at the thought were bad enough; she didn't want him to hurt when she did. Quietly, she made a vow to herself: she would find a way to block the bond. She didn't want to. The idea made her feel physically sick but it was the only way to protect him, protect this future they were trying to build. There would be no telling what they would do if they found out about the two of them being together and sharing this level of connection.

She wanted to believe in Luana, she truly did, but...

Even Zana could see how dangerous it was. The cabin was proof enough and that had been destroyed in fits of passion let alone rage.

"Okay," her eyes shut as she admitted defeat then pulled him in to her to hold him and try to banish the emotions she could feel rolling off of him in waves. "Okay, I won't ask you to," she would do it for him.

 

[Talus]

Talus let out a ragged sigh. "Thank you."

He did not know what he would have said if she had denied him a second time. Talus was entirely confident he could not have taken it. The thought of just standing there, looking in her direction as someone harmed her. Standing and doing nothing.

It made him want to vomit even thinking about it.

"I'm sorry." He said quietly. "I know it's difficult. I know it might put us in more danger. I know it's foolish."

A breath filled his lungs. "But I could no more stay away than I could tear out my own heart."

She had already accepted, he was blubbering, but he needed her to know.

"I love you, Zana." He said softly. "More than that city. More than anything."

 

[Zana]

"I know, I know..." Zana whispered and rocked them gently. Hysteria still clung to him and there was even a tremor to his body as he continued to speak and explain. Gently she placed a kiss to the top of his head and then rested her cheek there as she tried to push a sense of calm back down the bond. She wouldn't let him feel those things, she wouldn't let him bear that agony.

"I will think of something else," the book that had brought them both together had been her only reading material whilst she had been in the Empire and it had unveiled more than a few gems and revelations she thought she might be able to use. Perhaps she wouldn't need to go back to that room if she could simply be better.

For his sake.

 

[Talus]

Talus tried to suppress the odd shake that had nearly claimed his body, the sensation of fear and panic that had come over her when she'd spoken of her pain. He felt her arms around him, the sensation of her lips on his head.

He breathed slowly, trying to calm himself as he listened to her speak and allowed the sense of calm to wash over him. "Okay."

The Dreadlord said quietly.

"I trust you." He did. He really did, but he could not imagine a world where he could allow her to feel pain.

He would have broken his oath to the Guard. He would have slaughtered an entire House. He would do anything to keep her safe.

His arms tightened around her, a desperate need to simply hold her overcoming him.

 

[Zana]

His words were the sweetest of knives into her heart. She loved to hear him say such things but at the same time she couldn't help but wonder if he would utter them if he knew what she planned to do to protect him from them. Her whole face screwed up for the briefest of moments as she swallowed the urge to cry and beg forgiveness now. Pushed it down. Sloan was an Empath and had taught Zana how to contain instead of project her emotions, perhaps she would also know a little about how best to proceed with this type of bond too.

"I do draw the line at you beating up any Guards who manage to land a hit on me though," Zana murmured against his hair in a more jokey manner, trying to ease his mood a little more. It was a hilarious thought a guard would even come close to hurting her. "I have to learn some lessons you know."

 

[Talus]

Talus smiled. "If those idiots hit you, My love, I think we'll need to have an entirely different conversation."

He smirked, taking a deep breath as he tried to contain himself a bit more.

The Rush of emotion that had come over slowly began to fade, though at his core he could feel the knot of sentiment still remain. She was a piece of him now, more than just a single piece. He could not have allowed her to hurt if he'd wanted to.

His head shook, and he softly pressed a kiss against her cheek. "Can I change my underwear now?"

He tried to follow her lead and shift the subject, not wanting to dwell on the pain in his chest.

 

[Zana]

Zana started laughing at his innocent question and then slowly pushed herself to her feet and stepped off of him.

"I suppose so," she bent down to pick up the plates then wandered back inside to wash them up whilst he sorted getting himself more comfortable. Grey followed after her more to see if there was any chance of further food than to keep her company, and after she had finished washing up she leaned down to kiss him on the head.

"Would you prefer to stay here boy?" she crouched in front of him and gently scratched behind his ears. The wolf canted his head to the side and stared at her with eyes, she realised, almost as blue as Talus. Zana smiled. "You could keep him safe for me," Zana sighed and wrapped her arms about his neck and buried her face in the fur. The wolf gave merely licked her on the cheek and whined, unsure of what exactly was wrong but sensing there was something.

 

[Talus]

Talus lingered by the fire for a few seconds, watching the snaps of the crackling wood before he drew in a slight breath.

He was not sure what he would do without Zana, was not sure what he would do when this night finally came to an end. His eyes closed, fingers unfurling towards the fire for just a brief moment before he slowly stood.

Talus walked back into his house, finding Zana crouched low against Grey's neck.

For a second he simply watched her there, watched the wolf. Then quietly he began to hum the song that they had danced to back in Karak. It was low at first, though got louder as the thrum of it picked up in his chest.

Slowly the Dreadlord stepped over to her, offering Zana his hand.

 

[Zana]

Zana looked up when he began to hum. For a moment all she could do was stare at him, the love of her life, standing in their kitchen humming a song she would remember for the rest of her days. Slowly she stood with one more ruffle of the wolfs ears and then took his hand with a warm smile. Her other hand slid up his arm before loosely looping about his neck.

"I think this is our song," she said softly and began a slightly slower version of the dance they had done in the dwarfish city. Mainly because there wasn't enough room to move like they had been able to on the dance floor back in Karak. She span out from him then came back into his arms with a little flourish. She stole a quick kiss from him.