Asemir did not return to his given room that evening. Did not even stay on the palace grounds. He'd departed for the wylds beyond, the forest that called to him in his natural form and there he'd spent the evening hours grazing by the river and lingering beneath the boughs of the old growth trees. When the white stag returned in the early morning hours it was with moss and vines clinging to his antlers and the scent of morning dew lingering on his pelt. He paid a short visit to Baenon's house to break his fast with the shuck and apologize once more for taking over Aster's annual visit.
Baen would never admit it aloud, but Asemir was so certain he'd grown fond of her Future's delivery. The sluagh scholar admitted only to keeping a schedule and that Asemir's presence had ruined it.
When Ase arrived at the Market it was with far less fan-fair than expected, which suited him just fine. Perhaps over the last several millennia, time had moved on from his presence in the Winter Court at Mab's side. If he might managed to enjoy a day at her side without stirring up too much fuss he'd call that a win. Finding Mab sitting at the fountain, looking for all the world a vision of artwork just on her own, he took a steadying breath before approaching.
Over the evening he'd come to terms with this veritable mountain of emotions that had formed within his chest in the short timeframe of a single day. Despite the anger he felt toward Mab's decision to start a family and all the time he'd spent so many years ago asking - ney, begging for a family with her, he could not remain angry in face of the child she had created.
Even if it had been with fucking Fang, of all fae.
And he would not begrudge her for it, not when it made her this happy. The anger he could willfully shed, but the hurt he could not. It was simply something he would have to swallow and let to stew in his gut like some red and heated coal swallowed and burning a hole through his being.
"No Ruosin today?" he asked quietly after her, forgoing formal greetings simply because he could, but also the absence of the little girl was something of note.
Baen would never admit it aloud, but Asemir was so certain he'd grown fond of her Future's delivery. The sluagh scholar admitted only to keeping a schedule and that Asemir's presence had ruined it.
When Ase arrived at the Market it was with far less fan-fair than expected, which suited him just fine. Perhaps over the last several millennia, time had moved on from his presence in the Winter Court at Mab's side. If he might managed to enjoy a day at her side without stirring up too much fuss he'd call that a win. Finding Mab sitting at the fountain, looking for all the world a vision of artwork just on her own, he took a steadying breath before approaching.
Over the evening he'd come to terms with this veritable mountain of emotions that had formed within his chest in the short timeframe of a single day. Despite the anger he felt toward Mab's decision to start a family and all the time he'd spent so many years ago asking - ney, begging for a family with her, he could not remain angry in face of the child she had created.
Even if it had been with fucking Fang, of all fae.
And he would not begrudge her for it, not when it made her this happy. The anger he could willfully shed, but the hurt he could not. It was simply something he would have to swallow and let to stew in his gut like some red and heated coal swallowed and burning a hole through his being.
"No Ruosin today?" he asked quietly after her, forgoing formal greetings simply because he could, but also the absence of the little girl was something of note.
