Private Tales The Starling and the Bear

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus chuckled, a deep, warm sound that vibrated through his chest as Isla teased him. He held her close when her arms wrapped around him, feeling the softness of her lips as she kissed along his jaw and down his neck. His hand rested at the small of her back, grounding them both in the moment.

When she released him and walked toward the swing, he followed, watching her with a soft smile. Her question made him laugh again, this time with a sheepish shrug. "Well, I didn’t exactly set it up myself," he admitted, walking over to join her at the swing. "I just asked a few people to help make it perfect..Being royalty does have its privileges."

He watched her as she took in the surroundings, the gentle breeze playing through her hair and rustling through the weeping leaves of the willows, and the soft glow of the sun dancing on the pond's surface.

"Yup." he agreed with a grin.

Lynus stepped closer, seating himself on the swing and walked himself forward, reaching around her waist to pull her into his lap, and lifting his feet to let them swing. His chin settled into the crook of her neck as he drew a breath of lavender and vanilla.

"It's nothing less than you deserve." he said, more quietly now, his arms tightening gently around her. "A place to breathe.."

It was a spot so entirely surrounded by tall trees that it blocked out the sight of the keep, of the walls, of the city around them. A little oasis of peace and tranquility. "This part of the gardens is off limits to the staff. My parents don't come here anymore, and my siblings.. I'm not sure if they even remember it." he sighed. "If you need to breathe, nobody will bother you here. Even me, if you wish it." he rumbled quietly.

 

[Isla]

"Please don't tell me you bought me a horse just to take me here..." She took a deep breath, savoring being outside, and not the outside of a courtyard. Here she was free. There was nothing but water, trees, flowers, beauty of a life she'd never had. The thought made her heart ache, just a little.

Isla was still looking toward the water when she felt his arms wrap around her waist and pull her back against him. She giggled when he nestled his chin between her neck and shoulder. Had she never told him just how ticklish she was?

A place to breathe..

She wondered if she would ever stop thanking him. Probably not, she had determined. He seemed to never stop thinking she was deserving of anything. He had made it clear enough that if she wished for it, it would be done. Even if she did not think she deserved more than the place she had spent the past ten years of her life.

Isla was quiet while he spoke, that ache in her heart turning to guilt when he suggested that she might want to spend time without him. "Why would you...what have I done to be deserving of this?" She asked, her hands moving to the ropes that held the swing. "You give me so much and I have nothing to give you. I love it...but..." She had nothing to offer but her love. A phrase she once told Nathaniel when he had showered her with jewelry.

"I love it, but I don't think I would ever want to spend time alone here." One hand left the rope to hover over his own, still wrapped around her waist. "Thank you."

She fell quiet for a long while, listening to the swing creaking as they moved and the sound of his breathing in the crook of her neck. "Is the water clean enough to swim?" She wondered aloud, desperate to break her silence.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus’s arms tightened gently around Isla as he held her close, his breath warm against her neck. He smirked at the giggle she made. Oh, he'd noticed how ticklish she was. His expression softened however, at her quiet confession. She always managed to catch him off guard with her vulnerability, her need for him to justify why she deserved even the smallest acts of care.

"You’ve done everything," he whispered against her skin. "Just by being here, by being...you." His voice was low, tender, as if he feared breaking the quiet between them. "This—" he gestured to the serene scene around them, though he knew she couldn’t see him, "—it’s not a transaction. I do this because I want to. Because I love seeing you happy. Because it gives me purpose." He pressed a kiss to her shoulder, lingering for a moment as his lips brushed against her skin. "You, give me purpose."

When she mentioned not wanting to spend time alone here, his heart gave a subtle tug. "Then you won’t," he murmured against her neck. "We’ll always come here together. This place will be ours. Just like everything else." His fingers gently intertwined with hers over the ropes of the swing.

At her question about the water, he laughed softly, pulling back just enough to glance at the pond. "Clean enough? Probably. Cold? Definitely." His grin spread, and he shifted his arms slightly, teasing her with a sudden mischievous glint in his eyes. "You’re not thinking about going in, are you?" He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a playful whisper as he nipped at her ear. "Because if you are, I might just have to join you."

 

[Isla]

Isla was glad that Lynus couldn’t see her face while he spoke into her neck, revealing what she wished she could have heard years ago, when she first offered her heart to another. She intertwined her fingers with his, squeezing gently. “Thank you.” Her words were barely a whisper, eyes glistening with tears she refused to let fall. “For everything.” For not treating me like everyone else.

She finally arced her neck enough to look at him, a soft smile on her lips. “Just ours.” She liked the sound of that. Isla would refrain from sharing that she was already planning their next little date. Though, she was sure the staff were not at her beck and call to prepare for such an event. Sarah, maybe. Her cheeks flushed and she looked away.

Her laughter broke through with his teasing touch, the nipping at her ear. “Who cares if it’s cold?” She slid from his lap, pulling from his grasp. “The sun is out and I,” she began to peel off her outer layers of clothing as she walked towards the water, “think that it would be rather refreshing, don’t you?”

Isla glanced over her shoulder, her smile devilish as she tossed her hair back and unbuttoned her top.

Slowly, she dipped one foot into the water. He was right, the water was ice cold, and he could see as she made it to waist level before stopping and turning, covering herself with her golden hair. “Are you coming?”

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus watched, his eyes tracking Isla as she slid from his lap and moved toward the water, her teasing words and the way she discarded her clothes with such carefree confidence sending a slow, appreciative grin spreading across his face. He admired the way the sunlight danced on her skin, the way she smiled at him over her shoulder, that mischievous glint in her eyes—and he sighed quietly to himself.

His brow rose as she stepped into the water, half expecting her to change her mind "Refreshing?" he called out, his tone teasing as he stood, already unbuttoning his own shirt, one slow movement after the other.

"You know, I was starting to wonder what it would take to get you in the water," he said with a chuckle, tossing his shirt aside. His gaze followed her as she waded deeper, the cascade of gossamer hair partially hiding her bare skin. He swallowed, feeling that familiar rush of heat rising within him.

"Almost." he muttered as he kicked off his boots and breeches, the last bit of restraint fading as he walked toward the pond, the cool breeze brushing over his now-bare chest. He watched her, her playful dare hanging in the air between them. His smirk grew as he reached the water’s edge, stepping in and feeling the shock of the cold bite at his legs. "FFFuu--ck" he hissed through his teeth as he waded in, his eyes squeezing shut as he too reached waist level. "Annnd that's the balls." he groaned.

He paused for just a second, then plunged fully into the water, submerging himself with a dramatic splash. When he surfaced, water dripping from his hair and face, he grinned at her, swimming up to where she stood. "Guess there’s no turning back now," he murmured, sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her close, pressing his wet chest against hers. His voice softened as he whispered against her ear, "You’re trouble, you know that?"

His lips hovered close to hers as he added, "But I wouldn't have it any other way." he smirked, and pulled her down into the water.

 

[Isla]

“Were you now?” She responded with an impish grin, taking a few steps further into the water. Shit. It is fucking cold. She tried to hide her displeasure, but it was evident when she refused to go any deeper than waist-deep in the pond.

She felt the heat rise in her cheeks, watching him approach the water in nothing more than his flesh. Still, the grin remained with each step into the freezing water shocking his body. “It’s not too cold for you, is it?” She pouted, noticing the initial hesitation, his eyes shutting as he tried to force himself in the water. She teased him, despite being able to go any further herself.

It took her by surprise when he finally committed to fully submerging himself in the pond. It was, of course, the quickest way to get used to the water but she couldn’t muster the courage to do it to herself. She wriggled in his cold arms, not quite understanding what he was saying. “Trouble?“ Was all she was able to get out of her lips before he pulled her under with that beautiful smirk on his face.

The icy water shocked her, breath caught in her throat. Immediately, she kicked upward and broke the surface, gasping and swiping her wet hair from her eyes. The water streamed down, sticking it to her skin in places she was grateful to hide after being nipped at by the icy water. “You-!” She shivered, teeth chattering as he let her resurface. “I wasn’t planning on getting that wet!” She probably looked like a soaked rat right now.

Even now, she couldn’t get rid of the flushed cheeks as she stared at him. “That was evil,” A slow smile spread across her face. “You’d better watch your back tonight.”

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Dark blue eyes creased with his laughter, the sound deep and rich as it echoed across the water. He reveled in Isla’s reaction, taking in the way her hair clung to her flushed skin and how she looked both shocked and amused at the same time. Her accusation only made his grin widen as he stood shoulder deep, circling around her like a predator playfully stalking its prey, and ensnaring her with his arms.

"Evil?" he teased, his tone dripping with mock innocence. "I thought I was just helping you… embrace the full experience." He winked, clearly pleased with himself, his fingers reaching out to brush a wet strand of hair from her cheek. "I suppose you should’ve known better than to trust me." He smirked, his gaze warm despite the frigid water surrounding them.

At her playful warning, Lynus leaned in, his lips brushing just lightly over hers as he murmured, "Don't threaten me with a good time, Starling." There was a spark in his eyes as he pulled back, his grin never fading as he took in the sight of her, her soaked hair, her flushed cheeks, and the way she still managed to look beautiful despite her protests. He couldn’t help but lean in, his hand cupping her chilled cheek gently.

"You know," he murmured, his voice low and filled with warmth, "you look even more stunning when you’re mad at me." The smile that tugged at his lips was softer now, more genuine, as he slowly dipped his head toward hers.

Before Isla could retort, Lynus closed the distance, his lips capturing hers in a deep, lingering kiss. The chill of the water disappeared for a moment as he held her against him, his hand sliding around her waist to pull her closer. The kiss was slow, unhurried, but filled with the kind of intensity that made her forget the cold altogether.

When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested lightly against hers, breathless. "See?" he whispered, his voice rough but playful. "Not so evil after all." His eyes searched hers, a spark of mischief still glinting there. He brushed his thumb along her cheek, his lips curving into a smirk once more.

 

[Isla]

She splashed him as he circled her, one hand drifting upward to wipe the water from her own face. “Helping me? You were trying to kill me!” She scoffed, ever the dramatic. “I trusted you and you betrayed me.” She swiped at his hands playfully, briefly considering grabbing them to pay him back for soaking her when she would dunk him under. But he was already used to the frigid waters, so it was of no use.

“A good time, huh?” She placed her hand over the one that cupped her cheek. “That is not at all what I had in mind for yo-“ He cut her off with a compliment that had her face burning brighter and when he closed the distance, when his lips crashed against hers, she was melting in his hands. No, not melting. Burning.

She pushed back, wrapping one arm around his neck, the other gripping his hair for as long as he would allow their kiss to last. But Isla was not done when he pulled back, his taunt falling on deaf ears as her blood came rushing. Her hands dropped from his head and neck, trailing lower and lower, and she pulled herself back into that kiss, wrapping her legs around him because she would be damned if she let that pretty, perfect face go to waste in this pond.

“No,” She whispered, her forehead pressed against his. “Not so evil.” One more kiss, she trailed from his mouth to his neck and his shoulder. Then, without warning, she pulled them apart and pushed off of his thighs with her feet to launch herself further toward the center of the water. A head start. She was getting a head start. “First one to the other side wins.” Her voice came in frantic breaths, clearly she was not all too ready to give up being wrapped around him.

But a game was a game.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus barely had time to react as Isla wrapped her arms around his neck, her kiss fierce and hungry, and he groaned against her lips at the intoxicating feel of her in his arms, her fingers tangled in his hair, her body pressing urgently against his.

His breath hitched when her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer, tightening the hold that made his heart race. His hands roamed over her back, anchoring her to him as if he couldn’t bear to let go, deepening the kiss with a fervor that matched hers. She was everything he needed—wild and fierce, her passion a force that swept him up entirely.

The taste of her lips, the heat of her skin against his despite the freezing water, it consumed him. He felt the electric pull of her and couldn’t help but respond with equal intensity, his heart pounding in his chest as he kissed her with everything he had.

When she broke away, her forehead resting against his, her breath ragged and warm against his lips, Lynus couldn’t help but smile, breathless and dazed.. Then her lips trailed along his neck, sending shivers racing down his spine, and for a moment, he simply closed his eyes and let himself feel her—completely, fully.

But before he could pull her closer again, Isla pushed off from him with a laugh, her sudden movement catching him off guard. He blinked in surprise as she splashed away, her teasing challenge thrown over her shoulder. For a second, he was stunned, still reeling from the kiss, his mind trying to catch up to what had just happened.

"Oh come on." he protested, dragging his hand down his face.

Then, his lips curved into a wide, playful grin. "Darlin, you better swim fast.." he called with laughter in his voice as he launched himself after her.

 

[Isla]

It was a cruel move- teasing him within an inch of his sanity and rushing off farther and farther into the freezing pond. She stuck her tongue out, wading slowly before he seemed to accept the challenge. Isla had never given any hint that she liked swimming. Not that she just simply liked it, but she was also good at it. She loved swimming. There had not been any water near the building that Arryn and Varys found her in, no, but the one she lived in for a short amount of time between her father’s losses and life in the brothel was near enough to a lake.

For those few short years, any time the sun was out and she was asked (shouted at) to leave the tiny home, that was her haven. It seemed like such a minute detail from a life she lost a long time ago that she never mentioned it to Lynus. A place she desperately wished for in those early years, something she imagined she could see when she imagined she could see past all the stone buildings, looking out from the cage she was trapped in.

The place she had no plans to escape from. The place she had succumbed to and relinquished all control in her life to…after Nathaniel.

She missed it. Her lake. The trees. Her home away from home. Her freedom.

And here Lynus was, giving it all to her and expecting nothing in return. Gods. She loved him. She really, truly, deeply loved him. And it terrified her all the same. Such a fragile thing, her heart. The pieces still could not fit together. Some would be missing forever and some were so misshapen that she wished they could go missing. Still, she wanted to offer whatever mess that was beating in her chest to him. It was all she had.

Isla swam fast- faster than she thought she would ever be able to, especially after years of such little physical activity outside of what she was paid for. Her legs, for how soft they were, were deceptively strong. Her arms, too. And she was glad for that because she made it across the pond with tears burning in her eyes. Tears she didn’t want him to see. Tears of a life she once had and the one she was given by him.

A life she didn’t deserve.

He was getting closer so just before she hit the edge, Isla dunked her head under the water again to mix her tears with the pond and then she pulled herself out on her hands and knees into the tall grasses and cattails. When he finally approached, she didn’t look at him but she did mutter a quiet, “I won!”

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus hadn’t expected her to be so quick, the sight of Isla cutting through the water like an arrow catching him off guard. For all his playful teasing, he found himself left behind, his breath coming in sharp pants as he tried to keep up with her powerful strokes. She was a natural, her movements fluid and confident—something he hadn’t seen in her before. Something new to admire.

By the time he reached the other side, Isla was already pulling herself out of the water, her figure disappearing into the tall grasses and cattails that bordered the pond.

When he finally made it to the edge, he was laughing—until he saw her. Saw how she wasn’t facing him. Her shoulders were hunched, her head bowed, and that usual fiery spirit of hers seemed to have dimmed. There was no triumph in her voice, nor the teasing grin he had expected.

Lynus’ own smile faltered as he watched her, his chest tightening with concern. He knew that look, the way she couldn’t quite meet his eyes, the way her mind seemed to drift somewhere far from here. He knew all too well where her thoughts had gone. The past had a way of creeping in, of casting shadows over the brightest moments. His own demons lingered not far behind, but he had spent enough time with Isla to recognise hers too.

Slowly, he reached out to her, speaking her name softly, the laughter gone from his voice. His hand found her chin, his touch gentle as he attempted to turn her face toward him, his thumb brushing softly against her skin, wiping away a droplet of water—or was it a tear?

"You did," he murmured, his voice low and tender, his breathing still ragged from the swim. “Fair and square.” His attempt at lightness didn’t quite land, the worry in his eyes betraying him.

“And yet,” he added, his tone softening further, “you don’t seem as happy about it as I thought you’d be.” His brow furrowed, his thumb brushing her cheek again, as if trying to coax the sadness from her. “Speak to me, Isla..”

 

[Isla]

Isla let his hand guide her face to look at him after he finally made it to land. She noticed lines on his face deepen with worry that she did not wish for him to harbor. The memories of her past were just that- fleeting bits from a life that she remembered. With a deep breath, she forced all of it back into the confines of her mind. Where it belonged in the first place.

For a few long seconds Isla just stared at Lynus, breathing heavy from exerting herself in the race. Her eyes trailed from the worry lines on his face to his hair, dripping below them, his neck, his muscular arms. Isla wanted them. She needed to be wrapped in his arms now. Her place of comfort and her place of safety any time her thoughts became too bothersome.

Slowly, she forced the sadness from her mind and the places it showed so clearly on her face.

Without any warning, she pounced.

Landing on top of Lynus, obscured by the tall grasses and plants surrounding the pond, Isla wrapped her arms around his torso and pulled him tight against her. “I won!” The frown had been replaced by that mischievous smile, the darkness clouding her eyes seemed to dissipate.

She leaned back, still straddling him to gloat. “I won, I won, I won!” Laughter had replaced the tears. “I am most definitely happy that I won, thank you very much. Didn’t expect me to be such a proficient swimmer, did you?”

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus let out a startled "oof" as Isla pounced on him, knocking him back into the soft grass. His arms instinctively wrapped around her, pulling her close. Her sudden burst of energy and the gleam in her eyes were a stark contrast to the somber moment just before, but he let her have it—let her wash away whatever had been weighing on her with the joy of her victory. If she didn't wish to talk to him about whatever darkness had crossed her mind, he wouldn't push her.

Now, she was smiling again, mischievously so. Now, she was laughing again. Gods, that sound. He loved it. He loved her. He loved everything about her, her unpredictable nature, the way she turned darkness into light, just as she had promised. She was something he hadn't expected or planned for, but here she was—radiant and real in his arms, and he had fallen so hard, so fast.

Lynus chuckled, a husky laugh that rumbled deep in his chest. She had taken him completely by surprise, but in the best possible way. "I had no idea, little miss I-can-do-anything, indeed," he teased, his grin widening as he stared up at her, his hands rubbing at her cold skin. "I shall add it to the ever-growing list of things that you are quite wonderful at." he said with a hint of mischief in his voice.

His eyes softened as he took in the sight of her, her skin still glistening from the water, her cheeks flushed with the excitement of the race. He was so taken by her, more than he had ever expected to be. She was everything, and yet, the thought of telling her that—of putting those words into the air—made him hesitate. He knew her past, how hurt she'd been. He knew how fragile she could be. The last thing he wanted was to scare her off by laying his heart bare too soon.

Instead, he let his grin turn playful, tilting his head back in mock defeat. "Crushed and humbled. I’ll never underestimate your prowess again." He gave her a small wink, his fingers traced gentle patterns on her skin and his voice softening with affection as he gazed at her with all that he felt..

"Full of surprises.."

 

[Isla]

“Yeah,” She smiled, all traces of her sadness seemed to be gone. “I bet you didn’t know that one.” He’d come from that same freezing water, but his touch on her skin was instantly warming. Isla swiped at her soaking tresses, throwing them behind her quite dramatically. A little show- just for Lynus. “Yes, yes. Now there are two things that I am good at. Don’t you forget it.”

Isla did not let him up from beneath her as he surrendered. She, instead, leaned forward over him and placed a hand on either shoulder. Slowly, she pushed him all the way back until the back of his head was pressed against the ground. She followed suit, her lips lingering hear his ear as she whispered, “Does my Prince like surprises?”

She did not give him much of an opportunity before her lips were crashing on his. Fingers laced through his hair and the other hand trailed along his chest, mimicking the patterns he traced on her own skin. “Because I like surprises very much.” She broke the kiss briefly, only long enough to get those words out before she closed in on him.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus’s breath caught in his throat as Isla leaned over him, her wet hair cascading down like a curtain around them. She had him pinned, and he didn’t mind one bit. Her playful tone, her teasing sent a shudder rippling down his spine. His lips parted to respond, but he didn’t get the chance.

Her kiss stole the words from him, fierce and claiming, and he surrendered willingly. His hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer, feeling the warmth of her body against his own. Her fingers tangled in his hair, sending sparks of heat coursing through him, as if her touch alone could set him ablaze despite the chill of the water still clinging to them both.

She broke the kiss just long enough to whisper her confession—Because I like surprises very much—before her lips found his again, and he groaned softly into her mouth. Every inch of her skin against his was like fire.

He rolled them over in the tall grasses, his hand cupping her face, thumb tracing the curve of her cheek. His breath mingled with hers, voice husky and low as he spoke, "Then I'll make sure to surprise you as often as I can."

With that, he kissed her again, deeper this time, letting his passion and love pour into the moment as the world around them faded away. The wind rustled through the reeds, the sound of the water and birds, all of it became a distant hum, and all that existed was her—this moment, this perfect, stolen time between them, tangled in the tall grass, a soft symphony of whispered breaths and quiet laughter, until the rest of the world disappeared entirely.

 

[Isla]

"Oh, my dear, you have done nothing but surprise me since I met you." She smiled into his kiss, letting him pull her deeper into the lust and love that consumed her, burning in her core.

She was perfectly content as long as his arms were around her, her own legs wrapped tightly around his waist, but she must have mentioned the grass or the muddy ground because when the fog in her head was finally clearing she found that they were both back near the swing on the tree. She was lying on the blanket, half draped around her torso as she popped a grape in her mouth. Her hair was drying in wild blonde curls under the warm sun.

She pulled Lynus closer, nuzzling her face in his chest as her teeth still chattered, coming down from the high that was him.

She was right- there was no way that she would ever want to return here without Lynus.

"You are the most beautiful music I have ever heard, you know that?" She looked up, cupping his jaw with one hand. "It is a shame I have no way to preserve the melodies I hear in my head when you're around." She frowned. There wasn't enough time to capture it on paper. That was if she could read or write music in the first place. "I think I would listen to it until it drives me mad, and even then I wouldn't get sick of it."

She chuckled, her face back in his chest for a moment before she sat upright and took the blanket with her. She had left the wine unopened, still nauseated by the thought of alcohol ever since that night. She looked down at the faint scar on her hand that had mostly healed in the short time she had been at the Keep. "But I suppose then I wouldn't get to hear something new every time I kissed you." She smiled to herself, picking up another grape and eating it.

"Do you think your siblings will dislike me?" She asked suddenly, her posture stiffening at the thought of meeting them. His father openly showed his dislike of Isla while his mother had been quite kind to her. Lynus spoke fondly of his younger sister and brother, but Isla couldn't help but wonder if they were more...open minded to society outside of their class.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus let out a contented sigh as Isla nestled against his chest, her warmth grounding him in the afterglow of their literal roll in the grass. He traced lazy circles along her bare back, his other hand absently pulling the blanket up over her shoulders to ward off the chill from her still-damp hair. Her words, soft and adoring, made his chest swell with a breath that tumbled out with a sound of satisfaction.

He chuckled softly at her compliment, pressing a kiss into her tousled blonde curls. "I don't think I've ever been described as music before." he murmured in amusement, his eyes creasing with his smile as she drew his gaze to hers.

But then her tone shifted, and he could feel the tension creeping into her body as she sat up, her question hanging in the air like a cloud over their peaceful moment. Lynus stayed quiet for a moment, propping himself up on one elbow as he studied her face, the way her fingers toyed with the scar on her hand. She was worried, and he understood why. Meeting his family had been a whole different battleground, especially with their particular brand of complexity.

Lynus sighed, sitting up beside her, his arm gently curling around her waist as he peppered her shoulder with soft kisses. "Any who take the time to get to know you, will adore you." he assured her with a sigh.

"My sister is sweet, she's kind, much like our mother." He smiled, trying to offer some reassurance.

He hesitated for a second, knowing the next part wouldn’t be as easy. "My brother..." Lynus rubbed the back of his neck, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Wil is a bit of a different story. He’s going through a phase—has been for a while—where he seems to dislike just about everyone. Don’t take it personally if he’s a bit of a... well, a dick." He chuckled, shaking his head. "He’s brash and says things to get a rise out of people, but he doesn’t mean most of it. I'm still not sure he will ever like me, so, I wouldn't worry about it.."

Lynus turned to face Isla fully, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek, thumb brushing her skin. "But it doesn’t matter what they think. I chose you, and nothing any of my family say or do will change that." His eyes softened as he leaned forward, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Besides," he added with a smirk, "I’d love to see you put Wil in his place if he tries to give you any trouble. That would make my day." he grinned.

 

[Isla]

"Ha, ha." She rolled her eyes at his reassurance. "That would require someone to care enough to get to know me for longer than five minutes." She tried to joke, but the bitterness in her voice betrayed her.

Isla surrendered to his warmth when he began to speak again. If his sister was truly much like his mother, she knew she would like the girl. She still felt immense guilt over the accusations she made of his family before, back when she had forced him to leave her alone. When she found out he was more than just her Bear. She had always admired his mother, but the lies her own mother poisoned her with... She was not sure if she could ever apologize enough for what she said.

"Who knows, you disliked me when we first met." She laughed quietly. "Maybe he will follow in his big brother's footsteps and find me...what is it you find in me. Maybe that I am charming and pretty and-" She snorted with laughter, unable to finish her thought before he spoke again.

Nothing any of my family say or do will change that.

She wished such a statement was true. She had only promised his mother to remain until he was happy, until he no longer needed her around. Even if it broke her own heart to think about, she knew that the King was disgusted by her presence and his word was final. If he wanted her out, she did not expect Lynus to give up his future. She would not let him.

"I must figure out which god brought you to me all those weeks ago because I will never be able to thank them enough." She looked up at him when he pulled back from her forehead. Three words lingered on the tip of her tongue, but she could not force them out. Not yet.

"Promise me that if I do put Wil in his place, I can have the nice cell Arryn lived in." She smiled, biting her bottom lip to stop herself from laughing. "He seemed pretty content with his gambling and alcohol down there. But the real question is: would my Prince visit me as often as he would his best friend?"

 

[Lynus Anireth]

"Firstly." he huffed at her, "I would never let that happen to you."

"Secondly. If my family care about me at all, then they will." he sighed, his fingers combing through her blonde curls.

Lynus frowned. "And thirdly.. I disliked everyone when I met you. I hated myself, I loathed my life, and I resented the world.." he frowned, drawing her gaze to his. "I thought.. My life was over. I wanted it to be. I thought there was no other reason to live, that I would never see light again. And here you are. You saved my life, Starling. Not the other way around, so if anyone owes thanks to any Gods, it's me."

"Give it some time, Isla, but I will swear to you now, if my father persists with this, if you continue to feel in any way uncomfortable here, we will leave together. I don't care about crowns and titles and legacies. I care about living. I care about you. We will either be happy here, or we will be happy elsewhere.." his head shook slowly. "I choose you. Understood?"

 

[Isla]

Isla frowned, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close. She buried her face in his neck. "Our lives are vastly different and I cannot even begin to imagine the pain you were in," she started, "I did not think my life was over. Far from it though I, too, wished for the opposite. I felt like I was trapped in hell, something I would never escape from. So many years I wished for it to be over and then...there was just...nothing.

"I felt nothing most of the time, like I was in a dream. And when I was pulled from it, I was just angry. With people for finding enjoyment in such an establishment, putting their disgusting hands on me. Angry with my mother for forcing me to live this life so she could afford to raise my brothers. Angry with myself for being angry with someone who was only trying to provide for two kids."

She sighed, refusing to pull herself away from him. "Angry with you for seeing something in me." Her skin burned at the confession. "I don't know how you did it, but you pulled me out of it. You saved me just as much as I have saved you."

She shook her head in his neck and pulled her face away to look back up at him. "I will not allow you to do any such thing. I cant think of anyone more deserving of a crown than you. You are kind and fair and I think you would be the greatest asset to Vel Anir. Your father can hate me all he wants. I am not leaving you unless you tell me to go."

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus held her tightly as she spoke, his heart aching with every word. He could feel the weight of her past, the pain she carried, and it mirrored so much of his own. When she admitted her anger, even anger with him, his brow furrowed, but he understood. He had asked so much of her, unknowingly perhaps, but still, he had seen through the armour she had built around herself. And she had seen through his.

"I never meant to make you angry," he whispered softly, his lips brushing her hair as she clung to him. "But I'm glad— I'm grateful—that I saw you. Truly saw you. If I hadn't, I would still be lost. You've given me more than you know. More than I ever thought I deserved."

When she pulled back to look at him, her conviction clear in her eyes, his heart swelled. Her words of defiance against his father, her refusal to leave, filled him with a warmth that dispelled any worry he had harbored.

He cupped her face, his thumb brushing gently across her cheek. "You are the strongest, most incredible person I have ever known," he said, his voice steady and full of admiration. "And I will never ask you to leave. I will never tell you to go."

He leaned forward, pressing his forehead to hers, sealing the promise with a soft kiss, a vow etched in the air between them.

---

It was almost two weeks later when Lynus had been summoned early in the morning, leaving Isla still nestled under the warm blankets. When he returned an hour later, she was still in bed, the soft rays of sunlight spilling into the room. He closed the door quietly behind him, his face drawn with an apprehensive look as he shrugged out of his jacket, letting it fall carelessly to the floor. Without a word, he trudged toward the bed, flopping onto his stomach with a heavy sigh.

He stayed like that for a moment, face buried in the blankets, his breath muffled. Then, slowly, he turned his head to the side, his eyes meeting hers with a hesitant expression.

"I have some explaining to do," he started, his tone cautious. "And you're not going to like it..." He frowned, clearly unsure of how to proceed, his gaze pleading with her to be patient as he braced himself for the conversation ahead.

 

[Isla]

Isla had slept through most of the morning, undisturbed when Lynus had left to ‘entertain a guest in the garden’ or whatever the person who knocked at their door had grumbled when they forced him from the comfort of their bed.

She hadn’t complained when he told her to stay, offering her a little more time to sleep after she had already slept through breakfast. She preferred time spent in Lynus’ arms rather than pastries and eggs most mornings anyway.

Lynus pulled her from her slumber when he returned and fell, rather dramatically, face-first onto the bed. “Hrmmph…?” She reached out an arm to stroke his hair as she came to her senses.

When he spoke, her eyes fluttered open and examined him curiously. “Is everything alright?” She yawned, noting his frown and general disheveled appearance. “Please don’t tell me you’re going on a trip and leaving me here.” She tried to joke, and gave up when she noticed how pained he looked.

Her heart raced and she sat upright. “What happened?”

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus hated the way Isla’s expression shifted from sleepy contentment to tense worry as she sat up, her earlier joke falling flat. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering the words that felt like stones in his mouth. The last thing he wanted was to ruin her morning, to chase the smile from her face, he loved that smile, but she deserved the truth. Always.

He sighed deeply, rolling onto his stomach and propping himself up on his elbows to face her.

"We have a guest at the keep," he began, his tone careful, watching her closely. "She’s going to be here for a week or two, then she’ll leave. Her name is Bexley Pirian."

He paused, the weight of what he was about to say making his chest tighten. He knuckled his jaw, wishing the conversation could be anything but this.

"Her father and my father arranged a match... likely before you and I met. I’ve explained to her that I’m not interested. That... I’ve already found my match. That I’m happy, with you, Isla."

He frowned, reaching out to gently brush his hand along her arm, trying to keep her close, knowing how easily she could retreat into her shell. "To save her any embarrassment or disapproval from her family, I agreed to let her stay here for a short time before she goes back home. She’ll tell her father that the match won’t work, and it’ll keep my father off my back for a while."

Lynus winced, bracing for her reaction. He knew this was far from what she wanted to hear, and the thought of hurting her gnawed at him. "I hate this. But I promise you, nothing will change. You are who I want. Always.”

 

[Isla]

We have a guest at the keep.

Isla squinted, a brow raised while she waited for the portion of this news that had Lynus so beside himself. She examined him closely now. There was a crease between his brows, his eyes looking more tired than they had when he left her to rest. His shoulders were tense and his posture rigid, even from where he lay in the bed. Something much worse than a simple guest hung in the air, waiting to drop.

"A match?" Her voice was soft, still thick with sleep as she put the pieces of what he said together. Her chest tightened and she held her breath, letting it out through pursed lips to calm her beating heart. She stilled at his touch.

For minutes, she said nothing as her mind reeled. Getting angry would do nothing when he already looked so hurt by this arrangement. It wasn't what he wanted, but what choice did any of them truly have? Her silence couldn't stop the hurt that clawed from within, a deep aching that was more painful than her fiery temper.

"Why her? Why now?" She asked, her voice no more than a whisper. She stared at the blanket, unable to look him in the eye. She knew the answer to her question. Politics, power. She would be a perfect, poised lady of noble birth. A woman who was everything that Isla was not. It was better for their kingdom.

Isla bit her lip hard until she knew it would stop quivering. "And what am I supposed to do, Lynus? Where does this leave us?" Her voice broke when she spoke his name. Two weeks. He'd promised two weeks ago that he would choose her, even if it meant giving up his future. A promise he reiterated still. But how could she expect him to follow through with his word when he had perfection delivered to him?

"I..." She shook her head, letting the strands of flaxen hair obscure her face. "I won't make this harder for you. I'll let you entertain whatever foolish mess your father has decided to bless you with, but you cannot expect me to be okay with any of it."

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus watched as Isla’s expression shifted, the weight of his words sinking in. He could feel her pulling away, the pain she tried to hide just as palpable as the ache in his own chest. He hated this—hated that his father's schemes and more so now that it managed to cause her hurt, even when it was the last thing he wanted.

Why her? Why now?

The tremor in her voice cut him deep. He shifted closer, refusing to let her retreat into the walls she built around herself, pulling her into his arms.

"This leaves us right here, Starling," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. He kissed her temple softly, trying to soothe the turmoil in her mind. "You know I would never throw this away, right? You trust me, don’t you?"

His heart raced with the fear that she might not answer him, that she might still be wrestling with doubt. That this might be too much for her..

“This is just politics. My father trying to make a power play. I’ve been dealing with this for a year, Isla, and I’ve never accepted a single woman he’s shoved in front of me. This one will be no different. I’ve got everything I want and need right here.”

He drew back just enough to look at her face, brushing the strands of hair away from her eyes, needing to see her fully. "It’s you and me, understand?" His voice was firm but tender, pleading with her to see the truth in his words. "Say the word, and we’ll leave. We’ll go far away, wherever you want. All of this... I’ll walk away from it in a heartbeat if it means I don’t lose you."

Lynus searched her eyes for any sign that his words were getting through to her, the knot in his stomach tightening as he waited for her to respond.