Private Tales The Starling and the Bear

[Isla]

Isla did not pull away from his touch or kiss, though her body remained stiff while her mind raced on. She had always been disposable. Ten years in a brothel made sure of that if her mother's eagerness to trade her for coin wasn't clear enough. It was why she offered herself until she was no longer useful. A timer over her head until the day came and she would be sent away. No one had ever needed her. No one had ever wanted her. Not like Lynus had.

Still, a tiny part of her head told her it was conditional. It was temporary. Even if he said over and over the complete opposite.

"I trust you." She finally drew her eyes to his face after several minutes of quiet contemplation and her own stomach churning at what she might say. "I told you I'm not letting you end one future for another with me. I am not going anywhere and neither are you, okay?" She studied his face again.

With a quiet sigh, her body relaxed into his touch. A coy smile replaced her blank stare. "We could always make our own power play." She suggested, ignoring every part of her telling her it was a terrible idea. "I could talk to her. Woman to woman, you know? And maybe we can show the King that you no longer require his matchmaking services." It was a terrible, horrible, awful idea. "I'll tell him myself if he keeps up with this idiocy."

 

[Lynus Anireth]

The silence was deafening. The sound of his heart beating in his ears counted out every second she let the silence reign, and his hold tightened gently, fearing she might somehow slip free and run at any moment.

He let out a breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding when Isla finally spoke. The tension that had weighed him down for what felt like hours lifted slightly at her words. His heart stumbled, and a quiet laugh escaped him, half-choked with relief.

"My father would have his work cut out for him, I’m sure of it," he said softly, his nose brushing against hers, trying to pull her closer. But the smile that tugged at his lips quickly faded as he thought about her suggestion. The idea of Isla near Bexley caused his stomach to churn with unease.

“She’s... she seemed vulnerable,” he began, hesitating as he searched for the right words. “But I find it hard to believe. She’s a Dreadlord, Isla.” His frown deepened, a shadow crossing his face. “I don’t want you anywhere near her.”

He leaned back just enough to meet her eyes fully, his thumb brushing gently along her cheek. "I know you want to help, but this isn't just court politics. Bexley is dangerous, no matter how sweet or vulnerable she may seem. And the last thing I want is for you to get caught in the middle of whatever game our fathers might be playing."

Lynus shifted, pulling her tighter against him, as if the simple act of holding her could shield her from the storm that had just begun to brew.

 

[Isla]

Isla huffed, rolling her eyes. "Are you afraid she is going to hurt me?" She asked him with a quiet laugh. "I'm sure they have some sort of code they must abide by, right? Hurting the…" She paused, searching for a word. "Lover of the Prince must go against some law, I would assume."

She laughed again, this time it was less genuine- a mask to cover that she didn't quite know what they were. Lovers seemed like a safe option and sounded better than calling herself a mistress.

"Politics or not, Dreadlord or not, she is still just a woman. She is a human like you and me. She has feelings and must be capable of understanding that my feelings for you are far from superficial. Send Arryn with me if you're afraid." She added, with a wink, "You seem to have survived meeting her. How scary could she be?"

Once again, she let herself melt into his arms as he pulled her tighter. "It will be brief, I promise. I, for one, think it will make things more awkward around the keep if you are to parade me around to all of our little spots without a word to her." She shrugged. "But I won't push it. If you would prefer I stay away, I will. What's another couple weeks cooped up in this room."

She let one arm wrap around him, the other trapped beneath her.

"All alone. . ." She trailed off with a quiet, dramatic sigh.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus couldn’t help but laugh softly at Isla’s mock dramatics, though the tension still lingered in his chest.
"You're my everything. Isla." He pulled back just enough to catch her eyes, his own filled with warmth and concern.

"I’m not afraid she’s going to hurt you," he said, though his voice dropped slightly, the weight of his worry betraying him. "But Dreadlords don’t play by the same rules the rest of us do. There’s no guarantee she’ll see things the way we do—feelings or not. She's been trained to do what’s necessary for her family, her house, and that can make her unpredictable. She may be human, but she's not like you and me. They are given a job to do and they stop at nothing to do it.. I'm just.. I hope she is as understanding as she seemed."

Lynus sighed, his thumb tracing idle patterns on her arm as she melted into his hold. "Arryn would keep you safe, no doubt about that, but it’s not just about safety. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable. And I certainly don’t want you to feel like you have to prove anything to her—or anyone else. You don’t, ever."

He paused, the corners of his lips quirking up slightly as she sighed dramatically in his arms. "You don't need to be alone. There's Arryn, and Brett. You have Sarah, and plenty others, and don't forget Duke." He teased, his voice softening. "You have your books and your piano, you can invite Jiya, she seems kind. My sister has gone back to the front lines, but you can always spend time with my brother or my parents." he teased.

"But seriously," he continued after a moment, his fingers brushing through her hair. "If you feel like this is something you need to do, I won’t stop you. Just… be careful. It’s only a couple of weeks, and then she’ll be gone, I promise. Until then, I don't intend on spending much time with her."

He tilted her chin up gently to meet his gaze. "Whatever happens, we’re in this together. And I won’t let anything—politics or Dreadlords—come between us. Got it?"

 

[Isla]

“Fine, I got it.” Isla surrendered to his pleas. He had a point- a rather good point- that she hated to admit. Bexley was the unknown to her. At the bare minimum, she must have been strong if she managed to survive the Academy that churned out Dreadlords. Dreadlords were an unpleasant group. They had always been the worst of her customers. Deprived, bitter animals that seemed to think the few rules the Lady enforced did not apply to them. She supposed they didn’t considering how many times the “banned” ones returned without a word from security. “I won’t get involved, I promise.”

She rolled onto her back, letting him run his fingers through her hair as he spoke. “I guess there are worse options than I have…” She stared up at the ceiling. “I would love to spend more time with Jiya, honestly. I must hear the Cindrillion, was that what she called it? Whatever. I must hear it in person once!”

Jiya was also one of the few pleasant parts of the night she met both of his siblings. It had gone about as good or as bad as she expected it to go.

“And maybe Arryn could spare an hour or so to teach me some defense.”She twisted her face to look up at him. “Will that help put your mind at ease?” It would certainly make her feel a little less nervous about living under the same roof as Bexley, even if only for a short amount of time.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus exhaled softly, a small wave of relief washing over him as Isla surrendered to his reasoning. "Thank you," he murmured, his fingers gently tracing through her hair as she settled beside him. "I know it's not easy, but I think it's for the best—for now, at least."

He chuckled when she mentioned spending more time with Jiya. "I’m sure that could be arranged, though you might have to fight for her company.. " His smile widened, thinking about his brother’s doe eyes for the Lady Luana. "Either way. I’m sure It'll be a welcome distraction from all this."

When Isla mentioned learning some defense, Lynus paused for a second, his brow quirking as he looked down at her. "You want to learn self-defense?" His lips tugged into a light smile, though there was genuine consideration behind his amusement. The thought of her wanting to defend herself struck a chord with him, and memories of the night she’d come back shaken flashed through his mind. She hadn’t mentioned it much since, but he hadn’t forgotten. The idea that she could protect herself, if needed, was something that would ease his own lingering worries.

He brushed his thumb across her cheek, his expression softening. "You know we have an entire King’s guard. And you have me," he said, his voice warm with affection, but he could see her resolve and knew better than to dismiss it lightly. "But if you want to learn how to protect yourself, then I’m certainly not against it. I just.. Hope you’ll never need the knowledge at all.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his lips lingering for a moment. "I’ll talk to Arryn. I’m sure he’d be more than happy to teach you. You could even make a sport of it, take out some of that frustration in a more… productive way." His smile broadened as he glanced down at her, teasing but with an undercurrent of sincerity. "If nothing else, it’d give me one more thing to admire about you."

 

[Isla]

"I don't think I'll have to fight her for company at all," She smiled, speaking as though she were gossiping with Sarah. "Arryn could barely speak around her. Do not tell me they have managed to interact in private! I refuse to believe it."

Her laughter was short lived when he questioned her with a genuine interest in her motives. "I know, I know." She rolled her eyes. "But there may come a time where I don't have an entire King's guard near. Or a day you are unable to accompany me. I would like to at least be able to buy myself some time with a punch to the throat or something." She shrugged.

"I would hope to not have to do such a thing, but it happens..." She savored the moment he lingered with his kiss, wishing he wouldn't have pulled away so soon.

"Thank you," She leaned her head up, refusing to let him off easy without a kiss of her own. "Really. I know you worry, Lynus, so I hope this can help us both." She grinned, a devilish little smile. "And if I don't need to defend myself against Bexley or...anyone else, at least I'll be able to handle Wil next time he decides to be so petty."

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus couldn't help but laugh at the idea of Arryn fumbling over his words around Jiya. "I can’t imagine him managing a conversation with her without turning into a complete disaster. If they have interacted privately, I bet he was a stammering mess the entire time." He shook his head, a smile still dancing on his lips.

When Isla shifted to a more serious tone, mentioning her desire to learn self-defense, his laughter faded, replaced by a deeper concern. "I get it," he replied, his voice more earnest. "It’s wise to know how to take care of yourself. I just… I wish you didn’t have to think about those things." He rubbed his throat absentmindedly, a reflex to her joking about punching someone.

Her gratitude warmed him, and he felt a swell of affection as she leaned in for another kiss, holding onto the moment a little longer this time. "You don’t need to thank me," he murmured against her lips, his heart racing. "I just want you to be safe, to truly feel safe."

His expression turned playful again when she mentioned Wil. "Ah, Wil. I think he’d be in for a rude awakening if he ever crosses paths with you again. Just remember, if you end up having to defend yourself, I’m going to be right there, cheering you on." He laughed, picturing the scene, and leaned in closer. "But seriously, promise me you’ll practice on a dummy first or something. I can’t have you injuring innocent bystanders with your newfound skills. Or any royalty, for that matter."

He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her a bit tighter as he smiled down at her.

 

[Isla]

Several weeks later.

Isla paced back and forth, idly twisting the gifted ring on her finger. Soft candlelight flickered, dancing across the walls, casting shadows that seemed to close in around her. A gentle smile tugged at her lips. He would be there soon. He had never been late before. Her heart fluttered, her hand lingering over her stomach. She could only imagine how his hazel eyes would light up when she told him the news. He had always been so kind to her, so gentle, so loving. He had promised her that there was more than this life and now they would be able to share in a new life together.

The door creaked open and Isla froze, turning to face him with a smile. “Nathaniel!” She whispered, dropping the hand and making her way over to him. The soft smile turned nervous, her stomach twisting as she prepared to share the news. “I have something to share with you.”

His expression was unreadable, and it made her pause as he looked her up and down. She ignored it, pushing forward. “I’m pregnant, Nathaniel!” She wrapped her arms around him, waiting for him to close around her in the warm embrace she expected from the man who loved her. The man she loved. He didn’t move. She looked up, still beaming with happiness and whispered, “we are going to have a baby.”

The silence lingered, stretching too long and suffocating the room. His face shifted, darkening with something she hadn’t recognized immediately at the time: anger.

“What did you just say?” He demanded, his voice low and cold. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”

She let go, stepping back when his words hit her like a physical blow. Her breath caught in her throat and for a moment she could only stare at him in shock. “I-I…I thought you would be…”

“Thought I’d be what? Happy?” He hissed, voice rising until it echoed off the walls. “You stupid, stupid girl! Do you have any idea what you have done?”

“I thought you loved me.” Isla whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

He sneered, gripping her arms hard. “Love you? Isla, you are nothing more than a whore to me. Nothing more, do you understand that? Who could possibly love a whore?” His fingers tightened, bruising her pale skin, before he let go and shoved her away from him. Isla stumbled, falling backwards beside the bed. “I have a wife and a child. Another on the way. I have a family and it does not and will not include a whore and her bastard. Do you understand?”

“No…” She whimpered, shaking her head. “You told me you loved me. You promised-”

“Lots of men tell you they love you. Do you think a single one of them truly means it?” He laughed darkly as the door burst open. Two men, security guards, grabbed Nathaniel as he lunged at Isla. He struggled against them, face contorting with disgust. The Lady followed the guards, taking in the scene- fury on Nathaniel’s face, fear on Isla’s. She sighed, “What is the meaning of this? Isla what have you gone and done now?” Her voice was cold and authoritative, so eerie coming from the woman who must have been so beautiful once.

Her eyes narrowed on Isla, who was trembling as tears streamed down her cheeks. Nathaniel spoke instead, “Control you fucking whores.” He spat at Isla. “This one is trying to destroy my family.”

The Lady seemed to understand with so few words, crouching down by Isla. There was no sympathy in her eyes, only cold calculation and disappointment. She nodded, turning to one of the girls who had followed so close behind her. Julia was her name, the only girl who seemed to be in more debt to the Lady than Isla herself. And the only one there who seemed every bit as cruel as the Lady. There were whispers between the girl and the Lady, Julia showing a mouthful of sharp teeth as she gave Isla a smile full of nothing but feigned pity and a twisted joy. Julia left the room and returned minutes later.

“Hold her down.” The lady ordered. The guards released Nathaniel and moved towards Isla.

“Please! Don’t do this!” She cried, backing away from them until she was cornered between the bed and a nightstand. The guards paid little attention, grabbing her and forcing her to lie back on the green bedspread. She struggled, she was sure she was screaming as her voice cracked with desperation. “Please Nathaniel! Don’t let them!”

He stood back, arms crossed and his face set in a hard, uncaring expression. “You only have yourself to blame. Stupid girl.”

She thrashed in their grip, throwing every ounce of strength to try and gain some advantage. All of it was no use. The lady approached her, carrying a jug of that foul-smelling tea. Isla’s eyes went wide.

“Drink.” She commanded, holding the liquid up to her mouth.

Isla clamped her mouth shut, refusing to drink. But the guards, at the Lady’s command, held Isla’s head, pinching her nose until she was forced to gasp for air. Nathaniel stepped forward, a hand extended as held her jaw open long enough for the bitter liquid to be poured down her throat, burning as it went. She gagged, trying to spit it out. But they held her until every drop was gone.

“That should take care of any…issues.” The Lady smiled at Nathaniel whose eyes lingered on Isla. When she was released into a sobbing heap on the bed, the guards shuffled out. The Lady followed. Nathaniel lingered in silence, expression unreadable for quite a while. He looked like he might have tried to say something but the words never came.

The room blurred, the room spinning as pain engulfed her. Her vision darkened and the last thing she remembered was pain- so much pain- as she screamed until her voice, like the life inside her, was gone.

---

With a violent gasp, Isla jolted awake. Her body was drenched in sweat and she took shallow, panicked gasps of air as she woke from her nightmare. The room was being lit by the sunrise, but the air was heavy and suffocating. Duke rolled over to look at her as she realized where she was- not in the brothel, but in Lynus’ bed. In Lynus' room. She was safe.

But knowing her safety was not enough. The similarities were too much: the softness of his wooden bed, the way the sheets bunched around her legs, the way they were the same shade of green as the ones she once had in the brothel, and the lingering scent of something bitter.

Her heart pounded in her chest, bile rising so swiftly in her throat that she thought she might choke on it. Isla threw off the blankets and stumbled from the bed to their bathroom as her panic escalated.

---

The sun had been up for a while. The balcony doors were opened, allowing a gentle breeze to cool the room. Pale hair was laced in between Lynus’ fingers. Duke had long since replaced Isla in their bed, snoring softly with Lynus’ arms wrapped tightly around him. The dog stirred, sighing loudly into the face of his master. Duke seemed to very much enjoy this spot in the bed.

The faint sound of violent retching could be heard behind the locked door of the adjacent bathroom.

Duke lifted his head, pointing it in the direction of the door until the sounds stopped and he could once again settle in his place.

The peace lasted only a short while before the retching started back up, this time followed by heart-wrenching sobs.

Isla had been awake since before the sun rose. Hunched over the basin, her body trembled as she clung to its edge. She looked horrible. Terrified, pale, and clammy, the girl looked like she had seen a ghost. When she realized it had only been a dream- nightmare- she realized she would have preferred a ghost. Isla had not been able to dream for a long while. She had barely managed to sleep through the night in all her time spent at the Keep.

Seeing Nathaniel again had terrified her. His smug face. The darkness in his eyes. The way his hand gripped around her waist…The way he fought. The thoughts sent Isla hurling back into the basin. It had been real, and yet he’d managed to haunt her in the first dream she had since nearly ten years ago as well.

Prince’s little whore.

I still remember how you looked when you begged me to love you…

Do you beg the same of him?

She could see that little girl’s face.

Each memory brought forth a wave of nausea until she could manage nothing more than leaning her pale, tear stained face against the wall.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

The muffled sounds of retching jolted Lynus awake, his heart pounding as he scrambled to make sense of the noise. It was early, the sunlight filtering gently into the room, casting a soft glow on the rumpled bed beside him. Duke shifted at his side, letting out a low whine as Lynus took in the emptiness where Isla should have been.

Then he heard it—another strangled, gut-wrenching sound, followed by quiet sobs slipping through the bathroom door.

Without hesitation, he bolted out of bed, hardly noticing the soreness in his muscles as he crossed the room in a few strides. He tried the handle and found it locked, a new wave of panic twisting in his chest. "Isla?" he called softly, the urgency clear in his voice.

Lynus didn’t wait for her response—he opened the door and rushed inside, his heart breaking at the sight of her.

“What's wrong…” he paled, his hands instinctively finding her shoulders, steadying her, grounding her. He reached for her clammy face, drawing her eyes to his in his panic. "You're trembling.. I'm going to get Mabel."

 

[Isla]

Bloodshot eyes met Lynus’, tears silently streaming down Isla’s face. She leaned into his touch. She couldn’t speak, wouldn’t speak now.

“Prince Lynus? Lady Isla?” A familiar voice, Sarah’s, called out in response to the commotion. “I heard a loud noi- oh god.” She assessed the scene and turned to face Lynus. “I will send for Dr. Nightingale. Not Mabel. I think…I urge you to spend some time away. There has been a terrible sickness going around in the maids quarters, and I’d hate for you to catch it, yeah?” She lied effortlessly, pulling Lynus up by his arm and separating him from Isla.

“Please, please, enjoy the sunshine. I will have someone send for you when everything is finished.” She shoved the Prince out of his own bedroom and scurried off to find the physician.

---

The tonic hadn’t worked…

Isla sat on the edge of their bed, knuckles turning white as she clenched the sheets. Her heart was pounding in her chest, watching the court physician mix herbs and liquids together at the table beside the window. The silence was thick and the enormous room became suffocatingly hot as she waited for him to speak. Even Lynus enjoying the sunny morning outside after she’d claimed sickness did not pierce through the quiet veil.

“My lady,” She turned to her, his expression stern yet gentle as he approached. “I have confirmed it. You are with child.”

His words were worse than a physical blow, driving the air from her lungs. Her vision blurred and her mind raced back to the night ten…eleven years ago when she had been told similar. Joy and hope were nowhere to be found. She should have been celebrating, but all that she felt was the heartbreak and terror of Nathaniel and the Lady who had taken the life from her. She shut her eyes, forcing the memory from her mind.

When she reopened them, he was still there, looking down on her with sympathetic eyes.

“Are you certain?” Her voice was a trembling whisper. She knew he was not wrong.

He nodded solemnly. “I am, my lady. But I must advise caution. You must rest, avoid stress-”

His words faded into the background as waves of panic surged through her. Rest? Avoid stress? She fought back tears wondering how either could be possible while she was here. Surrounded by people who pretended to enjoy her company. While she was still haunted by ghosts of her past she still could not rid herself of. Ghosts which even she could not allow to compare to her Prince’s trauma.

She thought of Lynus, her heart breaking for him. Her love had suffered so much already, losing his wife and child in the cruel twist of fate she was now toying with. They had been careful, she had been careful. Never missing a dose of her tea. Tracking every part of her cycle with the help of her lovely maids. She had silently vowed that she would not allow him to experience that fear again and she intended to keep true.

But this? This was unexpected. Terrifying. Guilt filled her until it threatened to overflow.

She could not tell him. Not yet. She shook her head, trying to clear the fog while the physician spoke at her. But she couldn’t face it alone, even if she did order all of her staff to stay away for the day. Her eyes drifted past the physician and to the door. She thought of Lynus’ mother, the Queen. She tried to hide her disdain for Isla, but Isla had learned to read people too well. Seeking her out now, announcing that she would forever be tied to her son would probably break the woman and release what she had hidden from plain sight. It would be an exercise in futility, perhaps outright cruelty.

She had but one ally other than Lynus that frequented the Keep, Arryn. She would not trouble him as he made it painfully clear that Lynus came first.

So she would deal with it alone.

With a shaky breath, Isla rose from the bed. The physician made a move to help her as she looked unsteady on her feet, but Isla held her hand up and asked him to stop. “Thank you, doctor.” Her voice was rough, tainted with fear and her eyes had turned cold. “Please, do not inform anyone of this. I need…time.”

He nodded, realizing her arm was extending as an order to leave. “Yes, my lady.” He scooped his collection up and into his bag and opened the door. “But please do take care of yourselves.” He added in a hushed voice before scurrying out. She pressed her back against the door and sighed, sliding down to the floor after he left and the weight of everything in the ever shrinking room came crashing down on her.

Isla cried.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

“Sickness? What kind of—” He started, his voice rising with concern. “But I… Sarah, I don’t care—” he protested, but it made no difference as the woman pushed him away and shut him out of his own chambers.

Lynus blinked and stared at the closed door, frustration bubbling beneath the surface as the echoes of Sarah’s hurried words faded. His voice fell as he realised she was already gone, leaving him alone in the hallway with nothing but the sound of his own panicked breathing.

He ran a hand through his hair, rubbing at the back of his neck as the weight of worry pressed down on him. His bare torso felt suddenly vulnerable as maids hurried past, averted gazes avoiding his, and he couldn’t shake the gnawing fear that had settled in his chest. “Isla…” he murmured, glancing back at the door as though it could somehow provide answers. He wanted to be there for her, to help her through whatever she was facing. Instead, he was shut out.

“Damn it,” he whispered, his heart racing. He had nearly stormed back inside, desperate to comfort her, but the sound of Arryn’s voice calling from down the hall stopped him in his tracks.

With a heavy sigh, he turned and walked toward his friend, trying to mask the anxiety roiling within him. Arryn had always been a calming presence, a steady hand when everything felt chaotic. They spent the next hour in Arryn’s room, Lynus’ head buried in his hands, grappling with the dark thoughts that clouded his mind. How could he help Isla if he didn’t even know what was wrong with her?

Eventually, he couldn’t sit still any longer. He stood abruptly, pushing himself off the floor. He made his way back to his chambers, ready to confront whatever was happening behind that door.

As he approached, he spotted the physician leaving, his face unreadable. Lynus rushed to intercept him, panic rising within him like bile. “Wait… Isla - is everything alright?” he asked, urgency lacing his voice. He remembered the last time this man had delivered news to him, and the dread from that memory clawed at his insides.

The physician met his gaze, a moment of understanding passing between them, before he placed a reassuring hand on Lynus’ arm. “The sickness will pass, my prince,” he replied, and Lynus felt a small measure of relief flood through him, though it was still shadowed by uncertainty.

“Good… Good. Thank you.” He trembled slightly, nodding as the physician hurried away, leaving Lynus alone with his thoughts once more.

He turned back to Isla’s door, pressing his forehead against the wood. “Isla?…” he knocked softly, the sound reverberating in the quiet. “Sarah, let me in, please.”

The silence stretched on, and Lynus could almost hear his heart pounding in the void. “Please,” he added, his voice lower now, filled with concern. “I can’t help you if you won’t let me in.” The only reply was the sound of his own breath, heavy and anxious.

 

[Isla]

“Isla?” Sarah crouched beside her, offering a handkerchief to dry her eyes. Isla accepted the square of fabric, her sobs and dabbed at her face. Her sobs had grown silent, her body seemingly unable to produce more tears than she had. The silence had become a weight, pressing down on Isla until she could no longer bear it. Lynus’ soft pleas broke through her trance and she looked up at Sarah, as if searching for guidance.

Everything she had feared was coming to life- every nightmare, every cruel memory she had. The sliver of peace she had finally found with Lynus was teetering on the edge while this fragile life inside her threatened to push them off, threatened to destroy everything.

Her thoughts spiraled back to Lynus. He had suffered far more than one should ever suffer in one lifetime. She had seen the way his face paled and twisted at the mention of his late wife and child, lingering like a ghost even. Even in moments that seemed so happy. She was going to destroy them. Destroy him.

Was withholding the truth worse? How long could she hide something like this? Certainly it could not stay hidden forever. Eventually it would be so obvious, so undeniable. Would his reaction be worse if she waited?

Fear gripped her, thoughts swirling in her head while Sarah pulled her up and helped her back to the bed. “Isla. You know you’re not alone in this. Whatever you decide to do, you won’t be alone.” Sarah’s voice was warm, her hand squeezing Isla’s upper arm.

What would happen if he found out? When he found out, rather. Would he resent her, or would he understand the fears that suffocated her. Would he be angry? Would he force her to leave- to return to the life she had known too well? The thoughts made her stomach churn again, but she remained in bed.

She was standing at the edge of a cliff, just waiting for the inevitable fall.

Sarah looked once more at Isla, who only nodded in response to Lynus’ orders for Sarah.

The young maid swung the door open, a pained smile on her face as she greeted her Prince. “Sorry your Highness,” She stepped out of the way, allowing him through and trading places so she was in the hallway. “You really should be careful though. I don’t want to hear any complaints about me and the other maids if you get sick. Don’t you say I didn’t warn you…” With her final words, she gently shut the door behind him and made her way to the maids quarters to begin necessary preparations.

Isla was on the side of the bed nearest to the window, sitting upright with the blankets in her lap. She twisted the fabric absentmindedly, looking for a distraction. “Sorry,” her voice was hoarse. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.” Her skin was still pale from the shock, eyes dark from little sleep and red from crying. “I had a nightmare and I wasn’t feeling well. It was just…too much.” She couldn’t look him in the eye as she omitted vital information.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus gave Sarah a look of caution followed by a tight smile before he crossed the threshold, closing the door softly behind him as he took in Isla’s fragile form on the bed. She looked so small, clutching the blankets as though she needed some sort of anchor. Or was it distraction? His heart twisted at the sight of her pale face, her red-rimmed eyes avoiding his gaze.

He moved quietly to her side, kneeling down beside the bed until he was eye level with her. “Isla,” he murmured gently, reaching out to take one of her hands in his. His thumb traced slow circles over her knuckles, his touch warm and grounding. “You don’t need to apologise. You have nothing to be sorry for.” His voice was calm, soothing, layered with a tenderness that he rarely let anyone else see.

“I was just worried,” he continued, his other hand reaching up to gently brush a stray lock of hair away from her face. His gaze softened, and he offered a small, reassuring smile. “I don't care about getting sick. I want to be here, with you. Tell me about your nightmares and I'll remind you how safe you are."

Seeing her like this stirred something protective deep within him, and he wanted nothing more than to ease whatever pain or fear was plaguing her. “What can I do? Is there something you'd like? A bath, perhaps? Tea?” he said softly, his fingers brushing lightly over her cheek, pausing to gently lift her chin so she would look at him. "Whatever you need."

 

[Isla]

“I should have been more quiet.” She frowned, each word he said twisting something deep in the pit of her stomach. Her guilt continued to grow. “You looked so peaceful. I am sorry for waking you.” She finally forced herself to look at him when he moved the hair from her face. “Really, there was no need for all the theatrics…People get sick. I guess it was just my turn.” She forced a smile.

Lynus asked her to speak of her nightmares and she stiffened. “That’s just it. I haven’t been able to dream in years. Most nights I barely manage to sleep the full night. It frightened me when the first dream I had was so…negative…” She shuddered, her eyes drifting away briefly as though she might be going to the place in her mind where she was most protected. “It was just a memory…dream…from years ago.”

She decided then to tell him of the dream, sparing none of the horrible details she had lived through. The blood. Pain. Nathaniel. She told him of everything. Everything except the child- their child. When she was finished, she leaned back on the pillows breathing heavily.

Tears were streaming down her face once more, seeming to be a permanent part of her appearance nowadays. “I don’t suppose I can trouble you for something to eat? Or to tell Arryn and Brett that I won’t be at training today?”

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus felt his heart twist at Isla’s apology, and he shook his head softly. “No, Starling. You should have woken me sooner,” he murmured, his expression gentle, though his brow was knit with concern. “Don’t do that.” He climbed onto the bed beside her, settling close as she began to speak of her nightmare—the memory that had haunted her.

Listening to the raw pain in her voice as she recounted her past, he could feel a slow anger simmering deep in his chest, building like bile, but he kept his face composed and calm. She’d chosen to share this with him, and he knew that letting his anger show would only make her retreat and think twice about telling him such things again. So he pushed it down, focusing instead on the softness in her eyes.

When she finally leaned back against the pillows, exhausted, he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her and pressing a lingering kiss to her hair. “You’re here now,” he whispered, his voice low and steady. “And so am I.” He sighed, his cheek resting against her head, and felt his own past stir in his mind—the memories that haunted him. Yet, waking to find Isla there each night had softened his grief, had begun to mend the broken places within him. He hoped she might find the same solace in him.

When she asked for something to eat, he offered her a gentle smile. “Then I’ll bring you breakfast personally.” He kissed her cheek, his fingers tracing a tender path along her jaw, and slipped from the bed to pull on a shirt. He left with a glance back, ensuring she was comfortable, before disappearing down the hall.

It wasn’t long before he returned, balancing a tray laden with fresh tea, a bowl of sweet porridge, honey cakes, and vibrant fruits. A small vase of wildflowers sat nestled among the dishes, adding a soft touch of colour to the arrangement. “The flowers…” he began, his lips quirking in a gentle smile as he set the tray at the foot of the bed, “are from Brett. He wanted to ensure I took no credit for them.”

 

[Isla]

When he pulled Isla close, she didn’t fight the urge to nuzzle closer into him, silently thanking whatever gods might be that she had the time waiting for Dr. Nightingale and used it to brush her teeth and clean herself up. She gripped his arm tightly with her hands and shut her eyes for a moment. “Thank you. I-“ love you, “Thank you for everything.”

She wished he had taken longer to leave the bed, but watched with a sad, grateful smile as he dressed and left her alone. As soon as the door shut behind Lynus, she released a breath she’d been holding onto for far too long. Her chest had a lingering ache from everything she had not said to him. She stared at the door until she knew he was gone and finally pressed a trembling hand to her stomach, searching for the faintest sign that the physician was correct.

Her mind was torn, guilt and fear pulling at either end. How could she tell him? How could she hide it. He deserves to know, to share in this…or walk away if he wished.

Even without this information, the worry on his face lingered in her mind. She still felt the fierce, unyielding love that still remained unsaid, but she had never felt she deserved in the first place. She could almost sense the flicker of pain and confusion when she brushed his concerns off with half truths, whispering the same reassuring lies that Sarah had spun so easily to protect her.

It hurt to keep him out, to carry burdens in the dark. But the thought of telling him paralyzed her. She didn’t think she could form the words if she tried. It felt like she was only opening old wounds, simultaneously creating new ones that he might never heal from. Losing her…losing them…

She buried her face in her hands, forcing down the wave of emotions that crashed into her relentlessly.

The door creaked open and she straightened quickly, dabbing whatever tears still fell when Lynus returned with a loaded tray balanced carefully in his hands. The flowers from Brett…she didn’t know why, but that might have been too much for her. Fresh tears fell once again and she cursed herself for still having enough water in her body to even produce them.

Isla shoved the blankets off of her and ran over to the table nearest to the fireplace. She waited until he had set it down before she wrapped her arms around his waist and refused to let go. “I assume this means they accepted my excuse for the day?”

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus hadn’t noticed the fresh tears slipping down Isla’s cheeks until, hardly having set the tray down, he turned to find her there, wrapping her arms around him. It.. caught him off guard, and Gods, something in his chest cracked wide open. He covered it with a quiet laugh, brushing his hand gently along her back as he held her close.

“It’s not like they had a choice, now, did they?” he smirked, voice barely above a whisper, one hand cradling her head and the other tracing gentle circles across her back.

He eased back enough to look at her, brushing a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb, though he kept his arm wrapped around her shoulders. “Just me and you today. And Duke, obviously,” he murmured, glancing down at the dog who lifted his head lazily from his spot on the rug, giving them both a solemn, almost approving look before flopping back down beside the hearth.

Lynus met Isla’s gaze, a flicker of warmth in his eyes as he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “So, take whatever time you need.” He paused, his voice softening as he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I’m here for as long as you want me.”

 

[Isla]

She laughed, a strained laugh, into his chest when he spoke to her. “I mean, they can refuse.” She mumbled. “Brett is nicer, but I think Arryn just thinks I am weak and looking for excuses sometimes.” She recalled only a day or two prior. She showed up early, as she always did, but it wasn’t an attempt to be a punctual student. She had been sick in the bushes outside the courtyard and had hoped to get it out of her system before the boys showed up.

She had been regressing in her lessons. If Brett had noticed, then Arryn certainly had although he had not said much to her other than his usual words of encouragement. In his own way, of course. But she had been slower, less steady on her feet when her head was reeling. Her jabs and uppercuts were weaker and it was a miracle if she managed to block even the slowest, most predictable shots from either Arryn or Brett.

It was making some sense now.

“Promise me that you won’t leave me,” She looked up at him, amusement replaced by a serious expression. Her words suggested that she was only referring to today, but it was deeper to her. “Even if I fall asleep, don’t go. Okay? Even if the King or Bexley or I don’t even care- a god reveals themself to you and demands you come along on some dangerous adventure. Don’t leave me.”

She waited until he released her to begin digging into the food. Some of it. Not the tea. Not the porridge. But she was more than happy to devour honey cakes, only offering him one from the pile. “Eat.” She demanded, waving it in front of his face.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

“Actually, Arryn was impressed by how quickly you’ve picked things up,” he said gently. “He doesn’t think you’re weak at all. If anything, he sees strength in you, Isla. You may not see it yourself, but we do.”

Lynus felt his chest tighten at Isla’s words, the raw vulnerability in her voice winding around his heart. He shook his head with a slight frown, his expression resolute. The ache grew sharper as her gaze turned serious, her plea for him to stay breaking through any walls he’d once held. It wasn’t just about today, he could feel it—the fear and uncertainty she kept so carefully hidden. He reached to cup her face, his grip firm and unwavering, meeting her eyes with an intensity he hoped she could feel. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said, his tone allowing no room for doubt. “I told you. I’m here, Isla. Today, tomorrow… as long as you’ll have me.”

He lowered his head slightly, his gaze softening, brows rising with a sincerity he hoped would settle her doubts. “I promise,” he murmured, and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before letting her eat.

A soft laugh escaped him as she waved a honey cake at him, the tension easing as he leaned forward to take a bite from her hand, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “If I must,” he muffled, savouring the sweet taste and catching her eye. “But only because you’re making it impossible to refuse.”

He helped her with the tea, and the porridge, and the fruit, too. How long had people had to force him to stomach food? Now, everything tasted real again, he could taste the sweetness, could see the colours more vibrantly than before. All because of her. He sighed, smiling at her from the armchair as his thoughts drifted.

"How are you feeling now?" he asked, now that she'd consumed her weight in honey.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

The evening air was thick with the warmth of candles burning in sconces along the stone hallways, casting long shadows as Lynus and Isla made their way to the kitchens. It was quiet, save for the soft echo of their footsteps on the flagstone floor and the occasional murmur of voices from distant rooms. They hadn’t had a real meal together in days, and Lynus had convinced her to join him for something simple, hoping it would bring back some of her usual cheer.

Isla looked better, brighter than she had yesterday, her fingers comfortably entwined with his as they walked, chatting softly about what fond, childhood memories they had. Lynus stole glances at her now and then, relieved to see the faint smile on her lips.

But then, a voice cut sharply through the calm.

“Lynus!” Brett’s voice rang out, tense and angry, echoing down the hall. Lynus stopped in his tracks, turning just as the boy rounded the corner, racing toward them with a wild look in his eyes. Alarm prickled at the back of Lynus’s mind, and he let go of Isla’s hand to step toward the approaching boy and brace himself.

“Brett—what’s wrong?” But his question was cut short with a hard shove that nearly knocked him off balance. The boy’s face was flushed with anger, his eyes brimming with tears, and Lynus barely had time to register the hurt before Brett shoved him again, his small fists pounding against Lynus’s chest.

“How could you do it?!” Brett’s voice was thick with betrayal, each hit more desperate than the last. “How could you do that to Miss Isla?!”

Lynus’ brow furrowed, and he caught Brett’s wrists, trying to stop the boy’s assault without hurting him. “Do what, Brett? Stop-- calm down!” He glanced at Isla, hoping for some clue.

“I hate you! I hate her!” Brett shouted, kicking against Lynus’s hold, his words seething with rage. It was a knife to the heart, but there was something more that drove Lynus to hold on, something behind the words that twisted the worry deeper.

“Brett!” Arryn’s voice commanded from down the hall, and Lynus looked up as the man approached quickly, his gaze flicking between the prince and the boy. Reaching them, Arryn grabbed Brett by the shoulders, pulling him firmly away.

“Enough,” Arryn said, his voice low but firm. “Lay a hand on your Prince again, and it’s out of my hands. Don’t be a fucking idiot, kid." Arryn scolded. "Stables. Now.”

“But he deserves—!!” Brett’s voice cracked, his small body still shaking with rage.

“NOW!” Arryn barked furiously and shoved him gently down the hall. The boy threw one last, scathing look over his shoulder at Lynus before he turned and stormed off, sobbing.

Arryn looked back at Lynus and Isla, an apology heavy in his gaze. “Lynus, Isla.. I’m sorry,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. “He just--.”

“What the hell is going on?” Lynus demanded quickly, trying to mask the tremor in his voice. The child had never acted this way with him—protective, yes, but never hateful.

Arryn raised his hand, a gesture for calm, then reached into his jacket and produced a folded parchment, his face unreadable. “Your father sent word… I only received it a short while ago. He had ordered some of my men to deliver them. I had no idea, Lynus, I swear.” He offered the parchment to Lynus, who took it and quickly unfolded the letter.

In elegant script, the words danced before his eyes, but their meaning was all too clear.

~~~~
‘You are cordially invited to join us this evening in celebration!

Please come all, and bear witness to the official engagement of Prince Lynus Anireth and Lady Bexley of House Pirian.

Yours, jovially,
King Randall and Queen Eleanora Anireth.’
~~~~
​

His heart seemed to freeze, the words sinking like stones into his chest. An engagement. His engagement. To Lady Bexley.

 

[Isla]

The stone hallways were quiet as Lynus and Isla walked beside one another. Her mind was preoccupied, her hand fighting the urge to rest over her abdomen. She grabbed for Lynus' own hand to quell it. The secret gnawed at her. It was heavy, and yet she had barely managed to conceal it from everyone except Sarah, who had been with her for the heart breaking news. She managed to keep it from Lynus, but she knew she would have to tell him. Not now, no. But she would figure it out.

The young voice pulled her from her thoughts, barely containing the anger she saw on his face when he stormed up to Lynus. He pulled his hand from hers and prepared himself for when Brett approached him and began shoving him with wild fury unlike the practiced blows she had witnessed in training. Her hand moved to Lynus' back to keep him from falling, her face showing no clues that she had any idea why the squire was so angry that he was now in tears.

"Brett?" She was cut off by a question from the boy that made her heart drop.

How could you do that to Miss Isla?

She looked to Lynus, confused. "Do what?" She asked, her voice was quiet and her question unanswered when Arryn joined the trio and began to discipline the boy. Her hand wrapped around Lynus' arm and she just looked between the two. She watched as Arryn pulled the parchment from his jacket and as Lynus took it, unfolding the note and reading it.

The silence was unbearable.

Isla glanced up at Lynus' face and then down at the parchment. Her eyes lingered on the delicate, elegant ink. For a moment, she strained to make sense of any of it. Her brow furrowed, her heart pounding harder and louder with each reread of the note. The official engagement of Prince Lynus Anireth and Lady Bexley of House Pirian.

She scanned it once more. Her heart stilled. And then she looked up at Lynus. The love she had shown him was replaced with anger and hatred.

"You...told me..." She released his arm, stepping away from him. "You told me it was nothing." Her voice was barely more than a whisper when she took another step back. "You said you were just humoring her games to save her any embarrassment."

Her mind was a storm as she turned away from him, "Fucking liar." She muttered. If he tried to speak, his words were lost to her, drowned out by the memories of the promises he made to her. He promised he wouldn't leave her only a day ago! She shook her head, tears stinging in her eyes.

"I can't do this." She murmured to herself, chest heaving with the deep breaths she tried to calm herself with as she stormed off not towards their quarters, but through the Keep's halls, fighting that rising ache in her throat until she found an exit that took her out into the rain-soaked gardens.

Clouds swirled overhead, mirroring her inner turmoil. Her walk turned to a sprint and she fled, unbothered by the chilling wetness clinging to her dress. She ran and ran, and didn't stop until lightning struck and thunder crackled loudly over head. A gazebo loomed in the distance and she only stopped running when she reached it.

She stopped, taking a moment to catch her breath. Rain mixed with her tears and she let herself cry. The wrapped her arms around herself and leaned against the pillars while the loud sobs escaped her lips.

He had promised her a future and yet, here she stood. Alone. In the dark. Broken promises and a fragile life the only things to accompany her.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus’s fingers curled tightly around the parchment, crumpling it in his fist as fury surged through him. How could his father do this? He could feel the heat burning in his chest, creeping up his throat, his pulse pounding so loudly he almost didn’t hear Isla’s broken whisper.

He looked at her then, his expression softening as he saw the disbelief in her eyes as she stepped away from him. She actually thought he wanted this. That he would betray her. The way she looked at him now—it cut deeper than any blade. It was the look she’d given him the day she learned his name. It was hate, plain and raw, and it shattered him.

“Isla, I…” He reached out, his voice thick with desperation, but the words caught like stones in his throat. She stepped away, slipping just out of his reach.

And then she was gone, retreating down the corridor before he could even find his voice again. He watched, his heart splintering as she walked away from him, left him, her steps echoing down the hall, her shoulders set in a way that warned him not to follow. But every instinct in him screamed to run after her, to pull her back, to explain, to beg if he had to.

A hard shove from Arryn snapped him back to the present, and he turned, indignant, his blurred gaze meeting the man’s piercing one.

“I didn’t know, Arryn— I had nothin—”

Arryn shoved him again, harder this time. “Don’t explain it to me, you idiot. Go get her. Make it right,” he barked, shoving Lynus in the direction that Isla had stormed, his voice sharp and unyielding.

Lynus staggered, glancing back with a helplessness he couldn’t quite hide. “But if… if she doesn’t believe me, if she wants to leave—” His voice cracked under the weight of his fear. He couldn’t bear to see that look in her eyes again, the look that told him he’d lost her. Forever.

Arryn’s voice broke through his despair. “Lynus! Go!” He gave Lynus a hard shake.

With a nod, Lynus turned and sprinted down the corridor, his voice calling Isla’s name as he pushed open the heavy doors and into the night. The rain drenched him instantly, plastering his clothes to his skin, but he barely felt the cold. His eyes scanned the grounds frantically, searching for any sign of her.

There—through the curtain of rain, he saw her at the gazebo. His heart thudded painfully as he approached, slowing his pace when he drew close, wary of her pulling further away. She was leaning against a pillar, arms wrapped tightly around herself, her shoulders shaking with quiet, heart-wrenching sobs, and he broke all over again.

Lynus halted a short distance from her, his voice soft, barely louder than a whisper. “I never lied to you, Isla.” He swallowed, his throat tight. “I would never do this to you. I… I didn’t know.”

Taking a slow step closer, he reached out, rain streaming from his fingertips, his heart a raw, open wound as he waited, praying she’d let him explain.

 

[Isla]

The rain struck relentlessly on the roof of the gazebo, but Isla didn’t mind. Her thoughts swirled louder. She did not feel the cold seeping in through her clothes, soaking her skin underneath. Her arms tightened around her, chest aching with the gnawing pain of his betrayal. Every word he’d ever spoken now was twisted, ruined, a lie distorted by the rain.

How could she have been so foolish? She had spent ten years building a fortress around herself. She knew not to let her guard down, not to be stupid enough to ever trust another man so easily. Yet she’d willingly let herself fall, let herself believe his sweetened lies, let herself believe in what they shared. She had told him secrets from wounds she swore to never open again. She had convinced herself that he cared, that he saw her as more than the girl everyone dismissed because of her past.

She thought it was real.

She pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle the sobs that clawed their way up her throat. Her heart clenched at the thoughts and she trembled as her sobs grew more violent. She tried to convince herself that it wouldn’t end. That he’d stand by her as he promised. But all she felt now was humiliation.

She didn’t hear him approach, didn’t hear his whispers in the rain. But she did see him in the corner of her eye. Her head tilted, and slowly she turned. Her face was streaked with tears, her styled hair nothing more than a sopping mess around her shoulders. She looked at him, anger and heartbreak on her face as she studied him. “All this time, I let myself believe that you saw me as more than…than everyone else does. That maybe I had some place in your life. I let you in, Lynus. And now? I find out that I was only some…passing amusement.” Her voice was cold with each word uttered. “And I found out from an invitation to your engagement. How humiliating. I should have known. I should have known…” Her last words were mumbled to herself as she shook her head.

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus's heart twisted painfully as he listened to her words, each one a blade cutting deeper than the last. He had expected anger—deserved it, even, for how his family had made her feel. But hearing her speak with such cold, bitter disappointment… that hurt more than he could have imagined.

The rain streamed down his face, but he barely noticed. All he could see was Isla, standing before him like some fierce, fragile storm, her hair wild and soaked, her eyes burning with both fury and heartbreak.

When she finished speaking, he took a shaky breath, the words caught in his throat before he finally managed, “You were never some passing amusement to me.” His voice was hoarse, strained. “I meant every word I ever said to you. This—” He held up the crumpled invitation, his grip trembling as he crushed it further. “This was done behind my back. It was arranged without my knowledge, let alone my consent. I swear to you, I had no part in this.” His tone cracked as desperation seeped in.

He took a careful step toward her, reaching out to her cautiously. “Come inside and let me explain, Isla, please."