Private Tales The Starling and the Bear

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus laughed softly under his breath, shaking his head as her brows arched at him.
“No more, I promise,” he teased, though there was a quiet warmth in his eyes as he watched her clutch her stomach.

When her plea came, he sobered. A sigh escaped him as he leaned forward, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead, his fingers threading gently into her hair. “I promise,” he murmured against her skin. “You are safe. We are safe. Nobody knows where we are but us."

He drew in a slow, steadying breath. “We’re both free now. Lord and Lady Caerwyn,” he said at last, tasting the name as though it might settle around them like armour.

The ache in his chest flared, the thought of Arryn never far, but it only made him more determined to reclaim some happiness. His brother had given his life for it, and he wouldn’t waste it.

His hand slid from her hair to cup her cheek, a faint smile breaking through. “And tonight, wife,” he said softly, “I’m taking you out.”

 

[Isla]

Relief flooded her veins.

Isla exhaled. It wasn't just a breath, but something heavier. Something that had lived caged in her chest for months, clawing at her ribs, trying to get out. But as Lynus's lips brushed against her forehead, fingers gently threading into her hair, the tension vanished like smoke through an open window.

The promise settled into her bones.

Safe.

It echoed in her head like a prayer. Her shoulders slumped slightly, grip loosening from the invisible armor she clung to.

"Lord and Lady Caerwyn.."

She repeated it softly, testing the name in the way he had. Her eyes lifted to his, searching in his face as though it was the first time she had ever looked at him. Then something flickered in her expression. Surprise first, then warmth.

"It's beautiful," She whispered, grabbing his hand and squeezing it as she repeated, "Caerwyn."

She tilted her head when she looked back. "Does it mean anything?" She kept her voice light, but curious. But the way she looked at him said something different. That she wanted it to mean something. That maybe after everything they'd been through, she was finally to let this be real, to settle, to let it take root.

And then he smiled at her faintly, cupping her cheek. Her heart fluttered as he said something unexpected.

Tonight, wife, I'm taking you out.

In Vel Anir, they hadn't a luxury of simply going anywhere. Not without guards, certainly not without criticism and whispers and stares. He was giving them something so foreign: a normal date night. Smiles bloomed wider across her lips until she was grinning, hand rising to rest gently over his. "And where, my very dashing Lord Caerwyn," She murmured, voice lilting with a hint of mischief, "are you taking your lovely wife?"

She laughed quietly, unable to stop the warmth from flowing through her. It didn't erase her pain, but it dulled the edges. Replaced it, if only for a while, with something sweeter. Something almost like joy.