Private Tales This Is How You Wage War

[Eira]

Power came in all forms, and for Eira, she had formed many alliances when she had been the Chosen Heir of House Malennis. The death of her father during the Moon Dragon Dance nearly two years ago became an opportune time for her brother to usurp her title. With the backing of their uncle, who did not step in to aide the late Lord Malennis before his dragon and himself were devoured by beasts of the eclipse, they disrupted every paved piece Eira set in motion for her ascension to becoming Lady of the House.

Ilir had thought taking away her freedom and promising her to House Solherre would ensure she would not retaliate was disillusioned of him.

Eira had time to regroup, to repair quietly the destruction her brother did, but what Ilir did not realise that is vital to his success was buying alliances.

She made many of them over the years. In every faction, in every class residing in the city, even those that many do not dare to seek company with. Desirables and undesirables, Eira made sure to extend a hand in promise to help the individuals in the future.

For many days after her brother tore Cullen Morvane away from her, she had wondered why she wanted to approach him and strike up an alliance in the first place. At the time, she did not know anything of him except for being in the same squad. Did they throw the Marked Ones around fresh-faced cadets to the Thunder, like he had been with her squad? He had caught her eye, her interest, in a way no one else had before. Perhaps that was dangerous, to begin to feel things for someone.

Worse when in the end, neither of them would have worked.

---

Cullen

Last we spoke, we spoke merely as acquaintances, strangers at best.

On that fateful day, I had offered an alliance with you, and it has taken us through moments I still cherish but something I forgot to make known to you before I left you in that tower cell.

We now have a common enemy. Not because of what he has done to what we once were, but to those we love. I apologise that it has taken me this long to say something, to set in motion plans long overdue, but I cannot speak of any of this in writing for I intend to bring war to my traitorous brother.

Please, meet me in Sarre. It is the ancestral home of the Tomyris' by the coast. I will be waiting on the highest cliff with Tyafainne.

Invite the Wing Leader if you wish, anyone you trust. I will be alone.

- Eira Malennis

 

[Cullen]

“Ah, fuck…”

The curse muffled against the hand that currently dragged down his face, the parchment crumpling slightly in the grip of the other. He tipped his head back, staring at the ceiling as he pulled in a slow breath before reading the letter again, his dark eyes lingering on the signature.

Eira Malennis.

He read it again. And again. The letters didn’t change.

His heart didn’t lurch the way it once would have. It didn’t crack open or bleed. It was no longer a hollow, aching thing carved out by her absence. It was full now. Steady and claimed. But scars didn’t vanish just because they’d healed..

That name had once dragged him through hell, through beatings and through chains, through the cold stone of a tower cell. It had cost him trust. It had nearly cost him Nadya. And gods, how long had it been since he’d last seen her?

He was happy now. Happier than he’d ever allowed himself to be. Nadya had done that. She’d pulled him from the wreckage of his past without even realising she was rebuilding him.

And yet… The thought of bringing that bastard down was tempting. Too tempting.

Cullen paced the length of the room, the letter folding and unfolding between his fingers. He rehearsed words under his breath that he might say to Nadya. Dismissive ones. Casual ones. Careful ones.

He found Nadya where she was bent over maps and reports, already building strategies in that brilliant, relentless mind of hers. For a moment, he just watched her. Grounded himself in the sight of her.

Then he held out the letter with a sigh. “I got this,” he said simply, holding her gaze. “It’s from Eira.”

“She wants to meet. Says she’s bringing war to her brother.” His jaw tightened slightly.

“I won’t lie to you, Nad. The idea of seeing Ilir fall is… appealing.” His mouth twitched without humour. “But I don’t owe her anything..”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I won’t have any secrets or insecurities between us.”

His hand found hers.

“You know there’s no ghost from my past that could change how I feel about you.. I need you to be alright with this..”

His thumb brushed over her skin.

“If this makes you uncomfortable, I burn the letter and we forget it ever existed.” he frowned, sincerely. “If it makes you feel better to stand beside me when I face her, then that’s how it’ll be.”

He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles.

“You’re the only one I’m choosing, Nadya. I just need you to trust that.”