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.”

 

[Nadya]

She had taken over the office in her family home, needing a room quiet enough to think. Cullen was free to come and go, for her knew the papers and maps she was pouring over. Knew that she was still a Wing Leader and in need to keep up with the daily reports.

When he found her that morning, she looked up at him with relief.

Her expression turned to quizzical before settling into a gentle frown. Concern? Jealousy? Before she could form a final thought, he kept explaining the contents and reason for his old flame to send him a letter.

War.

The word resonated inside her, and the call to arms was right there at the surface. She sat upright, taking the letter gently and not reading it until he had finished speaking.

Alliance.

"Is it wrong I want to see him put in his place?" A wince, but it was not believable for the smile on her lips twitched into existence. Nadya leaned towards him slightly, her hand resting at his chest. Rising from her seat, there was now practically no space between them as she looked up into his eyes. "If you still have an alliance with someone of her standing, then I would honour it. Ilir... all but threatened to bring Stasya into this and for the life of me, I just wish her life remains learning how to ride a dragon on her own and falling for that Mylo fellow."

Nadya could not leave her sister alone. Even with a dragon bonded to her now, Kalyss fed on the energy Nadya could not help but filter through their bond. And where ever she was, Cullen would be too. Stasya was protected here...

She lifted her head and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Go. I cannot leave Caliar House... but I am curious of how Eira Malennis will plot her way through this. She would not try to reclaim her family title, would she?" Her own thoughts were brimming with reasons and calculations. Eira had acknowledged the betrothal to the Solherre heir, an advantageous match for her station, but she could not be Lady to two Houses.

Nadya's brows furrowed. She glanced at the letter in her hand once again.

"No... no she would not. She wants you to meet in Sarre? Where her cousin Greydon grew up? I bet she will name him heir and new Lord of the House Malennis."

 

[Cullen]

A slow breath left him when she finally spoke, his tension easing slightly.

“No,” he rumbled softly, his head shaking. “It’s not wrong.” His fingers slid into her hair, combing it back from her face as she rose to stand against him. He sighed, deeply.

“Personally, I want to lay the bastard in the ground for everything he’s done… and everything he’s threatened to do.”

His jaw tightened at the mention of Stasya. The thought alone was enough to set his blood simmering. Then she mentioned Mylo, and his brows dipped sharply.

“Falling for-?” He went rigid, lips parting before he caught himself. A muscle feathered in his cheek as he forced a slow exhale through his nose. “No.. One issue at a time.” He huffed quietly, though the protective edge in his tone promised that particular matter would be revisited.

He dipped his head when she kissed his cheek, and some more of the tension bled from his shoulders. His hands slid down her shoulders and back as she spoke..

“Mh. Possibly,” he murmured at her theory, gaze drifting briefly as he considered it. “Either way, it can’t be Ilir.” he said, and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head.

“I’ll go see what she has to say, and report back." he promised quietly.

---

Not long after, he was in the air. Meala’s wings beat hard against the wind as they cut toward Sarre, and soon the cliffs came into view.

He could see the unmistakable silhouette of Tyafainne poised atop the highest cliff, vast and elegant against the sky. His stomach twisted nervously.

Meala descended in a controlled sweep, talons scraping stone as she landed. Cullen dismounted smoothly, pulling off his gloves and shoving them into his belt as his free hand dragged through his wind tossed hair. He forced his posture loose and casual, as though his pulse wasn’t hammering against his ribs.

“Eira.” he said as he approached, dipping his chin once in greeting, dark eyes steady despite the history that lingered between them.

 

[Nadya]

Nadya could not help but smile at the trace of surprise turned into concern only someone that loved Stasya would feel. Of course, to them both, Stasya was that younger sister new to society, a rose so pleasant and nurtured she garnered attention. It was natural for them both to be protective, but the only words she could give Cullen were words she told herself.

"If we fight against them, it will only cause them to sneak around. I would rather they play safe than to find somewhere quiet and away from my watch." She smiled leaning into him.

She would rather her sister be free like this, to remain the soft and gentle woman she has grown to be... and kept well away from Ilir.

"You go see her and tell her I am part of your alliance. Where you go, I follow. Remember that, my love."

 

[Eira]

Should she be concerned that she felt nothing of the old feelings she had for him? Watching him dismount and approach her, he looked every bit of the man she fell in love with, and that his new cut of hair made him look that more handsome, and still, Eira could not summon up the feelings she had for him.

She had cried at his cell last she saw him. Had given him a ring to remember her by...

And yet she was ripped away from him. Shackled into a new betrothal, and him being sent to the front lines, where she could not go.

Eira nodded to him in return, again, feeling nothing as he spoke her name. Instead, she wore a somber expression.

"Thank you for meeting me."

Behind her, Tyafainne lifted her head and watched them both. It was not a threat, but the natural way Tya moved showed that the young dragon had grown since they last saw each other. The Moon Dragon gave a trill, a melodic string of cooing sounds as her claws cut into the stone. The scraping made Eira's head turn slightly towards the sound.

"My cousin, Greydon, has informed me that my brother is growing restless. Unfortunately, Grey has set his eyes on Ilir's betrothed. An incident occurred and the idiot, Greydon, let it slip he intends to take the title from Ilir." The way she spoke and paused did not mean Cullen could speak or interject. It was a natural pause, where she could recollect herself before speaking again. "Ilir wants to treat himself like the royals, calling for a second wife. He made a promise to marry Imogen Celreos, but he wants another wife to bring him power."

It was now that she met his gaze.

"The Wing Leader... her sister recently bonded to a Storm Dragon." Such news was widespread, and if Eira found out, so did Ilir. "You can see why I asked you here..." Even when they had been together, Cullen spoke of the Caliars with such love, Eira had been glad there was some light in his life. To her, it was her duty to make him aware of any threat that may harm his chosen family. "That Ilir wants revenge against Nadya." And had threatened to become acquainted with Anastasia Caliar to spite the Wing Leader.