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secret-fungi · 1 month ago

Text

Fathers be good to your children

Book: Thunderstorms saga rating: M pairing: Tai/ Tiss words count: 6k tws: drinking, mentions of blood, physical injury, Patricide, sexual harrasment (tiss is spied on)

A/N dinners done i serve you a bloody prince yaaay everyones favorite

Ever had a girl so bad you committed patricide?

@rc-catalog idk if this really counts as a mothers day submission but tiss is preg in it soo almost mom?

She hated the palace. The walls and thick vines that grew upon them, the flickering flames and each and every marble step seemed to watch her, Warn her against something she did not know. She hated the feeling as if even the flowers that sat on the windowsill were watching, their gentle sways as the wind played with their petals somehow nefarious— somehow in some way it was warning her too.

It was alright in the light, and in short spurts of visits But the moon was outside her window and in the darkness, the novelty of the empire had worn off, and no longer was it interesting that there was hardly a familiar sight, She missed the blossoming flowers and the salty, crispness that settled in the air of her home.

She laid in bed, candle still lit and a dagger that she had snuck in under her pillow. She continued to try — fruitlessly— to read what she held in front of her, but the words swam and jumped and her eyes darted to every dark shadow that accompanied her in the room, waiting for eyes to emerge from the darkness.

Oh, how she hated the palace.

And as if it too shared those same, strange sentiments towards her the walls peered closer, leaning in too close to watch her read. Under the weight of the disembodied stare, she thought a rather silly thing: that If it had something to say, then it should say it. She disliked it being watched, and she hated most that her things seemed to move about while she was alone, as if mocking her.

Toying with her silly idea that the prince’s chambers could protect her— That he could. And she did not like that one bit. Maybe, someone was watching, through a hole in the wall she didn’t know of, waiting for her gown to drop, for the candle to be blown out and her eyes to close—

A small, barely noticeable shuffle sounded from somewhere in the darkness, she jumped upright, her book harshly dropping against her thighs. If you could feel a laugh, she did. cruel and mocking and overjoyed at her fear.

She reached under her pillow and searched the darkness, there was no more movement, but still she knew, they lingered somewhere she could not see, and at the sound of movement outside of her door she bolted up, jumping out of bed and rushing to the other side of the room. She came bursting forth, dagger in hand pointing wildly at the source of the sound, resolved to end the source once and for all.

The room adjoining her and the prince’s was lit softly, hardly a place to hide within the shadows that hid in small corners, and as her eyes adjusted to the sight, the prince– just as undressed as her– stood still for a moment, his eyes heavy on the dagger pointed to his neck, a small, devilishly amused smile tugging just so at the corners of his lips. Easily, it could’ve been taken as a sign of war— She wished he had taken it as such, tossed her back into a cell but instead, He looked at her and let the laugh that had come up pass his lips.

“Have you come to talk me out of a drink?” He teased, his hand still half pouring a glass.

She dropped her arm but still she was tense, that unease still wrapped tightly around her throat. She rolled her eyes then glanced around the room. It only took that. The small jittery, anxious movement forced him to pause, placing the pitcher back onto the table before he moved towards her as if she was a wild beast.

“What happened?” He asked.

She knew it was coming from the way he glanced at her open door, and the dagger in her hand as if there was some hidden mystery to solve. He parted his lips and she knew what he would say, and some small part of her feared he’d already know what the issue was– that telling him would make the eyes quieter but not disappear, and she feared that after all of it, he would have played her. That the whispers about him were true and held no exceptions. She had been confined for a while now, sick and weak; she was unsure if she worried more that he would think it had made her mad or if it truly had made it so.

“Maybe, what do you have to offer if I did?” She says in response, a tightness in her words that didn’t escape the other for even a moment, but he responded as if her poor attempt to wipe the stricken look from her features had worked and he had not noticed what she didn’t wish to see.

“What would you want?” he asked with a grin, and had the mage looked away from his eyes she would have noticed that his hands, one wrapping around her waist and the other gently tugging at the dagger. But she did not look away from him and neither did he from her.

“My favor?” He asked “Have you not heard? I have that already.” She said, a small smile on her lips despite herself.

“I was hoping for a token of your appreciation… But you’re a thankless creature,” She says dramatically.

He laughed, tilted and tense like it was when they had first truly spoke to each other, it distracted her for the moment it took him to respond. “Am I?” He asked, moving to pull her to the sofa. He sat with her, his hands still holding her as they sat.

If he was surprised to see her, he did not show it, nor was he surprised when she sat so closely to him. No, he only glanced down at her state of undress for a few moments too long to be less than intimate before he smiled at her.

“Did you miss me?” he asked, if only to annoy her. “Yes.” she said, if only for him to invite her to his room. His brows shot up, eyes glancing to the dagger before she caught him. “I worried you were a lady of the court.” she joked. His laugh became true at this, a bright grin spreading across his lips as he reached for the towel that rested on his shoulders before he dried his hair.

She watched the man’s muscles move at the absent movement. He was kept busy these days, and the fact he had come out here for a drink likely meant that the pitcher in his room ran empty, or maybe he had hoped his movements would stir her from her sleep.

He caught her glaze, her eyes wild and wired and smiled, continuing his attempt at distracting the mage. “You truly can’t be worried about them,” he said. “No, not truly.” she admitted.

“Are you thirsty?” He asked, gesturing to a pitcher that was placed on the side table. “No, thank you.” He nodded slowly, rising to his feet and walking over to the table. Her eyes didn’t wander his direction though, they jumped from shadow to shadow, over every crack and every inch of each wall that encased them, what she was searching for, he didn’t have to try too hard to understand. He watched her as he poured himself a drink. She was flushed and her chest heaved and a strange anxiety etched into her features.

He hadn’t heard her leave, so he couldn’t imagine that she ran into anyone, but still a lump formed as he took a drink from his goblet. She picked at the thin, sheer fabric of her nightgown as he watched her, her figure silhouetted from the light that came from behind her. He watched as she seemed to battle herself, her brows furrowing and relaxing in response to her silent argument.

It wasn’t until he had invited her to his bed that she seemed to calm slightly, sinking into her side with a heavy sigh. He watched her, occasionally taking a drink as he waited for her to tell him, and she would, he could see it, that she was losing the mental battle she fought. Still, he waited, grabbing his book before settling beside her. It was halfway through the third page when she rested her head against his chest, her head tucked under his chin and her body pressed close to his side. And it was around the seventh page that she finally spoke up.

“Prince.” she said with a strange undo formality, drawing herself back from him as she leaned into him. “Yes.” He replied. She spoke without thinking, and the courage she had to demand his attention faltered the moment she had it. She paused, taking a moment as she tried to form the words— she wasn’t sure what she wanted to say first, in truth she hadn’t meant to address him out loud.

“Is there…” she started, her fingers picking at the lavish blankets that sat at his waist. He watched her every move as if she would combust at any moment.

“I have been to many castles.” She tried again, only to bite at her lip again. “In many there is a way to look into a room in case the servants are needed and such–” His eyes drifted to the door, then back to her.

“Do you think someone is watching?” He asked. Looking down at her. She paused, her entire being stilling against him for a few seconds too long for her not to be given away. “Tell me, If someone wanted could….” she caught the look he gave and lost her nerve, her palm coming to press into the center of her forehead. “Nevermind, forgive me.”

He watched her curiously, a strange look upon his face as he observed her wired movements.

“There’s no such spots to watch that I know of.” He said “That you know of.” she repeated.

He frowned, his brows knitted together and his shoulders tense and pushed back as if he was readying himself for a fight, his eyes landing in the direction of the dagger he had taken from her before he looked back to her. “What happened?”

She paused, her fingers absently drawing patterns on his skin. “Someone is watching.” She said, He glanced paused, his perking up at her words before she lost her nerve. “No one would dare unless it’s at your command.” she said as the name passed by both their minds. He didn’t know if she was asking so she knew it was not him or to make sure it was his doing, her tone almost begged it to be him, because the alternative was much worse. She looked pale and sunken, a rosy flush across her face, and every bit of the sight grabbed hold of him and tied him in a knot.

“I was worried about you.” He said softly, as if testing the thickness of the ice. “You’ve been ill and I didn’t wish to bother you.” He said his hand coming to smooth down her hair. She sighed, sinking into him farther. “You’ll have to stay here, to ease my worries.” he said “Okay.” she replied. Sleep came quickly to the restless mage after, still hugging the prince who stared at the door, and when he snuck out from her grasp he found that the dagger had been moved from how he placed it, and with a heavy sigh, the man held his face in his hands, trying to pull a plan from the threads that hung in the air.

He found her sitting alone reading in the garden that had become more theirs than his, sitting under a tree as she paid him no mind at all. And as the sun shone, it stretched out in great beams of golden light. And as the breeze came from the west it tugged at the curls that fell from her braid crown. He stopped where he stood on the stone path to observe her, Occasionally reaching to grab hold of a small round biscuit that had been sent from her home or turning the page. She did not seem too happy, a frown pulled at her lips and her brows pushed together. He came to sit with her on the bench without announcing his presence, stealing a cookie as he did.

The mage seemed to forget her fright in the days that followed, not speaking a word of it again but still keeping to sharing his bed. She greeted him with an odd smile before she caught sight of what he held in his hands. “You look somber.” He noted watching as her eyes lingered on her cookie before they looked at her book. “What are you reading?” He asks, she gives a vague gesture before she smiles. “I got the newest work from the bards back home.” she said, holding up the thick, green book. “And it’s made you sad?” He asked. She glanced back to the open page before she smiled. “It makes me miss home.” she admitted. He finished the sweet powdery cookie before he leaned over to read. She leaned back, holding the book above her head.

“Get your own, thief.” She said, “Thief?” he questioned. “Thief.” she confirmed, pointing to the sugar still on his fingers. He frowned before he licked his fingers. “What are they called?” he asked, “snowdrops.” she replied. “Seasonal?” She nodded, watching as he glanced at the book that was well within his reach before he leaned forward, grabbing hold of it, his eyes scanning the page she was. “The future.” He read aloud, giving a weary nod as if he had a personal animosity with the concept.

“And it saddens you?” He asked, “Saddens? No.” she replied. “It frightens me.” she admitted, smoothing out the lines in her skirt. “What do you make of yours?” she asked

He paused, taking another bite of his cookie as he watched the small birds play in the pond. “It tires me.” He admits. She nods slowly. “You’ll be a fine ruler.” She said, then watched as an odd combination of emotions moved across his features. “That sounds like a threat.” She shrugged a smile on her lips as she took in the sight of him, offering him another cookie from the small sack. He looked down at her gentle smile, watching as the wind tugged at her hair as he took another.

“You can take it as such.” She said before taking a bite of her cookie.

“Have you recovered?” He asked. At once any sense of ease fled from her as she coughed. Her hand that was not covering her mouth curled around the fabric of her skirt, creasing it once more. “No, It will be a while before I do.” she admitted. She looked to him, trying to find any sort of understanding, and when she found none, she stood abruptly pulling at her fingernail softly before she laughed almost nervously. “Does the future frighten you now?” she asks, her hand pressing on her stomach. His eyes followed, darting around quickly as she strained to keep herself from running.

She did not expect a grand reaction, she did not expect any at all, she assumed that he had dealt with such before, but his reaction made her heart drop through her shoes. He looked at her as if she had been struck. His brows tented and his lips pulled into such a flightful frown. He looked terrified, and horribly pale, as if he had been struck a second after her.

“Tai.” she said, reaching out to him. He blinked too many times, as his eyes darted around as if searching for something in the air. He didn’t respond to her, she doubted he even heard her. It was dreadful, she’d never seen him in such a way. Like he was a ball of energy, unstable and shaking.

It didn’t take but a moment for her to come close to him once more, taking his trembling hand in hers. “Tai.” “Don’t tell anyone.” he said, insistent and firm. He took hold of her, encasing her face in his hands and forcing her to look him in the eyes. “No one. Not a soul.” She stared up at him, at once she truly feared him. She feared the odd, furious look that had lit within his eyes unsettled her, because it was so very wild, cruel and unmoving. She nodded shakily. “Will I be sent away?” She asked. He parted his lips before his eyes fell to a maid that had started to approach, not close enough to hear, but close enough to notice them.

“Wait for me in my chambers.” He said, pressing a kiss to her knuckles before he was urged away by the servant.

Tiss did as told, what else could she have done. She waited, sitting herself on the bed as she waited, and waited, and waited so long that a maid had come with a trolly of food. “Will His highness be joining?” She asked. and the maid, not either of hers, looked at her before she served her plate.

“No, Lady Vedtree, His highness is not available right now, he sends his regards.” She said before she bowed her head and walked off. She sighed, stabbing a piece of fruit. It was not so bad to be there, it felt much safer than hers, and the balcony was rather nice, and the entire room smelt of books, ink, and lavender. And when the sun set it’s light was like diamonds shimmering through the sheer curtains. She picked up the book he had placed on his nightstand and waited, for surely he would return soon.

Lost in her reading she soon found herself interrupted by the maid again, head bowed and dreadfully quiet.

He wished to bore her to death.

Maybe, she was waiting patiently for her execution and she would hardly know it.

Her nail tapped at her glass, her eyes locked behind her to the balcony bathed in gold. “Will he come today?” she asked.

“His highness’s schedule isn’t known to me, Lady Vedtree.” She said in the same, even tone.

By the time dinner was served she had settled, though the maid watched her and seemed to wait for her to ask, Tiss ate in silence and kept her eyes to the door.

He did not come.

One.

The dining hall was marred by a vicious silence, knifes scratching against fine dishware, A prince at the end of the table, he too was a vicious silence that swallowed the room whole. Tai looked at his father with a stern coldness. it was clear to everyone but his father that the prince no longer bowed his head. His shoulders back and tense, his brows furrowed and jaw set. He was every bit the image of a predator ready to snap.

There were not many things in the world that Tai could say he loved to the point he could not fathom to part, that the thought of a threat was just as dangerous as a real one, that he was not willing to have them endure– because he endured. Pain was a matter of how much you paid attention to it, it was meditative. He couldn’t imagine, in this moment– sitting across from his father as he grinned at him, knowing and cruel. Truly, He could not imagine letting the few he loved that much know of the man before him.

“How is she? Vedtree. she hasn’t been tempting the guards recently.” Foelh asked, that same look of knowing. He knew very well that he had been caught and he enjoyed that he had even more. Tai smiled with a practiced peacefulness.

“She seems fine, don’t you agree?” Tai replied. Foelh smiled, that same taunting smile, cutting a piece of meat off before he took it. “You cage a woman like a bird and she will fly away.” The emperor warned.

The prince‘s jaw clenched almost painfully but other than that, he gave no other show of being bothered, only blinking as if he was bored. “Thank you, for your wisdom.” was all the prince said.

“I’m surprised you haven’t gotten bored” Foelh said with a

Choke. The prince thought as he watched. Everyone but the emperor could see it, the way Tai’s fingers curled around his knife, his knuckles paled and tight.

Not yet!

The stage is not set! don’t you know what’ll happen when you jump without looking?

Not yet I tell you, —

He shrugged. “There is still more to do.” Choke.

Two.

The days repeated, so similar she had found she had lost hours to her worry— she couldn’t remember if it was today she had sweet bread or if it was the day before. It did not matter, it was one day.

She hoped he was well, that he’d send a letter— come for a moment anything. But he didn’t.

Three.

For three days, she had asked, and for three days the answer was the same; “His highness is not available right now, he urges you to dine without him.”

Tiss frowned deeply at the maid, biting at her nail as she paced the room that she had become imprisoned in. Tai had been miraculously busy. If he had come to his room, it must have been while she slept, but even then she doubted as he left nothing to prove his presence.

She wondered about his plan, was it working? had it already failed? she paced across his room so much she worried the ornate rug would tell on her. But the routine remained the same, even as she worried.

The maid came once more when the sun was setting.

with a tray a small, unmarked letter sat propped up against the serving dish. She took the letter and came to sit on the ottoman at the end of their bed. The sound of tea being poured went on far longer than the letter, all the familiar handwriting said was this; I love you. Nothing of his plans, or when he would come. If he would come, nothing more than a farewell.

She frowned, looking at the maid as she took hold of the offered tea. “The prince, does he seem well to you?” She asked.

The maid once more in her distant, unmoving way looked at the mage through her lashes. and in her even, indifferent tone she answered; “Yes, He seems as well as ever.” she said. Tiss frowned, taking a sip of tea before she sighed deeply. “He’s coming back, isn’t he?” she asked.

“I wouldn’t know, Lady Vedtree.” was the only response the other gave.

She had realized too late that it was a sedative, Only when her hands stopped trembling and fear lifted it’s heel from her chest did she realize.

“His highness sends his regards, and offers this in hopes it’s of some comfort to you.” The maid said, finally showing a worn leather bound book, small enough to carry with you and truly it looked as if it had traveled.

flipping through the pages she found them filled with his words alongside the poems and sonnets and songs she had come to know— a small blue flower stuck out from between the pages. She took another sip before she opened to that page.

She took faith in these small things that proved him safe, and like a prayer she repeated it throughout the whole day, not a second from when it came into her possession did these signs leave her sight, as she ate, and as she bathed, and as she laid in bed— she repeated it before she fell asleep.

It was so late that no light at all could cut through the darkness, the wind did not howl, no it didn’t even whisper. An undue stillness overtook the palace, one that had not been felt for many years now. As if the very walls and thick vines that grew upon them, the flickering flames and each and every marble step seemed to let out a breath, it had always felt as if it warned you against something she did not know. She hated the feeling as if even the flowers that sat on the windowsill were watching, their gentle sways as the wind played with their petals somehow nefarious— somehow in some way it was warning her too. But tonight, they quieted, peered towards something more interesting than the mage fast asleep.

The room smelt of metal and sweat, and the only sounds that came was the rapid breathing and the heavy steps that squelched with every one of them came towards her bed.

Drip.

The prince walked forward, dragging his feet as he climbed into bed, he wrapped his tired arms around her, his bloody, shaking hand coming to press against her stomach, his thumb swiping against the soft fabric as he tucked his face into her shoulder. He shook so violently as if he was freezing, but he was so warm. His heart raced so fast against her that it swept the sleep from her. “Tai?” she called softly into the darkness. His response came just as softly, in a hoarse, strained whisper the prince pressed his reply into her shoulder. “He’s dead.” he said, with all the heaviness in the world. A strange tone that couldn’t seem to make up it’s mind at being giddy, remorseful, or relieved so it fell to exhausted with random, odd bursts of each.

She turned over harshly, her eyes wide half expecting to see the emperor staring back at her, but when she turned it was still only Tai, worn and battered, his face covered in dark speckles, a strange, wired look about his eyes.

“Foelh.” He said, as if he had dropped much more than a rose into her hands. Realization came with a wretched gasp and a deep sigh. Still wrapped in his arms she rolled over fully, her hands coming to gently swipe away at what was left of the cruel man from the prince’s cheek, it only served to leave a smudge. For a while, they sat in the darkness, the only light coming from the small candle he had left by the door, it casted long shadows upon the wall and the pairs faces. Still, they laid, foreheads pressed together.

She parted her lips but the words she used to have failed her at the sight of him, he breathed heavily as if he ran here from wherever he had been.

Blood saturated him, dripped from his hands as he drew circles against her stomach. It was almost like a compulsion, as if he was making up for the times he wanted to reach out but withheld his touch, as if he was adrift, lost in the sea that the emperor became and the only driftwood for miles and miles was the mage and the child yet to breathe.

Her throat dried with all the words she wished to say. I’m sorry. Are you okay? I love you. What will come of tomorrow? I love you.

His eyes found hers again, weary and tired, and resolved, as if he understood that she would be leaving. She swiped at his cheek again, her thumb smudging the tops of his cheekbones before she leaned to meet him, as she had many times before. He breathed deeply against her lips, his shoulders relaxing just that much more as she pressed soft kisses to his bloodied lips. He seemed different, even now in the state he was in, but she didn’t let her eyes stray from his– wide and hazy, insistent and burning- he burned, and his heat seemed to demand something of her, whatever it may have been she was willing to give.

His hands still trembled against her skin, but he didn’t shed a tear. Neither did, they stayed, locked in each other's arms. They kissed as if to reassure the other that they were still with the other, still accepted after all. Each one seemed to be the conversation they didn’t care to voice out loud.

Her fingers got lost in his tangled hair. I’m here.

His nose pressed against her cheek. I’m here.

Her lips against his. No ones gonna hurt you while I’m here.

His hand on side. No ones gonna hurt you while I’m here.

Thunder crashed suddenly followed by the flash, Her fingers sought to rid him of his clothes out of force of habit that came when his lips pressed against hers and lavender surrounded her. She wasn’t surprised to find him flinch against her, but it didn’t stop her from pulling her hand away from him as if he had snapped. His hand came to hold hers, fingers intertwining as he breathed out.

By tomorrow they would not get the clothes clean if they tried for days. His lips found hers once again. By tomorrow, this will have been long over. He pressed her hand against his chest, her fingers curling around the ruined garment, her fingers dipping slightly into a tear in the fabric. By tomorrow, he’d be a prince no more. He pulled her to lay on top of him, She was a welcomed weight against him. Something like armor that reassured you.

By tomorrow, it'll be over.

He strained to meet her lips, flinching once more at the movement. Her eyes left his, dropping to his chest before she pulled at his clothes, finding the last will and testament of a dying man written on the prince’s pale skin. She cast him a scolding look before she helped him rid himself of the soaked garments. Surely, he was satisfied to die within her arms, but she was not. Not now, and when they were old and their child grown, she would not let him go then, either. She pulled him once more from the bed, his steps staggered and heavy eaven as he leaned against her. The bathroom was already lit, and when they entered they found that a frazzled servant had already drawn a bath, it did not steam as usual, nor was it fragrant and frothy.

The maid bowed her head. “Will you be—“ the prince cut her off with his hand. “The physician will be waiting.” she said, bowing before she left.

In the light and without his clothes he looked rather gruesome, a gray tint to his skin and his lips devoid of their soft rosy color. He landed on the stool that sat by the tub harshly, watching her as she took hold of a sponge.

He gave a smile watching as she attended the wound. “You should have gone to someone.” She scolded. “I did.” She glared at him, biting her lip as the wound became clearer. At the sight of it she worried her lip, biting down to stop herself from crying. She felt rather foolish not having control of her emotions in the least anymore, but the man in front of her didn’t seem bothered. A relieved smile on his lips and fondness in his half lidded eyes.

Foelh did not go silently, no– he left as he lived, violently and without ties of morality, fondness, or fear. A beast-like man with no heart in his chest, just a bitter hole he shoved all the things he thought could help into. For many years, Tai wondered if that was always the fate of the crown or if it was the fate of men like his father. Still, he was unsure.

“Have you thought of any names?” He asked, catching her by surprise for a moment before she grinned. “Have you?” She asked “Every second after you told me.” he said. Her grin widened, her chest seizing for only a moment before she couldn’t hold it within herself and she breathed out a soft odd noise. “And what have you come up with?” she asked as she scrubbed the dried flakes from him. “Tai II.” He said “Oh! No, one of you is enough.” She said “That is where we differ, lady because I want the halls to be filled with the very image of you.”

She cast him a warning glance “Flatterer,” She said with so much fondness that it might as well have been any other term of endearment you could think of. But had you seen the look in his eyes, you would not have said that, it wasn’t even the first word that came to her mind herself, but the word that came to mind, seemed too good a thing.

She didn’t wish to flush, but his words made it so anyway.

“I’ve always been fond of the name Alora.” She said before she raised his arm to wash his hands, her eyes locked to the blood that had dried under his nails, he could see her forming a scene in her mind but she didn’t ask, not when all but his hair was clean, not when the water ran red, not even when it ran clear.

“Alora.” he repeats “For a son?” she looked up to him rather guiltily. “I’ve never thought of one.” She admitted. He raised his brows, a look of amusement already flitting onto his fis features. “Did you think you’d get a choice?” he asked “no, I just never found one I liked.” she denied, without even an ounce of believability in her tone. The man laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he pulled her closer.

“Then let's hope this one is a girl.”

Soon as the physician came, it’d be over. the sun would rise, and today would wash away. He pressed his forehead against her temple and sighed. He no longer shook, but the toll had weighed on him much heavier now that he had calmed.

“You scared me.” “I’ve heard.” he teased, pressing a kiss to her cheek. She shot him a warning look, gently lowering his arm before she dropped the sponge.

Soon, the storm would pass and they would hardly remember the man that used to be.

The storm did past, and the day did break, and as they knew, the light marked the time that they would have to part, and they did, they must, and as the Soon to be emperor recovered, they turned to the mage, They looked to the prince, and when he was finally fit to walk he took her to the garden once more. His hand resting on top of hers as they strolled arm and arm, as they had come to be known to do.

The flowers in bloom swayed with each brush of the breeze and the pair chattered on, of names and who they’d wish the baby would take after. It was a strange sight, to see how he looked down at her with an unguarded smile, watching as the wind tugged at her hair. They looked much younger now, without the weight of the emperor. Free.

And as he looked at her, she adjusted the cloak that sat heavy on his shoulders. “You’ll be a fine ruler.” She repeated with a nod, much less threatening than she had previously said it. He watched her only for a moment to capture the image before he pressed his hand on top of her.

“Will you make sure of it?” He asked, with a grin on his lips. “I will have to.” she said, her fingertips lightly grazing his as she stretched her neck to meet his lips.

The storm did pass, in time.

#rc the thunderstorms saga #rc tai #rc fics #my fics #hes still not my li #rc catalog mother's day event #fics for void #request

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