Courage Is Not The Absence Of Fear, But Rather The Judgment That Something Is More Important Than Fear.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all.” — Prince Edward Renaldi

Hybern. Tamlin did not like to think about Hybern. He was already two steps ahead of her by the time she started rambling again, but that word stopped him dead in his tracks. He embraced the gentle tap of the rain against his skin and tried to force calm over the latent anger laced through his memories of everything he’d tried to do to bring the love of his life home. Or, the fae he’d thought had been. Now, they lived within a mile of one another and couldn’t even make eye contact. He didn’t believe in love — not anymore. Not that kind. Not for him.

Tamlin looked over his shoulder to see her struggling in the mud and he winced. When was the last time she had a proper meal?

Despite the tithe working and food stocks being distributed, that still didn’t mean everyone used them fairly. This girl was clearly overworked and underfed. He couldn’t imagine how a rambunctious toddler was the right fit.

His manners refused to let him leave her in the sludge. Tamlin turned, biting back an onslaught of memories. He’d wanted to be alone before Nyx found him. After that, he’d looked forwards to spending time with the tiny bugger. The last thing on his agenda was more work. Yet, he still held out his hand and offered her a way off the ground.

Once she was standing, he took her by the wrist and concentrated on the outer hallway that led to his office, winnowing there, in one snap of a finger. The girl was soaking wet, muddy, and clearly hungry. Tamlin pulled a bell on the wall and spoke in a low voice to the young maid who came through the corridor with a candle. “Briar, this is Tirzah. Tirzah, Briar. She’s going to find you some clean clothes and something to eat. Once you’ve cleaned up, I’ll be here waiting.”

the secret side of me @springcourthighlady

It had been a long day — too long. Tamlin was tired and his head ached after spending so long reading contracts and documents with his courtiers and emissaries. He tried not to wear his glasses in court, but now in the soft light of the setting sun, he was happy to have them to assist as he opened his book to the marked page and began to read. 

The rose garden was his place of solace and comfort. Whenever his spirit was worn, he came here to rest. Very few knew of the small path off the manicured way that led to a small grove of trees and wild roses. He’d swung a hammock between two of them and rested between the branches, letting the wind sway him back and forth. 

In the middle of the chapter, an innocent giggle sprang to life from the pages of the old fairytale that he was reading. Tamlin rubbed his head. Am I that tired?

He yawned and tried to focus again on the swirling letters, but the laughter again distracted him. 

He knew that sound. His ears quirked up and his green eyes brightened.

Nyx! 

His excitement was followed by an equally intense rush of anxiety

Feyre. 

Tamlin peered over the hedges. A flash of black curls revealed the toddler running from his guardian.

He did it! His heart swelled with pride. By the cauldron — I hope she’s not too mad at me.

Nyx stopped, spotting him through the branches. “Tamtam!” 

The toddler rushed through the secret entrance and tackled his legs, knocking him to the ground. Tamlin yelped, suddenly upside down, but happily surrounded by hugs from his favorite tiny fae. 

He lifted Nyx up into the air, making dragon sounds, until he saw a lovely young woman peeking around the edge of the brambles. His face turned red, hot, and he stood up quickly. His posture stiffened, though the color didn’t fade from his cheeks, or ears. 

“Lady…” It took him a moment to place her. He did try to keep track of everyone who lived in Spring, but the increasing amount of names was making that difficult. “Rose? Was it? Lady Rose?” 

-Zoë Lianne

I write you letters that you'll never read Paint you pictures you will never see In all my life I never thought I'd be Living without you

Makeshift family — those words moved Tamlin. He paused walking and motioned to a nearby bench. She was nervous, he could tell. His austerity could be intimidating and he knew that. Yet, still she tried. She was brave enough to seek him out in his personal time with his own messy, yet much beloved family. He swallowed, cautiously meeting her blue eyes, which were bright as a morning sky, but burdened with the storms of loss and guilt. He knew those storms. They followed him everywhere.

Wouldn’t I do the same for Nyx? For Lucien’s child, soon to be here? I would go to the end of the earth to find them.

Tamlin looked away, fiddling with one of the rings he wore on his graceful fingers. This one belonged to his mother. It would belong to his wife one day — or his mate — should he ever be so lucky. The one love, the one engagement he’d ever experienced burned his home to cinders. Yet, his heart still had kindness to give. Gentleness was the sharpest arrow of all, wasn’t it? He would never regret it. Despite the pain it caused him, it was strong within the beats of his heart. It whispered,

Not my father’s son. Not my father’s son.

“Lady Briar,” He paused after her name. “I am inclined to grant your request, but I cannot let you bring a child into Spring without an adequate way to provide for them.”

“The doors to the public open at dawn.” He stood. “Our citizens bring their desires before court. You are both incredibly bold, quite intelligent, and a moderate bit sneaky to manage finding me in my spare time.”

A real, but slightly disgruntled smile broke past his guard. He had to admire her sheer pluck. “I’d recommend being there early. These things must be on record publicly and my estate manager can find you employment.”

He tilted his head, cautiously, and offered her a hand to shake. “Do we have an agreement?”

the secret side of me @springcourthighlady

It had been a long day — too long. Tamlin was tired and his head ached after spending so long reading contracts and documents with his courtiers and emissaries. He tried not to wear his glasses in court, but now in the soft light of the setting sun, he was happy to have them to assist as he opened his book to the marked page and began to read. 

The rose garden was his place of solace and comfort. Whenever his spirit was worn, he came here to rest. Very few knew of the small path off the manicured way that led to a small grove of trees and wild roses. He’d swung a hammock between two of them and rested between the branches, letting the wind sway him back and forth. 

In the middle of the chapter, an innocent giggle sprang to life from the pages of the old fairytale that he was reading. Tamlin rubbed his head. Am I that tired?

He yawned and tried to focus again on the swirling letters, but the laughter again distracted him. 

He knew that sound. His ears quirked up and his green eyes brightened.

Nyx! 

His excitement was followed by an equally intense rush of anxiety

Feyre. 

Tamlin peered over the hedges. A flash of black curls revealed the toddler running from his guardian.

He did it! His heart swelled with pride. By the cauldron — I hope she’s not too mad at me.

Nyx stopped, spotting him through the branches. “Tamtam!” 

The toddler rushed through the secret entrance and tackled his legs, knocking him to the ground. Tamlin yelped, suddenly upside down, but happily surrounded by hugs from his favorite tiny fae. 

He lifted Nyx up into the air, making dragon sounds, until he saw a lovely young woman peeking around the edge of the brambles. His face turned red, hot, and he stood up quickly. His posture stiffened, though the color didn’t fade from his cheeks, or ears. 

“Lady…” It took him a moment to place her. He did try to keep track of everyone who lived in Spring, but the increasing amount of names was making that difficult. “Rose? Was it? Lady Rose?” 

the secret side of me @springcourthighlady

It had been a long day — too long. Tamlin was tired and his head ached after spending so long reading contracts and documents with his courtiers and emissaries. He tried not to wear his glasses in court, but now in the soft light of the setting sun, he was happy to have them to assist as he opened his book to the marked page and began to read. 

The rose garden was his place of solace and comfort. Whenever his spirit was worn, he came here to rest. Very few knew of the small path off the manicured way that led to a small grove of trees and wild roses. He’d swung a hammock between two of them and rested between the branches, letting the wind sway him back and forth. 

In the middle of the chapter, an innocent giggle sprang to life from the pages of the old fairytale that he was reading. Tamlin rubbed his head. Am I that tired?

He yawned and tried to focus again on the swirling letters, but the laughter again distracted him. 

He knew that sound. His ears quirked up and his green eyes brightened.

Nyx! 

His excitement was followed by an equally intense rush of anxiety

Feyre. 

Tamlin peered over the hedges. A flash of black curls revealed the toddler running from his guardian.

He did it! His heart swelled with pride. By the cauldron — I hope she’s not too mad at me.

Nyx stopped, spotting him through the branches. “Tamtam!” 

The toddler rushed through the secret entrance and tackled his legs, knocking him to the ground. Tamlin yelped, suddenly upside down, but happily surrounded by hugs from his favorite tiny fae. 

He lifted Nyx up into the air, making dragon sounds, until he saw a lovely young woman peeking around the edge of the brambles. His face turned red, hot, and he stood up quickly. His posture stiffened, though the color didn’t fade from his cheeks, or ears. 

“Lady…” It took him a moment to place her. He did try to keep track of everyone who lived in Spring, but the increasing amount of names was making that difficult. “Rose? Was it? Lady Rose?”