Tamlins Shoulders Remained Guarded And He Ignored Her Rather Bold Inquiry Into His Change In Temperament.

Tamlin’s shoulders remained guarded and he ignored her rather bold inquiry into his change in temperament. He was a different man with his family. Nyx was not his child, but he held a special place in his heart, as all the children of Spring did. He was a part of the broken, but healing odds and ends that had emerged from across Prythian and gathered here in Spring to begin again. Lucien and Elain, Nesta and Eris, himself and Nyx, and…Feyre, to whom he tried to avoid speaking right now. He needed space to let his mind move past a dream that could never be — a longing which could never be fulfilled.

His mood may have taken a sharp souring if it hadn’t happened that her request was about a child. A golden haired, freckled child. Images of Andras surfaced in Tamlin’s mind. He winced. Andras was long gone, yet the guilt he bore was still heavy and real.

He listened to Briar speak with polite nuance , unable to show how deeply he considered her words. Half-fae, the elfin, were rare. His own children with a human would could have been elfin, fae, or…tragically human. Humans were gone so soon. Their light flickered so fast.

“I can glamour anyone.” Tamlin answered. “But the borders are sealed for a reason, Lady Briar. Our relations with people on all sides are tentative at best and tense at worst. Even if you were accompanied by a sentry, I cannot guarantee your safety.”

Tamlin looked into the distance towards the border. “How old is he?” His eyes softened. “It would help if you knew his family name. How strong the family’s bloodties are to the old magic can greatly change how fast fae characteristics will show themselves. Like, Nyx for example. Winnowing at his age is improbable yet, he commands the skill better than most adults. His bloodline is ancient on one side and Cauldron made on the other. Who was Caedin’s father?”

His green eyes met Briar’s with a persistent curiosity. “Surely, in the back of your mind — you remember more.”

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?” 

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?” 

Tamlin tugged in his ear as he stayed red, wishing that the blush would fade back into his normal tone. It wasn’t appropriate for High Lords to be caught blushing at their patrons, nor lying on their backs playing with children. He stared down at Nyx for a full minute before crouching down and tucking his curls behind his ear.

“Go back home, okay?” He sighed. “I’ll see you soon.” 

Nyx stuck out his lower lip and looked up at Tamlin with big, sad eyes. 

Damn it. There were two pairs of irresistible eyes, one on either side of him. Tamlin hid his face in his palm for a brief moment. “Nyx, go home to your Mama, buddy. And no pit stops, okay? Straight home.” 

The toddler pursed his lips and shook his head. Tamlin sighed and picked the kid up, giving Briar an earnest, yet kind nod. “One second. I will be right back.” 

It truly was only a second. Tamlin flickered in and out of the garden and when he was back, fhe little one was gone. Something else had left him though, the soft warmth he had around the child had disappeared. A formal mask of polite civility had appeared on his face. 

“Briar,” He said pointedly, making sure to use her name, and gesturing to the path back towards the public garden. He placed his hands behind his back and let her walk ahead of him. While he was tempted to ask her to wait for court tomorrow, he knew that the lines to speak to him started long before dawn. There were only so many whom he could talk to before his work with the military began. “You said you have a case to plead before me.”

His tone, his posture, and his smile were all practiced manners, but so polite. So very polite. Nothing like the gentle warmth that he’d exuded only a moment ago. “I don’t normally require pleading, but but I do appreciate sound logic behind the request for resources. Our home is still recovering. Our ventures must be…thoughtful,” 

He spoke slowly, looking up with consideration. “Prepared.”

Tamlin rose a brow as her courage seemed to falter. “But, please, don’t be afraid. Even if I cannot grant your wish right away, I will do my best to consider it. Matters of the heart count, even when they…”

He looked towards the distance, where he’d winnowed out. “can never come to pass.” 

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?” 

vintage heart-shaped lockets

“Tell me every terrible thing you’ve ever done and let me love you anyway.” — Unknown