Nicole W. Lee, From "Even The Dust"

Nicole W. Lee, from "Even the Dust"

Tamlin watched Briar gesture to the map and his brows knit deeply in concentration. Her odd comment slipped past him, though, he couldn’t help but notice the scent of blueberry. He shrugged and reached for the blueberry pastry, oblivious. “Right. That section of the border is patrolled by a squad of sentries.”

He tapped a delicate pointer finger along the map. “They have a base here—”

He glanced up, clearly in High Lord mode, to be met by her wild and wondering eyes. Startled, he looked away.

“The people of this area were never friendly to fae to begin with, so I understand your growing concern. After what happened with Amarantha and the Archerons, that certainly did not improve.”

Tamlin set his pastry aside and nudged the plate closer towards her, as an indication that she should eat as much as she liked. “I have already sent word to the wall to have two of my best hide themselves amongst the humans and begin to keep an eye out for the little one that you’ve described.”

He sat back down, one eyebrow raised, as he wondered if she would accept the food. “We should hear from them by Nightfall. In the mean time, with your permission, I would like to ask you a few questions.”

Stone Walls & Sacrifice | Tamlin & Briar @springcourthighlady

Tamlin was more than ready to leave by the time he finished listening to Briar’s rant. He let her finish — he wasn’t that impolite. His brisk footsteps echoed across the marble flooring and he looked over his shoulder, hoping that he was not followed. 

Yet, he was not that lucky. The prospects of desert with Lucien and Elain were slipping further away by the minute. Tamlin stilled when she called his name, pressing his lips into a thin line. Why won’t she go home? This is life, in Spring, right now. We’re all worried. We’re all frustrated. We all have family in need of aid. No one gets special privileges. Not even me — 

He didn’t even have privacy anymore, or space to think. Though, when he glanced over his shoulder, he was relieved to find some regret in her eyes. 

Only his friends called him by his first name. He wasn’t big on enforcing rank, but found it odd how casually she addressed him. 

He pressed his tongue into the edge of his teeth, forbidding the quick retort which danced on the edge of his lips. I will not lose it. I cannot. They cannot see me as a beast. 

He turned, stuffing his hands deeply into the pockets of his jacket, to hide how they’d tensed into fists. Running from his problems wasn’t effective, but neither was forcing himself into a corner until he lost his temper. 

Tamlin saw her hand reach for him. He wanted to back away. It had been over two years since a woman had touched him, apart from Calanmai. He flinched, but did not move. He wasn’t sure he could. 

She cares for me? I have met this female once. 

Tamlin swallowed, gravely still. “I understand your attachment, Lady Briar. Yet, if you cannot trust me as High Lord of Spring, no plan I create to bring Caiden home will be enough for you.”

He stepped away, lowering his green eyes to the ground. “If you’ll excuse me, it has been a long day.” 

I know the Spring Court warriors have the prettiest fae armor everrrrr 🥺 imagine those as the armor Tamlin wears during the war-band camp times

Random thoughts of a: Day off Tamlin!

Day off Tamlin! Who likes to follow you around, hidden, as you pick flowers until you notice that he's not occupied with work

Day off Tamlin! Who flits around your ear disguised as a bumblebee, and when you scream and swat at him he shifts back into your tam, doubled over, laughing because he lives for teasing and taunting you sometimes

Day off Tamlin! Who wraps his arms around you as you fret, whispering sweet nothings and promises that he's sorry and he didnt mean to scare you, but then he gets that mischevious grin again that only you tend to see

Day off Tamlin! Who tells you theres something he wants to show you, but wont do it unless you agree to his bargain- a kiss, wherever he wants to place it.

Day off Tamlin! Who whisks you away to the hidden rabbit den in the western woods where some of his favorite mushroom fae mine them as pets

Day off Tamlin! Who lays on the forest floor, you breathing softly atop him as you doze, surrounded by bunnies snuggled up to you both

“How long they choose to love you will never be your decision.”

— Drake; Thank Me Now