Thehighlordofspring - The Ever-fixed Mark Shall Not Be Shaken

Tamlin was no stranger to young females fawning over him. In fact, his business like manner reflected just often it happened. He was used to it. For some, his power and title were alluring and they tried to use their beauty to sway him. For others, his own physique distracted them from the task at hand. Briar seemed uninterested in his title, given that she often forgot to use it.

It didn’t bother him, so much as it confused him. She seemed overly familiar — while he’d only first met her last night. He remembered the rescue in Hybern, of course; but it was a rescue. There was nothing personal about it. He scratched his head and intensified the glamor over his own beauty, curious to see how she would react. His high fae glow was now completely masked. If anything, apart from his pointed ears, he looked fairly human.

It went without saying that he was slow to trust others. If she was dead set on knowing him, he wanted to know why. Tamlin pursed his lips. “I will try to say this…with sensitivity, but please pardon my manners if I speak too harshly. I do not have Lucien’s silver tongue.”

He paused, before speaking. “It goes without saying that a Tavern is no place to raise a child. I do not mean to insult your effort, your intentions, nor your integrity. It is simple fact. Not to mention, I still don’t believe you’ve had a proper meal.”

His eyes graced her shaking fingers with compassion. “Would you please consider speaking to my estate manager about finding employment and suitable living conditions within the manor? You will be among many. Paid well. Fed well. With a roof over your head. Caiden will be sent to school while you work. You will have no need to worry.”

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.” 

Imam Al-Ghazali // Tennessee Williams

“Forgive me if I don’t talk much at times. It’s loud enough in my head.”

— Unknown

Nicole W. Lee, from "Even the Dust"

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