From A Distance | Tamlin & Briar @springcourthighlady

From A Distance | Tamlin & Briar @springcourthighlady

The following two days were sleepless for Tamlin. He spent his mornings buried in his duties and meeting his people to hear them out and provide solutions to their problems. His exhaustion almost revealed itself when he almost laughed aloud over two neighbors arguing over a pair of chickens who’d recently mated. Who owned the resulting chicks? 

Mother bless him, if only his own problems were so simple as a pair of chickens in love. Tamlin stumbled back to his desk after court and downed his third headache potion within the last twelve hours. Four was the limit. Four would force any fae, no matter how strong, into sleep. 

The blonde rubbed his eyes and reached for a cup of coffee, pouring it from the pot with shaky hands. For being so good at taking care of others, he was quite awful at taking care of himself. The third meeting with Briar was in three hours. He still had notes from the border patrol to review and respond to. 

His vision was hazy as he tried to make sense of the swirly penmanship. He couldn’t. Tamlin’s eyes slowly closed and lay his head down on his desk. If I just close my eyes for a moment, just a single moment…

Tamlin closed his eyes as sleep took over the caffeine high. Despite his exhaustion, a desk was certainly not a bed. A soft knock on the door stirred him from his doze, but he was too tired to focus. 

A soft thought pushed through his mind. Meeting. Briar. Wake up. 

Tamlin grumbled, keeping his face buried in his arms. “Come in…”

Tamlin blinked as Briar quickly began to apologize. It was so easy to forget that this young female hadn’t been raised knowing the rules of magic and understanding its boundaries and repercussions. He was certain she hadn’t meant any harm. He didn’t like to admit it, but it had helped. He had not meant to worry her, again, as his stern demeanor seemed to do so easily. She was easily discouraged. He did not want to be the one to make that stick.

Despite my efforts, people still seem to misunderstand me. Tamlin thought. She is kind and I ought to show her my gratitude.

Gratitude begins with sincerity and a smile. He remembered his etiquette lessons well. He hadn’t been much for talking as a little fae and the same was true now. Being forced into positions all day of socializing was part of what made his head pound. He wanted to be around people who could understand him without words.

Tamlin swallowed his pride, sending a quick wave of magic across his head to smooth his hair. “No — no. I did not mean it that way, Lady Briar. That was…very kind of you. I think it goes without saying that I have not had someone who cared enough to look out for me in an incredibly long time.”

“I know I come across as stoic, perhaps even stern; but it is not personal.” He made eye contact, sticking with sincerity, since a smile was out of reach. “It is simply how I get through my day without Lucien here to mitigate the tension of leading this court.”

“No matter what happened, I would not take away from you a warm place to sleep and enough food to live.” His green eyes softened. “I might be a bit rigid — here and there.”

His blush returned and he laughed, at himself, depreciatingly. Rigid, stern, stoic. How many more synonyms are there for stressed? “Or, everywhere, but I do swear to you that I always try to be honest and kind.”

She needs good news. Tamlin reached for his glasses from the desk drawer and put them on to read the notes from his sentries. “So, good news. They’ve found him. He is in good health, despite being a bit small for a boy his age. They arranged to leave him warm clothes and a soft toy Bee. To remind him of his Aunt Bee.”

He perused the rest of the letter and his brows tightened with worry.

Awkward. This is awkward. How am I supposed to tell her that the human lands have passed a new law outlawing the adoption of children into single parent households? Blunt does not work.

He needed to soften the news. Tamlin cleared his throat. “As for the other news, Lady Briar…have you, perhaps, considered your marriage prospects? Since entering Spring.”

From A Distance | Tamlin & Briar @springcourthighlady

The following two days were sleepless for Tamlin. He spent his mornings buried in his duties and meeting his people to hear them out and provide solutions to their problems. His exhaustion almost revealed itself when he almost laughed aloud over two neighbors arguing over a pair of chickens who’d recently mated. Who owned the resulting chicks? 

Mother bless him, if only his own problems were so simple as a pair of chickens in love. Tamlin stumbled back to his desk after court and downed his third headache potion within the last twelve hours. Four was the limit. Four would force any fae, no matter how strong, into sleep. 

The blonde rubbed his eyes and reached for a cup of coffee, pouring it from the pot with shaky hands. For being so good at taking care of others, he was quite awful at taking care of himself. The third meeting with Briar was in three hours. He still had notes from the border patrol to review and respond to. 

His vision was hazy as he tried to make sense of the swirly penmanship. He couldn’t. Tamlin’s eyes slowly closed and lay his head down on his desk. If I just close my eyes for a moment, just a single moment…

Tamlin closed his eyes as sleep took over the caffeine high. Despite his exhaustion, a desk was certainly not a bed. A soft knock on the door stirred him from his doze, but he was too tired to focus. 

A soft thought pushed through his mind. Meeting. Briar. Wake up. 

Tamlin grumbled, keeping his face buried in his arms. “Come in…”

Tamlin watched Briar try to gather herself with a neutral, but not unkind expression settled onto his face. He was well known for his calm stoicism. Hopefully, she didn’t expect him to smile that often, or — by the cauldron — cry. Despite the commotion, it tugged at his heartstrings. He remembered the desperation that he’d felt when Rhysand had winnowed Feyre away on their wedding day. His entire world had split in two and so had his heart. 

He flinched as a sharp pain in his chest reminded him that some wounds took lifetimes to heal. The physicians still monitored his heart and bid him to be wary of overexertion, particularly the emotional kind. 

Tamlin bit his lip, tapping the pencil on his desk, as she didn’t use it. Could he find a way to allow Briar into the human lands? Generally, it was forbidden. If he made an exception for one…it had to be considered for the rest. She was not the only fae with family stuck outside their borders. 

Those borders were warded, patrolled, and banned from winnowing for a reason. The last several wars had taken a terrible toll on Spring. After finally signing a treaty, the seven realms had agreed to take their time repairing their own lands with limited convoys and trading permitted to pass by their walls. Tamlin did not like living in a box anymore than he liked the idea of keeping his people confined to one. He liked even less the knowledge that there were people outside his gates suffering who needed their aid.

Yet, it had been barely a year. Tensions were high and the torsion which blew through his court was far from fully repaired. 

He knit his fingers together and sighed deeply. “The treaty we signed is still tenuous, Lady Briar. Our position in Prythian’s politics walks a fine line between support and tolerance. An uprise from the humans would cost us more than we can give.”

Tamlin’s eyes were pained as he looked her way, tilting his head, and hoping that she would understand. He held the strings to a bridge that swayed with every breeze. Sending sentries trained in his art of masking was already dangerous. An ill-equipped, traumatized girl with volatile cauldron-born magic? He could forsee the consequences of that choice, easily. 

“I am sorry.” His voice was raw, his apology genuine. “There is simply no way that I can let you cross the border without being flooded with a hundred similar requests for personal justice.” 

Tamlin rubbed his temples as his daily headache returned with a vengeance. “In our current circumstances, that could lead to our collapse.”

He braced himself, preparing for her tears. He may not be able to offer his arms, but Tamlin slowly reached forwards and offered his hand to hold. “Caiden matters. They all matter.”

Her hands were soft, but the worn edges were covered in calluses — a fine demonstration of the hard life of work which he’d suspected. The soft warmth of her fingers around his own made him hesitate. His heart pulsed heavily in his chest. “But the best that I can do is entrust him to my special forces.” 

That’s a lie. Tamlin thought. There is an exception. 

Anyone was allowed to cross the border…provided he was with them. The chest pain returned and he withdrew his hand. He looked away and his expression hardened. “I hope you understand.” 

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.” 

If he shared all of his magic with the world, there would be none left for him. Tamlin knew that there were many more ways he could benefit Spring through his own powers. He did often call upon them, but also ensured it was done anonymously. The attention was exhausting and never ending. Still, he appreciated the genuine expression of happiness that Briar displayed at his simple trick of growth acceleration.

Joy? His brow wrinkled. Joyous was not a word that he’d use to describe himself. Tamlin shrugged, but accepted her own apple core, and duplicated the spell, this time taking a handful of apples from the branches.

“I like my privacy.” Tamlin quipped, turning, and heading back towards the horses. He was not sure what kind of magic Briar possessed, despite seeing it function twice. He’d seen her summon wind and relieve his headache. Those two gifts were seldom related and most born with gifts had one. He’d only ever been a shapeshifter until the Cauldron chose him as High Lord.

Briar’s existence must place her somewhere in the middle. He aided her in mounting and mounted himself, as they started up again, quickly losing himself in thought for the next five minutes. Cauldron magic is unpredictable. She will need to be trained.

Safe and Sound | Tamlin & Briar @thehighlordofspring

Briar stirs awake as sunshine filters through the delicate curtains of her room. The scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth lingered in the air through a half open window. She stretches, feeling the cool silk sheets slide against her skin, and smiles to herself, humming with pleasure. It was cozy and peaceful here, in a way that always made her feel both at ease and restless--in a way she didn't know if she'd ever get used to.

Slipping out of bed, she dresses quickly in a simple, pale--bordering lime-- green gown that hugs her curves nicely and flows airily around her hips, perfect for the warmth of the morning, before padding softly across the wooden floor down the hall. The grand, sweeping staircase awaited her, sunlight spilling over the banister as she made her way down to the kitchen, where the promise of fresh bread and pastries beckoned her to start the day.

She smiles brightly and thanks Griffin, one of the cooks, as she nabs a slice of blueberry bread and wanders out to the garden, taking in the lightness of the clear day.

Today. Today is the day she saves her soul nephew; takes him home where he belongs. Today is the day she becomes...becomes a mother.

Gods, a mother.

Her nerves rush though her and she chews her food slowly, trying to calm her racing heart. And Tamlin...

She shakes her head, unable to stop the giddy laughter from escaping her as she waits for him.

Her husband. What a thought. Fake husband, obviously, but still. The idea is both absurd and exhilarating. Despite herself, it spreads a warmth through her, flushing her cheeks.

A familiar hum of power seems to surround her then, making the hair on her neck and arms stand on end. Tamlin. He's arrived for the journey across the wall.

She wonders what it will be like to be human again, even for a short time. If it will feel wholly different, or like becoming her true self again.

Turning toward the pulse of magic, she smiles brightly to greet him. "Good morning!", she chirps excitedly.

She lightly tosses her sheet of onyx hair behind her, freckles seeming to dance on her nose as the sun lights up her eyes, making them a paler blue than usual.

Briar’s emotions seemed to overwhelm her so often. All Tamlin could do was silently raise his eyebrows and offer her a clean handkerchief from his pocket when her eyes clouded up again and she began sniffling. 

How long has it been someone took care of her? 

Unlike Feyre had been, she did not regularly seem feisty or defensive. Instead, he watched her struggle to hold herself up like a wilting flower — the kind which he’d plant a stake in the ground and give support to help grow. Of course, he’d give her a job and a roof over her head and food. As High Lord, Tamlin wanted what was best for his people — all of them. 

“Everyone deserves to have their needs met.” He said sincerely. “It is the bare minimum that should be given for existing.”

It slowly dawned on him that even as a human, it was very likely that she had not been treated well. From what he’d seen of it, the human world was wrought with suffering and cruelty at every turn. She was just as right to be concerned over Caiden’s safety, as he was to be cautious over his retrieval. 

Tamlin said nothing for several minutes, waiting for emotions to settle. It looks like she needs a hug.

The thought pushed past his guard and he flinched, forcing himself past his deeply, introverted well of thoughts. He was not a hugger. 

At least, he hadn’t been for a long time. Memories of Lucien and Feyre’s hugs bled into his heart and he hardened his expression, repressing them with painful force.

He took a deep breath and met her eyes. “If it is possible to get him a short message, what would you like to say?” 

Tamlin glanced away, reaching for a blank piece of paper and a charcoal pencil. “We will act as quickly as we can without compromising the safety of Spring.” 

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.” 

@springcourthighlady

From A Distance | Tamlin & Briar @springcourthighlady

The following two days were sleepless for Tamlin. He spent his mornings buried in his duties and meeting his people to hear them out and provide solutions to their problems. His exhaustion almost revealed itself when he almost laughed aloud over two neighbors arguing over a pair of chickens who’d recently mated. Who owned the resulting chicks? 

Mother bless him, if only his own problems were so simple as a pair of chickens in love. Tamlin stumbled back to his desk after court and downed his third headache potion within the last twelve hours. Four was the limit. Four would force any fae, no matter how strong, into sleep. 

The blonde rubbed his eyes and reached for a cup of coffee, pouring it from the pot with shaky hands. For being so good at taking care of others, he was quite awful at taking care of himself. The third meeting with Briar was in three hours. He still had notes from the border patrol to review and respond to. 

His vision was hazy as he tried to make sense of the swirly penmanship. He couldn’t. Tamlin’s eyes slowly closed and lay his head down on his desk. If I just close my eyes for a moment, just a single moment…

Tamlin closed his eyes as sleep took over the caffeine high. Despite his exhaustion, a desk was certainly not a bed. A soft knock on the door stirred him from his doze, but he was too tired to focus. 

A soft thought pushed through his mind. Meeting. Briar. Wake up. 

Tamlin grumbled, keeping his face buried in his arms. “Come in…”