Questions Where He Didnt Have To Talk. Tamlin Tilted His Head And Offered To Share His Cloak As Briar

Questions — where he didn’t have to talk. Tamlin tilted his head and offered to share his cloak as Briar lay down next to him. She looked cold. He would have usually been more prepared and made sure the camp supplies which he’d taken for the night had been prepared for the weather, but venturing out on his own with her hadn’t been easy. Doubtless, by the time they reached Spring again, rumors would again be circulating. Anytime he did anything with a young female, people began to talk. He never caught a break. Hopefully, Briar could withstand the questions and doubts of his curious court.

Tamlin listened and his light first transformed into a duck. His eyes lit up, cautiously, as he shared these private things with her. Would she like them? Would she tell the world? Could he trust her?

The duck flashed away and a scene of beavers playing and diving around a pond and dam slowly filled the space between his hands. As he conducted the small beams of light back and forth, the playful splash of water echoed and the call of birds rang through the air around them. He used one slender hand like an easel, to support the floating image, and the other like a brush to continue painting colors into the sky.

After a moment, the laughter of a small child rushed around them as a little boy ran into the picture, like a painting come to life, and he carried forward the image of the Lake House that he’d often stayed in with his mother as a child.

He wiped the image away with his right hand and it disappeared like smoke. A much more colorful, clear picture of vanilla ice cream with honey and wild blueberries popped into view. Despite the haze around him, the corner of his mouth inched up ever so slightly before everything disappeared.

Treacherous | Tamlin & Briar @thehighlordofspring

"Tamlin, wait--", she calls out softly as he heads toward his tent. She scrambles to her feet and rubs her arms a bit, picking up her cloak from where it fell on the ground.

"I don't ever want you to blame yourself for what happened to me. Lilly and me and the rest of The Blessed...we planned that trek. We went in the middle of the night. We climbed up the wall. It was our own actions that got us spotted by Hybern. Campfires and laughter...joy. We foolishly made ourselves targets. Regardless of anything happening on your side. He took us. He jailed us. He tortured us. And he used the Cauldron and killed us. Not you."

Taking a few steps closer, she raises her chin to meet his gaze. "You had nothing to do with that. You are a protector and a leader, and you would never let that happen to anyone if you could prevent it. When I was the last one left, shaking in that cell from shock and blood loss...you didn't walk by." She swallows hard. "You didn't...gawk or enjoy the sight of my pain or my ripped scraps of clothing. He could have killed you if he found out you were a plant and not an ally. And you still risked taking away my pain. So I don't ever want to hear you blaming yourself for what I went through. Okay? Promise me."

She holds his gaze, unwaveringly. "You did not condemn me. You are my savior. And one day...perhaps my friend. I didn't really have any stock in being human either. Both ways...my mom and my friends are dead. Lilly is dead", she says quietly. "Sometimes I wonder if I leaned on her too much in my grief when I lost my mother. She became my next everything, her and Caedin when he was born. I even helped deliver him, actually. And even though we had other friends...we were the closest. Like sisters, as I mentioned. Family by choice, not blood."

She sighs sadly. "I suppose now I have an eternity to maybe befriend others and attempt to try and live with myself. Being the one that lived, when she should be here to raise her son...the way he lost them both...", her throat bobs. "I'll make sure he has everything and knows about her...how much she loved him and wanted this amazing life for him. And I-I'll give him that. However I can. At least, if I can make it through the night here."

Her eyes shutter. "Hybern snatched us in our tents. In the forest. At night. So I... I'm having a really hard time right now. My brain knows he's dead. Obviously. But my body and my magic doesnt get the message that I'm safe, so...it's in total breakdown mode," she scoffs as she tries to hold back tears. "I will do my very best to stay quiet for you. So at least one of us can sleep."

Tamlin tried desperately to anchor himself to the present moment as the terrible dreams of everyone he loved being ripped from his arms emerged from his slumber to stab his heart once again. His shoulders shook in a cold sweat and the haze of sleep lingered over his muscular form, keeping him halfway inside the moment of Eiley’s death. His hands were slick with sweat and he stared down at them in horror, trying to mitigate the flashing images of blood flowing across his palms.

Briar ducked into his tent and Tamlin did not respond right away. His wide eyes stared into the open darkness as he began to hyperventilate. Brown hair, light eyes — he shoved the knife aside, pounding his head into his fists. “Dead. Dead. Dead! You are dead!”

Tamlin inched away, clearly both drawn towards and frightened of her presence. He squeezed his arms around his limbs, going utterly still. His muscles twitched with the energy that flooded them, but his willpower met adrenaline and he refused to look weak.

Treacherous | Tamlin & Briar @thehighlordofspring

"Tamlin, wait--", she calls out softly as he heads toward his tent. She scrambles to her feet and rubs her arms a bit, picking up her cloak from where it fell on the ground.

"I don't ever want you to blame yourself for what happened to me. Lilly and me and the rest of The Blessed...we planned that trek. We went in the middle of the night. We climbed up the wall. It was our own actions that got us spotted by Hybern. Campfires and laughter...joy. We foolishly made ourselves targets. Regardless of anything happening on your side. He took us. He jailed us. He tortured us. And he used the Cauldron and killed us. Not you."

Taking a few steps closer, she raises her chin to meet his gaze. "You had nothing to do with that. You are a protector and a leader, and you would never let that happen to anyone if you could prevent it. When I was the last one left, shaking in that cell from shock and blood loss...you didn't walk by." She swallows hard. "You didn't...gawk or enjoy the sight of my pain or my ripped scraps of clothing. He could have killed you if he found out you were a plant and not an ally. And you still risked taking away my pain. So I don't ever want to hear you blaming yourself for what I went through. Okay? Promise me."

She holds his gaze, unwaveringly. "You did not condemn me. You are my savior. And one day...perhaps my friend. I didn't really have any stock in being human either. Both ways...my mom and my friends are dead. Lilly is dead", she says quietly. "Sometimes I wonder if I leaned on her too much in my grief when I lost my mother. She became my next everything, her and Caedin when he was born. I even helped deliver him, actually. And even though we had other friends...we were the closest. Like sisters, as I mentioned. Family by choice, not blood."

She sighs sadly. "I suppose now I have an eternity to maybe befriend others and attempt to try and live with myself. Being the one that lived, when she should be here to raise her son...the way he lost them both...", her throat bobs. "I'll make sure he has everything and knows about her...how much she loved him and wanted this amazing life for him. And I-I'll give him that. However I can. At least, if I can make it through the night here."

Her eyes shutter. "Hybern snatched us in our tents. In the forest. At night. So I... I'm having a really hard time right now. My brain knows he's dead. Obviously. But my body and my magic doesnt get the message that I'm safe, so...it's in total breakdown mode," she scoffs as she tries to hold back tears. "I will do my very best to stay quiet for you. So at least one of us can sleep."

I want to do things with my life but I also want to bury myself in a forest and let the moss grow over me so where does that leave us

Comfort. Briar grabbed his hands and Tamlin felt a surge of warmth fill him. It was like draining a cup of tea to its dregs on a cold night, or a hug from the distant past. It was something he did not feel often and had never felt in Eiley’s presence. Everything in that had revolved around her needs and her desires and he remembered struggling to keep his head above water, just to please her. He tried to force words from his mouth, but could not speak. His eyes frantically fell on the lavender one and he nodded rapidly.

Only ever Lucien had seen him in such a state before. Tamlin’s hands were quivering as he accepted the tiny vial and downed it in one shot. Normally, it felt soothing within seconds. When nothing happened, his eyes darted up to her face, somehow so calm and gentle in the midst of his terror. It’s…not working.

He folded in on himself, again, squeezing the plush toy between his hands with no mercy. His magic was at risk too. If her magical panic had been strong, his could level ground. She needed to get away from him. He remembered watching windows shatter in the manor on nights like this. He shooed her away with a reluctant push of his foot against her leg. Yet, she didn’t leave.

When his bare foot hit her knee, Tamlin felt the flood of relief from his tonic finally set in. His shoulders relaxed and he fell forwards, leaning his head on her lap. She should go. This isn’t over. She should go.

Tamlin inhaled and exhaled with a slow shudder, pressing his eyes closed as the realization that he could not speak set in.

If they hadn’t struggled to communicate when he could talk, unwillingly, what would she think now?

Treacherous | Tamlin & Briar @thehighlordofspring

"Tamlin, wait--", she calls out softly as he heads toward his tent. She scrambles to her feet and rubs her arms a bit, picking up her cloak from where it fell on the ground.

"I don't ever want you to blame yourself for what happened to me. Lilly and me and the rest of The Blessed...we planned that trek. We went in the middle of the night. We climbed up the wall. It was our own actions that got us spotted by Hybern. Campfires and laughter...joy. We foolishly made ourselves targets. Regardless of anything happening on your side. He took us. He jailed us. He tortured us. And he used the Cauldron and killed us. Not you."

Taking a few steps closer, she raises her chin to meet his gaze. "You had nothing to do with that. You are a protector and a leader, and you would never let that happen to anyone if you could prevent it. When I was the last one left, shaking in that cell from shock and blood loss...you didn't walk by." She swallows hard. "You didn't...gawk or enjoy the sight of my pain or my ripped scraps of clothing. He could have killed you if he found out you were a plant and not an ally. And you still risked taking away my pain. So I don't ever want to hear you blaming yourself for what I went through. Okay? Promise me."

She holds his gaze, unwaveringly. "You did not condemn me. You are my savior. And one day...perhaps my friend. I didn't really have any stock in being human either. Both ways...my mom and my friends are dead. Lilly is dead", she says quietly. "Sometimes I wonder if I leaned on her too much in my grief when I lost my mother. She became my next everything, her and Caedin when he was born. I even helped deliver him, actually. And even though we had other friends...we were the closest. Like sisters, as I mentioned. Family by choice, not blood."

She sighs sadly. "I suppose now I have an eternity to maybe befriend others and attempt to try and live with myself. Being the one that lived, when she should be here to raise her son...the way he lost them both...", her throat bobs. "I'll make sure he has everything and knows about her...how much she loved him and wanted this amazing life for him. And I-I'll give him that. However I can. At least, if I can make it through the night here."

Her eyes shutter. "Hybern snatched us in our tents. In the forest. At night. So I... I'm having a really hard time right now. My brain knows he's dead. Obviously. But my body and my magic doesnt get the message that I'm safe, so...it's in total breakdown mode," she scoffs as she tries to hold back tears. "I will do my very best to stay quiet for you. So at least one of us can sleep."

Tamlin stepped outside the boundary of the camp, eyes focused on the woods. The blurry of the trees on the horizon screamed freedom and every step he took towards it gave him a rush of relief to step away from the responsibility of carrying more strangers on his back. Yet, this wasn’t something he got to choose. Even when his soul urged him to run, his heart forbid him to take another step. He clenched his fists at his side and ground his teeth, dropping his weapons to the side as her soft whimper threatened to overwhelm the current of unstable magic within her.

He jumped back, ripping his gloves off with his teeth, and wrapping his arms around her in a firm embrace just before a bright flash of blue light flooded from her body. The pulse of energy flooded through his abdomen as he absorbed it. It was strong magic, yet a flicker against his own. A glimmering, tickling flutter. As soon as it was over, Tamlin dropped his arms, stepping back as if he’d been standing on an anthill.

“By the cauldron, Briar Rose!” He rapidly shook his arms, like a puppet released from its chains. “You…are a tickle monster.”

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.

Tamlin sat back on the cold ground and listened as Briar explained her emotions and their story. He wasn’t much for small talk, but he was a good ear and he understood what it was like to be in pain. Lucien had been his crutch for many years. Now, all he had was himself. Often, it felt like walking on an injured limb. His body ached and his voice was tired. He couldn’t sleep, so his mind remained foggy throughout the day. He wanted to give Lucien time — a break, even, from being his caretaker. He was about to become a father, after all. He had enough on his hands.

Tamlin rested his elbows on his knees and shrugged. “I get it — I suppose. The nightmares. They aren’t easy to dodge once they start. Sometimes it takes months.”

At least his company wasn’t as much of a pain as he thought, Tamlin sighed. Comforting was not a word people had used to describe him in the last. Strong? Steady? Sure. Comforting requires vulnerability and he was not comfortable being so.

“I have a sense of responsibility.” He acknowledged. “The war with Hybern was not easier for my place in it. I will be working for the rest of my life to restore Spring to what it once was, under my mother’s graceful leadership. What happened to you was a result of my own ambition to restore something I can never have.”

His eyes glazed in the dark, equally bold and uncertain. “Perhaps if I’d been content to let things go, it never would have been necessary. Perhaps, you’d still be human.”

A ghost of a smile echoed on his face before fading into the night air. “I will be in my tent if you need anything, Lady Briar. Try to get some rest. We have an active ride ahead of us tomorrow.”

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.