wander on the misty coast, watch out for what you find

he bit back the sigh that almost slipped past his lips as sleipnir removed his boots, feeling the younger man's hands on his leg and touching his feet. he could feel his groin stir at the feel and the sight. he let out a long breath, steadying himself. when sleipnir looked up at him, he felt his cock twitch in his breeches, growing with each passing moment.

"no, thank you. unless you have an interest in warming a man's bed... you are free to go."

Smiling at him softly she waited for him to sit and willingly took the comfy spot on his lap; Zaria could feel right away the hardening bulge underneath his breeches, she could have felt it before as well when they kissed a lot, but with only thin layer of fabric between them it was all more easier to feel it. She nibbled into her bottom lip right before he pulled her in for a kiss, a moan breaking through as soon as his tongue parted her lips and rubbed against hers.

Zaria leaned into him, arms wrapped around his shoulders and deepened their kiss even more. This day carried so many emotions, this whole past month did and now here they were, finally, as husband and wife. The kiss turned so intense, making the redhead moan in pleasure it brought her to be so close to him, be held by him. Carefully pulling back to take in a breath, Zaria felt more bold than before, he didn't have to keep her decency intact anymore. So she pushed down the straps of her silky night gown down the arms, letting the material pool around her waist and revealing her round breasts and hardened nipples.

her ears perked up upon hearing his words regarding the current state of the court, her body shifting in her sit with interest. beatriz was kept in the dark regarding politics since she had no one to talk to about it, but now seemed a perfect time to find out what was going on. she could imagine that the atmosphere in the whole empire was rather tense; after the invasion, deucalion needed to make everyone, lords and peasants alike, safe, gain their trust.

“ㅤare there any problems?ㅤ” the woman inquired politely, watching the man's face carefully. was he going to lie or said the truth?

the information about her ladies ' whereabouts were not a big surprise. the summer house was far enough from the manor, but at the same time not too far that it was a perfect place to keep the possible dangerous noblewomen and do not enrage the other nobles. it were not dungeons and although some heaviness lifted from beatriz' heart, there was still stab of worry. were they treated right?

"if that is what you wish, it shall be done." the king promised her. it was dangerous to let her spend time with her ladies, but deucalion grew tired of treating her like a prisoner in her own home. if they managed to steal her away, so be it. he would handle whatever happened when it arrived.

"perhaps we can make an agreement. you should not have to spend every day alone, so... one of your ladies in waiting may return to stay with you. but i should like to appoint you a lady in waiting of my choosing, from my home." deucalion suggested.

But now that she was standing in front of him in nothing but the silky night gown, she felt very exposed and nervous because of it. She tried not to show it, but there was also excitement because of the unknown - he kept his word and kept her decency intact but now they could finally do more than just kiss or have her sit in his lap.

At his question, she gave a soft nod and bit into the bottom of her lip, but she didn't dare to look away from him. "My mother was very brief about it, making it look like it's only a chore for a woman with a single task to become with child. My ladies in waiting, however, said beyond the pain that will follow at first, is pleasure for both man and woman. As I do enjoy kissing you a lot, I am sure I will enjoy other things, too, as long as you guide me through it."

"come with me." he said softly, guiding her towards the bed by holding her hand. he sat down and guided her to take her place on his lap, his arms easily slipping around her. he held her close, fingers splaying over her back and side. his other hand reached up to cup her face, and he guided their faces towards each other and kissed her.

he started soft and slow, but it deepened, slipping his tongue into her mouth. he had been teaching her how to kiss this past month gone, and the taste of her mouth was addictive. the hand of her face held the back of her neck, keeping her in place as he slowly conquered her mouth, wanting to leave her breathless and wanting more.

"i shall count down the days until our wedding arrives." deucalion admitted freely, and he meant it. the struggle would be resisting zaria, and resisting thinking about her, and their wedding day, when they were apart. after having tasted her mouth and felt her body so close to his, he would need to attend to himself tonight...

while she looked at the sunset, he looked at her. he admired her expression of wonder, and the sunset across her features. her skin, pale as cream, and her hair, streaked with copper. her lips, plush and pink. he already wanted to kiss her again. he smiled at her openly, his eyes crinkling, his teeth flashing. "i am happy to have given them to you. my rose, blooming in the sun's light and the air from the sea."

he pressed his lips to her cheek, kissing her, his eyes fluttering closed. he breathed in the scent of her, mixed in with the sea air, and sighed softly, holding her closer. "...today has been a remarkable day."

The wedding seemed so far away from this point, now that she had tasted his lips Zaria wanted more of his kisses. Perhaps even wanted more of him, although she didn't know what that really brings. She had that conversation with her mother, but the woman didn't tell her too much or elaborate on it. Maybe she believed that Zaria would never marry with the way her father kept her away from possible suitors.

His description of her made her look away from the sunset and back at him, her smile warm, loving even. "I like how that sounds, you calling me your rose. Although I have to warn you, if you don't stop being so kind and romantic, I might kiss you again."she murmured softly.

When he kissed her cheek, she chuckled and leaned more into him, his beard tickling her soft skin. "It was, I agree. Long and productive, too. Thank you, Deucalion, for everything you did today for me."

✶ 　 𓏼　 𝑪𝑳𝑶𝑺𝑬𝑫 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑 [ . . . ] @hausofmist .

the sky had collapsed into a heavy, seamless shroud of obsidian as kieran ran as far as his body would let him; desperately distancing himself from the violent confusion he created. the man didn't want to fight with anyone or even offend anybody, but he ended up doing those things anyway. it all started in a tavern, where kieran drank way too much and accidentally spilt his wine onto a noble. and said noble, snobby and quick to anger, put their guards to give him a lesson; one that didn't match his ‘ crime ’. kicks and punches, a deep slash to his waist and one to his back with heavy swords.

fighting back didn't help, so as anyone with brains would do, he escaped. better to be a coward with his life than a dead honoured fighter. and that's how he reached this strange and seemingly abandoned castle, pushing the heavy oak door and shielding himself from the dangers outside. kieran collapsed against a wall, his breath coming in ragged, shallow pulls. his hands immediately went to the curtains, using the weight of his body to shred the velvet fabric into long, thick bandages for his wounds.

with the terrible bindings stopping at least some of his bleeding, he enters more deeply into the place, looking at the ruins and being certain that nobody has been here for a long, long time now. kieran searches for something to eat or anywhere to rest, finding a surprising stock of food that he devours in minutes before deciding to lay down on the floor and rest there, closing his eyes.

when he wakes up again, the man is surrounded by softness and a comfort he never felt before. kieran isn't on the floor anymore, but in the best bed his eyes and body had ever witnessed ( which wasn't something too hard to achieve, honestly ). he's covered with fluffy blankets, and when he pushes them aside, his wounds are tended to with care and precision. his eyes shift to look around and he realizes he's not alone in the room.

"there is no need for apologies, ser. you have done no harm. food is to be eaten, and the curtains were old. it would do good to replace them." deucalion assured his guest. a handsome young man. the nobleman made his way from the fire, towards the bed, reaching out to pour from a crystal decanter, offering kieran a glass.

"brandy. to keep you warm, and ease your pain. please, lie back and rest." deucalion insisted, pouring a glass for himself, and taking a seat in the armchair besides the bed. "lord deucalion malvolio romilius, at your service. how do you feel? are you in any pain, or hungry?"

The wedding came by quickly, the days were passing by fast with all the preparations towards the big day. And in all of that they still found the time to spend together, get to know each other, steal kisses when they were alone. The night before the wedding she barely slept, Zaria was nervous and excited. Her ladies in waiting were very helpful with keeping her calm, the princess thankful for the two ladies from her homeland and the two from his, they were very nice and she clicked with them fairly easily.

She tried her best to focus and remember everything she has to do and say. In all of it, Deucalion helped her with his lead, and she followed along. The ceremony was beautiful, very emotional, and she loved seeing the smile on his face. The way he looked at her, it made her heart swell with love. In a month she spent here, Zaria didn't feel trapped anymore. She was perfectly aware of how she was brought here, but everything that followed eased her into it, and one might think it was all happening naturally, as it should be.

Seeing the common folk, then the celebration, the first dance... It all brought her joy and smiles. But was she glad once they could retreat and he brought her to her chambers, the day has been long, with many people surrounding them and she was ready to just be alone with him.

"your dress was magnificent. but i am quietly thrilled your servants helped you out of it." deucalion chuckled, looking down at the silky night gown she was dressed in. he'd been changed out of his ceremonial doublet and into an undershirt and breeches, stripped down for his wedding night.

"are you nervous, my love? for the consummation?" he asked, his voice low and gentle. "has anyone spoken to you of what to expect? your mother, or your ladies in waiting?"

"many a home? she sounds like quite a philanthropic woman." deucalion commented. perhaps her name was also withers, and he could find out more about her too. deucalion took a seat on the bed, looking at sleipnir with an expectant expression. "would you be so kind, and help me with my boots?"

"you're very sweet, lady melyse." deucalion continued to slowly approach her, stopping when there was only a small space between them. he could easily reach across and touch her. "you must have many friends, giving out such compliments."

"...would you like me to walk you back to your rooms? or do you intend to spend the night here, with me?" deucalion teased, his expression soft and playful, a twinkle in his dual-coloured eyes. "even if you took the bed, and i took the floor, it would cause quite a scandal."

the palace was a vast place, too many rooms with the same doors and corridors which spiraled like a maze. she considered it much different to her own home though she doubted there was much chance of her returning there soon. if she was a more observant woman, she would have noticed the room was not her own, easily lost and disorientated in the unfamiliar place. the man in front of her — not man, king's state would surely cause her a much unwanted scandal if it were to get out.

"the gods?" he asked gently, a smile pulling at his lips. he let his hands drop, his doublet half open, revealing his shirt underneath. he turned towards her, taking a step in her direction. "...what makes you say that? did you ask the gods to bring you... to me?"

Was her presence here a mistake? Surely, she just forgot her way. It was a large castle after all. She wouldn't come to him with bad intentions, right? Of course not. She could play the doe-eyed innocent girl, but there's something in the way her lips quirk upward that gives away her charade. Elyndra doesn't say anything when he enters his chambers. She simply watches and sees a flash of his skin before he finally spots her. Eyes drift to the floor for a moment before looking back at him.

"Oh, your grace. I must have taken a wrong turn. I do apologize." There's a beat of silence before she steps forward. "Those laces look complicated. Would you like me to help with them?"

deucalion glanced down at his doublet, half undone. he smirked, lowering his hands and lifting his gaze back to her. he approached her slowly, deliberately, stopping in front of her. he reached out and took her small hands in his, lifting them to look at them. "such small, delicate hands with such nimble fingers."

he led her hands to his doublet, letting them rest on his abdomen. "that is such a kind offer, my lady. i will surely struggle without you."

Sleipnir nodded at the news. Least his part was done. Sleipnir knew better then to just leave. So he waited, expecting to be dismissed any moment.

But it never came. Instead the King spoke of his half untied doublet. "Your...doublet, your Majesty?" He didn't...require the help. Not really. Servants were just for ease. And Sleipnir himself wore doublets when he was working. But - who was he to deny his King?

"I will, your Majesty." Sleipnir nodded for his King to return to where he had been, following after. Sleipnir waited for the permission before helping himself. He dug his fingers into the knots, working promptly to undo them and not take up the Kings time.

when his doublet was fully unlaced, he stepped back, shrugging it off, folding it, and putting it aside, onto a nearby chair. he glanced back at the knight, wondering how far he could go. "do you reside in the barracks, ser?"

His little teasing made her chuckle and she shrugged before meeting his gaze again. "I won't protest that."she murmured softly and brushed her thumb over his skin as he kissed the inside of her hand. "Our wedding will be soon enough, and everything that will follow with the preparations, I think you will make it."she said with a light nod.

As he looked at her again, her head turned the moment he told her about the sunset. Letting out a light gasp, she shifted lightly in his lap to take a better look. "How breathtaking."she murmured, and leaned her head against his, relaxing and getting comfortable as they looked at it. "Thank you, again, for doing this for me, Deucalion - I already feel happier seeing where I'll be staying. This is everything I wanted from my accommodations."

"i shall count down the days until our wedding arrives." deucalion admitted freely, and he meant it. the struggle would be resisting zaria, and resisting thinking about her, and their wedding day, when they were apart. after having tasted her mouth and felt her body so close to his, he would need to attend to himself tonight...

while she looked at the sunset, he looked at her. he admired her expression of wonder, and the sunset across her features. her skin, pale as cream, and her hair, streaked with copper. her lips, plush and pink. he already wanted to kiss her again. he smiled at her openly, his eyes crinkling, his teeth flashing. "i am happy to have given them to you. my rose, blooming in the sun's light and the air from the sea."

he pressed his lips to her cheek, kissing her, his eyes fluttering closed. he breathed in the scent of her, mixed in with the sea air, and sighed softly, holding her closer. "...today has been a remarkable day."

Sleipnir was supposed to hand the King the information. And he had every intention of doing just that. He couldn't explain why he didn't announce himself, or even knock on the chamber door. And he really could not give explanation to why - when he saw his King undressing - he just watched.

When he was caught, he felt the spike of ice fill his chest. Oh-no.

"when did you mean to interrupt me, ser?" deucalion teased, reaching out and taking the scroll. he reached out with his other hand, gently touching the top of the knight's head. "rise, ser, and be at ease. i only jest."

deucalion unfolded the scroll, his eyes running over the words. urgent, so they said. it did not seem so urgent enough to warrant a reply, so late in the evening. "it would seem that lord highforte and i do not have the same understanding of the word urgent. i shall reply upon the morrow." deucalion said, putting the scroll aside on a side table.

deucalion glanced back at the knight now in his chambers. he had caught the man staring, and it made him... curious. "...though i am glad he sent you. i made the mistake of dismissing my servant early and i am having trouble unlacing my doublet. would you come to your king's aid, brave knight?"

His questions felt like a flurry. It had been so long anyone had asked her personal questions, Mai Fen honestly wasn't sure where to start. "Yes, when my son became king, I was fortunate to serve on his council. He was young when he was coronated, so I wanted to make sure he was being taught and led in the right direction," she explained.

Speaking about anything that wasn't politics felt so out of place for Mai Fen. She couldn't help but feel the slightest bit awkward talking about something so...mundane. "I enjoy stories of old, poems too," she said as she took a small bite of food, "And I used to accompany my father and brothers aboard their ships."

It all seemed like a lifetime ago. Yet, Mai Fen could still recall being a young girl, bright-eyed and bubbly with her nose in books and watching the ships set out on their voyages. It was a distant memory that felt more like a dream some days.

Her reminiscing paused at his offer. She was a little surprised. Mai Fen was certain he would not want any of her children around, given she was to bare him heirs. It only made her chest jump in excitement, but Mai Fen tried to keep a schooled expression. "That would be most appreciated, your grace, thank you."

"so you were more involved in politics then... other interests? i feel foolish, asking you about books and horses when you were spending your time far more wisely and making much more of a contribution." he asked. she was not the kind of lady who had sat idly by while her husband took care of things. he was beginning to see that accepting her offer of being his bride might have other advantages... he wondered what she would be like in his council room. what suggestions would she make? what things would she oppose?

"their ships to yi ti? that is quite the journey. i've never been myself... i intended to, but my father and brother died before i could make it on my travels, so i had to return home." deucalion spoke, but then went quiet. he should not bore her of stories of his youth. he took another sip of his wine. "i should like to hear what it is like, from your perspective, if you'll indulge me?"

"then it shall be done. if you write a letter to the king of claw isle with your request, i shall send word first thing tomorrow morning, and they should be with us within a week or two. if he is agreeable." deucalion commented. he started to eat, chewing thoughtfully when she spoke. he swallowed, nodding gently. "finnic. if your son, the king, should allow it, i do not see why not. there are a handful of respectful knights he could squire for, and... if it suits you, i am in need of a cup bearer for my council meetings. the current one is getting a little old, he should be called home soon."