#camsyn

He hated Booty Bay.

Riley was certain of that now thanks to his short time there and with each passing day it felt like a chore to remain. However, he knew his father would be displeased if he cut and ran so early. Sit, stay, and remain. He felt like a fool; a lapdog. Riley didn’t do well at following orders but he knew Rielen’s ire would be far more annoying than if he decided to leave and return to his own life. His fingers traced the book in front of him, it wasn’t much, but it was filled to the brim with beginner’s spells and information on magical artifacts. That was his deal with his father, he would be able to start learning some magic in exchange for this one job. Something he had wanted for so long was in arm’s reach but it was never that easy. His father made sure of that.

“Behave.” “Oh, come now, don’t you trust me?” “I do trust you. I trust you to go and fuck it all up,” Rielen stated flatly.

Riley gritted his teeth in annoyance and turned to look at the tavern, what appeal his brothers saw he would never know. He hadn’t told his father much about Dimue, yet. After all, he could only assume she was putting on an act for him so there wasn’t much to report. He wanted to dig underneath that front and see just who she was. He shook his head, a sigh leaving his lips at the mere thought that this situation was even happening in the first place and over what? Love? What was that good for anyways?

“Her name is Dimue,” Riley’s voice echoed into his father’s comm. “That’s where he’s been then?” “Yes.” “Best be seein’ why he broke an oath for her. I’ll arrange a meeting with Cam soon. See if she’s worth my time and don’t let the two out of your sight. I don’t want him running.”

Once he clicked the comm off, he hung his head and fingers moved to run through his hair. He was so tired of waiting. He wanted to be out on a contract, out fighting, anything but this. A meeting with Cam--- because that was going to go so well. As for Dimue? They were going to be seeing a lot more of each other, unfortunately.

Ciaran had teased her relentlessly about her reaction to the captain with a sharp wit and deadly smirk that, by the time, she'd gone home she was beyond restless.  The petite redhead lay in the middle of her bed, staring at the ceiling with furrowed brows. Why had she reacted that way? No one had made her heart flutter even the slightest since...

A heavy sigh lifted into the air as she rolled to her side and stared at the simple necklace on her bedside table. Reaching out, she took up the fang necklace holding it up to the moonlight. To this day her heart still flipped somersaults whenever she thought about him before it would break all over again at the loss of him.  Her fingers curled about the fang pendant tightly as she clutched it to her chest and tried to remember his face.

It had become more difficult to do so these days, despite the pain that never seemed to lessen. Her mind drifted back to Camsyn.  Though she'd given no indication, she had figured out quickly exactly what he was. After living with Fang on his ship, the look and scent were unmistakable. He had the same smug wit as well. The taunting. The subtle tease. The immediate interest in work. All things that ...

She sat up and frowned as the words blurted past her lips,"Seven Hells." Now she understood. He reminded her of him. Frowning, she shook her head and flopped back onto the bed and muttered to no one but herself,"Keep your distance, Dim. Remember what happened to the last one.Now is not the time to start slipping." Rolling to her other side, pendant still in hand, she stared out the window toward the bright moon and sighed before finally closing her eyes and drifting off into a restless sleep.

She moved to leave the small hospice that was in Booty Bay and Cerothyn was waiting for her outside of it. “Katlinne-”

“Do not speak to me,” she instantly laughed, though it was far from humorous. She was trying to keep herself composed and Cerothyn wouldn’t listen. He knew her anger all too well, that was what frightened him more than anything in this moment. She was more like him than she wanted to be and he could already tell she was about to do something reckless. A hand grasped her shoulder to force her to look at him and she went to swing. He caught it in his fist and shook his head.

“You already hit me once, lass. Don’t think I’m going to let you land another so soon,” he chided. “You can’t go after him.”

“The hell I can’t. Look at him! If you gave a shit about your son you would be going after him too.”

“It’s not that simple,” he said, pain lacing his tone.

“Maybe not for you.” She jerked out of his hold and moved to leave again.

“Kat he will kill you! Be smart about this.”

Riley waited patiently in the spot he had whispered to Katlinne, he knew the fiery blonde would show. Rielen had told him to send a message to Cerothyn now that Camsyn had received his and so he did, picking on the weak and luring out the other now that he had learned of her. Emery had opened his mouth to Riley, unknowing that he was giving the wrong uncle information about he and his sister. He almost felt bad for the poor kid, but it was strictly business after all. He heard a crunch of a stick and a smile formed across his features, “ah, the mysterious one has arrived.”

Katlinne had never killed someone, gods and she couldn’t believe she was really going to try. She had been trained for it but never before had she wanted to take a life, she knew though that she wanted to kill Riley. Blinded by anger she instantly lunged for him, vanishing into the darkness and reappearing behind him. Riley was no fool, the moment she disappeared he turned to face her and took the tip of her blade into his stomach as his hand caught her wrist. He used his force to push her backwards, his leg catching hers to topple her over.

She was quick to roll when he tried to send a kick, doing her best to get back to her feet. It wasn’t quick enough, however, and she felt a sharp jerk by her hair as he pulled her up. He sent a punch to her stomach, she felt the wind sharply leave her body and disorient her. As she tried tried to go for his face, anything, to get out of his hold he hit her again. Kat stumbled backwards and tried to get back up but this time she was kicked. “Stay,” he said smugly and lowered himself to her level. “Do you really think you would be able to beat someone like me, darling? It’s really unfair, I’m a lot older than you are.”

Her lip twitched and she sent a fist flying right for that god awful mouth. She wanted him to shut up, to eat his very words, and she reached for a blade again. It drove into his side much to his surprise and Kat felt her heart freeze within her chest for a split moment. It wasn’t a killing blow and she knew this, she knew this would only cause him to come unhinged with anger. She ripped the blade free and as she went for his throat he was already on top of her. His weight crushed her beneath him and she let out a coughed breath from the sudden impact. His fist connected to her face, once. Twice. She felt her consciousness slipping and all she could think about was Emery. “I told you, you wouldn’t win.”

“I didn’t plan on it,” she said with a bloodied smile. Her blade fell to the ground and as Riley looked at it, he felt the sickening realization that she had poisoned him. Katlinne was met with the brunt end of his dagger against her head to knock her out cold and her body was scooped up in his arms. He now had to make it back to his father, and this time, with a gift.

This is a REALLY hard question, I’ve been sitting on it trying to figure out someone that he would admire and dislike at the same time and I couldn’t really put my finger on one. Then I thought of someone who could fit into this category:

Emara-

Cerothyn both dislikes and likes her, as much as he will tell people he holds nothing against that woman- he does. He hates that she abandoned him, even if he was at fault which he does understand, but he still can’t help to feel some resentment towards her. She could have told him, she could have said goodbye, and she could have broken it off face to face without leaving just a letter that said “sorry” there was no explanation. He didn’t get face to face closure for years and it tore him apart. It really fucked him up and as much as he puts on a face that he’s over her, he’s not.

Still, he admires her love for her family, her kindness, and the way that she held herself when they were together. Emara was extremely patient with Cero, but she also wasn’t afraid to put her foot down when he both disrespected her or wronged her. She’s a tough woman despite how soft she appears and has been through hell and back. Cerothyn couldn’t imagine himself ever in her position and still be that…good. He’s been shit on more than once and each time he throws himself right back into the darkness.

Probably a tie between Lady Devonshire and Camsyn. Both have had his back multiple times in their own ways.

Camsyn did everything to get him back when he was taken hostage and Cero takes a small amount of pride in knowing that two of his younger brothers turned to the sea. He’s also the one he’s fought with the least and that’s saying a lot if you get to know any of the Zeddicus men, you haven’t seen egos till you meet that family. Most importantly though, Cam was there throughout some really dark periods in his life. Another thing he enjoys is that he can just sit back, enjoy his rum, and exchange stories with his younger brother. It’s a lot harder to do with other members of the family.

Lady Devonshire has taught a selfish man to be selfless. She showed him extreme kindness since the day they met and opened his eyes to a lot of things. He still holds the compass she gave him close to his heart, it’s always in his jacket pocket. It’s one of the many things Cerothyn totes around pridefully and he would probably break someone’s nose if they even thought about damaging it. Every time he docks near Silvermoon he visits her. Often he’ll bring little tokens from his adventures or write her letters while he’s away.

Come away little lamb come away to the water To the arms that are waiting only for you Come away little lamb come away to the slaughter To the one appointed to see this through

We are coming for you We are coming for you

“Behead Cam and Reli because both other options would be incest. Jack gets to be my husband, bloke better treat me right and get me a good ring.”