#kp writes

After a day of meetings, Aren carried Lara back to their chambers in Eranhal, Lara's body ached more than it had in ages. Aren gently set her on the bed. "I would say that went well.” He said. After a day of meetings, and making it clear that yes, Lara did kill her father, and yes, Lara is the queen, and no, she wouldn't be leaving as planned. Lara was exhausted.

As much as she wanted to sink under the covers and rest, there was some business that needed to addressed. She glanced over at the emerald necklace next to the bed. She needed to know exactly where she stood. "I shouldn’t have tagged along today. We should have talked about this first.”

“Talked about what?” He says, curiosity in his tone, as he settled on the edge of the bed.

“Us.” Lara says. “This.” She gestures between them.

"You had a long day." Aren said carefully, while brushing her hair out of her face. "You're home. You're safe. I'm not going anywhere, Lara. You barely made it out of dinner. You should rest."

“I don't want to delay." Lara said, pushing herself up to a sitting position.

"Delay what?”

“How am I supposed to rule here when I don't know if you're going to shut me out and abandon me on some island? If I don't know if you trust me? I don't want to spend my life questioning things. I won't be able to rest until I know." She says, wishing her voice sounded more authoritative than desperate.

"Lara, I -"

Lara let’s herself cave to her anger. She doesn’t want to be angry with him, but she wants to resolve things, they need to get past this if things were going to be different between them. "Would you have taken me back if I didn't kill my father, Aren? If the magical sharks didn't deem me worthy? Would you have tried to save me? Or would you have been happy you left me on that island after using me?"

"I shouldn’t have- Jor said I had to choose- I lo-"

"I don't give a shit what Jor said, Aren. I didn't marry Jor. I don't love Jor. Jor didn't kiss me in the Oasis, or pull me onto that boat. Jor didn't fuck me and then leave me behind. I sailed by myself for three weeks for you. I tracked down my sisters and convinced them to risk their lives for you. I faced snake island for you. I walked through the desert and burned my skin for you. If you had to agreed to the empress of Valcotta's terms, I would have died for you."

"Lara-" Aren reached for her hands. She yanked them away. She needed to think straight, to get through this.

"Let me finish." Lara waited a moment before continuing. "I did all of those things, because I love you. I would have left on that beach in Nerastis, but you pulled me back into the boat, you told me we were going home." She's not able to keep the tears at bay any longer.

"You brought me to your people and told them that I was neither your wife nor your queen. You didn't let me walk away, you told me we were coming home, you told me you wanted me, you used me and told me I was a mistake and then you left me. How am I supposed to know you won’t change your mind again?” she says, hating the desperation in her voice.

Aren open and closed his mouth, looking for the right words.

"I've done terrible things. I understand that. But I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I didn't know the truth about my father. I was raised with the sole purpose of marrying you and betraying you. When I found out the truth, I burned all of the letters. I didn't let anything happen between us before then, because I knew it would hurt to much to have you and then leave. I did everything I could to help the people here, because I love you and I love Ithicana. I will regret the lives lost for the rest of my life. I will regret that Ahnna had to make sacrifices because what I have done. But I have tried and tried to make this up to you, to everyone--"

She's cut off as Aren moves closer her, placing both hands on either side of her face, careful to avoid the cuts there. "Lara - I. I love you. I need you here with me. I loved you from the start. I loved you when I asked you to leave. I loved you even when I was held captive. I never stopped loving you. I forgave you for all of it in the desert. I just - I didn't know how to let go of you, I don't think I ever will. I'm so sorry. I was an ass, and terrible husband. I shouldn't have left you. I should have been brave enough to face my people. I should have known you would fight for Ithicana. Of course I trust you, after everything you've risked for me, for Ithicana. I'm so sorry I didn't see it before. "

"I don't want an apology." Lara said, letting out a rough breath, as she reaches for his hand. "I have never asked you to choose between me and your people. I never will. But if I stay, If you want me to stay, - I need to know that you trust me. We have to be a unified front. You can't say one thing to me and then sing a different tune to your people. You can't turn your back on me because Jor disapproves, or burn our home down. We have to be equals. Can you agree to that?"

"Yes." Aren says immediately. "Lara you are ruthless and brave and stronger than I have ever been. You're the queen Ithicana deserves. If you let me, I will spend the rest of my life making up for how I treated you. I will show our people I was wrong to turn my back on you. I'll teach you to swim and sail. I'll learn to ride a horse, I'll rebuild our home. I'll buy you as many jewels and animals as you want. We can have another wedding, so I don't have to wear a mask. Anything you want, I'll do it."

Lara lets herself smile, brushes her lips over his quickly, and leans her forehead against his. "Yes. To all of those things."

Aren kisses her, gently enough to avoid the scars around her face. Lara pulls him to her her. "You can start tomorrow." Lara says. "Although I'm not sure where we'll keep the horses and camels."

"We have to rebuild our house. We can add stables." He says as he shifts so he's laying beside her.

"And a courtyard? For swimming lessons?"

"Hmm" he hums as he pulls her to his chest. "Amongst other things."