To hold her hand as she drifts into sleep was a quiet sort of redemption. It could not make up for his mistakes, but felt like the first bud from a troubled seed. It hurts to know she worried about him back in the temple. It had not occurred to Vigor that she might not remember he was barely injured, given her significantly more severe state. He would apologise and explain if it wouldn't disturb her from falling asleep now.
What little sleep he gets is at least comforted by the welcoming warmth of the dawn filtering through the windows. At least he knows he wasn't dragged off to the dungeon during the night. A small victory, and a good start. He considers trying to make up for those lost, restless hours, but instead begins his promise to Nox as soon as he finds the strength to leave her side.
Β Β Β Β He will need the quiet hours before either their families wake up to begin his work.
Β Β Β Β Vigor slips away carefully, gently opening the door just enough to check for guards on either side of the hallway. Nothing. Reluctantly, Vigor must go hunting for a friendly face.
Β Β Β Β It isn't long before he spots Asiran, somehow even more tired than he is. She never liked early patrols. Perhaps the sight of a half-awake guard should concern Vigor, but instead, it comforts him. If she's not alert, then their guards aren't aware of any treat at present.
Β Β Β Β The sight of one another seems to wake both of them up, blinking in tandem, grateful but confused. They both stumble to speak first (and coherently).
Β Β Β Β βAre you always up this early?β Asiran mumbles, offended that he is willingly out of bed. Vigor knows it's rhetorical. He'd play along if there weren't more pressing matters.
Β Β Β Β βI need you for something,β he whispers. Her expression shifts slowly from confusion to concern. Did he just say that? Shit, he did. Asiran grunts and motions for Vigor to lead the way.
Β Β Β Β He guides her back to his room. No one in the hallway, yet, but he's far less worried about being seen inviting Asiran in. A witness would be more likely to assume he'd killed someone in the night than that they were sleeping together. He isn't her type.
Β Β Β Β Asiran's shock steals the gasp from falling from her lips. No, wait, she just had to yawn. Her eyes adjust to the woman curled up in Vigor's bed and her grin lights up her otherwise weary face.
Β Β Β Β βIt's not what it looks like.β
Β Β Β Β Unamused, Asiran glares at Vigor. The look he gives her back is sincere, leaving Asiran with even more questions. Why was Nox in his bed if not for that? The guards aren't blind. Asiran had seen how Vigor ignored everyone but Nox in a crowded room.
Β Β Β Β Vigor considers just how much he should tell her; enough to prepare her for what he may ask of her in the days or weeks to come and to, hopefully, convince her they did nothing unbecoming.
Β Β Β Β βYou know about her visions, right? Well, she showed me. I'll tell Irnvar later. For now, I'm heading to the greenhouse, then fetching her handmaid.β
Β Β Β Β Asiran's eyes light up. βI have a favour to ask,β she states coolly. Vigor is unamused, but must at least hear her out, given what he is asking from her. βThe haindmaid is cute,β Asiran coos, βput in a good word in for me.β
Β Β Β Β Vigor rolls his eyes, before nodding and grinning. βI won't be long,β he says before slipping back out the door, handing Asiran a key on the way out.
Β Β Β Β Anxiety keeps Vigor company along the way to the greenhouse, wondering if it would have been better to just have Asiran keep watch rather than placing her inside the room. He wants to forgive himself for potentially making less than ideal plans, given his exhaustion, but he cannot help but wonder how long he has before someone catches on.
Β Β Β Β No matter what he did, or could have done, someone will soon notice Nox outside her room.
Β Β Β Β He should have just had Asiran escort her back to her room. Tell any witnesses she was found wandering the halls, restless or searching for the gardens.
Β Β Β Β But he'd made his choice, and would simply have to hurry.
Asiran locks the door behind her, wondering why that bastard (affectionate) had dragged her into his mess. She wants to trust that he really, really didn't just sleep with his brother's bride-to-be, hoping he'd be smarter about keeping something like that under wraps. The only problem was, what he claimed happened seemed far, far stranger than finally sleeping with the woman he's not-so-subtly been pining over.
Β Β Β Β Asiran understands sex. She can forgive sex. She cannot forgive being forced into a conspiracy at the ass-crack of dawn.
Β Β Β Β But at least it's for Nox. She likes Nox.
Β Β Β Β Vigor really owes her this time.
Β Β Β Β A knock on the door feels like a bucket of cold water being poured over her. She jolts to attention. The knock echoed through the heavy door, but was far gentler than it could have been. It wasn't a call to action, but rather the sound of a concerned guard trying to inform, not alarm, a potentially sleeping lord. A familiar voice whispers from the other side of the door.
Β Β Β Β βVigor? Vigor?β Haral calls.
Β Β Β Β Perhaps Haral noticed she'd gone missing from her post. That, or they know Nox isn't in her bed, and Vigor has run out of what lttle time he had. Either way, Asiran drops her voice into her stomach and replies. βIs this important? I'm praying. Toβyou knowβLathander?β Asiran says uncertainly, doing her best impression of a pious but tired lordling.
Β Β Β Β βLast time I caught you βprayingβ I was traumatised for a week.β
Β Β Β Β Asiran struggles to suppress her laugh. Looking at Nox helps her keep quiet, desperate not to disturb the poor woman.
Β Β Β Β βWe can't find Asiran,β he adds.
Β Β Β Β βCheck the other girl's beds. Maybe that one stablegirl. Yeah, her,β Asiran fumbles. Improv was not the guard's forte.
Β Β Β Β There is a pause, and then, a sigh.
Β Β Β Β βAsiran please let me in.β
Β Β Β Β She panics. It's only Haral, sure, but Vigor trusted her with his secret. Fuck him for dragging her into this, but she still didn't want to ruin whatever he was planning.
Β Β Β Β Unsure what choice she has, she unlocks the door.
Β Β Β Β Haral stares at Nox, then at Asiran, then back at Nox, mouthing the words βWhat the fuck is wrong with you.β
Β Β Β Β Asiran shrugs and whispers. βI have a type.β
Β Β Β Β Stunned, Haral struggles to process what he's seeing. βWhere's Vigor?β
Β Β Β Β βIn Thirin's bed,β she adds nonchalantly. βIt's in the east barracks. If you don't believe me, go look for yourself.β And with that, she pushes Haral back out into the hallway and locks the door behind him before turning to her ward, praying she didn't hear all that.