|
|
|
|
Still laughing softly, Callan leaned down and kissed An'Thaya on the forehead, his own magic drying her dress and hair, his trousers and jacket, then mended the scorch marks that had ran up the back of the black pants, then peered around the Gardens.
"It seems near time to eat...but we've a bit longer. Why don't you and I..." The Emperor tilted An'Thaya's chin up and kissed her again, "Slip over here and enjoy a moment of quiet sanity?"
One hand slipped to the small of her back, then a little lower, causing his mark for Agaru to flare softly, then guided her to a marble bench set off in a semi-secluded area near the pond surrounded by ivy and gently swaying weeping jasmine.
I think I've had all the water and black fire in my pants a fellow should have in one night, wouldn't you say, M'Tashnae?
Even doused An’Thaya was in a good mood, giggling almost as hysterically as the two children and she winked playfully at them through damp red locks. Crimson lashes slid down as Thaya tilted her head up, smiling as Callan kissed her forehead and his magic swept over her.
Emerald jewels flickered open to meet the Dragon’s topaz gaze after his kiss and she nodded. “Sanity and quiet are two things we seem a little short on these days,” Tay teased, settling in beside her mate on the bench. “Though one can never have enough water in my opinion, and one can certainly never have to much fire in their trousers.” Laughing softly the Amazon leaned her flame tressed head against Callan’s chest and sighed, “I love this place, you know. Though it could use an orchid or two.” Leaning her head back she reached up to caress his jawline with gentle fingertips, “Doste Iman as well, though… you are just fine orchid free.”
"You are right about one thing, it is hard to get enough fire and water, at times...and sometimes, the water starts the fire, wouldn't you say?"
Callan rumbled a soft bit of laughter, slipped his arm around An'Thaya and pulled her against him. A crooked grin slid into place as he brushed a wild curl out of An'Thaya's face, making certain his fingertips lingered on the edge of her delicately pointed ear.
"Orchids? Do you think they'd survive this high up in the mountains?" Callan's mind had wandered a bit off for a moment as he utilized the much needed moment of peace to gather his thoughts. "I suppose they'd be okay...the Gardens are warded against cold...now." The callused fingers of one hand went around An'Thaya's waist, the other pulling something wrapped in black silk from his jacket pocket.
"You know," He murmured as he watched the various couples either dancing or finding a seat at the tables, "This place has come to life in the past year. Through fire and death, the Keep has endured, and so too have they." Topaz eyes settled on Bran and Mira, then Y'Roden and Silverthorn. They did not miss Drake and Willow, or Yarwin and his wife, nor the children of all ages. Finally, his arm slipped from around her waist and his fingers threaded with hers.
"And despite it all, there is something missing." Callan pressed a soft kiss to An'Thaya's temple. "And I'm not referring to orchids."
“Water can make excellent fuel for fire if you know how to use it right,” An’Thaya replied with an impish light in her eyes, “and, anything can survive out of its natural environment… if you love it enough.” Her mind had gone a bit hazy, as per usual when Callan held her so close.
Emerald jewels followed his topaz gaze to the others and she nodded; a slight movement that had her hair rustling against the fabric of his jacket. “Forged in the flames,” she murmured, “they all look content… happy,” she continued, looking up as the Emperor’s arm slid from around her waist. A questioning look lit the depths of Tay's eyes and she squeezed Callan's fingers gently as they linked with hers.
“Missing? We have each other, our family, what could possibly be missing?”
"What is missing? Well, a good question." The thumb on the hand she'd not yet seen rubbed the outline of the silk's contents as a soft smile colored his eyes and curved his mouth up. He'd learned something in the past several weeks: There was one sliver of him that she could not read, that her soul had not yet merged with, and he planned to keep it that way.
It was hard to surprise a woman who's soul was melded to yours.
I'll give you three guesses, and we've already eliminated orchids."
Callan leaned in close and nuzzled her ear, deliberately making thought difficult. He liked his Amazon feeling a like...dizzy around him from time to time, then there were times he liked something else from her altogether.
Luminous green eyes went hazy and Tay’s breath caught, her head tilting into the caress on her sensitive ear. “My mind… my mind is definitely missing,” she breathed, “but that can’t be what you are alluding too…” The world spun a little, her senses filled with the scent of Dragon and jasmine. “Missing… missing…” A purr vibrated deep in her throat, and for a moment she forgot the initial question.
“Wait… what was I thinking again? Three guesses? Is that like three wishes from a genie? No guessing for more guesses?” It was safe to say at this point that Callan had definitely fried her thought process. “Eliminated orchids… are we on the topic of flowers? Do you want lilies? A lotus perhaps? An orchid-trap? Oh stop teasing me and out with it you big lug,” she muttered, “and if you keep that up our guests are going to be in for a shocking display.”
What makes you think I'm teasing? He muttered, and lifted his head, making certain just a hint of breath tickled the ear as he drew in her scent, his eyes glowing softly with a melange of emotions this woman always caused in him. Lust, pleasure, joy, trust...and most importantly, love complete and total as well as...completion? There was not a single word that summed up the feeling of being one with someone as he was with An'Thaya D'Riel.
"Now...where was I going with this?" Topaz eyes slid open, a teasing glint in them, yes; he was wanted her Elven curiosity to torment her.
"So you don't want to utilize your three guesses? I have to say, I'm disappointed, but not much." The fact that Tay was utterly fuzzed had him pleased and cancelled out the disappointment factor entirely.
"Well, if you don't want to guess, let me at least do this semi-properly."
The crooked grin faded marginally as Callan nudged An'Thaya to her feet, which for once left him looking up at her, but only barely, he was actually eye to eye with those marvelous beaded and embroidered dragons on the bodice of her dress and was momentarily transfixed, then shook his head lightly and lowered himself to one knee, the fingers of her hand still threaded in his.
"An'Thaya D'Riel, for all we've paid for what we have, for every night spent wondering if we'd do it all again, for every moment when we looked at our friends and family and wondered how high the cost would actually go, I'd do it all again and not think twice if the ending meant I could have you. You gave up so very much and I gained more than ever imagined, but there is something missing."
Callan brought up his hand and let the thin folds of black silk fall away to reveal an intricately wrought mithril ring set with an emerald that just matched An'Thaya's eyes when they went dark with emotion. It had taken countless nights of slipping out to his forge while she slept the deepest sleep to hide what he'd been working on from her, and despite the desire to ask sooner, the Emperor had found himself questioning everything, from if it were really necessary considering his race never married...he had been the first when he'd married Task, to if it were still too soon for them both. Then there was the whole question of if the respective families were ready and...oi.
The ring had almost lay alone in this same piece of silk to be given at a much later time...if ever. He'd slipped it into the pocket of his dress uniform this morning, but it was there more for the 'what if I' question than actual planning. Task had given him the final nudge this afternoon.
Do what is in your heart...
"I have children, grandchildren, friends and allies. I have a mate that is a part of my soul like no other has ever been or could be...but what is missing is a wife. I would very much like to be able to call you vesse. "
"Being able to call you that is what has been missing..."
Curious, confused, fuzzy headed, Thaya was all those things and more as she found herself on her feet gazing down into the eyes she loved most in the universe. Topaz gems drew her in to a world that took her breath away and it was that place in which she was dwelling when it dawned on her what Callan was doing. The emerald of her gaze matched the ring the moment the folds of silk fell away and unshed tears captured its sparkle.
“How do you do it?” she asked, the timber of her voice tremulous, “you always make everything so perfect… so full of magic and love.” Touching his face she drew her fingers down the tanned skin of the Dragon’s cheek, “right now, at this moment, everything I gave up doesn’t amount to half as much as what I’ve gained.”
The tapestry that made up An’Thaya’s past was a tangle of events, joy and pain, choices … so many choices. She had always paused, weighed the consequences, and debated in her mind whether it was the right way to go. Much to her relief, there was no such internal battle this time. There was no hesitation, no questions, and not one single doubt. Tay knew that Aerdon Dragon’s didn’t marry, that Callan had asked for his own reasons… and that made it all the more precious.
Just hearing the word on his lips had caused An’Thaya’s heart to beat faster and her soul spun in startled joy. “Aye, Callan, I would be honored to be your Vesse. There isn’t anything I want more.” Tay… was truly Tayaru in that moment, dragon and elf one being, inseparable and alive with a ethereal glow reminiscent of flames as the redhead offered up her hand for Callan to place his ring upon.
He'd known the answer would be yes...how could he not considering they shared souls? But the answer still caused two reactions, one of intense joy and the other massive relief. The question of how did he do it...make everything so perfect and so right left him slightly stunned. He'd not been trying to make anything perfect, just going with what was in his heart...
And perhaps that's why it seemed so right.
"Well then..." His eyes met hers, their own shade crystal clear and lit slightly from within "vesse it is." Callan leaned forward, took up An'Thaya's hand, kissed it softly and as he did, slipped the ring on her middle finger...an odd choice to some, but she'd worn Galain's ring on that same hand and perhaps it was selfish or arrogant, but Callan's ring would not be worn on the same finger the Alcarin ring had.
Callan stood, then settled back on the bench, pulling An'Thaya close to him and ran his thumb over the ring, "I know you understand why I put it here, on this finger, but I have to say it anyway. When you came back to me, you had been made new, someone other than who you were when I first met you. You'd been broken, cast into the flames and forced to be reforged. You are not Galain's leftovers or cast-aways. I did not drag you from that place and force the bond to complete or force you to live for me, but for yourself. You are no longer An'Thaya to me, but Thayaru, and you have been for so very long."
Indeed, even now she was glowing with the mingled soul of dragon and elf; the combination almost took his breath as his fingers traced the line of her jaw.
"And I have been yours since the first touch, the first word out of your mouth, since the first time I drew near enough to smell you." Callan's fingers fanned out across her cheek, his thumb stroking her chin. "I will not share even that small part of you with the memories of what you had with Galain."
He fell silent for a few moments and simply looked into her eyes, watched her hair dance in the evening breeze and listened to the sounds of their heartbeats striking in perfect time, then smiled again after clearing his throat slightly.
"On the off-chance I'd get lucky and you'd say yes, I made these.
Callan pulled out another piece of silk, this one verdant green and unwrapped the contents, two rings made with an ancient triskelon and dragon knot pattern. The smallest of the two was engraved inside with M'Naeosh, M'Aeosh, M'Tashnae...My life, My soul, My treasure.
"Its just up to you when we use them."
There had been one brief fraction of a moment, less than a breath, when Tay had been startled by Callan’s choice of placement for his ring. Understanding had come just as quickly, and with it a warmth of spirit. Among the many reasons she loved the Dragon Emperor, was his sense of pride, and that he was unafraid to go outside the lines in the name of love. The weight of the ring on her finger felt as right as the melding of their souls. The Amazon may have resisted Callan Blackthorn at first, but it hadn’t taken long for her to figure out what the Fate’s had been trying to tell her for a long time.
An’Thaya D’Riel was meant for Araxmarr Zavern Sar’Da.
“You, Callan Blackthorn, have all of me. There is not one part of my heart or soul that you share with Galain Alcarin. The past is where it belongs, and you are my future. I belong to you. The moment I saw you… I was afraid. Not of you… but of what stirred in the depths of my soul in response to you. I came to you of my own free will, and now… I could not be happier, or more complete.”
A light laugh escaped the Amazon and she drew in a breath full of wonder, “Luck had nothing to do with it my love. My gods… those are beautiful.” Small fingertips grazed across the cool metal, Tay’s gaze catching the inscription on the one meant for her. “Would yesterday be too soon?” Clasping Callan’s face between her hands the redhead leaned in and kissed him. I love you so very much…
"What? No luck at all?" He muttered then lay the rings on the bench and took An'Thaya's delicate face in both hands and kissed her with all the gentle intensity he had.
"I guess I can live without luck, it'll be hard but..."
Aye, he'd known she belonged to him and nothing of Galain remained. It had nearly ripped her apart, the entire process from start to finish and when the last of Galain had left her, that golden shard that was buried deep in her soul was missing, she'd nearly snapped again. Gods...it had been an uphill climb from there to now, but hell hath no fire like a woman loved, and Thayaru was very much loved and treasured, and as such, had enough fire to walk through anything.
"Gods, I love you too. I'd tell you you have no idea how much, but I don't think there's anyway you couldn't know."
Memories of the smell of her suddenly appearing on his bathing ledge fresh from Whispin and full of the healing power of the D'Riel emerald played through his mind, the feel of her eyes on him as he pulled himself from the water. Her outrage had filled the room with thrumming energy and the fact that she'd come to him, even on the edge of her newfound Rage had set his blood on fire.
With a slight gasp, Callan tore himself free from his Tayaru, at this rate, Drake would be asking his HOST to get a room. "Here...hang on to this for me?" Smiling, Callan pressed his ring into her fingers for safe keeping until she decided on a when.
"And as to when, as soon as you like, but I don't think yesterday is good for me, I had plans. Any other suggestions? We could discuss it over dinner..."
“I remember those plans,” Tay said with an evil grin that was rather ruined by the fact that she was flushed and breathing rather rapidly, “they were very good plans.” Pausing for a moment the Amazon caught her breath and fanned herself. “Dinner sounds like a fabulous idea… we might better rejoin our guests before I drag you into the pool.”
Closing her fingers around the ring she leaned in to steal one more kiss. “Come along your Emperorship, you can wine me and dine me and see if we can make this evening as interesting as the last party we attended here.” Tay had every intention on making sure it was. “You make me so happy,” she said softly, “It is amazing how different I am from the woman who walked in here… how long ago was it now?” Putting her free hand in Callan’s she tugged at him, urging the Black Dragon to his feet. “A date… a date… hmmm…”
"How long ago?" Callan slipped an arm around An'Thaya's shoulders, "Was it yesterday? or ten years ago? It’s so hard to remember at times the when of it all at times, but I believe it will be a year this summer. Of course, if that were you or Agaru that had appeared here at the ball is still a matter for discussion." A roughish light flickered in his eyes, he had always had a suspicion that An'Thaya had looked out those faceted emerald eyes of the Crimson more times than she'd ever admit.
Topaz eyes met the emerald of An'Thaya's for a moment, then lifted to Y'Roden's. A near imperceptible nod was all Y'Roden received from Callan to confirm what had just occurred, but the D'Riel web was beginning to thrum with it, he could feel her joy in his soul, in his blood and along the web he'd been bound to beginning with Glory on a long ago voyage to a lost island and ending with the Patriarch himself, Y'Roden D'Riel.
Callan's eyes drifted back to An'Thaya, then to a vacant table being set with food and drink by a couple of smiling, swaying with the music servants who made a show of snapping to when the pair approached.
"Oh, in the name of Flame and Chaos...knock that off." Soft chuckles came from both the two women and Callan; "I've eaten in the servants' dinning hall more times than anywhere else here. Please..." Callan motioned for them to leave the various platters and wine bottles on the table, he could serve himself and his...he'd almost thought mate, but replaced it with affianced immediately.
Giggles came from the two women as they drifted off after giving An'Thaya a quick curtsey and a quick, "M'Lady" and disappeared into the Keep, their eyes following a couple of House Guardsmen on the way by.
"Yes...M'Lady?" Callan pulled out a chair and waited for An'Thaya to be seated.
An’Thaya playfully dug a finger between Callan’s ribs and smiled at Ro before the S’Hean King spun away with his wife. Tilting her head up she met her mate… er fiancée’s gaze. Maybe that term would last longer than a week this time? Then again, Tay wasn’t exactly patient when it came to Callan Blackthorn. As for whether she had looked out through Agaru’s faceted eyes… well, she’d never tell. Not that she could effectively keep a secret from the Dragon.
“You know… I was just an Amazon until I was eight hundred years old. It has been several thousand years since I discovered my birth identity, and I do not think I’ll ever get use to that term. M’Lady… Your Highness… I still look around to see who people are addressing.” An amused sparkle lit the redhead’s eye and she stood on tippy toe to kiss Callan’s cheek, “at least the my part sounds right when you say it…the Lady half… well, that’s up for debate.” Slipping into the chair she settled in at the table and paused to stare at the ring on her finger. It, along with everything else to do with her relationship with the Black Dragon Emperor… was absolutely breath taking.
"Well," Callan barked out a short gasp of laughter at the rib poking...a little known fact was he was incredibly ticklish...but An'Thaya would have to divine that carefully guarded secret on her own..."It could be worse. I could have called you," The Emperor cleared his throat and sat up straighter, put on his most blase', high snob herald face, "Her Royal Imperial Highness, the Lady An'Thayaru D'Riel Blackthorn of the Black Dragon Throne,"
He was in the process of adding more to her title when he noticed they had an audience, Oh! Well, hello Foxxy. Have a seat?"
Tay eyed Callan for a moment, then snickered and batted at his arm. It brought back a memory from the conversation that had led to … things. You are still just Callan to me, she said, a soft look in her eyes. They had been Agaru’s words… yet hers… now that she admitted that the Dragon was just another part of herself. An'Thayaru D'Riel Blackthorn...
|
|
|
