Change of Heart

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For the first time since meeting the elves on a neutral ground, Nik felt like there might be just a small glimmer of hope when Amara smiled at him. She seemed genuinely warm in that moment and like a cracked, dry land, Nik absorbed both the praise and the kindness like it was life-giving water. He said nothing of it, though and merely nodded when the priestess told him that nothing needed to be done on his part and he remained quiet after that as those in higher authority started to speak to one another, hearing his father speak to Amara as Lyra came to his side. "I think, for the good of both our people and this alliance, the sooner this marriage takes place, the more solid our new partnership shall be."

Nik resisted the urge to growl, clenching his teeth as he looked away from his family and to the gardens around them instead. Of course they'd be glad to be rid of him as soon as possible. The shame upon the family, the blight upon their perfect picture, his father's punishment for foolish lust. He was a halfbreed and there was nothing the Sidhe despised more in their midst. They were probably hoping some well-meaning elf would assassinate him before this was all over and Nik almost wished someone would.

All right, he didn't really wish that, but it sure would be better than having to deal with the spitfire currently at his side. They hadn't said one word to each other and to be truthful, Nik didn't have much to say, not in front of his family and her own when all they could exchange was sugary pleasantries that felt as fake as they sounded. So he merely wandered about the foliage and whether Lyra chose to follow him or not was her choice.

Or at least he thought it would be, but Taraghlan seemed to have another idea as he came toward Lyra and looked to Niklomaus. "Hálfkyn, are you not going to introduce us to your lovely bride?"

Nik stiffened just slightly at the 'nickname', one that was in their native tongue and would therefore not be seen for what it really was, and he forced a small smile. "It would seem you are doing that well on your own, little brother." He knew Taraghlan hated that term, hated being reminded that even if Niklomaus was a halfbreed, he WAS the oldest but right now Nik didn't much care about any consequences that might come from such a daring retort. After all, his family was leaving him here. Harder to hurt him that way.

Taraghlan kept his smile steady and looked back at Lyra, taking her hand and placing a kiss on it that Nik knew she'd hate from what he'd already seen of her. "Rumors of your beauty do not do you justice, Lady Aelyra. I do hope your marriage to my dear brother will be a...fruitful one."

It took everything Nik had not to roll his eyes.
 
With the prince taking his time to graze over the bounty of the garden, she was content at being the inanimate object, especially since his own father seemed eager to get this whole thing done with. Amara nodded in agreement, making arrangements with a snap of a finger as a servant seemed to literally pop up from nowhere.

She might have been distracted by the looking at the ground, but apparently one of his own kin seemed fit to have it another way. Drawing up her attention to the sibling to the soon to be jailer; she stopped herself from raising a brow. If there wasn't tension between the two, she didn't know what was.

Feeling her hand swept up and a kiss placed upon it, as much as she wanted to lash out landing a blow to the man daring to touch her, she flushed a crimson red. Okay she was strong willed, a skilled warrior but when it came to things such as this, she was a total newbie at it all.

Looking up from her lashes damning that crimson colour to her cheeks, Lyra smiled for once honestly and mirthful. Was it a trick or was it the truth, that would remain unseen. "You flatter me Mi'lord, we all know how famous your lovely women are in your culture, righteous beauty that rivals that of the goddess one may say." she bowed her head forward stopping from making a strangling face, Lyra corrected her stance and folded her hands back before her body. Where was her sword when she needed it?

Fruitful indeed, she was stuck with the damn frilly frou frou under dweller for how long? Fruitful was not a word she would use but she smiled all the same.


Seemingly ready for everything, as the grace of her touch pressed upon her shoulders, Amara motioned forward. "Everything is ready for the union Prince Finnbheara, after you all." her head tipped much like she had just previously done, as she shot her mother a sheer panicked look. Honestly they were making her do this!
 
Nik withheld a snort at her comment back to his half-brother and then looked to Amara as the elder Bloodworth spoke. He caught the panicked look upon Aelyra's face and for once, felt the exact same way and again pity of the female elf. She didn't want this anymore than he did and he truly was sorry she was to be tied to him against her will and against his. What they did for duty could be appalling, heartbreaking and anger-inducing all one blow he was coming to find and the white-haired male sighed softly as they were led from the house and into the streets toward a temple.

They gathered some witnesses upon the way, those who wanted to be there to see an elf and a Sidhe - or so they thought - wed, something unprecedented. Nik found that in this moment, he hated them all for their gawking eyes and whispered words. This was bad enough, they didn't need to make it worse by creating a spectacle. But of course he could not give voice to his thoughts and instead the Prince found himself being taken aside when they reached the temple, cleaned up and redressed as if he were a doll. It's how he felt right now; as if here merely a puppet on a string and he would have liked nothing more than to run, but frankly could never find the opportunity. Someone was always with him as he was sure they were with Aelyra, too.

This ceremony was not to be lavish, nothing exceedingly grand or noteworthy. Neither side could afford the cost with this war going on and everyone knew that the main objective of this wedding was to get the paperwork from it, the scroll that would say an alliance had been formed through marriage. That was all anyone cared about and whether the wedding was held here in a sacred temple or in a barn was of no concern to anyone.

So it was that Nik found himself standing in front of a priestess, looking across to Lyra without a great deal of preamble and parroting words he was told to say without truly hearing them. Hell, he wasn't even sure he felt his own body at the moment, this was all too surreal. Somehow he'd been able to push the cold fact aside that he WAS getting married and now that it was happening...the male felt numb.

When it came Lyra's turn to speak, he was still tuned out but this time with a slight edge of panic fluttering about inside. Oh stars, was he supposed to kiss her? Was that called for or....could he get away with one on the cheek? Did he really want to risk being punched in the stomach if he tried? Ah, now there was a mental image...
 
Everything was happening too fast, one moment she was silently pleading, begging her mother to step in and the next they were being ushered down towards the temple. People gathered, she froze up entirely for the whole thing; fear actually striking it's true cord in her heart and in her mind.

She wasn't even sure who was standing around with her. Feeling as if she had blinders on; she couldn't recall another time that she felt the gut wrenching grip of panic take a grappling hold of her. She didn't even pay attention to what the venue looked like, all she could see was the images passing through her vision. This man, this different breed was suppose to be the hold she held a bond with, but how? They just met for the mere privilege of hope to strengthen their cultures. Her lips moved in a monotone droll to the repeating words when apparently it was her turn. Functioning on nothing more than basic thought, the touch around her wrist damn near made her fly through the roof with nothing but a jump.

Unlike human customs, the marriage wasn't a bond tied by the lip locking action. It was suppose to be more profound. Putting her palm on top of his knuckles, holding them in place- she jolted back into reality. Looking down at what was transpiring, Lyra couldn't help but feel defeated. She'd risk everything for this not to happen, how was she suppose to live with this man. He had said it before, she knew nothing of him and she didn't want to. Were they expecting to commit acts that she grew nervous over, thank the eternal goddess she wasn't actually old enough to bare children, but did he need to know that. Nope.

A squeeze to each hand and the priestess bowed her head while raising their palms. It was done, lickety-split and she was sold to this highest bidder like a cow at a fair. She could remember Jak's wedding, it was joyous and this... this was miserable.


Retracting her hand as quick as possible, tucking it against her side she wanted to cry actually! Honestly, it was all over. Committed against her desire, her will to this dejected sort of being. "Perfect." she mumbled looking at the ground again, there was no way she could look at all those prying gazes wondering what was going on in her head, to look at them with such high hopes when she felt as if she just committed the greatest act of heresy.
 
Relief that he didn't have to kiss a complete stranger was short-lived in Nik as the deal was sealed and he didn't blame Lyra for moving her hand from him as fast as she could. He couldn't blame her for anything for she'd made it very clear this wasn't her idea. He couldn't be angry at her and he couldn't risk being angry at her family or her people, not when he'd be staying with them...but he could hate his family for it and really, what reason did he have to love them? Was he really such an abomination to them that they had to barter him away? And what of Lyra's family who DID love her? Did these people have no sense?

As they were ushered out of the temple, Nik stayed close to Lyra because he had to, almost grateful to see her mother's house once more as it would get them away from the crowds. Everything had happened too fast. He felt like he was still spinning out of control, clawing at smooth walls to slow his descent, but finding no purchase, nothing to latch on to. He was going to crash to the bottom of this hole and never get out.

Nik felt like he could barely breathe as both family's sat down at a grand table, food already prepared and he didn't eat. He knew it wasn't polite, but it would be even ruder to vomit on his mother-in-law's table he was sure. The mere thought of eating made him swallow back bile as he listened to his father, step-mother and Amara speak about the contracts and when the two councils would be meeting to discuss battle plans now that the alliance was official.

They didn't care. They didn't care that his world and Lyra's were falling apart around their ears and the longer he listened, the angrier Nik became until he nearly trembled with the rage flooding his system and stood. The movement stilled the talk at the table and the white-haired male forced a frigid smile. "If you'll excuse me, Lady Amara. I simply need some air." He didn't acknowledge his own family and left without any actual expressed permission to do so. What were they going to do? Call off the marriage? Ha! He could dream.

Nik found himself back outside and up a tree - literally - before he could put much thought into it and he let his head thump back against the main trunk, feeling his body shake with both fear and anger. He balled his hands into fists and willed himself to stop, but the attempt wasn't as successful as he would have liked and he caught the glow of blue under his skin with a sigh, making more of an effort to relax. Last thing he needed was for a power Sidhe didn't have to emerge right now. His father WOULD kill him then. Nik sighed once more and drew his knees up a bit, resting his forearms on them and he looked up at the sky, evening setting in.

"Ah, give me strength." he whispered to the sky, unsure who it was directed to, but needing to say it nonetheless.
 
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Hearing her name spoken bringing up her attention not sure what the heck she was doing, he as off in a flash. She was unhappy about this all and honestly she didn't blame him for taking off like a bat out of hell from the table. Actually she was glad he did before she did. Feeling an exchange of looks, Lyra folded her napkin across the table as she pushed away from it.

"Darling?" her mother questioned as she shrugged, bowed and exited the room. Hey if he could run away then so could she. Though he had less places to hide than she did.

Let them handle what they wanted, let them control their fates that were already out of her hands. Let them just deal with it all. Allowing the door to shut behind herself, feet slid down the short slope of the front entrance of the house, the streets starting to glow with torches being lit; she let the cascade of her hair fall into its long length from unpinning it.

Moving through the street ways coming up through a busier district following the winding trail outwards until she could see the small abode in the distance. The day was nothing than a muddled conversations and quick ushering that she couldn't remember even if she tried.

Small stables were around the left flank of the deep chocolate stone and wood home, the pair of morab horses grazed lazily in their stalls; as she gave the door a stern push. Lanterns were already lit - probably one of her mother's servants setting some sort of atmosphere, she quickly lifted the wicks allowing the spread of light to gather and fill the entire foyer. It was quaint and she loved it. Everything was open except for the two rooms that were shielded off by doors. Hearing the front door shut behind, she wasted next to any time stripping the damn dress from her body and taking to her knee high black leggings and a fitted thick strapped top. It was bad taste to leave the man she married too behind but he left first. It meant little to her.

Moving around pushing the door open to her room, the sunken floor gave way to the pile of blankets, pillows in the wide almost king sized circle of the floor. She knew how humans slept on mattress of feathers or straw, but this was more her styling. Stopping at the door frame, she thought about just going to bed and pretending this whole day never happened but with all the perfume and glimmer on her body, she knew she needed to wash.

Ruffling the crown of gold around, she clicked her tongue, "No time like the present." Much like the stables built onto the land she owned, she had made a request for a bath house - smaller than most- be made as well. It was certainly a lap of luxury not many had, but being in the human lands and seeing their basins in which they could submerge themselves, she did not waste the effort of not having one.

Gathering up a towel for herself, she marched back outside turning around the corner rolling her eyes dramatically at the hearth underneath the steel and wooden tub already stoked and hot. Her mother really had thought of everything and if she was trying to set something up, she was sadly mistaken. But she would not let such a thing go unused, heck it cut down some of the time to wait.


Clothing stripped again, flung over the railing of the tub she sunk into the warmth of it all. "And now begins the reign of hell." she murmured. What sort of man was Nik anyways, she had no idea. For all she knew he could be a brute, violent and aggressive seeking whatever he wanted behind closed doors. Or a complete wimp, she was going for that one. Why, just something about him seemed like he wasn't capable of standing up to his own backbone.
 
It was at least a good hour later that a servant found Nik and the elf gave him a puzzled look at seeing him up in a tree, informing him that his family had retired for the night, even if Sidhe didn't sleep, and that his wife had left to her own home. The last bit surprised Nik a bit - not that she'd left - for Sidhe families always stayed in the same household, but when the offer was made to direct him to the house, he obliged. The journey wasn't a long one and the male thanked the servant, watching as the elf left. Pale blue eyes looked upon the small, humble and yet somehow warmhearted house and Nik smiled a bit. It was lovely and he could appreciate its beauty even if he had no desire to engage the creature that lived within.

So he wouldn't. He highly doubted she'd want him in her house, at least not without some gradual transitioning and Nik wasn't inclined to feeling like an intruder any longer. He'd deal with this nightmare tomorrow, but he'd had enough hell for one day.

So thinking and deciding, the halfbreed instead moved soundlessly to the stables, finding he much preferred the greeting the graceful, sturdy horses there gave to him. He closed off the chaotic thoughts that plagued his mind as he instead opened a more instinctual part of himself to the equine, starting to hear their 'voices' in his head. It was comforting and let him know they were well taken care of and that their mistress had a nicer streak even if he'd never see it. He pet them slowly, experienced hands running down their shoulders and backs, scratching gently at their rump before a swish of a tail would send him back up to their withers with a grin. They gave him pictures of green plains and forest paths, warm sunlight and cool water, but also the blood soaked ground and screams, the pain of a sword biting into their flank and the splinters of javelins and spears. Like their mistress, they were beautiful but deadly and just like he did their mistress, Nik respected them as the creatures they were.

The halfbreed finally moved away from them and closed his mind off, feeling far more steady than he had previously. He took another look at the house and frowned, thoughtful, but again decided against going in - or even letting his new wife know he was here - and instead he found another tree and swiftly disappeared into the branches. It wasn't the first time he'd slept cradled in the arms of a tree and it wouldn't be the last.

He'd see Aelyra in the morning and their glorious marriage could begin. He couldn't wait. Really.
 
Eventually feeling back to a natural less pampered state, she turned in for the night letting a brief reprieve of her dreams. Though more odd than they usually were, she awoke a bit after sunrise. A habit that had formed in her years of early service and had yet to die out.

The house was quiet still making her wonder if that newly acquired other half even came to the house. Scratching her head and dressing back into the fitted dark clothing, she rose reporting to that of her small kitchen. Watching out the window the day was young, cool and welcoming. Refreshing.

Propping open the front door allowing the waft of morning air to cleanse the house of its nightly stifling; ears twitched at first before raising her brow when the door that was partly open, blew wide open and a pair of giggling children fell inwards, one on the other. "I win!" the elder of the two declared throwing the second one off of him; those bright large grey eyes were all a twinkle.

"You cheated! You tripped me so I couldn't get ahead of you." the other protested quickly not daring to care if she punched out at the other in her presence.

Fitting her hands to her hips, both stopped to look up at her. "A bit early aren't you?" Rolling around to gather back up, the young girl with hair a bounce with dark rich brown curls trumped through the house without a care, opening the doors to the rooms with a swing. "Is there something you are looking for Miralyn?" the other of the two came around to hug around her waist, barely a inch or two taller than her counter, the flat of her palm came to rest on the shaggy mane of his ebony crown.

"Are you cooking Lyra?" he asked gently, looking around for something to eat before she even had started. Before she could even ask, his stomach made an audible groan causing him to laugh.


"I will be shortly Mothis," she grinned gently, the two were that of her squires. Young and eager but welcomed happily into her abode with a smile and a warm heart. Something she didn't overly let others see. "But would you two mind going out and pitching some hay for Noble and Heaven?" Miralyn stopped prying through the house, directing her amber coloured eyes to her with a nod. "I'll make some sweet cinnamon oatmeal while you tend to that," she offered the young ones. It seemed like a fair trade, and it was part of her own routine. Though they were awake a little earlier than normal, which she had an inkling it had to do with something she didn't want to talk about yet.
 
It was the children that woke him. Nik tended to sleep every three days or so, his human blood staking its claim, but even it couldn't prevail against the chatter of young souls and it wasn't something he minded waking to. The Sidhe children at home loved to seek him out and then tease him awake, finding his sleeping strange, but not yet old enough to be malicious with their prodding and poking, light jabs of the tongue and giggled remarks. He missed that already, but his mind took up interest in the two young ones over by the stables. He watched them for a moment, making sure their actions spoke of an entitlement to be where they were and not mischief. Seeing them start to work, a smile found his lips and Nik took little effort in falling from the tree and landing in a controlled way.

He was upon the two, leaning against a stall wall by the time they noted him. He supposed he looked a bit strange to them with the markings all Sidhe bore - though, every marking on every Sidhe was unique - on his face and his sudden appearance, nary a noise to give him away. He didn't mean them harm, though and Nik's pale blue eyes shone with a friendliness that Lathos had seen as well. He held no malice for them.

"Hello. Who might you two be?"

They were very obviously with Lyra, but he'd rather get some bearing as to what the brunette and ebony children were like before her influence set in. She didn't like him and the last thing he needed were others disliking him just because she did. He had enough of that at home. Least he could do here was try to make some kind of new start. Otherwise he might as well just disappear into the trees he liked to occupy time in.
 
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Amber eyes flicked across her shoulder at the voice calling to them, Mothis jumping at the call while the pair of them both turned to look at the strange male. Stabbing the pitch fork into the hay, Mothis lifted his chin trying to seem bigger than he was.

"Trespassers will be prosecuted!" he blurted out loud, his chest puffing out to stretch his arm up in a halting motion. Seeming to watch him more closely with those large golden eyes, it was Miralyn that jabbed the boy stiffly in the ribs causing him to giggle and twitch away. "Miralyn, stop that." he snapped at her.

"Your weak spot was open," eyes closed striking a matter of fact pose, "Lyra says never let your weakness show, obviously you haven't been paying attention. And what are you going to do to him, the man is practically a tree to you." She grinned impishly, "Some hero."

He pouted to her, "Like you can talk, you can't even heal properly yet." arms crossed stubbornly over his chest. A tongue poked out from her lips to the boy, Miralyn leaned forward as if trying to gauge the man before the pair of them.

"You're Lyra's husband right? She said she was marrying some pale man from below the surface." Mira nodded deeply rubbing a finger across her chin, "That's my brother Mothis and I'm Miralyn." she grinned warmly, "He is a scardy cat and you're really tall. Where did you come from, I search the whole house and you weren't in there. Do you not like Lyra?" a spew of questions rambled from her young lips not seeming too bothered by his appearance, rather intrigued by it.


"I am not, don't tell people that!"
 
Oh, yes, there was a reason he loved children so much.

Nik grinned and he blew his unruly white hair out of his eyes, pale blue flickering between the two siblings, waiting for a moment to interject his words into their arguing. When he finally got the chance he grabbed another pitchfork and came around to where they were, starting in on the hay and nodding his head toward the chore to encourage them to do the same. They'd been sent out here for a reason and he'd see to it that they kept to their task even if they wanted to talk. "I am her husband, yes, and I don't know Lyra so I can not tell you if I like her or not. You can hardly dislike someone completely when you know nothing about them, can you?"

He peeked out from his white hair to look at Miralyn and then looked back at the hay. "I didn't stay in the house. I spend a lot of time under the surface and on occasion being under a roof feels stifling. I slept in the tree." He wasn't about to tell them the real reason he stayed away, but he also wasn't completely lying either. The task was almost halfway done by now with his help as he was stronger and faster than the two elflings and Nik looked to Mothis and this time crouched so he was more level with the child and not towering over him. Even he wouldn't like it if someone did that to him.

"I don't think you a scaredy cat, Mothis. Some forms of courage are quieter than others and only arise when they are needed. That is not a shameful thing. And neither is having a weakness for it enhances your strengths and gives you something to work on, to keep learning." Nik smiled, encouraging as he stood. "It's not a bad thing at all, young one."

The male put the pitchfork against the wall and then looked toward the house, smelling the food coming from there. He sighed silently and when the two elflings started back, he followed behind. It was now or never and it wasn't like it was going to get any easier unless he started in on it. Still, when they came to the door, he paused in the doorway and waited until Lyra noted him before speaking, meeting her eyes directly.

"Can I come in?"
 
Lips pursed tight considering his words carefully, Mira nodded short and curt. "I think you can dislike someone without knowing them, some people just have this horrible feeling that make you feel bad in here." she motioned to her stomach, "Actually Lyra says to trust your gut especially when we are little. Sometimes we know more than adults do!" she grinned bright and crooked before following his lead though she let Mothis take hold of the first pitchfork, taking more to hand feeding the black steed that was affectionately called Noble Black.

Though those brilliant eyes came to watch him with a silent tongue when he said he didn't stay in the house with Lyra. Her head dipped to the side, "I thought a husband and wife stayed together, did you have a fight already?"

"Lord Jakson says Lyra is like the fine end of a mule some days." Mothis interjected, "Whatever that means." he seemed to follow suit pitching the hay happily as he sometimes threw a bunch on his sister making her bark at him in turn. Though it all seemed to stall when the towering lord came to his level, his own big grey eyes widening to listen with full attention. He wasn't sure how to respond so he opted for a nod and a grin to the man.

"All done!" he boasted tugging on his sisters curls before running ahead with her in tow. Much like earlier they came barreling in through the door way, sliding across the floor trying to get their grip back.

She kept silent throwing a look to that of the man standing in the door way before she stepped back and pointed to the third bowl at the table. Expecting him as it were, the two children were climbing into their chairs only to stop when Lyra made a clicking noise. "Lyra?"

"Did you two thank the prince for his generous help?" taking a ladle from the pot on the table surface to spoon out the oatmeal, they both looked at each other, hummed and whipped around to him.

Both in seamless fashion planted their feet on the floor and bowed deeply, "Thank you Mi'lord." they didn't even seem to care that she introduced him as a prince. Curious gazes peeked up as she nodded approvingly giving a gesture for them to sit down. Scuttling quick up into the wooden chairs bouncing eagerly in their boots as it was, a bowl was handed to each of them.


Hands clapped quickly muttering a foreign tongue a prayer of sorts, before they hungrily began to dig into the meal provided. Turning her back having filled the small wooden tub of hot water, she began to scrub some of the pots that had accumulated. "I love cinnamon." Mothos swallowed happily, though his gaze twisted around to look at Nik. "Are you coming to eat mi'lord? Lyra is one of the best cooks in the entire town!" he boasted as she smirked privately to herself.
 
Nik shook his head, amused at the two, but he did come in and raised a brow at Mothis' boast about Lyra's cooking. He took a seat and took the spoon already in the bowl, looking down at the steam for a moment and then up at the two children before he blew on the oatmeal, creating what looked to be a stream of frost that cooled the food instantly. The halfbreed's eyes glowed just slightly, but not enough to draw too much attention and he took a bite of the food, looking thoughtful just for the sake of making the two siblings wonder before he smiled with a quiet chuckle. "It's good." he assured them and then looked to Lyra, giving her a slight nod. Mothis was right; she was a good cook.

He went back to the food then and finished it rather quickly as he'd not eaten the night before. When he was done, he ran his hand back through his hair again as it wanted to all converge over his eyes and regarded the two elflings for a moment, speaking only when they glanced up at him, perhaps sensing his gaze. "You don't have to call me 'mi'lord', young ones. My name is Nik." He gave them a smile before standing and approaching Lyra with the dirtied bowl and spoon. Rather than hand it to her, though, he dunked it into the water, scrubbed it and stacked it with the rest of the dishes that needed to be rinsed. The Prince did nothing more than give Lyra a neutral look before he stepped away and back to the table. He would have sat, too, but a familiar sound had him looking toward the window and then groaning with a few muttered words as he left the house to greet the large black wolf now in the yard.

"Mars! What are you doing here? You were assigned to Acayana when I left." he started as he met the large wolf, the creature starting to shift and grow into a more humanoid form. Gold eyes looked down at him in amusement as Nik crossed his arms and Marsin chuckled, ruffling the white hair in an affectionate way that Nik didn't even try to avoid, knowing better. "Cub, did you really think I'd follow any order if it kept me from you?"

It took only a moment for Nik's frown to start twitching upward and Marsin grinned outright as the halfbreed answered. "No, I guess not. You are a stubborn dog after all." The werewolf barked a laugh and then looked to the house, noting the two children who had no doubt peeked out to see what was going on. Marsin chuckled. "I see something has not changed. But tell me, how is this new wife of yours?"

Nik sobered a bit and shrugged slightly with a slight shake of his head. "I don't know. We haven't spoken since... We haven't spoken." Not one word between them and somehow that thought bothered Nik a bit when he focused on it. Was he actually going to live with a complete stranger forever? Damn, couldn't they at least be...friends?
 
Keeping her gaze to that of the sud filled water as he seemed to take it upon himself to wash his dish, she could tell that Miralyn and Mothis were curious about the pair of them. They were young but they were not dumb.

As he addressed the pair again, soft whispers were exchanged before she felt their gaze lifting to her. "Lyra?" Mothis questioned her as she gave him a nod. She was a stickler for them to show manners but if this man was wanting them to address him by a name, then they ought to oblige him with a grin and mirth. "Okay... Nik." the children grinned widely though it was fleeting when the noise of something unfamiliar startled them both. Chairs scraped across the ground, darting towards her out of alarm; she threw a stare out the window only to frown a little deeper. Of course the werewolf would appear, the man couldn't be alone at all. Was she really that much of a threat that they would send his bodyguard to protect his hide.

Watching her husband leave the room, tight hands pulled on her shirt. "Who is that?" Miralyn shrank down not knowing what to think of the sudden change in all, "Why does your husband have a giant dog?"

"It's his body guard from what I recall." she stacked a final pot, "I don't know anything more than that." They exchanged looks to one another muttered something as she couldn't help but laugh lightly to their embrace around her legs. "It'll be fine,"

"You just don't seem happy Lyra, you haven't said much this morning." Mothis spoke firstly peeking out the window to watch wondering what was happening. Putting her hands to fuss with his hair, she nodded some.

"Don't you two worry over the likes of me. It's a tough adjustment to someone you don't know. The prince at this moment is merely here because of my father and the council, nothing more. It is not for little minds to fret over." she stooped down to their level offering one of her rare genuine smiles, "As long as you two keep up your chores and come for breakfast, I'll be fine." eyes glinted in a vivid light, "Can you do that for me?"


Heads nodded quickly as she sighed lightly actually thankful more than ever for the pair. She had nothing to say to the prince and clearly it went the same way for him. They were awkward and she doubted highly it would get any better.
 
"You do realize that not speaking to the woman you're married to should only happen after a few years of marriage, right?" the werewolf teased and Nik shot him a scathing look that made Marsin lift his hands in a surrender motion. "All right, all right, I'll stop. But really, Cub, you should at least try to talk to her."

"You're not the one who gets an injection of venom every time you try, Mars." the halfbreed retorted and the black werewolf sighed, studying his ward, friend, brother, child....Nik was so many things to him and he hated seeing him unhappy, but there was little he could do at the moment, especially when the white-haired male refused advice. "Do you want me to stay?"

Niklomaus shook his head slowly, looking to the house again. "No, not right now. I don't think she likes you much at present."

Marsin frowned. "She's never met me."

A grin answered those words and Nik looked to his friend with a wry expression. "Welcome to my world. Escape before it's too late." The werewolf hrumphed at him and once more tousled the halfbreed's hair before he started to shift back down to wolf form. "I'll be near if you need me." Nik nodded and then watches as the wolf took off into the surrounding city, heading toward the countryside and then the woods. Nik didn't need him to stay, but he was glad Marsin would be close. It was relieving to have a friend among so many strangers. When Marsin was out of sight completely, Nik looked back at the house, but didn't move toward it, instead leaving entirely. All his stuff was back at Amara's house and he needed to say goodbye to his family for show's sake if they hadn't already left.

He'd come back later....maybe wander the city first...he'd figure it out.
 
"Your form is sloppy!" he barked at her grabbing the foot she dared to kick towards his head, throwing her back. Sweat dripped along his bangs falling to the worn ground, she growled loudly at him. "Get your head out of your ass and focus."

The morning proved more eventful than she ever wanted. Cleaning and sorting everything back into place at home, it seemed that Nik decided to just disappear without a thought causing her to wonder if she was suppose to care or not. It annoyed her that he was trying to impression her young wards especially when he didn't seem to have enough respect to address her even. It bubbled and frothed in her gut only serving to make her more annoyed than pleased, she beckoned her brother out in hopes to work off some of the aggression she was harbouring.

Apparently that was a bad idea. There was a reason he was the elite guard and it wasn't for his looks. Jak was relentless, brutal and aggressive to no ends. He made a perfect example of a leader making her often wonder if the regent lord would heir him his title seeing as he had no kin of his own. It would be a great prospect for her brother that much was certain.

Stuffing her hands into her hair flicking it back from its high tail, she glowered at him. Standing strong and firm daring her to root him from his roost; fingers prickled with the cold frost falling to her call. Shoving a foot back into the dirt lunging forward, where frost sat erupted an cold bolt forcing him to leap to the side while she slammed her hand down into the ground. Shattering upon impact, she darted forward quick and light on her feet, pulling herself close slipping a foot through the space of his knees and jerking it back in a kick. Where Jak was strong and firm, she was fleet and powerful. They made a potent combination when they worked together but against another, it was anyone's game.

Falling to the need of gravity, he perched his palm around to catch his weight before crumpling fully rolling to his right avoiding another strike of her fist frozen in the cold abilities she possessed. "Eternal goddess, what has gotten into you today. Husband didn't put out last night."

"I'll kill you for that!" Lyra snapped whipping herself right over forming an arching with her back until her feet touched the ground again. Bowing quick as he managed to gather himself back up, she swept her leg around forcing him from just getting to stand to the ground with a sickening thud. Air escaped from his lungs as she huffed nosily. "You're such a jerk!"


"Ow."
 
His family had already gone when he came back to the house and though Nik knew it shouldn't have hurt, he couldn't deny that the feeling of abandonment stung. When the servants informed him, though, he acted like he had already known they would and was just confirming, requesting that the few belongings he'd brought would be taken to Aelyra's house. He was assured they'd be there by this evening. He'd been allowed to bathe and get ready for the day and then the halfbreed had left. If not for the marking's on his face and the fact that his ears weren't pointed, he could have blended in with any other town's person in the city. He'd forgone any kind of royal clothing for simple brown pants, sturdy boots and white 'pirate' styled shirt that he didn't bother to lace up near the neck, showing a hint of the swirling silver-blue marks that moved from his neck down to his shoulders and chest.

It wasn't in Nik's interest to draw attention to himself and for the most part, if someone didn't really look at him, he didn't. So it was that he moved through the city freely and if it looked like he wasn't welcome in some area, he left quickly. Last thing he wanted was to cause undo trouble his first day here. That wouldn't help the alliance at all. Still, he itched for something to do, for some task or assignment to occupy his time. Many might think that royalty did nothing but leisure activities and sometimes that was true, but Nik hadn't been raised like that. In fact, his family had hardly raised him at all. Anything useful and decent he'd learned had been from the werewolves and his own drive to do so, to study.

That same drive made him make his way toward the inner parts of the city, where libraries and historical artifacts were likely to be, things to engage his mind as he'd grown bored of the swirling colors of the city and it's merchants already. He'd gotten close to the council chambers and was still searching for what he wanted when the sound of clashing steel hit his ears. Curiosity made him change direction, drawing the halfbreed into her net and he soon found himself at what had to be the sparring ground and quarters for the elite soldiers of the army. His suspicion was confirmed when he spotted Jakson and then Aelyra. The brother was currently on the ground, but he looked to have put up a hell of a fight if Lyra's rumpled and sweat-soaked state was anything to go by.

Against his better judgement - and really, he did have some....really - Nik moved closer and by doing so drew the attention of the other soldiers present. His presence wasn't met with outright hostility, but he wasn't welcomed either and for a brief moment, he thought about leaving, turning around and going back to his own search. But then that quiet courage he'd spoken of to Mothis rose up and he squared his shoulders, met the eyes of those watching him and then caught the gaze of his new wife, a white brow rising in clear challenge.

"Up for another partner?"
 
Sitting up in the dirt catching back the wind driven from his lungs, her gaze was on anything but her kin. Rather it was peering at the very man that managed to drive her to the point of evident irritation. Clearly changed and cleaned, her jaw worked pulling her gaze into a feral stare down. Muttering of the other soldiers came up not sure if they should be present, gone or taking bets on the sudden invitation.

Offering a hand down to Jakson to help him up, he pushed her playfully away throwing a look across his shoulder to the new brother in law. "You sure you want to spar with her, she's in quite the foul mood this day."

Eyes rolled tilting her chin upwards watching her husband through the corner of her eye. "I didn't think dungeon crawlers could spar, let alone the ones in the royal family. Isn't that what you have your lurking werewolves for?" Jakson seemed to hum with thought on that matter before shaking his head.


"Listen bro," he took off the mantle of politics grinning warmly to the new family member, Jakson shook his head. "You don't want to get involved with her like this, especially with you two not meeting eye to eye. Seriously do yourself a favour and just walk away."
 
Niklomaus' gaze had gone from simply challenging to something far more threatening when Lyra's did and her words about half of his heritage and then the only 'family' he'd ever actually known didn't do anything to help the situation that was slowly escalating into something far more primal than a controlled spar. He only briefly glanced at Jakson, some part of him appreciating the friendly warning, but most of him just royally pissed off right now. He approached the invisible barriers to the sparring ground itself and smiled slowly, something purely predator and wolfish in the expression.

"On the contrary, I think the sooner your sister and I set some things straight, the sooner we'll see eye to eye." he shot back and then proceeded to calmly remove both shoes - socks included - and shirt. The first was because of different technique than the elves and the second was because the type of shirt he wore was not going to be helpful in an activity like this. The silver-blue marks ran down one side of his chest and side all the way to his hip, disappearing under his pants and contrary to what Lyra wanted to believe, Nik's scars spoke their own tale to the fights he'd been in. Though, if one were to look a bit closer, they might notice some inconsistencies with a few of the white marks that littered his flesh. They didn't quite look like something obtained in battle...

The halfbreed walked forward until he stood close to Aelyra, but not so close that she could strike out at him suddenly. He wasn't stupid. "Your answer, wife? Or do I have to find someone else to do your ass-kicking for you?" Really, if the silver-tongue was gone with everyone else, he wasn't going to continue it either.
 
Jak sucked a breath through his teeth watching the demeanour of the sidhe shift into something he wasn't so sure many of them possessed, lifted his hands as if he wasn't getting involved while there began some bets being placed.

Looking him up and down she gave him a self righteous grin, "So the pup has bark, fantastic." Lyra scoffed openly watching him strip down to the minimal and close the distance between him and her. "Oh wee lamb," she gave him a pouting mocking look, "If I needed someone to kick my ass, you best run off and get your werewolf since he is probably the only one who would know how to handle himself."


Flicking her hair off her shoulder as she turned about face to put her back to him, Lyra laughed more openly. "If you wish to have your wife school you in the ways of battle, then fine I'll happily put you in your place, boy." she grinned darkly, taking on a primal edge that wasn't unfamiliar to the elven race. She corrected her stance, "Just don't cry to your father when you are beaten like a little girl."
 
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