Chaos in a glass cage

Hello there. My name is Lilé. Half fae, half mortal. Niece of the Dark King Deorsa and beloved of the Dark Court. (she/her) | about | | rules |

[chaosfaery]

Lilé inhaled as Cenred’s free hand wandered, her legs automatically parting wider as she sat on his lap. Her smile was lazy, satisfied.

“I couldn’t possibly say.”

She was fortunate, in a way, that she now had a mate. She was gancanagh, she needed sex for nourishment. And here was a man, tied to her for eternity, who seemed to have endless stamina for it. Lilé had never felt so full and rosy with it all. It was knowledge she had not yet divulged to Cenred, for despite their mating bond, they barely knew each other and until now he had been the enemy. Revealing private information would wait until she felt that she could fully trust him.

“What about you?” she purred, clenching around him for good measure. “I already miss your cock in my mouth, the delightful taste of you. The sound of your groans, your moaning. Fortunately we don’t have to be quiet in here.”

And then, because she was a brat who loved to play and push, her smile wholly mischievous,

“We could always bring a third in here to join us.”

[kingcenred]

Another growl ripped free from his throat at the thought of a male touching his mate, but with less ferocity than before, and some of the tension ebbed away from his body.

The kisses to his lips and his palm eased the possessiveness of the bond, somewhat, and he let out a faint huff.

"I would also prefer there to be no bloodshed on this journey," he agreed, in a drawl. "Am I not enough for you? Greedy girl," he tsked, with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Truly, if the bond wasn't quite so insistent, he likely would have enjoyed the opportunity to invite another to join them; when he'd taken multiple partners in the past, it had felt particularly exciting.

"Would you truly like that? Someone else to join us?" he asked, as he slowly started thrusting his hips upwards once more. "Perhaps in a couple of months."

[chaosfaery]

Lilé inhaled in delight as he began thrusting once again; her hips rolled in tandem while she listened to his very temptating offer. The imagery alone was titillating.

“Oh no, you will still be entirely too possessive to share me in two months,” she teased, arching her back deliciously. Every little bump on the road caused the carriage to jolt, a frisson of pleasure jarring through her.

“What if your people don’t approve of me, Cenred?” she asked, in between gasps and groans. “What if all they view me as is your little whore, your concubine? What then?”

She could see it now; the disdainful looks, the whispers, the snide laughs. Lilé had tackled endless forms of court politics, but this could prove to be a new kind. What would Cenred do then?

[chaosfaery]

Lilé rolled her shoulders as the last of her bloody clothing fell to the floor. Aside from a few nicks and scratches, any injuries were old and scarred over. She shook her head to reassure him, and climbed into the tub with a squeeze of his hand. And oh, what bliss. The past few hours had been a blur of blood, mud, and sweat. The heat of the water was everything to her aching muscles, bringing forth a groan from the depths of her soul.

“Let’s not do that again,” she sighed, and after unbinding her long, practical braid, slid down under the water for a moment to wet her loosened hair. She rose up, hair dripping, and reached for her preferred soap. Scrubbing and rinsing her body seemed the best way to fight the fatigue that had crept up on her just as it had Cenred. “I’ll go to the infirmary after we’ve slept. If I can help, I will. Unless there is anything you need me for?”

[kingcenred]

"You shouldn't keep secrets from your husband," he teased, in an attempt to lighten the mood somewhat. He was well aware that there were parts of Lilé's culture that would remain unknown to him, and he understood the need to protect her own people.

His expression softened at her words, and he tilted his head to meet her lips with his own. Truly, it was a relief to know that Lilé had her own spies at play, who would undoubtedly warn them the moment Uther so much as spoke to his army generals.

"Good," he murmured, smiling at the thumb across his cheekbone. "I want to be rid of him, naturally, but I cannot yet stomach more war."

Shaking the worst of the water from his hair, he climbed out of the bath and grabbed a large bath sheet with his free hand - tenderly wrapping Lilé up in the soft material - and then reached for one of his own.

"I agree," he chuckled, tiredly. Not bothering to dress himself, he slid under the furs and tugged his wife down beside him, an arm curling tightly around her waist. "This is the first and last time we will only be sleeping in this bed," he promised, pressing a tired kiss to her lips.

[chaosfaery]

Lilé happily slid in beside him, bath sheet discarded on the floor. The furs welcomed her like a friend - but Cenred’s arms embraced her very core. She snuggled up against him, returning the weary kiss.

“Only sleeping, you say?” she smiled, nuzzling his nose with her own. “You are right; I do not believe we have ever had a night without some sort of intimacy before. This is new.”

Her leg slid between his, seeking a warmth only Cenred could provide. It was strange to think that an arranged marriage had begun so fortuitously; they had been nigh inseparable even in the days before their wedding. And now here they were: exhausted and leaning on one another like shelter in a storm.

Fingers brushed his cheek, and she sighed.

“I could stay here forever. Just you and I, with no other cares in the world.”

[fashion-runways]

PAULA NADAL Couture pls help me get out of debt donating to: ko-fi.com/fashionrunways or dinahlance-shop.fourthwall.com

[candycandymemes]

Send "What if they kissed?"

and I'll write a scene where our muses kiss, even if they aren't shipped together. it is it's own thing and doesn't have to lead to an official ship. a "what if scenario"

[chaosfaery]

Lilé rolled her shoulders as the last of her bloody clothing fell to the floor. Aside from a few nicks and scratches, any injuries were old and scarred over. She shook her head to reassure him, and climbed into the tub with a squeeze of his hand. And oh, what bliss. The past few hours had been a blur of blood, mud, and sweat. The heat of the water was everything to her aching muscles, bringing forth a groan from the depths of her soul.

“Let’s not do that again,” she sighed, and after unbinding her long, practical braid, slid down under the water for a moment to wet her loosened hair. She rose up, hair dripping, and reached for her preferred soap. Scrubbing and rinsing her body seemed the best way to fight the fatigue that had crept up on her just as it had Cenred. “I’ll go to the infirmary after we’ve slept. If I can help, I will. Unless there is anything you need me for?”

[kingcenred]

With their foreheads rested together, Cenred closed his eyes for a moment, taking a breath and savouring the fact they were truly safe. A lopsided smile tugged at the corner of his lips at her words, and his eyes flickered open to meet her gaze.

"I shall do my best. You will simply have to remain by my side, to ensure I don't get whisked away," he suggested, with faint amusement.

At the huff, he turned his gaze towards the door and saw the now familiar figure of Oisin, peering at his wife with what seemed like concern in his wolfish features.

"Of course he did, he was worried about you," he smiled, glad that Lilé had such a loyal defender. His expression quickly darkened at the mention of Uther, and he hummed his agreement. "If he attacks again, we will have to be more careful, as he would surely only risk defeat a second time if he gained more insight into your kind."

But with such significant losses to his army, Uther would have to be almost suicidal to risk another onslaught any time soon. Carefully rinsing away the last of the soap, he took his wife's hand in his own.

"Bed?" he questioned. It might very well be the first time the husband and wife had gone to bed purely to sleep!

[chaosfaery]

“He would be a fool to try,” Lilé murmured, her eyes flashing entirely black for a moment. “There are secrets among my kind even you will never know. And he does not know that I now have spies trailing him. He will not see them unless they wish it.”

She leant in to kiss her husband tenderly, a thumb stroking along his cheekbone.

“I protect what is mine, Cenred. He is your enemy, yes - but by my marrying you, he is also mine. You may handle him however you choose, yet that does not mean I will leave him unwatched.”

A squeeze of his hand, and she nodded.

“Bed.”

The hot water and soap had done wonders; she felt more herself, more like a person than a violent battlefield maiden. Lilé did not enjoy war, even though she fought like a natural. Her shadows had fed off the blood and ferocity in delight; she was more interested in making sure both she and Cenred made it out alive.

She stepped out of the bath, hand still in Cenred’s warm hold, and sighed in anticipation.

“Our bed has never seemed so inviting before,” came the weary murmur. “At least, not for such innocent reasons as sleep.”

[chaosfaery]

what kind of herb are you?

~ dandelion ~

You grew up too fast and all you know is the calluses on your fists and the thousand invisible scars that you pretend don't ache. Your anger burns so bright, so hot or maybe not at all, so deep you could never tell it was there. You are yours and you will defend that to the death after so many years of being ripped apart and denied your own agency and maybe you are still facing the bastards who stole your innocence but you will survive because that's the only thing you know how to do without breaking, the only thing you know besides protect, protect, protect, protect, yourself or sometimes those few others you claim as yours. You are a thousand sharp edges but impenetrable, a traumatized child so covered by thorny armor that you promised yourself you're grown now, you're stronger than anyone who has ever hurt you. You're safe. Nothing will ever hurt you again. You're so alone though sometimes, in a world that sees you as too much or too broken or too angry or too hurt, and you want to scream with the too-much of it, prove that you're okay, that you're self-reliant, that you are strong enough to stake your claim on your body, on your mind, on your heart, on your people, and protect it from any who dare take it away from you. You are the sea in tempest, a howling sky, a tsunami in motion, a force of nature, no matter how much you sometimes yearn to be still, to be safe, to be small. You are a dandelion, stubborn and determined to grow in the rockiest of soil, and bloom again in spring.

tagged by: @kingcenred

tagging: @draighean @pride-of-azkets @alaricseer

[chaosfaery]

Lilé inhaled as Cenred’s free hand wandered, her legs automatically parting wider as she sat on his lap. Her smile was lazy, satisfied.

“I couldn’t possibly say.”

She was fortunate, in a way, that she now had a mate. She was gancanagh, she needed sex for nourishment. And here was a man, tied to her for eternity, who seemed to have endless stamina for it. Lilé had never felt so full and rosy with it all. It was knowledge she had not yet divulged to Cenred, for despite their mating bond, they barely knew each other and until now he had been the enemy. Revealing private information would wait until she felt that she could fully trust him.

“What about you?” she purred, clenching around him for good measure. “I already miss your cock in my mouth, the delightful taste of you. The sound of your groans, your moaning. Fortunately we don’t have to be quiet in here.”

And then, because she was a brat who loved to play and push, her smile wholly mischievous,

“We could always bring a third in here to join us.”

[kingcenred]

A husky chuckle escaped him at her response, and he moved his mouth to her earlobe, teeth nipping gently.

"I shall endeavour to find out the answer for myself," he assured, in a murmur, as he left open-mouthed kisses along the column of her throat.

His fingertips stroked methodically against that sensitive nub as he lazily thrust up within her, but when his mate spoke again his motions became decidedly less rhythmic.

"Fuck," he muttered, exhaling sharply at both her filthy words and the way she squeezed so deliciously around him. "For you, my mate, it seems my desire is endless." Truly, he was insaitiable; he needed to be touching her, tasting her, inside of her, every waking moment.

A growl ripped from his throat at her suggestion, and he became suddenly, perfectly still. In truth, he had often indulged with multiple partners at the same time, but the thought of another male with his hands on Lilé was enough to cause the ground beneath the carriage wheels to tremor.

"Or we could make it back to my kingdom without anyone being dismembered," he hissed.

[chaosfaery]

Ahh, there it was. The possession flaring, the anger. It almost made her laugh. Smirking, Lilé tilted her head so she could kiss him.

“Cenred, please. You are not going to dismember anyone for a simple teasing. As if anyone would even dare touch me with you right by me. And it would not look good if we turn up with a bloodstained carriage.”

(Lilé absolutely was not going to divulge that she periodically slept with her guards whenever she went too long without the nourishment of sex. It held no lasting connection for any of them; they knew she needed it, and they were happy to oblige. Jealousy was not standard in her Court. Now that she was bonded, however… it was highly unlikely she would ever need those services of her guards again.)

Taking his hand, Lilé kissed his palm in an effort to calm him. Part of her suspected the reason she did not feel that same level of possessiveness was that she had never been particularly prone to jealousy or any similar emotions. Her Court was usually polyamorous. Whether Cenred’s Court was the same, she had little idea.

[chaosfaery]

Lilé rolled her shoulders as the last of her bloody clothing fell to the floor. Aside from a few nicks and scratches, any injuries were old and scarred over. She shook her head to reassure him, and climbed into the tub with a squeeze of his hand. And oh, what bliss. The past few hours had been a blur of blood, mud, and sweat. The heat of the water was everything to her aching muscles, bringing forth a groan from the depths of her soul.

“Let’s not do that again,” she sighed, and after unbinding her long, practical braid, slid down under the water for a moment to wet her loosened hair. She rose up, hair dripping, and reached for her preferred soap. Scrubbing and rinsing her body seemed the best way to fight the fatigue that had crept up on her just as it had Cenred. “I’ll go to the infirmary after we’ve slept. If I can help, I will. Unless there is anything you need me for?”

[kingcenred]

Relief coursed through him as Lilé assured that she had no other hidden injuries, and as soon as he'd washed the worst of the mud and blood off himself, he turned to tenderly help lather his wife with soap. "No," he let out a huff of humourless laughter. "Let us hope that Uther has learnt his lesson."

It was a pity that they hadn't been able to slay the foreign king himself, but he had retreated from the battlefield as soon as his army had started taking significant losses. "No, no. Please do go to the infirmary, but don't push yourself too much," he warned, as he gently washed the suds off her. "I'll need to return to my men once we've rested."

[chaosfaery]

While Cenred began to wash her clean, Lilé smiled, pressing her forehead to his. A washcloth wiped a smudge of blood he’d missed from his beautiful face, and she hummed.

“As long as you actually rest,” she gently chided (ignoring the fact that she so often barrelled past her own advice). “I don’t want you getting pulled out of bed for some nonsense that you don’t need to handle.”

There was a soft huff of breath; she turned her head to see Oisín in a shadowy wolfhound form, standing in the doorway… and covered in human blood. She inclined her head.

“I’m alright, Oisín. I promise. Go and get yourself cleaned up, mo chara.”

The fae Hound - a member of the Wild Hunt, now solely bonded to Lilé as her steed and protector - eyed her in silent disbelief, but he turned tail and melted into the shadows. She had ordered him to stay back in case Uther had plans for anti-fae traps. Oisín had protested, yet she stood her ground.

(Clearly he’d partially ignored the order, considering he was soaked in blood that wasn’t his.)

“I told him not to engage, yet he turns up looking like that,” Lilé sighed, shaking her head in fond exasperation. “I am very, very glad Uther does not know even half of our traditions and customs.”

[chaosfaery]

The next few days passed in a blur of treaty-making and fierce fucking. Her people were not happy with the bond, but what could they do?

They had been even unhappier when they realised she meant to go with Cenred to Essetir. That had resulted in arguments aplenty - arguments she had warned Cenred to stay out of - and it had taken the best part of an hour to convince her guards and advisors that she would not be murdered by the enemy. Only when Lilé agreed to let her main two guards to accompany her did they all relent.

And so it was that her guards rode alongside the carriage that held Lilé and her mate. A carriage she had applied a soundproofing spell upon, because she was sat back against Cenred’s chest on his lap, cock sheathed within her. It seemed the only way to assuage the bond; the jolting of the carriage often sent frissons of pleasure through her.

“If anyone opens the door… they will be in for a show,” Lilé mused with a mischievous smile. The laces of her blouse were carelessly undone, her golden curls dishevelled by their exertions. “How long will it take to reach your home?”

(They could have been faster on horseback, yes - but horseback meant no touch, and the bond grumbled at the thought, new as it was. It hungered for the physical; a carriage was the only method of travel that would satisfy the damn thing.)

[kingcenred]

It was a real test of his patience and control to not get involved when Lilé's guards adamantly tried to prevent her from returning to Essetir. There had been much growling and snarling from the king as the other Fae males tried so hard to keep his mate away from him, but he had just managed to restrain himself enough to allow Lilé to manage the negotiations on his own.

The bond was far happier now, purring in satisfaction, as his cock was buried deep within his mate. With his typical Fae male stamina, and the fact they had spent the last few days becoming very well acquainted with each other's bodies, he was quite content to stay exactly that way, with only the movement of the carriage gently rocking them back and forth.

One of his hands had delved within her open blouse and was cupping her breast, as his mouth kissed and nibbled at the side of her neck. He chuckled huskily at her words, his eyes flicking up towards the carriage door. "Hmm, let us hope they knock first. We should reach the border by sunset, and then it is an hour further to the palace. How many times do you think I can make you come in that time?" he smirked, his free hand sliding down to where they were joined, his expert fingers seeking that sensitive nub.

[chaosfaery]

Lilé inhaled as Cenred’s free hand wandered, her legs automatically parting wider as she sat on his lap. Her smile was lazy, satisfied.

“I couldn’t possibly say.”

She was fortunate, in a way, that she now had a mate. She was gancanagh, she needed sex for nourishment. And here was a man, tied to her for eternity, who seemed to have endless stamina for it. Lilé had never felt so full and rosy with it all. It was knowledge she had not yet divulged to Cenred, for despite their mating bond, they barely knew each other and until now he had been the enemy. Revealing private information would wait until she felt that she could fully trust him.

“What about you?” she purred, clenching around him for good measure. “I already miss your cock in my mouth, the delightful taste of you. The sound of your groans, your moaning. Fortunately we don’t have to be quiet in here.”

And then, because she was a brat who loved to play and push, her smile wholly mischievous,

“We could always bring a third in here to join us.”

[chaosfaery]

Lilé stared.

There was no mistaking the creature in the sky above them. A creature she had dreamt of, who had featured so often in stories her parents had told her in childhood. One she had begged to see, only for her father to sadly tell her that they were no more.

And yet, here one was. Huge, beautiful, fierce.

“My gods,” she whispered, having slipped into the ancient tongue of her kin. “You are real.” Awe coloured her voice, and she laughed, tears welling before she blinked them back. How she wished she could show her father that they had survived after all. A yearning to touch the dragon, to greet them with respect surfaced, but she did not voice it. They were wild creatures,

Lilé turned her head to look up at Cenred, and her expression became vaguely amused amidst her joy.

“Native wildlife, was it?”

[kingcenred]

Arynth ignored his annoyance, circling twice overhead before coming to land in the wildflower meadow just behind the greenhouse.

Bring her to me, she ordered. It has been a long time since I have felt magic like hers.

Decidedly unimpressed that he would now be forced to turn his unexpected guest into a prisoner, he scowled across at his dragon. But his expression quickly lightened at Lilé's incredulous reaction, and he gave her a boyish, lopsided smile.

"Mhm. Dragons have lived in Essetir for thousands of years," he admitted. No point in denying that now, was that? Patting their linked arms with his free hand, he glanced back across at Arynth with a resigned exhale of breath.

"Come on, she wants to meet you."

[chaosfaery]

The urge to full tilt run towards where the dragon had landed was so strong that Lilé nearly broke away from Cenred. Only her years of court politicking kept her at his side, though she was near-vibrating with excitement.

“Thousands of years,” she murmured, and then blinked at his command, letting him lead her onwards. Quite why a creature as magical and powerful as a dragon would want to meet her, Lilé could hardly fathom. But she was in no place - or mind - to refuse. “Who is she? Does she lead her kind? Are there many dragons here?”

The questions tumbled from her lips before decorum could rein them in, and she blushed, glancing away. Part of her felt the need to apologise - but dragons were nigh unheard of anymore. Most believed them extinct. To discover that not only were they alive but that they clearly thrived… it was astonishing.

[chaosfaery]

Lilé breathed a sigh of relief as the pain eased, the muscles healing faster than she would have been able to. Flexing her toes, she mentally batted away the itching sensation that healing always gave her, and smiled wearily at Cenred.

“Let’s,” she agreed, and tested her ankle tentatively. It no longer flared, only ached, and she slowly got to her feet. Her shadows gently wrapped around her ankle, cooling it and stabilising, and she took his hand, limping with him into their bathroom.

“Are your ribs alright?” she asked, squeezing his hand. “I can take another look at them after I’ve recovered some of my magic, if you’d like.”

[kingcenred]

"I'm fine," he assured, squeezing their joint hands and wrapping his free arm around her waist as the journey to the bathroom suddenly felt shockingly long. Thankfully, one of his servants had ensured the enormous tub was filled with hot water and steam was circling lazily upwards from the rose-scented water.

Quickly, he discarded the last few blood stained pieces of clothing and turned to help his wife do the same, examining her body worriedly for any other injuries that she'd declined to tell him about. "You're not hurt anywhere else?" he demanded.

Carefully, he helped Lilé climb into the tub and a delighted groan escaped him as he sunk down into the warmth of the water beside her. His eyes fluttered shut for a moment, but he forced himself to grab the soap and start the arduous task of cleaning the blood and mud off his skin, before he risked drifting asleep right there in the water.

[chaosfaery]

Lilé rolled her shoulders as the last of her bloody clothing fell to the floor. Aside from a few nicks and scratches, any injuries were old and scarred over. She shook her head to reassure him, and climbed into the tub with a squeeze of his hand. And oh, what bliss. The past few hours had been a blur of blood, mud, and sweat. The heat of the water was everything to her aching muscles, bringing forth a groan from the depths of her soul.

“Let’s not do that again,” she sighed, and after unbinding her long, practical braid, slid down under the water for a moment to wet her loosened hair. She rose up, hair dripping, and reached for her preferred soap. Scrubbing and rinsing her body seemed the best way to fight the fatigue that had crept up on her just as it had Cenred. “I’ll go to the infirmary after we’ve slept. If I can help, I will. Unless there is anything you need me for?”

[chaosfaery]

Lilé was not entirely convinced by his reassurances, but allowed the King to guide her nevertheless. Quite what could make that noise, she could hardly fathom. The shock was eased somewhat at the sight and smells of the roses; unguarded joy bloomed upon her face. Slipping from his hold, she crouched to examine the flowers, delicate fingers brushing petals. A sort of peace came over her.

“These are exquisite,” she murmured, entranced. “I have always loved the simplicity of yellow roses. My mother loved them, too. She would always grow them when the weather was right. The first bud of the season was always a celebration.”

She inhaled as a thorn snagged her thumb; a drop of blood hit the soil. Lilé laughed softly, her magic already healing the wound. “Quite right too. A tribute, then.” She stood up from her crouch, smiling as she took Cenred’s arm again.

[kingcenred]

Despite himself, a soft smile curled at the corners of his lips as his unexpected guest slipped from his arm and crouched down in front of the vibrant sea of blooms. It was a pity he had to continue to so carefully guard his secret, or else he could have demonstrated just how his earth powers usually encouraged the flowers to grow much faster and more healthily than they would otherwise.

"Thank you. Your mother clearly had excellent taste," he replied, gently, having noted her use of past tense. For a moment, he was concerned at the drop of blood...but, of course, her healing magic got to work immediately and there was no sign of where the thorn had pierced her skin.

Once Lilé took his arm once more, he led her on a slow route through the gardens and towards the greenhouse at the southern end, where his most delicate and prized plants grew. A wildflower meadow lay beyond, bursting with an extraordinary array of colours, and just as Cenred was about to step down the path towards the greenhouse the bright sun was obscured by a large shadow above them, and the sound of beating wings.

Annoyed, he glared up at the huge dragon; her red scales shone like rubies in the sun, and it was almost painful to look at her.

For fuck's sake, Arynth. Now, what am I supposed to do with her?

[chaosfaery]

Lilé stared.

There was no mistaking the creature in the sky above them. A creature she had dreamt of, who had featured so often in stories her parents had told her in childhood. One she had begged to see, only for her father to sadly tell her that they were no more.

And yet, here one was. Huge, beautiful, fierce.

“My gods,” she whispered, having slipped into the ancient tongue of her kin. “You are real.” Awe coloured her voice, and she laughed, tears welling before she blinked them back. How she wished she could show her father that they had survived after all. A yearning to touch the dragon, to greet them with respect surfaced, but she did not voice it. They were wild creatures,

Lilé turned her head to look up at Cenred, and her expression became vaguely amused amidst her joy.

“Native wildlife, was it?”

[chaosfaery]

Lilé’s gaze softened as Cenred knelt before her. She did not miss the implications; few had ever had him do such a thing. Steeling herself, she bit back a quiet whimper as his terribly gentle fingers removed her boot and sock. Upon seeing the evidence, however, she slumped back against the cushions. Pain throbbed endlessly in her ankle, the purple bruising violent and dark. Exhausted as she was, Lilé barely had enough magic to support Cenred’s ribs, let alone fix her own injuries.

“I just… I just need rest,” she protested tiredly, watching as he slipped her other boot off. “You should not kneel for me, Cenred. What would your people think?”

Shakily, she reached out to touch his cheek, thumb caressing the war-worn skin, ignoring the blood and dirt.

[kingcenred]

"You do need rest," he agreed, "but also a healer." Truthfully, they had been lucky to come away with only a bruised ankle and a broken rib between them; it could have been far worse.

Despite the pain and exhaustion, his lips quipped upwards at her question and he leaned into the touch upon his cheek, making no more to stand from his kneeled positioned at her feet. "My people would be pleased that I have a Queen who is clearly a match for me," he teased.

At the arrival of the healer, however, he did return to his feet. Insistent that Lilé be treated first, he hovered beside her until the bruises magically vanished from her ankle and only then did he allow the physician to examine his rib.

"Thank the Gods for magic," he mumbled, when they were alone again. "Let's bathe, and then bed."

[chaosfaery]

Lilé breathed a sigh of relief as the pain eased, the muscles healing faster than she would have been able to. Flexing her toes, she mentally batted away the itching sensation that healing always gave her, and smiled wearily at Cenred.

“Let’s,” she agreed, and tested her ankle tentatively. It no longer flared, only ached, and she slowly got to her feet. Her shadows gently wrapped around her ankle, cooling it and stabilising, and she took his hand, limping with him into their bathroom.

“Are your ribs alright?” she asked, squeezing his hand. “I can take another look at them after I’ve recovered some of my magic, if you’d like.”

[chaosfaery]

starter for @draighean

Lilé had known she had wanted to give birth in Blackthorn’s grove since the moment she became pregnant. It felt right. Their child was of him, of his people. And she knew he had been hankering to get her to his grove regardless. He wanted her sequestered, especially now. She had promised him that they would go when the little one began kicking - and now, of course, they had.

She had already bid farewell to Deorsa, to Alaric, even to Sio (though she doubted much could ever keep the wily fox away). Any attempts to pack her things herself had been waved away by Thorn, who was intent on her not exerting herself. Why labour away when his sidhe would gladly do the task for her? Her eyes had rolled at that, but she had given in.

And now, she stood barefoot in the garden, dressed only in Thorn’s choker and a translucent green slip that parted to show her swelling belly. A soft, slow last inhale of the air, the scents of it all, and she sighed.

“I am ready,” she affirmed softly, and opened her eyes to look up at Thorn, gaze tender. “Let us go, then.”

She held out her hand.

[chaosfaery]

character headcanon generator

put ✔️ for correct or ✖️ for incorrect

Lilé is an extrovert ✖️

Lilé can play the piano ✔️

Lilé is a great artist ✔️

Lilé can kill you in an instant if deserved ✔️

Lilé has chronic nightmares ✔️

Lilé chews their nails when nervous ✖️

Lilé sleeps in until noon ✖️

Tagged by: @beautiful-mischief

Tagging: @kingcenred @alaricseer @draighean

[chaosfaery]

The moment their chamber doors closed, it was as though the adrenaline keeping her afloat vanished. She smiled tiredly at Cenred’s question, and kissed his hand.

“I am alright,” she soothed - but as she turned to move away, her ankle flared with a piercing, sickening sharp pain, and she hissed. Stumbling, Lilé grabbed the nearest thing for support: Cenred, of course. No longer would her ankle allow weight upon it - even secured within her mud-streaked boot - and she blinked back the automatic agonised tears.

“It is just a sprained ankle,” she explained quietly, immediately trying to mitigate the storm she knew would be brewing within him. “It will heal soon enough. Please do not worry, mo ghrá. You have a broken rib; you need more attention. I will have a healer brought to you.”

Lilé was not one to parade her injuries; all that had mattered to her was getting Cenred seen. He was the ruler, not her. His life was of far more importance in the scale of things. And she suspected he would not react well, if he ever discovered this view that his wife held. (His Council, however, would probably gleefully agree.)

[kingcenred]

Panic coursing through him, he immediately encircled Lilé in his arms - bearing the majority of her weight, even as his cracked rib throbbed in protest - and his anxious, critical gaze scanned over her body. Not bothering to dignify that ridiculous suggestion was a response, he used the last of his strength to scoop his wife up into his arms and carefully carry her over to the richly padded chaise longue which was mercifully just a few steps away.

He called to one of the servants, who were always diligently positioned outside their chambers, to fetch the court physician at once before slowly lowering himself to his knees in front of his wife. "It is my responsibility to worry about you," he insisted, and he tried hard to keep his voice light and not portray the anger he felt at those responsible for his wife's pain.

With fingers shockingly gentle for a man of his size, he pulled Lilé's boot off her injured ankle, unable to stop the hiss of sympathy from escaping him at the vicious bruise, visible even through the splatters of mud. "That looks worse than a sprain," he frowned. "Don't even think about moving until the healer has arrived," he warned, as he tenderly removed Lilé's other boot.

[chaosfaery]

Lilé’s gaze softened as Cenred knelt before her. She did not miss the implications; few had ever had him do such a thing. Steeling herself, she bit back a quiet whimper as his terribly gentle fingers removed her boot and sock. Upon seeing the evidence, however, she slumped back against the cushions. Pain throbbed endlessly in her ankle, the purple bruising violent and dark. Exhausted as she was, Lilé barely had enough magic to support Cenred’s ribs, let alone fix her own injuries.

“I just… I just need rest,” she protested tiredly, watching as he slipped her other boot off. “You should not kneel for me, Cenred. What would your people think?”

Shakily, she reached out to touch his cheek, thumb caressing the war-worn skin, ignoring the blood and dirt.

[naiviridae]

Rara Avis SS26 "Melody of Love"