sun kissed.

And I am tearing myself apart, piece by piece, losing the s c a t t e r e d remnants of what I once was, just trying to find where my innocence was lost.

[richard-madden-archived]

365 days of richard madden: day 38

[lovedared-blog]

@ofwarborn ;

                    AFTER THE LAST FEW days of being plagued with memories from the past, king nathaniel knows one thing  ---  if he does not leave his tent and get some fresh air he will lose his mind even more. he dresses in his lightest clothing and heads out toward the beach, excited to feel the sun on his skin. his guards have been dismissed again and it’s a wonder he’s alone after enduring insufferable backtalk from nicholas about the matter. while he knows they have faced dangerous events in teshayra, he trusts the people of zenan. perhaps a naive choice that he has chosen to hold onto throughout the years but one he refuses to shake. he tilts his head back and smiles as he closes his eyes, basking in the sunshine. when nate opens his eyes he’s greeted with a familiar face, one he’d been meaning to track down.  ❛  why, sir derrek, how have you been ??  ❜

[lovedared-blog]

brynmallory:

as far as days go, this had been an exceptionally bad one for bryn. while he had taken a much-needed break from the stables, another stablehand had accidentally let out a prized breeding mare that belonged to an important noble, and bryn had been tasked by the lead groom to retrieve her. he’d spent the majority of the day coaxing her back to the stables instead of actually doing his work, and then had been blamed for not doing his work ! needless to say he wasn’t in the brightest of moods as he walked back to the tents, even when a girl ( who seemed so happy ! gods ! ) found her way towards him with a basket. ❛ oh, ❜ he said, surprised at the sudden infusion of his thoughts. ❛ uh, aye — i’ll have the honey cake. how much for… three or four ? ❜

her confusion was etched out on her expression, shaking her head. the man in front of her appeared much too discomposed for him to pay, even if she had been selling... not that she would ever sell her baking.  ❛  i beg your pardon ?  ❜  the girl questioned, speaking before thinking as usual.  ❛  these are free, sir, no payment required !  ❜  as much as she thought to question his state of clear exhaustion, lucrezia knew it best not to pry. even the occasional patient would advise against her questions and this hardly seemed like the time to ask.  ❛  here, go ahead and pick your favorite.  ❜  lucrezia pushed her basket forward, giving a smile.

[lovedared-blog]

seasvng:

              WHEN EXPOSED TO THE good that the world offered, pandora felt herself an awful person. in fact, her own brother’s disposition to see the good might’ve been the root of her problem in which she found that she’d never be as kind as him no matter how hard she tried. it seemed as if this woman, skipping and nearly singing, was about to be the next bane of her existence. with a heavy, drawn out sigh, pandora’s eyes meet hers. ❝ a honey cake, you say ?? how much are you selling for ?? ❞ 

             ❝ oh, my apologies !! these are not for sale but a gift to those who would want one. ❞ she can understand the suspicion, understand the question of a girl who seemingly appears to be selling goodies. while she can understand the fear, that’s all the more reason to spread some happiness to those who have lost their’s. lucrezia smiles, pulling back the cloth covering most of the pastries for an easier look.

[lovedared-blog]

  sovereigntyhq task 02.             NATHANIEL WINNELL CHARACTER INSPIRATION.

WILL GORSKI from Sense8. “ I don’t know what’s true or not. I just think we have to… watch out for each other. ”

FRANCIS from Reign. “ I can’t help thinking that every man, even a king, should have some kind of skill. One that I didn’t inherit, wasn’t given to me and can’t be taken away. ”

ANGEL from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. “ All I wanna do is help. I wanna help because, I don’t think people should suffer as they do. Because, if there’s no bigger meaning, then the smallest act of kindness is the greatest thing in the world. ”

PETER PEVENSIE from Narnia. “ Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us. ”

GLENN RHEE from The Walking Dead. “ You fought to be here and we have to keep fighting. ”

CHARLES XAVIER from Marvel. “ Just because someone stumbles and loses their path, doesn’t mean they can’t be saved. ”

STEFAN SALVATORE from The Vampire Diaries. “ We choose our own path. Our values and actions, they define who we are. ”

NATE ARCHIBALD from Gossip Girl. “ You don’t give up just because things are hard. ”

MAGNUS BANE from Shadowhunters. “ They say time heals all wounds but the presumes the source of grief is finite. ”

NED STARK from Game of Thrones. “ You think my life is such a precious thing to me, that I would trade my honor for a few more years… of what? ”

[cozybug-deactivated20231208]

peach juice swims in my veins. when i bleed, it’s sweet. honeybees fly right to me.

sarah addison allen, the peach keeper (via faedelalune)

[lovedared-blog]

partedway:

“if it’s cheating then why didn’t i win anything? that should prove it isn’t.” he collapsed onto the sand beside her, stretching out, face to the sky. “i want more than ‘wonderful.’ you’re no good at gossip, lou. i’m alright. i don’t know if i like this place yet. is what it is, though. not like we’re about to get back to kradaeca. were you expecting more than all this?”

“ hey, you’re the one who suggested it could be cheating ! ” she responded, shaking her head. at the mention of gossip she laughed, the past few days racing through her mind. there was nothing of interest, nothing corin would find exciting anyway. “ i’m no good at creating gossip, cor... do you think i’m boring ? ” lou questioned as soon as the thought came to mind. “ i... i’m not sure. they have a great abundance of resources that could help us, i’m just worried which kingdom will lay claim to them. is that absurd ? i’m asking too many questions. ”

[lovedared-blog]

partedway:

she turned to the woman with some surprise. “tempted as i am, i must decline. i’m afraid i’ve gone and had breakfast already. but thank you.” it wasn’t so much breakfast that held her back, but that the offer seemed too good to be true. this girl was the very definition of sunny. “we haven’t been introduced, have we darling? my name is camilla.”

“ no worries, i’m sure many share the same sequence of events ! ” lucrezia herself had barely eaten, as she thought about it, only nibbling on a few pieces of bread she’d baked. the nurse shook her head, curtsying to the woman who looked much higher in class than she was. “ it is a pleasure, camilla, i’m lucrezia. ” 

[lovedared-blog]

tenebrisnlux:

                         he was essentially wandering around aimlessly , finding himself bored despite all that had transpired recently. it wasn’t awful he supposed , but he certainly felt like he could be doing something more productive with his time. just as that thought passed through his head , a bubbly voice hit his eardrums , && he wasn’t sure if he’d just been blessed or cursed. he turned to face where the voice originated , the cynical part of his mind wondering what the hell she was so excited about. “ perhaps          what’s the price ?  ”

                        her face scrunched up in confusion as he spoke, immediately shaking her head. “ oh, no, they’re not for sale ! ” she exclaimed, wondering if that was the reason people before them had refused her offer. lucrezia suddenly felt silly, tilting the basket in her hand. “ they’re for free ! i like baking to occupy my free time and i’m afraid i... made too many. ”

[lovedared-blog]

lordjameslandis:

He turned at the presence of another and laughed at her warning of deadly creatures in the water. “Certainly there are,” He called. “But none so close to the shore.” They knew little of all the hidden secrets of this land, and he was sure that the waters of Teshayra were filled with all sorts of creatures they had never encountered, both good and bad. But they most likely lurked far out in the deep, dark waters. “I see that tales of such monsters have not frightened you.”

“ You sound so sure about that, ” she teased, raising a brow. The noblewoman dipped her feet into the water, letting the waves crash against her shins. It was absolutely refreshing. “ No, they do not. I can say most things do not frighten me, ” Rosalind called back, giving a shrug. She let herself fall into the sand, sitting at the edge of the water, occasionally glancing up at the man.

[lovedared-blog]

seasvng:

            BECAUSE, AGAIN, PYROS IS not in the mood to rip open stitches, he does not try to catch the bookmark thrown ( barely ) in his direction by the insolent ironhaven wench. no matter if her breeding was of noble descent, lady or not, she was a rotten hussy with a terrible personality. he throws a glare over at rosalind. ❝ i may find you might better assist me by actually leaving me in peace, dearest lady rosalind. ❞

       A SMALL SMIRK IS brought to her lips as she watches the bookmark fly past the man. rosalind stands still, not retrieving the item as she knows the duke is rich enough to simply buy another. besides, it’s a stupid bookmark, who cares ? she hopes he loses his page.   ❝   is that so, sir pyros ? then perhaps i should take a seat next to you,   ❞   she says, already taking her place.

[lovedared-blog]

partedway:

though he held honour in relatively high esteem, truth was she was right, and corin could see that. even if he didn’t quite feel it in his bones. “fair enough.” his eyes dropped to the hem of her dress, and then to her hair again, for want of something to look at. neither sight offered any knowledge. “i dunno. i’m feeling lazy. aren’t braids a hindrance anyway? look pretty easy to grab.” and then, the most important question of all: “you fight often, my lady?”

“ see something you like ? ” she questioned with a smirk, gaze following his own. the way he spoke about her wardrobe made her want to discard her dress and make him try it on. “ if you’re feeling lazy, why worry about my appearance ? if i had your hands pinned behind your back then you couldn’t grab anything. ” rosalind almost laughed at his question but remained with her lady facade. “ i don’t. ”

[lovedared-blog]

brynmallory:

        WHILE BRYN WAS DEFINITELY drowning in work, he was no so busy as to not greet someone he knew — for he wasn’t all that sure the other wanted to classify him as a friend quite yet. she was, as he’d guessed, more shut off than open to the world — for reasons he’d yet to decipher. seeing rosalind, however, caused bryn to halt his work and face her, eyebrows raising in surprise. “ careful, now — some of these horses are royal, ” he jested, winking as he took a step closer to her. his eyes searched hers for a moment, and he caught sight of something almost familiar — a need for… something. it was the same look he’d had all of those years ago when his fathers ( and subsequently his ) title had been stripped. but not only that, it was the glint of keeping a secret. the glint of someone who was hiding in plain sight. “ oh ? oh ! you mean with the prince, ” he said, nodding a few times as he recalled the events of the exploration. “ aye, well. i can see when someone’s uncomfortable easily enough, and you definitely were not welcoming the good prince’s efforts to… befriend you. ” he paused, wiping dirty hands on his riding trousers and then crossing his arms over his partially-exposed chest. “ we were lucky to have left when we did though, aye ? things went downhill fairly quickly, or so i hear. ” 

       ROSALIND GAVE A SHRUG, her hands held behind her back, almost giving the appearance of proper. “ all the more reason to take them. ” perhaps she would, perhaps she wouldn’t. the man in front of her would surely take the blame, but was it enough to get him beheaded ? others dying at her hand mattered none to her but there was something digging at her, something telling her that his blood on her hands would not be one she waved away so easily. just to soften the blow, rosie gave a grin in his direction. “ i do not like royals... especially when they are in my presence. ” her words are still eloquent, polished to perfection and it takes her a moment to remember that is not her true way of speaking. even with a lower class man she keeps her walls up, wondering if she’ll ever be able to lower them again. is she even control of herself anymore ? a troubling thought nonetheless. her expression faltered for a moment, struggling to at least keep a smile. “ i hear people went mad which certainly would have made for an exciting evening but i suppose it was for the best. ”

[lovedared-blog]

licnhcarted:

                  HOW  LIKE  HIM         ,  she  thinks ,  her  smile  softening ,  to  promise  the  world  at  her  feet  .      a  tempting  offer ,  to  be  sure ,  but  she  has  all  she  needs  by  her  side  .      once  they  claim  this  land   (   &  she  has  no  doubt  they  will  ;  that  nathaniel  will  succeed  at  whatever  he  decides  )  for  them ,  for  their  children ,  for  the  bearorian  people  they  have  vowed  their  lives  to   –   all  she  requires  is  a  promise  it  will  be  kept  safe  .      this  is  the  land  their  children  will  inherit   –   &  their  children’s  children ,  &  on  &  on  .      through  teshayra ,  the  winnell  name  will  live  on  .

           ❛      i  suspected  as  much ,     ❜          she  says  at  long  last ,  lifting  her  head  to  meet  his  eyes ,         ❛       i  didn’t  think  you  would  bring  us  here  if  you  did  not  have  plans  .      –   it  will  not  be  easy  .      i  doubt  you  are  the  only  one  who  wishes  to  stake  a  claim  .      but  –   know  you  will  have  me  by  your  side  .      whatever  you  do ,  you  will  have  my  support  .      ❜

                         AS LONG AS he lives,     he will never stop trying to give viola everything she could ever want. she is his wife, his queen, the mother of his children and that will always mean the world to him. the woman he holds at his side is one he trusts with his life, his kingdom, his family and he can never truly thank her enough for that. with everything he has had to push through and the choices he has made, viola has always stood at his side, offering a helping hand. to have someone so understanding and loving at his side is a dream come true ... to think he’d ever have a wife as perfect as her ... he had never imagined.

                        ❛     you knew ?     ❜     he acts surprised but remembers that she has always been able to see when something is amiss. she reminds him what he will have to do if he wants to be KING of teshayra, wondering if it is all worth it, wondering how much it will truly cost him.     ❛     you’re right, it will not be. i have my own plans to claim this land but they will come later. thank you, viola, for your support for my actions has never gone unappreciated.     ❜     he tilts his head and places a kiss to her forehead.

[lovedared-blog]

illdiisms:

then why are you king ? comes to illdi’s mind, but she isn’t so foolish as to say that. besides, he was so kind — and is that not more important than being a strong and feared king ? the governess licked her lips, thinking over his words, and what hers would be in response. ❛ that is a rare mindset within your class, your majesty, ❜ she said, unaware of the stark nature of her tone. she paused for a long moment, and then met his gaze. ❛ may i ask for permission to speak freely ? ❜

he can feel her judgement, feel her eyes digging into his skin and yet, he accepts it with a smile. she is from ironhaven and it explains her demeanor for which he understands.  ❛ i am quite aware that how i prefer to do things is not normally a king’s mindset. many men choose to rule with fear but i do not. ❜ he’s prideful of his position, thankful that after all he had been through he still remains a king willing to think so highly of others.  ❛ you may speak freely, ❜ nathaniel responds, wondering if he will grow to regret his choice.

[lovedared-blog]

ofepithets:

                      DESPITE BEING ONE OF the first people to know of the dragon’s existence, emeline will never tire of seeing her dear friend’s reaction to seeing ysellian. her features hold something akin to amusement as she turns around at the vicious snarl. as one who typically looks put together, it’s quite a sight to see the king so.. out of order. it only enhances her smile. taking several steps towards nathaniel, there’s a brief thump on the ground as ysellian rests his head on the grass.  ❝  nathaniel,  ❞  a hand reaches out to give his own a small squeeze. eyes scan the scene, searching around his broad figure for two pairs of tiny feet that usually followed his own.  ❝  & where might my godchildren be ?  ❞

                             EVEN AFTER KNOWING ABOUT ysellian for more than a year now, the sight of the mighty beast is still enough to intimidate him. his own questions about the animal, like whether a dragon can truly be owned, is one he would never ask emeline but one that reminds him to keep his distance. one ill planned move can set him ablaze. he gives the queen a smile, happy to see her after quite some time. it’s been too long, he thinks, as he has certainly missed her dearly.  ❝  emeline,  ❞  he copies, his own hand encompassing her own. the king lets out a chuckle at her question, knowing she must want to see the twins.  ❝  they are with their wet nurse, most likely taking their afternoon nap. as soon as they wake i will bring them to you.  ❞

[lovedared-blog]

with her basket full of goodies, herbs and treats alike, lucrezia was in a splendid mood ! she watched people come and go from the gardens, watching all of them intently, doing her best not to let her mind wander too far. refusing to focus on the obstacles that they had already met throughout their time in teshayra, the nurse chose to acknowledge the beautiful day ahead of them all.   “   excuse me !   ”   she chirped, skipping toward the nearest bystander.   “   would you perhaps like a honey cake or a piece of warm bread ?   ”