Beyond Time (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I do my best," he told her with a grin. "This was for you more than me, but I gotta say I can appreciate the outcome, even if it is a little scary."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I would think what you went through isn't easy for anyone." Elizabeth said softly. "However, we all must do what we have to do in order to survive. I know that very well."

 

[KieranSoares]

"No sad thoughts. Lothair's okay, we're all okay, and if anything, I was looking forward to tonight to see you more than becoming a knight." With that, John spun her round, practically showing her off as well as showing off himself to her. He had always been quite the charmer.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You sound like Ashien." Elizabeth said with a grin as he spun her around to show her off to everyone gathered. "He said the same thing when he was knighted. Of course, back then, we were a step away from being betrothed."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I learn from the best," he insisted as the song came to an end and he handed her off to Henry. Ashien let John dance with Dylandra while he spoke to some comrades. Henry took his daughter's hands with a warm smile on his face.

"You look absolutely enchanted with that boy."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He makes me very happy, Papa." Elizabeth said as they danced together in the middle of the floor. "I don't think I'm quite ready to give him my heart completely, but I do see a beautiful future ahead with him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Just be careful, or else he'll go riding off to your defense too. He'd be gone at the drop of a hat." Henry could only chuckle, hugging Elizabeth a little closer. "Your mother would have loved him, I'm sure. He might've even stolen her heart too."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I miss her, but I know that she would be very happy for the both of us." She said softly, giving her father a tight hug. "And she would want you to be happy too. Which means, we need to work on finding you someone else to go through this life with."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've had my great love, Elizabeth. If another one comes along, I'll think about it. But it's time for you to focus on your own love and find out if John is really what you want, or any other man for that matter. Don't worry about me. I'm happy where I am for now."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I worry about you, Papa." Elizabeth said softly as her father insisted that he had already had his great love and he was content now. "Mama has been gone a very long time now. Far too long for a heart to be lonely."

 

[KieranSoares]

"She left a void no one else can fill, darling. Maybe one day... But like I said, that's not for you to worry about. Be young and careless and in love. Everyone deserves that chance and I don't want you wasting it playing matchmaker for your father."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You assume I won't once I settle on the one that makes me happy." Elizabeth said with a grin as she leaned in and kissed her father's cheek. "I'll have all the time in the world once I am happily married and settled."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You'll be too busy being in love yourself. Now no more worrying about your old man."

John got several more chances to dance with Elizabeth before the night was through. Close to midnight, Ashien brought them all home and left the carriage to Kiva while they all went inside. John was the first to wander off to bed and fall right to sleep, but Ashien was too busy having fun flirting with Dylandra.

"I know it's late, love... But let me paint you," he murmured against her ear. He'd wrapped his arms about her waist from behind, holding her close against his chest.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You have no idea how sexy those words are, Ash." Dylan said with a grin as her husband held her tightly against his body, whispering against her ear as she shivered. "You can paint me any time, love. You just have to say the words."

 

[KieranSoares]

"The studio awaits, milady," he told her in the smooth, alluring voice she'd come to love since her first time in his arms when they'd fallen for one another while he painted her. Hand in hand, he brought her to the studio. But at the last moment, he changed his mind and brought his easel and everything else into the ballroom. Dylandra could see the precise moment he turned back into an artist as he circled the room looming for the perfect place. Finally, he brought Dylandra to the massive windows and had her sit on the padded sill.The moon outside was so bright that he needed no other light source as he placed his easel and began laying down lines and then the first layers of paint.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan sat as still as she could, looking out the window as Ashien positioned himself started his sketching. She often wondered what her husband saw when he looked at her. He would often tell her that she was beautiful. He would always tell her that he loved her. However, she wondered what it was about her that captivated his imagination.

 

[KieranSoares]

Once Ashien had finished laying down the first layers of paint, he was fully engrossed in his work and it was as if he'd forgotten the world outside the ballroom even existed. Inspiration had struck hard and fast, and though he wouldn't admit it aloud, Dylandra's golden gown was just as much for the sake of showing off her beauty as it was inspiring his art. It was why he spared no expense when it came to beautiful clothing and accessories for her; because each new piece was worth ten more paintings.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Who did you really buy this gown for?" Dylan asked after she had been sitting for a long moment, looking over at her husband with a smile. "I know that you have your reasons for everything. It's a lovely gown. The right kind of fabric to catch the eye of a master artist."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I bought it for anyone who looks at this painting later on, and anyone who saw you tonight," Ashien told her from behind his easel. "And maybe a bit for myself... so I have another excuse to get you to dress up and dance all night." Ashien loved music and dancing almost as much as his horses and his artistic pursuits. It was the one part of court life that he adored.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You don't have to dress me up to dance, you know. I would willingly dance with you if you asked." Dylan said with a soft smile towards her husband. "Because I love you, Ashien Vincent Ghis."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Would you rather I danced you naked around the manor?" Ashien asked, looking out from behind his easel with a grin. "Van wouldn't mind, but the staff might. And I'm sure John would love it."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Is that a dare, Mr. Ghis?" Dylan asked with a soft chuckle. "Because I might have to call you bluff if that's the case."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Maybe not with anyone else around. I don't share well when it comes to you," Ashien chuckled. He came out from behind his easel and up behind her. His arms wrapped around her waist and he pressed a kiss to her neck. "Have I told you yet how beautiful you are?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"You do quite often, but I always enjoy hearing the words." Dylan said with a grin as she tipped her head back to kiss her husband as he wrapped his strong arms around her waist. "Especially when they come from you, love."

 

[KieranSoares]

Just as autumn fully set in, John began spending more and more time at Elizabeth's side as he was taught how to act as a personal guard by Henry's royal guard captain. And as they grew closer and closer, John had confided in Dylandra that he was thinking of asking Elizabeth to marry him, and he'd saved up for a ring.

At the same time, news came from Inverness that had Ashien absolutely beaming. Brogan's new wife Julia had encouraged him to bring his daughter Annie home, and she'd finally arrived and Julia had had a baby, a small but strong son named Ciaran for their dear friend who had died the previous winter. And to top it all off, Boar and Durban and their families had decided to settle in Inverness, and Selena and Kayla would be coming to stay that winter until spring when Ashien would arrive. Ashien would see his entire family all together for the first time in far too long. Such family get-togethers had been sparse over the last seven years since Brogan's first wife's death. He'd not wanted to let anyone close, but now he was in love and thriving and willing to let the world in again, especially his family.