Mint and Honey

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine turned with Alex, watching as the drakes led the way onto the ship. She could hear Aida trying to keep herself composed as she boarded and then turned to watch them all one more time. She smiled, knowing that everyone would be alright in the end. They each had someone to keep them strong...and she had Alex at her side.

His slender hand pressed against her back as his arm wrapped around her waist. She leaned into him, knowing that they were heading into an uncertain future. However, Inverness would make a beautiful place for them to start a life together.

 

[KieranSoares]

It was fairly easy to settle in, the sea breeze alleviating some of the heat as the sun climbed higher. The drakes found a place out of the way on the deck, and Alex kept close to Yasmine at the bow, watching the water rush by as they set off.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine watched the shore until she couldn't see Palmyra any longer and then she sat in the shade with Alex, simply enjoying the moment together. "We have a lot that we need to talk about before we arrive, but I suppose we have all the time in the world for the moment."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Absolutely. No work outside emergencies and my usual journaling," he promised softly, an arm draped about her waist. "... I know you'll miss them. But I think Inverness could use us right now. More than ever, it needs people with our skills."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Your family needs you more." Yasmine said, leaning her head against his shoulder. "And that is alright too."

 

[KieranSoares]

"And they'll need you too when they realize you're the reason I'm even here today." Alex kissed her temple and laid his head against her own. "And as much as you insist we're even, we absolutely are not."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Alex, you don't owe me anything. You have never owed me anything and I won't take anything that you consider payment from you." Yasmine murmured as Alex's head pressed against her own, holding her tightly as the ship's sails caught the breeze and they were going at a good clip.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then it's a good thing you don't know what I might consider payment," he teased softly with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine lifted her head to look at Alex with a cocked eye brow. "I don't mind sucking your cock, if that's what you want." She whispered against his ear, nipping the skin as she chuckled with dark laughter at the color that rose in his cheeks.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex chuckled rather nervously, pulling her tighter against his side. "I don't consider sex payment, but nice try. I didn't know you were a temptress."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Only for tall, dark, and handsome healers." Yasmine said as he pulled her tighter against his body.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Does that mean I should worry if you meet another one? Because there are a few back home, I've noticed." Despite his teasing, his voice alone gave away that she made his both excited and nervous talking about sex, as the quiet healer had been despite their encounters thus far.

 

[heartofcourage]

"No. You'll never have to worry." Yasmine promised him as his voice shook with excitement and nerves. "And you never need to be nervous with me. We are both passionate adults. You do whatever you feel you need to do in the moment."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm nervous as a rule about anything romance," Alex reminded her. But at her encouragement, he stole a proper, long kiss and draped both arms about her waist.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine grinned as he kissed her properly, long and slow as his arms held her tightly. She leaned into him, allowing herself to enjoy the moment with him.

"Who said anything about romance?" Yasmine asked as their kiss ended. "And why would you be nervous? You came from a very loving household. Surely you learned a thing or two there."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I at least try to make it romance. But generally, unless it's work, I'm lost socially. Despite all my family's best efforts, I'm not exactly a social butterfly. You've seen that. I generally keep to myself."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You will only know if you try." Yasmine told him with an understanding gaze. "And if I don't like it, I will tell you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll keep that in mind. And before long our relationship will just be teasing each other mercilessly until we end up in bed," he chuckled, stealing one more kiss.

 

[heartofcourage]

"And I would be alright with that." Yasmine said with a smile as he kissed her. "Because I would know that you're trying your hardest."

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex simply shook his his and remained close at her side until they eventually went into their cabin. It was a bit too hot to sleep belowdecks this far south, so much of the crew and passengers slept on the deck at night. That endured for a few days until it grew colder and they were all reminded it was early spring up north, some snow still on the ground here and there. To pass the time, Alex studied Arabic and could occasionally be found talking to the captain about his travels and things like navigation. He also spent plenty of time drawing cities they passed along the coast, or animals in the water or views from the ship over the water. By the time they reached the Spanish coast after having skirted any coast further south just to be safe from the empire, it was getting cold for Yasmine but Alex was right in his element. They stopped off in a French port and received news that half of Normandy had been lost to the Empire and the eastern part of France among other areas. News of attempted assassinations across the north and the Rus came in, and it seemed many more nations were getting involved. Alex only grew more anxious, and it only worsened as they entered the English Channel to loop round up toward Scotland. They would be landing directly in the harbor of Inverness.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine could see the change come across Alex as they got closer to home. It was cool enough that she had pulled on some of her winter gear. He seemed anxious, a little nervous, almost as if he didn't know what kind of reception he would be given. She couldn't do much to alleviate those fears. It was simply something that he would have to work out on his own in time.

 

[KieranSoares]

When the ship came into view of the harbor of Inverness, a small schooner came out to hail them and seek their intent. A quick exchange with the captain, and they were guided into the harbor. Alex and Yasmine's things were unloaded with the drakes and Alex arranged for them to be brought to his home, a quiet welcome for Yasmine to come to stay with him if she liked. But first, he saddled Fatin and was ready to head to his parents' home.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Go on and see them. I'll see you at your home later." Yasmine said with a smile, kissing him as he mounted Fatin. "Good luck. Hopefully they don't tan your hide too bad."

She was still grinning as he took off, the nerves on his face both endearing and cute. His nerves were for nothing as he got close to his family's home and the door was thrown open, Ruari running out of the garden to greet his older brother who he had missed so much. The little boy was in tears as he was scooped up and held tightly, showing Alex just how much he had been missed.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ruari!" Alex called as he slid down from Fatin's saddle just in time to catch the little boy. He spun Ruari round, hugging him so tightly as if he'd disappear from Scotland again. "Hello, my sweet little baby brother," he murmured softly. Knowing Ruari had missed and needed him so much made his heart squeeze and his eyes sting with the threat of tears.

Inside, having seen Ruari suddenly burst out the door without warning, the rest of the family gathered to gaze out. Valentina was last to the door and she saw before her near the yard gate, her eldest cradling her youngest child. Alex's skin was much darker, his clothes foreign and a bit too light for the usual cold climate of the north. He turned, opening those familiar cub-blue eyes, and his gaze locked with hers.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Why did you have to stay away so long?" Ruari asked him as he cried against his brother's shoulder.

Valentina stood at the back of the family, giving her son a small smile as he looked towards her, his blue eyes showing his own tears. She didn't make a move as Francesca and Viola hurried to greet him as well. The children had taken his disappearance the worst out of all of them, even if there had been many sleepless nights on Valentina's part. She had remained as strong as she could because of them, showing them that things would be alright in the end.