The North (Closed)

[heartofcourage]

Riley gasped as Andre hauled her against his chest, holding her tightly. Her hands went to curl against his arms, fingers digging against his skin. She growled as his fingers pressed against her clit, strumming the wet flesh as he sought her end first. She leaned her head back against his shoulder, whining against his ear. Then he bit her. The sudden pain sent her over the edge with a cry as his teeth sank into her shoulder in a mating mark.

 

[KieranSoares]

Andre let Riley lay back on their bed when he finally let go, and he sat back on his knees still trying to catch his breath. A hand smoothed over her fur and down her back affectionately, as if in apology for getting a bit too rough.

"Fuck," Andre finally whispered after a long moment, a silly little grin on his face. "I've never... That's never come out before."

 

[heartofcourage]

It took Riley a while to find her voice again. Her body was humming, shoulder sore and throbbing while a sticky mess formed between her thighs. It was an evening of firsts. The first time Andre had shown her the feral side of himself. The first time he had bit her that hard to give her a proper mating mark. The first time he had cum inside of her. Riley pulled him down next to her and snuggled against his chest as she worked to regain control of herself, her fox slowly retreating back.

"She needed that." Riley finally murmured as she glanced up at the grin that he seemed to have stuck on his lips. "And so did you."

 

[KieranSoares]

Andre gladly curled in close against her, nuzzling into her fur almost protectively as elements of his Wolf blood still remained for a moment. There was a warm sensation of love and adoration as he pressed his forehead to hers, his arms settling around her naturally.

"Every time I'm with you, it's an adventure," he whispered lovingly. "And you bring out more and more of... Well, I guess the real me. What I would've been if I'd grown up with my people." He drew his head back to look down at her, lifting a hand to caress her cheek. "Leave it to a stubborn Fox to make a wild Wolf out of me." He chuckled and leaned in for a kiss, letting himself sink into her love easily.

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley returned his kiss with a long sigh, her arms wrapping around his neck and holding him tightly. She gave him a small smile when he pulled back, her forehead pressing against his own. "Well, eldere, you've finally managed to make sure that every wolf in the world will know I'm yours."

She nuzzled against him, simply enjoying the moment to be with him without having to rush around to follow an order or go on patrol. "Even in our most heated moments, you've always pulled away. You didn't this time. It's....honestly one of the most erotic things you've ever done."

Her ears flattened slightly in embarrassment at her confession. "But unless you want your Ma bouncing a cub on her knee soon, don't get used to it. Jani's herbs are helpful but not fool proof."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I got a little carried away, huh?" Andre admitted sheepishly, feeling a bit guilty. "I'm sorry. No kids unless we're absolutely sure. And certainly none right now."

Nuzzling gently against her cheek, Andre kissed her and settled, knowing that she needed sleep and soon he was going to be called back out to duty. But first, he murmured, "Hey... I wanted to tell you something when we had a second to talk. Can I annoy you a little longer?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Is it serious?" Riley asked as Andre got her comfortable again, nuzzling against her cheek and asking if he could have just a few more moments of her precious time. "I suppose I can't say no. What did you want to tell me?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don't know if 'serious' is quite the right word. But Ma just got a letter back from our tribe out in Tibet," he explained, his voice softening at the enormity of learning his people were still out there. "When we sent that letter last year, we didn't know if they were alive or even still in the Himalayas. Ma sent it to the only people she could think of who'd be able to find them. They're Buddhist monks that were our people's closest friends and neighbors when she was a girl. Apparently the tribe fled after she and some others were taken, but they returned when a local lord bought the land and turned it into a haven for the tribe and employed a lot of them working his own land nearby. Things are a lot better there now."

Andre lifted his head to look at Riley and she could see his smile was marred by brimming, happy tears. "Ma's whole family is still there. They survived. Ma had the letter copied for me and I just got it today while you were out. I guess I was so excited, I had to get some energy out," he added a bit sheepishly.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Koah, that is important. Of course you needed to tell me." Riley insisted as he gave her a teary smile and his enthusiasm was almost infectious. "When all of this is over, we will go to meet them. I promise. Jani can take your Ma and you and I can travel as well. We're going to make it happen."

She kissed him deeply with that promise, sealing the deal in her own way. She would see him returned to his mother's people even if she had to fight demons to do it.

 

[KieranSoares]

Andre nuzzled in against her once more, and she could practically feel the welling of excitement and nerves in him. "I can't wait to see Ma. She must've been completely overwhelmed," he chuckled softly. "Jani must not have gotten her letter yet, otherwise she would've come dragged me away to celebrate. But you two are just as much part of our family in Tibet now. I hope you know that."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley laughed as she pulled Andre back down beside her, holding him tightly for a while longer before he had to leave for patrol. She was glad he had woken her, no matter how it had happened, because his joys were her joys. Even if she was grumpy about the intrusion most of the time.

As the morning patrols were going out, Ashleigh and Edward were already up and at breakfast. As was their tradition their entire married life, they ate simply and early, often talking about their days before the rest of the world intruded. In hard times, it was sometimes the only joy that they had together. She was particularly happy that morning as letters from the children were delivered, her meal left untouched as she read through the little notes. She missed them terribly.

"Royse is demanded a palace of her own. If I won't relent, then she'll be asking Papa." She relayed the news as Edward ate and read over his own freshly delivered letters from afar. "Vincent wants a horse befitting a prince of England and Ashlynn just wants us home."

She carefully folded the letters, tucking them away as if they were the most precious thing in her world. Glancing across the table at Edward, she saw nothing out of the ordinary. He was calm, collected, and steadfast. He was simply Edward, even if they were in a dangerous position in England.

"You're sure about all of this?" She asked him softly. "I know that all of the plans have been in place for a long time, but are we sure? We've been in tight spots before but nothing ever like this. What if we fail?"

 

[KieranSoares]

As stoic as he was, when he had read the letters Edward couldn't help a small smile at his children's antics, and especially at Ashlynn's concern for them being gone from home so long.

At Ashleigh's question, Edward sat back slowly, brow furrowed. "If we aren't sure, then what are we doing here, darling?" He asked softly. It wasn't accusatory, it simply seemed as though he'd never considered an alternative. "The North and House Beauclerc need England back to rebuild the isles. Not to mention the reestablishment of the haven we once had for werefolk and the security of Scotland's southern border once Kate is back in place."

He looked down at his half-eaten breakfast and murmured, "I'll admit I don't think I'm worthy of this responsibility... But my grandfather and parents have prepared me as best they could. And I have to make sure your family keeps Darkwood. I can't back out."

 

[heartofcourage]

"But the cost..." She said softly, her main concern always having been about money. "This is everything, Edward. Every coin that we have borrowed from friends and afar is going into this. What if we can't secure the isle? Our debts are stacked against us and rebuilding as you wish will be costly, too. I'm just...afraid."

She was just as afraid as she was when her father had died. It was like someone was ripping away all of the security that they had worked to rebuild together, but this time, she had little ones to worry about.

"Don't get me wrong, though. Hess needs to be put down like the mad dog he is. I will never disagree with that. Everything else though? Being a Queen? Me? Running households and servants and the like?" Ashien had raised his daughter with as much as she needed to marry into nobility, but Ashleigh felt hopelessly out of her league as it was staring her back in the face.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm terrified," Edward admitted in nearly a whisper, letting his calm, confident veneer crack when it was just Ashleigh. And for a moment, she saw the scared young man from twenty years past who'd just lost everything. "I don't think I'm what England needs. And I don't want to force you onto a potentially-sinking ship with me. How my grandfather ever had confidence in me... I'll never know. As a boy I didn't care much about the kingdom, and we lost it all before I had a chance to really learn anything firsthand. The past two decades haven't prepared us for this. And yet, the Triad and the Emperor and our dearest family and friends seem so sure of us. What if I make things even worse than Hess has? What if I fail you and our children?"

He shook his head and sighed, trying to collect himself. "I'm sorry. This isn't about me. This is about your worries. I will push on and do what needs to be done, but... Love, if you don't want those responsibilities or that title, you don't have to take them. I can take on stewards and you can just worry about the children and our family life. I wouldn't force a crown on anyone, much less the woman I love." He reached across to lay a hand over hers, squaring his shoulders and putting on a focused, brave face. "I promised Ashien I would take care of you. And by God, I will not drag you into something you aren't ready for, nor will I pull you down with me if I fail. I've made arrangements long in advance for you and the children to be cared for if this doesn't work out. It wouldn't be luxury, but your Aunt Kayla has helped me make sure you will have a home, work, and opportunities in Norway no matter what happens to me and England as a whole. I promise." It was the first he'd mentioned of such arrangements. Edward always planned for multiple outcomes and even failure, but this was an additional level of safeguarding he'd kept entirely to himself and Kayla.

 

[heartofcourage]

Ashleigh was stunned when he confessed that he had made arrangements for her and the children if something happened in England. He had never spoken a word of it to her and she gripped her hand tightly in return. "Edward, I would never leave your side willingly. We made that promise together."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I won't hold you to such a dangerous promise if things get bad," Edward assured her quietly. "But no matter what, I want to make sure we put the children above me and the throne. If things do start to go wrong... I want them sent to Norway for safety. I don't know what will happen. I won't pretend I have it all handled and accounted for. Even with Northern and Imperial support, I could fail. But at the very least, the children will be safe and still have a future. That's the most important thing no matter what the two of us do. I think we can agree on that, can't we?"

 

[heartofcourage]

She gave him a small nod as he spoke of their children and their future. "The three of them will be cared for."

Ashleigh stood from her seat and soon sat in his lap, her arms wrapping around his broad chest as she pulled herself close. It was a familiar form of comfort for the two of them, one that had endured since the early days of their relationship. When the world was too much, there was at least someone who understood.

"I'm sorry that I ever doubt you." She murmured softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Never apologize for that. I need someone to doubt and check me," Edward murmured as he let her lean into his chest. "There are too many people who won't question me out of respect for my family. I need a realistic person beside me."

Kissing her forehead, he brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "I love you. And I'll fight through Hell itself to make sure you and the children have a good place in this world. And maybe... Just maybe, with all the support we have... We can make England a good and fair country."

 

[heartofcourage]

Ashleigh nodded as he made those promises, holding her tightly as he often did. He had a vision for the future and even if she had a hard time understanding how it would all come about, he seemed confident that it would be reality.

"You're not giving Royse a palace." Ashleigh murmured after a few moments. "I know she has you wrapped around her little finger, but our children will not grow spoiled."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If she wants a palace, she'll have to win it or build it," Edward assured her before offering a smile. "And considering how she is... I think she'll consider that a challenge. Who knows? Maybe she'll design an estate for the ages like Ashien did." Lifting a hand to her cheek, Edward kissed her gently. "We can't afford to hand them anything on a silver platter... But we can set them up for success. It'll be up to them to seize it."

 

[heartofcourage]

"How did I get so lucky as to have you in my life?" Ashleigh asked as he cupped her cheek, the smile that grew on her face luminous after such a serious discussion. "My serious, sentimental prince who wrote me poetry every day because he was afraid that he wasn't talking enough to win my heart. Now you're commanding armies and about to rebuild a nation."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not sure if I would call twenty years of struggling against the tides 'luck,' darling," he murmured with a chuckle. "I think I'm the lucky one, to have had you to keep my head above water among many other things." Edward hugged her closer with a soft sigh. "I hope I can make you proud of the England we rebuild. And I promise you'll always be able to see your family. No more spending years apart with only letters connecting you." He'd always felt guilty that she'd followed him to France while the majority of her family was in the Rus and Norway. He'd often worked himself to extremes to help save up for her and the children to visit and he'd made sure she was able to attend most of the family gatherings at Timur Estate, given to Dylandra by Monomakh.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You were what I needed in that moment, and I don't regret anything." Ashleigh said, as sensible as always about the separation that she had experienced when it came to her family.

They had only been married a few months when Edward's grandfather had called him back to France. There was much to do and much that Edward needed to learn, but it would mean that Ashleigh would give up everything she had known. It was the second upheaval in her life in such a short amount of time. Leaving behind Burke, her mother, and her sisters was incredibly difficult after losing her father so tragically, but she had kept her sorrow to herself. Edward didn't need a weeping wife on their travels. He had his own troubles to deal with.

"Edward, love, you have always been enough. With Mummy and Burke here in England, it will make things easier, but you are just as much my family as they are." She insisted.

 

[KieranSoares]

"But they are a different kind of family," Edward insisted softly. "And I never wanted to keep you from them, especially not after your father passed." He sighed quietly and rested his head on her shoulder. "It'll all come together soon... I hope. All we can do is plan and support our family and be grateful to all those risking their lives for this change."

Edward knew it wouldn't be long before their peace was interrupted by daily tasks and war again. He rarely showed such vulnerability but in that moment he let Ashleigh see just how much it was weighing on him to know he would be a King soon. Not unlike Sam, Edward was dedicated but felt like he wasn't quite good enough for the leadership everyone trusted him with.

 

[heartofcourage]

Ashleigh soaked in the last few moments with her husband before he was called away to his duties, trusting that he would do his best by his country and by his family. Across the estate, Fiona and Sam slept in, undisturbed by their own duties or staff. Fiona had finally drifted to sleep sometime after Sam, fitful but rest none the less.

She dreamed of a battle much like the one she had last had in Scotland. The forest was aflame again, thick smoke almost choking her. She was out of breath, exhausted, covered in soot and gore, but she had to keep fighting. Her sword drug through the debris beside her as she walked, wind battering ash into her face as she approached a figure that was just beyond in a clearing. She had been chasing him, waiting for him for what seemed like an eternity.

"Barbarossa." She muttered, the figure in the gilded armor turning to look at her. "I killed you once and I'll do it again."

The figure raised his own sword as she dug deep and found her fight. She couldn't back down yet. She lifted her sword to the ready, weary blue eyes taking in his every movement. The clash between the two of them was bone jarring. Fiona gritted her teeth as their sword met, grinding as their eyes met briefly and then she shoved him away.

"There's no way." She murmured, disbelief coloring her voice. "Joachim..."

It wasn't Frederick Barbarossa the specter that she was fighting against...but the emperor that had sworn to fight alongside of them. Fiona woke with a start, her breathing harsh as she shoved herself away from the pillows to sit up right. She couldn't breathe, she thought as a hand went to her throat and her heart hammered in her chest.