The North (Closed)

[heartofcourage]

Jane turned to look at Ramsey as he offered her a glass of wine for her nerves, pondering what he had just said about Fiona Blackstone. Was her husband the superstitious sort? She had never met anyone before that truly believed in witchcraft.

“I think it’s all a fairytale.” Jane said softly as she gave him a nod and took the offered glass. “Made up to scare children. No woman can be as powerful as they say she is.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Considering she nearly broke Markos's mind today, I have to imagine she's at least as powerful as he is." Ramsey mulled over the thought as he poured their glasses.

Jane had only met Markos Karides in passing once, but she'd heard plenty of rumors about him. As a Greek man, he was already alien to the Scots. His superstitions and tattoos and strange behavior led everyone to believe he was a bit mad, and his Caller status also marked him as a witch in Royer's eyes. Like Blair, Royer had freed Markos from captivity, but not because Markos was a were. He'd been jailed in Italy for outwardly defying the Catholic Church in the name of the old Greek gods, practicing "heathen rituals" in the Church's eyes. When it was learned he was a Caller and he confessed it proudly, the Church was going to have him burned at the stake. Brennan Royer, seeing an opportunity, managed to get him out of it in exchange for Markos's loyalty and a promise to the Church that Markos would put his skills to use for the benefit of Christendom.

Ramsey drained half his glass and took a seat on the edge of his bed, still mulling over thoughts of the coming day and the reality of facing Fiona Blackstone. "We've got quite a fight on our hands... but my father is prepared. If anyone stands a chance to defy the Northern Alliance, it's us."

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane looked down into the wine that had been placed in her hands. Ramsey seemed so convinced that they were on the right side of the fight with their caller and their forces. She wasn’t so convinced, even if her father were the king’s right hand at the moment.

“I know my duty is to be a caring wife and give you sons.” She murmured, looking up at him with her dark eyes. “But I hope that perhaps in time we can be friends as well. Our fathers forced us into this position but that doesn’t mean we can’t make the best of it.”

She moved closer to him and took a seat beside him, her wine still untouched as he finished half his glass. It had been one of many through the evening for him.

“I know your mistress was here today.” She reached up and tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear, daring to glance over at him as she said that. “My father has one as well. I hope that she at least makes you happy.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Ramsey stiffened a bit as she mentioned his mistress, but his shoulders relaxed slightly as she didn't seem to want to challenge it. "I'll be direct with you, Jane. We know this marriage is political and we don't know the first thing about each other. We don't need to have a fairytale romance and you don't even have to like me. You can pursue whatever projects and people you like, and I'll do the same. Any children we have, we will raise together with a unified front at the very least. I'd like to have at least a warmer relationship with them than mine with my own mother."

He was treating the marriage like what it really was: a political deal. He liked Jane well enough and she was lovely to look at, but he clearly didn't intend anything more serious. If what Jane had heard of his mistress was correct, he'd been with the woman for a few years already. But he couldn't marry her because she was not only a commoner, but a known former courtesan. Brennan wouldn't allow such a match.

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane nodded, agreeing to his terms for the marriage. She was free to find love if she wished, but first she had a duty to the throne. Downing her own wine, she let out a long sigh.

“I suppose we should get this over with then.” She said softly. “Then I can retire to my chambers and leave you in peace.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Placing aside their glasses, Ramsey rose and kicked off his boots and tossed his shirt aside. He was slim and fairly handsome, his skin unflawed by scars or weathering like his father. And as he returned to Jane's side, he at least had the courtesy to be gentle as he drew her against his side and offered his help to unlace her dress.

"As to your suggestion before... Yes, I would like to be friends. No sense in loathing each other when we have to work and live together," he muttered. "My parents tolerate each other. I'd rather be a little more friendly than that."

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane was stiff as Ramsey returned to bed, stripped to the waist. She leaned into his side as he worked the ties of her gown free and their lips met for the first time outside of their sealing kiss. Her heart was absolutely racing as she helped him to slip the heavy material off her shoulders and soon she was in a similar state as he, clad only in her thin chemise.

“I’m sorry. I’m not sure what to do…” She murmured, so nervous and afraid that she was going to do something that might make him upset.

Jane gasped as her chemise was pulled away and she was soon naked in front of a man for the first time in her entire life.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I didn't expect I'd have someone who's never been touched," he muttered, quietly surprised and even amused. Perhaps he was too used to doing whatever he liked, that he hadn't considered other nobles might be more chaste. It was clear he appreciated the beauty before him, but now that he was focused, his arousal became clear.

Jane was soon pressed back into the rich sheets, her new husband looming above her. He looked her over with a light smile, unbuttoning his trousers before his hands hooked behind her knees and slowly parted her thighs. "We'll take things slow tonight," he told her quietly, making good on his intentions to treat her cordially. "And perhaps I can teach you some things to make our time more... Enjoyable?"

 

[heartofcourage]

“Teach me?” Jane asked softly as he looked over her, pressing her against the sheets as he parted her thighs and left her exposed. “What could there be to teach?”

 

[KieranSoares]

"My dear lady, there is so much more to bedding someone than just aiming to have children," he chuckled. "Don't let the Church tell you otherwise." He drew her hips in and she could feel his cock radiating heat as it pressed to her untouched folds. His own hips pushed forward and he leaned down to kiss her again, offering a bit of sweetness in an anxious moment for her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane gasped as he pressed in close, his hands closing around her hips. When he captured her lips in a kiss, she was entirely distracted as he pressed deeply into her body. She whimpered, squirming at the intrusion until it turned painful and she tore her lips away from his to yelp. Her fingers dug against the sheets as they both stilled for a moment. At his first testing thrust, she let out another gasp, her dark eyes clenching close at the sensation that coursed through her. It was enough to have her clenching around him, her fingers moving from the sheets to his shoulders.

“Oh God.” She whispered to herself, losing herself in the moment and allowing herself to enjoy this just a little bit.

 

[KieranSoares]

"There you go," he said with a grin as he saw her begin to enjoy herself. He had been looking forward to this all evening. He set an easy pace, letting her get used to the basics of their game before he tried anything else.

Keeping his grip on her thighs, he encouraged her to move her hips and work with him. Soon he was leaning down, a broad hand cupping her breast while his tongue circled around her nipple, testing to see how she liked it.

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane gasped loudly as he suckled on her breast, her toes curling as Ramsey proved to be a giving lover. She moved as he instructed, pleasure making goosebumps break out along her skin. It wasn’t long before she came with a cry, the surprise clear in her eyes as she stared up at her new husband. Her entire body quaked as she reached a new height that she had never been to before.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ramsey grinned, quite pleased with himself at bringing her to a peak so quickly. He wasn't terribly far behind, though, and soon he drew her into his arms, holding her tightly to his chest and pinning her to the sheets with a few final, powerful thrusts. His dark grunts of pleasure were almost animalistic, filling her belly with another new sensation as their union was properly sealed.

When he sat back on his knees panting lightly, he seemed to have a new appreciation for her. "I'd normally spend an hour playing and romping with a lovely lady... But I don't want to overwhelm you so early." Leaning down, he offered a gentle kiss. It certainly wasn't romantic, but it was kinder than one might expect of a prince who put no stock in love. "Pamper yourself and enjoy the trappings of royalty, my dear lady," he encouraged with a smile.

Little did the prince know, there was someone waiting for Jane in her own chambers, hidden away til they had her alone to speak.

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane couldn’t help but feel claimed as Ramsey came, filling her with his seed and growling darkly against her ear. She shivered as he pulled back, giving her a kiss and telling her to enjoy all that royalty could give her.

As soon as she was free, she carefully climbed out of bed and dressed in silence, glancing over her should to take a look at her husband as he lounged in the aftermath of their union. Her cheeks flushed red as she turned back and finished lacing her gown.

“Goodnight, my lord.” She said softly, giving him a soft and shy smile as she left his chambers and walked to her own.

Her chambers were still bare, unadorned like Ramsey’s were. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against the portal and let her eyes close. She was a princess now, the mother of the future heir, a world away from her life in the country. She didn’t know if she could ever grow use to this.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Jane."

A voice came from beside her wardrobe where a shadowed figure was tucked into the corner out of immediate sight of the door. In the dim light cast in from lanterns outside, Jane could make out pale skin and pale golden hair, but the rest of the woman's form was hidden by a cloak and dark armor. Blair had slipped away from her half-sister and Ezra, promising not to cause an incident but insisting there was something she needed to do.

Staring at her childhood best friend, Blair stepped forward with obvious trepidation as though she was worried Jane might call for the guards. They'd met when Blair was only six years old, shortly after she and her mother were given a home among Clan Royer in the northern islands. Jane's own clan was their immediate neighbor, and while most others had reviled or feared the Wolf and the "half-blood" as Blair was regarded, a small handful of people had been kind and welcoming. And among them all, Blair had adored Jane most. And when Blair had learned she might be a Blackstone and her father lived, Jane had been the person she spilled her worries and secrets to. She held Jane and her dragon partner Hadvar just as dearly as her mother, so it was perhaps not such a big surprise that she'd return to see her friend who'd just married into the family that Blair had now been pitted against.

"I'm sorry to sneak up on you," Blair said softly. "And I'm sorry I missed your wedding. Things are... difficult right now."

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane’s eyes snapped open at the sound of her name, her startled gaze finding the intruder and just before she called for help she noticed Blair’s familiar face.

“You left in the night.” Jane said softly. “Without even a goodbye.”

The friendship between the two women had always been fast, both of them comfortable with their roles in life. Blair had been called to serve the king and Jane had been called to marry his son, even if it’s not what either of them had ever truly wanted. Jane’s father had always suspected that Blair might hold sway over his daughter, but their friendship had never gone further than just that.

“It doesn’t matter anymore, I suppose.” Jane moved away from the doors and into her chambers. “Our union is sealed, a dowry has changed hands, and we can never go back to the way things were.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Blair's brows furrowed as Jane admitted the union was sealed, but it was unclear exactly the emotion she felt. "I had to go. For my mother's sake. And then they took Owen Blackstone and nearly Fiona as well. I... I can't serve the Royers anymore, Jane. But I came back for you. I know you don't want this life. And I don't want you to end up imprisoned or dead when Katherine Ghis storms this castle. Royer can't win this fight. I've seen what the North has in their arsenal, and their agents are constantly sabotaging and reporting back. I don't want to lose you in all of this."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Blair.” Jane said as she turned back to look at her. “It’s too late. I’m in this whether I wish to be or not.”

“My father sold us for his own greed. My brothers will die in battle and the best that I can hope for is to be pregnant when Queen Katherine reaches the gates of the city. Maybe she’ll have mercy on me.” Jane knew her reality and had seen it that evening when Royer had gained a promise from her that she would lead should Ramsey fail.

“You’ve been my best friend since childhood.” Jane said softly as she stepped up to the other woman, gently resting out to touch her cheek. “You deserve happiness. I hope that Fiona Blackstone can give it to you.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"You can walk away," Blair nearly whispered, lifting a hand to Jane's. "I got in without a problem. I can get you out. Hadvar's waiting just outside the city..." She took Jane's hand in both her own. "Please, Jay... I love you. Don't make me live without you. You deserve so much better than this. You don't have to be beholden to a clan that never thought of you as more than a tool."

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane closed her eyes, tears wetting her lashes as Blair begged her to leave. “He would kill me.”

“Why didn’t you just stay? You could have stayed for me.” She whispered. “He said I can choose my own path. He has his mistress. You could have been here.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I had to know if my father really was Owen Blackstone," Blair murmured, though there was immense guilt there. "And you know as well as I do that Royer can't win this fight. I didn't want to die for a man who only treated me like a tool. I never intended to leave you behind, that's why I'm here now. I would die for you in a moment if that's what you asked of me. But I would rather live beside you. I can protect you from the Royers and your father."

Blair pressed a kiss to the back of Jane's hand. That simple motion held years of adoration and loyalty. Even if they'd never expressed a love deeper than friendship, Jane had long known Blair was hopelessly in love. But as two women in a society dominated by men and the Church, it had never been possible to pursue.

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane pressed her forehead against Blair’s, torn as to what she should do. If she went with Blair, she could never go home. If she stayed, her soul was sold to service to the Royers.

“I’m damned no matter what I do.” Jane whispered as she leaned in and kissed Blair, their lips meeting with the same chaste passion that she had only just learned from Ramsey.

 

[KieranSoares]

Blair felt her heavy heart suddenly soar as Jane kissed her, and she instantly wrapped her up in a tight embrace when their lips parted. Blair buried her face against the taller woman's shoulder. "I'll take care of you. I promise."

When she pulled back, Jane saw Blair look to the window. She knew how to spot when Blair was connecting with Hadvar, clearly warning him to be ready. "I know you don't have much here yet, but pack a small bag. I'll make sure you get what you need when we rejoin the Northerners," Blair assured her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane had never been a brave soul, much more timid than Blair, but as she told her to gather some things and ready herself to go, Jane didn’t hesitate. She gathered a few items into a bag and found her plain black cloak. Handing the bag to Blair, she clipped her cloak securely before turning back to face Blair.

“You’re sure about this?” Jane asked.