Chapter 1: Miscommunication is an issue
WARNING:
This AU takes place before the events of 'Realm Reborn' and after 'Endwalker'
Eventual Polyamory: G'raha Tia / WoL [kind of] / G'raha Tia [[m/f | m/m | m/f/m content ahead]]
On the day of her seventeenth birthday, Surr sighed with frustration as she tightened her arms around the book she was holding, lost in thoughts as she headed down the spiraling corridor in Limsa Lominsa. Her carbuncle chattered quietly as it followed her steps, waving its three red tails with agitation – an answer to her own emotions.
Not that she was upset… as she told herself over and over, narrowing her dark-purple eyes and staring dead ahead with a dark scowl on her delicate features. Or nervous. Nope, now way!
Who cares that her friends seemed to forget about her birthday? Or that she was heading toward her last exam at Arcanist Guild? After today, she'll be officially an Arcanist, finally! She'll be free to do whatever she wanted! Maybe travel around Eorzea… She could sign into Adventurers Guild anytime – and then her friends will be sorry when she leaves for a long time!
Oh, Twelve, who was she kidding?! They probably wouldn't even care, anyway… Not after last time… She knew she could only blame herself for how they were ignoring her in the last few days!
But… it's not like she could force herself to feel something she didn't, right?
"It's beyond… ridiculous, Azem," she murmured, glaring down at her red carbuncle and it chattered back as if agreeing. Though it wasn't very common, she named her carbuncle years back when she first started her lessons at the Guild – the creature fast becoming her best friend. The name came from Azeyma, the goddess from the Twelve her parents worshiped – the only leftover from the tribe they decided to leave behind to build their new life in Eorzea before they had her. "That Diara would get so upset over this… whole thing. It's not like I'm obliged to accept her brother's advances because she's my friend, right? It's not my fault that that moron convinced himself that my… flirting means I'm in love with him!" she scoffed, wrinkling her nose and tightening her arms around her book as she passed the huge crystal of the Aetheryte in the main plaza and headed toward the corridor containing the stalls of the city's merchants.
She maneuvered carefully between the people of all races milling about the place – as busy as ever when she visited the city – waving toward the few familiar faces but keeping her steps determined… She was already almost late and didn't have time to stop and chat or check out the wares of the traders as she would usually do. Though… maybe on the way back she should buy herself something to celebrate her birthday…? Maybe a hairpin to keep her unruly, pearly-white locks in order?
Her mom, T'meto, warned her over breakfast that she and her dad planned to take her out for dinner in the evening – to celebrate her birthday and her 'sure' passing of the exam at the same time… She should make herself presentable in case they run into any of her friends… Just to show them she was completely fine without them!
At the door of the Arcanist Guild, she took a deep, steadying breath and took on a confident expression before heading inside – in thoughts praying to Azeyma for luck.
Three bells later, she exited the same door, and let her fake smile drop right outside of it. She passed, of course, even despite her distraction… After all, she prepared for it for weeks! That the exam fell right on her birthday… seemed like the punishment of the gods, really – but it was also partially to blame for her situation with Diara and her brother.
Normally, as she enjoyed the simple joy of flirting – she knew where to draw the line… to not hurt anyone. Or so she hoped, anyway. But between her studies, as Diara's year older brother started to suspiciously often hang around their group – she was too distracted to really pay attention and notice in time that he seemed to… have a crush on her. So when he approached her – she as usual had her fun – fluttering her long lashes, sending smiles and grins his way – and as normally the boys around her knew not to treat her seriously… he seemed to take it for a sure sign that she returned his… feelings.
Jessel, as was his name, and Diara were Hyurs that moved to Limsa Lominsa about two years back from Ul'dah. Surr met Diara at the Arcanist Guild – and they became fast friends, despite the fact that Diara was two years older than her. She liked her… despite quickly noticing that the lovely Hyur with blond hair and green eyes had no idea about dealing with Miqo'te. Or with Seekers of the Sun in particular.
Not that she could really blame her for that. Limsa Lominsa was quite famous for having the highest population of Miqo'te out of the three city-states of Eorzea – so most of the citizens of the other races were quite used to their… quirks. That's why most of her male friends knew not to treat her flirting seriously – aware that if she was actually interested in them – well, Seekers strictly followed their race's customs. Customs her parents drilled in her head throughout her childhood.
Her people had very specific courting rituals – and she was quite aware of them – she just never met anyone who would… sent her heart aflutter and warranted her real attention. Flirting was the way of Hyurs and Elzen, really… and as she grew up between them, she found it amusing – but never treated it as anything more than simple entertainment. Only… Diara and her brother by extension, thought of Miqo'te as Hyurs with… extra appendages – and as occasionally annoying she found that way of thinking – she didn't consider the ramifications of that fact in this… sort of situation.
So when Jessel cornered her the other evening, when she met her friends at the Drowning Wench, and tried to kiss her… She acted on instinct, kicking him where it hurt the most. And she was honestly… surprised when Diara blew up at her for that. Calling her a violent freak and turning the rest of their group against her…
"Excuse me, miss?" a low, calm voice caught her attention and she blinked hard, suddenly torn out of her musing. She turned her head toward it with a frown… that quickly turned into a furious blush as her jaw dropped at the sight of the absolutely gorgeous Seeker who leaned against the wooden pillar at the exit leading toward the ferry dock. The first thing that caught her attention was his eyes – and her heart stuttered nervously as their gazes met. She had never seen someone with an eye color like that: a deep, fiery crimson. Surrounded by a veil of dark-red lashes, they shone with an emotion she had no idea how to read – but they still stole her breath. His hair were red as well – long and pulled back in a braid – and she caught herself thinking that she would love nothing more than sink her fingers in them… His lips were simply beautiful, looking so soft and plush as they tilted in a delicate, friendly smile.
Twelve preserve… she never saw a more beautiful man in her life… and her heart went absolutely insane and her blush only grew darker when he pushed off the pillar and neared her slowly. He was taller than her – which with her miserable height wasn't much of a feat – but didn't tower over her as most did… And despite his quite… loose attire, consisting of dark pants and a grey tunic with a dark-red vest over it – he seemed quite… muscular. He also looked to be at least a few years older than her – definitely not a boy… And as he stopped maybe two steps away from her and her sensitive nose picked up his scent… oh, gods…
Enough said… he looked like a dream come true. And she was staring like a moron… with her mouth agape in astonishment.
"Y-yes?" she stammered, then cleared her throat lightly and hugged her book against her chest harder, trying to collect her scattered thoughts as she lowered her eyes to his collar shyly – focusing it on a small, blue crystal hanging on the necklace around his throat. Instantly regretting that she didn't think… to dress better for her exam – instead picking a simple camise and a skirt, with long, thigh-high boots.
"Ah, my apologies if I startled you," he said softly, and gods, his voice… so low and with this… soothing quality that had her knees feel weak. She felt her tail wave with agitation – and quickly put a stop to that – mortified as her blush only went darker. She didn't dare to rise her gaze – despite dying to see those beautiful eyes again. "I just… arrived, you see," he motioned behind him and her eyes automatically ran toward the woman attending the booth at the ferry's entrance. "And as you look like a quite… kind girl, I was hoping you could show me where to find an inn in this city," he smiled at her sheepishly when next her eyes shot toward his face… and her heart doubled its rhythm instantly.
Twelve… his eyes… Their expression was… strange as they trailed over her face… but she could hardly pay it any mind as she drowned in their fiery depths. And when they positively… sparked with amusement and something… else – she had to be mistaken in reading – she flustered, realizing she was staring again.
"Ah, y-yes…" she stammered again, dropping her eyes to the ground between them. Azem chattered softly, stepping around her feet and heading toward the stranger, to soon sniff at his high, dark boots. "Azem, heel!" she snapped nervously and her familiar flinched, backing away instantly and stopping next to her feet. "S-sorry, sir," she said softly, peering up at him again through her lashes with uncertainty and her heart fluttered helplessly when he smiled at her reassuringly, though his eyes… darkened considerably. Was he… upset? "He's curious by nature," she added unnecessarily, stepping from one foot to the other and flushing darker. "But… yeah, I can show you the way, sir, it's… it's not far."
"Thank you," he grinned at her, flashing his white teeth and her stupid heart nearly stopped at the sight. "I would really… appreciate that, miss…?"
"S-Surr…" she cleared her throat, and with effort tore her gaze from his mesmerizing eyes. "Surr Kirh, at your service," she smiled with a shaky, uncertain smile, then took a deep, calming breath and turned around, toward the corridor leading back to the markets. "Ah, this way, sir."
"Ah, please call me 'Raha'," he said smoothly and joined her side when she headed toward the Drowning Wench and the inn in it. "Being addressed as 'sir' makes me feel old."
No tribe letter? Did he grow up in a city, like her?
"Ah, of course, as you w-wish," she giggled softly, trying to cover her nerves as her grip around her book tightened almost painfully, but she forced herself to stare dead ahead, or else his eyes were bound to hypnotize her again and she's going to make an even bigger idiot out of herself! "So… what brings you to Limsa Lominsa, Raha?" she asked, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt.
"I was… looking for someone," he replied calmly, though with a… strange undertone in his low voice, and her gaze shot toward him – her blush growing hotter when it met an intent stare of crimson eyes. And when he smiled at her again… oh, gods… Was… was love at first sight really a thing…? Because the way her heart fluttered… oh, Twelve preserve… "But thought – since I don't know how long it'll take – booking a room in an inn for the time of my stay… most reasonable. If only to free my hands," he added with a chuckle, and only now did she notice his right arm was supporting the bag slung over his shoulder. "Oh, a moment, if you please…" he said, bringing her attention again to his pretty lips as they tilted in another friendly smile… Gods, she's going to expire…
"Huh?" she whispered, stopping in the middle of the corridor and blinking at him with confusion.
He smiled again – though with another weird glint in his eyes – before leaving her side and walking over to one of the stalls. Too lost in her stupor, she could only watch, biting her lower lip, as he purchased something and put it in one of the many pockets of his pants, then headed toward her again.
"Sorry," he said with another delicate smile, then motioned toward the path. She blinked hard with surprise, flushed again, then sighed and headed that way, her heart fluttering as he kept up the step with her. "So… if I'm not wrong, the building you exited when we… met, looked like a guild…?"
"Ah, yes, Arcanist Guild," she said quickly, wishing her stupid heart to calm down as she swallowed thickly, and dropped her gaze again. "I am one… Arcanist, I m-mean… Just today passed the last e-exam."
"Ah, then congratulations are in order, I think," he said with obvious amusement, then to her utter shock, wrapped his free hand around her arm and pulled her to a stop. She turned toward him with her heart in her throat, blinking rapidly… and her jaw dropped when he freed one of her hands from around her book, then pulled it toward him and before she could really… react… placed a delicate kiss on top of it, holding her dazed stare in the hypnotic depths of his crimson irises. "Congratulations, Surr," he whispered against her skin and she simply… swoon, blushing furiously and licking her completely dry lips.
"Th-Thank y-you," she stammered, too… out of it to even think to pull her hand back. Even more… confused when he chuckled, then instead of letting her go… intertwined her fingers with his and pulled her further the way leading to the Aetheryte. Feeling the scalding heat of his skin on hers, and the strong grip of his hand… she let him, blushing darkly up to her hairline as her heart went absolutely insane. Not even noticing that he didn't seem to really need the directions as he led her to Drowning Wench… Too dazed by his… intoxicating scent of cinnamon and almonds to even consider something was… wrong, as he calmly booked a room, still holding onto her hand – and even as the innkeeper tossed her a surprised look – she could hardly bring herself to care that he knew her parents well. Too consumed by the onslaught of the completely new emotions to protest when Raha took the key off the innkeeper's hand and then… again pulled her along.
Surr only shook herself out of her stupor when he led her down the slightly dark corridor and stopped at one of the doors, putting the key in their lock. Flushing furiously again, she tried to free her hand from his tight grip… to gasp when instead of letting her go… he pulled her roughly between him and the door, then pinned her against it with his hard, insanely hot body.
"W-What…?" she gasped, staring up at his narrowed eyes and fisted her free hand in his vest, knowing she should push him away, or treat him with her knee, as she did Jessel… but it was sooo hard to think or breath as with every shaky inhale his scent filled her head and lungs. "R-Raha…?"
"Shhh, don't fret, beautiful," he purred, then finally freed her hand to reach inside his pocket, and under her stunned gaze pulled out a gorgeous hairpin decorated with tiny amethysts. With her heart pounding in her throat, she watch in a daze as he moved away slightly and delicately placed the accessory in her hair, clearly admiring the effect with a slight, enamored, smile. "Ah, as I thought when I spotted it… Looks absolutely gorgeous in your hair, Surr."
Her heart thundered between her ears, making them fall flat against her head as she fisted also the other hand in his vest, biting her lip with uncertainty as another dark blush spilled on her face, burning hotly when his eyes dropped to hers. Was it…?
His eyes… looked so strange…
"Ah, I spooked you," he sighed with something like… resignation, lifting his hand to cradle her cheek delicately. "I'm so sorry, love… I promised myself I'll be… that I'll behave properly… but to see you again, after… everything," he sighed again, softly now, then closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. "I missed you so much… so fucking much…"
"Huh?" she hummed with confusion, but despite his weird behavior, and knowing how should she… react….stayed completely still, only gasping delicately when he pushed against her harder, lowering his head as his lips trailed across her cheek. His hand moved to the back of her head, fingers sinking into the base of her braid as he tilted her head slightly.
"They should have never wake me," he murmured – making no sense at all – as his other hand joined the other, holding her head still, but delicately, as his lips brushed the corner of her mouth. "I was not meant to outlive you… I thought I was being… heroic. That… what I did prove you weren't wrong to… love me, but… I was so wrong. So very, very wrong, Surr. The Tower, it kept me alive when I should have died with you. Now… I'm wrong, love. I'm broken. My mind… isn't right. So when they told me of their plans… I stole them. I had to come back. Damn the world… if it's going to take you from me."
"I… I don't under…" she stammered nervously, but didn't get to finish as his lips descended on hers, stealing her breath and mind. She gasped and he used it to plunge his tongue into her mouth, soon exploring and devouring them with mind-shattering desperation. She whimpered breathlessly, shuddering as her hands shot up to wrap around his jaw, losing her mind as his low, insistent purr vibrated on her lips and tongue. Instinctively, she returned the kiss with uncertainty, letting her tongue press against his, and when that tore a hungry growl from his throat, and his hands fell to her hips, then wrapped around her thighs and pulled her up against him, she mewled in need. Her own inviting purrs were nearly choking her as her arms almost involuntarily wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as she melted under the onslaught of sensations.
He tasted… delicious. Like nothing ever before, and her mind swam in a daze his flavor spun over her thoughts. When he snarled against her lips and pulled harder, she whined desperately and shook as she complied without conscious thought, jumping up and coiling her legs around his waist tightly.
"My Surr," he purred against her mouth as he freed her for a breath, and as she panted weakly, fighting to collect her thoughts, he pushed the door behind her open, then coiled his arms around her, stepped inside, and kicked them close. His fiery eyes burned, trailing over her face as he moved deeper into the room, and before she realized his intentions – or even had a space of mind to protest – she found herself on top of a big bed, pinned down under his weight. He purred insistently as he nuzzled against her shoulder, and despite her confusion, she nearly died feeling his erection press between her legs despite the layers of materials between them. She whimpered again, clawing at his back desperately – not even sure if she was trying to push him away or pull him closer as her thighs shook around him. "Hush, my love," he murmured into her skin as one of his hands sneaked under the hem of her skirt and pulled it up around her waist. Then it hooked around her buttock and pulled her tight against him as he rutted into her slowly. She arched with a moan under him, now definitely pulling him closer as the shock of a sensation shot up her spine. "I would n-never hurt you, Surr," he whispered, then delicately nibbled on her shoulder, sending a round of goosebumps across her skin. "Not this… t-time. Just let me… p-please…" he sounded… desperate, spreading delicate, affectionate bites across her shoulder and up her throat to claim her mouth again in a slow, deep kiss as he braced his elbows around her and rolled his hips slowly in the tight embrace of her legs, sending another shock of pleasure up her spine.
Drowning in his taste and as her head filled to brim with his scent – she couldn't help but rock back against his next thrust – mewling softly under his lips as he fed her his hiss. He broke the kiss with a gasp, his beautiful eyes dark and sooo fiery as they caught her dazed stare. She licked her mouth nervously – almost moaning at his lingering flavor on them – blushing furiously up to her hairline when an embarrassingly loud purr slipped her parted lips. She was sooo… confused, and beyond… stunned, but… gods, but he was so utterly gorgeous… And when he growled at her softly and one of his hands moved between their bodies to press against the apex of her thighs over her underwear… She almost choked on another embarrassing mewl as her back arched involuntarily and her long nail dug into his back through his vest and tunic.
"As beautiful as ever, love," he chuckled breathlessly, shuddering almost violently on top of her but his touch was only delicate as his fingers slide under the material and through her soaked folds, to tease at her entrance. "Gods… how I m-missed you…" he almost… whimpered, resting his forehead against her shoulder as one of his fingers slid inside her gently, while his thumb delicately brushed against her clit. She would maybe question the strange statement – she was sure she would never forget him if she saw him before – but she was more than half out of her mind with unbearable pleasure of his touch, rocking her hips against it eagerly as she fisted her hands tighter in the back of his vest, holding on for dear life under the assault on her senses. She gasped and whimpered in turns as he started to pump his finger inside her – soon joined by another – literally dying as the heat seemed to coil low in her belly painfully.
"Ra-Raha…" she whined desperately, shuddering and pleadingly pawing at his back. He growled loudly against her breasts, then his fingers sped up and soon she arched with a shout, that coil snapping and sending waves of unbearable heat across her body. She mewled with bliss at the feeling, melting under him as she struggled to catch her breath.
What that…? Gods, sooo good…
And when he pulled his hand back, delicately fixing her clothes, then settled above her with a loud, content purrs, nuzzling against her shoulder as she shook with aftershocks… Once her mind started to clear… She whimpered with embarrassment, quickly covering her flaming face with her palms.
Oh, Twelve… he was gorgeous but… what the fuck was wrong with her?! To let a total stranger touch her like that?!
"Oh… g-gods…" she gasped, as the image of her father's sure disappointment at her… behavior filled her mind and she whimpered with distress again.
"It's okay, love," this man… this stranger she let… oh, Twelve… he cooed at her, rolling them around and pulling her to rest against his chest as he smoothed his hand over her hair soothingly. "I know, it must be confusing… but it's okay, Surr. You're mine…" his fingers brushed against the hairpin he put in her hair earlier and she stilled utterly, blinking hard at the wall of the room over his arm.
Did he… Did he think he bought her with that… trinket?! That he could do… whatever he pleases…? That it made her… his? Oh, seven hells…
She snapped up with an indignant hiss, scowling darkly at the surprised expression on his handsome face… and despite how her Twelve-forsaken heart fluttered, she scrambled off him and off the bed, almost brutally pulling the hairpin out of her head and tossing it on top of his stomach.
"I'm… n-not going to be… bought!" she hissed furiously, blindly backing away toward the door and glaring daggers at the man as he sat up, to cover her mortification and shame.
"Surr.. wait," he said, soon scrambling after her. "It's not… I can explain, please."
"E-Enough!" she snapped as her back hit the door, then twirled around and pulled them open almost violently. "I d-don't know who you are or… who you t-take me for! But this… this… Ahhh! I never want to see you again!"
She jumped out of the room, slamming the door behind her, and with barely a thought sealing them with a spell. It wouldn't hold for long… but she didn't care, sprinting down the corridor to the echo of a loud shout of her name. Her chest squeezed with shame as she darted out of the Drowning Wench, and straight toward the path leading to the exit of the city and back to the residential area of Limsa Lominsa across the Lower La Noscea. Only outside the gate did she remember that she could just teleport home – cursing her stupidity as hot tears filled her eyes – she did that, landing right in front of the cottage she lived in with her parents and thanking all the possible gods that they weren't home – she darted inside, soon slamming the door of her bedroom loudly behind her.
She dropped to her bed with a whimper, realizing that somewhere along the way she lost track of her book – not that it mattered as she passed her exam anyway and didn't need it anymore. Her new grimoire – a present from her dad, she received over breakfast – sat safely on top of her dresser, next to the elegant hairbrush – a gift from her mom. She curled into a miserable ball, wrapping her arms around her knees tightly and burying her flaming face in them.
G-gods… this was so… messed up! How could she let him…?! And all that… nonsense he spouted, what was that supposed to be?! He behaved like he… knew her, but she was quite sure she has never seen him before! There's just no way she would ever forget those eyes! Or his scent… Or his beautiful, charming smile… Oh, how it lit up those gorgeous, crimson irises…
She whimpered, then sat up and slapped her hands against her cheeks, cursing in her head furiously.
She had to forget about it! Clearly, he thought… Oh, gods… Did he take her for a… whore? Oh, Twelve preserve… Why else such a gorgeous man would… spare her a glance? She wasn't stupid and knew some considered her… pretty, but he was… certainly much out of her level. And that hairpin…
At first – as her stupid heart fluttered when he put it in her hair – she dared to think… it was meant as a courting gift. A sign of his interest… in her affections, but then he should have offered it – and not just… put it in her hair as if… he already owned her!
He must have noticed her… interest. How could he not with the way she acted like a moron – dazed by his looks? Oh, Twelve… and he must have thought… Gods spare her, he was so beautiful, he had to be used to girls swooning at the bare crook of his finger! And she wasn't exactly… any better – acting like a love-struck idiot!
Love at first sight? Gods, she was sooo pathetic! He seemed… Well, he didn't have the tribe letter with his name, so maybe his parents didn't even teach him proper customs…? Or maybe he just didn't care… She heard stories… Her mom even always warned her about the boys using their charms to get under her skirt without any commitment… But she always scoffed at the idea – how could she not when none had ever… When nobody ever made her feel like… this. Like Raha did – without any effort on his part…
She sighed, dropping her hands in her lap and staring at the numbly as her face simply blazed with shame.
Oh, Azeyma… She hoped she'll never see him again!
Surr took a deep, calming breath then steeled her back, and stood up, heading toward her closet. She had to get herself in order before her parents come home and see her sorry state. She didn't need them to ask what happened! She'll shower, change… and forget all about that man!
G'raha snarled, slamming his fist against the closed door, then dropped to his knees and hang his head with a remorseful whine.
He scared her. He planned this so carefully – picking the day of her seventeenth birthday to approach her – remembering how she called it one of her most miserable birthdays with a sheepish giggle as she curled in his arms one night at the Find.
She had fought with her friends – she said, though she wouldn't say about what – and they ignored her that day to punish her… She passed her exam at the Guild – but because of that… fight, she was miserable and then when her parents took her out for dinner in the evening to celebrate – something happened, that had his cheery Warrior's expression tighten into a dark scowl. Despite his probing… she wouldn't say what was it, only pulled his arms around herself tighter.
Soon after this day… Hydealyn was supposed to mark her as her Champion. Give his soulmate the Blessing… that will eventually cost him her life.
What he was determined to prevent.
Fuck Hydealyn and her plans… Fuck the whole world…
And him… the most.
She deserved more. More than what this Blessing will do to her. All the sacrifices, suffering, and pain she went through – before and after their meeting – were too much. As the Ironworks got busy modifying the Crystal Tower for their plans he read… about everything.
About how much the Mothercrystal asked of his girl.
About her death.
He never told them what was his real relationship with the Warrior of Light. Quickly realizing that Biggs the Third was apprehensive of him after he woke up – he wasn't even surprised to learn that between the notes left for them by Cid – was a warning to not open the Tower. Thankfully, though, the great engineer didn't mention the reason behind that warning – only cautioned them to look for a different source of power for their plans.
But the group led by Biggs – desperate – decided not to heed that warning. Without a good reason – the Tower was the surest bet to work as what they needed.
And as confused as he was after waking up… he guessed he must have seemed sane. At first, at least.
They had no idea that his senses were dulled by the feeling of his broken soul bond. That while the Tower kept his body alive in stasis – waking up in the world without her shattered his mind. By the time he could really comprehend what happened – they disclosed their plans to him – and his broken soul latched onto that hope – of seeing her again, of being with her again.
Of saving her – no matter the cost.
She was his life – and the real insanity was leaving her for the hopes of long dead and buried.
He was willing to go along with their plans – until he heard about the place and the moment they wanted him to go back to. That… was unacceptable. So when that day came – he adjusted the destination and the time of his travel… unbeknownst to his… saviors.
But they could only blame themselves, really. They should have headed Cid's warning, after all. He knew that G'raha was a wild card when it came to his soulmate – and even more realized that he should have never outlived her. He was a stupid kit when he sealed the Tower – somehow believing his heroic sacrifice put him above the limitations of his… state. Or maybe he really was naïve enough to hope they'll open it again before long… Before she…
But that didn't matter now… He had a second chance… which he already managed somehow to royally fuck up!
He had to scare her off with his… behavior. But, by the gods… to see her again… To bask in her wonderful scent… All his carefully laid plans paled in comparison!
G'raha expected she'll be a bit… different from the Warrior he fell madly in love with – younger, for one. It was two years before they were originally to meet. Before she would claim him and his heart in one fell swoop, with a mischievous smirk and devious glint in her dark, starry eyes.
Yet the girl he met today… she missed his Warrior's confidence – born of those two years of strife – and was somehow… so much sweeter and delicate. So much so… it sparked his need to protect her to completely new heights.
To let her… stay this way. Free and unbound by duty her destiny was ready to toss on her shoulders. So her dark eyes won't grow to hide her beautiful soul behind the mask of the Warrior.
She deserved more. She deserved better. And he'll be damned if he allows fate to tear her out of his arms again! She was born to be his – as he was born to be hers. Let Hydealyn pick someone else… let his stupid, younger self of this time meet that person…
He could hardly care – Surr was his, always and forever – as they promised each other. His mate, his love… and his wife. Even if she didn't know it yet.
He rose to his feet slowly, sighing as he rested his hands against the door in front of him and focused his gaze on the silver metal of a flawless band around his finger. He pulled his hand back, and rolled it around with his thumb, turning around and heading back toward the bed. He sat down with a deep sigh, then let himself fall back against the mattress and stared at the ceiling overhead – considering his options as he kept playing with his ring slowly – a habit he developed swiftly after their Ceremony. Then he shifted as something poked him in the back, and with confusion pulled out the hairpin from between the sheets, blinking at it for a moment as he turned it around in his fingers slowly.
Then as understanding dawned… his jaw dropped and he slammed his free hand over his eyes with a choked groan.
"Oh, Twelve…" he murmured, then sighed with resignation and glared at the item through his fingers, realizing the gravity of his… misstep.
He thought his… aggressiveness scared her – dazed by her warmth and scent… he didn't really consider… the words she hissed at him as she bolted. 'I'm not going to be bought'… Made so much more sense now! She had no idea that he knew it was her birthday, or that he couldn't help but… see her as his wife. And he was beyond dumb not to think how it'll look!
She had to think… Oh, gods… And his girl was nothing if not proud… He whimpered, closing his eyes and sitting up slowly.
He had to… fix this. Find her and explain… well, not everything – or she's bound to think him as insane as he was – but at least that he never meant this that way! They never went through proper… courting rituals and he just didn't… think of that!
But… how to approach her now that she clearly didn't want to have anything with him after he so… stupidly offended her pride? Showing up at her parents' cottage was a no-go, as how would he explain that he knew where to find her? He knew his mate – if he slipped with his real goal, she would feel honor-bound to accept the Mothercrystal's Blessing. To step on the path that would eventually lead to her doom.
The path he had to keep her from taking.
He opened his eyes, glaring at the hairpin as his thumb rolled his ring around his finger faster – trying to come up with a solution to this… snag.
Well… he knew where she'll be in the evening, didn't he? A restaurant at the Upper Decks – with her parents, so that at least would make her feel secure enough… to maybe at least give him a chance to explain. To… woo her properly, this time.
And if it as well gave him a chance to sate his inborn curiosity about what was the event that brought such a dark scowl on his Warrior's beloved, delicate features… all the better.
He rose to his feet with a new determination, clenching his teeth as he looked toward where he earlier carelessly discarded his bag – right by the door. Then he frowned at the sight of a book next to it… and blushed, realizing she had to drop it when he pulled her inside the room. He sighed, heading toward the both and kneeling… then smiled as a sudden thought struck him. At least it could serve as an excuse for approaching her again. To return it and… apologize for his behavior.
He pushed the book slightly back, then reached inside one of the pockets of his bag – pulling out a simple necklace adorned with exactly the same blue crystal as the one he was wearing around his throat. Pieces of his inheritance – sealed with a spell to serve his means.
His promise and a pact with being that cared for her almost as much as he did. His oath to keep her safe and happy – and invisible to the eyes of the original Primal.
He brought the crystal in level with his gaze… then grinned. He had just an idea of how to turn the situation in his favor…