Hi, everyone! I apologize in advance for how short this chapter is :( I tried splitting them up differently, but I had to keep this one this length. So, I'm sorry!

Thank you to Mia78 for the reviews!

Here's Chapter 13!


"I wish we could wear our Nightingale armor in the Guild," Iris muses, shifting the bundle in her arms.

"Aye, me too. It's so much easier to move in than our Guild armor."

The two Nightingales arrive at Honeyside, and Iris takes her key from her pocket, unlocking the door. Bryn and Iris walk inside, stowing their Nightingale armor in the chest by her bed.

"How far is Irknghand from here?" she asks, stepping back outside.

"About a nine-hour walk."

She closes the door behind him, locking it and intending to go with him to the market to stock up on supplies. But a certain someone approaches them.

"Vex?" Bryn spots their fellow thief before she does.

"You two heading to the Flagon?" Vex asks, crossing her arms.

"Oh, we were actually going to stop by the market—"

"Come to the Flagon first. Delvin and I need to talk to both of you," Vex interrupts her.

"Is everything okay?" Bryn's eyebrows furrow.

"Just be there as soon as you can. It's important." Vex glares at Iris before stalking off.

"What was that all about?" Iris wonders, watching Vex disappear into the cemetery before hearing the stone-on-stone sound of the sarcophagus opening.

"No idea." He fidgets nervously. "But we should probably go at once. Maybe they have information about Mercer."

"But we already know where he is."

"But they don't know that yet."

She nods, following him to the cemetery.

"Looks like the market will have to wait," she comments, pulling the chain and closing the sarcophagus above them, bathing them in darkness. "And killing Mercer."

"Just for a little. I doubt this will take long." He sighs. "I don't know why I'm nervous."

"Maybe we're getting kicked out of the Guild." She smirks, shrugging. "Their loss. I would've been a hell of a Guildmaster."

He smiles, squeezing her arm. "Let's get down there and find out."

"Any word on Mercer?" Rune asks Iris as she descends the ladder.

She shakes her head. "Nothing. I'm starting to worry we won't be able to find him."

"Don't lose hope yet, lass," Bryn tells her.

The two Nightingales move around the Cistern, heading to the Flagon.

"Is it bad that it's easy to lie to them?" Iris whispers.

"It was easy for you to lie to me, wasn't it?"

She cringes, opening her mouth to spew out another apology.

"I didn't mean it like that, lass. I'm just saying, it's always been easy for you to lie. Which can be a good thing, but only if I know you've told me the truth."

"I'm sorry, Bryn."

"You don't have to apologize." He nods to the door to the Flagon. "Let's go see what they want."


"Have a seat," Vex gestures sarcastically to two chairs set up across from hers and Delvin's. She narrows her eyes when she notices how closely Iris and Bryn stand. Not for much longer, she thinks.

The two lovers sit down, eyeing each other warily.

"What's this all about, Vex?" Bryn asks, leaning back in his chair. "Did you find out where Mercer is?"

"No. This is different," Delvin answers instead. He takes a deep breath. "Vex and I have some…concerns. Regarding you two."

Vex smiles smugly to herself when she spots Iris stiffen ever so slightly.

"What about us?" she asks, her voice sounding completely unperturbed.

"I received word that you were spotted going to Iris's, and that you didn't leave until the next morning," Vex addresses Bryn. "The Guild is in a bad spot right now. We can't afford another Gallus and Karliah."

"We didn't—"

"With this whole Mercer thing, we can't afford for two of our best thieves to become distracted and muck everything up," Vex speaks over the Breton's protests.

"Vex and I think it best that you don't see each other outside of the Guild," Delvin interjects.

Bryn laughs mirthlessly. "What is this, an intervention? You don't have the right to tell us when we can see each other."

"We can't risk Mercer getting away because of this…thing between you."

"There's nothing going on between us," Iris states assuredly. "Believe me. Yes, he's my best friend, and yes, sometimes he stays the night because he can't sleep in the Cistern, but that doesn't mean we're…you know." Iris shakes her head.

Vex studies Iris's face. If Vex didn't know any better, she'd think Iris was telling the truth. But she does know better.

"Even so, it's best for the Guild if you don't see each other outside of here," she stands her ground. "Just in case."

"But we've been looking for Mercer. How do you expect us to do that if we're not allowed to see each other?" Bryn asks, his voice hardened.

"Bring your separate findings here. We'll debrief each other," Delvin says.

"But that's just a waste of time. It'd be much more efficient if—"

"That's the end of it. If we find out you've broken this rule, drastic measures will be taken," Vex threatens.

Iris scoffs. "Drastic measures? What, will you kick us out of the Guild?"

"Yes, actually." She watches smugly as Iris's true expression finally breaks through her mask.

"This is ridiculous—"

"Everyone is in agreement, Brynjolf," Delvin says gently.

"You can't do this," Iris snarls.

Bryn places a hand on her arm, shaking his head. "They can, lass."

Vex grins as the blood drains from Iris's pretty face.

She turns back to Vex and Delvin.

"Okay, well, is that all? Or do you have any other concerns?" she sneers.

"No. That's all."

Iris and Bryn get to their feet; the Breton approaches her and Delvin.

"I nearly died for the Guild, and I'd do it again. If that doesn't tell you what I put first, then that's your fucking problem—"

"Iris." Brynjolf finds Iris's arm and guides her away, out of the Flagon.

Sighing, Vex looks to Delvin.

"Well, that went well," he utters sarcastically. "That Iris is one hell of a firecracker."

"I still don't like her."


"They can't do this, Bryn," Iris sputters, pacing back and forth. "Threatening to kick us out of the Guild? We have to see each other outside of the Guild! We're Nightingales now! We have to meet Karliah at Irkngthand! If they find out we went—"

"Iris, calm down." He catches her shoulders. "They can do it, and they did. There's nothing we can do about it now."

"Oh, so you're just going to go along with it? It isn't right, Bryn. I mean, I'd understand if we were in an actual relationship, but we aren't. They don't even have solid proof!"

"I know, love. I know. Just—" He stops, swiping a hand over his eyes and groaning. "We shouldn't have let it get this far." He opens his eyes to find Iris's filled with hurt.

"Do you regret it?" she asks in a small voice.

"No. Never," he tells her firmly. "Maybe we should have tried harder to hide it."

"I didn't know it was obvious to everyone else. I mean, I didn't think anyone would notice us."

He laughs softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's hard for people to not notice you, Iris. You have this…air of mystery, allure. Not to mention the fact that you're the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes upon and the best damn thief to join in decades."

She scoffs lightly, looking away.

He gently places a finger under her chin, turning her face toward his. "It'll be alright, love."

She shakes her head. "You don't know that."

"Iris. Trust me. It will all be alright." His thumb strokes her cheek, and he longs for her lips on his again. But he forces himself to let go of her and to take a step back.

She watches him with sad eyes, knowing that it has to be done.

"I'm sorry," he apologizes. "This is all my fault. After I thought you had…died, I…I didn't really deal well with it. I started messing up jobs; I was getting sloppy. I just…couldn't stop thinking about you and what I'd lost. And then I found you again, alive. It was like a second chance. I wasn't strong enough to keep myself from you. I'm still not. The others saw how…distracted I was after your death, they knew I'd jump right back in after we found out the truth. I should've…kept myself from doing it. But I was selfish. And now I've put you in jeopardy."

"I don't care." She grips his arm, her gaze intense. "When I was lying there in the snow, bleeding out from Mercer's stab wound, the first person I thought of was you. I thought of how it'd be for you if I died, and it broke my heart. I was filled with regret for what we never acted on and sadness for never being able to. But then I woke up, and I was alive, and you were there. The Gods had you find me for a reason, Bryn. That wasn't just a coincidence. I'll respect your decision if you don't want to risk getting kicked out of the Guild; I know how important it is to you. But know that I'd be willing to take that risk, if you ever decide you want to. But I won't be upset if you choose not to. It's a big risk to take. Just know I'm here if you ever want me."

"I don't want to make you wait for me. You shouldn't have to."

"I want to." She stares up at him with her gorgeous violet eyes. "I'll let you think about it, of course. For now, we have bigger things to worry about. Like Mercer. And the fact that your armor is at my house." She cracks a small smile, which he returns.

"We're Nightingales, Iris. I'm sure Nocturnal will help us slip in and out unnoticed." He lightly kisses her cheek. "Thank you."

"Anything for you."

He'll think about her offer, for sure. He just needs to think of all the cons of no longer being a part of the Guild so he can prepare himself.


Uh oh, I told you things wouldn't stay the same between them! Forbidden love! My favorite kind :D

Thanks so much for reading, and be sure to favorite, follow, and review!