AN: More Bloodraven/Shiera, Yes, I realize I have a problem. XD
He sometimes wonders if he loves her. But what is love? He desires her for certain, only a fool would not. But his desire for her goes beyond the needs of flesh. More than her touch, he wants her face to glow softly with a smile. More than her endless limbs wrapped around him, he longs to run his fingers through her silver hair. He craves the sparkle in her eyes more than he does his own name drawn with a lusty breath from her lips.
Others might pray to false Gods but Brynden knows whom he will always warship.
She knows it is unwise and yet she continues to throw caution to the winds. All the summers of her lifetime put together cannot stave off the winters yet to come, and this is the excuse she gives herself whenever she tries to justify herself and Bloodraven.
If there is one thing Shiera has learned to believe in, it is man's evil nature. It has never let her down, until now. For when his lordship comes to her, she cannot sense evil intent. It takes a long time to realize he only comes to her for her, and nothing else.
He brings her a white rose when he can, hidden carefully under his cloak so no one would see how truly fond he is of her. She smiles when he hands it to her without a word. No words are exchanged between them but the rose somehow always finds its way in her hair the next day. And stays there until he has had a chance to pick her another.
Her handmaids cannot understand why she would wear a wilted flower in her hair. This makes her smile even more, as she arranges her curls elaborately around the drooping petals.
End Note: My theme song for this ship is now "Ghost of a Rose" by Blackmore's Night.