Chapter 31

Important Matters

Ondolemar lingered for a moment longer, his posture shifting as the commander's mask fell back into place. He moved to his desk and gestured for Aurelia to sit.

Aurelia took a slow, steadying breath as she sank into the chair. Whatever this was between them, whatever this tension, it had to be put aside, at least for now. "I can't imagine Elenwen was pleased about a charging boar at the engagement announcement."

Ondolemar settled into his own chair, fingers tapping lightly on the desk as he regarded her. "No, she was not." His tone was dry, but there was an underlying edge of restraint. "She considered it disgraceful. An embarrassment. She also suspects it was intentional."

Aurelia arched an eyebrow, a hint of mischief in her gaze. "I can't imagine why she'd think that."

His eyes didn't leave hers. "Elenwen is perceptive," he said, voice dropping slightly. "And she believes I've become… too invested in this arrangement."

Aurelia's playful expression faltered for a moment. "So she suspects something?" She repeated, her voice betraying a flicker of concern. "It's strange she's always been…." She trailed off as her brow furrowed as she shifted in her seat, fingers gripping the armrest a little tighter.

Ondolemar leaned forward slightly. "She's been… what?"

Aurelia hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. Elenwen's words from the night of her coming-of-age ball echoed in her mind, planting seeds she wasn't sure she wanted to cultivate. She let out a soft breath, avoiding his gaze. "She's… been encouraging, in her way. Implying things." She paused, then added more quietly, "On my birthday, she followed me to the gardens. She said the bond between mentor and student could… become something greater."

Ondolemar's expression didn't change, but his gaze sharpening. "I see," he said, his tone measured. He was weighing her words carefully.

Aurelia gave a humorless laugh, her eyes flickering with skepticism. "I didn't think it mattered. Elenwen's always trying to manipulate me, playing the role of the maternal figure who 'offers guidance'—though it's always more about control."

His fingers drummed lightly on the desk, his silence stretching between them as he processed the information. Finally, he spoke, voice low and deliberate. "She chooses her words very carefully. If she planted that thought, it was deliberate."

Aurelia nodded slowly. "Of course it was. She's trying to make sure I trust you more, make me easier to control, to… persuade."

He met her gaze, unflinching. "That would be in her best interest," he said calmly. "The more you trust me, the easier it is to guide you down the path the Dominion wants."

Aurelia leaned back slightly in her chair, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Is that what you think you're doing?" she asked, amusement in her tone. She didn't bother hiding the glint in her eyes.

Ondolemar didn't falter. "That would be the logical conclusion, wouldn't it?" he replied smoothly. "It is my duty to ensure you stay on the course that benefits the Dominion."

She raised an eyebrow, smirk widening. "Hmm… and how's that working out for you? Have I proved to be so easily persuaded?"

A faint twitch pulled at the corner of his lips, but he remained composed. "I'd say I've been… effective enough to maintain my position," he said, his voice calm, yet the challenge was clear in his words.

Aurelia tilted her head, her amusement deepening. "That may be true," she said slowly, a pause before her next words. "But I'm not the one you should be worrying about persuading, am I?"

Ondolemar exhaled slowly. "You assume much."

"Do I?" she asked, watching him closely.

He leaned back slightly, considering his next words carefully. "I suppose I can't be entirely certain. Perhaps you are right, it's not you I need to worry about persuading."

Aurelia's smirk wavered. There was something in his tone that hinted at something more complicated-more honest, but she decided it wasn't the right time to probe deeper. Instead she let the playful edge return, keeping her voice light.

"Well if you're ever in doubt, I'll be sure to offer clarity." She winked teasingly.

Ondolemar's lips twitched, but his expression didn't betray much. "I'll keep that in mind," he said dryly, but then added with a bit of warmth, "But don't think I don't appreciate the challenge you present."

"Good." She said quieter now, yet with a playful defiance. "Because I'm not so easily played."

For a moment everything around them feels lighter. The tension shifting into something less intense, but still charged with an unspoken understanding. Ondolemar's calm gaze lingered on her for a moment with a hint of warmth.

Ondolemar exhaled quietly, fingers drumming on the desk once more. "Elenwen will likely be arriving in Solitude soon."

"It feels like it's been far too long since the ambassador graced me with her presence."

"So she'll be ensuring all is well, order is restored, and that we are well behaved?"

"Something like that."

She tilted her head, "how unfortunate. I've been enjoying the chaos."

Ondolemars lips twitched like he wanted to smile, but the weight of the conversation kept his expression schooled. "She thinks I've allowed things to become… unpredictable." His fingers stilled against the desk. "She will be watching closely."

"She suspects that you are… losing perspective?"

His gaze flickered, something unreadable briefly crossed his face, but before Aurelia could decipher it, it was gone. "Yes."

"And are you?"

Ondolemar didn't answer right away. His fingers curled against the desk, before he finally exhaled, his voice quieter now. "Last night was not a calculated decision."

"It seems like that has been happening often lately, these uncalculated decisions."

Ondolemar's jaw tightened slightly, but he didn't refute it. Instead, he leaned back, his gaze steady on her. "I am aware."

"And does that concern you?"

"It should." His fingers tapped against the desk again, slower this time. "And yet, I find myself unwilling to regret it."

Aurelia tilted her head, watching him closely. "That's quite the statement, Justiciar."

Ondolemar huffed. "I suspect I'll come to regret admitting it."

"Then let's make it worth the trouble." She said playfully, with a challenge in her eyes.

Ondolemar's gaze flickered, a dangerous glint behind the control. "You would enjoy that, wouldn't you?"

Aurelia only smiled. "Immensely."

Ondolemar's fingers flexed against the desk before he moved, reaching out with deliberate slowness. His hand found her wrist first, a light but unyielding touch, as if giving her the chance to pull away. When she didn't, his grip firmed, guiding her closer.

Aurelia allowed it, stepping toward him, the space between them shrinking. His hand slid from her wrist to the curve of her waist. From his seated position, he looked up at her, his expression unreadable—but his hold spoke of a quiet certainty.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them was thick with unspoken words, with something neither of them had quite named yet. His thumb brushed against the fabric of her dress, absentminded, as if memorizing the sensation. "You make it very difficult to maintain perspective," he murmured at last, his voice lower, quieter now that she was so close.

She stood still beneath his touch, letting the warmth of his hand ground her. Absently she lifted her hand, fingers brushing the edge of his collar. She let her fingers linger there, just shy of his throat, as she had a far off look in her eyes.

Ondolemar exhaled quietly, his grip tightening around her waist. His mind was in turmoil, he had always been driven by duty, but then he had made her an exception. It started off innocently, making small exceptions-choosing to guide rather than command. As time went on, things shifted between them, he started to enjoy her presence. Her wit and stubbornness pulled at something within him. He was meant to extinguish her defiance, mold her into nothing more than a puppet. But he could never bring himself to. Instead he found himself drawn to her.

He had tried to keep his distance, to remind himself the lines that should never be crossed. But now with his hand firm on her waist, and her fingers curling against the collar of his robes, he could no longer pretend.

Despite everything he had been taught, all of the orders he'd followed without question, part of wanted this. Wanted her.

Ondolemar tempered his thoughts, he needed to be sure she wasn't overwhelmed, that she wasn't making decisions in the heat of the moment. Last night he had impulsively taken from her something he could not undo.

"Aurelia… was it too much?"

Her breath caught at his words, she hadn't expected him to ask so plainly. Slowly she shook her head, "no, but…" she hesitated choosing her next words carefully. "I don't know what to make all of this."

His grip tightened slightly on her waist for a moment. "You don't have to make sense of it now," he said softly, "we've crossed a line.. and now we will deal with what comes after, together."

Aurelia's tilted her head slightly. "You were a bit… conflicted last night."

"At first, I intended to… end things before we went too far." Aurelia's brows furrowed in worry, her hand stilled at his collar. He slowly moved his free hand upward, brushing over her wrist with a deliberate touch as if to reassure her.

"What we're doing-it has consequences. If we were to get caught, it would be dangerous for both of us." He began, "Elenwen has made… veiled threats. If I become to compromised there are those who can replace me." He paused letting his words set in before continuing, "But… I do not want this to end."

Hearing his words, Aurelia subconsciously leaned further into his touch. In response his hand gripped her waist slightly tighter. His fingers curled just a little more securely around her wrist.

Aurelia studied him, her expression was soft yet searching, trying to decipher the storm behind his eyes. "You're sure?" She asked quietly.

Ondolemars gaze did not waver. "I would not say it if I wasn't." His thumb brushing against her wrist again, the motion almost unconscious. "But, I need to know where you stand, Aurelia."

She exhaled softly, searching his face for any hesitation. "I know the risk," she said softly. "But even knowing that… I still want this."

"A dangerous choice," he said softly. "But I cannot pretend I am not relieved."

Ondolemar brought her hand to his lips,his grip steady, yet reverent. He pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles, his touch deliberate as if committing the moment to memory.

Then, slowly his fingers loosened, allowing her hand to slip from his grasp. The absence of his touch was immediate, a contrast to the certainty in his gaze.