forum “You’re a pain in my ass.” “That’s Miss Pain In My Ass to you.”

Started July 15, 2023 by @emilyevewrites group

tune

Emaria was aware Aedion wasn’t exactly thrilled to be taking her with him, but she was determined to prove that she would be more of a help than a hinderance, starting with healing his wounds once they were far enough away from the town.

Both women nodded at his words. Afterward, Emaria stiffened her shoulders and didn’t look back while Farah swallowed heavily and watched her daughter leave. As much as it pained her, she knew she needed to let go. She’d held on for far too long. “Where can I tell my husband you will be traveling to?” she asked after them.

Emaria’s only form of agreement was a jerk of her head. She didn’t mind stealing from those vulgar, disgusting men. And it would make the first part of her journey with him much more bearable if they weren’t slogging through wet mud on their own two feet.

Emaria shivered as they stepped under the stables. She wished for her mother’s vast array of magical abilities instead of only being a half-fae and inheriting only Farah’s innate abilities instead. She had been trying to work on learning other types of magic, but none had proved successful so far.

The horses he led out were beautiful, stunning creatures. Emaria had never seen a horse so sleek and elegant. Meant for the most powerful soldiers under the king’s command. She watched intently his process, her eyebrows arching slightly as he ripped of the royal insignias from their saddles. “That wasn’t petty at all,” Emaria quipped knowingly. She made to get her own horse, but he beat her to it. She huffed as he mounted. “I could have done that.”

Emaria eyed her horse and hoisted herself into the saddle. It was the exact same as she’d done a hundred times before, but never with a huge pack on her shoulders. She almost under-compensated for the weight and fell of, but she righted herself in time. His words were nothing she didn’t expect to hear. “Okay then,” she said, gripping her horse’s reigns gently. “Let’s few some miles between us.”

(I don't think I've ever named any if these kingdoms haha)

Aedion turned back to look at the woman, Emaria's mother, even when Emaria did not. He looked her up and down and his expression softened somewhat. She was only a mother concerned about her daughter's wellbeing.

"South," he tried to soften his tone. "As far south as we can go." Across the border of Araniel and straight to the capital. He sought an audience with the king. Or at least his war council. Because war was coming to their doorsteps. It was up to them to believe Aedion but their lives depended on it. He only hoped he would be able to convince them.

Outside with the horses, he went so far to spit in the royal insignia and use his foot to push it into the ground and under the mud. He knew it wouldn't hide it for long but he couldn't bear seeing the sight of it. An insignia he had worn not to ling agao and with pride as well. How could he be so foolish?

He looked up at Emaria, huffing a small laugh. Petty didn't even describe the least of it. There was so much more to all of this than Emaria would understand. And so much more than he woukd ever explain.

The rain was a nuisance as it pelted down on then. His clothes were soaked through and his cloak seemed to be doing more harm than good. But there was no other way around this. They needed to leave and fast. The further away they got the less likely they would be tracked. The rain would wash away the trail they left behind.

As he sat upon his horse, he looked Emaria up and down, almost laughing at her. The pack shed brought had put her off balance and he wondered how long it woukd take for her to fall. If he could risk it, he'd go to another town and purchase saddle bags but it was too much of a risk. He didn't want ti stop in a nother village until they crossed the border. And even that would be a risk.

He gripped the reigns and with a tight squeeze to the stallions side, he was off at a gallop. He didn't turn to see if she was right behind. If she couldn't keep up now, she was better suited staying here.

(That's fine lol)

Farah inhaled slowly and lifted her chin as the man looked her over. She wanted Emaria to stay, but she also knew how Emaria felt about Tol Galen. It was doing her too much harm to stay here, and it was well past time for her to go. Though the older fairy dipped her head in acknowledgment and didn't miss his softened expression and tone. "Thank you," she replied. "Please… keep her safe."

Emaria heard the words from behind her and stiffened slightly. She wasn't a little girl anymore. She didn't need her mother's protection.

Though as Emaria watched his vandalism of the royal insignia, a realization struck her. If he had indeed been the youngest general in the king's army, then he would have once worn that insignia. So the action carried much more meaning than it would if she had done it. His short laugh proved her assumption to be correct. She let him finish his work.

Emaria glanced his way, noting the look and promptly ignoring it. She had ridden a horse while carrying a pack before. It was a while ago, though, and hadn't been this heavy. Her balance settled when she was atop her horse, and she looked over at him evenly with determination in her eyes. Emaria was ready for this.

She was not looking forward to riding in the rain, but they didn't have any other choice. Without warning, Aedion took off form the stables. Emaria quickly followed suit. With her father being a mercenary, there wasn't much about weapons or survival that he hadn't taught her. Riding a horse had been at the top of that list. It came as easily to her as breathing, and she followed Aedion at a close enough distance. She wasn't right on top of him, strategically placing herself, and by no means did she lag behind.

Aedion had prided himself. He had been proud of the general that he was and the men that he commanded over. He had once been proud to serve his king. But no more. Not after the horrors the king planned to unleash. Was it greed that urged him to conquer? For land or money or resources? Or was it a sick idea that had festered in his head that made him think he could rule all? It would never work and Aedion would never be a part of that.

He waited as patiently as he could muster for her to mount the horse. The horse below him seemed to sense his urgency and was responding to it. He wanted to leave here, now. And the more distance they put between here, the sooner they could finally find shelter out of the storm. And he'd might even be able to risk a fire so they could dry their clothes. He wasn't in the particular mood to have his clothes soaking wet for this entire journey.

He hadn't bothered to look back at her but he didn't need to to see that she was right behind him. Even though he could barely hear her over the raging storm, he could feel her presence. She was just a foot or two behind him. Good, he didn't particularly feel like having to try and worry about her. If she fell behind in the woods, that could likely mean her death. Beasts and creatures alike prowled in the woods and he wasn't about to let her succumb to them.

Gah! This had been a mistake. He already felt responsible for her and they hadn't even left the city's border yet. This was why it was better for him to travel alone. So he didn't have to worry about someone else and their safety. Because now he did worry about her. He felt like she was his charge and now he was responsible for feeding her and clothing her and finding a place for her to sleep. It didn't matter that she seemed close enough in age to him. She was still his responsibility now.

Buildings faded into trees and the sounds of the town faded into nature's call. The storm raged on still, though the looming tree helped to block out some of the worst rainfall. Animals ran as they heard their approach and critters slithered away. They were alone, for now, and he hoped to keep it that way.

(Sorry this is short and took forever 😅 I loose focus very easily.)

Emaria squinted against the rain and crouched down slightly to avoid taking so many droplets to the face at once. Her hair and dress and pack were all immediately soaked, but for the first time in her life, Emaria felt like she was in control. Of course, she really wasn't, but that didn't matter. She had the semblance, and her heart was eagerly racing.

Though the rain was a discomfort, it actually made Emaria feel better. The more it rained and washed away the mud, the more it would cover their tracks and hopefully reduce their smell, leaving the trail all but unidentifiable.

She didn't know the line of Aedion's thoughts, but if she did, the half-fae woman would have insisted that she could handle herself. He had figured out that she was fae, but he had no idea what her powers were like. The healing and manipulating and telepathic magic she was capable of. Her mother had trained her in magic just as her father had with blades.

They rode on through the forest, and Emaria sat up straighter as the trees began to shield the rain. She wanted to talk but didn't dare it yet until they were far away enough from any kind of civilization that might be able to hear them.

(You're fine.)

Aedion led the way. They rode for two hours before he finally decided it was time to fund shelter. Not only for them but the horses as well. They had been riding hard and not in the best conditions. The horses needed to rest. And he was certainly ready to be out if the rain as well.

The problem, besides finding shelter, would be starting a fire. All the wood was too soaked and ge wouldn't be able to start a fire for them. Which meant they woukd be stuck in their cold, wet clothes with nothing to keep them warm besides their own body heat. Even if he was lucky and found an abandoned cottage, which was unlikely, he highly doubted there would be any wood stocked.

He soon spotted a series of caves and steered their horses in that direction. After finding and easily defensible one, though he doubted anyone would stumble upon them in this weather. His dismounted the horse and tied the reigns so the horse wouldn't wander. He walked into the cave and waited for Emaria.

"We'll hunt tomorrow for some food if the rain has let up." He unclasped his cloak and laid it on the ground. He then began stripping himself of his weapons then his jacket and shirt followed. All of his clothes were too wet to sleep in. He wasn't going to get sick by sleeping in them.

Emaria's teeth began to chatter as the chilly rain soaked her to the bone. By the gods, they'd barely been out in the weather for an hour. But they were far enough away from Tol Galen that Emaria wouldn't have to worry about looking back and seeing anyone chasing after them. Not yet at least. And hopefully not for a long, long while.

She almost didn't notice when Aedion steered toward the caves, but she managed to keep up with him and slowed to a stop alongside him. Emaria waited atop her horse, shivering horribly as she waited for him to find a cave. Pick one, dammit, she almost blurted aloud. It's not our forever home.

When he finally picked a cave, she sighed with relief and dismounted alongside him. Emaria then tied her horse beside his and hurried into the dry cave. "Sh-Sh-Shit," she stammered, peeling off her soaked cloak. Though she immediately hesitated at her dress. There wasn't very much else she was wearing under it, though she definitely didn't want to keep it on either.

The half-fae could deal with hunger but not cold. "C-C-Can we st-start a… a f-fire?" she stammered.

Aedion's trousers were next, though for the sake of his company, he kept his underpants on. He laid then out so they might dry. Or at least get dryer. The rain would hopefully stop during the night. He wasn't looking forward to traveling in the rain again. Not if it could be helped.

He looked back at said companion, smirking to himself as he saw her still in her wet clothes. "You'll never warm up if you keep your dress on." Wait until he told her they would be sleeping with skin on skin contact. It was the fastest way to warm up.

"We'll find the next nearest town and buy supplies there. Bed room, food, proper clothes." He eyes her gown again. This was not a trio to made in such attire. At least not until they arrived in their southern neighboring kingdom. If they were accepted into the palace that was.

A fire. He wished. All the wood was soaked and there was no way it would catch. "Not tonight, sweetheart. Unless you have magical powers that allow you to dry the wood. But if you can do that you might as well dry us as well."

(Hey! I’m sorry, I’m a grade A asshole for leaving this hanging for so long. I’ve been so fucking busy I literally can’t handle it.)

Emaria couldn’t stop her shivering as she watched the man in front of her strip down to just his underpants on. Her body heated at the sight of him, but she turned away and shook her head at herself while his back was still to her.

“I know that,” she hissed. And her eyes narrowed at his gaze on her clothes. “I brought different clothing,” the half fae muttered.

Slowly, Emaria slid her arms out of the sleeves and unlaced the front of her bodice. Once it was loose, she let it drop to the floor. Now, her wet hair fell down limply along her back, and the only things that covered her body were a plain bra and slip. She shivered still as her naked limbs were introduced to the cold, and she moved to spread her barmaid dress along the floor like he’d done.

Not for the first time, Emaria wished for powers like her mother. Perhaps, deep down in her, she possessed the abilities Farah was able to channel, but she’d tried for too long and grown tired of vain results.

“I don’t,” she shot back. “I’m not a fire fae.”

(You're totally fine! Please don't stress. This is like the first time I've started catching up on all my rps.)

Aedion prayed to the gods and whoever else was listening that the rain would stop soon. He doubted his wishes to get back on the road early in the morning would come true. Not if their clothes were still wet and the air still cool. They needed to warm up. There was no way they could survive like this. Well, he could. He didn't think Emaria could.

"That's what I thought. Now get your ass over here. We'll warm up faster with skin-on-skin contact." It was one of the first things he had been taught. He started his training just before winter began. The best way to keep themselves warm was to skin contact. It was easier to transfer body heat when there were no clothes slowing the process down.

He sat back down on the ground, waiting for her to come to him. He would have taken his undershorts off as well but he didn't think that would have gone all too well with her. He wouldn't have done it for any sexual purposes but he doubted she would see it that way. Especially when morning came and the usual morning wood came with it. There was only so much he could do to control his body.

"I won't bite. Not unless you want me to." The teasing was more for her benefit than anything. He was trying to take her mind off of how cold she truly was. If he could distract her until she fell asleep, forgetting about the cold, then it would make both of their lives easier.

(Felt that… 😅)

Emaria immediately glared at him for the way he spoke to her. "I thought you were some kind of noble soldier on a mission," she retorted, crossing her arms over her chest to cover her cleavage. Well, as much of it as she could. Her bra wasn't very sturdy, and it didn't leave much to the imagination. "Not some horny male who demands women around for the hells of it."

She remained where she was, electing instead to watch him sit on the cave floor instead. Her entire body was tight and trembling from the cold. Imagining the feeling of his warm body pressing against her almost had her caving in and sitting down beside him. But the stupid stubbornness that she had inherited from her father flared up, and she stayed put.

The half-fae scoffed, and the air around them suddenly warmed for a split second. It was gone before either of them could really enjoy it. And Emaria hadn't even realized that she'd done it. She was too focused on her anger, directed entirely at Aedion. "You're a pig," she snarled, though she was steadily trembling worse

(I've just been so burnt out lately. If I was smart, I'd take a week or two break but I feel too guilty XD)

Aedion snorted, shaking his head. If only she knew the truth. He supposed he could tell her. It might be easier if he did so she would stop whining and complaining. But then if she knew, it was a risk if she was captured. In the small chance that she was captured, the less she knew, the better. It was why she knew nothing about him other than his name. And that he was very skilled with the weapons he had strapped to his body. It was just better this way.

He was not horny. How could he be with he dreadful weather? He was too cold to be able to do anything. Nothing would get up with how cold it was. And even if he was, it wouldn't be for her. She wasn't his type. Well, he didn't really have a type but it wasn't her. He was doing her a favor by allowing her to come with him. He was getting her out of that awful town and taking her far away where her talents might be useful. And she would be free to use them as soon as she was out of this kingdom.

He felt the slight shift in the air, the briefness of warm air, and it was gone before he could open his mouth. He looked at her curiously but he made no comment on it. Nothing was worth it if she couldn't summon it for more than a second. And now was not the time as she thought he was currently trying to fuck her. Which he wasn't, for the second.

Aedion rolled his eyes. "Believe me fae, if I wanted you under me, you would be. This is purely for your survival." Him, not as much. He had dealt with worse conditions and survived it. He would be miserable, but he would survive. He knew his limits. But with their bodies sharing heat, it would be more comfortable for both of them. She was trembling she was so cold. She had never done anything like this before. She wasn't one of his soldiers, he reminded himself. She's just a girl leaving home for the first time in her life.

His expression softened, perhaps for the first time in his life. "You're freezing. Please, let me help warm you. If any hands wonder, feel free to hit me." Not that he would wonder but perhaps that would give her some piece of mind.

(I understand that a lot. If you need to take a break, then do it bestie. If anyone makes you feel guilty for prioritizing your own mental health, then drop their ass.)

Emaria arched his eyebrows as he snorted. Maybe he wasn't the good soldier she'd thought him to be. Well, he couldn't be worse than the ones he'd killed back at the Steel Candle. But he wasn't a god either. Acting like he was above everything else… She was only here because she didn't have any other options. She'd thought that talking to him in the tavern would give her a glimpse of the world. When the opportunity came for her to actually leave with him and experience it, Emaria thought she'd been given the chance of a lifetime. Now… was she regretting it?

Her magic picked up on the note of confusion that passed across his face. "What?" she demanded. "Why are you looking at me like that.

Her mouth dropped open at his next comment. "As if!" she snapped, rolling her eyes immediately. "I'm not that easy to get. The show I put on back there was a distraction for you! That you didn't even take, might I add!"

Emaria dropped her arms and stalked toward him with narrowed eyes, and it was then that the bruises on her arm and inner thigh were more visible. Aedion might even be able to see the blossomed bruises around her breast from how hard the captain had been groping her while she sat in his lap.

For whatever reason it was, his demeanor softened. Emaria waited another few seconds before relenting and lowering herself down to the ground next to him. "Fine," she muttered. She shifted around for another moment, trying to get herself comfortable against the cold cave floor. "And I already told you… I'm only half fae."

It wasn't as though Aedion was being unnecessarily cruel or trying to hurt her. There was no turning back now, unless she wished to brave it herself. It would be up to her if she remembered the way back to her little village. He would not help her. Not after the murder scene he had left in her little tavern. The further away he went, the better. He would need to stalk supplies soon and he prayed he found no trouble. He would be in and out. An hour or two of his time and they would be gone, back on the road. He had never asked for to come with him nor had he really wanted it. But one thing led to another and now here they were.

He didn't respond to her demand. It was better to leave that alone, and her potential magic. Here was not the place to experiment on it, less she set them all on fire. Besides, it wasn't worth noting if it never appeared again.

He almost laughed at her outcry. He would have, had she not mentioned her little distraction she had used. Thet pulled his lips down into a frown. He didn't like that. He didn't like that one bit. She shouldn't have put herself in harm's way. And now she was hurt because of him. It weighed heavy on his conscience. Even now, he could see the bruises. They had turned shades of blue and purple. He wanted to erase that soldier's touch from her body. It should have never happened.

"Never do that again," he said, very serious all of a sudden. "Never put yourself in harms way for me again. I can take care of myself. I do not need you putting yourself in dangerous situations. Not for me. And if I had taken your distraction, do you know what he would have done to you?" He asked, eyebrows raised. "Because I do. And no one there was going to save you. You know that as well as I do. I wasn't going to let that happen to you for the sake of escaping. And look," he motioned around them, "I still did."

He watched her silently as she finally gave up her resolve. Her arms dropped and he couldn't help but look at the bruises on her skin. He wished he had made it hurt more. he wished he had taken his time. Unfortunately, that was time he had not been afforded.

He hid his smile from her as she finally laid down on the ground next to him but kept space between them. That was not how sharing body heat worked exactly. Without much warning, he rolled onto his side, grabbed her around the middle, and pulled her back into his chest. "I promise not to let my hands wonder. Now get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow."

(I’m alive!)

Emaria had no intentions of leaving, no matter what she might say. While the rain and cold on the first night were hardly ideal, that didn’t mean that this was a mistake. She’d been looking for a way out of that mess-of-a-town for years. She wasn’t about to waste the opportunity now that she had it.

The change in his emotion was palpable. Emaria hesitated, worrying that she’d said something wrong. Especially how his eyes scanned over her body afterward. She parted her lips, about to say something, but she paused. The way he was looking at her wasn’t hungry or lustful or greedy. Not at all like the soldiers from the tavern. Rather, he looked… concerned. Burdened.

His serious tone reinforced his gaze. Wisely, Emaria kept her mouth shut while the soldier spoke. When her finished, she spoke briefly, but firmly.

“I can only imagine what would have happened if you hadn’t stepped in. So I know I’m in your debt for what you did. But know that whether you escaped or not… I’d do it all again. Whatever information you have, the reason they’d tracking you down to put a blade through your chest… I’m sure it’s worth it. Every sacrifice.”

When she made contact with the ground, she had to tense her whole body to avoid flinching form the cold. Emaria could feel Aedion’s gaze on her, but she didn’t reciprocate it. He was likely looking at her bruises again. And it wasn’t something the half fae woman particularly cared to think about

Emaria’s breath hitched as Aedion’s strong arm wrapped around her body and pulled them flush against each other. She stiffened for a moment before relaxing. “Don’t tell me what to do,” she muttered in reply.

But, much to the half fae’s annoyance, he had been right. She could already feel her body warming with his. Still, the ground was cold and she shivered for a little while longer before the subtle warmth that there was between them took effect.

As unwise as it was because of them - or at least, Aedion — being tracked, Emaria slipped into a heavy sleep. It didn’t take long for her to become restless. She didn’t lash out or anything substantial, but she twitched slightly while her face contorted. While something was disturbing her sleep, it was not enough to wake her.

Aedion tried not to laugh at her naivety. Did she not hear her own voice? Did she not hear the stupidity coming from her mouth? How could she know that the information he carried was of vital importance? For all she knew, he could have been carrying information about a chicken coop from home. He wasn't of course, he wasn't that stupid. The information he carried could have been life threatening. It could have been the very thing that would kill this kingdom. And perhaps it was. He was going to warn their neighboring kingdom of the king's impending invasion plans. This could very well mean the downfall of their kingdom, and he was brining it upon them. But he was an honorable man and he would not be the one to carry out those orders. He had done many things in the name of the king but that would not be one of them.

"And yet I am not willing to sacrifice you. I would not sacrifice anyone for this. This is my burden and mine alone. You will not put yourself in harm's way. Not for me. I don not deserve that kindness from you." He didn't deserve kindness at all. Not with all the blood caked on his hands.

He saw her bruises once more and his hands clenched into fists. He should have made it hurt. He should have dragged it out until that soldier was screaming for mercy, and even then he still would not give it. Not until he was well and truly broken.

He huffed a small laugh, murmuring, "Stubborn woman." It wasn't as if he was telling her anything that would harm her. She needed to sleep. Tomorrow would be a long day. He didn't plan on stopping. Not until they at least found the next town or their rumbling stomachs got the better of them. And even then, he wasn't too keen on stopping.

He would have to hunt tomorrow. He could hold out until they stopped for the night but he wasn't sure if she could. If they could hold out, he would hunt and smoke the meet tomorrow night so it would last them a few days if they rationed it. If she couldn't wait, he would hunt something small, cook it, and snack as they moved through the woods. He would find a way to make to it work, even if he was having to change his plans to cater to her.

"Why not?" Emaria bit back, not looking at him and instead focusing on her own fingers tapping against the stone beneath her. She bet he thought she was stupid. Well, after that little stunt she had pulled at the Silver Candle, she probably was. At least a bit. No one else in their right mind would have offered themself up to those soldiers for a complete stranger. But whether it was her magic or her conscience, Emaria had felt something in Aedion. Something that not everyone had.

"Don't think I missed the insignias of the men who were after you or what they said back in the tavern," she hissed softly. "How you were a traitor to the crown and wouldn't be allowed to leave the kingdom. That you know too much and are supposed to be brought back to the king alive. Telling me about your aunt's house at the border was enough of an excuse when you first mentioned it, but now I realize that you are crossing the border and just didn't want me to know about it then. Clever excuse.

"And who are you to dictate what I am to do?" Emaria continued with narrowed eyes. "Who are you to tell me how much kindness I should allot to you? Would you like me to tell you how kind I think you should be to me?" A quiet sigh escaped her. "It's not about what we think we deserve. It's about knowing that, to some degree, you are worthy of kindness."

The half-fae scoffed. "My parents could have told you that," she quipped. She did wonder how long it would take on their journey for him to ask about her father. She knew that revealing him to be a mercenary would catch Aedion's attention.

Still, Emaria's eyes drifted closed. But she didn't fall asleep right away. She couldn't help the dull aches she felt from where she'd been handled earlier. It kept her awake longer than she wanted it to.

Aedion clenched his jaw yet he did not look away. She didn't know anything and that was his own doing. he was the one refusing to tell her anything, not the other way around. He was refusing because it was safer for her and yet it made things difficult. like this. Perhaps she thought him truly a traitor. And yet, she had still come with him. She had left her home to travel with a man she believed was a traitor. He didn't know what she saw in him or made her think it alright to come with him.

"I may be a traitor to the crown but I am not a traitor to my country. I love my country and my home, and I will do anything to protect it. Even if that means betraying the king." He would not deny his betrayal. He had betrayed the king. He was a fugitive and was to be brought in dead or alive. he knew this. And yet his cause was a noble one. It was just and the king was not. If he had to betray him to save his country, then so be it.

"Because I am not worth risking your life for. I have lived and I have seen all life has had to offer." He had seen death and hardship. He had felt life's cruel hand and he had been rejected by everyone that was supposed to love him. If he died tomorrow, he would not reject anything but that he did not make it in time to warn them. But he had tried and done everything in his power to do so. "You have not. You have a lie ahead of you and you will not throw it away for me. this is the one thing I will not allow."

Aedion wasn't in the business of telling women what they could and could not do, but this was the one thing he would. He did not believe himself worthy to be saved. Not by anyone but perhaps himself. Too much had happened by his hand. too many deaths because of his blow. Not even his own father loved him, why should he receive any kindness from anyone else?

Aedion drew Emaria closer to his chest, her hair warming his face. While his eyes did not close, he let his body relax. He doubted he would get very much sleep, too paranoid that someone might come into their cave. While it was highly unlikely anyone was in the area, someone could be searching for those soldier's killers. Or perhaps a predator trying to get out of the rain. Either way, his eyes would be glued to the entrance.

After tonight, he would teach Emaria about nigh shifts. Someone is always awake while the other is asleep. They would take turns in the night on watch, watching each other's backs and alert the other if there was any danger nearby. He wouldn't be able to not sleep for the rest of their journey.