Hope Falls

“You don’t have to… you can take the kids and go. Personally I’d rather you do that. But I know you’re too stubborn to leave me even if I begged you to.”

---

“He’s a wolf, he’ll always have a beast inside him anyway.” Ada frowned as she followed him. “As a people they are not kind, and I imagine that this prisoner was someone who committed a lot of unspeakable acts against your kind.”

---

“I wonder if she’ll ever come through the other side of this.”

---

“I think that sounds great.”

"No. I have to die before you.. I have to because I can't live without you."

---

"Vampires are literally dead; they only walk about because they literally drink people's blood. That sounds more monstrous to me than a wolf, wolves are closer to being natural at least."

"Hey kid, don't be mean to me." Dmitri frowned.

---

"If faking this friendship has worked then, I think she will. It is hard to navigate though, isn't it? The death of a lover who ended on bad terms. It will be a lot to unpack."

---

"Good." Sarika smiled, lifting her arms over the fur to pull thr extra fur rug closer to their shoulders. "You are the centre of everything for me, I - I hope you know that. I know we have Izsak, I know you are feeling affectionate towards Matilda. I know we have had people to have fun with but when it comes to it; it's always you."

“Matilda was my brothers intended mate - for all intents and purposes she was his mate. We have something with Izsak, you more than I. But there’s nothing going on with me and Matilda. We’ve discussed this already.” Draven sighed then; moving his arm from around her.

---

“How does one begin to work through that? I think it would destroy me.”

---

“You’d have been an excellent poet in another life. Or a bard. Maybe a human songwriter.” Dagmar laughed softly then.

---

“Vampires are wholly themselves. There are two entities inside a Wolf. The wolf itself and the personality of the body with it. Few wolves have done the work to unite the personalities to have control. The majority just allow their wolf to run free and are fine accepting that it may do horrible things beyond their control and don’t care to stop it.

((Night))

"Hey, no... I never meant it like that." Sarika frowned, sitting herself up on her elbows and resting her palm against her cheek. "Matilda was was Søren's mate and you, you are mine. I was speaking of Matilda, this time rationally, like we would anyone else. A body to sleep with. I know you're mine, I just... I lost my head that day and I'm sorry. Exhaustion mixed with self-loathing turns my mind to self-destruct. I'll forever be sorry for that. I love you, I know you love me."

---

"If you and I ever fought before I died, I would like to think that you knew it didn't take away from any feelings we shared. I'd like to think you were confident enough that what I said in the moment meant nothing compared to the things said in whispers as we held one another, or in looks we shared across a room. The laughters and smiles. Anger is fleeting, Sol but happiness touches the soul. So, I'd start the conversation there... the man loved her to pieces, their fights arose from him believing he was not good enough- he was scared, but he loved her and perhaps its my fault he walked away because the night he did I told him he had to make the decision because it was causing you and I too much drama to deal with. If you need to throw me under the bus to keep her on side with you, then do it."

---

"I mean it. It isn't like a human song, words mean very little to most humans." Conan frowned, leaning his head against hers. "I've never been shy over how much I need you, darling."

---

"So you've met a few wolves that don't care and decided that the whole people must be that way? And what good is killing them? Maybe they don't have people who love them to help them learn how to control the animal, maybe they have been told who is good and who is bad their whole lives and don't know better ot question it. Maybe their mothers soul is lost, because other people chose to steal their land and it is hard to look past it. Maybe those who stole the land never even understood they were stealing to begin with; the kind of impact it had. Trees could just be trees to them. No one should ever torture anyone. If a war is done then people should be allowed to go home. It's wrong. Your mindset is wrong, keeping them is wrong and when I get to lead this place then it'll all be different. I won't be a monster. I won't pretend I am innocent to my family."

(( Night ))

“It sounds like you’re starting to doubt it. And you know I could never see Matilda as just a body…”

---

“Nothings going to happen… but I get the sentiment.” Isolde nodded, kissing his cheek gently and pressing her forehead to his jaw. “I love you, and I know that you love me too, no matter what.”

---

“Hopefully we’ll never find out what either of us would do without the other.”

---

“You’re entitled to run the country as you see fit, Kael.” Ada nodded respectfully

Dmitri moved his hand to ruffle Kael's hair once again, whispering quietly; "Don't lose that spark to do better than the people before you, don't hate your dad and aunt either though, Kael. They are doing their best, everyone is always just doing their best."

Kael snorted softly, lifting his hand up to push his hand away.

---

"Hopefully." Conan agreed quietly. "I should get up, we should get up. We need to have that conversation with Ada today, and I should probably offer other ways to support Isolde with the wolf problem."

---

Aodhän closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around her to hold her close. "You're doing really well, as always. The people and I are so lucky to have you."

---

"I- No.  No you're right. Sorry." Sarika sighed, brushing her knuckles against the back of his cheek affectionately. "How was she? After what went on with Izsak?"

“He’s growing up now Dima; we can’t be doing that.” Ada chuckled, shaking her head in faux scolding.

---

“Funny how we’re winged rats to him, but he clearly loves her.” Dagmar snorted at the mention of Kael, gently moving her head to the pillow so Conan was free to rise.

---

“A war so soon after the last… I don’t know what the Wolves are thinking, Aodhän. They know full well what attacking someone directly in my palace grounds would mean…”

---

“Shaken, but insistent she wished to be alone for the night. Izsak just shocked her I think.”

""He'll always be younger than us, so we can always do it." Dmitri answered, flashing her a grin. "Next time we go to the human world we'll have to see if you can come with us, Kael."

"What's it like?"

---

Conan sat himself up with a huff, stretching his arms up over his head to stretch. "He's just a teenager throwing words around to try and get his own way."

---

"They are being utterly ridiculous, we are leagues stronger than them and we have the Loyal on our side now too. It is as if they are looking for someone to land the final blow."

---

"She has been here for a long time and that is probably the closest she has ever come to being bitten."

“I don’t think he would’ve bitten her… you really think he came that close?”

---

“The death of their final son must’ve driven them mad, it would explain the way they’re acting.”

---

“We’ll have to take measures to make sure ours don’t end up so bratty.”

---

“Different is the only way to describe it… it’s nothing like here anymore.”

"He was convinced she was Isolde, it took awhile for him to come out of it this time." Sarika whispered, resting her head against his chest once again then and closing her eyes. "The last thing he remembered was being with the healers; I didn't tell him what he done to Matilda. He's.. not good, Drav. He cried his heart out, said he couldn't do it anymore; he wished they had killed him."

---

"Aesira is definetly going to run circles around us, I can see it happening already." Conan laughed, leaning over to kiss her forehead before getting up and pulling on some clothes.

---

"Maybe there is no need for another war, maybe we can just send in our best to get rid of the Adair's; as soon as the leaders are gone without an heir then I don't see the wolves being a problem anymore." Aodhän whispered. "When you see Florence you can ask her if she noticed any weak points whilst she was there, ways in and out.. where guards are posted."

---

"Anymore." Dmitri chuckled. "Ada is an old woman, see. The human world is exactly what it was when I was human; more or less."

Kael frowned, directing at Ada. "You should break up with him, you deserve better than that."

“We’ve never had anyone we’ve trusted inside that building before… and after they’ve now killed the life of her life I can see why she’d be eager to help us… that sounds like a very good plan my love.”

---

“Poets just hope if she does that her little brother doesn’t. I don’t think I could deal with both.”

---

Ada chuckled at that, taking it as a joke with a small laugh. “Unfortunately Dmitri is the only man who’s even remotely close to meeting my expectations.”

---

“What do we do with him?” Draven sighed sadly, shaking his head. “We can’t fix him…”

"We love him. He needs us, both of us." Sarika whispered. "Love, time. If we take the time he is recovering from the shift to restore our own energy, I - I think then we should put a bed in the main room of our quarters for him at least until he feels safe again."

---

"When I'm old enough you'll change your mind, because you'll see I exceed them."

Dmitri smirked in amusement. "Bold move,"

---

"You are part of a warrior species, you can handle our children as teenagers in your sleep. Especially with me by your side." Conan laughed. "I will speak to Ada alone, would you like to come with me to speak to Isolde though?"

---

Aodhän grinned, pressing his lips to hers.

“So he feels like a child sleeping in an inn with his parents? I think if he thinks you don’t love him already that’ll just exacerbate it.”

---

“Your head gets bigger by the day, dear.”

---

“Let’s just hope the wedding doesn’t turn into anything mm? Everything always seems to have bad timing.” Isolde murmured against his lips.

---

“Would she see it as disrespect? You know she’s a stickler for all that propriety and whilst she’s happy with your mistress at a party it doesn’t mean she won’t be offended by me being involved in official business…”

"You're not a mistress on my eyes, and who is she to judge who someone loves when she has fallen for her advisor? It isn't like she is marrying nobility, he is a member of staff for all intents and purposes. I would like you there, if you want to be there and if she doesn't like your prescence then I will leave with you ans we won't offer any help at all."

---

"We can always be blessed away from everyone's eyes; just us and Kael. There will be no one there to ruin it then, especially if we keep the event quiet."

---

"I know things." Kael answered confidently. "I don't know how I know, but I do and that is just one of them. You'll see..."

---

"What do you suggest then?" Sarika frowned.

“I don’t know Sar… there isn’t a handbook on helping your traumatised third in a marriage get over his hostage situation whilst you’re recovering from the death of your last remaining child.”

[hr]
“I don’t believe your mother was a Seer nor a Witch, Kael, unfortunately that means it’s impossible for you to know things, same as us.” Ada hummed.

[hr]
“I don’t want it to look like I’m hiding you, or ashamed of you. I want it to be public so everyone can see how much I love you.”

[hr]
Dagmar nodded, slowly getting herself up and off the bed.

((Nighty))

"Take your time, I'll come and get you before I go to Isolde." Conan whispered, walking to her side of the bed to peck her cheek before leaving the room and wandering down the hallway in search of Ada.

"Don't bring her up." Kael mumbled, narrowing his eyes as he spotted Conan walking down the hallway.

---

"If that is what you want. I know you love me though, whether the whole kingdom sees our wedding or not."

---

"Fine, I won't ask you for help again." Sarika mumbled sadly, pulling away and rolling over so her back was to him. Grabbing the spare throw and cuddling it close to her chest, adding an almost silent; "Sorry."

“Your highness.” Ada bowed slowly in greeting. “Wonderful to see you sir.”

---

“I want them to know I love you and I’m not ashamed of it.”

---

"And yourself, I heard you've been having a well deserved adventure the past few weeks." Conan grinned. "May I take you away for a discussion in private?"

"No, do it here." Kael hissed.

"Kael," Dmitri warned lowly. "Come on kid, don't talk to anyone like that; yet alone a Royal."

---

"Well, thank you." Aodhän grinned, leaning in to touch his forehead against hers. "That makes me feel very special."

“Kael, it’s okay.” Ada promised, gently squeezing his shoulder. “It’s okay.”

---

“I’m done with hiding, and not feeling things… I went everyone to know.” Isolde gently kissed him.

Conan raised his eyebrows with an amused grin before motioning for her to lead the way. "You know the building better than I. Lead us somewhere private, Ada."

---

"You have always felt things, much more intensely than others too."

Ada nodded, moving her hand from Kael’s shoulder before heading off down the hallway.

---

“Both a blessing and a curse.”

"The fae Prince seems to have developed an attachment to you." Conan hummed in amusement as he followed her.

---

"It means your soul is vibrant, beautiful. Only beautiful souls can feel things that extensively."

“When he was younger I was a glorified nanny.” Ada chuckled a little, shaking her head. “Doing as you said, building relations and all of that.”

---

“You cannot see a soul to call it beautiful, my love.”

"Going above and beyond as always," Conan laughed, waiting until they had stepped into a room before continuing. "You have done well, and been away from our home for a long time now. I'd like to offer you the chance to leave, we can send someone to replace you. Of course, this can be a temporary break from your duties or a permanent one; that choice is yours."

---

"That can't be true. I see you."

“I appreciate that sir, I do.” Ada shook her head then. “But I’m okay here, I really do care a lot for Kael, he’s like a little brother to me. And I get on well enough with the Queen and her staff, I think it works well, Im still useful here I believe.”

---

“I must be blind then.”