Hope Falls

“Men do not fawn over me!” Aesira shook her head with a laugh. “Where have you gotten such a notion.”

---

Kiaan stretched his legs and got to his feet with a groan.

"They do, you don't see it. As Eden doesn't see that men do it for her." He chuckled.

---

"Why are you tired?" He raised an eyebrow at the groan. "Lazy ass."

“A delightful Lady named Niamh from one of Kael’s northern counties needed assistance in her room last night after her husband went out gambling, I was only too happy to help.” Kiaan hummed nonchalantly with a shrug.

---

“I’m convinced you are seeing things.”

"You are losing stamina then, to be worn by it." Rohan shook his head with a disappointed tut, stepping out of the room and heading towards the parlour. Slowing as he spotted the increased guards outside of Lily's room, frowning.

---

"No, you are just as blind as a bat. It makes sense though, you only have eyes for Marcus." His voice lifted to a teasing song-song.

“Her husband was inattentive, she required a lot of work.” Kiaan insisted as he fell into pace beside him.

---

“Oh stop.” Aesira shook her head, cheeks flushing. “You make it sound like I am a lovesick puppy.”

"Mm, no, no. I am disappointed." He continued the jest, slowing to a stop entirely in front of Lily's quarters. "Come with me inside, the tree dwellers don't normally guard her room like this. Something is happening."

---

"He is the puppy, you are the hunting dog."

“What am I hunting, brother?”

---

“Guard who? Are we not going to go get stoned?” Kiaan frowned as he followed.

"The healer. We'll get stoned, I just need to check on her first...and don't roll your eyes with it." Rohan mumbled, stepping towards the door - through the small gap the guards had left and reaching to open it as if he had the authority to do so.

---

"Normally time with your horses," He chuckled.

“They bring me joy, and they don’t judge me.” Aesira shrugged. “Horses don’t call me a bastard.”

---

“Maybe she has done something wrong, you can’t just barge into her room.”

"I am doing it, no one is stopping me yet. Follow behind." Rohan instructed in their native tongue, keeping his voice level to not arouse suspicion as his hand went to the door knob. Knocking thrice in quick succession as he went to push it open.

---

"Does it still sting you, the word? I am.. It doesn't for me anymore."

“It stings because we should not be. It stings because we shouldn’t be bastards.”

---

“What?!” Lily hissed from the other side of the door.

"A message," Rohan lied through his teeth, casting a glance over his shoulder to make sure Kiaan was behind him. "Can my brother and I come in? It can't be said in halls."

---

"But we are, and... and there isn't changing it. We know they love us. I'd rather be a loved bastard then a forced upon heir."

“I do not know if I’m allowed guests. You’ll have to check with the dogs outside my door.”

---

“We can’t pretend he doesn’t love Malachi too…”

Rohan's eyes moved briefly sideways, towards the guards. Snorting softly when both men refused to meet his gaze, simply letting himself inside. Whispering in his native tongue, "Kiaan, come in too. I've told yiu about the healer, meet her."

---

"Makes me awful that I wish he didn't.." Cassius grumbled

“Not awful… I understand it. It makes me feel less than too… Not as special, mm?”

---

“Fine fine. But I’m annoyed, you promised me red root.” Kiaan muttered in return.

"We'll get our red root," Rohan huffed, waiting until his brother entered and the door was closed. Eyes scanning the room, checking for any clues to what had occurred before asking then in Lily's tongue, "Why are they out there, healer? Are you okay?"

---

"It's the fantasy, isn't it? That it was just him and mum forever. Like.. like the fae have their mates. Him loving Liara and Malachi, even though they are nice just.. it makes it all a lie."

Lily moved further back into her room - though spacious it was still basic, her bed in the corner by a window, her things scattered around - clearly not expecting company. Doing a double take between the men as she realised whom Rohan had brought with her. “Kael says a plot has been discovered to steal myself and Aoife from his service. These guards are to keep me safe… apparently.”

---

“Which is why I think he won’t take mum back when she returns… He moved on.”

"To keep you safe," Rohan shook his head, taking a half step forward, closer. Instinctively reaching a hand out towards her to comfort, "Do you believe it?"

---

"If that's true then - then none of if is. Love is fake... everything we were raised on, everything we are." Cassius swallowed. "Do you feel as lost as I do?"

“I feel that father means well… but I think he will hand our brother the throne as soon as he is old enough to have it and that is where our problem will be.”

---

“I do not know what to believe. But I know I have committed no crime.”

"You are being treated as if you have committed one?" Rohan frowned, looking from her to his brother and back again. "I am being rude, mm? This is Kiaan. Kiaan, this is the healer. This is Lily."

---

"Our problem? How will father not being King anymore be our problem?"

“The Healer.” Lily let out a small noise of amusement. “The Prisoner, more like.”

“Lily. What you call a flower… You tree dwellers are obsessed with it all mm?” Kiaan raised an eyebrow as he looked around. “Your room… you are not in charge?”

“No. Aoife is Head. She has also been taken… I think Prince Aodhän is with her now. Probably fabricating more stories.”

---

“He loses influence. And if our brother doesn’t want his bastard siblings in court…”

"We lose no matter what," Cassius whispered with quiet dread. "You will have your healer boy though, mm? He'll be your parachute and- and Eden too, even if your fighting she's like your sister. Lucian will fight for me, mm, and Magnus but it- it isn't the same. I've tried so so hard to be likable, Sira... I've done everything we were taught."

---

"Both of you..." Rohan took another step, only satisfied when his index finger could brush the back of her knuckles. "Why would you be imprisoned?"

“I have been wracking my brains the entire time I’ve been under key and I cannot think of anything.”

“I’ll see you later, brother. It’s clear your mind has been occupied for the rest of the day.” Kiaan muttered irritably as he made his way from the room.

---

“I will fight for you too.”

"You sent me across to this place to see if our sisters are being manipulated and you take no interest in the people I have met, who I can trust along the way?" Rohan switched to their native tongue once more, frowning across at him. "I trust her, something is happening. I have already told yiu of how I think she can help us with our Mehan problem. You cast me away, Kiaan. Show an interest in what I have learnt."

---

"I know, but it..." Cassius swallowed. "It's just different, isn't it? I never should have done anything, never should have freaked when he got hurt. If I'd never admitted it, if I would have kept it all inside I'd least I'd still have a friend. At least you and Eden would still be talking and - I've fucked up your friendship with her now too. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

“Okay, strip her off and make her turn and we’ll see what you’ve learned, Rohan. This is nothing to do with our sisters, this is you getting - “

“I know enough of what you are saying to be uncomfortable with this conversation.” Lily murmured in her own language, grinding her teeth.

---

“No. No sorries. You have nothing to be sorry for Cass. You love him… you do not need to be sorry.”