Spirits of the Earth

@DragonSong
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The carriage ride from Reajh was a long one, but being away from the capital was a welcome change of pace for the ambassador. Declan Maddox sat in the crimson and gold coach with the velvet drapes drawn over the windows. A book in his lap, the elf couldn't seem to focus on the historical fiction tale because the eyes of his mordecai companion kept burrowing into his skull.

"You need a book," Declan said finally, not looking up from the words that appeared to blur together.

"I don't like reading," Thera said simply, turning away from him.

Declan looked up with a smirk. "Well, perhaps, if you did, you might be capable of besting me in an argument for once." His comment only earned him a roll of her eyes and a sneer. He smirked, looking back down at the book to actually try to get into the story. That is, until the coach almost collapsed to the left with a loud CRACK!

Thera jumped out, and Declan frowned suddenly, bracing himself with ease. Against his guard's instruction, the ambassador stepped out of the coach to join Thera and the driver. The back left wheel had split in half.

"Get this fixed," Thera spat at the coachman. "Ambassador Maddox, follow me. Less than a mile to the east, there's a house. We'll stay there."

"The house is owned, Thera," Declan said. "We ask permission."

She pulled Necrolight slightly out of its sheath. "This is permission."

They approached the house, and Declan turned to Thera. "Let me do the talking," he said quietly. "You aren't exactly warm and cuddly." She rolled her eyes, and the elf knocked three times on the door.

"Oh?" Lydia raised her eyes from the book she'd been reading, a puzzled frown on her face at the sound of the knock. "Now who on earth could that be?"

Her husband rose from his seat beside her on the chaise and moved to the door of the parlor. "I have no idea...we aren't expecting anyone." He frowned and called, "Berthel, the door."

"Of course, m'lord." The butler seemed to appear magically in the doorway and moved through the foyer toward the manor's great front doors.

"I do hope it's someone from Reajh," Jess sighed, her head pillowed in her twin's lap as he seemed to be examining his signet ring with utmost interest. "Honestly, we've barely been out of the city for a week and I'm already bored." Dorian brushed his fingers through her hair absently.

"Honestly." Jorris rolled his eyes from where he tended the fire. "Do you think of nothing else, Jessa?"

Amid the chatter, Lily continued her playing. Her mother would just tell her to continue her practice if she stopped, so she didn't much see the point. She tried to tune out the voices of her family as her fingers danced over the piano keys. With the parlor door open, the melody flowed out into the foyer, and further, out into the open air as Berthel heaved the door open.

The butler's eyes skated over the two unexpected guests at their door, blinking a bit in surprise at the odd coloring and obvious finery of the elf. "Sir. Madam." He dipped his head to both of them. "This is most unexpected. How may I be of service to you?"

Declan returned the butler's respectful nod, them gestured to the red-haired woman standing slightly behind him. "My companion and I-"

"We need a place to stay," Thera said quickly, cutting the elf off mid-sentence. "You have an extra room?"

With a hard stare at Thera, Declan started again after she stopped. "You must forgive my guard, ser," he said politely. "This is Thera Nirani, a mordecai soldier and my personal escort. My name is Ambassador Declan Maddox. We were on our way towards Matron's Hallow for a short break from the capital, but our coach-"

He stopped talking, a smile growing on his lips. "Oh, don't start," Thera grumbled.

"My apologies, ser," he started again. "The music is lovely; reminds me of home. Might we come in? I'd appreciate speaking with the house lord, if he's available?" He held his journal against his chest, shooting Thera one more warning glare.

"Of course, sers." Berthel bowed again and stepped back to allow them entrance into the manor. "The lord and lady of the house will be pleased to make your acquaintance, Master Ambassador. Welcome to the Hartnet estate."

No sooner had the words left his lips and Lydia and Carlton appeared in the entrance to the parlor. The lord's eyes widened fractionally, though he quickly smoothed his expression out again. "Ser Maddox." He inclined his head politely as he strode forward. "I don't believe we've ever been properly introduce, though you are...hard to miss at formal occasions. A pleasure." He extended a hand, reaching back with the other to take his wife's hand delicately as she glided up beside him and curtsied demurely.

"Welcome, welcome." Lydia smiled, both to him and the mordecai. Something like a flash of cunning sparked in her eyes, then was gone. "Please, do come into the parlor, won't you? We just finished the noonday meal, and we were taking a moment to relax. Well, most of us- our eldest daughter is practicing her music."

As if on tune, the melody from the piano was suddenly joined by soft singing, Lily's voice trilling and airy, as was proper of a finely trained young lady.

Stepping over the threshold of the door, the elf flashed a small smile. Thera followed him, making no attempt at any of the typical niceties expected from her.

"The pleasure is mine, Lord Hartnet," Declan said, graciously grasping wrists with the man, as he knew was the customary Connlaothian way. When it came to greeting women, Declan didn't observe Connlaothian customs. "Lady Hartnet," he said, bowing to her.

Thera peered around the visible area of the household, observant and alert to anything that could pose a threat, or even distract her from the dull small talk she had a feeling would eventually ensue. "I'll stay here," she said flatly, resting her hand on her sword and leaning against the wall near the doors.

"Excuse my companion," Declan said, accepting their invitation into the parlor. He stepped into the room, warmed by the fire and the music alike. Music always seemed to be missing from his life in Reajh. Back in Serendipity, the halls would never be without some kind of tune, but the embassy just seemed hollow. "Your eldest daughter?" He asked, looking around. "She's rather talented. How many children do you have?"

"Ah...of course." Lydia was not used to hosting mordecai, or soldiers in general. Women fighters in particular were a mystery to her, despite her eldest's tomboyish ways in her youth and the claim that she intended to be a lady knight at the age of ten.

Clearing her throat, the lady of the house quickly smoothed her expression into a smile and gestured for the elven ambassador to follow as her husband led them into the parlor. "We have four. Jorris, our eldest, Lily, and the twins."

As they stepped into the parlor Jorris rose from his position in front of the hearth and gave Declan a polite half bow. "Ser."

Dorian nodded and smiled, though he couldn't exactly bow as his sister seemed to have taken up permanent residence with her head in his lap. "Jessamine," her mother hissed as she just gave Declan a smile and a lazy wave.

For her part, Lily seemed not to have noticed that a stranger had entered the room. Her eyes were closed and she leaned gently back and forth on the piano bench as she played, completely losing herself to the music. It was a habit she'd developed to tune out the fussing of her family, particularly during one of her episodes- or "attacks", as he mother had taken to calling them recently.

It was a kind of defense mechanism that was actually rather counter-intuitive. Hidden and denied, her magic was allowed to flow through her body in this state, and though she didn't know what the tingling energy pulsing through her veins was, she knew she was most content like this. Unfortunately, it left her rather blind and deaf to the world around her, at least until someone snapped her out of it.

As Jorris bowed, Declan respectfully returned the gesture. The elf looked to the twins, smiling at them. Dorian acknowledged the ambassador's presence, while Jessamine didn't seemed dazed at all.

When Lady Hartnet scolded her daughter, Declan waved it off. "It's fine," he said calmly. "Truly. I've come into your home, not vice versa. It is I who should be showing you the utmost respect."

His violet eyes were drawn to the figure at the piano. Lily had untamed, dark hair and seemed to be in a trance induced by the melodies flowing from her fingers to the piano keys. Glancing at Thera, the elf knew that magic couldn't be used within half a mile of her. That didn't mean Declan couldn't sense the power the girl was giving off.

He floated from the parlor entrance towards the piano in a strange movement that was swift, yet slowly graceful at the same time. Declan looked back at Lord Hartnet with a nod, silently indicating that he wasn't going to cross any boundaries with the man's daughter.

Listening for a moment, Declan tapped his foot softly to pick up the beat. Holding his journal with his left hand, his right hand danced on the keys for a few notes, simply adding a few accents to the practically flawless piece being played. He smiled at Lily, unsure if she even realized that he was there, then looked at the lord and lady of the house. "Thank you for your hospitality. With luck, we'll be out of your hair by sunrise."

Lily's eyes, half closed in her semi-trance, flew open with a gasp and she jerked back from the piano so violently she nearly toppled off the stool. Chest heaving with sudden pants, she stared up at the stranger, lips slightly parted and eyes massive silver discs in her pale face, like twin moons.

Whatever connection to her power that had existed snapped, and the magic sank back into the deep recesses of her core, hiding from the outside world.

A blush quickly came to Lily's cheeks as she realized just what had happened and saw her mother already starting forward, worry lining her brow. "Forgive me, ser." Voice soft and demure, she dipped her head to the stranger. "I...seem to have lost myself a bit."

"Lily." Lydia came forward to wrap an arm around her shoulders as her eyes flickered over her. "Are you alright? Do you feel dizzy, weak?"

"I'm fine, Mother, honestly," Lily replied with no small amount of exasperation.

Quietly, Carlton moved to Declan's side. "My daughter has a rather weak constitution," he explained quietly. "Ever since she was a girl. My wife worries endlessly, I apologize for...any discomfort in the situation."

"No apologies necessary," Declan said, taking a step away from the piano. He wasn't uncomfortable in the situation, but thought it would be more appropriate to give Lily and her mother space. The tone that Lily spoke in when talking to her mother plainly told that this was a common occurrence.

Not that Declan was going to speak to it, but he had a feeling Lady Hartnet was overreacting to her daughter's start. He could tell what had happened, as Serendipity was flooded with mages of all kinds. The undiscovered magic was his favorite kind to watch.

Perhaps, the ambassador thought to himself, I just might stick around a bit longer to see if this unfolds.

He looked at the other three children, curious as to what their reactions would be. Declan found that more could be told about a family by how the siblings interacted, than how the parents did with the children.

"What is it exactly?" Declan asked finally, resting his eyes again on Lily's. "If you don't mind sharing... Does she have a mental condition? Or something else?" This was simply to feel out just how much Lord Hartnet knew of his daughter's situation.

"Fainting spells," Carlton answered softly with a small frown. It was clear this was a rather sensitive subject to the Hartnets. "And...night terrors. No physician seems to be able to properly diagnose her."

He kept his voice quiet enough that his fussing wife and exasperated daughter couldn't hear the exchange, though eventually Lily got to her feet with an irritated shooing motion in her mother's direction.

"Forgive me, Ser," she said as she turned pointedly to the elf. "I was...rather distracted when you were introduced. I don't suppose you could remind me of your name?"

Just as well, Declan thought. He'd heard all he needed to from Lord Hartnet, so he decided to drop the subject.

His right brow raised at Lily's sudden separation from her mother. Not being able to help it, a slight smirk tugged at the left corner of his lips. He was used to being around strong women, especially having one as a constant escort, but this tiny girl was something else.

"Ambassador Declan Maddox," he said, bowing respectfully to the young lady. Coming back up, he looked at her. The elf flashed a small grin. "Call me Declan."

Thera rolled her eyes at the exchange, huffing silently from her position near the door.

Oh goodness. He really was quite attractive.

Lily gave herself a mental shake and shoved that thought from her mind as she dipped into a polite curtsy. As she rose, she offered a small smile of her own. "Then I suppose you must call me Lily."

Jessamine gave a little scoff from her place on the chaise, and Dorian absently placed his hand over her mouth, making her sputter indignantly. Jorris rolled his eyes and shifted slightly to block them from view.

"What exactly brings you to our home?" the eldest Harnet child asked. "I heard something about trouble with your coach?"

"Ah, yes," Declan said. "I seem to have gotten a bit distracted."

He held Lily's gaze for a moment longer than normal, then turned to face her elder brother. Jorris seemed to be the most mature of the siblings, as would be expected from the eldest son. He held himself proudly, as well as having what seemed like a natural instinct to take charge of his siblings.

Declan straightened himself - not that he needed to - and nodded at Jorris. "My coach broke down about a mile west of here. The back wheel split, and my guard decided that we shouldn't remain with it." He amplified his voice ever so slightly just to make sure Thera heard it. He could feel her frustration with him, so he smiled, returning to his conversation. "Anyway, I'm waiting for our driver to fix it so we can be on our way again."

"Oh." Lily suddenly frowned as she glanced out the parlor window. "Well...are you quite sure your driver shouldn't wait in the house with us until the storm has passed?"

As if on cue, the rest of the Hartnets looked where she was looking- at a perfectly blue sky, with hardly a cloud in sight.

Jorris gave their guests a sheepish sort of smile and shrugged. "Ah...it may seem odd, but she's almost never wrong about things like this. Would you like us to send someone out to collect your driver, just in case it starts to rain?"

"I could go," Lily volunteered easily. She was dying to get out of the house.

"Absolutely not," her mother retorted with a frown. "If a storm is coming, I don't want you caught out in the rain. The last thing you need is to catch a fever."

"Mother," Lily sighed, frowning.

Carlton seemed to be trying to smooth the situation as he turned to Thera. "Perhaps you'd be so kind? I could send Berthel and Andre with you. I assure you your charge would be quite safe in our care," he said with a smile.

Outside the window, the sky continued to be a stubbornly perfect blue, not a hint of the storm the Hartnets seemed to accept was coming in sight.

Declan stayed quiet, observing the small interactions. He was amused by Lady Hartnet's belief that rain could bring a fever. Of the hundreds of times he was caught in a storm, not once had illness been brought on.

Either way, it wasn't his place to comment.

When Lord Hartnet asked Thera to go, Declan smirked. The woman was silent for a moment, glaring at the man. "Believe me," she said. "I'd like nothing more than to be rid of this asshat."

"Thera!" Declan scolded.

"But," she continued, "I can't. You think I travel with him because I think he's charming? Pfft! I'm here so he doesn't use his magic. The carriage is farther than my field can reach."

The ambassador sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Thera, if I wanted to use my magic, you don't think I would've found some way to evade you by now?"

"Nope."

"See?" He said condescendingly. "There's where my point in the coach comes in. Maybe if you read a book, you'd actually be correct in your argument." He smirked at her stoic expression. "Oh, lighten up. I'll behave."

The mordecai woman pursed her lips and moved off of the wall. "I'll go alone. Bert and Andy can stay here." She glared at Declan before walking out the door.

Lydia gasped quietly and clapped a hand over her mouth at Thera's language- but it wasn't her place to reprimand the guard, so she didn't say anything, just frowned disapprovingly.

Lily on the other hand had to cover her mouth to hide a smirk. Dorian wasn't quite as quick, stifling a startled laugh into his arm, pretending it was a cough. Lydia glowered at both of them and they smiled innocently.

She couldn't deny she was a bit disappointed though; she would have loved the chance to get out in the fresh air. Her mother was convinced too much time "exerting" herself would just make her condition worse.

She hated being treated like glass.

"Well, if you're sure," Carlton said a little warily, but he gave the mordecai a nod. His eyes flickered back to Declan, calculating, but it was his eldest who seemed to speak his thoughts.

"I didn't realize you were a mage, Master Ambassador," Jorris said carefully. There was a slight edge to the tension in the parlor now as the Hartnets seemed to give the elf a second look. None of them had actually spent much time around marked mages, or even mordecai for that matter.

Lily shivered, then frowned, confused by the tingle that had run down her spine. "Ah...perhaps I could show you to a spare room?" she offered into the awkward silence.

The elf was used to being looked at funnily. Being a 6'5" Serenian elf with blue-green hair, he knew that he wasn't exactly the typical Connlaothian inhabitant. "Yes, Jorris," he said, "I'm a mage. That's why, when I came to Reajh, I requested a mordecai escort."

He thought that knowing he was the one who asked for the mordecai would ease their minds at least a bit.

"Thank you, Miss Lily," Declan said. He turned to Lady Hartnet. "Ma'am, I fear I've asked this if you too many times within the short time of knowing each other, but please forgive me. Thera is as tactless as she is headstrong. She's also the only guard who has been able to tolerate me for as long as I've been here."

He felt the uneasiness in the room and decided it would be best to shorten the interaction with the whole family. Lily and the twins seemed absolutely fine with Declan being a mage, but Jorris and his parents were understandably wary around someone like the elf.

He looked downward momentarily, then to Lily again. "Where's this spare room?" He asked with a smirk.

Jossir had the decency to flush a bit at the elf's pointed answer, and he didn't press the issue. The twins didn't move much from their spot on the chaise, but they were both shooting curious glanced in Declan's direction when they thought he wasn't looking.

"Wait a moment." Lydia frowned as Lily opened her mouth to reply to his question. "I'll call Ayla; you should have a chaperone."

Oh good God.

"Mother!" Lily exclaimed, half laughing and half groaning. She stared incredulously at the lady of the house. "I'm just taking him upstairs to one of the spare rooms, what on earth do you think is going to happen?" Did the woman expect her to throw herself into this- for all intents and purpose's- stranger's arms and swoon the moment they were out of sight?

Lydia frowned and seemed to be about to object, but her husband laid a calming hand on her shoulder and shot Declan a wincing sort of smile. "Forgive us- we don't mean to impune your character, but propriety is a comfort to Lydia."

"Carlton," Lydia protested, flushing a bit.

It was then Declan's turn to flush in slight embarrassment. The first genuine smile he unwittingly gave appeared on his face with a nervous laugh.

He averted his eyes from Lily, facing Lord Hartnet. "As it should be," the ambassador said, shifting slightly. "I take no offense, my lady. If it eases your spirit, I'll accept a chaperone. You've been most gracious and continue to be, so it's only polite that I abide by your rules."

He looked at Lily, then back at her parents. Jorris seemed to be respectfully silenced, while Declan caught the twins sneaking looks at him.

Declan shook his head. "Though, I must tell you that I'm engaged to a lady in Arca." Well, that was probably the biggest lie of the century. Declan never before saw a girl - or guy, for that matter - who held his attention for longer than a polite conversation. Still, lying came quite naturally to anyone involved heavily in politics. "I have no perverse intentions with your daughter."

"Oh." Lydia seemed to relax considerably and Dorian raised his book to hide a dramatic eye roll. "Well. I suppose that's alright then."

Lily bit down on a sharp retort, instead giving her mother a brief, tight smile before she moved toward the parlor door with an elegant gesture to beckon Declan after her. "Just this way, then." She slipped out into the foyer and, once out of sight of her family, allowed herself to relax just a bit and an audible sigh.

"Sorry about them." She lowered her voice as she glanced back over her shoulder, wincing apologetically. "Mother can be...very particular." She cleared her throat, a very slight flush to her cheeks as she started for the stairs. "You come from Arca, then? Originally, I mean," she asked politely.

"No," he said simply, giving her a small grin. "Your mother needed reassurance, so I gave it to her. My intentions are pure, though. I'm a man of honor."

He wasn't sure how Lily would react to his lie, but he always felt it was better to be truthful when he could. Declan held his journal to his unusually unexposed chest, as he followed Lily through her home.

"Originally, I come from Cerenis," he said. "My mother loved the sea, and when my father came back from Reajh after her death, he couldn't leave the town." His tone took on an uncharacteristic sentimentality when talking about his past. He missed his father, but he wasn't looking to give his position up any time soon.

Lily paused at the top of the stairs and turned to look him up and down, not bothering to hide the calculating look in her eye.

Then she smiled. "Thank you for your honesty, Ser Mad- Declan. Though I must warn you Mother always finds these sort of things out. Best come up with a cover story for your lie before she does." Her eyes glinted a little wickedly as she turned to lead him down the hall.

She didn't judge him for the white lie- it wasn't hurting anyone, and she'd been in an out of courtly affairs her whole life. She knew the kind of instincts a life in politics could instill, much as it might irritate her sometimes.

Her step hesitated as he told her the truth of his homeland. "I'm...sorry about your mother," she said quietly. Silence lulled for a long moment.

"What's the sea like?" she asked eventually as they paused before a the doorway to the west wing of the estate. Her hands were clasped behind her back and she admitted with a slight flush, "I've never seen it. Mother and Father...I'm too delicate to go on such a journey." Her mouth twisted a little sourly at the edges.

The elf smirked at Lily's comment about coming up with a cover story. If he could help to ensure peaceful relations between two lands with extremely different ways of life, he could handle one protective mother.

When they stopped in front of a door, Declan walked in front of Lily with wide eyes. "Never?" He said in disbelief. "That's bullshit!" His voice then was a forceful whisper, and he chuckled. "Forgive my language. That was inappropriate, but very true."

It astonished him that someone could be an adult without ever seeing the ocean. He practically spent all of his free time on the docks and the beach as a child.

Declan leaned against the wall. "Picture a blue, more vast than the sky and more mysterious than the night. When the sun shines, the water sparkles so brightly it could be blinding. You stare out at the horizon and it just keeps going. There's no indication that it stops, and there's nothing that could block your view, aside from a dolphin's silhouette leaping; and that's only if you're lucky.

"Picture waves that crest against sand banks with foamy peaks whiter than a cloud." His voice lowered for the next sentence. "They can be strong as an unbroken stallion, or they can lap at your ankles with the softness of a kiss." Swallowing, he shook his head. "The sand, under the warmth of the sun, is like wrapping yourself in a blanket through a winter storm.

"Here's the catch, though... As great as the sea may be, she's a fragile creature. If one element of the underwater life is removed, she'll slowly begin to die. That beauty and mystery could crumble." Declan's violet eyes held her silver eyes. "You see, even something as powerful and incredible as the sea can be described as...delicate."

Her eyes widened and she gave a startled little giggle for the unexpected language, but waved his apologies off.

She found herself resting back against the door frame as she listened to him speak, describing a natural wonder she'd only before seen paintings of, and those rarely. Without really meaning to, Lily began leaning toward him a bit as he described the sea, closing her eyes to better try to imagine it.

When she opened her eyes she found herself caught in his gaze, and her breath hitched. Even something as powerful as the sea could be delicate. "Oh?" She blinked, and suddenly her cheeks were rather warm. "O-oh."

With a sharp, less-than-graceful movement she jerked back and fumbled with the door. "That's...well. Ahem. Thank you." Her blush worsened and she added quickly, "I meant for- that is, about the sea, and...oh, never mind."

She cleared her throat and strode quickly into the west wing. "This way then, there's a pair of empty rooms at the end of the hall."

Declan pressed his lips together in a tight smile, surprisingly satisfied at her flustered reaction. He listened to her stammer and watched her stumble, while he stood in a statuesque manner.

Though it was true that he was a man of honor, he was also a man of power. As much as he would try to deny it, there was something enticing about being able to make someone quiver with just words. The partial sentences that Lily tried to make into one only made Declan's pride swell.

As she strode into the west wing, the elf didn't remove his eyes from her. He followed her, watching every movement with precision and a strange kind of grace.

"Very well," he said finally. Declan walked beside her, his naturally long strides slowed so she didn't have to rush. "Thank you for your hospitality."

Approaching the rooms, he peered inside at the modest, yet classy guest rooms. There was a desk in one, which he was thankful for. Despite him being away from the capital, his work never truly stopped. He rubbed the back of his neck a bit, glancing into the room, then smiled at Lily.

Lily smiled in return and nodded to him, dipping into a half curtsy for a moment before she stepped back. "Of course. Hopefully Mistress Thera will return soon with your driver, and perhaps you'd all like something to eat? I'm sure Mother has already informed the kitchen staff we'll be having guests for dinner."

Though internally she was still a little flustered- and irritated because she wasn't entirely sure why- she managed to slip back into the role of young Lady Hartnet as she addressed him, draping propriety around her shoulders like a protective cloak.

"I'm not sure how much you've brought with you, but I'm sure my father or Jorris may have some clothes you could borrow if you'd like to change." She paused, looked him up and down, then amended with a wry smile, "Actually...I'm fairly sure. I'm not sure if you've noticed but you're a rather tall man, Ser Maddox."

A laugh escaped him, as he looked down at his outfit. "Yes, I don't believe your father or brother's clothing would be able to fit me." He took a breath, nodding. "Well, luckily I do come prepared. Thera should be back soon enough." He was about to step into the room before stopping himself. "Also, I suggest you don't address Thera as mistress. She's a touchy woman. Just call her Thera."

He walked into the room, gesturing for her to wait for him. Declan picked up on her sudden formality, enjoying it even more that he saw she used it as a defense.

The elf placed his journal on the desk, crouching to assess the contents of some of the drawers. Finding two quills and inkwells, he stood with a smirk. "This'll do nicely, thank you." Declan removed his long jacket, draping it over the bed and turning to face Lily again. "I'm sure Thera and Jackson, our driver, will be famished, but I must decline. She'll be back with my things, and I have some work I must do."

Pulling out the chair to the desk, he sat with his right ankle on his left knee. "Perhaps, I can make it up to you?" Declan rose once more, walking up to her and reaching behind his neck. He held his right hand open in front of his stomach, quickly catching one of the four necklaces he wore. It was a multicolored beaded necklace with a silver moon pendant on it. "Helps you sleep," he said quietly, holding it up to put it on her. "Tomorrow, what do you say to an early morning stroll?"

She stiffened her eyes going wide as he closed the distance between them. It wasn't that she felt unsafe, or even necessarily uncomfortable- she just wasn't used to men she didn't know encroaching into her space. Or even most of the men she did know, in all honesty.

Her eyes flickered down to the pendant, then back up to his face as it settled at her collar. The beads were an oddly comforting weight against her skin.

Magic. She didn't have to ask, she just knew- how else could a necklace help her sleep? Half of her wanted to tear the thing from her neck and throw it as far from her body as she could manage, years of an ingrained fear pressing down on her heart. But the other half...

Her fingers delicately traced the edge of the silver moon, then she dropped her hand and offered a small smile. "That is very kind of you, ser. My thanks."

Lily dipped into another small curtsy, eyes downcast, and turned to leave. "If you need anything at all, just ask; we'll do our best." She paused in the doorway, hand on the frame. "And...I'd be delighted to take a walk tomorrow morning."

She slipped out of the room before she could say anything else, her heart giving a nervous little skip in her chest. She carefully tucked the pendent under the neckline of her dress, where the silver moon settled just on her breast. Her fingertips brushed the metal through the fabric and she smiled as she hurried back to the parlor.

The elf smiled, brushing his hands beneath her hair and not releasing her eyes. He saw the internal struggle that she briefly had, but her acceptance of the pendant spoke a lot about her ability to have an open mind.

He was silent as she quickly left, watching the subtle sway of her dress. Leaning against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets.

She and her family are hosting you, Declan thought to himself. Stop thinking about her.

Ducking back into the room, he sat at the desk, taking out one of the quills and inkwells. He opened his journal, valuely hearing the front doors open.

Downstairs, Thera pushed open the door without knocking. She and Jackson stepped in, lugging two bags and a decently large chest. Thera put the chest on the ground, looking at Lord Hartnet. "All right," she said. "Now, I'd appreciate Berthel and Andre's help." She took the bags from Jackson, gesturing to the chest. "It's kinda heavy. Where's the ambassador?"

As if on cue Berthel hurried forward, exclaiming, "Ma'am, I do wish you'd asked for assistance. Andre!" A footman scurried into the foyer on his heels at the call.

Lily reached the top of the stairs the moment Thera and Jackson arrived, and she quickly hurried down to answer the guard's question. "He's just upstairs, M- Thera. I thought you might be more comfortable closer to your charge, so I gave you the two rooms at the end of the west hall." As Berthel hefted one bag and Andre another, she bit her lip and tried to offer, "May I help with the chest-"

"Out of the question." Lily appeared in a whirl of skirts and her daughter sighed, stepping back. "I'm sure Ayla and Jackson can manage. Ayla? Drat, where is the girl?"

"Here, mistress." A maid stepped out from the door that led into the kitchens; she must have been just behind it when the lady of the house called for her. Lily and the other young woman exchanged a tired look that spoke volumes about Lady Hartnet's fluttering mannerisms as she moved forward to help with the luggage.

"Wonderful. Supper should be ready within the hour, I should think." Lydia clasped her hands and smiled cheerily as the rest of her family filed into the foyer to see what all the fuss was.

"Oh!" Lily quickly turned to Thera and dipped into an automatic half curtsy. "Ambassador Maddox said he won't be joining us for dinner as he has duties to attend to, but you and-"

"You are, of course, welcome to dine with us," Carlton said with a smile before his daughter could finish the invitation. Lily scowled and gave Jackson an apologetic look. It was positively archaic, the idea of servants and nobility not being allowed to each in the same room. But it was what Lydia adhered to, so it was the rule the manor followed.

Thera huffed at the butler's exclamation. She didn't want to be treated any differently. She helped to support the chest the entire way there, despite it being on a horse's back.

Either way, she let Andre and Berthel take the bags from her. When Lady Hartnet appeared, Thera smirked, as the thought of Jackson carrying the chest was almost laughable. "Ayla and I will take the chest," Thera said quickly. "Jackson isn't as strong as he used to be."

"Bad back, ma'am," the older man said to the lady of the house.

"He takes care of the horses," the mordecai said, taking hold of one side of the chest. "Ayla, I hope you're strong because this can't be damaged."

Jackson's eyes fell slightly at his invitation being dropped, but it was something he was used to. Thera nodded at Lord and Lady Hartnet, silently accepting their dinner invitation. She was definitely looking forward to some good food.

The man gave a half bow to Lord Hartnet, not out of disrespect, but because he really couldn't go lower. "M'lord, might there be a stable on yer property we can borrow? I got four horses tied up outside."

Ayla beamed at Thera and made a show of hefting her side of the chest. "Oh I'll be right as rain, mum, don't you worry about me none. Spent most of my girlhood lugging buckets of water and such, this is no nevermind to me." Her babble nearly drowned out Jackson question.

"I can show you," Lily hurried to speak before her parents or siblings could, and she moved forward and offered Jackson her arm with a smile.

"Oh- well, I suppose. If you're quite sure you're feeling alright..." Lydia hedged.

"Mother." Jorris laid a hand on her shoulder with a fondly exasperated sigh. "Lily hasn't had a fit in nearly three weeks. I'm sure they'll be fine just walking to the stable."

"I-" Lydia looked from her husband to her eldest son, then sighed and relented, "I suppose. Very well." She fixed a polite smile on her face and nodded. Lily just barely waited for the permission before she guided Jackson back and out a side door.

"Would you like a bath, after you've retired from supper?" she offered with a small smile once they were out of earshot. "I'm sure you and Thera and Master Declan have been on the road a while, and I know Andre won't mind heating the water."

The mordecai smirked, disappearing up the stairs with the maid. "Call it a hunch, but you haven't met the ambassador yet, huh?" She chuckled, shaking her head. "Wouldn't have agreed so quickly if you had."

Jackson bowed his head to the lord and lady of the house, before following Lily out the door. "Thank ya, m'lady."

He could tell that Lily was extremely eager to get out of the house, which probably meant it wasn't a common occurrence. Jackson took hold of the reins to all four pure white horses - two in each hand - and smiled at the young lady.

"I don't need a bath, m'lady, but thanks fer the offer. I had a bath just the other day. I can manage by meself." He followed her to the stables, his dark eyes looking the girl up and down. A sudden huff that was probably something of a laugh escaped him. "Master Declan quite likes you, then." He motioned to the necklace peaking out of the girl's neckline. "That's mighty important to him."

Lily had to exert a decent amount of self-control not to just sprint out to the stables, basking in the sensation of fresh air and the hovering storm that was now clearly on the horizon. Her hunch had been right.

"What?" She blinked at Jackson's comment, then flushed as her eyes followed his to the necklace and she adjusted her neckline to hide it. "Oh, well, I...ahem. I wouldn't know. He just said...it would help me sleep."

Turning her head to hide her blush, she moved forward and took a pair of reins in each hand so they each only held two animals. "Well, aren't you lovely," she praised the horse who snuffled at her shoulder curiously, then chuckled when he tossed his head at the unfamiliar scent. She turned her attention back to Jackson and nodded toward the long, low building set a little ways back from the main manor.

"The stables are just this way." She glanced up. "We'd better hurry, that rain will be here soon."

"Beggin' yer pardon, m'lady," Jackson said, smiling at the horse nuzzling the girl. "Wasn't me place."

They reached the stables, and Jackson opened one of the empty stalls. He put his two horses in stalls, then opened two for the ones Lily was holding. The man stretched, cracking his back in a few places.

Jackson glanced at the sky. Strangely enough, the few clouds in the sky had taken on a grey color. His brows knotted together. "That's an odd happenin', eh?" He mumbled to himself. "Rain wasn't expected on this here trip."

He pursed his thin lips together. "Off with ya now, m'lady," Jackson said. "Wouldn't want yer mama to get herself worked up." He looked down. "With all due respect, of course. I'll follow ya soon."

Lily laughed and, without thinking about it, reached out to touch his shoulder in a companionable sort of way. "Noted," she chuckled as she drew her hand back. "Just...do mind the rain? I wouldn't want you to get caught out here in a downpour." She smiled again and offered a small wave, along with a few pats for the horses, before she hurried out and back across the lawn to the manor.

The ever darkening sky was abruptly a steely gray and she heard a clap of thunder in the distance. She paused and craned her neck back to watch the sky, then closed her eyes as the first few raindrops pattered down on her face.

Her lips curved in a small smile and she spread her arms as though to embrace the storm, a lone figure in the manor's carefully cultivated garden, the sudden wind tossing her hair about her face as the slowly strengthening rain trickled down her cheeks and brow to her shoulders. She spun in a circle, laughing softly to herself.

"Mistress Lily!"

Ayla had appeared in the doorway- she must have finished helping Thera with the chest. The maid eyed the rain sourly and beckoned for the young Lady Hartnet to come inside. "Hurry up, now, missus, or your mother'll have both our hides."

Lily sighed, but she knew the other girl was right. She scurried back into the shelter of the manor and let the door shut behind her as another peal of thunder rang out from somewhere over the horizon.

---

(OOC: How would you feel about a quick timeskip on my next post? Maybe to after dinner?)

Jackson nodded to the girl, as she hurried away. He made sure to secure the horses, especially after the first clap of thunder startled them. For such majestic creatures, the horses were complete jackasses.

Thera leaned against the wall in Declan's room, tossing him the key to the chest. "Why'd you need to bring all this shit?" She asked annoyed. "Isn't this supposed to be a vacation?"

The elf smirked, standing up from the desk. "There's a reason why the embassy puts up with me, Thera. And no, it isn't my dashing good looks."

"Right, because that's immediately what I thought."

"I'm good at my job," Declan finished, not acknowledging her sarcasm. He tucked the keys in his pocket, walking over to the window at the sudden thunder. He was genuinely shocked that Lily was right in her prediction, but decided that he wouldn't press the issue. "Rain."

Thera nodded slowly. "Rain does usually follow thunder, Maddox. I'm going down for dinner. Join us, if you feel like being a good guest."

"I have work to do," he said absently, looking at the lone figure spinning in the rain. A soft smile crossed his lips without him noticing, as he watched Lily enjoy just being alive and free.

The mordecai approached, puzzled as to his change in attitude. She saw what he was looking at and shook her head with a sigh. "Don't do it, ambassador." Her tone had a clear meaning behind it. He glanced at Thera with a short nod, then she disappeared to join the Hartnets for dinner.

---

(OOC: Yeah, be my guest! After dinner sounds good!)

Meals at the Hartnet country estate were normally a relative docile affair, but with guests staying the manor it was a bit more lively. The twins were finally participating in conversation, Jessamine asking if Thera knew anything about the current season and fashions in Reajh while Dorian was more interested in her work as a mordecai. Jorris, for his part, tried to play the big brother and keep conversation relatively calm, but there was only so much he could do against the two suddenly energetic teenagers.

Lily rather kept to herself through the meal, glancing at the rain that by now was hammering against the windows every so often, or the door into the kitchens were the servants would be eating. As soon as was considered polite, she excused herself from the table, claiming she felt a bit faint.

Of course, this immediately set her mother off into a spin of matronly worry, but she assured her it was nothing serious and that she simply planned to retire to the library, or perhaps her own rooms, at which point Lydia allowed her to leave.

It was easy enough to slip into the kitchen- no one was paying her any attention at that point anyway. She gave Ayla and Andre a quick smile as they looked up from their meal. "Don't suppose there's anything left over?"

Ayla snorted. "With the way Bastian cooks? 'Course there is, missus." She arched her back and winced at the stretch. "Ack. I'll tell ya what though, that ambassador whats-it carries a bloody sack of bricks around with him, he does, if that chest's sommat to go by."

Lily chuckled and moved to collect a plate, stacking it with the roasted duck Bastian had prepared for supper, vegetables, and a freshly baked roll before she made her way upstairs.

She got all the way down the west hall before she hesitated, staring at the plate in her hand. Was she being too forward? Would she be disturbing him? Should she have asked Ayla or Marie to do this instead? Or maybe this was actually expected, and the time she spent dawdling would-

Pull yourself together, girl. She huffed out a breath and knocked sharply. "Ser Ma- Declan? I thought you might like something to eat, I've brought a plate up."

Downstairs, Thera answered Dorian's questions with ease and genuine delight. Jessamine's, on the other hand, weren't exactly within her range of knowledge. The mordecai woman didn't really keep up with fashion, but she urged Jessamine to question the ambassador, as he actually understood all of that nonsense.

Upstairs, Declan had practically layered the room in papers in the short time he was left alone. He had a habit of locking his door in the embassy because people were rather nosy, a habit which carried into the Hartnets' home.

His formal clothing had been removed and tucked away: he was now barefoot in loose, black pajama pants, no shirt, and a black robe made of silk that he left open. At that point, even his necklaces were off and out of sight. His oddly colored hair was slightly disheveled, enough to make it clear he had been gripping at it, but not enough to look like he just woke up.

The desk had two neat piles of papers, while the floor basically had a carpet of papers with unusual designs on them. At the sound of a sharp knock, Declan looked up with wide eyes and a heaving chest. He was snapped out of his trance, much like Lily's at the piano. When he was working, he tended to become consumed by it, absent to the world around him.

The elf stood, tripping slightly on his foot which had fallen asleep. He winced, glancing down at the papers, glad that none of them had moved. Declan shook his leg awake, then unlocked the door. He opened the door carefully to not blow away any papers and flashed Lily a warm smile.

"Thank you," he said, gratefully taking the plate of food. The meal looked incredible, especially since he had forgotten that he actually was hungry. "Uh, where are my manners? Come in. Mind your step, though!"

Lily was sure her face had gone ten different shades of rosy and she dropped her eyes quickly from his face and that ridiculously, alluringly disheveled hair. Except lowering her gaze didn’t help much, because he wasn’t wearing a shirt.

Oh.

Dear.

God.

That just wasn’t fair. Politicians shouldn’t be allowed to be that fit. She was desperately trying to come up with some graceful way to excuse herself from the situation, but then he invited her into the room and what was she supposed to do? Tell him no?

“Well, I...thank you.” Keeping her eyes downcast, she picked her way delicately across the paper-strewn floor to perch on the edge of the bed. “You should, um, eat that while it’s hot,” she blurted out, gesturing to the plate he now held.

Ansgar preserve me for I have sinned, she thought a little giddily as her eyes flickered over his form again, quite literally unable to help herself. She’d never seen a man- or anyone- so cavalier about what to her was a state of undress. God, she hadn’t even seen Jorris or Dorian shirtless since they were all children.

And this was nothing like looking at one of her brothers.

“The, ah-“ Her voice squeaked and she cursed internally, cleared her throat, and tried again. “The rain is getting worse.” She gestured to the window. “Mother mentioned that you, Thera, and Jackson might actually be stuck here into tomorrow if it keeps up like this. The road will be nearly impossible to drag a coach through.”

She ducked her eyes again and finally actually looked at the papers on the floor. Before they had just been obstacles to avoid slipping on and compounding her embarrassment, now... “May I ask what exactly it is you’re doing?” she murmured, glancing up at him through her dark curls curiously.

Declan hardly noticed the condition he was in. In all honesty, he hadn't expected a visitor after the door was closed. Considering how much time he spent among people of all classes, it was genuinely shocking how little he actually applied social customs to himself.

The sudden squeak Lily let out made the elf realize just how exposed he was. A slight blush crept onto his cheeks, hidden by the low light. Because of the storm outside, the room he was staying in was lit with over a dozen candles. Most of them were placed strategically on the ground, but others were on the desk, wardrobe, and nightstands.

Declan placed the plate on the desk, turning his back to the girl. He hastily pulled his robe closed, tying it in a loose knot. Turning back to face Lily, he shrugged, unable to think of a believable excuse. "Apologies," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

He swallowed nervously and walked toward the window. She was right: there was no way the rain would let up anytime soon, and Declan would never make Jackson work on the carriage in that weather.

"Well, I suppose you'll be stuck with me a little longer," he said in feigned exasperation. With a smirk, the elf jumped onto the large bed, sliding with the blankets to the side where all of his papers were laid out. His violet eyes practically glowed from the candlelight and his own excitement. Crouching again in the only space in the center of the papers, Declan smiled at Lily. "This is one of my many hobbies."

What he was doing made several people think he was mad. "Come here," he extended his hand to her, standing up and would help her jump into the small circle with him. If she knew anything about the sky, Lily would immediately be able to at least vaguely make out the patterns of stars. "What does it look like to you?"

“Oh! Um...” A little hesitantly, Lily took his hand and allows him to help her into the circle. They were pressed rather close together, and the fact that he’d closed his robe did little to purge the mental image of it open from her mind.

She was going to a special kind of hell, she just knew it.

She gave herself a little shake and tried to focus on the papers around her feet. “It looks like...like...” Her brow furrowed and she crouched to get a better look, momentarily forgetting that she still held his hand. “Are they...constellations? That’s the Grand Matron, isn’t it? And that’s the Swan...”

As a girl not allowed to spend much time engaged in physicality, Lily had spent much of her childhood staring at stars and clouds, anything above her head that made her feel the “bigness” of the world. Aside from the rare times she was actually allowed out in the kennel or stable, they were some of her fondest memories, tracking star patterns with Dorian or finding shapes in the clouds with Jorris and Jess.

She looked back up to Declan, curious. “What are they for?”

Regardless of whether or not it was entirely appropriate, Declan made no attempt to separate himself from Lily as she focused on the constellations he had drawn. "Exactly right," he said, following her gaze around his hand-drawn celestial map.

"You were asking me earlier about the sea," he started. "Well, when I said that I grew up near the sea, I was telling you only half the story. I studied the sea. Just so you understand, I tend to get overly invested in my work, especially when I have nothing more to occupy my mind. Anyway, I studied everything the sea had to offer, from sea life to sailing.

"Well, what the sailors had was a mixture of star maps, instincts, stories, and experience. Needless to say, it isn't exactly the most reliable technique. I've begun charting the stars in a way that maps the patterns through every season, while also marking the ocean currents and dangerous areas to avoid. Hopefully, when I perfect the system, it'll save a lot of people from being lost at sea. Plus, it doesn't make those at the embassy make dismissal threats when I'm bringing my outlandish ideas to life."

That was the first time he had ever shared this particular hobby with anyone. The sea was a special piece of his childhood, one that most at the embassy didn't understand, so he typically tried to keep his knowledge of the stars and seas to himself.

She looked between him and the handmade star charts, and slowly a smile curved at her lips. "That's...rather wonderful, Declan." She lifted her eyes to smile at him properly, meeting his gaze probably for the first time since she'd entered the room. "A noble goal, certainly."

Very carefully, she started to pick her way back out of the circle. And was brought up short by the realization that she still clasped his hand in hers. "Oh." She blinked at their hands, then flushed and tried to disentangle her fingers as gracefully as possible. "Forgive me, I didn't even realize," she chuckled a little nervously, backing up a step.

The backs of her knees fetched up against the side of the bed and she collapsed back into it with a rather undignified squeak, though she quickly righted herself and attempted to brush her hair back behind her ears primly. "Right. Well, um. Stars, yes. Good. Stars."

Cheeks scarlet, Lily leaned forward over the edge of the bed to attempt to busy herself with the charts again. Suddenly her embarrassment faded away this guy she she pointed to a particular paper and asked curiosity, "That one there- one is supposed to navigate north by the middle star, right? What do you call the constellation in Serendipity?"

He smiled at her slight clumsiness, actually finding it endearing in a way. Her curiosity in his passion made his heart race. Declan loved talking about subjects on which he was knowledgeable, so questions were more than welcome.

"This one?" He asked, pointing to the star she was to make sure he was correct in the constellation. "In Serendipity, we call it Mother Bear. She watches over us and guides us when we're lost, just as a mother would. The bear just comes because it kind of looks like a bear." He let out a small chuckle, biting his lower lip.

Jumping up, he sped over to the window, then pursed his lips, having forgotten about the storm. With how scattered his mind was, it was sometimes hard to believe that the ambassador was truly a brilliant man.

"When the clouds disappear, perhaps I can actually show you the map outside." He smirked at Lily, leaning over the opposite side of the bed to face her. "Better yet," he said with a gleam in his eye, "I could even show it to you in relation to the sea." His arm swept in front of him, as though painting the scene for her. "Just imagine... Out on the water with only the stars and the will of the seas to guide you!"

Lily smiled as she watched him race to the window, drawing her legs up onto the bed. It seemed he'd momentarily forgotten about the storm in his excitement- which was actually sort of adorable, a word she wouldn't have thought to apply to the ambassador before.

And idea suddenly struck her and she rose to her feet, carefully picking her way across the floor to stand beside him. "That sounds...wonderful, actually." She smiled a little wistfully. "If a little lonely. Beautiful they may be, but I doubt the stars and sea are much for conversation."

She hesitated, biting her lip, then continued, "I... Can I show you something?" She backed toward the door as she extended a hand to him in invitation. Nerves made her stomach flutter and she tried to push the feeling away.

Declan felt his heart racing in his chest, and he couldn't tell whether it was from his own excitement or her presence close to him. Perhaps, it was some combination of the two.

He shrugged slightly at her comment about sailing being lonely. In a way, it was lonely. In other ways, it was one of the most peaceful and fulfilling existences someone could live.

Lily's invitation sparked his curiosity, and he parted his lips slightly in a smile. "Of course," the elf said quietly. He took her hand gently with a daring look in his eye. "What're you going to show me?" He asked, biting his lip in an eager smirk. His professionalism seemed to have disappeared, replaced with his genuine personality.

Oh dear.

Lily flushed, but she couldn't help returning his smirk with a playful smile of her own as she pulled him toward the door. "I hope you don't mind the rain," she answered cryptically as she pulled him out into the hall.

With barely a cursory glance to make sure they wouldn't be spotted, she quickly darted down the west hall to the main chamber of the upper floor, then took a sharp turn to a rather unimposing little door that led simply to a gently curving staircase. Without really thinking about it, she slid her hand in Declan's so their fingers were laced together, keeping her grip light but still very much present.

Gathering up her skirts in one hand she led him up the stairs to yet another door. The wind and rain could be heard just outside, howling with all the energy of a sudden summer storm. Breathing just a little more sharply than normal, Lily tilted her head at her guest as she hesitated on the top step, just before the door.

"Trust me?" Her eyes had darkened from silver to stormy gray, a wicked glint like moonlight off steel giving her expression a sudden edge of wildness.

Following Lily through her house, Declan was careful in watching for anyone who might've seen. He didn't say anything when she laced their fingers together, but a fleeting shiver ran down his spine.

He watched her movement, knowing every step without having to glance down.

Approaching another door at the top of the stairs, the elf smirked at the loud rain. He enjoyed watching and listening to the Connlaothian storms, as wind was a major part of them. Very rarely did he actually venture out into the storms, though.

When Lily looked at him with an expression he could only imagine matched his own eagerness when talking about the stars, Declan couldn't help but be intrigued. He smiled, shaking his head slowly. "No," he whispered, looking at her intensely. "What would be the fun in that?" Glancing at the door, he nodded. "Open it."

She laughed, startled but surprisingly pleased by his answer. The sound rang down the stairwell for a moment before she managed to stifle it with a hand pressed to her lips, the glint to her eyes brightening. “Smart man.” She squeezed his hand and pushed the door open behind her, leading them out into the storm.

They stood at the top of...not a tower, exactly, as the Hartnet estate didn’t really have towers. It was the pinicle of the height of the building though, a jutting square platform that rose above the rest of the roof, with a gently curved dome supported by four pillars to serve as a covering over their heads and a thin, almost decorative wrought iron fence at its edges.

Though the roof kept most of the rain off, there were no walls, and the wind cut through without any obstruction. Lily finally dropped Declan’s hand as she walked to the edge of the platform, holding a hand out into the storm.

She turned her head to look back at him over her shoulder, smiling softly as the wind whipped her hair and the rain soaked her dress. “This is my sea.” She wasn’t quite sure where the words came from, but they rang true. “You showed me...those charts, that project...it’s important to you.” Almost unconsciously, she reached up to touch the pendant under her dress. Her smile turned a little shy. “I wanted to return the favor.”

Thunder cracked and she let her head fall back with a wild laugh, turning to lean out over the edge of the balcony into the storm, as far as she could go without tipping over.

Standing on the platform, Declan didn't fight the awe that the scenery inspired. The Hartnet estate had beautiful land, almost making the house less majestic by comparison. In truth, the elf actually enjoyed it more that way. He turned in a circle, taking in everything that his eyes could see.

His attention was drawn back to Lily when the girl let go of his hand. He watched her approach the fence, dress and hair whipping wildly as though they craved to be part of the wind itself. It was at that moment Declan discarded everything her parents had said about her 'weak constitution.' This girl was many things, but weak wasn't a word that fit her.

"This is my sea." Those words made his heart skip, and he had no idea why. In the midst of the storm, Lily just looked...free. Declan didn't even notice the wind fighting against the loose knot holding his robe, and his rain-soaked attire simply felt like a second skin to him then.

The ambassador gave a wide smile when Lily threw her head back with laughter at the booming thunder clap. She leaned over the balcony, and Declan moved over towards her. Regardless of whether or not she had done it before, he refused to see her falling from the edge. Standing directly behind her, he felt the chill of her saturated dress against his chest, and he felt the surprising warmth of her small hands when he placed his own over hers.

The sea might've been a magical part of his childhood, but for someone who had never seen the ocean, Lily absolutely knew how to make her own adventures. "It's incredible," he said quietly, leaning down to almost whisper in her ear.

His chest brushed against her back and she shivered, though she wasn't cold. Perhaps she should have been, with the wind and rain tugging at her now drenched clothes, but somehow the heat of his body behind hers was nearly scorching. No, she wasn't cold at all.

She twitched slightly when his hands covered hers, but didn't move to pull away. After a moment of hesitation she leaned back into him slightly, another shiver wracking her frame as his breath ghosted across her cheek.

"I'm glad you think so." She was half worried he might not be able to hear her over the wind- but they were so close together now that surely he must have. Cautiously, she turned her head to look at him, bringing her face dangerously close to his own.

"...I shouldn't have brought you up here," she whispered with a soft smile. "This is entirely improper." At odds with the self-condemnation of her words, she didn't seem the least bit repentant, smirking slightly as her nose nearly brush Declan's and she pressed back a little more firmly into the warmth of his body.

What in all hells am I doing?! She honestly didn't know, but she couldn't quite seem to talk the sense into herself to make her stop.

Declan's lips were naturally just barely parted, and he felt his breath quicken. Her voice was small, yet it somehow drowned out the storm in his world.

The elf was still, as her head turned slightly over her right shoulder. Her smile-accompanied comment immediately told him that she was simply speaking as she was always taught to. "No, you shouldn't have," Declan said, his right hand moving from hers over her stomach. He made no attempt to touch her in a way that would offend her, but her move to press herself further into him made him want to keep her there.

"It's entirely improper," he whispered to her. "It's obscene; it's immoral; it's risqué."

Declan's heart raced, as he looked deeply into her eyes. This is beyond inappropriate, the ambassador thought to himself. He found himself captivated in her presence. There was nothing more that he wanted than to kiss her, and for some reason, there was no voice telling him otherwise.

"It's right," Declan finally whispered, slowly moving to close the distance; to feel her lips...

Lily's stomach flipped and her breath caught somewhere between her chest and her throat. His touch was nearly burning through her wet clothes and she found herself drawn into the heat, tilting her head just slightly as she felt him moving closer.

The kiss was barely that, a soft brush of her upper lip against the edge of his mouth, almost more a consequence of their proximity than an intentional act of affection. It still made her heart skip a beat, and her breath left her in a stuttering shudder of a breath.

She slipped her left hand out from beneath his and reached up to lay her palm against his cheek. Her thumb brushed absently at the droplets of rain that coursed over his skin and she drew in another shaky breath as she leaned up on her toes to kiss him properly.

She had absolutely no idea what she was doing, but for once in her life she was following an impulse and no one was telling her not to. Her heart thundered against her breast and she pulled herself closer against him, and a shiver that had nothing to do with the chill coursed down her spine.

Gods preserve me.

She was in so much trouble.

A deep and consuming warmth spread throughout his entire body. The closeness of their bodies was one thing, but even the faintest touch of her lips was enough to make him feel like he was completely intoxicated.

He felt like he was light as air, yet feeling her hand against his cheek and having her petite body against him was able to ground him more than anything else he had ever experienced.

Something about her going for a real kiss was even more enticing. He swallowed with a feeling of unfamiliar nervousness, leaning down to meet her lips with an electrifying passion. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her into him.

Time practically stood still, the sound of the rain and thunder simply mimicking his heart with the wind whipping clothing and and hair all around them.

He'd separate their lips, pressing his forehead against hers to simply look into her eyes, breathlessly.

"Ohh..." Lily sighed almost wistfully as they parted, and she found herself drawn in against Declan's chest with her hand still cupping his cheek, head head tilted back as his brow pressed against hers.

A smile worked at her lips and she giggled almost nervously. "I shouldn't have done that," she breathed. In contrast to her words, she found herself leaning further into the warm solidity of him. He was so tall- she almost felt as though she could drown in the embrace. "I really shouldn't have done that."

Unable to help herself, she rocked up onto her toes to kiss him again, quick and soft. God she could not get enough of that feeling, the way her spine tingled and her heart did erratic little flips beneath her breast. She pulled away with another soft laugh, excitement tingling on her skin, an excitement she knew she should be trying to suppress.

She was doing a spectacularly poor job of it.

"We're getting drenched," she noted with a wry smile. "We should...probably go back inside."

Feeling her leaning into him, Declan held his arms around her. She was warm, as he started to feel the chill of the rain and the wind.

When she gave him another soft kiss, the elf looked down with a slightly crooked smirk. "The things that shouldn't be done are often the most exciting to do," he said, holding onto her hand as she started pulling away. Dropping her hand with a slightly exaggerated sigh, Declan turned his back to her, shaking his fingers through his soaking hair.

He laughed, leaning over the fence briefly to feel the rain pouring on his face. Coming back under the roof, he shook the water away, raising a brow at Lily with a smile. "I suppose this means it was real," he slurred.

Declan approached her again, tucking her hair behind her left ear. "You go in," he said softly. "Call me a paranoid man, but living in the capital will do that to you. I'll stay out here for a bit longer." He turned to the rain once more, not wanting to see her leave.

Still a little giddy, Lily nodded, watching his back as he pulled away from her. She swallowed another wistful sigh and murmured, "That's...probably wise." She wanted to lean into his touch as he brushed her hair back, but resisted the urge.

She turned to head back down the stairs, then hesitated. Twisting slightly, she said over her shoulder, "If the rain has let up, and your offer still stands...I'd still very much like to take a walk tomorrow."

Cheeks flushed, she quickly ducked back inside and hurried down the stairs. She was absolutely soaking wet, leaving a bit of a trail behind her, but she hardly noticed, or cared. Her fingertips fluttered up to trace against her lips, and she quickly had to hide a smile behind her hand as she made her way back to her room.

Declan whirled around at her comment about going on a walk in the morning, only in time to see her disappear into the building again. He smiled, interlocking his finger atop his head and spinning twice on his heel. "Ah, Kia," he said, pressing his hands on the iron fence, feeling a slight burn from the metal and not caring. "Help me, please."

Thera excused herself from the table a few minutes after Lily had. She walked upstairs, hearing the girl's giggle. The mordecai walked into Declan's room, seeing the disarray and disorganization that was normal for the elf.

She folded her arms and leaned against the wall at the base of the staircase leading up to the roof. As a single pair of footsteps started descending. "Your mother was worried," Thera lied, as soon as Lily stepped into the hall. She glared downward at the girl. "Have fun?"

"O-oh!"

Lily drew up short, eyes wide as she blinked up at the mordecai. An instinctive shiver of wariness ran down her spine and she averted her eyes. "I just...I wanted to watch the storm," she said quickly. Not entirely a lie.

She was dripping on the carpet. God, her mother would have a fit.

Risking glancing up at Thera again, she murmured, "Please don't tell her? She's convinced if I so much as put a toe outside I'll catch my death." Her hands were clasped in front of her body, some of the nervous twisting of her fingers hidden in her skirts. At least, she hopped it was hidden.

The mordecai was assigned to make sure the ambassador didn't use his magic while in Connlaoth. Was she also responsibly for his social obligations? Lily had the distinct feeling she didn't really want to find out.

Thera frowned, clenching and unclenching her jaw. "Your mother didn't send me, Lady Hartnet," Thera said in a forceful whisper. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was listening. Call it a trick of the trade, but Thera's instincts around people were extremely good.

She folded her arms over her chest, her head shaking slowly.

The soldier took a breath. "I'll be honest. I don't care what your mom's superstitions are. I don't care if you listen or not because it isn't my job to care. It is my job to guard the man on your roof." She took a breath, pursing her lips. "I get it, okay? Powerful man with general good looks from a far off land; every girl's dream, right?"

As she turned to return to the table, Thera looked back at the girl. "He's not just a politician, Lily. Ambassador Declan Maddox could very well be more than you're ready for."

Lily knew she should listen to the woman. She really should. What she said made sense, and she knew she'd been getting a little too friendly with Declan- even before the kiss. And it wasn't like it would be such a big loss in the long run, right? After all, she'd hardly known the man a day, and he and his guard would be out of their lives once the weather cleared and their coach was fixed.

But she just couldn't stop a tiny part of her from holding onto the memory of that kiss. Granted, she was hardly experienced in this particular field, but that hadn't felt like a man just idling with a passing amusement, powerful but bored out here in the country. That had felt...

She didn't have words for that.

And there was another part of her, a part she normally tried to suppress but tonight just wouldn't be tamed, that raged against the way Thera spoke to her: like it was an order. Like she was a helpless little girl who couldn't make her own decisions, who didn't know how to look out for herself, who had to have someone protecting her all the time, hovering, making sure she took no missteps or wrong turns.

Well fuck that. Just for tonight, she couldn't silence the voice screaming against being tamed.

Lily drew herself up to her full height- not all that impressive on its own, but combined with snapping, steel gray eyes and her tightly drawn lips, she suddenly had a rather commanding presence. "I will keep your words in mind, Thera," she said coolly as the woman turned to leave. "But do not presume to speak to me as though I am a hapless, silly girl." I am more than a fainting flower. I have the power of a thunderstorm inside me, but no one can see... Her voice cracked out like lightning and she clenched her fists in her skirts.  "And in this house, you are in my domain, mistress mordecai. I'll thank you not to assume I have no power over what transpires under this roof."

She paused, then added, "I have no intention of harming your charge, Thera." Breathing a little more heavily than normal, Lily dipped into a polite half curtsy and turned on her heel. "Sleep well."

The second she was in her room she shut the door behind her and collapsed back against it, pressing a hand to her lips with wide eyes. What on earth had that been about?! She'd been so rude! She was never rude! And Thera- hells, the woman had probably just been trying to help, but gods she just got so angry, and...

She hated feeling helpless, feeling like this mad dalliance with Declan was just one more danger her poor, fragile heart wasn't strong enough to endure. She was stronger than any of them knew, she was...

She just didn't know how.

The small lady's outburst was genuinely shocking to the mordecai soldier. Thera held her composure, making it seem like she wasn't bothered in the slightest by Lily's attempt at controlling the situation. Lily was right in that Declan and Thera were guests, but she was wrong by saying Thera had no control. Wherever they were, the guard absolutely had some control when it came to the ambassador.

As soon as Lily walked away, Thera felt a strange dread build in her. She marched up the stairs opening the door to the roof. "What the fuck did you do?" She shouted, closing the door behind her.

Declan whipped around, brow raised at Thera's sudden appearance. "What?"

"Don't play coy!" She snapped, moving her hair out of her face. "I just ran into Lily. Maddox, what did you do?" He shrugged slightly, a smirked tugging at his lips. Thera dropped her head, pursing her lips. "What future will you offer her? Are you gonna abandon your duties to run off with a girl you met on vacation? You're a fucking ambassador from Serendipity, damn it! Act like one!"

She started for the door again and stopped. "And come inside! It's a storm, not a drizzle!"

With a huff, Declan started down the stairs after Thera. She walked into her room, closing the door behind her. Declan removed his robe, aware that he was only wearing pants at that point. Still, it was to make sure he lessened the water that fell onto the Hartnet's carpet. He started into his room, looking at the meal that was now cold on the desk.

It was late, and he was tired. His mind was in places others than science, so Declan started packing away his star charts. He locked the chest, then switched into dry pajamas. He blew out most of the candles and climbed into his large bed, staring at the ceiling with his mind swirling in so many places that he couldn't pick out an individual train of thought.

It took Lily forever to fall asleep. First it was the adrenaline, the soft shivers that still wracked her frame when she thought about her brief confrontation with Thera. Then it was her wet clothes- luckily Ayla must have been too busy cleaning up from dinner to attempt to assist getting her into a nightdress, but that still left the problem of how wet everything was.

She managed to get her gown hung from the canopy of her four-poster bed and herself changed and dried, climbing under the covers, before her mind returned to the kiss.

Oh, no. No no no, stop that. Just go to sleep, she reprimanded herself- uselessly, as the feeling of Declan's arms around her, pressing her against his chest while the storm raged around them, was suddenly all she could think about.

It took a very long time to get to sleep.

---

And unfortunatley her dreams were no more restful than her waking thoughts. As was often the case during s rainstorm, Lily's dreams were vivid and...strange. She dreamt of flying, of soaring through the black clouds as lightning sparked around her. She danced across the winds and her footsteps created thunder, and the lightning was suddenly in her, a part of her, pulsing through her veins to the beat of her heart.

She whimpered in her sleep and curled into a tight ball under the covers, brow furrowed. These dreams had haunted her since childhood, and she could never make sense of the strange combination of fear and loss they left her with when she woke. Even unconscious, it was as though she was preparing to face that strange grief.

For Declan, sleep was that old friend you were only able to see every so often. The moon pendant was imbued with a magic that helped soothe a restless mind, but magic fighting against magic could counter the spell the pendant held. He had given the necklace to Lily because of what her father told him of her night terrors. Whether the necklace would work for her or not, he didn't know. All he did know was that he overactive mind was not going to get any sleep that night.

He heard Thera's breathing in the room next to his; he heard owls calling outside; he heard the horses stirring in the unfamiliar stable. Declan even heard Lily's whimpering through what assumed was a chaotic dream.

His first instinct was to go to her, but he stopped himself. Kissing her on the roof was one of the most impulsive and inappropriate things he had ever done. If he was to enter her bad chamber for any reason other than to save her life... Well, it wouldn't be good for his reputation or his temporary living situation.

Declan decided to explore the house a bit more. It was a beautiful building, much homier than the embassy, so he wanted to absorb as much as he could.

He tied a dry robe around him, still leaving much of his chest exposed - that was a normal thing for him, even at the embassy - and walked out of his room. The parlor was warm, fire still lit to fight the cold, and he approached the piano. Pressing one of the keys very quietly, a small grin tugged at his lips.

Strolling over to one of the large bookshelves, he ran his fingers along the bindings, his eyes scanning the titles. Declan stopped at one, taking the book off the shelf and touching the title. The Storm's Dance. He opened the book and inhaled deeply with his eyes closed. The smell of an old book was one he could never get enough of. Deciding to waste the rest of the sleepless night away, Declan settled on a chair near the hearth and opened the book to read by the firelight.

Eventually, Lily's sleep evened out. The dreams remained, but she suddenly felt...more at peace. The fear and grief that normally accompanied her nights was replaced with calm.

For the first time in a long time, she slept through the night.

---

"Oh." Jorris pulled up short as he came into the parlor, rather taken aback to find the ambassador there at such an early hour. He recovered quickly though and gave a respectful nod in the elf's direction before moving to stoke the fire.

"Apologies, I didn't realize anyone else would be awake at this hour," he said softly, eyeing Declan sidelong. "I certainly didn't mean to disturb you."

At Jorris' entrance, Declan gave a kind smile. "No worries," he said. "You've hardly disturbed me. I tend to not sleep very much." He looked out the window at the barely lightening sky. Storms always made it a bit difficult to gauge the time correctly.

He closed the book, keeping his spot by not removing his finger from the page. He wasn't sure if he would go back to reading, but he didn't want to lose his place if he did.

"Jorris," Declan started, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, "would you mind telling me a bit more about your sister's condition?" Again, he knew it wasn't a sickness, but Jorris seemed - in a way - closer to Lily than her parents were. Perhaps, the young lord would be able to clue the elf in on exactly what was going on under Lily's surface.

The Hartnet heir apparent stiffened, his whole body going tense and rigid. Then he blew out a heavy breath and forced his shoulders to relax, getting to his feet as he turned to face the ambassador.

He smiled a little ruefully. "Forgive me. It's...not something we talk about often. Even just among ourselves, it only really comes up when she has an attack- or Mother thinks she's going to." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes closed.

Rather suddenly, he strode across the room to perch on the edge of a chaise, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped tightly together. He met Declan's gaze with hard blue eyes. "I- I won't deny that this makes me uncomfortable, Ser Maddox, but I think..." He huffed out a breath, screwed his face up, then continued, "I have long suspected that Lily's ailment...isn't entirely natural. Of course, if I really wanted to pursue that Mother and Father would just send her to a priest, or some quack doctor who claimed to be spiritual."

He paused, scowling at the rain that still pattered against the parlor windows. The storm had by no means passed, but it seemed to be lightening up, just a bit.

Another sigh and he looked back to Declan- and apparently changed the subject. "You saw the twins before, yes? How close they are, regardless of propriety or who may be watching?" His lips twitched up on one side, just a bit. "Lily and I are barely a year apart. When we were young...Mother used to say it was like she had two sets of twins. Me and Lily, Dorian and Jess. We were...very close." He looked away, biting at his lower lip. Then he seemed to realize what he was doing and straightened up slightly. "So. I was the first one who saw one of her attacks. I think I was seven, maybe six. We were playing in the gardens, she was climbing a tree, and she fell-"

He winced slightly at the memory. "She broke her arm. But- but the moment before she hit the ground, I saw her go rigid, her eyes rolled back- honestly, for a child, it was a little terrifying. I was too far away to catch her, and... I suppose it must have been a windy day, there was a great deal of leaves and dust and such blowing about, I couldn't quite see her." Jorris sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose again. "And then I got to her, and she wouldn't wake up. She was shaking, and sort of- sort of mumbling under her breath, and that windstorm was so strong- I ended up dragging her back to the house through it, which was no easy task."

He was silent for several long moments, then let out a long, tired breath. "Then the night terrors started. Almost that day, I think. And then her fits started happening more frequently- she was usually alone, we'd find her collapsed and shaking and-" He clenched his eyes shut and swallowed thickly. "Sometimes it would take as long as a day for her to wake."

Quite suddenly, he scowled down at his hands. "I don't pretend to be...knowledgeable on the subject..." He glanced around as though suddenly worried someone might be listening to their conversation. Then he leaned forward intently, eyes locked on Declan's. "This doesn't seem natural to me, Master Ambassador. I don't know why, or how, or-" He took a breath, seemed to be trying to compose himself. "Is it possible someone cursed my sister?"

While Jorris spoke, Declan's smile faded. He was listening to the information intently. The way Jorris spoke almost made it seem like he wanted someone to talk to. As he said, Lord and Lady Hartnet didn't really like to talk about it, so it was understandable a lot would fall onto the eldest child.

Declan realized that Jorris actually had a decent understanding of what was happening to Lily. It made sense, given that they're so close, but that meant the young man's loyalty could easily go either way.

At the mention of Lily being cursed, the elf gave another grin. "No, Jorris," he said. His voice was more relaxed than condescending because he knew what a sensitive topic it was. "Your sister isn't cursed, but I have a feeling you're right about her condition not being natural. I don't believe Lily is sick, but something is going on. Then again, I'm no physician."

He sat back in his seat, placing the book on the small table beside the chair. Once again, he leaned forward to mimic Jorris' position. It was a psychological tool he learned: copying someone's movements could make them trust you more because you seem like a similar person to them.

"Let me preface," he started, "nothing I say will necessarily pertain to Lily. I think aloud quite often, so this is just a safe space to speak any ideas; regardless of how taboo they may seem, okay?" He didn't wait for any acknowledgement before he continued. "Let's say, hypothetically, you discovered for a fact that your sister's condition wasn't 'natural.' What would you do?"

That was exactly what he'd been afraid of. It was one thing to suspect, to harbor a suspicion that was never voiced, but to hear it confirmed by a second party...

It made it suddenly more real.

Jorris gave a shuddering sigh and ran his hand distractedly through his hair. "I..." What would he do? "They'd take her to a priest," he mumbled, a half-answer. "They'd try to- to purify her or whatever nonsense-" He scowled, forcing himself to take a breath.

"I'd try to help her get better," he replied after several long moments, voice soft. "Whatever that meant. She- she's such a bright girl, ambassador. I know you haven't been here long, but you must have seen that, even a little. She deserves to be so much more than to be shut up here all her life, traveling to Reajh only if she's lucky." He dropped his eyes, hands clenched so tightly on his knees his knuckles had gone white. "I just want her to get better."

"Yes, I've noticed her potential," he said. "Forgive me if I'm speaking out of line, but I believe your parents are quite overprotective." He smiled lightly with a shrug. "Once my carriage is repaired and with your parents' permission of course, it would be my pleasure to have you, Lily, Dorian, and Jess accompany myself and Thera to Athervann Lake."

Well, that came or of nowhere. Declan had a habit of just talking and making it up as he went along, so he was sometimes just as surprised at what came out of his mouth as everyone else.

So, Declan decided to role with it.

"As I'm sure you know, some of the greatest artists gather there to converse and show off their works. I have a friend who's meeting me there in three days."

He didn't exactly want to take the Hartnets on a family trip, but letting Lily have a bit of an adventure would be worth it. Besides, he was pretty positive he would be able to slip away with her for a bit... It was a cultural-centered trip, plus it could loosen Lady Hartnet's tight grasp around her truly unfragile daughter.

Jorris blinked, his jaw dropping open a bit. Well that was...unexpected, to say the least.

"I- Well, we'd have to discuss it..." He cleared his throat as he trailed off and quickly fell back into the comforts of propriety, nodding politely with a small smile. "It may take some convincing, but I imagine it would be doable. Thank you very much for the invitation."

He hesitated another moment, then probed cautiously. "Do you think...will this, ah, help Lily?" God knew it would do the girl good to get out from under their mother's thumb for a while, but was there anything else the ambassador was planning?

He was, perhaps, overestimating just how much planning his guest had put into the invitation.

---

Lily woke to the sound of gradually lessening rain and a cautiously gray-bright sky. She blinked, looking from the window to her door, a little confused. Normally she was up by this time, but because nightmares would have woken her some hours ago and she wouldn't have been able to fall back to sleep.

It was strange to wake to the rhythm of her own body.

Declan chuckled, nodding lazily. "Of course it would be a discussion, but bringing the idea to the eldest son first seemed the more natural thing to do. Wouldn't want to bother our parents if you thought it inappropriate."

He leaned back in his chair, putting his right ankle on his left knee. Jorris' hesitation was to be expected, as the ambassador himself hadn't even given much - rather any - thought as to how proper the invitation was.

He took a deep breath. "I do believe it would do Lily some good to be out. Whether or not you take my word for it, fresh air is one of the best treatments. Stress and anxiety could very well be a major contributor to your sister's episodes. Relaxation among colors and music and nature could soothe the body and the soul."

Jorris nodded. That made sense. He would just have to convince his parents of it. "Well then, Ser Maddox, barring any unforeseen challenges I believe it would be a pleasure to accompany you and Thera." He nodded again with a small smile.

---

Rather bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, which was certainly not the norm, Lily managed to slip downstairs before the rest of her family seemed to be awake. Dressed in a simple walking gown and her sturdiest pair of shoes, she'd intended to go on a brief walk out in the gardens, now that the rain was lightening up. It was something she remembered loving doing as a child, but honestly hadn't had the energy for since she was maybe fifteen.

Voices in the parlor brought her up short and she paused, hovering. That sounded like Jorris, and...Declan? Should she just continue passed? Or make her presence known?

"In that case, it's been a pleasure speaking with you," Declan said, rising to his feet. "I'm going to get myself ready for the day."

He took hold of the book, running his fingers along the title of the book. The elf picked it the original place in which the book was sitting and tucked it onto the shelf. He bowed his head respectfully to Jorris before he left to dress himself for his walk with Lily.

Normally, his senses were extremely heightened. He would've easily heard Lily approaching the parlor, but his conversation with Jorris had taken his attention to a different level. Rounding the corner to go up the stairs, Declan felt his heart skip. He jerked backward in shock, breathing heavily and laughing nervously with one hand over his eyes.

"Jorris," Declan said, straightening himself and steadying his breathing, "your sister's awake." He threw Lily a small smirk, touching her cheek with one finger before making for the stairs.

"Oh!" Lily clapped a hand over her mouth as her own heart skipped a beat, then she smiled sheepishly and mouthed, Sorry, at Declan. His touch was strangely warm, warmer than she thought it should have been, and her heart seemed to beat in a suddenly syncopated rhythm as her stomach flipped, chest tightening.

She need to get a hold of herself.

With a small nod and a polite smile for Declan, she stepped out of his way as he made for the stairs and found herself suddenly facing her older brother.

Jorris looked...perturbed. But the expression was gone quickly as he looked her up and down with a small smile. "You're up early." The smile fell a bit and his brow furrowed as he continued, "Or...have you been up? Nightmares?"

Almost to her own surprise, Lily beamed and shook her head. "No," she chirped happily. "I mean...a littler, earlier in the night. But honestly I slept fine."

Jorris blinked, taken aback but pleased. "Oh! Well, that's...good." He glanced over her shoulder, and Lily turned to follow his gaze to Declan's retreating back. She frowned.

What on earth had she missed?

The elf walked into the room he was staying in, closing the door quietly and leaning against it. He wasn't exactly sure what he was thinking in inviting the Lily and her siblings on his trip, but it had just kind of fallen out of his lips. It wasn't like he could take it back! Even so, it might've been for the best. With Jorris and the twins there, Thera could get distracted. And Declan knew Lady Helena would love the company, as well as help to distract them.

Lily could use a break from her daily life, anyway.

Declan pulled out a simple outfit. Well, as simple as he brought with him. A pair of brown pants and a white shirt with sturdy boots should be fine for a walk in the early morning. He glanced at his journal, nervous about not having it with him. He put it in the large chest and locked it, putting the key in his pocket.

With his necklaces back on and a brown cloak he grabbed spur of the moment, the elf descended the stairs once again, careful not to wake Thera.

That didn't work. Thera had trained herself to wake when he did. No one knew how, but she did it. The elf ambassador had a habit of sneaking off, so she had to be able to jump into gear pretty quickly. She slipped on her belt with Necrolight on it and pressed her ear against the door to listen.

Declan floated silently down the stairs, stopping before making himself known to see if Jorris was speaking to his sister.

"He wants us to go with him?" Lily repeated what her brother had told her, eyes wide. "That's- do you know why?" She couldn't seem to help the hopeful little flip her stomach gave, no matter how she tried to smother it.

Jorris shrugged with a kind of helpless little laugh. "Honestly? I think he's bored." He tilted his head, his eyes suddenly sharp as he looked Lily up and down. "He was...very interested in you, though."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression impassive. "Oh?"

"Mm." His eyes flickered over her face and she held very still, almost like a hunted animal hoping not to alert the dogs to her presence. She loved her brother, but this was one instance in which she didn't want him to read her as easily as he normally could.

Then Jorris let out a soft breath and moved to step passed her. He laid a hand on her shoulder for a moment. "Just...be careful, little sister. I'd hate to have to duel him for breaking your heart."

Lily stiffened, and offered the first excuse that came to mind: "He said he's engaged."

Jorris chuckled mirthlessly. "You know as well as I do how little that can mean." He gave her shoulder a soft squeeze, then moved off, probably heading to their father's study.

Lily waited a moment, then took a breath and turned to head back out into the main foyer. The sight of Declan on the stairs brought her up short, her eyes going very round. "Ser Maddox." She quickly dipped into a polite curtsy, eyes on the floor as her heart started to race almost guiltily. Which was ridiculous. What did she have to be guilty about?

Desperate for something innocuous to say, she murmured, "Thank you for the- your gift." Her fingers brushed against the necklace hidden beneath the collar of her dress. "I believe it worked quite well."

A smile tugged at Declan's lips, thinking about Jorris dueling him. The man knew how to handle a blade, but he didn't exactly enjoy doing it. No matter.

When she rounded the corner and dipped into a bow, he furrowed his brows. It was probably an ingrained formality that the girl was following, but it amused Declan. He didn't return the bow, instead nodding once at her appreciative comment about the necklace. "Glad to hear it," he said. "You appear quite lively this morning."

Glancing behind him to make sure Thera hadn't followed him down, the elf smirked. The ground was wet and muddy from the storm the night before, so an idea sprung to mind.

"It's quite messy outside, so perhaps you'd prefer going for a ride?" He asked quietly. "If I'm correct, Jackson will already be out there, so it may be a preferable option to getting your shoes and dress caked in mud."

In addition, it would allow for them to extend the distance or time they spent together. Walking could get quite tiresome, especially trudging through the muck in wet clothing, so Declan thought riding could be a pleasant alternative. Plus, something about the idea of seeing Lily atop one of his white horses made is heart light.

She positively beamed at the suggestion, though she did her best not to seem too over-eager. "That sounds wonderful," she replied quickly with an enthusiastic nod.

Well. So much for playing that off like a lady.

She glanced up the stairs, then back to Declan. "Should we go now, do you think? I don't suppose Mother and Father will c all everyone for breakfast for some time yet, it's still quite early."

"Let's," Declan said. He would then lead her out the door, hopefully without Jorris taking any notice.

Outside, it wasn't exactly difficult to figure out where the stables were, so he started around the corner. His walk, naturally quick and purposeful, was much more relaxed than usual. Giving a sharp whistle, the elf saw the doors to the stable slowly open to an older man.

He smirked slightly, waving his hand in the air. "Jackson, would you tack two of the horses? Lady Lily and I are going for a ride."

"Aye, Master Declan," he said. "Right away." Jackson bowed his head to Declan, retreating into the stable.

Without really thinking about it, Lily reached out to take Declan's arm as they headed out to the stables. Then she paused, suddenly afraid she'd been too forward, and quickly drew her hand back.

Hoping she wasn't blushing too deeply, she gave Jackson a smile and nod of thanks as he hustled off to tack the horses.

"We do have horses here, you know," she pointed out playfully to Declan, arching an eyebrow as she gestured to the several occupied stalls filled with Hartnet steeds. Finely bred, though none quite so striking as the ambassador's Friesians. "I'd hate to inconvenience one of your animals." She hesitated, then added with a refuel smile, "Though I'd be lying if I said I hadn't fantasized about riding such a beautiful beast."

Seeing Lily's blush, Declan didn't comment or really react to her taking his arm. He would've welcomed it, but he didn't want to make it seem uncomfortable by taking her arm when she drew back. Plus, they were going to be mounting horses within a minute or two.

"I didn't want to invite myself onto one of your horses," he said with a slight chuckle. "Not mention, my animals haven't been ridden in quite some time. I'd imagine they're itching for the opportunity."

Declan hardly found time for a leisurely ride, so his horses were primarily used to pull his carriage. He was looking forward to being back in the saddle of his favorite gelding, Elm. As if on cue, Jackson walked outside with two horses. The tack was clearly expensive, completely black leather with silver and white designs. "M'lady," Jackson said. "Master Declan."

The elf approached one of the horses, motioning for Lily to join him. "Lily, this is North," he said, stroking the large horse's velvety snout. "And that's my boy, Elm. Both are quite spirited, so I hope you have experience in the saddle!"

"Well, hello." Lily smiled as she approached the horse and allowed him to snuffle at her palm, then blew gently into his nose, letting him learn her scent. She giggled when he returned the favor, and reached up to stroke his neck.

"He's lovely," she said to Declan with a smile in his direction. Her eyes were sparkling with excited anticipation. "And don't worry about me, I'm comfortable on horseback."

"Comfortable" was probably a massive understatement; she was a better rider than both her brothers combined, though it was a pass-time she normally had to partake in somewhat secretly to avoid worrying her mother. Not to mention she didn't want to sound arrogant.

She took the reins easily to lead North out of the stable. "Technically the Hartnet property extends nearly five miles northwest," she told Declan with a gesture to indicate the direction. A playful smirk danced at the edges of her lips. "If we head that way we're still on estate grounds, and there's quite a bit of lovely scenery you won't see so close to the manor."

Declan thought that the view from the top of the Hartnets' house was beautiful, but didn't realize just how much land they really had. Five miles west? He thought to himself with a grin. This really should be fun.

Taking Elm's reins from Jackson, the elf turned to his driver. Jackson was actually one of Declan's best friends. He was a talented man, so Declan really didn't have any need for any other people to assist him. It wasn't like Thera could tolerate a bunch of servants bustling around anyway.

"Jacks," he said quietly, "if Thera asks, cover for me, okay? I'm not with Lady Lily."

"I don't know nothin', Master Declan," the man said with a smile. "I has just been sleepin' here."

Flashing the older man a smile, Declan swung into the saddle. "Lead the way," he said, winking at Lily.

Meanwhile, Thera hurriedly put on all of her armor and started quietly down the stairs, strapping Necrolight's sheath onto her belt with the sword in her free hand. She marched into the parlor to see Jorris still there. The woman slammed the blessed sword into its sheath with a scowl. "Where are they going?" She demanded. "Answer me, boy."

Already her heart was racing, and that wink made it skip a beat. She resisted the urge to berate herself and instead allowed herself to embrace the feeling, responding with a bright smile. “My pleasure.”

With the grace and ease of many years of practice, she swung herself up onto North’s back. She took a moment to just feel the animal beneath her, his strength, his breath, his heartbeat. She breathed with him, feeling him tense, easy to run.

She was more than happy to oblige.

Lily twisted slightly to throw Declan a wink of her own. “Keep up, Lord Ambasssador.” And they were off, North springing forward beneath her, responding to the slightest pressure from her legs or her hands in the reins. She laughed as she last of the rain whipped into her face, any semblance of order she’d managed to instill in her hair quickly torn to shreds as they set off at a fast canter, the wind of the passage whipping her hair and skirts.

---

“Ack!” Less elegantly than he would have liked, Jorris started from his seat and whirled to face the mordecai in the doorway. “Who- what- I have no idea what you’re on about!” He exclaimed, eyes wide.

A wide smile crossed his lips, as Declan watched her settle in the saddle. Elm was just as anxious to run as Nirth was, as both horses really needed a chance to stretch their legs.

"Keep up, Lord Ambassador."

Somehow, that challenge was more attractive than anything Lily - or anyone else he had encountered - had ever said. To add to it, Declan was blown away by how naturally Lily took to the saddle. Given her parents' protectiveness, he wouldn't have imagined Lily had much experience on horseback. He was clearly very wrong!

Declan spurred Elm forward, not needing to convince the beast much. He wasn't unconfident atop the horse, but life in the embassy didn't exactly give much time to ride. Quickly gaining on Lily and North, Declan held Elm back ever so slightly, wanting to watch and let Lily take the lead.

---

Thera glared at the seemingly panicked boy, staring back at her. Her eyes narrowed, and she placed her hand on the pommel of the sword. "Either you're lying to me, which would be the worst decision you'll ever make, or you're so airheaded that I could weep for your parents. Where the fuck did the ambassador and your sister go?"

Another laugh tore from Lily’s lips and she glanced sidelong as Declan and Elm came up just behind and beside them. Her eyes glinted silver and she leaned forward just slightly over North’s neck, giving the horse his head as she tapped lightly with her heel, encouraging him to pick up speed.

The Hartnet estate grounds were mostly wide, sprawling hills and meadows, and the rain had made a miniature Riverlands of the dips and winding valleys between them. She steered North toward the nearest one and urged the horse into a full gallop.

They tore through the water, spraying it up in sheets as she laughed delightly and momentarily dropped the reins to spread her arms wide, controlling the animal solely with her legs. North took the opportunity to leap over a large branch the storm must have blown down and she laughed again as she was forced to rock to keep her seat. She snatched up the reins again and brought the horse back down to a canter, glancing at their companions over her shoulder.

“Come on! There’s a little grove on some higher ground, not far ahead. You can see for miles!”

---

Jorris frowned as he realized what the mordecai was asking. “You’d do well to watch your tongue,” he noted coolly. “You are a guest in this estate, after all.”

Taking his seat again, he put on a rather bored air as he rescued for an abandoned book. “I believe Master Declan said something about a morning stroll, though I wasn’t paying very much attention.” He quirked an eyebrow. “The ambassador is a grown man, is he not? I had no grounds to keep him here.”

Oh, Kia, Declan thought, biting his lower lip in an excited grin. He noticed the ever-so-slight glimmer in Lily's eyes and couldn't decide if he thought it was just enthusiasm or something else. Well, only time would tell.

The ambassador's horses weren't exactly accustomed to cross-country riding, but North took to it quite well. Elm simply wanted to run, so that's exactly what Declan let him do. He wasn't far behind, so the spray of water from Lily and North directly caught Declan and Elm. He laughed, as she did, and smiled when she looked back.

"I'll race you!" He shouted, spurring Elm forward. He had no idea where he was going, so he made sure Elm was kept at a speed that would let Lily run ahead. You could bet he wouldn't let her win by much, though!

---

Thera, furious, tore out of the building and ran to the stables. She didn't even bother with Jackson, simply grabbing one of the horses and galloping out without any tack.

"Oh, you're on, Ambassador," Lily laughed, and urged North forward toward the grove. It wasn't far, so she didn't worry too much about exhausting the horse; he may not have been used to such cross-country treks but she could feel the rhythm of his heart steady and sure beneath her. He'd do fine.

Once again at a full gallop, she rode North directly through the line of trees that marked the border of the grove, so focused on the feeling of freedom and the wind tearing at her hair and skirts that she honestly wasn't sure if the crossed the edge first or Declan and Elm did. Another laugh and she brought North down to a canter, then a trot, turning him in wide circles to cool him out as she looked to her companion.

"So." She was breathing a little heavily, face flushed and eyes snapping with bright, fierce energy. "Not exactly a leisurely stroll, but I think I prefer this."

Declan chuckled, nodding his head. He rode Elm to her right, cooling him down as she did with North.

"I have enough leisurely strolls everyday at the embassy," he said with a smirk. The energy radiating from her was contagious, and the elf was more than happy to share in it. "I only have one vacation, so why shouldn't we enjoy it?"

He dismounted from Elm's saddle, tying the reins in a quick release knot around a nearby branch. Approaching North, he stroked the beast's snout and took hold of the reins, offering Lily his hand. It was obvious that she didn't need his help, but it was a formality that wouldn't go away. Plus, any excuse to touch even her hand...

She smiled and took his hand with a delicacy that was almost at odds with the energy still snapping in her eyes. "Thank you."

Normally she would have made a point of saying that she could dismount perfectly well on her own, thank you very much, but she didn't get the sense that Declan was implying she couldn't. He was just being gentlemanly.

Even after she'd dismounted she let her hand remain in his, easily tethering North with her free hand. The energy that had filled her as they rode seemed to be bleeding away...but rather than disappearing entirely, it's focus simply seemed to be shifting, orienting toward her companion.

She took a breath in an effort to steady herself somewhat. "Thank you," she murmured after a moment, looking up into his eyes. "For...riding with me. It's nice to get out of the manor without my mother hovering."

"I imagine so," he said with a smile.

He released her hand with an uncharacteristic shift in his footing. It was slightly awkward, but nothing that would indicate he was uncomfortable in any sort of way.

"I figured you would like to get away for a little while, so this seemed like the perfect excuse. Thank you for accepting my invitation."

Declan put one hand behind his back, sweeping the other in front of him, silently telling her to walk before he did. After all, he assumed they wouldn't be sitting in the grass after the storm the night before.

Lily's cheeks warmed slightly as she drew her hand back, wishing the contact could have lasted longer.

"Of course, I was delighted to do so," she replied softly, with a nod and small smile of acknowledgement for his gesture as she stepped forward to pace the edge of the grove.

"This used to be cultivated," she commented inanely, trying to keep her mind on more appropriate thoughts than the memory of kissing him in the middle of a storm. "My grandfather's generation apparently tried to grow oranges. They didn't work in the climate, of course, but when those trees started to wither my grandmother planted these." She gestured at the foliage around them as she stepped under the shade of one tree, leftover raindrops sparkling silver on the leaves above them.

Declan nodded along, listening to her speak about her family history. Strangely enough, it seemed more like a history lesson, than someone remarking on people to whom she was related.

As she stepped beneath one of the trees, the ambassador followed. He lowered his head slightly until he was closer to the trunk, as some of the branches were relatively long-hanging. "It's a gorgeous area," he said softly, reaching up and shaking a branch gently, creating a light mist.

He smirked. "Do you enjoy planting?" Declan asked. "Or does it completely bore you? I've noticed it's usually one or the other with most people."

She smiled a little ruefully as she twisted to face him better and leaned back against the trunk. "To be truthful I don't know," she answered with a soft, rather mirthless chuckle. "I've never really had the opportunity to try."

She glanced away, gazing into the gaps between the trees. "My parents worry that too long spent outdoors with trigger a- a fit or what-have-you." Her cheeks colored as she admitted it. she knew he'd asked Jorris about her illness, but she didn't exactly like flaunting the information.

With a slightly forced laugh she glanced back at him and attempted to deflect with a bright, "And you? I know you map stars and study seas, but do you enjoy planting?"

"Oh, it bores me half to death," Declan said plainly. He smirked with a slight shrug.

He blew past her forced laugh, putting together that she probably wasn't interested in going into depth about what she believed was an illness. Besides, he already knew more about it than even she did. She probably wouldn't be able to give him any really useful information.

"Your parents need to loosen their grasp, if you'll forgive my bluntness." He bent down briefly, plucking a small flower with long, white petals. It was still partially closed from the night. "This is a river lily," he started, twirling it in his fingers.

"See, flowers are resilient. No matter where you look, you can always find one thriving. The thing is..." He closed his fist around the flower, squeezing it shut and reopening it to reveal the crumpled petals. "When you hold onto it too tightly, it wilts and sags. But..."

Declan first placed his finger against his lips, telling her that it was a secret. The elf waved his left hand over the flower, magically bringing it back to life and spread completely open. "When you free it, it can blossom into something incredible." He stepped closer to her, moving to tuck the flower behind her ear and looking her in the eyes. "River Lily."

Lily's eyes locked on his as he spoke, and she felt almost a gravitational pull toward him, a pull she seemed to have no ability to resist.

The small example of magic made her breath catch in her throat and her eyes widened as she looked from the flower in his palm up to his face and back. Her heartbeat began to race, some combination of the illicit thrill and genuine worry that they might be caught.

But that magic...that hadn't hurt anyone, hadn't caused any chaos or disaster. It was...beautiful.

She swallowed thickly as he leaned in to place the flower behind her ear, her breath catching in her throat at his closeness. Her eyes were locked with his again, unable to look away. A giddy, swooping sensation in her stomach and the fierce pounding of her heart were all she could feel, lips parted slightly as she drew in a ragged breath.

"Kiss me." The words were unbidden, barely a whisper, caught between a plea and a desperate command.

A million thoughts raced through Declan's mind in the span of one second. He had already broken the trust of the people who were gracious enough to house him and Thera in an emergency, but at the same time... How could he deny the request of such a beautiful, young lady.

He felt his heart speed up, and his stomach flipped a few times, but he ignored it. Bending ever so slightly, he would meet her lips with a smooth, yet insatiable hunger. His hand around her waist, pulling her into him, while pressing her back gently against the tree.

Something about the girl just unleashed the fire that he had spent years taming. His River Lily...

A soft gasp was drawn from her lips, then quickly swallowed into the kiss. The rough bark at her back was a sharp contrast to the warmth and comfort of his chest before her, and she eagerly basked in the sensation.

Her lips parted under his, just slightly, and she tipped her head gently to the side to deepen the contact as her arms came up to hold him, one wrapped around his neck and the other his shoulders. Cautiously, she carded her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck.

Finally she had to break away to draw in a shaking, heated breath, staring up at him with wide eyes as her chest hitched with gentle pants. Then she rocked up onto her toes until their lips were once again a breath apart, her nose brushing his.

"Can I...?" She swallowed. "Again? Please..." If she'd been a little more in control of herself she probably would have been mortified by the breathy, needy quality to her voice. In her current state, she couldn't have cared less.

Kia, save me, Declan thought, eyes running over her lips.

He wanted her, and she wanted him, so the elf had to fight every single instinct in his body. Her breath, her lips, her voice, shaky and desperate in the most sensual of ways. He ran his finger down her cheek, touching the right corner of her lips.

"No," he whispered.

Declan absolutely wanted to: he would've loved to just give in to her, but he refused. In some emotionally sadistic - and slightly masochistic - way, the ambassador wanted her to want, wanted to leave her wanting more. It was a power play, which he was positive Lily would pick up on, but he had to use it.

Her stomach sank- but then she caught something like a glint of a challenge in his eyes and her heartbeat jumped into double time.

"I see." Carefully, she leaned into him a little more, shivering slightly as her body fit tight against his. "I don't suppose there's any chance I could change your mind on that?" she whispered heatedly. Her hands trailed down his back to rest against his sides.

Slowly, she leaned more heavily back against the trunk, pulling him into her gently until his body was fully trapping hers against the tree. "Any chance at all?"

"My dear, you tread upon dangerous waters," he said softly. He wasn't used to anyone playing his game, so in actuality it was he who was in an unfamiliar sea.

Declan forced his eyes away from hers, knowing fully well that he wouldn't be able to resist her if he kept looking. I have to get this back, he thought, regarding the power she had suddenly stolen from him with too much ease.

He looked into her silvery eyes, his violets suddenly electrified with a deep passion. "No chance at all," he said, leaning down once again. He brushed their noses, kissing her ever so briefly on the left corner of her lips. "Not for that."

Hugging her body into him, his lips traced her cheek, to her jaw, then just below, teasing her neck with the softness of his lips, heat of his breath... He refused to satisfy anything else she might've wanted, though. At this moment, he thought, you belong to me.

And she did, whether she realized it or not. She pouted just a bit, entirely unconsciously, when he kissed the corner of her mouth then moved away again far to quickly for her liking.

But then his lips were mapping a trail down to her throat and her head fell back with a shuddering sigh. Her hands traced up his body to wrap around his neck again, fingers twisting gently into his vibrant hair.

A soft, shivering moan was pulled from her lips as his kisses found a particularly sensitive spot on her neck, and her fingers tightened against the back of his head, nails scratching lightly at his scalp.

"Declan..." she breathed, not entirely sure why but knowing that she needed to do or say something. Her body arched into his, seeking more contact instinctively, and she half swallowed a whimper as she was suddenly hyper aware of everywhere they touched.

With a little more urgency, she tugged lightly on his hair, trying to raise his lips to hers again. "Please." It was a sigh, a breathy murmur, her eyes shimmering and heated. "Please, Declan."

Hearing her practically beg him made his heart race faster still. He wanted to oblige, but decided against it.

Declan brought his lips close to her ear, his voice barely a whisper. "No," he breathed.

The elf pulled away from her. He moved his face near hers, but just out of her reach and flashed a devilish smile. His breath was long and drawn out, trying to steady his beating heart.

"I'll make a deal with you," he said, smirking at her. Declan glanced at her lips again, then back to her eyes. "I made an offer to your brother to take you and your siblings with me when I go. Convince your parents to allow it, and maybe, just maybe...I'll give you anything you want." He raised his left brow in a slightly challenging manner.

Lily held her breath, then let it all out in a plaintive little whimper as he pulled away from her. For a moment she held him tighter, unwilling to let him go- but then she dropped her arms back to her sides, bracing her hands against the bark of the tree as she leaned back into the trunk.

Flushed and breathing a little heavily, she mock scowled at him. "That," she informed him breathlessly, "is spectacularly unfair."

After a moment, her lips twitched up playfully on one side. "But I do believe you have yourself a deal, Ambassador."

She took a breath to compose herself, smoothing out her skirts before reaching out in an offer to shake his hand, smiling politely. Her blush still hadn't quite died down though, so she perhaps didn't look quite as in control as she would have liked.

He absolutely knew it was unfair, but that's what power was! He didn't have to be fair. Where's the fun in fair?

A light chuckle escaped him, seeing her offer to shake his hand to seal the deal. Declan took her hand and bowed to kiss the back of it.

Hearing the sloshing and thudding of approaching hooves, Declan took a step back from Lily, smoothing his hair back. He pressed his finger to his lips and furrowed his brows. "Maddox!" Thera called.

The elf dropped his head back. "She's too good at tracking," he mumbled. "Should've became a hunter. Thera, my beauty, over here."

The mordecai woman frowned at him and Lily, especially seeing the girl's clearly pink cheeks. "Ambassador, might I have a word?"

"No," he said. "You're field is about half a mile, so make use of it. Your job as my guard is to make sure I refrain from magic use, not to watch my every movement. I'll stay in your range, but I'm not a child. You'll give me some space. That's an order, soldier."

Thera was clearly fuming, but she couldn't go against a direct order, as long as it didn't violate her duties. She bowed her head to the ambassador and turned the horse around to ride a decent distance from them.

Before Lily could come up with some witty remark, the sound of hooves had her snapping her attention toward the approaching Thera. Quickly she ducked her head and tried to fix her hair and skirts, which had gotten rather rumpled up from being pressed between Declan and the tree.

"Ser Thera." She curtsied politely to the mordecai as she approached their tethered horses, reaching up to brush some hair back behind her ear.

Her fingertips touched petals and she froze. The river lily was still tucked into her hair. She should just take it out and let it fall, but somehow she couldn't make herself do it. Dropping her hands, she quickly mounted North and turned him back toward the manor.

"I suppose our little excursion is over," she said softly, giving Declan a rueful look.

"I'm afraid so," Declan said in a breathy release. He pursed his lips together and shook his head. "She's always ruining my fun, but it's probably for the best. Jorris knows, but I think it would be best that your parents remained ignorant."

He mounted Elm, smoothly turning the animal and urging him forward in a steady trot.

As Thera's stopped horse came into view, her rage was palpable. The soldier gritted her teeth, but trotted ahead. She wasn't so much angry at him, but rather at the carelessness that seemed to come over him when he was with this girl.

She met Jackson at the stable, handing the tackless horse over to the older man and walking inside. At that point, she really didn't feel like talking. Declan hadn't snapped on her in years, so she wasn't overly fond of the situation.

"Come on," the elf said softly, flashing Lily a grin as he dismounted. "Wouldn't want you to be missed."

"No, I suppose we wouldn't." Lily's smile was a little regretful as she dismounted and relinquished North's reins, giving the horse a fond parting pat.

She forced herself not to walk too close to Declan as they returned to the manor- it was still relatively early, and the household was moving with the sleepy sluggishness of morning. Luckily, it didn't seem her parents had yet emerged from their bedchamber.

"Perhaps we should retire to the parlor, for the moment?" she suggested to the ambassador and his guard- though she was careful not to look directly at Thera. She was next to positive the woman could have glared a hole in her skull. "I'm sure breakfast will be ready soon."

Jackson took one of the horses and began his repairs on the carriage. With luck, he would be finished in about three hours.

Declan and Lily walked inside behind Thera, who was clearly unhappy with the entire situation. If she had the option, the mordecai would've gladly gone with Jackson to the carriage. Unfortunately, the distance exceeded her field, so that was out of the question.

The elf watched Lily, giving a short nod at her suggestion to settle in the parlor. "Thera, surely you don't need to carry Necrolight around the house?" Declan said.

She glared at him. "I'm more comfortable with her on my person, thank you."

He pursed his lips with a slight roll of his eyes. "You would think I was five years old, disobeying my mother," he said in a hushed voice and a chuckle.

Lily shot the ambassador a rather droll look and quirked one eyebrow playfully. "How do you think I feel?" she murmured under her breath. "Everyone here treats me like I'm five and I actually did just disobey my mother," she joked.

With a little wink she slipped into the parlor, a small smile playing at the edges of her lip. Though she knew she should behave herself, she just couldn't help the mischievous little impulses that came to the surface when he was around.

"I see you're back." Jorris looked up from his book rather expectantly, and she quickly schooled her features into a pleasantly blank expression.

"Yes. Mother and Father up?"

"Just about. Breakfast should be on the table within the hour." He looked from her to Declan and nodded politely. "Ambassador. A good stroll, I trust?"

"Yes," Declan said politely, nodding his head to the young man. "Your property is absolutely stunning. I regret not coming by for a visit in my previous travels."

Thera clenched her jaw a few times, upper lips twitching once. "Yeah, I bet you do," she mumbled, quiet enough that the others wouldn't have heard her, save the ambassador with his annoyingly good elvish hearing.

He shot her a quick stare, warning her to keep her mouth shut. Thera hadn't actually seen anything, so her word held no true weight, but it was definitely enough for suspicion to be raised. Not something Declan wanted to start at the moment.

"How long has your family lived here?" He asked.

"Oh, at least four, five generations?" Jorris frowned a bit as he seemed to think that over, then nodded. "Yes, that's right. I'm glad you enjoyed the grounds- we are quite proud of them, I must admit." He smiled a little crookedly, then gave his sister a rather piercing look. "You alright?"

Lily rolled her eyes and resisted the urge to throw her hands in the air in exasperation. "I'm perfectly hale and hearty, I assure you," she said with no small amount of venom dripping from her tone. With a flick of her hair, she turned to leave the parlor. "I'll go see if I can fetch the twins, then we should head into the dining hall for breakfast."

At the door she paused and turned to Declan. "Will you be dining with us? Or would you rather take the meal in your room?"

Declan pursed his lips briefly. If he was being real with himself, he probably should have breakfast in his room and actually do some work. Then again, he was doing all kinds of things he wasn't supposed to be doing this trip, so hell! What harm could a breakfast do?

"I think dining with everyone would be lovely," Declan said with a half-smirk.

He watched her slightly wistfully as she bounded off to get her siblings. Bringing his attention back to the room, he purposely avoided Thera's gaze and sat across from Jorris.

"You're a fine, young man, Jorris," he said to the eldest child. Declan remembered hating when people said that to him in his youth, but growing up, he started to see it on others and realized it was in fact one of the better compliments a man could receive. "If there are any concerns you have, please, don't hesitate to voice them. I don't mean to cross any lines you're uncomfortable with."

Jorris eyed him quietly for a moment, then slowly returned his attention to his book. "I am not uncomfortable," he said slowly, addressing the open pages. "Merely...concerned." His eyes flickered toward Thera briefly, then he added, "If I might speak freely in front of your guard- to be honest Master Ambassador who my sister courts or who courts her is none of my business, as long as the courting is not done in an official capacity, if you understand my meaning."

A politician's life, the ambassador had a habit of twisting what he was told. It was an annoying habit that he wasn't particularly fond of, but it was a price that came with the job. And it was a skill he naturally possessed. Either way, something about the current circumstances made him want to be straight. He didn't want to twist words or manipulate anything. Of everything, that was new ground.

He didn't voice anything. Declan gave Jorris a definite, single nod of understanding. On the other side of things, Thera knitted her brows. "Yeah," she started. "Just so we're all on the same page, what exactly do you mean?"

Jorris stared at the woman for a long moment as though she might be a little thick in the head. Finally, he said in an even, droll monotone, "I was referring to the ambassador's fiance, and my sister's own responsibilities insofar as romantic endeavors are involved."

He shrugged and looked back to his book. "Affairs are hardly an unknown factor in our lives, and far be it from me to judge who affection chooses to unite. I'd only ask for caution, that is all."

"Ah, right," Thera huffed. "The ambassador's fiance." Declan shot her a powerful glare, telling her to back off before she fucks things up completely. "When're you seeing her, huh?"

The elf forced a smile. "When I have the time, Thera." His words and tone were laced with poison, and she got the message. Looking back to Jorris, the ambassador nodded once again. "You have my word that I mean neither your sister, nor your family any harm in emotion or reputation. You have nothing to worry about."

The eldest Hartnet child gave them both a rather droll look, then returned his attention to his book. "Alright then. Just as long as we're on the same pages."

A moment after he'd fallen silent, Lily slipped back into the room, her skirts swirling around her ankles. She was a little flushed, but trying not to show it- she'd wound up running to her parents' room, more hungry than she'd realized and eager to get to breakfast.

"Well, food will be served shortly, in the dining room," she said with a small smile.

The tension in the room was practically palpable, but Lily's presence definitely lightened it a bit.

"Wonderful," Declan said, flashing her a smile and glancing ever so briefly at her elder brother. Thera simply glared at the ambassador, keeping her mouth shut. He stood up, strolling over to the girl. "Mind yourself, my lady," he said quietly, brushing her cheek with his finger. "If your mother sees you like this she might get worried."

"This is nauseating," Thera mumbled, watching the ambassador bound up the stairs, two at a time, to change his pants into something not soaked with mud and saddle marks.

Lily shivered lightly under Declan's touch and had to resist the urge to lean into it. "Perhaps you have a point," she murmured with a small, playful grin. She turned to follow Declan back up the stairs, thought at a more sedate pace. No need to look like she was rushing.

"I couldn't agree more," Jorris said with a sigh as he rose to his feet and stretched. He shot Thera a rather wry smile and offered his arm with a polite bow. "I'm sure you don't require one, lady mordecai, but would you like an escort to the dining room?"

Thera looked Jorris up and down, accustomed to being on guard when it came to other people. He had proven himself to be harmless enough, so she shrugged lightly. "Oh, what the hell?" She said. "Shall we?" She said, taking his arm politely.

Declan looked around the room. It was pretty evident that he was the one who was staying in there. His papers were still strewn about, so he quickly tidied the area. Though he didn't mind the mess, the anxiety of someone seeing what he was up to or worse - messing it up somehow - was too much for him.

Slipping into more formal clothing, as he normally wore, the elf glanced into the mirror. Only the bottom two buttons of his shirt were fastened, so his chest was visible. This wasn't anything special: he rarely had his chest covered, unless he was attending a formal meeting or something like it. He put on different pants and clean boots, then walked out to join the others in the dining hall.

His pace jerked to a halt outside of Lily's room. The ambassador glanced around to make sure no one was there, then bit his lip and knocked once quietly on the door.

Jorris chuckled lightly as he took her arm to escort her to the dining hall, making polite conversation.

Lily hesitated in front of her vanity, wondering if she should attempt to do something with her hair. She'd stripped her habit and put on a slip, intending to put on a walking gown before she got distracted. The slip fluttered around her ankles as she turned anxiously in place, trying to shove her mass of curls back out of her face.

Damnit. If she didn't figure something out, her hair would be a dead giveaway. It was usually unruly, but riding always gave it a special kind of "body"- her mother would be furious.

The knock at the door grabbed her attention. Assuming it was her mother's maid, she called, "Be right there," as she darted forward to swing it open, letting her hair tumble down free around her shoulders.

Yet again, she found herself face-to-chest with Declan, and why didn't he ever close his shirt. She snapped her eyes up, cheeks pink and lips slightly parted in a soft "Oh!" of surprise.

The elf smirked, his eyes unwittingly falling to Lily's barely clothed body. "If you go to breakfast in that, I believe jaws besides just my own would be dropped."

He released a breathy chuckle. Taking another glance down the halls, he pinched her chin gently and winked. "You should braid your hair," he said quietly. "It's beautiful."

Declan gave her another slight smirked, then turned to continue to the dining hall to avoid being seen by anyone. He walked into the hall to see Thera and Jorris making polite small talk. "Ah, you're back," Thera said, a slight hint of sarcasm beneath her tone.

Lily's blush deepened, and she couldn't seem to find her voice before he was slipping away, headed toward the stairs.

Quickly, she collected herself and dressed for breakfast. She hesitated a moment, then twined her hair into a long, loose braid before rushing to the dining hall.

Jorris and Thera were already there, and she seemed a few minutes behind Declan. "Where are Mother and Father? And the twins?" she asked as she slipped into the room.

"On their way, I'm sure," her brother replied with a shrug.

Declan took notice that Lily had actually braided her hair. It was more of a passing remark from him, but he found it interesting that she listened to and acted on the suggestion. Though he wasn't sure what he would do with that information, he stored it in the back of his mind.

"Ambassador Maddox," Thera said quickly, "do you really think your dress is appropriate? We're guests, after all."

The elf narrowed his violet eyes at the mordecai woman and forced a grin with multiple meanings. "Yes, I do, Thera," he said curtly. "Thank you for your undying concern, but my attire here will not change from that which I don at the capital." The response shut Thera up for the time being, and she sighed, flashing a silent 'he's impossible' look to Jorris. Declan bowed his head to Lily, pulling a chair out from the table. "My lady," he said, gesturing to the chair politely.

Jorris returned the look with a small, rather dry nod of his head toward his sister. Believe me, I understand.

Either oblivious to or choosing to ignore her brother, Lily took the offered chair with a small smile and a nod. "Thank you, ambassador," she murmured politely.

She had barely settled herself when the twins came tumbling into the room, laughing and chasing each other around the table like children. Jorris sighed and dropped his head into his hands.

"I swear to God... Jess, Dorian! Behave yourselves!" he begged, lifting his head to glower at them.

"Oh, lighten up, Jory." Jessamine ruffled her brother's hair as she took a seat beside him, Dorian sliding into the open chair on her other side. He looped an arm around his sister's shoulder, whatever their little play-fight had been about obviously forgotten. "Mother and Father will be here soon enough to ruin everyone's fun. Right, Lily?"

The eldest Hartnet daughter choked on a glass of water. It was an innocuous comment, but she couldn't help being on edge. Jess hadn't seen them coming back from their ride, had she?

Declan noticed Lily's sudden tension, but he didn't actually do anything, as the audience had grown significantly with the twins' arrival. Instead, he gave an airy laugh and took a seat next to Thera.

"Come now, Jessamine," the elf said dismissively. "Your parents are lovely people. I'm sure they've provided you with all kinds of entertainment, yes?"

"Well, sometimes," the girl sighed, leaning dramatically against Dorian. "But we're always stuck out here, even though Lily's the one who-"

"Jessamine." Jorris's voice snapped out, eyes narrowed. "Mind your tongue."

Any boldness or spirit Lily might have held quickly melted away into guilt and embarrassment, and she resisted the urge to shrink back into her chair. Fortunately- or unfortunately, it was hard to tell- that was when the lord and lady of the manor arrived.

"Morning, dears!" Lady Hartnet beamed as she took her seat at the table. "Oh, ambassador, how nice of you to-"

Her voice choked off and her eyes widened slightly as she took in his clothing. Clearing her throat, she finished a little tersely, "Join us."

"Told you," Thera said with an arrogant smirk.

"Quiet," he said quickly to his guard. Declan stood and bowed respectfully to the lord and lady. "Lady Hartnet, your husband informed me that you've seen me at capitol events and gatherings, so surely my attire would be familiar to you?" Though posed as a question, the comment held a tone that indicated he was not about to change the way he dressed because it might make some uncomfortable.

Thera stood and bowed, as her boss had. "My lord, my lady," she said. "The ambassador dons the clothing he wore in Serendipity, feeling it is best to connect with his land while in our own. He doesn't understand that it's considered inappropriate here."

Though Declan could've easily been a bastard and disagreed, telling the truth that he simply didn't care, he decided to remain silent at that time and just let normal conversation begin.

"Oh no, I certainly meant no offense!" Lydia said quickly. "I was just...a little taken aback, I suppose."

"Well." Before the conversation could lull awkwardly, Carlton clapped his hands. "I'm starving. Let's eat, shall we?"

On cue, food was brought into the room, hearty eggs and sausages, with all manor of breads to choose from, as well as a wide assortment of fruits or jams.

"Is your carriage fixed, lord ambassador?" Dorian asked politely as the Hartnets began filling their plates.

"Not to my knowledge, Dorian," Declan said with a short nod. "Jackson departed this morning to make the repairs, so with luck, it should be fixed by midday."

Thera eagerly began eating, saying a quick thank you to Ansgar, as she was brought up to do. "I'm escorting the ambassador to Athervann Lake," Thera said. "There's a festival of...something or another going on, and he's yet to visit."

Declan smiled, tilting his head briefly with a chuckle. "My work doesn't allow for much time away from Reajh, so this is a treat indeed. Have you and your children been, Lord Hartnet?"

"Oh, many years ago," Carlton chucked. "Actually I'm not sure the twins have ever been, they may not have been born at the time, and Jorris and Lily were certainly too young to remember."

Lydia sighed with a soft, wistful smile of reminiscence. "Oh I do wish they'd have a chance to see it. A staple of our youth, wasn't it, Carlton darling?"

Thera shrugged. "Not really my interest, but I follow him, so I guess we're going." She took another bite and subtly rolled her eyes.

The elf quickly made eye contact with Jorris, reminding him of their discussion about Lily earlier that morning, then he locked eyes with Lily, reminding her of the deal they made on their ride. Declan smiled at the lord and lady. "You live so close to it, I'm shocked you haven't made the trip annual!" He chuckled lightly. "I believe a festival of arts such as that one should be experienced as much as possible." Though he made it sound like he was musing aloud, Declan spoke in a direct path. "I'm meeting a friend of mine there. Perhaps, you've met her before? Lady Helena and Lord Niklaus Waldur?"

"Oh yes, we've met!" Lydia enthused. "Unfortunately we really only see them at major functions. A pity, considering they really don't live all that far away."

"We should go," Jorris said abruptly, smiling at his parents. They both blinked at him. "I understand the two of you have your duties here, but I could take Lily and the twins. We'd send our regards to your friends, perhaps even invite them to stay the manor in the future."

"I-" Lady Hartnet looked to her eldest daughter, worrying at her lip. "I'm not sure..."

Lily tried not to seem too eager, though she could feel Declan's eyes on her like a firebrand. "Mother, really. I'd have plenty of chaperones, it's not as though anything could happen to me."

The mordecai woman almost choked on her food, but she hid it well. Her head whipped around, and she gave Declan an icy stare, knowing that he was behind the idea. He gently kicked her leg, warning her not to say anything.

"What a splendid idea!" Declan said, smiling at the eldest children. If he hadn't had years of training to lie, his probably would've burst out laughing. It had nothing to do with the idea being unrealistic, but that he and the Hartnet children got it to play out so naturally.

"I-" Thera started, receiving a quick stare from the ambassador. The ginger woman turned to Lady Hartnet. "I'd be there the entire time to look after them."

Declan smirked with a nod. "As will I. Not to mention, Lady Helena and Lord Niklaus run an orphanage, as I'm sure you're aware. She's wonderful when it comes to watching children. Jessamine and Dorian could experience a new side of the world, and Lily and Jorris will renew a different kind of culture that lies dormant." He sighed confidently with a smile. "What do you say, my lord, my lady?"

"Well..." Carlton hedged a moment, looking at his wife. There were a few seconds of silent debate, then he let out a rather weary breath and nodded slowly. "That would be...acceptable. Under a few conditions, of course."

"Oh, thank you!" Jessamine suddenly jumped from her seat and raced around the table to throw her arms around her parents, beaming. "Finally, we get to get out of here!"

Declan didn't hide his amusement at Jessamine's delight. They really didn't get out much because of their parents restrictions on Lily, so going to a festival for a few days must've been incredibly exciting for multiple reasons.

Thera clenched her jaw, beyond frustrated that she now had to babysit so many people. Declan's neglect to mention his invitation pissed her off even more.

"Of course," the ambassador said, making sure to stay on track. "What are your conditions, Lord Hartnet?"

"Five days," the lord of the manor said after a moment spent disentangling himself from his youngest daughter's exuberance. "I want my children back in five days. That should be plenty enough time to enjoy the festival and return safely."

Jess pouted, but Dorian and Jorris were nodding, both doing a better job of keeping their enthusiasm contained. For her part, Lily was trying to focus on her plate and not let the delighted smile curving her lips draw too much attention.

"And yes, Jorris, I think extending an invitation to Lady Helena and Lord Niklaus would be appropriate. I'll come up with a list of people you should extend out greetings to."

"You have my word, ser," Declan said, nodding his head in respect. "And my thanks. It will be splendid to have others to help me better acquaint myself with the noble families in the city."

"Horse shit," Thera mumbled almost inaudibly.

Once again, Declan gave her a small kick. He looked at Lily, who was clearly trying to avoid drawing attention. "Miss Lily," the ambassador started, an arrogant - and slightly devious - smirk on his lips. "Excited to see the festival?"

Lily snapped her eyes up, caught his smile, and returned it with a small, charmingly innocent smile of her own. "Yes, ser, very much," she enthused, silver eyes shining. "It seems almost too good to be true, honestly."

"Oh, come now, you make it sound like you're a prisoner!" Lydia laughed. Her husband chuckled a bit, but he winced sheepishly as he cast a glance at Lily and found her simply staring blandly in response to her mother's comment.

There was a moment's awkward silence, then Jessamine fluttered back to her place beside Dorian and tucked back into her breakfast. "So, what exactly happens at this festival, anyway?"

"Well," Declan started, looking at Jessamine with an enthusiastic gleam in his eye, "there are artists from all around Connlaoth who gather to show off the best pieces of work they've created. Scientists and brilliant people gather to discuss and invent new and interesting things to improve life in all kinds of ways. Music can be heard for miles around of all different instruments, some that were only invented for the purpose of playing at the festival! There's food and drink and beautiful scenery, including lakes and trees and everything you can imagine!"

The man pursed his lips together in a tight smile, unable to continue without laughing. "Or perhaps, I just made all of that up and am as clueless as you are, since it's to be my first time attending, as well."

Thera snorted quietly, covering her mouth to stop a laugh.

Jessamine pouted and Lily covered her mouth delicately with one hand to hide a giggle.

The meal passed with many more questions from the twins, and even the lord and lady of the house seemed to be gradually growing more enthusiastic about the idea.

Lily caught Declan's eye over the rim of her cup as she took a sip of juice and winked, unable to stop a small smirk from flashing across her face.

As they finished up the meal, the elf stood and excused himself from the table with a short and slightly informal bow. He bounded up the stairs and entered the room in which he was staying. There were still papers all over the room, so he gave a short huff and started piecing them all together in their very specific order, ensuring not to misplace a single sheet.

Thera huffed and subtly shook her head at the ambassador's curtness. Declan would never think of his actions as curt, since his mind was constantly occupied with seventeen other things, but Thera found herself always cleaning up after him and apologizing to their guests or hosts for his inattentiveness.

Jackson walked into the room, bowing his head. "The coach is done, if the Master Ambassador is ready to leave."

The mordecai woman nodded at Jackson, which gave him permission to leave. She looked at the others around the table. "Well, the ride is ready, so we'll probably depart before nightfall," she said. "I would suggest anyone who's coming go pack for the trip!" She smiled politely at the lord and lady.

Jessamine squealed excitedly and grabbed her brother's hand, dragging him up the stairs as he laughed.

Lily chuckled softly despite herself and shook her head, then shot Declan a quick look before she glided upstairs to pack herself.

"I suppose I'll pack as well," Jorris muttered, shaking his head, though he was smiling just a bit as he followed his siblings more sedately.

Thera saved her inevitable eye roll for when she was walking up the stairs to grab her own bag. She stopped at the ambassador's room, seeing him compulsively organizing his papers. "Well," she started, "so glad to have been included in the plan to kidnap the Hartnets."

Declan put his papers in the chest, sighing tiredly with a small smirk. "Thera, your flare for the dramatics is one that can rival the Maoin," he said, a lightness in his voice. "We're doing no such thing. Think of it as a public service." He straightened, walking over to the woman. "We're helping a family get reacquainted with the artistic culture this beautiful land has to offer."

She looked at him dryly. "Save it for the nobles, Declan. You'll need it. Now, hurry up. I'm not waiting all day." Thera began to leave, but quickly stopped and pointed a finger at him with a stern look. "And keep it in your pants because I don't feel like being wrapped in some political scandal!"

As soon as the mordecai left, the elf mocked her voice slightly and chuckled, as he finished packing. He shrugged on his long, violet-burgundy coat and put his collar up, taking hold of his leather-bound book and walking back downstairs. While Thera and Jackson took the bags outside to the coach, Declan decided he would converse once again with Lord and Lady Hartnet to ensure their confidence in him escorting their family was solid.

"My lord," he said, bowing his head, "my lady, you have my thanks, once again, for allowing me such wonderful company on my trip."

The Hartnets were gathered in the foyer to see their children off, the four siblings clustered together and murmuring excitedly.

"Oh, we're happy to," Lydia said with a wave of her hand. Lily rolled her eyes at the obvious lie and caught Declan's gaze out of the corner of her eye.

"Will your coach really carry all of us?" Jess asked, looking up at the ambassador, and her brother snorted softly.

"I don't think he would have invited us if it wouldn't."

Declan smiled, allowing a low chuckle to escape his lips. "Of course my coach will carry everyone!" He said excitedly. "Have a look!"

He walked outside momentarily and saw Jackson securing three freshly cleaned, white horses in front of the beautiful coach. The elf rolled his eyes as Thera walked up with the forth horse in riding tack.

"You're prissier than I am," he mumbled to her, which earned him a short - and ignored - sneer. Declan walked back inside to bid the Hartnets a kind farewell. He nodded to Jorris and Lily with a smile, then exited the house.

Jackson opened the door, and Declan offered his hand for Dorian, Jess, Jorris, and Lily to enter before himself. The coach itself was quite tall, and though it was easy for the elf's long legs, trying to get into while wearing a dress could prove difficult. Thera stayed at the door, so Jackson could climb onto the box and take hold of the lines.

"I'll be riding behind the coach," Thera told them all. "Anyone needs anything, let me know. Jackson doesn't have the best hearing, so I'll relay the message." She nodded at the elf, walking towards the perfectly behaved tacked horse and mounting with ease. The mordecai woman made a quick lap around the coach, making sure everything was properly in order before they left.

The twins were clearly the most excited, chattering and climbing quickly into the carriage, with Jorris at their heels, telling them to mind themselves.

Lily waited until the hubbub had died down a bit before she tried her luck at getting inside, hopefully avoiding her over-excited sister as much as possible.

Her skirts weren't exactly the most restrictive she'd ever worn, but they didn't make getting into the coach any easier. She wobbled slightly on the step and her hand flew out to steady herself against the door frame.

The elf smiled at the Hartnets piling into his coach. He allowed a small chuckle to escape him, but he didn't expect anyone to think anything of it.

When Lily's footing became uneasy, Declan moved closer, swiftly catching her hand and placing his other on the small of her back. To anyone else, he figured it would just appear to be a helpful move. He knew it was more than that, and he had a strong feeling Lily knew the same thing.

"Careful," he said softly, removing his hand from her back with the slightest delay. An involuntary smirk tugged at his lips, but he wasn't worried about the young lady seeing.

Thera trotted over to the elder Hartnets atop the large, white horse. Declan often swore the horses all had two personalities. As they would see at that moment, the beasts could be statuesque and regal, but they would run freely as soon as they were given permission. "I'll make sure your children are safe," the guard said. She forced a smile, glancing to the coach briefly. "We'll return on time, and I'm sure they'll bring home souvenirs."

As soon as Lily was in the coach, Declan would step inside and close the door behind them, nodding and smiling politely to Lord and Lady Hartnet.

The Hartnets nodded and smiled, waving their children farewell. Jess leaned out the window to wave back, calling her goodbyes, obviously incredibly excited for the trip.

Shifting slightly so she took a seat beside Declan, Lily lowered her voice and murmured, "Thank you for this. I think it will do all of us some good to get off the estate for a while."

"It's my pleasure," Declan said quietly, matching her volume. "Besides, I made a promise, remember?" He leaned slightly closer to her with a smirk. "You convince your parents to let you come with me and I give you anything you want."

Thera trotted up to Jackson, giving him a tired look. "I'll double your pay for the next month if you get us there in half the time," she said.

"I'll do mah best, ser," he said, urging the horses faster, as Thera fell back to her place behind the coach.

Lily felt as if her whole body flushed, the implication of those words sending a shiver down her spine. She managed to offer a small, wry smile through the tingly feeling and tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh? And how far does your promise extend exactly, Master Ambassador?"

Her voice was still soft, but there was only so much one could be do to be subtle in such tight quarters. Her siblings all seemed to be busily engaged with each other for the moment, but she wasn't sure how long that might last.

Declan crossed his legs at the ankle, leather journal placed on his lap, as he stretched his arm to rest on the back of the seat behind Lily. He allowed his fingertips to brush lightly against the nape of her neck with an intense gaze suddenly apparent in his violet eyes. "Indefinitely," he whispered.

The ambassador felt the coach quicken, and he glanced behind them to meet Thera's disapproval with a knowing grin.

A shiver ran down her spine and Lily sat up a little straighter, trying not to jump away from his touch like a startled cat; that was the last thing she needed, to draw down her brother's suspicion.

But none of the other three Hartnets seemed to be paying them much attention, so she shot Declan a glance sidelong through her lashes, a half smirk curling at her lips for a moment. "I believe you are treading dangerous waters, Declan," she murmured softly.

The elf brought his grin to Lily, still in close proximity. "My dear, I tread dangerous waters every moment of my time in Connlaoth. Fun is rarely had in still waters, which is why pleasure is described in waves."

Deciding not to allow her time to respond, he straightened himself and clapped once with a smile. "What are you all most excited for at the festival?" He asked with a genuine smile.

That set her siblings to babbling over one another: mostly the twins, but even Jorris had allowed himself to relax slightly and join in now that they were out from under their parents' gaze.

Lily resisted the urge to roll her eyes or pout at the ambassador. That was hardly the most appropriate course of action.

[OOC: Would you like to do a time skip to the next day? Reaching the festival?]

---

A large smile pulled at the ambassadors lips. He knew that the question would set them, especially the twins, into a verbal bombardment, but that was the goal after all. Why hide excitement?

Declan simply leaned back in the seat, crossing his legs at the ankle as he picked out the individual sentences that all melded together in the noise.

((Sounds good to me!))

---

Lily couldn't help smiling as she watched her siblings chatter away excitedly. With a happy little sigh, she leaned slightly against Declan's side and let her head come to rest on his shoulder.

"Thank you," she murmured softly, low enough that the others probably wouldn't hear. "I think they-- we needed this. More than you know."

Sleep was a forgotten friend to the ambassador, so the night passed uneventfully. Declan wasn't sure whether Lily was awake or not, but he found himself absently running his fingers through her curls as he read by the swaying lantern light.

The sun rose, and he saw in the distance a line of carriages and coaches against the early light of morning. A smile crossed his face at the artsy sight. Declan closed the book and shifted slightly, running his fingertips over Lily's arm to wake her.

At that moment, a knock came on the coach window from Jackson, who slid open the glass. "Up, up, m'lords and m'ladies," the older man said. "We's just a mile out from the festival."

Sleeping in the coach was actually more comfortable than Lily would have thought-- though that may have been because Declan allowed her to use his shoulder as a pillow. His amulet was a comforting warmth and weight against her chest, lulling her easily through the night.

Once, drifting close to consciousness, she though she felt his fingers carding gently through her hair. She smiled, almost unconsciously murmuring, "That...feels nice..."

Then she was asleep again.

---

It was Declan's touch to her arm as much as Jackson's voice that woke her. Lily yawned and straightened herself up , blinking, "Oh. We're here?"

"We're here," the ambassador repeated with more certainty than the sleepy girl had. He shifted slightly beneath her and suffocated the small flame in the lantern.

Though it was still early, the hustle and bustle of the festival was lively with music playing and crowds already gathering. The ambassador felt the coach begin to slow and glanced out the window. Thera nodded to him, then sped the horse up slightly, riding beside Jackson until the coach found its place among the others.

The driver turned to his passengers with a tired smile. "If y'all'd like, Miss Thera and myself can tend to the horses, m'lord?"

Declan nodded kindly. "Thank you, Jackson," he said. "I'm sure that would be perfect. We'll be off as soon as my guests are ready."

"Oh, we're ready now!" Jess beamed and almost bounced in her seat, making her twin chuckle and hold her hand to keep her in place. "Come on, come on! It's been ages since we've gotten to do anything fun, let's go see!"

Lily winced guiltily, though she tried to hide it. She offered a quick smile to their guide. "After you, Master Ambassador? I believe you have a slight advantage in the area of familiarity with the terrain."

Declan chuckled, opening the door and stepping out of the coach. He took a long breath, looking around at the area with a content smile. "Familiarity?" Thera taunted from atop the white horse. "They know you get lost in the embassy, right?"

"I do not," the ambassador scoffed at her, shaking his head dismissively. "And if you could suspend the snide remarks while we're here, that would be greatly appreciated."

The red-haired woman dismounted from the horse, holding its reins in her hand and nodded to him. "Yes, sir," she mocked, approaching Jackson to give the older man unneeded help down from his seat. "You lot don't go very far, okay? I'll find you in a little bit."

Declan leaned against the side of the coach, glancing at his guests with a slightly devious grin. "What do you guys say we go as deep into the festival as possible before she catches us?" He added a small laugh for good measure, but was actually partially serious.

Jessamine positively squealed with delight and bounced in place. "Oh, yes, yes yes!"

Lily chuckled and rolled her eyes. "I believe my sister is in favor of the idea," she noted dryly. Glancing around at her siblings, she suddenly felt, really felt, the absence of her parents' hovering presence.

Stepping closer to Declan, she lightly slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and smiled. "Would you do me the honor of escorting me on this caper, Master Ambassador?"