Work Text:
Thaisha moved through the small grove beside the inn unable to rest. After riding through the night and most of the day she had passed through exhaustion and arrived on the other side filled with frantic energy. She needed to sleep. She knew that, but her body wouldn’t cooperate. Still, she had tried to lie down and close her eyes, but the inside of her eyelids were seared with the horrifying images of the Palazzo Davinos. She saw Raimond crumpled in the doorway, a mess of gore where his head should be. She saw the bodies that dropped all around her as she ran to find Occtis. In her ears were the terrible sounds of those bodies hitting the floor, and her nostrils were filled with the stench of copper so dense she could taste it in the back of her throat. Then there was Occtis himself. The boy, no, the man, that she was supposed to watch out for. Occtis torn open. Occtis’s intestines on the floor. Occtis’s heart in his brother’s hand. She had been too late. Thaisha was terrified that she would be too late again. After replaying the horrors of the past night over and over the scene changed. It became Alogar crumpled, Alogar falling, Alogar torn apart. Her son was in danger. She could feel it in the center of her being, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Thaisha had tried to calm down. She tried to remember the steady rhythm of Hal’s heartbeat but it was too far away. He had tried to reassure her. Remind her that they had no way of knowing if the person Occtis had seen in his vision was Alogar, but she knew. She knew, and her body wanted to move. Hal was the one who stayed and she was always the one who left and she knew where she needed to go but she could not get there. Heat pooled in the back of her skull and ran down her spine. She wanted to grow feathers and take flight but she didn’t know how. She wanted to sink into the body of the wolf and run until she caught the scent of her son, but her body remained stubbornly her own. It needed rest, she needed rest, but she couldn’t stop moving.
The fresh air wasn’t helping her calm her nerves the way she hoped it would. The cold breeze was invigorating. It caressed her back and urged her forward. Before slipping out the inn's backdoor Thaisha had seen Occtis and Vaelus sitting in the front room talking in hushed tones. Maybe she would join them after she walked for a while. She could talk about Alogar, and they could lie to her and tell her everything was going to be fine. Maybe then she’d finally be able to sleep.
A loud grunt brought her back to the present. She pulled a dagger from her boot and kicked herself for not grabbing her staff. She wasn’t thinking about safety when she had left the inn, she had only followed what her body wanted. Now she was alone and no one knew where she had gone. Anything could be out here with her. Tachonis scouts, bandits, or a really pissed off bear. Nature was so much a part of Thaisha, that she occasionally forgot about the dangers. It had been a long time since she pushed herself past her abilities. She couldn’t become a wolf, or call down a bolt of lighting. All she had was herself and her families’ metal in her hands. It would be enough, but she wasn’t a fool. Thaisha prepared to run back towards the light of the inn when the sound of metal hitting wood and a yell stopped her. She recognized that voice. Instead of going back, she crept forward.
Sir Julien Davinos stood in the center of a small clearing. He held his rapier aloft, the small amount of moonlight that made it through the clouds reflected off its thin edge. Thaisha touched her shoulder. She had first hand knowledge on how well Julien maintained his blade. She wasn’t sure what had possessed her to step into his sword. She had acted on instinct. Occtis was on the ground and Julien was advancing on him ready to take out his rage on the only member of the Tachonis family in reach, and she had moved into his path because it felt right. Like if she endured a small amount of the pain he was feeling it would show Julien that he wasn’t alone. Thaisha swore she almost got through to him too. There was a certain look in his eye before Anaressa intervened—but she was probably only fooling herself. She didn't know how to get through to Julien. She barely knew the man at all, and what she did know she didn't particularly like. The only exception being how he had treated her son.
Thaisha had tried to talk Alogar out of joining the Barrowguard. It had led to the biggest argument the two of them had ever had. Her son wouldn’t hear her and stormed out of Hal’s house telling her he had chosen his path and she could either support him or go back to hers. It was a well struck blow. She had only wanted to keep him safe, but he was too much her son for that to have ever been a real option. Strangely enough it was Sir Julien that had helped calm her fears. She had gone to bring Alogar a meal while he was training. It was an olive branch but really she had wanted to see the Barrowguard for herself. To see if they were worthy of her son. Alogar had sniffed out her real intentions immediately, but before another fight could start Julien had invited her to stay. He said that as a member of the Lloy family and a member of the Old Path it was only right for Thaisha to see how House Royce was protecting the realm. In spite of herself she was impressed. Julien took the recruits through drills, correcting posture, stances, and grips. Running them until they got it right. He was tough but also patient. Staying after the session and working one on one with whoever asked. He dueled Alogar. Let her son get some hits in before disarming him with a flick of the wrist, and then staying longer to show him how he did it. When Thaisha had asked her son if Julien had been showing off for her, Alogar had assured her that no he was always that annoying. She had followed her gut and told her son to stick to Julien’s side. Learn everything he had to teach him. She hoped it would be enough to keep him safe. She wasn’t sure if she should regret that choice or not.
Tonight Julien stood alone. Whatever he was fighting, Thaisha couldn’t see it, but she had a feeling it was something similar to what had driven her out of bed. He lunged forward and then pivoted to the left, swishing his cape to obscure his sword before sharply cutting to the right. She knew she should leave, and let him work through his pain with his blade, but she lingered. With Lady Aranessa's aide Julien had dashed through the Palazzo downing ghouls left and right. Even Thaisha had to admit it was impressive. Now he moved through the clearing with the same deadly grace. Slower, but no less skilled. It was beautiful in its way, almost like a dance. Still, she knew Julien would not appreciate being watched. Thaisha backed away and turned to leave bringing her boot down on a branch snapping it in two with a loud crack. She winced as Julien spun towards her weapon raised.
“Sorry, it’s only me,” Thaisha called out. She knew that Julien couldn’t see as well as she could in the dark, and she wasn’t looking to get stabbed again.
A loud sigh answered her.
“Why are you skulking around in the woods?” he asked.
“I’m not skulking, I’m walking. Couldn’t sleep.”
He nodded. “Yes well, as you can see neither could I.”
“Are you…”
“Do not insult me by asking me if I’m okay," he said sharply.
Thaisha took a step closer. “What I was going to say was, are you almost done?" She gestured between them with her dagger. "Because I'm trying to clear my head, but I can't because of all the noise you're making."
She should have turned around the second she recognized his voice. Trying to offer Julien sympathy was like trying to grow a flower in the cracked dry earth of the desert. Futile and aggravating.
Julien let out a small laugh. "Unbelievable. I have walked to the middle of the woods because I did not want to be around any of you. You interrupt me, and I'm the one disturbing you?"
"That's right." Thaisha said straightening her spine, emphasizing the few inches she had on him.
"Ridiculous," Julien said. "You are being ridiculous! Stomping around the wood brandishing a dagger acting like you own the entirety of the outside!" Julien dragged his gauntlet down his face, and Thaisha watched as all the fight left his body in a single breath like a candle being extinguished. "Thaisha, I do not wish to argue with you. Please just leave me be."
"No."
"No?"
She raised her dagger higher. "You heard me."
"What are you doing?" He stared at her in complete bafflement.
She was doing what she always did, following her instincts, acting without worrying about the consequences. Julien was hanging on by a thread. She could see it. Maybe she would regret it later but she couldn't just walk away.
"You don't want to argue, great. Neither do I. You don't want to be around any of us? Well we're not to fond of you either, but for now we're stuck with each other, so let's try speaking your language. Fight me."
Julien laughed dismissively. "Fight you? More foolishness. All you have is a dagger."
Thaisha shrugged. "Should be easy then."
She lunged forward thrusting the dagger in front of her. Julien effortlessly parried it, and then shoved her shoulder pushing her away from him.
"It will be incredibly easy. You are exhausted and untrained."
She slashed out recklessly. "No more exhausted than you are."
Julien stepped to the side out of the way of her attack, and whacked her wrist with his rapier leaving a small cut behind. "I have held a blade in my hand from the moment I could stand upright. It is as a part of me as my own arm. Stand down."
The image of a small toddler with a tangle of black hair being rewarded with the cold metal of a blade after taking his first steps broke her heart a little. Julien dropped into a defensive stance and raised his sword against the flash of sympathy in her eyes.
"I do not tell you this for pity. I am simply informing you that in this particular area I have the advantage."
"Then stop talking and show me what you've got."
Julien shook his head. Thaisha thought maybe he would back down and walk away. She didn't know if she would count that as a win or not. Julien's attitude put her teeth on edge. He wrapped himself up in bravado and looked down at the world past his upturned nose. She honestly wished she could put him in his place with nothing but her will and a dagger. If she literally wanted to kill him, maybe—she knew where all the major arteries were, and you never knew which way the coin would land when your life was on the line—but in a test of skill? No. Julien earned his cockiness there. If it wasn't for him she never would have been able to get Occtis's body out of the palazzo, and then he would have been lost forever. They were going to need Julien in the fight to come, and she was going to get past his defenses one way or another.
Julien moved. Even without the aid of magic he was too fast for her to counter. Not that she would have expected him to grab her wrist and pull her dagger to his chest. That she did not see coming. She tried to pull it back but he held on tight.
"Julien…"
"First rule of swordplay, do not unsheathe your weapon unless you intend to use it." He pulled the dagger closer digging the tip into his coat.
It pierced the fabric easily. A blade may not be her weapon of choice but she knew how to tend it. She was a Lloy after all. She tensed her arm preparing to try and break free of Julien's grasp, when she felt the tips of his gauntlet dig into her forearm. She wouldn't be able to free herself without doing damage.
"Alright, what's the second rule?" she asked.
"What?"
"First rule is don't unsheathe your weapon blah blah blah, what's rule number two?"
Julien looked at her in disbelief. "Just let go of the dagger."
She pushed her hand forward a fraction of an inch. "No. You let go of my wrist."
"Rule number two? Don't start a fight you can't finish. You were the one to come at me, so you can be the one to back down." He looked at her and behind the anger she could see the anguish in his eyes. "You know what I have been through and still you poke and prod, why? What do you want from me Thaisha?"
With her free hand, she grabbed the back of his neck and crashed their faces together. Thaisha had a moment to savour how his eyes widened in shock. Julien wasn't the only one who could make unexpected moves. Hell, she wasn't even aware of what she was doing until her mouth was on his. Part of her knew that this was an absolutely terrible idea, but whatever regret she might have later was nothing compared to the relief that washed over her now. Finally she was doing something.
Julien let go of her wrist and she grinned against his mouth. She never started a fight she couldn't finish. Julien pulled back his chest heaving with exertion. A small trickle of blood dripped down the corner of his mouth where her tusk had marked him. He looked stricken. Thaisha was worried that she had crossed a line. She stepped back and tossed the dagger to the side.
"Your move Sir Julien."
His head snapped to attention and he gave her a once over, like he was trying to figure what trap this could possibly be. He tightly clenched the hilt of his rapier for a moment and then he dropped the weapon beside him. A shiver of anticipation ran through Thaisha as he stepped forward. He grasped her waist and pushed her backwards until her back collided with the trunk of a tree. His eyes searched hers. She could guess what he was looking for, humour, indecision, or any sign that she would back down first. Her eyes flicked down to his mouth, and she heard him inhale sharply. Finally his mouth was on hers again. She raked a hand through his hair clenching it in a fist. He clawed at her back, and when his gauntlet broke skin she cried out in a mix of pain and pleasure.
Julien pulled back again and she groaned in frustration. Whatever apology he tried to stammer out was silenced when she surged forward and took his bottom lip between her teeth. He took the hint and grabbed onto her tightly. She moaned into his mouth and felt his pants stiffen in response. He did not shy away from her tusks and pressed his face into hers with urgency, his tongue eagerly exploring her open mouth. Thaisha ran a hand down the front of his coat and kept going until she found the bulge in his pants. She squeezed, and then it was Julien's turn to moan. Her mouth trailed down his jaw to his neck. She pulled at the buckles of his padded surcoat demanding more access. He worked on his belt and eventually they got the coat open but not off. There was still the rest of his armour to contend with.
"You are wearing a ridiculous amount of layers," Thaisha growled.
Julien smirked as he undid his pants. "It's to protect me from dagger wielding women in the woods, besides you have access to what matters."
Thaisha rolled her eyes. "Seems a little uneven," she said, pulling off her robe.
"Fair enough," he conceded, and unbuckled his pauldron.
Thaisha worked on his wrist guard. She avoided his eyes as they finished undressing. Under different circumstances slowly removing different accessories and pieces of clothing could add to the experience but not tonight. She didn't want to stop long enough for her brain to catch up with what she was doing. Not until after the heat building in her cunt was taken care of. Still, she was slightly disappointed to see the gauntlet go. The feeling of it digging into her back had been stimulating, but at least the damn coat was finally off. She yanked his shirt over his head. Once freed, Julien grabbed her face and kissed her roughly. Thaisha dug her nails into his back and brought their hips together. His hardness pushing against her felt incredible, but she only let herself savour it for a moment. There was no need to drag this out. They both knew what they were here for. She scratched her nails along his hip and moved her hand between them, wrapping her fingers around his stiff cock. Julien grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand away. She groaned into his ear and heard him chuckle in response.
She was going to fucking kill him.
Before she got the chance to act he bit the side of her neck and worked his way south sinking to his knees in front of her. He parted her wetness with his tongue sending a jolt of pleasure right through her. Thaisha closed her eyes and changed her mind. First she was going to fuck him and then she was going to kill him.
A loud moan escaped her as he sucked and licked her clit. Her legs trembled and she wished that there was a branch low enough for her to hold onto. She didn't know if she would be able to stay on her feet. The pressure inside of her built to a breaking point, but then the feeling of Julien's mouth on her was gone. She opened her eyes and found him staring up at her, the pupils of his dark eyes blown apart with desire. He slowly licked his lips which were slick with her arousal.
"Asshole," she grunted.
He grinned at her and she had enough.
Thaisha pushed Julien onto his back and climbed on top of him. She shoved her tongue into his mouth and tasted herself on his. His back arched off the ground and his hips bucked underneath her. She would love to pay back his slow torture but she needed release. She quickly guided him inside of her and they both cried out as they finally connected. Her first orgasm came quickly after a few thrusts, but Thaisha didn't slow down. The waves of pleasure only spurned her on. Julien pushed himself up onto one forearm and grasped onto her hip with his other hand, matching her intensity.
It shouldn't be this damn good, not with the state they were both in, but the pain and desperation only added to the experience. Heat poured down her limbs and all around her. All her nerve endings were alive.
"Thaisha," Julien called out in a strained voice. It sounded like a warning. It sounded like an invocation.
Thaisha slowed the pace, trying to make the final moment last as long as possible. Then she did something stupid and looked into Julien's eyes. They were filled with devastation. Brimming with unwept tears. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him. Julien pulled himself up straighter rocking his hips bringing them closer together. All of him was inside of her now. Every thrust sent a jolt straight through her. The breath he shuddered out, she breathed in. She took his face in her hands and wiped away the moisture on his cheeks, ignoring the small voice inside of her that told her to turn away. This wasn't supposed to be intimate, it was supposed to be a quick hard fuck in the woods. A moment in time she would leave behind the second it was over—except that was never the truth. Thaisha didn't leave anything behind. Wherever she went she took everything with her, and somehow Julien had already gotten stuck under her ribs.
He called out her name one last time in a broken voice, and she came apart as her name left his lips.
Julien collapsed onto his back breathing heavily, and stared up at the sky with unfocused eyes. Thaisha tried to get off of him but her limbs had turned to jelly and all she was able to do was roll to the side. She felt like she should say something, but words always seemed to come between them, so she said nothing. They stayed like that for some time, their breathing the only thing breaking the silence. After a while Thaisha's heart rate returned to normal, but her limbs still felt impossibly heavy.
"I don't think I can make it back to the inn," she finally said.
"I know I can't," Julien admitted.
The cold wind blew over her naked flesh causing her to shiver. Julien threw his cape over her but it barely covered anything.
"Why is your cape so small?" she asked.
"It is the exact size it needs to be. Any longer and it would be a tripping hazard."
Thaisha snorted.
"Ridiculous woman," Julien muttered.
Thaisha pulled herself back on top of him.
"I'm sorry to say I won't be able to make a repeat performance for some time," he said nonchalantly.
"Who said anything about a repeat performance?" Thaisha reached for her robe and arranged their clothing so it covered them both.
"Right, this is the part where you tell me that this can never happen again."
"Is that what people usually tell you?"
Julien cleared his throat. "No, usually I keep things professional and transactional."
Thaisha didn't know what to say to that. "Okay, interesting."
"It's easier that way."
"If you say so. I myself never do anything the easy way," Thaisha said, and Julien let out a huff of amusement. She stopped fiddling with her robe and faced him fully. "And I never say never."
He raised his eyebrows. "Good to know."
Thaisha laid her head down on Julien's chest and made herself comfortable. "Do you think we're safe here?" she asked.
"Safe enough. I walked the perimeter earlier and didn't see any signs of undead or other dangers. Plus we weren't exactly quiet and nothing has attacked us so far." He brought his hand to her back and rubbed between her shoulder blades. "Try and sleep."
She closed her eyes and almost drifted off.
"Julien?" she asked after a few minutes.
"What?" he responded, with an annoyed edge to his voice.
"Did you mean what you said? About Alogar, about how well he was doing?"
"Of course." He answered in a softer voice. "I do not offer others honeyed words of comfort or flattery." She felt him shrug. "I'm not any good at it."
She nodded into his chest. "Okay."
"I can't promise you that he'll be alright, but I will help you get to him."
"Thank you."
"He is resourceful, and as stubborn as his mother. I would not despair if I were you."
"I'm not. It's only, after everything that happened…" Thaisha said trailing off.
"I understand."
"I know you don't want to hear it, but I am sorry about your father. About everyone."
"You're right I don't want to hear it." He took a deep breath. "But, I accept your condolences."
That was something at least.
"And I want you to know that you won't face Primus Tachonis alone," Thaisha continued, looking up at him. "When the time comes I will help you tear his fucking head off of his fucking body."
Julien's jaw tightened. "As long as I get the killing blow."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll tear his throat out, but only part of the way, and then you can finish him off." She held her hand out to him. "Deal?"
He looked down at her hand considering, and then he grabbed it and brought it to his mouth kissing it lightly.
"We have an accord Mistress Lloy."
She pulled her hand away shaking her head. Mistress Lloy, really? "Go to sleep, Sir Julien."
He stretched his back placing his arm underneath his head. "I'm trying but my companion won't stop talking."
"I'm done now."
"Good."
"It is good."
She felt the rumble of the laugh he tried to suppress and smiled to herself. It was surprisingly easy lying with him like this. Easier than any other interaction they had ever had. Her fingers trailed through the grass beside them. It grew thicker and softer at her touch. No matter how worn out she was some power was always hers to call on. She urged the grass to grow around and under them. Small sprouts of lavender pushed their way through the grass near their heads letting out a soothing scent as they bloomed. The tree limbs bowed towards them blocking out the wind.
"Smells nice," Julien murmured.
She placed her ear above his heart and listened to it beat. It wasn't slow and calming but it was strong and alive. His hand remained on her back. The motion slowed and his breathing evened out. It wasn't until she was drifting off that she realized that Julien had gotten the last word in after all.
Fucker, she thought as sleep finally took her.