The Morning brings newfound Family drama

Chapter 8 - Part 1(Voyage of the Dawn Breaker)

Previously: After escorting Flur to her first night with Rhyslin, Ria is caught by surprise when he takes a few minutes to ask her what she wants. Ria wastes no time in telling him that she no longer wants to be a queen and wants to be one of his bonds.

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When morning came, it found Ilyriatri all alone in bed.  Go away and let me sleep, she waved her hand, trying to chase off the sunbeam that bathed her face.  She snuggled into the blankets and breathed deeply.  Mmm, he smells so good.  Wait, blankets?  Warmth?  Her eyes snapped open, and she cautiously fell around under the covers.  How did I end up in bed?  The last thing I remember is watching him break Flur.  She came close to panicking as she tried to figure out how she had gotten into the bed.  Did we?  She fell down her body.  Thank a' Mathair, she sighed in relief as she felt her nightgown. 

   She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled as she looked around the room, trying to find Rhyslin and Flur.  Soft laughter drew her attention to a table in the corner, where the two were sitting and talking.  “Good morrow,” she mumbled as she crawled out of bed and joined them.  Sinking to her knees beside Flur, she quietly observed the draoidh, trying to judge his condition.  Rhyslin was sitting cross-legged on the floor.  She could tell he looked better when he reached out and snagged a slice of fruit.  As he leaned forward, his robe fell open to reveal the wiry hair that started at his pectorals and trailed down to, Oh my.  No wonder Flur sounded so pleased last night.      A slow blush crawled up her body, and she looked up to find Flur watching her.  “Did you sleep well?”  She inquired with a knowing smile.

   She seems more confident, Ilyriatri thought as Flur leaned toward her, the chemise rising to gather at her hips.  “I did,” she admitted, “although I can't seem to remember how I ended up in your bed.”  She looked down, “If I erred, I apologize.”

   Flur opened her mouth to say something but remained silent when Rhyslin shook his head.  He let Ria alone for a moment before consoling her, “I brought you to bed when the temperature dropped late last night.”

   She was trying to think of something to say when there was a knock on the door.

   The three exchanged a look between them, with Rhyslin arching a brow as he called out, “Yes?”

After a moment of silence, the answer came.  “It's Vuuroena.”  The young spell blade was quiet momentarily before stating, “I can't find mathair and was wondering if you had seen her.”

   Rhyslin glanced over at Ria, who was shaking her head.  When he answered, “I have seen her,” Ria buried her head in her hands.

   Rhyslin heard what he assumed was Vuuroena's feet, fidgeting. “Do you know where she is?”

   “I do know where she is,” the draoidh replied with a straight face.

   What are you doing?  Ria wondered as she raised her head and stared at Rhyslin.

   The following silence was the longest, and Vuuroena finally asked, “May I come in, Maighstir?”

   Finally, she asked the right question; Rhyslin smiled.  “Please come in,” he called, inviting Vuuroena into the room.

   They watched as the door opened to reveal the young spell blade standing there.  Vuuroena waited for her eyes to adjust to the dim light in the cabin.  “Good Morrow, Maighstir,” she greeted Rhyslin with a smile.  “Good morrow, Flur,” Her smile broadened when she saw the blush on Flur's face.  “Mathair, Mom,” her smile faded as she saw her mother kneeling before Rhyslin.  “Why are you here?”  When Ria yawned, Vuuroena got a good look at the near-translucent gown.  “Did you spend the night with him?”  Vuuroena's lower lip trembled as she tried not to cry.  I can't believe it; he's my calm man.

   “By a' Mathair,” Ria grumbled.  “ I am neither awake nor dressed enough to discuss this again.”  She was halfway to her feet when Rhyslin stopped her.

   “Sit down, Ria, and I will handle this.” 

   Ria looked into his eyes for a moment, just long enough to judge his intent, and sank back to her knees.  “Yes, Maighstir.”

   Vuuroena watched in shock as Ria obeyed him.  When Rhyslin calmly ordered Vuuroena to kneel at her mother's side, she sank to her knees and reached out for him.  The spell-blade watched him closely for signs of rejection, and when he allowed her to touch his knee, Vuuroena relaxed as his prana washed over her and then leaned back and copied her mother.

   Rhyslin turned slightly, running his fingers down Flur's back.  “Be a dear and go get Keisha.  What I'm going to say, I will only say once.” 

   “Yes, maighstir,” Flur whispered as she leaned into his touch before rising to her feet and giggling softly as his hand drifted down her spine.  She left the cabin with a satisfied smile when he playfully spanked her left buttock. 

In her absence, Vuuroena took a good look at her mother.  She was confused when Ria acted excited to be alone with Rhyslin.  I've never seen her act like this,” she thought as she watched her mother covertly watch Rhyslin and move just enough to part her legs.  The young spell blade raptly watched when Rhyslin looked at Ria as if she were a tasty morsel he would eat.  Will he ever look at me that way?  Do I want him to do so?  She didn't know what she wanted.  As the silence grated on her nerves, she started fidgeting, which drew Rhyslin's attention.  Why can't I be as graceful as mathair?

   “Be one with the moment, Rana.”  The shortening of her name served to anchor her, and she looked at him, listening as he commented, “Take a deep breath and find your center.” 

   As she calmed, she took a moment to consider whether she liked her name's diminutive.  After a moment, she decided, I do like Rana.  She glanced up as Flur and Keisha entered the room and knelt at Rhyslin's side.

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There’ll be more of this story coming up next week.

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