"This isn't about you at all." for un_love_you
Mab stood before her court in a dress quite literally made shadows and ice, a creation for an announcement that needed to be made as a power. Faces that were unspeakably beautiful, unbearably horrible, and everywhere in between stared at her in surprise. The last time she had worn such a costume, she had announced Auberon’s death. They expected no less important information. There would be no disappointment.
“Early in this next year, in the heart of Winter, I shall bear three infants. Two daughters, one of Winter, one of Night. One son of both. Thus far they are healthy, confirmed by Tir na n’Og Howlett herself. The father and I have spoken, and they will be born legitimately.”
There was a flurry of sound as it was clear she was finished speaking. Until Dorian stood in his shining silver armor with arms raised, demanding silence. “And if he does not do so, he shall die so that the only parent they need know is our Queen.” A cheer rose from the surrounding and Mab gave no sign that it was news to her until after she had answered the questions and finished with all the details. She didn’t say a single thing until they were alone in her war room.
“What the hell were you thinking?” Her voice was a dangerous snarl.
“Do you doubt that he will marry you?”
“No.”
“Then it doesn’t matter and it gives the Court some reassurance that you are still the queen they want you to be.”
Mab rubbed her cheek tiredly, shadows falling so that the strategically clouded ice was all she need maintain. “It’s the principle of the matter, Dorian.”
Dorian approached her, crossing the room to put his hands on her shoulders. She met his eyes tiredly. “I have watched the last two men in your life tear you to shreds. The first I could do nothing because of due to politics. The second because he could not die. And while there are more days when I want to buy him a beer for the joy he brings you and the amount of yourself he has returned to you, I know how many diamonds we have had to sell in human lands.”
“Dorian-”
“Let me finish with my say and then I will let you have yours, my lady. I am the first who swore allegiance to you all those years ago. Everyday for all those years I have loved you. Once I thought it was a romantic love, but my wife taught me better. I don’t love you any less because it is the love shared between a liege lord and those who serve. I love you for the nightmares you have about when you will eventually have to send me on the mission that kills me, and for the fact that up until now you didn’t now I knew. And because of that love don’t forbid me to keep that oath to the people. I won’t countermand a direct order, but I need the reassurance. I need this when you won’t even let me meet him.”
“Alright. I might have to kill you for it. Can you live with that?”
“I can.”
“You will meet him.”
“I had hoped to.”
“Your family will be taken care of when the day comes.”
“There was never a doubt.”
“Early in this next year, in the heart of Winter, I shall bear three infants. Two daughters, one of Winter, one of Night. One son of both. Thus far they are healthy, confirmed by Tir na n’Og Howlett herself. The father and I have spoken, and they will be born legitimately.”
There was a flurry of sound as it was clear she was finished speaking. Until Dorian stood in his shining silver armor with arms raised, demanding silence. “And if he does not do so, he shall die so that the only parent they need know is our Queen.” A cheer rose from the surrounding and Mab gave no sign that it was news to her until after she had answered the questions and finished with all the details. She didn’t say a single thing until they were alone in her war room.
“What the hell were you thinking?” Her voice was a dangerous snarl.
“Do you doubt that he will marry you?”
“No.”
“Then it doesn’t matter and it gives the Court some reassurance that you are still the queen they want you to be.”
Mab rubbed her cheek tiredly, shadows falling so that the strategically clouded ice was all she need maintain. “It’s the principle of the matter, Dorian.”
Dorian approached her, crossing the room to put his hands on her shoulders. She met his eyes tiredly. “I have watched the last two men in your life tear you to shreds. The first I could do nothing because of due to politics. The second because he could not die. And while there are more days when I want to buy him a beer for the joy he brings you and the amount of yourself he has returned to you, I know how many diamonds we have had to sell in human lands.”
“Dorian-”
“Let me finish with my say and then I will let you have yours, my lady. I am the first who swore allegiance to you all those years ago. Everyday for all those years I have loved you. Once I thought it was a romantic love, but my wife taught me better. I don’t love you any less because it is the love shared between a liege lord and those who serve. I love you for the nightmares you have about when you will eventually have to send me on the mission that kills me, and for the fact that up until now you didn’t now I knew. And because of that love don’t forbid me to keep that oath to the people. I won’t countermand a direct order, but I need the reassurance. I need this when you won’t even let me meet him.”
“Alright. I might have to kill you for it. Can you live with that?”
“I can.”
“You will meet him.”
“I had hoped to.”
“Your family will be taken care of when the day comes.”
“There was never a doubt.”