((Attn: Aisling))

Every day and night for the last few if he could recall, Malice had made sure that the Healer Queen was alright. After falling asleep contently with her in his arms he knew that things were going to be different. But then again he really knew that from the start though he just didn’t want to admit it. He knew things would be different with Aisling because of how she carried herself and how she was around him. When he was angry, especially when it was himself setting himself off she was just as fierce when he was wrong. When he was happy it was because of her mainly that he was. Everything about her clashed with him but in everyway that it worked out.

Using the fact that she was what he was out to get rid of wasn’t good enough. It phased upon Malice each and every moment here and there while he was with her. But being with her was what pushed all the rest aside. Seeing her smile, kissing her freckles and even laughing at Spite scamper across his bed when Aisling wanted him to get his exercise had the Warlord Prince happy. She was one of a kind.

So many reasons came of why Malice was with her instead why he wasn’t. He had made sure that she rested while he kept her interest about the house he was going to build for her alive as well. She got to plan and tell him what she wanted and then he would build it. He still needed to go to Dhemlan though for the wood. He had wanted to do it himself, but he still wasn’t too fond of Aisling being by herself. Once she had the house, she could do as she pleased. When she had her house.. she’d have her new life.

Whether he was apart of it or not he wanted her happy. She told him constantly that all she needed was him, but then again she didn’t know the whole story of him. Which by her going to Dhemlan with him she would probably find out. Did it worry him? Of course. But it was up to her to think what she did after she heard the truth. He couldn’t do anything beyond that.

Taking the coup of tea that the cook made for him, Malice sighed while it was about the time that Aisling woke up. He was always a man of waking up early and as much as he loved to be around her there were other things he needed to take care of so he had so much time with her. He exhaled deeply. He was going to take her to Dhemlan today and all he could do was hope that she felt the same way she did about him after the trip was over.

From a life she only pretended to like the way she lived to what felt like a perfect one, Aisling was perpetually happy. She had someone to take care of her, someone she wanted to care for herself and a little bunny to play with when Malice had to do something that required him to be away from her. Every evening, as she fell asleep in his safe arms wrapped snuggly around her, Aisling couldn’t help but smile as she drifted of to sleep, struggling to stay awake.

For once, dreams could not contend with reality. She had hoped for something like this to happen, had prayed multiple times a day to the Darkness that someone would simply care for her but that was the dream of every person who worked in a red moon house. The difference between them and Aisling though was that Aisling got her dream. There was a man she loved who wanted to build her a house and take care of her.

Yes, it would have been perfect if he loved her too. She thought he did. He certainly acted as though he did and she thought she saw that light in his eyes when he looked at her. She was pretty sure that it wasn’t simply her queen status that helped him calm down after something worked him up into a frenzy. Malice just hadn’t said it yet and Aisling was alright with that. Perfection just wasn’t possible and she was happy.

When she woke up that particular morning, Malice was no where to be seen. She knew he woke up long before she did and would come in and wake her up at some point in the day. The healer queen would have preferred to wake up at the same time as him but she understood that there was work that needed to be done. It was rather adorable that she could distract him so easily.

As she rolled over, that thought bringing another smile to her face, Aisling called over the cage that now housed the healing bunny to the bedside. She reached down and picked Spite up from his cage, rousing him from sleep, and set him on the pillow next to her. The little fur ball jumped over to her and nuzzled her nose, causing a giggle to form at Aisling’s lips as she reached up to pet him.

When the door open she looked up and smiled at Malice, still astounded that he kept coming back to wake her up. She slowly sat up, careful to not knock Spite out of the bed and keeping the top sheet covering her torso. “Good Morning.” She said as she pushed her crazy, wild hair from her face. “I was just waking Spite up.” She said as she collected the bunny in her lap and returned to smile at Malice. She put a hand out to him, wanting very much to pull him to sit next to her where the rabbit had just been.

From the moment Malice entered the room he could feel his nerves relax a little. It was something Aisling could do well unaware of and it made Malice want to scratch his eyes out sometimes. He was a male who hated to be controlled yet hear some pixie was with just breathing and smelling the way she did. It was unfair to him though at the same time something that he loved about her. It was something about his wife that Malice had loved as well.. the way he could feel her moods and how much they adjusted to his or vice versa. Malice closed his eyes and breathed in Aisling’s scent once more. He needed to push the thoughts of guilt and worry away, especially when he was going to be around her.

He smiled at her while she greeted him, his body leaning gently on his heels while his hands were hidden among his black trousers. “Good morning. How did you sleep?” He said while his golden eyes traced her face, noticing that she seemed rested and in a good mood so it must have been good. He still wanted to hear it from her though.

It take any hesitation in his body to move as she wanted him near. He wanted to be just as near to her, maybe even more. Especially when she was in his bed without clothes on. Malice had to fight back a low purr in the back of his throat while he moved onto his bed, wrapping his arm around her while he looked at Spite. He was the only thing keeping Malice from doing far more naughty things to the Queen.

He leaned in and kissed her head, taking in her scent from her hair, which diminished any worry from him. When he pulled away he smiled, “I missed you.” He then leaned in and kissed her shoulder before turning his attention to Spite, giving the bunny a good scratch behind the ears. He had hated the bunny the moment he had gotten hurt for it.. the moment Aisling had gotten hurt for it. However, after days being forced to spend time with it he had to admit the little sucker was growing on him. He would never admit it, but it was true.

Pausing as his mind wandered back to Dhemlan and everything with it, Malice placed his hand back in lap. “I suppose he will be coming with us, won’t he?” He asked, wondering if she had remembered it was the day that they went to Dhemlan and if she could sense the worry in his scent while he tried so desperately to hide it>

As far as Aisling was concerned, Malice was just perfect. He was considerate of her at all times. Of course she was alright. She was still here and he was still waking her up. She nodded her head with a smile. "I slept wonderfully." She said as she remembered what it was like to fall asleep in Malice's arms. Now if only she could find out what it was like to wake up in them. She was convinced she would get him to sleep in one day soon.

She saw the tiny hesitation before he finally came over to her and she wondered why that had happened. She only worried until his arms were around her again and she could lean against his strong chest. Her knees came up a little to help balance Spite as one hand went to Malice's cheek as he kissed her shoulder. She gave him the softest feather light kiss on his cheek. "I missed you too." Aisling couldn't help but smile as he pet Spite. The tiny bunny was winning over the tough warlord prince just as she had thought he would. Of course, it would have been better if neither had been hurt in the process but they had both turned out ok.

Aisling could sense something strange coming off of Malice. It pricked at the queen but also the lover in Aisling. There was something bothering him. She turned a little so she could look at him a little more easily. A hand cupped his jaw. "If you would rather Spite stay here, I think he will be fine." Of course, Aisling would worry ceaslessly about the little bunny but if it would make Malice happier, she would do it.

There was always another option too. She gave him a gentle kiss on the lips, having to stretch to reach his lips. "We don't have to go today. Not if you don't want too. I'm perfectly happy here. In your bed and your house." She said with sincerity. Whatever Malice wanted was fine with her. Just as long as she didn't have to go back to a life without him.

Malice had calmed in every inch of his being around Aisling from the moment he heard her, smelt her; was around her. It was amazing how one word could simply destroy every inch of that concentration and clarity he had. It was amazing how one thought of his past brought him back to the moments. He couldn’t stop thinking of them; his wife of child, even as much as he didn’t want to feel the guilt he was. Having Aisling around only pushed it more on him.

Touching him and definitely telling him she missed him had helped, squashed some of the tension in his muscles. It was when he had to progress with his day though that the emotions came back. He knew she could sense it the moment when he leaned in to kiss her head again. Her scent kept killing it, but there was still a trace of it. He pulled back and forced a smile, a good one at that as he had been able to do so for years.

He was about to protest until her lips found his, too shortly in his strong opinion. He groaned when she pulled away, his golden eyes hurt either from her kiss being too short or because his guilt was rising. He clenched his jaw, tempted greatly by her proposal. He leaned in closer to her and smiled again, “Then how could I build you your house?” He asked while the thought of taking care of him relieved some of the guilt. At least enough for him to look in the eyes.

“Besides, I think Spite might like fields behind my house.” His mind wandered slightly to the tree by there.. How it had bloomed when his son had been born.. how his wife tended to it.. how he read to them both under it when they weren’t tired and then ended up carrying them both to bed. Memories. Sweet memories and bad memories over washed the Warlord Prince within seconds without him realizing.

They poured onto his brain like thick syrup to pancakes, never letting go. He growled before his hands found Aisling’s jaw and pulled her to kiss him. It was harsh, passionate and forceful. He kept kissing her until each memory went away, pulling back if she tried to pull away. He needed her then and he showed it.

Finally when the memories were gone Malice pulled himself away from her and rested along the edge of his bed, his head resting along his face as he felt embarrassed and sad. “You should pack. We’ll be going soon.” Was all he could say though he knew her mind would be wondering and pleading for answers. He would give them to her soon enough. Once upon a tale in Dhemlan..

Aisling couldn't help but smile when Malice groaned at the absence of her lips. How could that not make a woman feel special? Wanted in fact. She liked the idea of Spite running around a field. She could already picture his floppy ears bouncing in the grass and flowers. Although there was one possible bad part about the tiny, defenseless bunny running around a field. "Are there hawks and other birds that could possible eat him?" She asked, trying to hide the majority of her concern for the bunny in her lap.

Aisling knew though that Malice was not calming down. She could feel him getting worse and the kiss was a clear indication that there was something wrong. Deep down, he didn't want to go to Dhemlan and she couldn't understand why he would still go. But she kissed him back, sensing that this was what he needed. Her hands moved up and down his side, wishing she knew what was wrong. It was too difficult for her to help him when she didn't know why he hurt. So she just kissed him.

When Malice finally pulled away and moved to the edge of the bed, Aisling's heart was beating hard against her chest and her breath was a little heavy. She couldn't, wouldn't, let him sit on the edge of the bed alone. She put Spite on the bed next to her and knelt behind Malice, the sheet falling to the bed. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him. She kissed his shoulder. "Alright." Another kiss. "I'll be packed very soon." A kiss to the neck. "Do you need me to pack stuff for you too or are you all set?" She asked, nuzzling the side of his neck. She just wanted him to be happy, not worried about whatever was on his mind.

Then a funny thought came to her mind. Not funny but the picture it left her was a little funny. She gave a tiny giggle before burying her head in the crook of his neck. "Suit cases. I need suitcases. Otherwise my clothes are going to have to share Spite's cage with him." In her head, the poor bunny was squished up to the side of the cage, his face flattened against the bar and his eyes giving her that "don't even think about doing this in real life." look while colorful fabrics filled the background. "I don't think he would like that very much." One more kiss on the neck.

Keeping his cool was becoming harder and harder as the time and memories inched closer and upon his mind. Was it wrong for him to take a woman he enjoyed being around to the same place where the one he had loved his entire life had died? Was it wrong that he hadn’t already told Aisling about his wife and child, the ones taken from him because of the man he used to be, or still was? There were too many uncertainties when it came to taking Aisling to Dhemlan and as a Warlord Prince who liked to be in complete control, he hated it. It had to be done though, and that’s what pushed his buttons even harder.

He closed his eyes though it only forced more memories upon his mind. He felt the shift in the bed and he knew that Aisling wouldn’t like his mood the way it was. He could sense her worry. His muscles tensed knowing that she was worried, but he refrained from moving even an inch. He didn’t know if he would be able to control himself if he did. That’s he felt her arms wrap around his shoulders, his statue freezing while he sighed. Having her so close was so good for him.

His mind hazed a bit while his hand came up to hold her wrist, his muscles relaxing with every kiss she gave him. He purred softly before the beast within was calming to its bliss. More kisses. It purred while she asked him questions. It was when he heard her laugh though that Malice found himself almost normal, a smile slowly forming on his lips while the image she gave him was rather entertaining. “Yes,
“ He only said though while he nodded.

With quick, gentle but efficient movements Malice had Aisling pulled from behind him and straddling him while he nuzzled her neck. “Yes, I am packed and yes I will get you suitcases.” He pulled away and looked at her, his eyes full of desire. In all the moments that they had spent together and in all the pain and grief that was caused it was in that moment Malice felt like maybe she would stay with him. Just maybe he had a chance..
Kissing her just as hard as before when he needed her to calm him, Malice began moved Aisling to lay on his bed, his hands moving about her. Every inch of his body wanted her in that moment and there was no stopping him. Besides, a nap would be good for the long journey they had ahead.

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There had been a carriage ride, riding the winds and back to another carriage ride along their journey. It was long and tedious, but with Aisling wrapped in his arms as they both napped, Malice was content. They had both needed it after spending the morning doing things they shouldn’t have when packing needed to be done. It didn’t matter though, not to Malice at least as long as he had Aisling with him. For at least a little longer anyways.

Opening the gates with craft Malice didn’t need to be told when he arrived at his vineyard. The scent of grapes teased his nose and while he knew it was one of the most beautiful places he had ever been it was also the most painful. Sitting up while his arms tightened around Aisling’s body he looked out the window along the acres of land he had and in the background as they continued along the stone path was his house. He kissed Aisling’s forehead to waken her from her sleep, “Aising.. we’re here. This is my home.” He couldn’t wait to see what she thought of it.


((OOC: Let me know if what I did was okay. ))

Riding in the carriage made Aisling very grateful. Their morning had drained her of energy, something that was very easy lately as her body still had a little more healing to do. How they had spent the morning had been wonderful even though Aisling knew that something was bothering Malice. It had been the rushed panic to get packed that hadn't been so fun. Poor Spite had been jumping crazily around the cage as they got ready and even in the carriage, it took him the good part of the first carriage ride to calm down.

Then, Aisling had drifted off to sleep. She had cuddled into Malice's arms, her head resting on his chest as his heartbeat created the soundtrack to her dreams. She was so deep in sleep that even being carried from one carriage to the next hadn't woken her. All she knew was that it had been the best sleep she had ever had in a carriage. THe only interference she had felt was when they crossed over to the new territory, the scent of the air and the call of the land causing a happy sigh and smile to come from her.

Finally, Malice woke her. She was a bit surprised to hear that they were already in Dhemlan. She smiled up at him, inhaling deeply as she stretched her hands above her head. She sat up and cuddled into Malice's side, looking out the window as she rested her head on his shoulder. Aisling couldn't help but smile as she saw the vines of the grapes growing and sun shining so brightly. She turned her head up to look at him. "Its beautiful. I've never been anywhere like this."

She had enough time to give him a good, excited kiss before the door opened. malice exited first and Aisling was behind him a moment later. She took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around his waist, not wanting to get lost. The ground spoke to her and Aisling could feel so much nuturing and happiness in the ground. She suspected that there had been a queen who had lived here for a while. While she felt a strain of sadness and pain coursing through the ground, she couldn't help but think that things were starting to turn around. "Should we unpack first or do I get the grand tour?" She asked with a huge smile. Just for Malice.

There was always something about the Dhemlan air that relaxed Malice. Maybe it wasn’t doing the best at relaxing him in that moment while he was worried about what his and Aisling’s visit would bring, but it still helped him. He loved his homeland. There was no place like home, even if there were regrets that came along with it.

He really was curious though to see what she thought of it. The land was so different from Askavi, just another reason to as why he liked Dhemlan so much more, but the fact that Aisling herself was from another territory had him wondering if she liked it. Even if she was unsure of it, after a nice long walk when the sun was setting around his vineyard or taking her horseback riding he was sure he could persuade her to like it. It was her words though while he tilted his head to look at her that had him smiling, leaning in to give her cheek a quick kiss. “I’m glad you like it.”

Aisling’s excitement then settled in and it had Malice’s mood turning for the better. He had to focus on keeping her that way as long as he could, so that when.. or if he even did really tell her what happened that it wouldn’t be so bad. He knew though as a Queen that Aisling would feel the pain in the land, but maybe Malice could figure out a good enough lie for her believe. He had lied countless times to Queens.. why would lying to her be any different?

Wrapping his one arm around Aisling’s shoulders while she hugged to him, he pondered what they should do first. He already knew that by the looks some of the Hearth Witches were giving Aisling that he was going to need to keep a tight leash on them. A slip of their tongues as to anything about the areas in the house where his wife’s and son’s stuff wouldn’t be tolerated. Just thinking about what was going around in each their minds wanted to crush any life force in them so they couldn’t think. Not that it was their business anyways, but it still grated his nerves.

He gave a gentle squeeze to Asiling before he turned and looked down at her. “How about I feed you first, then I will give you the grand tour.” He smiled at her and leaned down and kissed her forehead before releasing her and heading inside, taking her hand once they were and leading her to the living room. Sitting down on the leather couch, Malice pulled Aisling close to him, taking her scent in so he would stop thinking about other things. “What would you like to eat, m’dear?” He purred while his arms held her tightly.

Aisling knew that Malice was bothered by something and while she knew that he needed to talk, she figured this was not the place. The problem was that his concern tugged at both her queen instincts and her heart. She just wanted to cuddle with him and kiss him until he smiled. When he did, it only made her smile more.

She snuggled into Malice as his arm wrapped around her and she tilted his head back just a little as he said she should be fed first. While Aisling wasn't particularly hungry, she also wasn't going to fight Malice when he wanted to fuss. It was just a part of who he was and she wouldn't try and get him to do anything else. If he wanted to fuss, she would simply go with the flow.

She couldn't help but giggle a little as Malice began pulling her towards the house. She had started feeling eyes upon her and it had peaked her interest about this place. Aisling didn't know why she was being watched with such interest but she hoped it didn't last long. She also hoped that they didn't know how she had met Malice or what she had done earlier. That would make her very uncomfortable.

The house however was very nice looking. She looked around as he pulled her through the house, noticing the dark woods that exuded warmth. Aisling smiled as they entered the living room and was pulled tightly into Malice's arms. She couldn't help but think that this is the way life was supposed to be. Wrapped in the arms of someone you loved and who cared for you.

When Malice asked what she wanted to eat, she raised on eyebrow. Aisling knew what he meant but that didn't mean she was just going to answer him the way he expected. "There is one thing I have a taste for." She said as she sat up and straddled Malice's lap. Aisling wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in to kiss him thoroughly. She enjoyed the taste of his lips and pulled away with a little tug on his lower lip. "That is my favorite flavor."

With a kiss to his neck, Aisling rested her head on his shoulder and nuzzled his neck. A contented sigh came from her lips as she got as close as she could. "Anything is fine. I like new things so it doesn't matter if the cook wants to make something unique to Dhemlan." She gave him another kiss as her hands wrapped around his side. This was perfect.

Malice had noticed the looks his staff had given Aisling when they had slunk their way into his house and he didn’t like it. He didn’t like it one bit at all. It had the beast within on edge to kill each and every one who had so much glanced judgingly at her or whispered something to another beside them. Just because Malice hadn’t been around the vineyard lately didn’t mean he needed disrespectful staff. Maybe he had been away too long and the replacements that were so often made had gotten stingy. Maybe he needed to visit more to ensure that his privacy was his privacy, whether they knew of it or not. If they wanted to make it a gossip train they shouldn’t haven been hired.. or more so they were destined to be dead.

He had made sure he remembered the faces and he swore if Aisling hadn’t been so close.. so … in his presence they would have all just been dead. He could have new staff hired within seconds so it was no loss to him. The only thing that kept them living was her at that moment, which only brought her closer to him.
It was what made him pull her closer then, in the halls and even when he dragged her to the couch to be close to him. Just an inch of being away from her was hard enough. He needed that distant closed, especially being there.. especially around certain things.

Food. Was what Malice had forgotten all about while he waited for his little witchling to state what she desired to eat, but instead got more.. much more. Just having Aisling straddling had Malice’s hand rubbing up her back and pushing her into him when she kissed him. He had to thank the darkness at least for her lips. They did things he didn’t even knew they could to him.

When she pulled away, Malice groaned heavily and pulled her into him again, finding her lips attaching to his neck when he’d rather his lips again. She was being indecisive which made him groan again, remembering the Aisling he had first met who had been so bold. Finding her jaw, Malice claimed the lost lips he had missed again in another passionate kiss. When he pulled away he sighed, “I’d rather know what you want, other than me darling..” He kissed her again showing her that it wasn’t a problem.

“How about I let you think on it while I take you on a tour of the house? I don’t think anymore of this,” He said while he pulled Aisling close to him to show the arousal she brought by doing what she did, “would be good at the moment.”

Taking a few moments while placing Aisling to the side of him, pushing his arousal down, he stood up with a smile. “Come now, let me show you my home.” When she took his hand, his smile grew and he began to lead her through the house, pointing out many things.

Everything from history of some of his family to just things he liked in living there came out as Malice showed Aisling every place but few. As they came to a corner of the house where his wife and him used to sleep when they were together and his son’s bedroom only a door across from them he bit his tongue and rage in hard while he kissed her and forced a smile and joke while telling her it was restricted. What he hadn’t planned when he kissed her was for the longing of all the bad feelings within him to capture him and take him farther, pushing Aisling against a wall while his hands ran along her body. He didn’t care in that moment while everything was cluttered again. He hated how being there messed him up more than normal, how thoughts were harder on him. He didn’t even care about what was going around him until the thoughts of their death pulled from within so strongly he pulled away from Aisling with a hard gasp. His eyes frantically opened while his hand came to his lips. He couldn’t keep doing this, for his own sanity and for hers. He couldn’t do it anymore.

Cautiously taking a step forward to Aisling Malice sighed heavily, finally defeated about what he wanted to avoid. “I need to show you something. It will explain a lot.” Was all he said while he reached out to take her hand if she was willing to accept, and if not then just to show her the way. The path to his past as he made his way out of the house to the backfield, miles away the tree.

The tree that haunted and broke his heart every time he saw it.

The truth of the matter was that Aisling didn't want to eat anything. She much preferred being close to Malice then eating. When she said that all she wanted was Malice, she hadn't been kidding. She hadn't been indecisive. She wanted to have her tongue all over him, relishing in his flavor. Of course, she wanted to see the rest of the place that he called his home but first, she wanted to make sure he was okay. The odd behaviors he had had back in Askavi really had worried her and she just wanted to make sure that nothing was bothering him. Maybe she was going about it wrong?

As Malice showed her around, she took everything in in wonder. It was amazing the history this house had. She could almost imagine the people who had at one time lived here functioning and making a great life for everyone. She could see a little Malice running down the halls and she asked an occasional question but she mostly listened to him talk as she hugged his arm and smiled and laughed with him.

When he came to the restricted area, Aisling could feel a difference in the walls. There was still happiness in the walls but there was that pain that she had felt outside mixed with despair and longing. She wondered why it was restricted but before she could ask, Malice's lips were on her and he was pushing her against the wall. The movement, the intensity, took her breath away and made her mind swirl with confusion and there were some old memories that came back to her that she wanted to just completely forget. But it was still Malice and she loved him, even if she didn't understand him at that moment.

The moment he pulled away from her, she saw all the emotions of the house in his eyes. She had no idea what was happening. She tried to reach out for Malice, wanting nothing more then to comfort him but he seemed too be too lost. Aisling had no idea where he was though and so she didn't know how to bring him back and in truth, it broke her heart to see him like this.

When Malice's hand was offered, she took it without hesitation. Aisling's fingers intertwined with his and her other hand took his elbow. She gave his shoulder a kiss. "Lead the way." Was all she said, having a feeling that he was going to do it without any words from her. Something in Aisling shifted, the queen in her coming to full force. She could feel everything from Malice, the confusion from his staff and the land and it was almost overwhelming but for Malice, she would keep herself in control.

The sun outside was still high and warm and Aisling had to blink a few times to get her eyes adjusted. She walked with Malice, kissing his shoulder one more time before a wave of pain hit her. It made her stop breathing for a moment and she had to stop. She looked up to see a tree. It was so sad and hopeless. Her hand gripped Malice's as the one that had been at his elbow went over her heart. She couldn't help the tears that sprung from her eyes.

Part of her wanted to keep going and get closer to the tree but a part of her wanted to hide in Malice's strong arms. She knew that the land needed healing, her heart called to it but it had been so long since she had done it, she didn't know if she could anymore. She would try. This was Malice's home and pain like this wouldn't do. For the moment though, she needed to feel strong. She buried her head in Malice's chest, hoping he'd wrap his arms around her. "What happened here Malice?"

Malice hadn’t been this all over the place since the incident had happened. It had taken him even a few months to come out of the self destructive and angry state he had put himself in. For nearly a month Malice hadn’t removed himself from the restricted area of his house, allowing no one near him at anytime more than just to give him food that he barely touched. It had been a bad time for the Warlord Prince and after finally finding his way out of it by using that anger and hatred for everything to get him further up the food chain to really doing some destruction he found himself living again. Not in the same way he had when Sarian and Vicktor had been alive.. but it was something.

That was until he met the passionate Healer Queen.

It was meeting Aisling that made Malice feel alive again in a way that pained his heart for he felt he shouldn’t be able to feel like that again with his wife and child dead. He shouldn’t be allowed to bask in the smell of her scent when she was only inches away from him, or want nothing more than to kiss every inch of her for days at a time without feeling guilty. He should be allowed any of it, any of the happiness he felt just thinking about her. He was breaking all the rules he had built for himself.

As hard he tried to push it away the guilt swelled back up and engulfed him even stronger, especially being in the house with Aisling. At least when he was alone with it his guilt could eat him alive alone, with her here it just set him off. He had to show her whether he wanted too or not. Having Aisling take his hand fully though calmed him a little while he inched closer to the tree. She hadn’t run from him yet, which was more confusing than ever to him, but he was thankful for it. Even if it was for a few seconds longer of being with her, he would take it.

Then there it was, the tree he hated with all of his being. It stuck in the ground as a permanent reminder and he knew that Rhaevar had done that on purpose, knowing that it would eat Malice alive. He hated it. He hated all of what it represented and the fact that when someone was close enough they saw the events, saw his weakness. He didn’t let many near the tree for that reason alone.

He felt Aisling’s emotions and scent change rapidly which had Malice turning to look down at her, her hand to heart only one indicator of what she was feeling being around the tree. He knew she would be able to feel the pain stronger as she was a healer to the land, but he didn’t know it would have been that bad. Aisling was the first Queen he had shown the tree too. Seeing her like that hurt him more than she could imagine.

As she buried her face into his chest Malice’s arms naturally came around her and pulled her tightly to him while one hand gave to run along her hair. He sighed deeply while he leaned in and kissed the top of her head, “I knew you’d be able to feel it. I just didn’t think it would be this bad… I’m sorry” He pulled away from her a bit so he could wipe the tears away from her eyes. “This was a bad idea. Lets go back inside.” He said while he took her hand again. Maybe things were better left alone, he thought while he tugged her a little towards the house again. She didn’t need to see what haunted him every time he closed his eyes.

Aisling had known that there was pain on the land that Malice had called home and she knew it wasn't the normal amount of pain. She had felt it from the moment the air had hit her nose and she had never come across the source. She had felt it stronger in the house but she hadn't realized the real source for the land's pain had been outside of the house. The house she couldn't heal but this tree was within her realm of healing.

Just for a moment, she needed Malice's strength. She needed to feel his warm, strong, safe arms around her so she could find her own strength. It had been so long since Aisling had actually performed a serious healing of the land that it took her a little longer then she was used to to find it. Her arms wrapped around him, her fingers gripping his jacket as she breathed him in. The kiss he gave her head let her breath again and even though the pain of the air caused a burning sensation in her chest, she had the sincere feeling that everything would be alright.

Her lips quirked a little as Malice wiped her tears away. It was a very adorable gesture, a very sincere and gentle gesture. She leaned into his hand a little bit before he turned away. The queen dug her heals into the ground and pulled him back. She couldn't leave the land in this kind of pain. "No Malice wait." She said, pulling him back to her. She couldn't do this without him. "Please? I have to heal the land. I can't leave it like this." She rubbed her forehead against his chest for a moment before she looked up at him.

This was his land and if he didn't want her to heal the land, she would try and resist but it wouldn't be easy. She made a quick prayer to the Darkness before she asked again. "Please?"

Malice really hadn’t believed that being so close to the tree would have triggered such a strong reaction from Aisling. Of course he knew the logics of a Queen and her connection to the land, but he hadn’t remembered after staying away from them for so long how strong it could be. Feeling Aisling’s tiny fingers grip onto his jacket as if for dear life though reminded him of it and he didn’t like it one bit. Malice had no problem with Aisling clinging to him for support or when she was scared, but when he could smell the pain and fear in her scent from being around the tree.. that was something he couldn’t handle.

If it hadn’t been that strong feeling in his gut to protect her from that pain, it was definitely the tears that he began to wipe away from her eyes. Even despite the tiny smile he saw edge on her lips, the beast within was still snarling at Malice, and loudly. It was time to get her away from his problems.. from his pain. He didn’t know what he had been thinking when he had chosen to bring Aisling there.

He let a growl escape his mouth as he was pulled back towards Aisling, the beast calling stronger to him then he had realized. He blinked for a moment, overcome then by Aisling’s scent again. He closed his eyes for a moment while she rubbed her forehead on his chest, his hands just holding her hips while he listened to her pleas. He wanted to give in to them, but he couldn’t. Not when he needed to get her away. Malice gripped the bridge of his nose while he thought. But she wanted to stay.. she wanted to know.. and he wanted her to know.. he wanted that weight off his shoulders and the truth spilled so she could finally see what he was. Aisling could finally know what he was.. what he was still trying to accomplish and see what she was getting herself into. For many he wouldn’t even so much as breathe a thought like that, but she was different. She deserved better.

"Please?"

Malice snapped out of his thoughts and looked down at Aisling, his anger mixed with so many other emotions. His jaw clenched and all he did was nod for a moment. “Fine. If I do this though Aisling I can’t be here for a few days afterwards. As much as I will want too.. I won’t be able too.” The glaze his eyes overcoming while he looked at her, the tree and then back to her. Malice always had to go away after going so near. Seeing those images again.. remembering everything he wanted to forget did that too him.

“I’ll do this Aisling, but you need to promise me that you’ll stay here until I return. You have to promise me that.” Malice gripped her face before kissing her. He knew that even if she didn’t promise to stay that she would want to see it and he needed to show her. When Malice pulled away, his eyes glued to the tree before he took her hand and led her in that direction. Here we go He thought.

><><><><

Between the images, the smells and everything else that came within the web Malice had been pushed to the killing edge strongly, making his absence right after taking Aisling there immediate. He hated everything about that tree. He hated everything about those thoughts and images. It pushed Malice hard and it was what caused his absence for three days. He hadn’t wanted to go, but he needed to go. Everyone would have died if he had stayed.. even Aisling.

Covered in dirt, sweat and blood Malice’s shoulders were heavy with tiredness when he entered his house. It was early morning, too early for anyone of his staff to be up. Slowly and as quietly as he could he pulled his drained body up the stairs and into his room, finding Aisling asleep in it. A small smile crept his lips before he looked down at the ground and dragged himself to the shower. He had to get the dirt off.. the pain off.. the memories. Malice scrubbed so hard that places were red and even bleeding in a few places. He didn’t care though. He was too exhausted for anything.

Pulling on some black sweats, he then made his way into his room and snuck into his bed, rolling over so that his back was to Aisling. He didn’t know what he should do with her. He wanted desperately to wrap his arms around her and kiss her, but he didn’t know if she would want him to after what happened. All he could was hope that she would. In all honesty, he was surprised that she was still even there.