[ has anyone ever held her like this? surely not, when she would remember the feeling of arms this safe, winding her closer for no reason but to keep her. affection born of understanding suffuses her every touch. emboldened, alicent abandons the half-drunken bottle so she can slide a hand up his clothed chest, exploring and comforting more than wanting. (though the latter persists. a simmer, not a burn, dampened by their pain.)
embry’s first observation sinks fingers into her oldest wound. it is harder, knowing all along that their girlhood games and closeness was the dream, not the reality. that she cannot return to that place, that time. and that wanting and having so rarely coincide for ladies of their standing. ]
That is foul. [ an airy, broken little laugh in her throat. her words are teasing, rather than genuinely outraged. she kisses his cheek in return, chaste, and folds into his embrace. alicent savours it. then — ]
I would not wish to think of anyone else with you, Embry.
[ he deserves better than that, even if he does not believe it. how could she have ever thought him like ser criston, when his careless exterior hides a warmer heart than her own? he loves dearly, she knows that now. endlessly. loyally. if she could, she would seize his heart in her hand and protect it herself.
tonight may not be their night, but she hopes they’ll get one — before this dream passes like all the rest. ]
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embry’s first observation sinks fingers into her oldest wound. it is harder, knowing all along that their girlhood games and closeness was the dream, not the reality. that she cannot return to that place, that time. and that wanting and having so rarely coincide for ladies of their standing. ]
That is foul. [ an airy, broken little laugh in her throat. her words are teasing, rather than genuinely outraged. she kisses his cheek in return, chaste, and folds into his embrace. alicent savours it. then — ]
I would not wish to think of anyone else with you, Embry.
[ he deserves better than that, even if he does not believe it. how could she have ever thought him like ser criston, when his careless exterior hides a warmer heart than her own? he loves dearly, she knows that now. endlessly. loyally. if she could, she would seize his heart in her hand and protect it herself.
tonight may not be their night, but she hopes they’ll get one — before this dream passes like all the rest. ]