Rovari Marcella Embry

"Let your heart be guided by the stars, and your heart be carried by the ocean's tide."

Name: Rovari Marcella Embry (Only certain of first name).Birthday: 23 NightalAge: ???Birthplace: Calimshan (Not 100% Certain)Parents: Unknown but alive (???)Race: TieflingClass: WarlockPatron: Ahazu, The Veiled Terror of the Night Sky.Information:
Ex-pirate onboard Death's Ghost before it was sunk along the Sword Coast.Grew up in Luskan, a town of crime north along the Sword Coast. How, why and when she arrived there specifically is unknown to her. All she knows is she was brought there as a child (Supposedly).Party: Fenric Tanthul (Human-Dragon), Fernlily(Pixie), Unarick Tebaris(Halfling)

• Short Stories
• NSFW Stories

• Rovari's Diary

• Rovari Playlist
• Fenric Playlist

The Shadow and the Shadowfell

The Blue Expanse

Candlelight

Death's Ghost

Starry Reflection

The Eldest and the Youngest

Okay, Mama

Family

Baby brother

Child of the Night

Lamorak

Unarick

Broken Goodbyes

One The Fifth Day

"It's been five days without a word from her. There must be something we can do. Anything. There has to be some way to find her!"Fenric slammed his fist down on the desk. Moonmistress Freya sat on the other side calmly, her hands folded over themselves on the tabletop."Prince Tanthul, if I may call you that, I understand your frustration, your desperation. I know you feel for her greatly, but... there is little I can do to help search for Rovari that I'm not already doing.""I have tried to magically search for her, as I did with our High Mage Alustriel, but she is beyond my reach. That can only mean two things." Freya looked down at the table."One, she has passed from the mortal plane. Or two, something has prevented me from reaching her. I would like to believe that she is still alive—that Alustriel is still alive, too—but the Weave will not give me access to her location."Fenric sighed, looking down at his hands as if he himself had cause this.And he truly, honestly felt like he did.Why did he let her go alone, after everything that had happened?Why did he ever let her out of his sight?At first he thought she'd run away again. That she'd gone off to investigate something she thought was too dangerous to bring the rest of the group to.But it had been days. Days without her grumpy frown when he did something she didn't like. Days without her eating the green parts of the strawberries he would bring her. Days since he held her in his arms, cradling her as if she was the most fragile, beautiful thing in the world.Fenric had barely slept. He didn't eat. All he could do was sit here and wait.Waiting was slowly driving him mad."She's not dead. She can't be dead. She's... much stronger than that. Much stronger than me." Fenric muttered.Lady Freya looked back up at him with a sad smile."Strength of spirit does not keep one alive in this world, Prince Tanthul. Sometimes, even the most strong heart can give out. We simply must continue to hope and trust that she will return.""Unless..."Freya paused, considering her next words carefully."...unless you would consider asking the assistance of someone I imagine you would rather not."Fenric stared down at his balled fists, clenching them tightly."He won't help me." Fenric said, his voice barely above a whisper. "At best, he'll laugh at me. At worst, he'll just kill me."Lady Freya was silent for a moment before continuing.
"You are at wits end, Prince Tanthul, and I believe only one person can help you."The Moonmistress reached over the desk, then placed her hand over Fenric's gently. It was an action that made him feel as though his mother was there with him again."Sometimes, good people are born into bad families, and despite everything they end up kind and thoughtful. You are one of these people.""You can not change the circumstances of your birth, but you can use it to your advantage.""You are no friend to Lamorak Tanthul—that much I can see. He believes he uses you, and possibly everyone around him. Use him back.""Fight fire with fire. Get out from beneath his shadow."Freya's eyes pierced through Fenric. He could feel himself shiver, though whether it was from fear or hope, he didn't know.Fenric stood from his place across from the Moonmistress, slightly less indecisive.The three of them had done everything. They had searched this city, combed the streets. They'd gone door to door, asking about Rovari. Even now, Fernlily and Unarick were at Wys's tavern, asking around and putting up a message on the task board.This was the last thing he could think of.If even Lamorak couldn't find her, then all hope was lost.Steeled, Fenric walked towards the door to the Moonmistress' office before her gentle voice called out to him again."I hope you find her, Prince Tanthul. I hope it greatly."He left the room with a nod, feeling a weight in his chest as he descended the staircase to leave the temple.His stomach had begun to hurt a couple of days ago, but he put thought of stopping and eating aside.There was no time. Every second could be fatal.And it had already been five days. Five days where anything could have happened to her.Five days where she might be dead, her body rotting in the ground. Five days where someone might be hurting her.The sun was still high in the sky as Fenric walked the few streets to the Neth Embassy. He didn't bother looking at the faces he passed as he walked—he could feel their eyes on him as he made his way down the cobbled streets of Silverymoon. He knew what they were looking at. He knew why they were staring.His blood still stained his white shirt. Dark bags sat under his eyes, and he knew they were bloodshot. His skin was pale—paler than usual.He looked like a man who had lost all hope.And as Fenric looked up at Lamorak's embassy, he even began to believe it. To turn to him, to turn to this, it felt like he was admitting defeat.It felt like giving up.But at this point, what did he have to lose?He had lost his heart, and he wouldn't be complete again without it. No matter the cost, it didn't matter.Fenric crossed the garden to the front entrance. Already it has been repaired from his attack on it—the marble steps leading up to the entrance were completely repaired, and no trace of the carnage was left.A guard stood on either side of the door. They shied back from the sun, leaning into the shadows. When they saw Fenric approach, they both dropped to one knee and bowed their heads.Fenric looked away. Their reaction made him uncomfortable. He wanted to tell them to stop, to stand, to treat him like any other man.Because he was like any other man. He had left this life behind hundreds of years ago—he was no prince, even if Rovari teased him with the title.He was a normal man with an abnormal family, that was all."Your highness..." The guard on the left muttered. Fenric paused, then turned to look at them."Stand. You don't need to kneel for me."They looked up at him with wide, confused eyes, and he continued."I am here to see my brother, Prince Lamorak Tanthul, on important business."The guards still didn't stand, uncertain."He... he is in the conservatory, your highness."Fenric nodded once, then turned on his heels and made his way inside.It was just as extravagant inside the embassy as it had been the last time he was here. They had made quick work of the repairs—even Fenric himself couldn;t help but be impressed.His eyes caught on the large portrait that sat on the far wall. It was like a time capsule—the people in that painting didn't seem to exist anymore.He stared up at the faces he used to know so well but had come to slowly forget over time.He saw Brennus, a wide smile, and almost couldn't help but smile himself. He always did look like he was having the time of his life.
Always, apart from when he was alone.His eyes went to his father, then passed from brother to brother. To all the people he had started to forget.Or wanted to, perhaps.Then he looked towards his mother. His gentle, kind mother.
Even she, as gentle and kind as she was, drove Fenric off. Tried to change him.Finally, he looked towards Lamorak.Lamorak, who didn't look anything like him. Who was hard, and cold, and manipulative, and so many things he wasn't.But they were blood.Perhaps that would be enough.But knowing Lamorak, it would not.Fenric started down the hallway, then passed through an open doorway that led to a staircase that wound up to the second floor.There, he found the conservatory.Conservatories were usually designed to mimic nature. They had arches that opened out to the sky above, with high windows and large, potted plants and trees. They were bright, and warm, and filled with sunlight.But this room was nothing like that.It was dark and cold. Rather than opening to the sky, it opened to an artificial darkness, with large glass windows that stretched from the floor to the ceiling.And within it, a single man.Fenric had always been afraid of Lamorak, even when he was young. As he stepped into that room, something in his spine prickled with fear.This was the man he saw when he closed his eyes at night.He imagined thick metal bands holding his wrists and his ankles. He imagined Lamorak picking out the smallest size to fit his youthful frame.He imagined Lamorak's smile, hanging over him, as shadows invaded his body, attacking his mind and making him weak."If it isn't little Fenric. Back so soon?"Lamorak spoke without looking up from the plant he was tending. It was a flower of the deepest red. It suited him, in a way."I need your help."Lamorak's laugh echoed through the small chamber."First you come to kill me, then you come begging for my help?"Fenric swallowed. His throat was dry, and he felt his hands shake slightly at his sides."Please. I wouldn't come here if I had anywhere else to turn.""Rovari... she's been missing for—""Five days. I'm aware. It's not very convenient for me, either."Fenric dug his fingernails into his palms, trying desperately to calm his anger. Lamorak knew how to make people angry—he knew how to make people feel whatever he wanted them to feel. Anger, respect, fear... he needed to remain in control."What makes you think she didn't just grow tired of you and run away?" Lamorak said, a smirk to his voice."She was taken. I'm sure of it."Lamorak finally looked up at him. His dark, cruel eyes bore into Fenric's, and it felt like he was being swallowed whole by the shadows that lived within.He didn't change his form for Fenric. There was no need to. He was Shade, he was shadow."So she made the wrong enemy. That's nothing new in our world.""Listen, Fenric. I understand you're worried about your little girlfriend, but what does that have to do with me? You and I have nothing to do with each other, correct?""I'll give you anything you want."Lamorak raised an eyebrow."Anything?"Fenric's heart pounded heavily in his chest."Anything. I would give anything for her to be safe."Lamorak extended a hand, smiling."Then you have a deal, little brother. I think this will be a very fruitful relationship between the two of us."Fenric teached out hesitantly, then took Lamorak's hand.Whatever Lamorak would ask of him, he wouldn't request it now. No, he would wait until this favor would be his trump card, and he would play it at the best of times.He would use it to win whatever prize he desired.And Fenric would let him.Lamorak smiled, then let go of his hand and turned back towards the flower he'd been tending."Well then, I suppose it's time for me to get to work. You should get some sleep, little dragon. You're looking a little worse for wear."Fenric wanted to retort—but he held his tongue. The last time the two had argued, it resulted in a fight Fenric knew he couldn't win.Still, for Rovari, he would fight an unwinnable battle. He'd die happy if it meant protecting her.And so he simply turned towards the door and left."...Thanks, Lamorak."Fenric couldn't see the deep smile on Lamorak's face at that moment."No, thank you. I look forward to working with you, Fenric."The walk home was a blur. His mind wasn't here—it was everywhere else. It was in a house in a tree, clutching someone he loved. It was in the sky as the same woman clutched on tightly to his back. It was in a kitchen, teaching her to bake bread.Those moments felt ages ago already.Eventually, he reached home.Home was a strange word for it, though.Standing in it alone, as he did right now, it didn't feel like home.It felt empty, and quiet, and devoid of the life and love he swore it was filled with not that long ago.Perhaps Rovari was his home.
Perhaps that was why it was so empty when he entered.He saw her touch everywhere. He could imagine her sitting at the table, or her leaning over the counter as he cooked dinner, or her sleeping on their bed.But now it was just silent.Fenric dropped his things off then walked towards the bedroom.He didn't bother stopping to check if anyone else was home yet—he couldn't bear to hear for another day that they hadn't found any trace of her.He couldn't bear to look at them and feel the guilt deep inside of him.Dropping his cloak to the ground, he climbed into their bed, pulling the covers up to his chin and leaning against the headboard.He was tired. So, so tired. In all his years of running, he'd never felt so tired before. It felt like he was dead, already, and this was all just a cruel hallucination.Perhaps, he thought, he'd see Rovari in his dreams.But how was that fair?While he slept peacefully with dreams of her in his mind, she could be lying in a ditch dead.And so he didn't sleep.He simply sat, and picked up his diary, and read through the pages again, his heart aching longingly for the woman who had become his heart as tears dripped down onto the pages.And as the room grew darker, and shadows fell over him as he sat alone, his thoughts became his only company.She's gone.She's gone, and there's nothing I can do about it.There's nothing anyone can do.I'll never see her again.I'll never feel her touch against me.I'll never hear her voice beside me.And it's all my fault.

Brennus leant against the end of his sword as a letter appeared out of thin air in front of his eyes, sealed carefully with a deep red wax. The wax was imprinted with the seal of House Tanthul overlayed with a fanciful L.He broke it quickly, then unfolded the letter. Whatever his brother wanted, he doubted it would be a good thing.But despite bearing Lamorak's seal, the contents were brief—Lamorak was never brief. He was fond of going on and on about his affairs—whatever they were—and his grandiose plans for the future.Brennus raised a curious eyebrow.It was a letter from Rovari, penned in Lamorak's hand. He smiled, both inwardly and outwardly, at the thought of that pretty lady asking someone like his brother to forward him a letter.But the fact that she managed to get a favor from him must have meant she'd done Lamorak a favor ten times as large."Can I come to Silverymoon...? Awww, she misses me. She's gonna make Fenric all jealous if she sends letters like this to other people~"A coughing and spluttering came from below.Though the room was in total darkness, his eyes pierced through it without an issue. He was used to it now, but when he'd first become a Shade, he'd found it difficult to adjust to. Even at night, everything was bright.He looked towards the man that laid on the ground in a puddle of his own blood. It pooled around under him, spewing from his mouth. Brennus' own sword protruded from the man's chest.It was a pity he couldn't have found another way.He was a very nice man—it was a shame. He'd been so polite and willing to give up what was needed.But his father didn't like people who held onto Netherese artifacts.Brennus shook his head and looked back to the letter."Sorry, sorry. I know we had a whole thing going on, but this is WAY more important.""This is my little brother's first girlfriend, did you know that? And not only that, she's SUPER pretty."He leant further against the sword, ignoring the groans from below."I didn't think he'd ever find someone special."Brennus' voice was lower now, almost a whisper, and it lacked his usual playfulness."I can tell by the way he talks about her—he loves her more than he's ever loved anything before. I think that's the first time I've ever seen him talk like that.""He's a completely different person to who he was a couple of hundred years ago. Makes me wonder what would have happened if I didn't say no to him."Despite the fond feeling that currently sat in his chest, there was a little worry. He wondered why this pretty lady would need to get in contact with him enough to go through Lamorak, and why she would need him.By all accounts, it was well within her right to hate him.And yet, he felt that the two of them shared something. A piece of themselves, perhaps. Something about them was the same.Brennus looked down at the man he was in the process of killing.He'd killed plenty of people.Men, women, children.It had never been much of a problem for him. He did what he had to do to survive in the world he'd known for most of his life.It was only lately he wondered if that was enough.Fenric only knew one world, even more so than Brennus, and yet he was... different.
Softer, perhaps.Quickly, Brennus penned back a letter, saying he'd be there as soon as possible.Whatever she needed, it made him worry ever so slightly. He could only hope nothing had happened to Fenric.And that he would be able to protect himself, his station, and the woman Fenric loved if it came to it.He'd need to go back to Thultanthar, pack up a few things and get his affairs in order, then he could make his way to Silverymoon.A new letter came a moment later."Ahaha... she's so impatient! Gods, I guess this is what it's like for people who don't live such a long time."
"What could be so time-sensitive—"It hit him like a blow to the face."Oh!"
"Oh, I'm just the worst big brother in the world... tomorrow is Fenric's birthday...!"He pulled the sword from the man's body at the same time as he dropped the darkness.There was one final gurgle, then the light faded from his eyes.He turned away, not even looking at the corpse on the ground. There was something far more important to plan for, of course!The very first birthday he'd spend with his brother in hundreds of years!He walked a few feet away, making a gesture with his hand to rip open the portal that would take him back to his home.That was the moment he looked back over his shoulder at the man on the ground.For just a second, Brennus wondered if he had someone special, too. A few kids waiting at home. Grandkids, even.And he wondered if he had the right to feel this excited. To stand by Fenric's side as his brother, even though he'd turned him down all those years ago.Even though Brennus was still loyal to the very thing Fenric had feared the most.Was he allowed to be there for his brother—be in this strange land of in-between where he refused to choose a side?He was good at keeping secrets, but his father only had to hear a whisper from Lamorak about where Fenric was and he would be sent to bring him back again.Could he do that?At that moment, he wasn't certain he could.To see Fenric was to choose selfishness.But, well, after thousands of years being unselfish, he supposed he'd earned that right.And so, Brennus leapt into his portal, leaving behind the cooling corpse of a man without a name, thinking of the moment Fenric had left Thultanthar all of those years ago, and the question he'd asked Brennus.
_____Brennus stared up at the wide, blue sky above him. He couldn't help but raise a hand to shield his sensitive eyes from the brightness.How long had it been since he saw this sight?This beautiful, open sky, with nothing but clouds and a blue so clear you couldn't imagine anything more?It was so beautiful it hurt.He looked towards his younger brother—Fenric towered over him for so long now, many people thought Brennus was the youngest of the family.And in Fenric's eyes was awe so pure and innocent it hurt to look at.Fenric opened his mouth first."You... left this behind like it was nothing? You were... okay with that?"Brennus didn't have an answer for that.Before Fenric's gaze, Brennus could only shrink.He could see his younger self in Fenric—the childlike innocence and wonder in his eyes that was long since faded from his own.And so he had nothing to say. No answer.He did give this up, and for what?For power, for immortality, for prestige... those were not things that would matter in the end."I won't... I can't stay here. Not after being under this sky.""You'll... leave?" Brennus said, quietly.He knew he should stop Fenric.He knew he should say something, anything.But as he stared at his brother, he found he couldn't stop him."Come with me." Fenric started, his voice much smaller than usual. "You don't have to be beholden to Father."
"There's... a whole beautiful world out here. We can go explore it together."His voice was pleading.So pleading.It only made Brennus feel more guilt deep inside of him.He wasn't of this light anymore.That didn't mean Fenric wasn't."...Sorry."Brennus' voice came out much meeker than he expected it to.It wasn't much of an answer, but it was all he could say.And then Fenric was gone.Just like that, the one person in all of the planes who understood him was gone.All because he was too afraid. Too afraid to be in a world he didn't belong in, running from someone like his father.And so, all he could do was pray to whoever would listen to someone tainted by shadow like him.Be safe, Fenric. Run far, far away. Live. Be the light I always knew you were. Stay alive....I love you, little brother.

Unarick was born on the day the flowers had bloomed in Neverwinter, to a mother with a bright smile and a father with a caring touch.He had many brothers and sisters who worked alongside his parents in their small, ramshackle store.But Unarick was the only one gifted with a knack for manipulating the Weave.When he first discovered his talents, he was scared of telling his parents. Scared of disappointing them. Scared of trying to be something… more.But when they had learned of the studying he did in secret in the dead of night, they celebrated. They cried for their son, whose happiness came before anything else.Unarick loved his family very much. To him, they were his entire world. They taught him everything that let him become the person he was at this very moment, as he stared up at Neverwinter Academy.The robes of a student felt wrong on his body. He didn’t feel as though he deserved to wear them—someone like him? A simple halfling from a big family with no formal training?And yet here he was, staring up at what had been his dream for years of his life.A place to learn. A place to become something more. A chance to study and grow and eventually, give back to his mother and father for everything they had done for him.And so he took his first step into his future, a smile resting against his face behind his large, round glasses.__Unarick returned to Neverwinter on the a day where rain fell from the night sky in thunderous sheets, drenching what was left of his body.There was no mother, nor father, waiting for him. His brothers and sisters who worked their hardest in their small, ramshackle store were gone.Unarick was the only one gifted with the knack for manipulating the Weave, after all. He felt the spark of it on the ends of his bony fingers as he hid in the shadows.Back then he had been so scared to tell his family what he truly wanted. Why? Did he feel as though he was leaving them behind? How could he ever think they wouldn’t celebrate something that made him happy?His family was the entire world to him, and now they were gone. Everything they had taught him seemed to vanish in the night storm as he stared up at what remained of Neverwinter Academy.It was nothing more than a ruins.
He touched at the shirt the woman who had saved him had given him before he has set off. It reminded him of the robes he has wore all of those years ago.They still didn’t feel right.He’d wanted to give his parents peace. He’d wanted to ease their suffering and bring them happiness.And in the end, they’d died before he could even see them one last time.He knelt down in the alley, staring towards the remnants of the academy.He should have felt cold, but he didn’t. He wanted to cry, but he couldn’t.And so he simply watched the remnant of the past from afar, wishing he had never wished to be more in the first place.

Lamorak had always liked the piano.Its music was one of power, one of control. Every press of a key leads to the next, then the next, all in perfect order.Order.Perhaps that's what Lamorak truly enjoyed.Order and control.Beneath his meticulous fingertips, he wanted to control everything.He had to.The first song he ever played on the piano had been in front of his father. Lamorak performed it as perfectly as he could—and yet his father did not smile.He did not clap, or praise his son for the dedication he put into the task.No, because being perfect wasn't enough.Instead of perfecting that song, why did he not instead perfect a more difficult piece?The music swelled through the empty ballroom, echoing off the high ceilings. Lamorak continued to play, his fingers dancing along the keys as if they were made to play them.The song came to a close, and with a final discordant note, the song ended.Lamorak picked up his glass and sipped at the dark, red wine.He was destined for great things, and those great things would win him his father's favor.The world was his playground, and slowly all of his little cogs were falling into place. Soon this city would be one of the greatest the world had known for millennia, and it would be his triumph. His victory.His mind wandered back to the girl who had entered this room, terrified, barely an hour beforehand.Miss Rovari Marcella Embry.She was an interesting one, and it took a lot to catch the interest of the sixth prince of Thultanthar.He'd heard about her before—from his brother, Brennus—but back then, Lamorak hadn't been particularly interested. Whatever Fenric was doing, running around with some mortal, it didn't concern Lamorak.That was, until he had laid his eyes upon her.She carried it.The touch of something... else.The touch of something that related directly to his interests.And from then, she only became more interesting.He'd already learned many things about her before the two had even formally met. Her name, her birthplace, the little house full of Tieflings in Luskan.He knew more about her than she did.And so, he knew that he'd already won.Lamorak could see it in her eyes. She was a woman who desired the truth above all else. She longed for knowledge of her past, of truths she did not remember.And Lamorak had those answers.
Those answers had gotten him a fine, fine payment.Ahazu.I've heard of you before.Something Rivallen said in one of his maddened speeches…Lamorak stood up from the piano and his eyes strayed towards the large stained glass windows that let the red-tinted moonlight pour into the room. He could see his own shadow stretched across the floor, bathed in that red.Rovari would have her role to play in what would happen to Silverymoon, and Lamorak would ensure that role was fulfilled.Lamorak Tanthul had never liked being wrong, after all, so the only choice was to be right.To win, and to claim victory.No matter what it took.He knew what needed to be done, and he had started the cogs in motion that would complete his ultimate goal.And if one of the cogs stopped working or popped out of place, he knew exactly where to prod it to make sure it continued working.Lamorak smiled, then took another sip of his drink.Everything was going according to plan.

The world was one of darkness, but it was the only world the boy knew.He stared up at the infinite bleakness, watching the shifting oil-filled mist as he adjusted the dark
mask that sat against his face. He tried to imagine the stars his mother had whispered to him about as a child, but he couldn't even fathom such a thing—and now she was gone.Lanterns hung upon iron poles, casting shadowy illuminations as Fenric walked through the streets
of Thultanthar.The streets were mostly empty, and a pervasive nip caused the man to pull his cloak in tight around him. It was cold—but it was always cold here.He couldn't imagine it any different.He passed by unfamiliar faces who morphed with the shadows. Simple echoes of people from a different world—the real world, though the
Shadovar never called it that.Their shifting forms didn't bother him.He didn't know any different.Thick, foul smelling water gathered around his boots as he trudged through a shallow puddle, his head craning up as he passed beneath a dark bridge. His eyes caught movement in the shadows above as a trio of leathery, bat-like creatures dropped down from their roost on the bridge, letting out high-pitched screeches as they spread
their wings and rose back up into the blackness."Vrocks," Fenric muttered.He would have been scared of them as a child.But Fenric wasn't a child anymore. If what his father says was true, technically, he was over one
thousand years old.Even if that time had barely felt like a hundred years to him.Sometimes, Fenric felt jealous of his siblings.When he tried to imagine the Material Plane, he couldn't even begin to form a picture, whereas
they had lived there for many years before coming here.Fenric, on the other hand, was born here. In a way, he was made of shadows even more than them—despite the fact they had given their very souls to become Shades, and he had not.His father had made him in this place, and so that's where Fenric belonged. Whatever was out
there obviously was not his home.He was a child of the Shadows, and always would be.A cold wind blew through, and Fenric tugged his cloak in tight around him as he continued on
through the gloomy city.A world of eternal black, white and gray.He had been raised here. He had lived here his whole life, but sometimes he still felt like a visito—
an outsider in a city that hated him.
He was not morphed with the shadows like they were—he
simply was shadows, as far as he was aware. He was different.A solitary, lost soul.As he stared into the dark, sunless sky, Fenric wondered.He wondered if one day he would see the light of day—if he would see the sun and stars and grass
and flowers, and all the wonders he had only heard about. Things he had only seen in old drawings in
books.He wondered if he'd be accepted. If he would fit in.He wondered if he would be able to stop feeling the nagging pain deep within his chest—that loneliness that threatened to crush him sometimes when he thought about all the people he had never met and places he had never seen.He wondered if he would find someone to dance with him. If anyone could bear to touch him long enough for a long lost art his mother had told him bedtime stories about.He wondered what it would feel like to love—and to be loved.The wind howled around him, and Fenric felt the eyes of the world on him as he walked down the lonely streets of Thultanthar.The world was one of darkness, but it was the only world the boy knew.

The first thing he saw was the blue expanse above that seemed to go on forever. It was vast and
unbroken by any clouds, and its deep, blue color was so unlike what he had grown up with.The endless darkness and white and gray he had seen all his life.The boy's eyes were transfixed, and he craned his neck, taking in as much as he could.The sky. The beautiful, endless blue sky.This world was one of color. his world was light, and love, and dance, and freedom.Tears flowed down his face as he drank it all in—the light, the blue, the life.This world would be his—whether it wanted him or not.And for the first time in a long time the boy smiled.He was born of shadows, but he would become light, too. If he could stay here for the rest of eternity, then being the world's shadow didn’t sound too bad.His blue eyes blinked and focused upon the sun—the golden ball of energy in the center of the sky, casting its warming rays over the lands below.There it was—warmth. It felt funny against his skin. He hadn't known heat could be such an intrinsic part of life—to be something more than
just something you gave to others.It felt as though a part of himself he didn't know he was missing had been returned to him—and he
was whole.And at once, Fenric knew what he must do.Whatever the leaders of this land planned—the High Prince, and his thirteen sons—he knew it no longer concerned him.Whether he was Netherese, or Shadovar, or just shadow—the only thing that concerned him now was the world that had opened up to him before his eyes.The world that held a million sunsets and a million first smiles—a million moments to dance, and to love.And so, Fenric left.Hunted at every corner, chased from town and city alike, on the run for a hundred years and counting... but he was free.And as he leaned against a tree far from any town, watching the leaves sway in a gentle breeze and the birds fly through the sky above—he saw someone coming over the horizon.A girl with deep blue skin, and short black hair. A girl who reminded him of the color of life.Fenric smiled to himself.Perhaps he'd finally found a dance partner, after all.

Candle light drifted over her blue skin as Fenric watched her. When she slept, she seemed so small,
so fragile.In a way, she was. She was just a young thing—younger than anyone he'd met in Thultanthar—and yet she was far braver than anyone else he knew.Her small frame had already gone through countless tragedies—many he was sure she was yet to tell him about.Perhaps she’d never tell him. Perhaps she couldn’t trust him—he thought that was probably for the best.Fenric gently brushed her short black hair from her eyes as she slept. Her face was peaceful as
she dreamed, and he felt his chest warm when he looked down at her.She was a ray of light in a world of darkness. His own ray of light.Perhaps the only one who could ever understand his pain, and his loss, and the loneliness he felt—a
pain that had never truly gone away. But still, he didn't tell her the truth.Not yet.He was so afraid she would leave him if she knew what he truly was—that he was made of shadows,
just as the plane he came from.He was afraid she'd look at him the way everyone else had, and that he would never see her again.Fenric leaned down and kissed her on her forehead, and as he felt the warmth of her skin against his lips, he wished, more than anything,
that he could dance with her once again.His eyes went around his home. It was small, but it was his, and he hadn't ever expected anyone else
to visit him here.He lived here to be alone. He lived here to keep his darkness away from everyone else’s light.And yet he had brought this girl here, and now... and now he didn't want her to leave.The thought made his chest ache, and the boy tried to swallow back the pain, and the loneliness he knew would come when she left.And in her sleep, the girl turned her face toward him.She smiled.And Fenric could feel his heart breaking.He knew it.He knew it from the moment he saw her.He knew she deserved better than this.Better than him.A solitary, lost soul.A boy made of shadows and lost dreams.And so, he held her a little tighter as he watched the blue tone of her skin shift in the candle light.
He just allowed the warmth of her skin to wash over him—he savored the moment, because he knew once it was gone, he would never have someone like this again.What a curse it is, to live forever, and to love one who would not.

This was Rovari’s favorite time of day.When the night crept up, and the moon rose high in the sky, the stars twinkled above her, and a soft wind rustled her short hair as she stood on the bow of the Death's Ghost.It was the closest thing to freedom she had ever known.A life on the water, where no one knew who you were or where you came from. A life with no past and no future. A life with no judgement, no expectations, no pressure, and no responsibility.It was a life for a thief. A life for an adventurer. A life for someone who needed nothing, and no one. A life for someone who never wanted to be found.Her small, blue hand traced over the railing as she walked across the bow, enjoying the cold of the night air that caressed her face. She loved this. Loved the way the ocean lapped against the sides of the ship. Loved the way the water rose up and splashed down again, making ripples in its wake. Loved the way that every breath she took was filled with the smell of sea salt and salt water, and that there was nothing to fill her ears but the sound of the water.Most of the crew would already be asleep as Death's Ghost cut through the darkness.But Rovari preferred to be here.Far in the distance, her eyes spotted a faintly glowing lighthouse.
It was the lighthouse she had been told to look for—it meant that their ship was well on its way to the port at Baldur's Gate they had been paid to deliver a shipment to.Rovari frowned as she stared at the light. Something about it seemed...off.But she was drawn away from the sight as she heard a sound behind her. It was the sound of boots against wood. A voice followed quickly after."Out here again? Be careful someone doesn't bump into ya and push you straight overboard. You blend in." Tee smirked, as he leaned against the railings next to her.Rovari gave a smirk in return, "I'll chuck you overboard if you keep yapping."The man, her captain, laughed, "Ahh, but then what would you do, eh?" He pointed out at the ocean with a flourish of his hand, "It's a big, cold, dark place out there.""You'd be awfully lost without your favorite captain, wouldn't ya?"Tee grinned.She leaned further over the railing, the wind blowing her short black hair around her face as she
muttered."...Yeah, I would." She spoke to no one in particular.The captain just smiled, "Y'know, I feel there's a storm coming."Rovari looked up towards the sky. The night was clear, "Is there?"Tee gave a small nod, "What, you don't trust your captain?"He reached up and ruffled Rovari's hair. Not many people could get away with a gesture like that, but
they'd known each other for years, and he was like the family she'd never had."Just a feelin', anyway." Tee laughed."You always get feelings, Captain.""Funny that, isn't it. Almost like I'm the captain of a ship that's weathered a hundred shitty storms
because of how often I feel 'em coming." Tee smirked, and Rovari just laughed and gave the man
a playful shove."Or maybe you're just drunk again.""Maybe. That could be it, actually."A third voice carried from further down the deck."Tee, are you out here bothering Rovari?" Sarno's firm voice called."Just taking in the night air, Sarno. I'm not botherin' anyone, I swear." Tee replied, and Sarno walked towards them, his cloak flapping behind him as he walked across the deck.He shook his head towards his captain, then playfully jabbed Rovari in the side with his elbow."You out here all night again? You should be sleeping. Get some rest before tomorrow."Rovari just shook her head. She liked being out on the deck at night. It was where she could think,
and she could see the stars. Sarno's orange eyes just looked up at the night sky."It is pretty out tonight, I'll give you that." He commented, "But you both still have a job to do in the morning. Don't stay up much longer.""Sarno, has anyone ever told you that you nag like a mother?" Tee quipped, and Rovari snickered
at the captain's words.The third man just shook his head, "Not to my face, anyway."Tee wrapped one arm around Rovari's shoulders, and another around Sarno's. "Ah well, luckily I got the best crew in the world.
If I'm gonna get nagged to death, then at least I got good company." He said with a wink.Rovari shoved off his arm, "Yeah, you're drunk alright.""Oi, oi, don't knock a man for a little drink. A little booze is what keeps the boat goin'.""Or a lot." Sarno teased."Alright, alright, I get it. Fine, I'm goin' to bed! Rovari, don't fall overboard, alright? We'll never find
ya."Rovari instantly flipped the man off as both Tee and Sarno started laughing, and walked away, with
Tee echoing her gesture.The two men walked back across the deck towards their cabin, and Rovari stared up at the sky
again, letting the sound of the ocean wash over her.She gave a small nod, and whispered to herself."Yeah, I guess it is pretty."

As the girl stared up at the stars, Fenric couldn't help but stare at a much more beautiful sight—at the girl herself.The hot water in the spring was a stark contrast to the cold winter air as they sat in the water, enjoying the warmth that covered them.The blue of her skin seemed to make her sink into the dark pool that reflected the night sky above.All Fenric could think about is how beautiful she looked, and how he wanted to always see her like this—so peaceful, so content, so at ease.The Rovari of the day was one filled with an anxious sadness, but when her eyes drowned in the stars and the moonlight, the girl's soul seemed to wash away that sadness.At some point, he'd found himself moving closer to her without even noticing. They were close—but
it still wasn't enough. Fenric craved the heat she gave him. Craved the warmth of her skin.The heat of a person was something new to him. A gift he never knew existed until he'd met Rovari.Fenric reached over and traced the star markings that ran across her fingers, pretending to count them. It was as though a constellation had chosen to take up residence on her.And it was beautiful.Her face was beautiful.Everything about her was beautiful.
Even if she didn't see it.His wandering hands soon found her back, where five more stars rested. He didn't really care for counting them—he just wanted to touch her. To touch someone and not be pushed away.And she was always warm. It was an intoxicating heat that felt like the world was telling him "You will steal her warmth away and leave her with nothing."It was a reminder.A warning.And Fenric just swallowed back the loneliness that rose up inside him and continued to gently trace his fingers over the markings of the stars that had taken up permanent residence on the girl.His blue eyes stared at her as she sat there, watching the sky. Just as her eyes reflected the stars, his eyes reflected her.And he thought that even if all he could have from her was stolen glances, it would be enough for him.Yes, it would be plenty.

"Young Fernlily, we are the eldest and the youngest, the drops of rain and the ripples in the lake.""You are the earth and the sky, the sun and the moon, the grass and the trees.""You are all of this and more. You are the very breath that fills our lungs.""You are nature incarnate, and one day you shall return to it as well."The dryad ran a finger over Fernlily's cheek as it spoke, the yellow of her eyes deep and knowing."Does that mean Fernlily will die one day?" Fernlily asked.The dryad shook her head, "No, child. Your spirit will always live on here as a part of the very earth,
and it will be beautiful.""Fernlily doesn't
understand,"Fernlily admitted.The dryad smiled, "No, you do not. Not yet. But you will understand one day what it means to be
nature itself.""That is, as long as Fernlily is a good girl and stops fluttering so close to the Mortal Plane.""You know what they do to pixies out there, don't you? They will pull your wings from your body for
their own pleasure.""Fernlily doesn't want that. Fernlily likes having her wings." Fernlily pouted.The dryad smiled."Fernlily is very brave, indeed, but it's better to stay here with your own kind, isn't it?"Fernlily gave a small nod, her big eyes staring at the older creature before she reached out to hold onto the dryad's finger."But what if Fernlily wants to be free?""What if Fernlily wants to see the cities, and the people, and the lights?""Then Fernlily will get herself into much trouble, I imagine. Sometimes I wonder if you're really a pixie, or if you're a mortal in disguise.""You have a mind that is so curious, but a soul that encompasses the wind passing through the leaves, and the sound of a flower singing.""So you best be careful, little one. I will not always be there to watch out for you."Fernlily took the dryad's hand into hers and squeezed it gently."Fernlily will be careful. Fernlily promises she won't leave the Laughing Hollow ever!"The dryad smiled back calmly towards Fernlily."Well, if you keep your promise then I won't need to be worried."She brought her finger down to stroke her cheek once again, "Now, you go on and get back to
playing with the other pixies, and you remember what I said, alright?""You are the earth, and the sky. You are the sun, and the moon, the grass, and the trees. You are the
very breath that fills our lungs.""And one day, you will be the most beautiful flower. My little Fernlily."

In the dark, tall spires of Thultanthar, a young boy with stark white hair laid back in his plush bed, staring into a mirror across the room from him.He wondered for a moment what color his eyes were, before the door opened with a creak, and a
woman with black hair pulled back into a low, loose plait entered and sat down on the side of his bed with a smile.He smiled back.Out of all the people in Fenric's world, he loved his mother most."Hello, my little Fen. Are you tired? You've had a long day, haven't you?"Fenric nodded, "I'm tired, mama, but could you tell me a story while I fall asleep?"She leaned forward and gently kissed him on the forehead before she said, "Of course I can, little
Fen. Would you like me to tell you a story about the sky?"Fenric smiled wide, "Yes, please!"He kicked his legs back and forth excitedly, and his mother laughed softly. She reached up and brushed a stray hair out of his eyes, and smiled fondly at him."Alright then, close your eyes, and listen carefully to me."She closed her eyes, and Fenric mimicked her, "Once upon a time, we lived in a realm far from here. A world of light, colour, and warmth. A
world where the sun and the stars ruled over all, and the grass grew, and the trees bloomed with life, and the water sparkled like diamonds in the moonlight."Her voice was soft and quiet as she spoke, and she gently stroked his white hair, "There were grand cities filled with people like you've never seen before, vast oceans, and deserts that stretched on forever, and there were trees of every kind that you can imagine, and flowers so beautiful they would make you cry."Fenric tried hard to picture it, but he couldn't. All his mind could conjure was endless darkness and shadows."Mama, are there dragons there, too?""Yes, there are dragons. Big, black dragons, and silver dragons, and red dragons, and blue dragons,
and all the colors you can imagine. Some are good, and some are bad, but the one thing they all have in common is they are beautiful—so very beautiful.""Just like you.""Mama, can you show me? Can you take me there?"She paused."No, my little Fen. We can't go back, not yet. Maybe not ever."He frowned at her, "Why?""Because..."Her voice trailed off, and she pulled her hand away from his face."Because the world isn't for us anymore. Because people like you, people like me, we are sinful beings. We belong only in the shadows.""But... papa said I'm different... different to him, and you, and everyone else...""You are different, my baby. You are more shadow than any of us, yet less, too. You're a special little thing."She smiled at him again softly, "But you don't need to worry about that. Papa is trying to fix you, isn't he? You'll be the same as us one day, Fen. You'll get to trade the wings of your soul for the shadows."As his eyes fluttered shut, it wasn't the colours of the world that he saw behind his closed eyelids, but the pain. The burning pain of his father's experiments as he failed once again to turn the boy into a Shade."You be a good boy for mama, okay? Papa will fix you, and make you better. He's trying his best
because he loves you, Fen.""Okay, mama. I'll be a good boy.""Good. Sleep well and know that no matter what, I love you, always and forever. You're my baby, and no matter what, you will always be my little Fen."And with a final kiss to the forehead, his mother left him, closing the door behind her.As Fenric drifted off to sleep, he could almost imagine the stars glittering through the darkness, and the blue of the sky beyond the black. He wondered if it was as beautiful as she said it was.If it was half as beautiful as his mother had described it, then he knew that one day, he would see it no matter what.Even if it meant running for eternity.

Tee tossed back his ale, letting out a laugh as he wiped the foam from his upper lip, "I'll have you know, that girl is quite the thief in the sack. Y'know, for a small thing, she sure can handle her--"Sarno cut him off, "We don't need to know the details of your sex life, Tee, no matter how many times you talk about it."Tee grinned, "It's not my fault I have a life and you don't. I swear, you've probably never--"The captain was once again cut off as Sarno cleared his throat loudly.Rovari smiled inwardly at their display. This was a regular occurance aboard the Death's Ghost as far as she was concerned. Tee would drink far too
much and become even chattier than usual, and Sarno would complain the whole time yet stay and listen.Rovari sipped her drink a little slower, savoring the burn as it went down her throat.At the same time, Tee jumped up from his seat and stepped onto the tabletop, grinning down as he held out a hand to Rovari."C'mon, Rovari, come dance with me. The night is young, and I'm in the mood for dancing.""Tee, for the love of the gods, get off the table!" Sarno yelled.Rovari simply scoffed and continued drinking until Tee's hand dropped down to his side."Betrayed even by the beautiful maiden... my heart..."To Sarno's horror, Tee then cleared his throat as he began to sing."In the heart of the ocean, where the waves do crash,""Sails unfurl and the cannons flash,""We're the crew of the Death's Ghost, brave and bold,""Sailing through the waters, searching for gold!"As Rovari started laughing, Sarno shook his head, "You're a fool, did you know that?""I am a fool, but at least I'm a fool who can dance.""If that's meant to be good dancing, then you're better off sticking to your singing, which is at least
marginally better." Sarno joked."Marginally. Barely.""I don't see you doin' any better!"
Tee quipped, "Go on, sing us a song, then!""No, absolutely not. I'd rather not embarrass you in front of your entire crew." Sarno shook his head.Tee leaned closer, his eyes gleaming."I dare you."Sarno snorted, "You dare me? What are you, ten?""And what if I am?"Sarno rolled his eyes as he stepped up onto his chair then the table, chest to chest with Tee as
the two men stared at each other, both of them grinning."Fine. You want a song, I'll give you a song.""Tee's got a voice like a screechin' gull,""Singin' 'bout romance with a belly full,""He's up on the table, actin' a fool,""But his singin's worse than a pack of mules!"The ship roared with laughter as Tee started yelling over Sarno, "That's not true! You all love me
singin' voice!"Rovari watched from her seat, still smiling as she took another swig.She didn't understand why it made her so happy, but it did.It was a strange family, but it was her family nonetheless.

Brennus closed his eyes, and thought about the past.He was suddenly looking down at his little brother, watching as the child ran around the small clearing as he sat on the old ruins of a reflection of a town on the Material Plane.This was a long time ago—but it was a time Brennus remembered well. A fun time.Fenric dashed to and fro, arms out on either side as if they were wings, while Brennus clapped and laughed along with him."Wahaha, Fenric, you're so cool! You really are like a dragon!" Brennus called out, waving his arms back and forth to his younger brother.Fenric grinned back up at him in return—and Brennus felt a pride swell inside his chest.He'd always been the youngest. The baby of his family, the smallest. It meant that when he became a shade, at his father's command, he was still only seventeen. Even now, hundreds of years later, he looked no different.
But now he was no longer the youngest. He had a new brother—a brother that was bright and full of life, unlike the rest of his family.A brother he could teach, and play with, and have fun with. A brother who he could take care of.As Brennus watched his younger brother, he wished he could be that carefree forever.As a Prince of Shade, much would be required of him. He would give everything to Thultanthar—to their father.But for now, he could just be Fenric. Bright spirited Fenric, with a soul as large as that of a dragon.Brennus dropped down from the top of the wall gracefully, falling into a shadow at the base. Seeing this, Fenric rushed over to him, attempting to grab at him, when he simply shifted his body fifteen feet
away from the boy.He instead grasped at the air, then spun around to look for his older brother."Yoohoo, over here!""You've got to be a little faster than that, Fen~" Brennus teased, as he saw his younger brother's frustrated expression."That's cheating! I can't do that..." Fenric grumbled.Brennus laughed, "Aw, it's not cheating! I'm just making use of my special talents, is all. You can
definitely catch me if you try." Brennus flashed his teeth, and Fenric frowned, trying to pout.Fenric rushed towards him to once again grab him—but just as he reached out, Brennus disappeared, shifting into another shadow.Fenric sighed, "Hey, Brennus? Will I ever be able to do that?"The second youngest Prince of Shade looked back towards his younger brother, and shrugged,
"Dunno. Father says you will, and he's just sooo smart, after all.""But even if you can't, I think you're pretty cool how you are now!"Fenric smiled, "You really do?"Brennus nodded, "Yeah, of course I do! You're my baby brother, after all! Even if one day you look older than me, you'll always be my baby brother."Fenric rushed towards him again, and this time Brennus didn't move as he grabbed hold of him. The two went flying to the dark, ash-ridden floor with a laugh."Brennus! I caught you!" Fenric cheered."Woohoo, well done! You really are the coolest prince in the realm, did you know that?""I am?" Fenric replied, his cheeks already red."Of course! You're way cooler than I am, I'm sooo jealous." Brennus winked at his younger brother, then ruffled his white hair.He had light hair like that, once. That's what Fenric reminded him of.
Of himself, a long time ago."Well, I might be cooler than you, but I'm not cooler than Rivalen, that's for sure...""Hey, what's that supposed to mean...? Are you saying Rivalen is cooler than me...?" Brennus pouted, his voice laced with venom."No no, Brennus, I didn't mean that! Rivalen is so cool, you're just... cool, too!" Fenric said quickly."Wow, you're so mean to me... I'm going to cry..." Brennus brought his hand to his eyes to pretend to wipe away tears, but in reality, he only wanted to see how Fenric would react. In actuality, he enjoyed this kind of teasing.Fenric instantly let go and looked up at his older brother with concern, "Oh, Brennus! I'm so sorry! Please don't cry...""Boohoo..." Brennus sniffed.He looked over to his younger brother with sad eyes, "You really did make me sad... but don't worry, Fen... I forgive you.""Really?""Yeah. I can't stay upset with my baby brother, after all."The two grinned towards each other... and then Brennus opened his eyes."You will go and collect Fenric, whether he wants to return to Thultanthar or not. Kill whoever travels with him." Telamont Tanthul sat on his floating throne, one leg crossed over the other as Brennus
stood looking up at him.He stared at his father, letting the words sink into his mind."If he refuses, incapacitate him and drag back his lifeless body. Do you understand?" Telamont Tanthul raised his chin, looking down on his
children."...Yes, Father."

“You have thought this out well, a bold move. I am one that appreciates your boldness... but that wish is more than one wish, isn’t it? You ask the stars themselves to move to your command—for the world to change beneath your fingertips.”“Your wish is grantable, my dear, but I must ask you something more to give you what you seek.
Something I desire very much. You will seize the heart of the blue dragon Cryovain. That is a task
worthy of your wish.”“I look forward to seeing the display you give me this time, my love.”Ahazu watched her face as the young girl accepted without question. Anything to save the
one you love, right?He smiled, though she could not see his smile.What Rovari—what his little night child—did not know was that she would destroy the very thing she sought to protect. That was the nature of the night sky—to be born of light and darkness, and to be forever divided from the earth that they long for.And he loved the way it played out before him, like a game of chess. A game where each piece moved on its own will, and each piece was a
mastermind, toying with the other pieces, and then taking the other side down from the inside out.Yes, he loved that very much. He loved watching people lose what they would hate to lose—it was the most entertaining thing.Rovari would be a good pawn for his grand game... a game that would lead to his freedom. A
game that would lead him to topple the very being that held him down in a place far out of reach.Ahazu gave a small laugh as the girl faded away from his library, and the dark shadow that crept across his heart began to sing in anticipation.The night would end with the light falling—or a truth a certain prince didn't want to be out in the open to be revealed.It was going to be a fun game, he thought, as he reclined in his chair and brought his hand to his lips. He traced his fingers over them as he thought of the world in which he would be able to taste the very thing he so desired.Ahazu chuckled as he thought back to how Rovari would do anything to save the one she loved—and how the stars themselves would bow to the will of one small night child.The world would fall at her fingertips. And as it fell, his power would grow—and he would be free."Do you hear that, Shar? My chosen already meddles in your affairs, but soon enough she shall
bring the very heavens crashing to the ground at her feet."He laughed again, a dark laugh that shook the floor."How much fun it shall be, my love, when this game comes to its end."He stretched out one hand towards the sky above him. A sky he longed to see once again with his own eyes."My stars, I ask that you watch her carefully for me. The one who is born of night, and yet lives by day. The one with the soul of the seas, and the heart of the moon. My dear Rovari... do watch over her carefully."And so, he sat, waiting. Waiting for the night child to do as he asked.Waiting for the very beginning of the end of everything.

Everwyvern House Morning

Golden Oak Inn

"You know, I think this would be nice the other way around too." Fenric smiled down at Rovari, who wore only his old black button up shirt she'd half-stolen from his house just earlier that day and a pair of black socks. She rested with her chest to his, leaning up slightly to look into his face.She still couldn't believe that this man—this man who was a prince, over a thousand years old (technically), this man who was a dragon—was in love with her. Even more than that, she couldn't believe that she loved him back, and had told him as much just a moment ago.Before she had time to contemplate his words, he'd already flipped her on to her back, and he hung over her, his bathrobe hanging down in front of him."Yeah, this is nice." He muttered, eyes locked on hers as her cheeks heated up even further. She wanted to avert her gaze, but her eyes were drawn to all of the skin she could see below his robe.And she could see a lot of it.His collarbones, and his chest, and his stomach, and—And then she'd have to stop herself, because this man was far too confident and not at all shameful as he smiled, watching her trailing eyes.Still, past the embarrassment, she couldn't help but feel slightly angry as she looked upon the countless scars that littered his skin. Anger against those that had done it to him. Those that had hurt him.“Are you really sure that you…” Her voice trailed off. She’d already asked Fenric far too many times if he was sure of his feelings, but it still didn’t quite feel real."I'll say it to you as many times as it takes. I am completely and utterly in love with you." Fenric said quietly but confidently.Absent-mindedly, Rovari reached up and flicked the robe off one of his shoulders. It fell down loosely at his side. Fenric looked towards her with a playful glint in his eyes."Two can play at that game, you know." Agonizingly slowly, Fenric undid two of the buttons at the front of Rovari's shirt. Her blue skin now peeked through where it had been hidden underneath the fabric."And I really do hate to lose."Up to the challenge, Rovari reached up and flicked the robe off his other shoulder. The robe fell down completely, exposing the rest of his chest. It now just hung loosely at his hips, though it wasn't really hiding anything.She felt herself swallow hard as Fenric undid the next button, then the next, then all of them.It hung open at the front, completely exposing the upper half of her body.She wanted to cover her face in embarrassment, but she didn't. Instead, she reached up and placed her hand against his chest, feeling the heat of his skin beneath her fingertips.Fenric, looking down at her with an expression of both longing and endearment, traced his fingers down her cheek, across her jaw, and down her neck.And then he leaned down and kissed her. It was gentle at first—a peck here and there, but it quickly turned to more. Rovari couldn't help but sigh, her heart beginning to race.As the kiss grew deeper and deeper, Fenric's hand explored her body. They caressed her shoulders, her collarbones, her chest... and they found their way to her hips.His lips then trailed away from hers, down to her neck. He kissed and nibbled on it, causing her breath to catch in her throat."Gods, you're so beautiful." He whispered into her ear as his hands moved back up to her chest. He rubbed his thumb against her nipple just slightly, as if testing the waters, and she shivered at the sensation.It was a strange feeling. Not bad—not bad at all. In fact, Rovari would easily say that this was probably one of the best feelings in the world—to be touched, to be held, to be kissed by someone that wanted her that badly—but it was strange.To be a person that was wanted, that was loved."And I can't believe I'm... both lucky and stupid enough to call you mine." He murmured, leaning back down to kiss her again.It was an overwhelming feeling of both lust and love. A feeling she'd never known before. She was surrounded by him—by Fenric. His taste, his scent, his touch, and she craved it all. She wanted more and more and more of it.Her heart raced, and she wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him closer. His bare chest pressed to hers as he pulled back from their kiss to breathe raggedly."Are you sure I'm good enough for you?" He said, his forehead resting against hers."Shouldn't I be the one asking that?" She muttered back, staring back into his eyes."You're everything I've ever wanted. I'm a man that you met on the corner of the road who later attacked you, if you somehow managed to forget that."He brought his hands to her waist, then her thighs, then lower still. She took a sharp intake of breath as she felt his fingers brush against the hem of her underwear."I'm not sure I deserve a woman like you."His fingers played with the fabric teasingly as he kissed down her neck again."But I hope that I can have you anyway."She grabbed his face and kissed him fiercely as she wrapped her legs around his waist.He smiled into her kiss, and she could feel his heart racing as she ran her hands through his hair.Soft.It was so soft.Perhaps he was right about all of those lotions and soaps and things by the bath, after all."Then… then have me." She whispered into his ear, embarrassed by her own words.He leaned back and stared down at her, and she saw him bite his lip as if he was restraining himself."I...""Never thought I'd find someone like you... gods, I must look like an idiot right now."Rovari finally began to notice it. The way his cheeks were flushed, and his eyes darted across the room, searching for somewhere to hide from her gaze.This man was an over-the-top flirt who had no problem with being near completely naked in front of her, but now that both of their feelings were out in the open, and she lay like this before him...
Even he looked slightly bashful.He was a stupid man, but he was also a sweet man. That was the Fenric she knew and loved.And as he looked back down at her with a gentle smile, she felt her heart swell with a happiness she didn't even know was possible."I love you."She whispered it again, as if it was something that could never be said too many times."I don't think I'll ever get over you saying that to me." He admitted to her in return.And with that, he kissed down her collarbones, to her stomach, to her thighs. She gasped and arched her back as he pressed a kiss against her inner thigh."Every part of you is beautiful, did you know that?"She shook her head, but couldn't manage to force any words—or even look towards the man who was lying between her legs.His kisses and touches were slow, gentle and careful... yet she squirmed under his touch, feeling a tingling sensation she'd never felt before in her core.Everything he did was filled with love. He took his time, caressing her skin, exploring every inch of her body.Rovari's breathing grew ragged, and she let out a gasp as she felt Fenric's lips press against her underwear just slightly.But before she could even begin to think about how good that felt, a loud knock sounded at the door.

Her blue dress that shimmered like the stars fell down to the floor.Instinctively, she reached up to cover her chest. This man had already trailed his eyes all over her body on multiple occasions, but she still couldn't bring herself to feel totally comfortable being seen so unclothed in front of him.Even as he pulled her to the bed and into his lap, she held her arms in front of her chest, covering herself the best she could.But it only took a moment for their lips to find each other, and quickly enough all thought of modesty left her.She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he pulled her closer, his hands instantly getting tangled in her short hair as his kiss became more passionate.Slowly, Rovari pushed Fenric down further onto the bed, pinning him under her. He looked up at her with eyes filled with desire, and she couldn't help but blush under his gaze.She didn't know if this was really happening—if this was real. This man, the one she loved and who loved her in return, was lying beneath her, completely and totally hers to touch.Rovari leant down to meet Fenric's lips once again, surrounded by a heat and a sensation that seemed to radiate from him and into her.She couldn't hold back the soft sigh that escaped her lips as Fenric's hands roamed across her body, his hands finding their way back to her chest, then trailing down to rest on her hips, digging in slightly.She pulled back slightly to gaze into his eyes—eyes that wanted her as much as she wanted him.Rovari pulled at Fenric's shirt slightly, lifting it to say 'please remove this as quickly as possible', which he happily obliged.He removed the cloth from his body slowly... almost sensually. For some reason, just the sight of it falling to the ground sent a jolt of heat right to her core.It was strange—the way this man, who was so confident and sure of himself, looked almost... nervous?Like he was afraid that his touch would hurt her, or drive her away. Like it was finally real for him, and the thought of ever losing this, of ever losing her, was too much for his heart to deal with.But that didn't stop him. It didn't stop either of them.Rovari ran her hands across his chest as their lips met once again. She wanted to feel all of him. The heat of his skin, the feeling of his muscles under her fingertips, the beating of his heart under her touch.Their lips didn't even separate as she was flipped onto her back and Fenric leaned over her, their eyes locked on to one another."I feel like we've been in this situation before." Fenric joked, the half smirk returning to his mouth."As long as no one comes knocking on the door this time." Rovari answered, half-jokingly, though it was a legitimate worry of hers at this point.The prince gave her a cheeky grin, and her heart skipped a beat."If it happened again I would definitely ignore it." He answered with a wink.Whatever Rovari was going to say in return disappeared as his lips found her neck and he slowly moved down her body, kissing every inch of her skin, leaving her with a trail of heat.Fenric's hands roamed over her thighs, and she felt herself shudder at the touch, a soft moan escaping from her mouth.As if it was the most natural thing in the world, Fenric's hands gently lifted her hips, then pulled her underwear down, and only a moment later they were discarded on the floor just as her dress was.She lay against the soft bed sheets in nothing but the silver necklace Fenric had gifted her what felt like a lifetime ago—and she felt his eyes burning into her.Devouring her body with his eyes. Watching the stars fall from the ceiling all over her smooth blue skin."Gods, you're so beautiful." He muttered, though it seemed like more of a thought than anything else.Rovari felt her cheeks flush at his words, but before she could answer, he was leaning down and kissing down her stomach, lower and lower, until finally he reached the place where she most wanted him to be at this very moment.And then, for the first time in her life, Rovari felt his mouth against her.He kissed her there—he kissed her as she squirmed against him, her hands clenching in the bed sheets as she let out a gasping sigh.The sensation was almost overwhelming. She was drowning in the heat that radiated from his mouth and her body, and the feeling of his fingers digging into her thighs was almost too much to handle."Ah... ah, Fenric..." Rovari gasped, unable to contain the noises that slipped between her lips.Fenric stopped for just long enough to look up at her with a slightly flushed face and a lust-filled gaze.
"I could get used to you saying my name like that."Then he leant down again, kissing and flicking his tongue against her in ways that made her heart race even more.As her breathing grew ragged and her legs began to shake, she reached down to run her hands through his hair, fingers getting tangled in the silver-white strands.Fenric was watching her—he was watching her every reaction, the way her hips shifted as he moved his head, the way her eyes fluttered as her toes curled. He was watching every part of her.His gaze only pushed her along further, and soon enough she could feel a building pressure, almost unbearable, rising in the pit of her stomach.Rovari arched her back as Fenric pressed his tongue into her. That was the final straw for her—and her entire body shook as she let out a gasp, the tingling heat inside of her rising and spreading through her.Waves and waves of pleasure washed over her body, and her vision swam with stars as she let out a soft moan and her legs wrapped around Fenric's head.She came back to reality after a moment, Fenric looking down at her with an expression of both hunger and love as she let out a breathless gasp.She felt exhausted. She wasn't sure she'd ever felt this exhausted before.But she could tell, just as she had wanted—no, needed—Fenric, he was achingly hard beneath his clothes.For just a moment she couldn't imagine why—someone like him, so desperately wanting someone like her? It didn't sound correct.But she could see the look in his eyes. The love, the lust, the desire... and so she felt loved for, and lusted over, and desired.Her hands lifted to trail down his chest and to his stomach, feeling his muscles twitch as she ran her fingers across them.She felt him shift slightly under her touch, and a labored breath escaped his lips."You don't need to force yourself to—" Fenric started, but Rovari was quick enough to interrupt his nonsense with a kiss.He kissed her back as if his life depended on it as finally her hands rested over his hardness.She could feel it pulsating against her fingers through the cloth of his pants, and Rovari suddenly felt somewhat nervous.This man had pleasured her as if it was second nature. He seemed to know exactly what made her tick, and exactly what drove her to new heights.And here she was, a girl who had never been this close with someone before in her life. A girl who had no experience with sex, with men, or with love in general.All she could do was hold onto this man who loved her with all of his heart and hope that was enough.But that was only a momentary nervousness. After all, there was no room here for being nervous or timid, not when he gazed down at her with half-lidded eyes and the most beautiful smile she had ever seen.The smile of a man who was in love. The smile of a man who loved her.Rovari's hand slowly slid under the hem of his pants, and she gasped as she felt it. She wrapped her fingers around him and Fenric groaned, shifting under her touch.
It was hot to the touch, and slightly wet at the tip. And it was so, so much harder than she ever could have imagined.Slowly at first, she began to move her hand up and down. She watched his expression as she moved her hand, the feeling of him pulsating against her palm making her heart flutter.He let out a breathless gasp, his eyes squeezing shut for just a moment, as if to contain himself.And then he was kissing her again. His lips were warm, his breath hot as he parted her lips with his tongue and slid his fingers into her hair.Her hand continued its movements, feeling along his length with her fingertips. She was trying to memorize the feeling of him. The way he twitched when she squeezed slightly, the way his skin felt against hers.But it wasn't enough.Not when he had done so much.She let go for a moment and pulled slightly at the cloth that still covered Fenric."Take it off." Her words were quiet, but it seemed Fenric heard them just fine.He looked down at her carefully, like someone who didn't know whether they were dreaming, or whether what they were hearing was real.But Rovari was sure. She wanted him. All of him."I- are you sure?" Fenric muttered, his voice tinged with desire."I'm sure." She replied simply, her hands wrapping around the hem of his pants once again as she helped him to undress.She could feel her heartbeat quicken as she looked upon his naked body. He was beautiful—his muscles and scars, his hips, his stomach...He looked like he belonged in a painting, but somehow he belonged right here, right now, as well.Rovari saw her chance and decided to take it. Sitting up, she pushed Fenric back slightly and lowered her head down to his lap.She flicked her eyes up to him, as if searching for approval, before running her tongue over him, the taste of him slightly salty against her tongue.He gasped quietly, and she heard his hands fumble as they gripped at the sheets beneath him.She could feel him growing harder against her mouth, and the sight of his pleasure made her heart race even more.Rovari felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach once again as she took him into her mouth.He was far too large to take all of him in her mouth, but she didn't let that stop her. She took what she could of him and slowly slid her lips up and down along his length.She looked up at him once again, watching his reaction as her mouth moved along him. She wanted to know—to know if she was good enough for him.What she couldn't know just from looking at Fenric was that she was so much better than good enough.She was everything.As Fenric gazed down at her, her head bobbing slowly up and down along him, his eyes were filled with a deep, desperate love.She felt his hands run through her hair, fingers curling against her scalp. She felt him play with her horns with one hand, while the other traveled towards her tail, grasping it at the base.His gaze never left hers. His eyes bore into her, and his desire for her only seemed to grow with each passing second.Rovari couldn't help but moan slightly around him at his touch. She'd always been sensitive in those spots, but right now it was like the feeling would make her go crazy. It was everything she'd ever desired, yet like nothing she'd ever imagined.She pulled away from his tip to breathe for a moment, and Fenric pulled her up by the chin enough to kiss her.Their tastes lingered on each of their lips, but neither of them minded. They were both so lost in each other, that there was nothing else but this moment in time."You're... incredible." Fenric muttered between breaths."You are a dream I never want to wake up from." He continued, staring deeply into her eyes before glancing downwards."I didn't want to rush you into anything... I thought I'd be able to take it slower than this but I...""Rovari, can I... would you like to..."He seemed to struggle with the right words for a moment, before reaching down and brushing some of her hair out of her eyes."Can I... have you? Totally and completely, I want you in every way I can."And at that moment, Rovari could feel something inside her. A sensation that she'd never experienced before, but she knew what it was—a longing, a need.A desire.She knew she wanted to feel this man inside of her—to feel his love for her, to feel him move inside of her, to know he belonged to her, and she belonged to him."...Please." She whimpered, and the sound of it made Fenric's eyes widen."Are you sure?""I... I am. Please, Fenric."She was sure. She had never been more sure about anything in her life.
With that, Fenric leaned in to kiss her as he wrapped his arms around her.Soon enough she was on her back once again, and Fenric kneeled between her open legs. He slid his fingers over her, causing her to let out a small gasp as her head spun with heat and pleasure."I'll take it slow, okay?" Fenric muttered, his voice gentle as he looked into her eyes.She gave a small nod—it was all she could manage as she watched him above her, his penis just inches from her entrance.He positioned himself at the opening of her body, and she felt him slowly press inside of her. The sensation was a mix of pleasure and a slight bit of pain, and Rovari couldn't help but moan as she felt him fill her up.He paused for a moment, letting her adjust to the feeling of him inside of her, before pushing slightly deeper.She looked down at the place where they were connected to see that not even half of him had entered her."You're so much... bigger than I expected..." She muttered, her heart beating rapidly as he slowly pushed in more and more, inch by inch.She hadn't meant to have said that aloud. She wanted to hide her face in embarrassment at how dirty it had sounded, but it seemed that Fenric didn't mind."Bear with it a little longer... I promise I will make you feel good." He murmured, and her heart fluttered at his words.Finally, he was fully inside of her, and she couldn't help but let out a small whimper at the feeling of him inside of her.His pelvis was pressed firmly against hers as he reached down to cup her cheek in his hand."Are you alright?" He asked quietly, his face flushed and his mouth agape.She nodded, and Fenric slowly pulled out of her, causing her to let out a quiet moan at the sensation of him sliding against her walls.She could feel the way he pulsated and twitched inside of her—and gods, she felt so full.Fenric began to thrust in and out of her, slowly at first, making sure at every moment that she was alright with what he was doing.And with every thrust she could feel herself growing warmer and warmer. She could feel that tension, that pressure inside of her building once again, and she began to whimper slightly as she gripped at the sheets with one hand.His movements sped up as her pleasure heightened, and the slight pain of before was nothing more than a memory as she lost herself in the feeling of him inside of her.Rovari's eyes fluttered closed as her entire body tensed up, and then she felt it—the building pressure, the sensation of her walls squeezing around him, the heat and the pleasure that spread from her center throughout her entire body.It was overwhelming and addicting and she wanted more and more and more.As she rode through wave after wave of pleasure, she felt Fenric move inside of her, and as he hit a particularly sensitive spot, she gasped.She could feel his hot breath on her neck as he leaned down to kiss her, his hips thrusting at a rapid pace as he moved in and out of her."You're... so tight... I..." He muttered between breaths, his words growing more and more slurred as she wrapped her legs around his waist to push him deeper.That only drove him further to the edge, and as she felt him twitch inside of her, she knew he was close."Rovari... I'm so close, I'm going to..." Fenric groaned against her neck, and his voice made her moan even more.As she looked up into his eyes, her hands tracing over his scars absentmindedly, she saw a fire burning deep within them."You can... you can finish inside of me..." She murmured, and Fenric looked back at her with wide eyes."Are you... are you sure?" He asked quietly."Please..." She responded.That was all it took to drive him over the edge.With one final thrust, Fenric let out a strangled moan and he pushed himself as deep inside of her as possible as his entire body shuddered.As she felt the warmth of him inside of her, her entire body shuddered too, and she felt another wave of heat wash over her.

She felt him fall on top of her, his heavy breathing in her ear as he slid his arms around her and rolled them both over to their sides.The room was quiet—so quiet, apart from the sounds that escaped the pair of them. Their breathy gasps, the soft rustling of the sheets, the sound of her heartbeat echoing loudly in her ears...Rovari found herself curling into Fenric's chest, her head resting on his shoulder as he pulled the covers up over them."Rovari, you...""I swear, you are the most addicting person I've ever met."And just like that, drowsiness began to set in. The room felt warm, and his arms felt even warmer.Rovari could hear his heart beat in his chest, and it echoed her own.She curled closer to him, her tail wrapping around his thigh as she rested her hand against his chest, right over his heart, and fell into a deep sleep.