After the Lie

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 16th June 2020

Characters: Bryvin, Yriadha
Description: Bryvin reveals what he told Brina
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 2, day 8 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Brina
Takes place after "The Look Of Our Family"

Bryvin

Yriadha

She wasn't surprised to be summoned to Bryvin's office the next
morning. After leaving Yavin with her eldest daughter and her brood,
Yriadha faced his office door with a straight face that hid her
intense worry over her son. What had he told Lady Brina? She
rapped lightly and at the murmured reply, entered into the office and
closed the door behind her. "You asked for me, my Lord?"

"Yes," he nodded and waved a dismissal at the under steward who'd
brought him some papers he'd just finished signing. His eyes followed
the young man until he was gone and the door shut behind him.
"Relax," he smiled at Yriadha and in the same airy manner waved her to
one of the chairs across from him. "Lady Brina recognized the look of
our family in Yavin. But we're fine, she bought my story."

She sat as directed, folding her hands in her lap. "The family
resemblance is getting more obvious as he gets older. " It was
something that she'd noticed early on. "What story did you give her?"

"Yes it is," he acknowledged the point. "I told her I had a time of
weakness with your cousin Ma... I cut myself off there. That she was
dark and lovely and I couldn't resist. But at the time I thought to
break it off it was already too late. That I wouldn't allow you to
terminate her pregnancy but sent her to live away from the hold with a
cadre of drudges to take care of her."

Yriadha listened and slowly nodded. Bryvin had protected her as best
as he could, as he said he would. He had privately acknowledged him to
his family, which was also important and would potentially provide for
Yavin in the future. But there was a deep ache that thrummed in her
chest. For Yavin's own well-being, she would never be able to hear him
call her mother; for his sake, she would have to ignore that selfish
desire. "Very well. It's a believable enough story. If asked, I'll
simply say that I'd rather not speak of it."

He could see her pain in the way she held herself and he reached out
to her. "Beauty, come here," he said.

Her first impulse was to resist that summons and she sat stiffly, face
carefully blank. Then feeling the pull of him she rose and walked
around the desk, just taking his hand. "Yes?"

He rarely explained himself to anyone giving them only the information
they needed to perform their functions. There were very few people he
actually trusted. "I have taken a step to ensure Yavin's future. My
sister now knows that he is my son and I love him. Why does this make
you unhappy?"

"It does not. I am pleased that Yavin's future is being secured and
that your family is aware of your attachment and that you care for
him. " She replied quietly. "I am relieved that I no longer have to
shield him from your sister out of fear of discovery and I am certain
that he'll be protected by her should the need arise." She squeezed
his hand lightly. "Thank you."

"Then tell me what is distressing you," he said, pulling her gently
into his lap.

"My Lord, the door isn't locked." She didn't relax against him and
there was a tightness around her shoulders and eyes that didn't ease
at his gentleness. But then she closed her eyes; there was no evidence
of tears under her lashes, she was far too restrained at the moment to
allow that to happen, but there was a dull ache in her next words. "He
can never call me 'mother' now."

"It will not open until I call," he smiled slowly. Then he pulled her
a little closer. "I know it's hard but children call their foster
mothers mama all the time. It's not that far from Titi, to Mimi and
mama. People will assume he's just using the words he hears from other
children. The creche workers get a kick out of him calling me Milo."
He chuckled.

He didn't know. He could never know. She wasn't his foster mother,
though many assumed she was. It was just a word, she reasoned, and
Faranth knew that she had thought about it since his birth. Her mind
accepted it. Her heart was another matter. "You're right of course."

He knew that and he knew she didn't really believe him. But at this
point he'd take the lip service even if she still held onto her anger
and hurts. "Well, I'd like you to bring him back to the creche Beauty.
I can't visit you right now, you know this."

She finally looked him in the face, visibly balking at the request.
Her immediate instinct was to tell him no, that she would decide where
he spent his days. She'd been making the majority of the decisions
regarding his care since his birth. But, she had to tell herself, he
was right and he couldn't visit him privately. Perhaps not for a
while. Which also meant that she was unlikely to spend any time
resting in his arms either. Visibly struggling, she exhaled slowly,
unclenching a fist that she didn't realize she had tightened. "Very
well. But I would like assurances that that stupid little bovine will
never be allowed in his presence again."

Bryvin felt his shoulders relax slightly. "Thank you," he said,
acknowledging her right to her opinion in the matter of their son.
Then he nodded. "I promise you that both Brina and I have agreed that
Lady Ofelle should not visit the creche again. She will be found a
husband, far away from here." His arm tightened around her waist. "A
pity we can't have you moved into Danrina's old suite." That suite
with it's secret passage connecting to his own rooms was currently
occupied by one of the young ladies and he'd locked the passage to
keep it from being inadvertently discovered.

Yriadha's brows rose in surprise at the suggestion and felt a sudden
surge of warmth. The thought of having him in her arms in the
evenings, even if it were not for the entire night, was a welcome one.
Slowly, she lifted one hand and trailed it over his cheek, her thumb
brushing across his jawline in a rare display of open affection. "I
should like that very much." She spoke softly and relaxed in his
embrace, now leaning against him. "I miss having you beside me in the
evenings. Perhaps...another room for the girls could be arranged. If
my Lord is amenable."

"Your current suite is larger. Though I imagine you could retain the
office." He smiled and held her against him. He had missed her. Missed
the warmth she'd never show in public. "Perhaps this would be a
selling point for you to give up your better suite to one of the
ranking ladies. Arrange it however you will Beauty," he said and
kissed her.

With a sigh, she melted into his arms immediately, fingers cupping his
cheeks before threading into his hair. She slowly pulled away, her
face close to his and slowly traced her fingers over his cheekbones,
down his jawline and then to his lips. The expression on her face was
surprisingly soft, dark eyes gentle and warm. "I've missed you,
Bryvin." Her fingertips lightly traced over the line of his lips as
she spoke quietly, just for his ears. "My beloved Lord..." She kissed
his lower lip gently, then the upper.

"My Beauty," he growled and took possession of her mouth.

Last updated on the September 29th 2020

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After the Lie