☽ Thea ☾

When Rhys turned to face her Thea could have sworn she saw a smile tug at the corner of his lip. Is he happy to see me? Or is he just happy im not someone else? Leaving his sword behind sticking from the ground he approached her.

"I'm guessing you heard the news?" He asked, hans shoved in his pockets. Thea fumbled with the leather bracelet that hung from left wrist. She gritted her teeth.

“Yes, I heard.” She tired hard to stay calm. “I managed to get away before being seen, and wound up out here.” She told him, though he probably wouldn’t care. From behind Rhys, Thea peered around him and watched as a servant approached with large stallion.

“Your horse, my lord.” The man spoke, handing off the reins to Rhys. The sight of the beast made Thea realize that her own horse was still at the castle, under the rule of a tyrant. Her heart began to pound in her chest. If something happens to him I swear to the gods, I wont ever forgive myself. The scent of hay and horse filled her nose and images of her Shire being all alone filled her head. He’s the tallest horse in the royal stables, standing at a height of 18.5 hands. His bay pelt fading from near black to brown down towards his legs. His mane and tail are the color of ebony, while white, long, hair covers his feet. He has large deep brown eyes and a white stripe that runs down the length of his face between them. Thea felt like crying at the thought of him being there all alone.

When the servant left Rhys turned his attention back to her.

"Eager to get away for a bit? I don't want to linger while Amora is here." He suggested. Thea nodded.

“Yes. I’m not sure I can stand being here much longer while she’s here.” She responded. Accepting his help onto the horse she sat right at the base of his neck. Running a hand down the side of his warm neck she allowed herself, just for a moment, to forget her life was falling apart around her.

With the click of his tongue and a swift nudge they were off, galloping off to someplace unknown to her. With each bound farther away from the Devonshire house, Thea felt like she could breathe a little easier.

"So, the Delarosa family is now the new royal family. True that they lots of allies, but they also have enemies." Rhy’s spoke in hushed words as they rode on. "Keep your facade as Clare and keep it well, my lady. Only reveal your true identity only to those you completely trust."

To those you completely trust, she repeated in her mind. Who could she completely trust besides the Devonshire family? And even then dark thought doubt crept into her mind, telling her the Devonshire family was just using her, and at any moment they would turn her over to the Delarosa’s, and she would be executed, written off as an unfortunate casualty in the fight for justice, or some bullshit like that.

Thea was quite the whole ride to their destination. Which happened to be an apple orchard.

"Princess Amora is quite...determined...to gain my hand in marriage," He spoke, seeming to relax as she did, but his voice didn’t mirror that. My condolences, she thought.

"and I can understand why she's persistent." He grabbed an apple from an overhanging branch, taking a bite from its red flesh. "After the whole incident, her family's wealth has decreased significantly. Not only that, they don't have the full support of the people. With the marriage between Devonshire and Delarosa, it'll benefit both major issues." She looked over her shoulder at him and caught the large frown that seemed to be a common feature for him, along with a look of annoyance.

"I'm worried about Icas and Edward when they hit the adult age. Who knows if she'll target them next." His worried tone was evident. Thea sighed, reaching up to grab an apple that hung above her head. She rolled it between her hands as she spoke,

“Amora Delarosa may be crazy and unpredictable, but one thing has been clear for a long time. Its you who she wants.” Thea glanced at him, “ Her greed for power and status may be stong, but I doubt she will go after your brothers when they become of age. If she were to not get you, in her mind your brothers are second best, and Amora Delarosa does not do second best,” She gave him a slight smile, hoping that would maybe sooth some of his concerns.

Thea rolled the apple between her palms unsure of how he would answer to that, if at all.

Warmth crept up her skin, and she heard the intake of breath. An almost purring sound came from Rhys

"It smells like...paradise. Like Heaven itself has blessed me with such a loving scent." His words caused her to turn, and heat to trail up her cheeks. Her heart thudded against her ribs and she was suddenly very aware how close they were. She met his eyes with complete shock, her mouth hanging slightly open, she had no words to say to that. As if suddenly realizing what he was doing, Rhys jerked back so hard he nearly fell off the horse. "I-I'm sorry, Th-Clare. I didn't mean to. Really."He spoke. Their cheeks matching in a bright shade of red. She was slightly taken aback by the name he called her. Clare. Thea glanced around, making sure no one saw what just happened.

“It-its ok,” She wasn’t quite sure what to say. She turned back around, no longer able to face him, keeping her eyes pinned to the spot between the horses ears.

Rhys was a trembling mess behind her in the saddle, and he barely gets a good grip on the reins. His heart wasn't settling down either, including the redness on his cheek, and he gulps a bit. He doesn't know what was going on with him at this point. But what's certain is that he most certainly wants Thea, and the blush in return could be a sign that she too longs for him. Would it be a foolish decision to ask her such a question? A question that she likes him so he can easily say that he likes her back? His brows lower, yet not into a frown instead of curiosity and worry. Two-colored eyes went back to the woman in front of her, taking in her beauty that's still there despite the changes done.

Could he truly be in love with his childhood friend? Maybe he does, although he's currently too afraid to act upon it. Something needs to be done with it all, as his heart cannot handle the strange feelings anymore. If he was Amora's first picked, then what is he towards Thea? All these questions that he's afraid to find the answer to are highly unlike him. Rarely does the young man ever get afraid; unless it's women and parties, then that's understandable. Being around Thea doesn't make him afraid, just extra nervous and sweaty palms on his calloused hands.

"I hope so, Clare." A name that he's trying to teach his mind to say, although he hates it since it wasn't Thea's true name. He doesn't know what, but Thea is better suited to say instead of the fake name. Maybe it's something that he's grown used to? No, he wasn't too sure. "Clare, I have a...personal...question, if you don't mind me asking." Inhaling sharply, the pupils in his eyes shriveling. "I'm not sure what my feelings are towards this woman, but when I'm around her, I don't feel nervous. She makes me feel happy to be around her," eyes shooting straight ahead and his adam's apple bobbed, "and I think it's called love. However, I'm afraid that she doesn't love me back and is out of my league. She's funny, stubborn, determined, and honestly, the only one who could make me smile."

"Since you're a woman, I'm seeking advice on what I should do to win her affections." He was too fearful to gaze down at the woman in front of him and secretly hopes she wouldn't catch on who he's talking about. Before he could talk further, he hears hooves racing their way, and he quickly regains full composure to face whoever it was approaching. "Brother Rhys. Lady Clare." A familiar voice sets him at ease, but he didn't let his guard down too much.

Gazing over his shoulder to stare back at Icas, who was riding his black Thoroughbred with a familiar Shire in tow on a lead. "I managed to retrieve the horse father ordered me to get," Icas says with a cheeky grin on his face, "let's just say that I have to come up with a couple of lies to retrieve the horse." Icas tosses the reins to Rhys, and the man catches it to hold onto. "Rhys has missed Thea dearly, so he wants to have her horse to remember her by." Rhys stops his horse for Thea to climb off and helps her down onto the ground to reunite with her steed.

"Thank you, brother. I'm sure that Thea would be overjoyed that I have her prized horse." A hint of playfulness in his tone since Thea was standing right next to them, and he tilts his head. "Is that witch gone yet?" He asks, which made Icas chuckle in amusement. "If you mean Amora, then yes. If you're talking about our mother, then no." That most certainly made Rhys cackle, eyes glisten. "Well, tell the others that we won't be back until later. I'm allowing dear Clare to borrow my other horse so we can keep on riding." Icas nods his head and clicks his tongue. He steers the horse in the direction of the estate, and off the two go.

"Now that your horse has returned to you safely, princess. Would you care to go out on a ride to the lake?" He scoots himself properly onto the saddle, ignoring the cold feeling on his chest now that she was gone. "We have a small cottage that my father rarely goes to during his hunting endeavors." Creating an excuse to change the topic that he originally wanted to discuss with her. Although he was having the feelings of regret on hastily changing it, and in his mind was relieved that Icas appeared when he did. "Be mindful that wolves and other predators are roaming about," patting the sword on his hip and the bow with a couple of arrows he always stores on his saddle, "but if anything comes our way. I'll protect you. Unless I miss the shot, and you call me Bear or Wolf instead of Quail from now on." He was still holding onto his distastefulness towards the nickname, but he didn't want to make her feel bad, so he kept quiet.

"So, Clare. Any other suitors that caught your eye?" A question that he's always been meaning to asks ever since the news got shared with him. If there was and the feeling between her and the other suitor was mutual. He would break off the betrothal, but this time was completely different. Rhys wants them together, even if it means that he's got to eliminate the competition.

☽Thea ☾

Clare, a strange almost ache filled her heart when he called her that. It was like he was talking to a different person.

"Clare, I have a...personal...question, if you don't mind me asking." Panic began to rise in Thea when he asked that. Her mind began creating all different kinds of things he could ask.

"I'm not sure what my feelings are towards this woman, but when I'm around her, I don't feel nervous. She makes me feel happy to be around her," Thea blinked confused. What?

"and I think it's called love. However, I'm afraid that she doesn't love me back and is out of my league. She's funny, stubborn, determined, and honestly, the only one who could make me smile."

"Since you're a woman, I'm seeking advice on what I should do to win her affections."

He’s talking about another woman? Thea was afraid to turn around to face him. She wasn’t sure how to respond, it came out of no where.

“Uhh-” She started.

"Brother Rhys. Lady Clare." A male voice came from somewhere, interrupting her thoughts. She looked around to find someone approaching on a horse, with another in tow.

"I managed to retrieve the horse father ordered me to get," Once the boy got closer, she recognized him as Icas. Rhys’s younger brother. Anything else said between them fell of deaf ears. Her eyes fell upon a familiar face.

“Ballard” She said in a hushed disbelief. She slid off Rhys’s horse and Approached Ballard, quicker than she meant to. Her horse threw his head in wariness.

“Shhh, shhh, its ok, its ok.” She spoke calmly with both hand in front of her, palms out.

“Its me,” She stared into his big brown eyes, and recognition showed in the horses eyes. He calmed and walked up to Thea, pressing his nose against her palms.

“Your ok!” Thea couldn’t believe it. She wrapped her arms around his face hugging him. She took in his scent, his warmth. He shifted from foot to foot, and Thea released his face. She was so afraid when she saw him that he wouldn’t recognise her. She didn’t even recognise her. But beneath all the outer appearance, she was still the same, she still smelled the same. Which is why he probably recognized her. She took hold of his reins as he nuzzled her hair.

"Now that your horse has returned to you safely, princess. Would you care to go out on a ride to the lake?" Thea turned to look at Rhys, who she may or may not have momentarily forgotten was there.

“That sounds lovely,” She said, then turned back to Ballard. She clicked her tongue, holding out her hand to him, “Down,” She clicked her tongue again and slowly brought her hand lower to the ground. Following her movements Ballard began to kneel. When he was fully on the ground Thea walked over to his side, climbing onto his bare back. She leaned forwards grabbing onto a lock of his hair, “Up,” She spoke. In a quick movement Ballard stood. She now sat taller than Rhys on his horse. It was almost laughable but she kept that urge in check. A cottage by the lake sounded like a great escape.

"Be mindful that wolves and other predators are roaming about," She nodded, but wasn’t too worried about animals. She was more wary of man than animals.

"but if anything comes our way. I'll protect you. Unless I miss the shot, and you call me Bear or Wolf instead of Quail from now on." Thea chuckled at his remark.

“Never my lord, you are forever known to me as Quail.” She knew he probably hated the nickname but she couldn’t change it now.

"So, Clare. Any other suitors that caught your eye?" The questing completely threw Thea for a loop. She gripped Ballard’s mane when he asked, causing Ballard to shake his head. She released her grip on his mane all together and leaned back, laying on his back while he walked on.

“Lord Rhys you wound me,” She half joked, looking away from him.

“Men who only want to get close to me for my title disgust me,” She made a face at the thought of the roses and perfume that they always presented as gifts. “I hate roses,” she mumbled.

“No one wants to marry a princess for love, theres always some ulterior motive behind it, even if it is for diplomatic security, or an alliance, I wont allow myself to marry just because of that.” She sighed and sat up, “So to answer your question, no. There are no suitors that caught my eye.” She clicked her tongue and put some pressure on Ballards neck, letting him know to pick up the speed.