Helion & Lady Of Autumn | Brief Interactions Series By Lysanderwrites

confrontation

Context: two days after the High Lord meeting in the Dawn Court.

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Brief Interactions 1/5 - Helion and Lady Of The Autumn Court.

Possible spoilers.
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The sun rose into a dreary morning sky, the mist from the previous night slowly dissipating into the distant gardens and forests. Helion sat on the smooth steps of his provided chambers, one leg slightly elevated, an arm resting on that knee as he surveyed the gardens, exhaling with a hangover and fatigue from the High Lords' meeting two days prior. As the sun climbed higher, his golden aura shimmered even more, highlighting his tan skin and radiant hair.

His chambers were directly connected to the extravagant gardens, filled with a variety of lovely flowers and plants. Despite the vast emptiness and the morning's silence, Helion suspected watchful eyes were always on him. Nevertheless, a sudden motion in his peripheral vision caught his attention, causing him to straighten and tense as the figure came into focus.

A small, light grey and orange figure walked nearby, incredibly close. Mere feet away, their back turned to him as they carried a small wicker basket filled with carefully plucked and trimmed flowers of various kinds and colors. They wore slippers, and over their small shoulders, a dark brown cloak concealed what appeared to be a nightgown, clearly in a hurry to avoid other visitors and courts.

Helion slowly sat up, a smooth smile gracing his handsome face as he spoke, startling the other person so much that they dropped the wicker basket. "Good morning," he said, his ember-hued eyes flickering down to the basket as the Lady of The Autumn Court knelt to gather the spilled flowers, scarcely making eye contact as she quickly collected them. "I didn't realize anyone else was out here," she said curtly.

Helion approached in two large strides, kneeling just as she stood, gathering the remaining flowers into one hand. He turned his gaze up to her, still kneeling. She didn't make eye contact, simply gripping the basket with white knuckles and staring out at the garden. Helion rose and placed the rest of the flowers into her basket, then looked out at the garden. "It's lovely. I'm surprised he let you out for a stroll," he remarked, bitterness lacing his words.

She made to leave, turning abruptly, but felt her arm catch in his hand and froze. Slowly, she turned her head and glared down at his hand before lifting weak, tired eyes to meet his glowing ones. Before she could speak, he did. "How much longer?" he whispered. She tore her arm away, huffed, fixed her cloak, and turned to walk a few feet. However, his voice called out and cut through the air, causing her to pause once again.

"How much longer until you'll let me save you."

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She turned and stared at him blankly, emotions filling her but nothing verbalized. Helion's smile faded, and he pocketed his hands, tilting his head slightly to the side, the sun catching against his gold armbands. "How much longer?" he asked again. She huffed, looked around, then back at him, her arms hanging limp at her sides. "You're ridiculous. What you speak of, it isn't even a possibility. I have a family now," she said, almost spitting the words.

Helion frowned. "I wouldn't call them that. His glamour doesn't hide everything," he gestured toward her bare arms, hidden beneath her cloak but covered in bruises and nail marks. She defensively covered herself and shrank in posture. "What do you want me to say, Helion," she whispered, her voice crumbling. Helion approached with quick strides and grabbed her by both arms, gently, without harming her, and she never flinched or feared him.

"I want you to tell me to kill him and set you free. Tell me you don't love him. Let me save you."

Her eyes were wide, tears lining her waterline but never falling, her hands still dangling at her sides as she stared up at his face. "I don't love him," her voice wavered but her gaze remained steadfast. "But his sons do, and despite it all, I love them. I wouldn't take their father from them, even if he is the source of my pain." She looked down, scooting away from Helion and breaking his grasp as she did so. "Please, I just want to be left alone. I don't want to start a war or bring death upon anyone."

Helion's hands relaxed at his sides, mirroring her posture as he sighed a long, drawn-out sigh.

"You know I'd kill him a hundred times if you'd only ask."

Her response was simple, "I know."

Helion whispered, "I love you."

And she replied, "I know."

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