A Court of Chaos and Coral (Amren x Varian)

Chapter 10: Varian

The song of the chapter is:
Salvatore - Lana Del Rey

Amren had fallen asleep on his chest almost immediately after she had laid down. She now took tiny, slow breaths, that smelt like oak trees and lavender soap.

Rain relentlessly pattered down on the iron roof, creating a thunderous yet comforting sound. How Amren could sleep through it was beyond Varian. Though, he supposed, that was what happened when you slept on the floor of a forest in torrential downpour.

He still felt terrible for his reaction, despite Amrens forgiveness, and despite having a perfectly good reason for reacting so badly. There was so excuse, in his mind, that would forgive his behavior.

Varian ran a hand through Amren's dark hair, watching her eyelashes flutter. She took a longer breath, rolling over. Her hand reached around his neck. A long breath came from her mouth, but still she didn't wake. 

The sun would rise soon, and surely Varian should be back in Adriata. Perhaps the city needed time to handle themselves, and perhaps they would understand him taking a day of break before launching into repairs, but if neither were the case, he would hate to start his run as High Lord on a negative note.

~

Amren woke just after dawn with a groan. "Varian?" 

"Yes, my love?" He whispered.

"What time is it?"

Varian glanced at the wooden clock on the wall. "Six o'clock, why?"

She sighed as she sat up. "Shouldn't we be going back to Adriata?" 

Varian had come to a decision while Amren had slept. He was allowed to take this day off, spend it with his mate, and work after.

"It'll be fine. I have some things I have to talk about with you, anyway."

Amren frowned. "Like what?"

Varian gave her a smirk. "Baby names, hiring a nanny, looking into schools, all that kind of stuff."

"Varian!" She gave him a playful shove. "I'm serious."

"Nothing that can't wait." He assured her. 

"Just tell me, Var."

Varian sighed, and pulled her into his chest. "I never thought I would be High Lord. I thought Tarquin would meet some female, and they would have a child, and they would be heir, so I haven't really thought about it much. But, this is something I think is important."

"Spit it out, Varian, I could vomit at any moment." Amren snickered.

A knot of nervousness pulled at his chest. "I'd like you to move into the palace. With me. And I'd like you to be High Lady."

Amren sat upright. Many kinds of expressions crossed her face, until she settled on... hopeful.

"Really?" A small smile flitted across her lips.

"Really. But only If you want to."

Amren gave a considering look. "I'd like to. Too both things. I'm afraid I wouldn't be a very good High Lady, but if you would like me to be... then yes. Absolutely."

Varian beamed. "I hoped you would say that." 

~

The rain hadn't eased off while they had eaten the strange mix of foods Varian had found in the kitchen. They had chosen to eat by the window, watching the rain land on the stunning river the cabin was built half on.

Amren flopped against his shoulder. "I feel terrible."

Varian sighed, stroking her back. "How far along are you?"

"Two months. I would have told you sooner, but I only found out when we got to Dawn."

A frown crossed Varians face. "How did you know?"

"I'd generally been feeling awful, and I threw up a few times- I didn't tell you so that you wouldn't worry. Anyway, I asked Thesan about it in Dawn and he recommended I talk to a healer. So I found one in the palace."

"Why would you do that on your own? Not that I don't think you can't, but... you knew I would be happy."

Amren poked his chest. "I didn't want you to worry, which is what you are doing now."

"Did they tell you the gender?"

She shook her head. "No, but I have an inkling."

"What does that inkling say?"

Amren smiled softly. "I think it's a girl." 

"I always wanted a daughter." Varian breathed into her hair. "I know it's early days, but do you have any name ideas?"

"I do. But, I'm not telling you yet. I'm going to think about it, but I think we will know when we meet her."

"You'll be such a wonderful mother, Amren."