Forbidden Love (IronStrange)

2.3

Summer, The Year Of Our Lord 1628
Stark Castle, Stark Lordship, Isle Of Stone, a province of King Edward 1
Stephen

I tap on Tony's study door before entering. Within, the lord himself is draped across his chair reading a long roll of parchment. He's wearing a finely cut red tunic that tightens around his waist and flares out in a sort of hourglass shape that accents his curves over black pants. It looks good on him.

Not that I stare or anything.

He looks up as I enter and throws the parchment aside. "You visited the seamstress?" Tony asks, shifting so that he's actually sitting in the chair. He looks me over like he's imagining outfits on me.

"Yes, sir. It was..." I can't find words to describe the speed and expertise with which the team of six works. Tony smiles.

"Seamstress Keisha does do a good job. I'll have to give her a pay raise. But first, I'm introducing you to the castle. Remember, you're a part of the vampire-human peace group. We'll have the rest of your clan visit sometime soon as a show of good faith. For now, it's just you and I working on having peace between the species. Although, I'm curious. Which clans or groups would I need to talk to to form an actual treaty?"

"That is arguable. The Ancient Clan probably won't want peace, and they're the largest clan. The Forest Clan wants peace, their leader is Char Ledivis. I don't speak much Seatalk, but their leader is a man named Argent Vashun. Star Clan is still regrouping from the attack eleven years ago, I received word two weeks ago that an old friend of mine had become leader and retaken Darkhall, a lovely thought. Now, I want to meet the others in the castle." I manage to avoid over sharing how much I know and how I know that Darkhall was reclaimed. Tony nods thoughtfully, turning the names I had given him in his mind.

I don't speak the whole truth, but if he knew my brother was the one who had killed his mother, and that said brother is leader of Star Clan, it would be war. I can't be the one who starts that. I want peace, if such a thing is possible, so I follow him down the stairs.

He smiles at me in a comfortable, friendly way when we reach the Great Hall. He then leads me up to a set of slightly fancier chairs and taps one.

"Sit. Dinner starts in twenty turns and then I'll introduce you to the people." Tony pats my hand and sits down in the middle chair, which is only slightly larger than the others. It doesn't match the descriptions of the Stark Lord's seat I've heard about. Tony notices my look.

"I got rid of that horrendous throne thing. Some people were surprised." He chuckles to himself and watches four people walk in. He has a cute laugh. Of the four people, I recognize Pepper and Steve, but the other two I don't know. They all walk up to Tony and one with fiery red hair whispers something to him.

He nods calmly and says, "I'll explain later." The four seem satisfied and walk to chairs on either side of he and I. Tony leans over to tap my armrest.

"The three you don't know are Natasha, Steve, and Rhodey. I'll introduce you later."

"I've already met Steve." Tony nods like that doesn't surprise him and settles back to watch another group enter the hall.

This group is larger, six or seven people. I note the two black men conversing, a tall blond man talking energetically to a young boy and a red skinned man, and two young girls speaking to a werewolf with a metal limb. They sit at a table on the far right of the hall. More people fill in the other three tables as Tony stands.

"My people, good evening. I have very important news for you. I have decided to make peace with the vampires." An outbreak of murmuring. "And, as a symbol of my good intent, I have invited the leader of the vampire clan Sky Clan to stay here," Tony finishes, gesturing to me. I stand and bow before sitting back down. Steve stands up as whispers erupt.

"This is foolish. Do you not remember what happened to your father? Why would you invite the things that killed your mother here?"

"Father attacked the vampires and they defended themselves. Mother's death was part of a large misunderstanding that I intend to resolve." Tony and Steve have a quick silent conversation before Steve sits, eyeing me suspiciously. "Now, my people, let us eat." The first course is served as Tony sits down.

"I don't think everyone likes that idea, Tony," I whisper.

"Shh. They'll get used to you."

"If they don't?"

"Too bad for them. They will have to deal, soon enough they will be living with vampires as their equals."

I look over the hall. The young boy and the girls are looking at me and whispering, their heads close together. The tall blond is speaking quietly to the black men and the brown wolf. Several other people are talking together, some whispering, some arguing. My presence appears unwelcome to the majority, but the boy and girls merely look curious.

Tony smiles at me and settles back in his chair as though people are not glaring at me like they want to shoot arrows from their eyes.