Forbidden Love (IronStrange)

3.1

Early fall, The Year Of Our Lord 1628
Darkhall, Delanor Lordship, Isle Of Stone, a province of King Edward II
Stephen

Even with my bat form, it takes me a day and a half to reach the mountains of my youth. I land slowly, shifting forms as I do. The familiar woman guarding the gates of Darkhall gasps when she sees me.

"Stephen! Victor was so worried about you! Come, come, he'll be delighted to know you are safe," Aunt Mara says, reaching for my arm.

"Mara, I need to speak to Victor immediately. It's important. The Iron Man is coming. I'm the only one who knows what he's planning and I have to tell Victor." Mara nods, gesturing for me to follow her as she runs inside. We go through the halls and caverns I know so well before reaching the main feasting hall.

"Victor! Your brother has returned, and he has urgent news!" Mara yells. A tall man stands at the head of the table and I have to smile at the sight of my brother, his elegant seven foot frame towering over the rest of us. He quickly walks toward me, his jet black hair swept back in a way that suits him, his red eyes worried.

"Stephen? What happened?" He asks, grabbing me on the forearm right below my elbow in traditional greeting. I grab his arm in return.

"I need to speak with you in private. Please." He nods quickly, calling for everyone else to continue eating. He then leads me to a small study a few halls down.

"Stephen, what's going on? I heard you were courting the Iron Man?" I sigh, shaking my head and collapsing into his arms. It feels good to be held by my brother again. He kisses my forehead, holding me close.

"His name is Tony. He's sweet and kind and is usually pretty forgiving. Unless we go back to his mother's death. He found out who I was, and by extension who you were, and now he's coming here to kill you," I cry, letting Victor hold me. He sighs, a long, deep, world-weary sigh.

"We need to evacuate the others if he's coming here. Come on," Victor says finally, putting an arm around my shoulders. "You stay in here. As soon as I get everyone to the secret exit in the dungeons, I'll come back. But stay in here. Even if the Iron Man himself knocks on the door, don't open it." He gives me a hug, then walks out. I sniff, nervously sitting down in a chair. I hear footsteps going past and calls of, "Everybody out as fast as possible!"

Almost an hour later, Victor comes in, looking rather frazzled.

"Some people didn't want to go. Have you ever tried to convince a two thousand year old that she cannot fight the Iron Man with a crossbow and a cane? It's hard." He sits down, patting his leg. I move to sit in his lap, letting him pet my hair.

"I'm going to protect you, okay? That's my job as your big brother. You're gonna be fine. I'll keep you safe. In a few minutes, you should change into something traditional." His hand makes steady runs through my hair as he speaks, calming me down. But right now I don't want his hand in my hair, I want the warm hand of the human I fell in love with.

I want Tony.

I want us.

I want to be safe and happy with the man I love.