A laugh burst from Tirian before he could stop it, low, loud, and rough enough to shatter the tension that was between them only a moment ago.
"Scared?" he repeated, incredulous, his eyes locking onto Orielle's. Amusement flickered there, sharp and sincere. "Of you, little fox? Hardly."
Her brows lifted slightly, as if she hadn't quite expected that reaction. "little... fox?..." She whispered confused.
He leaned closer, lowering his voice, the laughter fading into something quieter. "Though I'll admit," he added, a crooked smile tugging at his mouth, "this isn't exactly the field I normally battle on." He huffed softly. "Here I was thinking I'd need to carefully bring it up… but you seem rather eager."
The words were teasing, almost playful, but beneath them his thoughts tangled. How does she always catch me off guard? he wondered, surprised to realize he was smiling as he thought it.
Orielle's smile widened, nervousness easing though it didn't disappear entirely. "Well... I've been waiting..." she admitted. Her voice was quiet but steady, honest in a way that left little room for doubt. "You've been… distant. I thought maybe you didn't like the idea of being near me... Eve when I wake up in the morning you're never there..."
She hesitated, eyes dropping for just a moment before lifting again. "But if you stayed away for my sake…" Her fingers twisted a stem of a flower she had picked. "Then you don't have to. I'm… I'm not scared of you. At least... not anymore."
The words made Tirian feel both at ease and a sense of discomfort. She's not scared of me? Truly? But even my own men...
He straightened slightly, resolve settling over him, remembering why he came here to begin with. "Then we'll do it," he said, voice firm now. "Tonight. Then the priests can stop their incessant nagging." He paused, then added, almost awkwardly, "Of course… if tonight works for you."
Orielle burst out laughing. "Oh, how unfortunate," she said with dramatic flair. "I already have plans tonight."
His smile fell instantly. "Oh." He frowned, missing the sarcasm entirely. "Then… we can try another night. I only thought tonight might be better, with the priests constantly—"
She laughed again, bending forward slightly, head dipping as she shook with it. "No—no," she managed between breaths. "I'll be there. I don't have plans."
She wiped at the corner of her eye, still smiling as she straightened. Tirian stepped closer, concern creasing his brow. "You don't have to cancel anything," he said quickly. "It can wait another night I'm sure..."
"I'd rather not," she replied, still grinning. "Tonight will work. I was only teasing you."
He tilted his head, studying her. "Ah. Teasing," he repeated slowly. "So your plans weren't that important then?"
She laughed again as she turned and started walking ahead of him, her voice floating back. "Not even a little."
He followed her closely watching her expression carefully, shaking his head faintly. Teasing, he thought. So tonight works then...?
Later the night
The wedding chamber was quiet that night.
Candles flickered softly, casting warm light across sheets and polished marble floors. Tirian stood on one side of the bed, Orielle on the other, the space between them feeling far larger than it actually was.
He'd faced monsters without hesitation. Led armies into battle without fear. Yet now his heart raced, hands clenching briefly at his sides.
I know this, he told himself, trying his best to calm his own heart. Yes... I've already been taught all this long ago. Though I didn't think much of it back then...
He glanced at Orielle. Her robe was wrapped tightly around her, fingers curled into the fabric on the sides. Her eyes betrayed her nerves, but there was resolve there too.
She's nervous as well. The thought made him feel relieved. Right... I'll just... have to be the one to start. He moved around the bed, stepping toward her slowly, deliberately. "Orielle," he said quietly. "We'll take this slow. Alright?"
She nodded, cheeks flushed, she took a small step closer. Her hands trembled slightly as she loosened her robe.
His breath caught. She's given me her trust, he realized sharply. I can't break that. He reached out, brushing his hand along her cheek, It's warm... and soft. watching her face closely for any sign of fear. His touch was careful, almost reverent.
Her gaze met his. A small, nervous smile curved her lips. She's still not scared. Something inside him steadied.
He leaned in, lips meeting hers in a tentative kiss, soft, cautious, testing. Her warmth startled him, her breath hitching slightly, and the sensation sent a jolt through him.
This isn't... what I expected, he thought, his hand sliding to the back of her neck, drawing her closer. The kiss deepened, still gentle, still mindful.
She didn't pull away. Orielle's hand moved, resting against his chest, fingers curling into the fabric of his own robe. Tirian pulled back just enough to look at her again, searching her expression.
Her face was flushed, breath uneven, but then she smiled, a reassuring, sincere smile that made him almost feel a sudden urgency to pull her closer.
He guided her to the bed, movements careful, the silence no longer heavy, just quiet. Fabric rustled softly as she settled on her knees, looking up at him.
Am I doing this right? he wondered, gripping her hand briefly. She squeezed back, grounding him. "If it's too much," he murmured, "you say so. Prophecy or not."
"I will," she replied softly. "But I trust you, Tirian." The knot in his chest loosened. And he placed a knee on the bed next to her, and he kissed her again. This time, it felt more comfortable, deep...
The night unfolded slowly—hesitant at first, awkward in places, but real. There was no rush, no expectation beyond what they shared willingly.
Next Morning
By dawn, the chamber was still.
Orielle slept beside him, breathing steady, one hand resting lightly on his chest. Tirian lay awake, staring at the ceiling, thoughts quieter than they'd been in a long time.
It's done, he thought. For the prophecy. For Eldoria...
His gaze drifted down to her peaceful face, and a faint smile escaped him.
Maybe… for us too.
Carefully, he brushed a kiss against her forehead. She stirred slightly but didn't wake.
This time, he didn't feel the need to pull away.