Kyliska made her way through Eversong Forest looking for Braeth’el. She had much she wished to discuss with him. She relished in the smell and the warmth of the woods. She took a deep breath taking it all in. She loved to take walks in the beautiful place that she called home. She had missed it during her time away. She made her way to a small secluded part of a beach where she found Braeth’el. He was taking some time to relax away from Sunfire Estate. He was wearing casual clothes and looked at ease with a fishing pole in his hand enjoying the quiet.
Kyliska smiled slyly as she walked closer to him and laid a towel on the sand not too far from him, being as quiet as she could. She removed the wrap that covered her, revealing a very small red bikini. She knew she had a nice body and she liked to show it off, especially in front of attractive males. She knew that he was attracted to her, but her goal was to find out if he felt something more for her or if they were just having some fun. Kyli then laid down on the towel and looked towards Braeth’el. “Hello.” she said softly. “I was looking for you, I want to discuss some things with you!”
Braeth’el leaned back in his chair, taking a moment to steady his line before glancing over at Kyliska from beneath the fishing hat he was wearing. His eyes ran up the length of her barely-clothed body for a moment before meeting her gaze, “Afternoon. This is normally where I take a bit of time to myself. Helps me clear my mind and think about things you know? We can chat here, but not too loudly or you’ll scare away the fish.”
Kyliska laughed lightly. “Sure I can be quiet. I do not know how you can spend so much time fishing, it bores the Light out of me!” She looked back to him trying to read him. He did look quite relaxed which was a good thing, he was very busy usually with the goings on at Sunfire Estate. She took a minute to appreciate looking at him. “So what are you out here thinking about today, hmm?”
He reeled in his line, taking the fishing pole and flicking it, his cast going far out into the surf beyond where they sat. He smiled a little, as if enjoying it all before he replied, “Well, I was thinking about some new recruits that need training, obtaining some more weapons and supplies for our covert strike team, and a few reports I need to get done. Now I’m thinking more about tanned skin and a sweet smile.”
Kyliska blushed slightly, glad she was having the right effect on him. “You are smooth Brae, very very smooth, I must give you that!” she started. “I know we have been spending a lot of time together, and I don’t want to ruin the fun that we have been having but I just wanted to ask you something.”
He nodded, reeling his line in again. It was empty, and it seemed that he might spend more time here just casting the line and thinking than actually catching anything, “Go ahead. I’m pretty sure whatever you say won’t ruin the fun we’ve already had. Fun comes and goes but memories make things stay with us, and I’m not likely to be forgetting you anytime soon, or ever. I’ve been here watching over you for much of your life.”
Kyliska took a deep breath and started. “Yes I know and you are very loyal and trustworthy. You have been such an asset to our House, and to me. I’m pretty sure you know that I have admired you for basically the entire time I have known you, and now to be with you, it’s like a dream to me.” She paused to think for a minute, looked down and then sat up and looked back to Braeth’el. “What do you think this is anyway? What we have been doing? Is it just having some fun, or something more would you say?”
He paused for a moment, looking out over the sea, “I’ve been watching over your House and family for many years. In that time, its come to be more than a job for me. When Tel’athar first offered me the chance to make something of my life, I swore I’d uphold his legacy. Over the years, I’ve watched you and your sister grow and change and face threats Tel’athar would never have imagined in his day. In many ways, the things we faced were simpler back then; some trolls, some monsters in tombs and the like. I’ve come to admire who and what you are, and what you’ve become.”
He fell silent for a bit, reeling in his line and casting it out again, “You’re not just one of the family members I’m watching over anymore. I don’t know what you’d call what we have, but I’ve had companions come and go. This is something else, and I’m not going anywhere. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to settle down with my career, but this is home and you’re a part of that to me.”
Kyliska sighed contentedly. “I am glad you feel that way Brae, because I feel the same. It started out as a silly little crush that I harbored for a very long time, but over the past few months I have felt that we have become something much more than that.” She stopped and stared out at the ocean towards his fishing line. “You are different than other Sin’dorei I have met. You make me feel things that others have not. I am just so happy right in this moment that I never want it to end.” She looked back to him and smiled. “I am glad that I am more than others that have been in your life as well…..”
“I’ve not settled down with anyone before, Kyli,” he said, casually reeling the line in again. “In my line of work, getting close to people is difficult and dangerous. Spies come and go, contacts come and go. Fact of the matter is you’re the first one I can think of that I know would stick around.”
He sent the line flying far out into the sea again, smiling at the cast and clearly at ease, “You and I are warriors in our own way. We fight, we go into danger. You understand what I do, and what that means. The two of us have an understanding that others could not possibly match when you get right down to it.”
Kyliska thought about his words for a moment. “You are right, we are very alike. I am also not going anywhere, and I love that you are here to help me out in my new role as Lady Sunfire. I do not think I could do this without you.” She stopped at her use of the word love, hoping that Braeth’el would not notice. She laid back down and turned over onto her stomach, releasing the string to let the top part of her bikini fall off. “I do not want tan lines, and I know you are a gentleman.” She purred. “There was something else I wished to discuss with you as well….” she let her words trail off as she let the warmth of the sun radiate her body.
Braeth’el grinned, waiting until Kyliska was settled in place before examining her rather pleasant rear in that tiny bikini, “You know it, Kyli. I could tell from the way you came out here and started talking about all of this that you had more on your mind. It’s a good place to get things off your chest...excuse the pun. What is troubling you?”
Kyliska giggled at his joke. “Well I do not know if this would interest you, but I have been giving it quite a lot of thought. I would like to give you a Title. I think you are more than deserving of one given your loyalty throughout the years. And just to be clear this is not because we are together, this is because you deserve it. If you want it that is.” she spoke with her head turned slightly towards him, trying to keep the conversation casual.
For a brief moment, Braeth’el looked surprised, turning to glance at her and study her expression. He reeled his line in, not casting it this time, “That is unexpected. The thing is, having a title will make my position somewhat more dangerous. People are going to know who I am. I imagine you are thinking about adding some sort of compensation or land along with such a thing?”
Kyliska nodded. “Of course I would compensate you with land if you wish it. I know you are staying at our Estate for now and my room a lot for that matter, but if you would like some land to call your own, that is perfectly acceptable!”
Braeth’el shook his head, “No, I have my own land purchased long ago with funds given to me by Tel’athar. I’m actually asking because I’d like to use the funds to ensure that Telatha has a home when all of this is over and your sister brings her back from Draenor. If I’m going to be more of a target, I want to see to it that she’s taken care of at least.”
Kyliska sat up suddenly, forgetting that she had no top on and looked quizzically at Braeth’el. “Why in the fel would you want to give land to Telatha? Isn’t that a little odd? I mean I know you were helping to watch over her when Biara had cast you out, but you are here now, you are working for me. I do not know if I could approve this.” She said fuming, her jealousy beginning to overwhelm her.
Braeth’el blinked in surprise, gawking at the half-nude and obviously furious Sin’dorei. He then began to laugh, starting off slowly and building until his laughter echoed out over the ocean. He almost dropped his fishing pole he was laughing so hard, tears forming in the corners of his eyes.
Kyliska reached for her bathing suit top, not wanting him to see her half naked when he was acting like this. Her face started to get redder the more he laughed. “What is so funny? You were just telling me how I’m home to you and how we are something more than what we have been. And then you say you want to buy land for another woman? And then you laugh at me when I get mad?” She fumed some more. “You better stop laughing right this minute Braeth’el, or else I will give you something to really cry about!” She started to stand up and make her way towards him.
He grinned, watching the furious Sin’dorei stalking towards him, her top barely held in place. He admired her for a moment, allowing his laughter to fall silent as she got almost within striking distance, “I think you are even more gorgeous when you’re angry, Kyli. Red is certainly your color. Unfortunately you are getting extremely irate about my niece.”
He grinned rising to meet her as she reached him, his hands out just in case she still wanted to tussle for a moment, knowing she’d go directly for the face.
Kyliska stopped as if someone slapped her. She held onto his hands and looked at him with a shocked expression on her face. She held his hands tight processing the information he just told her. Then the red faded from her face, and she paled. When she spoke, she spoke in a small barely audible voice. “Your……...niece?”
He grinned and nodded, “Yes. And before this ever comes up again, your sister looks almost exactly like my niece, so I’m not overly interested in her either. That should put your mind at ease for at least a week, maybe two.” He smirked, obviously well aware of how she thought about things; he’d spent many years studying her after all.
“There is more that you should know about this. Telatha is not the only one I would wish to use these funds for. She does already retain an estate on a rather decaying island. My sister also needs a home and a life, and since she’s not employed right now, I’d use the funds for that,” Braeth’el said. “I don’t want you to think that this is about coin, but if you’re going to give me a title I’m going to at least tell you where I’ll be putting that coin. That way there are no surprises about things.”
Kyliska stared at Braeth’el again with her mouth open. She could not believe her ears. It was just one surprise after another with this man today. “Um…..I do think I might have to get my ears checked or something. Not only is Telatha your niece, but you have a sister?” She paused still trying to process everything. She took a small step back and just stared at him. “There is so much I do not know about you, yet you know everything about me. I feel at a slight disadvantage here Brae, especially if something more is to happen between us……”
Braeth’el released Kyliska’s hands and held his own up in a placating manner, “Actually, all of this has been a bit for me to process too. You see, long ago, both my sister and I worked for Tel’athar. We were quite close, friends you could say.”
He paused, looking out over the ocean, clearly lost in memories, “They were good times. We fought with honor for the betterment of the realm. My sister was in the same line of work as me, and good with her daggers. This was all long ago, before your sister was even born. We were kids back then really.”
He turned to look at her again, “You know what Selun’athiel was like. Her relationship with Tel’athar started out well enough, but over time the love faded between them as she let ambition and political goals come between them. She always obsessed over him, but Tel’athar was very unhappy. My sister...was his friend, much as you and I are friends. She was there for him when he needed her.”
He looked into Kyliska’s eyes, his gaze steady, “They had a child together. She never told me. One day Tel’athar came to me and said he had to send her away on a mission that she couldn’t return from. He seemed heartbroken, and I believed he’d sent her to die. He took it harder even than I did, but what I didn’t know is that he’d hidden her away with her child, away from Selun’athiel’s eyes.”
He paused, nodding at her, “Telatha Dayfire is the daughter of Biara’thiel, my sister and Tel’athar’s lover.”
Kyliska brought herself against Braeth’el’s strong chest for a tight hug. She felt like she did not want to ever let him go. “Thank-you so much for telling me all of that, I had no idea. I cannot believe all of this. I met Telatha and I knew she was Biara’s sister, but I never knew who her mother was.” She pulled back slightly to look at Braeth’el. “I am so glad that you were reunited with your sister and to learn about your niece. You must be overjoyed to realize that you have family that you never knew existed or thought were gone forever. Thank-you again for being honest with me, you do know you can tell me anything right?”
He grinned and nodded, “Technically that is my job now, Kyli. I’m supposed to find everything out that I possibly can and tell you. I’m the spymaster, or whatever new title you want to bestow upon me. I’ll still do the same work for you though because it’s what I was trained to do.”
He gestured towards her blanket, slipping back into his own chair and grabbing his fishing rod, “My sister has also gone to find Telatha. I’m hoping that either she or Biara can bring her back safely, and that we can all be reunited again. I’m not overly worried about Bia; she knows how to take care of herself. Might be a bit strange if she bumps into your sister though; she’s your sister’s namesake.”
Kyliska sat back down on her blanket and looked to Braeth’el. “I did not even think about that. Your sister and my sister share the same name, that will be a little bit strange I suppose. I would love to meet your sister Brae.” She stated. “I am also hoping for Telatha’s safe return, and not just because she is your niece. I did find her rather pleasant when we were talking in that inn that time. I do believe that was right before you had scolded me to not tell of her existence!” she laughed.
Braeth’el grinned, “Well who knew how Biara would react to her existence? At the time, she was rather angry at me. I expected her to want her own half-sister dead. Instead, I find out that she’s turned a new leaf and is entirely involved in her family. It was a bit of a shocker you have to admit.”
Kyliska giggled. “Yes she has made some major changes since then. I still feel bad that she treated you the way she did back then. I did not want you to leave our employment.” She got a little quiet, thinking then spoke again. “So what title shall we give you, Brae? I want you to feel as important as I feel you are. You are amazing and deserve a great title to go along with that. Unless of course you do not want one, and I would still provide land for your sister and Telatha, it is up to you.”
Braeth’el picked up his fishing pole and cast the line again, grunting with the effort of getting his bait all the way out into the sea, “Really never considered a title for myself before. It should be something that won’t interfere with my ability to direct our spy network, so think carefully about it before you select one. I don’t mind having one if it’s something you’d prefer.”
He glanced at her again, “This is about you and me though, isn’t it? It’s about what other people will think or say if they find out. Your sister is always concerned with appearances like this. Did she put you up to it?”
Kyliska’s face flushed slightly and she looked down. “No my sister did not put me up to this, but she did get me thinking a little bit. She is always thinking of the future and what others will think or say.” She stopped and looked back to him, raw emotion in her eyes. “I do not say this lightly Brae, but I think I love you. I would feel this way if you had a title or not. Please know this. Part of what Biara said to me makes sense, but also I do feel like you earned a title if you wish to have one.”
Braeth’el looked surprised, simply staring at her for a long time. When he finally spoke, it was slow and deliberate, his tone even, “When I first started in my line of work, my trainers taught me that above all else, you don’t fall in love. The contact you have with people will be fleeting, and many won’t know who you truly are, so the connection isn’t deep. I’ve honestly never had anyone say that to me, especially not the women I’ve been in contact with over the years. I’m...a little at a loss for words.”
He fell silent for a time, seeming to think about it for a bit, “You’re a fine Sin’dorei woman, Kyliska. Anyone in Quel’Thalas would be lucky to have you, and the ones who’ve tossed you aside were foolish and petty if you ask me. I can’t tell you exactly how I feel yet because, well...I’m not used to this. I do know I’d like to stick around though, possibly for a long time. A day will come when this work is over and what is beyond that? Is it a lonely end in my cottage or at the beach here, with nothing but ghosts or is it a fine woman like you and her smile waiting for me when I get home in the evening?”
Kyliska frowned slightly .Those were not the exact words she was hoping to hear but she tried to understand where he was coming from. “It is ok Brae. I understand what you are saying, I really do. It saddens me that no one has ever told you that they have loved you, so in that respect I am glad that I have told you. I have made my fair share of mistakes in the past, so the men that you say tossed me aside, some of that was my doing, my fault.” She went to him and took his hands in hers and looked into his eyes. She sat lightly on his lap, just wanting to be close to him while she was speaking.
“I do not know if our work will ever allow us to settle down as it were. But do not let love pass you by, it is scary and can be very hurtful but it is also wonderful, and honestly it is worth it in the end. Even with all the heartache I have suffered from it, I would do it again. I would give my heart to you Brae, if you wanted it.” She leaned in to kiss him lightly on the lips. “I will not pressure you to do or say anything you are not comfortable with. I just want you to know that you are loved. You are deserving of love and a Title.”
Braeth’el smiled at her, running a hand up her back, his voice soft when he replied, “I haven’t thought I’ve been undeserving, and in a platonic sense I’ve had the love of Tel’athar and others whom I’ve served loyally. I just always thought that my work would put me in a position where whoever I settled down with would eventually lose me. It’s not exactly fair to expect them to endure that.”
His other hand came up to rest on her knee, giving it a light squeeze, “Like I said, you’re a fine Sin’dorei woman, and honestly your lifestyle is no safer than mine. We’ve got something in common, a bond that I’d not have with anyone else in Quel’Thalas or the fleeting moments that pass with others. I don’t know how I feel yet, but I’m open to the possibility, if that makes sense and is fair to you. I will tell you this though; I’m not going to just walk away from you. No matter what happens between us, my place is serving Tel’athar’s legacy and nothing would keep me from that task.”
Kyliska sighed happily and smiled. She placed one of her hands on top of his on her knee. “I am ok with that Brae. Like I said I understand where you are coming from. And yes I might also get hurt or die in battle, so we both may very well lose each other that way. We live very dangerous lives and that will always be a possibility.”
She then leaned forward and placed her head on his shoulder. “i am so lucky to have you to always watch over me and my family. You always have been even if I did not know it. You mean so much to me Brae, and I am glad that you feel similar. Let us just keep doing what we are doing, no labels, no more talk of love, just let us be in the moment. If you feel the need to say anything about feelings or the like, then please feel free, but I will not pressure you. I am very happy right now where are are.”
He smiled, his hand making small circles on her back and his voice low, “I didn’t say we couldn’t speak of love, I just haven’t thought about it as much. Is this love? Can it become love if it’s not? I can’t say for sure because I haven’t seen it, but I think that it’s a possibility. It is more than a tryst if that is what worries you, much more than that.”
He squeezed her knee again, ignoring his fishing line which had begun to buck as if he’d caught something, “I’ll be here by your side for as long as you want me to be. If it comes to be years and decades, then I see no reason for it to come to an end then. I don’t plan the future out that far in advance, because you never know what events will transpire, but I’ll give it a shot.”
Kyliska squealed in delight and hugged him tightly. “I must say I was a little worried you might not think of us as something more serious but now hearing what you have to say has put my mind at ease. This is perfect. As long as we keep making each other happy, that is all that matters.” She leaned back in his lap and just stared at him for a few moments not saying anything, just appreciating being there with him, in that moment. She then gave him a passionate kiss.
“Well now I’m glad that is all settled! Just let me know what you feel about having a Title, and we can even discuss what it shall be if you want it. If not that is fine too. Your sister and niece will always be taken care of, Title or no Title.”
He laughed, “I have a feeling its your sister who is going to want me to have a title. You know she’s not going to approve of you staying with me and not looking for a nice young noble lord for yourself right? You’d better make it something official sounding so it’s not a scandal or we’ll never hear the end of Biara’s complaining. I’m honestly surprised she’s allowing herself to ‘stoop’ to being courted by a commoner herself.”
He smirked at this, his hand on Kyliska’s knee sliding up her thigh a bit, “I’ll leave the details of it up to you. Bia will be happy to know that she will be taken care of and won’t have to find more work. She’s paid her due to Tel’athar and deserves this. She’s a bit older than me and needs to have more security in her life.”
“Well if my sister would like for you to have a title and then she would leave me alone trying to find some stuffy noble to marry me off to, than we should give you a title. I am happy with you and I do not care about anything else, no one will change my mind of this, not even my hard headed sister!” she laughed.
She looked down to his roaming hand and smiled slyly. “Yes I would love to make sure your family is taken care of and I am looking forward to meeting your sister as well when she returns! But for now let us head back to the Estate, I am getting very restless. My bedroom is calling to me……” she winked at him.
Braeth’el grinned at this, leaning in and kissing Kyliska’s neck, “My dear, House Sunfire owns this entire beach, and it’s such a very long walk…” His arm wrapped around her waist, his free hand squeezing her thigh. “Besides, you’ve not finished tanning yet and I’ve not caught dinner. I brought some wine in my cooler here as well.”
Kyliska sighed as he kissed her neck. “Oh you convinced me, we shall stay here for the remainder of the afternoon. It is getting a little warm out here, I could use a glass of wine or two, what a good idea Braeth’el! See you do like to think ahead sometimes!”
He smiled and nodded towards the magical cooler sitting beside his chair, “Why don’t you pour the wine and I’ll see if I can’t reel in some dinner. We can make a nice fire as the sun sets and enjoy the evening.”
He kissed her one more time before slipping her from his lap, standing and grabbing his fishing pole and quickly reeling in the fish he’d caught, a smile of satisfaction on his face as Kyliska began taking out the wine bottle and glasses he’d packed just for such a circumstance.
Life in Quel’Thalas could be quite good at times!
