Small note to my readers: it was asked if I had ever said what TDEH stood for and I haven't, hahaha. My apologies! TDEH stand for The Dark Enchanter's Heir. I had abbreviated it as I didn't want to write it out for each chapter name and then immediately forgot to ever explain. So thank you, dear reader, for the comment. And thank you all who have been reading my story <3
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Finn wiggled out from underneath Carter. She put her hand on her mark, blood seeped between her fingers. She breathed lightly, unsure of what to feel or do. Carter sat back and rested back on his arms.
"You're hungry," he said.
She flinched, uncomfortable with them both being able to feel each other now through their cemented bond. "Yeah... I could also use a shower. And sleep... possibly in a bed. We... We should go back to the house," she finished, uncertain.
"...We don't have any clothes," Carter noted, a smile evident in the corners of his mouth.
Finn laughed so hard her ribs hurt. The shock of it took them both by surprise. Her orbs watered as she continued to chuckle, "oh love, nudity is the least of our concerns."
Carter beamed when she called him by the pet name.
They left her burrow. She guided him through the dark garden to the house, small lights illuminated where their feet fell into the grass. Carter marveled for a moment as his mate ushered him through the doors. Finn ignored all the looks and questions that were thrown their way, grabbed Carter's hand and pulled him after her. When they reached her door, she opened it and pushed him inside. She let her nails rip through the 'F.H.' stencil as she closed it. The curtains had been pulled back, the moon's glow lit the room softly.
Finn showered alone first, despite Carter's request to join her. Her mark had stopped bleeding and was beginning to heal. By the morning it should be just another scar she told herself. It was tender to the touch. Her skin tingled when she ran her fingertips over the new indentations. Her white puckered flesh prominent where his teeth had cut through her tattooed skin. Once clean, she walked out into her room wet and naked. She pushed him into her bathroom, shutting the door after him. She dressed in joggers, a shirt from her ill-used wardrobe and opened the door to the food she knew would be waiting. When he finished showering and entered her room again, covered only in a towel, she threw some clothes at him. They were the same as hers, nondescript black jogging pants and a sweater. He dressed and joined her sitting on the floor in front of the now lit fire. They ate little sandwiches in silence, the cucumber crisp and refreshing in his mouth.
He tried to ask her more questions, to learn more about her but she only responded in one word answers. He felt how tired she was and that her emotions were a torrent within her, a waterspout in the already turbulent waters of her soul. When they finished their meal, Finn stood and held out her hand for him. She pulled him to his feet. She shoved him in the direction of the bed she had never slept in, more gently than he expected. He climbed into the bed, under the covers and she followed. The moment their heads hit the pillows, they both fell asleep. Carter's sleeping mind reached out to his mate. He gripped her hand lightly, his need to touch her growing.
(2)
Carter awoke unsure of where he was. He was warm and the sun kissed his eyes. He looked around Finn's room and realized she was gone. The fire had long died out, not even embers remained. The drapes were still open, the morning sun streamed in through the glass. He tentatively reached out with their bond, "where did you go?" He asked. She replied quickly with another monosyllabic answer, "library." He was sure he would be able to find her, even if she hadn't told him where she was. He grinned, pleased that she had replied.
He fell back asleep for a while, comfortable and content. When he woke again he knew he needed food and crawled out of the bed. He wasn't sure where his bag was, probably in the room he was supposed to have slept in, so he didn't bother to change. He smelled the man at the door before the light knock came. Carter opened it to find a small man, dressed neatly in all black.
"Good morning, Master Ironblood. Enchanter Helmut and Alpha Ironblood are in the library. I have directed another member of staff to bring your breakfast there," he said with a detached voice.
"Oh! Thank you. Joey, isn't it?" he replied, Finn's impressions of him flooded into his mind.
"No, it is Joseph. Please," he responded, "Enchanter Helmut is fond of pet names."
"Of course, Joseph. My apologies," Carter said, "um, do you happen to know where my things are?"
"Yes, they were placed in the rooms assigned to you and Alpha Ironblood but I have already instructed another staff member to bring them here while you are at breakfast."
"Thank you again," Carter began. Joey bowed his head and turned on his heels, walking down the hall before Carter could ask him anything else.
He closed her door and made his way through the maze of halls and corridors, finally making it to the library. His father and mate were sitting around a large table with three chairs. The remains of their breakfast was evident on empty plates, his was waiting for him under a cloche. Finn appeared to be asleep, her eyes were closed, head resting on the back of the plush chair, a leg hanging over the armrest. His father was reading out loud from a large tome he couldn't see the name of.
"Good morning, my heart!" Art called to him. He smiled and waved him over to join them.
"Morning dad. Good morning Finn," Carter said happily as he pulled out the empty chair and sat. He pulled off the cloche and dug into his eggs and bacon, while he eyed the book his father had been reading. He caught the name A Comprehensive Genealogy of the Council's Members. He knew that book. "Is this the same book you have in your room?" he asked his mate.
Arthur's eyes widened, "and when did you have time to see her room?" he asked.
Finn's scruff began to flush. Her eyes were still closed, she slowly began to pull her sweater up her neck and face in an attempt to hide the growing pigment.
"Could it possibly have been last night," Art continued, "when you didn't return to our shared accommodations?" He pushed, a little smile slowly growing on his face as he watched his friend continue her descent into embarrassment. "My, my, those clothes are also very familiar. I am unsure of when I've seen you wear so much black, Carter."
Finn pulled her sweater completely over her head, small bits of her growing hair sticking out between the knit. "Perhaps it was last night after the entire council saw you both walking naked, hand in hand to her room?" Arthur finished, his large smile took up his entire face.
Finn let out a tiny squeak, still remaining silent. Carter felt her embarrassment through their bond but it felt different, something new for her.
