Because of You
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Devin
Date Posted: 29th January 2009
Series: Proving His Worth
Characters: Talryne, N'vanik
Description: N'vanik gives Talryne the best compliment of her life.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 23 of Turn 4
He watched Traelyn leave and gave a sigh: half frustration, half relief. Frustration, because this was supposed to be _their_ night, _their_ celebration, and yet she was running off to be with someone else. That was Traelyn, though. It seemed some things hadn't changed.
The relief came from knowing that if _she_ had left, that meant he could, too. As happy as he'd been tonight, the socializing was exhausting. Now he could retreat, and go find someone that _did_ want to be with him.
Loseth, still curled up with his golden mate and still content, said sleepily. }:She's in her weyr.:{
**Thanks. I don't suppose you'd give me a ride?**
}:You can walk.:{
N'vanik snorted and shook his head. He made his way through the Weyr, smiling and nodding at the people he passed, but not stopping for conversation. He thought about what he'd really missed tonight, and it hadn't been private time with Trae.
Loseth must have alerted Tal, because she was waiting for him when he walked in. "Did you have a good time?" she asked. "Loseth told me all about the Hatching." Right after it was over, he'd listed off pairings until her heart ached so much even the bronze could feel it. She remembered the joy of her own Impression, and the pain of having it all ripped away. Her tears had long since dried, and now she could give N'vanik a small smile.
"Yeah, I had a good time." He crossed the few feet between them and slid a thumb along her jaw. Whether it was touching her, or just the sight of her, he didn't know. Desire rose so fast it was almost hard to breathe. He remembered that dance, that sharding dance where Trae had danced with her brownrider toy. He'd been jealous, a hot flaring that twisted his stomach. But more than that, he'd felt a painful longing. N'vanik wanted Tal there with him. He'd grabbed a greenrider with curves in all the right places and danced with her, all the while wishing it was Tal sliding against him, staring up at him with hungry eyes.
That desire came back now. "I missed you," he said, his voice husky. He covered her mouth with his.
She couldn't help responding. Her arms slid behind his neck, her mouth just as eager. Inside, she melted with relief. He was here now, and he could distract her from the pain that had been so fresh today. "I missed you, too," she whispered, lips sliding along his neck.
He gripped her waist and pressed her against him, hearing that sultry beat in his head again. She gasped as he lifted her up, carrying her toward the sleeping room. Talryne's moans proved to be a more beautiful music, though, as he stripped off her clothes, caressing and kissing all the way. This was a better dance, too. One that would end in fulfillment instead of only promise.
~*~*~
N'vanik kissed softly along her neck and shoulder, his hand trailing along her hip. "Did Loseth tell you Cosani Impressed?"
She turned to look at him. "No." A smile spread across her face. "I'm glad she did."
"Me, too. She has a beautiful little green. I've never seen her so happy."
"It's good to see _you_ this happy." She caught his hand and wrapped her fingers around it. She felt warm and content, and although she knew the pain would come back, it was buried for now.
"I wish you would've been there with me."
She blinked at him. "You do? But, you never said anything. I thought you wanted to be with Traelyn ..."
He squeezed her hand. "I didn't ask you to come because I thought it would be too painful for you."
"Oh." He was right. Just hearing about it had been too much. "But you wanted me there?"
He sighed a little and smiled. "You were the only thing missing from tonight."
Talryne smiled and settled against him. It was nice to hear that with all the excitement, his daughter Impressing, and Traelyn on his arm, he'd still missed her.
He brushed hair away from her face, kissed her cheek. "You're the reason I'm Weyrleader."
She looked up, startled. "I mean, there's Trae, of course," he said. "and Nyith choosing Loseth. But I really don't think it's a coincidence that he's never flown a gold -- much less a Senior Queen
-- until now. _You_ made me into the kind of person that could be Weyrleader."
She stared at him. "But I didn't do anything."
"Not deliberately." He gave her a gentle smile. "But you're the one that made me open up, made me care, made me see how much better life could be. I'm a better man because of you."
Talryne felt warm tears stinging her eyes. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
"And it's true. Every word." He wiped a tear from her cheek. He felt so full of love he thought his heart would spill over, like her tears. Loseth woke on the Heights with the strength of his rider's emotion and sleepily echoed it.
She leaned up to kiss him. She didn't know what else to do. "I love you. I love you, N'vanik." More tears trailed down her cheeks.
"I love you, Tal. I'll always love you." He couldn't have imagined that life could be this good. He hoped she realized now how much she'd given him. How much of the good in his life was because of her.
Last updated on the January 31st 2009