So I thought I'd ramble here a bit about this short story! 

This short story all stemmed from a throught I had. Two characters, not in my usual set, lying together, and one telling the other 'you're being too hard on yourself', in the most gentle, concerned way. Thus, this story was born. I decided to go all-in on tropes - A prince and his knight in a forbidden love? One being the other's mission, but also the love of their life? Gasp - an inevitable mission that tears them apart? Cheesy, corny deliciousness to me. 

I drew a lot of locations and the history straight from A Crownes Game - I imagine that this happens some 500 years later! The overgrown ruins of Fernsworth were so fun to write, and the fading of magic even moreso. Another thing I loved working with was 'full circle' imagery! The wrist touches, the discourse about being in pain during what is meant to be a celebration honoring you, so much comes full circle in 9 little chapters! It was a lot of fun to write, and from time to time, my mind will cycle back to Tennet and Vellen. I think their story is done within the 9 chapters, but I'm absolutely open to writing extra chapters about them as kids, teenagers, or even after they're both married and they find time for each other, away from prying eyes, just barely touching yet completely grounding each other. 

Forbidden love is so heartbreaking when the people involved let themselves indulge in it, even though they know it's on a timer. And that's what I wanted to play with. 

I enjoy writing Corym and Milo in A Crownes Game (go check it out if you haven't! It's also a lot of comfort-angst!). But fo them, it's an innocent, blossoming love that they both fall into after only just meeting. This is a little more mature, in a sense. The affection between Vel and Ten was obvious to each other since childhood, yet kept a secret, only increasing their sense of yearining towards each other. They've always loved each other, and always will, verson Mirym's 'where have you been all my life?' vibes. I've actually grown a soft spot for Vellen in particular, in a different way than I did for Milo or Corym or Lila or any of the others. I should draw him more, really. 

If Milo and Corym are each other's breath of fresh air, these two are each other's drug - they know they shouldn't reach to each other too often, that it'll only hurt themselves more to do so, but they can't help it, and love every moment of it except for the withdrawl. The only point where that metaphor falls is that they are good for each other, undeniably. 

If you have any questions about this story, feel free to ask them! I'd love to have an excuse to keep thinking about this, hahaha.