You two talk

You gently caress her back as she nuzzles her head near your neck. “What was that about?” You ask almost jokingly.

“I just came here to talk to you, you’re the one who kissed me.” She jested.

“You did first.” You accused teasingly. The two of you laugh gently at the situation. You rest your hand onto her side.

“Okay, I really did want to talk to you.” She admitted “But I guess we couldn’t help ourselves.” She wraps her leg around yours. “By the way, I came here to ask, what was it that Lady Kaede spoke to you about?”

You’re quiet for a few seconds “she wanted to talk about by heritage.” You reply “Tara... my mother.. she hid this from sister and I our whole lives... she’s a demon, she’s the demon who tried to kill me.” Tara is silent as you talk, you half expect her to run out your room screaming. “I don’t want you to be afraid of me, I’m still trying to come to terms with it myse-”

Tara grips your body and gives you a reassuring squeeze “Whose afraid?” She asks “I’m not; if you are a demon then you’re possibly the least demonic demon to ever walk the earth... but you’re not a demon, Donmal, you’re a man.” She kisses your neck tenderly putting you at ease.

“Tara...” you say weakly “what’s going to happen to you?” She lifts her head up slightly to look at you. “When she mentioned you’ll be punished... what will become of you?”

Tara is silent for a few seconds, her eyes drifting to the side slightly. “That is for Lady Kaede to decide, of what it will be I am not sure but if she says I am to be punished then so be it.”

You stare at Tara’s face, tracing the elven features, you gently grab Tara’s hand resting on your chest, holding it reassuringly. “Tara, tomorrow, whatever the Queen of the Forest decides for you, I will take it.” you say almost declaring it “whatever punishment she has in store for you, I will take in your stead.”

Tara looks back at you, confused and sadden “No... you don’t have to do-” she says.

“I want to.” You interrupt. “I’m the one who asked you to come here, you were just trying to help me, I... I’m the king... responsibility for decisions fall on me and if that is punishment then so be it.” You state “I... I don’t want her to hurt you.”

Tara looks at you, tears welling in her eyes “Oh Gods.” She muttered as she rests her forehead on your chest in a defeated tone. “I can’t talk you out of it can I?” She squeezes your hand tightly.

“No, you can’t.” You say with a soft smirk on your face “I’ve already made up my mind.”

She looks up to face you, a tear trail running down her face. “You’re a damn fool.”

“Maybe...” you reply, Tara leans forward and kisses you before resting her head back near your neck.

You both fall asleep, holding each other.