2/1/2026, 1:50 AM
Silent and still, she watched with careful eyes as Sólúlfur made the descent and settled nearby. The pit in her stomach had moved a little, and she no longer looked as if she had swallowed something foul, but there was a peculiar hardness in her eyes that did not belong.
She would never confront it, never admit it, but Aurelia was possessive.
Perhaps it was due to the exclusivity of her private, vulnerable thoughts, of her innermost feelings, but those with which she shared these fragile parts of herself she deemed hers, and even Tiberii with her affection in Shiloh had made her... uncomfortable. Strange. Outwardly she expressed support, even offered advice, but deep down she feared the loss of the intimacy they had always shared with the advent of a beau.
Of someone more important.
Was that why she was so perturbed now? That she was so accustomed to the Black Sun's company, she jealously guarded that closeness?
Sólúlfur surprised her again.
Aurelia had never seriously considered love. Not outside of the familial, blood-tied sense. She loved her father, her mother, her sisters and brothers - love was such a strong word, she had only ever used it in her mind for family. But where did Sólúlfur fall under? Aurelia knew she liked her, but somehow that still felt weak in light of the bond she felt they shared.
She turned the thought over in her mind. Men. Aurelia had been flirted with once or twice by men before, but it had never stirred anything within her beyond a vague feeling of impatience.
Sólúlfur's irritation brought her surprising relief.
The serpent uncoiled, and Aurelia allowed herself to slowly relax. She hadn't realized she'd been so tense.
She would never confront it, never admit it, but Aurelia was possessive.
Perhaps it was due to the exclusivity of her private, vulnerable thoughts, of her innermost feelings, but those with which she shared these fragile parts of herself she deemed hers, and even Tiberii with her affection in Shiloh had made her... uncomfortable. Strange. Outwardly she expressed support, even offered advice, but deep down she feared the loss of the intimacy they had always shared with the advent of a beau.
Of someone more important.
Was that why she was so perturbed now? That she was so accustomed to the Black Sun's company, she jealously guarded that closeness?
Sólúlfur surprised her again.
You do not like - men?she repeated dumbly, again surprised. But then, how could she know otherwise? She and Sólúlfur had never spoken of matters of romance before, so it hadn't come up; there was no reason before. Aurelia felt awkward, ham-fisted.
Sorry. I didn't mean it like that,she said.
However it sounded. I guess we've just never talked about it.
Aurelia had never seriously considered love. Not outside of the familial, blood-tied sense. She loved her father, her mother, her sisters and brothers - love was such a strong word, she had only ever used it in her mind for family. But where did Sólúlfur fall under? Aurelia knew she liked her, but somehow that still felt weak in light of the bond she felt they shared.
She turned the thought over in her mind. Men. Aurelia had been flirted with once or twice by men before, but it had never stirred anything within her beyond a vague feeling of impatience.
Sólúlfur's irritation brought her surprising relief.
I once found a man half-stuck in another beast's den,she said almost absently.
When I'd freed him, he came onto me so strongly I considered shoving him back in. I wonder if it is the nature of males to be so impudent.
The serpent uncoiled, and Aurelia allowed herself to slowly relax. She hadn't realized she'd been so tense.
I know Torgar. He is young, but the experience may help him mature,she said. There was a long moment, and she swallowed hard before proceeding with the question that burned at the tip of her tongue.
When did you know? That you did not like men. Ah, you don't need to answer if it's too private. I just... am curious.
![[Image: AureliaSignature.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/AureliaSignature.gif)
