[img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/0ff997a86f060142e6944c6ffa31d7cd/tumblr_negfepymLL1qldetwo1_1280.jpg[/img]

[right][h3][b]Volantis[/b][/h3]
In the hallways of the Rahl villa[/right]

[right][sub]Collab with [@Almalthia] & [@Vanq][/sub][/right]
[hr][hr]


There was one benefit, meager as it was, to the heat. The water that caused her dress to both drag against the floor and twist about her legs was quickly dry as she wandered down corridors and through rooms that she didn’t recognize. Her mind was a blur of anger, of disappointment, of fear, and, most worrying, of regret. 

She stopped at last, her feet nearly coming up short beneath her and she rocked on the balls of her feet. Sharra knew she had not been alone in her journey, not just the servants who had tried to delicately catch glimpses or whispered softly to one another. How could her nephew do this to her? Sell her to some unknown family on the opposite end of the world from…from a family she barely felt a part of. 

The defiant bird turned to wait for her pursuer to approach, a sign she knew he was there, she hoped he was there and it was not all imagined. She scrubbed her hand quickly across her face, brushing away a few errant tears that fell down her cheeks. Her eyes were reddened, glossy with the tears she blinked back. 

[color=#00BFFF]“I am sorry for the trouble my nephew and I have now caused for you."[/color] She spoke only when he was close enough to hear her soft voice, but still, she took a step back as he approached. [color=#00BFFF]“But I will not do it, I will not agree to this match, surely I cannot be forced, it would be…indecent, yes?"[/color] She pleaded, her voice pitched upward over the roughness of choked back anger. Her hands fell to her sides and twisted in her dress, the fabric at her thighs twirled through her fingers. She would find passage on her own if she needed to, steal away in the rancid heat of the night aboard a galley. No matter the pirates or storms or…her mind raced through the calamities she’d rather endure. 

Softly strolling behind Sharra watching the sway of her hips Aster found himself hypnotized by her fluid movements; like those of the small falcon, Tethris, that Cassie begged their father for when she saw him. Tethris was small but graceful and swift. Sharra reminded Aster of the falcon. Tipping his head with a calm expression on his face he let her retreat and plead her case.

What she didn’t realize was that she wouldn’t have to be forced into the match that her idiot nephew procured like she was some toothless old hag. Aster had been compelled by her beauty at first but that paled in comparison to her mind. She was truly wasted in Westeros. [color=#9370D8]“I, and my family, are in agreement with you. But remember we are Valyarian, Volantine, and Essosi. We do not think like Westeros."[/color] He advanced on her, backing her up to the wall and crowding her. His slate blue eyes like the waters farther out deep and intense. He didn’t touch her but leaned over so that his words were spoken directly to her ear. [color=#9370D8]“But my motives are less than heroic. I would prefer that you would want to stay with me. I have become quite attached to the way you defend your point. That fire that sparks in your eyes…”[/color] 

Leaning back before he did something that really scared his falcon Aster smiled at Sharra. [color=#9370D8]“I would have it be your choice though. As much as it would pain me to watch you sail away I would let you. This I promise you… for a little while at least. I think I would have to come after you. Sad is it not?"[/color]

Her heart climbed her throat and threatened to burst out. Each breath worked to steady herself and keep her upright, her hands clenched and twisted the fabric of her dress further. What madness was this? She couldn’t think, the heat enveloped her and suffocated her until she could see only Aster hovered over her. His words echoed, slow and delayed from when his mouth moved to form them. A moment of joy followed by new terror, what was he suggesting to her? 

Sharra sighed as he stepped back, relief and regret at once to have space between them. Her heart thudded still in her ears but her vision expanded again. [color=#00BFFF]“I…I…”[/color] The maiden stuttered, her thoughts incomplete and dueling. A cruel thought took the fore and she frowned. The stories her septa had told her, the warnings from her mother, of the dangers of men - particularly foreign men. [color=#00BFFF]“You do not think like Westeros. What happens when you grow tired of me as your plaything, is marriage so easily set aside as marriage alliances here?"[/color] 

[color=#9370D8]“Marriage alliances here? Plaything? My Lady do you think so dishonorably of me that I would set you aside were I married to you? Rahl marriages are for life."[/color] Aster sighed and stepped back farther, dropping his hands smiling sadly. [color=#9370D8]“Where do you get the idea that we set aside women? Is that not what Maegor has done? Seems more a Westrosi tradition than an Essosi tradition."[/color] Aster shook his head. [color=#9370D8]“I know not what I said that offended you, I offered you a choice. I will always offer you a choice. That is how I was raised. I can call you a guide back to your rooms if you wish."[/color]

The words hadn’t fully fled her mouth for the regret to set in at giving in to the fear. He had been nothing but kind to her. Sharra’s hands released her dress at last and covered her mouth as if to prevent herself from saying any other foolish thing. She shook her head, and croaked out a soft [i]no[/i], muffled behind her fingers. What did she want, a choice in the matter? A choice other than to hide away, a choice other than to remain the Maiden of the Vale? 

She didn’t know the answer to her questions or his. [color=#00BFFF]“Nothing you’ve said nor done since rescuing us from the docks has been offensive but…”[/color] Her words trailed, her hands dropped to her sides, blue eyes searched for anything but his face to focus on, her hands looking for anything to occupy themselves other than to twist again into the fabric of her dress. 

Sharra eyes met his, a mistake for the flutter it set off in her stomach. [color=#00BFFF]“Don’t send me away, please."[/color] She spoke of it in response to his offer of a guide - and in the complex of his home, she was lost - but a deeper meaning lurked under the surface of her words. 

[color=#9370D8]“I would sooner send my baby brother to Asshai than send you away if you do not wish it. Perhaps this is all too much right now? Perhaps the friend you've made these weeks merely wishes to let you know he respects you. That he can understand that the road looks rough but he would gladly walk it with you. But ultimately he respects your wishes and needs if you let him know."[/color] Aster's voice was soft and husky with emotion. His slate blue eyes intense. [color=#9370D8]“Your friend would do much for you just to see you smile."[/color]

Her mind rushed with thoughts, some of which she chided herself for in the moment they flickered into existence. [color=#00BFFF]“I have never met anyone like you."[/color] She whispered, a soft quiver to her voice, a throatiness she has never heard from herself before. Sharra took a step to close the distance he had given her, and boldly in her own way, searched for his hand with hers. Skin met skin and her fingers pressed between his. Warm and comforting, her lips parted in a bashful smile. [color=#00BFFF]“Walk with me now, if it pleases you to see me smile a little longer?"[/color] 

As she linked their fingers together Aster smiled tenderly. His eyes caressed her face slowly then rested on her own and looked deep into her and replied. [color=#9370D8]“As you wish."[/color]