Bird of a Nest - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Things felt weird for a while. Dyn'ad held him still, Ryraso panting echoing through the room. As he calmed, he closed his eyes and slumped against Dyn'ad. He could feel Dyn'ad murmuring words through the link but he couldn't make them out. A low hum drifted through the room. Dyn'ad singing gently. He could feel Dyn'ad heart beating against his beck, he could feel his heat surrounding him and the link singing around him. Sounds quietened and for a moment all he was aware off was the heat from Dyn'ad.
"Ryraso," a voice whispered. He looked up into Pol'ar's eyes.
"Pol'ar," he murmured, shifting unhappily in Dyn'ad's grip. His hand was already in the older k'nairi's grip. Numbing magic flowing over his arm and Ryraso could feel the healing magic flowing through his wrist. It was cold, almost soothing as the pain faded and his bones shifted back into the correct position. Ryraso bit his lip as they snapped into place, no amount of pain relieve able to make that disappear.
"You really did a number on yourself, son," Pol'ar commented. There was some kindness in his voice. There was also a heavy dash of disapproving. Ryraso understood that. If someone else had done what he had done, Ryraso would be giving them a lecture and refusing to give them painkillers. Pol'ar was doing that at least.
"Nel'os wouldn't let me walk it off," Ryraso said numbly in explanation. It wasn't really a good enough excuse but. Excuse and reason weren't the same things. "Anger needed to go somewhere and he wouldn't let me walk it off."
Dyn'ad shifted behind him and kissed the back of his head.  Ryraso was suddenly aware he had been moved to the bed. The floor was now soft under him and shifted with Dyn'ad. Pol'ar was sitting to the side but Ryraso was still in Dyn'ad's grip. The man wasn't about to let go of him any time soon. Ryraso felt his cheeks warm. He had broken his arm by punching a wall because his ... courter?... had refused to have sex with him. An urge to run and hide filled his chest. It was probably a good thing Dyn'ad was holding him. How could he had been so stupid?
"Fuck," Ryraso cursed softly, his eyes watering.
"Breathe," Pol'ar advised. The healing magic suddenly feeling ice cold. "You're ok. You're safe. No more breaking your hand, please," he added with a warm smile that didn't quite meet his eyes. "Rest today. Tomorrow we'll talk about if you need some help."
Those words felt like salt rubbing into wounds. Ryraso looked at Pol'ar warily, hoping his eyes weren't watering. "Help?" Ryraso asked, his voice neutral.
"Don't use that tone with me Ryraso. Yes, help," Pol'ar warned, his eyes glaring back at Ryraso. Ryraso felt an almost nostalgic feeling rise up inside of him and looked away. He had forgotten how it felt to be scolded by someone who had known and taught him. It didn't feel good. "You have been at the front of the war for a long time and are now on the opposite side. You have a magical link now reawaken in you that is circling around you. I think you may need more support than you have currently. It will be discreet, I promise. But you will follow anything that is requested."
"Yes, sir," Ryraso agreed, shoulders slumping. He didn't agree with Pol'ar but now was not the time to fight. He didn't need help in that way. He needed to get what was expected of him over with so it was no longer a looming sword over his head. He needed to contact Isst and let the man know he was ok. He needed to help his sons readjust to their new lives. He needed to get Wiljam out of his head. He did not need help coping.
"Good man," Pol'ar nodded. The cold healing magic stopped and Pol'ar started wrapping his arms in bandages. The bone was healed but weak. Ryraso knew one more punch would break it again. The body needed to do the final steps or the bone would be weak forever more.
"Thank you, Pol'ar," Ryraso murmured as Pol'ar finished. The come down from the adrenaline shock was starting to wash over him again.
Pol'ar looked at him and frowned. "It's not a problem. Please, don't do it again," he said gently reached over and brushing some hair out of Ryraso's face. Ryraso shifted but Dyn'ad kept him in place. "Punching walls is not you. Nor is getting angry."
"I've always gotten angry," Ryraso pointed out using a similar soft tone. He didn't want to fight Pol'ar but the words were worth saying. Ryraso got angry all the time. He was known for his temper and throwing things. This was nothing new. If Pol'ar thought otherwise, then maybe he didn't know Ryraso as well as either of them thought.
A smirk appeared on Pol'ar's face. The expression was fond and amused, but there was still a look of sadness underneath the look. "Not over what you got angry about. Not angry enough to do this," he said, tightening his grip on Ryraso's wrist just tight enough to make it known.
"True," Ryraso allowed, bowing his head as shame ran through him. Nel'os had been right to reject him. Nel'os had the right to reject him. Sex had to be consensual between all involved and if Nel'os had not felt right doing it, it was completely in his rights to say no. Didn't make it an easier though.
"Rest easy. Rest well. We will talk tomorrow, young one," Pol'ar promised, kissing Ryraso's knuckles. "Consort Dyn'ad?" Pol'ar asked, looking up slightly at Dyn'ad who had remained quiet during the conversation. "Be careful of Ryraso's wrist. I'd advise making him sleep at least a few hours before discussing anything more. His body is going to be in shock for a little while and it needs to restabilize."
Discussing was said implying something. Ryraso looked back up at Pol'ar's expression but there were no real clues in Pol'ar weathered features. But if anyone knew. If anyone knew that Dyn'ad was the head of the nest and not Tai'ray, Pol'ar would be in the top five people who could figure it out. After all, Pol'ar was their healer. Not only their healer but the former healer to three different Winglords and the healer to many nobles who had favour in court. The idea that Pol'ar knew was almost a shock enough that the other implication didn't quite hit until Dyn'ad replied.
"I'll make sure he sleeps before we discuss this further. Thank you, Healer Pol'ar. Please let us know when you wish to see Ryraso tomorrow," Dyn'ad nodded, his voice taking on a more regal, more formal tone.
"I shall," Pol'ar nodded before packing up his things and swinging his bag on his bag. "Your son is a good medic, Ryraso. If healing is not his path, that will always remain open for him. Now, I will leave you be." The man bowed slightly before drifting out of the room.
Ryraso shivered. "That doesn't sound hopeful," he whispered. Eyeri hadn't made a strong enough impression it seemed. A good medic and a hard-working student, more was needed to gain the approval of Pol'ar. At least. At the very least, Pol'ar was not going to stop Eyeri being able to help people. A healer and a medic served two very different purposes.
"It's the first day. We will see," Dyn'ad hummed, know exactly what Ryraso was talking about. "Come on," he added, shifting. Suddenly Ryraso was no longer sitting up, but on the bed covers as Dyn'ad moved from behind him. Dyn'ad cupped his face and gave a strong kiss. "Go use the chamberpots, wash your face and meet me in the nest. I want you resting in there for now," he ordered calmly, pulling Ryraso up. "Can you walk?"
"I think so?" Ryraso admitted, standing up gingerly. "Can't I rest here?" he asked, leaning against the bed pole slightly.
"No," Dyn'ad shook his head. "You can rest in the nest or in the cage. Your pick."
Ryraso swallowed, his throat dry. He was trying not to look too closely at Dyn'ad at the moment. Anger was clouding around him, despite his gentle touch and reassuring kiss. His tone was calm and unfazed but there was something curling in Ryraso's stomach. Instinct, perhaps. Or possibly the link once again playing with his fate once again. Dyn'ad was furious with him and Ryraso wasn't entirely sure why. There were several decent reasons after all. But the mention of the cage, that was a serious warning. Ryraso needed to tread lightly or he would be punished immediately.
Dyn'ad's hand wrapped around Ryraso's waist as Ryraso tried to walk away. He was pulled against a hard chest and a hand tilted his head so Ryraso was looking directly into Dyn'ad eyes. Ryraso still couldn't quite meet them. His eyes looked behind Dyn'ad at the sunlight on the wall. It felt too hard at that moment. He had made a fool of himself. "Ryraso," Dyn'ad rumbled warningly. The sound moving through Ryraso and shifting something inside his chest. "Do not make me start this now."
"Yes, sir. Sorry," Ryraso said, forcing himself to meet Dyn'ad eyes. They were guarded but not particularly dangerous at the moment. Dyn'ad smiled grimly at him and the hold tightened. Dyn'ad knew this wasn't easy for Ryraso.
"Good. You remember that at least," Dyn'ad teased. Ryraso looked down as he realised he had called Dyn'ad, 'sir'. It was the correct term to use in this situation to the head of the nest but he hadn't even realised he had said it. "Don't backtrack now, it's good. Now, where do you want to rest?" Dyn'ad demanded.
Ryraso blushed and looked up back up at Dyn'ad as he realised his mistake. Dyn'ad had asked a question. As implied as the answer was, he still needed to answer it. Ryraso was no longer unattached. He was part of the nest now. There were new rules to follow and Dyn'ad was going to make him follow them.
"The Royal Nest, please," Ryraso said softly as the wind blew into the room. He heard something stir at the sudden strong gust but Dyn'ad was unfazed and continued to look at him looking serious.
"Where?" Dyn'ad challenged.
"The nest, please," Ryraso repeated, removing the title hesitantly. The nest. Their nest. Now including Ryraso. He needed to accept that too. He slumped slightly but before he could bow his head, Dyn'ad kissed him again. Strong and deep, with an edge of something in there. Not lust, not quite but strength certainly.
"Ok," Dyn'ad smiled, giving him a tight hug. This one feeling like it was imprinting itself in Ryraso's very being. Ryraso closed his eyes and soaked in the comfort it gave. "You can do this," Dyn'ad promised. "Now, let's get you sorted, shall we?"
In barely any time at all, Ryraso found himself ready for bed and buried in the Royal nest. Dyn'ad laying next to him, stroking his back slowly. Ryraso curled close to Dyn'ad and closed his eyes. Faintly able to feel Tai'ray brushing against his mind gently. Nel'os, Nel'os he couldn't feel at all.
"Sleep,"
"But..."
"We'll deal with it later. Now rest."