Of Eagles and Dragons, The Children of Kyne, Vol. IV Options

[Kane]

Act I

Prologue (4E 230)
Emperor Titus Mede II is dead. Convicted of Treasonous Sedition against the Empire and a Vassal State, the Elder Council cast his Writ of Execution with a unanimous vote on Loredas, the 1st of Last Seed, in the Two-hundred thirtieth year of the Fourth Era. The High Chancellor Anilay Cato was chosen to oversee the day-to-day administration of the crumbling Mede Dynasty, and the former head of state himself was hung from the gallows on Green Empire Way in the Imperial City for all to see.

It was a time of uncertainty in Cyrodiil, for there was yet to be a clear successor to the Ruby Throne, and rumors of Colovian and Nibenese warlords arming up to seize power for themselves were beginning to circulate among the populace. Many citizens of the Heartland secretly wished the Dragonborn king of Skyrim would lay claim by birthright, but so far there had been little news from the northern kingdom.

And with a patience born of long life, the Thalmor diplomats were content to watch quietly from their Embassy while their handlers ruled the Third Aldmeri Dominion with an iron fist. Altmer agents moved about in the shadows to sow discord and discontent wherever possible and worked tirelessly to keep the Empire from once again rising to prominence.

-----

Queen Penolore of the Summerset Isles strolled through the botanical gardens of Alinor with her royal retainer in tow. The ultimate ruler of the Aldmeri Dominion, Penolore reigns supreme over the Altmer of her homeland, the Bosmer of Valenwood, and the Khajiiti of Elswyr with an unrelenting grip. The Thalmor operate solely under her command, bringing order to her subjects and extending her reach over the rest of Tamriel. But on this day, she felt only contempt for the ineptness of the organization’s recent failures in combating the rise of a new alliance of power to the north.

The shrill fops in her retainer had followed her from the palace, prattling on endlessly about matters far beneath her station in a constant bid to curry favor with the monarch. Seeking a measure of peace and quiet, she finally had enough of the bickering for one day. Penolore came to a halt and raised a hand in warning.

“Shut up. All of you will shut up now or I shall have you thrown from the highest tower of my palace. Begone from here if you value your meaningless existences.�

They fell silent in deference to their queen and filed out of the gardens as quickly as possible. Not a single one of them were keen to be present for her wrath should it need to be unleashed upon whichever poor soul tarried. Only a single Altmer remained, clad in the traditional dark robes of the Thalmor.

“Have you more to say, Lisotel? I would have thought your inability to carry out even a single assassination of those miserable whelps to the north would have stayed your sharp tongue. Tell me what value you could possibly still offer your queen when others have been flayed alive for failures of a far less magnitude than your own.�

“I only offer news that our agents deemed relevant, milady.�

“Very well. Spit it out and remove yourself from my sight.�

Magistrate Lisotel hesitated for the briefest of seconds. It would have to be today of all days that he was assigned to her retinue, and a message from Solitude should arrive to their headquarters by carrier eagle. Penolore was already in a foul temper after his Thalmor compatriots failed to squash another uprising in Anequina, and now he was poised to deliver more unwelcome news to the surly queen.

“It is with great regret that our field agents in Skyrim report the return of the High King’s son to the Blue Palace. He apparently was spotted in the city yesterday morning in the company of an unknown Breton woman. Where he had gone or what he was up to over the last thirteen months is still a mystery, but we fear his arrival and reintegration with the royal family will push the king to finally issue a claim to the Ruby Throne.�

The queen had stooped down to examine a budding rose stem while Lisotel spoke and she snipped it free cleanly from the stalk with her pruning shears as the words tumbled from the Magistrate’s overworked mouth. It slipped free of her grasp, fell to the floor, and Penolore ground it to a pulp with the heel of her boot.

“Tell me, Lisotel, have we not discussed the merits of tending to one’s garden on many previous occasions? See how easily that is done? Pruning an errant growth is a simple task that is abundantly important in maintaining a healthy growth; one of which I know your Order is easily capable of facilitating. I am granting you a second chance to do as I have ordered. Should you fail once again, the citizens of Alinor shall bear witness to your entrails displayed upon the ruins of Crystal-Like-Law. Return to me when the task is completed, and not one second sooner.�

Bowing his head graciously, Magistrate Lisotel took leave of the queen. Penolore continued to care for the overgrown rose shrub, snipping off stray stems with malicious intent.

-----

“What news from Chorrol, Brother Cassian?�

“High Chancellor,� greeted the courier. “Brother Indus’ scouts report little movement from the camps deep in the Great Forest. If they have anything planned, it will likely not be for some time. Indus suspects they are having trouble recruiting loyal men for the cause. Of course, this would all be a lot easier to verify if we are given leeway to operate more independently.�

Anilay Cato set down his quill and pushed aside the letter he’d been penning. This wasn’t the first time Cassian had made a similar remark, and the chancellor was beginning to grow weary of reminding the man just how delicate the situation in Cyrodiil really was. A stronger hand may be required soon.

“This again? We’ve been over it many times already, Brother Cassian. I’m giving you the most resources I can without drawing scrutiny from the elves. If they discover the Blades have secretly been reformed, the Dominion will bring war to our doorstep immediately. Do what you can with what I have given you and let’s not speak of this again. There are plenty of other men who would love to be in your position.�

Brother Cassian recognized his dismissal and saluted smartly as he turned to leave. Anilay continued to stare absentmindedly at the door long after it had closed behind his captain. He again found himself wondering if reforming the Blades had been a wise move on the council’s part. The endgame of the it made sense to all involved, but Anilay felt the interim risk was too high, and he’d unsuccessfully pushed to have the vote temporarily stayed.

“Too late now,� he said to no one in particular. And with a heavy sigh, he returned to his unfinished letter.

There was another knock on the door and it took all of his restraint to not fling the quill at it and berate whomever deigned to bother him again. “Come in!�

An elderly Breton woman with long gray hair tied back in a ponytail, poked her through the partially opened door and saluted. “Is this a bad time, sir?�
“No, no, come on in, Delphine,� said Anilay. “Forgive my exasperated tone, I just got done reminding Cassian of our straits and I fear that I shall never finish this correspondence.� He rolled up the parchment and set it aside until the next day. “What can I do for you?�

“I’d like to request something of you.� Delphine entered the study and took the recently vacated seat across from the High Chancellor. After she settled in, Anilay gestured for her to continue. “Might I be sent back north to Skyrim? I know the High King from our time together during the Dragon Crisis, and I may be able to get a better read on his intentions than some of our other agents have.�

“Oh, really? But as I understand it, your time working together did not end well, no? As I recall, he asserted his authority as Dragonborn over you and walked away from your efforts to rebuild the order. What makes you think he’ll let you into his court after all these years?�

Delphine frowned. She hadn’t expected Anilay to be so well versed on her prior dealings as a rogue Blade in Skyrim. Truth be told, her efforts to kickstart the Blades, along with Esbern, in Sky Haven Temple had crumbled to dust after Kirin Windborne had walked away from them. Further recruiting efforts failed, and the wizened lore-keeper succumbed to illness not five years later. For her part, Delphine had faded into obscurity as a farmhand in the western Reach.

“Heard about that, did you? Well, you’re right in that there’s no guarantee, but I don’t know what else I can offer the Blades, sir. I’m old and my days of fighting are long since passed. This at least feels like something meaningful I can contribute.�

“I see,� replied Anilay. “And would you be up for such a journey, Delphine? Autumn is settling in over Skyrim and our men at Cloud Ruler have reported the Pale Pass is already under several feet of snow. It will not be easy going.�

“I’ll manage.�

The High Chancellor studied her for a moment and then he grabbed a new roll of parchment and dipped his quill in fresh ink. He scribbled away while Delphine waited patiently for his decision, wondering where fate would take her next. She had been so hesitant when the rumors of former Blades officers being brought back into the fold were swirling, and it wasn’t until Brother Cassian himself had tracked her down to a small plantation near Karthwasten that she allowed herself to believe they were true. The reality didn’t truly set in for her until she was assigned a room at Weynon Priory, on the outskirts of Chorrol, and asked to advise the younger Captains leading this new iteration of the fabled organization.

Anilay finished writing his new orders, signed, and stamped the bottom with an Imperial Seal before wrapping it up and handing it to Delphine. “Deliver this to Brother Cassian and return to Cloud Ruler with him to begin your preparations.�

“Thank you, sir,� said Delphine. “I’ll keep in touch.�

“A bit of advice, if I may?�

“Sir?�

The chancellor dug around in his desk for few seconds until he found the dossier he was seeking. Flipping it open, Anilay slid out a sketching of Cain Windborne and handed it to the waiting Breton. “If the High King offers resistance, try speaking to his son. I’ve met the man personally and he’s wise, clever, and kind to a fault. Not to say that his father is an ignorant old man, but sometimes younger eyes see things differently. I’ve gathered that Cain is back home in Solitude after being abroad following the death of his fiancé.�

Delphine bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement. Everyone in Skyrim had heard about his loss, and people across the province had mourned for the young woman from Stonehills. There were even gossiping commoners in the taverns at night saying she had been pregnant at the time, but that was never officially confirmed by the High King’s court. If It were true, Delphine didn’t fault him at all for taking some time away, even if his whereabouts were a mystery.

“I’ll keep that in mind, sir.�

“Excellent. Take care on your trip, and dress warmly. I expect a letter by carrier bird as soon as you get settled in at Solitude. You’re dismissed, Delphine.�

Anilay watched her depart and then he glanced back over at his unfinished letter. Deciding it could wait until the morning, the chancellor left his office in search of a strong drink to end the day with. He wasn’t entirely convinced allowing Delphine to intrude on the High King’s court was a good idea, but he’d expected answers from Kirin Windborne for some time now, and was rewarded with nothing.

If another week passes like this I shall have to contact Cain myself. Perhaps the man would be willing to visit me in person.

The White-Gold Tower still bustled with activity in the evening hours, and so Anilay elected to don his commoner clothes and seek a drink at Luther Broad’s, instead.


This post has been edited by Kane: Jun 26 2025, 03:16 PM

[Kane]

It was a hard chapter to write. Division is uncommon with these characters and it certainly was a frustrating thing for Kyne to have done. Acadian, you hit the nail on the head when it comes to how they stood up for her. It did not go unnoticed.

Grits, had Kyne not jumped the gun, that would have been the natural way for things to unfold. It was only a matter of time until Cain encouraged Gwyn to share that with Serana. The big difference though is it probably would have stayed between those two. And probably Linneá.

--------------------------

Chapter VIII – Chrysalis

The mood inside Elysium Estate was one of deep melancholy. Fresh pots of coffee and tea were brewed in lieu of the spirits Cain and his family had been enjoying earlier in the day. Very little conversation occurred. Those still present dwelt mostly in silence, ruminating on what had been unfairly and prematurely revealed to them at the ill-advised behest of their guiding hand. Serana and Gwyndala disappeared into the basement going on three hours prior, and no one, not even Linneá, knew how things were going.

“I can take you home if you have work to do, dad,� offered Linneá. “I don’t know how long they’ll be down there for and I’m not going to intrude – physically or otherwise.�

“There’s always work to do,� sighed Kirin. “But no, it can wait. Some things are more important, and I want to be here if Gwyn needs anything.�

“I think she’d appreciate that,� said Linneá. “I am going to step out for a minute, though. No reason Salihn can’t be here to lighten the mood. Be back soon.�

Her chair emptied at the cast of a spell leaving Cain alone with his parents. They sipped gently from mugs of piping hot liquids in a wordless setting, until Lydia aimed a question at Cain that was on her mind.

“Sweetie, if you don’t mind me asking… what prompted Gwyn to bare her soul to you before the rest of us met her? She’s so guarded that I’m surprised anyone could get such terrible memories out of her. Gwyn really cares for you, doesn’t she?�

“She does,� said Cain. “Just as I care for her.� Cain then recalled to Lydia the events leading up to that development in their relationship. He made sure to emphasize how it was a turning point in the rocky partnership they had forged up until that point, and how it didn’t take long after for them to become close friends.

“Poor dear. I’m glad you were able to stop that from happening to her again. Small wonder she can be so withdrawn. I still can’t believe her own mother would be capable of such evil – there truly are some reprehensible monsters out there.�

“Gwyn isn’t always so anxious, mum. Obviously, her past has greatly affected the person she’s become, but her unease among strangers comes more from living alone for so long. Once she comes around, I think you’ll find Gwyn’s a lot of fun. All the attitude with none of the inhibition.�

“I caught a taste of that on our walk,� grinned Lydia. “I think she’d already been feeling a little at ease.�

The walk. By all accounts, it sounded like it had been going delightfully. Cain sat there still unable to fathom what their goddess had been thinking. Kyne usually went about that sort of thing with much more grace and tact. She never pried and she had always valued their independence. What was different about Gwyn?

The turmoil must have been evident on his face, because Kirin voiced the same thoughts aloud. “I don’t get it either, son. And I don’t think there’s anything for it but to ask her.�

“Agreed.� Cain raised his eyes to the ceiling and imagined he was speaking into the heavens, rather than the rafters. “We need to talk, Kyne.�

-----

It was warm and quiet in the basement of the Windborne family home. A bearskin rug spanned the cobbled floor of a small sitting area at the foot of the stairs. A small stepladder rose up to a hatch leading to the grassy yard near the outdoor forge. Books and strange artifacts adorned corner shelves but they were completely ignored by the two women sitting on the floor across from one another.

Gwyndala Louvain sat on the rug with her knees up and she cradled them in her arms, forehead pressed firmly against them. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying and the makeup she had carefully applied that morning ran down her face in long streaks.

Gwyn couldn’t speak, so Serana spoke instead. She spoke of her youth that had been lost to the annals of time. Of her mother and father and the royal vampire court she had grown up in. She spoke of the dreams; the aspirations; the desires that her younger self had once possessed. And she spoke of how they were all snuffed out by the deal her parents made with the devil.

Serana Windborne revealed to Gwyn something she had not known. Something she never would have suspected: that the once upon a time vampire sitting in front of her had been anything but a simple stalker of the night. She had been a Daughter of Coldharbour. The downtrodden woman opposite Serana read enough books in her days to know exactly what that meant. The horror that lurked behind that statement. The agony Cain’s sister went through when she barely passed into adulthood.

It was the only thing that could’ve reached her, and reach her it did. Gwyn relaxed her posture and lowered her knees. She wiped her eyes dry with a kerchief and readjusted herself until she sat cross-legged, staring at Serana. “I… I never would have guessed that about you, Serana. You’re so much more, I dunno, together, I guess, than I am. What you must have gone through back then...� Gwyn shuddered. “How do you come back from something like that? How do we come back?�

“We don’t,� said Serana, bluntly. “And that’s a reality I struggled with for untold years. It’ll always be a part of us. Something that makes us who we are. The trick is to not let it define who we are.�

“Does it ever catch back up to you?�

“Sometimes, yes. I still have nightmares despite being cured for over six years now.�

“Me too,� nodded Gwyn. “The nightmares, I mean. I’m sure Cain has seen me in the throes of them, but he’s never said a word about it. Probably thought I’d bite his head off.�

“Would you have?� Serana tried for a crooked smile after her question and was heartened to see a mischievous one in return.

“Maybe. I can also tell how much it pains him that he can’t help more.�

Serana took a moment to consider that last statement. She knew that there was in fact a way for Cain to offer a considerable amount of comfort for Gwyn, but getting there now would be rocky. Kyne had upset the natural order for something other than the bounds of privacy. Serana hoped against hope that it wouldn’t sway the Breton against the future possibility.

She also hoped that the topic could be avoided for the time being, so she tried to steer the conversation elsewhere. “So, you mentioned the trauma affected your magic?� asked Serana. “In what way? Is that why some of your spells emanate a crimson light?�

Gwyn’s eyes narrowed. She wasn’t having it. “Yes, it did. And why the sudden change of subject? I know you have more to say on the matter – any idiot could tell that you’re holding back. What is it that you are trying to avoid talking to me about right now?�

[censored]. Nothing else for it, I guess. Serana tugged nervously at a loose lock of hair. She had to be careful here. Some wounds were still fresh. “Um. It’s just that, well, there is a way for my brother to help you. But it’s not a step to be taken lightly and certain, er, recent events might make the idea a little off-putting.�

“Spit it out. I’ve had enough bullshit for one day.�

“Okay,� sighed Serana. “So, like I said before, we don’t really ever come back from it. It weighed on me every day of my life until one day it was shoved aside: the day that Elle permanently linked our minds.� Gwyn opened her mouth to object, just as Serana knew she would. “Hold on, just let me finish.� A resigned slump of the shoulders spurred her on. “What Kyne did today is not to be taken lightly, so I understand your reservations. But sharing a mind with Elle, who I love beyond what words can describe… her constant presence is like a warm blanket draped lovingly over my soul. She makes me feel at ease in a way I never thought possible. A contentedness I had lost all hope for. And when the darkness starts to rear its ugly head, we face it down together, and she shares the burden with me.�

Her counterpart lapsed into silence again, staring at the wall behind Serana without actually seeing it. Did Gwyn want that after what Kyne tried to do? Did she want someone – anyone – in her screwed-up head along with her? Gwyn didn’t have any secrets left at this point, but the idea of it still filled her with unease.

“Serana, I…“ she began. “Look, I understand what you’re saying but I don’t think we can have this conversation right now. I’m not ready for that. And I don’t know if Cain will ever be ready for that again. I know exactly how much the silence in his head after his fiancé died [censored] him up. I don’t know if he’ll want to risk that again.�

“That’s fair. I’m not saying you should go upstairs and ask Cain to do it right away, but it is something to consider as your relationship with him progresses. The fact that you’re concerned about his own well-being on the matter is heartening though, Gwyn. It may be that someday you could both benefit from that arrangement.�

“Of course I’m concerned. I owe him so much.�

She smiled at the memories of their time on the Glenumbra Moors flooding back in. Week after week of delving through the mystery of Time Magic while crammed into a tiny cabin. They spent nearly every waking moment together and grew to be inseparable even before Gwyn realized she was falling for Cain. Deep down, a small part of her suspected they had a long future ahead of them. And that a certain Divine would just have to accept Gwyn for the damaged woman she was.

I’m lucky that idiot stumbled into my life, thought Gwyn. And that he’s my idiot.

Gwyn felt a fierce rush of affection welling up inside and recognized after a few seconds that it wasn’t just for Cain. Each and every one of his family members had stood up for her. Linneá, Kirin, and Lydia had all called out their divine matron on her intrusion into Gwyn’s mind, despite the rage and disrespect she had levied towards the goddess.

And Serana had now given her so much more, for Gwyn realized she was no longer alone in her fight.

Standing up to dust herself off, Gwyn offered a helping hand to Serana, who was also getting to her feet. Then she buried herself in the tall Nord’s arms and thanked her profusely. “Thank you, Serana. You didn’t need to dredge up your own past like that. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to revisit alone, but you did it for me anyway.�

“You deserve it, Gwyn. You deserve as much as any of us can give you.�

“In that case,� said Gwyn, wiping away a fresh round of tears from a very different source, “let’s go see what kind of vintages you have.�

“Are you sure you’re ready?�

“I am. I owe your family thanks, too. And then Cain and I are going to find a nice, quiet place to be alone for a while.�

Serana wetted a kerchief in a nearby basin and helped Gwyn clean up before they ascended the stairs.

-----

What started as lunch looked like it would soon be turning to dinner, for it was now encroaching on early evening and yet the Windborne family still sat arrayed at the dining table of their estate. Linneá had returned with Salihn seconds after Cain decided to summon Kyne, and the little tyke was happily bouncing around the house with her books and toys. However, the mood was much more subdued where the adults remained, save for Gwyn and Serana, who were still sequestered away in the basement.

The words had barely escaped from Cain’s mouth when the great hawk soared in through an open window and took on her human form. She looked surprised, yet grateful at having been summoned so soon.

But Cain did not give her a chance to speak, and immediately rose from his seat to confront the goddess. He looked her directly in the eye and demanded only one thing of her: the singular question on everyone’s mind. “Why? Why did you do it? And I don’t want to hear that it was just because Gwyn wants to live here, because that’s bullshit. That’s trivial. I need to know why you would take such extreme lengths, Kyne. It’s not like you.�

Then Cain caught movement down the hall behind her and resisted the urge to acknowledge Gwyn and Serana’s return. A fleeting glance was all the tiny Breton needed, and she grabbed Serana’s arm to hold her in place so that they could listen to what was about to unfold.

If Kyne had sensed them, she didn’t show it. Her focus was entirely on Cain and she answered his question without pause. “You are right in that it was only a half-truth, my child,� she began. Kyne grabbed Cain’s hands and held them in her own, thankful that he did not try to pull them free. “I’m truly sorry for what I did. I confess that my love for you caused me to act out of worry. Had I kept my head I would simply have asked you about it afterwards. You mean so much to me. You all do. But after what happened to Anska… I cannot bear to see you in pain like that again, and I just had to be sure. I had to know – had to be certain – that your heart would not be broken again. Gwyn’s anger with me is entirely righteous, as is yours, and everyone else’s. All I can do is ask for forgiveness, and pray that it will be granted.�

The hush that fell between them after Kyne finished speaking didn’t last. Rapid footsteps approached her from behind, and she spun on her heel to meet Gwyn’s breathless advance. Kyne very nearly wilted under the polarizing glare levied at her from the one she had wronged. And then she did wilt when Gwyn’s open hand left its imprint on Kyne’s divinely pristine cheek with a resounding crack.

“I’m not forgiving you just yet,� warned Gwyn, her finger raised accusatorially at Kyne. “You’ll need to earn that.� Then her face softened and she relaxed her tense frame while casting a quick burst of healing magic at the goddess to help with Kyne’s reddened face. “I did hear what you said to Cain though and... I understand. We’ll leave it at that for now, yeah?�

Kyne still looked altogether bewildered, but she found herself nodding in silence while processing what the fearless woman standing in front of her had just done. She wasn’t alone - Cain and the rest of his family were almost just as shocked as Kyne was. Almost.

“Well, well, well,� mused Linneá. “I think congratulations are in order, Gwyndala Louvain. This is one of the rare times that mum has been completely at a loss for words!�

Her quip helped to lighten the mood and after Gwyn sought out a hug from Cain, the preparations for dinner were soon underway. To the surprise of everyone, save for the man seated firmly next to her, the Gwyn that dined with the Windborne family was wholly different from the anxious person who had showed up much earlier in the day with Salihn.

She joked and laughed with his sisters. She earnestly engaged with Kirin and Lydia. She even politely conversed with Kyne. And when they had all eaten and drunk their fill, she raised a glassful of brandy above the table.

“I, um,� Gwyn blushed under the influence of her third drink since dinner ended. She steadied her hand and looked around the table at all of them in turn. “I just wanted to say thank you. For sticking up for me earlier. Coming here with Cain, I.. I had no idea where I stood with this family. What you did for me this afternoon meant more than you could possibly know. I’m glad to be here with you. With all of you.� She glanced pointedly at Kyne. “Even you. Maybe,� she added with a wink.

They raised their glasses in kind, and then Gwyn bid them goodnight and whisked Cain away.

-----

The stars shined brightly down on the outdoor spa of Elysium Estate, beaming right through the steam kicked up by the warm waters mingling with the cool autumn air. The Windborne family, and Kyne, departed some time ago, leaving Cain and Gwyn to enjoy a refreshing bath in their new home. Linneá and Kyne were both delighted to have someone living in the empty house again and offered their heartfelt blessing to the couple now lounging in the fragrant waters.

Nighttime rolled on and having waited for what Gwyn decided was entirely too long a time, she straddled her legs across Cain’s lap and leaned in close, playfully nibbling at his neck. His hands held her waist while Gwyn’s soft lips explored his torso.

It wasn’t until he felt her hand inching slowly downwards that he pulled back and cupped her cheek within his hand. “Gwyn, are you sure about this?�
She looked affronted. “What the [censored] do you mean by that?� she demanded. “Do you think I’m someone who would take this sort of thing lightly? Seriously? That’s what you ask me right now?�

“Gwyn, please just listen,� implored Cain. A pregnant pause followed. Then he continued after her curt nod. “I know you aren’t backwards about this sort of thing, it’s just that I’ve never seen you with another man. Whenever you sought the company of others in our early days together, it was always with women.�

“And you think I’m damaged goods with men because of what happened to me,� she finished.

“Er. I wouldn’t have put it like that,� said Cain. “I just need to make sure that you want this. Not that you feel like you have to.�

Gwyn felt the familiar warm glow inside of her that occurred whenever Cain stood up for her. Whenever he protected her. In that moment, she felt content beyond all reason and silently swore that she’d thank every lucky star in existence for delivering this man to her when she had needed him most.

“You’re an idiot, Cain Windborne. But goddamn it if you aren’t my idiot.� She leaned in again and kissed him while her hand sought what it was looking for before he had stopped her. Another moment passed, and this time Gwyn pulled away of her own accord, grinning deviously at him. “Now shut the hell up and [censored] me.�