Mint and Honey

[KieranSoares]

"He doesn't want to add more stress," Alex reminded gently, though he knew that wasn't enough. "Kate... I think we need to be clear with each other here. I need you to focus on yourself right now. All the medicine in the world won't help if you stress yourself to death. In return... I think I can reason with Kell. He doesn't know what to do for you, love. So he's defaulted to keeping secrets that might bother you, and separating you out from his work. He's terrified of weighing both your cub and your kingdom on you at the same time."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I feel like jumping from the highest tower of the keep." Kate muttered as Alex tried his hardest to soothe her worries. "With or without Brogan. If he's getting better, I'll make sure that he stays safe."

Rissa paused at those words, staring at the healer with a bit of horror in her gaze. She held the cub in her arms a little bit tighter, frightened that Kate might do something drastic.

 

[KieranSoares]

If Alex was horrified, he hid it well as his expression didn't change. "Do you really feel so hopeless, Kate? Yes, there is war. Yes, none of this turned out the way you hoped. But you and your cub are still alive and you both have plenty of chance to get better, and this war isn't turning against us yet. Sam and our allies are holding the line and your advisors are holding Edinburgh. It isn't over. And things could get worse, but I promise you, because I know it's true, it will get better."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m tired, Alex. I have been for a while now.” Kate said softly, the light in her green eyes dimming as she looked at him. “Papa hasn’t been trying his hardest to make this better. He said sometimes women feel down after a child and that’s its normal, but nothing is normal anymore. My body hurts, my heart hurts, my mind hurts, and my cub hurts. Nothing seems to be making it better and I know I can lose Brogan still.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"He has been trying, but he's old and slowing down and his memory isn't what it used to be. It's true new mother's can experience depression, yes. But you're a different case. I think this has been building up for a while.... Which is why I'd like you to talk with Sam. I'll make sure that your little cub comes out the other side of this, if you promise him that you will too. He needs you."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate looked into Alex’s gaze, her green eyes deadly serious. “I can’t make you that promise. And if you tell my husband or my Da that I’ve told you any of this, I will make sure that no one can find me.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex didn't shrink at her stare, but she received a nod that was only confirmation that he'd heard her, not acceptance. He rose to prepare some things that would last her the day, before glancing to Rissa to follow him out and speak with him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Rissa nodded but waited a few more moments for Qira to return. Then she gathered up Brogan’s blanket and followed Alex out into the hallway.

 

[KieranSoares]

As Rissa passed Qira, he gave her a long glance that told her he'd heard everything, and his attention was soon entirely on Kate.

In the hall away from earshot, Alex turned to Rissa as his calm visage cracked slightly with worry. "Miss Rissa... I hate to say it, but I need you to make sure Kate isn't ever left on her own with this cub. I'm sure Qira can handle that for the most part, but I'm worried Kate will do something drastic in the moment someone looks away."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I agree. I’ve never heard her talk like this before.” Rissa said softly as she rocked the cub to sleep, the little prince napping safely in her arms. “He won’t be alone with her. I promise you that.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"She isn't herself... And I can't estimate how long it will be before she recovers mentally. It may take far longer than her body's recovery. And until then, someone should be watching over her directly. I imagine Qira will sort that out. And... I'm concerned about letting Kell know. Less because of her threats, but more because of how much is already on him. Too much more and he'll crumble too."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Tell her mother. It sounds as if she is made of stronger stuff than many of us.” Rissa suggested. “Kell doesn’t need to know right now.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I intend to. I'll leave her father out of it for his own sake. He'll want to coddle her and I'm not so sure that's what will help, and he doesn't need the stress."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I do insist that you keep this only between yourself and people you trust. If the high lords hear about this, she will be in for a power struggle.” Rissa said softly. “There are some of those that we cannot trust and only wish to have power for themselves.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I won't talk to anyone about it outside the keep, or with anyone Qira doesn't clear." Alex knew the keep was locked down completely and only trustworthy, silent ears would ever hear.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I will keep the Little Prince as healthy as I can in the time being. He seems to be doing better than before.” She said softly as she looked down at the dark cub, slumbering with the occasional cough or wheeze.

 

[KieranSoares]

"If you need anything at all, I'll be staying at the keep most nights until things even out. And if I'm not here, you need only send a rider out to get me. In the meantime, I'm going to see if Sam can talk with Kate."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Good luck. She hasn’t really wanted to talk to anyone but her husband for a while now.” Rissa said as Alex told her of his plans.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don't know how much you know of Samuel Ghis. But if anyone will understand the agony of deep depression, it's him. And he won't let her chase him off or ignore him. He did it so often that he knows all the tricks."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I hope he can help.” Rissa said as she turned to put Brogan to bed, pausing at the doorway to look back at Alex. “We will do whatever it takes for Kate.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"She needs all the love any of us can give her. Eventually she'll open her eyes and see life is still worth living." Alex opened the door for her and went off to his work.

Inside, Rissa would find Qira curled up with Kate on her bed, holding the small woman gently to his huge chest.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate was clinging to Qira as if he could protect her from all of the bad things that had settled in her mind. Her eyes were closed and her face looked pale, but it was clear that Qira was doing his best to protect Kate from as much as he could.

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira glanced up as Rissa entered, ever the silent sentinel for their beloved queen. He was among many who only wanted Kate back to the fiery, lively woman she'd once been and the woman he, Rissa, and Kell loved.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Kate, Brogan is sleeping. Would you like to hold him?” Rissa asked softly, watching as she shook head her. “I think it would do you some good to hold him for a while.”

“I don’t want him near me.” Kate whispered softly. “He’s not safe.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I won't let anything happen to him," Qira rumbled deeply, reaching out to take Brogan for her. He held the cub in one arm and Kate in the other.