It wasn't control or discipline that kept Quinn from letting Kaila spend the evening with her in the quiet chapel gardens. The thought of having her personal life captured by someone who only wanted to hurt her or Kaila politically or socially stopped her. At times, she had her own run-ins with the paparazzi, especially when she had become the youngest professor at the esteemed academy on Jutrand.
Quinn listened quietly to Kaila; the woman had shown such a vulnerable side to her, and the Princess wanted to take care of her. She still didn't know everything about the Governor but wanted to learn more. Quinn
needed to learn more. The words they shared hung in the crisp evening air; the Princess admired the gentle blush across the woman's cheek. Almost instinctively, Quinn cupped Kaila's face, caressing gently the scattered freckles on her face.
"Me too." She whispered loud enough for just the two of them to hear.
"You're so beautiful." Quinn was in awe of her paramour as if seeing her for the first time. There was something refreshing, and she could see why Kaila had wanted this—especially learning about her former trysts and relationships. She mused, wondering if she should return her own history so the playing field was even. She gave another gentle kiss on the woman's forehead, knowing that the Princess's previous affections had gotten her flustered.
"We seem to be quite similar in the romance department. Though I've only had two serious relationships, both have scared me. I'll be honest." Quinn remembered fondly the two women who shaped her love life, shaped different aspects of her life and made her the woman she is today.
"I fell in love with someone who was sent to assassinate me at the academy." The Princess, apparently amused by this,
"They were there to avenge their mother because my mother had killed hers. So take away a precious child from my mother in revenge for taking a precious child's mother." she sighed, remembering simply that the relationship was unique even at that point.
"We were inseparable; I was consumed by everything they were. I had never had anything or anyone to call my own, and I didn't want to lose it. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. We separated, and they traveled down a path I couldn't follow, so I fell into the arms of another. At the time, she wasn't a Sangunir; that comes later." Quinn was sure Kaila had caught a glimpse of the scars on her neck from the times Alina had fed.
"She was different too; she bucked against what it was to be a noble while I leaned into my royal status - again, I was enthralled with someone so different from me, yet so similar. I feel terrible, I don't know if I fell for her because I was lost without my first, but I know I only wanted to be with her in the end." Quinn tried to remain nonchalant about both relationships. They both ended in ways she didn't approve of or had wanted.
"Alas, it wasn't enough even after returning to my first - I found myself bouncing between the pair, never knowing where I was wanted. They made their choices without me. One deciding death was a better option than trying in this reality with me - they romantically chose to end their time here to search for a plane where we could be together without effort. Everything stems back to the reason we met and fell in love."
Quinn paused; Vesta's death was something she still struggled with. She wondered if it was a reason why Alina would stay away. Was it better to let the Echani mourn alone than to feel compared to a previous lover?
"My second, my sweet Sangunir - she died, was reborn, and then while away from me, she died again at the hands of someone she trusted. I couldn't live without her, so I ripped her from death itself. Alas - it wasn't enough; we were betrothed and drifted apart. Still hurts seeing her, but she seems to be doing alright - it's all I could ask for."
She sighed, remembering the brief moments she had seen Alina. She was always too scared to say anything to her. Quinn smiled, pulling away and drawing Kaila's hands with hers.
"We should head somewhere more private and warmer, potentially. Nights can get chilly here—my Estate isn't far."
Quinn was nervous to hear what Kaila had to say about her torrid love affairs, but she needed the security of home to venture further.
"I did promise to show you where a Princess slept," the Echani winked and gave the woman an inviting smirk.
Quinn Varanin
