Bryse walked into the house with Eom in his arms he walked through the main hall and into Eomyr's room spotting Iri sleeping on the bench in the reading corner. At first he felt angry when he saw her but his eyes softened. He sighed putting his baby son in the crib and walked over to Iri lifting her head and sitting then resting it on his lap stroking her hair.
Iri's eyes fluttered open and she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Bryse watched her carefully "Don't move because of me" he continued to stroke her hair.
"Why didn't you come home last night?" Her voice was quiet
"I think, you know the answer to that already." The room was quiet for a little until Bryse spoke again. "Look, Iridith, I know you've probably heard this a million times and I will tell you once more. And I wish for you to listen carefully to my words alright love?"
"Aye" she was still quiet
"What is going on right now, is for your own good. I know you must think me and your uncle are against you and Thannas. Truth is, we aren't. I can see he makes you happy, but it's changing you m'dear. You're becoming a very selfish person, that's not my little Iri." Bryse stroked her arm to encourage her to speak.
"B-but it feels like it's the start, that the next thing is you won't allow us to see each other at all"
"I would only do that if I had good reason to, now if you wished. Thannas could come visit every damn day. You can invite him around for dinner whatever you fancy. Just as long as there is someone here. Iri, let me tell you something about your mother, I was seventeen and she was nineteen twentyish when she got pregnant with you."
"She was?"
"Aye, but it was alot of strain on her body, the birth was difficult and resulted in her death" Bryse paused staying silent for a little. "And the thought of that happening to you.... Well I can't I lost your mother and I ain't losing you too." He sat Iri up to look into her eyes. "Enough of the lies love, answer me truthfully, were you and Thannas... Intimate?"
Iri shook her head "No, we weren't. I promise Da, I promise. I would never" Iri started to cry and Bryse pulled her close cradling her close to his chest.
"Shhh, my little fox. Don't cry." He kissed the top of her head. "Just enough of the lies and going behind our backs alright? Me and your uncle may seem unapproachable when it comes to things like... Intimacy but actually we can tell you how to be safe about it and clever. And don't feel embarrassed either, I'm your Da I'm supposed to help guide you and protect you in this world. I'm like one of your books."
"Oh?"
"Aye, I have knowledge and past experiences to tell so YOU can learn from it. And to tell you the truth, if Thannas doesn't like this then he's not worth it, eh?"
"A-aye" Iri rubs her eyes
"Now where's my little foxes smile hm?" Iri smiled at Bryse "Life without Thannas around isn't the end of the world, poppet. You have your whole life ahead of you, don't spoil it whilst you're still young"
