The peace that formerly reigned in Terra Nova has eroded, now little more than a memory. War ravages the continent. Disputes divide kingdoms; ideals divide families. The quest for power consumes absolutely and indiscriminately. None are immune to its allure.
Who will rise and who will fall? Only time—and ambition—will tell.
UPDATES
05.26.2023
2 month character creation hold for all existing members begins 6/5/2023. Ended 8/5/2023.
10.29.2023
Change in how times flows. Was 4 IC seasons, now only 2 IC seasons per 1 OOC year.
5 whole years of Heir Apparent goodness! When I started the site, I knew I was hunkering down for the long haul, but I never could have predicted the numerous twists and turns this roleplay site has seen. Hundreds of plots, characters, and members have come and gone, all leaving marks on the site. I am so very thankful for those who have invested. Because you keep coming back, keep getting on, and keep writing, Heir Apparent has the legacy it does today. Three cheers to us!
The night before Fischer was sentenced to die, Iliana was feeling restless. She hadn’t done this before, not to this step, and as she went through her nightly routines, she kept glancing at her door as if she was waiting for anyone to come through it. No, not anyone. She wanted one person in particular. With her hair brushed, her handmaiden started to work oil through her curls and reformed them. Soft as ever, she watched each one reappear. She was dressed in her nightgown, a silk of deep purple that feel to her calves and a matching robe wrapped around her and tied at the waist.
Eventually she’d slip into bed, a warm metal slipped into the end of her bed to help warm her feet and she was left to go to sleep, just a single candle still lit beside her bed. Laying there, she stared at the ceiling. The shadows dancing and moving as the flame flickered about, letting her mind make up shapes and creatures in the darkness. An hour went by… then two…
By the third she threw her blanket off and was quick to the drawer beside her bed, pulling the key out that was hers, and went to the closet door. She hesitated, key resting in the lock and her hand on the doorknob. Would he be upset? She hadn’t really gotten time with him in weeks now… maybe it was foolish. He might even toss her out… but the urge, the want drove her to open the door and step through the portal to Cassian’s study…
In possession of a magical necklace that wards off offensive magic attacks against him, a ring that allows him to suppress magic, and can turn into werewolf at will.
Post by Cassian Rainecourt on Dec 20, 2022 1:24:18 GMT -5
Cassian was in his study, of course. When was he not? It was a room for planning, full of secrets. It was his meeting place and his quiet space, where his mind turned and his decisions were made.
It was late. He planned to retire soon but the plans for the new city were what kept him at his desk. This had to be perfect. Nevermere needed it to be.
His door opening was quite unexpected. His head snapped up and he expected to see Alys, or perhaps Regan, likely the only two bold enough to enter without announcement, but instead it was Iliana. He immediately rose to his feet. His eyes ran over her to ensure everything was okay.
Her eyes were cast on the floor as she entered into the room, only to startle at the sound of a chair scraping the floor from being pushed back. Curls bounced as she locked eyes onto Cassian and instantly she laced her hands together as she stood just inside the portal. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” Which was the truth.
Her eyes scanned the desk as if she could gauge from her distance how important the papers were there before she stood a little straighter, her hands pulling her robe a little tighter against her. “With everything tomorrow… I couldn’t sleep. I was hoping that you might be awake.”
In possession of a magical necklace that wards off offensive magic attacks against him, a ring that allows him to suppress magic, and can turn into werewolf at will.
Post by Cassian Rainecourt on Jan 11, 2023 12:50:51 GMT -5
Cassian stood still, stopping his advance towards her when she stopped hers in the portal. As she eyed his desk he looked her over again. Iliana didn’t often come to him this way. Their relationship was stiff and formal, built on the business of their transaction more than on the warmth of a connection. Of course, Cassian had noticed over the years that she craved more. Of course she did. She was human, and she knew love. It was with a quiet shame that he recognized that he was the problem here, not her. That to allow himself to love her without reserves was to be vulnerable. He had only done that once before, and it had inevitably become a regret.
“You are always welcome here.” He asserted gently. It was true, and why he had ensured she had that key. After those words he did move around his desk, eyes jumping to the room beyond her to ascertain that they were alone.
“Of course.” He said quietly as he closed the space between them, only about two feet now. Executing someone was no small affair. His dark gaze flickered over her face and between her eyes searchingly.
She didn't move in further, not even when he told her she was welcome there. Simply because Cassian was the one to move forward, stopping just at an arms distance. There was always a touch of distance, and ever since the night she had taken control when she swore she saw something closer than this, she craved it. She craved the moment of something softer between them, she just hadn't found a way to draw it back out yet. It sounded all too ridiculous now that she was here.
"No," her answer was quick to his question. "I believe he is getting less than he deserves to be quite frank." It was the harshest she had ever been. She didn't walk about death or cruelty really, but lately, it was what she had been talking about. About the cruel ways of their kingdom lately. "But death," she breathed this part, her hands pulling at the lapels of her robe, pulling them a little tighter around her. "In a way I have to face death tomorrow too. I am the one who is sentencing him to end his life. A son... a brother... a father."
Iliana lifted her eyes to look at him. "I just wanted company. And-" She glanced back at his desk, then over her shoulder at her room. Even to this day, a woman, a mother, a wife of several years, she still blushed when asking for things that she wanted. "I wanted your company. Your thoughts." She peeked back at him to gauge his thoughts.
In possession of a magical necklace that wards off offensive magic attacks against him, a ring that allows him to suppress magic, and can turn into werewolf at will.
Post by Cassian Rainecourt on Jan 15, 2023 14:31:40 GMT -5
It was true. Cassian may be a morally grey man, but being responsible for taking a life was not an easy thing for him, either. He carried the names with him. He always would.
The admission of why she came was pleasant. More than what Cassian had expected in a marriage, especially this one. He reached out a hand, and if she took it then he would lead her to the small sitting area just past the chairs in front of his desk.
“I think shared company would do us both well.” If she followed he would sit them on the love seat, close enough to have their arms brushing. He didn’t let go of her hand.
He extended his hand and like a moth to the flame, she reached for it. Iliana didn’t get to do these things with anyone. She didn’t reach to take comfort in holding a hand that wasn’t Cassian’s, Cass’ or Declan’s. She couldn’t, because those rumors were vicious things as she had come to learn and anything, innocent or not, would be assumed as a hot piece of gossip. So she was learning, once more, to be careful. To be reserved. But that little fire within her still burned so brightly.
Following him, she sank to the seat and the two sat side by side. A small silence stretched, one she was used to as they remained close enough to touch, a hand in her hand, and both seemingly quiet for a moment to think on the next day or whatever ailed them. As always, Iliana was the first to speak, breaking the silence after a few moments. “Do you remember my coming of age party?” She asked, her voice so gentle it caressed both of them with a warmness wrapped around her words. “It was the first time I had ever really drank wine,” a soft smile lifted her lips and she looked at their hands held together.
The Iliana then had been so against this, so confused by the… political proposal. All she had wanted was to live in that wine buzz and the glow of her skin from the potion that had been in the wine. How happy she had been to be openly laughing, dancing with those who were brave enough to ask… she only had a few gifts kept from them. Her eyes moving to the door she had entered through, with the key he had given her during that celebration.
“Can we go sailing one day?” She asked almost out of the blue. “Just you and I? I heard you used to.” She looked at him, giving away she asked after him to those within the Nevermere castle. Because she tried, she wanted more, she wanted to be more to him, and she didn’t think that she couldn’t be more. She was his queen after all… and perhaps a bit naive but she was, in her mind, shaping to be a worthy queen of their kingdoms. Soft, yes. But never meaning bad things for their kingdoms.
In possession of a magical necklace that wards off offensive magic attacks against him, a ring that allows him to suppress magic, and can turn into werewolf at will.
Post by Cassian Rainecourt on Jan 21, 2023 13:54:31 GMT -5
Cassian listened. Iliana’s voice was indeed a warm, familiar thing. He didn’t realize how he had, over the years, come to relish the sound of her soft tone. He’s heard her speak to their children that way, the perfect mother he had never had. His boys would be better for it.
The king turned his head to consider her eyes, her lips, as she asked about the party. He dipped his head. He remembered. Her mention of wine had his lips turning up ever so slightly, not a full smile but a slight acknowledgement of the humor in the memory. Not that he particularly remembered that, but he found it entertaining that she has. When had he first drank wine? Julius was very fond of the stuff. Probably when he was only six…
“We can do,” Cassian returned, slowly but surely, “whatever you like.” Because she was the queen, of course, and if time allowed then Cassian was happy to give her everything she desired. Had he denied her anything after all these years? There was no request too large—at least not one she had made to date. Sometimes circumstance prohibited action, but he always intended to make her life a happy one. Business arrangement or not.
After a pause he started, still slowly, thoughtfully,
“I want you and our boys to have everything.” His hazel gaze searched her green, looking for her understanding. For her belief. “Part of that means working hard now for a better tomorrow.” He was getting at something. “Cass is our heir. He will carry the weight of two kingdoms one day. I want to ensure he has someone well suited to help him do just that. I want to arrange his marriage with the princess and heir of Arynn Frey, Lorelle Llewellyn, his cousin.” Ophelia’s eldest. Iliana would know who she was.
Cassian still held her hand in his. Their experience was evidence that arrangements didn’t have to be bad. Imagine growing up with the person you were to marry. They would have the advantage of being best friends.
“But would you like to?” She pressed, gazing at him as if she was testing the waters. What did Cassian like? Besides when she gave him children or held herself in a way that was fitting her title, or how she slipped between the two different ‘queen’ roles that she held. Nevermere didn’t hold the same weight as Lorendale did, and sometimes she fumbled.
He started to speak, and she turned fully towards him. Green eyes unmoving as he spoke of their son, one of their sons. She blinked hard though in surprise at his words, her back straightening where she sat as her hand remained steady in his. An arranged marriage. The young girl that had never been quiet forgotten yelled for her to deny it. It asked ‘what about love?’ and that was what made her eyes drop to their hands. They were an arrangement. There had been no love when they married, but would she have faired as well with anyone else? If it were a different man at her side…
She had pushed him away hard, had been so angry at Cassian at one point when she felt almost forced to marry him because saying no meant losing everything. But, she loved him now. That’s what mattered, wasn’t it? Had she been betrothed to Cassian before then, she could have maybe won him over sooner too. “Okay,” she breathed, before she nodded more solidly. “They would be a fine match indeed.”
In possession of a magical necklace that wards off offensive magic attacks against him, a ring that allows him to suppress magic, and can turn into werewolf at will.
Post by Cassian Rainecourt on Jan 26, 2023 11:55:36 GMT -5
Iliana’s agreement was a relief to Cassian. He wanted the best for Cass, and had no doubt that this was it. Love was learned, and it was committed to. The boy would experience passion, no doubt, just as Cassian had over his years of life, but true love was a choice. Like his commitment to Iliana. It was reasonable and good, not just for them, but for their kingdoms.
“I am glad you think so. I will be sure to have Lorelle spend some time in Lorendale so that you might get to know her.” He knew that sort of thing was important to Iliana. He himself didn’t need that. He would personally see to the girl’s proper training.
Her initial question forgotten, trampled by the importance of the matter they had just settled, Cassian fell silent for a moment. It lasted long enough for Iliana to think he might be done with what he had to say, but then he would ask,
Iliana wasn't sure what to expect from such a young betrothal, but she did ease a bit at Cassian's suggestion of her coming to Lorendale. Even though she was very much a child, just like her son, she would want to know that Cass was going to be well loved and looked after. That his future wife would find him someone she could at least build a good friendship with.
Iliana was wrapped into her thoughts on whether she'd need to prepare for Lorelle's mother to come as well or if Cass would be expected to go to Arynn Frey that she almost jumped at Cassian's voice suddenly slicing through the air.
Green eyes flashing to him, blinking in mild surprise. Declan wasn't even a year old yet, but did she want more? She fidgeted with the seam of her robe for a moment. "I... don't think I'm quite done." She said it softly, almost shyly. Considering she had dug her heels in about giving him children, it seemed now she wasn't so against it. Because they were hers too. And she absolutely loved Cass and Declan, even the sons that Cassian had had before Iliana... bastards or no.
"Do you?" She trailed off, looking up to those hazel eyes she knew all too well.
In possession of a magical necklace that wards off offensive magic attacks against him, a ring that allows him to suppress magic, and can turn into werewolf at will.
Post by Cassian Rainecourt on Jan 30, 2023 13:09:37 GMT -5
Cassian had always wanted children. Needed them, really. The value of an heir was something that could hardly be put into words. Iliana had already given him two. It was all his father had endeavored to secure, but Cassian could think of multiple occasions in which Julius very nearly lost his only heir. Additional siblings were an insurance. More than that, he was certain they would bring Iliana additional joy. She was an excellent mother to Cassian, Declan, and even Leopold. Julius, too, when he came around, but that was infrequent.
He reached a hand up towards her face, seeing to bring the knuckle of his forefinger to her cheek. The motion started with a stroke and ended with him tucking a curl just behind her ear. He didn't shy away from her gaze.
"I am content" It was true. "But I would not begrudge more." His eyes fell to her lips. She had come here to seek support in what awaited her tomorrow, perhaps even a distraction; there were more ways than words for them to do that. If she let him he would lean in, bringing his lips close enough for her to take or reject.
His touch wasn't shied way from, instead lingering as he brushed back some of her loose hair. Perhaps a bit more unruly now that it hadn't been twisted back and styled since her earlier bathing. But she knew the look that fell from her own gaze down to her lips, sending a small rush down her spine. As always, he paused just before taking. Letting her be the one to make that final decision on whether or not she'd close the distance and accept his offer.
Iliana paused, but not because she wasn't sure what she wanted, but rather that this would be a first. It had always been in her bed. Or ended in her bed, but where they sat now was very much an office and not a bedroom. Not that they couldn't go back through the portal to her room, but perhaps it was the spontaneous thought to her that had a new rush of excitement. Kissing him with hands that came up to curl around his cheeks as her mouth formed against his.
In possession of a magical necklace that wards off offensive magic attacks against him, a ring that allows him to suppress magic, and can turn into werewolf at will.
Post by Cassian Rainecourt on Feb 14, 2023 12:10:31 GMT -5
Iliana's excitement was like an electrical charge, rushing through her and into Cassian. His lovemaking with her had always been the same as their relationship--business. They had a marriage to consummate, then heirs to produce. But they'd done both of those things, and here they were. This wasn't for a purpose. It was pleasure. And in this moment, Cassian felt a sense of fever. His kiss would reflect it, that youthful hunger for a physical satisfaction that he didn't get anywhere other than with his queen.
It was rare to feel this with him, in fact she could only think of one other time that felt even close to this and it had been just a few months ago when she had been the one to initiate the action. But now, she felt him meet her with a fever that she was almost overwhelmed with. Her toes curling, her hands running over him with a type of greed that she rarely felt.
She didn’t need to think about the next day, the trials that laid ahead, nor the weeks ahead where they’d stumble into new territory themselves as rulers. Instead she was focused on the curve of his mouth against hers, the way he handled her, and the hungry pulls at his clothing that had her heart racing in her chest and her hands fumbling with urgency.