𝔉𝔬𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔊𝔩𝔬𝔯𝔶 𝔬𝔣 𝔜𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔎𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔡𝔬𝔪 || ƒeral x Passion

ƒeral · Jun 6, 2021

Hate me or love me I'll drive you wild
Let it all go, give it to me, I wanna
Wanna hear you 𝓢ᴄʀᴇᴀᴍ
Scream out my name

There were two types of people in the world. Those who drifted through life, floating, sinking, paddling, gulping down air to hang on, quivering with loved ones by the firelight, plowing their fields and dreaming simple dreams of hearth and fall harvest. Then there were those who took life by the throat, sank their teeth into the jugular and drank and drank, their endless avarice impossible to deter, impossible to appease, impossible to sate.

Ambition was truly the deadliest vice known to man, and Seth Lauremont relished it. Although, looking at him, one would never guess him to be an ambitious man. Rain or shine, Seth was always smiling. A gentle, easy smile that reached the eyes and softened his angular features. There was an effortless magnetism to him, a pleasing shine in his pale blue eyes and his well-groomed onyx hair, in his mild mannerism and his refined demeanor. He was soft-spoken and always listened before speaking, carrying himself with such nobility that it was a shock to all to find out that no such blood ran through his veins.

There was nothing sacred or highborn about his descent; on the contrary, his profane ancestry was his closest kept secret. And if he was just a tad too good with spells of the illusionary and chaotic variety, well, nothing but a coincidence. He was just a mid-ranked military officer, see? Knew his way around a rapier or longsword, could shoot bullseye astride horseback fifty paces away, could parry and jab like the best of them. But nothing to write home about. Just don’t look too closely when he lunges. Fixate upon the cutting edge, not the hand behind his back.

For all of his ambitions, he was also a remarkably patient man. He had to be to make something of himself from nothing. And, in his patience, his piercing azures were keen. Like the viper coiled tight and the tiger hunched low, in his cool, gleaming gaze, he saw only fire and chaos and things for him to take. And today, he would feast upon the first spark of triumph, imbibe the results of his ruthless cunning. But he was getting ahead of himself. There was a play to stage and he was the lead. He stared deep into the mirror, practiced his smile that needed no practicing, fixed his pristine, aristocratic garments, and shattered the illusion with the cruel curve of his lips. By the nine hells, I could hardly wait.

»»ᅳThat nightᅳᅳ►

Chaos.

It was a poorly kept secret that the royal family had fallen from grace, that the Queen did not rule, and, even if she wanted to, did not have the power to do so. There were plenty of nobles still loyal to the royal family, to the bloodline that had ruled the lands for centuries and beyond. And, amongst the peasantry that toiled, that suffered in their mundane mediocrity, they knew no other name but Queen Astra Valius. But ambition was a common sin amongst those who thought too highly of themselves, and, on nearly every front of the Zilon Empire, nobles and not-quite-nobles were quick to claim the abundant land for themselves.

Whether they vocalized such betrayal varied, but one thing was for certain, the bloodthirsty feudal lords warred amongst themselves, pissed at their borders and fought for turf with teeth and claws, with ambition so bare that it was asinine. How they snarled and pawed at one another, throwing around their weight the same as their pedigree and wealth, clashing with armies and assassins at every turn, seeing shadows where there were none and forgetting entirely their oaths of fealty to their liege. And that was to say nothing of the foreign threats.

Amidst it all, the Queen was so very alone, and tonight, her loneliness would be pierced by pandemonium.

Between the wide, arcing stone walls, amidst the vaulted halls built and lived in by her ancestors, swords clanged against shields and emerged from flesh in wet, sickening sounds. The shouts of man and woman, screams and battle cries of servants and knights merging into a haunting, discordant melody that was unlike any other.

“Lord Belezac had gone mad!” The servants would cry. “Traitor, turncoat, bastard!” The knights echoed. But words were just that, senseless mutterings that did nothing to stop the onslaught of fire and steel. The elite knights of Duke Irving Belezac, a man the previous reigning monarch had once considered a brother, albeit not by blood, stormed through the castle. For all of his virtues, the Duke was an ambitious man, and, if the Queen would not rule, then he would.

That the castle guards were entirely underprepared for the turncoat spoke to the weakness of the current regime. The fight was doomed before it even began. But while the Duke would take the castle, his quarry would slip through his grasp this night, the same as any other night. She was far too precious to waste upon the likes of him. The Duke was an intelligent man. He had long mapped out the escape tunnels that were supposed to be only known to the royal family, but his mistake was to place his trust in Seth. And so, when she would inevitably emerge from the tunnel to a well-concealed hillside entrance in the surrounding countryside, instead of the row of spears that should have greeted her, there would only be him.

The pristine white of his uniform drenched in blood, torn at the chest where a sword wound seeped blood still. His hair matted with sweat and his gaze dulled with pain, but looking oh so relieved when he finally laid his eyes upon her. The death and gore surrounding him should have made him, the only man standing, a terrifying sight, but the gentleness of his gaze spoke only of gallantness, a veritable paladin of yore.

“Your Royal Majesty,” he would bow deep, displaying more knightliness than all the corpses of knights around him, before straightening and extending a gloved hand to her with worry and concern warring upon his sharply handsome features. Face to face, his height was such that she would have to peer up at him to meet his gaze. “Please, there is no time--” he would silence any words she might say, recognition of his face or otherwise, and gesture at the nearby steed. “We must go now, the Duke will not be long from here. I promise I will answer all of your questions, just not here.” And, if she would be willing, he would help her upon his mount as chivalrous as can be, stealing her away in the dead of the night with the grace of a master thief.

Passion · Jun 7, 2021

Valius' castle was once a place that gave anyone who neared it butterflies. The color of indigo still boldly accented the castle and empire, but over the years, the pride behind the hue was lost. Aluria, the capital that once buzzed with serenity and promise, was now cold and still, which was a successful reflection of Zilon's decline.

Zilon was led through many in place of its true Queen. The conflicting ideas and morals they projected in absence of their ruler caused Zilon to falter into disarray. Many towns and cities in the empire were captured or ran by greedy or desperate locals. In some areas, civil wars were about the spark between once innocent communities. No one knew where to put their hope without their fated leader, and so many now only looked out for themselves and their inner circles. Without Astra, it was near impossible to get unity. After all, it was Astra that was born with the signature lavender eyes.

King Kalen and Queen Amella struggled to have children. They feared their family line would near its end, since despite their struggles, King Kalen was forever fateful to his wife. Many honored or criticized the king for his patience, but soon the couple would produce a daughter; Astra. Many celebrated her birth like a miracle since it wasn't only a child, but she was born with the same lavender eyes as her father. All was so bright then, but it was now it was merely a memory.

Those with lavender eyes were said to be able to see and touch beyond the physical world, which many simply called the other world. The Valius family used this ability to their advantage. They had a connection to all the fallen ancestors before them to deliver messages to the people of their previous rulers and to have a near-endless supply of advice. While many rulers of other kingdoms had to lock themselves away to study subjects like the art of war and politics, those of the Valius' bloodline learned through tapping into ancient ancestral knowledge. Those that had fallen were ready to give their advice and guidance to help their beloved empire. A ruling Valius meant having the wisdom of many renowned royals...

But what if a ruler was unable to solidify a connection?

King Kalen and Queen Amella were struck down by a mysterious and sudden illness, but some speculated it was poison. Zilon was growing strong enough that forceful nations desired to dampen their fire. Zilon wasn't hungry for expansion, they already held a vast area of land, and believed in peace over aggression as well as sustainability over rapid growth. Their military might specialize in defense, but little did the empire know that they would be weakened from the inside out.

Astra really tried. She was only seventeen when she first took her throne, and then there was silence. No generals approached her, no diplomats nor merchants. Instead, they waited for their queen to find them given that it was the usual tradition. Those of the past, even her own father should be able to help her, and instead, there was nothingness. When Astra sat on her throne for the first year and a half, she wore a strong face, but she was keen enough to sense the swelling anxiety and distress that latched onto the souls of her people, but she was helpless to aid them. They waited for her to one day speak to the land quoting the fallen, but that day never came, and instead, Astra was flooded daily of poor news.

Lost, Astra knew the only thing she could do was try to awaken her powers further. She was told it should have come naturally, but it never did. Other than a few handmaidens, Astra would go missing from the public eye for long periods of time, but everyone knew exactly where she was.

Connected to the castle was a large dome-shaped room alit with violet flames and fogged with sage. Astra spent her days sitting on the polished floor with her legs neatly crossed, her eyes closed. Utter silence. She hated it as a queen for her inadequacy, and as a young woman who knew that there was much she was missing out on. She left her meditation room on occasion, but guilt never kept her away for long.

Days turned into years, and after many years of this deafening silence, it gnawed at her. Nonetheless, she needed it to meticulously focus on her soul and find her path to other world, and yet all Astra could find was a void. She did not sense even a glimmer of someone looking out for her. She was always alone.

Now, twenty-four years old, she still failed to make much progress. Her ability to sense and read souls was as strong as it ever was, but she still could not connect with the other world. Once a cheerful girl now grown bitter after years of failure. While others would have given up, Astra refused to. Many were proud of their queen for her refusal to surrender. It was the one thing going for her reputation. She wouldn't let them down since one day, something had to give, right? Until then, Astra stepped down from active rule, waiting the day she could proudly and publicly reclaim her throne.

------

With her long, light ash blonde hair down, and dressed in only a thin and flowing silk robe of indigo, the queen was seated in her meditation room. Before she even heard of any peril, her eyes flash open in alert. Even if she was unable to open up a channel with the other world, she wasn't without power. She was a sensitive and could feel the torment of those nearby rolling in closer and closer. A trail of devastation was heading her way.

Standing up, Astra held her breath and eyed the towering dark blue doors. Silence, oh, she knew it so well, but it was only a few lingering moments that it was pierced by screams. One of the doors open, and a knight rushed in, his armor black and embellish with hints indigo. "Your Highness! The castle is under attack! Flee!"

Looking up at the ceiling, she let a hand of hers hover over her chest. "Even now, father... you will not speak to me?" With another resonating screaming ripping through the air, Astra couldn't wait for an answer she already knew she wouldn't receive. Her heart started to hammer. That scream was close, too close.

She rushed to the back of the meditation room and flipped a small lever behind one of the pillars that hugged the walls. A trap door opened up, and Astra hopped right in. Crawling through the tunnel, she realized the last time she took this route was when she was an explorative child. Such innocent days lost as even as she crawled, she could hear the whispers of screams behind her, and she could feel the suffering of her people as they face grievous injury. Tears blinded her already darken vision as she made her way through.

If I wasn't such a failure of a Queen then....

Light.

She pushed open a door alit around the frame by moonlight, and found herself in the countryside with the castle not too far behind her. To her surprise, she saw that she wasn't alone. On edge, the woman took a few steps back in hesitation, but then she stopped to tilt her head in wonder. Wait a second, hadn't she seen that face before? She wouldn't have the clarity to piece it all together. She wasn't even sure what had happened. Within her isolation, she hadn't had a clue who had betrayed her.

"The duke?" Her eyes narrow as she thought of a few, but no matter who it was, one thing was for certain: "Such treason!"

The man was right, those close to the royal family knew the castle instead and out, and almost everyone knew where to find Astra to begin with. She had to get out of here. However, how much she knew, this man would lead her right to the enemy, but he was the only hope she had. She looked over her shoulder, and then her pupils dilate. "I can sense someone in the meditation room now and it isn't my knight..."

Without another word, she took his help to mount his steed. Her arms wrapping around his middle, she held on all while she kept an eye on the tunnel exit. Her body trembling behind him in both fear and adrenaline. Talk about a blunt wake up call after a pattern of solitude.

ƒeral · Jun 7, 2021

She was as beautiful as he remembered. No, more so. What had once been a budding flower that tentatively unfurled the first of its radiant petals was now a rose in full bloom, a beauty so striking that she would have stood out with or without that signature shade denoting her royalty. Although Seth had sought her out for another purpose, he was more than capable of appreciating pretty things. He didn't miss the telling streaks of tears either. She had portrayed only anger, approaching him with such a guarded look, but her fear and uncertainty were as obvious to him as her shapely contour beneath that regal dress. In fairness to her, the Queen was but a woman in her mid-twenties, and the terrors besieging Valius' castle were enough to make a seaoned knight whiten. Unfortunately for her, her vulnerability was like an aphrodisiac to ambitious men, and Seth intended to take full advantage of it.

He rode tall, mindful that she was clinging to him. And, whatever was running through her mind, it was quite likely that it was nothing like the filth that surged through his. He had wanted her back then, and seeing her again only made those depraved urges flare again. It wasn't just her beauty. She was a symbol for everything that he was not, everything that he had no claim to by birthright, everything that he will take for himself. Patience. He reminded himself. She was suspicious and he must assuage those suspicions, must impress upon her his loyalty and gain her trust.

Their midnight ride took them through the countryside into the surrounding woods. He avoided the major paths and instead spurred his horse through the backcountry. She was far too eye-catching and recognizable in that dress of hers even if she avoided eye contact. Plus, he was well aware how well a sense of danger and feeling out of sorts fostered attachment. She will learn that she needs him to survive. And so, it would be several hours later before he pulled his horse, a stallion bred for war, to a slower trot. All around them, the trees were dense and, but for the silver moon that peeked through the canopies, near pitch black. Owls hooted and various woodland creatures scurried in the underbrush, frightened by the beat of the warhorse's hooves. It would likely be hard for her to see in the relative dark, though he had no such troubles.

He followed the sound of water and pulled into a small clearing, where the woods were craned towards a small stream. "With Your Majesty's permission, we'll camp here tonight." He offered, twisting his torso to offer her a reassuring smile over his shoulder. "Unfortunately, Duke Belezac's men are doubtlessly searching all the nearby villages for Your Majesty, so it would be prudent for us to pass this night in the woods." He dismounted then with fluidity, before offering her his hand again to help her off the horse.

He led his now riderless horse by the stream, allowing it to drink deeply as he unsecured a hefty bundle and began the process of setting up a tent. And it was just that, a tent. Nothing more than a simple covering offering refuge from the elements atop an even simpler bedroll. It was clean enough, but still vaguely smelled like him, a woodsy and entirely pleasant masculine scent. He started a fire too with an adroitness that demonstrated experience, piling a stack of loose branches high and scattering dry leaves atop as tinder. He kept the fire low, ever cognizant of the fact that they were not to be found. It was not until he was done with these tasks that he spoke again.

"Please, sit." He unbuttoned his overcoat, laying it neatly upon the ground for her as a clean place to rest. Beneath the officer's uniform, his outfit was simple. A black sleeveless tunic tightly hugged his muscular torso, leaving his pleasantly corded arms on full display. Black pants. Black boots. He had a lean and strong look about him, not as buff as some of the grizzled war veterans she might be used to seeing around the castle, but with a build that spoke to athleticism. The tunic was torn at the chest the same way as his coat, and, by now, the bleeding had stopped but enough blood had seeped through his shirt that there was an obvious dark stain. By the firelight, his handsome features were paler than they should be, with cold sweat beading at his temples. In truth, he was significantly less injured than he let on, but she wouldn't be privy to that knowledge. Step one to gaining her trust - show vulnerability.

And so, with a hand raised to brace at his temple, he frowned and feigned dizziness, and when he spoke again, there was a tired, pained quality to his voice. "Please pardon me for being a poor conversationalist," he started, forcing an apologetic smile. "Slaying the Duke's knights proved more difficult than I anticipated." And, knowing that there were quite a few unanswered questions, he continued. "My name is Seth Lauremont, a lieutenant in Duke Belezac's army until tonight." He paused to let that sink in. The best lies are always those served with a heaping serving of truths.

"I did not learn of my Lord's treacherous intent until it was too late and," he hesitated then, playing at reticence, "though the Duke had given me everything, I couldn't stand by and watch when he--" There was a rawness to his voice, an emotion that verged on quivering that sharply contrasted against the knightly image he had presented thus far. "Your Majesty might not remember a humble military man like me, but I have not forgotten the dance we shared a summer prior to Your Majesty's coronation. I could never forget." He stared deep into her eyes then, fixed those tender and pristine cerulean blues that had capitvated so many women before her upon those royal lavenders. "A simple lieutenant such as myself would never dare hope for more. But I...I could not let him kill you. I..." His words trailed off, but his silence said much more.

Passion · Jun 7, 2021

It was hours of riding into the unknown. She had no idea what ending fate her decision held in trusting the man, but she knew she would more than likely meet her end, if not worse if she stayed in the castle. As they rode guided only by moonlight, the silk of her oversized robe trailed behind her like a flag of her presence. Once in honor, now in misfortune.

She was not prepared for such an adventure; she wasn't even dressed for it. She in her usual attire of loose-fitting clothes when meditating paired with a thin pair of fitted slippers. Even so, she looked elegant dripping in such rich color and fabric, but it was far from the proper wear to be thrown into a whirlwind. Her night was supposed to end with her either falling asleep meditating or eventually retiring to her chambers, but instead, the cool air of the night tickled her salty cheeks as a vivid reminder that this wasn't all just some kind a nightmare.

Quiet she was, her eyes closed as she rested her forehead on his back. Using him to steady herself as she attempted to still cry out to the other world. Maybe calamity within the castle would be enough to bring connection she needed. Nope. Her attempts were met with soul-crushing silence. With a heavy heart, she wondered if her entire family line had abandoned her. They had to. Her castle was being gutted, and all she could speak to was the wall of black in her mind. She was alone again.

When the horse finally came to a stop, Astra looked around the area, her senses reaching out. "I don't feel anyone nearby." She bit her lower lip and her eyes cast down in deep disappointment as he revealed the name of the duke. Belezac...? Why would he do such a thing? She knew the answer. He had shown his true colors. There was a stain on his soul, one of her family overlooked since everyone had their faults, but it was proven to be much more ingrained than they thought.

Disheartened, she took the man's hand and slipped off the horse. She grabbed at the fabric of the flowing silk, raising it up so it wouldn't get more soiled by dirt than it was already as she made her way to the stream. Even with his injury, he had managed to get a tent up as well as start a smoldering fire while Astra refreshed herself with the cool water. By the time she turned around, he was waiting on her. She walked over and took a seat on his coat. Not even a thank you since such gestures were expected. However, that didn't stop her from looking him over in concern. She had no idea how hurt he was, and he wouldn't be any use to her dead. At least where her powers stood now.

She could hear the pain in his voice, but the soft look in her eyes sparked with fret. He worked for the lieutenant, what if this was all some kind of ploy? If it was, wouldn't it be foolish to be so upfront, but maybe that was the point. Growing paranoid that he would end up leading her directly to her enemies was eating at her. Even if he was an enemy, what was she to do? She did not have knights or any resources waiting for her beckon. She was in the middle of nowhere! She was helpless.

Before she could get lost in fear, he then spoke to her on a much more personal level. It had turned out he was one of her admirers, and the memories of the past came flooding. She breathed, "I remember..." She remembered his handsome face, those piercing eyes, his strong hand on her waist, and the dance they shared. It wasn't a life-changing moment, but out of all her dance partners of that night, he was the one who stood out to her. It was a day marked with bliss and hope, and yet it got to her where she was today. Those kinds of memories haunted her. Things were so much brighter then. "I don't like to th-think about it." While it might have sounded personal, it wasn't. Such merry memories were overcast by the grim reality of her rule. Recalling happier times only filled her with more sorrow.

In his pause, she didn't need her abilities to sense his depths. She looked into the flame, sitting with her legs crossed under one another. "Is it true, that although you worked so closely with the duke, you really did not know of such a grand plan like this?" She let out a heavy sigh as she thought about the Duke. She could use her profile of him to answer her own question. "I must admit, I do know he can be a rather impulsive man."

"But for your noble deed, I do hope that you are okay." Her lavender eyes look over to him once more. "I cannot heal the body, and I do not have much medical knowledge. I was told Queen Elora had a gift for it. If I could only talk to her then I-..." Her words linger and her pain was evident as she twitched to hunch forward. There was so much she could do. If only she could use her powers properly, maybe then she could have prevented this whole thing.

Raised to be a woman of power, she wasn't designed to show weakness, but how could she not when she was just chased out of her own castle? She felt helpless sitting there in the dark with him, but she couldn't help but think, what was even the point of even running? Maybe it would be more honorable to go down on her throne. After all, she had no where to run to. No nations that she knew of would aid her, if anything, they wanted to steal from her. Then what was she to do? Try to live a life under a different name and try to live like a simpleton? No, she wouldn't be able to adjust, and she refused to shed her title until it was all over... but maybe it was already over. His support only temporarily diverting the inevitable; her family's fall in her rule.

With little to lose, Astra spoke her mind. "You should have left me there. I only have one purpose in life, and that is to rule Zilon. Without that purpose, I might as well already perish. I do not see anymore options unless I awaken, but at least I can die knowing that I at least tried until the end. Even as my castle filled with screams, my ancestors did not come. Their silence is an answer in of itself." She could feel her eyes welling up with tears, but she held back. Those screams would torment her for years to come. Astra was a strong woman, but a lost one who solely had the entire empire on her shoulders. She knew other nations and empires laughed at her crumble.

"You will more than likely be killed if you are spotted with me. Even if we escape, I know more than just the duke desires my head." Morale low, the heaviness around the queen was crushing. It did not help that exhaustion was getting to her as well. "Despite your warmth towards me and if you are well enough, you should head back if the Duke isn't yet aware of your betrayal. We can get some rest, and you then can drop me off at the nearest town. I doubt my destiny will be bright there, but at least I won't have the death of my savior polluting my soul." She would be on her own again as she felt like it was meant to be.

ƒeral · Jun 8, 2021

While she talked, his mind turned. It wasn’t exactly a secret that the Queen had not yet managed to forge a connection to the other world like the rulers that came before her. It wasn’t that knowledge that interested him, but rather how she talked about it. Everything from her posture and tone spoke of grief, of self-blame, and yet, shining through it all, a deep-seated stubbornness that he could not help but admire. Ah, she was so exquisite, body and mind, and already he was refining his approach, altering his course ever so subtly to process the new information.

His expression betrayed nothing, sincere and patient as he listened, though he did wonder what she saw when she gazed at him. She wasn’t exactly subtle when speaking about her powers. Would she see in his soul an endless hunger like a gaping maw? Maybe there would be nothing but depth, dark eddies of nuances that knew no bounds. Or perhaps it would be an intense, vibrant thing, as ravenous as fire and more riotous than the raging storm. Whatever she saw, she said nothing of it, but, from the words she did utter, it did not seem she much mistrusted him. That, or because she was constrained in her options. Either way, it worked to his advantage.

“And you will rule,” he shifted then, sliding from a seated position to brace himself upon one knee. His eyes held such conviction, such belief, that they burned with more vibrancy than the campfire they were situated beside. “You are the rightful Queen of Zilon,” he declared, intentionally dropping the honorific in a calculated attempt to portray zeal, “I can think of no greater honor than to die fighting under your banner, my Queen.” However, this much was simply not enough. Whether or not his show of devotion was enough to revitalize her morale, she was too smart not to realize that the deference of one man, particularly one with no military nor land to his name, was not a particularly useful thing. He knew he needed to offer more.

“Does a diamond become such without first undergoing the crucible of heat and pressure?” He asked, rhetorically, before craning forward, brashly seizing one of her hands and holding it within both of his. He had removed his gloves prior to starting the fire, and his hands that were calloused from sword-training easily encompassed hers.

“There are always options,” his voice dipped to a low husk, almost as if whispering a secret. “I firmly believe that fate brought me to you for a reason. I...am not proud of my ancestry and the nightmarish blood that taints my line,” his dropped his eyes a fraction to hint at shame, before lifting them again with something akin to ardor gleaming in those azure depths. “But for Zilon, for you, I will do anything.” His eyes glowed then, in an entirely inhuman way, and when he spoke again, there was no missing those suddenly too pronounced canines.

“The blood of Asmodeus taints my line,” he admitted, honestly, “though it is diluted by many generations, there are things I am capable of that no human man could ever dream of.” There was conflict that shone in his eyes, in the dip of his brows, but he pressed on and brought her hand to his chest, pressing her palm directly atop his beating heart. “With your power and my magic, we can persuade any woman to aid your cause. Under normal circumstances, I would never abuse such profane magic, but,” his heart thudded powerfully against her palm, “Zilon needs you. The people need you. I am yours to command, my Queen.” What he did not say, his gaze said for him. Demonstrate your resolve.

Passion · Jun 9, 2021

Sitting there beside him, she could only sense him on a surface level. She did not know what kind of feats stirred his soul, and she did not know him enough to make much of a judgment for what she did sense. After all, no soul was without its flaws; they were merely human. There was a way Astra could dive in, but only a cryptic puzzle would be there unless his soul was alit with some kind of fervor or subjection, or she learned over time by being around him. What she did sense was a lack of aggression towards her, and his genuine want to help. Little did she know that there were twisted intents woven into his display. She did pick up on a spark of black, but he had just got done with a grueling battle, travel, now hearing of his queen's woes; she couldn't fault him. However, one thing did concern her, and had nothing to do with his soul: he admitted he was a betrayer. Would she be next when she least expected it like the duke?

Known for her refusal to give in after all these years, the poor queen was stretched thin. She did not see hope without a miracle. It raddled to her core how she had to flee from her own home. No matter, he was there, his strong form flickering with the campfire as he took a knee before her in loyalty. What was most moving was the burning conviction in his eyes. It was brighter than the glowing flames, and all of it was directed at her.

After such a crushing blow this night had brought her, hearing someone speak with such confidence about her birthright gave her a surge. No, she didn't think this man alone could change her dreary reality, but he served as a reminder that maybe she wasn't entirely alone, even if she felt like her entire world was crumbling at her feet.

His fortitude was heartening. Inspiring enough that it was enough for her to overlook his cursed bloodline. Maybe that was the origin of the darkness that she picked up on. Her slender hand captured by his, her otherworldly lavender eyes lock with his. There was something about the presence of the queen alone, and with eye contact, it would feel like she was cutting through his physical vessel to peer in.

His heart is racing... for me.

"Perhaps, I've been too focused on handling the matter on my own. I should be able to but, I've already walked a much different past than my ancestors as is." She had to lower her pride some if it meant one day regaining her footing. She already made many sacrifices, but it seemed she wasn't quite done. "I apologize for speaking poorly about myself. I know that can be disheartening to hear your queen say such things." She broke eye contact, looking away as she reconsidered the situation. "I need a new approach. I've done all that I could by myself."

While her mind scattering for an idea, her thoughts tripping over themselves after such a taxing night. He would fill her silence with a possible solution. It was one that didn't settle well with the queen, but she was backed into the corner. She didn't want to use trickery to get her throne back, but did she have another choice but to resort to some unflattering tactics? As things stood now, she wasn't even able to sleep in her own bed! She said it herself, she had one purpose in life, and that was to rule. She would need to do whatever it took within her means. "I'm willing to take routes I'd usually avoid, but I will not tarnish my family's name more than I already have." How far would she go? Would she need to keep secrets from her people? All she did know was that couldn't give up as long as hearts burned for their queen like Seth's.

"If you shine this brightly for me still, you cannot be the only. There are plenty in Zilon who will honor me, but I must find them. Those who oppose me in or outside of Zilon will finally see why I was destined to be queen. If not, I will keep going until my very last breath." She had no idea what she was signing herself up for. She wasn't one who liked playing dirty, but at the same time, she had years of bitterness from failure. Would the taste of success be far too sweet?

The queen leaned in, her fingertips grasping at his chest. "Thank you, Seth. Thank you for not losing hope in your queen. If you help me get back to my throne, I will make sure you are rewarded handsomely." Now, a similar determination burned in her eyes. It was as if one lit candle touched another wick. He was her flame in this time of need.

ƒeral · Jun 9, 2021

"Anything for you, my Queen," he gazed back at her, aware of their proximity but even more so of the hope that burnt brightly in her otherworldly eyes. His own returned to a far more human shade after the brief display, but remained achingly faithful. "But I desire no reward. All that I ask, all that I ever will ask, is that you allow me to stay by your side, to serve you as your champion, to usher Zilon to a new golden age in your name." His magnetic voice held not even one ounce of hesitation, and in his eyes, her reflection stared back at her. He saw only her - her earlier desperation, her renewed composure, and through it all, he never wavered. What he did not waver in was the part that she was not privy to.

And, pushing his luck, he lifted her fingers and placed a chaste kiss thereupon. Not on the back of her hand, as would be proper, but upon her ring finger, where no wedding band yet laid claim. It was an over-the-top romantic gesture, but still well within the bounds of chivalry. He played the role of the love-sick white knight so well that it begged the question of just how much practice he has had. But he knew not to push her too much. Sure, she seemed to appreciate his professed loyalty, but in her eyes, he did not pick-up the same fawning adoration he feigned at. That was only to be expected however. Vain though he might be, he was too intelligent to expect the Queen of Zilon to fall for him overnight. No, this was a project that would require some patience, fortunately for him, that was a trait he had in abundance.

And so, it was with an intentional reluctance on his part that he allowed her hand to fall, pulling away and straightening himself, his head differentially bowed. "It is late," he murmured, "Please rest and regain your strength, my Queen, our travel will be a while longer tomorrow. We will ride to the Merchant City of Slastin - the merchant guilds do not tend to get overly involved in politics, it is likely one of the safest places for us to begin looking for those loyal to Your Majesty." Next, he gestured at the plain tent. "I apologize for the poor accommodations; I only had time to pack light. Please rest. I will keep watch until dawn."

--

Seth stared into the darkness in silent contemplation, stroking the fire absent-mindedly. That went well, all things considered. She was much harder to charm than the average woman, but that fell within expected standard deviations. What did please him, however, was her willingness to at least consider the offer he hinted at. Consider, but not partake. He had glossed over it as is, but still she suggested a different course. That was fine though. There might well be Zilonians loyal to the Queen in Slastin, and they both could use the extra manpower. But, so long as he was around to manipulate the situation, he knew an opportunity would present itself sooner rather than later for him to convince her of the necessity of his ways. After all, hope was more addictive than any drug. A single drop of that sweet, sweet ambrosia, and it would near impossible to forget its taste. His smirk was vicious as he pondered just what delicious cracks she would show if she found hope slipping from her again.

But that was for tomorrow. Tonight, his work was not done. He waited more than two hours before he snuffed out the fire and rose from his seat, confident that she should have been sound asleep by now. Silent as a shade, he approached the tent, but did not disturb its flaps. All he needed was proximity, after all. Raising a hand to the air, he began to trace complex arcane sigils the color of a purplish pink. The script hovered suspended in the air, wavering at the edges, before fading into nothingness. The words would be entirely illegible to all but those who knew the Abyssal tongue.

After all, though he'd shown her some of his hand tonight, he hardly told the whole truth. Contrary to his words, he practiced the profane arts as often as he could, and, though he was not lacking in swordplay or other typically soldiery pursuits, his true advantage lay in his magic. His bloodline only made unlocking those infernal secrets easier.

In the dark, his eyes gleamed with devilish glee, even as he wove a fragmented dream to supplement whatever images or thoughts her sleeping mind conjured. He was not powerful enough to create something from nothing, but he could guide and he could steer. She would dream of him, that much he was sure, perhaps some rendition of the dance they shared, or perhaps a retelling of their fireside chat. He licked at his canine as he forced a lurid strand to taint the otherwise innocent events. He could not spawn something from nothing, but, if she felt any attraction to him at all, his magic was such that such attraction would be greatly amplified in her dreams. Nothing too exaggerated, a kiss only perhaps, if she was as innocent as she seemed. But if she wasn't, well...it was too bad he hadn't mastered this particular spell well enough yet to pick up on more than an inkling of what she dreamt of. Without sound, he completed the spell by mouthing the command in Abyssal.

"Desire me."

Passion · Jun 10, 2021

The night had been a roller coaster for the queen. From despair to hopeful, he was there to see her fall and rise. His bold yet courteous gesture brought a little color to her face. She wasn't expected to be flattered after facing such a terrible night, but maybe she was even more susceptible to his sway due to her frazzled mind. It didn't help that the one who was elegantly sworn an oath to her was attractive and appeared to have some admirable and strong traits.

"I guess after all these years, you haven't lost your charm." She smiled as she thought back about the first time she looked into his eyes years ago. An illogical wonder floated through her mind; would his reappearance in her life bring back that joy she once felt like the night they danced? When the night was full of hope and glee? If only she could find that again, but looking into her eyes reminded her of happier days in the empire. The days that she would fight to see once again.

Her trance was broken when he took back his hand. With a nod of her head, she agreed. "I do need my rest. I haven't been able to think clearly." She rubbed her forehead and released a heavy sigh. She knew better than to be so negative around others as queen, but she felt like she was drowning. Sleep would probably do them both so good.

"Oh, so we are near Slastin?" She looked around in the darkness, as if that would do her any good. She had no idea where he had taken her after hours of travel. "That's a great idea. They have honored my family line for many decades." The idea of an actual bed, warm food, a proper bath, and a new dress all was more than tempting.

"Also..." She glanced down to his chest, still unsure of the state of his injury. "Don't you dare leave your queen by dying while she sleeps. That's an order." With a smile painted on her face, it was clear there was a playful tone to her order, but she meant what she said. What would she do without him?

She stood up and checked out the bedroll within the tent. She shook her head in disapproval but kept her posh desires to herself before slipping in. Laying there, she was restless. There was a lot of tossing and turning on her end, until she finally succumbed to sleep while subconsciously comforted by his lingering scent. She was finally peaceful, or at least she should have been.

------

Her dream started off as a nightmare of the very recent past. She was in her meditation room, and the screams were so much louder than they actually were when chaos struck her castle. She didn't know what to do. The secret lever was no where to be found in her nightmare, and she was cornered. She had no where to escape to, and she couldn't save her people from her cruel fate. She squatted down, holding the sides of her head and covering her ears as an attempt to block out the sound, but it never ceased. No one came for her, enemy or friend, she was alone with the heartbreaking screams. She begged and prayed for it to stop, to even be stricken deaf, but that was when the doors finally opened.

Instead of her knight telling her to flee or the duke ready to steal her of life, it was Seth. She ran up to him, expressed how the screams of her people were tearing her apart, about how it must stop or she had to leave, and he offered a solution unlike any other.

He had promised her that he would take her away from it all, and they didn't even have to leave the room. That was when he kissed her with such hunger and might. He stole so much of her focus that the entire room was overcasted by a blinding veil of black, and the gale of screams sounded so distant that they were almost nonexistent.

Something came over her; her soul and body were both burning for the man who could take away all her pain by numbing it all. With a pull of her flimsy sash, her flowing silk gown dropped to the floor, leaving her royal body exposed for him to feast on the sight. She then threw herself at him for more while the cries of those who served her in the castle perished, all while in the room that was sacred to her family's honor.

She was far too fixated to notice the dismay of her people and how her behavior disgraced a sacred space. She wanted to drown in something other than misery so badly. She didn't want to worry, she wanted to escape it all for just a moment that she would give herself to him.

Right when he kissed her with such force that her naked form was pinned up against a wall, the sound of a squeaking bird nearby stripped her of her heated dream. She sat up straight, and placed a hand on her racing heart. Her face a bright shade of red, the memories of her dream flood her. "Oh my..."

Her dream vivid enough, she couldn't easily shake it off. Oddly, she was a bit coy around Seth when they made their trip to the city.

The city of Slastin was a bustling city at the intersection of the Blue Crest and Grand rivers. It was a city that never slept as fleets came in at all times of days from all over the empire and other nations. However, it was not as profitable as it once was. Even still, full of life and many people, and it was easy to get lost in the ever expanding city.

Astra kept her hood of her robe up. She wasn't dressed properly to make a statement unless she had to. It didn't help that she wasn't sure how to face the everyday person after such a failure. Even with her hood up, there were many looks directed at her. After all, wasn't every day someone was walking around draped in royal colors of silk.

First thing was first, Astra stopped at a fruit stand that happened to catch her eye. Grabbing an apple, she looked up at woman with dark red hair who owned the stall and only looked a few years older than her. "Do you mind if I have a few of these?" She asked, but that was only a courtesy, the queen was expecting.

The stall woman's hazel eyes widened. "Queen Astra, is that really you? I heard that you might have perished, but I'm so happy that isn't the case!" She looked down at the apple and her smile turned into a frown. "I'm sorry, I cannot give you anything even if you have coin. You see, Lady Reaver has been rather blunt about not doing business or aiding the royal family in any way. I don't agree with it, but..."

The woman leaned in to then whisper, "Esabelle's goons are scattered all over this city. If one of them finds out I gave anything to you and reports it, she will kick me out of the market and ruin my livelihood, if not worse." The woman readjusted her posture and took a deep breath. "I hope that you please forgive me, my queen, but I do have young children."

Astra was shocked to hear of such betrayal of the city. Instead of sorrow, rage started to boil within the queen. It was one thing to deny her, but a whole other when she was in need. She did not blame the soft souled woman, but her wrath was at one who gave the order. Other than how she tensed, she masked her thrashing anger. "It is Esabelle Reaver, isn't it? Where is she?"

The woman nodded, "Yes, your highness, that's her. The leader of the merchant guild. You can most likely find her in the guild hall near the city of the city. Please be careful, my queen. I don't think she will be happy to see you."

"Thank you for the information. Your business has my blessing. I'll be back for some apples after I'm done speaking to Lady Reaver."

Upset, the queen turned away and took a few steps away before speaking to Seth. "The fact that there is such treason to the point that I, Queen Astra, am denied fruit. I will not stand for this!" If she couldn't even get basic goods, how would she get everything they needed for their ventures? "I am furious!" Her body started to tremble as her majesty mask started to crack. The sweet queen appeared to have a very fluid demeanor, but she was also in a form of survival mode.

"We are going to the guild. We aren't going to leave until we get what we want, and the message is clear that I don't stand for such disrespect." She only had one on her side, so she needed him at his best. She reached up and brushed through his dark hair to make him look more presentable. Touching him made her freeze for a moment; she recalled her dream. For those few seconds, her soft colored eyes locked with his. The rage in her gaze melted, and the mumbling of the crowds turned into whispers much like the screams in her nightmare. There was a part of her silently begging for him to free her mind from this all.

Can you take it all away? Can you make me forget for just a little bit? Fill me with bliss even for just one moment. My soul is tired.

Ugh, that damn dream. So unladylike.

Her awkward pause was short lived after she noticed the bloodstain still on his outfit. The sight pulled her out of her airy state and revived her irritation; she didn't want to show more weakness. It wasn't just him that needed a bit of a touch up, but her own hair was a bit tangled, and she wasn't in her regal dress nor accompanied by a dozen knights. She had to keep her confidence, although it was tempting to steal at least a clean dress and some lunch.

ƒeral · Jun 10, 2021

It had been quite some time since Seth last visited Slastin, but he was familiar enough with the city to feel at ease amidst all the busy colors and merchants peddling their wares. As it were, he said little and simply trailed behind Astra. Closer than the three steps that would have been respectful, but if she had asked, he would have simply smiled apologetically and muttered some excuse about keeping her safe. Sometimes during the night, he had dressed the wound upon his chest with clean bandages, and though the bloodied gash upon his overcoat was enough to draw a few glances, he wouldn’t look too out of place in a city like this. Slastin was quite the melting pot, after all. On the other hand, Astra stood out no matter where she went.

He was aware of the looks she - they - got, the bloodied soldier and the indigo-clad aristocrat. Or at least, that’s probably what those who looked thought. He doubted that any would look upon her hooded form and instantly suspect her to be the missing queen. A small mercy, really, because as it were, they had already attracted the wrong sort of attention and -- he grabbed the scruff of an urchin that slid up too close to her, menacing the youth with a look when she wasn’t watching, and sending him along on his not-so-merry way. Sigh, she looked like such an easy target that it was only a matter of time before someone even more unsavory came along and tried to rob her.

Slastin, simply put, was not as rich as it was the last time he visited. The city was prosperous still; there were silk and spice and plenty of other exotic goods on display. But, in the alleyways and shadows, there were more of the unsavory sorts, looking gaunt and mean. Subtle signs of Zilon’s waning power. He said nothing of it though. Beating down her spirit wouldn’t do him any good, and Seth did everything with purpose.

As far as shopping was concerned, he had coins - not a lot, but certainly enough to get both of them fresh clothes and stock up on some temporary provisions. Astra didn’t offer much commentary over the breakfast offerings, a too lean hare he’d caught and cooked on a skewer. It really wasn’t that bad but, he imagined it to be quite a shock for Astra after that the delicacies she was used to.

He kept a careful eye on their surroundings even as he watched the exchange between Astra and the vendor with interest. Esabelle Reaver? That was a name he had heard at least a couple times before, a shrewd businesswoman by all accounts, but he had never met the woman. It seemed like he would meet her soon though. He smiled internally as Astra visibly tightened, doubtlessly holding back rage. She was not as obvious with her emotions as some noblewomen tended to be, but she simply did not have his level of practice.

As is in keeping with his nature, he listened before speaking, nodding empathetically as she raved to him about the indignity of it all. Her fury was unsurprising. From what he’d been able to observe thus far, the Queen was an extremely proud woman. Not necessarily arrogant, but dignified and driven. The intensity of her ire was something splendid to behold though. Those otherworldly eyes blazed with such fire, such intensity...ah, it seemed that he had found the opportunity he was waiting for.

“As you command, my Queen.” He had no intentions of pacifying her rage, no intentions of offering reason or temperance. Sometimes, less is more. She had the charisma of a natural leader and it was to his benefit to encourage her natural habit to call the shots. He knew that the more he allowed her to think herself in charge, the easier she would trust him. And, when she stepped close and ruffled through his short, well-kept obsidian bangs, he leaned into it.

Ah, that look she was giving him...it was so fucking delicious that he had to consciously remind himself to keep his gaze even, to offer nothing but a temperate sort of adoration. This much was simply not enough. The passion her gaze begged him for would do nothing to ease her reluctance over his offer of dark magic. No, if he wanted to weaken her stubborn cling to morality, he needed to make her feel more.

And so, it was with deliberation on his part that he said nothing, allowed the moment to pass, and fell in his place behind her.

The merchants guild was one of the largest buildings in the city. Everything from the architecture to its location spoke to the guild’s opulence. The open floor plan and many entrances tended toward practicality too, and, in mid-day, the building bustled with activity. There were no guards posted at the entrance that led into the main hall, where people and not quite people converged and talked deals and whatnot. There were quite a few gnomes and dwarves, though that was unsurprising. The lizardman smoking a pipe in the corner did raise his brow though. For the most part, Zilon was a fairly human empire, but Slastin had a reputation for being open to all races. Coin was coin.

At the center of the main hall, there was a circular desk staffed by a few bespeckled halflings. Evidently, this was the ‘reception’ area.

As they approached, a bored halfling spoke without even looking up from the piece of paper he was scribbling on.

“Name and business.”

He did look up though. And when he did, his little eyes bugged out and he began to stammer.

“Q-q-q-u--.”

Before he could get much further, Seth cut ahead and shushed him with a gesture, smoothly sliding a couple gold pieces onto the countertop, and muttered under his breath.

“If you know what’s good for you, do not finish that sentence.” He demanded, a hand upon the sword belted to his waist. The halfling could not seem to decide whether to stare at the gold or at the sword, and so he did both, before greedily pocketing the coins.

“Go tell Lady Reaver that a very important guest is here to meet her, understood?” His eyes flashed a brighter shade - Suggestion.

News must have spread by now to Esabelle Reaver that Queen Astra was in her city - Slastin had no official leader but, the head of the merchants guild was as official a leader as Slastin was ever going to have.

And, when the halfling nodded and slid out of his seat, Seth returned to his post a step behind his Queen.

“Pardon my presumptuousness, my Queen,” he would lean in and whisper apologetically, but entirely intentional in the way his breath caressed the shell of her ear. “It would be unduly dangerous to announce to so many scheming merchants that you are here, at least, not until Your Majesty has had the opportunity to teach the head of guild some respect.”

Passion · Jun 11, 2021

Astra held back and let Seth do the talking. Her hood remained up, but she gave the receptionist a firm look. She was the only one in the empire with lavender eyes, and it easily served as an identifier of her status. She watched the man run off, and Astra took a deep breath to steady herself. She had no issues speaking up for her queenhood, but she was still off after the night before.

When he was close and breathed only whispers, she felt static dance along her face and neck. She stepped restlessly in place before doing her best to brush it off. "Wise thinking," she replied in her own hush tone.

They wouldn't be alone few long. The man came back with a woman trailing behind him. She appeared a year or two younger than the queen, and she was dressed in a long-sleeved, short black dress and a pair of dark ankle heels. There were hints of her wealth in her fine jewelry and simply how she carried herself. For a young and petite woman, she had an intimidating air to her. As the woman walked close enough to see who her important visitor was, Esabelle let out a hearty laugh.

› Esabelle ‹

"Oh, look at what washed up in my city." The merchant grinned.

Astra snapped back, "Excuse me? That isn't how you welcome me!"

Curious eyes now on the pair, Astra looked down to hide her face. This wasn't the time to make a scene, but Lady Reaver sure was quick to set a tone.

The merchant beckoned the pair to follow her with a decorated finger. "Let's go to my study, shall we?" With that said, Esabelle spun around with her long brown hair flowing behind her, and led the way.

Astra would follow behind, looking back at Seth giving him a look that had a clear message: Did you hear what she said to me?!

This wasn't going to go well.

They walked up the stairs of the guildhall, and down a long quiet hallway with jade green and silver accents. Other than the clicking of Esabelle's heels, there was silence as they turned to the left and walked down to the very last room. Esabelle then pulled out a set of keys and unlocked the door. Inside was a spacious study with an elegant wooden desk with waves and ships carved into the wood, a large array of geography books and financial journals that hugged the walls in grand bookshelves, a large, refined globe in the corner of the study, and three plush chairs aimed towards the desk.

Esabelle claimed her seat at her desk, waiting for the two to sit, she organized some papers on her desk of her weekly financial reports before neatly stacking them to the side of her desk. "Well... Let's hear it."

Astra took her seat and pulled down her hood. Crossing a leg over the other, Astra broke her silence. "Lady Reaver, I came here ready to show you as much respect as I can, even after hearing the ban you put on my name. I expect the same respect back that I'm graciously willing to offer."

"Why would I give any respect to a frail queen who completely forgotten about my city?" Esabelle leaned forward against her desk, her eyes narrowing. "You wasted away your days locked up in some room daydreaming while your empire suffered. You failed to work on any of the requested foreign policies. Do you know how much that hurt us? We have been stripped of goods Zilon has never even seen before! Of course you wouldn't have any idea what I'm talking about since you been too busy trying to talk to ghosts." She growled under her breath, "A queen should be graceful, and yet you are a disgrace."

Astra couldn't believe what she was hearing. No one had ever spoken so poorly of her to her face. She knew the opinion of her varied, but this was unacceptable! Even so, what power did she have? She could not even fine or jail the woman to teach her to watch her tongue. Her rage started to fester again, her blood rushing through her body, and her chest tight from the stress of it all. She hid it, but her fingers were twitching on her lap.

"I am still your queen if you like it or not. I did not forget about anyone. For the entire empire, it was important that I was awakened. Now, I come offering a new approach since I refuse to give up on Zilon. For my mission, I must gather resources. Slastin has a long history of supporting the royal family, and now that your queen is calling upon your help, and you dare deny her?"

Esabelle let out a laugh. "Yeah, I'm going to trust this new approach of yours when you a dressed in a dirty sheet and you just ran out of your own castle with your tail between your legs. Entertaining news travels faster than us humans." She looked over the pair. "Now, my position here often requires to make risky deals. I have plenty of experience, but I only need the knowledge of a novice in trade to know that it isn't worth supporting you. Not only that, but I want you both..." She closed her eyes and gave them a cheeky smile as her words lingered. "... out of my city." It felt intoxicating to Esabelle to have power over the appalling queen.

This was going poorer than Astra could have ever imagined. The rudeness, the rejection, the lack of belief in her role... it was crushing. Astra could have gracefully left and found another city to try to help her, but she had meant what she said to Seth.

Astra jolted up from her chair, and threw her arm out to the side, the silk of her robe flowing with the momentum of her arm. "I shall not leave until you lift your ban and apologize for saying such vile statements to your Queen! If you like it or not, I'm the rightful ruler of this empire! Slastin isn't yours, it is MINE. You will follow my rule." She needed to calm down; her teeth her chattering from the rage she was suppressing. "You have my word that once I have my throne back, things will be handled differently. If you aid me, I will remember the good deeds of the city and bless this city." She now was the one to lean over in towards the desk, her pastel eyes glaring down to the other woman. "Accept me as your Queen."

Esabelle leaned back in her polish wooden seat, and crossed her arms behind her head. She was oddly causal and confident after just being lectured by a queen. "Leave my sight, peasants."

Astra snapped, and she threw her arm across the des The merchant's journals, papers, and knickknacks clash down to the floor. "DID YOU NOT HEAR ME?" The queen didn't have the tolerance to be denied and further disrespected. No, too much was at stake, and there was little to lose since her rock bottom as queen couldn't get much lower. She was desperate, enough that her claws were coming out.

ƒeral · Jun 11, 2021

The girl’s attitude did not surprise him. He had heard of Esabelle Reaver before; specifically, that she was a cunning and ruthless businesswoman. That, despite being the youngest of the Reavers, it was she that her father entrusted their estate to, and not any of her brothers. One does not gain a reputation like that without having a bit of a mean streak. The rumors conveniently left out her looks though - to be fair, his sources were too busy cursing her name at the time to mention that particular tidbit. She wasn’t as alluring as the Queen but...there was an arrogance to her that inspired certain dark, depraved impulses in him.

He kept quiet for a time, shooting his Queen an empathetic look when she tossed a clearly offended gaze over her shoulder, but did not otherwise engage with the pair. Instead, he kept a respectful few steps behind, and even when the guild leader took a seat, he was content to idle by the door. If either woman ever looked at him in askance though, he simply kept his head low, playing at the role of a silent bodyguard. He knew that he wasn’t important enough for Esabelle to pay too much attention.

While the two bickered, he listened but otherwise busied himself, silently leaning back against the door and tracing an intricate rune upon the hardwood. Ordinarily, he might have interjected a thing or two, just to guide the conversation in the desired direction but, the haughty young merchant did all the work for him. It seemed that despite Queen Astra’s earnest efforts to tap into her heritage, her struggles thereupon managed to piss off quite a few people. Their present company included.

As the conversation grew more heated, he slowly traversed the length of the room. Taking heed to keep both of his gloved hands visible, he made it clear that he was no threat when he finally stopped behind his Queen, just in time to witness her outburst. Such pride… This was going nowhere though, and it was about time that they laid down the law.

“You really should have listened to her, you know,” he grinned, breaking his silence, and took a step forward. His tone was incredibly easygoing, seemingly entirely unbothered by the heated exchange, even as he placed a hand upon the now cleared desk. And it was then that he allowed the mask to drop. His grin curved maliciously and his eyes flashed a dangerous shade, a reminder that much as the sea itself might be calm on occasion, one must always beware the tempestuous storm.

Magic poured from him in concentric waves, linking with the sigil upon the door. The room dimmed a fraction, almost like light itself was being consumed by the shadows, and, all along the edges of the room, it looked as though the corners were blurring faintly. A distinct sense of wrongness at every turn.

“All Her Majesty asked of you were just resources due to her…” he chuckled, and it was then that his voice dipped to a dangerous husk that sharply contrasted his previous demeanor.

“But since you refused her generosity, I will take from you far more.”

He paused, staring Esabelle down with the same egotistical smile the woman had favored Astra with, waiting for a reaction, before adding. “Aw, not going to scream for me?” He parted his lips enough to show her his canines, canines that were much too sharp to belong to a human. “I sound-proofed the room just for you and everything.”

He hadn’t forgotten Astra, of course, and knew that it was quite likely he startled her just as much. But he was banking on the fact that she was too angry to back down. Even an animal was capable of aggression when backed into a corner, much less she, the proud Queen of Zilon. This time, it was he who caught her gaze behind his shoulder, giving her a look that said it all: She will obey, one way or another.

The look served another purpose too, allowing Esabelle to think that he was distracted. The feisty merchant didn’t seem like the type to back down without a fight, and there was nothing like giving hope only to take it away again.

“Nah-ah, bad girl,” he waggled a finger at whatever maneuver she might have attempted, in the same manner one might chide an unruly pet. The air around her rippled - ethereal chains that looked like living shadows manifesting around her wrists, her ankles, forcing her to stand. Higher. Until those heels no longer touched the ground and she was suspended behind her lavish desk. He kept the chains loose enough to allow her to struggle fruitlessly, and declined to gag her. Her anger was far too amusing to suppress fully, for now. The shadowy chains would make no sounds, leaving the room silent but for their words.

“My Queen,” he turned his attention back to Astra, gesturing at the plush chair she roused from. “Please, sit. An uppity merchant is not worthy of dirtying your hands. I will teach her some respect as you commanded.” That was not exactly what the Queen had said, but Seth was good with his words. He had forced Astra’s hand the second he casted. They had gone too far now. There was no turning back. He knew that she knew this, and, regardless of whether she agreed with his methods, he wagered that she wouldn’t show blatant disagreement before the haughty bitch who mocked her.

He turned his attention back to the suspended girl, simply admiring, as if she were some sort of a perverse showpiece. “This city, like yourself, belongs to the Queen, and I think you need a reminder of that fact” he started, continuing to smirk infuriatingly. “If you beg Her Majesty for her forgiveness now, perhaps I will go easy.”

Passion · Jun 12, 2021

Both of the women looked over when Seth spoke up. Eyes were on him as he neared the desk, and Astra sensed a change in the air right before he started to cast. Esabelle couldn't believe her eyes. Sure, she had made deals with plenty of mages and sorcerers, but never had she been exposed to energy like this. What turned into two women letting off some steam about each other and their woes, now took a much more sinister tone.

Esabelle bravely looked away from Seth to shoot a critical glare at the Queen. "Is this the new approach you were talking about?! Letting the empire falter wasn't enough for you that now you must curse it?!" She kept berating the queen, but there was a logic behind it. She wanted her to call Seth off before things escalated further by guilting her for pairing up with such a force. Even so, her attempt wouldn't work, she had stirred the queen's wrath. Seth was now an extension of it.

Seth's threat did not settle well with the merchant. Quietly, she planned with each second she had, but kept drawing blanks for solutions. Esabelle wasn't a caster, but she knew he had taken over the room. She didn't need to be a sensitive like Astra to feel his presence seeping in. Fighting in an enemy's domain was never good, even if this was her study that he just consumed. The amount of fear she showed was limited, but she was trembling in her seat. Much like Astra, Esabelle was a determined one and also wasn't one who liked to show weakness. For Esabelle, it was even more personal than some fancy title. Dark eyes narrow on Seth. "Why would I give you my screams if I wouldn't even give you the trash of the city?" The valiant and possibly foolish, it was clear the woman wasn't going to back down.

Astra didn't know exactly what was to come. All she did know was that she wanted Esabelle to pay. She gave Seth an unspoken trust that he wouldn't kill the sharp-tongued woman. After all, the Valius family wasn't known to kill unless necessary, but they were still firm believers in justice. He had told her about her origins, but she needed to see it for herself. The magic was plagued with malice, exactly what she didn't want to be associated with, but when he gave her a look, she nodded her head to give him her blessing. Such magic even made the queen uneasy, but desperate times call for desperate measures. While she looked at him, she picked up on an instinctive spark come from Esabelle's soul, and she tried to gasp to warn Seth.

He was one step ahead, he turned around, and there was Esabelle with a bladed letter opener that she managed to get out of her desk drawer while he looked away. She was out of her seat and holding the letter opener like a dagger in one hand. She was mere moments away from plunging the blade down into his neck. Caught red-handed, shadowy binds caught her limbs and forced her to stand upright. Esabelle gasped in disbelief when she realized she was captured by forces beyond her understanding. Even if it wouldn't do her much good, she refused to let go of the letter opener since it was the only weapon she had. She demanded, "Unhand me immediately!"

Then, before she could get too worked up, Esabelle settled down as an idea popped up in her head. She grinned. "Wouldn't you rather be serving a woman who actually successful?"

This statement struck a chord in Astra. If he left, then who would she have? Who would protect her and keep pushing her to not give in when all is bleak? He was the one who summoned her fire when it went out in defeat. If she hadn't met him last night, she would have surely been dead. Even if he hadn't shown any risk of dwindling loyalty, a new fear was developing in Astra. "Don't listen to her! We all know who the true Queen is here!" He had advised Astra to sit, but her body was stiff from the rise the meeting had gotten out of her. It took a few long seconds before she finally took a seat. He wasn't just preventing her from dirtying her hands, but also her soul. Even though that was the case, it didn't stop the hammering of her heart.

Esabelle jerked her body from side to side, trying to break or wiggle free from her binds as the man watched her hanging there like prey caught in a web. She shook her head wildly in disagreement. "I do not belong to that sad excuse for a woman! This is all pointless since I wouldn't even honor that useless bitch even in the afterlife!" He told her to beg for forgiveness, and she turned her head off to the side to spit across the room to let him know what she thought about his repulsive idea. Such a question went down as smoothly as poison. "I will never beg to anyone! I've worked far too hard to beg!" It was true, she did.

Esabelle had large shoes to fill after her parents decided to focus on another city far away after the decline. Her older brother was next in line, but he decided to live a life as a simple traveling merchant instead of stepping up. She was able to find her footing with courage and intelligence. Many looked down at the young women, but she contested them all with wit, fearlessness, and evidence of progress until she was respected and feared. Many in the city claimed that she was too strict, but her positive financial reports didn't lie, even if they were nothing like they once were decades ago.

Astra gritted her teeth and shifted in her chair. Esabelle's non-compliance made the Queen's rage swell further. It was true, they have gone too far. If word was to get out about her aggressive approach and the dark magic sizzling around, her name would be tarnished by many of the citizens and leaders. The whole thing made Astra nervous, but they would be fine as long as they got their way. They both knew what was at stake, but if Esabelle saw her in a different light or at least feared her enough, then Esabelle would be less likely to talk.

"Teach her."

ƒeral · Jun 14, 2021

Stubbornness, in moderation, was a good trait for any aspiring somebody to have. But stubbornness, without the know-how of taking one step back in order to lunge three forward, was dangerous. Both Astra and Esabelle struck him as the too stubborn type. And perhaps it was because they were so similar that they clashed at the center, neither willing to back down, two prideful women bristling and unsheathing their claws. It was clear that neither of them knew how to bend and, much as a sword that was forged too rigidly, a personality that knew not how to bend would inevitably break.

Letting Esabelle talk had served its purpose though - the haughty merchant had only managed to enrage the equally haughty Queen further, so much so that when the command came, all Seth could do was grin. "Your wish is my command, my Queen.” He shot Astra a heedful look, before turning his back to the Queen. The gaze he offered Esabelle was the complete opposite, fixating those burning azures onto her like she was prey.

With a sweep of his arm that bordered on showmanship, those shadowy chains jerked, wrenching her higher, above her desk, before dropping her onto the same. It was fascinating the way they were both solid and not solid, merging into the wood as though shadows, and yet holding her so snugly. The manacles around her ankles kept them pulled taut against the ground, and the ones holding her wrists pulled until they were both brought overhead - Seth relieved her of the letter opener before she had a chance to hurt herself. It wouldn’t do if she damaged what was to be his, after all.

Forcibly seated upon the edge of her desk, Esabelle cut quite the picture. She had thrashed enough to throw those lustrous brunette tresses all about, and the chains pulling her arms above her head were so tightly wound that she had no choice but to arc forward, presenting those generous globes in a lurid display. Her struggles amused Seth, and he indulged her desire to struggle - the manacles around her ankles pulled slowly and steadily, with irresistible force. She was allowed to keep her legs closed for now, if she so desired, but only with great effort. When she would inevitably tire, those churning chains would part her thighs, gradually, almost languidly, compelling her to spread her legs like an invitation. He could practically taste her humiliation.

“Hush now, I will not allow you to utter any more blasphemy about Zilon’s rightful Queen.” His still gloved left hand snapped to her jaw, pried her teeth open, and pressed deep into her mouth. And if she tried to bite, he seized her tongue and pressed with enough force to deter any further aggression from her. “You heard the Queen - I will teach you to stop barking when commanded by your superiors.” His intentional word choice was not just for Astra’s benefit; it was clear to him that while Esabelle’s rage did not exclude him, it burnt much hotter towards the queen whom she regarded as a failure. He was the vehicle of Astra’s wrath, and he made sure Esabelle understood it.

“Such a pretty face,” he husked then, twirling the letter opener in his dominant hand, right at eye level such that she could not miss it. “Would be a travesty if anything were to happen to it, no?” His tone was airy and light, as if he were discussing what biscuits to go with afternoon tea instead of the unmistakable threat that his words were. He wouldn’t mark up his future servant like that, but she wasn’t privy to that knowledge. She needed to be taken down a peg, to be taught fear.

And so, it was with slow deliberation that he brought that letter opener closer, close enough to worry even Astra, before slowly tracing the cutting edge against the bob of Esabella’s throat. The blade wasn’t sharp enough to cut without requisite force, but she would feel the edge whisper against her skin as he charted it down her throat.

Lower, lower, he flattened the blade onto its side and worked it under her collar, letting her feel the cool metal against her flesh, before twisting it to turn the cutting edge towards her dress. He yanked then, and, with a decisive display of force, lacerated that expensive looking black fabric all the way down to the bottom of her sternum. Her modesty was still half-concealed by her now ruined dress, but her throat and collar were bared to his hungry gaze. He drank in the sight of her, offering her nothing more than a wicked smirk when he finally released her tongue, but not before he leaned in and whispered for her ear alone.

“One more imprudent word out of you, and I will fucking cut you, am I understood?”

Passion · Jun 15, 2021

Esabelle knew she was in trouble, but how much was still unknown. The more she tugged at the shadowy chains, the more she realized how futile the situation was. They would not give, no matter how hard she pulled, she was captured.

A loud yelp poured from the merchant when there was a pull of the chains that wasn't of her own, clearly, she was on edge. Positioned on the edge of his desk, Esabelle growled in upset. Her struggle had her panting, and her quickened exhales chased away some loose strands of misplaced hair out of her face. While her focus had been mainly freeing her arms, she felt the pull on her legs. Call it womanly instinct, but Esabelle fought to keep her legs closed; she was vulnerable enough. She whimpered in discomfort as the pull started to become too much, her thighs now trembling in resistance. She couldn't hold on much longer. "St-Stop!!!" There wouldn't be a cease, instead, after a willful battle against her muscles, her legs open not only wide but obscenely so. Her face turned a deep shade of red to be caught in such a compromising position as a Lady.

To Isabella, it was unfair. Even if Astra had the birthright, it didn't mean that she was the best leader for the empire. So many have suffered from her scattered rule, and there Esabelle was, a leader stronger enough to speak against the pitiful queen, about to be punished for saying what many thought. Her dark eyes fixate on Seth. He was the problem.

"You know I'm right!" Her words were cut off when his gloved fingers found their way into her mouth. Her eyes went wide in a disturbing shock, and the color on her face turned even rosier. She did try to bite, for her own safety and the jolt of the moment, but with the pull of her tongue, she whimpered and loosened her jaw. Between his firm hold on her pink muscle, and the threat with her own letter opener, the woman knew there was a high chance this was more than a bluff. Especially with Astra just sitting there, coldly watching.

The queen had made up her mind.

It was then that she looked up at him with fear painted on her face. The fine hairs on the back of her neck raised as she lost every ability to defend herself, even in speech. Esabelle wasn't much of a fighter beyond her attitude. She knew a thing or two about blades, but beyond that, she didn't have any sleeping powers like the pair. She was utterly helpless in the situation. While she had been put in many difficult diplomatic and travel situations, nothing was as glaring as this moment.

When the cool metal was pressed against Esabella’s slender throat, time seemed to stop. Both women held their breath in wait while the merchant's life was in Seth's hands. The moment hung, all eyes were on Seth and what he would do next. Esabelle would gulp and quiver in surfacing suppressed fright while the queen settled back in her chair as the blade lowered.

The blade wouldn't be used against Esabella’s flesh, but instead, her dress was would fall victim. With a twist and pull, the dark fabric of her dress tore with ease. She wore nothing underneath the top portion of her dress, and for a petite woman, she still displayed a tasteful amount of cleavage. Another gasp of shock emitted from the helpless woman when she felt the cool air of the room tickling against her newly exposed flesh. Her heart now pounding so hard, Esabella couldn't hear anything other than her pounding pulse as a bead of saliva dripped down to her chin due to her seized tongue.

The tearing of her dress gave her a second wind, and Esabella tried to pull her arms free and shake her head free from the hold he had on her tongue. Eventually, he would let go, but he would whisper a threat before she could cause a verbal uprising. While she was stubborn enough to not give the queen her loyalty and respect, the fear in her way becoming too much. "Let me g-go! Please! I have to protect my city, even from the queen! You have to underst-stand!" She squirmed in place, panting, and her eyes gleaming in fear of what her fate may hold. "Leave my study! I wo-won't speak a word of the queen, and I-I'll let you shop in the city if you have the gold!" It was a pathetic attempt to compromise. It was even enough to make Astra roll her eyes in disappointment; she was a queen, she didn't need to pay, especially when it was to better the empire.

While this all took place, Astra sat quietly in her chair. She considered what Seth might do. Was he just trying to embarrass her? Was he trying to find her weakness? Was he only trying to scare her? No... there was a dark spark in his soul only getting brighter, and his body language alone was clear. He was a man who didn't fear about his soul becoming tainted. She could feel it in the air, he had much more in mind than just getting a sad compromise from Esabella. She also had noticed the way he looked at her pale flesh, and it had the queen stirring restlessly in her seat again. He gave her a similar look last night... but in her dreams.

ƒeral · Jun 19, 2021

Unlike Astra’s disappointment, Esabella’s attempt to bargain only amused Seth. But then again, his goal and Astra’s, however aligned they might be at present, were never the same in the first place. That Esabella did not allow herself to be ‘persuaded’ so easily worked to his advantage.

My Queen, I regretfully inform you that since Lady Reaver refuses to see reason, I will need to resort to darker measures. She will obey, one way or another, to that end, I would ask that Your Majesty signal me when her soul truly submits.

That was the beauty of Message, a versatile spell in every seasoned mage’s arsenal. He didn’t even need to establish eye contact at this proximity to project his voice directly into Astra’s mind. But, given that it was a fairly low level spell, it was not truly telepathy, meaning, she would not be able to communicate with him through the same manner. He had phrased it politely enough, but there was a quality to his voice that was wrong. A husky, throaty rumble that was not there in his courteous conversations with Astra. Much as warhounds that scented blood were hard to call back once unleashed, his demonic nature was not so easily tamed once roused.

Meanwhile, Esabella wouldn’t have any idea what was said, even as he pinned her with a heady stare. “Better, but not good enough,” his response was huffed against her slender throat, before he pulled back a fraction to direct her attention with his hand on her jaw. Forced her to watch the way he stabbed that letter opener into the wood of her desk, inches away from her lewdly spread thighs. A threat and a reward in the same motion. Perhaps she would breathe a sigh of relief that he had declined to use the same upon her, but the blade would stay there. A reminder to behave.

Before she could protest any further or attempt to renegotiate, he beat her to the punch. His hands were rough around her jaw even as he devoured her lips in a hungry kiss. There was no springtime romance in the way he kissed her. Despite his knightly presentation around Astra, the way he ravaged Esabella’s mouth was aggressive, rapacious, and lustful. His tongue invaded her mouth with little preamble, and his firm grip refused any attempts from her to bite. She would feel those menacing fangs of his against her tongue, a reminder that she was dallying with no mere human.

And, when she squirmed too much for his liking, his hand dropped to her throat, squeezing with intent. He was exceptionally experienced in this, cutting off her airflow with laughable ease but little pain, and, when she would squirm with true distress, he would let go, let her inhale desperately and kiss her all the while, before denying her the oxygen that she had no choice but to instinctively crave. His other hand rose to boldly cup a breast, but he wasn’t content with merely molding it to fit his whimsies. No, he was calculated and he was ruthless. His fingers slipped underneath the ruined fabric, seizing a peak and rolling it with intent. His leather gloves would no doubt feel rough against her bare skin, but at least she was spared the bite of his nails, for now.

By the time he was done conquering every inch of her mouth, he had no doubt that she would be lightheaded and panting. And it was then that he gripped her jaw again, directing her gaze down, at his bludgeoning manhood lewdly tenting the fabric of his black pants. Even concealed, there was no doubt that he was big. He grinned at her then, wiping an obscene strand of saliva from her chin with his thumb. “Now look at what you’ve done.” He said, giving her little time to catch her breath. “This perverse body of yours has excited me.” He stepped closer, pressing between her legs still forcibly parted by shadowy chains, and pushed himself flush against the juncture of her thighs, allowing her to feel the threat of his hardened arousal. “Tell you what, I’ll make you a deal. You like deals, don’t you?” A taunting laugh. Perhaps he was getting too carried away in Astra’s presence, but he was drunk off of the power he had over Esabella, over the power he had yet to exert over her. “I’ll loosen these chains and let you pleasure me with your breasts, if you so choose. And, if you manage to satisfy me, perhaps I won’t utterly ruin your pussy, what say you?”

Passion · Jun 21, 2021

It was to Seth's advantage how much Esabelle managed to get under the queen's skin. While many would think a woman who spent her days locked away would be soft and delicate, but that wasn't true for Astra. Years of suppressed bitterness that her soul begged to be freed, was now running wild after her castle was filled with screams. It was twisted with the determination she always had, but now it was on overdrive after tasting a new level of defeat. After Seth gave her the spark of hope she needed, she knew it was time for more drastic measures. Esabelle had crossed paths with a resentful queen and her greedy bodyguard; everyone in that room knew that fate would not be in poor woman's favor.

Astra bit the inside of her cheek when she received Seth's message. His tone... Astra was not clueless, especially when it came to matters of the soul. She had a good idea of what he had planned, but once a soul is that feeble, it is open to so many things. There was a noble part of her that told her to stop everything, that it had already gone too far, but... she needed a win. She needed something to go right. Maybe Seth was right; maybe fate brought them together so she could have a new perspective... or maybe she was lying to herself.

Reality was much colder than Astra realized.

Esabelle wasn't known to be a very warm person. She had done a lot of good given the poor circumstances of the economy, but she was often blunt and yet distant with others. It wasn't that she didn't have a soft side. She wasn't just some coldhearted woman only thinking about gold, but that was all she showed. Esabelle was closed off and with walls of thrones. She had to be, it was a shark-eat-shark world out after Zilon's weakening rule. Her transparency was showing, especially with how she flinched when she was forced to watch him stab the desk near her vulnerable thighs. That was nothing compared to what was to come.

Her lips part open in resistance or to beg, Esabelle wasn't even sure. She was about to to speak without thought, and that is when her lips were seized by him. Her eyes flash open wide, and her entire body went limp as she relied on the chains to keep her in place. A cold and vile feeling nearly consumed her. When she finally blinked, a tear rolled down her cheek. Seth had found her weak spot; a crack in her walls.

What would he think if he saw this...?

Astra had been looking at and away from Seth and Esabelle. It was hard to see what was taking place, and it was surely going to get worse. She could sense just by being near, but it was the action and the quiver in Esabelle's soul that stole her attention. She couldn't help but reflect back on that vivid dream. So much so, her fingers brushed against her lower lip. Catching herself, she lowered her hand back on lap. It was illogical to care, but... it didn't settle well with her. After all, why would he need to kiss her out of all things to weaken her?! Yet, Astra herself could see it. The kiss made her soul tremble more than even more than a threat of a blade.

That cold stillness of shock dwindled away and was replaced with fight. Attempting to throw her head every which way to break the unwanted kiss, she was apprehended by a suffocating grip. When the need for air became too much, she pulled at her wrists until her skin ached, and before it became all too much, he came with the antidote. One that filled her lungs, but also came with the poison of his lips once more. With his gloved hand roughly fondling one of her breasts, it added fuel for her hatred for him. Again and again, he toyed with her breath and body until she could no longer pull on the shadowy chains. Instead, she waited for the next kiss; her next gifted breath to protect her from the darkness of unconsciousness. All was becoming hazy, and it took her away from the moment just enough that her cold panic was turning warm. Too warm. There was a comforting instinctive heat brewing in her core that was turning his sour kisses sweet. His kissing, his rough hand sinking into the softness of her breast, and hand around her throat now sending delightful surges through her body despite her rejection. Her mind and body clash.

While this happened, Astra found herself unable to look away. The flailing soul of Esabelle and the heated one-way kiss were too intense to ignore. If anyone could read a room, it was Astra, and she could feel the tides were turning. A part of her foe was now enjoying her bodyguard?! Lavender eyes narrow on the two in judgment, even as Esabelle gasped for air. Kissing her was one thing, but kissing her like that? Some did crumble from the highs and lows of chaos, but still...

What if he kissed me like that?

Astra finally looked away, flustered due to her intrusive thought. Stupid.

When the kiss broke, with the first gasp of air, Esabelle made a demand between her pants. "Don't ki-kiss me again, you bastard!" Her voice was riddled with heart; it sounded like she was ready to burst out and cry. However, her reddened face couldn't hide the fact he had stirred up more than just an upset reaction out of the woman. Forced to look down to his awaiting bulge, she breathed a single word, "No." No to it all. She wanted nothing to do with the man she was growing to spite even more than the queen. Even still, he pushed on and found his place between her thighs, which caused her heart to start hammering.

There was fear in her eyes about what was to come, and yet he spoke of a deal. At first, there was a small spark of hope in her eyes, but once she heard what it entailed, it was crushed. Even Astra bit her lower lip in surprise at his boldness. They both didn't believe he was bluffing at this point.

Now, this was getting personal. Too personal for Esabelle. It wasn't just about Slastin now. Esabelle knew how to hold her cards, even under pressure, so she wouldn't give him the ammo of truth even if there were scattered clues. Esabelle was loyal to her city, and those that were important to her. Accepting the queen, and going along with the man would both be extremely disgraceful.

Silence. That was the card she played. While unexciting, she refused to go along with him, but she also didn't resist. She was caught in the middle. Yeah, she knew a thing or two about deals, but sometimes there was a third option. Nothingness. It was a step down from yelling at him, but she still refused to give him any sorts of approval. After all, he put her in an impossible moral dilemma.

Astra saw it. While Esabelle had only shed a tear, the woman's soul was sniveling. It was almost enough to ground the queen away from her rage. Her ability to read and connect with souls made her sympathize. Her lavender eyes fixate on the woman, looking beyond the physical and seeing through the weakening layers of soul. It was something she usually wouldn't look deeply at without good reason or permission, but Esabelle had been labeled an enemy. It was still too hard to pinpoint, she wasn't diluted enough yet, but she noticed that there was a part of her tucked away and heavily protected while under pressure from a more personal side of herself.

"She is hiding something. Something very dear to her."

Breaking her silence with a shaken breath. She couldn't let the queen entertain the idea, if it was used against her then....- "I'm done with this! Just take what you want from the city and leave!" Now her stubbornness was directed towards not betraying her personal life compared to the city. One was much more fragile. She glanced over at the queen. "Your Highness, I'm sorry for what I've said and done. Forgive me, I've been foolish. I'll accept you as my queen if you just send him away." She paused as her heart strained in pain. "Please..."

For a moment, Esabelle almost got Astra. She felt bad for the woman and the pain she felt. Seth was proving to be rather savage in nature, even more than Astra had thought. There was concern in Astra until the very last sentence. "So, you'll only accept me as queen if I do something for you? It should be natural. You should feel honored I'm even in your presence. I'm disappointed, and that is the last thing you want to do right now." With Astra's softness melting, Esabelle was now without any options.

That was when the merchant's body started to tremble, and this time wouldn't stop. She was screwed.

ƒeral · Jun 21, 2021

Seth seldom made mistakes, but even he could recognize that he made a mistake when Esabella spoke at length. He had grown too comfortable, perhaps, too confident in her silence that said so little and so much, in the slight tremor of her frame and the shakiness of her breath. He did not expect Esabella to beg Astra, and in that moment, he had tensed, his eyes narrowed and he considered his next actions. If Astra-- To his relief, his Queen was not so easily swayed. From this angle, he could not gaze upon Astra, but there was an echoing smirk that highlighted his handsome features. Perhaps there was more darkness in Astra than he first gave her credit for. Interesting, very interesting.

That was a thought for another time though. He would not make the same mistake twice.

“You really like barking out orders, don’t you?” He chuckled, gripping Esabella’s cheeks with suppressing force. His thumb and forefingers dug into the softness of her cheeks, between the rows of her teeth, sinking into the jowls with unkind force and refusing her any further retorts. He would teach her to listen when her superior spoke. “Something about wanting me to kiss you?” There was a cloying quality to his grin. He was toying with her, shrouding himself with the barest of pretensions that he didn’t remember her words, and the smugness rippled from him spoke to how much he enjoyed this. Enjoyed taunting her.

He leaned closer, close enough to see the hatred in her eyes and the fear also. Close enough for her to see the darkness permeating his icy blues. His gaze was cold, dangerous, a twisted and dominant desire that he doubted she had ever been exposed to. But, much as his action seemed to threaten it, he didn’t kiss her again, not yet. His keen mind was pouring not over Esabella’s words, but Astra’s.

She is hiding something. Something very dear to her.

How curious. Now what could that be… He peered deep into her eyes, the windows of her soul, and sought for his answer within.

His eyes narrowed in that telling way of a predator sinking its teeth into prey.

“A pretty girl like you can’t possibly want for suitors,” he started, gripping down harsher if she ever attempted to argue, and silenced any attempted words. “So who is it? A noble? A merchant? A guard, even?” He knew he found his answer when her gaze turned more frantic, and his eyes shone with sadistic pleasure. “No matter. It doesn’t matter who you wore this skimpy dress for.” A lascivious gaze directed at the ruined fabric for good measure.

“You are mine now. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be thoroughly ruined for anyone else.”

And Seth was never the type to leave his boasts unsupported by reality. He removed his other glove with his teeth, tossing it aside with nary a care, wanting to feel her silken flesh in his unending greed. His calloused fingers rucked up her dress, palmed along the length of her inner thigh, and boldly cupped her core. And it was then that he grinned wider, leaning in to husk for her ears alone.

“You are so fucking wet that you are starting to soak through your panties.” He jeered, running two fingers with intent along the center of the flimsy fabric. Pressing down firmly enough to feel the shape of her lips. “What would your lover say?” He ran his digits along the length of her slit a few more times, if just to make sure it was thoroughly drenched, before ripping it from her in a casual display of strength. Contorted and bunched the fabric in his palm and, if just to spite her for her previous words, kissed her again. Fiercely. Passionately. Demanding acquiescence at every turn, and, if she refused to give it, gripped her jaw tightly enough and forced it from her. When he was done thoroughly enjoying the taste of her, he replaced himself with her bunched up panties. Forced the drenched fabric between her lips and pressed it deep enough that she wouldn’t be able to spit it out without the use of her hands. His smirk was cruel when he whispered again. “Can you taste your arousal, your lust for me?”

And the worst part? She would never be allowed even a single word.

Passion · Jun 22, 2021

Esabelle couldn't keep a straight face as Seth hit the nail on the head. There was someone special in her life. Someone so special, she knew she would struggle to sleep at night for betraying him more than her beloved city. No one knew of her lover, not until now. Seth's frightening gaze was even more menacing and intimidating as her hidden truth lay before him. She had only seen a look similar when someone had a deal go their way under her nose, but yet, Seth's eyes still held much more malice.

She didn't need to speak, the horror in her face did all the talking. She wouldn't answer his question. It wasn't either one of their business! What did bring her voice back was his statement.

She couldn't be his. She couldn't be ruined for her love!

"You mustn't!" The cold feeling of fear made her slim body feel heavy and limp. Her dark pupils dilated, and it looked like she was close to faint.

To make matters worse for Esabelle, this was where she met him.

At her desk, him trying to strike a laughable deal that was a waste of her time. He was such a fool, but a charming one. She found herself unable to stop herself from falling for him. Whenever he was in the city, inviting him to the guild hall to make 'deals'. When she stayed late to finish up paperwork, she remembered the delightful memory of the first time she laid her eyes on her lover, but Seth was about to change her warm association with her study.

"I’ll never be yours! Never!" Esabelle growled. With wild strands of hair framing her face, her eyes burned with spite. If looks could kill, Seth would be on the floor, breathless and turning blue.

As Seth's hands traveled up Esabelle's thighs, Astra continued to watch on. Her gaze, blank while she was viewing the spiritual more than the physical. As soon as Esabelle caved enough, this nightmare could be over for her, but soul and will still shined too bright. For some, their weakness was also their strength. It didn't change the fact that Esabelle’s vulnerability was opening up beyond just her bound body. As much as she wanted to, Astra couldn't argue with Seth's methods; they were working. So much so, the queen continued to see beyond Esabelle's shell.

"Dreams of the sea?" Astra tilted her head in wonder, still trying to piece together the muddied puzzle pieces.

That was when Esabelle started to pant, near hyperventilation. She could see the sea in her inner mind, but she was stripped from it as Seth's hand found its way between her thigh. Upon pressure, she felt it. She knew he did too. The fabric of her panties was marked with juicy evidence of arousal. As he teased her by tracing his finger along her warm, hidden lips, Esabelle felt sparks of pleasure. Sparks that she didn't want! Her eyes widened again, and her breath halted when he questioned her about what her lover would think. No... she didn't want to think about it!

"Rot in hell, you monster!" She cried out as he held her by her teary face.

She shrieked when her panties were torn right off of her, which exposed the core of her well-groomed femininity. Her narrow shoulders curled inward, her soft thighs attempted to close. She looked like a flower trying and failing to curl back up into a bud. She tried so hard that her thighs trembled as they fought to close, but those shadowy chains refused to give her freedom. It was futile.

Despite her demand, their lips touched again, and she tried to scream against his lips in frustration. It appeared romantic gestures were disturbing her the most. He would need to keep her head straight, since she wouldn't so easily give in to the lull of her instincts. If he wanted her approval, he would need witchcraft or at this point, or a proper surrender. Could his presence taint her enough to make her let it all go?

Even with her rejection, it didn't change the fact that the more he kissed her, the more he touched her, the more he spiked her adrenaline... the more she couldn't control her blossoming womanly urges. The line between her lower lips was slick to the touch. Even if she protested full of heart, another part of her was begging for the opposite.

The kiss finally broke, and before she could start protesting again, her mouth was filled with her torn and damp panties. The fabric pushed so far back, he triggered her gag reflex upon insertion. She could taste her body's deception on her tongue, and she tried to spit the tainted fabric from her mouth but was unable. She couldn't form the words to respond to him, but she did so in the form of a muffled scream. She kicked at her legs, she tugged at her wrists, she squirmed like her life depended on it. No use...

I promised him that I'd never break his heart. I told him I was his even if I had to keep him a secret... this can't be happening!

As Esabelle world quaked, it kept feeding Astra insight. Her truths were all becoming clearer to the queen. “Ah, it is a sailor. Isn’t it?” It was strange how calm Astra was, but she became airy when she was focused on the metaphysical. "This upset over some sailor?"

Esabelle confirmed this to be true by crying out yet again, and sinking down as if she was about to melt away. The more she thought about her lover while in such a compromising position, the more she came crumbling down.

Darius...

Astra felt the merchant's pain, and it brought her back to the present as her foe's soul silently wailed. Taking a deep breath, the queen was re-exposed to the intensity of fear and lust in the air. Receptive, it made her nervous, and yet brought a familiar sensation between her own legs. Biting her lower lip, she squeezed her thighs soft together before crossing a shapely thigh over the other. Even if only wrapped up in a loose robe, it was feeling rather hot in the room. It was inappropriate to get excited by the moment, there was a woman in distress in the hands of her bodyguard, She had never seen a man handle a woman in such a way, but it was so thrilling.

They had gone too far to get Astra’s way, and it appeared to keep escalating. So much so, Astra knew she had to make the most of the situation. If Esabelle spoke of what already took place, it would only hurt Astra more. She was banking on getting Esabelle’s loyalty even if it had to be done with fear, and now instead of just picking up supplies, Astra was thinking much bigger now.

"How inspiring. I think I deserve one of the city's finest ships before I leave too, no?" She grinned at the thought. Why was a part of her enjoying this? Astra had been powerless for far too long, but would this haunt her after the fact? She couldn't start feeling guilt, she couldn't if she wanted to become an honorable queen again.

ƒeral · Jun 23, 2021

Witchcraft? Taint from his demonic presence?

Nah.

However fiercely Esabella might struggle, however much her sweet voice might twist in anger and outrage, she was only a girl a few years into her twenties. Perhaps her toils and tribulations had firmed her resolve more than similarly aged peers, or perhaps this deep-seated stubbornness had always been a part of her marrows -- none of it mattered. She was no divine-touched priestess. Not even a war-hardened paladin. There was nothing but her will that stood between her and Seth, and, easy as it would be to overwhelm her with all the tricks he had up his sleeves, he wouldn't. Didn’t need to. He would break her the good old-fashioned way. And there was nothing she could do about it.

It was foolish to struggle, though he supposed that she could not help herself. Perhaps some part of her thought that if she simply fought hard enough, yanked at those chains with all of her vigor, kicked and squirmed and resisted with all of her might, she could somehow wake up from this dream. This nightmare. Perhaps she thought she would startle awake in the arms of her lover, against his broad, sun-kissed shoulders, and her lover would assuage her fears with soft murmurs and adoring kisses.

Such wistful thinking never bore fruit, not for anyone. The world was cruel and Seth was the embodiment of that fact. It was take or be taken. Hunt or be hunted. And Esabella? Esabella was prey.

He would leave her to stew though. Just for a moment. A moment to reflect upon her lover, to bask in her fear, to vent her rage and frustration by screaming into the makeshift gag. A moment for her to truly process what it meant that her tastebuds were now coated in the flavor of herself. Sometimes, there was nothing more tortuous than the wait itself, and he had more important matters to address than her.

He walked away.

Paced to the corner of the room, plucked that sizable globe from its resting place, and carried it back with him. Not to Esabella, no, but to Astra. He stopped a few steps away from the Queen, a respectful distance, but there was nothing respectful about the sizable bulge in his pants. When he spoke though, his voice was even, a low and charismatic timbre. The kind of voices demons used to beguile their victims.

“A ship?” He echoed, propping up the globe on the armrest of the seat besides her. “Think bigger, My Queen.” He spun it until the vast land of Zilon was presented to her. Until she could see the lines that clearly denoted the boundaries of Zilon and its rapacious neighbors. He pointed at a dot - Slastin. His fingers traced from Havarian Bay into the Sea of Chatcier, sweeping bold lines that connected Slastin to the major trade ports both internally and to the surrounding kingdoms and empires. “Slastin belongs to you. Its people, its wealth, the taxes it gleans on the trade that comes in and out, all of it is yours.” His eyes promised. Mesmerized. “You had entrusted the management of this city to the Reavers, and yet, they, she, dared refuse you fruit.” A growl tinged the last word, an echo of Astra’s earlier frustration. An affirmation of her pride. “But we will show her why you, not her, are the one born with those breathtaking lavender eyes.” His tone gentled, admiring. “I will have her, and I will deliver to you this entire city."

He balanced the globe and left it there, leaving behind a fanged smirk and a heated gaze that said even more.

Watch me.

And it was then that he turned and walked back to Esabella, cupped her cheek adoringly and leaned in to whisper. “Miss me?” A laugh at whatever warbled noises of indignity she might produce. “Remember what I said earlier?” He leaned in, licking a hot trail along the shell of her ear. Intimately. “Let me remind you…” a nip on her fleshy earlobe, “I told you that I would ruin your pussy if you didn’t do as I asked. And you, my pretty girl, haven’t done what I asked, have you.”

Seth always backed up his threats. With one hand, he gripped her hair. Tight enough that she would feel the pinprick of pain blossoming across her scalp. He forced her head down, forced her to watch as he unbuckled his belt with his other hand. Commanded her to take in the sight of him as he tugged the front clasps down and pulled himself out. The tightness of his pants had hinted at his size, but now, she would see it bare, in all of its menacing glory. She would see just how hard dominating her made him, how much her struggles aroused him. His length was impressive, but it was the girth that should rightfully worry her. The shaft was thick and the flared crown even more so. And she would know that, trapped as she was, there would be no escape when he pressed close, when his hand ran along the length of her smooth, flexed thigh, along the lithe muscles that bunched and strained and fought those chains to no avail.

“Seth.” He broke his silence then, jerked her back by her hair and peered deep into her beautiful eyes.

“Now you know the name of the man you belong to now.”

And it was then that he guided his cock forward, pressed the substantial crown against her dripping cunt and claimed her in one rough, hilting thrust. And he would not stop. The pace he set was fast, deep, and brutal. His girth stretched her upon every plunge into her, forcing her to accommodate him. Whether her spirit yielded to him or not, her body did, and she had no way of escaping from that fact. He proclaimed his ownership in other ways too. His lips were ravenous as they kissed hungry lines along the yet unmarred expanse of her throat, lapping up the saline that emerged from her struggles. And, at the apex of each thrust, he gripped down with his teeth, marked her pristine flesh with those inhuman canines of his, and left behind a tapestry of blossoming red and purple in his wake. He bit, again and again, soothed the pain with the wet drags of his tongue, with his mouth that sucked and claimed, only to bite her again.

This wasn’t about her pleasure. Although, with how wet she was, with the way that his experienced hips drove his cock unerringly against that sensitive spot on her upper walls on every thrust, there would be plenty of that as well. This was about him, about him relishing his spoils and laying claim to his new bitch.

There was no reprieve. No end in sight. He would fuck, and fuck, and fuck. Untiring. Uncaring. Unending.

Passion · Jun 24, 2021

When Seth walked away, both women were surprised. Astra's gaze followed her bodyguard as he gathered the study's globe, and despite trying to be polite, it was hard not to take a curious glance down. He sure did get himself worked up. However, her pastel eyes would trail back up when he first questioned her newest demand. Looking at Slastin pointed out, her eyes dart away and to Seth's face as he explained his thinking.

Flames of excitement burned in the Queen's eyes about the possibility. As Queen, who was unable to properly rule, many areas Zilon sought to handle their own affairs. Astra allowed it, with the idea that one day, she could present herself as the great queen that she was meant to be and rule Zilon properly. That day never came, but now she could feel the surge of possibility; it was blinding.

This was working. She could rule. All because of him.

Astra's heart was fluttering as he expanded on the topic. Every word was as sweet as honey to hear. Her eyes shined up to him in awe as he showed her that power was so much closer than she ever thought. Even if she was chased out of her castle, she could have more than just the royal grounds. Now Esabelle wasn't the only woman Seth left trembling; Astra felt a rush like she hadn't felt before. She took a deep breath as she rubbed her sweaty palms.

"Take it all for me, Seth. I want it all."

It was impossible for Esabelle not to hear the conversation. He had left her hanging, but it only drove more fear into her to hear the words coming out of their mouths.

They are mad!
Both of them! This isn't just terrible for Slastin, but all of Zilon!
I need to stop them! I need to get out of here!

But when Seth turned back around, Esabelle's heart dropped and her body froze up; fuck. There was no stopping any of this no matter how much she wanted to.

Taken by her face once more, she tensed up when his tongue brushed against her ear. Every little touch was amplified while rendered so helpless to him, it would be hard to keep still even if she wasn't trying to resist. As he reminded her of the deal she refused to take, he didn't even need to finish his sentence before she interrupted him with a pitiful whimpering cry of objection.

With his hand weaved within her silky wild locks, she was forced to take a close look at the weapon that would be used against her. Even though her tear-blurred vision, she could see his threatening size. He was bigger than Darius, and he already could be a handful at times. She could also tell if he was this hard after such sins, he really was a vicious man. Why the queen chose to work with such a monster was baffling. Had she gone mad after locking herself up in the castle for so long? Such wondering would have to take a back seat, she had much more critical matters to worry about.

A wave of panic mixed with arousal came crashing into Esabelle when she felt his bare heat against hers. Her tender thighs trembling in anticipation as she looked up at his silhouette through her teary sight. With her brown eyes glistening, she took in his name and his bold statement that left her breathless. For a moment, she was completely numb, maybe it was the shock... but he would violently wake her right back up.

It all happened so fast. The next thing Esebelle knew was that she was overwhelmed with wild sensations of being utterly filled. Her body wasn't yet prepared to handle him all, and she had never experienced a partner so big. He summoned a muffled but loud scream right out of Esabelle when it all flooded her at once and she realized what was happening. With her breasts springing with each savage thrust into her weeping folds, he was greeted each time with a wet welcoming sound of her body's betrayal.

Her tears finally drizzled down from her eyes to stream down her delicate face, but it was only replaced with more. She couldn't stop her tears from falling as she was was stunned, heartbroken, and overall overtaken by what was taking place and the fires he was setting off in her body. She had never felt so helpless in her life as she was forced to withstand the man's burning lust that was bringing hers to life.

She hated how good his lips felt on her delicate neck. It gave her a sensation that she could feel all the way down to her toes. Even more so when his teeth sunk into her flesh, but she would cry out in fear with each decorated mark he left on her neck. It hurt, but it was more the fear she didn't trust how much he'd actually bite her fragile skin. If he was willing to violate her so heartlessly, what else could be he capable of? He was a fucking animal.

He's too deep! He is going to tear me apart!

It was too much for Esebelle to handle all at once, so much so, she found herself starting to give in. Thoughts of her lover melted away, worries her city vanished, and she couldn't even feel the Queen's piercing eyes on her. The less she thought, the more she was forced to focus on the present, and despite her dismay, what she couldn't ignore the blazing pleasure as he rubbed and hit against sweet spots hidden within her.

She didn't want to moan for him, but she did. Once she started, hot muffled moans wouldn't stop coming from her. It was getting to her so much that her silky skin became veiled with a thin layer of sweat that gave her a feminine glow and scent. Based on her bodies reaction, it would be hard to believe she ever rejected him, but with how he overwhelmed her, he consumed her and her fight.

Never had Esabelle been touched so deeply, never had she been fucked so ruthlessly, and so she couldn't help herself when her textured, inner walls started to clamp down on him like she never wanted him to leave her depths.

It feels so good! No, it can't! But... Ahhhh!~

Her dark eyes rolled up towards the ceiling, and as his teeth sank into her soft flesh once more, an unwilled climax was pulled right out of her. Her body shook like a leaf as ecstasy coursed through her body. Her warm juices dripping out from around his member, leaving droplets behind on the wooden floor while the rest was plugged inside of her. With his pace, more of her nectar would pour from her, making each thrust into ever even more heated and inviting for Seth.

This sudden orgasm had Esbelle now screaming in chaotic pleasure and upset that she had just orgasmed for her abuser. Saliva pooled along the corners of her plush lips to drip down towards her colorful neck while she was lost in speed of intensity of Seth. Her depths ached from his hammering, but what was most alarming was the fact she could feel him taking her over. It was hard to explain, but Esabelle felt herself surrendering in ways she didn't even know she could. The longer she was in his grasp, the more she was losing herself.

Astra hadn't seen others in the act. There was one time she had seen some questionable behavior in the back of a shadowed tavern, but that stopped as soon as her presence was known. This aspect was new to the Queen, especially the aggression. Astra had a few boyfriends of her own. One being one of her own royal knights, but never once even close to this level. This was the first time that Astra's face turned red with embarrassment for what she was seeing; Hearing Esabelle's cries and moans alone were more than enough. It appeared that there really wasn't any bluffing with Seth. It was worrisome, but it was all for her, right? That aggression was in her honor. It was flattering in a twisted way that he would go to such lengths for her... That he would risk tainting his own soul for her.

Her heart fluttered again at the thought of Seth. It was nice to have someone on her side for once. She didn't have to do it all alone if he was willing to go this far for her and if he was to stay by her side... Could he be the hero that she needed all these years?

Seth... ♡~

As Seth continued, Astra spoke up louder than their clapping and moans. "Just a little more." She could see her soul surrendering; her will draining. Often a soul was brighter when it was dragged towards the surfaced and pried open like this, open for the taking. Even if vulnerable, it shined so brightly as Esebelle reached a height she and Astra didn't even know was possible. It was beautiful to see with her inner eye, but it made the queen wonder; what would it take for her own soul shine that brightly? Would it need to be so ruthless? Again, her dream of her passion drunken self with Seth replayed in her mind...

She shook her head. The lust in the room was getting to her a bit too much.

ƒeral · Jun 29, 2021

Esabella’s first mistake had been underestimation. In underestimating Seth’s capabilities and the degree to which Astra lusted after power, she found herself in her current predicament. Her second mistake had been her arrogance, and that was self-explanatory. And now, her third.

An animal? An animal could never be so cruel. An animal might kill, might maim, might mount a female against her will, but an animal would never torture, would never degrade, would never lord his dominion over her like some kind of depraved game. There were similarities there, to be sure. The way he marked her with his ruthless fangs was bestial, as was the way he fucked her. He demanded her acquiescence with force, with the potency of his masculinity, with those coiled muscles and the jut of that thick, hard shaft. But there was nothing animalistic about his smirk. Animals snarled, and Seth? Seth was all bite, no bark.

At the end of the day, if his design for her was something as simple as fucking her into submission, perhaps she had some chance of escaping, not unscathed, but escaping nevertheless. She was a willful girl. One no doubt capable of picking herself back up from the pieces as soon as she fled from under his thumb. An animal could compel, but only for so long. But Seth wasn’t an animal. The human parts of him greeded for more, for harder and faster and deeper, to break her upon his conquering lance until all that she could think about was how good it felt. How thoroughly he filled her. How each plunge forced her sensitive inner walls to yield to him. Forced her to pleasure him, willingly or not. How he owned her.

And his demonic side? Well, she would soon find out.

He was absorbed in the resplendency of this. In her taste, in her scent, in the way she quivered against his unyielding form and squeezed all around his cock. In that lewd squelch that denoted his conquest of her. He was savage. He was gentle. He seized her throat between his teeth only to seal the throbbing bruise with wet kisses and lashes of his tongue. He was unrestrained. He was skillful. Each thrust buried the entirely of his cock inside, filled her to the brim, a pace so rough as if to leave her breathless, and yet, never once failed to rub against her sensitive spots, chasing the angle that made her moan, that twisted her voice into that breathy register he liked again and again. Her consent was entirely unnecessary when her body bloomed for him so readily.

And when Esabella crested over the edge, when her inner walls clamped down and rippled around him like she was designed exclusively for his pleasure, he huffed a laugh into her well-marked throat. “You came.” It was a statement of fact and accusation both. She surely knew that he would have noticed, but whether or not she might have braced for his verbal taunts, she had no way to stop him, neither to stop the words from spewing forth, nor to prevent how deeply they would cut. “That was embarrassingly fast. Is that how you always behave with your lover?” A reminder. A jab. “Or is that just for me?” It wouldn’t do, after all, to simply overwhelm her with pleasure. He didn’t just want to fuck her. He wanted to dominate her. Body and, more importantly, mind and soul.

But there would be plenty of overwhelming too. Before she even had a chance to finish winding down from her orgasm, he was already upon her. Hilting deep, with no break and no laxness in pacing, unheeding of any sensitivity she might have after her recent peak. A sensitivity he fully intended on exploiting. He knew his way around a woman’s body far too well, and, bound as she was, she had no way of squirming away, no ability even to close her legs, when his experienced digits sought her clit. He wasn’t rough. Didn’t need to be. He had intentionally avoided that delightful little bundle of nerves and, knowing that she just came, took full advantage of just how sensitive it would be. His grin was wicked when he brushed against it, traced it vertically and timed his strokes along with the punishing pistons of his cock. If Esabella had ever thought that he was capable of mercy, she was sorely mistaken.

...

He wasn’t surprised when the declaration from Astra came. A soul, after all, was a delicate thing. Paradoxical too, the way it was so tenacious, vivacious and lively, and yet so fragile. Unbeknownst to Astra, this unholy spell was one he had attempted many, many times. And yet, he had always failed. Everything to do with the soul was precise, extremely so. Too soon, and he risked wounding his own. Too late, and at best, he wounded his victims, tore apart a piece of them never to be the same again, and at worst, fractured them so completely that they were a shell of their former selves. The balance was so delicate that it was impossible for a mere practitioner of the dark arts to master - there was a very good reason that it was said only the demon princes of the Nine Hells could wield such power.

Until now.

Without hesitation, he pierced her soul, that bright flame that was more liquid than solid with how brilliantly it now burnt. And, just as she had no chance of refusing him bodily, in this, there was no negotiation either. He embedded a piece of himself deep within her, etched himself within her soul, branded her with the essence of him and forged a bond that would last this lifetime and the next. A bond eternal.

And at that, at his complete, total, and unbreakable dominion over her, he was finally satisfied. His pleasure boiled and crested and he growled his triumph into her throat, sheathed himself entirely within and filled her with his seed. A long, fulfilling climax that filled her in jets and jets of molten cum, a volume that was not excessive but could not be described as strictly human.

With nothing more than a thought, the chains vanished. It was as if they never existed but for the bruises she would have from her struggles. There was no more need for that, for violence and for force.

He had something better now. He had her obedience. He had her.

“Such a good girl.”

𝔉𝔬𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔊𝔩𝔬𝔯𝔶 𝔬𝔣 𝔜𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔎𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔡𝔬𝔪 || ƒeral x Passion

𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕧𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕤

Fueled

𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕧𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕤

Fueled

𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕧𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕤

Fueled

𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕧𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕤

Fueled

𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕧𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕤

Fueled

𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕧𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕤

Fueled

𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕧𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕤

Fueled

𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕧𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕤

Fueled

𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕧𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕤

Fueled

𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕧𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕤

Fueled

𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕧𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕤