Heart of Bone<Zynode and Talin>

[Vertaige]

Draven grasped the villager by the shirt and roared,
"Where is she!?"
His voice reveberated through the air like bats on tombstones and his bared teeth glistned in the moonlight. He could feel the man's heartrate skyrocket.

He was currently crouched on the roof of the hamlets church, his chitinous form blending into the darkness. He held the man aloft over the edge, as screams and moans of terror played out below like a symphony of despair. Fires lit the night casting shadows of villagers fleeing in fear of the dark beast.
"I-what are you talking about?" he stammered.
"My sacrificie you french pig! The offering to me, your lord and protector, of this pathetic little shit-hole you call a village!" Draven's accent came out heavily as his face grew more contorted in rage.
He loosedned his grip making the man fall a bit. Fear shot through the peasants face as he realized what would happen if he did not answer.
"She, she's hiding with her family, she said you freed her. Please spare me, Milord." The man stammered quickly. He prayed to God that his confession would spare his life.
Draven tighted his grip and pulled the man in close his red eyes and ivory horns illuminated by the fires below.
"Your honesty is appreaciated but I'm afriad your delay has cost you your life."
The man's face widened in fear and he began to scream as Draven tossed him off the roof's spire. He fell to the ground with a wet thud and new screams tore into the night air.
Draven looked down at his sad little hamlet and glared.
He had killed several and maimed others in warning. The night was one of celebrstion, the girl he taken returned saying she was free. He had killed six men before anyone had known what had really had transpired. How dare they take her from him. She was his, given so in a bargin of peace and protection but they tried to betray him. Him, thier once beloved Viscount. He knew where she was now and he intended to collect her one way or another. He crawled down the spire like a lizard and made his way to the town's library.
He passed many who bowed and nodded to them. Some of the townspeople had the intelligence to at least have a facade of respect. Others cowered in fear and a handful tried to kill him with pitchforks and torches. Thier blood arced in the moonlight like scarlet ribbons thrown in a children's game.
He could feel thier hate, thier fear. His body was alien and his fury had become so much more volitiale as the years had passed. He contiuned through the hamlet drawing ever nearer to his intended prey.

 

[Talin]

Still unsure of how exactly she did it she moved through the forest as quick as her long legs could carry her. Liana couldn’t slow down, she knew the beast was behind her. Lying had gotten her away from him, that and her brain. Bursting through the door to her home her parents crying at the table. her once cream colored gown was soiled with mud and blood and torn to rags in places, but she didn’t care. “We have to move now. I got through his people, but we have to go.” She changed quickly, tossing the dress and the crown of roses, that adorned her blonde hair as she was displayed for him, into the fire place. Brown breeches caressed her curves and the white shirt of her father hid her unbound breasts from view. A dark cloak, tied at the throat and cascading down her back concealed her. bending she laced on her thick boots and they were off.

They moved swiftly through the cover of darkness, Liana leading the way. Her mother and younger siblings behind her and her father brought up the rear. She was headed for the only place where they stood a chance, the caves on the hill overlooking her village. Once they were settled in she and her father took care of the night watch. She’d bound her hair back from her face in a braid and secured her sword to her hip. The only reason she was chose to be the sacrifice is because she was the only woman of age and not married. She’d chosen not to marry because a man wanted to trade some livestock for her, it was a disgrace. Her parents agreed she was worth more than a few heads of cattle any day.

When they spoke it was in hushed tones. She couldn’t sit still it was too quiet, she’d heard the shouts of the people, the screams as they ran, thankfully their homestead stood on the outskirts of town. “What did, what did he look like?” She heard her brother Samuel, 14, ask.

Her blue eyes flitted out to the darkness and back over his young face. “I wasn’t there long enough to see him. he knew I was there and took his time in making his way to me, so I was able to escape.” It was his downfall and she feared the last mistake he’d make around her. “He’s coming for me, I can feel it. I’m not scared. I’ll protect you.”

Pride showed in his gaze before they heard it, the howl of the monster. He knew where she was, she knew it. “Scoot back into the cave farther so he will not get you. I will stop him or die trying.” Pulling her cloak up around her she moved against the cave wall, sword drawn and at her side, her long fingers gripping the hilt comfortably. Bring on the beast, the beauty was ready for him.

 

[Vertaige]

Draven stalked them silently. He could sense them and relished the hunt. This one, this girl was unlike any other, she had managed to get by both Mina and Sver, his two most loyal subjects. They were terrified of him when he returned. Mina was in tears when he had found the girl gone. Sver had tried to go after her to disasterous results. Mina had nearly died when he dragged Sver back half dead. He had nearly struck them in his rage but subsuded when he saw the village.
He slinked through the darkness, lethe and terrible. He reached the mouth of the cave and smiled.
" It seems that this little deer turned into a lioness." He said as he moved closer in. The darkness lessened as his eyes glowed. He could see them huddled together in fear but she was missing. He heard the soft slit of a well oiled sword being drawn from its sheath and turned to see his bride to be with a naked blade pointed at his chest.
"Well, well maybe there is some fight in you French afterall."
Draven smiled as he drug his claws against the stone drawing sparks.
"So little deer, I must admit, this is perhaps the most interesting night I've had in decades."

 

[Talin]

His words sent a chill down her spine; his silhouette was outlined by the lesser dark outside of the cave. She wasn’t sure if she trusted her eyes and his form at the moment. Lifting the sword she stepped forward to face him, the tip aiming for, where she assumed, his heart ‘s residence in his chest. Pulling back the hood she wanted to make sure he could see her. “Oui, I will fight you to my end or yours whichever comes first.”

Her pale blue eyes widened in their sockets when he drug his claws on the wall and caused the sparks. HE WAS HIDEOUS. Instead of showing fear she moved the sword to press against his chest. “Good for it shall be your last.” Lifting the sword she used her free hand and shoved him back towards the mouth of the cave hard. And arched her sword back, to strike from the underside. Her cloak dropping off her body, to give her more maneuverability.

Liana had been training since she could carry a sword, her father saw potential and living on the outskirts they ran into trouble. Men never expected the blonde haired blue eyed woman to come at them with a sword when they attacked and laughed underestimating the Amazonian-like female. At 5’ 10” she was as tall as most of the men in the village and her frame was sturdy, solid and yet soft and feminine. She was 21 and not ready to be enslaved by the wretched beast.

 

[Vertaige]

Draven parried her blows with practiced ease.
"Do you think you were the first to fight little deer? I've been killing longer than you have been breathing." He moved like a dancer's shadow with an unearthly grace belied by his layered plates. He loved the clang of his claws on steel. The thrill of the battle was more than enough to excite him. This girl was something he had seen only a handful of times, something he had craved for decades. He grinned, a grotesque famiclie of the real thing and lunged towards her letting the blade sink deep into his chest. Black ichor spurted from the wound as he wrenched the blade form her. laughing he grasped it and tore it out causing a spray of thick black bile to coat her.
He staggered but regained his composure. The wound was pouring black but Draven did not mind. For him wounds of the flesh were minor. The curse had long since made him immune to most forms of death and would not kill him until his time was up.
"I am afriad my little deer, that my heart has been missing for quite some time. True I may be weak from loosing so much blood, but i am more than capable of dealing with you." He tossed the sword into the cave, hearing it clatter in the darkness.
" However your style lacks subtlety. Once again typical French arrogance betrays formal training. You were too proud and as such deserved your defeat. Albeit a bit unconventional."
He walked towards her rasing his hands in a clap.
"However you have dine what th eothers failed to do. For that your family will live to see another day if you join me at my castillo. Forever." He added. He moved in closer feeling her breathing increase.
He traced a claw down the cave walls enticing more sparks and laughed.
This one was special alright.

 

[Talin]

“No!” She answered his first question in a roar as she moved about trying at a different angle to get at the monster that kept many awake at night. Liana could handle being his bride, as long as he wore her cold steel blade in his chest. Blue eyes narrowed in the dark, as she plunged forward, blade sinking into him. That is until she realized he was now pushing the blade in further and mocking her. Her grip still tight when he jerked away from her, the pop of her leather glove as the hilt moved from her grasp. The black that spewed forth from the wound quickly coated her light skin and hair, the white shirt and tan breeches.

His next words confirmed what she feared the most. She cringed when the sound of the sword hitting the ground echoed and ricocheted off every surface of the stone cavern surrounding them. “I was subtle enough to draw you here, away and challenge you.” She stated keeping her jaw firm and her face upward to his. The clap was arrogant as he moved forward toward her, complimenting her for the feat that no other woman had done. She glared at him, her heart rate and breathing increased, “Forever?” She heard the rush of her siblings closing in around her as he scraped his claws on the cavern wall. They all knew her heart and ultimately, her only choice.

Hugging each one tightly to her as she slowly said her goodbyes. There were tears in her blue eyes but she would not let them fall in front of her family nor the beast that laid claim to her now. “I will go with you, forever, as long as no harm ever comes my families way. If you can promise me that I will be yours.” Regardless of his answer she was going to go with him, her family was to be spared; he’d already stated such, though his word meant nothing. Liana trudged the same path as before, only this time it was to the castle she went and not away. What was to become of her and what would be required, still hung in the balance as the walked.

 

[Vertaige]

Draven snapped his talons and immediatly the braying of hounds and horses could be heard. Fog rolled in as a carriage approached drawn by a pair of skinless horses. Muscle and bone displayed proudly by Sver as he sat on the couch wearing his Justacorps.
"Sver, you and Mina escort my deer to the castle. I have some things to deal with." He waved them away as a young brunette ferried Callista to the carrige. Both Sver and Mina looked around 17 and were armed to the teeth with blackpowder pistols and knives. Upon closser inspection they both had a tattoo in thier left forearm of a lizard devouring and eagle. Once she was inside Sver bucked the reins and made his way back to Castle Mourne. Draven turned to the cave and spoke.
"Your youngling will not come to harm with me..." He retrieved the sword she had stabbed him with and layed a silver coin at the mouth of the cave.
"This should recompense any damage to your home. If you come after her, I will kill all of you." He then walked away heading towards the castle humming an ancient tune.
------
In the carrige Mina fussed over Callista.
"Oh my dear your hair and that dress, Master will never approve. When we get home, you'll need a bath and something nice for dinner." Mina beamed at the thought of dressing the girl. It was clear despiteher appearance Mina was far more older than she looked.
"Oh its been eons since Master has had any civilized company much less a female." She produced a hankerchief and handed it to Callista.
"You even spilt blood, Oh I bet Master is singing and dancing his way home. He was always happiest when challanged."
"I think your scaring her Mina." A male voice said.
"Quite Sver, I havent been able to talk to anyone for decades. I'm not scaring you am i my dear?" She asked, green eyes wide with wonder.

 

[Talin]

The skinless horses caused her to cringe; she saw the duo on the carriage, one on top and the other popping out from the interior. She’d seen them earlier; she had defeated the male and gotten away from the girl. Her cold blue eyes showed no emotion as they herded her into the carriage. They were off, Castle Mourne lay like a foreboding dragon, one you thought may kill you or possibly toy with you, either way things were not meant to be easy. Her eyes fell to the brunette opposite her.

She looked to her hair, the plait now half pulled loose from the struggle with her intended. The thought of being a wife to that... thing made her ill. “My hair is repairable, my clothing is not … it is hardly a dress, open your eyes better for I am wearing breeches and a shirt as I could hardly defend myself and my family in a frilly dress. While you may call it home I shall never utter those words, though a bath sounds nice.” She knew exactly what the next sentence meant and she shuddered at the thought.

“She’s not scaring me. Is his being glad a good thing or not so much? Does this mean he will not have me in his bedchambers tonight and I shall be free to move around his castle?” Liana was fierce but this beast, this man, he was fiercer. Though if he wanted a challenge, he would certainly get one as she had no intention of sitting back and letting him rule over her, she was a fighter through and through. Upon arriving at the castle, it’s dark wall showing its feel of menace. The one named Mina took her off.

The bath she was given was hot and soothing and soon her hair and skin shown, while a little red from the scrubbing the thick mud was washed away. Dry she stood bare on a pedestal before a mirror. The girl brought her a pair of thin panties and a corset. Once those were in place the woman tried her in several things finally, with her coloring, the girl gave her a blood red dress. It looked beautiful and showed off her figure nicely. The white silk gloves were a bit too much and knew those would be the first things gone. The way the dress laid on her flesh caused her collar bone to stand prominent. The crease between her breasts was shown off by the cut of the dress.

Soon her hair was in place. Waves of gold were pinned up all over her head and white roses were pinned in her head to match the gloves. Stepping down the stairs she followed the duo on either side. She could have run but the slight heel they put her in was next to impossible. The dining hall consisted of a long table but only one end was set. Candles and candelabra’s laden with the waxy sticks were set up to illuminate the room. She was alone and told to sit and wait. Looking around she knew there was no way to escape. The guards kept an eye on her and one move meant she would be swarmed. She kept her eyes low even though her husband had entered the room.

 

[Vertaige]

Draven walked into the hall. He had already eaten. He no longer preffered cooked meat and found venison to be his aquired favorite. He had washed up and although he had clothes he preffered the tattered remains of his formal officers uniform. It was a charcoal grey jacket and pants but it had long since been torn to little more than rags. He drew his Talons along the marble table and smiled. He stood behind his bride and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Now my little deer, Mina informs me you are in an inquisitive little fawn." He traced a claw down her cheek to her shoulder,
"SO lets begin with the basics...You have free rein over my dominion. As my bride there is nowhere you cannot go and whatever resources you desire will be provided. You will share my bedchamber with me every evening. Mina and Sver are the only living servants. The gaurds are merely sendings encased in armor and as such cannot be persuaded or bribed." He moved to the opposite end of the table and sat.
"Your stay here can be pleasant my little deer. However do not make any concessions...you are mine now." He snapped his fingers and a glass of water was brought to him by Sver. He dissmissed the two and smiled.
"So anymore questions?"

 

[Talin]

Liana didn’t tense when his hands graced her shoulders; she sat as though it were the most normal thing. He preferred calling her a deer and fawn, she found it amusing. An expert marksman she’d taken down many a deer in her time. Best with her bow and a quiver of arrows, though she was trained in most ways as her husband would surely find out. The touch to her face snapped her head up and her eyes to his.

She would have to remember to watch what she said around Mina and Sver, nothing said to either would be kept from the monster before her. The thought of sharing chambers with him made her skin crawl, she’d have to find some way out of that. Relief swept through her as he moved to the other side of the table. “Make no mistake about it fiend. The reason I am here is to keep my family safe, which will be the only reason I stay YOU have nothing to do with it. Seeing as we are NOT properly wed, I shall not share chambers with you.”

Her blue eyes were alight with defiance, “I am a pure woman, and I do not intend to be corrupted by the likes of you. I am not your bride and I have no intention of EVER becoming one for you.” her eyes flashed darkly. “I will play at your silly little games and reside in here, but do not expect me to like it.” Rising she gathered her skirts, “Now if you’ll excuse me, my appetite is suddenly lost to me. I will be in the room where I was first led by Mina.” She walked calmly toward the door.

 

[Vertaige]

A knife dug its way into the door and Draven moved behind Liana
"You may pretend Deer that you are clean but you cannot fool me. I will allow you to have tonight but tommorow I will have my Bride." He was growling and let his claws shred her dress leaving her in nothing but her under garments. He roughly groped her.
"Such bountiful fruits and youthful vigor. Yes my little fawn, you are indeed mine."
He shifted his hands to her waist and gripped her tight.
"I must admit it though. Despite my initial carnal instincts you have a certian...charm." He then pushed her away roughly and walked away.
]]]]]
"Mina, the girl's sword, can Sver restore it?"
Draven asked as he sat perched in the library on a shelf surrondefrench nest of books. He flicked the pages of the book enjoying the soft flit it made.
"He says there is no damage, that the sword is made from something sturdier than regular steel. Besides I beleive arming her would only encourage more fatal attempts at ressistance."
Draven sat thinking. The girl was going to make everything difficult. His display might have only provoked her, regardless he was tired and needed rest. He slinked off to bed instructing Mina to store the sword in the armory.
"Tommorow will be a full day Mina. I suggest you and Sver rest as well."
Mina nodded watching her dark master slip into the shadows.

 

[Talin]

Blue eyes went wide as he moved behind her, she tried not showing her fear, but it was there. Fear that he would simply take her. His words hit her, knocking the wind from her sails. “Fool you? I have been with no ma…. STOP!” the panic in her voice rose as he tore at her clothing. The thin material of the dress no match for his claws, sputtering for words she shuddered as his hands moved over her semi bare body. The thin panties and the half corset surrounding her waist were all that was left. Batting his hands away she covered her breasts and turned to face him.

As he jerked her closer by the waist she gasped and dropped her hands from covering her to out against his chest to steady herself. The white roses had fallen out when she spun and long tendrils of blonde hair were slowly falling around her face and shoulders. When he shoved her away she slid across the stone floor, but quickly moved to her feet. “And you have nothing! No soul and no HOLD over me!” She yelled at his retreating form. His laugh of arrogance reverberated on the stone walls of his castle as he continued walking. She ran to the room, locking the door she proceeded to move whatever she could to block the door.

“I will not play bride to that…” she paused shoving the wardrobe in front of the door. “That monster.” she sunk to her posterior on the floor and cried for a moment. The sadness of losing her family and gaining this man all in one night made everything culminate and spiral out of control. After a few moments she rose to her feet and tore the corset from her body, dressing in a thick gown she extinguished all lights and fell across the bed. Staring up at the canopy above her she lie there awake, scared and ready to defend herself.

 

[Vertaige]

The day passed swiftly for Draven. He arose at dawn and hunted, slating his hunger for the day. He had inspected the castle as per usual and had informed Mina about the need for more dresses for his bride.
"I am afriad that my enthuasiam might make her wardrobe a bit more..,sparse from now on. Also prepare her for me tonight, I want her in white...Let's not dissapiont her notions of matrimony."
He grinned at tasting her fruit and feeling a warm body embraced against his own. It had been a very long time since he had shared his bed with someone. Even if it was petty he had been envious of Sver and Mina. His two most faithful and loyal subjects had been lover's since before his curse. That was when Mina was simply a maid and Sver was only a stablehand. He spent the rest of the day collecting and recording the castle and villages affiars. A small bandit camp was enroaching on the village and he would soon need to intervene. He scribbbled long into the night and only stopped when Sver walked in.
"Ready." Draven nodded and shuffled the scrolls and parchment. He sighed. Long gone where the days when Sver had been talkative. The curse had made him nearly a mute, reduced to using as few words as possible. Mina was the only one he would genuinely talk to now.
Draven stepped into his chamber and removed his clothes. His muscled chitonus body displayed for his beloved.
"Now my deer. its time we consumated our union." He said as he sauntered to his bed.

 

[Talin]

A light knock to the door could be heard but Liana just groaned, “Go Away… Tell, tell that thing to leave me be.”

“Come now, Master isn’t that bad… he seems rather sweet on you.” Mina said through the door, she gave it a good shove, but it wouldn’t budge. “If you’d just unlock the door..”

Liana laughed as she sat up listening to the woman, “The only thing he could possibly be sweet on is his love of himself and …” she heard the statement about her unlocking the door, “NO I will not, I refuse to “perform” like a harlot for that man, that BEAST!”

“I’ll just come check on you later than,” Mina frowned and moved away from the door.

Liana curled up in her bed when it went quiet again, though she heard a mumbling from the door. She fell into a deep dark dream and awoke to a dark cold room. She shivered and moved about, her arms waving in front of her as she stepped cautiously about. She heard the knock on her door again and moved back to the bed, stubbing her toe in her haste to get there. “I have not changed my mind. I refuse to see him tonight, or ever. I shall not be made into a toy for that monster.”

“See I told you!” Mina told Sver. “I supposed we’ll have to let him know his bride is being… difficult.” They moved in unison to Draven’s chambers. Giving the door a slight shove the duo popped their head in. “Sire?” Mina said, respectfully. “Your bride has locked herself in her chambers; she has been there all day and is now refusing to come out at all. She states that she is refusing to see you tonight or if ever. Perhaps you could talk to the missus?” she suggested lamely. She kept her eyes low, she knew better than anger him further with insolence or pleading.

 

[Vertaige]

Draven frowned. He did not like to hear the news but to his chagrin it wasnt unexpected. He stood and walked to her chambers. The whole while Mina tried her best to apologize.
"I'm Sorry master but-"
"Mina...how long have you been in my service?" He snapped.
"I-We-nearly a century Master." She said trying not to panic.
"And in all that time have you or Sver failed me?"
"No"
he left her to ponder his words
in front of his door, knowing full well he could break it down easily but as it was an antique and it would cost a fortune to replace he decided maybe diplomacy would be fitting.
"Now my little deer, what is the problem? Mina informs me you are being...uncooperative."

 

[Talin]

Liana huffed, “Uncooperative, NO… I flat out refuse to be your bride in the fullest capacity that you wish. You will not touch me!” She knew it was futile to try and that he would have all the stuff easily removed, but still it would buy her some time with which to beat upon him with anything she could find in the dark room. She wished, silently, now that she had taken the time to study her surroundings. She only knew the bed she sat upon now faced the door, the only entrance and exit.

Turning her head to the side, she knew there were windows up on the side but in the dark it would be hard and possibly dangerous. She crossed her arms over her ample chest and waited. He would surely try; she knew he would not let this go too easily. “Please just leave me alone.”

Mina stood back next to Sver, allowing Draven to speak with the girl. Mina couldn’t help but, feel a little bad for her, poor thing was tossed to the Master without a second thought, she’d fought him off but now she belonged to him, she had agreed to it. In the end she knew who would survive it.

 

[Vertaige]

Draven drug his talons across the door and sighed.
"Maybe we can try something else, my little deer. How about you let me in and...maybe we take things slower."
He was uncaristically calm. He figured his prey was spooked.
"I am going to be honest now...You are the first person I've been with in a hundred years. I am sorry if my social skills have deteriotated. Now please open the door. I am tired. And i do have something for you." He drew the sword now polished to a bright sheen and placed in under the door.
He walked back into his study and ordered Mina and Sver to leave her alone.

 

[Talin]

Liana held her breath expecting him to burst through the door and the wooden items to shatter around his entrance. She curled her legs up against her chest and waited for the worst. What the Man did next shocked her. In a, calm, well controlled voice he asked her to simply let him in. Of course the obvious response was disbelief. Laughing to herself, “Let you in, HA.” Speaking only to herself, though she moved from the bed to hear him better. She heard him and smiled; he’d apologized and spoke now with obvious control and something of refinement. Smirking she moved away from the door, “I’ll bet you have something for me!” The thought of what he had made her stomach churn. Moving back towards the bed she laughed.

A sound stopped her before she could get there. the gentle glide of metal against stone and then better still a command for her to be left alone. Moving closer the crack of light under the door showed her sword, but not. Scooting things out of her path, toppling chairs and stools in her wake she bent and picked up the beloved sword. Blue eyes travelled to the door and back again to the sword. Opening the door cautiously she moved down the hall on quiet feet, glancing in a doorway she saw him. She was armed and would finishe the job this time if need be. the light from the hallway moved around her, showing her shapely form beneath the gown.

“I am here, but be warned I will flee at the slightest indication that you plan to have your bride. I knew not that I was to BE your bride, only your prisoner. I can see why you have not been with someone in over a hundred years, you ripped my dress and touched me in a way NO one has EVER. It was beyond your social skills having been deteriorated. You can’t control the beast you’ve become.” she clasped a hand on the doorframe and the other wrapped around the hilt of her sword.

 

[Vertaige]

Draven stalked in the darkness. He rolled a silver band set with a piece of onyx.
"You were intended as my bride and since we are not wed proper, I offer you the option to do so."
He smiled. It was a wash from her either way, Draven had waited eons for this night and if she did not accept the invitation he would take what was his.
However something about the idea of her being his wife...stirred something, adding an extra layer of excitment to his arousal. He watched he move to the ring her body half hidden.
"The ceremony would take place tonight by a priest ordianed by your God." He added.
He let his mind wander in her, this little deer, whom had wounded both him and his servants. A lioness in the drab garb of a human.
He moved out of the darkness arms folded.
"A wedding fit for a queen. If you feel our marrige is a lie then after a year you may return to that family of yours."
Draven smiled knowing that this alone would galvinise her into action. Either way, tonight he would finally taste his bride.

 

[Talin]

Option, but she could read between the lines, either way he would have her. At least if it were proper she could stall him with wedding plans. A slight smile flitted over her lips and faded just as suddenly by his next statement, “Tonight…” she gulped. Her blue eyes flitted over him could she pair herself with him for a lifetime? Her pink tongue snaked out and swiped over her dry lips in a feeble attempt to moisten them. A year, could she last a year, she questioned herself.

“Tonight,I will marry you and become your bride and after a year I will leave you here to rot in misery.” Her blue eyes questioned her actions. Children, could she bare him children? She almost backed out, if children were involved she couldn’t leave them there and the poor things would be scarred for life. “What of children if we are able?” She didn’t know if it were even possible, but it was better to ask.

She glanced behind her to Mina, Liana knew the woman was excited to dress her for this event. More so than the dinner hat had been botched earlier. She lifted her voice louder, “If I bear you a child, will I take them with me or will they be forced to spend a lifetime in your wrath due to my leaving?” She knew what she’d say either way.

 

[Vertaige]

The question and idea of children caught Draven off guard. Children, a bucket of icy water extinguished any desire he had remaining. He had never considered this. Mina and Sver had been...afectionate, but thier love bore no child. He had assumed the curse had left them all isolated in time and prevented any new life from entering. However Liana was proof that his assumptions were wrong. Could he father a child? The idea made his head spin. And if he did have one was he willing to gamble the possibility of both his bride and possible family be ripped away?
"I...cannot answer that." He said a loss for words. He now had much more to ponder and if she accepted his offer, he would have more reason to keep her. No, she was his. He would never share her with anyone, much less a child.
He snapped his fingers and the ring broke.
"There will be no deal. You may return to bed. I will return tommorow. If then you do not allow me my bride, I will take it." He said. He walked back into his study and sat thinking.
"Mina..."
"Yes Master?" The girl answered as she appeared by his side.
"Tommorow you will prepare my bride. If nesscary bind her but I am done playing human. She calls me a beast, she will be taken by one."
Mina cringed, Draven had sunk back into one of his moods. the girls arrival had alliveated the last one but her rebellion had also sparked another.
She bowed as she went to bed.

 

[Talin]

Liana stood there mouth agape, “NO!” She moved forward as the woman moved onto her quarters, “You will not deny me such, I would hope that after a year I would grow to be affectionate toward you and you too I. But you make it impossible. What am I to call you when you’ve given me no name, nor asked for mine? I would hope that you would know if I bear you a child I would not be leaving, I would not be foolish enough to separate a child from its father. Even if he were a brute like you!” She tossed the sword and sent it sliding over the smooth top of the wooden desk.

“You will marry me tonight or I will not allow you ME at all. Is that what you want, a lifeless woman to lay there as you take her. Perhaps a smiling corpse would be best t’were that the case.” Her blue eyes flashed. “I would hope that if you loved me after the year you would not allow me to leave and show me it is I that you desire. But if what you want is nothing then take me now, do not make my torture wait. May the children I bear you be happy despite your sour disposition and horrid attempts to gain a dutiful wife.

She stood before him her chest heaving with each breath she took, her blonde hair a halo of gold about her head and her blue eyes alight with fire. The light from the fireplace cast her skin golden as she bore her eyes into his. The challenge was thrown down, the offer made. She would give herself to the beast and lie there as he wanted, quiet and demure unless he spoke up and amended his ways.

 

[Vertaige]

Draven sat. He tossed his desk over and stood up. Walking forward silently he trapped her against the wall. He snapped and in a puff of black smoke the ring appeared in his hand. "My name is Draven Iscariot. I have lived alone for nearly a decade and I want you as my bride." He slipped the ring onto her finger then roughly gripped her hips and pushede her against the wall letting her strong legs wrap around his waist. He kissed her roughly at first then tenderly. He felt his arousal return in full. He ripped her gown clean down the middle feeling her silk panties rub against his plates.
"With this ring I do thee wed." He spoke between each kiss.
"In eternity with you I will rest my head." He delicately ripped her bra off,
"If my path I do stray, your will be the light of day." He finished sealing his pact with her.
He slolwy licked from her collar bone to her navel and nibbled at her clist through the thin fabric.

 

[Talin]

She steeled herself on his approach; the cold stone wall against the heated flesh of her back was felt, through her gown. Her blue eyes met his red, there was no fear only a bit of nervous energy as he said what he did and slid the ring he’d toyed with previously on her slim finger. Her intake of breath as he lifted her body against the wall, guiding her legs around his waist. Beneath her bare legs she could feel the muscles shifting and bunching. Her lips met his though she made not a sound; he wanted her to be the corpse that is what he would get.

The wedding he promised was nothing more than a far off dream; she was nothing to him but an object, a possession. He stated vows kissing her soft lips between. She shivered as her gown was torn and dropped as though rags to the stone floor. Draven, her husband’s name was Draven. Her bra was the next thing to go and then he licked her body, obviously done with the “wedding” part. She closed her eyes to him as he nipped and flicked at the tiny bundle of nerves at the top of her sex. It felt good, but she didn’t want him to know that. He was a monster and with that little display she was now wife of the monster.

“Please, not here. I do not wish to be made a woman against a wall in your study.” Her voice was soft; she was on the verge of tears, though she held them back. She took a deep ragged breath and opened her eyes. “Am I to speak words of eternity as well? Is that what is required of me, Draven?” His name felt foreign on her tongue and evil when she spoke it out loud. She waited for something more to happen, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest and ears.

 

[Vertaige]

His name hit him like a bolt to the chest. He stopped and lowered her to the ground. Looking at her he nodded.
"Mina." He said.
"Yes master."
"Tell Sver to ready the carrige. Take my wife to get ready for our wedding." He whispered to her and she nodded.
"Yes master." She replied in a hushed tone. The two moved apart as Mina began escorting her to a room. Draven pulled a frayed hooded robe and put it on.
He sighed as he braced himself against the cold air of the night.
He walked to the village body concealed and walked into the clergy.
"Father Antioch."
An old man steeped out from the back, a slip of cloth covered his eyes.
"Draven? I thought we had an agreement, my boy."
"I know Father, I need your assistance. I need you to marry me."
"Is your wife to be present?"
"She will be in an hour..."
"Well then, have you taken her yet?"
"No, I tried too.."
"But you did not, I see, it seems the young man I remeber is still in there." He gave a withered smile and sat waiting for Draven's now bride to be.