forum Before my Time Runs Out (O/O fantasy romance)

Started November 25, 2019 by @MusicElle-is-here

tune

(If Cypher tries to buy her, would she become his bonded or is that not how things work)

While Cypher was trying to calm his racing heart, Picult Constell and snuck up behind him. "Why did you force my sister to submit?" He asked, annoyance very visible on his face. "She was acting like an idiot and a spoiled brat." He said immediately, not thinking.

(i hadn’t thought that out so whichever,, i think maybe there should be a spell or something to bond them)

“Are you okay?” Beck asked Eloise, his kind eyes filled with concern. “I just saw that guy harassing you.”

“Yeah, everything’s fine,” Eloise responded with relief. “He ran away for some reason after we made eye contact.”

“Well, at least he didn’t do anything to you,” Beck said with a glance back at the royals.

(Ok, that makes sense)

Picult went to go punch the slightly older lad before stopping and letting out a sigh. "Yeah, your right." He said begrudgingly. "What happened with you and that servant girl?"

Cypher froze once the question was asked. He composed himself and looked at Picult coolly. "I dont see why that's any of tour business."

“Hey, you’re almost out of those weird tiny pastries,” Eloise commented, noticing Beck’s nearly empty tray. “I believe that this requires a foray to the kitchen to get more.”

“Undoubtedly,” Beck agreed with a slight grin. The two of them hurried to the kitchen, trays up and eyes averted from everyone.

Picult backed away with his hands in the air. "Apologies for asking you highness." He said in a nasty tone. Cypher sighed an apologized before looking at him intently. "Have you found you soulmate or at least someone whom you would like to spend the rest of your time with?" Cypher asked him, looking up at the brightly shining moon. Picult stared at him with a heated gaze before responding, "I have, but they do not seem to notice my affections for them. We would be great togather." He smiled wistfully. Cypher suddenly realized something and apologized to Picult. "I'm sorry but I have to talk to someone." He said and ran back in without hearing his response. "That's alright, it seems as though you always do."

Cypher composed himself before making a beeline for Ladonia. "Apologies Madame, but if you could spare a moment, I'd like to talk to you about one of your…workers."

Ladonia raised a perfectly penciled-in eyebrow. “You mean my shifters?” she asked disdainfully, studying him. “What would someone like you want with one of them? Was one of them rude to you, Your Highness? If so, I promise that shifter will be severely punished.” She definitely liked what she saw. “You look very handsome tonight, by the way,” she practically purred.

"No, none was rude to me. Why I want one and what I do with them is not any of your concern. I asked you because yours are the more…better behaved than others." He said simply

Ladonia’s lips curled into a frown. “Very well, as long you pay me a fair amount,” she responded evenly. By fair, she meant a hefty price. “Which one, exactly, are you referring to? Was it Honey, perhaps? She’s quite the charmer.”

"Ah, no, it was the shy girl serving drinks. While honey is a good choice, she is a little…extra for my liking." He explained. "I would like to talk to her first then confirm my purchasing."

Ladonia tapped her chin in thought for a moment before realizing. “Oh, you mean Eloise?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “She’s quite ordinary, but to each his own, I suppose. But I should warn you, her lifespan is the shortest of the four. I can send for her.”

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Eloise felt a sharp tug towards the door. “What the hell!” she cried, glaring at the door.
“You’re being summoned by Ladonia?” Beck asked, his eyebrows shooting up. “But why?”
“I don’t know, but if I don’t get going, she’ll skin me alive!” With a hasty wave, Eloise left the kitchen and walked in jerky moments towards Ladonia, coming to a stop next to her.

Cypher glanced down at the girl and felt his heart racing. "If you dint mind, I'd like to talk to her in private before making my decision. Will there be any ritual? I know how you witches are." He said, a teasing smile on his face.

“Yes, there certainly will,” Ladonia said with her nose in the air. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She walked off, her heels clicking on the marble floor.
Eloise looked up at Cypher, doing her best to bite down her angry feelings and smooth her features into a pleasantly neutral expression. “Yes?”

Cypher scrunched up his face before turning his blue eyes towards the girl. "I would for you to come work with me." He said choosing his words carefully.

He kept his ears pointed towards the crowd and made sure to check that no one was listening in to his conversation

“Why?” Eloise asked, the picture of innocence. Within her, though, a fire raged. “Why me?” She wondered what would happen to her friends before realizing something could obviously happen to her.

"That is something that shouldn't be discussed in public. Your mistress agreed to let you go for a fair price. Do you have any conditions before you come along?" He asked. He was taking her away from her home and family, the least he could do was allow her to be comfortable.

Eloise blinked, not understanding. She was equal parts angry and terrified. Not something to be discussed in public? What the hell did that mean? “If you have to take me, take Beck too,” Eloise said bravely, biting her lip. “Please. He’s my best friend.”

Cypher looked at her with a warm smile. "You have my word. I will do everything in my power to get the both of you." he responded with a smile. "Where is that witch of yours, i do suspect she wasn't far, listening in as best as she could." he muttered

Eloise brushed back a lock of hair, looking around for Beck. She didn’t see him in the crowd, but the second she turned back around, Ladonia was once again by her side.
“So? Have you decided?” she asked, pretending that she hadn’t been near enough to hear Cypher’s comment.

"Yes I have. I have taken a liking to two of your workers. I'm.not sure what both mean to you but I feel they will help me better adjust to the new responsibilities of being king. I do like this ones personality and her work ethic, but another one, Beck, also caught my eye. Of course you will be compensated for this, name your price." He spoke. Cyoher decided to go formal in his efforts to purchase the two from Ladonia, but knowing her, she may have changed her mind already and that was something he prayed didn't happen.

Ladonia thought for a moment. “Well, I really care for those two,” she responded, all fake sugary sweetness. She didn’t actually care much for either of them, but would get as much out of the transaction as possible. “Hmm…I could really use your heart…but if that doesn’t work for you, just one of your hairs and fifty thousand dollars is just as good. Because I need something to distract me from my sadness at having to part with my babies.” Eloise glared at Ladonia, who was thankfully not able to see it.