It was then that she snapped. He thought she was weak, and simple temptation could break her. "Like hell!" She slapped his hand away and finally moved back, her face red with anger. Like hell she would ever want him, if she fell in love, it would be with a good guy. "Don't ever touch me like that again." Her once bright blue eyes darkened to a deep blue, almost like the night sky, but with no stars to light it up. "You want me to stay, fine. But it's not easy to tame something you know nothing about." Nora was flustered with anger and embarrassment. In front of all these people he humiliated her, looked down on her. Eyes closely watching their every move, like it was some play. "Leave," the words came out like a whisper. "I said leave!" The slightest of spark lit in her hand, but it quickly left. The people in the room scrambled to their feet and ran out. Nora was like a wild animal, not knowing when she will snap next. "Show me to my room, I'd rather not see your face for much longer."
Fiero watched her rage for a few seconds before, with a disaffected smirk, he yanked her back down to her knees with the hand still hooked in the collar. It was easy to pour more of his magic into it, smothering every hint of magic he could find inside of her until he sure she'd be suffocating in the lack of it. She was strong enough that it was difficult– strong enough to leave headaches brewing storm-like behind his eyes– but he subdued her.
He got her on her knees in front of him, kneeling at last.
The anger had been… unexpected, to say the least. He would need to get in her head at some point and sort out her mechanics. To figure out all the things that made her tick. "You're cute birdy but if you think you can order me around in my own throneroom you're sorely mistaken." His words were cold and sharp, a thousand shards of ice. "I don't take orders from anyone, I'm not like you. I wasn't weak enough to be caught and I certainly wasn't weak enough to be collared, so you would do your best to watch. Your. Tone."
Her heart jolted when he pulled her down again. Nora knew he was serious, but she had never had anyone to tell her what to do, and she wasn't about to learn it. If she wanted to get out of this place, she would need to think of a plan, and right now, that was getting on his good side. Also, that tone of voice shook something deep inside of her. "I'm not a pet! If you want me to help you, treat me with a little respect." The words flew out before she could stop them, it was like she had no control over what her mouth says. "And by no means am I weak. You need me for something, something you can't do by yourself, or can't do at all. If I was weak, you would have gotten rid of me by now. But you need me." A grin crossed her face. Either that would get her killed, or… He would keep her alive proving she was right.
He gave her a calculating look and for one still second, it seemed like he was taking her words to heart. Then his free hand laded, a harsh slap against her left cheek. His rings tore the skin. Blood trickled down that pretty pale skin, staining it red.
"You're nothing more than decoration, pet, and I don't treat the things I own with any more respect than I have to, even when I think they're pretty." He kept his hand locked in her collar as he examined his rings, calling for Mikhail to come clean them off. He did, quietly and obediently, and when he was done he left as quietly as he'd come, obviously shaken by the showdown his king and the Dark Witch.
He smirked, flexing his fingers before he brought them back to Nora's cheek, thumbing at the cuts with a sigh. "Now why don't you apologize to me, birdy? I don't like having to damage my possessions."
Her face stung, and she was shocked for a few seconds. Did he really just… slap me? When his thumb rubbed across her cut she couldn't help but flinch, it hurt, she wasn't going to lie. "No. And obviously we are both too stubborn to give this up. I'm tired and want to sleep." Gently, Nora pushed his hand away. The choker? Collar? Whatever it was, at last felt like it was doing it's job. Her head spun, and her energy was quickly drained. For now he had her beat, but once this thing was off, she was going to bring hell to this kingdom. "Let's continue this in the morning." Standing she pulled away, getting lose from his grip. Stumbling she headed for the doors, but something wasn't right, she couldn't tell if she was actually walking or not. Soon enough, Nora's vision went dark and her body tumbled to the ground.
Fiero let her brush his hand away, watching with cool disinterest as she collapsed. Inwardly, he could admit he was impressed with her strength. She had held out longer than he thought she would, though it seemed like it hadn't been long enough. Now the only question was what to do with her.
The answer was fairly simple. He had her taken to the dungeons, fitted with two thick metal bracers to match her collar, and left her chained to the wall so she wouldn't be able to run away again this time. She had so much disregard for the power that he held and, though it was cute, it just wouldn't work in the long run. He needed subservience, and that meant he needed her broken, or at the very least afraid of what he could do to her.
He gathered his supplies methodically, taking time to plan out what he wanted to say while he waited for someone to alert him that she'd woken up.
It had been hours before she woke up, and when she did, her body ached. It smelled of mold, and dampness, if that even had a smell. Nora's eyes adjusted to the little light that shone through a window. Wonderful, She thought. A cell, just what she wanted to wake to, chained to a wall like a prisoner, in this situation she kind of was. The pain in her head was almost unbearable, and She still felt a little weak. There was no time to show it though. The King would use that against her. The Dark Witch, yeah right, how could she get caught so easily? Nora was frustrated with herself. If she had used her power earlier instead of bickering, than she could have broke this damn thing. "Hello? I'm a bit thirsty, mind getting me something to drink?" And it was true, but she had her doubts that the guard, or whoever was watching over her word believe her. Nora prepared for the worst, the King wasn't going to back down, and now she knew that. But neither was she. With a sigh she leaned back against the wall and waited.
Three hours after she awoke, Fiero swept into the dungeon with his normal apathetic look, a cozier cloak than normal to block out the persistent chill, and a small basket of necessities. He hated it down here, felt revulsion creep down to his bones and cling fast, but he pushed it away just like everything else. He could scrub himself clean of this place after his goals were accomplished.
And if he took a slightly longer bath than normal tonight, failing to scrub the feeling of this place from his skin, that was nobody's business but his own.
"How are you enjoying your lodgings, pet?" He sat primly on a stool in front of her cell, immaculate in the dingy hall. His posture was perfect, belaying none of the tension he felt. "I trust you find your bedroom satisfactory? You were so eager to get some rest, I'm afraid this was the best I could do on such short notice. I do hope I can make it up to you."
"I quite like it. I especially love the smell." With every word she could see her breath, her skin shivered due to the cold. It was a mystery that she could even sleep down here. Nora's hat fell off sometime during the night, so her face was a bit more visible. Her mother used to call her snow white, due to her pale skin and jet black hair. Nora had never heard the story, but planned to read it at some point. Though Nora always thought of herself as more of a ghost. The only thing she liked were her crystal like eyes. She loved how blue they were. Nora was thin, but didn't look sickly, she had a small face, many people have called her a living doll. "I only have one complaint, it is quite chilly in here. Is there a way to block the window?" A grin spread across her face. She knew this was going to be the same as last night, and honestly she was already tired of it.
Fiero laughed quietly, shaking his head. It was clear Nora didn't respond well to violence, he'd found out that much last night, so he would have to use something else. Something sweeter. "I'm afraid not, birdy. I've got nothing to close it with." He grabbed the basket, pulling out a small woven blanket which he showed her with a soft smile. "But I do have a few gifts for you, because I had to be so very cruel with my accommodations." He slid off his seat, slipping inside Nora's cell so he could tuck it around her as she shivered. His hands lingered on her shoulders, gently rubbing the warmth back into them as the blanket slipped. "Tell me, have they fed you yet?"
Nora was shocked. The warmth from his skin made her heat up a bit. Why was he being kind, from last night she knew that this wasn't him. He must be planning something. "No, they haven't." Everything in her told her to shrug him off, but for some reason she couldn't. This kind side was dangerous, she much rather the other side, the side she knew she couldn't trust. "And thank you." Her gaze lingered on the floor. Looking. Stop, he hates you. He only wants to use you. Taking a deep breath she reminded herself of what he really want, what anyone wanted of her. This power has been hunted down from many kingdoms, but his is the first to actually capture her. "So, getting on with the real business. If I help you, what do I get in return?" If she was to help, she wanted something.
Fiero gave her a soft smile, eyes gentle and full of concern. His eyes bounced back the meager light forcing its way in through the window, glowing the same way a cat's might. When she didn't push him away he grew bolder, gently bringing his hands up to her face so she could bury her cold cheeks in them. He was winning this little battle, he saw it in the way she just barely leaned into his touch. "Of course. I told you birdy, I take care of my things. I want you to be as comfortable as I can make you." His words rang with truth, largely because he wasn't lying. He didn't want to hurt her, the same way he'd never wanted to become king in the first place. His duty to his responsibilities outweighed any personal feelings on the matter. "We don't need to talk about business right now, I'd like to talk about you. Are you hungry?"
"Hm," For a moment she lost herself in his touch. He's using you. Snapping out of it she slowly moved away, just a tad. "I am quite hungry, I haven't had anything since yesterday. His eyes were mysterious, like a cats, almost like he always had a plan for anything that might happen. What was she here for? What did he really need from her? Pulling the blanket tighter around her, she was more alert now. Though she seemed tough, Nora was weak to anything like feelings, so no matter what she could not grow fond of him. She couldn't. But God was he handsome. "I would be easier to talk to on a full stomach." A smile, a genuine smile was on her face, and a slight laugh escaped her lips. (Sorry it's a bit shorter.)
When Fiero beamed at her it lit up his whole face, smoothing the sharpness of his features and warming the steel behind his eyes. If he was handsome before he was beautiful like this, with joy twisting through his every feature. It was an act, of course, but an act based in real feelings. He was making progress like this. if he could just get her to crack– to let him in past her defences– she would never be able to disobey him. Her own soft heart wouldn't allow it.
"Then I've got just the thing for you, darling." He ruffled through the basket again, pulling out a small platter of meats and cheeses. "I can't exactly let you use your hands–" he tilted his head towards the manacles with an apologetic half-smile "–and I really am sorry for that, but I can't exactly trust you not to hurt me. Would it be alright if I fed you?"
(All good!)
"You want to feed me?" Nora chuckled, "No way in hell." She crossed her arms. She knew who he really was, he made it clear last night. Nora rather starve than have her enemy feed her. "No." She repeated with an unsatisfying look, back to her stubborn self. The voice, she had to keep that voice in the back of her mind, the one who wouldn't let her do something stupid…. again. Never again was she going to open up to anyone. "Listen, I'll help you, in return I don't want you to be around me unless I'm doing a job and I want free roam of the grounds. Then we both win." No matter where she went people were going to be after her. As long as she could do what she wanted, she'll help him. "And don't be mistaken, I won't fall for this," Eyeing him up in down she continued, "act of yours."
Fiero watched her and for a split second, there was something ice cold and knife-sharp in his eyes. It disappeared behind an easy whatever you say sort of shrug and a smile dim with disappointment. Why don't you trust me? his face seemed to ask, while he shrugged and picked up the small basket of food. "I'm not sure I know what you mean darling." His voice was as soft as a spring breeze, utterly passive. He was so different from the king who had beat her in the throneroom, curled up here with his furs piled around him like a safety blanket and cracks of light illuminating his features. He could be any noble child, carefree and kind. "I'm only trying to be nice. You should at least let me give you some water if you're going to go without food– the last thing I want if for you to suffer." He didn't acknowledge her proposal, needing time away from this hellscape of mold and metal to really think over what she was offering him.
"Darling, birdy." Nora whispered annoyed, the pet names… God, she hated them. And why was he being so difficult, just take the proposal. Nora was willing to help, all she wanted was a bit of freedom. "I'll take the water." When the sun shone in, Nora's eyes shined like jewels, you could see many different shades of blue and they sparkled. It was a add on from the black magic. Most the time you couldn't see this, and her hat is why. She didn't want anyone to see them. For someone who is called the dark Witch, she was known for her beauty.. and magic of course. Just than she remembered a spell… well more like a curse for her, maybe than he would believe that she would keep her word to help. Though it was a extremely powerful curse. Her eyes then moved to the ground, searching for something, something sharp. There wasn't much, but she did find a bit of broken glass. "I apologize in advance for this." Before he could stop her, she took his arm and cut just above his wrist, then did hers. It hurt, she sucked in a breath and held back a groan of pain. Nora watched as the Kings blood dripped on the ground. For some reason she expected him not to bleed, but of course he would, he was human. Unlike her black blood, his was a vibrant red, Nora was jealous. Ignoring her jealousy she put their cuts together, Nora made sure their blood mixed and chanted a few words. Her eyes turned black. The collar felt as if it was getting tighter, but she had to finish this. Slowly her eyes turned back to the blue and her breathing was short. Taking her arm away, there it was the black mark. Two dots with a line going through both. "It's a bonding spell. I can't run and I can't hide. Please, just let me out of here." Sweat dripped from her forehead and she looked as if she would pass out. Though now she knew, if she tried hard enough, she was able to use magic with this thing on.
Nora's eyes were very distracting, so blue even in the darkest, dreariest depths of his castle. Fiero wanted her, more than he'd wanted anything in a very long time, but wanting was dangerous when you had a kingdom to rule. It was easier to force it away, to keep it in its own little box in his head marked for future consideration while he rifled around the basket for the waterskin, which he pressed gently into her cold hands.
She apparently took that as an opportunity to slash his wrist. For once his instincts failed him and he was still, numbly watching her press his red blood to her black until the prickly bonds of unfamiliar magic snapped him from his daze and he finally reacted. Magic surged into the collar before he could help it, forcing away everything in the witch's head but the black panic he was sure she could feel already leeching through their bond. It was an ugly feeling, like drowning in a pool of ink, and he didn't stop piling it onto her mind until his heart stopped beating like a hammer against his ribcage.
Both hands were hooked in her collar, holding her at an arm's length. He was pale. he only reason he wasn't rembling was the barely remembered orders at the edges of his mind, telling him to hold tall and proud and show no weakness. "What did you do to me?" His voice was so soft it was almost dangerous, as deceptive as the still waters that came before a hurricane.
"What, never seen bond magic before?" Nora's voice came out horse. Taking the canteen, she chugged the water down. "Like I said, neither of us can run or hide from each other," Nora debated telling him the other half. Bond magic was forbidden a long time ago, but thanks to her Mother she learned many of the forbidden spells. But, Nora didn't know if she wanted to tell him that neither of them could hurt each other now, bond magic didn't allow it. "I figured you would know more about forbidden magic." Nora just guaranteed her survival here. The only problem is, she would now have to be with him forever. "We're bonded. It can never be broken. I'm yours and you are mine." Now, that didn't mean they couldn't fall in love or get married, no, they just couldn't be too far from each other. "Now there shouldn't be a problem."
"Not since the king outlawed it," he answered coldly, tracing a hand over the symbol on his arm. He knew the basics of bond magic, though he had never dabbled in it himself. It had seemed foolish to tie himself so closely with another person, and now he had been forced to be some backwater black witch too desperate to find a better solution to her problems. He had to admit, as far as rushed plans went this one was almost elegant in its execution. He couldn't torture her anymore, not directly, and it would be impossible to go anywhere without her by his side. She'd gotten a pledge of security out of him more real than any words could've given. "And bonded though we may be, I will never be yours." Already he could feel his magic pushing against their bond, struggling against it. He would find a way to stifle their connection, it would just take time. "I can still find ways to hurt you Norabella, I promise you that."
"Go ahead and try." Her voice just as cold as his. Nora knew of the one and only way to get rid of the bond, but it will never come to that, not if she had anything to do with it. The King should have seen this coming, she was the black witch, of course she would use anything necessary to secure her life. And, Witches are known for using tricks like this, most people would know this. Untrustworthy, useless beings, her most of all, Nora wasn't human, and people had no problem reminding her of that. "Break me, tear me apart," Her eyes once again sparkled, and her voice low with a hit of seduction in it. Her eyes stare into his as she crawled closer, the chains restricting her a bit, that didn't stop her though. "Do what you wish, but you won't be able to break me more than I already am." Her face only inches from him. He wanted to play games? Well, Nora loved games, and now she wanted to make him hers, make him fall for her. That, that sounded like fun.
Fiero smirked, grabbing her chin and yanking her forward across the last few inches of space she had left. His grip was just shy of bruising, more than tight enough to hurt because hurting like this was easy. He could pretend her pain tolerance was higher than it was, could pretend any number of things that would let him squeeze too tight and get away with it. "Oh sweet thing, I ought to have someone cut out your tongue for challenging me." Pain travelled across the bond but injuries didn't, and he already knew what he could take. Fiero had been ripping himself apart and putting himself together again for centuries, and one little doll made of black magic and a witch's dreams wouldn't be able to beat him. "Just because I can't hurt you doesn't mean I can't hire someone else to. I could pluck out those pretty eyes of yours, keep you trapped in the dark the same way you've trapped me with that clever little spell." His voice was velvety and soft, like he was sweet talking instead of threatening. "What should go first, darling? I'll let you have a choice."
"Hm…" Nora followed his gesture and grabbed his chin. "You underestimate me, and underestimating your enemy is never a good idea." She smirked. "King or not, I don't care, I'll do as I wish. Hire someone to kill me, well, I'll do the same then." This relationship was going to go around in circles forever, and Nora knew it, they were both too stubborn to back down. "Anyway, if you hate me so much than just go find a different witch. There's plenty out there." Finally she backed away and sat against the wall, pulling the blanket over her. "Just take my eyes. I hate them anyway." It was an easy decision. Everytime she looked in the mirror she knew she was looking at someone else, after all, this was a living person before. Not her, nothing about her was truly hers. The Body her mother found from a village, and she was only alive due to the dark magic, and soon enough it will fade, along with her. And any memory anyone had of her will be gone. So anything the king would do, couldn't hurt her more than she was already doing. Just for a split second, her blue eyes had a certain sadness in them. Alone, always alone. Then she remembered the King was here and quickly snapped out of it, taking another drink of water.
Fiero let himself laugh as he grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand away from his face. "Oh darling, who said you were my enemy?" His thumb rubbed over her knuckles gently. "You're my stress relief, Birdy. I could never hate you, not when you're so much fun to play with." He pushed himself to his feet as she pulled away, brushing the dirt from the bottom of his cape. "And anyway, you'll be a good tool for me. Now that we're bonded I can't put you to your original use, but… I'll find something for you yet." She might be useful as a bodyguard, or as a prisoner to tote out at banquet so he could prove to the people that the hunts were making progress. Or… perhaps he could take her as his consort. He smirked at the thought, turning it over in his head. Her chambers would be next to his, she'd be expected to follow him around, everybody would be automatically suspicious of her… yes, that would do nicely. He would even have an excuse to drop in on her every night. Now the only thing left to do was puzzle out that strange sadness in her eyes. "Now rest up, birdy. I'll have someone down to collect you tonight, and they won't be gentle."
"Yeah, yeah." She waved, annoyed with him. She saw the smirk and wondered what he was planning, nothing good if it was him. Relaxing she closed her eyes and tried to see if she could get more sleep, her night wasn't the best. Nora had a dream of her past, when her mother didn't come home till late. The cave of cold, and it was raining, a huge storm blew in and she figured her mom couldn't come back because of the storm. She sat there, shivering trying to keep the fire from going out, though she didn't do a good job. It went out, there was no light. A ten year old girl, sat there in the dark, alone. It wasn't until late in the night that she heard the voice, Nora, it called. Though, it was a women's voice, demonic and coming from the darkness she wasn't scared. She pushed herself up and walked deeper into the cave. Jolting awake, Nora woke with a chill and sweat on her forehead. I need a shower.
