Cedar leaned in close. “You know, you make a good point. Not telling you is funnier,” they murmured softly in Sebastian’s ear. “But you should know better than to talk that way to people who hold your life in their hands. Do you have a death wish, Sebastian? I’m curious.” They backed away and turned to the queen. “Mother, do you want me to punish the human? Or will you? I really want to do it though,” Their voice had changed from when they were whispering to Sebastian, now sounding more like a petulant teen then fairy royalty.
Sebastian had been through enough to repress the shiver that threatened as the fairy whispered in his ear, but he was still shaken. He had underestimated them, thought their youth would be a weakness. Hand;t people done the same to him enough times for him to recognize how foolish it was? His eyes tracked the fairy as they moved, noting the voice change. Their relationship with the other woman. The act they were throwing up. He refused to bow his head, even as one of the guards pushed warningly on his neck.
“Do whatever you like, child,” the queen said dismissively. “I have more important things to do then deal with petty humans. Perhaps you’ll understand when you’re older.” With that, she stood up from her throne and unfurled enormous wings like those of a monarch butterfly. She shot straight up in the air and soared away, leaving only Cedar, Sebastian, and the guards in the throne room. Cedar’s face split into a wicked grin. “Wonderful..” they purred, turning back to Sebastian. “This is sure to be plenty of fun.”
Sebastian met his gaze unflinchingly, even as the last thread of hope died in his stomach. He'd been hearing about the cruelty of the fae for most of his life, how lucky for him that he'd finally get to experience it first hand. He forced a smile to his lips, cold and empty and sharp enough to rival the fairy in front of him. "I'm sure it will be."
“Alrighty then!” Cedar exclaimed with a clap of their hands. “First order of business. This whole thing -“ they waved their hand at Sebastian. “- is simply not going to work. Humans have gotten so cheap these days - though I bet I can do something with those cheekbones. But…” They grabbed Sebastian around the waist and with a flap of their powerful wings, flew upwards to a small balcony overlooking the throne room. “I’d like it to be a bit more private,” Cedar finished.
Sebastian couldn't help but freeze in his arms, though he did pull the fairy's hands off him and back away once his feet were on solid ground again. He didn't know what to do, and that left him terrified. He always had some kind of plan but here? With this… thing smiling in front of him? He was lost. "Funny, I'd prefer a place with witnesses. Do you know what you're going to do with me yet? Or are you just- and I am terribly sorry for the pun- winging it?"
“You are a funny one. Or at least I think you are, as my sample of humans is rather small. And don’t worry, I have plenty of plans.” Cedar swept aside a curtain and revealed an enormous closet replete with clothes of all colors and styles. “Makeover!” They said with a grin, untying the rope around Sebastian’s wrists.
Sebastian grinned when the fairy called him funny, offering a sly shrug as he rubbed feeling back into his wrists. He didn't show how grateful he was for a new pair of clothes and the bath that would probably follow. There was dirt everywhere and his hair was full of sticks. "What can I say? I live to please. Even if you're not exactly my usual."
“Well, humie, you’re gonna have a lot to look forward to then.” Smiling, Cedar picked up a copper collar that shimmered dangerously in the low light, and without ceremony, sealed it around Sebastian’s neck. “Just a little preventative measure. We can’t have you going any places you aren’t supposed to be anymore,” Cedar explained.
Sebastian sighed and tilted his neck so that the fairy could fasten the collar. He ran his hands over it when it was clamped around his neck, taking in the smoothness of the metal and the cold heavy weight around his neck. Dread settled in his stomach but he ignored it. He could already tell that here, among the fae, fear would only serve to get him killed. "Will I be your slave, then? The collar makes quite the statement."
“The statement is exactly the point. Can’t have any other Fae messing with you, so they’ll know you’re mine,” Cedar said ominously, a dark something creeping into their voice. Suddenly, their face brightened. “Besides, with some matching jewelry, it’ll look more like an accessory than anything! C’mon, let’s get you cleaned up.” Cedar gestured to a door of that certainly hadn’t been there before. “After you.”
Sebastian ran his hand over the collar one last time, hands freezing momentarily when the fairy called him 'mine'. He dropped it when they went from dark to bubbly, noting the mood swings with concern. The situation was blurry, but the personality was all too clear. Manipulative. Cruel. Mocking and murderous at the same time. He clenched his hands into fists and gave Cedar a forced smile. The appearance of the door wasn't surprising, given what he'd heard about the magic of the fae. "You're too generous, really. Why don't you?"
“Really, I insist!” Cedar said. “The bathtub in there should already be at just the right temperature, and you can take as long as you’d like.” They sat down on a cushioned chaise. “I’ll be waiting right here. Go on!”
Sebastian took a few seconds to think about it before he gave Cedar a stiff nod and stepped inside. The bath was luxurious, full of warm water and a million different cleaning products. Some even worked with his hair, for which he was incredibly appreciative. His braids hadn't been washed in far too long. He took more time than he probably should've to get clean, but by the time he stepped out he looked much better. His hair, long and incredibly curly, was pulled back in a simple ponytail. His skin had a healthy glow. His smile, for the first time that day, seemed slightly genuine.
