fairiewines

[fairiewines]

"i can assure you that as tempting as it is to spend the entirety of my stay in your lovely court following you like a shadow, i do not. i knew where you would be and i ... i came to see you." there was no point in pretending to be interested in the books that lined the walls around him, she was the only thing in this room he was interested in. while her court was indeed serene and idyllic, gabriel had found himself restless. remaining still for longer than a few moments drove him to the brink of insanity, had him fussing and fidgeting until alaric sent him away. "if it is not your intent you are doing a brilliant job, you should think about becoming a professional hider", the illyrian teases, darkened hues soaking her up, memorising how she looks in the lazy light of this library. "you catch my attention whether it is intended or not, inez. you enter a room and i cannot tear my eyes away from you, every time we share the same air i want to devour you." it was relentless urge, a constant state of awareness that gabriel had never experienced before. "i could never grow bored", he aches to explore her body, to map every curve and dip with his fingers and lips. the dawn court captures his interest because of inez, because of her mere presence he wishes to spend his life here. "who? what who will do?" brows furrow at the words and tone. she is high lady, there should be nobody inez bends down to. "i will never let a single soul harm you, inez. they would never get close enough to touch a hair on your head, let alone torture you." he would ruin every person that reduced her to this, to shedding tears in her own fucking home. "you cannot live your life for other people, inez ... you cannot ignore this between us, we have both tried and look where we have ended up." she may have taken his hand away from her side but gabriel brings it to her cheek, thumb brushing across the warmth of her skin. "this is not something to be outrun, my high lady --- it is something to be embraced. i have felt no peace since the moment i set foot on your land, i have endured sleepless nights and endless days without you. you may call me a selfish bastard but letting you go is impossible for me."

"i think the more likely reason is that you've been following me," she challenges, though it's certainly a bluff. inez, in many ways, was predictable. her days often followed a strict routine with little deviation. and for a long while, the high lady took solace in the repetitiveness of her schedule. however, since her visit to the night court ( and what had occurred between her and gabriel ), the femme had grown restless﹔now, spending much more time in solitude between the shelves of tomes in the library. "i am not hiding," she protests, though it's only a half - truth. she had nothing to hide from . . . nothing she had done that warranted shame. nothing yet, at least. "did it ever occur that i may not be interested in attention ? from my court or from you." suggestion that these visits would remain frequent equally excites﹠frightens inez. "dawn is a simple court. i am certain you will grow bored of your visits in due time." though, the high lady is not only talking about this realm. no, she assumes whatever infatuation brimming between the two would eventually bubble over and cease. inez holds her breath as fingers reach for his own, forcefully pulling away his hand and breaking their touch. "you do not know what they will do," she manages to get out in a hushed tone, "how they will torment the both of us if they realize what's occurring." tears threaten to spill onto her cheeks, head shaking sternly. "you know nothing of pain." ⸺ "i have tried, in vain, to smother this desire. but it plagues me. i feel as if i am being deprived of air when you are not near. morning, noon, and night, gabriel, i think of you." she practically gasps at her own heartache. "but i have made my decision. o not make this harder for either of us."

[fairiewines]

even in the darkest time of night eleanor's desires had never reached this level of heat, to feel castiel's digits nudging further and deeper inside her mouth, to sense the saliva pooling against the inside of her cheeks as she sucked and licked her own arousal. a low hum of approval escaped her as his digits left the tight warmth of her throat, an almost translucent string of her own spit still joining them. "good. i do not want them in our home again." if she caught even the faintest scent of those whores in her hallways she would behead them for the entire court to see, let them witness how dedicated their queen was to her marriage. on display for him as he grasped her chin eleanor should have felt shame, pebbled nipples yearning for his attention, chest heaving as she still tried to come down from her high — yet one glimpse into his darkened hues told her not to spend time doubting herself. "hmm ... such pretty words", she felt drunk, inebriated on the way his mouth had devoured her, his tongue parting her creamy folds shortly before his fingers had joined them. "then you will cancel any planned meetings you have with them, for good. i have everything you could want, do i not?" smooth words set her heart hammering, held firmly in place with no choice but to see the truth in his eyes. "dear husband, you have not yet allowed me to return the favour ... you may prefer me on my knees than on this vanity." gods, she yearned to take him in her mouth, to ease him down her throat and taste him on her tongue. a tremble rushed through her frame as her palm rubbed against his hardened cock, fingers tracing the thick outline before delving inside his trousers. it was impossible, yet as her fingertips trailed across the head of his leaking cock eleanor felt herself throb once more. "i do hope you are okay with me making another mess in your chambers?" fingers curve around his length, finally tugging his fat cock free. "let me get on my knees for you, castiel. choke me with your cock until i am nothing more than a hole that has been successfully broken in."

he had been so captivated, so completely lost in the taste of her, that her words almost went right over his head at first. all he could do was wait for his mind to catch up to his body that was forcing two soaked fingers down her throat, and when it did, he couldn't help but smirk, eyes hooded and full of lust. "better? my queen, you have no idea." his cock twitched, desperate and begging to be released. but he could wait his turn. castiel was arrogant and planted himself well above almost everyone else, but that did not mean he was a selfish lover. truthfully, nothing sated his hunger more than a woman cumming, and the way his wife was now, was the most gratifying thing he'd seen. his hand slipped out, and his grip was firm on her chin, forcing her to stay still. he took the time to admire her, her dress in disarray, breasts exposed, cheeks flushed, and eyes glazed. it was the type of sight that would be burned into the back of his mind forever. seeing how filthy she was for him, how the touch of his mouth to her cunt left her unraveling at the seam. "i would drink you from goblet if i could. them? they are nothing," he paused, thumb grazing her bottom lip while the rest of his fingers kept her place. he kept her close, as if she was his prized possession. "i could spend the rest of my days between your thighs and still crave only you." castiel was a simple man who craved simple things. pleasure being number one on that list. but he was no fool, he could tell the difference between a woman he wanted him, and one who was only there out of necessity. eleanor he wanted. "tell me, wife," his free hand grabbed hold of hers, bringing it to the base of his pants, urging her to pull him free. "will you let me ruin you properly now? i want to see this mouth," he licked his lips, dark eyes unable to stray from those plush, pink lips, "stretch around something thicker than my fingers."

[fairiewines]

mikale had delivered lunch to her room, had stood like a fool outside her door and knocked for far too long before deciding to simply allow someone other than him to ensure she was kept fed and alive. it was understandable, the desire to put space between them, yet that knowledge did nothing to reduce his irritation. meetings with his court were pointless, for mikale merely grunted in disagreement or nodded in agreement. it was suitably out of character for the king and when he began realising it himself there was no other course of action to be taken — he needed to speak to her. or at least to see for his own eyes that she was alive. his cooks had prepared a light soup for ysara with a slice of freshly baked bread on the side, an excuse for mikale to try again to get her attention. the tray nearly fell to the floor as she allowed him entry, unsure of whether she was going to attack him the moment he stepped foot inside or if she would be curled in a ball. pushing open the door with his foot mikale snicked it shut behind him as he took in her appearance — the swollen and bloodshot eyes were a worry, but overall the princess seemed to be in decent health. "i only brought a spoon, i doubt anyone could stage an escape with only a spoon to aid them ... and a bowl." there was an attempt at humour as he did as he was told, a rarity for the king. "i see the maids have brought you lunch", a pointed glance toward the untouched plate of food. gods, was she going on hunger strike? his head began to throb at the possibility. "you are not a captive, ysara. if you wish to explore the castle i will arrange it, you have your own chambers and maids to tend to you. i am not caging you in this chamber, although you may want to believe that i am." after all, it made it easier for him to hate him if he was ripping away every ounce of her freedom. "and now that you mention it, i think i will stay while you eat. considering you seem to be against doing so on your own." hands brushing against his thighs mikale approached one of the chairs settled in front of the smouldering fireplace and eased himself down with a pointed stare in her direction.

time skippy — she had not stepped a single foot outside the door of her room the entire day. not even to gather a peak at what her temporary life would look like. the maids had come and gone with food and fresh water, and she had been polite, if not, completely numb. she sat, staring into the mirror, the reflection of the girl before her shell-like and puffy from all the crying. she understood all that he had said, what it would mean, and that there was still a chance they wouldn't even go through with it. but the possibility was still there. a future she had no control over. even if it was just for show, no man would want her after being so easily taken and bound to another. and then what of children? would she not get a family she always longed for? each time ysara went down that path of thinking, she had to force herself out of it. the crying was starting to bring pain to her head and in truth, she didn't understand how she had any tears left. as night came, so did a knock on the door, and as much as she would've liked to have ignored whoever it was, she couldn't. "come in." a weak, quiet voice escaped her, as she stood, hair let down and a loose gown wrapped around her, one brought by one of the maids. it wasn't much, but it was the only thing she felt somewhat comfortable in. "you're.. back." her throat bobbed, swallowing thickly. "you can put the food on the table then be on your way. i won’t be staging an escape attempt with cutlery, you can rest assured." though she doubted she would actually eat any of the food, even if her stomach betrayed her. "and, unless watching me take every single bite is part of this captivity too, you can leave."

[fairiewines]

"gods, at this rate your body is going to be more alcohol than water." and devon would probably combust into flames before the night became day. "it's like they're teenagers, how can their sex drive be so high?" she had so many questions and answers she likely did not want to know. "they should be the one to shield, not us. it's bullshit." petulantly frowning she grasps the neck of the bottle, tipping her head back and swallowing a burning gulp. the warmth spread through her chest, stomach comfortably heavy as she licks her lips and sighs. "knowing my luck i'll get the shittiest signet possible, like ... like speed walking." but even as she speaks it devon suspects that won't be true, cadoc is powerful, far too strong for his own good if she's being honest. a dragon like him could never allow his rider to have something as pitiful as that for a signet. "i was just wondering, didn't you think about it when this happened to you first?" the wetness between her legs was infuriating in it's persistence, a constant throb that never dulls. "knew it! i knew you did, man whore." name is said with jest as she downs another fiery mouthful of alcohol, passing the bottle back to him. "i wanted some fresh air, don't worry i wasn't seeking you out for some humping under the moon — you're safe anslem." and if her words were a lie devon refuses to admit it. "fuck i'm so hot, i feel like i'm burning from the inside out." fanning herself the cadet gasps, squeezing her eyes shut as sweat tickles her hairline.

"like i said, they fuck a lot," he reiterates with a sly grin, "guess that means m'drinking a lot, too." even without a direct connection into every emotion﹠desire coursing through the femme, kade could still see her affliction. the way sweat beaded on her brow and neck . . . how her breath was somewhat labored. "take another drink," he urges, handing the bottle back in her direction. "a sigil is the least of your worries right now," he assures with a short laugh, knowing the next two and a half years would be incredibly difficult given the two dragons needing to be in constant proximity of each other. that was a problem for a different day. "curious about how it feels, huh ?" supposes it's the alcohol or maybe the remnants of lust slipping past his mental wards, but the male allows himself to speak freely. "of course, i've done it," he assures with another laugh, "your restraint is remarkable. i wasn't nearly as composed the first time. speaking from experience, though, it's not worth the trouble." brow raises as a playful grin spreads across his mouth. "if your hand would feel better then why come looking for me ?"

[fairiewines]

the time that had passed since caspian had so cruelly shut her out had sped by in a blur of routine, busying herself until her palms and fingers were raw and her mind too exhausted to dwell on what had occurred. but tonight she could not avoid his presence, it draped over her like a cloak she could not shake. the sheer excess of this party had her stomach souring, the food going to waste and drink carelessly spilled on pristine flooring. what did these high fae know of suffering? were they aware of the chaos that was outside this palace? "i do not know — you told me i do not know you at all, so perhaps you can enlighten me?" at the time it had been a brutal wound, now it festered without sign of healing. "not you, them. they come here to wear pretty dresses and ... and fuck like the world is not ending, like starvation is a myth." she could not accuse caspian of being so careless, even if she was still furious. at his patronising words the woman scoffs, rolling her eyes. "please, do not speak to me like i am some brainless fool, caspian. i allowed it the last time we spoke but no longer. i may not have riches like those people in there but i have common sense, i have an understanding of the games you must play although i wonder what spinning woman after woman around on that floor has to do with any of it?" shaking her head she laughs, wondering why the mother insisted she must suffer tonight. "forgive me, i must have been seeing things when i noticed you laughing with them, flashing that smile that is so obviously done just to draw attention to your lips."

it was a mistake following after her﹔a complete deviation from his plan to ignore airlie and his growing feelings for her. caspian's decision to confront the fae in a quiet hallway had been selfish. a selfish desire to keep in her good graces. her words feel like a thousand tiny cuts on his flesh, each syllable cutting deeper than the last. his court's citizens and their lack of resources against such brutal elements was a horror that kept the high lord up most nights. airlie's harsh words continue, though they do not feel undeserved. if caspian wished for her to hate him, he was certainly beginning to succeed. "you think i enjoy this ?" he questions with furrowed brows, "do you honestly think i revel in a majority of my court starving and freezing to death while i appease my nobility ?" can't help but offer a bitter laug. "not that i would expect you to understand, but there are certain games i must play. unless you prefer the high fae of this court to grow restless . . . for another house to vie for this lordship." ⸺ "i needed air," he explains with a lie, "and i wasn't flirting."

[fairiewines]

it had not been niamh's intention to camp amongst the warriors and be thrust head first into war — yet with numbers low her abilities were needed. it was a far cry from tending to superficial wounds at the palace, little scrapes and nicked skin. already she had been forced to amputate a man's lower leg and the sun had barely risen. at the sight of lachlan her stomach flipped, quickly assessing him for injuries before rushing toward the other man. "it is my job, lachlan. there were barely enough healers to keep a tenth of this army alive, i was needed." and him insisting she return to the safety of the starlight city made her all the more determined to remain. "place him on that cot, i need to examine his wounds."

𝜗𝜚 closed starter for @fairiewines.

he'd been far too consumed in the rage of battle to take account of who had been called - in for reinforcement. sight of the healer in the medic tent as lachlan carried in a wounded illyrian brother from battle nearly makes his stomach churn. he wastes little time in approaching niamh, face caked with dirt and blood. "what are you doing here ?" ⸺ "it is not safe here. you must return to velaris."

[fairiewines]

the customs of humans had never quite caught on for alaric, there were so many seemingly nonsensical holidays that they only managed to confuse him — but winter solstice was something he assumed the humans partook in also. the painting was not by his own hand, considering how the high lord was no artist and would shame himself and his ancestors for even trying. "ah, but technically you can call this a present, not a gift", the man remarks playfully, handing over his terribly wrapped offering to them. the painting was a beautiful piece, alaric had sought out the most capable and talented artist to bring the vision inside his head to life. visiting her human home had been a rather challenging experience, stepping across the border and hiding his identity the entire time — but it had been worth it to see aeryn's face as they gazed upon it. "i would love to claim credit but i fear you would be terrified if i had painted it instead", the high lord laughs, relief rushing through him. "me? i thought we weren't doing gifts this year", parrots their words in amusement, brows curiously rising.

winter solstice had long been forgotten over the wall. perhaps forgotten wasn't the right word﹔merely under - celebrated. she'd been far too poor to partake in solstice beyond the sorry excuse for a festival her town put together. this had been the first holiday aeryn did not have to worry about hunger or staying warm. finds herself mesmerized by the fire in their cozy second home, soft tug of the bond alerting them that alaric had entered the room. "you promised," they remind with a wry grin, already gravitating towards his presence, "no gifts." still, fingers gratefully extend out to accept the gift. the wrapping causes aeryn's smile to widen﹔fingers carefully opening the paper to reveal a painting of her childhood home. nobody resided there anymore ⸺ aeryn had been the only one left. orphaned and forced out onto the streets at fifteen. "it's beautiful," they muse with misty eyes, "thank you." she pads over the painting, fingers trailing along the front door before hues lift to meet his gaze. "i have something for you as well."

[fairiewines]

"i am sorry, sorry for what you have been placed in the middle of. there was no other way, you probably refuse to believe that but it is the truth." if only her father had seen sense, had been a true leader and followed through on his word. mikale was not familiar with crying, at all. he spent his time amongst the most hardened of warriors, ones who had had the emotions ripped out of them through hardship and suffering. either that or they simply waited until they were in private to unleash their emotions. but he could feel her sorrow, her sadness radiated from her body like waves and he was helpless to stop it. "please, do not cry. there may be no marriage, there is still time for your father to send word to me, to be the leader he should be." a tentative step was taken toward her, approaching the princess as if she were a terrified animal that may spook at any moment. he had no words to make it better, to magically soothe the ache that was undoubtedly inside her. "if you wish to be alone i will respect that, but i want you to hear me when i say this marriage will be in name only. i will not force you to do anything you do not want to", aside from marry him, of course. yet he understood her need for space, for a moment to absorb what he has just told her. "i will be back with dinner for you, you may cry and mourn the life you had but i refuse to allow you to waste away. to let that consume you."

the weight of it all had not yet settled onto her. what little strength and defiance she had, kept her from feeling it all tumble onto her at once. first hostage in a foreign land, now potentially bound to a man she'd never dreamt of being with? and to think, she was so naive to believe all of this would simply fall into place. "do not try to patronize me. we both know you are not sorry." she wanted to argue and say that if he was, they would've sought to find another way. but ysara was starting to learn that perhaps this was his final straw. perhaps he already had exhausted all other options. to which she could not fault, but still, it didn't stop the anger. "nothing i say will matter, mikale. we could both scream and shout and plead all we want and nothing will change." the tears in her eyes started to fall, a sense of dread washing over her. the truth was, there was no escape. not for her. not for him. "according to you, i will be your wife and any semblance of a family i thought i'd have? gone. now if you will excuse me, mikale." she looked back at him, face flushed red from the tears. "but i would like to make sense of all this alone. i have received enough shock and disappointment for a lifetime. and i would rather not spend a single second more crying before you."

[fairiewines]

eleanor could not recall a time where she had climaxed through another person, without the aid of her own hand or vivid imaginations to push her through. her high hit her like a force of nature, knocking the breath from her lungs as she cried and pleaded for her husband to continue, palming and groping her own breast as her body spasmed above his own. she wanted to destroy every item of furniture in his chambers, grasp his desk with white knuckles and leave teeth marks in his headboard. he had unleashed something within her, something that was never going to be satiated with this one heated moment, regardless of how mind numbing his tongue and fingers had been. beads of sweat licked the small of her back as she squirmed against him, milking every last drop of pleasure from her body until she was a mess of gasps and pants. now she could understand why those paid whores seemed so smugly satisfied when they left the castle. "mmm ... i ... i may have spoken too soon, back in that hallway." normally it would have pained her to eat her own words, yet castiel had eaten her cunt so perfectly that all she felt was a delirious sense of relaxation. casting half lidded hues back down to him she gawked at the honeyed liquid that coated his lower face, evidence of how thoroughly pleasured she had been by him. she was familiar with being obeyed, with being a woman who held control so tightly in her hands — yet her mouth willingly opened for his fingers, eyes rolling as her taste hit her tongue. there was something compulsive about the tone he used, brokering no room for objection. it made her cunt throb as her hand lifted from her chest to wrap around his wrist, whimpering as she guided his digits deeper inside the greedy warmth of her mouth. no man had ever dared treat her this way, to demand and take as opposed to praise and bend for her. eleanor hummed as her tongue slid up along the side of one finger, wishing his thick girth was stretching and tugging at the corners of her lips instead. "tell me i taste better than them", she breathed, lapping at her own juices as her gaze connected with his own once more.

the sight before him was the definition of euphoria. her dress loosening and falling down her body, revealing the bare swell of her breasts. he feared her pleasure was something he'd never tire of, never manage to let go of. watching her writhing under his touch, the way her voice cracked, way her cunt sounded as his fingers moved inside her, and the way her eyes never left his was almost enough to undo him. he let out a primal, eager groan against the soaking folds, eyes rolling back as she commanded him to keep going. every movement stayed as it was, not a beat slower, nor faster. he kept the same relenting pace of his thrusting hand, his tongue never slowing in his worship. when he felt a tightening, his arrogance only grew, knowing it would be mere seconds before her orgasm ripped through her. his thumb replaced his tongue, rubbing her clit as his lips kissed her thighs, the sharp edges of his teeth grazing her skin. "that's it." the words came out low and husky. "come for me, my love." his mouth returned after the demand, lapping her up, feeling the way her body tensed and convulsed. a smug smile grew, the taste of her now coating more than his mouth and dripping down his chin. but the man couldn't have cared less. to be covered in her arousal was a reward he'd wear with honor. letting her come undone against his mouth, castiel didn't hesitate to ease up, fucking her through the climax of pleasure, his cock tight and hard against his pants, desperate to be inside her now soaking wet cunt. the sight of her was enough to make him groan. her body was like a canvas, a masterpiece. and as his fingers pulled out, castiel lifted them, and in an act of defiance, forced them into her mouth. "taste yourself." he demanded, eyes never leaving hers, the dominance clear in his expression.

[fairiewines]

i just finished reading heat of the everflame and when i say you need to read this series, you NEED to read it

[fairiewines]

every stroke of his tongue against her felt like a thousand flames licking her skin, setting eleanor alight in a way she had never felt before. men had knelt before her, had given her release through the clever usage of their tongues or fingers — yet none had ever devoured her like castiel. frantically she reached behind her, that one hand still hidden in his dark locks as the other worked to loosen her dress, to allow her to bloody breathe. gods, his voice. that teasing lilt had her walls clenching around absolutely nothing, nipples pebbled and rubbing furiously at the front of her gown. "should the queen not make the rules, husband? and from what i have felt you seem to enjoy my impatience enough." fingers grasped the ribbon at her back, sharply yanking as a moan split her lips, his own digits finding home against her leaking cunt. "gods! f — fuck ... " as her body stretched to accommodate his fingers eleanor groaned, hips swirling and rolling against his face. there was no denying how intense her hunger was, how her need to be touched and pleasured was overriding every other sense inside her. she was a burning inferno that needed him to quench the flames, to control her. "mm ... i fear your vanity may never be the same after this." there was no shame, not when he spread her wide open and was feasting upon her wetness, the slick sounds of fingers pumping inside her heat music to her ears. finally easing the pressure around her upper body eleanor's dress sagged against her chest as her thighs began to quiver, unoccupied hand tugging down that neckline to grasp at her own breast. "th — there ... gods right there! keep ... keep doing that." the high crashed over the queen as her hues met his once more, an implosion of pleasure rendering the lady speechless and liquid. there was nothing but castiel and herself in that moment, writhing against his fingers as her own found purchase around one peaked nipple.

the warmth of her soaked into him, her taste coating his tongue, sending a maddening wave of need through him. she was still taunting him, even as his grip on her thigh tightened, squeeze the tender flesh unknowingly. a groan rumbled in his throat, his tongue swirling faster, more aggressively against her, and he was quick to give her exactly what she asked for. his mouth ravaged her, his tongue flat and rough against her clit, his lips suctioning around the sensitive bud, his teeth nipping with the faintest graze. when he let go for some air, his eyes watched her. a mocking smirk ever present, as if this game of banter and challenge was amusing to him, which it was. "impatience is not becoming, my queen." his tone was stern, yet playful. a hand trailed up her leg, fingers now replacing his mouth as he looked back down at her glistening, wet cunt. the pads of two fingers danced in circles around her entrance, teasing, tempting, drawing her deeper in, all the while his mouth worked over her thighs, kissing and sucking at her delicate skin. his eyes lifted again, locking with hers, the smirk on his lips only deepening before his fingers plunged inside, curling and beckoning. "you are a mess, darling. and the best thing about a mess, is cleaning it up." in unison, his fingers continued to pump into her, while his mouth returned to it's feast, lips wrapped tight around her clit as his tongue went to work. this time his motions much more deliberate and calculating, increasing the speed with every vigorous and relentless pass of his tongue. he was losing himself in the taste of her, mapping every inch of her wet, swollen folds. utter devotion to the cause, plunge after plunge, his fingers fucked her until they were knuckle deep and he couldn't tell where he ended and she began. between the way his mouth moved, the way his fingers curled, and the way his eyes held hers, spoke a language all it's own. a language that was entirely hers.

[fairiewines]

while mikale took pride in his people and their hard working nature there was simply no denying the state of the land they lived on. how something seemed determined to thwart every attempt they made at cultivating a decent life for themselves. ysara's home was vastly different, almost comically so. it may have been unfair to make her a part of this deal, this potential war — yet what other options were available to him? when he planned to marry mikale had hoped it would be for love, a rather foolish hope given his role in this land but he had held on to it regardless. until now. he did not need her father to wed her, only her agreement. "i wished for no war, merely to be treated as an equal. we both know how that worked out." palms raised, a gesture to indicate that this was not what mikale had dreamt of either. judging by the lack of jewellery adorning her left hand he had assumed she was unwed, a princess awaiting a man to court her, likely one her father approved of. "i am sorry, truly. it was never my intention for things to end up the way they have ... " he could feel pity for her while also frustration at how she had not noticed what her father was. she was a person suddenly thrown in to a situation she was wildly unprepared for. "ysara ... " there was nothing that could erase how much of a bastard he felt like, watching her struggle to maintain composure. "we need not share a bed, we do not need to be near one another aside from to complete the ceremony. i have no other option, if your father does not comply then i will make him wish he had. you will not suffer under my hand, i promise you — you will not need to do anything you are not comfortable with, do you understand?" he would ignore the traditions that a marriage entailed, merely complete the formalities and leave his angered wife alone if she wished it.

when he spoke of simply looking out the window to see what had become of his land, a wave of shame came over her. she didn't know what she had expected, or why she had believed her father was a man of his word. perhaps because he was her father, and as a daughter, she was expected to put all her trust in him. it took everything in her to not go and do exactly that though, not face it just yet. this was her home, so to speak, for the foreseeable future, and so figuring it out all on her own would soon happen. but when he stunned her with the idea of marriage, her mouth went dry. it wasn't death he had in store for her, but in a way, that would be easier. ysara knew from the beginning that her future would hold a marriage to someone she most certainly did not love, but this? a union with her enemy, her captor... it would be a life sentence. "to be a pawn in the war of man..." her voice trembled, breaking and cracking. "i never asked for this. i never asked to be a part of this." she spoke to herself, gaze dropping as she moved away from him. she feared nothing would change his mind. he did not appear to be a man of empty threats. he had already taken her freedom, what more was this? reality struck down on her, forcing itself to break her right there in front of him. but she wouldn't let him see. "do what you will." tears welled along her lower lashes, refusing to let them fall. a silent rebellion against the fate forced upon her as her hands curled into fists at her sides, nails cutting into her palms. "but know this, mikale, you may call it what you want, dress it in whatever illusion suits your needs. i will never be your wife. i am nothing more than your prisoner."

[fairiewines]

mikale was a long way from viewing ysara as anything close to an ally, her loyalties at present remained firmly with her father and her home — something he could not fault her for, at least the latter. "i have no reason to lie, i have given what was required of me and it was foolish. i never should have given anything without him returning the favour." as much as it pained him to admit, he had been wrong, been blinded enough to believe that their agreement to peace would be one accepted by both sides. "all you need to do is look outside these windows and you'll know that my people are not benefiting from anything your father has given us." weapons were easily forged, his territory was famed for their skill and their speed, yet fertile land was difficult to come across and food was much more vital than a sword or spear. if her father refused to pay attention mikale would have to do what he truly did not want to — a marriage between the two, or appearance of one, should be enough to force her father's hand. "your father loves control, i have realised. he is a planner and a schemer. if he does not agree to fulfil his end of our deal then we shall be married ... or appear so. i will not chain you to me ysara, but i will make it seem so if i must." killing her would be pointless, a body he was left to dispose of and a kingdom seeking revenge. mikale was not going to spill her blood. "i do not kill people who don't deserve it, ysara. you have done nothing against my people or i, so death is something you will not find at my hand — marriage, however is a different story." and he expected her to be full of opinions about that.

if anything, she was desperate to understand his thought process. ysara was foolish to think she had any idea of how any of this worked. but she could appreciate the way he seemed so dedicated to his cause. how he sought not power or glory, but the safety and livelihood of his people. a quality she only assumed her father had. but if she was mistaken and what mikale was telling her was true... —she couldn't even begin think about it. not yet. not when there was too tight of an ache inside of her. she wasn't strong enough to carry the weight of all of this right this second. "i'm afraid he won't view it as such. but i cannot say i blame you for your actions. if what you say is true." looking back at him, her dark eyes searched his face, studying the way he looked as he said the word us. the reality of being a bargaining chip was heavier than ever. her future no longer belonged to her, and it was a cruel punishment to be forced to sit and watch as her life was no longer her own. "and what does your plan entail?" the way her eyes pleaded with him was proof of her fear. she didn't know what he was capable of or how far he would go for his people. "because if it is death that awaits me, you may as well... well you may as well get it over with. i do not wish to be have my life hang in the balance. if you are the man you are claiming to be, then you will not elongate my fate. continue as if i am living for my father, i do not care, but at least show some mercy."

[fairiewines]

outspoken stubbornness was a trait her tutors had tried to berate out of eleanor for years, yet none had ever truly succeeded. surely her parents would be pulling their hair out to hear her speak to her own husband in such tones, with such ire. "you frustrate me, i cannot hide it and your antics have given me more of a headache than all of my advisors combined. my body is a fool", and yet eleanor could not deny herself, could not grasp logic long enough to extract herself from his embrace. instead the lady sighed as his hands traversed her body, allowing him to tug the heavy skirts of her dress upward. air hit the exposed skin of her calves, a thankful reprieve from the fire burning inside of her. all his fault, of course. a stuttering stream of nonsense escaped as he parted her thighs, slippered feet fighting for purchase against his vanity. "break me? oh, dear husband i fear that you might underestimate me, it will take more than a touch to my leg to crack me." there was a curiosity in her, a desire rooted deep within to experience castiel, to come apart from his touch, from his body moving against and within her own. ring laden fingers reach to delve through his locks, lids fluttering as he glided his tongue through her dampness, parting her with ease and forcing eleanor's back to straighten. "o — oh, oh gods. that's ... " his mouth was sinful, utterly deplorable and yet breath stealing. each swipe and swirl of his tongue across her swollen bundle of nerves sent shivers down eleanor's spine, a whiny moan of pure pleasure slipping free as her fingers tightened within his hair, keeping her husband flush against her cunt. "y — you tease", already struggling for air the lady bucked herself toward his face, that devilishly handsome face and those eyes that just knew what they were doing to her. eleanor could sense the tightening in her abdomen, breasts heaving over her gown's neckline as cheeks reddened. "more ... gods castiel if you wish to break me i need more than a gentle lick."

her ability to fire back at him with equal vigor was left him breathless. castiel was not a man who took wildly to being told what to do, or slightest of challenges. and in truth, most people, shamelessly... most women in her situation didn't try to do either. not when they knew his reputation of how he was in the bedroom. but this wasn't about just any woman. it was her. and the way his hunger for her was unmatched in this moment. "my love," he chuckled, throwing out the word love as if it was nothing. "it is not your words that rile me up, but the way you say them. the way you try so hard to feign control when your body tells a far different story." hands now moving to her sides, castiel palmed the structured bodice, traveling south to her legs. gathering the heavy folds of her dress in his grip, he pulled it upward inch by inch, as if he was deliberately unveiling her. his movements were steady, and when he reached her thighs, his fingertips grazed the smooth skin, admiring the way she felt against him. he demanded his touch be felt as she abruptly, and without hesitation, spread her legs apart. "your frustration only makes it easier for me to enjoy breaking you." the darkness in his tone was thick. he was starved for her, and her body was his first course. finally dropping down between her legs, castiel's lips ghosted against her inner thigh. kissing, suckling, leaving a damp trail along her flesh. when he reached her core, he took a moment to admire her, eyes dancing over her then up to her face. one hand kept the dress gathered, while the other slipped under the fabric keeping her from him, tugging until she was free for his indulgent. his mouth hovered above her, warm breath beating at her skin before the flatness of his tongue swiped through her wet folds. the instantly gratifying taste of her only left him hungrier. "my queen, you are exquisite." dipping back between her legs, his tongue slid over her once more, then again, and again, until his mouth was completely devouring her. lips wrapping around her clit, his tongue pressed harder against her, swirling and teasing, all the while his eyes looked up at her, watching her, taunting her with each lap of worship.

[fairiewines]

"i am a woman of many talents, sweet husband. you should be aware of that already", the woman countered, a raised brow hinting at her amusement. by far he was the most vexing person she had ever encountered, yet she could not deny the way her body reacted to his presence — her brain seemed to leave the castle when he crowded her. "hm, i do believe i'll be the judge of how well you can pleasure me." but she knew that the string of hired whores were always content with themselves upon sneaking out of eleanor's castle, guards did love to gossip after all. her heart hammered in her throat as they walked, back straight and corset squeezing every ounce of breath from her lungs. the moment had a momentous air to it, a distinct change in their dynamic and relationship. entering his chambers would no doubt result in the pair being more than husband and wife in name alone, she would either unfold beneath his body or stab him in the groin. eleanor's gaze landed on the guard stationed outside his quarters, a subtle nod of approval — safety was important, she refused to marry again in the wake of a deceased castiel. she wanted to study ever square inch of his private chambers, to delve in to the deepest and darkest corners to pry out just who her husband was — yet before she knew it he was moving toward her, the expression on his handsome features enough to make her stomach flip. "o — oh", body jostled as he rested her upon his furniture, a low hum escaping as his mouth found home on her skin. "gods ... " she had not been touched for so long, a simple trail of kisses left her core burning, her distaste for him warring with the way he made her feel. "fuck, that's ...." thickly forcing a swallow eleanor's palm was met with hardened thickness. "a few harsh words manage to rile you up so, husband?" teeth scrape at her bottom lip, fingers curving against that clothed bulge. "does my frustration arouse you? make you want to delve beneath my dress?"

"and here i was, wondering if you’d ever say something truly sweet to me." the smile he wore was downright sinful while the rollercoaster of their conversation was becoming far more entertaining by the second. between the way she fought against her own desires, the way her body responded to his touch and the way her words spoke to the darkest parts of him. it was the pride that consumed him upon her caving that truly made him ache. and while his words were laced with a certain amount of charm and arrogance, they also carried gravity. after all, castiel could never shy away pleasing a woman, and pleasing her well. "you will not have to wait much longer for me to prove you wrong. it will be a pleasure." casting her a grin, his arm looped with hers as he took her hand, leading her down the hall and away from prying eyes. he kept a close, possessive hold on her, and the silent walk back to his bedroom felt like ages. once there, he pushed open the doors and ushered her inside, nodding at the guard who stood outside, a silent and presumptive gesture demanding privacy. rolling up the sleeves of his shirt, he strode across the room towards her, wasting no time before closing the distance between them. his hands found her waist, gripping her with ease as he hoisted her off the ground and placed her on the edge of his dressing table. his lips found the soft skin of her neck, kissing gently down to her collarbone. already she tasted sweet, and already he craved more. "this is what you've done to me." with force, he gripped her wrist, guiding her hand down to the now growing bulge in his trousers, and pressing it firmly against him. "this is all yours, my queen. to do with as you please."

[fairiewines]

as far as keeping a family member of his enemy at his private home went, mikale thought she was rather lucky — the dungeons floors below this were bitingly cold, damp and dark. his court had questioned his choice regarding her accommodation, but ysara was not the person he had an issue with. she was an unfortunate second party. collateral. "this land is my home, it has been since the moment i took my first breath. i refuse to leave, to give up and leave the people here without hope, without a ruler." maybe if he were a weaker willed man mikale may have left months or years ago, set sail for a land that was free of the stench of death and sorrow. but to leave would be like leaving part of himself. "there are always men like him, ysara. i could set sail for months on end only to face a kingdom ruled by someone exactly the same as him. it is a never ending cycle, impossible to break." that inherent cruelty was taught throughout a person's life, it was not something gained upon a crown being placed on your head. "and yet i do not ask for his crown, i don't ask for land and i don't ask for anything he cannot afford to give. i merely want him to uphold his end of an agreed deal. it benefits him as much as me." mikale does not have a family, so her question is rather redundant, a shrug showcasing his loneliness. "i make sacrifices for my people, to me they are family and ... and until your father rethinks his standing you will remain here, with me. if your home ignores my request then i have another plan for you, for us."

an elongated stay sounded more daunting than any amount of time, the mere idea of it was enough to send a chill down her spine. she would not be going home, would she? in an instant, her world had been rattled and now ysara was being met with the idea of things never going back to how she knew them. her family, her friends, her life. she couldn't help but feel sad for it, even though it was clear now she was living in ignorance to what was really happening outside castle walls. "and do you not wish to leave by sea?" it was a foolish thought, thinking that these people would up and leave the only world they've ever known, when she herself wouldn't even entertain the idea of leaving hers. but if would spare the bloodshed. if it would save lives, would that not be ideal? "to free yourself from under his iron fist? start anew, elsewhere?" she looked away, not wanting him to see the emotion behind her eyes. the thought of her father was almost enough to send her over the edge, and she feared, perhaps, her father would be willing to sacrifice his own daughter to protect his throne. the king, the throne, the power. "he has love for me." she managed to stay stern, demanding it to be true. "but if it meant protecting his people, or his title, or his power... the crown comes first, does it not? you say you would do the same for your own family, but how sure can you be? sacrifices must always be made in order to rule. but i do not seek sympathy or pity, mikale. this is a fact of the life we both lead."

[fairiewines]

elspeth had expected to be married off to a rich fae man, one that kept her pretty as a doll and silent as one too — how her father had managed this was beyond her. the crafty bastard. "ruin it", femme repeats with a bright smile, adoring if not for the look in her eyes. "ares ... i was a wreck, do you really not remember? or do you choose to pretend it didn't happen?" and now she was to be wed to him, a high lady by proxy. "though i suppose as i'm your wife i do have some control, do i not?" something elspeth has craved since childhood. "i feel like you and me can rule rather well together, if you behave."

it wasn't an ideal situation , ares knew that . he knew that falling in love with elspeth would be easy but marriage was never something he desired for herself despite knowing it was in the cards from childhood . he wanted freedom and he was certain , she must've felt the same . " c'mon now . ruin my life ? i was stupid but . . . i must be misremembering if it were so bad you'd wish such ill fate upon me . "