#how her fear got even worse when she was dragged into the palace dungeons. when she saw the whipping post

[cuteniarose]

Me: *creates an OC*

Me: *heavily implies OC will meet a bad fate*

OC: *meets bad fate*

Me:

(Alternatively, I may have started it, but @katkastrofa enabled me and now I’m losing my mind)

[ffangirlingsince2001]

Nothing Alike: X

,Description: Geralt of Rivia has been tasked with taking out a fellow Witcher who has decided to settle down in a town. She has no intention of leaving and Geralt is forced to take matters into his own hands.

Geralt x Reader

Warnings: Smut, language, violence

Geralt was trying to sleep when the window shattered. He had been holed up in a room the king had reluctantly offered him before disappearing to mourn his loss. She stepped in the room before he could even make a sound.

At first, he wasn’t entirely sure it was her. The only thing that lit his room was tame moonlight, outlining the silhouette that climbed through the window with ease. He couldn’t be sure it was her, but these days he recognized the sound of her exhale, and there was no one else stupid enough to break into the king’s castle.

“You should be in the dungeons.”

“We both know I don’t often do what I should.”

“How many people did you kill to get here?”

“None.” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously and she stepped closer, kneeling on the edge of the bed. “I slipped out the prison window, rusty bars are an easy break.” He lifted his hand to touch her but hesitated.

“Your parents.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“That’s who made it easy.”

“What?”

“After the massacre, I asked you who made it easy to kill with a smile.” She didn’t say anything, but that was all the answer he needed. “You should have taken the deal.”

“You know I would never do that,” she scoffed, “And anyway, I don’t need your judgement.”

“Then why are you here?”

“To say goodbye.”

“They’ll catch you again.”

“No. They won’t, I won’t have you tagging along causing all sorts of trouble,” she teased but he couldn’t find it within himself to laugh. She leaned closer and he noticed she was cleaner than before. Her final luxury before death.

“Then leave.” She didn’t pull away as he had requested, only leaned a little closer. He could feel her breath now, brushing his cheek as she waited.

“Geralt,” she whispered but he didn’t respond. “My lord.” His eyes snapped to hers, both pairs glowing gold in the darkness of the room. Against his better judgement, he touched the tips of his fingers to her cheek. She leaned into his touch, and that was all it took for him to grab her, pushing her into the mattress beneath him.

He relished this, knowing it would be the last time he could ever do so. He didn’t love her, just as he didn’t love air, but he needed both all the same. He paused, staring down at her smug expression, hand drifting to the place where he had once choked her with every ounce of anger. Her fingers touched his wrist before dragging his palm to her lips, kissing it softly.

“Don’t hate me,” she whispered, and he shook his head.

“Never,” he replied, and then he kissed her. It wasn’t like the first time where it had been nothing but an insolent flame, and it wasn’t like the moment in the forest when he had shown her only tenderness. It was full of understanding and poetry, an ode to the woman that lay beneath him. The kiss was deep, silent words spoken between lips as his tongue sought an entrance he was granted without a fight. She tangled her fingers in his hair, not harm but to pull him closer. He could feel her heartbeat, the rise and fall of her chest nothing more than unpleasant reminders that if she would cease to exist within this world.

His hands slipped down her sides to the waistband of the trousers they had provided her. With ease, he slipped it past her hips, fingers grazing her skin all the way. She whispered sounds he had never heard leave her lips. Soft and breathy, desperate for something to touch her just a bit longer. He pulled his lips from her, removing her shirt before pressing them tenderly down the center of her chest and her stomach until he reached her center. She squirmed as his breath crept across the soft folds, back arching at the mere thought of his worship.

“My lord,” she whispered, but it was no longer a mockery, it was the only thing she could think to utter as his tongue pressed into her core. He knew she would stay quiet, fear of being caught stronger than any pleasure he could offer her, but the small squeaks he did manage to pull from her lips was all the encouragement he needed.

He licked and sucked and nipped until she was shaking against him. When she came it was a tempest that he couldn’t help but taste, ravishing everything she had to offer him, the final feast before she disappeared forever. He had told her they would catch her, but he knew he was wrong, she would hide until the world forgot and then she would return the ultimate victor, so he knew not to waste a single moment.

With fingers still shaking with pleasure she pulled him to meet her lips once more. She lined him up at her entrance as she kissed him. All it took was a nod and he slid into her velvet folds, groaning as she contracted around him. She moaned, back arching as she threw her head back into the pillows. Feathers drifted through the air from the impact, covering the pair like the softest snow. He slid his hand beneath her back and pulled them up into a sitting position, her legs wrapped around his waist as pulled her closer until he was sheathed inside of her.

It was only a moment longer before she started rolling her hips. Each movement was smooth, a gentle caress that sent unsurmountable jolts of pleasure through his body. She was moaning into his shoulder, whispering words he couldn’t comprehend as she struggled to maintain herself for a bit longer.

They were both holding off, knowing the moment it was over she would disappear into the night. But it was impossible to hold off forever when she was the closest to heaven and hell he had ever gotten. The moves got sloppier as they both lost their composure, drowning within one another as their time together prepared to end. She dug her nails into his back, head dropping back as they finished together. The moments of pleasure continued to roll through them, but even as they ceased, he found himself unable to let go.

“I have to leave,” she protested as she tried to pull away, but he held her tighter.

“Stay a bit longer.”

“Geralt-.”

“Just sleep.” She hesitated for a moment before, against her better judgement, nodding. He pulled her down to the bed with him, arms tight around her as his eyes drifted shut. He fought hard against sleep, but as she brushed her fingers through his hair, lips spelling secret messages against his skin he couldn’t help it. He didn’t want to close his eyes, knowing that the next time he opened them she would be gone.

And indeed, she was.

The sunlight woke him as it rose over the mountains and penetrated his room without any stained glass to redirect its attack. He only had a few moments to notice his empty bed and his missing swords before they came crashing into his room.

“You’re hiding her,” the prince yelled, finger pointing at Geralt, “Search the room.”

“She’s not here,” he said with a smile, noting the broken window and the prince howled. His prize had been lost, and now the world would know of his incompetency.

They were waiting in the square to see and execution, after all.

“You let her escape, you helped her, I’ll see you hang, Witcher,” he threatened but Geralt only laughed, falling back into the pillows, watching as the feathers from last night’s onslaught drift around him.

“Maybe if you send out your troops, you’ll catch her,” he offered, ignoring the glare he was sent before the prince stormed from his room, taking his guards with him.

He noted the prince had taken his advice as he left the palace. Groups of men were being briefed, instructed to return with only her head. She had been given her trial, and now all that was left for her to die. It was one hundred against one, but he had seen her against worse odds before. If there had been a pool, he would have put every drop of gold he owned on her.

For the next year they overturned every village the came across, searching for the girl with the golden eyes, but they were unsuccessful. Even Geralt, against the desperate shouts of common sense, had searched for her, but he came out just as empty handed. Eventually, the king ordered that all hunts should cease, and that one thousand gold pieces awaited anyone who could return her to his grasp.

The pieces remained ownerless.

Ten years later the king died, and the prince who had recently been coronated had his throat slit in his bed by an unknown hand. While they had all claimed it was unknown, everyone who remembered the moments where the prince had attempted to disrespect her knew exactly whose blade had pierced his skin.

Geralt had hoped she would reappear after the prince was gone, but she remained hidden. There were reports of thievery across the continent, whispers of gold disappearing in one home and appearing in the next, but no one could ever figure out what had happened.

No one except Geralt, of course.

These days, fifteen years later, Geralt thought he saw her sometimes. He could never be sure as it was always a glimpse out of the corner of his eye as someone brushed by him in the marketplace or a pair of familiar eyes stared at him through the forest. Just as it had been on the last night, he had seen her, he could never be sure, but he felt as if he knew.

He would never be able to prove it, but as he nestled into the warm corner of an inn, drinking an ale, he swore that he recognized the woman walking towards him.

 The End

A/N: Thank you to everyone who saw the series through! I would live your feedback (favorite parts, least favorite, etc.). And while the ending was not as sad as The Witcher and the Princess, I hope you are able to appreciate the open ending. <3

Taglist: @stuckupstucky​ @aurora-sweet​ @holyhumorliteraturelight​ @the-queer-dungeoneer​ @dreams-of-sunlight-and-starfire @auds24

[amethystpath-writes]

A Gentle Blade Part 5

Part 4 here

First, I want to say thank you to all of my new followers (and the pre-existing ones ofc!!) I can't wait to share more with everyone! Enjoy! *kiss*

@badthingshappenbingo

Prompt: Bound and Gagged

Fandom: Original Work

TWs: Captivity, mentions of torture, mentions of needles (nonsurgical). If I ever miss any, let me know and I can always add them! XX

**********

The man was perhaps only a few years older than Leera. His build was thin and lean, his height towering the assassin's. Even if Leera was at full strength, she wasn't sure she could fend him off. Sir Robson trained her to be stealthy. That wasn't so easy when the man constantly had an eye on her, even had her leashed.

The leather on Leera's neck was uncomfortable, even more so when there was a metal ring attached to the back of it where a chain was attached, linking her to the man walking her.

So many times the assassin felt vicious words about to spew out of her, but in all honesty, it was better than the treatment she received from Queen Rennera. Leera was afraid that if she complained to her captor then he might make things worse, and she was in no condition to fight him. The assassin's strength was in her legs. If she could knock the man down, she might be able to wrap the chain attached to her ankles around the man's neck. The problem was that her legs wore sore, exhausted. And anyway, there was no way to knock him down.

Leera was forced to walk in front of the man, who she wished desperately to know the name of, forced to stay ahead so she was unable to try a thing. Even if she were close enough to knock him down, perhaps by tripping him, he would be up too quickly for her to be able to lower herself to the ground without hurting herself. Her hands being tied behind her back with thick rope meant she wouldn't be able to maintain balance, especially since she would already be using her legs. Attacking wasn't an option.

"You're aware who you're doing this for, yeah?" the assassin called over her shoulder. She didn't turn her eyes away from the path for fear she might trip over a tree root or slip in a puddle of mud.

The chain created a wave from the man's hand to Leera's neck before yanking tightly back. She jolted and staggered before continuing their walk. "I'm very aware, scum." The word scum sounded odd coming from his lips, like he was unsure of even using it.

"Then tell me who." Another wave and tug. This wave was larger, causing the assassin to duck her head forward to avoid another shock. When the man was done nonverbally berating her for speaking, she spoke again. If she couldn't fight him to get away, maybe she could convince him to release her. "Tell me how generous you think she is, how much she truly cares for the people of her kingdom, how much she delights when her pets lick at her feet. The queen doesn't care about you, nor anyone."

The man gave a dry laugh. Leera felt a pull at the back of her neck, a small one, just barely noticeable, but then there was another pull. She stopped walking, turned her head back. Her eyes latched to the man's hands. He was coiling the chain around his neck coming closer and closer, step by step, circle of chain by circle of chain. The assassin felt a pit in her stomach. Maybe talking was worse than trying to fight. At least she had some kind of chance if she knocked the man down. Insulting the man's beliefs about his queen...what was she thinking?

With a hand hovering at the back of Leera's head, the man smiled down at her. The other hand wrapped behind her as well and he gathered the assassin's raven hair in one hand before pulling it in front of her left shoulder. Leera swallowed as the man coiled the chain in his hand one last time, resting his fingers and the metal against the skin of her neck. "Look at me," he told her. Her eyes had been darting between his eyes, passed his shoulders, and to the fabric on his chest. It was in tatters, the shirt, she realized.

"Look at me," he repeated, his fingers digging ever so slightly into her skin. Leera grimaced, but looked into his eyes finally, not glancing away again. He brought the hand that moved her hair to her cheek, placed his fingers beneath her ear, thumb across her cheek bone. It was difficult not to look away. "I know the queen doesn't give a damn. She's calloused-" Like you, Leera thought. "-and only cares about shoving your pretty face in a pail of sewing needles." The assassin's eyes darted again.

A pail of sewing needles? Was that better or worse than a night in the king's coffin? Of course it's better, morally. But gods, that pain... Leera could see herself in that moment, in the dark dungeons, moist walls and floor, cold and deserted. She could picture herself on her bruised knees, arms tied back, a guard pushing her head down into a shining metal bucket, her skin being poked and scraped, torn apart as badly, but more consistently, as when the queen dragged a nail down her face. The assassin even heard her own pleas, then felt the needles poking her tongue, scratching her teeth as she begged. The man's thumb stroked her cheek; Leera peered into his eyes again.

"I never knew the queen. I don't think anyone ever did until you killed the king. Praise you for it," he said and Leera's eyes widened. "He was terrible; we all knew it, all experienced it in one way or another." The man's thumb stopped stroking Leera's cheek. "Didn't get better when the queen took the throne. If anything it got worse. She doesn't care, I know, but she's wealthy and she wants you. I'd like to live-" So would I. "-and if the only way to do that is to turn you in- well then- I have to do it." His hand fell from the assassin's face. The chain grew heavier to Leera as he uncoiled the metal from his hand, letting it droop. "Turn," he demanded.

"You can't take me back to her," Leera said. "Please. Please." Her voice was soft, scared.

"Turn." The man's voice went cold, distant, uncaring, opposite of what it had been just moments before.

With one tear following another, the assassin swiveled slowly on a heel, her back now facing her captor. For a minute, her heart leapt, not out of fear, but of joy. He was undoing the rope at her wrists. He was releasing her! But then she heard the shrill sound of a dagger being pulled from its sheathe, followed by the sound of rope being cut. The rope never fully left her wrists; he only unbound it partially before cutting a piece off, and before re-tightening the rope still bounding her.

His hands were in front of her eyes in the next moment, along with a string of rope. "Open, he said.

"What?"

"Your mouth," he specified. "Open it."

"No. No, please don't. It'll be all I have left. Please." He couldn't take her voice on top of everything else. "I won't speak the rest of the trip. I won't," she insisted. Still, the rope hovered in front of her eyes. Leera shook her head and stepped away, her back meeting the man's chest. His heart was beating quickly against her body. He didn't want to do this as much as she didn't want him to.

The rope was nearing her mouth, cutting the air as it came closer, with more speed, more determination. As it approached, just inches away, Leera sucked in her lips. The rope pressed firmly against them. "If you don't open your mouth," the man warned, "I will make you swallow a piece before I tie it around your head." For extra measure, he released the rope with one hand and brought it to the assassin's chin, squeezing tightly at her jaw until she gave, opening her mouth as widely as she could if only to stop the pain he was causing. He slid the rope between her teeth, pulling it back and commanding her to shut her jaw. Then he tied it tightly enough that the corners of Leera's mouth were pulled back as well. There was hardly any room to move her tongue. She was- literally- rendered speechless.

This was how the trip remained. Leera was bound at the wrist, chained at the ankle, and leashed at the neck. Her tongue was pushed back, unable to move. The assassin could only groan and mumble- not hum, as her lips couldn't touch. The man only ever said one more thing, just as they made it to the front doors of Queen Rennera's palace. "Be sure to scream on your own," he told the assassin, "Or else I'll have to make you scream for a reason."

************

Part 6 here

[marshmallowbee13]

Love Like Yours Fest 2020

Ch7: Play it Again, Sam

Warning: depicts angst, the plague, and near death.

The trio made it back to the Palace in record time. It was a couple hours until dawn. Just enough time to create that alibi. They took portals and secret tunnels to keep from being seen by the staff, all the way to Nadia's room. The Countess had been waiting up for them, lounging in her enormous bed, reading. She looked up at their arrival.

"Oh, thank goodness. Did it go alright?" she asked.

"It went perfectly. He's safe." Asra answered.

"Good. Now, about our story?" Nadia questioned.

"We were here with you all night, having fun." Asra said. They talked about it beforehand, assuring everyone was fine with it. They needed proof that they'd been occupied all evening and simple words weren't enough for the Count. Love bites, however, were irrefutable. All they really had to do was make it look like they were occupied all evening. Nadia marked Julian as Asra did the same for Ramona.

Kisses, bites, scratches were left on whatever flesh would likely show the most, Ramona wondered if they might as well do the real thing. She was feeling aroused like she never had before, but the activity of the day had tired her out. Seeing her eyes flutter and her mouth wide in a yawn, Asra stopped. He laid back and opened his arms to have her join him. They all curled up beside each other, covered by Nadia's silk sheets. This is how Lucio found them when he burst in that morning.

The four of them startled awake at the sound of Lucio stomping into the bedroom, clearly furious.

"Lucio! What is the meaning of this?!" Nadia demanded.

"The Scourge has escaped and I KNOW one of you had something to do with it!" Lucio hollered.

"I can assure you, we have been occupied in here all night." Nadia said, sitting up. The sheet sagged down, exposing the love bites across her chest. Lucio's gaze dropped to it just as she planned. He looked over each individual's exposed skin, taking in the marks. Asra held Ramona closer, protectively. Lucio pouted.

"Well, how else has my champion disappeared?!" Lucio asked. "Your magicians have something to do with it and I'm going to get to the bottom of this!" With that, Lucio stormed off.

Once he was far down the hall, Ramona let out a sigh of relief and curled into Asra's embrace.

"Did we do it?" Ramona asked.

"I hope so." Asra replied.

...

A couple weeks passed as normal and Ramona was beginning to believe she really had gotten away with it. Lucio would give her nasty looks when they crossed paths, but otherwise, he hadn't confronted her about the escape. Meanwhile, Muriel was living peacefully with Inanna and a few chicken "neighbors".

One day, Ramona was called to Lucio's room. Business as usual... Or so she thought. Once she entered, she felt the shift in aura a second too late. It was as if all the magic were drained from her body. Across the room, held by Valdemar was Julian, shaking from fear. Vulgora slammed the door behind Ramona and held her arms tightly, dragging her towards the menacing scene.

"I graciously opened up my home to you to look for a cure for the plague, but what did you do instead? You went on vacation, you fucked my wife, and let my Scourge escape!" Lucio snapped. "I'm sick of the two of you slacking off and going behind my back! So I'm going to give you a bit of motivation." Valdemar yanked Julian's head back by his hair and Vulgora did the same to Ramona. She only caught a glimpse of the wriggling red beetle before they were stuffed into their mouths. Their jaws were held closed so there was no way to fight it. They swallowed down the bitter-tasting bugs that left a terrible aftertaste. Even after swallowing, Ramona felt like there was a metal-like taste in her mouth. Like blood. She coughed and red splattered across the floor.

"You have only a few days left before the Plague completely burns through you." Lucio said. "If you don't get me my cure by then, you both die with me." Lucio ordered them to be led away.

Ramona was panicking. She had 3, at most 7, days to find a cure? Out of their corner of her eye, she saw Faust slinking around a vase, hidden in similar-colored flowers. When they got close, she whispered, "Get Asra!" Faust nodded and slithered away as fast as she could go.

Julian and Ramona were led down to the dungeons beneath the palace. Julian was tossed into the cell he had taken residence in during his time here, while Ramona, thankfully, got the one beside him. When the courtiers left them alone, Julian called out to her.

"Ramona! Are you alright?!"

"Yes. I'm- I'm fine." she replied. "Julian, I'm scared."

"It's... It's gonna be alright, sweetheart. I'll find that cure, you'll see. We'll be out of here before you know it." Julian said, though his tone was incredibly shaky. He was just as scared as she was.

Ramona managed a spark and lit a nearby candle. They had - at most - seven days to find a cure for the plague. Locked in a tiny cell. With no resources.

They were fucked.

Julian had been furiously flipping through a book when he heard the sobs. It was like an arrow pierced his heart. He had all of Vesuvia's lives in his hands, and most importantly, Ramona's. She was such a sweet, caring girl. Gods, please don't let her die. Anyone but her.

About an hour later, there was a noise outside their cells. Someone was here.

"Ramona?" The voice called out. "Ilya?"

"Over here!"

"Asra!" Asra ran to the cells that had light flickering from within and peeked through the little barred window in the door.

"What happened?" Asra asked.

"Lucio infected us. He force fed us those red beetles and infected us with the plague." Asra felt like his heart stopped. The love of his life had the plague? He only had a few days left with her? Then he wasn't leaving her side. Better yet...

"I'm taking you home." Asra said as he unlocked the door. "You at least deserve to spend your last days in comfort." Those words broke him. Asra tried not to break down, but he was scared for her. Hasn't Lucio taken enough from him?! First his parents, then his best friend, and now the best thing that's ever happened to him. A pair of arms wrapped themselves around him. He held Ramona tight. The smell of her perfume, the warmth of her skin... He couldn't lose her. There had to be a way.

"Take her home, Asra." Julian said from his cell.

"But what about you?" Ramona asked.

"I'm going to find that cure." he said.

"But-"

"I'll be fine. Go." Ramona released Asra from her hold and removed the bar that kept Julian's door locked. She entered the room.

"I'm going to leave it unlocked. That way, once you find the cure, you can run back to us and share it." Ramona smiled. Julian smiled back. He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the top.

"Oh, sweet, lovely Ramona... Your kindness knows no bounds. Calling you a friend has been an honor."

"Come home to us." Ramona said. Julian's heart swelled at the implication that he had a place in their lives.

"I will. I'll try, at least." Julian said. "You go. Get some rest."

...

The next three days were torture for everyone. The fever began to set in, along with body aches. Ramona laid in bed, dressed in only her underwear because she'd sweat through everything else. Asra stayed by her side, wiping her down with a wet cloth and trying to soothe her as best he could. He made her soup from her aunt's cookbook and massaged her body aches.

By the end of that third day, Ramona's eyes were blood red. Her fingertips and toes were turning red and Asra knew the clock was ticking on her time on this Earth. He wouldn't send her to that damned Lazaret. She deserved the comfort of home.

"Asra..." Ramona wheezed.

"I'm here, love. I'm right here." Asra held her hand.

"Asra, when I pass-"

"If. There's still a chance that Ilya could find the cure any minute now." Asra added.

"If he's feeling anything like I am, it'll be impossible to focus on books or cures. But when I pass, can you bury me next to my aunt?" Ramona asked.

"Of course, my love." Asra answered.

"And... I want to be buried with your name." Did... Did he hear that correctly?

"You want to be buried with my name?"

"I love you. And I wish we could've had a lifetime together, but seeing as that's no longer an option..."

"Yes." Asra replied. "I would be honored if you took my name... Ramona Alnazar." Tears ran down Asra's cheeks. "I wish I had a ring to give you."

"I don't need one." Asra kissed her temple.

...

Ramona startled awake. Since the fever started, she couldn't get any sleep without nightmares. But this one was different. It was a warning. She saw Julian and The Hanged Man. They made a deal for the knowledge on how to stop the plague. Julian had discovered that if Lucio died, the plague would go away, but Julian was no murderer. There was another way. She just had to get to Lucio first.

"Asra!" she wheezed. This set off a coughing fit that had Asra running to her side in an instant. "Asra..."

"What is it? Do you need something?" Asra asked. "Food? More water?"

"I... I know... how to... stop the... plague." She panted. But I need... to get to... Lucio before... Julian does."

"You can barely stand, much less breathe. And I'm not taking you back there." Asra said. "Why do you need Lucio? Is your fever getting worse?" Asra held a hand to her forehead. She was still very warm.

"He's the source... But... Julian is... going to... kill him."

"I don't see the problem here." Asra said.

"Lucio might... deserve it, but... Julian isn't... a murderer." Ramona replied. "I can stop... the plague for good. Just get me there. If not for me, then for... Vesuvia."

"I'll do anything for you." Asra responded. "Okay. Let's get you dressed first."

Asra helped Ramona dress in something light and flowy, so that she didn't overheat, but still covered the signs of the plague. He didn't want her being shipped off to the Lazeret before they could fix things. All the while, he had a pit in his stomach. This very well could be the last thing she did and if he had his way, she'd be lovingly tucked into bed by his side as her last moments, not... this. But he trusted her. He had to. If she was right, then they'd have a long and beautiful life together. And that chance, though slim as it was, was worth the risk.

Using a notice-me-not spell, Asra smuggled Ramona into the palace. It was slow goings because Ramona had to stop frequently to catch her breath, but finally, they made it just as the sun was rising. They used portals to get to Lucio's wing faster.

The two of them slipped past guards unnoticed until they reached the guided door that led to Lucio's room.

"Asra, I... If this goes bad... just know... I love you." Ramona whispered.

"As I love you." Asra replied. He kissed her - for luck, for love - then the two of them entered Lucio's chambers. The man was snoring like someone was strangling a duck. It did nothing but make Ramona's head pound, but she steadily moved forward.

In her dream, a vision had been shown to her. Lucio piled in fiery red chains. Each one symbolizing unfinished deals with dark consequences. Then it showed her breaking Muriel's chains. The way forward was clear. If she broke Lucio's chains, Vesuvia will be saved. Ramona closed her eyes, focusing every last shred of magic she had left. She called to the other Arcana for help, she called for Asra, and the rest of her friends. Absorbing every little bit of magic available to her. Her eyes opened, shining like the sun. Asra gasped at the sight. The sound woke Lucio, but it was too late for him to fight back. His cries of confusion and outrage fell on deaf ears.

Ramona grabbed the chains wrapped around him and pulled. Her magic flowed into it, link by link, and destroying the bonds between him and whatever evils he tied himself to. Her golden magic flowed forward, hotter and stronger than anything Asra had ever experienced before. It was too much. He had to get out of there. He stepped out the door in time to come face to chest with Julian.

"Asra? What are you doing here?" Julian questioned.

"Preventing you from becoming a murderer." Asra replied.

"How- how'd you know? Doesn't matter. Move aside, Asra. I need to do this. The fate of Vesuvia is at stake."

"Ramona beat you to it. She found a better way to rid Vesuvia of the plague." Asra said. Just then, there was a high-pitched scream and the light filtering under the door became hotter.

"Ramona!" Asra cried. He and Julian rushed into the room, only to see a halo of golden flames surrounding Ramona and Lucio. With a flash of white-hot light, the flames disappeared. Lucio and Ramona were passed out on the bed, which looked unnaturally pristine after it had just been covered in flames. Asra held Ramona, checking for a pulse. He found one, but it was weak.

"Ramona, please wake up!" Asra begged. "Please!" He thought of the promises and plans they'd always talk about. He tried so hard to protect her, but she did the same for him. He loved her with all his heart. He couldn't imagine living in a word without her.

...

It had been three long, torturous days. There was talk around Vesuvia of a miracle. No more lives had been taken by the plague in three days. Everyone sick with it were getting better. Many were left with red eyes, like Julian, but otherwise there was no more sign of the illness in their bodies. The people began to celebrate, happy to finally be free of the Red Plague. Except one.

Asra sat by Ramona's side, begging her to wake up. He talked to her, read to her, bathed her, but still her eyes stayed closed. She had used up an exceptional amount of magic that day, so it wasn't a surprise her body was taking so long to heal, but every minute that went by made Asra nervous. He held her cool hand in his clammy ones. Tears began to prickle at his eyes.

"Ramona, if you can hear me... Just know... Whatever might be happening in there, I love you. Whether you return to me again or not, I love you. If this is too much, if you can't get better, I'll fulfill your last wishes. But just know I'll be right there next to you. You have my name, my heart, my everything."

Asra kissed her, pouring all his love into it. All the love and devotion he had for her. If she didn't wake up... there was nowhere she could go where he wouldn't willingly follow. He parted, resting his forehead on hers. He pressed another gentle kiss to her forehead when he felt her eyelashes flutter against his cheek.

"Ramona?" Her eyes moved behind her eyelids. "Ramona, can you hear me?" She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. No hint of red in sight.

The first thing Ramona saw was Asra's face, looking both nervous and hopeful.

"Asra." She whispered, her voice clear as the day they first met. No wheezing or coughing or blood. She was cured! Asra laughed in relief and exhaustion.

"You're okay!" Asra cried. Faust poked her head up over Asra's.

Friend alive! she cheered.

"I was so scared. You were asleep for three days, I was beginning to think you might never wake up." Asra said.

"But I did." Ramona replied.

"You did." He kissed her again, loving the warmth returned to her lips, praising every god who was listening that she was here in his arms. Alive.

@lovelikeyoursfest

[imaginesoutofahat]

Stardust || Part 2

A/N: This is part 2 of a multi-part fan fiction . Feed back is not only welcomed but encouraged! The gifs used belong to their rightful owners.

Loki tried to invade New York. You knew he was crazy, hell it’s one of the things that drew you to him. This was a different crazy. After he dropped off the end of the rainbow bridge you felt as if a part of you died as well, but next thing Thor comes back with Loki in cuffs and the tesseract.

You watched as Thor kept a hand on Loki’s shoulder a protective yet commanding gesture. You looked towards them from your shaded spot in the front of the castles steps.

    “Take him to the All Father.” Thor told the guards as the guards took Loki from him. After Loki was out of sight you walked up to Thor.

    “What happened Thor?” He turned to look at you. He dismissed all the workers bustling around the front of the palace.

“Loki tried to take control of an Midgardian city called New York. I do not know what he wished to accomplish, but he caused much anguish to the people of Midgard.” Thor turned back around and glanced at asgard around him. You put a hand on his arm offering some comfort.

“What are we going to do with him?” Thor smiled at your almost motherly tone. He glanced up at you. “You went from motherly towards me to Loki, I don't know if i'm amused or disappointed.” You giggled at Thor. It seems as though it's been forever since your trip to Joteinheim.  

“You might want to go listen in. We all know how my father can be.” You nodded and patted Thor's arm before running off to the throne room. You quickly caught up to the guards and Loki. You hid behind one of the pillars hoping to remain unseen. Loki approached the throne he looked towards his mother.

“Have I made you proud?” Frigga fiddled with her hands, a nervous tick that only happened with her children.

“Please, don't make this worse.” This sent pain through your heart. You knew Loki better than anyone, although you haven't been close for very long before he fell out of Asgard he found comfort in you and you in him.

Your thoughts drew you away from the conversation between Loki and the All Father, but the booming voice of Odin drew you back.

“Your birthright was to die!” He yelled at Loki. Tears quickly grew in your eyes. You always knew Loki was more Frigga's son then Odin’s, but saying that to someone you raised. It’s sickening. Odin commanded the guards to escort Loki to a cell under the castle, most likely where he’d spend the rest of his life. You watched as Frigga tried to reason with her husband then turned your attention to the god. His eyes were fearful as he looked towards his mother, hoping in some way she could get him out of this. You took a deep breath in as Loki’s  figure fully disappeared deeper into the castle. You stayed in your hiding place until both Frigga and Odin were no longer paying attention to the rest of the throne room. You rushed to your room, forgetting to breathe while trying to hold your tears in.

You had spent weeks in your room, much like you did after Loki ‘died’. You tried to go to the dungeon to see him, and tell him you were still on his side like you promised. But, when you got to the doors two guards dragged you away, and placed you in front of Odin.

“(Y/n), going to see Loki?” He said looking down on you from his throne. The hate you felt for Odin and how he's treated Loki wanted to escape your lips, but if you wanted any chance to see Loki you had to keep quiet.

“Yes All Father. May I see him, please?” You looked up at him hoping that’s what he wanted to hear.  “No one is allowed to see the criminal-”

“He’s your son! Not some unnamed criminal locked away-” He clicked his staff causing a loud boom to echo the throne room silencing you.

“Do not talk back to me, remember your place. No one is to see my. No one is to see Loki. And if I or anyone shall catch you doing so you will be banished. Do you understand?”

“Yes All Father.” He nodded at the guards who took you back to your room. When the door clicked behind you and the stomps of the soldiers faded you finally let yourself cry. Numbers of servants tried to remove you from your room for an extended amount of time.

“Lady (Y/n)! Thor, Sif, and the Warriors three are going to restore peace in Hoguns home realm. Would you like me to collect your gear?” You denied refusing to fight anymore.

This morning would be no exception. A knock at your door took you from the words in your book to look at the door.

“Please leave me alone!” You all but yelled at the door. A few seconds passed and you thought they left.

“(Y/n)? Dear, please let me in.” Shit. Queen Frigga was at your door not another castle maid. “One minute please!” You rushed from your spot on the bed quickly marking your page and placing it on the shelf beside your bed. You quickly ran a hand through your hair trying to calm it down, before opening the door to the Queen.

“Your majesty! What can I do for you?” You asked her trying to fake some sort of emotion. She smiled at you.

“(Y/n), I’ve known you since you were a girl. You’re family,call me Frigga, please.” You blushed and looked down. “Anyway, I’m going to see my son I was thinking you may want to join me? He doesn’t want to admit it, but I think he misses you.” She smirks as the heat reappears on your neck. Quickly the feeling of happiness that would come from Loki possibly missing you was replaced with a feeling of anger and sadness. Tears pooled in your eyes for the thousandth time that week.

“Thank you, Frigga, but I don’t think I could handle seeing him in that cage.” You said venom dripping your tone as you thought of where Loki was being held.” She nodded giving you a sad smile. “Well don’t tell anyone I am seeing him. I was told I’m not allowed to.” She rolled her eyes and you smiled at the Queen's rebellion. “Any time you want to see him, just send a projection down.” You nodded at her instructions. She pat your cheek in a loving manner before she turned and walked back down the hallway. You quickly closed the door and returned to your book. Yet, the thought of seeing Loki, talking to him, constantly took your attention away.

You put your book down, officially. Then began to project yourself to Loki. You kept yourself invisible incase a guard was near his cell. You ended up behind Loki, and you heard the conversation between Loki and his mother.

“Do the books I gave you not interest you?” She said as Loki paced the small cell.

“Is that how I am to while away eternity? Reading?” He said, his usual sarcastic tone that you’ve missed so dearly bringing a smile to your face.

“I've done everything in my power to make you comfortable Loki.” Frigga said.

“Does Odin share your concern?” He said leaning over the back of a chair to talk to his mother, a sly look was on his face. “Does Thor?” Frigga went to speak. “Does (Y/n)? She never sees me, and I know you've asked her to join you before.”

“You know well that it was your actions that led you here. Your Father-”

“He’s not my Father!” He yelled at her. Both you and Frigga jumped in surprise.

She took a breath. “Then am I not your mother?”

Loki hesitated. “You’re not.”

You saw the hurt on Frigga’s face. Before she could say anything else Loki touched her hand which caused her projection to disappear.

Loki’s sad expression quickly disappeared when you revealed yourself to him, and it turned to stone. “I was wondering when you’d be come to see me.”

“I tried to when you first were put in here but the guards wouldn’t let me in.”

“There's no need to lie, YN.” Loki almost spat.

“I’m not lying! I was brought to Odin. He said I would be banished if I came to see you.”

“Then why are you here? Why are you risking it?” A pang of hurt stabbed at your heart. How could he not know how much you cared, and that you’d risk everything to see him happy.

 “Because I, clearly unlike you, care about our friendship. I care for you Loki.” He gapes at you.   

 “You think i don’t care for you (Y/N)? You were the only one other then my mother to be kind to me even after you knew the monster I am.” “If I hear you call yourself a monster one more time i swear-” Loki cuts you off with a heavy sigh and storms off to his bed. He lays down with his eyes closed.

“Loki, please. I missed you.” He opened his eyes and sat up a little bit and he began to smile. With his smile still on his face he layed back down.

“Pull up a chair then, fill me in on everything I’ve missed.” You smile widely. Finally the Loki you’ve grown to adore was back. You rolled your eyes.

“I can’t grab the chair, remember?” Your astral form unable to touch physical objects. He sighs again and sits up.

“Always making me do everything.” He waves a hand and you are thrown out of your astral form. You were shocked for a second before your real body was back in Loki’s cell. You giggled as you moved the chair and sat in it.

“You’re going to get me in trouble for being here.” He turned his head and looked at you.

“You’re still here, sitting down might I add.” He said with a wide smile that you returned.

“Tell me what was Midgard like?” You asked him hesitantly wondering if he would want to even talk about his time there. He laid down and began to tell you about New York and Germany and how much you would have loved the cities.

“And the library (Y/N), It was magnificent! Hundreds of thousands of books.” You stared at him politely, the passion in his voice warming your heart.

“I wish i could have seen more of it, but that aside fill me in on everything that has happened here.” You began to tell him every major thing.

“The princess of Alfheim, i forget her name so called fell into Thor’s lap at dinner.” Loki gasped then spewed into laughter. “In more recent news, Thor brought Lady Jane to Asgard.” He stopped laughing,

 “A mortal, here on Asgard?”

You nodded and hummed in agreement. “Your fath- Odin isn’t very pleased at the moment.” He began to throw a cup then catch it as you both sat in thick silence. Then a loud scream causes Loki to freeze and catch the cup. You both look across the dungeon. You spring up to the edge of Loki’s cell and look at the prisoners fighting in the cell. The guards go running towards the fighting prisoners. The one who started, and so far has been finishing everything, pushed through the magic cell wall. He began to fight the guards, and once again finished the fight. He began walking through the dungeon opening up the cells causing a massive riot between prisoners to guards. Loki stands up and joins you at the edge of the cell. The big prisoner makes his way to Loki’s cell. They both stare at each other while you just stare in shock at Loki. Loki is smirking at the massive prisoner taunting him, his eyes screaming to let him out. When the prisoner begins to walk away Loki’s proud smirk falters a little.

“You might want to take the stairs to the left.”

“Loki!” You yell at him for letting the dangerous prisoner escape. You begin to argue with Loki about how what he just did was wrong.

“(Y/N), he isn’t going to get far.” You roll your eyes at him feeling as though those words of his, as normal, would come back to bite him. The warriors three quickly found there way into the dungeon to help maintain the riot.

“You may want to sit, this will take a while.” Loki says as he watches the riot from the inside of the cell. He sits down in the corner and makes a book appear, and begins to read. You roll your eyes and join him on the floor as he begins to lightly read to you. Loki falters slightly as you both hear Thor's booming voice yell towards the prisoners. After a minute all previous chaos was silent.

“Loki?” Thor yells into the cell. Loki sighs and rolls his eyes before standing up.

“Hello Thor.” Loki just stands and sares a stare with Thor. You quickly stand up and join Loki.

“Lady (Y/N)? Weren't you banned from seeing Loki?” Thor said threateningly. You only shrugged.

“Aren’t we all banned from bringing mortals here?” You clapped back at Thor, who’s proud smile shrank. You were about to say something when a guard rushed into the dungeon.

“Prince Thor! The Castles defences have failed the dark elves are infiltrating.” Panic flashed on Thor’s face and he quickly ran out of the dungeon. You tried to teleport out of Loki’s cell, but something began to block your magic.

“Loki let me leave.” He shakes his head. “Loki I swear to-”

“You heard the guard! The dark elves are attacking, it’s too dangerous for you.”

“Loki I am a trained warrior I can handle myself.” You began to try to teleport out again. Loki touches your shoulder.

“Please don't leave me.” He says barely above a whisper and over the chaos outside of the cell you were surprised you even heard it at all. You sighed and sat back in the chair Loki followed sitting back on his bed. You don’t know how long you sat next to Loki, but it was a good few hours. Loud bangs and crashes echoed the on the floors above you and loki, causing clouds of dirt and dust to fall from the ceiling. Suddenly all was quiet, and you began to pace the cell hoping an Asgardian guard came back down not a Dark Elf. Loki eventually joined in your pacing when everything stayed quiet.

“Everything has to be okay, right?” Loki asked you still pacing the small confines of his cell, and you just stayed quiet, scared to jinx it. That’s when you saw the palace guard approach the cell. The look on the guards face was not something to be happy about. It was detached and shocked, but still had a hidden fear within it.

“Lady (Y/N), why are you-?”

“Long story. Why are you here?” You cut the guard off as you felt Loki slowly stand next to you.

“I have news from the palace for Prince Loki, and I guess you now as well.” Loki took a seat on the chair as you placed yourself behind the chair leaning on it.

“The Dark Elves have been removed from Asgard, but a few got away. They are most likely planning another attack. There was major damage done to the castle, but little to the surrounding areas. Very few civilian Asgardian casualties, however,-” At this moment your heart dropped. A however in a sentence containing the word casualties was not something anyone wanted to hear. “There was one major Asgardian casualty. Queen Frigga was stabbed by a Dark Elf.” Your world stopped, as your sure Loki’s did as well. You looked down at him, but Loki only nodded dismissing the guard. With the random guard quickly leaving you two be Loki finally reacted. He stood up from the chair.

 “Leave.” Loki said coldly facing away from you staring at the white wall previously behind you two.

“Loki you can't expect me to leave you right now.” You said as strong as you could. Frigga was like family to you. She was one of your idols, and she gave you a purpose gave you a home. But, she was Loki’s mom first, she was the first to accept Loki, to stand for him, and one of the few to truly care for him. Loki’s last words to her replayed in your head as they most likely were doing for him. You’re not my mother.

“Loki-”

“I said leave!” He yelled, still refusing to remove his eyes from the wall. You quickly sighed as tears filled your eyes, and you teleported out of Loki’s cell. It’s not something you’ll ever know, but the moment you were gone Loki snapped and broke everything in his cell.

“Thor you can't.” You pleaded him as he began to make his way into the dungeon that Loki was still trapped in.

    “You are in no position to tell me what I can and can’t do Lady (Y/N). Just prep Jane for our departure.” You sighed and stopped walking, Thor quickly responded and stood in front of you.

“Be safe Thor there is so much loss in Asgard, and I don’t think anyone could handle another heartbreak.” Thor looked down at you with admiration, and your heart swelled at one of your oldest friends.

     “We’ll be safe. He’ll be safe, I promise.” He wrapped you in his arms before tapping your shoulder and running into the dungeon.  You quickly ran the other way and found Jane, and got her ready for whatever Thor was about to do.

You stood with Lady Jane and Sif in front of Thor and Loki. Thor quickly told everyone his plan, and for once it was solid. You believed in him and his promise. You and Lady Sif watched  as guards approached the five of you.    

“Go take her, I’ll hold them off.” Sif said looking at Thor, and you gave her a glare. “We’ll hold them off.” You nodded as Thor grabbed Jane and Loki awkwardly ran behind them. You and Sif held of the guards as best you could, due to the large number advantage they had. When you and Sif finally got fully outnumbered you were put into a cell. Hours passed as you panicked in the small confines in the cell.

“(Y/N) listen he’ll be fine, they all will be fine.” Sif repeated to you over as you continued to stress over not hearing any information. You wanted to listen to her, you wanted to believe Thor’s promise but something in you new bad things were only going to get worse.

When a Guard walked up to your cell and opened it along with Sif’s you knew there was information. The three of you silently walked into the throne room as a guard that you’d never seen before stood beside the all father.

“Lady Sif and Lady (Y/N), what you did here today was honorable in the words of helping the prince. However, as citizens of Asgard what you did here today was treason and for that you will be banished. You have 24 hours left on Asgard we meet in the morning in the Bifrost.” Odin said looking down disappointed at you and Sif.

    Sif kneeled onto the tile, she put her hand across her chest. “Yes My king.” Odin nodded at her before she stood up. Quickly turning to walk out of the throne room Sif cast you a soft glance, and you smiled and nodded at her before she fully exited.

 “My King? Have you heard anything from the princes?” You said as you also began to kneel in front of the throne. Odin sighed, heavy and reluctant.

 “Yes I spoke to Thor before I called you in here.” You looked up at him trying to conceal your happiness. “Thank you sir.” You said before standing up and all but running out of the throne room

    Your heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Loki again free and out of his cage. You thought of everything you were going to tell him before you were forced to Midgard. You felt your smile widen as you ran throughout the castle in search of the two boys. In your haste you almost failed to see Thor on the main balcony of the castle. His back was turned to the doors, he was looking out over the city of Asgard. You opened the doors quickly the bright and wide smile beginning to hurt your face. The sudden sound of the doors opening behind him caused Thor to turn around and face you. Thor's face caused your smile to falter and shrink a little. Never had you seen the prince’s face so sulkin and sad, not even after his owns mother’s passing.

“Thor, where’s Loki? I need to speak to him. Something has come up and I need to tell him some-” You stopped yourself as you looked at the still numb look on Thor’s face. “Thor? What’s wrong? Where is Loki?” You felt your heart sink into the pit of your stomach and your eyes burned from the tears building

    “(Y/N), I’m so sorry,” Thor said walking towards you. The air of Asgard suddenly felt frozen. You shook your head walking past him to the previous position of looking over the balcony. “Loki, my brother didn’t return from Svartalfheim.” Thor told you weakly.

You quickly faced him, “Thor you promised. You promised me! You said he would be okay. You said you would-” Your words quickly replaced with sobs as you hit pounded on Thor's chest with each promise he didn’t keep.

Once you stopped hitting him, Thor wrapped his arms around you letting you sob into him. Thor slowly moved the both of you to the ground. He rubbed your hair and your back as you sobbed out. “We lost him Thor. We lost him again.” You stayed like this until the sun rose over the horizon of Asgard.

    “It’s time for me to go Thor.” He looked at you and hugged you in an almost bone crushing hug. “I’m going to miss you (Y/N).”

“Likewise Thor, please be careful on whatever you do.” He nodded as you began to walk away towards Sif who was waiting for you at the beginning of the rainbow bridge. Thor waved at you both before Sif and you began to walk towards the Bifrost.    

 “Are you ready for this Y/n?” Sif asked you as you drew nearer to the Bifrost.

    “Ready as I’ll ever be, Sif.” As you were walking you turned your head to look back one final time at the castle you’ve long called home. You took a shaky breath as you stepped into the Bifrost. You said a final goodbye to two things you loved that day.

 Taglist: @markusstraya @drakesfiance @jessiejunebug @queenred23 @fuckthatfeeling @little-blue-popsicle @oatballsoffury​ @midnightdragonzero​ @superflashallen

[silviasutton1989]

The True Kings Ch.6 “The Plan”

A/N: I really am not thrilled with this one (am I ever??) But I had to get this damn story moving. So much has happened in the span of 3 days so after this chapter we will move a LOT faster (next chapter is crazy).

Pairings: Idk they have to figure it out (lol)

Rating: Teen ( I may have some course language)

Word Count: Look it’s over 2000 but not 3000 that’s all I’m gonna say...

Summary: Liam proposes a unity tour for Drake and Riley’s engagement. Olivia has a plan to find Boss.

Catch up: Chapter 1  1.2  2  3  4 5

"Father will kill us if he knew we were down here, Liam."

"No he won't....we are almost there." Leo and Liam walk through the dark corridors of the palace dungeon. He tried his best to hold the flashlight sturdy, to seem unafraid, but really all he wanted to was hold his brother's hand. But 10 year old's don't hold their big brother's hand--not even if they are in a scary dungeons...right? No...he had to stop her from screaming, protester or not, he had to help her.

They reached the caged cells where a figure is huddled in the corner trying to keep itself warm rocking and moaning.

"M-Miss...we brought you this." Liam pushes the blanket through the openings of the cell.

"Yeah and this..." a frustrated Leo carelessly slides the plate of bread onto the floor under the opening of the cell

"Ok I helped! And I made sure you didn't get yourself killed down here. Can we go now?"

Leo turns on his heals to leave as Liam watched the figure. It scurries to the bread like a hungry rat.

"You two are the King's boys aren't you?" The figure stampers closer to the cell walls to get a better look. "Yes you are aren't you? You came down here to show me kindness?" She says through her toothless grin.

"They don't usually feed the prisoners....I just thought it might help you get through--"

"Stop talking, Liam." Leo grabs his brother's arm to leave "We must be going ma'am. May God be with you."

"God!" The protesters smile fades, as her eyes fill with rage. "How dare you. You come down here with your day old bread and flea ridden blankets and speak of God! I will die soon but you..you and your selfish family will suffer till the very last one of you are plucked from that throne." Her voice screeches as she clings to the bars. The boys are frozen where they stand.

"Your father thinks he is God and so did his father and so do you. BOTH OF YOU. You sit on your throne of lies and murder any person who knows the truth about you.  But the True Kings will come to claim their throne back. To rid Cordonia of the blood thirsty impostors your family is. Ha! You’re all going to die. Your father...then you...then you!" Her laugh echos throughout the dungeon.

"Let's go now!" Leo orders as he takes his little brother's hand quickly stepping away from the cells. They don't let go of each other even as they reach the large door, still hearing her behind them:

"The True Kings will kill you! Every last one of you!"

"That's why I feel we should be having a serious discussion about a wall surrounding our borders, your majesty. I know it may be costly but I have a 38 step plan that if implemented--."

"You mean a 138 step plan, Scribes. Your idea is hogwash!"

The two men bicker back in forth, Lord Scribes and Colonial Martin. They are polar opposites and argued like cats and dogs on a daily basis, but they were loyal to Cordonia. At least that is what Liam hoped having called them to his office.

"I didn't call you two here to speak on border patrol. We all know this is a domestic matter."

The men silently nod in agreement.

"You majesty, if I may, now that we know the True Kings are behind the attack the other night and that mishap yesterday, I propose..." Colonial Martin's voice gets lower as he speaks. "we implement your father's tactics on the issue.."

"Surly you are not going to go around killing anyone with connection to that group! Sire, that's preposterous!" Lord Scribes sits up in his chair."The True Kings are a peaceful group on the basis of legacy and heritage. We cant just go exterminating them because of a few miscreants!"

"Sounds like you know a lot about them, Scribes."Martin says with a sly smile.

"Why I--"

"No one is accusing you of anything. And no I don't think my father's tactics are the best way to go for this issue." Liam taps his fingers together as he leans back into his leather chair. "The intruder yesterday mentioned that the attack was done by one person. The True Kings now approve of it but initially they were not out to kill me.Therefore we will continue to look for that sole individual and keep a close watch for anymore attacks."

Martin scoffs, "You father's actions may have been harsh but they kept this monarchy alive...literally. It would be foolish to not look at your father's rule as an example of how you should conduct leadership."

Liam could feel his leg beginning to shake underneath his desk. He places a firm hand on it just a his father would do. There were very few things that could get Liam riled up but one was to compare him. He hated that. Growing up the younger brother of a future king, his life was built on comparisons. He was the spare, and therefore he must be identical to his brother's achievements in every way. It was a feat twice as hard given that Leo was handsome charismatic and even great in his diplomatic studies. Liam foolishly believed that after his brother's abdication that the comparisons would stop. But instead of his brother he had to compete with his father now. A competition he feared he could never win. His father was ruthless, one trait that Constantine had always noted that neither of his sons had.

His leg shook at a rapid pace forcing him to stand up from his chair. The two men look up at him in shock. He tries to play the emotional act off and walks to his bar for a drink. After a few deep breaths and a small glass of brandy, Liam turns back to the men with his diplomatic smile.

"Gentlemen, I have developed my own plan. Yes, my father did great things for this country, but he also prolonged another generation of problems for me to fix. I want the monarchy secure for my successor and I believe that we must tighten the bond within our own ranks."

Liam sits back at his desk. "Many of our nobles have fled the palace. Fearing that it is too dangerous here.  We must fix this first. Our power is only a strong as those that believe in us. We need them here...all of them."

"Well how do you suppose we do that...drag them to court kicking and screaming?"

Before Liam could answer Scribes, there's a knock on the door. He smiles as the door begins to open. Liam barley slept 4 hours last night trying to form his plan and walking through the door was his answer.

"Ahh Lady Riley." Liam walks to her guiding her to towards the men. Her brows furrow in confusion he ignores it. "I would like you to meet two members of my privy council Colonial Marian and Lord Scribes. Please have a seat."

Riley takes a seat in between the two men. She tries to catch Liam's eye but he only looks at her for a second or two. He needs this to go accordingly.

"Lady Riley recently got engage."

The men congradulate her and she nods a thank you, still more confused as ever.

"Her wedding can become the very thing that brings our nobles back, showing our solidarity and strength."

"Are you proposing a unity tour?"

"Indeed, Lady Riley and I will go to our absent nobles and personally ask them back to court an support her union."

Through the corner of his eye he can see Riley' eyebrows rise in shock. There was a large lump in his chest he couldn't swallow. He knew he should have asked her first. But there wan't time.

"Well, I do believe that that is a splendid plan. Cordonians love celebrations. And since we will not have a royal wedding anytime soon, one for our newly elected duchess just may be the distraction this country needs while we fix this whole True Kings situation." Scribes beams as he turns to Riley (her eyes still trying to stare daggers into Liam). "I wasn't that pleased when the king announced you were to become a duchess, but you are proving your loyalty and for that I thank you."

Riley sees the hopeful eyes of the three men. "Anything for Cordonia." Her statement sounded more like a question a she shrugged and smiled to them.

"We don't have very much time to prepare." Colonial Martian stands to his feet bowing to the king as he begins to walk out the door. "Our guards must be ready this tour must start soon if not within the week."

"The week but--" Riley tries to interject but Lord Scribes is right behind Martin.

"Yes if we can get the unity tour out of the way within a month or two, she can be wed by June. Everyone loves June weddings."

The two men continue their conversation even as the door closes behind them, leaving Riley and Liam alone. The lump grew 3 times once he could bock Riley's glares.

"Riley, thank you for th--"

"Oh you want to thank me? Now! Why not wait till my June wedding!"

"Listen Riley we need a distraction. My monarchy is at stake I hoped that you would be willing to help in the matter."

"Our friendship is at stake! And you didn't give me that option Liam...oh I'm sorry your highness!"

She stands to feet and marches toward the door.

"So are you saying you don't want a grand wedding...one fit for a queen. I'm giving you that even though..." He couldn't say the rest that damn lump was beginning to choke him.

"I'm saying I would have liked the opportunity to agree to this.To be thankful and appreciative and on bored with anything you ask. But you didn't ask me you are forcing me to do this. And what's worse you didn't even include Drake. It's his wedding too Liam I'm marring Drake not ..." Riley storms out of the room choosing to finish her sentence where he couldn't hear. "You!"

..but he heard it just the same.

Issac rubbed the sleep from his eyes. His body was sore, well mostly his face and chest. Wherever Olivia fist landed currently hurt like hell. But that pain couldn't compare to his anger after seeing the scars on her body. Or the disappointment on her face when he told her his plans to join the True Kings.

He needed to explain himself to her.  He had to clarify to her that his intentions where never to kill Liam but to expose Constantine's decades of tyranny. Issac can still remember leaving his only home, the duchy that had been stripped from his family, along with their title.

Issac still remembers walking into his father’s bedroom, seeing his dad curled up on his bed holding a picture of his mother, sobbing into the bed. 7 year old Issac rubbing his father’s back.

“It’s ok papa…” young Issac says to his weeping father.

Issac lays in the bed of the royal palace, a courtesy gift along with a bogus title of being a Count were the only forms of an apology Constantine thought to give.

A sharp tap on the door drew Issac out of his thoughts.

Olivia bounding through, wasting no time for him to answer.

“So you want to help me?”

“Help you?” Issac sits on the edge of his bed, and watches the determined woman pace in front of him. She was thinking. He loved to watch her think, he always have. The way she would suck in that pink bottom lip, the way her eyes would zone out as if she was planning 5 steps ahead. He didn’t know what her plan ways. He never knew, and never dared try to guess the workings of Olivia Nevarkis’ mind, but it was a beautiful mind, one that aroused him just as much as her body.

“You want to help me find Boss right?”

“Yes of course!”

“Ok so I never saw him…well I’m assuming it was a man. I did hear him talking to Mick but I was more focused on the words than the actual tone. And I didn’t get to see where I was taken…BUT I did see a hallway.”

“A hallway?”

“Yes for about 5 seconds before…” Olivia rubs the back of her neck. “Before Mick found me….Anyway yes I saw a hallway and I have seen that hallway before. I figure if I find the hallway—“

“You will find Boss.”

“Correct.”

Issac rubs his back-still sore from his falls to the ground. “So what are you going to do sneak into every noble’s home and patrol their hallways?”

“You know you should really put something on that nose of yours…I think it’s swelling.” Olivia’s sly smile sweeps her face watching Issac jump to his feet speeding to a mirror. “Oh don’t worry I’m sure a swollen nose will not hinder your pursuit of sleeping with every woman in Cordonia. No I don’t plan to sneak into their homes. I will be invited in.  Apparently hobo Drake has decided to chain himself to Lady Riley—I’m sure you have slept with her too.”

“I haven’t slep—“

“Anyway. Liam has decided-for some bizarre reason—that it’s a good idea to support this sham of a union. He has formed a unity tour starting in a couple of days.”

“So while Liam is promoting the engagement trying to unify his nobles you—“

“I plan to follow and find out which noble is betraying him.”

Olivia smiles from ear to ear, it’s a real smile not a condescending one she has on most of the time. It’s one that she only shows when she is happy or she has a plan and right now –for a split second- she has both.

“I just have one question. Why do all this? Why not just run up to Liam tell him what you know… Let his guards deal with it?”

“Liam thinks I am responsible for the attack at the Homecoming Ball.”  Olivia sits down in a nearby chair, and though her face was stoic her tone was hurt.

“Nah..I don’t believe that, Cherry. You should just—“

“You didn’t see the look in his eyes yesterday, Issac. He may not admit it now- knowing him he will wait till he has undoubted proof—but he thinks I’m involved.” Olivia shakes her head. “No. we are doing this my way. “

“We?”

With a sigh of frustration she stands up. “You’re the only one that…knows about what happened. I mean I can do this on my own. I’m sure I can. I—“

He didn’t know when he stood from the bed or when he walked over to her, but before he could stop himself he had one hand at the small of her back, the other tilting her chin up staring into her green eyes. Those eyes daring him to do something.

Don’t do it Isaac. She will probably punch you again.

But telling himself not to kiss her was like telling a moth not to fly into the dangers of a flame- it was impossible. With his body hungry for the smallest sample of heaven, he dips his head to kiss those soft pink lips. Somehow, however his lips land on her finger, as she blocks their mouths from touching."

"Who did you sleep with the night of the attack Issac?"

"Umm.."

"Never mind I'm sure it was nothing personal... right?" She paces back to the door, Issac unable to move. "I am on a mission Issac, I have no time for your little escapades, if your going to help me we will do this as friends are we clear?"

She's out the door before he even answers. She walks down the hall, proud of herself for not giving into him...at least not this time.

Tag List: Ok so I do not want to upset anyone so I’m going to put this with the tags every time. If you want to be on the tag list permanently (this one is randomly selected with some permanent in as well)  let me know. If you DO NOT want to be tagged ever just send me a message I will not be upset.

@darley1101 @speedyoperarascalparty @mfackenthal @jadedpixiescribbles  @boneandfur @andy-loves-corgis @blackcatkita @missevabean @snyggflicka @stopforamoment @agent-zephyrkah @endlessly-searching-for-you@indiacater @choiceswreckedme @choiceswhodunnit @liam-rhys @alesana45​ @drakewalkerrosenberg​ @drakewalkerfics​ @butindeed​ @lienka12345​

[dentelle-grise]

Your Latest Trick

Chapter 8

(Loki x Reader)

Summary: Long after everyone has stopped talking about Loki and his misdemeanors, his failed attempt to take over Midgard and his punishment, you meet him at a party.

A retelling of The Dark World in which Loki woos the reader despite life imprisonment, mortal wounding and the cumbersome pretense of impersonating his father.

Original Prompt: Imagine Loki undressing you slowly, entirely by magic, only touching you with his eyes.

All chapters to date at AO3 (22K, NC-17)

Chapter 8: Waiting is hard

So now you know what you’re missing. 

In those few moments together you created something real, which is fantastic and terrible all at once. You can’t tell anyone though.  Perhaps you’re even avoiding your friends because of that temptation.  You want to tell the world. But Loki is both a criminal and a fugitive now.  So you keep your silence.

Secrecy makes his absence all the more painful and hiding your feelings all the more difficult. But the rest of the world is preoccupied with the city’s crisis and your distress passes for that of so many citizens shaken by the attack and saddened by the loss of the queen or their own dear ones.

You continue to go to the healing rooms. It makes you feel you are doing some good and keeps your mind away from daydreams and darker places. If you take walks or rides alone you tend to drift off, feeling the shadow of invisible hands and lips on your skin; imagining silent promises Loki never made.

What shakes you out of it is Dagny’s broken arm.  One day all of a sudden it’s your friend that you’re treating, making the sling while a healer sets the bones.  She’d gone to run down a flight of stairs that wasn’t there anymore and taken a fall into a pile of rubble.

“And we were going to ride out to the lake and now I can’t make it.”

Before you know it, you’re dreaming up a solution.

“Of course you can go. We’ll just take it slowly and I’ll lead your horse. We don’t have to ride all the way around.”

And that’s how you find yourself at the lake with the girls. Almost like old times, but also not at all.

It is a beautiful late summer day and you really feel you are escaping, though from what you don’t know. Nara, your mare, is frustrated with the slow pace but you can’t gallop her today. Your little group moves sedately. The further you go from the city, the more intact it looks, but there’s no way you can pretend that nothing’s changed. 

You stop and picnic by the water, Dagny basking in the light like a little queen with her court and though she cannot play any games, she looks on as though your sport is for her entertainment.

Asta is strangely silent though.  She eats little and never starts conversations, which is unlike her.  So much so that when the others are relaxing you go to her where she’s staring off across the water at nothing in particular. You don’t have to prompt her.

“Do you remember Peeter?”

You don’t. Not from just a name.  But the way she says it, low and desolate, you know she doesn’t expect an answer.

It’s everything she doesn’t say that sets a fear running though you, starts your mind showing you a dozen faces that might be Peeter. But even without putting a face to him, death just took another step closer. You hug Asta in the hope of giving her some comfort.  Perhaps you knew someone too, perhaps one or more of your ex-lovers is among the dead, but you haven’t given it a thought.  No, you’ve only been thinking of one person. One of whom you still have no news.

As she silently cries, not for lost love you think, but for another’s lost future, you finally know, without a doubt that you cannot ever share the truth about Loki with her (or any of the others).

You haven’t lost him you tell yourself. But only, perhaps, because you never really had him.

You stare out across the water as she calms and you both sit in silence warmed by the fading sun.

In the middle of the great lake lies a boulder twice as tall as a man. It’s known as ‘Thor’s Rock’ and you can see it from any point around the shore. Like so many things around you, it holds memories of Loki. You let them wash through you again.

    The incident that created ‘Thor’s Rock’ happened back in that time when you had ceased to be children but were not yet adults, a period filled with new experiences and firsts, stretching in your mind into an endless parade of summer nights camping on the moors or by the lake and winter evenings closing in around festivities, of being together but somehow growing apart as you came to be yourselves. That winter was one of the times when you felt most separate from the princes. It was shortly after the cake accident, when the ensuing jokes had distanced you somewhat. While it was true that some of Loki’s pranks had been worse, you had caused him the  maximum public embarrassment without even trying.

Thor and Loki would fight, their brotherly rivalry having grown up with them into something bigger and bolder. You stood back from their foolishness and simply hoped that no one got hurt. But you couldn’t stop yourself from watching.

It was an exceptionally warm winter, Thor had not long had Mjolnir and was very proud. This, in his eyes made him a man and his bragging made him tiresome company. Loki for his part was also proud. So ferociously proud that he would not admit his jealousy of his brother, which was nonetheless clear to all.  He was haughty, distant and rather disdainful.  He had recently grown taller than Thor and had chosen a very elegant new winter wardrobe, the kind of thing Thor couldn’t care less for.  Loki now had the a tall frame that showed most garments to great effect and his parents indulged him. Some of this may, you guessed, have been because there was no Mjolnir for Loki. It was no secret he wanted the hammer, but not for its aesthetic appeal or even its usefulness.  He wanted it because Thor had it. It was a childish desire and he put great effort into hiding it.

The mildness of the weather meant that the ice formed only thinly on the great lake but, like every year, many wanted to venture out to skate or merely to savor the sensation of walking on the huge flat expanse where one could only swim or sail the rest of the year. 

Odin had formally prohibited the use of the lake, as the ice was dangerously thin, but that didn’t stop people. You would think that knowing that they risked an icy bath at best, if not their lives, would hold them back, but no.  Nor could Odin keep the lake sufficiently guarded to prevent people from straying onto the ice. You expected a fatal accident any day.

Then Thor said he had a solution, he would break the thin ice and make it impossible to venture out.  He planned of course to use Mjolnir. Loki immediately said that he would break the ice, meaning that he would use his magic and thus prove that he was the stronger.

An argument blew up between them one night and they even came to blows;  Frigga and Odin, concerned that this was not the way for future kings to behave, intervened.  But Odin decided that their spirit of competition was to be commended. He would also be most content if they would destroy the ice.  But not with Mjolnir, whose control Thor was still learning, nor by magic, as Loki’s spells were still known to sometimes go awry.

They both said “Yes, Father.” earnestly and went to bed liking their wounds, even more determined to best the other.

They started at dawn. You watched with your friends, wrapped thickly against the icy wind. Many people had gathered  around the lake and cheered like they were watching some sport. Thor, predictably, chose to use brute force. He rolled a massive boulder from the mountains and threw it into the middle of the lake. It made a great hole of course and plenty of cracks, but broke just a fraction of the surface ice. 

Loki on the other hand had a palace engineer direct freeflowing water from the hottest geyser direct onto the ice.  But Frigga discovered his plan and put an immediate stop to it for fear of cooking alive all the fish in the lake.

As you watched, Thor, standing on a raft of broken ice, tried to roll his boulder some more. But this time he had no gravity to help and what was more he had Loki trying to stop him. Another brawl commenced, this time atop Thor’s boulder in the middle of the lake. Inevitably, they fell in the water, along with Mjolnir, which Thor had brought along despite its uselessness in the endeavor. Both boys were soaked to the skin and shivering in the cold wind. Though Thor tried vainly to call Mjolnir, they had to drag themselves out of the water without it.

This was no longer the heroic spectacle most people had come out for. You were secretly glad there was no victor, but felt terrible for them: so cold they looked hardly capable of  moving. Odin took a royal flying boat out personally and hauled Loki into it.  Loki’s skin looked like it was almost turning blue by this point.  Odin wasted no time in pulling open his own coat and  holding the frozen boy to him, engulfing him in furs before speeding away. Thor he left there. Later you learned that Odin told him he should be able to control Mjolnir better than that. He could come home when he had reclaimed his hammer.

And Thor had just accepted that. Even defying his mother when she went out in the half-light of dusk to try to get him home.

      And, over time, the pattern repeated. You see it now. For crimes committed off world Odin banished Thor, stripping him of his powers and all that made him Asgardian and leaving him to fend for himself on a foreign planet.  But Loki, for his misdemeanours, was put in Asgard’s dungeons. Kept close - punished, but protected.

You are so glad for the life you’ve had, that Odin is not your father and that you are not a crown prince. Your parents would never do anything of the kind, and you have no siblings to fight with. The palace has always been your home and, until recently, there have always been Thor and Loki.

But now Odin has sent his army against his own sons, imprisoned his gatekeeper and the warrior Volstagg and signed warrants for the arrest of Sif and Fandral when and if they are ever found.

The six most powerful of the realm are either gone, in hiding, or locked away. The world has been turned on its head.

In Asgard, Odin walks the halls and grounds all day, barking orders at the repair teams and asking hourly for news of Thor. You privately think that, with Loki as guide, they will not be found until they want to be.

Speculation runs high about the fate of the missing trio. You’ve heard the latest from the girls. Some of the gossips say that Thor only wanted to elope with the mortal and defy his father once more. But there are also rumors that Loki is in league with Malekith; or that he has killed both the dark elf and Thor, declared himself king of Svartelfheim and taken the Midgardian as his concubine….

Any of the ludicrous possibilities would be better than the news you dread. The fear that Asta’s words put in your heart.  You won’t contemplate it. 

      Days pass and you cling to your routine – helping the injured, watching the city recover.

The courtiers, your parents included, are subjected to the moods and exactions of Odin on a daily basis, as the needs of Asgard all involve money, arms or both.

If the loss of Frigga and new conflict with Thor have taxed the Allfather it doesn’t show. He throws himself with fervor into rebuilding Asgard, and efforts to catch Thor and destroy Malekith.

But everyone is scared of what might happen if he falls once more into the Odinsleep, or if news of Asgard’s battered defenses reaches other enemies…

Chapter 9

[officialhexrpg]

Arts & Graphics April Writing Challenge 2nd Place: dragon_rider2637

The song of a hundred bells ringing in perfect unison pierced slowly through the haze of sleep over Sophie's mind. Though this same phenomenon had occurred several times with increasing frequency over the past weeks and months, there was something different about this time. Sophie listened to their mournful peels, shivering slightly as a strange feeling of melancholy pervaded the tiny room. He was more than just a father to me… She cut her thoughts off sharply before they could send her spiraling any further into the abyss of depression. No, Sophie, you must not think of that now. Not now and maybe not ever again. A sudden jangling sound from somewhere below her tower room sent Sophie rising to her knees, gingerly avoiding the low ceiling. Scurrying to her miniscule window, she peered out into the world that seemed to lay miles away. From her vantage point, she could see a carriage waiting patiently before the thick iron gate to the tower. No ordinary carriage, mind you, but a prison carriage, a one way ride to the blade of the executioner. Acidic bile rose in Sophie's throat, choking out her breath. Her heart pounded hard in her chest, through her vision, on her temples. Footsteps thumped up the long set of circular stairs, each one clanging solidly against the stone of the tower. The owner of the heavy steps seemed to be ascending up, up, up toward her for an eternity. A breathless eternity of waiting and wondering. At long last, a stout man appeared at the top of the stairs, red-faced and out of breath. Sophie regarded him solemnly with a blue-eyed gaze, twirling a strand of tawny hair between her fingers. He stared back at her, a touch of something akin to compassion in the creases of his mouth. They stayed that like for only a few moments, but those seconds dragged on and on. His voice broke the silence. "It's time," he whispered softly. "It's time." A somber mood descended over them as she nodded slowly. "It is time," she murmured in agreeance. With a wry smile, she allowed him to lead her away to see her father. The journey passed quickly and before Sophie knew it, they rumbled into a square packed full of Seconds who were jostling back and forth to get a good view. The hubbub of chaos and commotion, however, turned to entire still as Sophie emerged from the carriage. The now-still crowd parted in unison as she looked up to the podium where her father stood. They watched her in dread silence as her hating footsteps carried her to face one of her worst fears. The executioner pushed back his hood, a shadow of limitless rage crossing his face. Sophie recognized him, but the changes that were apparent in his sunken cheeks and maniacal smile stunned her. She watched, astonished, as he raised the heavy ax high above his head. "I told you that it was all about Time," he whispered, his voice hoarse and scratchy. "No one else matters. Bow to Time and your life will be spared." Despite the warning in his words that left little to the imagination, not a single knee bent in a bow. The executioner noticed, roaring out in annoyance, "I said BOW TO ME!!" The sharp blade of the ax quavered with the force of his angry exclamation. Sophie sighed, looking up at him with a sad remembrance of how he different he used to be. So this is how it ends, after all this time. This is what he does when his wits finally leave him. A small smirk slipping across her now peaceful visage, she muttered, "Goodbye, father." With her final farewell paid, she squinched her blue eyes shut. Images, forgotten reminders of her past, leapt unbidden through her mind. And for the first time in forever, she remembered who she had been. * * * * * A young girl, no more than two or three years old, stood by the edge of a dusty road. The girl's mother sat several paces back in the shade of an oak tree, trying to work a particularly ornery chunk of cotton into her spinning wheel. She glanced up to her daughter with a worried expression. "Love, why don't you come back here? I don't want to lose you." The tiny girl smiled at her mother's attention and took another wobbling step forward. "Sweetheart!" The mother jumped to her feet and swept the child up in her arms. Carrying her back away from the road, she snuggled the adorable girl to her chest. "Stay here by Momma, darling." Then more to herself than to her daughter, she added, "I worry, what with the incessant ticking and tocking. He could pass us by at any time, and she would be such an easy target." Satisfied now that her daughter was far enough from the road to be safe, the woman went back to her spinning. As her nimble fingers skipped over the wheel, long-lashed eyelids began to get heavier. Her beautiful eyes drooped shut, plunging her into an uneasy sleep haunted by wristwatches and grasping hands. Playing with a rag doll, the small girl listened to the sound of a thousand clocks ticking in perfect harmony. It suddenly came to a deafening crescendo, a violent syncopation of clashing ticks and tocks. Surprised by the abrupt cacophony, she glanced up to see an endless train of Seconds. The sight startled her even more than she already was and she inserted one itsy-bitsy thumb into her mouth. Upon meeting her gaze, the creature in the front of the group bent down and spread his arms wide to her. She knew exactly what this motion meant, as her mother had gone it to her more than once. Huggie! After carefully scrutinizing her mother's reaction to the newcomers, the girl raced to the Second to claim her proffered cuddle. She paused briefly at the side of the road, letting her brilliant blue eyes slide to the slumbering figure of her mamma before launching herself at the mechanical figure with a high pitched shriek. "Huggies!" He smiled at her enthusiasm. "Hello there, dear. Do you want to come with me? We could have so much fun!" Enticed by his offer, the girl nodded happily and let him carry her away. She didn't look back to her adoring mother even once. Scarcely an hour passed before the troop arrived at the palace of the Lord of Time. Stunned, the girl watched the massive building unfold before them. So big… she thought with a shudder. The massive, dark exterior wasn't particularly inviting, and she wasn't overly fond of the idea of entering. The strange creature who was carrying her, however, had other ideas. Yanking open the imposing doors, he marched right in. The hallway was practically silent. The only sound was the eerie echo of a gargantuan clock nestled somewhere deep inside the fortress. Even the shuffling steps of the Seconds were so quiet that they were difficult to make out. Whimpering softly, the girl glanced nervously around her surroundings. Even though she was quite young, she could tell that something wasn't right in this place. The whole feeling of wrongness culminated with her tiny shriek as she was deposited at the feet of a tall man. He wore a villainous grin that stretched all the way from one pale cheek to the other and held an glowing golden globe of gears in one of his hands. With his other hand, he reached down to lift her trembling chin. "Why, it's a little human," he exclaimed in surprise as he examined her. "She would make an excellent addition to my collections!" He lifted her up, up, up to his eye level and stroked her silky blond curls in wonder. "And what a precious little girl you are! I'd like to be your new daddy!" Miles away, a weary mother awoke to find herself alone. Frantically searching for her young daughter, she called out in desperation, "Sophie? Love? Please come back to me!" A sob tore free from her lips. "Please tell me that he hasn't taken you away!" * * * * * In time, the girl grew to forget her mother and her past life. She came to know only Time as her father. She changed, and though she knew she wasn't the same as the Seconds, she because one of them. Nothing but a minion in the service of Father Time. Until she did the unthinkable. "Sophie, come on! We're going to be late and you know that it irks Father so very much when we're late!" One of the Seconds tugged gently on Sophie's sleeve. "You won't get away with this again!" Smiling absentmindedly, Sophie nodded slowly. "That's nice…" Clearly not paying attention, she waved at one of the small human children who bashfully ducked behind its mother's skirt. The persistent Second tapped Sophie's arm again. "We really must be going! He threatened to throw you in the dungeons last time, and heaven knows he's taken a turn for the worse since then!" Sophie sighed and turned away from the happy sight of the frolicking villagers. "Of course, you're right. They're just so…" She paused, trying to find the right word. "Alive." A worried pang of fear passed through the Second's metallic eyes. "Um… yes, right. They are alive. And so are you! We all are, in fact." When Sophie didn't responded, the panicked second finished lamely, "And we're all happy, too! Now come along; I've got to get you home before he notices how long you've been away." They returned to the castle, entering with some amount of trepidation in their steps. They tiptoed cautiously through the empty halls, their hearts pounding and breaths coming rapidly. Only after sneaking past the room where he spent nearly all his time did they finally feel safe. "I think we're good now," Sophie whispered to the Second. "What do you think?" A booming voice came from behind them, causing them both to jump with fright. "I think that you're both extremely late. Do you have anything to say for yourselves?" The Second stared down at her feet. "I'm sorry, sir. We lost track of time and…" Sophie butted in, whirled around to face her father. Her eyes blazed with pent-up anger and her fists clenched at her sides. "Do I have anything to say for myself? Of course I do! How couldn't I, after you've kept me locked up in this monstrosity of a building for fourteen years?" Father Time rose to his full height, an irritated tick pulsing up his sculpted jaw. "I kept you here for your own good. The world out there didn't appreciate you, but I did. Nobody out there was willing to love you, but I was. You see, dear? This was for you! All of it!" Normally, this was the point where Sophie would shut up and take his words. But not today. Today, she fought back with all of the gumption she had kept hidden her whole life. "This was for my good? Have you seen the people out there? Real people - people like me! - and they're all happy! They're all full of joy! Their children play and have fun, smiling and laughing! Why would you take that from me? Why couldn't you love me enough to let me grow up like that? I mean, I don't even know who I am anymore!" He shook his head with a low growl deep in his throat. "It's all about Time, Sophie. That's all there is to it." Advancing on her, he shoved her against the wall. "It's all about Time! ALL ABOUT TIME!!" Panting, he sneered at her. "I thought you had learned your lesson last time. Clearly, I was wrong. I hereby sentence you to execution, unless you bow to me and acknowledge me as the holder of supreme wisdom." A tear slid gently from the corner of her eye. "No," she muttered. "I won't bow to you. You don't deserve it!" An awful calm entered his harsh eyes. "Very well. You'll only have one more chance, no more. You've disappointed me, darling." Turning from her, he motioned to a group of Seconds. "Guards, take her from my sight!"