A Touch of Fae (Kyan and Clarice)

[Libelle "Onyx" Ryoko - Council]

Clarice’s eyes hung on the Sapphires burning body, while she mourned the lost of her friend, the woman that raised her and saved her from Prospero. Yet the thing that plagued her mind the most was how her life could be ended just as quickly. How she was without her power so easily in that moment- watching the women's burning body- she swore to herself that she would never experience this kind of weakness ever again in her life. That she would find a way to become the most powerful being known to this realm. Her first step would be to insure she could gain immortality. Something she knew Prospero had yet to perfect in his massive amount of spell learning.

Being held captive by the mad Sorcerer had its upside, he didn’t take in account that she would remember a lot of what she read from his books. She remembered there was a section about Fae and how they seemed ageless yet Prospero himself could never get close enough to learn how they were so. Not wanting to be around her coven any longer than was necessary out of safety for them she packed up what would fit on the back of her horse, leaving a letter not starting anything more than she could no longer be part of the coven. It was better this way, for her to be alone. No one else was going to get hurt in her war against the mad Sorcerer.

So her Journey to Thistlemoon Forest began, she found herself at a crossroads not long after her journey began. She feared using magic would call upon Prospero when she wasn’t strong enough to take him. So she looked to the stars trying to recall what the book said about Thistlemoon. “The king keeps his domain hidden from the human world, under the watchful gaze of the mother tree.” she stared long at the stairs until she realized the answer was right in front of her. The stars off in the distance looked like a giant tree. With a soft click of her tongue she was off once more.

She couldn’t recall how many days had passed when she found herself there, sliding off her horse. She touched the the animals neck softly as she moved closer to the opening sure guards would be there the closer she got. She felt the veins wrap around her feet and arms, she didn’t fight the hold as she looked to the Fae who came into her view. The beauty was rather breathtaking if one would allow themselves to focus on just that. Before giving the guard a moment to speak she spoke.

“Please bring me to King Raventhorn.” she recalled the name from the passage she had read. “I would like to seek his advice and council. If he deems me unfit to help I will leave as peacefully as I came.” She spoke as she raised her hand the sleeves to her tattered gown sliding down to reveal the x mark buried deep in her wrist that were still healing. “My name is Clarice De Biville, I was held captive by a sorcerer named Prospero. A man I know your king refused to let pass into Thistlemoon.”

She kept her stance strong, trying not to show how weak she felt. She was never one to need to ask for help so this was a new concept for her. “I…” she suddenly was unsure of what to say, the Fae in front of her looked so unamused with her. She took a deep breath to calm the swell of anxiety that swirled in her. “I just have questions if your King would even be willing to meet me outside of your home.” She paused, grazing her teeth along her bottom lip in what she hoped would be a soothing manner, hoping to get some kind of response.

The stoic gaze gave her little hope she had no chance to burn, she wondered if her journey for eternal life would be her end. Yet she felt the death dealt by the Fae would come at a far greater kindness then what Prospero put her through. She would understand it, they would strike her because  they thought she was a threat. Prospero made her fall in love with him and then turned on her when she trusted him, his actions cut her deep to the point she was sure she could no longer feel those kinds of emotions ever again. Not that she wanted to feel any emotion at that point.

[Kyan Raventhorn - Council]

"Or you'll both die and make me even happier," he replied deviously, letting a slow smile spread through his features as he put the goblet to his lips and drank the wine. The king held her gaze with that idea behind his eyes for a few moments before placing the drink down. Kyan's slender finger moved over the brim in circles as was habit when his mind was working darkly. His hues remained a piercing blue as he continued staring at her with a serpentine grin. "Of course it would be such a waste to have someone who claims to be so powerful gone from the world. Especially one that might be of some use to me later down the paths of time. Let's hope you prove useful, little raven. It may just buy you some freedom to fly again."

Kyan folded his fingers together into his lap as he crossed one leg over the other with an amused face. "Of course I will be coming with you. You don't get to leave my sight in fact. If we are going through to this portal and into a new realm or... library, it could be a trap for me. I'll have to ensure that isn't the case no matter how convincing you think you are." The king made a displeased face as his eyes wandered over her for a fleeting moment. "Your head is all fuzzy. It's hard to read your immediate future. Most likely due to the fact Prospero had you magically bound to him for so long. Controlling you. Manipulating your thoughts. I can't... see you. At least not yet. It's incredibly annoying. You're vexing to me." His words turned to pointed irritation at the end as he reached for the wine and drank more of it to relax himself. After a few brief moments of quiet, his eyes moved back to her in a mischievous grin. "It's a good thing you're nice to look at. Come along."

The king took the pitcher in one hand and his goblet in the other as he led the way through his home. He imagined it was unlike anything she'd ever seen as most of this place was unlike anything out in the whole of the world. He drank the rest of the contents in one long gulping and poured a new glass as they walked. "This is the Mapleshade Tree. It was given to us as the whole Forest was, through Gaia. The seed planted into the earth that forms the Mapleshade gives us fae a source of power beyond the sun and moon. As king, it's a source I can tap into from anywhere in the forest, granting my usual fae powers even more strength." The members of court, council members, and even the staff couldn't help but gaze up at the two from their bowed positions as they passed by, no doubt wondering who the stranger was that walked with Kyan. "This is where it will be easiest to draw the most power."

They walked down the many winding, wooden staircases until they reached the base of the tree. Instead of heading towards the spring, the king turned in the opposite direction where two guards stood at large double doors. Kyan opened the doors which led into the very heart of the tree. The vines and branches came from below them and seemed to be thrumming with life as it fed into the other parts of the tree with a bright green glow. It was beating with life. "This spot will be where we find your library and get it to still, but first," he paused downing the wine he'd poured before placing the cup and pitcher down on the mossy ground. "Your arm." The king motioned for her to extend it and he grasped her forearm with his opposite one as if in greeting. The sound of crackling branches overtook that of the lifeforce of the tree as thin roots began wrap around their ankles and up their legs, across their torsos, and down their arms. They slithered together and locked around their linked arms before one of the vines cut into Clarice's skin, just below the X placed by her former master.

"The tree protects me and I it," Kyan explained, watching the magic work. "I learned this long ago. This is a binding type of magic from the tree itself which I'm sure you understand quite well." The wide and sickly grin was back on his face again as he spoke to taunt her slightly of her passed predicament. "If you should try to cause me harm it will cause the same kind of damage back to you. I feel like this will at least show a little bit of faith between us. Well, for me at least." The king's smile widened further as the vine then penetrated his skin as well to complete the spell. When it was done, the vines fell away in the way that they'd come and moved back into the tree. "Don't worry though. I won't force myself on you." He closed the distance between them with a single, purposeful step then, and put a finger under her chin moving within inches of her face. "Unless you want me to."

Kyan stepped away with a chuckle to himself as he placed a hand on the breathing tree, feeling its power surge. The fae circled the large trunk within a trunk, his hand trailing along the intertwined pieces of thick branching. "Whenever you feel strong enough, little raven. Then we'll see about this hidden library."

[Clarice De Biville - Council]

She grimaced at his words but if she was honest a quicker death by his hand would have been much prefered over the life she had been living under Prospero's thumb. She gave a gentle roll of her eyes unable to stop it. “Much more useful than others that had dared enter your kingdom.” She was trying her best to behave and yet she was finding his personality rather taxing in that moment. “I just want the world to have its freedom.” She said softer as her gaze clung to things around them. Her eyes only moved back to him when he spoke of her trying to trap him. “You impress me with the fact you are not as stupid as Prospero believes you to be.” She said in an impressed tone. Fact of the matter was, Prospero could be using her as a pawn, even though it never crossed her mind. A swirl of panic in her chest. Which caused her fingers to tighten on top of the arms of the wood chair she was sitting in.

“Can’t… see… me?” She questioned out quietly as she tried to understand what he meant. Did that mean part of her was missing? Was there something she couldn’t remember fully? Was he still in her head? She missed the grin and his words until she noticed him standing. She stood and followed quietly for once. She took in things around them as they walked even lost in her  mental fog. Not noticing the people they passed as she took in his home. Really not taking in his words as she felt as if he was talking underwater. As they reached the heart of the tree she stared up at it letting out a breathless gasp as she took it in for a moment. The power slapping her in the face, no wonder Prospero wanted this place for his own. The power caused her to focus on what he was talking about. “The power is-” she couldn’t bring herself to find the right words.

“My arm?” She questioned as she slowly brought it up for him. Confusion crossed her brow until the roots began to wrap around them. Her eyes light ablaze as she looked at him. When the vines cut into her. “Ow, what the hell.” She didn’t let her gaze leave him. “You bastard.” She said as he bound her to him. Her heart sank, her stomach turning making her want to toss the contents she just gained free. She wanted to let the tears that lined her waterline fall over but she wouldn’t dare give him the satisfaction of knowing he now had truly affected her. Death fine. But this?  As he spoke of not forcing himself on her, unless she wanted it. She glared at him. “Even a bastard like yourself should know that you are crossing a line that shouldn’t be crossed.”

She didn’t move from that spot. Her hand moved to rest on the mark that was now formed. “Yes dear king sir. Will  you just take me back to wherever I am to stay now.” Her tone became muted as she stared at the mark then the X on her wrist. She took a step back to the doorway to keep her back to him feeling a tear spill over, she wasn’t sure if it was from anger, or fear now.  Gaining freedom only to have it ripped away by another. Her mind wishing to throw her into a dark place. To make her weak. Yet she resided herself to the fact this was to bring an end about. Whether it be Prospero’s or herself, that remained unclear.

[Kyan Raventhorn - Council]

The amused fire that was lit behind his eyes at her reaction to the binding sparked into intolerance as he stepped in front of her. His fingers took hold of her chin as he raised it to meet his gaze. "Watch how you speak to me. I'm king of this realm and it would behoove you to think on your place. You are nothing but a prisoner to me, so don't start getting it in your head that we are equals. This is merely your trial. A performance you better prove well on because I can and will have you executed and by my own hand, no less." Kyan released her, but stayed completely in her personal space. The emotion was clear on her face and he was glad of it. "I survived Prospero's attempts at my kingdom once before and I can do it again if he would be so stupid as to try. I don't need you. Do try and remember that." The doors opened behind him and he turned to see Gwainar standing there with a hardened look on his face. It seemed the centaur was still on board with having Clarice treated as all other prisoners were, but more likely killed on the spot. 

Passing through the twisted branches of the tree that acted as pathways, Kyan noted some of the members of the council who stood and watched them. He couldn't help but roll his optics and give an audible sigh because he knew what was to come. It seemed the whole Tree was interested now. How annoying it was to be a monarch when your council feels the need to... council. Sometimes he wished he could tell them to keep their opinions to themselves and he'd ask for their advice when he wanted it. Technically he could, but then his parents would never let him hear the end of it. Still, Kyan wondered what they could be thinking about the prisoner walking with him now and if they believed she was truly what she claimed to be. Of course they had all been around when Prospero attacked the first time. Not on the battlefield like he, defending to the death for the fae if necessary, but safe in the Mapleshade and far away from immediate danger. He considered it cowardice, but they were the safeguard to the kingdom should the king fall in the fray. As if he would die...

When they reached her room once more, the guards that were meant to never leave her side took their places on either spot of the door. Kyan looked up to Gwainar for a moment, as his head was at least another few inches above his own. He still was staring at Clarice with an intense glare of hatred which Kyan found incredibly delightful. Sometimes he wondered how that look didn't explode beings right where they stood. It certainly caused them to quiver, stutter, and do other embarassing and involuntary bodily reactions which he found pleasing.

One of the double doors was opened for her as Kyan leaned on the closed one nonchalantly, smiling to her in his smug confidence. Before she could pass through, he snatched Clarice's wrist in his hand to stop her. Kyan turned her hand over and let his fingertips brush lightly along the X on her skin and to the new mark he'd just given her. "This is only for my protection should you think to cause me any harm. I would be a fool to let you freely be beside me without some form of safeguard." Kyan dropped her hand and motioned upwards and behind him to the giant centaur over his shoulder. "See, he doesn't really like this whole idea of me keeping you so near and alive. He believes you'll betray me, possibly even be the reason Prospero tries to reenter Thistle." Kyan could practically feel Gwainar ready to rear on his hind legs and trample the mystic. "Despite not being able to read you," he continued, his head tilting slightly as his eyes brightened for a moment with attempts at seeing her future. "I think you are telling the truth." Kyan straightened up then before turning to walk away to quell the council's concerns in the upcoming meeting, speaking over his shoulder. "You might want to show a little gratitude."

[Clarice De Biville - Council]

As the king's fingers took hold of her chin forcing her to look into his electrifyingly blue gaze. Taking in his words, yet still angered and filled with fear of being bound to this man who could so easily hurt her to his whim. She took in a sharp breath before a fake smile took hold of her face as he released it. “Forgive me, your majesty. I will learn my place.” The fake caramel sugary sweetness ringing towards him. Letting him have the moment of submission as he stayed in her personal space, not that she had any anymore after he chose to bind herself to him. She wasn’t sure if it  was the bond or her over-thinking but she felt like she could feel every wave of emotion through the man in front of her. “I do hope I prove myself useful, unless you dear king seem it necessary to have my head instead. My life is yours.” She said in that sickly sweet tone appeasing to his ego. “You need no one, King Kyan. I know this very well. It is why I sought you out.” That part held the most honest truth to it. As her gazed moved to Gwainar who was ready to take her life at any moment.

As they started back on the pathway she could only infer back to the room she was to be locked away in till Kyan chose to come see her next. Her gaze didn't move to the others who clearly were staring at her. She knew she was either being judged by them or they were curious on why she was here in the first place. The amount of visitors to Thistlemoon probably could be counted on one hand if that at all. She honestly wasn’t overly sure if any had made it this far into Thistlemoon before. She wouldn’t be overly surprised if random visitors showed up to the room she was staying in, or even if one showed up to try and take her life. Swallowing slightly as she followed behind Kyan quietly. Before she knew it, they were in the room he so kindly offered to her. Not looking towards Gwainar but rather watching Kyan face cover in pleasure at the fact his man hated her so.

As the door opened she took a few steps to enter the room before Kyan stopped her. His fingers brushing the scar on her wrist caused the involuntary shiver down her spine but she didn’t pull away. Then as his finger moved to the new fresh mark her gaze pulled back towards him. “While I wish to have your trust easily I understand someone as great and lone wolf as yourself can truly not trust freely. It would be your head I am sure. I am pretty sure that was a lesson learned over time. My dear King Kyan.” She moved her hand to take hold of his hand when he let her wrist go. “I am sorry others have cost you your trust.” The sickly sweet tone sticking around before her gaze moved to the Centaur behind them. “I am sorry you hate me as well. I know you will stump out my life if I do anything you deem dangerous.”  Her tone changed though as she stiffened and dropped her hands from Kyans.

“I swear to you both though, I hope I am not a pawn to Prospero, but if I am. Then I rather death.” With that she turned back towards the lovely Fae room that held so much comfort. Comfort she wasn’t use too before looking back to Kyan that seemed to see that she was telling the truth. She knew she was, but that doubt had been planted that she was still just a pawn. One that was causing her mind to swirl with panic that she pushed down to focus back on the king. “Forgive me for being an ungracious guest, Your Majesty.” She walked into the room at that moment unaware he was off to see the council. Closing the door she moved to the bed, sitting on the edge before tracing her finger along the new mark on her pale flesh.  Her mind was swirling between anger and understanding, laying back on the bed lost in thought. Eventually sleep took hold due to the comfort that was smothering her, the warm safe feeling was so foreign to her that she didn’t even know sleep could take hold of her so easily.

[Kyan Raventhorn - Council]

Their voices were just a dull buzzing in his head. After having told them the basics of why Clarice was here in the Tree and not in the mines or dead on arrival, the panic began. He'd long blocked them out and all their worries and questions that were speculations as to what was to come. Most of them believed Clarice was just an instrument of Prospero by planting her into Thistlemoon in some chance at taking over again. Others argued that even if she was telling the truth or most of it, she was still bait and their enemy would come for her along with a chance at destroying the wood. They were arguing and talking over one another while he remained silent and staring out into the kingdom as if a statue. The wind blew gently through the terrace in which they all sat at a large table. A single leaf escaped from one of the many branches that grew as a canopy above them and danced its way along slowly. His eyes stayed on it during its slow descent, spinning and lifting, until finally landing on the table. The moment it stopped seemed to bring him back around to the present as the noise of their bickering filled his ears.

"Shut up." The words weren't loud in any way to cut through the shouting, but each one of them held their tongues and turned to look at Kyan. "You're all insufferable and hurting my head." His head swiveled around to look at them all before focusing back out into the kingdom. It was a bright day and the afternoon sun was strong and comforting. It made him feel invincible as the stone in his necklace absorbed the rays and thus gave him more strength. "Not that I need to explain any further, but to ease all your troubles and whispering behind my back, I've marked her to ensure any magic done to me will cause consequence to her. The Mapleshade will protect me. She has been weakened from the state she was kept in as well. Prospero will not find his way here again and if he does, he'll burn for it." His eyes swam with hatred then for a few silent moments before he took a deep breath in. "Well, glad we got that out of the way." Standing, the king made his way from the terrace without another word.

Sweeping through the Tree, he made his way back through the corridors until he was standing at the guarded door of his prisoner. He opened the doors and stepped inside expecting to find Clarice doing whatever it was one did when they were locked in a room with not much but their thoughts. Instead, he saw she had fallen asleep in the large bed. Fae were silent creatures when they moved, so she did not stir at his approach which was no surprise. Kyan's eyes glanced along her body and then to the markings on her skin from her imprisonment as well as the protection spell he'd just added an hour or so ago. He wondered how long it would take for her to regain some of that innate power that ran through her being. For the story she told, he knew she must be something special if Prospero needed her so. It was then an idea came to mind.

Kyan sat on the plush bed and focused in on her thoughts. Normally his natural gift would be useful to him when the person he was reading was awake, but the magical torture and manipulation she'd been through had made reading her rather impossible. He wondered if the same would happen if she were not conscious. He pushed further along the different parts of her mind that were dormant since she was asleep and appeared to be dreaming. Flashes of images went across his vision, but it wasn't just the future. It all seemed to be in no sense of order in time which he had to assume was due to the magic that Prospero had done to her which also was effecting his own abilities. He saw her in chains one moment as Prospero struck her. Then another moment when she was a child being passed off to a coven of sorceri. The next he was thrown into a memory of someone close to her dying rather ugly and then her stumbling along in his wood. A sharp pain ripped through his mind and he could see Clarice grimace in her sleep, but the king continued on. A large room of books and other weapons and trinkets came forward then which he had to assume was the one she spoke of and then a dormant fae gate that seemed to illuminate to life after years of decay. Another vision of Clarice practicing her skills with the women of her coven as a young woman becoming stronger than ever anticipated and then unexpectedly, a new flash of her and himself in a rather passionate scenario in a room he did not know. There was a dagger in her hand which drew blood along her opposite palm and the Mapleshade tattoos of his back and arms glowing as whatever magical ritual this was seemed to pass. "Hmm," he smirked and pulled away from her mind, watching as that seemed to ease her back into a more peaceful rest. "Interesting."

Some more time later and he was sitting in a chair near the open balcony doors of her room that faced the forest. Kyan saw her stir from the corner of his eye, but did not turn at first. "I imagine comforting sleep is something foreign to you." He raised the goblet of wine he'd been given some time ago and sipped its contents, switching the leg he had crossed over the other. His dark blue eyes bore into hers then, but it was still a lot of noise that came back to him as he tried to see her future. A sigh passed through his lips before muttering quietly to himself. "Annoying as ever, little raven." 

Kyan imagined she would find it unnerving that he was sitting there in her room, but frankly, he wanted to be left alone by the others of the Mapleshade. Everyone seemed so terrified of her presence. She was the bad omen of another invasion by Prospero that could destroy what was left of their kind. The king would never let it happen, but it didn't ease the fear by those that were around to live through that grim night. Kyan wanted to peel the flesh from Prospero's bones and the sooner Clarice was strong enough to locate the library, the sooner he would get to see this fantasy fulfilled. "So, how are we feeling? Wine? Food? A lover?" 

[Clarice De Biville - Council]

Sleep was something Clarice often carved as it was one of the few times everything was shut off. She learned long ago how to not dream, how to just be in a state of comfort. Her dreams were often uncomforting to her, with visions of past, present, and future jumbled together so she didn’t want to dream. Yet unknown to her, Kyan had other plans. Twisting into her mangled consciousness  of her past, present, and future showing itself to the king as he took the tangled paths down what he wished to see. As he pulled away her face relaxed and yet he set into motion the dreams. So as he moved away from her the unpleasant dream of Prospero using her body for his pleasure filled her mind. That is what pulled her from sleep some time later.

She sat up and clutched her chest for a moment, fighting the tears that wanted to fall when she heard his voice. She quickly relaxed realizing where she was, her gaze shifted towards him before sighing. “Well sleep is often the only thing I can find comfort in.” She said as she shifted on the bed for a moment to press her back to what she was sure was the inner of the tree. Her brows pulled together as he called her annoying and she huffed out to him. “How is it I am just waking and I am the annoying one. Not you sitting here watching me sleep.” Her headache from his poking around. She rubbed her fingers along the bridge of her nose.

She ignored his gaze as it bore into him, she gave a laugh from her lips at his next words, “I feel as if someone has been prodding the center of my brain, which isn’t a feeling I have had since my last run in with Prospero bindings.” She looked to the mark that was left from him binding her to him. Her eyes looked up to him as he asked if she needed a lover. She stood from the bed then, moving to where he sat in the chair. “Do you think that is what would heal all my problems, your majesty?” She lowered to her knees then in front of him, her hands moving to rest on his outer thighs since his legs were crossed.

“Do you think that taking me to that soft large bed, unwrapping me, and ravaging each other is all that needs to be done to fix me?” She said with her green eyes boring into him for a long moment to make him think she was serious. She leaned closer as she then took his goblet of wine from his hand and stood up full brushing past him. “Wine will do for now.” She said as she moved across the room to take in some of the items that the fae seemed to leave in the room. “So how did your meeting go with all your elders? Did they tell you to behead me and move on?” She asked as she wondered where her head lay at that moment. He seemed to be hiding away in here with her though. She raised the wine to her lip taking a long drink from it. “Are you hiding from your people? Seems like the best place to hide, with the prisoner.”

[Kyan Raventhorn - Council]

"Well, that would be me," he replied simply and with acute frankness to the inquiry of the moving about her mind. "You're in my kingdom. Your presence and usefulness is still in question, you're essentially my prisoner for walking into the wood in the first place, so I will do with you whatever I want." The king then watched as the woman sauntered his way. Like the predator he was when it came to passionate encounters with any lucky soul, he eyed Clarice like prey when she lowered herself in front of him. His mind was suddenly recalling the vision he'd seen of the two of them together during that ritual and he wondered if that would be the first and only time they'd be enraptured in each other. He was thinking not. Though, the fae could think of a few useful ways for her while she was on her knees before him.

Kyan's eyes held hers with bemusement at her question which made him smirk and lower his head closer to her before replying. "It certainly couldn't hurt. I am very good." However, when Clarice took his goblet, his nose flared in annoyance. It astounded him how little respect she had for his title and he wondered if she would be so bold with others of royalty. For now, he let the slight pass because he wasn't in the mood to punish her for once again acting like they were equals. He needed to get to this library she believed would help them in their common goal, but there were many creative ways he'd like to show her that her actions could allow for colorful consequences. 

A frustrating sigh went through his nose to let out the anger and he reached for the decanter, opting it over his now stolen cup. His lithe and sculpted form rose from the chair and looked out of the balcony to the vast and ethereal forest. "Yes, they want your head. You boldly walked into Thistlemoon. That alone is punishable. You are an associate of our greatest enemy. You have yet to prove you are anything but if not some pawn to slither your way into the kingdom on behalf of your master. You're all words, though the walk about in your mind was telling despite your future being a vast nothingness."

Kyan tossed the ornate top of the decanter to a nearby table which held fruits, cheese, and breads brought in along with the wine. He picked at the grapes and put one in his mouth. "Though I couldn't see your particular path that ends as all beings do, I did see some of what you'd spoken of." Talking about the elders was only going to annoy him further, so he instead moved the topic. The king turned to face Clarice then, waiting to gauge her reaction. "Quite a few interesting things really. I've never been able to see parts of the past as I did with you. Sadly, I did see the finality of our common enemy, but the library you spoke of did appear. That and a fae gate which came alive again though it's been dormant for years."

He took a long drink of the wine and closed his eyes to enjoy the warmth of the divine liquid moving through him. "It seems you will come through as promised, at least on the path you currently are on. Time could always change that, but we shall see." Kyan's tone was challenging her. Betrayal was something he would not stand for. "So, drink as much wine as you want if that will help you gather your wits. I want Prospero's head and I'm not known for patience."

[Clarice De Biville - Council]

Clarice wanted to point out how poking in her brain brought up memories she had been trying to bury. Yet she knew he didn’t care in the end. “Just your prisoner.” she stated out loud more as a  reminder to herself. Was she regretting her choice to walk into this forest and give herself over? She couldn’t bring herself to regret this choice. In the end the worst outcome has already happened to her, he couldn’t do any worse. His bluntness and arrogance was in fact something that got on her nerves so swallowing her words seemed to grow harder by the second. Maybe that is why she wanted to tease him, to hold some amount of control. Though the moment she was upon her knees in front of him, she watched the delight rampage across his face, she really shouldn’t test her fate when it came to such things.

“I am sure you are skilled like no other when it comes to hedonism.” She said with a roll of her eyes with her back to him trying not to fully display her disrespect since she could hear the annoyance breathing out of him like a bull. Maybe he learned that from the centaur friend who hated her so. In the end she knew he thought of her as lower than him, when in the future they would consider each other equals, if she survived this that was. Taking a long sip from the goblet of what was left, which was only about half so one more gulp it and would all be gone. “I guess I was surprised that I even have made it with my head to this moment. Though I believe in the phrase, the enemy of my enemy.” she gave a slight shrug of her shoulder. “The future is never set in stone, mine just seems to shift more than others, that vast nothingness though.” If her plans worked would it be gone once and for all? Would she be able to see a solid future?

As he moved on from the talk of the elders wanting to remove her head her interest peaked that he seemed to do things differently when  in her mind. Seeing mainly backwards in the things she couldn’t change. Though with how vague the memories could be to even her she wondered what it was like for him. Though she was sure he could see past her trauma covering glasses. “The library is told to hold many magical secrets so one that has to do with reactivating a Fae Gate, something I am sure piques your interest just as much as taking down the man who dares take your home from you.” She swirled the almost empty goblet as she stared into the dark red of the wine in it. Not prying into what the fae gate was for as she felt if she asked questions on it, it would only make him think she was  in this for fae power.

“As long as Prospero's head is removed from his body in the end that is all I want as well.” She looked back to him with a serious gaze and tone mingled together. “Albeit with my head also.” She tossed the last of the wine in the cup down her throat before setting the goblet on the table as she tapped her finger on the empty goblet before looking to Kyan again. “We are going to need four Fae who are skilled in the respective elemental magic. While you are going to have to have a lot of trust in me as we are going to be center points in the spell.” She said softly. “At least enough trust to help me cast what I need to make the Library stop moving. If you wish me to write out step by step so you can make sure I am not going to turn against you I can.” Not sure if even that would be enough to prove that she wanted the same things as he did in that moment.

[Kyan Raventhorn - Council]

A Touch of Fae

"Trust will come"

Kyan's attention pulled away from the firelights that danced about without showing their glow. They seemed to be waiting in anticipation for darkness to fall. He did prefer his home at night time. Perhaps that was why he was more drawn to the moon despite the balance he was given by both it and the sun for being king and getting equal power despite. If he were not king, he sometimes wondered what element would be bound to him. However, the thought quickly went away as Clarice mentioned the fae gate, making him turn his head over his shoulder slightly toward her. It did indeed pique his interest very, very much. 

"I think it would be in your very best interest to help me with the fae gate as well," he began, looking back out over the enormous balcony view while the firelights began to make their way inside the room. "They can only be activated by royal blood of its kingdom's rulers." He suddenly realized he was clenching his jaw to the point of pain thinking of why the gate was dormant in the first place. Perhaps he could solve a few problems at once given Clarice's arrival. She could be very useful after all if this library were to be as important as she deemed it. 

He could hear her moving along the wood and moss covered flooring below their feet, making him turn around to then. A grin appeared at her mention of keeping her head. "Do your part and you may keep that pretty face. I'm a king of my word. You also seem like someone I should like to keep around beyond our little adventuring. Someone resourceful enough to escape that monster and find their way here is either very foolish or very determined and I think you are the latter. Mmm.. maybe both. Your hate and need for vengeance rolls off of you. We are alike in that way. My mother warns me of it, but I think it helps me stay focused. I think it does the same for you."

Moving the decanter over the empty goblet she placed down, he filled it further with wine before handing it to her. He dipped his head back and drank from the decanter himself then as she began to explain what she would need in order to open the library. Skilled fae were easy to find. He could call on the elders for this. He was very intrigued to see how this would all play out. Magic outside of Thistle was not something many fae saw often, especially nothing like what they were planning to do. Though she wasn't the first mystic he encountered in his very extended lifetime, from what he'd seen in the glimpses in her unconscious mind, Clarice could certainly be the most powerful.

"Silly raven," he said, licking his lips of the sweet wine and smirking. "Trust will come, of course," he began, tilting his head slightly and gazing down into her eyes as he stepped so near to her that Clarice would be forced to look up to meet his devious look. He slipped his hand softly over her wrist and lifted it, covering the mark Prospero had permanently branded her with with his thumb to only show the one he'd recently given her from their time at the base of the Mapleshade. "I know full and well you won't try to betray me as it would do you no good given the consequences." Kyan brushed over the small marking for a moment before dropping her hand. "Like I said, I should like to keep you around."

"One does have to wonder what you plan on doing with this library of yours though. Once we've made it stop moving, locate Prospero, and relieve him of his head, what is it you really plan on doing with the wealth of power this place seemed to provide? I felt it.. seeing it in your head," he touched just above her temple, letting his fingertips fall slightly lower as the vision he saw in his mind came forward again. "What does the world begin to look like from your point of view once you are given such a place of influence?"

[Clarice De Biville - Council]

✧ A Touch of Fae ✧

Clarice's green eyes swirled to the firelights as they made their way into the room that he was allowing her to stay in. She probably should be more thankful that he allowed her to stay in a room. Rather than chaining her in a dungeon somewhere in this beautiful realm. At least she could still feel the moonlight on her skin and breath fresh air. Her hostility came from a place of hurt in her soul, wounds left deep by another. If she looked outside of herself she understood his actions to keep his people safe. She was tied to their biggest threat. Keeping her eyes on the dancing lights as he spoke of what was her best interest it was something they both agreed upon.

“Activated by royal blood?” She questioned for a quiet moment, maybe her magic could trick the library side into opening. “Do you believe it is that way for the Library side? Could that door be closed by royal blood?” Not fully understanding what that could mean for the pair. As all of this was a different amount of skill set she was going to have to use. She would never admit it aloud but she had some fear in her that she wouldn’t be able to access the Library. It would end dramatically if she was not able to access the library, this was all she could think to do to undo the horrors of the mad man that once held her captive.

Something she didn’t have to be convinced of was that this king would keep his word. That is what she hoped for, she knew that if she didn’t get into the library then she would need her life to be ended so she didn’t end up back in that mad man's grasp. “I believe you.” She said simply with a weak smile. She was so tired of keeping her guard up, All the strength to make sure she didn’t slip for a single moment. She had yet to bask in the fact that she was safe here in the Fae homeworld. “Keep me around beyond our little adventure?” she felt the soft burn to her checks at his words. She wasn’t sure if she should be flattered or offended.

“Well I would have to agree maybe a bit of both, after all I knew coming here could end with my head being removed the moment I walked into the barrier, that would be foolish. Yet knowing I had something to over to keep my head is determination on my end.” She gave a chuckle and then let out a long hum. “It has kept me alive since gaining my freedom.” She said in a solace tone as a soft breath left her. “I would agree it has helped me focus as well.”

As the goblet was replaced full in her hand she looked to the wine with a soft smile. She raised it to her lips as he tossed back the decanter. Taking a long drink from it allowing the fermented liquid fruit to twist down her throat, soothing her in a way as the tipsiness threatening to take over. “Raven?” she arched her brow at him at the nickname that seemed to come out of his mouth so willingly. “Give all your captives nicknames so you don’t have to remember their real names?” She questioned with a slight chuckle seeing the devious look in his eyes.

The soft gasp left her as he took hold of her wrist lifting it, it was such an intimate thing the marks on her wrist. As his thumb brushed over him, and her head swirling from the alcohol combination made the moment less intimidating and more intimate. “I would never willingly betray you without the consequences.” she said softly as he brushed along the mark before letting her hand go. Which she moved to wrap around the goblet once again to keep from trembling. “I may not fight you on keeping me as long as I wouldn’t be caged once proving my trustworthiness.”

Clarice was quiet for a moment as he touched her temple, raising the goblet to her lips to finish the contents. “If all goes according to plan and I am able to free myself of Prospero, then I would like to bury myself in learning what is in the Library. Make it my new home.” Setting the newly empted goblet down. She twisted her fingers into the ends of her hair. “A home where no one could find me or hurt me again.” She said quietly. “If I was able to gain such influence, I would like to shape a better world for us all to live equally.” She said softly as his finger drifted lower. “What do you see? Everything is always so mixed for me.”

[Kyan Raventhorn - Council]

A Touch of Fae

"Don't let him win even when he's dead."

A chuckle rumbled from his chest and through his lips as they upturned into a smile. It grew into a full laugh with a hint of darkness to it. Silence fell between them as he stared at her. The king shook his head and lifted the decanter to his mouth again, smirking once he lowered it and swallowed the sweetness. His tongue moved slowly over his lips before his teeth sank into his bottom lip. He tsked at Clarice, raising a single wagging finger to her as if she were a naughty child that needed proper scolding. "Oh, little raven."

He turned and walked back over to the seat, crossing his ankle to the opposite knee, leaning back nonchalantly. "Perhaps you aren't old enough, but this world went into chaos with thoughts like that." Kyan's memory turned back in time and recalled the harrowing times in which the most powerful of beings were pitted against one another as the earth fell into havoc and her inhabitants suffered from the fallout. "Death and darkness blanketed the lands and it was mayhem when those with power decided they too could make things better." The last stressed word was like poison on his tongue and he felt the need to finish whatever was left of the drink in his hand. With a wave of his arm, a gust of wind parted the doors to the room and the centaur guard that stood there along with a fae one turned in unison. "Wine. A lot of it." The one with less legs scurried off.

His gaze then landed back on Clarice, his bright blues moving from the floor to her eyes, wondering what it would cost to see her idea of 'equal' become reality. "Be careful of your ambitions. Your intentions may not be in line with the fates of others and you'll find yourself surrounded by enemies instead, savior." Kyan reached for another grape and bit into, smirking to her just as a pair of fae entered the room to bring him a tray of different wines and spirits in intricately blown glass bottles. Standing, he poured some of the amber colored honey wine for himself and hummed in satisfaction once the smell of it reached his nose. He turned again to face her. "I don't need to see your future to be certain of that."

The firelights were now beginning to show off. Their twinkling as the sun was setting always at the same time every twilight. The pinks, reds, and oranges of the sun peeked through the branches of the Mapleshade, splashing at every object in the room it could touch and so he walked outside to the large balcony to enjoy it silently inviting her to join him there. He wasn't sure why, but he felt the need to strengthen her resolve. It would do no good to have a partner that wanted to bury away in a library because she was quite simply... scared.

"Locking yourself away isn't the answer," he said through the now quiet between them. He watched as the fae below began to dance at the turning of the hour now that the sun would be sleeping while his lover rose in the sky. Their colorful fabrics twirling and twisting about as they moved to the music of a flute and lyre. "You can't hide away and expect to change things at the same time without being where the trouble is. This also means you can't hide behind the fear that someone will hurt you again. Gain your knowledge you seek to find in those books and use it against your enemies. Use your past and pain and will to survive as a tool instead of hinderance. With all you've gone through, hiding just seems like a waste and you should've stayed with Prospero if that is your plan because that's all he wanted to do with you. Hide you from the world." The king was nearly on top of her then, his body brushing with hers once he looked down to hold her gaze with his last words. "Don't let him win even when he's dead."

He could feel the heat from her body which made his gaze lower to the rest of her form momentarily before locking with her verdant eyes again. Another pleased hum vibrated along his lips as his tongue swiped across his teeth, his mouth upturning into a dubious smile at the less than pure thinking. He brought the wine up for another drink, never dropping his gaze from Clarice. "Good night, little raven." His voice was dark and silky and full of suggestion as he finally pulled away from her and took one of the other newly arriving pitchers on his way out of the room. 

[Clarice De Biville - Council]

✧ A Touch of Fae ✧

Clarice's gaze narrowed upon him as he wagged his finger at her like she was a petulant child, she fought the want to roll her eyes at him as he called her little raven. As he regaled the tales of times before her. She moved to sit upon the arm of the seat that was across from him. “That is because those who wanted things better, they just wanted the world to be better for them, not over all. Human nature is to be selfish.” She commented but she looked over towards the balcony. “Maybe I could become a teacher to other young ones wanting to learn magic, in a world that doesn’t accept our kind it's hard to keep a village thriving.” She said softly as she messed with the fabric on her knee. Jumping at the doors being gust opened by Kyan magic.“Are you trying to get me drunk?”

She licked her lips for a moment looking at him with a raised brow. “I am sure plenty of people call you their enemy instead of savior, no?” she asked as she shifted to her feet when the pair of fae entered with the wine, her feet floated her towards the open balcony she watched for a moment as the Fae community was a buzz with livelihood. “Yet you have created a thriving community for Thistlemoon, sometimes the leader has to be the enemy to sacrifice for those who don’t deserve the pain we have been through.” She knew that her future wasn’t certain because she herself wasn’t even certain of what her actions would lead to.

“I will say strangely that it makes sense, that my future doesn’t follow a set path.” She looked to the goblet that she had emptied, her eyes taking in the sky shifting hues as they played out in front of her. She moved with him out onto the Balcony as his silent invitation. She rested one of her hands upon the rail that was made of soft bark. She trailed her thumb over the soft part, surprised by how smooth it felt.

“With how long the Library has been locked away from the world, we have no idea what state it is in. It may not even be in a state to lock ourselves away in.” She said softly as her fingers moved along the rail watching the Fae dance without a care in the world. “You are correct. I can't hide away and expect change, but I can use a vile to keep myself safe. I can hide till the strength I was meant to possess fully returns.” She felt his body there on her, holding her to make her look at him. Something about him pressed against her in such a manner stirred up feelings that had been long dormant in her. She was sure that the wine was to blame. “You speak as one who seems to know that life isn’t simple, pain comes with it. Did you do that Kyan? Use your pain to fuel you into the leader you are?” Letting her gaze move along his face and she gave a small smirk. “I don’t plan on letting the bastard win, my plans are just not in stone yet. Not till the unknown aspects are filled in.”

Watching his hungry eyes move along her body, it brought the heat along her chest and her cheeks. She hated that he was able to gain a blush from her with just a gaze. She swallowed hard as the words left his mouth and she watched him pull away from her. She moved her fingers to her face to feel the burning that was there. “Good night, Your Majesty.” she managed to get out in the flustered tone. Pulling her face back over to the people dancing down below she slowly started to sway once again. She knew she would ever dance as beautifully as the Fae but she hadn’t had such a time to dance freely like this. To feel safe was uncommon for her, even here she knew she shouldn’t feel safe but she did.