Fantasy ♢ 𝔅𝔩𝔞𝔡𝔢𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 ℜ𝔬𝔰𝔢𝔰 ♢

[wicketpyt]

His presence loomed over her as he advised her that Hannah would not be there to help her. The amusement in his voice told her that he fully intended on playing this game of hers. She wasn’t going to get off so easily. What could he possibly have planned for the entirety of a day? Her jaw clenched at the thought. No doubt it would be his attempt to get her to bend to his will. If he thought he could train her like some dog then he had another thing coming. If today was any indication of how well they seemed to be getting along, Cora did not expect them to make it through breakfast without wanting to kill each other. Maybe rest would be good, he’d need it if he intended on putting up with her disobedience.



Just as she had turned and taken a step to leave she was immediately halted by one of his massive hands taking hold of her forearm. She nearly spun around to yank herself free of him but his command had stopped her. His voice was heavy with warning. Cora was no fool and understood that she stood no chance now that he knew what she had on her. Her only real chance against him was the element of surprise but having lost that all it would take from him was one well placed punch. He was a man after all, a well trained knight. She cursed herself mentally for getting caught. She didn’t intend on attacking him, it was merely for self defense. Not that it mattered now that she had been found out. She hesitated for a moment her defiant gaze meeting his threatening amber stare. “Yes my lord” she said through clenched teeth. Instead of simply just letting the knife fall to the floor she quickly dropped it into her palm before quickly and smoothly throwing it like a dagger, the blade embedded in the back of a near by chair. She would let him wonder what she intended with that knife. If it wasn’t obvious, she had had plenty of opportunity to use it against him and she hadn’t. No longer armed with her only real chance at defending herself Cora yanked her arm free of him. “Good night my lord” she said without so much as a curtsy or bow of her head. If he wanted obedience out of her he would be better off waiting for hell to freeze over. Give her something worth obeying, give her something worth her loyalty and he would find out rather quickly how much more agreeable she could be.

 

[Valiryan]

Kian tightened his grip on her arm as she dropped the knife into her palm, fully expecting her to swing it at him. His eyes never left the knife as she lifted it up...and launched it at a nearby chair. His eyes widened, his mind racing through how much power she had sent that knife with. What? How-? His attention was diverted enough for his grip to slip and her to yank her arm back. He dropped his hands to his sides, clenched into fists as he controlled himself from grabbing for her again. "Goodnight?" He repeated incredulously. That knife could've been embedded in his back instead rather than the chair. "Maybe I underestimated you too much.." He muttered, his voice tinged with a mixture of respect and caution, his gaze piercing and analytical, the gaze of a seasoned warrior sizing up his opponent.

Kian walked over to the chair, pulling the knife out with ease. "Is that really the only weapon on you right now?" He asked curtly, palming the knife. His imposing presence still palpable, casting a shadow that seemed to loom over the room. He didn't know how he could check if she was lying or no, whatever the response was, without physically searching her. Seeing that she was in merely a nightgown with a blanket over her right now, it didn't seem like she had any others. However, she had hid the knife well enough that it was hard for Kian to shake the suspicion.

 

[wicketpyt]

As annoyed as she was that he had taken her only weapon, her rather brazen actions had carried with them some effect. He seemed stunned to see she had been so bold in not only taking the knife but having prove some of her skill with it. Served him right. He had only seen her as a troublesome princess. He didn’t fear her, he didn’t respect her. Not that she could really blame him to much. She was a woman after all. His quiet shock and anger only served as a reminder of her words at the dinner table. He truly did not know her, and while she might not know him, her being more of a mystery to him was a bigger threat. His confusion had caused a small amused smile to grace her lips. It was her turn to be entertained by his revelation. He now had a small glimpse of her abilities. Her eyes locking with his as he seems to size her up, not shying away from his attempt at intimidation.



She watched as he walked over to the chair removing the embedded blade with ease. The way he palmed the knife for a moment had her thinking he might return to sender. His hands balled into fists at his side told her he was doing what he could to contain his rage. Her eyes went from the knife in his hand back to his questioning gaze, his words settling on her. So he was worried that she had more on her. He had every right to be worried but Cora would use this moment to taunt him in the simplest way. “Do you want to search me, my lord?” Stilling holding the blanket Cora unwrapped her arms around her as if she would allow him the idea. She turned her back to him, the blanket allowed to fall from her shoulders, though she hadn’t let it go completely. She looked over one bare shoulder at him, her gown having shifted just enough. Her small teasing smile on her lips. It was as if she was daring him, knowing full well the only way he would know for sure is if he dared to search her. The idea of his hands on her body sending chills down her spine. He had said he wasn’t like the other lords but he was still a man, and someone who had yet to gain her trust. Yes she was teasing him, taunting him in away. If there was another lesson to be learned she was going to use every ability of hers to get under his skin, to push every button he has.



When it was obvious he would do no such thing Cora pulled the blanket back over her shoulders and around her before for turning to face him. The only glint of metal he might see on her now was the skinny golden bangle on her right ankle. Lord Coburn had thought it fitting to leave her once piece of her Aterian princess attire. He had been teasing her in away then but Cora was grateful to still have it. “If that was the only knife you provided at dinner then I have nothing else” she confessed. “I merely took it for defense” she was being more honest than necessary but could he blame her for doing such a thing? How she had been treated previously by other lords had left her in need of such a weapon. Granted he himself hadn’t done anything to warrant her reasoning but as he liked to remind her she was still his prisoner.

 

[Valiryan]

Kian stilled at her words. He could tell she was teasing him, using her beauty as a weapon against him. He didn't know what to do - for once. He had never been up against a woman, nonetheless one who was so defiant and stubborn. He simply stood there with the knife in his palm, watching her move with painstaking slowness and the slight blanket fall over her shoulder....She definitely knew how to throw him off. He didn't respond to her words either. The knight simply held her teasing gaze. For a secornd, he was tempted to search her, his brain short-circuiting at how her mane of curls fell over her back. He had an urge to look away, but quickly regained his composure, realising how obvious his shock had been at her actions once she placed the blanket on her shoulders again.

Kian scowled at Cora, annoyed at her and how they had affected him so much with such a simple move. She definitely took him off guard by that. "Thank you for an answer." He said, his voice an octave deeper than what it needed to be - another evidence that Cora's actions had slightly gotten to him. "I'll escort you to your room now. If there are any other weapons on you, Cora, then at least don't use them on me or anyone in this estate." He cleared his throat as he said that, crossing the distance between them till he was towering over her once more. He understood her need for a weapon. With how the other lords had treated her and the fact she had no one to trust, she couldn't take any risks.

"Don't make me regret my decision." He added in a quiet yet firm tone, motioning for her to head to the door so they can make way to her room. He reached for her and tugged the blanket a bit more over her shoulders, covering her up further. His hands brushed against her curls as he withdrew them, placing them back at his sides. He didn't know why he did that, it just came over him and he didn't quite think before doing that. With a slight nod, he waited for her to head to the door, his expression unreadable

 

[wicketpyt]

The somewhat stunned and silent man before her, told her that her light temptation had in fact affected the seemingly untouchable and fearless knight. He was silent for a moment before collecting his thoughts. Cora couldn’t help but be curious as to what had gone across is mind. She had an idea but had he thought her incapable of seducing him? He was a man after all. Where her father had taught her the art of the blade, her mother taught her the art of persuasion. She had learned how to charm and talk her way into getting what she wanted. It was an easy weapon against the physically stronger sex. That being said Cora never compromised her purity. Most of her knowledge had come from her mother but when it came to seduction she had heard stories whispered by the maidservants. That was enough information for her to put it all together and from the looks of it, it had had the intended affect.



She looked at him amused at his annoyance. Kian was no fool either and he had seen through her little game. The sound of his voice, a bit deeper, had Cora adding that to her own arsenal against him. She could be the bane of his existence. That knowledge alone made her feel a bit better on not having a means of self defense on her. She would procure one another time, if she deemed necessary. She rolled her eyes slightly as he advised her that he would escort her to her room. It wasn’t necessary but if it made him feel better….than fine. His request for her to keep her hands to herself had her looking up at him as he towered over her. She understood his distrust but what could she possibly do? She was out numbered greatly. “I’ll behave if everyone else does” she countered.



Cora had started to turn following his orders when she had been stopped in her tracks. She hadn’t expected him to reach out to her pulling her blanket around her tighter. She had at first flinched ever so slightly until she felt his hand tug on the blanket. She looked from his hand up to his amber gaze. She didn’t see the annoyance she had seen moment ago. The feeling of his hand brushing against her curls in retreat had her looking a bit confused. It was only for a moment and Cora figured it was him trying to contain himself, trying to take some measure of control back. With his simple nod Cora obeyed for once. She silently turned exiting the library with him following behind. She padded down the hall, book in hand, and the moonlight providing enough light to show the way. She could feel his eyes on her though she didn’t bother to glance back at him to confirm. She was sure he was merely waiting to see what else she’d pull from her sleeve or even if she knew her way back. Though she had only found the library by mistake, she knew her way back.

 

[Valiryan]

"Big talk from someone who just threw a knife into a chair to intimidate." Kian muttered under his breath in response, not caring if she heard or not. He'd known her for no more than 12 hours and she had already grinded his nerves. She spoke as if she was the one in charge and Kian realised the more he tried to push her to obey, the more defiant and stubborn she'd be. He wouldn't push her too much today, but tomorrow - he'd push her to her very limits. That was the whole purpose of tomorrow, to figure out truly how well she knew how to handle her way around knives and weapons, and discover her abilities. Of course, he wouldn't tell her that now. All of this was for tomorrow. He'd simply let her have her fun for today.

He noticed her looking at him with those wide, brown eyes as he fixed the blanket on her shoulders. He purposefully avoided meeting her eyes, merely stepping aside for her to pass once he withdrew his hand. He followed close-by as they walked through the hallways of the ornate manor. Soft moonlight bathed the marble floor, casting gentle reflections on the various vases and paintings adorning the space. He didn't bother asking how she remembered the way back so well. She had done nothing but surprise him with how false his expectation that she was a spoiled, helpless princess was.

Once they reached her room after walking in tense silence, he spoke up, "I hope there wouldn't be anymore midnight walks after today, Cora. If you do want to make this a habit, I'd be glad to be of company for the coming night walks." He said. Standing outside her door, he watched as she opened it, adding, "I'm the room around the corner of this hallway, so wouldn't be a long walk to knock on my door." A smile played at his lips, but it held more of a predatory edge than warmth. She wasn't going to get rid of him any time soon, and he was making sure she knows they'd be seeing each other more often than not.

 

[wicketpyt]

Stopping just outside her door Cora had reached for the handle but stopped when she heard him speak. Him saying her name brought her gaze it his as he requested she not make this a nightly habit. His request for her to come get him if she felt it was necessary to go for a walk, his room was just around the corner from hers. She rolled her eyes not caring if he saw. Did he feel it necessary to babysit her? Hadn’t she already proven she wasn’t some child in need of parental supervision? She looked down at the book in her hand before meeting his predatory gaze. “I think the book you’ve given me will keep me occupied for now” she answered him. If he thought she intimidated by they way he was looking at her, like some wolf who had cornered a sheep, he was wrong. He might be bigger, and other might fear him but not her. He’d find out soon enough he’s only managed to corner himself a cunning little fox.



Cora’s gaze met his before looking him up and down, seeming to appreciate him instead of being threatened by him. Her gaze met his once more and she offered him a soft amused smile on her lips. He had said his goodnight “Goodnight Kian” she said her voice sounding like honey as she said his name for the first time instead of addressing him as lord. He wanted to play games and it was becoming apparent that they were not playing simple checkers but chess. This would be amusing, she thought to herself as she closed the door behind her. Her back against the door she looked at the book in her hands wondering how long she would stay up reading or if she should heed his words, that he’d be coming for her in the morning and she better be ready. He’d better be ready for a more challenging day dealing with her.



Cora had decided to save the reading for another time. She had gone to bed sleeping finding her easily as the days events had proven to be more tiring than she had thought. Her sleep, however, had been anything but restful. Nightmares seemed to be waiting for her. Horrors of seeing her father and brothers bodies degraded and hanging from the guard walls back in Ateria, it was enough to have her waking up in a panic, her skin dewy with sweat and tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. With the morning sun just starting to peek from over the horizon she had decided to not bother with going back to sleep. Instead she had spent the early morning hours reading the first few pages of Kian’s book before being interrupted by Hannah coming to wake her. She had a new arrangement of clothes for the day. She held a slight look of concern seeing that Cora was already awake but she didn’t question it. The Aterian princess looked as if she hadn’t slept well but that was not something she could concern herself with. She knew Kian would be coming for her soon and she had orders that she made sure she was ready for him. She knew how he didn’t like to be kept waiting.



In silence Cora followed Hannah’s lead, the maid servant having started with fixing her hair. Hannah worked quickly as her fingers had fashioned Cora’s hair into a thick lovely braid. When Cora saw that Hannah hadn’t brought a dress for her to change into but in fact some slim trousers and a loose tunic, she looked to the maid a bit confused. “My lord has plans for the two of you and he doesn’t want you restricted by a lovely dress” Hannah explains, seeming to be a bit offended by the idea that Kian had wanted her in clothes she thought were not worthy of a princess. Cora just smiled amused with Hannah but not arguing with her. Slipping into the trousers Cora was surprised by how comfortable they were. They were not the most stylish thing but she felt like she wore them well. She was slightly disappointed when Hannah had insisted that she still wear a corset for some support. She understood the reason, obviously the tunic would offer little in the way of that and Hannah was obviously intent on keeping Cora respectable. If she couldn’t wear a dress she was going to at least look somewhat decent, as if these simple garments were made for her. The boots were the finishing touch and Cora rather enjoyed how the felt, hugging her calves as she tightened the laces up the back of them. Just as she had finished tying the last knot she heard the knock at the door. “Coming” she called as she got up from the edge of the bed, only to stop for a second at the mirror to inspect her appearance. She was rather pleased with it. It hugged her in the right places and was loose where she needed it to be. Certainly this would be comfortable enough to handle whatever Kian had planned. She opened the door to find him waiting “Good morning my lord” and she was back at it again, acting unfazed by it all.