Time was or is, was it is if she could not tell whether or not time had actually passed? It was no matter. Time was a construct and in the realm of her Queen, she ruled it within her clawed fist. While the other hand, gestured, pointed and commanded. She was a two-handed type of ruler, and for most things, that was for the best. Two hands on, while the brain was formulating the next few steps. She had had to give her Queen credit, it was amazing what she was doing to the realm that was now their home.
And yet, within the heart that beat within her chest, it did not feel like home. She still felt connections to the world she had once lived within and her Queen could tell. Just as the Magician did. They eyed her carefully and suspiciously. They knew that she was not yet fully pledged to the cause, despite her words of reassurance.
She would be lying if she said she did not miss what life once was. And she would certainly be lying if she said she did not miss the women the Queen and the Magician had once been. And these thoughts made her weak. These wants of returning to what once was and what could have been made her skin crawl and her stomach twist.
Beatrix dug her bare heel into the ash coloured sand, eyes watching the deep maroon waves that lapped against the shores of ash. Her fingers clenched and unclenched at her sides before she raised them to her eyes, studying the slightly sharpened nails there. A huffed breath escaped her and her hands fell away, going back to their clenching motion.
There was little to no sound at the shores, save for her own breathing and the occasional sniff that escaped her. She had once found pleasure in silence, but this was not the silence she loved. This was a deafening silence as if the atmosphere itself was holding its breath.
She felt her coming before she heard her or even saw her. It was the warming of the collar around her throat and a gentle tug upon her heart. Beatrix turned her head as she watched the Devil approach. Lowering herself to a knee, she remained like that until the non-taloned hand gently cupped her jaw, raising it.
Deep red eyes gazed down into the tired green eyes of Beatrix. Each studied one another; once they had been partners, equals no less. And now one was kneeling and the other standing regally above them.
“My Queen.”
“Miann told me you would be here.”
Nadia’s fingers trailed down from her jaw and gently curled around the collar around her throat, giving it a pull, a signal for her to rise.
Beatrix, of course, obeyed and moved to offer the other her arm. It was such a natural and inherent movement; the offering of her arm being something that she had done time and time again.
The Queen’s head shifted slightly, looking down at her and the arm she offered before accepting such a gesture. Her hands clasping tightly and tugging her closer as she began to lead the two of them along the sand. Despite her hooves, the sand did not seem to hinder the woman at all.
Beatrix stared forward as she was being led along, ignoring the tense and iron like grip Nadia had upon her arm. She was scrambling internally, this had been the first time, as far as she could recall, when Nadia had approached her without another servant or Miann in tow. Something must be wrong, she reasoned to herself. This could be the only reason she would want to see her.
“...Is something troubling you, my Queen?”
Silence. And then, her reply.
“You’re not happy here.”
It was not a question, but a statement. Nadia did not look at her as they continued their walk along the shoreline. Tension seemed to flicker back and forth between the two of them, Beatrix not saying anything and looking down to her feet covered in the ashy sand and Nadia staring forward as they paused in their walk.
“It is not that I’m unhappy, my Queen…”
“But?”
“...I find myself lacking in a purpose. Miann is your Magician, your executioner even. The one who does what you ask without a second thought.”
“Are you envious of her?”
“Not of her specifically. But… I’m envious… Of her purpose. I want to have a purpose, I want to be… Useful to you, my Queen.”
Silence again followed as Nadia turned to look to the woman beside her. A gentle tilt came to her head and she turned fully. Releasing her arm she cupped the other’s face, fingertips ghosting over the black markings that had appeared beneath her eyes. Leaning down, she pressed a kiss to her forehead, leaving Beatrix a tad stunned as it had been so long since Nadia had shown any sort of softness or gentleness to her.
“You are useful, my pet. Just as you were useful then, you are useful now. However, if you seek a more firm purpose here and you are willing to let go of everything that once was, you merely have to ask of me.”
Beatrix was silent as she watched Nadia before closing her eyes and leaning her face into her hands, soft words escaping her,
“I am yours to command, my Queen.”
“Be my Champion, Beatrix.”
“I would be honoured.”
“Of course you would be. Such an honour comes with a trial, not everyone is fit for such a title.”
“A trial, my Queen?”
Nadia’s blackened lips drew back revealing a sharp toothy grin. She drew her face closer, turning it and whispering into Bea’s ear.
The warrior’s face shifted slightly as she listened before closing her eyes and nodding.
“As my Queen commands.”
A panting breath escaped her as blood dripped from her bruised and scraped knuckles. Breathing hurt, a broken rib or three that would mend itself before long. Her head bent as she was upon her knees before her Queen’s throne. Bare-chested and bruised, panting for pained breath, but victorious nonetheless.
A hoofed foot rose from the floor and lifted her chin upwards as Nadia gazed down at her, a satisfied smile upon her features. She leaned down, wiping a bit of blood from her lips with her thumb and speaking,
“Well done, Beatrix. My Champion.”
Beatrix gazed up at her and smiled weakly as she watched Nadia rose, lowering herself to her level and gathering her face into her hands as she had done earlier that day. Closing her own eyes, Bea leaned forward, awaiting what was to come as she had witnessed it done to Miann when she had accomplished her own trial.
A soft little chuckle escaped her as Nadia murmured, gliding her thumb over her lips,
“Someone’s impatient.”
And after those words escaped her, she closed the distance between the two of them and kissed Beatrix deeply. Nothing happened for a brief moment and then… she felt heat from all areas Nadia kissed her and a trail of fire being left in her hands wake as they released her face and trailed down her scarred and muscled arms.
A slight grimace shifted over her features as Nadia nibbled slightly at her bruised lip, before the Queen pulled away altogether and traced her fingers over her arms, her lips moving in a wordless manner and yet the fire that her fingers had left merely grew in intensity.
“Breath, dearest, remember to breathe.”
Her eyes remained shut, tightening even as she attempted to ease her own breathing, the heat intensifying before long she felt her whole body inflamed. Nadia’s voice began to grow distant as she continued the process of calming slowing her breathing but then she felt her weight give out and darkness overtook her.
Falling. She felt like she was falling. And yet as her eyes opened slowly, she found herself laying stationary in a familiar room.
A deep red canopy hung over her head as she raised her head and slowly looked about the chamber. It was well furnished and nearly identical to the one that had once been her favourite place to be in the palace back in Vesuvia. Nadia’s chambers, and yet as she looked around it, she did not feel the usual pang of longing that would occur when she thought of the place that was once home.
Letting out a slow breath, she raised her hands to her face but paused halfway there, inspecting her blackened claws and then shifting her eyes to the markings that now lined her forearms and curled upwards to her shoulders. They appeared similar to the ones around her eyes and a slow pleased noise escaped her.
“Inspecting our Queen’s handiwork?”
Beatrix dropped her arm to her side and sat up fully, slowly however as her body still ached from her trial. Her eyes settling upon the lounging figure of Miann who appeared unharmed save for the bruises upon her throat and jaw.
“How are you…”
“Not laying on my deathbed? Death refuses to step foot in the Queen’s realm. And I do have tricks up my sleeves.”
The laying Beatrix notes that she was not wearing any sleeves, however, as Miann never liked clothes, to begin with and if she had had it her way she would wander around the whole time bare with no clothes to be had. Squinting at her, Beatrix moved to speak but was silenced by a raise of the other’s hand.
“No more questions. I’ll fetch her and I do believe you’ll be wanting this.”
Miann rose from her lounging position on the chaise and with a flicker of her wrist, an ornate silver mirror appeared in her hand which she passed over to Beatrix. Once this motion was done, the Devil’s magician exited the room.
Lifting the mirror slowly, she gazed at the being that looked back. Black curved horns protruded from the sides of her head, hallowed green eyes with darkened sclera and sharpened features gazed back at her. Opening her mouth, slightly sharpened teeth flashed and she clamped her mouth shut. Her mind no longer abuzz or flitting about like a caged bird, but rather it was calm and settled, waiting and watching.
Tossing the mirror to the floor with a thud and a crack, she rose to her feet before tumbling forward and grasping onto the bedpost. Her nails scraping downward over the wood before she held firmly to it and steadied herself. She felt unsteady as if she had one too many to drink.
The door opened and she soon found herself being settled back onto the bed by Nadia who pressed her clawed hand to her upper chest and her non-taloned hand gliding through her hair.
“Do not push yourself. Your body is still adjusting.”
“What… What happened, my Qu-... Nadia. What happened to me?”
“A wonderful thing, my stars.”
Her heart seemed to skip as she raised her head to look towards the other woman as Miann settled down beside her on the bed.
The Magician lifted her arm, inspecting the markings there and humming with pleasure as she traced a finger over one of them. Beatrix winged and yanked her arm around.
“I… I… I don’t understand, how is Miann here? I thought, I…”
“Oh, you certainly did. Or well, technicalities do complicate things.”
“Technicalities. What the Hell do you mean by that?”
She turned her head and glowered towards Miann. The Magician merely grinned mischievously at her, an almost taunting expression sliding through her pink eyes.
“That’s enough, the both of you. It’s over with, Miann, technicalities or not, she’s passed her trial. Come, let’s get you back into bed. You need to rest, there is much to do. And I need my Champion in prime health.”
Nadia’s voice interrupted the two from further arguing and begrudgingly allowed Nadia to do as she had spoken of.
Miann blew her a kiss as she exited the room, the still conniving and taunting grin on her features. Meanwhile, Nadia remained, gently stroking her cheek with her thumb.
“You passed your trial, become my Champion and now you’ve earned some rest, hm?”
The Queen spoke as she traced over the blacken marks that swooped down beneath the other’s eyes. She gave her cheek a firm squeeze before rising and exiting the room.
Her Queen’s words had been true, and yet the words of Miann still would not settle. However it was no matter, she had gotten what she wanted in the end. But was this what she wanted or was this what the other two had wanted for her all along? Was that what she had meant by technicalities?
These were the questions that became her bedfellows but upon awakening the next day, they had all been forgotten.
For, in the end, a once useless being had become useful. A purpose had been created and the loyalty and trust restored to a warrior who had been moulded into just what her Queen wanted her to be.
Her fingers pulled against the strap of her chest plate, tightening the metal around her more snuggly. It should have felt familiar to her, it had been the armour she used to wear back at the palace, her home. But this was not the palace, this was not her home. And the collar around her throat that jingled far too loud to her own liking, was not the normal part of her uniform. But then again, was this truly the same uniform and chest plate as before?
No, it wasn’t. She had done something to it, made it enchanted, but was anyone truly going to go and attack her? She had become more paranoid with each passing day, but personally speaking, Beatrix had lost all sense of time since agreeing to stay. She had to, it was her duty after all. Until her last breath, she had sworn. And where she came from, one did not simply break a blood oath.
Her thoughts drifted towards her homeland, briefly reminiscing and possibly even yearning for the sandy shores and the rainy forests before the thoughts screeched to a firm half. Shaking her head from side to side much like a wet dog would, the guard focused her eyes forward as the throne room doors opened and in came… what was once the Countess of Vesuvia. No longer a human, but more of an Arcana-human hybrid.
The initial change of Nadia had shaken her, how could it not. Gone was the beautiful and beloved Countess and in her place was, this creature that appeared to be Nadia and the Devil combined. It made her blood run cold when their eyes locked and often Beatrix found herself breaking the gaze, lowering her chin in submission and her head often receiving a possessive and firm pat from the Countess clawed digits. That motion made her heart skip, often reminding the guard of better times when those fingers were not ending in sharp talons and they softly glided through her hair. She often found herself shedding tears for what might have been. For who Nadia and she could have been…
And now, as the once Countess entered, another figure close at her heels, Beatrix could not look at the pair, rather turning her eyes towards the ceiling. The other was another she had once loved, but just the same as the once Countess, she could not bear to look at her. Could not will her heart to not shrivel, could not steady her tongue from becoming like a viper’s, poisonous words beginning to form, only for her to shut her mouth and grind out a small phrase before leaving their presences all together. Sadly, this was one occasion, she could not do such a thing.
This place had changed Miann just as the Devil’s heart had changed Nadia. The once bubbly and sweet magician had become cold and cryptic. When Nadia said jump, Mianna asked how high. It made her ill. Her beloveds had changed, and yet here she was, still grasping onto her own humanity that she felt slipping away each and every day. It did not help that Nadia was often looking after her with a predatory and knowing grin. The once-Countess knew she was changing and well, she took great pleasure from it. She had always liked watching Beatrix squirm.
“Beatrix.”
The way Nadia said her name made her skin crawl, but once upon a time, it had made her heart flutter and dance. Her tone oozed with possession and seduction, but no matter how hard she tried, she was always caught in her sway. And the once-Countess was not to be disobeyed.
She turned her head over slightly, looking towards the woman who spoke her name. Beatrix watched on as Nadia settled onto her throne, her legs folding one over the other and she beckoned towards her with a taloned finger.
“Closer, dearest. You know I strain for no one.”
She spoke towards her, settling her once raised hand back onto the armrest of her throne. Miann sneered from the left side, watching as Beatrix stepped closer. Their relationship had not been what it once was since her full exception of this new Nadia. It had changed her altogether. Horns, blackened sclera, and even a tail. This was not her Miann. That was not her Nadia.
She looked towards Nadia from beneath her lashes, watching her as she watched her.
The once-Countess leaned forward, taloned fingers wrapping around her chin and lifting it upward. Her skin, surprisingly, did not crawl as she touched her. Beatrix even felt herself lean into the touch, hearing a soft hum of pleasure from Nadia.
“That’s a good little guard. My precious little guardian. How are you feeling today?”
It was an innocent inquiry, but those were the most loaded questions when it came to this Nadia. She would not keep her waiting long, especially when they were in contact. She was unpredictable when she had a hold on Bea.
“Fine, my Countess.”
“Just fine? Come now, my sun and stars… There’s something bothering you.”
“D...don’t..”
She uttered the singular phrase and immediately cringed, feeling Nadia’s fingers tighten around her chin, drawing her closer.
“Hm? What was that?”
“Nothing… My Countess.”
Nadia gazed at her, goat-like ears twitching slightly and she leaned closer, their faces nearly touching. Her nose brushed once and then twice against Beatrix’s and she drew her closer, her taloned fingers tracing down to the collar around her throat and giving it a little tug.
“Kneel. Miann, inspect her. Now.”
“Of course, Nadia.”
Beatrix was forced to her knees both by the sudden force around her throat and Nadia’s own command. The collar was always the source of her troubles, it had been the day it was put around her neck, but in the end, it did earn her some good things.
Miann stepped closer, lowering herself a bit to Beatrix’s level and sneering slightly again.
“Not so high and mighty now, are you, Pup?”
She taunted, placing her hands on her forehead. Miann glided her hands through her hair, pausing at about the middle of her head and grinning a sharp tooth smile.
“Oh~. Now, what’s this?”
Bea had grown out her hair somewhat, or rather it had been growing on its own and she hadn’t the time to handle it as she was always running about with some task or another. Plus, she had the feeling that Nadia preferred her hair longer. More to touch. She flinched at Miann’s pausing touch and grimaced as she yanked her head upwards, presenting her find to Nadia.
“Ah, a beautiful sight. So we’ve finally gotten through to you, have we, my darling pet?”
Horns had begun to sprout from her head, the first initial sign that her resolve was breaking. She had found them not a week ago, or what she believed to be a week. Back then, she had tried to file them down but to no avail. And now they were growing further and further, a little by each passing day.
“Absolutely beautiful. I believe this calls for a cel-“
“N-no. I… I won’t… Give in.”
Beatrix hissed out and attempted to strain against the force that was keeping her in place.
“You would disrespect your Countess?”
“YOU’RE NOT HER!”
She shouted, yanking her head from Miann’s grasp and glaring at Nadia, who leaned back in her throne and laughed loudly. The laughter curling upwards and bouncing off the walls.
“Oh dear, of course, I’m not her. I’m much better.”
Beatrix felt like she had been slapped, jerking her head to the side as she ground her teeth together before slumping. All fight seeming to be leached out of her and tears began to form at the corner of her eyes. It was hopeless, there was no going back, her Nadia was gone and she was changing. She was becoming like them. That had been the plan all along, hadn’t it? To be changed… To become the reverse of who she was.
And as her head was raised again by Nadia’s clawed digits, she gazed into the red eyes of the woman she once loved and saw nothing of her former self. Just an empty-eyed, predator wanting more power. She would not look long as her eyes closed and she leaned her chin into her hand. Giving up. This was one fight she could not win.
Birds chirped softly and the soft murmur of voices awoke her. Blearily, she stared up at the canopy hanging over the large bed and she stretched out slowly, much like a cat would before sitting. A frown creased her features as she looked about the bedroom.
This… this was the Devil’s realm. Not the chambers of the twisted and evil once-Countess. No. This was her chambers in the summer palace.
“What… What the Hell?”
Her words escaped her own lips and she was startled by her own voice. Turning her head from side to side, she started at the sound of a knock at the door and the appearance of Portia’s head poking in.
“Finally awake sleepy head? Come on, breakfast has been ready for the past ten minutes and you best not keep those two waiting. Your clothes are already set out for you.”
The ginger-haired Chamberlain grinned at the Guard Captain who stared at her, a confused expression on her features.
“Portia?”
“You alright there, Bumble-Bea? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. And everyone knows this place isn’t as haunted as the palace back home. Now come on! Up, up, up!”
The other woman stepped further into the room and grasped Beatrix’s hand. Even though she was a good seven inches shorter than Bea and not as muscled, the servant was able to yank her out of bed with some clear effort. Beatrix opened her mouth to speak but was hushed by Portia and ushered over to the clothes that were laid on the chaise.
“Mush! Come on, breakfast. And you three have a date with the ocean an hour after, come on.”
And once she assured herself that Beatrix was up and dressing, Portia made her exit.
The Guard Captain stared down at the clothes that had been laid out for her. Truly they were items she had packed by accident, but nonetheless, it had certainly pleased both Nadia and Miann when they saw her retrieve the outfit from her luggage upon arriving.
Consisting of an essentially sleeveless tunic of deep purple, a set of trousers in black, simple sandals and a set of golden arm braces.
A sigh escaped her and she ran her hands through her ruffled, bed-headed hair. She still could not shake the nightmare, nor the feeling of the claws on her skin. Giving her head a firm shake in a clear attempt to shake the memory, she grumbled and moved to finish dressing, clicking the arm braces into place and then stepping over to her vanity to comb her hair into a proper style.
Soon enough, she was exiting her chambers and stretching her arms upward. Letting out a grunt, she flexed her fingers at her sides and began heading off in the direction of the dining room but paused as a familiar figure came bounding towards her from the direction of the terrace.
“Good morning Corny, where’s Miann, hm?”
Beatrix lowered herself to a crouch as the familiar trotted over and climbed up onto her shoulder and then to her head. He began pointing and gesturing towards the terrace. A chuckle escaped Bea and the duo began strolling in the direction of the open doors.
The terrace was a large outdoor sitting area that overlooked the rolling ocean and sandy beaches that the trio would soon be relaxing on. It was a beautiful view, but Bea was not focused on it, but rather her eyes were focused primarily on the two seated figures at the table.
Nadia was watching Miann with a knowing smile on her features as the magician was attempting to figure out one of the Countess puzzle cubes. Miann, meanwhile, was cursing softly at it under her breath but she was grinning all the same.
Cornelius the familiar climbed down from the woman’s head and trotted happily back over to Miann, scaling up to sit on the back of the chair. The magician looked up from the puzzle cube, her grin turning into a broad smile.
“Bea, good morning!”
“Good morning my stars.”
Beatrix stood in the doorway still, just gazing at the two of them before she felt a wetness on her cheeks. Blinking, she raised a hand and felt her cheek. Tears. She was crying and she soon found herself enveloped in between the once two seated women.
“Bea, what’s wrong, who upset you? Who do I have to set on fire??”
Came the hurried and worried questions of Miann who held tightly to both Nadia and Bea. However, the woman did not respond, merely burying her face into Nadia’s shoulder and hugging the two of them as close as she possibly could. They stood like that for many moments, Nadia and Miann exchanging worried glances as their normally strong and boulder-like lover sobbed. And soon enough, as quickly as the tears came, they soon settled and Bea pulled away, sniffling and gazing at the both of them.
“I… I love you both. I… Was just so overwhelmed, I had… A nightmare, it…”
“Was it the arena nightmare or th-“
“No.. It… Was something new. I don’t want to talk about it, please, let’s just enjoy our day. I… I’m alright, really. I… I love you both so very much.”
Nadia was silent, gazing down at her before gently cupping her face with both hands and drawing her thumbs over her eyes, brushing away the tears and gently pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“It’s alright, Beatrix. It was just a nightmare, it can’t hurt you anymore. Now come, breakfast is set for us and we’ll need all the energy we can get for today’s outing.”
She beamed down at her loves before ushering them back over to the table and they all settled down to eat.
The day, after the brief moment of Beatrix breaking down in front of them, continued on uneventfully. But Bea did seem a bit distant to Miann and Nadia, who quietly exchanged concerned glances throughout the day. However, by the end of it, they all climbed into Nadia’s large bed and cuddled close to each other. Miann was often between the two larger women, but for this evening and many evenings to follow, Bea was held tightly and comfortingly by her two lady loves.
The nightmare did not return, but the memory remained, nestled deep within the subconscious of the Guard Captain. And sometimes, on her worst days, she swears she hears the laughter of the devil-Nadia and holds on tighter to the ring around her neck.
But in the end, it was a dream. She was not a reverse of herself, and neither were her beloveds. Everything was right.
The Countess turned her eyes over to the sleeping form of her beloved magician. Watching carefully as the woman’s chest rose up and then fell in deep sleeping breaths. A tiny smile crept over the woman’s features as she gently touched her fingers over the straight locks of dirty blonde hair that flopped onto the other’s forehead.
A tiny snort escaped the sleeping woman as she rolled over, now facing away from Nadia. Despite this touch, she remained deeply asleep. A happy little mumble escaped the woman’s somewhat chapped lips.
“Who am I to you, my Countess?”
The magician had posed the question during their evening stroll through the gardens. Arms linked together as they strolled along through the grass as they finally found their way to the private gazebo and settled down into the mounds of the pillows.
With her head tucked into Nadia’s lap, she spoke the question with eyes closed. The Countess’ own fingers were gently tracing absent patterns over the other’s pale skin and settled them beneath her chin as she considered such a question.
“What a question. Someone is very curious this evening.” She gently jested, tapping her fingers gently to the other woman’s chin. A smile spread across the magician's features as she opened her soft green eyes and quirked an eyebrow upwards.
“I can stop if my Countess so wishes.”
“No, no. It’s amusing if I’ll be completely honest. And adorable.” She stroked her fingers along the side of her cheek and smiled. Nadia leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her lover’s forehead, murmuring as she pulled away.
“You are my everything, B. My very heart.”
“Your very heart? A very weighty claim, Naddy. However, I believe I am up to the task.”
“I would hope you would be, my darling magician.” She chuckled gently and kissed her nose. A little chuckle escaping the magician who closed her eyes slightly once more.
“And if I hadn’t been?”
“Don’t doubt yourself, B.”
Her words were followed by a firm tug on a lock of the magician’s hair. Nadia gazed down at B for a moment before sighing and stroking her hands through the woman’s hair.
“I would choose you every time. Please understand that I would not be the woman I am without you by my side.”
B, for that, was what many and more so all called the magician opened her eyes once more and gazed up into the face of the Countess. Her eyebrows knit together gently as she observed her beloved noblewoman as she stared out into the night.
“Nadia…” She always spoke the Countess’ name like the beginning of a prayer; with reverence and utmost care. Adoration, love, care, whatever word one wished to use, she felt all of them when she gazed upon the tanned, sun-kissed skin of her beloved.
Nadia lowered her vermilion eyes down to meet those of the light green eyes of B. Her painted lips twitched upward into a sort of half smile.
“Even if I wasn’t by your side, you’d still be a great ruler.” And after speaking thusly, she closed her eyes and settled back down into Nadia’s lap. The Countess opened her mouth to retort but the soft noise of a yawn escaped the magician. The conversation was over for now.
Now as the two lay in the Countess’ expansive and plush bed, Nadia observed B’s sleeping form and gently sighed.
“You are my happiness. My sun and stars and so much more.” She murmured, settling back against the many pillows. The woman shifted herself onto her side and watched the other’s form for another moment.
“But most of all, you’re the love of my life and I never thought I’d be lucky enough to know another’s love and have it be returned so selflessly,” Nadia admitted to B’s sleeping form before blinking gently as the magician rolled over and sleepily looked towards the Countess.
A blush crept over Nadia’s features as she gently pushed a strand of dirty blonde hair away from B’s forehead. The two seemed to just observe each other for a moment before B herself spoke, murmuring softly, “I suppose that’s something nice to hear when you’re halfway between sleep and being awake. I love you as well, Nadia. But is now,” she would yawn, before continuing, “really the best time to be confessing such things?”
Nadia smiled, her cheeks turning bright red as she moved to settle down further into her bed. She let out a breath as she felt her companion’s arms wrap tightly around her waist and tug her closer.
B rested her head into her shoulder and mumbled, “If you’re so hell-bent on talking about how much we love each other, we can talk about it tomorrow… But right now please, I just want to sleep with you.”
“...Goodnight my Magician.”
“Goodnight Naddy. I love you.”
Not another word was spoken, but Nadia remained awake for a little while longer, stroking her fingers through B’s hair before she too fell asleep.
The coppery smell of blood and the sound of crowds jeering and barking for more bloodshed muddled her senses as a pair of familiar weapons were thrust into her hands.
A bastard sword and buckler shield and then she was shoved forth into the light. It was blinding truly and the smell only grew worse, just as the roar of the crowd grew. All of her senses were being attacked at once and to say the least, she was not pleased. Shaking her head firmly, the woman stepped further into the colosseum, squinting into the afternoon sunlight.
More or less all of the seats were filled, the boxes too were overflowing, save for the Count’s box. The tyrant lounged beside his wife, a wild and sinister smirk painting his features. His golden prosthetic glinted and shimmered in the sunlight as he leaned forward, watching with glee. His courtiers leer from the shadows, all matching their employers sickening glee.
The gladiator steadied herself and shook her head firmly, peering out as she followed the Count’s gaze to the opponent she would be facing off against.
A behemoth of an axe bearer stepped from another entrance, the gate slamming shut as he made his way further. Sand and dust kicked up in his wake as he levelled the battle axe in his gloved hands. He was bare-chested, scarred muscles stretching and flexing beneath the skin as he smirked and planted the shaft of his weapon against his shoulder. He leered towards her, teeth yellowed and chipped.
She levelled her head and let out a breath, slowly raising her sword into the air before clanging it down against the shield she held.
The crowds jeered loudly, many yelling profanities in their native tongues, some she understood and others she could only guess at. And yet, there were some who’s call held no malice at all, not jeers at her but cheers. They wanted to see her succeed; for once.
Her opponent lurched forward, a cackle of a laugh escaping his lips, spit spraying outwards as he swept outwards with his axe. It caught the top of her shield, causing her to stumble back with the force of the blow.
The fight had begun. No introductions, it wasn’t needed; the crowd had shouted for blood and they would soon get it. Whether from one or the other or even both, they had yet to see. No matter the source, blood is blood.
These sort of arena fights tended to only go for less than an hour at a time; always one opponent having the upper hand. And yet this was not the case, it waged on for an hour, then two. Blood was certainly spilt as the sword cut into flesh and axe head found the meaty flesh of a leg.
It all came down to the clash of shield against axe one final time as she was pressed down into the sand, knees buckling from pain and the pressure.
“Dying on your knees like the stupid little weakling you are.” The axeman hissed; his putrid breath mixing with the coppery scent of blood.
Disgust spread across her exhausted features as she pushed upwards, a final attempt that would succeed as her opponent was knocked back. He stumbled and swayed as she lunged forth, slamming her bastard sword open into his meaty, muscled chest.
His eyes widened beneath his helm and gazed down as blood trickled from his chest.
“I’m… Not… Weak.” She hissed out the words and slammed the shield down upon his head; the man toppling over.
The crowds roared and cheered, rising to their feet as they shouted for more. It echoed in her ears as she slowly fell to her knees, the adrenaline beginning to fade and the shakes setting in.
Her eyes opened as the memory of the fight from so many years ago faded. She laid in the bath that had been filled to the brim, as she had requested, with ice.
Goosebumps covered her pale and scarred skin as she raised herself upwards from the ice that she had slipped beneath.
A slow breath escaped her as she raised herself slowly and fully from the bath, hands clenching tightly around the rim of the tub. Ice rolled down her skin, leaving wet paths in their wake. Reaching for a towel from the pile Portia had left her, the woman wrapped herself tightly in one before sliding into a heavy dressing robe.
Padding on bare feet, the warrior turned magician exited the bathroom, murmuring to a passing servant that she was done and made her way to her shared corridors with the Countess.
Nadia was nowhere to be found as she had needed time alone, tucked away into her Tower. Not that the magician minded much; she knew well enough that the Countess desired her solitude, perhaps not as much as when they first met, but still she had her days where a far-off look would appear in her vermilion eyes and she would vanish behind the doors.
Tucking the robe closer to herself, she ran her fingers through her short locks and settled herself onto the edge of the bed she shared with Nadia. Slowly the shoulders of the robe slipped down her arms, her fingers entangling into her wet hair. A soft sigh escaped her as she closed her eyes and replayed the fight in her mind's eye, recalling the smell, the sights…
Memories like this had begun to reappear, little by little, often when she was alone or in the middle of a quiet moment. Some were good, some were bad and sometimes they were just downright awful. And yet they were memories all the same. Memories she was pleased to be getting back, even if it meant she was forced to relieve the pain, the suffering and the ache.
“Not weak… What a laugh.” She murmured and raised her head slowly, cradling her jaw in her calloused and scarred hands. Her forest eyes shifted about the dimly lit bedroom before rising and she slipped out of the towel. Collecting a set of clothes from the closet, she quickly pulled them on and moved to stand outside on the balcony, running her fingers over the railing.
It was a cool evening and not a cloud in the sky as the stars twinkled high above her head. B squinted gently as she ran her fingers through her damp hair, watching below as the guards exchanged roles for the evening. The flapping of wings soon drew her attention upwards as Chandra, Nadia’s beloved owl, settled herself onto the railing beside her.
“Good evening to you too, lovely one.” B softly murmured, raising her fingers to gently scratch beneath the owl’s chin. The bird, in turn, would hoot softly, nibbling at the magician’s fingers who smiled just a bit.
“Do you believe me to be weak, Chandra? Will I bow to every creature that dares show me a fight?” She wondered allowed as she gently ran her calloused fingers through the bird’s feathers.
“I don’t recall the last time I showed you a physical fight, one that held any sort of true worth to it.” Nadia’s voice spoke from behind the pair. Her heels gently clacking across the balcony floor as she stepped up beside the magician, placing a hand on the small of her back and looking down at her.
B kept her eyes focused upon the owl still, gently petting and stroking over the bird’s silk-like feathers. She didn’t necessarily avoid Nadia’s gaze, but rather she simply had no want for the Countess to see the exhaustion and worry further. A soft sigh escaped her as she felt the other’s hand move draw up her back and rest against the back of her neck, nails gently scraping.
“Look at me. Please.” The Countess softly spoke, concern in her tone as B finally did.
Red met green as the two gazed at each other and Nadia drew her lover closer. Her fingers gently touching over the damp locks of hair and she leaned down, cupping her chin.
“I… Remembered more. That’s all.” B softly admitted before closing the gap between the two, searching for a kiss that she had been in want of all day. She was rewarded if only briefly as Nadia pulled away and stroked her thumb over her bottom lip.
The Countess was silent for many moments as the two looked at each other, her thumb gently stroking still before she spoke, “You are not weak, despite what your returning memories tell you, my Stars.”
Nadia lifted B’s chin higher and leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
A soft sigh escaped the magician as she stepped closer, encircling her beloved Countess in a hug. She pressed her face into her shoulder, hugging the woman who she had dedicated her life to even tighter.
“You make me feel better, Naddy… Thank you.”
“Is that not what we do, my Stars? We face things together, not alone.” Nadia kissed her head gently and held onto her magician, resting her head down against B’s.
Love is a fickle creature and yet it had found itself right at home with the two women who remained wrapped up in each other’s arms for the rest of the evening, eventually turning into lay in bed together. Memories of the past could hurt you, but the memories made in the present could heal you and prepare you for the future, and certainly make you stronger.
