She walked into her room after Ravus, her entire body numb. When he commented on her crown she blinked and let it disappear in a puff of smoke. She could breathe a little easier, and in some small part of her brain that wasn't panicking was thinking how strange it was; she could usually summon her fire so easily.
When Ravus began talking once more, not looking at her yet, Viola's fears were confirmed. She stopped behind Ravus, the corset on her dress seeming to squeeze tighter. Any second now, she expected him to turn around and grab her, forcing her onto the bed beside them. She glanced over her shoulder; the door had been shut by the guards outside. She heard the lock click into place and she swallowed hard, turning to face Ravus' back once more.
He poured drinks as he continued to talk and Viola wondered if he was reassuring her or himself. Whichever it was, he seemed to know more about what he was doing and she realized with a burst of anger that he likely knew his advantage over her and she hated him even more for it. But he was right; it would only hurt everyone else if she put herself first and refused Ravus.
Viola suddenly remembered Mavyn's room in the back of her own larger room, and she sincerely hoped the maid was no longer there; the servants had likely cleared her out, expecting the newlywed couple to fulfill their marital duties.
When Ravus offered her a glass of the unknown alcohol, Viola glared at him and ignored it, instead walking the short distance to the table. She picked up the black bottle of alcohol and yanked the top off, splattering a little of the dark red liquor onto the bodice of her dress. Staring him straight in the eyes, Viola raised the bottle to her mouth and took a huge gulp. The liquid burned her throat on the way down but she only grimaced for a second before setting the bottle down onto the side table with a heavy thunk.
"Duty-bound," she muttered, the world already beginning to tilt. "Have to be so godsdamned selfless and give myself up to you, to your kingdom, to my kingdom," she paused and leaned forward, placing a hand on the table to steady herself. Suddenly she straightened up and spread her arms to either side of her. "Take me, and add me to your lengthy list of women you've conquered," she said. The liquor was very strong, and she had truthfully never had alcohol before, so it was taking effect rather quickly. A part of her realized that perhaps that was why the alcohol had been placed in the room- It would be easier for both parties if their intuitions were... not as strong.
When Ravus began talking once more, not looking at her yet, Viola's fears were confirmed. She stopped behind Ravus, the corset on her dress seeming to squeeze tighter. Any second now, she expected him to turn around and grab her, forcing her onto the bed beside them. She glanced over her shoulder; the door had been shut by the guards outside. She heard the lock click into place and she swallowed hard, turning to face Ravus' back once more.
He poured drinks as he continued to talk and Viola wondered if he was reassuring her or himself. Whichever it was, he seemed to know more about what he was doing and she realized with a burst of anger that he likely knew his advantage over her and she hated him even more for it. But he was right; it would only hurt everyone else if she put herself first and refused Ravus.
Viola suddenly remembered Mavyn's room in the back of her own larger room, and she sincerely hoped the maid was no longer there; the servants had likely cleared her out, expecting the newlywed couple to fulfill their marital duties.
When Ravus offered her a glass of the unknown alcohol, Viola glared at him and ignored it, instead walking the short distance to the table. She picked up the black bottle of alcohol and yanked the top off, splattering a little of the dark red liquor onto the bodice of her dress. Staring him straight in the eyes, Viola raised the bottle to her mouth and took a huge gulp. The liquid burned her throat on the way down but she only grimaced for a second before setting the bottle down onto the side table with a heavy thunk.
"Duty-bound," she muttered, the world already beginning to tilt. "Have to be so godsdamned selfless and give myself up to you, to your kingdom, to my kingdom," she paused and leaned forward, placing a hand on the table to steady herself. Suddenly she straightened up and spread her arms to either side of her. "Take me, and add me to your lengthy list of women you've conquered," she said. The liquor was very strong, and she had truthfully never had alcohol before, so it was taking effect rather quickly. A part of her realized that perhaps that was why the alcohol had been placed in the room- It would be easier for both parties if their intuitions were... not as strong.
@AdventCore