𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭 & ᵍᵉᵗ ᵉᵃᵗᵉⁿ

the paladin wasted none of his precious time on fickle magic or desperate calls to cold-hearted gods . whatever light once burned in his heart had long been extinguished , the holy bonds he had taken consumed by selfishly dark ambition . oathbreaker to every vow . . . all but ONE.

the knight's monicker , carried on a sharp , piercing , blood-curling scream , ripped through his ears . rattled taut nerves . a roar , frantic and strained , scraped at the muscles of his throat while he forced his body to work faster , reach them faster , save her faster . sand piled at the floor of an hourglass with each footfall , and every monstrous screech . their hungry chatter consumed the atmosphere . it sprang off the underdark's craggy walls with the sharp ring of cymbals . not even the roar of blood rushing through pointed ears could deafen their symphonic squalls . and when hunt's eyes dared stray from his trepidatious path , a bawl of his own melted into the polluted air.

a curse ripped past the cage of bared teeth as he watched in helpless dismay as valdis fell to the floor , submitted to the swings of a reaper's bony scythe — barely escaping its brutality. reckless instinct took over . the clack of chafing armor ceased as his legs went momentarily still . exhausted lungs heaved in a ravenous breath , his chest swelling and shoulders tightening . then , heedlessly , he leapt over the side of the ridge . it was nearly a three-story jump , one that shot flame through the soles of his feet up the thick of shaking legs . his knees buckled and spine wailed . for a moment , the drow , crouched on the stony cavern's floor , nearly crumpled . a cold hand wrapped around his lungs and squeezed with the might of a frost giant whilst electric shocks sizzled at fried nerve endings . but through his blurring , dazed vision , he could make out the snow-haired woman's silhouette scrambling forward . clawing toward him with a small army of death nipping at her heels .

adrenaline met resolution , fueling a false sense of invincibility through the monolithic fighter . in one swift motion , he pushed himself upright and shot forward . for a brief minute , time moved differently . simultaneously fast and slow . in a daring move , hunt flexed his left arm back over his shoulder before volleying the silver length of his lance at the closest horror . its blade sunk into sick flesh , splitting a fatal gash in its neck , and a grossly thick substance spurted out , painting the thing's body in blackish ooze . a scree was all it could manage before tripping over its own talons and hitting the ground — grotesque , guttural whines dripping from a harrowed beak as the light faltered from beady , black eyes . hunt did not relish in the small victory , nor did he even show the barest acknowledgment . instead , a huge , steel gauntlet swept out and curled around the neck of valdis's vestments . he yanked her forward , pulling the half-elf's small frame into his much larger one . a groan of relief broke from beneath the curl of a grimace as the tense muscles of hunt's arm wrapped around her and pressed the powerless princess against his rattling , armor plated chest . " foolish girl . "

" HUNT !! " she cried again , his name distorted as air moved harshly through her windpipe , the underdark blurring into an array of violet and splotchy azure . valdis blinked through the fog of adrenaline , of depletion , as the antonyms fought wildly behind her bulging gaze . in moments , hunt was upon her , the hiss of his blade as it was withdrawn from its sheath and hurtling towards one of the horrors gullets gnarling her pointed ears . valdis pressed to him , with knobby knees and ill-supplied lungs , as trembling fingers attempted to find purchase in the metal of his chest plate - grazing down its front , less than nimble on her feet as he used himself as a shield .

hunt's sudden movement , followed by the sound of sharp agony that came pushed through his clenched teeth complimented by bone screeching against metal , made valdis's watery gaze screw shut as she burrowed herself into his protective hold . then , she blinked her stare open , noticing handsome features contorted in discomfort , , , and she found herself reaching to nurse his anguish . magic had abandoned her , and any effort to aid would be futile . yet , all she could do was some how hope just the faintest touch would soften the sharp , jagged contours of his clenched jaw and wrinkled brows . only , she was shoved away . faulty feet betrayed her as she staggered , hands flying out to her sides to steady herself as her sights set upon one of the beasts aiming to strike him . she stepped backwards , panting , patting at her thighs in hopes of one of the —

DAGGERS , she still had her daggers . with an amateur's precision , nothing but sheer desperation guided glinting metal tips . valdis grunted as she yanked the untouched weaponry from her cloak and hurled scanty spears at one of the monstrosities . the first blade found a home in the nearest horror's eye , an injury that made it rear its head back and squawk in horrific misery . the second lodged itself in its partner's throat , not dead center , but enough to have it lashing - distracted as it flailed a hooked claw at its own gullet and turned backwards . pleased , and not wishing to disobey hunt any further ( despite the fact leaving him on his own was nauseating enough to make her choke on rising bile ) , valdis turned and ran up the winding , skeletal bridge . the further she got from the tree , the more she felt the weight of her talents returning , the well of magic within gurgling like a running brook as embers of flame and mists of conjury began to nestle themselves back into the marrow of her bones .

" the tree - it , , , it makes magic useless . we can't get close - we , , , we need to get him out of there . now . " valdis panted as she approached the cleric's side . shadowheart's resolve was concentrated solely on attempting to aid the drow , a bead of perspiration falling from her furrowed brows and onto her lashes , lips curled as if she intended to address the princess but thought better of it . instead , shadowheart cried out another incantation that landed short - just missing the beast that was now aiming to strike the paladin once more . " shadowheart , " valdis pleaded . the cleric ignored her , trying her incantation again . failing again . " SHADOWHEART , listen to me , , , " valdis had half the sense to reach out and grab the woman in order to steal her attentions , but she resisted . each plea landed upon deaf ears as the raven-haired woman paid her little regard . determined to send the paladin to an early grave , it seemed .

sinking her heels into the earth , valdis sucked her lower lip between her teeth , cutting her focus on the creature currently looming over her knight as if it were a god amongst men . heaving up the little puddle of arcana that had returned , valdis swayed on her feet as she hurled her palms forward .

" TORMENTUM !! " she cried , dread scraping at her throat , urgency wielding her tongue . five bolts of scarlet light flew out from her puffed chest and ruby-stained palms ( the stoney carpet having cut into them during her desperate scramble ) , , , three landed on the beast tormenting the sole paladin , sending the beast wailing as it crumpled to the ground . the other three whizzed through the moisture-slick air and pierced the bellies of its companions , not eliminating them , but hopefully giving the drow a leg up on whatever move he made next . one of the beasts she had struck was particularly displeased with her spell , at the slaughter of its kind , and charged at hunt from his blind side ; clicking its beak , alabaster scythes raised above its head .

years of honing his instincts — having them ruthlessly beaten in to him — culminated , pinching at his spine & stringing through the tense muscles concealed under metal-plated armor . his gaze traced through the tree's enchanted arms . poured over the sussur blooms . skimmed darkened corners , a mile beneath his perch . " we are — " leaving . the paladin's command was cut short .

from the corner of his peripheral , the remaining mist of a shimmering , azure plume curled like a cruel smile , smoking in the empty space where valdis had just stood . his pupils shrunk to the fine points of a dart & gut tightened . dread & urgency pitched him forward until the monolith of a man was practically hanging over the cliff's edge , desperately search for any glimpse of his runaway princess . instinctively , broad gauntlets found the shaft of his weapon , clutching it tightly — a small comfort . then , finally , as hunt's shoulders began to shake & knuckles paled , she appeared to him , staring back with an empty look of satisfaction before turning in favor of the enchanted wood.

hunt did not allow himself the short moment of relief . instead , he pushed through their party & towards the downward , spiraling bridge of fossilized stone , cursing the bullheaded woman in a thousand ways beneath his breath . nostrils flaring , vision red , he almost missed the sudden shift — a distinct drop in temperature , the dank moisture which clung to the air growing chill , & a shrill whistle ricocheting off of the cavern's walls . the harrowing sound was amplified by the round hollow where the sussur tree lived , surely echoing on for miles . it was a sound of profound dread . a call of death . without hesitation , the knight's weapon was unsheathed from its fastenings on his back . sharp ears perked , & dark , murderous eyes roamed . yards away , nestled atop one of the towering tree's many blooming branches , a monster sat . a hooked horror . vulture-like in stature , its distorted skeleton almost looked to be worn atop its wrinkled , leathery skin . it stood on two taloned feet , with razor-sharp hooks where hands should have been . scythes of thick bone , come to pluck out their hearts & scoop their innards.

before valdis could really make sense of the sudden exhaustion that wrapped her bones in barbed wire , a harrowing screech was sounding from above — a noise so loud , so thunderous , it shook the foundation of where she stood . every fiber of her being tightened with alert , a hand flying over her shoulder , cramped fingers reaching for the body of her staff — stiff . why was she so STIFF ??

a gong had been struck , commencing a champion's battle for honor she hadn't known she enlisted in . valdis's chin flew up , eyes wide and face void of color , lips parting to scream but the sound being swallowed by the grim reaper's orchestra . it was a wretched song , one that scraped the pits of pointed ears . beaks clicked in cruel greeting , their large , taloned feet stampeding upon the sunless earth . a mutter of incantation came quickly , desperately , beneath her breath . the very one she had used to stubbornly evade hunt's pointed tongue , only to be rendered useless as the well in which her magic was kept seemed to have been emptied . barren and bone dry . " et albi , " she tried , frenzied and impetuous , latin a tongue that now felt most unfamiliar in her mouth as she stumbled back , staff clutched with two sets of blanched knuckles as she held it in front of her . over and over again , a quivering prayer ; she attempted to will the mist to swallow her — take her to safety , to hunt . panic enveloped each syllable as her lips moved in all the wrong ways . each attempt a critical failure .

the drow's voice came crashing into her skull at the same moment a boned claw came swiping at her abdomen . ' VALDIS , RUN !! ' valids , instead , naturally fell back , refilling lungs with a desperate gasp to replenish the air that had been forced out as her spine met soil and stone . eyes of moss and sea lifted , finding the horned beak of a hideous monstrosity that loomed over her like a stone monument . it growled , the sound placed so deeply in its chest it came out a rumbled purr , scraping its toed foot against the ground to kick her only means of protection back towards the wide trunk of the tree she had been transfixed on only moments prior.

hunt's lips pressed together , the tips ever so slightly curling downward when her gaze barely brushed his . those motley eyes cast on the dampened mud , the false-sky . . . even the other members of their merry band were gifted the grace of her full attention . but , it was when valdis rolled that beautiful head back toward their followers , did hunt catch a glimpse of perfectly paired punctures decorating her neck . they glistened like red rubies atop marble skin , and his thumb could not help but roll over the adornments . then , without thought , the paladin pressed down . as if hoping to leave a matching bruise of his own .

" a task that comes easy to you , it seems . playing . " lowering his tone to a hushed growl , he leaned in . the veins in his neck quivered from the tension of a tightened jaw , teeth bared & lips curled . misting breath brushed over the angles of her pointed ear , hot as the fire burning his blood . " when you play with the spawn , princess , does he ever feed your needs . . . or simply upon you ? " eyes glossing over , hunt pulled his possessive hold on her away , instead , placing that same twitching palm comfortably atop the hilt of his sword — lest he give in to that nagging voice and snap her neck .

every instinct , every muscle , urged him to turn back . to feast upon her as the vampire had — claim her as his . to pluck those pesky fangs out of the spawn's mouth & pierce them through his pupils . to make astarion wear the same shade of scarlet he stole from valdis under the safeguard of night .

lost in gruesome visions of dark desire , hunt hardly noticed the faint glow that bounced off of wet jags of stone that hung from the underdark's ceiling . it was not until he crested the top of the hill did his steady stride come to an abrupt halt . at the bottom of the cliff atop which he stood , a celestial light emanated from within the deep basin below . it was like the moon had been scooped from the sky to be placed within this wretched underworld — hidden in a deep hole , and embedded into the wooden marrow of a gnarled , giant tree line with blooming pale blossoms & paper white leaves.

her gaze cut sharply to the drow's face upon the intrusive inquiry that made the flutter of her pulse grow hard and steady ; a war drum in which her jaw ticked in rhythm . tongue suddenly forked , valids returned the distance between them upon the removal of his hold , pinching her lids as she narrowed them into slits . the flames stretching from her fingertips moved to her throat , her own touch grazing the calling card left by the spawn . blue and moss found the vampire once more , only to notice his attentions had instead been stolen by her drow . when hunt spoke again , his jeering sticky sweet with mockery , the princess clamped her fingers around her neck , digging nails into her flesh with the temptation to tear it from bone and muscle herself . then , pushing an almost lethal smile upon her lips ; " envy does not become you , my knight . "

upon his following words , however , valdis began to feel a suffocating impatience begin to fester behind her lips — a stubborn child who had been caught without a rebuttal . waving him off , she took enough steps to cross behind him — steering towards the descending bridge of stone and winding branches that lead toward the peculiar foliage . valdis flourished her hands at her sides , muttering " et alibi " beneath her breath , before a swell of pale blue magic blooming from her palms pulsed around her and then swallowed her whole . valdis momentarily vanished , turned to mist , until she reappeared thirty feet south .

the wine in her stomach sloshed when she pulled back suddenly . her chest was heaving , practically gasping despite hardly moving at all — still comfortably seated atop the plush carpet of green . as her hands found their way between the thin blades of grass , steadying herself as her mind spun ( the wine gradually becoming heavier in her stomach and head , among other things ), ingrid’s led their’s to the wrinkles of a scarlet skirt . dimia could feel the imprint of the woman’s fingers atop her thigh , and she wondered how the tender squeeze would feel without those pesky layers of satin and gossamer which separated skin from skin . if the adair was to simply dip her hands beneath the many layers of fluff and . . .

dimia’s body shuddered , her bottom lip finding its way between two rows of perfect teeth .

“ not very , “ she admitted after a time , breath struggling to find its way back into her tight lungs .

teeth were replaced by a tongue as it swiped over her bottom lip . the youngest spindle had been taught better than this . poise , elegance , expectation . but now , nestled beneath the shade of a tree , perched atop her knees with another noblewoman’s waist wrapped comfortably around her slender arms , dimia was sure they made quite the sight . what a scandal they’d create should unwelcome eyes search them out — an idea that only spurred her more .

“ but it doesn’t seem as though i have to . “

dimia hesitated , a wave of nausea rolling over her before leaning in , letting ingrid’s scent intoxicate her . anxiety mixed with anticipation as one of the woman’s arms unwound from the others waist , drawing up her arm and over her shoulder . a teasing nail traced over her clavicle , up her neck , back down to the center of her chest , right above the swell of rising and falling breasts . “ unless that’s part of the game we’re playing . truth , dare , tag . “ she dug the sharp point of her nail into the center of the woman’s chest . “ is that it ? are you going to run away now ? or shall we play a new game , instead . i’ve played it a few times before with the ash boy . . . and since you claim to be a boy , too , you should pick it up with ease . “

no sooner had the last syllable leapt from her tongue did dimia draw close , her stomach cramping and mind dizzy from fighting the better judgment that screamed behind the veil of drunkenness and lust . her face was millimeters from ingrid’s , and finger dragging further down her chest , toying at the lace decorating her bust . then , after some pause , dimia’s lips ghosted over the other’s — teasing them both . her tongue darted out , swiping over ingrid’s bottom lip , pushing past them and forcing the petals to part before fully pressing her own harder into her . their kiss deepened , greedy for more as her tongue raked over ingrid’s lips and teeth before tangling with her own . the nails of her other hand dug into the laces of the blonde’s dress , digging beneath them . tangling in them .

when she finally broke away , she was practically gasping for air . her cheeks were as red as her skirts , and lips swollen from want .

ingrid didn't have to ponder on dimia's momentary departure for much longer , the scarlet-clad woman leaning back in and etching hieroglyphics along the exposed terrain of milk-toned skin. a soft hum of contemplation , attempting to disguise the foreign heat beginning to coil in her abdomen ; " you're the one who came up with the game , you decide how we play. . . " ingrid teased , her words slippery on the tip of a faulting tongue , one that got caught in the side of her cheek as a shuddered breath worked its way past her parted lips once the woman's investigative nail had hooked into the hem of her bodice .

" a new game , " ingrid exclaimed . it wasn't as much an answer as it was an observation , her mind bewitched and clouded with a tangible fog . she worked enough oxygen into her lungs to fuel the remainder of her response , having needed a moment to find words , before she was tasting the wine on dimia's breath — tasting dimia's lips . eyes snapped open , light brows knotting , the hand atop the other's lap tensing as the knobs of her spine creaked from the tension that had now been placed upon them .

the hesitation only bled through for a moment , the ice that had blanketed her melting away as ingrid impulsively leaned forward to meet the other's embrace . fire flared in her chest , nails embedding themselves in muscle , spine arching where dimia's fingers knotted themselves in the cords of her corset . ruby flared in her cheeks , so deep it matched the other's house color , canines raking along dimia's lower lip as if the petal were a plush fruit she could bite into .

but dimia was then drawing back , leaving ingrid starved , lashes lifting from her cheeks — having fluttered shut without her even noticing . the scandal made her pulse soar , adrenaline thrumming through veins ; " g-game , " ingrid stammered , voice lost to her staggered breath , stomach in knots as she flexed the fingers that had sank like talons into the other's skirts . " game. . . game , right — uh , trees , i don't know. . . " to make an adair at a loss for words was a lost art , one the other seemed to have mastered in a mere hour . blinking like a doe struck by the mist itself , ingrid parted her swelled lips , before pressing them back together .

she glanced between ingrid’s obedient lips , spilling the contents of her mind , and bright , cerulean eyes . the answer was one she had expected ; still , dimia couldn’t help but be disappointed that there was not more to tell . the daughter of erik spindle , she was bred to be a naturally suspicious creature . and while she believed ingrid’s open honesty , she couldn’t help but wonder what else the woman’s calculating father could be hiding .

" when it's your turn , you're more than welcome to ask me the same , " ingrid sing-songed , leaning into the hand on the grass , feeling the soft earth molding to the shapes of her fingers the further she pressed into it . dimia , like a reflective image , moved closer almost simultaneously — making the sweet scented air bristling past suddenly infest her lungs . in a deep gulp of breath through flaring nostrils , a bull spotting a red flag ( though in this situation , the red was a specific shade of scarlet ) , lungs filled to their capacity . the organs pressed against her ribs , puffing them out , breasts lifting almost to her chin with how expanded her torso suddenly felt . dimia's scent was thick on the air on , clouding ingrid's senses . nails became embedded in the soil , the earth no doubt crawling beneath painted nails , and the teeth that had been rolling along her lip clamped down — puckering the flesh around them .

space became a concept as opposed to a reality , dimia closing in like a predator who had successfully tricked and cornered their unaware prey . ingrid felt the panic bloom , the uncertainty envelop her ribs , but the wine made her flush . yes , the WINE — the wine made her flush . the wine made her skin burn amber hot , flames licking the underside of her skin . " dimia , " her name was a sigh , an attempt to interrupt her toying but sounding instead almost as if she were reciting a prayer . spine arched in response to the other's grazing palms , nose twitching as it felt the foreign warmth of someone else's , skin prickling with goose pimples as her heart leapt up into her throat . " you'd chase. . . " ingrid echoed , her own softness foreign , hand so deeply curled into the soil she could feel the strain of the blades roots against her fingers .

another bark perched on her tongue , chastising the woman for the small mistake , but she let the petty comment fall back down her throat — allowing ingrid’s voice to take up the thin space they shared . as she spoke , dimia’s eyes followed the long trail of yellow that spilled over a lavender shoulder , shielding her round face . lifting one palm off the ground , she extended her pointer to brush the thick lock away , tucking it neatly behind ingrid’s ear . her touch lingered there for a moment — in the soft pool of golden thread , an inch from the rosy rounds of warm cheeks . however , as the question filled the air , dimia’s hand fell away ; instinctively , slender digits feathered over her breast , where her own providence card was concealed . though , technically , it was not hers . the card was a bartering chip . her dowry . it belonged to her future betrothed , and she was simply its keeper until that time came . should she live long enough to see that day .

“ i’ve never , “ she began , her voice running a pace faster than normal . carefully , though , she paused , picking around the best way to answer without revealing too much . providence cards were most powerful when they were in secret , so she had learned from her father . the adair had no reason to know that an iron gate was within arms reach , unless it was to pass the knowledge off to one of her eligible brothers . “ i’ve never used a providence card on another person . i’ve hardly seen many in person . “ then , her hold wrapped around the pitcher’s stem . lifting it to her lips , she murmured over the rim , “ a half-truth . “ dimia took a long drink . the wine was bitter and earthy , hitting her taste buds with a pang . still , she obediently swallowed ( much more polite in execution than the other ) before carefully setting it back between them .

curiosity was peaked at the woman's answer , her brows furrowed and concentrated . whilst she wasn't bright by the means of literature or science , ingrid learned enough from her brothers ( all twelve of them ) to know how to read people . learned enough from her father to understand fine print . the emphasis on another person , the drawl between spoken thought , the words she murmured against the carafe's rim. . . ingrid's head tilted , canines nipping at the corner of her lip in contemplation , before humming a satisfaction at her response , mildly satisfied . " you said this game was about telling the truth. half truths don't count , " she said pointedly , cobalts twinkling like two reflective pools — the matter-of-fact tone followed be a condescending clicking of her tongue.

then , a deep sigh , a hand falling to the patch of grass between them , twisting the blades between manicured fingers . " everyone knows what card my family has , " ingrid replied with a wrinkled nose . " a chalice . my father boasts we have another , and if we do , i know little of it . "

“ so , “ it was more of a hum than a word . “ you aren’t a rebel , you’re merely a daughter scorned . “ dimia noted , her head tilting to the side , perfect ringlets of midnight pooling in the crook of her neck . with the watchful , black-eyed gaze of a bird , she searched the woman’s delicate face & small mountain of words for some mistruth . for any tell that could give dimia reason to demand she dive back into the flagon for another swig . finally , though , she replied , “ such an odd creature . “

dimia did not expand . it should have been clear , she thought . after all , despite the earnest conviction held within each word ingrid had spoken , she could not find any reason great enough to so openly scorn her life . . . and the luxuries that came with it . it made dimia’s skin prickle to think that she may one day have to curtsy to a queen unfit & unwilling to sit the throne . she ( or , more likely , nya ) would wear the crown with far more grace . alas , their father had severed his tie to the king upon stepping down as captain to the destrier’s , snapping the twins’ chances in two .

" odd is a word for it , though my father prefers diabolical . embarrassment . disloyal . " a wave of her hand , a roll of her eyes . ingrid's head bowed , a canopy of gold swooping from behind her ear to hang like a sheer curtain in front of her face , shielding dimia's watchful eyes from the flicker of unease that she knew to be present in the wrinkles of her face .

lifting her gaze , her meager mask resembled , nothing picturesque , but close enough where she hoped her discomfort of talking about herself wasn't detectable - she met dimia's eyes . they were closer now , two mirrored pools of charred ash , gleaming expectantly . ingrid sipped on the shared air between them , twisting her lips in contemplation , before leaning in just a smidgen herself ; a simple question , but effective . . . one that would tell ingrid ALL she needed to know about someone .

— DIMIA WONDERED HOW IT looked : she , with an untouched pitcher of rich wine cradled in her arms , sauntering side-by-side with the black sheep of ladyship . the adair girl’s outlandish free will had been a circulating topic of gossip for some years — particularly from the serpentine tongue of dimia’s own prude of a mother — and yet , the golden locked girl continued to feed the chittering old birds .

shoeless in the gardens , traipsing by the tall hedges of the lavish labyrinth , the spindle ( a fine example of the proper poise & etiquette expected of women of their ranking ) crinkled her nose at ingrid and turned away . “ you will not , “ she argued . “ just because you’re incapable does not mean you can damn the rest of us . if you want to skip through the streets barefoot like a pauper , be my guest . but i’ll rot in the dungeons by decree of that stupid law before joining your majesty . “

dimia , once again in the lead , despite being dragged a large distance by the other , weaved through the garden walls with a false sense of purpose . though confidence was weighted in each step , the maiden had no idea to where it was she was headed . eventually , though , after a matter of minutes , now deep within the hedge maze , she gestured toward a comfortable glade tucked behind a small tree . and , despite her bitter argument , as she nestled into the grass and rested the pitcher atop the ground , she too was removing her shoes and bunching up her skirts .

with wicked intrigue , ingrid sauntered over to where dimia sat and dropped her weight down to the bed of grass beside the puddle of scarlet , greedy hands scooping up the pitcher to take an improper swig from its outward turned lip . setting it back down , just in time for dimia's feather-tipped fingers to go searching for its rim , ingrid dragged the back of her hand across her ruby-stained petals . " a game. . . " she echoed . oh , how she loved games .

though when the rules of the game came to fruition , she hesitated , dragging the tip of her juice-soaked tongue along the back of her teeth . it sounded much like the game her father did for a living , wielding the power of forced truths , though she knew for certain there was no card in play here . . . so , as long as she somehow , miraculously , mastered her incapability of shielding her expressions ; she should be fine should any inquiry require a fib .

the question made her laugh , a sound that existed somewhere between a hiccup and a snort , fingers beginning to rip unceremoniously at her pinned bun until the braid unwound from the bun it had been fastened in . fingers combed through the strands , freeing them from their entrapment , a sigh of contemplation sounding as she drew her inner cheek between teeth . " i don't consider it rebellion , " she fessed after a moment's thought , lifting her nails to rake against her scalp , lids fluttering at the relief of the strain that had been plaguing her tender head.

" i am the middle child amongst thirteen , and much to your disbelief , i am my father's only daughter . i wish my life to be of more value than that of a bartering chip for my father's place in the king's regard . i've got twelve brothers , six elder than myself , all capable of wedding. . . it makes little sense to me what power would come with my betrothal that my father does not already wield . besides , i find the prince to be a rather insufferable man . i'd rather be lost to the mist than became an accessory for his arm . "

set in the underdark .

— THE ECHO OF DARKNESS was endless , yet , within its malignant void , hunt found an odd comfort . after all , the underdark was a place he had once called home . he still did , in a sense , despite being stripped from its lightless cavern in the early days of adolescence — sold to the surface and indentured under a ruler he had no love for ; and now , as the nostalgia washed over him in the form of dank moisture in the air , ominous howling in the distance , and the prickling sense that unknown horrors lurked in the dark , the drow could not help but smile . a toothy smile , flashing every pointed teeth in his cruel maw . the only expression of unadulterated , joyous pleasure he had shown since the nautaloid crash .

“ careful , princess , “ he purred , a noticeable change to his usually strict ( and arguably demeaning ) tone . “ a single misstep here , and not even i can save you . the underdark is unforgiving , so stay close — a little , bright-eyed thing . . . the monsters will eat you alive . “ the last string of words were dragged purposefully through bared teeth , a dark glint reflecting in deep red eyes . after all , it was but the night before that hunt had indulged upon a feast of his own . laid claim to his owner’s pretty mutt ; stolen , too , from the spawn whom he now eyed with calculated disdain .

the metal joints of his gauntlet wrapped around the back of valdis’s neck , cupping the tip of her spine possessively . protectively . a commanding hold that yielded to nothing but his sole will and wants . “ you will behave , or you will die . and what a shame that would be . “

it was a fighting effort to keep her focus on the venture at hand and not on the drow beside her , an invisible thread tethering her to her knight , heightened senses well attuned to every twitch of his lips and click of his teeth as he guided their party lower , and lower , and lower.

when hunt's speech came , an almost drunken slur to syllables that now seemed to sit more round in his mouth , valdis didn't flicker a glance in his direction — instead , allowing a feather of a smile to grace her lips. " a common occurrence , it seems. . . monsters wishing to devour me , " a coy playfulness to her words , a purposeful step closer to him . hunt's possessive touch coming to cup her neck made her spine elongate , eyes only now breeching her peripheral to cast him a sideways glance , a quirk lifting one of her brows .

" ingrid-- !! " , was all she could manage . the name hissed between her teeth , but she did little to fight back as the woman dragged them across the way . her tongue curled , ready to snap another disgruntled whine , but ingrid's arm was tugging on hers , the woman's weight readjusting as she took hold of a large pitcher which sloshed with liquid gold . raven eyes sparkled , a look of pleasure finally painting her pinched features .

now intrigued , her steps were much more eager than before . " in quite a hurry , aren't we ? " she matched ingrid's pace , no longer dragging her heels . moving in tandem , she tilted her head a fraction , peering down her nose at the woman . " wherever could you be stealing me away to . . . and with a flagon of wine , at that . you aren't trying to wrap me into your trouble , mi-- " her sing-songy words were cut short as ingrid's misstep shattered their matching rhythm . as the other nursed their twisted ankle , dimia was trying to balance herself from teetering to the floor .

" it's these bloody shoes !! " ingrid whined , face crumbled in irritance . dimia's voice was then as lost as those in the mist , a far echo in ingrid's ears , as she further ailed her reputation by kicking off the damned things . royal purple went skidding across the floor , and in one swift motion , ingrid was scooping them off the ground and racing forth on bare feet ; feeling rowan directly beneath her .

precisely where it should be .

" and while the prince toys with you . . . i'll play my hand at the fools . you do make them sound quite lovely — your brothers . besides , i like my men foolish ; it's how all men should be . they are sooo much easier that way . " onyx eyes pulled away from ingrid and wandered the nearby crowd , lingering on the stray silhouettes of purple thread & golden locks . " you will introduce me to one of the infamous adair boys , won't you ? a real boy , not a pretend one . pretty as the pretender is , i've been tasked to find a husband . not a playmate . "

as the silky words spiraled off her lips , dimia's breath hitched ever so slightly . instinctively , she pulled back at the sudden intrusion of ingrid's teasing touch . the spoiled girl that she was , dimia loved to take but not to give . her hand suddenly itched to dig the card out of her bustier — where ingrid's own fingers traced dangerously close — and triple-tap its magic into her veins . to wash away the cold with its gift of serenity . a bartering chip for a future suitor had become the woman's own undoing . a vice she valued over her own self .

a present for the prince she was , indeed .

ingrid , too absorbed in her own ailments , didn't notice the shift in the other's demeanor as her own hand feathered her neckline , half forgetting the physical taunt almost entirely in favor for the wallowing she was doing in her mind . " my brothers will be of little interest to you , " she cut , wielding words with little regard , relieved to have steered the subject away from the prince . . . until the damned topic was refocused , zeroed in on , the word princess enough to make her visibly green as she swallowed .

" nevermind my woes , " the blonde dismissed , words trailing as she final spotted what she had been yearning for moments prior to being caught between twin branches ; skirts and patience and tolerance having been tested whilst sobriety made it a challenge to withdraw without leaving a notable mark ( or a further spoilt taste in her company's mouth than she assumed already lingered there ) . " — i've spotted something far more to my liking than princes or talk of my brothers. "

without thought , she hooked her arm through dimia's , practically yanking the scarlet-clad woman to her side , pushing her weight forward to deepen their involvement in the celebrations instead of clinging to the outskirts like wallflowers . " pardon me !! " she called out to the servant wielding a carafe of ruby-red wine , a poisonously sweet smile on her face . " miss adair. . . miss spindle , " they greeted , perplexity clear in their expression at the sight of the two ( though they attempted to save face by offering a smile ; strained and awkward as it was ) . ingrid didn't exchange any further pleasantries , reaching forward her empty hand to pluck the pitcher from his glinting silver tray , some of the liquid sloshing over the edge and sprinkling the rowan wood floor beneath .

dimia's explorative touch continued its feathery trail across the purple , crushed petal skirt . it lingered over wrinkles , lightly smoothed any bunchings . through thick , dark lashes , her even darker eyes followed their own journey in tracing ingrid's soft , plump , girlish features . though , dimia saw through the delicate sheen . a rugged wear was etched into the wrinkles beside her bright blue eyes and the laugh-lines around puckered , downturned lips . the dress was a fine costume , but ingrid was no good at playing the part tied to it — that much was certain .

withdrawing her hands at ingrid's silent , albeit forceful , request , she folded them politely atop the flowing satin of her own skirts — a deep crimson , for spindle house . the blood-like hue was the only color that clung to the woman . her skin was white as snow & hair blacker than night . not even a blush kissed her pale cheeks , nor her unsmiling lips . both surprising , considering the impish verve that vibrated off her tongue with every word that seeped into their shared air .

stepping closer , almost daringly so , ingrid lifted her chin and attempted to add a few inches to her otherwise plain and average height . she took in dimia's dark lashes and manicured brows , her near colorless complexion . she was pretty , that was for certain , but it was the devious glint in her gaze that truly caught the adair girl's attention . " is that all us boys are to you ?? mere play things ?? " her words then drew themselves out , a spool of thread unwinding , as if she were savoring each syllable , eyes twinkling ; " — i'll have you know that i am not nearly anything like my brothers . i'd never handle a woman's heart so foolishly . "

it was her turn to poke and prod now , an invasive finger feathering the neckline of the other's dress , not failing to notice the way dimia's breasts swelled over the hem with each breath — nor the way her jewelry rose and fell with milkmaid skin on the filling and emptying of lungs , either . an apple red flush brightened in ingrid's features at dimia's taunt , and she scowled at the moniker , wrinkling her freckle-dusted nose even further once dimia continued her mockery . the wine in her stomach turned , almost curdling , and she winced as if the poke to her nose had been made by that of a swords tip as opposed to the pad of a strikingly cold finger .

ingrid was lucky . the only girl of the litter , the runt in their den of wild mutts , she did not ( despite dimia's crude comment ) look much like a boy at all . in fact , the young woman possessed an unusual yet striking loveliness . granted , the state in which she held herself was in need of some work . . . but dimia was an ever-curious creature . she was drawn to the unusual , and loved a pet-project .

nya's eyes flew open and mouth fell agape , stricken by ingrid's bluntness . dimia , however , had to stifle a laugh — a subtle sparkle in her dark eyes , and slight curve to the tip of her rouged lips . " and what a pretty boy you are . the prettiest i've ever seen , in fact . " she remarked , eliciting a scoff from her sister .

" that's poor taste , don't you think ? to start such a rumor . the king would be mortified ! what a senseless notion to entertain . "

dimia was unfazed by the melodrama that oozed off nya's lips . her sister had always had a touch more . . . spirit . she was quicker to smile , to chatter , to charm — dimia , oftentimes , her shadow rather than sister . " you would know , wouldn't you , nya . you have kissed just about every boy in blunder . "

with cheeks red as apples , nya yanked her arm out of dimia's & shot her twin an acidic look . she dared glance her shrunken gaze back to ingrid , too , before retorting : " only the cute ones . jealous ? " pointing her chin upward , nya fisted her skirts & spun away on her heel , but not before calling one last comment over her shoulder . " this one is all yours . "

her sister melted into the crowd , the deep red of her garments lost within the sea of flowing color . dimia frowned for a moment — stricken with a feeling of emptiness without her other half beside her — but pushed the sensation deep within the pit of her stomach , turning her attention back to the adair girl .

" lucky me , " she sing-songed , voice chipper despite the blankness of her features . " however will i compete with a prince , though ? "

at the compliment , ingrid scooped up the left and right sides of her skirts and dramatically curtseyed , dropping chin to her sternum , though there was no sincerity or sign of respect behind the gesture at all . no , it was all play. all for mocking display . " why THANK YOU , m'lady . . . "

once the other twin had dismissed herself , ingrid's eyes returned to the one who remained ; dimia , she had now learned ( she was always poor at telling the two apart , not that deciphering one from the other mattered much to her until now ) . her gaze was lucid as it aimlessly wandered over the details of her face , her curiosity piqued . there was a different curl to this twin's lips , a curve to her pillows that caught ingrid's attention , lashes fluttering as she took in the contours of the other's expression ; her own attentive , investigative .

" easily , " ingrid mused in reply , head now turning to the other side ; a curious animal sizing up another , determining whether they were friend or foe. " i hold little admiration for the prince , i assure you , you're far more . . . " her tongue clicked against her teeth , searching for the most accurate descriptor ; " - stimulating , in comparison . "

for a woman who was encouraged to be calculated , reputation carved solely by the hands of a controlling father , ingrid's eyes were quite unguarded . she wore her emotions on her face as one wore clothes on skin ; displayed , easy to interpret . it was one of her many flaws , her father would constantly remind her , and ingrid could recally always hearing the desire for a maiden cursed beneath his breath whenever her expression found itself contorted too easily with emotion . ingrid would often find herself expressing a silent relief that her father wielded a chalice and not a maiden , for she knew down to her bones the man would use it on her . . . than bury it twelve feet deep .

as the other's hands invaded her personal space , the woman was pulled from her thoughts and suddenly stiffened . her spine went rigid like hardened stone , a sharp inhale being drawn up through flaring nostrils .

" do you require your hands to see ?? " ingrid chided , a bite to her inquiry , though her feet made no effort to move herself backwards and away from dimia's inspecting fingers . the insults rolled off her back like water down glass , though a chill crept up from her ankles , curling around her knees , surging up into her stomach before blooming in her chest . she shivered , a flush crawling up her neck as she narrowed her eyes .

— THE SILK END OF a raven lock tickled dimia's lips , the strand coiled tightly around her fingers and dusting the sharp features of her face . a small comfort . eyes , black as her hair , were trained upon the brittle , yellowing pages of a book , the camaraderie & excitement of equinox carrying on around her . courtiers gossiped whilst the men played at one another's pride , but she could not help but feel somewhat numb to the intoxicating effects of the grand event . after all , nothing compared to sweet , drowning serenity — a vice she had become slave to . not today , though . the iron gate was as much a secret as it had been a gift ; her mother had been strict in her instruction that it stay confined within the walls of their chamber . . . but what mother didn't know would not hurt her .

before her thumb could even brush the delicate curve of her bustier , fingering the velvet edge of the concealed providence card , nya's hands were curling around her sharp shoulders like talons upon prey . dimia jumped , then promptly shot her sister a lethal glare . the two were a mirror image ; identical twins , alike in every way but one .

" there ! do you see her ?! " nya's finger wagged frantically across the gardens .

the crowd was thick , and pulsed with a life of its own . every noble within the mist was in attendance . " . . . who ? "

nya whistled with impatience , her pointed finger still raised . " the girl , of course . the one mother spoke of — rumored to be 'contracting' her way into royalty . look ! THERE ! "

finally , dimia's languid stare matched her sister's . a sparkle of curiosity began to twinkle within onyx irises as a wash of yellow passed over them . she sat up , her book laid beside her — forgotten .

" an adair ? how odd . "

" odd indeed ! just LOOK at her : hair like straw , dress amuck , a graceless gait . ugh , how utterly unfair ! if only father had something of value . i would make a perfect princess . . . or you , of course . " nya clumsily tacked on the last bit , the sincerity of her words lost to the wind . dimia hardly noticed . her attention was entirely captured by golden waves & lilac satin .

her twin's empty chatter continued , threading in one ear & out the other with little response . it was not until a sharp nail dug into her cheek did dimia drag her gaze back to her living reflection .

" we should introduce ourselves . " when nya's eyebrows flew upward , leveling the other with an incredulous look , dimia continued . " in the unlikely event the king is desperate enough to let her take his name , it's better to be a friend that whispers in her ear rather than a stranger that does so behind her back . "

" but i don't want to be her friend , " the other whined .

dimia hooked an arm through her sister's , dragging nya up & across the garden despite her dragging feet . " it's play-pretend , nya . a little fun . "

the closer they drew , the clearer a picture she could paint of the unfamiliar woman . at a glance , she looked as lovely as the other ladies that glided through court . a trained eye , however , would note the unkept strands of hair peeking out of her bun , the subtle wrinkles hiding in her skirt , the scowl hidden behind an otherwise stoic face . arm in arm , dimia pulled them close — til the matching pair were but a step behind her .

" i thought the adair's were all boys . " beautiful & delicate as they were , the twins had never been known for their tactful graces . nya may have had an infamously quick-tongue , but it was dimia who possessed the bluntness of a hammer .

" they are all boys . " nya retorted , her gaze lost in the crowd and attention stolen by something — anything — else .

dimia's head tilted , her brow arched & eyes sparkling peculiarly ( some mix of curiosity & cruelty ) . " is that true ? are you a boy ? how unfortunate for your betro-- rumored betrothed . "

" likewise - " she pushed the words out , an awkward and uncomfortable laugh betraying her composure . another stern yank of lilac fabric had her clearing her throat , bowing her head as she horrendously curtseyed . " your highness , " she tacked on , thankful her chin was to her sternum as a scowl curled her lips .

the walk away from the dais had been filled with hissed , stern correction from her father , ingrid's expression bored as ceruleans rolled impatiently at his theatrics. " father , please , " she begged , tone slathered in disquietude . his hand moved to her bicep now , tugging roughly on his only daughter's arm to force her to face him , a hardened copper gaze finding marbled blues as he lowered his face to hers .

" you will NOT make a fool of me , or this family , in front of the king , ingrid . " his words were seeped in venom , in threat , and her face momentarily paled as she widened her eyes . pink lips parted to protest , tongue pointed and ready to strike , but she swallowed down her opposition and ripped her stare away - focusing on a far corner of the room . at her silence , he continued ; " you will act like a lady . like the woman i raised you to be . the woman i promised to him . do you understand me ?? "

canines found the flesh of her inner cheek , biting down , lashes fluttering as a blur fogged her vision from her eyes remaining unblinking .

a tighter squeeze. " i said do you understand me ?? "

" yes , father , i understand. " her voice came , quiet though strained from the sheer will it took her to force the compliance out.

upon release , ingrid emptied her lungs in a sigh , eyes beginning to search in desperation for another carafe of wine to help herself to , her flagon long since stolen by her idiot brothers and her thirst for comfort damn near insatiable .

however , she had only made it a steps worth before her path was being intercepted by a familiar set of faces ; two sides of the same coin , walking reflections . their words cut as deep as a papercut , nothing more than a mere skim at an already fleeting pride , jaw clicking as she clamped it tight to flash them a smile . polite , but barely so .

" observant as ever , you spindles , " ingrid mused , though it came out more of a hiss as she refused to part her pearly teeth to speak , words whisked between the clenched rows . her need for fermented fruit seemed to multiply in their presence , given how she visibly winced at the mention of her betrothal . the people of blunder talked , that she knew , but the news had hardly been hours old as she herself had only discovered it that morning - thanks to the loose lips of her kin .

finding one of the twin's gazes , still unbeknownst to her as to which was which ( both pretty , neither notably bright from what she knew of them ) her smile teetered ; splintering almost into painful territory as the apples of her cheeks strained from the forced expression .