Marion Flicker

Was it the firm leather that covered his palms, that was so warm to the touch? They gripped his wrists as tightly as he did his own sword, firm and rugged and unflinching…yet at the same felt so soft, so tender…

…or was it the gauntlet’s exterior, the sharpened steel that felt so cool to the touch? The prince’s fingers curled against the knight’s grip, pricking themselves against the sharpened scales that guarded the knuckles of his fingers. He chuckled as he tightened his hold with one hand, moving the other to his face. Cold steel brushes against his cheek, trailing down his face before grabbing his chin, lifting the prince’s head to meet his eyes.

This ability came in particular handy when she knighted new knights, for in that brief moment, she knew exactly how they would serve her.

Most had a shyness to them, still seeing themselves as simple squires instead of newly noble knights. As such, they struggled to meet her gaze, intense and unwavering as it was. They didn’t see themselves as worthy. She would take the sword meant to dub them and place it under their chin…using the blade to coax them to meet her eyes. She would smile as she watched them struggle to hide their tremble, as she found their nervousness quite cute, the poor things. Back in the days when she was a princess, she would have much fun toying with these young knights…alas, she was a Queen now, and had no such time for foolish games. Besides, they would become fine knights as they came into their own. All good things in due time.

Others knights were eager…overly so. With a confident smirk, they would meet her eyes…but they would never be truly looking, would they? Their minds were distracted, focused on daydreaming of their newfound power. Of fights and feasts, glory and gore, all that was soon to come. And as they fantasized…these imprudent whelps failed to register that their Queen was mere inches from their beings! These knights had potential, of course, they wouldn’t be knighted if they were unworthy…but they would need to be put in their place before they became a hazard. Not by her, of course, she had no time for fools…no, that was a job best left to a more senior knight.

And then, every once in a while, a special knight came along. They would approach her with quiet resolve, and met her gaze with unwavering determination as they knelt before her with purpose. These knights understood their role, ready to shoulder with dignity heavy burden that came with chivalry. As The Queen looked into their eyes, she saw they understood that nothing short of total devotion would suffice. And in the moment they locked eyes, the queen would feel a heat rise within herself, for she knew that they were ready to serve her, kill for her, please her.