Plucked from the land of the dead unceremoniously in the midst of some false king’s delusional breakdown. Alister had barely a moment to open his eyes before the brute had been grabbing him from the cauldron and forcing him to the floor. Raving about who was in charge and what use he would be.
Alister had fought back of course.
However he underestimated his opponent. The body that appeared to be plagued by famine and starvation hit harder and was more resilient than he’d thought. Especially with the cane it was hardly a contest. No matter how hard Alister had tried to get the cane back. Left beaten and thrown into this cell to lick his wounds. Duke was letting him be humbled and deciding what to do with him. Alister was bidding his time.
His injuries slow to heal without immediate blood. Perhaps the madman planned to starve him as well. To weaken him or torment him further. Alister left to his thoughts.
As soon as the first bit of earthly colour catches his eye the royal is perking up. From slouched in the corner to scrambling for the first rose that buds. A breath of life in this place of death and decay. He cradles the rose he’s set his eyes on even as his surroundings bloom. So gently as to not bruise or upset the rich petals. Expression turning ever so soft as he feels an outpouring of relief and a warm swell in his chest. “Brier…?” He whispers. Despite not knowing how long has passed he’s overjoyed that she hasn’t forgotten him. “Beloved. Oh my darling. You found me.”
He chuckles quietly. Sparing an anxious glance towards the outside of his cell but trusts that she will know if they’re alone. “Does it remind you of when we met? A fallen prince and a glorious queen.” He muses tenderly. Getting lost in a moment in sentimentality. He’s spent centuries thinking of her and how they’d never be reunited only to hear her voice once again. His thumbs stroke the petals of the rose he holds. “I missed you.”
Sitting upon her throne she wishes nothing more than her freedom in this moment to rush to his side and break him from that horrid prison. Just like the other vampires to keep her from what she wanted, needed, they always had been such a selfish species taking and taking never once thinking of the rest. How fitting it would be for Anger to rule them. Though she did not feel the artifact’s presence near them, in fact it didn’t look like anyone was near them an empty castle with just one prisoner.
Brier can hardly stop the mix of overflowing emotion that hammers in her chest, the words he spoke swept her off her feet just as they had those centuries ago. How she had missed him, and how she would never allow him to leave her again. The vines and roots that would start to floor his cell would wrap around him, torso, legs, arms, even entwining between his fingers as if she was holding his hand. Only one unfortunate downside were the small thorns that accompanied her otherwise loving embrace.
“ It reminds me all too well. Shall I set you free once more? “ A rhetorical question, Brier would find a way for him to be freed and to return to his true home. By her side he would sit upon his throne once more, rebuilt his kingdom and anything he wished she would be sure to give it to him. Nothing would tear him from her arms again and she would move the Heavens and Hells from his path if it meant keeping her hold on him.
Unhealthy? Definitely. Brier was no stranger to giving so much more in their relationships and in turn only wanting that connection. Obsession. Possessiveness. She wouldn’t allow those around him the same lax attitude she had once given them. Airad was underestimated, it was Brier’s fault for believing the docile nurse would keep her submissive nature and stay out of their business. Now those who stray too close to what is her’s will find themselves skewered upon a pike of her own rose bushes.
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