Cliffed
Husbandry Fic
Not me back fully but I had this on my mind for a bit
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No real warnings
His twisted gnarled fingers gently caressed her face. When was the last time he thought with such clarity and so selflessly? When had his life turned into a circus of alliances and bitter betrayals to get another drop of power and gain? When had his life turned so far away from his original task. Yes she smiled at him so sweetly and lovingly but this wasn't love. His many eyes drifted down to the collar on her neck... to his symbol of domination over her. Oh yes by the bottom of his hearts he loved her but was her love in return genuine or simply connected to survival... to fear.
There was worry on her face as she could tell something was wrong. Hands that offered comfort ran along his hand, and he could see the barest hint of hesitation like a person with a wild animal that they love but it was prone to bite back as it was still wild. He had heard a phrase... if you love something... set it free. "Master?" Her voice soothed the storm in him as now he hesitated. "Kyphos?" She now whispered his name... such a secret between them. He wanted to be selfish and tell her it was nothing... to be a coward and play this off as him thinking so deeply.
Her breath shuttered as he removed the collar off from around her neck for the first time in a long time. She looked up at him confused before he knelt down and kissed those lips that were too good for him. "I have been told... that if I love something I should set it free." His voice had an edge of pain to its twisted reverberation, "I have fallen in love with you Dimithria. But I've realized that this is no way for me to have you love in return... no matter how many times you've said it. It was always under threat of pain and hurt." He remembers the first time he made her tell him it with tears in her eyes and fear weeping out her pores. Their love was built upon an alter of fear and threats. "I'm giving you a choice... Do not tell it to me now." He whispers not being able to hear her put words to this.
He stood up... letting his hand move against her cheek caressing it. If you love something set it free... and if it returns take it for it is yours. He wandered over to the door feeling his hearts pound hard as his mind was switching into the trance of death he entered for battle. He took one last look back at her... "Goodbye Dimithria." And left his room.
He flipped the page and couldnt help but scream in frustration causing the Dark Angel he worked with to rush into the room looking at him bewildered, "What's going on?!"
"HE LEFT THIS ON A FUCKING CLIFFHANGER?!" The dressed down Emperors' Child screams indignantly.
"I see you're reading our clients book..."
"How else am I to paint the best novel cover! BUT THAT BASTARD!" He snarled as he couldnt help but stomp his feet in a slight tantrum.
Brother Domic rolled his eyes leaning against the door. Of course, Arnault's latest book would cause such a reaction. After all Sigvald was so invested in the book series.
"Do I need to call our client and let him know his artist is throwing a tantrum?"
"No." Sigvald snapped before tying his hair up and grabbing some sketch paper to sketch out something.
"Are you going to be mad and petty enough to do it on a canvas or digitally?"
"Oh he's getting the fucking canvas. Its going to be Emperor Damned beautiful."
"I'll call and let him know it will be an extra month at most before we can publish."
He could hear Sigvald grumble under his breath about getting 'cliffed'.
