#choosing fate

Part 1

Masterlist

“We have found her.”

The guard said nothing else but he and another brought in a girl with her hands bound. It appeared as if she had been struggling but she had given up. He couldn’t see her face because it was covered by her hood. Whether she had preferred to keep it up or if the guards had pulled it over her face to keep her from being able to attempt escape, he didn’t know. He pulled the hood down and he was not disappointed by her defiant scowl but he was angered that her face was marked with a cut on one cheek.

The guards had already been wordlessly dismissed and he didn’t bother to call them back. They could be called to account for their actions at any time. He turned to face her. Her hair was loose and wild. He suspected that was because of the struggle to find her. He had seen pictures and heard descriptions but once the word got out that he was searching for her she had run. She likely had help and all those who had helped hide her from him would be dealt with. He tilted her face up to his, holding her chin in his hand. She tried to pull away but he tightened his grip. Her blue eyes glinted with malice.

“You are Marinette?” he asked. “The daughter of the bakers from Anat.”

She didn’t look away from him. Her eyes bored into him but she refused to answer. He barely moved, just a slight gesture, but the guard on the wall reacted. There had been a child approaching with a pitcher. The pitcher fell with a shattering sound as the guard lifted him and drew his sword. There was barely a sound that came from the child after the initial surprise. That showed her that he meant business. They called him the Demon and she had heard that he was ruthless. She tore her eyes away from the child and looked back at the demon’s face before making a decision.

“I am.”

Her voice was surly but she had given him the information he needed. He still had to be absolutely certain.

“You were born when the algol star was dim on a night without a moon?”

She glanced back at the child again. The guard didn’t even reaffirm the threat. He just waited for the signal so she spoke before it was given.

“I was.”

“How lucky for you. We are to be married.”

—

Part 7 (part 6)

masterlist

She was planning to spend the day with Damian because she had finished the outfit she had been working on. Not only that, she had made one for her to coordinate. She felt so brazen, feeling proud of how good it looked. But it was truly breath-taking. She wrapped it carefully, using the extra cloth to tie it as a hint to what he would find inside. Her excitement was making her jittery. She had to work hard to quiet her steps in order to surprise him.

She was far into the labyrinth of stone carvings, nearly as far as the place where they had attempted the ritual when she found him. She saw him first, laying back against a smooth stone while looking over his research materials. He was facing away from her, but she had gotten to know him well enough that she could picture the look of concentration on his face.

She thought he must have heard her because he put the materials aside. But he didn’t look back at her. She followed the direction of his gaze and saw that he was looking at her. Before them was her likeness, cast in stone. He had carefully carved every detail of her to appear just as life-like as the one of his father. Suddenly, she understood what he was researching without her, and she felt sick.

Final (part 7)

masterlist

She looked so small and helpless when they brought her in.

Her chest barely rose and fell but he couldn’t think of that now. He sent the guards out and the maids started undressing her as soon as their backs were turned. He looked away as they put her in the cool water for the sake of her modesty.

Riders were being sent with all haste to every medic in the surrounding villages who had any experience with poisoning.

“To her parents as well?” her lead guard had asked.

Damian nodded. He didn’t like to think of the reason for sending for them. The thought that she might never wake cut deep. He had stolen her life and could be the reason for her death. There was no reason anyone would want to hurt her. She was innocent of everything. But he had many enemies. Any of them could have gone through her in order to hurt him.

He was surprised at how much it did hurt him to think of, not just because of his regret over stealing her life, but he had come enjoy being around her more than any other person.

“Mix the fahm nabati into water and bring it quickly,” he commanded to a maid.

The maids bathing her had wrapped a sheet around her and he was grateful. He didn’t wish to expose her to every guard and medic who would arrive. Time was of the essence. He sat by her head and dampened a cloth to cool her head and neck. The water was warming quickly from the heat pouring off her body. When it no longer felt cooler than her, he lifted her from the water and onto his lap.

Her eyes opened and focused on him briefly. There was the barest trace of a smile before her eyes looked panicked. She moved around wildly and he tipped her forward. She heaved and made a strangled noise.

He pulled another cool cloth from a bucket and used it to cool her face. He was relieved when the maid he sent rushed back in with a pitcher. He poured the mixed fahm nabati into a small bowl and put it up to her lips. She attempted to drink but then pitched backwards, spilling it down both of them. He poured more in and held her head still.

“Drink for me Marinette,” he said, “It should help.”

She made a face but got some down. It wasn’t as much as he hoped but she was fading out of consciousness again. He motioned to the maid. She reached down to take Marinette from him.

“Clean her up and dry her off. Dress her in loose clothing,” he commanded.

He then went to his own chambers.

“Fresh linens on the bed quickly,” he said. “And then bring a bucket of cool water and clean cloths.”

They all worked quickly and as soon as the bedding was fresh, Marinette was brought to his bed. If any of them questioned her being brought to his bed instead of her own, they didn’t say it. They worked to help her as quickly as they could. He piled pillows under her and used a damp cloth to blot her brow.

It was not very long until he was notified that her parents had been brought.

“Send them right in,” Damian said. “Get them anything they request.”

Tom and Sabine looked nervously around as they were brought into his personal chambers but as soon as they saw their daughter they rushed forward, forgetting the awkwardness.

“What happened?” Sabine asked. “They didn’t tell us why we were brought here.”

“There was a disturbance in the market today. She was only separated from the guards for a few minutes, but we believe she was poisoned.”

“Who would do such a thing?” Tom said.

“It was surely someone with a grudge against me. Your daughter is beloved by all the people. I’ve heard of many who travel to the market just to see her or speak to her.” He went quiet for a moment. “I’ve done all I know how to do to help her. I have sent for every healer I know. I’m afraid now we must all wait and see what happens.”

They all turned as Marinette stirred, “m-am-an” she groaned, before closing her eyes again.

Sabine made a choked sound and bit her lip. Rather than crying, she took a fresh cloth and took over for Damian.

Damian stood and left, hoping he could find someone to punish for Marinette’s suffering.

—

Damian turned at a small cry.

The kitten he had gotten for Marinette was getting bigger but sounded so mournful. He probably was missing her. He had complete faith that the maids had been feeding the animal but they probably avoided letting him into Damian’s room. He scooped up the cat and carried him to his bed. He didn’t even make it all the way over there before the animal had spotted Marinette lying there and vaulted away.

He curled up right next to her before Damian had taken the few steps to be by her side. She shifted in her sleep and her hand moved up in an attempt to pet him, but lay still against his fur. She had not awakened for more than a few minutes at a time and never when Damian was by her side. Her parents had told her what was happening and he merely hoped that they didn’t tell her to blame him.

He blamed himself but he didn’t want her to look at him with accusation in her eyes when he finally saw them again. The healers believed that the danger was passed by now, as long as she eventually awoke for more than a brief moment.

There was a rich soup kept hot by her side for whomever was in the room to push on her when she woke and fresh water and linens to keep her cool and clean. Damian adjusted her covers and wiped her brow again. Then, he sat holding her hand and petting the kitten, wishing for her to open her eyes.

—

Marinette was surprised that her parents were by her side when she woke up. She was trying to ignore the kitten playing with her feet but eventually the movement pulled her from her slumber. It was her Papa that was there playing with the kitten and she was not in her own bed but in Damian’s. She pushed herself up quickly and immediately regretted it.

“Not so fast,” her Maman cautioned.

With a little help, they sat her up in the bed and helped her reach the soup. She felt fairly drained but also restless. Her parents were trying to talk her out of getting up and moving around so quickly when Damian entered.

“She will be okay with me,” he stated, holding out his arm for her. “If she is suddenly too tired, I will assist her.”

Marinette smiled brightly at that. She didn’t remember being in the room too long, but she could definitely feel it in her body. Her mother stopped her to help her change into fresh robes and that did wonders for her. Then, Damian led her directly to the garden.

“You have been very unwell and I was greatly concerned,” Damian said as he turned to her.

“I’m sure it would be hard to explain what happened to me. That might damage your position,” Marinette looked down when she spoke. She didn’t want to see the understanding in his eyes.

“I was not worried about myself for even a second, except for wondering what I would ever do without you,” Marinette sucked in her breath as he took hold of her chin and tilted it up. She could feel his breath on her lips as he whispered, “don't hold your breath. My heart might stop if you ever stop breathing again. “

She tried to take a shaky breath, but as his lips gently brushed against hers she couldn't form the thought to keep breathing. Her foot moved on its own to push her forward into his arms and her eyes closed. It wasn't just her weakness from the sickness that had her clinging to him.

His arms held her up as he trailed his kissed from her mouth down to her neck. She pulled him back up until their mouths met, as if his breath could help her catch hers. She had never felt like this before. She wondered if she had been poisoned again, but instead of feeling weak and detached she felt every part of her body and every part of his as if they were one.

He lifted her and carried her with him. His hand was buried in her hair and she doubted he could see where they were going and more than he could. He must have known where he was going though because a moment later he sat down and held her against his chest.

When they pulled away for air, both of them were breathing heavily. She could feel the heat in her cheeks on realizing that she was straddling his lap. He was sitting on the bench in front of the bat statue they had failed to reanimate one year ago this night.

She knew that there was no way that the demon star would be peaking exactly a year to the day. So he hadn't brought her here for a second attempt. One look in his eyes and she knew what he was thinking.

His pupils were larger than ever but soft as he gazed at her, unashamed. The only light was from the moon and reflected in their eyes. He leaned closer to her and kissed her softly once again. She knew that she felt the same, but when he whispered it, her mouth went dry.

“Marinette, I love you. I never thought I would, or even could. I stole you for my own purpose and I will always regret the life you will not have. But here, now in this moment, I love you and promise to treasure you from this day until my last day.”

Marinette put her hand on his cheek and leaned down to initiate a kiss. When she pulled back, just far enough to speak, she responded, “Do not regret for my sake. I was terrified when we met, but you have done no wrong to me. I love you too. From this day until my last day, I am yours and you are mine.”

She leaned down and kissed him again. They would have and could have stayed in each other's arms for hours, but they were interrupted.

There was a loud sound of an explosion, sparks flew nearby, and a cloud of dust covered them. Damian covered them with his cloak. Then, when the dust cleared, a man stood there.

He was tall, as tall as Damian and with the same dark hair. He looked around at them, seemed to come to a realization and then collapsed.

“Father!” Damian shouted as he rushed over.

He helped him up and they all walked back to the fortress together. They didn't think about why or how in this moment, but when they told the story to their children and their children's children, they would explain that their love had broken the spell.

when darkness meets the light

the demon star shines bright

a lucky inclination

as midnight calls

Part 2 (prev)

Masterlist

It was later than usual today. She had been up and dressed and eventually someone brought her a tray to break her fast. She didn’t expect to be told why there was a change in the routine. Whenever she asked anything Damian didn’t want to talk about, he just didn’t respond. That always led to her not responding either so on those days their walks would be surly and short. Instead of coming for her himself as he had done the past few weeks, she was brought out by a guard. Nothing could have prepared her for what she found when she arrived. The table was set for luncheon. Damian was on the other side of the room talking with someone. It wasn’t until he turned towards her that she recognized the other man.

Adrien.

She had been in love with him for years. Not that it mattered. There was no way that his father would allow him to become connected with someone like her. She had heard the man scold his son for spending time with her. But he always came back. He was kind to her. He would bring her things he thought she would like and take the time to talk with her even knowing his father would be frustrated by it.

She had been enamored with him from the moment they met. She had been pushed into the mud by some bigger kids who were listening to Chloe. Her parents were rich, her father was the mayor, and she was snotty. She loved to go around picking on everyone else, frequently that was Marinette. She thought Adrien was there with them to laugh at her but he stayed when they left and helped her up. He wrapped his cloak around her and helped her home. She had never returned it to him, to this day it might be in a trunk at her parents’ home where she left it.

“Ah, here she is,” Damian said, gesturing towards her, “Marinette, my bride to be.”

Adrien coughed and took a drink but then he smiled. It was the smile he reserved for only her. When he was truly happy, not the face he showed his father when he gave him an opportunity for improvement. She broke a little inside thinking that he might be truly happy about her marrying another.

“Congratulations,” he said. “I hadn’t heard. You must tell me when this is to occur so we can send a gift to help you celebrate this joyous occasion.”

Damian reached out for her and she continued walking towards them. She pushed her breath out slowly to keep her face neutral. It was inevitable that if Damian were married everyone would hear about it. It was just how it was done so everyone could pay their respects. But when she was all alone in the cell and dreamed of escape, she remembered all the fantastical stories that she had read. True love would save her from her fate and in her dreams, Adrien would find a way to help her escape and they would be married. His father would be pleased and her parents would be there with her.

None of that could show on her face now. She was completely at his mercy and she didn’t want to anger him. Especially now that she knew that every word she had told him was a clue for how he could control her. Then he provided the timing and it made everything feel so much more desperate.

“The wedding is in a fortnight at dusk. I expect your invitation will be delivered before you arrive home.”

—

Marinette had gone silent with him. It was disappointing because he felt like they had been making progress before then. Now she didn’t react to his presence at all and only responded when he demanded it. He took her to see the statue in the garden. It was the first one there and the reason the gardens had been put there in the first place. He knew she had never been out this way. No one but him was allowed beyond the outer wall he had built around it.

“You are unhappy,” he said.

She glared at him. He gestured at the statue before them. It was the furthest away from the compound. A man with the wings of a bat. He appeared to be screaming, his hands raised to his shoulders with fingers spread and forming a claw shape.

“All the other statues around here, I carved myself as they pleased me. It takes a lot of skill to find the art in the uncut stone. I can see what it is before I ever chisel anything away.”

She looked away from the statue to look at him but still didn’t speak.

“This one was not carved from stone. He was a man with a hood like a bat and he was cursed by being turned to stone.”

“Very believable. Did he sell you some beans that grew a tree that would take you to a magical land?”

He looked at her and his surprise at her response was momentarily clear on his face. She had broken her silence. He suspected she knew what he was getting at.

“I think you know what happened, but I don’t think you know that it is reversible.”

She watched him but maintained her silence once again.

“You have doubts, but I know this all to be true because I saw it happen,” she had been looking down, avoiding him and the statue but she looked back up at him. “The man was my father and he was cursed by a monster.”

“Medusa wasn’t a monster and Perseus wasn’t a hero,” she defended. “She wasn’t all that different from me.”

“You mean she was also a Ladybug?”

She looked away suddenly, unable to meet his eyes.

“I don’t know what you mean by that. What I know is that she was wronged by men and then beheaded for trying to protect herself.”

He walked up to her and put his hand on her cheek, turning her to face him. He rarely touched her except for having his arm out when they took walks. Recently she had been refusing to take it.

“You were born at the right day and time. You know the story, even if you refuse to acknowledge it. The ability is within you and you will help me reverse the curse.”

He turned and walked away from her, not even leading her back to her cell.

Part 4 (part 3)

Masterlist

Damian was certain that he had all the elements in place. He had been working non-stop since he discovered it was possible to reverse the curse. He glanced down at Marinette, she was looking at the binding still tying their arms, sealing their fates together. He allowed her a moment to come to terms with her new life. Because of his station, the marriage had been public so there was no way to take back everything that had happened. That they were now bound for life had not been her choice. He could only do his best to ensure that she had the best life possible given the circumstances.

She looked up at him with wide eyes. He was struck by how beautiful she was. She should have been able to find someone to love and have children with but because of the timing of her birth, fate had chosen them to be bound. He reached for her hand and led her away. The time was approaching, and they would need to be in place. She was quiet as she followed along. Initially, he thought she was just too shy to speak much but he had learned that her quiet was because she was nervous or upset. At this moment, it was likely both emotions competing, but she followed along with him. He had allowed her no other options.

Part 5 (part 4)

Masterlist

When they got back to the fortress, Damian allowed the maids to attend to his wife. He was in a foul mood at the failure and he didn’t want to scare her. He would have to go back over everything he had found out about the curse in order to find a way to make it work. He had spent the past few years doing little but finding out every bit of information he could about it. He had thought choosing one who was born when the demon star wasn’t bright would be the way.

He knew his grandfather had been very happy when he was born at the brightest moment of the star’s cycle. He and his mother had both been born when it was bright just like his grandfather. His father had been selected based on the same criteria. It had not been a great match initially but eventually his parents had come to love each other. That had led to his father being cursed when he went off to save his wife. She hadn’t been saved and Damian was left alone to find a way to recover his father.

He wondered whether love could happen like that again. He had never considered what would happen to his bride after the ritual. Everything he was doing was to break the curse; his future beyond that had never been a consideration. It had been clear when she was telling stories that she was in love with another. There was no evidence that this affection was returned but still, hearing it had made Damian feel something unpleasant. He was protective over what was his and he hadn’t wanted anything to interfere with the ritual. Perhaps it would have been better if it had since it had ultimately failed.

Part 3 (prev)

Masterlist

She was counting down the days with dread. They no longer allowed her out for meals. She was in her cell at all times with visits from only the young girls. The Demon had not been back since he left her in the garden. She had wandered around for hours and never found an exit from the gardens. Eventually the guards found her when she got closer to the house and led her back to the cell. Tomorrow was the day that he had told Adrien they were to be married. She had no idea what to expect. She lay awake listening to the sounds within the fortress dreading the morning.

She woke to discover that she had eventually fallen asleep when the women came with her bath. The process took longer today. There were scented oils added to the water and her hair was intricately arranged with a highly decorated hair piece that matched the gown they brought in. They kept trying to get her to eat but she just felt sick.

Everything in her life that had seemed too bad to manage, she had survived somehow but she didn’t know how to live with this. Once they were wed, the only way out was by one of their lives ending.

She suspected it would be hers.

Probably before nightfall, he was called the Demon for a reason. He was ruthless and always got what he wanted, no matter the cost. Now, what he wanted was her, but it was clear he had a specific reason. She had entertained the thought that there might be more to his desire for her since he had been spending time with her initially. But that ended as soon as he learned what he wanted: that no one else spoke for her.

Her life would end as soon as he got whatever it was that caused him to search for her in the first place. She would no longer be of any use to him after. Her life had actually ended as soon as he began searching for her. Every decision had been taken from her since that moment.

She thought back to her first night here. He had been so formidable, but then, after she had been put into the cell, he had come to her. He did not speak or make any explanation. He had merely gotten to work taking care of the cut on her cheek. He cleaned it carefully and covered it with a salve. His fingers had a far lighter touch than she could have ever predicted. Her wrists had been left bound until then and he had cut the binding and put the salve on her wrists as well. The skin had bruised around it, but it barely stung when he cleaned it and covered it with a cloth. She stayed still as he worked and they both remained silent.

She was pulled out of her thoughts as all of the little girls who had been visiting came to see her. She was still in a robe over the garments that were to go under the gown that had been brought in. The dresses of the girls matched it and they had flowers woven into their hair. They were all so excited that it was infectious. She tried to eat with them since they were encouraging her. But she still felt queasy at the thought of what the day would bring.

Her trepidation aside, the time still moved quickly. The girls were ushered out to walk ahead of her dropping petals that she would follow to her fate. It was time for her to put on the gown. The weight of it pressing on her like all of the thoughts running through her head.

A few weeks ago, the prospect of marriage had excited her. She did wish to marry. But she had thought that the process would go much differently for her. She expected a man who would be sweet and kind. Her parents would be there the whole time and help her prepare. Now, the guests were happily chatting as she prepared for her bridal execution. Her happiness was not guaranteed from being married; neither was her life.

She breathed deeply to keep the tears from falling. She could not show any emotion; the risk was too great. There were people waiting and watching as she approached. She could not focus on the crowd so she focused on putting one foot in front of the other until she stood directly in front of the Demon.

His face was emotionless as the one she presented. His attire was just as fine as her gown, dark black with emerald green accents. His back was fiercely straight making it feel even more formal. The priest stepped forward and began speaking. She looked around at those gathered while he spoke, the words passing right through her. She nearly jumped when the man repeated words to her.

“Your hand,” he commanded tersely.

She glanced back to see Damian’s hand out on a green cord the priest held. She lifted her hand but hesitated before placing it on his. This was her final moment to stop this. His eyes caught her uncertainty and he glanced away. She followed his gaze and saw the girls in their fine dresses all standing in a row.

Behind each of them was a guard at the ready, with a hand resting on a sword at their waists. Tears pricked her eyes again when she looked at the crowd to see what she assumed were their families there. They were nervously watching their own child and praying that she would accept her fate so their own child would be safe.

Her hand shook as she lifted it the rest of the way and placed it on his. The bindings were moved over it as the priest said the words to bind them together. She struggled to breathe. The gown felt even heavier, and she thought she would have collapsed if it were not for his arm beneath hers. After the pronouncement was made, they remained there as one by one those in attendance came to offer praise and fealty to them.

She saw her parents there in the crowd, as they were being led out. It was the only way she even knew they were alive. The mayor from Anat was there and he and his daughter bowed low before them. She could see Chloe’s eyes burn with hatred at that. Gabriel was next with Adrien beside him. He offered her a genuine smile. She nodded as she had with every other guest that had approached. They didn't seem to need her to speak, which was just as well. She wasn't sure her voice would add anything here.

The room had emptied.

It hadn’t quite sunk in yet that it was done. She wanted it all to be a bad dream, but she couldn’t wake herself up. He still didn't look at her or speak to her. With the symbolic binding still on their arms, she followed along with him as he walked away from the altar in silence.

Part 6 (part 5)

masterlist

Damian had told her that it was good for morale for her to be seen about in the markets and towns surrounding Nanda Parbat regularly. That was very nice to hear, like she was making a difference. At first she had just started going to have something to do during the day. Damian was always busy. She didn’t want to just sit around waiting for him. She didn’t like to walk around the fortress gardens at first. It made her panic when she got close to the statue of the bat man.

She felt very odd about buying things at first. It wasn’t until she went back to the same stall several times to see the same item that the guards just bought it for her. They were clearly telling Damian all about her time out, whether for her safety or to make sure she had no escape, she wasn’t sure. But he had told her she was free to buy anything that pleased her from the markets. He had given her a limit but it was far more than she could ever consider spending.

At first, it was just the guards buying the things she liked. But as it became clear that they would buy anything she looked at too long, she started making the purchases herself to limit it. The various items were initially just for her to use during her free time. Paints and cloth, and all the accompanying items that she would use with them. She devoted a lot of her time to her creative interests. It kept her happy and Damian seemed to like to look at the things she made.