The Taming

Who are You?

"Do you challenge me, My Lady?" His voice was quiet.

"Remove yourself from my person, Lord." She offered his title with equal derision.

"I'm not in your person." The mocking note in his voice incited her further.

Yet.

"Back up."

"And if I shan't?"

She was livid.

Something scraping along the floor drew her attention. She barely caught the movement of something small and dark slipping from shadow to shadow behind the gold lord. Looking for all the world like a miniature version of the gold creature Sebastian became.

"My name is Sebastian." He grated through gritted teeth. Averting her attention from the creature creeping behind him.

Shaking her head dismissively she lifted her gaze to meet his squarely.

Let her think she imagined it.

"What is it you want?" She demanded.

Relaxing, he smiled arrogantly. Opening his mouth to answer, he was cut off.

"You shan't have that." She gave him her back in a flash of white tunic and tan breeches. Several glances over her shoulder revealed her fear he'd hit her in the back.

Why would she think I'd do that? He frowned. Hitting someone in the back is the ultimate act of cowardice.

He noticed distance from him, eased her. He called after her. "Sleep well, valkyrie."

"Now you call me what I am?" Her pride chaffed.

"I can go back to calling you my Little Harpie, if you wish?"

Her nose wrinkled, and lip curled but she did her best to hide the effect of his goading. Reaching the end of her unseen tether she was yanked off her feet.

He felt the jerk as well. Head lifting, he swept the air with his hand. Gold flecks dissipated as they fell. Their glitter fading in the dark.

The pressure around her waist relented.

She edged along the wall, seeing she needed to get around him to get back up to the second level.

His eyes watched her scooting between picture frames. He didn't move. He heard her considering fleeing again.

"Go to bed." His authoritive command floated to her like an echo in these walls.

Without conscious thought her feet turned and took her to the stairs and up into an empty chamber. At least allowing her to refuse the one he'd designated for her. This one was closer to the end of the corridor.

Defiant creature.

***

She picked a room on the second floor. Wondering if his room was on the same level. She entered it carefully.

In-case it belongs to me. He knew.

She found it empty. Closing her eyes made the candles near the bed light as well as the fireplace spit to life. A lift of her arms generated a burst of energy. Dust lifted from the coverlets and mantles, abandoning chairs and the bedside table to hover a moment. She tossed her hand, which made it vanish. The valkyrie viewed her handiwork by the firelight and gave a quick nod.

She spent the remainder of the night grunting as she tried to flex her wings. Trying to become the valkyrie again was useless. His magic bound her in the flesh of a woman, restricting her power.

"Bastard." She muttered to herself.

"Sweet sentiment. Thank you." Whispered through the chamber like a freak wind. Spinning she brightened the firelight to fully illuminate the room.

It was empty.

"I heard you..." She demanded. "Are you spying on me always?" She demanded.

Not always. He didn't answer but his mocking laughter wafted to her.

"I'll make you pay." Rage filled her bones. She made the vow over and over.

***

Without conscious thought her feet turned and took her to the stairs and up into an empty chamber. At least allowing her to refuse the one he'd designated for her. This one was closer to the end of the corridor.

Defiant creature.

She picked a room on the second floor. Wondering if his room was on the same level. She entered it carefully.

In-case it belongs to me. He knew.

She found it empty. Closing her eyes made the candles near the bed light as well as the fireplace spit to life. A lift of her arms generated a burst of energy. Dust lifted from the coverlets and mantles, abandoning chairs and the bedside table to hover a moment. She tossed her hand, which made it vanish. The valkyrie viewed her handiwork by the firelight and gave a quick nod.

She spent the remainder of the night grunting as she tried to flex her wings. Trying to become the valkyrie again was useless. His magic bound her in the flesh of a woman, restricting her power.

"Bastard." She muttered to herself.

"Sweet sentiment. Thank you." Whispered through the chamber like a freak wind. Spinning she brightened the firelight to fully illuminate the room.

It was empty.

"I heard you..." She demanded. "Are you spying on me always?" She demanded.

Not always. He didn't answer but his mocking laughter wafted to her.

"I'll make you pay." Rage filled her bones. She made the vow over and over.