The Dark Lord's Seer

Trapped

Forget going to dinner, I was going to battle.

At least that's how I saw it, and rightfully so after what'd just transpired between Tom and I.

He'd escorted me back to my room from the library - a deviation from the recent pattern that was immediately noteworthy.

No free reign. Not tonight. He's not willing to chance me wandering the halls alone. That means he's worried about me meeting with or running into someone.

Holding my hand tightly, he'd steered me along in silence.

But does he know who? Does he suspect Ra? Don't panic - not yet - perhaps he's just being overly cautious?

Together we moved at a brisk pace, and when we arrived just outside my room, he paused, his hand still in mine. I waited with baited breath, my mind a tense jumble. Our last words in the library had me reeling, and I was wrestling with a tremendous sense of unease. That, coupled with the fact that Tom hadn't said anything about the sword - had ignored it entirely - indicated to me that I was in for a wild night.

Holding the door open for me, he gestured for me to enter my bedroom. I did, but when he followed me in and shut the door behind him, my heart leapt into my throat.

What's he doing? What's this now?

I waited in silence, staring forward blankly and urging myself not to panic as I felt him step behind me, his breath on the back of my neck.

"Oh, my Dear ..."

"Yes?" I squeaked back softly.

"I thought we'd finish our conversation here. Your bedroom's a much more intimate setting, don't you think?"

Ok. Perhaps it is time to panic. Because why would he say that unless ...

He brought the side of his face to rest against my back and inhaled deeply.

"Even from behind you, I can hear your heart pounding."

"I've been told I induce stress in people."

He'd said this to me during one of our prior encounters. And now, as his arms wrapped around me, the words reverberated painfully loudly in my mind.

He held me there, his fingertips drumming lightly at my sides, "Do you know what I crave most?"

Power. Control.

But I merely shrugged. I'd not give him the satisfaction.

"... A worthy foe."

That caught me off guard. He'd called me exactly that, once before.

"So it's immensely disappointing ..."

I began to truly spiral now -

He knows - he's known the whole time -

"... When someone I considered worthy fails to recognise an obvious trap I've set for them."

I gulped at the air in a desperate bid to stay calm, but it was no use. I could hear a faint ringing in my ears, and I was shaking terribly as he continued to hold me. I felt his fingers digging into my hips quite painfully now.

Merlin save us - oh my gods -

And then, he straightened up and kissed my neck. He whispered breezily, "Dinner's at 9. Remember - formal attire. I can't wait to see you."

And with that, he stepped back and slipped out of my room.

When I heard the door shut, I collapsed down onto the floor and buried my face in my hands. I didn't cry, though not for lack of wanting to. No, I didn't cry because I was too frozen to do anything other than sit there in a pathetic heap. Staring at the floorboards in front of me, I considered my options.