Huntress (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

25

I spend the next week exploring the palace, sitting out and lounging on the rocks, sea spray showering me with every crash of the waves.

No one bothers me. There is no fear of anyone coming to sneak up and kill me.

All the while my thoughts are consumed with Steve. Trying to tell myself that it would never have happened, even if I hadn't been discovered anyway.
If I had stayed then I would have been forced to watch him marry another.

I don't know which is worse. Watching the man I thought I loved make another woman his wife, or death.

Even the thoughts of it now are making me ache.

The good thing is that here I feel refreshed. I sleep better, although on the odd occasion I'll wake after Steve has ambushes dreams once again. Thalia is my confidante. She listens and gives her input, never once judging me for my indecisiveness. One day I hate him, but the next I am yearning once more just to see him.

I break men, but I never thought that one would be able to break me the way Steve Rogers has.

I haven't seen Ikaris since our breakfast the morning after I arrived here. He's left me to do as I please, but now as I relish again in glorious sunlight on the rocks, I look up and see him hovering over me in the air. "You look...at peace". He announces.

"My mind is anything but that, however being out here again by the water is helping". I sit up and watch him gently land in front of me.

He looks out to the horizon. "It's what these lands are meant to be - peaceful. No war or fear of hunters spilling blood. It's been like it since we came here".

"I haven't seen you all week" I comment. "I was beginning to wonder if you were avoiding me".

"Not avoiding, just giving you time to adjust". He smiles kindly. "You look refreshed though, so this place is obviously doing something right".

I toy with part of the chiffon material on my dress. "I have been careful not to sing while out here. I didn't want to lure anyone here by accident".

Ikaris looks back out to the sea. "If you did then they wouldn't be able to get far".

He'd probably kill them before they had the chance.

"Your eyes, the other days I could have sworn they flashed". I say, having wondered what kind of other powers he has.

He looks up to the sky and two beams shoot out from them before he looks back. "Nifty little party trick". He smirks.

"Mine can only do this". I now blink and the violet in my eyes are replaced with just pure white.

Ikaris grins. "And people wonder why they're scared of you. What else can you do?"

My nails grow longer and sharper than knives. Legends have always given us tails and scales, but we've never had any. We can simply swim incredibly fast. We can shatter ear drums and send people deaf with a sonic scream - although that differs from siren to siren. I've never tried it before but part of me wishes I had done when facing Joseph. Amongst that we're strong as well.

Ikaris takes me in as I look at him. "It's not a big change, but just my nails and eyes are ones that are noticeable". I now say.

He nods, still looking over my form. "Wow..." is all he can breathe.

"I know. Horrifying isn't it?"

"I've seen worse things. Even like this you're still beautiful".

With a blink, the nails retract back to normal and my eyes are violet once more. Ikaris is probably the only man who has looked upon me like this in terror. God forbid what Steve would have done if he'd seen me this way.

He'd have put a sword right though your heart and you know it.

People never thought that I had a heart to begin with anyway.

Ikaris senses my sadness and looks back to the palace. "Anyway, I'll leave you. I just wanted to make sure you were ok..." his words trail off. Somethings happening and he seems to be picking up on it.

I frown. "What is it? Is something wrong?"

Immediately he pulls me into him and in seconds we're back in my room. "Stay here. Do not come out. I'll come and get you once I've dealt with this. Lock the door too". He warns and walks out onto the balcony, before disappearing up into the sky.

A sheer rush of panic crosses me and I make for the door, locking it just as he said. Meanwhile the possibilities are coursing though my mind. Is there a threat to me? The palace? The whole of the lands even? Either way if anyone dares try it then he's more than capable of ensuring that we're safe.

**

I'm not sure how many hours have passed, but the sound of the door unlocking makes me turn from where I'm laid on the chaise reading the book Ikaris gave me.

He walks in, face solemn and then looks at me.

"I need you to come with me. There's something that I think you need to hear".

And it is anything but good.

I follow him down to the large hall where a man is knelt, shackles binding his wrists and ankles together so as he cannot even try to escape if he wanted to.

He looks up as I walk on alongside Ikaris, the train of my dress sweeping across the floor with an elegant 'swish' and instantly I see the crest of Auburndale.

"Found this one trying to cross the border - seems the High Lord didn't keep his word like I thought he wouldn't". Ikaris stands and folds his arms with the displeasure on his face.

I look at the man and take in what he's wearing. It's the Auburndale uniform, and it is very clear that he has been sent here to do one job.

Kill me.