Loving you is a Losing Game

Chapter 2

Merlin collapsed on top of Morgana. It's been the third or maybe fourth release he had. He's tired. "That was- whoaa!" he said and Morgana could feel him grinning on her shoulder.

"Merlin," she called weakly.

"Mmm?"

"Are you done?"

"You're moreish!"

"Oh for goodness sake!" Morgana whined.

"Feeling guilty now are we, Morgana? This is what you wanted."

"It is. However, you're enjoying this too much, Merlin."

"What is not to enjoy, My Lady? You always make me want more," he said still on top of her, cupping her face with both hands. "Tell you what, Morgana. I never intended to kill you. Besides that knife isn't gonna harm a high priestess. I was testing if you're going to repeat what you've done to me, last time I was here."

"Well, I'm happy to disappoint you then." Morgana retorted.

"Happy," Merlin muttered, his expression darkening.

He took Morgana's wrist and uttered a spell, hand holding tightly around her left wrist, with the thumb pressing firmly on the side. His magic concentrates on the area where the thumb is. There was searing pain, like coming in contact with the embers while stoking the fire in a hearth. But it was instant, and the memory of the pain only lingers.

"What have you done?" she asked trying to pull her arms free.

"A binding spell, upon which whenever you will use your magic I can sense where you are. Therefore, I can always find you. You can run, you can hide but you can never escape me, Morgana."

"What do you need it for? Why?"

Morgana felt Merlin's thumb shift, and once again another pain shot her. It brought her back from being lost to thinking what is Merlin's purpose.

"The second one is a protection to any blade. I know no mortal blade can harm you but this goes both ways. You can never harm others and whatever weapon you use it will fail you. You can't even kill yourself, Morgana. Like I said there's no escaping me."

"Merlin, you've gone mad. Remove this at once!" Morgana commanded. "Really? This is pointless! You are only burdening yourself with a tether on me." she reasoned.

But Merlin didn't listen, on the contrary, he pressed his thumb for the third time, just below the latest mark. After another row of pain, Morgana was able to yank her hand from his grip. She examined the marks, three rings of varying sizes lined up on her wrist. The skin around the mark is still red and raw from the effect of the magic. It was as if she had those marks burned onto her.

"The third is temporary. For two weeks you won't have your magic-"

"You what!" Morgana snapped. "How dare—" but she got cut off when Merlin pressed his lips against hers.

"Two weeks," Merlin repeated. "You're all mine." he asserted while combing his fingers on Morgana's hair. "Your hair's still so soft and you smell good even after what we've done." he buries his face in her hair. "You still use the same scent. I love this smell on you, you know." his voice is somewhat muffled but Morgana can hear it clearly.

"Merlin, what exactly do you want from me?" Morgana interjects, "It's late. And you left Arthur's side. Should you be worried that your king is out and could be in danger?"

"I'm not worried at all. We're not really that far from the castle. The only reason that we're here late is because he insisted on waiting for you."

"Without my magic, you're dragging me back there." Morgana auspiciously answered.