The Princess, the Witch and the Pirate

Blue Blood Shed

Arthur saw Olivia from afar and guessed her intention. He recalled the night of the ball. Olivia couldn't have imagined how easy it had been for him to walk away. Her "no" had been ambiguous. He could have had her. But he also knew from experience, both exhaustive and exhausting, that he'd have been unable to fully consume her, forced to savor her retrospectively in solitude.

He'd patiently dismantled her guard, earned her trust, and, at last, taken the bride. And taken, again, and again. The bride had transformed him. He felt at one with himself. He was no longer broken. Watching the scrawny teen leaning cross armed against the red car, Arthur felt easy in his stride, despite exhaustion from blissful lack of sleep.

"Are you waiting for me? I'm afraid I haven't got the time, but tomorrow," he said leaning into her, murmuring in her ear as if they were lovers, "I'd be happy to..."

Olivia yanked his hand from her thigh, pushing him away as she stood. "I don't like you keeping Ansa cooped up in your room. She has friends, you know."

"She doesn't stay in bed all day at my behest, I'll have you know."

"Yeah, right. Like she really wants to stay locked up while you...go off..."

"These days I find myself so full of vitality, I'm afraid I leave her quite...depleted."

"I don't want to hear about that!" Olivia balled up her fists. "She enjoys having friends. She told me so."

"You should hear the things she tells me." He gave her a lurid smile. "Admittedly, one can never be sure she's earnest. Tell me, do you truly believe she delighted in your company? Is the question eating you?"

"I'm going to defeat you. After, if she wants to be with you, I will step aside..."

"That is not how it works!" he screamed, gripping her wrists. In an instant, he'd spun the girl and pinned her hands with a thud on the hood of the car. Her little frame pushed hard against his body. His stubbled cheek grazed her ear. She let out a grunt, to his amusement. "Is this why you're worried? Is this what you picture?"

"Let go of me."

"Do you stay awake thinking about it? Are you curious? Jealous, perhaps?" Her weak arms struggled in vain as he kept them still in his grip. She squirmed against him. He felt her ribs expand and contract; a delicate bird in his grasp. "You should have taken advantage while you had the chance. She's so ...eager."

"Get off of me! Let me go!"

He released her with a laugh. "It's not like you can take her anyways. You're just a scrawny little girl. I'm her prince." He got in the car.

Red-faced, breathing hard, Olivia pounded her little fist on the hood then pointed at him, screaming, "I challenge you! You and me. Tomorrow night."

"Are you sure you don't want to go on a date instead? You look like you could use some deep...kissing."

Olivia shook from anger. She willed herself not to lunge.

"As you wish," he said, peeking through his Wayfarers. "This time, you'll be disqualified." he warned, revving up the engine.

In the courtyard, Katia caught the birdie with her hand and walked over to Olivia, striding as if she were modeling casual apparel for Vogue.

"Tomorrow evening." Olivia trembled with rage.

"I heard you. Quite the lungs you've got."

"Are you sure it will work?"

"Da. Go upstairs and swing until your body consistently hits at the right height."