Queen Of Paradox (Unedited)

Fallen Rook

She couldn't breathe. He could see it in the way her cheeks flushed and her mouth hung open on a silent gasp. Yet she didn't fight back, she didn't even struggle. Just merely hung there in his iron grip like a willing rag doll. Enduring his abuse. Somehow it made him angrier. With a growl he released her and she crumbled to the ground. Ugly harsh coughs leaving her battered throat. Even in the dim light, he could see bruises starting to from along her neck and collarbone. He winced and turned away. Unable to look at the damaged he'd done.

This. This is what she drove him to. Madness. Sheer unadulterated madness that stripped away his calm and replaced it with anger so potent it burned. He knew he'd regret hurting her later when his full senses where back because even now in his madness guilt hesitantly brushed gentle finger across his skin, asking for permission to take root. But he couldn't grant it access. Not yet.

He turned back to her to find her eyes already on him. Watching him like one did a wild animal. He stepped towards her again. Intent on helping her to her feet but she shrank back. Her usually vibrate green eyes, dull with an emotion she'd never felt towards him before. Fear. He froze at the expression and felt guilt persist for entrance by clawing at tender flesh. Long gone the gentle caresses.

"Why did you come here Vera?"

She swallowed with difficulty and came to a stand on shaky legs. He could tell she wanted to lean against the stone wall for support but her pride wouldn't let her. " I wanted to see you..." She rasped out, her voice displaying the effects of his rash actions. This time when guilt's sharp talons sunk into his flesh and cradled themselves around his heart, he didn't resist. He let the pain lance through him like a hot whip seeking his obedience.

He didn't respond. Instead he asked another question that was tormenting him. "Why didn't you stop me?" He had fully expected her to. She was an excellent fighter. She shrugged and her cheeks reddened. "Because I knew you would" he scoffed. "And what if I didn't?" He pressed.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before turning her gaze on him once again. When she did, they no longer looked fearful. They shun with determination and something else he couldn't quite place. "You would." She said firmly. She wasn't wrong. Despite everything she'd put him through for her own selfish means she knew he had his own sick obsession with her. As shadowed as it was by the wrathful hate he felt for her and her family, for anyone of royal lineage.

He gave a tired sigh and started pacing, more like prowling if he was being honest, around the small stone walled cell. "Why?" She seemed confused by his question, her large eyes blinking blankly at him. He sighed again. "Why did you want to see me Vera?"

She nibbled her lip and shifted uncomfortably. "I...I just.." She trailed off weakly and he grew impatient. "Leave." Her head shot up and her surprised eyes met his cold storm blue gaze. "W-what?"

"LEAVE!" He bellowed, unable to keep up this farce any longer. Not when he was once again in this camber that held some of his most haunting memories. Not when despite knowing that fact she sent him here again without a second thought. A look of hurt darkened her expression and he gave a heartless laugh at her naïveté.

"You can't be serious." He hissed. She seemed taken aback by his tone but pressed her lips together in silence. "What, Princess?" He drawled mockingly. "Did you think your little lapdog Nolan, would be happy you decided to grace him with your precious presence?"

"N-no, I-"

"No? You didn't think that? You didn't think to yourself, 'He's such an imbecile, that if I go down there and smile pretty, he'll forgive me'?" He gave a harsh humourless laugh and pinned her with a withering stare. "Well not this time Princess. You've sacrificed your rook for the last time. I'm officially out of the game."