The Death Market *Obi x OC* (COMPLETE)

Here's To The Heartache

Song: Here's To The Heartache - Nothing More

 I leave the couch behind and join her at the counter, taking her hand in mine. She tenses immediately and flinches as she tries to pull her hand away but I grip tighter.

"You're fumbling. Let me do it." She stops struggling but I notice her hand trembling slightly as I wrap the bandage around it. "I gave you information, now it's my turn. Why are you afraid of castle workers? More specifically, who are you afraid of?"

Harlowe looks up at me, her hardened gaze faltering slightly before her eyes drop to the counter.

"Y-You are not in a position to be asking information of me Obi."

"Then you are not in a position to be asking information of me, Harlowe." I challenge. "I don't give information for free."

I finish bandaging her hand and release it then step back slightly.

She huffs as she glares down at her hand. "I do not enjoy the ones who feel they have authority over the lives of others."

"The princes? Why?"

"That would require answering two questions, Obi. What do those people have over you to make you swear loyalty to them? You are not one of them."

"Nothing," I shrug. "Ma- Prince Zen is a rather nice person."

"Those people are not nice!" Harlowe snaps, the box in her hand hitting the floor loudly. "They use people and it is disgusting!"

"I don't see what you mean. I willingly joined his ranks, as did everyone I work with."

Harlowe doesn't answer me and instead pulls a bottle out of another cabinet while kicking the box across the cottage. I can hear her muttering under her breath, mainly insults and the word 'disgusting' and I sigh. I don't see her point in asking me something directly then shooting down my answer so whole-heartedly without giving a true reason why. She strides past me toward the couch but I catch her arm to stop her.

"What happened with the princes?" I ask softly.

"Your Clarines princes have not wronged me directly." She mumbles under her breath. "What do you know of the one called Raji?"

Even in the low light cast from the fireplace, I can see Harlowe's eyes practically glowing from her spot curled up on the couch as she nurses her second bottle of alcohol. I'm not sure how or why, but she managed to calm down enough to speak slightly more openly with me. It's still a dance of words between us as we answer and ask questions, but that is just a force of habit from our lives as criminals.

"What did Raji do to you?" I ask as I grab my bottle from the table beside me.

While we were talking, I'd grabbed my own bottle and she didn't say anything.

"I was captured three years ago while on the seas and sold to castle in Tanbarun. The one called Raji purchased me to become concubine."

"Did he-?"

"I escape after one year... Found The Death Market and took my place as leader. Now I will never be beneath the likes of them."

I'm not sure what to say, I hadn't expected that to be her reasoning for hating royalty. I completely understand it though.

"I-I'm sorry Harlowe. Prince Zen is nothing like that though. He's a great person."

"I do not care about this Zen. He is one of them. They all see themselves as higher than others."

"Do you not see yourself as higher than your people at The Market? They do what you say and fear you. You chose to want to own me, so would that not make you higher than me?"

The bottle in her hand shatters against the fireplace as her fierce glare focuses on me. "But I do not force myself onto people! I do not purchase them or steal them away for lewd acts. I may be in charge but I will never be him." She gets to her feet and glares at me before sighing. "I have changed my mind."

"Changed your mind about what?"

She pulls the key from around her neck and throws it at me.

"Get out."

I open my mouth to speak but she cuts me off.

"Get out!" Harlowe snaps and a moment later the door to her bedroom slams shut with a resounding thud.

I look between the door and the key in my hand curiously before leaning down to free my ankle. There has to be a catch to this or something. Harlowe fought hard to regain possession of me, even enough to abduct a child. Even if she doesn't care now, once she calms down she's likely to try to come for me again. If I leave The Death Market now, there's a good chance she will take her rage out on Iladriel and Torin, so I can't leave yet. He's injured and Iladriel is no match for Harlowe. I cast another glance at the door before gathering my weapons and walking out of the cottage. I head toward Iladriel's tent immediately and find the barrel moved. They're still here though, I can hear them talking below me and there's a faint lantern light. I open the trap door and slip down to the room below before reaching up to shut it behind me.

"Obi!" I'm knocked to the ground immediately as Iladriel's arms squeeze my torso. "What happened? I thought the Miss was keeping you prisoner?"

"She set me free and I wanted to check on both of you." I explain as I attempt to pry the tiny blonde off of me.

She finally releases me and her bright blue eyes focus on me before a sharp pain spikes through my nose.

"What the hell!?"

"You pushed me and trapped me in my own booth!" She pulls back to swing again but Torin's voice cuts in.

"Ila, now is not the time. Obi isn't safe right now and because of that, we aren't safe."

I turn toward Torin who is settled on the pile of blankets, leaned back against the wall as he bandages a rather large gash on his arm. He looks rough but better than he did when I dragged him out of the cottage a few hours prior.

"So, Obi, what are we going to do? You need to get back to your friend."

"You two need to get somewhere safe where Harlowe can't get to you. She knows you were involved and you're injured and Iladriel is too young to handle it herself."

"Hey!"

"It's true. You may be strong and able to fight, but Harlowe is far more skilled than you are and would kill you. I'm not going to have the death of an eleven year old on my shoulders." I scold, shooting her a pointed look until she sighs and looks away.

"I'm going to help you get out. I can take care of Ila and myself afterward but we will stay in her radar as long as you're around. I think Harlowe has taken a liking to you."

"You're injured. It would be-"

"I've been injured far worse than this and still fought. I'll be fine."