Primal Masquerade (Closed for Kaena)

[Kaena]

Despite being focused on her tasks at hand, Shayra was vigilant on keeping an eye on Valas as he followed behind her. She noticed immediately that he was taking stock of his surroundings as they walked, information that she was sure he was storing away to use if he ever decided to try to escape. She found it rather amusing that he still thought he had even the slightest chance of being getting away. But even more, she found it amusing how fast anyone who saw them approaching scurried away in the opposite direction. Despite this, it didn’t take her long to get the kitchen and house staff working on their duties for the day before heading to the dining hall where she had been told her father and brother were waiting for her.

She stopped at the entrance of the dining hall and looked back at Valas. She was not looking forward to the reception she was sure to get from her father once he laid eyes on Valas and she was not entirely sure that Valas was going to obey her previous orders without being forced to by the collar. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped into the room, waiting for Valas to step in behind her before allowing the door to slam shut behind them with an ominous thud.

The sound of her arrival drew the attention of the two men seated at the end of the table. Her brother cast her a cocky smile before shaking his head and sitting back in his chair as if he was about to watch a show. Once her father caught site of her, he rose from his chair, his face flushed with anger.

“When Shael told me that you had dared to take a drow as you slave I thought he was joking,” her father spat. “How dare you insult me by bringing this despicable creature into my presence.” Shayra stood stoic as her father stalked across the room and stood before her, his eyes glancing back and forth between her and Valas, before finally settling on Valas.

“On your knees slave,” he ordered, taking a step towards Valas and raising a hand as if to strike him. “You will not stand in my presence.” Shayra reached out and placed a hand on his arm to stop him before he got too close. She knew her magic would keep Valas from seriously hurting anyone, but, she didn’t want to take any chances.

“I have my reasons for taking this drow as a slave father,” she replied, putting herself between them before turning to address Valas.

“You were given an order boy,” she said, her voice cool, yet forceful. She stood with bated breath, waiting to see if Valas would do what he had been ordered/

 

[LucianDevine]

Valas' violet gaze danced back and forth as Shayra led him through the castle, and not a single detail slipped past his gaze. There wasn't much he would be able to with it just this second, or even in the foreseeable future, but he had to start somewhere, and this was the first glimpse he'd been allowed of the interior and layout of the castle.

It wasn't hard for Valas to figure out when he and Shayra had reached their destination. It was the only door that she hesitated at, and his eyes stared holes in the back of her head before she worked up the courage to push the door open. He was surprised when she held the door open for her, and his gaze still lingered on her until he was through the door and she let it slam behind them, alerting the two men in the room of their entrance.

Valas knew who one of the men was, and it wasn't hard for him to figure out who the second one was, especially when he face flushed with anger, he rose to his feet, and stalked towards them. The words that the man spoke were nothing new to Valas, and he was curious what Shayra intended to do now that she'd made his presence known to her father.

While his gaze had more or less been on Shayra's back, when her father commanded him to his knees and lifted his hand as if to strike him, Valas' gaze lifted to lock with the man's. He could see the anger and hatred in the man's eyes and almost feel it pouring off of him.

Valas didn't flinch or even more a muscle at the impending threat or the strike that was threatened, and he found himself genuinely surprised when Shayra put her hand on the man's arm and even more so when she literally put herself between him and her father.

Valas' gaze lifted to meet hers as she repeated the order that her father had given him. He let his eyes speak for him, reflecting his own hatred for the situation. His fists clenched and twitched as he held her gaze for but a moment before letting his eyes flit towards the floor. He lowered himself slowly to his knees before the two royals, but did not speak a word.

With the order followed, it put the ball in the court of the two royals before him, and while Valas was curious how things were going to play out, he still hated the fact that he had to kneel before such an inferior creature when it would bring him so much satisfaction to kill the pompous man.

 

[Kaena]

Shayra hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath until she let it out as Valas reluctantly lowered himself to his knees. She had seen the hate flash in his eyes at her order and she had almost expected him to lash out at her or her father. She was relieved that he had at least for the moment decided to obey her and not cause a scene. She had more than enough to deal with, with her father’s anger and attitude toward Valas, she didn’t need him to make things worse.

Once she was confident that Valas was not going to do anything, she turned her attention back to her father, who was still scarlet with his anger. She had known her father would be upset at her impulsiveness so it wasn’t a surprise to her that he was angry. Taking a deep breath, she looked past at him to where her brother still sat at the table with a smirk on his face and grimaced. She had a feeling Shael had worked her father up more than necessary in regards to Valas and she intended to give him a piece of her mind next tiem they were alone.

“I know you do not approve of my decision father,” Shayra said softly, her voice respectful. “There is a reason I have decided to take him as my slave. As I am sure Shael has told you, this drow is a very formidable warrior, someone who I feel could teach me how to defend not only myself but also others in this household.”

“It is not your duty to defend this home Shayra,” he father retorted, his voice softening a little as he spoke to her. “That is what the guards are for.”

“You have to admit these are dangerous times father,” Shayra replied, cutting him off before he could say more. “We can not be too certain who are our friends or enemies. I do not trust that all those that are employed as our guards have our safety as their best interest.”

Looking around the room to see some of the guards watching them intently, Shayra stepped in close to her father so that only he could hear her next words. “I fear we have already been under attack. Mother’s illness does not appear to be of natural occurrence. I think she has been poisoned in some way. Mother has never been one to fall ill easily and yet she has not been able to recover from this.”

“And what does this drow have to do with that,” her father replied, his anger now replaced with concern.

“As I said father, I intend to have him teach me how to defend myself,” Shayra said, shivering at the memory of her near death at his hands the night before. “As well, since he has obviously been around, perhaps he will be of use to determine if mother has been poisoned and what we can do to help her.”

Shayra stood quiet as her father seemed to mull over her words. She hoped he would see the sense of what she was trying to say. It seemed like forever before he spoke again, his eyes falling on Valas.

“You have always been the sensible one between you and your brother,” he replied, a sigh falling from his lips. “If you think that this drow will be of use, then I will not stand in your way of keeping him as a slave.” Taking a step towards Valas, he looked down at him, a stern look on his face.

“As for you slave. You are only alive because of my daughter. If you hurt a hair on her head or any of those in this household, you will suffer at my hand.” With these words he returned to the table and sat and resumed eating his breakfast which had long grown cold.

“Join us Shayra,” he ordered, motioning to a chair across from him. “We need to discuss this theory you have about your mother.”

Nodding her head, Shayra quickly crossed the room, motioning for Valas to follow her. Dropping into her chair she pointed silently to the floor at her side as a silent order for him to kneel at her side.

 

[LucianDevine]

Valas didn't waste the time that Shayra spent talking with her father. He used that time to calm himself. He knew as well as anybody that there was a time and a place for everything, and if he did plan to escape, this was neither of those things. He was nothing if not patient, not unlike the rest of his race.

The position that Valas found himself in came with an additional benefit, free information. He knew that Shayra's mother was unwell, but until now he didn't know any of the specifics about it. He saw her step close, and though she whispered softly, his keen hearing caught every one of her words. The mere mention of the word poison got the gears in his mind spinning. A small smirk came to his lips as he let the thoughts roll through his head. He had his own suspicions now about what had happened to her mother, and he hoped that he'd learn more about what was happening around their kingdom to help confirm them.

When Shayra's father addressed him, Valas let his violet gaze lift to meet the man's, almost hoping that he would let his anger get the better of him. Sadly that was not the case, though, and the only thing that followed was an idle and hollow threat that the man couldn't truly carry out if he tried.

Valas was relieved when Shayra beckoned him after her when her father called to her. He rolled back onto his heels and rose to his feet to do as she bade, letting his gaze wander around the room. He sized up every guard positioned around the room, particularly those that were positioned nearest Shayra and himself. He saw the hand she pointed to the ground and let out a soft sigh. He voiced none of his obvious displeasure, though, and did lower himself to his knees beside her. Despite that seeming sign of submission, though, he did not remain in the high kneeling position he'd been in before. He sat back on his heels and lifted his head to look around the room once more. Though his position was lax, his attention was not. He intended to be more than ready if any of these men around him tried to take advantage of his position and attack him.