She wasn't eating again.
It was a pattern Lezard was growing all too familiar with. The Valkyrie had little if any appetite at the best of times, seeming to view the task of eating as though it was a horrendous chore. He tried mixing things up, bringing her a variety of food and drink, from simple everyday fare to gourmet repasts, but Lenneth just picked at her meals, more often pushing the food around her plate than swallowing any of it.
Lezard often wondered if she was doing it to spite him, but he was more worried than angry, especially when faced with the signs of her starvation. The woman's pale skin grew whiter yet, her slender form losing weight bit by bit, her movements slow and lethargic. She'd often go for days without eating, deigning only to allow fresh spring water to pass by her lips. Now she was refusing to drink as well, not surprisingly ended up confined to bed, either too weak or too uninterested to move.
It had occurred to him that this was one way Lenneth sought to escape him. To slip his grasp and return to the home she oft lamented about. Through death if need be. He shuddered, the force of his trembles shaking the tray he held, causing the soup to spill over the sides of it's bowl. He tightened his grip on the tray till his knuckles whitened, steadying his resolve. He would not allow her to do this, she simply had to eat, one way or another.
"Lenneth?" He called out softly, easing the door to her room open with the side of his hip. "I've brought you something...some sweet pea soup."
"..." She was silent as she stirred, lifting her head up from it's pillow to stare at him. Her blue eyes unnerved him, her accusatory gaze boring into his soul. She was a difficult captive, not one to be swayed by gifts of silk finery and jewels, her warrior spirit stubborn and proud.
Lezard walked towards the bed, the smell of the warm broth filling the room. Lenneth's eyes tracked his progress, and he was heartened by her interest. Upon reaching the bed, he set the tray down on the nightstand next to it, settling his weight on the corner of the mattress. "I thought something to quench both your thirst and hunger might be appropriate." He was lifting up a silver spoon, scooping up a mouthful of the soup. One hand underneath it, to catch any of the liquid before it hit the sheets. He got as far as bringing it to her lips, before she let out an angry "Hmph!" and was turning her face away.
Her sudden spin caused him to spill the precious liquid onto his lap, and he stared at her frustrated. "Why must you be so difficult?" Lezard said at last. "I seek only to care for you..." Her answer was to roll onto her side, showing him her back. Lezard's lips pursed in displeasure, an almost helpless look in his eyes as he stared at her. "It's good..." He tasted the soup. "I made it myself...nothing but the best for my love..."
They sat like this for some time, the necromancer staring at her, while she lay content to gaze at the wall. Perhaps she should have paid closer attention to Lezard, for then she would have seen the twisting of his lips, the hard resolve in his eyes as a rather unique idea occurred to him. Lenneth heard the clatter of the spoon being set down, heard the bed groan as he moved nearer, his hands stroking down her back. The Valkyrie stifled a shiver at his touch, surprised to find him grasping at her waist. She wasn't sure what heinous act she expected him to attempt, but it certainly wasn't scooping her up into his arms!
Firmly pulling her into his lap, he cradled her as though she was a child, holding her against his chest. One hand was touching her chin, a gentle grip that tilted her head upwards towards his. She saw a flash of purple before he descended upon her, mouth touching hers. She went to let out an indignant gasp, and almost choked as warm liquid spilled into her mouth. Lezard kept his lips pressed firmly against her, keeping her from being able to spit out the mouthful of soup, and she squirmed in his arms, lashing out with her hands. But he held fast against her, till she was forced to swallow.
He didn't break the kiss right away, unable to resist sliding his tongue into her mouth. He sighed against her lips, tongue licking across hers, a kiss that was hardly chaste. When at last he pulled away from her, Lenneth found herself breathless, wide eyed and staring at him.
"Now..." Lezard leaned forward, carefully spooning up some more of the soup. "Are you going to eat on your own...?" He was pressing the spoon against her lips, the scent teasing her nostrils. The brief taste she had, combined with the smell was reminding her of just how hungry she truly was. It was growing increasingly hard for the Valkyrie to resist his offer of food.
"Or..." Lenneth was aware of him smiling, a mischievous look to his eyes. "Or do I have to kiss you again?" If possible, her eyes widened further. What choice did she have, but to open her mouth to him?
Satisfied, Lezard continued to hold Lenneth in his arms, feeding her spoonful after spoonful. He was quite certain there wouldn't be any more starvation diets in her future.