And we are back with chapter four! Please enjoy and don't forget to tell me what you think! Again, I thank you for all of your support!
I watch him as he paces his cell back and forth, and back and forth…and back and forth. For the second time after all that has happened, he has refused my offer. And it frustrates the hell out of me. Every man I've slept with has been so weak as to do my bidding almost immediately. But not this man, this Robin Hood of Locksley. No. Of course he has to be different. He has to be the one man who diverges from all the rest, especially at this crucial time. It's frustrating, frustrating as hell...but also hot. Rarely do I have men disobey me and refuse my requests. They are often too frightened, and they better be. I'm the Evil Queen, for goodness sake. God knows how angry I become when someone refuses me. However, not this time. This time, the thief had proved to be an entirely different situation, to which I find myself utterly shocked at my own reaction. I like it. I like his resistance. I like the challenge it brings. However, this still doesn't resolve my issue that the damn thief won't cooperate. Time is of the essence more than ever now, and I'm not ready to give up so easily. But being one so powerful, myself, comes with a few perks. I do know a bit of how to work my magic around my kingdom and its surroundings, metaphorically speaking.
"Father," I summon as I finish pinning up the last strand of hair into my coiffure. I wave the image of the miserable thief from my mirror before turning to meet perhaps the only man for whom I have feeling…if any. The man bows gracefully and I lift my chin. "I want to know the latest activities in trade amongst King George, Midas, and my realm. Who's on the move?"
"Midas has found himself to be in some minor debt to George. There is to be a carriage passing through our realm, bringing riches to pay it off," my father reports with a nod. Bingo.
"Will this be in a few days time?"
"Three days precisely, Your Majesty."
"Excellent." Striding with purpose, I brush past the man, keen on having my third round at making a certain thief bend to my will. If sex won't convince the man, I am most certain this will. Like it or not, he inadvertently gave away vital information last night, information that can and will be easily manipulated in order to benefit me. That's just another thing I pride myself in doing best: exploiting values and morals, what means most to a person.
When I arrive down in the dank dungeon, the man is still at it; pacing in his cell like a lion in a cage.
"You look quite pathetic when you do that," I comment, approaching the bars. My looming shadow, cast by a single torchlight, shrouds the man in darkness.
The thief glares at me. His blue eyes, darkened by the dimness of the prison, glisten through the shadows. "First you sleep with me, thinking that I will ever be so shallow as to bend to your request. Then, you lock me up in this cold and unforgiving cell. Do you do this with every man you hire?"
I lift a brow. "Every man had been willing to do my bidding with or without some…further convincing. All, except you. Why is that?"
"I told you, I have a code. And I don't heed to the words of vengeful royalty such as yourself." Damn.
I chuckle lowly. "That may be true, dear, but you do heed to my charms. Last night is all the proof you need."
"Last night was a mistake."
"Last night was fabulous."
"You use sex as a weapon."
"Mm. I use it quite well. Wouldn't you agree?"
The man shakes his head. "Why are you here? Because if you are going to try to convince me, yet again, to steal for you, it's no use."
"Are you sure about that?" I ask, tilting my head, "Because I've just received word of a passing carriage through the land, a carriage filled to the brim with riches, namely the finest gold the world has ever seen. And I will tell you the exact route that it will be taking, if you do what I ask."
I watch as a whole mess of expressions suddenly flit across the man's face in the dim light of the dungeon. As I study him, I notice the mixed emotions that flash through his eyes. Tempting, thief. I know. He wants it. I know he does.
I know a carriage like this would save his poor, starving villagers for another few months, possibly even more since it comes directly from Midas' realm. The corners of my lips twitch into a slight smile as I see such conflicting thoughts roam, as clear as day, across his features. I can read him like a book. I can see morality pull him in both ways. Yes, he would obviously desire for more details concerning this carriage. Such a thievery that would be, and such a gain it would be, all for his campaign in stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Yet again, he would be a hero among the people. But however, his morals would still pull him from doing what I ask: stealing for me, and not for the benefit of poor. It's an interesting tug-o-war on his soul, one that I take pleasure in watching nonetheless. In fact, I find it fascinating.
"You want to help me?" the thief asks lowly after an eon of silence, his brows furrowing deeply.
I shrug. "Desperate times call for desperate measures." I step closer to the cell bars. "Now I know you want it. I can see that glint in your eye. Do we have a deal?"
"I don't have much of a choice, do I?" He's frustrated. I can tell. And it delights me.
"No, I'm afraid you don't, thief. But think about it. A carriage, full of gold, gold that you can use to give your starving followers."
"People you have starved."
"Times are tough. What can I say? I can't control everything, can I?"
"That's why you appoint bastards such as Nottingham to be in charge."
"That's beside the point." I dismiss in annoyance. "Now will you agree to what I'm offering you or not?" Silence ensues as the man continues to scowl at me. I wait patiently. Nothing.
"I'm waiting, thief." Still nothing. I groan, running my hand over my hair. "Fine. How about, in addition, I take down all of your 'Wanted' posters and forevermore decree that you shall run throughout the kingdom, free of any prosecution and arrest?" I raise a brow at him. "You can perform your robberies in peace, not having to worry about getting caught," I entice.
The thief runs his fingers through his hair, looks of conflict written upon his face. Oh the struggle. I continue to stare at him determinedly as he weighs his options, his values. I've offered everything I can now. There's nothing else. Take the bargain goddammit.
"Fine," he breathes out forcefully, shaking his head. "Fine. I accept." Hallelujah.
"So look, the carriage is to take the royal passage east. So from here, across to here." I drag my finger across the wrinkled, ancient parchment. "Plan on the carriage stopping over in this outer village, for it is closer to the destination than all of the others."
"So that seems to be very close to Sherwood Forest."
"Indeed which, I presume, is furthermore to your benefit."
The man nods, a small smirk playing on his lips. Strangely, and for the first time, I find it somewhat contagious as I find myself in the same position as the corners of my lips also twitch involuntarily.
We stand over the wooden table at the corner in my chamber, peering over a map of my kingdom and its surrounding realms. As I look over to the thief as he bends over the map, staring fixedly at the trail that I've just pointed out, I can't help but recognize features I haven't noticed before. These features are so small and so subtle, yet right in this moment, stick out like none other. And I don't know why. The way he furrows his brows, the way in which the skin between creases deeply in concentration, are just two examples.
The way the sun shines through the open balcony, its rays making his hair shine a brighter golden color. The gentle creases at the corners of his eyes. The stubble that I can't help but find fairly attractive.
There's a softness to his features that I haven't noticed before. It's…nice. Different.
"Why have you told me all of this before you have me depart on this mission?" the man asks, looking towards me, oblivious as to what I'm thinking. "When you proposed the deal, I thought that my reward would come after I've done the deed, to ensure that I go through with it." The crease between his brows deepens.
I shrug nonchalantly. "Because, one, so that you know that I always hold up my end of the bargain. Apparently, people think that I'm not trustworthy enough for some reason." Well, I have broken a few promises...but that's beside the point. "And two, I know that your little moral code will keep you bound to me until you do what I ask, no matter what happens. And I know that you know that you clearly aren't the kind of man who would be so disrespectful as to not uphold his end of a deal. Am I correct?"
"I suppose, Your Majesty."
"Not to mention that I can and will be able to find you with the snap of my fingers should you try anything but the task I've presented to you." So there.
"Very true," he says tilting his head from side to side. I watch as he gathers the map, folds it, and slides it into a satchel. Again, I allow my eyes to roam his body as he does so, completely unaware. "So, when do you want me to leave on this quest?"
I pause, thinking for a moment. "Tomorrow morning, you shall set out. I'll tell you everything you need to know tonight."
The thief's eyes widen. "Tonight?" he chokes. Oh yes, dear. Tonight.
I lift a brow at him. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"No," the man shakes his head, "Not at all. I just—I thought I'd be going back to my cell after this."
"Would you like to?"
"Not particularly."
"Then I suggest you don't make comments like that." I press my lips together in a firm line, staring hard at the blue eyes in front of me. But the man chuckles, shaking his head. What am I going to do with you?
A bit of chemistry going on, no?
Side note, credit to thequeenregina, not only for the idea for this fic, but also for her idea of Regina's final persuasion in getting Robin to do what she asks. Thanks, B!
Thanks for stopping by again, and don't forget to review! Stay tuned and I'll see you shortly!
