He was already in my room when I got there, standing at the window looking out at the ice covered landscape. I stood there as the door closed behind me, my legs like stone, rooted to the spot. I cleared my throat, waiting for him to notice me, but dreading that very moment. He turned, the sound of metal scraping stone echoing as his gloved hand brushed against the sill. He was still wearing his armor. His helmet was lying so carelessly askew on the table and I was mesmerized by the picture it made. Such a feared mask so casually cast aside.

"Help me with the straps," his voice grated as he strode towards me, removing his gloves and tossing them aside.

I nodded and moved to meet him, reaching for the buckles on his pauldrons. I had to stand on tiptoe and even then I could barely see what I was doing, a fact that, based on his chuckle, the Lich King seemed to find amusing. I tried not to flinch as I felt his ungloved hand gripped my waist. His touch was too strong to be comfortable but I tried not to shake as I continued to work on the straps that were almost out of reach.

I made the mistake of meeting his gaze while I worked. He was studying me, a look in his eyes that melded anger with something else I couldn't identify. But the result was terrifying and I glued by eyes to the floor as I place his second pauldron on the wooden floor.

I got the feeling that there was a game being played here that I didn't know the rules of. It was like a cat batting at a mouse while readying for the kill and I was the mouse. I could still feel his eyes on me, that faint glow that made me so uneasy. When he was standing in just his shirt and pants I stepped back and out of his grasp. He was still wearing his boots and I gestured to them, but he didn't seem to notice. I cleared my throat again to get his attention.

"Your boots," I started, gesturing again.

He grunted in response as he moved to the large armchair in the corner. I couldn't help but notice that the chair seemed to be made for him and it made me even more uncomfortable as I realized it had been. This may have been my room for now, but it was meant for his use, along with everything within it. And that included me.

Both boots tossed aside he motioned for me to come to him and I hesitantly obliged, stopping directly in front of him.

"Closer," he grunted, leaning back.

I was as close as I could get now, my knees brushing the edge of the seat, trapped between his legs. Even seated he towered over me. I was overwhelmed, standing so close to this monster and I could taste terror at the back of my throat. And then I let my eyes take in the state of his shirt. I was momentarily distracted from my situation and I wrinkled my nose when I realized his shirt was soaked through with sweat.

"What?" he asked, his voice gruff.

"You're soaked," I replied, without thinking, and touched the edge of one sleeve.

It was then that I remembered where I was, who was seated in front of me, and my eyes grew wide. Why had I been so familiar with him? But then he threw his head back and let out what seemed to be a genuine laugh. Somehow that reaction made me more uneasy than any other could have. Maybe it was that eery glow in his eyes or the calculation I saw, that seemed to always be there.

He pulled the offending shirt over his head and sized me up again, like a predator eyeing its prey.

"Is that better?" he asked, a smirk on his face.

I nodded, because there was no other response I could give.

And then he reached out and snaked an arm around my waist, pulling me up and onto his lap. I tried to stay strong, not show my fear. I wouldn't give him that satisfaction, it would only urge him to push me further. If my first encounter with him was any indication, the Lich King enjoyed getting what he wanted at the expense of others.

The next day was spent in the company of the other women again. When the door closed behind me I flung myself onto the nearest couch, feeling safe in this haven. Vanessa sensed the uneasiness in me and hurried to my side.

"What is it dear?" her voice dripping with honeyed concern.

I just looked at her, trying desperately to convey a whole range of emotions without having to speak the words that I so wanted to avoid. Last night had been terribly unexpected. I hadn't been prepared for that smirking face or the familiarity he assumed. I thought for sure the mind games of this place and its king would be the end of me.

"Oh, he's playing games again isn't he?" Vanessa said, with a curse muttered under her breath.

I had never seen her so openly angered and I hoped it wasn't directed at me.

"It's because you're new dear," she said, a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"What's the matter?" Naira asked, joining us.

"The Lich King has decided to play with his new toy," Vanessa said with poorly veiled venom.

I'm sure I looked stricken, if not only for the events of the previous night but my fear of Vanessa as well.

"Oh Tenna," Naira intoned, "Don't worry, it will pass."

Vanessa nodded vigorously.

"He's a child with a new plaything..." Vanessa looked like she was going to say more, but wasn't sure how to continue.

At least I could see now that her anger was not directed at me, but at the object of out discussion himself. Finally Vanessa sighed.

"Well there's no easy way to put this dear," Vanessa said. "He's the type who likes to break his toys. So be careful."

I blanched, and found myself surrounded by the women who were trying to ease my mind with words of encouragement. It wasn't working. It was hardly a delicate way to put it, but I supposed Vanessa was right. There wasn't one.