The one that doesn't seem to go anywhere...Just a fluffy moment between these two...nothing more, nothing less.

----Michelle

It was a gilded cage she found herself in, a stone prison made up to look like a lavishly furnished bedroom. Exquisitely decorated with furniture hand carved from pine and oak wood, it had all the comforts of home and then some. A gigantic four poster bed dominated one corner of the room, gauzy transparent curtains hanging down to give the illusion of privacy. It's mattress was soft, soft enough that she sunk down into it, body cushioned as though she lay wrapped up in clouds.

The sheets always bore the slightest hint of chill, dark blue silk that was slow to warm up in the cold room. Lenneth herself didn't suffer from the cold, she had thick comforters to pull up over her body, and her pillows were stuffed with the softest of down, pure heaven against her neck.

It wasn't only the bed that was made to be comfortable. Quite a lot of care had been taken with the rest of the room's furniture. A love seat was situated against one wall, it's cushions plump and round on it's silver frame. A mirrored vanity was wedged in the corner directly opposite the bed, painted white with blue highlights, the letter L carved in cursive on the drawers.

Atop it's surface lay a multitude of items, a small hand mirror, and a silver backed brush that also had the letter L imprinted on it's backside. An array of make up and expansive perfumes lay scattered and untouched, Lenneth needing no such embellishments to her natural beauty. Silk ribbons and cotton ties for her hair, a dozen if not more gathered in one corner of the table top, along with barrettes and glittering jewels. She paid them little mind, only bothering with the ties for when she wove her hair into it's familiar braid. She knew her captor liked her to wear her hair loose and free, and she purposefully pulled back her hair in it's strict braid.

Gorgeous tapestries decorated the walls, being sewn on thick velvet, serving to both appease the eyes, and warm the stones of the room. It wasn't very effective at keeping out the cold, Lenneth could still feel the wind seeping through the cracks but she welcomed that taste of freedom. The tapestries showed her many scenes, forests where mythical creatures lurked and roamed, a waterfall where nymphs frolicked in the pool side, even an artist's rendition of Asgard, with it's imagined halls of Valhalla. It didn't come close to the actual splendor of the shining realm, but still it left her homesick to look upon it.

In the center of the room sat a small wicker table room enough for two people to dine upon it's surface. A meal lay untouched, the Valkyrie disinterested in it's offered nourishment. She let out a sigh, and turned, catching sight of her reflection in the floor length mirror near her closet. A flash of anger, white and hot spiked up her body, displeasure to see herself clad in one of the necromancer's gowns. She had little choice in the matter, it was either wear what he provided or go naked. And as much as she wanted to shun his gifts, she wouldn't give him the pleasure of seeing her bare body.

She stepped closer to the mirror, eyeing herself critically. It was nothing like anything she had ever worn up in Valhalla, the pale lavender clinging to her curves, leaving little to the imagination. It was off the shoulder, lace sleeves that was just the briefest of material, and the bodice was cut down to low, revealing more than a hint of her breasts. Dark purple lace wound it's way just under her chest, looping around to the back in a large bow that was half obscured by her hair. That same dark purple lined the hem of her skirt, the gown turning translucent near the bottom where it flowed over her feet. Matching slippers on her feet, with tiny bows on top.

Lenneth scowled at her reflection, her hands curling into fists. Presumptious bastard! She thought, feeling very much like a doll put on display for him alone. It didn't impress her that nothing but the finest touched her skin, silks and satins, velvet and lace, all expensive and finely made. The necromancer spoiled her, as though showering her with gifts would make her fall in love with him.

Love? Bah! She scoffed inwardly, turning away from her reflection. As if she could ever come to care for a defiler of souls, no matter how charming he tried to appear to be. It was as though thinking of him summoned the man to her, a knock sounding at her door. Lenneth stifled a sigh, not bothering to answer, knowing Lezard would push his way in regardless of what she had to say. He was persistent in that manner, refusing to take no for an answer, insisting on spending time with her.

They spent most of it talking...rather he talked, she listened. Some sadistic part of her thrilled at watching him stumble for words, at refusing to engage him in conversation. He tried to ask her questions about Asgard, of her likes and dislikes, even tried to talk to her about battles she had been rumored to take part in. None would get her to answer, she sitting silent and staring. He soon ran out of topics to discuss, and lately had taken to reading to her. His books ran the gamut from boring, scientific studies, of magic and the forbidden arts, which Lezard seemed to enjoy the most, to story books of love and romance, even fairytales. Much as she hated to admit it, Lenneth found herself enjoying listening to him speak, his low voice soothing and pleasant to her ears. She almost found herself looking forward to these readings, where she could lose herself in his voice, and enjoy the stories.

"I brought you some things." Lezard said as he eased open the door. She looked at him, seeing his cape draped over his arm, attempting to hide what he carried. She tried to keep the flicker of interest she felt off her face, but she feared he spied it. A smile was on his face as he drew near to the table, it faltering for a second when he saw that she had not touched her breakfast.

Giving a slight shake of his head, brown locks falling into his eyes, he recovered his composure. "Some sweets for my sweet..." Lezard said teasingly, showing her a heart shaped box, with a glittering gold bow in it's center. "Chocolates..." He clarified, setting it down on a nearby table. Next he held up a small jar, purple cursive on the front proclaiming it the scent of allure. "Perfume..." He placed the bottle on top of the chocolates, wondering if she'd be impressed to know it cost him 750 oth for one ounce.

"And of course...I ordered you some new dresses. The finest silk imported straight from Hai Lan." said Lezard. "They should be arriving here by mid week." He reached into his pocket, searching for something. "I would be...delighted if you chose to model them for me." His fingers grazed against cool metal, and he slowly removed his hand, fingers curled over the tiny item. "I thought of you when I saw this..." He held out his hand, fingers opening to display a silver ring, with a sapphire the size of his thumb nail placed in it's center.

She could tell her silence frustrated him, even as he stepped nearer to her, reaching out for her hand. She reluctantly allowed him the touch, feeling him slide the ring onto her finger. "It looks lovely on you. But then..." His eyes glinted in pleasure, as he looked over her body and she fought back the disgust she felt at seeing that look of desire on his face. "There is precious little that wouldn't look good on you."

"Spare me your false compliments." She watched as his eyes lit up, a pleased smile crossing his face at the sound of her voice. Lenneth bit back a sigh of exasperation, already regretting having graced him with her speech. He was...too eager for her, so desperate and needy for acknowledgment from her, even if her words were negative and disinterested. He ate up the sound of her voice, greedy to hear his cage quarry sing.

"Nothing in regards to my interest in you is false, my dear lady Valkyrie." He purred, giving her fingers a squeeze. "There's simply not enough words in Migard alone for me to speak of my adoration for you." Though he certainly tried them all out, she mused to herself.

He wasn't letting go of her hand, Lezard giving a tug, intent on guiding her to the love seat. She allowed him to move her where he wanted, slowly sinking down onto the cushions, tucking her legs underneath her. He reached up to run his fingers over the skin of her cheek, before he was pulling away, searching for the book he had left behind the night before.

He found it, and reclaimed it, coming to sit next to her on the love seat. He pushed in close, body brushing against hers, and she bit her tongue to stifle her protests. He insisted on the close contact, and she found it too tiresome and troublesome to protest the side of her body touching his. She settled back with a sigh, taking hold of an embroidered pillow, fingers playing with the tassel as he opened the book. Skirting to the part where they had last let off, he began reading, and her eyelids lowered, Lenneth finding the necromancer's voice almost hypnotic as he read.

Time seemed to slow, everything blurring away to just him and her, his voice reading out a tale of a princess captured by a dragon. Her eyelids started drooping, and Lenneth soon found herself half asleep, her head resting on his shoulder. She was vaguely aware of him putting down the book, hand reaching up to stroke the top of her head. She sighed at the touch, in sleep she could allow herself to be happy, to revel in his caress, her body longing for human contact, even one as loathsome as his. Much as Lenneth tried to deny it, she needed that contact, missed her friends and einherjar, missed having someone to talk to. People, even Gods, were creatures not meant to live alone.

She was letting go of the pillow, hearing it let out a soft thump against the carpet, her hand reaching to wrap around Lezard's waist. She snuggled closer, needing his warmth and his presence, content to pretend he was someone else, someone who had not taken her away from everything she had ever known. It was a nice illusion, and she sank down deeper into dreams against his body. She could hear his heart beat against her ear, a soft pounding that seem to speed up at the touch of her. His hand smoothed down the back of her head, tracing down the length of her hair, finding the ties. He snapped it easily enough, allowing her hair to unwind, and she could feel Lezard lifting it up, letting it run through his fingers as though it was water flowing free.

His touch became everything, soft, soothing, seeming to move in time with the beat of his heart. It lulled her into sleep, letting Lenneth feel safe, comforted. She slept, and all too soon, Lezard slept with her, hand clenched loosely around her waist. His head eased backwards, his mouth opening to let out a light snore, as Lenneth's fingers curled into his shirt, clinging to him. It was only in sleep that she forgot herself, and allowed a tiny smile to cross her lips.

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Full Moon Bunny, thank you for the wonderful review! Really put a smile on my face.

---Michelle