Choice
"Don't go yet."
Manon blinked at the hand on her arm. It was past midnight already and she was starting to notice a pattern where she would leave later and later. Not willing to dwell on that she faced Dorian who was still laying under the sheets, his bare chest peeking through the linens. She didn't speak, but he caught her expression. "Stay the night," he told her, his voice low and deep.
The witch frowned. "Why?"
Dorian's hand lowered, toward her wrist. His hand was warm. "It's late."
"Aren't you tired?" He understood what she meant by that. They bedded each other more than a few times within the past few hours. She would think he'd be tired of her at this point. It certainly happened to her every time she mated someone before. But she'd never been with someone more than once. Less of all this consistently.
"Are you?"
Manon considered it. She supposed she was growing rather…used to him at this point rather than tiring. "Hey." When they met eyes he smiled and her eyes narrowed at the spark of…something. "Just for tonight?" Since she turned away he huffed. "You know, some people would kill for a chance to sleep next to me."
His tone was teasing but Manon was acutely aware of his popularity among human females, specifically among other royals and the rich. Dorian had allure because he was King, but she could tell women in general (and even men in some cases) were interested in more than just his money and influence. She felt a hand slide over her waist, while the other moved her hair out of the way.
Foreplay had never been big with her earlier lovers so having him lick at her neck was an odd sensation. Not entirely unpleasant, but certainly a surprise. "Lie back down," he told her, his hand pulling her back.
The Blackbeak could not believe she was actually considering it. She had never slept next to someone she had bedded before. That act was reserved for her Thirteen and on some occasions, Abraxos. "Do you tend to do this?" He knew what she was referring too. Did he sleep next to his lovers?
His motions stopped and she felt him looking at her face. "To be honest, not really. I only ever started thinking of being more serious after the compe-" He stopped himself and she caught him shaking his head. "It doesn't matter." Dorian moved away. "If you want to go then go, it's not right of me to want you to stay."
Want? Manon wondered. He wanted her to stay?
Her Thirteen already knew of her little trips to the glass wall. She could already see Asterin's little smile if she arrived in the morning. Could already feel Sorrel's curious looks and maybe even a question or two from Vesta. Staying would start to mean something to them. Something that Manon wasn't sure she was particularly ready to confront since she wasn't sure herself of what she wanted when it came to this broken King. As always, he was a puzzle she was reluctant to solve.
Either way, he was only seeking comfort from someone who understood. They would tire of each other soon.
"Do not confuse what we have for affection," she warned. Dorian's face was stiff, his sapphire eyes wide. "We are nothing."
The King tilted his head and for a second she thought she saw hurt flash over his features. "Is that what you think?" When she raised an eyebrow he slid forward. "Tell me," he whispered as he got close, daring her to move away as he glanced at her lips. "Are we really nothing?"
She fought the chill that went down her spine flawlessly. "What do you think we are?" She muttered, her tone matching his, her lids lowering.
The little princeling disapproved of her response, perhaps thinking he would have a different effect on her. He leaned back, but maintained a distance that was intimate. Dorian was not afraid of her. She thought he never had.
A foolish, irrational King-that was all he was to her. Foolish to trust an Ironteeth witch. Foolish to dare to bed her. Foolish to ask her to stay the night.
It would be so easy for her to kill him at this point.
"I might want something for us," he admitted after a long silence.
What?
What?
That was enough.
Manon stood up and went for her clothes, dressing quickly and effectively. She heard him sigh. It sounded like disappointment. Fire coursed through her. Why was he like this? She could never understand him. The witch didn't know what she was more annoyed at. The fact that she could never figure him out or that she even wasted her time for long enough to try.
"I'm leaving east tomorrow," Dorian said.
She fought the urge to pull out her hair. "So?"
"There's a note already in Abraxos' saddle with the address of where I'll be." Because she was stationed east, because even when the brainless mutt had business he wanted to see her. Staying quiet, Manon looked at her cloak. "I'll arrive in three days."
Sensing him approach, the Blackbeak turned to him. He was bare, but she knew he didn't mind. Burying the thoughts of how attractive he was, Manon crossed her arms. "Do I look like a whore you can call at your leisure?"
Dorian smirked as he stepped in front of her. "Do you want me to pay you?" Her teeth snapped down and she growled. The first time in the night, she realized. It seemed that with him, her violent tendencies were subdued. Another thing to be wary off. "It's your choice," he told her, tilting his head in that stupid way she knew he did on purpose. "It has always been your choice."
Her teeth retracted slowly and Manon reached around him for her cloak, draped unto one of the padded chairs. But he stopped her, placing his body in the way, going for her face. She was shocked for long enough to let him tilt it up, meeting their lips.
She could count the times she had kissed someone on one hand. Despite the fact that they bedded each other regularly for the past month, they had not kissed once. The times she had kissed before were no more than distractions, using her beauty as a weapon to get close to a male and even on one occasion a female. Death would usually follow. Despite that…
For witches, kisses were sacred, emotional things. Things to be avoided, her grandmother had told her.
Dorian moved back, probably due to her lack of reaction.
"Manon?"
She had told him they were nothing and he does this?
"You shouldn't have done that," the witch said.
Dorian seemed to realize he'd made a mistake. "Is it a bad thing to do? Did I break a rule?" His concern was sincere. "Do witches not kiss?"
"No," a pause, "we don't."
"Why not?"
Manon swallowed. The only reason Blackbeaks didn't kiss was because it was a way to show emotion. Her grandmother had told her again and again how they were born heartless. Kissing could only be used as a means to destroy, to control.
Never to show affection.
Manon stepped back, her cloak in her hands. She had to go, right now. There was no time for Dorian to react as she burst through the balcony doors, Abraxos already on his way. She didn't let the wyvern land before she launched herself unto him. Dorian ran after her, still naked, still an idiot.
He yelled out her name, but Manon paid no mind as Abraxos flew into the sky.
…
"Asterin."
The blonde almost dropped out of her bed, going for her weapons as Manon entered the room. "What is it, who's attacking?"
Pausing, Manon realized what she had done. Bursting into her Second's room in the middle of the night like a madwoman. Interrupting the much needed rest for something that didn't need attention.
Stupid, stupid princeling.
"Manon?" Asterin had placed down the weapons and rubbed at her eyes. "What's wrong?"
Shaking her head, the Wing Leader stepped back. "Nothing, I shouldn't have bothered you."
The other witch bit back a yawn. "Is this about Dorian?" When they met eyes, Asterin actually smiled. Her Second leaned back against the headboard. "What did he do?"
It didn't bother Manon that Asterin knew it had to do with Dorian, what bothered her was the smugness in her tone, the cheeky grin on her lips. Like she was talking to a child who'd just realized something obvious. Fighting back all the instincts in her body, the witch just came out with the truth. "He kissed me."
Surprise crossed Asterin's features. "He did?!" She seemed to control her tone of voice with a clear of her throat. "And he's still alive?" It felt like a punch to the face. "Did you like it?"
Like it?
Like it?
"What?"
Asterin chuckled as she stood. "Give it time. Perhaps it means something."
"We are nothing," Manon heard herself say, but her head was a storm, her thoughts unfinished and messy.
"Would it be bad if you were something?"
Manon couldn't be sure. She was a murdering, blood-drinking, ironteeth witch with no heart. Why would a King want to have something with a witch beyond carnal desires? Dorian had to be insane. The Valg had destroyed any semblance of common sense within him. That was the only reason he would seek out a monster.
There was no other explanation.
"It would be nice," Asterin mumbled, her eyes downcast, "if there were a Witch Queen."
Manon could feel that nonexistent heart take a leap.
Queen?
"Nicer still…if you were that Queen." Breathing was becoming difficult. "It would make us more powerful."
The way she said it was a tell. Asterin had thought this over before, perhaps spoken about it with Sorrel or Vesta, or the whole of the Thirteen for that matter. They had all been very open with letting her go to the King alone, even going so far as to encourage-
"Do you think you can manipulate-"
"It's your choice," Asterin cut in, her eyes flashing. "It has always been your choice." She stepped forward. "You know we will not question a single one of your actions when it comes to who you spend your nights with. But we cannot ignore the fact that if he loves you and you marry him, the power that the Blackbeaks would gain would be monumental. With Adarlan, taking back the Wastes would only be the first step. We could conquer kingdoms, make the Chrochans and the other Ironteeth clans have no choice but to bow before us."
They had spoken to each other about it, there was no doubt. But it was something she would have done too, if one of her Thirteen would visit a King so often. It was so obvious she was appalled that this possibility had never even crossed her mind. Even still, it was close to impossible to imagine. Harder still to think about. "You think he is in love with me?" She asked quietly, slowly, her voice a sliver of steel.
Asterin shrugged. "Perhaps. Your beauty alone could be to blame, but he seems to like you." There was an underlying message there, a 'you seem to like him too' that neither chose to acknowledge. "Tell me," Asterin added, "if he were not King, would you still see him?"
Being King had nothing to do with it-Manon stopped herself right there. Changing the subject she said, "he is coming East."
Her Second's lips twitched. "Does he want to see you?" The white-haired witch's silence was answer enough. "Ultimately, whatever you choose to do with him, it's all on you. I will admit that the Thirteen have spoken on the future possibilities of your…relationship-with the King, but it is all speculation. We would never force you into anything."
Manon was aware of that even when her thoughts were elsewhere. There was so much to think about now, so much to consider. "I liked it," she admitted with a dark tone, like she was delivering the news of a death.
"Liked what?"
A breath.
"The kiss."
Asterin smiled.
Would you like a second part? It seems to be a thing with my fics now.
For some clarification, Dorian was realizing he was having feelings for Manon and he really wanted to kiss her so he did. It was a spur of the moment thing and he wasn't really thinking. If anything, he was pretty horrified she reacted the way she did and he wants to apologize asap.
Because I received so many reviews last chapter, I decided to post a day early. So here's my gift to you all.
Fandomgirl1012 – I have always imagined Manon as a sweet & sour type of mother. I'm glad you liked my portrayal of her.
Lady Elvira – I think Manon would be one to test Sorrin consistently. She might not raise her like her grandmother did, but certainly would want her to be independent. As always, a wonderful review.
From bottom to top:
Guest – I'm really happy you thought it was adorable. I think we will see more of Sorrin with her parents in the future.
Guest – It's humbling to read that you think I am a good writer. I will keep working hard to bring you more pleasing content.
Guest – Mama Manon is very cute, agreed!
pomxxx – Sorrin could very well be the incarnation of cute, yes.
Guest – Great comparison with Fleetfoot! I would think motherhood would change Manon deeply, though her personality would remain more or less the same. While Dorian is more open with his affection, Manon would show hers in a more strict and practical way. I think they would balance each other well when it comes to raising Sorrin. I hope you enjoyed this chapter too!
Thank you for the well wishes, the reviews, the follows and the favorites. I do feel like getting them really inspires me to write more and at a faster pace.
I hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!