Charm

Images of Hamaal's lacerations were burned into Naishe's mind. How was it possible that only one day ago, she'd been giggling to herself about Clarissa? That seemed worlds away now.

"You're looking very lovely this evening, Naishe." A maid passing her in the hallway smiled.

Naishe was so distracted she only managed to nod in response. The maid wasn't just being polite. Naishe had found a sleek gown which blurred the lines between eveningwear and lingerie. Black lace clung to her hips and waist. It loosened around her legs, but the material was so sheer the extra coverage was almost redundant. The dress dipped in a large V to reveal her breasts as much as public decency allowed. Naishe also worse a black corset, and could scarcely breathe. She's asked one of her handmaids to powder her eyelids in gold. It brought out her eyes.

Naishe was aware she looked stunning. Modesty had never been her greatest asset. As Hari used to say, "If their eyes are on your tits they won't be on their pockets." Naishe was starting to fully appreciate these words of wisdom as she entered adulthood. She'd considered trying to threaten the information out of Claudio, but the likelihood of successfully intimidating an assassin was very slim. Stealing was also an option, but Claudio seldom left his belongings lying around, and she had no idea where he lived. His visits never included much detail about where he'd come from, at least when she was around.

Naishe knew he was coming to pose for a painting. A commission for himself, apparently. Standing completely still was all that was required of Claudio, so Luis, uninterested in the actual creation of the paintings he sold, had left to have dinner with one of his colleagues. The artist insisted on complete silence while he worked. Naishe was sure Claudio would be bored. This would work in her favour.

"Ser Valisti. Do not let your arm descend any further. The shadow must be right."

Naishe took the exasperated sigh to be Claudio's. The painting was taking place in the map room. She knocked on the door and pushed it open.

The artist, a half-elf soporati trying to make his name in Antiva, added a few delicate touches of paint to the table leg on his canvas.

Claudio's eyes flew to Naishe, taking in what she was wearing.

"I hope you don't mind the intrusion."

The artist made a loud 'hmph'. "No, Lady Naishe, I suppose we're done for the day." His voice was high and shrill. He spoke with a heavy lisp and sprayed his canvas with spit when he spoke.

Claudio looked relieved as he lay the sextant he'd been posing with on the table and stretched his arms.

"A few more weeks and it'll be complete."

"A few weeks?!" Claudio goggled at the artist. "You told me this would be three days' work."

The artist looked unconcerned, and waved his hand dismissively. "You cannot rush a masterpiece."

Claudio muttered a curse under his breath.

"Please arrive on time tomorrow, Ser."

Claudio and Naishe watched as the artist packed up his brushes, give each of them a curt nod, and left.

"Ass."

Naishe sniggered and walked over to lean against the side of the table next to him, "Why the sextant?"

Claudio rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "His idea. He said it makes me look pensive."

"Because if there's one thing you're known for, it's sailing."

He smirked, "Indeed. He's an idiot. I should never have agreed to this."

"Well, you look handsome in the painting."

"I do? Well that's something. He won't let me see it until it's finished." He looked her up and down. "I must say, it's a shame he wasn't painting you today, my dear. You look very beautiful."

Naishe tried to force her face to blush. She settled for a small giggle. "No one would want to buy that I'm sure."

"Try looking in a mirror some time."

This seemed as good an opening as any. "It's funny…" Naishe hand trailed along the edge of the table. "All his talk about Tevinter. I assumed the artist was painting Luis."

Claudio raised an eyebrow. "Why is that?"

"Well, he's constantly going on about Tevinter. I can't tell whether he's planning a trip or just has a magister pen pal." Naishe leaned against the table and grimaced. "Every time I ask him what he's on about he looks at me like I'm an idiot."

The Antivan smiled. "I don't think it's anything particularly interesting Naishe. Just business."

"I'm not stupid, you know." Before Claudio could respond she said, trying to sound as casual as possible, "It's just…I don't know. I'm his wife. It'd be nice to have a vague idea about his work. You must understand."

Claudio smiled with sympathy. "I do understand, my dear. And I'm sure Luis would be only too happy to share such things with you if you asked."

Shit. Well that didn't work.

"You must be patient with him, Naishe. Luis sees everything as a game that he has to win. It sometimes makes him…lose focus on his personal matters."

That was a generous way of referring to a man who forced his friends to touch his wife. A man who flayed the vulnerable Hamaal. Naishe could barely refrain from scoffing.

"That's what I like about you Claudio," she said, straightening up and stepping closer to him. "You understand people."

Claudio chuckled and shrugged his shoulders, holding his ground. "You flatter me."

"I wish…I wish he was more like you." Naishe could feel her heartbeat in her ears.

"Oh yes?"

"Yes…Understanding. Kind. Charming." She swallowed. "Handsome."

Claudio had an unreadable look on his face. There was no way of telling whether the seduction was working or not.

Naishe stepped even closer until they were a hand-width apart. "I…I think about you Claudio. A lot." Her lips were slightly open, and her eyelids were half-closed. The fuck-me look Luis would never get to see.

"Me." His tone wasn't critical or questioning, merely affirming what she had said.

Taking a leap of faith, Naishe placed her hands on his chest and leaned towards his face.

But Claudio stopped her. "Let us not confuse our relationship, Naishe."

"I want you." Sometimes men needed it to be spelled out for them.

He gave her the kind of smile you would a merchant you were turning down. "You are married. To a husband who loves you, and a man I deeply respect."

Naishe tried not to snort, "I don't care. I want you. I need you." She tried to kiss him again, to no avail.

Claudio held her at arm's length and sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. "You are confused. It is normal at your age. You're feeling many things."

"I know what I want," the Rivaini said, a little more defiantly.

"Be that as it may, I would never betray your husband in such a way. I would advise that you do the same."

"He doesn't have to know."

Claudio chuckled, "My, my, aren't you persistent."

"Tell me that you've honestly never wondered what I taste like."

He laughed again, "And forward. Maker, he's got his hands full with you. Is this why you got yourself all…What's the phrase? 'Dolled up'?"

She took that as a cue to push her chest out slightly. The corset made it difficult. "Don't pretend you don't like it."

He let his hands fall. "I…suppose I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the view."

"And you could enjoy so much more than that," as she said this, she moved her hands up his lapels. This time, he didn't move away.

"We shouldn't."

"What was it you said to me when we first met? 'You have to take some risks in life. Or what's the point in living?'"

He didn't respond. He just looked at her.

Naishe decided there was nothing else for it, and leaned in to kiss him. His lips were stiff at first, but eventually they started to respond to her kisses. He opened his mouth a little, and his hands cupped her hips. He wasn't as blunt as Luis, or as sensual as Zevran. Naishe had yet to see whether this would coax any information out of him. It felt like Pravus' beady eyes were watching everything.

The kissing was beginning to leave her a little breathless. Claudio made a noise of approval. Clearly he was making her excited. His hands slid down to her buttocks and squeezed. Naishe was confused. Claudio was attractive, yes, but she'd never had any actual feelings for him. Yet her body seemed to be completely surrendering to him. She was fighting for breath. He was kissing her neck. Her chest was heaving. He was whispering things, but she could barely hear. Naishe thought she felt the door slam open. Shouts. A clang.

Suddenly, she wasn't holding Claudio. Her face was against something hard and flat. Her lungs were screaming for mercy. Clarissa. Clarissa. Those were her silver eyes. There was a loud ripping sound. Naishe gasped for breath, sucking air into her starved lungs.

Her sight was starting to clear, and eventually she was able to sit up, breathing heavily. "What…What happened?"

Clarissa was staring at her with wide eyes, "You…Claudio…I heard noises…"

Naishe rubbed her head and winced. There was a bruise from where her head must have hit the floor.

"He was kissing you…I thought…he was attacking you."

"Uhhh…not exactly." Naishe looked at the remnants of her corset. It had been sliced open with a letter opener.

"You're corset was too tight. You couldn't breathe."

"Yeah. I remember that bit…"

Clarissa still looked very serious, "You nearly passed out."

"Duly noted." She gave Clarissa a mini salute, "Learn out to tie corsets properly." Naishe looked around. It was just them in the study. "Was Claudio's corset too tight as well?"

Now Clarissa's eyes dropped to the ground. "I…hit him," she said sheepishly.

"You what?!"

"I hit him." She eventually met Naishe's gaze again. "I thought he was attacking you! I had a frying pan so I…" she mimed swinging something at Naishe's head.

Naishe couldn't help but snort a laugh.

"It's not funny!" The corners of Clarissa's lips were slightly raised despite her protest. "I'll get in trouble for this."

"Shit Clarissa…You've got balls."

"Maybe. But it'll be my head on the chopping block," she said, resigned.

Naishe privately agreed with her, but she needed words of encouragement right now. "Don't think about that. If Claudio did tell Luis, he'd have to explain why you hit him the first place. He's not going to admit to kissing me."

That perked her up a little, but she still looked worried. "Speaking of which…why was Claudio kissing you?" Clarissa tried to sound neutral. Jealousy was building in the pit of her stomach.

It was Naishe's turn to look sheepish. "It's…hard to explain…" She didn't want to worry Clarissa with Pravus' threat, but she also didn't want her to think that time on the beach had meant nothing.

"Hard to explain." Clarissa's tone had grown suddenly cold. She got to her feet, frowning. "I'm not an idiot you know."

"No. Wait, Clarissa…" Naishe stood. "It's not like that."

Clarissa made to leave. "What you do in your own time is none of my business."

"Hey!" Naishe grabbed Clarissa's arm, "Don't be like this."

"Like what?" She turned to face Naishe again, glaring. "What am I being like?"

Naishe gathered her thoughts and spoke very carefully. "This wasn't what you think. I…I can't tell you what exactly…I don't want to worry you."

Clarissa's eyebrow was raised, but she didn't look entirely convinced. "Helpful."

"It's…complicated."

"Don't patronise me, Naishe."

"I'm not trying to!" Naishe sighed. "Come to my room after dinner. I'll explain everything."

"You're sure about that?"

Naishe smiled and squeezed her hand. "I'm sure. Now are you going to let me kiss you or not?"

Clarissa stifled a smirk. "The last person who kissed you ended up pretty bruised. Is that what's going to happen to me?"

Naishe stepped forward, "Only if you ask nicely."