Xelloss hunched over in his chair so far that his cheek pressed against his knee. A tremor shook through him, almost knocking him to the floor with its brutality. He tried to catch his breath, to swallow, to take any meaningless action that might comfort his body. But everything hurt too much. He was too cold to do anything but listen to Dynast whisper empty condolences in his ear.
"It's allright. I'm here for you." Dynast knelt beside Xelloss, his cheek buried in the priest's violet hair. He had been there since the fit began, caressing him with warm hands and murmuring in his ear. He wrapped an arm around Xelloss' shoulders as another shiver rippled through his body. "It'll be over very soon. Don't be afraid."
Xelloss couldn't even bother mentally cursing Dynast. All that occupied his mind were the frozen shockwaves that penetrated him to the bone. It had been over an hour since the attack began, an entire hour of cold seizures. He couldn't even remember what it felt like to be warm anymore. Another shiver locked him in its thrall as his body fought in vain for heat. Each spasm was longer and more violent than the last. They had started to grow painful as the chill overtook every part of Xelloss. Now that the cold had him completely arrested, the shudders were movements of agony. He felt Dynast wrap his arms around his body, giving him a shoulder to lean against. Xelloss slumped against his King as the shiver passed, leaving his body in drained peace.
Dynast patted Xelloss. "See? It won't be much longer. We can get through this." As the last words spilled from Dynast's lips, Xelloss squeezed his eyes shut and gasped. It hurt! Oh gods it hurt!
Dynast rubbed his back, giving him friction and heat. He was still confident that his calm guidance would help get Xelloss over this hurdle. But as the priest choked on a cry of pain, Dynast began to fear that nothing he was doing had helped.
"Xelloss? Are you okay?" Concern resonated through Dynast's voice as Xelloss let out a half-whimper. Cold was eating through his head, through his brain, through his eyes. It chilled his lips and froze his tongue before the world dissolved into a burning haze of frost.
"Xelloss?"
"...Xelloss?"
* * *
Dynast tossed a furtive glance at the body in his bed, a bead of sweat crossing his brow. He'd wrapped Xelloss in heavy blankets from head to toe. He'd lit magical fires along the walls until the room was almost a furnace. Nothing helped. Had he let things go on too long? Was the knife finally eating away at the remains of his servant's will? It was scaring the hell out of him.
He had to take it out. It was killing his beloved priest. Why did he need it now? Xelloss had finally admitted his true feelings. He didn't have to be led on his knees by a leash of ice anymore. Everything Dynast had ever wanted was happening. Not only was Xelloss his by right, but the priest had given himself up freely to Dynast. He had won the game, and his prize loved him for it.
Dynast didn't need a glittering piece of cutlery to help him now. He could go without it.
As Dynast walked toward the bed, something pulled at him and held him back. He hadn't wanted to use the knife in the first place, right? Then why should he hesitate? Life would be much better without his servant choking on frozen coughs. The action of removing it would be as simple as the task of planting it, and just as quick. Just pull it out...
The thought of ripping flesh and cracking ice froze Dynast's heart. Xelloss was sick. He hadn't eaten a real meal in months. His pale skin and thin physique were hints of an emaciated astral body. Could his soul stand up to such treatment? Edge's grip was strong and he didn't easily give up his treasures. And now that the mazoku was on the job, Dynast couldn't communicate with his prize hunter. Dynast would have to go surinnar to properly execute the task.
His face twisted with bitter contempt. Incarnt of his status were better than that.
...But he would do it for Xelloss, wouldn't he?
First, though, his servant desparately needed food. Dynast didn't let himself dodge the stab of guilt that came with the realization that he had let Xelloss go without eating for months. That was terrible of him, even if the priest had been misbehaving at the time. It was his job to take care of his beloved Xelloss, to teach and discipline him when he was ignorant and to comfort and console him when he was hurt. After all, Zelas had certainly done a poor job of that.
But alas, Zelas was dead now...
Dynast's eye caught the subtle shift in the bedspread's topography as Xelloss woke up. The King scrambled to the priest's side, panic and hope battling inside his skull. He sat beside Xelloss, reaching under the layers of blankets to feel his pale skin. It was cold, yes, but not frozen. As Xelloss rubbed his cheek against his master's hand, Dynast realized that 'frozen' had been accurate until quite recently. Tears brushed against his palm, icy diamond chips so sharp that the King pulled back the covers to make sure that Xelloss hadn't been cut.
The priest's skin was pure unblemished white, his lips fading to a frosty blue. Dynast sighed with relief and cupped Xelloss' face in his hands, kissing his servant with precious warmth. Everything was going to be okay. Xelloss was perfectly fine.
The weary servant barely opened his eyes, slowly gaining awareness of his surroundings and position. Dynast strayed from Xelloss' mouth as he nuzzled the priest's cheek. "Xelloss?" Dynast's voice was as soft and warm as his lips. "How do you feel?"
Xelloss' mind spun as thoughts rushed around his head in a frenzied race. It was so much harder to be composed now. He had no energy left to hold up his mask. But then, Dynast was expecting him to be tired and confused. So anything he said would be appropriate.
'I feel like you're a sick, crazy bastard.'
No, that probably wouldn't be tactful . "I...ngh." Well, that was a relief. He didn't have the energy to speak at all, much less put his foot in his mouth. He forced himself not to flinch as Dynast drew him closer, held him against his chest, and stroked his cheek. Xelloss' mind boggled at how long he'd kept up his ruse of affection. Now that he looked back on it, it seemed like he'd been Dynast's perfect doll forever. The disgust roiled in him, burning his chest and squeezing his throat. It was a stroke of divine grace that he was so weak he couldn't retch.
"It's okay. You don't have to say anything. I'm here for you." Dynast's fingers stroked Xelloss' lips, as if to assure them that they could stay at rest forever. "You're my prize servant, Xelloss. You deserve a reward. You worked so hard to please me, even when you were so tragically injured. You've earned your place in my ranks."
Xelloss didn't dare to even breathe as Dynast's words settled into him. What?
"Today you will swear an oath of loyalty and be completely in my service. I'll remove that knife from your flesh and restore you to your full health. I'll give you my own blessings and your own powers. You will stand at my side as we finally carry through my plans. I can't move without you, Xelloss. I don't want to."
It took every ounce of strength Xelloss had left in his body to keep himself from hyperventilating. No. Dynast was not going to have him swear loyalty. No. Dynast would not have Xelloss as his completely obedient, eternally bound servant. No. Dynast would not own him completely! No! There was nothing that Xelloss could do! No!
'Refuse him! Drop the subservient act! His illusions of affection would be shattered in an instant!' But no, then everything would be wasted and Dynast would let Xelloss freeze to death in the knife's thrall. Then he wouldn't have to worry about Xelloss' will. It wouldn't exist.
Xelloss couldn't refuse. He couldn't just pretend to be Dynast's perfect servant anymore. He would have no choice but to be a slave under Dynast's will. No matter if he was sincere or not. He was finally trapped.
'SHIT!'
Dynast crooked his fingers under Xelloss' chin and lifted his servant's face, smiling. "But first...I want to reward your hard work." He sank down, stroking his lips over Xelloss' mouth and tracing spirals against the priest's neck. Xelloss let himself give in to the caresses, swallowing the bitter regret that blossomed in him. His final act before he was forced into the last thing he ever wanted to do would be this. And he hated this almost more than serving Dynast.
The greatest shock to Xelloss came when Dynast pulled away from him. "You deserve a feast after your famine. I'm going to bring it to you, Xelloss." He licked the priest's cheek. "Aren't you hungry?"
Confusion trickled over Xelloss' mind, followed by intense relief. "I'm starving." It was true. His perfect servant act had been so demanding that he never realized he was so hungry that it almost hurt. Dynast's hands stroked Xelloss' arms, the touch not seductive but soothing. Xelloss finally allowed himself to accept one of Dynast's gestures, for some reason actually finding real comfort in it.
'I just...feel better. Maybe I'm just that hungry.'
"You need something fresh for your neglected palate. A generous portion for an empty stomach." A crazy smile alit on Dynast's face. "I can catch you a golden dragon and we could share it!"
For one very brief, very long moment, Xelloss' life was a nightmare.
Dynast felt Xelloss tense up, saw the pure panic on the priest's face. "Oh no, my precious. I would never harm your gilded pet. I know how attached you are to her." The King's hand massaged Xelloss' neck, calming him. He sighed. "I'm sorry. I completely forgot about that unfortunate affection of yours. But don't worry..." he kissed Xelloss on the cheek, "I'll make sure to fetch you a gold that looks nothing like your girlfriend." Dynast rose, leaning Xelloss down into the covers carefully, pulling the blankets to his chin. He stole one last kiss as he tucked his servant in, then whispered, "Get some sleep, my beauty. I'll be away for a long time. I must pick our supper carefully." He stepped away and vanished.
Xelloss blinked. 'Now.'
He yanked the covers down, flinching at the chill that came over him as the air of the room, though actually very warm, bit at his skin like ice. He reluctantly dragged his legs out of their warm cave of blankets. A shiver hit him as the last of the sheets came away. It was nothing like the frigid attack that had ravaged him earlier, but it still hurt. He wondered for a moment if he could bear this kind of exposure.
'It doesn't matter. I'm getting out.'
Xelloss uncurled his fingers, revealing the bishop. He had held it in his palm all through the attack and Dynast's ministrations.
'I'm glad you're with me, Bishop. Time for you and I to get to work.'
"It's allright. I'm here for you." Dynast knelt beside Xelloss, his cheek buried in the priest's violet hair. He had been there since the fit began, caressing him with warm hands and murmuring in his ear. He wrapped an arm around Xelloss' shoulders as another shiver rippled through his body. "It'll be over very soon. Don't be afraid."
Xelloss couldn't even bother mentally cursing Dynast. All that occupied his mind were the frozen shockwaves that penetrated him to the bone. It had been over an hour since the attack began, an entire hour of cold seizures. He couldn't even remember what it felt like to be warm anymore. Another shiver locked him in its thrall as his body fought in vain for heat. Each spasm was longer and more violent than the last. They had started to grow painful as the chill overtook every part of Xelloss. Now that the cold had him completely arrested, the shudders were movements of agony. He felt Dynast wrap his arms around his body, giving him a shoulder to lean against. Xelloss slumped against his King as the shiver passed, leaving his body in drained peace.
Dynast patted Xelloss. "See? It won't be much longer. We can get through this." As the last words spilled from Dynast's lips, Xelloss squeezed his eyes shut and gasped. It hurt! Oh gods it hurt!
Dynast rubbed his back, giving him friction and heat. He was still confident that his calm guidance would help get Xelloss over this hurdle. But as the priest choked on a cry of pain, Dynast began to fear that nothing he was doing had helped.
"Xelloss? Are you okay?" Concern resonated through Dynast's voice as Xelloss let out a half-whimper. Cold was eating through his head, through his brain, through his eyes. It chilled his lips and froze his tongue before the world dissolved into a burning haze of frost.
"Xelloss?"
"...Xelloss?"
* * *
Dynast tossed a furtive glance at the body in his bed, a bead of sweat crossing his brow. He'd wrapped Xelloss in heavy blankets from head to toe. He'd lit magical fires along the walls until the room was almost a furnace. Nothing helped. Had he let things go on too long? Was the knife finally eating away at the remains of his servant's will? It was scaring the hell out of him.
He had to take it out. It was killing his beloved priest. Why did he need it now? Xelloss had finally admitted his true feelings. He didn't have to be led on his knees by a leash of ice anymore. Everything Dynast had ever wanted was happening. Not only was Xelloss his by right, but the priest had given himself up freely to Dynast. He had won the game, and his prize loved him for it.
Dynast didn't need a glittering piece of cutlery to help him now. He could go without it.
As Dynast walked toward the bed, something pulled at him and held him back. He hadn't wanted to use the knife in the first place, right? Then why should he hesitate? Life would be much better without his servant choking on frozen coughs. The action of removing it would be as simple as the task of planting it, and just as quick. Just pull it out...
The thought of ripping flesh and cracking ice froze Dynast's heart. Xelloss was sick. He hadn't eaten a real meal in months. His pale skin and thin physique were hints of an emaciated astral body. Could his soul stand up to such treatment? Edge's grip was strong and he didn't easily give up his treasures. And now that the mazoku was on the job, Dynast couldn't communicate with his prize hunter. Dynast would have to go surinnar to properly execute the task.
His face twisted with bitter contempt. Incarnt of his status were better than that.
...But he would do it for Xelloss, wouldn't he?
First, though, his servant desparately needed food. Dynast didn't let himself dodge the stab of guilt that came with the realization that he had let Xelloss go without eating for months. That was terrible of him, even if the priest had been misbehaving at the time. It was his job to take care of his beloved Xelloss, to teach and discipline him when he was ignorant and to comfort and console him when he was hurt. After all, Zelas had certainly done a poor job of that.
But alas, Zelas was dead now...
Dynast's eye caught the subtle shift in the bedspread's topography as Xelloss woke up. The King scrambled to the priest's side, panic and hope battling inside his skull. He sat beside Xelloss, reaching under the layers of blankets to feel his pale skin. It was cold, yes, but not frozen. As Xelloss rubbed his cheek against his master's hand, Dynast realized that 'frozen' had been accurate until quite recently. Tears brushed against his palm, icy diamond chips so sharp that the King pulled back the covers to make sure that Xelloss hadn't been cut.
The priest's skin was pure unblemished white, his lips fading to a frosty blue. Dynast sighed with relief and cupped Xelloss' face in his hands, kissing his servant with precious warmth. Everything was going to be okay. Xelloss was perfectly fine.
The weary servant barely opened his eyes, slowly gaining awareness of his surroundings and position. Dynast strayed from Xelloss' mouth as he nuzzled the priest's cheek. "Xelloss?" Dynast's voice was as soft and warm as his lips. "How do you feel?"
Xelloss' mind spun as thoughts rushed around his head in a frenzied race. It was so much harder to be composed now. He had no energy left to hold up his mask. But then, Dynast was expecting him to be tired and confused. So anything he said would be appropriate.
'I feel like you're a sick, crazy bastard.'
No, that probably wouldn't be tactful . "I...ngh." Well, that was a relief. He didn't have the energy to speak at all, much less put his foot in his mouth. He forced himself not to flinch as Dynast drew him closer, held him against his chest, and stroked his cheek. Xelloss' mind boggled at how long he'd kept up his ruse of affection. Now that he looked back on it, it seemed like he'd been Dynast's perfect doll forever. The disgust roiled in him, burning his chest and squeezing his throat. It was a stroke of divine grace that he was so weak he couldn't retch.
"It's okay. You don't have to say anything. I'm here for you." Dynast's fingers stroked Xelloss' lips, as if to assure them that they could stay at rest forever. "You're my prize servant, Xelloss. You deserve a reward. You worked so hard to please me, even when you were so tragically injured. You've earned your place in my ranks."
Xelloss didn't dare to even breathe as Dynast's words settled into him. What?
"Today you will swear an oath of loyalty and be completely in my service. I'll remove that knife from your flesh and restore you to your full health. I'll give you my own blessings and your own powers. You will stand at my side as we finally carry through my plans. I can't move without you, Xelloss. I don't want to."
It took every ounce of strength Xelloss had left in his body to keep himself from hyperventilating. No. Dynast was not going to have him swear loyalty. No. Dynast would not have Xelloss as his completely obedient, eternally bound servant. No. Dynast would not own him completely! No! There was nothing that Xelloss could do! No!
'Refuse him! Drop the subservient act! His illusions of affection would be shattered in an instant!' But no, then everything would be wasted and Dynast would let Xelloss freeze to death in the knife's thrall. Then he wouldn't have to worry about Xelloss' will. It wouldn't exist.
Xelloss couldn't refuse. He couldn't just pretend to be Dynast's perfect servant anymore. He would have no choice but to be a slave under Dynast's will. No matter if he was sincere or not. He was finally trapped.
'SHIT!'
Dynast crooked his fingers under Xelloss' chin and lifted his servant's face, smiling. "But first...I want to reward your hard work." He sank down, stroking his lips over Xelloss' mouth and tracing spirals against the priest's neck. Xelloss let himself give in to the caresses, swallowing the bitter regret that blossomed in him. His final act before he was forced into the last thing he ever wanted to do would be this. And he hated this almost more than serving Dynast.
The greatest shock to Xelloss came when Dynast pulled away from him. "You deserve a feast after your famine. I'm going to bring it to you, Xelloss." He licked the priest's cheek. "Aren't you hungry?"
Confusion trickled over Xelloss' mind, followed by intense relief. "I'm starving." It was true. His perfect servant act had been so demanding that he never realized he was so hungry that it almost hurt. Dynast's hands stroked Xelloss' arms, the touch not seductive but soothing. Xelloss finally allowed himself to accept one of Dynast's gestures, for some reason actually finding real comfort in it.
'I just...feel better. Maybe I'm just that hungry.'
"You need something fresh for your neglected palate. A generous portion for an empty stomach." A crazy smile alit on Dynast's face. "I can catch you a golden dragon and we could share it!"
For one very brief, very long moment, Xelloss' life was a nightmare.
Dynast felt Xelloss tense up, saw the pure panic on the priest's face. "Oh no, my precious. I would never harm your gilded pet. I know how attached you are to her." The King's hand massaged Xelloss' neck, calming him. He sighed. "I'm sorry. I completely forgot about that unfortunate affection of yours. But don't worry..." he kissed Xelloss on the cheek, "I'll make sure to fetch you a gold that looks nothing like your girlfriend." Dynast rose, leaning Xelloss down into the covers carefully, pulling the blankets to his chin. He stole one last kiss as he tucked his servant in, then whispered, "Get some sleep, my beauty. I'll be away for a long time. I must pick our supper carefully." He stepped away and vanished.
Xelloss blinked. 'Now.'
He yanked the covers down, flinching at the chill that came over him as the air of the room, though actually very warm, bit at his skin like ice. He reluctantly dragged his legs out of their warm cave of blankets. A shiver hit him as the last of the sheets came away. It was nothing like the frigid attack that had ravaged him earlier, but it still hurt. He wondered for a moment if he could bear this kind of exposure.
'It doesn't matter. I'm getting out.'
Xelloss uncurled his fingers, revealing the bishop. He had held it in his palm all through the attack and Dynast's ministrations.
'I'm glad you're with me, Bishop. Time for you and I to get to work.'