Chapter 8: The Uniform and the Gloves

A/N: I think this chapter might be a bit shorter than the last one, and I'm sorry, but this just doesn't have as much to it. Also I'm sorry if this one isn't as entertaining as the last one, but it's necessary I promise.

Karina was summoned to a meeting with Folken the morning after the escape of the prisoner. She had half expected it, half dreaded it really, but the idea of him finding out hadn't seemed so terrible when she had been in her righteous state of mind and determined to get the prisoner out.

In the throne room Folken was pacing, and Karina was a little surprised to see him giving in to so nervous a gesture. It was unlike him to pace, and she bit her lip, realizing that she was the cause.

he said shortly, the usual sensual tone gone from his voice. He wasn't here to flirt with her. That was a bit upsetting in itself. He didn't even smile at her—she had never before seen him angry enough not to smile at her.

Yes, Folken?I have a little problem. He wasn't looking at her and for once she wasn't sure she wanted him too.

Yes, Folken? She was using his name again in an effort to appease him; she didn't need the man who held the strings to her life to suddenly decide she wasn't worth it.

The prisoner escaped last night.I'm sorry.This doesn't appear to surprise you. he said, finally looking up and pinning her under an unusually cold gaze.

It does surprise me. I've never known the Dragonslayers to fail in the simple task of guarding a prisoner. God, she was talking like she had been here a year when in reality it had only been a little over a month.

That's because they never have. He paused and frowned, as if recalling a memory better left buried. And I'm wondering how it happened. It was a very interesting escape, and very clever on the prisoner's part. He seemed to know all the guard schedules and the pass codes to the guymelefs. And the lock codes to the guymelef hangar. I wonder how he knew that?I'm not sure what you're implying, Strategos, she said coldly, adding a frigid dignity to her voice. I was in my bedroom all last night, you can check the lock codes on my door to make sure. And I wouldn't betray your trust. I know what would happen if I did, she added softly.

Folken looked down at her from his throne and stood, walking toward with an odd look on his face.

So the reason you don't betray me is because you fear what will happen to you if you do? his voice was soft, sensual as it always was, and there was an unspoken question behind the words.

Karina said nothing, not entirely trusting her voice. He had a hand on her cheek now, the real hand, the soft hand and his thumb was gently running along her cheekbone.

You're not faithful to me for some other reason, perhaps? Her voice was softer than she had meant it to be, gentler, and without the dignity her previous statements had held.

He was quiet again, looking down at her with the same strange look on his face. Karina was surprised to notice that along with the thrill that went through her at being looked at like that by him, there was also a tiny shiver of fear that went down her spine.

I believe you, he said finally. But there is some other business we must take care of. He paused. It has occurred to me that you might need a uniform. And possibly some gloves, he added as an afterthought.

Karina was confused. Why should she need gloves? Gloves are simply part of the uniform, Karina. We can't have you reading everybody's minds now, can we? There was an edge to his voice that Karina didn't like.

You don't trust me. Karina was irritated to find that there was obvious hurt in her voice.

I don't trust anyone, Karina, he told her bluntly. But I do care about what happens to you. This is for your protection as much as anything. There are things in the minds of others that would very likely kill you if you hadn't the training to withstand it. He smiled at her and once more brought his hand to her cheek. I would hate for anything to happen to you.

For once Karina didn't find herself melting under his touch. She stepped back deliberately and pulled his hand away from her cheek. Yeah. Sure. Whatever. With that she turned and walked out as quickly as she could before she completely broke down. When the doors shut behind her the tears that had been threatening to spill finally did.

How could he do this to her? He was putting her in a cage, even more of a cage than she already was. He didn't trust her and if he had really cared about her at all he would never have told her she had to have gloves.

Karina sighed and walked slowly back to her room, hoping she didn't run into anybody on the way. Especially not Dilandau. She didn't want to explain to him of all people why she looked so damn depressed. Plus he would enjoy it. And she had no intention of giving him any enjoyment.

She mindlessly punched in the lock code to her room and stepped in, rubbing her suddenly stiff neck. They probably wouldn't have the uniform ready for her for a while, considering that they still hadn't gotten her her own armor in case the Vione was attacked. She would enjoy her freedom while she had it.

Wandering over to her enormous bed she froze, catching sight of a neatly folded set of clothing on top of her pillow.

And on top was pair of gloves.

A/N: Yeah that was really short. But the next chapter gets more interesting. Review if you love me, or if you hate me, come to think of it.