Chapter Eight
Her Dominance
The stunned whisper gets the attention of Erza and Ultear.
"Get back inside Lucy!" Erza demands, her voice carrying to my ears but I'm stilled in shock, watching Natsu fend off Loke easily, until Loke manages to get a swipe into his ribs. Natsu grunts in pain as Loke's claws come away with fresh blood, his eyes narrowed with the intent to kill.
My heart thunders it's way up to my throat and I make a noise of pain, watching as Natsu dodges the next swipe. Fire surrounds his palm, clenching into a fist that is like rocket fuel to the flame, a large burst of power swallowing the atmosphere as he throws the punch directly at Loke.
Loke barely manages to dodge it, throwing his body sideways, blood streaming down his arm. He summons his own magic, a bright ball of light, that starts from his fingertips and spreads like a vine all the way up to his elbow. He pulls his fist back, and in those few seconds, I see Natsu glance back at me.
It overwhelms me that he notices I am here and Loke has not. After all, Loke could only be here for one thing. A reminder of my Father's harsh truth to Loke a month after his training began with the royal guard.
"Your pride is your downfall. How will you protect this Kingdom, if you are too busy proving yourself?"
Natsu turns back to Loke, just as the lion feints left. Natsu follows his movements, and I marvel at how well-trained he is, because he read Loke's bluff and easily blocks the offending hit. With his fist covered in flames, he brings it upwards and lands a blow that cracks something inside Loke's stomach.
Probably a rib, I think numbly, watching the fight transpire with horror. I can vaguely hear Erza yelling at me and it surprises me that Loke was able to get the jump on her.
Loke is propelled backwards, staggering a few more steps when the momentum stops. Loke snarls and Natsu replies with an equally feral growl. I realize then, Natsu must be holding back. Whether for my benefit or not, I have no idea, but Loke won't hold back. He lacks restraint when it comes to battle.
He must win, or he dies trying.
Awareness trickles into me and I pull my power to the front, my lioness reacting to my intent immediately. She jumps up, from watching the fight between the dragon and supposedly, one of her own kind and comes tearing down the hallway. I fight down the fear of what happens when she gets to the top because I know, I have to stop this before Loke loses.
My power thrums in the air, and I twist it to my will through pure desperation. I'm moving before I can halt myself, ignoring Erza's cry and demand my power to rise up. The lioness runs faster through me, eager to be let out, but I know it's not in the way she is imagining. I try to convey that to her, that I just need her voice, but I don't know if she understands.
She's animal, and she's replying to the thrill of the hunt, the excitement of being needed to deal with another lesser lion.
Crux's lesson flows through my mind in that split second where I'm almost to Natsu, running now, about to intercept Loke's fist.
"Stopping a lion is dangerous. Your Father is incapable but your mother used to do it through kindness. Imagine the lion you intend to command letting go of his anger, imagine it hearing your heart and comprehending it had to stop or it would hurt itself. You have to be stronger. Your need to dominate has to be larger than theirs."
I remember thinking that I'd only stop a lion through kindness but that was before I became a Banshee. And maybe there was a reason for that, despite how challenging it was to understand and deal with. I warped that magic inside of me, throwing up a metaphysical wall that stopped my lioness in it's tracks then I was there.
I dodged Natsu's hand in a movement my body wasn't accustomed or trained to do, but managed to get in front of him. Loke was blind to his anger, only a few long steps away, Natsu's blood dripping off his claws.
Instead of imaging a gentler side, I imagined Loke crumbling to the floor. I imagined him drinking my anger, my will and bending to it. My lioness finally understood what she was needed for, I didn't need her physical body so much as her presence along with the power of my voice.
If I wasn't able to stop him, then what purpose did I have of being a Banshee?
I grabbed Loke's wrist in a fluent movement, my hand much smaller than his bulk but the word that left my mouth was deadly enough.
"Stop." My power didn't exactly flow, it smashed. It took his lion, his anger and forced it down, dominating his pride and leaving nothing but a scared kitten. I let go just as Loke's knees buckled, and he hit the floor, panting in shock.
My lion growled in satisfaction, the noise trickling from my mouth as the need to bite him to further cement my dominance rushed through me. The smell of his blood didn't help either. I wondered how far I had started to adapt to having a lion-form inside of me, even if it wasn't real. I staggered back and a palm touched my back.
Warmth rushed through me, soothing my lion who lost her momentary anger about me moving back and basked in that same power that she had felt last night. It caused her to also take a step back, and then go padding back towards the cave. I whispered a silent thank-you to her, and my power, which was silly since they were the same thing.
I turned to Natsu and gasped, looking at his bloody lip. I brought my hands up to his hair and tugged him down so I could further inspect it, worry and fear almost choking me. His eyes widened, finding something on my face as I asked, my voice small and tight.
"Are you okay?"
My grip on his hair was tight, fingers flexing through the long strands. He slowly brought my hands up and relaxed my grip, sliding my palms down so they could cup his face. My thumb reached out, swiping against the wound on his mouth to wipe away the blood. He nuzzled my hand and breathed.
"Yeah, I'm fine. That was incredible."
I brushed off his compliment, although it was hard to concentrate from the way he was rubbing his face against my palm.
"Is your side okay?" I asked, suddenly remembering that Loke had swiped him earlier. I pulled my hands away and began tugging on his shirt, lifting it up. He laughed a little but the noise was gruff, his hands catching mine half-way through the action.
"Stop worrying, I'm fine." I ignored him, wrenching my hand from his, and yanking his shirt up to see the damage myself. He sighed but let me do it, almost surrendering to my will immediately. There were four large tears where Loke had cut through the shirt, but underneath, it was much better than I had been thinking.
The wounds weren't bleeding much, and it seemed like he was already healing.
I breathed out slowly, leaning forward as relief rushed through me. He stepped a little closer so my head rested on his chest, a hand going to my hair to push his fingers through the strands. I focused on his firm heart-beat, trying my hardest not to imagine the scenario my mind so eagerly gave me. It petrified me, as the realization came, that I was scared that Natsu was going to die and I was going to have to help his soul cross.
I moved my head and he let his hand fall to my neck, as if this sort of intimacy was normal for us. Maybe after last night, it was. I looked up at him, finally taking notice of the scales that crept in on either side of his face, stopping just before the corners of his eyes. His hair was that same darker, longer edition, falling around his face and I let my eyes linger over the wings I could see over his shoulders.
They were folded back now, sensing the threat was - for now - not a threat.
"Where are your horns?" I asked, and he shrugged, lips twitching into a smirk.
When he spoke, I saw the large fangs glisten in the sunlight, "I'm not feeling particularly horny right now."
I gave him a look that basically screamed, 'how dare you make a joke at this present point of time' and Erza made a disgusted noise. Ultear coughed, which sounded suspiciously laugh-like. I glanced behind us, where Loke was still on his knees, shaking, eyes wide.
"I'm going to untie Erza and Ultear. Can you keep him on his knees?" I ask, and Natsu's smirk widens, eyes glittering with amusement, whether from his previous comment or from the one he is about to make.
"I don't think the kitten is getting up anytime soon. You basically threw his dick half-way across Fiora."
Loke made a low growl, and Natsu just laughed. The noise was so dangerous, and deep, it made me shiver. He noticed and narrowed his eyes at me, smirk turning a little darker. My stomach tensed, a wave of butterflies distracting me and I turned away, making my way to Erza and Ultear.
When I reached them, Erza warned me, "Once you untie me, you are either going to get slapped or hugged until your bones break. I'm on the fence currently." I laughed a little at her words, giving her a small smile.
"I'll untie Ultear first then."
Ultear thanked me, and headed over to Natsu who was rolling his shoulders, his wings glittering in the sun. He looked unreal in the light, the scales on his wings a similar color to a red blanket I used to have at the palace. I doubted they would be as comfortable as my blanket.
I got a funny image of being wrapped in between Natsu's wings and it made a blush blossom on my cheeks.
I busy myself with untying Erza, realizing the rope he used is anti-magic. But still, I wonder how he got the jump on Ultear and Erza. Once I stand up, Erza's arms wrap around me, and squeeze me until I feel my ribs creaking, and the breath in my legs leave entirely. When I struggle, she pulls me tighter against her armored self and I squeak.
"You are going to break my ribs."
"Yes. And that way, you'll have to deal with it, instead of getting Natsu to heal you."
"You break her ribs, and I grow horns Erza. Imagine the material for jokes." Natsu calls, the tone playful and somehow antagonizing all at the same time. Erza's eye twitches but she released me and steadies me when I take a staggering breath in. We walk over to Ultear and Natsu after a few seconds of sweet, sweet oxygen.
Erza side steps Natsu and smacks him on the back of the head, "That is for that horrible joke and letting Lucy jump out in front of you like that."
"She had it handled. I trust her." Natsu smirks at me and I flush appreciatively.
Erza gives me a considering look before shaking her head, a proud smile on her face, "Every time I worry about your safety, you manage to surprise and impress me even further. Maybe I should just let you go up against King Silver instead of us sneaking through."
I laugh a little nervously, "Please, tell me you are joking."
Ultear laughs before a gruff voice makes us all look at the kneeling figure on the floor, "Lucy, how the hell are you joking around with them? That fucker almost killed me."
"If Natsu wanted to kill you, you would have been dead." I tell him honestly, and Natsu glances over at me, a surprised but pleased look on his features. I didn't really know that, I just knew that Natsu wasn't the type of asshole to torment and play with a person. If they needed to die, he'd kill them quick. I guess that shows some of his mercy.
"And you know Natsu so well, don't you?" Loke growled and I felt my defensive nature ride up.
"Apparently, I know him better than I know you. Out of all the people I thought my Father would trick into chasing after me, you were the last person I would have suspected." He flinches at my words and a shard of hurt slowly slides into my heart.
"He isn't going to hurt you. He just wants you home."
I wanted to believe that, I really did. But I knew my Father. I knew what he was like before Mom died, and I knew what he was like after. I bit my lip and turned away from him, "Erza, I know we have to leave soon, but can we go inside and take him with us? I'd like to have a quick shower and Natsu is also going to need one."
"Of course. You two go ahead. We will secure the prisoner." Erza's voice was calm, blank and I took great comfort in that. That, at least one of us, had a clear head. If we left Natsu to have a clear head, we'd be half-way to the Streams of Caesiellus. I glanced at the dragon in question who closed his eyes and let out a long breath. His wings disappeared, shrinking until they settled into his skin, molding back into human muscle.
Natsu followed me inside and towards the back, where I found the bathroom. I sent him in first, telling him that I'd go find us both some clothes and towels. He did so without a word, assessing that Loke's words were now floating through my mind.
Did I believe my Father just wanted me home?
No. Because once my Father says something, he means it. The fact that he waited a few hours after I had left the Kingdom to issue my death meant he had thought about it. Whether it was the fact he perceived me to be a monster, or he wanted to protect his Kingdom, I was unsure but it was the truth.
If he wanted me dead, I would be dead.
He hadn't changed his mind, but he had let my guards and friends within the palace think it.
A thought occurred to me that made me still, and a surge of panic rushed through me. I hurried into the lounge-room where Erza was questioning Loke about how he found us, and if anyone was with him. His mouth was shut securely, like the good soldier he was but once I entered the room, his eyes softened.
I struggled with my own emotion, because Loke, despite his shortcomings was on the of the closest things I had to friends when I was back in the Kingdom.
"If my Father managed to entice you into finding me, did she say yes as well?"
Erza quietened, glancing at me as I tightened my grasp on the towel in my hands, repeating the question when he didn't answer, "Is she coming Loke? Did she say yes?" He look away from me and distress caused me to drop the towel, walk over to him and sink to my knees in front of him. The image of long blue hair and a sparkling mertail flashed through me, and fear squeezed my throat. My power which had melted from it's lion form, prickled, growing angry and I took a few deep breaths in, trying to focus on calming myself.
"Look at me!" I demanded, my voice a sharp instrument and his black eyes found mine immediately, a pained look in them.
"Answer my question." I stated, anxiety sneaking it's way up my spine as we stared at each other.
"When our King issued your death… She attempted to kill him." He spoke quietly, his voice shaking, "The guards captured her and she was sentenced to death but Capricorn and I… We got her out. She was heading towards the Fae lands, last time I heard."
A breath of relief rushed through me and tears filled my eyes, "So she's okay?"
"As far as I know, yes. I wanted to go with her, but… The Kingdom is divided Lucy. Some people think you are a monster. Other people think you are our… salvation."
"Salvation?"
"They think you killed the people who deserved to be killed. That anyone that is lucky to be alive, is clean and pure once more." Horror stuck itself in my throat, making me want to gag. In all my wildest dreams, I had never thought anyone would assume that. Would think that I was some sort of… blessing.
"King Jude is trying his hardest to stop a civil war. But, if he gets you back and you negotiate with him, even just for show, he can save the Kingdom. That's why he needs you back, and alive." I look at him, and see that he believes it. And for a split second I do too. I want to go back and make things right, save my Kingdom before it tears itself apart from the inside. But there's this nagging feeling, in the bottom of my gut, that tells me my Father isn't planning on negotiating at all.
He would rather offer me as a sacrificial lamb, then ever give me any power to rule over him or his people.
I stood up, and Erza murmurs, "Lucy, I don't want to influence you to do anything. This is your decision." It's only then that I realize Natsu is at the doorway, hair dry and still in his clothes. I wonder why he hasn't had a shower yet, but assume it's because he wanted to hear our conversation.
"Please Lucy. Princess, please. Your Kingdom needs you." Loke begs and my heart ached for him, because he had always been a foundation for me, and now he looked so young. So afraid. I wanted to touch him and tell him that I would fix everything. But I'm not sure that I can.
"If I say we go to my Kingdom, would you go with me?" I ask them all, ignoring Loke's hopeful face for the time-being.
"I follow where you go." Erza states and Ultear agrees a second later, repeating her words. I turn to Natsu who leans against the door-jab.
"You lead, I follow Lucy."
I take a deep breath in, and close my eyes, hope that I am not making a terrible mistake. All this responsibility rests on my shoulders and it frightens me so.
"We stay on course." I state, and Loke sucks in a breath, but I continue on, keeping my eyes on Erza, "Once Natsu showers, he will take Loke to the East Mountain along with a weeks worth of food. He can make his own way to Star Kingdom."
"Princess, please." Loke sobs but I close my eyes and will myself to be strong. We all stand there for a few seconds, listening to him plead before I murmur, "We'll need to leave at dusk."
Erza nods, snapping into action, "Natsu go have a quick shower. Ultear, please pack our guest some food and money for his travels. Lucy, I'll watch the prisoner if you pack the carriage. When Natsu gets out, you can jump in while he takes…"
"Loke." I supply, "His name is Loke."
"Loke, to the mountains."
I nod and move to do what she's said, glad she's given me something to do. I pick up the bags after taking out a set of clothes for Natsu and I. After I pack the carriage, I return to the lounge-room to find Loke staring at the floor, a look of pure sadness on his face. Erza is speaking to Ultear through the kitchen door, one eye placed firmly on Loke who isn't moving, and somehow looks like he isn't breathing either.
"I never thought you would abandon your Kingdom." His words sting but I push through it so I can say my good-byes.
"If you knew what the plan was, you wouldn't be so quick to judge my actions. But I am not going to ask for your understanding Loke, or your forgiveness. If you truly knew me, you will realize that everything that happens from this moment on, needs to happen."
"Coward."
I take a measured breath in, before stating softly, "If you believe that of me, I will not stop you. When you return to the Star Kingdom, spread whatever lies you would like. Try and assist my Father if you wish, make the public believe I am truly evil. That I do not care about their well-being and safety."
"You would let me sully your name? After how hard you've worked?"
"If it meant saving hundreds from myself, yes." I press my hand into his hair and he stills, as I lightly stroke it.
"Your loyalty means something, I'm glad the Stars have you." He doesn't say anything, just remains perfectly still and I pull my fingers out of his thick mane of orange hair. I glance at Erza who watches me with a look of pride in her eyes. She must have known how hard this decision was, and how much could go wrong if I chose wrong.
I turn to leave the room, collecting Natsu's towel on the way past, when Loke's voice stopped me.
"Do not die." My footsteps halt and I feel a pang of regret, and fondness stretch through me. His voice wavers as he speaks, "Please don't die."
It hurts me, knowing that I have to send Loke back. That he will do anything for his Kingdom, even listen to my father, who hasn't been kind to him previously. I glance back at him and give him a small smile, one that is meant to calm him.
"I'm not planning too."
He just nods, his shoulders relaxing a little and I momentarily disagree with my father's previous words. It wasn't Loke's pride that made him weak, that was the very thing that made him strong. I wander out of the room and down the hallway, hoping by the sounds of no shower, that Natsu is finished. I have his clothes and a spare towel in my hands, wondering if he needs one for his hair.
I knock lightly on the door, before opening it, figuring he's covered appropriately. But the word appropriately could mean so many different things. In fact, some people would deem a towel around a waist perfectly suitable. However, I wasn't one of those people.
Especially when I came face to face with Natsu lean muscled back, the royal tattoo on his neck stretching along one of his shoulders. His neck is almost always covered with his trademark scarf so I had forgotten all about the intricate design of a dragon, the marks beginning just under his jaw, and ending on his forearm.
"I brought you clothes." My voice is soft, a little shaky and his half-naked self distracts me greatly. I bit my lip, try to pay attention as he turns around to face me, but I just gape at his chest. It's all tanned muscles, just enough to be dangerous but not bulging like some of the previous guards I had taken notice to. A few scars litter his ribs, and a particularly nasty one sits just left of his hip bone. It's shaped as an 'X' and I have to wonder what could have caused a scar like that.
I flush when I realize he was watching me, just stare at him. His lips quirk and he takes a small step towards me, holding his hands out for his clothes. I jump at his expectant, amused look and hand over the folded clothes immediately.
"Have you said good-bye to the lion?" His question rocks me a little and I feel a frown forming on my face as I nod.
"Worried you are doing the wrong thing?"
"Not exactly… More upset that I have to choose in the first place. If I go back to my Kingdom, what is stopping my father from killing me, or worse, what's stopping me from losing control?" I lift my hand to wave the bracelet a little, "This isn't permanent.. It's almost out of charge and I can't go around with it all my life. I know I have to go the Vapids, to at least try and figure out how to control this, but it doesn't make… abandoning them any easier."
"I don't see it as abandonment. You are going to the Vapids to try and control your creature; you are planning on going back." I sighed, because he was right. As a distant goal, I was planning on returning to my Kingdom and attempting to fix what I had broken - even if it was particularly hostile towards me for the time being.
I blink away from my thoughts and give him a weak smile, "He's ready to go when you are. If you could be gentle with him, and not pretend to drop him on the way there, I'd be very grateful."
"Aw. You ruined my fun."
My smile comes easier now, and he grins a little, as if the very fact I was smiling, was something to be happy about. And I guess it was. A thought occurs to me and I push through my humiliation and shyness to mumble out my thanks for last night.
"I never got a chance to thank-you properly for healing my wounds and then… helping me with my touch issue. So, thanks."
He shook his head, "No thanks needed. I'm glad I could help. How are you feeling, touch-wise?"
I bite my lip and shrug, "I'm good. You… Eileen was right, a potion doesn't really have the same effect as a warm body does."
Natsu nodded understandingly before smiling, "Well, I'm always here to be warm body, whenever you need it." I ignore the offer halfheartedly, but when our eyes meet, there is a frisson of something between us. His eyes are dark, fascinated and eager. I don't know what mine are, but whatever he sees makes him take a deep breath in.
I move to the side, "I'll let you go out. I need to take a shower also."
He nods, and strides out, not without a lingering glance, still only in a towel. The one I had planned to give him for his hair is still clutched in my hands; it reminds me of a safety blanket or something.
Knowing that Loke and I had nothing more to say to each other, I turn on the shower and hang the towel up, slipping out of my clothes which now have dried blood on them. I purse my lips and test the water with one hand while trying to rake my nails through my tangled mess on the top of my head. I'll have to get Ultear or Erza to plait it before we leave, seeing as the other one fell out during all the excitement.
It still amazes me how much can happen in twenty four hours.
Once the temperature is satisfactory, I slip in and scrub my scalp, body and face quickly, relishing in the hot stream. I wash everything off and smooth the hair-cream through my hair, running in through my ends and fingering at the knots that linger, working them out with my fingers. The soap doesn't smell like I suspected it would, more like vanilla and jasmine, maybe, which is not a fragrance Erza nor Jellal wear.
I wonder how long he has this cabin and if they use it often.
Once I'm washed and feeling a hundred times better, I turn the water off, my hair heavy and smooth, falling down to my waist. It's been a while since it was this long, and I miss the fact that I don't have Cancer around to give it a quick tidy. My hair always grew so long, so quickly, a trait that we all assumed was because of my nymph heritage.
Considering my hair turned black when I was a Banshee, I now doubted it.
I wrap the towel around myself after sliding the towel along my hair, drying it a little before venturing out into the house. I glance around for Natsu but luckily, only Erza and Ultear are here. My clothes that I had chosen out sit on the table, along with a smooth half-bustier and matching underwear. They both smile at me but continue their conversation, as I grab my clothes and walk back to the bathroom.
I briskly dry myself, eyeing the hair-treatment that sits on the sink. After I smell it and deem it nice enough, I spritz my hair, and run my fingers through it once more to work it in. I slip on the bustier that supports my chest - thankfully, Eileen had given me multiple - before pulling on the panties.
The outfit I chose was fairly common Fae fashion, a deep brown skirt that mimics leather but it is much more breathable. It reaches mid thigh, and has a low-stitched pocket on the hip. You can just see the tip of my royal tattoo, a quarter of a swirl and a black star on my thigh. I pull the black belt through the looks and adjust the tightness before collecting the smooth, long sleeved top. It has two small loops on its front, that string is wrapped around, but when I pull it on, it shows a little more chest than I'm used too.
I fiddle with the strings, trying to tighten it but if anything, it makes the V smaller, but my chest bigger. Giving up, I pull on my shoes which are simple boots, a pair that I had always adored in Erza's closet. Just as I am leaving the bath-room with a ribbon so I can ask the girls to tie my hair back, I stop, noticing the fabric hanging on the back of the door.
Natsu's scarf sits there innocently, and I'm surprised he's forgotten it. I pull it off the hook tenderly and make my way into the lounge-room. Ultear ties my hair up for me, braiding it back in a flawless fashion before using a small metal pin to wound it up and keep it off my neck. She even adjusts it a little when it pulls on my scalp annoyingly.
I smile at her thankfully, and we wait outside while Erza locks up the cabin. I'm clutching Natsu's scarf, thinking about Loke when he returns, shirtless. I carefully keep my eyes away from him as he shifts form and the wings disappear. Ultear throws him a shirt and he slips it on, making his way over to us.
I hold out his scarf with a small, timid smile and he takes it, "Thanks. I forgot to grab it when I left."
I shrug and we both turn towards Erza who walks down the porch steps and folds her arms over her chest, armor polished, face poised.
"Alright. A minor detour has left us twelve hours behind. Everyone in the carriage, we've got some ground to cover."
You guys were so close to hitting the review mark! It's still twenty, so I hope this time, I can bring out the next chapter within a few days rather than waiting for the end of the week!
In this chapter, you really see how Lucy struggles with the idea of her Kingdom falling to pieces. Do you think she made the right choice? What do you thinnk of Loke's behaviour? Why is Natsu not feeling horny?
All are important questions!
Speaking of Questions...
QUESTION TIME:
Wait wasn't Loke one of the guards for Lucy's dad? Yes, but this chapters answers that.
If so then why is he here? This chapter also answers that.
And how the heck did he get both Ultear and Erza tied up like Loke is not that strong he can't even take down Natsu? You gotta remember, this is an AU. In canon-verse, Natsu is easily stronger than Loke but in this little piece of paradise, I could probably make Gildarts super weak, just for the fun of it ;) Just keep an open mind, pinning these characters I'm building into the anime/manga boxes won't make any sense :) In saying that, if Lucy didn't stop Loke, who knows where the fight would have taken them? I've been very careful around Natsu & his power for various sneaky reasons.
Maybe in the future they will be able to read in each other's minds without touching? Can we all just stop reading my mind, like seriously, Fresh is getting scared.
Wasn't Loke supposed to be good? As I said above, try not to think of these characters as the ones from the anime. It's an AU for a reason, I'll probs make Gajeel like a tiny baby dragon or something. Maybe.
Does her (Lucy's) blood, that he has consumed a couple of times now, have any effect on him? Yes, it does ;) but SPOILERS.
How did Loke find them? Lion powers? I dunno. Whatever you think in your minds, that's how he did it.
Is Loke here to help or capture? He's here to do neither since he got his ass handed to him by Banshee/Were-lion/Nymph Lucy ;)
And that is all for today folks!
It is 20 reviews to get the next chapter early, I know you can do it!
As always guys,
stay fresh and hydrated
xo freshprincess.