Within seconds the air around them became a frenzy as Borra made his dramatic landing. Gerda swiftly fixed her face into its usual stoic expression with her eyes appearing bored. Despite her nonchalant posture, she was currently battling internal emotions that grew more cautious and somewhat fearful of the large creature in front of her.
Borra studied the room with a critical cold gaze as he walked around until he reached a table. His fingers brushed over it in an inspecting manner, instantly making Gerda grow irritated. He then turned around and studied her with stony eyes; causing Gerda's breath to hitch. The unnatural, ghastly features his kind possessed was something she always found disturbing.
"You missed a spot." Borra casually commented in a low taunting voice as he continued staring at her with his golden eyes.
Gerda felt her lips twitch in irritation as she fought back the urge to curse at him or make an offensive remark. She knew the only way of surviving would be to hold back all witty comments that would get her into more sorts of trouble.
"You supplied me with only a broom. What exactly did you expect me to clean tables with." Gerda calmly stated trying her best to control her tone.
Borra studied her some more before slowly making his way over to her. He was now close enough for her to stab him in the neck if she wanted to. She stared up at him with her heart now pounding against her chest as worry started to fill every fiber within her being. Despite it all, she still refused to display any sign of weakness in front of him.
His piercing gaze examined her face making her slightly uncomfortable by how invasive it felt. She nearly grimaced when both his scent and body heat radiated onto her. She wondered if all his kind smelled of forest and had abnormally high body temperatures. She flinched when his wings flickered behind him earning a brief inquisitive look from him.
"Do you fear me?" Borra asked with his head slightly tilted and a hint of smugness being detected in his tone.
"I do not." Gerda answered in a stern voice as her cheeks lightly blushed with shame for allowing a slight display of emotion to escape.
"Your heartbeat says otherwise." Borra stated with his lips forming into a mocking smirk.
Gerda stiffened at his answer when she recalled Celtra explaining to her how advanced their hearing and sense of smell is. He could not only hear the quickened pace of her heart but most likely sense any hidden fear she pushed aside. His hand then lightly gripped her jaw, almost bringing her closer to him. Her lips parted as she released a quivering breath causing his eyes to briefly glance down at them before refocusing back up to meet her unsteady gaze.
"You can't hide anything from me human. I could smell the mixture of emotions within you but the most prominent one is fear." Borra said in a ravenous voice that made her feel like he was about to devour her.
"I feel no such thing...now take your hand off me creature." Gerda managed to hiss out as her hands instantly gripped his wrists ignoring the heat of his skin seeping into her palms.
Borra let out a laugh that vibrated throughout the quiet cave while feeding into Gerda's panic. He then pulled her in until she was practically against his chest. His grip on her jaw tightened while his eyes bored down at her with amusement and a snide smile revealing perfect teeth with tapered canines. She could only imagine his two sharp teeth tearing into her delicate flesh.
"Is that the name you choose to call me? You may attempt to mask your emotions in my presence but your heart and scent will always give you away. Your company is quite entertaining." Borra said with a smirk still in place.
He then loosened his grip and shoved her away from him, almost causing her to trip over her own feet like a toddler. She lightly rubbed her sore jaw with her searing glare following him. He simply ignored her discomfort and his face was once again dismissive with narrowed hard eyes.
"A visitor is expecting to see you soon. He is simply here to inspect you...I expect you to be on your best behavior." Borra said with a threatening tone that made shivers pulse through Gerda.
Gerda once again fought the urge to respond and simply leered at him praying he'd disappear. She absolutely hated his entire existence and yearned to stab him in the heart. He motioned for his guards to grab her before harshly flying out of the cave causing Gerda's hair to whip around her face. Her arms were suddenly yanked from behind and soon she was being pulled through the tunnels within the cave till she was brought outside.
She took in a fresh breath of air with the intent of imprinting it all to memory knowing she will never feel her feet on grass again. Only then did she realize this was the same spot she was originally brought to when she first arrived. Gerda wanted to savor the brief moment of freedom some more but her time was cut short when a guard grabbed her and tossed her inside a familiar cage made of vines. The cage was then suddenly lifted off the ground and flown up into the sky.
Gerda had no idea where she was being brought to but could only hope it was somewhere new. A change of scenery would be very much appreciated since it more than likely would be her final time out of the cave. Her mind continued on with its hopes and thoughts as she was glided through misty clouds. A cold breeze throughout the trip caused her to ball up and rest her head on top of her knees.
After a while, she felt her cage slowly descending meaning she had finally reached her destination. Outside she could hear voices but was unable to make out who they were. She became anxious when sounds of footsteps approached the door to her cage. It was then opened revealing a guard who reached in and pulled her out.
She suspiciously observed her surroundings and was met by Borra's frosted gaze as he waited for her with a familiar-looking man who had black hair that reached the crook of his neck. The guard led Gerda towards them and dropped her arm once she was a few feet from them. Gerda studied both of them with cautious eyes wondering what exactly was to be inspected of her. The man finally spoke up earning a glare from Gerda.
"My name is Diaval. I assume you've heard very little of me but my job is to check in on you from time to time. Since you're still alive I assume all is well for you?" Diaval asked as he studied Gerda.
Gerda suddenly remembered him from some time ago when Maleficent came over for dinner after Prince Phillip proposed to Aurora. He had accompanied the witch though he seemed to be nothing more than a servant. This man was rumored to have the ability to transform into a bird.
"I'm banished from my kingdom to be enslaved by this horrid creature yet they send you over to periodically check on me. What does it matter to them how I'm treated here? Aren't you that wicked witch's pet? I highly doubt she sent you here to insure I'm treated fair." Gerda said with anger boiling within.
"Guard your tongue human when speaking of me or Maleficent." Borra warned, glowering at Gerda with a clenched jaw.
"Why should I? That is what you both are." Gerda replied, raising her voice as her temper began to sizzle.
"Now let's take a step back shall we? First off I'm not a pet. Second of all, it is part of the terms that were agreed on. You are to not be tortured or killed no matter what the circumstances are. Seeing that you are indeed in one piece I suppose my job here is done." Diaval stated as he nodded his head towards Borra.
"I'm aware of those conditions however what exactly counts as torture? Does having broken bones and being strangled to near death count?" Gerda asked, immediately earning a scathing glare from Borra as his lips tightened into a line.
"Is this true Borra? If so I would have to inform the–" Diaval was in the process of announcing but was swiftly cut off mid-sentence.
"The king of Ulstead said I am allowed to punish her as I see fit. This human has been very disobedient since she got here and was simply disciplined but healed afterwards. I will not allow her actions to go unnoticed, especially when speaking to me." Borra bluntly explained as he stared Gerda down with malice.
"I suppose your reasons behind it all were necessary. As long as she's properly healed I'm sure it doesn't break the terms agreed upon." Diaval stated, causing a shock to fill Gerda.
"So that's it? I demand to speak to the queen about this! Surely she would disagree about my treatment here." Gerda yelled feeling her heart race against her chest with anxiety.
"The queen wishes to never hear from or see you again. According to her, you played a huge role in filling her head with lies about Maleficent and the fey folk. I strongly suggest you forget about her and accept your fate here." Diaval revealed, causing Gerda's face to pale.
"N-No...she would never abandon me like this. Lies! I-I refuse to believe any of it!" Gerda insisted, feeling the world around her crumble.
"I speak of no lies. The queen no longer require your services and fully supports your banishment. I suppose it's time I take my leave, good day to you both." Diaval said before turning around and transforming into a raven.