Gerda tried her best to remain undetected by every creature they greeted. She silently stood behind Celtra avoiding any eye contact. So far it had appeared to work as they held simple conversations with only Celtra. Not once did any creature glance her way. Gerda felt her palms grow sweaty as they gradually neared the two creatures she was desperate to avoid.
"Gerda is it? I have to admit I hardly recognized you for a second. " A curious voice asked.
She glanced up at the familiar man who had night black hair and pale skin with black clothing on. She remembered his name as being Diaval. It had been months since she last seen him so it's reasonable that he would not recognize her. Had he been human, she would acknowledge that he was quite attractive as she took notice of his handsome features.
It was unlike her to pay attention to the appearance of men since she was usually kept busy with work the Queen trusted her with. She reminded herself that he was not human but simply another reckless creature.
"Y-Yes it is." Gerda stuttered as she quickly glanced around to see if anyone heard him.
"I assume your conditions have improved since we last spoke?" Diaval politely asked, making Gerda wonder why he was being so cordial towards her.
"They have been somewhat manageable." Gerda responded, trying to keep her voice low so that Borra wouldn't hear her if he was nearby.
"Very well then. Now I wouldn't want to keep your companion waiting." Diaval said with a smile as he glanced over towards Celtra who was patiently waiting for Gerda while studying their brief interaction.
"Until next time." Gerda replied with a short nod before following Celtra.
After a few minutes of Celtra greeting the sitting fey, they finally neared Borra and Maleficent who were sitting just three chairs down at the beginning of the table. Gerda tightened her clasped hands together feeling waves of panic wash over her. Every part in her body begged her to walk away and hide in the crowd but she knew it wouldn't be smart.
The best she could do was remain invisible. Deep down she knew it was impossible since her human scent would be easily recognized. They soon were only one person away and Gerda could easily hear the voice of Borra speaking as he conversed with both Maleficent and the person in front of them.
Gerda tried refocusing on her breathing while attempting to hold a stoic expression when near them. She was once a master at it so it shouldn't have been hard to accomplish. However, over her months of isolation she knew something within her had changed. She can't remember what it was like to be the emotionless woman she once was. She felt distorted as if cracks had taken form inside her once icy interior.
Her body trembled once Celtra moved up and now stood in front of Borra and Maleficent. Gerda instantly shifted beside Celtra trying to be as subtle as possible. She said nothing and kept her eyes downcast as Celtra acknowledged them. Her breathing quivered when she realized that only the table stood between them.
"I would like to congratulate you on such wonderful news. You must be very excited about becoming a grandmother to your first grandchild." Celtra said to Maleficent with a soft smile.
"I appreciate your kind words, I understand you are now recognized as being Borra's top healer. Such a remarkable gift you are blessed to have." Maleficent's sultry voice said.
"Thank you, it means a lot knowing my gifts could be of use to our people." Celtra answered in a appreciative voice.
Celtra had continued on with her conversation between Maleficent but Gerda drowned it out. She averted to controlling her breathing and heartbeat. She was panicking and could only hope she left unharmed. Both Maleficent and Borra were intimidating to be around given how powerful they were. The sound of Celtra laughing caused Gerda to glance up. Her body froze when she noticed Borra staring directly at her with penetrating amber eyes.
She felt her cheeks grow warm as he continued observing her in a way that made her feel unsteady. Gerda was unaware of how long he had noticed her but she desperately wanted to run out to the crowd. Her hands tightly gripped each other as she struggled to remain calm. She was unsure what was going through his head but she was somewhat relieved when his eyes weren't filled with the usual hate or anger. Perhaps Maleficent's presence kept him content at the moment.
She continued staring back at him with guarded eyes searching for any trace of aggression. Despite her wariness of him, he appeared to be observing every detail on her. She held back a brittle shiver when his eyes traveled to the long red curls of hair that hung at her waist. She mentally braced herself for any potential outburst from him. Gerda was unable to make out his expression which troubled her. It was impossible to unravel what kind of storm was brewing behind his dark amber eyes.
"It was so lovely meeting you and I'm glad all is well with you and your family. Please excuse us, we wouldn't want to take up anymore of your time." Celtra finished causing Gerda to remove her eyes from Borra.
"Would you mind staying for a moment? I almost forgot we had a second 'guest' with us." Maleficent interjected causing Gerda to glance at Celtra with wide eyes before refocusing back to the floor.
"My apologies, I should have properly introduced her to you." Celtra said with hesitance as she lightly pulled Gerda forward.
Gerda stiffened with downcast eyes not wanting to look up with the fear of being set ablaze. She felt far too close to them. Her jaw clenched with disappointment in herself for allowing these two creatures to intimidate her. Her pride was taking a hit but she would be a fool to anger them.
However, underneath her cowardice was a rising fire that begin to take form. She grew disgusted by her fear towards them. Maleficent's demanding voice spoke up causing her to flinch in response. It only added fuel to the flames within her.
"Look up at me girl when in my presence. Has anyone told you how rude it is to not acknowledge those above you?" Maleficent sharply hissed.
"My apologies." Gerda quickly uttered as she stared up at Maleficent's emerald eyes that now studied her from head to toe.
"Step closer, I would like to get a clear view of you." Maleficent demanded with taunting eyes.
Celtra gently pushed Gerda closer till her waist was nearly pressed against the table. Gerda felt a rush of dread sweep down as she attempted to sustain her composure. She continued blankly staring at Maleficent while fighting back her inner emotions.
"You clean up nice for being Borra's little pet slave. Such a shame to see beauty go to waste on someone who will spend their life locked away from the world." Maleficent taunted as her fingers reached out and twirled around one of the red curls that hung on Gerda's hip.
Her fingers twisted around the curl in a threatening manner. Gerda could almost feel the hate Maleficent felt towards her. The witch certainly had the power to kill her on the spot if she wanted to.
Gerda nervously glanced at Borra who was now watching Maleficent with fervent eyes as her clawed finger toyed with Gerda's curl. His expression held a hint of caution which then grew vigilant when the witch tightened her grip. She then released the curl and smiled at her like a cat playing with its prey.
"If I recall I believe you were the one who failed at killing me when you worked for the human Queen. I pictured you to be a bit more...hmm...I don't know perhaps fiercer in person. It's quite a disappointment to see what stands before me." Maleficent continued in a sharp voice that sparked a twinge of anger in Gerda.
Her eyes hardened after hearing Maleficent's form of mockery. She was past her breaking point and the witch's comments set her off.
"I suppose months of isolation with no contact from the outside world will do that to one. However, as they say looks can be quite deceiving." Gerda replied in a calm voice with a stern expression as she tried to mask her true emotions.
"Really? Borra mentioned how you were such an annoying pest to him, I assume he was finally able to tame you. It only took a few snapped bones to truly break you in like a dog." Maleficent retorted as she smirked at Gerda who was now glaring at her with narrowed eyes.
"Yet here I am standing before you alive and in one piece...oh and my apologies for forgetting to ask. How's your wound? I recall how you easily plummeted from the sky after one simple shot from my crossbow." Gerda sarcastically responded with false concern causing Maleficent's eyes to glow green in anger.
"If I were you I would watch that tone of yours 'girl'. Let's see how resilient you truly are after I'm done with you." Maleficent hissed, her hand now starting to glow.
"I will deal with her later. Don't waste your time on this infuriating, miserable human." Borra quickly intervened as he laid his large hand on top of Maleficents.
Gerda immediately redirected her glare to Borra who was still focused on Maleficent. The sadistic witch appeared to calm down though malice lingered in her eyes. A cold, taunting smile then formed on her red plump lips as she leered at Gerda.
"I believe she simply needs to remember her place. With wild animals you need to break them until they know who their master is." Maleficent said in a low, wicked voice.
Borra's hard eyes studied Gerda for a few seconds before glancing at Celtra who nervously stood beside her. The tension was thick enough to make anyone nearby uneasy.
"Leave us." Borra ordered Celtra causing Gerda to look at her with pleading eyes.
"As you wish." Celtra replied in a small voice as she glanced at Gerda with wary before walking away.
Borra then stood and yanked Gerda forward by her wrist causing a few glasses of wine to rattle on the table. Gerda hissed in pain when she felt his nails dig into her skin earning a entertained smirk from Maleficent. His large frame towered over her in a intimidating manner.
"It appears you have forgotten your manners when around those above you. You will spend the rest of your time here standing right behind me like a child. If you disobey me I will snap your wrists. Do I make myself clear?" Borra smoothly hissed in a menacing low voice that caused Gerda to tremble.
"Y-Yes." Gerda whispered as she stared back at him with wide eyes.
She quickly walked around the table and quietly stood behind him with a hollow feeling inside her chest. Her eyes blinked away tears of shame as she noticed several passing fairies and pixies giggling at her. Some of the sitting dark fey stared at her as they whispered to each other.
She desperately needed a distraction from the burning stares of humiliation. Her eyes focused on the back of Borra whose long wings almost towered over her even though he was sitting. This was the first time she actually stood in such close proximity to him for an extended time. Even from behind he was truly unnerving to be around.
She observed his never ending pointy black horns and how they connected to a head of dark blonde hair. Her timid gaze trailed down the blended patterns of brown colors on his wings that flickered and moved every so often. Up close they appeared awfully sharp and rough to the touch but yet smooth as light danced on them from the ceiling.
She wondered if they felt as resilient as they looked. He would surely break her fingers if she ever were to feel for herself. Overall, she had to admit that she was memorized by them. She found the blend of colors rather beautiful despite him being a cruel creature to her.
Gerda was certain he thought the opposite of her. He probably was repulsed by her red hair and basic pale human features. She knew he despised every bit of her. He most certainly was memorizing every flaw on her face and body which would explain why he gazed at her for so long.
Gerda continued waiting behind him until the music changed its tune. A large fire appeared inside a hearth that was set in the middle of the hall. Everyone then grew excited and some gathered around it to dance with each other. The lit orbs on the ceiling dimmed making shadows appear on the walls as everyone celebrated.
Shortly after, many of the sitting fey stood up and headed towards the hearth. She nearly flinched when Borra stood and lightly grabbed Maleficent's hand. She sighed in relief as they headed towards the dancing crowd not bothering to acknowledge her presence.
She observed all the dancing fey who looked so carefree and happy. She grimaced at the sight of them. Gerda felt a pit of envy towards the creatures. She would forever be Borra's slave even after he finds a mate and has a family of his own. What would she become then? A slave to his family?
She wanted to scream at such a thought. This couldn't be it for her. Not when freedom was just outside the doors. There had to be a way out of Borra's grasp but deep down she knew he would always find her. She struggled to accept that this was her fate.
Gerda was confused when she felt her cheeks soaked with a watery substance. She grimaced when she realized it was tears. She quickly wiped her cheeks feeling foolish for crying over her circumstances. If anything Borra might end up killing her sooner than she thought which was somewhat refreshing to know.
"Why the somber face?" A voice belonging to Diaval asked, catching Gerda off guard.
She then turned to him noticing he was smiling as he stood beside her with his arms folded behind him. Gerda gritted her teeth and glared at the crowd with her lips pressed together.
"I'm not sad. What a foolish question to ask." She said as she tried to appear uncaring.
"The salty scent on your face tells a different story." Diaval responded with a playful smirk that made Gerda roll her eyes.
"Must all of your kind have such a keen sense of smell? I find it rather invasive. Anyways, what do you want? Surely you didn't come here out of concern." Gerda hissed as she glared at Diaval.
"Actually I came here to simply have a civil conversation with you. I was quite bored watching everyone prance around some fire. I don't get what's so exciting about it all." Diaval said surprising Gerda with his words.
"You came over here to spark conversation with 'me'? Why on earth would you want to speak to me? I'm sure you must hate me like the rest of your kind do." Gerda said feeling baffled by Diaval's friendliness.
"I hold some dislike towards you but that doesnt mean I hate you. I actually don't think it's in my nature to hate. Probably the bird in me." Diaval said in almost deep thought, causing Gerda to smirk.
"So you're saying you aren't capable of hating me because you're a bird? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds." Gerda said as she chuckled, wondering why Maleficent keeps such an odd, silly creature around her.
"Well if you put it in those terms then yes it sounds ridiculous. You know I never took you as one to tease, you were so serious the last time I saw you." Diaval replied with a grin.
"If you had to constantly be around that 'creature' you would be the same." Gerda muttered, feeling herself grow sour at the thought of Borra's violent mood swings.
"He's not always like that, well at least when he's in the presence of others. I've seen the soft side he holds towards Maleficent. I actually believe he is in love with her though she's too stubborn to care." Diaval said shaking his head in disappointment towards Maleficent.
"I suppose I would never know since I only do see one side of him and it's always hate or anger. Perhaps they truly do deserve each other." Gerda said as she absent mindedly stared off into the crowd.
"I honestly doubt they would end up together, I do deeply care for Maleficent as a friend but she is such a pain at times. A very stubborn, impatient woman." Diaval said earning a quick smirk from Gerda.
"Sounds like you're describing every woman." Gerda replied as she observed Diaval.
Diaval then suddenly grew serious with his eyes fixated on someone in the distance. Gerda's brows furrowed in confusion at his sudden change of behavior. She followed his gaze and felt all mood for conversation and playfulness disappear when she noticed Borra approaching them.
His face held an inhospitable expression as he approached them. Gerda knew he was upset judging by the frigid look in his eyes. She felt her heart speed up against her chest in fear as he neared them. She mentally prepared herself to endure his presence.