song_of_ice | Duplicity Inbox

It was your choice, not mine. You said yourself there was someone you desired. Better you sign with someone you can be happy with.

[He did promise and he would keep his word, but it would be difficult for him to overcome his feelings easily.]

We are friends.

I know, Lucy. This isn't a life that I am used to. This entire place is against my honor. I do not take women lightly and I have never been to bed with anyone but one woman, someone I loved.

This isn't meaningless for me.

[Even if he did have more than one partner.]

[[She watches him for a long moment.]

Do you wish me to go?

[She asks it with care in her voice.]

I will if you do not wish for my company.

No, you don't have to go.

[He couldn't avoid her forever and it wasn't fair to kick her out because of his frustrations and ill timed jealousy.]

Here, let me get you some wine.

[He sure needed a drink.]

[She nods, and waits, sits in one of the chairs. When he returns her legs are prim and together, crossed at the ankle, and she is looking up at him with an interested expression on her face.]

What might I do, then.

You owe me nothing.

[He handed her the glass of wine, having chosen something a bit stronger for himself. The sharp taste of scotch was brutal against his throat, but it left him slightly hazy after a few glasses.]

Owe-

Owe?

Why would you speak of it in such ugly terms?

[She’s angry now, standing up.]

I am a queen in Narnia, and a woman of honor, as well as a woman of merit. I have battled for my country and governed for my people. I do not deal in such debt as that. As if I were nothing more than a plaything to be bartered with. I do not owe anything to anyone!

I wanted to ease your troubles because I thought we could be friends!

[He's tired and not interested in an argument with anyone. He raised his hand, asking for a bit of peace before he looked at her with exhaustion.]

I didn't mean it to offend you or to imply deal in such ways with debt.

I meant that you don't need to do anything for me.

[But it's hard to shake the idea that it is a means of repaying a debt of kindness or that she feels obligated in some way to ease his jealousy. It had seemed fairly clear that her feelings for him were passing.]

We are friends, but you cannot expect me to be as I was on the ship.

I do not begrudge you finding someone you care for.

You are such a fool, Jon Snow.

[She says it with a toss of her head.]

Men are always such fools. A curse on me that I must deal with them to find love!

[She is setting her wine down now.]

I came here to tell you for I am no coward, and to assure you-

No. Nevermind it. Finish your sulk and come see me when you are quite through.

You think love is possible here?

[It was becoming clear to him that no matter what he felt for someone, he could never keep them while he was here. And with Lucy, this might be the only place he would see and remember her.]

Assure me what?

That the contract changes nothing?

Yes.

[She does, and she means it.]

The contract changes very little. My lord warlock is not a possessive man.

No, but that's where your heart is.

[He's being spiteful and he knows it. He cuts himself off before he says anything else, first taking a long drink from his glass.]

Is he at least good to you?

Are you telling me that your heart lies with me?

[She raises her chin.]

I would not stay with anyone who was not.

[Fair point on both counts.

He was being ridiculous, but she had wounded his pride and he didn't have an idea of how to even express that...or if he really should.]

At least you will be safe.

Yes, oh, thank the Lion for such small favors, that I should need a man's protection to ensure my safety.

[She is being a brat, but he's annoying her now, and this is a small presumption that she doesn't need.]

That isn't what I meant.

[It's the first time that he's risen to anger with her and it's out before he can find a way to temper himself.]

You might be a warrior, but you are a submissive here and whether you want it or not, you need a dominant to help you. Do you want to end up in that zoo for some small mistake?

I should imagine that I am capable.

And you should think of me as capable as well.

You are capable, but you know that this world is not kind to submissives.

When I say you are protected, it's not that I'm dismissing your ability to fight. I know women can be warriors, I've seen my fair share of them. But we don't know who brought us here, what they are capable of and how petty they are going to be.

And this is why I signed a contract with Magnus, and not with you.

[She dips her chin a little.]

He made it clear that his priority was his desire for me, that he wished for me, and not that he simply wished my protection.

[And there is that punch to the gut again. He turns away from her, wanting to at least partially shield the response on his features.]

You asked me what I felt and I told you. I told you it wasn't about protection alone. I'm not as good with words as other men.

If he made you feel desired when I didn't than he is a better man than me.

I did not have to ask him!

[She is frustrated now, and turns too.]

I want a man whose desire for me is clear. I am in a place where desire is easily shown, and I have never been-

[She has never been desired like this.]

[He sighed, finishing the last of his drink before going to refill it.]

I thought that was clear when we were on the cruise? What more did you want?

[His body spoke where he couldn't, and he respected her enough that he pulled back, knowing she was a maiden and allowing it to be on her terms.]

Not every man is able to say what he feels and I have never been open with my feelings. The last woman I loved was killed in battle. I hadn't been with anyone else until I came here.

[And that was beyond his control.]

He is obviously someone who has more experience with this.

Yes, perhaps.

[She takes a step back.]

Perhaps I should go.

[He doesn't know what else to say to any of this.

He had fallen short of what she wanted. It seemed foolish to be angry with her for that, but only with himself for failing at something again. Another bit of guilt to join the overcrowded others.

He neither nodded or shook his head, letting her decide whether she wanted to continue this fight or to go home.]

[She still has manners, so she drops a curtsy.]

Come see me when you have more to say.

[And she's gone.]

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