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 Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2019 5:06 pm
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The sun had barely risen above the crest of the ocean when Domeykite roused from his slumber. He was not a lion who woke early, and it did not bode well for his thrall that he had. At least, Orhni knew what she was in for that day. The forest green lion had promised to marry her, and this was the day he would make good on that promise. Forced marriages were not supposed to happen within the pride, but Domeykite enjoyed bending the rules a bit. None would suspect that Orhni would disagree with the arrangement.
She would be freeborn, even if she were deeply indebted to him, and for all intents and purposes no better off than she had been as a thrall. No natural born free lion would doubt that she'd take this opportunity to climb up the ladder. Most would think Domeykite a fool for marrying her, but he was determined to see this game played until the end. His obsession with Orhni was dark and deep-rooted. His love was not for her, but held over her like dead weight upon her shoulders. If Domeykite wanted to, he could suffocate her with it.
"I know you are awake." His voice greeted her, firm but not unkind. If should could expect any mercy from him, perhaps it would be on this day alone... to keep up appearances. None could witness his abuse of her, but that did not mean there weren't places where eyes did not reach and ears did not listen. If she acted up today, there would be no calming the storm that was Domeykite's rage.
"You will rise and come with me. Today you are my wife." The words should have been loving, but they were instead a demand. He prowled over to her and bent his head to whisper with hot breath into her ear, "Up." Most days he played a careful game of balance, pressuring her nearly to the point where she broke before backing away to let her recover her sanity and dignity. But now, he did not. His presence was not one she could shove away any longer. |
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 6:18 pm
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Orhni had not slept.
From the moment that Domey had revealed his diabolical plan she had been living with a gnawing, relentless fear in the pit of her belly. It was like a stone, sinking between her ribs and threatening to drag her down with every breath she drew. It made it impossible to sleep. It made it impossible to dream or smile. In all the time she had spent in the storm lands she had been clinging to this tiny, fragile glimmer of hope that somehow someone would know to come looking for her. Now she realized that even if that were true, even if one of her family members one day wondered where she had wandered to, it wouldn't matter.
She was stuck.
Domey didn't just want to own her, he wanted to control her, and she could feel that stone in her belly growing roots and crawling along her bones. That stone was Domeykite's wicked, malevolent promise.
"I'm up," she whispered, trying desperately not to wince at the feel of his breath so close to her ear. Words were not enough - the strike of that thought in her mind made her paws press firmly into the dirt and she rose as she was bidden, mechanical and weary. Her amethyst eyes swung up to meet his acidic ones, staring out from a mask she wished could truly disguise her feelings. Just the sight of him made her legs weak and her heart heavy. He was stealing her future for himself and rewriting it to suit his whims.
She might never sleep again.
Every ounce of her body wanted to scream out desperately at him in one last, pitiful effort to to something, anything, that would save her. The stone in her belly rolled and she clenched her teeth around the useless bellow that hung on her tongue. Everything about her was useless. It always would be, now.
"I'm ready to go."
Instead of screaming, she spoke cleanly, a bit too soft but crisp none-the-less. Her head dipped in a way that she hoped looked respectful, even if it was simply so that she didn't have to stare at his smug face for one second more.
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 8:14 pm
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She had learned over time not to challenge his whims, and that thought brought forth a smile that did not suit his features. Most stormborn would be fine with just owning a thrall, but Domeykite was not so easily satisfied. He did not want to just own her, he wanted to dictate her every move, from the way she breathed in his presence to the way she walked. Every minute of her life, no matter how insignificant, was his to control. As his wife, he would not allow her to be disillusioned into thinking she had actual status within the pride.
It was a sacrifice he had been willing to make, to make her his wife to secure pawns from her that he could play with. He had no affectionate thoughts towards cubs, but if they were thralls the investment he could place in them would be small. As his heirs, the girls could be wed off for wealth into equally prosperous families, and the boys could only add to his own name. Orhni was beautiful, her daughters with him would be as well, and if his sons were half the lion he was then they would succeed.
His future was looking bright, while Orhni's certainly darkened as he led her out of his den. "Do try not to look miserable," he counseled her. Domeykite doubted that any would challenge the legitimacy of his marriage. He had found an agreeable Lawspeaker, and the witness would be a good friend. No one would dare speak out against him, but he did not need any potential eavesdroppers getting ideas. "This is your wedding day, after all, you should be happier and singing my praises."
He knew how deeply unhappy she was, but she could pretend otherwise and he would be satisfied with that.
Domeykite led his thrall to a small clearing away from the center of the pride. It would not provide much privacy for the ceremony, but it was better than being stuck in the busiest area of the pride. In the clearing was the Lawspeaker, an older lion adorned lavishly with bone-crafted jewelry. He was a lion that could be easily bribed, and that was all that mattered to Domeykite. The Priestess was not here yet, but he expected her to arrive with her father.
Orhni would not know for sure, but she likely suspected that Domeykite had brought together those who would not question him. "Are you ready, my love?" Condescension dripped from his words, the smile gone from his features to be replaced by a wicked smirk.
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