she will love you like a twister.

Simon strolled through the marketplace with an apple in his hand, taking occasional bites of it as he observed the activities occurring around him. If he ever caught someone's gaze, they would quickly duck their heads in an obedient bow, and Simon smirked at everyone's shared obvious fear. He was known as the Mad King commonly among all of the lesser bodies of his kingdom, this he knew even though they believed that he did not. His rule was strict and firm, but it kept his Kingdom in order and almost completely free of crime. Simon's mind stopped wandering when he heard the familiar sound of gypsy music coming from around the corner of the square. He held his hand up to stop his guard who was following close behind. "Stay here, I want to go alone. Stand guard at this corner and do not move," Simon ordered sharply, throwing the apple in his hand to the ground carelessly. He rounded the corner and carded a hand through his hair, his infamous smirk once again taking over his lips as he saw girls and boys dancing fluidly around each other. "Ah, what a little party we have here," Simon called out, approaching the crowd with his hands crossed against his chest.

Marcella exited her bedroom in a flourish, air around her sparking with electricity. She stormed out, furious to hear that her brother was stalking around the commoners again trying to stir things up. While she was known to have quite a cruel personality and brutal temper, she didn't feel like he was doing any good among the poor. If anything, he was putting himself in worthless danger, even though he was probably getting a lot of enjoyment out of it anyways. As she was rushing to go find his head guard to go and gather him to bring him back, she bumped headfirst into someone and let out an audible growl. "Who is incompetent enough to bump into me?" Marcella snapped, rearing back with her hand out about to cast a quick spell before she met the handsome eyes of a man. Her lip curled over her teeth before relaxing, an eyebrow raised. "What is your name?" She demanded.

Flora's fingers darted out of pockets and purses easily as she danced around with her kin in the marketplace. The people were too concerned with there being her kind around to notice a few missing coins here and there. Her hips moved perfectly with the tune of the guitar Micah was playing, the bells around her ankles chiming with every step she took. She stood up on her toes to kiss some boy's cheek gently as she slipped her hand into a pocket and pulled out a few coins that she put in one of the pockets of her skirts. It wasn't often that her people, the gypsies, were able to make it into the marketplace, so the times they did they were sure to put on a show. They wouldn't be there long, a few hours at most and then disappear without a trace, hopefully before anyone had alerted the guards of gypsies in the area. They weren't very well liked. The music stopped as a strong voice spoke up and confusion set in right before the panic. She had been warned about the King, he was mental and ruthless and cruel and everyone feared him. "We meant no harm, your kingliness," she said, her voice was stronger than she thought it would be and hoped he took no offense to 'kingliness' they had no royalty in her people and therefore no need for titles, "we only need supplies and we shall be out of your way." Flora knew she should have bowed, curtsies, something, but her body wouldn't make the movements, frozen in place.

Benji had just gotten out of a meeting with a few of the other guards and was about to head out on patrol when the princess ran straight into him, backing up before he was able to even attempt steadying her. The royals were hot tempered people, he knew better than to say that she was the one to bump into him, nevermind touching one even if that was just to steady them. "My apologises, Princess, I am Benjamin, Benjamin Evers," he answered, standing up straight. Most of the guards were afraid of them, Marcella and Simon, and to be honest, Benji was a little bit himself. He didn't want to be on their bad sign. "Is there anything I can assist you with, Princess?" he asked then, trying not to let his eyes wander. This was the first time he had ever talked one-on-one with her, and he didn't want to anger her even more if he was unable to control himself from looking her top to bottom.

Simon's eyes snapped to a voice that dared to address him, and he threw his head back with a laugh, approaching her quickly and walking around her, his eyes roaming up and down her body. "Your Kingliness?" He remarked, mocking her, moving his hands to run over her skirts, feeling her pockets heavy with coins. "Oh, how naughty are you? Stealing coins from the innocent idiots around here? Not even bothering to give your King a proper bow? Who do you think you are?" Simon's words dripped with malice, her voice lowering to a growl as his hands moved along her back before he grabbed her, pulling her back against his front and wrapping his hand around her throat loosely. "What's your name, little gypsy? There's so many things I can do to you, you know? Look at this pretty little throat," He paused, tightening his fingers for a moment around her neck, breathing hotly into her ear as he spoke. "And your pretty little ass," Simon continued, his other free hand moving from her hip to her bum, squeezing it as a laugh erupted from his throat. "What's your name, little gypsy?" He asked, his eyes roaming the crowd that stood frozen around them, watching quietly and not daring to interfere.

The princess lowered her hand to her side, giving him a sweet smile instead of a sneer. She caught his eyes wandering her body and it made her smile wider, and she laced her hands in front of her. "I don't think I've ever met you before, Benjamin Evers," Marcella pointed out, and she mirrored his gaze, her eyes dipping down his body before returning back to his eyes. "Do you like what you see, Mr. Evers? You're quite easy on the eyes yourself. I can imagine why they've been keeping you away from me," Marcella's smile was almost poisonous as she took a step forward, laying a palm against his chest, her fingertips dripping ice. She looked up and batted her lashes, eyes swirling with mischievous thoughts. "I would like to see you tonight after supper in the terrace of the ballroom. I also would like you to inform whoever you report to that I would like to take you for my own personal guard. Off to it, Benjamin," She finished, and she leaned up to give his cheek a kiss as cold as ice that sparked with electricity. Marcella quickly moved out of his way and continued on her journey to find her brother's head guard, a smile on her lips.

Flora took a stumbled step back as the king came towards her, walking around like a lion toying with it's prey. It took her by surprise, that was all, she could not show her fear even when his hands felt her skirts or the tone of his voice. She had no time to even think about explaining the ways of her people and how they had no kings before he pulled her back against him, a hand winding around her neck, forcing her head to tilt up against his shoulder to try and get room. She understood then, why he was known as the Mad King. His words were poisonous just as his movements were dangerous. He could probably snap her neck if he so desired, yet, she just stood there, letting him do as he wished and waiting for him to finishing speaking. "I am Flora Vulpe and neither myself nor my people are under your rule, your kingliness," she said through gritted teeth, hands dangling at her sides. She took short breaths, head tilted back against his shoulder the best she could to try and prevent him from choking her as he hand did tighten around it. She tried her best to show no fear, but she could still feel herself shaking.

"Thank you for lowering your hand, Princess," Benji said, a little sigh of relief followed. Of course he liked what he saw, a low cut, tight dress on a beautiful princess was something to like. He just couldn't voice that. He was relaxed when she set her hand on his chest, a smirk of his own forming on his lips because her eyes were just as much wandering as his. "I will see you then, Princess," he replied, giving her a deep bow and watching her walk off before he would continue on his journey. He stopped by his commanding officer to inform him of what the princess had told him to, trying not to smirk all the while he spoke. She had guards like this all the time, he was sure of it, there were whispers about it in the castle if you knew who to talk to, that is. When he was done there, he went onto his patrol around the castle, feeling good about himself and what was to come tonight.

Simon laughed again, a wicked and cruel laugh. "You are a stupid girl, Flora Vulpe. Your gypsy rules do not apply when you intrude on the grounds of my Kingdom. Anything that touches the ground beneath our feet is mine to manipulate, and that's includes you, doesn't it?" He shook his head, pulling her neck back farther and running his mouth over the smooth skin there, reveling in the goosebumps that formed. He let his teeth drag for a moment before pulling away. "Come along, gypsy girl, and we'll find out what we shall do with you," Simon finished, and he let her throat go but his hand went immediately to her wrist and held tight. "Alec! Come here and contain this girl," He called out, and his favorite guard came running and did as he asked. "Let's go back to the castle, all of these commoners have already made me exhausted," Simon said, returning to his horse for the journey back to the castle. Once they arrived, Simon ordered Alec to put Flora in his bed chambers and tie her up so she couldn't escape. He made his way to the dining hall, since it was already time for supper, and slid into his chair at the head of the table. He noticed that Marcella's plate was already finished, and he raised an eyebrow but said nothing as food was immediately brought out to him.

Marcella was informed that Simon was on his way back once she finally found his head guard, so she gave up, wandering back to her room and thinking about the guard she had met. She had a select few she hand picked to be her personal guard, who she also utilized for pleasuring herself in numerous ways, from fetching sweets for her to sex. Marcella had yet to find someone she thoroughly enjoyed, and she had hope for Benjamin. When it became time for supper, she got ready, curling her hair into ringlets and changing into an evening gown, one that was tight and had a low cut v, exposing the ivory curve of her breasts perfectly. It was a deep midnight blue that offset her skin and her hair, and had beautiful bead adornments along the v as well as her long sleeves. Once she was ready, she went down to the dining hall to eat supper quickly, seeing no sign of her brother even when she was finished and she left. Marcella made her way to the ballroom's terrace, no one to be found, and leaned against the railing as she waited, which she normally wouldn't of had the patience to do.

All Flora could do was stand there and take the embarrassment thrust upon her, making her wonder how these people could live under the rule of a king like him. Her eyes shut tight at his mouth on her neck, hoping it would be over soon. She let out a small gasp when he let go of her neck, but only to grab at her wrist which she tried to tug away from him to no success. His guard came to take her, easily putting her up on his horse before he climbed up on it to take her back to the castle. "Be warned, King," she growled, both anger and fear in her voice as the horse started off, "the gypsies do not forgive unkindness on their people, we have magic of our own, magic to fear." That was the last words she spoke to him on the ride back to the castle. Flora was taken to his chambers, wrists and ankles bound when she was placed on his bed. She sat on the edge of it. Her people were gone by now, she knew that, but she also knew where they would go, where they were heading. Struggling agains the ropes, she hoped to escape soon enough to not be too far behind them.

After his patrols, Benji ate his meal with a few of the other guards where they talked about the king brining a gypsy girl back to the castle. Poor girl, she had no idea what was in store for her. After eating he set off to the ballroom terrace where he had been told to meet up with the princess. He found her there, leaning against the railing, looking a little bored. "Forgive my lateness, Princess," he spoke up, giving her a deep bow before walking up beside her. He placed his hands on the railing and looked out over the garden. "I hope you hadn't been waiting long, have you?" Benji glanced over to her, trying to keep his eyes on her face and not anywhere on her but that.

Simon ate his dinner leisurely, taking his time to think about all of the things that he was going to do to the gypsy girl. It brought him a flare of inner delight at all of the delicious ways he could break her, get into her head and slowly watch the cracks erupt in her and spread throughout her mind. He was not scared of her people nor their magic, for his far surpassed anything that they could dream of doing. The fire in his veins matched the magic that he was able to cast the best, and he was often found to be glowing an aura that resembled that of a fire. Simon finally decided he would break her slowly, show her kindness and then rip it away and leave her begging. He was sure he would be able to manipulate her easily once that was done, even he could break through the brightest and stubborn of spirits. He had an intriguing idea if he could turn her onto his side, shape her heart into a cruel one like the one that currently resided in his own chest. Once he finished his plate, he waved over a servant who collected it and stayed, waiting eagerly for whatever he had to say. "Create a small plate of food for my prisoner, and bring it up to my bedchambers when you are finished," Simon told the servant sharply, before rising from his chair and dusting off his coat. He made his way up to his bedchambers, excitement pooling in the pit of his stomach. When he pushed the doors open, his eyes immediately found Flora sitting on the edge of his bed, her hands and feet tied. He smiled, a flash of teeth that were almost venomous. He locked the door behind him easily before stepping forward, his hands reaching for the buttons of his overcoat as he began to undress himself. "Well, hello, dear Flora. You look quite lovely sitting in my bedchambers, much better than the filth of the common streets," Simon cooed, dropping his coat to the floor to reveal a thin cotton shirt that was loose around his figure, tucked into his tight trousers. "You do still look quite dirty, we will have to do something about this, I can't play with you in the state that you're in. You'll stain my sheets," He said, and he waved his hand in a noncommittal gesture, the ropes around her hands and feet falling away to the floor. "Undress yourself, and don't make me ask you again," Simon ordered, leaning his back against the wall in order to unlace his boots and remove them.

Marcella looked over to the entrance to the terrace when she heard footsteps, raising an eyebrow when she saw Benjamin approaching her. "I'm sure you will learn later what you must not do in my presence," She replied as he came beside her, leaning against the railing as she was. She noticed that his eyes were being purposefully steady on hers and she smirked, knowing that it was taking some effort for him not to look her over. "I haven't been waiting long, but I never want to be left waiting again, Benjamin," Marcella added, her hands on the railing spreading a thin layer of ice before she removed them to stop the process. "As my own personal guard, I am quite offended that you are not even going to look anywhere else but my eyes, there are much more interesting things to see, and I know I am correct," She stated, and she moved closer to him, close enough that she could feel the natural warmth of his body. "I also presume that you have heard rumors and whispers about my personal guards. Please do tell me what you think this entails, now that you are one," Marcella ordered, looking up to him and raising an eyebrow as one of her hands went to his arm, fingers trailing up and down suggestively.

Flora only stopped struggling with the ropes when the door opened to reveal the mad King. Her face was stone with emotions, not showing any inkling of the fear running through her veins. When the ropes came undone, she rubbed graciously at her sore wrists and ankles before standing up. Her eyes darted around the room, trying to put into action one of the many ones she had the ought up, but not one came to her mind. Flora pursed her lips when he demanded her to undress, claiming her filthy and would again his poor sheets. It almost made her want to roll around in them. "No," she said defiantly, her people might not have dressed the most modestly, yet she would not undress for him.

Benji smirked as he was told he could ravish her body with his eyes and he did just that, eyes moving slowly up and down to take all of her in. "The guards talk about you and your personal guards, who, might I freely say, tend to never serve in the castle when you're done with them " he told her before licking his lips slowly. "I assume I shall have the same duties they have had? making sure you are content and pleased," he hummed.

Simon noticed how her eyes darted around as she tried to think of an escape plan, and a smile fell over his lips at her determination. There wasn't a possible way for her to leave his room, much less the castle. Once his boots were off, and she had outright refused him, he took a few steps closer to her. His eyes were burning, smoldering with the start of a fire. "I would think you not stupid enough to presume that I could get your clothes off with a flick of my wrist, don't make me take away your dignity when I am so graciously offering you some," He growled, his hand curled into a fist at his side, his other splayed out as if he were to cast a spell. "I only wish to run you a bath and let you get clean, which is the nicest thing I will probably offer you the rest of your time here. Don't deny my one good deed because everything afterwards will be much, much worse," Simon threatened, his body so close he could almost feel her. He stepped away after a moment, turning his back to her and making his way to the connected bathing room. His fingers moved and the water began to run into the tub, hot steam rising from it's surface. Simon pulled off his shirt and let it billow to the floor, his eyes halfway watching her through the doorway.

Marcella felt a delicious shiver run through her body as she felt his eyes roam her hungrily, and she ran her bottom lip through her teeth without thinking about it. "You will have the same duties as they did, yes. You will learn quickly what I require in order to please me, and I do hope you enjoy it yourself. You are able to freely speak with me, I always expect brutal honesty and I wish that of you, do not be afraid. I expect you not to share intimate details of our relations with anyone else, if anything, be very vague, or there will be consequences. You do not have to report to your previous officer as frequently, you will come to me first for mostly everything. Are there any questions that you would like to ask?" She spoke, going over all of the details that she could possibly think of in that moment, though she was sure there was more that would probably come up. Her eyes traced over his lips, where he had licked over them, and she looked at the shine of them and had an ache form to want to kiss them. He was definitely one of the more attractive guards that she had come across, and she was definitely excited to be able to have him readily available to her.

Flora took a few stumbled steps back as he took a few sturdy steps toward her. His voice was harsh, threatening, eyes dark as if he would really use magic to take her clothes off. She wouldn't put it past him if she refused him yet again. She stood there, heart racing, feeling a tingling in her fingers, only relaxing a minute after he had turned away from her. Turning away from him, Flora gave up and slowly began to undress. First went her top, slowly unclasping the few buttons it had before laying that on the bed; her layered skirt followed. Off came her undergarmets net, and then the bell that hung on little, delicate silver chains around her ankles. "Done," was all Flora said to him, turning back around to look at the dark, curly haired king. Flora had no power here, she had no way to threaten him, no way to talk herself out or run off as she had been able to with other messes she had gotten herself into. There was no way to get past this monster of a person, and if she somehow managed that, there was no way she would be able to make it out of the castle without being seen. She was trapped and it terrified her. She could only imagine what he would make her do, how awful he could really be. Her kind used to tell stories about the mad king and how he would hang people for the fun of it, make them do absurd things for his entertainment. There had been a part of her that thought that it was just stories they told to scare gypsies away from entering the kingdom's grounds. They weren't just stories anymore.

Benjamin listened to her speak, eyes on her lips the entire time, watching as they formed syllables. They were beautifully full lips. He nodded his head along to the rules she was putting in place as to not tell anyone what they did and that he need not to report to his commanding officer anymore. When it came to her asking if he had any questions, he asked only one thing, "Is there anything you wish of me right now, Princess?" he asked, eyes still taking peeks at her lips, wanting for her to tell him to kiss her. He had always wondered what the fiery princess kissed like, tasted like. He had never even had the chance to ponder on that before now, but he imagined she would taste something like liquor - rum, maybe whiskey. It would have a kick to it, but made you feel warm and good the more and more you drank of it until you got woozy and drunk but still ever wanting more.

Simon's eyes roamed her body as she undressed herself, as he was unashamed in his interest in her and had no shame in his arousal upon seeing her bare. When she turned around, his lips upturned into a mischievous smirk, his hand reaching out to motion her over to the tub. "Come here, little girl," Simon murmured, his voice deep and his eyes smoldering like molten lava. He could sense her heart beating fast, and her mind racing with thoughts, and he felt her aura, one that felt helpless and sick with fear. Simon's mind raced itself with how he could play with her, and could only calm himself down enough so that he could go through with it and enjoy it as much as possible. "In the bath," He commanded, and once she came over, he offered a hand to guide her in, just to make sure she did. When she settled in the water, he moved over to her, his hands running through the surface of the water and leaving ripples. They then moved to her shoulders, and he let his nails drag lightly against her skin. "Wash yourself, and then stand," Simon said next, as he loosened the belt that he had around his trousers, letting it drop to the floor slowly, his eyes spending the most time watching her.

Marcella raised an eyebrow at his question, and she let herself move so that she was pressed up entirely to his front, peering up into his eyes. She knew that her breasts looked pressed up and delectable, and she quite preferred how they looked flush against his chest, knew it would probably be even better unclothed. "I usually don't indulge in my desires this early, but I ache to feel your lips against mine. I've never had such an attractive guard as you, and I typically spend quite a lot of time just fucking and leaving the others, as they don't intrigue me as much as I would like. I want to know what kind of lover you will be, and I do wish that you fuck as good as you look," She licked her lips, a hand moving to lay against his chest, wanting to move up to feel through his hair. "I can usually tell by a kiss, and I can tell that you want to as much as I do," Marcella said, and she looked up at him through her lashes, wanting to press even closer to him.

Flora took slow, hesitant steps over to him and the bathtub when he commanded her to, eyes on his so that he knew how much she hated him as she was sure it reflected in her eyes. She placed her hand in his reluctantly, feeling how warm even just the palm of his hand was, and stepped into the tub, settling in. Flora watched as his hand skipped across the surface of the water, then dragging against her shoulders. She couldn't hold back a flinch to that, eyes shutting for that moment until he next spoke. Unable to resist a snarking remark, she spoke with gritted teeth, "No amount of washing could get your filth off of my skin." No matter how terrified she felt, how vulnerable she was in that moment, there was no holding back any bit of fire she had in her soul. She would not apologise for her words; she would not apologise for her actions. They were justified, and if he wanted to punish her for voicing what she thought, then so be it. She grabbed the soap to start washing, planning on scrubbing until her skin turned red, to try and make the remaining feeling of his fingers on her go away.

Benjamin placed his hands on her hips when she pressed against him, feeling every little breath she took as she looked up to him. He ran his tongue over his lips once more. "Have no worries on how I fuck. I can assure you that you will be pleasured more than you ever have been and begging for more," he spoke, voice rough and eyes dark. He pressed his lips to hers, taking her last words as an invitation to do so and pushed her up against the railing. One of his hands ran up her side, sliding it around the back of her neck to try and pull her as close as possible to his lips. She tasted just as he thought she would: a little kick and warmth to keep him wanting more, just like the whiskey he drank.

The anger in her eyes just engulfed him and fueled his desire more, undoubtably doing the opposite of what she intended it to do. When she flinched in reaction to his touch, he could feel his blood boiling, and he could see the slight glow to his skin increase, visible immediately to him as it intensified. "My filth is the only thing that I want on your skin, in your pretty hair, on your hands and knees and inside you," Simon sneered, his hand going up into her hair and giving a short tug, pulling her head back so that he could stare directly into her eyes. "You will soon become consumed with me and you will never be able to scrub your skin enough to get it off. You can sit for hours and rub until your skin is red and raw and you will never get my scent off of you, never shake the feeling of my touch anywhere I intend it to be felt. One day you will quiver and melt underneath my touch, and I will make you scream no longer with fear but with pure desire. You will beg for me, for my touch, for my presence, for my cock, and you will love it. You will be nothing without me and something else entirely when we are together and one. You will watch and see, but I will break you down over and over until we get there. Your anger is so gorgeous, I can barely stand being just this far from you much longer," He told her, his voice wavering with different intensities of volume, but remaining with the same, familiar, deep and commanding tone that he remained with whenever he spoke. When he finished speaking, he tugged her hair once more before releasing it, letting her head snap back. He then moved to the counter that sat across from the tub, resting his arms behind him as he watched her, curls falling into his eyes, skin glowing a warm golden orange.

Marcella melted into his touch, his touch lighting her skin on fire from where his fingers gripped her hips and pushed her against the railing. She felt heat run through her core, and she kissed him back with just as much fervor as he was giving her. She had never quite felt this way with a man before, as she often was associated with the cold, as that was her common go to with her powers, and usually how they naturally came to her. She was being lit with fire from him, and it was such a different sensation that she didn't even know how to process it. She would kiss him forever if it felt this pleasurable, the slow slide of their lips and the warmth of his mouth against hers, the occasional brushing of their tongues in a languid glide with his body lined up and pressed against hers. When she heard her name called out, ice shot through her body instantly, and her hand flew out in a grip that raised the person that interrupted them up into the air, an icy hold around their throat. The guard struggled, gasping out as his hands flew up to grip the invisible force holding him there. She pulled away from Benjamin and gave an angry glare, stepping away from him and moving towards the other guard. "I requested for absolutely no one to possibly bother me at all this evening. Why are you so incompetent in order to try me when you are going against my wishes? There is nothing that could need my attention at this time of the evening. Be out of my sight and do not come back. I will do much worse to you than this," Marcella called out, her voice trembling with anger, her body as cold as ice, her breath coming in a fog. Her skin had a sparkle to it like snow, patterns splintering out against her pale skin, her veins as blue as ice and prominent. Her hand motioned downwards quickly in order to bring the guard flying down to the ground in a crumpled heap, who gasped harshly before scrambling and running back out the door as fast as he could. She watched him leave the balcony and noticed she had snow swirling around her hand and she shook it out, running a hand through her hair as she took a breath and turned back to Benjamin. Marcella didn't even notice how much she was shaking, her fingers trembling against her dress in a weak fist.

Flora let out a cry as he yanked at her hair, making her look up at him, at his glowing skin and fiery eyes. His voice was nothing but harsh and commanding as he spoke of breaking her down. She had had no idea of how long he was intending on keeping her here, but now, she learned it would most likely be forever. Flora would not let him break her, at least not easily. She let out another sound of pain when he pulled at her hair again before letting her go so that he could lean against a counter across from the bathtub. She slowly and silently, scrubbed at herself, washing away the dirt that had been on her from countless days on the road. She washed away the grass stains on her skin from the times she tripped and fell playing around with the children in her camp and washed away sweat from the hot sun. She washed and scrubbed at herself until she was all clean, skin soft and pale, hair clean and hanging down her back before standing up and telling him she was finished. Her arms were crossed over her chest, not to hide herself because he had already seen her, but to show him any act of defiance she could, even if it was just in her posture or attitude. The fire in him scared her. If it wasn't for that, she wouldn't be afraid, she wouldn't cooperate as much as she was doing. But it was fire that had always scared her.

Benjamin could feel her warming up under his touch, a harsh contrast to the powers she possessed. Her lips were soft against his, tongue gliding against his, body pressed up against his. It was magical, if that didn't sound too cliché. He now understood what the other guards said about her touch and kiss being addictive. He hadn't believed that someone could be like a drug, be like the alcohol he drank at night, but now he understood. He could only watch in shock when a guard came interrupting them, upsetting Princess Marcella, and her taking that harshly as she held him up with just her magic. He could feel her skin grow back cold, and see the snow around her skin. It was frightening, but it was beautiful all the same. When the guard was set free to scramble away, he could visibly see her shaking. Benjamin wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. He didn't say anything, just held her there, just tight enough so that she understood he was there, but loose enough for her to pull away if she didn't want the touch.

Simon smiled when she stood up, and he moved from the counter over to her, his hands going to her arms and making them fall down to her sides, his fingertips hot. "Undress me the rest of the way and than bathe me," He ordered, starting out with small tasks for her before going any further. He knew that her defiance was the only way for her to deal with what was happening to her, but it just spurred him on more, turned him on more, and made him feel even more satisfaction with what he was ordering her to do. His eyes roamed her body, finding beauty in her soft, pale skin that contrasted with her long, dark hair, and he very much wanted to touch her in ways he knew she would reject, but he refrained from moving so quickly. Simon would wait for pleasure, he would ease her into it when he has her at the weakest point, which wouldn't be long, but not right away. As she undressed him and he stepped into the water, the temperature of it increased once more from the warmth of his skin, and he settled into the water. "Tell me your story, little girl," He murmured, eyes flicking up to hers, catching the light with warm golden flecks.

Marcella stiffened when Benjamin first wrapped his arms around her, but she soon melted, feeling the warmth of his skin sink into hers and warm her up from her frozen state. "I am sorry that you had to witness that, but it is the reality of my personality and most importantly, my temper," She said to his chest, which her face was buried into as she wrapped her arms back around him. "I would like if we could return to my room for the evening, Benjamin," She said, moving back from the hug in order to look him in the eyes. No one had ever responded to her like that before after seeing her anger and her magic, and she was quite surprised to not see pure terror in his eyes.

Flora was taken back when he told her to undress him and bathe him. It was as if he were a child. After a moment of letting the order sink in, she let out a sigh and did as she was told: undid his pants and pulled them down, his boxers followed before he stepped into the bath and settled himself in. Flora lathered up the sponge silently and started to wash his hot skin as he asked of her to tell him her story. "I've travelled all over the lands with my camp, my people, who still took care of me after my parents passed when I was young, as my kind tend not to leave one another unless necessary," she started, too exhausted to fight anymore. The bath she had taken, albeit she had been watched the entire time, had been relaxing. She would not tell him it was a fire that had taken her parents from her, as well as a few others in her camp. "I would help the Drabarni, our healer, collect herbs and spices, whatever she needed and she taught me her ways. I have aided in saving those close to death, those ill with fever, deliver children, and much more. The older I got, the more I did. I looked after the children when needed, and when I wasn't doing that or helping out our Drabarni, I would go with the others into villages to perform, entrance, tell fortunes, and take their money from their unsuspecting pockets so we could have a better meal for the night," she told him softly, eyes low as she washed his body. The water had grown warmer since he had gotten in. His skin was hot, but that was to be expected when a flame burned inside of you.

Benjamin felt her settle down in his arms, having felt how cold and tense she was melt into comfort as she wrapped her arms around him in return. "I shall try my best not to anger you then," he let out a little chuckle, trying to make light of the situation. It probably wasn't the best thing to do at the time, but alas, it happened anyway. When she said she would like to retire in her room, Benjamin nodded his head, letting her pull away from his arms. "Of course, Princess," he said, holding his arm out for her to take as he would escort her back to her room and stay there as long as she wanted him to, do whatever she wanted him to do. She was so beautiful, but even moreso when she let her guard down, like when they were kissing and when he was just holding her, to let her know that it was alright. Her powers could be scary at times, but that was who she was and he accepted that. Maybe that was what she needed: someone to accept her as she was.

Simon listened to her story silently as she washed him, and he enjoyed feeling her hands on him despite her obvious distaste she displayed while carrying out her orders. When she was finished, he rose from the bathwater and stepped out before offering her his hand to help her as well. He didn't comment on her story, just reached for a bath towel and draped it over her shoulders before taking one for himself, dragging it across his arms and shoulders before loosely tying it around his waist. "Come, little girl, and let us go to bed, it has been a long day," Simon murmured, flicking his wrist and blowing out the candles that illuminated the room and stepping into his bedroom. He moved his hand again and pulled back the covers to his bed, and let his towel drop from his waist to the floor before stepping in. He pulled the covers up and around himself, watching Flora through his wet curls that dripped down his forehead.

Marcella took his arm that he offered and walked with him back up to her room, feeling the cold slowly leave her body and return to what she normally should be at. The cold never bothered her, never made her sick or feel bad, but the magic always left a slight toll on her body, even though it was less than it used to be. Her brother was definitely more powerful than she was, but that was only because he harnessed his madness and channeled it for darker means. When they reached her room, she gave a nod to the guard that was told to watch there, and received one in turn before he left his post. She stepped inside, locking the door with a movement of her wrist and her fingers, stepping into the room and releasing her arm from Benjamin's. Without looking back, she began to undress herself, unlacing the dress in the back and letting it billow down to the floor from around her figure, leaving her bare in the dim room that was only lit by the moonlight streaming in from the tall windows that had the curtains pulled back. Marcella undid pins that were holding her hair in delicate braids and let it stream down around her shoulders, running her hands through it after she had set down the pins. When she was done, she moved over to the window bench, standing right up against it and looking out at the stars and the cool night.

Flora dried herself off with the towel before wrapping it around her body and followed him silently back to the bedroom. She glanced around to see if there was anywhere else she was supposed to sleep when he crawled underneath his blankets before figuring that she was to sleep beside him. If he didn't want her to, she guessed he would say something as she climbed into bed. He didn't. She laid on her side, facing away from him and curled up beneath the blankets. His body temperature radiated beneath the covers, but she wasn't bothered by that. She couldn't even be bothered to ask for a shirt to sleep in - he would've denied it anyway, she was sure of that. It took a while for her to fall asleep as her body wouldn't relax enough being beside him until she was exhausted and couldn't fight it off anymore.

Flora didn't stay asleep though. Hours later, the nightmare returned, as it did every once in a while. Flames engulfed everything; she could feel her lungs filled with smoke and the screams of her people. She was no older than seven and too frightened to get out of her bed; the fire had reached the front of their home already, licking at the wood to get in, to burn everything in sight. She could hear screams, screams of everyone in the village, cries for help, her name being called by her mother, her father. Flora awoke with a gasp, sitting up straight. It felt like fire under the blankets so she quickly pushed them away, falling out of the bed and scooting back up against a wall. She was still gasping as if there really was smoke in her lungs and she could still hear the screams echoing in her ears. Curling up in the fetal position, Flora could feel tears stinging at her eyes as she shook.

Benjamin walked with her to her room, nodding to the guard at her door before stepping inside with the princess. Only a few guards have been privi'ed to see the inside of her room, of any of the royals' rooms unless there was reason they needed to be in there like a life or death situation, or unless you were Princess Marcella's guard of choice for the moment. He hadn't much time to look around before she started to undress and capture his attention. She was far more beautiful standing there naked than he could have ever imagined. Benjamin walked up behind her when she stood at her window and placed his hands on her hips delicately. It was in this moment that she looked vulnerable, as if one wrong touch could break the girl into a thousand little pieces. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked, though his eyes remained on her and her alone.

Simon watched as she climbed into bed beside him, curling up and facing away from him on the far side of the bed. It was to be expected of her to act like that, and he let her have it, exhaustion weighing down his bones and putting a damper on the trails of madness that ran through his head. He stayed half asleep for awhile, aware of the sound of her breathing and the stiff, slight movements of her body. Her discomfort laying beside him rolled off her in waves, and Simon could only lay there until sleep pulled him away in order to be free of it. Simon awoke some time later to the sound of a gasp and a thump, rising up in the bed and supporting himself on one arm as he looked over to Flora's side of the bed. His curls were smushed up on the side of his head, and he wiped some of them that were falling into his eyes, blinking through the darkness as he noticed Flora was on the ground, hyperventilating. He slipped from the bed, waving his hand to illuminate the room by lighting a few candles so that it was no longer dark. Simon looked over her, grabbing a robe from the wall and draping it around himself, before moving into his closet for a moment and returning with one of his undershirts. He kneeled down to the floor, the shirt in his hands, laying it down on his lap and keeping his hands there as well. He was sure she would move away if he tried to touch her, which would be counterproductive at best. He could feel heat coming from her skin, and he moved his hand subtly, washing a wave of cool air and calm over her easily, just to aid her back to normal quicker. "Did you have a night terror?" He asked, speaking quietly, seeing the fear consuming her eyes and shaking her body and regarding it with familiarity. "You're awake now, Flora, you are back in reality and everything is calm and you are alright, little girl," Simon continued, his voice smoothed over and deep, speaking in low tones, trying to usher out the feelings she was experiencing. He wished to touch her, knew that his magic would work better with touch, but he kept himself back and just watched her breathe and shake. He didn't know why he felt so inclined to console her, when he could be having a much better time feeding off of her fear and using her energy to channel his magic into something so much greater than he could ever achieve, which is something that he had been aching to do since she had arrived. However, he kept his hands back, only using his magic to calm her as his eyes watched her carefully.

Marcella felt a shiver run through her body when she felt Benjamin behind her, his hands moving to her hips and remaining there with a soft touch. When he spoke, she turned her head to see what he was looking at, at what was beautiful, and saw his eyes on her. She smiled, returning a quiet hum in answer to his words and then turned her body around so that she was facing him, and she moved even closer, pressing up against him and letting a small sigh fall past her lips in reaction to the feeling. "I believe that I would much prefer you to not have any clothes on, Benjamin, as it would look and feel much better. I'm a little lonely, all unclothed by myself," She said with a smirk, her lips upturning into a half smile as she looked up into his eyes. Her hand moved and all of the buttons of his shirt unbuttoned, leaving it hanging open against his chest, exposing a small sliver of skin that was beneath. Marcella moved a hand to the opening, fingers exploring over the smooth plains of the muscles of his chest and following up to his shoulders, where she started to slip off the shirt that he was wearing.