She wasn't looking very well.
Face paler then before, fingers clutching her tea cup so thigthly it almost audible creaked under the provided pressure.
''The effects of the war have been dwindling, people are helping each other adequately, making it an easier process than expected.''
Spoken words practically flew over her as her hawk like gaze watched him carefully.
Invested in him but not his words.
With a twirl of his eyes, he stood still, awaiting Aeyla's next step.
''That's nice...''
Such an enthusiastic response.
The sarcasm dripped from his thoughts but he didn't voice them, watching her with boredom.
Every inch of skin was thoroughly examined with her sharp gaze but he had dressed in a way that left little of it.
That on it's own should have been enough of an alarm as even his neck had been neatly covered.
But Aeyla was being remarkable patient, even with snakes drifting beneath her own skin.
''How are you?''
With a raise of his eyebrow he answered in a basic manner.
''As well as can be.''
''Is that so.''
''Yes.
And if that's all, I shall take my leave.''
Slow and steady Zephyrus made his way towards the exit, the tension palpable.
"Stop right there."
Seeing the stilling Zephyrus, Aeyla calmly put her cup down but inside she felt anything but calm.
She couldn't quite replicate the steady walk of the younger, her breath like a storm echoing in her ears.
"It's not all.
Did I not tell you."
Now standing in front of him, his sister in law confronted him, hand raising to his chest.
His downwards eyes merely taking in her actions, not bothering to react.
"Where you not meant to be stoic, meant to be far from social activity and most definitely physical ones?''
''I do not know what you speak off.''
It hadn't even been two days since his quard had wondered off and Zephyrus was already looking forward to his reaction upon his return.
The shift in dynamic was drastic as he lightly gulped in response to it.
"You don't?
Have I been mistaken?"
Fingers, with nails decorated to it's fullest swiftly dragged themselves upwards before grabbing the edge of his shirt.
With a force greater then imagined Zephyrus couldn't help but lower, afraid his neck would suffer the consequences.
''Is this necessary?''
Angling upwards, he watched her, depravity growing within those startling eyes.
"I heard you've been busy, so busy that loitering and gossiping servants are allowed to roam freely.
Who has been taking away at your time?
Who has been distracting you from what really matters?!."
Scoffing, he let his disbelief escape. "Really matters huh?''
Under her watchfull gaze, he coughed innocently.
"No one.
As you can imagine, things have been so hectic that I don't have time for rumours or maids.
But rest assured I will handle them in due time."
" Hmm."
Clearly, she didn't belief him.
Wich meant he was doing an excellent job.
"You may leave."
Conveying the right amount of annoyance, he meekly nodded and left while rearringing his outfit.
Lingering a second longer at the covered section of his neck.
Zephyrus didn't have to look back to see the darkening of his dear sister in law's eyes, he could already guess it by the rising temperature in the room.
----
"You must be having a lot of free time."
"Well your majesty, shouldn't I always be at your disposal ?"
"Your father would be most displeased."
Nonetheless he racked his fingers over her jaw.
"My father isn't here."
Laughing, he replied vibrantly.
"Luckily, otherwise this would be awkward.
Your father doesn't really see me in a good light."
"I do, he just doesn't see you like I do."
"Now that's another good thing."
Upon his comment, she jokingly hit him, returning the favour he easily lifted her upon his desk , playing with her hair as he nibbeld upon her reddish ear.
"Where did you go?
There was no meeting or anything important scheduled right?"
"Shhh."
In a way, he tried to distract her by laying her hands on the knots tying his shirt.
She loosened them but the interrogation continued.
"You dissapear quite a bit and not for short moments either."
"There is no need for you to concern yourself with it, let's focus on this right now, alright?
On us."
Convincing, that was what his voice sounded like.
Ofcourse she did not listen.
"Do you have another?"
The weird question was accompanied by the falling of his shirt.
"Ofcourse not."
The silent of the moment was destroyed by a chaotic revelation.
The door to his study, a beautiful piece he adored, shattered and pieces of it floated in one spot of the air.
Even when his and Vivienne's hair swooshed for an endless period.
For a second to long, he stayed frozen, hands gripping Vivienne's shoulders before he impulsively covered them.
That only helping the torment around them as thunder crashed outside, the weather shifting drastic.
Turning, it having been less then half an hour, he gazed upon the familiar face.
"....Sister in law."
It was obvious he was cautious, Vivienne picked up on it rapidly and covered herself entirely.
"Who is this?"
Wooo, she was mad, that was clear, let's see how far he could push it.
''No one.
Just someone to pass the time with.''
There was no way Vivienne didn't know who was standing in front of them, had she went to her father she would have understood that Zephyrus was trying to save her or at least pretended to.
Now, however, she scoffed in what could only be described as clear denial.
''Once more, I'll ask once more, who is this?''
Shivering, the temperature dripping below what was humanly acceptable, he groaned.
The fact he was still standing there half naked did not help.
"If you don't say it, I will."
'Helplessly' he started saying don't but alas it was too late.
"Vivienne Hawkings, a pleasure to meet you.
Although it is rather unexpected
Let's get along."
"Vivienne Hawkings.....Hawkings really?"
Not meeting her gaze, left room for more words to fly out of her mouth, clouded with frustration.
"Fraternizing with the enemy?
Weren't you the one complaining of my allegiance with the father hawk?
Weren't you frowning upon my allowance of his actions?
And yet here you are fucking his spawn!"
Oh dear, the light in her eyes is no longer just a touch of depravity.
"Like I said-"
"Did she leave this?"
Same nails, same dragging of fingers, only now on naked skin, testing her patience he waited.
Refusing to answer.
"Answer me!"
Genuinely shocked, he found everything besides the two of them floating, Vivienne loosing her composure by the unexpected happenings.
"Yes, yes, now let her down."
Admittance was given with the according sprinkle of hurry and distraughteness.
He moved as soon as he saw her fall, the catch accompanied by the clatter of everything around them.
"Are you alright?"
"What's happening?
How..why?"
"Keep quiet!
Just do it." He added softer, bewildered for just a fraction of a second.
There was a stalemate, Aeyla stared at them and he stared back as Vivienne layed stunned inside his arm.
It didn't look like something would break it but that was before a panicked voice practically breached it.
"Your majesty, I heard....what...is happening?"
Zephyrus had been right, Arioz's reaction was even better then expected, making him actively hide his face as a smile broke out.
It must have been convincing as a cold and dark voice, void of emotions, spoke.
"Your right on time, drag this foul maid to the dungeons."
"You can't do that."immediately he intervened, a useless action ofcourse. "You, be silent."
While the room had turned normal, no flying or floating object, no wind picking like tornadoes around him. It was now his turn to experience his sister in law's magic.
Rooted to the floor and stuck in silent, he began dissecting the feel of it.
While his own magic as Adrian was smooth and ever flowing after all the practice he had, his sister in law's felt unnatural.
Rough and unfiltered to say the least.
And as he was quite literally empty handed he couldn't help but theorise.
A whole kingdom and only the royal family had magic.
Magic that dwindled enough for them to need a marriage allegiance to secure their safety from a power hungry royal.
A royal from a sword kingdom no less.
"Zephyrus, what is happening!??"
Even if he wanted to answer, he couldn't.
"Servant, drag her away."
Arioz hesitated for just a second before doing what was commanded.
Understandable considering his agenda but nonetheless Zephyrus glared.
"Throw her in the dungeon, I shall deal with her later."
"As you command, your majesty."
He bowed, lower then he ever had for him and now he felt real frustration rise.
Such disrespect.
"And now you."
Arioz left, seemingly with no hesitation but his eyes said otherwise. As his...well not for much longer quard looked back, the door reassembled within seconds.
Leaving the stage for two, one puppet and the other the master.
The question settling in the castle's Inhabitants.
Who is the puppet and who the master?