Grant A Wish

Silence fell, dead silence. Only the birds could be heard, and her heavy, seething breath.

Moments passed, and none moved.

Anger slowly simmered down, and the violent storm settled. The green had become serene once more and turned pleading to him.

" I will break you and make you whole again," Corvin muttered, pulling his hand out of his pocket and tugging on her tunic.

" No," Iris swatted his hand, and the storm began ravaging once more.

The corner of his lips tugged and raised his hand once more to tug on her tunic. A gesture that was welcomed with a slap, and a failed attempt to run.

Pinned against the wall, Iris watched Corvin lean in, nuzzling her neck," You'll do as you are told. Otherwise, there will be consequences," He crooned as he pulled away, wickedly smiling.

" No. I'd rather die," Her voice cracked, tears pooled in her eyes, and began trembling.

" You don't get to choose anymore," He crooned, " Undress," He demanded again, as he pulled away and let go of her hands.

" No," Another refusal.

" Have it your way," Corvin muttered, smiling and closing the distance pressing his chest against her, trapping her between him and the wall.

Slowly he raised his hand, brushing her features with the back of his hand. His hand slowly trailed down to her neck and stopped when he reached her shoulders. Curling his fingers around the hem of her tunic, in one swift move he ripped the tunic in half.

Her breath hitched and flinched at the feel of their bare bodies, at the warmth of his skin on hers.

His hands traced her arms, as they trailed back to her shoulders, in a featherlight touch.

And from her shoulder back down, grazing the sides of her breasts with the back of his fingers, down to her waist.

Eyes on each other. The storm had settled again. Anger had simmered down, replaced by curiosity or astonishment. A drawn-out inhale when he slipped his fingers into the waistband of her skirt and pushed it down along with her undergarments. Painful slowly, caressing her thighs, as her skirt pooled at her feet. Iris gulped when his fingers began trailing up tracing her curves, brushing against her breasts and settling around her neck.

Entranced by the vivid emerald green of her eyes, he stayed like that skin-to-skin, feeling every hitch in her breath at his touch. Her heavy breathing, the fall and rise of her chest with each breath she took.

" I expect you to be naked when I walk into this room," He broke the silence as he pulled away, letting his hands fall to his side.

Silence was the only answer, as Iris pushed herself off the wall and took a step forward.

" Never," Her breathy reply made Corvin chuckle, as he turned around and sauntered to the bed and picked up the ledger that she was leafing through earlier.

" Suit yourself," He crooned, leaning against the headboard," On the bed," He patted the spot beside him when she remained rooted to her spot.

" I'd rather," She took a deep breath

" Die," Corvin chuckled," You keep saying that," He amusedly sighed," Now sit on the bed," He reprised perusing the ledger as Iris, complied and sat on the edge of the bed. It will have to do for now.

Deadly eyes, filled with venom watched him, awaiting an opportunity to strike. Fisting the sheets, Iris let out a shuddering breath. Perhaps in an attempt to reign in her rattled spirit and regain some control.

" The treasury is not empty," Corvin raised his head to look at her. Still seething. He concluded from the scorned look on her face.

" We have no interest in Umayad, but Oros's granaries would come in handy," Corvin cleared his throat and clicked his tongue when Iris remained still, with her eyes on him.

" As soon as things are settled, we will pay a visit to Arvun. The trade relationship has come to a halt during Amon's reign. We cannot provide them with an army, but the south has forests and grazing pastures. Re-establishment of the trade should be easy." Corvin finished his thoughts, as he pushed himself off the bed and sauntered to the door.

A knock came the moment his hand touched the knob. The servants were bringing dinner.

He took the tray asked for bath water, and closed the door into their face.

" Dinner is served," Corvin said as he pulled the chair and waved for her to take a seat.

" I'm not hungry," Iris mumbled under her breath and tugged on the sheets trying to cover herself. In an attempt to hold on to the last shred of dignity, she had left.

Corvin sighed but decided not to battle her any longer and sat down at the table.

" What are going to do with me?" She dared to ask and glanced over her shoulder only to see him behind her.

" Whatever I want," He said as he picked her up off the bed and placed her on the chair next to him.

Corvin growled when she just absently stared at the food before her.

" Tell me, Iris," Corvin leaned back in his chair measuring her from head to toe," Do you really wish to die?" He picked up the dagger that he'd placed earlier on the table and stretched his hand towards her.

" Take the dagger," He urged her," If you want so badly to die. I won't stop you but I won't do it for you either. I'm afraid you'll have to do it yourself. I can tell you where it's most effective and painless," She raised her eyes from the table and looked at the dagger in his hand.

" The heart would be quickest," He added when Iris stretched her hand and wrapped her fingers around the blade and with that, he let go of the knife.

" You'll let me die," She whispered, staring at the dagger in her hand.

" Yes. Once it goes through your heart there's not much anyone can do," He leaned back in his chair waiting for her to do the deed.

She wavered for a moment, and turned the dagger, placing the tip of the dagger just over her heart.

Closing her eyes, Iris exhaled and gripped the hilt tighter. Time slowed, as she stood there with a blade in her hand eyes closed. The rapid rise and fall of the chest was a sign that she was considering it. There won't be a second chance. A tear escaped, streaking down her cheek, and fell on the blade. The sound of the tear hitting the blade echoed in his ears, over and over as more tears began to fall.

The blade fell on the stone floor with a clatter followed by a sob. It was a gamble handing her the blade but he wanted her to realise that she didn't want to die.

A strangled sob, echoed in the room, and a pair of red-rimmed emerald eyes met his, pained.

" I've lost everything," A choked-up sob and then it all came crashing down.

Keening, curled on herself on the wooden chair, Iris sobbed inconsolably. Grief-stricken, cries and intelligible words muffled by more cries filled the room and his ears.