Cat Caught Your Tongue?; Stillwater

Stillwater

There was a sense of foreboding hanging over him as he drifted from the meeting. A grudging respect had gently blossomed for his Queen. However. Uncertainty and doubt began slowly poisoning it. Men have their uses, she'd said. Then her eyes had met his. His blood had chilled, then ran hot. He'd flashed her a silent warning in his return stare. Then he'd left.

Whatever she had planned, she'd have to call on him herself. And she would learn he was no pawn. He would not defy her; she was his Queen. But he would not submit to her every wish either, if she intended such things. There were reasonable limits. And he bowed to no one.

He became slowly aware of something stalking him as he trailed the coastline. He splashed gently through water at the lip where ocean kissed sand, casually making his way to his home. Hungry eyes burned his cool skin, prickled the hair along his spine. His step never faltered, and he continued his path to his large cavern. Either they would do something, or they'd grow bored of their game and leave him be.

Ah, but boredom wasn't on the agenda for today, it seemed, and with a feral roar the lioness threw herself from the brush and directly into his path. "Perhaps I'll eat your tongue," she threated. He paused his gentle walk, not too eager to deliver himself to her hungery jaws. Her snout wrinkled delicately, displaying pearly white fangs. He tilted his head just a little as he studied them.

Those are far too clean for your age. Not too skilled in hunting, perhaps? he commented tonelessly. He knew her scent; she was the brutish one with the quick temper. Her fire was admirable, but she had poor aim with it, channeled it with failing words. She seemed to put her faith in the searing heat behind what she said, and not really put much thought into what she was actually saying.

I'm sure my black kitten wouldn't mind teaching you a thing or two in that regard.

He dropped a heavy hoof into the water and a splash fanned out toward her, testing her tolerance for water.
Cats hate water, don't they.
Here kitty, kitty, he thought playfully. Come for a swim.
Come take a swipe at me. Harm me.

Give Nayl a reason to banish you.
Give me a reason to kill you.

Stillwater

His words seemed to provoke her anger, though instead of acting, she sat on her haunches. It was not the normal reaction to be expected and caused him to study her more closely. Still angry, her tail swiped violently across the sand, disturbing the naturally sweeping pattern painted by the tide. Her muscles bunched taut, coiled to spring. A hidden smile tightened the corner of his mouth. The sea trickled over his feet as the tide ebbed in, a soothing caress across his skin.

When he mentioned Naga, his black kitten, she seemed to pause. The gears of her mind squeaked into play as she took his words to heart. So she could see wisdom when she wished, when it suited her. Naga could surely teach her a thing or two. It was pleasing to see she wasn't just a cotton-headed feline after all, that she could think through things for herself. But she was still rash and foolish in her actions.

"Well, perhaps I should practice?"
She retreated from his spray of water. He smiled knowingly. She was so quickly ignited, this little firecracker. So easily provoked into thoughtless action, acting before considering the consequences. Too easy.

Despite that he was standing in the water and her natural dislike of it, she recoiled and sprang at him. It was so tempting to take her. But this would suit him better. He stood unmoving as her claws pierced his skin, scratched deep into the muscle of his shoulder. He hissed with the pain, his teeth clamping tight. It was bearable, manageable. He rode the wave like an old friend, examining every sensation, every twitch of his nerves. As the pain dulled, a broad smile slowly grew on his face and he turned dark eyes on her.

Her eyes glowed from the power of her little success. So new, so inexperienced. She raised her weapon and licked it slowly clean, meeting his eyes as she did it. His dark smile widened and gray-blue eyes danced with danger.

Good kitty, he purred low, his voice deep and velvety. She must know Nayl would throw her out if she knew Celeana had attacked without proper cause. It certainly wasn't self-defense when he was the only one with a wound and she a lethal predator. He had no reason to attack her, no excuse like she and her aim for vengeance. Foolish kitty. So perfectly unwise. And now she was his.

He watched her intently as she cleaned the last claw.
Do you taste it, my kitten? he said low, so soft. Warm fluids slowly trickled out of his wounds, slipping to the water where little red drops exploded in watery clouds of color. Do you taste it in my blood? That subtle difference. The one a fine cat like you might come to crave after they've tasted it.

How would you like to crave me? To know I am the only one that can sate that hunger. Like a vampire out for his blood alone. She was too easy. Too irrational. Perhaps one day she would learn not to act in such haste, but for now he would relish in her mistake. Did she really think Nayl would not notice the marks against his perfect flesh? He and the Queen were never apart for long enough for the wounds to have time to fully heal in her absence. She would see them. She would ask.

And would he tell?

He chuckled low and stepped closer to her, his back legs still brushed so sweetly by the sea.
You're going to be a good kitty, now won't you? Act on my bidding and no one has to learn about this unfortunate incident. He turned to walk away, but stopped and flashed her a look of feigned innocence.
Oh. Unless you were wanting me to parade before all Nerine like your little trophy? Proof of the lengths you'll go to claim your own justice? What would you do to the Queen, I wonder, for taking your lover's little crown? He laughed, deep and clear from the barrel of his chest. Shaking his head, he continued his path home as blood marked his trail like Hansel's bread crumbs. You are mine, kitten.

I'll call for you when I have need of you.