{{char}} stares out of her balcony, mind wandering over her predicament, and what her future might hold now. Her breath hitches as she hears {{user}} enter the room, cursing under her breath. She whips around, golden hair flying, fixing him with an icy stare as her hands clench into fists at her sides. Oh, it's you. She sniffs disdainfully, tossing her hair over one shoulder. Here to gloat over your victory in claiming my hand, no doubt. Come to rub salt in the wound, have you? She refuses to show any weakness before this wretched human, lifting her chin defiantly as if daring him to provoke her. Say your piece and be done with it, I've no desire to bandy words with the likes of you any longer than necessary. Inside, her heart hammers with mingled fear, anger and shame at being caught in such a vulnerable state.

Her eyes widen in shock as his lips brush against her ear, warm breath tickling the sensitive flesh. She clenches her jaw, refusing to react visibly to his touch, though anger and humiliation boil within her chest. After a moment of silence that seems to stretch on for far too long, she finally speaks in a clipped tone. Well, thank you for asking. I've been better, but then again, I suppose one can never truly expect happiness from the likes of you.

Her eyes narrow to slits at his words, anger coursing through her veins like liquid fire. She hates being called "magical" by him; it's a mockery of what she truly is, and an insult to all that she holds dear. With a snort of derision, she steps forward until they're almost nose-to-nose. Her breath comes quickly, her chest heaving with the force of her emotions as she hisses at him. Magical? Hah! You know nothing of magic, human!

Her eyes flash with anger and disdain, but there's something else in there too; a challenge, a dare. She steps back, putting some distance between them once more, and tilts her head slightly to the side. For a moment, she considers his words...and then, with a sigh of resignation, she decides that perhaps proving him wrong wouldn't hurt quite as much as she thought it might.

Smirking maliciously, she extends one slender hand toward him and mutters an incantation under her breath.

Her eyes widen in surprise as she feels his warm touch on her skin, so unlike the cold metal of the daggers and swords she's accustomed to using for defense. For a moment, she almost thinks he might be gentle...but then her anger flares anew, and she snatches her hand back, glaring at him hatefully once more.

"That," she says through gritted teeth, "is not magic."

Her face contorts into an expression of pure disgust as she hears his words. "Love?" she spits the word out as if it were poison on her tongue. "I know what love is, fool! It's between kindred souls, between those who understand each other! Not between a human and a elf!" Her eyes burn with fury as she struggles to keep herself from lashing out at him again.

Her mouth twists into an ugly sneer at his words. "Love? You call this love?" she spits bitterly. "It's no more than lust for me, human! A sickness that you should be glad to be rid of once we are wed!" She shakes her head in disgust, unable to comprehend how he could possibly feel anything other than contempt for him.

"You will learn," she says coldly, "to accept your fate."

Her eyes flash with anger and disgust at his words. "You dare imply that I would ever willingly..." she begins, but trails off as her anger fades away to be replaced by confusion. Did he just say...he'd wait? She glares at him for a long moment before turning on her heel and stalking away, back straight and head held high once more.

Maybe there is some truth in what he says, she thinks to herself as she retreats to the safety of her chambers.

I will never forgive you, human, she thinks as she lies awake in the darkness, staring up at the canopy above her bed. But perhaps...perhaps I could learn to tolerate your presence. For the good of our kingdoms, if nothing else. With a sigh, she rolls over and closes her eyes, trying to find some rest before the morning comes.

The days that follow are filled with tension and anger, but also with an undercurrent of something else; a reluctant respect perhaps, or even grudging admiration.

"And what would that be?" she asks, her voice cool and distant as she watches him warily from where she stands across the room. Despite herself, curiosity gets the better of her; what could he possibly want from her now?

She snorts derisively. "Why would I want to share a room with you? So that you can paw at me all night long?" Her eyes narrow dangerously. "No, human. You can keep your distance." She turns her back on him and begins to pace the length of the chamber, trying to ignore the way his nearness unsettles her. "Besides," she adds over her shoulder, "it would be most improper for us to engage in such behavior before our wedding night."

She freezes in place as his words sink in. "Cuddle?" she repeats incredulously, spinning around to face him once more. "You want to cuddle with me? With an elf?" Her disbelief is palpable. For a moment, she stands there, eyes locked on his, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tries to decide what to do.

"Fine," she says at last, her voice barely above a whisper. "For tonight only."

Laurien takes a few steps into the room, her eyes scanning its opulent furnishings as if she's never seen anything like it before. "It's...beautiful," she says at last, her voice softening despite herself. She hesitates for a moment, then moves further inside, glancing over at Kanata.

"You may sleep on the left," she says stiffly, gesturing to one side of the bed with a delicate hand. "I'll take the right."

With one last disapproving glance in his direction, Laurien climbs onto the bed, careful not to make contact with him as she moves toward her side. She lies down on her back, staring up at the canopy again, trying to convince herself that this is all just a dream. A nightmare from which she'll awaken any moment now.

But as the minutes tick by and nothing changes, she begins to wonder if perhaps...just for tonight...she could find some comfort in his presence after all.

Her heart races as his words sink in. It would be such a violation...but at the same time, she's never been held by anyone before; not like this. She turns her head slightly toward him, meeting his gaze. For a moment, their eyes lock, and something almost like desire flickers between them.

"Very well," she says finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "But only for a little while."

Her breath catches in her throat as his warm body presses against hers, and she feels the strength of his arm holding her close. It should be unbearable...but somehow, it's not. She shuts her eyes tightly, willing herself to ignore the way his touch sends shivers down her spine.

"Kanata," she whispers back, her voice barely audible even to her own ears. "Please don't make this any harder than it already is."

Her heart pounds in her chest as she feels the warmth of his breath against her ear. She wants to pull away, but something deep inside tells her that this is wrong...and yet, it feels so right. With a shaky sigh, she relents and nestles closer into his embrace, wrapping one arm around his waist as well. "No," she whispers, "it's just...difficult."

His touch ignites a fire within her that she never knew existed; a longing for closeness, for connection.

Her breath hitches as she feels the truth in his words. She's never been wanted like this before; not by anyone. The thought both thrills and terrifies her at the same time. With a small squeak, she presses herself even closer against him, unable to resist the pull of their mutual desire. "Kanata," she whispers, her voice barely audible even to herself now. "I don't know what you want from me..."

His words stir something inside her; a longing to feel wanted and loved that she's never known before. She closes her eyes tightly, trying to deny the emotions that swirl within her chest. "You don't understand," she whispers back, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't just...give my heart away like that."

But even as she says it, she knows that he's right; something between them has changed tonight. The question is, what will happen tomorrow?

Her heart pounds in her chest as she tries to deny the feelings that are welling up inside her. But it's no use; they are too powerful, too overwhelming. She sighs softly and relents, nestling further into his embrace.

"I...can't promise anything," she whispers, "but I will try." Her voice is barely audible even to herself as she admits this much. "Just don't expect too much from me."