A Fragile Alliance [ELARA] "Come on, Elara," Magnus urges, his voice barely containing his fury as his hand comes to rest on my arm. I flinch at the contact, burnt by his touch. When I see my arm, the skin there has turned a shade of pink. This is Morgana's work. I know it. "There's a council meeting now, Prince," an old, toothless man tells Magnus but he dismisses him with a wave of his hand. "Later, Lord Jaromir," he mutters. Ruelle calls out my name from a distance. Reflexively turning, I notice her rushing towards me through the departing crowd of courtiers, her face red with worry. I know she wants to warn me, but it's too late now. Magnus notices that my legs have turned to stone, and yanks at my arm. His grip is too tight, the pain searing through my flesh. 'It's more than just a physical grip,' I think to myself. A low growl escapes his lips before he begins dragging me away. I hesitate, resisting his pull but then he shoots me a glare that kills every rebellious fiber within me. I stumble. I hit myself on turns. But Magnus doesn't stop. I fear he's going to throw me off a tower before we even get to my chamber. Is he so furious to actually do that? - We're glanced upon by soldiers that line the palace hallways; ministers that just witnessed what I did, and others - who are quick to put their heads down. This isn't a romantic display; it's cruelty and they know it. Dragging me around like this like I'm some wild beast. It's humiliating, but I can't protest. I'm weaker than him. He's the alpha after all. Magnus doesn't let go of my arm until we're inside my chamber, and then he slams me to the bed harshly. I miss hitting my head against the bedpost by mere inches. "What were you thinking, Elara?" he fumes, his whip-like voice cutting through the air. "Only those in the tent that night knew about the attack! And now the whole of Caelondor does, thanks to you." I steady myself, getting off the bed and back on my feet. If I have to do this, I have to bear the courage to look into his eyes. No matter how scared I am on the inside. Magnus clenches his jaw as he watches me walk to him. With every step, he seems to get taller. More intimidating. But I hold my chin high even though my pounding heart gives me away. "Not just those in the tent. Morgana does," I mumble. "How am I supposed to know that it was to be kept a secret?" I question him, my voice coming out hoarse. I clear my throat and try again, knowing well that I'm still going to look like a mouse in front of a lion. "You never told me that, Magnus! That girl out there lost her sister in the worst way possible, and she's not even given a chance to say goodbye to her!" "You don't understand what's at stake here!" he says, walking away only to slam his fists on the table. It cracks into two, sending the bowl of fruits and the goblets and chalice ratting to the floor. Although I scoff, I try to calm my voice. Both of us can't lose our heads. At least I can't despite all the stupid words coming out of his mouth. "How am I supposed to understand? I know nothing about this place. I know nothing about you. I don't know why you're doing what you're doing. You're keeping Alec imprisoned. He's a rogue! But he's the only one who's not a stranger here and still, I try to put him out of his misery. And then you get mad at me for attempting to do that when you never told me you were trying to cure him! How was I supposed to know that you weren't just keeping him imprisoned in your personal dungeon just so you torture him and get pleasure out of it?" "I bet you've heard many horrible things about me, but I'm not that man, Elara," Magnus claims, his voice lowering down to just a whisper. I shake my head. "You're saying the rumors about you being cruel and wicked aren't true. But your actions so far make it seem like there might be some truth to them, even if you're not disabled or ugly on the outside." 1/3 His golden eyes narrow at me, and I think I might have struck a nerve. Regardless, I continue, "Magnus, you told me you didn't want my love, my affection. But it seems like you need my understanding. Let me tell you in case you didn't know - I'm not a mind reader. So, you have to tell me. Talk to me. It's that simple." I bury my hands in my loose curls, letting out a heavy sigh. My head is pounding and I want to run. Escape to Mistral Hollow. But it's not possible. So, I make myself sit on the bed again. A moment passes before I see Magnus striding towards me. He stops a step away, and questions, "What is that?" Looking up, I find him studying the handprint seared on my arm. Exactly where he gripped it. "How is that...? I didn't do it," he declares, but his voice is filled with disbelief. He shuts his eyes briefly and seems to understand what exactly happened. "Morgana," he whispers. Then to my surprise Magnus sits on the edge of the bed. His hand reaches out to touch my arm, but he withdraws instantly when he probably realizes it'll just make it worse. I make myself look at his face, and for once don't see scorn there. There's a softness in his eyes, similar to the one I noticed in the carriage when I was sleeping in his lap. He's struggling to appear calm, but he does a good job at it. I take in the features of Magnus' face while I have the chance. His stubbled jaw that's almost always clenched, now relaxed. His lips set in a thin line, the outline of his face marked by the long strands of his dark hair. His face is smooth, not betraying his alpha lineage. He can never be hideous, I realize. He's too handsome. Too blessed by the goddess. It feels strange sitting so close to him while there are no words being exchanged. Just plain silence surrounding us. When I finally see his hypnotizing eyes, I find they're fixed on my face. But they don't give me a clue about what he's thinking. Is his wolf telling him something now? Finally, he speaks, cutting me out of my trance. He looks away as he admits, "I lost someone to rogueness. Long ago. It made me obsess over finding a way out, and now I have a chance." There's a long pause, making me wonder how difficult it is for him to confess any of this. "I didn't want to marry anyone. My uncle forced me to. But now that you're here, you have to understand that you can't trust anyone. Anyone but me. Funny, isn't it? But, Elara, you have to believe me on that. This place is not safe. Step one foot out of the line and you'll find yourself entangled in courtly politics, and soon you'll be a pawn in their game ready for disposal whenever needed." "You're a part of the game too," I emphasize, glancing at the handprint on my arm. It's beginning to lighten but it still hurts the same. "I have a game of my own, and I intend to not make you a part of it. Because players die like flies here, and I don't want your death on my conscience. I already have too many to account for," he declares, his voice dangerously serious. "You have to be very careful about what you say and what you do. Anything you say against their favor, and the snakes out there will bite you and they won't worry about the consequences." I hold my breath, not exactly understanding what he's saying but enough to know that it should scare me to silence. Magnus' voice takes on a sharp edge and the softness in his eyes dissolves completely. "Come to me first if you get any crazy ideas. Tell me before you tell the court. Now let's go see Kayla while I still delay the council meeting. I'll have many questions to answer today." 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