[Color=#b49ad0][h2]Lienna Orhhneaht[/h2][/color]

At the her new ‘husband’s (well, whom she now knew was named [i]Prince[/i] Rynek) reprimanding, Lienna bowed her head in apology, following obediently when he turned to leave the ballroom. As she walked, back straight and chin up (she would retain some dignity; she may be owned now, but she was owned my a [i]prince[/i]) she almost had to run to keep up with Rynek’s long strides. Not only was she claimed by a Drakken, but a Drakken prince at that. Drakken royalty was determined by the strong and brutal; she’d even heard of the Drakken Prince who’d been leading his army into the South. Lienna wasn’t sure what this ‘marriage’ would mean for her. Would she be treated better, for the dignity of the royal family? Or worse, because her husband was bound to be especially heinous? The uncertainty spiked sickness through her gut, sharp spines of dread growing and pulsing in her abdomen. 
As the three of them left the ballroom, they had to pass the staircase which lead to the dressing rooms. Lienna looked behind her as quickly as she dared, casting a short yet solemn look in the direction of the room where her original clothes lay. She’d likely never have reason to wear furs again, and she’d miss the secure feeling of trousers as opposed to dresses. 

[color=sandybrown][i]"I understand that many Drakken prefer to brand their brides in case of escape. Although I might have to do this later, I would prefer to have you know not to escape. Ever.”[/i][/color]

Lienna had snapped to attention when Rynek suddenly spoke. Shocked, she did not reply, but folded her hands and looked straight ahead until something began to feel…off. 

Of all things, she began to feel very warm. At first she thought it was nervousness, but it quickly escalated past any preconception of normalcy; her dress [i]was[/i] heating up, quickly growing from odd, to uncomfortable, to outright painful. Within seconds she felt her skin flaring up, as if someone had dunked her in scalding water. er dress felt tight, and heated as if it were metal. [Color=#b49ad0][i]A fire elemental,[/i][/color] Lienna realized. It didn’t take a genius to guess. 
She pulled at the neckline of her dress, willing the burning to subside in the tighter areas. Then she drew what water there was in the air to her dress, wetting it more than she expected in an effort to cool it. The only effect it had, however, was to make the ever-hotter dress cling to her flesh more. 
She tried not to show her pain, but she had no doubt Rynek knew it. Finally and shamelessly, she fumbled with the ties of her dress, releasing the upper bodice of the dress and letting it hang loose, away from her skin but still covering her, held on by her sleeves. 

Of course, it was then that the heat stopped. As quickly as it came the heat was gone, and the dress was back to a normal temperature. Looking back, it couldn’t have been more than half a minute. Lienna wasn’t sure if the flush in her pale face was from the heat or the bodice that now hung loose, leaving her breasts easily viewable from the sides. She was compelled to try and fix her dress, but fought the urge, instead trying to appear unpurturned by her new condition. She’d told herself that she would be the perfect wife if she needed to, and it wouldn’t hurt to at least pretend she wasn’t shy about herself around her new husband. After all, she told herself, he [i]was[/i] her husband. Technically, it shouldn’t bother her. Even as she thought it, a new twist formed in her stomach. 

[color=sandybrown][i]"Make no mistakes. If any of you choose to run, only death awaits you. I control every fibre of your mortality now and I will be more than willing to steal your life away from you if you leave me. I could kill you now if I wished to. Snuff out your being with a gentle shift…”[/i][/color]

Of course, it had all been a threat. The man didn’t even need to [i]look[/i] at them to have them in his total control. The shock was almost beginning to wear off at this point, but Lienna couldn’t help but feel a flurry in her gut, a mixture of dread and sick exhilaration. The very thought disgusted her, but she pushed it out of her mind and focused on walking. 

Eventually, they got outside and came to a caravan waiting outside Shadow Worth. Lienna welcomed the cool mountain air over her still-flushed skin, a shiver running through her as the wind chilled the wet fabric of her dress. There was an ornate carriage waiting for them, flanked front and back by mounted warriors who kept their gaze respectfully forward, glancing over the Prince’s new wives with little more than boredom. Renee helped them up into the carriage one at a time, paying extra attention to Lienna’s behind as he did so. Though he was gentle, she could feel the bridled strength in his hands, his arms as he lifted her. It was intimidating, to say the least, and combined with his comments as he introduced her and Amaryllis to the southern Princess in the carriage and his attempted dirty joke inside, Lienna could form a decent idea of her near, bleak future. 

Much to Lienna’s hidden delight, Rynek did not join them in the carriage, apparently choosing instead to ride among his men. Expecting a hero’s welcome, she figured. Though she was excited for a few hours without him to deal with her own emotions, she made herself look disappointed, leaning out of the window and reaching to gently caress his shoulder as he walked away. [Color=#b49ad0]“Not riding with us, my Prince?”[/color] she asked sweetly, not really expecting an answer. 

[@NarcissisticPotato] [@HylianRose]