Sabine felt oddly calm as she walked naked through her new prison, the new chambers Lord Talos had taken such care in providing for her. It hadn't been very long since she had been in tears over his torment and interrogation, as she was forced to admit what had happened with the soldiers. She wondered if this new calm was due to the tea he had insisted she drink, apparently it was supposed to help her body recover from injury, but it felt like it was causing her to be placid more than anything.
Talos was still there as she left the secluded corner where her new bed was. He had a surprise for her, although Sabine didn't exactly care about any surprises he might have, if anything the idea frightened her, but he had given her time to rest before calling her from the bed, and he watched with his visible eye, pleased that she was looking over the room. He wanted to ask if she liked it but he was fairly certain that her answer would most likely be offensive. Talos was aware that he had a temper, and most recently he had decided he should start taking partial blame when she became agitated and he had to 'punish' her. He decided the best way to avoid a spat with his new lover was to stay silent over the smaller things, at least until she got used to the idea that he would never let her leave him. He had decided that in time she would admit to the undeniable way that she felt when he touched her, and maybe then she would be able to really talk to him, the way he wanted her to.
Sabine stopped in front of a sofa and looked down at the pink gown he had laid out for her, the silky material matching his own darker attire. He had thought the color would look perfect against her smooth skin and olive eyes. He was waiting for her reaction, her sign of approval, almost the way he did when he ravaged her, but she looked uninterested and he was becoming easily annoyed.
"Do you like it?" He finally asked.
"It's a dress."
"You're observant." He remarked, "Do you like it?"
He watched her run her hand over the thin material for a moment before he let out a breath and lifted the gown, taking her by surprise as he carefully pulled it over her head. She lifted her arms in compliance and allowed him to straighten the gown over her body and then fasten the back of the dress, pulling it tight around her waist, lifting her breasts just slightly.
"I thought you might like a change." He explained.
"Meaning clothing?"
"Yes, there is a closet over there, there are other gowns... would you rather be naked? Because I wouldn't mind."
She felt his hand curve over her ass and she stepped away from his wandering fingers to face him.
"I just don't think I've worn a dress since I was a child." She replied.
Talos frowned as he remembered what she was wearing when she had first arrived, pants and armor like a man. He had cut those cloths off of her, and in his opinion he had done her a favor.
"A dress suits you." He stated, "And you should get used to wearing them... I have something else for you, here."
Talos had unexpectedly presented her with an envelope, it had already been opened but she immediately recognized her family seal and involuntarily sat on the arm of the sofa as she opened the letter and began to read, paying no attention to Talos behind her as he lifted her hair from her shoulders, twisting and twirling it over her head and dropping it again in repeated motions.
"My brothers know I'm here?" Sabine said, "They are threatening to come get me... why are you showing me this?"
"You may write back to them." Talos replied.
Sabine was surprised by the offer but then became utterly suspicious.
"You mean you will tell me what to write."
"You may say what you like, but I must urge you to insist they do not do anything foolish, there is no need for bloodshed."
"You intend to keep me prisoner and you think there will be no more bloodshed?"
"Don't think of yourself of a prisoner Sabine. I will give you more freedom as soon as I learn to trust you."
"You expect me to believe that?" She demanded.
"I suppose I can't expect that of you just yet, but to show you that I am true to my word, you may have visitors. Your brothers and your mother may come here, but there must be no guards involved, and you will not be allowed to leave the grounds."
He watched as Sabine stared at the letter and then tears began to swell in her eyes. This was difficult for him to understand, after all, considering the past he was being more than generous. He caringly touched her shoulder anyways.
"Don't be sad, my Sabine, it will get better, I promise you."
She suddenly slapped his hand from her shoulder and glared up in fury, remembering her mother.
"My mother is dead." She informed him.
Talos was just getting over the sudden slap to his hand, he was going to show her it was a mistake to touch him like that but her words seemed to stop him, and as he took in the information Sabine noticed some strain in his face, like he actually cared. She knew better than to believe he cared, and her brief question over the matter was put to rest when he turned his back on her and began to walk towards the door to leave. She suspected he would lock it and leave her there until he felt like ravaging her again, but instead he opened the door into the hall and waited.
"Come with me Sabine." He called, "You can return the letter to your brothers later."
She stared at the opened door. He wanted her to go out? Why? And where? She was once again baffled and several moments passed as he waited.
"I'd prefer it if you would come now." He said, his tone growing impatient.
Sabine stood up and obediently followed him from the room. It was no surprise that he threatened her with a 'punishment' if she were to misbehave while they went on their way. Sabine didn't seem to care. Whatever medicine he had given her made her tired anyways, and much too docile to try anything. She'd bet that he had planned it this way, making sure she would be in no condition to escape if he took her out. She didn't know where they were going. It was the first time she had been able to see the fortress, but in her current state she felt like they were wandering into one corridor after another, almost like they were going in circles, and then she realized the dark halls themselves went in circles.
Sabine noticed some guards in the halls. It made her uneasy, partly because of her previous experiences and partly because she was a prisoner here in her enemy's home. She also felt out of place, barefoot and wearing the gown Talos had selected for her. She knew it was better than being naked but she never would have chosen a gown such as this to wear, the kind that made it easy to see she was bare underneath. She felt herself crossing her arms over her chest, her nipples tightening from the chill of the halls. It was not like Sabine to walk with her head bowed, but lately she was beginning to feel like only a shadow of the woman she had once been. Talos noticed her discomfort and took her hand, leading her as he held her against him, bringing her to feel safe. Safe? What was she thinking? How could she possibly look to her captor as her protector, her savior? She couldn't think, not as her thoughts swayed through the fogginess of her mind.
"Lord Talos." She finally said.