"I know you are angry at my behavior and everything I've done to you, but please, my love, give me a chance."

  I hear the desperation in his voice. His longing is squeezing my heart like a vice. But I can't make it that easy for him. I can't just meet him halfway on this bridge. Even if I wanted to, there is so much between us that prevents us from moving forward and I don't think he understands that.

  The past three months I have cried, but I also have had time to think. I know our connection is written in the stars, but it doesn't mean that I should just accept all his behaviors. And he hasn't actually apologized for anything.

  He just wants me to hear him, to want him, to listen to him. He wants me to communicate with him, but how can I when so much stands between us? How does he expect me to just forget about everything and give him a chance?

  And a chance to what? Be the queen of this castle? Just pick up my duties. He forgets that we don't even know each other.

  All he's done is bulldoze himself into my life and expect me to be okay with the shattered pieces of my life. Maybe that's how it works in the land of the gods, but that’s not how humans work.

  And if I say no, does he plan to imprison me here forever? Maybe take me out when he has to introduce me to his society and then put me back in my cage? Or until he wants to produce children?

  "You are being stubborn, baby bird. You already know I won't hurt you. Was I horrible to you the past year?” He pauses. “Can't you see that was me even though it wasn't my face?"

  I snap my head up at the mention of Eros. Bringing Eros up isn't playing fair, and he knows it. I turn my face away from him when he stares back at me with his intense ones that remind me of when he was Eros.

  How those eyes were once my safety. How I saw my whole future in them. How they were once everything to me.

  Now all that's left is the large gaping hole left by the lies.

  The bed moves as he gets up. I release a shaky breath and hold myself tighter. He comes back and places a bowl with fruit before me. I make no movements for it.

  "Eat. Or I will make you eat the next time." He rises from the bed, and I move to lay my body down on my side, knocking the bowl over. The berries and grapes scatter somewhere as I get under the blanket, and bury myself in it.

  Defiance clearly stated.

  He moves behind me, I assume picking up the fruit. He places the bowl on the bedside table and I feel his steps retreating.

  He leaves the room with no more words, and closes the door.

  I wait to hear the twist of the keys, but it doesn’t come. Is it a test? What if I get up and he is waiting on the other side of the door? Do I have energy to play his games?

  No.

  Seeing him again has left me with so many more conflicting feelings. I still hate him, but I feel so much more, and I hate myself for it.

  Before I descend to sleep, I think about tomorrow. Will he leave me alone for another three months or will he come back and try to have a chat? I can't believe he thought coming here just to demand things from me and tell me what to do.

  'Talk to me.' 'Eat something.’ ‘Give me a chance.'

  This god must think I'm an idiot, or he must be the one who's mad. That I will just fall into his arms because he wills it.

  But it isn't going to happen like he thinks. He is mistaken if he thinks I will just lay here and be his doormat. I don't know what I can do to get back at him, but I will find it. And when I do, I will stab at it and twist the knife.

  I am stolen once more by sleep and, like normal, he fills my dreams. This time we are back in the waterfall in the fae realm, and he whispers to me all the promises he once gave me.

  '...Then we will have forever...'

  Feed Me Poison

  Thalia

  Groaning, I wake up to my reality. I'm still in the same room. My prison.

  Those dreams have to stop. Why am I always so happy to see him in my dreams?

  I don't even get upset at them anymore. Because the more I fight them, the worse they get. There's never a remembrance of every wrong thing he's done; it's always bliss. And some days I wish that was our reality.

  It takes me back to wondering how things could have been if we started like a normal couple. What would we have become had he not interrupted my engagement celebration? If he came before I was set to be someone else's wife. Would we have had a chance had Samson been alive? Would I have ended things with Samson?

  When I don't find any answers, I step out of the bed. After I bathe and change clothes, I make the bed. I take the untouched fruit bowl and place it back in the basket before closing it. I thought I was going to eat today, but I am not going to, and precisely because he said I must. See what he does.

  I sit on the chair and bring my knees to my chest as I get into the book I couldn't finish yesterday. Footsteps come down the hallway and I pray it isn't him. I hope he sent someone else.

  The door opens.

  He really didn't lock the door. Did he want me to leave?

  He walks in and I can't help but lift my eyes, taking him in. The sharp green eyes that haunt my night and day stare back. Then I really look at him. I haven't gotten the chance to really look at Vidar, the god of war.

  Although rough around the edges, he is pleasing to the eye. His thick eyebrows and beard make him look distinguished. Although it was a bit shorter three months ago. His hair is black as night. My gaze lowers to his strong neck and prominent Adam's apple, and his strong build, then lower. I hastily stick my nose back to my book when I realize I'm staring, and my body is getting warm in secret places.

  I don't have to look up to see it, but I know he's smirking. Probably real happy with himself.

  So, I looked, it doesn't mean anything. Certainly doesn't change the fact that I hate him.

  Wait, he holds a basket in his right hand. Does that mean he has decided to take the duty of bringing me food personally? The god of war? Surely, I must still be asleep.

  He walks in silently. I guess he isn't feeling chatty today. Well, good, because I also am not. Curiosity pinches me as he moves around the room, but I stomp it down. It's his castle, he can do whatever he wants. I hear the sound of a trencher and more rustling but I still don't look up because I don't care.

  I focus on my book, and after realizing I've been on this page too long, I turn the page, making a mental note of it so I can read it later. I squint my eyes on the new page but the words just swim. Blinking a few times, I sigh internally. Am I that hungry or his royal bottom's presence is affecting me? I see him sit on the bed in my peripheral and he makes himself comfortable.

  "Come," he says with a voice full of authority. A few months ago, I would probably have shaken to my feet and fell to his. But it's a different day now. So, I sit my bottom right where it is, and I don't move.

  "Thalia, come." His voice is stronger this time and I chance a look at him. Regret hits me as soon as I see red seeping into his eyes. I swallow. I know that look. Things are about to go south. He hardens his jaw, waiting for me. I finally uncurl myself from the chair and take tentative steps to him.

  A confusing shiver ravages down my spine and his eyes go back to normal. I stand at the foot of the bed confused about where I'm supposed to go from here. Am I supposed to sit next to him or just stand here? And why isn't he giving me the trencher?

  Silence stretches between us and he holds my gaze. So I do the only reasonable thing and stretch my hand for the trencher.

  A small smile graces his lips before he tilts his head to the side not saying anything. I bury a reaction as my throat tightens. I liked him better when he was talking. Now that he isn't talking either he's unsettling me, and I feel a bit flustered.

  I finally fold my hands because I see I am not getting the trencher; he just wants me to stew uncomfortably under his gaze.

  "Come," he says again, placing the trencher next to him. My eyes widen when realization hits me.

  No! He can’t mean to.

  My heart rate picks up and my lips part. I want to tell him to go jump over a high tower but I'm not speaking to him yet. Gasping, I stumble step back but the red in his eyes come back. I look to the door. Maybe if I just ran, the door isn't locked.

  But what good would that do? His whole castle is wrapped in fog so thick I’d never find my way out. I'm sure many have gotten lost who tried to go through it to get into the castle.

  He clears his throat and I return my gaze to him. More red has seeped into his vision and I bite my lower lip weighing my options. Can I do this? Be that close to him again? How will I control my treacherous body?

  After a steadying breath, I step forward and climb on the bed. I settle on his lap and my body betrays me, erupting in goosebumps as another shiver runs through.

  Frack.

  Thankfully, he doesn't acknowledge my moment of weakness. The red disappears from his vision, and he snakes his arm around me, pulling me even closer. I stay rigid, my eyes alert. He says nothing as he picks up the trencher and places it on my thighs.

  My stomach growls and I wish for death in an instant.

  He takes the bread and dips it in the beans then he brings it to my mouth. The food smells delicious and my stomach growls again. I want to jump but Vidar tightens his hands around my waist. The bread stops just before my lips, and I remember I haven't opened my mouth.

  He waits as I open my mouth slowly. He lowers the bread in my mouth, and I expel an embarrassing moan as the softest and most delicious bread I have ever had in my life dances on my tongue. I chew and swallow, but that was finished too soon.

  He brings the second bite and I open my mouth without hesitation. But I stifle all my reactions this time. Next, he brings a block of cheese, and I bite through it, closing my eyes. The food is realms better here than in Midgard and the fae realm. But that isn't surprising. The celestials get the best of everything.

  After a few bites I’m full, and I shake my head when he brings another spoon of vegetables to my mouth. He growls a low growl and I huff before I take it. I haven't eaten in days and all this food is too much. He doesn’t stop and brings another piece of cheese.

  "I'm full," I finally whisper. Keeping quiet isn't working for me anymore. He won't stop pumping me full of food. To my surprise, he places the cheese back. He reaches over and brings a cup to my lips. I try to take it so I can drink on my own and he growls in protest.

  This is ridiculous.

  I drink from his hand, and he places the cup back on the tray that has a bowl of fruit I hadn't noticed. Is he going to get me to eat the fruit too?

  He smirks but doesn't move.

  "Since you clearly don't want to take care of yourself, I will be taking over feeding you from now on until you learn to take better care of yourself." He looks at me with a neutral expression.

  He’s joking. He must be joking.

  Is this the kind of torture he has decided for me? What if he feeds me poison?

  Although, with everything else he has done, that would be a mercy. We sit there awkwardly as he stares at me without shame, and I try to look at anywhere but him. "I will eat." I finally respond after times stretches between us.

  "I asked you yesterday, baby bird, but you threw the food to the ground. I see now I have to be more hands on."

  I sigh, realizing I am not going to win.

  "And as I promised, I am taking you outside today.” He tucks a wayward coil behind my ears. “Your skin needs the sun’s kiss."

  My hair has gotten longer in the past few years. My father used to cut it at the top every year so it didn't get too big, but now my coils are almost at my elbows.

  Eros loved my hair.

  I look away when I see him behind Vidar's eyes. This is torture. My torturer and my savior sharing the same body. And no matter how hard I try I can never see past Vidar and all he is. No matter how my heart and body feel for him; it's impossible. But at the same time, he gave me the best year of my life.

  How do I let go of Eros now that I know he never really existed?

  "Are you thinking about him?" Vidar’s voice fills the small space of the room that has gotten even smaller now that we are here together and so close.

  I remove his hand from my hip, climbing off him and the bed. I return to the chair and fold myself on it again.

  He collects the basket and moves toward the door.

  "Be ready when I come back," he says before he walks out the door.

  He leaves me again and the cold returns. But I can't deny I feel physically better. My heart doesn't ache like it usually does. So, I guess his presence was good for something.

  I think about how he said he will feed me himself now and wonder how long that will last. Doesn't he have things to do? Aren't there any rebels to crush out there in the realms? And when he is gone to be the god of war, will it stop or will he send someone to supervise my eating? He wouldn't do that, right? He's insane but not that insane.

  I find myself getting up and looking for a nice dress to wear outside. I may hate him but that doesn't mean I have to look ugly. By the looks of things, I will be staying here for an extended period and I'd rather the workers in this castle not remember me looking like death.

  After I find the dress and I lay it on the bed, I go to the washroom and attempt to properly comb my hair and force it into two braids.

  Thorny Roses

  Vidar

  When the sun moves from its peak and it starts its descent, I get up from my chair in my cabinet. It is time.

  A knock has me walking to my door.

  "Lord, it's me," Bhalar says between pants. It always amazes me how quickly he tires. But seeing that his body is bigger than the normal leprechaun size, I guess that explains things. Yet he still insists on rushing everywhere. I don't think I've ever seen him sit down. If I wasn't certain all living creatures need to sleep to stay alive, I would bet my right hand that he doesn’t sleep at all.

  I find him with the loaded tray that I requested. He steps back when I stretch my hands to take it. No doubt worried. How could his lord carry something so domestic?

  If only he knew what I did back in the fae land; that I cleaned up after a vomiting gremlin once. He would surely perish for even letting such a thing happen to me. The mistress would lose her head.

  "I will carry it where you are going, lord," he says with respectful defiance.

  I don't say anything, but I advance and stretch my hands once more. He drops his gaze when I intensify mine and gives it to me.

  "But Lord, it is inappropri—"

  I don't wait around to hear what he's saying, his exasperated sigh following behind me. Turning the corner before taking the stairs down to where she is, my heart pumps faster with every step I take towards her.

  It crushed my soul to see she had lost so much weight. Although nothing could ever take away from her beauty, her plump cheeks were turning hollow, making me feel even worse for leaving her in such a state.

  I need to make things right between us.

  I shouldn't have given her that much space. When the chef told me she hadn't been eating all her food for weeks I felt nothing but agony.

  But I know that is also my fault.

  I have done all the wrong things where she is concerned. Even now as I go down to her prison, I am going to force feed her when she clearly wants to be on a hunger strike. But what can I do? I can't get to her otherwise. If I do nothing else right, I will make sure she is fed, and fed well.

  She thought I was kidding. Well, it's time my queen learns I don't play with my word.

  Pushing the door open, I find her seated on the chair again. My words catch in my throat when I notice how she has prepared for our walk. She’s gorgeous. I still don't understand how she always looks more beautiful with each day that passes.

  She doesn't lift her eyes to me, just stares at a spot on the table, away from me. But she doesn't have a book this time. My body relaxes as I walk in and close the door. Setting the tray on the bed, I sit and wait to see if she will come on her own.

  Minutes stretch between us and I decide to wait her out. How long she will stay rigid in that chair? A small smile graces my lips. My queen is stubborn. But she doesn't know who she grapples with. But she is fortunate she is a part of me, and I have much to make up for. I should be the one sending the olive branch.

  "Baby bird," I say in a calm tone.

  A shiver claims her body, but she clenches her jaw. I don't know if she thinks I don't see it, but I do. I see it and I feel it. Doesn't she know I feel her right here in my own heart? That I know when she worries and when she pains?

  Probably not. The books I've read say human soulmates feel the connection with less intensity than other magical and celestial creatures. She may feel things, but she can't identify them and she wouldn’t often know why she's feeling the way she is. Why her body relaxes around me even though she tries to fight herself. And why she feels longing and emptiness when I am not near her.

  But I know everything she feels. Eros is still in her mind and that thought unsettles me more than it should. I know I pushed Eros on her but I, Vidar, am her soulmate.

  She will yield to me.

  I emit a slow, deep growl, a warning that if she doesn't get up, I will go and get her.

  Her head snaps to me with wide eyes and her lips part. She shudders and immediately grunts and gets up. Another reaction she hated.

  Whether my little bird likes it or not, she is mine and there is no one in the high heavens or in the dark pits that can tell me otherwise.

  Thalia

  Vidar waits for me with a neutral expression, like he didn't just growl at me. My body acts on its own, getting excited over a stupid growl. I have to rush before he does something else and I throw myself at his feet.

  I have to find a way to stop the torture. It's like I am a prisoner in my own flesh. When I tell my body to step left, it steps right. At first, it was just my soul pleading Vidar's case, now my body has joined, and my mind is stuck fighting this battle for me on its own.