persian empire

"Tavyna....! My dear..are you hurt? You're injured...I'll call for a physician."

Her father pulled her into a warm hug and she gladly accepted. His strength and warmth were so reassuring as she was terrified that he might have died not but a few moments ago. He pulled away and gripped her shoulders. Tavyna couldn't help the wince and hiss as his fingers curled around her ruined shoulder, "Father... my shoulder," she said softly.

"What in Allah's name are you? What do you want? Are you spirit? Demon?"

"What am I? Well aren't you quite rude."

Tavyna felt a slight gasp escape her lips as she was pulled back into her fathers arms protectively. Looking over to what her father had called a demon, she watched wide eyed as Nasrin started towards them.

"I'm a djinni..."

"An ifrit?! Away with you! Demon!"

"Father!" Tavyna tried to cut in but Nasrin was faster and very angry.

"Demon? I see....another foolish, ignorant, useless human! You're all the same...comparing me to the likes of shaytan!"

Squirming out from her father's hold, Tavyna stood up and lifted her good arm up to block her father from Nasrin's approach, "Nasrin! Stop!" She yelled, fear and anger in her own voice, "Don't do this! That's my father you're threatening, Nasrin!"

The shahansha quickly pulled his hand away from Tavyna's shoulder, looking apologetic at the mistake. He hoped he hadn't hurt it further, the thought alone enough to make him feel bad.

As the strange being approached, his fear and his concern about protecting his daughter grew with frightening intensity. The flames in the woman's hand had him swallowing hard, resigning himself to the real possibility of dying in order to save his child. He only hoped she'd be ok.

Just when he thought he couldn't be any more shocked in one morning, Tavyna proved him horribly wrong, the emperor gaping at his child. How did she know who this being was?! Under what circumstances? He was afraid to know.
"Y-you know her?" he asked, looking between the two to see if he could gain any insight.

Nasrin froze, eyes cold and bitter. Slowly, she lowered her hand, flames gone from her palm. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft.

"I didn't kill them. Just hurt them. I cannot directly kill a human...If it makes any difference." she murmured, fading from sight and allowing herself to become invisible to everyone else. Nasrin left in a whiff of floral smelling smoke, to the lamp Shahin held as he hovered down the corridor.

"She vanished..!" The shahansha was pale, trying to gather himself together, but having difficulty.

Nasrin... Tavyna thought as she stood there, heart beating hard in her chest. She watched as Nasrin disappeared, knowing that the djinni wasn't happy at all. What do I do now... she thought frantically. Tavyna had called out Nasrin's name without even thinking properly. Her father was terrified behind her that they had just met an ifrit, something akin to a demon, or so Nasrin had said venomously just a moment ago.

Slowly her arm lowered and she dropped back down to her knees. Looking over to her father with sad eyes she moved to touch his face, "Father," she called softly, "Father, are you alright?"

Tavyna wanted to make sure he was alright, but she also didn't want to go into too much detail about the djinni and also how she knew Nasrin. She wasn't sure if she could keep Nassir's existence a secret either if her father started asking questions. Tavyna bit her lower lip as she waited. Upon thinking of Nassir, she glanced around the room for him, hoping that he was nearby.

The shahansha startled at feeling his daughter's touch on his face, attention drawn to her instead of the empty space Nasrin had just stood in. Taking his child's hand, the emperor visually appraised Tavyna to see if she had been hurt further. Confusion then etched into his fetures, a mixture of concern and uncertainty.

"You sounded as if you knew that thing. How is that possible Tavyna? Has something happened? You haven't gone to see the witch by any chance, have you?" the Shahansha made sure to not accuse his child. He was worried though, the thought of a djinni knowing his daughter and having access to her an unnerving one.

Violet eyes flickered to gold and then back again, the marid not daring to look at Tavyna. Nassir had his fists clenched, hands stuffed under his armpits as he hovered in one corner of the room.

"F-father..." Tavyna tried to think of what to say. Shaking her head a bit, she frowned, "No, I haven't seen the witch," she said firmly so that he knew she was not lying to him. Though she had wanted to see the witch before, it had never happened and mostly because Nassir had forbidden it.

With a sigh she resigned herself. There was no use in lying to her father about Nasrin, "Yes, I know her and she is not a demon. She is a different kind of djinni. Nasrin is harmless father, just like many others," her gaze shifted over to Nassir. Did she dare mention him? Would it offend him if she didn't? Would it make him angry if she did? Tavyna supposed she would just have to find out. Having him angry with her might be better than having offended him.

"I... have a djinni, Father. He is bound to a ring of mine. He has protected me very well, just as Nasrin protected me. They are not to be afraid of, or called demons. Please, believe me... Father."

Regarding his daughter in silence, the shahanshah met her violet eyes and found himself trusting her. She was acting differently from the defiant girl she often tended to be, her seriousness the same as two nights before when he accused her of assaultiung and offending Kevah. The man sighed, running a shaky hand through greying hair. So much was happening, so many sudden, unbelievable surprises this morning that he almost wondered if he was aging visibly. It wouldn't surprise him, he almost felt like he'd have a heart attack no less than four times in the span of twelve minutes.

Shaking his head and trying to wrap his allready stressed and blown mind around this new information, the emperor placed a hand on Tavyna's shoulder, disbelief and wariness in his gaze. "Others? H-how do you know this djinni? How do you know of more than one? Can you be sure they aren't harmful?" he asked, only to sputter and jerk in surprise as he felt heart-faltering and mind-blowing shock number five at her confession. How much had she been hiding from him?! He half wondered if his daughter was trying to shock him to death.

"H-have a djinni? What do you mean? Yiou have a ring with a djinni in it? How long have you had this..where...how long have you known them?" the shahanshah stopped, looking up at his daughter, almost afraid to ask. "Is there anything else you haven't been telling me?" he asked at length, trying his hardest not to accuse her or sound jundge,mental...hopefully he didn't seem out of control or unstable.

Nassir tensed, flinching as he was mentioned. He found his feelings on being revealed were rather mixed. He didn't particularly care for the attention of anyone in the palace, nor did he want to be manipulated or used, even indirectly. Besides, he was actually concerned for Tavyna, having anyone know she possesed such a powerful being. On the plus though, at least he could let people know he was not to be screwed with.

Still avoiding her eyes, Nassir slowly allowed himself to materialize in the corner of the room, amethyst eyes cool and unreadable.

"Wh-what... is that the djinni you spoke of?" her father sputtered.

Tavyna turned slightly to see what he had settled his gaze upon. The young princess nodded her head a bit as she eyed Nassir's strong frame. She couldn't tell, but she had a feeling that he wasn't in the greatest of moods. Tavyna would deal with it later. Right then, she had to make sure her father didn't die of a heart attack or grow any more frustrated then he already was.

"I bought a ring with him already in it, Father," she said smoothly though she would not divulge what kind of ring it was or when she bought it. That much information was not something she was willing to share, not even with her father, "I can see other djinni because of Nassir, the one you see there," she motioned back towards her djinni, "Also, he is not harmful because he is sweet and gentle. He cares for me well enough, more so than any of these greedy, nasty suitors who come for me," she said with a scowl on her face.

"I've had him for a while now. Perhaps a few weeks, a couple of months at most," she said with a shrug. Time had long since ceased to be of any importance to her these days. Turning she looked back at Nassir who stood in the corner with his arms crossed over his large chest. She had to make sure not to stare at him for too long, she did enjoy the way he looked very much, "There is nothing else, father. I promise you. I also apologize for not telling you, but I was afraid. I was afraid you would use him, or that others would find out and try to use him.

"I won't allow that at all. I won't allow anyone to order him around. He is not a slave, or an object to be used and then thrown away. He is a being that bleeds, loves, and cares just as we do. I have been trying to find a way to free him an that is what I will do," she said firmly, her gaze never straying from her fathers. She was utterly determined in this endevour of hers.

"He will be free, I promised it to him," she said again. Releasing a heavy breath she looked down the hall, "The guards should be here soon," looking back over to Nassir she waved her hand at him, "No need to show yourself any further, Nassir," she said gently, as gently as she could muster because she knew he was in a bad mood, "If you're alright, I will have Nassir help me to my room. I have need to speak with him in private and I'm sure you must attend to the guards," she said softly as she watched him, her fingers reaching out to brush across his face gently. Leaning forward, she gently hugged her father, careful of her shoulder.

"Do not worry for me. I am alright, and well protected, I promise you," she told him softly.

For a long moment, the djinni and the shahanshah simply stared at each other, each appraising the other in their minds. Nassir was careful to keep from looking at Tavyna, trying his best to ignore her praise of him. Ordinarily, he'd get annoyed and flustered, ears burning red in protest to his will. Somehow keeping a neutral expression, he chose to keep quiet, disappearing as Tavyna bade him to. Fine, less questions and annoying attention. The shahanshah looked as though he'd faint from shock at seeing a man literally disappear before his very eyes.

It did, however, allow him to focus his attention on his child once more, marveling at how she spoke of the creature, and her determination to free him. Strong spirited she was, but he couldn't hate her for it. She was like himself and her mother, both strong in what they wanted and decided. Well, he was more stubborn, while his late wife was determined. It was amazing how much he could see of his wife in his child as she grew, her steadfast desire to get things done herself, her strong opinions. His daughter only strayed in that she actually was interested in learning to fight, and she had more of his temper.

"You promised him. You have a strong heart Tavyna." Mused her father, only to feel a stirring of protectiveness and panic begin again. He once more looked doubtful. She was speaking fondly of the djinni. Go to their room? So this djinni had access to his child all the time?! Such insolence, even from a creature such as that! Sweet? Gentle? Cares for her? The emperor glared at the spot where Nassir was, then looked at his daughter.

"You speak...quite fondly of him. He hasn't....hasn't seduced you has he?!" The shahanshah's fists clenched in fury at the thought. No one was to touch his daughter yet! Not until he gave the consent, until he married her off to the man! He wondered about the intentions of the djinni, fueled on by the nagging little doubt about her suitor planted by Tavyna nights before.

At her fathers first words, she smiled warmly. Had she managed to convince him? Tavyna certainly hoped so. But then her smile faded as her father's gaze turned cold with anger. He had obviously taken it some other way, her words and she found herself scrambling to answer him.

"F-father! You... no! He has not... s-seduced me!" she stammered. Perhaps he has made me swoon a few times... but he has definitely not seduced me she thought to herself, "Yes I speak fondly of him because he is the only one who has treated me with respect and not a tool to gain the throne!" she snapped back. Frustration was making her speak harshly and she quickly bit her tongue, "I'm sorry, father. But please... believe me. He has done nothing of the sort."

And he doesn't want to, she almost added, but kept that part to herself. It stung to think it, and perhaps it was made to sting even worse because it was true.

Standing up, she kept herself from crying as much as she could, "Guards!" her voice rang out across the halls, a slight echo could be heard. It didn't take long, but the soft sound of feet slapping across the marble halls could be heard. Her fingers wrapped around her upper arm, just under her bruised and aching shoulder, "I will dine with you later. Allow me to prepare myself," she offered to her father before leaving.

As she moved into the hall, she spotted the group of guards as they rushed to the area, "My father, see to it that he is taken care of and protected," she ordered them and continued on her way to her room.

Still looking a bit doubtful, the emperor sighed, deciding to try and trust her for now. She almost seemed upset...and when she said her djinni had done nothing, he could almost swear he saw a look of disappointment. But that was impossible, surely. "Alright, but be careful. You come and get me immediately if anything happens." he said softly, hoping the now invisible Nassir couldn't hear him.

As the guards entered at the shahzadi's summons, her father narrowed his eyes, standing up and looking at them with scrutiny. "Line up! I am performing an immediate inspection!" Some of them looked sheepish or uncomfortable, expecting some sort of appraisal of their garb or the state of their weapons and armor. To their surprise, the shahanshah held up the dagger of one of the hassashins, the weapon far different from what his own guards used.
"Remove your weapons, and if anyone knows something they aren't telling me, it will be your head!" he snapped, glaring at each guard in turn as they looked on in shock.

"Didn't you see? The hassashins were all disguised as guards. Probably been here for weeks, blending in and making sure not to arouse suspicion." Came Shahin's voice as Tavyna headed out the room. The visiting prince looked on with approval as the emperor inspected each and every guard, having two loyal guards seize one who failed the tests and clearly was trying to look innocent.
"Looks like he's the rat who let them in and accepted money for his silence." he remarked.

Nassir didn't even bother trying to pick a fight with Shahin, slowly heading towards Tavyna's room.

Tavyna glanced over to Shahin as she heard him. Turning just enough, she looked over her shoulder to where her father had begun inspections.

"Seems we will all have to be careful then," was her only remark.

Entering her room she closed the door and leaned against it heavily. Looking to Nassir she took a moment before she found her voice to talk to him. Moving, she went and seated herself next to her mirror and water basin, "Nassir," she started slowly.

"Are you alright? I... I didn't mean any harm, I hope you know this. But... Nasrin, when she suddenly showed up... how was I to explain to my father that I knew her? You're not angry are you?" she asked him. Trying to busy herself, she dipped a clean cloth into the water and started to clean the cut along her collar bone, and the split lip that she had from being back handed by Rahrim. There were several scratches along her cheek there from the rings he had had on his fingers. She winced gingerly as she dabbed at the bloodied areas.

Nassir said nothing, taking the cloth from Tavyna and gently dabbing at her wounds, cleaning them with care. Cuts he could heal at least. Holding a hand over her collarbone, he focused his energy and absorbed the wound to his own skin. Likewise, he took her cut cheeks and left behind her smooth, soft skin.

Satisfied his work was finished, the djinni paused, then headed to his pillow fort on the floor. He plopped down without a word, draping his arms over his knees before staring down at the ground.







[[pose: http://cdnec0.fiverrcdn.com/photo2s/1822417/v2_680/Sitting_Sad.jpg ]]

Her heart skipped a beat as she watched him clean her wounds and then heal them. Knowing that they would be transferred to him, she bit her lip and turned to watch him drop down onto his pillow fort. Her heart clenched tightly. Something was wrong.

Moving, she took the cloth with her and knelt down next to him. She reached out slowly and gently dabbed it against his cheek where the cuts were that had once been marring her own skin. Tavyna's lips pulled into a frown, trembling slightly as she fought tears.

"Nassir? Talk to me, please?" she tilted her head a bit, "Was it something... did I say something? Did I do something? I'm sorry if I did. Please don't be angry."

"Why are you sorry?" Nassir questioned blankly, letting out a deep breath as Tavyna's worried, nearly tearful voice echoed in his ears. Here he was, making her cry again. And she called him gentle and kind? What a joke.

His fists clenched until his knuckles turned white, the djinni fighting to remain calm and shove it all aside. Feel nothing but cold. He was good at it. "Don't cry, dammit." he chided, eyes still averted, offering no resistance to the shahzadi's ministrations. He remained silent, practically able to smell and feel her tears in her voice as she tried to fight them. He willed her not to cry, knowing he'd snap and lose his composure if she did.

Unfortunately for him, he didn't last long enough for the waterworks to appear.

"The hell kind of a djinni am I...so pathetic I can't even help the only human who ever gave an actual damn. Useless to act for the only worthy human there is! Dammit!" Nassir punched the floor. He just barely managed to restrain himself from fueling it with magic, instead leaving nothing more than a single crack. His eyes flickered between amethyst and gold, an uneasy fire inside.
"And to think some snippy, half-blood, fireball, reckless djinni who doesn't give two shits is the one to show me up?! Makes me the joke of djinn everywhere! She's more help to you, maybe you should free her! I can't even mortally wound a pathetic human scum as I am now!"

Tavyna tilted her head a bit even more as he asked her why she was sorry. Why? She was sorry because he was upset about something and she didn't like that. She thought that she had been the reason for his sadness, which made it even worse. However, as Nassir continued, Tavyna could only bit her lip and try harder not to cry though he had told her not to. She was even doing pretty good at not crying... until he started seething about how he thought he was pathetic.

Shaking her head, she leaned forward, trying to calm him, but her small words were shaken as he ranted. Tavyna jumped as he slammed his fist into the floor, her heart racing as it leapt into her throat and seemingly cut off all air. She fell backwards then, away from him with one arm raised up in shock. Tavyna's wide eyes were spilling those dreadful, salty tears as she stared at him. Her mind was reeling, though she did lock onto the words, 'worthy human'. He thought she was worthy? Worthy for what? Tavyna didn't think she was worthy for anything.

After a moment, she pulled herself back up and gingerly reached out to wrap her arms around him. She wiggled her way past his legs, and stretched up her arms over his neck and held him close to her as she knelt there, "Nassir. You're a fine djinni. Why do you think I fell in love with you? Yes, Nasrin is reckless, but she didn't hurt those men either. She couldn't, you should know that. She scared them, that's all," she said trying to reason with him. Honestly she couldn't remember if Nasrin had hurt those men or not, but she was fairly sure that the other djinni hadn't.

"I want to save you. And if I can, I'll try to save Nasrin too, but as you know she's not my djinni, and we both know how Shahin feels on that matter," she ran her fingers through his hair gently, "You protect me well enough. Would it help if I told you that you can hurt those who try to hurt me? Does it even work that way?"

Tavyna's sudden movement backwards was enough to freeze the djinni in his place. The image of Tavyna holding her arm up to instinctually shield herself was burned into his mind, the male feeling a pang in his chest at the thought. HE had scared her, and she had fallen back in fright. Even if she consciously didn't think it, she feared him hurting her. His eyes averted, glaring at the ground in an effort to maintain himself and not frighten the human.

IF it was even possible, the djinni went even more rigid as Tavyna approached and wormed her way pas his curled form to hug him and wrap her arms around his shoulders and neck. He was as still as a stone, not daring to move, allowing himself to feel her warmth and smell her perfumes. He said nothing as she began, already knowing Nasrin's spell like his own would not allow her to directly kill a human. She could hurt them and direct fire, but if they were in the way was out of her control. Nassir likewise chose not to comment as she mentioned Nasrin, the female djinni stirring an odd feeling of jealousy and annoyance as the conversation involved her more and more.

The only thing keeping him collected, keeping him from crawling back into the evasive, distant shell he was in upon first meeting Tavyna was her warm arms around him and her attempts to reassure him. He said nothing at first, only shaking his head. This human was brave and foolish, and he hardly expected her to push her way closer instead of further away. Slowly, the djinni lifted one hand and draped it over her shoulders, eyes half closing in spite of himself. Her fingers felt lovely through his hair. Her gentle touch hid nothing and felt genuine.

"You say such things...and yet I can't even save ou from a mere poison." he mumbled, almost scoffing.





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[[ooc: gyahh! sorry this one sucks >.< ]]

Tavyna let out a soft sound, a noise that wasn't quite a laugh, but not quite a sigh either. Shaking her head, she leaned against his strong body. Letting her head fall against his shoulder, she took in his scent. Allah, she had fallen so deeply in love with a djinni. She still worried about how he felt, a slight pang of sadness through her chest pulsed as she thought about when he would be freed. Tavyna was fairly sure that he would leave. He had every right to. After all, that kind of betrayal wasn't the kind that you easily got over.

"You've saved me more than you know," she whispered to him.

She stayed like that for quite a while, leaned against Nassir. Finally, she gathered her resolve and slowly pulled away. Tavyna wasn't allowed the luxury of relaxing in his grip. She had things to tend to and she'd promised her Father that she would dine with him. Her stomach turned, a deep feeling of unease in the pit of her belly. It burned slightly as her throat closed. The time for choosing a suitor was coming closer and with the recent attacks... She was sure her father would insist on her getting married so that she may have some kind of power and protection against those that would harm her.

Despite having Nassir there for her, she was certain that her Father would press the issue anyway. Besides, it wasn't like her Father would allow her to marry a djinni. Not that it could happen anyway. I already know how Nassir feels about humans. How could he possibly love one? And me on top of it... Oh, Allah... What have I allowed myself to fall into?

Standing she moved around the room and prepared to get cleaned and redressed to see her Father, "I... Have to meet with my Father soon. I promised him I would dine with him, so I must go."

She paused as she worked through her clothes, "Say... Nassir... In your opinion, who should I marry? Which of them do you think would be best? And... don't worry, I still plan to free you. Nothing will stop me in doing so," she muttered softly and continued looking through her silks to find something appropriate to wear for her Father.

Nassir said nothing as the shahzadi leaned closer against him, nor did he bother to comment on her declaration of him saving her. He shrugged mutely, watching with an unusual silence and sullenness as she pulled away to prepare for the morning meal. Mischeif gone, he stood likewise, ready to assist Tavyna should she seem to require anything.

"Indeed. You needn't make any excuses or ask for my permission to do such." Nassir finally remarked, idly looking through a second closet of clothes almost purely to occupy himself. The djiini was snapped rudely out of his moping silence as his mistress asked his opinion. An opinion on who he thought she should marry of all things! Twitching, the temperamental being froze in his idle browsing. Marry? One of the two idiots?

By all reasoning, Nassir shouldn't have cared one way or the other. There was nothing about the situation that should have caused him to feel anything, no concern of his i the slightest. Even as he fiercely told himself this, the djinni's anger was sparked once more. She was giving in. She'd marry someone as was her duty or whatever nonsense it was. She was a human with freedom to choose anyone in the world, to go anywhere and choose her own fate. And to give in and accept what was dictated when she fought this long? What the hell was wrong with her?

Unintentionally, Nassir growled, eyes flickering to a golden color as he spun to face Tavyna. "Marry....one of those two buffoons? You'd really give in now and marry one of them? You're weaker than I thought." he hissed. Advancing towards her, Nassir grabbed Tavyna's wrists, stopping her from her search. He was shaking in anger, fighting to remain in control and not hurt her. He managed, but hie eyes refused to return to violet yet.

"After all that talk...after all you've done. That's it? You give up? Stupid girl! You have the power to change your fate and insist on throwing it away!" By now, Nassir had Tavyna against the wall, glaring at her in angry disbelief. For some reason unfathomable to him, her mere consideration of marrying either suitor made him feel nauseous.

Tavyna's breath sucked in sharp as Nassir whirled on her and took her wrists in his own. The grip was tight, not painful, but the pressure was there. She could feel him trembling and her gaze was wide as she stared up at him. His anger was clear in his voice and she was honestly unsure as to why he would be angry with such a thing. Confused and surprised, Tavyna hardly noticed that they had hit the wall of her room. With her heart thumping hard in her chest, she found it hard to breathe.

"N-Nassir... I'm not..." She stopped herself. She was going to say she wasn't giving in, it was just something she had no control over. Except she didn't think that would appease him.

Despite herself, she trembled. Not out of fear, but out of how helpless she felt, "Nassir. You say I have the power to change my fate. In all honesty, I do not. I'll be forced to marry someone whether I like it or not. It will happen with or without my consent," her voice trembled and grew sharper by the second. Her eyes narrowed. She was upset and angry, helpless and feeling weaker than usual. A thousand emotions raging underneath that she couldn't quite get a handle on, nor did she understand really why she was so worked up in emotions, or why she was crying, "It's not like I could marry a djinni, Nassir!"

She pulled her arms, testing his hold as she spoke, letting out a wash of anger and just general emotion that she hadn't realized she'd been keeping bottled up for a while, "It's not like I get to choose who I want to marry! I can't marry you! I can't marry the one I'm in love with! And you don't want to anyway! So why, then, are you angry at me? I'm doing all that I can, but I don't know how much longer I can keep it up," she finally stopped. Tears streaming and voice shaking considerably.

Tavyna slumped against the wall. Whether it was the attack that had shaken her, or the amount of thoughts she'd had on her mind, she wasn't entirely sure what caused the outbreak. With her head bowed forward, Tavyna spoke again after taking several breaths to try to calm herself, "All I want, is to fulfill my promise to you. Then..." she sniffled slightly, "Then maybe I will figure a way out of my own problems. Maybe take to the desert, find a caravan, leave this place."

And if that doesn't work, then there are always... Alternatives. Cowardice, weak, sinful... But a way out none-the-less. Father would hate me forever, but I suppose it's better than to marry someone I feel nothing for, or someone who wants only to kill me after anyway.

Nassir felt only more enraged at her tears. There he was again, making the human cry! It made him growl in self-disgust, pulling away from Tavyna as if dropping a hot coal. If he held her any longer, he'd hurt her. It was stupid, he shouldn't care...he didn't care!

His eyes flickered between violet and amber, jaw set in a tight growl. He would have screamed at her should she have said she wasn't giving in. Thankfully, she chose the wiser option and didn't deny it. Instead, he found her spilling far more than he cared to handle. Marry a djiini? What on earth..oh, right. That. She thought she loved him.

He glared at her as she protested furiously, insisting she had no say. Of course she had a say! She could run away right now! She didn't even ask him to help her run away. What a stupid human! He'd actually be willing to consider granting her wishes and orders, but of course she had to be the on human who showed no interest in doing so at all.

He almost appeared ready to shift into his true marid form, her declaration of what he wanted infuriating him almost to his limits.

Finally, Nassir had had enough. Stepping back up to the shahzadi, the djiini's eyes bored into hers. "You presume too much." Nassir intended on pulling away and storming off, but instead he grabbed Tavyna's cheek in his hand, crushing his lips to hers in a deep, frustrated kiss.

Tavyna had been expecting angry words, yelling, even being shaken. However, none of that came. Nassir released his hold on her wrists and stepped away from her. The action only further increased the deep pain in her chest and she turned her head away from him as she started to focus on riding herself of the awful tears. It was about time to start closing things off, most especially her heart because it was doing her no good at all.

Then, he took her by surprise. Fingers gripped her cheek and pulled her face around to look up at him. Her heart leapt to the back of her throat. A sharp gasp filled her lungs in one short breath as he leaned down and took her mouth against his. Tavyna went rigid, every limb locking in place in shock. She hadn't even let out the breath she'd taken. Following that, she went numb as warm tears trickled down her face.

Closing her eyes, she thought that she was imagining things, but his heat and strong body that was so close to her wasn't just a dream. It was real. Although, Tavyna had to question why he was kissing her. Was it out of pity? Was he trying to apologize? No. Neither made sense and he'd even said that she'd presumed too much. Did that mean... Is he... Does he love me...? Tayvna's thoughts were chaotic as she stood frozen under his touch.

Throwing all caution aside finally, her body allowed her movement and she threw her arms around his neck, holding tightly to him as she pulled herself up close against him. Nassir was warm. Very warm. There was strength there, safety. Tavyna kissed him back, letting him do what he wanted so long as he didn't leave her with just a kiss. She wanted to know if it was what he wanted, if he truly cared more than he let on, if he loved her like she did him.

Nassir hadn't been expecting much of anything, but even so, he was taken by surprise at the feel of Tavyna's arms wrapping around his neck and shoulders. She pressed her lips onto his before he could pull away, her kiss a deep and needy one as opposed to his impulsive and frustrated gesture. Letting the kiss linger a while more, Nassir finally pulled away, eyes lingering on the human.

His face began to burn a bright red even against his olive skin. Scowling, his expression was still cross, though his eyes no longer switched hues, his eyes the normal violet orbs once more. Looking away, the djiini cursed his utter confusion and conflicting emotions, whatever they were. He wasn't even sure himself what was wrong with him. Surely he was losing his mind though.

"Stupid....I never wanted to be chained to anyone...take orders...but surely you know I'll make an exception. You have the power to leave all this idiocy behind. You know I have the power to do so, just say it of me and it can be done..." He finally said, desperate to hide once more, to do something else for the human lest she cry. Nassir wasn't yet sure what came over him or what was wrong with him, but he had to irritably admit that for whatever reason, he wasn't about to let Tavyna agree to marry either of her two remaining suitors. The male avoided Tavyna's eyes, not ready for the questions she'd soon be blurting out to him.

A slight pang of hurt coursed through her as Nassir pulled away from the kiss. To Tavyna, it had been far too short. It let her wanting more. At the same time, now that she'd gotten the kiss she was sure that if he decided to leave her after all, she would break entirely. Nothing would save her from it. Nothing. Fear pulsed through her body, stirring up her stomach and making it ache.

An exception. I'm an... exception... What does that mean? Do I even want to know... her heart fell to the pit of her stomach. At the same time she supposed she should be happy, hopeful even. Despite that, though, Nassir wasn't looking at her. He was avoiding her gaze which made her feel even worse for having kissed him back.

"Order you..." her voice was just barely a whisper. He was asking her to order him to do something. Tavyna knew she just couldn't do it. No matter how much it sounded appealing to her. She couldn't order him to do anything. Slowly dropping her head forward, she let her arms fall from his shoulders, "I will not order you. Nassir. I refuse to order you to do anything. Making you do something against your will... How can you even suggest that to me?"

Tavyna turned and went to her closet, pulling out the first thing her fingers touched without any care to what it was. She started slipping on the dark red silks, wrapping them around her shoulders and waist. For a moment she didn't say anything else to him, too upset at the notion of giving him an order to do anything else. Why would he ask her to do something like that? Surely he knew she wasn't going to... Or maybe that was why he asked it of her. Because he knew she wouldn't.

Her fingers slipped in doing the clothes and they nearly came apart. She quickly grabbed at them and finished in a hurry, knowing it wasn't entirely straight but not caring eitherway, "I don't want to order you to do things, Nassir. What I want is for you to do things of your own free will. If you dislike my having to marry someone, then you should take me away because you want to. Not because I ordered you to," she said, her voice icy cold.

Without looking back at him, she started across the room to the doorway. She was late already to have breakfast with her father and her mind was already cloudy with worry, sadness, confusion, and anger.

"I never said against my will!" Nassir blurted out angrily, gritting his teeth as he watched Tavyna turn away and prepare herself for the morning. She didn't get it at all! It's what he told himself, what he reasoned to convince himself. Tavyna's mood was slipping so rapidly he could practically feel it. Paying no attention to her attire, the shahzadi's voice was unusually cool. Unbearably cool if he was being honest with himself.

He held up a hand to seal the doors, not allowing the woman to leave him behind. She'd have to break down the door if she wanted to get away from him. Ironic, considering he had been hiding and acting evasive even now. It was maddening to try and logically explain why this bothered him. To try and convince himself Tavyna was just another human. To fight with warring emotions he was afraid he was imagining.

"You're not going anywhere in your state. You'll crumble and they'll devour you like the jackals they are." Nassir warned, grabbing Tavyna's upper arm, pulling her back against him, her back to his chest. "You asked me who you should marry? I can tell you right now you won't be marrying either of them. Even if you are casting some sort of enchantment on me, I'm not about to let you walk out there and agree to sell yourself to a jackal."

Letting out a huff, the djinni glared at the wall as he rested his chin on Tavyna's head. Damn this woman! Why didn't he hate her? Why did he feel so frustrated and confused? Was she a witch? A female human sorcerer? While a part of him wished for some logical explanation of magic to explain all of this to him, deeper down he held a secret dread of finding out it was all an illusion. A sham.