"What is it that you want?", he asked, eyes dark.

It was clear that he expected the worst, the most vial request that was more than it would have been appropriate to ask for.

You crossed your arms in front of your chest.

"I'm not interested in gold nor other things that are of worth to the world.", you made clear.

"You want your inheritance back."

"Obviously. But I know that even if you promise to return anything, once the job is done you'll change your mind and the deal."

"Are you calling me a liar?", one of his thick eyebrows rose.

You couldn't help but let out a huff.

"I'm calling you a man with intelligence. I don't know what you expect from me, but if I meet those expectations I'll be useful to you in the future.", you took a step towards him to meet the emperor face to face. "You would be a fool if you'd let go of me forever."

At first, Emhyr glanced down on you as if he looked at some kind of dirty peasant.

But all of a sudden the expression on his face changed.

Surprised, you wanted to take a step back. The beating of your heart got quicker.

As you made an attempt to move his hand shot forward and wrapped around your arm to keep you close.

"You're dangerously smart.", he said and the hint to a smirk tugged at the corner of his thin lips. "And you don't fear to speak the obvious facts."

With a tug, you tried to free yourself but he remained stubborn and kept you hostage.

Magic tickled in the tips of your fingers. It wanted to run free and lick over his face to leave markings that would never fade.

"What a pleasure to hear that the emperor wants to keep me in his service.", you gifted him a cocky smile. "But let me tell you I only do so much."

"You'll do what I ask of you, because you cannot decline my offers.", his grip loosened. "I'll make sure of that."

In one harsh movement you broke free.

Quickly, you took two steps back.

The memory of his touch left a feeling that was close to a burn. But not the burn of a flame. It was rather like a kiss of winter, so cold and freezing that it felt like a bite.

"I'll play the parts I want to play, Emhyr.", you replied and turned on your heel to leave. "Nothing more."

"I will remind you, once I require your services again.", he called after you. "And my payment will make you stay. As one of mine."

Right before the exit of the tent, your legs froze.

You didn't look at him. You couldn't.

All you could think of was that if he really wanted to make you stay, either for his use or own amusement, you could turn the tables and make him pay more than he would have been willing to for any other job.

This was a golden opportunity to empty his pockets and
A smirk lit up on your face as the idea grew inside your head.

Emhyr was a man who loved to be the bigger person, the one to keep all the cards in his hands.

But sometimes even he needed to be beat.

"You want to blackmail me?", you asked, almost chuckling with amusement. "You want to keep me hostage? As a slave to your moods and ever changing plans for the empire?"

Confused that you still had something to say, the emperor tilted his head.

Black strands danced along those broad shoulders of his.

You couldn't see the expression on his face nor the way his eyebrow rose in a silent question.

He gave you a moment, probably in expectations that you would start to explain yourself further.

But his patience wasn't strong enough.

Steps started to approach.

There were two options now.

Either you would turn around and meet him face to face, to give him the level of equality again. Perhaps he would even start to think that he had regained the high ground.

Or you could walk out on this conversation and risk it that he would send guards after you.

No matter what it would be, the options weren't good.

Right in that moment you held the short end of the stick.

You didn't want to pick either option.

So you didn't.

Instead, you remained with your back turned towards him and kept the game running.

"You run your mouth for someone who wants a lot from me.", his voice lingered in your ears as he stopped behind your back.

His breath tickled in your neck like a wild animal waiting for its prey to make a mistake.

He had to wait long.

You didn't make mistakes. Every single word of yours was thought through.

A smile appeared on your face.

"You try to make me your subject.", you said. "You need me."

"I don't need anything."

A huff escaped your lips.

"Well, in that case all that's left is you want me.", you threw a glance over your shoulder to catch a glimpse of his face. "Or my abilities. Either way, I'm not the only one who wants something from someone."

His face darkened. And even the shimmer in his eyes turned so dark that the brown turned almost black.

A shiver chased down your spine as his gaze hit you.

But you remained stubborn and turned your face away again.

"I'll work for you.", you said. "I'll do everything you ask of me. If the payment truly is as good as you promise."

Your words struck him by surprise.

Slowly, his gaze rose to eye you from top to bottom before a single sound escaped his lips.

"If you want your parents properties back you will do as I say.", the sound of his voice made clear that there was no will to argue about it.

Now you couldn't help but laugh. It was a loud, mocking sound, so full of amusement and disbelief.

In a swift movement you turned around to finally meet him face to face.

"That's not enough. Not nearly enough.", you chuckled straight at him. "If you want to use me to my limits, you must pay the price."

He tilted his head.

"And how high will that be?"

"Equal to you, emperor.", you grabbed him by the collar to pull him dangerously close. "I want your throne if you want my life."