Neytiri

When I was younger, I ran away from the village on more than one occasion. Once, while I was in the forest, a black bear happened upon me. It stood on its hind legs, showing me how tall and brutally strong it was before roaring at me in a threatening manner. I had felt so much fear in that moment, I thought that I was going to die. My throat was locked up as if the breath itself had escaped me. My legs felt as if someone had replaced them with thin twigs, barely able to support me. And my heart felt like a hummingbird fluttering wildly in my chest.

I vowed to myself I would never, ever feel that way again. I would never fear anything. I would train and grow strong and be able to take down anything that came my way. Until today, right now, in this hour.

As I stare at Cassians face, I feel nothing but fear. Crippling, paralyzing fear. And for the life of me, I can't seem to comprehend why.

Cassian is a very attractive individual. His skin is smooth as marble, and his lips are well defined on his terrifying face. His jaw is as sharp as my blade, and I can see the soft indent of a dimple on his left cheek. His hair is black. So dark, you might get lost in it if you stare too long. And his eyes; the things that are keeping me captive in this very moment.

They are black like Xavien's. Where the whites of his eyes should be is completely black, followed by gray eyes with blood red circling his pupil. There are emblems on his face, only on one side around his eye and I see them alongside his throat and disappearing into his robes. I feel my legs shaking beneath me, and my breathing is stuck in my throat. My chest is burning from lack of oxygen. I can't breathe. That's how afraid I am. There's only one word flashing through my mind right now.

Evil.

He smiles, causing that dimple to deepen on his cheek.

"I won't hurt you," he says. Somehow, his voice sounds more sinister now that I can see who he is. It's as if his words are taunting me, not trying to soothe me.

"I... I..." I can't say anything. He laughs softly to himself, reaching out and pushing a stray strand away from my face. My flesh is burning from his touch.

"This is why I wanted to takes things slower. I knew this would happen," he says softly. He reaches underneath my legs, lifting me up off the ground to carry me across the room. He sits me softly on the bed, laying my head back against the pillows. He then turns away from me allowing me the perfect view of him from behind. His hair is long, kept together past his waist by a loose tie.

Even though he walks away, it's as if his essence linger in the room. It's overpowering. He comes back to the bed with a basin in his hands and a blank expression. He gently dips cloth into the water, ringing it out before placing it gently against my cheek.

My skin welcomes the feel of the cool water. He does the same to my forehead and the other side of my face. He's seem very intent on his task, his eyes roam over my face as he works.

"It's natural what you're feeling," he says.

"Fear," he clarifies letting out a deep breath.

"It's in your blood to know. But your mind has no way of comprehending why you're feeling this way," he says. He reaches over me, placing the cloth back in the bowl. My body is still trembling even though he's done everything to soothe me. I can't control myself in the slightest.

He stands with his back to me pulling at the ties on his robes. I watch silently as he pulls them apart, letting the fabric fall to the floor. My eyes widen as I take in his naked back. The symbols run down from his throat crossing over his shoulder and on to his back. But I also make out what looks like two long scars that run along the length of his back. My eyes narrow as I try and make out what it could be, but he faces me. He then makes his way around the room blowing out the candles until there is no light but the soft glow from the fireplace.

He crawls behind me in the bed, pulling back the covers and I tense when I feel his arms around my waist as he drags me close to him. His hands are wrapped around my waist, and I feel his warmth. I squeeze my eyes shut in terror as tears escape me.

"It will wear off by morning," he says simply. I feel him moving my hair and he places a soft kiss against my exposed shoulder. I shudder.

"I didn't want you to have to experience this, but you left me no choice. Until you understand who you are, and the past we share, you will never be able to look upon me with anything other than fear. And, as you finally begin to grow into a matured Inkiri, it will be harder and harder for me to keep you alive, unless you understand the truth in your heart," he says. He lets out a deep sigh and begins humming something soft.

The tune is vaguely familiar. I don't consciously know it, but I can hum along with him if I want. I know the notes that are coming next and the sound of his voice like this is comforting. I feel my eyes growing heavy from the comfort of Cassian behind me and strangely enough, his skin doesn't feel as warm as it usually does. I like it. My mind shifts to the times we were together in his castle, and how I never felt the way that I do now. I let my confusion plague me until I finally drift off into a deep slumber.

Cassian

She's asleep. I can hear the soft beating of her heart. It's a stark contrast to the rapid beat that bombarded my ears earlier. I look away from the comfort of the fire to where she lays in my bed. Her white hair is wild around her, her body sprawled as she as finally found comfort in her unconscious mind.

The heavy throb of pain on my hand pulls my attention, and I hold it to my face for closer inspection. There's angry red marring across my palm. It's going to scar. Neytiri did it on accident. I was so caught in my irritation towards Xavien's meddling, I forgot how dangerous it is for me to have my guard down around an Inkiri. Especially when she's frightened and unable to control her power. She passed the age for a full matured Inkiri long ago, her powers only laid dormant within her. But now that she is back in my presence, her power is finding a way to get out.

I let out a soft laugh studying the scar on my palm. She felt so much fear in that moment, she unwittingly released her power on me, burning me with it. It's been a while since I felt any form of pain. Even longer if we're considering pain from an Ikniri.

It's a dangerous game I'm playing right now. Everyone around me is against it, and it can go either way for me. But I must be patient.

I walk back to the bed, standing over her sleeping form. I could end it all right here like I should have years ago. But as my hand hovers over her throat, I can't bring myself to do it. But in the future, I must come to a decision. Even if it is the hard one.

Neytiri

"You can't just go wandering off with strangers when you feel like it, Neytiri." I nod my head, swinging my sword. It collides with Caius' jarring my body. He holds his ground, not even looking like he's exerting energy during this sparring session.

"I'm serious. Not everyone is your friend."

He releases the hold and begins swinging at different angles which I manage to block. It drives me crazy how he is able to fight me as well as lecture me at the same time. He uses my distracted mind against me, knocking my sword from my hand using the butt of his to hit me hard enough to knock me on my ass.

I land hard in the dirt, coughing as the dust flies around me. Caius agreed to train me and we have been doing so since that day. Even now in the back of the castle we managed to find a spot to train in. And he always bests me.

I look up as the dust clears and he has his blade right at my face. I hold my hand up signaling surrender earning me a smile as he helps me to my feet.

"Much better today. You've really improved, Neytiri," he says. I nod my head, looking at the ground. My mind has been frazzled since last night, and nothing that I do can take away the confusion that plagues my mind. Caius tilts his head so that his gaze is under mine.

"Something bothering you?" he asks. I look up at him and see the genuine concern on his face.

"I saw Cassian last night," I say. He raises a brow at me, so I clarify.

"I saw his face. He showed me," I say. Caius tenses, but says nothing.

"And the moment I saw him, I couldn't move. My body was just... paralyzed." I look down at my hands and back to Caius.

"You see him every day. How can you look at him without fear? How can everyone in the castle look at him without fear?" I ask. It's been bothering me, how much his presence affects me but no one else. Caius looks up at the sky contemplating his answer.

"Because... we are not Ikniri," he says. He looks back at me.

"Only you, your people, can see what he truly is. The rest of us, are just... puppets in his game. Drawn to him, wanting nothing more than to blindly follow him to earn his favor," he says. I narrow my brow in complete confusion.

"Only I can see his true nature?" I repeat. I think back to what his true nature was when I was with him, and I can't wrap my mind around it that that is who he truly is. It's... impossible.

"But... how can that be possible?" I ask. Caius shrugs.

"I've already said too much. Come on. We must get you cleaned up before dinner." He walks past me, expecting me to follow him. But his words are ringing in my ears.

"Only you can see his true nature."

If that's the truth, then I fear Cassian now more than ever. I begin following Caius into the castle, and on the way I realize that I am humming. I pause, my eyes widening as I put words to the song that I am humming. The song that Cassian was humming to me just last night.