The Silver Queen [AU]

[Isabela]

Finally, the shower stops, and she steps out, wrapping herself in a fluffy towel. "Zevran," she whimpers, shuddering. "Thank you."

[Tethras Clan]

"Always ma'bela," Zevran whispers, smiling up at her. "How can I help?"

[Isabela]

"Don't leave me alone," she whispers, shame burning her cheeks. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Until my dying breath," Zevran says simply. "And even then, I'll wait for you."

[Isabela]

She swallows, tears pricking at her eyes as she offers him a hand up. "I... no more sex, not tonight, but I... would like to be held."

[Tethras Clan]

"Of course. I won't press, won't even kiss or touch, unless you tell me to. You control the pace, ma'bela. Alright?"

[Isabela]

Bela shivers, pulling him close, pressing her face against his chest, breathing in his scent. "I... why does this keep happening to me?" she whispers, shuddering again.

[Tethras Clan]

"...I don't know," Zevran says softly. "Keindrinas's disfavor?" I... I hate to say it, but you deliberately walked into this one. That does not excuse or justify it, but... if you break into a dragon's lair, being eaten is not a surprise. Oh Bela... we should not have asked this of you. And you should not have ignored the risks so. "This was not... you did not deserve this. Nor ask for it. He raped you, mind and body. Evidently Olocaryn was also Ozymandias. Who was known as a mind mage of some type. I... strongly doubt all of your actions- or his, ah, or Coquette's for that matter- were your own."

[Isabela]

"Yeah," she says softly, shuddering. "I... I think I'm in love with his wife. And I don't know if... if it's real or..."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran winces. "Helene can check for any... lingering enchantments. But I suspect much of it is... how much she reminds you of Naishe. And, admit it or not, you have a soft spot for females of the lost lamb persuasion."

[Isabela]

She flinches, pulling away from him as he speaks That Name. "no," she whispers, shaking her head. "I--"

But it's too late. She rubs at her head, tears already welling up, forcing their way past her best efforts to restrain them. "Mother said this would happen. If I acted as I do, if I dress, if I behave..."

[Tethras Clan]

"Bullshit," Zevran snaps. "There is no excuse for rape. Not ever. You put yourself at risk, yes, but that does not mean, in the slightest, that you deserved to be hurt like this."

[Isabela]

"I can't be Isabela anymore," she whispers. "It's too much. I can't."

[Tethras Clan]

"You can be whoever you wish to be, beloved," Zevran whispers back, eyes never wavering. "It's your heart I love, not your clothes or manner of speech."

[Isabela]

"What heart," she asks bitterly.