Ensnared

Awaiting enemies that prepared to strike the moment her defenses were down had never left Phrike feeling more alive. During this uncertain time, giving into nihilism presented itself as a tempting alternative. However, Phrike had decided to find solace by any means necessary. Whether it was through the love of her friends, or by proving herself useful aboard the ship.

This strategy left her with ample opportunity to spend more time with her favorite ship's captain. Phrike would have been a fool not to take that chance. Despite the initial offer she brought to Madeline, Phrike knew she was not obligated to stay in the Captain's quarters. That was a decision she made all on her own. Decisions had gotten easier to make ever since she first set foot on the deck of the Discourteous Rose.

Once Phrike believed emulating Madeline would change her life. Somewhere along the way, carving out a personality for herself just got easier. Settling into daily life as a part of the crew was simpler than Phrike had imagined. Almost as though no time had passed since the vessel's maiden voyage.

During the evenings the crew congregated at the Rose's Thorn. Phrike still hadn't gotten used to drinking the crewmen under the table. However, these outings made for a good excuse to lure Madeline back to the captain's quarters after the third or fourth round. Tonight Phrike had been incredibly bold in her choice of seduction.

It all started with a friendly wager. They would play three rounds of Liar's Dice. The winner got to tell the loser what to do for the rest of the evening. Phrike and Madeline each won a round. The final round was a tie, with neither willing to catch the other in a lie. Since a clear victory had yet to be determined, Phrike suggested their tiebreaker continue in the Captain's quarters. 

The moment the door closed, their inhibitions fell away along with their pretense toward modesty around the crew. Not that most of them didn't have their suspicions about the Captain and her trysts. This was one of her longest, after all.

Madeline holds Phrike against the wall, with her hands pinned above her head. Kissing her slowly, in the way that leaves her aching for more. Soon enough, Phrike starts leaning into each kiss and sighing when her captain stays just out of reach. Their height difference making this position all the more erotic. So rare it was, that Phrike got to feel delicate. Most of the time, it was what she craved most from Madeline.

Still, there was something about the atmosphere of this evening. Perhaps it was the sense of not knowing what was waiting for them on tomorrow's horizon. For one reason or another, Phrike felt...restless. "Mm. Tiebreaker." Phrike managed to murmur, between kisses. Madeline giggled. "You were serious about that?" The lovers share a laugh.

"Of course I was," Phrike grins, digging in her heels despite the butterflies in her stomach, "Don't change the subject."

"My apologies, Phrike," Madeline's tone turned serious. "Tell me, how are we to break this tie?"

"Hmm," She murmured, contemplating the answer in earnest, "Do you have any rope?"

There was a sensuous edge to Madeline's laugh. "I do. In fact, I have a gift for you."

This present was an entire drawer in her enormous dresser. Full of velveteen soft rope the color of quicksilver. "Like your hair," Madeline added, as Phrike lifted a bundle into her hands.

"This is for me?" Phrike smiled, unfastening the knot. "You told me once that I tied you up, in a dream you had." Madeline's fingers untangled the rope, until she found the exact center.

"Yes, but you didn't use rope. You used magic." Phrike clarified. Still, her fingers trembled as she handled the soft material. Already, her mind running wild with the possibilities. "Interesting. I'll have to remember that little detail." Madeline wound the rope around her palm, again and again. The repetitive motion drawing Phrike's eye.

"I'll admit, this was the result of an interesting conversation with our mutual vampire friend," The captain added, "Could I trouble you for your wrist, petal?"

Phrike offered her wrist, shivering pleasantly at the first brush of Madeline's fingers. The rope wrapped twice around her wrist, then secured into a knot. "Let me show you something." Madeline handed the length of rope to Phrike, explaining in detail how to tie the same knot. Soon Phrike had secured their wrists together, and carefully concealed the excess rope.

"Well done." The captain wrapped her hand around the knot. Pulling Phrike forward, enough to throw her off balance. Keeping their lips were a whisper apart. "Ever hear the phrase 'with one hand tied behind my back?'" Madeline pressed their lips together, for the briefest of kisses. "Why don't we put that to the test?"

Phrike realized she was breathing harder than she'd been mere moments ago. "How so?" Madeline tugged the rope again. "While we are bound, this becomes one of two points of contact. Otherwise, we won't touch until one of us surrenders. And, we won't stop."

"Surrenders.." Phrike prompted, though her throat felt tight as she swallowed. Madeline's serpentine grin did nothing for her nerves. "Hence the tiebreaker."

"What's the other point of cont--" Phrike was interrupted with a deep kiss from her captain. Though true to her word, Madeline kept her hands to herself. They both held onto the rope, their fingers perilously close together without touching. Not until the game was finished.

Still, how best to emerge victorious? They waged a silent war of lips and tongue. Gods, Madeline's tongue. Sharper than steel, yet softer than silk. Every time, kissing Madeline was enough to drive her out of her head. The rope pulled Madeline's wrist forward. A muffled laugh escaped the captain, but still she persisted. Languidly coaxing Phrike's lips to part, with only the softest caresses of that wicked tongue.

Phrike whimpered, then cursed herself for the slip. Hands flexing at her sides. Reversing course, she took a step back. Tugging Madeline's wrist again. We won't stop. That's what the captain had said. Madeline now had little choice but to follow Phrike across the room. The steps she took weren't too far off from a dance. Still, she pivoted her feet carefully so as to avoid touching Madeline.

Shifting her grip on the knotted rope, Phrike's last pivot cleverly spun the two of them around. Minimizing each point of contact as much as possible. Phrike's hand smacked against the wall, effectively trapping Madeline's wrist above her head.

The captain's eyes widened. What Phrike wasn't aware of, as she met Madeline's gaze, was the shift of color happening in her eyes. Typical dark purple sclera overtaken by tendrils of black. It happened so fast, Madeline felt certain she couldn't have described it later if she tried. She dismissed it as a trick of the light at the time.

Phrike's satisfied smile was a near devious thing, on a face like hers. The lovers' embrace turned hungry. The primal sensation of their teeth clacking sent a shiver down her spine. Madeline's fist banged against the wall behind the two of them. Sending a small picture frame clattering to the floor with a slight crack.

Phrike hummed, the sound almost pitying as she moved in for kill. Madeline grunted, back arching as Phrike lightly sucked the tip of her tongue. The movement of the captain's body a subtle expression of her yearning to close the distance between them. Phrike released her tongue, nibbling and sucking her plump lower lip. Not stopping until there was a slight purple discoloration on her sensitive skin. A fitting mark. 

This game made all the more compelling while they were unable to speak.

Phrike straightened her spine, so she wouldn't lose her temporary advantage by swooning. The sound of the wheels turning in Madeline's head becoming increasingly familiar by now. Phrike giggled, consumed by an unfamiliar confidence she might've once attributed to her lover's influence.

The reality would turn out to be much more complicated.

The scrape of Phrike's teeth against her bruised bottom lip got Madeline close to giving up the game. She reached out with her available hand. If they had timed it to the last possible second, both women would have realized they lost at the exact same time. When Madeline reached out, Phrike gripped her wrist and pinned it to the wall.

"I win." Both spoke at once.

"Don't make me laugh, petal. You haven't been able to resist me in a long time. Just admit it." Madeline purred, with a wiggle of her fingers.

Phrike's satisfied laugh was suffused with a smoky edge. "I was meeting you halfway. Sparing you the indignity of defeat."

This earned a look of surprise from the captain. "That concerned with protecting my honor, are you?"

Phrike leaned in close. Madeline looked like she wanted to struggle, but acquiesced to the other woman bringing her hands together above her head. "Protecting your honor, and playing into your curiosity."

A genuine laugh from the captain, the sound richer than chocolate as Phrike kissed her neck. "What should I have to be curious about?"

"Me," Phrike murmured without missing a beat, "What it would be like, to surrender to me for a change."

"Is that right?" Madeline's voice softened the slightest bit, "You think you've got me all figured out.."

Phrike's tongue trailed her lover's throat. "Tell me I'm wrong," Her teeth pulled Madeline's earlobe. Their bound hands shifted, until their fingers were entwined together.

No response.

Madeline's eyes were closed, else she'd have noticed the darkness in Phrike's veins spreading further. Phrike was far too preoccupied with leaving another satisfactory mark on Madeline's throat to tease her further. But then, "I need an answer, my dear."

The silence stretched on, for a moment. A distinctive swallow, from the taller woman. Then, the captain whispered, "You are not wrong." It was as much of an admission from Madeline as she would ever get. "That's good," Phrike kissed the bite she'd left behind. "Though now I'm wondering. Have you ever imagined me in this position?"

"Before I knew how you felt about me." Madeline clarified, watching as Phrike lowered their tied hands, to the front of her shirt. The sight of her silver-haired devil's fingers lazily unfastening each button leaving her breathless.

"You know my fantasies," Phrike parted the fabric, words threatening to flee from her mind as she devoured the sight of Madeline's bodice, "Will you share yours with me?" Her eyes flitted up to her captain's.

Madeline's breath quickened. The rise and fall of her chest nearly driving Phrike to distraction. "That look in your eyes. I've imagined it before."

Phrike's head tilted, eyes flickering over Madeline's features. Drinking in the sweet elixir of her lover's flushed face and heaving breasts. The hazel green of Madeline's eyes disappearing as her pupils dilated.

"Fucking hells," Madeline swore, "Just like that. I've seen that look, right before you take down your opponents."

The barest flash of Phrike's teeth. A flicker of a grin that still managed to curl Madeline's toes. Here they were, both close to fully clothed. Yet beneath Phrike's gaze, she felt utterly exposed.

Phrike lifted her knee to her chest, reaching for one of the daggers she kept hidden in her boot. "Go on," She encouraged. Madeline's eyes flared. One night she confessed to Phrike that she found her agility as a warrior captivating. Both in and out of the bedroom.

"It's like you can tell what I'm thinking," Madeline's eyes darted toward the blade. Phrike eyed her weapon as understanding dawned, "Did you wonder what more I could do with a blade?"

The captain nodded. "Help me, will you, dear?" Phrike reached between their bodies, smirking. Madeline's scabbard clattered to the ground first. Together the pair used their tied hands to slide the captain's trousers down her delectable hips. Freeing her from the fabric.

Phrike used her instep to kick her lover's legs wider apart. "You need me to stop," Phrike lifted the flat handle of her dagger to her mouth, "You take this from me. Alright?"

Madeline hummed before nodding again, "Alright, yeah." Phrike held her dagger between her teeth, as her free hand slid up Madeline's inner thigh. Now Phrike had her captain pinned against the wall, as Madeline took her fingers. Their joining was rougher than usual; the heel of Phrike's hand ground out a pleasurable rhythm.

A precarious situation, to say the least. Phrike couldn't speak, lest she risk the dagger falling. Still, with her tied hand she took Madeline's chin. Neither dared look away first. "Not gonna -- mmm, last much longer. Fuck, what's gotten into you, Phrike?" Madeline's rosy glow had spread to her chest. Phrike felt a nick at the opposite corner of her mouth, where the blade pressed too close. A small wound, one she decided to wear with pride.

The hand holding Madeline's chin wrapped lovingly around her throat. With their hands still tied, Madeline placed hers over Phrike's. "Harder, love. It's alright." Phrike held their faces an inch apart, her breath fogging the dagger's edge as she moaned. Their tied hands holding her throat, as Phrike's fingers curled higher and thrust harder.

"Don't stop," Madeline gasped. Her head thumped against the wall, body helpless to do anything but succumb. "Don't look away," Phrike growled. Through a great deal of effort, Madeline opened her eyes.

Shattering to pieces for her precious petal the moment their gazes connected. Phrike pressed their foreheads together. Teeth gritted against metal as she watched Madeline's face transform during her release. Unable to stand the thought of missing a single second.

Through it all, Phrike held Madeline as her body trembled. Thinking there was plenty of her rope left over in the dresser. Surely one bundle wouldn't be much of a sacrifice.

There were no complaints from Madeline as the tip of her blade severed each section of the knot carefully. Freeing their hands, she noted there were minimal markings from the rope. A mark of quality craftsmanship. She felt touched that Madeline had gone to such lengths.

Madeline's eyes reflected blissful contentment. Phrike's eyes flitted toward her bodice, as she tsked. "What is it, Phrike?"

Phrike palmed her dagger, opening her arms. Madeline took that as a cue to walk into her embrace. She rubbed her captain's lower back, before aligning the blade. "I promise, I will pay to replace it." In a single, careful sweep, Phrike severed the laces of Madeline's bodice. It fell to the floor in a heap. "That's better." She lifted the dagger, flinging it at the nearest wall.

Madeline looked back at the blade, then at Phrike. Despite the damage to her clothes, the captain cracked a smile. "I must be a good influence for you."

"Only the best." Phrike held out her hand to Madeline. It was here she noticed just how far the darkness had spread. Advancing down her right shoulder, toward her elbow. Phrike found the concern she should have felt in this moment simply...wasn't there. Madeline squeezed her hand, and all she wanted was to take her to bed. "Come here." Phrike sat on the right side, patting Madeline's space on the left.

"But what about you?" The captain crawled into bed beside her lover. Embracing one another as they had several times already. Phrike found she was growing attached to this little ritual of theirs. "If I recall, the winner gets to decide the course of the evening." Phrike murmured, her fingers stroking up and down the captain's back. "Aye," Madeline replied, as though she was unsure where Phrike was going with this.

"Then I decide we'll enjoy a brief respite with one another, before we continue taking succor in each other's bodies." Phrike cradled Madeline's head against her chest.

Madeline chuckled, but settled further into their embrace. "What will you do if you wake up before me?" After spending all their time together, they discovered the captain was the heavy sleeper between the two of them.

Phrike blinked slowly, "I'll let you sleep, of course," Soon her eyes had settled shut, and she found she didn't want to open them again.

"And if you wake up before me?" Phrike murmured. Something about the way Madeline's bed was put together. Maybe it was the velvet duvet. The effect was positively soporific.

"That's for the winner to decide." Madeline's hand wandered up Phrike's thigh. Somehow, she always found the scar on her right hip. It was nigh undetectable. Still, Madeline had fallen asleep tracing the angled cut twice before.

"You have my consent to use your imagination." Phrike smirked, with her eyes closed. She didn't miss the impish laugh from her captain.

The last thought in Phrike's mind before she drifted off to sleep?

Gods above and below, but I love you so.