10. Zoldryn

10

ZOLDRYN

" H mm… this one should go here…"

I watch Lyra as she moves around my lair, her slender fingers carefully picking up each of my treasures and placing them in neat stacks. It's a strange sight, this human woman handling my possessions with such care and attention. I can't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the intrusion, but there's something about her that intrigues me.

As I observe her, I can't shake the feeling that there's more to her than meets the eye. She emits a strange power that I can't quite put my finger on. It's not like anything I've ever felt before, and it's confusing as hell. How can a mere human possess such magic?

I try to puzzle it out as I watch her, but she seems completely oblivious to her own abilities. It's frustrating, to say the least. If I'm going to use her to overthrow The Elder, I need to understand her power and how to control it. But if she doesn't even know she has it, how can I possibly do that?

I decide that the only way to get answers is to get closer to her. I need to earn her trust, make her feel comfortable around me. Maybe then she'll reveal her true nature.

I approach her slowly, trying not to startle her. "What are you doing?" I ask, my voice gruff.

She jumps at the sound of my voice, dropping the trinket she was holding. "I'm just...cleaning," she says, her voice trembling slightly.

I raise an eyebrow. "Cleaning?" I repeat, looking around at the masterpiece that is my lair. It's not exactly the kind of place that screams "cleanliness."

She nods, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Yes. I thought...I don't know. I..."

I can't help but feel a grudging respect for her. She's trying to make the best of a bad situation, and there's something admirable about that. But I can't let my guard down. Not yet.

Reaching around her, I grab a dress made of shiny cloth material.

I hold out the dress to Lyra, watching as her eyes widen in surprise. She takes it from me hesitantly, her fingers brushing against mine for a brief moment. I can feel a surge of her power wash over me, and I have to fight the urge to take a step back.

"Put it on," I command, my voice gruff.

Lyra's cheeks flush pink again, and she looks around the room nervously. "Right here?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nod, returning to perch on my stone bed. I can't help but feel a twinge of irritation at her hesitation. Does she not understand that I am her master now? That she must do as I say?

"Yes, right here," I say, my voice cold. "Unless you would prefer to remain in those rags."

Lyra bites her lip, looking down at the dress in her hands. She seems to be weighing her options, and I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Will she defy me? Will she try to run?

But to my surprise, she begins to undress. She turns her back to me, her slender shoulders trembling slightly as she pulls the hem of her tattered rag tunic. I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the sight of her submission.

But then she turns to face me, her cheeks flushed and her eyes filled with fear. "Are you going to watch me?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I feel a surge of anger at her audacity. How dare she question me? How dare she challenge my authority?

"Put the dress on, human!" I roar, my voice echoing through the cavernous room.

Lyra's eyes widen in fear, and I can feel her power surging again. It's a strange feeling, this boost of strength and power that filters through the air and soaks into me. And I can't help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of harnessing that power for my own gain.

But for now, I must bide my time. I must earn her trust, make her believe that I am her ally. Only then can I truly begin to unlock the secrets of her power.

I watch as Lyra discards her soiled tunic, revealing her perfectly round ass and peculiarly captivating contours. She slips into the golden dress, her figure quivering slightly as she tugs it down over her bare flesh. The fabric clings to her like a second skin, emphasizing every feature. For a fleeting moment, I can't help but experience a hint of desire.

"You look...adequate," I say, my tone icy. "Now come closer."

Lyra hesitates for a moment, her gaze darting around the room. But then she takes a deep breath and strides towards me, her chin held high.

I sense her power escalating once more, and I can't help but feel a rush of exhilaration. She's undeniably terrified, and whenever she feels fear... her power appears to amplify.

Over the next few days, I watch as Lyra grows more comfortable in my lair. She still jumps at every sudden noise, but she no longer cowers in fear at the sight of me. Instead, she watches me with a wary curiosity that I find oddly endearing.

I continue to lavish her with finery from my hoard, presenting her with dresses made of silk and velvet, necklaces adorned with precious gems, and rings that sparkle in the dim light of my lair. She accepts each gift with a quiet grace, her eyes widening in wonder as she examines the intricate details of each piece.

But even as I spoil her with luxury, I can't help but instill fear in her. It's a necessary evil, I tell myself. I need her terror to fuel my strength, to keep me sharp and focused. And so, I make sure to remind her of her place in my world, to keep her on edge.

One evening, as she's admiring a particularly stunning necklace, I approach her from behind, my footsteps silent on the stone floor. She doesn't hear me coming until I'm right behind her, and she lets out a startled gasp as I reach out to touch her shoulder. I spin her around and place my claws around her neck.

"Little human," I say, my voice low and husky. "Never forget who you belong to."

Lyra's eyes meet mine in the reflection of the mirror, and I can see the fear flickering in their depths. But there's something else there too, something that I can't quite put my finger on. It's a look that I've never seen before, and it sends a shiver down my spine.

"I...I understand," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

This is just the beginning, I think to myself. The beginning of a new era, where I will rule supreme.

And Lyra will be by my side, whether she likes it or not.