What if I fail?

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CW: captivity, slavery, minor whump

Kell hated to perform in Oryn’s shows. But what he hated more were the parties after the shows. 

He hid in the shadows near the windows and watched Robin flirt with some Varsennan, her red hair glowing in the candlelight. Of course, she enjoyed being the centre of attention. She looked gorgeous in her red dress as she moved gracefully between the Varsennan guests. She didn’t look like she was scared. She didn’t look like she hated any of them. She looked perfectly comfortable, as if surrounded by friends.

Even Thrasher and Linnet seemed to enjoy the party. Blackbird was, as usual, nowhere to be found. Why did he have to attend when Blackbird could miss the whole thing? Kell hoped the party would be over soon and he in his bed. The makeup was itching on his skin and his scalp, and he was tired. His throat was already sore from singing and he was so thirsty. But Kell didn’t trust any open glasses anymore. He could wait until he got back to his own rooms.

At least Oryn wasn’t here to drag him out of his hiding spot. Kell watched how Thrasher left the party with two young men. All three of them giggling. Where were they going? And when had Thrasher lost his shirt?

He was still wondering what they were up to, when there was a hand on his elbow. Kell flinched and looked directly into the eyes of a Varsennan woman. She smiled down at him. “Did I startle you?”, she asked, and it didn’t sound like she was sorry.

Kell didn’t answer, but she didn’t seem to care. She looked at him intensely and Kell suddenly felt very self-conscious under her gaze. She was so close he could smell her perfume, could feel her breath on his skin. Too close. He wanted to step away, but he already felt his back hit the wall.

“You look prettier on the stage”, she finally said. “But I get why he chose you.”

Kell didn’t understand what she meant by that.

“Come with me. We have a little surprise for you.” She pulled him with her, smiling playfully, but her grip was like iron. Kell was very sure he would not like that surprise. His eyes found Linnet’s on their way to the door, but she just looked down.

There can be only one of us

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CW: captivity, slavery, drugging

Kell didn’t know how long he sat there. He lost his sense for time. Suddenly there were faint steps. Maybe someone had finally come to help him downstairs. He slowly half-opened his eyes to see a familiar face. The girl who switched glasses with him. He fully opened his eyes and struggled to sit up.

“Oh don’t bother, sweetheart”, she purred, looking down at him with a smile on her lips. She really was beautiful. Her dark hair had a red shimmer, and her eyes were painted to even look bigger.

“You drugged me”, Kell said weakly.

“I did not. I simply gave you a glass of water. It is not my problem if you were so naïve to drink it.”

“Why did you do this?” Kell asked. His speech was slurred and he was pretty sure he was going to throw up some time soon.

The girl crouched down next to him. He could smell her perfume. Thick and too sweet. She looked him up and down before she whispered her answer. “Before you came here, I was Oryn’s favourite bird. His Robin.” She paused and her smile widened. “There can be only one of us. And I will not stop picking on you until you won’t be able to sing anymore.”

She looked at him for two more seconds as if to make sure he understood. Then she smiled brightly and got up. “Oh and by the way: Oryn is really angry you are still not downstairs.” She gave him a wave with the tips of her fingers.

He could hear her humming while her footsteps faded.

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