14- I will be back later

Maeve woke up with a ringing in her ears.

She tried to get the grogginess out of her head and looked at her surroundings.

Lugh. He was sleeping on her right, they were together on a large bed in the Royal bedchambers.

What had he done? What hadn't he done? Her mind filled the silence with worst-case scenarios.

Her fingers brushed over the soft fabric of her dress, a foreign garment she didn't recognize. Someone had changed her, bathed her even. The thought made her feel exposed and vulnerable, though her body showed no signs of harm. Still, she couldn't shake the unease clawing at her.

She snuck to the window, the tower she was in was high above rocky cliffs and she felt the overwhelming need to come up with a plan before Lugh woke.

How had she been so dumb. Please save me Vali! Sirius! Anybody! But she had brought this upon herself and the sea was tumultuous. How could she have been so foolish? Trusting Lugh had seemed harmless at first—a fleeting indulgence, a moment of escape. But now, the weight of her choices bore down on her like the icy wind outside.

Maeve's hands trembled as she gripped the cold stone windowsill, her thoughts racing as fast as the waves crashing against the cliffs below. The stormy sea mirrored the chaos within her.

She glanced back at the bed, where Lugh's figure lay still, his chest rising and falling in the rhythm of deep sleep. His peaceful expression only made her stomach churn.

Should I climb down?

The thought terrified her. She grabbed ahold of the fishing nets that decorated the walls and began to unweave them, until she had a rope. All the while watching Lugh sleeping innocently. Maybe she could tie him up. She could run out the door instead…. no someone was sure to run into her. She couldn't escape that way, no.

She lowered the rope and began shakily climbing out the window. Her palms felt the rope and she tried not to look down as she made her way off of the landing.

She held her breath.

Just don't look down. Just don't look down.

She barely had time to think when suddenly the rope snapped.

She felt terror fill her chest. A scream escaped her mouth and she never had time to think before her life; a short one flashed before her eyes.

Her life with Sirius, a man who never loved her, Vali, who had loved her but would never save her; and of Lugh. The reason for her death.

My life's not fair.

Her soul shrieked. Memories haunted her of her time in Yggdrasil imprisioned by Odin without a knowledge of the cause.

Of all the centuries spent alone.

And in an instant all she could do was scream.

And then he woke.

Water surged beneath her, catching her in a violent cushion saving her from hitting the rocks. She gasped as icy waves engulfed her. Lugh had saved her, his arms wrapping around her as they were caught by the sea.

Time seemed to stop as she was no longer falling, but found herself freezing cold and wet.

She clung to his frame as he had scooped her up in his arms, terror of being kidnapped by him was replaced by relief.

But then he set her down.

With a scream she began running. Escape I've gotta escape! She screamed, like a mouse as her feet pounded the sand, she ran her heart out along the perimeter of the island, but there was no exit.

Lugh didn't move an inch.

The townspeople just stared as she ran along the beach until she grew tired and too cold and wet from the mists and the water until she once again made it back to him.

Then Lugh stood up as she came back. "Good girl." He said and water splashed her face once again and she passed out.

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Maeve woke up once again in his bedroom, a new outfit on her frame once again, only this time she was unable to climb through the window. Bars were installed now. The tower had become a real prison.

She willed herself to come up with an escape plan but none came. Where is Lugh? She wondered.

She ran to the door. "Let me go! Let me go! She screamed through the locked wooden barrier that kept her from her freedom. She pounded on the door until she grew tired.

She sunk to the ground, exhaustion washing over her and fell asleep once again, only to awaken with a bowl of clam soup and bread next to her.

Lugh was in the room. The door! The door must be unlocked! She jumped up and reached for the handle, but with a flick of his wrist Lugh moved water to lock it once again.

"Let me go." She said with hatred. "You cannot keep me here forever. Vali will save me."

 "You're not a prisoner, Maeve. You're my guest. But you need to understand—leaving here isn't an option. Not yet. First you have to see things my way."

She pulled on the door handle, ignoring him and defiantly, "no Lugh, you had no right!"

"I am a king!" He interrupted, "consider yourself lucky that I like you! I never wanted to marry but then I met you, and you have to know how I feel Maeve! I must have you, there's no going back now, I love you!"

The words escaped his lips like he meant it, but his actions said otherwise and her love for him was gone.

"That's not love." She said coldly. "If you loved me, I would have dated you calmly and gone hiking and normal things! Why did you have to take me like that?!

Lugh didn't answer. His jaw tightened like he was thinking.

"Selkies don't love for life." He said, "but you, you're different. I want you Maeve, I'm not letting you go, my word is final. I'm not letting Vali have you."

Then he stood up. He unlocked the door and left, "learn to love me, don't fight this. Eat your dinner. I will be back later."