6.2 Constraint

The disconcerting smile on his face broadens at your question. "It would be foolish not to stay informed on the affairs of my direct opposition." He states bluntly, keeping his dark eyes fixed on yours. Tilting your head slightly, you warily comment, "I was under the impression Kyros is the more significant competition." There is a brief pause while Nereus continues studying your face. "History has shown it is often the unlikely contender that is the more interesting subject." He says after a moment then finally loosens his grip on your shoulder. Shrugging it away from him, you tense your back defensively. "That is more applicable in war than politics." You counter curtly, trying to subtly glance at the exit behind him in the process. Your vision is blocked when he leans towards you. "Two areas you greatly lack experience in." He remarks brusquely, keeping his voice low. "Tell me, how exactly do you intend to successfully rule with such a glaring shortcoming?" An angry flush spread across your face at his brash question. When you neglect to answer, he scoffs haughtily and straightens up. "Do not think that because you have been allowed to run you are a serious candidate." His tone grows increasingly agitated as he keeps speaking, "You are nothing more than a deluded maiden."

"That is not true." You reply sharply, unable to contain your frustration any longer. Your angry response appears to fall on deaf ears. "Come, I will escort you back to your guards." He commands and moves to return his hand to your shoulder. "No." You assert firmly while swiftly stepping out of his reach. The edge of the altar connects with your hip in the process. Though you're hardly aware of the dull pain as you stare defiantly at Nereus. His jaw flexes tensely before he quietly states, "I would advise you not to make this difficult." Despite your apprehension, you don't waiver. "I will not be ordered about by a subordinate." His eyes flash violently at your words. You gasp in surprise when he roughly grabs your arm and drags you forward. "You may still be Empress." He snarls as his fingers continue curling tighter around your upper arm. "However, you are no leader." Wincing in pain, you try unsuccessfully to pull out of his grasp. "Release me." You demand as your concern grows. Tilting his head slightly, Nereus scornfully asks, "Are you unable to leave of your own volition? Perhaps now you see why you are so ill-suited for a position of authority." Frowning in irritation, you reluctantly concede to yourself he is partially correct. Though you aren't of the mindset that brawn trumps brains, this predicament does highlight a large flaw you've previously neglected.

"You are quite helpless." He observes, glancing down at your uneasy form. Uncomfortable tension hangs in the air as you distrustfully watch Nereus. He moves forward, causing his broad abdomen to press against your side. "How easily that could be taken advantage of." A vexed expression comes over your face as you weigh the significance of his statement. "What do you mean to imply?" You ask warily, continuing to keep your eye on him. Nereus seems to take a moment to consider your question then answers, "It is time someone reminded you of your true station." Before you can respond, you're **** back further into the hard side of the stone altar. Exhaling sharply, you feel a jolt of alarm when Nereus swiftly strips the cloak from your shoulders. "I will not allow you to get away with this." You hiss while struggling against his grip. The corner of his lips curl in amusement and he places hand under your chin. "I very much doubt that." He detracts as he tilts your face up towards him. Grimacing, you angrily jerk out of his grasp. "Such aggression." He comments darkly and grabs the fabric covering your chest. "That will easily be broken." Wincing again, your face grows hot when he pulls it down exposing your bare skin.

His cold eyes rake over your exposed form before forcing you back. Gasping in protest, you're unable to stop him from pushing you down onto the altar's surface. The stone is cold against your flushed skin, sending an involuntary shiver down your spine. When you attempt to sit up, he roughly pulls you down by your hair. Tears spring in your eyes from the sharp, unexpected pain. "You will learn to listen." He growls coldly while beginning to remove the rest of your garments. Inhaling shakily, you watch anxiously as he finishes then digs his fingers into the soft flesh of your leg. Groaning in discomfort, you feel completely helpless after he quickly draws it to the side. The coarse material from his clothes brush against your inner thigh when he steps forward. You find yourself incapable of turning away as his grip on your hair tightens. He looks down at you disdainfully, pausing momentarily as if daring you to disobey. Choosing not to play his game, you instead stare back dispassionately. Despite your emotionless exterior, you are less composed internally. Nereus' expression remains arrogant while he leans his large figure over your smaller one. More pain stabs through you when he begins ramming himself in you. Flinching, you bite down on your lip until the metallic taste of blood fills your mouth.

Resigning yourself to your fate, you cast your gaze down. As soon as you do this, the grip on your hair tightens and your head is pulled back further. Your eyes widen slightly as they quickly look back into Nereus' intense gaze. His pace is rough and unrelenting, causing your back to slide against the coarse surface beneath it. The unmasked resent in his eyes illicit an unexpected stir in your body. Blood rushes to your face when you feel yourself involuntarily reacting to his movements. Biting down again on your already bruised lip, you try to ignore the sensation. This becomes increasingly difficult to accomplish as it's not long before liquid is pooling onto the stone beneath you. This doesn't seem to escape Nereus' attention and his expression grows more arrogant. "It seems your body is incapable of matching your willful attitude." He scoffs contemptuously after running his fingers across your slick inner thigh. You startle visibly when he moves them to your frustratingly receptive clit. A small groan slips out of your throat as an influx of pleasure surges through you. Nereus loosens his grip on your hair, allowing you to lie back further. Clenching your jaw, you struggle to contain your uncontrolled reaction. Your back arches reflexively, while you whimper softly.

His fingers continue circling around your sensitive skin until a slightly uncomfortable pressure starts building. Just as it is about release, his movements abruptly cease. Your mind feels clouded as you try to adjust to the sudden lack of stimulation. When you look at him in confusion, he lets out a bitter laugh. "You are mistaken to think you would be deriving any gratification." Nereus discloses flatly while wrenching you to your feet by your arm. Before you can steady yourself, he shoves you to the ground. A sharp breath of air escapes your lungs when your knees roughly connect with the cold floor. His fingers curl around your hair, pulling your head back painfully in the process. Glaring heatedly, you turn your face away as far as you're able. Nereus exhales impatiently then clamps his fingers around your jaw, prying your mouth open in the process. "I will not warn you again." He threatens irately after momentarily releasing your hair. He uses the free hand to swiftly uncover his still acutely rigid appendage. Once the end is past your parted lips, his hand returns to the back of your head and pushes you forward. The instant sensation of suffocation you experience when his thick length is **** down your throat causes you to panic moderately.

Reaching out blindly, your hand connects with the pillar of the altar. Grabbing onto it for support, you struggle to regain your breath. More tears well in the corner of your eyes before running down the sides of your flushed face. Nereus keeps his firm grip around your cheeks, forcing your mouth open wider. You hear him grunt lightly as he uses his other hand to continue your unwilling movements. Your throat begins to feel raw after a few minutes of repeatedly having him thrust in and out of it. Eventually, he groans deeply then harshly yanks your head back again. You flinch in displeasure when his large member strikes the side of your face. Thick fluid splatters across your face, causing you to recoil more. After he removes his hand from your head, you guardedly tilt it up towards him. Meeting his apathetic gaze, you slowly raise a hand to your face. Nereus does not move to stop but watches silently as you wipe off liquid that has settled on your cheekbone. "You are unfit for command." He remarks obtrusively and brusquely pulls you to your feet again. "However, you may serve some use after all." Frowning, you reflexively shirk back when he runs his fingers down the side of your slightly damp cheek.

You think you catch a glimpse of what could almost be described as approval pass over his face before it's abruptly replaced by his unfeeling expression. "When you are no longer in a seat of power, it will only become less difficult to exploit your susceptibility." Nereus cautions while his eyes bore deeply into your skin. "Who will be there to protect you when that happens?" A small pit begins forming in your stomach at his question. He doesn't wait for an answer, instead turning to face the exit. "I trust you will not fight me this time." He says offhandedly, while straightening his clothes. Much to your chagrin, he is correct. Exhausted and slightly bruised, you know failing to comply is not currently an option. You had hoped he would simply bring you back to your estate. Unfortunately, he instead heads in the direction of the library. It would appear he has been keeping his eye on you for a considerable amount of time. To your cautious relief, he stops at the entrance of the building. Giving you some hope he's at least not privy to your method of slipping out unnoticed. Prior to leaving, Neurus reminds you of his earlier comment then adds, "I will return for answer soon." Once he has finally left, you wearily lean against the large wooden door, spending a moment to gather your thoughts. Eventually, you steal back inside, feeling momentarily defeated.