Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers {Corbin}

[Marissa Abigail Skye]

OH Happy Day!

The sun was shining, the birds where chirping and the Fae Queen had succeeding in losing her intensely fierce band of guards to do a bit of shopping in the mortal realm. Oh yes, it was a happy day indeed!

She'd so missed the freedom of bouncing along looking into shop windows and coveting the newest pair of louis vuitton shoes. Today though? Today she was intent on doing just that. After all, she WAS queen of a realm, right? She deserved to have a bit of fun ONCE in awhile!

That thought firmly in mind, the petite little blond popped into existence and took in the sights and smells of the mortal realm. Realizing she was still dressed in her royal robes, Marissa Skye wiggled her nose and instantly changed into a cute little red sundress with a matching pair of pumps and adorable sunglasses to shade her brilliant eyes.

Then, deeming herself presentable, she stepped out of the shadowed trees of the city park and ambled forward.

Much to her delight, she hadn't needed to go far before spying what look to be an arts and crafts fair. Practically squealing in delight, the little fae danced forward and paid her entry fee before beginning the long journey through the tents and tables. Here and there she stopped to browse and chat to the crafters before continuing on her journey. On rare occasions, she haggled merrily over some small purchase before handing over some money and tucking her treasure firmly away for the future.

After about four hours, Marissa found herself caught squarely in the middle of the intersecting pathways and totally at a loss as to where all the time had gone. A quick glance at her mortal clock gave her no doubt that someone would be looking for her and she stiffled an inner groan. Sometimes being the Queen was a real pain in the tush.

Giving a deep sigh, Rissa was just turning to head back to the front entrance when a sparkle caught her eye and her attention was drawn to a small, dark booth with trays of crystals laid out before it. One stone in particular seemed to glitter and wink at her and the young queen found herself pulled to it like a sailor to a siren's song. Before she knew what she was doing, she'd drifted closer to the table and her fingers hovered over the sapphire beauty just before a creaky, aged voice broke through the spell.

"Hello, my dear... do you see something that interests you?" the old hag asked as she detached herself from the dark gloomy depths of the tent. "My babies are beautiful are they not? Each one is a rare gem in its own right and they are meant for certain owners.... Maybe one is meant for you??"

Gasping in surprise, Marissa made to pull her hand back but found she couldn't. The old womans gaze followed her outstretched limb and then blazed knowingly for a long moment at the crystal under her fingers.

"Ahhh.. yes... The Seekers stone... It constantly seeks a companion worthy of its great powers.... It seems to have a fondness for you, my lady..." she said with a slight cackle.

Moving forward, the old witch picked up the stone and turned to the fae queen.

"Here.. you must have this.. it is my gift to you.. Use it wisely and cautiously and you shall have everything you desire.. Use it falsely and it shall be your doom..."

Trying to jerk back, Marissa found herself strangely unable to move as the hag reached for her hand and put the warm stone in her palm. Without thought, her fingers curled around the object and her eyes closed against the bright surge of power it filled her with.

By all the fires of Abaddon.. She'd never felt such a thing! she thought to herself, letting her inner eye take in the heat of power. This was not a gift she could wield though, she knew in her heart. IN fact, it wasn't a gift at all but a curse she suspected.

And it had just been placed in her hand.

When she opened her eyes, the words were already on Rissa's lips to refuse the gift but ot her astonishment, the witch and the tent were gone. Where they had stood mere moments ago was empty space.

Quickly spinning about, the petite beauty searched for the woman but found her nowhere. "How very strange!" she thought to herself before realizing that the stone was still warm in her hand.

Well, Hell... She had a decidedly unwelcome feeling that her life had just gotten a wee bit more complicated. Just what she needed. Even as she thought that though, the stone seemed to reach out and sooth her so she shrugged and tucked it into the pocket of her sundress. She would just have to sort out whatever it was later. Right now, she had a king no doubt to pacify and an army of guards to call off.

Oh Happy Happy Joy Joy!

[Corbin Muunokhoi]

Glaring at the mound of paperwork on his desk, it was all Corbin could do not to throw a tantrum to end all tantrums. When he’d first come into this lightless Realm, he’d thought that he’d be facing constant war; killing people and torturing those who opposed him…not sifting through piles of petitions and other nonsense. But, as he’d well learned after Baden had been put in his place, even the Dark Fae had some kind of political government, equipped with laws, petitions and correspondence.

It was enough to drive him right back into his hovel in the forest. Bah, if not for his pride and the knowledge that he ruled one of the most powerful spheres of existence in the known universe, he’d have done so already. But, duty called…and there was always the taste of war, when one of the younger Generals got too big for their boots.

Sitting back, the Fae entwined his fingers over his chest as he thought back to the last pup who’d made the mistake of threatening his throne. The fight had been impressive; almost matching his initial ascendance to the throne. The armies had met on the battlefield, man to man, sword to sword and had fought it out like the animals they were. His Were’s cut into the enemy Fae’s like a knife through melted butter; changing some and killing most others with an efficiency that had made him proud. He’d made sure they hadn’t become soft and weak during their time in the realm and it had come to good use during that amusing time.

He’d faced the General in the middle of the field, sword drawn and magic crackling through the air. Thunder groaned around them, but the sound was drowned out by the screams of the wounded and the hill on which they stood ran red. He’d met the man blow for blow, and in the end, had taken his head.

Almost lovingly, the King looked out his window at the slack faced skull decaying from a pike on the windowsill. Malchiar had been one hell of an opponent for such a young warrior, but in the end, the true ruler had prevailed. His defeat would deter some of the more outspoken opponents from making a stand as Mal had.

…Which really pissed him off to no end. Without war, intrigue and impending assassinations, he was stuck listening to the nobles whine and signing documents until his fingers bled. He needed some kind of distraction not involving his Were’s, or he’d go mad. Completely and utterly mad.

An image of his beloved came to mind just then, and a wide smile replied the dark scowl on his face. Ah, his favorite distraction. He would pay her a visit; she was due to be in his castle any moment, given it was her week to spend some time in the Dark Realm. Every other week, he would go into her kingdom and she would come into his; show the subjects that they were strong together as they were apart.

But she never came. He waited at his desk, almost vibrating with the need to scoop her up into his arms and hide from the boredom that was his position…but she never arrived. Irritation and anxiousness swamped him as he rang for his guards, and in no time, he was off looking for his mate. It wasn’t exactly the distraction he’d expected, but it got him out of the throne room, thank the Gods.

It was a thought that was immediately dashed, as the invisible portal into the human world dropped him off in some kind of…crafts fair. Wrinkling his nose as a few mortals dressed in colorful garb cut him a wide birth, Corbin stalked through the crowd.

”Marissa!” He bellowed, causing some to turn and look at him in fear. He ignored them, instead content to look for his wife. ”Marissa! Come out, before I lose my temper.”

[Marissa Abigail Skye]

"MARISSA"

The sound of a very male voice bellowing her name made Marissa flinch. Oh dear, it seemed as if she were even later than she'd thought. A quick glance at her watch showed that she had indeed miscalculated time and was no doubt very late for a visit to her Dark Lord.

No doubt why he was currently scattering patrons of the fair left and right and looking quite scrumptious in his own growly way.

Deciding that it might be wise to meet him half way than to have the fair security take exception to his manner, Rissa skipped forward until she was mere feet from him before stopping and cocking her head sideways a bit.

As she waited for him to notice her, her hand slipped of its own free accord into the pocket of her dress and curled around the crystal. A rush of power swamped her again and a feeling of wicked glee filled her.

"Hello, my darling king...." she chirped out, completely unphased by his anger. "Did I hear you bellow??"

With a wicked gleam to her eye, the fae queen danced forward and grinned up at him in a manner that she was sure not many people managed and survived. However, for some reason, she was feeling even more brave than usual and she wasn't exactly known for her hesitancy with her lord.

"Did you miss me so much that you just couldn't resist tracking me down? Because I have a secret...." she said in a whisper as she stood on tiptoes and rested her front against him. "I've missed you too...... What do you say we play hooky, dump the guards and cause a bit of mischief?"

With her sapphire eyes alight with fae magic, Rissa was unaware of the extra glow around her. She felt almost punch drunk for some reason and the urge to do something reckless prodded her along. With a twinkling laugh, she suddenly spun away from her mate and danced a few paces off.

"Or better yet.... Lets play a game of chase.... Catch me if you can, my lover...." came her voice carried on the breeze even as she spun out of sight in a flash of magic leaving only her scent and voice to lead him on.

"Come, Come My Love... If you catch me I'm yours to command...."

[Corbin Muunokhoi]

A growl escaped his chest as he eyed the humans scrambling to get out of his way. What pesky little creatures they were; so weak and fragile. And he’d wanted to rule the little bugs, back in his pre-King days…bah, what was he thinking? All of the true challenges were found in his own dominion; all the intrigue, the battles, the flaying of the traitors. How could he have ever mistaken this world to have any kind of actual use?

Other than serving to really annoy him, that is. Bah, if that pastry seller wasn’t going to get out of his way, he was going to ram that tray of cupcakes right up her—

Marissa’s voice cut through the threat and whatever dark, irritable energy that was pouring off of him instantly dried up. It was always like that; the angry power that seemed ingrained in his very being, never failed to hesitate when around his woman. It was as if he possessed the instinctive need to…what? Obey her? Cater to her? Bathe himself in that wonderful light? Sometimes, he wondered if she felt even a fraction of the bond that seemed to live within his own chest.

“You did indeed, my Queen,” He returned. His stride ate up the distance between them, and with a groan low in his throat, he put his arms around her. “You didn’t show up today. I thought something had happened…one of those damn traitors had tried to take you out, this time.”

He paused, ignoring the humans who cautiously went back to what they’d been doing before his arrival. Slowly, a wolfish smile curled his lips as he stole a kiss. “My love…do you see any guards? We’re in the human realm; I doubt we’ll be in too much mortal danger. Unless you attempt to eat an entire plate of those blasted cupcakes. Again.”

Before he could get out another word, that impish look he was quickly growing used to came onto his woman’s face. Another growl escaped him, though this time, it was charged with the promise of what he was going to do to her, once she was caught. A quick spell had them fading from the humans’ memories and lines of sight, and with his own flash of darker magic, he followed her.

Following that enticing scent, he sped through the fair after her. He frowned as he took in a deep breath of rosemarie and sweets…there was something underlying, there. He could practically taste it on his tongue. It reminded him of…war. Conquest. Power.

“Marissa?” He called out, pausing at the edge of the fair. “My little bird…what happened at the fair today?”

[Marissa Abigail Skye]

Oh, it was absolutely delicious to be so naughty.

That was the main thought the flickered through Marissa's mind as she danced between the realms and played with her lord. She enjoyed watching the flare of desire that stirred in his eyes when he caught her scent and the possessive expression that stole over his features. It was like a perfect high to know she could effect such a powerful creature and draw him to her.

And the stone liked it to. It practically thrummed with power as it warmed her palm and urged her on to a faster, more daring escape. A flush of wicked amusement flared through her soul and something wild seemed to bloom in her chest. It was like nothing she'd ever felt before and addictive in its flavor.

So addictive that the Fae Queen didn't even realize that the power seducing her was not her own.

Pausing briefly at the sound of her Kings question, Rissa stood ready to bound away but some pesky logical voice in the back of her head gave her pause. Frowning, the petite blond pulled the crystal from her pocket and held it up to examine. Again, the thing seemed to throb with a welcome light and she carressed it like a well loved pet. Suddenly, she didn't want to tell her lord about the stone. Something urged her to hide it away for he would only seek to take it from her. He'd want the power it lent her and it was hers!

Those thoughts alone were so weird for her that it broke the spell for a moment.

Blinking her eyes at her own thoughts and wondering when she'd become so possessive, the Fae Queen frowned at the crystal and vowed to discard it. Raising her hand back, she threw the stone as hard as she could into the mysts between the realms. Then, brushing her hands off as if happy to be rid of it, she opened her mouth to reply to her king.

And then realized that there was something heavy once again in her pocket!

Reaching into it once more, Rissa wrapped her hand around something hard and warm. Pulling it out, she stared in baffled bemusement at the crystal once more.

What the devil??

As she stood there, she felt a presence at her side and glanced up in the face of her King. Eeping a bit, she put her hands behind her back and tried to look innocent.

"Er..... I'm sure I don't know what you mean, my lord?"

[Corbin Muunokhoi]

Damnable Hell…just leave it to his woman to leave him both annoyed and thoroughly aroused. Perhaps it was the werewolf minions that he’d surrounded himself with for so long while in the human world, but the chase…catching those faint glimpses of that delicious derriere was making his blood heat to an uncomfortable level. Not to mention that another part of his anatomy was currently demanding for some playtime itself. He had to focus on the important part, dammit! The fact that his woman, the light and bubbly Marissa Skye, smelled like war.

It was just wrong, on so many levels. The Queen of the Seelie Court, smelling like something other than flowers and smiles. HE was the only one who could give off that kind of aura, damn it…what would the others in their Courts think?

Stomping over to her once she reappeared in the human realm, he couldn’t help but reach out for her…and scowl when she whirled around to face him. Letting his hand drop to his side, his eyes scanned her face and the frown deepened. Naturally, he had a thing about people lying to him, and given the fact that his Rissa was the most honest woman on the planet, the obvious fib had him quite concerned.

Forcing himself not to snatch her arm and yank it out from behind her, he merely stood there and looked down at her for a minute. The time spent with her had taught him many things, patience included. So, in an attempt to act like a king, rather than the angry bastard that he was, he managed to keep his voice relatively calm. Albeit irritated.

”If that’s the case, little bird, why don’t you take your hands out from behind you? You know I’m not a fan of these games…I can sense something on you. Something that intrigues me.”

Tilting his head, he regarded her for a minute before his lips slowly relaxed and curved upwards. ”Did you find me a present in the fair? I hope it’s not another charm. The one that was supposed to give me ‘serenity’ only managed to raise my blood pressure.”

[Marissa Abigail Skye]

He wanted to see her treasure?? He thought her prize was for him? NEVER!!IT was hers and hers alone! She'd found it and it had chosen to be her pet. There was no way she would allow anyone else to have it!

In a flash of temper very unlike her, Marissa scowled at her King.

With her lips turned down mulishly , she glared at him and raised her hand to poke him in the chest with a slender finger. Her bright green eyes flash with a darker, far more potent emotion than the moment called for and an unfamiliar power surged from her soul. The air around them electrified and the fae queens hair began to float around her in the surge.

Not that she noticed at the moment as her eyes narrowed on Corbin.

"It is MINE! You can not have it! You shall not have it!" she practically hissed, resembling something like a kitten in full fluff mode. "The crystal chose me... Its for me and me alone!!"

Whirling away, Rissa darted off in a flurry of magic. In the back of her mind, little bells rang out but she couldn't seem to make sense of the emotions rolling over her. Never an angry being, the surge of possessive rage left her confused and that only made her even more volatile. It was as if something alien was loose in her skin and it amplified her emotions into unfamiliar zones. The only clear thought she had was that she had to hide the stone away from everyone else.

Most especially Corbin. For more reasons than one.

As much as the stone had become hers, her logical self sensed it was effecting her somehow and the sort of power it gave off was dangerous. If it could effect her like this... She could only imagine how it would effect her dark king. Until she knew more about the thing... It would have to remain with her.

[Corbin Muunokhoi]

If it wasn’t the angry, un-Marissa words that came flying out of her mouth, it was the hardened look in her eyes that informed Corbin that his mate had currently left the reservation. The normally spritely, playful Queen’s entire demeanor changed, as she clutched her ‘prize’ securely in her hands. What in the HELL was going on here? A scowl darkened his features as he eyed her suspiciously.

If he didn’t know better, he’d think that she were one of his own Dark Fae, attempting to impersonate her Queen. But he knew that wasn’t the case; the instinctive, almost possessive side of himself could recognize its mate, even when paranoia urged it otherwise. This was indeed Marissa Skye, his woman. The question was; why was she acting more like him?

Sans blonde hair, breasts and those howls of ‘MINE!’ that is.

The surge of power that emanated from her caught him off guard, and he reacted instinctively. Taking a step back, he centered himself in a defensive stance, drawing on his own natural abilities to shield himself from whatever attack she might try to make. But, instead of going on the offensive as he’d expected, she dashed away.

”Damn it, Marissa! Come back here!” He bellowed, immediately chasing after her. He wasn’t thinking along the same lines as she was; that the shard might be causing her to act differently, and thus become a danger to him. The only intelligent thoughts that seemed to be running through his head at that moment, concerned nothing but ‘the thing is harming my mate.’

Forget the fact that she was pulling an Exorcist, and the charge of power was enough to set his own magical hackles up. That was his woman, his mate, running from him because of an object of power. Everything that was male and protective in him HAD to rid her of the obviously poisonous object.

Without a thought, he caught her in mid-sprint, forcing her back to the human realm with a sharp yank on her arm. Refusing to release her, he looked into her eyes with a fierce expression on his face. Good Gods, he’d almost forgotten about the power he’d sensed, now that he was focusing on Rissa’s strange behavior. Gah!

”What is going on here, woman?” He demanded, scowl back on his face. ”Why do you react to me so?”

[Marissa Abigail Skye]

Bah. Wasn't it just like a man to go all snarly when they didn't get their way. Like Corbin didn't have his own fair share of power. Why did he insist on knowing about her little pet? It wasn't fair. It simply wasn't fair!She didn't WANNA share. As queen, she shouldn't HAVE to share should she??

OK, her own little inner voice was starting to creep her out.

On a saner level, Rissa knew that these thoughts were not her normal fare and when she felt the hand on her arm, she managed to pause. Frowning up at her mate, she shook her head to clear it of the strange feeling overcoming her.

"I... I don't know.." she said, worrying her bottom lip in an adorable fashion. "I... I'm not quiet myself i guess..."

With her hand still clasped around the crystal, Rissa brought it around in front of her to show her king. In her palm, it vibed with a azure colored aura of power.


"The gypsy woman at the fair was selling these pretty stones... I was looking at them and this one seemed to call to me." she explained, trying to reason through the fog in her head. "I picked it up and then when I tried to pay her for it, she was gone."

Suddenly, the need to protect the stone seemed to seize her again. Retracting her fingers about it, she pulled it close and held it against her chest as she beamed down at it.

"Isn't it beautiful? So lovely...."

Completely unaware of the swift change in her manner, Rissa cuddled the amulet close and then sent her lover a suspitious look. Trying to step back, she shielded the stone with her body.

"Its mine! MY PRECIOUS! I won't share it!! MY PRECIOUS!"

[Corbin Muunokhoi]

He wasn’t enjoying this game.

Forcing his grip to loosen slightly on her arm, Corbin’s eyes bored into hers with an intensity that one didn’t usually find coming from the belligerent Fae. He was like a child in most cases; his attention never remained fixed on one thing for too long, as wants and curiosities distracted him easily. But, or so it seemed, when the thought of his mate being in some kind of danger was presented to him? There was nothing else the Fae King seemed to be able to concentrate on. Not even the taste of power he’d sensed only moments before.

His inner greediness practically foamed at the thought; it wanted whatever its Queen was hiding and it wanted it badly. Perhaps it was the ‘good’ to his ‘bad’ that was balancing him out at the moment…but whatever the reason, he could care less about a powerful object.

His Marissa wasn’t acting like herself, and he needed to know why, so he could fix it. It was as simple as that.

He narrowed his eyes at the object, when she finally brought it forth. It was the same enticing scent of power that he’d sensed earlier and the way the gem sparkled…it was almost like the damned thing was caressing its holder’s palm. This ‘old lady…’ he was going to find her and get some answers out of her. Preferably, in the nastiest way possible.

Her precious? Her strange little rant would have been humorous, if not for the seriousness in her face. It took pretty much everything he had, but he was able to force his voice to calm. ”Yes, my love, it is your amulet. I will not try to take it from you…it’s obvious that it has chosen you for its own. Why don’t you show me where you got it? Perhaps I could find one for myself, so I don’t try to take yours…”

[Marissa Abigail Skye]

Her lords words seemed to sooth the Fae Queens feathers and she beamed at him happily. Settling the stone back in her pocket, the impish blond danced back towards him before linking an arm through his. Her response to his question was to steer him back towards the fair with bright laughter and her normal airy nature. For the moment, her mind was sidetracked from the stone and she chattered on about the vendors of this mortal fair.

"Oh, my lord...." she trilled, practically floating on air. "The amazing things they have here. I had forgotten how things of the human world could be so entrancing."

As if to prove her point, a magician harked to them from one of the few tents still open and Marissa danced over to watch him. When he drew a gold coin from her ear, she laughed and clapped her hands before turning to Corbin with mischief in her sapphire eyes. "I want him... For my court! He can be the court jester!" she proclaimed, sure that her king would grant her any wish she liked and totally unaware that the demand was so unlike her. "Mayhap he could amuse you too! If he doesn't, we shall make him walk across the lava fields of the Unseelie realm!"

Then, whirling about, she raced away again without a backwards glance, mind already consumed with the next pleasure to be found. With unerring purpose, she retraced her steps to the middle of the village and then stood frowning in the crossroads between the tents.

Around and around she turned but what she looked for could not be found. An ill feeling seemed to take up residence in her stomach suddenly and a sharp blast of pain radiated through her mind. Clutching her hands to her temples, the pretty Fae Queen crumpled into the dust where she stood as what seemed like a million voices started screaming in her head. ""Make it stop!" she cried, pulling at her sunshine lit locks."Oh .. by the fires of Abaddon.. MAKE IT STOP!"

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