A Hunter's Curse (Closed o/o with Nyx)

Nathaniel groaned. "I can't help but think about it, Ember! The voices tell me otherwise! It's frankly annoying!" He sighed. "Even if I don't touch the book now… I still have touched it— meaning I'm still tied with whatever wants me dead." He leaned his head into her hand, annoyed at his own stubbornness. "Yelling make me feel better. It makes me feel understood. It gets rid of my anger." He sat up, resting his arms on his knees. "If you want to be a queen— First you must learn how hard it is to be a king."

Nathaniel groaned in anger. "You don't understand, Ember! I'm not scared… I'm not supposed to be scared! But I'm terrified." Little tears started to well up in his eyes, shocking the demon further. He didn't know he still had the ability to cry. He took small, little breaths, screwing his eyes shut. In turn, that made some tears roll down his cheek. "I don't know if there is a way. It's part of me. You have to kill me to get rid of it—" He paused, a few straggler tears rolling down his face. "And don't mention this to anyone. I'm not supposed to cry."

Nathaniel clung to Ember, swiping at the strange tears falling down his face. He didn't like it one bit. How could a creature like him manage to cry? It baffled him. "The world has been out to get me since I was born.” He huffed, taking in small, deep breaths. The king wiggled his way out of Ember's hug, laying down and pulled the sheets over himself. Closing his eyes, Nathaniel fell back asleep after fighting his current mental battles.

Nathaniel opened his eyes, yawning as he stretched. He popped his head up, looking at the edge of the bed. "Is there something wrong, Ember?" He inquired, moving closer to her. He hadn't slept for long, maybe 20 more minutes at most. "Did I say something you didn't like?" Rubbing his eyes, he moved out of the bed, sitting on the edge of it next to her. "It wasn't the best night of many before, but there are still plenty to come."

Nathaniel studied her carefully. "Are you sure? You're not one to be restless. And something seems off about you." He ignored her question, placing a hand on hers. "Would you like me to teach how to use a weapon? To fight— like me?" He was trying to speak in a gentle tone, but there would always be a rasp to it.

Nathaniel glanced off to the side. "What stuff are you thinking about, Ember?" His hand tightened around hers, and he leaned on her, resting his chin on the top of her head. He cupped his hand on her cheek, pushing her head, so it fit right in the crook of his neck. "Don't be afraid to tell me anything." He pulled away and leaned right back in to give her a few kisses on the neck. "What weapon are you experienced with? I want to start with what you know, rather than having you try and match my capabilities."

Nathaniel let go of her hand, smiling. “You and I. What about us. Is there something that is worrying you about our relationship?” He leaned his head on hers. “I don’t scare you, do I?” He giggled, wrapping his arms around Ember, pulling her closer. “I think a dagger will be sufficient weapon to use on your first try. Don’t want to go tooo complex.”

Nathaniel softly smiled, a sweet look in his eyes like if you were watching two puppies playing. “I’m alright sweetheart. Nothing will kill me. I’m an unstoppable beast!” He placed a fist over his heart. “And I don’t go down easily!” Pulling his fist away, he opened his hand to a small flame of hellfire. He blew on it, but no matter how strong his lungs were, it didn’t put out the fire. “I’m like that flicker of hellfire. You can’t put me out quickly.” He closed his hand. “And no one is going to harm you, Ember. Not anymore. My subjects have learned from Azazel’s harsh punishments. They’re scared!” He bellowed out, seeming proud of himself. Standing, he yanked Ember up with him. “Yes it should. Unless you’d like a bow and it’s arrows.”

Nathaniel froze. “Perhaps I am, dear. But I cannot do much about it.” He ran his fingers through his messy blonde hair. “The clock always ticks no matter what. Demon or werewolf. I can still die somehow.” He saw Ember’s flame and smiled proudly. At least he had someone to be proud of. “I don’t like the implications of the cost. It’s scary, but I’ve never listened to the cost.” Nathaniel started to walk out of the room, expecting Ember to follow. “Both wouldn’t be too bad. Just depends on your fighting style.”

Nathaniel noticed something was wrong. "No one will harm you even if I do disappear. I have protections in place. No army will harm you. You are my partner. The partner of the king cannot be harmed." That wasn't true. If the royal blooded king was to die, the partner had to die too. It cleared the throne for the next pair. But he wasn't going to tell Ember that. "What's wrong, dear? You look exceptionally sad." He trudged down the stairs, and ended up in the great hall again. Nathaniel walked down the hallway he lead Ember down on her first day, pushing open the palace doors. Hell wasn't exactly the best…outdoor environment.

Nathaniel kept his mouth closed. Ember wouldn’t rule. Ender would take over and she would be prepared for exaction. “Nothing will happen to me sweetheart. And if anything does, you’ll do fine. Trust me, you’re fit to do a lot of things.” Once Ember followed him outside, he grabbed her face gently, titling her head up. “You or I will not die. I will not allow it. We’ll fight to the very end and survive. What feeling do you have in your stomach? Maybe I can settle it.” A bow-staff materialized in his hand and a dagger in the other. He handed Ember the dagger.

Nathaniel smiled, a smug look returning to his face. “See, I settled it! Now you have butterflies— wait butterflies!” But before he got to finish his sentence, Ember’s lips were pressed against his, initiating another kiss. He let Ember have the dagger, but initiated another kiss, wrapping his arms around her neck. He pulled away, glancing away. “I guess maybe I should keep that to when we’re in private…” Take a deep breath, he looked Ember in the eyes. “How does the dagger feel in your hands?”

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, a smirk consuming his face. "Oh, you know what that means. But that's for later." He kissed her back on the forehead, looking to see how she held the dagger. "Well, first off, you're holding it wrong." He readjusted the dagger, laying her fingers on different parts of the hilt. "Better. Show me your best slash. It shouldn't be that hard. It's like slashing with your claws. On singular motion."

Nathaniel felt her face as it heated up and went red. He enjoyed feeling the heat to her skin as the though settled in. Winking at her, he positions his bo-staff over his left shoulder. Evaluating her battled moves, he shrugged. "Not bad for someone who's never used a dagger before. Now for the real challenge. You're going to block my strike." Without a warning, he swung his staff towards her right shoulder.

Nathaniel was surprised that she pulled the staff out of his hands. "Well, that's new." He muttered. He didn't want it to get too dangerous in case he hurt her, but he figured that she was ready. Opening his hand, a demon obsidian sword materialized in his hand. Nathaniel swiftly struck for her side, trying to see what she would do next. And he hoped to hell that he didn't hurt her.