Toxic Love

It all started with a dumb bird. Not any dumb bird. This dumb bird was caught in one of our ally kingdoms traps.

It became my problem when it was presented as a gift. It was an alarming gift at that.

I can still remember. The celebration of my coronation as the first female ruler. It was truly a day to celebrate. Though i was met with many enemies, many being far more than passive aggressive.

This 'Gift' one of those gifts I accepted to grin and bare it. To add insult to injury they made sure I kept the damned thing.

I remember the horror I felt when they dropped the sheet on the cage. I nearly fainted realizing there was a man inside with a muzzle with 2 glove like objects on his hands. It made more sense when I saw his brilliant wings.

A harpy. They are beyond dangerous. Poisonous creatures. They say they are actually venomous. It's in their saliva. They chew on their talons making a single cut from their claws fatal. If you're bit you are dead.

They eat the most poisonous plants and animals. The more toxins they consume the more lethal they are yet their wings get more vibrant. But their exotic and dangerous nature make them the ultimate statement to high society.

That day I was secretly furious at the gift. I have no interest in keeping a harpy. Yet i knew I needed to accept it.

Then i tried to get rid of it yet they wanted updates. It was a "true showing of our countries bond"

If his feathers dulled they would start questioning. So i was stuck with him. He was stuck with me. This begins this story.

"What do I do with him" I mumble staring at the large cage

"The guards refuse to feed him. We've already lost 7 maids to him" Hue hummed

"And his current status?" I look at the bruises blossoming on his skin

"Self inflicted"

"Of course," I nod, "I shall take to feeding him then"

Hue looked surprised but nodded, "As you wish"

"Pull his chain taught"

I watched them reel it in. This cage is specially made. It's set up with a hole in the center just big enough for the chain that shackled his foot. Assuring he won't escape.

I took my time unlocking the cage getting the Harpys attention. His hands are still gloved. It's amazing to think he has used strength alone to take so many lives.

He suddenly lunged at me but I sat just outside his reach, "Its nice to meet you too"

He made a variety of inhumane sounds.

"Can you speak?"

He glared seeming to refuse to.

"Very well. Then we will simply feed you" I grabbed the berries holding them barely in his reach, "Come get it"

He shook his head.

"So you can communicate. Perfect. What is your name?"

He hissed.

"Well," I hiss in return, "I hope I get the accent right"

He looked dumbfounded by that before covering a small chuckle.

"So he can understand humor? That's berry good"

"Boo" he mumbled

"Boo? Did you not like my joke?"

He scoffed. Not the talking type obviously.

"Well if you are going to eat you should do it now"

He had no interest in responding. At that I dumped the berries on the ground, "Fine then. You can eat them like this"

"How dar-"

"No, how dare you" I counter, "You have killed enough people. I don't even want you here, least you could do is make this easier on the both of us"

"Then let me go"

"I'd like nothing more"

"Ok perfect"

"I can't"

He snarled at me, "And why not!?"

"Its complicated ok!?"

"Conplicated keeping a man in a cage?"

"You wouldn't be in a damned cage if you would simply behave" I snap

He looked stunned before he lunged forward in aggression to swipe at. The chain kept him a good foot between us.

"Thank you for proving my point" I sigh

He glared, "How am I to 'behave' when I'm chained up like an animal?"

"How am I to trust you when you have killed 7 of my maids?" I counter

"Why fear me when you have me muzzled and gloved?"

"You didn't need your venom to kill them did you?"

He huffed seeming to weigh his options, "Fine...a little trust then?"

"You ask me for my trust now? After lunging towards me?"

"What can I do to earn it?"

"Well to start, eat"

He grabbed the berries popping them into his mouth, "Happy?"

"Satisfied" I nod

"Good, so what do I get?"

"You want rewarded for doing the bare minimum?" I scoff

"I want to treated as I should"

"Fine. A little trust. Next feeding I won't tighten the chain"

He glared but relented, "Deal"

I kept my word of course. Next feeding the chain stayed loose. As I entered the cage he glared from the other end.

"Ready to eat?"

"Why do you feed me by hand? You could just as easily slide a plate in and call it a day"

"You need interaction don't you? Otherwise you'd lose your mind"

"I have half a mind already" he scoffed

"A half you can thank me for-"

I wince when my back hit the metal bars of the cage. Gloved hands grip my arms having shoved and pinned me there. Though the shine if half a dozen swords pointed to the man who dare glare daggers at me.

"It would be wise to release me" I scoff

"Who do you think would die first? Me or you?"

"What kind of victory is my death if you die as well?"

He released me and I ordered the guards to lower their swords, "Trust is a funny thing"

"I agree" I rub my shoulder and stare down at the platter that now splatters on the floor, "I see you prefer your food off the floor"

He growled and spit at me but it only was caught in the bars of the muzzle.

"How refined. Fine. That's all for today then. The next 2 weeks I'll just slide in a plate and see how you like it"

"I prefer it!" He huffed

"Fine!"

"Fine!" He raised his wings.

Damn bird getting the last word. I left the cage marching out. I also did as agreed. 2 weeks passing the plate under the bars. By the second half of the second week he tried conversation but I had none of it.

On the last day he seemed to have had it though, "Im sorry! Is that what you want to hear?? I was wrong and I don't want this. Happy now?!"

"Happy? No. Satisfied? Yes" I smirk

"Then...stay" he huffed, "And give me my food. Properly"

I enter the cage and hold the food out to him which he accepted immediately.

"So, tell me. Why the bruises?" I start

He gave me a pointed look instead stuffing his face.

"Fine, I guess I'll go then-"

"Wait!" He swallowed his food before looking around cautiously, "Remove the guards first"

"I have not yet forgotten what happened the last time"

"Then shorten the chain" He huffed, "But...no company"

Now this intrigues me. I push the order. Once the doors close I motion for him to speak, "Now the bruises"

"What have you been told? I'm curious"

"Self inflicted"

"I suppose they are half right. That is how it started. The rest though? Your men seem to think it's fun to think someone who can't run away is a good target"

"And you didn't think to tell me?"

"Why would I" he shrugged, "I'm your prisoner after all"

"And the other half?"

"Can you blame a man for trying to escape even if he knows its futile?"

"I guess not"

"I have some questions of my own, like are you really the queen?"

"Who else would I be?"

"You wear men's clothes" he shrugged

"I don't like riding a horse in a dress"

"What about your husband?"

"I have no husband to ride"

His face turned a pink Hue before he laughed in disbelief, "What kind of woman are you?"

"One who wears men's clothes according to you" I shrug

"Aren't noble women here supposed to be all prissy and wear dresses worth their weight in gold?"

"My land is vast but not wealthy. Why should I wear something extravagant while my people wear the glories of my land. We may not produce silk but the leather I wear is the finest in our lands. My tunic is warm and dyed with the countries colors"

"The clothes I am provided. Are they also from here?"

"The softest cotton" I sigh, "We don't have much but I love my people and they love me as their queen. I can't ask for more"

"I may have misjudged you"

"I don't keep you here cause I want to. My country is small. I have more enemies than I can count. Unfortunately, you are the only thing keeping one from invading"

"Now that makes no sense"

"If you were to die they would see it as a disrespect of their giving nature. It's simply how it is. I didn't 'choose' you. We are simply stuck together"

He made a face, one of irritation and boredom. He sighed before looking deep in thought, "Fine. If I must be here...then I wish to learn your land"

"How forward of yo-"

"Not like that!" His ears were decorated with a pink hue, "I want to be educated about your kingdom"

"Education? And what do you plan to do with it?"

"I may not be free...but I wish to become as close as possible"

"Well...they do say beauty and brains are a killer combo"

"Beauty?" He perked up looking startled

"Well yes, that is what you are"

"Well I'm a harpy-"

"You are a beautiful dumb bird" I chuckle

He puffed yet his face remained a tinted color.

"Have you never concitered"

"What?"

"Why you were a gift?"

"Because I'm a prisoner. My people are rarely caught"

"Its your wings mostly. The colors are beautiful. That's why I give you these toxic foods, to brighten your color"

"Toxic to you maybe. Why keep me alive then? Take my wings and mount them on your wall?"

"Your wings pale after death. Plus it's not just your wings. Your people are known for being beautiful"

"I see. I'm just eye candy to you" he huffed

"Can you blame someone for staring?"

"Yes. Yes I can" he spit

"Fine" I raise my hands in defense, "I guess you're right. I have no intention of objectifying you like that..."

"I don't like your tone"

That's fair. To be honest with myself it's hard not to. He is beautiful. So much so I'm sure if he was a normal man he could bed about anyone in this castle man or woman.

"What of you. Tell me why do you have no husband? Are you a widow?"

"I got my crown on my own. I am no man's queen but my peoples ruler. My gender takes no part in my station"

"I take it that's why you have the list of enemies?"

"I once had a man tell me I am better suited to rule children then a kingdom"

"What was your response?"

"I asked him what the difference was"

"You're like no queen I have ever met"

"And you're the only harpy I have ever met"

The day ended there. Things felt...different after that though. Like a ray of hope shone through those bars. That change was in the air for the better.

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