the two of you were in the throne room of the riorson house, with you sitting and him standing against the big wooden table that filled almost the whole room. your squad had been paired with xadens ex’s, cat, drift. there was a challenge match between the two of you, where she’d cheated and used her powers to get into your head— amplifying your feelings of rage, jealousy, and insecurity.

you’d gotten pretty banged up— a bruise under your eye, and a sore shoulder— but you’d managed to win the fight, even though she didn’t tap out, you had her at mercy’s edge. xaden watched you, stopping you before you could kill her. not because he wanted her alive, but because he knew the toll taking a life would have on you.

now the two of you were here alone, after he’d commanded the assembly out. he’d worshipped your body, restraining himself from receiving pleasure in return and focusing it all on you so you knew cats words— ‘your just a placeholder for him to fuck,’ were a complete lie. after you’d gotten back dressed, he was interested in communicating your feelings— which you weren’t a big fan of, but complied to nonetheless.

after talking about jealousy and anger, you were now on the topic of insecurity and inferiority. “cat was right in one regard,” you started, his gaze on you, listening intently. “she is the better match. she’s noble by birth, brave for becoming a flier, driven, ruthless, and mean as hell, just like you.” you said, letting the nonchalance slip and your insecurity show.

his eyes flared before narrowing, shifting as if he was about to move toward you, then stopping himself and putting his hands firmly back on the table. “hold on. do you somehow think that i find you inferior to her?”