Captive of the Crimson Countess, Chapter 13: Exaggerations

Nadia stared at Blair, breathless and dizzy. 

Blair shook her head and looked away. Nadia grimaced. They weren’t through the doubt stage yet. Nadia had hoped the kiss meant Blair had dealt with her misgivings, but no.

“What is it?” Nadia asked. 

“So many things.” Blair answered. “I don’t think you’re an agent of the countess. But you’re right, she might be manipulating you. But that’s not the problem.”

Nadia cocked her head in surprise.

“That’s not the problem?”

“No. If we survive and escape or kill the countess, then her hold over you breaks. Simple.”

“Then what?”

“There are problems that will remain even after we leave this castle. You’re Thulean. And I’m Yssian. I don’t care about that. But we’re both nobility and our families will care about it. You’re also a princess, and of much higher standing than myself. Your family may not even approve of the match, it’s so lopsided.”

“Your grandmother is a baroness.”

“And I’m distant in the line of succession.”

“You’re still from a legendary and powerful house. The match would be acceptable on the basis of the name of your house alone.”

“And then there’s the other thing.”

“What other thing?”

“You’re trying to seduce me.”

Nadia laughed, "Of course I'm trying to seduce you. You're intoxicating. Do you know how sexy it is that you killed seven of the Countess's people?"

“I mean, you might be trying to use me.” Blair said, her voice growing quiet.

Nadia stomped a foot. 

“Me? Look at it from my point of view. You’re Yssian and Yssians hate Thuleans. Yssians think we’re slavers and pawns of the Hyperborean Empire. And you’re not wrong about either of those things. And you’re new. Any new girl might be a spy sent in by the Countess to break any escape attempts. She does that from time to time. And you’re a monster hunter and a skilled combatant. And if you turn on me, there is nothing I can do to defend myself. It’s a big risk that I’m taking by flirting with you.”

Blair hung her head. Nadia considered; she decided to see if she could push through Blair’s doubts. 

“You are my only option for escape. I’d given up on escape before you arrived. And I am your only option. Nobody else can get you where I can get you.”

Blair nodded. And Nadia continued.

“And who cares what politics may come up if we get out of the castle? Our nationalities don't matter while we are both prisoners. Even if I am a princess, I lack any authority in the castle. We can deal with those when and if we escape. We are much more likely to die here. The only way we can escape is if we work together.”

Blair continued nodding along.

“And finally, there is an undeniable attraction between the two of us. I want you and you want me.” 

“That’s an exaggeration.” Blair said, her voice weak and reedy.

“An exaggeration? You pushed me against the wall. You lifted me off the ground! If that's not an undeniable attraction, I fear for the girl you actually like!"

Blair blushed but said nothing.