Villain's Second Heart: Trapped in A Fantasy Novel (BL)-Chapter 22: Exposed

"A delivery from Lord Demetrius Gohm, honored Magician."

Oberyn accepted the garment, giving it a once-over. Even from first glance it was gaudy and undesirable.

"Thank you," Oberyn murmured to the deliveryman, closing the door quickly. He threw the outfit down on his bed to get a better look.

He had a small room - a bed, a desk, the basics - like a college dorm room. His small closet space afforded him just a few outfits. This outfit from Demetrius would not become part of his regular attire.

It was dyed burgundy, and the fabric was soft and velvety. What bothered Oberyn was not the color (he liked wearing reds) but the style. It was feminine.

The only way to wear it without it drooping off his slender frame was to tie the two ribbons at the top of his outfit around his neck like a bow. The form-fitting fabric accentuated his waist, and a window on the rear side of the outfit left most of his back exposed.

He looked like a toy with the outfit on - like Demetrius' plaything. The ribbon around his neck reminded him of a collar. Another subtle sign of his subservience.

He slipped on the fitted dress pants that came with his embellished and ugly shirt and looked himself over in the mirror.

The pants fit too well. Hugged him in ways that made his skin crawl, because it meant Demetrius had thought of every inch of him. At least they accentuated his long legs. Still - all of the clothing fit too well.

It creeped him out that Demetrius was able to have something so custom-fit for him made on such short notice.

'Unless he's been planning this for a while...'

Oberyn shivered. Not a thought he wanted to entertain for long.

Still observing himself in the mirror, Oberyn felt self-conscious. He would never go out in public wearing something like this. It was too revealing, and the effeminate silhouette made it hard to tell he was even a boy, if not for his charming, boyish good looks and defined jaw.

'It's just a dinner. Someplace public - the king will be there, so that means the place has plenty of security. It'll be fine.'

He rattled the thoughts over and over in his head, but it did nothing to fill the pit of dread in his stomach. His relationship with Demetrius had always been tenuous at best, but this was a step too far. He needed to find an Apocalypse Engine soon, or Demetrius might push things even further.

'If that happens, it won't be my ass on the line,' Oberyn huffed. 'I'll kill him if I have to.'

Of course, if that happened, Oberyn's life would be over. The king would never forgive the death of his Curse Master - not to mention all of the Magicians that would suffer and die to the curse without someone who could treat them.

He scowled at himself in the mirror. The thoughts that plagued him were horrible - he was in a lose/lose situation. His only way out was clear.

Thinking about the Apocalypse Engine, it was impossible not to also think about Ezra. The young man who had exactly what Oberyn needed, beating inside his chest.

"His Second Heart, anyway," Oberyn said out loud to himself...but he wasn't sure why he felt the need to specify.

As his mind drifted to Ezra, he's suddenly started by a loud, erratic knocking at the door. Only one person could be so uncouth - Demetrius.

He gave himself one final glance over in the mirror. He looked foolish...but not wearing the outfit would only make things worse.

He swung open the door, and unsurprisingly, Demetrius crept in the doorway, tall and sallow.

"Ooooh, now don't you look simply delectable."

Oberyn crossed his arm over his chest, trying to make himself seem smaller than he was. He turned his head away so he wouldn't have to look at Demetrius.

"Won't I be the talk of the Court, hehh...to have tamed a mighty Nephilim, all for myself...even the king will be jealous."

"You haven't tamed anything." Oberyn's voice is cold, defiant.

Demetrius' creepily long fingers moved as if they had a mind of their own, twitching and curling. "Perhaps not yet, but the king will certainly think so. Come along, my little angel. Our carriage awaits."

He followed Demetrius through the halls of the Royal Academy out to the front entrance. An ornate, pumpkin-shaped carriage awaited them both, with two mighty white stallions at the front. It was something out of a fairy tale - and yet despite Oberyn being a fairy himself, there was nothing dreamlike or pleasant about the situation.

Demetrius led him into the carriage, placing his cold and sweaty hand on Oberyn's back, right where his skin was exposed. Oberyn felt a shiver run through his entire body as he rushed forward and tried to duck into the carriage quicker than Demetrius could.

He moved to the far back corner, pressing himself against the wall. He eyed Demetrius with trepidation, but thankfully the lanky and sallow man sat on the opposite side of him.

Somehow, the ribbon tied around his neck felt tighter and tighter.

"If you keep pouting like that, people will think you don't want to be at the dinner."

"I don't."

Demetrius smiled - but it was more of a snarl than genuine happiness.

"You Nephilim are always so prideful when you come down from that moon of yours," he said passively, looking bored out the window. "My last Nephilim friend lasted six months before I finally broke him. Ahhhh...but where's the fun without a little chase?"

His words were disturbing to Oberyn. He didn't like to think about anyone else having to deal with this man. And yet, Nephilim or not, Oberyn knew he was far from Demetrius' only obsession.

Before he left the moon, Tiana mentioned another Nephilim that she sent to the Earth. Oberyn wondered if that's who Demetrius was referencing, but he cared not to ask. Such a question would only draw more attention.

The carriage rattled on the streets as they journeyed to the restaurant. Given the Royal Academy was in the nice part of Asteria, it was only a short ride until they arrived at their venue.

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Demetrius got out first, holding the door for Oberyn. As the Nephilim stepped out, it was like a red carpet event. There were many people gathered around as well-off merchants and noblemen exited their carriages to head inside.

As one of the fanciest establishments in Asteria, it certainly had an allure for the wealthy and powerful. That night, the grandeur was on full display.

"Come along, my angel," Demetrius beckoned. Oberyn stepped out of the carriage only to have Demetrius wrap his arm around his shoulder and pull him forward.

He wasn't sure what was worse - the feel of Demetrius' arm pulling him close, or the way the nobles stared, their eyes flickering between curiosity and knowing smirks. As if they approved.

'Too many people around to make a scene,' Oberyn thought, gritting his teeth. 'Ezra, what would you do in this situation...?'