The Duality of Wolf

The more and more Artorias' mind began to unravel, to unlearn what he had been taught, the more pleased Fenmyre's king seemed to be. As epiphanies came as common as breaths to him, Chimera grinned and chuckled. He called the Carpathius boy a breath of fresh air. That made yet another leader impressed by the boy's sagacious introspection. Artorias was not fool nor bold enough to assume the world was a kind and wholesome place. Maybe his experiences made him wiser beyond his age, but he was still very much learning and green. This world, in particular, was brand new for him, and though it contrasted starkly with the world he'd been born into, the daring wolf wanted to explore as readily as ever. He needed to know more about these urges, and in turn, himself.

Chimera's response to Artorias' question of his queen's consent was enlightening. Chimera was King, and as King he had the final word and his word was law. This was the type of power and control Sirius had cautioned him again: total tyranny. But... Chimera made it work. Chimera made it work so well that he'd established his own personal kingdom of women on an island paradise. How could it all be bad if it had created the foundations for this? He thought about Briar, wondering how she would take it if he took total control, made all the calls and decisions, and made her live by his word. Chimera's system was a quid pro quo. He provided for the women, and in turn he used them as he pleased. His queen, she understood his nature, and understood he had to slake his desires on others besides her. But then Chimera said something that captured all of Artorias' attention all at once.

"My sister knows what I'm capable of."

His sister?! Chimera's queen, his mate, was his sister?! Artorias felt his jaw drop, but was powerless to stop it. Wide amber eyes studied Chimera's face for any signs of teasing or jest, but there were none. Chimera had spoken honest gospel truth. He asked if there were any more questions, and one major one came to his mind. "Your Queen is your sister? How did you...?" Artorias didn't even know how to phrase his question. The prospect of any romantic involvement with family had always been strictly taboo, and yet Chimera spoke of his relation with his sister as if it were nothing! "These urges... they can be for your siblings as well? And you can act on them freely?"

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Corbin" | "Argent"