Theodore was building his own love story, and became blind to her tears. It was the kind of mania often afflicting young lovers. His heart had not grown enough that he should recognize his own departure from sanity. In truth, the kind of adoration the Temlin son had for the woman he'd invited into his room was selfish. He wasn't at fault for being exposed to Engel's tricks, but he was definitely to blame for falling for them. If she could find it in her heart to see him as flightless bird touched by a snake's venom, then he could be a sympathetic person, if not, then Theo who'd been her way out had now simply become her marauder.<br/><br/>He could not get it right, how his finger should fit in her. It didn't move as smoothly as Engel's and didn't seem as welcome. His saliva had provided glisten when her arousal would not. It became frustration for him and he was almost violent in looking for the aesthetic that had pivoted him into all this lust. He huffed when he hurt the entrance that Engel himself had claimed harshly the night before. If the kind Theo had seen all this, he would have been deeply horrified, but this burning man was looking for something that wasn't her salvation.<br/><br/>"Am I as good?" he asked, slight smile imploring, like he was owed any courtesy now. He gasped then, and suddenly drew out of her. The Veil bloomed on her and he was jolted back into existence. He looked around, the red fogs dissipating to leave the polite boy when the made monster slunk back into his mind's caverns. He shook his head at her tears as he righted her skirt. Was this an awakening brought on by signals like the Veil on her, or was he simply afraid he'd played too much with Engel's toy.<br/><br/>"I don't know what came over me." he said, petting her shoulders and correcting her gown like he was setting things back on a table. He was desperate though. "Please, don't think bad of me." he did seem newly startled from sleep. Maybe there was hope? Did it matter to the broken girl?<br/><br/>The door opened fast and the pretty demon they knew came in. He seemed almost too large for this space. He sighed and came over to the servant, shoving him back to land in his own bed as he lifted his broken Bremmington up. He shook his head, tsk-ing as he nuzzled her wet face. "You're disgusting. She trusted you. Can't you be a gentleman when that is all she needs?" Engel said and then kissed her temple. Beautiful, trashed Lyra. This was what he wanted. Now that she'd become only shards, he'd assemble her into any image he wanted. Theo stood and tried chasing after, spilling heartfelt apologies, but knew not to chase when the master slammed the door in his face.<br/><br/>"He's of ill breeding, Lyra. You mustn't hold that against him. His kind never knows your kind of beauty, that's why he's all confused. His head is turned." Engel explained sympathetically. He was gentle, she'd notice, and carried her like his wilting bride to his own chambers again. The room welcomed her back, lavish darkness now, with the curtains drawn. He put her in the bed that had been the scene for her upheaval. No anger this time, because she'd not wronged something he loved. She would not be making that mistake easily ever again.<br/><br/>She fit right in, in her gown. He kissed her forehead as he laid beside her, his body inviting as he stroked her cheek. There was nothing smug with his soft words this time. Usually it'd be an act, but not now. He was a perfect actor, though. Her snake. "Your time here has been tumultuous." understatement from the over lord. He stroked her shoulder. "You can't escape me, Lyra Bremmington, but you can escape into me, if you want." Scooting closer, it would ring true, an encouraging heat. What else did she have? He wasn't an enemy, really, not the way he'd presented himself. He was her captor and a god in this house. There is comfort in worship and prayer. His smile certainly looked kinder than when he was amused by the things he did to her. Certainly more controlled than Theodore's.<br/><br/>In reality, Engel was just adjusting his plaything. The nature of a plaything though, is that it is easy to reconfigure. How far she'd come in only two days.