[Regifortis]

In the back of his mind, Tobias supposed he couldn't blame himself too much for speaking so bluntly. This was all so surreal that he didn't even know what to feel, let alone what to think or say. But what voice of foolishness came flying out of his mouth, to talk back to a beast of this size and fury?

It was then that the situation became clear to him. In all honesty, it wouldn't matter what he said or did, this 'Dragon King' was going to get his way. Trying to resist him would only make things more difficult. And if he ended up dead...well, his sons shouldn't be saddled with taking care of their mother. So as much as it irked him and filled him with shame, he had to merely plot a way to escape to himself and go along with this beast doing things like...burning up his clothes?!

Tobias felt his overfed rear press into the coins and goblets beneath him. Warm, bare skin against cool, precious metals...only the most vivid dreams and nightmares could have put him here like this. And yet the Dragon King made himself clear. Never wear clothing...the sight and sound of the beast filled him with fear, while an exquisite richness to his voice made him reluctant to think of anything but...anything but obeying.

He stared at the Dragon King as he spoke, unwittingly filling his mind with the visage of the beast's fury and the tone of the beast's rule. He didn't dare say a word. Tobias nodded and tried to keep from panicking.