"Stand down, sorceress," the Knight commanded, steeling himself as he kept his blade pointed straight at the tall woman in front of him. "I've seen your tricks. I'm afraid you'll find them ineffective against me, so I'd advise you to surrender."

The elf woman laughed pleasantly, unfazed. Long, wavy golden hair framed a lovely smile, her twinkling, gentle eyes the same color as her emerald-green dress. She held a locket in her hand, one the Knight had caught her red-handed trying to steal.

"My, my. You're quite confident! Truly, I'm shaking with fear~" she nonchalantly leaned against the dark stone walls, watching him with a bemused grin. "Such a strong-willed knight, easily able to shrug off my charms, is that it?"

He nodded with a smirk. "Obviously. I can weather whatever mental assault you have up your sleeve, though unless you want me to make use of this blade, you won't let it come to that."

She looked him over, appraising him. A bit shorter than she was, but strong, broad-shouldered, with gleaming armor and well-groomed hair. The naive pride in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Well, alright. I surrender~" she smiled wide, prompting a slightly confused reaction.

"Wh.. so easily? You're planning something, aren't you? Trying to lower my guard." He scowled, his gaze boring into hers, trying to read her expression.

"Oh, well, I just wanted to see..." she strolled up towards him, casually pushing the sword aside. "I hear that very often, did you know? Everyone thinks they're strong enough to resist my charms. Funny how many people get so wrapped up in their own little fantasy about themselves, they think they're the exception to every rule."

Her grin widened as she saw the gears turning in his head. "Not you, of course. Surely you're as strong as you say. Like you said... no reason for me to test it when you've a blade at my throat, isn't that right?"

The Sorceress was too close for comfort now. He backed away, stumbling slightly. "R-right- I- don't try anything! I'm warning you!"

She held out her hands, smiling innocently. "Of course. I can't weave my magic if my hands are bound... I'll come quietly."

He watched her with a suspicious scowl as he tied her hands. Surely she was up to something, but...

"You know... I wonder if it might keep you up at night. Never knowing if you really could resist me. You might just be special; a true hero, unshaken by my devious magics."

He... hesitated.

What a transparent trick. He'd get on just fine without ever knowing one way or the other. Obviously.

But as he opened his mouth to decline, she cut him off. "Unless... you're willing to just accept that I could take control with a thought. That I'm letting you win. That if I weren't so generous, you'd be my drooling, docile pet, like anyone else who thinks themselves so highly..."

"I-I don't- just- just come with me," he stammered weakly, trying to ignore the thoughts creeping into his mind.

He... did want to know. The curiosity gnawed at his mind in a way he'd normally recognize was unlike him. He suspected there was sorcery at play, but the feeling was there all the same. Making him hesitate.

"I-I could... slay you right now, if I wished," he snarled at her, and braced himself, expecting a relentless attack on his mind.

The sensation of soothing, hazy bliss that instead followed sent a shock through him, a soft gasp escaping his lips as he stumbled, the sword nearly slipping from his grasp. "A-ahh-"

She giggled playfully, watching him squirm. "Oh, dear, was that too much~? You said you were so strong, silly Knight. I expected you to put up more of a fight."

He shook his head, forcing himself to focus. "I-I... I can still manage just fine," he growled, and managed to stand himself back up. Trying to ignore the sensation... it... it was so good. He struggled to find the words. He... there was no way he'd succumb to this sinister spell, he assured himself, even as he felt her worming into his mind. It took him a moment to notice his sword had been pried from his hands... when... when did she get free from the rope? Did he untie her...?

"Why don't we test that strength you're so sure of, hm~?" She lifted his chin with the tip of the sword, tilting his gaze to meet hers. The meek protest he'd been about to respond with didn't leave his mouth, as the moment their eyes met, he froze. No attempt to collect his thoughts would work as those beautiful eyes pierced his mind. The way the light danced in them, the half-lidded, smug, seductive look she gave him... his thoughts were scattered and a bright pink blush covered his face, but he couldn't even stammer out an incoherent, flustered response, only the tiniest squeak escaping him as her gaze kept him pinned.

"You're not impressing me so far, I have to say. We've only just gotten started." She gave him a condescending sneer, one that'd twist the beauty of anyone else into something more ugly, but on her it made his heart flutter the way she talked down to him. The taunt did manage to shake him from his stupor, though, just enough to tear his eyes away and shut them tight.

"Y-you're not- not going to make me give up that easily!" he sputtered out, doing his best to shake off her influence. He was disarmed, and couldn't open his eyes for fear of her gaze... surely there must be some way out of this... though before he could gather his thoughts, he found her gathering them for him as her voice reached his ears.

"Mm. A good start. Not many can keep their eyes off me once they get a good look." He could hear her footsteps as she came closer, sounding pleasantly surprised. "Though I'm afraid that captivating gaze of mine isn't my only trick~"

He paused, finding his body relaxing to the tune of her disarming voice. Her words swirled around in his head distractingly, impeding any attempt to refocus. Or to focus on anything but her.

Her warm, melodic laugh washed over him pleasantly. "Oh, dear, is someone slipping~? I can see you starting to melt..."

She was right. He'd slumped back against the wall, breathing heavy, trying so hard not to indulge her voice. Something about it was just so alluring. So tempting. All he wanted was to listen and let her siren's song grace his mind. To let the bliss overcome him completely.

"...n-nno..." he mumbled, trying to focus. Finally, he managed to cover his ears, blocking out the voice... mostly. His head cleared slightly, no longer quite so clouded. Finally. Now he just... needed to think...

Oh, we're not done yet, dear~

Her voice echoed through his mind, clear as day. A shiver went up his spine... she was in his head now. So effortlessly. He was doubting himself more and more, and yet... somehow, he couldn't help but feel giddy. He would be almost disappointed if shutting her out really worked, he realized. The heavenly sensations filling his mind were just too addicting to ignore. He knew he shouldn't, but part of him wanted more. He caught himself trying to justify indulging in her magic - after all, if resisting really was hopeless, there was no reason not to make the most of it, right...?

You should thank me, dear Knight. It's not often I treat someone's senses to such potent temptations... in fact, I have even more for you.

He felt his armor sliding across his skin as she removed it. Intimately. He shivered each time her fingers brushed against him, as she made him more vulnerable piece by piece. First the metal plating. Then the softer padding beneath it... his legs turned to jelly as her warm hands brushed against his bare chest, then took hold of his wrist, pulling his hands off of his ears so he could hear her voice. She didn't have to be forceful; even a gentle tug made him instinctively comply. When she placed her hands on his cheek, tilting his head up to meet her gaze as he knelt before her, his eyelids drifted open to let her radiant presence fill his vision.

"Y-you're... ssooo pretty..." he muttered pleasantly, resistance a distant memory. He had a vague notion that he was supposed to be refusing her, but surely no one would be too upset if just this once he did whatever the pretty lady asked of him. It only felt right, after all. Her smile was so disarming, the way she looked down at her weak-minded little plaything filling him with an almost prideful sensation. He would be such a good little knight, just for her! Of course the beautiful woman should get whatever she desired. "Is... there anything you need of me, miss? I'm all yours..."

She giggled cheerfully, enjoying his dumbfounded, adoring grin. She couldn't help but find his eager obedience endearing, like a lovable little puppy. "How sweet of you~ you won't mind if I take this, now would you? After you so rudely tried to stop me earlier." She held up the locket, the one he'd been sent to keep safe. A pang of embarrassment shot through him as he remembered just moments ago threatening this poor, perfect woman for such a small little thing. "O-of course you can have it! Anything you want! I-I'm so sorry I- I shouldn't have..."

She softly placed her finger to her lips, sending a euphoric sensation through him. "Now, dear... don't you worry about it. All's forgiven, especially now that you're thinking more sensibly."

He sighed blissfully, nodding and accepting her words. There was nothing more comforting than belonging to her. Her honey-sweet voice made it so so easy to agree with whatever she said, no matter how much he'd normally distrust her.

She held up the tip of her finger before his eyes, a soothing glow at the tip of it that drew his attention. His body slumped a little as he gazed into the mesmerizing little light, drool forming at the edge of his mouth.

"You just be a good boy and listen now, dear..."

It felt like hours before he came to his senses. Awakening on the floor in a puddle of his own drool, bare-chested with his armor scattered around the room and his mind slowly coming out of a hypnotized haze. What... what happened...

A bright red blush came over his face the more he recalled how easily she took control. He hadn't expected it to be so subtle, effortlessly slipping past what he'd thought was an unbreakable focus. He'd been totally unprepared to actually want to be enchanted, but in that moment he really had wanted it more than anything else. And the more he thought about it, the more he realized to his flustered horror that he still did.

Stumbling to his feet, he noticed a scrap of parchment had been left in his lap, falling to the floor. A... letter? From the sorceress?

I enjoyed our time together, dear. If you ever find yourself tempted, I could use a new plaything.

- Your mistress

He shuddered slightly as he read the note, noticing directions to the woman's lair attached. Even in full control of himself now, he couldn't stop thinking about how natural it had felt to serve her as she filled his head with thoughts not his own. The experience had awakened something in his heart, and he had a frightened feeling that that wasn't a lingering effect of the spell...

He sighed, embarrassed, as he swallowed his pride and accepted that he would soon be taking her up on her offer.