“Alot.” Amelia was now in the sanctity of the Lieutenant’s office, and knew that to lie at this point, would only make things a whole lot worse. When she heard that Shane Williamson was being called, she breathed something of a sigh of relief. He was truly her alibi, and could back up everything she said, since….he was there. Leaning back in the chair, she sighed audibly, especially when she looked at the clock. This had to be the longest night of her life. Rodger had been kind, kind enough to call her by her pet name, not going off the deep end at her in the car. She didn’t need that, and neither did he. Finally, she started to recant the night’s events.

“Okay…I went to the bar twice that night. First time, was just to have a drink and check out the bar. I saw Galtem Manzenli, the owner at the bar. He happens to be the brother of my last….boyfriend.” This was hard for her to admit, since it put out there that Amelia once had a relationship, with someone. “That was a lifetime ago though.” Branching off accidentally, she caught herself and then continued. “Galtem gets word that there is some…relative, a kid that he has to go pick up. Caleb Manzenli. So he asked me to tag along. Nice kid, looks just like Galtem, which I told him at the VIP lounge later and he kinda went all angry at me.” Her face fell a moment. “This was after I had..six shots I think, and then I went to be sick.” Amelia’s cheeks flushed, as she hated retelling this story. “So, I come back out and grab a juice at the bar, and Shane Williamson, the D.A was in the VIP lounge now, and he was talking to Galtem. See, they used to be law partners before Galtem left NH.”

Amelia swallowed and then put herself on track, as she was to reveal the next part of the story, which included “the bathroom scene.” “Well…that juice went to my bladder and I felt the need to pee. Okay, so I hurried to the bathroom. That is where I caught sight of Galtem with….with…” At this point Amelia’s heart started to pound near out of her chest. She was about to reveal the truth, and the name of the woman in the bathroom. Glancing up at the ceiling like she hated herself for this, she then composed herself and said “Jennifer Wiles.” Amelia knew Rodger would be taking note of this, and probably be bringing her in for questioning, but there was nothing she could do about that. “Well, I couldn’t pee…in there and went down stairs. Shane followed and when I came out, I told him I felt sick and needed to go home.” She didn’t say that it was seeing Galtem and Jennifer snogging that made her sick, but it did. “Shane drove me home, and I didn’t see anything at the carpark at that time. I was all kinds of…uhm…guess sad in a way when he dropped me off. I watched some CSI reruns, OH and I found a kitty near my garbage can. Hope it’s not messing my apartment.” Her eyes widened, hoping the kitty was okay. “Then I get a text message from Galtem to come to the club cause…some dead body was there and…well, my Sister Melinda was at the club. But like she wasn’t there when I had been earlier.” She stated truthfully.

All this out of her system, she collapsed back in the chair, and sighed. “Rodger…I’m sorry I wasn’t upfront. I really have had the worst night of my life.”

Shane’s house.

Sitting at his desk in his den, he sees his phone start to vibrate on his desk. Picking it up, he gets the call that Amelia in in the station being questioned about some body. “Suspect? The fuck? I’m on my way.” Shane got up quickly, and headed to the Police station to get Amelia out of trouble.

<3>

“I wanna know why she was even brought in in the first place. The girl was doing her job, and due to some bizarre circumstance YOUR Lieutenant decided to bring HER in. The girl has done amazing work for this department and precinct. I THINK she deserves a little more credit and a lot more respect.”

The Police Commissioner huffed and took out the reports so far. Slamming it down on the desk, he stabbed it with his finger. “We have quotas Shane…you of all people should know that. Lieutenant Rodger was doing his duty. We can’t just turn a blind eye to a suspect, who happens to have been working on the case.”Shane rounded on the Police Commissioner and chuckled “Quotas huh? Oh really. And who do you think SETS those quotas? Hmm? RIGHT…now, get one of your desk jockeys, to take me down to where she is, and we can get this WHOLE mess straightened out.” He then leaned in so his face was inches from the Police Commissioners. “I…need her to help me crack some of the biggest cases of my career. So…let’s get one thing perfectly clear. She has an alibi. Me.”With that, he snatched the report and tore it in two. “By the way…how is Dawn doing? Sure be nice if she found out about your weekend tryst with Monica.” The D.A grinned as the Police Commissioner looked like he was going to have a heart attack. “You humans are so predictable.”

He then left the Police Commissioner’s office and smiled at Monica. “Rodger’s office, if you would be so kind to show me the way.”

<3>

“So…” she started off, clasping her hands together, “I hear there was a murder…and your own Forensics expert may or may not be involved.” She smirked. It was days like today that she thoroughly loved her job.

However, their moment was soon interrupted when the door to his office opened. Roger frowned as Carmen came in without waiting for any welcome from the lieutenant. The nerve of this woman. It was pretty clear by the look on his face that he really had a deep dislike for the woman. When she came to sit on his desk and crossed her legs, he immediately stood up and walked over to stand behind Amelia’s chair. It seemed as he was hovering over her protectively as he crossed his arms and stared the IA agent down. “Well, it’s so nice you prefer to listen through the grapevine for your facts. Unfortunately, you will be a bit disappointment to hear that it is being taken care of. Reed has an alibi that we need to clear and will prove that there was no involvement from my forensics team. Other than doing their job well, that is. Are you familiar with people doing their jobs well? I understand if it is a concept that is beyond you.” Smirking, he looked down at Amelia and winked.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Interrogation Room

Neil Franklin loved his job. He especially loved the part of his job where he got to question scumbags like Galtem. Stepping into the room, he shut the door and crossed his arms with a smirk. “Really, Manzenli, I thought you of all people would be more original than that.” Walking over to the table, he took a seat and stared Galtem down. “But I suppose you’re really a ‘person’, are you?” Neil was really enjoying himself now. While the other cop was in here asking him question and question about his night and making him walk through it multiple times, Neil did a little digging of his own. It turned out that Manzenli was accused of being a drug dealer. However, there was just too much smoke clouding the evidence to be anything other than circumstantial. And yet, God smiled down on Neil. Just as he was going to give up and come in to just harass Galtem, one of the forensics specialist revealed that they found Galtem’s wallet near the body. It was only circumstantial…for now.

As Neil watched Galtem in the interrogation room, he tilted his head and was silent for a moment. Reaching into his pocket, he then pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. After placing the cigarette in his mouth and lighting up, he shoved the pack over “Want a smoke?” Not waiting for an answer, he puffed on the cigarette and began to chuckle “Do you have any idea where your wallet is? I suspect you wouldn’t, since I have it here.” Pulling out a clear bag, he then revealed the wallet that was inside. “Look familiar?” Standing up, he began to laugh darkly “I’d love to hear your excuse, but lucky for me, we’re keeping you hear for the night…maybe longer. I have all the time in the world.” He walked towards the door and smiled “I imagine you look great in orange, Manzenli. Sweet dreams.” Turning his back on him, Neil then opened the door and slipped out. Closing the door, he snapped at a cop “Bring him to a cell.” The cop nodded as Neil walked away and went into the room. Grabbing his cuffs, he then cuffed Galtem assuming he was cooperating and led him down to his cell silently. This was going to be a long night.

Carmen took note of the fact of where Rodger moved to stand, silently supporting Amelia and a dangerous gleam entered her eye.

“I have yet to meet anyone in your department who do their jobs…well.” Carmen stated, crossing her arms in a mocking stance. “In fact, I can name about twenty cases in the last month alone where one of your detectives had never done their job well. I can name names, dates and times if you need facts.” She was on a roll and never passed an opportunity to let her temper fly. “Insubordination, excessive force, bribery, evidence “conveniently” misplaced. Oh and that one little, teeny, tiny incident where a firearm was discharged over the heads of group of school children. Yes, I’d say they were doing their jobs real well.”

She slid from the desk and moved to the window, looking out into the squad room. “So, tell me, Captain, Ms Reed. Who is this…alibi?”

“Get my kit out of my car, it has all my evidence from the crime scene, along with the photos that I took in my camera.” Amelia said with a tone of professionalism. She hadn’t forgotten that she got called down there to do her job. Amelia took a look up at Rodger through her bangs and said; “I’m sorry about all this.” Which she genuinely was. But things were about to get a whole lot worse. The Department ball breaker, and head of internal affairs decided to make her presence felt, and she was not about to let Amelia go anywhere. Seeing her come in and the casual way she sat herself on the edge of Rodger’s desk, had Amelia chew her bottom lip, her eyes searching up at Rodger, as the pair became engaged in some head butting antics.

“I hear there was a murder…and your own Forensics expert may or may not be involved.”

“Well, it’s so nice you prefer to listen through the grapevine for your facts. Unfortunately, you will be a bit disappointment to hear that it is being taken care of. Reed has an alibi that we need to clear and will prove that there was no involvement from my forensics team. Other than doing their job well, that is. Are you familiar with people doing their jobs well? I understand if it is a concept that is beyond you.” 

At this Rodger winked at Amelia, but it was not lost on Carmen. My god, she was like Mike Tyson in a woman’s body. She actually scared Amelia to death.
“I have yet to meet anyone in your department who do their jobs…well.”

“But…the Lawson case…we..” Amelia tried to get a word in, but it was too easily being drowned out by the pair. Then, Carmen went for a hit below the belt. “So, tell me, Captain, Ms Reed. Who is this…alibi?”

Grinning, the door was flung open and a million dollar looking D.A made his presence known.

“That would be me, Lieutenant!” It was Shane, and boy did he look like he was walking into a courtroom, and about to stun the jury with some amazing dialogue. He strutted over to Carmen and let his eyes roam over her form. “Well well well…did you run out of case files in that dark hovel of an office of yours? Hmm? Oh wait..that’s right. You have lost how many assistants in the past month to harassment charges? Ha….and you are in charge of internal affairs? Sounds like a conflict of interest right there, hey Toots.” Shane did a big knowing nod and tapped the side of his nose, before turning to face Rodger.

“Now then. Miss Amelia Reed was at the VIP lounge this evening, and I know since I was with her. I don’t need to go into the nitty gritty of how she barfed technicolor in the ladies loo….NOR do I need to tell you when she nearly peed herself on the dance floor after catching the bar owner with some leggy blonde in a red dress.” He then gave Amelia a concerned look, as he went into the final part of his confession. “I’ll be blunt, the girl was suffering depression, mixed with the drink and juice earlier and I drove her home. At that point…there was NO dead body in the car park, and I watched her go inside. The time difference between when I dropped her off, and went back to the bar myself, WHICH can be shown on the CCTV cameras as well as the statements of one barmaid named Lizzy, I can assure you, that Amelia and I were no part of the murder, and were actually AT HOME, at the time it took place. I am sure that the evidence collected at the crime scene, can attest to that.” He then walked boldly up to Rodger and said. “You do…have the evidence, Lieutenant?”

<3>

Desmond was having a hard time trying not to laugh as he nodded, his shoulders shaking from the effort and he couldn’t stop the small smile on his face. Seeing Joffrey have a difficult time trying to understand what was happening was thoroughly enjoyable to him and he took delight in the fact that the prince might have a meltdown. Shrugging, he spoke while still trying to keep his laughter at bay “A lot can happen when one is asleep. Do you remember what happened before you fell asleep or who you saw? Who’s to say Selene wasn’t pregnant before, anyways? We all know she has an insatiable appetite…” Clearing his throat, he was able to compose himself as he stared the demon prince down “I would have thought you would have been pleased to have a son…he truly does have remarkable abilities.” With that cryptic statement, he then turned and walked to the castle, slowly fading into nothing as he teleported back to Selene’s room.[/b]

Selene and Joffrey’s Room

Selene was still weak from giving birth so she was in bed with her precious son, her arms extended in the air above her as she played with him. Looking up at him affectionately, she cooed softly and didn’t even notice when Desmond appeared in the doorway. He watched the princess with a tender smile on his face, appreciating the fact that she already loved her son. His son. He looked on with love and fascination as the baby was already able to laugh and clap his hands in pleasure as his mother played with him. Tilting his head, Desmond noticed that the baby was already the size of a sixth month old. Interesting. Stepping closer, he lifted a fist to his mouth and cleared his throat. “Ahem…your grace, I am not so sure your husband is ready to come see you.”

The princess lowered her son to her chest possessively and looked over at Desmond in surprise. Her eyes were pitch black and she was prepared to claw anyone who tried to take the baby away to death. Seeing that is was just her friend, her eyes went back to normal and she smiled distractedly “Why is that?” Not waiting for a response, she went back to cooing to the baby.

The warlock only chuckled at her ferocity and continued “It seems your daughter has returned and has…aged. She looks to be a teenager.”

For an odd reason, Selene didn’t seem to care or notice how peculiar this was. “Good lord, now the struggle for my husband’s attention will be even greater…” Rolling her eyes, Selene then smiled at her son and cooed louder.

Desmond began to notice the change in her demeanor. It seemed that whenever she had a child with a being that wasn’t angelic like she was, the darkness within her only grew stronger. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair and muttered “We may be in trouble…” If she was in this dark mood, who knew what she would be like when Joffrey did choose to arrive.

Something…was…off…

Instead of calling him on it, she turned to her father, who was a sobbing heap on the ground at her feet. She knelt next to him, placing a hand upon his.

“Father…it is truly me.” she stated softly. She leaned in to whisper into his ear so that the watching Desmond could not hear. “Ranger only allows two people to ride him. You know this. Please, papa. Don’t cry anymore.” Tempest smiled, moving to pull his hands away from his face.

She heard the sound of a snort behind her and turned her head to stare at Desmond. He was struggling not to laugh at her father’s misfortunes. She glared.

“A lot can happen when one is asleep. Do you remember what happened before you fell asleep or who you saw? Who’s to say Selene wasn’t pregnant before, anyways? We all know she has an insatiable appetite…” Desmond stated. “I would have thought you would have been pleased to have a son…he truly does have remarkable abilities.”

And with that, he was gone. Tempest eyed the spot where he stood for a moment, thoughts whirling. He sounded a bit too…smug.

Putting it out of her mind, she turned back to her father. “Dry your eyes, father. All will be well now. I’m sure of it.” she smiled lightly, offering to help him to his feet.

As Joffrey got to his feet, wiping away his tears of frustration and taking the bits of grass out of his teeth, he stared after Desmond, who vanished into the mist obviously on his way back to see Selene. This had Joffrey wonder. He was dragged out here by Minerva, told that Tempest was out here riding and fell. She also told Selene that she had seen Tempest riding her horse, but he knew that he and Nanny couldn’t find her. If Tempest had been away a week and aged eight years, somewhere magical, how is it possible Minerva even saw her. Clearly, the witch had something to do with this. He was about to make love to his wife when he was called away. Now, after waking two days later, she had a son, and….his daughter was fifteen.

“THAT BITCH!” Joffrey shouted. He grabbed his daughter’s hand, and stared into her eyes. “The witch..the bitch. She lured me out here, away from your mother. She…she was talking to Desmond before…before I was going to make love to your Mother. Then….she led me out here. Then…he shows up, saying your mother had a son…when I know…I didn’t sleep with her. How could I? I was out here, asleep.” Suddenly, he looked at Ranger oddly. “And I think I know how to prove it.” Helping his daughter up onto the back of Ranger, both Joffrey and Tempest would ride back to the castle, and right into the main entrance, the horse’s hooves clip clopping along the tiled floor.

Reaching Selene’s room, he ordered one of the guards to open her door.

“But your highness….you’re on a horse.”

“And your head will be up it’s arse, if you don’t open that door!”

The guard did open the door, and Ranger, with Tempest and Joffrey on the back, rode in. Getting off its back, he helped Tempest down, then he led the horse right over to the baby and Selene. The look on his face. Fury. He spotted Desmond, standing near his wife…and the baby.

“THAT is not my son. And I can prove it.” He then let the horse, sniff the baby to see if it was a baby foal of the Prince….or not.

<3>

When Joffrey saw how Desmond took Selene’s hand and called her “My Dearest” keeping both her and the baby close to him, it twigged. The bastard had somehow weaseled his way into their chambers and mated with his wife. The victorious smirk of triumph only sealed what he thought.

Joffrey simply released the reigns of Ranger and let the horse sniff the baby, just as he had planned. The horse then shook its head and backed away from the baby. Joffrey’s eyes suddenly turned red like fire, as he realized that it was true. The baby that his wife held out to him…..was not his. The baby didn’t even look anything like him.

Snarling angrily, he turned to Desmond and roared. “YOU SON OF A BITCH!” If not for the fact he was standing so close to his wife, he would have torn him to shreds right on the spot. Pointing a clawed hand accusingly, he continued to roar in a voice that was full of venom and hate. “YOU SLEPT WITH MY WIFE AND GOT HER PREGNANT. THAT IS NOT MY SON!”

He started to morph, right there, right then. “The whole kingdom was asleep for two days, you lying wretch. You…and that bitch Minerva. She led me away from my wife to search for Tempest, so you could bed her!” he turned back and snarled at his wife. “Last thing I said to you was that I would be back…..and here I am. If you think you saw me after…THAT WAS NOT ME!”

Then, he did something sinister. Reaching for the baby, he snatched it from Selene’s arms and held it, as it started to scream. His claws started to sink into the baby’s flesh and its blood seeped onto the Prince’s claws. Looking up with a disgusted smile, he said to his wife. “A child born from me, would know me. This child…does not acknowledge it’s own father.” At that he tossed the baby back at Desmond, and then screamed at them all.

“LEAVE THE NIGHT LANDS….WHILE YOU STILL BREATHE!”

And with that, he stormed out of the chambers, his cloak billowing behind him.

<3>

Selene watched in horror as Joffrey shouted at Desmond, too paralyzed with fear as her husband’s rage was unleashed. Her knees began to shake as he accused Desmond of sleeping with her in her husband’s place and she felt sick to her stomach. Looking down at the baby, she couldn’t dare believe this child was not a product of her love for her husband. She lifted her head to argue but her husband’s rage was too quick. Selene was helpless as her husband snatched her precious baby from her, the sounds of the child screaming ripping her delicate heart to pieces. She went to attack Joffrey and get her child back but Desmond grabbed her from around the waist and held her to him. There was still a smirk on his face as he watched the demon prince seal his fate by harming Selene’s child. Joffrey’s or not, that was still Selene’s baby and she would be damned before she let someone cause harm to him. As the baby began to bleed, it took all of the warlock’s own strength not to stop Joffrey but he knew he could heal any damage done. Lifting his chin defiantly, he smiled coldly and bowed his head “As you wish…”Reaching out, he caught the baby and turned to Selene as Joffrey stormed out.

Watching Joffrey walk out of the room after telling them to leave, she screamed with all the rage and betrayed feelings she had“I will never forgive you, Joffrey Brax!” Taking off her wedding, she pelted it towards the door way and collapsed on the ground. She sobbed pitifully while Desmond held the child close, sealing any woulds Joffrey created.

After letting her cry for a few moments, he crouched on the ground and pushed their son towards her “You must leave here with him, your husband is not well. He does not know of what he speaks.”

Still crying, Selene clung to her child and spoke between sobs “Thank…you…for…healing him…I cannot…cannot believe he did that!” Breaking down, an angelic aura surrounded her as she desperately clung to her child. Seeing Joffrey do that to her baby had broken her completely.

Seeing Selene like that made Desmond’s own heart break, if he even had one. Helping her up, he kissed her forehead and murmured “We must get out of here now.”

The princess nodded but looked him in the eyes “Is it true? Did you lay with me and cause some magical spell to make my child grow?”

Desmond looked at her for a long time before speaking “You have a son now. Be to him the greatest mother you can be. There is no place for you here now.”

Selene knew he was right and was too consumed by hurt, anger, and pain to think about anything but getting her children to safety. She wasn’t even sure if Tempest was safe around Joffrey right now. Turning to her daughter, she spoke so softly as her heart lay shattered beneath her chest “Pack…your things…we are leaving…” Turning away from both Desmond and Tempest, she held the baby to her chest and continued to sob while the servants quickly packed her things. Desmond just watched in silence and knew he could conjure whatever he needed at her mother’s castle. He looked at Tempest and tried not to look too gleeful.

Tempest watched as her father lay into both Desmond and Selene for their ruse, trying to determine how she felt about the whole situation.

On the one hand, it was nice having a brother, but at the same time, she was furious with her mother for not recognizing that the person who sired him was not her husband.

She saw Desmond staring at her, a look of absolute pride and a certain sense of smugness on his disgusting face.

Desmond was the one mostly at fault, but she turned the full force of her fury upon the woman who birthed her.

“When I was a little girl,” she started in a calm and soft voice, as if she were talking to a skittish colt, “I always thought you were the most beautiful woman in the lands. I wanted to walk like you, talk like you, be like you, emulate you in all the ways that matter. And the smile upon Father’s face when you walked into a room? It was like you had taken the sun and placed it in the room for him to bask in your glory.” Her voice never rose, she would not resort to yelling for it was not called for in this situation. “I would listen to the stories he told of how you met, how he was conflicted when he met you. For it was against his very nature to be gentle with you. And yet…he was. He laid the world at your feet…and you’ve taken his in a moment of passion.” She shook her head, looking from her mother holding her half-sibling, tears in her eyes, to Desmond, whom she was itching to wipe that smug look from his face. “I hold no ill-will toward the babe for he is naught but an innocent in this macbre play but I really hope the two of you…” She moved her eye between her mother and Desmond, “…have a happy life together. From this day forward, you are dead to me…Selene.” So saying, she turned on her heel and left the room.

Tempest’s Chambers

She closed the door and moved to the small desk in the corner of the room. Taking up parchment and quill, she penned a note to be sent to her grandmother.

After stamping the Royal Seal in the corner so her grandmother would know it was genuine (for no Royal Seal could ever be duplicated on punishment of death), she called forth her Raven friend and familiar, Francois to have it delivered as quick as possible. She could have had a messenger dove to send it, but Francois was known to go unseen and undetected through the lands. He had a knack for getting in and out of places he was not wanted.

She tied the letter to his leg and whispered to him. “Fly upon swift wings, my darling friend. To the Queen of Casterly.” After nipping her fingers, Francois flew from the window of her room and in the blink of an eye he was gone.

“And so it begins…” Tempest murmured, moving to seek out her father.

“Enjoy…what I have lost.”

The words echoed but Tempest could hear the pain and heartache in them.

She found him, slouching dejectedly upon his throne, She walked silently, carefully toward him, her dress making almost no sound. She knelt at his feet, a hand upon his knee.

“Father.” One word, spoken in shared pain. He had lost a wife and a companion. She had lost a mother. Silent tears flowed from her eyes as she pressed her cheek to his knee, giving comfort as well as taking.

Three days ago, life in the Black fog castle was…well, as normal as could be expected for the Brax family. Sure, Tempest wanted a white pony, and the Prince went out of his way to make her happy. Even conjuring up a blue elephant from Nanny’s bag of holdings. But life was never meant to be easy, and this was the case when Tempest went missing after an argument with her mother. That was the start of the slippery slope into a nightmare that Joffrey had just woken from to find his daughter was now 15, his wife had given birth to a very fast growing baby boy, and now he had banished his wife, and her son from the Brax lands. At first he thought it was madness. Surely all this is too fanciful to be believed. Tempest however had aged, through what means he had no clue. Magic was the answer, and magic was the cause of his loss of his wife. He could not bring himself to accept that the baby she held in her arms was his. He knew when a child she bore was. He would have remembered sleeping with her. The smarmy look from Desmond, and his reaction to Selene’s lament was proof.

Hearing his daughter approach, and then rest her head on his knee, Joffrey gazed down at her, and started to stroke her hair. His heart was truly broken in two. Selene was his mate, his life….and he felt the bitter sting of his tears, though he tried hard to hold them back.

“I was not man enough to keep my own wife.” He said sadly. “How could I have let this happen?” Joffrey questioned, his bottom lip trembling. He raised his head and then cried out. “Why?…why can’t we be happy?”

<3>

Tempest raised both her head and herself up onto her knees, pressing a hand to her father’s cheek, brushing his tears with her thumb. “That which breaks us only makes us stronger.” she whispered. “Father, please stay stong now. You are a Son of Brax, Demon Lord. And I will be by your side for as long as you need me.” Tears gathered, spilled from her own eyes as she stared at her father.

“Because you needed me to look out for you, Father dear.” She giggled, getting to her feet. “And I couldn’t do that if I was so little. No one takes you seriously when your a child.

“If I could only have kept you younger for longer. Next thing, there will be boys sniffing at your skirts. Oh hell.”

“Devil take ye! I don’t want any man sniffing after me. Disgusting creatures!” Tempest frowned comically. It was an expression so unlike her usual grace and poise, it would have made Joff laugh if he was of a mind to.

“I sound like an old fart. Did I age as well?” She smiled warmly at her father.

“Father, you haven’t aged a day.” She smiled.

“What do I do now? How can I go on with your Mother?”

She would pull at his hand, hoping to tug him to his feet so that she could link her arm through his and take him for a walk through their home, something they hadn’t done in a long time.

“Father…think of it like this. You are angry now because you were both tricked. But she should have truely known you, known your heart to know that the man who was in her bed was not her husband. Once she realizes her folly, she may return. I do not pretend to know Mother’s mind, but I feel as if I know both your hearts. After all…you had me.” She smiled at him. “I may have denounced Mother, but she is still my mother. I love her, but I hate her for what she’s done to us, to you. We must have patience.” She leaned upward to kiss his cheek. “And I think I know a way to make you smile. If you would permit me?”

The Prince and his daughter walked arm in arm along the halls of the Castle Black fog, as both were trying to come to terms with the drama that had befallen them. Joffrey was slow in his step, for he saw no need to rush his daughter along. Truth be told, he felt rudderless, and his daughter was his only true comfort at this time.

The Prince was still very much in love with his wife, but one thing he could never conquer was that he had shown such jealousy in seeing her standing tall with Desmond, and they looked like a couple with a new baby…which they in fact were. Joffrey simply could not get past the fact that she had slept with another man, and bore him a son. Whether she realized she had been tricked or not, didn’t even come into the equation. Horrid images flooded his mind, of his Selene laying with Desmond, saying words of love that should have been reserved for him and him alone. He knew his anger was justified, and for a Demon lord, it was a miracle he didn’t torch the entire room in a blaze of rage and fury. Instead he had tossed the bastard child back at Desmond, and then walked out…walking away from his true love.

Amazed at the fact that Tempest was now showing such patience and using logic in her counter as to how the Prince could go on without Selene, the Prince could only offer her a half smile when she said that she knew a way to make him smile again. Kissing his cheek gently, the Prince replied.

“Remind me to shave…I must have cheeks rougher than a bristle brush.” His lame attempt at humor was his way of trying to mask the pain that was racking his mind and body. Joffrey knew she was trying to cheer him up, and he gave in.

“Alright…lead on. Let us see what you have in store.” 

<3>

“You do not.” Tempest smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder as they walked. She was doing her best to keep his spirits up. It was never an nice sight when a demon gave into depression.

“Alright…lead on. Let us see what you have in store.” Nodding, she led them both out to the gardens, where just a few short days ago, a father had given his baby girl a blue elephant. She smiled with fondness as she recalled the bee and getting stung and every moment afterwards.

“My word. I was a bit of a tempermental child, wasn’t I?” she grinned as she lead him to the garden table. She indicated that he sit before she took a couple of steps back. “When I was…away…I found a way to age myself, as you can see…but I also received these.” She closed her eyes and it only took her a moment of concentration for her wings to come forth. She stretched them high overhead, releasing a deep sigh of relief at the feel of having them exposed for the first time in hours. She relaxed them at her sides and waited to see what her father would think of them.

Childhood memories, were always so good to remember, even the bad times. What troubled Joffrey however, is that by Tempest growing up overnight, that she may have missed some of the best years of her life. Growing up means responsibility.

Tempest gestured for the Prince to sit, and so he did, wondering what in the world it was that his daughter was about to show him, that would make him find his smile.

“When I was…away…I found a way to age myself, as you can see…but I also received these.” 

Much to the Prince’s surprise, Tempest unfurled a beautiful set of wings. They opened up majestically behind her back, and with each beat, they got stronger. Joffrey could see that she was relieved to have them opened, and it didn’t take a fool to see why. To see her relax again, and wait patiently for his reaction, was worth the trip down out of the castle. He just sat there and shook his head.

“I always thought I knew what true beauty was, until now. Tempest, you are blessed. This does touch my heart, and makes up for the sadness of not being able to dote on you as my baby girl. You’re all grown up.”

<3>

Selene turned to stare at her daughter in shock, not believing her ears. She thought she and Desmond were a couple? Why was her family turning against her like she had an affair. Too stunned to say anything as Tempest removed her mother from her life, she stood still as a statue. When Tempest left after her harsh words, she turned to whisper to Magda “Take the baby…” The servant rushed forward to take the baby from the princess, already seeing Selene’s eyes go from blue to pitch black. As soon as the child was safe from her grasp, Selene stalked towards Desmond as though she were a jungle cat.

Desmond’s eyes widened as she prowled towards him, his hands going up defensively as he saw the look in her eyes. “Now listen, Princess…I’ve already established that your husband must have some sort of head injury…we musn’t-” But he was cut off by Selene’s deadly quiet voice.

“Did you see my daughter? Did you see her size…how much she’s grown? Does that look like a head wound to you?”Looking over to her son, she saw how fast he was growing. Such things could only be the work of magic. And who better to perform magic than a witch and warlock. Her eyes flicked back to Desmond and her hands clenched “I know you had your hand in this…Did you dare touch me? Did you dare to take away from me that which is my very LIFE?!” As her voice rose louder and louder, the floor and walls began to shake, the windows rattling as a storm began to brew from the angel’s wrath.

The warlock began to tremble and he backed away from her “You don’t understand! I love you! I only did this for you! That…that man was taking advantage of your pure light. He cared nothing for you, only of that bitch of a daughter!”

That did it. Selene’s wings came ripping out of her gown as she then launched herself into the air. She hovered mid air while naked, only cloaked in a heavenly light that was tinted with her dark anger. Her eyes, hair, and fingertips glowed as her skin was as shiny and pale as a pearl. Staring him down, she screamed “You dare speak of my child that way? My husband?! You will curse the day you dare cross me…” Flying towards him too quickly for him to even react, she tore her claws into him and ripped him to pieces. Blood and guts flew everywhere until at last she had what she wanted. Picking up his head, she turned and spoke coldly to the guards “See to it that this head is mounted on a pike before the castle doors as a warning to those who dare cross the demon prince of the Night Lands.”

Selene was now naked and covered head to foot in blood, and she turned to look at her son while the guards took the head away to do as she asked. What she saw made her gasp. The baby she had given to Magda to hold was now a small child about the size of a ten year old holding Magda. All the magic that dissipated from Desmond when he was killed had left the warlock and was consumed by the child. He had a mop of dirty blonde hair, curls so soft and springy that Selene wanted to touch them. He looked at her with bright green eyes that held the innocence and naivety that she once had herself. Walking towards him slowly, she couldn’t take her eyes off of him “Are you…?”

He immediately stepped up to her, his arms outstretched “Mamma, are you hurt?”

Selene shook her head slowly and knelt down to scoop him into her arms “I am much better now…”

Magda smiled softly and spoke “Your carriage is ready, your grace.”

Standing up straight, all blood fell from her body to reveal her stunningly perfect form as her arms held her son. She looked like a demi-goddess from a mural as she clung to her child. Magda bowed her head reverently as The Saint Selene was now revealed. Selene smiled softly to Magda, all trace of evil gone from her soul as she carried her child out of the room naked, her wings furled around them protectively. They were going home.

As Joffrey sat admiring his daughter’s wings, Nanny came running down the hill, her skirts rising up and her face puffing from exertion.

“Joffy…Joffy…the Princess is gone. Taken her son…and…and..oh..its sickening.”

Coming up to stop just before Joffrey, and bending over to place her hands on her knees, truly winded, the Prince rose from his seat, and started to rub her back.

“The Princess and the bastard child are gone? With that Desmond creep no doubt. Good riddance!” He huffed, showing a foul expression. Nanny looked up at him, with watery eyes and a sick expression. “Desmond is going no where. Well…parts of him are in her chambers…other parts strewn about the hall, but its his head.” she exclaimed. At this Joffrey looked confused.“Bits? Head?…Eh?” He raised an eyebrow, as Nanny finally caught her breathe. “His head….its on a spike for all to see at the castle gates. Guess..the Princess and him had words?” Joffrey shot a look at his daughter, and then shrugged with a queasy look. “I always knew your Mother had a dark side….but that takes the cake, even for me. Guess he got found out.” The Prince rubbed his right eye, and then sighed. It still didn’t change the fact she bore that Warlock a son.

“So…she’s really gone. I suppose the marriage is too.”

<3>

Out at the castle gates, Minerva was seeing the fleeing Princess’s handiwork on Desmond for herself. Oh, this was bad. So the royals figured out that Desmond was the father of the bastard child. That could only mean that she herself was now in danger, if the Prince was ever to clap eyes on her. Chewing on her bottom lip, she started to pace. Back and forth like an endangered creature trapped in a cage. The witch started to pull on her own long brown hair, as she narrowed her gaze, kicking up pebbles with her shoe. How on earth was she to survive the Prince’s rage when her turn came? But just then, one of the farmer’s daughters came up from the shed, carrying a basket of corn for the kitchens. She was such a beautiful girl, with golden hair and a blush to her cheeks. Same height, same weight. Oh yes, this was perfect. The Witch sauntered over and said softly.

“You poor girl, have you walked all this way from your farm to bring the royal house their corn?” Minerva cocked her head as though feeling sorry for the girl. The young lass nodded, her shoes long since worn through.
“Aye…I would love to sit.” The Witch beamed and offered to take the basket. “Here, let me take this from you.” As she reached for the basket, she also pulled out a lock of the girl’s hair. The farmer’s daughter yelped, and the witch pretended it was an accident. “Oops. I am so clumsy at times. Don’t worry though, it will grow back.” The Farmer’s daughter than wandered off to the milk sheds to take a rest as Minerva then threw the basket of corn over her shoulder, holding the strands of hair in triumph. She snuck into the castle, and finding an empty room, she started to braid the blonde hair with her own, uttering an incantation. Slowly but surely, all of Minerva’s hair started to change to the same colour as the Farmer’s daughter. Minerva glanced in a mirror, and low and behold, she looked EXACTLY like the Farmer’s daughter. Picking up a small piece of candy from a bowl on the dresser in the room, she continued to chuckle at herself

“Hmm…little too soft for my likings, but…this will have to do.” Grinning, she blew her new image a kiss, and skipped off into the Castle proper, to see about cleaning up Selene’s room.

<3>

<3>

“Language!” Nanny exclaimed. Tempest didn’t even look the least bit sorry.

Mister Pickerworth’s Pub

“Hold!” One of the knights exclaimed as their riding party stopped in front of the pub. He dismounted and walked back to the carriage. Tempest had her hood up and could see the townspeople gathering around, curious as to who from the royal family would be visiting their humble establishments.

“Are you sure you wish to do this, Your Highness?” he asked. Tempest, who was wearing a hooded cloak nodded.

“T’would not due for his subjects to see him fall so far from grace, would it not?” she asked.

“It may be too late for that, Princess.” the knight stated, looking toward the pub. They could both hear robust singing and Tempest had a feeling she knew what she would find when she went inside. The knight escorted her from the carriage and lead her in.

Music and laughter caught her attention and she could see a large group of people crowding around the bar, where the singing and lewd comments were coming from.

“Make way for Her Royal Highness, Princess Tempest of Brax!” the knight announced loudly over the din.

That got an immediate reaction from almost everyone and if it weren’t for the fact her father was three sheets to the wind and oblivious to his surroundings, it would have been so silent you could have heard a pin drop.

Tempest stepped forward and removed her hood, hearing the gasps of surprise from the people around her. She ignored this, only having eyes for her father and the blonde tart that was currently draped all over him. Her gaze went icy with anger and she stepped toward them on slippered feet.

“If I were you, madame, and I use that term loosely, much like yourself I would imagine,” her beginning words drew a collective gasp from the surrounding crowd, “I would remove myself from my father’s side this instant.” Tempest scowled, the fires of anger burning in her eyes. If one were to look closer, they would also see that her hand was starting to smoulder. She kept her eyes on the blonde woman, waiting.

“Mideon.”

“And you do not believe I am who I say?”

“I do.”

“Why?” she demanded.

“Because I have seen the Daughter of Brax and she is simply an annoying 7 year old abomination foisted upon us by that whore of a mother. You’re just a servant in their household, having delusions above your station, probably warming the Prince’s bed.”

Oh this was bad…

The knight who was her escort directed everyone who was standing around to back away as Tempest exploded in a red hot rage. Her hand flashed out, directing a fireball of immense proportions toward the man who dared to malign her family and her character. The man’s screams filled the air as he burned to death, echoing out into the streets of the village. Young children cowered behind their mothers in fear as they listened to it.

His screams tapered off and at the end of it all, until nothing but ash remained.

“If anyone else wishes to speak of my family…don’t.” she warned. There was no doubt that this young woman was definitely who she claimed to be. Giving Minerva a final glance, she turned on her heel and left the pub, her escort right behind her.

Stepping into the carriage, her gaze softened upon seeing her father, slouched in the corner, his head at an uncomfortable angle. She hated seeing him in such a state and she moved to place his head in her lap, removing the still clinging peanuts from his cheeks and forehead.

“Father, what am I to do with you.” she sighed. A long drawn out snore was her only answer as the royal party headed back to the castle. Tempest stared out the window with sad eyes. Mother, we need you now more than ever. Please come back to us.

Minerva growled and then there was a massive bright red glow of light, before the door was blustered off its hinges and landed with a dull thud.

“Don’t you know your own sister when you see her, Portia?” Minerva huffed angrily, barging in, as Portia twirled her blonde hair around her finger acting innocent. “You’re the one that looks like a virgin milkmaid after some well hung stable boy. Psh. What do you want?”

Minerva grinned slyly and then uttered. “So…who here is hungry for a tasty young girly, named…Tempest?”

The three witches all looked at each other and then crept towards Minerva.

“The demon child? Ethel asked, her mind racing with how good that child’s soul would taste.

“The one and only.” All the witches started to cackle, as a raven sat in the window ledge listening in to the diabolical schemes.

<3>

In a darker part of the lands beyond the veil, resides the Witch Desdemona, otherwise known as Mona. She lives with a handful of followers, servants and meat men aka slaves, that keep her mildly entertained throughout the long years of exile since the ill fated romance with the European Alpha Wolf.

The years had not softened Mona’s heart, but on the contrary, they had darkened it considerably. Though she still retained the glamour of her ageless beauty thanks to magics and spells, she was this eve feeling tired and….lonely. Luxuriating within the hot tepid waters that were scented heavily with oils to soften her skin, she sighed as she lay her head back, a piece of cucumber on each eye, and of course wearing a mudpack supplied by her servants.

Soft classic music wafted through the air courtesy of her phonograph, as she was not up on modern times. Time it seemed stood still beyond the veil. One of her servants, a muscle bound heavy sporting a fur lap lap and not much else, set down some clean towels, and bowed his head, awaiting her instructions.

Peeling back one of the pieces of cucumber, she eyed him critically.

“I gave you a name, didn’t I?”

“Aye…you called me Samson.”

She snapped her fingers, suddenly remembering. It was due to his long hair that flowed down his back. (not back hair…ew).

“Samson? Any word on that warlock King….the one that can get me out past the veil to the realm of the Sons and Daughter of Adam?”

The servant shook his head. “No, M’lady…none have seen nor heard from him.”

This was not good news, and the Witch rolled her eyes, then set back down the cucumber slice in place.

“Very well. That will be all.”

“Did you wish Samson to wash your hair?” he asked, spying upon her naked form, almost unable to hold back his lust for his Mistress. The Witch just wasn’t in the mood. “Maybe later, once I wash off this crud on my face. Now…off with you.”she said in a commanding tone. Samson nodded begrudgingly, and left her bathroom, while Mona started to plot her next evil scheme.

<3>

Having finished her bath, Mona was dressed in a simple black robe, as she strolled back in her bedroom, only to see Dirk lazing on her couch. He was admiring a picture of her, and then gave her a sadistic grin. “Hark…what light through yonder window…breaks. Tis the east and Juliette is the sun.” Desdemona stopped dead, and placed her hands upon her hips. “How…no…when did you get here?” She asked, raising a well shaped brow to see the head of demons just lounging around her chambers. At first Dirk seemed put out.“Oh, is that any way to treat a lover?” Desdemona rolled her eyes and then said bluntly“Ex…lover.”

Dirk simply grinned and eased back, setting down her picture. “You only have to say the word, and I can be right back in your bed.” the demon patted the couch, and urged her to join him. Strolling past him, she already had other plans, and one was to somehow get that Warlock King to help her get beyond the veil. She had tried everything, every book, spell, incantation, even a few sacrifices and…..nothing. She wrapped her arms around herself and stared out a gable window. Dirk picked up on this instantly, and pushed himself up off the couch. “Now now…don’t go hiding your wicked schemes from me, Mona. You always have a way of trying to destroy someone…or something. Preferably those pesky were wolves. Though, seriously…why bother? You have plenty of pelts, and a few made into rugs. I fail to see the charm.” He was going on a bit, but edging up behind her, and resting his hands on her shoulders. Mona sighed. “Can’t a girl have a hobby?” Well, it wasn’t a hobby, no it was more of an obsession.

Dirk was amused, since she still had a sense of humor. “Some like to press flowers. YOU like to torture wolves. Not really a girly hobby.” Desdemona smiled wistfully, and allowed Dirk to kiss her neck as she thought.

<3>

Desdemona’s Castle

Reaching the Desdemona’s Castle, some people wasn’t sure if they should allow him to get in, till they noticed he was the King Warlock, and since most feared them, they just allowed him to pass. He removed the hood, and rose his chin, walking firmly and making the others around him respect him, and fear him. That was the best part on being a King, everybody would fear you and respect you, its like, you can have the world on your hands, and you can control them so easily.
He followed a servant that was leading him where Desdemona was placed, and then he just warned the witch, the King Warlock was here. Cypher waited with a grin, as he placed his hands behind him, and allowed the yellow cat-like eyes of his show up again, he hated covering his eyes with a normal dark brown when he was in the human world, so here he was more freely.

The shadows hold many things within them. A dark secret that a select few know should never be brought to light. The broken body of an innocent man who’s purse was simply larger than another’s. The bruised shape of a woman who’s night went a little off the path of correctness. These all remain in the shadows, encased in darkness as secrets, dirty little bits of information that had the potential to ruin a person’s life, or make another’s all the better. This, the shadows, was where Garrett Hawke felt most at home. This was where he thrived. Currently, there was much to learn within them, in the halls of the great Desdemona’s forbodding castle. So many tid bits of information, rumors, stuff to make the lip quiver and send chills down the back, possibly even create an aura of Paranoia.

Garrett was used to these feelings, and had become quite immune to them. He knew full well of the many behind the scene plots that the mistress of the house had committed, and he was far from fear full of them. In fact, the entire idea intrigued him. Truthfully, he admired Desdemona, to a point where he almost obsessed over her. Currently, he hid within the shadows of the hallways, runes covering his body that created an aura of invisibility, effectively cloaking him to those that would not know better. However, there were those, such as the Mistress of the Castle, that knew exactly what to spot. And besides this, Hawke felt another presence, one that he hadn’t felt in so long, and longed to see once more. Cypher, High Warlock of their order, in other words, their king. Hawke felt a deep, burning hate that has persisted for many, many years for the man.

“Dirk….no.”

“Mmmph…come on…just this once. You know you want it. You want me to give it to you.” Dirk started to nip and bite at her neck, and she pulled away from his hold, only to round on him and glare menacingly.

“What part of NO, don’t you get?” At this she slapped him hard across the face, and grit her teeth. “Get out!” the acid in her tone and the rage that was flooding her veins was showing she was not mucking around. The Demon lord grinned sheepishly, actually getting off on the face slap, in fact he would have loved her to beat him into submission right there.

At this, one of Desdemona’s other servants appeared and announced that they were to have guests. Mona glared at Dirk, who was backing up, showing both hands in surrender. “I’ll come back when you are…in need of me.” his tone having a sickly sweet ring to it, as he then vanished in a blast of flames and smoke.

Waving her hand in front of her face, she coughed elegantly, and strode over to her changing screen, and started to disrobe. The black silk robe fell to the floor, and she started to dress in her lacy undergarments and then bustier, as she started to feel the presence of a lingering soul. Poking her head up from behind the screen, she noticed the aura of one other. Garrett. “Sticking to the shadows makes you out to be like a peeping tom. Unbecoming. Show yourself.” Desdemona said with a chilling voice, while putting on a fine full length gown in emerald green. She stepped out, fixing her hair, when lo and behold, the gold eyed King of Warlocks….also appeared. Devilishly handsome as ever, and a sight for sore eyes.

“I think my night just got a whole lot better, M’lord.”

Gliding across the room, she ran her tongue across her top row of teeth and showed a wicked smile.

“So…how’s things over in the land of mortals. And…when can I join you there to do what must be done.” She had been patient for so long waiting for him…but even she had limits.

<3>

“Sticking to the shadows makes you out to be like a peeping tom. Unbecoming. Show yourself.”

Garrett smiled, but remained in his comfy zone, shrouded in darkness, though without the invisibility spell. His body appeared slowly, and at first he was undressed, his runes which were colored black glowing a dark mix of black and red, though this quickly changed upon his becoming full formed. Now dressed in a rather flashy black suit, Garrett lowered his head respectfully as he spoke. “Were there not so much to see from within them, I’d rather be in your sight, M’Lady.” Lifting his head, he watched as she strode out the door, and down the hall, most likely to speak with that drab of a man he was to call his king. With a sigh, he regrettably followed in suit, only to be greeted by the man himself not long afterwards.

Garrett said no word, simply watched. It was likely the king wouldn’t even remember him, and Garrett would not only hope, but bet on that. Hopefully, he doesn’t inquire to the lady’s company, and she expose his identity. That’d look poorly for him, and her.

Cypher just waited for the witch to let him step inside, there was no way he was going to interrupt her on doing her “business”, like last time. Some memories will never leave his mind, no matter how much he wished they would all be gone. As soon as he was inside, there was just smoke, and Cypher had to move his hand in front of him, to try make the all smoke go away, the hell happen in here anyway? Seriously, Desdemona needed to know how to be more “clean”.
“I see there’s too much dust in here.”
He was just using the word dust to replace the word smoke.
Cypher drew his attention to Desdemona, and grinned whenever he saw how “excited” she got to see him, and the way she moved her tongue over her teeth. OF course, he wasn’t alone with her, there was always her shadow, Garret. That man clearly had some problem with Cypher, but Cypher could careless about him, as long as that guy respected him, and stayed away, everything would be fine. There’s some people that isn’t even worth of use your energy on them.
“The humans? They’re a weird race, I believe. So weak and vulnerable. You can easily play with any of them.”
He already played with lots of humans, for his amusement, not really hurting anybody that bad, the “pain” would always disappear within minutes. Just like he done in Lilly’s store with that man.
“Join me, sweetheart? Why would you want that?”
Cypher asked her with a charming smirk. Of course he knew what she wanted, but that didn’t meant he was going to make things easy for her. He would never gain anything back if he just helped her, she would have her fun destroying the werewolves, but Cypher wouldn’t have a single thing with that, he wouldn’t care, and that wouldn’t bring him anything.

Dirk’s departure had caused a bit of a mess, as usual. The plumes of smoke and ash were always annoying, and to see that Cypher now gesturing that the room was too smokey, and the dust and debris, Mona became embarrassed. If it weren’t for the fact that Cypher had arrived so soon after Dirk’s departure she would have had her minions working on it to clean the mess.

“I keep asking him to use the door.” she replied with a sarcastic tone. Desdemona was of course fascinated with Cypher’s eyes, the gold eyes of a cat, in the face of such a handsome Warlock. It didn’t escape her that he was now looking at Garrett, who had been watching everything from the shadows the entire time. Garret was dressed in a rather flashy black suit, and had his head lowered respectfully. Something about that man at times. But right now, the King’s attention was what she craved.

“The humans? They’re a weird race, I believe. So weak and vulnerable. You can easily play with any of them.” The King appeared non too fussed with the humans, and rightly so. She also believed they were nothing more than ants beneath her feet. What she wanted though, was not the humans at all. Like a minx, she walked around the King, and showed a devious smile.

“Why would I want that? Oh…see, that is where the fur bound werewolves exist, so very far from my clutches.” Mona was not ashamed to admit what she truly desired. The Witch then pouted and picked an imaginary speck of dust from the King’s shoulder. “You know how the humans enjoy fox hunting. Well…I like my fur bags a tiny bit bigger. More to the challenge really. Just think, I could get the very latest in hunting attire. Might see if they make those sweet riding hats in crushed velvet.” Plotting for a moment she then realized that the King would want something in return, to allow her freedom to escape the veil.

“Alright…enough with the pleasantries. I’ll be bold. I want to cross the veil. Name your price.”

<3>

Jennifer remained sitting there with her face buried in Penny’s fur. She could feel him stand up as he told her she didn’t understand. Well he was right about that. She definitely did not understand. She didn’t understand any of it. This whole situation they were in confused her to the max. As he explained, she looked up at him. Of course this had been the reason. It was probably the most selfish thing he’d ever done and it was still for her benefit. Everything he did was for her benefit. How was she supposed to tell him that she was angry, not because of him, but because of her? This one thing he had done wrong in their relationship had been all for her and she had been selfish, only thinking about herself, when she took Galtem and kissed him. Twice. She watched him walk around, not wanting to say anything. Not knowing what to see.

William even admit that he was scared she’d see good in Galtem and run back to him. She couldn’t blame him for this. Isn’t that what she had done the second she realized that he loved her back? It was so easy to pretend to hate someone that hated you, but if Jennifer had known Galtem had had her best interest in mind, she wasn’t sure she would have been able to stay away. She took a deep breath and swallowed hard, preparing herself for whatever she was going to say next. All she did was set the dog down and hold her arms out to him. “Come here,” she said in a gentle voice. She needed his comfort right now even if he didn’t know why. And she wanted to comfort him. Even if it was from herself. She didn’t like fighting with William. It was the worst feeling in the world. He was all she had and she couldn’t risk losing him. But she also couldn’t keep lying to the person who knew her better than anyone else. So she would have to figure out what to do. But not for now. For now she just wanted to hold him.

William huffed out and just shook his head, while he walked around. He tilted his head down, and stared at the ground. He was already feeling his world fall apart, even tho nothing that bad happen. Its just, having Galtem back in town, meant something bad will happen, and William doesn’t want to lose Jennifer, so many years together, and now lose her because one of her ex’s showed up? He always knew she had feelings for Galtem, that’s why he was relieved when Galtem disappeared for this all 100years, however, now that he’s back, he’s fearing that Jennifer’s feelings will grow towards Galtem, and William is the one left behind. Its not easy for him to deal with that, and he has been fighting for her for years, there will be a limit for him.

When Jennifer told him to come closer to her, he just bite down onto his lower lip, and took the courage to look back at her. He forced a smile, since he didn’t wanted her to think he was angry at her, because he wasn’t, he was just angry at Galtem to be back. It might have been a selfish thing not tell her about the promise, but it was only for her own sake, she had to understand that, him and Galtem agreed on doing that.
Pushing those thoughts away, William walked up to her, and slowly got on the bed, while he began to place his palms on her shoulders, staring into her eyes, to let her known that the next words was honest.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t keep it secret. I love you, ok? No matter what happens, I will always be there for you.”
He told her with another smile, but not as forced as the one before. After this, he planted a kiss upon her forehead, and brought her closer to his chest, as he wrapped his arms around her, tightly. 

She was grateful that William came over to her when she told him to. It would have been a very painful rejection if he hadn’t. He set his hands on her shoulders and looked at her with an intense stare. His smile was forced, but she just wanted to fall into his arms right then and there. Wanted nothing more than to just be with him and touching him as much as she could, but she did not move. Jennifer stared back into his eyes. Forced herself to look in the face of the person she would have to hurt so much. His next words just about broke her heart. She just nodded, holding back tears as he kissed her forehead before he allowed her to finally lean into him. She buried her face into his bare chest as he held her tight. It was too much for her and she let just a few tears fall. Maybe the reason she always found herself going back to Galtem was because William was simply too perfect for her. She was always angry at girls for saying that men were “too nice” because she didn’t think that was possible. But maybe this was what they meant. That if they dated someone that much better than them, then they would never be able to compare. William loved her so much, but she didn’t deserve it. She never deserved his love.

Eventually she sat up, looking at him, her eyes no longer wet with tears. “I love you. So much. Please. Please know that. You have to know that whatever happens, I will always love you. That will never change,” she told him, surprising herself that she managed to say these words without crying. She figured those last few tears were her officially being done for the night. The words might have confused him more than anything since he figured they were just talking about Galtem coming back. But before he could respond to it she leaned forward and placed her lips on his and put the back of her hand on his neck, just as she had done with Galtem earlier, pushing him as close to her as he could be. She didn’t want this to be a good-bye kiss like it had been with Galtem. But she could not lie to him either and she didn’t know how he would be able to stay with her if he knew what had just happened. That was all problems for another time, because it was not a good-bye kiss. It was a greeting. A question begging for an answer. She just kissed him and hoped that he would respond.

William placed his left palm on her back, and used his right hand to stroke her hair with his friends, he could hear her whimper, she was probably crying, since he felt the tears against his bare chest, but it didn’t seemed that much. He decided to not ask her why the cry, because in his mind it was rather obvious, she was probably feeling a mess again and William was here for comfort her and fix her whenever she needs him.
After awhile, she finally sat up and looked at him, her words left him slightly confused, but he thought it would be about the Galtem subject, for let him known to not doubt about her love for him. He doesn’t, its just, he can’t truly trust Galtem, everybody has their weakness, and Galtem is one of those guys that is capable to see weakness quickly one somebody and uses them against that person, to get whatever he wants. That’s what William fears.
Before he could tell her something about those words, he felt her lips against his, and her palm on the back of his neck, as she was bringing him closer to her.

He moved his hands up, and placed them on her cheeks, as he cupped up her face and began to respond to the kiss, on the beginning it was rather soft, but long. He tried to pull his head back, but it seemed Jennifer wouldn’t allow him, so he just rushed his lips back onto hers, and began to kiss her with more passion, and using his tongue against hers as well. His hands slid down on her body, till they meet up with her sides, and he just allowed himself to fall back on the bed, and pull her on top of him. He felt like he had his mood ruined, and didn’t wanted to do anything but sleep, however, when it was for show their love towards each other, the mood is completely different. After such argument, they really need this. 

It had truly been a long night, and now Amelia’s head was starting to nod, as the last of her shows was finishing. The kitty that she had found out by the trash can was asleep on her lap, curled up in a tight ball. Amelia smiled down at the kitty, and then scooped him up, while with the other hand reached for the empty dish. Amelia was something of a neat freak, and padded to the kitchen to place the dish into the dishwasher and turn it on.

Wandering past Rattle’s tank, she blew a kiss to the “other” gentleman in her life; her snake, and whispered. “I have a new male to take to my bed.” referring of course to the little kitten who was fast asleep. All lights turned off, she went up the stairs to her bedroom, where she placed the kitty down on the spot nearest her own pillow. A trip to the cupboard and she found an old cat litter tray and litter, from when she had to baby sit her sister’s cat one time. Always good at hoarding such things, this would now come in useful at least with her new house guest. Setting this up in the laundry, she then stretched and yawned, making her way back into the bedroom.

Amelia got into bed, sliding under the covers, and gave her kitty one final pat, before she turned off the lamp beside her. Laying still for a moment, she wondered if Galtem and Caleb had made it home alright. She let out a sigh, knowing that they were no longer her problem. Amelia finally rolled over and drifted off to sleep.

<3>

Delilah watched Benedict collapse on the couch and pass out almost instantaneously. Walking over to a chair near the couch, she sat down and pulled her knees up to peak at him over them. He was still so handsome, but it was clear he had been through a lot. Exhaling softly, she stared at him silently for a few moments before her cell phone went off. Pulling it out, she saw that her adopted son David (Dane Cook…too funny.) was on his way home from a sleepover. Perfect, just what Benedict needed. Delilah put her phone away and looked over at Benedict again. Would he think she had found someone and settled down. Benedict seemed so wrapped up in everything like her, Delilah doubted he would even care. Sighing, she decided against showering and just waited for her son to come home.

As the condo became quiet and settled, it seemed peaceful for a few moments. However, that was soon destroyed when David came flying through the door. Dropping his bag next to the couch near Benedict’s head, he rushed over and flung himself into Delilah’s arms. She gasped and immediately tried shushing him, but the child prattled on “I had so much candy and Matt’s house!” Delilah scowled at first at how noisy he was before she pulled him into a hug with a soft smile. After they embraced, she plopped him on the chair and put a finger to her lips, saying they had to be quiet. David looked at the man on the couch and frowned “Mommy, who is that?”

She smiled softly and shrugged, whispering back “Just a friend, Bubba.” That seemed to be a good enough answer to David because he pulled Delilah closer and began to tell her what he did at his friend’s house quietly in her ear.

Jennifer wondered if he was just humoring her by responding to the kiss. He still seemed exhausted and she felt horrible for snapping at him like that earlier. She wondered how many times it was possible to unintentionally hurt a person before they would let you go. With most people it was probably a low number, but she knew William was different. If Galtem thought that she deserved better than he was very mistaken. If anything William deserved better, but she could not bear the thought of him with anyone but her. Yet, she was grateful he hadn’t pulled away when it felt like he was going to. If he had she might have tried being a little more persistent, but would have had to give up. Instead he kissed her back, this time with more passion. Her tongue responded to his, eagerly and she began to grow excited as his hands moved down to her sides. She moved with him as he fell back onto the bed and she remained on top of him, not letting her lips leave his, in fear that if they did leave his then she would never get them back. This was how she was feeling about their relationship. She knew that once William found out about her and Galtem, it would be the break in the relationship and there was no chance of getting him back after that. It was a thought she could not stand, but she knew it was the truth. He’d waited for her for so long. He was not going to waste another second of his life doing so. Maybe for her. But not for Galtem. Luckily, she was out of tears and could not cry anymore. So instead she merely held onto him tighter, letting her hands run across his chest, and kissed him more. As she held onto him she confirmed that there was no doubt in her love for William. There had never been a doubt. Was it possible to have two soul mates? Because as different as William was from Galtem, their bodies still seemed to match perfectly with his, just in a different way. Jennifer wondered if she was just going to have this guilt feeling permanently stuck in her stomach for the rest of her life, but it did not stop her. Right now all she could think of was William. The only thing she wanted was William.

There were two voices now. They had woken him, and he knew it had not been too long, for he still felt quite exhausted. At first he thought it was Olivia, having returned home – he needed to talk to her about something, so it was actually more of a hope than a thought -, but then he heard it – ‘Mommy.’ He sat up and his eyes were wide open, looking between the boy and Delilah. The word ‘Who’ formed on his lips, but didn’t quite come out. And then it finally dawned on him – it had been a hundred years. She could have died in that time and he wouldn’t have known. Settling down and starting a family didn’t seem too far off. But why did she live with Olivia? ‘They could be domestic partners.’ Olivia wouldn’t have let Benedict within a hundred feet of Delilah if that were the case though, and he knew it, so he scratched that option. His eyes focused on the boy, though not in a glare or any kind of scary way. He actually tried not to look in anyway more frightening than a random stranger would to a boy his age as he studied him. He didn’t look much like Delilah, but he couldn’t be sure. In fact… the boy looked a lot like him. He let go of that thought too – it was physically impossible. ‘But not all that undesirable.’ He still didn’t manage to say anything. All he did was turn his eyes to Delilah, the question still hanging in the air silently.

David indeed looked like Benedict, which was a big reason why Delilah adopted him. He seemed just as erratic and peculiar as her boss, and it somewhat helped to fill the hole in her heart that was left when Benedict was gone. Delilah sighed and turned to look at Benedict, a frown tugging at her lips when she saw that he was awake. Reaching up, she chewed on her fingernail nervously before slapping her hands to her knees. Standing up, she shrugged and pointed at David “Benny, this is my son, David.” She let that sink in for a moment before her attention turned to her son. Smiling softly, she crouched down to look him in the eyes. “You’ll be nice to Benny, won’t you?” With that, she kissed his forehead and headed into the kitchen to grab some milk and some fruit for David to snack on before dinner.

David smiled at his mother before his attention turned to Benedict. He stared him down curiously and wondered why he looked so familiar. Stepping towards him, David reached up to poke his forehead “How do you know my mommy? You must be a good friend if you’re sleeping on the couch. Why are you dirty? Were you beat up? Are you a hobo?” Leaning closer, he sniffed at Benedict before wrinkling his nose “You smell funny. Where did you come from?” His big hazel eyes stared at Benedict curiously as his mother didn’t have any friends other than Olivia. Seeing a man in her life was something new.

Benedict eyed David, his expression unchanging with each question. He’d shot Delilah a small look before she went into the kitchen, but now his full attention was directly on David. Before he answered, another strange and foreign thought came to his mind; he liked this boy. “I know your mother through a common occupation we shared one hundred years ago. I am unclean because I have not had the luxury of a bath in quite a few months. I was not ‘beat up’ recently, but I did engage in a physical confrontation with a man who kidnapped myself and someone that probably does not even remember me. I am not a ‘hobo’. Originally, I came from London, but I lived here in Derry for quite awhile before the man who kidnapped me took me to New York. I have been all over this side of the United States searching for your mother since then.” He realized about three point nine seconds after he finished that he forgot one of David’s statements, and quickly dove into his answers again. “I consider your mother one of two friends that I have. I am considerably closer to the other, but your mother is also very dear to me.” Another realization occurred, but he desperately wished it didn’t: Felix… was not here. Delilah had not told him where his friend was. He took in a deep, shaky breath, and began to speak again, but slowly, quietly, as he reformed his statement. “I had been considerably closer to the other, but he is…” He choked slightly when he tried to say the word, tears forming in his eyes. This was the last thing he needed, to start producing tears in front of this boy he just met. But he couldn’t stop them or himself as the tears rolled down his grimy cheeks, a sort of choked sound that could be considered a sob emanating from his throat.

Delilah had caught the look given her way by Benedict, but she pretended to ignore it. Walking over to the cabinets in her kitchen, she grabbed all that she needed to make a peanut butter and banana sandwich for her son. While she was preparing it, however, she was listening to Benedict and David talk. And there it was. Benedict did not feel for her the same way she felt for him. The very thought that the man she had been searching for many years for did not love her had her heart ripping in two. Tears slid down her cheeks and she sniffled, trying to throw herself into the task of making a sandwich. She was a fool to believe there could be a future with a man like Benedict. He cared only for his job, and it seemed Felix meant a great deal more to him than Delilah ever did.

Meanwhile, David tilted his head as he watched Benedict explain himself. So he wasn’t a hobo. Blinking rather curiously at the man, he smiled slightly “What does my momdo for a living? She hasn’t told me.” It was true. He had no idea what his mother did for a career because she never told him. Why? Because she didn’t want him knowing anything about her past life, and yet here Benedict sat. When David heard Benedict had been looking for his mother, he frowned “What do you want with my mom anyways? Has she done something wrong?” He was going to badger the man more, but he continued to speak about a man named Felix and it seemed to make him terribly upset. As he watched Benedict cry, David walked over and awkwardly sat next to him. Smiling weakly, he reached up to wipe his tears away “If you need a new friend, I can be a really good one.”

When Delilah was finished with the sandwich, she walked into the living room slowly. Now her son was sitting next to Benedict, and the similarities were enough to break her heart even more. Exhaling long and hard as though she had been holding her breath for days, Delilah walked over to Benedict and crouched down in front of him. Grabbing one of his hands, she squeezed it gently while looking into his eyes. He may not love her, but she loved him enough for the both of them. Her smile was faint and there was no warmth in it, only sadness. Quietly so David could not hear, she whispered “I’m sorry, love, but Felix is dead.”

100 – Jennifer and William

William had good and bad night. The good thing about it, is that him and Jennifer after arguing they make it up for each other by having one of those lovely moments. The bad thing is that, he couldn’t get enough sleep after that. The both of them was laying on the bed, naked. He had Jennifer over his chest, while he passed his fingers through her long blond hair, as he stared up at the ceiling. He couldn’t sleep because he couldn’t stop thinking about Galtem being back to town, this was bad, he knew something bad was going to happen, it always does whenever he’s back. Last time he was back, Jennifer stopped being herself, was constantly being mad over everything, and that was a tough time, he didn’t wanted to go through the same thing, it was more hard for him to stand her in that way then most of people think. His friends for example, sees him and her as a perfect couple, always together and never sees them fighting, but they just don’t know what he had to go through to be with her, they don’t know the people around trying to ruin their relationship.
William keep on thinking and thinking, and he was getting frustrated about this, he still didn’t knew anything about Galtem, other than known that he’s back, he wants to know more. Maybe he’s with another person? That can make things more easier for his relationship with Jennifer, right? Or maybe worse. Then he had the sudden idea of go talk with Amelia, she was Galtem’s best friend after all, and he could get good information from her.
Looking down at Jennifer, he kissed her head, and slowly removed her from his chest, trying his best to not wake her up, then he just left the bed, and went to the bathroom, he took a quick shower, and just went dress some jeans, kickers, and a black t-shirt. After fixing up his hair, he stared around and grabbed the house keys. He was almost leaving the house, when he noticed Penny staring up at him, William placed his finger in front of his lips, like he was telling “shh” to the dog, then he just left.

312 – Amelia

William walked through the streets, on his way to Amelia’s door number, he still remembered her house, since him and Jennifer used to go there sometimes to have a dinner, or chat, they all were friends, so it was normal if things like this happen. Reaching her door, he took a deep breathe, then just knocked on the door, waiting for her to open it. Right now he wasn’t so sure if he wanted to know more about Galtem, but his mind wouldn’t stop bugging him with the thought something’s wrong or something bad is going to happen.

It had been a very long night for Amelia. Having already been home twice she hadn’t got a wink of sleep. Having come through the door only fifteen minutes earlier, her police gear was draped over the couch, and she had her kit sitting next to the door. Thinking that her new kitty was probably having a whale of a time in her bedroom, she raced upstairs, and saw that the kitty was asleep in the middle of a pile of cushions, and on checking the bathroom, he had used the litter tray. Amelia fell back on the door with a sigh of relief, then crossed the floor and scooped up the sleeping kitty and nuzzled him as she went to go back down stairs.

On reaching the foyer, she was about to go into the kitchen to get her and the kitty breakfast, when she heard a knock at the door. Wondering who on earth would be up and about so early, she approached the door and peeked through her peep hole. ~Oh my god, it was William!~ Her mind screamed and she started to panic. Thoughts raged through her mind. Had Rodger gone over already to get Jennifer’s witness statement to back up her testimonial, that he was with her in the bathroom snogging and was in part an alibi? Or had Jennifer had the guts to tell William herself? Maybe she kicked him out and was on the phone to Galtem now, calling him to come over and finished what they started in the club?

Amelia set down the kitty, and then unlocked the door. Pulling it open, she looked at him and saw he appeared really tired. Poor guy probably has had no sleep. It was then the guilt and everything took over and she blurted;

“Oh William…I’m so sorry. If you left her, I have a room upstairs.” Amelia went to embrace him in a hug, whispering. “He told me he had changed…and I believed him. You must be devastated.”

<3>

William jumped a bit on his spot, getting nervous, since Amelia was taking awhile to answer, but it was now that he noticed the time, it was too early to be at someone’s door, the poor girl might be asleep, and he didn’t felt like waking her up, maybe asking her about Galtem could wait. When he was about to turn around and leave, Amelia finally open the door, and the first thing she said, was apologizing, telling him if he left her, she had a room upstairs. So she knew about Galtem as well, Amelia was one of the few who knew whenever Galtem was back, something was going to happen to Jennifer or to their relationship, and it has been too many years standing this troublesome thing.
He forced a smile, and slowly wrapped his arms around her, just hugging her back. Her whisper, made him realize that he was back but didn’t changed, great, something bad was totally going to happen, he was hoping maybe Galtem came back with another chick, and the both of them was together. Of course he couldn’t say married or if he had a family, that would be too much asking from Galtem, he would never do such thing.
“Yeah, I wasn’t really waiting for this. I thought he wouldn’t do it.”
William was mostly like talking about Galtem being back, even if Galtem seemed a person that would never change, the moment he promised William that he wouldn’t be back and bother his relationship with Jennifer, he believed in him, and felt like there was still some humanity in him, but right now, he doesn’t know what to do. Maybe he won’t interfere on their bond? Who knows.
“But I want to know more tho.”
He told her, hoping she know more about Galtem, what he was doing here, his goals, if he was with somebody, etc.

Amelia looked dumbstruck. Wait? Why did he say that he wasn’t really waiting for this, and thought he wouldn’t do it. She blinked, and then started to scratch her cheek, when he said,“I want to know more though. ~Huh?~ Why wasn’t he talking about Jennifer and what she did with Galtem, that showed he hadn’t changed? Amelia swallowed and started to realize that…William didn’t know. She practically said that he could move in if he needed a place and he either didn’t get it, or dismissed it off the bat.

“About Galtem?” She asked, starting to rub the back of her neck uneasily. “Well…he did say he had given up his womanizing ways, but then bought a club full of escorts and lap dancers. What does that tell you? Amelia was back pedaling fast, and she wished to hell the ground could open up and swallow her whole.

Amelia’s heart started to beat faster, and she looked stricken. He didn’t know! The Lieutenant was going to be paying Jennifer a visit about the testimony and eye witness account of Amelia and how she named Galtem’s alibi. Panting, she knew there was no escape.

“William, there was a murder at the club tonight. I got a call back cause of my job.” At this she pointed at her police gear but then she became serious. “I was involved, since I spent some time there, with Galtem and Shane. Uhm…I had to give a witness statement of the people around the suspect’s. I..oh god, its hot in here.” She could feel a wave of panic, and then….she blurted;

“Galtem has an alibi…..he…he was with a woman in the VIP lounge bathroom, who I saw. They…he…Oh William I’m sorry. The police are going to tell you anyways. Better to hear it from me. Uhm.” She stuttered and then said.“Galtem hasn’t changed…at all. He was in the bathroom with Jennifer….they were making out. William, I’m sorry. So so sorry.”

<3>

She felt his smarmy gaze roaming over her body and knew the first thing she would do when she got home was take a scalding, hot shower. She hated dealing with this man. It made her feel dirty.

“Well well well…did you run out of case files in that dark hovel of an office of yours? Hmm? Oh wait..that’s right. You have lost how many assistants in the past month to harassment charges? Ha….and you are in charge of internal affairs? Sounds like a conflict of interest right there, hey Toots.”

She wanted to punch him. If there was one thing she hated more than being called “Louisa” it was being called “Toots”. Her fists clenched at her side and she began to count backwards from 100 in Spanish.

Shane went on smoothly, giving Amelia the ablibi she was so desperately needing, causing Carmen to roll her eyes. She didn’t want to believe a word he said, but since there was potential video evidence and witnesses involved, she would have to take him at his word. He then walked boldly up to Rodger and said. “You do…have the evidence, Lieutenant?”

Carmen stood up, arms crossed and glared so hotly at Shane, it was a wonder his clothes didn’t burn off.

“Be that as it may, whether she was with you or not…there is a definite conflict of interest since she happens to be the ex-girlfriend of the bar owner’s brother. That, in my book is definitely NOT kosher. So until this mess gets solved, I’m afraid I’m going to have to recommend she be removed from this case…or suspended pending the outcome. Your choice.” Carmen smirked. “Have a good day, gentleman. Lady.”

So saying, she turned on her heel and left the office, heading for the elevators at the end of the hall.

Roger removed his hand from Amelia’s shoulder to cross his arms and stare Carmen down as she listed off stupid statistics that supposedly made his team seem inadequate. He didn’t care that the weren’t always by the book, he just cared the cases were solved and the victims’ families could get a piece of mind. However, he was aware that the Queen of Darkness bitch probably didn’t have a heart and couldn’t understand such a sentimental quality. Rolling his eyes, he just began to laugh at Carmen. She really must not have a life to feel like she had to crush testicles constantly. He was quite relieved, nevertheless, when Shane decided to make an appearance. Roger looked to Amelia and spoke softly after Shane shared his own imput. “Vampira, I already had the boys remove your kit from your car when I drove you here. Though I was upset, I still want this case solved.”Looking up, he then watched the battle of wit between Carmen and Shane with great interest. Though Roger didn’t like that Amelia had Shane in her home, he had to admit that he liked the lawyer.

As the evidence was once again mentioned as Shane stood before him, he just nodded and spoke with a smirk “The evidence is being examined as we speak, and as we would not have had such great evidence that could very well put a murder behind bars without Reed’s help, I am afraid I will take her suggestion and put it in the trash can with my leftover Chinese food.” He looked towards Carmen with a triumphant grin since he had no desire to remove Amelia from the case, nor would he see her suspended. As much as it was a conflict of interest, it was not enough to get her removed from the case. There was no substantial evidence that her relationship with Galtem had anything to do with the murder. All they had on Galtem himself was a wallet…circumstantial evidence. No, he was going to fight this. As Carmen walked out of his office and the door closed, he made a silly face in her direction. “I really hate that woman…”

Shane loved watching Carmen take a hit below the belt, and leave the room with that tail of hers tightly thrust up between her legs. He actually wanted to do a fist pump in celebration as she gave her final thoughts on the matter and left empty handed. Pleased with Rodger’s response that they had the evidence that was in part provided by Amelia, he knew that for now, she was going to be kept from suspension and the case.

When Rodger commented after Carmen left; “I really hate that woman…” Shane quipped in exchange.“What’s even better is we just got to make her look like a prize bitch. Did you see the way her lips mimicked that of a cat’s asshole?” A loud laugh erupted from Shane as he patted Amelia on the shoulder. “Keep up the good work, hun. See you in court, for the witness statements on the Lawson case.”

Happy with the outcome, he gave Rodger the trigger finger and fired it off. “Laters.” And then headed out of the office, probably to go annoy the crap further out of Carmen. She had just painted a huge target on her ass, for trying to upstage him, and he never let anyone get away when they tried that on.

Now with just Rodger and Amelia left alone in the office, Amelia rose up from her chair. Tired from being up most of the night, and having the stress relieved somewhat that she was not going to lose her job or be suspended, she had to thank Rodger for this.

Not knowing what else to do, or why this came over her, she went to give Rodger a big hug. Totally out of character, and unprofessional, but she needed too.

“Thank you.”

<3>

Those who saw the brunette beauty storming through the halls were wise to get out of her way. Things had gone so wrong down in Rodger’s office and she laid the blame at one person’s feet.

“Dirty, rotten, no good, son-of-a-” she growled.

“I wouldn’t finish that thought if I were you.” her long-time secretary, Mary stated, entering the office behind her and closing the door.

“You don’t have to deal with that ass!” Carmen growled.

“Why do you let him get under your skin? You must know he does it just to piss you off.” Mary grinned, placing her messages on her desk. Carmen picked up one of the darts she kept nearby and launched it at the door. It hit the picture she had there of Shane’s face from a photoshoot he had done for Vanity Fair dead center in the eye and she grinned. “Do you have to do that?” Mary sighed.

“Yes. It relieves tension.”

“So does sex. Try it some time.” Mary smirked.

“Ugh! Must you be so vulgar? You’re a grandmother.”

“I have to get my thrills somewhere.” Mary smirked, turning to leave. Carmen simply banged her head on her desk…repeatedly.

“I loathe that man.” she sighed, pulling out paperwork on another case she was working on, immersing herself in her work as she often did.

Mary and a few others always complained that she had no life. She never dated, she didn’t go out just for drinks with the other women in her office, she didn’t go out…period. And that was the way she liked it. Relationships just messed things up. And she didn’t want to be tied to any man for any reason.

Her life, in her eyes and mind, was perfect.

So saying, it was nearly 8 at night before she decided to head for home.

Shane didn’t know what it was exactly, but he got as big a thrill of pissing off Carmen, as he did hunting prey for a little midnight snack. He wasn’t about to let her get away scott free for the way she berated him in Rodger’s office earlier, so…he made sure he got one last chance to say ‘Goodnight’. It was well past eight when she exited the police station and he heard the tell tale sound of her car alarm being deactivated as she strolled past the rows of squad cars to her own. Emerging out of the shadows, Shane came up behind her and whispered.

“You always did look more attractive from behind.”

Oh that was a cutting remark, making out her ass was more beautiful than her face. You could say that Shane had a way with words. He was also ready for her too, when she took the time to spin around. She might opt for a face slap, or maybe a good kick in the nuts, either way he was prepared to use what it took to evade her attempts to lash out physically.

“How does it feel to be…wrong about people, Carmen? You, the Internal Affairs officer fucking up so greatly. Heh, I would just love to read about that in the Police union gazette.”

Shane would be wearing that million dollar smile, and have his head tilted in a fashion that he appeared cocky. A right bastard.“And er…watch where you hit me, I’m a lawyer and I know all the rules on police brutality. Hell, I wrote a few of them.” He chuckled darkly.

<3>

Carmen froze in her tracks as she heard that hateful, spiteful voice. And his words made her want to do something drastic…like rearrange his face…with her fists, currently clenched around both her keys in one hand, her briefcase in the other. She just knew he would retaliate by getting her fired or something more worse then that. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.

“How does it feel to be…wrong about people, Carmen? You, the Internal Affairs officer fucking up so greatly. Heh, I would just love to read about that in the Police union gazette.”

Carmen remained silent, taking deep breaths and counting backward from 200 this time, in Spanish. She was not going to rise to the bait. She was going to be the better person here.

And yet he continued picking at her, like a scab, in the silence of the carport. “And er…watch where you hit me, I’m a lawyer and I know all the rules on police brutality. Hell, I wrote a few of them.” He chuckled darkly.

Now it was her turn to chuckle, a sound so sensuous it would make young boys cream their jeans to hear it. She turned to face him, keeping herself relaxed as she did so.

“You’d just love that wouldn’t you?” she smiled, walking toward him until she was just inches from him. She could smell his over-priced cologne and resisted the urge to cough. Instead, she paced around him slowly and deliberately, the click-clack of her heels echoing loud in the silence of the carport. “I wonder if your other lawyer pals know you have a secret fetish to be dominated by a woman, tied up…maybe a spanking with a paddle.” she smirked, standing in front of him once more. She leaned in close, her breath brushing across the sensative hairs on his ears. “Dirty boy.” she whispered huskily.

She stepped back and turned away from him, heading for her car once more.

“You’d just love that wouldn’t you?”

“Being beaten with your briefcase?…Not into that kind of leather, Lou.”

She started to pace around, him, with the sharp click clack rhythm of her heels, matching the swinging of her hips.

“I wonder if your other lawyer pals know you have a secret fetish to be dominated by a woman, tied up…maybe a spanking with a paddle.” Oh…so now we are at the Queen of the night talk. Those bitches charge a fortune to dress you up as a baby in a diaper, or a leather thong wearing sub with ball gag. He really couldn’t picture himself in that get up, no matter how much Carmen tried to make it sound like it suited him. She really tried to stick the claws in with the line “Dirty boy.”

“Not half as dirty as the one in your imagination, Toots. Had I known you were into the BDSM lifestyle, I would have directed you to the Police Commissioner. No secret that he gets off on being beaten with a police baton. Come to think of it…wasn’t it HE that gave you that promotion from your desk job? Heh…oh wow, wait till the guys down town find out about this.” He watched her strut towards her car, thinking she had won this round and he simply chuckled and headed the other way.

“She hates me.” His laughter was all that you could hear as he vanished into the mist.

<3>

Carmen’s fists clenched once more at that hated nickname. She did not turn around. She was tired, she was bitchy and she just wanted to go home and take a hot bath and relax with a glass of wine.

“I hate that man.” she muttered, getting into her car.

“Ahh, but is it hate? Or do you lust after Mr Sexy Lawyer?” her concious asked as she made her way home.

“Shut up. I do not lust after him. And he is definitely NOT sexy!” she stated out loud.

“Methinks the maiden dost protest too much.” her inner self smirked.

“And you have the sense God gave a mule. Now shut it.”

“He did call you ‘Lou’.

“Probably meant it as an insult, the bastard.”

Her inner self shut up at that and she was pleased.

—-thread change to Ocean View Apartments—-

Galtem spent the whole night in the damn police station, when he was clearly innocent. Fine, he had that mob look, but not enough to murder somebody. Just because they found his wallet closer to the body, and that in the past they thought he was a drug dealer, but everything went down hill, because they had no more proofs, this didn’t made him a criminal. He had lucky on the drug thing, because he was a drug dealer, and luckily for him no more proofs were found, but about this murder thing, he has no idea on how the hell his wallet went there. Maybe it fell when he gave Caleb some money.
“Galtem Manzenli?” A guard spoke.
Galtem rose up from his seat, and on his face we could see some bruises, he couldn’t heal himself because he was in a cell full of humans and the guards would notice the changes in his face, so he had to remain with this bruises for awhile.
Yes?”
Galtem finally spoke, and stepped closer to the bars from the cell.
The guard started to open the door, and told him that he was free. He couldn’t understand why, and he told him, that there was no more proofs against him, and there was no need for him to be here, plus his alibi was confirmed, so he didn’t fitted in this murder act. Finally a free man. Galtem just took a last look at those stupid humans in it, and if glares could kill, they all would be dead. He left the cell with the guard, and he just lead him to the right place, so he could get his stuff back. They gave him back his wallet, car keys, cellphone, and finally his leather jacket, wondering why they wanted that, but now it was back, and fine.
Putting on his leather jacket, he shoved his wallet and car keys, into his pockets ,making sure this time none would fall, and he kept his cellphone in his palm. He waited for them to open the doors, and he just stepped outside.

Outside:

Now that he was finally outside, his car wasn’t here, he had to go back to the disco and grab it. That wouldn’t be a problem, due his werewolf speed. But he had other thing in his mind, he was thinking about Jennifer, he spent the whole night thinking about what they done, about what she said and what he said, and that last kiss, it was clearly a goodbye one, but he didn’t wanted it to end like that, no matter how much he told him to stop going after her, his hand was already moving on his hand, and began to type down Jennifer’s number, he still remembered about it.
Taking a deep breathe, he placed the phone closer to his ear, and waited for someone to pick up, but, whenever he heard the second beep, he just hung up. He couldn’t do this, he wanted to call her, talk to her, but he shouldn’t do this, it wasn’t his job be with her anymore, he should let her be happy with William. It was like half of his body was fighting for go talk to Jennifer while the other one was fighting for stop being a love sick fool, and just do this life.
Pushing those thoughts away, he just began to walk on his way towards the disco so he could get his car.

((Thread Change))

Monday, 8 AM…

Mary was busy transcribing notes for a court case when Carmen stumbled into the office. Mary was surprised by her appearance. Her hair looked disheveled, her clothes were rumpled and there were bags under her eyes.

“What the hell happened to you?” she asked.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Carmen sighed, going into her office. Mary followed her and poured her a cup of coffee which she took with a very happy thanks. Mary sat in the chair across from the desk.

“What happened?”

“Just some bad dreams. I didn’t sleep too well.” was all she would admit to.

“Well you have a mid-afternoon break, two hours I believe. Take a nap on the couch. You know how comfortable it is.” Mary suggested, getting to her feet.

“I might do that. Thanks, Mary.”

“Someone’s gotta keep an eye on you. May as well be me.” Mary grinned, leaving the office and closing the door behind her.

The picture of Shane on the back of the door caught her eye and with a thought it appeared in her hand. Growling, she turned and shoved it face down into the paper shredder.

With a sigh, she tried to concentrate on work, but the dreams she had the night before kept haunting her.

Dream Flashback…

It was two in the morning and she was deeply asleep. The night had been sweltering and even with the fan on there was no air to be had. She had left the doors to the balcony in her bedroom wide open to at least get some air circulating and had forgone clothing, choosing to sleep in the nude.

Something moved in the room, moving closer to where she slept. The sheet covering her naked form was slowly removed from her body. She moaned a little in her sleep. A hand touched her thigh, sliding slowly upward. With a murmur she rolled to her back, tossing an arm across her eyes to block out the moonlight shining through the window. The hand had disappeared when she moved, but now was back, gently teasing across her skin, massaging her breasts.

“Mmm.” she verbalized. Lips began teasing her nipples and with a moan, her back arched up.

“Yessss.” she heard a voice whisper against her skin. Hands parted her thighs and she felt another body press against her, pressing into her as lips nuzzled her neck. She turned her head for better access and felt a sharp pain. She cried out in shock for a moment before the pain disappeared and an aching pleasure filled her. She felt a pull against her neck and wrapped her arms around the person she was with, moaning in ecstacy as he made love to her.

Her orgasm was quick and pleasurable as the man drew back. She had to force her eyes open to see whom she was with and she gaped in shock when she saw Shane above her, licking her blood from his lips.

“No!” she whispered.

“Oh yes. You are mine!” he grinned, fangs glistening in the moonlight…

She had woken up with a shout, hand around her throat, her body drenched in sweat. She had ran to the bathroom, flipping the light on so she could examine her neck. There were no signs of being bitten and she sat down on the toilet lid with a sigh of relief. She hadn’t been able to return to sleep after that.

—

She jerked herself back to reality, realizing she had been dozing off over her work. She stood and poured herself a second cup of coffee, leaving it black and strong and downing it in one go.

She could not be distracted by such thoughts again. He would not win.

Introduction of David Razor aka Ghost.

Not all cops at the local police station are dressed in blue, and wear the badge proudly on their lapels. There is a crack team of specialists, that work in the narcotics and undercover department. One, that sets fear into the eyes of those that see him, is David Razor. Not dressed in suits, or tie, this guy looks like he stepped out of an eighties movie, with a shock white mullet, teased up with moose, long black coat, which he wears regardless of the season, and steel capped boots. A five o’clock shadow of stubble is his trademark, and oddly enough he is one of the few officers that is allowed to smoke inside. The Police Commissioner cuts him a wide birth, since this officer has had the highest amount of arrests in Haven, and the bigger cities, where he is nicknamed “Ghost”. His uncanny ability to vanish from the crime scenes, leaving no finger prints, no trace of his even existing, and yet he nails the big players.

Entering via the back entrance, David has presense, as many of the other officers all look up from their desks, in awe of this guy. He doesn’t even give them the time of day, and heads straight for the Branch detective’s office, a file under his arm. Not bothering to knock, he strides in, and sniffs as he tosses the file on the desk.

In a deep raspy voice he says; “Shipment of about 300kgs of herion going down on the dock, at 8,00pm. Get a team ready and set up surveliance on Josh’s seafood boathouse. That is where Millari is doing the drop.” The Branch detective picks up the file, and opens it, going through the photographs and sees notable public figures involved in shady dealings, hand shakes and then a small usb with video footage of Millari and his latest bitch. Grinning the Branch detective goes to shake David’s hand.

“You did it again, how can we repay you?’

“You can start by knocking off the handshake crap. Usual amount, brown bag. You know the drill.”

And with that, he walked out of the office towards his desk, where he sat down and then slammed his massive boots up on the desk top, pulling out a copy of Rolling Stone magazine.

<3>

Carmen poked her head out her door. “Mary, who’s the best detective they have at the moment?” Mary turned to her computer and pulled up the current police roster.

“What are you looking for?”

“Someone who has an impressive record.”

Mary’s fingers flew across the keys. One name popped up and she made a face. “You sure you want to tackle this one?”

“Why? Who is it?”

“Razor, aka Ghost.” Carmen peeked over at Mary’s computer screen.

“Hmm. Interesting.”

“What do you need him for anyway?”

“Secret project. The less you know, the better.” Carmen stated, going back into her office.

She picked up the phone and called downstairs.

The phone started to ring at his desk, with the red light blinking for Carmen’s office. Drawing down his Rolling stone magazine, he raised an eyebrow, looking at the phone, like it was interfering with his reading time. “Shit, what the hell does she want?” David thought to himself, tossing down the magazine and picking up the handle aggressively. He twirled a toothpick around as he listened to her order to go to her office. David cringed, not over fond of Carmen, but he didn’t have much to do with her either, in fact, he pretty much kept to himself.

He gave her a very short answer, that he would be there in five minutes, then hung up, and picked up his magazine again. Five minutes passed and he let out an audible grunt before letting his boots fall to the ground, and tossing the mag back in his drawer. One of the other officers chuckled to see David having to go see Carmen, and even was bold enough to make a comment.

“Dragon lady got shit on you, Razor?’

David sniffed and then leaned over to Swaski and said. “No man, but by the smell of you, you forgot to wipe. You stink, asshole.” The other officers all burst out laughing, as Swaski went the deepest shade of red, and then hurried to the john.

Not even bothering to knock, David entered Carmen’s office and then yanked out a chair, sitting himself down. He took out a packet of cigarettes and then tapped the box on his palm, before drawing one out and setting it between the corner of his lips. About to get out a zippo lighter, he mumbled.

“You don’t call less you got some big deal eatin’ at ya, Carmen. Sup?”

<3>

It never surprised her that his appearance screamed “You Mom Warned You About Me.” It was how he operated.

He strode into her office without knocking and immediately sat in the chair across from her desk. Pulling out a pack of cigarettes, he placed one in his mouth, returning the pack to his pocket.

“You don’t call less you got some big deal eatin’ at ya, Carmen. Sup?” he asked, lighting the cig.

She slid an ashtray across the desk toward him, hoping he’d get the hint and use the thing, unlike last time when he stubbed it out on the corner of her desk. She still had the burn mark to prove it.

“I need you to do some digging for me. This might probably be the most dangerous case you’ve ever done. Are you in?” she asked without preamble. “I mean this needs some serious discretion attached to it. If anyone, especially the subject, knew about this, it could mean both our jobs.”

She rolled her eyes at the nickname “Car”. “Didn’t I tell you to call me ‘Lou’ on more than one occassion. If you’re going to give me a nickname, at least use one I won’t get teased for.” she sighed. “And yes, this is completely off the books. Let’s just say it’s for personal benefit and be done with it.

“I ain’t agreeing till I know who the target is. For all I know you could be trying to set up the Commissioner. Even if he does deserve a bit of time in County. Make one fat prison bitch though.” he chuckled.

She ignored his crack about the Commissioner (even though she agreed with him about it) and withdrew a file from her desk, sliding it over to him.

“Everything you need is there. I want to know all the dirty little secrets.” she stated. “Usual fees apply, of course.” she added, awaiting his answer.

The mail delivery guy is pushing his trolley through the station going past the various cublicles, and taking out letters and parcels, to put on the various desks, till he comes outside the office of the Internal affairs office. There is a black parcel that is addressed to Carmen, and the mail clerk picks it up, just like its an every day package. He raps on the door, then opens it on the sound of her voice.

“You got a package here.” He places it on her desk and then turns to leave, the box sitting on her desk.

The box has a black and white ribbon, and a small swing tag, that has an inscription on it.

“From a friend.”

If she was to open the box, there would be black tissue paper, but when you pulled that back, there was a dead white dove, resting on a bed of red rose petals. A blank CD is at the bottom of the box, with the words “Play me

There is a song on the CD….just the one. This…was a warning of what could happen to her, if she pushed to hard.

The bird represents a woman, the petals are blood….and she is dying. Its a fate that awaits Carmen, if she is not careful

<3>

There was a knock on her door some time later. “Come in.” she called out. The door opened and a man from the mail room poked his head in the door.

“You got a package here.” he stated, placing it on her desk before leaving. She sat back in her seat, staring at the seemingly innocent box. There was a simple tag hanging from it.“From A Friend”

Drawing it toward herself, she pulled off the ribbon and the top. Something was covered in black tissue paper. She slowly pulled open the paper, staring down at the white dove resting in a bed of rose petals. It wasn’t breathing, it’s dull black eyes staring at her accusingly. There was also a CD inside, nothing indicating what was on it. She placed in her CD player beside her and pressed play. She recognized the song and sat back with a chuckle.

“The nuns always said I enjoyed playing with fire.” she smirked, returning the cd back to the box and closing the lid. Gathering up her paperwork and filing it away for later, she put the box in her purse to dispose of on her way out.

“Mary, I’m going out for the rest of the day. These need to be mailed to the US Attorney General’s offices by overnight mail.” she stated, placing two envelopes in the OUT tray on Mary’s desk.

“Don’t forget you have that meeting with the D.A. tomorrow.” That made Carmen pause on her way out the door.

“What meeting?” she demanded. She didn’t recall setting up any meeting with Shane.

“He called yesterday asking for a meeting with you. Your morning was clear for tomorrow so I slotted him in.”

“He called you? On a Sunday? What were you doing here on a Sunday?”

“Getting your files together for that state case on Friday like you asked me to. Why?” Mary was genuinely confused until Carmen remembered she did ask her to get those files together for her.

“You didn’t have to come in on your day off to do that.” Carmen told her.

“I wasn’t doing anything at home and I was bored. It’s no big deal.”

“New rule. No more working on your day off. Go to the movies or something.” Carmen told her. “And see if you can cancel that meeting.” There was no way in hell she was going to allow herself to be in any situation where she was alone with that man.

Perhaps God did have bigger plans for Lucan. Who was to know that the magic cast upon the son of Desmond, would finish weaving and turning him to a young man, right before the eyes of the Throne Casterly. Orion had to admit, he was impressed by this, but at the same time wary. The now, young man approached and said what he believed to be true;

“It is now finished. The growth spell has taken it’s course and I shall age as I should.” Orion placed a hand under his own chin and stroked it thoughtfully, while his wings beat slowly. He hated having them drawn in, and liked the freedom of movement they offered. “Perhaps God has bigger plans for me.” The boy was indeed hopeful of this, and really there was only one way to be sure of that. Orion kept his thoughts to himself on this matter, since the immediate family had to deal with Selene and her son. Orion was only an extended member of the family, an observer to this scene.

Lucan wanted very much to be the man in Selene’s life, by the way he wanted to thank her for protecting him, but in the same sentence believed that she should go home to face the man she loved. There were others at stake. Tempest being one, and in a sense Joffrey. He wasn’t completely guilty in all this, for it sounded like he was tricked as well. When the boy offered to take the Princess home, Orion waited for Selene’s reaction. It was no surprise really, when she asked that HE join them on the journey home, to ensure her safety as well as be company to Lucan and herself.

“I don’t see why not. Henry is probably going to be too busy to entertain me, what with him making doe eyes at his wife every five seconds. Sickening really.” He smiled broadly at Lucan. “And Rashna seems to have taken a shine to the young wannabe pony killer. I always knew she was good with children.” Moving to Selene’s side, he offered his arm and said. “Shall we?” A quick head wobble and he was his usual suave egotistical self. Hard to believe a Throne of God was like that.

Clarice’s room

Rashna glanced up to see that Clarice had held her arm closer so that the Throne could get a better view of the turtle to paint. Rashna studied the turtle for a few minutes, then went back on to painting, quietly just as before. This must have been unsettling for the child, and perhaps it was meant to be. The Elder angel was something of a mystery to the Casterly family, and there was a very good reason as to why.

“Why are you here?”

Rashna stopped her painting a moment, and wiped her finger. “I like to paint.” she said simply, then changed her choice of colours, and started to work on Clarice’s dress. Truth was Rashna was a special type of Throne, and one that actually specialized in children. Not that she had any of her own, or ever planned too. She was a watcher, a guardian of sorts. She was not there to be a scolding authority, or even to tell Clarice what to do or how to act, in fact….she emulated her. Head down, she worked her magic in creating a likeness to Clarice’s dress. Part of it was smudged, imperfect. And she did nothing to change it.

Throne Room

Henry had been relieved to hear that his daughter had listened to his confession with a good heart, and actually realized that she was committing the very same mistakes. It was not at all easy for him to come clean on what had been plaguing him for the past eight years, but he also didn’t lay blame at anyone but himself. He now understood that only you can be responsible for your actions, and should amend them as soon as you realize you are at fault. Henry just wanted his wife…he wanted his family whole, even if that meant, losing Selene to Joffrey again. Though with Orion tagging along, things could get interesting. Henry approached his daughter, and shot a look at his older brother. Kissing his daughter’s forehead, he said. “God’s speed, and use what you have learned wisely.” He then said to Orion. “Try not to beat Joff to a pulp…okay?’

<3>

Metia after speaking, she watched her daughter reactions, she seemed to be in deep thought about this matter, and she should. She couldn’t run away from her life, from what she wants/likes, just because something went wrong, if Joffrey didn’t listen her, it meant Selene did not stand for herself, and had too much fear in herself, she needed to be strong and face the reality. She is a mother, she cannot leave her daughter behind, about Joffrey, she doesn’t have to be with him again if she doesn’t want to. Of course, Metia knows Selene still loves Joffrey, its extremely obvious, and no matter how much Metia didn’t wanted her to not love that demon, Selene still wanted him, and if she wanted him, she needs to go after her happiness.
She took a look at her grandson from the corner of her eye, and noticed how he suddenly started to growing up and probably stayed stuck on a teenager body, wow, that was fast, so Desmond’s magic was apparently strong, and now Metia began to wonder if such teen boy could control such power. She didn’t interfere on the moment he was having with his own mother, she would let Selene realize what it was the best to do for her. Which was going back and explain herself, go after her happiness.
Metia smiled and nodded when Selene finally understood she couldn’t run away from her problems. Then she wondered if Orion would go with her, it would be good have somebody with her, for her own sake and the boy’s too, we are not that aware of what Joffrey can do.
The Queen stepped closer to her daughter, and rose her chin, departing her lips as soon as Henry finished speaking.

“And if he doesn’t listen to you. Stand up for yourself, yell, scream, throw stuff at him, till he gives you the right to speak.”
She said with a grin. How did people thought Metia always had the right to speak? Because she never backed away, she stood up for herself, which sometimes it could be troublesome, because the argues with Henry would only get worse, but she was doing it for what she thought it was the right thing to do.

Clarice’s Bedroom

Clarice huffed out when Rashna said she liked to paint, for some reason Clarice didn’t felt like that was the entire truth, and she thought her aunt was only here because she was being forced too. Plus, she had other questions running through her mind, why was her father like that, what had happen between him and her mother, what did he told to Metia and so on. But sometimes it wasn’t really her business so she remained quiet and started to find out things on her own, slowly.
When she finished drawing her little wings, she removed her hands away from the draw, and grabbed on a clean cloth that was there, as she began to clean her fingers, and the turtle as well, even tho the ink was already dry so a cloth wouldn’t work. Clarice placed the turtle back in its box, and picked up another clean cloth, she left her bedroom, and went straight to the closest bathroom, so she could make the cloth wet. This took her five minutes probably, because she was trying to figure out how she would reach the sink.
Going back to her bedroom, she removed her turtle from its box again, and sat down on a chair. She began to clean the turtle, while leaning her back against the chair, and swing her legs back and forth.

With Selene having left with Lucan and his brother Orion, this left the Queen and King alone in the throne room. Clarice was still away with his sister Rashna, who was probably keeping the child well entertained, but lord knows how. Henry let out something of a sigh of relief, when the door was closed and it was just the two of them. He had already explained how he took responsibility for the way he had acted over the years, but he also knew he could not undo the damage that had been done to his relationship, or that of the bond between himself and Clarice. Henry’s appearance had changed drastically, but had his personality? Now was the moment of truth.

Glancing down for a moment, the King went silent, as he gathered his thoughts and then decided what he felt fitting to say.

“For the longest time, I have done everything I can think of to…shut you out of my life. In effect, to make you loath me to the point you would leave our bed chambers and never return.”

The King started to walk towards Metia slowly, as he raised his gaze, his wings opening out in full, and you could see his holy aura returning to the fore.

“When you decided that you would do what I had more or less pushed you too, I realized what I had done. I felt there was no turning back. But in this act, I realized I had not only hurt you, but our daughter and myself. I couldn’t face what I had become, and so I left for the Temple.”

Henry stood before Metia and then asked her the most important question of them all as he brought his hand up to cup her cheek

“Will you have me, Metia?”

Clarice’s room

Watching Clarice sitting well away from her, with her turtle and swinging her feet, Rashna wiped her hands and turned her sitting position so that she faced the little girl. With her elbow resting upon her knee, her fist under her chin, the angel asked the child a question;

“If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?”

<3>

Metia smiled at her daughter and nodded while watching her leave with her son and Henry’s brother. She just hoped everything went alright, and nothing wrong would happen. Well, Orion would be there so its not like something that bad could happen, right? He seemed to be a strong angel. Plus, if Lucan knew about his magic, and could use it, they would be fine, as long as the little boy knew how to control it, he seems to hold so much power.
Now the both of them, The Queen and King, were alone in the Throne Room, things got awkward and silent again, since none of them knew what to say, Metia just started to walk, heading to the throne so she could sit down, but she stopped on her way, whenever she heard Henry talking. She slowly turned around, to face him and listen to what he had to say. She took a deep breathe when he started to get closer to her, but her eyes would never leave his. She wanted to know if he meant his words, if that was the truth, and for now, he wasn’t proving anything that could make her doubt.
She leaned in his touch, feeling the warmth of his skin against her cheek, made her feel good, she brought her own hand up, and placed it upon his, not wanting him to step away from her. This was the final decision, if she took him back, they had the chance to build up everything, to make them have a good and normal family, not like those seven years, they deserved better, they needed better. If she said no, they would stay away from each other till the rest of their lives, and Clarice would never have father love, Metia wanted to do what was right for her daughter, and herself as well.
“Yes, yes.”
She answered him with a gentle smile.
“That’s all I want, to fix our marriage, our life, and our family.”

Clarice’s Bedroom

Clarice kept cleaning her turtle, and whenever she was done, she just threw the wet cloth on the ground, and placed the turtle back on her palm, wanting to see if it would pop out its head and start walking, but it seemed like it was kind of scared right now, so it remained quiet.
She began to play with the inside of her mouth, by biting the inside of her cheek or lip, she was bored, that’s for sure, and her mind wouldn’t stop with the all questions. Her eyes laid back on her aunt, when she asked her “If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?”.
Well, deep inside, Clarice just wanted everything to be alright, to have her mother’s and father’s love, to not be a troublesome child, and not make people hate her, but she didn’t felt like saying this all to Rashna, she never liked to show people that she had some kind side in here, she thought people would take advantage of her if she done that.
“I don’t know..Maybe a place only for me, so nobody can bother me.”
She said with a shrug and stared down at the turtle.
“Or just a normal life.”
Since she didn’t wanted to talk about everything ,father, mother, herself, hate, love, she just said having a normal life, it was like a summary.
“You?”
The child asked curious while staring at her aunt.

Metia’s smile had such an affect on Henry, coupled with the word he longed to hear. And she said it not once but twice. “Yes yes.” It was more than just a commitment, it was a promise. That’s all I want, to fix our marriage, our life, and our family.” The King felt a huge wave of relief, and he exhaled heavily, like he had been holding his breath too long. Feeling the touch of her hand on his, he moved his hand down, and interlocked his fingers with hers. Looking into her eyes adoringly, it was obvious the King had changed. He brought his forehead down to touch hers and uttered;

“I promise not to rush you. But believe me when I say, I want to get to know you again. Spend nights with you, and exploring you.” He brought his other hand up to rest on the small of her back, pulling her tighter towards him. “I’ve missed you so much.” Henry then moved to kiss her lips, ever softly, but not letting her go from his hold. While part of him wanted to go and see Clarice, he felt the need to build the bridge back to his wife. If both parents were united in their love, then surely this would flow onto their daughter, well..hopefully.

Clarice’s room

“If I could have anything in the world, I would wish to be back in Heaven.” The angel said simply, barely moving from where she sat on the floor. Rashna was not about to say why she wanted that most of all, though she had very strong reasons for it. “We might be more alike than you can imagine, Clarice. You want a place only for you, I want to be with God. Though you say you might like a normal life, I really don’t know what a normal life would be like. I’m anything but normal.” The Throne said simply, now drawing with her finger on the stone floor. Lifting her head, she then asked Clarice; “It’s hard being different, isn’t it?’

<3>

Metia smile’s grew bigger when she noticed how relieved Henry felt all off sudden with her words, and his touch against her forehead, making them kept more closer, the way he held her closer to him, made her feel good, feel the love, feel like everything was right, even if they were still half way, it still felt right, and Metia wasn’t regretting this moment. She listened to his words carefully, nodding at each one, she was glad that he had really changed, not only his appearance but his personality as well, she felt like the old Henry was back, not that extreme lame one, but the one that love inside him, and wasn’t such an ass towards other people, and kept putting them out of their lives. He was a warm heart person, always willing to help, and full of love, Metia wanted that man back, even tho she hated that man long ago, but things change.
“I missed you too.”
Before she could say something else, she felt Henry’s lips against hers, and this time he was the one who kissed her, and she wasn’t the one who kissed him, that’s why it felt even better and right. The kiss was soft, but none of them had the intention on breaking away, or staying away from each other, his hold on her would tell that. She stretched out her hands, and wrapped her arms around his necks, while tip-toeing, and deepen more the kiss. Of course, whenever this lovely moment was finished, they had other trouble to deal with, Clarice.

Clarice’s Bedroom

Clarice stared at Rashna and waited for an answer from her. She wanted to be back in heaven? Even if Clarice was this mean, she knew about heaven and god, she was from Casteryl after all, her mother already told her about that, maids, servants, and some conversations she tends to hear from her father, whenever she decides to stalk him. Yet, she didn’t felt like God would like her, that she deserved some place in heaven, that’s why whenever a maid yells at her to be a good girl, or else god won’t like her, Clarice just says she’s going to hell anyway, or says that heaven must be boring with everyone being so polite and not doing anything for their fun. But everybody had different points of fun, Clarice’s fun was destroying the other lives, or maybe, she only done that to call attention, to let people know that this kid existed.
“Maybe boring?”
Clarice mumbled when Rashan said she had no idea of how normal life could be, and she admitted she was far from normal as well, what was the secrets within this woman? Did she felt different? Felt left out? Like she was ugly, but the only thing she was, was just different from the others?

Clarice nodded and looked down at her turtle, when Rashna asked her if it was hard being different.
“Yes, it is. People don’t like it if you’re different, they think its ugly.”
Clarice was using the word ugly, because she was still a child, so she was comparing what people thought about her, with what her brother thought about her black fish, since he called it ugly. 

Such a tender moment. The royal couple alone at last and able to share in an intimate embrace, kissing each other not out of lust or hunger, but of love. True love that had broken through the boundaries of years of sorrow and pain. Beneath all that had happened to them, that one solid bond, could never truly be broken. Henry used to be so lame and goofy in his attempts to keep his wife on her pedestal, something she probably hated and rightly so. She needed a man to love her not the Court jester. But this moment, felt right for both. They needed this as the foundation on which to start over. A new flame of love arose between them, and armed with this, they could well go on to fix their fractured family. If this was a sign that nothing was impossible, than they should use it to the full.

Releasing her from his hold, he stared down at her warmly. He took her hand, and then with his free one, gestured that they go to find their youngest, Clarice.

“I think we have left Rashna to sit for our child long enough, wouldn’t you agree, my Love?”

Clarice’s Room

“Yes, it is. People don’t like it if you’re different, they think its ugly.”

“In a manner of speaking, many people despise what is different. It shows a lack of tolerance.” The Throne said truthfully, rising from the floor, and smoothing out her dress. She then gazed down at the child and continued. “However, I see being different as being unique…special. Why would anyone want to be the same as everyone else?” She started to stroll over to a nearby window, and raised a hand to the pane, speaking as though she was also telling herself.

“True beauty comes from being imperfect. Its not what you see…it’s what you don’t see that truly makes us what we are. So many are quick to judge, especially with children. All too busy with their own lives…they forget the children are in the shadows…watching, learning….reacting.” Rashna sighed, and looked back at Clarice.

“When did they stop looking at you?

<3>

“Is everything ok here?”

Rashna glanced at the door, when she heard the knocking, and then seeing Metia start to enter. The Throne stayed by the window, but turned fully to face the Monarch. She was curious of course, to know how things went between Henry and his wife, while she had been sitting with Clarice, but she had more pressing matters, like kicking Henry’s ass further for his inattention towards his own daughter Clarice. In her mind, Clarice was the product of her Father’s depression and lack of attention. She knew now was not the time to discuss such things openly, especially after getting the child to open up about a lot of things. Children are inquisitive, active and always learning. This is why its important to pay heed to their questions, no matter how silly or simple they may be. They grow with what knowledge they are set at a very young age. From what Clarice had told Rashna, it looked to be that she was ignored from the moment she stopped being a baby. Not by her Mother, but definitely by her father.

“Clarice has been showing me her pets and we have done some drawing together.” Rashna said, gesturing towards the small table, where there were a number of draws. “Your daughter is truly gifted.” The Throne said, and gave Clarice a polite nod of recognition.

Henry stood still outside the door, listening to what was being said. In a way, he was scared to enter. The King knew the harm he had done to his daughter, but would have to suck it up and deal, if things were ever going to be right.

<3>

Clarice didn’t said anything, she remained quiet and listened to her aunt explain her mother what had happen in this room. She didn’t done anything wrong, other than paint her turtle, but she had already cleaned her, so, everything was fine. Then she was able to open up with her aunt, something she never done before, but she felt like she should trust more somebody that was closer to her father and at the same time not closer. Like, her father spent lot of his time in this castle, so he didn’t saw his sister that much, right? Clarice thought maybe like that Rashna wouldn’t tell them a thing.
Metia payed attention to Rashna’s words, and just smiled, while looking down at Clarice, glad that she behaved and didn’t treated Rashna badly like she’s always doing with the maids.
“I see, that’s great.”
Metia said, while she watched Rashna giving a polite nod to Clarice, and Clarice just done the same. Whatever had happen in here, was leaving Metia curious, because she never saw Clarice being so polite to people she barely knew, unless she finally decided to do what her mother tells her to.
Pushing those thoughts away, it was time to make the King face his daughter, and make everything alright. She tighten a bit of her hold against his hand, and just open more the door, so she could tug him inside with her.
“I brought somebody else to join us.”
Metia said with a warm smile, while waiting to see her daughter’s reaction towards her father.
Whenever Clarice noticed it was her father coming inside, she bite down on her lower lip, and stared at him, with her big judgy dark eyes, then just looked back down at her turtle and began to pet it. She wasn’t going to kick her father out of her bedroom, she was indeed curious why he was here, since he never cared, and never seemed to show her mother love, and right ow they were hand in hand. Adults were so confusing.

The King felt the tightening of Metia’s hand upon his as she drew him into the child’s bedroom with her. The fact that they were holding hands, and not showing anger to each other, or indifference may have been noted by Clarice, but it certainly was by Rashna, who watched on like a silent witness. The King did appear years younger, without the shaggy mane of hair and beard. There was at least a healthy glow to his skin, much of which was to do with the fact his wife had accepted him back into her life, something he was truly grateful for. The King walked like he was on egg shells though. This was actually the first time he had been in her room, so his eyes darted about at the pictures, the furnishings and then down to his daughter. He never truly had looked at her before. She was so very different to that of Derek and Selene.

“I brought somebody else to join us.” 

It was a little like facing the firing squad in a way. The King looked to Rashna for reassurance that everything was okay, and she gave him the look a Headmistress would to a boy brought to the office for a good talking too.

“Hello my Daughter.” The King said, trying his utmost to be endearing. Giving his wife’s hand a squeeze, that he was ready to let go and try to mend the fences, the years of damage he caused to his daughter, he kissed his wife’s cheek, and then wandered towards Clarice, and knelt down before her, much like a Knight does before having been knighted. He could see the tiny turtle that was resting on her arm, and he asked. “I had a turtle when I was a boy. A penny turtle, he was.” The King was trying to engage in conversation, and Rashna piped up and said. “And he lost it in the stream, when he tried to teach it to swim.” The King shrugged from the memory, looking back at his sister and said. “I didn’t know the turtle already could swim. But yes…he swam away.”

<3>

Metia noticed the way Clarice looked at her father, but she didn’t payed much attention to it because that’s how Clarice basically looks at everybody, like she’s secretly judging you. She waited for her husband to say something, or else they wouldn’t go anywhere. If he didn’t said anything, she would suggest that the they should do something, anything that Clarice wanted, but Henry finally spoke, and seemed ready to face his daughter. Metia let go off his hand, and smiled when he kissed her cheek. Clarice was still watching the both of them being so cuddly, and wondering what in hell had happen in this castle while she was with her aunt.
Henry got closer to Clarice, and for her, he was too close, he was never like this, and sometimes she thought he never looked at her before, like he never had the thought about on wanting to see how her daughter was growing up, or even see how different she was from her parents and siblings.

She decided to look up at him, and one thing she always done was look up into people’s eyes, trying to find if they was being honest with their words or not, when she does that to the maids, she can clearly see they do hate her, and just wished she would go away from them all. Listening to his words about his turtle, she slowly covered her own turtle with her free hand, afraid he would take it away or do something bad to it. It seemed like he had a turtle as well and it swam away from him, Clarice would never let her turtle do that, she doesn’t know if it can still swim, that’s why the place of it was in the box, so it would never run away from her, it wouldn’t leave her.
“I’m not going to let me turtle swim away.”
Clarice mumbled. She thought he was wanting her to make her turtle swim, and then let it swim away from her, so she would never see it again. She never thought her father now had good intentions, that’s why it was hard for her to understand him. Even tho by his eyes, she could tell he was different, but still. It has been too many years without him, and now having him back all off sudden its a hard task.
“I’m not letting it leave me.” 

The King’s first attempts at trying to familiarize himself with his daughter, by telling the tale of his own pet turtle, seemed to get his daughter defensive. She covered her own turtle with her hand, cupping it and saying; “I’m not going to let me turtle swim away.” The King just nodded, and then looked up at Rashna, who interjected and said. “She keeps her turtle in a special box, that she showed me earlier. I have to agree, she won’t be letting that turtle out of her sight I imagine.”

Rashna was more or less acting like the child’s advocate in a sense, and the King was struggling to come up with what to say next. How does he make up for the years of neglect that he had caused, the worry, and now he knew that he couldn’t push himself on her too hard, that would just confuse the girl further. He gathered his thoughts a moment, and then said simply.

“Clarice, I’ve been a bad King, a bad Father and a bad husband. I know this is probably hard to understand, and I don’t want you to feel I am trying to press you to do anything you don’t want too.” This was actually very hard for him to explain, but he was doing his best. “Your Mother and I are trying to find our love again, and be happy. You deserve happy parents, that love each other and can love their children.”

He sighed and brushed his hair back nervously, before rising to stand. “Clarice, I’m sorry for not being here for you.”

<3>

Metia was watching everything from behind, if Clarice crossed the line or if Henry saw himself stuck, she would help him out, but it seemed like his sister was there to help as well, and Metia was glad for that. Clarice was just being protective over her turtle, not wanting anybody to take it away from her, she almost yelled at her brother to get her a turtle, and now that she finally had one she wouldn’t let it go. Her pets was precious for her. They were the only ones she could open up to, and they wouldn’t judge her, since they don’t know how to talk.
Clarice looked up at Rashna when she spoke about where her turtle lived, then she changed her view back to her hand, and uncovered slowly the turtle, seeing it still hiding its body. As soon as her father began to speak and calling himself a bad King, bad father and a bad husband, all she did was just nod. It was the true after all, and she wouldn’t deny it, he was probably in a struggle to explain her what he meant, and she still couldn’t understand why her parents were all cuddly, till he said she deserved happy parents, that loved each other and can love their children, that’s what she meant by wanting a normal life.
She did not looked up at him when he stood, and apologized. She just moved herself from her chair, and walked up to her box that looks like a large treasure, from there, she removed a paper sheet, that had a castle, but it was unfinished, it was clearly their castle, but she didn’t finished the drawing, because she couldn’t draw the bridge. She placed the paper over the table closer to the inks, and spoke.

“I don’t know how to make one of those…bridges.”
She looked down at the draw, before gulp and place her turtle inside its box, so it wouldn’t run away. Then she decided to finally look up at her father, as her tiny lips departed.
“I can’t do it..You do it.”
 
Her view quickly changed when she admitted she couldn’t do it, questions of pride, probably. But then she looked back up at her father when she told him to do it. If he wanted to be a good father, this was his first task.

This was the first real time that the King and his daughter had engaged in any form of conversation or activity. Henry didn’t expect his daughter to understand what he was trying to say, for the last thing he wanted to do was overload her with his inner feelings on how he had affected her life.

He knelt down at the small table where his daughter liked to draw, much like Rashna had done earlier, when he saw Clarice bring out the unfinished drawing of the castle. It was missing a bridge to the main land part of the draw, and the King looked into his daughter’s large eyes, when she said;

“I can’t do it..You do it.”

“A bridge? Alright then.” The King replied, picking up one of the unused brushes, and wetting it before dabbing it in the ink. One thing about Henry, he had artistic flair when it came to drawing. His hand moved skillfully, and he started on the foundations and outline of the bridge. Henry worked without speaking, and this brought Rashna closer to stand in behind Clarice, almost like a guardian would, keen to see how her brother fared with completing his first task. It took a good ten minutes for him to paint it properly, and when done, he set down the brush and turned the draw around for Clarice’s approval.

“How was that?” The King asked, watching to see what his daughter would do or say.

<3>

Clarice waited for her father to do what she told him to, she wasn’t really waiting for him to do it, since she was more used to rejection than other thing, so whenever he done what she asked him to, she just got curious and surprised, so she watched him, drawing, he was such an artist, and it took him awhile to finish it.

Clarice after awhile got bored of waiting, so she just grabbed the box of her turtle, and stared at it, yet, time to time, she would take a look over the paper, and see how her father’s draw was going. Did a bridge took that long? Or was he just making everything look too perfect for her?
Metia smiled whenever Clarice accepted her father and told him to draw, this was still the beginning but it was good enough for a beginning. She remained quiet on her spot, watching everything, and hoping Henry wouldn’t mess with anything.
As soon as her father was done Clarice stared at the draw, and saw how perfect it was, he was for sure an artist, but she didn’t wanted like that. She used her finger tip from her index finger, and just began to smudge the bridge, or just pushing the ink alittle away from the drawing, so it wouldn’t look so perfect.
“That’s too perfect, things aren’t like that.”
She told him, and just began to move around with his draw, and whenever she was done, it still looked pretty, just blurry. It looked like a draw an adult done, and a child come and just ruined it. She was once using the drawing to compare it with other stuff, such as saying nothing was perfect, she had already seen the bridge of their castle, its not that perfect, as well.

“That’s too perfect, things aren’t like that.” 

This was actually a very important observation, and one that Rashna picked up on right away. When she had been sitting Clarice, she realized that Clarice saw herself as different, and certainly not the perfect child. As Rashna explained, there was a beauty in being different. The King took what Clarice said, and watched as the young Casterly started to smudge the bridge that the King had spent so long doing. Rashna could see the King’s confusion, and while he drew back slightly, setting down his brush, his sister made a ‘pst’ sound, and then wiggled her fingers at her Brother. In other words, have a go to help Clarice, but use his fingers. Henry picked up on this and he dipped his finger in the ink, and started to smudge another part of the bridge. This would be the first time, that the two had ever worked on something together.

The bridge was now flawed, and in a way…it was perfect.

Rashna folded her arms, and then crept out of the room. This was a sign, that the fractured family now had a chance. A chance to heal, and one day be the loving family they deserved to be.

<3>

Clarice found herself smiling whenever her father decided to help her out, as soon as she noticed she was smiling, she just bite down on her lower lip, trying to hide how happy she actually was her father was finally joining something in her life. He was finally doing this job as a father, and she had never felt so good. She never thought her father would actually do a very big change in her life, just with the little actions he done. After ruining the bridge but in a good way, she noticed her aunt wasn’t anymore in here. Metia was outside the room thanking Rashna for the job she done, whatever she said to Clarice was enough to calm down the little girl, Metia had tried everything to make the girl just understand her father and don’t be so evil, but it seems what she really needed was somebody’s else words, and of course, the presence of her father. After talking to Rashna, Metia went back inside the room, and closed the door behind her, it was on that moment she noticed Clarice using her index finger that was full of black ink, and just poke her father’s nose. Now leaving some black ink on his nose.

Metia couldn’t help but to laugh at this, she even tried to hide her laugh, but it was useless. Clarice began to laugh as well, and it was totally heart warming, she finally heard her daughter laugh, it was different from the other laughs she had heard from Clarice, this one wasn’t forced and it would clearly show how happy she was. Metia walked up to her husband and daughter, and just got on her knees besides her husband. She grinned at him, and placed her finger on the tip of his nose as well, like she was going to clean it, but before that, she had placed her finger in the black ink, so right now she was only leaving her husband’s nose more dirty.
After doing this, Clarice only laughed more, and Metia giggled, while grinning at him. Then she pecked his cheek, like a silly way of apologizing. This is what she always wanted, her family to be together, her daughter laughing was like a wonderful melody, and having her and her husband together was just a happy ending. 

It was totally unexpected. The joyous laughter of Clarice and then of course Metia, who joined in on the finger painting prank. Yes, the King now had a black nose, thanks to Clarice, and made all the worse by Metia. The King went cross eyed, as of course he could not see the black smudge on his nose, but his nose did feel wet. The King shrugged and chuckled, as Metia lent in and kissed his cheek, as a way of apologizing for adding to the silliness. To see her parents act so playfully, must have been a shock for the young royal, who bit her lip, when she realized that she was enjoying the spontaneity.

The King dipped three fingers into the black paint, and winked at Clarice, before turning to his wife and giving her a mischievous look. Why should he be the only one with paint on their face. He then boldly attempted to draw pussy cat whiskers on his wife’s cheeks, with a fluid movement of those same three fingers across her cheeks. Course, it would look comical at best, and at the rate they were going, it was going to be an all out finger painting war.

King Henry sat Indian style on the floor, and rested his chin on his elbow, just watching the two girls in his life, enjoy the activities. Simple play and a guardian angel’s words of wisdom, had changed their troubled lives for the better.

<3>

Selene sighed softly and turned to look at her husband as though she were suddenly exhausted “Well, can you blame her, love? She clearly doesn’t want to get married and I highly doubt she is a hopeless romantic like me. She seems too dependent.”Turning to look towards the castle, she frowned slightly as she wondered what do do “The poor thing…” But soon the dark prince’s words sunk in and she turned to laugh at him“Hey! I do not have a temper…do I?” Pondering this, she then shrugged and looped her hand through his “Perhaps it is for the better then.”

Joffrey suggested that they go to the throne room, and she nodded her head in agreement. They would have to sort this out with the king, and this deeply troubled Selene. She had only just found out she was married to this prince, and she also just recently bedded him like a wild whore. Falling back into her roles was proving to be exceptionally difficult without memories. Lifting her chin up, she decided she had to do this. Her daughter needed her, and that was more important to her than her own problems. Glancing at Joffrey, she nodded with determination “Lead the way, my love.”

King Brandon watched as his Granddaughter the Lady Tempest entered the room.
By her demeanor, he could tell she was none to pleased to be brought before him.
However he was tired of these antics.

“You sent for me, Your Majesty.” she said through a mask of seething rage.

Though she held it all in well, he could read her mind when she projected so loudly.
He thought to himself well she is called Tempest after all..

Both Joffrey and Selene were watching the exchange and he nodded to them briefly.
“Well my dear, I see you are not to pleased about finding a husband from what I have been told. However I would say that I had thought one with Brax in the name had more honor than that. Perhaps we might be able to give you more of a choice in things if you were amendable, but it would require that you choose soon and at our discretion. We do want you happy, but we have to right the house and find you a suitable husband. It is an important decision, Perhaps a ball? We can invite all of the eligible bachelors from the surrounding kingdoms, then you would be able to pick from your choice of suitors. What do you think of that? “ 

With that he sat back and watched his grandaughter cautiously waiting to see how she might like his compromise.
Also eyeing Joffrey with a wink.

Fine. Have your stupid ball. But…” she continued before he could speak, “…if I like none of the choices, you will leave me be about this marriage thing. I want to fall in love and have that love returned. Not forced on me like it was some kind of chore. Agreed?” she said to him.. As any child might speaking to another she thought her equal.

Brandon, was not to be trifled with however. She was quite right on one thing, this had been a test. To see if she would do as bid and to see if he could trust that she would follow instruction. As it seemed she could not trusted,he ordered the guards to quickly seize her. He then pushed out the aura of fear that had been within him. A demonic presence that normally he never shared with his family, but he kept strictly for battle was moved without his body like a seperate entity clouding the room.

” You will do as you are bid. You will not be let out of the dungeons now until the ball.” 

One thing Joffrey knew about his father was when he considered himself to be generous and then had it kicked back in his face publicly….well, that is not a good thing at all. The entire court held its breath, and their faces panned from Tempest back to the King, as Joffrey brought his hand up over his head, like the very ceiling was about to come crashing down. Oh…lord. Tempest had spoken to the King with defiance, and though he couldn’t really blame her at all, he knew no good would come from it. Interjecting now, was simply a very bad idea. It took one look at the King to see…that this was going to be bad.

An aura of fear projected from the King’s demonic form was spreading like a sickening cloud across the very people that stood in the Throne room. Joffrey squinted, and looked at his daughter with sadness. Having experienced his Father’s wrath before, he could feel his own knees knocking at the oncoming words to be spat from the King’s lips.

” You will do as you are bid. You will not be let out of the dungeons now until the ball.” 

Yes…this was bad. Joffrey knew Selene would probably have a word or two about this, but he would urge her silence, in the face of making the situation worse than it already was. Instead, he bowed his head, shamed that he didn’t have the balls to stand up and back up his daughter for her defiance. This was going to be one of life’s lessons.

Meanwhile up at the throne, Minerva lay at the King’s feet, and watched the spectacle with an amused expression. She wasn’t daft and captured the look of hatred directed towards her by Tempest. Minerva didn’t care, for she had the King’s favor, and was his Mistress. So, she kept still by the King till he wished her attention.

<3>

Everyone was looking between Tempest and King Brandon like spectators in a Wimbledon match, everyone holding their breath to see how this would turn out.

It would turn out quite bad…for Tempest.

The King seemed to grow in size and a very powerful aura collided with her own, meant to inspire fear. She stepped back a few paces but she did not cower, for her will was as strong as the storm for which she was named.

“You will do as you are bid. You will not be let out of the dungeons now until the ball.”

What? she gaped as two guards took her in their arms, giving her apologetic looks as they did so.

“Father? Mother?” she called to her parents, hoping they would step to her defense. But her father simply placed a hand on her mother’s arm to keep her from speaking and looked away from her. Tempest felt her heart shatter into a thousand pieces and resisted the urge to cry. The one man whom she thought she could trust above all others…had forsaken her. She glanced around at the others of the court, not even spotting a glimpse of her own brother. She hardened her heart and glared at each member of her so-called “family”.

“So much for that vaunted family loyalty.” she spat. She jerked herself from the guard’s embrace and with her head held high, marched from the room, the guards close at her heels.

Castle Dungeons

“I’m so sorry about this, Your Highness.” one of the guards murmured as he locked her in a cell. She gave him a wan smile.

“It’s not your fault, sir. You are doing your duty for your King. I place no blame on your shoulders.” she reassured him, touching his hand through the bars of her cell. He took her hand within his own and placed a gentlemanly kiss upon her fingers before leaving her to her thoughts. She glanced around her new accommodations with a sad sigh before sitting down on the dingy cot. Her head drooped, chin pressed against her chest and the tears came. She had been abandoned by her own family, people she loved and would defend with her very life…and she was now left to flounder on her own. “I hate them.” she whispered into the silence. She did not notice the bright light that appeared outside her cell in the main chambers of the dungeon.

“Why do you cry, My Childe?” came a voice she never expected to hear. Her head shot up and she squinted as the light grew brighter. There was a pop of sound and Philippe appeared to her in all his magnificence.

“Philippe! Oh I am so glad to see you.” she whispered, gripping the bars of her cell. “My family has forsaken me. My father’s King has bid me to marry under force, which I can not, shall not do. So I am to be locked up here until I am to meet a suitor at a ball the King is having.”

“Oh my darling, Tempest Storm. You are good of heart and deserve to have someone to love you for you, not to secure a place at someone’s side for the sake of an alliance. A pretty bit of eye candy, you shall not be.” Despite his size, Philippe moved about easily. Must have something to do with his own special magic. “Come. I shall take you someplace safe from the King’s wrath and machinations.” He reached out a single talon and touched the bars of her cell where they shimmered and faded from existence. He lowered his head to her so that she would have an easier time of climbing onto his back. Once she was settled comfortably, he replaced the bars of the cell. “Is there anyone you wish to say goodbye to? I fear you shall not be returning here for some time.”

“I would have liked to say goodbye to Nanny…but she would be killed for having seen me and not raising the alarm of my escape.” Tempest sighed.

“I am sorry for that.” Philippe felt sorrow for his charge. “Then let us be off. We have quite the distance to travel.”

A bright light surrounded them both, growing as large as the room they were in before shrinking to a pinpoint and vanishing completely. No trace remained that Philippe had even been there, not even footprints in the dirt.

Selene had followed her husband into the throne room silently, her eyes flicking from each member of court self-consciously. She was sure they knew who she was, and no doubt knew more about the princess than she did at the moment. Lifting her face to look at the king, she had dropped into a graceful curtsy out of respect. Folding her hands in front of her, Selene then stood silently to see what was in store for her daughter. She turned her head slightly to offer a small smile to Tempest, but she knew her daughter was independent enough to handle herself.

Unfortunately, it seemed the king was not in the best of spirits as he spoke of a ball. Tempest soon dug herself a hole by unleashing her attitude and anger, and Selene could only watch in horror as the king decreed her daughter was to go to the dungeons. Taking a step forward, she opened her mouth to object but could sense her husband beside her. Whipping around to face him, her eyes narrowed as she watched in disgust at how he did not object. Her mouth set into a line as she then turned to watch her baby being led to the dungeons. Her eyes filled with sadness as Tempest shot her a look that could kill. Reaching up to touch her heart, she bowed her head in shame as there was nothing she could do. When her child was gone, she picked up her skirts and began to leave the throne room without another word.

As she was leaving, her son Lucan was heading towards the throne room to see what was going on. Seeing Selene looking distressed, he frowned and rushed up to her. “Princess, what is it?” He dared not speak to her as his mother for fear of further shocking her. Reaching out to grasp her hand, he offered a small smile “Is everything all right?”

Selene just looked at him wonder, a strange feeling stirring within her. She knew him…but how? Sighing softly, she offered a weak smile “No, everything is not. But there is nothing I can do, and it seems my husband will do nothing about it. Come, let us take a stroll around the castle. My head hurts me terribly.”

Lucan nodded slightly and offered his arm to her. Once the princess took it, the pair began to walk down the corridor as he chatted on and on about the kingdom’s scenery.

Brandon visibly calmed a bit having seen the two women leave. He already was aware that Selene could not or would not tell him anything. He had hoped that Tempest would have had more sense than to try and argue publicly with him. It would have been one thing to speak to him privately regarding choices but to publicly challenge his authority was something he would not brook. As King he could not allow it, or he would never be seen wioth the strength he possessed. Nor would the honor of Brax truly be restored. Lookingto Minerva he smiled quietly, she felt the understanding through the bond within her collar. It was almost a symbiotic relationship. Stroking her hair lightly he smiled again.

He then turned towards Joffrey.
“Well we have more to speak of Joffrey, what would you tell me of things as they stand? I want to know what else has transpired now, be honest. I really did try with your daughter as you can see. She simply is not going to listen. We all married at our ages for duty, love was secondary and grew in time. Sometimes one is lucky and finds both but when the time comes its always inevitable that you must marry for honor. It pains me to put any member of the house in a cell, but as she cannot be trusted that is where she will be until we can work something out. Perhaps I can have something arranged.” 

With both his daughter Tempest being escorted from the room with guards, and then his wife Selene also leaving due to the requests of the King, Joffrey was left to face his father on his own. A sense of feeling of inadequacy hit him hard, and this showed as his brow furrowed, and he was left without knowing what to say. Did Tempest now think her father was simply not strong enough to stand up to his Father, even though the King had offered to put on a ball so that she may chose one of many suitors. Hell, that was a better deal than what he had received when he was told to marry Selene. Course, things turned out differently, but he loved his wife. Sighing, the Prince faced his father.

His father spoke of how he had made an effort, and of course, Joffrey could see this. The fact remained that Brandon was the King, and his word was law. Even Joffrey would dare not defy a royal decree.

“Tempest is one of her own mind, Father. Willful and headstrong. Much like you, I dare say.” Joffrey spoke the truth in this matter. He saw much of Tempest’s drive and temper to match that of his Father. The King offered that he could arrange something, perhaps.

“I will go along with what you decide of course, Father.”

At that, Joffrey bowed, and excused himself from the Throne room, lost in his thoughts.

Minerva absolutely loved the performances put on by all of the Brax household. She actually had to bite her tongue to stifle her laughter when Tempest stormed out with the guards in tow. Down to the cell block she goes. The Witch was amused even more so by the way that Selene seemed totally clueless by what was going on, and all lost faith in Joffrey too boot. What a wonderful family gathering this had been.

Feeling the bond with the King via the collar, she gazed up at him adoringly. His gentle stroking of her hair, had her purr softly, and nuzzle his leg with her shoulder, letting him know she was of course feeling his emotions. Sympathetic to him naturally. She dared not speak, until addressed, for to do so before the court might look to undermine him. Instead, she stayed close.

<3>

Selene had come back from strolling around the castle, her mind at bit more at ease now that she had time to cool off. She was still disappointed with what had occurred with her daughter, but she now realized there was a lot on Joffey’s plate. Tempest was independent and had a fiery personality, whereas Brandon was strict and not to be undermined. As prince of the kingdom, Joffrey had to worry about making the right decision, even if it meant hurting his family. It was a hard responsibility, and Selene wanted to be there for him. As she made her way back to the throne room with hope her husband was still there, Lucan walked with her. “Princess, are you sure you wish to be alone with him?”

The princess laughed softly and nodded, patting his arm “Yes, I can handle my husband just fine…I think.” Though they had spent some time talking, Selene had no idea Lucan was her son. However, the things he said and his mannerisms had set off alarm bells of recognition in her mind, and she knew that somehow this boy was special to her. Seeing Joffrey leave the throne room, she turned to Lucan with a soft smile. “Please excuse me.”

Her son nodded and bowed his head politely “Of course, princess.”

Picking up her skirts, Selene hurried towards Joffrey. Stopping in front of him, she looked into his eyes as concern and love flooded out of her own. She felt horrible for abandoning him like that, but she knew if she did not calm down, ugly words would have passed her lips. Now that she felt calmer, she reached up to wrap her arms around her husband’s neck. Resting her cheek against Joffrey’s chest, she murmured “I hope you are not terribly upset, my love. We must do what we can to keep our daughter safe and in the king’s favor so she is out of harm’s way. We all have duties we must carry out for the sake of our kingdoms.”

Seeing the rest had left and his son had handled himself in a manner that he respected more than Joffrey might think, he decided he might do something a bit more for the girl. He was right in his own way Tempest reminded him a lot of himself. However he had also learned at a young age not to disrespect the crown as had Joffrey and this was something she also must learn.
Even in private it might have been something to ask as a request but as a public demand it would not go without discipline.
She had in all reality forced his hand, though she as young as she was might not have realized it.

Minerva felt a lot of his emotion through the collar, as he did hers.
She felt the whole thing to be amusing and he couldn’t say he blamed her entirely. From the outside it was.
Brandon stood up and motioned her to follow him to his private quarters.
Before he left he asked the guards to summon the smith again.
” Please ask him to also bring this Magnus by. Id meet him as well. I may have need of him on this. “ he said gravely to his head guard.

He then turned solemly looking to the ever pleasing Minerva,
” Let’s be off my dear. “ 
He smiled to himself as he thought of his new idea.

With all having left the throne room one after the other, and Joffrey one of the last, this left Minerva alone with the King. The collar that she wore gained her insight to the King, as it did him to her. She had enjoyed the spectacle of watching the antics of the Family Brax, but now it was just the King that would have her full attention. Watching him, she felt a sense of pride and respect for him that she never felt before. He handled all like a King should. None would doubt his authority again.

She watched him closely, as he summoned the guards to bring him the smith. Minerva raised an eyebrow at his request;

” Please ask him to also bring this Magnus by. Id meet him as well. I may have need of him on this. “

What could this mean? The witch pondered then shook her mind clear, when the King turned to her, and called;

” Let’s be off my dear. “

Rising off the floor in a fluid movement, her hair tumbled off her shoulders, and her silken dress which barely hid her body from view fell into place. Bare feet, she followed behind the King with her head bowed, so as not to look at any others. The collar around her neck glittering in the light of the many candles.

“As you wish, my Master and King.”

<3>

Hallway.

Joffrey stood by an opened window, as his wife Selene returned from her walk with Lucan. He can’t have blamed her for taking off as she did. He himself wished to do the same, but he had a role to fulfill, and he had never gone against royal protocol ever. His heart though was torn about Tempest. She was so headstrong and wily. So much like her Grandfather it was truly scary. Butting heads like mountain goats….and all over the right to chose who to spend the rest of their lives with.

Joffrey enveloped Selene in his arms, and just held her, resting his head upon hers and sighing.

“What kind of Father am I?” he uttered, thinking she might think less of him for how he acted. “Will she ever look at me the same way again?” Joffrey asked of Selene, burying his face in the nape of her neck. He was the one that needed consoling.
“Let us go check her…down in those horrid cells. Hell, I may well join her. A show of solidarity. Though…the rats down there do scare me silly.” He cringed.

<3>

Brandon walked down the halls followed by the lovely Minerva finally arriving in his private chambers.
As he made his way in he took off his coat and took a seat. He had found the whole thing bothersome.
He hadnt really wanted to make things so difficult but such was how they would make it. He would do what he must.
He looked to Minerva. She was ravishing. As she glided in he thought to himself how much he wanted her. He called to her, gesturing to her in a kingly way. The others had already left them alone in the chamber.
Looking towards her she his want and need after the exchange downstairs. They felt so much through the collar.
He knew she too had been amused by the whole affair. He also knew that she was excited by his handling of it.
He wanted her even more as a result. He fed her passion. He though to himself as he went to take her again, undoing her bodice that she was beyond compare.

Taking her again in many ways upon his bed he was surprised by her inventiveness, she had some ideas herself this time. He took bodily moving their bodies in rythmic time. She truly was an amazing creature.
After a long session a knock was heard upon the door. Pulling on his trousers The King went to the door.

” Who is it? “ the king asked from behind the door

A gruff voice answered “Magnus “ 

Brandon then let the Warlock enter the chamber,

” Well come in, we have some things to talk about. “ 

As Magnus entered he bowed slightly to the king.

” Thank you M’lord. Indeed we do. I had heard You summoned me. I also wished to speak with you for sometime. “ 

The king then outlined his plan to the young warlock. How he might fashion a necklace to bring Tempest to heel. a necklace which would bring her temper in line when necessary and in control of his dear Minerva.

Magnus took a bit to reply.
” It shouldn’t be a problem m’lord though I will need a bit of her hair or nails for the spell crafting. I also have heard heard whispers m’lord that we have a common enemy in The Casterly’s. Should you need my service ever in hurting them in any way I hope you know I would love to help in any task that requires it.. “ 

The king wondered a bit how information traveled so quickly but knew also he was one who traded in magic. So information was a commondity he also probably had a commodity in. ” Well I shall keep that under advisement Magnus. “ the king said in reply rather smugly.

He then ordered the guards to check on the condition of Tempest and to offer her some refreshment should she need it.

Oh how Minerva felt the King’s needs and wishes via the collar she wore proudly around her slender neck. The sparkling jewel that was the center piece, glinted in the light, as she glided into the room, and approached him at his silent request. Though troubled by the altercations with his family, he needed her to sate his desires, and feed his sexual hunger. Standing before him, she kept perfectly still as he undid her bodice, and her ripe breasts spilled out to please his eye. A woman in fine cloth, soon completely disrobed, aside from sparkling hair pieces and of course the collar.

The King took her, up onto the bed and masterfully rode her, enjoying her cries of submission, and the luscious squelch as their naked bodies slapped against each other in rhythmic timing and paced from slow to a faster speed of urgency. For hours, the haunting sound of the King’s requests for new positions, and then the thud of the head board against the wall, his dark laughter as she continued to bring him to experience many orgasms, till finally spent. When done with her, she lay upon the golden sheets, panting, with her collar tight around her neck. Face to the side, she could only watch as the King went to answer the door, pulling on his trousers. Reaching for the top sheet, she drew it over herself, so that whoever wished to visit the King, would not have the privilege to gaze upon what belonged to the King. And so, still recovering, she listened to the King’s conversation with the guest, who was none other than the maker of the very collar she wore.

” Thank you M’lord. Indeed we do. I had heard You summoned me. I also wished to speak with you for sometime. “

The King was curious about what Magnus knew of the rumors that the Realm of Casterly had been plotting to do untoward things to the House of Brax, and would gladly lend his support, should the King need it. Minerva’s fingers toyed with the sheet that covered her and kept silent, not wanting to get involved in the political talks. But this was interesting, in particular, the King’s desire to make a necklace that would have her answer to Minerva. A sly grin formed on her lips, and she wondered just what would happen, if Tempest ever put it on.

Oh the plot thickens.

<3>

Selene stood there in the hallway with her husband, her arms wrapped around him tightly. Though her mind was a bit fuzzy from recent events, she knew for sure what her heart felt and wanted. Joffrey and Tempest meant the world to her, and she had a feeling Lucan did too. Her family was everything to her and she wanted the best for them. As Joffrey tucked himself into the nape of her neck, she smiled gently and threaded her hands into his hair. Caressing his dark locks slowly and with care, she murmured softly “You are the kind of father that would do anything to keep his little girl safe. King Brandon is just that…the king. If you or I were to go against his word in front of the court, her punishment would have been much more severe.”

Pulling back to look at her dark prince, the angelic princess smiled affectionately. She thought no less of her husband, but more to see him so distraught over their daughter. He cared just as much as she did about their daughter, and she knew he would do whatever it took to keep her safe and from harm’s way. Linking her hand with his, she brought his knuckles up to her lips to kiss them gently. Closing her eyes, Selene brushed her fingers up and down his wrist before looking back up at him “She will understand with time that we are doing what is best for her. The fact that the king is even allowing her a choice in the matter is a miracle in and of itself. So yes, let us go see our child and offer her as much comfort as we can, my love. I love you so very much and we will get through this together.”

It was clear that whatever ill feelings she ever had for her husband has dissipated, and even her own personal problem of forgetting her own memories were pushed aside to focus on their family. All she wanted was to keep them together and strong. Snuggling close to Joffrey, Selene began to lead him down the hallway so they could try to talk to Tempest together.

Joffrey’s beautiful Selene was right of course. Sure the King was brash and practically unforgiving, but he had offered to give Tempest a choice of suitors, not simply pointing at one and saying, well marry him. Joffrey was being very hard on himself, taking the full weight of blame for the actions and demands of his Father, and now he was sure that Tempest would place him on equal footing with Brandon, for not disrupting the Court and standing up for her. Selene’s words calmed and soothed his troubled mind, and as he held her, the love he had for her only increased, with the dark times they experienced being but a memory, a blot on their relationship.

” let us go see our child and offer her as much comfort as we can, my love. I love you so very much and we will get through this together.” 

“Yes, you’re right. Let us go down to those cells and speak with her, united.” The Prince said, gripping her small hand in his and taking her down to the dank dark cells beneath the castle.

Dungeons

The executioner was sharpening his axe while the cries of one prisoner being flogged filled the air. The smell was simply disgusting, and even the Prince had to try not to gag on his own rising stomach fluid. He had forgotten how nasty it was down here, and he tread lightly past the jail keeper, who sat at a large oak desk, munching away on an uncooked turnip.

“Scuse me. The Princess and I would like to visit with our daughter, Tempest.” Joffrey asked, like he was registering in at the Hyatt, putting on his best smile, in the face of the jailer’s bad breath. The jailer munched on the turnip and took out a big key ring and went through it slowly, as his saliva trickled down his chin.

“Ere…cell twelve. She’s been a bit quiet, but that’s okay…already enough shouting and groaning down here to drive a man mad.” he handed Joffrey the keys and Joffrey silently thanked him, leading Selene down the hall, past cells with people’s arms reaching out trying to touch the royals.

On reaching the cell, Joffrey undid the lock, but when he pushed the door open…

“Tempest?….Tempest?” There was no sign of her. He started to look under her bed, and then up ended the mattress. Panic set in.

“FUCK..SHE’S GONE!” He exclaimed. Yes, she had gone….but where…and how?

<3>

Selene smiled warmly when she noticed Joffrey seemed to calm down a bit with her words. She was ready to soothe him further if need be, but she was glad to know that he trusted her words. Her hand was curled under his as he led the way to the dungeons, and her heart felt heavy. Was Tempest all right? Was she still angry with them for not speaking out against the king? With a worried sigh, she turned to look up at Joffrey as he spoke to the guard. She was doing her best to ignore just how vile and disgusting the man was and focused only on seeing their daughter. Her blue eyes looked around hastily as if searching through each cell to try and see her. When the guard mentioned it had been quiet, she raised an eyebrow and turned to stare him down “Quiet? Tempest?” Though she did not remember much, her daughter’s storm off made it clear her daughter rarely did anything quiet. But soon she was being led to her daughter’s cell and for a reason she could not understand, her heart felt heavy.

But soon everything was made clear to the princess. Tempest’s cell was empty. Stepping inside as her husband cursed out loud, Selene could only stare in shock. Her baby was gone. They had not spoken up, and Tempest was gone. Tears formed in her eyes but she did not notice as she turned to look at Joffrey. Her pallor was deadly white as her hands shook “Tempest…is gone.” Her knees felt weak as she rushed over to her husband. Gripping his shirt, she practically shouted with rage intended for the guards “How could those mongrels let this happen?! I hope your father is pleased now! He has driven our daughter from the castle and into the unknown!” The calm collected Selene was gone and the protective Mama Bear was coming out. Whipping around, she stormed toward the guard and gave him a swift kick to his dick. Digging her hands into his neck, she hissed angrily “WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER?! WERE YOU NOT IN CHARGE OF WATCHING OVER HER?!”. Her eyes flashed a lightening blue as the cells rattled and shook around them with her rage. The Saint had been unleashed…and she was very very pissed.

Lord Ash:
The Portal opened in a secluded forest glade near the road to BlackFog Castle. The Fae calmly stepped out followed by his loyal guards who remained silent and followed their king grimly.

They each knew their jobs well and each in their own rights were efficient killing machines. Their skills having been hones in the wars of the higher planes. Lord Ash wanted the wars behind him now however he was looking for something and so was Magnus. Magnus desired revenge and he desired to find what had always eluded him as well, true love. What Magnus had promised him was a gem that would help lead him to it. He had but to bring him the object he had sought. It had taken many years to find as they had never left any traces near where any could be found. However he was a walker of realms he could find things at times in the places between. He had found what Magnus had wanted and soon he would have it.

Walking through the trees he found the road and began the journey towards the castle. He hoped Magnus was in favor with the court. It was time to walk into the Lion’s Den he thought to himself, with a smug grin on his face.

Selene turned around to see her husband was growing larger and larger, his demon taking over. A slow smile spread over her lips as she let out a horrifying shriek, her white wings ripping through her dress and leaving it in tatters around her feet. Her body began to glow heavenly white as she became air born, her electric blue eyes staring down at the pitiful guard with a cruel smile. The Saint was just and cold, a creature of brutal and swift justice. Armor scantily clad her as she was prepared to fight for what was hers: her family. If anyone got in her way, she would end them without another thought.

Swiveling around in the air, a sultry smile curved her lips as she beheld her husband in all of his dark glory. He was beautiful to her, a creature both terrifying and stunning. Her wings flapped around her, causing large winds to rattle the chains throughout all the cells. The sounds of treacherous screams chorused around them…and it only made her rage colder. She wanted vengeance against the king, and she wanted her daughter back. Nothing would stand in their way, for they were both light and dark, and they were pissed.

As her husband commanded her in his dark voice, an aroused purr escaped her lips as her sultry smile only grew. Flying closer to him, she stared into his eyes with her own lightening blue eyes “Yes, my love. As my prince and master commands. We will bring our beloved child home.” As he took off into the sky, she did not tell him to be careful. She knew the rage of her husband, and all would be wise to shy away from his wrath. Launching herself into the air, Saint Selene took off towards the mountains in hopes her daughter would think the way she herself did.

(Thread Change)

Lord Ash Arriving near the gates with his men he spied the sentries and hailed them as he moved forward making sure his presence was known. He did not want to be shot down in a hail of arrows being thought a hostile party. As he made his way forward he spied a group of guardsmen approaching from the castle. Their armor black and bearing what he believed was the sigil of the house of Brax.

The guard encircled the Lord and his party as they poured out of the gates to greet the newcomers.
Head Guardsman stepped forward towards the would be noble, not recognizing any symbol or crest.
“And whom might ye be?” 

Lord Ash replied quickly to the overzealous guard. He obviously was doing his job but also did not know he was in the presence of a king or would not be speaking to him in such a manner.
“My name is Lord Ash FlameWarden. I am a King of a far off realm and looking for a friend, by the name of Magnus whom I am told is in the employ of your King Lord Brax. I would like to speak with both of them.” 

The guard had yet to return to speak of how Tempest was in the dark dungeons, and in that time, Minerva had been kept in the King’s bed. His erotic temptress was wearing the jeweled collar, and she lounged much like a jungle cat, moving in a fluid motion beneath a simple silk sheet. Minerva watched her adored King with renewed fascination, for his presence did so set off the collar, and allowed her to link with him on a level that few would ever understand.

She toyed with her long blonde tresses and asked the King;

“Shall I make myself scarce while you deal with the Princess Tempest?” Her green eyes like slits, as she let the sheet slip from her ripe bosom and settle at the lower part of her stomach. The King may wish to go to the Throne room and deal with family, and Minerva was unsure of whether or not he wanted her there. After all, she was for the King’s pleasure, not an adviser.

<3>

King Brandon was glad for this work when Magnus asked if he could address him in an official manner.

” I had asked that I get a small request or favor before your highness” said Magnus….

Brandon looked at the warlock and said “What is this favor you would ask?” 

I should like to be named your advisor my liege. said the warlock.

Brandon thought for a moment, it seemed this one had high hopes. Yet he was good at what he did. There was much
work to do and he had need of him. It would do to keep him close for a lot of these affairs.

That would be useful, he mused.. You shall become my magical advisor. 

Just then both guards came in to tell of news… seemed they both wanted to speak..

His personal Guard was ranting screaming about tempest… it seemed she had escaped! WHAT!!!!!

His head guard it seemed had this Lord Ash awaiting him downstairs. At this Magnus seemed to perk his ears..

I know this Lord Ash if he is the same I believe him to be. He would be an ally to you Lord Brax. said Magnus.

Brandon was angry and beyond contempt yelling for his guards to find Joffrey.

Magnus take care of this Lord Ash. Minerva and I will await Joffrey. See what you can find out. Im about to lose my mind today. 

Minerva’s calm touch and smell was about the only thing keeping him from going on a killing spree at that moment. The blood was pounding in his ears.

Magnus :The warlock made his way down the stairs. Having been promoted to a ranking officer of the court he did not even blink at the guards as he made his way down to the the front foyer. He was a confident self assured man who had long held that the art of appearances meant far more than knowledge in many respects even if one held vast stores of knowledge. He in fact did but he had seen many undone because they thought knowledge alone would protect them. That would not do as he represented Brax. He also had heard the name of who he knew to be a long known friend. Though he wasnt sure If it was him, he had thought him dead, The last he had known his company was assualted by the faceless men in the siege. Though he was sure the Lord had not been a target he thought to himself they might have attacked him for the secret to his power. He knew something of his power. If it was the same Lord Ash, he was not of this world.

Rounding the corner he spied the guardmen and the Lord Ash. He was indeed his old friend.

“You can let him through guardsmen. He is an old friend and loyal to the house. Welcome Lord Ash. We have a lot to talk about I suspect. 

Lord Ash looked out towards his friend after the exchange with the guardsmen he was glad to finally see Magnus.
It had been quite a journey to find him.
” I see you have made a name for yourself here. Yes, I agree, We do have much to discuss. “ 

he then followed the young warlock where he led so they could have a more private discussion leaving the guards in the barracks.

The Black sphere rippled and then out from its center, Joffrey strode. But this was not the same Prince that had just turned and walked away from his daughter, this was but a shell of a creature, that had no heart left, after nearly being torn out by his daughter. His daughter. The one and only thing that he felt his love had created and done right. No, he had forsaken her, and in doing so, she had written him off. No longer seeing him as her Father. Still in the demon guise, he rose the two steps and sat himself down in the throne next to that of the King. He knew his father would be along soon. Had no clue about Selene…but did any of that truly matter now?

A staffer came by and saw the lost Prince seated on his throne, and came down bowing before him.

“May I get you anything, M’lord?” He asked, bowing low before him. The Prince looked up with eyes the colour of night.“Wine…definitely. I need something to take the edge of my mood.”

The Staffer scurried off and then came back with a generous goblet filled with wine, and held it up to him. With clawed hands he took the goblet, that was covered in sparkling jewels. Bringing it to his lips, he tasted it and smacked his lips. A simple nod and the Prince was pleased.

“Inform my father of my return. I await his audience.”

“Yes, M’lord.”

<3>

A knock was heard on King Brandon’s Private Chamber’s informing him of his sons return.

The King had been waiting for sometime since hearing of his grandaughter’s escape from the dungeons.
He was surprised by her determination but understood it as well. She was much like himself.
Brandon had not been able to speak with his son yet, Joffrey had been absent for sometime.
The guard advised him that he now awaited him in the throne room.
It was perhaps good that he have a chance to really speak to him. This situation with Tempest was not boding well.
She needed to understand it was not well for the kingdom, running off like this only showed her disloyalty to her parents.
Her disloyalty to the house and herself. It was a lesson both he and Joffrey learned long ago.
Something that was learned as you came of age as a royal.
He gathered his clothes and dressed as he looked at his beautiful Minerva.

“Though you are always with me, it might be better for me to take your leave for this conversation with my son. Perhaps you might like to enjoy my quarters and take a bath while I am away? Feel free to enjoy yourself. I shouldnt be long. “ 
he said to Minerva.

He then walked down the stairs and headed for the throne room, shutting the door as he left.

Finally making his way to the Thone room he nodded to the guards as he made entry. Pointing towards a small chamber on the side he suggested that the two of them go talk privately….

“Welcome back Joffrey, Why dont we retire to the council chambers so we can talk a bit more privately? I am sure we have a lot to discuss.” 

“Welcome back Joffrey, Why don’t we retire to the council chambers so we can talk a bit more privately? I am sure we have a lot to discuss.” The King’s voice roused the Prince, who had been sitting in his throne for some time, and had nearly fallen asleep due to the wine, and the lack of strength he had within him. He rose unsteadily to his feet, the cup falling from his hand and clattering to the stone floor. It was clear just by looking at him, that something was horribly wrong.

“I fear that I did not do well, in bringing my daughter home, Father. But of course, if you wish to talk in the Council chambers of this matter, I will of course oblige.’ Each step down off the podium, you could see his body shake, and tremor. Joffrey walked slowly towards his father, and then said. “I failed as a father…a husband, and now a royal. I gave all…for so long. There is no right way to say this, Father. Tempest is never coming back. I’m sorry, Father.” He stopped suddenly, and then said. “One moment, while I lay on the floor.” And with that, he simply collapsed from exhaustion….and a broken heart.

King’s Chambers

Minerva had been left to her own devices in the King’s chambers, and got up off the bed, twirling happily, though completely naked. She loved being in this position, feeling the King as she did. Reaching up she stroked the collar, and then smiled brightly, as she skipped off to have a nice bath, and luxuriate herself with oils and creams. She would make sure she was a treat for the King on his return, and pleasure him to no end.

Slipping into the hot waters of the bath, she eased in and then leaned back, giggling and chuckling as she played with the bubbles, and then started to wash herself thoroughly. Being the King’s Mistress really had its perks.

<3>

Joffrey was in no shape to go to any council chamber he thought at that moment.
Looking at his once proud son, he could only think of what the women of the Casterly house had done to this once
Proud house of Brax. He had much to talk to his son about. But for now he needs to help him first. He quickly grabbed him up calling out to the guards to open the doors of one of the rooms. He would not have Selene come in on him while resting.
“No-One is to speak to him until I have. Bring Magnus! I will wait with him, he needs healing.” 

He then sat in a chair quietly by his son.

He would restore order in this house. If it was the last thing he did.

Tempest knew she had to land soon. She had been flying for hours and was growing weary with fatigue and hunger. She never thought about how far the mountains were, only that they were there.

Her eyes were beginning to droop and she had to snap herself to attention before she hurt herself. She pinched and slapped her cheeks to keep herself alert but it wasn’t to be.

She flew another few miles before she finally succumbed to her exhaustion, her eyes closing of their own volition. Her wings kept her aloft for a short moment before they stopped their movement as she fell asleep and her body spiraled toward the ground.

She had been closer to the mountains then she realized for her exhausted body fell to the earth at its base, fetching her up against the rocks as she landed hard. She cried out in agony as the fragile bones in her left wing snapped in three places. Her head snapped back against a large boulder and she knocked herself unconcious as the dust settled around her.

Selene’s mighty white wings had her soaring threw the air with an inhuman speed. All she could think about was her daughter, and where she could be. She couldn’t believe that on the king’s watch, she had disappeared. Flashes of memories were swirling in her mind, and she could recall Tempest running off before as a child. Though the princess should have been overjoyed that she was starting to remember, she was not. Instead, she was fearful that she would not remember enough to bring her daughter back, to fail. But that was not an option.

As she came upon the mountains, her calculating eyes searched high and low. She just had to find Tempest. If she or her husband couldn’t, the princess would never forgive herself. But as she flew, a figure appeared among the fog hanging over the mountains. A cry of agony echoed among the mountains, and Selene felt her heart stop. Her baby.

The angelic princess flew down with as much speed as her wings would allow. Landing gracefully on the earth besides her daughter, her wings folded back down and the armor seemed to melt away. In its place was a simple black toga that wrapped around her body. It revealed her Saint runes on both her stomach and arms, and her long blonde hair fell down in waves behind her. She was barefoot, and she had an aura of peace around her. Stepping closer to her unconscious child, a lone tear rolled down her cheek as she began to murmur a heavenly language. As she crouched down beside Tempest, a wind began to pick up around them as she placed a hand on the young princess’s head. Closing her sharp blue eyes, Selene continued to murmur in the language, calling on heavenly power to heal her daughter and hopefully wake her up.

Thalion stood at the base of the mountain, hidden in one of the many paths that led to the top of the mountain. His eyes gazed up at the sky, his eyes making out the smallest of details. Thats when he noticed the angel being held up in the air, with her daughter. Tempest. The angel was Selene, the princess and the mother of the hybrid spawn. He narrowed his eyes slightly, this made things a bit harder but not impossible. What she wanted, she got. He thought to himself as he heard the angelic language that was spoken from her lips. She was a beauty, that should be expected of an angel especially an angelic princess. He let his eyes roam the princesses body since that black toga hid little to nothing from his view but then he refocused on his task. He would wait until they were on the ground again. He sensed someone else near by but as long as they didn’t get in his way, he didn’t care enough to search.

The Demon Prince had been searching high and low for his beloved daughter. Furious that his daughter had been taken from the cell, but by what and who? He had told his wife to search the skies of the Angels for her, and he would criss cross the Night lands in search of her. Oddly enough, searching for Tempest was something he seemed to do a lot. Past the rivers of lava, the mountain crags of the highest castles, his roar would be heard loud and clear, his desperation evident, as he felt a terrible pang of guilt at her disappearance. Circling around the top most peak, he could see far across the horizon, and in the east a bright light burned. White and glorious, though it did hurt his eyes. Had Selene found her? It was a sign, that was for sure, and the Demon Prince launched himself back into the air, and spirited in flight in the direction of the light. An hour and he would start to come into land, his form altering slightly, losing the red of his skin, though it was clear he was still demon.

He could see Selene cradling Tempest, and she was injured. He closed in his wings and ran the rest of the way on clawed feet, only coming to stop a metre before them.

“What happened? Is she alive?”

“Your chants aren’t enough. You need me….she needs..Us.” If Selene looked into his eyes, she would know this was the truth. He kneeled down, and then unfurled his wings into full, their magnificence shown with the pulsating of his demonic blood, coursing through his veins. He urged her to do the same, and so the pair had both wing sets in full display Gently placing the young Tempest between them, Joffrey brought his arm around her back and then looked at Selene to do the same, so their arms intertwined. Each with a hand free, Joffrey then suggested what they had to do.

“Only our combined power, can heal her. We must place our hands to her heart, and give of ourselves, the love that made her in the beginning. On my count……One…*he then looked down at Tempest, as his face creased in sadness at the guilt he felt*….Two….*Joffrey then looked at his wife as his hand started to charge with a blue fire flame aura, burning brighter than it ever had before.*…THREE!” At this, if Selene followed, both with their powers charged, would slam their hands to Tempest’s chest in an explosion of raw power…dark and light fusing as one….to regenerate their daughter and return her to them.

<3>

-As Ryo sits inside the cave, he hears the faint sounds of screaming and puts more wood onto the fire. He gets back into the back corner of the cave where the fire was just barely reaching him. He squats back down and begins to stare up to the ceiling, and keeping his eyes open and feeling comfortable enough. He drifts off into his sleep, keeping his eyes open. He had gotten used to sleeping in this way, though it kept him from really getting a decent amount of rest. As he rested, the light of the fire got brighter and brighter, lighting the entire room, and projecting out into the surrounding area.-

But it seemed like the demon prince knew that as he reached over to touch her wet cheek. Turning to nuzzle into his hand, Selene felt like hope was being restored by his touch. He was her other half, her life, and together they had to save the life they both had created with their love. Looking into his eyes, she knew this to be true.

Seeing her husband then crouch beside their daughter, Selene walked over to kneel beside Tempest. Reaching over to link her arms with Joffrey, she looked at him with a small smile and nodded “I’m ready.” Listening to him count, she picked up one hand to prepare herself. When he got to three, she slammed her hand down and waited for their powers to take effect.