Rigel

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

The Kaiser’s ball room was spectacular. Guests are escorted to the top of the stairs by liveried servants, who tonight wore special uniforms in keeping with the theme for tonight’s fete. Gorgeous teal blue coat and trousers, embroidered in peacock eyes of rich emerald, purple and royal blue. The effect was brilliant and the staff of the Kaiser was easy to spot in the press of courtiers and peers, all vying for the choicest places to see and be seen. All of them dressed in vibrant colors in a veritable parade of rich elegance.

Bright color was the theme of the evening for most of the women, and I have to laugh because in the avian world, it is the males of the species who sport the richest, most vibrant colors! Only humanity can turn nature around like this.

Once announced, guests descend the stairs to the Grand Ball Room to stand in line to greet the Imperial Family, and once that obligation is completed, to mingle with the peers of Rigel.

A small orchestra is seated in the front of the room, to the left of the Kaiser’s throne. The orchestra is dressed in cardinal red with black shirts, and red masks that only cover their eyes and noses so as to not interfere with playing some of the musical instruments.

Bird cages suspended from the ceiling house the widest menagerie of exotic birds I have ever seen. The ornate cages have 8 variants of gilt exhibition enclosures that I could see from the top of the stairs, all hung around the periphery of the room.

The rhodochrosite floor was polished to a pale pink to show off and accent the guests attire, and not really grab attention away from the atmosphere of the evening.

Alcoves dotted the edges of the room. Each with pillowed or cushioned seating for taking breaks from the dancing during the course of the night. It is not permissible to leave before the Kaiser does, so once we’d arrived, there was no leaving pending the departure of His Majesty.

Candelabra littered the walls and floor, adding the always romantic ambiance that only real candles can. The soft golden light lent a soft touch to the glitter of the guests.

The Kaiser was dressed in royal purple, nearly an indigo colored coat with long, swallow like tails. The trousers were a shade darker still, bordering on a midnight purple. His coat was richly embroidered with black silk in the pattern of feathers. Shirt and cumberbund were a striking rose color. His mask was feathered in real feathers in shades of yellow, peach, and emerald greens. He was the Imperial State Bird, the Nathaguandor.

The Empress was dressed in pale shades of lavender, and her mask was edged in precious stones. She was a paler version of the Kaiser, and clearly not the drab female Nathaguandor.

The Prince did not follow suit. He was dressed in shades of rust, gold, and brown. His dress suggested red tailed hawk. He was a raptor amongst the glittering seed eaters. Oh yes, the Prince was making a statement tonight.

We stood in the receiving line to greet the royal persons and as I gave my curtsey to the Prince, he took my hand, “walk with me after the first dance.” And then he released me to the Empress.

She was cool and distant, giving my black and charcoal grey gown a displeased look before I moved on to His Majesty.

The Kaiser bade me rise from my curtsey, “well Marchioness, I see you favor my son in going for the look of raptors. I trust though that you have no predatory instincts to fulfill?” His look was cold and dangerous.

Ah, so this is the intrigue of the season. The Prince tires of being second, and tensions are rising between father and son. And I have come dressed to be in the Prince’s court. I smiled at the Kaiser, “no milord, my only hunt is to please my liege, and I did not wish to be too colorful this night. It is your night to shine.”

He quirked a brow at me and nodded, his greetings to my future husband and guests. It was going to be a very, very long evening.

Once all of the guests and peers had been greeted and assembled, the Kaiser stepped onto the dance floor with his wife. They opened the dancing with a very formal and precise waltz. They danced alone for the first half of the dance, setting the tenor for the evening’s dancing before the Prince cut in on his father to partner his mother. The Kaiser then took the hand of the dowager Empress, his mother, and led her out onto the floor, that was the sign to permit the other guests to join the dancing.

As the second dance began, I found my elbow gripped by the Prince. “Come.”

Excusing myself from Klinton and Anne and Cara, I followed the Prince onto the balcony behind the throne, into a chill evening. Staff closed the doors behind us, barring anyone else from joining us. I waited. Clearly he had something he wanted to say, but it was for him to speak first.

At length, he did speak, “Marchioness, you’ve come back at a dangerous time. Have you kept up with the politics?” His cold blue eyes bored into me, waiting for my response.

“Your Grace, news from Rigel comes very seldom to RhyDin. We are not on the regular routes, and I have been busy building Drachen Walde Industries, and surviving an assassination attempt. I am afraid you have me at a distinct disadvantage.” I could not tell him just how much I knew and guessed, for he might give me new information if he believes me clueless.

He lit a cigar, seemingly studying the gardens beyond, “let me say then Marchioness, you will have to soon choose your side in what is shaping up to be a rather serious impasse. Be careful what you say to my father. Be careful what you say to me.” He blew the cigar smoke out over the rail before turning back around to look at me. “Choose wisely Marcher Lord. Choose for the future of Rigel and not for it’s past.”

Lucien, who’d remained at my side snarled silently at the Prince’s thinly veiled threat.

At the wave of a hand, servants opened the doors back into the brightly lit ball room, signaling my audience with the Prince had ended. I gave him a curtsey and returned to Klinton and Cara. Anne it seems had been swept onto the dance floor by the Earl of Tuebingen.

Klinton’s scowl said it all.

[Anne]

After waking up and answering the doctors questions with a tight lip I sat in my rooms waiting. I had five hours to prepare for this fete, to look presentable, and to make sure I didn't screw up. Silke gathered up my costume. "A hawk! How beautiful Madame!"

I sat there solemnly, and then I spoke softly. "Are you a decent seamstress?"

"I can sew Madame, if that's what you mean. I could probably make something similar to what you have here, but nothing fit for the fete."

"Can you alter the costume to make it similar to that of a Black Raven?"

I heard the ruffling of the material some slight humming and then her voice broke through my thoughts. "Yes, I suppose I could. But I don't think you'd want to do that, you wouldn't look as elegant."

"Please, just alter the costume."

Four hours later I was helped into my costume and then she began the difficult task of adding on makeup, accessories and altering my hair. Just before we were to leave for the fete I was ready. "Do I look like a black raven?" I assume she nodded then after a moment spoke her agreement verbally.

I knew Caleb was not coming. It was just that simple. After introductions to the royal family I located a small alcove and sat there. I didn't know it, but I stuck out like a sore thumb against all the vibrant colors.

[Anne]

The Earl of Tuebingen didn’t take long to come over and sit beside me. “Your costume indicates that you are in mourning fair lady. Whatever is the matter?”

It took all my self-control to keep from yelling at him, leaving, or just plain bursting into tears. “There was a slight disagreement between myself and a dear friend of mine.”

“Well I’m sure that your mood can be resolved with a dance.”

I couldn’t believe what was happening, why did he have to do this? One afternoon of fun and I was practically engaged. This was disastrous. I could just imagine the dirty looks I was getting from Klinton.

“No thank you, Milord, I would rather just sit here.”

His hand rested on mind gently, he was still a perfect gentlemen. “My dear, you enjoyed our dancing this afternoon and I know you would enjoy a good waltz or two.” Reflexively I pulled my hand away.

“Milord Tuebingen, I’m sorry if I led you astray this afternoon but I’m really not ready for any sort of relationship right now and it would be very inappropriate if we were to dance. Please. Just leave me be.”

His voice became somewhat colder and I realized the awful mistake I had made. “I thought we were on a first name basis. And it isn’t that simple Milady, you are my date for the night.”

My skin crawled and I felt this fearsome cold come over me. “Date.” I whispered.

“Yes, I thought I had made that clear this afternoon. It would not be appropriate if I did not have at least one dance with my date of the evening. Despite your moods you must honor me with a dance. Believe me, I wouldn’t force you to dance with me anymore then just once.”

We had agreed to going to the fete as a couple. When? I racked my memory. When had I agreed to this? Would the Earl lie to me? For some reason, that nagging warning thought he would. The problem is, if I decline and word gets out… this was a sticky mess indeed. “One dance.” It was a reluctant answer, but he didn’t seem to notice. I was soon swept off my feet and led onto the dance floor.

“Are you sure that I can’t do anything to help?”

“Stop this dance.” I cringed after my words had left my mouth. “I mean, I’m sorry… uh”

“Clearly something I’ve done has made your life more difficult. Allow me to fix it, what is it that I’ve done?”

“Kendrick, we spent a wonderful afternoon together, I really did enjoy myself. However, there is …” I couldn’t finish the sentence, this was all so difficult for me. He led me in the dance but didn’t speak another word. When the tension in the air became too difficult I blurted out what I had to say. “Your visit made a delicate relationship that I was in even more difficult. I’ve lost someone that I truly believe I loved, perhaps forever. And more then that I lost the trust of my friends.”

He stopped the dance suddenly. “I understand perfectly.”

[Caleb Feren]

He stood there in the shadows, wrapped in the feathers he was forced to adorn. His eyes constantly scanned the crowd, never resting behind the feathered mask.

Unlike the majority of those present, he was dressed to kill, literally. Blending in had been no problem once he had made his way there. A group had entered that were flamboyant in their color, which was enough to blind even the guards from his simple attire. Though, once in, he quickly separated from them, as they were moving to be introduced to the ‘royal family.’ He would have no more to do with those pompous pricks unless necessity forced him to.

He soon found the corner which he stood in now. It gave him the view of the entire ballroom, and access to leave when the time came.

His eyes finally caught the one they sought, after passing over the opening dance, as well as the Marchionesses exit with the prince. The Earl had made his move.

A slow smile came to his lips, and he was forced to nod his head slightly as an overstuffed mallard inhaled her breath, mistaking his smile for her. Soon, though, she moved on and his eyes caught the Earl and the Raven. Though the dance continued, theirs had stopped.

It was time for the Harpy Eagle to mingle.

Stepping down from his perch, he moved to the dance floor. It was a simple matter to move through the throng that littered the floor, weaving between their rancid mix of perfumes and body odor. It was not them who the Eagle had set as its prey.

As he approached the Earl, his hand twisted and revealed the very real claws of the Harpy. Taking a deliberate stumble, he collided with the Earl, just hard enough to get those claws wrapped around the coat, and dug in, cutting and ripping a chunk out of the Earl outfit, as well as lifting the dagger which the Earl had skillfully placed in the crook of his lower back.

He turned and bowed quickly, muttering his apology, and turned, and pretended to look for his dancing partner amid the maraud of dancers, then, having found her, moved quickly away.

In truth, he had found his dancing partner. She, unfortunately, had no idea as of yet. He stepped around the remaining sets of lumbering bodies that littered the dance, and moved to the banquet table.

His patience was unnerving. Then the time had come. All eyes had once again turned to the floor as another dance begun. He moved then, and took the one he had picked to ‘dance’, and caught her mouth quickly and efficiently, keeping her scream silent. Then, with the skill of the Eagle he had dressed as, and the proficiency of his trade, he tore into her flesh with the Earl’s dagger, removing first the larynx. Her death was quick and painless. He would not have one suffer when it was not needed. No. That suffering was reserved for another.

The task was completed quickly, and he moved quickly away, making sure that the blood that and leaked from the poor woman’s body had not come to ‘ruffle’ his attire. Once more, he moved to where the Earl was, and slipped the dagger back into its original position, this time not even bothering with the ‘accidental’ contact.

He was back at his perch when the echoing scream shattered the air, leaving the band mute and those on the dance floor dumbstruck.

What was found was the brutally murdered body of a young woman. And in her hand, a piece of the Earl’s attire.

[Anne]

I heard someone stumble and bump into the Earl. They muttered an apology, and something in that voice sounded familiar. I didn't dare to hope though. I couldn't see who it was, or where they'd gone and I felt at a horrible loss. Kendrick took my hand and kissed it lightly. "Good night, fair lady."

He left me to navigate my way through the dancing crowds. I'm positive that more then one dirty look and snide comment was sent my way. Eventually I found a wall that led me to an alcove. Sitting silently I made a quiet prayer. The dance finished, there was a slight pause and then a new one began. Shortly after the music began to play a scream rang through the hall that sent a chill up my spine. Everyone was still and silent. Then I heard people asking questions, and soon the news reached me.

A young woman was found dead with a piece of the Earl of Tuebingen clothing. I twisted my hands nervously waiting to hear what would happen next. What would the Kaiser do? What would the Earl do? What was I supposed to do? I was frozen still muttering to myself.

"This isn't happening. This isn't happening."

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

The Fete was reasonably uneventful so far, Anne had gone to dance with Kendrick, which did not sit well with Klinton, Cara, or myself. But she is an adult who must make her own choices.

As the evening drew slowly onward, I began to believe we might get out of this night with our heads still attached to our bodies.

But that hope for a quiet night was not going to come to fruition. Klinton and I had just finished the third dance of the second set when a blood curdling scream rent the night.

the music stopped and pandemonium erupted shortly thereafter. Someone had been murdered, here at the fete. The doors were sealed and barred as the Kaiser's guard cordoned off the murder scene.

Where was Caleb? I had not seen him since last eve, but Lucien grew tense, moving close to my side. "He is here."

Great. We have a dead young woman, and Caleb is here. What else can go wrong tonight? Never mind, I really do not want to know.

Klinton slipped an arm around me as we waited. Lucien shot me a look as Klinton had accidentally brushed against Lucien who was still unseen by everyone but me. We would all be searched until the murder weapon was found, despite the cloth in Marica's hands having an identifiable owner, it was not guarantee that The Earl of Tuebingen had slain her.

The Kaiser was furious. His masque had been marred by a murder of a peer under his roof. The guilty person, when found, will not have it go well for them. The Kaiser's wrath would brook no leniency.

Cara, , Klinton and I were searched, and no weapons were found. We knew we hadn't done it, but now we were being ushered out of the grand ballroom. Where was Anne? We could not leave without her, and in the throng of people trying to leave, I could not see her anywhere.

There was a collective gasp as silence fell over the Peers. At the top of the stairs stood Anne - with a bloody knife at her throat, and the Earl of Tuebingen holding her hostage.

His voice carried over the crowd, "I did not kill Marica! Someone else did, and planted this knife on me."

The guards were trying to coax him into releasing Anne, but he wasn't buying their offers of safe conduct out of the Palace.

The Earl's men surrounded him, and they backed toward the door with Anne their reluctant companion.

Where the hell was a good sniper when you needed one?

[Klinton Caer]

The events of the night blew my mind. Azjah and I had been swiftly searched and then placed into a car and driven back to the Danaan residence. It was crazy, to say the least. What would we do about Anne? Where was Caleb? I stepped from the car when we arrived and moved to open the door. Azjah's voice broke the stillness.

"You could have gone after her. I don't need a babysitter."

I was already on edge. This pushed me WAY to far. I could not believe she was expecting me to go after Anne. I'm sure the Kaiser's guards would have done me in in a heartbeat had I actually tried to rescue Anne.
I went off.

"Azjah. I'm more concerned about losing YOU. I warned her about him! YOU warned her about him! You want me to risk my neck now?" She tried to interupt my rant, but I continued over her. "You want a hero, you have me. If you want a hero for your friends...you may have to look elsewhere."

"Klinton, I wasn't talking to you. You wouldn't know where to look for her, not here on Rigel."

I threw up my hands in exasperation. "Then who were you talking too? You're invisible friend?"

Her answer stunned me. "Actually....yes. There is something you need to know about vampires Klinton." Lucien began to apparate in front of me. "He's been with me all night."

"Okay. Well....GO FIND ANNE NOW!" Was my response. I didn't see the point in him wasting time here if he had that talent.

"With all due respect Mr. Caer, I cannot."

Lucien informed me that he was sworn to protect Azjah. To not let her out of his sight.

This immediately raised red flags with me. There were many moments when Azjah and I were together, and I had assummed that we were alone. Azjah informed me that she could always see Lucien, and that we were usually alone. I was also informed that they heard everything. EVERYTHING.

This was a blow to me. As it was explained Azjah informed me that it was common knowledge about vampires, however, I was clueless. I felt as if there was nothing sacred between us. We were an open book. I never wanted this. I never wanted that publicity.

It was also revealed to me that I was being tracked. At any given moment, Eoin knew exactly where I was. What direction I was headed. Something about that shook me. I knew it didn't matter. I knew that if anyone could use that information properly it was Eoin...but I felt very uncomfortable. I liked the fact that I could get away, from everyone, if I wanted. Perhaps take Azjah with me. I felt as if I would never have privacy again.

Azjah told me how she ended up with Lucien and Gabriel. She is a strong woman. TO face what she faced, I'm not sure I could have pulled that off. And now, they are indebted to her, and that is why they refuse to leave her unattended.

Azjah, while all this infuriates me sometimes, Azjah calms me down. She keeps me sane. I can face anything with her.

We headed toward bed, and as I slid in to bed next to her, I couldn't help but mutter a quiet..."Goodnight Lucien."

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

I lay beside my betrothed, recalling the evening.

I had needed to tell Klinton what was going on after meeting with the Prince. We were on very dangerous footing, and the intrigue I'd worried about had become not just potentially spite filled, but actually had become a deadly serious thing.

He had been waiting for my return, and his scowl said it all. Excusing us from the Duchess, I tried to get him onto the dance floor where we could talk with less concern over being eavesdropped upon. His face was as though someone had carved it in granite, "I'm not even going to touch what just happened here yet Azjah." He motioned to the dance floor where Anne had been dancing with Kendrick. "I think you should see that first."

I had leaned closer to him "come dance with me that we can talk?" My gaze slid over the Earl as he moved evenly across the floor.

He'd stood his ground, not moving toward the dance floor, "so what do we do?"

I'd told him that I did not know, Anne is an adult, but that I had been right, people did not believe me when I'd said the Earl was responsible for my parents deaths.

He'd shaken his head, "She digs her own grave."

I had reached for his hand, "you're angry, but we should not stand here to talk." I had shivered hoping his words about Anne would not prove to be prophetic.

He had at last taken my hand, "now, you plan to tell me what that was all about?"

I set my other hand upon his shoulder, following his lead as we picked up the waltz, and we kept as far from other people as we could, preventing anyone from overhearing our conversation. I'd told him about the Prince's warning, and how Cara, Anne and I have inadvertently proclaimed ourselves to be in the Prince's court.

His hold on my hand had tightened the more I said, until he was actually hurting me as he finally asked if I wanted to hear his thoughts, which, of course, I did and do.

As we'd finished discussing the nuances of the Prince's words, that blood curdling scream had rent the air. Klinton stopped quickly, looking for Anne, but neither of us had seen her in those first minutes. We made our ways back to Cara, but she'd not seen her either.

We'd been searched and were being ushered out when Anne and Kendrick had appeared on the stairs. Lucien had been at my side, and would not leave my side and go rescue Anne. He told me Caleb was here. But no more.

The Duchess of Hanover, the murdered girls' mother was inconsolable.

I have to hope Caleb can get Anne back from the madman that has shown his hand tonight.

The Triberg Maybach pulled up and we were forced into the car, and the ride back to the house was silent. As we exited the car, I whispered at Lucien, "You COULD have gone after her. I do not need a babysitter!"

Klinton turned on me, "Azjah, I'm sorry that I didn't go after her. I'm more concerned about losing you! I warned her about him. You did as well. You want me to risk my neck now?"

He was clearly angry, and I had been startled that he'd heard me, "No, I…." But he continued on, "If you want a hero, you have me. If you want a hero for your friends, you have to look elsewhere."

I pulled the silk wrap tightly around myself, "I was not talking to you Klinton. You wouldn't know where to go to look for her, not here on Rigel."

He'd thrown his hands up, "then who WERE you talking to Azjah? Your invisible friend?"

I winced at his choice of words, because usually only children have invisible friends, "actually, yes." I had paused midway up the stairs as he said, "this could not get any weirder Azjah. I can't believe I'm saying this, but….SHOW YOURSELF!"

If he thought this was weird, it would be a very long night for my future husband. There was no help for it now, "there's something you should probably know about vampires Klinton," as Lucien slowly faded into the visible spectrum. "He's been with me all night."

Klinton nodded as Lucien appeared. "Okay, well, go find Anne now!" His command was addressed to Lucien, and I waited for the pending explosion.

Lucien had turned those cold, black, souless eyes on Klinton, "with all due respect Mr. Caer, I cannot."

Klinton's nervous chuckle belied his endeavor to appear cool and collected beneath that look that could make most people's blood run cold, "Oh, I'm just dyin' to hear this explanation."

Lucien never moved a muscle, "I explain only because of who you are Mr. Caer. I have made a promise and a vow not to leave the Marchioness' side, for any reason. There is too much going on to allow me to break that vow."

I had winced, if Klinton pushed, he'd find out that Lucien literally meant what he said, and I'm not certain that Klinton realizes the extent of that vow.

"Shall we go inside before we continue this discussion?" Standing on the entry with the Kaiser's guards around didn't strike me as the place to have this discussion, and I prayed fervently that we would not continue this thread, but that was not to be. Klinton had opened the door, letting us into the library before he began anew.

"And when was this vow made?" His voice was taking on a dangerous edge, which in a professional swordsman, is not something to be taken lightly.

Lucien was deliberately moving with complete silence. "It was made the day we arrived here, and the interview with the Kaiser. I was there."

Klinton shook his head and wanted to know who the vow was made with. He was not getting the answers he wanted, and I suspect he wasn't liking where his intuition was taking him at the moment.

I'd moved before the fireplace, I was suddenly quite chilled as Lucien told him it was a vow between brothers.

Klinton visibly grew suspicious as a dawning lit up his features, "so at night, when I am with Azjah?"

Lucien gave him a feral smile, "I have been at every meeting, at every function, of every move she's made."

I wanted to end this discussion. Lucien was having too much fun tormenting Klinton's worst imaginations, and that drove him to ask questions of Lucien that were better left unasked. "Klinton, he has not been in the room with us, but, well…."

He turned abruptly toward me, "well what?"

Lucien finished for me, "What the Lady is telling you Mr. Caer is that no matter where I am in the house, I will hear anything said.
Even whispers. There simply are no secrets where Gabriel and I go."

Klinton gave me a long look, "and you have known of this?" He was clearly struggling to retain his composure.

"Well, yes. I have rather gotten used to that about them. I mean, we've been together for so many years, I just don't give it much thought any more…. And even at night, well, they're not interested in human females, sooo… I am so used to seeing them…."

Klinton's temper snapped as he spun around to face my too close guardian, "You will excuse me Lucien, but I just don't have enough to buy an engagement ring for you as well."

Lucien remained nonplussed, "My purpose Mr. Caer, is protection of those I have promised to protect, and you would definitely not like being mated to me." His smile was dark and very unfriendly.

"Klinton, it's not like that."

He remained fixated on Lucien, "then you need to stay the hell away sometimes! Because otherwise I may as well be mated to you!"

Lucien met his anger coolly, "you will not find me in your bedchamber unless you abuse the Lady." And with that, Lucien faded from Klinton's sight.

"Well, your secret's out Lucien, I know you're here, so what's the point? Just trying to be a harder target to hit?"

Lucien's voice was cold, "the point is that I learn far more about people and their true intentions and motives when they forget I am around."

I tried to diffuse the situation by telling him that it is not their fault that their hearing is so good, but Klinton held up one finger to me, forestalling further discussion. He was not ready to let Lucien go just yet. "I assume then that you have questioned, and are still questioning my motives?"

Lucien solidified with frightening rapidity as he took a menacing step toward Klinton, his voice a low hiss, "if I ever, for one moment suspected you of having ill intentions, I would snuff out your life." The complete lack of guilt made that threat all the more unnerving to me. He would do it if ever he thought Klinton was a threat.

By that point, I'd had enough. Klinton and Lucien were squared off, neither one willing to yield, "you seem to disapprove of my presence, I thought it might be easier for you if you could not see me." Lucien finally told him.

Klinton was still furious, "I am just curious as to how long this has gone on? The waterfall, were you there? Oh, and trust me, I am much more disapproving of your lack of visible presence."

Lucien leaned against the door, "of course I was there. If I am not, Gabriel is. One of us has been within calling distance since…" his voice trailed off. He'd said more than he'd meant to say, and just realized it.

I softly admitted to Klinton that I can always see them.

He turned then, "did you want a cookie? So what else?"

I was puzzled, "a, a cookie?"

"You seem too pleased. I feel like I should give you a prize for being able to see them at all times. What else? What other surprises are there? Cameras everywhere I assume?"

He was edging toward a hysteria of sorts, and I frowned, "well, it's not so much pleased as it is that you should understand that even though others cannot see them if they wish, I can, so we can't be entirely snuck up on."

Lucien added, "cameras are not needed."

Klinton glared at the space where he'd last seen Lucien, "Right - the invisible cameras are with us at all times."

"There are higher tech ways of knowing whom is where." Lucien's voice held a hint of humor.

"I suppose there's a computer somewhere with Azjah's exact location at all times?" His suspicion was growing with each moment.

Lucien sounded slightly put out now, "of course. That was done when she exchanged her life for yours." It was a deliberate reminder of a time we both wanted so much to bury.

This was going places I didn't want to go. "We're not here to discuss this, are we? Isn't Anne our priority?"

Klinton remained adamant, "I want to know what else. What else has been done to pry into MY personal life?"

I didn't turn around to face him, "you have a homing device implanted under your skin. They know where we are at any moment. It was necessary to make certain something like that never happens again." Even now, I cannot talk too plainly about the Raavich affair. There are some things that can never be discussed.

He shook his head, informing me that this whole thing was infuriating.

At that point, I'd faced him, "did you want them to let you be grabbed again? Only this time, maybe we couldn't get you back?"

He gave me a pleading look, "I want to live my life Azjah! That includes occasional surprises. I cannot believe you have not told me these things!"

Lucien spoke up, "you have entered a dangerous world Mr. Caer. One you do not fully understand. Our job is to make sure the surprises are not deadly ones."

I walked over to stand before him, well within his personal space, "what can't you live in your life now that you know about the homing device? What has changed?" I held out my arm, pointing to a small bump on the inside of my elbow, "If I removed this, what would I gain?"

His hand raised abruptly, as if he would strike me, [color=green]"I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN!!"[/color]

Lucien's preternatural speed put him between Klinton and I with a snarl rippling through the room.

"Azjah, there is NOTHING sacred with us! NOTHING!"

Shock must have registered in my features as he stepped back. "And if Anne had one, we would be able to go after her, wouldn't we?" Then softly adding, "that's not true" to his accusation that nothing was sacred between us.

He was well and truly struggling with what he'd learned, "Sand castles and dreams Azjah. If you don't remember, ask Lucien, I'm sure he'll clue you in."

I wrapped both arms around myself, "Life has to have dreams Klinton. We all need sand castles and dreams."

In a dejected tone, he told me that at some point, all of his seemed to wash away.

Very softly, I suggested that they washed away to be rebuilt again, or improved, but always to be rebuilt.

He looked down at me, "I'm scrambling here Azjah. The foundation of my world is washing away. This is not easy for me." He was literally pulling his hair at this point.

I stepped around a very, very angry vampire who then faded from sight, "don't let it wash away Klinton. We have each other, and that's something I hold very dear. You were an unexpected blessing to me."

"I cannot blindly accept this." He muttered.

"What would you have me do differently?" At that point, I would have done anything in my power to take away his pain.

He shook his head, "tell them to stop."

I sighed, "even I do not have that power over them."

"Oh, fantastic. So they chose you?" came his sarcastic quip.

"Something like that." Came my reluctant admission. We were going to go into how all this came about, I could feel it in the air.

He sighed deeply, "I want you to tell me everything. Tell me where you met them. Tell me everything. I have all night."

Where to begin? I leaned against a sofa, "there is not much to tell really, I was travelling, which is something I have done since my parents died. One of my stops was on Auriga. It was just before dawn, and a crowd was gathered in the public square."

Lucien's disembodied mutter slithered across the room.

I shot a look at him before continuing, "two beaten and battered men were tied with silver embedded rope to a burning pyre. Chants of 'burn them' were echoing in the streets. They were waiting for the sun to come up, and were going to let the sun light torment them before they lit the pyres. I couldn't let that happen."

Lucien spoke up, "you left out a few details."

I gave him a dismissive wave of my hand, "I took them from Auriga, gave them back their lives, for such IS what they have, even though they are what many consider 'undead'."

Klinton simply nodded, "Azjah, when would you have told me about them? About them being around all the time?"

Lucien wasn't going to leave well enough alone, "let us see, you came in alone, faced an angry mob of about 200 to protect two creatures that were nearly unidentifiable at that point, from people who thought had been preying on the innocents of their village. You stood up for us in front of all of that, AND managed to get two mangled bodies out of there before the sun could fry us."

Klinton nodded, "I do not question the abilities or amazingness of my future bride."

I walked a slow circle in the room, "in truth Klinton? Probably never, but not for the reasons you might think."

He gave me a slow nod, "that's not going to re-assure me Azjah." And he stepped toward the door, where Lucien stood blocking his path, but he could not see him.

"The reason I probably would not have told you is because I assumed you knew the powers vampires have."

He stopped, "well, I didn't. We gonna have another argument like this in another week when I find out something else I should have known?"

I shook my head, "I didn't know that Klinton. Their abilities to hear the faintest whispers, or to vanish from sight is generally well known. I didn't question what you may or may not have known about them."

He ran his hand through his hair, "every time I get this figured out, there's another loop. You tell me what to do. Just tell me what you want me to do. Because honestly, I have no clue anymore."

I walked over, wrapping my arms around his waist, "I want you to be the man I love. I want you to be happy, and I want you to know that all of this becomes transparent to you. It has to. Now you know why I hated the idea of security at the Palazzo so much."

He gave me a skeptical look, "what if it doesn't become transparent?"

Lucien wasn't helping, "do you see me now? I'd call that pretty transparent."

I groaned, "go away Lucien."

Klinton growled, "I will always know you are there. Or at least that you could be. And no matter what, I will always think of that as I make love to Azjah. And any other aspect of life."

I turned deep crimson, "it's onerous right now, without a doubt, but when we get back to RhyDin, we have less of this to face."

He glanced at me, "I'm assuming when we're married I will be followed as well?"

What he didn't know was that he already was being monitored and followed. "Would you want them to stop watching me once we're married? I know I feel better knowing you will be watched over. That no one can steal you away from me again."

Lucien grew serious, seeing how badly Klinton was taking the news of his abilities. "Mr. Caer, you have made love to the Marchioness a number of times. The only difference is that now you know Gabriel and I know precisely what you are doing. How does anything change once you are married?"

While I know Lucien was just using logic, he wasn't helping. "Lucien - OUT!"

Klinton glowered at me, "I rest my case Azjah. NOTHING is sacred. Now, what we have to come to terms with is whether or not our relationship is still worth that. When we lose what is sacred."

I closed my eyes, "Klinton? If what we have is the real thing, then coming to terms with knowing that what we do is common knowledge in any royal or peer home should be possible. Nothing is kept as private as you are used to in a home where there are servants and house staff coming and going at all hours of the day and night."

He turned away, "what are we gonna do about Anne?"

"Lucien said Caleb was at the masque… we’re going to wait." There was little else we could do at the moment.

He turned a startled look at me, "Caleb was there? She'll be fine."

His faith in Caleb helped take some of the strain away, and we spoke about Caleb and wondered what he might do to Kendrick right now, and too soon there was a lull in the conversation.

"Klinton? Please don't give up on me, on us, because the life that you knew is changed and become something less private."

He remained unmoving, "I will always wish for more privacy. And I will always complain about it. I can guarantee you that. But, I will always love you, and that will always prevail. And I will NEVER, EVER hit you."

Lucien's voice came as if from a distance, "No, you will not."

I gave him a wry smile, "I know that Klinton, I never thought you really would."

He winked then, "unless in the rings. They're fair game." He walked toward me, enveloping me within his arms, "Lucien, would you like to tuck us in?"

I stifled a giggle, this was Klinton's way of coming to grips with what he'd learned tonight.

Lucien's dry reply, "do humans like being buried in the ground?"

Klinton shrugged, "when they are dead, I suppose."

"Tuck yourself in."

We'd left the library as I suggested that he not push Lucien too hard, but as we curled up together to get a bit of sleep while we wait for news of Anne, he baited Lucien again - "good night Lucien".

I fell asleep knowing we could adapt together.

[Anne]

Everyone was being interviewed and questioned and searched. I stood in line, twisting my hands, nervous beyond belief. The next moment someone grabbed my hand and pulled me close. "I apologize." Came the harsh whisper. Kendrick’s hand wrapped around my mouth and I was soon being pulled up the stairs. I felt a cold and wet blade press against my throat. "I did not kill Marica! Someone else did, and planted this knife on me."

That was a very fine way to convince them, I thought smugly. Despite the threat to my life I was feeling much better then I had in line to be questioned. Soon I was pulled out the doors, gagged, had some sort of cloth wrapped around my ears, and then shoved into a vehicle of sorts. Joy.

While I sat there I pondered what had just happened. I was kidnapped for the umpteenth time; I was gagged, blind, and deafened. Klinton was probably thinking ‘I told you so’, Azjah was probably shaking her head miserably and fate only knows what the others were up to. It was my own fault, guaranteed, I made no qualms about that. Well, death wasn’t such a bad idea was it? I mean, my life didn’t really have anything left in it. There were only three regrets in my life. I had hurt Caleb. I was leaving two children motherless. I had made other lifes miserable.

An hour or so later (or what I judged to be an hour) I was once again pulled out of the vehicle dragged up a series of stairs, lead through numerous doors, and all in all became completely disoriented. Ten minutes later I was placed on some sort of seat. All my senses, excluding taste and touch, had been nullified. Roughly, my hands were tied with coarse rope to some sort of wood. My ankles underwent the same process. The cloth around my ears was untied and an unfamiliar voice spoke.

"Good Night."

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Several hours later, a knock came, and Klinton slid into my room. I do not know when he'd left, but as he walked back in, I teasingly asked if he'd forgotten something, but as I turned on the light, I could see his perplexed expression.

"Katarina just gave me something, she said it was imperative that I read it. But, it's already been opened."

I sat up abruptly, "already opened? That should not be, who is it from?"

He didn't know yet, he hadn't read it, but he asked me if I thought it may have been intercepted before being delivered. It was probable since we are still under house arrest that our communications were being monitored as well.

"Who would track me down?" he mused. Then he frowned as he pulled the letter from the envelope, but still he did not read it.

I'd asked if he was expecting news since we'd left Rhydin just as his dueling season was opening. Perhaps his team captain had needed to reach him.

He shook his head, "no, I don't think so. I'm just trying to make sense of it. I guess I should just read it. Just seems weird to me."

I watched his expression change from puzzlement to shock as he read, and as he stuttered my name, I shoved back the comforter and went to his side.

"My mother….. my mother is dying. She…. She's alive, Azjah." His words were unreal. His father had told him that his mother had died when Klinton was born!

He sank to the floor, his head in his hands, "I know what my father said. But, what if that wasn't true?"

I brushed his hair out of his face as he told me that a woman named Janelle Fordice had sent him the letter. When I asked him where his mother allegedly was, he read me the note, telling him that he needed to return to the Kinzer, in the desert of Lu'an, south of Rhydin.

This was horrible news. We were under house arrest, there was no way I could get the Star Dragon off Rigel even if I could evade the guards. Then a thought occurred to me, that perhaps Gabriel could go to Lu'an while we petitioned for release from the Kaiser. "May I send Gabriel there, to give us word? To let us know if this woman is truly your mother, and get his assessment of her condition?"

Klinton was growing more upset with each passing moment. I told him I would petition the Kaiser first thing in the morning.

He shook his head, "what about the wedding Azjah? Perhaps I should just go back and return here as soon as I have word?"

The wedding was 2 days away, and it would take 10 days round trip just for travel to Rhydin and back.

He continued talking, almost to himself, "for all I know, this could have been sent years ago, my father kept us moving so much, it could have taken this long just to catch up to me."

He said there was no date on the letter, then he shook his head and crumpled up the paper. "It doesn't matter. It means nothing. I don't even know her, mother or not." He was justifying not going.

I frowned, "then for all we know, she may have passed already, and it does matter Klinton. Let me send Gabriel to find out. That will answer many questions. He can find out if she is still in Lu'an, or when she did pass if we are too late. That will at least answer the question of how immediately we need to return."

He grew adamant, denying that it mattered at all, and telling me that it would bring no good, only more pain. And that it would destroy what he holds yet of his father's memory.

I tried to reason with him that he already has the pain of learning that his mother apparently survived his birth. Maybe this could heal the sense of loss he's felt his entire life over his father's un-truth, but that he would never know if he did not follow up on this.

He rose somewhat shaken, "I have never had a mother. I do not want one now. This letter is false, and that is that."

I was in disbelief at his attitude, "so we just ignore it, and go through with our plans, and hope and pray that the Kaiser releases us one day?"

"Sounds like a plan," came his flip reply as he headed out onto the balcony.

I frowned and followed him into the crisp air, and I stood there shivering as he told me this would only bring him pain that he did not want.

When I asked him why he was being so adamant, he told me that it was because "the past is the past." He'd come to terms with that, and the pain of his father's death was too recent for him to face now losing a mother he didn't even know was alive until this moment.

I shivered again, though from the air or his mood I cannot say. "Then let me send Gabriel. If you do not wish to know the findings, fine. But at least one day if you DO decide you want to know, we would have the answers."

He turned on me abruptly, "why can't you just accept how I feel about this?" and then he returned inside, out of the chill air.

I followed him inside, suggesting that in fact I was accepting his feelings, but that perhaps once the shock wore off, he may change his mind and wish to know.

His answer dripped in sarcasm, "I can't think of any better circumstances to receive news like this."

I grabbed a robe and slid into it, "if we were in Rhydin right now, at the Palazzo, and that letter arrived, would you not leave for Lu'an immediately?"

He gave me a chill look, "we aren't in Rhydin right now, are we? This is where we are. We can't change that. We can't change the past. And I am not about to form a relationship with someone I have not known my entire life, just to have her die as well."

I was speechless. I was sorry we were here, and not in Rhydin, and that I will be the reason he does not go to Lu'an. I tried to apologize to him, but when I explained that if I were in his shoes, I would want to meet the woman.

"Yeah, well, I don't. I need a drink." Was his reply to me.

While I didn't want him to drink his way into oblivion, perhaps a drink wasn't an all bad idea. "What would you like?"

He shrugged, "something to spin me into oblivion. When I wake up, the letter will never have existed."

I held out my hand for the crumpled paper, "let me relieve you of it now, and how about sharing a glass of scotch with me?"

He shook his head and hung onto the wad of paper, "I'll take care of it, and scotch would be fantastic."

I went to the bar and poured a very generous glass from the crystal decanter, wrapping both hands around it to warm slightly. "sit with me?"

He nodded, settling into a chair, where upon I curled up in his lap. He looked at me and asked if he made me nervous.

I gave him a smile, "you make me many things, and sometimes there is excitement in being slightly nervous. If you mean do I fear you? No, I do not."

I lifted the glass to his lips.

He took a long sip of the smokey liquid, "you just seem like you are nervous right now."

I took the glass back from him and took a sip myself, "I am not nervous, but I do not know how to let you deal with this, so perhaps I will simply sit here in your lap and enjoy your company while you drink?"

He kissed my forehead, "that sounds like a nice plan."

We shared the glass of scotch and I told him that tonight I felt like the smokier brand, and that I hoped he was enjoying it.

He gave me a warmer smile, "I always enjoy your scotches Azjah. I must admit though that tonight I am probably not in it for the taste."

I leaned against his chest, kissing his cheek, "what are you in it for tonight then?"

With a distant smile, he suggested that it might be for the consumption alone, and he took another sip.

I trailed a line of kisses along his jaw, "this mass consumption will accomplish….." my words trailing off to allow him to finish the thought.

He gave me a grin, "my dear, are you trying to seduce me?"

I sipped the scotch and asked if that would be a bad thing.

He shrugged, "you would be taking advantage of a man in a vulnerable position."

Smiling, I again asked if that was such a bad thing, proposing that I could go retrieve the decanter and we could both consume, or we could opt for seduction, it was entirely his choice.

He gave me a wry smile, "as intoxicating as you are my dear, you would not have me forget the note in my hand. Only my smokey friend there can do that."

I laughed, "you have no faith in me my dear" and I rose to refill the glass and retrieve the decanter.

He chuckled, "I have faith my dear, but when it comes to nights with you, I also have a memory."

I returned, kneeling before him, offering the glass, "yes, but I do not leave you with a dreadful headache in the morning, and I sincerely hope those memories are much more enjoyable than the missing memory with your smokey friend."

He studied me a moment, "Isn't there a combo deal somewhere?"

I laughed softly, "I thought you were getting your combo deal right now. I serve you your scotch, and anything else you would like to have. I can only hope it is a combination you prefer over just an intoxicant.

He gave me an enigmatic smile, and wondered if I could guess what else he might like to have.

As he began to relax under the dual influences of scotch and tactile pleasures, I knew I would send Gabriel to investigate this Janelle Fondice and her present condition and where abouts.

I pulled the silk sash from my robe, slowly brushing it over his cheek bones and eyes, "did you know that here on Rigel, there are plants that can enhance your sense of touch, making the slightest brush something intensely pleasurable?"

He shook his head no, and wanted to know why it had taken me so long to tell him.

I smiled, "because we have not had enough time here to explore some of the unique features of Rigel."

And morning drew closer, while Klinton's goal of alcoholic induced oblivion was averted. Hopefully, this morning would see Anne returned safely to us.

[Klinton Caer]

Azjah....she does it to me every time. She will make an honorable man out of me yet. I actually remember most of the night before, despite my attempts to enter a drunken stupor. I woke up as sunlight was beginning to shine into the room.

I sat up and gave a yawn, my head slightly aching as I did so. Mornings like this seem to replay backwards. I remembered first moving back to my own bed after saying goodnight to Azjah for the second time.

Rewind....

I remember next my interlude with Azjah. What an amazing woman she is. Sipping the scotch, Azjah in my lap. Sipping a bit more scotch. And then the letter. What had happened to it?

I remembered balling it up in my hands. I remembered wanting to throw it away...did I?

I just couldn't remember what happened to it. I would have to ask Azjah, for now, I need a shower.

I got up out of bed, yawning.

I had a mother....

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

I woke with the sun glittering in through the window. I was alone, and I reached for the crumpled paper Klinton had finally dropped to the floor last night. Smoothing it out, I re-read the document. The woman identified herself as Janelle Fordice, and she claimed to be Klinton's mother. The details were sketchy, but if there was a chance this was genuine, we needed to have it investigated.

"Lucien?" I knew he could hear me, and as I tossed back the comforter and grabbed the silk robe from the floor, he walked out of the shadows.

"Good morning Marchioness. I assume you want to speak about that document you have in your hands?"

Sometimes the twins abilities to hear, and scan minds is annoying, but he is correct. "Yes, would you please ask Gabriel to check this out? Ask him to go to Lu'an and discreetly see what he can discover. If this Janelle Fordice is Klinton's mother, and if she is still alive, we should know about it. Mr. Caer does not believe we should investigate this, so please keep your work limited to my ears only."

Lucien gave me a grin that exposed the long canine teeth. "You didn't have to tell me. I heard you both quite clearly."

I threw one of the pillows at him as he faded from the visible spectrum, and just as Klinton knocked and walked through the door separating our rooms.

[Gabriel]

Lucien's thoughts stilled me as I had been studying what I could find on the dark god Asmodeus. Someone has sent a message to Mr. Caer announcing that his mother, who'd allegedly died at his birthing was still alive, and in the deserts of Lu'an.

Whomever had sent the letter had known were to find Mr. Caer, because no forwarding information had been disseminated from the Palazzo. Although, there were many who knew they'd gone to Rigel, and why they'd gone there. It was not a secret by any account.

Without a look at my captive, I sent her into hibernation. I would be gone for several days to investigate this Janelle Fordice.

****************************


The desert was not as hot as normal now that fall was approaching. The shorter days gave a respite to the burning temperatures of summer.

As the sun lowered into the evening twilight, I continued my search for the woman, and found her precisely where the letter had said she would be.

Her health was poor, and she would not be long among the living. I could see that she'd lived a hard life, and I waited in the shadows for the care takers to leave for the evening.

At length, we were alone in her room, and she was drifting in and out of sleep. Pain seemed to keep her from settling into a comfortable sleep, but it was not something I could alleviate for her.

I whispered into her thoughts, "you have a son, where would he be?"

She murmured incoherently, and I pushed a bit harder, "your son, do you know where he is?"

She wakened, shaking, but had not responded. She was strong against my suggestions, and I did not want to frighten her, so I went silent.

A nurse walked in, and I set the question into the nurses thoughts, and as she checked on her patient, she asked Janelle about her son.

Janelle nodded at the nurse. "Yes, I do have a son. One I have not seen since his birth. I sent him word after I'd learned that he was in RhyDin, hoping to meet him before I die, but he's not responded." There was a sad sigh, and a racking cough followed.

I conveyed what I had learned to Lucien immediately. She had not mentioned the son's name, but the indications are that this woman must believe Mr. Caer is her son.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

I'd just thrown a pillow at Lucien's dissolving form when Klinton walked through the door that joins our suites together, "Everything OK?" I spun around in surprise, "Just emphasizing a point with Lucien. How do you feel today?"

He gave me an odd little smirk, "Ahhh, so Lucien was here? I'm alright, a bit of a headache, not too bad though. You kept me from going too far."

I laid the paper on the table behind me, "Well, are you objecting to my methods?" and I walked toward him, "Yes, Lucian was here for a moment, we needed to talk."

He smiled, admitting that he couldn't really complain about my methods, and I confessed that I enjoyed the outcome myself. He walked toward my bed, seating himself at the foot while I rang for a morning tray. "What did you talk about?"

Well, there it was, and this was going to be a long, hard discussion. "Your mother."

He nodded, "Oh yeah, I guess he heard everything. Did you find that paper by the way? I can't remember what I did with it." Then almost as an afterthought, "What'd you tell him about my mother?"

I told him the paper was on the table, and that he'd dropped it last evening. He glanced at the paper, and noticed that it was smoothed out, inquiring if I'd read it.

I went to the balcony doors, looking out into the brilliant morning light before opening them to let in the crisp morning air. "I didn't need to tell him much. He heard everything we said. And yes, I did read it, I had to make sure I had the details."

He nodded thoughtfully before asking me why I needed more details, and he flushed while he waited for my answer. I think he suspected that I'd done precisely what I have done. So, I changed the subject, telling him the tailor would be here today, would he have time to meet him?

He rose, following me to the balcony, "why did you need the details again?"

Well, there was no help for it now, "I'm sending Gabriel to find out more. I needed to be certain he had as much information as I could give him. Lucien's already been in touch with him. We discussed this last night Klinton."

He bit his lip hard, "Yes. We did discuss it. It was not supposed to happen."

The maid had come with the morning tray, and I bade her enter, letting her set it down and withdraw before turning to face him once more. "You didn't want to know last night, but you were angry, and well into that scotch. Besides, Lucien heard everything and agrees with me that we should at least investigate the possibility."

He spoke softly, "I was perfectly sober when I made that decision, and I am perfectly sober now, and the decision stands. And I don't give a f*#$ if Lucien agrees or not."

He had not ever used profanity with me, and his tone utterly belied the anger I felt rising swiftly within him. "You were angry, and you're going to want to know someday if it was valid or not. Besides, Gabriel is already in Lu'an."

He was screaming at this point, something else I'd never seen before, "It was NOT your decision to make!!!" He grabbed the morning tray and hurled it out the balcony doors, and I could hear the plates and cups shatter as they hit the ground 3 stories below.

Trying to maintain a sense of calm logic, I continued, "Klinton, it is my decision to make when I'm looking out for your interests. Logic dictates that we find out. Information is vital, and if you don't want to know the outcome, fine, but I do."

"SHUT UP Azjah. You had no right to do that...NONE! You know D@#$ well that you went completely against my wishes. It is not always about YOU Azjah. I'm sick of changing my plans. Of changing my lifestyle. It doesn't matter what I say anymore. You do whatever the hell you want."

I walked straight up to him, fury glittering in my eyes, "I will not 'shut up' and I have every right! That upset you and we need to know if it is real or not. Yes, I DO do whatever the hell I want. It's who I am Klinton, and you should bloody well know that by now."

He took on a deliberate tone, accentuating each syllable, "It...Was....Not... Real!" His voice dropped to become very soft again, "You'd better get things cleared with the Kaiser. I'm leaving as soon as possible."

My gaze narrowed slightly "You know your life would change drastically when you proposed to me. You knew I was a take charge person. It might not be real, but we should know for certain and not assume."

He pushed by me, brushing hard against my shoulder as he did so in a deliberate attempt to intimidate me with his sheer size, "real or not, it doesn't matter."

I held my ground as best I could, "I'll do my best to get you released from the Kaiser's house arrest. What you do from there is up to you."

He announced that he was going to pack his bags. I quirked a brow at him, asking what would happen next, did he plan on leaving before tomorrow? The day we were to seal vows before the Arch Bishop in the Kaiser's cathedral.

"I'm leaving as soon as possible" came his terse reply.

That wasn't good enough, "That does not answer the root question Klinton. If you were released today, would you walk out that door?"

He turned to face me, "what do you think Azjah? You make all my other decisions for me."

I studied him for long minutes, "I think you would, but what I think, and what is reality are not always the same." Lowering my voice, I added that I did not make all of his decisions for him.

He practically snorted, "Yeah, well, you've done a pretty good job of making them for me so far. You had no right to do that, and you know it."

An argumentative demon reared it's head, "You've done a pretty good job of making your own decisions Klinton, it's just that we don't always agree. I have every right to look out for you, even when you don't think I should."

He glared at me, "And what did you do when I made my decision Azjah? You went behind my back, and did the exact opposite."

I could feel my brows lift at that, "YOU chose to leave, had you been here this morning when Lucien came, you'd have heard the conversation!"

"Yeah, I did chose that. But I also chose to TRUST YOU to respect my wishes, and YOU chose to break that trust."

I slammed my palm down on the foot of the bed, "You chose me as your future mate, someone to love you and look out for your interests. I chose to do just that." How dare he? It is a mate's responsibility to look out for one another! If this was a hoax, and had caused him needless pain, I fully intended to do something about it. If it was real, we needed to know that too.

He nodded coldly, "And of all the choices we've mentioned so far, THAT one may have been the worst."

"WHICH one? There were so many mentioned." I was going to force him to say it.

"About me choosing you as a future mate." His features sagged slightly, but he'd come right out and said it. He considered his proposal to me a mistake. So be it.

"You regret that?" The question was so hard to ask, but I needed to be sure it was not just his ire speaking. That he really meant it.

"Given the current circumstances? Yes." He re-affirmed it.

I sat down hard on the foot of the bed, "please go Klinton, I will do what I can to get you released."

He muttered as he returned through the door between our rooms, "that's all I wanted to do in the first place."

I could hear him packing, and I rose, quietly closing the door and locking it. There would be no witness to what those words had done to me. None.

Lucien stepped out of the shadows in the corner of my room, "This is better to happen now rather than later. You'll not get a Writ of Dissolution once vows are sealed."

I sighed, he was right, but I didn't want to hear it right now, "Not now Lucien. Have Baumann send a petition to the Kaiser, I need to see him at His Majesty's first convenience."

Lucien nodded and faded from sight.

A knock came at the locked door, but I ignored it. Going to the desk instead. The knock came again, louder this time. I went to the door, not unlocking it, but resting my head against the wood, "Yes Klinton?"

His voice was soft, "Please inform Gabriel to call off all search attempts."

I closed my eyes tightly. I am cursed with a need to be honest, even when I know what the result of that honesty will be, "I cannot do that Klinton, He's already in Lu'an."

His fist hit the door hard. I winced and stepped away from the door. It was imperative that I gain his release from House Arrest, and Rigel.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

I dressed alone, not waiting for Katarina to assist while I waited, no prayed, for a summons from the Kaiser. He ‘had’ to see me today. I could not bear the thought of keeping Klinton tied to me when all he wanted was to go and forget everything. I’d been a terrible mistake in his eyes.

The summons came, but it was late. Much later than I’d hoped for, and there had been only silence from Klinton’s side of the door. He’d not tried to say it was all a misunderstanding. Nothing.

I took a deep, steadying breath and followed the guards into the audience chamber.

“What do you want of Us now, Marchioness?” There was more than just a hint of irritation in his voice. He’d been dealing with a murder in his home, and his patience was wearing thin.

I gave him my best Court curtsey, “Your Majesty, there has come to light news from RhyDin. I beg Your compassion to allow my betrothed to leave Rigel. As quickly as Your Majesty can see fit to release him from House Arrest."

He said nothing, and as the seconds elapsed I added, “If you please Majesty, it is about his mother.”

He spoke after what felt like a very long time, “news…. Because of this ‘news’ you expect that We should lift Our order?”

I cringed inwardly, “I am begging Your indulgence only for him, Majesty.” I bowed my head further, “Majesty, this came as a shock to both of us last night, his mother is dying. He has lived his whole life believing her death occurred at his birth. I have sent one of my people to seek the truth in Lu’an, and the news is that this woman is likely his mother.”

The Kaiser thought a minute, “then he need not worry about saying goodbye to a dying woman he believed already dead. What is your reasoning for wanting this, Marchioness?”

I forgot myself and raised my eyes to meet the Kaiser’s. “Majesty, we are at an impasse over this issue. He desires to leave with all due haste.” I did not need to tell him that my betrothed has decided it was a mistake to propose to me at all.

His look was cold and furious as he said, “You have already shown Us that you have lost the courtly respect that was instilled in you. If you are going to be impudent and raise your head to gaze at Us, then you might as well do it right and stand, and We did not ask what his desires were, Marchioness.”

I winced and dropped my gaze to his feet, “disrespect and impudence were not my goal. It was to show only an open answer to Your Majesty’s question.”

He frowned, “you have failed in both.”

“Majesty, please… let him go, I beg of You.” My words were barely a whisper.

“Why, Marchioness?” He was tiring of my request, but I could not leave without success.

I flinched visibly. His question was brutal. “He desires to be away from me.”

“because?”

I took a deep breath, “because we differed in this matter surrounding his mother and how to handle the missive.”

“Explain.” He continued with one word interrogatives.

“We spoke about the letter after it arrived, already opened. At first, he wanted to go immediately, but soon changed his mind, declaring it did not matter, that he did not wish a relationship with a dying woman. I believed we should investigate and know the veracity of the claim. I acted upon my belief.”

“So you seek to force him into a relationship with a woman who he already thought dead, and yet once found out that she was alive, though dying, he still chose to have nothing to do with her.”

“No Majesty. I sought only to know if this was a false claim or a valid one. Someday he might wish to know the truth. If it was a false claim, it has caused him pain he should never have had to endure.”

“And what have you caused by doing this?” He left the question hanging. What had I done? Destroyed something very special, that is what I have wrought.

I rose slowly, he’d given me leave to do so earlier, but now I rose stiffly, keeping my gaze at his feet. “I have caused him to be angered by my actions.”

His next words sounded like a death knell to me, “No, Marchioness, We will not lift the House Arrest.”

I started to lift my head in fury, but caught myself just in time. “Majesty, he does not wish to remain with me. Please, let him go, at least away from Triberg House.”

“The reason for you coming before me was to seek a Writ of Dissolution from Us.”

I was startled, “We have not sealed vows milord.” There was no requirement for such a Writ, we were not yet wed.

“That too Marchioness, is denied.” He stated.

I spoke softly, not wishing to seem overly argumentative, “We have but your license, vows have not been said before Arch Bishop Wilhelm.”

His tone was icy, “We do not approve of your choice of betrothals. However, we did give Our acceptance of your choice, because of who you are. We will not change that. You will marry him.”

I was horror struck, this could simply not happen, “Majesty, I cannot force him to the cathedral on the morrow!”

He lifted his hand, and gave a slight flip, motioning for the entry of someone, “You will not have to, Marchioness.” A troop of guards escorted Klinton into the audience chamber. He did not fight them, and he dropped a formal bow to the Kaiser, but his body language fairly screamed a complete loss of will.

“Marchioness, you have already given up what is yours to surrender.” With a second flip of his hand, the Arch Bishop entered. “You will now give up your life to the man you have chosen to wed. Tonight will see the sealing of vows. Come tomorrow, the ceremony for the public will commence, but this night will see irrevocable closure to this affair.”

My gaze snapped up to the Kaiser. He could NOT do this to us! He was going to force this marriage despite the fact that it was no longer desired.

Klinton remained locked in his bow.

I whispered to him, “I’m sorry Klinton, I’m sorry!” But my gaze followed the slow progress of the Arch Bishop toward our place before the Kaiser.

In short minutes, the Arch Bishop had read through an abbreviated version of sealing our vows, I heard Klinton mutter that he did, and in Rigel, I didn’t have to agree to anything. This is a patriarchy, and my participation is simply assumed.

I gave the Arch Bishop a disbelieving stare as he intoned, “Mawwage. Mawwage is what bwings us togethew today. Mawwage, that bwessed awwangement, that dweam within a dweam. And wove, twue wove, -- Have you the wing? And do you Pwincess Buwwercwup - man and wife”.

The Kaiser rose, leaving Klinton and I standing alone with the guards. He turned, took my arm with his right one, putting me in a blind spot where he did not have to see me, and escorted me back to Triberg House.