The names and places do not belong to me. They belong to Anne Bishop and the world of the Black Jewels.
The story starts off a bit dark for that reason I have rated it the way that I have. Also for things that go on in later chapters.
Jaenelle is met by a visitor, one who she had never met before. And one that she just don't like. What could the woman want and who could stop her from getting everything she has planned?
R&r always welcome.
The whip hissed through the air then landed sharply on his skin. His eyes were shut so not to see the all too glee filled smile of the queen who was now tormenting him. Trying to keep the sobs from his voice, he said fifteen. Fifteen lashes so far and all landing near his organ and yet he hadn't screamed as he wanted and all being kept track of by his count. A count he was now scared to miss.
Again, the whip hissed before landing on his already torn skin. Sixteen he said now in a weak trembling voice.
His mind drifted back. How had he gone from being the warlord prince of Dhemlan to now being beaten by a queen who was worse than any that Terreille had ever known? And why shouldn't this queen be worse after all she was Witch, and may the darkness be merciful because she was his wife.
Seventeen. The tears started now. She was no longer letting the whip only cut through his front but had now moved to his back. Had moved to an area that was already beyond bruised and too sore that even the gentlest of touches had brought tears to his eyes.
Eighteen. His mind wondered back to just a few months ago. He was sitting in his and Jaenelle's sitting room holding her as she read. His mouth caressing her neck his teeth nibbling her ears all the while his hands caressed every part of her body that was within reach. Annoyed she snapped the book closed then all too playfully had said, "How am I ever going to finish reading this if you never let me read more than a page at a time."
He had pulled her back into his chest so that he could give her the longest of passionate kisses before softly saying, "You read a full chapter last night, I thought."
It wasn't his fault that he found her irresistible, it was hers, after all why would she expect him not to touch or caress when all she was wearing was a very shear dress. Her eyes flickered with desire. This was their playtime anyhow and she did want him as much as he wanted her, besides it wasn't like either of them needed to be anywhere today.
As she wrapped her arms around his neck in the most seductive of ways while her fingers toyed with his dark black hair, Beal all too softly tapped on their door. She would have ignored it but he didn't seem to be leaving and his presences was ruining the mood anyhow. Calling in a house robe she dryly said, "What is it Beal?"
Slowly the door open just enough for their butler to speak clearly, without actually seeing either of them. In a very level voice and knowing Daemon was about to explode because his time with his Lady had been interrupted he said, "There is a woman who would like to see you, Lady."
Daemon's face was mixed annoyance and something close to his court mask. Yet he had managed not to voice his opinion since the woman clearly expected to live long enough to speak to his lovely wife.
Looking into his golden eyes she all too calmly said, "We can continue in a few moments."
"Of course sweetheart, just as soon as your guess is gone." Besides it would give him time to light a few candles and slip on his tight leather pants that she enjoyed oh so much.
"I'll see who it is and then I'll be back. After all it's not that she needed to speak to the queen since one does not live here."
Any other time he would have argued with her but it didn't suit him just then so he let the conversation die. After all, the sooner she saw to whomever it was the sooner he could get what he wanted.
A short time later Jaenelle all too gracefully slipped into the receiving room and was met by a very elderly woman. Her back was hunched over and she leaned heavily on a black wood cane, a carrion crow was made into the handle. But it wasn't her appearance that had captured her attention it was her scent: black widow and the tan skin and gold eyes told she was of one of the long lived races. Her appearance said she was probably older then the High Lord.
In a very respectable voice Jaenelle spoke to the woman, "What do I owe the pleaser of your company, sister?"
The woman's gazed fell right on Jaenelle's face then in a very feeble voice she began to speak, "I have a gift for you lady. One you may need."
A gift? She loved gifts but something inside of her screamed not to trust the woman though she couldn't understand why. She obviously was Kaeleer born and did wear a fiery red jewel. Cautiously she asked, "What kind of gift?"
"The realm would like to see your heir born Lady. This tonic will help."
To that she snorted, "Many thanks but really I don't…" her voice trailed off as the cut glass jar caught her attention.
"The jar is very pretty is it not?"
It was like holding a shimmering object up in front of a playful kitten. She wanted the jar though she really couldn't understand why she was compelled to take it. "I've never seen anything quite so …"
The elderly woman held it to the light and let it glitter as she did. "If you take the tonic Lady you may keep the jar as well."
"You said it will help me conceive?"
"Your heir, Lady one who will rule long after you no longer do. One that will share your lover's bloodline."
Compulsively she held out her hand, "Alright." The tonic had no flavor but made her crave things that she shouldn't have.
Witch felt the change. Not poison but something very old. In her deepest midnight voice she said, "What did you do?"
"The only way for your child to be born is by the blood being spilled by your Consort. Really, Lady you should know that. After all males are expendable."
"You won't-"
"Get away with this? I already have. By time the tonic wears off your child will be born and there will be on less black jeweled prince." Slowly she stepped over to Jaenelle who was clearly trying to fight the tonic. Clearly trying to fight something that without the Ebon Jewel that she should be wearing she would never be able to. "Now go to your husband Lady. I believe his blood is calling to you."
She stood there frozen as the old crone slowly made her way out of the Hall. Stood their understanding why Beal hadn't left after he had realized what she and Daemon were doing.
Completion spell. It had to be.
She would fight this. She had to then when she was stable, she would find that piece of rotted flesh and feed her to the hell hounds and if anything remained of her she would let the High Lord handle it. Not because she had tricked her into drinking this … well she didn't know what to call it and poison didn't seem to fit… but because she had wanted to kill Daemon.
Daemon. The word filled her head. He could help her fight this. He did wear the darker jewel and his power was just a bit darker than his father's. Yes… he could help her… she hoped.
Too slowly, she made her way to their suite. Cursed the servants for not being there, she could have sent one of them to the Keep and another to her brother. Curse them all for playing least in sight.
Reaching the bedroom door, she swung it open and was met by his gaze. Witch smiled under the flesh. He knew something was wrong. That look of intent in his eyes told her that he did. But her smile soon faded as the flesh began to crave, as that lusty scent filled the air. She wanted to scream out from the abyss when she felt Daemon's hands caress the body.
After nearly three years together, she would think he would know if he was in bed with something other than Witch. She could see now that he didn't.
Witch had always brought out the Sadist, but this? His heartbeat faster, Jaenelle had never been this forcing about things that happen in bed. She had never used her claws to do more than show him that she could protect herself if she needed, and the fact that she was now…
It took a long moment for his mind to catch up with him. Even longer for him to find what was wrong. He was in bed with Witch but not the part of her he normally was. No this was the side of her that was… was… he didn't dare think it. Jaenelle wasn't cruel or manipulative. No, this wasn't his wife. It couldn't be.
Being passive had kept him alive but hadn't kept him from being ridden too hard. His nerves were frayed and his body ached. Something wasn't right here, but he couldn't find a reason for it. There was no web wrapped around his wife, no reason for her to be acting like this. Slowly he got out of bed and stumbled to the balcony. It was night now and he knew who he could ask for help, he just hoped Jaenelle's actions today hadn't been because of something he had done.
* Father?* he tried to call out and failed. Why couldn't he find the communication thread?
He looked over at Jaenelle who was still fast asleep. Then all too quietly went into his room. His hand shook slightly but he took his gold ring out of his dresser and placed it around his organ. All too quickly placed a sight shield around it. He wasn't sure what good it would do but knew someone would have to wear a jewel darker then black to see it.
After a moment he found the strength to call out using it. All of Jaenelle first circle still wore their rings. He knew this for a fact. So why couldn't he feel any of them? Not his friends, his brother or any of the coven. Hell he couldn't even feel Jaenelle who was in the next room. His only thought something was wrong with him.
Jaenelle woke with a hunger for something that wasn't right. She wanted flesh, more than that, she wanted blood. Fresh, warm blood that was still flowing from the body. There was something else she wanted, she wanted to hear the prince who had left his seed inside her beg for forgiveness.
She found him in his sitting room pacing. A black shield was around the room but she could remove the door to see inside. All too softly she crooned, "Are you trying to hide from me prince?"
He knew that look. Had seen it a thousand times in the last 1700 years. Had seen it before being dragged out and beaten. Had seen it before a burst of pain was sent through the ring he had been forced to wear. If this wasn't his wife and his queen he would have killed her just because of that look. Forcing himself to be calm, he finally spoke, "Something wrong Lady."
"NO, prince there is nothing wrong. Well unless you consider leaving your seed inside me wrong."
The way she said it sent a chill up his spine. No something was terribly wrong and he was not dropping his shield until he knew what. "I can't seem to reach your brother. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"
"Of course I would. Only my first circle would be able to reach another member of my first circle. Now lower the shield prince." Her voice held a matter of fact tone mixed with a playful pout.
He wanted to curse, and her calling him prince was making is blood turn to ice. Yet he managed to stay calm as he said, "And when did I lose the privilege of being first circle, Lady?"
"When you left your seed. Now lower the shield."
Something flashed in her eyes and for once, it wasn't dark chasms or the sign that it was Witch. No whatever it was seemed much worse. Gritting his teeth, he snapped, "When the sun shines in hell."
"That can be arranged."
Mother night. He knew he could keep the shield up for a week or better if nothing drained it. Longer if he had to. But the venom that was in her voice was really starting to bother him. Not to mention that he had no way to contact his brother or his father to help him deal with her at the moment. "I thought you wanted a child Lady."
"Oh but I do. It's a shame really that you won't ever see it born."
Now he knew what was wrong… she had clearly lost her mind. "I won't?"
"Have you never wondered why of all the Witch's of the past none of them had children." He only gazed at her unwilling to let her scare him. "The consorts wanted to live more than they wanted to give their queen a child."
The floor seemed to disappear from beneath him. She had to be lying. Had to be, there was no other explanation. No there was one… as farfetched as it seemed. This wasn't his wife and this was some sort of hellish nightmare.