Chapter 1
"I hate Lucivar; there are no feelings for that man but hate." Being jerked back from his memories of his morning rendezvous with Jaenelle, a very startled Daemon looked at his daughter of 21. The startled expression quickly changed to a smile when he noticed who was approaching from behind. "I truly do hate him. No normal person would want to wake up at this awful hour just to swing around sticks for hours on end. Are you sure that he's still sane?"
"His sanity I'm not so sure about my dearest daughter but I'm sure that he would love to answer that for you." Pivoting with a curse she finds a very amused uncle grinning behind her. "The last time anyone mentioned my sanity, little one, was during you're mother's first wedding and we all know how sane I was when I met her husband." Looking from a very agitated father and a grimacing uncle Harmony became confused. "I thought you were the only person to marry mother? Father, are going to answer me or will I have to upset mother just to get the answer?"
"Seeing the look on your father's face tells me that you're going to have to ask Jaenelle."
"But I don't understand if he's married to her now then why should he be angry if she had a previous lover, lots of people have them."
"You're not going to give up until you get an answer are you little one? "
"Unless I rule hell you're not going anywhere until I get that answer."
"Let's keep it simple, you're Mother was forced into marriage before she married Daemon. Her husband met, shall we say a tragic death after he met her brother."
"But then why is he mad if that man is dead and he's the only one in her life?"
"He's mad, little one, because he wasn't there to protect her, he's mad at himself for being too weak. Even though that was a long time ago child memories are always a reminder of you're weaknesses."
"Grandpa, I'm so glad you're here Lucivar was speaking in male and being stubborn cause he wouldn't answer a question that I asked although he mentioned the subject and well..."
"Child what am I chopped liver or did you forget that I have the parts needed to be considered a male."
"You are nothing like Lucivar, he explains things in gibberish, and you on the other hand know how to talk to a female leaving all the gibberish out of the conversation."
Trying to hold back a laugh Saetan pointed to his Grandson "Daemonar needs someone to beat on with those pointy sticks you love so much."
"Like he could hit me with one. We'll just see who comes out with bruises this time."
Releasing the chuckle that he was holding in Saetan looked at his namesake to find him withdrawing from the world around him. "Daemon you need to think of the future not the past, you're daughter is acquiring the beauty that is only meant for angels and that leads to men."
His head snapping up Daemon looks at his father with an evil grin, "She's never going to meet a male outside this court."
"And how are you going to stop her Prince, and may I stress Prince. Even though she hasn't made the offering yet she is still a Queen in the hall, and once she makes the offering the only person that will be able to stop her is Jaenelle or did you suddenly forget that her birthright jewels match yours blow for blow."
"She is my daughter before she is Queen and that gives me the right to protect her. I just don't want her to get hurt, can't you understand that I don't want her to be loved for her power, I don't want someone to try to control her."
"You want her to live her life in a bubble world that you create. Mother Night Daemon can't you see how much she is like her mother. You couldn't quell Jaenelle's need for adventure and you can't quell hers."
"Shut up Prick, I want her safe. She will stay in the hall until she makes the offering and even after that she is not to leave without permission and a guard."
"Neither of you have the right to decide if she stays or goes. Don't give me that look Daemon you know as well as I do that she will leave this hall with or without you're permission. The only way to protect her is to guide her and she has been taught all that she needs to know. Leave it at that and go eat your breakfast."
Daemonar looked across the practice circle at his enraged cousin. Her golden eyes were engulfed in fire with the sapphire shards turning to ice. He realized he wasn't facing his cousin, he was facing Witch's daughter. That worried him. The only other time that Harmony had turned like this was when she was sent to school for the first time. The children had made fun of her because Jaenelle had gone with her. The children were lucky that Jaenelle had heard their screams.
That was the first time Harmony had shown her true power and the last time anyone had ever laughed at her. Those eyes were the children's only warning sign and they were his.
Pacing skillfully around the circle he broached the subject carefully. "Harmony, do you want to get breakfast now?" He knew that was the magical question, if anyone could eat a person out of house and home she would be the best candidate. Never blinking Harmony's eyes melted back to the soft golden sapphire blend that he knew, and wasn't afraid of.
"I think that is the smartest thing that has come out of the mouth of a male this morning." With pep in her step Harmony pranced for the buffet table that had just been hauled out.
She couldn't believe the men that were standing around the table. How could they dare to try to control her actions. They had no right. Mentally calming herself Harmony gave her father a stoic look and went to find some of the kindred to eat with. *Moon Shadow? *
*Why do you call with such despair in your voice little one? I left you happy. Who has harmed you? *
*Nobody has hurt me Moon Shadow, I just need someone to be with. *
*Two miles south from where you are I will be waiting. *
*Thank you. *
She just walked away without saying a word to him. That had him worried. Daemon was just about to follow Harmony into the woods when the psychic scent that he loved filled his head.
"Where is she off to? She knows her hourglass lessons are in a few hours."
"I think she's upset Jaenelle. She might have overheard what we were talking about."
"What would you be talking about that would upset her so much Daemon?"
"He's trying to control her."
"Shut up Prick, I am not trying to control her I just want to protect her."
"It sounds like these two have had this conversation before. Do you think it upset her enough to run away Papa?"
"Just like you witch child she needs time to herself. Give that to her and everything should be fine."
"Daemon, let her go she wants to be alone and that means without your protection." *She's a growing girl she needs to learn for herself. *
"Jaenelle, when did being a father become so stressful?"
"When we had a girl Daemon."
"Well then now that that is taken care of, you cat are late for practice. Seeing you're already awake a cold shower will so no good so you will have to work double the time so you won't fall behind."
Shoving a stick in to Jaenelle's hand while pushing her toward the practice ring Lucivar noticed something was missing. Not being able to concentrate enough because of Jaenelle's sputtering, he started the basic warm ups in hope of clearing his mind and discovering what was missing.
"I hate Lucivar; there are no feelings for that man but hate." Being jerked back from his memories of his morning rendezvous with Jaenelle, a very startled Daemon looked at his daughter of 21. The startled expression quickly changed to a smile when he noticed who was approaching from behind. "I truly do hate him. No normal person would want to wake up at this awful hour just to swing around sticks for hours on end. Are you sure that he's still sane?"
"His sanity I'm not so sure about my dearest daughter but I'm sure that he would love to answer that for you." Pivoting with a curse she finds a very amused uncle grinning behind her. "The last time anyone mentioned my sanity, little one, was during you're mother's first wedding and we all know how sane I was when I met her husband." Looking from a very agitated father and a grimacing uncle Harmony became confused. "I thought you were the only person to marry mother? Father, are going to answer me or will I have to upset mother just to get the answer?"
"Seeing the look on your father's face tells me that you're going to have to ask Jaenelle."
"But I don't understand if he's married to her now then why should he be angry if she had a previous lover, lots of people have them."
"You're not going to give up until you get an answer are you little one? "
"Unless I rule hell you're not going anywhere until I get that answer."
"Let's keep it simple, you're Mother was forced into marriage before she married Daemon. Her husband met, shall we say a tragic death after he met her brother."
"But then why is he mad if that man is dead and he's the only one in her life?"
"He's mad, little one, because he wasn't there to protect her, he's mad at himself for being too weak. Even though that was a long time ago child memories are always a reminder of you're weaknesses."
"Grandpa, I'm so glad you're here Lucivar was speaking in male and being stubborn cause he wouldn't answer a question that I asked although he mentioned the subject and well..."
"Child what am I chopped liver or did you forget that I have the parts needed to be considered a male."
"You are nothing like Lucivar, he explains things in gibberish, and you on the other hand know how to talk to a female leaving all the gibberish out of the conversation."
Trying to hold back a laugh Saetan pointed to his Grandson "Daemonar needs someone to beat on with those pointy sticks you love so much."
"Like he could hit me with one. We'll just see who comes out with bruises this time."
Releasing the chuckle that he was holding in Saetan looked at his namesake to find him withdrawing from the world around him. "Daemon you need to think of the future not the past, you're daughter is acquiring the beauty that is only meant for angels and that leads to men."
His head snapping up Daemon looks at his father with an evil grin, "She's never going to meet a male outside this court."
"And how are you going to stop her Prince, and may I stress Prince. Even though she hasn't made the offering yet she is still a Queen in the hall, and once she makes the offering the only person that will be able to stop her is Jaenelle or did you suddenly forget that her birthright jewels match yours blow for blow."
"She is my daughter before she is Queen and that gives me the right to protect her. I just don't want her to get hurt, can't you understand that I don't want her to be loved for her power, I don't want someone to try to control her."
"You want her to live her life in a bubble world that you create. Mother Night Daemon can't you see how much she is like her mother. You couldn't quell Jaenelle's need for adventure and you can't quell hers."
"Shut up Prick, I want her safe. She will stay in the hall until she makes the offering and even after that she is not to leave without permission and a guard."
"Neither of you have the right to decide if she stays or goes. Don't give me that look Daemon you know as well as I do that she will leave this hall with or without you're permission. The only way to protect her is to guide her and she has been taught all that she needs to know. Leave it at that and go eat your breakfast."
Daemonar looked across the practice circle at his enraged cousin. Her golden eyes were engulfed in fire with the sapphire shards turning to ice. He realized he wasn't facing his cousin, he was facing Witch's daughter. That worried him. The only other time that Harmony had turned like this was when she was sent to school for the first time. The children had made fun of her because Jaenelle had gone with her. The children were lucky that Jaenelle had heard their screams.
That was the first time Harmony had shown her true power and the last time anyone had ever laughed at her. Those eyes were the children's only warning sign and they were his.
Pacing skillfully around the circle he broached the subject carefully. "Harmony, do you want to get breakfast now?" He knew that was the magical question, if anyone could eat a person out of house and home she would be the best candidate. Never blinking Harmony's eyes melted back to the soft golden sapphire blend that he knew, and wasn't afraid of.
"I think that is the smartest thing that has come out of the mouth of a male this morning." With pep in her step Harmony pranced for the buffet table that had just been hauled out.
She couldn't believe the men that were standing around the table. How could they dare to try to control her actions. They had no right. Mentally calming herself Harmony gave her father a stoic look and went to find some of the kindred to eat with. *Moon Shadow? *
*Why do you call with such despair in your voice little one? I left you happy. Who has harmed you? *
*Nobody has hurt me Moon Shadow, I just need someone to be with. *
*Two miles south from where you are I will be waiting. *
*Thank you. *
She just walked away without saying a word to him. That had him worried. Daemon was just about to follow Harmony into the woods when the psychic scent that he loved filled his head.
"Where is she off to? She knows her hourglass lessons are in a few hours."
"I think she's upset Jaenelle. She might have overheard what we were talking about."
"What would you be talking about that would upset her so much Daemon?"
"He's trying to control her."
"Shut up Prick, I am not trying to control her I just want to protect her."
"It sounds like these two have had this conversation before. Do you think it upset her enough to run away Papa?"
"Just like you witch child she needs time to herself. Give that to her and everything should be fine."
"Daemon, let her go she wants to be alone and that means without your protection." *She's a growing girl she needs to learn for herself. *
"Jaenelle, when did being a father become so stressful?"
"When we had a girl Daemon."
"Well then now that that is taken care of, you cat are late for practice. Seeing you're already awake a cold shower will so no good so you will have to work double the time so you won't fall behind."
Shoving a stick in to Jaenelle's hand while pushing her toward the practice ring Lucivar noticed something was missing. Not being able to concentrate enough because of Jaenelle's sputtering, he started the basic warm ups in hope of clearing his mind and discovering what was missing.