A/N

Disclaimer the name and places do not belong to me for they belong to the work of the Black Jewels by Ann Bishop.

R&R is always helpful other than that I hope you enjoy.


Arachna

Daemon sat back on his heels and rubbed his face. He had been coming here every month for the past 11 years to work on this web. In that time several queens and black widows that could be trusted had came here as well to add to the web. This was a gift for Jaenelle if she ever should need it. A web that would destroy the taint and keep all others safe. She wouldn't lose her black jewels when she triggered this web. The demon dead family members wouldn't fade into the dark. And he wouldn't lose three months of not seeing her.

He blew out a sigh. This web wasn't needed yet but it was complete and that was something to be thankful for. However the strain of placing these last few strands to the web had taken their tool. He could feel the strain on his chalice as he worked adding threads that were at his furthest reach of black jewel strength. He could feel his jewels draining too near the point of breaking… but he would heal. It would be years before this web would be used and he had more than enough time to ready his body for the back lash that would be felt by so many.

Jaenelle of course would feel some of it but most of the backlash would be spared out over those who had created the web… and the ones who had already passed on were now the threads that would save the innocent.

A faint smile formed on his lips. Only one more command was to be given to this web and that one couldn't be added till it was time.


Kealeer, Dhemlan

Daemon yawned as he entered the Hall and stopped as soon as he saw her. Her blond hair draped down her back stopping at her waist. Her overhauls stained with grass and dirt… but it was her eyes … her sapphire eyes… that had forced him to stop rather than embracing her in a hug. Puzzled he asked, "Something wrong sweetheart."

"Wrong? You're the one that looks like a walking corpse and your asking me if something is wrong!" The words were lightly spoken but concern and anger were still there.

Shit. He had always been so careful not to damage his body so that she would worry when he left on these monthly trips. Had always been so careful to make sure he took care of the flesh… until now. "I didn't realize how much this trip took out of me. I'm sorry darling. I promise nothing more than eating and sleeping for…"

"Two weeks. You do nothing for Two weeks Prince."

"Lady I was only gone…"

"Two weeks. You said you would be gone a week. One damn week and I agreed since you said this would be the last time… But you were gone Two. And I want to know why." She had started out as a pissed off queen and somewhere by the end she was a pissed off Witch.

He swallowed hard. Two weeks? Mother night no wonder she was pissed. "I hadn't realized that I was gone that long."

"Now you do." The anger hadn't left her eyes yet but there was no midnight in the voice. "Lucivar will be down in a moment to make sure you get your ass into a bed before you fall over. And after I speak to Karla about making sure you didn't damage anything I'll be in."

"You're not going to see for yourself?" Interesting. Scary but interesting.

The midnight returned to her voice, "That, Prince, would be unwise."

A long whistle came from the stairway, "So am I helping with the healing or throttling him befor needing to be healed?"

*Shut up prick.*

Lucivar grinned. *we'll talk after we're up stairs.* then he closed the link and waited for Jaenelle's answer.

"Neither. Right now he gets to bed and will be seen by Karla. And if she finds anything actually wrong with him then you can kick his ass from one side of Kealeer to the other and back again… before … anything gets healed."

He had meant it as a joke and the fact that she just made that suggestion so close to an order he was not about to say anything else till he got his brainless brother tucked away in a warm bed.

He didn't need help walking but was not about to protest when he felt Lucivar lift him from the ground… or at least not until they were away from the female temper.

"Put me down Prick."

"Do you even realize that you weigh less than half of what you did two weeks ago? Furthermore aren't you even wondering why I'm here instead of being at home with my pregnant wife… who by the way is due any damn day now?"

Shit. Lucivar wouldn't have came unless his Queen commanded it. He flinched as he asked, "So why are you here?"

"I was giving you till night fall before I went to find you."

Damn, he was in trouble this time. "How pissed is father?"

"Boyo, father quit being pissed three days ago. But the High Lord has been preparing a blistering lecture that will be delivered in the bowls of Hell since it is not for delicate ears of our Queen."

"Any chance I can go back …"

"If you dare say where you were… I'll kick your ass now."

And with that he stopped talking.

Getting comfortable in the bed he watched Lucivar glare at him. "Are you going to stand there till a queen tells you to leave?"

With a snarl Lucivar said, "I'll stand here until Karla decides if you need your ass kicked or not."

It was then she rushed into the room. her normally blond hair was still spiked and sticking up on end but it was no longer anywhere near blond.

"Blue hair suits you my dear."

"I'll fix it." She said tartly then in a more stern voice she added, "You better have a good reason that you look like shit."

Well here was one of the few people that he could tell and she wouldn't get pissed at him… he hoped… "It's done."

"It's…" Karla froze and happy excitement took over "Done! ... It's done. Damn it Sadi if you would have said something I would have went with you."

Lucivar coughed to get their attention, "What's done? And does it have to do with my brother looking like a corpse?"

Gold eyes locked with Ice blue… for too long neither moved until Daemon said, "If I tell you it must not get back to Witch."

"Tell me and I promise I won't find out where you were and take the darling there with me."

Daemon crossed his arms, "Prick, if you think you'll find what you're looking for… go right ahead."

His mind raced. It had been years since Daemon used that tone of voice… and the last time he did… he shivered. 'No matter how hard I look I won't find it, will I?"

"Nope. In fact Witch could search and still never find it." Daemon paused, "I knew who I had to hide my gift from and what I needed to do in order to protect it. So if you want to go look I'll even tell you where."

And he would walk right into his own death. Of that he was sure. "In that case I think I'll find out when you tell the lady about it."

"Good choice. Daemon agreed.

Karla nodded, "Since I know I won't bother searching for wounds that aren't there… But I recommend large meals followed by light snacks for the first few days… and sleep in between eating. Then in a week or two you can start working out again." Then to Lucivar, "Come on lets go see your wife before she starts to worry."

"And why would she worry. She knows I'm here with Cat?"

"Because you wouldn't have tore out of the house leaving her with nothing more than a pup to look after her unless there was a reason."


He had just fallen to sleep when he felt the bed shift next to him. "Sweetheart?" he didn't open his eyes when he knew who it was.

"Karla told me that you using this much of your strength was necessary and that I have no right to get mad. However until I know what you did and why I'm not going to be pleased with it."

"Darling have I ever done anything to make you doubt me in the last 11 years?"

"Daemon… what does that…"

"Just answer me."

"No. you have not done anything except protect me and my friends where you could. Sometimes doing things that no one agreed with until after the fact." She paused then asked, "is that one of those times that until after this … whatever it is… is over the family and my first circle will have to grit their teeth until the dust settles?"

"In part… yes." Daemon allowed himself to relax for a few brief minutes before adding, "Do you remember the web I showed you when you were six?"

"You know I do."

"What I did is so I can let that web go. I haven't been able to and the weight of it wears me down. But now I can."

Jaenelle nodded. "in that case I'll tell papa that he can't yell at you about this. But Daemon the next time you do something that cracks your chalice… even one small crack… I won't stop him."