Disclaimer: As much as I'd love to lay claim to the lovely characters in the

Story, I don't own any of 'em. Just so we're clear

A/N: This story is written for and dedicated to my beautiful and wonderful beta Svadilfari. Mel, thanks for being such a darling to me. Love you loads.

Chapter 1

"Khardeen, you are the most annoying, pig-headed, stubborn male I have ever known!" Morghann yelled in frustration.

"Uh-oh, she used your whole first name," Aaron whispered. "You are in trouble."

"That might be true, beautiful Morghann," Khary said, bowing floridly. "But you love me anyway," he tried an unsure-but-game smile, 'borrowed' shamelessly from Jaenelle, only to have Morghann's scowl deepen before she flounced off, followed by Karla.

"And this is why I don't like males," Karla announced, loud enough for the men to hear. "They never do what they're supposed to."

"What are we?" Aaron sputtered. "Puppies?"

Both women stopped, turned, stared. "Of course not," Karla said, amazed.

"Thank you," Aaron began, but Karla continued on as if he hadn't spoken. "The puppies at least can be forgiven for the many many mistakes they make, such as not being able to hold their bladder, or chasing the chickens. You men, on the other hand…,"

"Come on Karla," Morghann said coldly. "There's no point talking to these…males." She glowered at Khardeen and left.

"What did you do?" Aaron asked Khardeen when the women were out of sight.

"Nothing!" Khary protested.

"Really?" Aaron's eyebrows rose. Khardeen looked away, mumbling something.

"What was that? I didn't quite catch that."

"I said I didn't think that ladies should curse so much."

"Ah."

"Maybe I should keep my thoughts to myself in the future?" Khary ventured quietly.

"Maybe you should, my friend." Aaron slung a companionable arm around Khary's slumped shoulders. "And maybe you need to talk to an expert on women."

Khary snorted. "Who, you?"

Aaron rolled his eyes. "I've got myself a beautiful woman, remember?" He tightened his hold on Khary's shoulder. "But, I was referring to someone with years of experience handling Jaenelle, and therefore somebody who knows the way the rest of the coven thinks."

"Lucivar?"

Aaron sighed, frustrated. "No, you fool. Uncle Saetan."

Khary bristled. Who was Aaron calling a fool? Then the words registered. "Oh. That's a good idea," he conceded grudgingly.

"Of course it is," Aaron said, giving Khardeen a push toward the study. "Good luck."

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

Saetan SaDiablo, Prince of Darkness, High Lord of Hell, the High Priest of the Hourglass, sighed inwardly and wondered when his reputation as a fearsome Warlord Prince had been ruined. Now, he had people coming in and out of his study at all hours. And if he locked it, the coven just walked in through the wood. No guesses who they'd learned that from. It was infuriating. It was frustrating. He had no peace.

He loved it.

But that didn't mean he couldn't give Khary a hard time.

Now he sat at his desk, watching Khardeen's slumped shoulders and dejected expression.

"I'm afraid I don't understand what the problem is, Warlord," he said, fingers steepled under his chin. "At least, I don't understand why you had to come into my study, which was closed for a reason, for something that doesn't seem like a big problem to me."

Khary's head snapped up, his expression shocked. "But you told us we could come to you for anything!"

"Yes, I did. But I didn't expect it to be for something as small as this."

"Uncle Saetan, please," he pleaded. "It's – she's driving me crazy. I can't eat. I can't sleep. I need your help."

After one look at his woebegone expression, Saetan gave up the game. He sighed, and leaned forward. "What you need to do, puppy, is woo her."

"Woo her?" Khary asked, blankly. "How?"

"Walk with her, talk to her, give her flowers, little gifts that don't have to cost much but have sentimental value, or something you know she's been wanting. You'll get points for paying attention."

Khary's brow furrowed. "I understand the gifts part, but I already talk to her and walk with her."

"Yes, but you do it as a friend. Now do it as a man." He leaned back, and picked up his pen, looking pointedly at the door. Getting the message, Khary rose. "Thank you, Uncle Saetan."

When he was at the door, Saetan called him. "Lord Khardeen?"

"Yes?"

"Be who you are. Don't try to be someone else." He paused. "On the other hand, maybe you should keep your jokes to a minimum."

"But they're funny," he protested.

"To you maybe."

"Fine," he muttered, stepping out of the room.

"Oh, and Khary?"

"Yes, Uncle Saetan?"

"Good luck."