3
Ianto was seething now as he stalked the halls, his mind whirring.
So Gray ran straight to Jack to complain that Ianto had denied a quick wedding and had told him he had said no all together?
And Jack had automatically believed him?
Ianto slammed into the private chambers where Gray was sitting at his mother's knee, leaning forward as he implored her to help him, "I only want to be happy, I think….oh. Ianto."
Ianto bristled as he looked at him and swallowed the indescribable rage that made a boiling noise in his ears, "You have her hand."
Gray's face lit up as he rose, "Really? Now? We don't have to wait?"
"Don't forget to thank your brother … the king" Ianto spat, "Apparently he needs to remind me that he is one. Violet, come here"
The wall tapestry twitched and she appeared looking shamefaced.
"Move your things immediately from my inner room" he demanded and her face fell further as she realised she was being let go, "The room next to his will be your new chambers. If you are to be his, you must become his. If Jack dies before we produce an heir then your new husband shall take his place on the throne and you must wear a crown. No place for you in my room now. Ready or not, you must take up your mantle as his wife. You would be queen."
"Master?"
"Do not call me that again" Ianto's voice was soft; his hurt now apparent as he turned to leave, "I am not your master now. I release you from my service. Congratulations."
Ianto swept from the room as she stood gaping at the place where he had stood and he now wraithed along the walls unnoticed as he headed for an internal space and once inside the walls he put on speed and headed to the south tower where he exploded onto the courtyard on top of the tower, his breath ragged as he wept.
Jack didn't want a child with him.
Jack didn't want to be his equal.
Jack didn't want a child.
His people.
His.
Did he mean humans?
Ianto scrubbed at his face as he heard the flutter of wings and he turned to regard the snowy Owl.
"You asked me once" he said to the bird, "I answer you now. Yes, if she is still unable to find a guardian I shall take her as mine. I have need of another apprentice all of a sudden."
The Owl popped its head, bobbing as it answered with a hoot, then left to search for the one they had spoken of and Ianto flopped to the ground and leaned against the bricks as he let the sun soothe and calm, the flapping of wings making him open his eyes as the black Raven eyeballed him.
"Don't be rude" he said as he rose, "You are here to serve me, not judge me."
The bird flapped as it transformed into a young woman her skin as black as the rest of her and she blinked as she shook her head, the dreadlocks flicking about her face. Then she bowed politely as her feathers flowed into black robes similar to Ianto's.
"Don't know how they will take to trousers on you but tough luck" Ianto snorted, "They suit you. Right, come with me Raven."
She strode after him with the same majesty borne of one who had high standing and she was soon in the inner chamber where Violet was still packing things, her look of horror as the woman entered almost comical.
"Raven. You?"
"Not you" Raven said in a strange, croaky voice as the Birdkind has "Me be his now."
"You are mine, not be mine" Ianto corrected, "You say 'I am' not 'Me be' Raven."
"Soz"
"Sorry" Ianto sighed as he rubbed at his face.
"Chickie make you snappy" she said with a knowing nod so Ianto let his hand drop as he stared at her and Violet frowned as she looked at the strange woman.
"You are not a chick anymore Raven, if you are to serve our Master you must act more mature!" she scolded, "You always were strange."
"Leave her alone" Ianto said, "Oh sorry, I mean …I beg your pardon … your grace, could you please endure my poor child? As you are now both royalty."
Violet frowned, "Don't talk to me like that Master, you are still my master, right?"
"No" Ianto said flatly, "You have been transferred. You are Gray's Assassin now. Go…be an assassin. Get your own apprentice of you wish, just remember you never finished your training. Now you must be a lady."
She could not work out her Mas…
…Her Brother-in-law to be…
She felt ill at the thought of him being an equal when he was so much more, more than she could ever aspire to be and she looked at her replacement who was now staring at her without blinking.
Creepy.
If he was willing to take that one as a confidant and protector of his back, he was worried about something.
Violet started to wish she had agreed to Ianto's time limit.
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Sandylee007….Nope! Honey you are going to break your keyboard with the anger you are going to feel at what evilness I have done, glad you don't know where I live or you might come at me with a BIG stick. The Angst in this segment is gong to be epic….oh the drama.
Jonesey sniggers and slopes off stage left rubbing her hands with that maniacal look she gets when she has worked out how to destroy wee lives heh heh heh
