Author's note: Yeah chapter three! I'm sorry it took forever to get out, and I appreciate your patience a bunch. Anyway this chapter is a lot darker and unfortunately Dyson doesn't physically make an appearance. However I hope you still enjoy it nonetheless. Please review at tell me, how you like it, because I am a little worried about. Thanks.

~Cassandra

Disclaimer: I don't own Lost Girl, but I do await for my sexy wolf boy to come back in season 4

It is thought, that Ardith convinced her mother to sign Trick's doctrines to impress a certain wolf-shifter. Even the blood king, himself, believed that Ardith stuck her neck out only due to her infatuation of the wolf. Those rumors though were all far from truth. Sure Ardith was infatuated with Dyson-she was more than that. She was in love with him. He was her mate for Pete's sake. Getting her mother to sign those doctrines though, was not to impress Dyson…rather than to save him.

As Trick stated, phoenixes were dangerous creatures, when their aggression wasn't sealed. They literally obliterate armies with their power to transfer diseases. As well as burnt down castles and town by simply walking down its streets. Their power made them a wonderful ally and a fearsome enemy. So much so that they were coveted by both sides of the fae war. However instead of choosing their side in the fae war by viewpoint and loyalty, phoenixes chose their side out of greed. And the worse part about that greed, it wasn't even their own.

Like many other fae of the time, phoenixes were ruled over by a queen-Ardith's mother to be exact. Unlike other fae of that time though, Ethel controlled the power of all phoenixes, past, present and future. Thus ensuring absolute loyalty to her forvere. Unfortunately although being queen, Ethel was still vulnerable to certain phoenix aspects. One of them being the unbreakable bond of loyalty and love to her mate. Even if that said mate didn't feel the same way.

Edmond Graham, Ardith's father, was and has always been a greedy bastard. There was nothing the gorgon loved more than money. And although her father loved her mother as much as a man like him could…he loved what she could do for him more. With Ethel as his mate, Edmond was free to reign the phoenixes as if he were their leader. Meaning the power of the phoenixes belonged to whoever bid the highest-and Graham had no problem switching horses in the middle of a race.

Which is why Ardith acted as fast as she did, when the opposing side made her father an offer. If Ardith hadn't move as fast as she did, then not even she could stop herself from attacking her once friends. Millions would have perished. The war would never be settled by peace. More importantly though…Dyson wouldn't survive. So for the sake of peace and the man, she loved, Ardith sacrificed the most important part of her and her people.

"So, I don't mean to be rude or anything-but what's with you and Dyson?" Bo questioned as they entered her shack of a house.

"Yeah, I seriously never seen him wolf out like that." Kenzi backed.

A sigh escaped Ardith as she gazed around the house. Dusty, old, damage, wall-less, unfortunately she couldn't say this was the worse place she stayed. No, that prize went to the dungeon her 'master' placed her in. Nothing could beat that place. "Nice place." Ardith mentioned. "Definitely better than my last."

"Well, I'm glad you like it, but I would seriously like to know why Dyson and you are so hostile to each other." Bo requested, folding her arms across her chest.

Another sigh escaped her as Ardith gazed around the house. It didn't surprise her that Bo was asking about Dyson. Not after the way he flipped out about her being there. Despite his constant coldness towards her, Ardith knew Dyson was generally a kind man. He had tons of friends and allies, because of what a wonderful man, he was. And Ardith…Ardith just never could connect with him, after sealing away her aggression.

When she still was possession of it, Dyson and her had gotten along great. They fought side by side together. Took down enemies of the blood king together. Rallied troops, drank ale, talked, joked-they were close back then. So close that Ardith mistook what was mere friendship to be love. After all, the moment Ardith looked into Dyson's eyes, she fell in love. Just like any good phoenix did with their mate. However if there was one thing Ardith knew from her parents' marriage, it was your mate didn't always feel the same. Something Ardith prayed wasn't so with her. "It's exactly what he said it was." Ardith replied. "I was a young girl who in love with one of the greatest warriors of all times. Unfortunately he never saw me as anything more than that."

Any and all chances of friendship with the wolf were destroyed, thanks to her desperation. While Ardith may be stuck in a loveless relationship, Dyson and her could have at least stayed friends. It would have been better than what their relationship was now. Dyson hated her so much now, it made her parents relationship seemed like a fairytale. His hatred of her was literally too much for Ardith to bear. Every harsh word, every distasteful look pained Ardith inside. More than any battle wound ever could. "Well, if you ask me, it sounds like there's more to the story than that." Bo pressed.

Ardith merely shrugged turning to look at the succubus. She couldn't help, but feel a little jealous of the woman. Bo was so lucky. Not only was Dyson madly in love with her, but Bo was everything Ardith wished to be. The succubus was gorgeous, smart, kind, strong and so much more. She had family and friends who cared for her. And probably never went through anything alone. Whereas Ardith was the exact opposite.

Since convincing her mother to sign the doctrines, Ardith lost everything. Her kind had turned their backs on her, despite Ardith technically being their new queen. Graham kept a leash on her so tight, that Ardith could barely stand in front of a window, let alone go outside. Then again….Ardith rather be locked in her room, than sold to some stranger. All in all Ardith had no one to turn to. Asking Trick for help had been a leap of faith as it was, and Ardith still wasn't sure how much she could trust him. However there was no way to escape her 'owner' without help. At least no way, which included her staying alive. "Could be. But that's the story you're going to get if you ask anyone else. Except Dyson's story will sound more like a tale of horror than it actually was." Ardith commented.

"So what? You're just going to read the back cover and not give us any of the good stuff?" Kenzi questioned. "I thinks that's hardly fair-especially with Bobo being your new wife and what not."

The mention of being married to Bo caused Ardith to shiver in disgust. Bo eyed her, looking rather intrigued by her reaction. "You really aren't attracted to me, are you?" Bo asked.

"Mais pas du tout as the French say. I am strictly into men only." Ardith replied. "As Dyson said, phoenixes aren't fluid in their sexuality. We either play for one team or the other, not both."

"Then it shouldn't be too hard finding you." Bo deduced.

Ardith shook her. "It ain't that easy, I'm afraid. Phoenixes don't get to pick and choose their mates like other fae. They're already chosen for them by whatever deity or higher controlling power there is."

"And you can't just find them through a want ad, huh?" Kenzi sympathized.

"It would make life too easy." Ardith retorted.

"Alright then…" Bo said, an exasperated look on her face. "How do phoenixes find their mates?"

"It's rather simple actually. All I need to do is be at the right place at the right time and look my mate exactly in the eye. Then voila! I found my mate." Ardith said, trying to control her snark. Bo didn't deserve Ardith's crankiness. Not when the succubus volunteered to watch her back. Besides only phoenixes could understand what Ardith was going through. To find her mate only to be despised by them. It was a scary story chicks told each other.

"That's all? Nothing else?" Bo frowned.

Ardith sighed running a hand through her long black hair. She didn't know how to explain it , without blurting out the fact that Dyson was her mate. There was no pride in being mated to someone who hated your guts. Plus, Ardith had no doubt it would only arise more questions. And the last thing Ardith felt like doing was discuss Dyson more. Her heart could only take so much pain a day. "Trust me, if there was anything else I wouldn't be here. But I'm kind of desperate, if you can't tell?" Ardith confided. "If this doesn't work out, I only have one option left and… it isn't one I would like to choose."

It went silent at her confession. Suicide amongst the fae was nowhere near as common as it was for humans. Nonetheless, Ardith had thought it over long and hard back in her cell. If Trick couldn't help her, then she'd resort to other methods. Because as much as Ardith wanted to live-anything was better than returning to her 'owner'…..even death.

Thanks to RogueMetamorph, belladu57, Kit-cat99, skycord1990, Chulips, katnassy, VyperStryke, Tigerlily xoxo and Supernatural Believer for reviewing last chapter. Your reviews keep me going!

RogueMetamorph: I hope Dyson realizes he cares soon too. Especially for Ardith's sake.

Kit-cat99: Thank you, writing Kenzi is extremely hard, so I am glad you think I did well. And I totally agree Kenzi and Ardith would make great friends.

Chulips: I agree and I think Ardith will eventually start showing her more mature side to Dyson. She's already started by apologizing to him, so hopefully she'll be smart enough to continue.

Katnassy: Let me just say it is such an honor to have you review my story, I am a big fan of all yours. Especially Little Red, I just loved that one. Anyway I hope you like this little insight on her past. It wasn't much, but it's a start.

VyperStryke: Thank you, like I said before, I worrying about doing Kenzi justice. Since she's my favorite character.