Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, it belongs to the idiots who killed Dahlia.
AN: Right then in this chapter, Darken Rahl comes to court with Garren and Constance and he is instantly annoying Cara and pretty much everyone else, like you didn't see that coming. She-who-will-not-be-named-yet makes herself known to Cara, and Triana is up to something (again), now then on with the chapter.
Chapter five.
Cara glared long and hard and the journey book in front of her, her brother the dumbass was coming to the people's palace for a "friendly" visit. She hadn't seen him for almost eight years now, and his presence here was going to give her another problem, like she didn't have enough already. She leaned back in her chair and seriously considered refusing him, she'd blame it on her mother not wanting him here as he was the result of one of her father's little flings with a scullery maid. In the end she just closed the book without replying hoping that her brother would take the hint, she really didn't need to see him. They had nothing to say to each other, they never had if fact when ever she'd talked to him, he'd always brought up the line of succession, claiming that he should at least be considered for the position of lord Rahl and no mater how many times she tried to explain that the people wouldn't except an illegitimate son for their ruler nor would the Mord'Sith, he'd just go on and on about how it wasn't fair and that he was still the oldest child of Panis Rahl. Even when Cara had mentioned the bond between the true Lord or Lady Rahl and their people, Darken had scoffed out something like "it doesn't matter about that all that matters is that someone like me takes the throne", after that Cara had gone out of her way to avoid her pain in the ass older brother.
She sighed tiredly, before stretching out the cramps in her neck and shoulders. Cara looked over to her bed where Dahlia was already peacefully asleep on the left side of the bed with her arm flung over to the right, she smiled softly before standing up from her imposing desk and walked over to the love of her life, she studied Dahlia's flawless face, her Mord'Sith was absolutely stunning when she was awake but there was always an air of stress surrounding the brunette, when she was asleep and relaxed she looked so breathtaking that it literally made it hard to breathe but Cara was blissfully happy knowing that this beautiful woman was hers and hers alone, and now some demented fool was trying to take her mate away from her. And I almost let them, the thought of losing the brunette made her heart hurt, she involuntarily clenched her jaw as all the barely controlled rage she been feeling since learning there was a doppelgänger in the palace bubbled to the surface. She needed to catch this scheming bastard and she needed to do it before they managed to do more damage. she leaned down and pressed a loving kiss to Dahlia's forehead, before grabbing her golden sword and quietly sneaked out the door.
xXx
Dahlia was jerked from her peaceful slumber by the chamber door closing, she sat up and a quick glance around the room told her that the blonde had left the safety of their bedroom. she briefly thought about following the blonde to make sure she wasn't harmed, however she put the idea from her mind, knowing how much her Lady Rahl liked her independence and if the blonde thought she was going to be endangered she would have woken Dahlia to accompany her. So she settled back onto the plush pillows behind her, thoughts of the past few hours immediately swamped her mind's eye, there had to be some significant detail they were missing, Cara had been a generous ruler of D'Hara for the past four years, she was a great but merciful military leader, and she was a strict disciplinarian when it came to crime, so who had Cara wronged to the point where they were trying to destroy what Dahlia and Cara had, it made no sense, but tomorrow she would head down to the palace archives and look for anything that would clue them in on who was trying to ruin Cara, and she was looking forward to killing the son of a bitch, slowly. she sighed harshly before turning her body over to Cara's side of their luxurious bed, she buried her face in Cara's pillows and inhaled the blonde's lingering scent, she smiled softly before closing her eyes again and settling down to sleep.
xXx
Cara stalked through the palace corridors over and over again, hours had had gone by and soon it would the sun would be rising. Her hand was firmly on the black and gold hilt of her sword the need for a fight was becoming unbearable. She found her self heading towards the main hall yet again, pushing the massive doors open she entered them to find the entire room swarmed in darkness, odd there was usually at least a few candles lit. As she cautiously entered the room, the solid oak doors suddenly slammed shut seemingly of their own accord, Cara unsheathed her sword and scanned the room for any sign of movement, suddenly there was a flash of light, Cara swiftly turned towards it with her sword raised in an offensive position, a single candle had been lit next to an overstuffed armchair, Cara could only just make out the outlining of a body, unfortunately there was enough light to show Cara the person's features.
"Good morning, Lady Rahl" A female voice drifted over to Cara.
"Who are you and what are you doing here" Cara growled.
"Such hostility Cara, and such meaningless questions, you already know why I'm here as for who I am, I think I'll let you figure that one out for yourself, it will add some flare to this game of ours" The voice drawled back, sounding amused.
"You think this is a game, you crazy bitch. You tried to get me to believe that Dahlia killed my father" Cara sneered, her anger becoming apparent on her voice.
"Yes I did and you believed every word I said, how did sweet, deluded Dahlia take it, wait I already know, she was back in your bed less than four hours later so why complain, your whore is still willing to spread her legs for you and I got some entertainment, everyone wins." The voice said with a chuckle. Cara snarled at the woman's insults before taking an aggressive step forward, suddenly it was though invisible hands were grabbing her, preventing her from attacking the bitch across from her. Cara struggled against her invisible captors but nothing happened, she glared at the shadowy figure.
"Now, now Cara we wouldn't want to wake everyone would we, after all they don't know about my little activities in the palace do they, and it really wouldn't benefit you if your nobles were to lose their trust in you would it." Cara stopped struggling realising the truth in that statement.
"There is a good girl, now listen carefully if you don't want your nobles and their families finding out about me having run of the palace I suggest you send them home. That way they won't find out, and we can play a little rougher without worrying about the consequences." She drawled rising from the armchair and coming into close proximity with Cara, but the blonde still couldn't see her face, due to the lack of light in the hall. She really is insane, Cara thought to herself. Before nodding softly to the woman. If her nobles found out about this nut job hiding inside the palace without being found by the guard or the Mord'Sith they might start another civil war and the peasants in the countryside would suffer the most for it just like they had the last time, it was something Cara couldn't allow, so she wouldn't risk it.
"Good! I'm so glad we understand each other, and because you've been such a wonderful pupil I will grant you something, so what do you want" She said proudly like a teacher to her favourite student. But at least Cara could use this to keep this crazy bitch away from Dahlia.
"I would ask that you stay away from Dahlia, during "our little game", after all she doesn't play as well as I do" Cara said as convincingly as she could.
"No I'm afraid that is something I cannot do, the master desires Dahlia to be his mistress, to rule at his side for all eternity" The woman said. Cara clenched her jaw as tightly as she could, Dahlia was hers, not this demented bitch's master's.
"Never mind then, how about you tell me why your master wants Dahlia" Cara forced out from between her gritted teeth, as if she cared, all that mattered was eliminating the threat to Dahlia as soon as humanly possible.
"I would if I knew myself, hurry up Cara we are running out of time" The woman said impatiently.
"What does your master want, then" Cara questioned.
"Oh dear pet, you're not stupid you already know the answer to that one. Tik tok Cara" The woman said in a light tone, yes she did know, whoever the hell this master was, he wanted D'Hara.
"Then tell me, did you murder my father?" Cara finally asked.
"Your father was murdered by his ignorance, it might have been someone very close to him that slipped the poison into his wine glass, but if he hadn't been so ignorant about those around him he would still be breathing and ruling today." The woman answered, before turning and walking out of the main hall, the second the door closed the force holding Cara immobile disappeared and she regained her stolen balance. Cara quickly rushed out of the main hall hoping that she could catch the woman, but the halls were empty and just outside, Cara could see through a large window that the sun was beginning to brighten the horizon. A sigh escaped Cara's lips as she headed towards her bedroom where her sleeping lover resided.
As quietly as she could Cara pushed the door open, entered and shut the door equally as quiet, as she didn't want to wake the sleeping beauty laying just a few metres away from her, and she slowly approached the bed, she reached to undo her sword belt, carefully placing on the floor beside the bed, ensuring that it was within easy reach. Cara began to undo the buttons keeping her red leather vest together, one by one the buttons came undone, she pulled the offending material off of her upper body, before silently dropping it to the floor, then she reached down to her black leather boots, quickly pulling them off she then undid the laces at the front of her black pants, before pulling the loose material off of her golden skin. After shedding all of her clothes she stealthily slide into bed beside Dahlia, the brunette subconsciously shifted into Cara's side, throwing one leg over Cara's and curling her lightly muscled arm across Cara's waist, the brunette sighed softly before burying her face in Cara's neck, Cara smiled happily as she wrapped her arms around Dahlia. But even as she closed her eyes she knew sleep wouldn't come, so she settled for listening to Dahlia's even breathing, she was soothed by the soft melody of her lover's breathing but she couldn't silence the nagging thought in the back of her head, how do I protect her, if I don't know what is coming after her.
xXx
Dahlia woke to find her face snuggled into Cara's neck and her arm across Cara's waist and her leg thrown over the blondes toned thigh. From this position she could feel the slight tension in her blonde's body.
"How long have you been awake" Dahlia grumbled into Cara's neck sleepily.
"I never went to sleep" Was Cara's silky reply, Dahlia lifted her head up to look down at her lover, there was a little frown marring Cara's perfect face.
"Why is that exactly" Dahlia asked arching one of her eyebrows.
"Last night, I wasn't tired so I walked around the palace, I got to the main hall and whoever is hell bent on ruining us was there" Dahlia's entire body stiffened as outrage filled her, before she pulled their silk sheet away from them, she ran her hands along Cara's body checking for injury. Cara caught her seeking hands in her own lifting them and placing them over the blondes heart.
"She didn't touch me well, not physically anyway. She wanted to play a "game" with me" Cara scoffed.
"So this is all a game to her" Dahlia growled, already looking forward to ripping the bitch apart with her bare hands.
"Thats not what worried me" Cara said holding Dahlia's hands tighter, Dahlia squeezed back as Cara opened her mouth to speak again. "She said her master wanted you for himself and that he wanted D'Hara" The blonde said softly.
"Cara I'm not going anywhere, except to the armoury. You need your amour" Dahlia declared, already swiftly rolling away from Cara's side.
"And what good is that going to do" Cara drawled admiring Dahlia's naked form, long lightly muscled legs, firm ass, strong back, long dark brown hair pulled back into a waist length braid.
"Well at least if her "game" turns physical I wont have to worry about you fighting her in leather" Dahlia explained rummaging through her cherry wood chest of drawers, pulling her leathers out.
"And what, pray tell would you be fighting her in. As much as I love to see your naked body, the thought of any one else seeing it pisses me off royally" Cara drawled sarcastically.
"Magic doesn't work on a Mord'Sith Cara, so I wont need amour" Dahlia said going over to their shared wardrobe and grabbing her leather shirt and her corset, putting them on in seconds due to her years of experience.
"Great, a logical Mord'Sith, just what I always wanted" Cara grumbled not moving from their bed.
"Oh you love it when I go all logical on you" Dahlia grinned finally pulling her leathers on, Cara actually pouted as Dahlia hide her flawless body from her view. Amazing Cara smiled, its absolutely amazing how she can make things better, no matter what is going wrong.
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that one, honey" Cara retorted sarcastically.
"I will, see you later sweetie" Dahlia said pressing a chaste kiss to Cara's sculpted lips and exiting their chamber, her hips swinging seductively.
"Sweetie?" Cara said to herself, she rolled her eyes before burrowing into her Dahlia scented pillows a loud sigh escaped her throat at the intoxicating scent, Heaven.
xxxxXxxxx
Triana was standing on the steps leading into the people's palace, awaiting the arrival of the bastard son of Panis Rahl the puffed up pigeon would be arriving any minute now, with his Mord'Sith "protectors", the imbecile didn't realise that they were spies of the Lady Rahl, she'd sent them with Darken when she'd exiled him the borderline almost eight years ago. Garren and Constance had been reporting back to Triana every few weeks ever since, and Triana would decide what needed to be brought to her Lady Rahl's attention and pass it on. Just then three black warhorses rode into the courtyard, their riders were the whelp Darken Rahl, Mistress Garren and mistress Constance. Triana schooled her expression into that of the impassiveness of the Mord'Sith before strolling down the marble steps, she reached the three just as they dismounted.
"Sisters, Darken" Triana greeted.
"Sister" Garren and Constance replied in perfect synch.
"Triana, how many times must I tell you, I prefer to be called by my proper title." Darken whined, Triana had to use every ounce of self control not to slam her Agiel into the obnoxious asses jaw.
"I wasn't aware the Lady Rahl had given you a title" Triana growled out annoyed.
"Well...she...um...she hasn't but because she doesn't have children that instantly makes me the heir to the throne" Darken stuttered puffing his chest out slightly.
"Funny, I could have sworn that Cara already had plans to entrust the empire to Dahlia if she were to suffer any unfortunate accidents and die without a true heir" Triana drawled smirking when Darken's chest deflated quickly. To ensure the whelp didn't try to stake a claim on the throne to anyone else Triana quickly added "And Dahlia has plans to give the throne to Berdine if anything happens to her and she has no heirs, so its kind of safe to say that the throne will never be yours, Darken" Triana sneered his name to make her point even clearer. Self-righteous anger filled his blue eyes but Triana gave him a dismissive look before turning to her sisters.
"I believe Mistress Denna is awaiting your arrival in her quarters" She said and the two rushed into the palace immediately.
"As for you the Lady Rahl is busy for the rest of the day so you can either deal with me or you can go and amuse yourself for the next seven hours." Triana said crossing her arms over her breasts,
"Seven hours!, but I'm her brother" Darken whined yet again.
"The Lady Rahl is a very important person, so she will be in a lot of meetings, she is also loved by all, so safe to say that some people like to ask for favours or to just pay their respects to her" Triana lied, knowing from Dahlia that Cara would be resting all day as something had happened last night, though her sister didn't go into much detail, it had to be important for the Lady Rahl to take the day off from her duties.
"So my sister is refusing to see me, in favour of peasants and simpletons" Darken all but yelled at her, Triana raised her fingers to her chin and pretended to think really hard.
"Yes" She answered bluntly before walking away from him.
xxxxXxxxx
It was about dinner time by the time Cara woke up, judging from the setting sun, well at least she would be present for evening devotional, she thought before climbing out of bed and walking over to her chest of drawers pulling out a pair of black pants with gold trim, she quickly pulled them over her long legs, before going over to the wardrobe she shared with Dahlia, there she picked a sleeveless red tunic with more gold trim, after that she reached down to the bottom of the wardrobe picked a pair of dark brown knee length leather boots. Then she went over to her dresser and pulled the silk cord that kept her hair in its braid out, before picking her comb up and running it through her waist length blonde hair once all the knots were out she quickly braided it in a similar manner to that of her Mord'Sith. Finally looking presentable she exited her chamber, striding down the corridor she encountered a few of her most trusted guards on their way to devotional, and she couldn't help but feel uneasy, after all Denna was one of her most trusted and faithful Mord'Sith, and in the end those traits had been used against them. She soon found her self outside in the courtyard heading towards the balcony, she took her place in the centre with Dahlia, Berdine and Raina flanking her as always. She looked out at the faces of her people as they all spoke the words that bound them to her, and her to them.
"Mistress Rahl guide us, Mistress Rahl teach us, Mistress Rahl protect us, in your light we thrive, in your mercy we are sheltered, in your wisdom we are humbled, we live only to serve, our lives are yours."
"In your wisdom we are humbled" she was supposed to be wise, "mistress Rahl protect us" she was supposed to protect them from danger, and for all she knew the person endangering them could be standing among them even now, and she wouldn't know it.
xXx
She watched from her place among the crowd, she could clearly see the troubled expression on Cara's face. The whole point of confronting the blonde last night had been to make Cara question herself and her abilities to keep the ones she loved safe. And judging from the way the blonde was alternating her gaze from her people to her lover, she had been successful in her task. She smirked gleefully her master would be happy, her master the Keeper of the Underworld.
xxxxXxxxx
Triana made sure that her foot falls were silent as she tracked her prey, Darken. He had been wondering around in circles for the past few hours, Triana would have abandoned her task earlier if the pigeon hadn't stopped by the chambers of the former queen of D'Hara and Cara's mother, as far as she was concerned the grand duchess hated every bone in Darken's body as he was a symbol of her shame and Panis's weakness. But Darken had been in her chambers for at least forty-five minutes talking to her. Unfortunately Triana hadn't been able to overhear what had been said. Then just ahead of her Darken stopped in a secluded corner, he seemed like he was waiting for something, Triana stopped and hid behind one of the numerous granite statues, close enough to see if he moved or if someone joined him. Suddenly the loud clicking sound of high heels assaulted Triana's ears then Cara's mother, Catherine, came into view.
"You're sure you that you weren't followed" Darken whispered when Catherine joined him.
"Of course I am, don't you trust me" Catherine asked hurt clear in her voice.
"Catherine, I trust you with my life" Darken swore.
"Then why do you always treat me like I'm something to be ashamed of" Catherine retorted.
"Catherine I love you, nothing would make me happier than to have you at my side." Darken said raising his hand to caress Catherine's flawless face, the older woman instantly jerked back before he could touch her.
"I said when everything was done Darken. Not a moment before" Catherine said with surprising intimacy in her voice.
"You promise" Darken said, sounding like a child, Catherine smiled slowly before leaning into the younger man, brushing her lips across his gently.
"I promise my love, soon we will finally be able to be together." Catherine said soothingly, before walking back the way she came. I think I'm going to be sick Triana thought to herself as Darken stared longingly at Catherine's back, he soon walked away as well, Follow the pigeon or confront the bitch, Triana decided on the latter, she swiftly moved in the direction of Catherine's chambers she didn't knock, simply walked in to find the duchess sitting at her desk, writing in a journey book.
"Well this is an intriguing surprise, Mistress Triana" The older woman drawled standing up from her desk and coming to stand in front of the Mord'Sith. Triana didn't speak, she lifted her gloved right hand and back handed the older woman, gaining satisfaction from the resulting crack of leather on skin.
"What are you playing at Catherine" Triana growled when the older woman looked her in the eyes, Catherine's lip was split, the blonde sighed in acceptance.
"Should have known he was followed" she said more to herself than to Triana.
"Darken is a fool, who believes with Cara's death, I will finally belong to him" Catherine scoffed. Triana stiffened, her mistress was in danger.
"And why would he think that?" Triana snarled as she unsheathed her beloved Agiel.
"Ever since he was a little boy Darken was obsessed with me, of course I wouldn't let him anywhere near me, why would I he was a worthless bastard. Nothing in comparison with my Cara, but still Panis insisted on keeping him around our daughter" Catherine said absently, Triana could guess where this was going.
"But the time Darken came of age, he had convinced himself that we were meant to be together, and in his mind the only thing keeping us from each other was Panis. I loved my husband Triana, but I fear that his death was all my fault" Triana was feeling thoroughly confused, Catherine's exchange with Darken in the hall contradicted everything she had just said, but the older woman didn't seemed to be lying.
"After what I just saw you expect me to believe that" Triana said in a harsh tone.
"Let me tell you what happened and then you can believe whatever you want" Catherine pleaded, Triana nodded slowly.
"One day I was out in the gardens with Cara and Dahlia, when Darken appeared he seemed agitated so I sent them back inside to be with Panis. When we were alone he kept going on and on about how much he loved me. I tried to explain to him that crushes were very common at his age, but that seemed to make him angry. He claimed that it wasn't just a crush, and that he knew it was Panis keeping us apart." Catherine took a deep breathe " Darken told me that if I wouldn't leave Panis, then he would kill him, at that point I just walked away. Three days later Panis was poisoned, and Darken came to me claiming that we could be together now. I've been playing along ever since trying to expose him to Cara." Catherine's breathe hitched on Cara's name and it was then Triana noticed the older woman was crying.
"You're not alone any more, together we can expose him" Triana said softly before exiting the chambers leaving the grieving woman to her sorrow. Triana made her way towards her quarters, when she pushed the door open and closed it, she leaned her forehead against it while trying to process the information she'd just been saddled with. So all along the whelp had been responsible for the death of their beloved lord Rahl, and they hadn't seen it. Triana sighed roughly when she felt a body press against her back, she stiffened right before her love's voice drifted into her ear.
"What has happened" She spoke soothingly.
"I just found out who killed Panis Rahl" Triana said tiredly.
"Well that is what we've been trying to do isn't it." She said bringing her arms around Triana's waist and sliding her hands up to cup Triana's breasts, Triana moaned softly when her lover began massaging them softly through the her leather.
"Yeah but now we get the task of trying to prove it to Cara" Triana groaned when one of her lover's hands left her breasts to trail down in between her legs cupping her heating pussy.
"That shouldn't be too hard after all the man's an idiot, now say my name Triana" She purred rubbing her hand harder against Triana's leather covered clit.
"Garren".
TBC . . .
AN: Well then what did you think. Now then I'll give you a hint about the resident nut job, its not Nicci. I'll bet you were surprised to find out Triana is on the good side for a change, whatever your thoughts let me know. Anyways the next chapter should be up very soon, 'Til next time.