Chapter 9

Morgan turned and extended his hand to help her down and as she stood in front of him, he smiled, "I know what you are thinking without entering your mind M'lar, you are so transparent that I can second guess you, so if you think I was a scurrilous dog and tried to enter your mind without your permission you are mistaken."

He had leaned in close and knew the moment he did this it made her terribly uncomfortable. "Now before the very sweet and oft times too talkative Lady Kait starts to worry, come along we have plans to make for the upcoming ball before we leave Waterdeep. I also plan to take you both to one more evening at the opera. I thought you both would enjoy going to the opera to see the bard and bardling Maria Ancellio and Maestro Lorenzo Petchillie. "

He took her hand tucked it in the crook of his arm and escorted her up the wide expanse of stairs to the entryway of his palatial estate. "We apologize Kaitlin we were discussing the plans for the ball this weekend and opera. I of course will expect you both to be my hostesses for this grand ball I will be having. I know I have not shown you the full extent of this house. If you will follow me, allow me to show you my grand ballroom."

Kait looked happy at the thought of being able to attend one more ball and finally going to the Metropolitan Opera House of Waterdeep. Besides the Jade Jug, the Metropolitan Opera House was well renown and only catered to the upper nobility of Waterdeep. All of this was going to happen before going back to the island.

"Oh the Opera sounds wonderful and you have a grand ballroom here. Is it anything like Beau's ballroom for the keep? I know I was very impressed with that arrangement when we had our grand ball last year. It was glorious to be able to dress up as whomever we wanted and show up and try to fool the others. Beau had done such a very nice job of decorating the room too, with all the wispy material draped and looking like floating gossamer on the breeze that came through the balcony doors. '

Kait's eyes had grown dreamy thinking of the ball. "I know that I was duly impressed with how things had turned out and had not expected it to be so nice, but she did a surprising job, do you not think so M'lar?"

M'lar nodded. "Yes, she did."

Kait moved on prattling while they walked into the foyer Kait was happy as a lark and smiling completely unaware of the tension that had suddenly grown between M'lar and Morgan following behind her.

Morgan turned to them both. "I ordered the servants to ready the ballroom and I want you both to acquaint yourselves with the lay out and if you have any suggestions on what we could do to make it more agreeable to the both of you, then I suggest you tell the servants." Kait was thrilled to be able to have carte blanche to plan a ball.

"But what if it is terribly expensive, Morgan surely you want us to consult you before we commit to anything that would cost a great deal of coin?"

"Don't worry about it Lady Kaitlin I shall let you do your magic and pay for it. Money is no object."

Morgan took off his cape, laid his hat and cane on the table in the foyer, pulled off his gloves and then turned to face his two guests, "Now if you two would like to change before we go to the ballroom, you may wish to put on more comfortable shoes."

He pointedly looked down at the tall spiked heels that M'lar wore. "We have a bit of a walk, it is in the extended west wing of this house, an area you both have not visited as yet and I thought to show you before we went back to New Damara."

Kait turned and spun around hugging her arms close to her body. "It will be just a ball and not a masquerade? I am so tired of masquerade balls and really would like to have something very much like a real ball with fancy ball gowns, dancing and socializing and dining and you know all the wonderful things that are done by proper society?"

M'lar frowned, she was not sure she would be able to do proper society. As Kait did her little spin and glowed with excitement with the offer of being a proper hostess for Morgan, M'lar made her way to the stairs and slowly began to climb them making sure to hold the hem of her ball gown off the floor. Her efforts were to keep from tripping on the expensive gown or stepping on it again and tripping.

She moved up the stairs she knew she would never be able to ever wear these shoes for very long, so she would not be a proper hostess if she were expected to do so in these shoes, and as a show of her defiance against convention, she stopped on the second step, kicked the shoes off bent and picked them up and carried them the rest of the way of the stairs.

This did bring a quirked brow and a smile from Morgan watching the set of her shoulders and the sway of that well rounded bottom as it went up the stairs and he could only wonder what it would be like to lay between those thighs and feel all her charms and sway her to his side with his own version of subtle seduction.

He had to bring his thoughts back to the now bustling and happy Kaitlin as she danced about the room and then watched M'lar walk up to her room. "Oh yes, change and meet you here?"

He nodded and watched Kait in a very dignified form move up the stairs trailing her delicate fingertips over the bannister to the post and then down the landing and through the door to the main hallway of the upstairs bedchambers.

Moving into the drawing room to the left of the great hall and foyer he moved to a cabinet, removed his key; withdrew a bottle that had held a Benden label and poured out the thick liquid lifting it he smiled sniffing it and mused, "Elven virgin, 127 years very nice."

He sipped deeply and then corked the bottle and slid the bottle back into the cabinet and locked it up tight. He paused and considered taking the bottle with him when he left for New Damara. His expectations that it would stay as sweet as it was now would be hard pressed, since he had bled this one into the bottle not more than two days ago. No it would go bad and he needed to finish it. Tossing the expensive crystal goblet in the fireplace he watched as it shattered and then the flames consumed the glass.

He turned and peered over to the door and smiled, he could hear M'lar move down the hallway and to the staircase. He was so attuned to her that he could smell her from the drawing room. That soft subtle scent was a dead give away, she favored the lilac smell when she should embrace the exotic floral concoctions he had brought in for her.

He would make sure she was supplied with the essential scented oils when they were back on the island for now he allowed her to wear the simple scent of that shrub flower. It was more than the scent she favored, there was also the scent of her, heady and hedonistic in form, the smell of her hair, the sweat that secreted from her body, her pheromones that could be so easily manipulated to push her into a wanted rush of heat and sexual excitement that would from his view point please him to no end.

There was the taste of her lips, the soft flutter of her lashes and when she got mad he knew she was exerting more control by the shear fact she began to sweat more and her color and flush of her blood, oh yes that sweet delectable blood that was part elven and the heated passion of the bloodthirsty scro that ran through those veins.

Who could not know that she held two great god's blood in her veins and could easily claim godhood by that knowledge alone, thus why he would have her at his side or he would simply kill her and send her to her god. He was fairly certain he could feign what she wanted which was the flowery speeches and the tenderness that most women wanted from their men in the bedroom.

Or he could be the rough and tumble and volatile sexual encounter he had heard described by at least two men that had caught her while she was in the frenzied of her scent. They had bragged it was noting short of exhilarating as she carried them to the heights of their own fantasy and then finished with such a rush of power, strength and sexual need. Morgan was going to experience all sides of her personality and he was going to have what he wanted. Willingly or unwillingly, he would have his way.

Morgan escorted the ladies down the long corridor to the west wing of the house and through a set of double doors and then another long hallway that was an open arboretum between the two structures. M'lar paused to look around at the arched open breezeway and noted the beautiful fountain, and a continuation of the effects of his patio garden that appeared to end here.

"This is very lovely Morgan." She observed while they continued to walk with them along the arches and trellises of roses and exotic flowers to another structure, where he paused and waited for the ladies catch up with him.

He threw open the doors and stepped into the room and it immediately lit up with soft lighting overhead by just his movement into the room. Morgan had timed it to push his power forward to do `molecular agitation` to light the candles in the room.

It still had the effect he had expected and got the reaction he was hoping would come. Kait's eyes widen and she smiled and was delighted by what appeared to be some grand new invention that Morgan had procured for his estate. Excited she danced into the room; moving forward to stand in the center of the huge ballroom floor.

Its shiny surface had been beautifully polished to one of the highest sheens she had ever seen. M'lar moved in and appreciated the ornate chandeliers that hung from the vaulted ceilings. The crystal even shone with a brilliance that was beyond compare for most the ballrooms she had visited this past two weeks.

The walls were lined with floor to ceiling doors that opened out on both sides to what appeared to be high veranda's with patio tables and chair sets. It was very appealing for those that would enjoy a quiet darker place for a stolen kiss or small intimate groupings to sit;

They could then make their plans for nefarious plots or arrange marriages between powerful families to secure the seat of power of the rich and famous that was Waterdeep. M'lar wore her breeches and soft silk blouson top. She had gone casual in her dress for the tour of the ballroom.

M'lar entered the ballroom and walked across the floor on her soft souled boots. She moved up and paused behind Kait to look around the room and to the more profane opulence of a golden mirror that went from floor to ceiling at one end of the room, M'lar glanced to see her reflection and Kait's reflection and then Morgan stepped forward and she saw his reflection.

He smiled studying her in the mirror and her reaction to the one room he had deliberately kept from Kait and M'lar. M'lar was quiet in her study of the room. "This room is quite remarkable Morgan, how many people can you get in here?" Kait turned looking at Morgan after asking her question.

Morgan smiled, "I made sure I could accommodate up to five hundred people if I ever felt like entertaining that many. At any given time when I have used this room, I can safely say I have had close to two hundred fifty people in and out of here between the breeze way and the two veranda's this room never gets overly heated and there is always room to dance on that floor. The floor around the edge and leading into this room is inlaid marble. The actual dance floor is highly polished red oak and you will find nothing that would disrupt any dancers moves on this floor."

M'lar knew he was probably right and stepped around and up to the mirror that had caught her eye earlier, "The gold edge on the mirror's frame?"

He smiled and bowed to her from the waist "A good eye council woman that is gold and would sell easily for over 1000 platinum. I got it for a steal." He giggled because in fact he had stolen it from a very rich merchant. It was on one of the ships that he had taken on the high seas along the sword coast and was very pleased with his haul that day.

The ship had been scuttled and he had his men kill the crew or conscript them to his ship and the take had lined a lot of pockets including Daniela's D'Armonds. One reason she should watch that sharp tongue of hers about one of his guests. He was glad they would be leaving soon, it did not want to deal with Dani or that son of hers Darius, that would have to wait for another day.

M'lar was wondering why he was giggling about getting a very ornate mirror that in her opinion was quiet garish and ugly for a lower price than what he had just told them it was priced. "How nice for you Morgan."

M'lar stepped away and moved over the floor and looked around. If this place had belonged to another say like that Fallon, or perhaps Darius and not his mother or sister, whom were perfectly suited to Morgan, she would have loved this place and appreciate its beauty and refinement of this space. Morgan watched her move away and noted she was not very impressed. He hid his irritation behind a mask of reserve.

Moving back to Kait she stood and looked around and waited for Kait to say how she would improve the room, Kait had grown silent as well and then she moved to the main entrance. "We should set up a receiving line over here, and when people enter we shall have the major domo announce who they are to the room and that shall be here."

She walked to the two preferred spots. "Of course Morgan you should be the first in the receiving line, then of course M'lar and then myself."

M'lar smiled and said softly, "Well Kait since you are planning it I think you should stand at Morgan's side and I shall stand next to you."

Kait turned her eyes wide and thoughtful and shook her head. "No, M'lar you are equal and since Morgan has made it plain he has interests in you as his main hostess, I really think it should be you standing next to him."

Morgan nodded, "I agree my dear as much as you may not like me or my intentions, you should be next to me, then Kait can be the last in line and can make sure the people know what is happening and where they may go to sit, eat or dance."

Kait nodded, "See being last in line I suppose that way I can make sure they are directed to the appropriate locations."

M'lar looked down standing in a defensive pose with her arms crossed and her hands locked under her arms pits. She capitulated and spoke softly.

"As you both wish, I will be happy to oblige."

Morgan studied her and moved to take her hand from under her arms and held them both in his hands, smiling that charming smile that was filled with sincerity that was very well affected, he spoke softly, "As much as you would wish that I did not find you to be beautiful, alluring, and extremely enjoyable to be around, I have. You will need to get used to the idea, I plan to try and court you in earnest my dear and maybe someday persuade you to my way of thinking and maybe even liking me a little bit?"

He teased lightly. Being he center of attention and especially by him, she found it was a bit disconcerting and she flushed with a soft hint of a blush to her cheeks.

"Morgan if you would be just a little bit honest with me, I would find you more attractive and very appealing. I am sorry we got off to a wrong start and would like to begin anew with you and get to know you a little better, I might then entertain the idea of liking you a little bit and then from there we would have to see where it would go. But until you can be completely honest with me, I am sorry I will keep my distance."

Morgan affected a perfect smile and though he wanted to respond to her through clinched teeth he instead spoke softly with a hint of an edge to his voice. "That is a two way street M'lar, until I feel you can be totally honest with me, then I must in all good conscious be on guard, you were on trial for trying to have me murdered and here I am entertaining you in my home, and offering you the best of the best that Waterdeep has to offer and you still doubt my veracity, that wounds me my dear."

If his intent was to shame her or guilt her it was working somewhat and she looked down to study the toe of her boot a habit she had when she had to rethink her stance on a subject. "Morgan forgive me for appearing ungrateful, I am not that, but I will remind you I did not want you dead."

She had paused to get her emotions under control. "I wanted you punished for what I perceived was your part in my son's death. And you know until I am completely sure that you had no part in that death. Then you will at my request afford me the same courtesy to be on my guard against you and anything you might offer. As far as furthering any kind of relationship with me. I suggest we start as friends and see where that goes?"

He had her at least amenable to accepting him as a friend, and he could easily manipulate that into something more so it was the right step in the direction he was wanting to go. Kait feeling the tension between the two and noting how intimate they looked her sister standing close; with Morgan holding M'lar's hands and looking intently into he gaze she began to move about the room thinking where she would put the floral arrangements drape the shear material so it would look like wisps of fairy wings sprinkled with star dust or fairy dust.

She moved around on the floor and could imagine the young men and women or the older men and women moving about on the floor dancing and having a grand time. She could hear the music and knew what pieces she wanted to have played and then she could visualize the servants moving about with drinks and food offering them to the guests as they arrived to partake of Morgan's hospitality.

Noting Morgan had held her hands longer than was comfortable for her, she gently disengaged her hands from his hold and glanced to Kait. "So Kaitlin do you know what you want done?"

Morgan had for now capitulated to her rules of this engagement. His own needs were becoming more pressing and he would have to take his own leave shortly. He needed to dine and he had a particular hot vixen in mind for his nightly repast.

Daniela thought she knew something when she gave him that knowing smile and he had felt her nudge his mind and knew she was trying to connect with him telepathically. He had resisted her intrusion and sent back a sharp reminder to not mess in his mind. In return he drew on the will of his way and forced out ~send pain~.

When he had sent pain he knew she would be getting a blinding headache. Smiling watching her flinch and withdraw back into balcony seat and press her fingertips to her forehead with a decided frown. Right before she withdrew they had locked eyes with one another. She gave him a brief nod acquiescing her capitulating to his power being the greater of the two.

Morgan could have mind crushed her had he the need to really send home his point but he wanted her whole to let her know he was not about to let her play with what was his or with him. Tonight she would be his feast and when he left her she would never have known he was there but would be left with a decidedly nasty dream of what could happen to her if she tried to cross him or mess with his mind again.

Turning to the silent servants that had stood quietly outside the doors and awaited his signal, he nodded and they entered. "Lady Kaitlin, this is your help to transform this room into the fairy tale dream you wish to present for our guests tomorrow, and remember cost is not an issue so the grander you wish to go the more pleased I will be. For now Ladies I have a business engagement and must take my leave."

He started for the door and paused, "I will leave you to the very capable hands of my staff. Oh and one last surprise awaits you in your rooms when you go back, I took the liberty of having gowns made for both of you to wear to the ball. I hope you enjoy what I chose and look forward to seeing you in your gowns. Until tomorrow I bid you both a very good night."

Morgan bowed to them turned and moved on silent footfalls from the room. M'lar for the first time that night and since entering that room finally felt relaxed and at ease. She moved to one of the settees and folded herself on the comfortable seat and listened absently to what Kait.

Kait had begun describing what would be the perfect back drop to make this room look like a floating city in a fairytale setting with some audible glamor and shear wispy material draped about the room perhaps from the chandeliers, they could affect a more cloud like look and of course the audible glamor could give them the lights and shimmer she would need to make the room look like it was filled with fairy dust or star dust.

She thought about it and sighed and said softly, "I wish we could have a low hanging light foggy affect to float around the floor as the people danced and they could feel like they were dancing on clouds."