"Never let an old flame burn you twice" -Unknown
"A second chance doesn't mean anything if you haven't learned from your first mistake."-Unknown
A knock sounded in the dark. Bo groaned into her pillow, stirring beside Lauren. After her Fae returned, Bo spent the evening out, catching up on some much needed feeding. She rolled over and checked the clock: four a.m. When the knock sounded again, Bo was quick to answer.
"What is it?" she snapped.
"My Queen, the thief is back and is asking for sanctuary." Dyson's voice was muffled through the bedroom door.
Bo made a noise. "You want to handle this one?" Bo said almost miserably.
Lauren rolled onto her back and rubbed her face. "Yeah," she nodded, then realized Bo couldn't see her in the dark and spoke again. "I'll deal with her." With more than a little effort, Lauren got to her feet and stood naked before the dresser. Bo watched her as she pulled a pair of jeans from a drawer and climbed into them. Her gaze was heavy and if Lauren didn't already know Bo's Fae had returned, she would have been able to feel its weight when her eyes settled upon her. She pulled a sweater over her head and looked up at the skylight, the star shine illuminating her face. "I love you, Bo."
As important as it was for her to say that then, in that moment it was more important for Bo to hear the words. The mattress creaked and the soft squash of carpet announced the nude Succubus' arrival at her side. She reached a lithe arm between them and cradled Lauren's cheek in her hand. Closing her eyes, Lauren leaned into Bo's caress.
"Maybe later we can spend some time together?" Bo pulled Lauren's waist against her own. "It's just been so crazy and I miss you."
Lauren hummed at the nearness of Bo. "I'd like that."
"I'll tell the chef to make a special meal for us."
She smiled. Things were different between them since the serum debacle and now Violette was poised to cause trouble between them again. She wondered when the string of mishaps and mayhem would end? "I should go," she whispered, not wanting to interrupt the intimacy.
Bo reached for the kimono she had discarded before bed. "I'll walk you out." She cinched the kimono as they walked towards the door. When Lauren opened the door to reveal Dyson standing beside Violette, who was sitting on her sofa, Bo was immediately incensed. "You brought this thief into our home? Where is your head?"
Dyson was caught off guard. "I just thought-"
"That we had an extra room?" Bo interrupted. "Protocol says visitors wait at the gates."
"Yes, my Queen." Dyson stood, his hands clasped in front of him. "What would you have me do now?"
"Stand down and stay out of my way," she said through gritted teeth. She cocked her head at Violette. "You must be loving this."
The smuggler was quick to shake her head. "No, my Queen."
"Do not pretend your allegiance lies with me." Her expression was hard, her voice stern.
"But, my Queen-"
"Say it again and I will tear your throat out as you sit there." Her eyes flared and Violette swallowed uncomfortably.
"Bo." A calming hand caressed her shoulder.
The Queen's eyes blinked a few times and she took a breath. "I'm sorry, I can be a little cranky when my beauty sleep is interrupted."
Lauren stepped forward. "Let's go for a walk, Violette."
She looked from Bo to Lauren and back again before Bo smiled. "Please." She motioned towards Lauren who nodded as she stood. She pushed the button and the elevator doors opened. The blonde ushered the other woman into the car.
"Why are you really here, Violette?" Lauren asked in the silence of the elevator as they dropped, floor by floor, to the main concourse.
"I've come to ask for sanctuary," she said, her voice soft. "I find myself in a bit of a situation and I thought you may be able to help."
Lauren sighed. "Who have you pissed off this time?"
"It's not important."
She cleared her throat as the elevator doors opened to the main floor. Lauren turned to Violette. "If you want me to let you stay here, I have to know what you have done." She took a few steps out of the elevator and looked over her shoulder until Violette followed.
"The past has come back to haunt me, Cherie."
Lauren froze, her eyes wide. "Jericho."
She nodded solemnly and motioned for Lauren to keep walking. "Once the war ended, I let down my guard, stopped backtracking. He found me. I've been working for him to repay my debt until last week when he would no longer accept the terms of our deal."
"What did he ask for instead?" Lauren prompted, turning into the garden's colonnade.
"Me."
Lauren stopped short, a chill ran through her and she shivered. The rain had let up, but the breeze was cool and water still ran from the roof tiles. "What did you do?"
"I ran." Violette looked up at the cloudy sky. It looked like it could pour again at any second. "I thought I could make it right, but that was never his intention."
"What's your plan?"
Violette shrugged. "I don't know. I see what you have here and I want that for myself, too. Cherie, could you find it in your heart to let me stay?"
Lauren began to walk back again, mulling the details over as her heels click-clacked against the floor tiles. When they arrived back at the elevator, Lauren hit the call button and sighed. "We should be able to arrange something."
Violette smiled. "I knew I could count on you, Cherie."
"So you moved her into the tower?" Bo's expression from her throne was one of confusion and disbelief.
Lauren sat on the steps leading up to the throne, her back to the Queen. "Bo, you don't understand." She twisted around, looking at Bo. "Jericho is a sadistic and diabolical criminal. He will take what he wants if she doesn't cooperate."
Bo took a deep breath. "This, Jericho? He's someone you've had dealings with?"
"For a time," Lauren admitted. "He trafficked in many rare and hard to find medical supplies during the war. Doing business with him was a necessary evil to save lives."
"But he's not after you…"
"No…"
"So why make this your problem now, Lauren?"
Lauren sighed and shook her head, looking up at Bo apologetically. "Even scoundrels deserve a favor every now and then."
The hollow clang of the old latch alerted Bo of her visitor and she looked down the long hall to the wooden doors. One of her two guards that flanked her throne started the walk down to the door until the figure stepped through.
Dyson stood inside the door, glancing at the guard who stopped advancing, but didn't retreat. "You wanted to see me, my Queen?"
Bo waved him on, straightening on her throne as he approached. "Thank you for coming," she said.
Dyson knelt down and bowed his head. "I am at your disposal, your Majesty."
She nodded. "The Coronation is upon us," she said. "And my castle is now home to a known fox and two prisoners that apparently cannot be found."
"I would be happy to locate them for you, my Queen."
"That won't be necessary," Bo shook her head. "Kenzi and Corporal Kershaw have the search well in hand."
Dyson frowned. "Then what would you have me do?"
Bo leaned forward on her knees. "I need you to make sure the Coronation plans are on course. With this breech, I need to make sure the castle is secure and that nothing beyond our… identified challenges will stand in the way."
"I understand," he said. "And the Fox?"
Bo smirked at him. "Please leave her to me."
"Forgive me, my Queen," Dyson said. "But I don't understand why she's been given sanctuary."
"Feeling persecuted, General?"
Dyson lowered his eyes. "No, my Queen."
"I stand behind Lauren's decision because her heart is in the right place," Bo said simply. "And if anyone has any issue with that, I would pleased to discuss it with them."
"As you wish," Dyson said, getting to his feet.
"The second thing, Dyson." He looked up at the Queen and her eyes had softened. Still with the familiar fire behind them, there was another element to her gaze now. Her instructions were always very clear and very concise, delivered with a cold, hard stare. But this time there was something more. She was scared.
"Yes, my Queen?"
"You were there," she said. "At my Coronation. You swore to protect me and my kingdom with every ability you could command. That you would take a take a sword before allowing the monarchy to fall."
The General nodded. "I remember."
Bo looked up at him. "I need you to protect Lauren the way you would protect me. At least until the Coronation." She sighed. "With everything going on, if anything happened to her, Dyson…"
Dyson sighed and closed his eyes. "My Queen," he said, his voice rumbled in his chest. He placed his fist over his heart. "My fealty is owed to you. I will do as you ask." He bowed then and turned, marching to the end of the hall and out the door without another word.
Bo slumped back into her throne. She had a new lease on her Fae and despite the Vex and Evony situation, things were going as well as could be expected. The Coronation was coming together despite her recent neglect. Lauren was, well, amazing and if she could just shake the dread she felt when faced with Violette, things would be fantastic.
She knocked on the door, there was the shuffling of newspaper before the door opened. Violette stood in the doorway wearing a terry cloth robe and clutching the day's newspaper folded under her arm. "Lauren," she smiled. "Is it that time already?"
Lauren had made plans with Violette earlier that morning when she ushered Vi into her room. They were to visit Lauren's lab and tour of the castle and grounds together but Violette was clearly on her own time schedule. "I can come back later," Lauren motioned.
"Don't be ridiculous. It will take me no time at all to get ready. Come in, have a cup of coffee."
Inside, the bed was already unmade, the contents of Violette's satchel spilled onto the floor and a trail of clothing peppered the way to the bathroom. She was still an unapologetic slob, Lauren thought, but that was just another part of her that couldn't be tamed, she romanticized. Violette lifted a carafe from the side table and poured a cup for Lauren who received it gratefully after such an early start to the day. Lauren watched as she gathered her clothes and sipped the coffee thoughtfully.
"Did you sleep?" Lauren asked, more to be polite than anything.
"Mmm, I did. Though the bed is much larger than what I'm used to. I'm sure you remember…"
"How could I forget?" Lauren's monotone response signaled she was in no mood for a trip down memory lane.
"Remember that damned Ford Fiesta?" Violette said from the bathroom. "We had some good times…"
"Vi…" She warned.
"C'mon," she said, walking back into the bedroom. "Remembering isn't a crime. Hell, it isn't even cheating."
Lauren sighed and rolled her eyes. "Some things are best left in the past."
"What a hollow way to live, Cherie."
"Please stop calling me that," Lauren said forcefully.
Violette paused only momentarily before bouncing onto her bed. "Dare I say, there may be room enough for you and your succubus in this bed."
Lauren did not see the humor, setting her cup aside and making a beeline for the door. "I'll come back later."
Violette's tongue clicked. "What happened to your sense of humor, precious?"
Ugh. "I guess I just don't find your brand of humor funny anymore."
"Lauren," she said and Lauren stopped her in her tracks, hand on the doorknob. Violette stood at the end of the bed and dropped her robe, her beautifully fair skin on brazen display. "Just once for old times sake?"
Lauren's eyes dropped and she turned back toward the door quickly. She found the crack under the door, wishing she could slip through it and forget this had ever happened. "Put your clothes on, Violette," she said to the carpet.
And then it happened. Her hand smoothed over Lauren's back. Her breath blew in her ear. "You won't even look at me?" Lauren sighed, her eyes closed. There was no getting around this with her back turned on Violette and so she spun around swiftly and was confronted by her nude form. "Don't leave, Lauren," she said desperately. "Can't we make up for lost time?"
"Our time was over three years ago."
"Maybe you're right, but coming here and seeing you… it's brought up all of these feelings."
Lauren's eyes meandered down Violette's body. "Feelings you can't feel with your clothes on?"
Violette inched forward, pressing her breasts into Lauren's chest. "Well, I'd rather not…"
Lauren was slowly being worn down by her relentless pursuit of sex. Violette was bold, unabashed, unprincipled, and, most importantly nude and they were in a room with a bed for a centerpiece. The odds were not stacked in Lauren's favor, but still she rallied with her feelings for Bo and their life together. She wasn't the least bit interested in going back to the way things were with Violette and she certainly wasn't looking to make a new life with her either and it fed her impetus to continue to fight off Violette's advances.
Violette was a Reynard, a trickster Fae, skilled at manipulations and well suited for her trade. But right now she was working on sheer desperation, her hand running the length of her bare stomach and clutching at one of her own breasts. "I won't tell her." She leaned in to kiss Lauren, who turned her head. Not missing a beat, Violette began to kiss her throat. "Nobody has to know…" Violette fingered the collar of her jacket.
Just then a knock came at the door. Lauren exhaled the ten breaths she had been holding and took a step forward, wrenching open the door behind her. Violette stumbled backwards as Lauren slipped out of the room, Kenzi peering over her shoulder at Violette's nude form before the door closed behind her.
Shock and awe was written all over Kenzi's face. "What the shit was that?"
"Nothing." Lauren turned and started walking.
"Hey!" Kenzi called, jogging after her. "Hey, hold up. Is everything okay between you and Bo?"
"This has nothing to do with Bo."
"If you say so."
Lauren grabbed Kenzi's arm firmly and held her still in the hall. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Kenzi pulled her arm away and straightened her jacket. "I'm just saying, if Bo saw what I just saw, she'd make it her business."
"Please don't say anything, Kenzi."
"Doc, how many times have I told you, I've got your back."
She sighed and continued down the hall. "Thanks."
"Is there anything I can do?" Kenzi pushed the elevator button.
"Chaperone?" She chuckled.
"I can do that."
"No, Kenzi." She shook her head. "It's fine. She's just coming on a little strong."
"A little strong?" Kenzi laughed. "Because I've seen rutting gorillas that have more subtle moves than that, Doc. You've gotta nip this one in the bud, if you know what I mean," Kenzi said decisively.
"I have," Lauren replied, hitting the button for the penthouse. "I've said no, repeatedly."
Kenzi raised her eyebrows. "Well… then it's time your friend put her foot somewhere entirely different."
She knocked five times. The number was significant because the angrier Kenzi was, the more she knocked. And five times was pretty damn angry. It felt like an eternity before the door finally creaked open, Violette squinting at her through the crack.
Kenzi tilted her head at the sight of Violette in the terry cloth robe. "Not getting dressed today or are you waiting for Dr. Lewis to come back?"
Violette made a face. "What do you know about it, Ragamuffin?"
"Well," Kenzi pushed her way inside the room. "After you flashed me earlier, I asked Lauren about you. She had a lot to say." Kenzi narrowed her eyes.
"I imagine she did. I leave a lasting impression." She smirked. "Care to find out?"
"Lady, I'll wipe the croissant right off your face."
Violette laughed heartily, "Oh, Kenzi," she purred. "I've missed you."
"Lauren told me why you're here and it got me thinking. Someone threatens you sexually so you come here and push yourself on the one person who went to bat for you?" Kenzi tsked. "I knew you were a scoundrel but this is low even for you."
"Is she happy here?" Violette asked, crossing her arms. "A plaything for the Queen."
"Even if I told you that she was the happiest I've ever seen her with the Queen, would it matter to you?"
Violette scoffed, waving her hand. "Of course, it would. I'm not a complete asshole. I care for her, even now."
"If you cared, you wouldn't be here again. You'd figure out your own shit and stay away from her."
"I didn't know where else to turn."
"I'm not a complete asshole," she echoed. "But I don't believe a word you've said." She patted her on the shoulder. "See you around, Vi."
END PART NINE
