Ethan paced the Dias. The crown had sat heavy on his young head and was now resting on the lavish red velvet thrown. Resting on an arm made of the purest gold. He paced out of frustration, out of anger, but more of that out of desperation because he didn't know how to be a king. Didn't know how to fix things so he could bring his sister home but did know things had to change.

The tall white double doors open as a thin, tan skinned older male entered. The man didn't bow respectfully just approached with an arrogance that pricked Ethan's temper. Snapping at the intrusion he said, " who the hell are you to be disturbing me?"

" such language from our new king. Are you trying to call open the gates and bring the high lord here himself?"

At this point that would be welcome. At least he would know what to do with all those who smelled of rot. Ethan thought it but bit his tongue for the moment, " my apologies. I ordered for a moment to be alone."

" as you did, however as your chief advisor it is my duty to interrupt."

Chief advisor my ass. You have done tried to poison me once this day. " so If I need orders followed I am to give them to you?" Ethan spoke slowly so not to say what he really wanted to.

" of course majesty." the man said with a hint of discuss in rough bourbon coated voice.

" very well. I have three half brothers somewhere in the county side. Bring them here."

" your father, our late king ordered…."

" my father is dead and I am king now……. Now bring them to be or the next one to die will be you." he wasn't sure if killing the man would be accepted but the smell of him was repulsive. Not to mention his entire demeanor.

With a curt bow the man said, " very well majesty. They will be brought at once."

Ethan turned from him as he began to leave. In a loud thundering voice said, " alive."

" I'm sorry …"

" bring them alive and in one piece. For every piece of flesh they are missing I will have taken from you. Is that clear." this time he spoke softly. Spoke the way Ledia did when she was really riled up over something. Spoke the way he had been taught by her.

The man stared for a long hard moment. Growled then said, " perfectly."


Out side the double doors the advisor was met by one of the armed guards. Met by his soft whisper, " shall we kill him now?"

" he's looking for poisons and guarding against an attack….. No for now we'll do as our young king ask. We'll give him a few days to think he's adjusting to the royal way…… then when he drops his guard…. then……. Then my friend I will take the throne."


Dinner had went by quickly. Daemon hadn't ate much but had relaxed a lot. Relaxed because although he would never say anything, he had caught Alora giving the pup most of what was on her plate when she thought no one was looking.

The three of them had sat talking about very mundane things. Taking about woman's fashions to how the courts were set up here. Talking in part about how Jaenelle's court had been set up….. Witch had been surprised to find that most of her court had become guardians or purposely done something to become demon dead before their time just so they would be close if she reappeared. Although Daemon hadn't worded that way… oh no he had said only that, Jaenelle's court were the high lords favorites in the dark realm. And when Alora had hesitatingly asked what he meant….. Daemon only smiled then softly replied, " when your more adjusted to this realm I'll take you to the dark realm for a visit."

After they finished the dessert course of the meal the three of them made their way through the now barren streets. Alora looked and frowned. Too softly asked, " where did everyone go?" disappointment and shock hid her displeasure.

Daemon looked too innocent. He knew why they all left. He understood, after all the last time he had been in that restaurant he had set the whole city on fire. Had done so not because of the statue but because something had pricked his temper and no one could leash it. Had caused the fire because at the time seeing the flames had soothed him. Now regretted it because now too many were wary of him…… no not just the ones here but the ones that mattered…. His family ….. They weren't just wary they lacked all trust in him…. Worst of all he knew it… even when he was lost in the twisted kingdom, lost on roads Tersa couldn't even begin to walk , he knew.

Orin saw Daemon lag behind. Wanted to help . Wanted more then anything to make Daemon understand that he being shut out only because he was moody right now and not because of what happen five hundred years ago. In a soft voice almost absentmindedly said, " oh they're playing least in site till they figure out if Daemon is just being snarly or if he's still brooding."

" I don't brood." Daemon mumbled

" ah huh , I'm soo sure. Then what do you do when you black lock and shield your study or bedroom for a few days? Hmmm?"

" what I do in my own rooms in none of your ….." he could feel his temper rising. Felt a soft touch on his arm. Leashed his temper because Alora was once again clinging to his arm. Hissing he said, " I don't brood."

Orin Laughed. Well at least Witch hadn't lost her touch in leashing Daemon's temper. Although there was something else she could do to make him happily oblivious to anything for a long while….. Now only to get her to invite him.


Daemon held the door open to the now three story clothing store. Waited outside till the two of them moved away form the entrance way. Shook his head because he was more then sure now that he wouldn't see a bed till after the sun came up… that is however unless the merchant made them leave before then.

" Lady now you may see what suits you." Daemon said trying to keep his nerves out of his voice. Trying to remember that Jaenelle would already be lost somewhere in the store by now.

Alora's eyes lit up jut looking at all the clothes. Didn't notice that this was only the casual area. Hadn't realized that the more proper clothing was on the second floor wouldn't of wondered about the third floor at all unless Orin hadn't had said, " Let's start with the third floor. We can shop with out a snarly male following us for a bit." curious she had asked the eyrien woman why. Orin laughed, " because the third floor is for female indulgence and males are not allowed…. Well they were till Daemon went shopping with Aunt Jaenelle and well….. He's the prime reason men are not allowed on that floor. Isn't that right uncle Daemon."

If he could have disappeared he would have. " and who told you about that Lady?" and who is going to be on the receiving end of my temper?

" oh that was sooo long ago you can't expect me to remember the name of every person who tells me something about you now do you? Besides it's not like you really did anything that wrong and Aunt Janelle should have known better then to take you in that kind of a clothing shop when you were that close to a rut. Really I still think she did it on purpose though." and the fact that Angel was born nine months later only added to that fact.

Shut up. Shut up …. Please sweet darkness make her shut up. That thought kept flooding his head. " Lady if you would please show Alora around."

" oh now look at what you did. You made him blush. I didn't realize males blushed or could turn that shade of red."

" oh yes. Though it does take practice on getting them that worked up. " Orin continued to babble as she led Alora up the stairs to the more private areas of the shop.

Daemon locked eyes with the merchant. Saw the laughter in his golden eyes. Wanted to growl at the man. Knew with all his heart it wouldn't do much good. Instead found himself a comfortable seat and waited till his niece said something else to make him want to disappear. Sitting in the waiting area that had been designed for men to wait for their ladies to get done , he was Joined by the little black puppy.

* I was told no males. But if no males who will protect the queens?*

* protect? Do they need protecting when I'm right here?* Daemon answered back. Answered letting the hiss of his voice be the warning.

* the winged one can't shield and the lady isn't trained yet .* the puppy reminded

Daemon narrowed his eyes. Let himself feel everyone that was in the shop. Used himself as the center. Only the shop keeper a few light jeweled witches and two light jeweled warlords on the second floor. Both already a wear of his presences here and both aware of who he was escorting. " no need to worry prince. I don't sense any danger."

* and if there was?*

" my nephew is close as is his father and my son." Daemon grumbled as he thought about why they were close.

The pup cocked his head to the side and let one ear flop down while the other stood up listening. Concurring that strange male was right the pup circled Daemon's feet the laid down and prepared to wait.


After reaching the upper floor Witch finally said, " that was mean… funny …. But mean."

" well it did stop him from coming with us. Didn't it?" Orin shrugged. Her and Jaenelle had done this on several shopping trips and to do it with Witch now or rather with Alora …… it was fun.

" are males really not allowed?"

" oh come now , I really don't remember you being so naïve."

" I'm not….. But time has passed ….." witch corrected

" Male are allowed if they are accompanied by their lovers. Except Daemon… no I was being quite honest when I said he wasn't allowed up here…. Or at least not yet."

Alora looked puzzled. Didn't asked till she saw why. Till she saw all the cloths that would make a males tongue hang out just picturing his lover wearing something like this. Realized why Daemon wouldn't be allowed up here. Realized that Daemon would leap back to the safety of the twisted kingdom because he would picture Jaenelle wearing it and no one else.

" I think you should find two outfits of sort that you like and see what Daemon has to say about them."

" I'm sorry ?"

" did he or did he not tell Janelle what he liked better when they were shopping?"

" yes but I'm not…."

" no you are the living myth. And if I remember correctly Daemon said once that he didn't care about the shuck but what lived under it."

" but…." Alora looked into Orin's eyes. Knew she couldn't argue not when she wanted to know what Witch did about bedding the man. Witch finally said, " oh fine. But I'm going to tell him that you couldn't give me an honest opinion."

" fair enough. After all I can't seeing that I have no interest in most of the things up here."

" Daemonar don't care to …."

" sugar if I wore anything from up here I would be bedding his temper and not his cock…. No he was raised that women don't wear things like this. And for the life of me I can't get him to think that his mother meant outside of the bedroom."

" you tried?"

" I brought him here. His response was that I'm too much of a lady to dress like a …. well what he called it I won't repeat."

" but Lucivar…. I went with Marian once.. She was pregnant with Daemonar the next time I saw her."

" good then you can explain it to your nephew."


Lucivar came up slowly behind Daemon. Did so because his brother wasn't shielded. Did so be cause Daemon wasn't paying attention to his surrounding. Hoped Daemon wouldn't kill him before he realized who was coming up behind him. He reach over to place his hand on Daemon's shoulder . Shuttered to feel the tight black shield around him.

Daemon turned slowly to face his brother, " what are you doing here prick?"

Prick? Well now there's a name he hadn't heard in a few hundred years. Lucivar looked deep into Daemon's eyes. Relief washed through him when he didn't see the cloudy haze that had been there for the past thousand years. When he didn't see incontrollable rage building. Remembering his brother asked him a question he snapped out of his stupor, " I came to check on Orin. You do know she should be resting.?"

" she's content for the moment. Although if you would like to escort her home I do think I can put a shield around her mouth long enough for her to be tucked in without saying anything."

" I know the two of you don't mix well…. But what did she….?"

" we mix fine . After all she was raised here Prick. Remember she came to Kaeleer the same day I did."

Lucivar wanted to jump up and down . Wanted to show some kind of joy, very calmly said, " yes I remember. Now are you going to tell me why you want to shield her mouth?"

" it doesn't matter it made Jaenelle laugh."

Lucivar's heart cringed. Oh he knew it was to much to hope for that his brother was fully stepping away from the twisted kingdom, but still he had hoped. " so she made Alora Laugh?"

Daemon looked at him puzzled, " Is there a reason your repeating me?"

" just confirming." we're not doing this again . We're not. Your not coming in this city only to leave to be in the twisted kingdom. Lucivar fought not to yell at him. Fought not to push. Knew with great certainty what would happen if he did push.

" Daemon why don't you go back to the keep I'll escort…."

" when hell freezes over." he didn't want to be away form the young girl yet. didn't want to be dismissed by a lesser jeweled warlord prince. Even if that warlord prince was his brother.

He could see Daemon slipping could see him fighting just to hold the tiniest bit of sanity he's had for the last three hundred years. Knew if he kept pushing himself he wouldn't be able to hold on much longer. " Daemon , Alora will need a place to sleep tonight maybe…."

Alora interrupted with a slight cough. She was wearing a long deep forest green dress that was tight enough to form to every one of her curves. Tight enough to see the out line of her breast since she hadn't put anything under the dress to hind those outlines. Softly almost lovingly said, " Daemon I need your opinion on something."

Daemon swallowed hard. There was no denying how beautiful she was and for her to wear a dress that was made to peak a males interest…. In a horse whisper he asked, " my opinion on …..?"

" well Orin isn't of the right gender to give me an honest opinion so she suggested that I ask you for yours."

" on?" he asked again . This time sitting up straighter and really listing to what she was saying.

She gave her best game smile as she held up two very shear night shirts. Or at least she thought they were night shirts since they were meant to wore at night. Held them both up close enough to her so he could decide if he liked the plane light blue one that was still able to be seen through despite having two layers of the fabric . Or if he preferred the one that looked more exotic with its zebra print but also so shear it wouldn't be more then a soft contrast to the skin it was laid over. " well what one would look better on me?"

Lucivar turned quickly away. Eyrien forwardness or not he was not going to tell her anything that had to do with either of those outfits…. Well not as long as his brother could hear because what he wanted to tell her would end with her in a cold maybe icy lake.

Daemon looked at the shear fabric. Made a mistake and looked into those deep sapphire eyes. Do I get to see you in them? He hadn't realized he had said it out loud till she he saw her eyes change. Although he didn't see anger in them but he did see ……. Wanting? Too calmly said, " if you like them get both."

" so you like both of them then?"

" my wife had one that was just a shade darker then her skin… It was always my favorite."

" I see." she looked at both of her selections then shrugged , " then I think I'll get the other one then." before she turned to go she happily said, "thank you.'

Daemon looked at Lucivar who was doing his best not to chase after her and express his displeasure with her. " something wrong Yaslana?"

" you tell me bastard. What was her name?"

" what do you mean what is her name. she's your sister you should know what her name is."

" Yes Daemon I know what her name is but do you?"

Daemon got to his feet a bit too quickly . Was looking through a red haze quicker then that. " her name is the living myth." he said in soft thundering voice that held a hint of a darkness that Lucivar didn't recognize.

He looked into those glazed golden eyes was certain after 2700 years he was looking at his own death in the eyes. Very slowly and very calmly he said, " what is the shucks name?"

Alora felt the male tempers as she started to turn away. Saw Lucivar pulling his wings tight to his body getting ready for a fight. Saw Daemon standing with his hands in tight fist. Decided the shopping trip was over. Strapping steel to her back bone she glided over to them. In a firm commanding voice. In her deep midnight voice she spoke only one word, " Attend."

Lucivar shifted his eyes enough to see her out of the corner. Wouldn't back down till Daemon did. Knew better then to give his brother that easy of a target.

In a deep growl Witch said once more this time letting the air crackle in warning, " Prince Sadi Attend."

His lips curled back into a snarl, " Lady."

" don't you dare Lady me until you temper is leashed , prince."

He looked back into Lucivar's eyes. In a deep growl answered his question, " the shucks name is Alora. Witch's name will always be Jaenelle."

Alora placed the back of her hand on Daemon's check. Hoped he would calm with that touch. Never realized how starved he was for a touch. Very softly spoke, " I would like to get some rest now if you wouldn't mind."

" I think it would be better if you go with Prince Yaslana."

" NO…." witch growled.

" Lady I have matters I need to tend to." then he was out the door before she could argue. Before she could ask any questions.

" Lucivar?"

" he's not stable Lady. I told you he wasn't stable so why the hell did you have to push."

Alora sighed. Witch spoke, " I need to see what Jewels this shuck can wear."

" and how will that help lady. The last time Daemon disappeared like this it took nearly ten years to find him. Or rather find him and keep him in one place ."

Witch looked out at the city. Finally spoke , " he went to the town house. He'll stay there tonight. Now as I said I need …."

" fine make the damn offering then you can deal with him." he turned blew through the door and was in the air before a single tear could be brought to her eyes. Before he had Orin butting in this. Before his nieces and nephews tried to confront their father.

Orin came up behind her a moment later, " prince Yaslana seems prickly."

" he's respond to Daemon's…… " not temper but distress.

" let's go find get you some jewels lady then you can deal with both of them…. I think."

" you think?" Witch snapped then saw how dark it was, " can't make the offering till…."

" from dusk to dawn is the tradition not a rule. Now come Lady the sooner you find what Jewels you can wear the sooner you can convince your husband …."

" husband? He was married to …."

" did he or did he not just say that your name will always be Jaenelle? A fitting name for Witch don't you think?"

Witch thought…. Jaenelle? Well she had always loved that name….. or at least better then Alora…. And it would be an easier way to tell between the two.. Slowly she said, " yes he did."