Dorothea paced the confines of where the dark counsel would hold their meeting. And waited. She had sent the little twit out hours ago to find one damn maid. Just one. Incompetent fool. Didn't he realize if she was found here she would be killed? No of course he didn't… he was a damn sniveling fool who should be grateful to still draw a single breath.

The double doors crashed open and a girl cried out, "Let me go."

"It's about damn time you returned." Dorothea hissed. She grabbed the girl by the arm and pulled off her blindfold. "I have a job for you girl."

The girl took in the face and the stench of rotted meat. She wanted to puck but decided to spit on this … priestess… instead. "Got to Hell."

Using all of her fury and a drop of red from her jewel she slapped the girl hard enough to send her to the floor. "I don't have time for this." A simple compulsion spell something that normally was beneath her as the High Priestess of Hayll. No mater it would do what she needed. "This a book on Protocol. Set it in Prince Sadi's room. Make sure he gets no other. Do you understand?"

The girl nodded once. The spell wouldn't make her do anything that she wouldn't do normally. And setting something in a specific room… well it wasn't likely but it was something that she could do.

"Good. Come back here tonight." Then to Lord Jorval "If this goes the way I want, you will be rewarded." The threat of what would happen otherwise was left unsaid.

"Thank you Priestess."

Daemon took a deep breath and looked at the merchant. "Darling, I have been dressing myself for a long time."

"Good for you. But that doesn't mean that you can wear the same outfit every day."

Like Hell it didn't. He liked his black suit and white silk shirts… and the matching shoes. "It would be less for me to remember if I only have one kind of outfit."

She paused and turned to him. Her smile was not reassuring. "Your right it would be. Which is why you should have a valet."

He took a deep breath. If he got pissed off about this either he could do damage to his chalice or worse be lock out of her room. Didn't mean he had to wear any of damn things that she could possibly what him to have. "Fine. I'll get the damn outfits."

The merchant tried to hide his grin behind his hand. Clearly he had seen this argument play out before.

They had only been gone a few hours. Had only gone to Halaway. And damn it, it had felt like he had been in that store for days. And the only reason he was able to get her from saying "Just one more." Was because he was whimpering and his head was pounding. Oh then his harpy of a shopping partner had turned into every bit of the gifted healer that she was and declared that he needed rest.

Of course he couldn't remember the ride back to the Hall… assuming there was a ride involved at all. And he sure as the sun does not shine in hell, remember being tucked into a bed that didn't have a blond haired blue eyed Witch lying with him. But that was exactly where he woke up. But he couldn't focus on that… Oh No. The only thing he could focus on was a book and a note lying on the bed side table.

Slowly he stretched then sat on the side of the bed. He needed sleep. But not here. Not in this room. Not where he couldn't hear her breathing and know she was truly here. Puzzled over the book and note he took both off of the table. Might as see what it was before hunting down a blond haired witch.

The note despite its fine quality was very brief. Book on proper protocol. I highlighted some area you might find of interest. – Saetan

What the hell? He knew protocol. Well Terrielle's version of it anyways. But he could figure it out by watching those around him. Besides it wasn't like he was going to serve in a court until Jaenelle set hers up.

A mental shake… then "Just read the damn book." He muttered to himself.

Before opening it he sent out a delicate tendril trying to get a sense of where Jaenelle was in relation to this room. Not far. Not in her room but not far. That much figured out he opened the book. Not really interested in reading it but He would make the attempt to see what Saetan had highlighted.

A moment later he just sat there looking at the book. Highlighted his ass. More than half of the book had been blacked out.

His stomached tighten.

He didn't know what the blacked out parts were but was left untouched made him shiver. Something in him shifted and settled wrong. It didn't matter that he was mostly lucid. Didn't matter that he couldn't be anything but a bed warmer right now. All that did matter was Jaenelle's beloved papa didn't want him to share a bed with his daughter.

Daemon glanced up at the shimmering ribbon. He couldn't go back. The trail was already gone and something was keeping him from going that direction. But he didn't want to move further up either. There was pain up a head. Terrible pain.

If he got to the end he would have to kill Jaenelle's papa just to be with her… or choose to walk away until she was old enough to decide that she wanted him. Either way he would lose her.

"Daemon?" Jaenelle had slipped into the room. She had known the moment that a soft black touch on her outer most barriers, that Daemon had woken up and was searching for her. She had given his door a token tap, when he didn't answer she slipped in.

Seeing him looking at something but not really paying attention to anything around him, she sat next to him on the bed. "Daemon?"

A pained whimper and a shiver was her answer.

A quick check of his chalice told her that it was no worse than it had been when he and Lucivar had came back from visiting with Tersa. Very slowly so not to startle him and risk waking the Warlord prince side of his nature, she let her finger gently turn his head to her. And for the third time said, "Daemon."

He blinked and slowly his vision cleared enough to see where he was and who was speaking to him. "Lady?"

Something was not right. She didn't know what. And she knew even if she asked he wouldn't be able to tell her…. Probably wouldn't be able to tell her. A deep breath. "Are you ready for evening meal?"

"Food?" His eyes clouded for just a second. Just long enough for her to see… then back to lucid. "I'll get changed."

His clothes were rumpled from sleep. If they were having their meal in the dining room with The High Lord… he would have to change. "Your dressed fine. We're having dinner in Lucivar's room with him and his …" How to describe Marian? "… housekeeper."

Another nod and a shiver but he followed her out of the door.

Lucivar puzzled over the large dinner tray. Puzzled over why there was enough food to feed four people to the stuffing point. Would have pondered it more if Jaenelle hadn't knocked on the door at that very minute. "Cat?"

She gave him a forced smile, "I thought Marian would like some company while you had dinner."

Something wasn't right. Daemon was looking at the floor and wasn't even trying to make eye contact with him. Following Daemon's eyes he noticed his feet. His bare feet that didn't even have a pair of socks on. "Problem, Bastard?"

Daemon glanced up at him and with the barest of moments shook his head.

Marian came out from her bedroom and stopped short. She had just worked the courage up to ask the pain in the ass who had been watching every move that she could make… that she wanted to have a meal with her sisters. Well not really but she didn't want to have another meal with him and a wolf who thought that she wasn't eating enough. Had just been about to speak when she noticed, "Lady Jaenelle."

"Marian. May I introduce you to Lucivar's brother, Prince Sadi?"

She edged closer. She had been around a few witches that had a similar feel to them. Broken. Not that she would dare say anything about that out loud. "Prince Sadi. A pleasure to meet you." She held out a hand in informal greeting.

For a moment too long he looked at the hand then took it in greeting. "Lady."

Watching everything Lucivar gave Marian a small smile, "Sweetheart, why don't you and Daemon get settled in I need to talk to my sister for a moment."

Marian gave a nod and led Daemon to the table… a table that she knew was not there when she took the nap that the Prick had decided that she needed.

Closing the sitting room door behind him, Lucivar growled, "What the hell happened?"

"I don't know. It's not his chalice I do know that for a fact. No whatever this is…"

He took a deep breath then slowly let it out, "Alright. Let me see if I can get him talking."

Her eyes narrowed, "And how do you expect to do that?"

"I have an Idea. Just humor me for the moment." And pray that this worked.

The four of them sat down for their quit dinner. "Daemon, did Jaenelle tell you about the apprentice healer that she is training." Lucivar said in-between bites of wildwood stew.

Pushing the bits of meat and vegetables around in the broth Daemon only shook his head. Stay passive. Don't look like a threat. He kept telling himself.

Ignoring the fact that Daemon really didn't answer him. And knowing that despite his brother being… well he really didn't know what Daemon was being… he decided to press him till he at least got a decent snarl out of him. "Since she will be busy for the better part of the day, I would like you to go with me and Lady Marian to pick out some furniture."

Marian coughed trying not to yell at him. She still had tomorrow at the very least till she could wear her birthright jewels… Of course he would know that already… and had closed any argument that she could make.

Jaenelle blinked, "You're going to buy what?"

"Uncle Andulvar said I can have the Eyrie. Once I'm healed enough for my healer to approve of my being there full time."

"Naturally." Jaenelle smiled at him. The glanced at Daemon who still hadn't taken a bit of anything, "Daemon, you really should eat something. Mrs. Beal will think it as an insult if you don't."

A deep breath and he tried a piece of meat from the stew. Didn't know what it was … but had to force himself to swallow it.

Daemon was ignoring his brother. He was barely paying attention to a queen… Marian softly patted his hand, "Is there something I can get you that would be more to your liking, prince?"

Hearth witch. She might not be at ease around him because of who he was… but a hearth witch wouldn't back down if they decided that someone needed something that they could supply. "No thank you. I don't want to be a bother."

That the hell? Lucivar's gaze sharpened as did Jaenelle's. The tone that Daemon had used… soft and flat. Not a hint of timber. No sexual heat. No emotions… no that wasn't true the emotions were there just not ones that his brother should be having. "Daemon, you haven't said if you come with me in the morning."

His eyes locked with Lucivar's for too long. "If the Lady wouldn't mind." Not Marian… Jaenelle.

Her eyes watched Daemon for a moment longer. He had very politely told her that he wasn't leaving her side, just this morning…. So what changed? "I have no objection. Besides I do need to get acquainted with the healer that is apprenticing with me." * And you will be back before nightfall.* She added to Lucivar . A tiny nod was her answer.

Lucivar smiled at Marian, "Darling since Daemon is a bit out of sorts. Would you mind taking care for his room as well? I think it will be less distressing to have someone that he knows taking care of things."

"Of course. If you wouldn't mind Prince, when your done with you meal would you mind showing me the room?"

Daemon pushed away from the table, "I'm done."

Neither Jaenelle or Lucivar spoke till Daemon was out of the room. "What the hell?"

Lucivar shook his head, "I don't know but I don't like it. Your right it's not his chalice." Jaenelle snorted. "Whatever this is, will either go away on its own or with help."

Witch narrowed her eyes, "What kind of help?"

He called in his war blade just long enough for her to see it and nod with understanding.

Daemon opened the door to his room. No secrets. Not now. Jaenelle didn't object to Marian taking care of his room… if he was permitted in her room she would have said something. Wouldn't she?

He took a deep breath and called in trunks that he usually carried with him.

Seeing the trunks she very quietly asked, "Is there anything you prefer not to be handled?"

No secrets. She would report back to Jaenelle or her papa. "No. You can do what you please to everything in the room."

She had thought that he was broken but the way he spoke… She would have to talk to Lu- Prince Yaslana after all Prince Sadi was his brother. "Very well after we return tomorrow I will see what needs cleaning and what needs aired out."

A slight nod and he slipped into his bathroom giving her time to check what he had called in. After all if she was going to start giving reports on what he had with him she might as well start tonight.

Marian narrowed her eyes at the door. Something wasn't right. She didn't know what but she could bet Lady Jaenelle would. A quick count of the trunks and a rough estimate on the sizes and she slipped back out of the room.

Lucivar glanced up at Marian as she entered. Something wasn't right. "Darling, is something wrong?"

"Prince Sadi called in trunks. I think…" She paused looking more confused, "Why would he call in trunks that he would carry with him with craft? Makes no senses. Unless the trunks are hold laundry that needs…" Another looked at who she was speaking to, "I'll check when we come back tomorrow."

Lucivar grabbed the table just so he wouldn't snap up and barge into Daemon's room. Very calmly so not to frightened Marian he gave a very lazy arrogant smile, "Darling, would it bother you very much to go see if there is any books in the library that you might find of interest?"

A quick look at Lady Jaenelle, "I think I can manage."

"Of course Smoke will lead you there."

"Of course." She never asked how a wolf would know where the library was but then again she might not want that answer.

"Lucivar?"

He pushed away from the table. He needed to move. Needed to think. "How much do you know about Terrielle?"

Witch narrowed her eyes, "What exactly are you asking, Prince."

Of course she would know some. Not everything but enough to know something wasn't right. "Slaves." He cringed on that word but this needed said. She needed to understand. And hopefully fix it. "I don't know everything in those trunks…." Mother night I don't want to think about what could be in those trunks. Bodies? Poison? He shivered. "Slaves." He started again, "Would have to let their … Would have to let... whoever had their contract have access to their trunks."

"All of their trunks?"

Mid step he paused and pivoted to look right at her. He was an Eyrien Warlord Prince, He wore the Ebon-Gray And he was having a damn hard time thinking about this. Remembering this. Forcing those memories to be said. He swallowed hard, "The ones that the bitches knew about."

"I see." Cold whipped around the room before something warm wrapped around him. "What else?" Jaenelle asked. She would have to talk to The High Lord after this… he would have to deal with Lucivar tonight.

Taking whatever comfort that he could find in whatever spell Jaenelle was using he whispered, "I know of two trunks that Daemon admitted having."

Carefully she pushed away from the table. Lucivar was still healing. His ankle was shielded but his back and wings…. Watching him move them restlessly … He was going to hurt tomorrow. Every so carefully she came up to him and took no offence when he flinched as she laid her hand on his cheek. In her most soothing voice she said, "I see what I can do with Daemon."

"And the trunks?" A pained whisper.

"Yes prince and the trunks. I want you to go to the High Lords room and wait for him."

His fear spiked before he understood what she was saying. The High Lord. His father. Safe. He left the room the very second that she had removed her hand. Every emotion that he normally kept to himself already festering and ready to boil over.

*Papa?*

Saetan looked up from the dining room table with worried curiosity. *Witch-child*

*Your assistance is required.*

Protocol? He looked back at the table and his guest. The two eyrien ladies were paying close attention to their meals and not even trying to look around the room. The Again after they had seen the Demons of the SaDiablo/ Yaslana family they wisely offered any comment unless directly asked. "Lady Karla, would you be so kind to keep an eye on our guest?"

She locked eyes with him and gave a wicked smile, "Of course High Lord."

A moment later he was up the steps in the residents and looking a very flustered Witch. "Lady?"

"I don't know what to do." She wiled.

The shields around her suit would keep whoever was in there from hearing this. "About what?"

She took a deep breath. "Daemon scared Lucivar. Lucivar is now working thru emotions that I can't even being to understand all because Daemon called in some damn trunks." She pulled her the hair on either side of her head to relive some of the tension. "What am I missing?"

Since he couldn't answer that question, he asked, "Where is your brother?"

"In your room. I doubt being around anyone with breast will do him any good tonight."

"You want him tucked in…"

"Oh hell no. not tonight. He will be tired and cranky and sore tomorrow but since Daemon can't do much walking it should make it easier on him…"

Saetan shook his head, "I'm sorry witch-child, forgive an old man but … could you explain that to me a bit more. Please?"

"Lucivar is taking both Marian who is still in the first three days of her moon time… and Daemon who is confusing the present with the past… shopping for furniture. Didn't uncle Andulvar say anything to you?"

*Is there a reason my sons are going furniture shopping?* Annoyance and worry flavored the thread.

Shit * Wanted to have that conversation after the waif was in bed*

Saetan closed the link. "HE didn't get around to telling me yet."

"Oh." She looked thoughtful, "In that case he can explain that to you."

Wonderful. "So the children are going shopping."

"Yes."

"And you want Lucivar wore out."

"Y-yes."

"In that case. I'll go see what I can do for one son while you help the other."

Saetan took one step in his room… into his sitting room… and froze. Oh Lucivar was there alright as were his hunting belt that had seen better days. His book knife and sheath that also needed mending… or burned… and his warblade. Honed enough to make air bleed. "going hunting?" He asked dryly and watch his son… his lethal eyrien son shift into a stance that he could fight with.

Slowly the dark male spice registered in his brain, "Father?"

"Hmmm. I trust there is a reason you're …" He let his gaze fall on the warblade.

"When I find out who scraped Daemon's scars I'm going to kill them."

He wasn't sure what was more gratifying… knowing his son would defend the other … or knowing what an eyrien trained warrior could do with his weapons to that prey. "I see."

A deep breath then Lucivar hissed, "I don't need handling."

Sure you do boyo or you wouldn't still be in my sitting room. Not that he would say that right now… or ever. "I didn't say anything." Not sensing an explosion he went over to the side table and poured a glass of brandy. "Want a glass?"

For a moment too long Lucivar considered it. When he shifted from one foot to the other he nodded then winced. "Did Jaenelle tell you what happened?" He took the offered brandy and sat on the foot stool.

"Something about trunks. I think you should tell me everything."

Pleading eyes. And a hint of panic. Then Lucivar looked down at the brandy, "Yes I think I should tell you everything."

When Jaenelle entered her suite through her sitting room door she gave the connecting door a polite token tap. When it opened she came as far as the door frame. Daemon was sitting on his bed. His white silk shirt halfway unbuttoned. Sleeves rolled up and he was reading a book. She couldn't read the title but he was doing something that wouldn't scare anyone shitless. "Are you coming to bed?"

He looked at her. A test. A damn test. Go with her… his queen and be forcibly removed from her father's home. Or stay here and never have that invitation again. A deep breath and very low whisper, "I think I'll read for a bit longer."

Her eyes saw the trunks. Lucivar had said Two. But there were at least four that she could see… and one that she recognized. "Oh Daemon, Do you still have the hat. I think it will fir now."

Hat? Hat… what… then he smiled. "Do you really want to try it on?"

She took a step into the room her eyes lit up with something would get him in to trouble… But Trouble with Jaenelle wasn't trouble that he would be severally punished for just… snarled at.

"I do."