This chapter's a little more risqué. More from subject matter and situation than actual action, thus I have not changed the rating. Fair warning I hope.

Chapter 11

Southland royal residence, Aldebaran

The air is icy in the foothills of the mountains and snow can be seen at higher altitudes. The late afternoon sun touches the horizon as the sleek Aldebaran transports approach a large set of arched wooden buildings set among the cliffs of a long valley.

The vaulted buildings of the royal residence surround a sweeping courtyard where small snow flurries twirl with the wind. There's a sudden rush of activity around the gates at the far end of courtyard as several transports arrive. Armored warrior Aldebaran's and servants in simple robes appear from the buildings and hurry towards the transports as they pull to a halt close outside the entrance to the main building.

A door in the central transport opens and a dark figure in a thick black cloak steps out. The Aldebaran's converge around Sarradel as he pulls the cloak around him against the cold. They trail after him as he strides towards an ornate entrance to the largest building. An officer with flame-red hair addresses Sarradel as they enter the main building.

Officer: We have heard the fight has gone well, my Lord.

Sarradel's only acknowledgement to grunt, his face a blank frown.

They step into a large entrance foyer where more Aldebaran's are clustered. Many of the group here are aristocrats dressed in opulent robes. The building's internal decorations resemble a very elaborate hunting lodge. The high ceilinged foyer is paneled in dark wood with occasional heavy decorative tapestries in rich tones.

Sarradel glances around. His disinterested gaze sweeps over the gathered Aldebaran's, alighting briefly on Jenny, who's graceful form is conspicuous among the crowd. Sarradel looks away and starts to shrug off his outside robe. As he moves aside the heavy cape, the large bloody rent in his armor is exposed and the sheathed light saber bangs on his hip. There's a sharp intake of breath. Sarradel glances back over to Jenny. She is staring at his left side, her expression shocked. Sarradel's face twitches; he looks amused and smug. He casually drops the cape while unhooking and tossing away the light saber; both are caught by hovering servants. He speaks with exaggerated nonchalance.

Sarradel: Don't worry unduly, princess. I heal easily.

Jenny looks up sharply to Sarradel's self-satisfied face, her expression fixed. He turns away from her unconcernedly as a robed Aldebaran addresses him with a tentative "My Lord?". Jenny's breathing has quickened and she keeps staring at him intensely. She seems to be holding herself under control with some difficulty.

It's dark in the opulent principal apartments. Square wooden pillars with ornamental geometric caps divide up the space and thick rugs are strewn about over the stone slab floor. The only light comes from the embers of a dying fire in the massive stone hearth. A sizable canopied bed heaped in dense blankets dominates the center of the rooms. Two still forms can be seen among the rumpled covers and plush pillows.

Jenny's large green eyes blink open. She remains motionless for several minutes then moves carefully, working her way out from under the thin arm that's thrown possessively over her. Once free, she sits up and turns to look at Sarradel, her expression hard. He shifts in his sleep, rolling onto his back. The crudely made necklace of black gems lies across his pale chest. Jenny stares at him for several moments then carefully reaches out until her fingers brush the chain of the necklace. She moves her touch around to the necklace's clasp then cautiously works it open. Jenny slips then necklace off Sarradel in a smooth motion. He doesn't stir. Jenny grips the necklace tightly; she looks as if she's about to fling the gems away then indecisively pulls her hand back. After another moment of staring at the necklace she quickly fastens the gems around her own neck. The large stones look starkly black against her whiteness.

Sarradel abruptly opens his pale blue eyes and speaks in a low voice.

Sarradel: Let me see.

Jenny starts backwards in alarm as Sarradel sits up. Jenny has an intense and slightly wild look. She raises a hand threateningly towards Sarradel then speaks in a low hiss.

Jenny: You deserve to die for everything you've done.

Sarradel continues to speak calmly.

Sarradel: Everything?

His gaze flicks to the gems around Jenny's neck.

Sarradel: Are you really naïve enough to think I would let you near those if I had any concerns? You'll find I don't die so easily.

Jenny is poised on her hip as Sarradel draws his legs up and looks her over. He smiles.

Sarradel: Do you want to try using them? It's bliss once you're used to it. Simply mating you doesn't come close.

Jenny's expression hardens further. She keeps an arm extended in his direction.

Jenny: That's repulsive . . . you're repulsive. All you ever do is destroy.

Sarradel continues as if Jenny hadn't spoken.

Sarradel: But then you've already had a taste.

Jenny frowns more deeply.

Jenny: I haven't.

Sarradel: Oh, you have. I found out what your mother did. How you were resurrected after I took your life. You've taken a day of life from hundreds; a little death for everyone.

Jenny stares at him in open mouthed disbelief. Her hand drops slightly.

Jenny: That-that's not the same as what *you* do. They gave that willingly . . .

Sarradel laughs hollowly.

Sarradel: And who was going to refuse their then queen? Why don't you ask them as they're dying if they wouldn't want one more day? A day you've taken.

Jenny continues to protest. She sounds almost plaintive.

Jenny: I didn't even know what was happening. I didn't want . . . I'm not . . .

Sarradel: *I* didn't know what was happening the first time I drained a life. I was desperate, on the point of death. Sound familiar?

Sarradel abruptly breaks into a string of think, unintelligible syllables, his tone contemplative. He suddenly turns fully to Jenny with a calculating expression, kneeling up. His voice is goading.

Sarradel: Go on; use those if you think you can stop me. You could free your family and your people. Go back to your pathetic off-world mate. Get some revenge. You're so close. Why did you take them if you don't mean to use them? What are you afraid of?

Jenny simply stares at him, almost frozen in place. Her voice is close to inaudible.

Jenny: Go back to . . .

Sarradel sneers.

Sarradel: You're no match for me.

He makes a sudden lunge, grabbing Jenny and knocking her back. Jenny seems to be caught unawares as Sarradel pins her then she abruptly lunges into action, twisting and nearly throwing him off. They struggle, exchanging locks. Despite initially having the upper hand, Sarradel is soon huffing with effort. He gives a chocking growl as Jenny bucks him to the side then swings up over him; the necklace she wears dangles between them. Jenny twists around and jams her knee into his neck, trapping him against the bed. Sarradel starts to pant for breath and scrabble with his claws. Jenny pushes his hands down and holds the lock with a grim expression. Sarradel suddenly twists a hand loose to reach up and clutch the necklace. The gems around Jenny's neck flicker and then seem to release pure darkness in long strings. The dark tendrils rapidly twist across Jenny's arms and chest. She gives a wheezing gasp and falls back.

Sarradel pauses to regain some breath then pulls himself back over her. He looks down at Jenny as she lies prone under him, pinned out by dark wires. She appears to be in pain, her eyes screwed shut and her breath coming in gulps. Sarradel still breaths hard as he speaks in harsh, rasping tones.

Sarradel: You said you'd give me what I want. I don't want a damn puppet; I want someone who's a match for me.

Sarradel places a thin hand on Jenny's chest. The black gems flicker again and the dark coils that snake across her disintegrate in smoke-like wisps. Red marks track across Jenny's arms and chest. Jenny begins to recover; her breathing gradually becoming less fraught. Sarradel moves his hand to stroke absently at the wounds near her shoulder and speaks quietly, almost soothingly.

Sarradel: I know it's not easy . . . becoming strong . . . it takes a little push.

Sarradel abruptly presses into the fresh wounds. Jenny cries out and tries to twist away but Sarradel grips her more tightly.

Sarradel: You're the only one who's ever been "brought back". When I take a life I don't just get energy, I get memories, knowledge, feelings. I take everything. I know you better than you think. I know loves and fears and secrets.

Sarradel relaxes his grip. He leans further over Jenny then speaks, his voice changing.

Sarradel: Jen?

Jenny's eyes fly open and her breath catches. Sarradel's form shifts, his thin platinum blond fur lengthening to a slightly shaggy green coat and his skinny body bulking out to a lean but well-muscled build. Jenny is left staring up at Bucky. He smiles.

Bucky: Forget about propriety Jen, I know you want me. You've been trying it on for years.

Jenny is staring at him in disbelief. Her voice is hoarse.

Jenny: No . . .

Bucky frowns lightly and cocks his head.

Bucky: Is this just making it easier?

He drops his head and gives a snort then looks back at her. His form shifts again. There's a brief impression of platinum blond fur then hard silver metal takes its place. The bulk above Jenny becomes massive, huge armored shoulders fill the bed's canopy and clawed hands grip her. Jenny's eyes become wild and she tries to violently pull away as a pair of immense cybernetic jaws filled with long metal teeth drop towards her. Dallion huffs nosily close to Jenny's cheek then his jaws open. Jenny grits her teeth and screws her eyes tightly shut. She speaks in a gasp.

Jenny: Don't!

The huge wolf slides his muscular tongue slowly across her neck and cheek then pauses above her with his tongue lolling. His voice is a deep rumble.

Dallion: No?

There's another change. Jenny opens her eyes and meets a pair of the same bright green. Tommy grins.

Tommy: Come on sis, we're royalty. There's plenty of precedent. And I'm the king; you have to do what I want.

Jenny screams. The gems around her neck flare darkly and Tommy is thrown forcefully backwards. Jenny lunges upright and clambers off the bed then staggers away. On the bed, Sarradel is back to his true form. He's reeling but recovers quickly, rolling over and muttering in his abrupt, guttural language. Sarradel slips off the bed then follows a little unsteadily after Jenny. She's nowhere to be seen. He glances around then moves to a tanged pile of darkness on the floor. Sarradel scoops up the necklace of black gems. He turns them over in his hand and murmurs.

Sarradel: Don't worry kitten, the first time hurts but it gets easier.

He smiles unsettlingly, exposing a mouth full of pale, boney teeth.

Sarradel: Then it gets fun.

It's still mostly dark but the pale light of dawn has started to appear. The soft smudge on the horizon fights through a heavy white fog.

The roof of the royal residence curves into graceful peaks that a fall of snow has left dusted in white. Jenny sits leaning against the slope of a tiled corner, a gnarled tree bare of leaves twists darkly behind her. She has a thick black cloak pulled around her. The cloak and one long leg dangle as Jenny stares vacantly forward. She murmurs quietly in a guttural language of clipped tones.