Disclaimer

A/N

Alrighty well this is never good. I do apologize for making this confusing that really was not my intention. So I will answer all questions now to clear things up.

What is the brand on Tiana's wrist? (I'm sorry. This is roughly translated): The mark is the crest of the castle. It is almost finished meaning that Tiana is losing the game and will soon belong to Naveen.

Where is Charlotte?: Charlotte is in a coma at home, (Tiana will have this dream later in the story), her father is beside himself as is Eudora.

The strange dream?: Is just that. A strange dream that Naveen had and he will have many more to come. Bit of foreshadowing.

Why is she there? What's the situation with the drug?: (I assume you are referring to Tiana' if not please let me know) Tiana is there in place of Charlotte who was losing at her game with the drugs. Each game is different for whatever reason. Tiana does not do the drugs because Naveen chose a different challenge for her.

What is up with the war?: A war that has been going on for at least a 50 years is werewolves, vampires and elves against ogres, ghouls and imp for land, money, title, bragging rights etc. Unfortunately humans have been caught in the middle and since it is there land too, some joined the vampire wolves, elves side, others are on the fence and the rest are with the ogres, ghouls and imps. Not many though.

Is he human?: No he is not human, he is a vampire. As is most of his guards and staff and the rest are human.

What is the deal they have?: Their deal is to basically kill each other. They don't die, but the pain they feel when they are stabbed in the heart is kind of like it. They each have three daggers/stakes. Naveen has already done it (and succeeded) twice leaving him one more in order to win. Tiana has done it once (success) and still has two more to do.

What is a stager?: I am not all that sure myself. When i find that mistake i will find it and fix it. The word was to be either stake or dagger but that will be changed when i find the mistake.

Okay. I do apologize for the confusion i hope answering your questions helped. Hopefully things will be a little clearer from here on out. Now on with the story :)

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Tiana leaned her back against the tree. The night before, she had not (as if she had ever) got a proper night sleep which irritated her to no end. Closing her eyes she inhaled as a breeze came giving her a break from the heat. Hearing a slither she looked to her left and saw Mama Oddie's snake- her now companion- Juju curled up ,literally, next to her his tail wagging in the air. A snake wagging its tail was a little weird to see, especially if it wasn't going to strike. Yet, she found that Juju was not like most snakes which she was grateful for. Gently petting his head Tiana closed her eyes again and waited.

/

Naveen groaned on the inside as he heard yet another case. This one was about this woman who stole from herself, yet she was convinced her cat did it. He wasn't sure how to make the woman see that it was her but he gave her the benefit of the doubt. Last time she was here her husband and son died in the ever progressing war making her hysterical and a little mad.

"Listen. I will personally see that everything that had been stolen from you will be replaced in the next week or so." he promised after she was done speaking.

"But. They were priceless treasures. It was everything i had left of my boy and husband." she cried her hands coming to cover her face.

"Of course it was." he mumbled to himself. "I will have a guard go to your house to help you find your lost things if you would like." he offered rubbing the back of his neck.

"But my things weren't lost. They were stolen!" she insisted her sobs becoming louder.

"Then my guard will stand outside your door to ward off any thieves."

"Oh thank you. Thank you." she smiled her hands clapped in front of her mouth.

"You, um, Oliver. Go with Ms. Blake and be sure to watch out for any robbers, thieves."

The guard to his far left nodded then escorted the woman out the room back to her home.

"Are you alright sire?"

Naveen kept from rolling his eyes at the sweet voice. The woman to his right was, the most, how do you put it without sounding rude? Stupidish most annoying woman he had the misfortune of having to keep. She was not here as his pet per say, just arm candy. The most annoying arm candy.

"Im fine." he pinched the bridge of his nose while closing his eyes.

"Are you sure?" she stood up and started to walk over to him.

"Yes i'm fine." he got up quickly from his seat. "Everyone is dismissed." he waved his hand in the air and walked out but she was following him.

'Oh no.' he sighed inwardly trying to make his strides longer but she was somehow able to keep up.

"I can tell whe something is bothering someone." she stepped in front of him, her eyes gleaming. "It's a gift." she shrugged some of her hair moving off her shoulder.

"Mhm." he nodded uninterested going to go around her but her arm blocked his way.

"Is there something I can help you with?" he asked aggravated by her manners.

"No. But i am fairly sure i can help you."

"I do not require any assitance." he moved her arm from in front of him and walked on.

"Oh please you do. You have been distracted for the past month and a half. Surely something has caught your interest to make you act this way." she started to follow him again.

"Act what way exactly?" he stopped suddenly then turned to her his eyes hard.

"Distracted. Almost like you were-"

"I was what?" his eyes narrowed.

"I. Um. Um." she began to falter. Her words escaping her as fear crept in.

"Mhm. I suggest you forget about relaying any other gossip to me." he walked out the door next to them that led to the garden.

Naveen did feel a little bad for snapping on her. Well that's not true. Walking over the hill he watched the sun set. He was okay with missing dinner, not like he ate anyway. Weirdly enough, in his garden there was one lone tree and then flowers spread out before it. He walked down the hill towards it.

Tiana heard a hiss from Juju rousing her from her short nap. She looked at him and saw his tail pointing in the direction of the hill behind them. It was time. Pulling a stick from her sleeve she placed it on the snakes head. Immediately he changed. Juju was now a sheep dog with a shiny black coat. She heard footsteps coming closer, making her push the stick back into her sleeve. As Naveen came from behind the tree Tiana was looking out at the garden.

"There you are."

She spared him a look before going back to pet Juju and look out to the setting sun.

"Where did you get the dog?" he asked as he sat down next to her.

"He just, came to me." she shrugged looking down at Juju and smiling. Juju stood on all fours, licked her face before walking over her to Naveen. Naveen smiled and began to pet him. Juju immediately laid his head on Naveens lap and closed his eyes.

"Well i guess i just lost my friend." Tiana laughed to herself watching Naveen and Juju.

"Nah." he shook his head continuing to pet Juju. "Dogs are loyal. They would never betray a friend." he smiled at juju then to her.

"Mhm." Tiana looked away from him.

"So why is it you never come to breakfast?" he asked.

"I thought i gave an answer already." she turned her head lazily to him.

"Ah yes but that was dinner."

"And the same answer still stands."

"Do you really find my company that replusive?"

Tiana shook her a smile playing on her lips.

"What?" he asked in curiousity.

"I feel as though i have the same conversation with you. Its like really bad deja vu just in different wording." she confessed laughing out loud.

"And how is that?"

"You always want to know why I dont like you."

Naveen mulled it over for a minute then agreed.

"True. But it because youre just so aloof. Like you dont care."

"Not true." she shook her head. "I do care, about things. But this is not one of them."

Naveen turned to her so that he was facing her fully.

"And why is that?" he asked his curiousitu at its peak.

Tiana turned to him and stabbed him quickly with a stake in his heart. Naveen groaned falling forward.

"I just dont care about you." she shrugged. Juju got up from Naveens lap and walked over to Tiana rubbing his head against her chest.

"Thanks buddy." she smiled before turning him back to his orginal form and walking to the castle.