Cruel Fates
Book II: Chapter 4
By: Kiana Darkk
AN: I am about to write some very disturbing material. Everyone, brace yourselves.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Last time: Titian woke up next to Daemonar.
This time: ~~~Kaeleer, the Shadow Realm~~~ *Daemonar's POV*
I dreamed I was wrapped in warmth. A heavy, golden warmth, that conformed to my body and caressed my most intimate areas. There was a scent too, that overlaid everything. Something soft and pleasant, like flowers. I felt that warmth recede and I wanted to cry out at it's loss, grab at it and make it stay.
I opened my eyes to see Titian, her head turned so that she was looking away from me. I could tell that she was naked without even looking down. It was just this feeling I had. Her hair was down, flowing in one long, glorious black wave against golden brown skin. I also became aware of the state of undress I was in. However, instead of panicking I found that I was pretty calm about it. Maybe I was in shock? I didn't think so, I still don't.
Finally Titian turned around, and I saw her eyes widen in shock. Seconds passed in silence. She didn't seem to know what to say, and truth be told, neither did I. So I said what any man would. "Morning. Would you like some breakfast?" I could've smacked myself repeatedly over the head with a two-by-four. Who says something as casual as that after a night of hot sex?!? Me, that's who.
Titian eyes widened even more, then she broke into a smile, and started laughing. It was the kind of full-throated laugh that drew the eyes of men in a bar, the kind that promised...well, long nights of hot sex. When she finally quieted she had tears in her eyes, and was still smiling widely. "Daemonar, you always know just what to say."
Her glee was contagious and I smiled too. "It's an Eyrien thing," I told her. She gave me a clearly skeptical look, and I was glad that our one night together hadn't changed things between us. "Now, how about that breakfast?" She asked, and got up out of bed, fanning her wings out and closing them again. Then Titian proceeded to gather up her clothes- not an entirely good thing- and dress.
```Later that Day``` *Titian's POV*
I think I'm in shock. A deliriously happy kind of shock. I have not stopped smiling all day. I have been nice to everyone. Even Liyah. (Bitch, bitch, bitch...) Okay, as nice as I can be to Liyah. I wonder if I'm not trapped in some kind of hallucination. If I am, I do not want it to stop.
I remember hanging out with Daemonar all day yesterday. I remember going out to the bar, and having a few drinks. I remember stumbling in to his house late that night. I remember the passion. I remember waking up. I remember eating pancakes for breakfast, and then going home.
The parting had been pretty normal. Oh yeah, except for the whole making out against the kitchen counter thing. That had been out of the ordinary. Otherwise, it was like every other day. We made a parting joke, said ta, and I left.
God, it still felt like a dream! I wanted it to feel real. I wanted it to sink in. I wanted to tell someone. Of course, my first choice would have been Silvara, but since she wasn't here I'd have to go with a substitute. Now, I didn't have many other people that I'd trust with this, except there was one. With a nod I sent off for Lady Morghann's court. Damien would get a kick out of this.
*Damien's POV*
I was just getting ready to go down to lunch when I heard a knock at my door. "Who is it?" I called. There was a pause, then came a most unexpected but welcome surprise. "It's Titian, you jerk. Let me in."
I smiled to myself, and jerked the door open. There stood Titian, looking uncharacteristically rumpled, a little smile curving her lips, and no makeup on her face. "Titian...You look..." I trailed off, at a loss for words. Telling her she looked plain was a bad plan. Telling her she looked good would make her think she didn't look good the rest of the time. Unadorned? Was that a good word? Why were women so fucking complicated?!? My head hurt.
"Come on, sugar, move your ass. I'd like to *not* stand in the hallway all day," Titian said with her usual Titian-ness. I snapped out of my stupor and moved aside to let her in. She breezed past me, and seated herself comfortable on my couch. I closed the door carefully, and just looked at her expectantly, one eyebrow raised.
Silence reigned in the room. Still we just stared at each other. Titian broke the silence first. She was never one to be quiet for long. "How are you, dearest?"
"I'm fine, thank you. But, you didn't come all this way just to ask how I was, did you?" I found that thought a little more than unbelievable. She looked a bit uncomfortable, then shrugged. "No, I didn't. Actually I wanted to talk. Well, really I just wanted you to listen-" She cut herself off, realizing she was babbling.
I straightened myself and walked across the room. I watched her eyes follow me, and knew it wasn't just attentiveness that made her do so. I had, unfortunately, inherited many things from my father. One being his ability to make women *ahem* notice me. I ignored it however, and sat down next to her.
"
Okay, so talk. I'll listen. I promise." I smiled warmly at her. She looked relieved, and opened her mouth to speak. "Well, you know these past few months Daemonar and I have been spending a lot of time together..." She trailed off, then looked at me to see my response. I nodded my head, and looked at her, having a feeling of what I was about to hear.
"Anyway, last night Daemonar and I went out to a bar, right? Well I guess we both had a little too much to drink, because next thing I know, I'm waking up next to him-" She broke off, laughing softly. Probably at the irony of it. At least I knew my guess had been correct.
Smiling widely Titian said her next words. "And well, we slept together! Can you believe it?! And don't tell him I said this, but he is wonderful in bed. In fact, I think the bed is much preferable to annoying Çÿ
him. Oh, I have a new hobby!" And she promptly burst out laughing.
I had to admit, it was pretty amusing. After years of annoying the piss out of each other, they slept together, and changed the entire context of their relationship. From rivals to...lovers? I guessed that was the term. However, I did not feel the need to know about my cousin's sexual prowess. That's right up there with my parents' sex life.
I wondered why Titian was even telling me this. After all, I am a guy. A friend, yes, but that's not the same as a girl friend. They're the ones you sit around and chat about shit like this with. Then I remembered that the person Titian would've gone to was missing. I cursed Silvara's departure again, then immediately wished she were safe and well.
Finally I started laughing too, and that was how I spent my afternoon. Talking, and laughing, and joking with Titian.
~~~Terreille, the Realm of Light~~~ *Jade's POV*
Morning came, and my first thought was, I wonder how it went. So immediately I got rolled out of bed- literally- and pulled on a pair of cutoff denim shorts. Wouldn't want to go running around pantsless, eh? Then I set off for Alex's room.
People passed by me in the hallway, giving me curious glances, but I ignored them, like I always do. They think I don't know what they say about me, but I do. And I simply don't give a fuck. I know they call me a bitch, which is true, and psychotic, which might be true, and problematic, and any number of things. Most of which are true. So who am I to argue?
Finally I made it to Alex's room unharmed and intact. Hesitantly, I raised my hand and knocked. I mean, who know's what happened last night? They could have... well, you know! A shudder passed through me involuntarily.
I
heard stumbling around, a shattering of something, and some cursing, and I knew that Sarai was not in there with him. That was normal morning behavior for Alex. Shit! I thought suddenly. Why didn't I bring coffee with me? The least I could do was pretend to act normal. I sent a quick thought to the kitchen, and a moment later two steaming mugs of black coffee appeared in my hands.
Just after that the door opened to reveal Alex, looking exhausted. His eyes were squinting around, his hair was everywhere, his pants were not even buttoned, and there was no shirt present. "Hey, darling. Brought you a little pick-me-up." He looked at me, grunted (which can be translated into normal-talk as 'morning'), and let me inside his room.
I handed him one of the mugs, and sat down on his unmade bed. I stared down into my mug as Alex quickly polished off his. When he was done, and finally functionable as a human again, I looked up. Only to find that he was staring intently down at me, as though waiting for me to talk. So I said the only thing on my mind.
"So how did it go last night?" I smiled sweetly and he crumbled, like he always does. I could see the moment his barriers dissolved, then he plopped down next to me and took my hand. "I think it went rather well," he said carefully. "So tell me!" I practically squeaked. "I want all the details!"
"Well, first we walked to the restaurant. You remember the one. I took you there for your birthday a few weeks back." I did remember the one. It was a nice family-owned business. Well-kept, decent prices, great food. A true diamond in the rough. In terms of restaurants I mean. "Well anyway," he continued, "We ate, we drank, we danced. All in all, it was wonderful."
"And??" I burst out before I could stop myself. It was killing me. I'm a true romantic at heart, I admit, and I wanted to know if he bought her flowers, pulled out her chair, that sort of thing.
"And what?" Alex asked, looking at me curiously. "Nothing," I mumbled, setting down my still-full mug on the nightstand, and staring pensively off into space.
"Noooo," Alex exclaimed loudly, "You wanted to know something. Come on, tell me!" With that he mercilessly tickled my sides until I hurt from laughing so much. "Alright! Alright! I surrender! I'll tell!" He pulled away and looked at me expectantly, his usual bright smile in place.
"I just wanted to know if you did any of that old, corny romantic shit. You know, bought her flowers, held open the door for her, pushed in her chair. That sort of thing." All that was said with me looking at the bedspread, picking at the little fuzzies on the blanket.
"Ah, my beautiful romantic-at-heart little sister, but of course. Well, I didn't push in her chair," He smiled sheepishly, "She wouldn't let me." I nodded sharply, and got up to leave. I had accomplished my mission. Now it was time to go get dressed, eat, and exercise.
*Silvara's POV*
"Musing..." I sang out, "Musing in the bathroom! Gettin' ideas in the bathroom...." The sound echoed off the walls, and bounced back at me, letting me know how off-key I was. Boy, did I need more practice.
Exhaling sharply, I sprayed bubbles all over the walls, making a huge mess. This was why I was not to be trusted alone with bubble bath. It's interesting stuff. You put it in water, it makes bubbles. It goes from liquid to a temporary-type solid thing. Wow, am I intelligent or what? And I can use big words too! Special me!
After awhile I got out of the tub, once my fingers turned all pruney, I mean. The towel I dried off with was big and fluffy and still warm from coming off of the line outside. It reminded me of summertime at home, when everyone hung their laundry outside to bake in the sunshine, and kids ran around playing hide-and-seek in the sheets, while mothers scolded them thoroughly, but let them play anyway.
T
here was a knock on the door while I finished up dressing, and I knew who it was due to the peculiar pattern to it. I buttoned up my shirtEÕ and opened it to see both Jady and Sarai. Well that was a surprise. I'd been expecting just Jady.
The two looked like total opposites standing next to each other, and I almost smiled. Jady was tall, dark, and commanding. She looked very mysterious in her all-black outfit. Her nose piercing glittered sharply against all that color, or lack thereof. Green eyes sparkled as the only bit of true color amongst all that black and white.
Sarai was short, bright, and meek-looking. In her light yellow shirt and denim pants she looked like the type of girl who should be playing hide-and-seek outside with her friends. I noticed that Sarai's hennaed hair had been bleached back to its original color, a bright almost-white-blond color. Her gray eyes stuck out like a sore thumb among all that color, being the only thing that was monochromatic, while Jady was all monochromatic. She was the Queen of monotonous.
"Hi, Silvie!" Sarai cried bouncily. "Ready for a workout?"
"Um...no."
Jade raised an eyebrow. "And why not?"
I gave an exasperated huff. "Guys, I haven't even eaten breakfast yet. I need to do that first."
Sarai shook her head and Jady clucked her tongue. "Well that can be arranged," she said. I felt the tingle of craft working, and knew she was contacting the cook and asking for food to be sent up here.
Sarai was studying Jade, an intense look in her eyes. "What?" Jade asked finally. "I've never understood how you do that." Jade looked at Sarai with both eyebrows raised.
"What do you mean, do what?"
Sarai sighed, and thought for a moment, I guessed on how to word it. "How you just order people around without a second thought. It's like you don't care what their opinion is."
I thought Jade looked sheepish for a moment, but the expression disappeared as quickly as it came. "I care what their opinion is, but I guess if they had a problem with it they'd say something about it, right?" She shook her head. "I guess it's a part of my...heritage."
I'd never heard Jade talk about herself before, so of course I was intrigued. So I opened my big, fat fucking mouth. "What do you mean, heritage?"
"Well...guys. Don't tell me you haven't noticed before this?"
Sarai and I both looked at each other. We were clueless. "Huh," Jade mused out loud, "I guess that spell was really strong." Sarai and I still looked at each other. She shrugged as if to say, Go ahead. Ask. "What spell?" It was out of my mouth before I knew it.
"Well before I left home my mom put a spell on me to make sure nobody knew what I was. I guess it worked."
"And what are you?" That was Sarai, with her little blond head cocked to the side, sort of like a cocker spaniel.
"I'm a Queen." This was said with the most casual voice and expression that I almost shouted, 'Ha! Good one, Jady!' She shrugged as though it didn't matter, but it did. "Okay, let me get this straight; you're a Queen and a Black Widow?" Sarai's eyebrows were raised, and her eyes were a little wide. Another shrug. "Yeah, so?"
I spoke without even thinking about it. "Jady, that is a really rare combination. I mean, the only one that's rarer is being a Healer slash Black Widow slash Queen. And you say it's no big deal? How could you lie to us all this time?"
The kitchen chose that moment to pop the food up, and I had to reach out quickly with my thoughts to steady it, and set it down safely on a table. When I turned back Sarai was staring at Jade in (I think) wonderment or awe. After all little Sarai, the golden girl, was only an Opal-Jeweled Healer. Jady was a Green-Jeweled Black Widow Queen, and that wasn't even with the Offering. We would all be powerful with the offering, even Titian, who only wore the Rose. Damien was already the most powerful at the Black. Dammit! There I go again, thinking about Damien.
"I don't think I've lied to you. Merely omitted some details," Jade said with conviction. It was hard to be mad with her for long. She persuaded you right out of it.
Sarai and I looked at each other; she looked ready to speak. I shook my head minutely. *Not now. If we push her too far she won't open up again.* I sent the thought on a direct thread. Sarai shut up, and I sat down to eat. Jade sat with me, picking occasionally at my toast.
Sarai broke the silence. "Hey, guys. Guess what?"
"Hmm?" Jade murmured through a mouthful of toast.
"My Offering is next week. Ya'll gonna come?"
"Of course," I said instantly. I'd forgotten that Sarai, despite her height (or rather her lack of height), was a year older than us. Which meant she was eighteen and eligible to make the Offering.
Sarai nodded. "Slammin'."
"
Wait, but aren't we going to Askavi in two days?" Jade asked the question which had been on my own mind.
"Well yeah. I sent a correspondence to the Keep there, and they agreed to have the ceremony there. So once we get settled in to Askavi we'll just pop on over there." Sarai smiled brightly.
Jade's response was, "Oh."
Mine was, "Okay."
So, this time next week I'd be sitting another long vigil at a Keep, waiting for a loved one to return with a new Jewel. Or return bawling. Grrrreat.
```That Night```
Weak...
Useless...
Waste of space...
Stupid...
Ungrateful....
Words kept flying back and forth in my mind, cutting as deep as blades. Only once a blade cuts your flesh the pain flares and fades. This pain ached along my bones, made my teeth hurt, and my eyeballs water.
Memories reared their ugly heads and sniped at my spirit. I could see my mother, her face as beautiful as always. Only this time she was smiling, warm and caring, however exhausted. My father's face came into view, again warm and smiling. I raised my own chubby hands-chubby?- That's when I realized that this was from when I was a baby. When my mother still loved me.
I watched as her face changed, became cold and hateful and sneering. I watched her mouth move and heard the words spilling into my head.
Weak...
Useless...
Waste of space...
Stupid...
Ungrateful....
During this my father's face floated away, distancing himself from me. His warm, caring smile was hidden underneath a mask of cool, calm solidarity. He listened to these words, and I knew they hurt him too, but still he did nothing. Said nothing.
I could feel myself smiling wryly. How typical, I wanted to say.
"Ieeehh!" I woke up gasping, drenched in sweat and tears. I realized that my shirt was soaked through, and I needed to change. But first I needed a bath.
Hidden under the scalding hot water I came to the realizationÇÿ
that I had to go back. Something inside me shrank away from that thought. I mean, I knew I had to. I'd never be okay until I had it out with Gabrielle and Chaosti. I just couldn't go now. Not yet. I needed to work up the courage. Darkness, would it take me a long time to do that.
Next time: Sarai's Offering.
AN: Yes, I know this is all not very Silvara-centered right now, but that's how I'm writing it. Don't like it? Tough! Anyway, let's review. In this chapter we found out what happened once Daemonar woke up. We also discovered that Jade is a Queen. And last but not least, Sarai is making her Offering soon.