"Well, well. If it isn't the happy, home wrecking, Irish whore." Narcissa hissed at Morrigan. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the scene before her. Morrigan on her knees holding Lucius hand and touching his cheek. Lucius was leaning into her touch as he never had with the former Black daughter. "My, how cozy the two of you look."

"Back off Narcissa." Morrigan was still upset about Voldemort's orders and was in no mood for any confrontation. Much less with the wife of her captor.

"Is that the best you can do, Skye Finnigan?" Narcissa smirked. "Where's that famous wit and sarcasm that made you so famous in school? Left it home with your husband perhaps?"

Morrigan paled and could feel her power rising within her as she stood and walked over to her nemesis. It didn't matter at that moment if Narcissa figured out who and what she was. All Morrigan cared about was dulling the pain of her loss. And if that meant attacking the youngest Black sister turned Malfoy, so be it.

But Lucius came to her defense quicker than she would have thought. Him knowing full well what would happen if she unleashed her fury on the unsuspecting witch. He wasn't even sure that Morrigan would bother with magic. Stopping her with a gentle hand on her shoulder that was not lost on either woman, Lucius spoke.

"Narcissa, you will watch your mouth and behave around your betters. You will conform to the rules I set down for you or you will summarily be returned to your family. And I'll leave it to you to explain to your mother why it is that you have been divorced and disowned without a penny from one of the oldest and noblest houses. Only to bring shame to a yet older house." Lucius delivered his threat in a calm cold voice that had even Morrigan staring at him. He had given the terms of their agreement to Narcissa the night he had brought Morrigan home. She had thrown a fit but had agreed if only because of the shame a divorce would bring her family. When she had complained about it to her sister, Bella had laughed at her and in a condescending tone reminded her of their father's various lovers that had lived with them over the years. Bella had of course filled Lucius in on their conversation the next day. He was less than pleased but mentally thanked his sister-in-law for taking Narcissa's indignation as humourous.

Morrigan watched in shock. She knew that Narcissa had been given rules about her behavior. What she could reveal and what she wasn't to speak about. However, that Lucius had threatened divorce? She began to see that he didn't just want to own her. He was serious about having her as Mistress. And she wondered if perhaps he wanted Narcissa to break the rules so he could get rid of her.

Is he or does he think that he's so in love with me that he would divorce Narcissa? Surely he knows that I can't break the bond with Severus? Will Severus file for divorce? Will Lucius pressure him to do so if Narcissa leaves? Morrigan could hardly keep up with the questions running thru her mind. So much so, that she almost missed the next part of the conversation between husband and wife.

"I know the rules you gave me. But they do not include welcoming that bitch into our home." Narcissa sounded fierce and yet fear could be heard underneath all her bravado. She knew that someone in Lucius position could easily put things in motion and she would be shamed. Easier still would be an untimely death from an untraceable potion.

Lucius smirked at her obvious falseness. She was truly afraid he would do as he promised. And yet he gave her a small amount of respect for not lying down and taking the changes to her life quietly. Still, she would know her place and not upset Morrigan or he would do as promised.

"You do not have to welcome her, but you will show her respect. And not mention Severus Snape in her presence. Is that understood?" Lucius needed to make it very clear that upsetting Morrigan, or Skye as Narcissa knew her, would not be tolerated. He did not want his lover upset enough to reveal herself at any cost. Now that he had Morrigan, he planned on a very long life with her. Perhaps even children if he could ever convince her to consider it. Especially in the wake of Narcissa's inability to carry a child to term.

Narcissa looked livid. But knowing the consequences she nodded curtly. "Yes, I understand." She turned and headed for the door, but stopped when Morrigan called her name.

"Narcissa Black. I live here now. I am Lucius' lover and true Mistress of the Manor. You will not speak to me without respect in your voice again. You will remember who your betters are and you will. Never. Mention. That. Name. Again. Or you will face my wrath. And believe me when I tell you that anything you have experienced in your life will pale in comparison to my punishment, should you cross me again. Is that clear?" Cold, black eyes bore into the back of the blonde witch's head as she failed to control a slight tremble of her entire body. Another curt nod and she was on her way.

Lucius took his hand off of Morrigan's shoulder and glanced at her. She was still angry but it was fading in the wake of the stressful morning. He didn't know what he could do to ease her discomfort and loss, but he could only ask. "Morrigan, is there anything I can do? Do you require anything?"

The redhead was silent. She was at a loss of what to do. "I. . .I don't know. Things are too much right now. Maybe just to lie down for a while?"

Lucius was afraid to let her out of his sight but knew it would be pointless to deny her something so simple. "Of course, my love. Go and rest. I can arrange for Dobby to bring you lunch if you do not feel like joining me."

Morrigan sighed. "That would be nice, Luc." She walked toward the door but halted briefly as if unsure of what she was about to say. "Would you join me?"

Nothing that came out of her mouth could have startled Lucius so much as her asking him to join her. He slept beside her every night and knew that she would panic at the slightest touch, but to be asked into her sanctuary of her own choice? He almost stammered his answer. "O. .Of course."

Morrigan bit back a grin at Lucius surprise. She hadn't given him any reason to think that he might be welcome any other time than at night. And perhaps just an hour ago he wouldn't have been. But something had changed since that letter had arrived. She saw him in a slightly different light now. His reaction to Voldemort's plans. His rules and consequences for Narcissa. Something had changed and although she did not know what, she would not forget it.

Taking his offered arm, they walked up to her suite. There she undressed and crawled under the soft duvet. She was naked but did not see the sense of false modesty. He had never tried anything each night he came to her, so she did not believe that he would now. She gestured to him to undress and join her once she was comfortable. She could have giggled at his expression.

Lucius watched with wide eyes as she undressed without hesitation in front of him. Except for the night she left Severus, he had not seen her without clothes or a robe. To see her now was arresting. She was beauty without question. Seeing her amusement, he undressed as well. But as he climbed in, he kept a sheet between them. Seeing her surprised look, he gave his own sigh. "I will never force you. And even this," he gestured to them lying in bed, "does not mean more than what it does. I know this."

Morrigan touched his face lightly. "Thank you, Luc."

He smiled softly at her. "You are welcome. I can wait for you to come to me. Even if it takes years. I will wait." He laid his hand on hers and squeezed. "Now rest. I had forgotten about the dinner party that Narcissa arranged weeks ago. It will also serve as your introduction to my acquaintances and their spouses. I must warn you though. My Lord always receives an invitation but rarely does he show. However, by now he has heard of your presence and will undoubtedly arrive tonight." He was hopeful that she would not fly into a rage at his confession. But she surprised him yet again with her calm.

"Yes. I know of the party. Narcissa seemed to think it necessary that Dobby tell me. Each night that he helped me prepare for bed. I will be able to attend without you worrying." She laughed again at his doubtful look. "Honestly Luc. I can control myself when it's imperative. I didn't kill you outright that day, now did I?" It was said with jest and hardly a flinch of the reminder.

Lucius narrowed his eyes but smirked at her. "No, you didn't. Much to my surprise. And of course I believe you. But I am curious about something." He waited until he saw her nod her approval of his question. "Why have you simply not killed my Master? I know that you have the power. Why not destroy him?"

She was disturbed by his question but not that he had asked it. Merely that she had not thought about her own fate in so long. She lay there in silence for several minutes before Lucius hesitantly called her name.

"Morrigan?"

Her revery broke, she shifted in his arms and looked directly into his eyes. "On the day I was born, the last prophecy ever recorded by the circle was revealed from our scrolls. It spoke of a babe born on the spring equinox, the last pureblood descendant of the Goddess' line. One who would have the lost power. One who would live a solitary life. One who would right the wrong. One who would redeem love. One who would save the three innocents. Until the time of completion, nothing must interfere or it would be the end of the Circle. Forever."

Lucius was speechless. What a price was held on her head until the prophesy was deemed fulfilled. He now understood her reluctance to do anything. It would cause the destruction of her people. "Morrigan. I don't know what to say."

The Celtic Priestess smiled. "There is nothing to say. What I haven't told you is worse yet." A deep breath before speaking again, kept Lucius on edge waiting for what she could say that would be worse then the prophecy. "My birth started the War. There were those who wanted to destroy me before I came of age and the prophecy could be proven mine. There were those who thought banishment. And those who wanted to keep me safe. The more powerful pure bloods refuse to let me come to harm. The lesser pureblood wanted an end to the Circle's power. As it dragged on it became more about blood purity and less about me. Not that that was any consolation to a five-year-old whose parents had just been murdered in front of her by her Grandfather. Each family became so distrustful of each other that there was very little left. And much to the disgust of wizards, there were no qualms about killing children of lesser blood. I lost countless cousins, and friends. . .it was horrible."

Without saying a word, he pulled her tightly into his chest and held her. He closed his eyes as he felt silent sobs and a warmth spreading on his chest. One hand rose to stroke her hair and he felt her shudder at his tenderness. His own guilt was weighting heavily on him as hours later they fell into a deep yet uneasy sleep.