dunno how long until the next chapter...sorry

Lady Satine Myra had been ruler of the League de Myra for four hundred and thirty-eight years. She'd had to wait for three hundred and twelve years for her father to die so she could take power. Those years made her hard and cold, a woman who was quick to anger but slow to show it. She'd had twenty-six children, all but one of whom also had children. Only seven of these children were born within the Leauge de Myra, meaning they were not born to form some alliance. Her first child, she had when she was thirty-nine, was to renew an alliance between the League de Myra and the League of Danall. When the child was sixteen, and Awoken, the Danall broke the treaty, and murdered Satine's firstborn. Devastated, she swore she would never allow herself to have another child of state. Her next two children were born out of lust rather than duty. Her father was very unimpressed. Lord Myra denounced them and refused to acknowledge them as his grandchildren. He also threatened to disown his daughter, should she refuse another child of state. Reluctantly, Satine acquiesced, and in the next hundred years she had six children. Satine never had another Danalli child though. Lord Myra was furious at the Danall's betrayal, and instead forged an alliance with the powerful Danalli enemy, the League of Nichelle. Satine's thirteenth and fourteenth children, twins, were born to Marcus Nichelle, the Lord Nichelle's second son.

When Satine took power of the League de Myra, the first child she had after, her sixteenth, was with Zachariah Nichelle. Unfortunatly, Agents shot the boy's plane down when he was in his late forties. To repair damage, another child was born to Satine's son and Zachariah's daughter. Satine and her children had eight more children with the Nichelle's, four of which were Satine's. There was only one Nichelle child left now; her name was Elaina.

Satine was what was refered to when one referenced a beautiful woman. She had gold blond hair and cobalt blue eyes. Her body was curved in the right places and small in others. She was a goddess and knew it. She used her beauty to hold a man's attention and bend him to her will, and to intimidate a woman to force her into submission. All her children were blessed with beauty and she could see her youngest daughter was no exception when she first laid eyes on her.

Elaina was perhaps the closest looking daughter to herself. But there was no mistaking her Nichelle heritage. Where Satine's colouring was light, Elaina's was dark. Even Elaina's skin tone was darker. But they were mirror images of each other, that much was apparent. Satine could tell this unnerved the girl, already apprehensive about meeting her mother, to see her own reflection greeting her.

Previous to her daughter's entrance, Satine had been fuming over the loss of a great portion of territory to the Organization. One of her sons had been lost as well, causing her grief as well as anger. When she'd had to endure the presence of the little Korr brat, she'd been furious. She'd greatly disliked being separated from her baby, but it turned out for the better. Now, the child she'd not seen since her birth stood before her, a proud young woman of nineteen. Elaina would do well in the world, if Satine had anything to do with it.

"Elaina, darling," she opened her arms to the nervous child, "I've missed you so!" She enfolded the girl in her arms, who clung to her in an almost desperate manner. When the awkward hug was done, Satine held the girl at arms length and said, "my goodness you've changed. But I guess that is to be expected. The last time I saw you, you were a squalling babe."

Elaina attempted a smile. It looked rather forced. "I'm glad I finally get to meet you," she fumbled, "mother." Her voice was a little off pitch, like she was bottling up some strong emotion.

Satine smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. "Don't worry dear, with time it will seem all the more natural. I expect you'll adapt to our way of life quite well." She turned to Rikard, her twenty-first child, and suggested "why don't you take your sister to the guest wing and make her comfortable. I wish to speak alone with Nikoli here." She looked back to Elaina who suddenly had a dreading expression and reassured her, "Don't worry Elaina. You'll have your lover boy back soon enough. Now go with your brother and I'll check in on you later." She hugged the girl and turned to Marchette.

When she'd left Marchette snorted, "She won't like the lover boy comment."

"Why ever not?" Satine asked innocently, raising an eyebrow.

Marchette gave her a pointed look, "She chose me as a bodyguard, not a lover boy. To say such things in inappropriate and could get me shot. Besides, it would be Kegan not I who could be her lover boy. He's the older of us twins."

Satine smirked. "Do I hear a hint of jealousy, young Nikoli?"

Marchette laughed humorlessly, "Madam, you have no comprehension of what it is like to be the younger twin. If you forgive my forwardness, I believe it tactless to jest of what you do not understand."

Lady de Myra smirked again. "Forgive me," she crooned sarcastically. She sat down behind her desk and waved him to the seat in front. "Tell me," she began, "Why are you here? We found out an hour ago you were coming. A little more notice would have been more considerate."

As he took his seat, Marchette bowed his head in resignation. "Forgive me madam. Our plans went awry. The original mandate was to fly her to Cordalla immediately, but we ran into one of her Agent friends. We couldn't implicate the Nichelle, so we flew over the Danall city of Malsurh. I am terribly sorry to inconvenience you madam, but I was only thinking of your daughter's safety. I figured it best to get to a family member, but too many planes flying into Coralla with Nichelles onboard was a risk. If you wish, we can leave as soon as the sun sets."

Satine flapped her hand at him, "don't be absurd. She was going to meet us anyways, so, no time like the present. I am rather hurt though, that I did not receive word of her Awakening. I was under the impression that Zachariah wanted to wait until she was twenty one."

With a nod, Marchette answered, "That was the plan madam. We, in fact, only learned of her Awakening the night-before-last. It seems that the ruse that was her identity worked so well that she was captured and Turned by Alexander Tsar, and his right hand man, James. Now, Tsar was Turned by Louis Nichelle, Zachariah's Half-Blood brother, and Tsar turned James; therefore both are of Zachariah's bloodline, and therefore, were able to unknowingly Awaken Miss Nichelle."

"Interesting," Elaina's mother said, her lips pursed, as she nodded her head. "She showed no signs of Blood Rage though?"

Marchette shrugged. "I wouldn't exactly know, but I'm guessing nothing very intense until she wished to exact revenge on one Liam Neskab."

Satine frowned, "What does the Neskab boy have to do with anything?"

Clearing his throat awkwardly, not too happy about having to be the one to tell her, Marchette told her in a rushed manner, "LiamNeskabrapedyourdaughter, ma'am."

"What?" she roar, slamming her fist on the desk, denting the hardwood, as she lurched to her feet. "He did what?"

"Raped her, madam," Marchette said, wishing he could sink into his seat.

Satine swore loudly and began pacing behind her desk. She was fuming, wringing her hands and muttering under her breath. Suddenly, she froze and turned to Marchette, "Is there any chance he could have gotten her pregnant?" Her eyes were wide with panic.

Marchette furiously shook his head, "No ma'am," he assured her. "Elaina's not due for a Time of Fertility until the second week of March."

With a sigh of relief, Satine sunk back into her chair, and clutched her head as her elbow was propped on the armrest. "Thank god," she murmered, "one piece of good news. At least her first child won't be to that horrid boy." She shook her head, and then looked up at Marchette and said with a stronger, more authoritative voice, "I trust Zachariah has dealt with the incident accordingly?"

Nodding Marchette affirmed, "He's been sent to the Blood farms, and shall have both his genitals and hands removed, without blood supplements." To reassure Satine, he added, "Your daughter thinks this a fitting punishment."

"Hmph," Satine answered, crossing her arms. Then she sighed, "Zachariah's going to have a time convincing the Neskabs of what happened. You watch, that Allison Reich will be protesting at what an angel her 'ittle 'Iam is; that its preposterous that he'd lay hands on a woman without permission. Mark my words, some poor Nichelle girl is going to have to have a child with a Neskab; most likely the older brother. At least his reputation is better. But I'd be willing to bet that ol' Allison will be harking for Liam's release by the end of the day. Hmph."

"Well," Marchette said, "at least that James fellow of his will get some peace out of it." To answer Satine's questioning look, he added, "Apparently Liam set himself upon his wife, Annabelle I think was the name. I don't know the details, but supposedly Liam raped and killed the girl."

Satine stared in disbelief. "Why would he do that to his own blood? That's just heartless!"

Shrugging, Marchette answered, "How are we to know what goes on in his twisted little brain? At least he has finally been brought to judgment, and has been stopped. If only for a short time."

For a moment, the two sat in silence, which was broken when Satine asked, "When do you deem it safe for departure?"

Walking down the hallway to the living quarters of the Myra children was an interesting experience. Every few doors would open as they walked past, and a different person would emerge and say hello. Elaina met a total of thirteen brothers and sisters, and there were apparently more in other parts of the world. It seemed that her mother had produced a total of twenty-six children, her being the last, and there were twenty surviving still. Wait, nineteen, word just in tonight. She already had forgotten most of the names she'd been told. There was a Katharine, Caitlyn, Kevin, Jason, Sarah, Michael, Michelle, Tamara, Tara (those two were twins), Jack, Joseph, Norah, and, of course, Rikard. She remembered the names at least, but the only names she could fit to faces were Tamara and Tara, and that was only because they looked exactly the same! By the time they reached the suite designated for Elaina, she was exhausted.

She bid her brother good day, begging for some time alone. A bubble bath is what I need was her first thoughts as she closed her door behind her. She took two steps away from the door when there was a frantic knocking. With an ill-stifled groan and much eye rolling, Elaina trudged back to open the door with a semi-polite, "Yes?"

Rikard stood there with a smile and said, "I just wanted to tell you that only you have the key to the room, besides your bodyguard. So if there's someone in your room, you invited them, or he did."

Elaina nodded tiredly, "Cool. Is that all?"

He smiled wider. "Yeah. Its great to finally meet you, little sister." He clapped her on the shoulder and moved so she could shut the door.

Elaina yawned widely as she moved deeper into the room. This place was massive. It had a sort of sitting room just inside the door, then branching off that was a beautifully furnished office and a magnificent bedroom with luxurious on-suite. The bathtub was big enough for three people to stretch out completely in, as well as having many jets and bubbling features. She'd enjoy this bubble bath, she observed.

And enjoy it she did. Soon the room was full of steam and the scent of roses, the only sound being the hum of the jets. Elaina was completely relaxed when a soft knock was heard at the door.

"Miss Nichelle?" It was Marchette.

Elaina sighed. She'd wanted to relax, and getting out of this tub would un-relax her. "Come in, but keep your eyes closed," she called, "I'm in the tub, and not getting out any time soon!"

The door slowly opened and Elaina instinctively sunk deeper into the bubbles. Granted, with all the bubbles and the jets running, her body was already fairly covered, but she was grateful when her bodyguard closed the door behind him and sat in the little alcove where the toilet was, around a corner from the tub. She was completely unseen, and would remain so unless the bodyguard craned his neck around said corner.

"What's the news, Marchette?" Elaina asked, toying with some of the bubbles.

Her bodyguard cleared his throat, "I've spoken with both your parents, and your mother would like to spend a little time with you, but your father wants you home quickly."

"Understandable," Elaina remarked. "Go on."

"The plan is that we leave two nights from tonight, first flying to Haljhir, where we'll be meeting your father, then to Cordalla with him," Marchette informed her.

"What's in Haljhir?" Elaina enquired. Marchette cleared his throat again. What the hell is making him so nervous? Elaina wondered.

"It is not a question of what is in Haljhir, but who."

Rolling her eyes, Elaina patiently said, "Fine then. Who is in Haljhir?"

Again, Marchette cleared his throat. "Haljhir is run by the Neskab family, a sub-family of the League of Nichelle. They are highly influential and are rather angry at the current situation in Venisa."

"We're going to make peace, are we?" Elaina asked.

"In a word, yes," Marchette replied, "but that's not the whole of it."

With an annoyed sigh, Elaina snapped, "Speak then, and tell me the truth!"

There was a pause, and Marchette, once more, cleared his throat. He took a deep breath and said, "Your father is considering a contract to ease the tension between the Nichelle family and the Neskab family by committing his daughter to have a child with a Neskab."

"Ok," Elaina said, "I don't see why you're so freaked out, it'll obviously be one of my sisters who do it. Duh!"

"Well," he trailed off, "As a matter of fact, Elaina, the last of your sisters were killed off three months ago. It would be you who'd have to bear the child."

"What?" she shrieked, forgetting herself and lurching out of the tub, splashing water everywhere. She yanked the startled Marchette to his feet and grabbed his chin, forcing him to meet her eyes. "Tell me you're lying, tell me!" she ordered, her voice shaking with rage and panic.

Marchette closed his eyes and tried to free himself. Elaina tightened her grip and shook him. "You're lying," she snarled, "Admit it!"

"No madam," he said quietly, remorsefully, opening his eyes. "Every word of it is true."