Lucivar came back into the room a few hours later after making sure both of babies had been taken somewhere else for the moment and having a conversation with them so they wouldn't start hissing and spewing. Carefully He sat on the edge of the bed and waited until Daemon let his eyes open enough to see who had sat down.

"Prick?"

Taking a deep breath he said, "Jaenelle and I talked and reached an agreement."

Well, that didn't sound good. More so that his brother was telling him the terms of that agreement instead of their queen. "What are the terms?"

"I kept them simple since you're not thinking … at least not clearly."

"Prick." This time a warning tone.

"You have several months before you will be mostly recovered. In the meantime, the family has agreed until you are recovered enough to have the conversation with Jaenelle that she needs to have with you… Being right next door is not the best place for you."

His heart sank a bit. Ok fine, this room was for her consort anyways… He was not her consort just a man who hoped one day she would consider having as a friend. "Alright, Where?"

Now that worried him. He had expected Daemon to put up a fight not just accept it. Perhaps this wasn't as good of an idea as he had thought it was. Unfortunately, he wouldn't know until he played this out. "A cabin is being built for you on the property. Just outside the north woods."

He had a cabin. Of course, the land belonged to the queen so he understood why he wouldn't be allowed there. Whereas the Hall was family property and belonged to the High Lord. So it stood to reason that his father would decide how much he had to obey the queen. "Why?"

"Why are you staying in a cabin or something else?"

"Why a cabin in the north woods."

No hint of anger just an acceptance that was more worrisome, "Because there are more than enough furry faces to watch over you. And some who have helped with your healing. The Cabin itself will be big enough for you to move around in without needing help and you'll have your own kitchen for when you feel up to cooking. Until then Someone will bring enough food out for you to feed yourself and at least half of the kindred wolfs."

"How mad is the queen?"

"How mad is she about what? You deceiving her? Oh well, you two can talk when you're feeling better, she already has decided on a suitable punishment. Your children agree with her."

Well, that wasn't good. "I see."

No, I don't think you do. Taking a deep breath now, "The cabin won't be ready for till sometime tomorrow. I trust you won't do anything stupid tonight."

"Prick I can barely stay awake long enough to have this conversation. What could I possibly do between now and tomorrow?"

Kissing his brother's head he whispered , "You're a black jeweled warlord prince. I'm sure you could think of something."

Daemon waited until he was alone before responding, "Not this time."

Midday Lucivar helped float his brother down the hall and out to the pony cart that was waiting. Tucking yet another heavy blanket around him he asked, "You need anything?"

"Just sleep."

Nodding he urged Buttercup on to the direction of the cabin.

Nothing special about the outside. A small porch nothing else noticeable. Daemon swallowed as he entered. From the outside, he didn't think there would be much space for a decent bed let alone anything else. To his surprise not only did he have enough for his bed. A large bed that could hold a large cat that was not yet full size and himself. The kitchenette was simple but his. The simple round table sat in the center of the room. By the door a chess set and two more chairs. Then in the back a long couch and several books. "This was done in a day?"

"No, it was started after bringing you back from your cabin. Our cousin thought you would like a place that was close to your children but far enough away for those times when the little darlings scared the shit out of you."

"Jaenelle won't come here?" Not so much a question but curious.

"If you ask her she will, but this is your place Daemon. You need to step back and heal, right now this is the best place without you and the lady having a conversation you won't clearly understand."

Shuffling over to the bed he looked at his brother, "What's there to understand. I'm not a member of her court."

Lucivar closed his eyes, "I'm not even going to discuss that with you." Taking a deep breath he went over to the cold box, "This is stocked with things that only need to be warmed up. IF you don't feel up to it, if not one of the wolfs can."

"You taught them to warm food?"

'No, Cat taught them to warm food so you will be taken care of." Mother night let him understand the wording.

"Oh." He looked down, "She didn't need to do that. I'll be fine. Promise you'll barely know I'm here."

Something wasn't right. Too bad his brother looked ready to be tucked in. "I'll be by in the morning. Revenar will probably by at night."

"I don't need to be watched."

Now there was a growl he wanted to hear. "Like hell you don't, you scared the shit out me. Which is something you will not do again."

"I always scare the shit out of you. Most the time I don't have to even move."

"Is he settled in?" Jaenelle asked the moment he closed the bedroom door behind him.

He nodded once, "How long till I can brain him?"

"If he started moving around now? About two months and he'll have the strength to get into a tussle that you think will be good for him."

"Good, then I'm going to talk to Revenar about making sure he does more than just sleep for the next two months."

"Lucivar?"

"He thinks he's there because you don't know what to do with him."

"I know exactly what I'm going to do with him but it will take me two months to get everything planned out and put together. And for Mrs. Beal to come up with a suitable menu."

"Good. Then the family has that long to convince him that he's an idiot ."

"Lucivar!?"

"What else would call him? He actually thinks you're going to let him walk away from the court and his children."

"He's not an idiot he's upset and not thinking."

"He's my brother. I get to call him an idiot. Oh, and ask father to have Peyton help. I'm sure the ass can get Daemon thinking much faster than I can."

Jaenelle blinked, "If they tussle like you do, Daemon will kill him. I doubt he will have the control that you do."

"I know. That's why you're going to give the jackass a shield and make sure Daemon can't get through it."

Her sapphire eyes lit up with amusement, "Oh, that's mean."

"I can't bully my brother right now. I don't see why Peyton would need to be as cautious."

Hungry and miserable Daemon opened his eyes to darkness. He remembered seeing a fireplace but… A deep breath Lucivar didn't bother to lite it. No there was still embers in the ash so it was lit at one time. Maybe he should just lay there and see if anyone cared that was no smoke coming from the chimney. No… no, he couldn't do that. He promised that he wouldn't cause any problems. Having someone come out here because he let the fire go out was not a reasonable solution to anything.

Carefully he slid out of the bed ignoring the weakness in his legs he floated over to the hearth then cursed with heart filled sincerity. No wood. And since he didn't know where the woodpile should be he couldn't call it in. Either this was a test or…

The door that led to the front porch open to Ravenar and an armload of wood. "Your brother is an idiot. He just remembered that you wouldn't know where the wood pile was to call in what you needed."

He just nodded. "He has other things on his mind."

" . That's an understatement." The blank look Daemon gave him worried him, "Newborn baby with wings. And a wife who has been taking acre that baby without him. She's not very happy with him… then again it could be because she with child after just giving birth which I am told is your fault. Mostly forgiven because of why you did it."

Shit. "I didn't think about that."

Relighting the fire he continued, "You've been busy. Now I'm assuming you haven't eaten."

Was there a safe answer? "Was going to light the fire first."

Since Daemon was now sitting at the table looking confused and miserable, He opened the cold box. "What are you in the mood for? There seems to be enough to feed a village."

"Whatever you pull out is fine."

Finding a bowl Ravenar warmed two bowls of what he thought was stew. Not that he needed to eat but Janelle had encouraged him to so, so Daemon would relax enough to enjoy his meal. "You had more spirit when you were a youth then you do now."

"I had more to live for back then." Dameon closed his eyes cursing himself, then added, "I trust you won't repeat that."

"As I'm not a member of this court I have no one to report to." Except an uncle who was worried , a brother that was more than worried… and a father who demanded to know everything so he could deal with the high lord. Not that saying that would put Daemon at ease. "Now after you eat I'm going to see for myself which of your mostly healed muscles are ready to be stretched out and which ones need protecting."

Nearly dropping his spoon Daemon let his mouth hang open, " You don't have to do that."

"Boyo, Did I say I have to do anything? I need something to do that doesn't involve denting my brother's head and you need to work those muscles out. It makes sense to me. "

Just before dawn Revenar made his way back to te family sitting room and found both his father and uncle playing an idle game of chess. "Father?"

"How's your cousin?" Not yet looking up he moved his piece. Then gave his son his full attention.

"Resting comfortably. I would keep the lady away from the cabin for now. But I should be able to get him snarling fairly soon. Might need Lucivar's help with it."

Saetan sat back, "I'm sure lucivar will help if you ask."

Revenar nodded, "Just so I'm clear, jaenelle is planning their wedding for two months from now."

A smile formed on Saetan's face, "IT would be sooner but the party for the wedding is taking more time to plan than finding a priestess. Although the lady is having a hard time decided which one is going to preside over the ceremony."

"Alright, I'll make sure he can stand by then. " He paused, "Is Peyton going to be here tonight?"

"He is."

"Good. He can walk Daemon through the movements while I see how the muscles are moving. Should be easier with two of us."

"You could have asked your cousin or other brother to help."

"No. Mephis is court right now Deamon won't trust him enough to do what I need him to do. Whereas Lucivar will not respond well to seeing his brother in discomfort."

"In that case, I'll make sure Lucivar understands your not trying to harm his brother."

"Make sure the puppy knows if he wants my help we're doing this my way."