Greetings and Happy Holidays everyone! It's been awhile (work has been crazy) but I finally have another chapter ready to go. Hope you are up for some more Altissia intrigue and for things to become even more complicated between Eostre and Ardyn. As always, hope you enjoy, and feedback/comments always appreciated. Hope 2021 is better than 2020!


In contrast to the crowds and brightness of the ballroom, Eostre and Ardyn were alone in the streetlight dimness of the terrace. In response to Ardyn's taunt, Eostre turned sharply to face him. He stood there, silhouetted in the garish lights of the ballroom doorway, hair and cape billowing in the breeze, as usual in command of the environment.

She resented that arrogance—here she was reliving old, painful memories, and he had the temerity to saunter out here and throw out flippant barbs. It was par for the course with him, but she was in no mood for it.

"If I'd have known you'd come out here to bother me, I would have had a glass of wine on hand. Your shirt could use some," she snapped out.

The dim light was still bright enough that she could see his face. She saw his lips twitch into a thin smile. "I know," Ardyn replied calmly. "I do apologize for, baptizing you with wine. I trust it did not stain too badly?"

"It's not the staining that's the problem, Ardyn," Eostre returned. "You treated me like shit in front of Loqi and the whole damned ballroom."

"I, diffused, the situation," Ardyn replied decisively. "You and Loqi weren't playing nice. I needed you out of the way so I could smooth things over with him."

"And, did you," she demanded.

Ardyn didn't reply for a moment, evidently as part of his staunch refusal to ever do what he was told. Instead, he strolled leisurely to the balcony railing to stand beside her before replying.

"He's agreed to help us, with some strings attached. Which I must say is a major diplomatic success on my part given how much he hates you," Ardyn said archly.

Eostre knew Loqi did, but to hear it said out loud hurt. She couldn't stop an involuntary flinch. "And, do the strings require me to turn myself in and throw myself upon his mercy," she asked, tightly.

"As a matter of fact, no," Ardyn replied conversationally. "He's willing to help us, if I can get another ally on our side too. He in fact hates Cosmos more than he does you. So, if you were planning to martyr yourself today for Lux's sake, there's no need."

How did he always know what she was thinking, Eostre wondered frantically, folding her arms across her chest defensively as though she were exposed.

"I must say I'm surprised," Ardyn said musingly. "I never thought you the type to be able to attract animosity." His voice switched to sudden intensity. "What did you do to him? Whom did you kill?"

There it was, Eostre thought. He even knew that part about her. It made her feel stripped, vulnerable. She instinctively tried to deflect it. "What makes you think I killed anyone? How do you know it wasn't a torrid affair with him that went bad," she demanded defensively.

"I admit, that's the first thing I thought when I saw you two together," Ardyn replied ruefully. "However, I quickly learned Loqi prefers short non-murderesses, so you aren't his type, I'm afraid."

"Loqi told you that," she asked, stalling once more. It now made sense how Ardyn knew.

"Mm hmm," Ardyn replied smugly. "Is Loqi lying? I know he is a bit, spiteful. I wouldn't put it past him," he added leadingly.

If Ardyn was laying a trap, it was damned good one, Eostre thought bitterly. To protect herself, she could say Loqi was lying, but then she would be doing the man she had wronged a further disservice. She could not do that to him. Only the truth would serve.

"I am a murderess," Eostre replied quietly, meeting Ardyn's gaze fully.

Ardyn merely shrugged nonchalantly. "So am I," he calmly replied. "Well, I'm a murderer instead, but otherwise…"

She had just bared her darkest secret and he replied with nonchalance? Eostre's already frayed emotions simmered over the boiling point.

"I'm nothing like you," she snapped back, stepping forward so she was toe to toe with him, not even realizing how closely they were standing together in her fury. "I killed those who were suffering, preventing them from becoming daemons." In her bitter fury, the words began pouring out of her—how she had started as a healer, ending as murderer. Even the horrid details of her last kill, her mistake, she spat out. Let him judge her. She didn't give a shit anymore. She already knew what she was. He could make of her story what he would. Let him use it against her.

Ardyn was silent, listening to the words thrown at him. "In Tenebrae lived a savior who could relieve the suffering. Her soul would come to host myriad guilt, and in so doing, saving many," he finally murmured. "We are more alike than I thought."

"I just said I'm nothing like—" Eostre began only to break off. "No, you are right," she replied in resigned despair as her emotions petered out leaving her drained yet rational. "We are both monsters."

"That was not what I was going to say. I meant we are both poster children for the phrase, 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions'," Ardyn replied affably. "Only I followed that road to its monstrous conclusion. You did not."

"I killed an untainted woman! A woman who could have lived if I hadn't seen darkness everywhere I turned," Eostre countered.

"An infection like the old woman had was likely fatal anyway," Ardyn replied logically. "Even if you had been correct, she would have still died in agony. It may be that you still eased her suffering."

Eostre had forgotten that Ardyn was once a healer who at least knew the basics. But his logic at the moment wasn't welcome. "Tell that to Loqi," she said bitingly, fixing her gaze unseeingly at somewhere over Ardyn's shoulder.

"The worst thing," she said softly after a pause. "Was hearing Loqi and his mother talk. Even as she was dying, she was worried about her garden, about him. It, made me realize I wasn't there for either one of my parents. Did they have those same worries for me? Did they, have unfinished business they wanted me to take care of that they were never able to tell me? I, took lives, without being able to be there when the ones whose lives I valued most were taken. I know it's selfish of me to even say that, but…"

She came to herself, realizing what she was saying and to whom. "Nevermind. Forget it," she said briskly, turning away from him so she could regain her composure.

Ardyn couldn't obey her directive. She sounded like him, he realized. The nights he had come back from daemon healings, broken, defeated. The nights he had wondered why he was even trying anymore. Aera had waited up for him, seen his grief, and taken him into her arms. She may not have loved him, but the physical contact, the warmth of another, had helped ease the pain.

Ardyn cupped Eostre's chin to turn it back towards his gaze, noticing the sheen of tears on her cheeks warring with the raindrops that had begun to fall. Her mask was off, not even giving her that shield. He couldn't remember ever seeing her cry before. He was cynical of tears, always thinking they were merely a manipulation tool. But hers affected him, in a way he didn't like. Loqi's mother may have feared her son ending up alone, but she had ignored the one in that room who was truly alone.

Eostre had no one, hadn't for years. And she needed support, somebody to console her. There was only him. Ardyn remembered the peace and comfort he had felt when Aera had silently hugged him, embraced him. He couldn't give much to others aside from further pain and grief. However, he could give Eostre a moment of peace.

Eostre stiffened in surprise and wariness as she felt Ardyn's arms close around her and draw her against him. She should push him away, she thought to herself. This was wrong, it was Ardyn and…the warmth of him against the coldness of the rain was too much to resist. She was tired of keeping people at arms length. She needed a hug right now, and if Ardyn wanted to give her one, she would take it.

She rested her head against velvet-covered shoulder, letting him pat her back. He didn't even attempt to murmur that things were ok. He knew they weren't, and wouldn't patronize her by using cheap words of consolation. The gesture, the contact was enough.

Being in his arms was platonic, comforting, yet to Eostre, it somehow felt more intimate than a kiss, or being in his bed would have been.

She felt Ardyn's cape shift as he draped it around the both of them to protect them from the rain, also drawing them even closer together. She felt more than just comforting warmth now. She also felt the hardness of his muscles against hers, making her aware that this wasn't just a warm body she was clinging to for aesexual comfort. It was also a man. A powerful, confident, and though she didn't want to admit it, attractive man. She gasped at that realization, and also at the awareness of it, of him, sliding through her.

This was inappropriate, wrong. Yet, the mysterious part of her, the one that dreamed of him, that was reluctantly fascinated by the danger he represented, was absorbing the closeness like a flower did sunlight. She knew it would be a dire mistake to meet his gaze, yet she couldn't help herself.

Something of her feelings must have been present in her expression. Or perhaps he was simply as aware of the change of mood as she was. His expression shifted from calming (by his standards) tenderness to something she had never seen before. The intensity of his expression, the dark unfathomable depths of his gaze, held her momentarily captive. Perhaps he still did have dark powers, her last bit of rational thought blustered out. He was weaving a spell over her. A spell that would end in a kiss that she wanted him to make.

His head dipped towards hers. Her eyes fluttered closed as she waited, expectantly, for her first kiss, from a man she should have no business being attracted to…

"Well, well, well," a sultry voice sounded behind them. "From one assignation to another. You really get around, don't you, Ardyn Lucis Caelum."

Eostre broke away from Ardyn, flustered as she turned towards the interloper, noticing with a sinking heart that it was the sultry woman Ardyn had been dancing with earlier.

"We meet again, madam," Ardyn replied smoothly, as though what had almost happened just now had never been.

The woman laughed—a bell-like tinkle of a laugh that barely contained a brittle edge. "I was going to take you to see Don Corneo but I see you have other things on your, mind," she added suggestively.

Eostre, momentarily ignored, felt the heat of a blush stain her cheeks—not at the woman's suggestion, but that she had basically been right.

"I do believe I can find time in my, busy schedule to see the gentleman," Ardyn returned, oily smooth as always. "Lead on, milady," he added, striding forward to stand beside her.

Despite what had just happened, Eostre knew her duty, and her real reason for being here. "Wait! I will come too," she stated firmly, not caring for the moment if the other woman thought she was being clingy and desperate for Ardyn's attentions.

The woman gave Eostre a dark, pitying appraisal. "Your loyalty to your, husband does you credit. However, I think you should sit this one out. The Don is not known for his, respect, of women. And he may decide that that pink hair of yours is a valuable asset to his, collection."

Eostre stepped back, momentarily appalled.

Ardyn took advantage of that to begin sauntering away. "I'll escort you back to our lodgings later, Eostre. Toodleloo," he said with a flippant wave. He was evidently back to his old self, Eostre thought waspishly. Well, two could play at that game.

There was one advantage of being tall. Eostre could catch up easily. She hurried up to keep pace with Ardyn. "Not this time. We'll face this pervy gangster together," she stated firmly, linking her arm into his tense one.

She had forgotten about the other woman. She felt the slightest pressure on her bare shoulder, and that was the last thing she felt before a dark velvet oblivion overcame her.


The trap was sprung, Ardyn thought sharply. And it had affected Eostre! He struggled to keep her suddenly unconscious body upright at the same time his feral gaze met the courtesan's.

"Easy, tiger," the woman cooed. "It's just a sleep spell. Let her sleep it off on that bench and she'll be awake in 30 minutes tops, none the worse for wear."

Ardyn felt Eostre's regular breathing against him and realized the woman was likely telling the truth in this matter. He complied, at the same time wondering how the woman had done it. Sleep spells were part of the powers of darkness. How the hell did she have it? And could it be taught? He'd have to play his cards carefully here.

Ardyn deposited Eostre on the bench in the corner of the terrace as ordered, and turned his gaze back to his other companion. "I do hope for your sake you are correct," Ardyn replied affably, but with a deadly edge. "I would so hate to have to hurt a woman, again."

The threat was clear, but the woman didn't react. She simply gave a nonchalant shrug. "We'll know in 31 minutes, if the Don keeps you that long. He has a short attention span. In fact, he may be onto his next, activity, by now. We'd best hurry."

There was nothing Ardyn could do but follow the courtesan's lead. He had to hope that Eostre was ok. He had to hope that nobody bothered her out on that terrace.


Ardyn strode along the canal-facing corridor, catching alternate whiffs of the musty building and the briny canal, depending on whether he was passing a window or not. His guide led the way, her hips swaying saucily in such a blatant gesture that Ardyn had to stifle a derisive chuckle. He almost wished he were affected by it. It would make more sense than what had affected him out on the terrace.

He supposed he should thank the still-nameless courtesan for that. It would have been a major mistake if he had kissed Eostre. Things were already messy between them without that falling into the mix. If he was lucky, maybe she would wake up from her dark magic-induced stupor and think it was a dream, and he could pretend it didn't happen. But that was the coward's way out, and for all his faults he never cowed before anything. And he didn't want Eostre to hide behind that either. He wanted her to know she had, for whatever reason, surrendered to the mysterious mutual pull that had almost damned them both.

The courtesans led him into what appeared to be a guest room. Ardyn tensed momentarily, wondering if she had in fact led him to some kind of tryst he would have to nip in the bud immediately, until he saw the man seated on the brocade sofa. The tension didn't leave him though as he recognized the man who had accosted Eostre in the ballroom earlier.

"We meet again. Care for some wine," the man said with a deliberate intonation indicating that he was still drunk, but sober enough to attempt to hide it. He gestured to the decanter on the coffee table before him.

Ardyn declined as did his female escort. She sauntered over to the bed and draped herself upon it, evidently getting comfortable to listen into the conversation. To his surprise, Don Corneo appeared to be willing to allow it.

"Now, what can I do for you, Ardyn Lucis Caelum," Don Corneo drawled.

Ardyn didn't like the man being smugly in control of the situation. That was normally his job. He hated the reversal. "Why, just to say hello to the Lord of the Altissian Underworld," Ardyn replied flippantly.

Don Corneo blinked in surprise. The woman on the bed chuckled under her breath.

"I know you didn't capture the interest of my, associate just for that," Corneo replied with asperity. "Just tell me what the hell you want."

"Careful there, Don. You don't want to lose your temper," the courtesan chided, but with an edge of warning.

Corneo looked at her nervously for a moment then turned back to Ardyn, his expression trying to be poker-faced, but his discomfort was still evident.

"As I was saying," Corneo continued. "You no doubt have some type of business transaction for me. Nobody seeks me out just to say hello. They always want something. Now, what is it?"

"I was informed by the Captain of the Guards that if I could enlist your aid, he could help me with a certain problem that I have," Ardyn replied.

"Go on," Corneo replied impatiently.

"I, have two allies who require protection from hostile forces. I was told you have the connections to keep them hidden."

"That's true," Corneo replied smugly. "One needs a lot of resources to hide the contraband—er materials that we deal in."

"Not us, of course," the woman chimed in from the bed. "The Don is simply, aware that others around here 'may' be into those activities."

"Just so," Corneo replied flustered.

Ardyn looked from one of them to the other. Something wasn't adding up. From Don Corneo's reputation, Ardyn wouldn't have thought he would be the type to lose his cool so easily, let alone slip up by admitting to criminal activity. A crime lord that savvy would never admit to it. Their response would be more like the courtesan's…

The conclusion struck Ardyn like a flash of Ramuh's lightening.

"I am as much enamored of verbal fencing as you are, sir," Ardyn drawled. "However, I would much prefer doing it with Don Corneo himself. Or, should I say, herself," he added darkly, turning towards the woman on the bed.

She sat up, startled, before regaining her composure.

"Very good, Ardyn," she oozed, giving up some of her cards in whatever game she had been playing. "If I may ask, what tipped you off?"

"Simply the fact that a person with the reputation you possess wouldn't attend a business meeting half drunk and admit to smuggling contraband to the first person who drops by," Ardyn replied smoothly.

"Hmph, I can hold my liquor," the man formerly known as Don Corneo grumbled, before pouring himself another glass.

"Derek, dear, why don't you take your wine to the other room? Let the sober ones talk," the "real" Don Corneo said with acidic sweetness to her companion.

The man complied, stumbling out the door to the adjoining room and closing it behind him.

Ardyn no longer cared about being alone with her. She was the one he needed to do business with, and he wouldn't leave this room until he had what he wanted.

Don Corneo sighed in relief at the other man's departure. "Derek is such a trial sometimes. But, what can one do about one's brother," she commented with a shrug. "Now, I suppose I should formally introduce myself. Donatella Corneo at your service," she replied affably, rising gracefully from the bed and holding out her hand for a kiss.

Ardyn took it in his instead. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said smoothly, just to suddenly tighten his grip enough to cause pain. "Or it would have been if you had introduced yourself two hours ago," he hissed darkly. "Why the game? Why waste my time?"

"Careful, Ardyn," Donatella coldly cautioned. "As you saw earlier, I can knock you out with just a flick of my fingers."

Ardyn remembered the sleep spell she had cast earlier and let her go. She flexed her dainty tapered fingers to relieve the pain but otherwise showed no sign of discomfort.

"You have a lot of nerve getting on my case about games and time wasting," she spat back. "I know how you played with Prince Noctis and his allies ten years ago. I know how you sent them on wild goose chases to gather the 'blessing' of the Six just so the Empire could swoop in and claim that power for themselves. You don't get to complain about how I do things," Donatella stated bitingly.

"Did you bring me here just to rake me over the coals, or will you listen to my proposition," Ardyn asked coldly.

"I should make your life a living hell for what you did to my city," Donatella replied. "Despite what one might call my lack of morality, I cannot abide darkness and despair for its own sake. However, I also know what you've done recently. That is enough to at least keep me from begging some, friends of mine to punish you for your misdeeds. My 'game' as you call it was an attempt to gather an opinion of you incognito. You are a walking contradiction, Ardyn Lucis Caelum, and not a man I can use spies to gather information on. I needed to draw my own conclusions about you."

"So, having me meet your brother was a 'test'," Ardyn asked.

"Not exactly. I always use my brother as 'Don Corneo' when meeting contacts face to face. In my line of work, women are not taken seriously. An unfortunate state of affairs, but, what can you do? His job is to collect the information and use me to feed him his lines and decisions. Subtly of course. I saw no reason to change it up for you. Except, you are smarter than I gave you credit for. Lucky for you, you get to see me as myself. Now, tell me what you want. As you have exceeded my expectations I might just give you what you ask for.

Better late than never, Ardyn thought resigned, but at least he now had the ear of Don, or make that Donatella, Corneo herself.