A/N: okay, okay, I know it's been like what two week's? But I have a lot of homework to do, I mean A LOT. I swear my teacher's are evil…*growls*…well anyway, here it finally is but first I have two things to say…
1.Go back and read chapter 13 because I rewrote part of it and if you don't this one won't make a whole lot of sense. And…
2.Now read this one, and try not to hate me for the change in last chapter (please don't hate me) I reread Ch 13 because a reviewer pointed out that it was kind of OoC so I did but it made no sense to me…gods what was I thinking when I wrote it?…not the point, anyway I realized that it was way to OoC and so I changed it to fit how the story was originally going before my little trip to lala-land. Ok well please do enjoy and review :)…
Disclaimer: well, I think with both know by know who I own and who I don't…so have a good time reading :)
Siren and Kel sat in the little cage, both visibly angry. "I will get you for this, you do realize this right?" Siren looked at Cori her eye's a pale red. "First you have to get out of there" he laughed along with Joren. Neither of them had remembered that the lioness was still out, so neither thought to look behind them…
ISCK-Ch 14: Baths, Books and Boys.
The door to Beyond was smoothly opened as Sebastian Cordell slipped through. At first glance the store seemed dark, musty and utterly normal. However, deep beneath the surface of Beyond lay Magic, enchantment and a warrior's spirit.
The small crowded room was filled with tons of dust and even a few books on dust. The floor was clean wood, polished till it shone.
Sebastian's heels clicked lightly on the floor, but it seemed to go unnoticed. At a casual pace he entered into the back area, seeing first the young women with light brown hair, cut to her shoulders, it fell loose over a green tunic. Moving further he observed two other women. A red head and a smoky brunette.
The women with smoky brown curls let her hair into her face, half hiding her small spectacles. The other women, with copper-orange hair, leaned back on her chair allowing her long waves to descend over the back. The color of her eyes jumped out, the color of the winter sky.
All around them sat stacks of books. On the floor, desk and every other available spot. They were so lost in conversation they hadn't even heard him arrive. He listened for a moment, catching the word jerk being used several times.
Then Sebastian took a step forward, until nothing blocked him from sight, and in his most patronizing voice stated, "my, word, I would'ave thought ya would be awaiting the arrival of your favorite knight wit a little more love, devotion and…Caring" he emphasized the last. Tain laughed as the fire head jumped up, ran at him and enclosed him in a mockingly over enthusiastic hug.
"Tain, Gods, it really has been a long time since I saw you. Always hiding at that fief of yours. I barely see you anymore." She laughed as he rolled his eyes, "what are ya talking about? I'm at the palace every second week." He shook his head and she, Laughing, released him from his imprisoning bear hug. "Hey, that's a lot less then our every day meetings as pages. And I've missed your last two visits." She reclaimed her seat as Perian took the place around Tain's neck. "It is good to see you old friend."
She let go and stood back, allowing him to see Kel fully for the first time. "And what do we ave here? Ya two aren't corrupting her innocent little mind are ya?" he laughed as Perian took a swing at him, whacking his arm hard, he winced. "I forgot how strong you are." rubbing his arm he smiled at the new girl.
With a salute like nod he said, "Hullo there." Kel smiled at him, "hello" she then stood and held out her hand, "I'm Keladry of Mindelan." He smiled back and took her hand. "And I'm Sir Sebastian Cordell, less formally Tain." Kel nodded her acknowledgment.
He released her hand and turned to face the other women. "And how'ave my wonderful ladies been?" the other two scowled and shook their heads.
***
They continued to talk till early afternoon, finally Siren stood. "Sorry to spoil the fun, but I have to go get ready for a meeting with their royal majesties." She gave a short bow and left with a bit of a bounce in her step.
Kel sighed and stood as well, "I wish I could stay as well but I have to go or else my…Knight master may get grouchy, and I don't like facing him when he's in a happy mood." Perian got up and gave her a hug, "luck till next time." She smiled as Kel walked out the door.
The two remaining shrugged and continued to talk…
***
Joren walked up the stairs to his room, he had already got the supplies and put them in their room. Now he headed up for the bath he so desperately needed.
The bathtub lay near the foot of the bed, being that there was no room for it in the washroom area. It was a big steel tub, full now with steaming hot water.
Joren began to strip off his clothing as he walked to the tub. Finally he sank into the awaiting hot water, feeling the relaxation it brought to his tired muscles.
He let the hot water sooth his aches and allowed his mind to wander. I wonder what Kel's been up to? She's been gone all morning. What am I saying? Why do I care?…Gods help me. He sighed and began to scrub his arm with the scratchy scrub brush.
After a time he stood, water dripping off his muscled body. He ran a hand over his now wet hair, slicking it back. The look only made him seem more perfect. His mind how ever wanted to know what Kel was doing, and then he would argue with it as to why it would matter.
Joren was so busy concentrating on keeping his thoughts at bay, he didn't even notice the sound of boot's coming down the hall…
***
Kel shuffled down the road thinking of her irritable knight master. He still hasn't taught me anything of use though. She silently laughed at the thought of Joren teaching her something of use. She came to the inn; its door was open to the cool summer air.
Kel was tired and wanted to have a bath before they left; she was still covered by the dirt and grim from the road and desperately wanted to be clean. Uh...clean would be nice.
Inside the inn was almost packed, people all gathered for the return of the Crown Prince. Climbing the stairs she landed on the second floor, and started off down the hall.
Her boots made little noise, but could still be heard if one was listening.
She opened the closed door, not once thinking about what might lay behind it.
Joren turned, he had just got out of the tub and was still dripping wet. Kel stared at the knight before her, then blushed, but before she could turn away she caught his wolfish smile.
Their eyes met, although it was uncomfortable, it was better then looking at other areas that were exposed… oh Gods. Thoughts shot through her brain, all the while Joren stood there, nude.
The only thing he wore was a wolf like smile. "Hello Mindelan," he looked her up and down, reading the shock on her usually clear face. "Like what you see?" he looked even more devious with his eyebrows raised.
Kel gaped, she wanted to tell him to go fuck himself, but nothing came out, she just stared at him. Finally she caught herself, "you only wish." She tried to sound like it was true too. He really does work out… her eyes had wandered to his chest, she had to remind herself that this was Joren. "But Kel, there's so much you have left to learn" he smiled roguishly as he took a step forward.
Kel took a step back and walked into the door, "stay away from me Stone Mountain." She met his eyes and he laughed at her response. "Don't you want to take a bath, get all that dirt of you?" Joren looked at her and, still wearing that smile of his, licked his perfect lips. The shock was evident on her face, "Not a chance" Joren sighed at Kel's answer, "Worse then I thought, instead of being a whore, you're a prude. Tsk, tsk" he had taken another step forward.
Kel laid her hand on the doorknob, "you're a jackass Joren." She stepped forward, still keeping far away from him, and opened the door just enough for her to slip through into the hall. Still facing the door she backed up then quickly turned.
She didn't bother to look back at the door as she walked back down the corridor and onto the first floor, she quickly looked around and found a spot far in the corner, trying hard to hide her still raging blush.
***
Joren stood, still stark naked, with a smug smile playing over his face. Ah…Mindelan…hahaha. Inwardly he laughed a prude. And here I thought she was sleeping with all her little playmates. I wasn't wrong, just misguided. Still he refused to accept the thought that Kel was not what he expected a female knight to be. But then again Joren didn't accept much.
Smiling at the thought of Kel's furious blush, he slowly began to dress, only vaguely aware of the emotions he had felt, and the part of him that desperately wanted her to still be here…
***
The cool midday air brushed through her loose hair. The feeling reassured her, but she was still uneasy. I never asked him to care… I didn't… she still fumed over the fight she had earlier with Cori. Who am I to tell Joren to accept anything? I can't accept my own feelings.
She sighed but continued her journey to the palace.
The gates were open; elves of all shapes and sizes filled the streets, on their way to the palace to see the crown prince and his bride-to-be.
Horses passed by with happy little elf children singing songs from better days. Siren tried her best to blend into the crowd but a human with bright hair tends to stand out in an elven city.
Off to the side stood a less used road, Siren snuck down it, praying not to be seen. When she reached the back of the palace there was a smaller unused gate, silently she entered and headed for her rooms, to prepare for another meeting with the king and queen, and their son, the crown prince, Courtland Steele.
***
Rey listen patiently as Cori described the fight and Siren. He couldn't help but worry at the way his brother was reacting to the fight.
Cori was usually a calm and seeing him so frazzled made Rey a little on edge. "She just acted like it didn't matter…nothing…" Cori restated the same few words he had been saying since he got there. Cori...Cori… Cori… " Well, it's time for our meeting with our parents and that which you speak of " Rey gestured to the door where his father now stood.
The King walked in and took a seat on the velvet seat next to Cori. He smiled and began to talk of the people arriving for the prince and princess not yet noticing his son's gloomy mood…
***
Michelle smiled, her stepsister would not win this one, she had made sure of that.
Josh had grown attached to Siren the way Michelle had grown attached to Cori. She would have Cori for hers even if it meant killing that tramp of a stepsister.
How can he like that little tramp… her thoughts where anything but pure as she thought of a way to rid herself of Siren.
Josh was figuring out the way to the Stone at this very moment, and Michelle would do all she could to help him.
For if he got Siren, Cori would be hers…
***
Somewhere, possibly the realm of the gods, two people and a cat sat talking, plotting how the next few days would play out. Porter sat thinking of his daughter and her latest fumble. While the knight that sat with him shook his head. His short black hair allowed his elf ears to show. The cat with purple eyes talked of what had happened with Kel and Joren that day. Together they planed out a little of what would happen while waiting for the gods to join them…
A/N: ok well here we are, to my faithful reviewer's sorry there wasn't more…
Dreamer: well…here it is, I updated…:) thanx for the reviews :) –Siren
Silverthorn: sorry I made you doubt me…damn school *sigh* takes up too much time. Well here it is :) thanx for the review :) –Siren
Punkpixie87: part of your review seems to be missing? Hmmm…oh well…yeah a bathtub and Joren don't those two words just fit together? :), sorry I went and changed ch 13 but well it didn't fit, or at least when I reread it, it didn't. elves are nice :) I love elves. :). Thanx again for the review till later -Siren
Shivohnsongbreeze: all's forgiven :) I understand evil computer's, my is all the time…for the moment it's working so I won't jinx it. Yeah I will try to have more talk about heart failier in future…I kinda forced myself to do this chapter because I have a cold *a…a..a..chew. s'ecuse me* :) well hope you enjoy and don't hate me for fixing chapter 13 :) till later –Siren
Larzdinn: (Edi)still remain my longest reviewer :) I dislike school at the moment *argh* well I've put my sci-fi on hold so I could finish this…I want to finish this with fans :) and I think with two stories going I'm booked up, yet alone three. Psst…thanx for telling me about my OoC problem…I reread it and ou were right. Hence I rewrote ch 13 :) hope it's better now…even though I was still stuck on that part…anyway it's done and hopefully better. That part was a real problem, I didn't know how to do it and had no one to help. It's fixed…kind of. :) hope you like this chapter. And thanx for review like always…:) hope this one is back to normal…:)I read and own Crown Duel, that's why I picked it :) I think I read it a total of like twice or three times now and I really won't to read it again, but I have homework and writing to do…*sigh* till later –Siren
The Dark Lady Adrienne: sorry I went and changed last chapter (don't hert me!) well it's not that different but it should fit better now…:) yeah we have a deal :) shareing Joren could be fun…*thinks evil thoughts* I love bad boys…and elves …:) well thanx and till later- Siren
Faithful: I love Crown Duel :) blond men…I think I have a thing for blond men :). Well I hope you don't mind the change and thanx for the review. Till later –Siren
Bblond07: thanx so much and I'm glad you like it :) here it is :) –Siren
Angel of The Storms: no respect at all, to think I made Cori and he puts me in a cage *glares* hehehe well alanna will get him now :) well hope you don't mind my ch 13 change :) *smiles uneasily* thanx for the review. –Siren
Lilia: glad you like it, hope this chapter is a little better :) thanx for tha review. –Siren
EireVerde: I promise to explain all the other odd people soon…I'm trying not to give away what will happen later but lets say that a little troup will leave the city…stuff will happen and I warn you eventually there will be fighting :) thanx so much for the review, till next time –Siren
Niceday: hope you don't mind the change *smiles fakely, praying nothing comes flying at her head* well here you go, a little Joren and Kel :) till later & thanx for that review –Siren
That Girl: *cover's head and cowers* please don't hert me, I changed last chapter :) I love Joren and most evil blond men :) and with Michelle the plot thickings…kind of. Well thanx for tha review –Siren
A/N: wow..longer than useual :) well ok here goes my question…
(Don't hurt me this is going to sound dumb) what exactly is a Beta reader? Because I have only a small clue and would really like to know what one really does and how that whole thing works. I get the basics but well I'm confused. So if anyone would like to humor me and answer my question I would be most grateful. :) And once again I'm sorry for making you read chapter 13 twice. Hope you don't mind. My sci-fi is currently on hold so I can finish this, I'm still writing it but it will be much slower. Thanx for everything every one, you are all keeping me going…thanx. And thanx also to those that just read…although I would love it if you review I don't mind you just reading :) till next chapter and much love the one and only –Siren Porter
PS: if any one want's I will email you when I have a new chapter, just tell me and give me your email in a review or mail me yourself at Siren_Porter@hotmail.com I have to go before I make my cold worse till later -Siren
