A/N: Sorry this one took so dang long to get out. When my computer got its virus, I lost an entire chapter of this story because it crashed just before I got to save. That just ruined all motivation I had to work on it, cause I was sooooo frustrated. But I managed to crank out this little baby chapter, and that gave me an idea for how I can get this ball rolling again. Yay! But, I've got some new fics in the works too, so things may not move as quickly as we'd all like. I do promise an update every two weeks tho, until its finished. So be patient, gentle readers. I won't forget this one.
Eerian
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Final Fantasy IX, any of the characters from that game or Sir Elton John's song COLD. I do, however love all three and felt the need to use them in this story that I am making no money from. It is strictly for my own amusement and the amusement of others via fanfiction.net.
I do own this story however. Do not copy or plagiarize my work or re-post it without my permission.
But I don't care
I came back for you
Love is cruel, but I don't care
I wanted you
And I'm cold
Cold
Cold
She was dreading the state dinner that Janus was forcing her to attend. It was bad enough that palace gossip already had news of her condition all over the capital--and a good portion of the regency no doubt. But to have to face the questions and stares of every ambassador and courtesan at the palace would really be too much for her.
Garnet winced as Beatrix smeared salve over the welts on her back. Of all the people in the palace, the Captain of the Guard was the only person she knew she could trust with the task. Well, Beatrix and Steiner. But Janus could have turned any number of other people against her.
"Why do you not use your magic to heal yourself?" Beatrix asked her as she worked.
"He just beats the bruises back into me." A tear rolled down her cheek. "Worse than they were before."
"Why don't you leave him?" The soldier made it sound so simple. Just leave him, like the last six months had never happened. Get a divorce and it would be like things had never changed.
But she knew it wouldn't work.
"The people need me," she said lamely.
"That is not why." Beatrix moved so that she was facing Garnet. "The people need a ruler who is whole in mind and body. What is your real reason?"
She was silent for a long moment. Her voice was barely audible when she answered. "He'll kill Zidane."
Beatrix had no wise words to offer as her Queen collapsed, sobbing, into her arms. All she could do was hold the girl and let her cry.
Eerian
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Final Fantasy IX, any of the characters from that game or Sir Elton John's song COLD. I do, however love all three and felt the need to use them in this story that I am making no money from. It is strictly for my own amusement and the amusement of others via fanfiction.net.
I do own this story however. Do not copy or plagiarize my work or re-post it without my permission.
But I don't care
I came back for you
Love is cruel, but I don't care
I wanted you
And I'm cold
Cold
Cold
She was dreading the state dinner that Janus was forcing her to attend. It was bad enough that palace gossip already had news of her condition all over the capital--and a good portion of the regency no doubt. But to have to face the questions and stares of every ambassador and courtesan at the palace would really be too much for her.
Garnet winced as Beatrix smeared salve over the welts on her back. Of all the people in the palace, the Captain of the Guard was the only person she knew she could trust with the task. Well, Beatrix and Steiner. But Janus could have turned any number of other people against her.
"Why do you not use your magic to heal yourself?" Beatrix asked her as she worked.
"He just beats the bruises back into me." A tear rolled down her cheek. "Worse than they were before."
"Why don't you leave him?" The soldier made it sound so simple. Just leave him, like the last six months had never happened. Get a divorce and it would be like things had never changed.
But she knew it wouldn't work.
"The people need me," she said lamely.
"That is not why." Beatrix moved so that she was facing Garnet. "The people need a ruler who is whole in mind and body. What is your real reason?"
She was silent for a long moment. Her voice was barely audible when she answered. "He'll kill Zidane."
Beatrix had no wise words to offer as her Queen collapsed, sobbing, into her arms. All she could do was hold the girl and let her cry.