A/N: We got home and the power is on! I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, but I do own my characters.
Dragon Master's Mistress: Thank you so much for all the praise...just hope the story is worthy...
Solo-girl: A 'bad' Kaiba is a good thing isn't it?
whitejello: I'm glad you liked the chapter. As for her casual thoughts of marriage, she never considered marriage. She is more of a free spirit who is very distrustful of men. She is the owner of a major company, royal and a bit arrogant...marriage wasn't in her plans, at least for awhile. Kaiba has his work cut out for him I'd say... I'm glad you think this kiss was better. I like the italics idea...he is too sexy...lol
SetoLover: I just always love your reviews. I'm so glad you're enjoying this! Kaiba is also marrying her because he feels guilty (at least that's what he's telling himself). I'm trying to get into his head...an impossible task.
Mukyuu Tenshi: lol
Chapter 10
Iolite stood in shocked silence, her back still against the bookcase. She had agreed to marry Kaiba. Even now, standing there, she could hardly believe it. He had gone back to his desk and was busy making phone calls, arrangements for the deed. This was insane, she knew she had to stop it, and him. From a recess in the back of her mind came and old saying "Better the devil you know." That was a dilemma, she didn't know him. It had only been days. Why would he agree to this? Then again, why the hell would she?
"Are you going to move?" he remarked as he hung the phone up.
"Eventually," she said evenly. She didn't want him to know how rattled she was. Her mind started turning over the situation. She could use this to her advantage. She would be safe from the bizarre plan her brothers had. Staying here was a plus (going home to be tormented would have sucked) and now she had time. She had time to figure out a way to amend the problems her Father had started. She could figure out a way to get her brothers out of control, possibly get her Uncle in and, in turn, give herself freedom from the monarchy. She never wanted to be a princess, now, maybe she would never have to be Queen.
Kaiba regarded her, she was completely lost in her own thoughts. He wanted to know what they were, but he knew better than to drag it out of her. She'd unfold soon enough. Marriage to her wouldn't be so bad, his bed would be warm and Mokuba liked her a lot. Hell, her looks drove him to distraction. The attraction was fervent and that was a better start than most. This marriage may have been to correct a problem he had caused, but it would have many perks as well. His eyes scrutinized her. She had power, a monarchy to be exact; intelligence, the depths of which he was yet to tap; looks, no one had ever appealed to him the way she had; she also challenged him in ways no woman ever had, but there was also vulnerability. He smirked he'd be a prince, not something he ever really set out to become, but it did have its appeal. Prince Seto Kaiba CEO of Kaiba Corp. It had a ring to it.
She was still standing there, staring off at something he couldn't quite see. Everything was happening very fast.
"Are you going to come around soon?" He asked coldly, "Or do I have to come over there and kiss you again?"
He was almost disappointed at the speed she used. She quickly sat in the chair across the desk from him and settled her gaze on his eyes. "I think I've been kissed enough."
She is something else, I kiss her and she melts into me, but she refuses to let down the wall. If she thinks I'm going to ignore my own desire for her she's insane
"Everything is set for tomorrow afternoon," he informed her. "A justice of the peace will be at the mansion by 2. We'll have a short ceremony and a dinner. Under the circumstances I don't think much else is necessary."
So, that's it? Girls wait their whole lives for their wedding day and I have no say in mine. Now I'll have just a quick ceremony, with no pomp and circumstance, no frills. It feels more like a trip to the store than a wedding. Not that I ever wanted a 'Princess Di' wedding, but this feels so sterile.
"I want to invite the gang," she added, "if I can't have my friends and family from home I at least want them there."
Kaiba really didn't want them, but if it would make the day go by smoother, so be it.
"Do you have a white dress?" he asked her. "If not I'll have someone pick one up for you. We want to get this thing started off on the right foot."
She couldn't believe him, this wasn't a real wedding, and it wasn't a true marriage. He wanted her in white?! Since when was he assigned the task of picking out her clothes anyway?
"You do know this is a marriage of circumstance, right?" she tried to remind him.
"I know I'm saving your royal ass Highness." His eyes were ice cold.
"Whatever Kaiba," she got up and went to the door. "I'll be at Yugi's if you need to tell me what else is expected of me."
He rose and cornered her before she was able to turn the handle. "You'll go back to Yugi's and pack. Tonight you move in to the mansion where you can be kept safe."
"I won't, I'm not living with you until we're married, and even then it's debatable."
She stuck her chin up, openly defying him.
"You will be living in the Kaiba mansion and it will be starting today! This isn't a discussion, it's an order. If you want it to seem like we're really married you better start cooperating." With that he turned and went back to his desk.
"Your definition of cooperation is to follow your orders?" She walked back to his desk and planted herself firmly in front of him. "I'm not a dog Kaiba, I won't come when you snap your fingers."
"You'll do as you're told," he was busy typing on his laptop, and waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.
"I still have a mind of my own, Kaiba. I'll stay at Yugi's until I'm good and ready." She turned on her heel and left him staring after her. She didn't turn around to acknowledge his retort, with a slam of his door she approached Raine. Mokuba had her bodyguard playing some computer game in the outer office. Mokuba could melt the coldest heart, how could these brothers be so different?
"I'm ready to go back to Yugi's," she announced to the two.
They both rose and walked over to her. Raine could tell she was mad, but he didn't really want to know why. He surmised it involved the young man she just alleviated herself of.
She walked over to the elevators and pushed the call down button. Her arms were folded across her chest and she was done. The door to Kaiba's office flew open, startling all of them. Kaiba scanned the room quickly until his eyes found her. She pressed the button a few more times, a bit nervous of the rage he seemed to be in.
He approached her quickly, grabbing her arm.
"I swear you are the most infuriating girl I've ever met," his eyes bore into her. "Would you like the whole company to know you're here? I can keep you safe at the mansion, but in a building filled with people I don't have much of a chance. If anyone recognized you it would all be over."
Her attempts at jerking her arm away were failing miserable. "Let go of me Kaiba," she said with a voice full of venom.
"Not until you listen," she calmed herself, but attempted to pry his fingers away.
His other hand grabbed the offending wrist.
"You have to leave through my private elevator, otherwise you'll be spotted."
"Fine, whatever, just let me go already."
He pulled her into his office, followed by Raine. Mokuba went back to his computer game. He wasn't going anywhere, and the fighting was getting annoying.
"Take her to Yugi's, get her things and then both of you come to the mansion," he threw out to Raine.
"I already told you 'no'." She reminded him distractedly.
"I didn't ask," he reminded her, then directed his words to Raine. "She'll be safe at the mansion. I also think it would look better if she were staying with me rather than the Motou's. This has to look authentic, I'm known for not liking that group. So this is how it has to be played."
Raine nodded at Kaiba. She was now livid.
"Neither of you decide what I do. Kaiba-you don't own me. Raine-you work for me. I decide what's right and I don't want to go to Kaiba's yet."
"Shall I tie her up and gag her?" Raine asked Kaiba seriously.
"Do what you have to, just get her back to my place tonight." Kaiba smirked. Tying her up and gagging her could be pleasant. No power struggles and no complaining. It might be interesting to have a compliant wife over a wildcat.
Iolite knew Raine would never hurt her, but the man looked positively formidable.
"Fine," she relented, "but I get to bring what I want with me."
"Whatever Highness, just get on with it and let me get back to work. I really don't have time for all this drama." Kaiba sat back down behind his desk and went at his laptop as if nothing had happened. "Oh, and Princess" he smirked, "I think your clothes are dry enough to wear now, not that I don't appreciate the sight of you in my shirt, but I'm not into sharing my wife's 'assets' with everyone." He turned back to his laptop in a trivializing manner.
She blushed from head to toe. What she really wanted was to storm out of his office as she was to further aggravate him, but she didn't want to be seen like this in public, or around him anymore. She went into the bathroom and quickly dressed. Her jeans were dry, but her shirt was wet, she decided to keep his on. When she exited the bathroom Kaiba and Raine had their heads together, but quickly stopped talking in her presence.
She quietly walked over to the elevator and pushed the call button. Raine came over to her and waited beside her. She wasn't going to talk to him ever again.
When the doors opened she turned to face Kaiba as she got in, "In order to share my 'assets'," she said with icy undertones, "You have to own them-you never will." The doors shut before Kaiba could get a word in edge wise. He smirked and shook his head. He would own her, tomorrow at 2pm.
The car ride to Yugi's was quiet. She decided that Raine was no longer her friend. He had sided with Kaiba and that was mutiny in her eyes. Living in the Kaiba mansion was going to be a treat, all she knew for sure was that her bedroom better be as far from Kaiba's as possible. A marriage made in hell. A life that had turned to a nightmare. A future that was now completely uncertain. Where had she gone wrong? She had to talk to Ryan and find out where Mortimer's interests went. She was intent on bringing the man down. The only plus she saw at Kaiba's was the access to the WWW. She could spend her time ripping the connections Aron and Simon had apart. The monarchy monies were strictly held, so outside funding for their 'lifestyles' had to be subsidized. They had their 'cash cows' and once she destroyed them it would only be a matter of time before they would resort to illegal thrills. She had a plan, and now Kaiba had given her the means. The ride to Yugi's seemed quick, she was so lost in thought.
Yugi was so happy to see her.
"I have some bad news," she finally managed after her told her all the updates.
"Not your Father, I hope," he asked sincerely concerned.
"No, he's fine, but I'm afraid I'm not."
"Are you sick, is there something I can do to help?"
She smiled weakly, "I'm afraid help is too late coming. I'm marrying Kaiba tomorrow."
His eyes got bigger as he gasped, "Why?!"
"My brother decided to trap me into coming home. It would be hell for me. Kaiba agreed to marry me in order to protect me. I don't know what's worse."
Yugi noticed the unshed tears, "Kaiba isn't so bad. He's honorable, and even though he's a bit dense at times he comes through in the end. He had a hard life, but thanks to Mokuba he has survived. He won't hurt you."
She wanted to believe him in the worst way. "Could you do me a big favor Yugi?"
She asked so sweetly he wouldn't refuse, "Could all of you come over tonight and stay with me? I have to move in with Kaiba. He and Raine think it's the best thing for me to do. It wouldn't be so bad if you all were there to help me settle in."
"Do you think Kaiba would mind?" Yugi asked, on the verge of saying yes.
"He told me I could bring whatever I wanted and I want my friends there more than anything else."
"Of course, I'll call everyone I'm sure no one will let you down." They hugged and as he left her she flashed him a smile.
She started packing, thinking of how much fun it was going to be when Kaiba's jaw hit the floor. This was going to be well worth the price of admission.
She was almost done packing when Mai and Tea burst in.
"You can't marry that creep," Mai whined.
"You don't love him," Tea chimed in.
"I have to in order to stay here. It's just for now. I'm sure Kaiba will divorce me the minute my brothers are ousted. My brothers' demise won't take that long if it's up to me." She tried assuring the two.
"Can't you find someone else?" Mai suggested as Tea nodded frantically, in agreement.
"Who? Joey? Yugi? Tristan? I know the feelings in this group. I won't break up the relationships that are here in order to save me. Besides, Kaiba can keep me well protected. His mansion is a fortress and Kaiba Corp. is practically impenetrable. I'm safe as a kitten." She hoped they believed the last part more than she did.
They looked at her skeptically.
"So, if you have to do this how can we help?" Tea asked.
"Do you have a dress for the day? What do you have planned?" Mai asked.
"Tomorrow is the day. Kaiba arranged a justice of the peace and then a quick dinner afterwards. Nothing fancy."
They looked disappointed, but not surprised. A man like Kaiba didn't seem like the marrying type and frills were out of the question.
"Well," Mai sighed, "at least we can get you an amazing dress-right?"
Iolite strode over to the closet and pulled out a black dress. It was a bit old, and wasn't exactly high fashion. She wore it only once before, at Simon's 18th birthday party. She was about as thrilled now as she was then. The only reason she kept it was to fan the fires of hatred she felt for her brothers.
"Black?" Mai gasped, "for your wedding?"
Tea went to the closet and pulled out a cream colored gown, "Why not this, it would be perfect."
Mai joined her, "Or this," a gown the color of Iolite's eyes.
Iolite knew either dress would be a million times better than the black monstrosity she held. We want to get this thing started off on the right foot. His words resounded in her head. He wanted her in white, she would wear black.