A/N: Here I go again...I just love writing this story soooo much. I think I'm updating too often. How can I keep you all in suspense if I update on a daily basis?! Please keep reviewing...I'm lovin' the reviews I'm getting...thanks so much all of you! I can't say enough. OK...here goes the ritual...No, I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, wish I did. I don't own Harry Potter (no I haven't crossed over into those characters). I do own my characters and will fight to the death for them...there, how is that?

Chapter 11

Kaiba was expecting a quiet evening, what came through the door with Iolite produced anything but. The whole geek club in tow.

What the hell is this? Weren't they just here yesterday? Aren't they coming tomorrow? This is insane I don't want them here, not now when I have the chance to have some peace and quiet.

She noticed Kaiba stride over to her. She saw he wasn't happy and this realization gave her a small thrill.

"I need to talk to you," he grabbed her arm and started dragging her towards the library, "Now." Once inside he shut the door. She wouldn't look at him, for fear he'd see she was on the verge of laughter. It was funny how his anger could sometimes amuse her. She knew she was playing with fire when it came to his animosity, but stroking the flames was becoming an addiction. So was he, she thought.

"You know you're being very rude to our house guests, I wanted to show them to their rooms." She said with her back turned towards him. She didn't turn to face him.

"What is the meaning of this Highness?" he asked, just short of a yell.

"You said I could bring whatever I wanted with me. Well, I want them here."

He crossed the room to stand behind her, if she wouldn't look at him, he'd find other means of intimidation. "You're trying my patience," he growled against her ear. His warm breath stirred emotions in her that she could hardly stand. A secret part of her wanted more then just his breath against her skin. She steadier herself. It's just a physical reaction because he's a man. If Ryan were doing the same I would be reacting the same way...wouldn't I?

"I didn't realize you had patience," she moved away from him. "Although I think you do have a good memory. If you think back you did say I could bring 'anything', in order to get me here."

He knew she was right, damn she was good, how she manipulated him without him realizing it he couldn't figure. "I don't appreciate being 'played' Highness," he said coldly. More annoyed that she had crossed the room to stand away from him. She had said she wanted no more kissing, but it was all he could think of when she was near.

"Neither do I," she whispered.

"Are you implying I have played you?" He asked with confusion. He was itching to pull her hair out of the ponytail it was in.

"You've turned Raine against me, insisted I live here with you and you're forcing a marriage on me. What would you call all of that?" Now she turned with fire in her eyes that could melt his ice. "I'm in a strange place Kaiba, I hardly know anybody, and now I'm marrying a man I've only known as my enemy."

"Why am I your enemy Highness? Why was I ever? What did I do, that I have no awareness of?" He was spitting the words out at her with vengeance. Last night and this morning, obviously, didn't change him in her eyes.

"I work for Cathway, that makes you my enemy." She reminded him. She pushed past him and started for the door. "I'm getting our guests settled, if you want to join us, we'll be in the living room shortly."

He watched the door shut. Maybe he should just hand the share of Mortimer's company over to her, then she could raid him or whatever and he'd be free of her. She considered him her enemy, but her passion for him said otherwise. Letting her have her walls for now might calm her. He would marry her tomorrow, and, in doing so, he would go from enemy to husband. His house would be free of her 'guests', and he'd have a princess to tame. In the meantime he would avoid them all like the plague.

Mokuba showed everyone to his or her rooms. He was so excited at having a house full of people. The mansion, could at times, be lonely and daunting, but now it seemed so warm to him. He was excited about the wedding and getting Iolite as a sister. Even if it would only be a temporary thing, her presence would be welcome to him.

While the girls started unpacking Mokuba ran off to join the rest of the gang and watch some television before dinner was served.

Iolite, Tea and Mai were given 2 rooms that were joined. Iolite took the one with one bed while Tea and Mai took the room with two beds. The rooms were both exquisite. Tea and Mai loved the plush surroundings Kaiba's wealth bought. The oriental carpets and antique mahogany furniture were fit for royalty. Iolite liked her room too, but wished she were home with her father. All of Kaiba's money couldn't buy her the comforts of home. She was glad to be near her two new friends, and thankful to be as far from a certain blue-eyed demon as possible.

"I still can't believe that you're wearing that tomorrow." Mai eyed the dress as it hung from the bathroom door. "I wouldn't be caught dead in a black wedding dress."

Mai walked over to her suitcase and pulled out a small gift bag, she then walked over to Iolite and presented it to her.

"What is this?" Iolite asked her, "I wasn't expecting anything from any of you, and it's not a true wedding you all know."

"Yeah, well, we couldn't throw you a shower on such short notice, so I decided to at least get you some type of gift. I got you something that Kaiba, even with his millions wouldn't think of buying you." She smiled as Iolite started diving through the tissue paper.

The girl nearly passed out when she pulled out the negligee that was in the bag. It was beautiful, white silk, with a butterfly pattern, some lace in some revealing areas and a slit to the hip. The ribbons that laced up the bodice were quite intricate, Iolite swallowed hard.

"There is a matching robe in there too if you feel modest."

"I don't know what to say," Iolite stammered, "I'm just sorry I won't be able to use this."

"What do you mean you won't use it?" Mai asked smiling, "tomorrow is your wedding night. Despite the fact that Kaiba is so crass at times, he certainly seems the type to become, how shall I say this...passionate?"

"Well," Iolite snapped slightly, "I won't be the recipient of his 'passion' I'm not sleeping with the man, only marrying him."

"It seems like a waste to me," Mai smiled as she took the gown from Iolite to hang it up. "Kaiba isn't funny, he isn't romantic, and he isn't sociable, that would lead me to believe that his talents lie..."

She never finished her sentence because Tea chimed in, "I don't think I want to hear anymore Mai, and neither does she." Tea motioned towards a very pale Iolite.

"It is really pretty," Tea tried to smile at the girl who seemed to be terrified, "Maybe you could wear it someday when you find someone you really love."

"Kaiba and I will marry, but in name only. I won't be a 'real' wife to him." It sounded as if she were trying to convince herself, not them. The way Kaiba kissed her set her senses reeling. If he truly wanted her how long could she resist? Her mind would always say no, but her body seemed to have a mind of its own when it came to him. She slowly twisted her hair around her finger as she zoned out.

"Are you alright?" Tea asked as she sat beside the girl. Placing a warm hand on her shoulder as a comfort.

"I guess I have pre-wedding jitters. I always thought I would marry for love not to save myself and certainly not at this point in my life." She murmured, realizing her hair was once again sliding through her fingers. She tossed the offensive lock over her shoulder and stood. "I think Mokuba said dinner would be ready soon, lets go eat so I can get my mind off this."

They followed her down to the dining room where the guys were already seated. Everyone was there except Kaiba. She didn't know why she felt disappointment; she would be seeing enough of him from tomorrow forward.

Everyone was so happy, giggling and laughing. They tried to lift her mood with jokes and stories. She nearly fell off the chair when she heard about Mai and Joey's first meeting. She also loved how Mai easily manipulated men. She wished she could do it with such ease and calculation. All she ever seemed to warrant was pawing, and then she'd have to fight them off. Mai had an air of confidence and she envied her terribly. Tea, on the other hand, won Yugi with her sweetness. The girl didn't have a mean bone in her body, nor could she use any feminine guise. She looked forward to hanging out with the two of them, it would be nice to have some female friends to talk to, probably complain to.

Mokuba leaned in close to her, "Is the food ok Iolite?"

She snapped out of her thoughts and looked at the boy, "What do you mean?"

"You've been pushing the food around the plate for awhile now. You haven't even tasted it yet."

"I'm sorry," she sighed, "I guess I'm not into eating tonight."

"It's cook's best meal," Mokuba continued, "Please at least try some."

He seemed so concerned she had to give in. The food was good, but she was so disinterested it didn't matter. She made it a point to take several more bites before pushing the plate away. Mokuba realized she was nervous. He guessed all brides were nervous before they got married, especially under circumstances like this. He wanted to reassure her that his big brother wasn't someone to be afraid of, but he didn't think it would mean much to her tonight. Tomorrow he would talk to her, maybe he could con her into reading some Harry Potter to him. Sure, he could read it himself, but he loved being read to.

After dinner they all retired to the screening room and began watching something stupid on TV. Iolite sat at the back of the room so she could make a get away when everyone was distracted. She did want them there, but she felt she needed some solitude. Tomorrow she would have her hands full and though sleep would never come to her tonight some silence would remedy the dull ache in her skull.

She walked through the mostly dark house and out to the balcony. She quickly took the marble steps down to the pool and found herself bathe in showers of shadows. It was calm and cool here, she felt so much better. She circled to a well-secluded area of the pool and sat down beside it. She casually flipped her shoes off and sank her feet into the inviting water.

She missed her Dad, she missed her friends, and she missed Ryan. She could still remember how he held her before she boarded the plane. If she had known then what was going to happen, she would have insisted he come with her. Marrying Ryan would have been sweet. She had known him forever and there was no man she felt more comfortable with, save her Dad and Raine. What would he think of her once he found out she had married Kaiba? Her heart started to sink. She would have to tell him, explain, before anyone else got to him. Once the wedding was over she could reveal her location and have Ryan come to see her. She smiled and started swirling her feet around in the dark water.

She looked up at the mansion. It was dark, except for the few lights on the paths. The light in Kaiba's office was on, the man was relentless. Did he ever not work? She closed her eyes and pictured him typing away at his computer, his cold cobalt eyes staring menacingly at the screen. She shook the image from her mind. She didn't want to think of Seto Kaiba until she had to. She leaned forward to swirl her fingers in the water when a voice boomed behind her.

"What are you doing out here?" Raine asked threateningly. Before she had a chance to realize it was Raine she turned quickly, lost her balance and fell into the pool with a loud scream. She swallowed a large gulp of water and struggled to remember how to swim. Suddenly she felt large arms around her and, as she was brought to the surface, she took a grateful gulp of fresh air. When Raine had her out of the water she coughed loudly, choking on the remnants of the pool water. She was surprised to find herself surrounded by guards.

"Is everything alright here?" One of them asked her seriously.

"I'm fine I just slipped into the pool," she looked around at the guards surrounding her and Raine, and shuddered. This place was like a fortress.

"If you'll all excuse me I think I'd like to get dried off now." She pushed her way past them and started back to the house. She encountered Kaiba on his way down. He had heard her scream and came down to make sure everything was all right.

"You look like a drown rat," he smirked at her. "What the hell happened, did you decide to take a swim with your clothes on in the dark?"

"Why don't you ask your new 'friend' what happened. Either that or the guards that rushed me." She returned his icy gaze. "I don't appreciate being stalked by your help. See to it that it doesn't happen again."

He stood there measuring her with his eyes. She had spirit, he had to give her that much. "You need guards around you in case one of your brothers find you." He leaned in closer to her lips, grabbing her upper arm to hold her in case she tried to flee, "Don't order me around Highness, you won't like the results. I'm granting you leeway because of your situation, don't make me sorry."

She jerked her arm away and started to walk back up to the mansion. He watched her retreating back. She would learn her place here, as much as she tantalized his senses, he would never cave to a girl. She slammed the door as she walked in, he heard the turn of the lock. He shook his head, she was unbelievable.

Raine approached him carrying Iolite's shoes in one hand. "She left these down by the pool." Kaiba took them from him. Her damn shoes again...he missed her laughter.

"How do you put up with her?" Kaiba asked him with impatience in his voice, "You've been her guard for years how come she's still alive?"

Raine's smirk irritated Kaiba. "She's just like her mother, who led her father on years of merry chases. Edward would have chocked her if he could have lived without her. Once she died he was a broken man, except for Iolite. Her Father taught her that she was as good, if not better than any man. She learned to scheme and fight because of her brothers. She has huge walls around her, no one has come close to breaching them. I think she's afraid you will." With that Raine left Kaiba to himself.

Kaiba watched as the light in her room flicked on. There is another attempting to pull those same walls down, Kaiba thought to himself, Ryan. She was marrying him tomorrow, but he knew she wished it weren't him. He looked at the shoes and remembered a giggling girl tripping over them repeatedly. Now that same girl was like a rattlesnake.

He was about to go into the house when he realized the door was locked. He cursed out loud and circled around to the kitchen door.

A/N: I'm almost finished with the wedding day...I'm sorry I didn't respond to each review this time, but in the interest of time...wanted to get this out so I can post the next...I held back. I'll respond to you all next chapter...can you hear the wedding march? LOL PLEASE R&R