A/N: Excessively long chapter...I was just so motivated once I started.
Don't own Yu-gi-oh.
Chapter 25
Seto stood before Aron. He would not hold back because the man had himself crowned King. Kaiba was hardly impressed with titles, least of all titles that were not deserved. He had noticed the slight amount of blood drying at the corner of his wife's mouth and knew he had to keep calm despite his boiling fury. He wanted to kill him.
"My wife and I had planned my departure. We knew you would be watching us as soon as you knew of our wedding. How long could the marriage of Seto Kaiba and a princess be kept under wraps? It was a power play, you sniveling coward. Your attention was on her while I decimated your strongest ally." Kaiba's eyes shifted towards Mortimer.
"What crap are you spouting?" Aron demanded.
Seto Kaiba smirked at Aron's obvious confusion. He took his normal arrogant stance, arms folded across his chest head slightly bowed and eyes boring into Aron's through his bangs.
"Your friend can tell you how I had acquired several interests in his company a few weeks ago, can't you Mortimer?"
Iolite's eyes grew wide at the realization that the shares Kaiba was referring to were the same that she had attempted to gain, but lost. She sunk her teeth gently into her tongue if she hadn't she was sure she would have cried out at his betrayal. She dug her fingernails into her palm and kept reminding herself to breathe in and breathe out.
"I hardly consider a measly 8 percent to be a threat to my vast holdings. Maybe you should learn how to add Seto Kaiba. If you can't perhaps someone who does should run Kaiba Corp." Mortimer arrogantly chuckled.
Kaiba's eyes shifted from one man to the other. It was time to hammer in the final nail in Mortimer's coffin and, perhaps inadvertently, his own.
"I only held 8 percent the last time I met with you, but thanks to my wife I now own 35 percent. That amount paired with the backing of your board of directors suddenly affords me the position of CEO. Funny how life works wouldn't you say?" Kaiba added condescendingly.
Mortimer jumped to his feet, somewhat ignoring the pain the shot up from his broken toes. The twisted rage on the man's face was terrifying for Iolite, she had dismissed him as a nuisance but the psychotic way his eyes looked caused her to latch on to Kaiba's strong arm. His back was to her as he faced down her enemies and she was grateful for his protection.
Aron's vehemence showed on his face. Kaiba regarded the two with an unsettling calmness. It was more than apparent that Seto had no fear of either man. One was older and the other was a King but he was the person holding all the cards and calling every shot. Nothing made him cower, that was the part of the equation both men failed to take into consideration.
"Checkmate Mortimer. You'll have a few hours, under guard, to remove your personal effects. No computer equipment or files will leave the building. Any questions?" Kaiba's voice was gravely superior.
Mortimer looked ashen. He turned to Aron. "I demand you do something!"
"Yes," Kaiba grinned maliciously then said mockingly, "Aron...do something."
Aron looked at the two men. Comprehension of what Kaiba had done was slow coming. He had just lost his biggest cash cow. This was not supposed to happen. That bitch of a sister had managed to get Seto Kaiba to raid Mortimer's company, she reversed his very own plan and now he was at her mercy. There was one final move to make. It would either save his scheme or would crash and burn.
"I must commend you for what you've managed to do Seto Kaiba. It's quite a coup d'état. However it means nothing. Iolite stays with me. She's mine to command. You can take Mortimer's company, but not my sister."
"I disagree. Our marriage is legal in this country and I'm far more powerful than you here. Hell, I'm probably more powerful in your country. This acquisition has just made me an even wealthier man. You will stay away from my wife."
Kaiba had stated his claim quite matter-of-factly. Iolite was furious but remained quiet, if she argued with Kaiba in front of her brother she would play into Aron's hands. She would deal with him later, at home. A wonderful realization hit her, she was going home...with Seto Kaiba. Her stomach involuntarily fluttered as reality hit her. She was not going to be prostituted by her brother instead she'd be reading Harry Potter to Mokuba. She softly exhaled a sigh of relief.
"I don't think so." Aron played his final card, "Guard seize them both!"
The large guard stood his ground. Aron turned his attention from Kaiba and his sister to his hired help.
"Well, what the hell are you waiting for?!" He yelled at the large intimidating looking man. He was supposed to ask how high when told to jump, this was belligerence.
"He's waiting for my orders," Kaiba informed Aron. "You really are stupid. Let me explain things to you really slowly so you can keep up. I now possess more power than all of your friends put together. I am married to your sister, which makes me a Prince. In addition to those facts I hired your guard earlier tonight to insure my wife's safety. He will be leaving with us. You have been obliterated. I only wish it would have been a challenge. Any questions?" Kaiba grabbed Iolite's hand and started towards the door.
"This is not over by a long shot," Aron warned.
"You don't frighten me. Your idle threats carry no weight. If I catch you near my wife again you will suffer."
"I can now declare my sister a traitor. She will be without a country, never allowed to see her friends or family ever again." Aron threatened in a voice that sounded desperate. Kaiba slowly made his way back towards Aron, leaving Iolite by the door.
"Tell me, are you condemning her because she married me and you can no longer use her or because she's still alive?"
"Not obeying the monarchy is her damnation Seto Kaiba. I should have killed her tonight before you made your grand entrance..."
Kaiba's control snapped. Aron didn't have any time to prepare for the attack. Kaiba moved quickly, slamming his fist in Aron's face. The blow sent him reeling into the shelves behind him. They were torn free and the art work and books alike went tumbling to the ground in a mighty crash. He had probably broken his jaw, though he wished it was his neck.
"Leave Domino while I still allow it." Kaiba's warning was dark and sinister.
Iolite was thankful for his nearness. She didn't honestly know how long she would have been able to keep up her front. They left the room and entered the hallway. They stood there for a minute and he turned to her.
"We have to show a united front, our marriage has to look real. Will you cooperate?" His eyes searched hers. She tried to remember every reason she had to hate him, but at that moment the relief she felt in his presence overrode all other thoughts.
Raine looked on and smiled, it had worked. He had prayed it would but found himself doubting the plan Kaiba and Ryan had hatched a few days ago.
Kaiba suddenly moved, before Iolite realized his intentions she was wrapped up in his arms. Slowly he moved one hand to tilt up her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. He was almost unnerved when he saw the unshed tears in her eyes, "what did he do to you?"
The intention of a chaste kiss hello for any onlookers, to prove that their reunion as man and wife was true, was forgotten.
"Rage at me when we get home Highness," he whispered for her ears only before his mouth descended on hers. The kiss was hard and demanding, he felt her try to pull away with the first touch of his lips but her struggles were ignored and his hold tightened. He forced her mouth open by applying pressure on her chin with his hand and then his tongue swept inside her sweet mouth to end her defiance.
The kiss wasn't gentle, it was arousingly hot. She couldn't keep a thought in her head and eventually she couldn't remember if she was resisting him or not. Kaiba realized he had to stop when he heard her whimper, he let out a low growl in his throat as he pulled away but then quickly he claimed her mouth again. Damn how he wanted her and how he ached to have her. With regret he had never felt before he broke the kiss and forced himself to pull away.
She was totally confused by her own reaction, she was bloody furious with him yet she gave in to him. Her thoughts didn't even allow her to realize her arms were around him until he requested that she let go. She did, almost as if she were pulling herself out of a fire. The spell he wove around her the first time he kissed her was tangible still. He could kiss thoughts right out of her head and leave a simpering fool in his wake.
Several people saw the exchange and the gossip mill started. Things were working out exactly as planned. Soon everyone was giggling and chatting about the man who captured the heart of the Princess.
The new couple moved into the grand ballroom, people gathered around them to wish them well. Kaiba remained emotionless while Iolite smiled and giggled like a girl in love. People could see the change of expression on Kaiba only when someone dared touch his bride. His eyes shifted back and forth scanning the people making sure that there were no threats to her well-being. He was slowly leading her towards the door that led to the balcony. He had to survey her injuries and make sure she was all right.
They finally made it through the doors and into the cool night air, his guards held more of the people at bay denying access to the doors.
They stood there, just looking at each other. Neither knowing quite where to begin. She wanted to throw 'how dare you' and 'how could you' at him, but it would ruin the illusion they had created.
Their gazes held for the longest time, no words were spoken. Truthfully Iolite was finding it hard to catch her breath, Kaiba couldn't either. He didn't know what to make of his reaction. The urge to touch her was overwhelming, gently he brushed a few strands of hair that had come undone from her French twist away from her face. Had she always been this beautiful? His fingers gently touched her cheek, she felt oddly comforted by his tenderness. Her eyes closed softly for a moment, when she opened them he was scowling at her. Her eyes widened in fear.
His fingers gripped her chin and turned her face so he could better inspect her cheek in the moonlight.
"Which worthless piece of scum did this to you?" His voice sounded tense and angry. She shrugged. He waited. She sighed heavily.
"Does it really matter? It's my bruise not yours, besides I've gotten quite good with make-up you won't have to trouble yourself with my ugliness." She sounded thoroughly annoyed with him.
"I'm tired of your stubbornness. Every mark on your body is a concern of mine. Your welfare is of the utmost importance to me you are my wife." The warm look in his eyes made her feel like she was drinking a warm cup of cocoa.
His fingers stroked down her cheek, gently caressing away a shed tear.
He moved closer, his lips lingering above hers, just a breath away.
"You are hardly ugly Highness, I consider you to be breath taking." He tried to close the distance, but she turned her head. His kiss landed near her ear. She was mad at all the lies and deceit and even though she found him to be devastatingly attractive she had no intention of caving in to his charms.
Kaiba stood there staring down at her. Heaven help him he wanted to shake some sense into her. He had forgiven her lies and manipulations. It would be unacceptable if she thought to hold his against him. He actually hadn't lied nor did he manipulate. He simply did what had to be done.
"Once we get home I will give you a few minutes to get over your annoyance and then I insist that we get back to normal. I simply won't put up with obstinate behavior." He looked at her and noticed how she was frowning. "You really should be thanking me, come to think of it I just saved your royal neck."
"I can hardly wait until we return home Kaiba, I want to show you just how 'grateful' I am." Her words sounded honeyed. She looped her arm around his and started to lead him back into the party.
He was quite interested in putting on a show of alliance with his bride. The best way to keep her safe was to make people believe the marriage was real. They walked back into the party, arm in arm. Iolite put on her best smile while Kaiba's scowl looked natural.
Neither was really interested in staying longer than necessity called for. Within two hours they were entering the Kaiba mansion.
Mokuba tackled Iolite as she entered the door. Kaiba felt a slight stab of jealousy that his brother welcomed her before him.
"I was scared to death! I thought you weren't going to be coming home but here you are! You're here to stay right?! You aren't going back there are you? Did Seto save you? What happened? They didn't hurt you did they? Can you still read to me tonight, because Mai and Tea suck at it." The questions kept tumbling out of his mouth even as Iolite's shoulders shook with laughter.
Kaiba watched the two and couldn't help but give a small smile, it was nice that Mokuba had taken such a liking to her. He could also tell that the interest she showed in his little brother had everything to do with Mokuba and nothing to do with him. Many girls tried to use Mokuba to gain access to him, it seemed Iolite liked Mokuba in spite of him.
"I'm fine Mokuba, and yes I'm here to stay. Seto came and helped bring me home. I'll answer all of your questions in the morning. It's extremely late and well past your bedtime so you better get in bed or I won't read to you." She frowned at the boy, trying to be stern, but failing miserably. He was still straddling her waist on the floor. Suddenly he looked up at Kaiba.
"Are you staying or are you leaving again?" He actually sounded quite annoyed with his big brother.
"Hello to you too Kiddo. I'm staying."
Mokuba's face broke into a smile that warmed both Kaiba and Iolite.
"Our family is back together again big brother?"
"For now it is, if you don't get to bed I'll send you to boarding school."
"You'd miss me!" Mokuba giggled at his brother's teasing. He got off of Iolite and headed for the stairs. "I want to hear about everything in the morning!"
Kaiba held his hand out to Iolite, she slapped it away and stood up on her own. She headed for the stairs with Kaiba fast on her heels. She wasn't going to let him simply get away with what he had done; she was hurt, angry and betrayed. He had punished her for what she had done and that was far less. She wasn't in a forgiving mood.
As they made their way to the bedroom Kaiba began noticing changes, they were subtle, but were changes nonetheless. Hallways had been painted brighter, furniture switched positions, there was also a scent lingering in the air, possibly from all the cut flowers in vases. When she entered the room she attempted to slam the door in his face, but he caught it and followed her into what had once been his room.
"What the hell is the meaning of this?!" He looked around at the room they had entered. Everything had been changed, from the colors to the furniture to the positioning. She stood there defensively with a smug look on her face.
"One good shock deserves another, I guess you could say." She smirked at her mystified husband.
"What do you mean by that?" he growled as he began to approach her. "Where are my things? Why do you think you had the right to do this?"
"Your rights were terminated the day you abandoned me on the doorstep!" She yelled at him. There was no fear of him in her eyes, she was on an adrenalin kick.
"If I would have stayed I would have..."
"Raped me?!" She finished his statement with a quirk of her eyebrow.
"I would never have done that and I think you know it." He looked around the room and began to wonder where his furniture went. It was very light, no more midnight colors adorning the room. It no longer looked like a tomb, a look he never really appreciated, but never changed. There were candles everywhere...he hated candles. Knowing his luck they were probably scented like flowers. Great 'Seto Kaiba CEO' now had a room fit for a woman.
"I wanted my own room from the start, this is totally your fault Seto Kaiba. If I had been given a room of my own instead of being forced into your mausoleum I wouldn't have needed to change 'your' room. Now this room is mine."
He eyed her, she wasn't facing him, she was looking at the ceiling, as if he were an annoyance. She was unreal.
"I will change it back tomorrow." He challenged.
"I dare you to try," she countered.
"Who do you think you are?" He began approaching her menacingly. She stood her ground.
"You forced me into becoming your wife. You deceived me into believing it was my only option. I had another option, but your greed stole my freedom and now I will make your existence miserable." Her eyes were full of fury.
"If you had been able to gain the interests and raided Mortimer how long do you believe you would have remained safe?" He baited her.
"My brothers would have been so occupied trying to recover their losses I would have been the furthest thought from their minds."
"Or the closest. You would have been sold to the highest bidder in order to gain more funding."
"I'm so tired of being thought of as an object!" She was livid.
He folded his arms across his chest, "You are my wife. I saved you from the life that would have been dictated by your psychotic brothers."
"My savior," she spat out, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Kaiba eyed her wearily, noting the clenching and unclenching of her fists.
"What happens now? Do you expect me to fall to my knees and thank you? Or fall into your bed? For some reason you don't seem the type to do favors without the expectation of repayment. Do you want my ability to raid, to hack or to warm your bed?!"
He grabbed her shoulders and store into her eyes. He couldn't believe how cold they looked, that was his not hers. She could never be a true enemy, even with the knowledge she had of his company she had fought Aron's insistence that she was to raid Kaiba Corp. She would never make a good chess mate, on the computer she was a genius, but in real life she couldn't calculate with cunning. She wasn't cold, she was warm and delicate. Even though she had been angry with him she had allowed the kissing and responded.
"Do you consider what I did a favor?"
"I think of it as entrapment. You forced my hand, denying me the interests denied me my freedom and put me at your mercy. I would never have married you and your ego if I had an option."
"Then you still think of me as the enemy?"
She considered his words, even as she tried to fight him mentally she wanted nothing more than to melt into his arms and find the comfort she had wanted all night. An enemy? Would I ache for a real enemy? I do not want you and yet you steal each breath I'm breathing from me.
"Get out!" She pulled out of his grasp.
His eyes narrowed and glazed a deeper blue than normal. "What has been done is done Highness, I don't apologize for what I know is right."
"Well I don't intend to thank you. I do intend to tell you that you're contemptible. You're a vile, despicable, arrogant, mean-spirited pig. I will never forgive you for this treachery." Her heart felt shattered as she continued to insult him with words she didn't believe she was capable of saying.
Kaiba clenched his jaw tight, which indicated that he didn't like the insults she was hurling at him. Her tirade continued with comparisons of different animals and their back ends. She couldn't seem to stop once she started on this roll, she hated that she had lowered herself to his level. A few very unprincess-like words escaped and Seto Kaiba's eyes went from wide with almost stunned disbelief to half-closed and burning.
She finally stopped her mouth and moved to the door, she opened it and took off down the hall.
Raine was about to open his bedroom door when he noticed the commotion. Iolite was fast approaching as Kaiba snuck up behind her, grabbed her wrist and commenced dragging her back down to the bedroom. Raine stood there and watched, stunned.
"God have mercy," she mumbled.
"If you must pray don't mumble, show the same tenacity you just showed my ego." He looked fit to be tied, she couldn't recall a time she'd seen him angrier.
Her snort at his comment wasn't appreciated as his grip tightened. He dragged her into their room and slammed the door. She backed up as far a she could get in the room and waited to experience his wrath.
A/N: I have discussed, at length, with my friend who is proofing this about the ending of this story. It is coming to a natural end. You will see in the next chapter or two that I have to end this story. I can't divulge why...I'd ruin everything. She demands that I continue because there are so many routes to take with this story. I know I have a following for this story so I want to hear from you guys. Please review and let me know what you think! The next chapter will be up soon, it's already completed! Just waiting to be edited. PLEASE review...love reviews...thanks in advance!
JosephineJekyl: I try to update ASAP...sometimes life gets in the way, but I'm never horrible (at least I don't think I am)! I hope this lived up to your expectations. I used a ton of dialogue I was in one of those moods. Thanks! Glad you like it!
Sarah: I missed Seto too, he was gone for too long, but now he is back to stay. I won't be sending him off again. Thanks for reviewing! Not much of a cliffie this chapter.
CRAZYABOUTANIME: Thanks for the compliment, it's always nice to know you're appreciated. Glad you like the story, hope I updated fast enough for you! Thanks for reviewing!
Mariks1andonly: How did your midterms go? I hated them in school, now I look forward to finals in college...joy! Hope this chapter helped you celebrate...midterms are over right? I like moving on after tests, they occupy too much mental time. The next chapter should be up in a few days after it is proofread. Thanks, as always, for reviewing!
WhitejellO: She had to start showing some concern for her country (seeing as she's the only one fit to run it) and for little Mokuba. Heck, she even put Seto before her, not that he deserved it after all he had done. I'll remember about the flinch...for next time. I would never allow a meltdown but a flinch would be cool. Hope you like the parts you inspired here...I know you were waiting for the room to be unveiled. Wouldn't it be nice to have Kaiba come to your rescue? I know I could use him on an almost daily basis...
This chapter was soooo long! I know, the feedback is deceiving. I needed to do a cliffie, I like them! The next is in the can waiting for a proof reading, I think my friend proofs just to get a sneak peek.
I'm so thrilled that Bush is back! So many jobs down here depend on him, Kerry isn't a gov't contract guy and a lot of unemployment would have ensued. I know my boyfriend would have been laid off from Harris (a major gov't satellite operations place). NASA would have been in jeopardy too. Now we have 4 more years of being ok...until Hillary comes knocking...sheesh! I know what you mean about not letting Ohio go... I was shocked that Florida was declared as early as it was. I can't remember what time I stayed up 'til, only that my backside dragged the whole next day. It was worth it though, I enjoyed Knowing before all my sleeping friends and relatives!
Nearly had a laughing fit about the hurricane stuff, get a life already! Did he cause the volcano to burp too?! I guess I could blame my foot on Bush too, I was going to an 'election' party... It's finally healing. I could have used stitches, but I'm a baby and would rather take my chances. Besides sympathy from others is a beautiful thing. Hope this was pronto enough! Thanks for reviewing!
Victorprimis: You took the time to review, which I appreciate, so naturally I had to respond! You were locked out of the system?! How cruel! Anonymous doesn't bother me. An art form huh? I'm glad you're enjoying the suspense. You're welcome about the updating, thank you for reviewing!
Frosty: My foot sucks, but it's better and I don't dwell well. It's great leverage against a boyfriend...now the car door gets opened and closed for me. He fell out of that habit for a bit there. I'm glad you updated, and understand that you may not for a while. I hope things work out for you. I feel badly for you... Not much I can do for you at the other end of a computer, but if you can think of anything let me know! Take care of yourself! Thanks for reviewing as always...you're always great at reviews!
Solo-girl: Kaiba was wonderful, I could use him in a few of my classes. I can't comment much on what else you said or I'll spoil the next chapter. Yeah-Way to Go George!!!
I saw 'The Incredibles' this weekend...at the beginning there was a preview for the next Star Wars movie. Do you only like the original 3 or do you like the prequels as well? This last one looks like it could be pretty intense. I thought of you when I saw it, I know how mad you were when I made the 'Star Wars again?!?' comment. Thanks for reviewing.
Dragon Master's Mistress: He can so be my hero any day of the week! Hope it was convincing. Glad you saw it my way. Thanks for the review.
I heart Seto!: 6 hours huh?! Wow I am soooo impressed. I'm glad it's your favorite and that you love it. Of all the ones I'm writing it is my favorite as well. I try to keep Seto in character, but sometimes he has to be a bit OOC and I'm glad you appreciate that. Sometimes I think I go too detailed, glad you don't think so. He is hot. The fluffy stuff is my favorite, I loved the kissing scene a few chapters ago. I hope you like what happened in this chapter. I know if they communicated things would work out so much better, but it's a romance so that dictates that there has to be confusion. Anyway, I'm babbling...hope you enjoyed the read and the next chapter will be up in a matter of days! Thanks soooo much for the awesome review!