On top of cloud 9: I was in oregonn visiting cousins not to long ago too! It's great fun, I think I was technically in Washington tho..hm… Anywho, Helene went evil randomly, I was told I needed more character flaws…And then she went completely phsychotic on me…ah well…

Rebeccan Victoria Rushron: Wow you figured the titles out! Have a cookie! She doesn't know the Lioness because she's been hidden away by her mother in a random country far far away by her mother. Lol, if you still don't understand Rasputin when you get here ask again and I will explain.

Sirladyknight: yes…the king died…how tragic…I like her better as Morgan too, but the Characters will do as they wish…I am merely the Author…I have no real power.

Atlanta Enchanted: Enjoy.

FanfictionFantom: lol, I know. I have trouble keeping track of which person she is not too! Yes…Liam's jealous…joy!

Mycatcoco7: Why thankyou!

Some Random Reviewer: Yes, she's quite evil…but that is what the story is about sooo! Should…

Unwanted Beauty: Chapter 13: In Which Events Unfold

Fury coiled in Liam's chest. He was the prince!- No, he was the King! He was the one who was supposed to have all of the beautiful women. He was the one who had all of the power. And here Thom was, with the most beautiful woman anyone had ever seen hanging off of his every word. And Thom didn't even seem to notice! No, Thom was much more interested in the Magus Lily, who was, in her own very unique way very attractive. Snap out of it. You're the King now, this is not the place for stupid alpha male fights. Thom is your friend, he has always been. Now shut up and focus on your job.

Lily had been right about the bubble. The city was now underneath a cloudy hemisphere that was effectively shielding the city from the storm. Lily had been right about most of the things she said actually. Liam was currently explaining to his generals that the fight they were staging the minute the storm ended. "You are not to try and be heroic, you are not to put yourselves in unnessesary danger. There might not even be a real army. It might all be a giant illusion, or part of an illusion. Do not stop defending yourself if you find that the army is an illusion. There still might be real men inside of it. If you see Rasputin, do try and kill him, or task force may not find him. The sooner he is dead. The sooner this is over and you can go back to your wives and children.

"Or our whores…" A man muttered and Liam grinned.

"Them too. Any questions?" The king asked, his blue eyes glinting with ferocity in the candlelight. The generals shook their heads and Liam dismissed them. When they where out of the doors he sank wearily into his chair. When did it come to this? How did it come to this? Why would you start a war over a woman? A beautiful one, but why put out the effort? Dad wouldn't have started a war for mom if she had left…Well, never mind he might have. But only if it had been a Scanran who she'd left him for…Where is Rasputin from? He shot up in his chair. This wasn't about Guinevere at all. Rasputin wanted a war, he wanted to take over Tortall. Now that, I can't allow.He stood. This was a war. This was something that he understood, a war fought for dominance not for love. The door opened and Liam looked up after a moment.

"Guinevere," He breathed. She was breathtaking as always, her hair falling in soft waves around her face. He body was elegant, clad in breeches and a long tunic. "How can I help you?" He asked, biting the inside of his cheek when she started walking up to him. She paused across from him, the oak table in between then strewn with maps.

"I just wanted to say thank you, for fighting for me. And that…And that I'll go back to him. You don't have to do thins." He opened his mouth to protest and she quickly laid one finger against his lips in a hushing motion. "I know that your honor protests that, but really, fighting a war for me? It's not necessary. As soon as the storm blows past I'll go to him, and your country will be safe." Guinevere really had no idea what had possessed her to say such things. She didn't want to go back to that….dog. She did want this war fought for her. She felt as though she was two people. One part of her hated that man, shuddered at the thought of him and wanted to love Thom. The other part of her had bursts of nobility, wanting no one to underestimate her, wanting no one to care for her, wanted more power. It was the second part that had made her say these things, knowing that they would only strengthen the king's resolve and deepen his respect for her.

"Lady Guinevere, this war is not just about you. Rasputin can say that it is about you, name you the reason for it. But this is a war just like any other. It is a war for possession, for prestiege. The man who takes down Tortall will be infamous forever. He only wants that fame. This isn't about you. Please don't feel responsible, beautiful lady." He said quickly, passion and comfort lacing his voice. During the immortals war he and his sisters had convinced themselves that they were the cause of the war. They too had decided that they would sacrifice themselves so that others could live. Liam knew that it was not a fun place to be put in. He knew the pain and anguish that would overwhelm. He watched as her eyes filled with tears that she refused to let fall.

"But Sire, all of your men, they have families, lovers, sisters and brothers. I cannot allow so much pain to be created for my sake. I'll not let you fight this war for me." She said, shaking her head mournfully. Blond hair reflected the candlelight, giving her the appearance of an angel.

"You can refuse all you want Guinevere, you can protest and cry. But I'll not let you give yourself back to that man. I am fighting this war, not for your sake, but for the sake of my country. Even if you went to him, he would still fight the next morning." His eyes were full of hatred for Rasputin, how dare he cause this beautiful woman so much pain! How dare he. Fury boiled within him, curling in his stomach, hot and violent. He would crush Rasputin.

"I…I just…" Her voice trailed off and her eyes traveled to the corner of the room in a vain attempt to hide her sorrow. Liam reached out and moved her chin so that she was looking at him.

"Do not worry about this, my lady. It has nothing to do with you." His voice was soft, a mere whisper carried on a wavelength only lovers use. Guinevere nodded and fled the room. Once again Liam sighed and threw himself down into the chair by the fireplace.

--:--

Lily was brooding. She knew it was unattractive, she knew it was slightly rude. But her head ached and her stomach was turning and she was utterly pissed. Not that she knew why, but she was. The spell to defend the city was being held by mages in the castle, she had been the one who cast it, and the results were terrifying. Lily had fallen backwards into the magic, felt her spirit and her body separate. Lily DeLorento had ceased to exist, she was the magic, it was in her, the magic possessed her. She had lost control; her soul spinning with the spell, ingraining the magic with could, strengthening the bonds, ensuring they would hold. And now she was exhausted.

She was somewhat aware that there was another human being trying to Parle with her. She was also aware that it would be rude of her not to speak back. She was also, very, aware that it would take quite a bit of effort. Her eye cracked open, exposing itself to light, air, and the bright purple eye of a man she had directed like a sheepdog earlier in the day. A sigh heaved itself from her chest. Yes, she would have to speak with this man.

"Hmm?" She asked, uttering her first sound in hours.

"Drink this, it'll help." He said, pressing a wooden goblet to her lips. Her other eye opened and looked at the contents of the glass with mistrust. The beverage was a murky grey, and it smelled of strawberries. She was quite used to potions that smelled of eggs or broccoli. One that smelled of fruit was the most suspicious of them all.

"What did you put in it?" She asked, her voice cracking and then fading out entirely. She felt as though there was a sticky substance coating her throat, preventing her from speaking.

The other mage sighed and rolled his eyes. "It's just tea. Nothing fancy." The brunet frowned but drank it anyway. Tea she would trust- for now.

"What's happening?" Lily demanded as she sat up and put the cup down. Her head was spinning, and her body protested every movement. What she really needed was a good run around the castle to loosen everything back up, but there was no time.

"Liam's spoken to the army and the task force. The mages are holding your spell with little effort and my mother is throwing things with Thayet." He said blandly, Lily looked at him for a minute.

"Uh huh…okay where is the girl?" She asked, not too friendly.

"I…actually I don't know." He seemed a little surprised by his own answer.

"Aren't you supposed to be lovers or something?" She asked in confusion.

"Not really. Perhaps. I don't know." He said with a wry smile.

"Uh huh." Lily said, growling as she forced her body upright. "I am never doing that again. Never." She muttered to herself, taking careful note of the pain she was in. "Alright. I have to move. Find me when the storm leaves and the army marches. I'm going with the taskforce. Where's the armory?" She asked, her brain moving at a pace to fast for pleasantries.

"I'll show you." He offered, ever the gentleman.

"You'll have to keep up."

"Keep up?" he asked as she took of running.