A/n: I'm extremely sorry for the last to chapters for some reason I feel they leave a lot to be desired. In Chapter Twelve I tried very hard to make it seem that Jolouque had strong emotions and went with them; he isn't as hard as he looked. Yet I find myself with mixed emotions over it, it sorta didn't seem real enough. Did anyone else feel that? Oh well maybe I'm imaging it, well I hope you like this chappie. I'd like to thank all my reviewers who have reviewed so far. Tootles.

Jolouque threw a sight shield around himself and vanished the meal. Zalean could sense him withdrawing himself into the bathroom, probably to find a hiding place. The knock came again and Zalean scurried to the door, opening it for the caller.

A Sapphire Jewel hung around the visitor's neck, low indicating the cleavage that was exposed invitingly. The blue taffeta dress was familiar, and so were the brown eyes that belonged to its wearer. "I was missing you at breakfast dear, so I came to drag you down there."

The laughter that seemed to rattle Zalean's mind was the same that indicated her first dislike of the woman before her. "I wasn't really hungry."

The woman's lips pursed in displeasure. "Are you entertaining someone then?"

"NO, oh no it's not that." Blush found it's way to her cheeks, despite how she tried to restrain it. "I suppose I'm feeling ill."

"Well then let one of the Healers look at you." Zalean would never trust one of the court's Healers, for fear they'd poison her, but she knodded agreement to the woman's suggestion. "Oh, by the way, if you see Jolouque tell him I'm looking for him."

The Black Widow narrowed her eyes waiting for a reply, as if she'd learn the truth with a single word. "Yes, Earn." Zalean closed the door on the retreating figure.

Crossing the room, Zalean entered the bathroom and whispered, for fear that Earn might hear, "Jolouque?"

When she didn't get a reply she knew he was gone. Feeling slightly defeated, she retired to her wardrobe picking out a tan slip-of-a-dress. Only then did she realize Earn had seen her in Jolouque's shirt.

(Break)

Two figures met in a barren hall.

"So can you do it?"

"It will be simple. The girls a Landen for cryin' out loud."

"Don't underestimate her."

"It's pathetic how you feel threatened by her."

Wind snapped as one of the figures was struck.

"Remember who you're speaking with."

A deep booming laughter rose followed by a, "You're a sniveling nothing, but I suppose I'm no better."

"Just get it done."

There were footsteps as one figure began to retreat, but it was called back.

"Oh, and make sure she suffers through it all."

So the only question is, if two conspirators meet in an abandoned hallway, with no one around to hear, does someone still get hurt.

(Break)

Dorothea sat in front of her vanity mirror, watching with delight the bored yet nervous expression on Jolouque's face. She had called for him because she needed him, he was good whatever task she placed before him, and she needed this skill. "You seem to have misunderstood your last assignment. I told you to find the old Priestess and bring her to me. I want no more excuses you understand. Or," She picked up a quill, playing with it absently in her hands.

He understood the threat perfectly, his wide-eyed expression proved it. Damn he was a sexy Warlord, and he just pulsed with untapped power. Why did all his talents have to be wasted in a bed with a useless whelp like Earn? She mused on the possibility of taking him for her own since Earn's objections were worthless. A puppy he would be to her, she could teach him many things; it was possible she'd learn something from him.

Jolouque could feel her undressing him with her eyes, and the rage that coursed through his veins. The damn Priestess would be found and tonight, as long as he could finally get away from those eyes. A pink wet tongue darted between her lips as she stared, hungrily at his crotch. Not being able to contain his fury any longer he let it fill the room in a malicious tide of Opal. The vanity mirror burst into millions of tiny pieces, and as he stormed of he could hear Dorothea's laughter echoing through the halls.

A/n: Constructive criticism welcomed. Please review.