Awaking to an abrupt knock on the door did not make Jack happy at all. She fumbled around for a few moments, catching her breath. The noise had scared her and her breath was hard. She had to draw in long heaving breaths, then called out, " The gods… what do you need?"

" It is only I."

An unknown voice. Alec, perhaps? She pulled her sheets close to her body, the frigid air in the morning chilling her body. " Announce yourself, then enter."

" I am only Alec." He opened the door. Standing before her clad in dark clothes and his long brown hair tied back, he bowed to her curtly. Then his piercing violet eyes looked up to hers. " Riddick called upon me to wake you."

She growled, and dug her fingernails into the sheets. " Oh he did?" Murmuring quietly, she tapped her fingers against her palm for a moment, then grabbed the sheet again. She had to clutch something, to not get too angry with the messenger, at the least. " Why?"

" Today is the day of your nuptial, M'lady . I was request you be present. " He quipped, then grinned. " Riddick can not marry himself."

" The ass is so full himself I am surprised he has not." Jack muttered. She wasn't happy, not with the marriage, not ever, and especially earlier in the morning, wouldn't make the situation any better.

" What? Your marriage is your word, Jacqueline."

Jack's eyes narrowed on Alec. " You will address me as Jack or M'lady, I will accept nothing less."

Alec grinned. " Of course, Jack." Of course Riddick likes her; she could set most men's teeth on edge and make them flee. " We will be preparing shortly. It is requested that you be prompt. Vevina will come in shortly with the maids."

Jack waived a hand, dismissing him. As soon as the door closed, she fell back onto her pillow, exhausted. She wanted to curl up and sleep for weeks. Then another knock made Jack almost fall out of the bed. " What in the gods name do you want Alec?" She screamed.

" Oh, my lady Jack, it is only me Vevina." The old woman said quietly, entering. " You are nervous? Is that why you jump?"

" I jump because you wake me up when I would die for some good sleep." Jack muttered. " What do you need, Vevina?"

" We are going to get ready for your marriage, Jacqueline." She said pleasantly, and almost immediately a rush of maids ran into the room and surrounded Jack. She had no chance . She was going to look the part of a bride whether she liked it or not.

Jack did not like it.

***

Later, Jack eyed her dress with cautious regard. She wanted to rip it off and put on anything else. It was too… Xanthe like. Pure white, lacy… goddess like. Goddess of Death…at least Riddick was right on that… I am evil. She sneered to herself as she thought it. She was death, not purity, not love… not any good emotions. She tried to turn her neck, put Vevina's hand caught her face quickly.

" If you move, everything will be ruined, Jacqueline." She clucked her tongue at her and applied more rouge to her lips.

Jack grumbled to herself. If she called her Jacqueline one more time, she may just get the nerve up to kill her. Thank the gods she'll be done soon. No later than when Jack thought that, Vevina smiled at her and handed her a small bouquet of flowers. Nightshade. Deadly when eaten. Jack's mind wandered for a few moments, and she grinned. " Are we going to leave now?"

Vevina nodded. " Follow me, child."

Jack smirked. At least it was cloudy on this dark day of her marriage. Something about it made her renew a little bit more faith in the gods. Maybe they were just as outraged as she was.

" Jack."

She craned her head a bit to see Xanthe standing next to her. " Xanthe, you came. I'm surprised."

" I would not miss my sister's marriage to a warlord. This is an event everyone is watching, dear sister." Xanthe eyes danced with mystery.
" Do you mean the gods…" Jack froze. If the gods were truly angry, she would not survive their wrath. In their wake, they destroyed everyone and anyone, if they pleased and when they pleased.

Xanthe nodded, her eyes dull once again. " They watch for you, Jack. They know your power, and Riddick's, if they fear that you will cause harm to them, they will stop at nothing to get rid of you."

Jack sneered for a moment. She was about to say that they could not kill her, but she bit her tongue. That would get her struck down almost instantly. " They will try to get rid of me, if they are successful, I would not know. Riddick and I will be most powerful, but we do not want to ruin the gods, only to reclaim what is rightful mine."

" But that would be Riddick's, in this marriage of power."

Jack ground her teeth, the scraping noise sending her hairs on edge. " Do not remind me, sister dear."

" Time to walk up there, Jacqueline." Vevina said happily and walked with her down the makeshift isle they had made last night. They had burn parts of the grass to the dirt. Jack almost laughed as she looked down, but bit her lip. Today, she would just wait to make her move on Riddick.

Riddick stood watching her with disinterest. Alec stood next to him, ready to fight, his arm close to his sword. That was the purpose of the best man. If there was any attack, the two best swordsman could protect the bride. At least Jack felt a little bit better without having a blade on her body. Vevina had already stolen the one she tried to hide in her boots. The ceremony went quietly, the men of Riddick's army, and the men of Jack's army watching in awe.

Everyone was in awe. Jack had never looked like that. Her eyes were always bloodthirsty, her body tense, and her skin stained with the carnage she cast upon her enemies. Now, she was perfect. Her eyes were downcast, and she looked almost comfortable with where she stood. Her pale skin was cleaned and the gown covered any battle scars. The men had to keep themselves in check. If they laughed, or made a move, they knew Jack would find them later and torture them.

Today was not her day. At least, the ceremony passed as quickly as possible. She dreaded touching him, kissing him. It made her body shake, and unfortunately, it wasn't from anger. If she wasn't angry enough, she wouldn't kill him. She stepped away quickly, and they moved inside the castle. Jack ran away as fast as she could to change out of the dreadful outfit. " That bastard… I will kill him, I have to." She said quietly to her, stripping off the gown and trying to find where Vevina hid her normal clothes.

" Already ready for tonight I see."

Jack spun around, clutching her clothes to her chest. Riddick. Glaring at him, she moved behind the dressing panel and quickly pulled on her clothes, while yelling. " Get out of my chambers Riddick. I did not invite you in here."

He moved as quiet as a mouse, and when his hand touched upon her shoulder, she jumped back. " You don't have to, Jack. I have rights as your husband. That's a nice sound, isn't it?"

She slapped away his hands and straightened her leather top. " Remember, husband, this a marriage of power, not of love, or your lust. I will not tolerate it and you know that." She moved quick enough to grab her belt and buckled it around her waist. As soon as it was straightened on her hips, she moved out of the room. Jack wasn't going to let Riddick intimidate her, even though she felt weak near him.

Riddick leaned against the window. The very same one Johns fell out of just days ago. " You will tolerate it, Jack, and you will love it…" He said faintly, smiling to himself.

***

" Jack, a rider's approaching."

Jack turned from her map, and stood up from her chair. She sauntered slowly over to the window and saw a rider, his horse attired with black and red. The King's colors. What did the King want? How did he know… She moved quickly and turned over to Alec, who sat, still studying the map. " Alec, find Riddick quietly. We have a messenger from the King."

Alec nodded curtly, and ran out of the room.

Jack ran down the hall, down the stairs, and made her way outside. She stood at the gates, waiting for the rider. Two guarded horsemen galloped before and the men in the leather regarded Jack with lecherous looks. Send out five men later to kill those two anonymously… She didn't like looks, and she didn't welcome them.

The rider appeared to be a lower command squire to the King. He was young and scrawny. He dismounted and walked up to Jack, shrinking under her size. " Jack?"

She nodded. " That is me. What do you want and why do you bear the king's colors?"

Riddick moved out next to her and looked down to the small boy.

The boy looked up to see Riddick and jumped. " I have a message from the king. I will read it. It says as follows…"

Jack snatched the paper from his hand. " I can read you little fool." Jack scanned the paper quickly.

Jacqueline of Sybil and Riddick of the Escuro Isles,

It has come to my attention from Carolyn of Meanders that you two are to wed this very day. I know of both of your conquests of power and the happenings you have sent on my lands. Report to my castle immediately to discuss this marriage of power. I do not like it, nor do the gods.

Your King, Anthony of the Sybil-Escuro

Jack threw the paper over to Riddick, who read it, then laughed. She regarded him with curiosity for a moment, then turned back to the messenger. " Leave us."

" Will you report to your king?"

" He is not my king. I will see him, if need be." Jack said offhandedly and waved them off with her hand. Turning to Alec, she said quietly, " Assemble five of my best men and send them after those three. I want their bodies in a plain area to see, but for my men not to be seen. Will you do this simple favor I ask of you?"

Alec grinned evilly. " Of course, Jack."

Riddick slowly walked towards her. " I see you have enchanted my best swordsman."

She snorted. " For my advantage only, Riddick." She said brusquely and turned from him.

His hand shot out and he grabbed her arm and pulled her back against him. " What do you think you're doing? Commanding around my army?"

" We are joined together. We will command together."

" I did not allow you to send those men."

Jack rolled her eyes. " You did not say I could not." She pulled her arm back and rubbed where his hand had been. Her body tingled from the pure heat that radiated off him like waves.

" Hah, and as if you would listen to what I said."

" You only know me too well." She drawled sarcastically. She would not listen to him, ever. Jack sauntered back into the castle. That messenger has disturbed her. The King had said Carolyn had told them. Why would've Carolyn left to see the King? Were her ties to Jack that un-loyal. Possibly because I killed her lover Johns, Jack mused to herself, ambling around the dining hall.

" Jack, the gods are not happy." Xanthe said quietly, walking into the room her long golden hair swaying behind her.

" Yes, I will agree with them. Today is not a happy day."

" They will do something hastily if you do not seek the King out." Xanthe said quietly, walking closer to her sister.

Jack shrugged nonchalantly. " War probably adores me."

" You know he does. He gives you more power and warriors because he wants the King dead, but everyone else is worried Jack, extremely. I am included in the latter group." Xanthe said quietly, her eyes overflowing with worry.

" Why must you worry and talk? All you do is talk of how they are upset with Riddick, then with me. If they are so angry, why do they do nothing?" Jack said, her voice quieted. She was angry, angrier than she had been most times of her life. Her voice quieted and she gripped her hands tightly into her fists, her nails digging into her palms and drawing blood.

" They know your strength, they will not test your anger. It is a legendary thing to receive your wrath, Jack, and I fear I have called upon. I must take my leave." She bowed slightly and disappeared in a flash of light.

Jack stumbled back into a seat and rested her head on her hand. Her mind was a wave of fury and confusion. What to do next…

" So the gods are angry, are they?" Riddick said, his deep voice sending shivers down Jack's spine.

" You would believe anything but that? We have almost openly boasted of our power to them. We joined together for the force of the power we can have. It's a slap in the face." Jack said, her eyes scanning the wooden table. She stood up on unsteady legs and started to walk from Riddick.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her onto his lap as he sat down. " Dark moods today?"

She tried to pull out of his tight embrace, but his arms covered her body and she struggled against him futisslessly. " Let me go."

Riddick grinned, his eyes flashing with amusement. " Your delightful when you're angry."

" I can be more delightful when I have a dagger in my hand." She murmured darkly.

He didn't give her the courtesy of an answer, instead, he pressed his mouth to hers and let his lust take over his body.

Jack placed her hands on his chest, intending to shove him away from him, but her nails caught into the soft fabric of his shirt and she pulled herself towards him, pressing her chest against his. The sensations were incredible. They were like nothing she had ever experienced; no blood lust could overcome the sensations she felt at that very moment.

His tongue traced around her lips and she could only moan when his teeth pulled at her lip. He invaded her mouth, taking everything she had to give and more.

Jack felt the unknown force compelling her body to be closer to his. She wanted to be burned up, just to get all these feelings away, to get everything away. " Riddick…" She whispered quietly.

The dagger gleamed in the bare firelight and Riddick shoved Jack hard off his lap and jumped up in time to take down the person, grab the dagger with a free hand, then press the blade violently against his neck. Riddick's eyes narrowed and he slit the man's neck and turned back to Jack, who sat on the ground, a little bit dazed. " Look what would've happen if I did not see him."

She sneered, and noticed something moving on her right. She grabbed her boot, and pulled out her small throwing dagger. She stood up quickly, threw the dagger, and ducked. She covered her head just slow enough that the arrow grazed her hand and landed in the back of the chair. " Look what would've happen if I didn't see him." She muttered back. " This is all YOUR fault, Riddick. You and your cravings. I don't wish to see that happen again."

He raised his eyebrows, then questioned, " You don't want it to happen, or you won't let it?"

" I'm leaving Riddick. We're going to find out who's behind this and then visit Anthony." Jack said curtly, turned on the heel of her boot and left to go find Alec. He might be able to find something information, and at least she wouldn't have to deal with Riddick more than necessary.

Riddick sat there for a moment and twirled the dagger around in his hand. " She'll want me, only time stands between us now…" He stood up and laughed. His maniacal laughter filled the room and echoed off the walls.

What a day. A wedding and attempted murder. Could it get any better?

TBC…

A/N: Thanks to you all who reviewed, I Love you all SO much. Sorry for the delay, this would've been out yesterday, but Microsoft works decided close, those stupid sonsofbitches. I HATE MICROSOFT! BOYCOTT! Anyways, I hope you like this chapter, I do. I think it's one of my better ones. Anyways, go review or I'll cry and never write this story. Hah… - Saph