Jack, narrowing her eyes towards Riddick, felt the cold chill of death on her bones and it made her shiver. She liked watching him, even if she wouldn't admit it. He killed with a passion, with a grace she doubted she could ever master. She had no idea who he was killing, and she couldn't say that she even cared. She wanted to visit the King, then leave. She hated that man with a passion, and Jack would never stay in his presence more than necessary.

" Done." He said, his head jerking back to her.

She nodded slowly and waved her hands back, alerting the small amount of troops with her to follow. She watched him almost leap on to his horse and she galloped up, then slowly walked next to him. As much as she disliked him, she was fantasized with him. The way he moved and the way he acted. His demeanor was nothing like that of a normal warlord, a tyrant usually. He was calm and peaceful, sometimes, and then harsh. He confused her, and Jack hated that more than anything. Slowly, she spoke, " Do you believe the King wishes us harm?"

" If he intended to kill us, he would've tried earlier."

" And who was that back there that you killed?" Jack inquired.

Riddick flashed his teeth. " King's men."

" Brilliant, Riddick. Not even telling your wife that the King had sent an assassin to kill us?" She rolled her eyes, playing the irritated wife roll.

" Why, Jacqueline, I did not know you liked the thought of being my wife." He drawled sarcastically, slowing the pace of his horse.

" Why would you ever think that, Richard?" She growled through clenched teeth. She would skin him alive if he called her Jacqueline again.

He laughed, a deep low growl coming from his throat. " Call me that again when we're alone." His eyes flashed with mischief.

Jack refrained from making a comment and for the next few hours, they rode in plain silence. The land they rode on was burnt. Nothing seemed to live beneath the trees, nor in it. The fighting, the wars that had ravaged the land below had destroyed them. Jack felt a pang of guilt, then dismissed it. No one lived there, naught her problem. The silence calmed her, for the time being. Later, she would want activity, partially to keep herself away from Riddick and to understand what the King's game was. She didn't trust him, nor would she ever.

She loathed him, with a deep fervor. Anthony had killed her father. Her father had not been a conformist, and the King was the opposite. He liked everyone the same and under his rule; a million followers of sheep. Her father, Andreas, had wanted a somewhat controlled land, but more for the good of his people and his followers. He wanted a happiness to befall all of them. On the isles of Escuros, Lord Stavonos wanted the same. Where Riddick came out of those isles, Jack naught know, but she intended to find out soon enough.

Anthony was her father's brother, her uncle, yet she denied that her and that man had any relation to her. Her blood ran cold at the mention of his name. She wanted to murder him, but it wouldn't be her style, not until she knew she could grasp the power when needed. Doubts still lied in her mind whether the people would join with her, but with Riddick, she had a better chance. Men, grudgingly, did not like her as a ruler. Most men wouldn't trust a woman since who really knew how a woman planned things, with her flashy smile and seductive looks, she could kill you with a blink of an eye just because of her beauty, and none trusted Jack. She smiled at that; that always made her smile. Beauty was deadly, when used correctly.

Hours later, they arrived at the gates of the castle. Jack raised her hand, stopping the small faction of her men behind her.

" Who arrives before the King bearing arms?"

" Jacqueline of Sybil and Riddick of the Isles." Jack yelled up, little drops of rain starting to pelt her nose. She looked down and waited.

" You may enter." The man yelled as the gates opened before them.

She looked over to Riddick who simply gave her a curt nod and they entered. She descended from the horse and handed the reigns to one of the stable boys. She looked over at Riddick, who stood watching her, his eyes intent on something she didn't like to name. " Let us go see the King."

He barely nodded, but stood next to her and walked up to the castle entrance. The doors opened before them, and they moved passed, both of them keeping their eyes on the final goal. Anthony. At the end of the golden hall, he sat on his throne with his wife Iphigenia, the mythical beauty that people feared, for she thought she could make him see things her way with her great beauty. She was a toy for Anthony that was all. Jack despised her, but never as much as Anthony. Even Riddick couldn't take that place.

Anthony looked up to see Jack and Riddick only feet away from him. " Jacqueline… I see you made it."

" Of course I did. Do you doubt me?" Hatred leaked from her voice. Her glare never altered from him.

He laughed, a smile appearing on his cold face. His light gray hair was short and his eyes were a pale brown. His body, once strong and taut, was now creased and loosing his perfect body. His thick bushy gray eyebrows were furrowed in thought for a moment, then said, " Riddick, I take it."

Riddick merely nodded, then looked towards Iphigenia, the woman who sat, still as beautiful as marble sculpture.

" So my darling niece--"

" I am not your niece, so do not address me as that." She stepped forward, her hand on her sheathed dagger.

Anthony titled his head sideways and rested it on his palm. " Oh?"

"Yes." She let out a lengthy sigh, but her eyes were still intent with malice and her hand gripped the dagger tightly. She was ready to kill him, if he provoked her.

" Hmm… very interesting. You may retire to one of the chambers. We will speak more tonight during our feast, of your wedding of course. We are not intruding on your nuptial, I assume?" He said, sounding quite cocky, knowing that if she said no, Jack would have to fight over 20 guards.

Riddick laughed, maniacally, and led Jack by the arm back, and up a sideways flight of stairs. They were escorted at the top to their room. She entered hesitantly, with Riddick close behind her.

" Relatives?" He questioned.

" No."

" Are you sure?"

" Yes."

Riddick smiled. " I don't believe you, Jacqueline.

" I don't give a damn, you don't have to believe me and stop calling me that." She furiously paced, biting at fingernails.

" Oh, but it suits you…Jacqueline." He leaned against the wall, almost willing her to attack him.

Jack looked at him, pure rage in her eyes. Her rage had been building since the letter, and then seeing her uncle had made it worse, then Riddick had to push it. She lunged for his throat, ready to watch it bleed, but he caught her hands, easily spun her, and shoved her up against the wall. She felt the stones dig into her back and she whimpered in pain.

He laughed quietly. Oh, he would quiet her. How he would quiet her. Then make her scream for him. Winning that power over her was a challenge, and he was willing to bet that he would win at that game. He lowered his mouth to hers and gave her no choice. He would overpower her in this game.

***

" I do not like the woman… something is wrong about her…" Iphigenia drawled slowly, her voice thick and seductive as she drew small circles on her palm.

" I told you of that before. Jack is not in her sane mind anymore. Now you see why we have to do what me must do, Iphi." Anthony nodded assertively. Of course, everything he was doing was right. It had to be. He was the King, wasn't he?

" I told you that Jack wasn't in her sane mind; she killed her second commander; shoving him out of a window. It's not good to let her live, at least with Riddick there. They're married. The Gods don't like it either."

" Of course they don't." He smirked down at Carolyn. Weak little woman. Nothing more than a worm compared to him.

Carolyn lowered her eyes. " I'm afraid War may side with them. He likes Jack, he always has."

" We shall see, won't we. Iphi?" He stood up and gave his hand to hers and helped her stand. They slowly walked out of the room, leaving Carolyn with her head bowed, and her eyes lowered, knowing that she was ashamed of trying to destroy Jack.

***

" Hmm… Xanthe?" War looked up from the map, his long dark hair sweeping around him. She shined in his dark cavern of a temple where his worshippers prayed for him.

She nodded plainly. " You take a liking to my sister."

" I always have, Xanthe, you know this." He nodded, then stood.

Xanthe smiled and pushed back a lock of her wheat blond hair behind her ear. " She is very beautiful, is she not?"

" Of course is, Xanthe, but I don't see your angle. What are you doing here?" He peered at her intently.

" Sharp and smart, is she not?" She said, walking around to one side of the table, her pure white gown sweeping on the floor.

" Xanthe." His tone was warning her to stop playing games with him. He was the master of strategy.

She raised her hands and stepped back. " My fault, War. I know you're in love my sister, and don't deny it, she has the power and blood lust you love."

War smirked and waved his hand. " Continue, won't you?"

Xanthe nodded happily. " You see, I'm worried for her. I don't trust the King…"

" Do you think he might try to attempt something on her life?"

" He already has, and failed, miserably. Riddick slaughtered one man, into… well… pieces, I suppose." Xanthe coughed nervously.

War raised his eyebrow. " You mean to tell me that you're worried about your sister, one of the strongest warriors on Sybil-Isles, and she's married to Riddick, who slaughters men into pieces?" When she nodded, he threw back his head, cackling with laughter. " Xanthe, you amuse me sometimes."

Xanthe pouted, her full lips turning into a frown. " I do not know if I trust Riddick enough to let him watch my sister. Will you do this one small favor for me, War? Just watch her, please."

War narrowed, his blood red eyes focusing on Xanthe for a moment. " Fine, Xanthe, I will watch her and make sure nothing happens."
She grinned and leaped over to him, hugging him. " I adore you War." She pulled back a step, a smile still on her face, and disappeared.

***

Jack's mind reeled, and reluctantly she closed her eyes, her hands digging into the soft fabric on his chest. She was swept up in the craze of desire. She could only feel and think about one thing. Riddick. He was only thing that could stay on her mind, and she hated it, but she couldn't do anything about it. His mouth, the way it touched hers, his teeth, the way it pulled on her lip, and his tongue, how it stroked her so well, it drove her to madness, not to mention his hands and how they stroked her so softly. But she wasn't going to let him win this game, not yet.

TBC…

A/N: Well… I was going to post this chapter last night, but a few things came up, so well, you get it now. I hope you like it, I was going to make it longer, but the next chapter will be needing those details. Heh. Now for thanks stuff: ( I know I got lazy before, but now I feel bad for not thanking people)

Ariel: Thanks you so much. : ) I hope you love this chapter too.

Nichole Marie Taylor: Wow, I loved your review. It was so long, it was great! Haha, don't worry about the smut, it'll get there eventually, but don't you just love the tension between those two? *grins* I hope you love this chapter just as much as the last one.

DevilWithTheAngelWingsOn- Haha, I told you that you'd want to strangle me! Hehe, this chapter and the next one will probably make it like that too. Whee! Thanks for the review! ; )

Ames- Thanks, and I do feel better. *grins* Hope you love this chapter

Allright, there you go, I don't know when the next chapter will be out, but I'm hoping soon, but considering I have no idea where I'm going, just bear with me while I work on 5 other stories, and my 20 ways to kill someone that is taking over my life. All right, thanks for reading and please please please please please please go review!! -Saphi