Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the OC. Warning: This is written as a story not a fic. So if you don't like it, deal. FYI: Reviews and even flames are welcome. BTW: I'm looking for an editor. The only thing I can offer in payment is all chapters early.

The library proved to be at least as large as the one in New York City that Voltaire had visited in a day trip. It was three stories above ground and more below. Wilhelmina had left her saying that she had some research of her own to finish. That was fine with her, because her intention was to just look around and see if she could find anything on portals or other worlds. She rounded one of the shelves and came face to face with an orange tabby cat. It looked up at her with deep blue eyes from where it was laying on a stack of papers. It's tail flicked as it raised it's head.

Are you lost? The cat asked yawning. Voltaire shrugged. She decided to play with the cat a little bit. Cats had always picked on her back home.

"Depends. If you're asking if I know where I am, then yes, I am lost. If you are asking if I am aware of where I am, then no," she was rewarded with what she could only assume was a laugh. It was a seeming cross between a hiss and a purr.

I like you. My name is Lavar. The cat stretched and displayed his claws. You are almost as fun as Saetan. He is very amusing.

"Really? Does he come to the library a lot?" Voltaire was curious now. She knew that she could ask Jaenelle's memories, and they would tell her, but she liked the idea of finding out her self.

"I work here," Saetan said from behind her making Voltaire jump and curse.

"Sorry. I…," she trailed off at a loss to explain what she was doing.

"It's fine. Lavar tends to do things like that. Sometimes I wonder what came over me when I agreed to have him here.," Saetan shook his head. "Was there something specific you were looking for?"

"Yes. I want every book you have on either portals or theories on other worlds, if it's not too much trouble," Voltaire said smiling. She'd have plenty of reading if what she thought was correct. And if there was one thing she could do it was read.

Four hours, and about twelve stacks of books later, Voltaire decreed that she was done for the day. She now felt like she knew more about portals than anyone in the Realms. She looked up over the dusty tome and was startled to find herself looking at KaeAskavi. She closed the tome, and tilted her head searching for Blackfury's psychic scent. She found him not far away badgering Saetan about something.

Dinner is soon. Lady Wilhelmina does not wish for you to be late. He told her bowing his large head. She itched so bad to bury her hands in his fur, but she knew that would not be proper. She stood from where she had been sitting on the ground. Carefully she dusted her skirts, and sent Blackfury a message that she was leaving.

"Thank you KaeAskavi. Blackfury is coming s I should be able to find my way to my rooms. Is there anything else?" She noticed his reluctance to leave. His tail swished to show his nerves, like all cats it was almost a totally independent being.

I do not wish to betray my lady… his voice trailed off and he avoided looking at her eyes.

"But?" Voltaire said nudging him on.

She neglects her duty to her people. She is the heir to Chaillot, and they have had no queen for longer than 3 moons since the purge. I do not know how to get her to return to her people. His metal voice carried the low growl in his throat. Voltaire sighed. She hoped she would have to fix everyone's problems.

"I'll keep that in mind. I'm sure I can come up with something," she told him as Blackfury came around the corner. He nodded and walked off leaving Blackfury very confused. "Don't worry, puppy. Everything is ok. I just need you to help me find an evening gown that'll have Daemonar gibbering." She laughed as he snorted. He didn't like the idea of having to share Voltaire with Daemonar, but he saw no way around it.

Voltaire took a deep breath as she stood outside the door to the large dinning room they used in the evenings. Saetan had made diner formal, which meant each member of court was to be announced as they came in. She didn't know how everyone was going to react to an unranked impoverished witch sharing dinner with them.

She knotted her hands in the black silk of her dress when it was her turn. The doorman smiled at her, or rather, she thought at her dress. It was cut ungodly low even for her. She left that if she had to lean over during dinner she'd probably just fall right out. It was off shoulder as well so her tan was clearly visible. Her mother's necklace rested deep in her cleavage, and rose with each breath she took. She had crimped her hair so that it looked like she had had it up in braids for hours.

"Witch Voltaire," she winced as her name was called. She had heard so many elaborate titles that her own was so gallingly simple it hurt. As the doors were opened for her she deliberately lifted her chin and straightened her spine. She ignored the court's murmurs as she took her seat next to Daemonar, some thing she had asked the lead server to do. She smiled at him and looked at him from beneath her lashes.

"How was the rest of your day?" he asked pouring himself more wine. She held her glass out to him and smiled.

"Amazingly educating. I think I know more about the theory behind portals than anyone alive," she sighed and pouted her lips thoughtfully watching his reaction. "Unfortunately, I think I'm stuck here. None of them mention a way of tracing where a portal goes, and those that come close label it an impossibility." She let her index finger trace the rim of her glass. "Enough about me. Tell me about your day, Daemonar." She let his name roll off her tongue. She liked the way it felt.

Just as he was about to answer Wilhelmina sat next her, looking a little worse for wear, with a piece of folded paper in her hand. She seemed to have forgotten it was even there. Voltaire dropped the flirtatious manner she had taken on, and looked at her friend in concern.

"Wilhelmina, are you alright?" she asked ignoring the outrageous looks she got from the men for pouring her wine. She handed the glass to Wilhelmina who chugged it.

"More," she croaked out, and Voltaire poured worried about her.

"What happened?" Voltaire asked as the first of the courses was served. Wilhelmina handed her the little paper as she poured herself another glass, clearly intent on becoming as drunk as possible. She unfolded the paper and read:

Lady Wilhelmina,
We implore you to return to Chaillot. The crop this year was the worse we've had since the purge, and we fear it we only get worse. Our latest queen, your distance cousin Riona, has fallen to the sickness of the land. Please return, if only long enough for us to heal the land. Thousands are dying from the famine, and we have no more money to pay for the aid of other kingdoms.

Tamuli Demille

Steward of Chaillot

Voltaire downed her glass of wine. This was not good news. She was just an outsider in this issue, she could not imagine how Wilhelmina must feel. But why did Wilhelmina not go home? If only long enough for them to pick a new queen? Had that place scared her some much that the mere thought of return was worth thousands of lives? Thousands? Now she understood what KaeAskavi was trying to tell her. But how could she help? How?

The rest of the meal passed quietly, with only the occasional comment thrown her way. Mostly it was Daemonar trying to find out what had been in his aunt's letter. As everyone rose to do whatever it was they did after dinner, she grabbed the now very drunk Wilhelmina, and steered her towards the courtyard. It was softly lit with witch light, making it easier to navigate her to a secluded bench.

"Did you see the way Daemonar looks at you? It's outrageous. I would kill to have a man look at me like that, let alone a Warlord Prince," Wilhelmina stopped here to giggle outrageously. At least she's not an angry drunk, Voltaire thought rolling her eyes.

"Wilhelmina, why won't you return home? People are dying," Voltaire asked wishing to god that she could be as drunk as her friend. Wilhelmina's eyes hardened.

"You're going to be just like them aren't you?" her voice sounded bitter. "Go home, Wilhelmina. Your people need you, Wilhelmina," her voice went high in an impression of Jaenelle. "She's doesn't have to go home. She can stay here. She doesn't have to face the memories of what it was like there. She doesn't have to confront the knowing eyes that follow you everywhere. The whispers in the halls. The fear that you could be just like your mother. No, she just gets to sit her in her court, surrounded by people loyal to her. People who would die for her," tears had started to run down her face. Voltaire took the end of her overly long sleeve and wiped them away gently.

"But you're not alone, Wilhelmina. I'm here, and how cares what they think. I know you're not like your mother, or grandmother. You're you, and no one else. You've gained the loyalty of at least two Arcerians, the respect of not only Saetan, but Lucivar. You're far greater than you give yourself credit for," Wilhelmina had fallen into Voltaire's arms where she cried softly. Voltaire didn't know how long they stayed like that before Wilhelmina had stopped crying.

"Will you come with me, Voltaire? And bring Blackfury and KaeAskavi?" Wilhelmina's voice was hoarse from crying. Her eyes were slightly puffy, and her lips swollen.

"Of course, but I'll have to check with Jaenelle," Voltaire felt the breath rush out of her as Wilhelmina hugged her.

"Thank you so much, Voltaire. I don't know how'd I come up with the courage to go home without you," Wilhelmina said letting go. KaeAskavi appeared from the shrubbery around them, and Voltaire wondered how long he had been there. Wilhelmina stood, and grasped his fur, as he led her back to her rooms.

"I sure wouldn't want to be her in the morning," Voltaire mumbled to the night air. Daemonar walked out of the shadows and came to sit next to her.

"Afraid she'll regret it?" he asked looking at where she had been. Voltaire shook her head.

"Naw. She's just gonna have one killer hangover. How long were you and KaeAskavi watching?" she asked turning to look at him.

"Long enough. So you're really going to go with her into some unknown court?" he asked her. She just shrugged.

"What's the difference? I don't know this one any better, and it'll help Wilhelmina. I always help those I care about," Voltaire told him. She decided that he wasn't hard to look at. He wore a black shirt and pants embroidered with little pearls down to his shiny black boots. She smirked as she realized she could almost she his muscles underneath his shirt.

"What?" he asked realizing she was studying him. She reached up and traced the beginning of stubble along his chin.

"We match," she whispered. He grinned and took her hand in his. He grinned down at her.

"I could've told you that the moment you came out of that Dark Altar," his voice was deep and washed over her like molten silver. She let out a small chuckle, and moved closer.

"I bet you tell every woman that," she placed a finger over his lips to stop his reply, and quickly followed it with her lips. At first the kiss was light, just lips touching lips, but then he brought his down on her with the full force of his hunger. She gave back as much as he gave, and gently parted his lips with her tongue. They explored each other's mouth until they both had to come up for air. Voltaire laid her head on his chest, and let him hold her.

"Guess you'll be coming too?" she purred into his chest. She couldn't see his smile, but felt it nonetheless.

"Guess so," he said kissing the top of her head.

A/n: Whew! Lots happened in this chapter. Wilhelmina is returning home, and Daemonar has finally told voltaire how he feels.violins playing in the background Neway, i'm sry, but i may not update nemore for this week. I've got mid-terms, and club meetings, and such. If i go more than a week, someone should send me a nasty eamil to remind me(or i may not remember that i was even writing this story.) so ttfn!