A/N: I don't own Yu-gi-oh or any of the characters. I only own my handful of made up ones.

Chapter 17

A Promise Made to be Broken...

"What the hell do you think you were doing back there?" Seto growled as he placed her, gently, on the bed. "I told Ryan to keep you in your room—away from those idiots and then I find you with the 'lead idiot'? I would love to blame this completely on Ryan, but how come I think you had a major role in this twisted thing?" His back was towards her as he ranted.

Iolite sighed heavily, "I knew you'd be angry…"

Suddenly, he turned on her. "And yet you still did it? Was it in spite of my anger, or to anger me? Iolite I swear sometimes I want to shake some sense into you! This isn't a game anymore. Someone has been drugging you! Someone maybe trying to kill you and you want to play games and create more chaos! How do I get through to you?" He ran his hands through his hair in utter frustration.

She sat there blinking up at him innocently.

"You made me drop the glass…" She whispered softly.

Kaiba approached her, frowning.

Her eyes dropped to her hand in her lap. Being scrutinized by Seto Kaiba was the worst thing in the world. Anger that hot was a force to be reckoned with. Swallowing hard, in an attempt to calm her nerves, she tried to stand up. Quickly he pounced on her, forcing her to sit right back down—a hand on either side of her body, his nose within inches of her own. A terrified gasp escaped her.

"I made you drop the glass?" It was a low growl, a dangerous one. "I made you drop the glass… You put yourself into a situation that could have potentially killed you and you're worried about a glass?"

Nodding softly, because she had no idea what else to do, she waited for another round of yelling. "I think Conner or Aunt Gertrude were trying to drug me…and I…"

Blue eyes narrowed on a terrified girl perched on the edge of a bed. "You think?" He said it with dripping sarcasm.

"It's good to have you home?" She responded meekly, as she tried to change the subject. "I feel better," she added, in hopes of calming him.

Pulling away he looked down on her. "Why do you keep putting yourself into situations that could kill you? I mean, I know you're far from unintelligent, so—what's your reasoning? Is it the thrill? The adrenaline? What? Because if you tell me maybe I can create a computer generated program to mimic it for you. Then you'd be safe and still get your rush and I won't have to be terrified that you'll…" He stopped abruptly, shoulders slumping a bit. The window suddenly caught his attention and he walked towards it.

Iolite sat there speechless. The silence of the room was deafening as Kaiba leaned against the window frame, the weight of the world seemingly on his shoulders. Sliding off the bed as quietly as possible, she took small steps towards him. There was no turn of the head to acknowledge her approach. His eyes seemed focused on something beyond the panes of glass. Gently she touched his back, when he didn't react negatively, she slid her good arm around his waist and rested her head against his back.

"I'm so sorry, I never realized…how my behavior was affecting you." A few tears slipped down her cheeks. She went over things in her mind, climbing down trellises, raiding companies, challenging dangerous people, and hacking into territories even Seto wouldn't attempt. Did she have a death wish? What was it with her?

"Do you know how insane it makes me when you put yourself at risk?"

His heartbeat was clear and strong as she sighed. "I'll be better, I promise. I'll listen now, I will."

Turning, he captured her chin with one hand while the other snaked around her back. Tilting her face up he studied her. Clear blue eyes, color coming back into her cheeks, he could still feel the slight trembling, but it wasn't bad. The drug was making its way out of her system.

"You are in so much danger," he explained. "I shouldn't have listened—we should be in Domino where you'd be safe. This was a mistake and now we're trapped here until you get medical clearance."

She felt him tighten his grip on her, tugging her closer. Soft curves met with toned muscles. Gasping, her eyes searched his.

"Seto…"

In the next heartbeat, his mouth claimed hers. It was desperate and overpowering in the same moment. The very breath was stolen from her as he put into that kiss just what he was feeling—panic, desire, terror, want. Slowly he pulled away, leaving her mouth explored and lips slightly parted and swollen.

"You dying is not an option," he explained as he ran his fingers through her hair, her eyes closed as she nodded. "I'm not prepared to let you. From now on you will take better care and behave." She nodded again at his words, so velvety and warm, his voice taking on a husky tone.

Thoughts of telling him about her ideas and plans washed away as he led her to their bed. She vaguely remembered that she was going to tell him about Conner, but between his hands on her body and his mouth on hers…conscious thought was futile. All she wanted was the moment. It felt like it had been too long since she had touched him. Did it always feel this good? He was quite careful of her bad shoulder and moving her arm too much inflicted pain. He smirked at her eagerness, and tried to calm his own so as not to hurt her.

There was honest desperation in their touches and kisses. She had just seen a slightly vulnerable side of him and somehow that made her want him more.

Kaiba came to realize just how much he needed her now. Two attempts had been made on her life and a threat was being lodged against her still. The last time he had touched her she was falling under the influence of the drugs and here she was—wide awake and needing him. He refused to go back to his life without her, and that urged him on. Forced him to kiss and touch and claim more possessively than ever before.

Crying out his name several times and pressing her face into his neck, she let him take her to the edge and then softly push her over. The only difference between this and real life was, here she was cradled safely in his arms.

Kaiba held her tightly afterwards, relishing the sound of her breathing and the way she had curled herself against him. He doubted she would listen, he didn't expect her to obey his requests—hell, and she wouldn't be Iolite if she did. A drone was something he didn't want and her fire captivated him. He frowned. He was demanding, but not sadistic. Pulling the wings off a butterfly would be inhumane, and he couldn't do it. Instead, he would make sure she was guarded constantly—preferably by him. He trusted Raine and Roland, but he trusted himself more. Mokuba would spend all sorts of time with Yugi, he was sure, and Iolite would cling to 'Megs'—the pest and Tea.

The doctor appointment was in a few days. If she was cleared they were all getting the hell out of there. It wasn't safe and he needed security for her. Mokuba and her were his world and he refused to lose another person he…loved? Was that what he felt? Could he label it that? He buried his nose in her hair and sighed.

'What are you doing to my head Highness? This wasn't part of the plan. You were to love me because that's what a wife does…and I was supposed to protect you. I know if you stopped breathing…what little of a heart I possess would break…'

Iolite walked into the sitting room and smiled, Seto had told her that Aunt Marguerite was here, and there—sitting near the window—was her mother's sister.

"Aunt Megs!" She gasped as she approached the woman who looked like her Mom. Meg stood up and gave the girl a fierce hug, mindful of the arm, which was in a sling. Pulling away she tilted her niece's chin up.

"Despite the shoulder, you look amazing! How are you feeling? You're so grown up! How long has it been? I swear phone calls stink when compared to the real thing!" Meg hugged Iolite again.

The two walked to the small couch, sat, and caught up on everything, including Seto Kaiba.

"I honestly thought you would have married Ryan," Meg explained. "Kaiba seems so…annoying and chokeable…"

Iolite laughed, "He is—very. I don't think it could have worked with Ryan and I. I needed someone difficult and annoying and headstrong…"

"Well, then you chose correctly!" Meg interjected.

The two women laughed as Raine walked in. Turning, Iolite smiled brightly, recognizing her friends instantly.

"Tea, Yugi! I've missed you both so much!" Iolite struggled to stand, it was hard only being able to use one hand, but Meg helped and soon she was approaching them.

"You look awful!" Tea laughed, in a joking manner. "What did you do to yourself?"

"It's my latest fashion statement… 'the sling', don't you just love it?" Iolite erupted into giggles, as did everyone else.

"So, where is Mr. Sunshine?" Tea asked.

"He's off with Mokuba. I think they're at the stables. Mokuba has taken a liking to riding." Iolite explained.

"Seto on a horse?" Yugi questioned, looking amused.

"Actually I don't think I've seen him on a horse yet," Iolite shrugged, "but Mokuba loves it. We may have to get him one when we return to Domino."

"Maybe I'll go find him and say hello," Yugi suggested—leaving the girls alone to chat. Raine stood in the doorway, not intending to move, as Yugi walked passed. Iolite would not be left alone. Either he, or Kaiba, would be near her at all times.

"It's not nice to lurk," Meg pointed out to Raine.

"I'm doing my job Megs and don't think you can get rid of me…" He knew her and all her games. He was going nowhere.

Meg took this as a challenge and winked at the other two girls. "Fine, stand right there. We'll just chat without even thinking about your presence." Already her wheels were turning. Making Raine uncomfortable would be fun.

"So, how is that husband of yours in romantic situations?" Meg plopped down next to Iolite. "I mean, he's so damned stubborn and irritating. It makes me think that he must be quite passionate."

Iolite smiled and suppressed a giggle. Raine blushed slightly and looked away. It was time to have some fun with the bodyguard. Hell, he forced her to do many things she didn't want, even recalled a time when he threatened to tie her up and place her in a trunk for Seto…it would be a just reward.

"Oh my gosh! I have to tell you all about the times…the many, many times…" She stole a sideways glance as Raine coughed—maybe trying to point out his existence in the room. "He is insatiable, I mean seriously, just when you think there is no way he could possibly do it again…he's…"

Raine excused himself and left to stand outside the room. He hardly wanted to hear about his daughter's exploits—even though it was with her husband. Hearing about Kaiba being insatiable was just wrong. He shook his head and willed this new knowledge out of his mind.

Iolite smiled at Meg. "That was wrong, poor Raine…"

"Oh he'll get over it," Meg countered.

Tea sat there giggling now that Raine was gone.

"So," Meg asked Iolite seriously, "what has been going on while you've been here? I mean, Raine filled me in on a bit, but that husband of yours—how do you put up with him?"

"Seto? Yeah, he can be difficult—impossible, actually. But, I know he's intelligent and I also know how he takes care of his brother…and me." Iolite looked away, trying not to think of what really bothered her about Kaiba. "He won't let anything happen to us, I trust him and I love him."

Meg smiled at her niece. "Faith in a person is an amazing thing. He is very passionate, though quite a bit temperamental. I think you did quite well for yourself. Now what I need to know is who you think is behind the assassination attempt. You're the one who saw the person with the crossbow. The only witness is you, and if you're anything like your mother or me, you have to have your suspicions."

Iolite sighed, "I don't remember much about that day. I remember telling Mokuba to stay put, and riding hard to get back to the open field. I knew the person was gunning for Seto—not me—just because it made sense. Killing me would have been too costly, killing my husband and destroying me would have served a much better purpose. It would have left me vulnerable and broken." Briefly her mind wandered where her heart would never let her go…to a life without Seto…she shuddered.

Meg frowned. "First we have to narrow down the field. I had a man here that morning—to get your Dad out. There was a plot to kidnap him. Aron and Simon wanted to use him as a pawn to make you turn over certain assets. I was able to infiltrate and stop them. So, I think the assassination attempt was a Plan B." Meg frowned, "drugging you was Plan C…I don't even want to think of what 'D' is…"

"Do they know plan c is a bust?" Tea asked innocently.

"No," Iolite answered. "No one knows I'm alert except you guys and Seto… Ryan knows too, in fact, he helped me with an earlier plan, but Seto found out and nearly had an aneurysm. I pretended to be drugged while Aunt Gertrude and Conner doted on me. I was hoping one of them would have slipped with something, anything…"

"Well, then why don't you just keep pretending?" Tea asked, it sounded simple enough to her. "You're pretty safe now. There are so many of us in the house, if things became too heated any one of us could run interference."

Meg looked at Tea, "I agree."

Iolite shook her head, "I promised Seto not to take major risks anymore. It seems I'm always doing something that can get me killed. I won't break my word."

"We'd have your back, I'm sure I could convince Raine…" Meg had the look of heavy concentration on her face.

"You think you could convince Raine to go against Seto?" Iolite scoffed, "good luck!"

"You convinced Ryan…" Meg countered.

"Ryan doesn't like Seto…it was easy."

"Raine told me how Ryan saved you by going to Kaiba, Ryan respects him."

Iolite frowned, "Raine never would and he'd run right back to Seto…and then I would be in trouble as usual…" Her heart kept turning over the scene in their bedroom; he was so upset and frantic. She didn't like that, especially since she had caused it.

"If I convince Raine…would you agree to it?" Meg ventured.

"Sure, but you never will…" Iolite shrugged. "I'd rather talk about weddings," Iolite quickly changed the subject and looked at Tea. "How are the plans coming along? I want all of the details."

Tea fairly glowed with happiness. "I can't believe it's going to happen in a matter of months." She looked at the ring on her finger. "Yugi is so wonderful and I swear I love him until I ache." The girl chatted about all of the plans they had already made, and the dresses she had tried on, which flowers she had chosen and who the bridesmaids would be. Iolite was thrilled to be included in on that list. Most of her life had been in the shadows of boys so this was a thrill.

Iolite smiled for her friend, but a part of her wished she had had a big wedding and a groom who adored her. Hell, Seto still didn't love her. It was possible that he was beginning to like her more, and their alone time was breath taking and exasperating at the same time, but he never said the words. Iolite wondered if he felt them, even a little. Was she simply a trophy? A princess made the perfect wife for a leader in his industry.

Meg asked Tea about the romance and the girl went into details about dueling, traveling, and how a wonderful friendship had evolved into a full-blown romance.

"There is nothing better than falling in love with your best friend, honestly—I highly recommend it." Tea giggled and threw herself, dramatically, against the cushions of the couch.

"Tell Aunt Megs about how he proposed. I swear it was perfect!" Iolite beamed for her friend.

Meg listened as Tea told of the gazebo and the snow at Christmas. How is had been like a fairy tale. Listening, Iolite's aunt noticed the longing in her own niece's eyes. She didn't understand why. Iolite seemed happy with Kaiba, even though he was a Neanderthal, who honestly was just missing the club. Why did Iolite look so… disappointed…was that the word for the bleak expression?

"Kaiba?" Yugi called into a room containing the CEO. "I thought you were supposed to be out riding with Mokuba."

Kaiba looked up from his laptop and looked into the eyes of his greatest rival. "I have work to do, a company doesn't run itself." It was a quick statement, followed by more typing.

"Is everything okay, I mean besides the obvious?" Yugi asked, walking in and taking a seat in one of the chairs opposite the obsessive duelist. "Iolite looks great, though a bit tired. Then again, considering all she's been through."

"Is there a point Yugi?"

"Well, you're involved in this mess too and I was just wondering if you were okay." Yugi shrugged.

Blue eyes narrowed. "I'm taking care of everything. Iolite is getting better and Mokuba is enjoying this place—for what reason I have no idea. Now I'm tending to my corporation and to my wife's holdings as well."

"I didn't ask if you were capable Kaiba, I asked if you were okay." Yugi looked at him with concern, something was really bothering the unshakable workaholic.

"When did you receive your degree in psychology? Why are you playing the 'I'm, okay are you okay' game with me? You're here for my wife, not to psychoanalyze me." Kaiba looked at Yugi dangerously. It was clear he still held a major grudge, and Yugi couldn't help but wonder if Kaiba could ever get passed anything.

"Who's after her?" Yugi asked.

"Her damn family, bunch of scary individuals." Kaiba sighed heavily. No work would be accomplished at the moment, not since Yugi decided he needed to bond.

"Her Dad is okay. He and my Grandpa were really close."

Kaiba templed his fingers. "Tell me what you know about how they met."

"Sure, um, my Grandpa was on a dig in Egypt when Professor Hawkins introduced him to Edward. He wasn't a king then, he was just into archeology. I don't know if he had met Iolite's Mom yet. He became friends with my Grandpa, and even after he left they kept in touch. Grandpa would send him pictures of excavations and Edward was so thrilled by it all."

It didn't sound like Edward was even conscious of royalty. It made more sense now—Edward was a victim of circumstance—just as Alexandra and Raine were. Kaiba thought of Iolite and the children they would have one day. There was no way in hell any child of his would be forced to give up their dreams. If they wanted ties to the thrown—it was there for the taking. If not there wouldn't be pushing. No good came out of any of this. It was a world of backstabbing, manipulations, and corruptions. Then again, Raine had said it was only since Aron and Simon came to power. All roads led back to Gertrude…she had tried to assume the role of mother when Alexandra died; she poisoned the boys and ignored Iolite. It made sense.

Kaiba stood up.

"Where are you going?" Yugi asked.

"To the hospital."

"Are you sick? Is something wrong?" Yugi sounded concerned.

Kaiba's eyes narrowed, he could use Yugi to his advantage. "I have a hunch about something, I need to go and research something. If you want to come—I won't stop you."

Yugi smiled, it was as good an invitation as Kaiba ever made. Hell, Kaiba never really invited anyone anywhere—this was something new.

"Sure," Yugi readily agreed.

"There's another glitch," a hushed voice whispered into a cell phone.

"What is it this time," Aron asked. His patience was wearing very thin. Another problem was not something desired.

"Marguerite is here." It was a simple statement, though it spoke volumes.

"That is a problem, one you better work around quickly."

"What do you expect me to do? Marguerite is like a hawk, nothing will slip under her nose and unlike Kaiba, she'll know. How come you didn't warn me she would come?" The voice on the line was more irate now.

"You have all the information I feel compelled to give you, work within those guidelines. Marguerite is expendable. If she presents many problems—simply eradicate her with any means necessary. I have no use of her, if she dies it's one less thorn in my side." Aron shrugged.

"She won't be easy to get rid of, she's like a damn cat with nine lives."

"That's your problem—not mine. A bigger issue is Iolite's being released from doctor's care at her next appointment. If she is cleared that worthless scrap she married will fly her home and well out of my grasp. I advise you, strongly, to make sure she isn't well enough to travel. Remember don't kill her; an outcry from the people is not something I want happening. Iolite needs to live, just make her very uncomfortable. She cannot leave Valkaria. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"

"Yes, I'll work it out." A ragged sigh escaped the caller as the cell phone was flipped closed.

A/N: Much faster right? Now could you make my day by reading and reviewing? Thanks! The next chapter should be up just as quickly...