Chapter 43

"The Adderhead wanted us close so he could watch us, you know that, and he can't know about your wife even if she is a whole world away. He can't know…for that reason…I don't think you should visit her anymore using that potion "said Gemini her voice failing to remain even as she looked at him. She could see he understood what she was saying, but he wanted nonetheless to tell her she was wrong. In the same moment, their eyes traveled to where the Adderheads castle loomed above them, and when he looked at her again, Gemini knew the discussion had ended before it had even begun. Yet even so it went on anyway. His silence was not one of a man who instantly gave in, but one of contemplation. It was one where she didn't truly know what he would say or do. Gemini found she just had to wait and see what was coming. She found herself looking into his eyes and she saw the reluctance and the pain and yet also the knowledge that what she was saying had to be done in the end. Yet she knew as his head seemed to droop that he didn't want to admit this. She found though that even with that that she always came back to his eyes wanting to say something to him but knowing that he didn't want her to.

"I can't just abandon my wife while I stay here to rule the world" whispered Capricorn the words catching her off guard until she realized that he wasn't talking to her or even to himself, but off into the distance as if that was where his bride stood that deep love for her entering his eyes as she looked into them. Gemini couldn't remember seeing that in him before.

"It wouldn't be abandonment, Capricorn, you would send for her as soon as the throne was yours" said Gemini her tone harsher then she meant it to be as some sort of jealousy left her, but as she stamped it down she let her voice soften as those eyes looked at her causing her to step all the closer to him.

"I love her, Gemini, I need to have some sort of contact with her. She is the core of me. I can't just leave her…I won't. We need each other, Meggie needs me as I need her, and I can't be parted from her. I need her" exclaimed Capricorn his words were quick now leaving his lips before he even knew what he was saying.

"Capricorn…you act as if those things haven't already happened" whispered Gemini for the first time looking at him with pity in her eyes. Capricorn had never dreamed of harming his sister, but when she said that his first instinct was to throttle her. He clenched his hands as he looked at her with resentment foaming in his eyes, but that quickly fell away when he realized just who was looking at him now. He felt her take his hands and yet even then he couldn't look at her. He had never let anyone look at him with pity before. He had always held himself above that, but his sister was not just anyone. Her heartbeat just the same as his. They survived the likes of which few understood and as he finally found the nerve to look at her, Capricorn knew that pity from her was not like pity from any other person.

"Capricorn, you act as if you both are not already parted, and though I know it may pain you, I must remind you that you are. The magic our mother created may keep your connection alive, but you are worlds apart. You have to realize that it makes you vulnerable just by taking that potion both of you become vulnerable to the hands of assassins who might seek to kill either of you" whispered Gemini making her voice stern now. Gemini held him by the arm now and she wouldn't let him look away. She needed him to see that she was right. Silence seemed to fall between them, and Gemini could see his mental struggle even as the silence continued with every beat of his heart. He was staring right at her, but Gemini knew he wasn't seeing her, he was in his head. Because he never considered it that way. Neither had Meggie, he knew, and as he blinked to find Gemini still standing there, he realized, he couldn't say she was wrong. When he finally looked away, Gemini knew that he knew what had to be done, and it didn't bring her joy to pain him.

"I can't just stop all contact with no explanation. I must see her at least once before cutting off all contact" whispered Capricorn leaving no question to that as they moved away from where they had been. Gemini didn't say anything at first as they walked with slow steps to the place where they had made camp. She knew the risks were high, but at the same time, she couldn't say no to him especially when she could feel the waters brewing for what she knew would be their biggest fight otherwise.

"There are always risks, brother, but because I love you, I know anything other then a no would hurt you. And you know that would never be my choice" said Gemini as the words left her, he stopped her suddenly, and Gemini knew he needed a real answer as his hand held her arm in its tight grip.

"No, I think one last time would be alright though I would prefer otherwise" whispered Gemini watching him walk away once they reentered their camp. He went straight to his tent and she knew he would be writing the unknown girl who had managed to capture his heart. Gemini stared after him a long time before a sound startled her out of her thoughts. She turned at the sound of footsteps and as she expected, she knew who the steps belonged to. She felt bile rise in her throat before the woman was close enough to touch her or before she looked into her eyes.

When she turned, her mother the Magpie was there, and the look in her eyes startled her.

"You managed to get him away from that whore he made a bride…I've never managed to do that. Well done, my girl" said the Magpie her voice clear as day so the whole camp could hear her. Gemini stared her down as the hatred she'd bred for her rose.

"I am not your girl and unlike you, I take no pleasure from hurting him" snapped Gemini whipping around to return to her own tent.