Ivory Nightshade: I'm under the impression that Eyrien wings are like bats - large, black and sinewy kind of. But that's my opinion; someone else might think differently.

Note: All the characters and Black Jewels stuff are Anne Bishop's not mine. The characters of Lorian and Kaetlin are mine. This is a fanfic, so I take no credit for what is not mine.

Standing outside the palace, Daemonar flexed his sinewy wings and leapt into the air. He had decided he would go to Endar and Dorian's eyrie, since he knew that if he didn't, then his mother would get angry at him, and Hell's fire, she was feisty when she was riled. He hadn't seen them in over 5 years since his family had gone for regular courtesy visits with Uncle Daemon, Aunt Jaenelle and their young daughters, Kaetlin and Satine. The last one had been before he had made his Offering to the Darkness.

He wondered how much the kids had changed in that time. He had thought the girl was slightly pretty, even if she did appear to not be pure Eyrien. That didn't really matter to him much, considering that his own father, Lucivar, was not pure-blood himself. If only he could remember what Jewel she had worn as her Birthright. Alanar was a few years older than him, but he was only a Purple Dusk Warlord. The two had been friends, but had lost touch over the years. He hadn't really paid attention to the youngest boy though.

Daemonar smiled as he landed near the eyrie. As he walked towards the eyrie though, he scowled. He hadn't asked the girl where she lived so he could see her again. He shrugged. Why should it matter? He didn't like her in any special way to get to know her better, so he shouldn't care. He felt his temper rise, but leashed it. But I do care. He thought. I care more than I've cared about anybody before. I need to talk to Father when I get home.

Hearing a knock on the door, Dorian was startled. She wasn't expecting anyone, so who was here? Probing the door, she could sense a Gray-Jewelled Warlord Prince there. Feeling worried she cautiously opened the door. A tall Eyrien was standing there who looked vaguely familiar.

"Prince," she said formally.

"Lady," he replied. "I'm sorry for startling you. My name is Daemonar Yaslana."

She gasped. It was the boy who had come with Prince Yaslana and Lady Angelline on the visits years back. She remembered he had worn the Green back then, which made sense since his father wore the Ebon-Gray. "Please forgive me, Daemonar. You've grown so much since I last saw you. And made your Offering. Congratulations on getting the Gray."

"Thank you, Lady. I was in the area and my mother, Marian, asked me to drop by to see how you were."

"We are doing quite well." Realising she was still at the door, she shook her head. "Sorry for keeping you at the door. Please come in."

"Thank you," he replied, and he followed her into the kitchen.

"I hope you don't mind sitting in the kitchen. I'm just in the middle of cooking and no one else is home at present." After he shook his head, she continued.

Orian landed near where Daemonar had and ran to her front door. She had to tell her mother the good news. As she came closer, she heard her mother's voice and sensed a dark Jewelled male inside.

"Endar is serving as a guard in Riada, and Alanar is with him. Dustivar spends his time making trouble around the place. He's just like you from what I can remember. Orian meanwhile is serving…"

She didn't think to wait as her caution was over-ridden by her excitement. She cut her mother off as she ran through the door. "Mother, I'm home! And I have the most wonderful news."

Seeing Daemonar sitting in the kitchen, she stopped and stared at him. You didn't tell her did you? she sent on a Red thread.

No. I didn't know you lived here, he sent, his shock disappearing as his heart soared. It was the girl was from the palace, the one who had just been chosen to become Territory Queen. He didn't have to get angry because he didn't know where she lived; he already knew. Looking at her more closely, he almost cursed himself for not realising it. Her curly hair stood her out as a half-breed, but he had let himself be blinded into thinking that she wouldn't be wearing that dark a Jewel. Then he did silently curse himself. What a p I am. He thought I let my prejudice and ego blind my view.

Dorian smiled at her daughter. "Do you remember Daemonar, Orian? You and Alanar used to play with him, his sister, Chelsian and his cousins Kaetlin and Satine back about 5 years ago."

Now Orian remembered why the names Daemonar and Yaslana sounded familiar back in the days of the Dark Court and even more recently than that, they had been friends. But she had always remembered him as a stuck-up boy who thought himself better than her and her brother because of his heritage. The man she had met at Lorian's court had not appeared to be like that. If he had, then she had been drawn to it, because she had watched him and felt she liked him, even through all his flaunting.

She was drawn out of her reveries by her mother's question. "So what is this good news? Does it have something to do with why you were called to Lady Lorian's palace?"

Turning from Daemonar, she faced her mother. "Yes. You won't believe it. Lorian announced that she is stepping down as Queen of Askavi, and that a new Queen was to be chosen. She nominated a Queen to be chosen and this Queen won by a majority of votes." She paused.

Dorian held back a smile at her daughter's shining eyes. She knew precisely which Queen had been chosen, but she asked the question she knew she was expected to ask. "So who was it?"

"It was me!" Orian squealed. "She nominated me, and almost all the Queens agreed with her. I'm going to rule Askavi!" She ran around the table and hugged her mother.

"Congratulations," her mother said. "Your father and brother will be so proud of you. So when is the big day?"

"Two weeks," Orian said, grinning. "And if you'll excuse me, I have some letters and lists to write."

"Go ahead, dear," her mother said, and Orian ran up to her room.

"I'm sorry not to have stayed long," Daemonar said, "but I have some other things to take care of today."

"That's alright, Daemonar. I understand. Pass on my greetings to your mother and father. Somehow, I'm sure we'll be seeing you soon."

Daemonar smiled hopefully. "Maybe. Goodbye Lady Dorian."

He left the eyrie, wondering if he would be invited to the ceremony when Orian set up her Court and who he would see there. More than anything in his life, he wanted to be there. Thinking of this, he remembered he needed to talk to his father.

Arriving at the eyrie of the Warlord Prince of Ebon Rih, he pushed open the door. Lucivar Yaslana heard his son's return and sensing that his son had a problem, he came slowly downstairs.

"Hello Daemonar," he said. "Aren't you supposed to be in Amdarh now?"

"I have to talk to you," Daemonar said.

Mother Night. Lucivar thought, as he watched his son leave for Amdarh. I wondered when this might happen. I know the feeling he has for Orian; I remember having the same with Marian. Only he has barely any idea about staking a claim and following Protocol, so he's going to have to do this the hard way, or just go for it. I sincerely hope Orian feels somewhat the same and chooses him for Consort, or there could be problems. He's not my son for nothing.

Hmmm isn't this kinda bitsy. Oh well, it's got the story so that's all that counts. Please review please!