Chap 11
Lisa entered the Great Hall of Torchwood Towers and Ianto gave a small shudder of recognition.
Sitting up on the podium amongst the crowned and waiting of the three families, Ianto was easily seen and Lisa headed straight for him with a sneer on her face.
"Ianto, I hear you managed to scrape through, shame about your sister." Lisa said jauntily, "She never did like me!"
"No Lisa, she didn't" Ianto agreed warily "She told me you would break my heart."
"Well, best we never bonded then, seems our bloods are not suited!" she sniffed.
As Ianto squirmed Jack suddenly burst forward and leaned into Lisa's face.
"Hello there little lady. Are you really the girl who realised at the eleventh hour that she could not be a Jones?" Jack asked with a shark-like smile. "The cousin to the princes' Hart who showed herself to be a true Hart in blood, as your mother was?"
Those who knew Jack heard the snake slowly unfurling from its slumber and several onlookers glanced at each other with dread.
"I just realised how poorly suited we were my lord" she gaily answered and Jack grinned wider. "I am proud that my Mother was sister to the king and I claim the royal bloodline."
"I am not a Lord little one, I am His Royal Highness Prince Regent Jack Harkness the Third. Heir to the throne of Boeshane and Sheraldit." Jack snarled, "I need not claim blood. I Am the Blood! My friends call me Captain Jack. You can call me your Liege I think!"
Lisa squeaked with horror as she realised too late that she had stepped on the tail of the one true king they called the Captain.
Ianto became aware of several things.
The room had grown silent.
Everyone was looking at them.
Lisa looked like she was about to collapse.
And Jack was holding his hand.