A/N: Hello again my dears! -coughs- nasty flu/cold thing has a hold of me... So ive been resting a fair bit the past two days. Sorry this chapter was a day late. Anyways, hope you like! lemme know what you think or any ideas, questions, concerns yadda yadda through PMs or reviews. I will get back to you, I promise! :)

She stood in the center of the room for a moment, getting used to the constraining feeling on her chest. It was odd, but she felt pretty for once, and felt as if she was radiating it too. She couldn't help it. She had to find a mirror. Remembering the duffel she had carried with her, she remembered her make-up and a small powder compact that she kept inside, a mirror on the inner of the lid.

Crouching in the dress was no easy feat. Feeling the fabric pull at her knees as she crouched down, her hands rummaged through the clothing and possessions until she found it; a small purple bag loaded with eyelining pencils, a small bottle of foundation, and the powder compact. "Time to see how I look..." She mumbled, pulling it up and out, flipping it open, and running the mirror down the length of her body. A smile crept across her face. "I wonder what Thel will think? Maybe he'll... no." She shook her head, pushing the thoughts of what Soa had said to her out of her mind.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Milady? Lord 'Vadam awaits." Another male spoke, this one dressed much simpler and without any clothing to cover his torso. Hayden stepped for the door way, feeling the dress ease up on her limbs. Her body was getting used to the garb.

"Have the guards been told of this? And what of her personal escort?" Thel's voice called out, two men before him standing with respect. He received no answer, only silence. "Or have neither been put into effect?"

A knock interrupted him, and Hayden stepped into the room. "I'm not interrupting, am I?" She asked, stepping forward with both hands twined together by her fingers, resting at her core. Her image, the beauty she portrayed made the Kaidon's mouth open, mandibles parting.

"No. You are both dismissed." He called to the armed men, both he and his Charge watching as they picked up their helmets and departed, leaving the two alone. "You look beautiful, Hayden."

Blushing, she played with her hair and pushed a strand behind her ear. Hayden fidgeted with her fingers for a moment before stepping closer. "Soa and Haro... They know what you like..."

Thel blinked and tilted his head to the side for a moment, the statement bothering him. He could feel the discomfort in for voice. It made him uneasy. "Was something said that has upset you?" Pushing some papers aside, he pushed away from a marble desk and stood, making his way closer to her. "Tell me, please, and I will resolve the issue."

Hayden shook her head, and turned her gaze away from him. "It was nothing."

"Do not lie."

A heavy sigh took wind. "Fine. They said I was lucky, and that many desired to be your... your mate. Whether just for sex or marriage, I..." She was lost for words, laughing at herself, realizing how stupid she sounded. "It's stupid. Sorry I said anything."

As his tall form came closer to her, his arms slowly came around her body and pulled her into a warm embrace. She flinched, but pressed herself against him. "Does it bother you that I would have you as my mate someday?" He asked, feeling her pull away from him and hearing her run out the door. "Hayden... Perhaps I've been too forward...?"

Hearing him mumble something to himself, she leaned against the other side of the door, breathing hard. "You... want me... to mate with you?" She coughed, pressing one hand to her chest, as if to control her breathing.

Feeling the door being pulled open, she ran.

"Hayden! Please, wait!" He called after her, watching her turn a corner down the hall and vanish. With a hand outstretched, falling limp with the rest of his body, he too, gave a sigh. "I have been too forward... Please forgive me, Hayden." He called out, sensing one of his maids behind him. "Haro?"A small acknowledgement. "Please, summon Amun and have him make ready my Phantom. I travel to see Rtas."

Hayden ran out into the courtyard, finally slowing to a stop, and falling to her knees. Her legs felt like jelly, and her body quivered. "He just wants to use me to further the alliance... How could I be so stupid!" She screamed, pounding the ground with her fists until the skin cracked and she began to bleed.

Seeing the crimson stain the stone, she stopped for a moment at watched as a Phantom took to the sky, heading into the sun. She coughed a few more times before slowly getting to her feet, watching it became a speck in the sky, and then fading from sight.

"Thel..." She called, closing her eyes and biting her lip.

"Lord 'Vadam will return before the Council converges." A male stood behind her, the voice sounding similar of Thel's. "Did he scare you in some manner?"

"S'osa... I... He..." She couldn't speak. Her throat felt too fuzzy.

"Come." He spoke, gesturing that she re-enter the Keep and follow him. "I will take you to your quarters."

Three hours had passed. Word had been sent to the State of Vadum, and Thel couldn't help but be anxious. He was concerned about Hayden's response, and his own reaction. Guilt washed over him, but he had certain duties to uphold.

Rtas and Kaidon 'Vadum greeted the Arbiter has he stepped off of his Phantom, shaking hands at the wrist, and bowing to one another with their fist over the left of their chests. "It is good to see you both, Brothers." Thel remarked, giving a small grin to Rtas.

"Arbiter, what is it that brings you here?" The Shipmaster questioned, having only received word of his arrival minutes before the appearance.

Thel grumbled a moment, taking time to still his mind and sort out the thoughts running rampant inside. "Hayden will meet the Council in two days time. I fear we will fail to make the impression we need. She has been difficult to converse with today."

Kaidon 'Vadum chuckled gently at the statement and smiled to his friend, leading them both to the halls inside the structure. "Perhaps you've made an unwanted advance on the Human?" He asked, retracting his hands behind his back. "Did something happen? Or perhaps you've offended her with another female?"

Rtas stared at his combat brother, watching him tense. He was offended at the remark. "No. It is something else. Something has offended Hayden, has it not?"

Lowering his head, Thel became distant. "I believe I may have. Earlier today, after she was dressed in ceremonial garb by two of the maids, she was escorted by S'osa to my Annex. She was so beautiful, I tell you." His mouth parted, mandibles spread slightly as if a smile. "I was told she knew I was seeking to find a mate, assuming I would force her into the role. I held out my arms to her, as to comfort her from the assumption, but she ran from the room, and from me. I fear this will...halt things."

As Kaidon 'Vadum turned and walked back into his keep, Rtas close by, Thel began to slow in his steps. What had transpired between them both was deeply troubling him. "So it is what you intend, then?"

Thel's gaze met Rtas', and then hall went silent, save for a gust of wind. "I do not know what even I desire anymore. Since meeting her at the Relic, my mind has been... confused. Call my heart conceited if you so wish, but I am unsure of so much. Her presence has changed things. Would it be so wrong for me to Join with her?"

Kaidon 'Vadum's gaze became dangerous, his eyes small slits. "Bringing her here has already Challenged the Will of the Council. You would mate and Join her? Are you attempting to have someone else sent after yourself for Death?" His arms fell to his side, and his tone became darker. "My State and me people have always been your ally, Thel, but this action, this path you've chosen to take with the Human... I cannot support it. Should the council rule on it, I will stand with them, and not you. There are certain traditions that must be upheld, Arbiter. A Joining is one I will not stand to change."

Meanwhile, Hayden had closed herself off, S'osa escorting her back to her room, and sitting her on the bed. She refused to speak to him, or another. It troubled both, as Soa and Haro came to stand behind him. "Milady, are you sure you would not speak to one of us?"

"I'd rather speak with Thel." She responded, keeping her hands together and pushing herself against the headboard and wall. A feeling of loneliness was slowly creeping over her.

A low growl came from him, and Haro turned to leave then. "Seems his new pet is a little too attached..." She mumbled, just loud enough for Hayden to hear. No glances were shot at one another, nut she watched as the woman pulled herself into a tighter ball.

S'osa kept his glance from Haro as she left, focusing on Hayden. "It grieves me to tell you, then, that Lord 'Vadam will not return until midday tomorrow. There was something that required his presence to be elsewhere." He watched as she heaved a breath, releasing her form and stretching out to lie down. "Is there anything I can do to ensure your comfort?"

"Leave."

Bowing to her, both frowned in disapproval, but did as asked. "As you wish, Milady."

Lifting her head and watching as the door closed, she sat up and hung her legs over the edge of the bed. "Thel... Please come home soon. I'm so sorry for what I said."