It had been three months and her love still wasn't there. Was still being held by that snot nosed queen who refused to be what she was destine to be. " why would any choose not to rule when that is what you were born to do?" she muttered to herself as she stepped into the darkness.

She was restless now. Her web shouldn't have taken this long. Should have worked its way to the end long before now. Should have unless…… her lips curled into an evil smile…. Unless they weren't bed mates…. Unless they were only together because that is what people expected… yes that would explain why the queen hadn't gifted him to her yet. Why it was taking longer then she thought it would.

no matter. Sooner or later he would slip into a rut and would have his way with her, then her web would take over. Then when all his scars were rubbed to the point of bleeding Jaenelle Angelline would sell her beloved to her. Would because she would no longer be able to stand the sight of him…. The smell of him…. Would no longer want any part of him associated with her or her friends… and very soon he would find a black widow that craved nothing more then to carry his children…. One that wanted nothing more then to show him how a male should be treated when they weren't tied to a court.

It had been three months since his torment began. Three months since he gave Witch his jewels in exchange for bedding and warm water to bathe in. both thing now were useless to him. The covers he had been given now laid in a small pile on the floor reeking of sweat and immersed in his blood. And the shower….. Well that had been in vain since for most of the three months when he could manage to get into the room he seldom was granted the time to let the hot water run over his body. No the only time he could shower was if someone was watching him and that some one was always Witch…. Always….. And she rarely let him do more then rinse the dried blood off before he found phantom claws digging into his skin , raking over his organ.

He pulled himself away from the memory. It didn't matter now. Nothing mattered after she had stormed in her this morning after her morning meal. nothing had mattered when she forced him to choose between his life and that of his unborn child. Before he told her his decision he had asked only one thing, he had asked to know if she knew what the child's chaste would be. He remembered the cold look in her eyes but she had told him after she placed her hand over her stomach. Told him that the child if he choose its life was more important then his own, then she would be a tri gifted queen. And that made the decision for him. A warlord prince was expendable a queen was not, and if he choose other wise he knew two warlord prince who would never forgive him.

He took a breath knowing what he would tell her would end his life. Told her knowing full well that he would never make the transition to demon dead. Said only, " how will you explain my death to your family."

The cruelty in her voice even now surprised him, " since the high lord has signed off on your execution once before, I doubt he will mind now."

He wanted to scream that she was lying , want to but something told him that she was right. He Didn't remember what had happen next. Wasn't sure he wanted to know but knew when the torture began he wouldn't be seeing his daughter born, and had allowed that.

She had kept him awake while thin pieces of flesh was torn from his back. As her claws dug into his legs and down till they hit bone. Had been forced to endure it while he felt his ribs crack . Had endured it till he lost his voice from screaming in pain. Then had lost as the darkness covered him.

His eyes surprisingly opened to darkness. He was still face down on the blood soaked mattress. His arms and legs still bound to the post of the bed, but he was able to look out the sliding glass door. Was able to look out and watch the darkness turn into gray as the moon began to set. Watch and knew this would be his last sun rise. His only regret was he hadn't made those who served the hall part of his sacrifice. hadn't asked for their lives to be spared. Knew all too well it wouldn't matter after he was gone anyways. Witch could still kill the child even before she took her first breath, and the servant as well. Knew she may kill them just because they had been witness.

He let the sobs fall till no more tears could come. Till he was too weak to even take a full breath. Not much time now, and nothing to do but wait.

Three months had passed and not a single word from Daemon. No sign of his sister. It was usual since both Daemon and Janelle made it a point to stop in at least once a week just to see Daemonar. Daemon would stop on the pretence of just being in the area then would take his nephew for a few hours where as Jaenelle would stop and talk to Marian while she made dinner or did something else that Jaenelle found so interesting.

Though it wasn't usual to go a few days without talking three months was unheard of. Oh he had sent several messages to his sister over the time all returned with a prompt and curt reply. And none of them till today had worried him. No today he had enough.

Lucivar sat alone in the kitchen honing his blades. All of them ….. From his favorite war blade right down to his smallest knife. He had sent his darling little sister a letter this morning asking if everything was alright. Out of habit asking her if she needed a healer since he was sure Daemon's rut had either went longer than usual or something had happen this time for them to stay shut out of every ones lives.

The letter had been returned by the messenger that he had sent. The young boy had came back trembling and only said he couldn't get through the gray shield to knock on the door. Oh he had asked if the boy had meant a black shield or even a red….. But the boy stood up straight and said, " no sir, it was a gray. Felt weak though."

And that was why he was honing his weapons. If the shield was there it could wait a few hours more because he was not walking into a battle field without his weapons or with out being well shielded. He Didn't care if it was the hall. Only three members of the family could put the gray shield around the hall and only one would it feel weak. No come first light he would see why his dear sister had put up the shield instead of his brother.

He landed on the landing web and cursed. He felt the weak grey shield around the hall. Saw the un-kept gardens and the tall uncut grass. Knew something was wrong. No not just wrong, worse.

His gold eyes filled with rage. He could fill his brother though he felt weak and distant but his jewels were somewhere else in the Hall he could sense that too. Could sense it because he knew what he was looking for. Fought hard not let out an enraged war cry. Fought harder not to summon the boyos just yet though he was sure they could feel his rage transmitting through the ring. Was sure so could his queen.

Rising to the killing edge he dew his war blade and leaped into the air. His dark wings pumped hard and fast as he circled the great hall. As he circled trying to find the room that his bother was in. sat himself down easily just outside of the Aural shield, just a hand span way from the warning webs that had been set by Witch

Looking though the red haze he peered into the glass door. His heart nearly stopped as he saw his brother laying face down on the bed. Emotions over whelmed his good sense. The good sense that would have told him to send a message to the keep or to send for help before stepping into that room.

No , he just quickly slipped past that gray shield. Passed through the door and was staring at his brother's lifeless body before he could set his emotions aside. Before he could think of who could have done this. He took a deep breath and could taste the fear in the room. Looked closer at his brother. Saw his legs and arms were bound to the bed. Saw his back sheeted in glistening blood. He waited for a moment longer saw his brother move ever so slightly from taking a jagged breath. And then swore. Didn't think as his voice raised, . " Damn it bastard what in the name of hell is going on here?'

Daemon turned his head ever so slightly trying to see where the voice had came from. His eyes were only half open but Lucivar could still see that Fear laid in those eyes as much as relief. ," Jaenelle … my…. punishment"

" Cat did this?" Lucivar shook his head… no it couldn't be. Jaenelle hated violence. Hated hurting anyone…. Well that is unless some one was hurting some one she loved then she would turn deadly….. But this?

Daemon swallowed. Little good it did him when his mouth was parched, " protect… baby." his eyes closed softly. He was too weak to stay awake any longer. Too weak and he didn't have his jewels to help him now.

He felt her fury coming down the hall. Felt something else mixed with her scent. Lucivar smiled. He could work with that scent, knew that scent since Daemon had mentioned baby. After all she couldn't use anything except basic craft. Stood his ground till the door swung open.

She had a makeshift club in her hands. Had been ready to beat what was left of her 'husband' . had been till she saw the furious gold eyes locked on her. He hadn't been part of the spell. She froze as the piece of wood fell from her hands.

" hello Cat." he sounded too calm, too in control. Only a fool wouldn't know that he was riding the killing edge. Any one who didn't know him well enough wouldn't have known he was close to panic.

" Lucivar?" her voice came out a soft whisper as she fell to her knees. Her mind tried to reason with itself and couldn't. he was her protector , but how could he protect her against herself.

He saw her fighting to regain control of her body. Knew she couldn't, " Drop the shield Lady it's too much strain on you."

" shield?" her eyes shifted. Then she gave a slight nod. As she did she looked at Daemon and her anger rose once more. Her claws unsheathed once more as she lunged at him. Was caught by Lucivar.

She fought to scratch him, claw him. Knee him. Anything she could do to get him to let her go. couldn't get through his shield. couldn't get through the ebon black shield that should have recognized her. " enough ,Lady . Your going to either hurt yourself or your child." he hissed.

Her eyes cleared once more. She started to cry. She didn't want this. Lucivar was angry at her. She couldn't remember why. Then part of her craved Daemon's blood. Wanted to see it run red. Wanted to see the walls covered in it. Couldn't understand that either.

" come on cat lets get you tucked in a bed and we'll get this all straitened out after a nap." he hoped. Keeping his grip on her waist and led her from the room where Daemon was. Lead her to the main sitting room and pushed her into the couch. Slapped a ebon gray shield around her. " now stay."

Beal rushed into the room. His eyes hollowed with exhaustion but relief still filled them as they locked on Lucivar, " thank the darkness."

" what in the name of hell Happen here Beal. And why didn't any one send for help?" why didn't some one tell one of the messengers that he had sent?

" we didn't send for help because we couldn't. as far as what happen…." he looked at Janelle who was now asleep on the couch. " she went mad. I don't think she's walking in the twisted kingdom but…… her rage was centered on Daemon. Just Daemon."

" and did my brother do anything to stir her anger?" if there was a reason he would deal with it , if not….. he would consider really throttling his sister.

" Prince her anger stirred if he so much breathed without her saying so. No Prince Sadi hasn't done anything except bare the brunt of her anger to save us."

" I see. " he paused weighed his thoughts. He needed his father to deal with Janelle. Also needed to get Daemon to a healer. " Beal get to the keep and bring my father here. If he's riding the killing edge so be it. "

" understood."

Lucivar walked with him to the main door stood in the doorway. Sent a summons to Morgahnn. * Daemon needs a healer* reconsidered , * no healers*

A moment later * is Janelle not there?*

* He needs both you and Karla. Now get your asses here.*

There was no arguing with that. He had sent his frustrations through the thread . Knew all of the boyos would feel it as well. Knew they would be here before either of the Healers were. didn't care. His brother needed help and so did his queen.