WITH OUT CARE OR REMORSE

Xena opened her eyes slowly as the dawns rays streamed in through the curtains she felt her smile widen as she looked at her arm which was wrapped around her waist. She looked down realizing that Gabrielle's whole body was up against her own the younger woman had clearly moved up against her in the night no doubt unintentionally or maybe intentionally. She knew that sometimes the desire to have company during sleep could overrule someone's mind while sleeping. She had once cuddled up to Demetrius when they'd been forced to share a tent as they'd needed each others protection as they'd been separated from the hoplites in a blizzard on Mount Nessus. She had gone up there because her spies had told her that they'd founds lots of dead Roman bodies in the snow and that had filled her with concern at time. She thought that maybe the new Emperor of Rome Tiberius was going to attack her country hence why he was sending units through Nessus. She knew now that those units had been killed by Gabrielle's people but to this day she still didn't know why Tiberius had sent them there and since they weren't on speaking terms she didn't care to ask.

Tiberius has made his position very clear she owned Greece he owned Rome and he'd made a truce which was that they stayed out of each others lands and that if she found the missing eagle she was to return it to him. Unlike her late husband Tiberius was much brasher and she knew he didn't like her but he was a smart man as he didn't want to start all out war between their lands and that was fine by her. She no longer had any interest in Rome and she had no desire to cause trouble there at all through political games of any kind. Her getting in to trouble though on Mount Nessus had been her own fault as she really hadn't heeded the warnings about just how dangerous that mountain could be and that a blizzard up there could separate you from your group in an instant. Nothing sexual had happened between herself and Demetrius that night other than they'd just hugged each other in their sleep but nether of them had talked about it since. She knew she had been dealing with the loneliness and loss of no longer having a husband and Damokles's relationship with a Greek noble woman had fallen apart only a week before, deep down they were both looking for a comfort of some kind just to ease the pain.

She looked down at the younger woman who was fast asleep deep in her dreams she was properly feeling that right now as she'd not had any comfort from anyone after loosing Damokles she doubted that Adrienne had given her any emotional support she needed to deal with her pain. What ever Gabrielle's reason was for being this close to her she didn't mind it as it was such a nice feeling to have someone this close again but it meant a lot more to her as she was deeply in love with this woman and she wanted her attention, even if it was no more than her hugging her like this. She eased up her hand slowly running it through the other woman's long hair watching as it spilled through her fingers the other woman shuffled slightly murmuring incoherently in her sleep. She leaned closer it was so strange to see the younger woman this way in this moment she was so peaceful even when she was awake she always slightly guarded. There was also a little tension even when she was happy it was like she was always holding back yet at this moment she was so relaxed.

She wished she could be this relaxed and open with her emotions when she was awake the Gabrielle she had met first before she'd seen the darker personality had been so care free and happy and she was sure that this young woman could be that way once again. She was getting there she'd seen her personality change over these past months she was laughing smiling and slowly becoming more open. She hoped that one day she would become that a truly happy and carefree person who enjoyed her life to the full. The only thing Gabrielle didn't seem to care about was not being human it was the one thing about the younger woman she admired as she accepted her other form completely and refused to be anything but what she already was and she saw no point or reason in changing for anyone. Very few people she had met in her life had that this view of them selves or were that happy with who they were. Her thoughts were cut off as she watched the door open as Ceto walked in to her room carry her breakfast tray she watched as the woman turned the shock suddenly spreading across her face as realized who she was in bed with.

She felt her lips form a playful smirk as she spoke in a low whisper. "Put my tray on the table I'll be over in a moment." Ceto blinked quickly gaining control of her senses as she moved over the table. She turned slowly to the Empress feeling unsure of what to say she spoke hoping that her choice of words was right. "Did you…I mean did you both sleep well?" Xena looked up slightly keeping her voice low. "I slept fine Ceto I think Gabrielle has as well." Ceto tensed unsure if her next words would sound rude. "I assumed the rumour about you being in love with her is not just palace gossip?" Xena breathed in deeply gods why was she bothering to tell people to keep her feelings for Gabrielle a secret it was clear most people knew she was in love with this woman and the rest were completely buying in to the palace gossip. She eyed Gabrielle for a very long moment before looking up at her personal maid speaking softy. "Yes I am in love Gabrielle." Ceto felt her eyes dart. "Did you tell her that, is that why she's here?" Xena shook her head sadly. "No Gabrielle came here because she couldn't sleep, as you know Adrienne is due to arrive today." Ceto felt a sneer of disgust form. "Yes I've all about her not a nice piece of work, had a lot to do with the assassins getting in to this palace and was in liege with Kalika."

Xena gently eased Gabrielle's arm free of her waist hearing her mumble again in her sleep. She slowly eased herself out of bed putting on her robe as she turned to Ceto. "She's also Gabrielle's ex which only adds fuel to this already blazing fire." Ceto breathed in as she pulled out the scroll which was in her robes belt. "Then I hate to add more fuel to the fire but Phrixus asked me to give this scroll to you." Xena leaned over taking it from her hand. "What is it?" Ceto looked up slightly. "A very long winded request about him being present at Gabrielle and Adrienne's meeting, he makes a good point though that the moment they meet they will probably switch languages and will have a better understanding of what they are saying than you as he's spent a lot more time learning the spoken werewolf language with Gabrielle over this past month." Xena rolled her eyes as she opened the scroll reading it slowly Phrixus was right though he did understand the spoken language much better than her, so far she'd only had three lessons with Gabrielle which wasn't nearly enough and she was only learning the written form and not the spoken form and she wouldn't lie she'd really struggled with Adrienne's letter. She folded up the scroll handing it back to Ceto. "Tell him that I want his presence in the room, in this case he's right his understanding of the spoken werewolf language is much better than mine."

Ceto nodded stepping back. "I'll tell him now." She paused before speaking. "Are you going to wake up Gabrielle?" Xena watched as the younger woman turned in her sleep. "No I want her to get as much sleep as possible, just tell Thaleia to bring her clothes and her breakfast in here when you see her as I'm sure she'll be wondering where she is." Ceto nodded moving towards the door. "Yes Empress." Xena smiled watching as she left she felt her smile fade as she turned back to Gabrielle who was still asleep watching her. Everything was ready for today but despite this, it didn't make her feel any better she had no idea why this bitch of a woman had come here all she assumed that she was here because of the law change Gabrielle had put in place with out the Imperial Councils approval not that in her view she needed their approval to do anything she was the right full ruler of her people not them. She turned away looking at her breakfast she really needed to put her thoughts to one side right now she could deal with them later when the time was right. She looked up sharply watching as the younger woman eyes slowly opened as what ever dream she was having ended. She stood up walking over to the bed feeling a wide smile form. "Good morning."

Gabrielle eased up her hand rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, how strange she felt at this moment in time she felt well rested which very rarely happened, she'd had no nightmares just a deep soothing sleep. She eyed the dark haired woman who was smiling down at her. "Morning." Xena put a hand gently on her shoulder. "Did you sleep well?" Gabrielle sat up slightly. "Yes I did." She paused eyeing her closet friend. "Thank you for your company last night I needed it." Xena squeezed her shoulder gently. "It was a pleasure to have your company and you're always welcome in my bed if you're feeling that way you did last night." She paused unable to stop her next question. "Do you remember when we were sparing?" Gabrielle raised both eyebrows unsure where this was going. "Yes." Xena moved her hand away. "You said you weren't beautiful because of that scar on your eye which you could never get rid off." Gabrielle eased up her hand running it down her scar. "Yes I said that." Xena leaned forward. "Why do you believe that, is it because someone told you that you weren't beautiful?" Gabrielle looked down slightly. "No it's not because of that, people don't love a face with an ugly scar on it, not a scar like mine."

Xena eased her hand up putting it gently under the other woman's chin using it to raise her head very slowly. "I think you'd be surprised Gabrielle, not everyone sees scars that way." Gabrielle looked up slightly unable to break away from the other woman's intense gaze. "How do you see scars?" Xena eased up her other hand running her fingers gently down the diagonal scar on the other woman's eyebrow. "I see them as symbols of power and strength as well as character." She ran her fingers upwards again in a gentle motion as she eased her other hand out from under her chin. "They are never hideous or disgusting and they don't make a person any less beautiful." Gabrielle eased up her hand taking hold of the other woman's hand lowering it gently. "You always see the positive side in everything Xena." Xena looked at her for a long moment. "I try to see the good in everyone even if they don't see it in themselves." She stepped away from the younger woman. "Would you like some breakfast?" Gabrielle eased herself up in bed fully. "Yes I would." She paused watching as the other woman turned away from her. "Xena?" Xena turned to meet the other woman's gaze. "Yes." She felt a smile form. "Thank you for listening it means a lot to me." Xena felt her smile turn to a wide grin. "Your welcome."

8

Adrienne walked slowly down the long road which led to the palace she looked up catching sight of what looked like a two wagon loads of werewolf parts including skulls, skeletons pelts and mounted heads and bodies my, my Gabrielle had been very busy. She adjusted her chest plate slightly but then that was why she was here to bring her lover home and she would come home to the Grand City she'd make sure of that. She eyed the two guards behind her who were walking with her towards the palace's huge doors. She eyed the moonlit sky above she'd been here more than once and nothing had changed she still hated this place with a passion not because it had built on top of king Lycaon's ancient palace ruins. No it was her hatred of the Empress she couldn't stand the bitch period. The truth was that her hated had nothing to do with the hunting law it was all to do with the fact that when ever Gabrielle was around her she didn't do what she was told. She'd had the opportunity to stab the bitch and end her miserable life and she'd stalled right when it really mattered. What was it about that stupid woman that made her such a distraction?

It wasn't like Gabrielle couldn't kill she was an amazing warrior in battle most werewolves changed weapons from time to time but not Gabrielle had remained with two swords right through her career as a warrior and beyond as a Horn Hind. She was fantastic when she killed it was all power all focus and she knew how to take life in battle, but that was where her issue came she hated taking innocent life. Also when her swords weren't in her hands she became a very different person who wasted her time away crafting silly little wooden carvings, she was also a recluse who didn't like the lime light and from time to time she'd caught her talking to nothing but empty corridors though she always claimed she was never talking to anyone. Her biggest problem though was that she had far to much heart and that weak heart of hers really got in the way of what was important, which was doing what she told by the Imperial Council with out question. She had though taken this one step to far by signing an agreement to end the hunting law with the Empress with out the consent of the Imperial Council and that was not allowed it breached the rules and now there had been a huge incident in the Grand City because of this.

Those who were loyal to her had remained completely loyal to her despite her two year absence they were also thrilled with this idea of the hunting law ending and werewolves having equal rights. This was not what the Imperial Council wanted, they were so close to for filling their master plan and this had come at just the wrong time. The last thing they wanted now was for the Grand City and the other cities to be separated by in fighting between those who were loyal to Gabrielle and those who were loyal to them. After all the Imperial Council were the true rulers not Gabrielle she was just a figure head. She'd been made Gabrielle's advisor and it had been her duty to keep her in place and reign her in as well as satisfy her sexual needs and she wouldn't lie that had been worth it, but her main real job had been to stamp out Damokles's influence over her and that had never been easy. She'd never stopped loving that fool even after he'd been killed she'd even been purposely told that he had left her for another woman by the Imperial Council as they'd hoped that it was would crush her spirit even more and it had worked to an point but not the extent they'd wanted she'd still stuck very much to the code of honour which he'd taught her along with his ideals.

Plus for some stupid reason she always hesitated when it came to killing pathetic weak little humans who didn't have a sword in their hand. They were just humans no one would care for their passing they might as well be ants washed away be the tide. In her view the werewolf race should be ruling them not sitting with them at a table drinking together as equal right Greek citizens. One thing was clear though as she walked down the long road which led to the palace doors they had gotten the message that she was coming. The moment she'd said her name to the guards guarding the outer wall and door a dark mood had filled the air and the guards had turned very tense. Clearly Gabrielle hadn't spoken well of her which hurt but only a little Gabrielle had always been misguided and now she needed putting back in her place. She owned her after all and they had never ended their relationship openly so she was still her lover and like every good lover she needed to put her right by any means necessary. This wouldn't be the first time they'd argued and she'd had to force her hand violently to put Gabrielle in her place and she doubted it would be the last.

What did matter though was that one way or the other she'd make her point tonight and Gabrielle would return to the Grand City as commanded by the Imperial Council. She had been told that failure was not an opinion and if it meant ending Gabrielle's reign as Horn Hind then she was to do so by any means necessary. She smiled eyeing the weapon which was in her belt if it came to that she had something very special in her possession oh how she loved testing new weapons on her own kind. This one though was very special its design had been based on something so innocent so kind which was pathetic use for it when in truth it could be used to being such glorious pain and death, if it worked correctly. She loved testing new weapons it always gave her such a thrill even more so if they worked and if this one worked as it should it could be used as a brand new type of weapon which could be used to kill traitors and those who disobeyed the rules in werewolf society. She watched as the huge palace doors were opened and a tall dark haired man came in to view he was clearly head of the royal guard she could tell by his over elaborate hoplite uniform. She felt a smirk form as she eyed him. "Oh look the welcoming committee."

Demetrius narrowed his gaze clearly this woman had no idea that right now one of Iona's best trained men had an arrow pointed at her head, ironically it was the same man who had, had an arrow pointed at Gabrielle's head during her first meeting with the Empress and he was a pro marks man, he very rarely missed and even if he did miss the first shot his second was always spot on. He breathed in eyeing the woman in front of him this was Gabrielle's former lover? Just looking at her he could see that she was dripping with arrogance. "Adrienne I assume?" Adrienne felt a smile form. "Yes I am." Demetrius turned eyeing the two well armed men who were about lead her to the meeting room. "Follow me." Adrienne slowly followed him watching as the two warriors followed her, she eyed the taller commander who was watching her out of the corner of his eye. "So tell me when do I get to see Gabrielle? You see we have such history together and I know that she's been missing me." Demetrius carried on walking that wasn't the impression he'd gotten from Gabrielle it was more that she was glad to be rid of this woman. "You'll speak to her when she's good and ready." Adrienne carried on walking. "Oh I see, did she tell you that personally? Its just I don't see her talking to someone like you, you see you come across as a stupid human just like all humans." Demetrius sneered suddenly he beginning to see why Gabrielle loathed this woman he carried on walking not looking back. "I don't believe Gabrielle shares your view on humanity."

Adrienne felt a cold smile form. "Yes well Gabrielle has always been far to kind, it's always clouded her better judgement and made her weak." Demetrius eyed her for a long moment before turning away as he carried on walking towards the room which wasn't far away. In his opinion Gabrielle had very good judgement and her kindness was one of the reasons the Empress was clearly in love with her. She was liked in the palace because of that kind nature and to say she was weak was a huge insult, she was anything but weak. This woman clearly had a very harsh and cold view on the world she also thought that she was something special just because she had a heart of stone and had no love for life. Warriors who were like this normally became murders, assassins and mercenaries. Funny he had thought that Iona had no love for life but that was not the truth she did have some even though it was small and she was starting to change he could see it happening she was becoming more compassionate and he'd seen her just sit and read scrolls while drinking cider last night rather than gamble with the others warriors in the training barracks.

They'd asked her if she wanted to play but she'd just said no and carried on reading clearly there was something she wanted to learn and he could tell that the scrolls were from the main study and the only person who could have gotten them for her was Chara, in a way that was a good sign though at least she was talking to people. Iona had always had been a bit of a loner who didn't socialise with large groups of people or go to parties it was one thing she did have in common with Gabrielle. He turned eyeing Adrienne this woman wasn't Iona though she stank of murderer it pulsated off her and clung to the air like thick black smoke from a burning fire the kind that made you choke painfully and brought tears to your eyes. He had looked in to the eyes of many warriors in his time and her eyes were like a dark pit of no remorse. It was becoming all to clear as to why Gabrielle wanted nothing to do with this woman with every breath she took she had been draining Gabrielle's joy he was disgusted to say it but he could see himself in her eyes. He had once been like her when he had drained the joy from his lovers because he craved only the conquest and then broke their hearts as he'd moved on to the next.

He took in a painful breath as he pushed open the double doors open catching sight of the long table which had been laid out with food. He could see the guards already lined up he walked inside watching as she followed him. He stopped eyeing her. "The Empress has laid you out food and drink for you which you can eat while you wait." Adrienne walked up to the table eyeing the food unable to keep the sarcasm out of her voice as she spoke. "I'm so flattered do tell me will the Empress be present?" Demetrius eyed her. "Yes she will." He turned to one of the warriors lowering his voice. "Please tell Gabrielle that her guest has arrived and inform the Empress the same." He watched as man nodded leaving the room. Adrienne watched as the man left. "So you'll be watching me I assume, your going to make sure I don't put a foot wrong right?" Demetrius looked up slightly. "You could say that yes." Adrienne picked up a goblet of wine drinking it feeling an evil smile form. "Well I do hope it doesn't come to that, you see I'd take great pleasure in ripping your head off your shoulders."

End of part 65

Silvermoonlight

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