The Living Dead

Chapter 15

"Susannah is not feeling too well," was the first thing York said to Luxa and Gregor when they got to the capital. "She won't be here until later, the day of the wedding. Unless you need her, Luxa, and then Rhea is ready to go back and get her right now."

Luxa was just standing there, Zander clutching her leg, glaring over at Stellovet, who returned it heavily. Hero for her part was most excited to see her twin and rushed over to him almost immediately. When she tried to hug him though, he just held up a hand, holding her off.

"Knock it off," he whispered to her with a hint of a hiss. "My woman's here."

Hero took to looking around while Gregor only sighed. Perdita was in the High Hall, though she was speaking over in the corner with one of her scouts and his bond. Kent was clearly trying to impress her, but Gregor wasn't so sure she had even noticed his presence.

"What is wrong with her?" Luxa asked York then with a slight frown. "Is it something bad?"

"Just a cold, I think. I wanted her to come to Regalia, so I could care for her, but she told me she would be more comfortable at home."

"You can return to the Fount, if you'd like," Luxa told him then, slowly. "You are of no help really, Uncle, with preparations for the wedding."

"Nonsense. I have to talk to the Overlander about very important things."

"Such as?"

"Manly things, Luxa." York came over to pat her on the shoulder before looking down at Zander. Reaching into his pocket, York produced some sort of sweet, which Zander readily took. When he opened his mouth though, York frowned.

"What happened to the boy's teeth?" York reached down to pat him on the head. Then he looked to Gregor and Luxa. "Tell me. Now."

"We didn't do it," Gregor said with a frown. Was York…accusing them? "A boy in the nursery struck him."

"Hmmm." York was content then and went to pat Gregor on the shoulder as well. "When does your family arrive?"

"Not till tomorrow."

"We are actually quite busy, Uncle," Luxa told him slowly then. "Perhaps your time would be better spent introducing…Stellovet to her new husband?"

"There is time for that later," he said, glancing back at his daughter, who had come to stand behind him, a cross look on her face. "If something is going on, let me help you. What is wrong?"

"Too much," Gregor mumbled, but York heard him and frowned.

"Let us go to the war room, yes?" York looked down at Zander again, waving at him slightly before glancing at Kent and Hero. "You two look after the child. I-"

"I can't, Father. I am working. Hero and Stellovet can," Kent said before nodding over at Perdita, who was still speaking softly to the scout. She was about to send him out on a mission. "You know that I am her assistant."

"Right. Well, Hero, watch your… Luxa, what is the child to my children?"

"Cousin, I suppose. But York-"

"Good. Hero, watch your cousin. Stellovet, you help her. Your father has business to attend to." With that, York headed out of the room, calling out to Luxa that he was going to find some ale to take to the war room with him before he arrived there. She only shook her head before looking to Gregor.

"Why would you do that, Gregor? Now we are going to have to put up with him."

"I just…" He sighed before looking to Hero, who was staring curiously down at Zander. He was just focusing on eating his treat. "Hero, do you really want to watch him? You don't have to."

"I can," she said slowly before looking up at Luxa. She knew that her cousin wasn't particularly fond of her and was clearly hesitant. "If you want me to, Luxa."

"He is not very…vocal for his age," Luxa said slowly before pushing Zander's head slightly. He just held up his little tiger that was in his arms, thinking Luxa wanted that. When she shook her head no and pointed at Hero, he toddled over.

"Tunny." He held up his tiger then, grinning at her. Hero smiled back at him while Stellovet just looked on with disinterest. Luxa narrowed her eyes at the other woman before looking at Gregor.

"Let us go then. We will be in the war room, Hero, if he needs us. You can take him to the royal wing, if you'd like. Or-"

"Tunny." Zander was focused on Rhea then, pointing happily at her. He liked fliers for the most part. "Tunny."

"We're gonna go, buddy." Gregor went to pat Zander on the head then before nodding at Luxa. It was best to leave him when he was distracted. Luxa only shook her head before leaving with him, which Gregor actually kind of glad for. The past few days, it was hard to get her away from the kid. And then you add in the fact that she was going leaving him with Stellovet and Gregor was actually surprised.

The walk to the war room was silent. Luxa had been bothered most of the day though with thought of gnawers and Barrett. She and Perdita hadn't fully made up, but they hadn't gone at each other yet that day, which was something, as they had spent the whole day in the same room.

Perdita had spent her day triple checking scout reports, trying to find discrepancies in any of the information, as to smoke out the rat. It was the second time in less than a year that she was charged with this task and Gregor could tell that it was bothering her, the fact that one of her men might be the snake in the group.

When they got to the war room, York was already in there, seated in Luxa's spot, drinking while looking over the map. Luxa made a face when she saw this before glaring at Gregor, but he only shrugged his shoulders slightly.

"Kids, good, good. Was waiting on you." York took a long sip of his mug. "Checking out your, uh, markers here, Luxa. You stop sending messages to the Fount or have I become illiterate?"

"Things change too quickly to-"

"To send a message just an hour away?" York shook his head. "Promise me, Gregor, when you are the King, you won't treat the Fount as secondhand trash."

"I do not treat it that way."

York waved a hand at Luxa before drinking some more. "You thirsty, boy?"

"N-No, York," Gregor said slowly as he came over to the table. "Are you sure that you want to be in here though? I thought that you would want to be with Susannah, if she's sick."

"I do,' he assured him. "But she does not like for me to be around when she is sick. And she wants one of us to be able to introduce Stellovet and Lycos."

"Lycos? That is who she is marrying?"

York nodded at him. "It is the plan as of now. Of course, she could always tell me no, like Hero continues to. I will not force her to do something she truly does not wish for. Either of them. But if Hero does not decide what she wishes to do with her life soon, I am going to get very upset with her."

"Just because she does not wish to marry does not mean she is doing nothing with her life," Luxa told hi with a frown as she came over to the table.

"Oh, it doesn't, Luxa?"

"No. It-"

"And I'm sure you know so much about life outside the palace, yes?"

"I-"

"Susannah and I cannot care for Hero for the rest of her life. That is the purpose of marrying off your daughters. So someone else can care for them."

"Hero can care for herself," Luxa said with a frown. "She does not need a man to-"

"Oh? She can? And what is she going to do, Luxa? She hates war and refuses to be a soldier. She has no skills, she has no-"

"She will come and stay in the palace with me, York, if you are going to act in such a way. I will need a…nanny for Zander and the next baby when it comes. She will be my personal nanny."

York snorted at that, sitting up more. "Hero. You want Hero to be your nanny."

"Yes."

Gregor looked at Luxa then, but she only nodded at him. He could see it in her face though that she was running off emotions. She really didn't care for Hero much, but she also did not like the way that York was talking.

"Take her. Take her now." He took a long sip from his mug. "I'm sure I'll be sending Rhea to pick her up not two days after I'm back in the Fount. Hero doesn't stay away from home long. That's why all the men I've tried to marry her off to have been in the Fount. She needs to be around Susannah and me. You'll see."

"No, York, you will see."

Great. Now Luxa was fighting with York. For his part, her uncle only stared at her in amusement for a moment before standing.

"Your seat, Luxa," he said, nodding at it before going to take another seat. Luxa thought he was teasing her though and only frowned.

"We stand during meetings. You know that."

"I know that you are pregnant," he said before nodding to the chair. "Sit. Now."

She glanced at Gregor, but it was just his turn to shrug. Rolling her eyes, she finally went to go take her seat, nodding at him to take his.

"Where are the other generals then?" York asked, slinging back some more of his ale. "And where are all the guards anyhow? Do you even have a royal guard anymore?"

"Guards are costly to secrets," Luxa told him with a frown. "And Barrett is hospitalized, Perdita is busy with her scouts, and Mareth is slowly on his way out of the military."

"Hn." York nodded at some of the scrolls. "Those the messages that you never send me?"

"Those are Perdita's. Some of them. She's been reviewing Solovet's attack plans and such."

"Hn. And why is Barrett in the hospital then?" York gave Gregor a really twisted grin then. "Something I should no about?"

"Most certainly not," Luxa told him with a frown. "He was ambushed by gnawers outside the gate-"

"Do you just tell me nothing anymore, Luxa?"

"I am sorry, Uncle, but there is a lot to handle in Regalia and-"

"And the Fount is not of importance to you then?"

"The Fount is your domain. And you do a fine job watching over it. I do not see why I would need to trouble anyone in the Fount with-"

"I am supposed to know of what goes on here, Luxa. And I know that you are mad at me about how I…reacted to everything, but you cannot keep things from me."

"I can do whatever I wish, York. Never forget that."

He just grinned again. "What are you going to do, dear? Take the Fount from me? Ha. You are your father. You know that?"

"York-"

"Lennox always tried that, taking the Fount from me. It wasn't nearly as cute as when you try to, Luxa."

"You have long outstayed your welcome. I think that you-"

"Is this a pregnancy thing?" York looked to Gregor who only stared straight ahead. "Or are you just in that bad of a mood?"

"I do not know what you are talking about."

"Wedding stress? Something. It has to be." York leaned back in his chair then, kicking his feet up onto the table. "Susannah was all annoying too, before I left, but that was because she's sick. You should hear her, whining about her stomach."

"I thought you wanted to take care of her?" Gregor asked with a frown.

"I do. But it is just like with Luxa. She is annoying me now, but I still want to be here for her."

"You are drunk," Luxa accused then causing York to laugh.

"Not quite, dear. Trying to get there though." He shook his head slightly. "Susannah, she told me not to bother the two of you while I'm here. Not to bother you too much, Luxa. The baby and all. She worries about your health."

"She should not. I am not a child. I do not need-"

"You do not have to be a child, Luxa, for Susannah and I to care for you. And you are foolish to think otherwise."

Luxa didn't say anything then and Gregor only sighed. Not a minute later, Perdita came into the room, Mareth on one side, Kent on the other.

"My favorite son." York held up his mug. "Refill this for me, eh? I set the jug of ale over there, near Luxa."

"I'm working, Father."

"Do as he says, Kent," Perdita sighed as she came over to the table. York had taken Barrett's usual seat, which was good as it did not disturb Mareth or Perdita. After refilling his father's drink, Kent went to get his chair that was in the corner, left over from before, and set it on the other side of the table.

"You let him sit here?" York laughed then. "You shall take good care of his twin then, Luxa, if you deal so well with Kent. He's far more annoying."

"We do not," Mareth said then as he pulled out Perdita's chair before his own. "The Overlander insists on it."

"I am Perdita's assistant," Kent grumbled. "I should really be sitting next to her, but-"

"I wish to begin telling you about the things I have discovered with my scouts," Perdita began. Then she looked to York and frowned. "Is…he staying?

"He wishes to," Luxa sighed.

"What happened to your arm then? And Gregor's head?" York made a tsking noise. "A broken arm, a wrapped head, a hospitalized general. You're doing mighty well without me, Luxa."

"York-"

"I broke it on a mission," Perdita told him then. "I thought you knew."

"Why would I have known?"

"You were here when she returned with the broken arm," Gregor pointed out. York frowned before drinking some more of his ale.

"Was I? Huh."

"Maybe if you drank a little less, your memory would return to you," Luxa told him with a scowl.

"No, it's too late for me." He nodded at Gregor then. "This though, I know this did not happen while I was here."

"He was attacked by a human-"

"Henry. I was attacked by Henry," Gregor said then. "While I was in the Dead Lands."

York slammed his mug down that time. "Now I know for damn sure my memory's not gone on that one. That boy is dead, Overlander. What are you-"

"It's the prophecy. The Prophecy of the Living Dead. It-"

"Nice little family reunions even after dear old Solovet's dead." York picked his mug back up. "I doubt you really saw him, Gregor."

"How would you even know? I-"

"See? Even York agrees with me." Luxa crossed her arms. "I-"

"Luxa, you're only on board with what he's saying because it's the same thing you said. If he was on my side, you'd call him a drunk and kick him out."

"Yes, well, let us all be happy then that he has sided with me."

"Are you not even slightly concerned that you have the drunk on your side?"

"Enough," Perdita finally told them, sending both Luxa and Gregor a look. "The point is that I have begun fact checking my scouts, and I think that it is best if I go inspect a few things myself. I-"

"With a broken arm?" York grinned then. "I'm assuming that is your sword hand."

"Not that it is any of your business, but yes, it is."

"So you are going to go out and investigate things when the perfectly healed Barrett could not even get passed the gates." Gregor snorted. "Right."

"I am not going after the Reclaimer. I am going to inspect the areas my spies claim to be. I-"

"I will go with her," Kent spoke up then. "I will find a flier and I will go with her."

"Rhea will take you, if you're really being offered a chance to go," York said with a shrug. Perdita only frowned.

"Seen, Kent, not heard."

"The boy cannot go," Mareth said then. "He would only be in the way, much more than he is here."

"Ever think you are the one in the way, Mareth?"

"I'll go with her," Gregor said then causing Luxa to frown at him. He only stared at Perdita though. "It would have to be after my wedding though."

"I am trying to procure safety for your wedding to take place. Going after-"

"We will have more than enough guards around during the wedding. It would not be a good time for the gnawers to attack." Gregor shook his head slightly. "You and I will go investigate things, after the wedding."

"Yes, Gregor, because there is nothing more that I want than for you to leave the day after our wedding," Luxa remarked with a frown. "Honestly? You think that I am going to-"

'It will get him in good with the people," York remarked then. "Show that he is not afraid of going out instead of just staying around the palace. Your grandfather, Luxa, would go all sorts of places. Especially when Solovet became his general. He hated women, to the core, but Solovet was a special case. The King and the General, off to fight another battle. It is how he died, in war."

"Yes, and that is all good and well, but Gregor is not-"

"You know that you're not going to keep me locked up here forever," he told her then with a frown. "And if I'm going with Perdita, I'm certainly coming back. There's no way I won't come back."

"Neither of you are bonded, both of you are injured-"

"Andromeda and Perdita are as close as any pair," Mareth said slowly, glancing at Perdita. "If you wish to go, she will take you."

"Thank you, Mareth, but you and her are-"

"I would feel safer, if she were with you, than any other. Especially a random flier. You have seen her fight countless times, as she has you."

"And Nike will take me anywhere," Gregor said. "Or Aurora."

"All women," York laughed. "He will be gong with all women. A death warrant."

"I am going too," Kent remarked. "I told you. And you said Rhea will take me."

"Rhea is old," Mareth said slowly before glancing at York. "I mean no offense, but-"

"Older than Andromeda, fine, but not that old." Still, York just shrugged. "She has as much fight in her as I and I cannot imagine saying no to a fight. She either."

"I do not recall anyone saying you could go, Kent," Perdita said then to which Luxa snorted.

"And I do not recall me saying that Gregor could go."

"You will be my wife," he told her then. "Not my mother."

"Gregor-"

"This will be my realm too, Luxa. It's my job to take care of it. If you were not with child, I would not have a problem with you going. But you are. So you have to stay here. Sorry."

Luxa looked ready to hit him then, but instead only turned her eyes to Perdita. "What would you going to your scouts do anyhow? Other than possibly reveal their positions?"

"I wish to check in with them. And if they are delivering information to the gnawers, possibly question them and figure out who. I-"

"If you could not accomplish a simple reconnaissance mission, why would I send you out to-"

"The Reclaimer was not there, Luxa," Perdita growled at her then. "What did you want me to do? Make him appear out of nothing?"

Luxa narrowed her eyes at her tone. "Careful, Perdita. Do not wish for repeat of yesterday."

"Yesterday, yesteryear, yester-century. Who cares?" York sat up suddenly, slipping his feet off the table. "Gregor, you are the King in the coming days. She no longer commands you. You and Perdita will go and, if you come back, good. If not, life goes on. Besides, Luxa, if he dies out there, your mission is still accomplished."

"What do you mean?"

"You will say he impregnated you on your wedding night, he is gone, and then you get to be the only ruler and have that heir that you want. Win-win." York grinned then, as if he had thought of some sort of master plan. Then he looked at Kent and wiggled his glass. Groaning, Kent got up to get him more ale.

"Does it not bother you, York? Being the only one drinking?" Perdita asked, clearly trying to hint something to him. He only shrugged.

"The way I see it, I am with a cripple, two women, a man with an head injury, and a boy. I am the only one meant to drink."

"You're in a good mood," Mareth told him with a frown. "And I might be a cripple, but I could take you in a fight any day."

"How about today?" York perked up at the thought. "I was hoping the Overlander and I could go at it, but if he has an existing injury, I know that is out of the question. You and I though-"

"No." Luxa frowned. "York, do you come to my palace just to find men to fight?"

"For the most part," he admitted. "The men in the Fount are my age. Too old. No good. I like fighting young men. Though Mareth is not young-"

"Watch it, York, before I reveal you and your wife's age."

"Aye." York took his mug when his son handed it off to him. "You do not know fun here in the capital."

Perdita only rolled her eyes making York smirk at her. He was clearly getting off on bothering her.

"Then it is settled, yes?" Gregor looked around. "I will go with Perdita-"

"We will talk. Alone."

"Luxa-"

"Alone."

He slumped back in his chair, letting out a long sigh. "If you would be fine with jeopardizing everyone else because-"

"There are other soldiers, Gregor. You just want to go because you always have to be in everyone's business. You constantly-"

"I constantly what, Luxa? Want to do something other than stay around the palace and have you yell at me? Forgive me."

"Oh, as if I want you around constantly? You always-"

"Apparently you do or else you wouldn't-"

"Calm down. Both of you." York took a long gulp of ale before standing. "If you fight like this now, it will only lead to an unhappy marriage. And if you plan for people to respect Gregor, Luxa, he is going to have to continue to do good for Regalia. The banished are starting to fade from their minds. If he is able to find the champion and help him destroy the Reclaimer, all the better. Or if he can defeat the Living Dead, that will be great. Either way, you are going to have to accept that you are not the only one in charge anymore. You gave up that right by taking him to bed. Now you have to suffer the consequences."

Luxa was absolutely seething by that point, but was able to hold her tongue as York left the room, as she no doubt would rather like him gone than staying around to argue. The second he was gone, she took a very ragged breath before biting the inside of her cheek. The not drinking thing was affecting her heavily.

"I must go check on Barrett." She stood suddenly. "If you…idiots wish to go risk your lives, go. Go now, Gregor. Because as it stands, you are the last person I wish to marry."

It was Gregor's turn to hold his tongue, which he did rather well. After Luxa was gone, Perdita was finally able to get some work done like she wanted from the beginning, going over plans with Gregor as if the trip was going to happen for certain, and Kent as well, on the off chance he would be accompanying them.

Gregor had never gone anywhere alone with Perdita, but knew that it would be a business adventure. Still, he thought that he should have some topics of discussion to have with her, as they would be gone for a number of hours, if not days. And Nike could only contribute so much to a conversation. If she was even going. If Aurora was going to take him, that would change everything. She was rather quiet around others and though Gregor knew of no bad blood between her and Andromeda, he also knew that they weren't overly friendly with each other either. He had never seen them spend any free time with one another.

When the meeting broke, Perdita was going to go speak with another prospect for Gregor's soon to be vacated position as well as check on Barrett herself. Even though she did not like him for the most part, he was her charge. And she also mentioned something about going to see his soldiers for a training session. Whatever. Kent just happily went along, leaving Gregor and Mareth.

"Overlander? A word?" Mareth asked as Gregor stood to leave the table. Sighing, Gregor only stood before nodding. Mareth walked over to the door with him, but did not let him leave, just laid a hand on his shoulder, holding him in place. Gregor had a bad feeling that it was about the day before and how he had more or less messed up Mareth's little getaway with Perdita.

"Look, Mareth, I was only trying to do what was best for Regalia. And Perdita wouldn't be happy in the Fount. Not the way you want to go. I only-"

"What? No. I do not care about that. Right now," he clarified before shaking his head. "I only wish to say this, Gregor. If this trip happens, you are taking my bond with you as well as my…well, Perdita. They are the only two women in my life that I honestly care for. And I know how most of your missions turn out. You take risks, even with your own woman. Do not with mine. If they did not come back to me…especially both of them…"

"I get it. I won't-"

"No, you don't. You never do. You think that being a hero means going your hardest, headstrong, and with the utmost courage. It does not. Sometimes a hero just goes in, does his duty, and comes back home. You have your own wife to think about now, as well as two children. And Perdita and Andromeda are the same for me. They're all I have." He looked off then. "If you do not bring them back, I could not…function. I am hardly functioning now, but then I would-"

"I get it, buddy. I won't let anything happen. Promise. We're just going to talk to some scouts. That's it. Nothing extra. No Reclaimer, no Ripred."

Mareth only looked him hard in the eyes before saying, "If you come back and they do not because of something foolish that you did, I will kill you, Overlander. Even as my king, I will extinguish your light in the most painful way possible. They are my life. And I will do anything to protect them."

It was only when Gregor sobered completely and nodded that Mareth released him before smiling. Gregor was still weary, but the other man only patted his shoulder and headed out of the room, as if nothing had happened, even calling out down the hall for Perdita to wait for him.

Mareth was complex, but then again, weren't they all?

"Ah. Howard. My favorite son."

Gregor frowned at York. "I thought you said Kent was your favorite son?"

"And he was. Because he was the only one in the room at that moment, he was also my favorite child. Now I have Stellovet and Howard in the room. My favorite son of the moment and favorite daughter, as well as my two favorite children. When Hero and Kent join me later, I will have my four favorite. And when Chim comes with her mother and greets me, she will be my favorite."

"But that-"

"It will make sense to you soon enough."

Howard only rolled his eyes as he came into the room. "I did take off from work for this dinner, Father. Try not to offend me too horribly. And hello, Stellovet."

She was already seated at the dining table, on the other side of York and bowed her head slightly. "Brother. I have not seen you in a number of months."

"Not since Vikus' funeral," Howard said with a nod of his head as he looked around. "Where is everyone?"

"Luxa is always late and Kent is a working man now." York laughed at that. "Your mother is home sick and I left Chim with her. Hero's got a new job though, as the Overlander and your cousin's nanny."

"What?" Stellovet frowned at that before looking at Gregor. "Luxa hired…Hero? As her nanny? Hero cannot care for a child."

"Hero cannot do anything, but whine." York made a face before looking around. "Less she is in hearing distance. Then she is one of my favorite children." He paused. "No? Yes, well, she is rather lazy and complains much. Like you, Stellovet, but less attentive to the men I try to give her to."

"F-Father-"

"Are we going to be meeting the man then tonight?" Howard asked as he took a seat next to Gregor. "That is…lucky enough to get Stellovet as a wife?"

"Aye. We are supposed to. I asked him to arrive slightly late, so he did not have to sit around too long. I knew Luxa would be late. Luxa is always late." Then York added, "And also upset with me. Very upset with me."

"She is upset with everyone," Howard assured him. "And she will be especially upset with you if you are the one that gave Hazard the idea to start a brothel."

"Wh-What?" York laughed. "No, I cannot take credit for-"

"Kent and Hazard both told me that you were rather vocal about real men…partaking in such things," Gregor said slowly, looking at York. "Ken then proceeded to tell me that I am weak for not."

"I said this?" York scratched his head before shrugging and slinging back some more ale. "I must have been drunk and Susannah must not have been around."

"Probably not."

"I say many things, when the time calls for it. Could you boys go ahead and not tell Luxa that I told them this then?" York looked both Howard and Gregor in the eyes, as they were seated across from him. "And do not mention it to Susannah either. Or at least not for a few days. She is rather upset with me, recently."

"I thought she was sick? You made her angry while she is sick?" Howard frowned. "Father-"

"She is just upset about Kent, boy, nothing else. The military and all. And now that Stellovet's wedding will soon be approaching, she is upset that all three of you are in the capital and not at home. I told her we should just have more children, but no. She says she is too old. Bah."

Gregor made a face before shaking his head. "I do not think that is her problem, York. If she wanted more kids, she could always just adopt them. I think it is the ones she has now not being around."

"And? That is my fault? I have already presented her with options. Have them all live with us forever, have more, adopt more, or get over it. She refuses all those options. It is her fault."

"You sound so loving, Father," Stellovet remarked with a frown, but he only shrugged.

"Your mother knows my temperament. Find the solution or stop whining about the problem. Those are the only two options."

Howard shook his head. "And you said this to Mother? In that exact tone? With those words?"

"Of course not. Susannah is very fragile, very special. Like a child. Except when she is mad at me, of course."

"Of course."

"I explain life to her as gently as possible."

"I'm sure."

That was the end of the conversation though as it was then that Luxa showed up, Hero and Zander in tow. Shockingly enough, Zander was snuggled up in Hero's arms, not Luxa's. That was a relief. As long as Zander liked her, maybe the whole nanny thing had a shot.

"I hear you have a new job, Hero." Howard got to his feet as his sister entered, though Gregor was pretty sure they all were supposed to. Luxa was the Queen and all, but no one else did. York was too busy drinking and there was no way Stellovet was standing and bowing to her cousin.

"Yes. Luxa says I can care for Zander, if I like." Hero bounced the boy in her arms, who only rubbed his tiger against her. "And she will even pay me."

"It is customary, after all." Luxa went to take her seat while Howard only went to grasp Hero by the cheeks and kiss her head. Though he did not get to spend a lot of time with his younger siblings, Gregor knew that Howard really did care about them. Hero and Chim especially.

"I like Zander," Hero assured them all as her brother stepped away. "He's very…something."

Gregor blinked at that before nodding. Something. Zander was something.

"Here you go." Hero sat Zander down before taking the seat next to him. "Happy?"

"Tunny." He patted his stomach with one hand before looking at Luxa, who forced a smile for him.

"Where is the man of the hour then?" Luxa asked finally as a servant came to fill her water glass.

"He is on his way," York said as Stellovet sucked in a breath. Gregor glanced at her, but when she looked back at him, they accidentally made eye contact and he had to look away. York just elbowed his eldest daughter though. "Excited?"

"Y-Yes, Father."

Howard only shook his head before looking at Luxa. "Is Hazard not joining us for dinner?"

"He might. He might not. Does it matter?" She reached for her glass, frowning down at it for a moment before drinking it. "Maybe he is soliciting women."

"Luxa," Gregor warned as York choked on his ale.

"Oh, is that suddenly a poor conversation topic? Forgive me." She rolled her eyes. "I forget at times that only males can speak of their own shortcomings."

"Luxa, enough." Gregor glared over at her. "I'm starting to like you better drunk than I like you pregnant."

Stellovet had to stifle a giggle into her palm while everyone else only looked off. Luxa narrowed her eyes at Gregor for the comment before leaning over and whispering to him, "Tonight. I swear."

It was then that Hazard and Kent entered, both looking rather melancholy. Kent took a seat on the other side of Hero, hardly even acknowledging the rest of his family.

"Where's your woman then, Kent?" Hero asked, genuinely interested.

That made Luxa roll her eyes and Gregor sigh. York, however, was interested.

"Not even a month in the capital and you have a woman?" York let out a sharp laugh while Stellovet only looked at her scrawny brother with suspicion. Kent was rather like his mother in build and had very little muscle. "You are my son."

"He does not a…woman," Howard said with a frown before shaking his head. "We will discuss it later, Father."

"Discuss it?" York frowned. "Is something wrong with her?"

"No," Kent said, frowning at his older brother before sitting up taller and addressing his father. "It is Perdita."

And York lost it. He laughed for a good while too while no one else found it all that humorous. Especially not Kent who turned bright red and took to glaring at the man.

"He is serious?" York shook his head slightly. "Boy, she's your mother's age. I am certain of it. What-"

"Now is not the place, remember?" Luxa looked at Hazard. "Less we wish to discuss someone else's habits with women as well."

"Why, Luxa, I did not know you were interested."

She widened her eyes before setting them to glare at Hazard. "You-"

"Oy. Look who arrives now." York stood then and Gregor knew he was glad for it, as Lycos entered the room. Gregor knew him through certain circles, but he was one of Barrett's men, not his. Still, he had never heard anything too bad about the man. He did have a knack for getting it to arguments in the mess hall, but if that were held against every man, most the soldiers would not be held in such high esteem.

"Aye. Hello, York." The man came into the room slowly, looking around.

He was quite Stellovet's senior, but they had all been expecting that. Luxa told Gregor once that it was better, marrying an older man. It was more likely he would die quickly and then you would just get his home and money without worry. Still, Gregor wasn't raised in an arranged marriage type of society and saw it still as rather backwards. But if both parties were willing, he never said anything against it. It worked out well for Susannah and York, at least. They always seemed happy.

For the most part.

Stellovet let out a slight breath at the sight of the man, as Gregor was sure she had conjured up quite the image of him in her own head, no doubt a worst case scenario. Though Lycos was rather older than her, he was not all together unsavory. He had not reached the age where he began letting himself go yet, though he was rather stout. He was muscular though, just not tall. He also had a horrible beard that Gregor let pass because it probably made him feel young.

Lycos did not address her first though, instead knowing to speak to Luxa. When he tried to bow though, she only held up a hand with a sigh.

"The rest of my family does not bow or even greet me any longer." She gave the others a look then causing them all to look off. "Trust me, it is best if we end formalities here. We will no doubt hate each other by the end of this all."

"I assure you, Queen Luxa, I-"

"And I assure you when I send your wife home in tears by the second night after your marriage, you will hate me."

"Grow up, Luxa," Stellovet retorted, frowning at her. "You are-"

"Insult me, Stellovet. Go ahead. I have waited an excuse to tell your husband all your secrets for a long time and now it is presenting itself to me. I might not even be able to wait until the wedding is final, I am so overjoyed."

"Stop it." Gregor gave Luxa the dirtiest of looks then. It was one thing when Stellovet went after her first, but the other woman had said nothing to her, really, her entire visit. He was willing to let her off before, as she had so much going on, but he was about tired of it. It was like every person in her life was her enemy and she wanted to take them down.

"Tonight-"

"Now. I will drag you out of here, Luxa."

"Do not anger me, Overlander," she hissed at him while Stellovet turned her glare onto Gregor then.

"Would both of you knock it off?" Howard hissed over at them. "You are ruining this."

"Me?" Gregor crossed his arms then, sitting back in his seat. Fine. If they wanted Luxa to act like a raving bitch and him not try to wrangle her in, he was just going to let it go. He didn't give a damn if Stellovet got married or not. She wasn't his sibling or cousin.

…And she had kind of tried to hookup with him that once, so his expectations on that marriage lasting were kind of next to nothing.

"The kids," York laughed uneasily as Stellovet went to greet the man. He seemed uneasy, seeing his queen behave in such a way, but quickly took to looking over his prospected bride.

Hero made a face at the way the man was looking at her sister before mumbling to her twin that she would never let someone treat her as she knew her sister was going to be treated. Kent, though usually proclaiming her to be annoying, threw a causal arm over the back of Hero's chair and nodded his head. As much as he tried to play it off, he had missed his twin while he was in the capital and was glad to have her back. From what Gregor understood, they spent little time apart in the Fount. He figured it was different, being a twin than just a sibling.

Luxa was glaring at Gregor then, but he refused to acknowledge it. She was the one that was acting out so much recently, not him. He couldn't wait to get back into the Dead Lands or wherever Perdita was taking him. Spending too much time with Luxa was more detrimental to his health than any supposed enemy could ever be.

"Tunny?" Zander was looked around at everyone then, clearly waiting to be fed. He had sat at that table far too long for his liking. "Lucka?"

She signaled to the servants then as Lycos slowly found his way to the table, York immediately launching into some sort of boring tale about war or battle or drinking or…something. Gregor wasn't really listening. He was more focused in on Lycos, who wasn't listening either. He was still inspecting Stellovet. Shiver.

It took forever for dinner to come to a close. And even after, York wasn't done drinking. He wanted Lycos to come with him to the mess hall, but he declined, instead offering Stellovet a chance for them to go speak, alone. She accepted and they left first. York seemed disappointed, but Howard only sighed.

"Father, Lycos is here for Stellovet. Not so you have a new playmate."

"Yes, well, I only thought…" York shrugged then. "You boys want to go with me then? Gregor?"

"No. Luxa and I are-"

"Howard?"

"I have duties at-"

"Kent?"

"Perdita is no doubt back in the war room and I-"

"…Hazard?"

He blinked. "I am a business man now. This is a busy hour for us."

Luxa took that one in stride, gulping down a huge amount of water. Gregor only glared at Hazard while York looked around, but came up with no other options.

"I could go alone…unless…Hero…no. You're just a girl." He sighed, standing. "I wish Susannah had come."

"Why?" Howard frowned as he got up as well, having to get back to the hospital for his next shift. "She would not have gone down to the mess hall with you."

"Yes, but she would have given me something to do. She likes all my stories."

"She tolerates them, you mean."

York only shrugged. "Same thing with her. She listens and then tells me how wonderful and great I am at war. She is a very good wife in that way. A liar, but still a good wife. You should remember that, Luxa."

When she stood, it was with a very set face. "Yes, well, Hero, are you up for bathing Zander? It shall be part of your duties."

She looked down at the little boy next to her, who was splattered with all sorts of sauces and food particles. "I-I guess so. I've never bathed a child."

"You may use the bathing area in the back of the royal wing," she told her with a sigh. "You cannot mess it up. Just do not drown him, as tempting as it might be at times."

Eventually Gregor and Luxa ended up back in her bedchamber, awaiting Hero to bring them Zander. Luxa still wanted to be the person to put him bed at night.

"Are you, like, just going through alcohol withdrawals or something?"

"Excuse me?"

Gregor just continued to strip for bed. "I mean, honestly, Luxa. It's one thing to be moody, but you've just been in a constant state of hatred towards anyone that isn't Zander for days now. Knock it off."

"Do not tell me-"

"I am telling you and you're going to do it. Else you can have this stupid wedding and just marry yourself."

"Do not threaten me, Gregor. I will-"

"What? Yell at me? Hit him?" He snorted before going to lay down in the bed. "You know, if this is what being married is like, I hate it. I really hate it."

"Good. Hate it, Gregor. Leave then. Do not-"

"Oh, shut up, Luxa. God." He spread out on the bed, face buried in the bedding. "You really kill me sometimes."

"If you are not careful, I will hold a pillow over your head and tell everyone you raped me and that is why I am carrying your child."

"Kill me, Luxa. Come on. Do it." He rolled onto his back. "I'm waiting."

"Gregor-"

"I welcome the challenge."

When she sat down on the bed, she did not move to lay down. She only stared at the door, waiting for her cousin to bring back their child. Gregor only laid there for awhile before closing his eyes and letting out a long breath. Yelling at her wasn't going to solve anything. It was making him feel better, but it wouldn't help the situation any.

"Tell me what you want, Lux, from me. From everyone."

"I do not want anything, Gregor."

"Except for us all to be able to do exactly what you want when you want it."

"Exactly."

"Luxa-"

"What do you want for me to say, Gregor? I am not happy. I cannot help it. I am frustrated and you are making it no better by wanting to go…to go…Gregor."

"What?" He pushed himself up slightly. "Are you…sad now? Or still angry? Or are we fine again?"

"Why do you always want to leave me?"

He frowned at that. "I don't, Luxa. I just-"

"Yes, you do. You always do."

"I just…I see you all the time. Constantly. And you have to admit that you get tired of me too. And it's not good for us, when we see each other all the time. Then we fight more. You know that."

"But-"

"And it's part of protecting our family, alright? I need to go and make sure-"

"But why does it have to be you, Gregor? Why can you not-"

"Because that's the type of person I am, Luxa. That's the type of person I'm always going to be. It's not going to change. You know that. You might not like it, but you know that."

Hero was calling out to Luxa then through the curtain, to come put Zander to bed. Gregor just rolled over and tried to wait up for her. He ended up falling asleep. It was just as well. They'd have probably ended up fighting anyhow.