Where did an entire month go? The summons from the Kaiser had given me a month to make arrangements, and now I discover there is no more time!

Thank G~d for Dyson! He?s overseen the packing, and a multitude of ancillary things that simply HAD to be done.

I have only today received my costume from the seamstress, my chosen feathered form will be that of a Harpy Eagle. The raptor provides a presence that cannot be denied. I will not be one of the useless, brightly colored birds from some rainforest somewhere that most of the women will mimic. I prefer the image of a predator. Dark. Dangerous. Capable of rampant destruction with razor sharp talons, and recurved beak.

The gown is a fitted, shimmering black silk that has swept sleeves that nearly touch the ground in draped folds that almost look like wings. A train trails the floor with the look of fanned out tail feathers, and the feathers are created by illusion using deep dark grey silk embroidery. The gloves are dark grey, almost a charcoal grey leather with the look of curving talons at the finger tips. The hat is the striking ivory plumage of the Harpy when the feathers are raised in curiosity or triumph. The mask is also done in the ivory plumage, rimmed in black silk with glittering golden eyes. It is dark elegance, without the gaudy colors and glitz many of the guests will be wearing. I cannot see myself in the plumage of a prey animal. I wonder what Klinton will think, and I wonder just how the night will go.

There is no time for this reverie, and the young woman packing my last two garment bags secures the costume in one and then I catch sight of the garment bags that have arrived from Koy. My heart stuttered. In that set of bags delivered today are my wedding dress, and my investiture gown.

I have been single for 35 years. Never have I had to be accountable to anyone but my liege lord, and parents. When we return to RhyDin, this will all be changed. Forever more. My hands went cold. Would I be any good at being a wife? After so long alone, would I adapt to such a change in my world?

Dyson knocked upon the door. It was time to get going to the hangar. My guests would be arriving soon, and I needed to have the craft flight checked and ready. I glanced into the mirror, seeing a woman there in deep blue flight suit, and pale blue eyes that for once looked back at me in uncertainty. The usual air of complete confidence was missing.

Dyson coughed discreetly, and I followed him out of the Palazzo.

From Klinton's Journal:

I had just finished putting on the flight suit. Looking in the mirror, I took a deep breath. Azjah is the one. I know that. I was excited and nervous. I did one last check around the room, making sure everything I needed was packed...although I knew it would be. I didn't even have to mention what I wanted going...it was all just taken care of. I took one last deep breath and heard the sound behind me.

"Something is amiss." I stopped in my tracks, turning to see Gabriel.

"Talk to me Gabriel."

"Have you noticed anything unusual about the Marchioness?"
"Nothing that would be out of ordinary considering we are to be married shortly."
Gabriel mentioned that she had been spending time alone. More than usual. I had attributed it to the fact that she has a business to run, and with me training. It hadn't occured to me to be anything other than that. But we are getting married. There is to be some nervousness about that right?

"Uncharateristic silences, a preference to being alone when there are other options. Watch. You will see."

I watched Gabriel for a moment. "Keep her safe. We are both changing major things in our lives.....do you think she's second guessing this?"His response was yes, if he had to guess.

"I will try to talk with her."

"She won't admit to anything. Weakness is not something she will admit."

"I am soon to marry this woman, Gabriel, I know how she reacts to such things." My tone must have hinted at impatience, although I did not mean to.

"You are, of course, correct. My years of knowing her lend me a perspective you may not yet know. I meant no offense."

"None taken Gabriel. We both know Azjah, and we know that her gut will tell her to deal with this privately."

"Privately yes. This silence is not the woman I've watched launch new companies, and leave Rigel. This is not the woman who faced down a mob that sought to murder Lucien and I. But, now I need time to hunt. The preflight is complete, coordinates are programmed in. You are ready for departure."
I had not been aware of Azjah facing down a mob. I had never inquired as to how she had met her employees. But I did know her strength. I knew she could do anything, and I knew she would first turn to herself to solve her problems, not anyone else.

Gabriel disappated from the room. I grabbed my flight helmet, and made my way to the ship...I depend on Azjah. This is a new world to me...she will have to guide me through it.

I don't know how he does it. How Klinton knows just when to say the things that re-assure me, but somehow when I need his love and moral support, it is there.

Lucien had come to call us for 3 PM tea, and while I would have left our talk to go down, Klinton would let them all wait. How very different our worlds have been. Mine, driven by rules and protocol, his by completely separate precepts. We will need a balance I think.

Our tea was interupted by an unexpected visitor, and when Baumann brought the Earl's calling card, I wanted to believe it was a cruel jest, but my staff would not do such a thing. Waiting in the foyer was the peer I least wanted to see. The Earl of Tuebingen stood waiting to gain entry into my home. No doubt to cause more mayhem and pain. I'd warned Klinton not to trust the weasel, but had not had opportunity to warn the others.

I excused myself. If there was any way to keep the Earl out, I would do so. I found him pacing the foyer with Lucien keeping a cold eye on him. there was no sense wasting time with false pleasantries. "Your Grace, what brings you to my home today?"

He whirled around to face me. His appearance always reminding me of a weasel or ferret. "Marchioness" he sneered, "I heard you'd returned and have come with a betrothed. You reject elegible peers in favor of..... some commoner?"

Well, he certainly knew how to start a conversation off on the right foot! "My fiance is not your concern Earl. What do you seek here?" My patience was growing quite thin given our long past of mutual antagonism, and Lucien gave me a steady look. He'd toss the Earl out on his backside if I would but give him a nod.

The Earl gave me an odd look, "why Marchioness, I've come to welcome you home, and offer my services to show your guests around our fair city."

Yeah, right! Just how did he know we'd arrived back, and that I'd come with friends? Did the man have spies all over the planet? Right about then, Duchess De Winters joined me. Now I would have no choice but to make introductions to the Earl. With an inward sigh, I escorted the Earl into the Library. As formally as possible, I made introductions, but when I got to Anne, the Earl's eyes went cold and calculating. Something set off warning bells in my head, and I could see Caleb's features behind his shades solidify. He'd seen it too.

The Earl is going to be trouble, I can just feel it!

My un-announced visitor departed in a socially decent time. He may flirt with the edges of social acceptability, but he would not dare be flagrant, not with his peerage equal present. The Duchess' presence kept the Earl from being too blatant in his dislike for me.

After his departure, I took our guests on a tour of the city center. Dinner would be served at 8:00 PM, so we had several hours to roam around the city. I also sent Lucien to Goehring's to place an order for me. I hope Holger can obtain it before Monday.

The city tour took us through the main shopping district and past the Imperial Residence. In the main square, surrounded by 2 rivers was the office complex for running governmental affairs. There is a stark difference between the almost medieval looking Imperial residence and the chic, ultra modern complex of offices of State.

The city is an intriguing blend of very ancient and cutting edge technologied styles. Many of the Peers enjoy the look of medieval fortresses, but with all of the modern conveniences inside. The Kaiser maintains the air of longevity by keeping the crenellated fortress that dominates the tallest hill in the city.

We returned by 7:00 PM to allow everyone time to refresh and dress for dinner. I have instructed Baumann to keep meals as informal as possible since Cara is the only one used to the formal aire of ceremony, and I wish our guests to be comfortable, not stressed out over protocol. I think the 'official' tea time came as a bit of a surprise for some.

I did have to smile when 8:00 PM arrived, and our 'informal' dinner turned out to be set in the dining room with a 5 course meal waiting everyone! The chef had created a meal that was beautiful to look at, and simply wonderful to consume.

After dessert, Baumann showed the gentlemen into the library for brandy and cigars while the ladies were expected to retire to the solar for sherry. I exchanged a mirthfilled smile with Cara. Somethings never do change!
_________________

Morning broke early, flooding my room in brilliant rainbows of color through the leaded glass. Klinton's arm was thrown over my waist, and for those precious moments, all was right and peaceful with the world.

A knock at my door soon broke that idyll as a young woman entered, prepared to assist me in preparation for our trip to the Kaiser. As Klinton stirred, she practically squeaked as she made a hasty exit, vowing to return in 30 minutes.

And so it began. The complete lack of privacy. The constant comings and goings of staff. One of the reasons I am only on Rigel for required affairs. RhyDin was so much more comfortable.

Shooing Klinton back into his rooms, I began preparations to face His Majesty for the first time in nearly a year. Having incurred Royal Displeasure by choosing a partner from outside the peerage would be stress enough. I needed to be flawless for this meeting. Somehow, I suspect we will se a bit of the Royal Temper today.

The young woman returned as promised, and I learned her name was Katarina. She proved quick with her hands as she coifed my hair and did the makeup. The dress for today's audience was a sky blue silk chemise with a fashionably low cut bodice. An overlay of royal blue sheer was slit and parted to show intriguing bits of pale blue as well as glimpses of leg beneath the translucent overdress. Jewelry consisted of 3 golden hair picks with sapphires, sapphire earrings, gold and sapphire necklace and matching bracelet. I decided to wear only the diamond ring Klinton had given me on my hands- clearly making a statement for His Majesty. Completing the attire, a pair of royal blue silk stilettos, matching fan and silk gloves.

Thanking Katarina, I knocked lightly on Klinton's door. The man simply takes my breath away. He was dressing in formal morning suit, white gloves, and was stunning to behold. We went down stairs to meet the others for the drive to the Kaiser's audience chamber.

*******

We arrived and were escorted to a large antichamber where there were already several of Rigel's peers waiting. We waited near one of the many statues of former Kaisers, and well away from the others. I was not of a mind to talk to them before we'd been presented. Call it superstition if you like.

Anne and Kaja both seemed slightly nervous as we were left to cool our heels and await the Kaiser's pleasure. About 30 minutes passed before the Major Domo summoned us.

I set my fingertips atop Klinton's arm as we were announced, walking behind the young lad who carried the flags of Triberg and Drachen Walde. As the lad stepped to the right off the carpeted aisle, I sank into a formal curtsey before my liege lord, Kaiser Joachim the Third.

"In Lehenstreue und Ergebenheit fuer Gott, Kaiser, und vaterland." My head bowed, I dared not move until bidden to do so.

That command was a long, long time in coming.

We stopped at our place, and with my right hand resting on Klinton's forearm, I sank into a deep curtsey as I pledged my fealty once more to my liege lord. Klinton followed suit slightly after I made my obeisance.

Silence reigned, and I was forced to maintain the frozen curtsey. From where I knelt, I could just see the Duchess out of my peripheral vision as she too dropped nearly to the floor in an elegant court curtsey. I could feel my hands tremble. This was a side Klinton and the others have never seen - subservience. I know my unease was transmitting to Klinton, but the Kaiser's silence was ominous.

At length, "it would seem that the entourage you have brought before Us have a good amount of a lack of respect Marchioness."

My head still lowered, he'd not given me leave to rise, "Forgive my liege, they are not from a homeland with such needs. Only the Duchess and I."

The Kaiser's words were cold, "yet you brought them before Us, and thus, are responsible for their actions!"

Klinton cleared his throat, and I prayed he would not speak up just yet. He'd not been introduced, and that too would be a grave insult.

I lowered my head further, "yes Liege, they are my friends, and have helped me in RhyDin." I was praying that by reminding him of the increased revenues from my expansion, he would soften some, but he did not. "So, because they are your friends, that excuses you from informing them of the proper protocol of court?"

I was deeply into the soup, "my Liege, in your vast experience, I felt you would wish to meet the real people who have helped me, rather than people who do not exist."

Klinton tensed beside me, taking several deep breaths.

I continued cautiously, "you are so often courted by false behavior. This group represents real people who have aided one of your vassals."

His voice fairly shook the hall, "REAL... because they are real does not excuse them, nor you, Marchioness, from recognizing and executing proper etiquette toward Us!"

My legs were screaming from being forced to hold the curtsey for so long. "Forgive my mistaking your desire, Sire."

At long last, "rise, We grow tired of looking at this commoner's heaving back."

We rose and as I looked up at His Royal Highness, I discovered his attention was riveted on Klinton. "Milord, my liege, "

Anne's voice broke the stillness. "It is not the Marchioness' fault. I take full responsibility for my breech in protocol. She forewarned me, and told me what was expected. I failed to comply and do what was absolutely necessary."

The Kaiser's gaze fairly shot to Anne, "did We give you permission to speak?"

I needed to keep his ire focused on me, "My lord, may I introduce these people who now stand before you?"

He, the Kaiser, remained fixed on Anne, "your complications of sight does not provide any excuse for the flapping of your tongue!" The Kaiser turned once more to me, leaving Anne in the tortuous curtsey.

"You bade me present my betrothed on this day milord." I carefully reminded him.

He glowered at me, "at this time, We have no desire to know the names of those who show no respect. It is only because of your newly raised status that We allow them to continue to stay in my presence."

"Their unfamiliarity is my failing Liege." Somehow we had to get the introductions done, or we could not go about in public!

At length, he mused, "So We did, present him then."

Relief flooded through me, and I turned slightly, resting my fingertips upon Klinton's are once more, "My Liege, may I present Mr. Klinton Caer, of RhyDin to Your Majesty?"

Klinton bowed, and the Kaiser gave a curt nod. His ire evidenced in his remaining silent. But, he'd acknowledged the introduction, which meant that Klinton could be out in public life on Rigel now.

Klinton rose, "Thank you for accepting us into your court today my Lord."

But the Kaiser was not feeling well disposed toward us, "WE do not recall accepting you!"

Klinton nodded, and I could tell he was growing ever more upset with the Kaiser, "Well then, thank you for allowing us the grace of your presence today. And please forgive my friends. Where we come from, respect is normally earned, not given blindly to those in power."

I winced.

The Kaiser's eyes smoldered, "We suggest you exercise silence before We choose to revoke Our acceptance of your marriage."

Klinton started to speak, but the threat of revocation silenced him in mid-word.

I glanced at Anne, and whispered to Cara, but Caleb was there to lift Anne from the killer position she'd held for too long.

I spoke up, "My lord, I have introduced you to my betrothed, now please meet Duchess Cara De Winter," Perhaps her proper formality would help soften him somewhat.

He studied the Duchess for long minutes as she once more gave the Kaiser a beautiful court curtsey.

I continued quickly, "and behind the Duchess Liege is Miss Anne Xile, and Mr. Caleb Feren."

Anne dropped once more into a curtsey, but Caleb remained upright. BEDAMNED!

Fire roared into the Kaiser's eyes as he watched Caleb's ongoing show of disrespect. Then he slowly swung that wrath filled gaze at me.

"Milord, they have come at our request to participate in your generosity during this time of closing the Season."

His next words sent terror into my heart. "You have brought an assassin to Court with you, Marchioness." His tone was deadly. If he chose to assume Caleb was here to make an attempt on his life, we could all be summarily executed for treason!

Cara and I both knew this, I do not know if the others realized the import of those words.

Anne's voice was meek, "that would be my fault my Lord. We shall leave Rigel if that so pleases you."

I groaned. If the Kaiser thought Caleb was here for him, we would none of us leave. Execution would be our fate.

I spoke up quickly, this HAD to be salvaged and quickly, "My Liege, these are my friends. As a Marcher, it is my right, granted by you, to extend my influence into areas normally not attempted. I claim my friends, including an assassin. And I claim them as a loyal vassal to Your Majesty."

Caleb spoke softly to Anne, but in the audience chamber, we all heard him, "no, it is not your fault. If the pompous ass can't see that I am no assassin, nor have I been for quite some time, then perhaps his royal rump can come down here and take a closer look."

Cara's eyes widened with every word, and if it was possible, she went even whiter.

The Kaiser slammed his hands down on his chair, standing in a trembling rage, "ENOUGH!"

I jumped, and I felt Klinton flinch.

Anne unwisely continued, "we will depart, your Majesty. Our paths shall not cross again."

Oh dear.

"WE said enough!" thundered the Emperor.

Anne rose and grasped Caleb's elbow as if to leave before being dismissed, and I groaned. We were all going to be locked up in the Imperial dungeons!

Caleb spoke softly to Anne, "Stay Anne."

She tore her arm away and headed for the door, turning her back on the Emperor! The Kaiser motioned for the guards to close and bar the doors just as Lucien walked out of the shadows to stand beside the Duchess. Thankfully, the Kaiser either didn't see his arrival, or chose to ignor Lucien's unorthodox appearance into the audience chamber.

"Marchioness, your action of bringing this.... thing... to Our court comes close to treason. You will report, along with this.... thing... "as he waved vaguely in the direction of Caleb.

I nodded, "If that is your wish Sire." and I can only hope and pray that Caleb will comply.

The Kaiser continued, "WE have had enough of this circus, you are all dismissed. Oh, and Marchioness, consider your house, and your guests under house arrest until this matter is cleared."

Dread whispered along my spine. House arrest was not a good sign. If this investigation went the wrong way, we might all pay an ultimate price for coming to Rigel. "So noted Majesty." I began to back away from my liege lord, never turn your back upon an emperor, it is disrespectful enough to get you shot on sight.

We returned in silence to the house, and already there was one of the Kaiser's uniformed guards standing at attention at the front door.

Baumann met us, and I explained the House arrest status, and that it included the entire staff. No one could go home, no one could leave.

Baumann nodded once as he let our guests into the library. I apologized to my friends for the situation before retreating upstairs. Closing my suite's doors, I stood looking out over the capital city as foreign feelings washed through me.

Reaching up, I felt tears slip down my cheeks.

Tears!!

I cringed inwardly as Anne said she'd go to avoid further trouble with Peers of the Realm. The Earl had sent tickets for the symphony, the very evening of the day we should be sealing vows. He sought to get her away from our private festivities. Why?

The man's timing was uncanny, or too well informed. At the moment, I leaned toward his being too well informed.

She was right though, everything depends on the house arrest situation, and with that I glanced at the silent Caleb. "We will be escorted to His Majesty at 9:00 AM, we will see him before he begins his usual audiences. I hope you will be ready and present?"

I woke with my scream of denial still reverberating in my room, and Klinton sitting on the end of the bed facing me. "Azjah - what is it babe?"

I was shaking as I told him it was a nightmare.

He moved and wrapped his arms around me, "I'd say. You're ok now."

I wasn't ok. The dream was as clear as if it had just happened again, only this time I saw the face of the man I believe murdered my parents, "I saw him this time... I saw his face this time!"

Klinton was still holding me tightly, "the dream with your parents again? You saw who's face?" His confusion was evident, I must have sounded like a raving lunatic.

Nodding, I told him the dream was of the day the yacht blew up, and again the memory of a limousine rolling slowly away with the window sliding up; but this time there was a face that I could recognize. "I can't prove anything Klinton, but I've never seen the face before in the dreams."

He nodded, "just calm down first babe. Take a few deep breaths."

I clutched the pillow hard and continued, "the Earl's face, much younger, and Anne's going with him!"

He looked at me with a bit of a start, "it was the Earl? Okay, we stop Anne. It's that simple. She'll understand. You don't have to prove anything right now."

No, I couldn't prove anything, and people would only think I was subconsciously inserting the face of a known enemy into the dreams of a tragic event. No one would believe me. The inquest had called it an accident, but it wasn't. I knew it in my heart; it was murder. But that was 16 years ago, and nothing more had ever come of the event. I'd grown up, moved on, taken over the companies, and buried the pain.

Closing my eyes, resting my head on his shoulder was soothing. "It comes back with just as much pain every time. I only wanted a week unsupervised, never a lifetime." Regret threatened to spill over, "and mother, she wouldn't be in this fix with the Kaiser."

He was slowly rubbing my back, just holding me for comfort, and I forced old memories back where they belong before telling him that Caleb would be going along. I needed to change the subject.

He nodded slightly, "good. I'm glad he's going. I will be ok."

I am not certain I agree that it's going to be ok. I reached up to lightly touch his face, assuring myself that he was quite real, "I'm not sure why you love a woman who's put you in danger twice now."

He kissed my hand, asking if I wanted him to stay the remainder of the night and I said yes. He was worried about upsetting Katarina again. Tonight, I do not care if the young woman is scandalized and he stretched out beside me, gently pulling my head onto his chest where I could hear his heart beating.

We talked about the Earl of Tuebingen when Klinton perked up, "you don't think he'd do anything to the Kaiser and try to blame it on Caleb?"

The Earl would gain nothing for himself by attacking the Kaiser. He's not in line for the throne, but if he could make it look like one of the other peers were involved, he could gain by removing a rival. This was something he was certainly capable of doing! "The Earl is up to something, I just do not know what that something is."

As I draped one leg over his, I glanced up with a grin, "Klinton?"

"Yes my dear?" as he was beginning to drift off to sleep again.

"You need to shave again." I was hard pressed not to burst into gales of laughter.

He looked down at me and laughed, "the itch has been driving me crazy. I'll be smooth for the masque, I promise."

I was chuckling as I told him he more resembled a hedgehog at the moment.

With a smile, he told me he could leave, but I would rather he stayed, and I grew serious the moment he suggested that he could go back to his own room.

Settling in next to him, I thought about his hidden grotto, the place he'd taken me for a night virtually alone, and how much I had loved it there. The fresh scent of falling water, the plant life that surrounds such a place, and the absence of humanity. Right now, I would have loved nothing more than a chance to return there, away from all of this insanity.

With a smile, he agreed it was rather nice, "perhaps we should just move there, become hermits. Make love all day, bathe in the falls, then sleep."

His words had me thinking again. It was the middle of the night, but sleep did not want to come. I looked up at him in the faintly lit room, "Boy or girl?"

He gave me an odd look, and quietly, very seriously said, "Azjah - I'm a boy."

I dropped my head onto his chest with a groan. I had never had a moment's doubt about HIM! And then the rat was laughing at me.

"So boy or girl what?", he finally asked me.

I had never broached the subject since I'd never expected to have children, and I could hear the uncertainty in my voice, "I mean, if we do survive this and go back, would you want a son or a daughter first?" For many of my friends, their spouses usually wanted sons first, and in my world, sons are usually arranged to be the first born. It keeps property and titles in the family that way.

He chuckled, he knows how much the thought of being a parent unnerves me after the debacles with Anne's children. "Ours," he finally said, adding, "that is all that matters to me. What ever is in the stars for us."

I thought about that before adding, "by the laws here, primogeniture only works for boys. If we are daughtered first, she would not necessarily inherit when we're gone."

He gave me a serene smile, "she would still be taken care of."

Yes, she would always be taken care of, but she would lose much as well, and I'm torn about that, "while we have great technology here, there are things that I wouldn't want to encumber a child with as a patrimony," I told him. When that time comes, if indeed it does, I will have to tell him that we could arrange for our first to be whichever we would prefer. The technology exists to nearly guarantee that we would get whichever sex we desire for our first born.

I was frowning as I considered our situation with the Kaiser. Klinton gave me a slow hug, "Azjah, let's live for us for awhile. We don't need kids anytime soon."

True, but I felt he should know about how inheritance works here. There is much at stake for our heirs, if there ever are any.

I hugged him back, he clearly did not want to talk about that right now, "Baumann will have your tuxedo here tomorrow to try on and a tailor to fit it while Caleb and I are with the Kaiser."

He nodded and was once more drifting toward sleep, and silence fell for a few minutes. But, sleep was still not going to come for me. "Klinton? What happened to your parents?" I knew his father had been murdered, we'd gone through that when Maddux wanted to believe that Klinton had been responsible for the assassination attempt on my life, but he'd never spoken of his mother.

He told me his mother had died when he was born, and that his father, Bensin, had never even told him her name. His father had given him no information regarding his mother. No pictures, no name, nothing. Bensin had also taught Klinton how to fence, and Klinton seemed reluctant to say much more about either of his parents.

We digressed into a discussion about whether or not we should go through with the wedding. I explained that a Writ of Dissolution would be next to impossible to obtain from the Kaiser, especially under the circumstances we now find ourselves. To seek what would be called a divorce in RhyDin would not be allowed from the Kaiser. Not for peers, and especially in our case.

I admitted to being frightened, and I feel I've disappointed him with my admission. We are both a bit frightened of what our future holds, and in the end, we fell asleep believing we are doing the right thing, but both of us being a bit frightened by the whole thing.

To say that the meeting with the Kaiser went badly would be a terrific understatement.

As Caleb and I were escorted back into my home, he walked in with rage emanating from his being. As he passed the door, he slammed it so hard, the walls shook down to the foundation.

I shot him a look after tossing my gloves onto a nearby table. "Caleb, sometimes you have to play the political games." With that, I headed for the kitchen and a cup of hot tea.

I could hear Klinton ask Caleb what had happened, and as I returned with the tea, Caleb turned rage filled eyes toward me. "The only games I play are the deadly kind. I will *not* bend a knee to some pompous ass who thinks he's put here to make puppets of whomever he sets his bloody eyes on... I will not do it to the damned Old Man, nor will I do it to anyone."

I glared back with pure ice, "we'll be dead. You just don't get it, do you? He holds all of our lives in his hand, and you want to piss him off!"

Klinton stepped between Caleb and I, "what's the story? We off house arrest or not?"

Caleb's voice took on a deadly tone, "no Azjah, you will be dead, my life is already forfeit."

I turned very slowly to look at him, "you think you can escape? Think again." The man simply refused to recognize that his actions impacted the lives of 18 other people. Either he didn't realize it through his bloody pride, or he didn't care, which was even worse.

Klinton broke the silence as he looked from Caleb to me, "I'm assuming we're still on house arrest? That's fine by me. Wouldn't have it any other way."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. His tone was all in earnest. His body language shrieked that he had already had an altercation with Anne during our absence.

"We are ordered to attend the Fete, but we are under house arrest, and we made absolutely no headway convincing him that Caleb is not here to murder him."

Caleb sneered, "the jackasses which his 'excellency' has put to guard this house are as ignorant as they come, and dumber than sh*t."

I hissed at Caleb's words, setting the porcelain cup down so hard that the saucer cracked, "you speak treason in my home with spies and guards surrounding us!" Fury at his behavior threatened to spill over further. Caleb's disrespect for a host and her liege had reached intollerable heights.

Anne entered, her voice a cold one as she told Caleb to shut up.

Caleb snarled back at me, "they want to kill me? let them come... my life means nothing."

I was shaking with pure rage, "We won't live to see tomorrow at this rate, they won't stop with just YOU!"

Anne scowled, "might as well just kill ourselves now."

Klinton gave Anne a quick glare, "what the hell Anne, I'm game, any guards want to take a shot?" His voice was rising in volume with each word he spoke.

Caleb gave me a grin as he lifted a hand to Klinton and Anne, "there you have it Azjah."

Anne sputtered, "I was being SARCASTIC Klinton!"

My gaze locked on Caleb, "you want to be cavalier with your life, that's your business, but I don't appreciate your attitude when it comes to Anne, Klinton, my staff, nor my own life."

Klinton slammed his hand against the wall, "this is total bullsh*t! I am half tempted to become an assassin myself!" His anger echoed in the room, humming dangerously with all of the rest of the angry vibrations emanating from all four of us.

Caleb's cold eyes met mine, "what you appreciate, and what you get are two different things."

I'd had about as much as I could take for one day, "Caleb, it wouldn't take much to convince him you're not here for him, but you don't give a rat's ass that you'll kill about 18 people in the process." His pride was monumental, and I've never met anyone with such an unbending personality.

Anne spoke up about that time, "you're a perfect prick, you know that? I don't want to hear, see, or know you after this, got it?"

Caleb smiled at me, "if you want to convince him, fine, but do it around me. I will not bend to him, nor anyone."

Klinton turned to me, "I'm going home."

Anne told Caleb that she couldn't believe he was going to throw away everyone's lives like this.

It was escalating into something truly horrifying.

Caleb looked hard at Anne, his voice dropping back into that deadly menace, "you have already made that perfectly clear, Xile. I hope you enjoyed your day with that jackass Earl."

Anne turned bright crimson, "I've got no idea what you're talking about."

I looked hard at Klinton, we would have to talk later about the fact that he cannot just go home. I thought he understood that we are the virtual prisoners of the Kaiser now. "What Earl?"

Caleb continued, "do I not? did he not arrive just as we left? did he not leave before we arrived?"

Klinton looked at me, "Tuebingen came here today. Anne spent the afternoon with him."

Worry flooded through me, "oh no." I couldn't believe that Baumann had let him in to see Anne, nor that she'd spent the afternoon with the man. The only good thing right now is that she cannot leave the property, and Tuebingen wouldn't dare try anything under this roof.

Anne's voice cut sharply into everyone's thoughts, "Just shut up Caleb! Just shut up. I spent an afternoon with him, so sue me. So kill me!"

His voice was barely above a whisper, "I have no need to. You have done so yourself, and with you, me."

Klinton spoke up, "Anne, I could care less that you spent the afternoon with him. I'm asking you to stop speaking to him, as of right now."

Caleb turned and gave me a look filled with pain, "that Marchioness, is why my life is forfeit."

Anne was scowling, "last time I checked I didn't kill either of us Caleb. Yeah, I made some stupid mistakes yesterday, but I'm willing to fix relations with the Kaiser."

Caleb moved toward the door that he'd slammed shut earlier with an expression that said he'd said too much to me.

Klinton gave him a half smile, "care for a game of Russian Roulette?"

Anne puzzled a moment, "through all the arguing, I don't get how I'm the reason his life is forfeit."

I told her that Caleb needed to tell her. It wasn't my place to point out that the man was taken with Anne, and her actions with the Earl had pretty much just driven a stake through his heart.

Klinton was fuming as he said "let's just leave. We can start over. Forget the royalty."

I sighed, none of them understood. "You can't go home Klinton, I wish you could. I wish you all could return to RhyDin. It was wrong for me to bring any of you."

"Azjah, we are not married yet. I can leave." He was prepared to just walk out, and his words stomped on my heart. He believed he could just walk away from me and return to his old life in RhyDin. I wish he could, but he doesn't understand the danger he is in right now.

"Klinton, house arrest means you can't get off world. You'd be arrested the moment you set foot off the property for unlawful flight!" He'd have added charges, and in an imperial world, he could be deprived of life or liberty for that offense.

His ire was rising, "and when arrested, what happens? Eventually they'd just want to be rid of me."

Tiredly I told him that he would be at His Majesty's discretion. He wasn't listening to me, there was little more point in belaboring the danger further.

He continued, "that, or I will make a request to the Kaiser to simply leave and never return. I think he'd be glad to be rid of me."

Anne added that she thought the Kaiser would be glad to be rid of us all.

They do not fathom that our house arrest for possible treason is grounds for execution. Attempted flight to avoid the charges would compound the problem to the point that execution was more likely than not. The Kaiser is not going to simply let them go. "You don't understand, any of you. An Emperor doesn't look at it like that. We don't have the same rights and privileges you're used to in RhyDin. Cara could tell you."

I glanced at Caleb, "please come back here and explain to Anne. It's going to take all of us to get out of this."

Caleb's voice was hoarse, "explain what? I have made it clear time and again, yet she is blind to it."

Anne sounded resigned, "Caleb, I've asked you to explain so many times. Subtle hints don't work. I'm sorry that I'm an idiot, but I'm blind, heck, I've got suspicions, but I've learned that assumptions make a mess of things."

Klinton shook his head at me. "This is the stupidest thing I've ever done. Just stupid."

I paused, wondering what he believed was so stupid, but Anne continued before I could ask him.

"So unless you come straight out on bended knee and tell me what I've been waiting to hear, then no, I'm not going to believe anything! I can't ficken propose to you. And screw it, I'm not waiting forever."

I gave Anna a smile she couldn't see, "Anne, while Caleb can't seem to say it himself, he's taken with you. Seriously taken."

Caleb was being spiteful, "you've made that perfectly clear today Xile."

Anne was nearly in tears, "Oh stink, one afternoon of enjoyment without you and you go all jealous and throw away everything. I don't have a ring on my finger in case you hadn't noticed." She rose and walked out as Klinton siad, "you want a ring Anne? Take hers." meaning my engagement ring. So, he was breaking off our engagement.

I held together, long enough to suggest to Caleb that he go after Anne.

He looked at me, and his eyes took on a dark blue glow, "you want to see political games Marchioness? Then games you will have." With that he was gone.

I watched him depart, taking a second to compose my thoughts before facing Klinton, "did you mean that?"

He was seated on the floor, where he'd slid down the wall earlier, "I don't know what I mean Azjah. This is insane. I'm not doing it anymore."

In that moment, realization hit me. My friends, and the love of my life were not cut out for this world. I had no right to expect them to go through this. "If you will excuse me?" And I turned to go to my rooms.

He said only one word, "go."

I went upstairs, closing the door to my suite and began to draft a petition to the Kaiser. Several drafts later, I sealed it and called Katarina. I slipped the ring from my finger, handing it to her with instructions that she deliver it to Klinton, and the missive to Baumann, who would see it delivered by special courier to the Kaiser.

I locked my doors, all of them, and changed into silk robe. The night air was chill, but not as cold as I felt inside.

A knock came at my door, but there was no point in answering. He wanted to go home. He'd reminded me that we were not married, he could leave if he wanted to do so. He'd told Anne she could have my ring. He'd been clear. He wanted me out of his life.

The door knob rattled, and I told him to go away. The next thing I heard was someone trying to knock the door down! It could only be Klinton. I turned toward the door, hoping the lock would hold. "Go AWAY!"

He hit the door again, and the wood gave a sickening 'crack'. He was hurting himself with each slam against my door, and my will power was rapidly disappearing.

I ran from the balcony and leaned against the door, "Klinton, stop this, you got what you wanted."

He stopped slamming his weight against the rapidly weakening door, and I heard him slide to the floor with a groan, "I didn't want the ring back Azjah..... I just wanted you to take the cash."

I unlocked the door and threw it open, "You are beyond a cad!"

He looked up at me, "this is just too much Azjah."

I walked into the hallway, noting that his shoulder was dislocated. "Come on, you need some help to get that put back in place."

He shook his head, "I'm not movin'"

I knelt beside him, "I've sent a message that should let you go home. Why not?"

He looked long and hard at me, "When I get up from this spot, you and I will be done forever, OR, together forever. And I'm not getting up until it is one or the other."

My surprise was written in my face. "You made it rather clear that you wanted nothing more to do with me."

He nodded, "and yet, here I am."

"Yes, here you are with a dislocated shoulder."

"And a ring."

"I sent the Kaiser ..." my words cut off as he reminded me that he now had my ring.

He sought to reach into his pocket, but could not reach it, "Right there, in that pocket. What'd you send him?"

Taking a deep breath, hoping he wouldn't ask too many questions, "an offer."

"An offer of what?" he pressed.

"An offer to allow everyone to go back to RhyDin."

He looked suspiciously at me, "and what exactly would have to take place for that?"

I shrugged, "only what I have to offer him. It doesn't matter, come on, let's get you up."

He wasn't accepting my explanation, "I'm not satisfied that we've met the requirements for me to move yet. What did you offer?"

"A couple of things, my titles, my holdings. This isn't good for you to remain here."

He studied me closely, "so you give all that up, you and I go back to RhyDin, and we are together forever?"

I gave him a slow look, "I may not be allowed to leave, but if I am, yes."

He remained firmly planted on the floor, "then I can't move yet, can I? What's the story?"

I settled cross legged on the floor with him, "I offered the Kaiser my life and holdings in exchange for letting the rest of you go. Now will you let me help you up?"

He shut his good eye slowly, "so, we are done then? For good?"

I don't have any answers at the moment, "I don't know, but it's not what I wanted."

He remained stubbornly seated, "I have an idea - blame Caleb. Tell the Kaiser he sent it."

I gave him a horrified look, "I can't do that."

He sat there looking at me, "Okay, then tell him the truth, and that you didn't mean it."

I sighed, "it was the only thing I could think of to assure that you all get out of here. It will take all of us Klinton to make this turn out, but we're not working together."

He agreed, and asked me if I had any ideas how to get us to work together. I didn't. The only thing I knew for certain was that he was going to go into shock if I didn't get him off the floor.

"So where are we Azjah?"

I sighed, "we are where we were before this all went to Hades. Under house arrest with Caleb having fallen for Anne, and my having fallen for you, and none of us seeming to be able to keep it together."

He began to struggle to his feet, "kindly remove the ring from my pocket."

I leaned close enough to retrieve it.

"What does it mean to you?"

I looked at him after studying the ring I held once more, "It means a promise of love and fidelity."

He nodded, "do you want to put it back on your finger?"

"I never wanted to take it off, but it seemed you wanted me to."

He gave me a slight frown, "if we are going to spend the rest of our lives together, please learn to not take my anger literally. If I were to break it off, I would not do it in a fury."

"Alright, does that mean you're staying?"

He smirked slightly, "Is there any way to get you and still leave?"

I handed him the ring back, "No, how about you put this where it belongs?"

He slid it onto my finger and then asked me for a doctor.

Baumann sent for the physician.

Caleb had vanished, and I hope he's found Anne.

The physician had treated Klinton and he was resting comfortably, so I retreated into my rooms. Now I have to hope the Kaiser will reject my offer. A long sigh whispered from me as I sat on the chaise on the balcony in the darkness.

A form shimmered into visibility, and Lucien's voice whispered with a velvet caress, "Marchioness, the message has been retrieved." Lucien handed me an unopened parchment.

I've stopped asking Lucien and Gabriel how they always know when to intervene, and when not to. They never give me a straight answer anyway.

He stood there looking at me with black, predator's eyes.

"Go ahead Lucien, what's on your mind?"

We spoke for the next several hours about the situation with the Kaiser, and the Earl of Tuebingen, and Caleb. I am forever grateful Lucien is on my side.

The abysmal morning turned into afternoon much too quickly, and soon Katarina was hounding me to begin preparations for the masque. She fussed and hovered until I could delay no longer and I headed for my rooms.

I had asked her to send help to both Cara and Anne, so that we could all be ready to leave together. Cara would probably welcome the help. I am not so certain Anne will welcome the extra hands and pampering that goes along with preparing for such an event.

As I entered my rooms, the scent of ginger and orange wafted from the hot water drawn for my bath. HEAVEN! I sank into the deep pool of scented water with a grateful sigh. The heat of the water melted into my body, drawing the tension from it almost magically. Katarina set about shampooing my hair with a ginger scented liquid, and I closed my eyes in sardanapalian bliss as her fingers massaged through my hair. If there is heaven on Rigel, it is just like this moment in suspended time!

All too soon though, Katarina rinsed my hair, and held out the warmed bath sheet. My respite from the world was over. She worked more ginger scented oil into my skin and then she began drying and working on my hair, and I confess she is a gifted woman! She made my hair do things I would never have dreamed of to compliment the Harpy Eagle feathers that would be worked into the coiffure next. The effect was stunning.

Makeup was next, and we'd just begun discussing the right shades and tones when a frantic maid entered, "Marchioness! Please come quickly! We could not get an answer from Miss Xile's room, and when we entered, we found her - sleeping, but we cannot awaken her!"

I rose quickly, pulling a silk robe about me as Lucien appeared, "she is drugged, her blood is reeking of sleeping compounds," he told me softly. His expression said that the sleeping compound was too high a concentration to be simply a sleep aid.

I looked at my old friend; he would not mistake something like that in her blood. Such things absolutely reek to a vampire. The question now, did she do this herself, or did someone do this to her?

I sent Baumann for Klinton as I hurried to Anne's room.

Anne slowly began to rouse, a hazy ?sorry? slipped from her lips.

?Anne!? We needed to keep her working toward consciousness.

?ANNE!?

The physician came through the door, escorted by Baumann. He was given the vial of pills that remained, and made an examination of her condition, he drew an injection that he assured us would counter the effects of her apparent overdose.

He waited until Anne was lucid, checking her vital signs to make certain she had no reaction to his medication. He asked Anne several questions that I had wanted to ask, and then discovered that while she?d erred in judgment, there hadn?t been a serious attempt to end her life. She would be alright physically. It?s the emotional aspect that concerns me.

Anne has been through hell and back, it is bound to take its toll on her psyche.

I was prepared to disobey the Kaiser?s command and stay home with Anne, but I was reminded by Cara that to disobey him would bring severe penalties. As we debated who would stay, Anne announced that she intended to go to the fete. The antidote the physician had given her had brought her around quickly.

We had 5 hours until we had to be at the Imperial residence. It was going to be a very long night.

Silke stayed with Anne to help her get ready, as I exited her rooms to return to mine. Klinton was standing just outside Anne?s door, and his expression reiterated what he?d said last night, ?this is insane, I?m going home.?

I wish with all my heard I had not brought people I care about here, into this intrigue and rivalry. They say hind sight is 20/20, mine is more like 20/10.

Katarina was speaking with a young man I have not seen previously, but as I entered, he gave me a quick how and departed.

?Who was that Katarina??

She fidgeted a bit, ?my brother madam.?

I seated myself once again, ?Please do not allow him into my suite again.? I am not convinced that was all he was, but for the moment, I had to let it go.

We finished evening makeup and dressing. We had 2 hours to go when Katarina proclaimed me ready for the fete. I am going to have a splitting headache before the night is through.

Arriving in the library, I found Lucien waiting, resplendent in black tuxedo, snow white shirt, and the feathered mask of an Emperor Penguin. With a wave of his hand, he closed the library doors, ?Marchioness, Mr. Feren is not currently upon your property.? Lucien tends to be sparse with words, but those words froze my blood in my veins.

?Can anything else go wrong?? It was a rhetorical question, and true to Lucien form, he did not reply. ?Do we know where Mr. Feren has gone??

?No madam, I have not alerted anyone to search for him. That is the fasted way to assure news of his disappearance reaches the Kaiser.? Lucien could follow, but he remained here.

A knock at the library door produced Cara as I bade her enter.

Cara was resplendent in her golden eagle costume. The colors suited her complexion beautifully. A more regal look would be very difficult to achieve. She would turn heads when we got to the fete. ?Good afternoon Duchess, you look beautiful!?

Lucien remained mute. I realized that Cara could not see him standing across from me, and with an internal sigh, I realized that Lucien is all business and none will see him. I only wonder how close he plans to stick to me.

As everyone began to gather in the library, I prayed for an uneventful evening ahead of us.

The Fete was reasonably uneventful so far, Anne had gone to dance with Kendrick, which did not sit well with Klinton, Cara, or myself. But she is an adult who must make her own choices.

As the evening drew slowly onward, I began to believe we might get out of this night with our heads still attached to our bodies.

But that hope for a quiet night was not going to come to fruition. Klinton and I had just finished the third dance of the second set when a blood curdling scream rent the night.

the music stopped and pandemonium erupted shortly thereafter. Someone had been murdered, here at the fete. The doors were sealed and barred as the Kaiser's guard cordoned off the murder scene.

Where was Caleb? I had not seen him since last eve, but Lucien grew tense, moving close to my side. "He is here."

Great. We have a dead young woman, and Caleb is here. What else can go wrong tonight? Never mind, I really do not want to know.

Klinton slipped an arm around me as we waited. Lucien shot me a look as Klinton had accidentally brushed against Lucien who was still unseen by everyone but me. We would all be searched until the murder weapon was found, despite the cloth in Marica's hands having an identifiable owner, it was not guarantee that The Earl of Tuebingen had slain her.

The Kaiser was furious. His masque had been marred by a murder of a peer under his roof. The guilty person, when found, will not have it go well for them. The Kaiser's wrath would brook no leniency.

Cara, , Klinton and I were searched, and no weapons were found. We knew we hadn't done it, but now we were being ushered out of the grand ballroom. Where was Anne? We could not leave without her, and in the throng of people trying to leave, I could not see her anywhere.

There was a collective gasp as silence fell over the Peers. At the top of the stairs stood Anne - with a bloody knife at her throat, and the Earl of Tuebingen holding her hostage.

His voice carried over the crowd, "I did not kill Marica! Someone else did, and planted this knife on me."

The guards were trying to coax him into releasing Anne, but he wasn't buying their offers of safe conduct out of the Palace.

The Earl's men surrounded him, and they backed toward the door with Anne their reluctant companion.

Where the hell was a good sniper when you needed one?

I lay beside my betrothed, recalling the evening.

I had needed to tell Klinton what was going on after meeting with the Prince. We were on very dangerous footing, and the intrigue I'd worried about had become not just potentially spite filled, but actually had become a deadly serious thing.

He had been waiting for my return, and his scowl said it all. Excusing us from the Duchess, I tried to get him onto the dance floor where we could talk with less concern over being eavesdropped upon. His face was as though someone had carved it in granite, "I'm not even going to touch what just happened here yet Azjah." He motioned to the dance floor where Anne had been dancing with Kendrick. "I think you should see that first."

I had leaned closer to him "come dance with me that we can talk?" My gaze slid over the Earl as he moved evenly across the floor.

He'd stood his ground, not moving toward the dance floor, "so what do we do?"

I'd told him that I did not know, Anne is an adult, but that I had been right, people did not believe me when I'd said the Earl was responsible for my parents deaths.

He'd shaken his head, "She digs her own grave."

I had reached for his hand, "you're angry, but we should not stand here to talk." I had shivered hoping his words about Anne would not prove to be prophetic.

He had at last taken my hand, "now, you plan to tell me what that was all about?"

I set my other hand upon his shoulder, following his lead as we picked up the waltz, and we kept as far from other people as we could, preventing anyone from overhearing our conversation. I'd told him about the Prince's warning, and how Cara, Anne and I have inadvertently proclaimed ourselves to be in the Prince's court.

His hold on my hand had tightened the more I said, until he was actually hurting me as he finally asked if I wanted to hear his thoughts, which, of course, I did and do.

As we'd finished discussing the nuances of the Prince's words, that blood curdling scream had rent the air. Klinton stopped quickly, looking for Anne, but neither of us had seen her in those first minutes. We made our ways back to Cara, but she'd not seen her either.

We'd been searched and were being ushered out when Anne and Kendrick had appeared on the stairs. Lucien had been at my side, and would not leave my side and go rescue Anne. He told me Caleb was here. But no more.

The Duchess of Hanover, the murdered girls' mother was inconsolable.

I have to hope Caleb can get Anne back from the madman that has shown his hand tonight.

The Triberg Maybach pulled up and we were forced into the car, and the ride back to the house was silent. As we exited the car, I whispered at Lucien, "You COULD have gone after her. I do not need a babysitter!"

Klinton turned on me, "Azjah, I'm sorry that I didn't go after her. I'm more concerned about losing you! I warned her about him. You did as well. You want me to risk my neck now?"

He was clearly angry, and I had been startled that he'd heard me, "No, I?." But he continued on, "If you want a hero, you have me. If you want a hero for your friends, you have to look elsewhere."

I pulled the silk wrap tightly around myself, "I was not talking to you Klinton. You wouldn't know where to go to look for her, not here on Rigel."

He'd thrown his hands up, "then who WERE you talking to Azjah? Your invisible friend?"

I winced at his choice of words, because usually only children have invisible friends, "actually, yes." I had paused midway up the stairs as he said, "this could not get any weirder Azjah. I can't believe I'm saying this, but?.SHOW YOURSELF!"

If he thought this was weird, it would be a very long night for my future husband. There was no help for it now, "there's something you should probably know about vampires Klinton," as Lucien slowly faded into the visible spectrum. "He's been with me all night."

Klinton nodded as Lucien appeared. "Okay, well, go find Anne now!" His command was addressed to Lucien, and I waited for the pending explosion.

Lucien had turned those cold, black, souless eyes on Klinton, "with all due respect Mr. Caer, I cannot."

Klinton's nervous chuckle belied his endeavor to appear cool and collected beneath that look that could make most people's blood run cold, "Oh, I'm just dyin' to hear this explanation."

Lucien never moved a muscle, "I explain only because of who you are Mr. Caer. I have made a promise and a vow not to leave the Marchioness' side, for any reason. There is too much going on to allow me to break that vow."

I had winced, if Klinton pushed, he'd find out that Lucien literally meant what he said, and I'm not certain that Klinton realizes the extent of that vow.

"Shall we go inside before we continue this discussion?" Standing on the entry with the Kaiser's guards around didn't strike me as the place to have this discussion, and I prayed fervently that we would not continue this thread, but that was not to be. Klinton had opened the door, letting us into the library before he began anew.

"And when was this vow made?" His voice was taking on a dangerous edge, which in a professional swordsman, is not something to be taken lightly.

Lucien was deliberately moving with complete silence. "It was made the day we arrived here, and the interview with the Kaiser. I was there."

Klinton shook his head and wanted to know who the vow was made with. He was not getting the answers he wanted, and I suspect he wasn't liking where his intuition was taking him at the moment.

I'd moved before the fireplace, I was suddenly quite chilled as Lucien told him it was a vow between brothers.

Klinton visibly grew suspicious as a dawning lit up his features, "so at night, when I am with Azjah?"

Lucien gave him a feral smile, "I have been at every meeting, at every function, of every move she's made."

I wanted to end this discussion. Lucien was having too much fun tormenting Klinton's worst imaginations, and that drove him to ask questions of Lucien that were better left unasked. "Klinton, he has not been in the room with us, but, well?."

He turned abruptly toward me, "well what?"

Lucien finished for me, "What the Lady is telling you Mr. Caer is that no matter where I am in the house, I will hear anything said.
Even whispers. There simply are no secrets where Gabriel and I go."

Klinton gave me a long look, "and you have known of this?" He was clearly struggling to retain his composure.

"Well, yes. I have rather gotten used to that about them. I mean, we've been together for so many years, I just don't give it much thought any more?. And even at night, well, they're not interested in human females, sooo? I am so used to seeing them?."

Klinton's temper snapped as he spun around to face my too close guardian, "You will excuse me Lucien, but I just don't have enough to buy an engagement ring for you as well."

Lucien remained nonplussed, "My purpose Mr. Caer, is protection of those I have promised to protect, and you would definitely not like being mated to me." His smile was dark and very unfriendly.

"Klinton, it's not like that."

He remained fixated on Lucien, "then you need to stay the hell away sometimes! Because otherwise I may as well be mated to you!"

Lucien met his anger coolly, "you will not find me in your bedchamber unless you abuse the Lady." And with that, Lucien faded from Klinton's sight.

"Well, your secret's out Lucien, I know you're here, so what's the point? Just trying to be a harder target to hit?"

Lucien's voice was cold, "the point is that I learn far more about people and their true intentions and motives when they forget I am around."

I tried to diffuse the situation by telling him that it is not their fault that their hearing is so good, but Klinton held up one finger to me, forestalling further discussion. He was not ready to let Lucien go just yet. "I assume then that you have questioned, and are still questioning my motives?"

Lucien solidified with frightening rapidity as he took a menacing step toward Klinton, his voice a low hiss, "if I ever, for one moment suspected you of having ill intentions, I would snuff out your life." The complete lack of guilt made that threat all the more unnerving to me. He would do it if ever he thought Klinton was a threat.

By that point, I'd had enough. Klinton and Lucien were squared off, neither one willing to yield, "you seem to disapprove of my presence, I thought it might be easier for you if you could not see me." Lucien finally told him.

Klinton was still furious, "I am just curious as to how long this has gone on? The waterfall, were you there? Oh, and trust me, I am much more disapproving of your lack of visible presence."

Lucien leaned against the door, "of course I was there. If I am not, Gabriel is. One of us has been within calling distance since?" his voice trailed off. He'd said more than he'd meant to say, and just realized it.

I softly admitted to Klinton that I can always see them.

He turned then, "did you want a cookie? So what else?"

I was puzzled, "a, a cookie?"

"You seem too pleased. I feel like I should give you a prize for being able to see them at all times. What else? What other surprises are there? Cameras everywhere I assume?"

He was edging toward a hysteria of sorts, and I frowned, "well, it's not so much pleased as it is that you should understand that even though others cannot see them if they wish, I can, so we can't be entirely snuck up on."

Lucien added, "cameras are not needed."

Klinton glared at the space where he'd last seen Lucien, "Right - the invisible cameras are with us at all times."

"There are higher tech ways of knowing whom is where." Lucien's voice held a hint of humor.

"I suppose there's a computer somewhere with Azjah's exact location at all times?" His suspicion was growing with each moment.

Lucien sounded slightly put out now, "of course. That was done when she exchanged her life for yours." It was a deliberate reminder of a time we both wanted so much to bury.

This was going places I didn't want to go. "We're not here to discuss this, are we? Isn't Anne our priority?"

Klinton remained adamant, "I want to know what else. What else has been done to pry into MY personal life?"

I didn't turn around to face him, "you have a homing device implanted under your skin. They know where we are at any moment. It was necessary to make certain something like that never happens again." Even now, I cannot talk too plainly about the Raavich affair. There are some things that can never be discussed.

He shook his head, informing me that this whole thing was infuriating.

At that point, I'd faced him, "did you want them to let you be grabbed again? Only this time, maybe we couldn't get you back?"

He gave me a pleading look, "I want to live my life Azjah! That includes occasional surprises. I cannot believe you have not told me these things!"

Lucien spoke up, "you have entered a dangerous world Mr. Caer. One you do not fully understand. Our job is to make sure the surprises are not deadly ones."

I walked over to stand before him, well within his personal space, "what can't you live in your life now that you know about the homing device? What has changed?" I held out my arm, pointing to a small bump on the inside of my elbow, "If I removed this, what would I gain?"

His hand raised abruptly, as if he would strike me, "I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN!!"

Lucien's preternatural speed put him between Klinton and I with a snarl rippling through the room.

"Azjah, there is NOTHING sacred with us! NOTHING!"

Shock must have registered in my features as he stepped back. "And if Anne had one, we would be able to go after her, wouldn't we?" Then softly adding, "that's not true" to his accusation that nothing was sacred between us.

He was well and truly struggling with what he'd learned, "Sand castles and dreams Azjah. If you don't remember, ask Lucien, I'm sure he'll clue you in."

I wrapped both arms around myself, "Life has to have dreams Klinton. We all need sand castles and dreams."

In a dejected tone, he told me that at some point, all of his seemed to wash away.

Very softly, I suggested that they washed away to be rebuilt again, or improved, but always to be rebuilt.

He looked down at me, "I'm scrambling here Azjah. The foundation of my world is washing away. This is not easy for me." He was literally pulling his hair at this point.

I stepped around a very, very angry vampire who then faded from sight, "don't let it wash away Klinton. We have each other, and that's something I hold very dear. You were an unexpected blessing to me."

"I cannot blindly accept this." He muttered.

"What would you have me do differently?" At that point, I would have done anything in my power to take away his pain.

He shook his head, "tell them to stop."

I sighed, "even I do not have that power over them."

"Oh, fantastic. So they chose you?" came his sarcastic quip.

"Something like that." Came my reluctant admission. We were going to go into how all this came about, I could feel it in the air.

He sighed deeply, "I want you to tell me everything. Tell me where you met them. Tell me everything. I have all night."

Where to begin? I leaned against a sofa, "there is not much to tell really, I was travelling, which is something I have done since my parents died. One of my stops was on Auriga. It was just before dawn, and a crowd was gathered in the public square."

Lucien's disembodied mutter slithered across the room.

I shot a look at him before continuing, "two beaten and battered men were tied with silver embedded rope to a burning pyre. Chants of 'burn them' were echoing in the streets. They were waiting for the sun to come up, and were going to let the sun light torment them before they lit the pyres. I couldn't let that happen."

Lucien spoke up, "you left out a few details."

I gave him a dismissive wave of my hand, "I took them from Auriga, gave them back their lives, for such IS what they have, even though they are what many consider 'undead'."

Klinton simply nodded, "Azjah, when would you have told me about them? About them being around all the time?"

Lucien wasn't going to leave well enough alone, "let us see, you came in alone, faced an angry mob of about 200 to protect two creatures that were nearly unidentifiable at that point, from people who thought had been preying on the innocents of their village. You stood up for us in front of all of that, AND managed to get two mangled bodies out of there before the sun could fry us."

Klinton nodded, "I do not question the abilities or amazingness of my future bride."

I walked a slow circle in the room, "in truth Klinton? Probably never, but not for the reasons you might think."

He gave me a slow nod, "that's not going to re-assure me Azjah." And he stepped toward the door, where Lucien stood blocking his path, but he could not see him.

"The reason I probably would not have told you is because I assumed you knew the powers vampires have."

He stopped, "well, I didn't. We gonna have another argument like this in another week when I find out something else I should have known?"

I shook my head, "I didn't know that Klinton. Their abilities to hear the faintest whispers, or to vanish from sight is generally well known. I didn't question what you may or may not have known about them."

He ran his hand through his hair, "every time I get this figured out, there's another loop. You tell me what to do. Just tell me what you want me to do. Because honestly, I have no clue anymore."

I walked over, wrapping my arms around his waist, "I want you to be the man I love. I want you to be happy, and I want you to know that all of this becomes transparent to you. It has to. Now you know why I hated the idea of security at the Palazzo so much."

He gave me a skeptical look, "what if it doesn't become transparent?"

Lucien wasn't helping, "do you see me now? I'd call that pretty transparent."

I groaned, "go away Lucien."

Klinton growled, "I will always know you are there. Or at least that you could be. And no matter what, I will always think of that as I make love to Azjah. And any other aspect of life."

I turned deep crimson, "it's onerous right now, without a doubt, but when we get back to RhyDin, we have less of this to face."

He glanced at me, "I'm assuming when we're married I will be followed as well?"

What he didn't know was that he already was being monitored and followed. "Would you want them to stop watching me once we're married? I know I feel better knowing you will be watched over. That no one can steal you away from me again."

Lucien grew serious, seeing how badly Klinton was taking the news of his abilities. "Mr. Caer, you have made love to the Marchioness a number of times. The only difference is that now you know Gabriel and I know precisely what you are doing. How does anything change once you are married?"

While I know Lucien was just using logic, he wasn't helping. "Lucien - OUT!"

Klinton glowered at me, "I rest my case Azjah. NOTHING is sacred. Now, what we have to come to terms with is whether or not our relationship is still worth that. When we lose what is sacred."

I closed my eyes, "Klinton? If what we have is the real thing, then coming to terms with knowing that what we do is common knowledge in any royal or peer home should be possible. Nothing is kept as private as you are used to in a home where there are servants and house staff coming and going at all hours of the day and night."

He turned away, "what are we gonna do about Anne?"

"Lucien said Caleb was at the masque? we?re going to wait." There was little else we could do at the moment.

He turned a startled look at me, "Caleb was there? She'll be fine."

His faith in Caleb helped take some of the strain away, and we spoke about Caleb and wondered what he might do to Kendrick right now, and too soon there was a lull in the conversation.

"Klinton? Please don't give up on me, on us, because the life that you knew is changed and become something less private."

He remained unmoving, "I will always wish for more privacy. And I will always complain about it. I can guarantee you that. But, I will always love you, and that will always prevail. And I will NEVER, EVER hit you."

Lucien's voice came as if from a distance, "No, you will not."

I gave him a wry smile, "I know that Klinton, I never thought you really would."

He winked then, "unless in the rings. They're fair game." He walked toward me, enveloping me within his arms, "Lucien, would you like to tuck us in?"

I stifled a giggle, this was Klinton's way of coming to grips with what he'd learned tonight.

Lucien's dry reply, "do humans like being buried in the ground?"

Klinton shrugged, "when they are dead, I suppose."

"Tuck yourself in."

We'd left the library as I suggested that he not push Lucien too hard, but as we curled up together to get a bit of sleep while we wait for news of Anne, he baited Lucien again - "good night Lucien".

I fell asleep knowing we could adapt together.

I woke with the sun glittering in through the window. I was alone, and I reached for the crumpled paper Klinton had finally dropped to the floor last night. Smoothing it out, I re-read the document. The woman identified herself as Janelle Fordice, and she claimed to be Klinton's mother. The details were sketchy, but if there was a chance this was genuine, we needed to have it investigated.

"Lucien?" I knew he could hear me, and as I tossed back the comforter and grabbed the silk robe from the floor, he walked out of the shadows.

"Good morning Marchioness. I assume you want to speak about that document you have in your hands?"

Sometimes the twins abilities to hear, and scan minds is annoying, but he is correct. "Yes, would you please ask Gabriel to check this out? Ask him to go to Lu'an and discreetly see what he can discover. If this Janelle Fordice is Klinton's mother, and if she is still alive, we should know about it. Mr. Caer does not believe we should investigate this, so please keep your work limited to my ears only."

Lucien gave me a grin that exposed the long canine teeth. "You didn't have to tell me. I heard you both quite clearly."

I threw one of the pillows at him as he faded from the visible spectrum, and just as Klinton knocked and walked through the door separating our rooms.

I'd just thrown a pillow at Lucien's dissolving form when Klinton walked through the door that joins our suites together, "Everything OK?" I spun around in surprise, "Just emphasizing a point with Lucien. How do you feel today?"

He gave me an odd little smirk, "Ahhh, so Lucien was here? I'm alright, a bit of a headache, not too bad though. You kept me from going too far."

I laid the paper on the table behind me, "Well, are you objecting to my methods?" and I walked toward him, "Yes, Lucian was here for a moment, we needed to talk."

He smiled, admitting that he couldn't really complain about my methods, and I confessed that I enjoyed the outcome myself. He walked toward my bed, seating himself at the foot while I rang for a morning tray. "What did you talk about?"

Well, there it was, and this was going to be a long, hard discussion. "Your mother."

He nodded, "Oh yeah, I guess he heard everything. Did you find that paper by the way? I can't remember what I did with it." Then almost as an afterthought, "What'd you tell him about my mother?"

I told him the paper was on the table, and that he'd dropped it last evening. He glanced at the paper, and noticed that it was smoothed out, inquiring if I'd read it.

I went to the balcony doors, looking out into the brilliant morning light before opening them to let in the crisp morning air. "I didn't need to tell him much. He heard everything we said. And yes, I did read it, I had to make sure I had the details."

He nodded thoughtfully before asking me why I needed more details, and he flushed while he waited for my answer. I think he suspected that I'd done precisely what I have done. So, I changed the subject, telling him the tailor would be here today, would he have time to meet him?

He rose, following me to the balcony, "why did you need the details again?"

Well, there was no help for it now, "I'm sending Gabriel to find out more. I needed to be certain he had as much information as I could give him. Lucien's already been in touch with him. We discussed this last night Klinton."

He bit his lip hard, "Yes. We did discuss it. It was not supposed to happen."

The maid had come with the morning tray, and I bade her enter, letting her set it down and withdraw before turning to face him once more. "You didn't want to know last night, but you were angry, and well into that scotch. Besides, Lucien heard everything and agrees with me that we should at least investigate the possibility."

He spoke softly, "I was perfectly sober when I made that decision, and I am perfectly sober now, and the decision stands. And I don't give a f*#$ if Lucien agrees or not."

He had not ever used profanity with me, and his tone utterly belied the anger I felt rising swiftly within him. "You were angry, and you're going to want to know someday if it was valid or not. Besides, Gabriel is already in Lu'an."

He was screaming at this point, something else I'd never seen before, "It was NOT your decision to make!!!" He grabbed the morning tray and hurled it out the balcony doors, and I could hear the plates and cups shatter as they hit the ground 3 stories below.

Trying to maintain a sense of calm logic, I continued, "Klinton, it is my decision to make when I'm looking out for your interests. Logic dictates that we find out. Information is vital, and if you don't want to know the outcome, fine, but I do."

"SHUT UP Azjah. You had no right to do that...NONE! You know D@#$ well that you went completely against my wishes. It is not always about YOU Azjah. I'm sick of changing my plans. Of changing my lifestyle. It doesn't matter what I say anymore. You do whatever the hell you want."

I walked straight up to him, fury glittering in my eyes, "I will not 'shut up' and I have every right! That upset you and we need to know if it is real or not. Yes, I DO do whatever the hell I want. It's who I am Klinton, and you should bloody well know that by now."

He took on a deliberate tone, accentuating each syllable, "It...Was....Not... Real!" His voice dropped to become very soft again, "You'd better get things cleared with the Kaiser. I'm leaving as soon as possible."

My gaze narrowed slightly "You know your life would change drastically when you proposed to me. You knew I was a take charge person. It might not be real, but we should know for certain and not assume."

He pushed by me, brushing hard against my shoulder as he did so in a deliberate attempt to intimidate me with his sheer size, "real or not, it doesn't matter."

I held my ground as best I could, "I'll do my best to get you released from the Kaiser's house arrest. What you do from there is up to you."

He announced that he was going to pack his bags. I quirked a brow at him, asking what would happen next, did he plan on leaving before tomorrow? The day we were to seal vows before the Arch Bishop in the Kaiser's cathedral.

"I'm leaving as soon as possible" came his terse reply.

That wasn't good enough, "That does not answer the root question Klinton. If you were released today, would you walk out that door?"

He turned to face me, "what do you think Azjah? You make all my other decisions for me."

I studied him for long minutes, "I think you would, but what I think, and what is reality are not always the same." Lowering my voice, I added that I did not make all of his decisions for him.

He practically snorted, "Yeah, well, you've done a pretty good job of making them for me so far. You had no right to do that, and you know it."

An argumentative demon reared it's head, "You've done a pretty good job of making your own decisions Klinton, it's just that we don't always agree. I have every right to look out for you, even when you don't think I should."

He glared at me, "And what did you do when I made my decision Azjah? You went behind my back, and did the exact opposite."

I could feel my brows lift at that, "YOU chose to leave, had you been here this morning when Lucien came, you'd have heard the conversation!"

"Yeah, I did chose that. But I also chose to TRUST YOU to respect my wishes, and YOU chose to break that trust."

I slammed my palm down on the foot of the bed, "You chose me as your future mate, someone to love you and look out for your interests. I chose to do just that." How dare he? It is a mate's responsibility to look out for one another! If this was a hoax, and had caused him needless pain, I fully intended to do something about it. If it was real, we needed to know that too.

He nodded coldly, "And of all the choices we've mentioned so far, THAT one may have been the worst."

"WHICH one? There were so many mentioned." I was going to force him to say it.

"About me choosing you as a future mate." His features sagged slightly, but he'd come right out and said it. He considered his proposal to me a mistake. So be it.

"You regret that?" The question was so hard to ask, but I needed to be sure it was not just his ire speaking. That he really meant it.

"Given the current circumstances? Yes." He re-affirmed it.

I sat down hard on the foot of the bed, "please go Klinton, I will do what I can to get you released."

He muttered as he returned through the door between our rooms, "that's all I wanted to do in the first place."

I could hear him packing, and I rose, quietly closing the door and locking it. There would be no witness to what those words had done to me. None.

Lucien stepped out of the shadows in the corner of my room, "This is better to happen now rather than later. You'll not get a Writ of Dissolution once vows are sealed."

I sighed, he was right, but I didn't want to hear it right now, "Not now Lucien. Have Baumann send a petition to the Kaiser, I need to see him at His Majesty's first convenience."

Lucien nodded and faded from sight.

A knock came at the locked door, but I ignored it. Going to the desk instead. The knock came again, louder this time. I went to the door, not unlocking it, but resting my head against the wood, "Yes Klinton?"

His voice was soft, "Please inform Gabriel to call off all search attempts."

I closed my eyes tightly. I am cursed with a need to be honest, even when I know what the result of that honesty will be, "I cannot do that Klinton, He's already in Lu'an."

His fist hit the door hard. I winced and stepped away from the door. It was imperative that I gain his release from House Arrest, and Rigel.

The trip back to Triberg House was silent. No joyous celebration, no champagne toasts, just silence.

We entered the house, and went to our respective rooms.

Silence.

I undressed and slid into a silken robe, then went onto the balcony overlooking the cityscape. A new gibbous moon reflected the sun's light down over the silvered city. I tried so very hard to keep the pain at bay - but then Lucien apparated, and wrapped his arms around me in a silent hug. My grief overflowed the walls I'd worked hard to erect.

Lucien never said a word. We stood there for a long while, as silenced sobs wracked me. In the end, I wiped the tears from my eyes, and turned once more to survey the cityscape. When at last I went inside, Lucien had gone. I never heard him leave.

Today was to be our sealing of vows, but now, it was only the hollow trappings of Peer Formality. The wedding of plan, the excitement, the joy have all vanished; to be replaced by a forced binding in the dark of the night to a man who did not want me.

A hollow ache was all I felt when Katarina arrived to begin preparing me for this day.

Katarina tried to chat amiably as she drew the scented bath, my favorite fragrance of ginger and orange perfumed the water as well as the air. Her one sided chatting continued as she shampooed my hair, and even as she wrapped me in a heated bath sheet.

Lucien stood silently on the balcony. His own thoughts hidden even from me.

At length, Katarina grew silent. Working to complete my hair and makeup before bringing Koy's beautiful creation for me to don. The champagne beige dress flowed from the dropped waist to the floor like the froth of a waterfall. The fitted bodice was cut to emphasize my figure, and the decolletage was moderately low. Nothing scandalous for a late morning wedding. A crossing sash of transparent tule in the royal blue of Triberg was the only color to break the beige, it started at my right shoulder, and pinned neatly at my waist before cascading down to the floor in an ever widening inflection of color.

Katarina had set twin combs into my hair, putting the pale blonde mass off my neck with silver and sapphire. Sapphires were also at my ear lobes and throat.

The woman who looked back at me from the mirror was a foreigner. Someone I'd never seen before.

Lucien moved then. Coming to take my arm, escorting me down the stairs to the waiting Maybach.

I do not remember the short ride to the Cathedral. The suite of rooms where I was led were equiped with mirrors and comfortable chairs, but dresses as I was, I could not sit and so I paced. There were four women there to attend me, but there was nothing left for them to do.

Flowers arrived. They exclaimed over them as my bouquet was unwrapped. It was a long cascade of peach and cream stargazer lilies, with salmon genestra, cream colored roses and feather fern. It nearly touched the floor when I held it as instructed.

Too soon, Lucien summoned me.

It was time.

Reception

We left the Cathedral, the Maybach waiting outside the front doors. Klinton hurried me into the car where we would take the short ride to the Imperial Ball Room, where the reception would commence. During that brief time alone, he did ask me if the groom could kiss the bride. It was the first words we?d exchanged since yesterday morning.

We arrived and were quickly moved to a place at the top of the stairs to greet the peerage who?d come to witness our wedding. We survived the obligatory greetings, and much too soon, the Earl of Tuebingen stood before us with Anne on his arm. He took my hand, bowing formally over it, placing a kiss to the back. I wanted to slap him. The very idea that he would be here and setting my skin crawling with his overtures of good will.

Klinton refused to shake his hand as Kendrick proffered his congratulations. His next words made my blood run cold, ?I hate to spoil the mood, but something dire has come to my attention and I must speak with you when your duties are completed.?

I gave the earl a skeptical look, he was up to something, and I whisper that to Klinton, who simply squeezed my hand before taking Anne?s hand in his. ?Anne, if you wish to remain with us, your presence would be most welcome and enjoyed.? He was clearly not including Kendrick in that invitation.

The earl ignored the insult, so I prodded a little more, ?Herr Albrecht, now is not the time.? I denied his titles and relegated him to the status of a commoner by using ?Herr? instead of ?Your Grace.?

Klinton finally acknowledged him, ?When my duties are complete.? I was pleasantly surprised that Klinton was adapting so quickly to the nuances of the peerage. Don?t let Kendrick push, hold your ground, you set the rules.

The Earl bowed, ?Then I await your pleasure sir. And again, congratulations on your wedding and elevation.? His insult was implicit, that where he'd been born to the peerage, Klinton was simply elevated and therefore not the Earl's equal.

Klinton grasped the hand of the man behind Kendrick as I warned the Earl, ?You come here to make threats??

He looked at me with feigned innocence, ?I came to help.?

THAT would be the day! The man didn?t know the meaning of help! Especially when it came to the House of Triberg and the House of Tuebingen. No, he was not here to help.

He walked away with as much dignity as a born and bred blue blood can muster. Klinton asked me if I would like anything to drink, and while I would have liked a good strong scotch, it was still too early, and so I settled for a glass of champagne. He smiled, ?don?t move a muscle.? And then he was gone.

I watched his departure, as well as when the Prince waylaid him, drawing him away for private discussion. It was some minutes later that he returned to me, and he was smiling. As I took the champagne, I asked him what was making him so pleased. He glanced around before leaning in conspiratorially and whispering that he?d just spoken to the Prince. When I asked him about what, he shook his head, ?we will talk.?

I am not used to being left out of such conversations, and it stung slightly that I was relegated to being informed later, as though I no longer have a place within the peerage circles.

I watched Anne and Kendrick, who were currently dancing, telling Klinton that I would not be throwing my bouquet, but rather giving it directly to Anne. I need to remind her that Caleb is the one she should be with, not that slime bag Kendrick.

Klinton paused, turning to give me a long look, ?I want you to know that I am glad we did this. I am madly in love with you.? His words came as a surprise. He?d been so very angry with me, and now, he re-affirmed that love was still there for him. I was so relieved! I had never stopped loving him, but he'd been so clear in considering me a mistake.

He gave me a crooked smile, ?shall we hand Caleb the garter if we can find him??

I wanted to smile, but Kendrick came back into view, ?He?s up to something.?

Klinton nodded, ?Of course he is.?

I set down my champagne flute, and Klinton took my arm, ?Let me cut in first, I?ll talk to Anne.?

We met Kendrick and Anne upon the dance floor. I linked arms with Anne, curling her fingers around the stem of my bouquet, ?You can?t catch them, so I give them to you.?

Kendrick nodded at Klinton, ?do you have a moment sir??

Klinton told me to remain with Anne and chat. Once again, I was being left out of crucial discussions! But Kendrick forestalled him, ?No, she should hear this too.?

The Earl told us that he had word that someone was out to make me a widow before the marriage could even be consummated. He claimed not to know whom, but only that his informant was to be trusted, and he insinuated that he was acting in our favor only due to his relationship with the Prince. At least he had the guts to admit that such a murder was not beneath him, but his alliance prohibited him from being the one to turn me into a widow.

?Kendrick? Why would you warn us?? I was so very suspicious, but once again, Klinton gave a squeeze to my hand as he thanked Kendrick for his warning.

With that, Klinton whisked Anne onto the dance floor, leaving me with one of my most hated enemies. The Earl gave me a smile, ?Madam, since your husband has absconded with my escort, would you permit me?? He offered his arm, and I would have rather kicked him than take his arm, but decorum demanded that I accept with outward grace.

As we took up the waltz, he asked me about a truce, but our differences are too deep. ?Our differences are deep enough that I should be seeking your head, and yet I find myself having to accept your words because of the Prince, but I do not have to like you in the process.? That was about the extent of truce I could manage for the man.

He smiled, ?I would accept nothing less. For a woman, you are a worthy rival.?

I lifted a brow at him, ?for a man, you are quick to underestimate the strength of a woman.?

He handed me back to Klinton, ?until the next battle milady. Sir, congratulations on your wedding, and good luck.?

He quickly grabbed Anne and left us.

Klinton had not been able to convince Anne to come with us, to get away from the Earl, but we do not know why. I?ve no idea what leverage he holds over her, and that has to change. I would ask Lucien to see what he can come up with on the Earl and his current actions.

We were in the same court for a change, the Earl and I having allied with the Prince. It was going to be an unholy alliance, without a doubt.

Klinton?s words broke into my reverie, ?Azjah, it is our wedding night. Tonight we stop living in sin.? His words were teasing, but they brought a true smile to my lips. He was not going to leave me alone tonight as he had last night.

We took our leave of the celebrants, returning to Triberg House. Well and truly Married.
_________________

Home! Well, back to Triberg House at any rate. We had a house full of people, but I would have given most anything to have some privacy. Something I know we can never have. There was still tension between Klinton and I, but he's told me that he does still love me, and yet there seems so much to work through.

It was the late afternoon, and Baumann met us with the House staff with flowers and well wishes. We had to go through the introductions to the staff, formally recognizing Klinton as the new Marquess of Triberg. He would now be the ultimate authority and part of me chafes at that. This has been my home for so long, but now there is a new master.

Baumann pulled me aside after all of the fan fare subsided. It seems Anne's children had arrived! Duchess De Winters had them with her. I had not known that Anne had requested the presence of her children. Additionally there was a private message for me on the computer, one from the Earl of Tuebingen.

Stranger still. What could the Earl want that he could not have said at the reception?

Taking my leave, I went upstairs. I was considering changing out of my wedding dress, but deliberated. It should be the prevue of my new husband, and not my discretion.

I went to refresh my makeup, adding a bit of lip gloss while I waited.

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 9:11 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I still worry that I won't adjust to being married. He'd come upstairs shortly after I had left the group, and I confessed that stepping aside for a new Master of Triberg was proving hard for me to do.

He always has a knack for knowing how to soothe, and we spent our second night as man and wife. The bath tub does fit two comfortably. While the hot water was comforting, my thoughts would not slow down enough for sleep and in the early morning hours, I was still awake.

Someone had tried to kill Klinton, using me as the weapon to deliver a sophisticated poison. Kendrick was the only person I knew with the education and the resourced to make such a thing. He'd slain my parents, and tigers do not change their stripes. It was not beyond him to make an attempt on Klinton now.

Yet, he'd warned us. Told us someone was going to try. Try HELL, if Lucien hadn't been there, I would have been burying Klinton tomorrow.

Caleb? He had the ability, but he'd come as our guest, as Anne's escort. He cared deeply for Anne, the very thought seemed absurd, and yet, doubt niggled in the back of my thoughts. He might.

I trembled. Twenty four hours ago I couldn't imagine being wed, and now, the thought of being widowed terrifies me even more. Until now, I had been the main target, and I had always accepted that, but now, Klinton has become the primary target.

The poison had been odorles and tasteless to me. If Lucien hadn't been able to smell it, I would have poisoned my own husband! The poison would have implicated me, and the real perpetrator would go free. I shivered again, only this time, Klinton's arms tightened around me. He'd awakened. "Are you truly chilled, or are you thinking about tonight?" His voice was rough velvet in the darkness, but I curled as close to him as I could.

"I am not cold physically, but my dear, you could have died tonight, and that simply terrifies me."

We talked ernestly for some time, and we are agreed that we will return to RhyDin as soon as possible. Get away from Court and what ever is going on between the Prince and the Kaiser. We do not need to become any more embroiled in that looming catastrophe.
_________________

Morning came, and a shy young woman knocked on my door. I bade her enter, trying not to awaken Klinton in the process, and she scrupulously avoided looking at the bed as she set a breakfast tray down. Her eyes remained locked on her toes as she told me her name, and that Katarina was gone today. When I rang, she would return to help me dress.

Klinton stirred, his voice fairly purred that I would need no help today, and she backed out of the room in a great hurry as she turned several shades of pink.

I believe he enjoys frightening the lady's maids. Young women of gentle birth are often fostered out to the peers for training and education. Many of them come into service as a personal assistant with no experience with men. Many have spent their lives in convents and having a man in the room can be upsetting.

Here on Rigel, there are not many men of his size and strength, and I laughed at his completely unrepentant expression. A mischeivous look in his eyes was soon confirmed in deed.

We ate breakfast undisturbed, and at length, I raised the subject of our obstreperous and missing guest. Caleb. We need to find him. I suspect that is easier said than accomplished, but quietly, we needed to find him.

Lucien agreed.

The Search began.

As I watched the news flashes about Kendrick murdering the Kaiser, I couldn' thelp but think back to the previous morning when I'd had my talk with Anne.

I had been working on the computer changing and updating files and documents when a knock had come at the library door. I assumed it was house staff, and simply said, "come," but continued to work without looking up.

Anne's voice broke my concentration, "Hello Azjah."

I rose quickly and embraced her in a hug. My questions flew. "How are you? Where have you been? Did he hurt you?"

We sat down onto one of the leather sofas and she told me she'd been at the Earl's estates and that physically she was fine.

"Anne, we've been worried sick! That man's a monster."

She chose her words carefully as she told me she didn't think Kendrick was a monster, but that he'd merely made some wrong choises in life.

I was shocked. I could not believe she was defending the man! She compared her own misadventures to Kendricks, but for me there simply is no comparison, and then she told me she'd invited him to my home.

I could feel the blood drain from my face as my first instinct was to tell her no, but she reached for my hand as her next words rocked the foundation of my soul. "Azjah, you were right about some things concerning the Earl. However, I think we're judging him when we don't have all the facts." She continued on before I could respond, telling me that Kendrick had admitted to killing my parents. Though certain circumstances drove him to it.

I wanted to rail at her, how could she accept this man and believe his tales of victimization, but I couldn't.

She was insistent about going with Kendrick to obtain answers and resolve her own conscience about the Earl.

I wanted to send Lucien with her, I hated the thought that she would once more be alone with that animal, but neither she nor Lucien would agree to his presence to protect her.

Anne kept comparing her actions to Kendrick's, but Kendrick delighted in his killing, Anne did not. They were not similar at all in my mind.

Anne tried to defend him, and in the end, and uncomfortable silence descended around us.

At length, Anne asked me if Caleb had returned. He had not as far as I knew. She gave me a forced smile, "well, he can take care of himself."

I shook my head, they were both stubborn as proverbial mules, "Yes, but he's alone in an alien world Anne, and he's hurt."

Her fake smile vanished, "that would be my fault too."

They were both being willfully blind, "Anne, Caleb loves you, but he can't tell you."

She gave me an incredulous expression, "why not? If he really did, wouldn't he tell me?"

"Have you told him that you love him?" I turned the tables on her, putting that very same ball into her court. She did love him, and yet she couldn't say it either.

She bit her lip, "no. You know I never was sure until he left, until I felt his absence. It's pretty pathetic, isn't it? We don't realize what we have until it's left us."

I glanced at Lucien, "It's never clear, at least not for me Anne. Even now I know doubts about how Klinton feels." I think I always will have doubt, because to lose that would mean that I've come to take his love for granted, and I never want to do that. But, with that doubt comes some moments of fear too.

Her children called out for her and she'd risen to go after them. She'd left me in deep thought as I mulled over Kendrick's admission.

Now, today, the world knows what I've known for years. The Earl is a murdering monster.
_________________