Taking a deep breath Daemon took his first step up to the Keep. Jaenelle had wanted to speak to him so he was permitted to be here. Wasn't he? Raising his hand to the door it opened before he could touch it. A pale white man with a willows peak opened the door. "The lady asked for me?"

Carefully The man opened the door enough for Daemon to pass, "You are always welcome here prince."

Daemon stumbled a step before recovering, "I was told I wouldn't be."

"It is up to those who run the Keep to decide and since we never told you that… Ah well no need to dwell since you are home now."

Home? He puzzled over it but didn't say anything until he was showed a suit. "Thank you."

"Geoffrey. My Name is Geoffrey." Seeing Daemon's nod he continued, "The lady is not yet available."

"Am I to stay here to wait?"

A menacing smile, " I wouldn't wander too far. I would hate to make the lady look for you."

Understanding the threat he smiled until the door closed behind him. Taking a breath he explored the suite. Bedroom with a private bath. He really didn't pay attention to the furniture doubting he would be spending the night. Opening a door that lead to a sitting room he felt more at ease. The furniture didn't look new but looked lived in. Felt inviting. The kind of place where he could relax and let down his guard.

Just as he was about to sit and call in a book on craft a knock on the door then it opened. "Prick?"

Taking a step into the room Lucivar scratched his head, "Jaenelle expected to be ready to speak to you but she may be a while."

"Geoffrey told me more or less to stay put."

He nodded once and took another step into the room.

Studying his brother carefully Daemon's interest sharpened. His brother didn't take single steps into a room… not with him in it … unless he was completely unsure if he would be unable to walk out. "Is there a reason you're creeping into the room?"

"Aside from not being invited?"

What? His chalice was frightening unstable and increasingly so as he worried about why Witch was summoning him to the Keep. His brother was not helping. "It's a guest room. It's not my place to invite you."

Lucivar blinked. "I see Geoffrey was overly helpful." Seeing no amount of understanding in his brother's face he added, "It's not a guest room. It's your room for whenever you are in residence. In fact, Jaenelle picked the furniture."

He gasped, "Jaenelle picked the furniture?"

Finally taking a seat in a chair with that would accommodate his wings , he smiled, "She wanted to be the one showing you this room after you spoke."

So whatever she wanted to speak to him about wasn't too distressing if she picked out a room for him and … now he picked up on what he was sensing… soothing webs … calming webs… and several others all weaved into the furniture. She wanted him calm… she wanted him to be able to relax. "Do you know how long till she'll be ready to speak?"

"If I can trust the web, it will be at least another full day. Unless she decides that she wants to sleep and a bath first."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Just take my word for it." Seeing the questions in Daemon's eyes, "As soon as she's available she will be in here to speak to you. In the meantime…"

He held up his book, "I have things to keep me sufficiently occupied."

"There are libraries…"

"No. The lady wants me in this room. I'll make it easy for her to find me."


Coming back to the room that his father had decided to wait in, he paused, "Daemon is tucked in for the moment. I doubt he will be wandering anywhere for the moment." Then again it was Daemon and he had mentioned the libraries so it may be only a short time before his brother started to wander.

"The webs are holding?"

"The ones that you helped with… they seem to be. The ones Jaenelle made sure Daemon couldn't touch." He shifted his weight from on foot to the other. "The web? … on the door that leads to her room is …" He paused, " If it didn't know there was a door I would think it was a private suite… and not the Queens suite."

"Good. I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with the questions he's going to have before he speaks to the lady."

He would call his father a coward but decided not to. "I'm going to take Kaelas up to sit with Daemon. That should please both of them."


When the door opened he thought it was his brother coming back to check on him… a moment later he engulfed in white fur. "Hello, little brother."

Kaelas just nuzzled against him content on being petted.

Nuzzling the little ball of fur that was nowhere as little as one would expect a kitten to be, "Still mad that I sent you away?"

* you sent me away because you love me. *

"Yes, I love you. And I gave your mother my word that I would always protect you."

A tap on the door, "I thought you would be happy to see that your other brother is taken care of."

"He was with you and Jaenelle, I never doubted he wouldn't be."

Lucivar nodded, "Ladvarian will be up shortly since it's almost time for the living to be sleeping."

Daemon's eyes narrowed but he didn't say a word.

Calling in a two brushes each with a name , a thin book and a few books his brother may find of interest Lucivar smiled, "A tray will be sent up so you don't starve to death before morning."

"I ate."

"Uh. Ha. Marian said you barely made it through a bowl of soup at lunch. That said you can either eat something more substantial or piss off every person who has tits on this side of the Keep."

His golden eyes narrowed a bit more. But It was Kaelas who answered. "We will eat. Then we will have story time. Then we sleep. It's a lady's rule."

*Jaenelle made rules*

* Boyo, you have no Idea.* "Now if you need anything…"

"I'm fine."

"… There are extra blankets in the wardrobe closet. And I will probably be close by throughout the night."

"Something wrong?"

Lucivar took a breath… it had been too long since he had heard that blend of ice and menacing purr. Not long enough for him to forget what it meant. "Aside that my brother who needs a long nap. Naw, just waiting until I can kick Cat's ass for running late… especially after I told her that was going to if she going to do shopping that she was going to be late meeting you."

"It's fine prick. I'm sure she had more important things to take care of." After all, a broken male that had nothing to offer wasn't much of a priority for anyone.


Slowly he stretched out not remembering falling asleep. And sure as hell didn't remember calling in a blanket. Lettinga few soft orbs of witchlight float in the room, Daemon slowly sat up. He was on the floor of the sitting room. His books… his craft books… scattered around. Kaelas was curled up with the little dog sleeping contently on the couch.

Which was a good bet on why he was on the floor.

Carefully he slipped out to the balcony that he hadn't noticed earlier. Inner court year decided,after looking down. He could airwalk down and see what flowers bloomed there. No. No, he couldn't. He was politely asked to remain in this suite and he doubted he would be allowed to remain if he wandered too far.

As he turned he could just make out a feel of a web. His eyes focused on the spot. Nothing threatening about the web. Just a warning web so he wouldn't cross. Jaenelle had made the web. He knew that too. It was really silly for her to place the web there… stepping into the room he felt something else… the web was in the wall.

*Deamon*

Seeing two pairs of eyes watching him and knowing they both were one thought about summoning someone if they didn't wake the whole Keep… He went down on one knee. "I appreciate your company but I would like some time alone."

KAelas tilted his head tot eh side and let his tail swish on the floor. * You have strange smells*

"I promise I'm fine. Please, I would like to be alone." He watched as the pair passed through the door that would lead to the Hall.

If Jaenelle wanted him to stay put she would only had to of asked. The webs? Carefully probing the room he could feel two sets hers… that he couldn't touch … and those of her papa. He wanted to curse but didn't. He knew better than to enter a room with the promise of safety and not look for traps. Then again his brother had been in here so…

No, he would not even begin to ponder things. He couldn't. Not if he wanted to find out why the lady wanted to speak to him. Not if he wanted to mend this with his brother. Not if his chalice would ever by fixed. If… that was the sticking point wasn't it?

He had nothing. Not a flat to call his. Not a room. Nothing. For the first time since he could remember, he didn't even have the promise of a room to call his… not even a temporary room. Lucivar was being more understanding than what was warranted so… he could be just waiting for the right moment to strike. After all, he had promised.

A shiver went through him. Carefully he called in his books. He needed to force his mind to focus on something else. Jaenelle wouldn't have asked him here to kill him. No, if she wanted to do that she could do so with nothing more than a thought. Then again he knew her true form… her true self… the one that very few would ever see. And he knew if she wanted him dead she had a very impressive pair of claws that she could use.


Just after mid-day Jaenelle shuffled into the room where Saetan was waiting. "Papa?"

"Which-child." Because he had a son who not only knew how long it would take her to reach her depths of her jewel and what jewel she would receive he wasn't worried. At least not much. "I believe Lucivar is looking for you."

"Oh? Why?"

"I think he said something about throttling you."

She took a step back, "I haven't done anything to annoy him. At least not since yesterday."

A hand clamped down on her shoulder, "Actually that was three days ago. And just enough time for Daemon to work himself into doubting on why he is even here."

She closed her eyes tightly, "He's waiting?"

"Since just before evening meal. AT the time you requested."

"Damn. Let me go change then I will speak to him."

Turning her to him Lucivar called in a small jewelers box. "As requested this one was finished first."

Nodding once she vanished it then bounced out the door.

"How is your brother?"

"When I checked on a bit ago he was pressed into a corner." Lucivar took a deep breath, "I know he can't undo what she is fixing with his chalice… but I don't think he's helping either."

"He will. To be with her. He will."


Fresh from a bath and a hastily ate meal JAenelle carefully passed from the room that led from her room to Daemon's… then froze.

He was pressed against the far wall in the bedroom. A single blanket wrapped around him… not one that belonged to the keep but one he must have bought while with Karla. A few steps closer and she could see he was sleeping. His legs up to his chest and his head resting on his knees. Her hand lingered just a breath above his shoulder, "Prince?"

Slowly his eyes opened to her voice. A Breath more and knew the word that she had used to wake him, "Lady?"

Even though she wasn't touching him she could feel him shudder. "There is a bed to sleep on. I bet it's more comfortable than the floor."

He vanished the blanket and ignored the comment about the bed, "Lucivar said you wanted to speak to me."

She nodded once. "Did he say anything else?"

Daemon shook his head.

Taking his hand in hers, she turned his palm up before speaking, "There's something I would like for you to consider."

"Alright?" A little black box appeared in his hand.

"Open it."

He had expected to be either yelled at, dismissed or killed. Receiving a gift hadn't been near any thought he had been able to have. Opening the box he looked at the ring. Not a gift but… He blinked, "Sweetheart, I'm not exactly …"

Her fingers pressed to his lips, "It's my court prince. My will. If you're willing."

He nodded once more so she would let him speak. "There would have to be rules." Rules to keep her and her court safe. Safe from him.

"I agree. Which is why I've already thought of them."

Interesting since she sounded completely sure that no one was going to question those rules. "I would love to hear them."

Now she smiled and took his face in her hands, "First you do not wander far from my side. You will have a room to do with what you please. And that included on here as well as the Hall. But I would prefer if you slept in my room fully until your chalice is fixed to my satisfaction."

She had given him that order before but this time, it felt different . it wasn't a queen giving him an order to obey. It was his queen requesting that he obey her will. It had weight to it. It also meant it trumped anything her papa could say about the matter. "Anything else?"

A nod then, "You will not fight with members of my court."

"Of course not."

Her eyes narrowed then she took the ring and placed it on his finger. "I keyed the spells that the rest of the first circle would wear on their cocks into this one. Lucivar said it was a better chance of staying on her hand then staying there."

Ah yes, his trusted brother would say that. However, he was getting a nagging feeling that she was holding something back. "What else."

"I am setting up my court tomorrow night." She saw the questions in his eyes, "If you wish to witness it you can escort me into the room."

"As your consort, it is my privilege to escort you…" Everywhere was left unsaid.

"Ah ha, Now after the ceremony I know my steward will need to discuss a few things with you. However…" She called in the book and two pieces of parchment that he had given to Lucivar, "… The first note Papa wrote. This book was not what he had left for you. A maid switched it."

"A maid?"

Witch nodded once ice barely contained in her eyes. "She recently became a resident of Hell. " A deep breath and she continue, "The second letter the maid also left for you before her death. Papa did not write that letter and the man who does is a member of the Dark council."

"Dorothea?"

"If I had to guess. Mephis was very closed lipped on which council member or who else he had seen. I doubt he will be so well contained after my court is established."

A snippet of a memory. Her papa… the High Lord. Yes, that was the name he knew him by. The high lord his father. His grabbed her hand needing the contact of her skin to his as he gasped, "My father is your…"

"Adopted papa. That does not make us siblings."

A calm breath, "I owe him an apology."

"All things considered, papa is rather relieved that would choose to go somewhere to think rather than kill him than finding out the truth."

Another breath then, "Have you ate?"

A soft smile formed, "I think there should be a tray in the sitting room."

The moment he entered with her the web broke reviling the door to her room. "You didn't want me to see the door?"

"Not until I was sure you were ready to."