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hiatus still in-progress

// just an update from this post -- I am still taking a break. It's turned into more of a general hiatus from tumblr, a stronger focus on developing more of my own original writing, as well as more reading-- and to be honest, the muses just haven't been shouting for attention.

A big part of that is the heat wearing me down, like I initially stated as the reason for hiatus-taking, but yeah-- It's also been nice focusing on other things too. So while I do know I'll come back here, I will definitely be coming back in a lower-key status...?

At some point, and at the moment, I'm not in any rush to do so.

Feel free to contact via discord, as that would probably be the best way to reach me, but yeah-- for now, RP is taking a momentary break.

Hope everyone is doing well!

[gccdstories]

// okay so I'm still on the "semi hiatus" but I had to share this over here too. Because I am floating high on my happy feels with it.

A few months ago, a co-worker’s daughter came across this little abandoned kitten. Poor thing was so near death, and my co-worker was all “we CANNOT keep it” (to her daughter) so she asked if I could, knowing how much of a cat lover I am. She offered to pay for all its care, etc. if I took it, but as much as I’d take every kitty in the world, I couldn’t either. So I brought the little guy to the shelter, hoping he’d make it, get a good home, etc. Today, I’m in PetSmart getting food for little Xaden & Sasha & what do you know— there’s the little guy from those months ago, looking so much healthier, ready to find his forever home! So proud of him (and the ones at the local shelter who helped get him back to health). You go, little guy! I hope you find that loving family that will give you all the cuddles and treats forever! (You definitely deserve it!)

Seriously, though -- this MADE MY DAY today! I had (in all truth) figured the precious baby had succumbed to his sicknesses, or just realistically had no idea that I'd ever see him again. Why would I? I gave him to the shelter and "Hoped for the best".

To get the very fortunate chance to know now that he made it, that he is alive and well, that he is healthy (and has so much energy in that little PetSmart "come and adopt me" area), has just given me so many feelings, it's unreal!

[gccdstories]

Temporary (semi) hiatus.

The summer heat is just really affecting my focus, not to mention a few other things, so I'm temporarily putting my blogs on a sort of "semi-hiatus". There might be times I get the muse to shout at me and want to be on here for hours, and there might be times when I might not.

I just don't want to leave anyone being all "Where's Megan?" or anything, so yeah. My brain is being-- my brain and a BIG part of that is the summer heat.

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Morgana Pendragon | 1x04

[gccdstories]

Imogen breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Isaiah, upon feeling the brush of his hand on her arm. She didn't even realize she'd been as tense as she was when he'd been behind that door until she'd laid eyes on him again, until she'd felt his touch.

But the way he stood, the aura coming off of him-- It concerned her, even if she knew where the anger truly directed.

~

Kaden nearly vibrated with the intensity of power that he held back. That flooded through every single inch of his veins. A part of him wanted to lash it out against Isaiah as the other passed him, as Isaiah had spoken to Kertayan--

Every single piece of him felt like it was too loud in here, and at the same time, that roaring was too quiet. Contradictory in every way, and he needed out. It was all Kaden could do in that moment not to outright explode, to unleash everything, to lash out and destroy every single one of them--even if he knew it wasn't them that he hated, that he wanted to harm, that he felt any anger towards--

But in that moment, Kaden needed out.

He needed out before he destroyed everything.

~

Nismera closed her eyes as Einar continued. The dull throbbing behind her eyes had increased into a constant ache now. Her brother--as much as she loved him--was going to be her undoing if he kept this up. Or at least make her lose the rest of her sanity and her head explode.

Like it wanted to do. Right now.

The pain of the migraine settling in to be a constant for the day.

Sharp nails scraped along the table as she stood, eyes opening and leveling her glare on Einar when Nismera raised her hand to cut him off.

❝ Your worries have been noted, Einar. ❞

Fuck, Kaden.

Even her thoughts on him were exhausted.

❝ But I'll deal with it. I'll deal with Kaden. With all of it. Do you understand? ❞ The last thing Nismera wanted to have to mess with was Einar running off in vengeance or misguided anger or whatever else he conjured up.

She couldn't have that--especially when she knew there was always more to Kaden's behavior than he ever let anyone see. Especially these days.

~

Isaiah having once more left her alone to deal with this entire fucked up mess, Imogen's mind whirled. Twisted. Her arms crossed over her chest as she paced, and she barely heard Kertayan at first, could barely seem to focus on the conversation.

Even if a part of her was grateful for the distraction. At least right now.

❝ He remembered that? ❞ It had been a comment once, centuries ago. A throwaway thing, really, that Imogen had said, as they'd walked through one of the wild fields, as the scents caught her attention. The fact that lilies always made her think of home...

An eyebrow rose as she looked back at Kertayan. ❝ Out of all the horrors in that place, and he hated that there weren't flowers for me? ❞ Only Isaiah, her mind seemed to supply the thought with a fondness that Imogen wasn't used to feeling.

And yet, at the same time, it instantly felt right. True.

But she shook her head at the offered drink, the tenseness still set in her shoulders to a certain extent. It was like that all through this place; Imogen sensed it through so many of them. That air of something is wrong.

She couldn't help but wonder if they felt it because of Elianna. Or Kaden. Or if her presence was part of it. Or if it always felt like that here. Maybe she just hadn't realized it at first, lost as she was with Isaiah...

❝ I don't think I can rest until... ❞ Imogen trailed off, but the meaning seemed to be clear.

She needed to know what happened. She needed to know everything worked out.

That, above all, Isaiah was okay.

Isaiah shoved him back from the door, getting in his face.

"Watch me."

He shoved the door open, eyes landing first on Imogen. He exhaled, fingers running down her arm and tugging her away from Vincent and Kertayan.

He bit back the words, to whisper in awe she'd stayed. That she'd waited for him.

Kertayan snorted and looked past Isaiah to Kaden.

"So no one died. That's -"

"Call them."

The bubble vanish, Isaiah's grip on her tightened and he dragged his eyes to Kertayan. Those eyes gold flecked watching him.

"Call them, the entire Council. We nearly lost our loremaster and warmaster, Elianna hasn't woken yet has she?"

He turned to Kaden, his magic pushing up against his skin, demanding to snap and break his heart.

"You've become a liability. I'm letting Mera deal with you. But I'm telling them, Mama hasn't survived this long to have you cost us the war."

------

Einar stopped pacing by the door, briefly looking his sister over. Ember only rose an eyebrow at him, hair pulled back in a war braid. She didn't show the turmoil, the hours she'd probably spent in panic as the news swept through the ranks.

Einar dragged his eyes to their aunt Nismera, his hands clenched and he pointed down the hall. His voice ice.

"He was going to let her die. He was going to let Ma die because -"

------

Enva rubbed at her temples. Why couldn't Kaden and Elianna do one thing properly? They couldn't be around each other, okay, so don't be around each other! Was it that hard for them? If she and Dacre had to part ways she'd bury her emotions and keep going.

Sotoria desvered that at the bare minimum. She looked up from the maps, not acknowledging Vincent as she met Dacre's eyes.

"Am I asking for a miracle? They can't be around each other so they shouldn't be. Why can't they do one fucking thing correctly."

Dacre shrugged, focusing on whittling the dragon in his palm.

"No you're not. They're clearly unable to follow basic commands. It -"

"Imogen is here."

Enva swallowed the urge to snap at Vincent. Dacre stiffened though, and maybe she did. Enva eyes narrowed at him.

"As a prisoner? Did you kill the guards holding her? I can open the back passages for -"

"She's here because she chose Isaiah."

Vincent looked ill saying the words, his jaw clenching tight. Enva frowned and looked toward her parents.

"Doesn't Isaiah have Malcolm's blood? Should I kill him? Is he manipulating Immi?"

She knew Autumn would crush her for it, but no one manipulated one of her dearest friends. Even an ally.

------

Kertayan sat on the edge of the windowsill watching Imogen flit around the room. He was counting down the minutes before Anaxia burst into the room.

She'd probably found out by now.

But no use sitting in silence.

Isaiah hadn't asked him to watch her, she probably didn't need it. But Vanir instincts died hard for him. Vanir worked on a kin system, Isaiah wasn't his King but in a different world maybe he would have been.

Malcolm had been a King once, gold eyes he'd seen in his mother's portrait hall. Gold eyes that demanded you Knelt and Obeyed. To Vanir everything revolved around blood.

Blood feuds.

Blood honor.

Blood ties.

"He says you liked wisteria and lilies. He lamented there wasn't any flowers in the prison to pick to make you things."

Kertayan eyed the door. Did Kaden understand yet?

Did he understand the axis had turned from he and Elianna?

If this was Vanaheim the colony would have knelt for her already. She'd be deep in royal chambers, bathed and anointed with blood wards.

Like so many of his own sisters, driving his mother's colony forward, giving them endless soldiers and bodies for this neverending fucking war. A path Melinoe hadn't wanted, she'd been too free, too curious. And as much as it has felt like tearing his own heart out, he'd not acknowledged or claimed her, let her fly off.

Kertayan pushed off the windowsill prowling closer. He poured her some water, looking her over.

"You should sit, drink, rest."

Old habits died hard.

He was bred to serve.

His mother wasn't here, he was a Prince with no king yet.

Maybe it would be Isaiah and Imogen, maybe he could finally get away from his parents and have a different colony, a different legacy to forge.

Maybe he could finally see past the blood he was drenched in.

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He laughed, the sound low, amusement clear. Sotoria was busy flipping through the pages, showing him every single aspect of the wedding that the two had planned out.

The colors of the flowers. The place settings. The decor. The music. The style and the color of Elianna's dress. Every single detail, no matter how tiny (even things Kaden didn't even realize existed as part of the whole affair) seemed to put into this binder that Sotoria had assembled with every bit of seriousness that she probably should have done with her studies.

Glancing over at Elianna, Kaden just smirked, having eyed the image of the suit. ❝ I won't argue with you on that, but I did say you looked beautiful in everything, too. You not believing me is not my fault, Elianna, ❞ he teased her.

She frowned at him, eyes narrowing up at him.

"I'm never forgiving you for this. I should make you wear fuschia or something like cyan, or sunshine yellow."

She would, probably within the hour. She bit back a smile and looked to the girls, tugging Kaden closer.

"What about Kaden? Does he get a binder?"

Neverra grinned and nodded, she flipped through the very full binder. How long had this taken them? When had they had time to do this between their lessons and court?

Elianna leaned back against Kaden pouting up at him.

"Kiss me?"

"Eli! Eli look!"

She was yanked forward, a hand bracing against the table to not smash her face in. She glared at Neverra who didn't seem to notice. She had shoved the binder at her. The suit was beautiful, probably from one of the magazines Papa got. She huffed and twisted to look at Kaden.

"No fair, you look good in everything."

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Natalia was damn near vibrating with the intensity that flooded through her, but she shook her head at Sebastian's question. She didn't want to go into it. ❝ Just stupid people saying stupid things, ❞ she muttered, curling against him, letting that intensity shift into something else.

Something lighter, something that didn't feel like it was trying to weigh her down or tear her apart.

Sebastian had a way of steadying her, even if she didn't quite know what that power was, or how to explain it. He just did.

Which is why she got so pissed when so many seemed to reduce him to nothing--

❝ You wouldn't get so tired of me that you'd run away, then? Even after centuries? ❞

~

Kaden shrugged, not answering as he downed a glass of liquor. Good thing he didn't have to supply such an answer, as Enva's attention turned to Deanna.

Of course the two of them had run off together, he thought, shaking his head.

But Deanna only continued to flick the dagger between her fingers, pausing to lift dark eyes at Enva, her red lips curled into a smirk as a sharp nail slid down the sharpened edge of the dagger's blade.

❝ Only what everyone already knows. That she's wasting her time with the male if she's wanting more than a bed warmer. That's all he's good for-- ❞

Sebastian beamed, looking to Kaden before winnowing them away. He turned from the waves, his smile turning to confusion.

"Wait this isn't a happy ditching is it?"

His eyes narrowed and looked back up the hill, lighting flickering around his hands.

"What happened?"

He got to his knees, moving to sit next to her. But even that didn't feel enough, he tugged at her arm, wanting to have her sit in his lap, wanting her close.

Sometimes he wondered if he was too clingy, too tightly wound to her. But she would tell him right?

He pressed his face into her neck, inhaling her.

"I wish we were adults so I could marry you and not have to ever leave you alone."

------

Penelope frowned turning from the hallway to Kaden.

"Where did my son go?"

"Yours too hmm? Natalia flounced off apparently."

Enva sipped at her tea eyeing Deanna with distaste.

"What did you say to her?"

[gccdstories]

Maybe he should be nice, take pity on Elianna this once. And yet, Sotoria was happy, and who was Kaden to deny her this? Besides, it was all just for fun; it wasn't like they were actually having a wedding now.

❝ But don't you want to see what they've chosen, Elianna? ❞ he teased her, nodding towards Sotoria's very serious look as she motioned to the binder--the very big, very full binder, actually. ❝ And she's right, you know. You do look beautiful in absolutely everything. ❞

"Obviously! Neve says Eli can't wear fuschia though -"

"Yeah because she doesn't like it!"

"But she's so pretty! Elli you have to try something in fuschia for your wedding!"

Elianna hid her face in Kaden's shoulder whining softly. Of course the girls ignored her, Sotoria dragged a binder and set it on the table.

"Kade look!! Look we found all the flowers and everything!"

"Yeah! Papa says you marry by the willow trees Eli! Didn't you say you had a dream about -"

Elianna set Kaden a look, gripping his collar.

"Kaden can we leave now? Please?"

Sotoria leaned closer and tapped the binder.

"You should buy her a fuschia dress! Eli looks beautiful in everything!"

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Neverra giggled and shoved Sotoria away.

"I'm gonna ask."

"Don't! He won't do it then!"

"Well he has to! We have to be real sisters Ria!"

"We -"

"Kaden! Are you gonna marry Eli one day?"

Elianna went red and looked to Kaden her eyes wide.

"I told her not to ask."

@siderealxmelody

Kaden, his arm draped over Elianna, can't help the grin that splits across his face. Neither can he help the laugh at the way Elianna's face reddens at her sister's question.

❝ Is that what you two have been doing all morning? ❞ He looks between Neverra and Sotoria. ❝ Planning the wedding? ❞

[gccdstories]

Natalia swallowed a sigh as she watched Sebastian follow Kaden to another part of the island to train. Apparently they distracted each other too much.

Deanna snorted softly twirling a dagger in her hand.

"He's gonna break your heart. I'm sure he's fun but he's really only good for warming your bed."

Natalia stiffened turning to Deanna. She should be calm, composed and icy like Rhiannon and her mother.

She only felt rage. Deanna was the second person to say this nonsense she was getting sick of it.

She focused on the weapons behind Deanna, calling on her magic to Cut them in half. She didn't bother waiting for Deanna's reaction.

"Not sure why you're a bitter old hag, but Sebastian would never."

She winnowed to where Sebastian was. He was still stretching, drinking water as Kaden got his targets ready. His eyes light up and he glanced at Kaden's back before moving toward her.

"Don't you have practice too? Are we ditching -"

@siderealxmelody

Natalia grabs Sebastian's wrist, pulling him closer. The anger that floods through her at Deanna's words hasn't exactly disappeared, and she needs a stronger distraction to make it do so.

She needs something more than tearing things to pieces, Cutting things to ash--

❝ Forget about practice. ❞ Natalia shakes her head, a glance over Sebastian's shoulder to make sure Kaden's back is still turned. ❝ I don't want to practice anymore today... ❞

Trailing off, Natalia stares pointedly at Sebastian, the answer obvious.

Yes, yes. We're ditching. They'll deal with it.

❝ Come with me? ❞

[gccdstories]

Imogen's gaze drifts back to the door, like a part of her can still feel the way Isaiah's arms felt around her, mere moments ago. Had they really been so blissfully happy just a short time ago?

Before this?

She sighs, but her eyes are hard once more as Imogen stares back at Kertayan. She is every bit as much of a warrior as the rest of them, even if she doesn't always look like it. A part of her can only think of all the things she's heard about Kertayan, all that he's done. All that he's responsible for--

But at the same time...

Imogen shrugs at her brother's question. She doesn't want to answer it, to confirm anything. If she says it aloud like that, what if it breaks? What if it shatters?

Even if, deep inside, Imogen knows it won't. That there is nothing in any realm that will make her not want Isaiah.

❝ Oh I know well who you are, Kertayan. ❞ Her eyes find their way back towards the door, though. That closed door that has Isaiah on the other side. Like she can feel him, like she just wants to step beyond it...

❝ I know that I chose him. That-- I am here because I want to be here, Vincent. ❞ And while she believes that bond exists, while she feels it, the pull--

What if she's wrong?

❝ Wait. What do you mean, he talked about me? ❞

~

If anything, Isaiah's threat only angers Kaden more. Only makes the inferno inside of him blaze hotter, stronger. A raging fire he can't silence, can't still--and it has nowhere to go, nowhere to truly escape without burning down and destroying everything.

❝ You wouldn't dare. ❞

The words are quiet, more of a growl undercutting them. Every muscle coiled too tight, Kaden's nails dig deep into his palms as his fists form. As he holds to whatever fragments of shattered control he might still possess.

Because the thought of being stuck, without any outlet at all... stuck with only thoughts and silence and nothing more...

Kaden can't do it. Can't do that utter silence--

The rage will eat him up, destroy him.

Even more than it already has.

❝ Nismera wouldn't let you anyway, ❞ Kaden scoffs, ignoring the entire idea that he's a liability in any way. It's bullshit and he's not going to acknowledge that.

Kaden shakes his head, already moving back to the door. ❝ I told you that I'm not listening to this shit again-- ❞

~

Go to sleep.

Elianna doesn't need to be given that permission twice. The exhaustion--mental, emotional, physical--it all pulls her under as she curls back under the blankets, her eyes shut. It takes nothing at all for her breathing to even out as she drifts off to sleep...

To sleep and dream...

To hope for things that had died long ago.

"I chose Isaiah."

Kertayan looks to the doors and back to Imogen. Slowly the meaning of the words sink in.

Did she mean like Melinoe had wanted to chose him?

Like Elianna had chosen Kaden?

Like -

He growled stepping toward Xander.

"Step back."

"She's my friend Kerta. I -"

"Step. Back."

Gold flashed in this eyes and Xander finally stepped back. Whatever else they were, Vanir ranks trumped all of it when they were together. Xander didn't have the violet of Damien's eyes, he was a soldier, he was no one among the Ranked Vanir here.

Even if he was a honor guard of Vincent, that didn't matter here. Kertayan dragged his eyes to Imogen and rubbing at his temples.

"You're Vincent and Anaxia's sister right? You're that Imogen?"

Vincent bristled stepping toward Imogen, at her side.

"Anaxia is a shit representative as my sister Kerta -"

"So she's not - you're not certifiably insane?"

He looked past her to the door, tisking under his breath. He gave her nod, crossing his arms.

"In Kertayan I assume you know that give your standing among Samkiel's side, Isaiah's second. I'd offer my hand but if he finally pursuing you enough that you're here....I don't want my arm ripped off."

Vincent stiffened and looked to Imogen, a hand on her elbow. His voice softening.

"Is that it. Is there....is there a bond Imi?"

Xander flinched stepping backward, looking at his feet. Damien rolled his eyes and turned to the hallway. Maybe if he left now Amalie would be awake from her duties in the gardens.

Kertayan snorted leaning against the wall to rub at his neck.

"If there isn't one there will be. He talked about her enough in the prison even if he never gave me a damn name."

------

"I don't give a fuck what you do or don't want to hear. What the fuck is wrong with you?! She could have died! And you were have what - simply stood there like a statue?!"

Isaiah rolled his shoulders back, brushing off Kaden's rage.

"Az says he's going to call them. That Eli needs to be taken out of active duty. I half a mind to tell our parents and Nismera the same thing about you. You're starting to become a fucking liability Kaden -"

------

Neverra curled into her side, gripping her hand. She sniffed, pressing closer.

"It - it's okay, sleep now Eli I won't let them disturb you okay? Go to sleep."

But she was done staying out of this. If Azrael was just going to roll over and pretend it was some boy's club she'd make them see how wrong they were.

[gccdstories]

Elianna doesn't say anything as she hears them leave. Doesn't say anything in the intervening moments. Doesn't really move at all, as she lets the exhaustion weigh her down in the bed, her eyes heavy with it. Her entire body feeling tired in more ways than just the physical, than just the fact that she'd almost Yielded--

It isn't until she hears Neverra that Elianna makes any sort of movement at all, her head turning to look at her. She blinks; it's almost as if the question is muted, faded. Has to fight its way through a thick fog in Elianna's mind to even be understood.

But she nods. She can't make herself move any more than that, but she can nod.

❝ I'm just... so tired, Nev... ❞

~

Isaiah exhales, breathes in Imogen's scent and, ignoring Kaden's comment, drags his brother into the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

❝ I don't fucking care what you want to hear. You're going to fucking listen this time--! ❞

~

Imogen doesn't get a chance to say anything to Vincent before she's pretty much swallowed up by Xander and Damien. And while it does bring a smile to her face at first, she can't seem to get a word in otherwise as they constantly talk about her, and over her--

❝ Shut it! ❞

Okay, perhaps Imogen might have said that a little louder than she intended, but at least they're going to listen to her now. Xander, at least, surely. Hopefully Vincent too.

❝ First, quit talking about me like I'm not right here. Like I can't say what I want and answer for myself. ❞ They all know how much she can't stand that, and yet, it seems like it always happens, without fail. ❝ Second, no one forced me here. No one ever forced me here. ❞ Imogen looks back at the closed door, at (one of the) males behind it, as if she wants only to feel his arms around her again.

Couldn't they just go back to just hours ago, before all of-- this?

❝ I chose Isaiah. ❞

~

Kaden whirls on Isaiah the moment the door shuts, barely caring if it's locked or not. The rage slips free, overpowers the exhaustion, and the fire blazes inside of him, his eyes reflecting it.

That fire, that power, lashes out, shoves against his brother.

❝ Fuck off! ❞ His voice is a low growl, the anger something he can't contain, he can't push down.

❝ I'm not listening to this shit again, Isaiah! So fuck. off. ❞

"Choosing yourself now means we don't rank huh? Come on Einar."

"But -"

"No. Let her choose herself alone."

------

Neverra leaned into Nephry shaking. She barley felt his hands rubbing up and down her arms.

"I - what do you mean she - no."

Azrael sighed and crossed his arms.

"Sure, let's say I'm lying for fun. She did Nev. She -"

Neverra took off, shoving Nephry and Azrael out of her way. She stormed up to Elianna's bed. She wanted to yell, to beg. To -

She toed her shoes off and reached for her blanket.

"Can - can I lay with you Eli like we used to?"

Was this because of Kaden? Because of everything?

She swallowed the urge to grab the nearest scalpel and carve his eyes out. How dare he?!

------

Imogen flushed, leaning back into him. Fingers tangling with his.

"I'm not leaving you. You've met Vin and Enva, they're not exactly drama-free."

She ignored Vincent's snort leaning up to kiss Isaiah's cheek.

Vincent watched Isaiah go and slid his eyes to Imogen.

"Seriously? Are you really here? Imogen if this just lust -"

"What's just lust?"

"Imogen?!"

Damien sighed watching Xander nearly shove him to the floor to reach her. Damien looked to Vincent as Xander reached for her hands. He pulled her into a tight hug, cupping her face.

The joy morphing to fear for a second.

"You're not a prisoner right?"

Vincent sighed and looked to the ceiling.

"Of course not. She came with Isaiah."

Xander blinked at Imogen twisting to look at Vincent.

"What do you mean came with? Is she switching sides?"

He beamed looking back to her.

"Did you finally decide to choose the winning side? You should come out with us, there's these gardens you'll -"

Damien sighed and looked to Kertayan. He'd at least taken off his dragon-scale armor and changed into training clothes.

"Why did Isaiah kidnap Imogen? Are we going to have a problem?"

"No one kidnapped my sister Damien -"

"Why else is our Princess here?"

Kertayan dragged his eyes down Imogen and looked to Damien and shrugged.

"He wanted her into his bed? What do you want from me? Maybe it's a psychological tactic Kaden told him to -"

Xander growled, barring his teeth at Kertayan. His hand tightening on Imogen's. He looked back to her.

"He didn't kidnap you did he? Imogen I'll help you get back to Samkiel's side. I - Mera may not like that but hopefully she's too busy to care about any of this."

Kertayan had dismissed this entire conversation looking to Vincent as he stretched his arms.

"What's with the tension with the Thralls?"

"Elianna tried to Yeild."

"What?! Why - fucking Kaden wasn't it?"

[gccdstories]

"No. I'm sorry son, but no. After the way you treated her these last centuries. I don't see why you should deserve now. Or why I should believe you've finally come to your senses."

Oshuna sighed and looked to her mate. Zain was at least relaxed even if his eyes were filed with rage.

"You're being ridiculous Zain. Like Elianna will simply not do what she pleases -"

"She can, but Kaden asked for my blessing. I refuse to give it twice and be made a fool...twice Oshuna -"

"Yes, yes, you're whining. I'm speaking now."

She waved Zain off who huffed and rolled his eyes. Oshuna set her tea cup down pointing the finger at Kaden.

"You both owe me a Mating Ceremony. A beautiful, wondrous one like her siblings got -"

"Oshuna. Don't encourage -"

"Be quiet Zain. Or leave."

Zain looked ready to protest but decided the wisest response was to sip at his tea. Oshuna eyes narrowed at Kaden.

"Do you know the Vanir way of things? There were many times mating fell apart because of intra-colony wars. But males who survived still needed to prove themselves to their Mate. They'd do trials, would you do them for her?"

She leaned back, a sharp manicured nail tapping at her armrest.

"I'd oversee them with your mother's input of course. Would you agree to that Kaden?"

@siderealxmelody

Kaden says nothing in response to Zain. Even if there are so many things that flit across his mind in response to the other's denial. To the other's refusal. While Kaden might have been able to assume its arrival, it doesn't mean he has to like it.

Or agree with it.

Or not think Zain is an absolute idiotic bastard for not understanding that he doesn't care what he thinks, that he and Elianna are going to do as they wish regardless, that he's only here out of a formality, that--

It takes a certain amount of control that Kaden harbors in that particular moment not to let the frustration show. The rage that twists in his veins. He still can't silence it, destroy it. He knows he never will.

Good thing Elianna knows it too.

Gaze turns to Oshuna instead as she takes the reins of the conversation, because Kaden is pretty sure if he looks at Zain any longer, that grip on his control will slip. It wouldn't be good. At all. And he's already coiled too tight, here without Elianna to take some of that pressure off, so he has to keep that grip, that composure.

❝ What type of trials? ❞

Kaden directs the question only to Oshuna, of course, his eyes locked on her. His nails dig into his palm, his muscle tight. The tension hasn't left his shoulders, any part of his body, even as he sits there and tries to make it. He's not so much of a fool as to say he'd agree to anything (even if he would), and while Kaden has a vague sense of the history--

It's not enough to know exactly what she might have in mind.

❝ What is it you're asking me to do? ❞

[gccdstories]

He can't let her go, because as Elianna speaks, Kaden has to remind himself that she's alive. That Death didn't take her. He shakes his head.

❝ I'm not leaving. ❞

Of course, there is that part of him that wishes to burn this entire fucking place down--and everyone in it--for keeping her, for hurting her, for trying to control him through her. But he can do that later. He can come back and do that afterwards.

Or they can do it together.

Doesn't matter right now, as the rage is still, only slowly bubbling and twisting inside. The fact that Elianna is alive, that Kaden made it in time (even if just barely), is enough to keep the inferno from exploding.

❝ I'm not leaving... ❞

~

Luther is quick, but not quick enough to stop Sebastian's movements, Charmaine's cry as he grabs her wrist echoing off the stone.

❝ Papa! Wait! ❞ His magic rushes out, just enough to try and push Sebastian back. He doesn't want to hurt his father, he doesn't want to hurt any of them.

This is too messed up. It wasn't supposed to do this!

❝ Don't hurt her, it's-- We're going back home, Papa. ❞

Elianna woke in pain, whining as she curled onto her side. Her ribs hurt, her heart felt like it had been squeezed to an inch from rupturing.

"Kaden?"

She could hear the children whispering frantic to open the cell, Sebastian not responding when Luther finally opened it. She should tell him to stay, that they should do something - be the leaders these kids needed.

She focused on him, feeling his fingers in her hair.

"Can - can we leave? I - I don't - I think I'm done."

Maybe she meant it, most likely not. Maybe she'd want to more soon. She placed her head in his lap, inhaling him.

"You - you promised it would be different this time. You promised not to leave me."

Maybe she was being selfish, maybe she was being cruel. She didn't have the energy to care anymore.

--------

Charmaine stepped into the cell, seeing Sebastian staring at a mirror, a finger petting it.

"Sebastian? Sir? Hi we're here to help you. We -"

She moved to pull the mirror away, to try to get his attention. He growled, lunging fast to swipe at her skin, reaching to grab his wrist and twist.

"MINE."

[gccdstories]

Elianna doesn't say anything; the exhaustion weighs on her now, and she almost doesn't care. Can she make herself care right now? Can she make herself feel anything enough to want to argue with Azrael? To reassure Einar?

Pieces of the discussion--if it could be called something so simple--with Kaden dash across her mind. They're jumbled, mixed up, but enough that Elianna can piece a certain amount together.

She's just so fucking tired.

❝ Maybe I just wanted to choose myself for one damn moment, Azrael, ❞ she mutters.

~

Isaiah isn't sure what the truth is when Imogen asks that question. He shrugs. A part of him never wants her to walk away; a part of him wants to not have Imogen anywhere near this, to prevent her from this entire catastrophe that his family has become; a part of him wants to walk away from this entire fucked up mess--

And he still hasn't made up his mind whether he wants to murder Kaden completely yet. Or not.

Maybe just harm him.

A lot.

For being such a fucking idiot. Again.

❝ She'll live, yes. ❞ Eyes turn hard in Kaden's direction as Isaiah answers Imogen's second query, every muscle coiled in his body like he can barely hold himself back from strangling the other male right now.

Isaiah turns back, just for a moment, to slip closer to Imogen. To breathe in her scent--just in case she does decide all of this is too fucked up and disappears forever.

❝ Don't go far, ❞ he whispers, barely loud enough to even speak the words, Isaiah's lips barely moving as he does. The please is there in his gaze as it softens, for just a moment, with her.

~

Kaden's head is pounding, every fiber of his being so tired. Exhausted. He wants to sleep more than ever before, he wants to go back to when he could feel nothing--because this? It's feeling everything too much, the emotions suffocating and overwhelming and he can't turn them off. They're drowning him, swallowing every bit of sense, of control, and he can barely breathe--

No, he can't breathe at all--

❝ Fuck off, Isaiah. I don't want to hear it. ❞

Because Kaden knows exactly what the other is going to say. He knows every word, every expression that will cover Isaiah's face. He's heard it all before--many times.

And right now, Kaden is just too fucking tired to deal with ignoring it.

Again.

------

She didn't remember how it ended. She didn't rememeber the fall out, just screaming arms dragging her away and -

"Ma? Mama?"

She inwardly cringed and looked past Einar to Azrael.

"What happened?"

He looked exhausted, slumped against a wall.

"What the fuck Eli? You don't get to leave me with these idiots."

----

Imogen hovered in the doorway, ignoring Vincent's stare at the side of her head.

"You - you sure you don't want me to stay Isaiah?"

She eyed Kaden warily looking back to where the infirmary was.

"Elianna will be alright, right?"

She didn't particularly like the other female, she was a hell of an opponent on the battle field. But they weren't at war, and she was Neve's sister and...and she felt how ready she was to die.

Something was very clearly wrong.

[gccdstories]

As she seems to melt into him, Tobias does the same, the feel of her nails in his hair only making the possessiveness that floods through him intensify.

You're mine, he claims, over and over. And while he knows she speaks truthfully about the fish-- well, it doesn't mean he has to like the other male, either.

A brief mental image of a very overcooked and barbecued scrap of seafood flits across Tobias's mind for a moment--and eases the tension inside of him.

He quite likes that image of the male better, personally.

Nails dig into Ariadne's skin as Tobias's arms tighten, as he refuses to let her go. Bargain or not, it doesn't matter. She's not leaving his side again.

❝ You are mine. She is absolutely nothing. ❞ He'd forgotten, for a moment, about Deanna even. That he'd even been with her earlier that day. All thought had turned completely on Ariadne from the moment he'd seen her again--sensed her, felt her.

Tobias shakes his head. ❝ The darkness won. That's all the past was, Aria. The darkness won... ❞

~

Eyebrows raised, arms crossed, she surveys this Elianna. Glances at Alister, and she knows there are things between the lines. A past, something more; he knows her, or she knows him, or something, and fuck if she can't figure out all of the pieces and it's driving her crazy--

❝ So who exactly is she? ❞ Dianna mutters to Alister under her breath, a hint of distrust in her tone as she nods towards Elianna. ❝ And what the fuck does she know about the Viper Queen's magic? ❞

Alister closes his phone and turns toward the safehouse. He doesn't respond till they're away from the Viper Queen's immediate territory. The cafes here were bustling, hopefully no one would over hear them.

Or if they did, they had a head start.

"It's his mate. We thought - he thought she died centuris ago before the war."

Alister payed for some food grabbing it from the vendor. He rubbed at his forehead, and looked to the sky.

"I can't believe Tobias is directly antagonizing the Viper Queen for her. Oh my -"

"Tobias is doing what? Why?"

Alister spun rubbing the back of his neck.

"Elianna. I didn't see you - didn't know you were a fan of cafes."

She rose an eyebrow and held up the pastry bag.

"For Neve. What did Tobias do to piss off the Viper Queen?"

"Nothing, it's -"

"Alister. I consider him a friend so if he's in trouble you need to tell me."

Alister really wished he didn't have to be the one having this conversation. Elianna looked to Deanna and he really rather that less.

"Tobias found his mate, she's alive. She's also in a bargain with the Viper Queen and -"

"That all?"

Elianna set her pastry bag on a nearby counter, light magic flowing from her finger to just singe the bag, winnowing it to her sister. Alister resisted the urge to shiver, she weilded the marks as if it didn't tear peices from her soul.

As if it couldn't do it without consequences. Did she not feel the tug of it? The way it whispered and seeped into the world.

She turned back to them, crossing her arms.

"Let's go then, the Viper Queen's bargains aren't really that difficult to break once you know how her magic works."

"And her wrath? Any fun tricks for that?"

Elianna's eyes went cold, and she began to walk.

"I think that's why you have Kaden yes? Shall we Alister? We're wasting daylight."

------

Ariadne melted further into him, hearing that growl. She didn't want to move, didn't think she could.

"There - that fish male doesn't mean anything to me. Beyond a friend Tas. He - he's helped keep me alive. I hoped, I hoped you'd be alive. I -"

She reached for his face, nails dragging through his hair.

"You're still mine right? That female isn't yours right?"

She'd slaughter the thing herself, perhaps make a bag of her skin for daring to touch her mate. Tobias was grieving, that whore was just taking advantage of him.

"Tell me everything? Tell me what - what happened to you my heart?"

[gccdstories]

Without a word, Kaden takes the items from Airmed, his burning glare saying it all.

If I don't, you'll be the first to know.

Because he'd already promised his uncle what would happen if Elianna died. And Kaden would not be breaking that vow--

The paths deeper into this particular part aren't ones that they'd ever let him go. They're unfamiliar, and Kaden can tell when he starts getting closer to Elianna because he senses her.

Just a little, and it's too faint.

The rage twists stronger, and he moves quicker, not caring about anything else--

Fire blazes in his veins, in his eyes. Every part of him is nearly shaking with the rage he cannot hold back, that underlying fear that he won't make it. That he'll lose her. That Death will take her and he can't let that happen.

Kaden is at Elianna's side after what feels like forever, while in reality, it might have only been a mere few minutes. Too long, he thinks, as Kaden ignores everyone else.

Luther. Sebastian. Some other female around Luther's age.

It took too long.

His entire focus is only on Elianna as his fingers gently brush her skin, her face. The black veins are deep, cutting their way right towards her chest; they are right there--

And Kaden can feel the way it's killing her, the way Death is too close. It's right there, it wants her.

You can't have her.

❝ Do not die on me, Elianna. ❞ Breathed words, whispered in an almost commanding way. Because Kaden doesn't know how to plead, but dammit, he cannot lose her. He cannot let Death have another.

Death doesn't get to have another.

❝ Do not die on me. ❞ What little of his soul might still be there, not lost in that darkness--it is hers. It's always been hers. And if she isn't here? If he loses her?

❝ Everything--everyone--will burn if you do. And i know you don't want that. There won't be a single fucking living thing left in any realm if you're not alive... ❞

Airmed sighed and opened his desk drawer, handing him the cure and the map to her cell.

"Good luck nephew. Hopefully you arrive on time."

------

Elianna has slumped over, her vision darkening more and more. She could hear voices, young, far away. Like they were away, far, far away.

Were they mocking her?

Her eyes closed, the pain was too much, too unbearable. She thought she felt his touch on her face, her skin.

She wanted to open her eyes to check, but maybe this was for the best. He'd promised this time was different, he had promised he wasn't going to abandon her.

Perhaps she was still the fool.

Maybe Azrael was right, there was nothing in worth saving.

She wished she could move into a better position. But the pain was receding, the darkness was growing. Maybe she'd finally, finally know peace.