#cassius proposed to her to keep her and because he figured that's what she wanted

[creamecream]

“Rather be the girl that got away than be under your thumb,

Don’t need to spend no more time on you,

Not like I was in love,

Not that I’m having a nervous breakdown,

I’m just let down, down, down,

You don’t know what that’s like though, to wait up, wait up all night though,

To sleep, sleep with one eye closed,

I’m blessed yo’, I’m blessed yo’,

Lord had some mercy on me, he looks out for nobody,

He spared me your treason for some unexplained reason,

Yeah,

So, I thank you for teaching me how I could live without you,

Never needed me, I don’t need you,

Fuck you and Jennifer, I know that you’re out with her,

Go pretend that you’re just friends,

I’ll pretend that I’m not hurt,

I know all the shit I heard,

You can take these bitter words,

Fuck you and Jennifer,

Go fucking make love to her,”

[rachaelslibrary]

Let’s Talk Books - Iron Gold by Pierce Brown

Or the alternative title “The Kids are Grownup”.  This book follows ten years after the Red Rising Trilogy, and catches everyone up with what happened since Darrow and crew “won” their war and Mustang became Sovereign.  It also introduces several new characters and side plots and is an overall BRICK of a book.

I say that it’s a brick lovingly, but also for a reason.  Six hundred pages of political plots, tension, and backstory to explain what happened during the missing decade.  There isn’t as much action in this book as there is in the original trilogy, and this one definitely feels much more “adult” than the previous three.  This is a reread for me, and I remember the first time I read through it, it took me a while since it had been so long since I read the originals. This time, reading it directly after the first three, it definitely was easier to understand.  Little Easter eggs stood out more and I wasn’t as confused reading about past events that had happened and wondering “did I just forget about it?” The answer is NO, you didn’t forget about it, it just happened in between books.

Long story short, if you enjoyed Red Rising, you’ll still enjoy this book, but go into it knowing that it is not nearly as fast paced and feels a bit clunky at times.  HOWEVER, I definitely enjoyed it more the second time through, felt all the feels, laughed all the laughs, etc.  It’s a great addition to the series and I like that it kind of separates itself from the original trilogy because it definitely has a different overall vibe.  The next book in the series (Dark Age) has the same more adult vibe, but adds more of the original action that we all know and love.  Iron Gold is a great opening act to the trilogy of Darrow’s adult life.

Alright, so into the nitty gritty.  Iron Gold has four POV characters, a stark difference to the one of the original three.  Of course Darrow is one of them.  He’s a renowned war hero, legend and practically a god across the new Republic, but he’s also tired.  He’s barely been home to see his son or wife in the last ten years and he fears that he’s losing out on a relationship with them.  His storyline really takes off when he takes his control of the military way to far and decides to go off on his own against the Senate’s will.  Of course Sevro is there to help him along.

Then there’s Lyria, a red whose family was liberated from the mines and taken to a sort of “assimilation camp” until the Republic can figure out what to do with them.  The assimilation camp is it’s own kind of mine though, with disease rampant, food scarce, and people living on top of each other in one bedroom tents.  An attack on their camp leaves Lyria in charge of her young nephew, and she has to take matters into her own hands to create a better life for them.

Ephraim might be a name familiar to you if you have a good memory.  Remember way back at the beginning of Morning Star, Holiday’s brother Trigg who died getting Darrow out of the Jackal’s prison?  It’s his fiance.  After Trigg died Ephraim worked for the Rising, but now he works as a thief.  His storyline starts when he’s forced to take a job that has the payout of a lifetime, but also the biggest risks he’s ever taken.

And finally....Lysander au Lune.  We remember him as the ten year old grandson of the Sovereign who watched her be beheaded and was taken under Cassius’ wing.  Now he’s twenty-years-old, has been out in the asteroid belt with Cassius this whole time being a sort of vigilante and rescuing people from space pirates.  But when they answer a distress call and find a mysterious gold girl, they’re pulled back into the old political feuds of the Rim, and it doesn’t end well.

Pierce Brown does a great job of weaving everyone’s story lines together while keeping them on separate planets, all the while bringing up old story lines from the original trilogy that we all thought were wrapped up.  (Spoiler alert: They aren’t).  It’s really a great read and thoroughly enjoyable but be prepared to spend more time and focus in this book than the previous ones.  All in all, a great opener to the new trilogy.  4/5 stars.

Now without further ado, please view my spoilery rants :)

Damn I don’t know where to begin.  I guess I can start with my absolute faves, and that’s Darrow, Mustang, Sevro, and Victra.  I love how they’re raising their children together (Sevro and Victra now have three daughters with a fourth on the way), and how Sevro and Darrow are still best friends and so loyal to each other even though this much time has passed.  The end where Sevro gets so mad at Darrow because he won’t go back to Luna broke my heart, but I’m also 100% on Sevro’s side because I do believe that Darrow has started to buy into his own myth.

What made their argument even worse though was that at the time they were fighting about going back to rescue their children, we as readers thought the children were safe and on the way to Mustang so it was kind of a “Don’t fight, they’re okay just call your wives” moment.  Of course, at the end of it the ship that the kids were on crash landed so it’s kind of a good thing that Sevro is on his way back to help but still...

On the topic of my faves, I love how Sevro is almost just as much of a legend as Darrow.  Like they really are famous across the solar system, and feared.  When Lyria tells Liam to “be brave like the Goblin.” It’s like damn...even kids know who they are and they know that Sevro’s nickname is the goblin.  Look at my babies being so successful. 

Also Electra....she’s great.  That’s literally all I have to say about her.  When Ephraim was looking at her and thinking she was a kid but then also remembering who her parents are so she must be psychotic...I laughed.  Like this little girl is a force to be reckoned with and it’s all because of her parents.

There’s one quote in particular that stood out to me.  When Mustang was threatening Ephraim about running away she says “One night you will wake in the middle of the dark and find a shadow standing over you.  If you are lucky, it will be me.  If you are unlucky, it will be Sevro or my husband, and you will die shitting yourself in a foreign bed.” Like I just love so much how they’ve all made names for themselves, and it seems like the four of them are really a unit instead of just two couples raising their kids who occasionally get together.

By the end of the book, with everything just starting to kind of fall apart, I was emotionally exhausted.  But that’s a good thing!! Because it means I was just that invested in what was going on.

Few more little notes: Lysander, I started off liking you but then you made some dumb decisions.  Like I don’t really blame you for some of them but like...you opened the vault because you didn’t want this girl that kind of betrayed you to die.  Like come on man.  Also for Cassius but he wanted to die.  You should have just let him.

Also Apollonius....I want a novella or short story or something about when he broke into Darrow’s house to kill him.  There’s a line about Darrow waking up with a shadow standing over him that was Apollonius...I want to know exactly what happened there.  Did Darrow somehow win even though he was sleeping with no armor and weapons?  Did they know Apollonius was coming?  Did Mustang save the day?  These are things I need to knowwwwwww.

What we got of Victra was great, but I needed more of her.  Her and Sevro’s proposal/wedding/just relationship in general in Morningstar was my favorite and I need more of them being together as a married couple.

[finderskeepersff]

75. Part 3

I am still digesting everything Omar has said to me in the car, I think I have never been without Cassius in these things and this time I am, he usually hides these things and it looks like we are ok “so you wanted to speak to us?” Amira sat down finally “so I am happy with the dress, we got that. So we was riding back and I called Cassius and told him that you girls want to have some fun” all of the girls groaned out “telling men anything means the whole thing is ruined” Olivia said “well, not ruined. So Cassius said we can go Clover Club and he has a spot for us and that Omar is coming with us and I am supporting that idea” I need to let them know I want it too “if you ok with that and Cassius got us a spot because when I asked they was busy” Mia said shaking her head “they said they was busy, dead ass they did” Amira chuckled “girl no, always ask me. I can always get it for you. Me or Cassius. They are never busy, they hold it back for the famous these spots, I will always get you in” Amira is not wrong “oh they asses do that? Well if Cassius ain’t ruining plans, lets do this” the girls are ok with it, I thought they would hate it “let’s raise a toast girls, I mean Sofia with her orange juice” pouting my lips out as I reached for the glass and picked it up “I want to raise a glass for the fact Cassius is finally marrying my girl but also, how far you have become. A mother of two, a home owner, marrying the love of your life. Also the fact Cassius has made that happen, so I really want to raise a glass to Cassius, he’s not here but he’s a good guy and I would thank him but to Cassius” Mia said, my smile grew “I also want to add that Cassius has come a long way from the Cassius I know, he has changed for the better and I want to thank Sofia for that so to Sofia” I cooed out at Jasmine “if he was here he would be emotional, Cassius is an emotional person really” I said, my baby getting this kind of love “to Cassius ladies” Amira said as we clinked glasses.

There is no way I can hide this bump so I will embrace it, I am wearing a bodycon dress “ayee, we got this you need to wear it all day” Olivia ran over to me “what is it?” reading the sash “bride to be?” I chuckled “will it fit around me? I’m getting fat again” Olivia placed it over me “it’s just fine, you look so beautiful sis. Come on, let’s go. We are all ready” Olivia grabbed my hands and dragged me out to the living room “here is the bride to be!!” Jasmine spat, I am so shy right now “girls, I love you all so much. You all look so good. I can only imagine how you all going to look on the day, I am emotional to think. Each one of you have made an impact in my life, thank you for riding with me” they are so lovely, I love them all. They all came in for a group hug “no emotional shit, we need to turn up!!” Olivia spat, I can’t wait to have some fun “let’s go, come on” breaking away from the group, let me get my bag quickly from the side. I think it does suck that I can only drink orange juice or water, I would love to get drunk for one night. Grabbing my bag, Amira opened the door “why do y’all do this? Like it scares us” Cassius and his none speaking people, they just come out of nowhere “y’all ready?” Omar said, he looked at me and it’s like he pays no attention to anyone but me “after you ladies, and you go ahead” he threw his cigarette to the side “took your time, my head hurts from the screaming” I guess we was loud “can I have Amira in the car, please?” I said please “Kyle’ girl?” he asked “yes” stepping outside “sure, aye homie. You in the SUV, keep them safe” I am just going to accept this.

I am so glad I have Amira with me, I chose Amira because she knows and she knows the business and when they speak about things it’s private and only she can understand it “this is a fancy car Sofia, look at it. Why complain?” Amira said, she is not wrong “I am not, it gets lonely and Omar constantly bullies me” Omar laughed “I don’t, she doesn’t like the fact I am right. How long you been with Kyle Amira?” see he is nosey too “wow, it will be ten years next year” my mouth fell open “wow, that long? And he has not made you wifey, he really made you wait it out?” the words came out of my mouth without even thinking “no, I think we were happy as we are. I am secure Sofia, like with how we are, but he proposed to me and that was a step he took his time with. I think I had to accept that Kyle put Cassius first in everything, it is just now where he backed away, he saw Cassius was ok, he saw he was having a family and kids and now he’s like we can too. If I was marrying Kyle, I was marrying Cassius too and I am not lying. Sometimes you just have to accept it, you have to be there for him when he needs it. When Cassius got locked up, he was heartbroken and I hated seeing that, the times he thought he lost his brother. Some bonds you can’t break. And Sofia, I accepted because I love Kyle and I wanted his happiness, he does spend time with me and more now than we usually do. But yeah, nine years is long” Amira really was there for Cassius and he didn’t know “wow, that is love” I said “I am just happy Cassius found love, I uhm” Amira paused “I didn’t want to lose Kyle, because Cassius was spiralling downwards, Kyle was fine with going with him too. All these years I never met the man, Kyle didn’t want me too and kept it away from me and I am glad I did now. We’re ok now though” Amira smiled at me “true, you’re such a good woman” holding her hand “and I’m still struggling” I don’t want her to be sad “I know” I said in a whisper, Cassius done told me already “it will happen, I know it will for you” Amira took in a deep breath “but it’s your day today, we good girl” she squeezed my hand.

Omar started that in the back and then his ass went all quiet, all his damn fault “so here we are ladies” Omar got out of the car, there is a line here outside “is it always this busy?” I mean Amira would know “it is, you know when we generated a name in Miami it was a knock on affect to New York and so on, it does well” opening the car door as I stepped out “I would have opened the door for you” the guy that doesn’t speak to me is actually speaking, they are usually mute “I can do it” I smiled at him, walking around the car “bride to be!!” Mia spat as she shuffled over to me “how can I forget” I chuckled as she placed her arm around me as we walked towards the club “oh my gosh, look at that” looking up seeing the sign “Sofia’ night” I read out “oh my gosh, oh my baby. He did that” he changed the sign for me and for it to be my night “I love him so much” I gushed.

We are useless, I can actually admit that now. That we as men are useless, because first of all we came Florida late, then we arrived and I was tired so I didn’t bother. Kyle tried to do some things while I stayed at the hotel with both Bryce and Cartier, they are tiring and I think it’s even tiring that Bryce is very demanding, even trying to figure out what he wants but I am getting there. I can’t really be loving towards him because Cartier don’t like it, I am just tired “the girls done got their shit done and onto their bridesmaids dresses, we bad” Kyle said “I know, we getting there. You say this was the shop?” I pointed out, Kyle went and did research “it is” looks like a nice jewellery store too “I came and checked it out with gay Lee over here” I laughed, Kyle is not shit “gay Lee, have you asked if he likes that name?” I questioned “we bonded, we good” shaking my head laughing “I guess we need to get out of the car” looking over at Cartier “I am not ready for this” I am tired from dressing them in the morning, Cartier held his hand out to me with his pacifier “thank you son, you ready Bryce?” he looked at me, he is in his own world “boss” Ethan opened the door for me “yeah coming out, we need to get momma a nice ring” getting out of the car.

Holding my hand out to Bryce as he took it, I got Cartier in my arm and holding Bryce’ hand as we walked towards the store “daddy day care and shit ain’t it” Ethan said “says you nanny, you got the bag” I do love it though, I love this actually. It may be tiring but it’s loving, I get so much love from them but Cartier does not know how to share at all, he is really bad with it. Walking into the store “Kyle you are back” he already knows him “I told you I would be back, here is the man himself. The man of the hour, he needs help with the rings” Kyle said behind me “I am Matt, I would shake your hand but you are busy. I will help you decide, I have the room waiting for us to see the many rings we have” he seems like a nice guy “come on young don, we about to see some shiny things” I said looking down at Bryce, he smiled as we walked together. He is so good, very quiet. He likes to play on his own a lot because I think he probably finds it draining to interact with others because they don’t understand him and we struggle to do the same but I am spending much needed time with him, he is so special to me.

Matt finally came back in the room “so do you have anything in mind, anything you want to buy for her?” good question “erm, not sure. The most expensive thing?” I mean that will look nice “we can do that but I am sure she will want a lot of thought into it” he said it like he would tell “I got her a big engagement ring, it’s the best on what they had there so I got it. It is big so you know, I am not sure what else to get?” Matt nodded his head “ok, well we have a band where it could make an addition to the ring or do you want to have another ring and replace it?” this is hard work already “a band? I mean ain’t that tacky?” Matt laughed “no, not at all. Let me show you one, I think you will like it” looking over at Kyle “you have no clue do you?” I laughed shaking my head “I am trying my best, I just want it to look pretty for her” Kyle cooed out “so this is a band of sixteen diamonds, white gold. It is an eternity ring” he bought the ring to me “Kyle has shown me the ring and from what I have seen, this will look great” it is very shiny “you see this Bryce, shiny” Matt ain’t even letting me touch it “as you can see from afar, it’s not something you would say disappoints. You can use this and then later in the future buy her a new ring but I think this would be perfect, you know how beautiful it looks” nodding my head “you right, when did Kyle show you the ring I got her?” I asked “he came in, he showed me an example. He helped you out a lot” Kyle is always there for me.

I thought while I was here I would get my son a gold chain “aye, dada. Let daddy do it” he is so fussy for nothing, clipping the chain around his neck “wow dada, you rich, rich” I like this chain “this is solid cuban gold diamond chain” Matt said “yeah, only thing is that it may be heavy for him but he seems to be ok with it” he doesn’t seem annoyed by it “you good too?” I asked Bryce, he seems ok with the chain too “you like it? It’s shiny ain’t it?” touching the chain, he looks so happy with it “I told you, what dada get, you get. Brothers are the same yeah?” placing my arm around him “and that Rolex, I want a Rolex for a lady. I mean my wife, but I want a Rolex” she needs a Rolex while I am here “I can get you that but there is something that we was requested from Kyle” another assistant walked in with a box “from Kyle?” furrowing my eyebrows looking over at Kyle “from me bro” Kyle said, Matt walked over to me with the box “this is a gift from Kyle” Matt said to Bryce and opened the box, looking in the box and seeing a diamond encrusted chain with Jordan’ picture “it’s real diamonds, and a picture of your late father” seeing the picture of Jordan, I am a little choked up “you got that for him?” I said to Kyle “family, you right. He looks just like Jordan and being with him, he deserves to know him and have him on his neck. We all grew up with him” reaching over and taking the chain out of the box “you know who this is Bryce? This is your dad” reaching around him and placing the chain around his neck “this is your dad, he may have been a pain but that was my brother” turning the picture around “he always going to be there for you” my voice broke, Bryce is staring down at the picture and then looked at me “dad” he said, he knows it “you know it son, I love you nephew” he was so fucking lost in trying to be me, Jordan had no chance.

Staring at myself in the mirror, I am not sure how to feel about it. I am nervous, I can’t lie about this, I am so nervous the fact I am getting married and now I am stood here staring at myself in a Tuxedo, I am a simple man. I choose things straight away but I think I like this Tuxedo, I really do. I am getting married, that shit is so wild to me because I never thought I would “dada!” hearing Cartier scream from outside the changing room, and I never thought I would be a father “dads coming, calm down” hearing Kyle say, I am feeling choked up. I am getting married, this is happening “coming out now” I said, closing the button my suit jacket and making my way out. Taking in a deep breath as I stepped out “so what y’all think?” I asked “look at you, the don is really looking like the don now” Ethan said “you think?” looking down at myself “come here son” taking Cartier from Kyle “hey dada, you see this? We going to dress the same” pressing a kiss to his cheek “this the Prada three piece suit, Italian style and I think it looks good on you” the tailor said “I need two the same, for my son and nephew, least matching” I am excited.

[countessogilvy]

Imperatrix II: Two Truths & A Lie

|Book| A Courtesan of Rome [Post-Canon/Alternate History)

|Pairings| Cassius x MC, Marc Antony x MC

|Rating| Mature

|TW| Mentions of sexual assault and rape, slavery, child abuse and torture.

|Summary| Cassius receives an answer to his proposal. Epona asks Antony for a reward.

Chapter I: Ides of March

"How could you ask that of me, Cassius? Rome would never see me as a wife. I would be considered your whore, at best your slave." Her words came out almost a whisper, a pained expression on her face.

He'd been planning to ask for some time, biding his time until they both freed themselves from the grip of Nemesis that had her embroiled in dreams of revenge since she made her debut as a courtesan in his home, and him since receiving news of Pompey's defeat. "To hell with Rome or with what my peers will think of me marrying you!" Cassius cursed through clenched jaw. His hand smoothed down her hair, finally landing at the nape of her neck bringing his forehead against hers. "You love him, don't you?"

Cassius already had his suspicions that Epona's relationship with Antony had gone beyond her original intent, that she would find herself captivated Antony's charm despite his role as Caesar's right hand man in the conquering of Gaul. He knew that if he let her go without an answer now, she would never return to him. Epona helped him cope with his past trauma, she accepted him as flawed as he was, supporting him when he felt most insecure of himself. She was never afraid to speak her mind around him, even when it came to her more dangerous thoughts - he admired her honesty and openness in an environment that was hostile to people like her in Rome.

"I do, as I love you." She fought back the tears blurring her vision. It was a painful truth she had to admit not only to Cassius, but to herself in order to finally free herself from Antony's shackles. "Yet, unlike him, I know your heart truly lies with me. How could I not choose you?"

*****

The sun had barely risen when Epona left the villa, the streets were quiet save for a few farmers bringing in produce and grain from the countryside in carts. Walking through the marketplace, Epona noticed a young girl staggering through an alleyway. The young girl's clothes were tattered and ripped, almost falling off her small bony body. Welts covered most of her back, some still fresh and bloody, a brand above her left shoulder blade: a slave. Buying a fresh loaf of bread from a baker still setting up his stall, Epona quickly caught up with the young girl, her hand landing on her shoulder. The young girl flinched in terror, backing away from Epona, nothing but fear in her worn eyes "Please don't hurt me, domina!"

Epona offered the bread to the girl, "Eat this, girl." The slave girl hesitantly took the bread from her hands and ravished it as if her last meal had been days ago. Epona couldn't help but chuckle at how quickly the girl ate the bread, hoping it would sate her hunger until whenever her next meal came. She brushed the knotted brown hair away from the girl's face, quietly offering her a blessing, "May the Great Mother watch over you. May She give you the strength to survive the cruelty you will endure. May those who would hurt you be struck down by Her might."

The girl couldn't quite meet Epona's eyes, keeping her head bowed, "Gratitudes, domina."

The fear in the girl's eyes felt all too familiar to Epona. She was once a slave in shackles, forced out of her home, ripped away from her family and brought to an unfamiliar land. If not by the grace of Tsirona, she could have been that young girl, marked and branded, devoid of everything that made her Epona. Even though she won in her trial of vengeance, Rome remained the same. The same Rome that took her youth, her tribe, her homeland, her family, her flesh. Anger simmered in her, the same anger she felt under Aquila's shackles. The anger she felt in those woods as he and his men took her - her screams unanswered. She vowed she would survive and instead she flourished, the Romans that harmed her and her family now in the afterlife where they belonged.

It was little she could do about the treatment of Rome's slaves as a courtesan, but she would be a senator's wife soon and his ear would be open to her suggestion. She may feel some guilt about using her soon-to-be husband's position in such way, but she also knew that he would agree with her. Any slaves Cassius inherited from his father were set free and offered proper coin for their services instead, his words always backed by direct action that were met with snide remarks from his peers in the senate. Perhaps her reputation could change the minds of Romans, likely more effective than pleading to the senate which would probably fall to deaf ears. Or maybe she would take the matter into her own hands, freeing the slaves herself and let them burn Rome for its sins against the children of Tsirona.

*****

Epona made her way into Pompey's villa, oddly left empty of any guards or servants. With light steps, she walked into the dining area to find Antony seated next to a table, pouring wine from an amphora into his goblet. His movements were inaccurate, spilling wine onto the table and even overfilling his goblet before he gulps it down at once. It appeared that someone already broke the news of Caesar's assassination to Antony. She cursed herself internally, an unfortunate circumstance of her mental anguish and exhaustion from the day prior.

"A bit early to be drunk, no?" Epona questioned, closing the distance between them until she stood across from him.

He scoffs, filling the goblet again before leaning back into the chair. His eyes met hers, glazed-over and bloodshot, a strange sight for Epona unsure if it was due to the inebriation or Antony succumbing to a good cry. "His loyalty may have wavered, but Caesar was still like a father to me." A mournful look crosses his face, downing more of the wine again. "However, I doubt you're here to speak of dead men."

"Not at all, only of what is to follow." Epona moved around the table, fingers stroking the wooden surface of the table until she finally settled next to Antony. "A full pardon for myself, Cassius and Brutus on the charges of murder."

"Caesar has yet reached the underworld and you're already asking favor?"

"I am certain your beloved pater is already plotting to crucify Pluto as we speak." Epona smirked at him, almost mockingly. "You will soon be declared consul of Rome due to the actions of the Liberators. Surely such a grand prize deserves the small reward of a pardon?"

Antony watched her thoughtfully, stroking his chin as if trying to figure out her angle, "Oddly specific for you to mention only Cassius and Brutus in this...pardon."

"Do away with the others if you wish but Brutus is a valuable ally and fiercely loyal. He will be useful to you in the senate and may even sway dissenters to your side."

"And young Cassius? I can't see him being easily motivated to support me by just pardoning him." Antony cocked an eyebrow at her.

Epona carefully thought about her next words, not wanting to give away her true feelings. "Cassius would have me as his wife and I would love nothing more than enjoying the luxuries of his wealth. I can't do that if he's dead."

"Ha! Epona, Princess of Gaul, greatest courtesan in all of Rome and now wife of a senator." Antony laughed, now swirling the wine around his goblet. He tried to hide it but she noted the slight bitter expression on his face. Epona winced at the epithet of "Princess of Gaul", a name given to her by Rome to increase her value. She was no delicate royalty but a fierce warrior and chieftain of the Catauni, the title she inherited from her father despite her tribe being no more.

His free hand caressed her thigh, slowly moving upward, ending right at the apex before moving his hand away. Epona nearly faltered in her attempt to disguise her arousal, choosing not to look at him directly instead. Antony smirked, leaning in towards her breast, hot breath warming her bare skin. "Why just be a senator's wife when I can give you all of Rome?"

And there was the Antony she knew, bargaining with her knowing his true loyalty remained with himself. "Because any affection you may have for me will always remain secondary to your ambitions." she stated harshly.

It was a difficult truth Epona had to come to terms with despite loving him. It would only take someone more beautiful, more powerful and more ambitious before he would discard her and move on. She enjoyed their "games" against those they both hated but she knew deep down he was using her as much as she used him. She loved him but hated how small he made her feel at times, as if one misstep and he would take her life without notice. She refused to live as such, under the thumb of a man who wanted nothing but complete control.

"And you don't think Cassius would use you as he has done before?!" he spat, slamming down his goblet on the table, some wine spilling on the table and her gown.

Epona rolls her eyes, "Oh Antony, jealousy does not suit you. You wanted Rome and now you have it, I was never part of the deal." Epona silently prayed that would be enough to convince him. She finished the remainder of his wine before heading for the exit.

"You're aware the your actions may just start a civil war. What if perhaps...I happen to strike down Cassius on the battlefield?" Antony threatened.

She had enough of Antony's manipulations. She found a way to free himself from him, his puppet strings and he would even take that freedom from her. Clenching her fists in anger, she look over her shoulder, clenching her jaw "Then you will meet me on the battlefield."

[luxurylives]

A Different Time

Pairing: No pairing

Book(s): A Courtesan of Rome

Word Count: 3,819+

Rating: PG

Summary: Arin finds peace after plotting to kill Caesar. 

Author’s Note: It’s been done before in some movies and television shows, so I figured why not and ran with this for A Courtesan of Rome Appreciation Week. Pixelberry Studios owns the characters.

Tagging:  @acor-appreciation @maloneyberry  @thisiswhythealienswontvisit @thechoicesvita  @thefirstcourtesan @silverofdreams

Arin paced the scholae, deep in thought. All of the lies, manipulation, and plotting had come to an end. Caesar was dead and because she fled the scene after his murder, she had Marc Antony to defend her innocence. However, she betrayed Cassius at the same time and broke his heart. Arin would not admit it to anyone, but it hurt her, even now.

“Is it what you wanted?”

Arin snapped out of her thoughts and whirled around to see Lena standing nearby. A calm, stoic expression on her face.

“The spirits of Catauni are at rest. That is as much as I can ask for” Arin said quietly.

“You have lived for them for a long time, Arin. If they are at rest now, does that mean you can finally choose for yourself?”

Arin bit her lip and walked across the room, staring at the steaming waters of the bath. Lena was right, this was her moment. She could finally make a choice and would not have to worry about the repercussions. “I hope so,” she said as a small smile appeared on her face.

“And what will you choose now that your life is yours? What do you want to do with it?”

Arin looked up from the waters, her mind began racing through everything that has happened since she arrived in Rome. The day she and her family were paraded through the streets like animals, the moment she saw her father in the ring, befriending Sabina, reuniting with her mother and killing her brother. However, there were moments of passion and desire—Syphax, her former bodyguard who proposed and made love to her before she killed Caesar. Cassius who she also bedded and then betrayed out of fear, and Marc Antony…another lover, who was dangerous, arrogant, and had a remarkable way of keeping her on her toes. Each man ignited something within her…but was it worth it? There would be no peace in Rome, especially now with Caesar gone and his nephew destined to take over. Arin turned to look at Lena who was anticipating her answer.

“Well?”

Arin thought for a moment and then finally came to decision, she would spare her heart and turn away from each of them. “I want to spend my life with my family”.

“I would never have kept you here so long had I thought you would truly find them again”.

“I would not give up the years I spent with you, Lena. You are my family now, just as they are”.

Lena offered her a small smile and walked over to hug her. “Go to them, Arin. You have waited a long time for this”.

Arin smiled, her heart overflowing with warmth; she hugged Lena once more and then quickly hurried out of the scholae.

 Later that day Arin arrived at the temple of Ceres to reunite with her parents. Victus, her father wrapped her in a tight hug, a wide grin on his face. “You did it, Arin! You avenged the Catauni. Their spirits are at rest now”.

Arin turned to her mother, Delphina, who was joining them. “The goddess is proud of you, my daughter. You did the task She laid out for you”.

“And we’re proud of you,” Victus said merrily.

Arin smiled warmly at her parents, some time ago she began to think this moment would never come, and now it was finally here. “What will you do now? Will you be returning to Gaul?”

Victus turned to Delphina and took her hand, his features darkened. “There is nothing left for me in Gaul, Arin. All I want is to find those who are still lost in slavery and help them return home”.

“We will do that together; your father and I will travel throughout the Republic until we have found and freed every member of the Catauni”.

Arin smiled as her mind drifted to what Lena asked her earlier. This was the perfect way to move on. “I’ll come with you! There is nothing I want more than for us to be together and bring back every surviving member of the Catauni. It won’t be easy with so few of us, but we can welcome new members from other tribes. The Catauni will live again”.

Delphina smiled but then frowned as she turned to take in her surroundings. “If only your brother were here with us”.

“I wish I could have reached him, Mother. But he had belonged to Rome for too long” Arin winced, the memory of her slitting his throat came back to her. The bright crimson seeping from his throat as he fell to the ground.

“He never had your strength, Arin” Victus replied.

Delphina took a step forward and laid a hand on her forehead, hot tears began to swell in Arin’s eyes. Delphina had recited this benediction to her for as long as she could remember.

“May the Great Mother guard and protect you, Arin, in all that you endeavor. May She bless you on land and sea. May She bless you in water and fire. And may your life be always a gift that you will cherish…”

Arin smiled warmly as the temple began to melt and recede around her.

 “…she’s awake!”

Arin blinked slowly, bright lights were shining on her. What…? Where am I? Arin thought as her eyes darted around the room. She tried to move but she couldn’t, there was an overwhelming pain coursing throughout her body. Arin blinked once more and saw two people rushing into the room, one had purple scrubs on and the other had on blue scrubs with a white coat. Arin couldn’t comprehend what they were saying to each other as they moved around with precise and quick movements. Fear began to take over, despite the pain, she tried to move until a pair of hands came down on her, holding her in place. Arin glanced to the other side and saw a shiny needle being pointed at her, she began to struggle once more. However, her efforts were useless, she felt weak and drained. Shortly, her eyes began to water, and her body went completely still.

 A different kind of light awoke Arin, it was calmer and soothing. After a few minutes, her eyes began to adjust. Arin took a deep breath and slowly sat up, there were two people in the room, sitting across from each other in silence.

“Vincent, look,” the woman said as she stood up and hurried to Arin’s bedside.

The man looked up from the floor and turned to face Arin, his mouth went agape.

“Who…who are you people?” Arin asked worriedly.

The woman froze for a minute, staring at her blankly. “Arin, it’s me, Delaney…your mother”.

Arin stared at her blankly, she was confused. Her mother’s name was Delphina and her father was named Victus. The woman wore a printed blouse with a v-neckline and wide sleeves, navy skinny pants, and metallic flats.

“This is your father, Vincent,” Delaney said.

Vincent started to reach out but shoved his hands in his pockets. He had on a grey long-sleeved shirt with jeans and a neon vest. He gave her a small smile, a grateful look in his eye.

What is happening? Why aren’t we in the temple of Ceres? Why are they going by different names? What is this place? Arin thought as her heart began beating double time and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

The same woman from earlier who wore the white coat and blue scrubs entered the room with a stethoscope around her neck and carrying a clipboard. “Hello, how are you feeling?”

Delaney and Vincent moved away from the bed as the doctor entered the room. “Who are you?” Arin asked.

“My name is Dr. Aurora Emery, I was here earlier. Marlene paged me when she noticed you were waking up”.

Arin blinked at Aurora and shot a confused look to Delaney and Vincent.

“The subway you were on derailed,” Vincent said.

Arin bit her lip and tried to make sense of what they were telling her, but she could not remember. “How did I get out?”

“One of our paramedics found you unconscious and pulled you to safety”.

“Dr. Emery, you mentioned something about her liver?” Delaney folded her arms, casting a worried look at Arin.

Aurora took a step back as she finished her examination and turned to Vincent and Delaney. “Yes, a grade one liver laceration, from what I have seen it isn’t too bad, but I want to admit her into acute care for a night or two”.

“After that, she’ll be okay to come home?” Delaney asked.

Aurora shook her head and gave a small smile to Arin. “By Thursday she should be good to go”.

“I’d like for her to stay at my place,” Vincent said turning to Delaney.

Delaney shook her head and moved away from him. “No, the last thing she needs is to be downtown, she will stay with me in Whitewood”.

“Dammit, Delaney, I am not getting into this with you— “.

“Mr. and Mrs. Bennett please, I don’t want to cause Arin anymore stress than what she is already experiencing if you need to discuss that please do so outside”.

Delaney and Vincent exchanged a somber look and moved away from each other.

“I apologize, Dr. Emery, we’ll figure it out later,” Delaney said as she shot a hateful look towards Vincent and took a seat.

Once Aurora finished, she promised to come back and check on her later. Arin simply shook her head and stared at the two people in the room, both were strangers to her.

“I have to make a phone call,” Vincent said quietly. He walked over to pat Arin’s shoulder and exited the room.

Delaney stood up and slowly walked over to Arin and sat at her bedside. “Arin, would you prefer to stay with me for a few days?”

“I would prefer to stay at the scholae”.

Delaney closed her eyes for a moment and took a small, deep breath. “Arin, what are you talking about?”

“I am a courtesan, I work for Lena. We were at the temple of Ceres and you were reciting a benediction to me. Father was there too and we— “.

“Arin, you need to rest,” Delaney said as began tucking her daughter in.

“But…I— “.

“Arin, you need to rest” Delaney repeated sternly.

Vincent walked back into the room and slipped his phone into his pocket. Delaney stood up and pulled him to the other side of the room and began whispering so Arin couldn’t hear.

Arin laid back and turned her head to stare out the window, soon she was fast asleep.

 Thursday arrived sooner than expected, Arin was still trying to process everything that had happened. It couldn’t have been a dream…everything was so real… Arin thought.

“…and of course call if you have any questions or concerns,” Aurora said.

“Thank you, Dr. Emery,” Delaney said and shook her hand. “Please, say hi to Ines for me, she and I need to catch up”.

“Will do,” Aurora said with a polite nod.

“Arin, you ready?”

Arin snapped out of her thoughts and noticed all eyes were on her. “Um…yes”.

As soon as Aurora left, Delaney and Vincent walked Arin out of the hospital and to the parking lot. “Are you sure you want to stay with your mother?”

Delaney rolled her eyes and turned to Vincent. “We agreed she would stay with me until she is ready to go back to her apartment”.

“It’s fine,” Arin said quietly.

Vincent frowned and shook his head. “Alright, but call if you need anything”.

Arin shook her head and hugged him. Delaney looked on but turned away as soon as Vincent looked at her.

 That evening Arin arrived at a quaint townhouse in the Whitewood with a small yard and carport. Once Delaney parked the car, she helped Arin inside and headed upstairs to prepare the guest room, leaving Arin in the living room. As Arin sat on the couch, she saw Delaney’s tote laying on the coffee table. Arin reached inside and pulled out a file folder with a rubber band around it. Arin removed the rubber band and opened the folder and saw multiple essays stacked on top of one another, with the titles: "The Names of All Lost Things", "A Summer Without", and "Winter in July".

Arin furrowed her brow and began flipping through the graded essays, her heart stopped when she reached the twelfth one. The name Sabina was printed at the top.

Arin quickly flipped through the pages, expecting to find something but to her dismay, all she found were critiques and explanations of a novel written by someone named Enrique Vasquez. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and Arin threw the essay on the coffee table and rushed to answer it, as soon as she opened the door her blood began to boil…it was him, the tribune who destroyed her village.

“Hi, my name is Gavin Ruffner with Townsend Landscaping. I’m looking for Delaney Cole?”.

“You will not be looking for anyone!” Arin reached for an umbrella near the door and raised it, ready to attack him.

“Oh my god! Arin!”

Gavin’s eyes widened and he took a step back as Delaney rushed forward and pulled Arin inside, snatching the umbrella from her. She quickly turned to Gavin with an apologetic look on her face. “I am so sorry about her, please go around back, I’ll be out there shortly”.

Gavin uneasily shook his head and quickly stepped away to go to the backyard. Delaney slammed the door and whirled around to face Arin, eyes blazing. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

“He attacked us! He burned our home! The things he said about my brother…I do not trust him!”

Delaney ran her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “Arin, just…just…go upstairs…please”.

“But I…”.

“Arin just...go” Delaney slumped onto the couch and buried her face in her hands.

Arin turned to start up the stairs but stopped when she noticed her mother was crying. Arin started to walk over to her but decided against it and walked upstairs.

 Arin spent the rest of the day in the guest room staring out the window and trying to process everything. There wasn’t much in the room except for a few boxes and storage bins. Arin rummaged through them only to see ornaments, wreaths, and garland. Arin walked over to a small bookshelf and looked through some of the titles, one of them stood out.

“Julius Caesar…” Arin picked it up quickly delved into the novel. After a while she placed the book back on the shelf, shaking her head. She slowly exited the room and started to walk down the stairs, the lights were on in the kitchen and Delaney was talking to someone on the phone. Arin crept down the stairs hoping to hear the conversation.

“…and she almost hit him with an umbrella”.

Arin grimaced thinking back to what happened earlier.

“Louise, I’m worried…remember when I brought her to you before? After…well…you know…” Delaney paused taking a deep breath.

Arin swallowed and leaned forward slightly, After what? What is she referring to? She thought.

“…I suppose I could…it’s just I don’t want to overwhelm her…she has been through so much already. I’m stressed as it is, between the number of classes I’m teaching, dealing with Vincent, Colton’s anniversary, and now Arin…”.

Colton’s anniversary? What does that mean? Arin thought. As she shifted her weight, the stairs creaked, and her blood ran cold.

“Arin you might as well just come into the kitchen” Delaney called out.

Arin stood up and followed the light to see her sitting at the island with a cup of tea in front of her. Delaney was dressed for bed, her hair in a bun with pajamas and a robe on.

“I’ll call you tomorrow…. thank you, talk soon” Delaney said and hung up.

“I’m sorry, I’m just…trying to make sense of everything”.

Delaney took a long sip of her tea and slowly set her mug down. “I didn’t mean to snap at you earlier…it’s just…a lot has been going on lately”.

Arin studied Delaney’s face and bit her lip. The time to piece things together was now. “Can you help me make sense of it all?”

Delaney stood up and walked into the living room. Momentarily, she returned with a photo album and handed it to her.

“Maybe this will help jog your memory,” Delaney said as she down.

Arin flipped through the photos slowly, each one slowly awakening something inside her.

“That was taken on Christmas Day”.

Arin looked up at Delaney who gestured to a photo of her opening presents with a boy next to her gaping at an Xbox and controllers to go with it.

“Is that…?” Arin pointed at the boy…this has to be Cingerix she thought and looked up at Delaney.

“Your brother, Colton”.

Arin nodded and took another look at the photo, once again something clicked in her mind.

“Where is he? What happened to him?”

Delaney took another sip and set her mug down. “Colton passed away last year…he was a firefighter”.

Arin flipped through a few more pages of the album and came to a more recent picture of him, he was dressed in a grey t-shirt that read Whitewood Fire Department and black shorts. Arin ran her fingers over the photo and let out a small sigh.

An uncomfortable silence began to seep through the kitchen. Arin looked up at Delaney who was deep in thought.

“Is this helping at all?”

“A little…it feels like I have experienced it…like I know but at the same time…I don’t”.

Delaney shook her head and tapped her fingers along the side of her mug.

“Who was that earlier? You said I was there before?”

“Louise Hall, she is a therapist you were seeing after your engagement ended”.

“Engagement…?” Arin asked. Her mind drifted to Cassius and Syphax…however, there was a good chance neither existed.

“You were engaged to Trent and both of you were expecting a child but there were…complications”.

Arin stared at her blankly, “Did I…?”.

Delaney shook her head. “You were devasted and at the time you lost your job at the art museum”.

Arin resumed looking through the photos, sure enough, she came to one of her and a man with slicked-back black hair, brown eyes and tan skin. They were snuggled up together on a blanket with a picnic basket, smiling happily.

“What happened to him?”

“A friend told me he was engaged to someone named Katie, but she left him for someone else”.

Arin continued looking through the photos. “Did something happen between you and…my Dad?”

“Your father and I separated a while ago, Arin”.

Arin thought for a moment and she could feel a memory slowly coming to her…on a cold winter night, she was seated in this very kitchen, Delaney sat next to her in tears.

“What happened?”

“He had an affair with this architect he met at a construction site he was working on,” Delaney said. “The signs were there and I just…tried to ignore them”.

Arin reached out and took her mother’s hand. “I’m sorry”.

“No…no it’s fine, we’ve all moved on from it” Delaney gently gripped Arin’s hand and offered a small smile.

Arin suddenly felt something, an electrifying, warmth that coursed through her body. Everything that she couldn’t piece together began to fall into place. After a moment she looked up at her mother who looked at her quizzically.

“Arin, what is it?”

“I remember,” Arin said and looked back at the photos. “I remember everything…I was on my way to a job interview at this museum in McCord Bend and I took the subway…I left you a voicemail and…then there was this loud screeching noise…the lights began to flicker, and people were screaming…”.

“As soon as I heard about the subway, I called your father and we rushed to Edenbrook, but it was so…chaotic. We sat and waited for hours until they finally allowed us to see you”.

Arin shook her head, everything was finally starting to make sense. She and her family never lived in Gaul. There was no tribe called the Catauni. Delaney was her mother and worked as an English professor. Vincent was her father and worked as a construction planner. She had graduated from Langston University with a bachelor's degree in library science and a minor in history. She worked as a museum archivist. She and her parents buried Colton last year and the anniversary of his death was coming up. She was engaged to Trent but after she lost the baby, he left her for a woman named Katie. The art museum she worked at in Claymont closed and she lost her job. Louise Hall was the therapist she began seeing afterward. She had a job interview scheduled at a museum in McCord Bend but then the subway derailed and gave her a concussion. While she was unconscious, she must have imagined she was a courtesan who was on a mission to kill Julius Caesar and avenge her family.

“Did this help?” Delaney asked and gestured to the photo album.

 Arin shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair. “Yes, I…I don’t know what came over me earlier”.

Delaney squeezed her daughter’s hand and smiled. “You were trying to process everything”.

Arin sighed and began laughing, thinking of the man she frightened earlier.

“I better get in the bed, I do have a full day of classes to teach tomorrow,” Delaney said as she finished her tea. She stood up and set her mug in the sink and started to exit the kitchen.

“Mom?”

Delaney stopped in the doorway and turned to face her daughter. “Yes?”

“I love you”.

Delaney smiled and walked over to Arin, hugging her tightly. “I love you too”.

Once they released each other, Arin watched her mother go up the stairs. She sat in the kitchen for a few minutes and helped herself to a pint of ice cream. As she was eating, she noticed a newspaper sitting on the table. Arin set the pint down and picked it up. After skimming a few articles she flipped to the entertainment section and began reading: Get ready for these popular books to hit the big screen. As Arin read through the list, she paused at the seventh title, The Secret of Ninradell. Next to the title was a picture of the author, Marianne D'Arneaux who had a striking resemblance to Lena. Arin smiled and set the paper down. Once she put the ice cream away, she turned off the lights and went upstairs. Maybe it was a dream, but she knew the people existed in the real world, in one way or another.

Author’s Note(s): If you made it to the end, this takes place during Chapter 14 of Open Heart and you may remember Trent and Katie from Rules of Engagement.

[infinitysdecendants76730]

Infinity’s Descendants- Finding my way

La maison de Léon

We had packed all of our things on the horses and were about to mount them and ride off when Fabien said “Before we go, I must know something about you” “What must you know?” At this moment I would be willing to tell him anything so that we could began our journey to my sister. “La Voleuse de coeurs is a charming name but what is your true name? The one someone in your family would call you” his voice was pleasant and something about him put me at ease. I had only known him but a few hours and I felt I could rely on him. “My name is Céleste LeBlanc, those closest to me call me Cele. You may call me whichever you’d like”  “Well Celeste, it is nice to meet you” he replied. He rubbed his horses neck and pat it twice gently and it began to trot off. “Let’s get to it. We have forever but I doubt that you want to waste any more time than you already have” I did the same and off my horse went too.

 

We had been riding for a fairly short period time and I couldn’t help but notice that Fabien was squinting. “Are your eyes okay?” I asked. “Yes, they are a bit sensitive to the sun but they will adjust as we ride on” he replied. With Fabien suggesting we leave at dawn and the lack of effect sunlight has on me it hadn’t even crossed my mind that sunlight may have an effect on him. He grabbed the leather water bottle he had slung over his shoulder and took a few gulps of its contents. From the aroma I could instantly tell that it was not water that he was drinking. I did not care that he consumed alcohol as long as it did not start to disrupt the journey. “So, we have about a 20 day journey ahead of us. What do you say we get to know a little bit about each other?” he proposed.

About 5 nights had passed and the conversation over the last couple days had been effortless. Fabien was a real pleasure to speak with and be around. “And that’s about everything I can think of right now about myself. What about you? How is it that you have no coven? Why do most think you dead? How did you know where to take me when I told you I needed to find House of Léon? ” The questions left me like a free flowing stream. For the past couple of days he had asked me several questions and our conversations were steered based off of my responses. Do not get me wrong I have no problems with sharing ideals and beliefs about the world we lived in but it had been 5 days and we had barely spoken anything about Fabien and his life. I was eager to learn more about him and everything he had seen over his many years of immortality. “Been holding on to those questions for a while?” He smiled.

“Since we met” I admitted with a nervous giggle. “Well we wouldn’t want to keep you waiting would we? Hmm let’s see. Where do I begin….I haven’t always been on my own. A long long time ago I belonged to the Brézé Coven. Maizière Family to be exact. Back then the House of Léon did not exist. It was just the Maizière Family. The House of Léon came about because the camorra thought that the Maizière Family was growing too quickly. Fearing that they may lose power over us they decided to split us up. That is how House of Léon came about” he took another swig from his water bottle. “The Corsini family funded the build of the House of Léon, which I am sure you could have guessed seeing that the Corsini Family finances most things that Giovanni-Montoire has a hand in. Raphaël, the head of the Corsini Family rarely leaves his palace, he almost always sends his daughter to do his dealings” I decided to take a guess on who he was talking about “Mariana?” Fabien looked at me with the happiest face smiles “Oui, Mariana. She and I were inseparable. I had no fleshly sisters but I still to this day consider her to be my sister. Marius got wind of how close Marianna and I were. He thought that she and I were intimately involved. If there is anything that belongs to Raphaël that you do not trifle with it is his money and his daughter. Marius saw the opportunity and capitalized on it. I presume he figured that with me out of the way Jareth could get closer to Mariana, the two would wed and Giovanni-Montoire would be the most powerful coven in the world” Fabien slowed to grab some sort of berries off a peculiar looking tree. I had spent few moments in the presence of Marius but that was all it took for me to ascertain that power meant everything to him. It still did not make sense though. “You’ll have to forgive me. I do not quite understand how that plays in to why they all believe you to be dead” I added. “Right” Fabien placed the berries in a bag and proceeded with the support. “Marius told Raphaël about the supposed intimacy between Mariana and myself. He was furious, to boot he found out about my lack of nobility which only fueled his rage even more. Without hesitation he ordered that I was to be executed at the feet of the Camorra in the very same room you attended that hearing for the Newborn Azazelle…” This was the first time anyone I was speaking to actually acknowledged that she existed. I wonder if he knew more about her. “...as you see I never made it to my execution. They all believe that I was murdered before hand” said Fabien. “Murdered? By whom?” this bit of information was unexpected. “Mariana” that name was the last I expected to hear. Honestly I thought he was going to say Jareth. “Wait, why is it that they believed she would murder you if the two of you were said to be romantically involved?” I asked as I dodged a low hanging branch. “She told her father that she had come to say her goodbyes in my holding cell and whilst she was down there another prisoner tried to take advantage of her. She explained that I stepped in to save her and was killed by the prisoner” That possibility was not completely unbelievable but it would not have been my first line of reasoning. “How was she able to keep the prisoner from telling the truth?” “She burned him alive. Told her father that it was his punishment for killing someone who was to be excited by the Camorra. Raphaël commended her actions and Marius was happy that I was now a non factor.” I was completely surprised by that response. So much so I did just barely saw another low hanging branch. It almost took me clear off my horse.

Just that brief glimpse into his life was certainly a lot of information to unpack. I definitely need more time to process it. “That was very kind of her. She truly does love you! I can only imagine how hard leaving her must have been. Do you get to see her often?” I asked picking a leaf from my hair. “We have our ways of keeping in contact but it is only when it is an emergency. It has been 75 years since I saw her last” he replied with a rather sad look on his face. “I think we should stop soon and let the horses rest and replenish themselves” I didn’t want to ruin his mood and I desperately wanted to get off this horse for awhile. “That’s is a great idea, there is a small village up ahead that we can stop at. While we are there I will pick up some supplies and feed” He gave his horse a few kicks and it galloped off. Just great, I hope their aren’t any more killer branches around otherwise I’ll never make it to House of Léon.

Fabien had made a fire in a little clearing about a kilometer away from the village, “Were you able to feed sufficiently?” I asked. The last thing I needed was for my guide to fall out from a lack of food. “I was thank you” he laid back on a rock, crossed his legs and looked up at the stars. “C'est beau ici, n'est-ce pas?” There wasn’t a cloud in the night sky. The stars looked like someone had thrown glitter onto a deep blue blanket. “It truly is.” We sat in silence as the fire spat and crackled. For the first time in a long time I had thoughts of Cassius. Thoughts of the days when he and I would lay in the gardens and stare at the stars just like this. Fabien’s voice brought me back to the now. “Can I ask you something Céleste?” he sat up. “Of course you can” He eyed my hand cautiously. “I promise to you I will never use this on you for any reason Fabien. You are helping me do something that means more than I could ever explain and I will forever consider myself in your debts for it. I would never harm you. Ask me whatever you’d like” i said , trying to put him at ease. “Forgive my frankness but you haven’t a noble bone in your body yet you are able to walk in the daylight. How is it that you can walk in the sun unscathed?” he asked. My first thought was how he knows that I am not a noble but he had been around the most noble of vampires for many many years, he probably knew that the second I walked into Lady Luck Inn. “I fear you are not going to believe my answer but truthfully I don’t know. I was told by my maker that I would not be able to bear the sunlight but since I was turned it has never had any effect on me, with the exception of making me drowsy when I get nice and cozy” I shrugged. Fabien didn’t question my response he even laughed at my quip about being cozy. “That mademoiselle stealer of hearts is interesting…very interesting” I thought back to Fabien telling me the story of how he escaped the Corsini family and something wasn’t adding up. “Fabien” “Hm?” he had already laid back down to gaze at the stars again. “You told me that your lack of nobility enraged Raphael did you not?” I was positive was on to something. I just needed him to confirm it. “It did, I’ve never seen anyone that angry” The fire crackled as I tossed a small twig I had been fiddling with into it. “Never mind his anger. How is it that you are able to withstand the sunlight?” He sat up and tossed me his water bottle. I opened it and smelled its contents. I gagged and Fabien let out a deep hearty laugh. “What is this? It reeks of poison and horse piss” I managed to say as I coughed. The fumes were burning my nose and chest. “That, Céleste, is my nobility” he said proudly.

“How many days ride are we away from House of Léon?” asked Céleste. “About two. Let me ask you this Céleste, what exactly is it that you intend to do when we arrive? Whom is it that you are seeking? Does Lasko know that you are coming?” Our horses were drinking from a stream so Fabien and I decided to take a stroll alongside the stream. “I haven’t the slightest of ideas right now. I had planned on sorting that out once we actually arrived. You see there may a slight problem…” he stopped and turned to face me at hearing me say this. Withholding this information from Fabien seemed to be a good idea until this exact moment. I deeply regret not telling him sooner because he might have been able to help me devise a plan while we travelled. I suppose times like these are perfect for the adage ‘Better late than never’. 

 

“You are aware that I do not belong to a coven but what I neglected to tell you was the reason I cannot belong to one. I cannot belong to one because of the camorra rules that I took part in breaking. The head of this house should have no knowledge of my crimes but he also has no knowledge of who I am at all” Fabien laughed from the depths of his soul. “So you mean to tell me that you are a fugitive of the camorra and not a single soul in this house has any knowledge of you yet you still wish to have an audience with the Head of the House of Léon?” he said in disbelief.  “I am not here for an audience with the head of the House. I seek one person and one person only” I replied matter of factly. “D ’accord, Whom is it that you seek?” he asked.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leo had returned to House Dei Guerrieri. He made his way to the wing of the house that the Cavalieri Bianchi Occupied. He entered their parlor and had he been thinking straight he would have changed before he did so because the leader of the Cavalieri Bianchi was definitely not pleased with his blood stained attire. N walked up to him and gave him a once over.  “Leo, I am surprised to see you…like this…” he ran his hand over the bloody tear Céleste had left across Leo’s chest. His face was riddled with disappointment. “Where is your trainee?” asked Ravi. “Dead” replied Leo. “She killed him!? Wasn’t he a noble?” Ronin sat his glass of blood down with wide eyes. “Perhaps he should have trained with Zaz like Ronin and myself did” added Ten from his chair. “I trained him Ten. Are you saying that my training is inadequate?” hissed N. “No sir, not at all. You are the finest trainer we have, I mean that there ever has been. I only meant that since our training with Za…” N pursed his lips and glared at Ten. He hated that Ten and Ronin had developed a personal relationship with ‘the newborn’ who wasn’t so new anymore. “…with Azazelle” Ten said correcting himself “ I only meant that since our training with Azazelle was more recent then our training with you that he would have been more prepared…I uh…I am going to finishing drinking my drink now” both Ronin and Leo laughed at Ten.

“Your orders were to bring her head back to us” N said rounding on Leo once again. “I know what my orders were” he replied calmly. “And yet you came back empty handed?” N crossed his arms and squared his shoulders. “Yes and before you inquire; I have no knowledge of where she was traveling nor where we can find her. I believe the trail has gone cold” Leo gave a less than apologetic shrug. “Are you saying that she bested you?” asked Ravi “Of course not, Ravi, do not be ridiculous. However, you are the most familiar out of all of us with being bested; it is only fitting that you would assume that” retorted Leo. Ronin and ten laughed this time. “Enough” said N. “The next time we give you orders you are not to come back until you have fulfilled them. I must report to Amir. For god’s sake change your clothes Leo” N sashayed out of the room with his head held high.

They all waited for the door to close after N left the parlor to resume their relaxation. Leo took a seat on the couch across from Ravi and Ten handed him a glass of blood. “Were the rumors of her true? Is she an assassin or a temptress?” asked Ronin. “Does she really have the power of hypnosis? How is it that she slays her victims? Is she truly La Voleuse de cœurs?” asked Ten. “She is all that we have heard and more. She fights without restraint and kills without remorse...”   “Tell us truthfully Leo. How did she escape you? Surely you could have killed her with ease?” Ravi said interrupting Leo. “Perhaps I could have, perhaps I couldn’t. Nevertheless, it was not her time to die and should the time ever come for her to perish it will not be by my hand” Ten and Ronin were looking at Leo like children did when they were being told fables. “Why not?” asked Ten. “She broke no laws in my book” Leo finished his drink and licked his lips as he savored the sweet blood. “But she took the life of a noble” Ronin said curiously. A small smile spread across Leo’s face as he stood. “As I said, she broke no laws in my book” he said as he left the parlor. “What does he mean by that?” Ronin asked Ravi. “It means Leo’s precious La Voleuse de cœurs did not kill his trainee” Ravi replied simply. “Come gentleman, let us began our preparations for the upcoming soirée”

Amir had decided to host a celebratory soirée for the Angeli Oscuri as they had successfully infiltrated and took down a cell within the ‘Les bourreaux du Seigneur’. The ‘Bourreaux du Seigneur’ is an organization of mortals who took an oath to rid the earth of the damned at all costs. Their methods were often times far more cruel than those of the damned but they did them all “in the name of the Lord.”  So being that Jareth and the rest of the Angeli Oscuri had rid Paris of its largest cell of ‘Les bourreaux du Seigneur’ it was only natural for the entirety of the vampiric world to celebrate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“There she is...House of Léon” he said as we peaked through a bush in the distance.

“Is that the entrance? Can we just walk up? How do we gain entry?” We had finally made it and I let my excitement get the best of me. “Not too loud, the death dealers patrol the outskirts . If what I have heard is true you do not want to be on the wrong side of an encounter with one of the Shadow Killers even with your particular skill set” he whispered.

“So how are we going to get in?” I asked as we walked back to our horses. Hopefully he had better luck with ideas about this than I had. “You my dear are going to ride right up to the front door” he said with a smile. I stopped dead in my tracks. “Absolutely not! Not in these clothes! It will be a cold day in hell before I left anyone see me like this” I said defiantly.  “Are you serious? I thought I you wanted to find Azazelle?!”  he replied. “I do but it cannot be wearing this” I wasn’t going to budge on this. I only brought 4 outfits for my entire journey from Lyon. My clothes were tattered and in no form or fashion were they presentable. “What do you need? The nearest decent dressmaker is over 100 kilometers away” he sounded like the very thought of traveling any further was going to push him past exhaustion. His stress levels were high, he was no where near as calm as he was during our journey. Perhaps his proximity to a group of people who once loved him and also wanted him dead was wing on him. “The nearest dress maker is right here. All I need is materials, if I provide you with a list can you get them for me? I can compensate you” I think he knew there was no chance I was leaving. I was going to stay here and try to see if I could spot Azazelle. “Hush your talk of compensation. Just tell me all that you are in need of”

Fabien was gone for the rest of the day and most of the night. When he returned he smelled of cheap perfume and wine. “Mixed a little bit of business with pleasure did we?” I jested. “You have your supplies do you not?” he tossed a heavy sack at my feet “What has you in such a sour mood? Was her blood not as sweet as her pussy? Or was it the other way around” I playfully whipped him with a piece of silk I had removed from the sack. Finally he smiled. “Knock it off Céleste. You shouldn’t trifle with a dangerous man like myself” he replied. “HA dangerous?! You’ve slept in my lap atleast 3 times on our journey and you ran from a lady bug yesterday. Attention tout le monde! C’est Fabien le tueur des hommes!” The two of us shared a long relieving laugh.

“How long is it going to take you to make your dress?” he asked sifting though my bag of materials. “I should have it done in a days time if I rush” I must admit, I have missed designing and making dresses. I rubbed a price of silk between my fingers and found peace in the softness of the fabric. “Get to work. I’ll keep watch” said Fabien.

I was tired of working on this dress in silence so I decided to pick Fabien’s brain a bit more. “Fabien, tell me more of what you know about Azazelle” “Her thirst for blood is only proceeded by her skills in combat. She has done wonders for the House of Léon and Lasko cherishes her even more than a man cherishes his favorite weapon. She has restored good fortune to his name and to the House of Léon” I held out the sleeve of of my dress for Fabien to hold and he grabbed it. “Here I thought you were going to say he cherishes her like a daughter and you go on to liken her to nothing but a mere weapon” I found it adorable that even though we were having such a serious conversation Fabien was focusing harder on the dress than I was. “Lasko has no desire for a daughter, I used the term weapon because that is what she is. That is all she is to him, an instrument he uses to attain everything he ever wanted. When she can no longer do that for him he will replace her” I was saddened by the sobering truth of Fabien’s words. I can’t fathom how she has made it over the years. “Now that you have told me what you know of her. Tell me what you think of her” Now I was simply doing my duties as a big sister. I am unsure where Jean Laurent is nor do I know what happened to him. After 25 years she may want someone else to keep her occupied at night. Fabien was handsome so why not see if they would be a nice match? “Why do you want to know what I think of her?” he asked. “You have proven to be a good judge of character thus far. I am curious to see what your thoughts on her are” he didn’t second guess my reasoning and began to speak. “Well, as I told you I have never met her before but I have seen her in passing a time or two. She was beautiful, her hair was long and thick, her eyes were unlike anything I had ever seen” he dropped the sleeve as he talked about her. “How do you mean?” I asked trying to keep my smile at bay. “Je ne sais pas, it is hard to explain. You will see when you see her” I handed him the sleeve again and told him to continue. “She seemed to be kind and respectful to those around her but still managed to keep to herself. She frequently kissed a ring she had on a chain around her neck. The times saw her she was still a newborn so I assumed it may have belonged to someone in her past life that she hadn’t yet forgotten” He sounded like he had felt sympathy for her. “Here’s to the Azazelle I meet being more like the second girl you mentioned than the first” I took his water bottle and chugged a few gulps. I used all my strength to keep it down. I would never understand how Fabien could drink this with no effects at all. “Yep, still tastes like fiery horse piss” I coughed. “All of us cannot walk as the nobles do without sacrifices, Mademoiselle Céleste” he laughed as he drank from the bottle.

The sun was peaking of the horizon and the dress was done well ahead of schedule. I attribute it to the good company and my readiness to see my sister. “Are you certain Azazelle will be able to help you find whom you seek?” he asked. He did even try to hide his concern. “Positive” I replied, pretending that he couldn’t sense my heartbeat quickening. “Well then, you will arrive at sunset. You will make a better impression on Lasko. Let us feed, you will need a clear mind to blend in with those in the house”

As we headed back to our encampment Fabien showed me the entrance of the house. It was absolutely stunning. With black gates guildes with gold leafing. Sunset could not come soon enough.

Sunset was near and the sky had filled with beautiful pinks, oranges and purples. Soon the sun would be set enough for my arrival.

“Something is wrong Céleste” said Fabien. He was keeping watch while I changed into my dress. “What is it?” I frantically tried to finish dressing. “They are leaving. They are dressed as though they are going to a ball of some sorts” Merde, I couldn’t get my dress all the way up. “Do you see Azazelle or Lasko?” One of my arms got stuck and I almost ripped my dress. “Yes, both of them as well as two others just entered a carriage” I managed to get myself fully clothed and ran to Fabien’s position the best I could. All I saw was 5 carriages riding off.

“Well fuck” I sighed.

[finderskeepersff]

29.

I would say things have been steady with us, we are in our new home and things are just going fine I would say. It’s a fresh start we needed, it’s nice to come back to a home instead of a hotel room. We are living and breathing in our home and that alone is a blessing, I think Sofia has done so good. The whole design of the house, it’s luxury but it can be a little big for us both, you know with the fact there is just two of us. Sofia is constantly searching around the home a lot, she thought I left the house last night but I was asleep in the corner couch. I was literally watching TV and then fell asleep, I love it here I really do. We have been here about two weeks now, it’s great. Gummy bear is now eleven weeks, the weeks are going by so fast that it’s scary, by the time you know it the baby is here. It’s been good to not do anything, like drug wise everything is quiet. I want it that way, we need to move differently now. The money is not even running low, shit is stacked and that what makes me happy “you seem in deep thought” Sofia questioned as she put her earring on staring down at me in bed “I am, just thinking. Are you excited about your friends coming?” Sofia is excited but it’s my hell, I’m not even lying. That gay weirdo is coming and he’s a little too much, this is not me but I guess I have to be “Cassius I am so excited, I mean they don’t know about the baby and also they will see our new home. I think Lee will be arriving first” rolling my eyes “oh don’t do that, I know he’s got a big mouth but he means well” today is going to be annoying already, and they are staying here.

Let me actually get out of bed, I fell back to sleep. I have things to do today, let me quickly get some breakfast. Pressing my phone to my ear as it rang out, jogging down the steps “Hello, this is Cassius. I need to speak to Robert, I wanted to know if my car arrived. Is he there?” Nobody want to talk to the assistant “I can try for you, please hold” making my way to the kitchen, I don’t think Sofia would have made breakfast “is it sweatpants season already?” Hearing someone say “Cassius?” Sofia said my name, with my phone pressed against my ear I turned to look “huh” seeing Lee sat on the couch, oh god no. Let me be nice, waking towards the couch “hello, it’s Robert” the guy said on the phone “hi, yes it’s Cassius. Just one moment” moving my phone away from my ear “hi Lee” Shaking his hand “hello Cassius, are you not feeding him Sofia?” Lee said shaking my hand “he feeds me” Sofia retorted and they both just laughed, let me just go “sorry about that, it’s Cassius. I wanted to know if the car is ready to pick up? It’s been a week now” opening the cupboard doors, grabbing the lucky charms box, the shit is empty “yeah Mr Warren, the Bentley did arrive yesterday. We was just getting the car ready for you” that is all I wanted to know “cool, I’ll be down for it today” disconnecting the call, I needed to get a car for myself. Thought I might as well treat myself with my money.

It’s a weird feeling to have, I kind of somewhat feel free but I’m not because I have stopped the work flow back in Brooklyn, I need to change how we run, we need to do it differently on how we get the supplies out. I need to break it to Sofia that I do need to go Brooklyn but she is going to be so annoyed with me, what can I do I need to get the ball rolling. I won’t go just yet because her friends will be here so I will remain here but I need to get this done, opening the box. I honestly thought I lost my gold grillz but I didn’t, I am just glad I can finally put my things in a place of my own but my money is still in the lock up, there is too much money and I cannot bring that here. There is rows of suitcases with money so I need to just keep that there until I can figure out what I can do, putting my gold grillz on my bottom set of teeth. I missed this shit, I can never let go of my timberlands too “Cassius, Kyle and Myles ae here. Where are you going?” She questioned “I need to pick your car up, it’s in repair right?” She nodded her head “I am doing that, don’t worry. I haven’t sold your car” I chuckled “why do you look like some thug that can eat pussy good” I laughed out “you know me so well, you like my grillz huh?” Sofia shrugged “but listen to me, do not be late. My friends will be here ok?” watch me be late.

Sitting in the front seat “you are straight out of Brooklyn, look at you my nigga” Kyle patted my shoulder “I found them, remember we all bought them? Shit was dope” I am not a flashy person so this is why there is so much money around, I have too much of it “you spoiling yourself now though ain’t you?” I shrugged “perhaps but I have something to annouce and say, don’t crash the car” Kyle and Myles are going to be shook “so Sofia and I kind of had an argument, I said to her you can go if you would like. I would let you go and she can stay there in the house we in, so she went out of the room. Then she came back and said I want something from you, I was like oh god, this is it. This is how me and Sofia end but she goes marry me” Myles screamed out “no fucking way!” Myles moved ahead to look at me “she wants me to marry her so she can have my last name, she ain’t mentioned it again. I think she is leaving it with me but I am like the hell?” Myles laughed “marriage?” Kyle pushed Myles back “seriously?” Kyle said “yeah, I think she feels as if I die she will have a part of me. That honestly really upsets me to know that she feels that, she has aceepted it could be either one or we could grow old together. It’s new, what we doing is new” my lower lip quivered out of nowhere “you getting emotional?” Kyle hit my arm “fuck outta here” digging into my pocket, pulling out the folded scan picture “this is my gummy bear, it’s eleven weeks today but I went to the scan” showing them the picture “bro, this is the little don. He does look like a gummy bear too awww, you emotional for this” wiping my eyes “I get it Cassius, your life is changing but the other part hasn’t. It’s a little blessing, it’s cute already” Myles said, he patted my shoulder “love you bro, we in this together you know that. You die, we die. We ride together” nodding my head.

Kyle passed me the photo back “it’s heart was beating and the baby was wiggling, my baby already moving around. Doctor was like your baby can be a ballerina or a dancer when it grows up, that hit me. Like a stab to the heart, I scarificed so much shit for others for me to lose out. I am feeling it, I can’t speak to Sofia because she don’t understand. She just gets upset, shit is playing on my mind I just want to be here. It’s like you know, if they planning, we planning too. Us doing this here could create some shit, but we must push on boys. Don’t mind me, just in my feelings” putting the photo in my pocket “good luck charm” I laughed at myself “Cassius, we are here for you. That is how it is, I get it. This is why I say to Amira, no kids. You get it now right?” nodding my head “you going to marry her then? I think you should, she is sticking by you, I like Sofia. She is good for you” I sighed out “I am, I am going to propose to her. Do all that shit the girls love, you know how it is. She said she has never seen her mom be married, she wants it but I want it to be good for her. Her friends are coming, you know that because y’all girls are coming over. Do it then, I want to make her happy before shit starts. Maybe we should all do it” Myles snorted laughing “she wishes” but Kyle didn’t say anything.

Shaking Robert’ hand “you holding out on me on this car Robert?” he did that white laugh to me, white guys are funny “it’s not that, what happened is that it arrived but late. We was kind of shutting too. But she is here, how you wanted it, the black rims. Frost white body” I am excited to see “I appreciate it, you went out your way for me” the guy did, he thought I was some random thug at first “wait here, just need to get some paperwork” turning to the boys “Cassius” Kyle placed his hand on my shoulder “think back, when have you ever bought a car for yourself. I ain’t speak on that shit you been had in Brooklyn, not the deals we was doing but actually spent money on you. Have you ever?” shaking my head “it’s time for you to spoil yourself, think about it. You never spoilt yourself and you have now bro, I am happy for you” I sighed out smiling, I never buy anything to be honest. I kept the same car I got when I was like eighteen, I didn’t see a reason for it so this is me spoiling myself, Sofia refuses to get rid of her trash car so I just got the thing fixed “come on over sir” Robert waved us over “is she ready?” rubbing my hands together “she is ready and here she is” my eyes grew seeing the car “this is so beautiful, oh shit!” I spat, I always wanted to get myself a nice car but when you live in Brooklyn that is never worth it “Robert, my man you sorted me out! Look at the rims on this bad boy” this is beauty.

I feel like a millions dollars, I am not even trying to be funny with this but I do. Like this car is luxury, I get to feel such a thing. I don’t do this because I ain’t that flashy but my god, this car is my baby. She is like the ice queen, this car is just pure white. Come to think of it, have I ever spent my money on my self. Have I ever done things for me, this is crazy. I was so deep in the game that I just did it to gain money, I gained but never spent but look at me now, I am blessed and doing this. I am just so happy, I got Myles driving Sofia’ car and then Kyle driving his own, we are going to find a ring. I am so out of my depth with this, the fuck do women want. I took a ring from her box so I know the size but I just don’t know the design, what would she like, I mean I assume she will want something very shiny, something that glistens and makes a statment.

Walking into the jewellers with Kyle and Myles, this is going to be fun. Us niggas don’t know shit “hi, I am Beverly. Do you need any help?” A name like Beverly seems so old, she is a young girl “oh erm yes I do, I need real help actually. I don’t know where to start” what rings are for engangments, like I don’t know shit “sure, what is it you want exactly?” scratching the back of my neck “engagment rings” I sighed out smiling “oh, you got a lucky lady. Come on over there. I will be around the display and we can look for you” grabbing Sofia’ ring I took out of her box, holding the ring in my hand as I walked towards the display “I got the ring from my girl’ box, so I got the size right” placing it on the glass display “oh that is a good start, well you can’t just buy one today. We do make them personally for you, we just need to figure out the design you would like?” my eyes widened and I just shrugged “I mean, you tell me. What do women like?” she laughed “well we would link bling, we would want to show the hell out but that is dependant on you. Are you on a budget?” I had to laugh “no, there is none. She is worth it. I mean I don’t want it too big, like that is showing off but I want it pretty, you know?” she smiled at me “let me show you an example, you may like it” she walked off “she got a good booty on her” Myles said in a whisper “well you are with a white girl, she ain’t got one” I laughed saying, Kyle found it hilarious and screamed out laughing.

“So you really about to marry her?” Kyle asked coming into my eye-view “yeah, you know what Kyle. I realised some things, I have had time to think, she ain’t had the best of life. She has to now accept what might come and she has, the least I can do is give her that. For her to get that feel, for her to have a ring. I get it, I do now so yeah I am. It’s going to be last minute, we won’t wait or anything because we have shit to do” they don’t believe me about this “so here we are” turning back around “this is a halo vintage ring, you see the diamonds around the band, fourteen karat white gold, this ring alone is ten thousand, three hundred and thirty seven dollars” she held it out to me, taking the ring from her “it looks nice, I like it. I mean it’s a lot diamond wise so she will like it” I am sure she will “we can engrave it, would you like that?” nodding my head “I would actually, how quick can you make it?” I want it quick “things like this take time” she said “I will pay whatever, I will pay cash right now. Plus extra, I need that within two days the most” the girl looked speechless “let me speak to my manager” she walked off.

I got what I wanted, it’s amazing what money gets you and look at that “you are something else, I am ready for the best man speech” Myles put his arm around me “we ain’t doing that shit, y’all going to air me out and shit. Y’all ain’t even invited, just a small thing” I am acting like they ain’t the first ones “Cassius Warren, a married man. Won’t even front” we stopped walking and stood outside my car “when I saw Jordan with Sofia, I was like that nigga is not worth that. She is one beautiful woman, and I was shocked she even likes your stupid ass” pushing Kyle “nigga shut up, she is ok” I shrugged it off “I love her for her heart, her beauty is a bonus. You know, she has been through shit, from being used by guys, threatened and now this. I just want the best for her. She still till this day craves her dad’ love, she still wants it. I wish I could get that nigga and beat his ass. She said he is local but doesn’t want to know, her mom is pretty too. She is crazy though” shaking my head “when she made you get her son? Like you did all of that for her to be shit to you, bad vibes but we driving back now” unlocking my car door “for sure” least I got that done now.

Locking my car door, I am so happy with my new baby. She is so sexy, Sofia should be jealous cause she bomb. Hearing the music playing from outside the home “they turning up in there” this is what I got to put up with now, like they going to be annoying as shit. Pushing open the door “you are so whipped Cassius, like legit. I am done with you” Myles said, walking to the living area “Cassius is here!” Mia spat, Sofia’ head poked up over the couch “hey” reaching over the couch and holding the flowers out to Sofia, I was late too so you know “awwww how cute is this!” Olivia gushed, Sofia took the flowers from me “long time no see, love the home bestie” Mia hugged me “thank you, good to have you here and Mitch, good seeing you” dapping him “you looking rich as fuck Cassius, not even going to front” Mia said behind me “you think? I am poor after being with Sofia, she is spending” hugging Olivia “you look tired?” I questioned “don’t, I have had a terrible night” nice to see Ivy not here “Kenton” dapping him “oh shit, Lloyd, good to know you still around. No bad vibes” Sofia grinned at me hugging me “thank you baby” hugging Sofia close, pressing kisses to the side of her face “ok, ok. We ain’t seen her in so long, we need to spend time” Mia said, this is what it’s going to be like, I just laughed “your home is beautiful, congratulations” Mitch said “thank you” this is going to be eventful with these here now.