<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Lupercus dropped from his position in the centre of the SIth circle, his work completed. The curse that had been placed on their sleep was working perfectly, and they were to connected that ones pain would affect the other. He smiled as he walked to the edge of the circle, his disciples parting to let him through.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> So close... All we need is time, and my hatred will destroy them all...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<font color=red>You mean our hate, don't you our dear Pretender?</font>

Tevarii stepped from within the center of the blood red symbol painted on the floor. As her feet passed to the outside the paint began to smolder and turned black before fading into the floor as though it had never been.

She stood before him, her fingernails scratching lightly at his face before grabbing onto his hair and pulling his face towrad hers. Her lips caresses his, their kiss deepening a moment before she broke the contact. <font color=red>" Do not forget that we are the ones that have gotten you this close to your prey, Pretender. We give you our hate, our magics, our passion, our strength. Only together can we hope to achieve the goal."</font>

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> He smiled slightly as she pulled away, his hand falling from her hair.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

"Of course..."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> His hands grabbed her around her backside, pulling her towards him again, lifter her off the ground. Her legs wrapped around his body, holding herself level with his eyes. A evil grin crossed his face as he held her for another lingering kiss.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

"I just love your taste..."

The blackest hour before dawn found her sitting cross legged on the floor, the blood red symbol once again painted beneath her. A few feet from the symbol, leaning against the wall, stood Lupercus. His impatience showed on his face as he watched her.

<font color=red>" What do they say, woman?"</font>

Tevarii looked up from the ten cards she had just layed on the floor, scowling up at him. <font color=red>" Patience, dear Pretender, these things cannot be rushed. Were we to missinterpret the meaning-"

" Just get on with it then!" </font>

She looked back down at the cards, her fingers brushing against one that depicted a woman seated on a throne, a crown on her head and a scepter in hand. <font color=red>" The Mistress of the Scepter. Your future depends on a woman, though this woman is not us."</font>

The next card showed a pyramid whose pinnacle was crushed down by a storke of lightning, throwing down two men.<font color=red> " The Thunder-Struck Tower. This symbolizes the ruin of human pride and false science by the sudden influx of the Force."</font> She raised her eyes to gaze pointedly at Lupercus. <font color=red>" Beware your pride and foolish ventures, they will lead you to your ruin."

" Typhon, this is the Spirit of Evil of Fatality and of Chaos."</font> The image on third card was that of a Hippopotamus with the head of a crocoile, the feet of a goat and the characteristics of man and woman. <font color=red>" He guides your future goals and destiny." </font>

The fourth card depicted a young maiden opening and closing without effort the mouth of a lion. <font color=red>" The Tamed Lion, an emblem of the power over one's self acquired through the education of the will-power and the experience of life. If you are endowed with sufficient faith, you may go ahead fearlessly. Obstacles are more imaginary than real."</font>

Tevarii's slender fingers stretched out to touch two similar cards.<font color=red> " The Mistress of the Sword, and the Master of the Sword. The Former in alignment with recent past events, the latter your future influence. The Mistress shows me a great stuggle due to some jealousy aroused by a woman, while the Master reveals you in a position of power. Though beware, you will have dangerous enemies and envious rivals."

" These last four; the Ten Cups, nine of which are arranged in a circle with the tenth in the center. This is you, Pretender. You are surrounded by allies, your friends many.

The Nine Cups, nine cups arranged in three trianges which are all pointing downward. This is your envornment. There will be a union, a coupling with one older than you, yet the direction of the triangles advices you keep away from the union altogether.

The Eight Cups, eight cups arranged upon the eight angles of a cube. Your inner emotions are revealed to us here, Pretender. "</font> She looks up to him a sly smirk playing across her lips.<font color=red> " You have made an unfortunate choice of companion and you will suffer due to this love affair."</font>

She stopped over the final card three cups forming a triangle above the other four arranged in a square. <font color=red>" The cups, the Cups are your desitny, dear sweet Pretender. You will conquer, you will succeed, you will see triumph through a woman."</font> She snatched up the first card, the Mistress of the Scepter, and showed it to him.<font color=red> " This woman. Only when you see this woman defeated will you see the completion of your goals. Overcome this woman, and Hapes will be yours."</font>

"...There will be a union, a coupling with one older than you, yet the direction of the triangles advices you keep away from the union altogether...

...You have made an unfortunate choice of companion and you will suffer due to this love affair."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> As she spoke those words, an evil grin crossed his face, knowing full well it warned him off her. He walked up to her, his hand raising up to stroke her face, pushing her into him again.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

"I was always the one who played with fire, and i never cared if i got burnt... It always made me come back for more!"

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> He moved in as if to kiss her, but at the last moment shied away, his tounge snaking out and slid along her cheek as his mouth moved towards her ear. Suddenly he whispered something, his voice cool and amorous.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

“<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Mmmmm<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, I just <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> love<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> your taste…”

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> He held himself there for a moment, savouring her anger, her hatred of the Queen Mother, before moving his head back inline with hers.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

“So, when do we begin?”

Crystal blue eyes were somber as they stared back at her from the mirror she looked into. All about behind her servant bustled about preparing her gown and jewels that she would be forced to wear to the Senate Address. She glanced over her shoulder at the silver and black gown that was being layed out for her and sighed. She normally enjoyed the gowns the Hapan seemstress' made for her, yet this morning she found she was in no mood for any of it.

Turning back to mirror she heard the door open and Dakkon entered the chamber. He wore a wide smile, his dark eyes shining with anticipation. The handmaiden that was brushing out Vessana's hair stepped aside as he came to stand behind her. His hands rested on her shoulders and he leaned in to kiss her cheek. " Good morning Ana."

She forced a smile, placing a hand ontop of his. " Sleep well I trust?"

He chuckled giving her a knowing look. " I always sleep well with you looking out for me." His eyes suddenly narrowed at her reflection. Gently his fingers took hold of her chin and turned her face toward him. He crouched down to eye level, his thumb light brushing against a faint bruise on the soft skin at the corner of her mouth and the tiny split on her lower lip." What happened?"

Vessana took the hand from her cheek and kissed his palm. [/b] " I'm fine. I took a bath last night and slipped getting out. It's nothing, hardly noticable."[/b] She let go of his hand and turned back to the mirror. " I need to finish dressing Dakkon. Why don't you go ahead to the Consulate and make sure everything is prepared at that end of things."

She looked at his reflection, knowing full well that he could tell something wasn't right but also knowing that he would not question her. With a curt bow he exitted the room and Sorsha was suddenly next to her.

" You should have told him, Highness."

" It was only a dream, Sorsha," she said with an exasperated sigh.

" A dream that has left a bruise upon your face?" Sorsha brushed a strand on her red hair out of her face and knelt before the Queen. " I do not have your talents, Highness, but even I can feel that something is amiss. If you will not think of your own safety, think of the babies!"

Vessana's hand strayed to her abdomen. She had only found out about the pregnancy, tripletes, a few days before leaving for Ut. It was too late to reschedule the Address, and if she had told anyone but Sorsha they would have insisted she cancel all together.

" I have said it before, and I will say it now again. My first priority here is seeing that the senate votes to return to the Consortium."

" But highness-"

" But nothing!" Vessana snapped uncharacteristically at her aid. She rose angrily to her feet, towing over the kneeling woman. " You are in no position to question me or my judgement in this matter, or any other matter! Do not dare do so again! Do I make myself clear?"

Sorsha bowed her head, surprised at the outburst from her friend. " Of course, most Revered Erenada."


" Good." The Queen Mother moved across the room to the woman that waited to help her into her gown. "You are so concerned with my safety, Sorsha, so go with Dakkon to the consulate. Assist him in any way he needs."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Lupercus smiled with glee as he heard the hatred and anger well up in the room where the Queen Mother was held. His external cameras showed Dakkon and Sorsha, the queens Handmaiden, leave for the palace.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Soon...

Soon we shall have our chance!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->