A Weekend Affair # 2 - The Black Breakfast

[Persephone]

Ava gripped the edge of the shelf, holding herself as steady as she could while John fucked her harder and faster like she had asked. Books began to topple over, some even falling to the floor as her cries got louder, filling their bedroom. She gripped onto the back of his neck to pull him to her mouth, kissing him deeply and muffling her cries. But she couldn't hold back any longer, John's onslaught pushing her to the brink of pleasure once again. She broke the kiss, saying his name as she felt her body cease.

John: “Ava...my love...my queen...”

"I love you."

She managed to say through her gasping breaths until finally she felt herself free fall into the abyss of pleasure. Crying out, she pulsed around John as she came which only brought him to his completion, his cries now mirroring hers. It wasn't until his hips stopped moving that the room became silent, only their heavy breathing filling the space. John brought her forward, lowering her into his arms. His mouth captured hers with just as much desire as before, but so incredibly tender. Ava wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him as he carried her to their bed. She didn't want to stop kissing him, getting lost in how he felt and tasted. John then lowered her into their bed, their lips parting almost like a knife to her chest. She gripped the nape of his neck pulling him closer to her as he climbed into bed, Ava looking up at him wondering how she got so damn lucky. She was a bitch in every sense of the word. An entitled, cold hearted, cut throat, bitch. People either loved or hated her, there was no in between - no middle ground. But because she was a Cassadine she came to the realization early on in life that people would either use her or abuse her because of her family name, so she learned to hurt them first before they had the chance to hurt her. It was why she refused to allow herself to fall in love. Why she refused to let herself entertain the idea of a 'boyfriend' growing up. She fucked men and discarded them, simply using them for pleasure. But as she looked up at John, seeing him smile down at her with such love in his eyes, she couldn't understand how she allowed herself never to feel this feeling before.

John: "Happy?"

She gently nodded, her brows furrowing a bit. With love always came loss, and Ava was no fool. John had wanted the forbidden fruit for so long, but now that he had it, was it as appealing? Did he desire it just as badly as before? Or would he get his fill and leave? Being a Cassadine also meant having massive trust issues. She blamed her father and him painting every person on Earth as being someone whom you couldn't trust since she was a child. It was a wonder she even had friends. That she attributed to her mother - just enough humanity leaking into the cesspool of darkness Stavros had created.

Ava lowered her eyes, her fingers gently tracing along John's dark skin where his shoulders met his neck.

"I'm afraid to be this happy..."

She finally admitted softly.

"It could all disappear tomorrow."

Her dark eyes then lifted to meet with his.

"You could disappear tomorrow..."

The words barely audible from her lips, just saying them like acid on her tongue. Ava softly scoffed, realizing how ridiculous she must have sounded. She felt completely vulnerable. And though she had been vulnerable around John in the past, not intimately. Not as lovers.

"Blame my father for me being so damn cynical..."

 

[Steel]

Their Bedroom

He laid next to her, asking if she was happy. She nodded, but there was something else in her eyes, a sadness.

“What is it?”

He reached over and slowly began to belatedly undress her, unzipping her skirt, pulling off it and the ruined blouse she wore, shrugging out of his own shirt. He pulled a blanket up over them, and snuggled closer, so his face was near hers. She touched him, and it was like she was made of electricity.

"I'm afraid to be this happy..."

“Aw, babe...”

He brushed her hair away from her face, looking at her with sympathetic eyes.

"It could all disappear tomorrow."

“No...”

"You could disappear tomorrow..."

“Never gonna happen.”

He leaned in and kissed her lips softly. He found her eyes, showing her with his own that he was serious.

“Listen to me. You will never lose me. I will never leave your side. I love you, since the day I met you, I love you. And as for everything else? You’ve built a strong Court, that can survive anything. You did that. So try not to worry.”

"Blame my father for me being so damn cynical..."

He smiled at her.

“Well, then, it’s up to me to make you optimistic.”

The smile faded.

“But...if there ever comes a time that you stop wanting me...loving me. I will leave. I couldn’t bear to see you unhappy. I would never let you become the Red Queen. Never.”

 

[Persephone]

In true Ava Cassadine fashion, she began to doubt her happiness knowing how cruel the world was and how quickly it could all disappear. In her business she had no doubts. She knew she was the best. She knew her company was the best. As Queen she never second guessed herself. She knew her court may have had some issues, but they were strong and loyal nonetheless. But personally? It was a different subject all together. She truly believed love was a fleeting thing, and that soon it would all disappear. That happiness was just an illusion. She hated that she was already starting to feel this way so soon. That the doubts were flooding in rapidly and without pause.

John had discarded the remainder of their clothes, pulling the blanket over them both. The heat from his body was enough to comfort her as he snuggled in close, her arm wrapping around his back. His fingers gently brushed her hair away from her face as she confessed her reservations, feeling like a fool in the process. She hated feeling this vulnerable, even in front of him. But still, she felt safe enough to be vulnerable in front of him which was saying a lot for Ava.

John: “Never gonna happen.”

John leaned in and softly pressed his lips against hers.

"John..."

She started, the doubt apparent in her voice. But he looked down at her with such conviction in his eyes as he spoke.

John: “Listen to me. You will never lose me. I will never leave your side. I love you, since the day I met you, I love you."

Ava shut her eyes remembering that day so vividly. Why she was drawn to someone like him was anyone's guess. And why he trusted her was another unanswered question. But it happened and their lives had forever been changed that day. She gained a true confidant, and now lover. Ava opened her eyes to look back up at him, her hand trailing down his arm to his hand that was by her face, gripping onto it.

John: "And as for everything else? You’ve built a strong Court, that can survive anything. You did that. So try not to worry.”

Inhaling a deep breath, she tried to exhale the doubts away as she nodded. She blamed Stavros for making her so damn cynical. She had built walls up around her heart for so long that they were made of steel now. But that steel had given away to Steel.

John: “Well, then, it’s up to me to make you optimistic.”

"I think that might be an unfair job for you to undertake."

Ava joked grimly, but with a smile. But John's smile faded causing her own to follow suit. Her brows furrowed with a questionable concern.

John: “But...if there ever comes a time that you stop wanting me...loving me. I will leave."

Ava shook her head.

"No."

John: "I couldn’t bear to see you unhappy. I would never let you become the Red Queen. Never.”

Ava took his face within her hands.

"No."

She reiterated before pressing her lips against his. Ashley's situation was not one to be envied, and for a long time Ava chose not to have a King in fear of something similar happening. But she knew that wouldn't be the case with John. They had been together as friends for 15 years. She couldn't see her life in Hellfire without him.

"You're the only one I want. You're the only one i've let into my heart. I won't let go of you, John. Now that I have you....I can't imagine not.."

She softly kissed him, her arm sipping under his and around his back, pulling herself closer to him and deepening the kiss. She had spent over a year ruling alone successfully, being the only Queen without a King. She built her court strong despite Kelly's constant interference. She had run her corporate empire in tandem. Ava was strong and powerful alone without question. But now she was complete.

"You're my King now.....that's not something I take lightly and you know that. I love you."

She whispered against his lips before deepening the kiss, her body pressed against his tangled under the blankets of their bed.

 

[Berserker]

The Armory

He told her to get over it, which he knew wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but it was what she needed to hear.

"It's about more than just a title, Alek. It's not as shallow as you are making it out to be."

“Oh, really? What’s it about then? Who does Ava trust more than you? Who does she favor more? Respect more? You are her right hand, Amanda. If that’s not good enough, then what else is it about but a title?”

And in truth, her new king could have been much worse. But John was more practical than Ava, less ruled by his emotions, and she needed to be careful.

"Don't discredit it me like I'm some foolish woman because I'm feeling a certain type of way, Alek. I'm not hysterical, I'm just having emotion. Which I know is odd for me, but it happens. And outside of the last twelve hours, John would be hard pressed to find any mistake I've made...because I simply haven't made them. He knows that."

He scoffed.

“Don’t use that ridiculous expression, Amanda, you’re better than that. You’re feeling jealous, and it’s nothing to do with your sex. Ambition isn’t a bad thing, until it starts making you make dumb mistakes.”

"And Ava is not crazy. Despite my anger at her, there is nobody at this weekend performing better than The Black Queen. Every Inner Circle member is eating out of her hands and ready to work with her, and all of that was before she announced John at her king. She doesn't need balance. She doesn't need a man. There are MANY things I hated about the previous incarnation of The Inner Circle, but the Queens independence was not one of them. We may operate under medieval like circumstances, but I was proud she didn't need to name a King in order to garner more power. She had that on her own. And I may be pissed at her...but she's MY bitch..so ease up on the name calling."

He chuckled, a deep rumble from his chest.

“Watch your tone, little snake, I’ll call her what I like. And to her face. But you see, you prove my point: you don’t want to replace Ava. You hate that she chose someone else to stand beside her. Ava may not need a man, but she wants one, and that kills you most of all.”

He went on to warn her that despite their friendship, Ava would not allow even Amanda to be disloyal.

"I understand that. And I know she is mad now, but she knows my loyalty lies with her. The Black Court does not let it's pieces wander too far on the board from one another, as other courts do. Outside of that...bold as it may be, for me to walk out, Alek..I need to know where her loyalty lies. Maybe that's foolish of me, but I've seen too many changing of the guards at this point to continue business as usual. I expect the loyalty and trust that I've built with somebody to be reciprocated, be them a pawn, a bishop..a king or a queen."

He scoffed.

“Your hurt pride is talking. She’s done nothing to you, Knight. There is no slight. And once you’ve gotten drunk and slept it off you’ll see that.”

He had a mind to let Ava lose her Knight, but knowing Ava, that probably would mean that Amanda would lose her life, and he still had fond feelings for her. Ava was stronger than ever now, that much was true, and she wouldn’t be so worried about replacing a piece on the board as she once might have been. Once again he tried to make her see how little the exact title mattered: that it was power that was important.

"I don't know how much of that is true anymore, Alek. All I have seen in my years at Hellfire has been people clammering for that title...King or Queen. And every move made, every other title held, has been for them to GET to that title..and when they found themselves roadblocked, strong armed, stagnant..unable to move up because there IS nowhere to move up after a certain point, they plotted rebellions, they plotted murders, and they TOOK it. John is the exception..not the rule."

He shook his head.

“You understand so little for one who knows so much. I would have died for Helena. She was my mother, in all the ways that mattered. Until I found out she didn’t care about me as much as I thought. That my happiness mattered so little to her. As much as I dislike Ava, she is not Helena. She wants you to succeed, to be happy. She is your friend. You do not know what disloyalty from your queen looks like.”

His jaw clenched bitterly.

“John may be the exception, but his way is the future.”

"And please do not worry..I'm not about to plan a rebellion of my own...I am happy here, I'm just trying to figure out where I sit in the larger picture..and struggling a bit."

He smiled, and put a hand on her shoulder.

“Try not to feel so lost. For all his bullshit, Cameron got some things right today. Things are in motion now that could easily reward someone such as yourself. If they were to demonstrate the ability to rule with a cool head. And had the right friends. Show that you have the patience to do your duty, that you are ready for more. And I don’t just mean as Black Princess.”

"And in a quid pro quo spirit...that Red Knight of yours...he fucks like he is already The Red King. I know I don't have to warn you..but, I'm going to anyway. He may have had his way with me, but it was out of pure rage that The Red Queen was with Juliette and Liam..the way he took me..her actions gutted him. Drove him insane with jealousy, and my ass has the bruises to prove it.”

He grinned - it was a nice ass. But her words amused him rather than worried.

“Savage is no king. And for all her heartache, Ashley knows that. She knows I’m the half of the partnership she needs if she wants to stay in power. Brute force may get you the crown, but diplomacy keeps it. She also knows that an attack on me would displease the White Queen greatly.”

The thought of Haleigh was stirring things in him, and he had to consciously keep his mind from wandering to their last encounter.

“But thank you for your concern.”

"I've grown accustomed to your face, Alek. Please...protect yourself. And should you require assistance...I will help as I can."

He nodded to her.

“And should Ava ever become Helena? You will have my support. But for now, take my advice. Be patient. Be secure in your court’s strength.”

She offered him the bottle.

"Sure you don't want any?"

He gave her a look, then in an instant had his arm around her waist, pulling her to his mouth in a rough kiss before just as quickly letting her go. He licked his lips, tasting the whisky.

“I’ve had enough. For now.”

With a last smile, he turned and walked out.

 

[Savage]

The Hellfire Club - - The Great Hall

Savage offered to fix the red jacket situation, but Archer lucked out when Ashley stayed AJ's hand. And then the Black Queen announced her new King, as if it were something she just decided overnight and it were no big deal. Savage was happy, not just for Steele's getting a promotion, but for the implications that his promotion suggested. He tried to squeeze his Queen's hand, and tell Her it was good news, but She didn't agree, which was unexpected.

Breakfast arrived, and it was amazing. There was something much better about wild game, compared to commercialized meat. It tasted better, and of course, Savage liked the thrill of hunt, and the satisfaction of success. He scarfed his food down quickly. He noticed his Queen didn't finish Hers, which was unlike Her. If the chef ruined Her food, the whole kitchen staff was about to die. But maybe it wasn't that, hadn't She said She wasn't feeling well earlier? Maybe that was what was wrong with Her.

He couldn't ask Her here though, didn't want to call public attention to it, so when She stopped eating, he swapped his empty plate with Hers and got rid of the evidence of Her subdued appetite before anyone else noticed. Her food was good too, so nobody was going to get murdered this morning. By the time the Red Queen stood from the table, AJ had finished eating, and rose with Her.

Ash: I think I'll go back to my room to change.

"I'll escort You."

He said, offering his arm to Her. They walked back toward the Red Wing without looking back, and AJ waited until they were alone to ask Her.

"Are You still feeling unwell, My Queen?"

 

[Steel]

Their Room

He laid on his side, looking into her face, trying to reassure her. She didn’t have to be skeptical of him. He was hers, always. Even if she was no longer his. He would never allow her to be unhappy, the way Ashley was. But she held his face in her hands, convinced of one thing at least. And he felt how sure she was about it in her kiss.

"You're the only one I want. You're the only one i've let into my heart. I won't let go of you, John. Now that I have you....I can't imagine not.."

“I will be here, as long as you’ll have me.”

Her lips pressed spftly against his, her arms sliding around his back and pulling her body against him. He could feel her heartbeat against his own.

"You're my King now.....that's not something I take lightly and you know that. I love you.”

“This will always be your Court to me, my love. I am here only to see you keep it.”

As they kissed, his hand moved from her back down over her ass to her thighs. It slipped between them, lifting her top one up to his hip. He pressed against her needily, all thoughts of duty and the Red event gone from his mind.

“Ava...” his gravelly voice rumbled.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Red Wing

She didn’t feel much like eating after Ava’s announcement, a liquid breakfast much more appealing. But she ate anyway, finishing the meat so Savage wouldn’t think she didn’t like it. He finished the rest for her, which she liked. As if they were close enough to share something like that. When she was ready to leave she stood and excused herself, hoping he would want to come with her and he did, offering his arm.

"I'll escort You."

She took his arm like the lifeline that it was, and they walked silently together to the Red Wing.

"Are You still feeling unwell, My Queen?"

She shook her head, and rested it on his shoulder. It wasn’t completely a lie, she wasn’t sick, but she wasn’t well either. And AJ wasn’t stupid, no matter what Alek might say. When they reached her room and entered, the door shut behind them, she turned towards him and slid her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against his chest.

“I was stupid.”

She hugged him to her, taking strength from him. After a time, she tilted her head up to look at him, sighing out a shaky breath.

“I thought...somehow...I could convince Ava to take Alek as her King. But now...there’s no chance of that happening.”

She reached up to run her hand through his hair.

“I thought I could be free.”

She looked down.

“But that was foolish of me.”

She slipped her hands under his tee shirt, touching the warm skin of his back. She raised her eyes to meet his again.

“You heard that Cameron wants to talk with me, yes?”

She searched his face, willing him to see the determination in her eyes.

“I don’t care what he says. I will not pretend you are just my Knight. I will not pretend I don’t care about you as Ava has done, and only allow myself to be with you in the shadows.”

No one asked Alek to hide. And she wouldn’t either. Her hands came up around his neck.

“You are the only thing that makes me happy here. My Wolf. You are my uncrowned King, and I will not be made to live a lie, I promise you that.”

 

[Persephone]

John:“This will always be your Court to me, my love. I am here only to see you keep it.”

And that was one reason why she made John her king. He wasn’t seeking power. He wasn’t acting entitled like he deserved the position. He truly wanted to be her king because he wanted to be her partner. To help her make the Black Court as powerful and strong as it could be. To keep it under her rule. Ava pulled herself against John’s body, slowly kissing him with deep intent. She felt his hand slide down her bare back, along her ass, and between her thighs, causing her to arch into his touch. He pulled her on top of him, Ava’s hands holding his face as she hovered forward still kissing him. She could feel his need for her, her need just as apparent.

John: “Ava...”

The need in his voice matched her own, Ava pressing her lips against his as she lifted her hips.

“I know..”

She whispered with just as much desire before slowly taking him within her. She expelled a long sigh between their kiss while she slowly began to rock against him.

“I don’t want to leave your arms today...”

The Red event, the meetings, everything else planned for that day didn’t matter in that moment. It was just her and her king.

 

[Savage]

The Hellfire Club - - The Red Queen's Chambers

Savage asked his Queen if She was still not feeling well, fishing to see if that was why She seemed a bit depressed. She shook Her head, which quieted him, until they were in her room, and the door was shut.

"Something has upset You then. The European's red jacket? I'll kill him.... Or is it the new Black King? You want me to kill him?"

He asked, not entirely sure he could actually kill Steele, or get away with it even if he did, but if that was what She wanted, he would try. He liked Steele, but he loved his Queen.

"What is it?"

He asked, giving up trying to guess it as he wrapped Her in his arms and pulled Her close.

Ash: I was stupid.

"What??"

He growled skeptically.

Ash: I thought...somehow...I could convince Ava to take Alek as her King. But now...there’s no chance of that happening. I thought I could be free. But that was foolish of me.
She was sliding Her hands under the back of his shirt, Her touch awakening him again, but he was visibly perplexed. Was she not free already? He didn't understand. He framed Her face in his hands, searching Her gaze for the answers.

"You wish to be free? Tell me how and I will make it so..."

Ash: You heard that Cameron wants to talk with me, yes?

He nodded slowly.

Ash: I don’t care what he says. I will not pretend you are just my Knight. I will not pretend I don’t care about you as Ava has done, and only allow myself to be with you in the shadows.

"His own Queen exercises no discretion, why should you? And anyway, you are Queen. QUEENS make the rules, Ava has just proven that. No one raised a hue of protest to her whim to make her Rook a King. A Queen can do as she likes. The Kings here serve. The Queens rule."

He reminded Her gently. She reached for him, Her hands on the nape of his neck, and he leaned down to be closer to Her, his hand on the small of Her back.

Ash: You are the only thing that makes me happy here. My Wolf. You are my uncrowned King, and I will not be made to live a lie, I promise you that.

“My Queen.... wolves need no crowns, no titles. And I need only You. I don’t care what the others think, of me or of us. Tell me who makes You unhappy, I’ll make them bleed.”

 

[Valkyrie]

The Red Queen’s Suite

She was thankful to return to her room. She didn’t want to have to see the other queens, with their kings that they loved, and who loved them.

"Something has upset You then. The European's red jacket? I'll kill him.... Or is it the new Black King? You want me to kill him? What is it?"

She shook her head. He only wanted to please her, to make her happy. Which made this harder, that she hadn’t been able to do this for him. His arms came around her and she wished they could just stay like that. She told him how she had wanted Alek to switch courts, so she could be free.

"You wish to be free? Tell me how and I will make it so..."

His hands were on her face, making her heart race.

“I just want to be with you.”

She promised him she wouldn’t let Cameron tell her she had to hide their relationship. That she would never pretend he was just her Knight.

"His own Queen exercises no discretion, why should you? And anyway, you are Queen. QUEENS make the rules, Ava has just proven that. No one raised a hue of protest to her whim to make her Rook a King. A Queen can do as she likes. The Kings here serve. The Queens rule."

That brought a small smile to her lips, and she slipped her arms around his neck. She told him he was the only thing that made her happy, and again that she wouldn’t pretend.

“I’m sorry...”

“My Queen.... wolves need no crowns, no titles. And I need only You. I don’t care what the others think, of me or of us. Tell me who makes You unhappy, I’ll make them bleed.”

She stroked the hair at the back of his neck, looking up at him lovingly.

“You would do anything for me, wouldn’t you. No matter what the consequences for you.”

It amazed her still. She closed her eyes and kissed him tenderly, one hand sliding over his shoulder and down his arm to take his hand. She smiled, looking into his eyes, then led him towards the sofa.

“You know you can call me by my name.”

He sat and she sat next to him, pulling her legs up next to her and draping her arm across his chest to his shoulder so she was facing him. Her other hand slipped around to massage the back of his neck.

“That elk was wonderful. There’s nothing like fresh meat. These people don’t know what it’s like to kill for food, because they have to.”

And what they considered fresh, wasn’t. Her brow furrowed slightly as she looked into his eyes.

“Promise me you’ll be careful when you’re out hunting. I couldn’t bear it if you were...hurt.”

She shifted, resting her head in the crook of his neck.

“Tell me what it’s like to kill as the wolf?”

 

[Steel]

Their Room

He said her name, his desire taking him over. Ava kissed him while she guided him inside her and started to move slowly against him. He held her against him, kissing her tenderly.

“I don’t want to leave your arms today...”

“Now that...”

He moaned as she moved.

“...is something I can promise.”

He rolled more onto his back, his hands pulling her body against his chest while their mouths connected. They might have to be clothed, but he definitely planned for his arms to be around her for the foreseeable future. He started pressing his hips upwards, thrusting deeply into her, needing to touch her, feel her.

His hands roamed her body, tracing patterns on her skin, slipping into her hair.

“Babe you feel so good.”

He moaned again, loving touching her soft and slow, so different from before.

 

[Persephone]

Ava connected them intimately, rolling her hips slowly against his as she kissed him. Her moans were soft and movements slow, a stark contrast to how they had fucked against the bookshelf earlier. But it felt just as good - just as pleasurable. Her body ached for John in a way she hadn't anticipated when she finally allowed herself to open up to him. She craved him and she didn't want to leave his arms for the rest of the day.

John: “Now that...is something I can promise.”

Ava smiled at that as John rolled more onto his back, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly against him. They both knew they had a job to too later, but now she had no reason to hide from the masses. It may not have been exactly what she meant by being in his arms all day, but she would take what she could get. John's hands slid across her body like an electrical current as he began to press deeper into her, Ava's moans becoming louder. She dipped her head into the crook of his neck, unable to hold it up as she let her body be taken by the feeling he was given her. Ava shut her eyes, panting out soft moans, intoxicated by his touch.

John: “Babe you feel so good.”

"Don't....stop John..."

Ava managed to speak between her moans, her body tensing as he stroked her most sensitive area again and again, building the pressure within her. Lifting her head finally to look at John, pleasure was painted on her face as she gripped the headboard behind him to hold herself upright. She wanted him to see what he was doing to her - how he made her feel. Their eyes were locked and Ava's breath hitched in her throat before finally she cried out, the wave slamming across her body and causing her to shudder above him.

"Fuuuck..."

Ava collapsed back onto John unable to hold herself up any longer, her mouth connecting with his as she trembled with pleasure. Her moans were muffled with their kiss as she rode the high of her orgasm, her hips still rolling against his to bring him to his apex. And once she did, Ava slowed her movements until finally coming to a stop. Softly she panted, her mouth mere centimeters from his, eyes unwavering from his.

"Pós ézisa tóso polý chorís aftó. Chorís eséna? Agápi mou. O vasiliás mou." [How did I live so long without this. Without you? My love. My King.]

Ava whispered in Greek as she kissed him deeply. She knew he wouldn't understand, and he didn't have to. Her kiss was enough for him to know exactly what she meant.

 

[Savage]

The Hellfire Club - - The Red Queen's Chambers

Ash: You would do anything for me, wouldn’t you. No matter what the consequences for you.

She remarked, stroking his hair. He hugged Her close, leaning down into her gaze.

"Anything. Say the word, and it will be done, My Queen."

He replied. She kissed him softly, and led him to the sofa, reminding him that he could call her by her name. He smiled fondly.

"My Queen Ashley..."

He said, and he liked the name, found it pretty, but so casual. Even before she was Queen he had called her something else.

"My Valkyrie..."

He recalled, as they settled in next to each other on the sofa, his hand sliding over Her legs so his forearm could rest there, as Her arm reached across his chest. There was something else he felt he could call Her now.

"My lover...."

He added with a smile, his eyes closed as She rubbed his neck.

Ash: That elk was wonderful. There’s nothing like fresh meat. These people don’t know what it’s like to kill for food, because they have to.

"These people don't know what it's like to have to survive. They have lost touch with their own instincts."

His hand traveled the length of Her arm, and he lifted Her hand to his lips for a kiss.

"But not You. My Ashley still remembers, as I do, a time before grocery stores and cellular phones. A time when we hunted, or farmed, or starved."

Ash: Promise me you’ll be careful when you’re out hunting. I couldn’t bear it if you were...hurt.

He smiled, leaning his shoulder down so She could rest Her head there.

"The wilderness is a dangerous place for man and wolf alike, but remember, I heal quite quickly, in either form."

Ash: Tell me what it’s like to kill as the wolf?

"I used to hunt as a man, you know. I think that's why the pack chose me. I can still recall that... waiting, taking aim, and when the time was right, taking the shot. The animals most often would just fall where they stood. Sometimes they'd run, and then I'd have to follow the blood trail. It was enjoyable, but so removed from the kill, compared to hunting as a wolf."

His fingertips were making little circles on Her thigh, as he laid his head against the top of Hers.

"As a wolf, there are no tools but my body. The hunt is much more involved. There is the tracking, the stalking, and then the chase, the fight, the feel of the prey's throat between my fangs and the sound of racing hearts... It's all very... carnal."

 

[Valkyrie]

The Red Queen's Chambers

He was her protector in every sense of the word. His arms around her, holding her, making her feel safe. Sticking up for her, having her back. The way he would hurt anyone who displeased her. She led him to the sofa so they could sit together, reminding him that he didn't always have to call her "my Queen". She didn't want any kind of barrier between them, especially when they were alone.

"My Queen Ashley...My Valkyrie..."

"My Savage..."

She smiled as they sat down, liking the way her name sounded on his lips, but realizing that when he called her Valkyrie it somehow was more intimate.

"My lover...."

"Yes."

Her arm slipped over his chest, wanting to be close to him, his smile brightening her mood. She praised him for his kill, something she knew the others wouldn't understand.

"These people don't know what it's like to have to survive. They have lost touch with their own instincts.

She blushed like a maid when he kissed her hand, the feel of his fingers on her arm like tiny explosions on her skin.

"But not You. My Ashley still remembers, as I do, a time before grocery stores and cellular phones. A time when we hunted, or farmed, or starved."

She nodded.

"And there were always some who starved, in winter. And you didn't know whether to grieve or be thankful that there was more to go around..."

She looked off into the distance, remembering for a moment. And then she voiced her fear for him, that a hunter would shoot him while he was out hunting as the wolf, or something equally terrible befall him when he could not call for help. She nestled her head on his shoulder, the strength that lay there making her concern seem almost laughable.

"The wilderness is a dangerous place for man and wolf alike, but remember, I heal quite quickly, in either form."

She hugged herself against him, not wanting him to have to heal at all. And then she asked what it was like when he killed as the wolf.

"I used to hunt as a man, you know. I think that's why the pack chose me. I can still recall that... waiting, taking aim, and when the time was right, taking the shot. The animals most often would just fall where they stood. Sometimes they'd run, and then I'd have to follow the blood trail. It was enjoyable, but so removed from the kill, compared to hunting as a wolf."

She knew it well, stalking the animals. Sometimes following for days. His fingers were running lightly over her thigh, and when his head rested on top of hers, she closed her eyes, he made her so relaxed. She tilted her head to kiss his throat at the collarbone.

"As a wolf, there are no tools but my body. The hunt is much more involved. There is the tracking, the stalking, and then the chase, the fight, the feel of the prey's throat between my fangs and the sound of racing hearts... It's all very... carnal."

"Carnal...I like that..."

She sighed happily.

"Like killing a man. When you're using a blade, up close. And you can feel the blood run over your hand in a hot wave. And you can't believe a body could hold so much..."

Her hand moved from his shoulder to slip under his shirt, to feel his heartbeat.

"But still, a blade is not the same as your own teeth, your own claws."

She could imagine it, but she knew she couldn't really know how it felt. She turned her body, laying down across his lap, resting her head on a pillow and looking up at him.

"I wonder if we had been human together, would things have turned out differently for us both? I was thinking about my human life...I don't know if I was a better person. I don't know which life I would choose, if I could go back..."

 

[Steel]

Their Room

Every time they were together, it felt more intimate than the last. When their eyes connected as they came, and it was like they were seeing into each others' souls. And even when English failed her and she spoke to him in Greek, he understood her meaning perfectly. Kissing, laying in each other's arms...there was nothing he could imagine that would be better.

His fingers stroked her bare back and he smiled, knowing that every night he would be doing the very same thing.

"I'm sorry, that not everyone seemed happy for us today. I know not everyone will understand...but this feels right, Ava. Like we were meant to do this."

He reached up and touched a lock of her hair.

"And I want to be there for you, help you, take some of your load."

It wasn't the ideal time to talk business, but there was a narrow window of opportunity here.

"And I was thinking...London's Red Queen took a great interest in our princess. Perhaps that's a relationship we should cultivate this weekend. Even make...a trade? Or buy Bretta's support vis a vis Archer..."

 

[Persephone]

Ava's breathing began to slow as she remained on top of John, still intimately connected in more than one way. His fingers tracing along her back soothed her, Ava's forehead resting on his as she shut her eyes and smiled. This was just the beginning of their journey and it was already more than she could have dreamt of.

"That feels good.."

She softly spoke, his gently stroking lulling her into a calm she rarely allowed herself to feel. Lifting her head, Ava smiled down at John before giving him a little kiss.

John: "I'm sorry, that not everyone seemed happy for us today."

Ava's smile faltered at the thought of Ashley and Amanda. Two woman whom she considered good friends. Two woman whom were the least happy for her after her announcement. They didn't even try to hide their distain. Amanda she understood because of the woman's ambition and desire to climb the political ladder to the top. It didn't excuse her actions, but it wasn't lost to Ava as to why she walked out of breakfast upset. Ashley on the other hand was a completely different story. For nearly eight months the Red Queen had been suggesting Ava appoint a King. Hell, she was more invested in it than Ava was. But she didn't even come up and congratulate her or John...she just sat there looking like Ava had just slaughtered her puppy. It hurt and pissed her off. They were supposed to be a unified Queendom and Ashley gave no show whatsoever.

"Yeah...me too."

Sliding off from on top of John, Ava curled up next to him. Resting her head next to his, she sighed out unhappily.

John: "I know not everyone will understand...but this feels right, Ava. Like we were meant to do this."

Ava's hand found John's, her fingers gently as she moved along his Black ring.

"It is right no matter what the others think. I have no regrets."

Her voice held conviction a she spoke, showing she had no second thoughts about appointing John as her King. They were meant to rule together. They were meant to build the Black Court into something to be put into the Hellfire history books. Linking her fingers with his, she kissed his shoulder.

John: "And I want to be there for you, help you, take some of your load."

That sounded like a subtle transition into business talk. Ava tilted her head back to look up at him.

"Do we really have to talk business right now...?"

She groaned, but alas, he went forward with it anyway. And of course it had to do with Cassandra. Well, that dried Ava right up. However what John was saying was interesting....trading her to the European Red Court? It would get her out of Ava's hair, that was for sure.

"Can't we just kill her like i've wanted from the start?"

The look he gave her was answer enough.

[sullenly] "Fine."

Ava lifted herself up, resting her forearm on the bed so she could look at John.

"I don't know....Bretta seems like the type of Queen to draw someone in, give them false comfort, and devour them once she get what she wants. Cassandra's naive and Bretta probably senses that. Either the Red Queen really does enjoy Cassandra....or she's using her to get information on all of us."

Ava nibbled her lip, thinking.

"As for Archer....[rolling her eyes] I know I need to play nice with him. He has connections that could be beneficial to CE.....he's already sold my stolen weapons to the Japanese. There is a market there, they just don't want to work with the Cassadines. Archer could bridge that divide....God that was bitter to say."

Needing Archer Fairchild for anything was like drinking acid and pretending it was champagne.

"AND if he could somehow get Cassandra out of our hair by whispering into Bretta's ear? Even better."

Ava shook her head.

"I just hate having to rely on someone like him."

 

[Steel]

Their Room

He knew Amanda’s reaction to their announcement in particular bothered Ava, and he wanted to try and ease her, as best as he could. He told her it felt right.

"It is right no matter what the others think. I have no regrets."

He smiled, looking into her face next to him on the pillow.

“I’m happy to hear that. I don’t have any either.”

She took hold of his hand, played with the ring on his finger.

“It is unlike Amanda to be so...sloppy. First yesterday, then this morning. Would you rather I talked to her?”

He segued into telling her he wanted to help take the load off of her.

"Do we really have to talk business right now...?"

He pursed his lips. He didn’t really want to talk about it either.

“I know how unhappy the current state of affairs makes you.”

He suggested that perhaps the London Red Queen might offer a permanent solution to their Black Princess problem - one that didn’t involve Ava gutting her in anger.

"I don't know....Bretta seems like the type of Queen to draw someone in, give them false comfort, and devour them once she get what she wants. Cassandra's naive and Bretta probably senses that. Either the Red Queen really does enjoy Cassandra....or she's using her to get information on all of us."

“What information does she really have? Especially that the girl didn’t already give her last night? SHE is the only crack to be found in the Black Court.”

"As for Archer....[rolling her eyes] I know I need to play nice with him. He has connections that could be beneficial to CE.....he's already sold my stolen weapons to the Japanese. There is a market there, they just don't want to work with the Cassadines. Archer could bridge that divide....God that was bitter to say. AND if he could somehow get Cassandra out of our hair by whispering into Bretta's ear? Even better."

“It’s clear she’s not happy here. But undert...better circumstances...her power would be quite advantageous to a court vastly overshadowed by it’s black and white counterparts...”

"I just hate having to rely on someone like him."

“Don’t think of it as relying. Think of it as bargaining.”

He kissed her again.

“We all get something we want.”

 

[Pathfinder]

Hellfire Mansion - Great Hall

"It is done, my dear. Enjoy the weekend...work starts on Monday."

Her mother's words filled her mind. She had been resistant to her mother's request at a hearing thoughts spell, mostly because she had enough voices in her head telling her what to do, but this was one of the first times in her life that her mother had actually taken a vested interest in her, and despite her propensity for enjoying her mother's dissappointment over the years, she did not want to mess up this time, which was a far more difficult task than it appeared. As Ava rose to make an announcement, a wave of pain surged in the front of Erika's head as nausea built up in her stomach. It was not a good sign.

Much of Erika's life had been fighting the voices in her head, and often losing. She couldn't help her jealousy, her panic, her rage..her overall mania. As a girl she couldn't sit still, and she also could never have enough attention. Cameron was the golden child, and Alison did the rebel thing far more than she ever could, so Erika found herself bouncing around, constantly rasing the stakes of what was unacceptable behavior. Her education didn't impress her family, and neither did her social graces, so she found the limelight by shocking them with her behavior. Sex. Drugs. Violence. Those got her attention, which only made the bad voices louder.

"You're fine, Erika. You're fine. It's just breakfast...you can get through breakfast."

She was a woman of incredible highs and incredible lows, and right now, she was fighting her instincts towards violence as the announcement that Ava Cassadine had just named a King in the Black Court.

"But with hosting this event I do have the honor of making a very important announcement. As many of you know, after the uprising within these walls over a year ago, I have been the only Queen ruling without a King. [she paused for a moment] That ends today. I would like to officially present to you, the newly appointed Black King of the American Hellfire Club..."

Ava looked down at John with a smile, gesturing to him as she announced his name.

"Johnathan Steel."

Ava and everyone else began to clap at the announcement as John stood from his seat. It was now official and the looming stress of keeping up appearances was over. John was the new Black King, and Ava stood shoulder to shoulder with him as his Queen. She wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned into him so he could hear her over the applause.

"Congratulations."

Erika had always hated Ava. They had experienced moments of friendship over the years, though only usually when they were both mad at Cameron. Ava had the life that Erika wanted. Somehow, despite her mother hating Ava, the Cassadine heir was given a court position while Erika was never asked. Ava ruled alongside Erika's own brother as The Black Princess while Erika had been left in the dust, and now Ava was sitting there with a crown on top of her head, one that should have been Erika's by birthright, that is..if her family had really been as concerned with bloodlines as they liked to say they were.

"Congratulations!"

The future White Princess smiled and clapped like the good Hamptons Wasp that she was, but inside she was in pain, and whenever she experienced pain, she usually expressed it in violent ways. She thought about walking right up to Ava and PHASING her heart right out of her body and taking a bite out of it as the crowd watched in horror, blood dripping from her hands.

"I bet a Queen's heart tastes delicious..."

Erika was now experiencing a bit of panic as she grabbed Zach's hand, who had just returned to his seat next to her. He may have been able to soothe the beast that lived inside of her, but who knew what his intentions were. She had already embarrassed herself by letting her mania get the best of her in her bedroom this morning. Zach's calm nature coupled with the long swig of champagne she just took allowed her to exhale for a moment as her brother rose to give a speech - his favorite thing in the world.

He smiled at his mother as he spoke, before turning back to the crowd.

"Kings are relatively a new concept here in American Hellfire, and I for one hope we stick around!"

[laughing]

"One thing we've tried to do here in this club of ours is promote the beauty of PARTNERSHIP and DIPLOMACY in all aspects of our heirarchy, and the rewards we have reaped with this guiding principle in mind, well..."

The White King gestured to the scenery around them, the giant scape of the mansion and the beautiful court members that it contained.

"They speak for themselves. No man, or woman in this case, is an island, despite how much we wish it so. The burden of the throne is a great one, one that only a handful of people in this room understand. To rule effectively, it is paramount that you have somebody next to you that you can respect. Somebody who understands you. Who's loyalty is undying and unwaivering. John is every one of those things."

The White King enjoyed speeches, if only because it stroked his ego to have so many eyes on him at once.

"He has represented The Black Court in the highest of ways over the year, with a strong hand and uncompromising logic. I have no doubt that these skills, coupled with Ava's established and decorated reign, will bring their court together in a way that is rare...and beautiful. This announcement comes in good timing to those around us who might require guidance. Who might question what the result of the work here they do is. THIS is it. Hard work pays off. Loyalty pays off. The keys to our kingdom come in many ways, and today...? We extend a set of those keys..without question..to JOHN STEELE. The White Court salutes you!"

"Hard work pays off. Loyalty pays off...."

Erika struggled a bit with his words. Not only did she seek her mother's approval, she sought her brother's more. Kelly King as a mother was a difficult upbringing. She was ice cold from the moment Erika was brought into the world, but Cameron wasn't. He was warm. When they were children, they were close. He looked after her, protected her. She longed for those days. Kelly had made good on her word. Erika King was about to be The White Princess, a title only once held by Haleigh Davidoff, Erika's sister-in-law. The stakes were high, and Erika was worried that she would be slaughtered before she could ever put her tiara on...simply because she could not get out of her own way. She needed help. This was her mother and her's last option to SURVIVE..she couldn't make the same mistakes...she couldn't listen to the voices."

"Screw your mother, Erika. She's an icy cunt and she cares more about her NAILS than she EVER has you. She's using you and you KNOW it..."

"Ughh..."

She pressed the bridge of her nose with her fingers and closed her eyes for a moment. Erika needed help if she was going to get through this weekend, and there was only one person who could help her - her mother. As everybody rose to congratulate the newly crowned King, Erika squeezed Zach's hand.

"You've been an excellent escort, Zach..but I'm feeling a bit under the weather..and I'd like to take a nap before we head to Arklay. I'll see you soon.."

Erika gave The White Rook a kiss on the cheek as she gazed into his beautiful eyes. Half of her wanted to sit on his lap and make out with him with the wild abandon of a horny teenager, and the other part of her was fighting the urge to test the sharpness of the butter knife on the table next to him against his pancreas. She moved through the Great Hall with a quick speed, nodding and smiling and blowing air kisses, the panic and anger building up beside her. She rounded the corner before abandoning traditional travel, phasing through the walls of the mansion on the way towards her room. As she reached the entrance to her door, she was in peak panic as a member of the cleaning staff was closing the door to her room. The two locked eyes.

"What were you doing in my fucking room?"

Staff: "Uh..just cleaning Miss Ki--"

Before the woman finished her sentence, Erika had grabbed the woman by the throat, pressing her sharp nails into her skin, grabbing her actual throat in her hands before ripping it out as her free hand kept the woman's body against the wall. A rush of calm and euphoria washed through Erika as she watched the panic and fear in the cleaning woman's eyes rise in intensity, her pupils dilating before the life faded from her body, becoming limp in Erika's hands, which her covered in blood. Erika's chest was heaving up and down as she looked down at herself, both horrified at what she had done and for the fact that she would now have to dry clean her dress. She drug the woman into her bedroom, closing the door behind her and propped her up on the velvet couch as she moved over to her vanity, sitting before her large mirror.

For several moments she stared at her bloodstained face before grabbing some makeup wipes from the vanity counter, wiping her face clean, slowly and methodically, her mind calming itself by counting the number of times she had wiped her face, though in Erika's mind, no matter how many times she wiped it, she had made no progress. Tears filled up in her eyes as the pressure of the situation of the weekend began to build up inside of her. Then she felt weak, which made her shame spiral spin even faster. Disgusted with her own reflection, she PUNCHED the mirror, shattering it in brilliant shards all around her. The calm came again as she wiped the tears from her face.

[via hearing thoughts spell] "Mom...I need your help. Where are you?"

 

[Ruby]

Arklay

:: After she visited Bear, she headed to her suite to change into her outfit, consisting of a black blazer with white tee and jeans paired with her riding boots, for the Red Court event before she headed out to Arklay. It instantly perked her up. Cass had always loved being out in nature, and though the Conservatory was one of her favourite places at Hellfire, and though she loved going for runs in Central Park, they were nothing compared to the real thing. Cass felt better almost as soon as she set foot on the property. ::

This feels right.

:: She stopped at the mansion to see how things were coming along. They were coming along swiftly, so she popped her cowboy hat onto her hairstyle for the afternoon, and made her way to the barn where the horses were held. She was filled with excitement at seeing Starlight. It had been a long time since she had been at Arklay, due to her refusal to set foot there while she had been Loopy Cass. It actually was painful to be there, what with all the beautiful memories she had there of her, Ben, and even Amanda. But at least it didn’t throw her into a tailspin like it would have if she had still been Loopy Cass. It just gave her hope that one day she’d be able to rebuild her friendships with the two people who have always mattered the most to her in the world [Ben & Amanda]. The stable manager came out to greet her with a hug and he told her that Starlight was ready for her. As soon as Starlight spotted Cass, the horse did a little sort of dance where she jumped onto her front legs while kicking her back legs out behind her, nearly killing a stablehand. Cass had laughed her happiest laugh and took a video of Star doing her little dance. ::

“Star, I’ve missed you so much!”

:: Star nickered and whinnied, nuzzling Cass’ neck with her soft muzzle. ::

“Awww…”

:: Cass was handed a carrot and she fed it to Star, who took it from her hand gently before gently nuzzling Cass with her muzzle again. Cass pressed her cheek against Star’s and rubbed Star’s neck. ::

“Are you ready to go for a ride?”

:: Star nickered at her and snuffled; Cass and Star’s bond still intact. Cass hopped into the saddle and she clucked with her tongue, telling Star that they were on their way. She and Star headed for the familiar path that they always took through the woods, the one that guaranteed the best views. It was the happiest that Cass had ever been in a long time, and it felt wonderful to have left the Hellfire Club with the people who disliked her so. She wanted to make things right, but she didn’t know how to bridge the gaps. She missed her life, and the two people she wanted to confide in on how she should go about rebuilding it the most both hated her. ::

No, I am NOT going there

:: She gently kicked Star’s side and soon they were running at a gallop, Cass starting to feel better again. They slowed down as they came near a lookout point and Cass signalled to stop, so Star did. Cass got off and headed for the bench. Taking in the breathtaking view, Cass started to feel excited again. She headed over to Star. ::

“I can do this, girl. I really can.”

:: Cass closed her eyes as she rubbed her face into Star’s neck. ::

“I asked both Ava and John for a meeting so hopefully I can make amends in that. I know I fucked up and I know that Kelly had only put me there just to piss off Ava, but I know that I can be a better princess. I know that I can be the kind of person that both Ava and John deserve to have. I’m excited about this, Star.”

:: She kissed the horse, unaware that at that very moment both her King and Queen were talking about sending her away. ::

“I want to make amends with both Amanda and Ben…but I don’t know how.”

:: Cass pulled away and took out her phone. She scrolled through her contacts finding Amanda. She almost texted her, but at the last minute she went to call up Ben’s contact page. She didn’t know if she could do it, the image of his hate-filled eyes still stark in her mind. She decided to take a chance. ::

Do you really hate me? :/ I want to talk to somebody but I don’t know who to turn to…

:: She closed her eyes and pressed send before she changed her mind. ::

Such a mess.

:: Everything was a mess and she didn’t know how to fix things. She had considered relinquishing her title of Black Princess to Amanda – after all, Amanda meant so much more to her than the stupid tainted title that she was currently holding. The thing about that, though, was that Amanda was never meant to be a princess; she was always meant to be so much more. Cass was meant to be princess, but Amanda…Amanda was always meant to be QUEEN...or King. ::

I miss her so much

:: But she refrained from getting into contact with her for now. Maybe Ben would have some ideas on how to bridge the gap…that is, if he didn’t hate her as well. Cass sighed and took in the view, wishing that things could be different. ::

 

[Goliath]

Hellfire Estate - Great Hall

To say Ben was surprised at Amanda storming out of The Great Hall like a child was an understatement. She had always been the one to teach Ben how to act, so to see her lose her cool like this was very troubling, and Ben was not in the position to go after her, considering all eyes were on his court. Thankfully he noticed The Red King following after her. The two had an interesting relationship, and Cobra often went to Alek for advice, at least when it came to things that she could not discuss with her court. It was a bit dangerous for his liking, but so was Cobra. But Alek had never used anything they discussed against her, so Ben never needed to do anything. He also noted several other court members displeasure at her absence, specifically The White Queen. He would make sure to circle back around her, but now he needed to remain present. Speeches were given and congratulations were in order, and Ben could tell that The Black King and Queen needed to consumate their union almost immediately.

Ava: "We'll see you both at the Red Court event. Until then...stay out of trouble."

Ben nodded.

Cassandra: "I certainly will."

The Black Bishop found himself looking around the room, searching for Erika who seemed to be making a swift exit, and he fought the urge to chase her. He knew that he wasn't allowed to tell her, and he knew she was just a small cog in the greater diabolical plan of Kelly King, but he was not going to be able to not know her. She was his sister.

Cassandra: "I'm going to bring this bacon to Bear and then I'm heading out for Arklay. Catch my breath; clear my head. Alson, since I'm the only princess here, I just wanted to make sure that things are ready for the Red Court event. Also, I would like to get some riding in before everyone arrives."

Ben smiled. After everything she had gone through in the last twenty four hours, she was seemingly finally starting to get it. It may have been too late for her in The Black Court, but it was clear that Cassandra wasn't completely ignorant. She just might walk out of this weekend alive.

"Be sure to pet Maverick for me. I'm sure's he pissed I haven't been out to ride him for a few weeks now."

The Black Bishop was an avid rider, as was most of the black court. It was one of the things that bonded them. Each had several horses at Arklay and were very skilled.

Cassandra: "That way, I can stay behind with Juliette while everyone else is out in the sun. Don't worry, Ben, I'll have my cell with me in case anybody needs to get a hold of me."

She began to rise from the table, seeming to walk away for a moment before spinning around.

Cassandra: "I wrote you a letter last night. You can just burn it."

And she was gone. He was a bit curious about the letter, but he had a good idea of the things it contained, so he was relieved she didn't want him to read it, and he had just eviserated her with his words earlier, so the least he could was respect her wishes. Soon, people began to clear out as Ben began to wander over towards the Armory, but not before stopping in his room, going over to his nightstand and producing a beautiful black pocket watch that had belonged to his father. For years it had collected dust remaining a relic of a man that could have been great, but ended it all before he could seek the power that was rightfully his. It was a talisman, and Ben decided he didn't want the promise of that pocketwatch to go to waste. Walking over to his desk, he looked at the black envelope on his desk, as he took a lighter out of his pocket and set it on fire. As the ashes faded into the waste basket, Ben pulled out his own stationary and penned a letter of his own.

[Letter]: "To the new Black King. May you never waste another minute not believing that you are worthy of the kingdom you now oversee. I shall serve you with the same honor I serve my Queen. Congratulations, The Black Bishop."

He summoned an aide to wrap the pocketwatch and deliver it to the Queen's suite, knowing John was there by the moans of pleasure he heard on the way to his room. Ben was ready to claim his power within the court, and this would be a grand gesture. Not only that, he was truly happy for John, a man who proved that loyalty really would be rewarded. Leaving his room, he passed Alek and gave a proper nod as he opened the doors to the armory to find Amanda with an empty bottle of whiskey. He folded his bulging arms inward and gave her a dissapproving look.

"Well that was positively stupid, Cobra."

Ben surveyed the destruction of many dummies in the room as he smiled, grabbing a sword from one of the displays, wielding it with ease slicing it up and down in an x pattern as it made a buzzing sound against his own strength and speed.

"Am I going to have to put the deadly knight down? Or have you come to your senses?"

Many times Amanda had given him counsel, helped him along the way. It was his duty to return the favor. Not only that, but Ben was finally feeling ready to prove to the Inner Circle that they had been foolish for sleeping on him for so many years, and he could not afford for his court to fall apart. His phone vibrated.

[from Cassandra:] >> "Do you really hate me? :/ I want to talk to somebody but I don't know who to turn to..."

Ben grimaced as he held up his phone, showing Cobra the text.

"Bollocks! Have the whole lot of you gone mad? This is supposed to be a celebratory day."

He put his phone back in his pocket.

"One fire at a time."

Ben plunged the sword into the marble floor with ease as it stood erect beside him.