Ce'lot
***
<<Dinner>>

Ce'lot was waiting for her when she stopped on the ledge to his apartment.
He hurried to meet her as she slid off her bright red dragon, "So .."

"Come, let's sit down."

"Oh gods, I'll kill him!"

"Stop it!" She ordered. The she sighed and wrapped an arm around him,
"Don't jump to conclusions."

He frowned and allowed himself to be pulled into the living room. "So tell
me .. is he hurting her."

Belarade shook her head, "I don't know."

Ce'lot paused. Normally she would say, 'no, absolutely not'. This was a
change. Something had her upset. "What did she say? What did you see?"

"I didn't get to say or see much. S'dan came to see her. About the fact
that she's not helping out anywhere in the warren."

"Other then in your brother's bed .." he growled.

She sighed, "I saw .. some bruises."

"Bruises! You saw bruises!"

"There's no proof that B'Lin caused them. Maybe she's clumsy?"

Ce'lot shook his head. "No, Mama says she's always been graceful ..
training from Lady Coneta. She said it was something Coneta always praised
her for."

"There's something else .."

"What?" he asked, not sure he wanted to hear anymore.

"She asked .. about  .. sex."

His face paled, "Oh gods, I don't want to hear this."

Bella squeezed his hand, "She's really not a little girl. She's not that
much younger then I am .."

He sighed, "I know. So what did she ask about .." The words were spoken
between gritted teeth and Bella could hear the tension in his voice.

"She wanted to know if .. I enjoyed it."

"Why?" he asked looking at her suspiciously.

Belarade shrugged, "I don't know."

"Maybe B'Lin's got her checking up on you?"

Bel shook her head, "I don't think so. She seemed honestly curious ..
almost like she didn't believe .. I .. could enjoy it."

He frowned, "What is he doing to her!"

"I'm not sure you can blame this on B'Lin. She seems devoted to him."

"More then he's devoted to her, I can guarantee!"

Suddenly Belarade smelled smoke, "Ce'lot, is something burning?"

His head shot up, "Oh gods!" He sprinted for the kitchen, cursing as smoke
billowed out of kitchen door.

Darril
***

>"Darril Lothar," Glynweith announced in a deadly tone, "You have seduced
>and impregnated my beloved cousin, Bryn Allari, and you will do the right
>thing by her, do you understand me? I am the ruler of this plateau and
>your liege lord, and I will not tolerate this state of affairs. You will
>be married by special dispensation tonight, by the High Priestess of the
>Gods. What say you?"

The shock on the man's face began to fade and soon he was grinning. It was
an evil trick worthy of even Gerard! But it would bring him what he wanted
more then anything in the world. He grabbed her up into a bear hug, "You
are incredible."

Then realizing what he was doing he released her, "Umm, sorry."

His grin was infectious and her lips quirked into a satisfied smile, "I
take it that means yes?"

"Oh, yes, I will definitely marry Bryn tonight .." he paused, "You can
arrange it .."

"Yes, I can." She turned and indicated that he was to follow her.

 Darril wasted no time in following her.

***

"Stop pacing," she said as she looked over parchment papers laying on a
table to the side of the alter.

"I can't help it," he said. "I almost can't believe this if finally going
to happen. I was so afraid .."

"You had a reason to be, Darril. Gerard would not have allowed this."

"Oh gods," he groaned, "What am I going to tell him .."

"Tell him you had no choice," Glynweith said with a bit of warning in her
voice, "Because you don't."

"No, I don't." he agreed, and he knew it was true. He did have to marry
Bryn, and not because of any threat from an angry almost cousin. But
because he would have life without her. He looked at the Duchess, "I can't
imagine my life without her. It's been bad enough as it is. And now you've
made it possible. How can I ever thank you?"

They both turned at the sound of the chapel door opening. Darril smiled at
the vision of loveliness that entered. Little pink and white flowers had
been woven into her dark tresses, halloing her face. She smiled at him, her
eyes lit with pure joy.

She was so beautiful .. and within moments she would be his .. forever. And
there was nothing Gerard could do to change it.  As he looked at her, all
thoughts of Gerard's probable anger faded from his mind. He stepped toward
her, "Bryn .."

She smiled a glowing smile and took his hands in hers. Together, barely
taking their eyes off each other they turned to Glynweith, "We're ready."

***

Within the hour Darril's lips met those of his new bride, with only
Glynwieth, a couple of her ladies and the high Priestess for witnesses. But
that made no difference to the couple who had waited for this day for far
to long.

"From this day until the end of time, the gods have made you one. Go in
peace and love, and let no one destroy that which the gods have joined."

"Congratulations, "Glynweith said, stepping toward them.

Bryn turned to her, "Thank you, m'lady."

Glynweith raised a gently reproaching eyebrow, "We are family, Bryn. Call
me Glynweith."

She hugged the woman lightly over her bulging middle. Darril bowed
slightly, "How can we ever repay you."

"Bring your bride to breakfast in the morning. I think there are some
introductions to be made."

Darril frowned, "I don't want Gerard doing anything to Bryn."

"He won't. She's my cousin .. what could he do. Besides he will be watched
closely."

Darril nodded, "As you wish." He looked at Bryn who turned very nervous
eyes on him. He smiled comfortingly. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her. Not
even his brother.

Coneta
***

>"My lady, once Lotherra has an heir, why would you continue to need him?
>You would have a legitimate claim to Lotherra on your own..."

Coneta lowered her eyes as she considered the young woman's words. Finally
she nodded, "If you do this I will sponsor you. I will make sure you find a
wealthy husband."

Dawn's face took on a satisfied glow, "Then from this point on we work
together."

Coneta nodded and Dawn moved toward her, planting a kiss on her lips, "I
think your husband enjoyed watching us."

Coneta raised an eyebrow, "Yes he did .."

"So did I," she whispered, "Your husband is not the best lover."

Coneta had to fight to suppress a chuckle, "No .. he's not."

Dawn pulled her closer and kissed her again, slipping her hands inside
Coneta's robe, causing Coneta's heart to race and her breathing to become
heavier. She moved her lips to the older woman's ear, nibbling lightly,
"I'm very good at faking my pleasure .. but there was nothing fake about
the pleasure you and I shared .."

With a soft groan, Coneta allowed her robe to fall away and her hand
reached out to release Dawn's.

Regards,
Ce'lot & Britche
The Lothar's
***
NRPG: Jill, you missed S'dan and Lecia .. so I kinda left it vague as to
what he might have said to her. I wanted to get to Bel telling Ce'lot about
what she and his sister has spoken about. Hmm, I'd say Ce'lot's a bit upset
:)

In regards to Coneta and Dawn. Jill, I hope I didn't over step my bounds in
this. However, if I recall, Dawn was a virgin when she was given to Regil.
And so far in sex, she's been doing all the work, while he's been getting
all the pleasure (not a statement on men in general, mind you :) But it is
a statement on Regil's character. However, Coneta and Dawn are both trained
and I figured despite the fact that I don't see either of them as
homosexual, Dawn might need a little pleasuring of her own .. and Coneta
having been married to him for over 20 years, understands that!

Kris


------------------------------------
Kristen & Scott Gant
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/gant.htm