Chapter Text
"Crap..."
Lady Aphmau swore as she peeked through her curtains, drawn all except for the ones on the second floor of her vacation home.
She's been trapped here for days - two days, two nights, going on a third day. Kiki wasn't recovering, in fact she had soaked the bed in sweat and the heat pouring down in the summer air was starting to make it smell rank in here. No matter how many times Aphmau changed her companions beddings, they'd soak in an hour. And not to mention her poor clothes.
Her Lady had only peeked out once a day through the door, that's all she'd allow. The guards had issued a curfew and she'd already complained enough times that they'd picked up on who she was. Big chances were they weren't going to be letting her leave without a meeting with the high priest.
"Aphmau..?"
She turned to the voice; Kiki.
"Yes, Kiki?"
"I'm so sorry, Aphmau." She'd wept pitifully.
Her Lady just brushed her bangs from her face, cooing softly, "It's not your fault. If I hadn't stopped to rest, we'd already be in the wolf tribes village by now. Please save your energy."
"But-"
There was a knock at the door.
Cold, commanding. Irritating.
"My lady!"
Just hearing his voice was enough to set Aphmau on edge. He didn't even wait for her to open the door! Much like she did in her home village, he let himself in.
The high priest Zane of Her lady's home, O'khasis, stood silhouetted in the door frame, casting an even deeper shadow on the already dimly lit room. "Please tell me it's you, my love, and that my guards haven't slipped up once more!"
"No, they were wrong." Aphmau spat out slowly, fruitlessly. As his eyes adjusted and he was met with the vicious view of Her Lady Aphmau of Phoenix Drop, scorn unmasked where calm politeness would usually reign.
"My lady." He stuck his hand out to take hers, which she quickly smacked away, "You have my sincerest apologies for the wait, and, of course my condolences for the mournful news. I'm sure my.. diligent left hand here has informed you that I am aware of your loss. I'm sure you'll allow me to preside over his funeral."
He had that same disgusting smirk on his face, Aphmau recalled, as the night of the baby shower. He wore his face veil, of course, but she could see it in his eyes. This glint, some kind of arrogance that meant he thought he was winning. She'd only spent not more than a fortnight with him but he was jarringly plain to read.
Although, Zane could've said the same about her. He'd seen her rub elbows with everyone in her village, practice politics with the little people, and he'd just assumed that she had the best poker face he'd ever seen.
It was news to nobody who knew him that the high priest loathed most people. You could tell if you knew where to look, but most people thought him the most sensitive man they'd ever met.
His eye flicked over to the poor girl laying sick in the bed.
Like her, such a cute little thing. Bless her. Very easy when you knew how to handle people.
But then Zane got to know lady Aphmau. In no more than seven days, barely half the time he'd spent in her quaint little village, he'd found her out. Maybe less, but he needed time to confirm.
She didn't have a poker face at all, she was the barest piece of skin he'd seen lord-side in... Well he didn't know when. Which is why, now, after seeing her gleaming at events and putting time and effort into each and every bridge with no benefit but the enjoyment of others... It pleased him ever so greatly that all she'd look at him with is scorn.
"I'm not marrying you. Cease darkening my doorway or you'll line the floors as I walk out of this house with a new coat of saccharine." She growled, and raised her sword to strike. As she stepped towards him, and Zane's guards stepped to defend, the priest held his hand up.
He tsked. Once, twice, three times. "Oh no no, my lady. Darken your door? I would never. However there are some... Opportunities I am willing to make you aware of, in regards to your interest."
Her eyebrow raised, but she didn't sheath her sword, simply letting it fall to her side. "You have ten seconds, convince me or convince my blade."
He had her.
"Why, I heard from a little birdie that you were intending to go to the nearby wolf tribe, yes?" He shifted to a more casual stance, folding his hands neatly behind his back. "Well, I happen to have some connections in their rivaling wolf tribe, and some.. information and resources that may benefit you and your little friend there." Zane peeked around Aphmau, over her shoulder to where Kiki had passed out cold.
Aphmau followed his gaze. Kiki was sweating, pale, wheezing softly. The dank room was starting to stink of sweat and vomit, and Kiki's fever was getting worse by the hour.
"Don't look at her." Aphmau whipped her head around to look back at Zane, her brow furrowed in anger, "You did this, I know you did you.. you.. I would never trust her in your care, or anyone in your village for that matter." She stuck her nose up at him, shifting to block his view.
She was all talk. Well, she was if any of the hundred guards patrolling the village had anything to say about it. But it was cute.
"Oh, no no no. You misunderstand me, my lady. I am just a good man, looking to escort my bride and her companion to their intended locations." Zane grinned, it'd been well over ten seconds.
Aphmau could practically taste the sarcasm on his tongue, but spoke after a moments hesitation. "..Locations?"
"Why, I'll have some men escort dear Kiki to the Southern wolf tribe, and you can come home with me, to O'khasis." He offered his hand to Aphmau, and she tensed.
Her gaze flicked from his outstretched hand, to his face. He looked too smug, this was such a poor deal. He wasn't even trying to hide all the downsides for her, but could she really do this for Kiki...?
Aphmau turned her head to check on Kiki again. The poor girl rolled over onto her side in her sleep. Her Lady could hear the blood rushing in her ears as Kiki coughed, and then she let out this pitiful whimper, and...
"I will bring Kiki myself." Aphmau demanded.
Zane shot back, "Both of us will escort her, with four guards and you will ride on my horse."
"Two guards, not in uniform, and I go alone."
"Two guards, in non-identifying uniform, and you can ride with one of the guards. Final offer."
Aphmau hesitated again, rolling the proposal over in her head a couple times. She could get out of this, right? All it would take was getting to O'khasis and sending a letter home for some backup. Maybe Raven would see her and report back, and this would solve like three problems at once, wouldn't it?
Lady Aphmau grit her teeth, and took his hand, shaking it firmly, "Deal."
"A very good deal on your part, may I compliment. I knew you were a woman of intellect the moment I laid eyes on you." Zane's sickly sweet voice complimented. The honey sweet taste of his words stuck in Aphmau's throat like a bad aftertaste, and she noticed that for once he wasn't wearing those horrible white gloves.