Archive of Our Own

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.

Chapter Text

The entire way to the wolf tribe, and the entire way to O'khasis, Her Lady's mind had been racing with thoughts. Kiki would be alright, if they got her to the wolf tribe on time. The wolf tribe would be alright, as long as Zane kept his word and ended the strife between the wolves. 'Of course,' she'd thought, 'Of course he's involved in this. He's involved in everything, he's gotten all his grubby little gloved fingers in everyone's bread.'

Oddly enough, his gloved hands had seen more daylight traveling with Aphmau than they'd seen in… years.

They'd stopped for water, and to check on Kiki in Her Lady's lasso, and while his little white fingers had gripped the horses tether for the whole journey, he'd taken a glove off to pick a dandelion and hand it to Lady Aphmau, ensuring that their skin would meet when their fingers brushed - even if it was just when she smacked his hand away angrily, leaving a red welt to pool on the back of his hand. Then, when their journey resumed, he'd slipped the garment back on and cradled the stinging burn close to his heart when he thought she wasn't looking.

Or maybe he did that on purpose, knowing she was looking and he did it anyway. Aphmau wouldn't put it past him, to do something like that. The thought made her nose wrinkle.

And then, the whole way, he'd insisted on riding on the front of his horse, leading it to trot next to the one she rode on, chattering away about her beauty, about how much his Father would respect her attitude, how he already had ladies in waiting lined up to care for her tight curls so they could wrangle them into a manageable style for the ceremony. He'd picked a flower from her hair, tucking the torn stem behind his ear and fluttering his eyelashes at her like a damsel. It almost made her laugh how he looked in his orderly garbs with a dirty product of the earth in his hair. Almost.

Lady Aphmau grimaced as she glanced back towards the outskirts of the Wolf Tribe's village.

He'd set up camp out there, or rather one of his guards set up camp while the other hovered a foot away from her backside, making crude comments and asking dumb questions. Zane's guards really were dumb. 'That's mean. I'm being mean.' she sighed internally. But then he'd make another comment about the view, and suddenly she didn't care about calling these men dumb as rocks.

"I'm very sorry, Kiva." Aphmau laced her fingers, folding them in front of her chest as the wolf woman stood over her. Just feet away, that guard stood outside Kiki's resting house on her insistence, and they were whispering to each other. "I can't stay very long, I have.. a political meeting to attend to." She didn't quite meet her eye, even as the wolf nodded understandingly.

"I understand, we've got a lot going on. But Aphmau, about that pendant…"

"Hey." Aphmau hissed urgently, "Not here. If it's important… you should talk to Kiki about it."

"Sister?" Kiva asked, seeming taken aback by Aphmau's secrecy.

"Humans have a saying," Aphmau started, gesturing vaguely, "The walls have ears. You understand?" She looked up at Kiva with wide eyes, raising her eyebrows.

Kiva's eyes darted over to the unfamiliar human male, only half hidden around the corner, pretending not to listen. Maybe she was right, and it wasn't a good idea to be discussing this in front of others.

She nodded, "I understand, sister Aphmau. And you are.. gonna be too busy for this discussion?"

"Yeah." Aphmau nodded, "I'm headed to.. O'khasis with some escorts. I have some business to attend to there." she grimaced a little, "Hopefully it'll be over with soon, but I might be tied up for a while. If you see any of my people, send them my way, will you?"

Kiva nodded, and that was that. Even wolves knew about O'khasis. It was human affairs, but affairs nonetheless.

Then, after meeting with Boldof and his mate, Aphmau had gotten saddled up and rode off once more, and this time the High Priest had even managed to convince her to ride with him.

"I mean, I fulfilled my end of the deal, didn't I?" He asked, tilting his head, "Why, shouldn't I get some kind of reward for that?"

"No, you shouldn't." Aphmau deadpanned, "That's how a deal works. You should be grateful I even agreed to this at all."

"Aw, don't be that way, my love." He'd cooed, slipping off his glove to take her hand. "I mean, you wouldn't want us to have to set up camp here, would you? Maybe I'd even get to talk with some of those wolf pups."

Aphmau's brows furrowed, "You're disgusting." she jerked her hand from his, but he knew he'd won.

So, she ended up with his head on her shoulder, and his arms touching either side of hers as he took the reins. Her hands rested (Well, 'resting' was a generous word. She was extremely tense and jerked away from him when her back touched his chest. Gripped may have been a better descriptor considering how white her knuckles were.) on his knees as they cradled her hips, which she was simply elated about.

He just wouldn't stop talking, directly into her ear.

Normally this was something she didn't mind, idle chatter, but when it was Zane it grated on her nerves for some reason. Not some reason actually, everything he did grated on her nerves for a very good reason. Several very good reasons. So she didn't beat herself up over ignoring him like she usually would.

It felt a little bad at first, to be rude like this, but she thought about it for a moment longer and decided he was Evil so she didn't mind at all, actually.

Aphmau couldn't fathom how one so hateful could have so much to talk about - and so many people to talk about. All these people she'd have to meet, all these things she'd have to do, all these things she didn't have to do since he was blessed enough to have people do them for her. Goodness, she hoped his whole family wasn't this grating. She couldn't imagine him and Garroth growing up under the same roof.

The grating monologuing on his part only ceased once they came upon the gates of O'khasis.

Large and imposing, Aphmau considered that they should definitely get good gates for Phoenix Drop once this was all over and done with. One of the guards had called up to his comrade stop the wall, but it was so tall that Her Lady couldn't see whoever he was calling to without turning her head all the way to the sky, and then they were moving before she could even grasp a glimpse of the armor.

Within the walls, the bustling streets of O'khasis greeted her. Aphmau hadn't seen this many people since she first entered Scaleswind, and even then it was a completely different feeling. Nobody in Scaleswind spared her a passing glance; but as they rode through O'khasis, she could feel her cheeks burning slightly at the hundreds of eyes following their horse as it moved through the crowd.

"We live towards the center of the village." Zane's voice sliced through her awestruck moment, and she quickly tried to regain her composure. "As you can imagine, the corners of our lovely village are something I don't walk very often."

Aphmau could feel his breath on her ear, and his shoulders pressed forward against hers. They were about the same height, so this position was rather.. well, she wasn't planning on riding any more horses with him anyhow.

She turned her head slightly to glance back at him, eyebrows raised. "I make it a point to visit every person in my village, especially those in the corners." she informed him flatly, although she wasn't surprised at his lack of embarrassment for his clear classism.

"Well, my love, I can't wait to see how my people end up tearing that attitude apart."

He'd almost gotten this half-lidded, drunk look about him at the thought. It made Aphmau shiver, and avert her eyes again.

"Remember, big smile. My mother and father have heard so much about you, and how close you are with my dear older brother. I'm sure they're dying to know what kind of company he keeps." Zane informed her excitedly.

The O'khasis estate came into view. Home, church, and government in one large, open building. Separated from the rest of the village by a deep river that ran through the village in its entirety, splitting roads and passageways, it stood hundreds of feet over her with large pillars and beautiful sculptures of people from Her Lady's scripture.

Aphmau was positive, this was a place of pure, unadulterated Divinity.

Chapter Text

All morning long, Her Lady Aphmau of the village town Phoenix Drop had been yanked around by several lovely ladies who were tasked on wrangling her into some fancy outfit, in some fancy hairstyle, all to meet some fancy people.

Zane's parents. More importantly, Garroth's parents. Garroth had given her a good understanding of his Father, none of which was very pleasant.

She mumbled to herself quietly, muttering her stream of consciousness thoughts while someone yanked her corset just a stitch too tight for comfort. Weren't these things supposed to be supportive? Her ribs were aching a little.

Aphmau gnawed on her lip, thinking. Gears were grinding in her mind about how to get out of here safely, without causing anyone else to get thrown in line of fire. Knowing Zane, he absolutely delighted in the fact that she was gone and had taken the opportunity to send his people towards Phoenix Drop to "stand in" till she returned from her "political business". No Lord in the village leaves a vacancy that Garroth would have to take up in the meantime. Then Garroth would almost certainly be summoned, and then what? Laurence would have to deal with those guards. Laurence couldn't do that, he's had such a temper since-

"Ow-!" Aphmau yelped as one of the older ladies swatted at her face.

"Don't make yourself bleed, you'll bruise. The Lord and Lady wont like a bruise on such a face." she fussed, making Aphmau pout defiantly. She would make a point to bruise herself now as visibly as possible, simply because of that comment.

Aphmau huffed, and forced herself to focus on the several women all fussing over her.

One of them had her foot on the small of Aphmau's back, the laces of her corset wrapped around her calloused knuckles. Aphmau let out a soft, annoyed wheeze as she yanked once more. The young lady next to her was giving her words of encouragement, "You have to really put your back into it!"

"It would be a lot easier to put my back into it if I wasn't worried about yanking Her Lady's hair." the girl grumbled, earning a glare from the youngest of the group.

A young woman fussed over Aphmau's hair, putting it up into an intricate style - braided around the crown of her head, pulled up into a top-heavy ponytail and leaving the bottom half free. "Come off it, Lovet." the young lady hissed, "This is more important than you altering Her Lady's figure."

Aphmau let out a heavy breath as her tight bindings were released, and finally tied into a bow at the apex of her waist. "Don't have such a sore attitude! Just because you wanted to be in charge of-"

Their bickering was cut short by the older woman, "Both of you shut your traps. You're embarrassing yourselves."

They fell into a tense quiet, and the older woman blotted the pad of her thumb once more over Aphmau's bottom lip with a dark, almost wine colored rouge. Lady Aphmau was sure if she could see those young womens' faces, they'd be beet red right about now.

The door to the dressing room opened, and the High Priest of Her Lady's home O'khasis, Zane Ro'meave, entered.

"Do you enter all your lady's dressing rooms without knocking?" Aphmau greeted him flatly, only earning an amused chuckle.

"No, no, of course. My deepest apologies, my love." he cooed. As he approached, the ladies scattered back and allowed them their privacy; or as much that a room this small would allow. "I was just so desperate to see you, of course. I was hoping to see how our company was treating you."

He reached up, wrapping a stray curl around his pointer finger before she swatted his hand away like she had ever time he tried to touch her. "I see they're treating you well. You look…. lovely." He praised, but only was met with unamusement.

"I am accepting assistance in looking presentable for Garroth's parents, the Lord and Lady of a very respectable village. My good looks have nothing to do with you." she spat back dismissively, turning to the mirror to fuss with the stray curl, pulling a couple more sprigs free. The wildflowers that seemed to dot her hair had withdrawn into buds and leaves and pollen, she couldn't blame them. If Aphmau could withdraw into a safe shell, till sunshine came to make her bloom, she surely would.

Zane stepped beside her in the mirror. Now in better view, she noted he was wearing some rather formal robes. A hood was pulled up over his head, his normal mask had been traded in for something with gold threads, alongside a matching stole draped over his shoulders.

He did look nice, it was such a pity.

"Hm." He hummed, reaching an ungloved hand to hold her cheek. "You could use some more blush, but we simply don't have time."

She watched his hand fall, and briefly she considered snarking off about what in Irene's name He would know about good makeup, but he was talking again right after that. "Mother and Father are expecting us right this moment, they've just returned from a rather important meeting with the Lord of Scaleswind and are interested in some light company." He informed her, slipping his glove back on to open the door for her out of the room.

"Would- would you like us to call a guard, High Priest?" one of the ladies fussed from her spot in the room.

Zane shook his head, "No, I think I know the way around my own living quarters." he dismissed her politely, "But thank you ever so much for your concern, my dear."

It was almost pitiful how fast people fell for the act, Aphmau thought. How someone so horrible could have a silver tongue, and not even that good of one.

He took Aphmau's arm in his, and they started walking down the vast, cavernous hallways.

The inner roofs of the hallways sloped upwards to a point, their undersides were painted beautifully. These hallways were older than Zane himself. Even older than Zane's father, his father's father, even older. The pillars were framed with heavy cotton drapery, several edges on every wall were gilded, guards lined the corners and parted when they heard Zane's heeled boots walking down the carpeted hardwood floors.

And yet, despite all its vastness, Aphmau couldn't recall seeing a spec of dust, or a piece of litter anywhere. Not even smoke stained the higher walls from the candles. She couldn't imagine the labor that went into not only building, but maintaining such a place.

"I have very high standards for you Lady Aphmau." Zane informed her, drawing her attention from the intricate details on every wall. "You will act accordingly in front of my Father and Mother, I'm sure I don't need to reiterate why exactly you'll be behaving so well."

Aphmau hated how smug he looked. "I'm good. I'm sure I'll be getting details on that later." she grumbled out.

Not seeming to catch her attitude, or most likely ignoring it, he nodded cheerfully. "Why yes. We will be having a long discussion later about all of my affairs, actually. I have many things we will be attending to as a unit, although first and foremost after meeting my beloved parents will be our union."

She tuned him out.

He continued to talk to himself the whole trip up to the large doors containing Lord and Lady Ro'meave. Only as the guards were opening the doors for them did he quiet, and only briefly enough for his announcement to be heard.

Lady Aphmau thought all this was a little much. She'd never make Levin do all of this ceremony just to see her. Still, she remained quiet while he babbled on and on, introducing her.

"Good afternoon Father, Mother." Zane slipped his arm from Aphmau's to wrap it around her waist, "This pearl is my dear Lady Aphmau I've told you ever so much about. The wonderful lady to return our Garroth to us." he introduced, almost seeming to nudge her forward a little with his touch.

Aphmau just smiled at them politely, "It's nice to meet you. I've heard so much about you from so many people." She grit her teeth as she hissed her words through them.

Garte, as she assumed, looked a lot like Garroth. Except Garte had a beard, and all these wrinkles in his face that spoke of many years of frowning and scornful looks on others.

Zianna… Aphmau thought she looked a lot like Zane, although Garroth had her eyes. Zane had her eyes as well, she recalled as her gaze flicked over to him. The blue eyed woman, taller than any woman she'd ever seen aside from her love Zoey, immediately burst into tears at the mention.

"Oh, thank you Lady Aphmau!" She cried, rising from her seat. Despite Garte reaching for her, she slipped past his grip to wrap her arms around Aphmau.

Aphmau noticed she was cold. Even though her thick clothes, she felt cold when Aphmau's careful hands came to wrap around her waist and back. "My Lady Aphmau, thank you!" She sobbed again, surely staining this nice dress with her makeup.

"Oh, it's… I'm.." Aphmau murmured, her hands finding their way into Zianna's hair. Her eyes met Zane's, and he raised his eyebrows at her encouragingly. She hesitated before sucking in a shaky breath, "I care a lot about Garroth." she settled on, "I only want what's best for him." 'And what's best for him,' she thought, 'Is to stay in Phoenix Drop.'

Garte cleared his throat and Zianna sniffled before releasing Aphmau. She kept a hand on her shoulder, using the other one to clumsily blot at her face, "Oh, gosh. I'm so sorry Lady Aphmau, your dress.."

"You can just call me Aphmau, it's alright." she reassured her, finally meeting her eye.

"Aphmau." Zianna parroted, "You're so sweet, thank you so much again. Zane tells me you're a mother, you must understand how sorrowful my heart has been since losing my son. It means the world to me to have another piece of my heart returned to me."

Her Lady Aphmau nodded sympathetically, "I-"

"Enough," Garte's voice cut through the chatter, "With the theatrics, Zianna. I believe there's a meal being prepared for us, it's not polite to have such conversation over food."

At the mention of food, Lady Zianna perked up, "Oh! Yes, yes of course." she sniffled once more and wiped at her lower eyelid. "Please, you must join us for dinner. I'm ever so grateful to you, Lady Aphmau, I insist." she tucked a strand of hair behind Aphmau's ear, her hand still on her shoulder.

"Of course, I'd love to." Aphmau agreed.

It wasn't like she had anything better to do. It was either this, or sit in her prepared room and listen to Zane drone on about some threat or other. She'd traveled the entirety of yesterday, and only had a few hours rest. Some dinner sounded great right now.

Chapter Text

"This food is, um…. rather fine." Aphmau complimented, unsure of what was sitting in front of her.

It was some kind of meat dish, that was for sure; but it wasn't like any creature she'd ever eaten. It was rather tough and she couldn't get a good taste of the meat itself, since it had been doused in a very heavy sauce. The vegetables tasted great, as did the starches and such, but the meat was disturbing her for some reason.

"Thank you!" Zianna beamed, "It's a delicacy from Tu'La! Garte hunted it himself." She seemed rather proud of that, so Lady Aphmau took it at face value.

Dinner so far had been tense, mostly quiet. Zianna had been trying to fill the silence, and Lady Aphmau was making small talk the best she could, but considering the situation nobody could blame her for being a little on edge.

'Do they know?' she wondered as she glanced across the table, 'And if they do, how much?'

"When Garroth gets home, he should expect stern discipline over this little stunt of his." Garte huffed, "It's time for him to grow up. He's put everyone through too much stress already."

Lady Aphmau held her tongue. These people didn't know Garroth at all. She felt a little nauseous as they made small talk, discussing him as if his plights had been a hissy fit thrown out of rebellion, as if they'd taken away his favorite pony so he spent a week camping out; instead of the disturbing twist in the Lord's personality and moral code causing him to flee for fear of being forced into an unwanted engagement for the rest of his life. Aphmau had only spent a couple hours with his entire family, but she could see why he left even if she wasn't the center of their scorn like he surely would be.

Zane insisted on sitting next to her, despite the multitude of seats available at the long table. His parents sat next to each other, of course, and although she expected him to sit across from her, he chose to pick the spot that would irritate her the most as per usual.

Garte and Zianna in one ear, Zane in the other. Irene, save her.

"How is the food, my dear?" Zane's soft voice found her ear as the Lord and Lady absorbed themselves in their own little world.

Aphmau spared him less than a glance, "It's… interesting."

"Interesting?" he asked. Up close like this, basically cheek to cheek, Aphmau could see a light dusting of freckles across his pale cheeks. She'd never checked, but she wondered if Garroth had them, too.

"It certainly is unlike anything I've ever eaten before." she asserted, taking another confident bite.

"Oh, that's good. It took us a very long time to find someone to supply someone as fit as him."

The fork stopped halfway to Aphmau's mouth. She turned to him with a raised eyebrow, "Him?"

"Oh." Zane feigned surprise, like he'd been caught in a slip of the tongue, "Nothing. Enjoy your meal."

Aphmau furrowed her brow at him in frustration and annoyance, and Zane did nothing but snicker a little and continue eating. Now that he was at the dinner table, she was able to get a glimpse of his face without his mask on, and his smirk was exactly what she expected of someone like him.

He had perfect, white teeth. All aligned neatly, perhaps she could imagine one or two molars in the back filled with silver. He had canines like she'd never seen - maybe on werewolves in their human form, but it was almost entrancing how they hit his food before his incisors did. Then the incisors would penetrate whatever meat was on his fork, and her eyes fell on his lips where the heavy sauce would linger until he darted out his tongue to lap it up or dabbed at it with his napkin. His lips were a rosy red color, they matched the almost sickly smattering of rouge on the tip of his nose and around his eyes, they made him look rather frail.

They made eye contact and Lady Aphmau averted her gaze, her cheeks a little pink once she realized she'd been caught staring at him.

Her gaze found the Lord and Lady, still in their own world. Zianna seemed to be whispering to Garte, who seemed indifferent, and no matter how hard Aphmau tried to listen in, she couldn't quite get a read on what they were discussing.

After dinner was its own affair.

Everyone had to stay seated till Garte departed. Normally they'd have to wait for Zianna too, but when she stood from the table she dismissed Zane from the room so it was just her and Aphmau.

"My Lady?" Aphmau asked, standing to meet Zianna as she walked carefully around the table.

Zianna's gait was ethereal. She moved like a spirit, smooth and evenly - too smoothly to be moving that fast, but just as suddenly as Aphmau had stood, Zianna was upon her.

She held Aphmau's hands folded in her own.

"I understand," she spoke softly, "That my boy intends to ask you for your hand."

Aphmau's heart seized in her chest. So they did know. How much did they know? Should she say something? Anything?

"Garte and I are so grateful to you," Lady Zianna continued even after Aphmau opened her mouth to speak, "and we have already spoken to Zane and given him our blessing."

Zianna's eyes met Aphmau's, watery once more as she was overcome with emotion, "When he asks, what will you say?"

Aphmau wasn't sure how to respond. There was only one way to respond, she'd say yes. She'd say yes, because if she didn't say yes then there would be thousands of O'khasis guards at her door, where her family presided. She'd say yes, because then she might have a say over Garroth's engagement and place of residence. She'd say yes, so she may have a finger in everything Zane has a finger in, so she can better leverage some peace. She'd say yes, because that means she may be able to keep Zane on a tighter leash when she gets all her ducks in a row, when they're sleeping in the same bed and she can see just how well he sleeps at night knowing he's committed all the acts he's committed.

"I… I will be saying 'yes'." Lady Aphmau spoke softly, although the words seemed to echo in the tall ceilings of the dining hall, when it was just the two of them consorting in such a private manner.

"That's a good answer." Zianna nodded, and reached into a little sachel bag that had been hidden in the many folds of her dress's skirt. "I want you to have this."

She held Aphmau's hand, spreading Her Lady's fingers and slipping a diamond encrusted ring on her ring finger. Aphmau raised it to examine it up close. It looked like it had cost more than her entire life, five lifetimes over. One large, beautiful diamond among a fold of several other small jewels, sapphires and rubies and other gems. The band itself was a beautiful, polished silver.

"Is this..?"

"This was my mother's ring." Zianna informed her. "And her mother's, and her mother's, and so on. It's the Gem of O'khasis, some people think it might've belonged to Irene herself."

Aphmau's eyes widened as she looked at it, and then met Her Lady's gaze once more. "You're giving this to me…? What about.. the woman who's engaged to Garroth? Is she not entitled to it?"

"Lady Von Rosenberg is.." Zianna smiled fondly, "Not partial to jewelry. I have a feeling someone like you may treat it a little more dearly." she took Aphmau's newly adorned hand in her's once more, not breaking eye contact even for a moment.

"I- I will. This is an honor, of course I will!"

"You will." the way she said it was final, as if her word was the word of Irene Herself and nothing in the world would change that fact.

Zianna left after saying goodbye to Aphmau, leaving her stood dumbly in the dining hall, still looking down at her hand like it was the most precious thing in the world, and like it had personally offended her.

It made her feel a little guilty taking it so willingly, like she was lying. She wasn't lying, she would say yes when Zane proposed to her officially, but it was not out of a genuine affection for him.

She folded her hands in front of her skirt, the jewel hidden beneath her careful palm. If she was going to keep this safe for anyone, it would be Garroth. He deserved it more than her - whoever he chose to marry in the future would deserve it more than her, she was sure of that.

Chapter Text

Being trapped in a room with Zane felt like being trapped in a room with a poodle. Where's the zipper on your human suit, boy? Can you stop barking for five minutes and turn around so I can get you out of there?

"Three days should be enough to get a message to Phoenix Drop and have Garroth on his way, you think?" Zane excitedly paced around his side of the room while he talked, having his own one-sided conversation while Aphmau desperately tried to ignore him.

Aphmau herself had curled up on her side of the bed, waiting for Zane to blow out all the candles and get in bed so he would cease his inane ramblings. "He's not coming." she stated flatly.

"Yes, yes, I know you two and your cute little schemes!" he waved off her reply physically and verbally. Why even ask if he was just going to ignore her? "Don't worry he'll be in attendance, maybe he can even bring your adorable little boy along!"

Lady Aphmau wrinkled her nose a little hearing him mention Levin, "Watch it." she warned. She pulled the covers up to her shoulders, rolling over to face the wall and window that was letting moonlight stream in through the curtains. She was absolutely not allowing Levin to set foot in this accursed place, in fact she hoped by the time he was able to travel that this whole village would be razed.

Zane let out a dramatic, indignant noise and huffed before blowing out the remaining two candles illuminating the cramped bedroom. The bedroom that was supposed to be Lady Aphmau's personal bedchambers, but Zane had decided they could share it, barring traditions. "Three days will be enough." he decided, and although Aphmau wasn't facing him, she could hear that he was sat on the bed right next to her now, leaned over her to get a good view of her face.

"How about never?" she shot back, rolling onto her back to glance up at him. This was another rare moment of being able to see him bare faced, she supposed she was the only person to see the sight that much aside from his immediate family. He was grinning down at her, and his canines held the moon's glint in them. He wasn't very hard to look at, she did wonder why he wore that mask. At least she didn't have to look at him regularly.

"Two days?" he teased.

Aphmau huffed and rolled back away from him, practically hanging off the edge of the bed.

"Aww don't be like that." Zane cooed, brushing his fingertips against her upper arm. Aphmau bristled at the touch, making him chuckle and pull back his touch. "In the morning we'll send your beloved village a letter. Wont that make you happy?"

It would make her happy, unfortunately. Lady Aphmau felt a little tug at her heart imagining being able to write her baby a letter finally, writing several letters. One for Garroth, one for Laurence, one for Levin and Zoey….

Levin and Zoey… Zoey was his caretaker, wasn't she?

Aphmau supposed she was, she could almost be considered his nursemaid, his other Mom even.

She stilled - now that was a thought. What were the laws on that, if the Lord was away but their Lady and offspring were still there? The Lord of Meteli had no family to speak of, so Azura took hold, but what if….

"Are you writing it or am I?" Aphmau asked, still not looking back at him.

Zane hummed, mulling the question over for a moment, "How about we both write one? Will you be less difficult then?"

Aphmau sighed, glancing over her shoulder. Less difficult? If anything she'd been a saint this whole time, considering the situation. Just hearing him say that gave her half a mind to knock his head off his shoulders, show him just how "difficult" she could be.

But no, instead she just sat up in bed to meet his view. "Only if you stop being so horrible." she retorted. Aphmau knew she should just take it, but she couldn't stand not pushing his buttons at least once.

"Oh, why, my Love, I am nothing of the sort!"

She glared at him, and then at his offered hand. He didn't sleep with his gloves on, either. Maybe she should've expected that. He didn't sleep in much at all, actually - just some sleep pants, and she could see various scars and freckles across his chest, arms and shoulders. Not as many as a guard would have, but more than she expected of him.

Aphmau normally didn't sleep in much, either. But since she had company, she'd chosen one of the several white, linen nightgowns that had been put in her provided closet that fit her to a creepily perfect degree, the same as every other day gown in there as well. Man, she really didn't want to ask how they found her measurements, she could only hope someone got it from cadenza while they were in town.

She begrudgingly took his hand, "Ill write a letter, and be less… argumentative." she promised.

"I swear on my religion and on your hand that I will be less.. 'horrible'." Zane returned, although Aphmau could hear a dripping sweetness from his voice that made her doubt his word.

Pulling her hand back, she wiped her palm on the sheets with a shade of disgust on her face. The feeling only deepened when Zane put his hand on his chest, over where his heart should be. It made Aphmau roll her eyes, ignoring the way he giggled over her annoyance.

Turning over in the bed, she listened as he finally settled down for the night. He wasn't quite close enough to touch, but close enough to her that she could feel his body heat radiaiting from him. It was comforting, like when she'd let Thorgi climb into the bed with her to sleep under the covers late at night, or those soft mornings where Zoey would allow Aphmau to tug her down to sleep in, instead of making breakfast. Aphmau whimpered, her heart ached for her family. She wished she had even one of her puppies with her at a time like this. Maybe she could convince Garroth to bring one of them to the ceremony.

Zane's back pressed against hers as she drifted off, dreaming of more familiar walls, and of more familiar faces. She'd never felt lonelier.

Chapter Text

The Ro'meaves didn't live in a house, not a castle nor a fort. Rather, they lived in the O'khasis Cathedral.

It was old and towering, and laid at the very center of the village. It was tall enough that you could see it from any point in the city, and there were towers in the corners that even rivaled the walls of the village itself, so you could see over them and out into the wilderness if you bothered going all the way up.

It was vast and angular, with twisting hallways and countless rooms. The Ro'Meaves weren't the only people who lived here, but they were the only ones with access to that particular wing of the Cathedral. It was the biggest building Her Lady Aphamau had ever been in, it was likely almost as big as Phoenix drop itself. Countless people took care of it, both hired and not - the people who lived in it tended to take care of their own section of home inside the sanctuary in which they stayed, although nobody stayed permanently.

Things like that made Aphmau wonder what the true morality was of the Lord and Lady, to allow people to stay in such a place for free. She couldn't imagine being able to look up and see all that beauty every day, for nothing at all. It was certainly something she wished she could provide for her own people.

The O'khasis Cathedral also hosted a garden in its center. Or rather, a courtyard.

The middle of the building opened up, and light streamed in where the ceiling ended and the courtyard began. It was well taken care of, there was a fountain in the center where water flowed and created nice background noise; various topiaries and hedges formed faux walls for villagers to wander and trees provided shade where they could sit. Flowers dotted the hedges with little spatterings of color, alongside in the grass and trees. In the throws of summer they were beautiful, and soon they would produce fruit for picking as well. Soon there would be plenty of ripe apples to pluck off of branches.

Aphmau and Zane had taken up residence at one of the various shaded places to sit in the garden, writing their respective letters to Aphmau's home village, book and quill in hand over the table. Aphmau insisted on sitting outside, and of course Zane couldn't allow her to go unescorted. That would be ungentlemanly. What would his poor mother think? Woe the thought, allowing a woman her alone time.

As aphmau's quill danced across the page, her hand would pass in and out of the spots of light that filtered through the leaves above. Her new ring would flash briefly in those moments, bright and beautiful.

She'd chosen to start wearing it so she didn't lose it. Zane hadn't said anything about it, but Aphmau caught him staring once and then quickly looking away with a little grin on his face, to which she rolled her eyes and went on with whatever she'd been doing at the time.

Zane only had one piece of paper in front of him, as opposed to Aphmau's six or seven. She'd chosen to write one to several people, but Zane decided obviously that nobody was important enough to receive a letter except for Garroth.

"Do I have the pleasure of reading your letters, my Lady?" Aphmau was distracted by Zane's nosy voice across the table, leaning forward to gaze at her. His ink was busy drying in the sun, so he was bored and thus decided he wanted entertainment in bothering his fiance.

"No."

"Aw, c'mon!" Zane whined, standing from his side of the table. He rounded the corner to sit next to her, his shoulder touching hers. "Haven't I been good? Do I not deserve the privilege of reading every word that exits my Love's beautiful mind?"

Aphmau chose to ignore him.

Zane humphed and pressed against her firmly, "Well then, I wont let you read my letter either!"

"I don't need to read your letter, Zane, I'm sure I can guess what it says." She dismissed him and his petulant attitude easily, instead lowering her voice to mock his own, "Oh my dear big brother, you MUST attend mine and Lady Aphmau's wedding, bring absolutely everyone you can possibly bring to inconveience as many people as possible!" Aphmau deadpanned at him, "Does that hit the mark at all?"

"Quite." Zane smoothed out his letter, unamused with her stubbornness.

She only got a few precious moments of silence before his head was leaned on her shoulder. Aphmau had made it a note today to try not to shove him off so much, as her portion of the deal. His incessant touching was a little more bearable since she'd accepted it. A hand on hers here, a head on her shoulder there, it wasn't horrible at least.

"It is quite impressive that you can read and write so eloquently." Zane hummed.

"Garroth saw it fit I be taught to, since I'd be a Lord." Aphmau informed him.

This seemed to peak his interest, "Why, of course." He sat up a little to look her in the eye, she could still feel the front of his shoulder pressing against the back of hers as he spoke, "So Garroth taught you? Or did he appoint someone to do so?"

"No, Garroth did. He had a little fledgling he taught as well, but Zenix always hated sharing his lesson time so eventually we moved to one on ones."

He hummed, short and observant. Aphmau wondered if he thought he was being slick, pretending not to read over her shoulder. Maybe he wasn't even pretending.

She glanced down at him, pressing her cheek against the crown of his head. His hair was rather silky and… Well, his eye was closed.

Aphmau's eyebrows raised slightly, her cheeks flushing a soft pink before refocusing on her paper she'd been wrapping up. She got the important ones out of the way, the ones to Zoey and Garroth informing them of her plans, so now she was just wrapping up her letter to Brendan, informing him his sister was delivered safely. Maybe he wasn't such a nuisance, if he was at least listening to her wishes not to read her mail. Well, that was bare minimum but she wasn't really expecting him to listen to her at all so that was nice.

Aphmau wrapped up her letters and set it in a sunny spot on the table, allowing it to dry a little faster while she neatly folded the ones that were already finished.

"Do you suppose these will arrive today?" she asked, breaking the silence. They'd gotten up rather early to get these done, at Aphmau's insistence. She also just didn't want to spend all morning in bed with Zane.

"I'll ensure it," he promised, "I'm having several of my men deliver it, so they should be speedy about it."

"And when they finish delivering it, they will return?"

"Maybe they'll spend a day or two in town." Zane hummed.

Aphmau glared down at him, shifting so his head dropped off her shoulder, "I expect the guards back by tomorrow morning. All of them." she hissed at him lowly.

Zane chuckled, sitting up, "Oh, darling. You're so dramatic, fine. They'll be home by tomorrow."

"Morning." Aphmau insisted.

"Tomorrow afternoon at the latest, of course."

Aphmau finished folding up her letters, handing them to Zane who stood from the table and called over a guard, handing the letters to him with a succinct, "Deliver this." before sending him off, turning his sights back on Aphmau.

She could not imagine just sending someone else off to do her work for her. If that were her, it wouldn't need to even be a letter, chances are she'd just get some hiking boots and hoof it across the continent to deliver whatever message herself. Actually, just being in O'khasis for a couple days is starting to drive her a little stir crazy.

"Shall we go?" Zane offered his hand to her.

Lady Aphmau took it, standing from her seat to meet him, "Go where? I don't want to go back to my room." she informed him flatly, absolutely denying being alone with him in private at any and every opportunity.

"No, not to that drab place." Zane waved the thought off with his free hand, unwilling to even entertain it, "I have some other place that I'd like to take you alone, where nobody will be able to find us."

"Ah," Aphmau hummed, "Creepy. Very well."

"You know how so I love your sharp tongue."

"Don't kill me in this garden, Zane." Aphmau sighed as he began leading her away, a flat and unamused tone in her voice.

"Oh, oh no, never. I'd dread to stain the grass."

Aphmau giggled, and for once in her stay here, allowed herself to relish in the feeling of the grass underfoot once more.

Chapter Text

Lady Aphmau's hair smells like honeysuckles, despite growing hibiscus.

Lady Aphmau writes with her left hand.

Lady Aphmau writes in big, swirling letters with flourishing tails and hearts instead of dots to finish off her "i"s.

Lady Aphmau's favorite color is Lilac Purple.

Lady Aphmau is an open book to anyone who chooses to meet her.

Lady Aphmau has extensive connections, familial and otherwise.

Lady Aphmau is Zane's fiance, and Zane isn't quite sure she understands just how large of an opportunity this union provides her.

From the moment he laid eyes on her, Zane knew Her Lady Aphmau, presiding Lord of the small village town Phoenix Drop was destined for great things. Maybe it was that she alone took a town he'd personally turned to dust into something that ended up flourishing in just a few months, or maybe it was the way she glared at him from across the alter at that cute little wedding, the alter she'd built by hand all by herself.

Zane knew from the moment he laid eyes on her that she was strong, confident, and naturally gifted in the political field. In these things they could agree; and it was these that, in zane's opinion, they had in common.

What they did not have in common was their upbringing, and their attitudes. Zane had looked into his dear Lady immediately upon taking notice of her, and while Zane's upbringing was rather documented and while most people's upbringings were rather documented, Lady Aphmau seemed to appear out of thin air.

Like an angel sent upon this little village, her arrival set a complete spotlight on it.

Even the lowliest pauper had a record of birth, but Lady Aphmau? Nothing.

And of course, he just had to look into her.

Going into this union, Zane knew a fair amount about Lady Aphmau. But he only learned a few things while sleeping next to her, just over the course of three or so days.

Lady Aphmau's cheeks turned a lovely scarlette when she was embarrassed.

Lady Aphmau smiled with all her teeth, and her laughter sounded like church bells ringing on the loveliest spring morning.

Lady Aphmau's hand was perhaps the softest hand Zane had ever taken.

And that was the only thing he could think about as he led her through the courtyard's hedge maze leading to the center of the garden, to the fountain.

It wasn't a very large maze, you couldn't very well get lost in it, but it was deep enough that when you were at the very center of it, the hedges muffled voices and the flowing water drowned out the outside noise as well. His Lady may not have noticed, but Zane had taken notice of some of the maids giggling from a distance, cooing and gooing over him almost dozing off with his face buried in her neck, and Zane refused to be gawked at.

It also brought him great amusement to listen to her joke about blood staining the grass. She'd adapted to his humor quickly, and Zane quickly understood how she seemed to get along so well with a shadow knight.

It was very quickly reaching midday, and the best part about midday is how the shade took up the most space under the trees.

The hedges opened up, and Zane got to watch as Aphmau's eyes lit up with excitement upon seeing the secluded center of the courtyard, with the beautiful, overgrown fountain and various bushes and stems of flowers that were in full bloom thanks to the season.

Her voice was breathless when she spoke, "Oh wow."

'Oh wow.'

What a lovely sound, to hear her breathless.

She glanced over at him, catching his amused expression and he watched as she quickly schooled her own into less of an impressed one and rolled her eyes at his staring.

"Why are we here again?"

"There's koi in the fountain." Zane informed her, leading her away from the edges and towards the center, allowing her to sit on the edge of the fountain to look down at the fish. They didn't allow people to throw coins in this particular fountain for that exact reason, so it didn't affect the life inside of it.

He finally released her hand to allow her to lean over the edge, and he loathed the momentary loss of contact before he sat next to her, and his knee brushed against hers once more.

"Oh, wow." She echoed, and though this time it was less wowed, it was still one of the sweetest sounds he'd ever heard.

"I intend on drowning you here." Zane informed her, an amused lilt to his voice.

"This would be a lovely place to drown," Aphmau agreed, "would you join me?"

"Ah, of course."

It was everything to sit in such a secluded place with her once more, listening to the wildlife that had taken up home in this sanctuary. The crickets, the birds. The sounds of people milling about outside had been silenced, so he got to hear the gentle intake and exhale of breath from her as she breathed with ease, the same as when he was laying next to her in bed.

"My mother will be assisting you in getting fitted for your wedding gown tomorrow." Zane informed her.

Aphmau furrowed her brow, as if annoyed that she'd been reminded they were getting married, and about the whole thing in general.

Zane did so love annoying her.

"Ah, lovely." She stated flatly, turning fully into the water and hiking her skirt up to her knees so she could dip her legs in the cool water. Some of the fish curiously passed by her, basking in the warmth of her skin before moving on once they'd had their fill.

"Were you hoping for white?" he asked, reaching up a hand to brush some hair from her face.

Aphmau jerked her head away from his touch, huffing in that same irritated way he'd become familiar with. "Do I have a choice?"

"Of course."

No, she absolutely did not.

"Why, then I believe I'd like my gown to be a bright, lovely orange." Aphmau grinned wryly.

Zane did not take this bait to get on his nerves, of course not.

"White it is." He sighed.

Aphmau hummed, seemingly satisfied with shutting him down so shortly.

She did know how to shut him down like nobody else.

Zane enjoyed studying her face, he'd memorized the shape of her brows when they furrowed. He enjoyed it when she was annoyed, but he enjoyed it significantly more when she was angry. And of course, he was practically over the moon when he was able to make her utterly irate like that night before he left her village.

Of course, he enjoyed being able to see her smile as well. But everybody got to see her smile, nobody else got that sort of scorn that she directed at him, and him alone.

He enjoyed how she tended to tap her finger on surfaces to control her temper, what little of it she had.

He enjoyed observing all her little quirks and tendencies, she wore them oh so plainly for him so who was he not to pay attention?

Lady Aphmau sighed and let her skirt go loose around her thighs and hips, leaning back and going limp where she sat. Her calves were still in the water, and her back hung down into the grass where she laid upside down. Her hair sprawled out in the grass freely, framed by her lovely blossoms, and she seemed serene as the blood pooled towards her head and she tangled her fingers in the grass and dirt.

Zane could never, he wasn't very fond of soil.

He stood, picking a rose off one of the bushes before returning to Lady Aphmau and sitting back down next to her. She barely moved as she quietly listened to him walk around, her eyes closed as she meditated silently in the warm sun.

Zane tucked the rose, thorns and all behind her ear and into her hair.

Her eyes opened and she sat up, one of her hands curiously finding the flower he'd placed there.

Lady Aphmau's hand carelessly swiped at the stem of the rose, and she hissed as one of the thorns tore through her skin as if it were paper.

The blood that oozed from her finger shimmered in the sunlight with a golden hue, and then Zane got the most lovely view of his life.

She slipped the tip of her finger between her lips, and he watched with rapt glee as she lapped at the wound.

Chapter Text

Lady Aphmau isn't a particularly early riser, but she was when it mattered. Since she'd been staying in O'khasis she'd gotten up rather early every day, since her spoiled fiance liked sleeping in. Today especially she got excited getting dressed in the morning, before the sun rose, because she'd be spending the day apart from him.

Zane had oodles and oodles of political dealings to get caught up with, since he'd chosen to neglect them in favor of tending to Aphmau for three or so days. He had this Jury he needed to host meetings with, wolves to deal with, guards to check on and keep in line. He was able to skip out on his duties for the church this week, since this weekend the service would be taken up by his own wedding ceremony so the duties would be pushed onto the previous High Priest who had retired to allow Zane to take the mantle.

And so, Her Lady Aphmau's morning started with getting herself ready in something simple, eating breakfast (mostly Alone!!!! how lovely!), and then getting escorted to some dressing chambers where some lovely ladies were fitting her in her wedding gown.

It was an off-white lilac, although it looked more like a shimmering silver with the way the skirt glimmered in the low lighting. It hung down off her shoulders and the sleeves cascaded down her arms, tight up until her forearms where it split off into flowing lace. The skirt of the dress swept the floor, being protected by an inner lining to keep the bottom hem of it clean, although she stood on a small platform while it got hemmed so it didn't drag any way.

"You look absolutely beautiful, Aphmau." Lady Zianna commented, circling her pedestal while the seamstress pinned. It majorly fit her, they just needed to make it tighter in some areas and looser in others to make it fit perfect.

"Thank you, Zianna." Aphmau smiled down at the woman.

"Lady Zianna, my dear."

"Ah, sorry. Thank you again, Lady Zianna."

Zianna smiled back up at Aphmau, whose cheeks were just the faintest shade of pink at being corrected in such a manner - Lady Zianna didn't seem to notice, or perhaps didn't care. Aphmau imagined she'd probably corrected people often on that sort of thing, and thought back to all those times when people would ask how they should address her. Should she have been more firm? She didn't really enjoy the idea of that. Aphmau really tended to enjoy it when people used her name, the title usually only got used as a formality. Or when Laurence was having his fun.

There was music playing from somewhere outside, being let in through one of the cracked windows along with the breeze. It was somehow familiar to Lady Aphmau, and she hummed along to it while a lovely woman kneeled behind her, touching up the train of her dress. Aphmau didn't dare turn around, for fear of being scolded once more for moving and risking a chop job on the most important dress she'd ever own, but she could see her figure in the reflection of the tri-fold mirror propped up against the corner of the room that framed the pedestal.

Aphmau picked at the top seam of her dress that framed her chest, smoothing it in a way she preferred while Lady Zianna watched. Aphmau looked down to her curiously, "Are you being fitted for a gown as well, my Lady?" she asked, noting that she hadn't actually heard of any sort of entourage that would make up the wedding party.

"Oh, no! Ahah, being fitted this late before the ceremony would be unbecoming of me." Zianna giggled and waved off the idea, as if it were the most ridiculous idea she'd ever heard, "No, dear. The escorting jury and I got our outfits fitted weeks ago, of course."

Weeks ago? They've been planning this for weeks? What was all that about the ring, then?

"The jury will be in attendance?" Aphmau asked, losing direct sight of Zianna as she rounded Aphmau's backside to watch the seamstress work.

"Of course, since you don't have any family who will be in attendance we decided to cut the idea of bridesmaids and groomsmen, it makes things much simpler anyway and it cuts out the need for stationed guards." Zianna rounded the other side of Aphmau, speaking once again as if it were obvious.

"Actually, about that-"

The door to the dressing room opened, and Aphmau turned to see Zane waltzing through the doors with a letter in hand, rolled up. The fingertips of his white gloves were stained a slight crimson color, as well as the palm of the one wrapped around the letter.

"My dear, I hope I'm not interrupting." He announced himself, allowing the door to close behind him. "But I believe- Ah, mother."

Zianna lit up seeing Zane, rushing towards him to cover his eyes, "Zane! What did I tell you about entering these chambers today? Do you listen to me at all?" She scolded, trying to escort him back towards the door.

He pushed her hands from his face, his brow furrowed in annoyance, "Mother, I told you I don't care for those sorts of traditions. Its just a dress, its not like she's all made up." He insisted, attempting to step around her.

She blocked his path once more. "You should! Why are you so stubborn? Things like this is why you took so long for anyone to agree to marry you - you should be grateful Aphmau has tolerated your rudeness for as long as she has! I swear, if you were as half as well behaved as Garroth-"

"Yes yes," Zane pushed past her without much care for her fussing, "But who's getting married right now between Garroth and I, hm?" he hissed, scooting around his mother with this irritated, sour look on his face.

Zianna moved to open her mouth, but Zane cut her off, "I am, as I thought. I don't see Miss Von Rosenberg in this lavish dressing room getting fitted, do I?"

Zianna grabbed him by his ear, "You are a spoiled brat, boy. That is Lady Von Rosenberg."

She released him with a huff, before taking a step back.

"May I have a moment alone with my wife?" Zane deadpanned at her.

"Fiance." Was the only word Lady Zianna uttered, before turning her nose up at him and walking out of the room.

There was a beat of silence, awkward and thick before the seamstress patted Aphmau's hip once more, prompting her to stand up straight so she could get back to work.

"My love!" Zane put his pleasant mask back on, approaching the pedestal excitedly.

The view from below Lady Aphmau's silhouette was something Zane lavished in. The sun shone in from the window behind her, framing her head as if she had a halo of pure light. He basked quietly in her cast shadow, refusing to allow himself to get distracted by her beauty from such an angle.

"It seems we've received a letter back from Phoenix drop."

He handed her the letter, which she opened gingerly before inspecting it.

It reeked like blood, and the backside of it was Zane's letter, addressed to Garroth. It had a large gash in the top of it, as if it had been pinned somewhere by a knife, and its edges were stained in dried, caked blood.

"One of my men returned with it; or rather his horse returned, with him atop it, deceased with this letter stuck to the back of it." Zane informed her, in that same chipper tone.

"Ah." She hummed. That explained it.

She held it a distance from her as to not allow it to stain the very important dress she was still wearing, examining the side with the new text on it.

"I'm coming."

Written in the guards blood as well! How chique.

That certainly wasn't Garroth's handwriting, either.

"Oh, hm." Aphmau reread the two words several times before re-rolling it and handing it back to Zane. He took it eagerly and tucked it in his waistband, seemingly amused with the whole thing.

"Do you think they're upset?" He asked her. Aphmau could hear the barely restrained glee in his voice.

Aphmau sighed, of course he was taking joy out of this. "I think we may have an irate guest storming his way here on foot." She rubbed at her temple with her fingers, only to pause when she realized she just smeared blood on her face and folded her hands in front of her carefully.

"We should probably expect him in twenty four hours at the earliest, that is if he sleeps." Aphmau accepted a damp towel from Zane, using it to clean off her hands and face carefully, bending at the waist to return it to him so she did not disrupt the seamstress.

"Lovely! I'll be sure to have a room prepared for him then." Aphmau could not see Zane's face, but she was sure he was grinning ear to ear under his mask. "Do you think Garroth will be coming as well?" Zane hummed up at her, tilting his head.

Lady Aphmau had to think about it for a moment; she thought back to her letter. She could not imagine Garroth leaving Zoey and Levin alone, nor could she imagine him being happy coming up to O'khasis considering the circumstances.

However, she also couldn't imagine him allowing Laurence to come up here and make a fuss and throw himself into danger, even if it meant being able to take her home. And Dale and Brian were still on duty in Phoenix Drop….

She shrugged, "It's a good chance he'll go either way. We'll just have to hear how many horses come up to the gates tomorrow morning."

"Lovely! Well, my other guard survived the journey home so I suppose I'll allow this transgression to slide without much punishment." Zane nodded, satisfied with that answer. They both knew it was more likely than not that he would be coming, if not just to make sure Laurence didn't get both of them murdered.

"My lady," The seamstress piped up, "I've done all I can with the dress on you. You can go change now."

Aphmau opened her mouth to speak, but Zane spoke first, "Ah, perfect. Don't bother redressing, I'll see you in bed, dear!"

Her face went bright red, growling at Zane as he cackled and scurried out of the room, "Get! Get- Get out! I'm gonna whip your ass when I get out of this dress I swear it, you! You-!"

"Save the whipping for the cover of night, my love!" Zane called as he quickly closed the door, leaving her to her stammering and spitting.

"Ooooo I'm gonna! Im gonna, ugh!" Aphmau started undressing, and with assistance she was able to step down on the floor, now in just her slip. She rubbed at her eyes, sighing as she calmed her nerves.

She desperately hoped that that sort of joking wasn't going to be a common thing now, if either Garroth or Laurence heard such comments one or both of them would surely rend his head from his shoulders.

Running her hand through her hair, Aphmau distantly wondered what her guards were doing currently, if they were already to the wolf village or if they'd skipped Bright Port entirely in their journey to meet her here.

Saying a quick goodbye to the seamstress and assisting ladies, she slipped into a side room to redress into her evening gown, not bothering to leave out the front way, lest someone see her still-pink cheeks.

Chapter Text

The next morning in O'khasis was rather quiet. Which was suspicious because Lady Aphmau could've sworn she was expecting an angry Shadow Knight on the Cathedral steps at any moment, setting fire to the things around him.

Just a day before her wedding and Aphmau was already stressing like this, she was going to get grey hairs. Would her hair look nice silver? Or maybe it'd be white.

She paced around Zane's office worriedly, fussing with her hair while she ranted about her anxieties. He listened while he worked, catching up on some things he'd missed out on and working ahead on some things that he needed to finish before they went off on their little honeymoon that Aphmau insisted on. "It wouldn't be a wedding without a honeymoon!" besides, it hopefully would get her out of this horrible place for a month or two.

"Do you think he got lost?" Aphmau asked, glancing towards the door before resuming her pacing.

"I'm sure he's fine." Zane soothed, "O'khasis is hard to miss, and its still early in the morning."

He paused for a moment before adding, "Besides, I don't mind if he's lost. Maybe he died somewhere in a ditch. He's blind isn't he? Maybe it would be a mercy."

Aphmau stopped her pacing to stare at him before marching up to his desk, glaring down at him.

"Thats not funny," she scolded, "What if he encountered a stray village on his way here and- and burned it down! Or killed someone! He hasn't been out of Phoenix Drop yet, I don't know about his temper, and with that guard-"

Zane stood from his desk, "Aphmau!" He interrupted, "Cease this incessant whining! My Irene, he's a grown man!"

"He's a Shadow Knight." she reminded him, "And I don't even know if Garroth is with him! Do you know how hard it is to try and track some lost person around the continent on foot, or even horseback? And what if he's hungry? What will we do when he gets here?"

"Goodness. Come here." Zane growled, grabbing her by the shoulder and sitting her on the seat across from his desk. "Sit here and be quiet. I don't want to hear one more word about that Guard until he shows up dead or alive!"

"Alive!" Aphmau insisted, lacing her fingers and placing her hands in her lap. "You can't expect me not to worry or fuss when he's out there and I don't know where he is!"

Zane rolled his eye and went back to his papers, "Aren't you out in this region all the time?" he offered, "Do you think they fuss and worry about you like this constantly? Do you want them to do that?"

"Well I'm capable," Aphmau shot back, "I mean, I love being in the wilderness!"

"And you think Laurence, third in line for the lordship of Meteli, seasoned Guard and walking tank of a Shadow Knight isn't more capable than an untrained human woman?"

"Just because he may be able to survive when he's calm doesn't mean he won't act brash when he's angry."

Aphmau rubbed her temple with her fingertips, leaning against the arm of the chair while she ran her fingers through her curls.

Zane was relieved from the silence once more, and grateful she finally left behind the subject of that man. Laurence. What could a blind man do, anyway? A shadow knight is one thing, but it's not like he could see where to strike, and Zane was rather light on his feet. He wasn't worried at all.

While Zane worked on his business, Aphmau had taken up residence in one of the corners of his office. It was lined with books, mostly religious ones. "Do you think I could take some of these home for one of my friends? I rarely see books this extensive." her careful fingers paged through the books, skimming them for the bare bones of the information they provided. Things like this seemed limited in public libraries, and in small villages like Phoenix Drop where information wasn't readily available.

"Would you consider yourself a religious scholar?" Aphmau asked Zane once more, not looking up from her book. She'd curled up on the floor, her ankles crossed.

"Yes, and.. I suppose." Zane answered somewhat uneasily, also not looking up from his papers.

"Did you go to school for that?" she asked, glancing up to look at him.

He couldn't particularly see her, as she was on his blind side, but he could still feel her gaze burning on him. "…Sort of. I had a tutor, but there isn't one formal type of education for that."

"So do you think someone living a less lavish life would have access to that?"

Zane hummed, sitting up straight and tapping the back of his pen against his desk, "I suppose not. Maybe if there was a church in their village, but most of that education is oral so it's not as extensive as the one I've had." the corners of his mouth quirked up slightly and he giggled to himself before going back to his work.

Aphmau hummed, glancing back down towards her book. She wondered if Emmalyn had those sorts of opportunities - there wasn't exactly a church in town, maybe getting her a tutor would benefit her. Or maybe she wouldn't blend with a tutor.

She recalled Emmalyn going out of town for better reading material. Maybe it would be worth it to expand her library for her. When was her birthday? Did there need to be an event for giving that sort of gift? Aphmau grinned to herself, she was sure that Emmalyn would probably cry about it, she was sweet like that.

The morning went on quietly, except for Aphmau prompting Zane with more questions. She'd formed a little stack of books in the corner to bring home for her friend. Zane nagged her over the mess a little bit, so she cleared out an entire shelf for her chosen books. He also did not like this, but she forced him to tolerate it until they had time to take them to their intended destination.

Then, sometime after noon, they were summoned to the gates of O'khasis on a visitor's request.

"Come on," Aphmau tugged Zane along by the sleeve of his robe, "It's Laurence, we must hurry!"

"It may not be him." Zane insisted.

"Oh yes, because just anyone is showing up demanding mine and your presence at the gates."

Of course, it was Laurence.

Lady Aphmau and Zane walked to the gates on foot, and upon approaching she realized that they were already open, and she could see a figure clad in copper stood at them holding the reins to a horse, talking to another guard.

When red hair filled her vision so too did tears, and she rushed forward with a shout of his name.

Laurence, upon hearing his Lady's voice, turned towards her and visibly brightened. He dropped the reins, instead reaching out to embrace her as her body collided with his.

Since becoming a shadow knight, Laurence radiated body heat, and Aphmau always found it rather comforting. They held each other for a few moments before pulling back - not fully, just enough to see each other. Laurence still kept his hands on her arms, and Aphmau could feel the warmth through his armor, still being allowed to seep into her skin.

"Aphmau!" he greeted her, relieved. He greeted her with a kiss on her forehead, one she didn't brush off for once, "Thank Irene you're alright."

He started turning her over in his hands, examining any visible skin for blemishes, bruises or cuts, "You are alright, aren't you?"

"Yes!" She agreed, "And you are! Remarkably calm!" Aphmau tucked a strand of hair behind his ear before peeking over his shoulder, "and… alone! I'm surprised!"

Laurence grinned that sly grin of his, keeping his voice low, "I do have a passenger with me, its a secret."

Aphmau's eyes found the gold thread that was tied around Laurence's wrist, tucked away under the bottom edge of his sleeve. She nodded with understanding, a fluttering in her chest as she imagined Garroth in the lasso, listening in. She had to fight the urge to say hello and blow his cover, as Zane approached soon after their greetings were over with.

"Nice to see you again." Zane wrapped his arm around Aphmau's waist, tugging her back out of the embrace to pull her against his side. He'd been rather touchy with her, but the possessiveness was new.

Laurence glared at him, disgust washing over his face, "Speak for yourself, and don't touch her like that. She doesn't like it." he took a step over to face Zane. Laurence wasn't the tallest guy, but he towered over the both of them, especially now.

"Oh? You'd like to speak on the behalf of my very capable fiance?" Zane raised his eyebrows at Laurence, glancing him up and down, "And I see you've been blessed. Congratulations on the sight."

"You don't look like how I imagined you."

"How did you imagine me?"

"…..Garroth is blonde." Laurence settled on, shrugging.

"You expected us to be twins?" Zane shot back.

"I guess not. Garroth isn't as disgusting as you in personality so its no wonder you'd look different physically either."

Aphmau opened her mouth to speak, but Zane spoke first, "Very high praise from you, wow." sarcasm dripped from his words, "You must know so much about the both of us, considering how long you've been serving your Lady. How long, two weeks? A month since I last visited at least."

Laurence furrowed his brow, and Aphmau could visibly see the hair on his neck raising, "I don't need to know that much about you to know you're a piece of shit who curses babies-"

"Oh, Alexis?" Zane asked sweetly.

"Hey." Aphmau warned, tugging away from Zane to try and wriggle free, although he just held her tighter. His hand splayed partially across her midsection, his fingers digging into the cloth of her dress.

"Oh so you did bother to learn her name before you put her through that, how virtuous!" Laurence was getting louder and more irritated, "So you curse children and kidnap women, and-"

"Well, its not kidnapping. It's a mutual, political agreement." Zane interrupted, "And besides, I will be undoing the bindings of that ritual as soon as Aphmau and I are wed." he picked at his nails, or at least made the motion to do so as if he wasn't wearing those gloves, now pristine from yesterday.

Laurence stood up straight, his fight seeming to deflate, "You will?"

Aphmau turned to Zane in surprise, raising an eyebrow, "You will?"

He simply nodded, "Why, yes. It was part of our agreement, was it not? I assist you in your ailments in exchange for your hand."

"Well you weren't exactly specific." Aphmau huffed, then lowered her voice. "You're really gonna do that?" she asked in a hushed tone.

"Of course. I stick by my word, my lady." she could hear the smile in his voice when he spoke.

For just a moment she wondered if maybe this whole thing would work out, better than the way she wanted it to, even! She smiled at him a little, but didn't notice how his eyes lit up slightly at her soft look. "Good." she murmured to him, before turning her attention back to Laurence.

"And how will we know you're keeping to that?" Laurence asked, his eyes narrowing.

Zane perked up, excited, "Why, Laurence, you have reassurance in knowing Lady Aphmau sleeps next to me each night-" Aphmau's face went bright red, "and she may spill my blood in the night if I do her wrong!"

"No I do not-" Her eyes darted to Laurence, who's eyes flashed red, "I do not! Well- well I guess I do- but it's not like that!" She insisted.

The words went in one ear and out the other, and Laurence postured up to Zane once more. Distantly he wondered if this is how Garroth felt, being on this end of the conversation when they first met and had that talk about Laurence's flirting.

"Now you see here-" Laurence spoke, only to get cut off by Zane waving his hand.

"You two may have time to discuss later, I have meetings to get to." He dismissed Laurence, gesturing over to his guard, "Please show Sir Laurence to his room in the Cathedral, Lady Aphmau and I have things to discuss."

Laurence growled, protesting as they were separated once more. Laurence was escorted off by guards, Aphmau by Zane.

"Do you have to word it like that every single time?" Aphmau hissed at Zane.

He looked pleased as punch with himself, "Of course I do. Especially if I get to see that flush on your cheeks each time I do."