Duo smirked at Heero's rigid back. He knew why Heero had dragged him to town...this life thing was really bugging him. He didn't know why though. It was fairly obvious he was supposed to be with Heero as soon as the boy got it together...well, it was obvious to him at least.
" Duo, did you get-"
" Yep, packed, and ready lord Daniel!" He winked.
"I'd never do anything like that to you, Duo. Never." Without another word Heero walked off to the checkstand, leaving a very confused Duo behind.
***************************
Back at the cabin
Quatre frowned at the book in front of him. The words had changed.... He could read them now as he flipped through it...but the strange thing was the book was about them and their lives, but only up to the point of Marc's death. There were many other pages after that but he couldn't seem to get it to move past Marc's death... Quatre frowned. Things were just getting stranger and stranger.
" Oi! We're back!" Duo sang out from the doorway, " I got the good stuff too! Twinkies! Doughnuts! Potato chips!"
Trowa looked up from the wood figurine he was carving. " Did you get any real food?"
" Hey! This is real food!" Duo complained.
Heero snorted taking the bag from him," Shut up, baka."
Poking his tongue out at Heero's back, Duo turned to look at Wufei. " And I got that funny tea stuff, ya wanted too!" He said with a cheery wave.
Wufei smiled. " Thank you Duo." He said politely ignoring the searing glare of death Heero shot at him.
" So, Quatre, found anything interesting in that book?" Duo asked cutting through the tension with an easy grin.
" Hai...I think so. You see it's-"
" You won't find anything of import in there. Let's begin again, shall we?"
" Can we eat first? I'm starving!" Duo whined.
" No! We're on a schedule!" Skye boomed. Then with a flash of white and several groans it began again....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lucien laid on the floor of, the cell listening to the screams of the prisoners and the cries for mercy. A small smile touched his lips. He'd been a slave here for how long now? How long had his screams of pain echoed through these very walls...years he'd guessed...But not anymore. No more cries from Lucien. He felt no pain...pain was pleasure...The guards didn't have as much fun with that sort of thing. He pouted, clutching the severed ear tighter this was his new trophy, he'd managed to chew it off a guard before the others could stop him.
Lucien sighed. Nothing was fun anymore the guards, were boring... Actually he thought the guards were afraid of him, he guessed it was the way he screamed for more when they lashed him...mmm, he missed lashings they'd stopped torturing him altogether when he bit that one silly man's tongue off...okay so he ate it. He was hungry. Hn. It wasn't his fault he got too close.
Lucien laid where he was when he heard the unmistakable voice of his 'owner' coming for him. He remained so when his door opened and still when the door closed again and he heard the footsteps getting closer.
" Lucien..." That soft mellow voice called him.
Turning blank green eyes to the source of the voice, Lucien smiled dried blood clinging to his lips and face... Lucien hated him.
" Do I have your attention, my pet?"
Lucien kept smiling. He wanted to kill him and then play with his liver for a little while, yes that would be fun.
" Good." The master said, with a grin kneeling down over him and lowering his face closer to Lucien's. " I have found someone willing to take your miserable hide off my hands."
Lucien giggled...Oh goodie! A new master to break! He giggled again.
" Yes, laugh, you sadistic little demon. But unlike the last fool to take you this one won't be so easy for you to kill."
Lucien laughed again...if his master would just get closer...The way he was grinning was annoying Lucien.
" Yes, this man will probably kill you. I do so hope he makes you suffer a great deal before he does," The master said.
Lucien pouted. The master could be so cruel sometimes...he wanted to be friends before he killed him.
"You, my pretty little nightmare ,are a gift for the young Lord of Sandswind, Donovan."
Lucien's expression didn't change...he guessed that name should mean something to him...but it didn't, first he was going to break the master's fingers.... oh, he's still talking.
" Oh, you haven't heard of Donovan then? He's an even more twisted bastard than you...if that's even possible."
Lucien giggled again. Deciding he'd rip out the master's eyes first, yes that was what he was going to do...he didn't like them all that much anyway. Oh, he was still talking! He'd have to do something about that mouth of his first.
" And when he's done with you, you little bastard, when he's done that pretty little face of yours won't be quite so pretty. Oh, he messes up his boys I've seen his work- "
"Hush now." Lucien said with a smile. His vacant green eyes were gleaming with madness as he traced the master's lips with a finger. " You need to be quiet..."
" You don't make the ord-Lucien!"
Lucien's smile widened as he guided the master's fingers into his mouth. Licking them one at a time he smile relishing the taste of salty skin...but it was what was under the skin that he wanted.
Flipping over quickly, Lucien climbed to his knees still suckling his master's fingers, He knew the master couldn't resist him...that alone was the reason the master hadn't had him killed yet.
He smiled to himself as he saw the master's eyes follow the movements of his tongue, oh he had him now...
" Reynold, I know you said he was lovely and you may well want to try him one last time, but I've paid you. He's mine, and no one is to touch him again Donovan likes it that way.
The master drew away from Lucien's spell at the man's voice.
Lucien turned unhappy green eyes on the man...then promptly forgot why he was angry...he was beautiful. Tall with hair so black it gleamed purple, eyes the deep blue color of midnight, he liked him he liked his eyes...he'd enjoy killing this one.
With a smile Lucien, stood up the master forgotten as he headed for the evilly smirking man...he looked like he'd be-
" You will not do anything without my permission from here on out. Do you understand?" the man said evenly.
Lucien's head snapped to the side from the force of the man's backhand. His head snapped backwards and he could feel the burning sensation of blood rushing to the area that was struck. A slow warm heat began rising inside him. Closing his eyes momentarily, he turned to look at the man again, green eyes flashing he licked a trickle of blood that started at the corner of his mouth with a wicked smile. Then he lunged at the man without warning, pulling the man's face down to his, he kissed him soundly, shoving his tongue forcefully into the man's mouth, grabbing a handful of his raven hair he pulled him tighter sinking his teeth into his bottom lip.
Much to his pleasure, the man tore himself, away slapping him again.
Lucien laughed, kneeing him in the stomach, he drove him back against the wall shoving his elbow painfully into the man's Adams apple.
" Didn't the master tell you?" he asked sweetly, " A master controls the pain. Pain can not hurt me. I like it, I crave it, I want it." He hissed the madness draining from his features the cold eyes of a fighter shining in its wake. " You can't control me with pain...but right now I can control you with it. So does that make me master and you slave?"
The man looked at Lucien wide-eyed for a moment and then they narrowed. Smirking, he easily pushed Lucien's arm aside and threw him against the wall holding him there with one hand wrapped around his throat.
" You were right, Reynold he will do nicely."
Lucien grinned. That was the last thing he saw before the man's fist made contact with his temple, sending him into unconsciousness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Donovan sipped a glass of wine, looking over the papers that were piled on his desk. He was bored, nothing else to it. Since Adele had gone a week ago he'd had nothing to do. Eion was overseeing his lands...or terrorizing his people, if you wanted to be exact. Adrian had to do likewise to his lands. Leaving Donovan alone to terrorize his own people.
Sighing, Donovan leaned back in the chair. That got boring after the first day since no one dared do anything to displease him.
They all cowered in their homes, some even cowered in public. Snorting Donovan looked back to the papers. Pathetic. That's what his people were. Pathetic.
Donovan looked up again when his dogs began barking.
" Shut up," He growled at the animals they obeyed instantly but kept whining and inching at the door.
Donovan snorted, what got them so riled?
" My Lord..."
Donovan looked up at the quiet maid, in the doorway. Arching a brow he glared at her. He could see her trembling beneath his gaze. " What Marie?"
" L-Lord Adele, is here sir..," she whispered focusing her eyes on her feet.
Nodding, Donovan waved the girl away. Marie gladly obliged. The second she stepped out of the room a manic giggle reached his ears followed by a sound slap then a moan and a muttered curse.
Donovan arched a brow. This could be interesting.
His door swung wide and a body was shoved into the room. Tripping it sprawled on the carpet still giggling.
The dogs went nuts.
" I said shut up!" Donovan snapped. They obeyed.
Donovan looked up at his friend and was about to demand an answer when he got a look at his face. " What happened to you, Adele? You look like you got into a fight with a cat, and lost." Donovan commented offhandedly, looking over the scratches and bruises...were those teethmarks? that riddled the exposed parts of his body.
" Your present is what happened."
Donovan smirked, " My present? You shouldn't have."
"Why not? I killed your last one...and Reynold made me a good deal on this one...now I see why, little bastard." He said giving the giggling mass on the floor a hard kick.
A louder series of giggling erupted.
Donovan strode around his desk to look at the giggling mass on the floor. " How kind, of you Adele," He said sarcastically.
" I thought you might like the chance to break him...Reynold has sold this one many times and he always gets him back within a month. I understand why now. I almost brought him back many times on the way here, however I didn't wish to incur your wrath. I did promise to replace the toy I broke did I not?"
Donovan wasn't really listening, he was watching the boy on the floor skeptically. Something felt familiar about him. Kneeling down he grabbed a handful of the blond hair and yanked his head up. Light blue eyes met steel gray
" The new master...," He whispered still giggling.
Donovan snorted, examining the face before him,...dark green eyes long honey blond hair a dusty rose complexion...Donovan ran his thumb over the full pink lips in wonder. He felt so,...so familiar yet at the same time, shaking his head Donovan pulled the boy to his feet roughly shaking him attempting to shake the smirk off his face.
And failing miserably when the boy only giggled.
Snorting, he let him go. " He's mad."
" I've noticed," Adele said sharply.
Donovan looked down at the laughing boy. " He's beautiful..."
" That's why I got him ,for you Donovan, you see this is Lucien." He said with a smirk.
Donovan looked at him blandly. " Lovely name. Should it mean something to me?"
Adele laughed, " Considering you are looking at the very slave that killed Mitchell and blinded Gabriel I'd say yes..."
That got Lucien's attention. " Gabriel's dead, " he said softly.
Adele smirked, " No, not dead. They managed to save him...barely. But you didn't kill him."
Rising up to his knees, Lucien grabbed a handful of his hair and frowned. " He's dead...dead, dead, dead, dead!" he said his voice rising an octave at every dead.
Donovan winced at the vicious way he tugged his hair. " Stop that!" he snapped.
Lucien turned cold eyes on him. " He's dead, All my masters die I make sure of that." He said in a sing-song voice.
Donovan snorted, " Not all my dear little,-Lucien, was it? Not all." Donovan said, moving closer to the kneeling boy.
The gleam in Lucien's eyes intensified, the closer he got as if he were anticipating something...
" Lucien..."
" Don-o-van," Lucien said snidely...he gave Donovan one more glance before turning his attention to the dogs, " Here, puppy puppy..." he said softly crawling towards the animals.
Donovan sighed, grabbing Lucien by the shoulder to regain his attention. He got a set of very sharp teeth sunken into his fingers for the effort.
Donovan cursed and backhanded Lucien across the head.
The boy just looked at him and grinned.
Adele laughed. The little chase was going to be most interesting...for some reason, watching the two, interact he felt a strange sense of closure as well as a small amount of jealousy, shaking it off he turned to leave Donovan and his *snicker * 'slave' to get acquainted.
" Lucien! I'll kill you!"
Adele smirked, closing the door on maniacal laughter. Donovan had his hands full indeed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Donovan, was very very frustrated. Lucien was driving him crazy with his constant touching, and petting, and kisses one second and then his trying to rip Donovan's throat out or stabbing him or even trying castrating him the next! He didn't know what to expect from the little bastard from one second to the next.
Donovan felt his frown giving way to a grin...but he wouldn't want it any other way...Of course, he'd never admit that to the little biting freak.
" Donnnovaaaaaannn..." Lucien, called softly a sulk clearly written in his voice.
With a sigh, Donovan looked up to the doorway where Lucien stood leaning against it.
Donovan sighed at least Lucien had opted to put on clothing this time to come find him.
" Donovan..." Lucien, said again vacant green-eyes staring at nothing in particular.
Donovan, had to admit though, they were beautiful eyes no matter what they were like. Vacant, filled with maniacal glee, cold and empty, or filled with passion. Yes, he looked the best when he was...'in the mood...'
" What, Lucien?" He said blandly
Lucien frowned, gliding across the room to Donovan's side.
" I'm bored...," he pouted, brushing his fingertips against Donovan's cheek.
Donovan shivered...he hated how much control over him Lucien posses- Donovan's mental conversation was cut short by the dagger Lucien had pressed to his throat.
" Really, Lucien, this again?" He groaned, wincing slightly when Lucien pulled the sharp blade ever so gently across his throat, from one end to the other leaving behind a thin trail of blood.
Lucien whimpered. " Why can't I kill you?" He asked.
Donovan smirked, grabbing Lucien's wrist, he pulled the dagger away from his throat. Pulling up Lucien's sleeve a little he kissed the fine boned wrist he held.
Lucien purred thoughts of killing Donovan forgotten for a moment. He knelt in-between Donovan's legs , smiling maniacally he leaned forward and licked the dribble of blood from Donovan's wound giggling.
" Does it hurt?" He asked.
Donovan smiled, turning Lucien's hand over carefully avoiding the knife he still clutched. He lay a second kiss on his pulsepoint, gently nipping the vein.
Lucien smiled, obviously enjoying the touch...
" Of course, my angel..." Donovan whispered.
He never saw the slap coming...but, he felt it...oh, did he feel it. Donovan thought his whole face was on fire as his vision blurred.
" Don't call me that! I'm not yours!" Lucien screamed at him. His voice growing more and more shrill as only a true lunatic could.
" You are mine." Donovan said, calmly blinking as his vision returned.
Lucien growled, and lunged at him with the dagger.
Donovan managed to catch him and found himself with two armfuls of screaming homicidal psychopath. Finally, after many knicks, and curses, and teethmarks Donovan managed to disarm Lucien and toss him against his desk. Wrapping his hand around Lucien's pale slender throat he squeezed tight smiling at him wickedly.
The angry gleam faded from Lucien's eyes...he knew this game and he liked it.
With a snort, Donovan used his other hand to grab a handful of Lucien's hair giving it a sharp tug, pulling him in close for a rough kiss.
Lucien responded immediately...urging him on by wrapping his arms around him.
Donovan broke the kiss, first resting his forehead against Lucien's for a moment. Smirking, he pulled away grabbing Lucien's chin in an iron tight grip looking deep into the vacant green pools of Lucien's eyes.
" You are my angel...my tainted angel, mine." He said with a smile as he watched the defiance flash in Lucien's eyes.
The boy wouldn't submit...yet. He'd had Lucien for six weeks now and still he couldn't control him worth a damn...but he didn't really care. Delan was his no matter wha-Delan? Who the hell was Delan? Shaking his head he concentrated on Lucien again.
" Not yours..." Lucien sing-songed. " Never yours." The insane boy smiled at the look of rage in Donovan's eyes, " You, hate me don't you Donovan?" he asked, eyes still wide.
" Of course not, Lucien." he responded running his thumb over Lucien's lips.
" Oh...but I hate you...I hate you , so very much." He giggled pulling Donovan's hand away from his chin. Letting, his arms fall down to Donovan's waist he sighed, resting his head on his chest, " I love you, too you know that Donovan...I love you as much as I hate you..." He said looking up his formerly vacant eyes filled with a swirl of emotions. Anger, fear, love, hate, desire.... " I hate you for loving you...I hate you trying to own me and I love you for the same reason. I hate you for hurting me, but love you for giving me the pain, I hate you for wanting me and love you for touching me. I hate you Donovan and I love you...I want you to suffer and I want you to be happy I love you Donovan...I'll kill you, because I love you. Do you know that?"
Donovan looked at the beautiful boy before him and frowned. " Whatever you say Lucien my innocent devil whatever you say."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adrian crossed his feet, looking at book he had sitting in his lap while listening with half an ear to the panting and groaning of the other two in the bed with him.
Finally after a few more minutes, the groaning reached a peak and then stopped, giving way to satisfied whimpers.
" Mmm Adrian, put the book down," a soft sultry male voice invited accompanied by a hand making its way up his chest.
Adrian smirked, " No, thank you Eoin you and Adele seem to be doing just fine without me." He sighed turning back to his book.
Eoin sighed, wrapping his arms around Adrian's waist....
Eoin pouted. " First Donovan leaves us for that slave boy of his and now you leave us for a book?" Eoin said softly kissing his chest.
" He's not leaving us Eoin..." Adele said smiling.
Stretching Eoin shrugged. " Then why else won't he share him? He shared all his other toys. We could at least get to see him."
Adele snorted, rolling onto his back. " None of his other toys were capable of killing with it's bare hands. That creature I bought him is completely insane. He's probably got his hands full just trying to stay alive."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Donovan smiled, leading Lucien to his secret passion. His own private garden...nobody ever went in there, but him Adele, Adrian, and Eoin... and whatever toy they decided to play with that day. He smirked remembering all the fun they'd had a few months ago, with a set of blond haired twin girls. Ah, what fun that'd been, the way they screamed and screamed and screamed and- no now was not the time to think about such things. Besides he wasn't bringing Lucien to the garden for that...well not today anyway.
Lucien for once allowed him to lead him passively...For Lucien that meant only trying to shove him down one flight of stairs.
Donovan's smile widened as they neared the gateway to his garden. Pulling the key from its place in his belt, Donovan placed it in the lock on the giant wooden door. He was the only one with the key to this place he'd made certain of that. Turning the key he gave the door a shove moving the heavy wood just enough for a person to slip through.
Moving in first he tugged Lucien in behind him and immediately shut and bolted the door again. Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes savoring the combined scent of the flowers and the water.
Turning to Lucien, his smile faltered at the look on Lucien's face...He looked confused and frightened then angry and sad then frightened again. What, in the world was wrong with him? Well, okay he was insane but what was wrong with him other than that?
" Lucien..." He said softly.
Lucien didn't seem to have heard him, he was trembling and mumbling to himself.
" Lucien?"
Lucien's trembling only got worse..
Donovan didn't know what was wrong with him but he didn't like it. Reaching out a hand, he ran it lightly over Lucien's hair. " Angel?"
That did it.
Lucien rounded, on him fury practically radiating from his pores. " You did this to me! You! I'll kill you! I'll kill! I l hate you...I-I-" Lucien cut himself off with a growl and lunged at Donovan, dropping them both to the grass. Lucien sprawled on top of him.
" Lucien! What in hells name is wrong with you?!" Donovan growled...or tried to since Lucien's hands were currently curled around his throat with a very surprising amount of strength.
" You! You! I hate you! I hate you! I-" Lucien suddenly let him go and fell to the grass crying, curling himself into a tight ball he clutched his ears rocking back and forth.
Donovan looked at him completely confused for a moment, then pushed himself into a sitting position. Lifting the slight boy to his lap, he wrapped his arms tightly around him Donovan opened his mouth to say something comforting...then he realized he'd never comforted anyone in his life, he'd never felt the need too. He had no idea what to say...besides a wrong word right now could get his neck broken.
With a resigned sigh Donovan decided it would be safer to just hold Lucien for a while...and besides it felt kind of...kind of nice. Just sitting still with Lucien in his lap, his head resting against Donovan's chest. He'd never gotten to just hold Lucien like this before. He wasn't sure if he'd ever get to again.
" Lucien..."
" Heero..."
" What?"
"NO!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
" Woah oow!" Quatre said blinking trying to clear the black splotches that dotted his vision. " What happened?" He asked looking around. His eyes landed on Duo huddled and shaking on the floor whispering to himself. " Duo?!" Quatre said rising to his feet shakily just to fall back down. " Duo!"
Duo didn't seem to hear him...
" Duo." Heero said trying to clear his own vision. Reaching out he pulled Duo against him, he still didn't respond.
" What's wrong with him?" Wufei asked rubbing his forehead.
" I don-"
He broke out of the memory plain
Everyone looked confused.
" He did what?"
Dasha Delan Duo got frightened of the memories. This old pain was too much for him to bare, he panicked and broke the barrier dragging you all back here with him before it was time.
Skye explained a slight hint of awe in the voice.
It's only happened once before and a young psychic named Ethan centuries ago... did that
" Then we stop now?" Quatre asked looking to Trowa.
No Quella Dera Quarte you do not. In order to move forward you have to let go of what's behind you.
" Duo can't handle it!" Heero said pulling the lax pilot against him.
He can. He has too. It's that simple. I am sorry Hye Daniel Heero but he must face this.
" Why?!" Quatre asked looking worriedly at Duo. " Don't you see what its doing to him?"
I do Quella Dera Qua-
" Why do you use our old names?" Trowa asked.
Because you have seen and excepted those parts of you that is who you are now. Theron Manuel Trowa you have yet to accept the life you are being shown so you are not whole.
" But Duo?"
Will be fine.
Skye said.
" But-"
I will have to reinforce the barrier of the memoryplain.
With that a bright flash of white came again knocking the boys back into their past. (1)
Donovan continued to hold the sobbing Lucien, contemplating who this Heero person could be...and if he was a threat to him.
Lucien, hiccuped and Donovan forgot his line of thought then his eyes focusing on Lucien's face. His eyes had settled into blankness again and he was humming something under his breath. With a sigh he stood up and headed towards the tower.
Donovan smiled, it felt right to carry Lucien...he belonged here with him.
Lucien woke slowly on a soft bed, the feeling of arms wrapped around him tightly holding him in place registered immediately. A contented smile on his face Lucien didn't know what had happened earlier or how he got into the bed...Ohh pretty tapestry. I wonder what it would look lik-
" Lucien..."
Lucien frowned he didn't want to talk to Donovan right then he wanted to look at the pretty-
" This isn't my room Donovan...." He whispered looking around the room.
" No it's not this is my special place...," he said, whispering softly into Lucien's ear. " Would you like me to tell you a story?"
Nodding Lucien continued looking around the room it felt familiar but not in a good way...
" This was not always Sandswind Castle," he said kissing Lucien's shoulder.
Lucien, was barely listening, having found a scratch on the door that caught his attention...
" This land used to belong to the Lyonharts," nipping Lucien's shoulder he started up his neck. " My grandfather seized control of it after Lord Lianas died...Lianas's weakling of a grandson of his Eric was to be the next Lord. From what I understand he never even put up a fight, Eric had been more than willing to just step aside, until my grandfather gutted his mother. Then the little pansy managed to somehow sever my grandfather's arm...and his right leg...and gouge one of his eyes...anyway my grandfather killed the miserable bastard." Donovan smiled pressing kisses down Lucien's throat.
Lucien's eyes remained fixed on scratch.
" But that's not the interesting part about this story pet...no what's interesting is the part about Lianas's son Daniel and his lover..." Donovan frowned he'd only heard the story once he couldn't remember the lover's name for the life of him...oh well improvise." Delan . You see Delan was the son of Daniel's servant, he met Delan one time when they were children, and as the story goes he became obsessed with him. But Delan's father took him away from Daniel because he was afraid that Daniel might hurt him... it proved to be a fatal mistake you see Daniel truly loved Delan...and having Delan taken away from him took away what heart and kindness he did have within." Donovan paused running his fingers over Lucien's shoulder.
Lucien was still staring at the scratch, " Then what?" Lucien asked never taking his eyes from the scratch.
Donovan smiled, so he was listening, " Then one day he went down to the village to oversee... something, and he saw Delan again for the first time in close to fifteen years talking to one of his friends. As the story goes Daniel raced home immediately and began repairing the north tower, at first no one knew what he was doing and they just figured he'd finally taken the final step to insanity..."
Lucien finally turned to look at him. Vacant green eyes staring at him dispassionately.
Stroking his hair, Donovan continued his story, " It took him months to get everything prepared, but when he was finished...he'd created paradise." Donovan whispered kissing Lucien's forehead.
Lucien nailed him one in the ribs. " Finish."
Grunting Donovan pulled Lucien tighter. " As soon as the garden and the tower were finished, Donovan went back to the town and found Delan, whom he lured back to the garden with ease and locked him in. Well his father wasn't too pleased about this so he along with a small army of guards broke into the garden intending to take Delan away...but Daniel having just gotten his heart back didn't want to let it go so soon. So filling a goblet with poison he drank it and forced Delan to drink it. Needless to say by the time his father got to the tower they were both dead." Donovan continued to stroke Lucien's hair...Lucien had been acting strangely stable to the most part since he'd gotten him to the tower.
" Dead..." Lucien said, his eyes straying to the scratch again.
" Yes dead...in this very bed too...Of course new sheets but the same bed." He smiled. " They say that the north tower is haunted by Daniel, they say that sometimes at night you can hear him calling for his Delan..."
Lucien nodded. " Daniel was naughty."
Chuckling Donovan pressed a kissed to Lucien's throat. " Yes he was very naughty...," Donovan rolled over so that he was braced on his arms above Lucien.
Lucien stared up at him, green eyes for once clear and coherent. " Do you think Daniel will ever find his Delan again?"
Donovan snorted. " It's just a story love...but I doubt it."
The coherent look in Lucien's eyes disappeared then, and he laughed. " Good!" Donovan was about to ask his insane lover why that was good when Lucien wrapped his legs around him and drew his attention to much more pleasant matters.
Eoin propped his feet onto Donovan's desk absently leafing through the papers on it he sighed. Flicking golden blond hair out of his eyes he turned to look at Adrian.
" Adrian?" Eion called.
Lifting his head from his hands Adrian looked at him wearily.
" Where do you think Donovan is? I know we came by unannounced but surely that daft maid of his could have found him by now.
Adrian shrugged. " He's probably in his garden." He mumbled, " Morbid man that he is."
Eoin sighed. " I wonder who he's torturing without us?"
" Oh God Lucien no more!" He panted thrusting his hips upwards into his lover's body.
Lucien alternated between laughing maniacally and moaning as he pressed himself down...onto the shaft firmly imbedded in his body ==(sound painful don't it?).
" Lucien! Please for the love of- OH!"
Continuing to laugh Lucien squeezed as tight as he could around Donovan, trying to suck as many different sounds from his 'master' as he could.
" Lucien!"
Bracing one hand behind himself Lucien looked down at Donovan's sprawled form his green eyes emerald slits.
Donovan sighed, looking into the little mirror, Lucien had done a number on him this time.
" Damn lunatic..." he muttered.
Lucien rolled over on the bed to look at him, " Pretty..." he said his glazed eyes looking over the scratches on Donovan's shoulders, and back..
"You'd think that wouldn't you?"
Lucien crawled across the bed towards him, his hair falling over his shoulder, " Donovan..." he giggled.
Donovan sighed, " What Lucien?"
" Do you love me?"
Donovan blinked, that was out of the blue.
" Of course I do," he murmured.
" Good," Lucien said laying back down on the bed, " I can kill you now."
" What do you mean by that Lucien?"
" The sky is so pretty here...but it would be prettier if it were red, wouldn't it be prettier Donovan?" Lucien asked, his green eyes glazed once more.
" What did you mean by what you said before Lucien?"
Lucien turned empty eyes onto him, " Will you make the sky red for me Donovan? I want it to be red..."
"Lucien-"
" Promise you'll make the sky red for me," Lucien said, grabbing his hair tightly.
Donovan arched a brow, " How am I supposed to do that love?"
Lucien's eyes darkened and he yanked his hair, " Promise. Promise. Promise! "
Walking to his lover's side Donovan caught his arm before he tore his own hair out, " Alright I promise...I'll make the sky red for you." He said kissing Lucien's shoulder...giving the raving psycho easy access to his throat, " Lucien!" he cursed pushing his laughing lover away again, clutching his throat.
Sometimes that boy just...
" You promised Donovan," he said rubbing his cheek, " I won't forgive you if you don't keep your promise..."
Eoin yawned and stretched, they'd been sitting in Donovan's office for hours waiting for him to return.
" Come Adrian let's go to bed we'll catch him in the morn-"
It was then that the door opened and Donovan wandered in, a perplexed look on his face.
" There you are!" Adele said frowning from the corner.
Donovan looked up and blinked, " What the...oh hello," he said walking to his desk, which Eoin was currently sitting at.
" Where have you been all day Donovan, don't you know it's rude to keep your guests waiting?" Eion asked with a wicked grin..." You'll have to be punished."
Donovan smirked, " Hmm you know I love it when you punish me Eoin..." Donovan said with a grin.
" But not as much as when I do...do you Donovan?"
Three pairs of eyes turned to the doorway.
Sometimes Lucien could move as silent as a damned cat, and right then he looked very much like a cat by the way he was eyeing Eion.
" Everyone meet Adele's present...Lucien." Donovan said extending an arm, Lucien walked to his side gracefully, blank green eyes taking in everyone in the room.
Laying his head on Donovan's shoulder, Lucien smiled...a rather frightening sight from a known unstable lunatic. " Can I play too Donovan?" he asked, green eyes boring in Eion's blue ones.
Eoin one of the most feared Lords in the land took one look into those vacant eyes and shivered, here was a soul that could make him look like an angel on his worst day.
" You have pretty eyes..." Lucien said, " I want them." Before anyone could register what he meant, Lucien had vaulted the desk and pinned Eoin against the wall with his body, clawing at Eoin's eyes with his fingers.
" Lucien! Lucien no!" Donovan called pulling the psycho away from Eoin, hissing and screaming...
" I want them! I want them! I want them!"
Donovan lost his grip on Lucien's arms, immediately Lucien started clawing at his hair.
" Lucien don't do that!" Donovan snapped pulling his hands down, Adrian stood against the far wall watching the goings on with interest, Adele was dabbing a cloth over Eoin's wounds...Donovan had the worst job however and that was trying to soothe the blond manic in his arms. " Shh Lucien...shh..."
" I want them," Lucien whined, letting Donovan hold him. " I want them..."
Donovan kissed Lucien's shoulder, " And you can have some...just not those..." he said stroking Lucien's hair.
Lucien purred, and slumped against him.
" Adrian kindly call Marie..."
Adrian and Adele turned their heads away in disgust, as Lucien sat on the floor beside the maid...or what was left of her body, singing softly to himself as he played with her eyes...that were no longer part of her face.
Looking up at Donovan, Lucien gave him a beautiful smile, childlike in it's innocence...if you ignored the human eyes he had clutched in his hands, or the blood that stained his shirt and face.
" Are you happy now my Lucien?" he asked.
Lucien nodded, and crawled closer to Donovan, wrapping his arms around the lord's leg he nuzzled against Donovan's thigh...still clutching the eyes.
" Good," Donovan said passing his fingers over Lucien's hair, he turned back to his friends, " I'd like to thank you again for the 'gift' Adele." Donovan snapped.
Adele paled, Gabriel had said the boy was evil...but he hadn't thought he was...Adele stole another glance at the girl...and he only knew that because he saw her when she walked in, and shuddered. Even Eion at his worst...
Eoin meanwhile was watching Lucien with interest, " Donovan...would you be interested in selling him?"
Lucien's eyes flashed and he looked up at Eoin.
Eoin got the feeling he was being marked for a slow and agonizingly painful death.
" No Eoin...I wouldn't subject anyone to this-OW! " Donovan growled and pried Lucien's teeth off his thigh. Sighing he pulled Lucien to his feet.
Lucien wrapped his arms around Donovan's waist smiling, he rested his forehead against Donovan's chin, " You aren't very nice..." he pouted looking at Eoin in a way that sent all of Eoin's survival instincts into hyper-drive.
"He's very nice Lucien, don't say things like that," Donovan said off-handedly brushing back Lucien's bangs.
Lucien pouted, but stood silently beside him, opening his hand he studied the pretty blue ones in it.
" Well what brings you all to my humble home?" Donovan asked, but no one was listening they were all to busy gapping at Lucien...who was chewing on one of the eyes now...Donovan looked at him and winced, taking the eye away from Lucien, " Lucien no. Bad Lucien! Now spit it out!"
Lucien frowned, and then swallowed.
Adele was fairly certain he was going to loose his dinner.
Eoin laid in bed wedged between Adele and Adrian, " So what does everyone think of Lucien?"
Silence.
" I'll take it you aren't to fond of him then?"
More silence.
" I rather like him, I thought those designs he did on that maid's skin was quiet lovely, and the way he managed to remove her stomach without staining the car-"
" Thank you Eoin, we were there."
" And we'd very much like to forget about it." Adrian added, " What were you thinking getting that boy for Donovan Adele?"
Adele shook his head, " I thought he could break him...you know how he likes a challenge."
Adrian snorted, " Indeed I do, however I think it is Lucien who has done the breaking," he said.
Adele nodded his agreement, " He's gone over for that lunatic, did you see the way he panders to his every whim, it's actually rather sweet...in an extremely twisted sort of way."
Eoin blinked, kissing Adele's throat, " So Donovan is in love? Who'd have thought it could happen?" Eoin chuckled.
Adele shook his head, " Who indeed?"
" Now here is Sanke's outer wall, they will more than likely expect us to come from the east so we-"
Lucien giggled from where he stood beside Donovan head resting on his 'master's' shoulder.
Shaking his head Adele began again, " So we would do better to attack from the west-"
" Donovan can we play now?" Lucien sing-songed.
Adele ignored him, " If we use our be-"
"Donovan..."
" When we are finished Lucien." Donovan sighed, nodding for Adele to continue.
" Now if we-"
" How long will that take?"
Adele clenched his teeth, " If you wouldn't interrupt I'd be done by now," Adele said.
Lucien frowned ad snuggled to Donovan.
" Don't upset him Adele, I don't want to have to let him kill another one of my servants..."
Adele rolled his eyes, " As I was saying the west is the be-"
Lucien's clouded eyes cleared suddenly," That won't work. They'll see you coming for miles, and be more than ready for you if they aren't already." He said pointing at the map, " It would work better if you came from the north, they wouldn't be prepared or even able to defend themselves...it's their weakest point a flaw in the defense design."
Adele smirked, " Sanke is built into a mountain Lucien," Adele said off-handedly.
" I know that," Lucien replied, looking at him like he were an idiot, " But if you attack them from the east, that'll keep them busy while you come in from the north. The mountains are hard to navigate and impossible to patrol you could be well hidden out in the open, and the winds there are so loud, unless you are screaming sound doesn't travel very far. Plus it doesn't get very cold even in winter, and there are provisions game, water, fruit, so if you do manage to get trapped you won't starve."
Adele arched a brow, " And how do you know?"
Lucien turned surprisingly intelligent green eyes on him.
Adele felt the sudden urge to back away...and run.
"I was raised there..." he said, then turned back to the map, " You can get in, here." He thumped his finger down onto the map.
Apparently he felt he'd done his part...or he just couldn't think clearly for very long because his eyes glazed over again and he leaned against Donovan. " Mommy threw me out there to die...it's a nice place...but I found my way home...then she sent me away again...I was a good boy, why did Mommy send me away?"
Donovan blinked, this was new...looking down at the pleading green eyes he pushed Lucien's hair away from his eyes, leaning down he kissed him lightly on the lips, " I don't know Lucien..."
Lucien frowned, " Will you kill mommy...and daddy...and Sarah, and Jessie...and Phillip, and Mitchell, and Clare, and Angel, and David, and-"
" Lucien." Adele cut him off his eyes widening in shock, " What's your daddy's name?"
Lucien turned to him and frowned, " Daddy doesn't have a name...he's just daddy..."
Adele looked closer at Lucien's face then, shaking his head. " Damn..."
Lucien turned back to Donovan..." Can we play now?"
Eoin smiled, running his fingers lightly over Lucien's shoulders, " Yes Lucien let's play..." he said kindly, pointing to the map, " Let's play seek and find...if we hide here..."
Donovan frowned watching Lucien's face, his lover had been acting strangely...well for him since they'd entered the Sanke mountains, his eyes had been focused and alert for far longer than he'd ever seen, but it wasn't just his eyes that were different. No it was everything, the way he moved, Lucien seemed to walk on air drifting silent as a ghost as he moved down the hallways of Sandswind castle seeming to drift wherever the breeze pushed him, now he moved with purpose, a self assurance that was both disturbing and intriguing at the same time, like a cat that just found it's prey.
If he were sane, Donovan was certain there would be five nightmares...
Lucien fixed his eyes onto Donovan and smirked, walking toward his lover he wrapped his arms around Donovan's shoulders, " Will you kill them for me?" he asked.
Donovan arched a brow, " If you like," he said.
Lucien passed his tongue over Donovan's lips. " You love me don't you?" he asked.
Donovan just leaned forward and kissed him.
Lucien leaned into the kiss eagerly tugging at one of Donovan's braids, opening his mouth for Donovan's hungry kisses he pressed harder against his lover.
" Hm, as fun as that may be Donovan, you've got work to do."
Donovan pulled back from the kiss he shared with Lucien and grinned at Adele, snaking his hand down the back of Lucien's pants he lifted his lover closer to him, " Sorry,"
Lucien however was anything but repentant, as he nipped and licked his way down Donovan's neck.
" You know how demanding Lucien can be..." Donovan murmured as Lucien continued his light teasing caresses.
Adele nodded, " I also know how absolutely conniving and dangerous he can be," Adele said, " Be careful Donovan."
Donovan nodded, watching his friend as he walked away, he could tell Adele felt...something for his Lucien he just didn't know what...but whatever it was, really bothered, Donovan.
" Donovan..."
Donovan turned toward Lucien then running his thumb over Lucien's bottom lip he kissed him.
Lucien's eyes clouded over again, and he smiled, " Punish them..."
Adele stood over the bleeding Lord of Sanke, his sword pointed at the gibbering man's throat. " Well, well, well, how the mighty has fallen," he smirked.
" Are you going to kill me or mock me Adele?" he snapped, staring at the point of the sword at his throat.
Adele arched a brow, " Both actually," he shrugged, " But mocking you is much more fun if you are alive to see it...and oh we didn't want you to die before you saw your wife and children for the last time..."
" You-"
Adele pushed the blade harder against Lord Sanke's throat, " Bring them in," he said evenly to a guard standing by.
Nodding the man dashed to the hallway to do his bidding, seconds later the room was filled with frightened whimpers and sobs.
" Ahhhh our guests have arrived!" he said cheerily not taking his eyes from Lord Sanke, " Good evening ladies..."
More frightened noises were his answer.
" Sir Lord Donovan asked that you not begin till they arrive."
Adele arched a brow and then nodded, " Alright then whe-"
" Here Adele, sorry we're late, but Lucien was having a moment..." Donovan sighed.
Lucien stood beside him tugging on his hair, looking around the room, the current goings on, obviously weren't very important to him.
Adele nodded, " Of course I don't mind...if it weren't for Lucien we would never have won so easily."
"Lucien!" One of the women hissed, Adele guessed it was Lady Sanke. " You are the devil! I knew you were the devil!"
Lucien turned hurt eyes onto the woman, still tugging his hair. " Mommy?"
"Don't call me that!"
Lucien lowered his head to Donovan's shoulder again, " Mommy doesn't like me…"
"Demon spawn!" several of the others picked up their mother's cue and began shouting things at Lucien as well.
Donovan wrapped his arms around Lucien to restrain him…oddly there wasn't a need too…Lucien was cowering against him clutching his ears, as they screamed.
Donovan frowned down at him in shock for a moment, Lucien didn't cower from anything…
" You should have died in the valley like you were meant to! Disgrace to the name of Sanke you-"
" That's enough Lady Sanke…" Donovan said calmly, the feeling of Lucien curled against him shaking was driving him mad…and this woman was the reason…
Immediately she turned wide panicked blue eyes on Donovan, " He's evil! I tell you evil!"
" Rylena please be silent!" Lord Sanke called out to his wife.
Adele snorted.
" No! He's e-"
" Yes we get the point, child of Satan, devil spawn, blah blah blah, kindly shutup please, and die with some form of dignity." Eoin sighed, from the doorway, absently wiping a smear of blood from his face.
" Are your men finished?" Adele asked.
Eoin smiled, " Yes they are, they've burned the village to the ground. They killed the men, and most of the women, the prettier ones they are saving for a little while," he sighed again flipping his hair over his shoulder, Eoin tapped a slender finger against his chin, "What am I forgetting? AH! Oh yes we took the liberty of destroying their crops and mills, and killed the majority of the servants in the keep, a few have been left alive to serve the men, and for humiliation purposes." Eoin said with a shrug…ignoring the whimpers of grief the Sankes' were giving.
Adele nodded, " Very well, good work Eoin."
Eoin smiled, " I do my best," winking he turned to look at Donovan and Lucien. " Is he alright?"
Donovan looked up, " Hm? I don't know…it's hard to tell anything about Lucien, but this is really starting to worry me…but I know how to make him feel better." He said softly against Lucien's hair. " Lucien…" he called softly, "Lucien open your eyes…" he whispered again, brushing his lips across Lucien's forehead, gently he rubbed his lover's back.
Adele arched a brow, he'd never seen Donovan like this before…with anyone.
Finally Lucien looked up at him, green eyes full of old pain and fear…
Leaning down Donovan kissed him gently on the lips, nuzzling his cheek he pulled away, " I have a present for you Lucien…you like presents don't you?"
Lucien bit his lip and nodded, as he grabbed a handful of his own hair and began tugging.
" Don't do that love." Donovan sighed, moving forward again to remove Lucien's hands from his hair. He ended up stroking it for far longer than he should have. " Ready for your gift?"
Lucien nodded eagerly.
Donovan smiled, drawing his sword, he took a step backwards and placed the tip of the blood covered blade against Lucien's chin.
Lucien laughed, and tilted his head back allowing the edge of the blade to whisper across the skin of his throat…(2)
" Yes kill him! Save the world from his evil!"
Smirking Donovan let the blade slip down Lucien's chest tugging at the material of his shirt.…Lucien looked so beautiful like this…he thought.
Donovan's smile widened, when he noticed glazed green eyes staring at him. With a practiced twirl he pulled away.
"NO! Kill him! Kill the-" Lady Sanke was cut off…literately…
Lucien watched his mother's head roll across the stone floor impassively…her face trapped eternally in outrage.
Eoin blinked.
Adrian gapped.
Adele's eyes widened.
The Sankes' screamed in horror.
Lucien giggled and clapped, " Again! Again!"
Donovan gave his beloved a smile, and turned to Adele. " Mind?"
Adele shrugged.
Donovan then proceeded to fill the room with blood and the screams of the family Sanke.
The only thing louder than the pleas for mercy, and cries of anguish was Lucien's maniacal laughter, and demands for more.
" Make them hurt! Make them scream! It's their turn! Their turn! Their turn! Their TURN! THEIR TURN! THEIR TURN! THEIR TU-"
"Calm down Lucien," Adele said dryly…as he impaled a short blond girl that was attempting to run away.
" Okay…" Lucien said suddenly calm again, lowering himself to the floor, he watched in relative silence as his 'family' was slaughtered.
Adele decided Lucien was terrifying.
Adrian decided it was best if he stayed away…
Eoin was absolutely fascinated.
Donovan listened with half an ear as Adele went over who got what, he was too busy watching something much more interesting. Lucien.
A small smile crept to his lips, as he watched the blond man dance by himself in the middle of the room, humming a soft tune, as he did so. He looked so innocent like this, so young…and alive.
Granted he was dancing around the room with Lady Sanke's head…that had a few teeth marks in it now, yet somehow he still managed to look innocent.
" No Lucien, Don't do that," Donovan sighed, as his 'innocent' Lucien knelt on the floor, and started lapping at one of the puddles of blood. The head tucked under his arm as if it were a doll.
Pouting Lucien raised his eyes to Donovan, he was adorable when he pouted…even if his mouth was covered in blood…and something that looked suspiciously like blood covered flesh hung from his lips.
" Did you like your gift Lucien?" Donovan asked.
Lucien looked forlornly at the puddle, and then stood up again, dropping the head, like a forgotten toy…, which to Lucien it probably was.
Walking towards Donovan Lucien nodded, stepping over bodies and body parts with ease…he threw himself against Donovan's chest, wrapping his arms around his lover's neck, he nodded.
" You killed them for me Donovan?"
" Yes I did…" he whispered.
Lucien giggled, and looked up at him, smiling widely he pulled Donovan down for a kiss…Donovan was none to pleased to get up close and personal with some of the things Lucien had put into his mouth recently…but it was all part of having his Lucien.
Adele looked on smirking, " When you two are finished, maybe we can get down to business?"
Donovan pulled away from the kiss and nodded, allowing Lucien to rest his head against his chest with a contented sigh.
" Sorry."
Adele nodded, " Not a problem…we know how Lucien is. Anyhow, Eoin wants the land surrounding the river, do you object?"
Donovan shrugged, " No problems here."
" What do you want Donovan?"
Donovan stroked Lucien's hair gently, " The wheat fields to the east," he finally answered.
Adrian who had been very silent thus far finally spoke, " Perfect I wanted the village remains, and Adele wanted the keep…that still leaves the west fields, and the beach…"
Eoin smiled, pushing a lock of Lucien's hair away from his face…and barely pulling back fast enough to save his finger. " What do you want Lucien?" he asked.
Lucien pouted, at having missed, " Want what?"
" Of the lands Lucien? You did help…what do you want?"
Lucien frowned for a moment thinking…then his face fell back into it's usual glazed blankness…usually indicating whatever was being said to him, had been forgotten…
" Lu-"
" The mountains…"
" The what?"
" The mountains…" Lucien whispered again…then giggled. " It's pretty there…"
Everyone else sighed…
1. Okie how to explain this...why Duo would freak out. Ok Duo is Lucien and looking back on it he's Duo at the same time but he's inside Lucien's mind with no control over the actions that take place. So he sees everything that Lucien does he feels what Lucien feels but with his brain and his outlook on things he tastes what Lucien tastes but with his own senses. Make sense? No. Ok Let me try again he's stuck in the head of a madman all of Lucien's memories and actions and tastes are piling up on him. Duo I don't believe would find pleasure in pain ...whereas Lucien does follow me now? So Duo freaked and somehow gained control enough to rip himself thus ripping the others out of the past. Got it? No. Ok I understand I confused myself.
2.Yes I icked myself with this part…
Donovan looked at the frowning face beside him…" Lucien?"
" I don't want to be here. I want to go home…" Lucien murmurred, wrapping his fist around the braid that Donovan had placed in his hair...to keep him from pulling his hair out.
" This is home now Lucie-"
" No!"
" Lu-"
" NO!"
"Lu-"
" NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! N-"
With a sigh, Donovan pulled Lucien's hand away from his braid.
" NO! I wan-"
" Fine we'll leave tomorrow." Donovan sighed, pulling Lucien against him.
Lucien bit him.
" Will you stop that?!"
" Want to go home…"
" We'll go home tomorrow."
" Want to go home now…don't want to see the wolves again."
Donovan wasn't sure what Lucien meant by that, " What wolves love?"
Lucien began humming softly to himself swaying slightly to the music in his head.
Donovan sighed, and rubbed Lucien's back. " What wolves?"
Lucien didn't answer just pulled away from Donovan and started walking down the hallway still humming.
Donovan sighed and started to follow him, not like he'd get far, he'd chosen the north tower of the keep to stay in, mainly because it was the only section with a tower…and towers usually soothed Lucien…not now though.
" Sir?"
Pausing Donovan turned towards the timid voice that called him, with a frown he looked down at the petite older woman before him.
"What?" he asked shortly.
The woman started, then looked up briefly at Lucien's departing back. A sad light came into her eyes then, but she lowered them quickly.
The woman stiffened for a moment, " Lord Adele would like you to come down to the party sir." She said gently. " And to bring Lo- Lucien with you, if you can."
" Very well." Donovan sighed, and started after Lucien to bring him down to the festivities. " Come Lucien…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The woman, watched him walk towards the blond man, a small smile touched her lips as she watched him take Lucien's arm gently and start leading him back. Quickly she lowered her head again, as they walked past…it wouldn't do to have her Lucy-dear recognize her…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adele looked towards the doorway where Donovan was trying to walk into the room, with Lucien hanging onto him like a clinging vine.
" Lucien! Let go!"
Shaking his head, Lucien buried his face in Donovan's neck…it was almost cute…almost.
" Good of you to join us Donovan." Eoin said with a wink.
Donovan glared at him, and pried Lucien off. " Lucien is feeling clingy right now." He said dryly, sitting down on the chair beside Adele.
Lucien immediately plopped down in his lap.
Sighing again, Donovan draped an arm across Lucien's waist.
" I see that…" Adele said. Something didn't sit right with him about Lucien…The way Lady Rylena had reacted to seeing him, and how Lucien reacted to her…it was fear…he was afraid of her, but why? Of course he'd called her Mommy…what things could have been done to him that would have made him so afraid? In all the time that he'd known Lucien, the boy had come across immune to fear, and pain…yet somehow that slip of a woman had terrified him.
Adele was startled out of scrutiny by a pair of green eyes, that were giving him the same once over.
"No." Lucien said simply, then turned his face back against Donovan's chest.
" No what Lucien?" Donovan asked, frowning in confusion.
Adele had understood…but he wasn't going to let it go, how a person could turn their back on their own family and laugh while they were slaughtered-…there had to be a reason…something happened before he was sold as a slave…and he was going to find out.
" Shhh now…don't wake him…" Lucien whispered, nuzzling Donovan's neck.
Adele shook his head…Lucien was a mystery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eoin frowned, brushing his hair over his shoulders, he could see Adele staring at Lucien, almost as if he thought that if he looked long, and hard enough the boy would make sense.
Eoin smirked, not with this boy, Lucien had many secrets and he wasn't about to share any of them with anyone…but what was the harm in letting Adele try?
" Donovan…I want to play…" Lucien whined.
Eoin smirked, that wasn't good for someone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lucien sat quietly in the corner, watching Donovan through glazed green eyes. He didn't like it here, he wanted to go home with his Donovan.
He wanted his room, and that pretty tower place with the flowers, and-and…ohhh look a bug, I wonder if it'll scream if I pull it's little legs off? What was he thinking about again? Home yes home! He wanted to go home…
Some niggling little voice in the back of his mind informed him, this place was home once…
Lucien didn't want to think about that.
" Lucien stop pulling your hair." Donovan said dryly.
Lucien pouted up at him, and gave the braid a hard tug, he hated that braid Donovan had put it in his hair, it made things hurt less when he pulled it…that wasn't any fu- Oh shiny…" Mine?" Lucien asked reaching for the golden necklace Donovan was moving in front of him.
" Do you want it love?"
Lucien nodded tilting his head towards Donovan…
"Then it's yours." Donovan said softly, pressing the gold into Lucien's hand.
Lucien smiled, turning the shiny object over in his hand.
" Lucien…why don't you tell me about your mommy?"
Lucien frowned, he didn't want to talk about her right now, he wanted to study the pretty gold necklace.
"Luc-" Donovan winced when a hand slammed across his face.
"No." Lucien said off-handedly, as he looked over the necklace again.
Sighing, Donovan plopped down beside him, he'd just have to wait till Lucien was in a talking mood…with him, God only knew when that'd be.
"Thank you for the gift Donovan…" Lucien said softly.
Donovan nodded not really listening, " I thought you'd like it love."
Lucien grabbed Donovan's chin and turned him to look at him. " You killed them for me Donovan…"
" Lucien?" he asked.
Lucien smiled, " Gone now…" he said fingering the end of his braid.
" Lucien-"
" When are you going to make the sky red for me Donovan?"
" I don't know Lucien..."
" Just remember you promised."
" Luc-"
" Oh look Donovan a bird! Let's rip it's wings off…"
Donovan sighed watching Lucien crawl across the floor, towards the window.
" So much for a heart to heart…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adele stretched his fingers, watching the old woman that kept her head lowered before Donovan.…she'd been sneaking glances at Lucien, and looking away quickly whenever his eyes landed on her…it was as if she were trying to avoid him.
Well then, we can't have that can we?
" Lucien?" Adele called.
Lucien raised his eyes to him.
" Do you know the old woman there?"
The woman stiffened.
Lucien frowned, then looked at the woman again…his frown deepened and he stepped closer to her, and raised her head…a spark of recognition came to his eyes then faded just as quickly.
" I think so…" he said, then dropped down to his knees and looked up at the woman…" Nanny Henna? Nana?"
The woman's shoulders slumped.
" Nana!" Lucien shouted happily grabbing the woman around the waist, and burying his face against her chest.
Henna's eyes widened, and she reluctantly placed a hand on Lucien's head, brushing the wirey locks from his face…it was too soon for him to know…the others weren't even close yet!
" Yes Lucy-darling….it's Nana Henna."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Donovan frowned at the old woman, Lucien had been following her around like a lost puppy, since he'd found out who she was.
' Nana Henna do this. Nana Henna do that. Nana Henna, Nanna Henna! Wherever he went…Donovan was really getting sick of Nanna Henna…
Of course it had nothing to do with how much attention Lucien was paying to his old nanny. Or how Nana Henna was the only thing Lucien would talk about at night...or how Lucien had screamed, and tore his hair till Donovan finally consented to setting Nana Henna up in the servant alcove attached to their room…of course it wasn't any of those things! That would mean, that he Donovan the great lord of Sandswinds, was jealous of Henna, a mere matronly nanny…never.
Glancing up Donovan frowned at where Lucien sat on the ground with Henna hovering over him, gently scolding him, for something he'd done to the kitten.
Donovan blinked, when all Lucien did was pout and lower his head.
" I'm sorry Nana Henna…"
Lucien…apologize? Donovan blinked, that woman got Lucien to apologize?! Who the hell was this woman and how the hell did she do that?!
Well, there was one good thing about Lucien's attachment to his old nanny, he'd agreed to stay here.
" Well then Donovan, you must consider Henna there a blessing. Lucien has been very agreeable since she's come along." Eoin said striding up beside Donovan.
Donovan snorted. " A blessing. Indeed."
Eoin arched a brow, " She certainly has a way with him, if I ever have children I may well hire her." Eoin winked. " Anyone who can turn a raving homicidal lunatic like Lucien into a lap cat, must be able to work miracles with normal children."
" Lucien was a normal child once… it's easy to forget seeing him now."
Eoin nodded, " Very true…but in many ways, he still is a child. A child trapped in his own world of pain and suffering…and is very happy with it, that's what worries me about him." Eoin said evenly.
" Worries you?" Donovan asked cautiously…
Eoin smirked, and turned to Donovan, half-closing his eyes, " Yes, there is a lot more to Lucien, I know that he is a lot more than he seems to be…that's what has me worried…I'm not sure what it is, but I do know it isn't good." He said stepping back slightly from Donovan, " And I know that it just might cause trouble in the end." Eoin said, passing his tongue over Donovan's cheek. " See you and Lucy-darling at dinner then?"
Donovan winced, that stupid nickname Henna had given Lucien…everyone else had picked it up and begun using it.
" Oh yes Donovan…my scouts spotted a suspicious looking band of men, three days south of here you may want to keep Lucien close."
Donovan nodded.
Glancing back towards where Lucien sat with Henna, he sighed watching the old woman take the kitten away from him.
Was Lucien hiding something?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Henna watched Lucien tug at his braid with a gentle smile…she'd managed to convince them that Lucien would not be a viable source of information…she didn't want to get her Lucy-darling caught in this mess. Why did that man have to bring him here?!
It was supposed to be so simple, get the warlords interested in the Sanke kingdom, have them overrun it, then give the others the information they needed about the warlords, and have them destroyed. She would get money, and some land…then she would go and find Lucien, and right all the wrongs done him by the Sanke's…however things couldn’t be that simple for her…No, that Donovan man, had to go and bring Lucy-darling back here! Thus making him a target of them.
What warlord in their right mind would leave the rightful heir of Sanke alive...even though he was quite mad.…the plan didn't call for him just yet, but she had managed to work around that…somehow, now she was fairly certain everything would be alright. All she had to do was get Lucien away from the keep, and that man tonight and hide with him in the valley until the others came, and did their deed…that's all.
" Lucien?"
Glazed trusting green eyes looked up at her.
" Do you want to go for a walk?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
" Henna?"
Henna paused, drawing Lucien to a stop beside her. " Y-yes Lord Donovan?"
" Where are you going?" Donovan asked narrowing his eyes on them.
" I-I was just going to take Lucien for a walk.…"
" Where?"
" Just to his old favorite spot sir…"
" The valley?"
" Yes the valley."
Donovan's frown deepened, " That's not a good idea, Eoin thinks trouble is headed this way, I'd rather Lucien stay within the castle walls."
Henna's eyes widened, but she nodded anyway, taking Lucien's arm.
" But Donovan…" Lucien whined.
Donovan shook his head firmly, and extended a hand to Lucien, " No Lucien, Henna can take you when this is cleared up."
Pouting Lucien took the hand, but bit Donovan hard on the shoulder in retaliation to being denied.
Neither noticed the darkening of Henna's expression.
This was going to cause problems….
That's when the first arrow came flying into the courtyard…
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"Donovan! I don't want to stay in here!"
Donovan growled, as he dragged Lucien into their room.
" Donovan!"
" It's safe here, Lucien." He said grabbing Lucien's face in his hands. " Stay put." He murmured pressing a hard kiss to Lucien's lips. Backing away he smiled, at the disappointed frown that marred Lucien's features.
He was still his…
" I'll see you later love, just stay put. Alright?" he asked.
Lucien nodded, not really listening as he went to lay down on the bed.
Only pausing long enough to set the lock from the outside…Lucien wandering around during this mess was not good.
" Donovan!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adele ran down the hallway towards where his friend was frowning and turned the key in the lock. " Donovan!"
Donovan looked up sharply, black braids slipping over his shoulders, " What's going on Adele?" he snapped.
Adele shook his head…" I don't know, but we're under attack, from everywhere! We didn't even see them! So we don't know how they got this close! Come on, Adrian's men need back-up, they are almost through the south wall."
Nodding Donovan ran after Adele towards the south tower…never noticing the petite woman slipping towards his room…or the muttered curse she uttered when she discovered the door was locked.
" Lucien…" she whispered, studying the lock…
Loud voices and the steady clang of weapons meeting broke her out of her thoughts. Frantically she tugged and pounded on the door…she could hear, the shouts and taunts coming closer and closer to where she was. Biting her lip, she gave the door one more tug, " I'm sorry Lucien." She whispered then melted into the shadows again, just in time to avoid the men that were fighting their way through the north tower.
Carefully Henna made her way towards the valley…like she had been instructed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Donovan laughed, as he cut down another solider, he loved the kill…the feel of his blade slicing through human flesh, the tangy scent of fresh blood running down his hands…but that wasn't the best part about the kill, no the best part was the screams of the dying. Like the screams the man that was trapped on his blade were letting loose. Laughing again, Donovan brought up his arm, to block a wild swing from a new victim, with the sound of tearing flesh, and a bloody gurgle. Donovan ripped his already stained sword from the now limp body, and shoved it through a new victim…
He loved the battle, it was a truly wonderful- he winced slightly as a new solider joined the fray, and managed to slice his upper arm. With a yank he freed his sword again, and then promptly cleaved the new man's head in two.
Best to keep his mind on the fight, even though they had already won back just about all the ground they'd lost in the south tower.
There was maybe, two more lines to go, before they could go and aid their comrades…
Daring a glance back at the keep, he blinked in surprise. He hadn't realized how far from the castle the battle had taken him…he could see large clouds of billowing smoke coming from different sections of the castle, bright orange flames stood out against the black smoke, while at the same time making the smoke thicker.
Easily side-stepping a lunge from a desperate solider, and driving his blade through the fallen man's back, his eyes widened never leaving the keep…had someone gotten through?
Cursing he cut down another solider and started back towards the keep, cutting down any and everything that stood in his way.
The castle was too important…he was too important.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adele growled, clutching the wound on his side, he staggered slightly, but continued to glower at his opponent.
" Ah the great Lord Adele…what now?" the man said giving a mocking bow.
Adele sneered, and pushed himself up straight…
" Really my lord why don't you just giv-"
Adele frowned as a glint of silver poked through the front of his opponents chest, then quickly withdrew allowing the man to fall to the floor in a messy heap.
" Donovan what'd-"
Adele, staggered slightly as Donovan ran around him.
" Lucien!"
Cursing under his breath, Adele ran off after his friend, Donovan and his obession with that damned lunatic, it was going to get him killed one day.
Wincing Adele, clutched his side tighter. "
" Donovan slow down!"
Shaking his head, Donovan sped up and headed faster towards the North tower….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lucien sat on the bed watching the flames climb up the purple tapestry very slowly, he loved to watch fire, it was pretty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Donovan ran around the corner at full speed, intense heat, and black smoke greeted him as he did so. Stopping before the great tower, Donovan watched in horror as black smoke poured from each of the little windows, hungry red flames ate at the roof of the tower, while still more flames chewed hungrily at the creeping vines making their way up the tower walls, and the door.
He didn't care, Lucien was in there…
" Donovan!" Adele shouted grabbing his friend's arms to restrain him. " We can't!"
" I have to!"
" But we can't!"
Loud maniacal laughter floated down from the tower, to his ears.
" Lucien!" Snarling Donovan yanked his arm free and started for the hall again. Adele grabbed him and dragged him back.
" No! Donovan!"
" I hav-"
" Donovan! Donooovaaaaaaaaan!"
" Luc- let me go Adele!"
" Don't let him go Adele." Eoin said his voice soft, as he walked up behind them, dragging Lucien's nanny with him.
" Eoin…" Donovan growled bucking against Adele's restraining arms.
Turning cold eyes onto Donovan, Eoin shoved the old woman forward, " Tell them what you told me." He said with a smirk.
Donovan turned a glare on the woman, noticing for the first time the black and blue bruises that covered her face, and neck…
" I-" she said weakly then paused.
Eoin kicked her, " Tell him!" he hissed grabbing a handful of the woman's hair in his hand. " Tell him now."
Adele arched a brow, but held Donovan tightly, " Tell him what?"
" Tell who what?" Adrian asked as he trotted up the hallway, his face and hair covered in black soot, smudges of blood were prominent on his face.
Eoin glowered looking up at the two in front of him, " Lucien."
Snarling again, Donovan tried to pull away from Adele, " What does this hav-"
" This whole attack is his doing!"
" What?!"
" That's ridiculous! He's a lunatic!"
" Tell me more." Adrian said calmly looking from Eoin to the old woman, " Is it true old woman?"
The woman hastily shook her head no…" I swear Lord Lu-"
" Lord Lucien?"
Covering her face with her hands, the old woman shook her head, " Please! Lucien had nothing to do with this please…please….he doesn't even know any-"
" But you do?" Adrian asked sharply.
The woman froze.
" Answer me!"
" Let me go Adele! I have to go-"
" Hold him Adele."
Adele frowned uncertainly from his lover, to the struggling Donovan…they were here arguing about who started this attack, and if Lucien was responsible while Lucien burned alive in the north tower…on one hand Lucien could be a real threat to them…on the other he could just be a harmless maniac that Donovan was in love with…what would he do if it were Eoin locked in that room? Then again even if he was guilty did he deserve such a horrible death?
Adele held tight.
" It was me!" the woman finally said, " I am the one responsible, it has nothing to do with Lucien, he's innocent! It was me, I just wanted to make everything right again…fix the mistakes made by Sanke…"
" By?"
" By placing Lucien in his rightful place…"
" As?"
" As the Lord of Sanke…" she said weakly…" He-"
She never finish that sentence, Eoin had already driven his sword through the back of her neck.
" Let me go Adele!"
Eoin looked up to his friend, then to the enflamed tower, surprise flickered through his eyes, as if he had just realized that Lucien was in some kind of real danger.
" Eoin tell him to let me go!"
Turning back to the struggling Donovan, Eoin looked at him with sad eyes.
"Eoin please…."
" Hold him."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was no groaning or quietly mumbled complaints as the boys rose this time, silence fell about the room, as if a black curtain had been dropped blotting out sound.
Wufei sat away from the others, folding his arms, he looked down at the floor, refusing to meet anyone's eyes.
Trowa and Quatre sat pulling each other close, trying to find enough warmth and comfort to blot the memories .
Duo sat curled and shivering in the corner, his eyes wide open and blank, trapped in his own little world of hell. Heero knowing nothing else to do sat beside him glowering silent…not even beginning to know how to comfort the other boy.
Finally after over 20 minutes of silence, Heero spoke, " After he died…Donovan became a monster…he killed even more people going after powerful lords and killing their lovers…slowly burning them to death while they were held captive and helpless while it happened. Then he'd kill them, he considered it mercy…"
" Donovan killed me…" Quatre said softly, pressing his face against Trowa's shoulder, " I deserved it…I-"
" Why?" Wufei asked, glowering at the both of them. " Why did you tell Adele to hold him?"
" Why didn't you force him to let go?" Trowa snapped back.
" Why didn't you let go on your own?" Wufei replied calmly. " You were the leader, remember."
Trowa lowered his eyes, and said nothing.
" Duo?" Quatre asked turning his eyes to the silent shivering boy in the corner…
Duo didn't reply, he simply turned away from the others, and lay on the floor, pulling his knees to his chest, and cried.
In an attempt to draw attention away from Duo, Wufei asked, " So who was who? We all know who we were. Eoin was Quatre, Trowa was Adele, Heero was Donovan, I was Adrian, and Duo was…Lucien. But who was everyone else?"
" Nana was Hirde…" Heero offered absently playing with the tip of Duo's braid.
" Rylena was Re-"
" Rylena was Treize." Wufei supplied.
" But why?" Quatre asked, " Why would Treize hate Duo so much?"
" Lianas…hated Delan, because he blamed everything from me hating him to his son's death on him…"
" B-but that's not right- he-"
" Was a man in love with someone who didn't love him back…love tends to make you think illogically…" he said looking down at his hands again…
" Bu-"
" I don't want to talk about this anymore." Wufei said blandly rising to his feet.
Nodding his understanding Quatre leaned against Trowa more firmly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~