Haryek leads me to the table, offering me a chair; I block his hand, taking the back of the chair in my palm as I sit down abruptly. "Let's not play the role of the gentleman now, Haryek; I'd say we're quite familiar with each other."

I must be on my guard for playing the game because my ego would not serve me if I weren't careful. It was to my own satisfaction that I wanted to come here alone, that I wished to voice my piece so that this elf would never question if he could overrule me again once the warlord was gone.

"Old habits... Tea?" Haryek practically mocks me, gesturing to the porcelain pot. 

"Trying to poison me? You realize that if I die here, you'll be right behind me." 

Tea is not something the Lycans see a need for; my taste for anything other than water and wine had been clawing at the back of my throat for nearly a week now. While I wouldn't put it past Haryek to slip death into my cup, it seemed like a move that was beyond him. 

If he wanted me dead, I'd imagine he would have done it by now.

Haryek feigns anguish, "You wound me, Your Highness. Rude if I do and damned if I don't, what would you like me to do to be a good host? Should I bow before you and beg forgiveness? It's tea, not a bottle of whiskey."

Unimpressed, I fold my hands in my lap, keeping my tone firm. I would not play his games, nor would I allow myself to be led to feel any sort of guilt toward this man's sentence. "What would please me is momentum. Did the Chief of Police meet you with your papers? You must give back those houses you took, which it looks like you haven't." 

"My, you really do get right down to it. Nicolas, please consider that I'm trying to run a rebellion in what has, lately, been hostile territory. We've not been invited to bed down in your castle, nor have you reached out with any aid, we've been stuck here in the elements. So to provide the necessary housing, sacrifices must be made! What kind of leader would I be to let my men suffer in the cold? In tents? I wouldn't have a rebellion at all. Nobody would suffer it!"

Taking down two tea cups, glinting in the light falling through the cracked window, Haryek turns his back to me as I focus on curbing my anger. The people he'd stolen from were out there somewhere, without a home, while their future King entertained Lycan invaders. It was a wonder that I hadn't been assassinated yet; the people must be furious with me. 

"No rebellion at all," I mutter roughly with a sniff of disapproval. "To have a rebellion, Haryek, there would have to be something to rebel against, which leads me to believe this was established well before my father's dethroning. Meanwhile, you're single-handedly stoking the fire of the civilians you've stolen from. Unrest in this city is what we can't afford; if the people rise against the crown, then any hope of reestablishing an alliance is squashed before we get out of the gates."

Haryek raises his eyebrows, I spot the tremble of anger in his hand as he redirects his attention to pouring the steaming water and dunking the tea bags. "You're speaking like someone who has changed sides. So they've done it, they've convinced you to allow them to remain on your grounds?"

We were avoiding each other, dancing around each statement with a shot at the other. This was getting us nowhere, one of us had to make the statement. 

In my lamenting,  I spy Alpha through the small window over the stove, arms crossed, staring into the woods with what I imagine is longing.

 How many minutes had it been? Would he be counting down the seconds?

It was wrong to wish him to stay; he did not belong in my world, or perhaps that was what was wrong with people such as Haryek and me. We felt he was incapable of polite society and that it would cause him to suffer should we pull him out of the wilds that my father placed him in. 

Even still, after our time together, I found him more animal than man, and that made me no better than Haryek. 

Disgusted with myself, I redirect my attention to the elf. I needed to change, to be different, or we'd be doomed to repeat history. 

"What you intended to do was inexcusable, and to incriminate Alpha has done irreparable damage to our alliance, but I feel the need to give you a second chance, as politically, you are convenient. Unseating you would take time I don't wish to spare, but I will if necessary. I'd like a full report of exactly who is in the rebellion and documentation of everyone's abilities; I need you to prove that I can trust you and show me that when I ask you for something, you intend to provide it." 

The cup quivers as he rests it on the tiny saucer; I know this is not from fear; one does not stand quite so hard when faced with fear. He was infuriated with me. "Trust?" He snarls, only to siphon a quick breath and force the smallest of smiles. "What we were engaging is simply sex, nothing more than solidifying an alliance through means of mutual satisfaction. You're overanalyzing, putting scenarios in places where you were obviously embarrassed-"

"Embarressed?!" I shout back, horrified. "Embarrassment is believing this conversation would have a semblance of reason. I'm trying to move past your actions, rather than addressing them, so I'm giving you an out. Take it so that I can be done with this and get back to fixing this mess! Do not ever insinuate that what happened in that courtyard was anything but an all-out assault, blackmail, and attempted rape! Let me promise you that if you ever try that again, I will castrate you on the spot! Better yet, I'll let the lycans have you." 

It was school all over again, the accusation that what I had experienced never existed, that I'd made up the scenario to feel better about my behavior; it was all too real and raw for me to react as rationally as I'd hoped. 

When my gaze lifts back to the window, I see Alpha is watching the house and know that I've been to loud.  

The corner of the Elf Prince's lips threatens to turn down and twitch ever so slightly

Haryek brings over the cups, sitting down across from me while placing the saucer before me. 

"Right, I continue to forget you have your hounds now. I'll admit that I underestimated you; your ability to adapt rivals my own. I found you weak, I expected you to give in.. to give up your throne and your kingdom and cower. But, it would appear I was wrong. You're... shockingly.. resilient. So what happens now? I hand you this documentation, you take over the rebellion and march off into the sunset with the lycans?" 

Snatching the cup quickly, I take a deep, slow breath, tempted by the warmth of the glass against the chill of my fingers. 

"What happens now is that you do as I ask, and we go from there. Gather your men, and I will provide you with new lodging, but you can't remain here. My people need their homes, there is plenty of room in the castle if it must be so."

He smiles so widely with large, glimmering eyes that it almost frightens me. It looks unnatural on his pristine face. "In the castle? With the lycans?" Haryek's voice is almost a whisper in its disbelief. "How long do you think I would survive with that brute outside under the same roof as me?"

Stealing a sip of the tea, appreciative of its delicate flavor and sweetness, I feign indifference, unwilling to entertain the idea.  

"Right, why look out for your own when your bed is warm, and your kingdom rests at your feet? All you must do is survive, and then the throne is yours. Must be nice?" He takes a careful sip of his own beverage. Tilting his head casually, he observes me with careful reguard, dragging his eyes over my slightly unkept appearance. "Ever wonder what the elders will say? It almost looks like you planned to kill your parents."

Scowling, magic flashes to my fingertips, and I feel the throb in my temple, refusing to succumb to it as I struggle to remain relaxed in my chair. My body was still on the edge of life and death, to use would mean risking consciousness or worse. 

"It would benefit my cause for that rumor to spread, the bastard son capable of ousting the greatest warlock this world has known? You said it yourself: there needs to be change, and with a vacancy in power, we are horribly exposed. For them to think that I killed my father would be a gift, for there wouldn't be a nation that would rally against me for fear it was the truth." I warn him, bringing a crack to that careful expression as I take another drink from my glass. 

"Accept the deal, Haryek. Get my documents, make a speech, and accept our alliance. The alternative is that I step aside and let someone else handle your sentencing."

We lock eyes, and I use every ounce of my breeding to keep my expression composed no matter how my heart pounded in my chest or how clammy my palms felt. He'd rattled me, and I'm sure he could sense it, but I'd take a page from Alpha's book and decided to embody the warlord who conquered my lands. 

"I think, Nicolas, that I will go with a third option." Haryek retorts finally. "One that I've enacted all on my own."

 I open my mouth to argue with him, yet as quickly as I can form the words, I begin to feel strange. Frowning, I rub my temple as the cold sweat drifts over my brow. My vision threatens to blur, and I feel my face flush of all color. 

Placing my hand over my mouth, I fear I might be sick. "What did you do to me?" My stomach begins to flip and twist, I resist the urge to vomit as I scramble out of my chair to make a run for the door.

His smooth voice comes out of the depths of the spinning room. I stagger to the counter, and he grips my arm, holding me to his chest as I shake my head. "Nicolas, look at me." His voice is so soft, alluring to my failing conciousness. My anger threatens to melt, my resolve crumbling as I feel the overwhelming pressure of intoxication clouding my vision, "You're weak as a mouse for someone who speaks so strongly, can't even fend me off?"

My fingers fail me, refusing to produce even a breath of ice. 

 "Shhhh," Haryek watches me through his pale lashes, stroking my hair as I shove against his chest. "I'd have liked for you to drink a bit more of that tea but, I think this will do."

 Disgusted, violated, and feeling as though I might succumb to whatever has been done to me, I can't look away from him, no matter how I fight for control.

"What did you do?" I manage through my teeth, my body shivering, my grip loosening as I sag against his grasp. 

"You love me so much that you're going to forgive this. All of this." Haryek hums, gathering my chin as he lifts my gaze. "Don't you remember? You came here to tell me that, didn't you?"

I feel as though I've been sedated. When my eyes reach his, it's as if I'm seeing him through a film. My words come out filtered, altered to mean anything other than what I'm saying. "I-I..." I breathe, making my stomach wrench, and I almost double over in agony. "I.. love you..?"

Did I love anyone?

"That'a boy." Haryek grips my face as I attempt to look away, forcing me to meet his eyes. "Shame that you aren't like your father. This never would have worked on the user you claim to be, but you should still have some use in bloodline at least." He kisses me, sealing my fate, clouding over whatever remains. 

The world takes on a new color, tinted and splotchy, as I search for the beacon of light that is Haryek in the haze. "Now, be a good boy, tell me that you love me."

We both jump as the door swings open, I spot Alpha and feel the throb in my temple as I cover my mouth and try not to vomit. "It's been long enough-" His words fall short when he spots me wrapped in the arms of my aggressor, only this time I appear to be a willing participant.

"Alpha-" I manage.

Haryek turns my head back to him, "Nicolas, remember what we talked about? About our alliance?"

My head swims as the words force themselves out; someone else pulls the strings as I fight to keep them in. "Right... Alpha..." I feel heavy. The only thing holding me on my feet is Haryek, and while I cling to him as if my life depended on it, I feel the void in my chest threatening to swallow me whole.

"Alpha, Haryek and I have reached a new alliance, the rebellion was formed to oust the lycan invasion and I feel I must.. side.. with him."

The lycan warlord falls silent; the way he looks at me indicates I'd enacted exactly what I feared I would do, and this wounds me more deeply than I can reason with. I want to assure him that I didn't betray him, that I still wanted to help him, but the words won't come out. 

"Lycans are too... dangerous.. to be housed among the civilians. The rebellion can't be comfortable in the same space as Lycan soldiers, you... you killed my parents. My family..."

With a rumble in his throat, the gray-haired man turns his rage towards Haryek; he is before us before I can blink, and I'm shocked to see that he and Haryek are nearly the same height, with the elf maybe slightly taller.  "What have you done to him?"

My outstretched hands land on Alpha's chest and I crumble, he grips my arms and I yearn for the contact only to twist out of his grasp as if he'd electrocuted me. 

"This is the best thing for my people! This is what must happen, Haryek and I can rebuild anew, and lycan slaves do not fit into that vision! I'm sorry, but I've changed my mind. There will be no lycan alliance!" I'm shouting and tears are streaming down my face. "I can't risk my people; I can't risk any more lives! We can't trust you."

Why does this hurt so bad? 

I'm broken, being torn apart from the inside. My body begins to shake, I want him to leave, I feel as though I'm burning alive and resist the urge to scream at the pain. Staggering backward, Haryek grips me, holding me close to his body as if he were somehow shielding me from this man who looked shattered. 

"That is what you've decided? A few moments alone, and you've jumped in bed with a different man?" he scoffs, averting his eyes to glare at the floor. I feel the heat radiating off of him and see the shiver in his form as the wolf fights for the surface. "Has this been your plan all along?"

"You hate us." I can hardly breathe as I tell him this. "You can't stomach what I am; you wish to leave, and I need someone who will stay. I love Haryek." I feel weak; every harsh thought reveals itself, every doubt comes to the forefront, every hesitation is broadcasted, and it's killing me from the inside out. "I love Haryek." I nearly choke on the confession, only to gasp as Haryek lifts a pistol from his hip. 

"Shall we just put the old dog down right now?" The elf asks, cocking an eyebrow, earning a snarl from the warlord that makes my blood run cold. 

Quickly, I put my hand over the gun, shoving it down, bewildered by the actions of the elf that I thought I loved. "I.. Why would you...?"

"Nicolas, he killed your family! When the dog bites its master, you put. it. down." Haryek lifts the gun once more, and I shove it to the ceiling, jumping as he fires a round through the roof. Before I can turn my head, the room is empty, and Alpha is gone. I'd bought him time that I didn't know I wanted to give him. 

Chest heaving, I pant as Haryek shoves me away to the counter, and it's all I can do to support myself. "I don't feel well... I think I need to rest." I mutter, swimming in a mental whirlpool of regret and confusion. 

Why did I save him if I truly felt he would kill my people?

My thoughts are interrupted by the string of cursing erupting from the porcelain elf. "Damned potion, if I had known-" Slapping the cups off the table, he kicks over one of the chairs with a shout of rage, before wheeling around to confront me. Strands of his hair had fallen from his braids, his eyes wide and crazed, teeth gritted as he loomed over me. "I had him! One more moment, if you had just let me then this would all be done with! If I didn't need you alive for a few more weeks, I'd repay you with the bullet you cost me for that mutt!"

"I said... we don't want to kill anyone else.." I plead, flinching as his fingers threaten to bruise my arm. "Haryek-"

"You're going to fix this. You're going to make a speech, we're going to hunt down that lunatic and put him down." Running his tongue over his teeth, he snatches my chin, kissing me once more to dose with another hit of sedation to my senses. "A public execution. That'd be the perfect show of power."

"Haryek I really need to rest." I insist, grimacing as he pulls me to my feet with little care or consideration. Much as it felt wrong, much as I wanted to resist, my body moved against my will as I followed him out of the house and into the depths of the rebellion's ranks. I loved him, despite not knowing how or why, I knew that his happiness was all that I cared about. 

Yet, I couldn't help but look back, wishing I could see the gray-haired man one more time, overwhelmed with relief that I prevented Haryek from shooting him.