The Raven Rites

Chapter 3:Dead Doves

Deidre

'Should I take some dresses with me? Books? Should I just get out and buy everything later? What about Eclipse, does he have anything in the outside world? Maybe he could need some of Arjuna's things?'

Despite the many Vurs that he would have loved to bring with him, Arjuna's body was different from his own and due to the musculature everything would have been too small on him. The only things that were logical to bring were some lounge Vurs, made to be baggy and large on the body. He would need something to cover up after changing skin again...Deidre grabbed the first satchel he could find and tossed in something that could fit, a couple of books on demons and a map. He grabbed rings, necklaces, earrings and all the jewels he could find

'If anything I could always sell them' even though the little smile on his face cleared all doubts that those were just a little souvenir he would take for himself from Arjuna.

Deidre went to the window and looked outside, the time was perfect...he only had to figure out how to get out of there. What would he do with Arjuna, how could he get rid of him?

There was only one way...

He had to lead them to the real Arjuna.

Deidre hid the satchel quickly as he heard knocks on the door "Just a moment" he looked in the mirror and, sensing who it must have been, covered himself up as much as possible. He tried to manage the big neckline of the lounge Vur he had on and as he gave up on it he simply decided to throw a big vest on.

As expected, Grieva stood outside the door with two chalices of wine in hand. He smiled weakly, assuming the same expression that a puppy would have "To say 'sorry' for...you know...?" despite his words, something simply didn't feel right. Deidre let him in without a word, closing the vest further on his body.

Grieva sat on the bed and passed him a chalice "I wanted...I wanted you to understand that my words the other day were not...I don't want to see my baby brother married to a demon!"

"So you'd prefer to marry him yourself?" answered Deidre acidly

Grieva didn't seem to catch his tone, or if he did, he ignored it "I know you would be happy! We both would be!"

"Father would never allow..."

Grieva set the chalice aside and got up from the bed, gently grabbing him by the shoulders, his eyes those of someone who has long lost themselves. He let out a small hysterical laugh "He doesn't have to..."

Deidre furrowed, stepping away from his hold. He sipped the wine without thinking, while his eyes never left Grieva, who went back on the bed and drank from his own chalice "You used to tell me everything Juni...what changed? Why does a Demon deserve your attention more than me? Oh don't make that face, you've been down there constantly since they brought him!"

"He's just interesting to talk to, don't make yourself look stupid!"

Grieva sneered, "If he talks like the other day, I can imagine what kind of interest you might have."

"Even if it was the case, I don't think it's any of your business!"

"It is! It is if we're talking about the person I want to marry!"

Deidre emptied the chalice in one long sip "Don't be ridiculous, I would never marry you"

"Not while I'm second heir, no...but what if I become king? Would you still deny your king?"

"You could be the Sacred Sky's Divine Emperor for all I care and I would still not marry you!" Grieva's smile never left his face "You say that now..." he emptied his own cup and stood up from the bed "...But it'll be different once I'm king" Deidre instinctively stepped back, only to find...that his legs were failing him. He looked at his hands, horrified, then back at Grieva "When..."