The Villain Always Wins

Play Date

Glancing at my sleeping wife, I grinned when she stirred in her sleep before curling even tighter around Nya who was sleeping curled in a ball. His ear twitched, he nuzzled his nose more so into his paw, and I shook my head, continuing my task of packing a couple of bags for us.

Kyo, Axel, and Thanos were currently pacing the halls to arrest anyone that Kyo indicated was guilty. So far, there were twelve of them tied up to stakes in the castle courtyard, at least there was last time I walked out on the balcony to check.

His brother and father were both surprised and not when they found out that he was the God of Death, saying it made sense. Altair did rib him a little on becoming a Chef, and he had pointed out that while he was now invested in keeping people alive, Artemis was Queen meaning that with a word she could kill someone. He had added that it was an amusing twist and that he was happy to serve both his Queen and fellow God in whatever way she needed.

Artemis stirred in her sleep again, and I frowned, walking over to touch her forehead, sighing when she didn't have a fever. Amity opened one eye to watch me sleepily from where she was laying on the pillow, she went back to sleep after I stroked the fur on her head.

Picking up the bags I had packed, I took them out of our room to set on the floor of Ril's. He looked up from his own packing when I walked in, and then he slowly straightened up with a question in his eyes. "She's still asleep, thought I'd keep all of our bags in the same place to make it easier when we go to leave" I explained with a shrug.

"Have you told him yet?" Ril asked softly, his lip curling ever so slightly and I had to fight a grin.

"Not yet, I thought I'd let you be there for that" I snickered, and he laughed mockingly. Glowering, Ril flipped me off and then returned to his packing while grumbling under his breath.

Shaking my head, I left his room, peeked in to check on Artemis again, and then proceeded to my half brother's room. Felix bowed when I approached, opening the door to Orion's room then closing it behind me with a barely audible click.

I sighed while I stared at him, this young man that I now had to entrust Merriden and Aelburn to until Artemis was ready to return home. Orion was staring out his window at what was going on in the courtyard with a frown furrowing his brow, the fingers of his right hand touching the glass. I was always surprised when I came into his room, expecting there to be bright colors and flowers everywhere but it was actually rather bare.

He had his bed with a sky blue comforter, his walls were a soft calming dark grey-blue, with his dressers a dark cherry wood, he had a supple leather chair beside the brick fireplace in his room and a dark cherry wood bookcase, but that was it.

"You still haven't added anything to your room" I noted casually, watching his shoulders stiffen.

"I'm a Prince, my room is not where I'm meant to spend my time" his words were soft, but I could hear the frustration and accusation in them.

"Yes, well, Artemis had a scare, so I'm taking her to the country house so she can relax; her being upset is not good for her or the babies. While we're gone, I'm counting on you to step up and keep those useless old men from ruining everything. Do what you must so long as you know your Queen would approve, Kyo will be checking in on you too. Swyndell is no longer a threat, and Kyo is culling traitors among the servants as we speak. Later, a few newly freed slaves will be brought in, and I want you to show them around, make them feel comfortable, Artemis will offer them succor and work with pay before we leave. If they choose not to work, then you are still to see that they are comfortable and that they recover, then help them find their calling" I ordered. "I doubt we'll be gone long enough for you to need to worry about that, but just in case."