Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall..

[Razielle Alastor]

Time was closing in on her, and although Razielle knew in her heart that it was only a temporary situation, and that she would go through with it, without complaint, the fact was tomorrow night she would be married to Tristan Alastor...

There were just a few loose ends to....tie up, or cauterize if need be. Razielle gazed askance at the woman walking at her side. Ambassador Ni'Liatoth. It remained to be seen if the lady would do her will. She would not deny the will of Callidus.

No one did...

"Ambassador, I feel we've been cooped up under so many layers of formality during your visit. Would you care to shed them for a short time? I'd like to take you to a favorite place of mine, it's just outside the city walls, still quite safe I assure you....", she invited.

They had spent the last hour at one of the finer restaurants in Iziz, sitting starring into their drinks, Razielle had made sure to keep the Ambassador's cup full, she wanted her pliant, not soused and that was exactly the state of mind she was in at present. Razielle own drinks had been served in a matching glass, but she'd only been sipping at fruit juice...

[Aestiva Ni'Liatoth]

Aestiva smiled, and it was a genuine smile. The meal that she and the Princess had shared had been complimented beautifully by a bottle of blossom wine, apparently imported from Naboo. It wasn't something that the Ambassador had tried before, but she made a mental note to have her assistant order in a selection from the same vineyard. It had left her feeling just a little merry, an unexpected feeling given her current predicament.

“A walk sounds delightful,” she said, as they exited the restaurant into the cool night air.

[Razielle Alastor]

She did well, concealing the pleased smile.

"This way...", Razielle invited leading the Hapan Ambassador through some of the more quaint sections of city, into the more common, near the spaceport and ultimately to the gates..

Mindful of the fact that she was not sneaking out alone this time, under the guise of Anxia, Razielle had to pull a bit of rank to get the out the gate without the city guard sending for an armed guard for them. With a bit of a frown she stated that it was not needed, at all.. No further argument was made and the two stole out into the Iziz night..

[Aestiva Ni'Liatoth]

It was the first time that Aestiva had been given the chance to venture outside the walls of Iziz City. In truth, she had not especially desired to do so, but now – with the moonlight and the blossom wine in her veins – the idea seemed quite enchanting. Though there was no natural light, Razielle seemed to know her way, leading them both along a path nestled amongst trees and fragrant bushes.

“Is it far, where we're going?”

[Razielle Alastor]

"Not far... We're nearly there. There is something you must see..", she smiled.

With the Ambassador on her heels, Razielle led them deeper into the night, along familar paths. The soft mossy ground of the jungle released earthy scents, as their footfalls crushed fallen leaves, as they passed. The night carried a balmy breeze, the call of insects and larger inhabitants of the jungle haunted the soft wind..

Her blood began to sizzle in her veins as they drew near.

[Aestiva Ni'Liatoth]

“What is it?”

Her eyes wandered, from the uneven ground to the dark sky, the stars obscured by talon-like branches. Glancing back down to her guide for the evening, she saw that the forest seemed to be parting ahead, the path widening into a clearing of sorts. It was too dark to see anything clearly but she thought she saw, with an icy feeling creeping into the pit of her stomach, the shape of a shadow waiting for them...

[Darth Callidus]

The shadow rippled, and out of it came a voice just a black and empty as the darkness itself.

“Aestiva Ni'Liatoth, weary daughter of Hapes...”

[Razielle Alastor]

Before the Ambassador could even think to plan a retreat, Anxia had moved behind her. Her hands circled the Hapan lady's upper arms and her voice whispered in her ear..

"You will stay, and you will listen, and just maybe you'll find yourself the better off for it." She squeezed her arms tightly, before releasing her.

"Be still....", she warned...

[Aestiva Ni'Liatoth]

Terror and outrage filled her chest. The effects of the blossom wine quickly dissipated as her blood pounded hard and fast through her. With the crazed Princess at her back and the most intimidating presence she'd ever been encountered with, before her, she was at their mercy...

"What do you want with me...?"

[Darth Callidus]

“I have something that I believe you desire...”

Like a ghostly galleon emerging from the sea mists, Tristan Alastor appeared before her. His skin seemed almost luminous and his beautiful face was full of sadness and longing, as he reached out one hand towards Aestiva.

[Aestiva Ni'Liatoth]

The very breath was seized from her lungs as the sudden image of the man she loved appeared before her. Pain that had been buried beneath the surface, while she had suffered through dining with his bride-to-be, suddenly stabbed through her.

"Tristan...", she whispered. The longing in her voice, matched that in his eyes.

She reached for him, forgetting about those others who were present..

[Darth Callidus]

As she reached out, the image of Tristan vanished. His face faded into nothingness, and in its place a skull came forward. It was not the death-head of the Hapan Prince, but the mask of Darth Callidus. The transition was so fluid, so instantaneous, that her hand continued to seek his, trembling fingers slipping into a black-gloved hand.

“Now, now...” he said, his voice like velvet.

“You, of all people, know that our wants and aspirations are never gratified quite so easily.”

[Aestiva Ni'Liatoth]

Caution demanded she remove her hand from his grasp, but his grip was unyeilding, as was the magnetism that kept her gaze on the terrifying visage of Death before her. She wanted to turn, but could not. She wanted to run, but was immobile. She was completely under his control, beckoned by the timbre of his voice to submit..

"What... do you.. want?"

She'd already asked, but it woudl seem the monster wanted to toy with it's prey. Dangling her hearts desire for her before the strike..

[Darth Callidus]

“Your compliance... your obedience. You have been well-schooled in such things, so I have no doubt that you will find my expectations of you quite reasonable.”

With only a thought, Callidus drew Aestiva closer. He brushed her flawless cheek with the back of one hand.

“The heart of Tristan Alastor,” - his smile grew, knowingly - “...the head of his mother. Do as I say, and all you yearn for shall be yours.”

[Aestiva Ni'Liatoth]

She wanted to shake her head no. To inform these two that she would do no such thing. That she was a servant of the royal family and that she would report this abduction, and these threats to the Hapan guard, and the Commodore and that the treaty they so wanted would eb snatched from their greedy grasp.. When she spoke though... none of it came out...

"Yes... That is what I want." It was not what she should be saying at all, but raw desire for this promise to be true seduced her..

[Darth Callidus]

“As you know, Ambassador, the Prince is to marry – tomorrow, in fact! At mid-day, he will wed this dark beauty-” He motioned, then, towards Anxia. “-and he will wish, as any man should, to bed his darling wife, to demonstrate his love for her in the most profound way he knows how.”

He could feel the anger bubbling up beneath Aestiva's chilly exterior.

“But no one amongst us desires such an outcome. We cannot abide it,” he continued, his eyes shifting towards Razielle.

“... and so, my lady, you must take the Princess's place.”

[Aestiva Ni'Liatoth]

Fury.. Anger.. Disgust..

All of them assaulted her at the thought of her beautiful Prince marrying that sorry excuse for a Princess. She'd hated the thought of this marriage from the moment she'd heard of it, but was this anger now her own? Or the anger of the woman behind her..

The three of them, there in the darkness of the jungle, each seemed preoccupied with their own agendas suddenly. The dark pair that had her surrounded had a common goal, it would appear - but for herself? She no longer cared how it came about so long as she could call Tristan her own, and see the Queen Mother brought down from her exalted position..

So the Princess Razielle didn't wish to be loved by Tristan? It just showed what an idiot she was, to rather have the attention of who? A frightening tyrant in a skulls mask? It made no sense..

"He will not be fooled. He has known me long... I cannot make him think that I am her..", Aestiva barely kept the scathing tone from her voice.

[Darth Callidus]

Suddenly turning, Callidus surged towards her, one hand snapping out as if to seize her throat. Though he did not touch her, his hold was never the less compelling, like ice-cold manacles locking over each of her joints.

“He will think whatever I tell him to think!”

[Aestiva Ni'Liatoth]

Aestiva's breath left her in a frightened gasp. She felt so violated, so small and pathetic in his control. Completely afraid for her own life, for that matter Tristan's life, should this madman's plan go awry, she looked down, meekly.

"I will do what you want.."

She had no choice but to trust that somehow, they could make Tristan believe she was Razielle - and then... the man who ehld her heart would make love to her, believing her to be someone else. Could her heart take it?

[Darth Callidus]

“Indeed, you will – and you will do it because you want to do it. You will lie with him, whenever he desires the company of his wife, and you will not speak of what you have done to anyone.”

There was no doubting the truth of his words. She could feel some insidious power creeping over her, threading through her head and heart, telling her that this was the right thing to do.

“The Princess is your Mistress now, above your bitch-queen, and her word is law. Disobey her... disobey me, and I will take from you everything you hold dear, until your life is nothing but ash and bone.”

[Aestiva Ni'Liatoth]

She felt sick, but she didn't dare refuse.. and was quickly forgettting why she should? It made sense. She would have Tristan and love him in ways that Razielle never could, paying for the privilege with her silence. Her compliance would also buy her the power to bring Chume Ishara down...

At her sides, her hands clentched into tight fists. "Yes...", she said quietly.

"Yes..."

She did not doubt either the horrible price that she would pay if she disobeyed.. The death's mask would be her own..exchanging the satin of a bridal bed for that of a tomb..

[Darth Callidus]

They lingered in silence for a moment, Callidus seemingly judging whether he believed the Ambassador's allegiance was fully won. It was, of course; he could read her every desire and intention.

“Go, and prepare.”

[Razielle Alastor]

As the Ambassador quickly backed up away from Callidus, she found herself once more up against Princess Shadana. Her touch upon Aestiva almosy gentle in it's command, as her hands closed over her arms again.. "I'm not going with you.."

Grasping the Ambassador by the chin, she directed her gaze to the city wall, not far off.. "Follow the wall, it will return you to the gate. I am sure you can make your way to the palace, and from there to your rooms, on your own."

It was not a request..

Without moving, Anxia watched their pawn go, pleased with her compliance in the matter, not having doubted her master's ability to achieve this precise outcome..

[Darth Callidus]

Salem watched her retreat, back to the sanctuary that the Iziz walls afforded. Yet, in truth it was a deceptive safety. The very monsters she now so feared were the ones who held the keys to the city. When she was out of sight, and he could not longer feel the fluttering of her heartbeat, he looked towards Razielle and exhaled, wordlessly.
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[Razielle Alastor]

A slow smile spread across her features, as the facts settled. She was going to be married to Prince Tristan, but in name only. In time, even that would be changed, and her child would be in the Hapan line of successsion. Their child..

Salem had done this..

A relieved bubble of laughter left her, and mindful of the fact that she was trapsing around the jungle in one of her prettier dresses, she lifted the hem a bit and flew straight into his arms, crashing into him..

[Darth Callidus]

He caught her up in his arms, the two of them turning in the darkness like dark figures on a music-box. With a sigh of satisfaction, he set her down on the damp, fragrant leaves. She looked so impeccable in the moonlight; it unmasked her, as it did him, giving them a gossamer sheen. He cupped the soft curve of her jaw, drew a line down her smooth throat and flattened his palm against the pale perfection of her breast. His voice was low, serpentine.

“That went well...”

[Razielle Alastor]

The tremble of her drawn-in breath was obvious beneath his touch. His touch. The only one she would tolerate upon her. The only one she craved.

He'd made it so that she need not even worry. The rest could be sorted out along the way. How they would exchange her presence, for Aestiva's.. and how soon they could rid themselves of her future husband, and secure the future of the Consortium. Nothing more than details now..

"Salem..", she breathed.. Thank you..

None of it mattered to her now, though. Right now all that mattered was the need she had to be utterly claimed by Salem, so that tomorrow when lies fell from her lips to honor and cherish someone else, she would know and remember to whom she was already pledged..

Her pulse quickened with desire, even as she was tugging free the ties at the back of the gown.

[Darth Callidus]

Before Razielle could unfasten the ties that kept her gown in place, Salem caught hold of her hands. He smiled knowingly and allowed their bodies brush lingeringly against one another, as he circled to stand behind her. While one hand trailed down to the bindings at the back of her dress, the other curved beneath her jaw, gently tilting her head. Under the hold of his claws, he could feel her pulse quickening.

“There's no need to rush,” he whispered, warm breath on her neck. We have all the time in the world.

[Razielle Alastor]

Languorous rapture spilled over Razielle, her head tipping backward to rest upon Salem's shoulder with a sigh. The desire to rush was spurred on by the recent necessity for stolen moments. Time was precious. Left up to her, she would not waste a single minute of her time with him, but now? Now there was no need for worry.

Her eyes slid closed in a dreamy smile, for once, just giving herself over rather than taking and demanding. It was a valiant effort on her part, really. She wondered how long her resolve would hold out.

[Darth Callidus]

Time and time again, Razielle had demonstrated how obedient she could be when she put her mind to it; this was no different. With a pull, the last of the ties was undone and the gown began to slip away. She melted under his touch, her whole body pliant and yielding. With her head drawn back, her neck was presented, irresistibly. He kissed the point beneath which her jugular vein throbbed, teeth nipping the skin.

[Razielle Alastor]

The lovebite at her throat earned Salem a gasp of pleasure. Her arms lifted, her hands reaching upward to tangle in his hair and keep his mouth on her. Goosebumps born more from sensation, than from the balmy night air, rippled over her skin as quickly as it was bared.

It was an effort to drag her eyes open, but she did, even as she arched back against him more. His name was a breathless plea on her lips, begging for more, even as her hands tried to drag his down her body.

[Darth Callidus]

Her self-control was worthy of praise, but the restraint was wearing thin even on Salem. The fine-line they had both once walked, denying themselves all release, had long since been strayed from; though their passions were now veiled from the world, they had never been more open to each other. Her fingers laced tightly with his, forcing his hands downwards, and Salem was more than happy to be lead, nails raking against her skin. In that same moment, his mouth trailed up the line of her jaw, hungrily seeking her lips.

[Razielle Alastor]

Her soft sounds of passion were silenced as their lips met. It was only another moment before Razielle was turning in his arms, crushing herself against his chest and kissing him back. Her fingers crept up his arms, inch by inch, until she could gently cup his face in her hands. Her devotion for him was absolute, unquestioned and tangible. It surrounded her at all times. It would not be an easy thing to keep concealed, as her love for Salem was apparent any time she so much as thought of him, or her gaze fell upon him and after tomorrow, she wouldn't care who saw it, for she would already have what they wanted.. The Consortium.

[Darth Callidus]

His hands and lips sought every inch of her, desperate to taste and touch. He felt drunk on her, on it all. Soon, he would have what he wanted – what they wanted. The rational part of him still governed his day-to-day activities, but beneath it lurked the careless abandon that had brought him to the Dark Side in the first place. With each passing week, with each goal accomplished, it grew more pronounced inside of him, until one day it would take over entirely, the day when Salem Ave would cease to exist and only Callidus would remain. The thought of it was electrifying. In an instant he was driving her backwards against the bark of a tree, rough and full of passion, whispering coarse promises in her ear.

[Razielle Alastor]

There was something to be said for submission.

All she could really do was cling to him like a vine, her nails digging deep into his shoulders to keep some kind of physical grip on reality as their combined passion and lust completely consumed her. Even as he was driving her into pleasure past endurance, little cries of delight mixed with her guttural whimpers, sworn promises that she was always, only his. Reduced to a creature of sensation commanded by Callidus, her teeth sunk into his flesh to still her screams, and he would be wearing the marks for some time..

[Darth Callidus]

Pain, pleasure – Salem took any sensation gladly. The act of feeling in itself was a seldom-experienced release for him; Anxia alone could thaw him. Others certainly could inspire anger in him, but no one could set his passions alight quite like she could. More than that, he wanted her to- wanted her to permeate the shadowy parts of him that only she could. As their bodies locked in a savage writhing embrace, their minds also became interwoven, until Salem felt no coherent thought, only the euphoria of their blended consciousnesses, and frenzied confessions of love came tumbling out of his lips.

[Razielle Alastor]

Salem Ave had had her love since she been nothing more profound than a silly impressionable girl with a sword in hand. He'd had her heart in his clawed hands even when he'd denied wanting it, still it had been his. That she now heard such declarations passing his lips left her soul bare and exposed. The words sent her over the edge of ecstasy, once more, to cinder and burn in emotions so powerful that tears rolled down her cheeks.

Razielle stayed that way, her face pressed deep aganist his neck. Her body tangled around his, trembling with fatigue and spent passion. She had absolutely no desire to move ever again. They could grow right into the bark of the tree and she didn't think she'd even take note of it.. Her tightly clenched hands relaxed over time, gentling on his skin, into a slow pet..

[Darth Callidus]

He dared not move for fear of shattering the rapture. His chest rose and fell quickly, each breath moving in a tremor through his whole body, every part of him weakening against her. His head nuzzled into hers, lips parted and dragging, shivering, against her cheek. “When this is done,” he managed, through slowing breaths, his brow pressed hard against hers, “I will be your husband... and I will call it out to the stars... I swear it.”

[Razielle Alastor]

At first, Razielle had no words worthy of the moment. Instead her trembling hands caught his face in a soft grip. Her lips pressed adoring kisses across his brow, his cheeks, his lips...anywhere she could manage to kiss. When she could finally speak, all that came out were declarations of her love, over and over again.

Between ragged breaths she managed to speak all that was in her, all that she'd held inside, keeping silent. There was no longer any need to do so.

"You already are...." Her hand pressed against his heartbeat.

"No matter what I have to say tomorrow, or what name I take. My soul is already wed, to yours." Her fingers crept up from his chest, to circle his throat as she sealed the vow with a mournful kiss.

[Darth Callidus]

With great reluctance, he tore his lips away from hers.

“Let me stay with you tonight,” he said, suddenly.

It was a dangerous proposition, but Callidus did not fear what might come of it. Lira, the Princess's maid, would not betray her mistress, he was sure of it. Even if she had felt so inclined, memory and perception were like putty in his hands, malleable to be moulded into anything he so desired them to be. He would have to sneak away before morning, of course, but it had been so long since they had enjoyed the luxury of waking in one anothers arms - the stolen hours would be worth the risk.

[Razielle Alastor]

The idea was as seductive as it was dangerous. If they were discovered by anyone, save for maybe Lira, news would travel to Tristan. He could just as easily say no to the marriage. No marriage, no treaty, no Consortium.. Everything was on the line with this choice, but... there was no choice to be made really, as soon as she opened her mouth, only one word came out.

"Yes..." It was exactly what she wanted. Loving him in the Wilds was powerful and primitive, but wrapped in his arms in her bed, that was perfection...

[Darth Callidus]

One more kiss - long and deep - and they were moving back toward civilization, Razielle barely taking the time to dress.

They ran back through the city unseen and unheard, Salem's power wrapping an impervious cocoon around them both. The streets were dark but not empty, with drunken revellers gambolling across the cobblestones. Callidus and Anxia moved amongst the festival-goers, grinning like devils at one another across the crowds as they briefly parted ways, only to be reunited moments later, still beaming at the thought of the mischief they would make.

Caught up in the excitement of one another, it hardly seemed a moment before they were stood beneath the trellis' that lead up to the balcony of the Princess's bed-chambers. Salem urged Razielle on, as she climbed above him, by giving her an encouraging swat on the behind. The playful nature of their secret return was still on him and after a pause he pulled himself up and after her.

[Razielle Alastor]

Razielle actually squealed at the swat on her bottom, tumbling over the balcony to sprawl into a laughing heap. When Salem appeared moments later, she grinned like a devil and hauled him over the rail after her, pinning him.

"Who are you and what have you done with the Prime Minister?!"

She was not complaining, at all, with his sudden inclination toward a playful streak. It only made her adore him all the more, if such a thing were possible. It was just so out of nature for him..

In the room behind them, she thought she heard the discreet close of a door.

Lira...

Razielle smiled. Her confidante would make sure none disturbed them...

[Darth Callidus]

With Razielle perched on top of him, Salem rolled his head back so that he could see through the glass doorway and into the bedroom beyond. Lira was still nearby, ever their guardian angel. He smiled to himself, genuinely amused by the notion, and lifted his gaze back to Razielle. Her dress was still unbuttoned and only barely settled on her shoulders, where her hair spilled windswept and wild. In her eyes he saw reflected his own reckless excitement and abandon.

Taken by a sudden impetus, he wrestled her from atop him and swept her up in strong arms, throwing her over his shoulder, paying no mind to any wriggling protests. “We must put you to bed, Princess...”

[Razielle Alastor]

It was an entirely undignified position, to be carted along like a sack of potatos. Razielle managed to push herself up up so that her elbows rested on Salem's shoulder, but she only suceeded in having a grand view of the way they had come..

"But...! My dear Prime Minister, I must protest.. I am not at all sleepy..", she grinned, kicking off her shoes onto her bedroom carpet as she was carried ever closer to the canopied bed.

"In fact, I expect to be up for some time...", she challenged..

[Darth Callidus]

“But it is so late,” he began, letting her slip from his grasp down onto the bed. As they both fell into the waiting sheets, the canopy a tangling shroud around them, his hands planted at either side of her shoulders so that he loomed above her, his white eyes ablaze.

“Whatever would you do with your time?”

[Razielle Alastor]

Breathless, she stared up at Salem. One hand lifted, the pads of her fingertips brushed against his lips as she smiled slyly..

"Oh... I'm sure we can think of something.", she started to rise, eager to replace her fingers with her lips.

[Darth Callidus]

The first and only time Salem Ave had previously found himself in the Princess's bed had been the night of the royal masquerade, when he had sought to extinguish Razielle's reckless obsession with him by giving in to her desires. Now, however, he had no intention of merely dousing the torch she carried for him.

The wedding, the Prince, the Hapans – all of it would be little more than a foot-note in their magnificence, to the glorious future ahead of them. At times, Salem had to stop and caution himself against becoming too arrogant in his position, that there was still a chance something could go wrong – but this was not one of those times. The invigorating rush of the Dark Side was still threaded through his veins, making him feel like a god. These thoughts flooding his mind, he kissed her, his bride.

[Razielle Alastor]

Princess Shadana was not going to be getting much rest on the eve of her mockery of a wedding. Instead she would be pushed into cataclysmic pleasure, over and over again. Her cries muffled by the lips of her only love, so that none would know of their soul-binding union.

Tonight her only enemy was the dawn.

She would despise the light of morning when it came, chasing both her spectral lover and the shadows from her bed, but until then, she lay curled tightly in his arms, fighting sleep. Instead she contented herself to be rocked by the rythmic rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. To be lulled to the very edge of a dream state by the even beat of his heart beneath her ear.