A Scripta

"More bunting!"

Rowena rolled her eyes. Why did she ever ask Dwanna to decorate her house for her birthday party? The Toreador childe came well-recommended by one of the few Toreadors that Rowena could stand. Dwanna kicked out her servants and brought in her own, who patrolled through the house like ants.

She sighed, and headed into the library. Sitting at her computer was Dmitrius, his lover right behind him. She felt a small pang of jealousy - she would have wanted to hold Dmitrius like Kalius was doing. However, she knew he loved Kalius with all his heart, and seeing her regent happy was paramount, even if it meant she had to suffer.

Dmitrius told her, in no uncertain terms and in a commanding tone, that she was never, ever, to harm his beloved, and that she should treat Kalius the same way that she treated himself. Something switched inside her, and she nodded, promising to do just that.

She asked, "You can log into my account all right?"

Dmitrius looked over his shoulder. "Yes, I'm booking the flights now."

Kalius turned to her. "We appreciate everything you've done for us."

She smiled, and it was actually genuine - Kalius made her regent so happy. She wished she could do it, too. "I am only returning the many favors he's done for me."

"You are coming to the wedding?"

"Of course. I want to see those tuxes on you. Kalius..."

He looked at her. "Yes?"

"How did you meet?"

"He was 17. I was 19. We met in the Citadel, for military training. I had just gotten my first commission and I chose him as my Patroclus."

"Patroclus?"

He smiled slightly. "Achilles had a partner and lover, Patroclus. I believed that we were made for glory, like the Trojans of old. I was Dimitrius' erastes, his lover and teacher. He was my eranamos, my beloved and student. Those words actually mean more than that, but you get the idea."

Now she understood why Dmitrius surrendered himself to Kalius. "But times have changed. You're younger. He's older, far older than you."

"We're equal partners," Kalius said. "We were then also. He fought beside me, as an equal, defending each other, fighting back to back in battle against all enemies. We swore our bond together, and sacrificed at the temple of Ares."

Muttered Dmitrius, "Even if he is a prick."

"Who?"

"Ares."

A voice yelled from the other room, "Rowena, how's this?"

"Excuse me," she headed back out to the foyer. She looked up to see trails of large roses covering the staircase. "Good," she said, and then wanted to go back into that room. She saw the two of them, Kalius leaning over his lover and kissing him, and Dmitrius holding Kalius's arms against his own chest.

The jealousy was too much, and she left, more afraid of Dmitrius than the Beast.


Dmitrius sighed and sat back, finished with his computer work. Kalius whispered, "She seemed to handle it all right."

"I didn't want to do it." He looked at Kalius. "If I wanted slaves, I would go out on the street and get them. Now I've cursed my best friend." He motioned to the computer, changing the subject. "We leave Thursday night at 7. It's a 3 hour non-stop flight."

"How long are we staying there?"

"I have it booked that we fly east Sunday night, stop in Detroit overnight, and then finish the flight Monday night. We'll be back in Boston at 1 am Tuesday."

He nodded. "That's long enough. I don't really need to see my brothers or my uncle, but I'd like to see my neice."

Dmitrius got up. "Let's hope that tonight things are quiet."

"Tomorrow is her party--"

"Dmitrius!" Rowena called. "Want to come with me to the dress store for a final fitting?"

Kalius stood back. "We can go."

Dmitrius looked up. "I'd rather stay here with you."

"I'd rather stay here with you, too," he said, smiling. Dmitrius kissed Kalius again, he looked beyond him to see Rowena in the doorway, a forced smile on her face.

"We're coming," he said, and rose from the chair.

In the roomy Cadillac, Rowena chatted about the people she had invited and the people who would be there. Dmitrius knew them all, from his time as a sheriff, and some of them had things against him because he hunted some of their childer down. Josef was even coming. Her cell phone went off. She looked at it and answered curtly. "Hello, my Prince."

Dmitrius could hear him, "You did not come to my haven tonight."

"Something's come up," she said, and smiled sweetly at Dmitrius.

"I had told you to come here last night."

Dmitrius raised his head slowly, realization crossing his features. Kalius noted it and mouthed, "What?"

"Like I said," she continued, "something's come up. I have to plan for the party. You will be there, won't you?"

"Of course, dear. Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Good! Then I will see you there tomorrow. I have to go. Goodbye." She hung up and looked at Dmitrius, still smiling.

"He tried to Bond you," Dmitrius said angrily. "That son of a bitch."

"Nonsense," she said, and put a hand on Dmitrius' thigh. "I did see him last night, but it was for business. That's all right, isn't it?"

Kalius watched Dmitrius struggle with something. Finally, he calmed down enough to say, "Yes, that's all right."

She looked at him adoringly, and it wasn't too much longer before the car stopped in front of the outdoor mall. Rowena jumped out of the car and waited for Dmitrius and Kalius. She went to the store with the dress, and tried it on. The two men told her she looked ravishing, and she basked in their praise. Her cell phone rang again while she stood there in the dress. "Get that for me, dear?"

Dmitrius went into her purse and pulled out the phone. "It's the Prince again. Maybe I should talk to him."

"All right, dear." She started to slip out of the dress right in front of him.

Dmitrius pressed the button to connect. "Hello."

"Who's this?" asked Prince Allard.

"Dmitrius."

"Where's Rowena?"

"Indisposed."

"I want to talk to her."

"I'll let her know." He disconnected, looked up at Kalius, barely contained anger on his face. "He wanted to talk to you."

"Oh, he can wait until tomorrow."

They headed home, and Rowena asked them to join her with a movie and asked Dmitrius to pick. He chose No Country for Old Men. She set up the movie, grabbed her version of popcorn, and they settled in to watch. A servant stepped in to say a visitor was downstairs but she had them turned away. She asked Kalius to choose the next one, and he picked Heartbreak Ridge. After that, Rowena chose My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Dmitrius and Kalius laughed, comparing that to what could happen at their own wedding. Rowena smiled, knowing that's exactly whey she picked it.

Rowena took one last tour of the house. Everything was to her orders. There would be more vessels tomorrow night, she was promised, and the two headed off to bed. Rowena looked at Dmitrius, as he settled down on his futon. "You can sleep in here," she offered.

"I never liked caskets," he said. "My servants bought me a silver one, and I never used it."

She shrugged, and lay down. "I love you, Dimitrius."

Dmitrius closed his eyes. "Rowena..."

"I know you love me like a sister, you always have. It's enough." She smiled, closed her eyes. "I want you happy, and you're happy with Kalius."

"Yes, Rowena, I am."

"Good," she whispered, and the sun took her.

Dmitrius could stay up until the sun cleared the horizon. He lay there, still saddened about what he had done, but curious as to why the Prince tried to bond her. He fell asleep, mulling that over in his mind.