Okay, so I didn't post that week because I was encountering both school and home problems. Things cooled down, don't worry. So, as an apology for missing last week...

It gets a little hot in this chapter.

Now, I'm no smut writer, but I have no problem writing makeout scenes and letting things get hot.

I also am planning on posting a Oneshot on April 29th, sooooooo... yeah! I hope you enjoy ch 19! After I publish this I think I'm going to play some Stardew Valley :)

They were right there, the man cradling the boy while the woman investigated me. Me, she investigated me! She was so close to freeing me- No! She was going to chain me down, just like mother and father did, that is why I left, why I sought a solution.

Oh, gods above, why did I pick this solution?!

I slithered into a dark alleyway, my massive clawed fingers shaking with both fear and adrenaline, this wicked thing in me laughing between my panting breaths.

The scent of Inalia was on those two. The woman who was so close to finding me, she was beautiful, I must say! If I had any of my former beauty, I might have had my hand at seducing her, enjoy her in my bed for a while. But she didn't seem like one who could be tempted, because she was a stone soldier, she walked like one and her eyes shone like one.

The shining brown eyes of a sword maiden, a creature of stealth just as I!

But she got to keep her beauty, why couldn't I keep mine?! We both are creatures of death!

My bloodied fingers ran through my hair, running through the thick coils of what was once beautiful locks, hisses of snakes running in my ears. Real or fake, were these hisses of snakes? I can't tell anymore, real or fake, real or fake, real or fake...

I wanted to stop, I would rather die and accept my defeat at the hands of my mother and father then go through this. To rip people apart by this beast filling my head and veins.

The beast controlled me, and something controlled the beast. Because something told it to write that eye on the wall through me, whispering particular words into its ear while it controlled my hand.

My cornflower blue eyes were the only thing left of me, and it too was beginning to take them over. Turning them into a brilliant viper green mixed with cold stone gray.

My eyes watered as I stared down at my deformed yet also remade body. That woman's blood stained my ratted clothes, by coiled hair, this beast inside me even smeared it on my forked tongue. Kartek, I think her name was. That woman's screams as she begged me she didn't know where the papers went, that she just needed a bit more time... they still rung in my ears.

The hisses started again, and the beast could understand their forked tongues as it started forward. Toward a new part of Egypitnat, even in broad daylight. I wondered if my partner was having as much luck as I, but I doubt it.

Another victim, another slaughter.

I didn't even bother to fight back

Ruy stalked through the palm trees, grumpy with the small information he was gathering. Or rather, the little information that the governor had.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! SHE IS GOING TO BE THERE!?" The Governor screeched to his gathered men.

"Y-Yes, sir, it seems like Amalia Morretti has been spotted in Egypitnat." One of his shaking soldiers stuttered. The governor ran his hands down his face, Ruy glaring to get a closer look at him. Something between him and Soph went down about two years ago, and no one really knows what happened.

His light brown skin gleaned in the sun, his curly hair neatly trimmed and somehow frizz-free, even though he lives in the humid Cariana climate.

He didn't seem to know much and didn't seem to be plotting. Ruy has been watching him all night and has learned that the man is attending just like any other leader. Ruy glanced at the sun.

It was maybe 10 am, he should start heading back.

He stretched himself out, chuckling as the Governor nervously mumbled about Sophie.

Only Sophie could get under someone's skin like that.

"See you at the conference, bud," Ruy whispered, before running back to the base.

Ruy landed in the Egypitnat base, hopping through the hole in the ceiling. He knew he was the last one to arrive, as everyone's voices were murmuring over one another. Ruy knocked on the door, and Akil was the one to answer. Shaved head and face, stern and terrifying, he only grunted and motioned for Ruy to enter. Everyone had different plans and sketches on the table, discussing with one another. At the sound of him entering, everyone turned to him. Sophie gave him a small smile, thanking him for coming back safe.

"Well, well, well... somebody likes to make late entrances." Alexios mocked, patting Ruy on the back. Ruy shook the sand out of his hair.

"Sorry, it took me a while to get some information," Ruy argued.

"Please tell me you have something good," Alvar begged.

Ruy stared at him, "Do you not?"

Sophie crossed her arms, "The Council knows about the meeting."

Ruy tensed.

"I know, we all had the same reaction." Maha chuckled, twirling one of her braids in between her fingers. Alvar explained how their traitor had given the Council information and how the Council is getting in contact with Arsinoe.

"I told Fitz about it, told him to tell the crew over there." Alvar glanced at Sophie, "He told us to stay focused." He awkwardly coughed.

Ruy cocked an eyebrow.

"Well, good to know they are still safe over there."

"What should we do?" Maha asked.

Sophie crossed her arms, her eyebrows pressed in concentration. Ruy smiled a little bit at it, remembering how he kissed the spot between her eyebrows when she visited him in his apartment a few days prior.

"We are too strained with the Council, we make any moves to resist them, and it could be seen as hostile. We are just going to have to hope that Arsinoe makes the right decision when it comes to inviting them."

"Great." Alexios hissed.

Sophie pinched her nose, "Please tell me you all have better news."

"The Chieftan of Wampanoag is a peaceful neutral party in all of this," Mansi explained.

"The King of Avrima was hard to get eyes on, but he has no plots that I could have seen," Maha answered.

"Even though we are not on the best of terms with Avrima and Cariana, they aren't planning anything. Wampanoag is a neutral party, and Egypitnat and Chiranu are actually our allies. Not the best, but it will work."

"We heard that you and Alexios are working on murder cases, especially that one happened this morning. What the hell happened?" Mansi asked.

Sophie and Alexios glanced at each other before giving everyone the lowdown. They explained the different victims, witnesses, damage, all of the details they would need.

When Ruy heard that the Neverseen eye was present at the current crime scene, he nearly puked.

"So, wait, wait, wait." Nour pinched the bridge of his nose, "This murderer is a part of the Neverseen? How did they get inside Egypitnat? All of the Vatarian cities locations are private-"

"We thought of that too." Sophie cut him off.

"And so, that means we have narrowed down our suspects." Alexios started.

"They have to be Vatarian," Alvar answered for them.

Sophie and Alexios nodded.

"They are either loyal to the Neverseen or being threatened by them. The thing is, the way they kill... it isn't making sense. The wounds are all made by claws, and there is an inky black residue left behind in the wounds that seeps into the blood system and infects the victim, even as they are bleeding out. The poison clogs their arteries and turning their muscle tissue thick, so thick it is like they're stone. When Egypitnat officials came onto the scene this morning, they had a coroner observe the body." Alexios explained.

"That sounds like a Mirthless attack-"

"That is what has been bothering us. No Vatarian hands could have done this, even someone who had access to their Pancras form."

"It sounds like it could be an animal." Mansi decided, crossing her arms

"But why would a wild animal leave behind the mark of the Neverseen? And if it were a violent animal, it wouldn't wait so long between its kills, it would ramage in one massive area, not going from target to target." Ruy argued back.

"Just in case, I want to join you in this case. We all know I'm the best *Woodslore and *Beastmaster we have. It runs in my blood."

"It does?" Alvar asked in loving surprise. Mansi smirked as she casually glanced at her fiance.

"The Vatarians from Wampanoag are the most in tune with nature and creatures than the other Vatarians, closely followed by the Inalians. But we all know the Natives from Wampanoag are the best Vatarians soooo." Mansi bragged.

"Really?" Ruy glanced at Sophie, a gentle smile on her cheeks as she stared at Mansi's bragging, "You two, the full-blooded Inalians, are just going to let her say that?" Ruy chuckled.

Alexios shrugged," Well, she is not wrong on the woodslore and beastmaster bits, but I think we all agree Inalia is the best city."

Nour held up his hand, a quiet yet sharp point to his tone, "Yet here we all stand in Egypitnat. I am not one for your petty squabbles-"

"Please, Egypitnat is the best? All you guys have is, like, sand and a few oases here and there. But Wampanoag, we have the thick forests, great lakes, best food-"

"Best food my ass. You have been eating my mother's food since you all escaped that shit show of a slave trader deal, and yet you say Wampanoag has the best food?! Inalia has pastries, seasoned meats and poultry, the best wine! I could go on!"

"Alexios is right, Inalia's wine is to die for-"

"Amalia, you can not be serious. Egypitnat's wine-"

"Trust me, Nour, I'm a pro when it comes to good wine. And Egypitnat doesn't have shit on Inalia."

Ruy noticed that Maha wasn't defending her Vatarian city as everyone started to bicker, Alvar just pinching the bridge of his nose. In fact, she looked aside, rubbing the center of her palms that were covered in hand wraps. Now that Ruy thinks of it, he has never seen Maha's bare hands. They were always wrapped in cloth, bandages, or gloves.

"Can we please deal with the childish squabbles later?" Alvar asked. They all grumbled but settled down.

"I am going to leave at noon to request that the Dunmer Royal family is present at the conference. Whether that means I show up at the conference as either Prince Ruy of the Dunmer Kingdom, or High Ranking Assassin of the Inner circle depends on what King Dorian wants. But, these killings, they are happening way too close to this conference, and if people learn about them-"

"I also have bad news on that, as well." Alvar sighed.

Sophie looked ready to scream, "What now?"

"On my way over, I heard the Egypitnat people talking. It seems like the hot new thing now, all of the Vatarian leaders gathering for the conference. It's like a celebrity get together for them. Don't ask me how they found out, I don't know." Alvar explained. Everyone broke out into arguments, and Sophie looked like she was ready to snap everyone's necks.

Sophie put her head in her hands, groaning. How could this have all gotten leaked, everyone was so careful with it!

"Okay, okay! Here is what we are going to do!" Sophie snapped over the arguing Inner Circle, "Ruy, you get to the Dunmer as fast as possible and convince them to get out of their little hole and get their asses out here. Maha and Nour, I want you to continue our surveillance of all of the Vatarian leaders. Alvar, you are going to be my representative for Queen Arsinoe. You go up there and tell her I demand to know what she is planning to do with the council and her people who think this is some damn celebrity party. Meanwhile, Mansi, Alexios, and I will find this murder and root out any Neverseen presence. Am I clear?"

The Inner Circle nodded.

"What should I tell the Hidden Ones, Mentore?" Akil asked.

"Tell them to keep surveillance of the streets, any suspicious behavior is to be reported to both the Egypitnat authorities and one of the Inner circle. Also, tell them to gauge what the civilians know about this conference." Sophie answered, her voice militant and concise.

"Should we look into Inalia possibly being aware of the conference as well, since the Egypitnat civilians know about it? I can stop by Inalia real quick to check it out." Ruy reasoned.

"As long as you make it quick." Sophie agreed.

"Done," Ruy answered. Everyone started to file out, Ruy out of the room first, Sophie following Mansi and Alexios as Alexios gave her an in-depth recount of the morning's events. Sophie was behind everyone, just wishing she could enjoy her time in Egypitnat in peace. Sophie was walking pretty slow, everyone already displayed out of the hallway, leaving Sophie to her thoughts.

Until Sophie was quickly pulled behind a curtain.

Sophie cursed until the smell of fresh rain and pine trees graced her nostrils, Ruy pressing his hand against her mouth. Ruy's azure eyes glared outside the crack of the purple curtain as he watched everyone go about their assigned jobs, before removing his hand from Sophie's mouth.

The space was tight, an open alcove where the booze and juices were stored covered by curtains and sheets. There was a long window letting light in, and the high ceiling made it feel a little more spacious than it really was. With both Ruy's wings', their tall muscled bodies, and the little space to begin with, they were pressed right against each other.

"Can I help you, Princeling?" Sophie whispered, a slight smile pulling at her lips.

"I just... wanted to say goodbye. You are going to have your role to play at the Conference, and I don't know what mine is going to be. I just wanted to say bye before I had to play... whatever I need to be." Ruy whispered back.

Sophie smirked.

"I also wanted to thank you for letting me borrow your dragon." Ruy chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Your welcome," Sophie looked up at him, "If that is all, then I guess I should be going."

Ruy's face pouted for a second, but his eyes flashed with playfulness. "You are going to make me do all of the work here, huh Blondie?" He whispered. Sophie was about to give him a smart ass response, but he took her face in his hands, his calloused fingers gently grazing against her soft skin, and melted his lips against hers.

Sophie laughed against his lips before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer, opening her mouth in the kiss. She felt their teeth graze, and Ruy groaned, his lips departing from her mouth to her jaw, his hands sliding to her hips and making lazy circles with his thumbs.

Sophie leaned her head back as his mouth kissed her neck, his hands tightening at her waist and pushing her gently against the wall of the alcove. Sophie ran her hand through his hair, biting on her lip, while her other hand graced the wing behind him. He shuddered at the contact of her hand, his hands moving up the sides of her stomach as if memorizing her curves, as if savoring the feel of the strip of skin showing between her garments.

"This is a really nice goodbye." Sophie exhaled in a breathy whisper, her hand in his hair, gripping as he nipped her ear. He gently laughed against her neck, a joyous, incredible sound that made Sophie smile.

"Gods above, Soph, I love you." He muttered as he peppered her jaw, neck, and ear with kisses.

His teeth scraped against the hollow of Sophie's neck in a lazy caress, "Could you imagine if my mother could see me now? I think she would actually cry for once. Or maybe swear vengeance against you."

Sophie didn't think about it much, but where she was going with Ruy... Vespera would be her mother-in-law. Proper revenge against the witch, tearing down the Neverseen was great and all. But falling in love with her son, and him with her, seemed like the cherry on the perfect cake.

"I think she would accuse me of warping your mind, even. Saying you could never fall in love with a dirty Morretti like me." Sophie smiled. Ruy finally looked up from her neck, Sophie swiping aside the strands of black hair falling in front of his handsome face. His hand went to her cheek, the other still resting on her hip, and his smoldering eyes were so bright it was like it was his birthday.

"Well, I think instead, I managed to seduce the legendary Amalia Hera Morretti with my charms and amazing good looks, and decided the gorgeous warrior woman was a better bet to stay with than the crazy witch of a mother." He explained, his nose crinkling. Sophie bit back her laugh, knowing they both had to be quiet.

"Would you like that title? To roar from the rooftops that you got the stone-hearted Amalia Morretti to fall in love with you?" Sophie quietly joked. Ruy's lips met her temple, melting against her sun-kissed skin, as if his lips could touch the telepathy within her mind.

"I would like nothing more."

"Well, you are welcome to, except you are going to have to deal with my brother, who would rip you apart. Not to mention, I hear there are plenty of women out there that are apart of your fan club. How would they react if you got snatched by some nobody friend of yours?" Sophie joked. Ruy kissed her other temple, his warm, tanned skin glowing in the beam of light coming from the window.