Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2021 19:06:46 -0400
From: Richard McQueen <mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com>
Subject: Cinderfella 2: A New Life Chapter 1 Thorne Damage

Story: Cinderfella 2: A New Life (Read Cinderfella first or risk getting
lost)

Chapter: 1 Thorne Damage

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

Freedom of expression is precious. To do that Nifty needs help. Your
donation is greatly desired. Give to http://donate.nifty.org/ or this story
ends and all the others! That would be a crime!

What? Did think I was through? Hell, no! The story never ends. As long as
I'm alive, I will write. When the characters die, but that doesn't mean the
story ends. It changes. I stood outside the theater having seen Bed Knobs
and Broomsticks and I remember asking, "Then what happened?" Mom asked me,
"What do you think happened?" "I don't know," I said. "You imagine it and
write it down," she tells me. This is all her fault. Guys with short hair,
few beards, and none of those ballooning pant things. Pants! Otherwise,
your imagination is right.

Thorne Damage

A year! Seth and I were approaching a year! Time was flying by. The first
weeks had been hectic, but now that we lived in The Royal Valley, it had
calmed down. Seth was very happy to be in the vineyard. That was what he'd
done for almost twenty years. He seemed to be at peace, most of the time. I
was doing the business portion. Ledgers and inventory. The wine we produced
was top quality and a proud people in The Royal Valley were a very
important part of what we did here. Our wine was the town's export. It was
a bit difficult for some to realize that Seth and I had married, not
because of the political alliance, but that we were truly in love. Why?
What was the big deal? That we were both men didn't really matter. Seth was
an amazing man. People got to know me and seemed to like me just fine. Once
that was taken care of, we met little further resistance. When they saw us
together, they saw our love was real. If you had told me that love grew, I
would have said, I knew that. But I had no idea. I loved Seth more now than
when I fell in love with him a year ago. And he didn't hide the fact that
he loved me. We adored each other.

So, a year was passing, and I was about to turn nineteen. Seth was now
twenty-six. Then was our one-year anniversary. I returned to the house
after doing some inventory on the wines we were shipping out. Keeping the
books up to date was important. Seth could do it, but why? He enjoyed the
work outdoors. I was fine with that. I entered the count I had in the book
to keep up. It was getting late; the sun would be down soon and we shared
our meal in the evening then.

"Where are you?" I heard Seth call from inside the house.

I chuckled, "I've run off with this very masculine hunter that passed
through." I wrote quickly, "Where do you think?"

Seth came in. I knew he enjoyed the work, but he was filthy! My eyes told
him I was shocked, "Hey, it's dirty work!"

I nodded, "Did you leave any soil in the vineyard?" I laughed.

"Ha, ha," Seth was about to sit in the comfortable chair I had in the
office I used.

"Don't!" I said urgently, "Grace will kill you." I looked at his feet where
he had removed his boots, "At least you didn't track in the house."

Seth sighed, "I'm tired. I just want to sit." Then he turned to the door,
"I'm taking a bath before dinner." Then he looked at me with a grin, "Want
to join me?"

I rose, walking to him, "I'd love to." Kissing him now was so natural for
me. He was a good kisser. I stepped away a bit, "But you may have to rinse
off before you even get in the tub."

He chuckled, "I will, I will." Then he kissed me back tenderly, "Then you
can help wash me off."

I took his hand, "Let's go. I'll have to start the coals before under the
tank."

Seth shook his head, "Nope, I already asked Grace to do that."

"Smart man."



We were the first family in Blethos to have hot water heaters. This was our
favorite luxury. That and the toilet. Not having to use a chamber pot was
wonderful. Having access to hot water was miraculous. This cut down on the
need for so many staff. The tub was big enough for the two of us, which we
used several times a week together. Treasuring our time alone and just to
catch up with each other's day.

Seth began unbuttoning his shirt as I let the water in the tub and the
glorious steam was rising, "I've been working on the irrigation system for
the vineyard."

I listened as he spoke of what he did. He was so proud of those grapes and
what they meant. Not for just him and me, but for the town of Royal
Valley. The vineyard was his, even before Arthur died. He tended the vines
and grounds. I sat removing my shoes.

"I was thinking of putting in heaters," Seth further explained. "We don't
want to worry about frost like last year," He reasoned as he began
unbuttoning his trousers. "We'd have to manually light them, but..."

I nodded, "Frost can kill a grape." Quoting what he'd said many times to
me, "That's great. I'll even help."

Seth's smile grew as he pulled his pants down. He was better looking each
time I saw him. If there was a more perfect man, I didn't know of
him. Christian, my brother was very good looking and the source of
heartthrobs all over A'Dore. But he was my brother. Seth's masculine ways
was nothing he really did. It was just who he was. In my book, he was
gorgeous. I grinned as I pulled my pants off. I watched as his manhood was
responding to what he saw, stiffening and rising.

"Before we do anything," I began, holding my hand up. "We need to rinse you
off." I pointed to the tub, "In you go."

Seth's grin faded a second, "But the dirt will still be in the tub."

"We'll clean it before I get in," I said. "Now in."

He did and that's what we did. I rinsed him off using the hot water and
cold. Once he was pretty clean, I cleaned the dirt from the tub and filled
it again, getting in with him. We washed, as in I washed his and my hair,
then slowly washed his body.

"We should have a party," Seth suggested.

"We are," I told him. "For my birthday and our anniversary."

Seth nodded, "I know. I look forward to seeing Samuel and Terry here for
that....and Dad. but I was thinking we need to have one for the town." He
waved toward the outdoors, "None of this would be possible if it weren't
for them. In the vineyard, the winery."

I grinned from behind Seth, "I think that's a great idea."

Then Seth got a little quieter, "He's getting weaker."

He was speaking about his father. "I know," I pulled Seth back against my
chest, his back resting against me. "Whatever he has is killing him. But he
has his family back." I chuckled lightly, "He loves that grandson."

Seth chuckled, "He does." He nodded, "And Michael loves his
grandfather. They are like two peas in a pod."

"Well, the idea of a party for the people is great. Do we have it here?" I
asked. "The house is big, but I don't know if it's big enough for the
employees and their families."

Seth thought, "We could have it in town. There's a large square. We could
have it there."

I nodded as I washed him, my hand moving over his manhood which stiffened
again.

"You keep that up and I'll send my manseed into the water."

"And?" I asked as I continued, "It'll wash. The water, I mean. And us." His
manhood was now rock hard.

"I love you, Erik."

Hearing him say that always made me smile, "I know. I love you."

He grunted and I felt him release his seed, "I know."



We decided a party was just what the people would need and enjoy. Thorne
might have been their employer, but he spent little time with the people
that made his success. And little time in the vineyard or winery. A week
after Seth and I celebrated my birthday, and our anniversary was when it
was to be. We were providing the food and wine. The news of what we were
intending spread fast. People were getting excited and preparing the square
and making plans on how to celebrate. All the while, Seth and I were
planning the celebration of our anniversary. The house was being decorated
for the festivities. The guests' rooms were being readied for Seth's
brother, King Samuel, and Queen Terry, or rather Queen Theresa which was
her formal address. There was another being readied for their father,
Alexander if he came.

I was again doing the books, we were paying for all this, so I made sure to
account for every piece of gold spent. Being the godson of someone capable
of doing magic, I wasn't startled when an envelope appeared on my desk from
nowhere. Demetrius promised to bring messages back and forth between
Christian and me. I grinned seeing my brother's handwriting. He could write
very neatly and almost artistic when necessary. I smiled at his casual
scrawl. Picking up the letter, I read quickly.

"Happy birthday! I know it isn't here yet, but I wanted you to know, Edward
is cutting a tooth and will be eating like crazy soon, as Ella claims she
can barely keep him fed now." I grinned as I read about their new son,
their fourth child. "I wish Demetrius could transport one of us back and
forth. Letters are fine, but I'd love to see you. You need to see Edward!
He's beautiful! All my children are beautiful, but...I'm a proud Papa. I
wouldn't mind a visit soon; we have the room. Me traveling there is more of
a problem. I am king, after all. Country to run? You do remember that? Ella
misses you; the kids miss you...but I miss you the most. You could be such
a pain in my backside at times, but I'd welcome you back in a heartbeat.

You and Seth are getting ready to celebrate one year of marriage. From what
I hear, it's going very well with the two of you. Happy Anniversary,
too. We're fine but would like to see both of you. Please plan a trip
soon. You're my brother. I love you. Give my best to Seth. Christian."

I smiled feeling that pang of emptiness without those wonderful people. We
were brothers, yes, but we were best friends, too. I jotted a note saying
we were thinking of them and would plan a trip soon, probably when it was
spring. A trip of this length was not something some just took. Even with
that great carriage Lukus gave us, it took planning and more important,
time. I really did love them all. I sealed the letter. "Demetrius, please?"
And smiled as the letter disappeared.

Having a nephew I'd never seen was a pain I didn't like. But it couldn't be
helped. I got up and walked out the back, looked over the vineyard and
spotted Seth and a few workers assembling the heaters. This was turning
into a task, from what I observed. The wagon near them was loaded down with
some clay looking things, almost bowls, but huge! Thinking again about just
going out there to share what Christian had said, I decided to wait until
he came home. I went into the winery instead where workers were putting the
wine that was ready into bottles. I was watching as a young woman,
Christina, a pretty blonde woman about my age, was crying to another
worker, an older woman in her mid-forties. Walking over, I frowned. "What
happened?"

The older woman shook her dark head streaked with grey. The young woman now
looked terrified. "It's nothing." The young woman said quickly with a
sniff.

I didn't like this. What was she afraid to tell me? "It's something that
brought tears. What is it?"

Now Christina was sobbing, "I need this job! I can't lose it."

Now, I really didn't like this, "What? Why would you lose the job? You're a
good employee."

"I'm pregnant," Christina sobbed.

My eyes widened, "Do I say congratulations? You do want children, I
assume. Why does that mean you'll lose the job? Is there no one to keep the
baby while you work?" I asked.

"I want a child, yes..." Christina looked at me confused, "Sure, my mother
can keep the baby when it's born, but aren't you going to let me go?"

I know, I shouldn't have been surprised, "Did there use to be a policy
about female employees that become pregnant?"

The older woman frowned, "Of course. Being pregnant means no work."

"Why?" I asked not understanding yet.

"No work, no job, no pay," The older woman said. "Mr. Thorne said..."

"Thorne!?" I ground out angrily causing both women to jump, "You're going
to quote his policy to me!?" I closed my eyes and tried to calm down, "He
was a murderer, a traitor and a bastard of a man! There's only one, in my
book lower than Thorne and that's Satan himself! And those two are very
close in distance." I opened them to see shocked looks on both their
faces. "Thorne!" I spat; I mean I really spit his name was so foul on my
palate. That was a huge no-no. A gentleman didn't spit in the presence of
ladies. "What he did to my husband, and his brother, who is now your
king. If I could, I'd resurrect Thorne and prolong torture that would kill
him again! He nearly ruined a beautiful human being. Seth has a wonderful
soul." I stepped closer causing them both to back up. "You can't work
because you're pregnant?" I shook my head, "My sister-in-law just gave
birth to her fourth child. She's a queen. Do you think she lost her job
because she was pregnant!?" I asked incredibly. "Christina, do you feel
like you can work, not that you have to, but do you feel like anything has
changed? Can you work?"

Christina nodded, "Certainly."

I smiled and took her hand gently, "I'm sorry for startling you before, but
you have your job. You're a bottler and also work with the press. You do
good work. That's that! Now, later...if for any reason, you feel you can't
let me know and I'll find you something else." I looked at the older
woman. "In fact, I'm letting everyone know, being pregnant is not grounds
for dismissal! You can even help in the office."

"The office?" Christina brightened, but still a little worried, "But I can
barely read. There wasn't a lot of money for school."

"You can clean," I shook my head. "Thorne was a fool, too!" I growled,
thinking of Thorne. "We need to come up with a way to educate. Not only my
employees but the town and its children. Cost is not the main thing. It's
an investment in the future!" I said more adamantly than I
intended. "Sorry, that man just makes my blood curdle, even though he's
dead." Then I looked at the women. "We're making new policies. On a lot of
things." I smiled at Christina. "Your husband is James, right? The
apprentice at the butcher?"

She looked surprised I knew that. "He is."

"It's not a big town," I grinned. "Tell James not to worry. You'll be
fine." I wiped a tear from her face with my handkerchief. "Don't worry,
I've never used it, it's clean, I swear. I'm happy you're starting a
family. You should be, too. Stress is bad for a baby, so stop it." Watching
her smile. "Okay?"

Both women were happy, Christina was very happy. The other woman looked
like she didn't believe me yet.

"I go through with my promises," I told her. "Things are going to
change. And for the better." I gave Christina a squeeze on the arm. "Trust
me."

Christina was up in a flash and hugged me, "I do! Thank you."



I walked out to the vineyard. Watching what Seth was doing...okay, the man
arouses desire in me by just standing there, but he lifted the huge clay
pot-thing up with effort, but not much. I told you, he wasn't afraid of
hard work. That clay pot thing looked very heavy. There were holes in the
sides, not big, but enough to let air in. The clay was thick, almost an
inch thick. He'd removed his shirt, the exertion was making him sweat, and
his muscles bulged as he lifted and placed the bowl, upside down forming a
dome over a clay pedestal. The area underneath was bare. I could see what
he was doing. Pretty smart this man I loved.

"The men will help you, Seth," I reminded him as he set it in place. "I
said I'd help."

Seth smiled up at me, "Have you counted all of the crates going out?"

"I was getting to it," I defended weakly grinning.

"Uh, huh," Seth said with a light chuckle. "Not that I doubt you can do
this. I'm sure you can, but counting crates, counting bottles, figuring
loses, that's your thing." He kissed me lightly, "I like doing this." Then
he pointed at the heater. "What do ya think?"

I nodded, "I can see how it will work." But then I looked over the vast
area of vines. We had rows and rows of grapes. "How many do you think we
need?"

Seth looked at the vineyard. "A lot." Then he pointed, "But once one these
babies heat up, the clay will radiate the heat, keeping the frost away." He
grinned at his own cleverness. He shook his head, "I can't tell you how
many grapes we would lose with...him....in charge." He alluded to
Thorne. "This will protect them! No longer do we count on the bush of the
vine to protect the grapes from the frost! Increased production!"

The truth was, he was having fun! "I married a smart man," I nodded as we
kissed again, a little longer this time. By now, expressing affection with
each other no longer surprised the workers there. And there were a few
around, tying vines back to keep them separated and encouraging growth. No
one was bothered. There were even a few smiles. "And a very handsome man,
too."

Seth smiled at the complements, "I can't do anything about that, it just
is." He chuckled, "I was ugly so long, it's nice to hear."

And I willingly told him he was handsome to undo the damage to his soul,
"Aw, Seth." I put my arms around him. "I married you with the scars,
remember?"

Seth nodded, "Yep, you didn't care. I remember. I've thought about it." He
grinned, "I sort of believe the magic was from you."

"Me?" I repeated.

"You married me, then as you kissed me...boom! I was cured!" He kissed me
again, "You don't know it's not true."

"I don't," I agreed. "But you were sexy then and sexy now." Then I
remembered why I was here. "Christian sent a message you can read later. I
had a situation occur in the winery. We need to come up with new policies."

His eyebrows rose, "Such as?"

"Sick time, for instance," I said. "Many times, I send employees home
sick. They're so scared of losing their jobs they come in really too sick
to work. Pregnancy. I dealt with Christina who was terrified I was going to
let her go because she's pregnant."

Seth nodded, "You're right. Thorne was a terrible boss."

I grunted, "We'll be undoing the damage he did for a long time." Then I
pointed at the heater, "When this works, production increases, we can start
working on undoing the damage. Educate them."

Seth smiled even bigger, "Thorne liked keeping the lower people stupid. He
believed it gave him control."

"They aren't stupid," I growled. "But an educated employee becomes a better
employee and a better person. This town is growing, and we need to change
things."

He nodded, "I agree."



Later that evening, tired from what he'd done all day, he came in, ate,
bathed...okay, I always help him with that, and he dropped easily to
sleep. We would talk later.

I started groundwork to begin educating those employed. There were a few
teachers in town, and I paid them to open their schools for the adults that
worked here for an hour each night. An hour a night seemed all we could do
and keep them working and give them a chance to learn.



My party was about to happen. We'd sent Seth's and my special carriage to
get Terry, Michael, and Alex, driven by two guards and four others riding
alongside. The special carriage was to get them and would take them
back. Though Samuel brought his horse for a faster trip back. This allowed
them to sleep comfortably and relax on the way. And gave Alex and place to
rest when needed. We had put in another place for someone to sleep so there
were plenty of sleeping spots. But I was shocked when Alex got out. I was
no doctor, but I'd seen it before. He had a disease of the blood and that
illness was killing him. And with as much time that passed between seeing
him, the change was more shocking. Seth and Samuel got their size from this
man. He was so strong before. Dark hair had been still there with a little
gray. Now was more gray and thinning, but he still carried the presence of
a king and still handsome. He got out, waving his son Samuel's offer to
assist him away. Seth and I greeted them as they climbed down. Samuel
smiling broadly at his brother and instantly in a hug. Terry looked
amazingly beautiful. She was a queen and looked every inch the queen she
was carrying her and Samuel's son. Seth hugged each and I did, too. I was
hugged by Alex.

"It's good to see you, Alex," I smiled at the man.

Alex frowned, "You are family. Would it be possible for you to call me
Dad?"

I grinned and hugged him again, "Very possible, Dad."

Alex and the others looked at our home. They knew of the change, but not
how had never seen it in person.

"So, this is the new manor house of Royal Valley," Samuel marveled.

Seth grinned, his arm around his brother's shoulder as he looked at the
house proudly, "What do you think? While it's not a palace..."

"You don't need a ballroom, court room, or a room for soldiers. You might
have guests that stay a while," he grinned and tapped his brother's chest,
"I want to see those toilets you told me about!" Samuel said while heading
in without being asked or offered. He was king! Besides, we were his
brothers, so no permission was needed.

The toilets and the hot water heaters were the source of fascination to all
of them.

"Could this..." Samuel pointed to the toilet downstairs for all to use,
"...be added?" He looked at Seth. "To the palace."

Seth gave a nod, "It'll take some work. You need to lay pipe and make sure
you have access to the water supply."

Samuel grinned, "I want this." Then he looked at the large copper
tank. "And this."

Seth chuckled, "You're king. If you want it, do it!"

Samuel nodded, "I'm gonna!"

Everyone was given a room. The guards were staying in the house as well.

"You'll have to double up if that's okay," I said to the guards.

The guards were like the ones in A'Dore, doing their duty, but friends as
well. One sandy-haired man grinned. "I don't mind." He said nudging a
buddy. "As long as you don't snore."

His buddy frowned, "And what about you?" He demanded in mocking
indignation.

His friend ignored the question, "I can't wait to take a hot bath!" The
first man said happily.

Yes, we were fine.



Then the day of my birthday came. I woke to feel a sensation I knew
well. Someone was engulfing my manhood in a warm mouth. I grinned as I
rolled to give him easier access. "This is a nice way to wake me up," I
said running fingers in his hair.

"Good morning, husband," Seth said, while not stopping, "Happy Birthday."

He was very, very good at doing what he was doing.

"You had a morning arousal, why waste it?" Seth chuckled.

"Why indeed?" I crooned. I shot my manseed in his mouth which as usual he
swallowed with no effort. Then he reached over for our lubrication.

"Now, I will make love to you," Seth said bringing my legs up. We liked it
any way we did it but face to face was preferred. He didn't waste time,
kissing me as he put on the lubrication. Entering me, he kissed me gently,
"I love you, Erik. I love showing you how much. You're part of me." He
moved slowly, "Part of my very soul. From the moment we met, to the day we
die." Then he began moving more, and faster. "Maybe after that!" He said
kissing me deeper and pushing deeper in me, "How could heaven be heaven if
we're not together? I will spend eternity with you." Now he was moving
faster and soon, I felt him shoot his manseed in me. We were one.

We had a good breakfast and a small party at the house for my
birthday. Michael was learning to talk and seemed to be interested in
everything. He was not quite two years old but growing fast. Dark hair like
his father, grandfather, and uncle, but had a face that more resembled his
mother. He'd be a heartbreaker, too. He was babbling to his grandfather who
listened, seeming to understand him perfectly. Nodding with a smile at the
little boy.

"You've got a great thing here, Seth." Samuel sighed, "I love the house;
you've got a great business...a great husband." He grinned at me. "I'm
envious. Are you sure you don't want to trade back?"

"Not the husband part," Seth chuckled. "But be king again? No way."

"Seth is a good worker here," I smiled. "He loves it."

"And Erik has some great ideas for the town," Seth added. "He's started an
adult learning program. He wants to add schools. He even plans to add
lights to the town."

Samuel nodded, "That's great! Happy people make good employees." Then he
looked at me, "You're paying for all this."

I nodded, "We have the money. We are the main source of income, so why
not?"

Samuel held up his hand, "I'm not saying no, but wouldn't it be more
practical to have them pay?"

"How?" I asked.

"We're starting this in the capital," He grinned at Terry. "My wife thinks
school is important there as well. She said to add a small tax to what
people buy."

Seth's eyebrows gathered, "But they pay taxes twice a year now."

Samuel nodded, "To keep up the army and support us, their king and
queen. But to maintain the schools...even medical centers...a small amount
of tax added to things they buy every day. Say...a cent or more to
furniture, clothing...it would cut down of the overall expense from your
budget." Then he smiled, "They would know why and get some pride in helping
themselves."

Seth sat back, "That's not a bad idea. But shouldn't that be done by a
government program? Not a business."

"You have a mayor?" Terry asked.

Seth shook his head, "Not officially, Thorne was, I guess. He controlled
everything and okayed what and when something was done." Then he smiled at
me. "Erik is sort of the mayor now."

I put my hand on his, "We need to elect one if that's the case," I
suggested. "I don't have to be in charge. These people can govern
themselves and decide who will do the job best." Then I growled. "I've been
in public life. I don't really want to go back to it."

"As a prince," Seth corrected. "But if they ask you to?"

"Why me?" I asked.

Terry frowned, "Why not you? You're educated already. You're not a tyrant."

"Far from it." Seth nodded, "You're fair and more than generous."

I held up my hands, "If they ask me to, fine. But I'm running a
business. I'm tired of politics, Why not elect someone that needs a job?"

Samuel smiled, "Well, those lamps you want need oil. Those lamps will need
to be filled and lit every night. And maintained. Then there are the
schools, also need maintaining. Which all those jobs will be needing
employees."

I rolled my eyes, "And you've proven my very point. I'm busy now with the
employees here. Doing all that would require someone that doing it as their
only job."

Seth sighed, "He's right. But who is educated enough in town to do that?"

I shrugged, "We'll just have to find them."

Alex smiled at all of us, "Now you understand more why I don't regret why I
gave the crown to you, Seth. It is a headache I don't wish on anyone."



The celebration of our anniversary was next. We had guests from the town
come to the party. Things were in full swing, excitement, and joy
everywhere...until...

"Fire!!" A man burst in the house out of breath. "The winery is on fire!!"

Seth was the first man out the door running to where the blaze was lighting
up the evening sky. I was right behind him.

"Get some buckets!" Seth shouted to any and every person there. "Anything
that can hold water! Use dirt! Anything to stop the flames!"

A line was quickly formed where buckets were passed from the well to us
where we doused as we could. I looked where the wine that was ready to be
bottled was stored and where fermentation took place. The wines were kept
in barrels that were stacked in the building attached to the winery. My
eyes grew as I saw another flame begin and someone running away.

"We've got another fire!" I told Seth mainly, and everyone else, loudly
over the roar of flames we were already fighting.

People that didn't come to the party were rushing from town to help us,
bringing buckets themselves. This was most of their livelihoods. They
couldn't lose their export!

Whoever was running away my eyes narrowed as I looked. This person was too
far away to see who it was, but we had to stop this fire now! So, I
directed those that came to help me fight this new fire.

It took a couple of hours before we got it under control and out. While
there was damage, we didn't lose any of the wines. Sitting beside Seth as
we caught our breaths. Seth looked at the damage.

"Oh, man..." he almost cried, "...this is bad."

I nodded, "Yep, it is. But it can be repaired."

Seth shook his head, "I don't understand. How did this happen? There's
nothing to cause a fire in there! We don't work at night, so no lamps were
burning..."

Samuel came up slowly. He was soot-covered and looking nothing like the
king he was. "You two okay?"

We both nodded.

"Seth," I began softly. "I think it was set on purpose."

Seth looked at me surprised. "Set!? By whom? Why!?"

I shook my head. "I couldn't see them clearly. The second fire was over
there, not part of this one." I indicated the first burned portion that had
stopped smoldering and no more smoke was coming up. "So, I can't answer who
it was."

Samuel frowned, "Why? You don't have any unhappy employees. No enemies."

"Yeah, we do," I said quietly.

"Who!?" Seth asked.

"Think, Baby," I urged. "There is someone that would love to see us
fail. See you fail."

Seth thought a mere second, then his eyes grew, "Deena."

I nodded, "I have no proof, but she's the one person that would love to see
this business fail. And when would be a perfect time be? The year after we
were married. This very day."

Seth looked back at the ruins left behind. "She left! She had money..."

Samuel sat beside his brother. "That wouldn't be the point. Revenge for
what you did," He admitted sadly. "You took the crown away from them. And
only made possible when you married Erik."

"Add in the fact that her father and brother were killed. Whether she
thinks I did it or not," I said.

Seth shook his head wearily. Wiping tears that were beginning to fall. "I
don't understand," He said with a broken voice. "What did I do? Why did the
Thornes hate me so much? Hate us so much, Samuel? Hate me!?"

Samuel shook his head. "We were in their way."

"And we don't know where Deena went? Where she is?" Seth asked.

I got up. "We'll find her," I said angrily. "I'll ask Demetrius."

Seth nodded, but Samuel frowned. "Who's Demetrius?"

"A friend," Seth answered getting up. "Come on. We'll introduce you."



In my office at the house, Samuel was not understanding what was going
on. Seth and I held hands as I looked up at the ceiling.

"Demetrius, can you spare a minute?" I asked the air.

"Of course," Demetrius said from nowhere, making Samuel look around for
wherever it could have come from. Then he jumped up as Demetrius walked out
of a wall.

"What the hell!?" Samuel moved away as if trying to get away.

"Long story short, Sam," Seth said. "This is one of the creatures that
helped us. Erik and I when we met."

Samuel was still not appeased, "What are you?"

Demetrius sighed, "This again...look, I'm one of the good guys, okay?"

"You know the story of Cinderella and Prince Charming?" I asked Samuel.

Samuel nodded, "Of course, who doesn't? But it's just a story." Samuel
argued, "Isn't it?"

I gave a shrugging nod, "Not really."

Demetrius nodded, "And before you ask. Again, this is a situation you have
to solve. You. Yourselves."

Now, I was annoyed, "Who makes up these damned rules!?"

Demetrius shrugged, "They just are." He pointed up again.

"God said you weren't allowed to help us!?" Seth shouted.

"Kind of," Demetrius said weakly, but then rushed on. "But it's not that I
won't help as I can. You know that. But when a situation like this...as bad
as it is. If you have it in you to solve it, you should."

I nodded, "I get it," I said sadly.

Seth was very angry. Furious! "I don't!! Am I just dense? I must be because
I just don't get it!"

I sighed. "Look at what we became since Demetrius, Dara and Lukus helped
us," I began. "Situations that are bad come around and we're asking them
for help right off. Why? Should we expect help?"

"Forget help! Let's talk about hurt!" Seth shouted, not at me, but
Demetrius. "Lukus said the situation with my family was fun! You even
agreed!!" He said to Demetrius.

"No," We heard Lukus' voice. Then he was suddenly there, making Samuel jump
even further back toward the wall. "I said it was exciting. That was fun,"
Lukus clarified. "The choices made were all Arthur Thorne. You know that."

"Seth..." Samuel said shakily. "What are these people?"

Seth looked at his brother. "I'll explain in a moment." Then he looked at
Lukus, "An exciting situation that you presented him with to do!"

Lukus sighed, "If he hadn't used what I gave him, it would have been
something else." He reasoned, "I showed him what was there and how it
worked. He chose to use it." He shrugged, "It was like showing a man a
sword, and he'd never seen before or even knew what it was for. The man
chooses to use it, to cut something and decides cutting or to kill another
human being. It's his choice. Just as it was Arthur's choice."

"And you..." Dara said to Seth, and I turned to her.

Samuel didn't back up this time, there was nowhere else to go back. His
hands pressed against the resistant wall like he could press himself
further back, "God in Heaven! How many of these creatures do you know? Are
any more arriving?" He still had that shaky voice.

"We know only these three," I replied. "So far."

"You Seth..." Dara continued, "...are not dense! What happened to you and
your family was a horrible thing. Horrible! We were allowed to help. Which
we did gladly. We brought Erik to you. But you fell in love with him, we
never made that happen, you did it. You married him and got the crown
back."

"And the idea that Erik was the reason you were healed of the scars...."
Demetrius added, "...could be true. We don't know who or how. But the Big
Guy allowed it to happen."

Seth sighed dejectedly. "Fine," He sat holding his head in his hands, like
trying to prevent the pain he was anticipating was coming in his head. "So,
you won't help us find Deena."

"I can tell you, Erik is right," Demetrius said.

"We figured that out ourselves," Seth moaned.

"My telling you he was right takes away any other possibility," Demetrius
defended indignantly.

"Is there more?" I asked.

"You know there is," Demetrius said.

"Can I ask when?" I asked.

"No," All three of them replied.

"We'll be around." Demetrius smiled and all three vanished.

Samuel was blinking, several times trying to make sense of the whole thing,
then gathered himself and said with each step. "What...the...HELL!?" He
glared at us wide-eyed, "Someone better start talking!"

Seth and I just sighed and looked at each other.