Snakes, Spiders, and Secrets-

[BadInfluence]

It would have been more than a small lie if he were to claim that they got the castle and it’s rooms ready in rapid order and without any flaws. The Underworld was still new to him in a lot of ways, the creatures and religious views had more than a few road bumps for him and his quest to have the castle ready in time for the birthing, even moreso considering that Gia herself was a little… Apprehensive… Not that anyone could blame her either given she was having twins and she was a little past the age where one might be most… Confident… In the smooth delivery of such precious packages. Between supporting his Matron as well as his lover he had the duties of training the soldiers for house Navare, training Jacob as his Second and then of course the visitations with Sydel and Dio… Let’s NOT get into the hot mess that was his step-daughter and Ace on the surface in Silverthorne and the chaos there… You’d have thought Ace would have been the guilty party but surprisingly he hadn’t been that time. Anja had been returned to them by Ace himself though he was currently a prisoner of War given the actions of his father against their house…



Did he mention he had speed bumps?



Still, it wasn’t all bad, the Castle was now up and running with perhaps a few days to spare before his children were born. Well… Half his… Thaylan was the father of the other child he knew and to be honest he didn’t have a shred of jealousy about it. What he DID mind was how often the fucker flitted in and out between his duties as a Harlequin among other things. Gia worshiped that man and he’d be lying if it didn’t make him jealous. How could he not? He and Sydel had the most twisted of relationship for years, he understood the benefit of having multiple partners, keeping the spice alive in the bedroom was probably the only glue that held them together given they didn’t know if they wanted to fuck or fight each other at any given moment… Though that was probably because one lead to the other and vice verse… Thaylan was good for Gia, he was her brother and her secret lover, her dirty little skeleton in the closet that he understood every woman needed to have in order to feel… Satisfied? Or was it replete? Either way he knew there were varied levels of it and one who sat on the higher end of the gauge tended to be much happier than those who didn’t. Gia needed Thaylan more than the rest of them, oh that he understood well, but he also knew he came second in her heard as her Weapon Master, followed by her fun play thing Dio when she needed a man who knew nothing but submittance down to his very fiber.



At the moment he had a full house with Gia nearing her due date, the castle was full and damn near fit to burst with all the nobility, the gentry, and of course the surface visitors who Gia had made allies with in her youth. It meant that his plate was full keeping the peace given that so many of these families were at constant war with the other and eager to get any leverage they could and if they weren’t starting petty wars in the halls? They were down in the main Gallery where Gia was, true to her reputation, the Hostess of the absolute best parties with only the finest drugs… The best drug dealer in the entire Underground was in her pocket and occasionally in her bed given his prices were… Astronomical. Still, he knew it was a small price to pay for the drugs she got, not to mention the quantity. It was just another learning curve for him and this world he had chosen for himself. At the beginning he had been insanely pissed, seeing red and ready to kill the bastard but Gia had talked him down, explaining to him that there were balances for everything down here and unsetting that precious system would lead to the fall of her House if not more. Did he like it? Hell no. He hated having to stand outside the door to ensure she was kept safe while her drug lord got to use every supple inch of her and then some. He’d be downright lying if after the guy was done that he didn’t go in after him and make sure that Gia was alright before fucking her like she deserved. No reason they should both be miserable…



“No, the Matrons doctor is not available, go see a Priestess if you aren’t dead or dying.” How many times had he told this to a visiting Matron’s lap boy who came seeking medical care because their Mistress went a little too hard into the party pool and had a hang over? There was always some excuse about why they had to see her though he knew it was mostly due to the fact they were curious. After all, a Matron who took on a surface Drow as her doctor, especially such a young one? Every Matron was the worst gossip in the world and they all wanted to know just what was going on behind the scenes and why, many of them had daughters and nieces who could have filled the slot yet Gia had gone to the surface for hers. Knowing that Rose might be forced into another house if things weren’t kept secure it had been decided Rose would not see other houses while the parties were going on and instead would focus only on Gia, on call 24/7 with breaks for meals or if she wanted to partake in the party… Though he knew she wouldn’t be taking the drugs and remaining there… He’d caught her stashing some away to sneak down into the Dungeon to her lover to keep him placated till his trial came up. More than once he’d gone down to check on Ace only to find him and Rose locked in a violent fuck session where their anger and resentment with one another came out in a venomous torrent that resulted in them both doing damage to the other before their peaks would hit and that softness came out before Rose would get dressed, heal up and leave the room as if she had never been there… Only reason he didn’t tell Jacob? Was because Jacob and Ace were still fucking as well. Kids, he wanted to say but it wasn’t like he had any room to talk, he was still balls deep inside Sydel whenever they were alone. Honestly this whole family was fucked up, literally, none of them could resist sleeping with people they had no right being with.



Like some kinky sex cult where all the members were always fucking each other behind closed doors and acting like no one knew.



Worse still they couldn’t even blame it on the drugs.



They were all just that special kind of fucked up.



It was midnight and the party was entering full swing and he was just finishing up his last patrol of the night. As Gia’s Patron it was his job to attend the parties with her as a proper submissive and he was a little late for this one as it was. Patrols took a little longer with everyone here and he refused to skip a single stone to turn over because his family and their safety meant the world to him. Returning to his room he made sure to bathe carefully and adorn his now pale ash skin with decadent oils that Gia loved the smell of, his red hair pulled back from his face in a thick ponytail that fell down to the middle of his back now, his sharp features having aged well given he was in his thirties now and it was starting to show… The perfect youthful charm he once had was mellowed now into a deeper sort of sexiness, a forbidden fruit with golden eyes and hair the color of blood… An exceptionally decadent male drow to any who might see him and not know that, once upon a time he had been the highest paid and most sought-after male courtesan the world had ever known, trading in his fame and fortune for the life of a soldier and a husband. Life really does change a man…



Dressed in his traditional garb he made his way up from the barracks on the lower floor and towards the party where he would enter from the side door, quiet and subtle before reaching her side where he would drop to his knees before her and lift one dainty little foot in the web of his thumb and index to cradle it there and kiss along the top of it in a show of submission appropriate for a Patron to his Mistress and Matron. From there he’d stand and move to sit beside her but below her, her leg in his lap as he massages along her calf and down her feet where he knew she struggled with the pain from the weight of her pregnancy…. Triplets were no joke and she was the first in her line if not Drow recent history to have such a successful pregnancy so far. All daughters according to the scans but then again it was possible there might be a shock but it was unlikely… Gia seemed favored by the Goddess so it only made sense she would be breaking all the standards. After all… When you have a Primordial, A demi-God, and your won brother fucking you silly it’s a bit impossible not to feel as though you rule the world…

[Gia]

..exhausted.. yet.. oddly satisfied.. thats how she felt in those very moments.. the lead up to the event was loud.. busy.. filled with lists and directions.. whilst she herself barely lifted a finger she still had to be sure everything was as perfect as it physically could be.. the pregnancy was a bit of a strain.. though outward appearances would show her brilliantly blossoming, the curves she already had simply became even more accentuated.. her hair fuller.. skin softer..eyes brighter.. she knew he had been busy.. called often to the very edges of the House boundaries.. security was a top priority when the Matron was with child.. and with the House having such grand favour.. well.. a well organised war could easily be brewing beneath the surface if they weren't switched on and keeping their eyes and ears open.. she put her complete faith and trust in him though.. her life.. her families life and her people.. all in his hands.. and then she also recognised just how much of a burden that must have also been.. he had not left her side in as long as she could remember.. perhaps even going so far as to it having been the night before Sybelles death.. the cracks forming were little.. but they were there.. she could see it in his eyes.. he needed sunlight.. he needed more freedom than he was being afforded in his position.. but he was also stubborn as all fuckery.. and she knew he would not leave her side until -at the very least- the children were born safely..

Then there was her Brother.. she had not laid eyes upon him in a while..his position had called upon him.. his skills were needed.. required ..and if there was one man she could never say no to.. it was him..so she kept herself busy.. whilst everyone around her.. was occupied.. the event.. the party was in full swing.. ceremonial music pounded deep down in the estate.. sending out all manner of vibrations coursing through the stone and wooden floors.. there was dancing.. enough drugs to knock out the entire population of Arvandor and liquor in equally as large supply.. she was seated upon a comfortable high backed velvet lined chair...her gown was blood red and striking black.. shining gold accents to match the clips and jewellery in her hair.. she was a sight to behold.. fitting her status..a wide rimmed glass cradled in her right hand.. a clipboard with pages upon her right.. she was glancing over notes scrawled across it.. lists.. names.. dates.. times.. intel perhaps.. information.. things that had been seen.. some heard.. gossip that could very well amount to nothing.. but.. she knew better than to ignore anything.. she felt his thick fingers reaching for her slippered foot.. her toes curled under.. her attention shifted as she handed the board off to the nearest attendant and she turned that ruby gaze toward him.. he was being watched by several in the chamber.. many whispers would be made.. and word of such a display would travel quickly.. it was all a dance afterall.. finely tuned.. and they played their parts to perfection.. her shoulders dropped smoothly when he began to massage along her calf down to her ankle.. he was right..the extra weight upon her body had played merry hell with her legs and lower back.. -..

You're late.. -she whispered.. reaching a soft warm hand across to glide along his jawline.. cradling his cheek a moment.. the corners of her lips curled and she settled back to sit once more-. Im glad you are finaly coming in to sit though.. you look tired.. -she rubbed her lips together lightly..- You have a whole group of men at your disposal.. send a group of your finest to patrol for the next couple of nights.. -her elbow found the arm of the chair.. cheek to palm-.. I desire you warming my bed.. and I think you need a break.. -she dragged her tongue across her teeth-.. Im also an incredibly stubborn woman.. and I wont take no for an answer.. If you try to disagree with me I will have you restrained.. -her gaze shifted toward him.. lingering.. before she shot him a wink.. -.. I do think we need to discuss..Young Jacob however..

-she drew a quiet breath.. waving away the offered platter of meats and cheeses that was offered.. she simply wasn't hungry.. and hadn't been for the better part of a day.. or was it two.. her appetitie had tanked-.. hmm.. I know he is incredibly smart.. switched on.. strong.. and protective.. I would have no quarms putting the life of my family in his hands.. however.. -she swirled the coloured contents of her glass.. watching as it coated the glass before settling- I think he needs to go back to Arvandor..He's not happy.. -she exhaled softly-.. he's not.. content.. if that makes sense.. I know I am not privy to topside romance.. sex is easy.. anyone can fuck.. and anger and frustration can make some pretty incredible bedfellows.. as I have been informed.. -Oh she knew all about what was happening down in her dungeons.. nothing got past her.. Ever.. she knew about the trio-.. Its effecting young Rose also.. I can see it.. and whilst she is professional I can see her worry. her concern..as for Aeson.. -she waved her hand a little-.. He has his own crosses to bare.. I guess..

-she reached her hand across then to rest atop his.. her fingers curling in to clutch.. to grasp gently-.. I want to know your thoughts on this.. I am only going on what I have seen myself and what I have been told.. -she began to stroke the back of his hand with a soft finger tip.. just slowly.. back and forth.. the music in the room slowed.. settled.. and the floor slowly emptied of its dancers.. the crowds settled back upon their seats.. refilling their glasses of wine.. eating far to much of the bounty that was on offer whilst partaking in coloured smoke and small pearl like pills.. the gentle sounds of chain link tinking would be heard.. tap tap tapping.. before in the middle of the lowly lit room one of the prisoners from the dungeon would appear.. two guards a few steps behind.. they would be performing for their supper.. so to speak.. it was an opportunity for those that had been locked up to be cleaned.. dressed.. cleaned up.. tops.. tails.. hair.. makeup if required.. and they would entertain.. it wouldnt give them freedom.. no.. but it could knock time off.. it could make their stay a lot easier.. a lot smoother.. and it would give them a very full belly for the night and full medical treatment.. the first prisoner danced.. it was a young male.. wearing lengths of yellow and burnt orange silk.. he moved as smooth as the fabric.. there was no jitters or sharpness.. he was incredibly talented.. clearly trained.. -

He was a thief.. tried to poison several priestesses ..his directions were to get to My Brother.. My Daughter and to open the doors up.. so that the rest could get to me..he's from an adjoining House..young lad.. impressive skills..intelligent..such a shame.. -she clucked her tongue..the boy looked utterly serene as he danced.. as if he was off in another world.. when the performance slowed.. and came to its finale the crowd turned to look toward her.. judging on her reaction before they would offer their own.. she nodded.. he earnt his applause and was slowly guided off to the side.. the second was a juggler.. there was fire eater.. a wizard who teased with coloured smoke and imagry .. birds.. dragons.. the list on the table had each prisoners name.. Aeson was there.. a few more down.. he would appear soon enough-

[BadInfluence]

There wasn’t a soul alive who would blame Gia for the way she felt right now, a single pregnancy was hard enough but twins were rare and Gia had such a pregnancy at the moment, all on top of being a Matron and a powerful one at that. Sore? Was probably an understatement for how she felt at the end of the day and he had been doing all he could to try and alleviate all he could for her in those times. The sad part was that it had been very difficult to support her through all those things when he was also riding out to the edge of their territory as well as claiming new lands from houses that had fallen in their wars against house Navare. Between keeping the territories safe and killing monsters or herding the sacred ones to other locations he barely had time at home to keep up with the network of spies that kept him up to date on most of the houses which might try to stand against them in hopes of performing a coup. In the future once their daughters were born he was planning on stealing boys from those houses during battles and force them into slavery to their childred so it would keep the other houses in line… If a child was born from that situation then even better as blood ties were often more useful than prisoners. This was just one plan among many that he had all lined up for various situations or occurrences to take place so that there was always some form of a back up plan. Gia, their children, her people… They mattered to him… He had made the biggest sacrifice of his life to follow Gia in the Underdark and he would do everything in order to show Gia and others that it was a worthy goal.

Gia however was not blind to the fact that while he had done well, incredibly so as her Weapons Master and her Patron, there was no hiding the fact that he was a creature from the sun and being so long in the dark was starting to crack his armor so to speak. He was growing tired far faster than before, some of the luster in his hair and skin was gone, that added… Vibrancy… That aura of his was slowly dimming but he would never breathe a word of it to a single soul. He marched on as if nothing was wrong and if you weren’t privy to him behind closed doors? No one could have ever noticed. He’d never complain a word of it and that was how it went. “Mmm, we had a Beholder released on our lands so we needed to trace back who had summoned it before feeding it false information and releasing it.” Beholders were common down here given the perpetual night and lack of any real illumination so they could proceed as they wished and usually without being caught. With the twins due soon it was impossible for him to let the security go lax, he knew if an attack were to happen it would be soon while she was at her most vulnerable, thus it was the time to be the utmost vigilant too. However it seemed his beloved Matron had a different idea as he gently kissed along her skin before she caught his cheek and he in turn held hers there with his own. “Forgive me for falling short of the beauty with which you deserve my Matron.” There was a party yes, plenty of people were absolutely blitzed into oblivion, those who weren’t drugged out of their mind were copulating like a bunny orgy all over the place. Even so? It was all a ruse because no Drow ear was every completely deaf to rumors. As such he had learned in his months down here how to behave perfectly. “Mmm it has been a time since I had the pleasure of your flesh my Matron… I shall send out the patrols then so that I can spend as much time with my Matron as possible even if I am unworthy of such.” They missed each other while they were busy but that couldn’t be helped in this world. Still, it warmed his heart to know she missed him, wanted him in her bed. “I could never say no… Unless you wanted me to. As I recall you enjoyed having me restrained and whipped last time… It was entertaining to realize you hurting me makes me wild in bed with the stamina of a dragon. It was the first time I fully satisfied my Matron.” Ok that was all a lie but it was peppered with enough facts to make it so that others would believe what was said. He was more dominant in bed for the most part but he switched with her and found he enjoyed being her submissive, meaning that the above was hardly a half truth… The later though… Well her whipping him did drive him into a frenzy and he most certainly made sure she was satisfied.

Talk about Jacob though was… Something they both knew had to come about. He was worried about his son in so many ways, the young man seemed to suffer far more often lately with the position he had taken on, like each passing month saw him growing more brittle, like a mighty tree too long in a dry spell. The move down here had been a choice between Jacob and Rose but when Ace came tumbling back into their lives it unsettled the delicate balance that had been working for them and now all three were desperately out of sorts. Rose struggled with the guilt of feeling like she needed to pick a side and being unable to, Jacob with his anger at the situation and the rage fucking he and Ace had each time Jacob came to try and talk to him, and Ace? Well who the fuck knew. Ace was like mercury, he was never in one single form, he could be any and all at once it just depended on that fucking kids attitude at the time. Ace waned Rose… To the point it almost looked like an obsession… Maybe because she left him for Jacob? Or was it nothing of the sort? And Ace with Jacob? It would actually be a pretty good relationship if it weren’t for Rose. Jacob and Ace worked very well together and he had supported them from the go, however once Rose came in things shifted, he thought maybe they might work out on a trio but the attitudes were all too strong to manage together. In the end? It meant all three of them were pretty miserable and had shit that needed worked out. “The complications of youth I fear… Jacob is not meant to exist in he dark, he is like the day and he can’t exist without light, I agree when you say he needs to return to his home. There are people there who love him, need and miss him, it is selfish to remain where he doesn’t belong for the sake of another…’ And while having this job he got from being a real Father to Jacob? It came at a cost he could no longer ignore. He loved Jacob with all his heart, that man was his son in every way, always would be… But that didn’t mean he had to keep him beside him for that to remain so. He had been debating sending Jacob back for the festivals coming around as well as time for him to spend with his own siblings and cohorts… Get back into the medical field and be the amazing doctor he was born to be… The time in the underdark could be seen as training for Khorn which would appease that God and keep Jacob from having any… Issues… “He was born to be a healer and this world doesn’t give him that option… I think sending him back home is best. He can visit here but this is not where he is meant to stay. You can not grow a mighty oak in the dark.” And that was where so much of his brother came out in Jacob… Diovan could do SO much but he was still bound by certain aspects that he could not break. The same went for Jacob.

“As for Rose it’s… Hard… I think when she met Jacob she was young, impressionable, fell hard and fast into her first love. She didn’t have a home life to teach her about infatuation versus love and so when Ace came into the mix…” He let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. “It’s for her like what it is for Sydel between myself and Diovan. Her heart can’t pick a side yet and so she’s struggling along with the guilt she feels.” Plus there was the whole pregnancy scare where she had been knocked up by either Ace or Jacob but miscarried early… That had caused some massive heat between the three and from there on it seemed like there was no way to recover it. Taking his seat beside her he curled his fingers about hers as they talked about the three under their care and the mess of a situation that youth and inexperience often leads one down. Reaching out he would stroke along her shoulder and gently rub along her neck as he let his own mind ponder the unique bundle of chaos that those three were. “If I am honest Rose is a better fit for Ace than Jacob right now. She’s young with a messed up if not complicated past and she can’t really Sync with Jacob because of it. She sees him as ‘perfect’ and at times it makes her feel unworthy. Until she gets over that? She and Jacob will never be on the same page.” Rose had Hero Worship for Jacob and had given him a lot of her firsts which makes for one hell of an intense, overwhelming sort of loyalty and dedication to the person receiving it. However, after time that starts to fade, reality edges in and depending on the situation? It could turn to envy and resentment. Right now Rose was flat out a better fit with Ace because they were both lost and working on their pasts… Trying to Grow in one way or another. They might be rough right now with a lot of hatred and anger towards each other? The reality was that no one was going to be better for them than the other. Hell the reality of it might be part of what made each of them mad. “Let us send Jacob home soon then and see what sort of thing develop from that.” It was… For now? The best solution given the situation.

The music shifted and people knew the entertainment was about to begin, bodies untangled and clothes were put back on as everyone drew to the open stage area that had been cleared, the sound of chains tinkling with motion could be heard in the perfect silence. He remembered catching this one, at first he had thought he was just a beautiful drow male trying to sleep his way into a position of security, if not for the poisoning he wouldn’t have been caught until much later. Under torture he had revealed the full extent of his plot and thus earned himself in the dungeons for a permanent stay. As the man danced he had to admit it was impressive, he himself danced for gold and jewels and knew when one had the grace for it or not, the mans moves were good though and he had to admit there was true skill in the youth. “You are merciful to let him live… Give his skill as a dancer perhaps we could have him train our own boys for your viewing pleasure. At least make him earn his keep and your glorious mercy.” It would be a boon to their house to have such skilled dancers for companies pleasure, adding to the beauty of their house and if the Drow were one thing only? It was a collector of beautiful things. It came second only to power and if a Matron had both? Her house was unstoppable and THE place to get invited to with houses vying for favor. If he saw a way to add to Gia’s power and influence? He did it unquestioningly.

Looking at the list of who was on for tonight’s dinner and a show he was surprised to see Ace’s name on the list. Royal prisoners from the Topside were like trophies and paraded often but he didn’t think Gia would bring him out so early… Then again the man did save Anja so there was a good chance this was due to that. Tapping his finger on that name he let his mind wander as he refilled Gia’s glass after testing the brew himself for quality and to ensure it was not poisoned. Filling his own glass while popping one of the pearls for himself he relaxed with a slight grunt and had to resist the urge to drag Gia into his lap and do all manner of delicious things to her while they were on display. After all it was rare for a Patron and Matron to be lovers, it was a political marriage after all, it was the Shield Bearer who often slept with the Matron for the sake of strong offspring… He? Was both and it would be a tasty little slice of taboo to have Gia sit on his face instead of those velvet cushions and suffocate him with those creamy thighs as he worked towards her orgasm with gusto. Instead he brought up the topic of Ace. “We need a house Magician before the twins are born my love… Someone to erect shields around the castle and provide long range cover during war… He is skilled and if we allow him to hide here rather than return to the surface and perhaps sweeten the pot with Rose then we could have an extremely provocative offensive house Mage…”