The Time for Past and Present.

[Ursula Darling]

Continuing from: Better the Devil

There was no telling what the years would bring at this point the moment the ship set out into the sea with Ursula upon it and Marke happily in his bed with his wife. It was the only gift she could give him, as much as it pained him with her harsh and hurtful words, it was the only gift she could give Claire too. They both deserved a happy life, Claire for her sheltered Abby life under the church's thumb and Marke, well, Ursula knew she was never going to be a good wife to him. It wasn't something she could vow in front of his God and know for certain she could keep it. She knew with certainty though that sans her presence, they had a chance to be happy as any arranged marriage could be. Arranged by her, it had gone beautifully except for her hiccup in telling Marke about their lost child. No matter, she had corrected it in lying that she didn't even know it was his. She had to, if there was to be any chance and sure as she knew the dawn was coming in the waking hours the ship cut through the waves, that they would unite again. Marke was a good man even if she had glimpsed what could of been a darkened heart. She could of nurtured that heart and seen his turn as black as her own but she didn't.

There was only one simple truth that existed, Ursula had left Skye but not for good. She had left after convincing Shaden she needed a break from the courtesan house, not that she had many clients thanks to Lorna and her little ruse but taking a break wasn't her only reason. She had convinced Shaden she wanted to do what she did, bring girls off the streets for a better life and Shaden could not deny Ursula had a good eye. It wasn't the girls of Skye Ursula was interesting in bringing in but more exotic tastes of the flesh to tantalize the men of Skye. Ursula no longer pegged Shaden as a fool so she spoke plainly when she laid down her plan and not surprisingly, Shaden agreed. Especially when Ursula offered to use her own money from her own accounts for the trip. So with a final visit to Marke that resulted in her first and only lie to the man she loved, she was off but not before pinning a letter to Claire promising she would not be a burden to her anymore and she should embrace her marriage with Marke. She expected Claire would read it, innocent and sweet woman she was.

What Ursula could not expect was the rumors that swelled like wild fire in dry timber when Father Bicard body washed up on shore with the words guilty carved into his chest. Nor how the rumors swelled with life when the letter of his guilt was discovered upon his desk detailing his every sin. If she had known, she would of grinned. It had been such a pleasure to make the man write the letter, moreso because every word he wrote though forced had been the truth but pleasurable that she had made him carve the words into his very chest to save his neck. In the end she had lied their too. She had every intent of killing his worthless hide the minute he threatened Marke's life. He should of seen it coming, but he didn't.

While Ursula sailed off for England first, then trips to Ireland, Spain, Italy, France and India; Claire and Marke were happily at home. Claire would never mention catching her husband within his lovers arms again. Instead she focused on keeping her vows as true as she could make them. His sisters were a joy to have and loved their new sister in law dearly while the people that looked to Marke for their well being kept a close watch on Claire at first, they were soon warming to the gentle angelic heart of their new Lady. There was nothing that she did not offer Marke nor their people. Though it could not of been easy with her gentle heart, Claire never raised her voice nor angered. Never was she quick to judge nor quick to condemn. It was no surprise when a few months into their marriage, Claire happily announced her pregnancy. While everyone worked hard to keep Claire happy and well taken care of in her pregnancy, it seemed pregnancy did not agree with Claire and she was more often in bed during the whole of her pregnancy ill and in fear of loosing the child. Weak but happily, she bore him a son, Donal Marke Jr; DJ for short only months after their first year anniversary of their marriage.

A year passed by quickly when Ursula found herself back on the soil of Skye having sent four new courtesans ahead of her to be trained. They were not the only ones Ursula had an eye to catch and with her she brought with her the crew of her new darkened heart. A surgeon, An imposter, a poison expert, brains and muscle, and with her throughout the journey, Zach. Though she had spent a considerable sum for her little trip, Ursula somehow found the money to bring about the next step in the plans she had laid out a scant year ago. Soon a new theater was being built in town and Ursula little crew introduced as the new company if The Dark Angel Theater. Though she still remained part manager of the Lily, she was now on to business manager of her own Theater overseeing it even being built for its purpose ran deeper then just opening a simple theater. Perhaps it was a sick twisted joke only she would get but she even found the time to write a play entitled 'Better the Devil' based loosely on her life as a courtesan including Marke and even Claire, though she had shifted the characters around a bit and in the end had the Lord killing the woman he loved and his newly married wife after going mad thinking they were both against him. It was not the lovey dovey piece many wanted to see but something her twisted little heart looked forward to people seeing without knowing it was from actual events, except for the ending.

Claire continued to fight her illness through the years that passed and true to Ursula letter, she never saw hide nor hair of the woman except for the occasion scene of her when they both happened in the market at the same time but it was always across the street and always only a smile passed before both women continued on their way. When Ursula theater opened with its first night of a play Ursula had written, Claire despite being sick begged to go never suspecting the things that would go on behind the curtain at the Theater and never suspecting the play Ursula had written was ever about the woman. Never inclined to ever thing Ursula would be so cruel to do something like that.

Despite how well her marriage went, after the birth of their son, Claire could not seem to maintain any pregnancy that occurred through the next two years that passed. Each ended in a sorry miscarriage that more often then not left her with nearly no blood in her body and fighting for her life only to pull back from deaths gates. She lost count of how many miscarriages she had until the fateful day there was no fight left within her and she was carried off to bed, never to get out of it again.

Ursula had promised they would not see hide nor hair of her during the marriage. For three years she kept that promise, seeing only glimpses from across the street. This did not mean she did not keep a close watch on the two of them. When Claire sickness became apparent, Ursula suspected more and launched her team into an investigation, of course it took second seat to their duties around town. Every rumor that passed about a husband who killed a wife, or even a wife who killed a husband, it was them. Not every 'accident' that went sweeping around town in someone's death was theirs, but most. From courtesan to head assassin, for the right price, the right story could be woven and the person you most desired dead would meet their end. As much as Ursula had integrated her team into the workings and body of Skye, she could not get a handle on what was causing Claire to be sick until it was to late.

Weak and dying. Claire spent her dying days with her husband and their son using every ounce of strength she had left still trying to see to their happiness. When finally she knew she would not see the next day, she sent DJ from the room and bid Marke come to her. With instructions to retrieve her writing chest, she gave him the letters Ursula had written her years before after leaving Skye and them behind. In them it detailed Ursula confession of lying to Marke about the baby she carried. Echoing words of encouragement and offering minor details of where she had been but not necessarily what she was doing. In the letters were echo's of gifts that she had sent her and even the ones Claire had given Marke claiming they were hers when Ursula was really sending them on to Marke herself but begging Claire to lie, even if it was against her angelic heart, to say they were from herself. There was not much Claire had to confess on her death bed except this she gave her husband now, proof his lover of three years past still loved him and with her dying breath, she echoed that love that had grown through the years for her husband knowing it could never rival nor match what Marke and Ursula had, she still had grown to love her husband and whispered such words until falling still and lifeless within his arms.

Ont he even of Claire's death, perhaps the only person in the Marke household that knew, was Ursula. With the death of one of the sweetest angels to ever walk the earth came with it the plan that had been launched years before. To late came the knowledge of what was making Claire ill. Now the person responsible had to pay. What was more surprising was the orders that David, the upper class liaison brought in just hours after the woman's death. The request for the life of Donal Marke. Ursula felt sorry for what she had to do then, knowing that she was not the sole root of their problems, she had lost three years for nothing it seemed. Now more then ever she realized by sheltering Marke from what she had done then had not protected him as well as she thought it would. Not only was she right to want to take vengeance on this person, but it was his right to. No longer did she wear perfume so when she went to the funeral disguised, no one was the wiser. Even when family an friends joined at the home to weep over their loss. Ursula bid her time amongst the mourners though no tears could or would fall for Claire, not because Ursula had not cared but because Claire was to lovely a person to cry for. She would of hated people crying for her and so Ursula gave her one last gift, to keep tears hidden away while everyone else mourned the loss. If Ursula had believed, she would of believed Claire in heaven now, an angel she had portrayed so wonderfully here on Earth.

The day was long but soon it was night and Ursula was keeping into shadows as one by one the mourners passed out into the coming night. Left alone and knowing her way, she crept to Marke's bedroom to wait for him. To bad she could not have a face to face with him now, it was no sooner he arrived then he was drugged with a cloth soaked in chloroform and stolen away into the night by the demon of his past.

[Ursula Darling]

Ursula: There was much to say, to much left unsaid when she had left and for a moment. She felt bad in kidnapping him away from his son. For a moment but a quick cloth soaked with chloroform and it was lights out. There would be explaining later, for now she had to get him out of Marke Manor. With help, the limp body of her former lover was stolen away into the night. Time was a precious thing in these moments. Time always became precious when there was a job to be done and hours had been spent the day before planning everything out, from what might happen to the things that could go wrong. She was lucky to get away from the manor unseen and it left her wondering just how long that luck would last. Time seemed to be her friend tonight and luck seemed to be on her side when everything ran smoothly. Soon their destination was in sight, her crew waiting as BAM carried Marke's prone body inside and set him up in a chair, his arms tied behind his back. The night was young and they had time for him to wake and come out of his daze. Here in the country that had no fear of being found out. Would he recognize the home in which he found himself now? She very much doubted it. BAM and Zach had been left outside to take care of the details that would come while Trey and David had been sent to the kitchens were further guests waited in forced slumber. Domina was the only one to stay with Ursula in the sitting room Marke had been set up in.

Domina:"I still think this is a bad idea" Domina voiced in her silky sweet and venomous voice as she kicked her leg while sitting on the edge of the sofa looking at Ursula at the piano. "What do you expect to come of this hmm? He is going to understand, take you into his arms and make love to you on the floor?" The woman laughed and shook her head. "He'll have information that could destroy us all if you do this. It's not only you're life your risking my Lady" Domina continued to voice, the way she said my lady noted a growing respect for the head of their little order. "Let's just do this, leave him bound, no one will be the wiser" She offered.

Ursula:The keys were being plucked in a somber and menacing tune. Ursula head bowed, it seemed as if she wasn't listening but her head lifted to check Marke and then turned to Domina. "He is waking, you may go." She uttered softly and Domina gave her a sour look before lifting off the sofa and moving to close the double doors in her wake. Blindfolded, she had no doubt Marke could not see her, nor realize where he was, but would he recognize her voice through the haze? Inhaling a sharp breath, her head bent again as she began to pluck at the keys again, waiting for him to say something so she would know the haze was wearing off.

Marke: He had left the church returning home to a home that would never be the same.. how would he go on without Claire? How would his son grow to manhood without her sweet direction.. her love... he had watched the little boy play all afternoon, taking him into his arms and holding him until he fell asleep, still crying little boy tears asking where his mother was and if she was coming back soon.. oh how the two would miss her... it was an ache in his heart.. He had married her as a end to a means, to save her family lands, and give her a home, and give himself a reason to forget Ursula.. but he had grown not only to respect and care for Claire, he had grown to love her, she was the sweet light in his life, the thing that brought him happiness and contentment... how now.. would he live without her... these were the thoughts when he had been sitting alone in the dark.. untouched glass of whiskey limp in his hand how Claire would have disapproved of the whiskey in his hand, all these years he had forsaken the drink.. finding in Claire's presence he needed it not... but now.. it called to him... yet he still had not lifted it to his lips..then blackness... a thickey sweet cloying smell... and he was out... Now he roused.. groaning softly against the drunken like pain that seared his brain, and made his pulse a booming dull thud in his skull.. " What the hell " he cursed as he moved against the ropes that bound him... " What is the meaning of this.. who is there?"

Ursula:She grinned at his groaning words. Only Marke. Slowly her fingers ceased their press of the bone white keys and she turned on the bench to look at him. She had removed the skirt portion of her dress hours ago. It was merely a wrap to the pants she wore now. Easier to work in then a dress. Slowly her fingers pressed over the ring on her pointer finger of her left hand. A black opal stone sitting atop a mass of metal wings. Dark Angel. His words once. How perfectly they seemed to fit now. How she had wanted to give him time to mourn the passing but then again, she needed his pain raw for him to understand the hand that had been dealt. Raising from the chair, she moved to the sideboard, much like his own and poured a glass of water, leaving his question unanswered for now, she moved with slow deliberate steps and pressed the glass to his lips. "Take a drink" She purred against his ear as she tilted the glass so the water flowed into his mouth. When he had his fill, the cup left his lips and she set it down on a nearby table before pulling the blindfold up and off his head. Holding the cloth in her hand, she moved to sit in the chair across from him with a small grin. "Hello Marke"

Marke: A drink of the water was taken in and he was tempted to spit it out at his captor, had not his mouth felt as though it was stuffed with old lint, his tongue felt thick and his head ached as if platoons of men marched inside his skull, each one stabbing at the gray matter with bayonets and stomping to the beat of his pulse.. When he heard her voice he could not help the electric shock that went though his body, even after all these years, there was still that visceral reaction to her, though it was no longer pleasure and passion and had dulled to a vague ache in the vicinity of his heart, and an uneasiness in the pit of his stomach.. " You should not be here.. she's not even cold in her grave yet.. and you come back.. causing mischief.. have you no shame.. no thoughts for my pain, for my sons pain?" his words were the words of a grieving man in love, a husband, and a father who was now lost without an anchor upon the sea of uncertainty.. and Ursula was the rocks on which his last bit of sanity could be dashed and broken.

Ursula:Slowly she wrapped the blindfold around her hand pressing the ring tightly into her finger as she gave him time to let his eyes adjust to the darkness. Her chin tilted listening to the sound of his voice which still sent a shiver down her spine but it the tone of his voice that gripped at her heart. She hadn't contemplated him loving Claire, not that she ever thought she would be sitting here tonight with him either and Claire in a grave. "It's because of Claire that I am here." The curls of her hair were gone, now straight as a board the chestnut hair seemed darker and created a curtain over her face as her head turned down and then pulled back as her head lifted and her eyes met his. "Part of your pain is my own. I was not quick enough, not smart enough to figure it out until it was to late. For that I am eternally sorry." She shifted in her chair to turn her body towards him. "I thought by leaving I was protecting you both and while my demons never followed you. Your's did. I am sorry to that I could not give you enough time to mourn but I needed you to fill raw when I told you everything, so that you not only understand the truth, and I do mean the whole truth, but that you have the knowledge and the pain to make a decision. That's why you're here Marke. Look around you, you are not home and for now, your son is safe." Slowly she unwound the blindfold from her hand and tossed it lazily aside as she lifted from her chair only to kneel at his feet. "You once asked me for the truth and I denied you, now I am offering to tell you the truth, all of it. Keep in mind if you say no, you will never know the cause of Claire sickness, and never get the chance to avenge what has been, her murder."

Marke: She had not expected him to love Claire, to mourn her to the depths of his soul, and she probably did not expect him to simmer in anger as she spoke.. and when she knelt before him writhe and violently try to get loose his bonds.. "I told you no more games... I was done with you whatever hellish game your playing I don't care.. I want no part of you " he railed at her as he tested the bonds that held him bound to the chair for more minutes that she thought his strength would likely last.. finally he seemed to give up, just glaring at her... as her words sunk in his drug and grief hazed mind " What do you mean her murder... She was unwell, ever since she birthed DJ.. I told her we needed no more children.. I begged her to take the elixer to stop from trying.. but she wanted more children.. " his voice caught... and broke as he though of her pregnant and happy, nursing DJ, rocking him to sleep.. she had been a wonderful mother.. a wonderful wife... his eyes lifted to Ursula now.. anger flaming in the green depths like hellfire... " Are you saying someone killed my wife... was if you... were you so unhappy in your life that you had to take her from me as well".

Ursula:"I promise, no more games Marke. I am offering the truth, free and clean of games. Besides, I never played games with you, only deceived you as I thought was right at the time." As she spoke she set her hands on his knees as he struggled to relieve himself of his restraints waiting for her words to sink through the haze and they did as his fight died down. "Are you ready to listen to me now? For the sake of your son?" She smiled slowly and pressed her hands upon his thighs to lift herself up closer to his chest. He would of struck her if he were free, of that she had no doubts. "You think her pregnancy and those after made her ill? how very sweet. No my darling, you never caused the illness that stole her from you." She leaned in to peck her lips against his cheek then rocked back, dancing on her heels as she moved away from him again. "The truth doesn't start there. Are you ready to hear everything? The whole truth and nothing but the truth?"

Marke: He flinched when she kissed his cheek, still glaring at her as if she were a serpent.. and he expected her to sink her fangs into him causing his death at any moment, he was wary the serpent poised to strike.. as he should be, how could she ever conceive how much she had hurt him, how broken a man he was, and how Claire had put those pieces back together, and mended his heart, yet still there were cracks in both his facade of anger and his hearts strength to resist her, even the smell of her brought back potent memories that threatened to engulf him.. how could one woman hold such power over a man.. it was ungodly " Tell Me " the look on his face, at her words of how sweet his guilt and sorrow over Claire death, had him lunging forward once again. he would have strangled her merrily at that point.. but his bonds held.

Ursula: She was no stranger to flinching but from him, oh how it broke her heart, even if it had ceased to beat a long time ago. Her fingers closed over one another as he jerked in the chair and a slow smile formed on her lips. She knew she was creating the facade she had done it, but she wanted to see his rage. The outcome of this was unclear to her and while she never went into a situation she didn't know the outcome anymore. There really had been no way no matter how long she waited to gauge how he would take this. "Very well" She purred like the incubus seducing its victim. "I am a murderer" She started then stopped lifting her hand to point "no wait, that's not the right way to start. Do you remember that cottage in the woods? What happened with Jonathan? Well back then I belonged to a secret order of spies. I was an initiate when that happened, actually I never got out of initiate. Who was in the order and their name doesn't matter. I am no longer with them but I am a killer, a hired hand." She moved to draw her seat closer to him and sat upon the edge. "When Lorna went to father Bicard to make her accusations against me, she didn't do it alone. Think back, do you honestly think her capable of coming up with that on her own? It was Lorna plan to simply get me away from you so she could marry you. It was another's entirely when that plan backfired and you kicked her out of the manner." She paused for breath and to let this sink in before continuing. "The church ruthlessly sought my attention and I...blindly went into their trap. It was Father Bicard who ordered me away from you in exchange, the charges would be dropped. I added in that not only would I 'break' my hold on you but see you married to someone the church considered a pure spirit." Again she paused and grinned. "Claire knew nothing of my plans, but you...I knew once the church came after her to take her back you would stand up as the white knight considering your hate for the priest. You did exactly what I wanted you to do. Though I will admit, I never expected you would fall in love with her but thinking on it now. I can't say I blame you." Slowly she crossed one leg over the other and lay her elbows on her top knee, leaning forward she paused longer now. "Following me? Any questions?"

Marke: He still glared at her while his fuzzy brain tried to decipher her ramblings and reconcile them with the past he knew, and now adding her version of it to come up with a cohesive timeline, it was daunting but he managed, staring directly at her and trying hard to concentrate on something other than the banging inside his skull.. " Who.? killed her then.. I care not if you were one of Beathaags, own maids set to suck the kings coke every third night, nor what you did then.. you and I are over .." his pain was real.. there was nothing at all false nor dramatized, he was truly grieving, an that perhaps was most shocking of all to the woman before him, he had loved... another... it seemed Lord Donal Marke had indeed found a heart beneath all the ego and self destruction, and his obsession with Ursula... he had truly loved his wife...

Ursula:"Oh look who has grown whit" She cooed and then hummed in a small laugh. "Fair enough" She purred. What she was feeling beneath the surface had ever been a mystery and remained so. Nothing much had changed there. Her ability to cloak what she was feeling from showing on the inside was still intact. "Stay with me darling, we are not to that part yet. An if you are to get your revenge, you'll listen to what I have to say or you'll die here tonight and make your son an orphan." Perhaps some of it was showing through, wanting to hurt him as he was hurting her. Showing perhaps she never had any care for him, or that it had died a long time ago. "Whether we are over now has no standing on the past Marke. You are getting a rare opportunity none before you have gotten and that is saying something." Linking her fingers she took a breath and continued. "Telling you about the baby was not something I intended to do, nor did I expect your reaction thereafter, so I had to lie. I want you to know, there was never anyone else before and I have absolutely no doubts the baby was yours. I needed you to believe otherwise so I could leave you with Claire. I meant it when I said I loved you then and that I could never be a proper wife to you. It was the only gift I could give you two. Now onto the year I was gone. Most people think I was on assignment for the Lady Aramoire and that is as much as they will ever know. You will know differently. When I met Father Bicard there was a man there recording our conversation. He wasn't a mere priest and honestly, three years later I am still working him out, that information is still fussy and so must be forgotten." She stopped. "I'm getting off topic here. Anyways, he was also present when I miscarried and has remained a steady companion. Together we collected a team of Assassins. The Dark Angels." Here she paused again to lift her hand to show the black opal ring with the wings jutting out from each side to him. "You had a hand in that. Are you still with me? Because now it gets a little more complicated..."

Marke: He still glared at her, it was a way of keeping focused " you could have left me my wits by not drugging me, you seem intent on killing me" he groaned not even afforded the luxury of having his own fingers loosed to soothe his temples... his eyes widened when she spoke of the baby... " You let me think that I had been the father then ripped it from me, and it was a lie.. that was our child... you carried my child.. " guilt suffused his face as the memory of tossing her down the steps of the keep naked into the snow.. was that his doing.. had he killed his child... god save his soul... now he had the deaths of three children and his wife on his soul... his head hung, and eyes closed in abject misery... what kind of bastard was he... that everything he touched died...

Ursula: Her head tilted as she watched him for how he would take the latest information she gave him. She had promised the truth no matter how painful it would be. When he groaned she lifted off her chair and moved to slide her lap into his as her hands rose to soothe through his hair. "You would not of let me go otherwise, and at the time I thought I was keeping you safe and giving you the gift you deserved, a good and proper wife in Claire." Cupping his chin, she turned his head up. "Marke look at me" She soothed. "You...did nothing to cause it. Do you understand me? It was not meant to be." Leaning her head down, she placed a kiss against his forehead then scooted away, back to her own chair. "Now you must listen to me carefully because we come to the complicated part. Training has lead me to look for the hidden clues, not something you were likely to see. When I met with Father Bicard, he threatened that if I didn't let you go then you would burn on the pyre with me and everything your family owned, your sisters marriages, everything would be ruined. I couldn't allow that to happen. At the time I didn't see the warnings. Why would a priest be so intent to relieve a nobleman of his whore when frankly, lets admit it, many nobles on the island have whores. I probably should of let him live but the moment he threatened your life, I knew I would end his. It pleased me to great end when I came back to know I was not suspected of his death but the news that haunted me more was Claire's illness. For years I chased clues but it wasn't until a week ago everything fell into place and three nights ago I obtained not only the correspondents of Father Bicard but a bottle of your wife's elixir, the very thing supposed to help her." Lifting off her chair, her attention turned to the door. "Domina" She called in a strong authorial voice.

Domina:The double doors were thrown open as Domina hauled in a petite looking female with flowing blonde hair.

Rose:The girl cried as Domina forced her into the chair Ursula had dominated minutes before. "My Lord please!" She cried out.

Ursula:Ursula took up the blindfold and this time used it as a gag to silence the girls mouth. "Recognize her?" Ursula mused and then paused to take up a piece of cloth and shove it over the girls head hiding her hair away. With her hair hidden, she looked like Rose, Claire's lady in waiting. "Rose right?"

Marke: "Rose?" his mouth questioned what his eyes saw, not even taking in tall dark woman who brought in the captive as Clairs Ladies Maid cried our for mercy " What has Rose to do with this?" he was confused, utterly and totally, and could not fathom things , as still he suffered the effects of the chloroform " her medicine...?" his brain seemed to turn in circles... round and round as his eyes went back to Ursula " Get on with it "

Ursula:As the gag was fastened into place, Domina was tying the girls arms to the back of the chair to keep her still while the girl wailed behind the cloth tears streaming down her face. "Of course you wouldn't know Rose for who she is because you never met here when you came here" She continued as if not hearing him and gesturing around the sitting room. "You may of been engaged to Lorna from very young, but not well liked until you gained control of your family fortune." Her eyes turned down to Mark's. "This little elixir..."An Ursula retrieved a small pea green bottle with a cork and wiggled it as if he was seeing it for the first time. "Was not medicine...but poison, small doses but very good at its job in torturing your wife to death and effectively torturing you in the process.: Rose cried out from behind the gag, shaking her head wildly. "Of course Rose here, had no idea what she was feeding your wife every day but she knew her Uncle sent her to your home for a reason." As Ursula stated this, the girl cried even harder. "Those correspondents I found, were between Father Bicard and your wife's murder, your own personal Demon." Ursula attention moved away from Marke to Domina. "Domina, our other guest, if you please"

Domina:Domina grin was sadistic if not alluring in its own little way and she laughed as she strolled from the room to do ad Ursula bid.Domina was not alone when she returned. BAM with his dark skin gleaming like a demons skin in the low light brought the struggling body with them. By all accounts the figure was male but his head was covered with a potatoe sack. His mouth was gagged for he groaned and growled beneath the gag and sack as he was forced into the room and to another chair beside Rose and tied to it. "My Lady.." Domina and BAM uttered together and left the room.

Ursula:Strolling to the chair, she stood at the mans shoulder, her hand against it made him jerk and then groan as her nails pressed into cloth and into his skin beneath. "I hope you are ready to face your wife's murderer Marke, and like I said...you have choice when all is said and done. The time is soon, but not yet." Releasing the mans shoulder, her hand moved as if a snake striking at the hood and pulling it off to reveal Lord McCula.

[Ursula Darling]

Marke: " Saul... Saul McCula?" his eyes widened as the mans hood was displaced and his face though beaten and bruised was unmistakable... " You had her killed... My Claire...?" how the depths of his heart ached to use the word death with Claires name.. it still was surreal to him that he would not have her calm love with him, never againa nd that his son would grow up without the love of his mother.. " Why?" the word was soiliatary almost a whisper, a voice Ursula knew well.. it was the calm before the storm, with Marke it was always such delibertium, minituia .. everything should be in it's place before decisions were to be made, he needed reasons.. slowly his head raised to cast and accusing glare at McCulla... " TEll ME WHY " his voice rose in command even as his chest heaved and his wrist strained against his bonds... "NOW" his voice boomed, for all intents and purposes.. Ursula, and her crew had melted into nothingness.. all he wanted was an answer from the olds mans lips.

Ursula: The clues had been right under her nose and as great as her anger was, the anger and anguish in Marke's mirrored what she would not show. Oh she could take the blame herself, for not finding out sooner but that would be playing the martyr. How her eyebrow itched upward slightly as Mark called Claire his but then she had to remind herself she had made choices, she had walked away and it was only right he had forgotten her and learned to love someone else. Her chin tipped up as Marke's rage built and silently, inwardly she was grinning as she pressed a hand to the old mans shoulder and lowered at her waist till her lips were at his ear. "Yes Saul, why? Tell him" She urged at his ear and the old man struggled with his bonds as he grunted and groaned into his gag. "It's time to confess your sins old man. You sought to bargain with the Devil and now the devil has come for your soul. There will be peaceful meeting with your God tonight." She whispered against the mans ear before jerking the ties of his gag loss. "Confess your sins McCula, answer the mans question"

Saul: With his gag out, he let out a mighty "HELPP ME!!!" and let out a groaning moan as Ursula laughed behind him. His house overtaken. His servants likely all dead and his niece beside him crying like a fool when it was his neck on the chopping block. "YOU murdered your wife you stupid fool! If you had just folded to the marriage Lorna arranged by proxy rather then throwing her out on the street like garbage I wouldn't of had to defend my daughters honor!"

Ursula: With the gag in hand, she threw it around the old mans neck and stood, pulling the gag like a noose around his neck. "That's enough old man. Tell the real truth of it or I promise you will beg for death long before it comes to you" She pulled tight on the noose like cloth around his neck until his eyes rolled and then let go so he could cough it out and tell the truth. Wrapping the gag around her hand, she moved to the hearth were a fire was going despite the spring weather outside and for measure to show she was not kidding she set the end of a poker into the flames to heat and inflame the end a bright red.

Saul: When it came down to it, Saul was a right down pansy himself. He did not much enjoy pain unless he was giving it and so coughing, spurting and watching Ursula tost the end of the poker to a bright red. The truth of it came pouring from his lips. "When it looked like your marriage to Lorna would not happen, I sent Lorna to Father Bicard with the intent of painting Ursula like a witch and marrying you by proxy but when it back fired and you threw her out, I could not take her back and had to let her fall to ruin but I vowed to avenge the travesties done to my daughter and so paid Father Bicard to threaten Ursula with your death so she would leave you. That was the one weakness I knew of both of you. Each other. But it again backfired in my face when you married that....that...woman and so I decided the best way to torture you was to allow you to come to care for your wife as you should of done with my Lorna and then I sent Rose in as her Lady in Waiting with the pretense the Lady Marke was all ready ill and good hearted man I am, I had the cure and to give her a drop of it at every meal until finally giving her the remaining amount only a few nights ago. I wanted you to suffer as you made my Lorna and our family suffer!"

Marke: He listened as the old man ranted, relishing when it seemed as if Urusla would choke the life from him, and watched with ill fascination as the poker begin to glow red, then brighter and brighter in the coals of the fire, as the man continued his poisoness speak. but it was done.. already his confession that he was indeed the reson that Clair lay dead, along with the two children she had miscarried and given still birth too.. he did not look at the man as he ranted.. only the poker in the fire.. finally looking up at Ursula.. would she have ever seen his eyes so black, so devoid of life or caring as she did now.. in a soft hush he whispered.. " Release me " his eyes boring into hers a hushed command but one she was not likely to refuse.. his whole body was rigid as he waited her to undo his binds... his eyes still on the fire...

Ursula: Her hand left the poker to fold before her as the man confessed and finally, all of it was out in the open. There was nothing left she had to hide from him. The game had ended, checkmate. As the old man finished rambling his confession her attention turned to Marke and a softer and kinder Ursula would of been frightened at the darkness she saw there but she wasn't but nor was she glad of the look on his face either. "In a moment." She replied and stepped away from the glowing poker with its blackened end sticking out just waiting to be plucked out. "The time has come for a choice Marke. I want you to take a breath, a deep one and listen very carefully to what I have to say, once you have made a choice, there is no going back. I want you to clearly understand before you make your choice about the consequences of what happens now." As she spoke she again began to move like a serpent slithering across the floor and then striking as she dropped down to a stoop in front of him her fingers curling into his chest to give a tug that his attention should be on her and not the poker. It was his if he wanted it, that was clear on her face. Saul McCula was going to die tonight, of that there was no mistaking. "You want your revenge, I get that. That is why I am here, to give it to you but I can release you and you can walk away, unharmed, knowing what you know of me and my kind and allow me to exact revenge on your behalf, it is not new to me Marke. I have killed many over the years and all for a price and nothing more, no vendetta. OR, you can exact your revenge yourself, in any way you see fit but you do so as an initiation. You become one of us and from that there is no turning back, ever. To leave is to die as you will know secrets we cannot allow to live outside of our family but know whatever you decide, our protection of you and yours will be ever constant. An if you choose to join and one day die in leaving, that none of your family will be harmed, as long as you do not unmask us to anyone, ever. This is a secret society Marke, a brethren and only those within know the secrets underneath the guise everyone see's of us." With her peace said, she waited a moment more so it could sink in before lifting up from her kneel and moving behind him producing a dagger to cut away his binds. "Make your choice wisely Donal Marke and with clear knowledge of what you do."

Marke: He listened to her, then she jerked his shirtfront , his nostrils flared at the familiar smell of her, his eyes seemed to roam her face, as if seeing a ghost from his past... her conditions.. always her damn games.. when she gave him his choice he stood.. set free and moved to stand before Saul McCulla looking down upon him, the rage in his whole body drawing it tight as a bowstring... before he spoke in a calm manner " Kill them both painfully and slowly.. as Claire died.. and then.. dispose of the bodies... send me a bill and I will gladly pay the cost.. " his shirt sleeves were rolled down and buttoned casually as if he were getting dressed for dinner, moving to the door he paused, not looking back at her for a moment.. "send a servant with the bill.. Ursula... I need not see you again... thank you for brining this to my attention " cold callous Marke.. something had broken deep inside him... that he would forego the pleasure of Killing Claire's murderer and exacting his justice.. rather than be bound to Ursula for one more moment... " Goodnight to you " it was a socially polite voice that met her ears, as the door swung open then closed,,... his eyes met the faces of her crew and a nod of respect was given to them before he moved out the front door... and down the street.

Ursula: As he stood, she took a step back,between her fingers she rolled a ring etched with wings on either side of a black opal stone. When he looked to Saul and Rose, her head tilted, that brow lifting with curiousity etched across her face the first ever free emotion she let cross her face that actually bore into what she was feeling and thinking. When he made his decision she sighed, that cool mask sliding into place to mask her disappointment in his choice. Disappointing but proper. Her hand closed over the ring, a dull clink as the metal of the ring hit her own ring upon the pointer finger of her left hand. "I know how to do my job Marke." She retorted lifting her head again. "There need not be a bill. My last gift to you, Claire, was taken from you for my slow reaction in finding the cause. If I can gift you one final thing it is revenge." She turned towards Saul and Rose as she tucked the spare ring into a hidden pocket of her vest before turning as Marke paused at the door to look at him. "I admit freely, I played games, to protect you. But I never played games with my affection for you nor did I lie about loving you." Her head lifted, her eyes met his and the truth of it was written plainly on her face as the curiosity had been before. He said goodnight, she smiled in return as she replied. "Goodbye" and when as the door closed, she turned back to Saul who sat white as a ghost as if all ready dead while Rose was hysterical beside him. Each one of 'the crew' looked up as Marke left the room. Stock emotionless faces met him as they backed up to allow him to leave and as he reached the door they all broke going their own way. Each had their own duty to do while Ursula did hers and by midnight the sky was alive with the acid smell of smoke and the bright glow of the McCula Manor ablaze, of course in the end it would all be called an accident. No witnesses to see the ban of shadows emerging from the building nor the flames that quickly followed their departure. No one around to see the one woman who stayed to watch as Ursula meant to see the building reduced to rubble. Her final gift to the late Lady Marke and her still grieving husband, Donal Marke.

[Ursula Darling]

Ursula:Nothing could compare to the mornings in Skye, bright and beautiful heating the land and engulfing the fog of night in the heat of day. Unfortunately Ursula never got to witness new mornings anymore. With a secret clan to run and a theater. Mornings were often spent in the building beside the theater, their headquarters or in the theater tearing down scenery from the previous play and erecting new ones while the 'stars' of the play rehearsed until it became to much of an irritation to watch the dribble fall from their lips over and over again despite her direction and the costumes being designed were not to her liking. New fabric was needed and besides, it gave her an excuse to get out of four walls and into fresh air. Of one thing she and Shaden shared, it was their love of shopping. Cruising the stalls of fabric, she touched so many different colors and styles she had lost count but happily so. People were chattering about this and that but the rumor of the day was of the weeks past 'accident' in which McCula manor had burned to the ground with seemingly all of its inhabitants. Ursula could not suppress the grin that slid over her lips as two old women chattered about the incident in which by the time help arrived it was to late. The bodies had been found in what had been beds. An accident indeed, engulfed in smoke they had gone to sleep with no fears and had just never woken up hopefully dying before the fire took their bodies. Dark meat or light meat? The thought struck Ursula and she hummed in a laugh earning her an odd look and she pulled out the edge of the fabric she was touching and looked up to the store owner. "This is absolutely fabulous Mr. Ericson. However did you get the gold to shimmer in the pink hue of the fabric?" She mused and the looks turned away from her. A few minutes later with her purchase made and instructions to send it to the theater she stepped from the shop into the light again with the calls of vendors rising up around her.

Marke:A week had passed since his nigh as Ursula's captive and the facing of the facts that his actions had been the death of his beloved Claire.. now each time he looked down at his sons face he felt a stabbing guilt, and even though he knew without a Doubt that Claire would have forgiven him his part in her death.. he could not.. the only thing he could do now was see to his son, be a father to make Claire Proud. This was the reason he had said goodbye to Ursula..for DJ.. So it was this day found them, the pair father and son in the market, DJ happily racing from stall to stall, his face already sticky with honey cake, he stood before a spice vendor, not because he liked exotic spices but because the man had a monkey.. that did tricks when you offered it sweet dates. " Daddy Daddy.. please " he begged for more dates to bribe the monkey into doing more tricks, chubby little hands reached upward to grasp the coin that Marke offered..then the coin dropped, to the ground as the boy charged off.. screaming loudly... at first Marke was taken aback at the boy's actions and whirled to see what had caused the commotion.. then he saw.. and heard DJ's words.. and it all became perfectly clear.. " MOMMMMMMMMMMYYYYY " the little boy screamed as if indeed he were chasing down the mother thought dead to him.. instead it was Ursula the child had spotted.. and her uncanny resemblance to Clair.. it was errie.. and confusing to the child no doubt.. " DJ no no that's not her " he raced thru the crowd weaving to catch up with the child a moment to late as his arms latched onto Ursula's skirts.. his head buried against her leg.. " Mommy I knew you'd come back " it was heart wrenching, the little boys earnest love of his mother, that had magically reappeared.. from the dead...

Ursula:Those who passed by and bid her good day received a smile until they passed and then she rolled her eyes. Off with their good afternoon's. Nothing was ever good these days. Endless pretend was turning her stomach as much as she loved that she committed and got away with murder. She heard a child scream and turned her head in time to see a little boy, chubby and without a doubt a likeness of his father rushing to her. Sweeping her skirts back, she took a step back and then another one but with a leap the little boy was buried in her skirts and murmuring words that would beg any other heart for comfort in the moments that despair would no doubt follow when hope was crushed. Her hands rose away from her sides as the chubby little arms wove around her legs and his face buried into her skirts. Her nose wrinkled even as her eyes lifted to catch Marke pushing through the crowd towards them. So she had not been wrong, she saw Marke in the child and here was the proof. This was his son. This was Claire's son. She looked as if was a theif caught in the act, her hands up in the air in surrender but as the little boy continued to murmur in her skirts with no hopes of untangling himself, her hands lowered and took hold ever so gently of his arms to untangle him from her skirts. The coin he had dropped had somehow managed to manuever through the crowd and clink against her boot before falling flat against the cobblestone way. Dropping down, she took up the coin and offered out to the boy "You dropped this" She offered handing it over before shifting her skirts as she stood to the approaching Marke. "He looks very much like you, but his eyes, they are his mothers." An her hands brushed her skirts righting them into place.

Marke:The little boy looked up at her confused as she untangled him, he would not have it, and tried to burrow back into her skirts, now his chubby cheeks were damp with tears " Mommy " his little voice pleaded as the coin was ignored and then he was hefted into his fathers arms and cuddled tightly against his shoulder, for the moment Ursula was ignored as Marks focus was on the boy "Shhhhh shhhh DJ, this is not mommy.. it's mommy's good friend.. Ursula... see... look.. look at her.. here " he turned the child in his arms.. to face Ursula a pleading look for help in his own moss green eyes, begging Ursula to do or say something to ease the child's confusion and pain.. it was plain as day that Mark was out of his depth... " I told you son... Mommy is in heaven with the angels.. watching over us " he whispered..his forehead bent to his sons as if the touching could convey the extent of death.

Ursula:Her face wrinkled again as he buried himself into her skirts again and her face turned to Marke all most asking for help in taking the boy away from her skirts! Blast what was WITH children these days! mewing little demons in their own right. Was it really any wonder why she hated children? They were too innocent, too stupid to the ways of the world. As Marke hefted the boy into his arms she seemed to sigh in relief curling her fingers around the coin as she shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other and when Marke proclaimed she was a good friend of Claire's she gave him a skeptical look before planting a smile on her lips as the little boy turned his gaze at her. When Marke's pleading look went to her, her eyes rolled skyward as if asking for her own help of how to do this. "Hello, DJ is it? You look very much like your daddy but your mommy, she had glories gray eyes, just like you. I have brown eyes...see" She commented as she leaned forward blinking the lids of her eyes as if that would show him her own chocolate colored eyes. "An when you look in a mirror, it will be like your mommy is looking back at you. Your daddy is right, she is watching you very closely.." She paused, oh hell what was it people dribbled at children, fairy tale stuff. Oh dear. "Oh do you feel that?" She hummed and turned so the sun was casting down over him. "That's your mommy, sending her love!" She smiled and nodded as all of this was very matter of factly before pressing a hand against her head and shifting her head, suppressing a groan as she raised her head to smile again at the little boy before her eyes turned to Marke and seemed to darken a bit.

Marke:The little boy outstretched his had at the ray of sun and it's warmth as Ursula spoke of his mothers love.. a smile lifted the corners of his tear stained face.. as he peered into her eyes.. indeed her eyes were different.. he still remembered his mothers eyes, immediately his hands reached into his fathers pocket, pulling out a small locket and flipping it open.. to stare at the small portrait of his mother.. then looked back to Ursula as if confirming her story against the portrait.. nodding he offered it to her to look at " it's daddy's heart " he offered as the gold locket dangled before her and between them.. Marke's eyes were locked on hers.. seeing the darkening.. his lips tightened.. but still he spoke.. in silent movement of his mouth to her, so that DJ could not hear... "thank you" a ghost of a smile almost graced his face.. before he abruptly spoke.. breaking the silent moment between them "Ok.. now that's settled.. " he pulled the locket back into his own hand and shifted inside his coat pocket.. " What say we go get those dates for the monkey to do tricks..?" children were often easily centered onto another subject and a monkey was a fine subject.. "CAN Urla.. Ursla.. the Lady Mommy's friend come too ?" DJ clambered to wave her own as Marke turned heading back to the spice stall with his capricious three year old son.. " Oh I'm sure Miss Darling has shopping to do , we shouldn't delay her.. Son.. perhaps another day " he tried to smooth his sons irritation..

Ursula:Her hands folded in front of her stomach as her shoulder relaxed. He had bought it. She gave a solitary nod of her head to his thanks in welcome before leaning forward to peer at the locket that was offered to her viewing. "It is. Your mommy was very much your daddy's heart. The best woman, as she is the best part of you." She chimed as she rocked back onto her heels as Marke tucked the locket back inside his coat. Hell, if only things like this would stop paining her heart. At least she knew her face did not flinch but she could not help the flex of her neck muscles at it. Arms moved behind her back as she turned her head from father to son and then she smiled oh so mischievously as the little boy clambered for her to go. "Oh no, actually I am done. I would love to!" She retorted with a brilliant smile that spoke plainly to Marke that she was doing this to torture him. Why should she be the only one hurting? "Here DJ, your coin" She held the coin out to the little boy now warm with being curled into the palm of her hand. When the two turned back to weave their way back to the monkey, her grin deepened. Any chance to cause pain equal to her own was going to be welcomed at this point. It wasn't fair, she hadn't counted on Marke and Claire falling in love and her being the other woman in the end even if she would of been viewed that way whoever he had married. As they stood within the crowd around the man with the monkey she absently twirled her ring on her finger. As DJ amerced himself in the monkey doing tricks, her voice lowered to a hushed whisper. "You should know, Prudence husband seems to be developing an addiction to gambling and has lost a considerable amount to the wrong people but angels are looking out for him." She steadily rocked back and forth on her heels and balls of her feet, her face scrunching up as the monkey came to close to her feet and then scurried away.

Marke: He had almost winced when she announced she had finished her shopping.. " Well of course then you should join us" it was the right words in a polite tone, but then again they were in public, and his son was in tow.. standing watching DJ play with the monkey and laugh at his antics's, Mark actually smiled and laughed a moment of off guarded pleasure in his sons joy, then immediately the guilt crashed back upon him and his smile faded to a more sober face, his jaw flinching with the exertion it took not to grab DJ up and just return home.. but then again.. she was everywhere.. Claire, in their home.. in DJ.. in the very air.. His shoulders slumped a bit, as he smiled as the boy turned back looking for his fathers approval at the mastery in which he commanded the small black and white creature that flipped and danced for the sweet dates.. When Ursula spoke of Prudence Husband.. Marke nodded matter of factly... " I will have a discussion with him " Ursula should know by his tone that the discussion would be anything, but cordial " Thank you for the information.. but why do you bother.. with my family any more ?"

Ursula:Her promise was as true as it ever was. As surely as white Lilly's appeared at Claire grave sight every day, one of her troupe was looking out for the Marke family. "You didn't cause Claire's death Marke, it is not your fault" She spoke without turning her eyes from the scene of the boy and the monkey though she was perhaps the only one not grinning, laughing or clapping. "One day you will find instead of frowning at her memory, that you are smiling and the pain is not so great. One day you will remarry, hopefully for love instead of someone tricking you into it." To this her lips twitched as if she would grin. She still gave herself a pat on the back for this little trickery of hers she played against him, despite the pain he was in now, Claire had been the best thing to happen to him even though Ursula missed the darker man she had fallen in love with. Idly her hand lifted and her fingers rubbed at an itch to her forehead rather then scratching at it. "If you wish, but the DA will handle it if you like." She retorted and then her attention did turn to him as he asked why she was still looking out for his family. "I would of thought that to be the most obvious Marke" She retorted and then turned her attention again as a woman shrieked but then began laughing as the monkey was now on her shoulder. Ursula brow shot up at the scene, better the woman then her. Instead of a delighted monkey, it would of been a dead monkey. "We have caused each other hurt Marke, I take Claire's death as my responsibility. Had I never come into your life, she never would of come into mine and therefor never into yours. But then you would not have DJ and you so obviously love him. So I take it into my responsibility, had I gathered information sooner, fit the pieces sooner, she would still be with you. I'm not seeking redemption. There is no redemption for my kind but I do seek that no more pain is inflicted on you and yours. It's largely because of me any of you felt it in the first place." the monkey was dancing its way back towards them and the dark look she gave the animal made its master call it away as if knowing no good would come of trying to seduce her with tricks. Briefly as the monkey scurried away her eyes turned to Marke's and then back.

Marke:He watched the monkey and his son through eyes that threatened tears as she spoke.. and he nodded " I would never wish you out of my life.. you.. have afforded me two great loves in my life, you and Claire.. and Claire gave me DJ. so you are right you are responsible for all the good in my life.. Regardless of what you feel or don't feel for me.. know this.. She didn't take your place.. she made a new one in my heart, only for her , but you were always there " He turned a took a long look at her before drawing a deep breath.. " DJ.. come... we must finish with our shopping the day grows late " he flipped the spice vendor a coin for his troubles and gathered the squirming boy into his arms.. turning abruptly and moving through the crowd toward the toy makers shop.. he had promised DJ a new toy.

Ursula:Her fingers wove with one another in front of her, blinking softly in time with the need to rest her eyes for a fraction of a second before opening again. To all she appeared as if eased and relaxed as they whispered back and forth to one another but with ever work he spoke, she felt her muscles tightening until she felt like screaming. "Stop it" She hissed and turned a dark look in his direction. "Just stop it." She jerked her skirts back as she took a step away from him but was still close enough that her hushed whisper reached his ears. "I never fit into your world Marke and you never fit into mine. That has not changed regardless of what I feel for you. You have DJ and he is good for you, he will keep you good. I...am not. As much as I wanted you to take my offer, to much as changed between us and it is good you did not. You are the light Marke, and I am the darkness. They never fit and it is never going to change. " Her lips pressed into a sight line as DJ was gathered up into his arms. She wasn't going to manage a smile for the little boy this time and as they turned and moved through the crowd, she took a step back into it and then turned in the opposite direction to head back to the theater.

Marke:He wanted to grasp her in his arms and kiss her quiet, to tell her to shut the hell up, that light needed dark, and he needed her.. but he didn't.. he just walked away... the little boy waving at her over his shoulder " Bye Bye Miss Urla " he called out as they ducked into the toy store.. did Marke's gait falter.. as he made it thorough the door.. he set the child down to look among the toys and took one last look at the departing backside of his Dark Angel.. closed his eyes.. and took a deep breath.. how could he be thinking of her.. with Claire barely dead some three weeks.. what kind of man was he?

Ursula:She caught them ducking into the toy store not even bothering saying goodbye to the waving child. She even shuddered when he called out to her, calling her Urla. Ugh, children! People were going about their business, some leisurely enjoying the coming night, finishing their shopping with no hurry while others rushed so they could get home to loved ones. Ursula paid them no mind to absorb with her darkness and pain. Thinking idly she rather craved it as much as she wished it away. She should of been paying attention....A woman's scream wrenched the coming night and people instead of leisurely shopping or hurried shopping were now running out of panic. "Get a healer!" a man was screaming to the chaotic mess of horrified people running away from the scene that broke where once there was a crowd of people now left to scattering people away from man lying in a growing pool of his own blood, his throat slit from ear to ear and Ursula not two feet away from him a growing bruise all ready marring her temple while the right side of her dress at the hip was torn slowly dampening and darkening with blood from her own wound.

Marke:The commotion of course caught his ears, and without thought he looked out down the street in the way she had disappeared, calling to the shopkeeper to keep and eye on the boy, he rushed out pushing through the crowd, hearing the call for a healer.. he pushed the last few people from around her.. for a moment he was in shock, staring at her... " Get a Healer DAMMIT!" he screamed.. as someone rushed off.. Immediately he was beside her, lifting her into his arms... " Oh God.. no.. no..." his voice seemed to melt over her, as his hand pressed on the wound at her hip..to staunch the flow of blood " Where's the dam Healer ?" he questioned the growing crowd.. one young girl stepped forward.. pointing in the direction of the toy store... " Just the other side is the old woman healer, Mcaardle.. " without even a thank you he lifted her and begin a quick walk to the healers , kicking open the door with his foot.. the old woman looking at him as if he were the devil himself, as she was gathering her things to come see what all the hull a balu was about...

Ursula: Her head rolled against him as he lifted her into his arms and she gave a groan as his hand pressed against her wound but otherwise did not stir. As he lifted up, a bloody dagger fell from her lack grasp as bobbled lazily in the air as he sprinted towards the healers place. Her body jerked as he kicked the healers door open but still, she did not stir. It wasn't until she was laid out on the table, her dress removed to her shift which was stained with her own and the healer was cleaning up the wound that her eyes began to blink into the deem light filling the small establishment. "Ow!" She growled as the needle and thread was poked through her skin to begin stitching the wound. She did not try to move as she felt the wound being stitched but her head rolled, her eyes scanning over the room before settling seemingly on the ceiling. "Where am I?" She groaned her body jerking as the tight stitches were sewn in.

Marke:He came back in as she came around, settling his son who played with his new toy on a low bench near the window, with a stern warning to stay put, as he pulled back the curtain where she was being tended.. " A healer.. be still you've got quite a nasty wound " he looked over his shoulder.. " The magistrate will be here soon.. what happened?" he questioned as he moved nearer to her taking her hand for her to grip onto as the old healer worked her tiny perfect stitches in the pale flesh... his eyes locked with hers, and he offered her a look of such genuine concern that she would know the truth of it.. " Was it a pick pocket.. ??"

Ursula: "Ah..I've had worse" She hissed as she felt the needle poke into her skin again. Her face displayed shock, remarkable for a woman who kept her emotions clear off her face but she could not help it. "A magistrate?! Are you insane?!" She hissed and made to get up only to be shoved back down by a hand and then her own taken into his. Her fingers curled against his knuckles, feeling his flesh for the first time in a long time and she let out a sigh with the feeling. Slowly her mouth parted and then closed again as she swallowed her mind working rapidly over what had happened. "I....think so. I don't know." Her head rolled as if looking to see the woman's work then turned to stare upward again. "Marke, why is she working in the dark? I can't see anything, how can she see anything?" It was as if the woman wasn't there and the only woman scowled at the patient she was tending to before tsking with her mouth anshaking her head since the exam room was flooded with light when he pulled the curtain back but perhaps the old woman was bitter at being treated like she wasn't there for she said nothing about it being perfectly clear in the room.

Marke:"Ursula it's quite light " he spoke before he realized that she couldn't' see his voice trailed off as he moved his free hand before her face, watching as her eyes didn't focus at all on his fingers.. a look of panic at the healer.. and she shook her head, and murmured " Got a knock on the head, may have scrambled her eyes like eggs" she shrugged indifferently, all she wanted was the coin he promised her, she cared not what happened to the hell cat on the table... " Just relax, baby.. I'm sure it will clear up " he spoke in soft comforting tones.. as the door opened and closed and the Magistrate waited in the outer room with the little boy.. " Tell me what happened so I can relay it to the Magistrate while she finishes up with your stitches" he was going to act as if she wasn't blind.. maybe he was better at pretend than she gave him credit for.. or perhaps he was just scared out of his mind that she was permanently blind.

Ursula:Her mouth opened and then closed again as she looked confused. His hand was not seen nor followed and she did not scowl at him when the panic crossed his face for she didn't see it. The old woman was growled at old woman's indifferent voice. "My hearings just fine" She hissed as her hand tightened on Marke's and then pulled away as he called her baby and even though she couldn't see him, she was scowling in his direction. Tell him what happened? It had happened so quickly. "Uh, um, I don't know. I felt this bump against my side and when I turned my head to look, something swung in front of my eyes and I felt this sharp pain on my temple. I saw the hand jerk back so I reacted, I took out my dagger, I started getting dizzy, my vision started to get blurry and darken but I saw the hand coming at me again, I swung my dagger, I must of missed because the hand grabbed him and jerked me against a body, by that time I was ready to black out, I felt a stab in my side so I grabbed the shirt and then just ripped by dagger across the persons neck." Her face no longer was confused nor shocked, it had returned to a blank stare. She could not wrap her mind around it. Not what happened but her vision. Why couldn't she see.

Marke:"Ok ok.. " he soothed.. " I'll be right back.. just calm yourself, and let her finish up on you" he untangled his hand from hers and went out into the other room speaking with the Magistrate and greasing his palm with several gold griffins, with promise of more to make the .. problem go away.. soon enough the man had left, with a jingle in his pocket, and the dead man would be taken care of.. no further actions toward the unfortunate victim Miss Darling. When he returned to her side.. he spoke softly " Looks like she's got you all stitched up, and wrapped up.. but you will need rest and care.. I'm taking you home with me.. no.. arguments.. " his hand found hers again.. and squeezed it softly... " Let me take care of you"

Ursula:Her hand moved to her head, raking into her hair and back to the table before she scuffed and threw her hand down onto the table just waiting. Several times she blinked as if that would clear up her vision but the whole time she kept silent. She didn't know this healer. Domina would be jealous and the thought made her huff with a laugh. The felt a salve being brushed with a finger over the stitches and felt the body move away. She could hear the sounds of Marke and the magistrate though it sounded muffled but she knew Marke was back by the sound of his shoes on the floor. As he spoke, her mouth opened and when he said no arguements, surpringly her mouth closed. The DA had things to do, people to tail, the theater to tend to. They didn't need to be taking care of her. As bloody as her group was with no remorse for their kills, they were teddy bears tending to each other when one was hurt as they would a brother or a sister. They were family albeit a twisted family but she didn't want them babying and coddling her and keeping away from their work. She also didn't want to be tended to Mark as if a child. He had enough on her plate but what else was she to do? She had no one else and that was the plain fact of it. she felt his hand squeeze her own and let out a sigh shrugging even as she laid out upon the table. "All right". The healer held out a hand for payment and Ursula listened to the coins hitting the woman's hand. She was going to pay him back for this, of that she had no doubt. "Give her this if'n she be hurtin" the old woman spoke passing a bottle to Marke and then the old woman tottled out of the room. She took Marke's arm to sit up and felt the cloak wrapped around her shoulders before she was lifted up into his arms and carried back to the Manor listening to DJ chatter until she couldn't stand the throb in her head and side anymore and let herself succumb to darkness once more.

[Ursula Darling]

Warning: Log is of a graphic nature. Do not read if easily offended by play of a sexual nature.

Marke:Good to his word he had indeed taken care of her, she had been installed in Marke Mannor, in a plush guest room, physicians and a round the clock nurse was set to see to her care, her stab wound was healing nicely after a few days, but it was her lack of sight that concern not only Marke but the healers as well.. several times he had railed and screamed at the healers, and threw them out, when they could not offer a cure to her blindness.. and thus a parade of healers had insued, each one offering the same prognosis.. wait and see. It was excruciating for him, and must be driving her crazy being cooped up and ordered on bed rest by the majority of all the healers that had seen her..so it was late evening, this day at Marke Manor, and business had called Marke away most of the day, but now he returned, asking the housekeeper if there had been any change and receiving the same answer as days past.. no change.. he didn't' even have to ask where DJ was.. as since Ursula had moved in he spent almost every moment awake near her.. Marke knew it was because she looked so much like Clair.. and that DJ was still grieving, and he couldn't bear to tell the boy that he could not, but cautioned him not to bother Ursula and always ask permission to be in her company.. Up the stairs and too the suite that Ursula now resided in.. his jacket over his arm, already he loosened his caveat, and vest.. as he rapped upon the door lightly.. " Ursula.. I'm home " he called out as he swung open the door, he couldn't help but smile at the sight, Ursula was in bed.. resting.. and on the floor near the unlit fireplace quietly drawing on some paper was DJ, laying on his belly.. casting glances every now and again at Ursula, the Nurse was sitting in a chair near the window reading to them both.. for a moment his heart caught in his throat so this was what could have been.

Ursula:She had never believed he would be anything but good to his word. He was a good man and she, well she was the constant darkness lingering in the shadows waiting to pounce. She had never believed, never seen a moment where they could be one big happy family. Happiness was something out of the past. Like looking through a window at a dress or item you wanted but could not afford. You could see it and yet never touch it. The memories were there but left in their own shadows. Her stab wound was healing nicely, she heard it over and over again but the question of her sight still remained uncertain. Still a darkness where barely shadows lingered in the light of day and still she did not complain and true to herself, the emotion never displayed panic nor worry over the state of her eyes. Wait and see, it was the same answer every time, even some offering that it was up to God and this was rewarded with a snort from her place in the bed. Always God, everything was up to their so called God. Even when Mark leas them from the room before letting his anger explode she could still hear him. She would of been surprised if he did not send off for healers in other countries since the ones here could not offer an answer but then, she would of been displeased had he done so considering it was a waste of money. They would have to wait and see. That was all there was to it. Though not fond of kids, when DJ asked to be within her chambers, she did not refuse, not having the heart to turn away Claire's son even if his annoying pronunciation of her name did irk her, normally he was quite pleasant, content to sit in the room and play by himself or draw. All he wanted as to be near her and so she could not refuse it. When Marke left for the day and DJ had awoken and come into her room as he normally did, she was feeling better then she had in days, often plagued with pounding headaches now that left her brow slick with sweat, she had none all morning and into the afternoon. For once she was quite content to lay in bed and do nothing though the nurse today was quite irritating always asking how she felt and always receiving the same answer until Ursula threatened to hang the woman out the window by her knickers and this was rewarded with a gasp from the woman and a hearty laugh by the little boy, the woman choose to be silent, or at least concerning Ursula health and read. It wasn't until later in the evening a headache set in and Ursula tried to abide it, not wanting to give into the woman after having threatened her. Her forehead began to perspire and she turned her head away from the nurse's knowledge of it and squeezed the sheets in effort to release some of the pain. It was then Marke rap came to the door and she rubbed her head against the pillows to relieve some of the sweat there as she heard the door open. "Hi" She breathed and shifted on the bed to sit up a little further. "We've been waiting for you to get home to have dinner. Nurse, will you let the kitchen staff know?" She asked staring at the wall rather then trying to turn her head to find the woman.

Marke:The little boy had jumped up from the floor and pounced into his fathers arms , where he was cuddled and tickled, soundly, as Marke Dropped his coat and tie upon and empty chair.. " Dinner.. hmm are your humgry?" he teased purposely misstating the word as DJ always said Humgry instead of Hungry. The little boy squealed and nodded as Marke put him down and swatted his butt, " Go with Nurse and get you some dinner.. and Nurse have mine and Miss Darlings sent up please.. " he chuckled as both the Nurse and the little boy left the room and he closed the door behind him, heading over to the bed and settling beside her.. a cool hand reaching out to her brow.. " your feverish again.. do I need to call a healer ?" the tone of complete worry edged into his deep voice.. as his hand slid from forehead to cheek, cupping it lightly then over her arms.. " headaches again?" he growled as if they were some dragon he himself could slay for her.

Ursula:Hands cupped into her lap as she listened to father and son. Unable to see the teasing smile on Marke's lips or see DJ face light up as he laughed at how his father imitated him with the word. For her, she just sighed and turned her head listening to the ruffle of shoes on the floor as the nurse took the little boys hand and together they left the room. The click of the door let her know they were alone but the weight upon the bed let her know Marke was there. She sighed with his hand against her forehead. It felt so good, not just the touch of him but the coolness of his hand. "Your cold. Is it winter all ready while I am cooped up in this bed?" She teased lightly and then nodded as she reached for his hand taking it into her own away from her face "Yes headaches, no...no healers. No more healers, they are turning my stomach more then the pain of the headache does. It's going away." A smile curled at her lips with growl and she knew it was irritating him he couldn't undo any of this himself. "You've spent enough money on my care as it is. I should be going soon so you do not spend more." The smile slid from her lips as she leaned back upon the pillows. "I should of never come back to begin with. This island is to small for me to keep my promise that I would never bother you again, that you would never see me again." Suddenly she let out a laugh. "Well, considering the circumstances, I can't see you" The smile curled her lips into a smile again. "so in a way I haven't broken all of my promise." She found this quite amusing even if he likely wouldn't.

Marke: " The money is nothing don't worry about it.. and your no bother at all.. " he wanted to tell her that indeed this should have been her house long ago as his wife, but he didn't want to stress her anymore.. " And your promise is moot now, as Claire is gone, and I want to see you, I want you here " his fingers traced up and down her shoulder softly pressing her up as he slid behind and begin to lightly massage at the base of her neck, so that her body half reclined on his.. " it seems as though no matter where or when we will end up in the same vicinity.. why fight it ?" he spoke soft knowing her head was still pounding, his fingers working over stiffened muscles and hopefully helping with her headache some, if not.. perhaps conveying that he still loved her within his touch..

Ursula:"You got better things to spend your money on then me." She retorted and then shifted as she felt him press her up and slid in behind her. She let out a laugh and then winced as her head began to throb once more from it. She hummed in a moan as his hands began to massage at her shoulders and the base of her neck. Eyelids slid closed as she relished the feeling, enjoying the feeling of her muscles relaxing under the tender touch. She sighed as he spoke about them always ending up in the same vicinity and why should they fight it. There was a million years why to fight it and only one reason not to and just like always, she didn't want to admit she still loved him as much today as she did three years ago. "I could give you a million reasons why, but I know you. You will shoot down every one, won't you?" Her head turned only to swivel back again as his fingers massaged at her neck and she felt with the loosening of her muscles that her headache was dissolving. "I grow tired of trying to fight you, I really do Marke but that doesn't mean I renounce who I am, nor do I expect you too. You have a little boy to look after and at the end of the day, I still kill for money." She pressed her weight back on him, pushing so he would know to stop massaging her neck. "So the question isn't, why fight it, its what do we now?"

Marke: " we wait and see " he mimicked the healers prognosis of her sight back at her... " Take one day at a time and enjoy what we have been given" he stayed his hands from massaging her and just let them fall lightly around her shoulders clasping over her middle.. his thumb idly rubbing over the nightgown there.. as his lips dipped down to press a kiss to her temple.. and whisper in her ear.. " No matter what.. I will always be here for you.. sight, or no sight, angel or demon.. you Ursula will always be mine.. and me yours.. "

Ursula: She snorted and rolled her head back against his shoulder. "You sound like one of those bible thumping idiots. Enjoy what we're given by God. An how do you suppose we work that out? Your belief against my own non belief." She hummed a soft sigh as he kissed her temple. "No matter what huh? Marke, there is so much working against us. I can't involve you in what I do. I wanted it, I won't lie. That darker side of you that you only hint on every blue moon, it excites me so and yet, I cannot deny the good man that you are nor that you now have a child to consider. As much as I detest children, you have a good boy and he will one day be a good man like you are." Her hands rose to clasp over his own and squeeze. "an I like a plague will destroy that. It is something I cannot deny either. Yes, I will always be yours and you will always be mine but what happens that one day when my work filters into your life? I cannot wait and see what happens. I know what will happen, it will threaten you and it will threaten DJ. It will put your lives in danger and I cannot have that much as I want you. I risk many things, but your lives is not something I will risk, not while there is breath in my body."

Marke: A finger lifted as pressed against her lips softly " Shut up.. no wonder your head hurts " he purred.. " I'm man enough to handle anything, and you thinking that I cannot is what got us to this place to begin with.. Ursula..just trust me.. take some time.. see what happens... who knows.. you might not like me after all these years... or I may find your incessant nay saying tragically nagging and boot you out on your butt " he laughed.. letting his finger fall from her lips... "For now.. just enjoy the moment.. and don't jinx it with what ifs.

Ursula: Her lips curled into a grin as he pressed his fingers against her lips. "Man enough to handle anything? Oh yes, I all most forgotten how you don't like to listen to a request. You might one day live to eat those words my dear" She purred in return. "I have always spoken in the negative, what makes you think I am going to stop now? I look to the possible misfortunes, its what's kept me alive. "She blew a raspberry against his finger and then hummed in a laugh. "Oh I do believe I am beginning to dislike you Sir. You've become tragically boring. There is no fire in you. How very sad. I loved that biting tongue of yours. Have you forgotten how to use it as well? That would be a tragedy. I hear married men often loose the ability to please a woman in bed. " She was teasing him, that much was plain.

Marke: "I've not forgotten anything, nor did marriage dull my abilities.. " he chuckled and leaned forward tipping her jaw upward to him , " shall I remind you ?" he teased softly, his lips only a breath from hers, fingers curled into the dark tendrils of her hair.. and cupping the base of her neck.. the other hand swept from her belly to her back..pulling her up a bit.. with a dark growl his lips lowered slowly, claiming hers.. it was not the kiss of an innocent, nor that of a man who was still making up his mind about her.. but rather that of a man who had at last come home, claiming what was rightfully his.

Ursula: "Oh I do believe I've pricked your pride" She teased in a purr as her head lulled back with the tipping of her chin upward. She felt his breath so close and warm on her own lips. If only she could see his face but all she saw was a shadowy outline in the darkness. "Remind me" She purred low and sultry. She felt his lips press in on her own as he growled low and it sent a tingle down her spine as if he were some animal and she the prey. How she had missed the animal in him. His lips were painfully crushed to her own and yet she only moaned in return with delight as her hand rose and tangled in his hair at the back of his head as her body rolled to his own, her breasts mashing against his own chest as her other arm curled around his side. Oh she had forgotten he could kiss her like this, claiming every part of her and leaving her feeling as if he asked her anything, she would agree, just because she was so cloudy headed to think straight. "Remind me" She purred again within a whisper against his lips dark and sultry.

Marke:The kiss lingered, and built.. then seemed to recede like the tide as she murmured against his lips to remind her again.. it was all he could do not to roll her over and make love to her right then and there " Your still recovering..." he moaned. his hands slipping down over her breast and squeezing softly... his thumb rolling over the nipple.. " I don't want to hurt you " he murmured as his lips fell to her neck and begin to tease and suckle softly.

Ursula:She began to pant and moan as his hand slid down over her breast and his lips teased to her neck. Her hand ran down his front over his chest and down his thigh only to move back up again as she loosened at his belt and button to his trousers. He was hesitant, she was not. "You won't hurt me" She whispered softly as her head lulled backward to the teasing her neck and she uttered a long sigh as if finally, she had found home once more after being lost. "Please don't stop" She moaned in a beg. "Behind me, behind me won't hurt me. Just please, don't stop." Her hands jerked his trousers open before claiming his face between her hands as she brought his lips to hers once more, missing for a spare beat of a second when her nose bumped his and then her lips found his again. Her mouth moved against his own, teasing his own where her tongue dove inward to tease and tantalize his mouth as her tongue danced with his own.

Marke: A dark groan as she pulled him down into a kiss that sucked all the fight from him that it would hurt her, or worsen her state.. he pushed upward.. and from the bed.. standing.. untangling himself from her.. breathing heavily.. " you are a siren.. so beautiful " his hands cupped her face as he leaned down once more to kiss her lips.. teasingly this time.. before withdrawing... his footsteps receding.. toward the door... then the locked clicked in place barring any interruption.. to what was to come, smiling to himself he stripped off his shirt and kicked off his boots, then moved back to her once again... " now we will not be interrupted... " his hands slid down her arms.. to find the hem of the gown lifting it over her head and tossing it aside..then pressing her back into the pillows... " I think you were doubting my abilities?"

Ursula: As he tried to untangle himself from her, she pulled him down into a kiss again before letting out a laugh as he fought to get out of the bed and finally she let him go. "A siren that begs you to her bed rather then to your death" She purred in a tease as her lips curled again into a grin only to have her delicate brows lift in confusion as he left the bedside and his boots could be heard going across the floor. When the lock clicked into place she grinned again and opened her arms to him. Hers fingers curled around his sides as she lifted to capture his lips only to feel him pull away and she let out a huffing laugh only to feel his hands lifting the gown upward. Raising her hands, her head rolled as the opening pulled off her head and she could hear the material hit the ground even as she was pressed back into the pillows. "Oh yes my Lord, I see your lips have not lost their touch in a kiss, but I still quite doubt your abilities."

Marke: He chuckled down at her.. as he pressed her down into the bed with a hand to her shoulder, , gently though with enough pressure for her to be assured his intent was passionate and not to be deterred..the rest of his clothes joined her nightgown on the floor.. before her foot was lifted upward, his hands sliding along the length of her long legs, skimming over them as if they were silk.. followed by lips kissing the inner arch of her small foot, then over the top, and upward, until they reached the knee where they tarried , paying homage to the sweet joint, with and artful variety of sucking, nibbling and tasting, all soothed by kisses and warm breath.. slowly he inched his way up her thigh... his thumbs hooking over her hipbones.. rubbing teasingly.. as his lips followed in slow torture the route upward.. lathing her thigh with much the same treatment as her lower leg had been issued.. and awaiting her response.. he did not ask how many lover she had , in the years that had separated them.. he didn't want to know.. all he knew was that she had come back to him.. and she was his.. always.

Ursula: She hummed in a small laugh as she settled back against the pillows smirking in the direction she could hear him undressing, there was no doubt of the challenging look upon her face. Her head rolled as he took her foot into his hand and she laughed when his lips caught the tender flesh that caused her skin to tingle with the ticklish flesh under the assault of his lips. Pressing a hand to her mouth, her head rolled again as his lips worked a trail upward to the bend of her knee as her leg hooked backward welcoming him further in and her laughter turned to a softly uttered sighing moan as she pressed her head further into the pillows and closed her eyes to the feeling of his lips against her skin. It had been so long since his lips had touched her skin that she had nearly forgotten how his touches could ignite her skin into a burning inferno. He would find a surprise at her inner thigh, a black tattoo of etched angel wings around an opal stone, much like the design of her ring, the ink had been branded into her flesh melting into the silkiness of it. Did he wonder how many men had seen this mark on her, for it was in the most intimate portion of her body. Did he wonder at who had put it there and if they had lusted after her skin while painting such a mark upon her skin? He made no note of it and she made no distinguishing signs that she knew he had seen it. How could see when she could not see him but she knew he had seen it when his lips found the inside of her thigh. Even if he had asked, it was not likely she would reveal such detail, he had been married then and much to her knowledge, hated her. It was in the past was it not? Even if the shadow of a lover lurked within her group of assassins. Yes she had taken Zach to her bed and many times but she was not likely to reveal that information eithernor what Zach had in common with Marke and it was not the tender portions of her flesh. "Marke" She hummed in a soft moan as he teased her thigh and made no further inclination that he was moving upward. "You damned tease" She hissed down at him though her lips were curling into a grin.

Marke: Had she been able to see, she would have seen the look upon his face, one of curiosity, then darkening with wonder of who else had been privy to the design etched upon milky skin, his lips avoided the exact position of the tattoo, looking up as she cursed him for a tease, had she been able to see the celebratory grin on his lips she would have laughed.. " Still doubting Milady?" he growled suggestively.. hands still gripping her hips, thumbs over the inner bones and fingers wrapped around her shapely ass.. lifting her just a bit from the bed.. so that he maneuvered to find a place between her legs.. then releasing her gently again onto the bed... if she thought perhaps now his lips would seek the sweetness of her womanhood.. she would be surprised as he settle back and drew the other foot upward.. and begin the sweet torture again... from ankle to thigh he took his time, even more so it seemed torturing her..on the endless trek up the silken road of her calves, knees and further upward.. to her thighs...a wicked grin, and a dark laugh broke her moaning and sighing.. " beg me... " he purred... fingers again gripping her hips harshly lifting her ass from the bed, so that his breath was felt upon the little patch of dark hair that sheltered her most intimate flesh " Beg me " he urged again..

Ursula: That look on his face, had she seen it, would of somewhat delighted her, as she couldn't see, it she could only feel his lips skirt around the design against her flesh only for his hands to tighten around her thighs as he asked if still doubted. For a moment her lips curled upward in defiance and then fell as he lifted her ass off the bed into his grip and she felt his breath against the folds of her sex that she gasped. "Oh no my lord, no doubting left" She purred as her fingers curled into the pillow under her head only to be disappointed and surprised as he lowered her bottom back to the bed and her other foot was lifted up to be teased and loved as the other had. "Marke!" She let out a gasp of surprise and letting on to her disappointment as he lavished her leg and thigh with his lips. That dark laugh had her face darkening. Even if she could not see him, the look clearly said she would make him pay. Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow but one day he would pay! For a moment she bit against her lower lip, not wanting to abide his request that she beg but she was burning hot and feverish with the need of his sweet and yet torturous affections. "Please" She groaned between biting at her lips and when her ass was lifted again from the bed, quite roughly, she let out a gasp again and tightened her grasp of the pillow in her fist. "Please!" She let out a rather rough and loud moan. "My love, please" She begged and quite unashamed of it. When had she ever been ashamed to begin with. Her hips wiggled and rolled in his grasp in need.


Fade to Black....


Ursula: Together they reached that all most impossible high. Letting out a loud groan, she pushed back against him and shuddered, her interior muscles gripping him tight, milking him as he released within her. Panting and heaving for the need of breath, her body rolled lazily with his body off to the side. Her hand curled around his own arm around her side as her chest heaved for the need of air. "Now that's how you take care of a headache" She panted put between intakes of breath and pressed back against him with a soft hum of a laugh leaving her lips as she enjoyed the feeling of afterglow. She'd nearly forgotten how rough he could be but she also supposed it was a deep animalistic need to possess her all over again for she had the same notion. Even her side was twitching with a small amount of pain but she ignored it as she pressed her head into the pillow. Satisfied and without headache, she now felt completely exhausted so that it did not take her long to fall asleep not realizing two of her stitches had popped in their quest to dominate and possess one another all over again.

[Ursula Darling]

Ursula:The staff of Marke Manor marveled that Ursula sight had returned and it was a private joke between the master of the house and his mistress that his coke had mystical powers, hence the return of her sight. After waking in bloody sheets, Marke had sworn not to touch her, livid that she hadn't expressed any pain and concerned about her stitches but really it was nothing and after several days of sexual tension, he broke his promise not to touch her till her wound healed and hence, the return of her sight. At least that time they did not rebreak the stitching and Ursula simply marveled in a leisure life for the remaining days even taking pen to paper still stuck in bed to begin work on new play, this one a comedy. It wasn't long until a Barrister came to see her and left her with the knowledge Claire wanted to bequeath Regency Court, her family home to Ursula with Marke approval and Ursula had in turn hired the Barrister to rewrite the deed to Zach though she had yet to discuss that with him. She didn't think he would object and besides, Marke still had to approve the transfer of deed from himself to her and so on and so forth. Her wound was healing beautifully though but she stayed abed even when Marke left for the day for more business. She didn't ask and he didn't tell, just as he never asked about her other business beside the theater. Boy, she missed the theater.

Zach:Zach had been a constant companion since Ursula had left Skye some almost four years ago.. since then they had been lovers, companions and confidants.. after all he was the one person in all the world who knew her before her original arrival in Skye.. he knew her secrets and guarded them well.. Days has passed while he awaited her return then a week.. Only her ever silent and deadly Domina passing thru the doors of Marke Manor to report back to the crew of the Dark Angles on the Mistress's condition.. Twice he had left the theater to go to Marke Manor to get her, retrieve her and bring her home.. the fact that she resided there... with him.. Lord Donal Marke..ate away at his guts made him crazy.. but each time he just stood outside the manor gates and then returned to the theater to drink the night away.. That was something that ran in the blood.. the tendency for drink.. This afternoon however he would not turn away.. he would be met in the entry way by a butler, and convince the man to show him to Ursula's suite..then knocked..and opened the door.. expecting to find her lying in bed, so weak she could not return to them.. surprise she was propped up in luxury.. writing, looking devastatingly beautiful, and well able to travel.. " I thought you had lost your sight.. you see rather...good at writing for a blind woman " his voice was churlish, that of a jealous and scorned lover.

Ursula:Visits by Domina were in between and hushed over business, always coded for prying ears but Domina had a streak about her that made even Ursula wonder. She still commanded the woman to keep the rest of the crew away and on her last visit, that her sight had returned. She wasn't ready to go back to the theater. Ursula was not a woman seen as being easily scared but she was indeed scared, deep down inside, that if and when she returned, that darkness would come back and she was basking in the glow of happiness in being with Marke. He was the light to her darkness, shining brightly to ward away the shadows. As much as she loved the shadows, she also sometimes thought of them melting away completely and of course feeling guilty for 'playing' house when there so much still unsaid though she had made herself believe she had no more secrets with him. It was laughable that she would convince herself of such. As the knock came, her head lifted and then a smile pulled at her lips, her whole face lit up when Zach came in and she waved James who had brought the man to leave. "Zach, come in..." She purred and then turned her head ever so slightly at his sour nature making his words bitter. "I got it back a few days ago, popped my stitches and reopening my wound in the process." She offered as wiggled to the side of the bed grunting as her stitches pulled while she reached to set the lapboard and writing aside on the end table then hissed as she shuffled back to lean against the pillows as her side twinged with pain. "Marke is paying the medical bills, so I felt it only right to listen to the doctors advice and stay in bed as they bid me to do." Not that she couldn't afford the doctors bill but when Marke wanted something, it was hard to change his mind. One often had to go to breaking his heart and mind and she had sworn not to do that again. "Come here, sit" She patted the bed beside her. "I have missed you."

Zach:His arms merely crossed over his chest as he stood looking at her.. her good mood or admission of missing him, not swaying him in the least.. " He pays for what besides your medical needs.. does he pay for your time too.. like he did before" it really galled him to see her here back in this house.. with that .... man.. " Do you not remember him throwing you out naked in the snow.. loosing your child.. because of him and now you lay in his bed like some.. princess..?" he couldn't' believe his eyes.. that she would allow such.. " You need to come home to the theater and break whatever hold this man has on you.. it will lead to no good.. "

Ursula:Her fingers lingered where she patted but her eyes were on him as his arms crossed over his chest. Her chin lifted ever so slightly. He was cross and she knew it. They had known each other a long time and he was perhaps the only soul on this earth who knew everything about her. It spoke volumes that he was still here. It spoke volumes of his character and yes, part of her loved him for it. Not that she had ever realized before Marke what love truly was. Loving two men was complicated and she wasn't going down that road so she simply didn't admit it and didn't allow herself to think it. "That's all he pays for. I'm not a courtesan anymore Zach, you of all people should know this." Wiggling, albeit slowly, she edged to the side of the bed and threw her legs over. "Oh I remember but it wasn't his fault I lost the baby, I walked in the snow naked." Chocolate eyes rose to his and she let out a laugh. "Oh don't throw this into my face Zach or else I'll throw it in your face that you f**k me to get back at him." With this she pulled the ends of her nightgown up till her thighs were displayed for him as if a gesture of her words till she threw the ends of the nightgown down again with a sigh. "I was planning to come back to the theater in a few days. Why do you believe being with him will lead to no good? He didn't accept my offer to join the DA, that says something."

Zach: "Because you loose yourself in being with him and you know it " he scowled at her crude behavior in raising her nightgown.. " Quite acting like a whore then.. " he snarled.. closing the door behind him harshly " I don't f**k you only to get back at him.. and if that is what you think then.. I should go.." he advanced on her.. grasping her by the arms and pulling her to him... " But I think you f**k him.. to get a rise out of me.. one day.. you are going to have to choose.. and you don't fit in his nice and tidy life..." his thumb came up to caress her cheek.. rubbing a bit harshly.. " You'll always have a dirty spot beneath that ivory skin.. I know all about it " with that he released her.. like a doll tossed aside.. " I should have never come here"

Ursula: "Oh not only" She taunted at him and then let out a scuff as she shook her head. "I don't loose myself in being him, you fear the lose of me in being with him." She couldn't help but grin though when she said she was acting like a whore. She loved to get him angry. He and Marke were so much alike in their anger. Dark. She hissed as he pulled her up by her arms, her mouth gapping open as her stitches yanked painfully. "I f**k him because I enjoy it." She retorted then jerked her head away as he caressed her cheek albeit harshly then released her. "I know plenty about you too Zach.." And she paused pressing a hand against her aching side and then shuffled forward laying a hand on his arm and pulling him to turn to look at her. Calmly her hand rose and pressed against his face and moved up and through his hair. "Why are you angry at him? Because he got both his parents while his father wanted nothin to do with the son he had out of lust? Because he got everything, the family love as well as the money and house?" the movements of her hand stilled and lowered so her hand was pressed against his shoulder. "Don't be jealous Zach, you think I have forgotten about you in all of this? I haven't. Claire's left me Regency Court and as long as Marke signs off on it, which I gather he will, I've hired a barrister to sign the deed over to you, although it will be quite private, he's not ready to know he has a brother, especially when you hold such bitterness towards him." Her hand fell to rest on his chest. "I haven't forgotten who I was or what I have done to become who I am today, and I do remember, you've stood beside me all the while. There is no need to be cruel."

Zach:"So this is what you are about acquiring a Estate to give to me for services rendered, to ease your guilt? " he jerked away from her.. " You make it seem as if my anger is misplaced.. he has everything, wealth power standing.. and you " he shoved at her hands pushing them away from him.. " I don't' care what he feels, or is ready for... I care about you " shaking his head he turned to the door jerking it open harshly.. " you think I want his leavings...I don't want anything he has to offer.. except one thing.. and that.. is you " he turned and gazed at her.. " Make your choice you have a week.." with that the door was opened and he stepped through it.. this had been a bad idea from the start, returning to Skye.. coming here... loving her... bad ideas.

Ursula: Even as he pushed her away she laughed moving again to sit on the bed. "What guilt?" She shook her head and snorted. "A woman likes me doesn't know guilt Zach, I am acquiring Regency Court but I don't have use for it. I have the DAT and its one thing I've always wanted, you know that. I want Regency Court for you. So you can make a standing for yourself." She sat down as he jerked the door open. "Why do you men always have to make it so complicated!" She spit out feeling her anger rising. "Choose this...or choose that. I'd expect it of a woman." As he passed through the door, she shifted back on the bed, pulling herself slowly. "I'll be back at the theater tomorrow, have the team ready to review the new play." She retorted as the door closed before her and she collected her papers again to continue writing.

[Ursula Darling]

Ursula: Ursula had been true to her word returning to the DAT in the morning after Zach's visit. From there the day seemed to move in a blurr and moreso since she was A. avoiding Zach and B. Not speaking to him. She was livid from their conversation not understand why he would make an ultimatum and secondly, say that Marke was no good for her. He had known her for a long time, known that there was this darker part of her only tempered by the dark curled haired nobleman who also held her heart. She had been true to her word and that meant everything, she went back to the Theater for the day only to take her leave of the place and her company to return to Marke that night in time for dinner and then blissful peace when DJ was taken upstairs to bed by his nanny albeit whining the whole time. Her play had been put aside, a first for her and not likely to be the last but it was a marvel really, or should be viewed as such since when she started something, she did not stop until finished. The play could wait as she set at a table in the drawing room with Marke shuffled the cards and then dealing them out as the lanterns around the room glowed with light that seemed to come from a different world. "Explain to me..."she mused her eyes focused on her cards. "What makes a man act like a woman in wanting a solitaire commitment?" She was still stewing over her conversation with Zach though she hadn't told Marke about it. To mention it would open a can of worms and she wasn't sure this was the time or place for that.

Marke: He eyed her from across the table as his hands shuffled the cards deftly.. then dealt them, leaning back in his chair he chuckled at her question " Research for you play, or is this a question about our relationship?" he had lit a cigar and puffed on it lightly blowing blue black smoke into the air above his head.. fanning his cards withdrawing two, and discarding them, then dealing himself two, while he looked at her in question, of if she wanted to draw or not.. exchanging her cards.. his other hand played over his coins rolling them over his fingers.. as he waited to see what her answer was on both counts..

Ursula: She shuffled her cards in turn pulling two and waiting for two before reshuffling her cards again and shifted them to one hand as she lifted her glass of red wine and took a gulp from it. Much had changed in three years, her views on alcohol for one. She drank maybe one or two glasses at most, any more and she was in her cups. She didn't hold alcohol well. She hummed in a laugh as she swallowed and set her glass back down. "Now why would I question our relationship?" She mused with a grin. "I thought we were going to take things slowly, I would assume that means no holds on one another." Her fingers rapped onto the glass and then she leaned up, her hands posed over her own stack of coins in wait. "I just find it absurd that a man can take as many as a hundred women to his bed and not be called anything for it, change it to a woman and she is instantly labeled a whore OR a woman preens and moans about finding a man who will be true to only her, it doesn't matter if he will be loyal or not, loyal is not the same as true but what makes a man act that way?"her eyes rose to his face then.

Marke: He laid three coins on the table.. " 3 silver griffins.. to the lady, see raise or.. fold " he purred.. watching her with intense scrutiny, for more reasons than the card game , it was time to call her bluff " You are entirely right in your assumption, we are taking it slowly, and have no holds on one another " he took a long draw on his cigar, and puffed out another ring of smoke.. fanning the cards shut and holding them in the palm of his hand. " I'm free to take whomever I wish to my bed without any fear that you will be jealous, or bytchy, merely because another mouth suckles my coke, or another ass, is beneath my hands as I ride her into the mattress " now he was really intent on her response, he knew her well, and even the accomplished actor that she was, there would likely be some sign of irritation at his comments, some pithy reply.. in the same vein about taking a lover to her bed.. " And vice versa, no matter who you take to your bed I would not rail and scream at you, I know you have needs.. and what we share is enough " he added three more coins to the stack after she saw him " Raise " he said off handily before another draw was taken from his cigar, he was almost laughing at the absurdity of the conversation.. " But then again if I catch you in bed with another or so much as smell another coke about your girl-thingy, I will kill the man, and bury him in the rose garden for fertilizer.. " he smiled a smile that was cold and somewhat convincing, then covered it with a humored laugh... was he joking.. no " Your turn Darling " he purred.. the cigar clamped between his teeth.

Ursula: She placed her three in and when he raised, she added three more to the pot, tossing the coins into the middle and let them clink together. Chocolate eyes moved from her cards up to his face and with a simple pat the cards to line them together in her hand. This was a trick, a slender brow rose a quarter of an inch upward. She heard about these types of conversations between husbands and wives where there was no right answer. Like 'does this dress color make me look fat or plumpy', no right answer in and often left the woman, as it was always their fault mad at the answering husband even though they had tricked them into it. Lips pursed as he had to put into detail of a sexual relation someone well not her. He didn't HAVE to go into detail but she knew him well enough he was doing it to get a rise out of her. She let out a snort of a laugh as he seemed to contradict himself. "So I can take a man to my bed and scream at him to shove his coke harder into me, scratch and bite at him as we f**k each other hotly just as long as you don't catch us or smell him on me. Oh who could resist such an agreement" She purred offering him a grin. "Oh be still my fluttering heart, you do know how to turn a woman on." She retorted that he would use the mans corpse as fertilizer. She played with her coins then, lifting three. "I'll raise you three" and she threw them onto the pot. Ha! scrutinize that!

Marke: He watched her raise once more, chuckling as she parried with a scene of sexual conquest of her own, yes it galled him to even think of another man with her, touching her kissing her.. she belonged to him dammit.. and she knew it as much as he belonged to her... " Perhaps since you are so lenient in your relationship with me, and allow such.. flexibility you wouldn't mind joining in with another lady some night, perhaps you could even pick.. I could take you by the Lilly.. we can have them line up and model for us.. wouldn't that be grand " another long smoke and he tapped his ashes on a crystal ashtray before returning it to his lips, and making a sound of discontent as he looked at his cards then at the table of coins.. his eyes lifted above his cards.. to meet hers in challenge.. " I call bullchyt... your bluffing.." the words held a meaning that had little to do with the card game before them..

Ursula: Her face twisted with disgust. She was not into women in the slightest, even the idea of a woman touching her made her stomach squeeze in repulse. "I'm sure you find it tempting my dear but I find the idea as apporant as I do you taking a woman to your bed on your own." she began fanning her cards out again and batted her eyelashes at him. "Naturally, my mind extends far greater in the torture I would have in store for such a woman that even your idea of planting a body in your rose garden would seem like a day in the park." She lifted her glass of wine and swirled the red liquid around the shining crystal bowl of the wine glass and then smiled. "Perhaps you should of wiped your shoes off on the stoop before coming inside else you might not smell chyt" She retorted and grinned at him. "I might abhore the idea of you taking another woman to your bed but I can't deny it to you, I am not your wife." She gave a casual shrug of her shoulders and took another drink of wine. She loved to irritate him and ignite that seething rage inside him. Much as he was a good man, there was a dark side to him as well and that side excited her for it wasn't dark enough that she could see to give her any reason to fear him.

Marke: " I was calling your cards " he laughed as she let her true feelings be known on the idea of him taking a woman, or her and another to his bed " The only bullchyt I smell is yours dear " he chuckled once more and let the legs of his chair he had tilted back drop to the floor casually.. " your bluffing.. but I'm not I play to win.. if you want to be my wife.. I can make it so..and you will have all the right in the world, if you need a ring or a piece of paper all you have to do is say so.." the cigar was inhaled then set aside while a long stream of smoke was released into the air " however.. You and I both know.. we need no such thing to claim each other.. lets not play this game again.. I want you in every way a man can want a woman, as a lover, friend, companion, wife.. but I will settled for three out of four.." he looked serious now.. as he laid his cards on the table before she showed hers, and odd move in the game, but then again Marke was used to playing against the rules.. a full house set on the table before her.. Aces over 8's.

Ursula: She sneered at him when he laughed. She hated board and card games. Games of the mind was one thing but she sucked at playing card games or even board games for that matter. Chocolate hues swept up to the ceiling as he said he played to win and she sighed shaking her head not wanting to go in that direction. Her cards were tapped against her knee under the table. The subject of husbands and wives always irritated her it seemed. "I didn't mean it like that Marke." She resounded and then shook her head. "I won't marry you, I can't..." It was the broken record answer she had given him years ago. "I'm not playing games. I am just trying to understand how one man can be content while another can't. Why one acts as a man should and another acts like a woman." She shrugged again and as he laid down his hand she scuffed and threw her cards down. A pair of fives hit the table along with nine, six and eight. He won, of course. "But thank you, for settling for three out of four. I can do that." She was serious to as she crossed her arms over her stomach, her elbows resting against the armrests of her chair. She watched him silently for a few minutes. She had promised Zach she wouldn't say anything to Marke about his identity and she wasn't about to break it but she had to wonder how Marke would take it. As well as she knew him, this was not something she could fathom with any type of certainty. "On another note, did you get the ratified papers from the Barrister about Regency Court? I am surprised you haven't mentioned it." She meant she was surprised he hadn't asked why if Claire gave it to her she would want to turn around and give it to Zach.

Marke: He knew her answer before she gave it, it was routine and expected where the subject of marriage was concerned.. but when she spoke of one man being content and another not.. his brow raised and his eyes darkened... " Ursula.. I can tell you with all certainty that there isn't a man alive who could even kiss you, once... then contemplate sharing you with another.. " he stood then moving to the sideboard and pouring a glass of brandy, his preferred drink..then tossed it back.. while already pouring another... " While I would settle for three of the four.. I would like exclusivity as well.." he didn't turn to her as he made his request.. " I want no other but you..all bullchyt aside.." he had a bad feeling about her question now, at the beginning of the card game he had thought it was her way of opening a dialog about them being together exclusively.. now with her words of another.. it was clear, she had another lover.. the brandy was smooth, but the pill he was swallowing at that thought was bitter and tough to swallow.. After all this time, now that she was back in his life.. would he be able to share her.. just to keep her.. the though made his stomach roil, and his blood pressure rise..barely contained anger for this imaginary man.. or men... who was it.. one of her actors.. someone else.. his mind fled in different directions as his jealously flared hot, his spine stiffening and the grasp on the glass tightening almost to shattering the glass.

Ursula: Fingers laced together as she lounged back one leg crossing quietly over the other made her dress ruffle as she watched him down a glass of brandy in a gulp then pour another. This wasn't good. "Oh is that a compliment, I am flattered" There was no disdain in her voice, no joke but straight and true. At least this made some sense with why Zach was acting like he was. Still she couldn't make a choice, it was cruel to both of them for if forced to, she'd turn her back on both of them, hurting both of them rather then one. Zach knew everything and this meant something but Marke saw past her mask and this was extraordinary, not to mention she loved the man. He was her opium addiction, now back in his life, it would kill her she was sure if she ever had to turn her back on him again. Her fingers unlaced and her hand lifted, her finger twicking at her nose to still a rising itch as he went on explaining and she stayed where she was not protesting his gulping of brandy like a fish for water. She could tell he was thinking about her having another lover now, she could read it in his body language even as his back was to her. "All right, all bullchyt aside. I did have another lover but we have not been together in weeks. Not since I came back to you. You must understand, you married Claire, though it was my intention for such, I also intended to keep my promise never to see you again but I never promised not to take someone else to my bed in that time." She tapped her finger tips against one another then sighed as she lifted her glass to drain it and then stand up from her chair. "Yes, there are promises I made that I broke and I can say with all certainty now, I am happy to have broke them or else I would not be standing here now. Does that not tell you something then my dear? I can't marry you...but I am yours."

Marke: The rushing sound of blood in his ears, as his pressure rose with his anger, when she got up her heard her movements.. and when she admitted taking a lover, the glass did indeed shatter in his hand, the remnants thrown into the empty fireplace in a shower of anger.. " I never expected to see you again, and yes I know you would have had lovers.. but by your questions your lover is being churlish, and wanting you for himself." he growled darkly before turning toward her darkened green hues sweeping over the form of the woman he loved beyond heaven and hell, beyond all reason or sanity.. " My past with Claire and what you did while I was married to her is just that.. past.. but what you do from now on.. well that is to be seen.. isn't it.. " his hands stayed by his side clenched in fist, a rivulet of blood dripping onto the fine woolen carpets " yes you are here now.. and I have no right to tell you what to do, or whom you can bed.. if it is your choice.. " this galled him to say more than anything he had ever done before in his life, and he felt emasculated for the admission, that no matter what..she did he needed her, loved her. " You may use the guest room it is late.. " his jaw twitched in irritation.. as he turned to leave the room... walking in brisk strides toward the kitchen where he yank a kitchen towel and wrapped his hand in it, and continued out the back door and across the back garden into the trees, he was headed for the lake, he needed to cool off.. and be away from her for the time being.. else he would loose his temper, his control and possibly her. god how she tested him.. she was both blessing and curse..

Ursula: Her fingers again laced, this time posed in front of her as she turned her head this way and that, watching him even as the glass was shattered and thrown into the empty fireplace. How many glasses and bottles had that fireplace seen in their time together, she had lost count. Her eyes didn't terry on the fireplace long before returning to him and she was, smiling. Yes she was smiling at him. "Mmm, there is my Marke." she purred and then laughed her joined hands rose, her pointer fingers against one another pressed against her mouth as he continued to rage, his face redden with the emotion and his blood pressure spike. "No" She commented as he said if it was her choice. "No don't do that, don't back down." and she pointed her laced hands, pointer fingers still together at him. Had she riled him for a reason? Perhaps. "As much as you...piss me off when your commanding, its one of the things I love about you. Don't emasculate yourself just because you think it will keep me here. I'd rather your honestly, hell I prefer your anger and rage above trying to please me." Her hands dropped to press into the folds of her gown. "By the way..."She hummed as he stalked to the door. "Just so we're clear on the last time I f**ked him, it was the night Lord McCula died, and that was the last time because it was shortly after I came back to you. I could of said no when you said I was coming to Marke Manor to heal, I could of fought you, but I didn't." She moved across the floor as he went to the door leading to the kitchens and she to the hall to go upstairs and stopped again. "You might think it was in the heat of the moment, but I wasn't lying when I said I was yours the last time we f**ked dearest." She would of said more, how she didn't know much about love but that he had her love and with it her loyalty and true self but she couldn't bring herself to say it for many reasons, even if it were the truth. Yes in telling him she f**ked her lover the night McCula died was to enrage him further and she couldn't say honestly why she had done it, perhaps old ways that refused to die easily as he went out the back door and she went up the stairs releasing her hair from the bun it had been in as she went. Casually fingers stroking through her hair as she found her way easily to the guest room.

[Ursula Darling]

Marke: The next morning found him seated at breakfast with a scowl on his face, no it wasn't from the nights swim in icy waters, though that did not help, nor the argument with Ursula the night before, that in itself did not help either, but it was the sheeth of legal papers that he had been signing and sending off that caused his black mood.. She had left what Claire bequeathed her to one of her band of actors.. the why of it, roiled in Markes brain.. was this her lover then.. this Zachery.. his fork stabbed at the ham before him, and then flung it to the spaniel that sat on it's haunches begging.. " Eat up for I have no taste for it " he grumbled at the poor beast.... He was glad DJ had already eaten his breakfast and gone into town with his nanny for new clothes for school... that way he wouldn't be witness to his father murdering the woman who looked so much like his mother.

Ursula: "Good Monring Lady Darling" Jacob chimed more loudly then usually and Ursula knew why, he was warning his master that Ursula was about. Her lips curled into a grin at Jacob who immediately took boots to floor and went off into the kitchens. Her conversation with Marke had not bothered her one bit for she lived and loved to gile him, kept him interesting and more importantly, kept him interested in her. Sometimes she detressed his dark moods and other times, she loved it. She was twisted and this was something she knew and accepted quite well. The pale pink day dress she wore made her all ready pale skin seem as if it were shimmering, the darkness of her chestnut hair accented it all to a T. It was not a Jean Claude creation but a Belle Louvierre creation. One of the french girls she had gotten for the Lily. Here the devil was painted as an angel as she offered Marke a smile as she practically waltzed into the Dining Room. "Good Morning Lord Marke, I do hope you slept well" She purred.

Marke: He wasted no time with pleasantries didn't' even stand when she waltzed into the room.. " What is the meaning of this ?" the papers were shoved her way, and his voice was low and dangerous... " You have gone and sullied her memory , do you have no feelings inside that cold heart of yours you bytch!" his voice rose as he called her a name, his hands on the table visibly white at the knuckles as if he were fighting to restrain himself from choking her." I demand and explanation and I will not sign this.. treachery"

Ursula:Lips pursed into a thin line as he gave her no pleasantries for the morning and it was clear the Barrister had delivered the papers while she had slept. She was surprised he had not come up to her room and torn her from the bed. Her head cokeed slightly to the side at his rant but she calmly walked to a sit across from him visibly putting the whole of the table between them. Calling her names was nothing new though it had been years now since he had seen fit to call her names but blame it on time apart for she was sure he would of called her names had she not stayed away. Leaning forward, she took the papers and pretended to look over them giving him time to breath else giving himself a heart attack if she pushed his buttons right away. "Oh, I see you received them" She mused settling the papers down upon the table again and leaning back within her chair. "It's quite simple really. While I am very touched that Claire would want to bequeath me something of hers, I did not feel right in taking it. I have the theater to run and would not have the time to tend such a beautiful place and therefor it would fall to ruin. I felt it more terrible to let it go to ruin then to in turn sign it over to someone else." She rapped her fingers against the armrests of her chairs and shrugged. "Zach has served me well for many years and I felt it only right to reward him for his services and offer him some peace as I know quite well people suffer in my presence. He in turn can give it attention I cannot, besides, he has had it very hard in his life and he deserves a magnificent home such as Regency Court" Her face remained blank as she held his gaze.

Marke: He reguarded her with narrowed eyes " This Zach is the lover you told me of.. you reward his coke with my wife's property.. " at the end of his sentence he puncuated his rage at her by slamming his fist on the table and standing he looked as if he would attack her, at any minute.. " I swore I would never again lay hands upon you , but at this moment you sicken me, and make me wish I had not promised myself this.. for I would love to strangle you within an inch of your life for the insult.. You have gone too far Ursula.. too far !" the napkin in his hand was tossed onto the table.. as he glared at her... " I will not sign it, it will remain in trust for DJ.. " he turned and walked from the room.. stiffly.. perhaps this time she had indeed gone too far.

Ursula: She did not deny him what he claimed. Zach had indeed been her lover, but it was completely wrong that he would think she was rewarding the man for sleeping with her. Really, she found this quite funny and let out a laugh that died into a sigh as he threw his napkin down and stormed from the room. Shoving her chair back, she followed after him. "Marke, it is not like that at all." She bit back at his backside. "DJ will have Marke Manor to inherit, I am not insulting Claire by requesting this! Stop and look at me Damn it!" She hissed and did a hop skip to get in front of him, her hand fell against his chest to stop him. "I won't deny it, I took Zach as my lover while we were apart but that has nothing to do with why I want to give him Regency Court. Will you not trust me in this?" Her head cokeed again. "Do you really think me so evil I would do something like that? Giving Zach regency court because of his coke service and marring Claire memory with it?"

Marke:"Trust you?" he looked at her as if she had grown two horns.. " Claire loved you enough to leave you her family's estate, the very thing she held most dear, the thing she fought to keep.. and you just throw it away on some some actor? some guy you bedded ?" he growled lowly " I do not think you evil, but I'm beginning to think you stupid , for that is one of the most stupid uncaring , completely moronic ideas in this lifetime.. NO NO NO " his hands came down on her shoulders and picked her up moving her to the side as he stepped by her.. heading toward the stables, was he jealous hell yes.

Ursula: "Yes trust me!" She hissed back, the look he was giving her enough to roughly her feathers and peaking her anger further when he called her uncaring and moronic in her ideas. Of course if she took a minute to think about it she would realize he truly didn't know the reason why. She gave a growl as he pushed her off to the side. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" She shouted after him and picked up a figurine not even looking to see what exactly it was and tossed it over his head were it flew and smashed against the door banking it closed and keeping him from leaving. "Claire left it for me, and I being proper about it, drew up papers for both of us to sign to give it to Zach, I didn't have to do that you know, I could of signed those papers and signed it off without you even knowing till it was completed! I can change my mind you know, all it takes is a little extra coin to forget this contract and bring back the old one!" She threatened.

Marke:"Ursula... don't try me " he growled as the figurine burst over his head the door slamming.. his hands balled at his side as he turned around.. " Do that.. and we are at an end.. " was he giving her an ultimatum.. yes.. " There are things I will tolerate and things I won't.. dishonoring Claire, is one of them.. tread lightly " he gave her a look that pierced her soul.. if she had a reason she better tell him, for this matter was closed as far as he was concerned.. " I've made my decision, not it's up to you.. if giving your lover regency court is more important, that us.. then I know where I stand "

Ursula: Chocolate colored eyed burst to life with the ultimatum. The one thing above all others that she hated was ultimatums. "I'm not dishonoring Claire. When will you get that through your thick skulled head?" She let out another growl as he called Zach her lover and said he would know where he stood if she did this. "Have you gone insane? Your going to let this define how I feel about you?" She was seeing red, her anger boiling to a point she had never before experienced. "He's not my lover, he's your brother!" All of a sudden she gasped and covered her mouth, she hadn't meant to say that but there it was.

Marke: "your dam right, if this is what defines how you feel about me, what kind of man would I be if I let you dishonor her..?" his voice had risen to shouting now, as she shouted back at him equally.. it took a moment to register and then his shook his head. " What the f**k are you talking about ?"

Ursula: It was like a comedy on the stage, or at least it looked that way, him staring at her strangely, her with her hands still covering her mouth. Zach was going to kill her, she had said it was not her secret to tell and here she had gone and said it for him, not that she ever expected he would say it himself. Slowly her hands lowered away from her mouth and she let out a sigh knowing very well she had just admitted to taking his brother as her lover but he was still reeling with the information he was sure and not likely to put two and two together yet. "He is your brother, half brother actually. Your fathers son with one of the...well whores on the island. I helped him dig for information on his parents a few years ago when he came back into my life. We never suspected...he never suspected but I..." For once Ursula was at a loss of how to explain things. "He has the documents to prove it but I don't think he ever planned to tell you or ask for anything from your family. That's why....I wanted to give him regency court. He grew up in an orphanage, never adopted, never having anything." She swallowed. "That's why."

Marke: "your lying " his words were low and menacing , but even as he said it, she continued her words making sense in his brain, he knew his father was never true to their mother.. it was just part and parcel of the Marke men, they had whores and mistresses.. aplenty.. it was in their blood.. " Came back into your life?" he scowled at her.. " He was there before " leave it to Marke to latch onto the inconsequential.

Ursula: "No, I'm not lying." she shook her head. "I've played games, of that I admitted but I have never lied to you." She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed when he latched onto the part that really, well it really was not a place she was ready to go yet. She wasn't really sure she would ever be able to go there. "I..."She shook her head and loosened her arms from underneath her breasts taking a step back. "Yes, we've known each other a long time, but he was never my lover then." She pressed her lips together. She knew how that sounded but she couldn't explain without giving away to much. "I'm sorry Marke, it wasn't my secret to tell, and I can't tell you about then, I just...can't" It was her this time that turned around and began walking way from him.

Marke: "Very convenient don't you think, that he was in your life before and now he's here again, and so am I?" he shook his head and rolled his eyes.. " Either he's conning you or your conning me.. or you both in it together.. like you were when you met me MY GOD WOMAN.. how much will you take from me.. my heart my soul my pride.. am I a fool to love you.. have a taken a viper into my arms that will kill me ?" his hand ran through his hair as she turned.. "You stated this mess.. you bring me those documents, I will prove him a liar and a con, and once I have that proof you will never see him again.. if you care anything for me.. "

Ursula: "Its not like that" She spoke turning to face him again and then sighed once more and again shook her head. Frustrated, she ran her hand through her unbound hair and slapped her hands against her sides. "Are you serious? You think I am trying to con you?" She realized once upon a time she had tried to con him with Jonathan but she hadn't followed through, she had told him and he accepted her still but now she was trying to con him again. "No Marke, your clearly not a fool for loving him, your a f**king genius. I give you my heart, say to you I love you, something I have never told another living soul and because of it, I am trying to con you." Mocking she put her hands against her chest before dropping them away. "You want proof I will bring you those documents, but just to let you know my proof and your not going to like this but I hope you choke on it!" She hissed daringly. "You both have the same color eyes, the same color hair, genetically your fathers but the thing that proves it besides the documents is you both have the same birth mark on your cokes!" She whirled around heading for the stairs then stopped when he told her she would never see Zach again, if she cared for him. Her fingers fug into the wood of the railing as she turned her head towards him. She looked like a viper then, the slant of her eyes, the danger in her face as she turned on the stairs. "An what will you do if he is telling the truth hmm?" She then waved her hand as if the answer wasn't important. "You know, I think I'll go get your proof now, perhaps I'll even f**k my lover while I am at it. It might be the last time I see him considering your ordering me never to see him again if its all not true."

[Ursula Darling]

Ursula: Ursula was fuming mad as the Marke Manor door slammed behind her, her steps were brisk as she headed back into town. She had been hoping Marke would be in a better mood this morning but that had proved false and now she had opened her mouth and made things worse. She was a plague and she knew it. Nothing good ever happened around her and nothing ever did. Story of her life. Taking things one step at a time had turned into a walk off the deep end. How could Marke give her an ultimatum? Even Zach had, she hadn't forgotten that and the door to the theater slammed closed behind her. BAM and Domina were on the stage where painted scenary of a town was on the backdrop and a cutout of a church front was on the right side near stage right. Both looked up as Ursula stormed down the isles towards them. BAM was the first to rise from his place paintbrush in hand having been painting backdrops, one of the lesser and less bloody things that he did while Domina stayed crotched in a position that balanced her perfectly on the toes of her feet, her hands dangling between her legs, elbows on her knees and grinning like an imp of satan. Ursula turned darkly on them and for a moment her lips stayed pressed tighter together, for a moment and then her voice was booming across the empty theater. "Lets make one thing perfectly clear, this goes for everyone in the room, know where your loyalties lie. I am your employer, I pay for the services you provide. I'm the best boss you'll ever have as I don't care what or who you do, I don't even care if its breaking the law provided you don't get caught and you NEVER give up secrets of the DA. You want out?" Her eyes swept the room and then pointed to the door at the back of the theater where she had come from. "Go. Go with the knowledge that if you open your trap and blab regarding MY business, I will kill you myself." Her hand dropped and she stormed up the steps leading behind the curtain to her office where the papers were safely locked away.

Domina:Domina herself rocked on her heels and grinned at the impressive speech and as Ursula disappeared, Domina began to laugh, not the sweet sound most woman could give off, hers was cold and BAM shot her a look before swatting at her ass with the paintbrush which made her dance away. "Best leave the boss alone" She warned the others.

Zach:Not one to take warnings or leave Ursula alone, he though of her as his lover, as his... and in this mood it seemed like the other object of her affection had pissed her off.. perfect for him.. he eased the door open without her notice, and stepped inside leaning against the doorjamb, with a sardonic grin, he was so much like Mark it was scary some times.. same mossy green eyes, same smoldering glare, and even the same sarcasm, especially when not saying a word.. then he spoke.. " So riding two horses with one ass has.. left your ass upon your shoulders... did you really expect more of Marke..?"

Ursula: She took the papers from their hiding place, the seal had been broken long ago but a string still tied them folded together and she threw them onto her desk before falling in behind it her bottom flopping hard into the chair and she winced as her stitches screamed in warning as they pulled. Now was the worse time for Zach to show up, her anger ran deep today and she shot him a look that would have most stepping out of the door and leaving her alone, but it never had shoo'd him away. "Really, I would of expected more out of both of you, but then again, your so much alike you two." She laid her palms flat against the table and leaned forward. "He knows about you Zach" She wasn't going to sugar coat it for him, it never worked for Marke why should it work on his brother. Pushing back, she leaned back in the chair again. "If you've come here to gloat, then don't. You'll find neither of you wins the prize. I'll have one mistress here, and no masters!"

Zach:" You told him " his anger was palpable.. much like his brother he was quick to it, but unlike his brother it seethed red hot, simmered beneath the surface, there was no explosion, no throwing of things, but which was more dangerous.. one had to wonder.. " I should have known, nothing is sacred when Marke is involved.. you would go to hell happily for him " he glared at her.. " You hopelessly lost " he cast a look of disgust at her.. as if bile rose in his throat at her sight.. then turned to leave... he didn't want to know what Marke's reaction was.. if it had sparked a fight between the two of them, then her surmised and correctly so, that his brother... did not welcome him with open arms.

Ursula: "It slipped out" Chocolate eyes rose to meet his green ones matching his brothers. The truth was there in them but the look on his face had her laughing. "Aw poor baby, come here, let me cuddle your hurt" She wiggled her fingers at him as the sarcastic words spewed from her lips like poison. "Mmm, you forget, I don't believe in hell and if I did. I am hell..." She sparked back rolling her head against the back of the chair as he went to leave. "Oh you two do that so well, walk away! My my but I never noticed so many similarities." The perks of their jobs was agility and she was across the dresk and slamming the door to cut off his retreat in time for his body to bump into her own, her hands in turn went to his chest. "What did you expect Zach? A happy ending? That he would welcome you with open arms, maybe he would have, had the notion that the woman he loves, is f**king his brother, or was. An oh how jealous he would be to know his brother feels the same way about such a woman. Mmmm, what a story." She leaned forward to brush her lips across his own then pushed him away and stepped away from the door in case he did want to retreat. She was going to let him, it was part of the game, this darker self of her so loved the torture and the release. "No, he doesn't want to accept you being his brother, because then he would have to accept what he all ready knows. He thinks we're conning him Or your conning him, the sweet torture of denial." She slid to sit on the edge of the desk. "You deny it, but we all want to belong to something Zach, we all want something good to cling to, family might be one of it. So don't lie to me. The truth of the fact is, I want it for you too. You need something good to cling to before this place...before I...corrupt you to far you can't turn back. That's why I want to secure Regency Court for you. You still want to walk out that door and leave the chance to be apart of something other then this? A way out, if you ever want it?"She cokeed her head waiting.

Zach:He felt as if she sucked the air from his lungs the moment she brushed her lips across his , only to retreat.. witch.. sorceress.. demon " I want nothing of his.. " his voice drifted " But you.. " confession.. his eyes bore into her as he watched her dance away like a siren... " He will never accept your past.. not truly.. what game do you play at.. to have you he would give up his life.. and you will no let him.. with me.. you can have everything.. we can leave this place... go anywhere we want, be anyone we want.. reinvent ourselves and leave the past behind.. "

Ursula: "An if you can't have what you want? What will you do then? Go back to the gutters you were born in?" She shook her head. "I can't have that Zach." Her arms folded under her breasts. "That may be the case, we don't know that for certain. I've found it best not to anticipate your brother. He is unpredictable even in the best of times. It's part of the spark of him that drew us together and he has the ability to be darker then you and I combined but he won't ever go that step, he has that one essence to keep his sanity while we flit between both. We're creatures of the same likeness, you and I Zach, its why you have been invaluable to me and the best of my team." she shook her head again. "I'm sorry Zach, but thats never going to happen. I like it here, I love what I do here both physically seen and the shadows we weild. You forget, I've played the part of someone else before and I rather like the one I am at now. I am more Ursula then ever I was anyone else before."

Zach: "So that is it.. you used me because I am like him.. to soothe yourself when you would not ruin him... I don't know who is more the whore " his voice was that of a reptile, hissing with venom... " f**k you Ursula.. " he ground out knowing now he had lost her completely.. " You think I want your charity, or his.. f**k you "

Ursula: "Oh like you didn't use me" She laughed and then wiggled back to sit on the desk. "No, I didn't use you. We've used one another. You to get out of the gutter and lets face it, from under the churches thumb and me, well, I do care about you, but I don't love you and yes, the sex was amazing with you. an at the time Marke was married, if I had thought it would lead to this, you caring about me such a way, I would never of slept with you but its not something I can undo now." she hummed in a laugh as he hissed his venomous words, slowly her legs pulled up and her heels came to rest against the edge of the desk. "Is here fine for you?" She purred back and then let her feet drop down to the floor again. "Your not in love with me Zach, your in love with the idea of me. This isn't charity, I merely seek to give you a piece of your birth right."

Zach: He watched her with eyes that still wanted, his body hardening even as he cursed himself for still wanting her, she spoke so clinically of their time together as if reciting it for a play, a souless play that mattered not to anyone but the audience.. " If I took regency court from you, he would never accept me, or even entertain the though, and I will not alleviate your guilt.. so easily.. it will take more than regency court, to absolve you.. " he walked toward her slapping the inside of her thighs harshly... he had always been a harsh lover.. demanding and dominate.. " I'll not be your whore any longer. nor will I return to the gutter.. from whence you so elegantly put it.. I came from... just remember " his hand lifted along her stomach, then up to her throat to clasp about it.. " It was you who stooped so lowly.. and f**ked this gutter rat.. "

Ursula: "Then don't accept it from me. Make a demand of it yourself. Whatever you want to do."She shrugged but when he came to slap her thigh, she hummed. She could not help but feel that tingle between her thighs from it. What could she say, she liked it rough. Yet the hand at her throat got him a dark look warning him of the harm that was so plainly in his eyes He would regret it if it he did. "Mmm, I know what that makes me my dear, but lets just ponder for a moment, you never resisted it and you eve enjoyed it. So what does that make you?" Her hand clasped the wrist of the hand around her throat while the other shoved at his chest. "I've got to get these documents to Marke, I have claimed to be many things but I'm striving to be honest, to both of you, my apologies if it hurts you."

Zach:" I'll move my things from your chamber, it's not as if you sleep there anymore " he growled, releasing her throat... as she shoved him back.. " Do whatever you have too.. I'm nothing more than hired help.." yes she hurt him, it was killing him inside, he had thought once again that he could step into shoes his brother filled, only to find himself lacking..

Ursula: "You do what you wish." She rubbed a hand at her throat before gathering up the folded parchment into her hand as she slid from the desk. "you more then hired help Zach, you've been my companion for a long time. Longer then Skye actually. You should take comfort in the fact you know more about me then your brother does. But a heart that loves to much is weak and faulty, once you've realized this, I suspect you'll thank me." She crossed the space to pull the door open. She loved Marke, of that there was no doubt but she had always kept him at arms length and he her. Theirs was a love and hate relationship, the day could never tell what it would be but it had taken a long time to harden her heart and it would take it even longer to soften, if it ever completely did, it would be a miracle.

Zach: He did not respond at all just walked away.. what left was there to say, that would not make him the sad angry jealous looser that he was more plain.

Marke: Meanwhile at Marke Manor, Donal Marke was out in the dove fields, practicing with his newly acquired toy.. a rifle.. one of few on the island.. small cages of doves were loosed.. flying high into the air.. and without fail.. the sound of the rifle would crack the late summer air.. a shower of feathers and blood as spaniels eeked out the dead birds in a field of golden wheat.

Ursula: What awaited her when she arrived back at Marke Manor, well she wasn't expecting a bathing of dove blood that fell from the sky. Her nose wrinkled at the sight as she stayed on the porch to keep from getting blood on her gown. She was still in the pink gown of the morning, didn't that say something. She waited till a perfect clearing before stalking towards Marke waving the documents at him before throwing the bundle of papers at him. "Let me guess, all of an umbrella as she at a table set up nearby to keep the blood and feathers from spraying upon her and she smiled grateful at the man before turning her attention back to Marke.

Marke: "only the ones I shoot " he drawled.. then shouted " LOOSE " another bevy of doves were released and again the gun cracked loudly enough that several servants flinched.. the butler that had seen to her comfort mumbling something about barbarism.. " Fetch " he spoke to the spaniels that ran off once more collecting the dead carcasses of the birds.. " Perhaps he is a decent man after all, not wanting what does not belong to him " was he speaking of regency court, or Ursula.

Ursula: "Mmm, I am flattered" She drooled with dripping sarcasm as her face twisted again as the gun went crack and the dove went splat. She ignored his comment about Zach, it could be taken either way, the building or her but she wasn't about to touch it, even if she wanted to whack him upside the head with his new toy. "Whatever." She spat back waving her head and leaned back in the chair to give a grin. Barbarism, if only he knew what she did for a living. "You have the evidence now though, that proves he is your brother regardless. You can be a beast about this Marke or you can be a man, you make the choice, it makes no difference to me." Slowly her fingers rapped against the armrests of the chair she sat in. "This does not however mean I in any way accept your ultimatum."

Marke: " I'm glad it makes no difference to you my sweet" his voice was laced with honey that hid rage and annoyance with her.. sarcasm extrodinaire.. " You won't mind then if I do not inform you of what I do in the matter " he still did not turn toward her, as another bevy of doves fell victim to his new toy.. BAM BAM BAM... in quick succession servants flinching each time.. He smirked as she spoke of the ultimatum " And yet here you sit.. with me " acceptance or not she was here.. where she belonged.

Ursula: "Oh no you mistake me" She hummed in a laugh and rose her hand waving to the distance were the Doctor was appearing on the hill. Was this a game? Who knew. "I had an appointment with the Doctor today to look at my stitching to see if they are ready to take out, naturally since it was to late to tell him to come to the theater, I thought why not kill two birds with one stone. Deliver you the papers and see the Doctor" She rose from her chair, the umbrella and servant following her. "I fully intend to vacate my rooms here my lord" she paused turning a look to him then followed up the hill to the waiting Doctor to lead him inside. She was ready for these stitches to come out!

Marke: He growled watching her go, and handed over the gun to the butler, and stalked behind her and her umbrella into the House.. then up the stairs and into the room where the doctor attended her.. it was after all his dam house.. he stood at the door watching as she was examined and then the doctor took the stitches out.. some part of him enjoyed the little winces of pain as each stitch was removed...

Ursula: She would all most grin hearing him growling and his thundering steps as he followed her and the doctor in. In the privacy of her room, she stripped down to nothing behind a curtain and came out in a robe. Propped up on the bed, she was silent as the doctor examined the area that had been stitched closed and proclaiming it healed enough to take the stitching out, he set to work. She chewed her cheek to the irritating twinge of pain as each stitch was clipped and the string pulled out. It was not the pull of the stitching that hurt to clip it, it was pulling the string from her skin, she could feel the small twine of cloth moving beneath her skin, hot and irritating pain. When the job was done, her robe was closed and she nodded when the doctor warned her no heavy lifting least she do internal damage. She passed a bag of coin into his hand and smiled to his face but to his back she rolled her eyes even as he left excusing himself around the lord of the house. Ursula did a turn on the floor as if just realizing Marke was there. "If you'll excuse me..." She purred and moved towards the screen to change again.

Marke: " I never excuse you " he grinned.. walking toward her and the screen, as soo as she disappeared behind it was snatched down and tossed to the side.. his hands falling on her hips and pulling her to him, " Don't play with me, you'll not leave.. I don't' want you to and neither do you.. admit it.. as much as you hate me you love me " he lowered his lips to hers... his thumbs moving over the pinkened scar that had just been unstitched.. " And I love you "

Ursula: The robe was baring her naked shoulders as the screen crashed to the ground as he forced it down and he pulled her into his arms. She hissed as his fingers caressed the tender flesh where the stitches had been. as her mouth opening with the gasp, his lips claimed hers. "Mmm, I do love you.." she purred when he pulled his lips away but all ready she as removing the silken tie that held her robe closed and wrapping around his wrist as she teased his mouth with her own to keep him occupied backing him up to the bed and one of the four posts of the bed. It wasn't until she secured his arms behind the post with the tie that she let go and stepped back with a grin. "An yes, I do hate you sometimes.." she only stayed back a moment longer before pressing her body into his again, her robe now open and her bare body pressing against his own. Her fingers wove slowly into his hair and then yanked his head back exposing his neck so that her teeth could nibble at his skin there. "but if you ever give me an ultimatum again, I'll make you regret it." She growled and purred against his throat giving him love bites between her words.

Marke: "If this is your way of making me regret, then I shall give you ultimatums every day " he grinned as she bared her body and then raised the flesh of his neck with her teeth.. Hss lips captured hers, as he strained forward.. "Have I ever told you how ravishing you are when your angry ?" his hips bucked against hers with desire.

[Ursula Darling]

[glow=red,2,300]Warning: Adult Language.[/glow]

Ursula Darling:
Their love making was passionate albeit a little on the rough side. There were bruises and bite marks to be had come morning light. The makeshift cuffs still about his wrists, Ursula left the bed as a knock came against the door taking the sheet with her leaving him half covered with the blanket to shield herself to who was on the other side, not that she really cared. Jacob held a letter through the crack to her. "Your Lady Domina dropped this off, she also said to tell you the troupe needs you as soon as your ready" Jacob whispered peeking past the crack of the door and Ursula shoulder to his sleeping master in the bed before his eyes swung back to her. "Thank you" Ursula hummed in a monotone voice void of emotion behind it as promptly shut the door in his face just as his attention went back to her. With one hand holding the sheet to her, she used her thumb to break the seal of the Dark Angel wing on the front as she moved to sit in a chair pulling the sheet in around her against the chilly morning to read the letter before emitting a low grumble as she refolded the letter and tapped it against her open palm before her eyes lifted to Marke still in the bed. Her bottom lip was pulled between her teeth as she often did in thought before she tucked the sheet around her like a makeshift dress to go and stoke the fire to life in the hearth and when it was sufficient, the letter went in.

Donal Marke:
He slept rather well for a man shackled to the bed, but there was little sleep, more... libidinous appetites had been sated throughout and often in the hours of darkness that enfolded them both in it's harsh wings.. " Something wrong?" he queried as the minute her warmth had left the bed, he missed her, it seemed even when he slept.. he knew each breath and movement she made, perhaps that possessive, or maybe that in tune with her, either way.. it was... "Burning the evidence?" a dark brow lifted beneath dark unruly curls, mussed from hours of lovemaking.. " You are always such a mystery.. now get your ass over here and untie me, I have to piss " he grumbled, as his coke sensitive and raw from overuse, twitch hard against the sheet, and his bladder felt bloated and ready to burst.. he eyed the three empty bottles of scotch that had rolled off the carpets and were strewn about the wooden floor.. god why had he drank so much.

Ursula Darling:
"No, nothing wrong, nothing that can't be fixed anyway." She used the poker to push around the burning letter and it crumbled under the assault enough that she was satisfied it couldn't be pieced together and read again. Raising up from her crotch she let out a dark hum like a laugh as she pushed a hand through her mess of hair pushing it away from her face. "Oh such flattery, your a mystery...now I have to pee" She mimicked his voice and then grinned in his direction even as he groaned noticing the evidence of heavy drinking upon the floor. "Would you rather I leave the a letter concerning an assassination assignment present in your home for someone to find?" Flicking the sheets back she moved across the room to sit in the chair again making no attempt to go and release him from the bed so he could pee. She said she would make him regret giving her an ultimatum, payback was a bytch now wasn't it? For several seconds she sat there unmoving till it bored her, or she had enough teasing him and then she shifted to lean against an armrest of the chair. "You know...your not tied to the bed, I just didn't loosen the ties around your arms...you would know that, if you tried to move." A slender brow arched upward as she gave him a wicked smile.


Donal Marke:
The hangover was almost as bad as the urge to piss " I said piss not pee, if your going to mimic me get it right " he growled jerking the bindings loose from the bedstead and standing unabashedly nude and erect, before moving to her with his backside, soon enough the sound of piss hitting the brass chamber pot was heard along with the male grunt of relief, before his hand was shaking his maleness and he turned to her, in all his glory, hung over and holding head against the pounding inside.. " No I would prefer you handle that kind of business elsewhere, away from my son " he shook his head moving to grasp the velvet rope that was attached to a bell downstairs to alert servants that the master was in need.. before he dropped back onto the bed with a nasty growl.. " I suppose you will be flitting off to do what you do " it was sarcasm mixed with the effect of hangover and petulance that met her..

Ursula Darling:
"oh, someone is grumpy this morning" She bit back in return her nose wrinkling to the sound of piss in the chamber pot. As he relieved himself of a full bladder, she lifted from the chair and unwound the sheet from around her before throwing the heap of it onto the bed. It seemed the two of them met each other in all their glory before she passed him to move behind the screen to dress letting out a laugh at his comment that he would prefer she do it away from his son. "You want me as wife and yet want me to handle my business away from your son, that's rich" She spoke from behind the screen letting out a laugh again as her silhouette moved behind the screen. "How else am I to do my job when I spend my time here? Its hard enough maintaining the pretense I only run a theater when I am here all the time. " Her head peeked around the corner of the screen. "Actually yes, I will be flitting off to Paris if you must know, apparently our target was made away of the possible attempt on his life and he fled." Her head disappeared but moments later she reappeared in a cream dress with gold embroidery. For a moment she paused by the screen and then moved to her dressing table to take care of the rats nest her hair had become after a night of love making.

Donal Marke:
" You could "JUST" run the theater and be my wife " he grunted as he leaned over pulling a cigar from a box on the bedside table, clipping it, then lighting it and puffing " Works for me if you did.. then I would get you all to myself" he was laid up like a satyr among the pillows, one leg bent at the knee laying out to one side, his body displayed like some carefree hung over Adonis.. " Paris.. ?" dark green eyes narrowed on her as she dressed then settled to brush out her sable lengths. " For how long ?" another puff on the cigar as he tried to look bored and uncaring, or perhaps it was the devil and his band of demons that assaulted his brain that made him so lacsidasical... " Can't you send that mound of muscle, or that evil wench Domina ?"


Ursula Darling:
"Sucht hings that would please you would only displease me." She rolled her eyes clearly seen in her reflection of mirror. Her nose wrinkled once again as he lit the cigar and though he was across the room, she let out a sniff and waved the brush in hand as if the smoke were assaulting her face. "I dislike your drinking and smoking, yet I don't make you quit them just because I would then have you all to myself now do I?" Slender brow arched upward again before she set out brushing her hair again. "Mhmm" She hummed in response to his question of Paris. "Apparently he has estates there, probably thinks he is safe there." Oh how her lips curled into a sadistic grin then. The brush was set down, how smoothly her hands worked in working her hair into a suitable updo, she made it seem effortless. "I don't know how long." She pushed the last pearl ended pin into her hair and then turned to look at him. "You know, you could of joined the group and then perhaps it would be you going instead of one of them. BAM won't be going at least, I shall leave him to look after you...and DJ" She turned in her seat again turning her head this way and that to look at her hair from two sides in the mirror before opening a container of rouse for her cheeks. She was to pale to go without it. "It's likely I will take Zach with me." She commented so easily as if discarding his dislike of the man, his half brother like it never existed.


Donal Marke:
" I would quit if you would quit your... activities " he challenged her knowing she would never take him up on it, but he was deadly serious.. he would change heaven and earth to have her safe and his.. He leveled a gaze at her " I do not need that .. ape man watching after me or my son, I'm quite capable myself " pride pricked oh yes... it was the sheet was snatched over his middle as his morning salute to her suddenly lost it's virility... "Zach? great ! Son of a bytch " he grumbled standing as the servant knocked on the door and was motioned in " Get me a dam bath, and another bottle... and tell Herda to send up some of that stuff that taste awful but makes your head quit hurting " he barked at the serving girl who flushed and turned almost running from the room.. " So nothing has changed.. I say I will give him over the dam estate if you stay away from him, and you two go on holiday together.. f**k me Ursula... then run back to him like a bytch in heat " he scowled coming to stand behind her at the mirror... " And don't you dare say trust you "

Ursula Darling:
"You know neither us can quit our bad habits Marke so its not much of a challenge" She breathed out as she let out a sigh along with it. She let out a laugh though that he didn't want the 'ape' looking after him and DJ. While smiling she used a brush to paint her cheeks a rosey color. "I didn't say you needed him to watch after you, its my wish that he do so." She set the brush down and turned towards him. "Marke, this isn't about pricking your pride or diminishing your manhood, my work, is deadly and its twice as deadly to those close to me. BAM is trained to spot those up to no good in a way you wouldn't even fathom." She sighed and rolled her eyes as he went into his rant turning in the chair again only to be faced with the mirror image of his rage at Zach to be let loose against a poor servant girl. For once Ursula felt empathy for someone as the girl nearly ran through the door just to get out of the room. "You know, you don't need to take your rage out on other people." She commented as she dabbed some of her perfume against her neck and between her breasts poking up the front of her dress. "I never agreed to such a deal, nor did he. You forget he is one of my associates so its practically impossible to stay away from him even if I were to agree to such an offer." Her eyes lifted to see his image in the mirror behind her and she faked a yawn. "If you insist, oh and why don't you f**k a Lily while I am gone and we can compare notes when I get back." Oh the sarcasm dripping from a poisoned tongue with such a statement.

Donal Marke:
" I suppose BAM f**ks in a way I cannot fathom either " he growled, lifting his hand and for a moment he thought about strangling her... then he turned in a huff walking to the bed and snatching on his pants then leaning against the window, with an exhausted exhale, " Let me know when you get back" he would not argue with her any longer, there was no point , she did what she wanted, always had always would regardless of how it tore at him.. on some level she enjoyed torturing him, and on some level he must enjoy the pain of it, otherwise why would he return to her again and again, like an addict.. " Make sure you say your goodbyes to DJ, he adores you, and will miss you "

Ursula Darling:
Her chin lifted as he raised his hand and even one brow etched up higher on her forehead as if daring him to try what he was thinking, as if she knew. One would have to wonder if the dark look on her face was the last thing her victims saw before the light of life left their eyes. Her jaw tightened at his comment and for a moment it looked as if she might in turn and strangle him herself. "Oh yes, before hiring any of my men, I sleep with them to asses their talents" She bit back in response. "Now you're being ridiculous' She hissed as she pushed up from her chair and crossed the room away from him least she strangle him for real. "Honestly Marke, what do you want of me when obviously you think so little of me! You've known for a long time now what it is I do and yet you want to marry me!" She threw her hands up then went silent as the servant returned with a tray of the drink he wished, it rattled as she brought it in and set it down then made a hasty retreat, quicker then she had before but she was followed by servants with tub and water for him. Ursula went silent taking a seat to put her shoes on while the servants filled up the tub and then left. Ursula waited till the door was closed to level her gaze on Marke again. "It seems a good thing I am leaving for a while because it seems you've got a choice to make. If you want me in your life, you're going have to accept what I do AND that I enjoy doing it not because it pains you but sadistically enough, I enjoy it. OR you can't live with it and so my presence in your life would be pointless." She lifted up from putting on her other shoe for a moment thinking of chucking it at him before it went on her foot instead of sailing across the room and lifted up. Chocolate eyes rolled at mention of DJ, she really hated children and only tolerated DJ being in her presence and yet the child adored her, that was to funny for words and yet irritating at the same time.

Donal Marke:
"I done arguing with you, don't give me ultimatums I like them less than you do " he growled, stripping off his pants and stepping into the steaming tub, sinking in with a groan... "You know as well as I do we cannot stay away from each other.. we've tried and failed miserably, so go do what you do.. and come back.. " he leaned back against the rim of the tub, closing his eyes, draping a steaming rag over his face.

Ursula Darling:
"Oh you're done arguing with me, forgive me your majesty, I didn't know I was dismissed from your presence!" She hissed back making a show of giving him a regal if sarcastic curtsy. "I'm not giving you an ultimatum, that's just my opinion." Her mouth closed as he got into the tub and covered his face with a cloth. For a moment she thought of throwing something at his head again, it would be easy, with his face covered he wouldn't know what was coming but that was just to easy and the lack of challenge dismissed the thought as soon as it formed. "Be careful my love, if I do return, you'll be lucky if its to your arms" This was just out of spite, a final dagger in the back so to speak considering he had rammed in a few himself practically accusing her of sleeping with her whole male accomplices. Her dress shuffled as she moved to the door and pulling it wide, she did not even pause to look back at him to see if such a stab had hurt, no she opened the door wide in order to slam it full force and rattle the house to the core. At least she would be able to use this emotion to her advantage on her trip and that was the only silver lining in it that she took as she stormed out of the house bound to make plans for a trip to Paris.