If someone had told Nemesis that he would be attempting to court the redhead devil, then he would have laughed at their foolish, holding his sides in before stabbing the said person. Of all the things they had been through with one another, it was simply impossible to believe. A few nights ago, on his own grounds though, had proven different. Thanks to none other than his wife’s own hands, she had orchestrated a situation that forced him and Angela into seeking out a possible relationship. Her reasons weren’t quite sensible, but her reasoning and some secrets that were shared between the ancients wove together this particular night.

Upon her suggestion, he had sent out Maalik to venture to Angela’s realm and deliver an invitation to dinner with him a day ago. While shunned a bit, the shapeshifter did as he was told and made sure that the goddess was informed. Meanwhile, Nemesis went to start the preparations for the night, starting with a favor owed by one of the families that owned a lovely little gastropub in the upper district. Celeste had beaten him to the punch and already set up the reservation. Although he did look at her with narrowed eyes, seeing that she took glee in her scheme’s success, he brushed it off and set forth with this plan.

As he got dressed, he considered whether this was worth exploring. Just as the goddess said, if it worked, then they were venture further and see where this lead to. If not, then it did and they continue on with their daily lives. There were benefits, he supposed, such as potentially seeing more of his children that he shared with her. Plus Sergei would learn of the brother and sister he didn’t know he had. He was concerned also about if Celeste would really be a part of it or not- she was his mate and just as important after all. But she wanted them to at least try and so he would.

He slipped on a velvet tunic with black trousers and a fur cloak clasped around him completely with knee-high boots. A necklace with the etching of his symbol, a crescent moon with a fang completely the circle hung from his neck and of course, his wedding ring was kept on. He contemplated bring his sword but settled on a slender, long dagger just in case trouble brew for them, and sheathed it to his side. They were still in Kurayo, and although it was cold this time of the year, it didn’t stop trouble from brewing if it really wanted to brew its ugly head.

The invitation had also suggested for her to wait at her daughter’s home nearby so that he could formally pick her up. Before stepping outside to the awaiting carriage, he kissed his wife and promised to return before the evening ended, likely with his date so that they could conversate some more if needed. With that, he took his leave and rode on the carriage as he felt a tad awkward. It had been eons since he’s actually courted another, so his usual confident state was shaky but stable enough. The vaewolf mentally rested himself until he felt the carriage finally slowing down about an hour later. Nemesis knew that they had arrived.

—–

Eirik had no idea of why Aaryona’s mother was here, nor why she was being so tight-lipped. He just figured it was something noble related and chopped it up to that while her daughter was about the same way he was. All he knew was that someone was supposes to come and get her in the evening, which only vexed him further. Couldn’t she go and do as she pleased? Why did she need someone to get her? He was sharpening his blades when he heard the knock at the door and left to answer.

Imagine his shock when it was the dark lord himself. “Lord Volkov? Are you here to teach Aaryona another lesson?” Eirik was quite sure that there wasn’t anything planned and he was wearing funny clothes, almost like the time he had to wear that monkey suit. The thought alone made him grimace. “No, I’m here to pick up Angela, Eirik”, Nemesis spoke with a head tilt.

The hell?

It was all Eirik could think of before nodding and allowing the lord inside and then excusing himself to go speak to the mother and daughter. At least he was taught enough manners. “Aaryona…Nemesis is downstairs, saying that…he’s here for your mother?”, he spoke, confused as hell as he looked at her.

Angela was upon her throne with her little one on her lap as she read the invitation that Nemesis had sent her. Wisteria was passed out and slumbering peacefully but she was sprawled like an animal across her mother. “Tell Nemesis that I accept his invitation to dinner.” Angela gave Maalik a smile. She would have gotten up but it would have disturbed her sweet child and while Nemesis was worth many things her peace of mind was not one of them.

Once she had one of her children to take over watching Wisteria and she felt comfortable leaving the child she kissed Wis on the head and made her way to Kurayo. She knocked on the door of her daughter and Aaryona let her in without too much fuss.

“So why are you here?”

“Oh, I am meeting someone. If it’s not too much trouble may I get ready here?” Angela was polite to the point of it being worrying.

“Sure,” Aaryona didn’t fuss much as she let her mother have run of the place. She seemed oddly happy and she had never actually seen her mother care about her appearance so much that she didn’t use magic to get ready.

Angela spent time making her curls perfect and now that Aaryona looked her mother had actually cut her waist-length hair. Sure it wasn’t that much of a difference but now it was to her breasts’ bottoms. She could always grow it out again but apparently it was necessary for this meeting. The goddess had on a three fourth sleeved gown. Its bodice and sleeves were pure dark blue lace and there was just enough fabric at her breasts to make sure they couldn’t be seen. The bodice was scalloped deep almost to her navel.

The skirt of the dress was the same blue but a solid fabric that split high up her right leg. She pinned her hair so all of it was over her right shoulder. Jewelry was added to accent and she even, for once, wore matching heels.

The redhead took time to do her makeup and finally added a flowery scent. Aaryona couldn’t quite place what flower but her mother smelled like a floral garden and it was pleasant. “What do you think?”

“You always look, beautiful Mother… You are acting like this is a date.” Aaryona was skeptical but then Erik came to get her mother and Aaryona was lightly shocked. “Mother explain.”

“Adraejen and I are seeing other people and… Well, Celeste asked Nemesis and me to try and court. We do have children after all.” Aaryona was in shock. “You are the first to know… Please don’t tell the twins just yet. If this works we’ll tell them.” Aaroyna nodded and helped her mother down the stairs. It had been a while since she wore heels. Though Angela quickly adjusted.

The house help brought Angela’s fur cloak as she gratefully accepted and put it on. “Don’t you look charming Nemesis. I didn’t forget how cold it was so I made sure I could at least bundle up until we were at our destination.”

Eirik didn't understand this nonsense; he was familiar with how Nemesis and Angela didn't seem to get along, yet they wanted to try out this courting thing? It seemed like her mate and herself weren't exactly together anymore and Celeste of all people had sought for this. How very odd. He couldn't see them actually pulling this off, but at the same time, they were attempting to, so it meant that it could have been possible. He followed behind the pair of women down the stairs as Nemesis waited patiently for the Mother. He watched until she made it down the last step and noticed something right away. "Blue? Haven't seen you in anything that wasn't earthly themed until now", he spoke though he had to swiftly remember that once an upon a time, he had caught her in a suit of armor back when she was hunting down her sister.  "It looks great on you." Once he was done admiring her appearance, he looked to Aaryona, who was sure to have bunches of questions on her mind (and her own mate having even more). "It is a test to see whether we are capable enough. Worry not about the outcome on your part; the deal still remains true no matter what." As devious and cruel as he could be, Nemesis was still a man of his word and Angela's daughter didn't have to fear any negative consequences if things didn't work out. 

He shifted over to Angela and extended his hand out for hers. "Shall we? Are you gonna be able to walk in those shoes?" It looked like she was going all out to impress him, so he would have to do the same. Like a perfect gentleman, he escorted his date out of the manor, giving a quick wave to Aaryona and Eirik before he opened the carriage door for Angela and then for himself. Within moments, the carriage began its ride further into town with the deities sitting side by side. It was strange for him to be this close and alone with Angela. After all, this was the woman that kept darting in and out of his life, and now they were going out on a date. He chuckled softly at the irony before looking outside.

"Glaciem came late around here this year. Only means it's going to be a bad one." He turned around, "Terra and Ignius don't last fairly long while Venti and Glaciem do. This past Ignius ended surprisingly late, so it threw the seasons out of order a tad. I'd imagine that you don't see much cold weather in Sularia?'

It was going to be a fairly lengthy trip, and so he thought to take advantage of it and make some conversation to learn more about her and her way of life. It was something that he had once tried to avoid, for one reason or another. But now he would have to instead seek out more information, and who better than Angela herself?

"I won't be surprised that once we get to dinner, you will have eyes all over you. Many do not acknowledge the gods, which I'm sure is a moot point to tell you of all people; but me being seen with a gorgeous redhead that isn't a vampire or wolf is sure to raise eyebrows. Hell, they don't even know about my ascension, which works out for myself." The last thing he wanted was for his family to be targeted in any manner because of his status. As far as many knew, he was simply Lord Volkov.  "So, do any of the others know that you are here? Or are you being very careful about seeing the big bad wolf?", he asked with a small grin. 

It appeared that Angela had chosen a good color and got Nemesis’s approval. The goddess offered him a tender smile as he explained their situation. Aaryona was still in shock and it didn’t help that she had just caught him complimenting her. “I know you two can get along but I just haven’t seen it since Mother was pregnant with Lucian and Nerezza.” The Draconis leader sighed a bit and just gave her blessing for the entire thing.

Angela took hold of Nemesis’s arm and chuckled. “It took me a moment or two to figure out how to walk once more but I am well now. We can be on our way.” It wasn’t often the goddess was even caught with shoes on in the first place. However, it was proper for her to do so now in this arrangement. Once she was inside the carriage she pulled up on the blanket that was kept for long rides. Even the heavy cloak wasn’t warm enough for the desert born woman.

“Sularia has always only ever known Ignius. I prefer the heat myself which is why I suppose Elysia is an eternal Ignius because of that. I never saw snow or even the first turned leaves of Venti until I began to study abroad during my schooling years. I remember being so amazed at the turning leaves and the sea of gold and red. It is certainly one of my favorite things.”

Once more the goddess chuckled at him and shrugged a bit. “I am used to it for what it is worth. I hid who I am in Parvpora for the safety of my clergy and what children I have here.” She thought about his last question and shook her head. “Not yet. I am pacing myself. The first concern is of Sirona. She seems to have her own judgment on things. I don’t need her ire on me just yet. The second concern, Raeguel finding out before I am ready to explain… and my third major reason for being hush on the subject is the children. If this doesn’t work I don’t want Nerezza crushed. It is far better I keep it to myself for right now… I’ll get to the messy parts later and hopefully, maybe you will be there will help me wade through that tide.” Her fingers were cold from the weather but they snaked out of the blanket and took his. She seemed fairly comfortable but it was hard to see if Angela was hiding anything.

Looking to turn the conversation she went back to the winter. “When I was a girl traveling abroad I remember seeing a hot box for the first time in a carriage. I was so perplexed that I asked fifty questions as to why they were wasting coal on such a thing. I was never more thankful for that stupid hot box.” She laughed a bit freely now. “I had to borrow a winter cloak because I wasn’t prepared at all and no one knew anything about it from the Sularia Academy. They were all just as cold as I was. We would huddle up in little groups of four and five to keep warm. The Irian boys thought it was funny. They were used to the cold after all. A lot of the girls got boyfriends to keep them warm. Those of us in the advanced studies just had each other and no time for boys. We would all corral around the fireplaces having never seen them before in our lives. It was a sight to see."

"I could hardly think of a life where you are stuck in one season", he retorted, finding it strange yet it was the norm for Angela and her like. "There's plenty of leaves turning in these parts before they go bare. It seems like the tree goes on without them until that faint moment they return, only to be lost once more." 

"You'll also run into a fair share of wolves hunting in the fields and woods before the cold comes in. Snow can prove problematic to run through on all fours. I…found that out after I shifted during my first Glaciem. I was hunting a rabbit of all things, yet chasing it was probably one of the most difficult things I've done. Swear that blasted thing would have laughed before hopping into its hole." 

Ever since he's adjusted the colder climates and surely he was one of the few that were crazy enough to continue hunting. "I'll have to remember to contact you when it happens next year so that you can see it again."  

They had a fair understanding of how their place could place the ones they love in jeopardy. He had to admit that Angela had usually been rather smart when it came to treading lightly, especially when she was dealing with him. Perhaps he was too harsh on her at times, both her and her daughter he was the keeper of. Nemesis shifted ever so slightly so that he was closer to her as he took in her reply. "Who the hell is Sirona?" That couldn't have left his mouth faster- and hopefully, she wouldn't prove to be a thorn on his side a good deal. Apparently Angela either held her in high regard or feared to deal with her. The moment Raeguel was mentioned, he snorted a bit. He wasn't worried at all about that imposter finding out, though it may have a rippling effect he didn't wish onto the children which then were mentioned. Or one of them, at least. 

He leaned back and hung his head up. "Nerezza still believes in that? I would have thought she'd gave it up once she saw him and that girl, Melina wasn't it, together." A part of him did wish to give her that wish, but ultimately they couldn't build a relationship solely for the happiness of the child. The two would have to be compatible in order to function, which so far wasn't proving hard at all. He felt her fingers woven into his and before long, his curled against her- he was used to the bitter frost as she wasn't. It was interesting to see that even Gods could succumb to the changes in the weather. 

Before long, his hand was holding onto hers. "Sergei's at the Irian Academy. It doesn't bother him either and apparently he's taken to a Sularian girl as a pen pal who is visiting with the rest of her class. I wouldn't be surprised if he does end up with a little girlfriend; Celeste talks often how he is like a younger version of me. Only more pure-minded and his hands aren't tainted by blood." His son could be as charming as the rest of them and possessed a gentle heart that seemed taboo from where he came from. "All I know is that he hadn't been able to stop talking about her."

"My winter had been odd, aside from the hunting. I hadn't been alive for such a long time that feeling the cold again was like a new experience. One I didn't like. I stayed in my lupine form often to stray it away and make it into the next season. I had wished I've known just how long I'd had to wait until then, unfortunately. It also didn't help that I soon learned that if I wanted to get out of that form, I would definitely need more clothes. Problem was that I ruined them with each transformation."  

It had been a while before the wheels stopped turning, and with it, the carriage came to a halt. The coachman opened the door for Angela and assisted her exit before waiting for Nemesis to do the same. Tossing him a few coins, he instructed him to be back in a couple of hours and led Angela inside the gastropub. In contrast to the outside world, the tavern was fairly warm, largely to the great fireplace in the center of the room as he spoke to one of the waiters and he led the two into a spacious dining and dance hall. A band was playing light, serene music and a few couples were moving to its alluring tune. They were led to their table where Nemesis pulled out Angela's seat before he took his own. After the orders were made, a fine bottle of wine was brought to them, complete with twin glasses. 

"Excuse me, the young gentleman over there had bought these for you." 

Nemesis looked over to see the young Nikolas at his own table with a few other men, likely there for business reasons but was apparently spotted and had risen a glass to the pair in respect. The wine itself was a beautiful white as it was poured into their glasses and given to their respective drinkers. "At least he's not one to open his mouth quickly about things not his own business", Nemesis chuckled, trusting the vampire with what he was witnessing. "How long has it been since you courted formally? It's been eons for me, so I'm playing this all by ear." He wasn't too keen on revealing this, as awkward as it sounded, but he supposed that he had to lay everything on the table now. 

“Well, it’s weird for me that you have multiple seasons so there.” She lightly stuck her tongue out and chuckled. “If Sularia was placed differently we might see it as such too I’m sure.” Even the rainy weather was here or there. Puffs of magic were what brought in the rains so there were no droughts but natural rain showers were here or there.

Angela was suddenly a barrel of laughter. “I’m just imagining you bounding like a deer and falling into a snowdrift.” She covered her mouth to try and stop herself from laughing but the image was too much from her. “I’ll never forget taking Rohan, Adraejen and mine’s oldest, out into his first snow and he turned into a bear. He was so tiny Nemesis and he would start this trot and he found a snowdrift and fell in. I panicked at first but once I got him out I couldn’t stop laughing.”

Once things turned more serious she lost her smile. “Sirona is one of the gods in the conclave. She is self-righteous and holy. She places more weight on sin than most and I worry for most if she is left unchained. The black and white between evil and good can be blurred… and good is only the side who writes history after all.” She frowned a bit more. “I want to keep my family safe Nemesis. The last thing I need is a crazy angel deity who thinks I’m a heretic.”

His hand was quite warm to her thanks to his lupine blood. It was a nice and toasty feeling and now she knew how Toya felt when the White Queen held Blaine’s hand. “Oh? My daughter Sapphire is in the advanced courses in the Irian Academy. She is studying to become a scholar. She would love to be a historian but this Sularian girl I must find out more. I wouldn’t want any son of mine with just any Sularian girl.” It looked like Angela was ready to take Sergei in as hers as much as Celeste was Angela’s children.

His story about his first ‘new’ winter made her a smile a bit. It made Nemesis have a more human light to him if that was how she wanted to describe it. “And how did you eventually solve the problem?” She didn’t know much about Nemesis but she was intrigued. “I know for me… I hurried up and took the examination to go home as soon as I could. I actually kept taking it until I passed. I spent… I do believe five years here. I was twelve when I finally went home.”

Once the carriage stopped Angela took the coachman’s hand as she exited the carriage. She stabilized herself and took Nemesis’s arm as they made their way inside the tavern. Taking off the cloak she gave it to the front to check-in. It was much warmer inside the tavern than she had anticipated but it was a nice touch.

Once they were seated, Angela had found them gifted with a bottle of wine. She made a pleasant wave to Nikolas as she acknowledged him and smiled back to Nemesis. “Oh yes, he is very good at keeping his mouth shut. He saw the twins in Sularia when we made the deal for trade. It didn’t take him very long to put two and two together.”

His first question at dinner had Angela quiet for a long time. “I met Wyatt when I got his sister as my roommate at the academy. I avoided him like the plague at first. Wyatt was a few years older than I was but damn if he wasn’t persistent. I finally gave in and agreed to court him when I was fourteen. I’m over fifteen hundred now just so you know how long its been. He was from a wealthy Adelunian family. His parents were in bliss when they found out. He took me all the fancy dinners, all the balls, everything. It was exhausting on top of my school work. We got married as soon as I graduated. I lost him and our infant daughter when I summoned for duty.” In secret terms, she meant when she had ascended. “It’s why I was so worried about you. I knew you would be powerful too.”

She coughed a bit moving on and brought the wine to her lips. “This is exquisite. Remind me to let Nikolas have a bottle of my personal wine collection. I love making wine I do it as a hobby when I’m bored. I find that it really relaxes me when I need it.”

Angela watched a few husbands were staring at her and she tried not to giggle when their wives smacked them. Her red hair made her stand out that much was for sure. The food smelled good as well and she began to look around. “And what does the great Lord Nemesis do in his spare time anyway?” She had always wanted to ask.

Light and dark. Night and day. The two seemed like opposites, but like the aforementioned things, they still are seen to require one another on some level. Angela probably seemed to know of this for a period of time now, but for Nemesis, he was starting to figure this out. She was a deity like himself, had personal ties with him and seemed to wish him well in life despite the many atrocities he's committed in his time. In turn, he has done things that she herself could not pull off and had been a reluctant shoulder for her to bear where she would refuse anyone else. He rolled his eyes at her when she lost it thanks to his story. After a little bit, Nemesis chuckled to himself- looking back now, it was funny to view him, as powerful as he was, once having a "humbling" start like that. "I tried not too. Probably did though a couple of times, and that's all I'm saying." Fortunately he was not alone in that embarrassing scenario. Perhaps this was the most comfortable she's ever seen him. Nemesis hardly let his guard down for anyone that wasn't a Volkov, well except Ivan. 

Learning about Sirona made his sigh and hold a grim look. "It's funny how blind Angels can be towards their own sin of pride. I will make no move against her though unless she threatens me or the family." He could see that this particular goddess could be also trouble for Angela and hers…and their twins. He didn't fear the holy light; it would only be snuffed out by eternal darkness if she would seek out blood of any belonging to either of them. "If she makes a move against you in any manner, then I will step in. I'd let her choke on her own convictions." But like I said, I'll play nicely, Angela. Don't fret about a possible war." 

It was a small world, hearing that Sapphire was at the same school, but he tilted his head at her before nodding slowly and pondered about. "Making claims already? The first date hasn't ended yet…" Suddenly the vaewolf burst out into laughter, covering his eyes with a hand, just laughing. "You are as bad as Celeste is. She wants to be a grandmother to Emery." He bought himself down from his high enough to speak coherently. "He wouldn't be here without you though. I will admit that. Just as much as technically Celeste is a stepmother to the twins, though none of them had met each other." He wasn't sure if this all would work, but if it did, it would help mend a lot of things. "I'll be sure to let you know. All I am aware of is that the girl's name is Cinder. I fairly certain since he always brings her up." 

"Eventually I was able to get my foot in the door and started a small trading post. My wares were ill-gotten, but around here, that's isn't the concern. What is, however, is that people want things and you have them. They are willing to pay and I spent a good deal of time working from the bottom and eventually my business flourished." He couldn't imagine her as a child, especially one accomplishing as much as she did. 

They got settled into the table and continued onward with their date. He was attentive when she answered him and drank a bit of the bubbly. While she knew of his tragic first love, he knew nothing about her own love life until this moment. It wasn't hard to believe that she might have still pined for this Wyatt and worse off, the daughter that barely got to live when she was called upon. "My apologies for such losses." It was no wonder that she was like a fly over him. "Mine, of course, was Andrea. She was Reaver's human sister as well. She was the one that sought me out after my turning and slowly helped me get adjusted to that new life. We fell in love and we were inseparable no matter where we went. I lost her only because of the jealousy of a man that was more deranged than myself."

"It's funny that as old as creatures as we are that we remember such things…" He ceased talking about it when it was clear that it was too sore of a subject for her. "Winemaking? I'm hardly surprised to hear that", he smiled before the tables were turned. The food was served and more wine was poured for them, but attention was given to the redhead, just like the attention drawn from the wandering eyes of the men present. The women, on the other hand, weren't too pleased and deal with it in their own right. "I suppose I should get used to it if we explore this further", he spoke, watching the men from the corner of his eye. There was a pang of jealousy that stirred from his being, and sadly it hadn't been the first time he felt this way. Of course admitting now only made him more vulnerable. "When I'm not doing "Nemesis things", I paint." He was sure that she wouldn't believe what she was hearing. "I took it on a little after I started to taste success with my business. I wasn't any good at first and took years of practice before I trained myself to have an eye for it. There's plenty of artwork done by my hand in both manors."

He stared into his venison, cutting it into bite-size chunks with his utensils and plopped one of them into his mouth, enjoying the rich flavor before moving into the potatoes. "Besides that, I hunt, partake in hawking, chess, host parties and a little bit of gambling every now and then. I've learned plenty about myself since coming here, and I never really gotten to enjoy life's little pleasures. The taste of actual food, fully enjoying sensations, and being able to stand in the sunlight during the rare moments the sun appears here. And what about you, when you aren't busy with your duties or with the children?" 

“I just want the world safe enough for my family and perhaps it will be our family.” If there was a crazy angel out there starting wars or targeting who was immortal that would be extremely dangerous. “I don’t want to have to start to keep my children inside the temple again. I lost my son Raven to Cyprus. I don’t want to lose anymore.” What Cyprus had done to Raven was cruel and it choked her upset inside. It was plain to see in her eyes how horrific the situation had been. “He was only six Nemesis. I don’t want to lose anyone like that ever again.”

His laughter was contagious after that and she found herself enjoying his company. “Celeste and I are very much similar in the way we act.” It was why they got along so well and she was sure it was why Celeste could piece her personality apart. Once the girl’s name came out though she went stiff as a board. “You are absolutely sure he said Cinder?… The possibilities of it being anyone else…” She was almost white as a sheet. “No, maybe there is more than one Cinder in Sularia…”

Angela coped with Wyatt’s loss but it was Lyre that had hurt. “Believe it or not I had been prepared for Wyatt to die from the time we married. See, he asked me not to turn him. He wanted to live out his days as a human and die as one. We were always going to have a short time together but Lyre was his everything. She was his legacy. Lyre is what haunts me in my dreams at night. She is the one who wakes me up screaming every once in a while. No matter how old I get I can’t forget what I have done. I considered myself a monster for a long time.” She showed it hurt but also at the same time he deserved to know it all. He was courting her now and to know her pain was to know her.

She had always wanted to know the story of Andrea and she had gotten a few things out of him here or there. Angela looked at the food as it was brought out and smiled as she tenderly went over everything. “This is excellently cooked please give my thanks to the chef.” She was so skilled as a chef herself that she could tell from looking and that single simple tasting she did in the beginning. She chuckled up at Nemesis. “I’m regarded as one of the beautiful women in the land. I wouldn’t think so myself but maybe it's because of my image and status, no? You don’t have to get used to it if you don’t want to but it will probably still happen.”

The redhead looked intrigued as he spoke and she looked like she was studying him as she ate. “I’ll have to see all of it sometime. Could make for an interesting date, wouldn’t you think?” Angela thought long and hard. “When I am not working myself to death… I like to cook, read poetry, play music, dance especially dance, and other various handicraft activities. I am absolute trash at handicrafts though and I get frustrated. I don’t know what it is about knitting that is so hard for me to master.” She chuckled a bit. “Can’t be good at everything I suppose. I do a bit of painting but most of what I’ve learned has been from toddlers throwing paint at me and giggling.” Her experience as a mother shined brightest when she spoke about them and her pride was showing.

Once they had gotten through their meal she pushed herself out and stood up. She could feel eyes on her as she offered her hands to Nemesis. “You do know how to dance… You have to if you host parties.” She teased him a bit. “If you don’t, I can teach you. I’m a very good teacher I hear.”

There were panic and worry that lingered in each word that poured from her mouth. Being fear itself, Nemesis could pick up on it with the greatest of ease, even though he couldn't feed off of it. Not that he would have, anyway. "This is a world of conflict. I mustn't need to tell you that, of all people. That said, we can only do what we need to in order to ensure our legacy, which will be the children." He patted her hand to try and help relieve her of that stress. He thought back to Sergei, the child that was lucky enough to come into this world. Then to the twins, whose existence wasn't meant to be, but he wouldn't take it back. And then to Nerezza's unborn daughter, his grandchild that he may have the fortune to know one day. "I know, Angela. If it happens again, the perpetrator will suffice a hundredfold, I swear it."

He looked at her with a questioning look but nodded nonetheless. "Why, do you know her…" Then he put on a long face and groaned. "Tell me that Cinder isn't one of your daughters," That could prove to be trouble if they were to get together. It would have been a shame too since Sergei seemed smitten by her, not that the young man would ever admit it out loud. He was Nemesis' son, more and more every day. "The boy's been working hard on his schoolwork, but I think she distracts him in a typical way if you understand."

"You were not a monster, not then and not now. You couldn't control it when you ascended. Hell, it took me a long time to understand the powers I've gained and I'm not even sure I have a full grasp now." While he went to soothe with his words, he also knew that there was emotional trauma she dealt with, and it would take much more than that to ease that pain. "I have a feeling that I know the answer, but if you want to be spared the agony of Lyre's death, then I can help. I have recently done something similar to a very good friend of mine to spare her the terrible memories that haunted her." He continued with his dinner as she did hers, satisfied that she had loved the food here. "We are friends with the owners of this establishment and Celeste called in a favor. She's pulling out all the stops to see that we develop into a couple. She really likes you if she's going this far. That and she wants to be a part of the children's life." He fell a bit seldom afterward, "I don't need to tell you that she too is no stranger to the loss of children. I blame myself for not waiting until her body had matured naturally before turning her. If so, then we wouldn't have as much of them buried." He believed that that had something to do as to why she wanted to be in Emery's life once she got here. Sergei was their one and only baby that made it and he was sure that she had a lot of love to spread out. 

"Perhaps. Your kind has a tendency to attract just about anyone you wish." Even he had been in awe in the first night he met her, then again, that was the same night that the twins had been conceived. There could only be mild shock about that, now that he thought of it. "Whenever you wish to see them, that will be fine with me. Most of them are portraits of people from my past. I don't live for it anymore, but I also don't forget about it either. Not when it lead me to this point in my life." 

Nemesis had finished his own meal and downed the last bits of wine when Angela decided that she wanted to have a bit of fun. He flashed her a small grin before rising up himself. "I haven't forgotten chivalry, and being able to dance is certainly a part of it." Not to mention that she was right that him playing host would have to see him leading dances with his wife. He took to her dainty hands and led her to the dancefloor, bringing her closer to him with one hand pressed against the small of her back and the other holding onto her adjacent hand. His feet positioned, Nemesis took the charge and whisked her away, moving as if they were walking on air. Every so often, he would turn her and continue onward with the grace that many wouldn't think the vaewolf would have.  

“Thank you…” She was so very happy to have Nemesis there to help her keep all of the children safe. They meant the world to her and it showed with how much love she put into everything.

Angela shook her head. “NO! No.” She answered the second time calmly and laughed. “Cinder is my great-niece. One of Cyprus’s victims was her father. Casimir was a good and honorable man. His wife is sickly and she’s done her best to raise Cinder. Cinder was mostly raised by Cyprus’s remaining children that she didn’t kill. She is a very good girl. Bright and brilliant. They named her Cinder because they thought she would be the last of their family if Cyprus got her way. From the cinders, the flames will rise again. They smuggled her into Sularia to her remaining family to hide her existence. Casimir baited his mother and sacrificed himself so his wife and child could live. He was a good man.”

The subject turned back to Lyre and Angela shook her head. “What kind of woman would I be Nemesis? I do not run away even from the darkest of my memories. I would not be who I am if I did. I am a survivor and I always have been. I will deal with these memories as I always have and maybe, hopefully, you will guide me through my dark times. This is how I pave my path and make my future. I make the world beautiful by enduring my pain and making sure that my children never have to know the pain that I have. If I lost that, I would lose my self. I do appreciate you asking and thinking of doing that for me.” She was strong and no one could argue that.

Angela chuckled a bit. “I think Celeste really likes me too. She even went out of her way to import the tea that I like. If I didn’t think she really liked me by that then her wanting to be part of our children's’ lives really drives the point home.” She lost her smile for a minute before nodding. “That’s not your fault. She was hurting and you wanted to make it better. No one could have known that it wouldn’t have helped Nemesis. She certainly doesn’t blame you for it. I’m just glad that I was able to help you both and watch Sergei bring you joy.”

The goddess chuckled a bit and shrugged. “You need to meet my little sister. Beautiful she might be but I don’t know how the hell she’s still married. She has the temper of a dragon, the strength of one, and the ferocity. Don’t know how many times she’s decked me in the face because she knows I can take it. I almost feel sorry for poor Blaine.” Angela looked a bit excited when he brought up his paintings. “I would like that. When I’m ready to introduce you to Wisteria you can see some of her fine work she’s done.” There weas laughter and an eye roll from her.

The grin from him was actually sort of cute and it made her giggle as he got up. “Then you’ll have to show me a good time.” He was certainly good at it she would give him that. She leaned into him as the music slowed and looked up at him. “I’m having a good time for what it means. I think a second date would be fun.” It meant that the night was going well. “I think now that we are more open with each other that Celeste is right about the fighting not being as often. I closed myself off to you so I wasn’t conflicted and I tend to be a bit annoying when I’m bored.” She chuckled and leaned up to kiss his cheek.

“In two months if you are still the apple of my eye… I’ll explain everything to the twins. You can meet Wisteria and we can all be a family. If that’s okay with you? Taking it slow is something I’m not very good at but I think in this case I want to make sure. I want to do things the right way with you even if we are going backward and restarting. For our family… I would do anything.”