Anya watched Orlyn sleep awhille. Orlyn ended up cuddling up next to her last night and finally passed out. She moved some of his hair out of his face with a smile.  "Hey... wake up sleepyhead..."

"Just five more minutes..." he moaned, running a hand along her back.  His eyes slowly opened.  "Wait... what time is it?"

"About eight or earlier..." She turned over to check on the time on her nightstand clock, revealing that she was still wearing the dress she went to the ball in. "Oh... 7:48."

"Great..."

"We late again?"

"No.  We still have about ten minutes before breakfast starts getting served."

She made a face, "do I have to make an appearance there too?"

"No.  But I do."  He pushed some of her hair back.  "It's discussing some of the things for the treaty.  I have to fight through our own council a little."

"Okay, good luck."

"Thanks."  He gave her a kiss on the forehead and vanished.

I still don't trust him, Jiolyu said.

Jiolyu... I understand your position, but have some faith in him at least. She got out of bed an headed for the bathroom.  The shadowy being appeared in the room.  The truth will probably hurt him...

It's my nature to be suspicious, like all Sordil.  You are probably correct though.

I will keep my word to you and your people. The curse will be at an end this time. No matter the cost.  The sound of rushing water filled the room.

That's what you said last time.

Actually, I didn't... I was in Swazza. the voice that entered his mind was slightly different than Anya's but he knew it.  

The Gods know I sure as hell didn't say it yet another female voice added. This voice was slightly annoyed.

You were the one that started this whole mess to begin with an older sounding female voice added casually.

All of you quiet! Anya demanded of her mind.

I do not care, all I heard was that it was said, Jiolyu said.  If you do tell him, what then?

The running water stopped. Then... I really don't know. He probably will think I am nuts.

I sure do, the annoyed voice added, he only fucked you twice in a four year marriage... there is something definitely wrong there.

Soi... shut up, please? Anya was to the point of pleading.

Do you wish to be alone with yourselves? the Sordil asked.

"Not really," came Anya's verbal reply.

You know we can still hear you when ya talk too...

Very well... Jiolyu was getting a tad annoyed.

Just shut up Soi! Anya and the other two voices retorted in unison to Soi.

I do not wish to put more on your mind than you already have, but your handmaiden was looking for you.  The shadow moved to the balcony.  She had things for you regarding the treaty.  But we both know you've been hard at work on it.

Great... Anya's sigh echoed through the bathroom.

*****

There was a knock on the door.  Caritsu answered, already in a foul mood, "Yes?"

"I am here for Princess Meoiska," Orlyn's voice asked.  "Is she ready?"

All he got in reply was a growl as she stepped away from the still un-opened door.  Orlyn sighed.  "This is important, milady."  

He knocked again.  "This is regarding the treaty!"

"Caritsu! Open the door!" he heard Anya demand.  The door opened.

Orlyn walked in, seeing a very annoyed Caritsu by the door. Anya stood near her bed. She shot Caritsu an order in their language and the older female left.

"Something tells me she did not take too kindly to me staying with you last night,” he said.

"Oh she doesn't know about that. She's just angry I had to see you today."

"Oh.  I take it she does not see any benefit from a treaty?"

"No, she just simply hates you." Anya managed a little smile.

"Go figure."  He walked over to a table.  "Now, to business."

"Yes," Anya's gold dress made a soft sound as she walked over to him.

Orlyn smiled and a portfolio appeared in his hand.  He put it down and opened it.  "Usually, when the Takerdae make a treaty, we go through what both parties are looking to get out of it.  I was thinking something different for this time."

"Okay."  She took a seat at the table he was at.

He handed her a paper.  "These are for you to look over.  This was the best I could get the council to give as compensation for losses during The Dividing Wars.  I tried for more, but, they wouldn't budge."

She nodded. She looked over the document. "I'll have to let my father look over this too."

"I know."  He sighed.  "Please make sure he knows I tried for more."

"I will try." She made a face, as she read over the document. “Nothing on here will appease my father and our council...”

“Great.”  Orlyn looked up at her.  “I'm listening though.”

“Hmmm...” She looked over at him, “This is probably going to be impossible to accomplish, but my father has expressed if this pact involves possible war, the Mekans will have to approve the treaty too.”  She bit her bottom lip, “and that both the Quaya and Mekans be given equality in Takerdean law.”

“Huh boy...”  He leaned back in his chair with a sharp exhale.  “That's gonna be tricky.”

“But that will also help us personally too.”

“Yeah, I know.”  He shook his head.  “I fear the council will just veto it all.”

“Then, we have to prove to them how useful Mekans and Quaya can be.”

“Yeah.”

“And there's the Tsyun ruins on Keasseterra that we would like the privilege to examine. Oh, and we cannot have a trade of technology.”  She sighed, “I hate politics.”

“That makes two of us.”

“Well luckly those are all the demands on my end. Personally, I think they were just saying all this to make it hard on me.”

He looked over some of his own papers.  “The Tsyun ruins, I think I might be able to haggle.”  Orlyn sighed.  “They'll fight the technology one a lot though.”  “I'll need something to justify why your people won't share tech.”

“Our tech will literally eat yours. Is that a good reason enough?”

He raised an eyebrow.  “What about some of the Quayan artifacts we're using now?  The corvette we used had an anti-magic cloak on it.  We've been able to incorporate some artifacts, others not.  Have your people made advancements since last contact?”

“That is magic based, that might be allowed through. But we don't want foreign tech coming in either. My people hate non-living or non-magical tech.”

“Okay, okay.”  Orlyn turned a paper.  “Um... lemme see here.”  He sighed again.  “A lot of this is just going to be pleasing the councils.  If it were up to me, I'd say to you, do you think an alliance would be a benefit, and you'd say yes or no, and if you said no, we'd negotiate, and if you say yes, we'd just sign the damn thing.”

“But that would be too easy...”

“Yeah...”  Orlyn looked up at her.  “Do you know what the Dividing Wars were fought over anyway?  I can't remember.”

Anya closed her eyes. “Yes, I know. A little too well.”  She opened her eyes again, “what exactly do you want to know?”

“Why?  That's all, really.  Why the war began, why it lasted so long, that sorta stuff.”

“Both the Takerdean and Ameyne wanted to control all, that simple. The other was in the way. First it was simple things, like random “accidents”, disgruntled human attacks until it finally broke out into all out war.  Kind of like now, only there was a Drayn on both sides.”  Anya continued, “The Mekans were enslaved hundreds of years before hand on both sides, they were good workers. The Quayan race came from the mixing of Takerdean and Ameyne blood, mostly the slave owners decided to have some fun with the prisoners of war from the other side. The war lasted for a century or two, and the first and second generations of this 'mixed breed' began to be known as the ‘Quaya’ old elvish word means 'mixed blood'.

Orlyn nodded every now and then, so it was obvious he was paying attention to everything she was saying.

“Quaya were then made the servants and worked with the Mekans doing everything the two master races didn't want to do. When the two kingdoms realized that they both were basically killing each other off, they began to send just Mekans and Quaya into the front lines. Soon the war became a game to watch Mekans and Quaya fight themselves and kill each other. After all we were just second-rate, savage Elves.”

“So that's why...”

“The Gods intervened and divided the Inner Systems into four, one for each race. Obviously, their decision hit the Takerde and Amenye the hardest. They lost all their free labor and basically half of their kingdom, to the two races that used to be their slaves.”  She sighed, “it made matters worse when the newest, less developed Elven race suddenly received their own system and given the gift of anti-magic.   That was the only time in history that the Takerde and the Ameyne joined together, in a united vengeance against the race that was the unholy mix of blood.”  Anya looked at him directly in the eyes, “And trust me, they killed more Quaya then, than our entire time on their respective kingdoms as their slaves.”

He was shocked.  He could hardly believe that his own people had committed such genocide.  Orlyn had said to his mother he was ashamed of his race because they would let a known mass-murderer wander the stars, and this had just made him all the more ashamed.  “I don't want to believe it... but...”  He looked at her again.  “But that's what happened...”

“That is why we had to hide. By then, our Mekan friends had a good system to keep their people safe and a lot of their crops started to circulate in the new Takerde and Ameyne. We Quaya weren't as lucky. There is change though... at least most of your people's hatred now is based only on rumor and simple ignorance.”  Anya looked away, “as soon as the Queen talked to me, several nobles welcomed me. So, I am sure there is hope that our people with eventually get along...”

“How'd the treat you?”

“Very nice actually, they were still frightened that I would suck out their magic if I touched them.” She smiled nervously, “I kind of went into their head to insure they were being genuine.”

“Were they?”

“Yeah, but they were scared by me more than anything. Fear of the unknown, I guess.”

“Then we'll have to show them there's nothing to fear.”

“I hope so. Although, I am sure the older in years the more they will probably hate more than fear.”

“Yeah.”

“Anyway, is there anything more to discuss?”

“I don't think so.”  He looked at the papers to make sure.  “Wait...  What about the Sordil?”

“What about them?”

“What's there stance on all this?”

“They have been our guardians for years, they deal with the safety of our system above all else. So, I will have to make sure they are comfortable with the treaty, which would be easy.”

“Good.”

Gah! Just be done already and go back to making out. Soi finally let out in Anya's mind.

Anya blinked and looked away from Orlyn. Soi, I thought we all agreed not to talk in his presence.

You used my memories! I should have the right to say what I damn well wish.

Anya sighed. Just stop it!

“Anya?” Orlyn asked.

“Huh?” She looked up.

“I just asked you a question.”

Soi chuckled. Come on... I know you rather kiss him than discuss stupid political crap.

“You did?” Anya smiled. I swear if I could shut you up physically I would Soi. but I can't so a little cooperation would be nice

“Yeah.  What do you want for lunch?”

You, would be nice Soi purred. Anya blushed, “uh...”

Soi, stop it!

“I can have the cooks prepare just about anything,” Orlyn said.

You and whipped cream is all we need...

Anya's jaw dropped. Soi!

“Umm... should I just tell them to hold off for the moment?” Orlyn asked, a puzzled look on his face.

“Huh?”

“I can tell them we're not hungry and we can get something later.”

“Oh, yeah.” Anya kept focused on the floor. I hate you... I hate you... I want you out of my head, now!

Well, if I had that option I would take it. Soi paused before continuing, Oh, he's talking to you again...

“What?”

“What?”

“Yeah... I'm not feeling well.” She rubbed her head, hoping that would somehow quiet Soi for a moment or two.

“Anything I can do?”

I know what you could do! Anya cringed knowing exactly what Soi was thinking.

“I don't think so...”

How about a nice romp in the shower?

Would you leave the poor girl alone! the mature voice interrupted Soi.

Shut up, Leasu! You're making it worse... Soi retorted. Besides a granny like you should just keep your mouth shut.

Anya began to shake her head. Stop it! Stop it!

Who are you calling Granny? You are technically the oldest one here... besides this is not the time for this...

Hey, I am just trying to help-

How is this helping her?

She stood up. “Stop it! All of you!”

Orlyn, who'd begun massaging her shoulders quickly let go.  “Anya?  There's just me here.”  He blinked.  “Unless your bodyguard is here too.”

Anya turned and looked at him, tears gathering in her eyes. “I'm sorry...”

“Alright.”  He hugged her.  “Anya, you're scaring me.”

She sighed, “look... its hard to explain...”  She hugged him back. “Just... enter my mind...”

“Alright...”  Orlyn closed his eyes.

Oh... crap... Soi just realized the other presence in their mind.

Hello, Prince Orlyn. Leasu stated formally, Welcome to Anya's very occupied mind.

Orlyn opened his eyes with a surprise.  “Wha...”

Anya looked up at him with a weak smile, “Uh... I apparently share the same soul with five other previous living females...”

He slowly let go of her.  “How?”

Anya took a deep breath, “Well remember the story I told you about the first Quayan Princess?”

“Yeah.”

“Well... technically, that's me. I am the 6th life of the original Princess Krystyanya Meoiska and she was the one that said “oh crap”...”

Orlyn slowly sat back down.  “Um...  Okay...”  There was still the same look of surprise on his face from when he left her mind.

She winced, “If you want me to leave now that you know, I will.”

He put his head in his hands for a moment.  He shook his head and looked back.  “No.  Stay.  Just...”  Orlyn took a deep breath.  “This is just... this is like the biggest surprise I've ever heard...”

“How do you think I felt when all these people were in my head and that my soul is cursed to chose between their people or their love.”  She sat down as well, “I shouldn't have come here.”

“No.”  Orlyn moved his chair so he was in front of her.  “Anya...  We can do this.”  He took her hands, carefully.

“Don't you see... I have to end this curse. If I choose to be with you against the better interests of my people, something horrible will happen and I will die and then this soul will be born into another.”

“Oh...”  Orlyn sighed.  “Anya...  I love you, and will do what I can so you won't die again.”

She placed her head on top of their joined hands, crying softly.

“If we break the curse though, everything will be well again.”  He blinked.  “Right?”

“I don't know that either...”

If you want my opinion, Soi spoke to Orlyn's mind, I think you should just forget the curse and whisk her away.

“No.”  Orlyn blinked.  No.

Prince Orlyn, ignore Soi. She's just the idiot who got us all in this mess. Leasu added.

“They always argue... but Leasu is usually right.” Anya informed through her soft sobbing.

Orlyn couldn't stand it any longer.  He brought her head up, gently.  “How many did you say were in you?”

“Five, two never talk, one rarely talks, and then Soi and Leasu always do.”  Anya paused to sniffle a bit, “but Leasu only talks to try and make Soi stop.”

“Really.”  He chuckled a little at that.  “Leasu.”  He blinked.  “I'm so used-to talking to just you, this is gonna take some getting used-to.”  Orlyn closed his eyes and dived into her head again.  Leasu, what can you tell me about this curse?

Basically we all fall in love with a Human against our race's wishes and are killed, executed or in my case, stuck in a cell until one of my own children killed me for being full Takerdean.

“She is the Takerdean noble of the Swazza civil war,” Anya mumbled.

Orlyn nodded, hearing Anya.

Yes. All five lives have not learned the lesson...

So, you were the one responsible for the civil war there?

Only for being a fool. My husband only married me for the power to contest Takerdean rule of the planets my family... our family, actually, controlled.  He betrayed me after he had his way with me on our wedding night. I was stuck in a cell for nearly twenty years

Orlyn opened his eyes and lookd at Anya.  “I have an idea.  And I think it was because you didn't fall in love with a human.”

“Well I did... the Human just turned out to be Takerdean, or else I would've died already...”

“Exactly.”  He rubbed her cheek, cleaning some of the tears from her face.  “You know now.  With that knowledge, and what your past lives know, we can break this curse.”

Anya nodded, “Hopefully.”  She smiled a little, “That was the main reason why Jiolyu doesn't like you... he's been watching all of us, all the lives.  He's worried the curse would force you to do like the others did...”

“Kill you?  Hurt you?”  He shook his head.  “Forget it.”

“Not all of them did that. They encouraged the plan to run away...  Jiolyu knows you already tried to convince me to do that.”

Orlyn looked closely at her.  “I tried, you said no.  I don't want to force you to do anything you don't want to.”

She sighed, “I barely said no.”

I reminded her of the fact that it wasn't worth it. Leasu added softly.

Ah.

I still say you two should run off... Soi mumbled bitterly.

Or at least get it on like a normal married couple! Soi paused. Oh! I need to ask you some questions buddy...

Anya's eyes widened. No Soi! “No!”

I just want to know if he is a functioning male... I mean do you even get aroused?  Soi's question made Anya's blush return very quickly.

Um... yes...  Orlyn was unsure where this was going.

Okay... then why did you only have sex with your wife twice in your four year marriage?

Soi, it is none of our business... Leasu defended.

Well, Anya is so shy about the subject it is ridiculous! So I am helping.

Leasu let out a sigh, Again, your 'help' tends to make things worse.

Well, not my fault I can access her memories and thoughts...

Soi... just please stop... for all our sakes Leasu mumbled.

Orlyn didn't respond.  He looked at Anya.  “Uh, I'm gonna get outta your head if you don't mind.”

She was completely red and only nodded.

He smiled.  “You look very cute when you're red.”

She looked up at him and pouted, “I don't think so.”

“Why?”

“Because... I just don't...”

He sighed.  “Well... I think you do.”  Orlyn leaned in a little and gave her a soft kiss on one of her scarlet cheeks.

You just give her THAT? Soi asked in his mind.

Orlyn blinked.  Wh-what?

Anya looked at him confused, while Soi continued talking directly in his mind. Are you some kind of saint or something? There has to be some perverted thought in your mind somewhere... I mean look at her! She's hot. Normal males would pounce her by now!

He sighed.  I respect her.  I don't want to force her into anything she doesn't want to do.

Then count on an eternity of nothing, because she has problems just starting a kiss with you let alone more than that. She could castrate a male with no problems, but kissing one turns her into a blushing idiot.  Soi then added, You are aware that you are 60% responsible for all her self-esteem issues...

Can I talk to Anya about this?

Try it and watch her just turn red...

Anya was still watching him confused, “Something wrong?”

Orlyn began to turn red.

Not you too! Gah!

He blinked.  What?

How did you even get her pregnant?

Luck.  He sighed.  Look, what do you want?

Hey... I just want at least one of our lives to have a happy and healthy sex life... is that so bad?  Soi then added, plus being Elvish in Human bodies, you were too young to really feel anything.

Orlyn's brow began to twitch.  Would you please let us deal with it?

“Orlyn?” Anya put a hand on his face. “What's happening?”

“Soi's asking about our sex life...”

Really the lack thereof... Soi added in both their minds.  The blush that had barely faded, flared back to life on Anya.

Orlyn hugged Anya, giving her another kiss on the cheek.  You want us to go at it? he asked Soi.  Is that it?

It would be an improvement...

Soi! Leasu now entered the conversation, Leave them alone!

I am just going off of Anya's thoughts... so I dare you to try and stop me.

Leasu was quiet for a moment, Fine. Prince Orlyn, you can create a mental barrier around Anya's mind that will keep her from hearing us for several hours.

HEY!

Thank you. he said to her.

Leasu chuckled, No problem... just focus on my mental pattern and you will block my Takerdean magic, and then Anya isn't forced to read minds

Won’t she absorb my magic?

I am sure she is listening now and she can control her magic to allow it.

Okay.  Here goes.

Soi sounded furious, Dont you dare!

Orlyn ignored her.  He began focusing his thoughts on Leasu's mental pattern.  After a few seconds, he opened them.  “Uh, Anya?”

She blinked. “They're... they all stopped.”

He smiled.  “Then it worked.”

She hugged him tightly, “Thank the Gods!”

Orlyn chuckled.  He hugged her back, just as tightly.

“You ever need them blocked, just tell me.”

“Okay, I will.”

“Does anyone else know?”

“My parents and Jiolyu.”

“Oh.”  He began to rub her back a little.  “Anya?”

“Yeah?”

“Uh... I know you're sensitive about the subject but...”  He sighed.  “Do you really feel I...”

She pulled away a little to look at him confused.

He shook his head a little.  “Sorry.  Soi got into my head.  Um, not literally, just...”  He sighed again.

Anya's cheeks turned slightly pink, “Oh...”

“Anya, if you really want to, all you have to do is ask.”

She looked away, her grey skin slowly turning into a dark pink, “I couldn't ask that...  besides... you... you don't like... like me... like that...”

He smiled.  “Anya.  Every relation has some physical attraction to it.”  Orlyn gently put a hand on her cheek, tuning her toward him again.  “Is that what this is about?”

She opened her mouth to speak, but she was too embarrassed to say anything.

He sighed.  “Please say something.”

“I... guess so...”

His hand rubbed her cheek some more, and he smiled a little.  “Alright.  I just want to make you happy.”

“You do.”

“If... if this is what all this is about, I can work on it if you want...”  He sighed.  “You know I'm not comfortable talking about it either, but for you, I will.”

She nodded, “I'll try too.”

He smiled.  “Okay.”  With that, he pushed her chin up and kissed her.  “Now.  How about some lunch?”

*****