(Thane)
To say that he was surprised at having been told that Celeste had already made her way outside was an understatement. He had thought that she would have been holed up inside a little longer, maybe as a statement that she wanted nothing to do with this place, though it would be hard to plan an escape without a layout of the land. The conniving wench was probably out right now doing exactly that, planning her next step, little did she know that he was two moves ahead of her. The thought of surprising her while she was on her mission held too much entertainment, so he pushed up from his chair, work could wait until later. Opening the door, he about clashed into the wide eyes of his mother, with a groan he stepped back, "Mother," he acknowledged her.
"I'm sorry darling, were you heading out?" she asked innocently.
Thane knew better than to think that his mother was not up to something, it was written all over her pretty face, that look in her eyes told him all he needed to know. "I was just going to get some fresh air." He stated, his put his hands behind his back impatiently, silently willing her to hurry up with whatever nonsense she felt the need to tell him of.
"Maybe I shall join you." She mused giving him a small smile.
Thane groaned softly but returned her smile, "Of course," he held out his arm for her to take.
Natira laughed a little and took his arm with her hand, "Oh my darling boy, she is really quite lovely." She stated as they headed out into the courtyard.
"Who?" he asked fringing ignorance, pretending to take in the beautiful flowers around them.
There was a swat on his arm, "Celeste, do not play coy with me." She hissed.
Thane had not remembered the last time that his mother had addressed a concubine by her actual name. The surprise must have been written on his face; how could he help it? The fact that she had taken the time to put Celeste's name to memory said a more than anything how his mother felt about the girl. Thane let out a small breath of relieve, if she liked Celeste that would make the whole situation, he found himself in much easier to deal with. The support of his mother was the only support that mattered to him, if his mother had a problem with what he was going to purpose, then it would just cause a rift in the house. He really wanted to avoid that, but even without her support, he would do what he thought was right. "Yes, yes she is." He agreed.
"You want to court her, don't you?"
"Yes." He answered without hesitation.
Natira sighed wistfully, "You have always had a good head on your shoulders, always have done what you think is right, I assume you know the consequences you face in doing this?" she asked turning to look at him seriously. "Making an Omega your Empress is dangerous, many from across the lands will come to take her, by putting her in a position of power you are creating a bigger target on her back."
"I know that." he said softly, "There is something about her that speaks to me, makes my heartbeat faster, and my senses heighten. I think she would be a good match for me."
There was silence, before his mother nodded, "Well that is that than." And she leaned in to give him a chaste kiss on his cheek, then turned to leave him outside by himself.
Walking along the marble of the pathway, he thought about what he was going to do, how he was going to win over his little firefly. The woman was skeptical of him and his way of life, why should she not be? Thane had brought her to live in a harem, she was a slave, bought and paid for. The woman had been stripped away from her home and everything she had ever known, to a place that was meant to keep her confined. Celeste thought herself a prisoner in this beautiful palace, so why not show her that she was quite the opposite? If he were to court her properly, then he would have to treat her like a lady and not a concubine or slave of any definition. When he found his little hellcat hunched over a patch of flowers, picking out the weeds, he had not expected it. Silently he watched her work, she pulled at the veins viciously letting loose a few slants.