(Once again I have nothing to say to this chapter other than I'm a sadistic human being. This is entirely in Jevan's mindset and is probably not entirely true to what would happen. Like K'yorl his way of thinking has been twisted slightly due to his past traumas)

Jevan watched from the balcony down over the ballroom as the people mingled with one another. His silver hair was brushed back neatly, his crystal blue gaze searching the crowd of both familiar and unfamiliar faces. Along with the drow elves from his kingdom, there were also a few surface dwellers that he himself had invited. So far, they seemed to have decent enough manners. So far.

"You going to sing tonight, Jevan?" A deep, gravelly voice said from behind. The 7'3 drow emperor turned to look over his shoulder, seeing his father approaching. They both were dressed in ceremonial suits for the party itself, the cloth black with golden embroidery along the seams, as well as small gems that matched their eye color along the shoulders and the wrists.

"No, not tonight," Jevan answered with a small shake of his head, before going back to scanning the crowd.

"You should really start working out those vocal chords of yours son. You used to have such an amazing voice when you sang," K'yorl said nostalgically, a smile across his face.

"So you've said," Jevan answered, pausing in thought. "Dad...do you think Kitara's mate will allow me to dance with her tonight? I know the surface is a lot more...strict in how they show their affection for their friends, but surely he would understand?" Jevan asked him. His scalloped ear twitched slightly as he looked over at K'yorl, the ex-emperor leaning his arms against the handrail.

"I don't know Jevan. I don't know much about werewolves, or-" he started.

"Half werewolf. Jake is half werewolf, half fae," Jevan corrected him. K'yorl arched an eyebrow at him.

"Sorry, I didn't know. Well either way, I don't know much about how they react to another male dancing with their mate, even if it is just in friendship. But I'm sure Kitara could explain it to him if he got too pushy," K'yorl shrugged. "You know Kitara doesn't put up with crap like that."

"Yes...you're right," Jevan said with a small smile in thought. He spotted Kitara through the crowd, over by the food tables with her mate right next to her. Her blonde hair stood out sharply against the crowd of mostly silver and white, her fair skin not helping her blend in. He smiled as he watched the two, noting Kitara's relaxed posture as she ate some of the specially made surface food. She knew she didn't have to blend in down in the Underdark. Even with her half elf heritage, she was treated like family.

"You're staring again Jevan," K'yorl said, his voice a mixture of dry yet understanding. Jevan sighed and looked down, closing his eyes.

"I didn't mean to," he answered quietly. He looked over as he felt a warm hand on his shoulder.

"I know it hurts, Jevan. Longing and heartbreak hurts like a bi-"

"Language, Dad."

"-itch, but you have the best intentions. You want to keep the bond between you and your daughter," K'yorl said, ignoring the warning to watch his cursing. "Life sucks that way...it makes you chose who you bond with and what bonds you make, and which ones you have to sever. But Kitara wouldn't break off your friendship because she has a mate. You two have been through too much to forget that now."

Jevan listened, giving a weak smile at K'yorl's words. He knew he was right, and mentally he agreed. He knew it was for the best, to preserve the slowly reforming bond with his Ezira -his Phantom, he corrected himself- as well as to keep Kitara in his life.

But that did nothing to stop the ache in his heart.

He gave a little nod as he turned back to watch the ballroom, picking out faces he recognized. Jake, standing next to Kitara. Tso'sun and Kit, his aunt and uncle, were both strolling about and socializing with their son Alinaar. A few of the chefs and royals that he often talked to in the halls. His other aunt, Sarai, flirting with the guards. He could see other surface dwellers from the refuge, but he didn't know who they were.

Jevan steeled himself with a deep breath as the music changed, before he turned and headed down the graceful, spiraling steps. He clasped his hands behind his back as he stood tall, forcing his steps to be slow and leisurely as he approached to where Kitara and Jake were talking. The werewolf-fae hybrid went tense at his approach, going alarmingly silent as the half elf looked up, her metallic silver eyes portraying her mirth.

"Greetings, Kitara. Greetings Jake," Jevan said respectively as he gave the two of them a bow in greetings.

"Hello Jevan. Thank you for inviting all of us. This was such a nice surprise," Kitara said with a warm smile. Jevan's heart fluttered at her smile. No, Jevan! She has a mate, dammit! You two had an agreement! He mentally scolded himself as he nodded.

"I figured we could use some new faces around here, even if it's only for a night. And since Uncle Tso'sun and Aunt Kit spoke so highly of most of the residents, I saw no problem in inviting everyone down here," he added, before he glanced around the room. His blue eyes momentarily flickered to Jake to meet the hybrid's stone cold brown eyes, before he looked back at Kitara.

"I was wondering if you would like a dance, Kitara? Just one?" Jevan asked, his voice tentative as he extended a hand to her. Jevan's eyes flicked over to Jake who gave a growl, though Kitara seemed to ignore it as she smiled and gently set her much smaller hand in his.

"I'd love one," she said with a smile. He couldn't help but to return the smile with a soft chuckle as he lead her to the dance floor. Blending into the pairs already in motion he carefully guided her through the dance moves, though their sheer height difference made it a bit awkward.

"K'yorl seems to be doing a lot better after going to get some help," Kitara said with a smile.

"He's much better now, thanks to Uncle Tso. I've never seen him this...happy, before," Jevan answered, returning her smile. "But how are you up there? Is everything going well?" He asked as he carefully twirled her. She giggled at the twirl as she nodded.

"Everything is going okay. We're figuring out how to talk to the humans, rather than fight with them," she said.

"That's very good. That's the first step to peace when tensions are high," Jevan said with a nod of approval. He didn't have much experience with wars himself, but K'yorl had taught him the basics.

Before Kitara could answer Jake interrupted their conversation. Jevan was pushed backwards away from Kitara, Jake giving a low, possessive growl. Kitara gave a faint, surprised gasp as Jevan steadies himself, a hand physically going over his heart.

"That's enough," Jake growled out, his teeth noticeably elongating.

"Jake!" Kitara scolded, her silver eyes uncharacteristically angered. Jevan fought back the stinging in his eyes as he took a deep breath.

"No, no...it's alright. I overstepped my boundaries," Jevan said, bowing his head. He knew he didn't overstep any boundaries, none according to how he was raised. He made no moves onto Kitara, nor did he touch her in an unacceptable way. He hadn't given any hints that he wanted to be more than friends, despite the both of them knowing that there was more than friendship in their history.

"Jevan, you didn't do anything wrong," Kitara pressed, her voice filled with concern.

He clenched his jaw and took a few deep breaths, but he simply couldn't stop the burning in his eyes. With each beat of his heart, the physical aching spread until it felt as though his very soul was being crushed.

Jake didn't want them to be friends, it seemed. With his jealousy in the way, they wouldn't be able to be friends in peace.

"No...it's fine. I...I'm tired anyway, Kitara. I've had a long day," Jevan said, forcing his voice to remain steady as he turned from them and towards the spiraling steps. His vision blurred with tears as he took yet another deep breath.

"Enjoy the rest of your night, you two," he said. Even with his control his voice wavered as he walked away. He could hear Kitara scolding Jake but he tuned them out as he slowly walked up the steps. He knew his father was still waiting at the top of the steps, but he also knew he wouldn't judge the tears falling from his eyes. He stopped by K'yorl, looking at him as the ex-emperor sighed, gently pulling his son into a hug.

"I'm sorry Jevan," was all he said as he hugged him close. Jevan sniffled as he returned it, berating himself for letting his emotions control the situation. You two had an agreement, you shouldn't be feeling like this. They're mates, and you're just friends. That's what you agreed, he scolded himself.

"It's...it's alright. I'm going to bed...I want to be alone right now," Jevan whispered as he hugged his much shorter father.

"Alright. I'll come check on you soon, alright?" K'yorl said. The blue eyed drow gave a nod as he let go and stood up straight. He turned one last glance out at the dance floor to see Kitara scolding Jake, not caring about the people around them. He stared longingly for a minute before he turned and headed for his room.

The heartache he felt didn't care about what he told himself. His emotions didn't care what he thought. The fact that Jake wouldn't let them be friends, that he didn't like them being friends, hurt worse than the agreement Jevan and Kitara made all those years ago.

*** *** ***

Sarai, Alinaar, Kit, and Kitara all belong to Liznightangel
Jake belongs to RebelHeart16
K'yorl, Tso'sun, and Jevan all belong to me