Title: Condolences

Author: Femvamp

Fandom: Defiance

Pairing: Stahma/Kenya

Spoilers: 1.9 I Just Wasn't Made for These Times

Disclaimer: Show is not mine.

Datak was dead. Stahma stood near the front of the main part of her house with her son as the guests began to arrive. This was the one tradition that the Castilians shared with the humans the condolences of the living for the dead; especially when the dead was of a high caste. It was often viewed as another sign of rank even after death, the more people that came to pay their respects to the family the higher the caste was; even in some cases the higher the Castialian was inside the caste and Datak was respected, or maybe feared.

Many who came came only because it was required of them Stahma had no doubt that once they left they would be giving thanks to the Gods because now they would not have to pay their debts. There was no one to collect now that Datak was dead. Stahma was a woman and had no actual power and Alak may have been of a high caste but he was actually liked my many and not feared. Even if he wanted to he didn't have the constitution to take over his father's duty as leader of the family.

Stahma had to find someone else for that job.

"I am sorry for your loss."

Stahma smiled at the young human who had made it to the front of the line and had taken her hand. Kenya Rosewater had been an unexpected breath of fresh air in her life. Someone who made her see new things in new ways. Of course doing that had been dangerous but Stahma had liked the danger. She had always liked danger. It had initially been what had attracted her to Datak as well but Datak had gotten too concerned with his own power and influence. He had become a liability in the new world they had found themselves in,

Of course most of the Castilians had believed that it had been Kenya who had killed Datak. His body had been found inside the Need/Want with his throat slashed. She was the only one who had the ability to get that close to him being the one who serviced him there.

Mayor Rosewater and her Law Keeper had of course been forced to arrest her but there had been no evidence and only speculation. She had no reason to kill him.

No reason at all.

"Can I see you later?"

It had been Stahma who had asked that and Kenya had been surprised by the request. "Of course, and I won't even charge you this time."

Stahma smiled for the first time all day, "Yes you will. Always charge."

With that Kenya turned around and walked out of the house. The young woman had much to learn. She followed her heart too easily. Stahma would have to talk to her about that . She would make sure she didn't fall into the same habits the Datak did. She knew she had chosen wisely this time. She had made a mistake with Datak, not that she had regretted it. They had made Alak together She would never regret anything for that.

She didn't regret killing her betrothed to get Datak and she didn't regret killing Datak to get Kenya she would just do things different with Kenya.

She would have to.

Kenya was only human after all.

Humans were easily lead by their hearts which made them both dangerous and innocuous. It made them both weak and impossibly strong. It was a mix that infuriated Datak but fascinated her.

Yes, Kenya was a good choice

She would make a good mate.

She would make a good leader for their house. .

All she needed was someone to push her in the right direction.

Stahma smiled at her guests as the line continued thinking the whole time of Kenya and the future they would share. A future that could begin now that her husband was dead.