He wasn't a bad dancer, a bit masculine, he didn't loosen up or flow with the movements. He stayed rigid. He was on edge, surrounded by people who he was taught since birth to call the enemy. But it was different. There was no hatred, or disgust. Infact he held me with respect. There was an enticement in his eye, a curiosity about his manner. The way he looked about the people, the room. I couldn't tell if he was in awe or in fear. Beside from him being handsome, I could tell, there was darkness underneath his mask.
"I remember sending the invitation to your sister, not to you?" I say.
"My sister was, unwell. My brother didn't want our kingdom to miss out on the coronation of the most powerful queen, he didn't want to seem..disrespectful. So he sent me instead." He is lying.
"I hope that's ok, that I came instead?" He blinked his green eye at me and so god help me I got lost for a second.
"Of course, we welcome people from all places." He knew I was mocking him and rolled his eyes down to me slightly raising his eyebrow. Like I said, humans are vile, they hate people who are different unless they need them. I know their game, so I'm playing and I'm winning. But what does he want from me?
"Last I heard, you were to be married and take the throne? Everything ok at home Prince Zorin?" He held me so gently, I barely felt his hand upon my waist. I could tell I was getting to him. His body temperature raised and his jaw tightened. But still we swayed to the music.
"There are certain things your majesty that are beyond both of our understanding."
"Like what?" I asked and His expression was fear, it washed over him like a shadow and his grip got tighter. I look over to where his eyes are and I see them in the direction of Drake who is watching our movements. He pulled me closer to something ever but a breath yet disguised as speech.
"Your men are seem to be watching you closely." It almost sounded as if he was insulted.
"They are the CREE my personal Guard. Men and woman who have earned the right to fight by my side. That is Lord Salvadore, it's his job to watch me. In case of emergency."
"Don't take me for a fool your majesty, he doesn't trust me with you in my arms." With a daunting smile he spins us so his back is to Drake, completely out of his eyeline.
"I have heard stories of you and him and your husband. They have spread faster than wildfire in my Kingdom. Your abilities are godly. The things you allegedly were faced bred from the depths of evil. You may have fought evil your majesty, but you have never stared in the face of the wicked... because you have never met my family. Our kingdom has become a lost ship, and at the helm is my brother. He has become lost your majesty, I cannot control him neither can my father-"
"So why are YOU HERE?"
"I need to speak freely with you but I do not have the time-" the song ended and Adam was pulled apart from me. I felt Drakes hand on my shoulder, "come with me" I heard him say over the cheers and applauses ; he pulled me out to the balcony where we became separated from the party. Just us. The balcony was that pulled of a page from a fairytale, it looked out upon the back of the Kingdom which was filled with trees. The hills lay charcoal under the shallow moon, feeble rays struggled to shine through the broken layer of cloud. On each peak was a shadows overlooking the valley below, each no more than a barely discernible silhouette against the inky sky. The lights of the moon scampered through the slender trees, stumbling over roots, cool spring ground underfoot, charcoal clouds chased them from above, glistening upon the flutters of the lake. He was out there, I couldn't help but think it. He is. I can feel him.
"Thank you Drake." He smiled back at me. "I couldn't be in there too much longer."
"I could see you were overwhelmed."
"I don't deserve this Drake. All this was supposed to be Ryan's."
"Ryan is always with us Karina. He was always watching, always there even when we didn't want." I couldn't help but laugh slightly.
"It's been a rough year so far Karina." He looks to the distance. "Everything is silence, but my thoughts are restless. I think now more than ever, double think, triple think. But my eyes never deceive me.." he turns straight toward me "What did he want from you?" He said hands in his pockets. His eyes searching mine for the truth. Sometimes I forget, but after me, Drake was the best warrior we have, he is trained as a member of the CREE and the most lethal Warlock in the Kingdom. No one should underestimate him, not even me. His skills are unfathomable, but his stare, could freeze a eagle in flight. "What does he want Karina?"
"I don't know drake, but all I could tell was that he is desperate. He has come to beg our help, for what, I'm not sure."
"He is not supposed to be here.. I don't like it Karina something is off. Really off." He seems stressed.
"SIR!" I hear and a solider comes out and walks straight up to Drake and whispers something in his ear.
"You're sure?" Drake says to the solider.
"What's happened?" I ask. Drake pulls his sword.
"Ashley never made it to the ship. She is missing." I got a feeling, something deep and earthly that Drake got the feeling too.
"Andreya?" I said
"I think so too." Drake replied, he turned to the solider. "Go find Hyan and tell her to assemble the CREE, tell them to meet me out front of the castle and make sure they're armed." The solider ran off to complete what Drake told him. "She wouldn't come this close to the Castle right Karina?"
"I don't think she would COME to the castle, but that doesn't mean that she's not watching it."
"What do you want us to do?" Drake asks me. I look out to the trees and say a silent prayer to the gods. That means he is alive, wherever she is he is too..NO ENOUGH!
"Find her Drake. I'll join you shortly, let me do what I've been wanting too this whole night." Drake nods and runs back into the castle to prepare for the search. I walk back into the room and stand upon the raised flooring Infront of my throne.
"Everybody" they all stopped whatever they were doing and faced me. "I would like to thank you for coming tonight, but the party is over." Sudden shocks and whispers emerged from the crowd. "There has been an incident that requires my attention and your safety is my priority, the guards will escort you out and once again, thank you for coming." Without another word I make my way toward my chambers. I need to get out of this dress.
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I start to undress in my chambers lit by the small fire. I put on my soldiers dress and pull my hair into a plat. I attach both my swords to my back and put a little dagger in my boot....But, there is someone in here. The temperature of the room shifted, the air was halved, someone is in my room. I could feel someone's presence.
"I know you're here" I gripped my sword tightly. The darkness started to boil in my vein as I scanned the room using the forces. It started to radiate from my body and I could hear them breathing. Slow, calm. I heard the door lock and I spun around to meet the intruder. Without a thought I stuck my sword to the back of their head, it was a man, he put his hands up in surrender.
"Turn the FUCK around slowly!" I said keeping my sword on him pressured to his head. He turned and I recognised his eyes.
"Prince Zorin!" Now I'm pissed.
"I apologise for startling you your majesty-"
"You're in my fucking room Adam I DEFINITELY think you've crossed some fucking boundary!" My sword was still on him, as mad as I was, he was unarmed. I applied more pressure, just to make his heart rate go up. He was too calm for my liking. I applied more pressure until he squirmed and I realised I drew blood.
"You don't fucking understand you're on my territory, and on my territory I can do whatever the fuck I like to you!" The darkness in me has a mind of its own and starts to apply pressure on his neck, closing the pipe he needed to breathe.
"OK OK IM SORRY IM SORRY, I MEAN NO HARM I SWEAR IM DESPERATE I NEED YOUR HELP PLEASE!"
"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!?" I was shouting now.
"I've come to warn you! My brother sent me here to give you this" he pulls out an envelope. I release his throat. "It's an invitation to his birthday party next month." No Nightslayers has EVER set foot in human territory. It is a sealed death wish. "I couldn't just give this to you, out there, you need to read it, CAREFULLY. study it. I'm sure you've heard things about my brother. Do not underestimate this. There is a hidden meaning to this. Figure it out Your majesty, he is planning something at this party. You need to be ready. He wants something from you. And he risked sending me here to give that to you. Please Your majesty, this is not a friendly invite, he is challenging you- daring you to come!"
"What do you need from me?" I asked. I put my sword away and he started to massage his neck. I took a step back and he began to explain.
"I need you to figure it out. Stop him from whatever disaster he has planned." He opened the door and stood in the doorway. "I need you to beat him. No one in my Kingdom can stop him. When you come back your majesty, I will discuss it further with you. Please accept my apologies for startling you...." he started to leave when suddenly he turned back and rolled his eyes to meet mine. With a ever so slight smile he said "don't tie up your hair, it looks more beautiful when it's natural" And with that he dives into the shadows of the hallway, leaving me with his brothers invitation in my hand.
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"DRAKE" I'm outside in the courtyard. The CREE are all on their horses armed with lights and their swords ready to march out into the night on my command.
"Are you alright?!" Drake says handing me a light. We jog to my horse and I give him the invitation, "what's this?" He asked baffled.
"This is what Adam wanted! It's an invitation to his brothers birthday celebration. " Drake starts to read the invitation and his eyes come up as wide as mine when I first read it.
"This is-"
"I know I know!!" We both Stare at each other for a little bit both having a silent conversation with our eyes.
"We can talk about this later, right now we have to find Ashley." Drake helps me onto my horse and we ride off into the night in search of the Lightning that lost her way. But I couldn't help but think about the invitation. I don't trust it, there is more to this than I'm seeing. But do not take me for a fool.