I stand around watching the couples dance around the magnificent ballroom. Warmth fills the air, and several couples laugh as they dance around in circles. The tune of the music is upbeat and happy. Nothing to fit my awful mood. I am dressed up tonight, the burns wrapped up along with my hands. I am wearing a white button down shirt with a tight lace up shirt over it, black dress pants and nice glossy shoes, a thick black and crimson cloak to keep out the cool weather. My crown sits atop my head. My father laughs as he and my mother dance around in circles. The ball was for the whole kingdom, to bring us together. Witcher stands with a group of her kind in a corner, the tap their feet in sync to the music, smiling and conversing. Witcher dances with a tall young man. I feel angry but I am sure by their posture and easy flowing speech that they are friends. When they stop and the next song begins I stride across the glossed over floors. I walk to her group. The one that was dancing with her Smacks another's shoulder laughing as they look to me. They realize I'm coming to them and immediately stand up straight, Bowing. I grin, returning it. I walk to Witcher, raising my hand in an invitation.
"Might I have this dance?" I say grinning. For her to say no would be quite the offense. She reluctantly takes my hand. I twirl her around into the center of the circle. Her dress is- very- stunning.She wears a black dress that laces up tightly in the back. Blue rims the bottom and the sleeves drop to the floor. I wonder how she afforded such a dress. Her ears have pearls attached, and her hair is done up in a tightly braided bun, with a deep blue ribbon to match.
"If I may be so bold, madame, blue looks rather appealing with your skin." I say. She frowns.
"Thank you your majesty. Though I'm not sure I understand your need for a cloak. I took mine off the second I hit the ballroom." She mumbles. I pull her closer to my chest. Just barely a few inches.
"Your majesty, where might her highness be?" She asks. She is referring to Elizabeth, the woman my father wanted me to court.
"I couldn't care less." I seethe. She grins. I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see my father looking at the both of us.
"I need you to to go to king Avets kingdom. You need to persuade him war isn't the answer. He wants to fight us and with Witcher on our side I'm afraid there will be casualties."
"Can't Witcher just put them all to sleep?" I ask. My father shakes his head.
"This is a kingdom of witches, Witchers, and experienced fighters of all kinds. They aren't amateurs and they will certainly harm us in great number should we go to war. We have gone to war with them before, once. This was the kingdom that practically wiped out Witcher as we new it. They are ruthless and a war would mean death a destruction on extreme levels" his face is grave.
"What can we even do?" Witcher asks.
"I'm hoping my son will be able to convince him. You as well Witcher. This is important. Failure will be fatal. It would be best if you could leave by tonight." Witcher nods she breaks away from my arms grabbing her cloak. She fastens it around her neck she hold her arm out and her staff magically appears. My father grins.
"Thank you Witcher, my son. Please be safe. I will pray for you." My father says.
We leave the castle on horseback riding out into the night with lanterns and saddle bags of food and drink. She is silent.
"Why are you angry?" I ask gently.
"I'm not angry. I don't understand why we keep being paired up to do things. I'd rather not spend time with you. Your majesty." She says.
I frown keeping quiet. We gallop most of the way. Silence fills the night. Longing fills my heart.
We arrive at the castle by daybreak riding over the lowered moat and into the scary looking castle. She keeps her reins tight and her staff-that is now in the form of a whip- tighter. We walk though the tired, angry kingdom without any trace of ease. Angry glances follow us to the castle gaits. The king is tall, he looks to be older than my father. He stands surrounded by guards, waiting for us to get off. Our horses are lead to a post with a trough and bale of hay. We walk into the castles iron gates. She grips my hand unconsciously, most likely stressed about entering a murderers castle. The king is ahead of us flaunting down the pristine hallways. She lets go of my hand, walking ahead of me. The king is talking.
"I know why your here and I could care less. Your kingdom owns a ridiculous amount of land and I would rather own it myself." He says matter o factly. Witcher is uneasy. We walk into a dimly king dining hall, with lovely hand made tables. We sit to discuss.
"I of course understand your feeling of need in owning our land your highness but a war would result is mass casualties and the possibility of your own life being lost. We have fought before, why do it again and taint the peace?" Witcher says quietly.
He laughs.
"Because I want power. I don't give a damn about people's lives."
"Your majesty as heir to the throne I must insist that you will never be allowed to own meldove." I say. He laughs.
"I knew you were the heir you pathetic man." He stands. I feel insecure. Scared even. He laughs smiling.
"Maybe this was all fake." He says
"Maybe you were just bait." He carries on.
"Or maybe I just didn't want you around anymore."
"No damien!" Witcher screams. She jump pushing hard off her seat.i look forward at the arrow speeding towards my heart. I brace myself for death, the king is laughing hysterically. The laughing stops and I open my eyes. Witcher crumbles to the ground, an arrow straight through her stomach. She grabs the table, standing up just barely. She lurches forward grabbing my hand, we disappear. We are at the edge of the forest our horses waiting there. She teleported them too?! She gasps, falling. I brace her in my arms, lifting her up in a princess carry. I get on angus holding her in one arm and clutching the reins in the other. We speed off Titan following close behind.
Tears flush down my face. I hear yelling as guards follow us down the road.