They would begin to plot my beheading if I remained quiet for much longer. If it wasn't already in motion.
Lifting my gaze, I peered around the room at the stoic faces, some dropping their heads as soon as I glanced their way. Despite the open windows and the clouds only partially blocking the sun's rays, the mood in the room was somber. The shadows of the high ceilings climbing down the dark wooden walls in the shape of gargoyles, their wings, the constant flickers of the flames mounted on the walls, casting a low light where the sun did not reach. Gleaming silver knights filled the back walls and blocked all entrances, their empty shells still as stone.
Woman covered in thick furs and dripping in jewels, hid behind a fan while their shrewd eyes gleamed brighter than the decorations they covered themselves in. The men standing tall within their ranks draped in fine clothes, and their family crests pinned to their chests. A badge of heredity honor to the unaware, a shield to those who knew better, and a sword to the unlucky. A sea of darkened capes, polished two-faced masks, frivolously used riches and envy.
I waved a hand uncaringly, motioning for the next one.
"Charged with sabotaging merchandise from Verenai Island upon the second inspection, and bribing crewmen into silence, misappropriation of the funds that were to be used for Verenai interactions. Bring in Calum Verzet."
At once, the grand door in front of me began to push open slowly, at once the wailing which had been muted before slipped and rang in throughout the room.
"Let me out! I don't want to be here! I repent, please, PLEASE! Anywhere but here, I wish to be trialed in Mision Court of Kelsey! I-I-I-"
As soon as the doors opened wide, his words ran dry as soon as his eyes trailed the beginning of the long red carpet that began where he stood chained from the hands, to where I sat upon my throne. At the sight of me, he lost what little color remained upon his face as blood pooled around his neck, coloring his chest red from where his collared white shirt opened. Fish like blue eyes shook widely as he took me in before his head dropped to his chest faster than he could blink, silent at once as the guard pushed from behind. He was averse to lift his feet, dragging them pain achingly slow as he advanced closer to being judged. When he got to the first step that led to me, he dropped to his knees with his forehead to the ground.
There was silence as the head of trade and distributed commerce shuffled around with documentation that held the proof of the accused crime and any further information on the criminal. Their crime, in this court, not being the main reason for them appearing here in the first place, was a simple added bonus. It was a moment before Allan walked up and bent down to whisper into my ear, halfway I nodded and he took a step back. I shook my head in disappointment.
I was a man who enjoyed quiet, but for a room so silent, it was awfully loud. Reluctantly, I looked down my nose.
"You disappoint me, Calum." I sighed, looking away from the miserable shivering sack below me. Ignoring all the people to my right, I stared out towards dawn. "Your family has served this kingdom for three generations, rising in ranks with each prospering negotiation between the south-eastern trading ports and now because of you..." I trailed off.
His breath hitched for a moment before his silence continued, but he couldn't quite hide the shaking of the chains around his wrists.
"To think someone of my very own kingdom would be so bold as to steal from funds used to prosper the people and then endanger negotiations with people of Verena Island by accusing them of sending faulty products. Those islanders are smaller than us, but provide priceless assets that represent their pride and a careful eye for detail. The worst people to pick for a scam, honestly." Shaking my head I tilted y head to the side and studied him. "Raise your face."
Average height, pale salt blond hair that was pushed away from his face, dark blue eyes, and thin features. Apparently, his only outstanding trait was the rough patch of skin that went from his right brow all the way down his bearded neck where it disappeared into. He was older than me, six or eight years I'd estimate. Lips turning blue as he looked at me, away, looked, and then looked away once more, his eyes flickering everywhere but me for long.
"What did your predecessor teach you of the business you conduct?" My question had him holding his breath for but a moment, his brows furrowing, but he licked his lips nervously and opened his mouth.
"M-My father t-told me that the people of the island were to be treated with great care, to mind what they asked for because th-they were people to not be messed with..." His words were empty, a repetition of something told to him repeatedly undoubtedly, but something he clearly did not believe or understand. His eyes glanced around him from either side, taking in the nobles of the castle that stared at him unabashedly and full of ruthless amusement or disinterest.
"And so what are your honest thoughts of the people of Verenai Island?" My voice was friendly, coaxing him to look back my way, his shoulders bunched up as one of his eyes squinted slightly.
"They are hard-working people who are great with shipments and very friendly. I have great respect-"
BAM!
Slowly, my tail slide back around the bottom of my chair, the echo of the thump sending a shockwave through the room that had people straightening up. Below me, there was a whimper and a flinch.
"I said honestly, Calum." I rumbled softly, watching through slits at the quivering man. Beads of sweat gathered on his forehead and ran down his face, drenching his shirt through as if he were in the scorching heat, but the room itself was chilling to the bone. This whole castle was cold, for warmth was not needed. Nor wanted.
"..." He opened his mouth multiple times before finally choking the words out, hesitation, and something akin to discomfort took over his face. " They seem to be very...small minded people who are happy to work. Their work is well done, but when it comes to negotiations, they are openly trusting. They do not seem to have the skepticism that comes with business when it comes to being wary of strangers or newcomers." At once, he began to back peddle, trying to lessen the impact of his words. "Not that they aren't to be respected, but recently I had seen signs of slopy work and we had received a complaint from a high paying buyer of faulty work. I was merely looking to correct an error."
"Small-minded, trusting people," I repeated clearly. I saw Sir Henverge just barely shake his head, his long stonewalled face giving nothing away, but the barely-there action spoke more of his thoughts than any expression he was still capable of making. " these are your thoughts?"
"Yes, Your Highness." He accepted it with reluctance, meeting my eyes for a moment he continued. "I am still immature in my way of judging character so there is a possibility that I may be incorrect with my assessment. If so, I wish to ask for forgiveness."
Forgiveness? What a useless thing. And to who did he wish to do so with? The islanders who knew little of this matter or with me? What was the use to do such a pointless thing when it was premeditated?
"Did it not cross your mind that the trust was from the experience of working with your father before you for years without complications and with his father before him?"
"When you say it like that I-I see the ignorance of my age-" I scoffed. The excuses one would come with to avoid death was astounding.
"I do not think them to be small-minded, they handle business with us after all. Anyone who deals with the Kingdom of Zelig and brings prosperity has my respect. We are not easy people to deal with after all. How do they not have yours?" I asked sincerely.
"I repent Your Highness, please I beg of you forgive this foolish man for thinking bigger than he was." He bowed, hands clenching into a fist at his lap as he tugged at the fabric of his trousers.
"But it seems like to me that you decided to gain profit by ruining merchandise, accuse the islanders of careless handling that wasn't to be released until the items were sold and distributed, perhaps spreading rumors that would eventually lead to a drop of price on those items because who would pay a high sum for something rumored to be faulty? All the while the poor naive islanders, would be none the wise? Was that something along the lines of your grand plan?"
"I-I would never! I swear it!" He shook his head vigorously, swearing with desperation.
"Of course I doubt you planned too far ahead, this might have just been a one-time thing for you, something to test out the waters for possible business."
"I respect an ambitious man from my empire as long as their profit does not damage the Kingdom and as long as the plan is not without effort or grace, but as I said before, you disappoint me Calum." I ran my tongue over my teeth and looked up for a moment, staring at the polished glass shards that hung from the ceiling at different lengths. "To think you were caught for underestimating those you wished to steal from and believing bribery was better than blackmail. Your father taught you nothing. At least when he stole, he did it reasonably well and never so obvious. All of his clients still came back to him, the knowing and unaware. Eh. Perhaps you are a bastard?"
His breath halted for a moment, he blinked hard, clearing whatever emotion he felt, other than shock at my infelicitous accusation. I was impressed as he took the insult with ease, there was almost no anger of offense in his face. There were a few chuckles and sniffs from the watching crowd.
"Please my King, pardon this unknowing bastard who lacks skill."
"It seems your family has risen as high as it was meant to." My words seemed to be the final push he needed to see that this was not going to be a favorable ending for him. Straightening his knees and back straight as he raised his hands above his head in a pleading motion, the jingling of the chains sounding louder than they were to my ears.
"Pardon me! I can do better, I can learn the ways as my father, this is but a small mistake in the grand changes I can bring. No man works harder than the one who has the breath of death upon his neck." Glistening bugged blue eyes that teetered on the edge from desperation to border on madness, he would promise me his firstborn and his wife if that's what it took. The corners of my mouth curled.
"Well, that does sound very promising. Any man who can admit their wrongs and change is welcomed. I pardon you. " Clasping the hand rests I leaned forward a bit and looked down at him, my slight smile chilling. "But now let us discuss why you appeared here, instead of being sent to a Court in Kelsey? Yes?"
Confusion took hold of his being as he frowned at me, momentarily taken back at my words. Forehead furrowing, his nose scrunching up as his mouth parted slightly before his expression dropped.
Oh yes. That was the look. From rising hope to nothing. There was a moment where shock overpowered fear, a brief window of nothing but a thought. I liked to call this moment 'oh'.
"I-I-" His stammers had nothing to do with shock, but rather disbelief and horror.
"I-I-You-You know exactly what you did." I leaned back and crossed my ankles. "Or better stated, attempted to do."
"I-Impossible, I would never," Hysterical bouts of laughter forced themselves through his sweat-drenched lip as he shook his head, hair strands flying around and sticking to his face. "never, ever dare speak of. . .o-of-of..." Mouth shut, he looked pained as he continued to shake his head, eyes pleading.
I said nothing, waiting for him to continue, partially curious as to what words he would use to describe this situation. They always spoke of it differently. A moment of tension, eyes seemingly growing darker as I stared down at him until my eyes narrowed. He broke.
"It was a slip of the the-tongue, I was intoxicated-" The confession was spoken in grief and regret, his eyes closing tightly.
"Blaming it on good wine I see? Then I must know the name of the brand that would lead a citizen to break the one rule unspoken by all, a loose tongue is no good to me. Such wine is a danger to this land if it threatens to spill all secrets upon a few drinks." A boisterous laugh came from me and disappeared just as quickly. The robust sound echoing after my silence in an unnerving way, laughter in a place where there was no actual amusement. "No one ever believes that the whispers are true about the consequences of trying to speak Zelig Court secrets to outsiders until they find themselves here. You might call it a curse, I see it as a show of disloyalty." I explained sympathetically as he began to rise slowly, legs shaking, limbs appearing heavy as he stumbled back and blinked around in fright.
"Mercy!" He shouted, stepping back. No-one stopped him. Rather, eyeing him with newfound interest.
"No," I stated calmly. "I sentence you to a night within the castle walls, in three days you will be a Roamer."
"MERCY!PLEASE, I BEG FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS, ANYTHING BUT-"
He sunk to the floor and disappeared, the room quiet once more now that the trouble maker was now within his cell. My left foot began to bounce impatiently.
I motioned for the next case forward, which felt as time-wasting as it really was because everyone in the room knew that the people who made it through these doors without permission all had the same fate.
Same as any other person who found themselves within the castle grounds within the Hunting period or without the permission of someone with royal blood.
Blessed be the damned.
*** 🥀 ***
Reading over the reports in my hand, I rubbed at my tired eyes, but pushed forward with the stack of paper until I could move onto the next. Scanning the next pile of paperwork, I snarled quietly at the sight of the foreign relations. There was a brief pause of the shuffling of papers before it continued. Taking out a blank piece, I began going through each sheet carefully, jotting down the names of individuals, dates to respond by, and the minuscule things they mentioned briefly. By the time I was on the last sheet, my leg was bouncing with impatience, my tail swishing on the ground. Once that torture was over, I reached for the next stack, all body movements halting at the bold lettering that stated what it was about. 'Royal Birthday Celebration.' Dropping the sheet, I leaned back against my chair and crossed my arms over my chest. Looking up from the overflowing desk, I glanced around the grand office.
Deeply stained redwood-covered the majority of three walls, on my right rows upon rows of books and uniquely gifted items decorated the shelves around the gargantuan gray marble fireplace, two grotesque monsters with ferocious faces that made the pillar, taller in height than myself. On that side, an olive-colored chaise lounge chair sat facing the wall, besides it a singular wooden chair and glass table that had scattered books and items. Behind me, the only wall within the whole room, the only light source was the singular diamond-patterned arched window that took a vast majority of the wall. Two red velvet curtains that pooled on the ground covered a portion of the window on either side, allowing a decent amount of light to illuminate the room during the day. To my right over a towering stack of papers, I stared at Allan as he worked diligently on his affairs at his desk.
Allan was the same age as I, with long honey-colored brown hair that he kept tied back with a blue ribbon at the base of his neck. Every now and then shorter strands would fall out to frame his slender pale face. I suppose some would call him pretty for a man with his seemingly smooth skin and small features, but I knew the snake behind the flower and the fools who fell for his polished and neat style were often struck dumb when he hit. Despite being my right-hand man and attending to my orders, he was completely immersed in whatever he was doing that he did not even seem to notice my stare. Had I been anyone else and had he not been himself, it would have cost him his life, but I liked to think it was a show of trust that he felt...confident enough to know I wouldn't take advantage of his lack of awareness.
"When will the next girl arrive?" At my words, he looked up, brown eyes blinking once, twice before he frowned, neatly kept brows coming together. Standing up, he walked over to me and stood on my left where he placed both hands behind his back.
"The newest candidates are to arrive in a few days." Answering me, he scanned my face before glancing down at my desk, understanding flashed across this face as he continued. "As you requested, we prepared all of the changes you asked for."
I pondered over his words for a moment, annoyance, and acceptance intertwining before dissipating. It was a waste of time to whine about things that were out of my control and domain. However...
"Make sure there is enough space for everyone and the importance of the rules be known. Those known for wandering or uncontrollable curiosity will be closely monitored. I have enough problems with the nobles to have to worry about the help." The words came out in a slight growl, my tail thumped once on the ground in a show of annoyance I couldn't quite hide.
"I apologize for that, Your Highness, it was foolish of me to have underestimated the crassness of Lady Ariana. The aristocrats have sent a brazen candidate as their first choice, but she does represent them well." He tilted his head, a polite smile on his face that hinted at no malic despite his deprecating words.
"I do not need brazen," I stated. He nodded as at once agreeing with me at once, an understanding expression in place as soon as I blinked. "She's lucky if she manages to keep her head tonight or the following. I can not stand that woman."
"If you could control your temper, then mayhaps you will see her in a different-"
"I do not have a temper, I have a standard and she is beneath it." I clarified pointedly, narrowing my eyes at him in warning. His expression cleared as he leaned back a little. Lifting his chin a bit he brought his hands in front of his body and tugged at the sleeve of his gray and blue trench coat, following an intricate pattern on the sleeve with his finger without looking.
"I would truly appreciate not having to prepare another consolation offering to any more families of titles. They become quite demanding and arrogant once they know their daughters are gone." His words were carefully selected, his tone airy, but I knew it was a warning just as much as if I had given one. He would follow through with his job, but he would get back at me in his own way.
Rolling my eyes at him, I shrugged, before thinking over his words. While reasonable in the moment, the outcome was never completely welcomed. I knew a show of restraint would be needed in the time that came, but they were just so.... There are many words I could have chosen from but the only two that came to mind were aggravating and disappointing. All of them. At least all of the ones that were dead had been stirring, the others were simply disappointing.
"Hmmm," Bringing my hand to my chin, I scratched just under my jaw, sharp claws sinking into my fur. I repeated the motion. "Only in our kingdom does dying during the Hunting bring more favor than failing and returning alive."
"A lot of people would like to hold something over you-" He pointed out with a pitying tone that had me dropping my hand.
"And around my neck as well." I reminded him dryly.
"That too." His cheerful tone grated me.
Two swift knocks came from the door before I could berate him.
"Your Highness, Lord Faustus asks for permission of entrance." The guard called out. At his words, I turned to look at an innocent-looking Allan. There was nothing innocent within the Zelig Kingdom domain, not for long at least, and not if it wanted to live.
"What are you planning now?" I demanded with narrowed eyes. He blinked at me with a slight widening of his eyes.
"Nothing your highness." He promised feathery, holding a hand to his chest as if my very question offended him. Despite his pretense and my growing nagging suspicion, I nodded and called out.
"Let him in."
Marquess Faustus Avril was a burst of flaming curly red hair that was closer to a dark orange than red that framed him like a mane, with sparkling golden eyes and an annoyingly familiar wide grin that made up his face the majority of the time no matter the time nor the situation at hand. Smooth almond-colored dark skin and a well-maintained build. He wore a dark navy suit with a sand-colored scarf that nearly reached the ground despite being draped around his neck and shoulders. He stopped before my desk and bowed deeply, lowering his head.
"My King, thank you for allowing me-" His velvet smooth and nearly praising tone made me shake my head. Beside me, Allans lips pinched.
"What is it now Faustus?" I sighed, tilting my head and staring at him in anticipation. He raised his head and then straightened himself up to his full height, he placed both hands on his hips.
"You treat your humble servant so coldly." If possible, his grin grew large, his canines lengthening a bit. Orange brows arched wickedly. "Please, continue to do so in the future."
"Faustus, get to it. What do you have to report?" Allan snapped, glaring at him with a knowing look. This made me look between the two, a growing suspicion that there was something I would be unhappy to know about later on. Or now.
"Good day, my beloved-" At Allans darkening expression, Faustus swerved his head back to me without missing a beat. "Well, I thought you ought to know that I've managed to get information on the next time and location where the Hand of Time will be meeting."
I sat up straighter at his words, gripping the edge of my desk with my claws, but careful not to apply pressure to the cold white marble. Seriousness and near excitement and something darker filled me at the news, but I didn't let the emotions build, I knew better than to jump onto something just because it seemed to be going well. Nothing in life was promised. Not today, tomorrow, or even tonight.
"This is credible?" I asked carefully, not having to explain myself to these two with what I meant.
"It is, I sent my own rat into the bunch." Reaching into the pocket of his coat, he pulled out a gold-colored pocket watch, I watched it hang from the chain. It was small, half the size of a woman's palm, but the design on the back of the watch was far more hypnotizing to me than time itself.
The design was simple, but the craftsmanship was exquisite. On the back of the gold watch was a single tree branch with three cut off twigs all in the right side, while two more remained on the left, below the branch a single sword lay. To any other, it would have been a curious design.
To me, it was the mark of traitors.
"Who?" He was slow to put the watch back into his pocket, like a serpent under a spell my eyes remained glued to his pocket even when it was no longer in sight. He fidgeted a bit before answering.
"Lady Elise Brokern." His answer brought my gaze up, a raised brow in surprise.
"Her cause?"
"She simply wants to be in the thicket of betrayal, she seems to have a knack for finding the worst crowds. She's just as nasty as I am, I do believe her talents have been neglected by her husband," Clasping his hands behind his back and rocking on the balls of his feet, he grinned. "I mentioned nothing of this being under your order, all she knows is that this is an operation in order to clean house, and she wants to be spoken of in praise after her last mishap with her material family."
Straight blonde hair and pale blue eyes came to mind when I recalled Lady Elise. For the most part, she was...unproblematic, where I was concerned. The trouble the court ladies stirred was their battle. While never at the head of vicious gossip, she had the unfortunate luck of somehow always being involved with those who were dragged, leaving her reputation on thin ice when she was forced to pick sides. As all were within the court. Last I recall, her family had been involved in a small cannibalistic scandal. It's always the nobles that do the oddest things.
"As long as the betrayal runs one way, another mishap, and collecting evidence and information will become all the harder." Giving him a pointed look, I leaned forward slightly, his grin dropped at once.
"I will be monitoring and correcting her every move. I shall not allow those who betrayed the royal family to continue to run wild as long as I am capable of causing chaos." Placing a hand over his heart and slightly barring his neck, his eyes looked seriously into my own.
I let the room remain silent for a moment before waving a hand.
"Keep me informed if anything happens, but if it puts everything at risk, then it can wait. You may leave."
"Of course," I made for the paperwork in front of me, intent on getting back to work when his hesitation made me freeze and look back his way. "Ahh, but I must take Allan with me."
My eyes widened in understanding, my head turned to glare at Allan.
"You two-faced rat." I snarled in accusation. He cleared his throat as he took two steps away from my side to stand closer to Faustus, who looked everywhere but at us.
"Reports like these are better done in person, but to be safe, I figured nothing would seem odd if my husband came to take me out for lunch, the fact that he's your informant is just an added bonus." Slightly turning away from me, he reached to rearrange Faustus scarf, the bastard puffed up a bit and stood still with a small taunting smile.
"You just don't want to stay and help with the paperwork." Pointing it out, I leaned back with crossed arms, glaring.
"Of course I don't. If you didn't wander off so much, I wouldn't have to spend what little free time I have rescheduling and categorizing documents that should have already been finished. Now, if you excuse me, I shall be off." He turned to face me and crossed his arms as well, a sharp smile on his face.
"I could order you to stay." Smiling, I leaned forward, placing my chin on top of my interlaced fingers. He didn't even hesitate.
"And I could push all of next week's agenda into three days and allow the aristocrats the visitations they're allowed, instead of coming up with excuses like you ask of me to keep them away." There was a moment where, like polished glass, his eyes gleamed like tourmaline.
I looked away.
"Enjoy your meal." With a dismissive tone, I glanced down at my desk, but kept my chin slightly tilted up, nose in the air. Ignoring the scoff, I began looking over the documents in front of me.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I will be back as soon as I am able." The sounds of steps retreating before two knocks in the door as a signal to be opened.
"Thank you-"
"Go." I cut Faustus's slightly smug tone off.
"Good day."
As soon as the doors were shut behind them, I set the papers down without a care, not sure what they were either way. I glared at nothing for a moment, my tail moving back and forth in agitation for a moment before I huffed. My fingers drummed on my desk, slow at first before picking up pace. I peered around the silent room.
I stood up and walked over to Allans desk and looked for my itinerary of the day. His desk so much more organized and put together that it was easy to find the sturdy red leather book. Flipping over to the marked page, I trailed a claw down the paper and stopped.
Dinner with Lady Ariana at a quarter to seven, east wing of the palace. (Possibility of favor minimum, prepare family package).
Closing the book shut, I closed my eyes at the thought of having to go through another wretched dinner with that insufferable-
My eyes opened as a scheme began to web within my mind, vile no doubt, but filled with amusement only I would understand. Walking back over to my desk, I spun my chair towards the window and peered through the drapes at the darkening sky. Warmth and light lingered in the sky, fighting off the mist and fog that lurked through the sky like clouds for the ground.
"I do not want to be disturbed," I called out loudly.
Clank. Clank.
Knowing that my office was now taken care of, I walked over to the vacant and cold fireplace and stood in front of the chilled beast, lifting my own monstrous hands to the base of its throat to find the lock at the base located between the head and spine. I took a step into the fire place before pressing the button, and then dropped.
Chilled air whipped around me in frenzy, coal and soot covered the bricked walls. My tail wrapped around my left leg, arms crossed over my chest as I positioned my head to look above me. A quiet cry of steel began to close shut, the only light disappearing.
Knowing I had little time left, I shut my eyes and let out the last amount of air within my lungs as my heart took off in a frantic beat as death breathed down my neck in warning at the danger that I knew waited for me below.
Searching within myself, I ignored what had always been there and reached for the worst of me, opening my arms as it leapt at me with a silent smile.
At once I ceased to be who I was, my body of flesh and fur came to an abrupt stop as a tingling sensation of needles and blades piercing my skin took over, excruciating as liquid fire being poured over my being I held my scream deep within with a forced smile as my mind went ablaze. It was as if all the confinement, cage and rules disappeared as freedom and an expansion of myself so liberating it was strange.
It was longer than a moment, shorter than a breath before I was whole. I raised my thin hands, seeing the black wisps of nearly transparent clothe that covered be from top to bottom. Looking down, I grimaced at the distance between myself and the multi edged pikes that stood at various angles and lengths. Old bones and skulls covered the space, all wearing various attires to show of their time ranks, but all pointless as they remained down here.
Slowly floating upward, I passed the opening and went upwards, glancing over the various bloodied claw marks that indicated the true survivors of this kingdom. The higher I went, the faster I pushed myself, and although I could feel no wind on my body, the cloth around me swished and flew around wildly until I burst through the chimney and into the midday sky.
Blinded by the little amount of light that peaked through the clouds, I brought my hands up to cover my face, grunting as I moved down, uncaring where I entered through. As soon as I could feel the dark familiar shadows of darkness stick to me, I dropped my arms and looked around. There were a few people near by, maids bustling around with stacks of towels and empty carts. Running around the corner, they passed by each other with quick words and a slight nervous laugh. Looking away, I stepped into the wall to my right.
Traveling by shadows was convenient, but a mess, I always had to ignore those stuck within the depth of their own shadows, the cries of the forever damned, and their sticky hands that tried to cling onto me with a sick desperation. Lifting off the ground, I slid along the wall, to the ceiling, and moved forward. I explored all around, watching and listening to those who could see me, I would be back later to hear the schemers plan behind my back, but for now I had a special target in mind.
In my travel, I found a single maid standing before three large portraits, leaning against a broom with her face in her hand as she stared with open curiosity. I paused her and reached out in front of me at the lit chandelier, focusing on my finger I pushed and pushed until the candle tipped, flickered and fell.
While she did not catch fire, she did look around spooked as she rubbed at her shoulder, looking down until she spotted the candle she bent to pick it up. Stiff, she looked up, eyes scanning for me, before looking quickly at the portraits, and fled. Floating down, I stood where had just been and stared.
There was a tightening of my chest before it hollowed out like a rock dropped into a well. Rubbing my chest, I floated off without another look, going down further into the castle before reaching the room I knew she would be located in.
Slipping right through the door, I wasn't surprised to see her slumbering away in a thin slip. Glancing around the elegant and well decorated room, I caught sight of what must be the gown she was to wear later. Circling it, I traced a finger down the pale fabric and glanced over her way. It would suit her no doubt, slim and beautiful Lady Ariana was a gift for sore eyes.
Moving closer to her, I stared down at her peaceful face, for once seeing no schemes taking place behind her dark eyes or the perfectly practiced smile she flashed my way so often I knew when to expect it. Long locks of curly chestnut brown hair tangled and twisted around her like silken snakes. Long lashes cast faint shadows across her small face as she breathed out softly through slightly parted pink lips.
Leaning down slowly, I stopped my face just inches away from hers and waited, counted, and when her next inhalation came...
I drove into her dreams where I would twist her world to rubble and tears until her eyes flew open into the world of reality. A world where my reach was just as twisted and unbreakable.
AN:
Hi, hello, you look lovely.