The dress that was hanging there was just so...spectacular. Yes, I'd worn things like this before in the past, but this was special. It was long and dark pink, fancy looking if you asked me, like something you'd see well, in a highly royal place. I had to remind myself where I was. Spending time with Marroe was getting me lost. I smiled at the thought of Marroe, but I was sure the maid thought it was just the dress. I just couldn't wait to get in it, to see what Marroe thought of me then.
I slipped off my other dress, dirty from the dungeon. I had slipped it back on before I left the room to come get ready for the party. It fit me perfectly, flaring out at the bottom with little intricate designs embedded in the fabric, flowers it looked like. She laced up the corset, tight, making it hard for me to breath, but it was normal for me.
My hair hung in curls around a tiny crown. I didn't like wearing this for it reminded me that I was indeed, princess. Most girls would go crazy to have such a thing placed on their heads, but it brought tears to my eyes when I saw it there. I dabbed my eyes with a cloth, not wanting to smear my new face. I had looked like such a kid before, dirt and tears mixed, but now, now I looked like a true princess. For the first time, I realized the dress matched my hair. I'd been so occupied with the way the sleeves hung low on my shoulders, and much of my chest showed, most of it covered with a huge necklace that flared out and resembled a spider to me. I'd been to occupied with the gloves that were placed on my hands that went up to my elbows, and the gold bracelets that hung over that; occupied by the heals I was wearing, and the way they sounded as I walked along the floor, feeling the way the dress moved when I did.
I was too occupied by the thought of what had just happened between Marroe and I. Occupied by how he loved me, and how I loved him. I smiled, feeling happy. My stomach hurt, but it was probably just the corset and how tight it was. Or maybe it was the fact I was nervous. Maybe I was happy. I shrugged it off, touching the crown. I did look like a princess, didn't I? I wanted to run down the hall, as fast as I could in these shoes, I wanted to run to my room, and jump back in bed with him. I realized I was blushing, for the first time sense I talked to Jaykob. I wondered where he was, and what he was doing. Last I saw, he was laying unconscious in the dungeon. Poor guy. I heard the door open, but I didn't turn to see who entered. I was to occupied with my reflection and how I looked like my father was the king, which he was, only now I looked the part.
Hakuna Matata <3 RIP to all my friends who didn’t make it.
I knocked on the door again. "Twitch, c'mon! Come out!" I felt... weird. Slightly ridiculous, slightly handsome, completely excited. I had been forced into a black double-button suit with a vest and a pale silver mask, dotted around the edges and eyes with black diamonds. I felt... different, somehow.
"Hunt- close your eyes, kay?" I made a face behind the door.
"Kay."
With my eyes securely shut, I heard the door open, and light footsteps.
"Okay. Open." I followed orders, and felt all the breath leave my body. Keiko was stunning. Her hair looked soft, not edgy. Her ivory skin held no traces of bruises or scrapes. And that dress.... it showed off the curves I didn't know she had. And it made me very, very stupid.
I was beside her in half a second, holding her face in the next. I lowered my lips to hers, and kissed her, better than in Garrett's room. This time, we were standing. This time, were out in the open. This time, there was moonlight bathing us both.
This time, I was one hundred percent certain I loved her.
hey, Jude, don't make it bad take a sad song and make it better remember to let it into your heart then you can start to make it better.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, half-wondering what Shadow saw in me. I was ruthless, a theif, heck, I had assassinated before! I wasn't exactly the best-looking guy around, in my opinion anyways, and I was obviously quite a bit older than her. That last part didn't bug me, I loved her and that was that. But what on earth did a princess want with a person like me?
Bobo jumped up onto my shoulder and handed me a bracelet, making a strange oooohing noise.
"Bobo you twit, put it back." He took the bracelet and stared at it longingly, making that same noise. "Now," I demanded.
He went and placed on top of Shadow's bedside table, whining the whole time. Evil little monkey...
I went back to reflection-gazing and negative thinking. I knew she loved me, but I still couldn't figure out why. And then there was the whole matter of if her brother found out certain things, he's probably mount me on the stake. I'm sure his father would have done that, but he wasn't here right now, which I was silently thanking God for. Being a criminal-in-love was such a bittersweet thing.
SHANAELA MARZ
I looked up at Raven and wiped my tears, grinning. He loves me!
Raven laughed. "I know!"
I still couldn't believe it, no matter how hard I tried. There was this nagging feeling that I was going to wake up, an arrow through my arm in the middle of a circle of those stupid bounty hunters. But I didn't... I had even pinched myself numerous times by now to make sure.
I wonder what a masquerade is like? I asked, leaning my head against the wall.
Raven shrugged. "I've never been to one, but they're bound to be fun."
Jaykob stirred again and we went silent. The man gave me the creeps to say the least, and if he woke up and saw our eyes all red and puffy... well there's no telling what the heck would happen. Mocking most likely, and mocking drove me nuts.
There were footsteps on the stairs and I held my breath. How long had we been down here for? I chewed a nail nervously.
KING TORRAN
I sighed and stumbled to the front of the carriage, tapping the driver on the shoulder. "How much longer will we be?" I asked tiredly. The sun was setting, and my butt was killing me. Kingly of me to say, I know, but it was. The wooden seats were uncomfortable, even with the overstuffed cushions we were sitting on.
"A few more hours your majesty. We've crossed the boarder, we should reach the palace by morning."
I nodded and thanked the man, retaking my seat beside Adola.
"What did he say?" she asked quietly, eyelids drooping slightly.
"We'll reach the palace by morning. Our meeting's that evening in the banquet hall," I answered, stroking Glug's main. So much to think about, so little time.
Though I looked stunning, I couldn't help but to think that something was missing. Maybe it was the fact that Sophie wasn't next to me. Or maybe it was the fact that Marroe wasn't next to me. I wanted to be near him again, so much that it was unbearable. I was just trying to hold myself together for tonight, and I'd be with him soon enough. And we'd be together forever. Forever. The word rang through my head.
We will be together forever, I told myself. I sighed, tapping my hand on my side. It was too much. I needed him like a drug of some sort. I turned to the door, then back to the maid, smiled, and hurried out the door. She wouldn't say anything, none of these women would.
I paused at the door, then heard Bobo screeching and Marroe trying to shut him up. I opened the door slowly, watching as he turned to me, Bobo in his hands, both of them fighting over something infinitely expensive by the looks of it.
"Keep it," I said, laying a gloved hand on his. I shook my head. "Just take it." But take me with you. The word forever was still hanging in the back of my mind as he sat it down on the bed and Bobo snatched it up and Marroe put his hand around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I touched his face, not liking the glove, but I had to keep it on. He leaned down, kissing my lips and pulling me closer.
Hakuna Matata <3 RIP to all my friends who didn’t make it.
I pulled away and smiled, I felt like I had just had the breath knocked out of me. "You look... amazing," I whispered, kissing her nose. She blushed and rested her head on my shoulder. "You think you're brother would let me come?"
It was all I really wanted at the moment, to dance with her. And besides, if I didn't go, who knew what creeps would ask her? Says the theif. Well, at least I wouldn't be perverted or anything. What would I do for so long if I couldn't go? Sit on the bed and stare at the ceiling? I had my doubts that Shanaela would be able to come help me take care of Twarl, so that was out of the question.
I couldn't very well walk around the palace, or leave the palace...
"I don't know," I whispered, looking up at him. Of all the things I thought about, that wasn't one of them. I smiled, hoping he would say yes. I didn't want to dance with anyone but him, and no matter who saw, it would be him I would kiss. I sighed, liking this thought. But I didn't even know if Garrett would be happy about that. I didn't care. Even if I had to dress him up so he wouldn't look the same, I wanted him to come. Bobo, not so much.
Where would he be exactly? I didn't care. I'd pull Marroe with me, I couldn't stand to be away from him. I took his hand, pulling him to the door. He stopped me, turning me around to face him.
"Where are we going?" he asked, stopping Bobo from hopping out the door. One of the maids was walking by, but she didn't bother me. I kissed him on the cheek, pulling him out the door, closing the door before the dang monkey got out.
"To look for Garrett. I have a feeling he wont mind." At least, I hoped. I bit down on my lower lip, enough to make it hurt, getting my mind off of the situation for the moment. We stopped outside his bedroom door, and I crossed my fingers then knocked, hoping he would answer.
Hakuna Matata <3 RIP to all my friends who didn’t make it.
Garrett was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Damien was following in his lead, and a very angry Clare was following behind them. Damien had told her the truth, which she was thankful for, but still mad that he and Garrett hadn't told her before. They were all dressed for the party, Clare's mask on to hide her true appearance while Garrett and Dameon were handing others out. As he rounded the corner, Garrett slammed into his little sistera and Marroe.
Dameon took Clare's hand and led her passed the two and down into the ballroom to prepare for the party that was being held in the next thirty minutes. Garrett pushed his sister and Marroe into the nearest room. "What are you two doing?" He hissed. "Marroe doesn't look the part to be gallavanting around the castle.
Shadow gasped, and raised her hand to slap Garrett across the cheek, but he snatched her hand from the air, and tossed a suit at Marroe. along with a matching mask. He handed Shadow hers. "Keep those on. You two know that I want to be invited to your wedding, right?" Garrett smirked before running to find Keiko, Hunter, and the others so he could give them their masks.
Oh, the tiger will love you. There is no sincerer love than the love of food. George Bernard Shaw
There was a sharp knock on the door, followed by a slightly frenzied, "Keiko, Hunter, it's Garrett! Open up!" Hunter had the door open before I could even turn (blasted dress), and then next second, I'm holding a mask, Hunter has his on, and we're being ushered down the hall.
"Your face is priceless," Hunter said. I thwacked his head and tied the mask on, smiling quickly at Shadow and throwing a dirty look Damien-ward when his back was turned. Hunter snickered and I thumped him again. I steered us away from an angry Clare (I could almost hear the "Did you know about this?!") and we were soon walking alongside Garrett, who was mumbling to himself.
"Hey," I said, touching his arm. He stopped midword, mouth still dropped open. "We'll get her back." I continued. What was it this week with telling guys older than me that we could release the loves of their lives from the dungeon? Freaky.
I heard thunder outside and couldn't help but smile. I loved storms, especially at night, like now. Heck, I didn't just like them- I thrived in them.
So I was going to kick major butt tonight.
hey, Jude, don't make it bad take a sad song and make it better remember to let it into your heart then you can start to make it better.
On the inside, I was quite honestly jumping up and down and shrieking like an excited 5-year-old girl. On the outside I was grinning like a maniac and walking alongside Shadow. I was almost laughing, it was hard to hold it all in. Marroe you're going nuts. Completely nuts. Me is scaring me... stop it! Of course, I couldn't stop it! How could I stop it?
Wedding... Wedding? Hadn't thought that far ahead yet, but the mention of it had my stomach going into spazms. I swear my eye must have twitched at least five times. Insane, very. Happy, not at all. I was far past happy... I can't even think of a decent word for it.
Another plus... Garrett didn't hate my disgusting, very hateable guts.
I couldn't stand it anymore. I grabbed Shadow's shoulders and spun her around, pulling her as close to me as humanly possible and pressing my lips to hers.
Sorry it's short, but I lost my first post...*glares at the back button*
~Princess Shadow~
At least I didn't have to worry about Garrett hating Marroe. That was a good thing. But I'd never thought of a wedding. Running away with him, yes. Never leaving his side, yes. Children, sure. But a wedding? Never. I liked the idea of being able to say that I was his.
Suddenly, he turned me around, pressing his lips against mine and pulling me to him tightly, right there in the hall we had been walking through. Thank God it was empty, or we would both be dead. I felt my back press against the wall, but I didn't know what it was about this kiss--I'd been kissed by him many of times in the past few days--but it made my heart stop completely. I pulled myself impossibly closer, not sure how, because it seemed like we were already one.
Just as sudden as it had happened, it ended, and he pulled back, smiling and taking in a deep breath. I was gasping and wondering if he could hear my heart as I could pounding in my ear.
"'Till death do us part," I whispered, smiling a bit. He smiled wider, kissing me once more while the words hung in the air.
Hakuna Matata <3 RIP to all my friends who didn’t make it.
Garrett met Dameon and Clare, as well as the others in the ballroom two minutes before the party started. He told them to act normal before he was ushered up the stairs to make some kind of entrance. They called his name, and he walked down the stairs, sort of bored. He'd really rather be with Naela. Jaykob was in the corner of the ballroom, eyes on Garrett as he waited on him, rather impatiently, to get down the stairs.
So, the buffoon did believe that Naela and Raven should be let free? Garrett picked up the pace, did a dance with his sister, then his aunt, and made his way over to Jaykob. "Ready?" He asked, voice deep. Dameon was keeping the crowd entertained with some complex dance moves. Clare was following in step, but she really looked like she'd been dancing all her life. Garrett grabbed Naela's dress from Jaykob, as he held Raven's, and both made their way down the stairs. A healer was behind them, with a maid behind as well.
"Raven, Naela..." Garrett whispered as he walked into the dungeon. Jaykob looked strangely over at Raven, concern in his features. Was he...? No... impossible! Then again...
Oh, the tiger will love you. There is no sincerer love than the love of food. George Bernard Shaw
I tapped one silver-slippered foot on the marble floor and tilted my head up to look at Hunter. I wanted to run to the nearest bathroom and scrub at my hair for hours; they had put a black powder in it to hide the turquoise. I dearly missed the bright blue.
"We gonna dance?" he asked. I almost giggled at him. The suit made him look muscular, manly, even. But here, leaning against the wall with his hand slipped around mine, he still looked like the lanky, awkward Hunter I knew and loved.
"Nope," I replied.
"Good."
I really did laugh softly then, leaning into him. He beamed, and I could practically feel the joy radiating from him. It made me happier. Some of the court was looking at us disdainfully, and I was tempted to steal all of their bags, jewels, and things, but Hunter would kiss my hair, make a face at the taste of the black powder (making me laugh), and all would be well.
Garrett was off getting Naela, and I wanted, so badly, to run after him, tearing the skirt of my dress off so I could move, and pick the lock, knock out the guards, something. But he had told us to wait here, that he didn't want us caught as well.
Blast him.
But still, it meant one moment where me and Hunter could just be, without me worrying that my energy tonic was wearing off, or that someone would recognize Hunter.
So... I guess I forgave Garrett.
Maybe.
hey, Jude, don't make it bad take a sad song and make it better remember to let it into your heart then you can start to make it better.
I jumped at the sound of my name. My whole body was still trembling, which could only mean I was being ridiculously over-dramatic. But who could blame me? Unlovable, broken, hot-tempered, red-haired, mute Naela was loved. It was still hard to comprehend. Harder yet to comprehend was that I was in love... With a prince of all people.
I scrambled to my feet, biting my lip as the cell door opened. My heart was pounding...loudly, violently. I wanted to glare at Jaykob, but I couldn't. I wanted to be questioning my trust in the maid and healer behind them, but I couldn't do that either. All I could do was stand and stare at Garrett, mind whirling.
He was holding a dress. My dress? It had never once occured to me that I would one day be dressed in an elegant gown, dancing with somebody who loved me. Not once.
Raven nudged my leg with her elbow and I snapped out of my stupor. I needed to get a grip. Honestly. Now, if I could speak... that would make things a whole lot easier. You don't need to speak. You need to act. Do anything! I told myself sternly.
Do what? Anything didn't really sum it up.
I decided to do something simple. I walked up to Garrett, touched the dress absently and looked up at him. He seemed to be a lot better at this than I was. The maid chuckled, the healer already working on Raven.
MARROE
Shadow had finally finished dancing with her uncle. Seriously, why did she have to dance with family? It seemed so odd to me. There was another man making his way towards her. He didn't look very much like family, and I despised the way he was scanning Shadow's body rather than looking into her eyes.
I walked over quickly, shoving the man out of my way with my elbow. "Care to dance?" I asked, smiling and holding out my hand.
She chuckled. "Of course."
The man made a strange grunting noise. Very pig-like.
I rolled my eyes, waiting for Dameon and Clare to whiz past us before starting to dance. Clare's expression was unreadable, Dameon looked rather proud. The man could dance, I would give him that much.
It's crazy how your life can be twisted upside down inside out and around and you can get sushi from safeway still looking like a normal person — starchild314
