Taming the Demon

The deepest shade of blue painted the night sky above. Stunning streaks of purple fled across the shadows of midnight, reflecting a milky violet across the constellations. The stars shimmered with an unrivaled beauty that no man could behold without awe.

Beneath this striking view of Heaven, Raven's heart raced as the brilliance of stars filled her eyes, waiting for the man who'd beckoned her to this flowery garden. Cautiously, she kept herself hidden, using the shadows as cover. It would be suspicious if someone found her there alone, but even more so if she were discovered with him . That would give way to a scandal she couldn't afford.

"This was a mistake," she sighed to herself, and pondered how she'd even agreed to meet her betrothed in private.

She stared deep into the beauty of the inky sky, retracing her steps and how she'd come to wait beneath it. The stars reminded her of the flecks within the prince's jade-fire eyes—something beyond their envious color, a vulnerability that longed to reveal itself, hidden beneath layers of pride. This moved her; she longed to know her betrothed more intimately than she had ever known her late husband. Even then, there was a thrill in sneaking about. The swift beat of her heart made her head light, igniting a lustful excitement she refused to acknowledge. Yet if she were truly honest, she knew it was the forbidden thrill that brought her here, waiting, wanting... needing.

Earlier

The prince suggested she dismiss herself, using one of her ladies as a conduit, and nominating Rose for the task. "Wilson will not question your motives, nor ask too many questions," he concluded and added that he'd follow shortly, unencumbered with the need for a chaperone.

However, Raven knew Cass would be a harder obstacle to avoid. "Forgive me, my lord, but I don't think Mistress Wilson would be a suitable choice. I suggest we leave her to her current post. She holds my maid's ire firmly."

Damian peered out from the corner of his eye and took note of the platinum blonde rolling her ice-blue eyes at the dark-eyed maid. A smirk drew across his stern face, iagining the dressing down she was receiving as she slugged down her wine and straightened her coif, her white hair a stark contrast against the dark gray fabric billowing from it. "Well, you certainly cannot leave well alone. Nor can I escort you without the prying eyes of the court. Once you are my wife, however..." he stopped himself, but he'd already given her too much.

"You take me wherever you want," Raven smiled, her dark eyes brushed his with an enticing glance.

She looked over the hall and considered her ladies. With Rose out of the running and Cass clearly against such a meeting, that only left Cassandra, who seemed untrustworthy, and Stephanie, who Raven was unfamiliar with, but felt was true. "I think I know whom I may place my care in."

She bayed Damian to wait patiently, and they agreed upon a meeting place out of the court's eye. Then went about her plan of exit.

Stephanie Brown was in the midst of a dance, alongside Lord Kent, Cassandra and her unrequited love, Timothy Drake. She watched as they followed the steps of the dance carefully, watching Tim move alongside the pretty blonde who so many admired. Now, with his brother keen to marry, Tim could move forth and pursue whomever he wanted as long as the king approved. However, Tim's affections were poorly placed.

It came time for dance partners to exchange, and it was now Stephanie's turn to take her place with the young duke. She swayed past Cassandra, moving about her with a thin smile. The two girls stared at each other, as if acknowledging their duel.