Chapter 1: The Lord and The Lady

Date: 24/4/1993

Time: 3.45am

Location: London, England

It was pouring down with rain in the streets of London.

While the upper and middle-class people stayed warm and dry in their comfortable home, the slums froze.

There was one person not seeking shelter inside, however.

She walked the streets alone, her silk dress already drenched because of the torrential downpour.

Her dæmon, a golden monkey, ran beside her, laughing.

She smiled with him, enjoying the freedom, and spun around in a lazy circle, her face to the sky.

With a grin, she let her hair out of the bun it was in, and it fell down, the raven locks sticking to her face.

An hour later, they were both warm and dry at home, with no one the wiser… except for a pair of black eyes that watched her curiously before walking through the door of a motel.

"Our little secret, Keiji" Marisa Paige whispered to her dæmon before she turned off the light.

The next morning, she slept in, not waking until late morning (10.00am).

When she woke, she smiled brightly before her maid knocked on the door.

"Come in" she called, bringing up her frosty demeanour that she always kept around her servants.

Her personal maid, Leticia Smith, came in, opening the curtains. "Shall I bring your dressing gown, ma'am?' she asked dutifully.

"Yes" Marisa almost purred.

The maid came over with the dressing gown, and Marisa took it from her, putting it on. "I would like breakfast, now please" she said. "You may pour a bath for me later"

"Of course, ma'am" she replied, and Marisa watched her go with amused eyes.

When Leticia had gone, Keiji jumped up onto her shoulder, and she stroked his golden fur.

"Our last night of freedom" she sighed, before grinning wickedly. "I loved it. Who is our target again, Kei?"

"Edward Coulter" the monkey replied immediately. "One of the closest advisors to the King, rich, he wants to be Prime Minister for England, and he's single, unlike Count Soriel"

Marisa let an unladylike laugh reach her lips, one no one would ever hear. "You sound almost disappointed, Kei. And here I was thinking you had problems with his teeth"

"I do!" the monkey insisted. "He has teeth the colour of parchment, and when he smiles it looks like he's in pain" Keiji made a face to prove it, and Marisa laughed again. "You make a very good imitation. Perhaps you'd like to see him again!"

The monkey made a face. "Marisa, my human, please, don't give me nightmares. Or I'll make sure you get them, too" he gave her a fake glare, and she mock-shuddered. "You're right, let's think no more of it; otherwise I'll be having my own nightmares. So, how are we going to do this?"

"Well" they began scheming, and by the time the Leticia had come up to tell them breakfast was ready, they'd gotten Plan A worked out and were starting to make Plan B. When Marisa and Keiji wanted something, they got it, no matter what.

--

And so it was that she stepped into the large room filled with people that night, her dæmon a golden blur beside her. The monkey crawled up to her shoulder as she gave her coat to the servant at the door and started walking into the crowd, heads turning as she walked past.

Marisa walked over to a group of girls she recognised, deciding to tackle Edward after she'd gotten the latest gossip from her 'friends'.

One of them, a merchant's daughter named Sarah, was giggling like some infatuated dimwit. "And he's so good-looking" Marisa heard as she walked over, smiling at a waiter as she took a flute of champagne off his tray.

"Who is this?" Marisa raised an eyebrow, interrupting the conversation with a light voice.

Alice, a commodore's daughter with an affinity for having an ear to the ground, gushed, "His name is Lord Asriel Belacqua, and he's practically a god among mortals"

Rebecca, a beautiful blonde, blushed as she said, "Alice's right. He's known all around the world, he's a famous explorer, and he's absolutely wild, or so they say"

Evelyn sighed. "He's richer than a King, and so good looking"

Even Catherine, a snotty girl who couldn't care about men (Marisa personally thought she was a bit touched in the head), was thrilled. "He's a clever scholar; his alma mater was Jordan College, in Oxford. He's got more estates all over Oxfordshire than Lord Boreal, that's saying something. He knows nearly all of the important people in the world, and he knows the clan-queen of the Latvian witches…personally"

Marisa raised an eyebrow, not in the least concerned. She could make any man want; he would be no different.

"Oh, look!" Keturah, a buxom brunette gasped, pointing into the crowd. "There he is!"

Marisa turned, and with a jolt that was quite unfamiliar to her, saw a man who was arguing passionately with Lord Carlo Boreal. He was powerfully built, ruggedly handsome and Keiji's glittering black eyes shone with delight when he saw the man's dæmon, an elegant and powerful snow leopard.

Suddenly, the man's eyes met hers, and she resisted the urge to step back. His eyes were as dark as hers, ripping through her mask of lies and charm that she had carefully constructed through the years.

Marisa tilted her head slightly to the side, raising her chin defiantly.

He narrowed his eyes, as the snow leopard's pale green eyes caught the monkey's, and held them.

Suddenly, the thought of Edward Coulter vanished from both human and dæmon's mind.

Allowing a teasing smile to touch her face, Marisa turned back to the girls. As she spoke to the girls, she'd turn back every now and then, staring at him thoughtfully before turning back. At one point, Juliana Verone, a Spanish woman married to Jeremiah Verone, whispered to her, "If you're so entranced with him, Marisa, why don't you go and introduce yourself?"

"Why don't you?" Marisa grinned at her long time friend. "Because it would be inappropriate" Juliana returned her smile in full force.

"Since when have you cared about that?" Marisa raised an eyebrow.

"Since now" Juliana smiled, looping her arm through Marisa's. "So go and introduce yourself already. I mean, come on, how many times are you ever going to meet a man like that? Phew!" she fanned herself, grinning, and Marisa laughed. "You weirdo" she teased as they walked around the room, heads turning as they passed. "That's why you love me, darling" Juliana replied.

They both turned around abruptly, to see a slightly-taken aback Jeremiah Verone, and an impassive Lord Asriel. Juliana smiled pleasantly. "Hello, darling" she smiled, moving away from Marisa to kiss her husband on the cheek. "You weren't trying to surprise us, were you?"

"I think he was, Julie" Marisa smiled, leaning her hip in casual grace against the banister of the stairs. "And I think perhaps, to avoid my wrath, he should introduce his charming friend to us before he finds himself in a box heading for China"

Jeremiah grimaced slightly, turning to Lord Asriel. "Asriel, this is my lovely wife, Juliana, and Marisa Paige, a dear friend of the family"

Lord Asriel and Juliana shook hands, and then he turned to her. Marisa tilted her head slightly as she walked forwards, holding out her hand. Instead of shaking it, however, Lord Asriel raised it to his lips and kissed it softly, as his dæmon prowled around the monkey, growling softly. "Charmed" he murmured, a smirk appearing.

Marisa raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm sure" she smiled.

"Stelmaria" the snow leopard purred, holding a paw out to the monkey. He took it, baring his white teeth in an imp-like grin as he turned it around, examining it with a sort of innocent curiosity Marisa knew he couldn't ever possess. "Keiji" he replied.

With a glance to the side, Marisa laughed lightly. "It looks like Julie's managed to drag Jeremiah away" she murmured.

Lord Asriel glanced to the side as well, taking two flutes of Tokay off a waiter's tray. "Drink?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Thank you" Marisa smiled slightly, clinking her glass to his before taking a sip. "So, what brings you to London?"

He offered her his arm, and she took it, smiling. "Well, I've been in the North for three years. Surprised?" he smirked as she stopped, and blinked at him.

"Yes" she admitted. "I've never known anyone to stay in the North that long. You certainly are dedicated"

He nodded slightly. "I am. And, as I would like to go back, soon preferably, I need to show the Royal Artic Institute what I've found"

"I'm sure you'll have no problem" she smiled. "You don't strike me as the sort of man who doesn't get his way"

He glanced at her, their dæmons walking together comfortably. "You don't strike me as the sort of woman to back down to a person, Miss Paige"

Marisa laughed. "I'm not" she chuckled. "Too stubborn. And please, it's just Marisa. What did you find in the North?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you find out yourself" he replied. "Tomorrow I'm speaking about what I found at the Institute; you should come and see for yourself"

Marisa laughed, casting her eyes over him. "Invitation only" she murmured. "And I'm afraid I've not acquired one"

"Shame" he said, before he began to tell her all he found.

"– the king of the armoured bears wasn't too happy with me" he finished, chuckling.

"Marisa?" a voice interrupted them.

Marisa turned around, plastering a smile on. "Carlo" she murmured. "How are you this evening?"

"I am well, thank you, my dear" the man replied, glaring at Lord Asriel. "There is actually someone who I would like to introduce you to. Surely Lord Asriel can be parted from you for a few minutes"

But Marisa had different ideas. "If this person wants to meet me, he can come to me, Carlo" she said gently, but with a steel undertone. "I am content where I am, but I thank you for the consideration"

Hesitantly, Boreal left.

Marisa paused for a moment, before saying, "Have you ever felt like bashing your head into a wall, my lord?"

Lord Asriel raised an eyebrow. "Many times" he replied. "Mainly when I am in London"

Marisa nodded. "I thought so"

They continued to walk, talking about trivial matters, when music started up, and Marisa's head whipped towards the band.

"A Viennese waltz" so he had recognised it as well. "You seem surprised"

She wrinkled her nose slightly, not in distaste, however (A.N More on that later). "Not surprised, merely…startled that I can recognise it. I haven't seen – or heard – a Viennese waltz since I was a child"

"Have you ever learnt to dance one?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Of course" she replied. "Just not since I was a child"

He gestured to the slowly filling dance floor with a wave of his hand.

"What?" now she was surprised. "Me? Dance with you?"

"That was the general idea" he murmured, a small, teasing smile on his face.

Narrowing her eyes, she nodded slightly. "Very well"

They stood on the dance floor, their hand in one another, her other hand on his shoulder, his other on the small of her back. Suddenly, he pulled her a bit closer than was necessary. "Think you can you handle this?" he asked her, a daring smirk on his face.

She tilted her chin up defiantly. "Darling, I can handle anything" she replied, eyes sparkling with suppressed amusement. "Do your worst"

He smirked, and Stelmaria bared her teeth in a feral grin that made Keiji's skin tingle as Marisa's breath caught in her throat.

They began, looking as if they were not aware of the other dancers. The people eventually cleared out of the dance floor, and everyone stared at the couple as they danced gracefully.

He did not hold her as if she would break any second, Marisa mused as they danced. He trusted her not to, folding her firmly yet gently with the strong muscles of his arms.

When the song finished, most of the people applauded, except for two.

Edward Coulter looked dejected, knowing he'd lost his chance. All because of that bloody Belacqua, he thought.

Next to him, Lord Boreal's eyes shone with unrestrained jealousy, his serpent-dæmon hissing angrily. "She just sees him as a fling" he muttered to Coulter, trying to console both of them. "We'll give her an invitation to the Royal Artic Institute speech Belacqua's making tomorrow, and I'll introduce you"

"Wouldn't it be best to introduce us when Belacqua isn't around?" Coulter asked nervously.

"Of course not" Boreal decided. "When Marisa sees you, she'll completely forget about him" Not to mention, he needed to have a little talk to her anyway, he decided.

Later That Night…

Marisa took her coat off one of the wracks, thinking.

"Need help?"

She spun around, one hand over her heart in shock.

"Carlo" she breathed. "You scared me" "My apologies" he said, his voice as thick as oil. "You seem out of sorts, my dear. Wouldn't have anything to do with our new guest, would it?"

Keiji stroked the snake's scales gently, cooing.

"Not at all, Carlo" she replied smoothly. "Why ever would you think that?"

"No reason" he replied, holding out the invitation. "I have this for you, my dear. I'm sorry it came so late, but luckily I was able to pull a few strings to get my favourite girl to come"

He's up to something, Marisa thought, only the slight narrowing of her eyes giving away her thoughts. "Thank you, Carlo" she murmured. "That is very kind of you. This is for tomorrow at the Royal Artic Institute, yes?"

"Of course" he murmured, stepping closer. "I know how much you love the North"

Whether it was her time in Lord Asriel's presence, or the fact that she was feeling more caged than usual tonight, something inside Marisa snapped, and she stepped back. "You know nothing about me" she growled. "Do not assume you do"

He narrowed his eyes, putting a hand on her shoulder with more force than necessary. "I've watched over you since you were seventeen" he hissed. "I've helped you gain place in the world, –"

"Only after pleasuring yourself" Marisa replied, voice like poison ice. "'The only enemy is the one worth fighting'. You taught me that, remember? So if you want a worthy opponent, look at Lord Asriel. But don't you dare pull me into it. If it weren't for you in the first place, I would be living happily at Jordan College instead of entertaining perverted men"

Keiji pulled back from the snake, growling as Marisa pulled on her coat with a furious tug. They both stalked out of the door, passionately beautiful.

Keiji continued, but Marisa stopped at the doorframe. "For the record" she hissed softly. "I would have gotten where I am now with or without your help. I just would have known what not to give up" With that, she stalked out, head held high. Once outside, she hid in the shadows, taking deep breaths and closing her eyes.

"Trouble in paradise?" a sardonic voice questioned, as he stepped next to her. She leaned against one of the cool columns holding the building up. "If this is paradise, then I'll shudder to think what Hell will be like"

She jumped when Lord Asriel's breath whispered on her ear as he whispered, "I'll meet you there; we can see what it's like"

She let a smile touch her face. "You think yourself a sinner?"

The grin he sent her confirmed her fears and desires. He most definitely was a sinner.

"Do you have a ride home?" he suddenly asked.

She shook her head. "It's not that far to walk" she replied.

"Let me take you home" he said. "It's of no inconvenience, and" a sly grin appeared. "I promise to leave you fully intact by the time you leave the carriage"

That's not what I'm afraid of, she thought, eyeing Keiji sharply as he licked his lips.

"Very well" she said eventually. "Shall we?"

He offered her his arm for the second time that night, and she took it, smiling slightly.

He helped her into the carriage, and the driver asked for the destination.

"5 Ryear Crescent, please" she said coolly, her frosty demeanour that she held in front of servants arising once more.

Lord Asriel got in next to her, smiling slightly in amusement. "You don't like servants?" he questioned.

"Was it that obvious?" she shot back sarcastically.

He chuckled, a deep wild sound that made Marisa's heart beat wildly.

Stelmaria hooked a claw in Keiji's fur gently, bringing him closer. The monkey came willingly, and a small, inaudible hiss rose from Marisa's lips.

"Do you have a house in London?" she questioned, turning back to Lord Asriel. "Unfortunately, no" he replied. "I'm staying at the motel. May I ask you a question?"

There was something in his eyes that made her uneasy.

"You just did, but you may ask another" she smiled.

He grinned. "What were you doing outside in the rain last night?"

Her heart stopped. "I – what?" she breathed, struggling to get herself under control again.

Keiji drew away from the snow leopard, growling as he climbed on to Marisa's lap.

Marisa laughed nervously. "I think you may have mistaken me for someone else, my lord" she said.

Oh, God, he knows!

He shook his head, smirking. "Are you saying there's someone else in London who has a golden monkey for a dæmon?" he raised an eyebrow. "With black hair and eyes?"

Why couldn't he be like the other men? She questioned desperately. "Because then we would have nothing to do with him" Keiji replied almost silently.

She gritted her teeth, before letting a venomous smile touch her face. "Maybe it was me" she purred, running her hand up his chest before wrapping around his tie, pulling him closer. That god damned infernal smirk was on his face, she noted in irritation, but there was a hungry look in his eyes that made her stomach swoop. "Would you tell if it was?" she whispered, her lips unbearably close to his.

Keiji ran his hands through Stelmaria's diamond-white fur, cooing with a wicked glint in his black eyes as she purred.

"No" Lord Asriel whispered, as the carriage stopped.

Marisa smirked, brushing her lips across his gently before pulling back. "Thank you, my lord" she whispered, before getting out.

A strong hand suddenly wrapped around her upper arm, pulling her back until her nose was almost touching his. He shook his head, eyes narrowed. "Don't try to use me, Marisa" he hissed, not angry. Cautioning. "You'll end up regretting it, of that I can assure you"

Stelmaria growled at Keiji warningly, who bared his teeth in reply.

"Is that a threat, my lord?" she breathed.

He shook his head again, letting her go. "Not a threat; a promise"

She let a small laugh erupt. "Don't try to blackmail me, and we may just get along"

He nodded, and she stepped out of the carriage, Keiji on her shoulder.

"Marisa?"

She stopped, but did not turn.

"It's Asriel"

She smiled. "Good night, Asriel. Pleasant dreams"

"And to you, Marisa" he replied, before the carriage door closed, and she started up the path to her home, with a smile that would stay for the rest of the night.