We lay together in the velvet darkness, the night air cool against my skin. We clung to each other still, reveling in the close presence of one another after the long day apart. The rain still poured outside, the sound soothing to me. I opened my eyes, fixing my gaze upon my brother, his gaunt face an endless play of shadows. Sensing my eyes on him, he looked back at me, wrapping his arms around my back and pulling me closer against him. I rolled over, laying my head on his chest. I could hear the steady beating of his heart in my ear, and I let my lips brush his skin as I relaxed against him. Suddenly, I heard the door creak open, and our shroud of darkness was broken by a stream of dim light. It fell across our bed, silhouetting a round figure in the doorway. Oh my, said a man's voice, dripping with shock. I knew almost immediately who the voice and figure belonged to; it was Lord DeLordy, a cousin of the Old Queen. I'm so sorry to...intrude on you two. Decided to break taboo, have we? Well, I've always known you were close but this...well I'm sure the Queen would love to hear about this. His way with words reminded me painfully of Frank, and despite their looks being nothing alike, their relation was obvious. I could feel his eyes on us, waiting for a reaction. I simply glared at him, though I could not see his face, for the dark of the room was cast upon it, and the hall sconces lit him from behind. I pressed myself closer to my brother, though I think they both expected me to move farther. What are you doing here? Riff asked, and I could hear his voice echo in my ear. I have something to ask of you. First off, I'd like to thank you for ridding the kingdom of Frank-N-Furter, we all know that he was not fit to rule, and well, he was next in line. But with him out of the picture, I am next. Though I have heard that the Old Queen has been considering selecting a more distant cousin, though the throne would be rightfully mine. It seems that she thinks I may not be fit for the honor. All I wanted to ask of you, was to put in a good word for me. You, Riff Raff, are of higher status than you ever have been, and she may take your opinion into consideration.
Lord DeLordy, Riff said, have you ever thought that maybe the Queen has her reasons for not seeing you fit for the throne? DeLordy scowled at him. I don't know what they could possibly be. She is an old woman, not right in her mind. She must not know that I've told you to do this, that is why I've come to you in the middle of the night. But now that I've stumbled upon a little secret of yours, this is no longer simply a request but a demand. If you do not help me with this, I'll tell her of what I've seen tonight. If it had to be that she found out about this, the two of you would be reduced again to a life of serving, I'm sure. And now that it seems the ball in my court, I have something to ask of you, Magenta. He moved from the light of the doorway, and closer to us. I wanted to crawl back, to keep the distance between us, but I did not make the slightest movement, keeping him in my stare. I am not only asking a favor of you, but offering you something as well. After all this time on Earth, it seems that you two have...grown accustomed to one another. This relationship is rather unhealthy, to say the least. Well, Magenta, I'd like to bring you back to the Transylvanian life style. Tomorrow night, come to my quarters, I'll be waiting for you. Oh, and I hope this is okay with you, Riff Raff. But then again, do you really have much of a choice? I would not do this, there was no way. The very thought disgusted me; I would try and bargain with him. But before I could open my mouth, Riff spoke. he said. I suppose we don't have much choice in the matter, she will come to you tomorrow night. His response was nothing I ever would have imagined, and it appalled me. I opened my mouth to speak, but he shot me a glance that silenced the words in my throat. DeLordy said slyly, and I hope the Queen takes heed to your words...or mine. He turned, exiting the room and shutting the door behind him, cloaking us in darkness once again.
I looked up at Riff, finally lifting my head from his chest. His response to DeLordy's request had caught me completely off guard; whenever Frank had tried such things with me, he had gone into a possessive rage. That had always made me feel uneasy, but I most definitely would have preferred that to the way he had so easily agreed to giving me away like a meaningless whore. Riff, how could you- He pressed his lips to mine, rolling over on top of me, silencing me. When he finally pulled away, I made another attempt to speak. I never thought you would- He held his finger to my lips. he began, You know I would never agree to such a thing. What do you take me for? I have a plan, I know a perfect way out of this. How dare you think I would ever subject you to such a thing, he said, chiding my assumptions, then softening his tone. Oh, my darling sister, you know I would never let anyone else touch you, he whispered, kissing my neck, and I tilted my head back, welcoming his kisses. I said, laying my hand on the back of his neck, what are we going to do? He lifted his lips from my throat, lying down beside me. You will go to his quarters tomorrow night, as agreed. I could tell that he sensed my hesitance, but his eyes were calming. Don't worry, I have this completely figured out. With you, you will bring wine, already poured into two glasses. But in one of them will be more than just wine. Poison will be added. When he drinks it...that will be it, he said, with a smile that contained a hint of malice. It amazed me how quickly he could think. What will we tell the Queen when he is found dead? I asked. Ah, that is where the other part of his blackmail' plot comes in. We will make it look like suicide. We could write a note saying that when he found out that he might not be next for the throne, he had decided to end his life. It's as simple as that. I could not believe that he had thought this up in such a short period of time, and under such pressure. It's perfect, I whispered, pressing myself close to him again. He wrapped his arms around my back, pulling us closer still. Sleep, Magenta. You will need to be able to think clearly tomorrow.
I lay my head against him, letting my eyes close, enveloping myself in pitch darkness. I tried to beckon sleep to come to me as I lay tranquil in my brother's arms, but my mind was crowded with both dread and anticipation of the next night.