Chapter two

Prince Urban wandered around the nest like a lost child. Amethyst had walked off with Anabel and that other serpent. He was wondering what his name was when a girl walked up to him.

"So, Prince Urban. We saw you with the leper, Amethyst, who no matter what anyone says, Anabel swears is her prodgedy. What is there between you two?" The serpant asked casually.

Even thought the constant music of the hypnotic drums was still going and everyone was still talking, the entire nest seemed to hush, waiting for his reply.

Okay, think fast. what would she want me to say? He thought to himself.

"Nothing. I simply wanted to see the nest and she agreed to bring me." He said, even though it hurt. He wanted to scream that even though he meant nothing to her, she meant everything to him. Or rather, something to that effect.

"My Prince?" Oh God he was behind her... and being polite, which made him wince. He hated formality.

He turned to her. "Yes?"

"I will be staying here for the night, so I have asked Anabel to take you home. Go with her."

"Thank you for bringing me here." He replied more politely than he wanted.

He turned and saw Anabel already at the door waiting for him. When they had gotten far away enough for them to be out of earshot of the nest, she turned to him.

"Amethyst told me you invited her to the ball. Why?" Apparently, short, sweet, and to the point is the way she gets information.

"Because I am fond of her. Her father was, for the most part loyal and-"

"Cut the crap." She interrupted. "I know that you love her. It has nothing to do with her father."

"Well then why did you ask?" He shot back, more than a little annoyed.

"Because I wanted to know if you would be honest with yourself or not."

They had reached the palace outskirts and she stopped there. There was no reason for her to continue; he was already being approached by three royal gaurds.

"She's had a terrible life. Give her time. She's really scared." Adn with that, she turned away, changed into her snake form and slithered away.

When he was back in his room after a quiet dinner by himself, he took out his hidden masterpiece: an honest to god oil painting of his beloved Amethyst. When it was finished, it would have her in a black corset and skirt with her hands above her head in the first stance of most dances. He couldn't wait. Time slipped away from him as he worked. Slowly the picture was coming together. He stood back to admire his handy work... just when his best friend came knocking on the door.

"Yo Urban! You in there man?" Yelled Mavros.

"Umm... Uhh... Yea... Umm... Hold on a sec let just get some pants on..." He lied quickly as he carefully yet hurriedly put away his painting.

He walked to the door and opened it slowly to Mavros' blue eyes fair skin and Black hair.

"We goin' or what?" He asked narrowing his eyes at him.

"Going where, Mavros?" He asked tiredly. He had been up the entire night working on his painting.

"To Nicolas' to ride his new mare. You commin' or what?"

"Of course." He sighed. He grabbed his riding gear and went with Mavros with the feeling that he was going to have a long day.
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Amethyst watched as Anabel led Urban out of the nest.

What is his problem?

"Amethyst, watch what you're doing!" Marion's shriek came as a shock to her system. During the blade dance they used often as a warm up she had lost focus and nearly dropped a dagger on Marion's head.

"Oh Goddess! Marion I'm so sorry!" She apologized to her friend.

"Don't be so distracted. You know better." He scolded her. She should have been able to do this dance asleep.

"So... Anabel told me that you denied the prince's request to attend the ball. What the hell were you thinking?" Marion asked.

"I was thinking that I don't want to be massacred if I am seen with the prince as his guest."

"Massacred? By whom?" Marion asked.He wasn't going to let up.

"Why does it matter to you? I'm the leper of the entire Demon realm." She didn't want to have to explain that she did want to go but it was like holding a snake and hoping it won't bit you. Of course she wasn't going to explain all of this to Marion.

"I'm worried about you."

"Well..." she sighed. "I just want to go to sleep. Come with me."

There was nothing between them- he had his sights on Anabel- but some serpientetraits bred strong, and an inability to go long periods of time alone was one of them.

Amethyst found her favorite corner and laid on her blanket; Marion laid next to her.

"Please reconsider. This could help. If you are seen with the prince, it may look better for the rest of us dancers."

"At the risk of my life?" They spoke in hushed tones. Word spread through the nest like blood through veins.

"I doubt they would kill you if you are under the prince's protection."

"There are too many ifs. I won't risk it! It's hard enough for me to live as things are now!"

Marion sighed and leaned back into his pillow. Amethyst leaned into hers. This was nothing new. They always bickered, but she always knew she could depend on Marion for whatever she needed.

When she woke in the morning, Marion had already risen and was prepairing to take the stage. Judging by his attire, he was going to dance a dance of commitment, to Anabel Amethyst guessed.

There was no need for her to watch it. It was only a reminder of what she would never have and could never hope for. Although she was learning the dance itself, she knew that Anabel, being her teacher, would be the only one to see it. She stood, straightening her clothes and walked out of the nest. After sleeping in the overheated nest, the cool morning air outside was a shock. She went back to her lonely home and sat at the window, allowing herself to daydream about what she may have had if her parents weren't traitors of their own kind. She feel asleep at the window with a small tear in the corner of her eye.