AN: Sorry this took so long everyone! I think I was just putting off what I had to do to Dirk…

Naril waited on Dirk's bed. He would be there in only a matter of minutes, and he would find her on his bed wearing a bare minimum in the way of clothing. She knew how he looked at her, and knew just what he wanted…

Not to mention that doing this would cinch her hold on him, breaking him to her will like a little puppy. And if Dirk was blinded by her many charms and well-practiced "skills", it would make it that much easier to get her real prize—that angelic Herald Kris.

Kris was by far the most beautiful of the Heralds. His hair was as dark as midnight, but his eyes blue like an autumn sky. The Lady only knew what he looked like underneath that white uniform. For all his dazzling looks, he had a reputation for being so chaste he was next to celibate.

Well, Naril would have to see to that.

The door flew open, and Dirk breezed in, carrying a load of packs from the stable—he was in such a hurry to report for duty earlier that he was only just now getting around to bringing them in. He dumped them unceremoniously on the floor before peeling off his shirt. He hadn't even noticed Naril, and she could tell he had every intention of finding himself a bath.

Naril knew he enjoyed good long baths, and knew it would take him FOREVER to return, if she didn't alert him to her presence. "So eager to get started?" Naril said sweetly from the bed.

Dirk turned, and finally saw Naril—wearing practically nothing—and blushed. "Naril…I was just going to get washed up and come find you."

"Well, I'm right here, aren't I?" she said with a brilliant smile.

Suddenly, Dirk realized what she was getting at. "Naril, we can't—I can't…we're not married!" True, the Heralds were hardly a celibate bunch, but Naril was not a Herald, and "proper" Ladies certainly did not go throwing themselves in men's beds until they were wed.

"Dirk, I want you to be my first. I love you." Naril simpered, and moved to cover herself, apparently embarrassed.

"I love you too, Naril." Dirk ducked to recover something from one of his packs. "Naril, I was hoping to do this in a more romantic place than this." Dirk opened the tiny box and presented her with the delicate engagement ring. "Will you marry me, Naril?"

Naril smiled. "Of course I will, my love." This was too perfect! She would MARRY one of the Heralds of Valdemar. She could only imagine how much power could come with that. Everyone knew the Heralds had the ear of the Queen…and she would have the ear of this Herald!

Dirk glowed, and kissed her. "Naril…" he trailed, and blushed furiously.

"What is it, dearling?"

"It's my first time too."

Naril kissed him again, and that led to much, much more…

Dirk and Naril lay together as the moonlight poured into the room. Dirk sighed, and Naril sensed that he was not quite content. "What is it, Dirk?"

"Oh, nothing. I just wish Kris were happy for me, too."

"Are you two still not on good terms?"

"We started making up, but we just ended up fighting again. I think he's jealous."

Naril had the beginning of an idea. Maybe this would be much easier than she thought. "Do you think…" she began. "Nevermind."

"What, Naril? You can tell me." Dirk whispered.

"Maybe I could talk to Kris. You'd have to arrange it, since I don't think he would cooperate on his own. Maybe if he sees that I'm not trying to steal you away from him, and that my intentions are good, he'll come to his senses."

Dirk brightened, and Naril almost laughed out loud at his innocence. "That might work! I'll see to it right away tomorrow!"

Naril smiled. Yes, this would definitely be easier than she thought!

Dirk led Naril to the place where Kris would be. He sent a page to his rooms, and knew Kris would be here. Kris was probably thinking that Dirk wanted to apologize, but this was much better than an apology! If Naril and Kris could get along, his life would be so much simpler.

This was the plan. Kris would arrive in the clearing expecting Dirk, but would find Naril there instead. Naril would explain her intentions, and help him understand that she did not want to come between them. Kris HAD to listen, he just HAD to.

Everything was set up. Naril was waiting, and Kris would be along any minute. He was going to head back to his rooms, and wait for THEM to come find HIM and tell him when they had come to some kind of alliance. He turned around to wish her luck.

And saw her tugging on the neckline of her bodice, lowering it to an almost disgraceful degree! Surely this was only to distract him a little, so that he wouldn't leave right away…Dirk ducked into the nearest shrubs. What exactly was she doing, with her breasts practically spilling out of her dress!

Kris appeared, just as planned, and the look on his face proved that he definitely noticed Naril's…assets.

"Herald Kris, have you been told that I am now engaged to marry your friend, Herald Dirk?"

The color drained from his face. "I…I…no, I wasn't aware of that." He stammered.

"This puts me in a very powerful position, Herald Kris." Naril strolled to the flabbergasted Herald and put her hands seductively on his chest. "I could make his life a living hell, if I wanted."

Kris' face burned scarlet with rage. "Why, you little heinous WHORE!" he spat.

"I could make his life heaven too, if I had the right incentive." She tugged one of his tunic laces open. "I want you, Kris. Stay with me, and do as I wish, and Dirk will be one happy, happy man."

 Kris pushed her away…and Dirk emerged from the bushes, his eyes bright with tears he refused to shed, and his entire face red with anger and humiliation. Naril gasped. This was clearly NOT following her plan. Kris made use of the momentary shock to disappear. What happened now wasn't really his business, and he felt rather guiltily cheerful. NOW Dirk could see Naril for what she really was. A trashy, manipulative whore, who, at the tender age of sixteen, had already been with more men than he dared imagine…

Dirk was left alone with his fiancée. "Naril…" he couldn't form words in this state, he could only shake his head in disbelief.  "Why?"

"Why? WHY?" Naril laughed. "Dirk, why would any woman want to be with YOU when there are more HUMAN-looking men all over Valdemar? Why would any lady want to marry a man with hair like horse-chewed hay and teeth big enough to write ballads on? If it weren't for me, you would have lived your entire life a virgin, so you should be GRATEFUL I did you the service!"

Dirk made a sound that was half angry, half strangled sob.

"And listen to you! You sound like a sick donkey from the stable! To even THINK that a lady would ever give you the correct time of day is a fool's thinking, and the world is much better off without such fools!" Naril finished, as she tugged the ring off her finger and threw it on the ground, grinding it into the dirt before she turned, and was gone.