Chapter 10: I will not hear it.

I continued to lay my head against the ice-cold wall, in so many ways the wall felt like Viktor to me. Why wouldn't he just let me see what lay beneath that hard exterior? What was he so scared of? It was comical the way a feared warlord could himself fear something as simple as love. I let out a heavy sigh pulling my head from the concrete as I heard the doors pull open. I turned around and standing in the doorway was Viktor. My heart throbbed, and my stomach twisted painfully. His very sight made me quiver now that I had come to terms with what I felt.

"Amelia, I thought I asked you to go to bed." He was using the same glare on me, but I could tell his hatred was not fueling it. It was something different. He couldn't hate me any longer, the way I could not hate him either.

"I'm sorry." Was all I could think of saying. What else could I possibly do? I owed him no explanation and appearing weakened and crushed by him would do no good. I had seen first hand how he enjoyed turning down woman.

"Get to bed." Viktor looked away from me as he headed down the hallway to the left of me. He was going to bed, obviously what had happened wouldn't keep him up during the day. Fine, if Viktor wanted to pretend there was nothing there between us, I could do the same. In fact there were more then enough willing nobleman who had glanced upon me with want, I would use them to make Viktor come to terms with his feelings for me, and still if he denied them, I would leave early.

I grinned mischievously as I walked to the bedroom. I threw my tattered clothes onto the chair, and placed my sword next to my armor as I changed for bed. In the morning I would catch Viktor's attention and heaven have mercy on the poor nobleman who first looked upon my advances.

----

I woke, as there was a knock on my door.

"Come in." I said stretching in my bed with a yawn.

"I'm to help you get dressed." Rayne said peering in through the door opening. She did not sound happy. The way she glared at me like meat made me realize she was jealous that Viktor would even keep me here. I got up from the bed eagerly as I remembered my previous night's idea, completely ignoring Rayne's stares of death.

"I promise I will not be a pain to you Rayne, and I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. I was bitter from being locked in the dungeon by Viktor. I apologize." I said with a smile as I lit a few candles to bring light to the room. Rayne seemed slightly taken back.

"Thank you." She said much more friendly now. She closed the door and walked to the closer scanning through the outfits.

"Rayne," I said as I brushed my hair.

"Yes?" She asked, still scanning over the outfits.

"I have no feelings for Viktor." I assured her, I knew she desired him, and it would be in my favor to get her to continue and throw herself at Viktor. He would be sickened by her and realize he did desire me, even if he lied to himself.

"I do not either." Rayne looked to me finally as her face scrunched slightly in suspicion. She thought I was trying to find a reason to be angry with her.

"I'm being honest Rayne, if you want him, go for it. You were here longer afterall." I said matter of factly. "And I have my eye on another nobleman." I confided in her. Rayne rushed to my side with eagerness.

"You mean, you were trying to impress someone else?" She asked. I nodded my head never missing a beat. I would play Rayne and use her to my advantage.

"Would you help me?" I asked. Rayne nodded her head.

"Who?" She asked sinking down onto the floor looking up at me. I tried to remember all the nobles; a young man stuck out in my mind most.

"Mark." I replied with a smile trying to sell my 'feelings' to Rayne. She giggled as if were two gossiping best friends.

"He's very cute." She said with a small grin. "I know just what you should wear." She sprung up from her seat and grabbed a black dress bringing it into my view. My jaw hung open at the lack of fabric. This would not entice Viktor; it would surely disgust him. He had a regal taste, a vintage taste.

"A little more modesty." I answered her with a smile. Rayne sighed.

"Mark likes show off kind of clothes. I'd know." She grinned, showing her fangs. So I had been right about the tart.

"Still Rayne, something elegant, like the dress I wore yesterday." I answered her as I stood from the chair at my vanity watching her scan the clothes again. I watched the excitement light up in her eyes a second time.

"Then this is exactly what you'd need. Viktor hand picked this dress, it is certain to get Mark's full attention." She said bringing it over to me. I did not even need to see the dress to know it was the one I'd be wearing. If Viktor had chosen it, it already meant he liked it. Rayne brought the dress into my view it was elegant like the dress I had worn yesterday. It bunched the same way at the bottom. This dress was superior to the one I had worn yesterday though; it was blood red, the very color to send any vampire into hunger.

"It's beautiful." I answered pulling it from her hands. "A leather corset and it will be complete. Find one with Viktor's symbol on it." I said absent-mindedly. Rayne paused.

"Why?" She asked bitterly. I realized my slip up.

"The design will compliment the dress." I answered her. Rayne accepted the lie and brought me what I had asked for.

"I will call for you when I need your help." I told her, as I ushered her out the door. Rayne nodded listening to my words and did as I asked.

----

Finally after much attempt to complete the perfect look I felt I was ready to face the council once again. Rayne had told me Viktor was giving an important speech tonight, something was going on in the castle and he wanted to make it aware. But I had every intent to make it impossible for him to give his little speech. I walked through the council doors making sure to be seen and heard.

"Sorry I am late, it took Rayne and I a little longer to get ready." I explained innocently. Viktor sat in his chair silently, I watched him swallow. Oh this would certainly be very fun. "Viktor." I said looking over to him without any kind of feeling in my voice.

"Yes?" He looked up, trying his best not to eye my outfit choice but I knew he couldn't help but glance to it every once in a while.

"Our tardiness is due to my fault." I said trying to sound noble. "It's not Rayne's fault, it's strictly mine, I hope you can pardon me." I tried not to grin but I couldn't help myself. I was thoroughly enjoying the dissatisfied expression on Viktor's face. He said nothing for a moment.

"Amelia, I think you should sit beside me for the meeting." He said in a calm voice. I knew the moment I sat beside him he would scold and threaten me with his every breath so I denied the offer gently.

"Thank you Sire, but I know it is a seat Rayne desires more then I. I think I'll sit beside Mark." I looked away from Viktor and took my seat next to the dark haired man. He instantly smiled at me, the fish was hooked, all I had to do was reel him in.

"Amelia." Viktor's tone was sharp, anger evident in its infliction but only I could detect the jealousy as well.

"Yes?" I asked innocently. Viktor just continued to watch me, then he glanced to the other members he would not verbalize that he wanted me beside him.

"I would just like to reverbalize that in a weeks time you're leaving." He said coldly and turned his gaze from mine. I gave a gentle nod and began to get cozy beside Mark as I watched Rayne take the seat I had the night before. Before this meeting was over, Viktor would fall into one of my traps, and if he still refused to take my bait, I would take my leave in silence.

A/N:

-Just a short little chapter for right now to set up the next little wrench in the machine I like to call Viktor/Amelia. Lol.

-I promise much more will happen in the next chapter. It's when jealousy comes into play. :].