Just a quick heads up, there is some heaviness in this scene between our mouthy heroine and a certain skuzzy knight. If forced adult situations make you squirmy, best skip this chapter.

I don't own any characters other than Delaney and the various bits of evil lurking about. All other characters, plot, and fictitious lands are property of their respective owners.

"I kiss your face, you try to deck mine."

Relient K : Jefferson Aero Plane

24

Delaney escaped to the shadowy balcony and drank in greedy gulps of cool, fresh air.

Would the evening never end?

She looked over her shoulder, grinning through the wide doors where the gala was still in full swing. She was thankful that the balcony was empty, for that small moment of peace. It was a mad house inside. She fingered the black gem at her throat and her devilish grin turned dreamy.

Edmund.

At the moment she was hiding from him, though she had to admit, getting caught wouldn't be terrible. She giggled to herself. That sly bastard had been sending electric thrills through her all night and he knew it. Each time he held her hand or brushed the small of her back Delaney felt fire roll through her veins in a completely wonderful, terribly distracting sort of way. Of course, she had retaliated more than once, teasing him with small touches and devious glances of her own. The music inside the gala shifted into something more upbeat and she shook her head. Edmund had not made Delaney dance with him but that was only because he hadn't caught her yet. Delaney planned to keep it that way.

She had been pleasantly surprised by their reception. Given Peter's warning, Delaney had anticipated being tackled the minute Edmund announced their courtship. Instead the two of them had been crushed by the Narnians eager to offer their congratulations. A charming fawn had taken her hand and hugged her roughly. He introduced himself as the famous Mr. Tumnus. He winked his approval to Edmund and made Delaney promise to visit him and soon. It seemed the fawn had stories from the Pevensies early years in Narnia. Delaney was delighted. It certainly wouldn't hurt to know a little of Edmund's history.

Of course, the cheers had not been enough to drown out the cries of dismay from the many women in the room. Several lovely ladies, be they human or nymph, burst into disappointed tears, but only one voice rose about the others. "He's courting her?" Delaney's eyes found Lady Rose shortly after. The scorned girl sat with her arms crossed and an ugly expression on her face. Delaney could not help herself. She gave the snotty duchess a flirty wave before she turned her attention back to Edmund.

That had been an hour ago and the press of well-wishers was just as heavy as before. Delaney had made up some excuse and stolen away, leaving Edmund to thank his subjects solo. He had let her go, but his dancing eyes promised retribution.

Delaney stared out over the water and sighed. She was having fun, things seemed to have fallen into place, she was happy…so why did she have a nagging feeling in her stomach like she was forgetting something important? Nervously, she gnawed at her lower lip. If only she could only remember.

"Wish you were here, Grim." The Wolf could have talked Delaney through the strangeness that was humming through her. Where was he? She missed his reassuring presence and the steady pressure against her leg to remind her he was there. For over a week, Grim had been her furry, silver shadow. She couldn't believe that he would wander away without saying something.

"A beautiful night, no?"

Delaney started and spun around. Sir Mardel stood, bathed in the light from inside the gala. His smile was sad, his eyes disappointed.

She sighed. "I haven't seen a bad Narnian night yet," Delaney answered. She turned back to the water and apparently Mardel took that as an invitation to join her at the railing.

"So, a royal courtship? Wasn't a knight good enough?" His tone was slightly bitter and Delaney felt like slime. She should have told him when she saw him in the hall earlier that this was coming. She could have warned him. "I suppose it was only a matter of time before one of the kings saw what I saw," he murmured quietly. "But I am surprised that you would ally yourself with one such as Edmund."

"King Edmund," Delaney snapped, suddenly defensive. Internally she smirked at what Ed would have thought of her being the one to make that correction.

Mardel shrugged his shoulders. "Forgive my boldness, Lady Delaney, but he is no good for you. His temper is short, and I fear for your safety. He is not a balanced man."

"He is a good man," Delaney said, her anger riled.

"You have not been here long enough to make that judgment. Perhaps you do not know your suitor as well as you think?"

"And you clearly don't know him at all!" Delaney shook furiously, her hands balled into fists. "Edmund is brave, and he's funny, and intelligent."

"He is a traitor to his own people."

She wanted to get away from him. Fuming, Delaney took a step back, but Mardel closed the distance between them quickly.

"You act as though you were afraid of me," he whispered coolly. He reached forward as though to caress her cheek and Delaney smacked his hand away.

"You are confusing fear and annoyance."

Mardel's expression was amused. Eerily, it was still kind, sweet, compassionate and it made Delaney's skin crawl. God, where was Grim when she needed him? "It's silly to deny me, Delaney. I am a very powerful man in Telmar. You would not be without your creature comforts."

"I am comfortable right here." Delaney turned to walk away and Mardel gracefully intercepted her, blocking her escape route. He ran a finger up her arm and Delaney shuddered at the touch. She back peddled quickly until her back hit against the railing. "Don't," she said angrily.

"I meant what I said when I said that I loved an adventure," Mardel purred, taking another step closer. "I also love a challenge. And if you won't do it for me, do it for yourself. Edmund is young. He is…inexperienced. I am—"

"Disgusting?" Delaney interrupted. "Foul? Creepy? Repulsi—"

Delaney choked out a small cry as Mardel's hand wrapped around her throat. His thumb was pressed roughly over her windpipe. Enraged and stunned that he would grab her like that, Delaney dug her fingers into the tendon between his thumb and forefinger, determined to peel his hand away. The knight cursed loudly as she applied the pressure, but she was forced to let go when stars exploded in her vision. Mardel's backhand would have knocked her to the ground if he hadn't been holding her up by the throat.

"None of your tricks!" he said savagely. He growled, his thumb pressing into her throat, cutting off her air with a gasp. Delaney didn't follow instructions at the best of times, and when she was slipping precariously into panic mode, it was a given that she would fight back. She scratched, kicked, punched, and jabbed until his hand closed at her neck, stopping her oxygen completely. Mardel shook Delaney savagely, like he expected loose change to rattle out of her. He was close, too close, and she couldn't yell for help. Not when he had his hand around her neck. Not with those stars dancing around her head. He pressed harder and Delaney's efforts weakened as she fought the blackness that came with oxygen deprivation. She began to lose consciousness, her head lolling back while Mardel pressed her to the railing, grinding his hips against hers.

His free hand slid up Delaney's leg, his nails digging in and leaving a bloody trail up her thigh. She smelled divine, like vanilla, and Mardel buried his face into her neck, breathing it in. He was panting hard. Violence was something that sang to his blood, heated it in a most pleasurable way. He slammed his lips against her unwilling mouth and bit her lower lip ruthlessly. The coppery taste that washed his tongue as he tore the soft skin made him groan. His hand was creeping higher up her dress. Higher. Searching…

And then she was suddenly gone, yanked from his arms. Mardel was staring at the tip of Rhindon instead of the asphyxiating girl. The angry blonde behind the blade lowered the sword to his throat, practically growling.

Different arms, gentle arms, swept up Delaney, lowering her to the ground, urging her to breathe. She did, coughing and spitting out a mouthful of blood from her split lip. She looked up into Edmund's dark eyes and, after a dazed moment while she assessed the situation, it was hard to tell which of them was more furious.

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Laney, Laney, Laney.

The cloaked man hobbled along the marble hall with a smirk on his ruined face. There was no one alive with worse luck than Delaney Carter, but man, was she entertaining to keep around. He had watched a livid, shouting, Telmarine knight dragged out of the hall. He had seen the younger king leave with Delaney, a protective, possessive arm around her. He glared about, his eyes challenging any and all to try something. He had watched King Donnon nod conspiratorially to his inside agent against the wall.

Apparently things were all going to plan. Not that he was surprised. King Donnon was not one to leave much to chance. The man had backup plans for his backup plans.

The High King returned to the dais, looking tired. A silver haired woman immediately appeared at his side, concerned. He shook his head and after a moment the two queens checked on him as well.

The sight of the king being comforted by his sisters infuriated the stranger.

Laney, Laney, Laney.

Mardel had served his purpose perfectly. Stupid knight, never learned to think with his brain. It had been only too easy to manipulate him. Get him worked up and then send him out to the terrace to face the unstoppable Delaney Carter.

Laney, Laney.

His good eye narrowed with cruel glee.

It wouldn't be long, now.

Laney.

"Enjoy your time, baby. You don't have much left."

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