After much eternal debate, I have decided to write a new story. Here is the first 1/2 of the chapter. It is really AU and will not follow many characters (besides Zach and Cammie.) I hope you guys will read and review to tell me a ya or nay for continuing with the publication and upkeep of this new story.
Also, who wants to help me think of a summary for it? Hope you like it and decide to review.
Lastly, thank you so much for all of the support you have given to "Undone" these past months. It's been fun sometimes, and annoying other times to have to update but you guys bore with me for the whole thing. I love you all :)
And my final apology: Sorry for those who hated the ending. I totally relate. If any of you have read the Inheritance Cycle- and read the last book, I nearly killed Christopher Paolini after it. So I totally respect you if you decide to hate me for all eternity. It's cool.
Enjoy.
Chapter 1: "The Waiting Game"
Gold hair spilled onto a forest green dress, ringlets contrasting lightly with the shockingly deep color. She stepped from her carriage with a tiny-gloved hand lightly resting on the outstretched arms of the footman. As soon as her feet touched the gravel, eyes follow her dainty steps. The click-clack of her silver shoes echoed on the marbled floor of yet another Palace, to yet another ballroom. The silent servants watched her with guarded expressions.
Gold encased doors met her arrival to the scene. The announcement of her presence was met with the respectful silence of high society, then the hasty attempts to re-engage in conversation. The ballroom was swathed in velvet and satin, the swirling skirts and flashing gold of the elite competing for attention. The music engulfed the room's chatter, weaving its graceful way into the surrounding night. The ladies batted eyes, the gentlemen swooped down upon their unsuspecting prey. It was the scene fit for royalty, fit for her position.
The swooping cut of the dress's back showed off pale skin and defined muscles of a Huntress, but the gathered crowd saw only the demure posture she was forced to adopt for formal occasions.
The neckline danced on the edge of fashion; showcasing a drooping necklace of diamonds caressing the slender neck of the Princess.
The dancing steps traced around the ballroom, as she was traded, partner-to-partner. Never a moment for rest, always expected to fulfill her duty to company rather than to her aching feet. The eligible bachelors of the surrounding kingdoms all vied for her attentions, and were met with a mask of flirtations that kept them satisfied until they moved on to the next pretty face.
As her last partner relinquished his grip and moved across the room to flirt with the Lady hailing from West Umbrage, she turned and attempted to make her way, unnoticed to the wall to recline in peace with the dowagers sitting on chaise lounge chairs.
A tap on her shoulder interrupted her plans for escape.
"May I have this dance?" said a prince from a far off country. Bulgaria perhaps. Or was it Turkey? His dark looks gave no suggestion as to his exact origin.
"Of course." She placed her gloved hand lightly into his proffered fingers, suppressing longing thoughts of an empty seat.
His large hand at her waist rested comfortably as he guided her skillfully around the other couples occupying the dance floor.
"May I ask your name?" he questioned politely. She suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. As if he didn't know. Her family's reputation had proceeded her, if the whispers meant anything.
"Cameron, Princess of Britain."
"A pleasure. I'm Zachary, Prince of Spain."
So she had been correct in her assumption.
"An honor, Sir."
The final cadence signaled release for Cameron, and she forced a smile as she swopped into a graceful curtsey and allowed the Prince to kiss her hand.
"Until next time." He said, sweeping her a bow, then melted into the crowd of dashing suits and pastry colored skirts.
And again the cloud of gentlemen descended upon her, once she was spotted without a partner.
The night proceeded in the same fashion as all the others. Shamefully obvious flattery, honey-dipped compliments all forced her way, until the air was thick with the smothering perfumes and fake smiles of the social climbers.
She bore it all for nearly 4 hours until the stuffy ballroom was just too much. The moonlight night called her to its side, as the smell of roses drifted in through an open balcony. Escape was so near. The light breeze ruffled her hair as she exited the ballroom for the peace of the solitary platform. The sounds of the party drifted to her, across the ocean of her thoughts. Her absence would be noted all too soon.
It had become a game for her, really. A waiting game, of counting the seconds of freedom before duty called her back.
The night touched her skin, and seemed to envelop the small teen into darkness. It was so peaceful, so right, out in the dark alone.
"Your Highness."
The voice called her back to herself, and reluctantly she turned to again retained her position on the dance floor. Her favorite lady-in-waiting and only confidant stood behind her, with a melancholy smile as she watched her mistress enjoying the scant freedom the wind provided. But it was her duty.
"Yes, thank you Kat."
She turned and headed back into the crowded room.
Trading smiles, laughing at pointless humor and fluttering her fan in the well-bred manner engrained into her habits by years of training.
It was the act of a flawless machine of society. The act never slipped, never once betrayed a flicker of emotion boiling beneath the surface. Only her eyes, sharp and blue, showed the true flashes of emotion in the flickering candlelight.
The final strands of music faded into the night as she finally re-entered her carriage. The pretentious mask dropped immediately from her face as she kicked off her shoes and pulled off her gloves with a vindictive expression. The golden ringlets spilled down her bare back as she practically yanked the clips from her scalp. The green dress was hoisted above her knees as she lounged on the soft carriage bench. Relief was evident in her expression as she turned to Kat, the only other person present to witness such a breach in decorum.
"I thought it would never end." She said, sitting opposite her closest friend in the darkness of the night.
"Indeed, my lady, I noticed." A sly smile flitted onto the other girls face, gauging the mood of the Princess.
"How many times do I have to tell you Katarina? It's Cameron, or Cam. None of this 'Your Highness' or 'My Lady' unless present company absolutely demands it."
"If it's all the same, I'd prefer Kat."
"As long as we understand each other." She smiled; glad to have one friend in a world of fakes.
The swaying of the carriage lulled Cameron into a deep stupor and the rest of the journey back to her castle passed in comfortable silence. The scenery changed gradually over time, shifting from open country to forested hills and eventually sloping into rocky mountains covered in a mass of green trees. The light of the full moon was blocked by the sable canopy overhead, barely illuminating the winding path to Cameron's castle.
As the wheels slowed, the Princess flung open her own door and descended with bare feet onto the soft grass of her palace home. The servants here at her home knew better than to patronize their Princess. She had made it very clear she was capable of opening her own doors.
Despite the lateness of the hour, a candle still flickered within the windows of Thornfield Palace.
"Cameron dear how was the ball?" An elderly woman emerged, carrying a candlestick and wearing a thick nightdress to keep out the chill of the evening. Her knowing smile was directed at the headstrong girl, with no trace of anger for the state of her less than proper appearance.
"Why don't you ask Kat, you know how she loves these things?", She replied.
The woman merely laughed. "I see you enjoyed yourself."
"Couldn't have been more delighted to attend."
"Always the life of the party, I see." Buckingham smiled kindly at the girl she had raised as if she was her own daughter.
"Goodnight, and thank you waiting up. It's nice to see at least one friendly face." Cameron said, before turning and ascending one of the many grand staircases present throughout the castle.