The Bomb was hot. In her black cloak and midnight boots she wore drew little attention from the people, who saw her as nothing but a shadow, but much attention from the sun, who saw her as a chance to form heat. A lot of it. Sweat beads were foaming on her forehead and her mouth was growing dryer by the minute. Why did Jude and Carden have to have their celebration of unity among the Courts here in the sun?
Where danger could hide just as easily in the shadows as the Bomb could.
Where weapons and treachery could sneak in just as quietly as the Ghost could.
Where things could be stolen and removed from the premises just as quickly as the Roach could.
There were only three of them and endless revelers. Of course, it wasn't like they stood no chance at all if the dispersed Court of Teeth made their move to seize the crown. The Bomb had rigged the ground to explode beneath the partygoer's feet if they threatened her rulers. And the Ghost had soldiers with crossbows in every tree that rimmed the glade. And yes, the Roach was among the revelers even then searching for any weapon that could be used against her High King and Queen. So perhaps she shouldn't worry so much.
But she did.
Oh, how the Bomb worried.
It was less that she worried for Jude, for the Queen could handle a blade just as swiftly as she could, if not better. Nor did she worry for Carden, who could likely charm any intruder and if not, raise the earth to his power. And she didn't much worry for the other revelers, for they were all drunken scumbags who she would be more than happy to kill if they crossed her or her friends. No, the Bomb worried most for someone she knew could protect himself, who could fight and steal and hide his way to freedom. She worried for someone who was just as capable of wielding the shadows and the mysteries of it as she was. She worried for someone also dressed in black and a magical mask that allowed him to remain unidentified
The Bomb went to move her right hand from behind her so she could adjust the straps of her cloak, but she could not.
Her hands were tied. She opened her mouth quickly to scream, for that was a roundabout way for the Ghost to train his archers on whatever enemy, but her mouth was gagged just as quickly. She kicked backward at the intruder and was preparing to swing around and find out who and what this fiend was when she was stuffed into a large bag and picked up. She kicked at the strong arms that held her, hoping to at least annoy her captor. Finally, the Bomb was returned to the ground and the bag was removed from her head. She glanced around, fighting against her gag.
She was stranded in the middle of… the dance floor. All around her faeries danced the soles off their feet, not caring at all that she had been captured. In fact, they seemed to be laughing. She even saw Jade grin at her in between Carden's kisses. What was going on? Suddenly her captor spun her around and she prepared to spit out as many insults as possible. He was rude, he was going to pay for it, and goddamn-
The Roach.
Van.
The love of her life.
How dare he scare her like that!
"Hello sunshine," He grinned, his many scars disappearing in his loveable, hideous smile. The Roach ran his strong fingers up her back before untying the gag.
The Bomb exploded. "Exactly what do you think you are doing?!"
"Well," the Roach began, "I knew you would never dance with me under normal circumstances so I used my slyfooting to sneak up on you, capture you, and surprise you. Now you have to dance with me or else I won't untie your hands."
The Bomb couldn't help but smile. He'd used her own skills against her so she would dance with him. It would be like telling a puppy no when he begged to go on a walk with the leash in his mouth.
The Bomb sighed. "Fine. One dance."
He held her small body close against his tall one. Together they stumbled through the steps neither of them was practiced at, but that didn't matter. They were together. And they were safe. The Bomb let out a little sigh of happiness. He'd captured her and her heart.
AN: Hello! I hope you all enjoyed this! I recently binge-read the Folk of Air series and can't get enough of the Jarden fanfictions. But honestly, my favorite couple didn't get enough attention. Hense, Captured. Please review, it really provides motivation! Thanks and have a great week!