Chapter Eight: Madness
Tori eyed the poem she had written with the help of Zhane. No, it would never do. When she had attempted to create the poem with him all she had paid attention to was his eyes. Now, as she read over the words, they nearly made her laugh.
"My love, as you stand before me with such strong eyes. strong eyes? What a mess."
She glanced around her room, settling on a book of poetry. Well, no one said it had to be original...
* * * * *
"Why does it have to be red?"
"Because, Ashley, it's the only thing you have that is suitable for Valentine's Day."
"Karone, I don't have to dress like a valentine, I just have to write one." Ashley laughed. "Which reminds me, I haven't written one."
"But you have to!"
"Do I? Yes, I suppose so."
"Well then we'll find something else for you to wear, perhaps then you won't be so grumpy. Oh my, where did this come from?"
"Hmmm?" Ashley turned around, and gasped.
The most gorgeous dress she had ever seen was there before her. A stormy blue, it resembled the ocean right before a hurricane. Silver and white
fabric was threaded through, with small beads and gems to simulate the waves. It was beautiful, and it had not been in her closet this morning.
"Karone"
"Yes?"
"Where did that come from?"
"I cannot quite say."
Ashley shook her head. "Karone."
She shrugged. "Ah, well, Zhane did say you needed a dress."
Ashley laughed. "Very well."
* * * * *
Andros sat his pen down and sighed. It wasn't his own poetry, but at least it was truthful. She wouldn't know he had written it, but he would be telling her how he felt. Sealing the parchment with a stick of red wax he turned to a servant.
"Where are my clothes?"
"The black and red your majesty?" A thin servant asked.
"No, Black with a touch of silver, I don't feel much like red tonight. I've had enough of valentines and love for one day."
"Yes, your majesty."
* * * * *
Zhane smiled as he pinned the red rose to his jacket. The valentine was for him, he was certain. After all, she came to him for help, and had given him all his traits. Why, who else was handsome, clever, and intelligent? Who else had 'strong eyes'?
"Who indeed?" He smiled at his reflection.
* * * * *
Ashley chewed on her pen as Karone styled her hair. Nothing seemed to come to her mind about a poem for Andros. Damn him, he didn't let her think.
With a scowl she scribbled on the paper.
"Roses are red, Violets are blue
Salt ain't sweet, and neither are you."
Suddenly she smiled most maliciously. Taking out a new sheet of paper, she began to write quickly.
Karone sighed and watched as her friend tore her brother from left to right.
"Do you really think that is necessary, my lady?"
"It's truthful!" Ashley countered.
"Perhaps, but he will know in a trice it was yourself who wrote it."
Ashley nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. He can't know it's from me." She glanced about her room. A smile lit her eyes. "And he won't know."
"What are you planning?"
Ashley stood and walked over to her bed, picking a small volume off of the table beside it.
"He won't know I wrote it because I won't have written it!"
Karone pieced that sentence together and stared at the book.
"Byron?"
"Precisely."
* * * * *
Tori looked at herself in the mirror. "I look like a box of chocolates."
"Oh you do not, you look wonderful." Came a voice from the doorway. Ashley walked into the room and smiled.
"Oh, you're just saying that to..." Tori turned and gasped. "That is the most beautiful dress; I think I should be murderously jealous of you right now. Andros will die when he sees that."
Ashley's smile disappeared. "It doesn't matter what Andros thinks."
"Ha! That's as much a lie as if I said I didn't love Zhane."
"What?"
"Yes." Tori nodded. "I love him. And if you'd just admit to yourself that you love Andros, everything would be fine."
"But it won't." Was her simple reply. "He doesn't love me, he despises me. I disgust him."
"And that dress looks hideous on you too." Tori smiled, about to say something else when the bell rang for dinner. "Well, I guess we should head down there." Taking Ashley's arm she walked out the door.
Halfway down the grand staircase Ashley stopped. "Damn. I forgot my valentine. You go on ahead; I'll meet you down there." With that she picked up her skirts and ran as fast as she could to her rooms.
Karone was waiting for her with a smile. "I knew you'd be coming back. Here you go."
"Bless you Karone." She took the paper and ran back out the door.
Right into Andros.
"Oof."
"Good God girl, what do you think you're doing?" He grabbed a hold of her arms and stepped back. Then he stopped and stared at her dress, an amazed expression on his face. His eyes darkened.
"Damn him."
He stormed down the stairs. Ashley, for a moment simply stunned, turned and yelled down at him.
"Damn who? Andros, what is your problem?"
He stopped and turned his eyes dark. "Is that dress from Zhane?"
"I believe so, yes."
"Then I stand by my original statement."
He waited for her to catch up to him, but was cold and silent as they made their way to the grand parlor.