**When something is in Italics then it's because it's being said in the minds not out loud. **
I watched from the roof as the daughters left Maggie's. I wish I could have known what was said in there. Before Serena had entered Maggie I erased her memory of her question about me. I couldn't risk Maggie sending them to follow me. I had to gain their trust, and I couldn't do that with all of them suspicious of me.
Maggie had put a protection spell around it, so there was no way I could have used my power to tap into their minds. Even now what ever information the girls had learned in there was locked inside their mind. I silently cursed Maggie because of all her preparedness.
I noticed Maggie in the window. She was looking at me intently. Then she looked towards her girls. I followed her gaze, and once I looked back at her windows she was gone. I wondered if she really saw me, or if she was looking towards the moon that shone brightly behind me.
I quickly turned to shadow and went to the street. I reappeared in an ally to make sure no one saw me. I walked to the nearest park and found a bench to rest at. I had to think of steps for my next step.
Instead of thinking about my plan however, my thoughts turned to the night I first met Stanton.
*~*Flashback*~*
The whole Cincti was there. It was really nerve-racking considering I had never been around so many people before in my life. I looked at every single one of them through the curtain I was hiding behind.
My father wanted me to make a grand entrance, and I gave him the idea that they do in all the movies. Come from a room somewhere upstairs and gracefully walk down the stairs in all my royalty. He was if-y about the plan at first but I convinced him to see my way quickly. I thought it would be hilarious.
Every one of them looked sickening evil, except for one. I was hoping that was the one that my father had betrothed me to. If it was then he must be Stanton, Prince of the Night. He was really good-looking with his dirty blonde hair and muscular body. Sure all the others had about the same look except with different hair colors but I could see their true forms without trying. He was the only person that wasn't twisted by evil.
I entered the good-looking guy's mind to see if he really was Stanton. I was praying with all my might he was.
Sure enough, as soon as I tried to enter, I heard him say to me, "Stay out of my mind. You're not welcome." I knew that only the Prince of the Night could reply like that to anyone he liked.
I replied playfully, "Aw… You're no fun. I only wanted to know your name."
The look on his face was truly
priceless. He looked frightened and yet apprehensive at the same time, he was
looking all over to see where I might be. He knew he would be in trouble for
speaking with me like that. It was so hard not to laugh and give away my hiding
place.
"No use trying to look for me, I'm hiding. You don't have to look so afraid. I promise I won't tell father that you got an attitude with me. I'm not that much of a brat," I said to him soothingly. He seemed to ease just a little but still was very apprehensive.
"I'm sorry, princess. My name is Stanton." It occurred to me that father had yet to tell Stanton of his betrothal, I guess he wanted it to be a surprise.
I decided I wasn't going to tell him, "Don't call me princess. I hate that. Why don't you call me by my real name? We are friends now, aren't we?"
"I don't know your name, and besides it would be disrespectful." He still continued to look for me, but this time more subtly.
"I guess you'll have to wait and find out my name then." I left his mind quickly and called to my father stating I was ready, and getting impatient.
Father came to me and led me out of from behind the curtain. All eyes were on me as I walked down the stairs, with this silly smile on my face. I then realized how stupid I must look, or at least how stupid all of this might be looking at the moment.
No one got the pun as I continued walking down the stairs. Obviously, these people didn't watch many movies. I looked around for Stanton and saw that he was trying not to crack up. I was glad that at least someone got my joke.
When I was finally at the bottom of the stairs all eyes were on me. Well that is before they all bowed down. It was sort of nice and a little scary.
I was wearing an elegant, glittering black gown with a slit all the way up to my upper thigh. The front was a v-neck that wrapped around my neck showing my back. I had an elegant butterfly tattoo on my upper left shoulder. My eyes were covered in silver glitter with the top rimmed with gold. My hair was in loose curls that hung softly down my back.
I walked passed them all and gave each a friendly smile. I wasn't about to give them the wrong impression that I was a cold heartless bitch.
I was introduced to everyone and noticed that my father was saving Stanton for last. I wasn't expecting the conversation to happen as it did.
"Stanton, this is your fiancé, Melantha." My father said. I really found it unnecessary because everyone had heard my name before I came down the stairs. The whole fiancé thing was unexpected though.
Stanton sort of froze for a moment and a look of shock and panic swept quickly across his face. He covered it quickly and bent down to bow. He looked at me as if for the first time and examined me. He kissed my hand and looked approvingly towards my father.
"When was the arranged my liege?" He asked nonchalantly. Stanton, I could tell was sneaky and manipulative. He could pass anything off. I began to wonder why he was against this arrangement. What man wouldn't want to marry me? It would give him ultimate power.
"I've always had it arranged. I had decided to keep it secret for my own reasons. Are you not happy with my daughter?" My father asked the question like it was nothing, and he didn't care about the response. Both Stanton and I knew that wasn't the case at all.
"No my liege, I suppose I would have liked to be given a warning beforehand. Your daughter is very beautiful and I would be happy to marry her." Stanton said coolly.
My father seemed pleased with the answer and walked away. Me, on the other hand, could hear the insincerity in his voice. Music came on and Stanton and I began to dance.
As I danced with him I entered his mind to speak with him privately, "Why are you so hesitant over our betrothal?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about." He said casually.
"Bullshit. I know you're hiding something. What is it?" I demanded.
"I'm hiding nothing," Stanton snapped back.
"Fine if you're going to be that way…" I quickly rushed into his head not giving him the chance to hide anything from me. He may be able to be prepared when my father is around, but this was unexpected. He would be totally vulnerable.
I experienced all of his life in a flash, all the pain, torture, and loneliness. Then as I came to his present life, I felt a new feeling in him. One I had even yet to feel: True love.
Inquisitive, I looked a little more into that feeling. As I looked at all his memories, I realized that it was a forbidden love. He was in love with a daughter. He would do anything for her, and that was why at the moment he was Prince of the Night. It was all to save her.
Immensely touched by his love for her and everything this poor boy had been through, a tear ran down my cheek. When I left his mind, he looked down ashamed and vulnerable. I touched his cheek and raised his face to mine and chastely kissed him. His eyes showed fear and worry. I realized he thought I was going to expose him for his treachery.
All I really wanted to do was to take him in my arms and tell him everything would be all right. That all this pain and torture was going to end. That he would be able to be with this Serena, and live the perfect life. No one should have to go through the pain that he has.
I pulled him into a close hug and whispered in his mind, "Don't worry. I won't tell father. Your secret is safe with me."
He thanked me greatly as we started to dance again. Thankfully no one had noticed our little scene.
*~*End of Flashback*~*