"The Pianist"
~Chapter Twelve~
Waking in the dawn is not something that's new to David, nor is it new to Lorana...but when they wake up in the foyer- well, at least they'd think they would've woken in the foyer, but apparently they had been moved to the ballroom. Still, they're thankful, cause there is one disadvantage to waking up from a night of being on four paws. You wake up naked.
"David.." Lorana whispers, poking at his bare shoulder; the cold marble of the ballroom floor has lost its comfort when she woke up, but the comfort of her husband's hard body-oh..okay, focus...wake him up. "David, there's some person at the door-"
"Have the servants get it." he groans, turning his head in his sleep, Lorana sighs and shoves him lightly but still hard enough to jolt him awake. His eyes open and he stares at his wife, they widen. "You're human?"
"It's dawn." She says, nodding, stumbling to untie her legs from his as she stands up. "We must dress." David looks around the ballroom and then at her again, his fingers twitching like his tail does when he's a wolf.
"Who put us in here?" His wife shrugs, looking around, "one of the servants more likely...I didn't hear Troy all night-" furious knocking on the door makes her jump, David catches her shoulders and hugs her close.
"Jumpy, dearling?" He asks, smirking, Lorana chuckles shaking her head and wrapping her arms around his neck; pressing her naked body against his own naked self. He groans when a pain below the waist starts to arise. "You love causing me that kind of pain don't you?" She giggles, her eyes twinkling; her hair making her look both wild and tamed at the same time.
"So long as I'm the only one who take that pain away, my love." she whispers, he smiles as he leans his forehead on hers; rubbing his nose against hers when she runs her fingers through his hair- the same length as Troy's, but a shade lighter. His hands run down her sides, sliding trails of fire over her flesh as they reach her buttocks. She moans lightly when his hands cup her softly, lightly squeezing.
"Only you can take it anyway...you're the only woman that I'll ever be with." She smiles, kissing his lips softly as she rubs her body sensually against his; he groans and deepens the kiss, his fingers working magic- sweet, hot...forbidden..- on her flesh. She moans lightly as his body cradles hers, and then the knocking gets louder; the king and queen pull away reluctantly from each other, but David pulls her toward him to whisper in her ear.
"Later...before we change." She smirks, tangling her fingers with his before she brings his fingertips to her lips and she kisses each one before placing her lips on his palm. His skin is rough, callouses mar them- years of childhood roughhousing, then when he was 21 he had joined the army as support to the villagers that had joined, and honor the one's that had died. David was a great king when he ruled, and then his best friend turned spy for the other side...and over threw him from the thrown; putting David and his wife and infant son in this castle in the woods; this castle that all the villagers say is "haunted". David smiles, running the fingers of his other hand through her hair, and staring into her eyes as he lifts her chin. God, he loves this woman.
"We must dress. You and one of your servants answer the door...I'll check on Gabriella's father."
Lorana nods, "and Gabriella...check on her, and Troy." David nods, kissing her lips softly once again and then pulling away.
"We should call the servants now." Lorana giggles, shaking her head.
"I like seeing you naked."
"You have anytime of the day- preferably when we're alone -to see me naked...and when we change, you see me naked then." She smiles, "and you're the most attractive man I've ever known. The only man I'll ever be with." David smiles, opening his mouth to say something but then the knocking gets louder and more persistent. He sighs, shaking his head and letting out a low curse.
"We must dress. You are very distracting." Lorana giggles, taking his hand and squeezing it lightly. He and her walk to the door of the ballroom, creaking the door open only just enough to peek his head through...the foyer is empty, and then he see's Gabriella at the top of the stairs; a look on her face as if debating whether answer the door or run back into the room she was in.
"Gabriella." He calls softly, she jerks her head toward him. "Come here, please."
Was no one home? Sharpay huffs, pounding on the door with her palm, with her fists, with her shoes- the most unladylike thing she will ever do...outside her bedchambers, but her parents don't know anything about their blond daughter's wonton side; how she sneaks outside at night dressed in an ill-fitting corset and dress with a cloak as she makes her way to the district where she awaits her callers or how she writes to the convicts in the jails throughout Faerie or when they have male convicts in the dungeons; how she sneaks down there when everyone -family and servants alike- is asleep and the guards to the heavy iron doors are leaning against the wall; the keys hanging off their hips.
It's not hard to see where men stand when they are in Sharpay's presence; when they get a look at her blond hair, brown eyes, and heavy breasts that overflow their fingers when they cup them. "Hello! Answer somebody!" She screeches, pounding on the door again. "I'm here with something for Troy Bolton!"
The door creaks open, revealing a tawdry looking servant; balding at the head and a scrunched up face that makes him resemble a grandfather snail. "Yes?" He asks in a high society voice. Sharpay scoffs, rolling her eyes.
"If you were working for me, and you answered the door after several knocks...I'd have your head on my dinner plate-"
"I don't work for you ma'am, how may I help you-"
"Where is Troy Bolton?" She hisses, marching in the door in the second most unladylike fashion. Her eyes wild as she looks around; the grand staircase not of any interest to her, the beautiful peonies lining the banister neither. The brunette holding a bundle of clothes as she knocks on large double doors that must lead to the dining room? Ballroom? "Who are you?" Her eyes narrow in annoyance, the brunette has her back to her; her shoulders slump forward. "Look at me! Tell me who you-"
"Gabriella." She whispers, still having her back toward Sharpay. The blond grows annoyed, walking up to her and gripping her shoulder tight and whips her around so fast that Gabriella drops the bundle of clothing. "Ah!" Sharpay jumps back, her face a mask of horror; staring at Gabriella's marred face. "You..you're hideous!"
"I...I-"
"Go away! Live in the forest where you belong! Who let you in here!?" Sharpay yells, Gabriella shrinks back; mentally crawling into the corner and burying her face in her hands as children from her childhood stand around laughing at her, calling her 'monster'...
'freak'...
'ugly'...
"I was brought here-"
"Clearly by the staff." Sharpay shudders in disgust, "ugh, just...get out of my sight before I vomit." Biting her lip, Gabriella kneels down; picking up the dropped bundle of clothes and she walks to the ballroom doors again; knocking, they open and a grateful looking David Bolton takes the bundle thankfully.
"Thank you, my dear...how's your father?"
"He-he's fine.."
"Is something wrong?"
"Uh-"
"Lord Bolton?" David looks up, seeing the daughter of his former best friend standing there in his foyer with her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed. "I was knocking on the door-"
"My wife will be with your shortly, we had a night together." Partly a lie, partly the truth. Sharpay smirks, "I understand wholly, I'l wait...in the meantime-"
"And if you insult Gabriella again while me and my wife dress...my wife is to kick you out without hearing what you're here for. Understood?" Sharpay's mouth flops open in aghast, her eyes widen; her arms fall to her sides. He's defending the staff?! Wait till her father hears this! "I said 'understood'?"
"Oh uh, yes...of-of course, Lord Bolton, your excellency...I won't insult her. Again." David nods, looking at Gabriella and patting her shoulder before closing the door to the ballroom. Gabriella sighs, turning around and going toward the stairs, but Sharpay grabs her arm and tugs her toward her busty frame before she can escape. "You know their son then?"
"Uh..." yes. "No."
"You're lying."
She shakes her head rapidly, Gabriella is not stupid enough to make enemies with the princess. "No..I-I I'm not-"
"You're lying. If you are having some sort affair-"
"No! I swear it! Me and Troy-"
"First name basis? Ha! I knew it! Where is he?" Gabriella swallows, looking into Sharpay's eyes fearfully; knowing the last person to ever deny a question asked by her royal -pain in the ass- highness was tied to four horses and then dragged through the village. The people forced to watch and listen as the person being dragged screams for mercy...mercy that never came, even when Sharpay had sneered at him and asked 'politely' one final time before sending him to the jails. Then there's the rumours about her that her friend Kaylee had shared with her one night; having been out with her fiance for a night stroll, Kaylee had seen Sharpay wearing a cloak that did little to hide her ill-fitting gown as she walked into the jail. The sheriff asleep at home, the keys to the many cells in her hands. Yes, most men committed crimes in the village just to get a slice of the pie that Sharpay always offered. Always gave. Yet no one is fearless enough to confront her about her actions; her secrets...for fear of what she'll do. "I'm waiting..." swallowing again, Gabriella nods hesitantly, leading her up the grand stairs and to the left. Soft piano music plays; the notes passing through the wood of the door and swirling around her, making her innards melt into a pool of water and her knees wobble as she guides Sharpay to them. He's playing.
"In-in here.." she whispers, looking down at her hands; knotted together by her fingers.
"Thank you." She says coldly, "you may leave me. Go...do what ever...staff does." Gabriella nods, not bothering to correct her; she's not staff. She is a guest, but Sharpay doesn't need to know that. Turning on her heel, she walks to the double doors where her father is.
Complications. She needs to talk to Troy, per her father's advice and request...and the princess shows up.
The music swirling around and in his head, his fingers dancing across the keys. His world is full of bright, bold colours...then he changes one note and all he can see in his mind- from what he felt...of her face ...and clothed body in the bath earlier -is a woman with a face that is gentle yet marred with twisted scars. Full lips that is turned down into a sneer on it's left side; her body is full and supple even in a wet gown. His lips curl in a smile as the song continues it's light and airy melody...
...and then a frantic clapping makes him stop. "That is...fantastic!" a voice shrieks, "I had no idea you could play so amazingly."
"Princess." He says, a light bitterness in his voice. "What are you-"
"I'm hosting a ball in a few days." She says simply, he hears her footsteps coming closer to him and then he feels her presence when she leans onto the piano; her breath on his cheek that causes his skin to itch annoyingly. He's never liked her even when he's known her clear longing doting eyes on him every time they are in the same chamber or room. He tries to avoid her at all costs. "And...I thought to invite you. Personally." There is an innuendo there, Troy can feel it. Does she even know about his blindness? No, how could she? He hardly see's her- pardon the poorly placed pun.
"Princess-"
"Sharpay." She purrs, Troy's gut wrenchs and he nearly throws his stomach contents on his piano.
"Sharpay...I am not sure about this-"
"I'll save you a dance-"
"Can I bring a guest?" Sharpay's disappointment fills the room, suffocating him like thick hands wrapping and his throat and squeezing. It's almost amusing to him.
"Uh..s-sure I suppose you can-"
"Great. I'll bring her with me."
"Her!?" She yells, "that is not what is intended-"
"Intended?" Troy inquires, standing from the piano and placing a hand on the surface so he won't trip when he moves; all right, so maybe he's trying to push her away by SHOWING that he's blind. "What is intended, Princess? It's a ball...harmless? I can bring a friend, can't I?"
"Well...well of course." Sharpay says, her teeth on the verge of being clenched.
Troy shrugs, "well then...I'll bring her-"
"I thought you meant a male companion." he laughs, his laughter echoing off the walls of his chamber, "male companion? ..I'm not that kind of man, Princess!" Sharpay flushes, that is...not what she means.
"I-I..you..oh! Are you coming or not?!" Why does her whole journey here seem wasted if all he's doing is laughing at her? Troy sobers, but he lightly chuckles at the thought of the princess thinking him flamboyant.
"I will. And I'll bring my ...friend." His highly attractive friend that he might have offended earlier. Sharpay nods, although it's a curt nod; and Troy is irritated that he cannot see it. If she were standing closer, he'd see her shadow...then again, he doesn't want her that close to him.
Ever.
Hot kisses trailing down her throat, his fingers working magic as the slide down the shoulders of her dress. Her hair, which she wears in a bun, is now cascading down her back and over her shoulders in dark red waves. She moans wantonly as her fingers run through his blond hair...his kisses, his lips...his hands...hmm..."Oh." She moans, "Prince...princ-"
"Sh!" He hisses, lifting his head and covering her mouth with his hand. His green eyes blazing into hers, "no titles, I am Ryan...and you are Adriana." Her heart flutters in her chest, his hand's warmth seeping into her lips and making feel warm all over. Down where she never thought she could feel warm.
"We shouldn't-"
"Shouldn't what?" He asks, burying his face into the crook of her neck; biting, nipping, licking, sucking and tasting her flesh. She melts against him, her hands running through his hair, down his head and to his chest where she finds the ties of the tunic he's wearing...she just has to pull the strings once and she can feel his bare chest under her palms. "Do you like this?" He whispers against her skin. She only moans in response, he chuckles heartily and kisses her flesh once more before he kisses her lips again; pressing her further against the wall of the castle. Just pull the tunic strings once...just once...just-
"RYAN!"
:) It's an update! Yayy! What do you think!? Let me know!
The faster ye all reviews, the faster the next update shall come!
~Elena xxx