Chapter 3

"Sonia!" laughed the fae as they greeted each other with a fond embrace.

"Previet! Kakdela?" she humorously greeted.

"Harasho spasiba! A u tibya?" teased Marie, her aura quite light and pleasant.

"Am doing quite well thank you" replied the other. "I see you've been practicing?" chuckling she winked playfully nudging Marie's shoulder with her own.

Grinning, the birthday girl put on an indifferent pose, "I..don't..try.."

Laughter soon broke into the music the moment Sonia poked Marie in the ribs enveloping her in a volley of sarcasm and criticism, which in turn was played back of course- until Sonia's mother broke in. With but a glance the Duchess seemed to silence both young maids as she gracefully glided across the marble floor.

Whispering under her breath the debutante commented " She's scary.."

Giggling, Sonia whispered back, " And I have to live with her.."

"Excuse me." Broke in a smooth deep voice, "Lady Alexandria, may I be honored with this dance?"

A kiss of rose appeared on the girl of twenty's cheeks as she dropped her gaze, shyly extending her hand. "The pleasure would be mine."

Never had Marie seen Sonia so bashful, what could have come over her? Looking at the handsome lad shrugged, perhaps it was because he was her cousin that she didn't seem to draw the same kind of 'attraction' that plagued Sonia. Grinning slyly winked as her best friend looked back over her shoulder for some reassurance. Marie teasingly issued her on with both hands shooing her away as if they were pigeons.

The slow waltz seemed to set the mood for what was to come before the last of the guests and suitors arrived.

The enticing scent of dark chocolate seemed to draw the eighteen year old to the long buffet table which was dressed in an egg shell cream white cloth with pastel coral bows decorating the edges. Making sure that neither her mother or Silvia had an inkling of her location, she began to load a plate full of pastries not limited to a couple of strawberry tarts, a slice of dark chocolate cake, and a few other tidbits that she could squeeze on. Her eyes seemed to yearn for her favorite treat..ice cream. It was basically fruit juice blended with frozen water with some cream and milk in just the right way-Silvia's specialty that only came around during the colder months of the year.

"Once scoop or two?"

"Two!" beamed Marie only to have a start at the sight she saw before her.

"Don't want to spoil your dinner do you? Your mother will have a fit!"

"Oh Silvia you worry too much..besides am all grown up now, I believe I can do whatever I want." With a tone of indifference she helped herself to three scoops of ice cream atop her chocolate cake and headed off towards a table in the back only to pause after taking a few steps.

"Oh so you're a grown-up little miss now, that's a laugh." snickered Silvia mockingly.

Not really in the mood for this game just turned around with a formal air, "I believe I am, and I have the etiquette to show for it. "

Chuckling Silvia darted her warm eyes towards a spot behind the youth as she spied Elizabeth gracefully making her way over to them. "Here's your chance to prove it then," she joked under her breath.

Eyes widened as she came face to face with her stern faced mother, her plate was confiscated as she was briskly led to the center of the ball room where eighteen eligible suitors were seated. "Mother what's going on?" she asked only to get a cold stare; which automatically flipped the switch-she had to be on her best behavior now.

Standing as tall as she could put on a regal stance hiding behind a well decorated fan. The music by then had changed to a more dramatic tune that set the perfect stage for a dark and mysterious masque. All of the young men were dressed in black formals, ghost white frilled shirts adorned with a smart tailed coat with intricate Gothic silver designs along its edges. The chandeliers were dimmed as the whole atmosphere grew quiet.

The first young man was tall in stature, slim yet elegant, his dark hair seemed to caress his child like face as glittering brown eyes seemed to beckon a silent song. Bowing deeply he gently handed her a single white rose which she placed on an empty vase to her right. Not a word was spoken, yet a hidden understanding seemed to have been reached.

Her eyes closed as she allowed herself to be led into a slow dance. As if on cue they both placed their gloved palm on the other's as they gazed into each other's eyes. It really seemed like they were a perfect pair, how one swayed complimenting the rhythm of the other. Everything seemed to carry an endless mystical flow. Once the last spin was taken another suitor had gracefully taken her hand, bowing on one knee as he took a deep breath of the pure white rose before handing it over to her in such a way a wave of sighs passed over-even Marie couldn't help but blush. His eyes were deep blue like the sea, had a flirtatious smile about the corners as he grinned a charming half grin, taking her into a gentle spin. He was much taller than the first, and broad shouldered-this had to be James, her older cousin's fiancé. Only he would give that teasing wink of familiarity. Marie then returned his wink with the batting of her eyes in a teasing manner while stepping into his guard making him lose his step. Time seemed to stop for once, and as she played through the motions her mind began to drift.

As customary, the last rose was saved for the special father-daughter dance..

Chapter 4

Her heart grew heavy as her thoughts began to settle on that one thought..on that one person.. Her mother never really spoke about him..the only things she knew were vague. Her father was lost to the sea, with the promise of returning. It had nearly been 10 years since anyone had heard of William Turner, and not many would speak of him. At the corner of her eye she caught the searching eyes of her mother..what was she waiting for?

Her thoughts were interupted when a fake cough echoed through the dimly lit room. This lad seemed quite young, a little shorter than her with still some baby fat about his features. Smiling recognized him to be her youngest male cousin, the one who always tried to cheer her up, her playmate, her best friend..

Young Jack wasn't really a good dancer, and even with him stomping on her toes a few times he did make up for it with his quiet words of care, concern, and comical humor while darting his hazel eyes across the room to specific persons to whom he found peculiar. He was the only one who made her smile and laugh at her worst, but for some reason, this deep heaviness seemed to linger..the dark mysterious tunes didn't help very much either.. A kind sweet smile was drawn as the boy of about fourteen who bowed and kissed her hand before making a regal exit.

Tears glazed her eyes, and she'd hoped no one would notice, the air seemed filled with anticipation- did everyone know something she didn't? Eyes yearned for reassurance as they met Elizabeth's who too seemed anxious. The music continued to play, making her feel all the more uncomfortable. Signaling Sonia with a flit of a brow closed her eyes and began to sway and then spin. Sonia followed suit, and in turn one by one the elegant maidens took the floor. A bird's eye view could best describe the scene as picturesque, the frills of the dresses seemed to draw blooming roses of different hues, until the humming birds in dark brown and black hues took the rose by the petal and danced in the graceful musical currents of the wind. Putting on a brave smile skipped over to the table, her chocolate cake seemed to soak up the melted ice cream which felt it had the liberty to over flow over the edge of her shallow bowl and onto the clean white cloth. Grabbing a napkin dabbed the melted ice cream and wiped off the rim before taking her soupy dessert into the court yard. Taking a seat stared up at the sky, why did all these emotions decide to take over now?

"Stupid music.." she cursed as she spooned out a big clump of mush and stuffed it into her mouth.

"That looks delectable, mind if I have a bite?"

Startled stood up whirling round in the direction the smooth voice played from. "Who's there?"

A light chuckle seemed to echo from behind her, a warm breath seemed to caress her right ear sending chills up her spine. Whipping round once more gasped not liking this game of hide and seek. Really annoyed figured it must have been one of her distant cousins trying to scare her again and decided to just sit down and turn a cold shoulder. "Not amused." played her flat retort.

"Aw giving up already? That's not fun" echoed the sarcastically disappointed tone.

"Deal with it," she spat stuffing a chunk of dark chocolate cake into her mouth.

For a long while silence seemed to reign-aside from the music inside that is. "Some birthday this turned out to be, here I am sulking," she scowled throwing her head back so that her face pointed to the heavens. "STUPID SONG!"

"Tangy.." came that same voice again.

Really fed up took her empty bowl and prepared to chuck it in the direction of the voice, only to find a young boy eating a chicken leg. Taking a deep breath just stood there, eyes closed trying to find her 'happy place.'

"Happy place..happy place..sweet sea..fresh air..and-"

"Might I have this dance?"

Turning round shaking off her awkwardness looked at the lad before her. He was dressed in those formal regal coats her suitors wore, he even completed it with a mask, but something about him didn't seem quite right. Sizing him up noticed his shoes, they were rugged, not classy like the others-which was quite funny come to think of it-she never really paid much attention to shoes before.

Gazing cautiously into the other's eyes felt uneasy and just stared until the boy shifted uncomfortably. Marie watched him as he walked away with his head bowed so low she felt quite guilty but nonetheless she really wasn't in the mood to see anyone. Walking back in was greeted with beaming smiles and a sharp tug on the arm as Sonia pulled her into the ring. This song belonged to a playful folk dance, much lighter than the previous one. Deciding to make the best of the time she had left jumped into the fray. Arms were linked as partners were switched, laughter was exchanged in a very cozy playful manner. Things did start looking up, and to bring things up a beat she dragged Elizabeth up from her seat and into the ring of people.

Bowing comically low took the stance of the lad who'd lead the maid into the brisk waltz. "Might I have this dance?" Marie invited with a fake deep voice.

Smiling curtsied in return, "Why you shall my kind sir!" Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh.

Weaving through the bridge linked with hands above their heads they laughed skipping through waving their skirts in a playful fashion from side to side before breaking off in twirls.

Grinning spun out of the web of people with the intention to pig out on the desserts again-alas things never ever go her way! Here came that strange lad again, now under the light she could tell his dark hair was pulled back in a pony tail, his posture was straight as if he grew up as a nobleman, yet his eyes had this twinkle that she couldn't describe. His mouth had always been drawn in a half smile and as he bowed dramatically to one knee he held out a red rose, "I knew I must've forgotten something." he jested before straightening up.

Marie looked thoughtful and extended her hand- whoever he was she knew he didn't mean her any harm, and decided to humor him for the time being. Of all the suitors he talked the most about the most random of things, like what was the mush she was so inclined on finishing, and why were a select few dressed so uniformly. It then struck her that he wasn't one of the original eighteen which made her start to ponder. "Am sorry I didn't catch your name." she broke in to his banter.

With a casual smirk coughed a laugh and prompted with a deep bow, "Daniel Greigore at your service your highness" Kissing the back of her hand looked up teasingly, "And you? What do you call yourself?"

Laughing sincerely for the first time in ages drew a mischievous glint upon her eyes, "Take a wild guess" she challenged.

Sonia who had been dancing to Marie's right had been stealing glances at this mysterious suitor who actually made her best friend laugh. Something about this tall dark haired lad put her on edge though, she couldn't explain why. Torso up he looked like any of the other seventeen suitors, but once her eyes lit on his shoes she had to draw a frown.

"What's wrong Alexandria?"

"That boy..his shoes don't match-"

A holler from deep within the halls broke in through the music almost silencing it completely.

Daniel seemed to jump at the bellowing voices that seemed to send a wave of stillness about the room. Marie sensed his tension and frowned, "Are you all right?" The lad didn't seem to hear her question for his grip on her hand grew slightly tighter.

"Over there!" came the hostile lyrics of the sentential who flooded the area pointing at Daniel.

Within a blink of an eye Marie's arm was pinned behind her back and a dagger was placed underneath her neck. "What's the meaning of this!" she gasped in horror.

"Stand back or else she'd be given the kiss of death!" he threatened backing up slowly.

"Kiss of death? You serious?" As idiotic as it sounded she wasn't about to correct the man who literally could end her life any moment he pleased.

Elizabeth looked on horrified as her daughter was kept hostage and gasped, "Don't hurt her!" she blurted out.