Chapter 3: First Night of Winsol
Lizaveta
"I am hating this much more than I thought." Lizaveta muttered as she stood in the ballroom with Angeline and Andulvar. Like most major courts in Terreille, the Winsol ceremony was celebrated by extravagant events every day in the thirteen day period. There was usually a ball every evening, more people coming to the first and last one than to the others. During the day, since the days were getting shorter, there were great pageants and events, like a joust or some Kindred rite. It all cumulated to the longest night, Witch's Night, when everyone came together to celebrate everything that was Witch, and to the females within the Blood. Lizaveta had always remembered growing up that having Jaenelle attend one of these fetes or going to Dhemlan to see Witch herself was always the pinnacle of success, not that it happened much. And now, Gwen could boast hosting a Winsol where the most recent, and most powerful, Witch had attended. In accordance to Jaenelle's arrival, Gwen had gone a deemed a theme to this year's ball, one that Lizaveta found a little insulting and anxiety prone.
The theme was Jewel rank.
So Lizaveta stood in between her friends in a black taffeta dress in the old style, the mask sitting on the bridge of her nose and tied behind her head. She felt gaunt and exposed, being naturally fair colored, a fact accentuated greatly by the sheer darkness of the black. The cut of the dress was simple and hugged to her body to show off the supple lines of youth, as her dressmaker had proclaimed. Her slender neck was shown off by the spray of curls at the back of her head, held up by a diamond studded gauze hold, while a few curls spilled out in an artful design. She felt like a marble statue, cold and unfeeling.
She sighed and looked over at the pair beside her. Angeline wore a backless dress made of a cream colored silk. When she moved, the light caught and sent of glittering colors ranging from a pale yellow to a pastel purple. Andulvar wore a suit of crimson red, a color that matched surprisingly well for his dark toned skin. The masks that they wore were tasteful but seemed silly to Lizaveta as their wings would give them away more than their eyes.
"I think it's fun. I can't wait to see Jaenelle's dress." Angeline stated. Lizaveta turned to question Andulvar, but he was looking off into the crowd. A man in a sapphire suit came into view and headed toward them.
"Look who's coming." Andulvar quipped and turned back to Lizaveta.
"Ah, Lizaveta, I'm sorry I didn't escort you in." Gregory said apologetically. Lizaveta smiled warmly at him and touched his shoulder.
"Don't worry about it. I had thought you and your family had something to do prior anyway."
She replied. Gregory returned her smile and as she removed her hand, turned to Andulvar and Angeline.
"A pleasure Lord-" He began but was cut off by a growl from Andulvar. Angeline looked alarmed and Lizaveta stiffened.
"It's just Andulvar Prince. I don't really have the patience for courtly manners." Andulvar sighed, ignoring the anxiety coming from his sister and Lizaveta. Gregory smiled and laughed a little, setting Lizaveta at ease. She liked how easily Gregory deflected discomfort and genuinely found herself happy in his presence.
"Well then, I insist that you call me Gregory, both of you. As long as it's not just Greg, I detest that nickname." Gregory said, laughter still an edge in his voice, another sign that he was more amused that trying to be diplomatic.
"This one still calls me Andy like we are children." Andulvar sighed and jerked a thumb at Lizaveta.
"Only because you call me Lizzie." Lizaveta sputtered while Angeline laughed. Gregory turned to her and took one of her hands in both of his. He looked at her and gave her a smile that was more than friendly.
"And that is an atrocity for your name is too beautiful to shorten Lizaveta." He said and kissed the back of her hand gently. Her heart stopped as a blush rose from her chest up to her face. This Prince was one who knew how to treat a woman.
"Well, here comes trouble." Andulvar muttered. Gregory released Lizaveta's hand as they all turned. Jaenelle entered the room on Daemon's arm with Lucivar and Rhys flanking her. Marian and Alyxandria came in staggered behind them, trailing Luther and Meredith, arm on arm. Alyxandria, despite having already reached her majority, had postponed her Offering until Lizaveta was secured in a safe court, even if that court was Dena Nehele, so that there would be no problems, meaning no dispute of who would be allowed to rule their home territory. It was a sweet gesture on her part, though Lizaveta thought it ill planned, and it was a sharp reminder as Alyxandria appeared in a green dress, matching their brother Luther.
Daemon wore a well tailored black suit that made Lizaveta's pulse race and her mouth dry. She knew the old stories and the rumors, and had been struck by his beauty ever since she reached womanhood, and it chilled her, putting the two together. She turned her eyes away and looked at Jaenelle, struck by the sight to behold there.
Jaenelle's dress was incredibly simple, a curved cut that was high to give modesty and long sleeves that were unadorned. But the dress had been dyed in such a way to show the progression of rose to black, like a sunset. Her hair was down, flowing over her bare shoulders in a pale yellow rush. Dotting her hair, like drops of black rain, were smoothed pieces of obsidian on black ribbons. It was like an inverse sky, black stars on a shining curtain of light. No one would have argued if she had gone with a black gown, or if she had managed to convey an ebony color, but she went with her present Jewel, letting others believe that she had gone down in power and allowing themselves to feel secure in this delusion.
To compound the fact that Jaenelle had a strong power base, most of the people around her wore darker jewels, with the exception of Meredith with her Summer-sky and Marian wearing the Purple Dusk. Even Daemonar wore his father's Jewel of Ebon-gray. And Rhys looked stunning, although a little feral, in his black suit, one with black and gold roses embroidered on the fabric.
Lizaveta watched uneasily as Rhys scanned the room and, upon finding her, moved quickly to reach her. Lucivar reacted and intercepted him, standing in front of him to convey an intimidating blockade, but no challenge. Rhys backed away without a snarl but still looked after Lizaveta, yearning very apparent in his eyes.
"Shall we go over?" Gregory asked and held out his arm. Lizaveta draped her own over his and they walked over, followed by Andulvar and Angeline.
"Jaenelle, you look amazing." Lizaveta blurted as they stepped closer. Andulvar chuckled as Lizaveta blushed, feeling nervous at being so close to Rhys. Since the dinner, Angeline had been charged with keeping Lizaveta away from him while Lucivar was with Rhys. This was the closest they had been in a week and Lizaveta could feel the strain in the man.
"Thank you Lizaveta." Jaenelle replied softly.
"So how are we going to be paired up?" Angeline asked. Within a court, fetes such as this were used as a way from couples to be made. Those who were not interested usually had an escort, although sometimes an escort was left behind. Any single person was seen as available and this could be irritating for any Blood not wanting to deal with even the most polite advances.
"Well sister, I shall be your escort." Daemonar said, a sly tone imbedding itself in his words. Andulvar started and Alyxandria blushed furiously. It was common knowledge, at least to everyone except the two in question, that Andulvar and Alyxandria were smitten with one another.
"I thought I'd escort her. I am her twin." Andulvar sputtered.
"Nonsense," Daemonar deflected as he moved toward his sister. "I'm sure Alyxandria would prefer the company of someone other than an old married man who hates dancing. Angeline and I agree on the latter part and I should think you two would make a lovely pair."
"I hate dancing." Andulvar muttered weakly, not wanting to look at Alyxandria.
"Stop being insulting Andulvar." Marian snapped. Shyly, Andulvar moved over and stood next to Alyxandria, neither of them looking at the other. Lizaveta couldn't help but chuckle and was rewarded by a dark look from her sister and Andulvar, which only made her laugh harder.
"What about Rhys?" Lizaveta asked casually. She figured that he looked to scary for any sensible lady to approach him but she worried about what his being single would mean.
"I will go where I am needed my Lady." Rhys replied evenly. Lizaveta shivered and Gregory looked at the man, quiet curiosity blatant on his face.
"Well, mother is going to start of the celebration soon, why don't we move closer to the dais?" He offered.
"Excellent idea Prince." Luther said and took his wife's hand. Gregory drew Lizaveta closer, ignoring the dark flash Rhys' eyes made as he did, and led the group farther into the room.
Stephan
Stephan spent his evening dancing with a few simpering, lighter Jeweled ladies. But they were boring, only wanting to talk about Jaenelle and her entourage, while being irritating in their way of flirting. Finally, as the night was reaching its peak, with midnight being only a few hours away, Stephan excused himself politely away from the most recent lady, a Rose Jeweled witch who kept talking about how it was "such a pity that Jaenelle wasn't Witch any longer" thus proving her ignorance, and walked to the spot where Lizaveta and Gregory stood chatting idly.
"Good evening Prince Gregory, Lady Ardelia." Stephan said and bowed.
"Hello Stephan." Lizaveta greeted.
"A pleasure Lord Tremont." Gregory replied, inclining his head. An anger tinged revulsion swept through Stephan but he kept his smile straight.
"I was wondering if I could have the honor of one dance with the Lady?" Stephan asked.
"Would that be alright Gregory?" Lizaveta inquired. Gregory only smile and opened his hands.
"I am merely here at your approval Lady. I would never think of trying to impede." He replied, his soft voice turning into velvet for her. At the sight of her blush, Stephan had to set his jaw in fear that he'd lash out.
"Shall we Stephan?" Lizaveta said, bringing him around. Stephan smiled at her and took her hand, almost being swept away by the warmth and softness of her skin. He wanted to claim it, make it his own and keep other like Gregory from claiming it. The image that thought evoked made his pulse jump and he had to calm himself. There would be time enough for that once Winsol was over.
"Do you like to dance Stephan?" Lizaveta asked as he led her onto the dance floor. A song had just started so he swept her up into the proper stance and quickly set into the steps.
"Well enough. My mother made me learn when I hadn't yet made the Offering. It depends upon my partner if I actually enjoy it." Stephan said. Lizaveta smiled shyly and Stephan had to restrain his desire to tighten his grip on her, to press her body against his.
"You should know that you dance very well." She commented.
"So I hate to pry, but what is your relation to Jaenelle? I'm very curious." Stephan asked, wanting to keep the conversation light and her at ease.
"I spent most of my childhood training at Jaenelle's after I gained the Red. My mother feared that her education would not help me, all things considering." Lizaveta sighed. The fact was, once they had found out that she was not only a Black Widow but a Red Jeweled Queen, Lizaveta's mother had written to Janelle in all haste, saying that she would better teach a child that would be shunned by the world than the Hourglass Coven, yet not in so many words.
"How is she? I mean, outside of the court?" He inquired.
"Oh, she's wonderful. The things she knows is just impressive. I never thought that someone who's so powerful could be so compassionate." Lizaveta explained. Stephan spun her around on the dance floor, watching a few loose curls fly out behind her. As the night had progressed, she had become more and more energetic till she seemed to glow from her energy.
"She sounds amazing. You must have learned a lot from her." He said.
"Well, not a lot, I was easily distracted at a young age." Lizaveta replied and blushed.
"I doubt that. And, you are very amazing in your own right Lady Ardelia." He whispered. Although he had used her formal name, it sounded so seductive when he said it. Lizaveta blushed harder and Stephan only smiled. The rest of the dance was spent in silence, Lizaveta pretending to concentrate on her footing although Stephan was indeed a very good dancer and led her across the floor as if she were floating.
When the song ended, Stephan led her off the floor but, unknown by Lizaveta, to the opposite side of the room from where they had left Gregory. They stood in a secluded pocket next to a large bouquet of flowers that sent out a pleasant scent as the room warmed.
"Lizaveta, it's almost midnight and, I know you have another escort, so I wanted to give you this." Stephan said and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small box and Lizaveta put her hands to her mouth.
"Oh Stephan, I didn't get you anything." She remarked fearfully. She hadn't known that she was supposed to have a gift every night for her escort, let alone other people she knew. Stephan allayed her fears by chuckling.
"Don't worry Lizaveta, this is a time to celebrate Witch." He said. Lizaveta lowered her hands and smiled as he opened the box.
"It's beautiful." Lizaveta exclaimed as he picked up the ring and reached out for her hand. When she noticed him going for her right hand, she panicked, fearing that he would feel something to give away her poisonous fang.
"How about here?" She said and tapped her middle finger. Stephan looked up at her curiously and she grinned.
"Just to be different." She stated simply. Stephan grinned back and obliged, slipping the ring over the middle finger of her right hand. As soon as it was on, Stephan watched as Lizaveta suddenly flushed and trembled on her feet.
"Do you need something to drink?" Stephan asked, concerned. Lizaveta touched her forehead and smiled at him, though her lips twitched.
"Please. Some juice perhaps?" She said. Stephan nodded and disappeared into the crowd. The corner of his mouth hitched upward as he thought about his plan. He didn't know what the ring did but he was glad to see that its effect was immediate.
"Excuse me." Stephan said as he reached past a small group of people and plucked a tall glass from a roaming servant's tray. The cup contained a chilled pomegranate juice, which only made Stephan smile wider. The fruit had a rumored, natural aphrodisiac, and a sharp enough taste to hid whatever flavor the powder had. On his way back, Stephan used the crowds to remove the packet and pour only a few granules of the powder into the cup, swirling it as he replaced the packet into an interior pocket.
He returned to find Lizaveta leaning heavily against the vase of the bouquet, beads of sweat dotting her skin.
"Here you go." He said, trying to make his features convey a sense of worry. Lizaveta took the cup and, without even so much as a simple probe, down the cup in a few swallows. For a second, she still looked flushed, but then her normal color came back and she stood a little straighter. As she handed the cup back to him, she chuckled and wiped at her face with her free hand.
"I guess all of the excitement just got to me." She said. Stephan made to reply but was cut off by the sound of someone calling for Lizaveta.
"There you are. I thought you both had gone for another dance but I didn't see you among the group. Are you alright Lizaveta?" Gregory said as he rushed toward her, genuine concern in his eyes. Stephan had to choke back the growl in his throat.
"She's fine, just a little tired I think." Stephan replied. Gregory leveled his gaze on him but Stephan didn't even flinch. He might have been a Prince but Stephan was a darker Jeweled Warlord and could hold his own.
"Thank you, Lord Tremont, for taking care of her, but I think I should like some more time with the lady." Gregory said and then turned a smiling face to Lizaveta. "Shall we?" Lizaveta took his arm but as they walked away, she turned her face around to look at Stephan, her eyes confused. When the disappeared, Stephan let out a breath and leaned against the vase, rolling the empty glass between his hands.
"Too late to get suspicious now, Prince, she's already mine." He said, a small smile playing across his face while his eyes flashed with a deadly light.