Chapter 13 The Ball

The ball was smaller than most held at the castle. This was to be expected with only a night's planning and inviting. Prince Getan was there, of course, as was Earl Leon of Morovia, and Duke Valric of Kania. Any of the three would be more than acceptable for a younger princess. The rest of the crowd was made up of the local nobles that would make a good crush for the background of a blooming romance. Lily seemed pleased with herself despite Jack's silent brooding.

Violet arrived late. She'd spent most of her evening in silent prayer before the fire of her room that Darkness would return early, would take her immediately. When she could no longer avoid the inevitable, she allowed her maid to put her in a purple dress with a white sash and curl her hair until it cascaded like a dark river filled with amethysts made in the shape of flowers. Her heels pinched her feet and her head ached with stress as she left her room and joined the party.

Immediately, Lily and Prince Getan were upon her, urging her to dance, to take punch, to try one of the delicacies provided. Violet refused all with a tone that just barely hinted and condescension. She spent the majority of the party as a wallflower until Duke Valric approached. Of all the men present, he was the only one Violet had fond memories of. They were close to the same age and, until he had turned fourteen, Valric had lived in the castle and shared tutors with the princesses. He and Lily had been unholy terrors in the opinions of the King and the servants but, when Lily was gone down to the forests and the evenings had quieted, he often brought Violet stolen roses and apples and sweets from the kitchens and gardens.

"Some party," he grinned as he offered Violet a sugared plum. She took it, the only offering she had even looked at all evening. They both sat at a table furthest from the crowd and the thrown. Violet could feel Lily's eyes on her and tried to ignore them as she turned to her childhood friend. Valric still looked very young with golden-brown hair and big blue eyes. His chin barely revealed the early stubble of facial hair. Seeing him made her feel how young she was as well.

"I don't suppose you'd want to dance, would you?" He grinned at Violet and she found herself nodding. They took to the dance floor as a lively waltz began to play. Valric danced well enough, though there was a moment when he had missed a step and they ended up turning counter to the crowd. Violet laughed and shook her head at him as they maneuvered into the center so as not to trample on anyone.

Darkness retreated from the throne room. He could feel Violet's yearning for him like a different note in the same tune of his own longing. Still, he was not yet strong enough to reach through the void for her. But, he could peer through and see how she was faring.

What he saw shocked him to the core. In the shadows her face came through and, instead of the agony of longing he expected she was smiling and laughing, not a hint of the need he had felt from her moments before. Angered and curious, he broadened the view he could see the source of her happiness. The boy, for this was certainly no man, that held her in his arms was also grinning. Darkness clenched his fists, feeling his black nails bite into his palms. How dare this boy touch his bride-to-be. How dare he smile down and embrace the woman meant for him.

Turning away from the image he called out in rage for his servant. Blix hurried into view, wide-eyed and wary.

"Blix! I have an errand to run for you."

The creature bowed and made a simpering noise, "What does Your Foulness command?"

"Go into the human world. Go to the Queen, tell her I shall soon be coming for my bride."

Blix grinned, glad for the chance to serve.

"While you're among the humans, see who this human is," he gestured to the image of the boy, still smiling and, now, drinking from a wine glass. "Obtain for me his name and his…relationship to the Queen and…and to Violet."

"Would you like for me to kill him, sire?"

Darkness grinned at the notion. "No, I would like to reserve that pleasure…for a special occasion." Yes, he would like to have the boy's heart served in celebration of his wedding. "Now go. I lose my patience with your presence."

Another bow and Blix was gone. Darkness turned again to the image and turned it onto Violet. No longer was she smiling but her eyes were lost in thought even as the boy was speaking. He could not hear the boy's words but he could feel the longing that again stirred in his beloved. He smiled as she sensation reached through the abyss to him. He clung to the emotion as the image was released to the shadows. "Two more days."