*What the…. oh my glob…. No it's not possible,* you frantically think doing your best not to show your fear to the stranger. *Please don't tell me he has an eviler twin.* There sitting before you; up on a window sill; with a glass of some assumed alcoholic beverage from the evening, is what looks like it could be Phobos's long lost fraternal twin. *Relax yourself, it's not possible.* After setting his drink on the sill, the young stranger effortlessly jumps about 5 feet down to the ground below without making a noise, before walking towards you and Phobos.
Although sharing the same physical build, and similar facial structure, there was some differences between the two. For one his skin tone was darker than Phobos's pale complexion, however not dark enough to be its own separate race, more along the lines of spending a lot of time in the sun, something Phobos's palace life does not admit. His almost black brown hair was pulled back in a high ponytail with a few loose pieces resting along the edges of his face framing it nicely. Unlike Phobos he had normal eyebrows with a gold ring pierced on the left one and a similar ring pierced on his left earlobe as well. Along his left cheek bore a curved arrow coming halfway down the cheek towards the nose before gently curving back to the cheekbone.
His attire (opposed to the formal wear of the other young gentlemen) still bore his adventurous materials such as his mid-forearm fingerless dark grey leather gauntlet/gloves, his matching leather waist belt with pouches/pockets, with the same material for his baldric. The tunic he wore was a deep purple that went about a quarter down the thigh, his sleeves rolled up to just above his elbows showing some gold stitching patterns here and there. On his shoulders sat a large faded black assassins scarf that looked to cover the lower half of his face when pulled up. His pants were a dark grey similar to the belts and his boots a weathered black.
Although that wasn't what was most piercing about him. It was his eyes. They were a brilliant deep violet, something you have not seen in a few millennia. Focusing back on the present, a few moments have passed yet neither of the two men have uttered a word to each other. Based on their default facial expressions it seemed as if they were having a telepathic conversation. You look between the two of them until finally the tension is broken when the stranger lets out a large grin.
"Well Phobos aren't you going to introduce me to this lovely young lady you have here," smoothly requests the stranger looking deep into your eyes as he grabs your hand, only breaking eye contact upon kissing it. You notice that there is a slight pull on you in both directions, it seems Phobos's grip on your waist has become tighter as the stranger tries to gently pull you towards him. The whole situation spells serious trouble.
"This is an old childhood friend of mine. Amy; meet Deimos, Deimos; Amy Harvstar," introduces Phobos, as you pull your hand back towards your chest without breaking eye contact.
"Pleasure to meet you," says Deimos with a wink. "So how did you two come to meet?" Phobos opens his mouth to respond before being cut off. "Not you, I want to hear it from her." Although visibly irritated at Deimos's disregard to his authority he closes his mouth and looks over to you. Who the hell is this guy that even Phobos will comply, for the most part at least. Even though you know that this might end in disaster at the moment you can't help but laugh a little.
"Forget about me, the backstory between you two seems much more interesting," you start attempting to control your giggling. "I mean 'friend,' please I believe a more appropriate word would be accomplice if you're anything like him." You gesture to Phobos, without breaking eye contact with Deimos, you see what game he's playing and there is no way were you going to lose.
"Ha Ha, smart one you are. Here I thought you were just another pretty thing being used as eye candy," laughs Deimos, you sense a change in his vibe.
*Damn* you think, *Not him too.* You know that look all too well, the look of a man who always gets what he wants, and at the moment you can defiantly deduce that it was you he wanted. Hell if that was happening, you already had to deal with one obsessive control freak you don't have time to deal with another one.
"You should not underestimate her Deimos," starts Phobos as both you and Deimos simultaneously break eye contact to look at him. "She is one of the most powerful beings in the universe, and I have managed to capture her," Phobos reaches for your wrist and holds it out; showing Deimos the maluridium bracelet. "The bracelets here are a natural weakness to her and thus nullifies her powers," Phobos looks at you with a look of pure lust, "giving me control."
This guy clearly had no concept that one of the most powerful being in the universe just happens to also be the most dangerous as well. "I am not a prize Phobos, we've been over this," you snap forcefully pulling your hand away then using it to get his stupid arm off your waist. In frustration you back away, but in your moment of anger you mistakenly put the wall behind you giving you little to no chance at escape if need be.
"I don't know sweetheart, you seem like the grand prize if you ask me," toys Deimos as Phobos and him move closer together, both showing deviously dangerous grins.
"Mind if I borrow her sometime," he continues while looking you up and down. You glance over at Phobos whose smile only seems to widen in what appears to be approval of the proposition. He might not have any argument against the offer but you sure as hell had a few choice words you'd like to yell. Unfortunately though you are currently trapped by the social courtesy of the court, and as a 'lady' you can only exchange your true feelings through body language, you decide now is the perfect time to use a new trick you learnt a few millennia or so ago.
"You know I may not have my powers," you calmly start closing your eyes and looking down. Using your dramatic pause you muster up some of your remaining power and let it flood to your eyes. "But I will not hesitate to punch that smug grin right off your face," you threaten snapping your head up revealing your pitch black demon eyes and your most deadly smile that would put ultimate terror in even a noble warrior. Although Phobos is initially taken aback at the sight of your eyes Deimos's face only morphs into a more twisted look of pure lust.
"Feisty, I like that," he states. Looks like body language wasn't going to cut it with this prick, you were going to take great pleasure in doing this. No sooner than those words rolled off his lips did you lunge at him, fists up aimed straight for his stupid perfect nose, but before you could even land the punch a figure steps in between the two of you catching your fist. You look up to see just who you've been trying to get to for the past hour.
"Calm down. All you're doing is giving him what he wants," mutters Caleb letting go of your hand before turning around to address the two young men. "Do we have a problem here?"
"Who the hell are you?" questions Deimos not impressed with this new character coming in between the two of you.
"This Deimos," calmly starts Phobos placing his hand on Deimos's shoulder before stepping forward, "is the rebel leader Caleb."
"I'd say it was a pleasure to see you Phobos, but we both know otherwise," retorts Caleb crossing his arms.
"Is that any way to speak to your prince," sneers Phobos, his face filling with rage. You watch as the tension rises between the three of them. A calm before the storm.
"HEY!" you yell causing the three of them to look back at you simultaneously, "Be nice, you promised." You step forward beside Caleb while pointing at Phobos.
"I only promised that he would leave in one piece, there were no terms as to what happens during the evening," argues Phobos as he reaches out to grab your hand. In a mount of confusion you drastically recoil refusing to even let him touch you, while Caleb steps in front of you again using his body and arm as a barrier between you and the two young men.
"Leave her alone," orders Caleb.
"This never concerned you in the first place pretty boy. So do us a favor and shut the f*** up," shouts Deimos before grabbing Caleb by the shirt collar. All of a sudden there is a collective gasp. All of you look behind you to see a group of ladies with Elyon standing there front and center.
"Language like that is not tolerated in the palace!" crossly says Elyon marching towards the four of you.
"I am sorry my dear sister," sweetly charms Phobos as he quickly glances at Deimos, Deimos gets the hint and lets go of Caleb, before Elyon can see the confrontation. "This is an old friend of mine named Deimos, and I am afraid it has been a while since he has had to use his regal manners."
"Yes, I am terribly sorry princess," apologizes Deimos, following Phobos's lead.
"Just please make sure it does not happen again," responds Elyon sternly before noticing Caleb, "Caleb what are you doing here?"
"Hello Princess Elyon," says Caleb while bowing before her.
"Amy only agreed to come to the ball if she could invite some of her friends, namely Caleb," explains Phobos. Elyon gives you a puzzled look but otherwise dismisses the situation addressing that she has some ladies who would like to meet you. Taking the opportunity to possibly get away from Phobos you grab Caleb's hand and bring him with you claiming that now that you've found him you're not leaving him alone. Understandingly you still don't trust Phobos's word and leaving him with both Phobos and Deimos is probably the worst idea ever.
Phobos attempts to accompany you as well however Elyon claims that Cedric has been looking for him. You have no idea if that is true or not but you are not complaining. Following Elyon she leads the two of you back to the group of ladies as Phobos and Deimos go in search of Cedric.
"Sorry about that!" says Elyon upon her return, "Amy, Caleb this is Miss Watko, Madame Irki, Mrs. Cartsi, Lady Trazi and Widow Harky
*Ahhhh W.I.T.C.H* you think *Wow Hay Lin sure did amazing on the costumes I barely can tell it's them!* You respond with hello's and engage in small talk with Elyon and the girls for a bit until Elyon takes her leave leaving you alone with the girls and Caleb.
"Now would be an excellent time to leave," you say getting right to the point, you can update the girls on the intel you've gathered later.
"Lead the way," says Miss Watko. Taking a quick look to make sure Phobos isn't around you lead the team to the main doors while making it look like you are simply showing them around. However as you approach the doors out of the corner of your eye you spot Cedric lurking around the area, surely keeping a lookout to make sure you don't leave. Calmly you turn the group around to head to the east side doors, unfortunately those are guarded by guards.
*Well there's always the balcony,* you think as you once again lead the group in another direction.
"What's going on your highness," asks Mrs. Cartsi, making sure to put emphasis on the highness part.
"Amy is fine my dear. I do not know about you but I am feeling quite faint. Let us step out onto one of the balconies for some air. Besides it is also much quieter out there," you cryptically explain while holding your cover. All of you start heading towards one of the more distant balconies. After making sure that you are not being followed you turn into the next opening. This though, turns out to be a mistake.
"Hey there darling, enjoying your evening so far?" There relaxing on top of the balcony railing was Deimos, looking all dashing and seductive with his hair gently blowing in the evening wind. You were seriously fighting the urge to push him off over the edge.
"A lot less now that you're here," you retort crossing your arms.
"Ouch," mockingly says Deimos, pretending to be emotionally hurt, "You know that's not a very ladylike way to talk to a gentleman of my stature." Smoothly he steps down back onto the balcony as he makes his way towards you.
"If you haven't noticed, I'm not really one for the whole 'ladylike' thing," you respond watching his movements carefully.
"Oh I noticed," says Deimos now face to face with you. Lifting his hand up; he gently brushes a piece of hair away from your face before smiling. You ready yourself to smack him if he tries to do anything, however he's smart enough to know that now is not the time nor place for this and he diverts his attention elsewhere. "Caleb, it seems you are quite the ladies' man tonight." You look over your shoulder to see that Caleb has protectively placed himself in front of the star struck girls, naturally it seems they have fallen prey to Deimos's charms. Caleb on the other hand is defiantly not entertained by the situation.
"I would think a 'gentleman' of your stature would know that comments like that are not respectable," responds Caleb with some edge.
"You are right, my apologies m 'ladies," charmingly apologizes Deimos as he bows to the girls. The five of them in a flustered state are quick to accept and say otherwise. Deimos returns his attention back to you, "Oh yes before I forget I believe your boyfriend is looking for you." Resisting the urge to cringe at the word boyfriend you decide to use this info to your advantage.
"Is he? Well then could you be a dear and go find him for me? It's awfully hot in there and I do need some air…." you seductively answer hoping it will get him to leave so you can all escape in peace.
"That will not be necessary." You hear a voice behind you. Of course it's his voice, you just can't seem to catch a break tonight. Reluctantly you turn around to see Phobos. "Amy, may I speak with you in private please?" So much for escaping.
"Don't worry hon," starts Deimos while placing his hand lightly around your waist, "your friends here are in good company. Please, go." He motions over towards Phobos. The idea of leaving the girls in his care appals you however the situation only has two options, going with Phobos or hurling yourself over the edge of the balcony hoping things pan out. As tempting as option two is, option one proves to be the more logical response to currently avoid any problematic drama. Grudgingly you walk towards Phobos blowing by his outstretched hand. With a sigh Phobos turns around and follows your lead.
"Slow down," says Phobos who is trying to keep up with your swift pace. You hadn't realized you were going so fast.
"God, he's worse than you I didn't think that was even possible," you complain after slowing down.
"Makes you appreciate me a little more doesn't it?"
"Hardly." There is a silence between the two of you for the first time. *Something's wrong* you think to yourself. *Usually he is so grabby, but he's keeping his distance, why?* you look up at him, it sees as though he is lost in space and thought. *He's nervous… If he's nervous that means something's about to happen, and if that something is what I think; then I seriously should have jumped off the balcony when I had the chance…* your thoughts are interrupted by Phobos's sudden snap back to reality.
"Follow me," he states grabbing you hand. Gracefully he leads you through the crowd and up the grand stairs to the second level that overlooks the ballroom below. From up here you can see the whole ballroom but more importantly everyone below can see you, and it seems that all of them have their eyes set on the two of you.
"Phobos what's going on here?" you hastily ask, although you fear the answer.
"It's a cover."
"A cover for what?"
"Why our engagement party of course." Your eyes widen in alarm as Phobos looks at you again with absolute lust and triumph. You knew this was coming, all the signs where there, yet you still hoped that it wouldn't come down to it.
*Now would be a great time to run* you think. Just before you are about to bolt though Cedric emerges from behind. With a smile he walks past you towards the railing and starts to address the people below.
"Citizens of Meridian! I am happy to announce the royal engagement of our beloved Prince Phobos, to the beautiful Princess Amy!" The crowd below erupts in a series of cheers and congratulations. Your reaction is quite the opposite, angrily you confront him.
"This is not happening Phobos. I will never marry you," you crossly state.
"You don't have a choice," states Phobos without so much as glancing at you.
"That's not how this works, that's not how any of this works! I have no desire to marry you and you have no leverage to make me say otherwise!"
"Not yet…." Suddenly a guard comes running up the stairs and whispers something into Cedric's ear. Cedric looks back at the two of you and Phobos gives him a nod.
"GUARDS SEIZE THE REBEL LEADER!" shouts out Cedric.
"WHAT!" you shriek as mass chaos ensues and guards start pouring into the ballroom from all directions.