"Richard, wha-what is this?"
"It's a feather." The boy grinned; the girl could practically feel his pride. "It's from above ground!"
"You shouldn't be down here." Raven surveyed the dark hallway. The palace, her palace, felt large and empty. Make of magnificent stones with a glossy marble floor that caught all noises, no matter how light. She'd always wondered how Richard had slipped into the palace without setting off echoes. "What if my father sees you?"
Richard half smiled, grasping her hands and pulling them to his chest. "I wanted to see you, Princess Ravena."
Pink flushed over her cheeks, she felt they were so hot they were glowing like coals amidst the dank hallway. "J-just Raven is fine." She muttered. She was doing her best to keep her hands from trembling in his, but all efforts were futile. The masked boy had made it a habit to pull on her heartstrings, ones she wasn't even aware she had before the boy had tumbled into the underworld just a month before.
"It's a raven's feather," the boy nodded towards the ebony feather that he'd tucked into the tie of her long side braid. "There are tons of ravens in above ground," he continued, voice lowering with every word. "Every time I see one, I think of you, my princess."
He was earnest, soft, and honest beneath the stiff eye mask he donned. She could tell by the soft curve of his lips and gentle fold of his hands over hers.
The princess felt as if she were on fire, much like the world around her. She'd always known the hellish heat, but never one like this. No, this heat was different. It came from within her, a passionate flame that flared every time he crossed her mind. Perhaps in the world above hers, he was a lost, broken soul with a tragic take on the world. But with her, he was complete. He was light, and she craved it.
"I told you, drop the princess," she whispered. "I still don't understand why you chose to work down here. You have a perfectly good life above ground, but you choose to live as a servant in my father's dark kingdom." She spoke quickly, mentally reciting an enchantment to conceal his visitor, if need be.
"Ah ah ah," he waggled his index finger playfully. "My princess." He laughed, joyful noise echoing down the hall. A pale hand clasped over his lips, only eliciting more chuckles from the boy. Placing a palm over her hand, he guided her fingers to cup his jaw, hand still covering hers "Anyway, I wanted to be with you. Simple as that."
"Selling your soul is not as simple as you make it sound," Raven scoffed, fidgeting beneath her midnight blue cloak. "But... I appreciate the companionship," she added, careful to choose her words properly. She was a princess, after all, whether she like it or not. If her father found out about her personal relations with his newest servant, they'd both be in a world of hurt.
"I appreciate the companionship as well," he smiled, leaning in to give her forehead a quick peck. "And more."
a/n: this was originally from robrae week earlier this year but... it's kind of a bigger idea that doesn't fit into a single drabble. mmmight turn it into a chapter fic one day? but we all know ho am at keeping up with those... heh. sorry for the scrap! and thank you oodles for reading and for reviewing! if you put a suggestion in the comments, i promise i'm getting to it soon. xoxo!