Chapter 12

With a heavy spray of perfume the misty drops fall upon a neck adorned with a golden chain. Brushing the locks with golden streaks Val admired her new look in the mirror. If anything she made this brat look better. She is better.

Brushing away dust and wrinkles from her dress Val headed out, ready to make the world crumble beneath her feet. Muffled yelling could be heard through the thick walls, so loud the guards were even alarmed but dared not to interfere with the dark prince's precious fiancée's rage.

A loud crash echoed throughout the dinner room, servants stood still watching as the glass shattered on the marbled floor. Cleaning it all would be a pain.

"Wrong! Wrong! WRONG!" Val yelled in anger.

"Can't any of you do any decent cooking here?!" She turned to yell at all of them, her eyes almost turning pitch black from the amount of anger coursing through her.

With a sneer she spoke "All of you are pathetic, absolutely worthless to this palace and especially to the prince." She stood tall brushing off her silk laced attire, kicking away a ball of meat and scoffing at the sauce residue. "Get this cleaned up or it will be your head to pay," she glared coldly at the servants who bobbed there heads in fear.

A solf click came from the doorway. Their heads snapped up at the clicking of shoes coming in hot, the room door swung open and there stood a surprised Teague before turning furious.

"What's going on here?" he said as he stepped around the table. Taking in the scene of broken plates and spilled food littering the once spotless floor and frightened servants, before bringing his steady gaze towards the unscathed and well dressed woman.

"Oh Teague…I just…I just wanted to help but they…",Val sniffed fakely as she forced her eyes to water up. "They were so awful to me!" she sobbed, while silently praising her ability to act and shed crocodile tears while throwing herself to Teague's arms.

His eyebrows raised in surprise and then lightly patted her hair before pulling her away and staring into her eyes. "Go excuse yourself to your bedroom, I'll deal with everything here, my dove."

Val left the room quickly, still crying softly before shifting into a huge smile, chuckling to herself once she was far enough. How stupid. She thought, wondering what else to do to make her any less bored than having to spend anymore time with Teague and his companions. It had been a few days since he told her he'd cover for her.

As far as she cared (she didn't) the parents of Mina thought it was wonderful. She'd have to pay them a visit soon and reap some benefits. Even they were naive little things. Just like that annoying little- her thoughts stopped as she returned to her rooms. It was late and she was eager to change.

Sighing in relief as she made her way into her bedroom successfully. Being Mina lately had taken a toll on her. Pulling the necklace off her eyes turned back to their original look, pitch black orbs stared back at her from her mirror. Kicking the golden heels off, her body transformed back painfully, before removing all other ornaments and jewelry, save for the earrings.

Moaning in relief she rolled her neck around sitting hunched over the vanity, lately everything has been taking a toll on her. It shouldn't suck up so much energy but yet it does. With a tired sigh she was winded and drained but she couldn't rest yet. Not now. Enjoying her form while she can she grabbed the jewelry once more before laying it upon her skin. Seeing the same face again in the mirror she thought to herself. 'Only a little longer and everything will be mine.'

The next day was less eventful, with Teague discussing the proposal and future planning for their wedding throughout the afternoon Val was left to her own devices again. Wandering the halls she heard the guards speaking to someone. A woman entered through the doors looking around the palace. "And who might you be?" Val spoke with a glare. The woman's face showed no emotion as she locked eyes with Val.

"I believe you will feel better if we move this somewhere else. Maybe in the garden?" She smiled arrogantly. "We have an important matter to discuss."

Val furrowed her brows for a second before regaining her composure and returning the smile. "Of course."

The walk to the gardens was tense. Val had no idea what this woman wanted but if she was going to stop her plans then she would take care of her in the moment that they are alone. The flowers decorated the outside nicely with dew drops looking like gems from the sunset. "You're sloppy with what you do, it's very laughable." The sharp tongued woman spoke while admiring the blooming flowers.

"Excuse me?" Val spoke with slight annoyance.

"Your plans…they aren't very neat. It's sloppy and messy like a book without a proper storyline." She turned to Val with an disgusted face. "If anything, it makes you a liability in the end, then what? You'd try again? Shed those fake tears? They can only get you so far Val." The woman chuckled humorlessly.

"I don't think you understand what's going on here, this is MY proposal and I'll be DAMNED if you get to take my place and get in-between my plans with Teague and the sirens!" Val spoke with anger.

"Oh dear…I already have." The woman's smile creepily reached her eyes as she reached forward grasping onto the necklace adorning Vals neck. Val felt like her neck was tightening once the necklace was ripped off, reaching to grasp her neck like an invisible rope was getting tighter. She choked and sputtered, she recognized this crazy fae with golden hair.

Her eyes widened veins popped as her face began changing color from bright red to white. "Ah- An- uh…" She sputtered before she fell unconscious.

"You failed to keep your end so you shouldn't be needing these anymore." She stood above Val who lay kneeled on the floor in pain with disdain as she kicked the body away and held up her trophies.

The moonlight rose above the clouds with crickets playing their music. A shadow moves throughout the dark dragging something heavy.

Johnny tightened his grip on Val with one hand and the other pulling his cloak higher onto his head. Dragging her further outside the castle before anyone could see and into the clustered forest. There they were hidden but it's best to not take chances. Dragging her along different paths and to a more spacious area deep within the trees he pulls up a hatch, tossing in the restrained Val inside before lowering himself. With a small click the door is once again hidden via glamour within the leaves and grass. Both hidden underneath the forest awaiting the next steps.

A/N:

M - More on this development next chapter, the 18th. Will hopefully be longer so we can wrap the story up before the end of the year. Stay tuned.

Funny interactions bts:

Baph: *sobbing in the corner*

M: AGAIN

Baph: I DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON

M: *slams reference papers down*

And that kids is how this chapter was made– on short notice and probably on the back of Baph's resignation papers. :}